Ballotpedia's Daily Presidential News Briefing - January 14, 2016
From Ballotpedia
|
Ballotpedia's Daily Presidential Briefing was sponsored by the Leadership Project for America. | ||||
|
Thursday's Leading Stories
- On Wednesday, Rand Paul appealed to the Fox Business Network (FBN) and Republican National Committee to be included in Thursday's primetime debate after a poll released on Tuesday placed him in fifth place in Iowa. “We announced the criteria in December and clearly stated the polling needed to be conducted and released by Monday, January 11th at 6pm/ET," a spokesperson for FBN responded. (CBS News)
- The New York Times reported on Wednesday that Ted Cruz received a loan from Goldman Sachs, his wife’s employer, to fund his Senate campaign four years ago, but did not disclose that loan in campaign finance reports. A spokeswoman called the error “inadvertent,” adding, “These transactions have been reported in one way or another on his many public financial disclosures and the Senate campaign's F.E.C. filings.” Kenneth Gross, a campaign finance law specialist, said those filings were part of a different reporting regime. “The law says if you get a loan for the purpose of funding a campaign, you have to show the original source of the loan, the terms of the loan and you even have to provide a copy of the loan document to the Federal Election Commission,” Gross said. (The New York Times)
- The Nation endorsed Bernie Sanders on Thursday morning. It has previously endorsed only two other Democratic presidential primary candidates in its history: Jesse Jackson in 1988 and President Barack Obama in 2008. “In Bernie Sanders, these movements for greater equality and justice have found an ally and a champion. In contrast to the right-wing demagogues who exploit these crises to foment division, the Vermont senator has reached into a proud democratic-socialist tradition to revive the simple but potent notion of solidarity. We must turn to each other, not on each other, Sanders says, and unite to change the corrupted politics that robs us all,” the magazine’s editors wrote. (The Nation)
- Poll: In a poll of likely Iowa caucus-goers released by The Des Moines Register and Bloomberg on Thursday, Hillary Clinton maintained her narrow lead over Bernie Sanders with 42 percent to Sanders’ 40 percent. (The Des Moines Register)
Democrats
Hillary Clinton
- The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), a union with more than 125,000 members, endorsed Clinton on Wednesday. She said in a statement about the endorsement: "For decades, members of IATSE have entertained and delighted Americans, but that's not all. IATSE has fought for good pay and safe working conditions and the chance for everyone who works hard to get ahead. As President, I will stand with IATSE and with hard-working Americans across our country.” (The Hill)
- After it was unannounced on Wednesday that Bernie Sanders might not explain how he would pay for his healthcare proposals before the Iowa caucuses, Clinton’s team said the delay was “alarming” and argued that it was “simply not possible” to establish Sanders’ healthcare plan without raising taxes on the middle class. (The New York Times)
Martin O’Malley
- Martin O’Malley issued a “Worker’s Bill of Rights” on Thursday morning, detailing the bills he would support to “grow America’s middle class” and increase wages in the U.S. He expressed support for 12 weeks of family care-based paid leave, the right to a predictable work schedule and the expansion of Social Security benefits, in addition to other policies. (The Huffington Post)
Bernie Sanders
- Although Bernie Sanders pledged to release the details of his healthcare plan before the Iowa caucuses, his campaign manager Jeff Weaver said this week, “I don't have a date for that. Not necessarily before the caucuses.” (CNN)
- In an interview with Fusion prior to the Iowa Brown & Black Forum on Monday, Sanders opposed reparations for African-Americans, saying, “Its likelihood of getting through Congress is nil. Second of all, I think it would be very divisive.” (Fusion)
Republicans
Jeb Bush
- When asked if former President George W. Bush would hit the campaign trail on behalf of his brother, Jeb Bush, in coming weeks, the younger Bush said, "I think he'll do it if it fits his schedule. He's been a big help. We're working on that right now. I don't know." (CNN)
- On Wednesday, Libertarian presidential candidate and software developer John McAfee wrote a response to Bush’s recent editorial in Business Insider. “If his understanding of our position is as described in his policy statement, then our best move is to immediately surrender to the Chinese or the Russians and hope for mercy,” McAfee wrote. He argued Bush was incorrect to assert cybersecurity was an economic problem when the threat of an EMP attack or “weaponized software” was a more dangerous potential problem. (Business Insider)
- As part of a $4.6 million campaign this month, Bush’s campaign released an ad on Wednesday focusing on substance abuse prevention and his daughter’s struggle with addiction. (WMUR)
- Discussing Donald Trump’s popularity and the intensity of anger from voters towards the Republican establishment, Bush said in an interview published by the Associated Press on Wednesday, "I just think it's important to fight this fight. I don't know what the consequences politically for me are. But I do think it's important that the conservative party nominate a conservative, and someone that understands the role of America in the world." (Associated Press)
- In an interview with The Des Moines Register editorial board on Wednesday, Bush expressed support for Justice Department investigations of police conduct where there was “overt discrimination,” but noted that such investigations can increase tensions between police officers and community members. (ABC News)
Ben Carson
