VA Sen. Barbara Favola: Youngkin “once again stood with extremists and against women”
From VA State Sen. Barbara Favola (D-Arlington)’s office:
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VA House Dems on Vetoes of “Legislation Supported by an Overwhelming Majority of Virginians”: Youngkin “showed his allegiance to power hungry MAGA extremists”
From the VA House Democratic Caucus:
Virginia House Democratic Caucus Statement on Vetoes of Seven Day Bills
MAGA Republicans Veto Legislation Supported by an Overwhelming Majority of Virginians
RICHMOND, VA – The House Democratic Caucus released the following statement after the Governor vetoed or offered amendments to bills sent to his desk under the seven-day timeline:
“The Governor’s choice to veto and offer overzealous amendments to these critical pieces of legislation will do nothing more than ensure that guns are left in the hands of domestic abusers, restrict access to reproductive healthcare and threaten our democracy and our voting rights.
For the second time this week, the Republican Governor of this Commonwealth showed his allegiance to power hungry MAGA extremists and, yet again, every Republican in the General Assembly has bent the knee to a man who boasts his role in overturning women’s healthcare and inciting attacks on democracy.
MAGA Republicans have shown time and time again that they do not trust women, that they do not protect women, and they do not have the interests of women in the Commonwealth in mind. The Governor’s veto of Delegate-Bennett Parker’s HB46 protects abusers and makes our communities less safe for women in every corner of the Commonwealth.
At a time when healthcare is being attacked around the country, protecting access to contraceptives, especially for the most vulnerable among us, remains an absolute priority for our Caucus. The unnecessary amendment added to Senator Hashmi’s SB238, cognate to Delegate Mundon King’s HB819, only serves the purpose of adding additional barriers to access for women across Virginia who are more than capable of deciding when and how they want to start a family.
Just a day after we recognized the 59th anniversary of Bloody Sunday – a peaceful protest that turned so violent, it led to the Voting Rights Act of 1965 – the Governor vetoed Senator VanValkenburg’s SB606, cognate to Delegate Sickles’ HB1177, directing the Commonwealth to re-enter ERIC, and needlessly amended Senator Rouse’s SB189, cognate to Delegate Convirs-Fowler’s HB416, the Virginia Beach Charter Change to the 10-1 electoral system. With our democracy under threat, we should be doing everything we can to ensure that everyone has an equal voice in our election system, not preventing a locality from conducting the will of the people and making their electoral systems truly representative – especially when no other locality’s request was affected.
The people of the Commonwealth spoke loud and clear last November. They sent us to Richmond to stop this dangerous MAGA agenda and return to the people’s agenda. These actions show the true colors of Virginia Republicans, and we sincerely hope that we will have a sea change when we return to this body in April.”
Video: Biden-Harris 2024 Launches First Ad of Spring Paid Media Buy
From the Biden campaign:
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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Biden-Harris 2024 Launches First Ad of Spring Paid Media Buy |
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In “For You” President Biden Touts His Historic Record, Points Out Trump’s Lack Thereof Today, Biden-Harris 2024 is launching a $30 million dollar ad campaign targeting voters in battleground states. The campaign will kick off with “For You,” a direct-to-camera from President Biden where he speaks frankly about the question on every Washington reporter’s mind … the President’s historic legislative agenda! In “For You” President Biden discusses how his wisdom, experience, and—yes, even age—have been critical to getting big things done for the American people in his first term, and the choice Americans will face this November between Joe Biden’s experienced and effective leadership versus Donald Trump and his assault on Americans’ rights and democracy. The six-week ad flight will air on national cable and local broadcast and cable television in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, and North Carolina. The ad campaign will target audiences in the key markets of Detroit, Flint, Grand Rapids, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Phoenix, Atlanta, Las Vegas, and Raleigh, with a focus on voters of color and young voters. The ad will air on popular entertainment and sports programming on stations like ESPN, TNT, FX, Adult Swim, and Comedy Central and during high-viewership moments like the NCAA March Madness Tournament. It