THE PLAN

The GOP attack on Planned Parenthood

https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2015/07/30/morning-plum-gop-push-to-defund-planned-parenthood-heats-up/

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/31/us/taking-aim-at-planned-parenthood-conservatives-use-familiar-tactic.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
 
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/30/1407244/-Republicans-hellbent-on-defunding-Planned-Parenthood-pushing-their-war-on-women-into-2016

More: http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/gop-uses-planned-parenthood-pretense-possible-shutdown

http://www.salon.com/2015/07/31/wingnuts_are_gearing_up_for_another_government_shutdown_this_time_over_planned_parenthood/

Sarah!

http://www.salon.com/2015/07/30/sarah_palin_racist_planned_parenthood_targets_minority_communities_for_ethnic_cleansing/
Sarah Palin: Racist Planned Parenthood targets minority communities for ethnic cleansing 

Opponents of the Iran deal say that Obama should have gotten a "better deal." What does that even mean?

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2015/07/could-obama-have-made-a-better-deal-with-iran.html

I think this is accurate

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/31/upshot/support-for-bernie-sanders-is-deep-but-narrow.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&abt=0002&abg=1
Support for Bernie Sanders Is Deep but Narrow

Hillary's problem with trust

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/07/31/how-to-fix-hillary-s-trust-deficit.html

Trump supporters say, "He's like one of us"

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/07/30/the-single-most-amazing-sentence-from-a-focus-group-of-trump-supporters/

More: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/donald-trump-nh-focus-group

http://www.salon.com/2015/07/30/trumps_classy_presidency_one_amazing_focus_group_demonstrates_the_donalds_staying_power/

http://www.eschatonblog.com/2015/07/trumpd.html
[Atrios] Too many people want to put assholes in charge. They think they'll deliver a righteous asskicking to those who deserve a righteous asskicking (not them of course). It doesn't usually work out that way.  . .

The Clinton campaign responds to the NY Times story about her emails

http://www.vox.com/2015/7/30/9077235/clinton-letter-new-york-times

The future of MSNBC

http://crooksandliars.com/2015/07/msnbc-drops-ed-show-cycle-now-alex-wagner

How Fox World wants to reshape the Republican campaign for president

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2015/07/roger-ailes-primary.html

http://politicalwire.com/2015/07/30/who-will-make-the-cut-for-the-gop-debate/

More: http://www.vox.com/2015/7/30/9074761/conservative-media-republican-party
How conservative media helped the far-right take over the Republican Party

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/07/31/how-fox-news-made-my-dad-crazy.html
How Fox News Made My Dad Crazy

The fight over "American exceptionalism" in high school history

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2015/07/american-exceptionalism-101-now-being-offered.html

Exceptionally what? http://www.salon.com/2015/07/03/the_age_of_american_exceptionalism_is_long_over_partner/

http://www.salon.com/2015/02/25/american_exceptionalism_is_a_sick_joke_partner/

Bonus item: The utter failure of GOP rebranding

http://crooksandliars.com/2015/07/stewart-trump-living-embodiment-everything
Stewart: Trump 'Living Embodiment Of Everything Republicans Were Trying To Exorcise'

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL: http://pbd.blogspot.com

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MONEY TALKS

The Koch Bros try to take control of the GOP race (and push Trump out of the lead) 

http://www.politico.com/story/2015/07/koch-brothers-wealthy-donors-gop-2016-freedom-partners-seminar-california-120663.html#ixzz3hBVJstqH
Koch brothers summon Bush, Cruz, Walker, Rubio to SoCal confab . . .

