MORNING MESSAGE
More
than 150 organizations are participating in Infrastructure Week 2016 this week.
The website explains that this is “a national week of events; media coverage;
and education and advocacy efforts to elevate infrastructure as a critical issue
impacting all Americans.” But at CAF every week is infrastructure week because
we have been on our soapbox shouting to the rafters about this for quite some
time.
BURNING ISSUES: WHY THE PENTAGON NEEDS AN AUDIT
Danielle
Brian, executive director of the Project on Government Oversight, in this
Burning Issues video, says an audit of the Defense Department’s finances
must be the next president’s top priority to root out waste and “legalized
corruption” in Pentagon procurement.
OREGON AND KENTUCKY VOTE TODAY
Oregon
and Kentucky pose test for Clinton today. Politico: “[Two losses] would be
an embarrassment for Clinton … Polling in both races has been scant, and neither
state allows independent voters to participate … Still, Oregon’s demographics
track closely with those of states where Sanders has prevailed … Kentucky looks
to be a stronger state for Clinton … She has held 16 campaign events there to
Sanders’ four.”
Clinton
defends Obamacare in KY. W. Post: “‘Your governor did such a great job and
your current governor is trying to undo it all,’ Clinton said, referring to
[current Gov. Matt] Bevin and [former Gov. Steve] Beshear. But the woman, who
had been sitting quietly in the audience, stood and shouted toward Clinton:
‘That is not true.’ ‘Oh yes it is, yes it is,’ Clinton responded before adding
hotly: ‘You are entitled to your opinion, but you’re not entitled to your own
facts!’ The crowed roared…”
Clinton
super PAC lays anti-Trump strategy. Politico: “The first theme — that he’s
too divisive — focuses on Trump’s harsh rhetoric reserved for distinct segments
of the electorate … The second — that he’s too dangerous — takes a national
security tack. ‘I frankly don’t think “risky” captures it, because “risk”
implies potential upside,” explained [Priorities USA’s Guy] Cecil … the final
prong, ‘that he has been basically pulling a con job on people,’ will dive into
his economic positions…”
GOP KEEPS DISTANCE FROM TRUMP
Republican
Party officials not ready to defend Trump. Time: “…the party’s head is
making clear that he won’t mount a full-throated defense of Trump and on some
issues won’t protect him at all, sending a clear signal to others in the GOP as
its new standard-bearer faces a rough week in the press … Operatives believe the
GOP’s modus operandi is going to be to let Trump handle his own problems.”
Kochs
invest in Senate instead of White House. W. Post: “The political network
backed by billionaire industrialists Charles and David Koch is set to invest
more than $42 million on ads in key Senate races through the end of September …
It remains unclear if the organization will raise and spend the nearly $900
million it laid out as a goal at the beginning of the cycle.”
Trump
is not bringing in new voters to GOP. Politico: “…the early statistics show
that the vast majority of those voters aren’t actually new to voting or to the
Republican Party, but rather they are reliable past voters in general elections.
They are only casting ballots in a Republican primary for the first time.”
BREAKFAST SIDES
Building
trade unions boycott AFL-CIO alliance with environmentalist Tom Steyer. W.
Post: “…the presidents of eight building trade organizations called on the
AFL-CIO to cut ties with Steyer, whose opposition to an extension of the
Keystone XL Pipeline infuriated [them] … At issue is a new super PAC called For
Our Future … The organization plans to mobilize voters in key Senate races and
presidential battleground states…”
Appeal
court to expedite review of Obama’s climate regs. W. Post: “… the U.S. Court
of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit announced that it would hear challenges … by the
full court in September. A three-judge panel had been scheduled to hear
arguments June 2 … The most likely explanation for the court’s order is that …
some of the issues involved in the case … are of such significance that they
warranted the [full] court’s attention…”
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
»