It will be difficult for Democrats to pass their health plan, even with a Democratic president, because of the difficulty of getting a Senate majority
Category: Politics
Economic impact of a government shutdown
A government shutdown costs the U.S. economy about $2 billion a day in lost output.
That's on you @realDonaldTrump.https://t.co/6EUCIYda0x
— Nate Lerner (@NathanLerner) December 12, 2018
Wisconsin Republicans don’t see urban voters as legitimate as rural voters
Bigots!
Sore losers!
WOW–The guy who orchestrated the GOP power grab in Wisconsin suggested Madison & Milwaukee (& their black residents) are not legitimate parts of the state. “If you took Madison & Milwaukee out of the state election formula, we would have a clear majority” https://t.co/KgFYaSM58j
— Steven Greenhouse (@greenhousenyt) December 8, 2018
The GOP sees rural voters as more legitimate than urban voters. https://t.co/1jbTPeJJWf
— b-boy bouiebaisse (@jbouie) December 8, 2018
North Carolina election update 12/6/18
I didn’t serve overseas in the Marines to come home to NC and watch a criminal, bankrolled by my opponent, take away people’s very right to vote. Today I withdraw my concession and call on Mark Harris to end his silence and tell us exactly what he knew, and when. pic.twitter.com/2hcT00DVhQ
— Dan McCready for NC (@McCreadyForNC) December 6, 2018
Rep. Pittinger told the NCGOP & NRCC about suspicions of fraud in Bladen County, but: https://t.co/G75zSLy3PX pic.twitter.com/IpTPOJToFR
— Taniel (@Taniel) December 6, 2018
BREAKING: Dan McCready tells me he is officially withdrawing his concession.
In an exclusive interview, he tells me he thinks Mark Harris knew what McCrae Dowless was doing and that Harris bankrolled "criminal activity." #ncpol #NC09 @wsoctv pic.twitter.com/m7LhB2vGnM
— Joe Bruno (@JoeBrunoWSOC9) December 6, 2018
Breaking: Executive Director of NC Republicans says he’s open to new election in NC-9 Congressional race. Dallas Woodhouse told CNN’s Drew Griffin he was so upset after watching CNN’s coverage of alleged fraud last night, he threw up, “this has shaken us to the core.”
— Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) December 6, 2018
BIG
Charlotte Observer calls for a new election in NC 9
“North Carolina statute supports it. The evidence already demands it. The Board of Elections should start the election over.” https://t.co/BZWdCj9JMP
— Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) December 5, 2018
"There are indeed serious allegations of election fraud tied to NC's midterm elections right now in a district where results appear abnormal. But instead of insisting on investigating, Republicans are waving it away and insisting there's nothing to see." https://t.co/z98fYbAlJa
— DASS (@DemsOfState) December 5, 2018
This was one of the top talking points of the NC GOP https://t.co/vqVc782XId
— Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) December 6, 2018
Breaking: North Carolina GOP passes voter ID law in lame duck session before they lose supermajority & Dem gov can veto
Law targets voter impersonation, which is practically non-existent, while doing little to stop massive election fraud committed by GOP in NC09
— Ari Berman (@AriBerman) December 6, 2018
North Carolina election fraud update 12/5/18
The more we learn, the worse it gets. It looks like a new election is the only way to solve this problem. National Republicans, who hyped almost non-existent voter fraud, are silent on election fraud. Sad!
This is stunning #nc09 #ncpol: https://t.co/v5azFXpkgn
— Joe Bruno (@JoeBrunoWSOC9) December 5, 2018
The guy who appears to be at the heart of the mass vote-stealing scam in #NC09 wasn't just being paid by consultants for Republican Congressional candidate Mark Harris, he was being paid by the county Republican party. https://t.co/Uyzevts4ZY
— Rachel Maddow MSNBC (@maddow) December 5, 2018
Allegations of G.O.P. election fraud shake North Carolina’s Ninth District: https://t.co/kjIEKIIeqn pic.twitter.com/Sqv1TQcpGd
— The New Yorker (@NewYorker) December 4, 2018
Has there been a single prominent national Republican expressing concern about possible fraud in North Carolina? Because they were really losing their marbles over lawful but slow vote counting last month.
