Monthly Archives: September 2021

Youngkin was neither the most nor least Trumpist candidate in the Republican primary. The Virginia GOPs convoluted process for choosing a candidate was nearly overrun by hard-core Trump supporters, who hijacked the nominating convention. (Virginias Republican primary was settled via a convention, which some MAGA-aligned candidates felt was meant to rig the process against them.) One such candidate, Amanda Chase, referred to those who stormed the Capitol on January 6 as patriots. But Youngkin kept some distance from Trump, instead running as a Christian conservative while exploiting the kinds of red-meat culture-war stories that pass for policy in Republican circles these days. His day one agenda includes an array of tax cuts, as well as banning Covid lockdowns and critical race theory.

Youngkins strategy seemed straightforward: Avoid the most bombastic corners of Trump worldparticularly the claim that the 2020 election was stolenwhile playing footsie with it. Youngkin refused, for instance, to say during the gubernatorial primary whether Biden was a legitimate president and has promised an election security task force that would essentially purge voter rolls. At the same time, he ran a campaign attempting to meld older GOP orthodoxy (tax cuts) and its newer varieties (he once uploaded four separate videos criticizing critical race theory on the same day). The play is cynical and transparent: Do just enough to convince the MAGA faithful that he is one of them without losing too much suburban support.

But Trump and many of his supporters are all-or-nothing types. Trump himself has questioned Youngkins loyalty to the king. The only guys that win are the guys that embrace the MAGA movement, he said during a recent radio interview. When they try to go down a railroad track, you know, Hey, oh yeah, sure, love it, love it. Oh, yeah, love Trump. Love Trump. OK, lets go, next subject. When they do that, nobody, they dontthey never win. They never win. They have to embrace it. Youngkin has responded with more winking and nodding toward Trumps base, like his waffling last week about whether he would have voted to certify the 2020 election. His hope, clearly, is that various Republican and independent factions will hear what they want to hear and ignore the rest.

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The MAGA-Lite Future of the Republican Party - The New Republic

And it's not just the infrastructure bill that could be in jeopardy if those GOP votes don't appear on the floor next week, with a group of progressives still warning theyll block the bill without more concessions on a broader, partisan spending package. The Problem Solvers Caucus itself is facing a critical test of survival in the messy floor fight over Biden's deal. And there could hardly be a more glaring example of the groups mission than a roads-and-bridges funding bill blessed by both the Democratic president and the Senate GOP leader.

This bipartisan infrastructure bill was essentially a Problem Solvers product, said Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-N.J.), a member of the coalition strongly urging their colleagues to back the bill. It would not be an argument in favor of bipartisanship for the Republicans who are part of that [bill] to turn their backs on it now.

Roughly 10 Republicans are expected to vote for the infrastructure deal, nearly all of them Problem Solvers members, according to lawmakers in both parties who are keeping an informal whip count. But that precise number remains in flux amid uncertain Democratic dynamics.

Rep. John Katko (R-N.Y.) put his decision to vote yes bluntly: I helped write it.

While a small corner of the GOP is eager to prove cross-aisle cooperation is alive and well, it's a complicated vote for many moderate House Republicans, who are under intense pressure from party leaders not to deliver a win for Biden and potentially hurt their chances of flipping the House. One such Republican described House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthys whipping operation as strong.

"From a caucus perspective, were going to be there. Not everybody, but were going to have a sizable showing. And that's a good thing," said Rep. Tom Reed (R-N.Y.), a founding co-chair of the group. Substantively, its a pretty solid bill.

Support from Republican Problem Solvers or other members would mean defying party leadership, which has formally come out against the bill. McCarthy told reporters Thursday he did not view it as a bipartisan bill any longer and would be urging his members to vote against it because of the Democrats plans to couple it with the larger social spending plan.

The two co-chairs of the group, Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), have been doing their own whipping behind the scenes, encouraging as many of their 29 GOP members to vote for the bill as possible.

It was the main topic in a lengthy meeting of the group earlier this week, where multiple Democrats in the room pitched their GOP colleagues. Many stressed not just the importance of the bill, but the role of bipartisanship broadly in a year that has seen relations between Republicans and Democrats hit rock bottom.

Even after the dark days following Jan. 6, when lawmakers of opposing parties were nearing open warfare against the other, Problem Solvers members were determined to show progress toward legislation like infrastructure. Through the spring and summer, leaders of the group got involved in the infrastructure discussion with the White House and Sens. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and others.

Those groups met both informally and formally on the subject for months, including at an overnight summit at Larry Hogan's governor's mansion in Maryland. They took the partnership so seriously that when Democratic leaders began to formally tie infrastructure with their party's partisan bill, House GOP lawmakers became livid and some members of the Problem Solvers privately mulled quitting the group. None ultimately did.

