Rep. Jeffries Reflects on D.C.: ‘The Tea Party Folks, They’re off the Chain’
Months into his first term, his short time in Washington D.C. has Congressman Hakeem Jeffries convinced the Tea Party is out of control. Read More
Hakeem Jeffries Appointed to House Budget Committee
Now that he’s arrived on Capitol Hill, freshman Congressman Hakeem Jeffries has been appointed to the Budget Committee. The Budget Committee is chaired by Paul Ryan and, in an email to supporters announcing the appointment, his campaign sounded rather excited about the possibility for Mr. Jeffries to directly tangle with the former Republican vice presidential candidate.
“I have some important news. Congressman Jeffries was recently appointed to the powerful Budget Committee. This committee will again be chaired by Rep. Paul Ryan, and therefore be the battleground in the fight to preserve social security, Medicare and Medicaid,” the email said. “Congressman Jeffries will fight hard to save these programs.” Read More
Wisconsin Dems Ask for Investigation Into Paul Ryan’s Campaign Finances
Based on a Politicker investigation, Wisconsin Democratic Party Chairman Mike Tate is asking the Federal Election Commission to open an investigation into Paul Ryan’s congressional campaign committee. Last Thursday, we published a report detailing how Paul Ryan, who is simultaneously running for re-election in Wisconsin’s First Congressional District and on the GOP presidential ticket with Mitt Romney, may have improperly used funds from his congressional campaign for about $60,000 in expenses at the Republican National Convention. Mr. Tate’s letter to the FEC said this story shows Mr. Ryan’s congressional campaign committee “co-mingled expenditures between the Committee and the Romney Committee” in violation of federal regulations. Politicker has obtained a copy of Mr. Tate’s letter, which he is sending this week.
“As disclosed in an article published on October 25, 2012 in Politicker.com, a political website operated by The New York Observer, the Committee reported ‘$59,603.41 that was specifically identified as [Republican National] convention-related expenses between July 26 and October 17.’ A copy of the article is attached to this letter,” Mr. Tate wrote. ”A spokesperson for the Committee is quoted as stating that the bulk of such expenses were for the purchase of twenty hotel rooms for use at the Republican National Convention, although the Committee had only five staff members.” Read More
Paul Ryan’s ‘Problematic’ RNC Spending Spree
A Politicker examination of federal campaign finance disclosure reports submitted by Paul Ryan’s congressional campaign has uncovered indications Mr. Ryan may have improperly used funds raised for his re-election effort in Wisconsin for presidential campaign activities at the Republican National Convention in August. Mr. Ryan is simultaneously running for re-election in Wisconsin’s First Congressional District and on the GOP presidential ticket with Mitt Romney. At the RNC in Tampa, Mr. Ryan’s House campaign spent about $60,000. However, these convention expenses seem to go far beyond the scope of the activities and staff he had at the RNC for his bid to reclaim his House seat.
One prominent election law expert told us this is a “highly problematic” potential violation of Federal Election Commission regulations regarding candidates running for multiple federal offices. A spokesperson for Mr. Ryan’s opponent in Wisconsin’s First Congressional District described it as a possibly “troubling” element of “Paul Ryan’s overarching pattern of dishonesty in this race.” When we reached out to Mr. Ryan’s congressional campaign manager, we received a shifting series of explanations including at least one statement that was clearly untrue. Read More
Obama: ‘Joe Biden Was Terrific Tonight’
President Barack Obama, whose performance in his first debate against Mitt Romney was widely panned, appears to be very pleased Vice President Joe Biden’s rhetorical bout tonight went significantly more smoothly than his own.
On his way back from a campaign stop in Florida, Mr. Obama descended the stairs of Air Force One and addressed the reporters who “hollered” at him, according to a pool report tonight. Read More
Joe Biden Gives Obama a Second Chance
This time, both candidates drew blood. After the first presidential debate, which was widely seen as a tough loss for President Barack Obama, his running mate, Joe Biden, gave a passionate, aggressive performance. While not a total knockout, Mr. Biden’s faceoff with the Republican vice presidential nominee, Paul Ryan, should go a long way towards re-setting the discussion and putting the president in a prime position to retake control of the presidential race in the final weeks of the election. Read More
Biden to Ryan: ‘Now You’re Jack Kennedy?’ [Video]
In tonight’s debate, Vice President Joe Biden invoked one of the most memorable moments presidential campaign history in one of many back-and-forths with Republican vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan.
Mr. Biden used Mr. Ryan’s argument for significant tax rate reductions as his segue.
“You can cut tax rates by 20 percent and still preserve these important preferences for middle-class taxpayers–” Mr. Ryan began.
“Not mathematically possible!” Mr. Biden interrupted.
“It is mathematically possible. It’s been done before–” Mr. Ryan continued.
“It has never been done before,” came another interruption.
“It’s been done a couple times. Jack Kennedy increased tax rates and increased growth. Ronald Reagan–” the Republican tried to explain.
“Oh, now you’re Jack Kennedy?” Mr. Biden intervened yet again, to the quiet laughter of the audience. Read More
Joe Biden Goes on Offensive Against Paul Ryan’s ‘Malarkey’
After a presidential debate last week that was widely seen as a loss for the Democratic ticket, Joe Biden started off the vice presidential debate by aggressively dismissing his Republican rival, Paul Ryan, with laughs, incredulous glances, head shaking and his choice phrase, “malarkey.” Read More
Joe Biden Opens Debate With Osama
Well, the vice presidential debate between Joe Biden and Paul Ryan started off with a bit of a bang. In her opening question, moderator Martha Raddatz asked Mr. Biden whether President Barack Obama’s administration responded properly in its controversial reaction to the attacks on the U.S. embassy in Libya. After calling it a “tragedy” and vowing to hunt down those responsible, Mr. Biden directly went after Mitt Romney.
“When you’re looking at a president, Martha, it seems to me that you should look at his most important responsibility, that’s caring for the national security of the country, and the best way to do that is to take a look at how he’s handled the issues of the day.”
Mr. Biden went on to praise the president for the military operation that resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden and suggested Mitt Romney would not have killed the Al Qaeda leader. Read More
Biden’s Debate Prep Fuel: M&M’s, Animal Crackers, Energy Drinks, Caffeine and Subs
The Obama campaign has just released some new details about Vice President Joe Biden’s debate session. Apparently, Mr. Biden relied on a strict regimen of candy, sandwiches, energy drinks and caffeine to get him in shape for his matchup with Republican vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan. Read More
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Animal Care Volunteers Bite Back