will also run digitally across platforms – with a heavy emphasis on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. The following is a statement from Biden-Harris Campaign Communications Director Michael Tyler: “Y’all want to talk about age? Let’s talk about age. At 77, Joe Biden beat Donald Trump. At 78, he led us through the COVID crisis, put us on a path to creating nearly 15 million new jobs since the day he took office, and passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to repair our roads and bridges and expand access to broadband internet to every community. At 79, he got us the most significant gun safety legislation in a generation and became the first president to beat Big Pharma and cap the cost of insulin at $35 for seniors. At the same time, he made the single largest investment in history to combat climate change – all before his 80th birthday. Meanwhile, the only helpful thing Donald Trump did for the American people in four years was lose the 2020 election to Joe Biden – and it’s the one thing he won’t take credit for.” “Now, Joe Biden is 81 and he’s going to beat Donald Trump again because he wakes up every single day fighting for the American people while Trump wages a campaign of revenge and retribution focused on himself. Trump may be four years younger than Joe Biden, but his ideas are old as hell and they’ve already been rejected by the American people. Joe Biden is running to make sure we reject them for good.” Watch “For You” HERE. |
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### Paid for by Biden for President |
Saturday News: Trump “Lavishes Praise” on Orbán, Who Brought “his blueprint on dismantling democracy to Mar-a-Lago”; “Biden Silences the Doubters”; “So Much for ‘Sleepy Joe'”; “Youngkin vetoes bills to prevent school book bans, return Virginia to anti-voter fraud compact”
by Lowell
Here are a few international, national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Saturday, March 9.
- Oil and Gas Companies Want You to Think They Care About Women — but It’s Just PR
- Deforestation, climate change may endanger North American lizards
- How China Came to Dominate the World in Solar Energy
- US prepared for the ‘unthinkable’ in Ukraine (“In 2022, the Biden administration was specifically concerned Moscow might use a tactical or battlefield nuclear weapon, officials say”)
- Aleksei Navalny’s Heirs Seek a Political Future in Russia
- Five ways Israelis have changed, after 5 months of war
- Sen. Warner Applauds President Biden’s “announcement of additional humanitarian assistance in Gaza as conditions continue to deteriorate” (“The urgency of reaching a diplomatic outcome that puts in place a ceasefire agreement, secures the release of Israelis and Americans who are still held hostage by Hamas, and provides for dramatically increased humanitarian access, cannot be overstated.”)
- Gaza aid ship expected to set sail from Cyprus
- The ‘special relationship’ under pressure: Are Biden and Netanyahu on a collision course?
- How the U.S. military will use a floating pier to deliver Gaza aid (“It will take weeks and about 1,000 U.S. troops to mobilize and build a sprawling temporary pier off the Gaza coast, the Pentagon said.”)
- The United States cannot afford to be complicit in Gaza’s tragedy
- Trump hosts hard-line Hungarian leader Viktor Orbán at Mar-a-Lago (NBC “News”‘ vague descriptor “hard-line” is not at all the right way to describe Orbán; how about “authoritarian,” “corrupt,” “anti-democracy,” etc?)
- Analysis Viktor Orbán is taking his blueprint on dismantling democracy to Mar-a-Lago (Now THAT is a strong headline, by CNN no less.)
- Trump Lavishes Praise on Orban During Fete at Mar-a-Lago
- Haiti needs security now. For the future, it needs democracy.
- Biden right to say US economy is world’s strongest, Trump ally says (“Rightwing economist Stephen Moore says ‘no question’ US has strongest economy in world – ‘and that’s important to cheer’”)
- Immigrants are less likely to commit crimes than U.S.-born Americans, studies find
- Powell Is Scaring No One on Wall Street as Market Gains Broaden
- Senate sends $460B bill to avert shutdown to Biden’s desk just hours before deadline
- Congress Passes $460 Billion Funding Deal, Avoiding Shutdown
- Senate sends six-bill funding package to Biden, averting shutdown
- Trump Posts $91.6 Million Bond for Defamation Judgment in Carroll Case
- Joe Biden’s State Of The Union Address Draws 32.2 Million Viewers, Up 18% Over Last Year
- President Biden Upends the GOP Narrative (And the media narrative, which has always been complete bullshit.)
- WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: President Biden’s State of the Union Was “A Home Run” (“I didn’t get a glimpse of anything involving age, or the lack thereof, of being able to deliver and be the President of the United States.”)
