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News Monday, Jan 5 2015

Another Chris Christie Fumble

Chris Christie hasn't had much to smile about over the last couple years -- eight credit downgrades, a massive ongoing traffic scandal, falling approval ratings, and a slew of negative headlines about his volatile temper. But the controversial governor finally had a moment of bliss yesterday, as he left New Jersey for Dallas to watch his beloved Cowboys eke out a victory in the NFL playoffs. Unfortunately for Christie, his jump for joy last evening quickly turned into a morning of bad press. It seems a Jerry Jones bro-hug is about the only love Chris Christie is seeing these days. Check out the twitter storm that Christie's antics invited, as well the bevvy of stories below: Asbury Park PressChris Christie hug of Cowboys owner costs taxpayers "So, how much did the trip to Dallas this past weekend cost for the Christie party and his security detail? The Cowboys play next week in Green Bay, Wisconsin – if Christie makes the trip, how much will taxpayers pay?" New York Daily News: Chris Christie denied high five by Cowboys owner Jerry Jones after win over Lions "The lifelong Cowboys fan, who has been a regular in Jones’ box this year, wasn’t done partying as Fox cameras caught him practically floating into the Cowboys locker room."

News Thursday, Nov 6 2014

ICYMI: Ben Carson Kicking Off 2016 GOP Primary With Hour-Long TV Ad

In case you missed it in First Read this morning, the Washington Times announced that Dr. Ben Carson is releasing an hour-long television ad set to…

News Monday, Aug 4 2014

Welcome Back to Iowa, Rand!

Last week, Iowa Republican Senate candidate Joni Ernst's spokesperson admitted that in a "perfect world," Ernst would "support doing away with the" renewable fuel standard (RFS), a critical component of Iowa's economy that supports thousands of jobs. Well, Joni must just be thrilled that Rand Paul is starting a three day swing through Iowa today, because Rand is already living in her "perfect world" - at a 2012 event in Des Moines, Paul expressed his opposition to the RFS. Who else opposes the RFS? Why none other than the Koch brothers, of course. Koch Industries lobbied for the "Renewable Fuel Standard Repeal Act," and the Kochs' main political entity Americans for Prosperity wants to "permanently eliminate" the RFS. Conveniently enough, AFP has already spent $2 MILLION on ads attacking Ernst's opponent this year to prop up her Tea Party candidacy, while members of the Koch family and Koch Industries have directly contributed $15,000 to Ernst's campaign. One thing is clear: Joni Ernst, Rand Paul, and the Kochs are all too extreme for Iowa.

The Wire Economy Jobs Tuesday, Jun 10 2014

Scott Walker, Where Are The Jobs? (They're In Other States)

Scott Walker isn't just failing to fulfill his own job creation promise--he's failing to keep up with surrounding states. A new report shows that Wisconsin has created about 45,000 fewer jobs than would have been expected if the state kept up with historical trends. Moreover, the analysis shows that by December of 2010, towards the end of the Doyle administration, Wisconsin had regained a higher percentage of jobs lost in the recession than any other state included in the study. But by September of 2013, after three years under Gov. Walker and his hyper-conservative policies, Wisconsin had recovered a fewer percentage of its jobs than Minnesota, Michigan, Iowa and Indiana. The state's job gap doubled in Walker's first year, and increased again in his second year. This report is more than just a confirmation that Scott Walker's agenda has been bad for Wisconsin. It's a real-world indictment of the very policies that the Republican Party constantly champions. We've been told time and time again that if only we slashed taxes and shrank government, the free market would bring prosperity to all. But this austere path has only stifled once-booming job growth in Wisconsin, and the state is set to spend $559 million more than it takes in next year. Walker's conservatism has long been the toast of the GOP. Chris Christie praised his reforms for making Wisconsin "a better place to live and work." Grover Norquist declared that "his success in Wisconsin will change America." And AFP president, Tim Phillips lauded his agenda as "the new model for the country." Well, the results are in. The model has failed. And America is not soon to follow in Walker's footsteps.

Newsweek: Political First Responders

Newsweek is out today with a must read profile of American Bridge, describing Bridge's beginnings and featuring some of our best successes from our first two cycles thus far. In 2012, American Bridge was quick to point out Mitt Romney's missteps and hypocrisy:

When GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney said illegal immigrants come to the U.S. for a “free deal,” Bridge recorded the comment and gave it to super PACs and unions, which used it in Spanish-language ads across the country.When Romney said “I get speaker’s fees from time to time, but not very much,” Bridge quickly circulated a video showing “not very much” was actually $374,327.62, sparking a media firestorm.
This cycle, American Bridge is holding House, Senate and Gubernatorial candidates accountable for their words and actions.