- Despite the number of staffing changes his campaign has experienced recently, Ben Carson denied that his campaign was in “disarray” on Wednesday. He said, “Esprit de corps is at the highest it's ever been. There are a host of things that were incorrect. We brought what we needed to bring in to fix that." (Newsmax)
- Carson wrote an op-ed in The Washington Times on Wednesday to discuss the importance of school choice, including voucher programs and charter schools, and local control of education. (The Washington Times)
Chris Christie
- On Wednesday, Chris Christie criticized President Obama’s request for more civility in politics during his State of the Union address. “That, to me, was one of the annoying parts of that speech last night, that hosanna at the end, from a guy who has been nothing more than a Chicago ward politician in the White House. He’s lecturing us on civility? Please.” He said, however, that Governor of South Carolina Nikki Haley (R) “did a phenomenal job” with her response. (The Wall Street Journal)
- The Associated Press and eight other media organizations requested on Wednesday a list of unindicted co-conspirators in the George Washington Bridge lane closure case. The court filing stated that the case “is of tremendous public significance, not only to the citizens of New Jersey and New York, where the allegations go to a criminal conspiracy touching on abuse of power by public officials (which by itself has sufficient importance), but also nationally, as the allegations may impact the presidential campaign of New Jersey's Governor Chris Christie, within whose administration the circumstance underlying theses charges arose.” (Asbury Park Press, Philly.com)
Ted Cruz
- Ted Cruz said on Wednesday that Hillary Clinton was encouraging discussion of his eligibility for the presidency because she would rather run against Donald Trump than him. He said that the attacks “may be driven by the fact that the polling right now shows Donald loses to Hillary — and loses by a pretty big margin. But I beat Hillary. And I think that's got the Hillary folks a little bit concerned. And so they're doing everything they can to amplify Donald's attacks." (Business Insider)
- Discussing his immigration policies during a radio interview on Tuesday, Cruz criticized the Clinton administration’s decision to return Elian Gonzalez to Cuba in 2000. When asked about it, Cruz said that the U.S. government “sent goons in to snatch a six-year-old boy and wrongly return him to an oppressive Communist dictatorship. That was a sad day for America when you saw the federal government sending stormtroopers with machine guns to grab a six-year-child whose mother had died trying to give him freedom and instead for us to send him back to Fidel Castro.” (BuzzFeed)
- Politico reported on Wednesday that a poll conducted for the Republican National Committee earlier this month indicated Ted Cruz would have the most negative impact on the chances of U.S. House Republicans’ races in November. (Politico)
- Stand for Truth, a new super PAC supporting Cruz, released an ad targeting Marco Rubio and his involvement in the Gang of Eight immigration reform bill. (Politico)
Carly Fiorina
- On Wednesday, Carly Fiorina said South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley (R) hit “the wrong note” with her response to President Obama’s State of the Union address. “I don’t speak for Nikki Haley, and she doesn’t speak for me,” she said. (The Hill)
Jim Gilmore
- While campaigning in Florida on Wednesday, Jim Gilmore said, "I reject Trumpism. I don't believe the Republican Party ought to express anger or resentment by scapegoating people. And that is what Trump is doing.” Gilmore then cited his military experience and leadership of Virginia after the September 11 terrorist attacks as what differentiated him in the Republican field, saying, “With that kind of biography and story in place, I come to you today as a person who is supremely qualified to be president of the United States.” (Sun Sentinel)
Mike Huckabee
- On Tuesday night, Mike Huckabee said he disagreed with South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R) tacitly criticizing Donald Trump in her response to the State of the Union. “I’m not sure why she needed to do that, because it very well could be Donald Trump may be the Republican nominee. And if he is then we need to unite behind him,” Huckabee said. (BuzzFeed)
- On Wednesday, Huckabee expressed disappointment that he would be in the undercard debate on Thursday night. "The whole process by which people are selected is utterly absurd. The networks and the RNC have manipulated this process and in many ways, when they lament who's leading the polls, well they created this monster. It's very unfortunate,” said Huckabee. (Newsmax)
- During a campaign stop in Iowa on Tuesday, Huckabee called abortion “the ultimate form of child abuse.” A woman then asked him how he could support reality TV participants Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar after it was reported that their son had molested four of their daughters. “You don’t know what those parents did and how they worked to try to take care of their entire family. You come in here to confront me, which is fine, but you cannot abuse, which is what you’re doing, the reputation of a godly family who had been through hell because a son of theirs, one of their many children, did something evil and sinful that nobody is backing up and supporting. But I would support any family who tries to work through their problems under the grace of God,” Huckabee responded. (Jezebel, Talking Points Memo)
John Kasich
- Although it was reported earlier this week that John Kasich might not have enough legal signatures to meet the minimum requirement for six congressional districts in Illinois, Kasich qualified for the state’s ballot with all of his delegates. (Politico)
Rand Paul