- Jeffries to Republicans calling Biden speech too political: ‘Get lost; you’re a joke’
- The media’s coverage of Biden’s age needs a rethink (“There’s been too much focus on trivialities, as the State of the Union shows.” US political media is utter crap.)
- It’s Good to See This Joe Biden Again (“During an energetic State of the Union, he swung hard at the carefully cultivated conservative majority on the Supreme Court. But he had the most fun reminding Republicans that they had bailed on a border security bill that gave them everything that they wanted because Fulton County Inmate No. P01135809 ordered them to do so.”)
- Biden Silences the Doubters (“He’s always been master of ‘the connect.'”)
- So Much for “Sleepy Joe”
- What Biden’s SOTU ad-libs say about his politics — and his preparedness
- Altered State of the Union: Floundering right claims Biden must have been on drugs (These people are completely deranged.)
- Biden says he would sign TikTok crackdown, Trump raises concerns
- Biden said Republicans oppose women’s rights — Katie Britt’s “tradwife” response proved him right
- Republicans baffled by Katie Britt’s State of the Union response: ‘One of our biggest disasters’
- Tommy Tuberville Says ‘Housewife’ Katie Britt Gave A Good State Of The Union Speech (This is how Republican men view women, including one who’s a U.S. Senator?!?)
- Republican Katie Britt Ruthlessly Mocked for SOTU Response
- ‘What the Hell Am I Watching’: Republicans Torch Their Own SOTU Rebuttal
- In Battleground States, Trump Is Ahead in Polls but Playing Catch-Up on the Ground
- RNC installs Trump’s chosen leaders in merger with his campaign
- Democrats see polls as overestimating Trump’s strength
- Sununu stands by criticism of Trump, says he’ll support Republican ticket (Sununu is a f’ing disgrace.)
- Yet another Republican senator says he won’t endorse Trump in 2024 (“There are now three sitting Republican U.S. senators — and counting — who are not publicly backing Donald Trump’s 2024 candidacy. The list might yet grow.”)
- Leaked Audio Shows No Labels Has Zero Idea If It’ll Find a Candidate
- 538 drops Rasmussen Reports from its analysis (Good, although that should have happened YEARS ago! Why didn’t it? Thank Nate F’ing Silver.)
- Far-right Montana congressman says he’s quitting politics after ‘death threat’ (“Matt Rosendale says his failed Senate run fueled ‘false and defamatory rumors’ about his family”)
- Rep. Jennifer McClellan (D-VA04) on “One Year in Congress: Standing Up for Our Democracy and Our Freedoms” (“One year ago, I was sworn into the U.S. House of Representatives as the first Black woman to represent Virginia.”)
- Youngkin Signs 64 Bills Into Law, Amends 12 Bills, Vetoes 8 Bills…Including Bill Requiring Virginia to Rejoin ERIC (Youngkin amends bill requiring health insurance coverage for contraceptive drugs/devices to have religious exemption)
- Youngkin vetoes bills to prevent school book bans, return Virginia to anti-voter fraud compact
- Virginia GOP Governor Vetoes Marijuana Parental Rights Bill That Passed Legislature With Bipartisan Support
- General Assembly puts finishing touches on budget before session ends
- On International Women’s Day, an acrimonious debate about abortion
- Is it game over for the proposed Alexandria arena?
- Schapiro: Inside the dooming of the Glenn-dome (“What Youngkin may not appreciate — and this is yet another reminder that, as a government newbie, he is alternately confused by, or contemptuous of, how Richmond works — that senators have little fear of him. That’s because their terms extend beyond his; that they’ll still be here after he’s gone in January 2026.”)
- With Critical Legislation on the Line, Glenn Knows What Really Matters to Virginians: a Billionaire’s Sports Arena (“Glenn was later spotted jogging towards a private car with a cell phone to his ear, weeping and shouting ‘I’m sorry, Ted!’ over and over”)
- Dr. Babur Lateef Announces Campaign for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, Receives Endorsement from Former Gov. Terry McAuliffe
- Proposed landfill in Russell County faces opposition from citizen group and UMWA
- D.C.-area forecast: Periods of rain today, then chilly and windy Sunday
Youngkin Signs 64 Bills Into Law, Amends 12 Bills, Vetoes 8 Bills…Including Bill Requiring Virginia to Rejoin ERIC
From Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s office:
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Rep. Jennifer McClellan (D-VA04) on “One Year in Congress: Standing Up for Our Democracy and Our Freedoms”
by Rep. Jennifer McClellan (D-VA04)
One year ago, I was sworn into the U.S. House of Representatives as the first Black woman to represent Virginia. Standing in the well of the House floor, surrounded by my family and the Virginia congressional delegation, I took my oath of office. It was a powerful moment to enter into this body that, at its founding, was never meant for me. Since that day, I have often thought about the late U.S. Rep. John Lewis’s final words: “Democracy is not a state. It is an act that requires every generation to do its part to build the Beloved Community.”