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/29/1406895/-The-Kochs-try-to-bottle-up-Trump-s-candidacy

Mike Allen, "reporter," plays a role: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/mike-allen-koch-brothers-event

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2015/07/qotd-politicos-mike-allen.html

Number seventeen I think

http://crooksandliars.com/2015/07/yet-another-republican-climbs-clown-car
Yet Another Republican Climbs Into The Clown Car

More: http://www.salon.com/2015/07/29/fox_news_quiet_coup_how_its_debate_criteria_give_it_total_control_over_the_early_presidential_process/
Fox News’ quiet coup: How its debate criteria give it total control over the early presidential process 

Works for me

https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2015/07/29/morning-plum-the-gop-congress-is-set-to-run-off-the-rails-that-could-help-hillary-clinton/
Hillary Clinton has signaled that she hopes to run for president in part by painting the GOP-controlled Congress — and, by extension, the Republican Party — as a divisive, destructive, hidebound, reactionary force. . . .

http://www.politico.com/story/2015/07/congress-faces-fall-from-hell-120753.html?hp=t1_r
A crush of thorny, must-solve issues will greet lawmakers after the August recess — a major test for the GOP Congress.

More: http://www.salon.com/2015/07/30/donald_trump_is_ruining_everything_for_the_gop_the_five_stages_of_republican_grief_explained/
The five stages of Republican grief 

Now that people are actually questioning Trump like any other candidate, his nasty side comes out

http://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2015/07/29/the-more-scrutiny-for-donald-trump-the-testier-the-response/?partner=rss&emc=rss

His health care "plan": http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/repeal-and-replace-something-terrific
‘Repeal and replace with something terrific’

The anti-Iran deal rhetoric is getting crazy

http://www.politico.com/story/2015/07/ted-cruz-calls-barack-obama-sponsor-terrorism-iran-nuclear-deal-120780.html#ixzz3hN5E7CgF
Ted Cruz stands by calling President Obama a sponsor of terrorism

More: http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2015/07/opposition-iran-nuclear-deal-just-keeps-getting-weirder-and-weirder

http://www.salon.com/2015/07/30/delusions_of_a_madman_lindsey_graham_proclaims_hes_already_won_his_war_with_iran/

On the other side

https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2015/07/29/which-side-is-really-pro-israel-backers-of-the-iran-deal-ramp-up/
Backers of the Iran deal ramp up

The end of the Taliban?

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/07/29/mullah-omar-dies-the-taliban-might-be-next.html

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/07/29/rumors-of-mullah-omar-s-death-have-been-greatly-exaggerated-before.html

Child poverty today

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonkblog/wp/2015/07/29/the-best-and-worst-states-to-be-a-kid-in-america/

Bonus item: Sarah!s nonsense

http://crooksandliars.com/2015/07/sarah-palin-defends-confederate-flag

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL: http://pbd.blogspot.com

I don’t get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don’t run ads, etc.). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a “mission,” it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***

JUST CAN'T GET ALONG

The GOP House and Senate are still fighting each other

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/28/1406588/-McConnell-blinks-on-highway-bill-Boehner-wins

More: http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2015/07/boehner-planning-pick-his-ball-and-go-home

A surprise move to oust John Boehner as Speaker

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2015/07/gop-congressman-launches-bid-to-oust-boehner.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2015/07/28/meadows-seeks-to-oust-boehner-by-declaring-speakership-vacant/

The Clinton Rules

http://www.vox.com/2015/7/28/9059953/clinton-rules-new-york-times

Huckabee says Jews support his "oven" comments

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/28/1406529/-Mike-Huckabee-Jewish-response-has-been-overwhelmingly-supportive-of-his-oven-remarks

Not these Jews: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/ron-dermer-huckabee-door-oven-iran-deal
Ron Dermer, the Israeli ambassador to the U.S., on Monday denounced former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee's (R) comments criticizing the nuclear deal with Iran, in which the presidential candidate invoked the Holocaust. . . .

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/daniel-kurtzer-huckabee-incitement
Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel Daniel Kurtzer on Monday night condemned former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee's (R) "outrageous comments" comparing the Iran nuclear deal to the Holocaust and said that Huckabee's statements reminded him of the "incitement" that led to the assassination of former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. . . .