The Problem Solvers have dealt with plenty of issues that split the caucus before. One of the toughest votes in the groups history came earlier this year, when the House voted on whether to create a bipartisan, independent commission to investigate the Jan. 6 insurrection.

One of the groups members, Katko, struck a compromise with House Homeland Security Committee Chair Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) on a bill to create the independent commission that would have barred current members of Congress from serving on the panel and delivered a report by the end of the year.

But former President Donald Trump intervened, and McCarthy ultimately recommended his caucus vote against it publicly abandoning Katko and inflaming many of his conference's moderates. Thirty five Republicans ultimately bucked the party to vote for the commission, including 18 members of the Problem Solvers Caucus, many of whom said they voted yes to support Katko.

Democrats in the group say they hope the infrastructure vote can get just as many Republicans, if not more than that commission vote.

Its not just GOP Problem Solvers members who are signaling theyll likely vote for the bill. Northeast Republicans such as Reps. Nicole Malliotakis (N.Y.), and Jeff Van Drew (N.J.) both told POLITICO they were leaning toward supporting it.

Its like every other bill. There are good things, and not so good things. And you have to balance it with your district and see what would be the best vote, Malliotakis said in an interview.

Still, Fitzpatrick cautioned that the GOP dynamics could dramatically change by then, with Democratic leaders now aiming to bring both the infrastructure and broader spending bill to the floor next week.

So many peoples decision depends on how the process plays out, Fitzpatrick said. Theres a lot of people who support infrastructure, who may not be in love with the bill but they're OK with it. But they want nothing to do with the $3.5 trillion.

Olivia Beavers contributed to this report.

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These Republicans helped craft the infrastructure bill. They might not vote for it. - POLITICO

Voter restriction laws: Why Republican states are changing them

Republican states are passing several voter restriction laws in response to Trumps 2020 loss. Heres how it could impact midterms and 2024 elections.

Just the FAQs, USA TODAY

Two Vermont cities Winooski and Montpelier are being sued by the Republican National Committee and the Vermont Republican Party.

The issue is non-citizen voting. Both Vermont citiesamended their charters to allow non-U.S. citizens to vote in municipal elections. The charter changes required the approval of the Vermont Legislature, who ultimately overturned a veto by Republican Gov. Phil Scott. The bills became law in June 2021.

The charter changes allownon-citizens the right to vote in city and local electionsfor items like who should sit on city council or the school board. However, they would not be able to vote in state and federal elections such as those for state senator or the presidential election.

Earlier: Winooski backs voting rights for non-citizens in local elections

"This radicalschemepassed by Vermont Democrats, to allow foreign citizens to decide American elections is a blatant attack on election integrityand violates the state constitution which requires Vermont voters to be U.S. citizens," a news release from the Republican National Committee reads.

The lawsuits werefirst reported by Fox Newson Tuesday. The complaints againstWinooski and Montpelierwere filed Monday in Vermont Superior Court in Burlington and Montpelier.

The Vermont Republican Party and "several concerned Vermont voters" joined the Republican National Committee's lawsuits, according to the news release.

The complaints allegethe two citiesand their city clerks arein violation of the Vermont Constitution. The suit seeks a declaration that non-citizen voting is unconstitutional and void, that the cities refrain from enforcing non-citizen voting and registering non-citizen voters, and that the cities pay the costs associated with bringing the lawsuits.

State Rep. Hal Colston, D-Winooski,said up until the 1920s non-citizens were allowed to vote in local elections.

"It is apparent to me that the vestiges of xenophobia are alive today with the RNC's effort to sue the cities of Montpelier and Winooski to allow legal residents who are not yet citizens to vote only in local elections," Colston said in a statement, adding that the majority of voters in both towns supported the measure. "This action of the RNC does not surprise me as they seek to turn over every stone to suppress the voice of voters."

The town of Montpelier did not immediately respond to requests for comment from the Free Press.

Contact reporter April Barton at abarton@freepressmedia.com or 802-660-1854. Follow her on Twitter @aprildbarton.

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Why two Vermont cities are being sued by the Republican party - Burlington Free Press

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman says Las Vegas would be the best place for the Republican National Convention in 2024.

The RNC sent letters to select mayors in the nation asking about interest in being the site of the 2024 national convention, and Goodman did not hesitate to express support from Las Vegas, according to the city.

To me, this request is not about politics, its about bringing millions of dollars in convention business back to our local economy, Goodman said. No one does conventions and conferences better than Las Vegas does, and our community is ready for this major economic boost.

