Marriage News Watch: September 9, 2013

Sanford Pulls Out a Win

Mark Sanford Loses GOP Backing

From Politico:

“Mark Sanford has proven he knows what it takes to win elections. At this time, the NRCC will not be engaged in this special election,” said Andrea Bozek, an NRCC spokeswoman.

Sanford is facing Democrat Elizabeth Colbert Busch, a Clemson University administrator and sister of comedian Stephen Colbert, in a race that has grabbed the national spotlight.

The NRCC’s move comes hours after Tuesday night’s report by the Associated Press that Sanford’s ex-wife, Jenny Sanford, filed a court complaint accusing him of trespassing at her home in early February – which would be a violation of the terms of their divorce agreement.

Republicans said they were caught off guard by news of Jenny Sanford’s complaint. They worry other damaging revelations about Mark Sanford’s personal life that they aren’t aware of could come out in the coming weeks.

The NRCC has spent a nominal amount on the race on polling and other activities. But officials determined that devoting potentially millions more — which was under discussion — isn’t worth it.

Stephen Colbert's Sister To Run For Congress

From Huffington Post:

Elizabeth Colbert-Busch, sister of comedian Stephen Colbert, will run for Congress in South Carolina, St. Andrews Patch confirmed on Friday.

Colbert-Busch's entry into the race could make for interesting programming on her younger brother's show. Unlike the character Colbert plays on TV, Colbert-Busch is a Democrat, and she'll be seeking to turn a long-red First Congressional District -- previously represented by now-GOP Sen. Tim Scott -- blue. But her entrance into the race will add to the intrigue of an already compelling contest that will feature disgraced ex-South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford duking it out with at least five other Republican candidates for the nomination.

Sanford notoriously disappeared from the state in 2009 in a scandal that eventually forced him to admit that he was having an extramarital affair with an Argentinian woman. He finished his term, but his wife, Jenny Sanford, eventually divorced him, and earlier this month declined to run for the seat. Her ex-husband reportedly announced plans to wed his former mistress last year.

This looks like it will be one of the most interesting congressional races.

Tweet of the Day: December 6, 2012

For those who have forgotten, Mark Sanford is the former GOP governor of South Carolina who campaigned on family values, then proceeded to cheat on his wife (and the mother of his three sons) with an Argentine (I think that's where she was from) reporter and wrote her letters calling her the love of his life. having said that, if he runs and so much as thinks of mentioning family values or the sanctity of marriage, someone needs to punch him in the face (not really, but you take my meaning).

Sen. DeMint's Homophobia in the Spotlight

This ad in South Carolina has gotten Senator Jim DeMint's supporters angry:

Keep in mind that DeMint is a very conservative Republican (Hell, he's a Tea Party Republican at that) and is rather outspoken about being anti-gay in almost every way possible. I would think his supporter, also very conservative, would be happy that their guy is anti-gay.

According to The Advocate:

It's one of three ads from the group that use the same tactic to call out antigay bullying and attacks on students for supporting civil rights as part of its larger point about homophobia and its result in discriminatory laws. The group is reportedly spending $30,000 to air the ads while raising money to keep the campaign going.

The DeMint ad references a comment the South Carolina senator made during a debate in 2004. But it wasn't the only time DeMint has said gays shouldn't be allowed to teach.  In October 2010, during a speech at the Greater Freedom Rally of conservative voters, he fought back, complaining that "no one came to my defense" for his comments while whispering to him "that I shouldn't back down."

DeMint will probably wear this as a badge of honour the way that many organizations wear being called a "hate group" for being anti-gay as a badge of honour...which is really just side in both cases.

SC Gov: Rape Prevention is a Distraction

The Wrap-Up: January 30, 2012

Tomorrow is Primary Day in Florida.

When Grover Norquist, the conservative anti-tax crusader, was asked about what to do if Obama doesn't extend the Bush tax-cuts...let's just say the guy is on a bit of a power-trip.

It turns out that all of that "voter-fraud" being fought against in South Carolina isn't voter fraud, it's bureaucratic incompetence and silly mistakes.

When Republicans can't block and obstruct, they try to boycott instead.

Virginia's legislature really has its priorities askew...to say the least.

If this is what Newt Gingrich does after church, I don't know why he bothers going. Church isn't doing him any good.