I stand on the shoulders of all those who came before – the trailblazers who helped break down barriers and paved the way. I am often reminded of John Mercer Langston, the first Black man to represent Virginia in Congress, also from Virginia’s Fourth; Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman to serve in Congress; A. Donald McEachin, my friend and predecessor; and my parents and grandparents, who grew up in the segregated South during Jim Crow and fought for their fundamental right to vote. They did their part to move our country forward. I am fighting to do the same.
I am one of 29 Black women in the Congress, and one of the 3.1% of women of color who are mothers to young children. My lived experience as a Black woman in America helps inform my policy making decisions and provides a unique and historically underrepresented perspective – from maternal health to voting rights to abortion rights. I am fighting every day to make progress on the issues that matter to hardworking Virginians: lowering costs and strengthening our economy, protecting reproductive freedom from ongoing attacks by Republican politicians, addressing the climate crisis, advancing environmental justice, and protecting voting rights.
In collaboration with the Biden-Harris Administration, we have taken significant steps to create good-paying jobs, tackle inflation, and build an economy from the middle out that will leave no one behind. Extreme MAGA Republicans have manufactured crisis after crisis, bringing our nation to the brink of a devastating default on our national debt and nearly shutting down the government four times. Despite their chaos and dysfunction, House Democrats repeatedly delivered the necessary votes to clean up their mess and save the American people from economic disaster. I have been a vocal and outspoken critic of how their government shutdown brinksmanship would have particularly devastating impacts for our Commonwealth, which is the second-largest recipient of federal funding and home to over 170,000 federal employees and 130,000 active-duty servicemembers.
Since the Trump-packed Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, we have witnessed widespread attacks on reproductive freedom, including 21 states that have banned or restricted abortion services, ongoing attempts to undermine access to contraception, and disastrous court rulings that have imperiled access to fertility treatments like in-vitro fertilization. Donald Trump bragged that he overturned Roe, and he won’t stop there. Republican politicians and conservative legislatures want a national abortion ban, which is why I am fighting every day to protect reproductive freedom. I am an original cosponsor of the Women’s Health Protection Act to restore Roe and codify abortion access into federal law. America has the highest maternal mortality rate of any high-income country in the world, and Black women are three times more likely to die during childbirth than white women. As a Black mother who almost died during childbirth, I am fighting for reproductive health care to protect the health and well-being of parents and children across the nation. Earlier this year, I signed a discharge petition to compel an immediate vote on the bill, and I will continue my efforts until it is signed into law.
Under the leadership of the Biden-Harris Administration, congressional Democrats took historic action to pass the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), legislation to lower energy costs for hardworking families, mitigate the climate crisis, supercharge our transition to a clean-energy future, and reposition the United States as a global leader on climate. Since its passage, communities nationwide – including here in Virginia’s Fourth – have received robust federal investments to deploy new, sustainable technologies and reduce our carbon footprint. MAGA Republicans in the House, however, are dead set on rolling back our progress and halting implementation of the bill. Over the past year, I have fought back against their extreme attempts to deprive communities of the historic investments laid out in the IRA. I have also led several successful efforts with my congressional colleagues to the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency to limit our reliance on fossil fuels and protect vulnerable communities from harmful air pollution.
Following the Supreme Court’s disastrous ruling in Shelby County v. Holder, which gutted the Voting Rights Act of 1965, we have seen a rash of voter suppression bills pop up in states across the nation. My grandfather had to pass a literacy test and find three white men to vouch for him to be able to vote. My grandfather and father had to pay a poll tax to vote. My great grandmothers and grandmothers never voted, and my mother didn’t vote until after the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Access to the ballot box is personal to me, and voting is our most fundamental right outlined in the U.S. Constitution. As the first Black woman to represent Virginia, I feel a strong responsibility to fight back against Republicans’ ongoing assault on our democratic processes. I am an active member of the Task Force on Strengthening Democracy and a proud original cosponsor of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. I joined Congresswoman Terri Sewell (AL-07) on the steps of the Supreme Court to introduce this historic legislation that would restore the Voting Rights Act and ensure every American can make their voices heard.
