Archive for the ‘Republicans’ Category

Republicans distance selves from Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy over racial remarks

Prominent Republicans and conservative news media outlets rallied in recent weeks around the cause of Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy, whose armed standoff with authorities over grazing rights on federal land had made him an instant folk hero on the right.

But Bundys GOP defenders, including Sens. Dean Heller (Nev.) and Rand Paul (Ky.), rapidly abandoned him on Thursday following reports of incendiary remarks that the white rancher made about minorities. Bundy wondered aloud whether blacks would be better off as slaves picking cotton, and alleged that people of color are against us.

The controversy marks another major headache for establishment Republicans working to build better relationships with blacks and Hispanics crucial voting blocs that have increasingly supported Democrats in recent elections. The GOP is in the midst of a messaging tour aimed at reintroducing the party to minority voters, including lawmaker visits to minority neighborhoods and to historically black colleges.

It undermines the broader, more important goals to rebrand and reestablish a conversation with a community that looks suspiciously upon most of the things you say, said former Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele, referring to African Americans in particular.

Steele, who was the RNCs first black chairman, added that Republicans must declare that there is no place for this level of ignorance and stupidity around matters of race in our party.

Bundy and his family are entrenched in a decades-long battle with federal authorities after the rancher refused to pay fines for illegally grazing his cattle on federal land. The dispute escalated this month when Bundy and an armed militia of supporters had a standoff with federal agents who attempted to seize his cattle a confrontation featured prominently during numerous segments on Fox News Channel.

A growing number of Republican lawmakers and conservative pundits had expressed support for Bundys cause, while top Democrats including Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) denounced him as a vigilante and domestic terrorist.

The New York Times on Thursday reported a series of racial comments Bundy made during the weekend to a reporter and supporters gathered at his ranch. Later Thursday, The Washington Post obtained a video recorded by a Bundy supporter that included all of the remarks.

I want to tell you one more thing I know about the Negro, Bundy said, according to the video. Ive often wondered: Are they better off as slaves, picking cotton and having a family life and doing things, or are they better off under government subsidy? They didnt get no more freedom. They got less freedom.

He also recalled 1960s-era riots by what he called Negro groups in Los Angeles. He said he hardly ever saw a black person until he was almost a teenager and noted that he is surrounded by white faces.

Read more:
Republicans distance selves from Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy over racial remarks

Republicans back Brown's concept of a fund for debt and rainy days

SACRAMENTO Gov. Jerry Brown has both Democrats and Republicans on board with the broad outlines of his plan for stockpiling some cash and paying off debt.

But as the special legislative session Brown called on the issue opened Thursday, it was clear that, as lawmakers like to say, the devil could be in the details.

Republicans, whose votes the Democratic governor needs to place his measure on the fall ballot, want tighter controls on the reserve fund than the governor has proposed. One senator said there might be a loophole in the plan that could help Brown fund the state's troubled bullet train network a project most Republicans oppose.

On the other side of the aisle, Senate leader Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) has publicly balked at Brown's insistence that lawmakers act on his proposal now rather than later this year. Democrats also could hold out for the restoration of more healthcare and social service funds cut during the recession.

Assembly Speaker John A. Prez (D-Los Angeles), an early proponent of a rainy-day fund, said there was plenty of room for compromise. Although lawmakers took no action on the governor's plan Thursday, Prez scheduled an initial hearing on the topic for Monday.

"We'll figure out what it is we need to address to make this solid concept something people can come together on," he said in an interview.

By calling the special session, which runs concurrently with the Legislature's regular session, Brown has put Republicans on the spot in this election year.

They can withhold the two votes he needs in the Senate, now that the Democrats have lost their supermajority there, and torpedo the measure. Or they can help pass Brown's plan, hoping voters who have the power to restore Democrats' complete control of the Capitol will see them as collaborators on a proposal that could have broad popular appeal.

Brown failed to win Republican support for a tax-hike ballot measure in 2011, the last time he needed their help with a high-profile financial issue. But this time, the governor is engaging Republicans on an issue they generally favor.

"It's a fiscally conservative goal Republicans have been seeking for years," said Assemblyman Jeff Gorell (R-Camarillo), vice chairman of the Assembly budget committee.

Read the original here:
Republicans back Brown's concept of a fund for debt and rainy days

ACA: Obama Lays ‘8 Million Reptiles’ on The Laps of Republicans – Video


ACA: Obama Lays #39;8 Million Reptiles #39; on The Laps of Republicans
America is Under Attack By Right-Wing (Republican) Terrorists: http://www.afroarticles.com/article-dashboard/Article/America-is-Under-Attack-By-Right-Wing--Republican--Terrorists/256200 ----------...

By: politicalarticles

Continued here:
ACA: Obama Lays '8 Million Reptiles' on The Laps of Republicans - Video

Newsmax: GOP Strategist Stutts: Republicans Will Take Key States in Primaries – Video


Newsmax: GOP Strategist Stutts: Republicans Will Take Key States in Primaries
http://www.newsmax.com - Newsmax. Independent. American. While Republican chances of taking control of the Senate in the November midterms appear good right now, past performances dictate...

By: NewsmaxTV

Here is the original post:
Newsmax: GOP Strategist Stutts: Republicans Will Take Key States in Primaries - Video

10th CD Republicans Ranting About the Muslim Brotherhood, "Gay Community" – Video


10th CD Republicans Ranting About the Muslim Brotherhood, "Gay Community"
I #39;m certainly no fan of Grover Norquist - because he #39;s an anti-government extremist and a serious menace to our country #39;s future - but what on earth are these crazy Islamophobes and homophobes...

By: lowkell

More here:
10th CD Republicans Ranting About the Muslim Brotherhood, "Gay Community" - Video