This is probably the most delicious political statement I have ever heard of.

EBay gave the state of Utah an ultimatum.

And lastly, one little cartoon (hat tip: MoveOn.org) sums up 2 decades of GOP strategy.

The Wrap-Up: January 23, 2012

Rep. Gabby Gifford (D-AZ)

Gabby Giffords has made an announcement about her future in Congress.

Saturday saw Newt Gingrich take the South Carolina Primary. Here are some Twitter reactions.

Here you can see a rundown of the exit polling. There is one group that Mitt Romney won which surprises no one: those making $200,000+.

Up next in the GOP nomination process: Florida!!!

Grindr was hacked, releasing the information of 100,000 users. Luckily for Republicans, this happened in Australia.

I'm pretty sure that Bryan Fischer of the so-called American Family Association double majored in Theocracy and Fuzzy Math. That, or I have some catching up to do.

FRC President Tony Perkins

Seriously, why do so many people like Chuck Norris? Obviously, his judgment is terrible.

I'm not the only person to have written Rick Santorum an open letter. This is a very eloquent piece on his parenting views.

First, Tony Perkins doesn't know what the meaning of judgmental is (he should look in the mirror to find out). Second, why do media outlets (including the left/progressive leaning MSNBC) have this guy on as an expert for anything other than hate-mongering?

And lastly, it's amazing the things about Ronald Reagan that the GOP ignores...

Tweet of the Day: January 21, 2012

The Wrap-Up: January 13, 2012

Joel Osteen

A South Carolina bill has a particular requirement for receiving unemployment insurance.

Mega-church leader Joel Osteen has been called out on his cherry-picking of the Bible. 

That lawsuit filed by GOP candidates about Virginia's ballot rules for the state's primary took a step forward.

Speaking of Virginia, its Governor (Republican Bob McDonnell) made a very false claim in favor of the 1%.

President Obama

You know all of those bowl games people have been watching over the last few weeks? Chances are you pay a higher tax rate than they do.

Here is a question many on the left have asked: what has President Obama done for progressives?

As reasonable people know, the Bush tax cuts carry a lot of blame for blowing a whole in the national debt, but they have nothing on the tax cuts proposed by Mitt Romney.

A group of education and health organizations have released a recommendation of minimum sex-education standards to states and school disrticts. Conservative outrage in 3...2...

Paul Tagliabue

About what Rick Santorum said about how he would treat his hypothetical gay child...

A New Jersey teacher may find out the price of discrimination.

The United States Department of Justice finally weighs in on civilian recording of police.

Former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue recently made a very generous donation.

And lastly, the campaign against North Carolina's anti-marriage equality amendment is officially underway.

The Vote Against Project - Welcome! from Vote Against Project on Vimeo.

The Wrap-Up: January 10, 2012

Rick Santorum

Today is Primary Day in New Hampshire and it looks like clear sailing for Mitt Romney. 

Rick Santorum may have fallen into "The Huckabee Trap" and I gotta say that a love that this term now exists.

The on-going conservative effort to unseat Romney as the front-runner looks ahead to the South Carolina Primary as the last chance to find an alternative.

Maybe when Christian kids are bullied for being Christian to the point that they end theirs lives (which hopefully never happens), I'll believe this claim. Until then, this is just another case of perpetrators pretending to be victims.

Kansas House Speaker Mike O'Neal

In Rick Santorum's imagination, felonious parents are better than gay parents. He didn't qualify the statement, so I guess those felonious parents include child abusers. How can anyone take this clown seriously?

Governor Scott Walker (R-WI) has some regrets, but I'm guessing he doesn't have nearly enough.

Some people hate Obama so much, they are literally praying for his death (because obviously, that's what Jesus would do...). It looks like one of these people is Kansas' House Speaker. And then there are those comment about the First Lady.

Michigan's Governor Snyder is doing an incredible amount of damage to the state's education funding to pay for business tax cuts.

Here is another look into how Tennessee's "license to bully" bill is dangerous for the state's youth.

MSNBC has fired Pat Buchanan over racist remarks made in his new book. the countdown begins for his hiring by Fox.

The marriage equality bill in New Jersey is getting the fast-track treatment.

And lastly, while politicians completely screw up the economy, here is what some people and business owners are doing to help create jobs in America.