Good analysis: Donald Trump's rise comes at which other candidates' expense?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2015/07/28/who-has-lost-as-donald-trump-has-gained-in-the-polls/

Guess who's not worth TEN BILLION dollars?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2015/07/28/wonkbook-donald-trump-exaggerated-his-wealth-analysis-finds/

Let's see: an egotistic self-promoter who has made a career of blurting out whatever nonsense jumps into their head

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2015/07/sarah_palin_s_pac_is_spending_more_on_hotels_and_travel_than_on_gop_candidates.html
Sarah Palin’s PAC Is Spending More on Hotels and Travel Than on Republican Candidates

They deserve each other: http://crooksandliars.com/2015/07/sarah-palin-trump-administration
Sarah Palin In A Trump Administration?

http://www.salon.com/2015/07/28/donald_trump_says_sarah_palin_is_a_really_special_person_who_would_be_great_on_his_presidential_cabinet/
 
The future of health care costs

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonkblog/wp/2015/07/28/by-2024-health-spending-will-be-nearly-a-fifth-of-the-economy/

http://www.vox.com/2015/7/28/9060905/health-spending-projections

 Bonus item: Jon Stewart on Huckabee's comments

http://www.salon.com/2015/07/28/jon_stewart_destroys_mike_huckabee_without_saying_a_single_word/

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL: http://pbd.blogspot.com

I don’t get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don’t run ads, etc.). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a “mission,” it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***

A DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST

An interview with Bernie

http://www.vox.com/2015/7/28/9014491/bernie-sanders-vox-conversation

Trouble for Hillary?

http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2015-07-27/hillary-clinton-s-bernie-sanders-problem-is-bigger-than-anyone-realizes
 
More: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2015/07/27/four-poll-numbers-to-make-hillary-clinton-sweat/

Remember the GOP "rebranding" effort? The party's rep is worse now than ever

http://www.salon.com/2015/07/28/the_gop_is_just_this_screwed_donald_trump_immigration_and_the_republicans_massive_rebranding_failure/

The problem with the GOP "Top Ten" debate

http://www.vox.com/2015/7/28/9049653/republican-presidential-debate

https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2015/07/27/the-republican-demolition-derby/

Theocracy watch

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/cafe/ted-cruz-faith-and-freedom-coalition-conference
Inside The A-List Event Where 2016 GOPers Are More Christian-Than-Thou

Jeb: the Republican "grown-up"

http://politicalwire.com/2015/07/28/jeb-bush-positions-himself-as-the-grown-up/ 

Rand Paul, sinking fast

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/07/28/the-cancer-on-rand-paul-s-campaign.html

The other Repubs really hate Ted Cruz

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/27/1406086/-Ted-Cruz-gets-the-cold-shoulder-treatment-in-rare-Sunday-Senate-session

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/fivepoints/ted-cruz-mitch-mcconnell-sunday-senate

Rape charges against Trump?

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/wait-what--6

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2015/07/spox-on-trump-allegation-marital-rape-is-legal.html

Taking Trump seriously

http://prospect.org/article/why-donald-trump-matters

http://www.vox.com/2015/7/27/9044485/rush-limbaugh-donald-trump

Seven myths about abortion

http://www.salon.com/2015/07/28/abortion_myths_partner/

The NY Times keeps trying to fix its botched Hillary email story -- and keeps making it worse

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/nice-try-timesmen

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/27/1406082/-New-York-Times-is-sorry-it-screwed-up-correcting-a-story-not-sorry-it-screwed-up-the-story

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2015_07/the_times_fesses_up_sort_of056780.php

In Fox World

http://crooksandliars.com/2015/07/fox-s-ainsley-earhardt-so-tired-protecting
Fox’s Ainsley Earhardt Is ‘So Tired Of Protecting’ Rights Of ‘The Minority’

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/27/1406149/-Fox-News-suggests-Sandra-Bland-could-ve-used-her-lit-cigarette-as-a-weapon-against-police
Fox News suggests Sandra Bland could've used her lit cigarette as a weapon against police

Bonus item: The failure of No Child Left Behind

http://www.vox.com/2015/7/27/9045491/no-child-left-behind-accountability

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL: http://pbd.blogspot.com

I don’t get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don’t run ads, etc.). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a “mission,” it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***

BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE

Hillary on climate change

http://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2015/07/26/clinton-to-unveil-climate-change-plan/?partner=rss&emc=rss
Promising more than a half-billion solar panels by the end of a first term and an ambitious target of clean energy for every home in America in a decade, Hillary Rodham Clinton unveiled goals on Sunday evening to reduce the threat of climate change.  She said she would continue President Obama’s sweeping plan to limit carbon emissions from power plants, and announced targets that even push beyond current goal’s for greenhouse gases. . . .

