Monday Open Thread [6.29.15]

Monday Open Thread [6.29.15]

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I'm back from vacation, and it looks like my 10 day departure from political world were ten days of great political consequence that forever made this country a more progressive place. The lesson here is that I should go on vacation more often. Ed Kilgore at the Washington Monthly:
It would be hard to identify a recent day in the more saturated with "history" than Friday, June 26. You had an epochal marriage equality decision from the U.S. Supreme Court, still echoing from its decision the day before rejecting what could have been a traumatic and politically overwhelming challenge to the Affordable Care Act. down in Charleston, the President of the United States--you know, that secular socialist--delivered a eulogy at the funeral of slain pastor/politician Clementa Pinckney that (I can assure you from my correspondence) made cold-blooded political analysts weep and atheists murmur the lyrics to Amazing Grace.
BREAKING NEWS: Parties Try Last-Minute Cash Grab in General Assembly!

BREAKING NEWS: Parties Try Last-Minute Cash Grab in General Assembly!

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The D's and R's have finally found something they can both agree on.  I had previously written about HS 1 to HB 128,  a candidate and party cash grab which was removed from the House Agenda once it was exposed. Guess what? They've got another bill they plan to work under the cover of darkness of June 30 and July 1.  And, while they won't fund $$'s for road building, 'leadership', including 'mortal enemies' Greg Lavelle and Patti Blevins, are united in crushing any insurgent candidacies under something called a 'Party Building Fund'. No, it's not for buildings. Ladeez and gentlemen, let me introduce to you SB 155, which is sort-of a Delaware version of Citizens United. The bill creates a new fund for political parties.  Here's the key sentence:
No political party may make any expenditure from its building fund except for the costs of telephone and other communications services and the rental or purchase of equipment, office supplies, or an office or building.
The NJ is taking Lafferty seriously…is Copeland?

The NJ is taking Lafferty seriously…is Copeland?

Is throwing the Gov's race a sign that Charlie Copeland is willing to keep his powder dry for yet another statewide election? Is he going allow the teabags to run "a real conservative" and fall on their faces (again)? If that is the plan, he is more a much more cagey tactician than I've ever given him credit for.