Pro-Joe Biden super PAC pulls TV ad about VP’s family tragedy
The super PAC urging Vice President Joe Biden to run for president pulled its first television ad off the air on Friday after Biden signaled he preferred that it not run. One day after releasing the ad recalling Biden’s family tragedies and vowing to spend six figures to air it on national television, Draft Biden abruptly reversed course. Josh Alcorn, a senior adviser to the super PAC and a Biden family friend, said nobody respects Biden and his family more than Draft Biden. “Obviously we will honor his wishes,” Alcorn said in a statement. The super PAC’s inaugural ad featured audio from a speech Biden gave at Yale University in May, just a few weeks before his eldest son, Beau Biden, died of brain cancer. In the ad, Biden recalls the car crash that killed his wife and daughter just after he was first elected senator in 1972, and says he found redemption by focusing on his sons. The ad ends with white lettering that reads: “Joe, run.” The ad drew criticism from Democrats and some Biden supporters for appearing to exploit his personal losses for political gain. Draft Biden announced plans to pull the ad almost immediately after word emerged in a Los Angeles Times report that Biden had seen the ad and hoped it wouldn’t run. Two people close to Biden confirmed to The Associated Press that Biden and his staff felt the ad was inappropriate and in poor taste. In public comments since his son’s death, Biden has emphasized that his losses are no worse than those experienced by many Americans, and that he deserves no special sympathy. Although Draft Biden is an independent group and legally barred from coordinating with a campaign, it has attracted a number of supporters with close and longstanding ties to Biden and President Barack Obama. Alcorn, who joined the group over the summer and is steering its activities, was previously the political director for Beau Biden, who served as Delaware’s attorney general. The ad was created by Democratic ad-maker Mark Putnam, who worked on Obama’s 2008 and 2012 campaigns. Biden has said he’s considering entering the presidential race, but has yet to make a decision — to the dismay of ardent supporters calling for him to run. Earlier this week, Biden’s office pushed back aggressively against suggestions that Biden leaked word to a newspaper columnist of his son’s dying wish for him to run in an attempt to galvanize political support. Republished with permission of the Associated Press.
AP source: Marco Rubio raises $6M over last 3 months
Sen. Marco Rubio has raised roughly $6 million over the last three months for his Republican White House bid. That’s according to an attendee at the Florida senator’s donor retreat in Las Vegas, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to share fundraising numbers before they’re officially released by the campaign. Rubio’s poll numbers may be rising, but the fundraising total is far less than some of his rivals for the quarter that ended Sept. 30. It reflects what supporters describe as a difficult fundraising environment over the summer. By comparison, retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson raised more than $20 million over the same period. The numbers don’t reflect money raised by outside groups, including super PACs, that can raise and spend unlimited sums of money to benefit the candidates. Republished with permission of the Associated Press.