If thousands of delegates converge on the city and spend a lot of money, its great for the city, Steven Budin, Channel 13s financial specialist said.

With over 155,000 hotel rooms in close proximity to each other and current tech-savvy technology convention spaces, the mayor believes few cities can compete.

Assuming we are beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, I have full faith and confidence that Vegas will step up with its A game, Budin said.

National political conventions have projected positive economic impacts of about $200 million to the hosting cities, according to the city.

Anytime Las Vegas can be mentioned on a national stage is beneficial to us. It would be a great way for us to publicize the city, not only domestically but around the world as well, Budin said.

Goodman anticipates the Democratic National Committee will also be in contact for holding their national convention in Las Vegas and would be most welcome as well.

Formal bids to the RNC are due no later than Dec. 1, 2021, for the three-day convention, which will take place in the summer of 2024.

Nevada Republican Party Chairman Michael J. McDonald released the following statement on the bid to bring the 2024 Republican Presidential Convention to Las Vegas:

We are honored to provide a bid to bring the 2024 Republican Presidential Convention to Las Vegas. This is a huge opportunity for our city and state to bring business back to the convention capital of the world. Outside of the honor of hosting the Republican convention, this is about bringing hundreds of millions of dollars to Nevada. We were excited for the opportunity to pitch this in 2020 and are confident that Las Vegas is the right place to hold the convention in 2024. Our state is hurting, having the highest unemployment rate in the nation the past two months. We need economic stimulus and this convention would certainly provide an economic boost.

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Hosting the Republican National Convention could bring about $200 million to Las Vegas - KTNV Las Vegas

To the editor: Gov. Charlie Baker is on the executive committee of the Republican Governors Association, which, according to its website, is dedicated to one primary objective: electing and supporting Americas Republican Governors.

He thus supports malicious reprobates such as Gov. Ron DeSantis, of Florida, who issued an executive order making it illegal for schools to require students and teachers to wear masks, thereby helping Florida achieve the highest COVID death rate in the country. Another is Gov. Greg Abbott, of Texas, who signed a bill making it illegal to terminate a pregnancy after six weeks, even if the pregnant person is an adolescent girl raped and impregnated by her own abusive father. The law also provides a $10,000 bounty to vigilantes who discover anyone daring to help such a girl terminate her pregnancy.

Other beneficiaries of Bakers partisan efforts are Govs. Brian Kemp, of Georgia, and Doug Ducey, of Arizona, who responded to Democratic electoral victories in their states by signing bills designed to make it harder for Democrats to vote. Similar abominations are in the works in Republican-led states all across the country. Gov. Baker pretends that this has nothing to do with him, that he belongs to some imaginary Republican party that still stands for fiscal responsibility, moral decency and constitutional democracy. In reality, hes a useful idiot for the Trumpist degenerates who now rule the Republican party from top to bottom.

Hes their friendly face in a state where Republicans corrupt present-day ideology is unpopular, where groveling worship of Donald Trump will not win elections. But he is nevertheless a leader in the Republican Governors Association campaign to elect scoundrels and undermine democracy all across the country. Enough is enough. Next chance we get, lets end this farce and elect a Democratic governor in Massachusetts.

Mark Brandriss, Williamstown

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Letter: As part of Republican Governors Association, Baker is part of the problem - Berkshire Eagle

ASHLAND The Boyd County GOPand Republican Womens Club delivered 95 meals to local law enforcement agencies on Tuesday as a token of appreciation.

The group started its trek at Ashland Police Department at 11 a.m. Tuesday before dropping off lunches at Catlettsburg PD, Boyd County Sheriffs Department and Kentucky State Police Post 14.

Its the second consecutive year these groups have expressed their gratitude to local police in the form of food. It was catered by Kim Gabbard this year, according to Lana White, President of the Boyd County Republican Womens Club.

She provided this meal at her cost, did not make a dime; I really appreciate her, too, White said.

Other contributors included Pat Steen, Stephen Graham, Randy and Kay Memmer, Brian and Amanda Clark and Kenny and Tina Parker.

White, Alisa Smith, Angie Hern, Boyd County Clerk Kevin Johnston, Rep. Dr. Danny Bentley and Jamie Reihs, who will run for Boyd County Sheriff in the next election, comprised the delivery bunch.

White said Rep. Scott Sharp wanted to be there, but he had some family business to which to tend out of state.

The lunch consisted of pulled pork, baked beans, cole slaw, pasta salad and cookies.

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Lunch for the Law: Boyd GOP, Republican Women's Club deliver meals to local police - The Independent