- Rand Paul wrote an op-ed in The Cincinnati Enquirer on Wednesday defending his presidential run to his Kentucky constituents and highlighting his bipartisan efforts in the Senate on criminal justice reform and military justice in sexual assault cases. He added, “Regardless of whether a Republican like me is in the White House in 2016 or another one of Obama’s liberal friends is elected, the message is clear: We need a Republican Senate more than ever. If you want your rights to be in the hands of people who believe in Kentucky values you need a Republican Senate. It’s really as simple as that.” (Cincinnati.com)
- Given his own experiences as a non-establishment candidate in Kentucky, Paul said on Wednesday that he would support Donald Trump if he were the Republican nominee. He said, “Yeah, I think it would have to happen. I think we are a long way from deciding who the nominee is. The reason I say I will support the nominee, when I won and beat the establishment, they all came around and supported me. That's the way party politics work. They group around the nominee." (Talking Points Memo)
Marco Rubio
- Earlier this week, Marco Rubio sought to have a Florida case dismissed that alleges he is not eligible to run for president because he was born in the U.S. to parents who did not become citizens until four years later. To accept the plaintiff’s argument “would jeopardize centuries of precedent and deem at least six former presidents ineligible for office,” Rubio argued. (The Tampa Bay Times)
- Rubio said on Wednesday that Hillary Clinton did not want to run against him in a general election. “She does not want to run against me, I promise you that. You know how I know? Because literally their entire campaign — I mean, every day, they attack me. Every day. Them, the DNC, their super PACs, whoever it is … just constant attacks from them,” Rubio said. He added, “She does not want to run against me, but guys, I cannot wait to run against her.” (Washington Times)
- In an interview on Wednesday, South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley (R) accused Rubio of supporting amnesty. She later amended her statement, saying, “I'm against his Gang of Eight bill. He is not for amnesty, but I was against his Gang of Eight bill.” (Town Hall, The Washington Post)
Rick Santorum
- Discussing Ted Cruz’s contested eligibility for the presidency because of his Canadian birth, Rick Santorum said on Wednesday, “Look, I have read a lot about this, and here is what I would say: The statement of Sen. Cruz that this is settled law is inaccurate. It is not settled law. The Supreme Court has not ruled on it. This is an area for the Surpeme [sic] Court to rule. You know me, I am not a big Supreme Court lover, but on this type of issue, this is a clear interpretation that the Supreme Court is, in fact, the body that would weigh in and make this decision." (The Des Moines Register)
Donald Trump
- After South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R) appeared to criticize Donald Trump by asking the public to resist the “angriest voices” in the room, Trump responded by attacking Haley for her immigration policy and personal fundraising efforts. “Number one, she's very weak on illegal immigration. I've known that for a long time. But she's weak on illegal immigration. And she certainly has no trouble asking me for campaign contributions. Because over the years, she's asked me for a hell of a lot of money in campaign contributions. So it's sort of interesting to hear her,” said Trump. (Business Insider)
- Trump said on Wednesday that he “would disavow” the support of a white nationalist group using robocalls in Iowa to encourage voters to support him. He added, “I would disavow that, but I will tell you, people are extremely angry.” (Mediaite)
- On Wednesday, Trump responded to Ted Cruz’s criticism of his “New York values,” saying, “You know, when the World Trade Center got hit, we rebuilt that World Trade Center and we got through. Very few places in this world could have gotten through what we went through. I was so proud of New York." (Newsmax)
- It was announced on Wednesday that Corbin Casteel, Trump’s state director in Texas, had left Trump’s campaign for unknown reasons. Two months prior to joining the campaign, Casteel had said, “I don't know of anyone in the party who looks at him like a fellow Republican. He's an entertainer. I believe it's a universal view that Donald Trump is a joke." (The Texas Tribune, CNN)
Third Party Candidates
- Former Gov. of Massachusetts Mitt Romney, a defendant in a federal case, along with President Obama, the Commission on Presidential Debates, the Democratic National Committee, and the Republican National Committee, filed to dismiss a lawsuit brought by the Green Party and Libertarian Party alleging that their candidates were excluded from the “presidential debates market, the presidential campaign market, and the electoral politics market” in violation of antitrust laws. Green Party Watch reported, “Attorneys for the defendants argue that political activity is not covered by antitrust law, but attorney Bruce Fein, representing the plaintiffs, disagrees. He said in an interview, ‘Somehow running for president isn’t a commercial activity, even though it’s projected that in 2016 races, collectively, people will spend $5 to $10 billion dollars.’” (Green Party Watch)
Jill Stein (Green Party)
- Jill Stein released a response to the State of the Union address on Wednesday in a post to her website. “We face converging crises that call for transformational solutions. These solutions won’t come from political parties funded by predatory banks, fossil fuel giants and war profiteers. It will come from we the people, breaking away from the failed corporate political parties. Contrary to the President’s message, the Democrats have utterly failed to move us in the right direction,” Stein wrote. (Jill Stein for President)
See also
- Presidential election, 2016
- Presidential candidates, 2016
- Presidential debates (2015-2016)
- Important dates in the 2016 presidential race
- Polls and Straw polls
- 2016 presidential candidate ratings and scorecards