— Brian Schatz (@brianschatz) December 4, 2018
URGENT: The North Carolina GOP now has a bill that appears aimed at obstructing a fair investigation of the NC-9 election fraud scandal. This must not pass. If it does, Democrats should announce they won't seat Harris, period. https://t.co/UIIiEhAvGr
— Marc E. Elias (@marceelias) December 4, 2018
Found five elections that McCrae Dowless worked on in N.C. since 2010 where his candidate won far more of the absentee vote in Bladen County than in the election overall. https://t.co/NRjRHiiY5P
— Philip Bump (@pbump) December 5, 2018
“The conservative activists who have most vocally pushed a narrative of rampant voter fraud in recent years are ignoring the unfolding drama in North Carolina.”https://t.co/CscFcF77Lk
— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) December 5, 2018
Fascinating to watch Fox navigate North Carolina 9. Ignored totally on their opinion/most shows. How they introduced it on one of their news programs: "The left has long said there's no problem with voter fraud, so why are they changing their tune now." pic.twitter.com/Nq0ZAAdAiE
— andrew kaczynski (@KFILE) December 5, 2018
So I've written on NC-09. To me the case for fraud appears quite strong. I think the key point for fraud is that there isn't one. The case relies upon a slew of evidence, so that even if one point falls apart the case is still strong. https://t.co/RCxNsjFEhC
— (((Harry Enten))) (@ForecasterEnten) December 5, 2018
The silence on NC-09 from those who traditionally raise hell about voter fraud is deafening. This is an actual — and rare — case where evidence of illegality is credible and substantial. https://t.co/gWiZemhru8
— Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) December 5, 2018
This should be required reading if you live in NC. Jaw-dropping details. #ncpol https://t.co/KGVpR7YLq6
— Ben Thompson (@Bentnews) December 5, 2018
Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), vice ranking member on the House Oversight and Govt Reform Committee, is calling for an emergency hearing into the insane election fraud situation in NC-9. pic.twitter.com/kARnW5EKbg
— Jennifer Bendery (@jbendery) December 5, 2018
Breaking on NC-9 Congressional race: Criminal investigation underway into voting irregularities in Bladen Cty North Carolina, says local DA. The investigation was initially centered on the 2016 election cycle, but now includes the 2018 election as well.
— Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) December 5, 2018
Terrific @paulwaldman1 deconstruction of the mind-blowing election fraud apparently underway in North Carolina, put in larger context of GOP claims of fake voter fraud:https://t.co/vaocjLVDMo
— Greg Sargent (@ThePlumLineGS) December 5, 2018
A lot of the details in this story come from a great New Yorker article that came out a couple hours ago so, I also recommend reading that: https://t.co/rIr1JPwlwa
— Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) December 5, 2018
The fraud in NC-9 looks to be the most extensive in recent history and it seems likely to have affected the outcome of the election. We need to hear from Harris about what he and his campaign knew, but it seems increasingly clear that the results of this election cannot stand. https://t.co/4AsuxjqHMA
— Marc E. Elias (@marceelias) December 5, 2018
This is not a case of "Republican voter fraud."
This IS a case of a shady operative w/ a checkered past, who has peddled his "services" to D & R candidates in the past, engaging in *absentee ballot fraud* on behalf of a GOP candidate.
Qs now: how extensive & who knew? #NC09
— Dave Wasserman (@Redistrict) December 5, 2018
I don’t quite understand why every national Democrat with a platform isn’t talking about NC 9. If the shoe were on the other foot…
— Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) December 5, 2018
What the president could do if he or she declares a state of emergency
Everyone in America should read this story.
“The moment the president declares a ‘national emergency’—a decision that is entirely within his discretion—he is able to set aside many of the legal limits on his authority.” https://t.co/oQSy7rBWEO
— Adrienne LaFrance (@AdrienneLaF) December 5, 2018
Wisconsin update 12/5/18
They did it. Republicans have totally violated the norms for accepting election results and the transition of power. How can you work in a bipartisan manner with scumbags like this? National Republicans haven’t said anything – I guess they think this is acceptable. It’s not!
Wisconsin Republican rhetoric shows a deep contempt for the intellect of anyone over the age of 5. https://t.co/xsRDPAnz92
— Esquire (@esquire) December 6, 2018
Wisconsin’s legislation shrinking the powers of the incoming Governor and Attorney General might well violate the State Constitution and could bump up against the limits of Article IV of the US Constitution, guaranteeing every State a Republican Form of Government. Worth suing!