As we look ahead to 2024, the stakes could not be higher. I promise to continue doing my part to protect Virginians’ freedoms and preserve our democracy.
With Critical Legislation on the Line, Glenn Knows What Really Matters to Virginians: a Billionaire’s Sports Arena
I’m not sure who “Spirit of America 2024” is, but this is really well done (and spot-on accurate), regardless:
With Critical Legislation on the Line, Glenn Knows What Really Matters to Virginians: a Billionaire’s Sports Arena
RICHMOND VA – Even as more than eighty bills sit on Governor Youngkin’s desk, awaiting his action by 11:59 p.m. tonight, Glenn knew he had to make time for what really mattered when he made his way to Capitol Square yesterday.
Would he speak about reproductive freedom? Preventing gun violence? Funding education? Don’t be silly. It’s the sports complex, stupid. His legacy project that we at the Spirit of America still don’t know much about, but wholeheartedly endorse anyway.
Filled with righteous anger and a renewed desire for bipartisanship, Glenn trudged to the lonely podium in front of the General Assembly Building to take aim at the conference budget.
His target? Only the most salient issue facing the Commonwealth in decades: a sports arena scheme cooked up by Glenn’s billionaire buddy that could end up costing Virginia taxpayers $1.35 billion.
“Forget reproductive rights, education funding, healthcare, mental health services, or any of that unimportant stuff,” puffed an out-of-breath aide as they helped carry the Governor’s podium across the lawn. “We know that everyday Virginians are really worried about the status of this arena and how bad Glenn’s feelings will be hurt if he doesn’t get it approved.”
During his press conference, Glenn spoke at length about the deal, remarking that the arena not being included in the proposed budget was a “colossal mistake,” and implying that the defeat of his billionaire BFF’s plan would imperil the legislation currently on his desk.
“Glenn knows that in politics, when you don’t get something you want, you take your ball and go home,” a spokesperson was quick to point out. “Only ‘the ball’ in this instance is widely popular legislation and ‘home’ is his office, where he’ll take out all of his well-earned anger on legislators by vetoing their bills. That’s just good-faith governing.”
That could result in a defeat of a variety of popular things, including the marijuana retail market, additional funding for education, Virginia’s return to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), and more.
“Did you really think Glenn was going to sign off on those things anyway?” an unnamed staffer whispered following the Governor’s impromptu press conference. “He unilaterally pulled Virginia out of RGGI last year. He wrote an angry letter just last week attacking JLARC for daring to imply that we’ve been underfunding education. And don’t even get me started on the weed bill.”
“Glenn never had any intention of signing legislation to meet the needs of Virginians beneath a certain tax bracket,” the staffer continued, this time ducking beneath some nearby foliage. “The arena deal going down in flames just gives him a better excuse now.”
Spirit of America tried desperately to reach out to Glenn to get a comment on this miscarriage of sports complex-related justice, mostly by tossing small rocks at his window in the Executive Mansion.
No comment was received, but Glenn was later spotted jogging towards a private car with a cell phone to his ear, weeping and shouting “I’m sorry, Ted!” over and over.
Sen. Warner Applauds President Biden’s “announcement of additional humanitarian assistance in Gaza as conditions continue to deteriorate”
From Sen. Mark Warner’s office:
STATEMENT OF U.S. SEN. MARK R. WARNER
~ Applauding President Biden’s announcement of additional humanitarian assistance in Gaza as conditions continue to deteriorate ~
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement:
“Last night the president announced additional action that the United States will be taking to support the flow of humanitarian assistance into Gaza. These steps are critically needed, and I applaud the president for pushing them forward. Establishing port infrastructure to support the maritime delivery of food, water, shelter materials, and other assistance has the potential to provide dramatically increased levels of aid, and I urge the president to work with Israel and other partners to quickly implement and ramp this operation.
