GOP Civil War Brewing Over Discriminatory “Religious Freedom” Bills
After a week of disastrous headlines, Republicans are at each other’s throats over controversial “religious freedom” legislation. Indiana Governor Mike Pence, who ignored public outcry to sign the bill in a secret ceremony with anti-gay activists, caved to overwhelming public pressure-- including from Mitch Daniels-- and asked for a “fix” only to see GOPers in the business community tell him that wasn’t enough, either. The damage doesn’t stop with Pence, though. The 2016 Republican presidential field backed Pence’s original law (well, depending on what room they were in), further highlighting just how far the party has to come from their now-farcical 2012 autopsy.
Will Gov. Pat McCrory go back on his word and limit choice…again?
Governor Pat McCrory, might have a big decision to make: Will he sign new legislation that would restrict women's right to choose if it reaches his desk? He promised voters in his 2012 campaign that he would sign no new restrictions, but we know how that ended. In 2013, Gov. McCrory betrayed North Carolina voters by signing legislation seriously limiting women's right to choose. Will he do it again? McCrory must make it clear whether he intends to veto the new legislation. Until he does, North Carolinians will remain skeptical that the governor still isn't a man of his word.
Jeb on LGBT rights? Room dependent
Jeb Bush was caught yesterday shamelessly backpedaling his full-throated defense of Mike Pence and Indiana's anti-LGBT legislation. Living up to his caricature as a craven politician, Bush fed red meat to his base at the beginning of the week but stood up for equal rights in the Bay Area just days later.
NEW POLL: Bush’s fav/unfav is underwater at 33/53 percent
From the Washington Post: “Bush — by far the best known among those running for the GOP nomination — is viewed favorably by just 33 percent of the public, while 53 percent say they view him unfavorably. Only Clinton among all those included in the poll has a net positive rating."
GOP tarnishes party’s reputation by supporting Indiana’s discrimination law
Mike Pence, Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, and Scott Walker have had another effect beyond supporting discrimination against gays and lesbians: They have lurched the Republican Party even further to the right by reminding voters about their extreme policies. The GOP is even fighting to stake out the most conservative position among each other. This saga is far from over. Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson today backtracked on his support for an Indiana-style bill that was more extreme than the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act and North Carolina is still currently pushing one, “leaving open the possibility that the damage to the Republican brand is not yet done,” as Politico notes.
Rubio and Pence Say Religious Freedom Law is not a License to Discriminate; Restaurant Owner Disagrees
SHOT:
Rubio: "Nobody is saying that it should be legal to deny someone service at a restaurant or at a hotel because of their sexual orientation. I think that's a consensus view in America" (Fox News, 3/30/15)SALT:
Pence: "Some express concern that Indiana’s RFRA law would lead to discrimination, but RFRA only provides a mechanism to address claims, not a license for private parties to deny services." (WSJ, 3/31/15)CHASER:
Mediaite: Indiana Restaurant Owner Admits to Discriminating Against Gays on Radio
VIDEO: Indiana's RFRA: Par for the Course for GOP Presidential Candidates
Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act has created a national uproar that serves as a stark reminder of the state of today's Republican Party: par for the course is extreme policies for America. Following a complete duff trying to defend the law on Sunday from Governor Mike Pence, the GOP's leading presidential contenders didn't lay-up, they doubled-downed. Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio, among others, took to the airways to unequivocally endorse Indiana's RFRA.
VIDEO: Pence "On the Wrong Side of History"
The political backlash against Indiana Governor Mike Pence's "Religious Freedom" law has been swift and devastating as thousands of Hoosiers have protested…
VIDEO: Jeb Bush E-mail Hypocrisy Continues
Jeb Bush's e-mail problems continue to unravel. The Associated Press reports that Bush received government-related e-mails on a second previously unreported e-mail…
GOPers stepping in e-mail problems
Republicans have been quick to score political points after recent e-mail controversies, but even more GOPers are now being called out for their own transparency issues. Chris Christie,Terry Branstad, Ted Cruz, and Jeb Bush are the latest Republican pots to call the kettle black. Check out the recent dust-ups over Republican email hypocrisies: WNYC: "One year ago this week, a taxpayer-funded report traced the George Washington Bridge lane closures to Gov. Chris Christie's office and determined that a series of reforms were needed to make sure nothing like Bridgegate ever happened again..."