— Laurence Tribe (@tribelaw) December 5, 2018
A breathtaking assault on the most basic democratic norm: the willingness of the loser of an election to let the winner rule.
This does not bode well for 2020. And will likely provide a major test for the current state of judicial independence in this country. https://t.co/jqNP8eFJ9a
— Yascha Mounk (@Yascha_Mounk) December 5, 2018
Republicans in WI have just done their state and democracy a disservice. But they have done WI Democrats a huge favor, as this 11th hour, last gasp power grab invites a tremendous voter backlash.https://t.co/nQAAle6ios
— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) December 5, 2018
Dozens of these appointees were also just submitted yesterday. So they haven’t had public hearings or anything. https://t.co/zKYVexJGu7
— Amanda Terkel (@aterkel) December 5, 2018
Elections have consequences.
Except in Wisconsin.https://t.co/rWC9dTrm4q
— Chris Cillizza (@CillizzaCNN) December 5, 2018
Republicans in Wisconsin carried out their plan to neuter the incoming Democratic governor, and barely bothered to dispute its characterization as a power grab, @russellberman reports:https://t.co/a9jQWcIAmo
— TheAtlanticPolitics (@TheAtlPolitics) December 5, 2018
A satire from the Onion:
GOP-Controlled Wisconsin Legislature Votes To Dissolve State Rather Than Let Democrats Have It https://t.co/p1xXYEFEEO pic.twitter.com/vSmMyicghQ
— The Onion (@TheOnion) December 4, 2018
back to reality:
The Republican argument in Wisconsin is that the incoming governor who won more votes in the state is too liberal for the state that just voted to elect him
— Gideon Resnick (@GideonResnick) December 5, 2018
DEVELOPING: After election losses, Republicans in Wisconsin Senate push through bill just before sunrise that is designed to empower the GOP-controlled Legislature and weaken the Democrat replacing the outgoing Republican governor; Assembly vote to come. https://t.co/x69Dat25Gu
— NBC News (@NBCNews) December 5, 2018
The situation in WI is straight out of Levitsky & @dziblatt's How Democracies Die. We rely on norms of mutual toleration and forbearance to ensure the peaceful transfer of power. Violating that compact undermines democracy.
— Brendan Nyhan (@BrendanNyhan) December 5, 2018
I guess you can give Wisconsin Republicans credit for not pretending that they're serving some high-minded abstract principle. They just don't think Democrats have a right to govern, even when the voters elect them. https://t.co/x0tvCPQUkJ
— Paul Waldman (@paulwaldman1) December 5, 2018
Retweet if you think Paul Ryan is a total scumbag. https://t.co/9m0qEqiIra
— Jon Cooper (@joncoopertweets) December 5, 2018
Overviews on Republican tactics to limit powers of Democrats who won
This is the big picture with several good summaries. I have posted specific items on individual states.
What we’re witnessing in Wisconsin, Michigan and North Carolina will disenfranchise voters for years to come https://t.co/Yx1y60BYC8 pic.twitter.com/HMrtYHhSD1
— Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) December 5, 2018
Republicans are putting unprecedented stress tests on democracy in North Carolina, Wisconsin, and Michigan: https://t.co/xb0Tp2UUlg pic.twitter.com/hhcU6nYEaL
— Slate (@Slate) December 5, 2018
Analysis | The Trailer: How lame-duck legislatures are trying to affect the 2020 election https://t.co/j20SRlQapJ
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) December 5, 2018
Opinion: Once again, Republicans are waging war on democracy https://t.co/97aWEvq23Y
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) December 4, 2018
In Wisconsin, Michigan, and other states, the refusal of Republicans to accept election results sends an ominous signal. https://t.co/SdF8EPedhu
— The Nation (@thenation) December 4, 2018
This effort to sustain minority rule is what makes these tactics norm violations worth opposing in the name of a stronger democratic norm. A principle from @ThePlumLineGS @joshchafetz . /fin
— Jedediah Purdy (@JedediahSPurdy) December 5, 2018
Wisconsin update 12/4/18
This is disgraceful. Republicans are trying to neuter the election results.
