DL GOP Fantasy Pool Update – The mystery of the third closed agency to be revealed

DL GOP Fantasy Pool Update – The mystery of the third closed agency to be revealed

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The last Rick Perry reality show ended with a nail-biting cliffhanger. What will be the third federal agency closed on "day 1" of Perry's first term in the White House? Speculation ran rampant. Would it be Agriculture? Probably not. Farmer's need their welfare checks. Defense? Doubtful. Energy? There was a brief surge of support for that one. Health and Human Services? That was my guess. It just sounds liberal.
Ted Cruz is America’s Greatest Asshole.

Ted Cruz is America’s Greatest Asshole.

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Ted Cruz made a little joke last night. Because, you know those Republicans, they are a fun loving comedic people.
"You know, Vice President Joe Biden," he said as a few chuckles emerged from the crowd, setting up the joke for him. "You know the nice thing. You don't need a punchline. I promise you it works. At the next party you're at, just walk up to someone and say, 'Vice President Joe Biden,' and just close your mouth. They will crack up laughing."
Former News Journal reporter Chad Livengood confronted the unmitigated pile of excrement that somehow had gained sentience and asked it how it felt to make fun of a grieving father who has now had to bury two children:
Q: Could you talk about the vice president losing his son this week? A: Heartbreaking and tragic, and our prayers are very much with Vice President Biden, with Jill. It's a tragedy no one should have to endure. Q: Why'd you tell a joke about the vice president tonight? A: Uh .... [walks away]
We have the video of his cowardice inside....
I endorse this idea

I endorse this idea

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It will never happen, of course, but Bernie makes a good argument for real debates. Bernie Sanders would like to shake up the 2016 presidential campaign by having debates with…
Wednesday Open Thread [6.3.15]

Wednesday Open Thread [6.3.15]

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“In a remarkable reversal of national security policy formed after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the Senate voted on Tuesday to curtail the federal government’s sweeping surveillance of American phone records, sending the legislation to President Obama’s desk for his signature,” the New York Times reports. “The vote was a rebuke to Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky and the majority leader, as lawmakers beat back a series of amendments that he sought that would have rolled back proposed controls on government spying.”
General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up & Pre-Game Show: Wednesday, June 3, 2015

General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up & Pre-Game Show: Wednesday, June 3, 2015

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The big news: Legislation decriminalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana for personal use passed the House Tuesday. Despite an amendment that weakened the bill, not a single 'small government' Rethug voted for the bill. BTW, the amendment sucks.  I can only guess that it was required to secure a sufficient number of votes to pass the bill.  Otherwise, it should not have seen the light of day.
Biden to Lie in State at Leg Hall [Update with Full Schedule]

Biden to Lie in State at Leg Hall [Update with Full Schedule]

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Just received this confusing release from the Governor's office:
Following an announcement by the Office of the Vice President today, Governor Markell’s office issued the following statement regarding planned services to honor the life of former Attorney General Joseph Robinette "Beau" Biden III. “President Pro Tempore Patti Blevins, Speaker of the House Pete Schwartzkopf, Senate Minority Leader Gary Simpson, House Minority Leader Danny Short and Governor Jack Markell earlier this week offered to Hallie Biden and the greater Biden family to have the Attorney General lie in honor at Legislative Hall on the afternoon of Thursday, June 4th. While further details will be forthcoming, the Legislative Hall ceremony will allow the General Assembly, other government officials, and the Biden family’s many friends the opportunity to pay their respects.”
The idea of a Dover ceremony was offered to Mrs. Biden, but was it accepted? I don't see that. [Yes it was.]
Tuesday Open Thread [6.2.15]

Tuesday Open Thread [6.2.15]

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Orin Kerr: “If I understand the history correctly, in the late 1990s, the President was impeached for lying about a sexual affair by a House of Representatives led by a man who was also then hiding a sexual affair, who was supposed to be replaced by another Congressman who stepped down when forced to reveal that he too was having a sexual affair, which led to the election of a new Speaker of the House who now has been indicted for lying about payments covering up his sexual contact with a boy.” We've got tons of polling today. Come inside to check it out.
Biden Funeral Scheduled for Saturday in Delaware

Biden Funeral Scheduled for Saturday in Delaware

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A private Mass for the Biden family was to be celebrated for the family June 4 at St. Joseph Church on the Brandywine in Greenville, Delaware, where he was a parishioner. A funeral Mass for Biden was to be said June 6 at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Wilmington, Delaware. Burial will be at St. Joseph on the Brandywine Cemetery, where Beau’s mother and sister, who were killed in the car accident years ago, are buried.
I assume that the President and other "official mourners," like Governor Markell, former Governor Minner, Senators Carper and Coons, will attend the Saturday mass at St. Anthony's.
Delaware General Assembly Pre-Game Show: Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Delaware General Assembly Pre-Game Show: Tuesday, June 2, 2015

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Let's not mince words. Not since 2009 has the General Assembly entered June with so much uncertainty and so much unfinished business.  I'd argue that it will even be a more difficult June than June of 2009. Back then, everyone recognized that Delaware, like virtually every other state, was suffering from an economic downturn.  The newly-minted governor was able to work with the General Assembly to craft a series of 'revenue-enhancers' to address the budget shortfall.  R's released just enough yes votes to enable bills to pass, in exchange for provisions sunsetting the revenue enhancers. Fast-forward six years.  This governor has lost a huge amount of political influence. So much so that his press flak has said that he'll watch what the General Assembly does, and not actively broker any settlements. He has, in particular, lost a lot of leverage with Democrats.  Some of this is inevitable.  Lame ducks almost never have much political capital to spend by Year 7.  Markell has also wasted political capital in ways that have earned him the enmity and distrust of D's in particular.  Whether it's the disaster of Race To the Top, his attempt to bypass the General Assembly while looking to get rid of the Port of Wilmington, his sabotage of a meaningful minimum wage bill, his inability to rally support for his gas tax increase, his cheerleading for charter schools, his refusal to consider any tax increase on his wealthy pals, and so much more, he is as close to feckless as any governor facing a budget shortfall can be. Except...he HAS, by Executive Order, created a panel to look at long-term changes to how Delaware funds government.  Unfortunately, Markell has chosen to place a vast majority of DINO's and Rethugs on the panel, ensuring that any recommendations it might make would not in any way address inequities in who pays what.  The good news: the ideas that are being put forward by this group are likely to be DOA. I mean, eliminate the estate tax? Really? These are not serious proposals except in a world where ALEC is king.