MORNING MESSAGE
Katrina
represents both conservatism’s most devastating failure and its most
catastrophic success. Conservatism promises small government, widespread
prosperity, irreproachable morality, increased liberty and security.
Conservatism fails to fulfill these promises, because it cannot. Nor does it
intend to. Even now, some conservatives cheer Katrina and its aftermath as a
catastrophic success to be exploited as an opportunity to implement conservative
policies ... former Rep. Richard Baker (R, Louisiana) was overheard telling
lobbyists, “We finally cleaned out public housing in New Orleans. We couldn’t do
it, but God did.”
Dem Race Tightens
Bernie
Sanders moves up in CNN national poll: “Overall, 47% of Democratic and
Democratic-leaning voters say they support Clinton for the party’s nomination.
That’s down 9 points since July … Sanders has climbed 10 points since July and
holds second place in the race with 29%. Biden follows at 14% … With Biden’s
backers re-allocated to their second choice, Clinton holds 56%, Sanders
33%.”
Hillary
targets CEO pay in new ad. Time quotes: “When you see that you’ve got CEOs
making 300 times what the average worker’s making, you know the deck is stacked
in favor of those at the top … I’m going to be doing everything I can to try to
get that deck reshuffled so being middle class means something again.”
Clinton
and Sanders aim for union support in Nevada. W. Post: “Several labor
organizers suggested that the AFL-CIO and its member organizations have an
incentive to hold off on endorsements because doing so gives them more leverage
to get the candidate they endorse to buy into their ideas. But other unions have
seen an opportunity to make a point with early endorsements.”
Martin
O’Malley angles for more debates. Time: “Martin O’Malley’s campaign has
reached out privately to Bernie Sanders about arranging debates outside the six
contests allowed by the Democratic National Committee, risking the ire of the
Democratic party in a bid to gain traction for his candidacy.”
Trump Roils GOP Over Immigration
GOP
leaders worry Trump is ruining Latino outreach. NYT: “…his hard line on
immigration has driven rivals to match his biting anti-immigrant language and
positions long considered extreme. It risks another general election cycle in
which Hispanics view the party as unfriendly no matter who the nominee is,
Republican strategists warned.”
Latino
Republicans aggrieved. WSJ: “‘Basically, they are saying, “We don’t want
you. Get out,”‘ said [Republican National Hispanic Assembly chair Gonzalo]
Ferrer.”
Republican
field divides over birthright citizenship. Bloomberg: “Some of Trump’s
rivals for the GOP nomination have suggested they also support a repeal of the
14th Amendment, or at least say it’s worth considering. Other candidates
trailing the front-runner have condemned his proposal.”
Hillary Dings Obama On Oil Drilling
Hillary
opposes Arctic drilling. NYT: “… Clinton on Tuesday came out against
drilling for oil and gas in the Arctic Ocean, one day after the White House
granted approval for exploration off the coast of Alaska … she has remained
silent on whether she would support the Keystone XL oil pipeline … Arctic
drilling was an opportunity for her to accommodate the progressive wing …”
“Tepid
praise” from enviros for new EPA methane regs. NYT: “Many faulted the
administration for focusing the proposals on only new wells … Jack N. Gerard,
the president of the American Petroleum Institute … said Tuesday’s proposals
were unnecessary because the industry was reducing methane emissions on its
own.”
HUD To Change Policy On "Over-Income" Tenants
HUD
to push for eviction of “over-income” families from public housing. W. Post:
“‘It may be legally acceptable, but it is morally unacceptable for people who
could pay market-rate rents to be in public housing,’ a senior HUD official said
of the disclosure that more than 25,000 tenants earn more than the maximum
income … housing advocates are furious … Public housing authorities have to
balance opposing goals. They want economic diversity in old, often-crumbling
projects. And they want to make room for millions of poor people who linger on
long waiting lists.”
Maryland
housing secretary accuses poor families of poisoning children to get housing.
Baltimore Sun: “Gov. Larry Hogan’s housing secretary will stay in the job
despite calls for his ouster over remarks suggesting that mothers might
deliberately poison their children with lead to obtain free housing. Hogan gave
Housing Secretary Kenneth C. Holt a stern talking-to on Monday but will not ask
him to leave…”
Progressive
Breakfast is a daily morning email highlighting news stories of interest to
activists. Progressive Breakfast is a project of the Campaign for America's
Future. more
»