update 12/4/18
Panelist calls attempted GOP power grab ‘disgusting’ https://t.co/7dMt7vuYXx @MargaretHoover @JohnAvlon @AsteadWesley @pbump discuss @TheLeadCNN
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) December 4, 2018
That is the new party philosophy, stated outright by the majority leader of the Wisconsin senate. https://t.co/awWkKqohZo
— Esquire (@esquire) December 4, 2018
This is Wisconsin Republicans' official explanation for the anti-democratic plan they're trying to pass today to strip powers from the newly elected Democratic governor and attorney general. pic.twitter.com/m05Vj5gAY4
— Daniel Dale (@ddale8) December 4, 2018
A typically insightful and revealing @WisVoter look at why no state may be closer to the epicenter of 2020 than WI (though MI may not be far behind). https://t.co/AHqJfe4YTQ
— Ronald Brownstein (@RonBrownstein) December 3, 2018
In other Wisconsin news today, the state posted the official 2018 Assembly election results. It's a beautiful gerrymander. Dems got 190,000 more votes but Reps got 63/99 seats. Key is assuring many GOP districts get just over 50% of vote even in a bad year for the party. pic.twitter.com/WEOvpr4EUD
— Barry Burden (@bcburden) December 4, 2018
This should not be controversial: "The peaceful transfer of power in republican democracies requires that lawmakers do not change the job descriptions, between Election Day and Inauguration Day, of the elected offices their party lost." https://t.co/jMwC8k0NaI
— Brendan Nyhan (@BrendanNyhan) December 4, 2018
In 2016, Republican assembly candidates in Wisconsin got about 161k more votes than the Dems and won 64 of the 99 seats.
In 2018, Democrats got about 205,000 more votes — and Republicans won 63 of the 99 seats. https://t.co/NRFgHciOjc
— Philip Bump (@pbump) December 4, 2018
An example of this is what has happened to Doug La Follette, the secretary of state (and one of the only Dems who was serving statewide). His office used to have 50 staffers. Under Walker, that was changed to ONE PERSON. And his office is now in the basement. https://t.co/TuNIFPts1l
— Amanda Terkel (@aterkel) December 4, 2018
Wisconsin Republicans are mounting a North Carolina–style assault on democracy: https://t.co/5YSABEd8Oh pic.twitter.com/XYeQLmRtJJ
— Slate (@Slate) December 4, 2018
Wisconsin Republicans voted late last night to move forward with their undemocratic proposals to reduce the powers of the new Democratic governor and attorney general; they intend to hold final votes today. https://t.co/YzfihltoKS
— Daniel Dale (@ddale8) December 4, 2018
My op-ed on the #WisconsinPowerGrab is up at the @washingtonpost. Please read and share https://t.co/yW2EmEaAiy
— Don Moynihan (@donmoyn) December 4, 2018
Events in Wisconsin aren't getting enough national attention. Not only are Republicans trying to emasculate a new elected Democratic governor, they're doing so to empower a legislature they will control only due to gerrymandering 1/ https://t.co/28rtwXriHZ
— Paul Krugman (@paulkrugman) December 4, 2018
Republicans nationally increasingly treating elections as valid only if they win. That's terribly dangerous for democracy. https://t.co/urf8ov3HqH
— Garrett M. Graff (@vermontgmg) December 4, 2018
Don’t forget about Willie Horton
George H. W. Bush was better than any Republican president since him and I admire his service to the country Still, we can’t forget about this.
My friend Bob Herbert once called him George H.W. (Willie Horton) Bush. That ad was "nigger nigger" by another name, in the words of the infamous Lee Atwater. https://t.co/5hk4L2dXjC pic.twitter.com/Q5JoaeOEQU
— Brent Staples (@BrentNYT) December 1, 2018
The Horton ad "was a central part of a presidential campaign that focused on the fear of crime and argued, relentlessly, that 'revolving door' sentencing and prison policies were to blame for the problem."
Commentary by @JustADCohen at @BrennanCenter: https://t.co/8Nggyb5ayn
— The Marshall Project (@MarshallProj) December 3, 2018
My friend Bob Herbert once called him George H.W. (Willie Horton) Bush. That ad was "nigger nigger" by another name, in the words of the infamous Lee Atwater. https://t.co/5hk4L2dXjC pic.twitter.com/Q5JoaeOEQU
— Brent Staples (@BrentNYT) December 1, 2018
Sad! 