Martha Roby sets the record straight on mission of Benghazi committee
Rep. Martha Roby is setting the record straight — “The Select Committee on Benghazi has one mission: to find the truth about what happened before, during, and after the September 11, 2012 terrorist attack that left four Americans dead including our ambassador.” Thursday, the Congresswoman released a video clarifying the purpose of the House Select Committee on Benghazi after Congressional Democrats this week attempted to disband the committee in the wake of comments made by Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy. McCarthy subjected the Benghazi committee to scrutiny last week after suggesting the taxpayer-funded investigation was politically motivated and credited the committee’s work for Hillary Clinton‘s drop in poll numbers. McCarthy has since apologized for his comments, but that’s not stopped House Democrats from continuing to push for the committee to be shut down. Despite these distractions, Roby, a Member of the Select Committee, said she and her colleagues remain focused on a fact-based investigation that answers questions never adequately addressed by the Obama Administration. “The Obama Administration has never been straightforward with the American people about it, and that’s not right. The people deserve the truth, and that’s what we’re working to deliver,” Roby said. “If anyone is being political about this, it’s the Democrats. For Democrats to try to dissolve the Committee is really just another attempt to keep the truth from coming out.” Watch the full video here:
New Right to Rise ad focuses on Jeb Bush vow to “disrupt the beast”
A new TV spot from the super PAC supporting Jeb Bush hits the New Hampshire airwaves this week promoting the Republican presidential candidate’s history of disrupting politics as usual. First reported in CBS News, “Town Hall” is a 30-second spot produced by Right to Rise USA, which will start running in the first-in-the-nation primary state. The ad features a strong anti-establishment message. “We need to disrupt the old order in Washington, D.C.,” says Bush in the spot, over a photo of President Obama and Hillary Clinton. Next is a variety of clips showing Bush campaign events to spotlight the former governor’s conservative record along with reviews of his recently announced tax plan. “We can do a lot better by applying conservative principles,” Bush, says. “What we need is leadership to fix a few big things so that this country takes off and soars.” Bush, who struggles in recent polling against other GOP political outsiders — Donald Trump, Ben Carson and Carly Fiorina – has been campaigning in Iowa this week, emphasizing his record as a “disrupter” to voters who seemingly favor rivals from outside the Washington beltway. “I’ve never lived in Washington, never been part of Washington,” he said at an Iowa event on Wednesday. “I just have the skill set to disrupt the beast.” Right to Rise bought airtime in New Hampshire, and another version of the ad will run in Iowa, campaign spokesperson Paul Lindsay told CBS News. The PAC’s media blitz includes $37 million spent on ads in early state races, scheduled to run through February. “Town Hall” is part of that new buy.
Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy withdraws his candidacy for speaker
In a stunning move, Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy withdrew his candidacy for House speaker Thursday, throwing Congress’ Republican leadership into chaos. McCarthy was heavily favored to win his GOP colleagues’ endorsement for the post, but a vigorous challenge from hardline House conservatives threatened a smooth ratification when the full House voted Oct. 29. It is uncertain now when that vote will occur to replace Speaker John Boehner, who is to retire at the end of the month. McCarthy shocked his colleagues at the start of Thursday’s closed meeting, telling them he was not the right person for the job. He recommended that the election be postponed and Boehner delayed it. “There was total shock, and then total silence,” said Rep. Robert Pittenger, R-N.C. Lawmakers were in near disbelief at the announcement, which came as Republicans began a meeting for what they thought would be the election of a new speaker nominee. “I’ve never seen anything like this,” said Rep. Ryan Costello, R-Pa. Rep. John Fleming, R-La., said he was “thunderstruck.” “We don’t know why he did it,” said Rep. Mick Mulvaney, R-S.C. McCarthy’s decision plunged the House GOP into further turmoil, just weeks after Boehner’s decision to resign had left Republicans reeling. Just hours earlier, McCarthy and his two rivals to replace Boehner addressed a closed-door meeting of the GOP rank and file in the basement of the Capitol, making final pitches ahead of elections. Rep. Kevin Brady of Texas, who supported McCarthy, said the 50-year-old Californian pitched himself as “a proven leader, a generational change in the speakership.” “Plus he listens very carefully,” Brady said, “and as a result our conference will continue to have more power over the agenda, which is what we all want.” But McCarthy had failed to win over a small but crucial bloc in the House GOP: the hardline Freedom Caucus. This group of 30-plus uncompromising conservatives drove Boehner to resign by threatening a floor vote on his speakership. On the eve of Thursday’s vote they announced they would oppose Boehner’s No.2, McCarthy, and back one of his rivals instead, Rep. Daniel Webster of Florida, a former speaker of the Florida House. That was a blow to McCarthy, although there had been little expectation that the group would back the Californian. “Power doesn’t like to give up its power, and so that’s why many of us have gotten behind Mr. Webster,” Rep. John Fleming of Louisiana, a Freedom Caucus member, said outside Thursday’s meeting. “We feel that conservatives have been greatly marginalized by the current leadership.” Despite the opposition, McCarthy clearly had been expected to emerge the winner Thursday over Webster and a third rival, Republican Rep. Jason Chaffetz of Utah, who chairs the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. That would have made McCarthy the House GOP nominee for speaker. But his true test will come Oct. 29, when the full House will vote for speaker in open session. With Democrats certain to back Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, a Republican will need to win a 218-vote majority to prevail. If no candidate wins that majority, it would send the House into uncertain territory. It hasn’t happened in decades, but in years past speaker elections have required multiple ballots before any candidate prevailed. Some of the more establishment-aligned lawmakers are voicing fears about such an outcome on Oct. 29. Republished with permission of the Associated Press.