Video: http://www.washingtonpost.com/posttv/politics/hillary-clinton-stand-for-reality--campaign-2016/2015/07/27/acb072b2-3458-11e5-b835-61ddaa99c73e_video.html

GOPers change their language on abortion, but not their message

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/27/us/politics/republicans-alter-script-on-abortion-seeking-to-shift-debate.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

More

http://www.salon.com/2015/07/27/paul_krugman_the_gop_has_never_abandoned_its_dream_of_destroying_the_social_safety_net/
The GOP has never “abandoned its dream” of destroying the social safety net 

Popcorn!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/republicans-turn-on-one-another-in-battle-over-export-import-bank/2015/07/26/78dd183c-33db-11e5-adf6-7227f3b7b338_story.html
Despite admonitions from his senior colleagues, Cruz has refused to apologize for his accusations and doubled down on his attack against McConnell.

“Speaking the truth about action is entirely consistent with civility,” he said during a floor speech, and he later told reporters that McConnell is the “so-called Republican leader.” . . .

More: http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/249134-cruz-girds-for-mcconnell-showdown

Ugly

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/huckabee-iran-nuclear-deal-will-march-israelis-to-the-door-of-the-oven/2015/07/26/bc963910-33bc-11e5-94ce-834ad8f5c50e_story.html
Huckabee: Iran nuclear deal will march Israelis ‘to the door of the oven’

http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/huckabee-reaches-new-low-ugly-holocaust-rhetoric
Huckabee reaches new low
 
More: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2015/07/27/obama-huckabees-comments-on-iran-deal-typical-of-gops-inflammatory-remarks/
Obama: Huckabee’s comments on Iran deal typical of GOP’s ‘inflammatory remarks’ 

What does Trump stand for?

http://www.politico.com/story/2015/07/will-the-real-donald-trump-please-stand-up-120607.html#ixzz3h5VJmpDd
But what does Donald Trump really believe on policy? It’s hard to tell — his campaign will identify no policy director, he has no “issues” tab on his campaign website and he hasn’t given any substantive policy speeches on the campaign trail. . . .

More: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2015/07/24/sloan/
I’ve spent more than 40 years making my living by writing about numbers, and I’ve never run across anyone who uses them the way that Trump does. He just spews numbers forth, based on heaven knows what, and people are supposed to take them on faith. . . .

The latest poll results on the Repub and Dem sides 

http://www.vox.com/2015/7/26/9041163/donald-trump-poll-Republicans

Kasich? http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2015/07/competing-for-crazy.html

The aftermath of the Black Lives Matter protest at Netroots Nation

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2015_07/what_matters_most056765.php

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/27/1405340/-Reaction-by-some-liberals-at-Netroots-Nation-to-BlackLivesMatter-disappointing

Puerto Rico is in meltdown, and the exodus of citizens may affect the vote in Florida in 2016

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/exodus-from-puerto-rico-could-upend-florida-vote-in-2016-presidential-race/2015/07/26/d73bc724-3229-11e5-8353-1215475949f4_story.html  

Big changes coming at MSNBC?

