Monday Open Thread [7.7.14]

Think Progress has the take down of Governor Perry and his lies about immigration by ABC's Martha Raddatz. Indeed, during this current refugee crisis on the border and how it informs the immigration debate, every single conservative and every single Republican must answer this question: if our border is so insecure, then how is it that we have captured all these children and teens trying to cross it? If the border was as insecure as Republicans describe, we would not know about all these kids because they would stream across the border undetected.
My Anger With Stalling Immigration Reform

My Anger With Stalling Immigration Reform

We’ll start with the simple popularity of immigration reform. This issue is the epitome of how entirely feeble America’s Congress is right now. By broad margins, Americans support the idea of immigration reform, easier pathways to citizenship, stronger border enforcement, and more. Unfortunately, because it’s an issue that people usually believe doesn’t affect them, why vote for candidates who have anything to do with it? Jobs, healthcare, the budget deficit, education, and security all rank higher than the only issue congress ACTUALLY has a semi-bipartisan proposal for. Congrats America.
Election Filing Deadline Preview & Open Thread

Election Filing Deadline Preview & Open Thread

The deadline for candidates to file is 12 noon Tuesday. Parties can fill slots on the ballot moving forward, and candidates can withdraw, but anyone who does not file by the deadline cannot get on the ballot w/o party support. Questions answered: 1. Yes, the fearsome duo of Carl Smink and Rose Izzo will lead the mighty Republican ticket into battle this fall. Izzo filed on Thursday, July 3. 2. Speaker Pete Schwartzkopf will run for reelection. Not that it was ever in doubt, but he has now filed. Unanswered Questions: 1. Will State Auditor Tom Wagner file for reelection?