Grant funding to support programs for sexual assault victims
Grants from the U.S. Department of Justice will be used to fund programs throughout Alabama to support victims of sexual assault. Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs officials said in a release Tuesday that the Alabama Coalition Against Sexual Violence is being awarded more than $303,000 in funding. Officials say the money will be used to support 14 programs throughout the state that offer emergency shelters, rape crisis centers and 24-hour hotlines. Officials say the programs also offer educational programs on recognizing the warning signs of sexual abuse, preventing assault and referring victims. Republished with permission of the Associated Press.
Alabama Ethics Commission wants scrutiny of outside pay for state workers
The Alabama Ethics Commission has taken a dim view of the idea of public employees being paid by outside sources. Commissioners on Wednesday issued an opinion saying the arrangements are presumed to be in conflict with the underlying principles of state ethics law. Commissioners said they will only approve such arrangements on a case-by case basis made through formal opinion requests. Ethics Commission Executive Director Tom Albritton said the opinion process will bring the arrangements into the open and allow public scrutiny. Gov. Robert Bentley has used the so-called executive loan arrangement to fill a key position in his cabinet. Former Bentley Chief of Staff Seth Hammett was paid by PowerSouth Energy Cooperative during his 17 months working for the governor Hammett has returned to his job in the private sector. Republished with permission of the Associated Press.
Gov. Robert Bentley discusses office closures with Jesse Jackson
Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley met with the Rev. Jesse Jackson and black legislators concerned over the closure of drivers’ license offices in rural Alabama. Bentley held the meeting Wednesday afternoon following a week of criticism over the closures. Jackson said the closings will make it more difficult for people in rural, poor counties to obtain a driver’s license in a state that requires ID to vote. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency announced that, because of budget cuts, it would no longer send driving test examiners to 31 satellite offices. The change impacts the issuance of new licenses. Replacements and renewals can still be done in local counties. Rep. John Knight of Montgomery questioned how much the state was saving since it was not eliminating positions or closing offices. Republished with permission of the Associated Press.
Anonymous donors send millions to pro-Marco Rubio group
Voters are beginning to learn about Republican presidential hopeful Marco Rubio. What they’re not learning, however, is who is paying to promote his candidacy. The Florida senator is benefiting in unprecedented ways from a nonprofit group funded by anonymous donors. While other presidential candidates also have ties to secret-money groups, the Rubio arrangement is the boldest. Every pro-Rubio television commercial so far in the early primary states of Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina has been paid for not by his campaign or even by a super PAC that identifies its donors, but instead by a nonprofit called Conservative Solutions Project. It’s also sending Rubio-boosting mail to voters in those same states. Rubio is legally prohibited from directing the group’s spending, and he has said he has nothing to do with it. But there’s little doubt that Conservative Solutions Project is picking up the tab for critical expenses that the campaign itself might struggle to afford. Although Rubio is rising in national polls, his fundraising has so far been dwarfed by that of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson. By the end of June, Bush and his super PAC had amassed $114 million – more than quadruple what Rubio and his super PAC collected. Ahead of what is expected to be a new and disappointing fundraising report next week, Rubio’s aides have stressed that their thriftiness gives them a competitive advantage over campaigns with more money. Left unsaid was that a secret-money group is giving him at least an $8 million assist, according to information provided by advertising tracker Kantar Media’s CMAG. The candidate has presented himself as being opposed to such unaccountable money. “I believe that – as long as it’s being disclosed – that people have a right to participate in our