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2015_07/lean_times056766.php

Bonus item: What could go wrong?

http://politicalwire.com/2015/07/27/perry-says-guns-in-movie-theaters-would-prevent-shootings/
Perry Says Guns in Movie Theaters Would Prevent Shootings 

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL: http://pbd.blogspot.com

I don’t get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don’t run ads, etc.). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a “mission,” it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***

ON THE ATTACK

The enemy of my enemy is my friend, they say. This seems to be the key to Trump's appeal. His campaign is based on who he is attacking: immigrants, the media, other pols. People have no idea what he would actually do as president, but they like his choice of targets

http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/24/politics/donald-trump-iowa-des-moines-register/
Trump campaign bars Iowa paper from Iowa event after critical editorial

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-goes-on-the-attack-again-with-scott-walker-as-the-latest-target/2015/07/25/c6727b44-3315-11e5-8f36-18d1d501920d_story.html
Trump goes on the attack again, with Scott Walker as his latest target

http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/25/politics/trump-iowa/
Trump supporters in Iowa shrug off McCain controversy

More: http://www.salon.com/2015/07/25/why_more_presidential_hopefuls_partner/

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/07/theres-no-stopping-the-trump-show/399587/

All the Benghazi committee wants is to maximize the embarrassment for Hillary

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/26/us/clinton-to-testify-publicly-before-house-committee-investigating-benghazi-attacks.html
Mrs. Clinton’s aides announced Saturday morning that she had accepted an invitation to testify on Oct. 22. But a spokesman for the Republican-led committee said hours later that no agreement had been reached. . .  

Well, they earned it

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/25/1405119/-GOP-s-favorability-rating-plummets-in-first-half-of-2015
GOP's favorability rating plummets in first half of 2015
 
Pat Buchanan? Really?

http://mediamatters.org/blog/2015/07/25/why-is-nbc-bringing-anti-gay-xenophobe-pat-buch/204592

The Sunday talk show line-ups

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/26/1405433/-Sunday-Talk-Trumping-the-shark
NBC Meet the Press: Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT); Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R); Roundtable: Former White House Political Director Sara Fagen, Ron Fournier (National Journal), Amy Walter (Cook Political Report) and José Díaz-Balart (MSNBC).

CBS Face the Nation: Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY); Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R); Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV); Roundtable: John Heilemann (Bloomberg Politics), Jamelle Bouie (Slate), Gerald F. Seib (Wall Street Journal) and Nancy Cordes (CBS News).

ABC This Week: Attorney General Loretta Lynch; Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC); president of Planned Parenthood Cecile Richards; Roundtable: "Independent" Strategist Matthew Dowd, Republican Strategist Ana Navarro, Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) and Maggie Haberman (New York Times).

CNN State of the Union: Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R); Roundtable: S.E. Cupp (NY Daily News), Former Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli (R), Former South Carolina State Rep. Bakari Sellers (D) and Neera Tanden (Center for American Progress).

Bonus item: Ian McKellen reads pop music lyrics

http://crooksandliars.com/2015/07/open-thread-dont-believe-me-just-watch

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL: http://pbd.blogspot.com

I don’t get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don’t run ads, etc.). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a “mission,” it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***

PRIME TIME

Paul Krugman calls Obama "one of the most successful presidents in American history"

http://www.lovebscott.com/news/rolling-stone-names-president-obama-one-of-the-most-successful-presidents-in-american-history

His biggest regret: http://www.vox.com/2015/7/24/9031771/louisiana-theater-shooting-obama
Obama said his biggest frustration is guns. Hours later, another mass shooting happened. 

What's wrong with us? Mass shootings are becoming an epidemic

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2015/07/24/11-essential-facts-about-guns-and-mass-shootings-in-america/

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2015/07/24/there-have-been-204-mass-shootings-and-204-days-in-2015-so-far/

Hillary tacks left

http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2015/07/hillary-clinton-takes-aim-capital-gains-taxes-rich

http://www.vox.com/2015/7/24/9031597/hillary-clinton-quarterly-capitalism

More: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2015/07/24/this-is-hillary-clintons-elizabeth-warren-moment/
This is Hillary Clinton’s Elizabeth Warren moment

The NYT really screwed up the Hillary email story

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/new-york-times-hillary-clinton_55b2a5cbe4b0224d883252f0

More: http://www.salon.com/2015/07/24/another_shoddy_clinton_smear_anatomy_of_the_new_york_times_epic_email_screw_up/

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/how-did-this-happen-exactly

Jeb Bush wants a do-over on his disastrous proposal to "phase out Medicare"

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/24/1405355/-Jeb-Bush-tells-senior-he-s-serious-about-killing-nbsp-Medicare
"Well, I'm not," Bush responded. "Here's what I said: I said, 'We're going to have to reform our entitlement system.' We have to."  . . .