“Deliveries of aid by air and sea are notable steps that represent an ongoing effort by the U.S. to address the suffering of Palestinian civilians in Gaza. It must be noted, however, the extraordinary and catastrophic conditions that have led to the consideration of these options. The most direct and effective route for aid to reach Palestinians comes via cross-border transport. Despite Israeli commitments and indeed, obligation, humanitarian access remains dramatically below target levels, with critically needed supplies delayed and restricted at border crossings. It is vital that Israel take steps to allow for greater and more timely access into Gaza.
“The urgency of reaching a diplomatic outcome that puts in place a ceasefire agreement, secures the release of Israelis and Americans who are still held hostage by Hamas, and provides for dramatically increased humanitarian access, cannot be overstated.”
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: President Biden’s State of the Union Was “A Home Run”
From the Biden campaign:
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WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: President Biden’s State of the Union Was “A Home Run” |
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During his State of the Union address, President Biden laid out his unifying vision for the nation: building an economy that gives everyone a fair shot, protecting reproductive freedom, standing with our allies, and defending democracy. It’s a vision that could not be more different than Donald Trump’s plans to enact revenge and retribution, strip Americans of their fundamental rights, and spread hate and division. Last night, voters overwhelmingly approved of the “fiery,” “strong,” and “powerful” vision from President Biden. Here’s a snapshot of what pundits, analysts, and officials are saying about the president’s homerun speech: On the Airwaves: Biden-Harris 2024 Co-Chair Mitch Landrieu: If you had eyes and ears, you saw a president that was tough, that was smart, that was ready for the fight, that took it to people and talked about the American people. For two weeks before that, every pundit in America was putting Joe Biden in the grave, as if 81 was the most important number. The president said, it’s not my numerical age but the youth of my ideas. He brought the heat, and he did an unbelievable job last night. What I would like to ask everybody in America is, can we finally put to rest whether Joe Biden is up to the task of governing this country? Listen, as a mayor, I can tell you, there is no congressman, no governor, no CEO in America who can stand up and do what Joe Biden did last night. It’s hard. It requires concentration. I think he also demonstrated to people that we have an existential threat, and we have a choice to make in this country. the choice is really clear. you can choose Donald Trump, who every time his lips are moving, he’s lying and he’s delusional, he is hoping America has amnesia about how dark and backward-looking he is and how narrow his view is, taking away people’s rights. Or, vote for a president who delivers, has promised that as a future-looking person, he is optimistic and expanding people’s rights in America, and he’ll fight for everyday Americans opposed to the richest folks in the country. He couldn’t have made it clearer, couldn’t have done it better, and I thought he hit it out of the park last night. Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi: “What he did was spectacular. He did it with vigor, with patriotism. I think it was one of the finest State of the Union addresses and I’ve seen many.” Senator Chris Murphy: “The president came out and just knocked everyone out.” Van Jones: “Very proud, very proud. Look, strong at the beginning, strong on Ukraine, strong about January … 6th, strong in the middle. He was, well, he put his chest out for those Republicans. He ain’t scared of the Republicans. He said, hey, let’s … fight right now about the border. Let’s fight right now about these tax cuts for gazillionaires. Strong at the end, owning his age issue. I thought that was a remarkable, fiery, powerful, vigorous guy.” Joy Reid: “I think the speech was high caffeine and Joe Biden woke up this morning and had a cup of coffee and his Wheaties and he was definitely there to fight … he came in there tonight ready to fight for the presidency and fight for the White House in a way that I didn’t expect. The speech was incredibly aggressive and he opened, as Nicole said, with World War II, Hitler, appeasement, and he went right for the people in front of him.” Kate Bedingfield: “He knows who he is, and so when he’s talking about these issues, he talks about things from a place of his own experience. … As he’s explaining where he stands on things, he really, he takes the time to talk about why he feels that way, why he’s been shaped that way… that’s the perfect example. I mean, you know, and you saw that frequently throughout the speech, again, because he was comfortable.” Dana Bash: “He certainly met the moment that … members of his party, those who are really upset and worried about this coming election year and frankly, what would happen if he didn’t win another this time because of their concerns about who’s on the other side of the ticket. They wanted him to be a fighter and boy, fight did he deliver.” Mini Timmaraju: “I was sitting with Amanda