Progressive Breakfast: The Sanders "Economic Plan" Controversy

MORNING MESSAGE

There is a style of politics where you win by creating a lasting “first impression” before your opponent has a chance to respond ... But times have changed. Now there is the Internet ... people have the capacity to analyze the attack and might see that what they first heard is not the story at all. And then they are as likely to turn on the attacker as believe the attack. This is happening to the story about Sanders' proposals, and [Prof. Gerald] Friedman’s analysis of their effect on the economy...

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CLINTON RIPPING OFF SANDERS?

Sanders chides Clinton for borrowing his rhetoric. WSJ quotes: “…I am delighted that Secretary Clinton … seems to be adopting more and more of the positions that we have advocated – that’s good – and in fact is beginning to use a lot of the language and phraseology that we have used … [But] you can’t say she hasn’t championed these issues before.”
Clinton expresses support for public health insurance option. Politico: “Clinton’s campaign has updated its website to note her continued support for the government-run health plan that was dropped from Obamacare during the law’s drafting … [The] website suggests she won’t try to push the public option through Congress, but instead will work with governors using existing flexibility under Obamacare ‘to empower states to establish a public option choice.'”
Spike Lee endorses Bernie Sanders in SC ad. The Hill: “‘When Bernie gets into the White House he will do the right thing,’ Lee says in the 60-second ad, mentioning Sanders attendance at the March on Washington led by Martin Luther King, Jr. ‘No flipping, no flopping,’ Lee says…”

GOP CAUCUS in NEVADA ToNIGHT

Trump expected to win again. Politico: “‘This is the perfect state for Trump,’ said one top Nevada conservative. ‘Being a flashy billionaire with ties to gaming is a positive here.'”
Cruz and Rubio hope for a surprise. W. Post: “If the two senators can mobilize their supporters — just 20,000 voters could be enough for a landslide, operatives here say — then a win is within reach. Both campaigns have carefully tailored strategies to exploit what they think is a weak ground game that makes Trump vulnerable.”
Republican leaders worry Trump is unstoppable. Politico: “…there is precious little time for the anti-Trump field to consolidate … some foresee him steamrolling through Super Tuesday a week later, when a quarter of the party’s delegates are awarded … eating into Rubio’s vote share is John Kasich … One senior party operative on Monday evening described ‘building irritation’ with Kasich among GOP elders for staying in the race…”
Cruz goes farther right on immigration. W. Post: “Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) significantly sharpened his stance on immigration Monday, stating that he would find and deport the more than 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States.”

OBAMA BIDES TIME ON SCOTUS

Obama not rushing Supreme Court pick. The Hill: “…a quick decision poses political risks for Obama. It could fuel accusations that the president is charging ahead without properly consulting with members of the Senate. And it could open Obama up to scrutiny about whether he took enough time to vet his nominee…”
Senate party caucuses meet separately today. NYT: “It will be the first time lawmakers will have been together for strategy sessions since the death of Justice Antonin Scalia.”
Public believes nominee deserves vote. Politico: “According to a survey by the Pew Research Center, 56 percent of Americans believe the Senate should hold hearings and vote on the president’s designated successor, while 38 percent say the Senate should wait until the next president.”

REPUBLICANS FEAR CLIMATE CLAUSE

Republican worry that Obama has a climate regulation trump card. Grist: “…Rep. Scott Perry (R-Penn.) introduced the Energy Sovereignty Act [which is] a mere 97 words. And the intent is unusually clear: ‘To repeal section 115 of the Clean Air Act.’ Section 115 is a never-before-used portion of the Clean Air Act that grants the U.S. EPA broad powers to regulate pollutants that affect another country if that other country is also acting to curb such pollution. Since 195 nations reached an agreement in Paris … some climate policy wonks and legal scholars say Section 115 can now be deployed…”
Waters are rising. NYT: “…increasingly routine tidal flooding is making life miserable in places like Miami Beach; Charleston, S.C.; and Norfolk, Va. … they are straining life in many towns by killing lawns and trees, blocking neighborhood streets and clogging storm drains, polluting supplies of freshwater and sometimes stranding entire island communities for hours by overtopping the roads that tie them to the mainland.”

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 »