political process,” Rubio said in June at a voter forum in New Hampshire when asked about “the corrupting influence” of money in politics. Conservative Solutions Project does not disclose its donors. Its latest commercial shows Rubio, 44, speaking at the Iowa State Fair. “New ideas for a new age,” a narrator says before ticking through a list of Rubio priorities: “throw out the tax code, overhaul higher education, repeal and replace Obamacare.” Conservative Solutions Project has put $2.3 million into the 30-second ad over the past three weeks and is on deck to spend close to another $1 million keeping it on the air next week, according to CMAG information about advertising placements on broadcast, cable and satellite television. That follows a $3 million summertime ad campaign by the same group that promoted Rubio’s strong opposition to a deal the White House and other countries struck with Iran on nuclear weapons. Conservative Solutions Project also has reserved nearly $2 million in additional satellite TV advertising space through Feb. 16, according to the advertising tracker. Although numerous candidates may ultimately benefit from allied nonprofits, so far it appears that only the entities helping Rubio and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal are advertising in the presidential race. America Next has spent about $380,000 boosting Jindal on TV, CMAG said. Bush also has a secret-money group in his corner, but it hasn’t yet directly communicated with voters. Nonprofits are the edgier cousins of super PACs. Both can accept unlimited amounts of money from wealthy donors, corporations and unions, but only nonprofits can keep those names a secret. In exchange for that privilege, nonprofits are barred from making political activity their primary purpose. But gray area abounds. The two regulating agencies, the Federal Election Commission and the Internal Revenue Service, have been less than aggressive in pursuing potential violators. The Campaign Legal Center in Washington is suing the FEC for failing to require a nonprofit that was active during the 2012 presidential election to file finance reports. “Congress, the Supreme Court and the public have all recognized that voters have a right to know who is spending money to try to influence them on Election Day,” said Paul S. Ryan, the center’s senior counsel. “Transparency is how we hold politicians accountable and make sure they’re not in the pocket of their benefactors.” That’s in line with public opinion: Seventy-five percent of voters, an equal share of Democrats and Republicans, said contributors to unaffiliated groups should be disclosed, according to a CBS News/New York Times poll in June. The Conservative Solutions Project declined to say who gave it the $16 million it claims to have. Although it shares a name and key personnel with the Rubio-focused super PAC, Conservative Solutions PAC, its mutual spokesman, Jeff Sadosky, said the two are “very separate and distinct groups.” He said the nonprofit’s work goes well beyond Rubio’s presidential ambitions, pointing to a detailed study it did last year of voter behavior, which was made available on its website. Additionally, Sadosky said, Conservative Solutions Project highlights on its website the work of other conservative leaders, including Illinois Sen. Mark Kirk and Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton. But its bent toward Rubio is apparent even there: Visitors to the site are immediately routed to a video of the Florida senator speaking, the same footage on television in early primary states. Republished with permission of the Associated Press.
Rupert Murdoch suggests Barack Obama isn’t ‘real black president’
The founder of the global News Corp. media empire, Rupert Murdoch, is suggesting that President Barack Obama isn’t a “real black president.” Murdoch was praising Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson and his wife on Twitter Wednesday evening when he wrote: “Ben and Candy Carson terrific. What about a real black President who can properly address the racial divide?” Later, Murdoch recommended a New York magazine article asking whether Obama has done enough for the African-American community. Murdoch is the founder of Fox News Channel, and News Corp’s publications include The New York Post and The Wall Street Journal. The 84-year-old Murdoch has praised Carson on Twitter before, calling him “irreproachable on background, achievements, character, vision.” Republished with permission of the Associated Press.