Zurawski. When the president looked at the Supreme Court and delivered those lines, it was exactly what we needed to hear, what women in America needed to hear. That is the fighting Joe Biden we need back in this race, and it felt powerful, it felt empowering. It is exactly the right tone to start swinging out the gate for our fundamental freedoms. I think that the big, big win tonight for us.” Ashley Allison: “The thing that was funny about Katy Britt’s response is, I’m not married and I’m not a mom, so what about me, Katy? Who are you talking like? And a lot of Black women fall into that category. So it felt like I didn’t have a place in her party of the Republican Party. But Joe Biden was saying, I want kids to be able to read, I want to fund HBCUs. I want to fund minority serving institutions. Republicans didn’t stand. I cut student loan debt. And so I can now say to people, ‘this is what he some he has already done and some he will continue to do.’” Jeff Zeleny: “As the President takes his State of the Union message on the road, of course, one stop, not surprisingly, will be here in battleground Michigan. You’re right, the economy and foreign policy, front and center on the minds of voters. But I can tell you I was at a watch party tonight with Biden supporters, and there were a feelings of anxiety and apprehension among his own supporters going into the speech. That quickly changed as the speech wore on. We caught up with one small business owner here Briahna Knowles, who said she was impressed and surprised by the President.” Briahna Knowles: “Overall, it was a different side of him that came out. He was, like I said, very confident, very reassuring of the things that he has done for our country. And I didn’t get a glimpse of anything involving age, or the lack thereof, of being able to deliver and be the President of the United States.” Online: Joe Scarborough: Biden’s best speech. Underestimated again. Mike Memoli: .@POTUS getting a lot of attaboys on the floor as he leaves now. Multiple “knocked it out of the park”s. Rep. Nadler said to him, nobody’s going to be talking about cognitive abilities now. “You brought the Irish fire,” Rep. Pat Ryan said. Alex Seitz-Wald: NEW: Joe Biden said he wanted to use his State of the Union to “wake up” Congress, but he was the one who seemed suddenly awake, delivering one of the feistiest and most political presidential addresses to Congress in recent memory. Mike Memoli: .@POTUS is still on the House floor. One of the House officers just said to him: “Mr. President, they can’t leave until you leave.” “Are they Democrats or Republicans?” Biden joked back. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer: The speech showed that America is strong and President Biden is strong. #SOTU House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries: President Biden showed up, delivered a forceful speech and smoked the MAGA extremists. My dude. Ted Lieu: Because of the American people, the State of our Union is strong and getting stronger. President Biden is strong and getting stronger. Tonight @POTUS hit a home run, scored a touchdown and ended with a slam dunk. #SOTU #StateOfTheUnion Cami Mondeaux: Democrats chanting “Four more years!” as Biden walks through the chamber Maria Cardona: YES! @POTUS came to play!!! Matt Compton: Joe Biden’s debate against Paul Ryan was his best political moment until his debate against Donald Trump until his 2023 State of the Union until his 2024 State of the Union. Every time he has to show up as a leader, Joe Biden seizes the moment. Justin Wolfers: My word this is a muscular speech. So far it’s the strongest State of the Union opening I’ve ever seen. Geoff Garin: Donald Trump is utterly incapable of delivering a speech this strong, clear, and coherent. Patrick Gaspard: Powerful that @POTUS is opening with a salvo on freedom and democracy – and is making the contrast clear with the MAGA Putin huggers who were hosting Orban today. Ezra Levin: Biden just throwing punch after punch after punch. Have you seen a SOTU like this before? Molly Jong-Fast: This is a good speech and Biden seems really fiery and keyed up. Sophia Cai: In front of the Supreme Court Justices in attendance, Biden says: “With all due respect, justices, women are not without electoral or political power.”
Donna Brazile: President Joe Biden was on fire tonight. He gave a master class on how to defend America’s future and the future of our democracy. From the start, you understood what side he was on — giving credit to the American people. Thanks @JoeBiden. Tommy Vietor: Love that Biden decided to lean into the big political fights right at the top, like Ukraine funding, abortion, January 6th, the hypocrisy for voting against the infrastructure bill. Seems feisty and energized & puts all the good stuff at the top while people are still watching. Bill Burton: This is one of the best and most definitional election year state of the union addresses I’ve ever seen. This election is a choice. President Biden is making that clear. Amie Parnes: Dems are loving spitting fire Biden. I’m hearing from a lot of them, even ones who were skeptical about him going into tonight. Lauren Fox: Biden mocks Republicans who voted against Infrastructure bill and still tout it as if they did. He jokes “if any of you don’t want that money in your districts, just let me know.” @PeteButtigieg smiling pretty big.