Um, let's just revisit what Jeb! actually said about Medicare that set this protest off. He said, "we need to figure out a way to phase out this program." Now, "phasing out" could be construed as "reform," if you're a Republican. But for the rest of us, it pretty much means "ending." 

More: https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2015/07/24/jeb-bush-now-says-he-wouldnt-phase-out-medicare-what-he-would-do-is-just-as-wrong/

http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/jeb-bush-doubles-down-far-right-medicare-reform

http://www.salon.com/2015/07/24/jeb_bush_is_flirting_with_disaster_why_his_latest_anti_medicare_fearmongering_could_sink_his_campaign/

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2015/07/somebody-forgot-to-give-jeb-medicare.html 

Whoa. Ted Cruz calls Majority Leader Mitch McConnell a liar on the floor of the Senate

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/25/us/senator-ted-cruz-accuses-mitch-mcconnell-of-lying-on-ex-im-bill.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
 
Why he went there: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2015/07/24/the-exceptional-campaign-timing-of-ted-cruzs-ferocious-floor-speech/

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2015/06/30/the-expiration-of-the-export-import-bank-explained-for-those-who-dont-know-what-that-is/

Oops

http://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2015/07/24/ted-cruz-breaks-vow-to-not-criticize-other-republicans/?partner=rss&emc=rss
Senator Ted Cruz of Texas has made taking the high road a hallmark of his presidential campaign so far, vowing not to get into fights with other Republicans. Apparently Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky is not covered by that policy.

More: http://www.salon.com/2015/07/24/ted_cruz_torches_mitch_mcconnells_character_and_yet_he_wont_do_the_same_to_donald_trump/
Ted Cruz torches Mitch McConnell’s character — and yet he won’t do the same to Donald Trump 

More bad news for the feckless Majority Leader

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/24/1405455/-Mitch-McConnell-setting-himself-up-for-another-epic-leadership-nbsp-fail

Yee-haw!

http://www.salon.com/2015/07/24/good_news_for_rick_perry_now_hes_only_facing_one_felony_charge/
“Good” news for Rick Perry: Now he’s only facing one felony charge! 

Guess those comments about John McCain and vets didn't hurt Trump with his supporters after all

http://crooksandliars.com/2015/07/donald-trump

Trump: the F-word?

http://www.salon.com/2015/07/25/donald_trump_is_an_actual_fascist_what_his_surging_popularity_says_about_the_gop_base/

Ted Cruz uses his Senate committee to hold hearings on punishing the Supreme Court when it makes decisions conservatives don't like

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/25/1405111/-Senate-holds-hearings-into-how-to-change-the-Constitution-to-circumvent-Supreme-Court

Dog food

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2015/07/24/republican-opinion-of-the-republican-party-is-dropping-why/
Republicans like the Republican Party less and less. Why?

http://www.vox.com/2015/7/24/9035541/gop-favorable-pew-poll

No, this won't help http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/republicans-schedule-new-obamacare-repeal-vote
Republicans schedule new ‘Obamacare’ repeal vote

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2015/07/24/mike-lee-goes-for-nuclear-option-to-repeal-obamacare/ 

Nor will this: http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2015/07/boehner-wants-well-timed-circus.html
Boehner said Thursday that he will not yet commit to blocking funding for Planned Parenthood . . . "I expect that we will have hearings. The more we learn, the more it will educate our decisions in the future," he said.

