Latest news with #non-Republicans
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Stephen A. Smith Names 2 Political Figures 'Trying To Coax' Him Into Presidential Run
Stephen A. Smith is once again teasing a potential run for the White House. The ESPN sports analyst was asked in an interview published Tuesday if he would rather win an Oscar or a presidential election, and while he firmly chose the trophy, Smith hasn't shut the door on politics — and said some people have already 'been trying to coax' him into running. 'I've had strategists reaching out to members of my team … so they could talk to me about it,' Smith told The Hollywood Reporter. 'Ro Khanna, I will give you that name, is a [progressive Democrat] representative out of California and has spoken publicly about me.' 'Steve Bannon on the right, which I'm not flattered by this, but he's throwing my name out there,' he continued, referring to the former Donald Trump adviser. 'It's not something I'm pursuing. I just signed a hefty new contract with ESPN. I'm not trying to give up my money. I'm a proud capitalist.' The clincher: 'But I keep my options open because you never know what would happen.' The sports analyst ultimately acknowledged that he isn't 'qualified to be a politician' and claimed he's never 'had any interest' in being one. He also said America's political duopoly can't even 'come together for a cup of coffee' and that this has to change. Smith has openly pondered a foray into politics before, and earned 2% of the vote in a recent McLaughlin & Associates poll asking 414 people to choose from a list of hypothetical Democratic candidates ahead of 2028 — only 1 percentage point behind Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Democrats' 2024 vice presidential nominee. Even President Donald Trump publicly endorsed the idea of Smith entering the race. While Smith decried the poll results at the time as a sign of how 'pathetic' the Democratic Party is today, he said Tuesday there's 'nothing but chaos and deprivation in the streets of America' — and spoke like he might want to throw his hat in the ring to change that. 'I'm a moderate, and my objective would be trying to pull both sides closer to the center,' he said. 'Let's stop with the MAGA, right stuff. Let's stop with the progressive left. Let's start with everybody from the extremists on the right, to the AOCs and Jasmine Crocketts on the left.' While Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) are rarely described as 'extremists' by non-Republicans, Smith argued that the country must ensure 'that the interest of the majority is served instead of surrendering to the fringes.' He also slammed the Democratic Party as a whole, however, and said party members 'manipulate' primaries to ensure 'their candidate' gets nominated. Smith pointed to the 2016 primaries, which some pundits and politicians have said were 'rigged' to favor former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton over Rep. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). An official announcement, if it were to come, seems to be a long way off, though Smith appears to be pondering politics. 'I don't mind having a big voice and ruffling feathers, because contrary to what most elected officials are accustomed to dealing with, the negativity and controversy and all of that stuff doesn't faze me one bit,' he told THR. 'I live with it every day of my career.' 'It's a walk in the park for me,' Smith continued, 'so I don't worry about it one bit.' 'Can We Swear Here?': Nicolle Wallace Drops F-Bomb On 'Colbert' Over Big Trump 2.0 Change 'Absolutely Despicable' Trump-Troops Rally Moment Sends Chill Down Critics' Spines John Bolton Calls Out Most 'Troubling' Aspect Of Trump's 'Performance Art' In LA
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Canaries in the chair: Frequent party leadership changes could be sign of deeper issues
Columnist Randy Stapilus suggests (Getty Images) In recent weeks, both of Oregon's major political parties have changed leadership, under very different circumstances. Party leadership is only a small part of what makes the candidates under their banner successful, but it can be a coal mine canary of sorts, an indicator of underlying issues or strengths. Over the last generation, Democrats have been faring gradually better in Oregon, and Republicans less well. What might we learn from a look at party leadership? Start with the Democrats. They have had three chairs in this decade. Carla 'KC' Hanson, following five years leading the Multnomah County Democrats, was elected to two-year terms in 2019 and 2021. In 2023, she departed and the party's vice chair, Rosa Colquitt, who also had worked for years in various positions in the party organization, was elected to the top spot. This year, the state Democratic Central Committee met in Corvallis on March 16 and in a contested election replaced her with a new chair, Nathan Soltz, who at age 27 happens to be the youngest person to hold that job. He isn't a newcomer to the party organization, however. Soltz started work with the Democrats in Jackson County (one of Oregon's most competitive) a decade ago, has worked in labor organizing and in the Legislature and was elected state party secretary two years ago. There's something to be said for injecting new blood in leadership positions from time to time (and Soltz may well provide some of that). But party organizations also can benefit from leaders who know how things work and understand how to get along with the various interests and groups that make up a large party, and manage to avoid conflict and controversy (other than when directed at the opposition). Over to the Republicans. Six people have led the Oregon Republican Party since 2020. These years opened with a period of some stability under Bill Currier, a mayor of Adair Village who had worked in various party positions for years before his election as chair in February 2015. Six years later, shortly after releasing a statement (that many party leaders had backed) saying the Jan. 6, 2021 attempted insurrection in Washington, D.C. was a 'false flag' operation (drawing complaints from within and outside the party), he lost a re-election bid to state Sen. Dallas Heard of Myrtle Creek. After serving just over a year, Heard departed after complaining about conflict within the party, including 'communist psychological warfare tactics.' (Others in the party said a flashpoint was debate over whether to open the party's primary to non-Republicans.) The vice-chair, former legislator Herman Baertschiger, served as acting chair for about four months but then quit. The job next went to Justin Hwang, a Gresham restaurant owner and former legislative candidate who had become vice-chair of the state party only three months before. He held the job until February of this year, providing some stability. During Hwang's tenure, Oregon Republicans won in 2022 — and then lost in 2024 — a second congressional seat and legislative races that temporarily ended Democrats' supermajority control in the House and Senate. When the post came open for election early this year, a range of candidates contended, including former Senate candidate Jo Rae Perkins (the incumbent party secretary), Washington County Republican leader