Victor Shi: I’m on a flight and the guy sitting next to me who’s watching the State of the Union with me just turned to me and said, “President Biden is killing it.” I couldn’t agree more. President Biden is killing it right now & I’m so proud. Larry Sabato: Yeah, it’s a homerun. #StateOfTheUnion Mark Hertling: Right out of the gate. @POTUS ain’t playin’ Charlotte Alter: Biden is doing very well tonight. He sounds strong, energetic and forceful. He came to play Tina Smith: Seemed pretty energetic to me… #SOTU Rick Wilson: Can we dispense with the media fantasy that Biden isn’t ready for the fight? This speech was a barnburner. Bill Burton: This is one of the best and most definitional election year state of the union addresses I’ve ever seen. This election is a choice. President Biden is making that clear. Grace Segers: Warnock, a preacher, to Biden after the speech: “That was a sermon tonight!”
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### Paid for by Biden for President |
Dr. Babur Lateef Announces Campaign for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, Receives Endorsement from Former Gov. Terry McAuliffe
From the Babur Lateef for Lt. Governor campaign:
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Dr. Babur Lateef Announces Campaign for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, Receives Endorsement from Former Gov. Terry McAuliffe |
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Prince William County, VA – Today, Dr. Babur Lateef announced his campaign for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia and received the endorsement of former Gov. Terry McAuliffe. Dr. Lateef is a parent, physician, and dedicated Chair of the Prince William County School Board who understands the struggles Virginians face today. As a top doctor and leader in the University of Virginia Health System Dr. Lateef was integral in helping expand access to healthcare. Presently, he is humbled to serve the blind and visually impaired, and provide care daily to Virginians. In his announcement video “Front Lines,” launched today, Dr. Lateef highlighted his service as both a doctor and Chairman of the school board and enumerated the many accomplishments of the Prince William County school system. Dr. Lateef called particular attention to the public’s vital role in shaping policy by celebrating the Public Comments portion of every school board meeting as “one of the few places where citizens are guaranteed the right to speak directly to their elected representatives.” |
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“The challenges we face are now in Richmond,” Dr. Lateef says in the video. “Glenn Youngkin has done real harm to the spirit of partnership within our communities.” Dr. Lateef pledges to bring his commitment to stronger schools and health care-for-all to our state capitol. It’s why, as a doctor, parent, and educator, I am proud to announce my campaign for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia today to build a stronger and better Virginia. We need capable leaders in Richmond, and my experience overseeing several of the Commonwealth’s biggest organizations, while prioritizing health care access and affordability, and managing pandemic response has prepared me for this moment. As the next Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, I will work to defend reproductive rights, lower costs for working families, create jobs, expand access to healthcare, and ensure equal opportunity for all. I look forward to taking my experience, diverse perspective, and energy to Richmond and make Virginia a better and more prosperous Commonwealth.” Dr. Lateef has worked tirelessly to fight against the manufactured, divisive culture wars in Virginia’s public education system. Through his service as Chair of the Prince William County School Board, Dr. Lateef successfully led the school division through the COVID-19 pandemic by prioritizing the safety of all students, faculty, and staff. Under his leadership, the school division became one of the top-performing school districts in the Commonwealth, and implemented historic pay raises for teachers. Former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe endorsed Dr. Lateef today. “I am honored to be Dr. Babur Lateef’s first endorser for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia,” said Governor Terry McAuliffe. “I have called upon his counsel many times over the last 15 years. I saw how Babur fought the backward policies of the Prince William County Supervisors in 2011 when few others stood up. Babur helped ensure his County turned blue from top to bottom in 2019. I have also watched Babur fight relentlessly for Prince William County families as their School Board Chair for the last six years. We need that type of energy, that type of fighter, and that type of competence in the Lieutenant Governor’s office. I am proud to stand by Babur as he embarks upon this next fight.” For more information, visit lateefforva.com. |