The Wire Tuesday, Mar 18 2014

Bridge President Brad Woodhouse on GOP Rebrand: New year, same old party

Following the shellacking Republicans took in 2012, the party conducted a much-hyped autopsy in the hopes of identifying the cause of the GOP’s recent demise. One year later, Republicans are congratulating themselves on the “progress” they’ve made. Who are they kidding? Back in reality, nothing has changed. The autopsy depicted a Republican Party whose policies and rhetoric were anti-gay, anti-woman, anti-immigrant, and anti-middle class. One year later, the Republican Party is still anti-gay, anti-woman, anti-immigrant, and anti-middle class. The lessons of the GOP autopsy remain unlearned, as the italicized quotes from the GOP "Growth & Opportunity Project" report from March 18, 2013 emphasize.

“Young voters are increasingly rolling their eyes at what the party represents.”

While the American people, and especially younger voters, have made great strides in accepting and promoting equality for LGBT Americans, Republican leaders have desperately clung to their record of intolerance and homophobic bigotry. In his first gubernatorial debate last summer, then-Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli called homosexuality a “personal challenge.” Instead of applauding the courts that have defended the constitutional rights of LGBT Americans to equal protection under the laws, Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) said that these judges “need some basic plumbing lessons.” Perhaps Republicans could use a history lesson on our nation’s progress on civil rights.

The Wire Wednesday, Feb 19 2014

Announcing: JohnDoeWalker.com

In advance of new emails being released today in the "John Doe" investigation into Scott Walker's time as Milwaukee County Executive (where six Walker allies were convicted in various schemes), American Bridge has launched a new website on the investigation - JohnDoeWalker.com. Walker is the latest in a line of Republican governors to see his record marred by scandal, and the parallels between Walker's John Doe investigation and Chris Christie's Bridgegate run deep. Walker has claimed ignorance of his staff's corrupt actions, but countless questions remain. American Bridge will be taking a close look at the emails to see if they support Walker's claims, and sharing our findings on JohnDoeWalker.com today and the days ahead.

News Monday, Aug 26 2013

The Leading Anti-Hillary Voice in Congress: Rep. Steve Stockman (R-TX)

Today, Stop Hillary PAC, a leading anti-Hillary group, gained the support of its first member of Congress, Texas Congressman Steve Stockman. Stockman has a long history of embracing and promoting bizarre conspiracy theories, making offensive comments, and dabbling with the fringe. Below you'll find some background information on Rep. Steve Stockman, the leading anti-Hillary voice in Congress. Stockman Accused Clinton Administration Of Staging Branch Davidian Raid In Waco In 1993 For The Sake Of Promoting An Assault Weapons Ban. According to the New York Times, "A Republican member of Congress from Texas has suggested that the Clinton Administration staged the 1993 raid on the Branch Davidian compound near Waco, Tex., to convince Congress that it should ban assault weapons. 'Waco was supposed to be a way for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (BATF) and the Clinton Administration to prove the need for a ban on so-called 'assault weapons,' the Representative, Steve Stockman, who is a strong opponent of gun control, wrote in the June issue of Guns & Ammo magazine. Mr. Stockman, a freshman whose district is in the southeastern corner of Texas along the Gulf Coast, wrote that President Clinton had agreed to do the bidding of gun control advocates like Sarah Brady after his election in 1992 but that Ms. Brady's organization, Handgun Control Inc., had been unable to persuade Congress to ban rifles, shotguns and semiautomatic weapons. 'So an incident had to be encouraged to happen,' Mr. Stockman wrote." [New York Times, 5/13/95]

  • Stockman's "Suggestion Of A Government Conspiracy" Came Soon After The Oklahoma City Bombing. According to the New York Times, "The tone of Mr. Stockman's article, with its suggestion of a Government conspiracy, is an example of the increasingly strong language used by some opponents of gun control. At the same time, criticism of such statements has risen since the bombing of the Oklahoma City Federal Building last month." [New York Times, 5/13/95]
  • Stockman Called For President Clinton To Order Janet Reno "Indicted For Premeditated Murder" After Branch Davidian Raid. According to the New York Times, "In his article, Mr. Stockman declared that the more than 80 members of the Branch Davidians, including 25 children, who died during the raid were 'executed in a particularly gruesome way: gassed, choked and then incinerated.' He also said, "Had Bill Clinton really been unhappy with what Attorney General Janet Reno ordered, he would not only have fired her, he would have had Reno indicted for premeditated murder." [New York Times, 5/13/95]

News Thursday, Jun 13 2013

RELAUNCH: ItsNotJustAkin.com

"Legitimate rape." Forced ultrasounds. "Something that God intended." These aren't isolated gaffes, but a fundamental problem in GOP policies on rape, pregnancy and women's personal health care decisions. Even if they don't talk about it the same way, the shocking views expressed by Todd Akin are shared by many others in the Republican Party.

ItsNotJustAkin.com

News Friday, Oct 12 2012

Facts Matter: The Complete American Bridge Post VP Debate Fact Check Video

Our friend Lyin' Ryan was at it again tonight. Like the Vice President, American Bridge saw a lot of malarkey on stage. Here's the complete American Bridge fact check video on tonight's debate.

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