Health care mergers: what they mean for consumers

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2015/07/24/big-health-care-deals-are-creating-insurance-goliaths-is-that-good-for-consumers/

http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2015/07/cigna-anthem-merger-might-not-be-bad-deal-consumers

More: http://www.vox.com/2015/7/24/9034747/anthem-cigna-merger-consolidation

White IS a color

http://www.vox.com/2015/7/24/9023721/white-whiteness-race-identity

Bonus item: Is Captain Kirk a Republican?

http://www.salon.com/2015/07/24/william_shatner_not_amused_by_ted_cruzs_claim_that_captain_kirk_is_quite_likely_a_republican/

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL: http://pbd.blogspot.com

I don’t get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don’t run ads, etc.). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a “mission,” it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***

YOU CAN'T MAKE ME!

The Republicans "investigate" the Iran deal (uh-huh) 

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/24/us/politics/iran-nuclear-deal-appears-dead-on-arrival-for-republicans.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
Republicans Have Minds Made Up as Debate Begins on Iran Nuclear Deal 

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/23/1405031/-Senate-Republicans-already-know-they-won-t-be-supporting-any-Iran-deal
Senate Republicans already know they won't be supporting any Iran deal 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2015/07/23/lets-stop-pretending-republicans-have-a-serious-critique-of-the-iran-deal/
Let’s stop pretending Republicans have a serious critique of the Iran deal 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/senate-iran-hearing_55b1418ce4b07af29d57ec76
Senate's Iran Hearing Reveals How Bad Senators Are At Hearings 

http://www.vox.com/2015/7/23/9023489/congress-hearing-iran-deal
The clown show that was the Senate Iran hearing, in one tweet

More: http://www.salon.com/2015/07/24/gop_fearmongering_just_reached_an_outlandish_new_height_inside_the_iranian_electromagnetic_menace/

http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2015/07/yet-more-magical-unicorn-thinking-right-wing-iran-nuclear-deal

http://www.vox.com/2015/7/23/9016593/iran-critics-kahler

http://www.vox.com/2015/7/23/9016971/iran-deal-michael-oren
 
https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2015/07/23/are-democrats-in-for-a-long-hot-august-over-the-iran-deal/ 

The fight over Social Security and Medicare 

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/23/1405016/-Democrats-win-as-Social-Security-cuts-removed-from-Senate-highway-nbsp-bill
Democrats win as Social Security cuts removed from Senate highway bill 

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/23/1404684/-House-Democrats-keep-focus-on-protecting-Social-Security

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/jeb-bush-medicare-phase-out
Jeb Bush Wants To 'Figure Out A Way To Phase Out' Medicare

http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2015/07/its-not-just-social-security-anymore-jeb-bush-wants-destroy-medicare-too 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2015/07/24/wonkbook-jeb-bush-wants-to-phase-out-medicare-heres-what-he-meant/

NYT rewrites a Clinton story with a very provocative headline 

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/24/us/politics/criminal-inquiry-is-sought-in-hillary-clinton-email-account.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
Criminal Inquiry Is Sought in Clinton Email Account 

The rewrite: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/24/1405261/-New-York-Times-dramatically-rewrites-a-new-Hillary-Clinton-email-story-after-midnight

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2015/07/criminal-probe-into-hillarys-emails-requested.html

The political debate over Uber 

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2015/07/why-uber-is-a-political-rorschach-test.html

http://www.vox.com/2015/7/24/9026455/republicans-love-uber
 
http://www.salon.com/2015/07/23/progress_isnt_always_progressive_what_ubers_celebrity_defenders_dont_understand/ 

Sex! 

http://www.salon.com/2015/07/24/6_fascinating_facts_about_sex_around_the_world_partner/
6 fascinating facts about sex around the world

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2015/07/22/why-american-teenagers-are-having-much-less-sex/
Why American teenagers are having much less sex

Bonus item: Is it too much to ask?

http://crooksandliars.com/2015/07/jon-stewart-skewers-right-wing-attacking

Jon Stewart Skewers Right Wing For Attacking Iranian Nuke Deal Without Reading It

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL: http://pbd.blogspot.com

I don’t get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don’t run ads, etc.). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a “mission,” it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***