Tuesday Open Thread [4.14.15]

Tuesday Open Thread [4.14.15]

Nate Cohn: “Mr. Rubio’s struggle to break through is a powerful reminder that winning a presidential primary is not just about skill as a politician. It’s about positioning, and Mr. Rubio, at the moment, is in a much worse position than many assessments of his political talent would suggest. In basketball terms, he’s boxed out.” “His central problem is that Jeb Bush has found considerable support from the party’s mainstream conservative and moderate donors in the so-called invisible primary — the behind-the-scenes competition for elite support that often decides the nomination… Mr. Bush’s pre-emptive bid to build elite support has denied Mr. Rubio the opportunity to consolidate the center-right wing of the party. Perhaps this wouldn’t be a big problem if Mr. Rubio were a favorite of the conservatives skeptical of Mr. Bush’s candidacy, but the field is full of candidates who are equally good or better fits for many conservative voters.” He's not running for President. He is running for Vice President.
It’s Not About Gay Wedding Cakes. It’s About A National Religion

It’s Not About Gay Wedding Cakes. It’s About A National Religion

31 Comments
Take a good long look at this story.
MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga.-- Brittany Cartrett recently learned some bad news from her doctor about her pregnancy. She miscarried around five or six weeks along. "So we made the decision to not do a D&C and to get a medicine. So he said I'm going to give you this medicine, you'll take it, and it will help you to pass naturally so that you don't have to go the more invasive route", said Brittany Cartrett. The doctor's office called the Milledgeville Walmart to fill the prescription but they were told no and they were not given a reason. "So we found another place to fill it but I still had to go up there to get another prescription so when I went up there she asked if I had any questions about this prescription I said no I don't but I do have a question about the other one. And she looks at my name and she says oh, well...I couldn't think of a valid reason why you would need this prescription", Cartrett said. The drug in question is Misoprostol, which can also used to induce abortions. [emphasis mine]
Everyone okay with a pharmacist overruling an actual doctor's orders and diagnosis? Everyone okay with a pharmacist deciding, without examining you (not that they would even be capable of that) or knowing your medical condition, if you have a "valid reason" for the prescription decided upon by an actual doctor? Republicans knew what they were doing making this about wedding cakes and photographers - they knew most people would shrug at cakes, flowers and wedding photos while missing the end game. These pharmacist "conscience clauses" are simply another way to achieve the same end. Religious Discrimination.
DL Approval Ratings: No one lives in the Middle but Tom Carper

DL Approval Ratings: No one lives in the Middle but Tom Carper

2 Comments
45% strongly disapprove of Senator Tom Carper's job performance. An additional 21% somewhat disapprove. Only 31% approve in any way, somewhat or strongly, of the Senator. These are not unexpected numbers. When you play both sides of the aisle, both sides of the aisle will grow to dislike you. The middle ground the Senator seeks to never move from (but if he has to he will move right) is not the place you live at in politics. It's the place you come to to compromise with those on other side. If you start out in the middle ground, then you have no where to go but to the right. This is why liberals strongly dislike Tom Carper. And it will probably never change.