Alabama school system uses gun-sniffing dogs to find threats
He’s the busiest school resource officer at Alexandria High School, and he’s very popular. He’s also a dog named QT. A black lab, QT, and Hoss, a German spotted pointer, are part of a pilot program with Calhoun County Schools that combines a different way of detecting threats with scientific know-how developed in Alabama. “We’re the only school that we know of in the country that has this kind of resource,” said Randy Reaves, safety and security director for the Calhoun County system. The story of QT starts in December of 2001, when a British man named Richard Reid tried to blow up an American Airlines flight to Miami using explosives hidden in his shoes. The fact that he got through various airport screening processes – and so soon after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 – was an eye opener, said Paul Hammond, a man with an extensive track record dealing with canines in hostile environments. Hammond is Vice President of Canine Services for AMK9, an Anniston-based company that trains dogs using Vapor Wake training, a patented process that arose from the dilemmas of the “Shoe Bomber.” Auburn University, working with the Transportation Security Administration, began looking at how dogs could be trained to better recognize potential threats posed in the age of international terrorism. Why dogs? Because canines possess approximately 300 million olfactory receptors in their noses, whereas humans have about 6 million. The part of the dog’s brain devoted to smells is about 40 times greater than humans as well. Hammond said researchers began working on a way to train dogs to detect the particles left behind by explosives, firearms and other objects. When a person handles explosives, for example, or puts them in a backpack, their natural body heat may cause a minuscule “vapor trail” of those particles to be left behind, a remnant that could be tracked. That means dogs track the explosive object or firearm, not a particular person. But you’re talking about a very distinct scent in small quantities. QT, and other dogs used by AMK9, are specially bred for the purpose of finding the best dogs for the training, which lasts 18 months. QT is a Black Labrador specially suited for the task. When the puppies are 12 weeks old, they are trained in prisons in Georgia or Florida, given specific tasks, and gradually conditioned to other environments. Then the dogs are paired with a handler for about eight weeks. “He picked me,” said Eric Patterson, the school resource officer at Alexandria who handles QT. AMK9 provides dogs for the St. Louis Cardinals, the Atlanta Braves and others. Vapor wake dogs patrol Jordan-Hare Stadium for threats. QT began patrolling Calhoun County Schools last year, and Hoss was added this year. The school system gets the dogs at a discounted rate of about $12,000. Sheriff Larry Amerson said the dogs came through the work of state and county lawmakers and Circuit Judge Laura Phillips. “A dog with this kind of training is a massive help in terms of time, providing a presence in schools and helping maintain a safe environment,” Amerson said. “A K9 is a very expensive proposition, but it can be a very helpful resource.” QT’s effect was immediate, Patterson said. There were four drug arrests the first week QT appeared at Alexandria, with some students turning themselves in. “It was just knowing there was a dog here,” Patterson said. But QT provides other services. Since he’s attached to the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, he was used earlier this summer to recover a gun in a ravine. QT found it among kudzu vines. He also provides some relief to one of the school’s students with Asperger’s syndrome, who comes by to pet the dog. In elementary schools, the students flock to the dogs, even those who might otherwise be uncomfortable around law enforcement officers. QT is “always on,” Hammonds said. The dog may take a short rest on the floor, but when someone comes into the room, he immediately gives them a look. If an officer enters with a gun, he stands up, his ears alert. There is no sound or aggression, just attention, a sizing up. Hoss, on the other hand, is as good as his name, said his handler, Ryan Mahieu. “He’s a goofball,” Mahieu said. “He does what he wants, goes where he wants to, he’s like a country boy.” Where QT goes about his business in a series of quick movements, Hoss is more methodical. But both were able to track a backpack hidden in a locker with a firearm, as part of a demonstration. “His only payment is a tennis ball,” Patterson said. That’s the dogs’ reward – a tennis ball tossed into the air for them to chase after a good day’s work. Republished with permission of the Associated Press.