Gabriel Buehler, as well as a legislative candidate and a city councilor. It was won from outside: A Columbia County pastor and insurance agent, Jerry Cummings. He prevailed after saying the party should focus less on hot-button issues to 'reach beyond the Republican base and do a better job of presenting a message that makes us contenders around the state.' But on April 8, the Oregon Journalism Project reported on court records from a long-running divorce and custody case and more recent lawsuits filed by creditors. The legal records included accusations from Cummings' ex-wife that he engaged in sexual violence, allegations Cummings denied. He soon resigned, and the job once again went to the party's vice chair, Connie Whelchel of Deschutes County. Considering that the party chair takes the lead in party organization, hiring, planning for campaigns and more, these rapid-fire turnovers, frequent controversies and overall lack of stability could have contributed to the party's gradual weakening in the state during the last couple of decades. That's not all, of course. A great deal of political strength in the party is held by people and groups outside the Oregon voting mainstream. But problems with stable leadership aren't helping the party either. They may do well to consider why the job seems hard to fill with the kind of leaders they need. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Washington Post
20-02-2025
- Business
- Washington Post
Trump's agenda is broadly rejected by non-Republicans
The most succinct summary of the Washington Post-Ipsos poll measuring views of the first month of President Donald Trump's second term is that Americans are skeptical. Only 45 percent of Americans approve of the job he's doing. The same percentage approves of his handling of the economy, formerly one of Trump's strongest measurements. But those topline numbers fail to capture an important factor: Support for Trump and his policies is heavily dependent on support from members of his party. This isn't exactly surprising given the extent to which Trump has long centered his politics on the priorities of his base and given his base's broad enthusiasm for any- and everything Trump does. It's nonetheless worth pointing out because non-Republican Americans are almost universally opposed to what Trump is doing. The Post-Ipsos poll presented respondents with a broad range of policies and priorities, some already in effect and others more theoretical. On only a handful do a majority of Americans offer approval, including deportation of immigrants who had been accused of committing violent crimes and adding a 10 percent tariff to products imported from China. On about two dozen other questions, fewer than half of Americans say they approve of or support what is happening or might happen in the near future. Among non-Republicans — meaning independents and Democrats — only one of the proposals meets with majority support: deportation of accused violent criminals. On each of the others, fewer than half of respondents offer support or approval. Besides questions evaluating Trump's month-old presidency broadly, the biggest gaps between Republicans and non-Republicans are on the ending of diversity programs in government (85 percent of Republicans support the move, compared with one-quarter of non-Republicans) and laying off large numbers of federal employees (75 percent of Republicans support the move; only one-fifth of non-Republicans do). There is also a wide gap on views of Elon Musk's role in government. Seven in 10 Republicans approve while fewer than 2 in 10 Democrats and independents do. This distinction isn't simply splitting hairs. Trump's agenda depends on congressional Republicans continuing to quietly acquiesce. As long as the Republican base supports what Trump is doing, Republican legislators will, too — because the Republican base will soon become a Republican primary electorate. And Republicans do broadly support what Trump is doing. On nearly all of the questions presented in the Post-Ipsos poll, most Republicans approve of what Trump is doing or might do. The only exception? Trump's pardon of those who engaged in violence on Jan. 6, 2021. By now, though, we understand that the Capitol riot is not an issue over which Republicans will turn on Donald Trump.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Iowa lawmakers propose restricting political party changes before caucuses, primaries
About 170 people attended the Republican caucus in Glidden, a typical amount in a presidential election year. (Photo by Jared Strong/Iowa Capital Dispatch) A House proposal would require Iowa voters to be registered with a political party one month in advance of that party's caucuses or primary elections in order to participate. House File 353 would require voters who want to participate in a party caucus or primary to be a registered member of the party at least 30 days before participating in the party's nomination process. The measure would also prohibit a person from filing nominating papers to become a partisan candidate if the individual has not been a member of that party for at least a year. These requirements would not apply to first-time voters if they have not registered as a member of a political party. Rep. Derek Wulf, R-Hudson, said he proposed the bill after discussions with constituents who expressed worries during the 2024 Republican caucuses about non-Republicans participating in the nomination process. 'There was a lot of concerns that came up of, you know, Democrats who were switching parties, and as they came into the caucus process,' Wulf said. 'There was a lot of discussion around, 'Was there going to be some sabotage efforts?' I don't know if we saw that widespread, but I know that concern came up.' He said these provisions would help Iowa 'maintain that integrity around the process of the caucus' and help keep the Iowa GOP caucuses first in the nation — an issue of consideration as the Democratic National Committee stripped Iowa of its first-in-the-nation spot leading into the 2024 presidential election cycle. However, some speakers said the measure would hurt voters who choose to not affiliate with a political party or who vote based on specific issues. Amy Campbell with the League of Women Voters of Iowa said candidates should be evaluated on 'qualifications, ideas and the support of voters, not arbitrary requirements like party registration.' She said the bill discriminates against nonpartisan voters or candidates who choose not to affiliate with a political party based on personal beliefs or dissatisfaction with the current political system. Campbell said this bill also comes as more voters are shifting in allegiances based on specific candidates or based on disapproval of a political party's decisions. 'I think we can all agree that (political) parties are in a state of transition right now,' Campbell said. 'There is a lot of changing at the party level, where I know personally — my personal family, who are all registered Republicans … have changed parties back and forth depending on who the candidate is. And we really feel that it restricts political freedom and participation.' Rosie Thierer, a poll worker in Mitchellville, said the bill could also expose those staffing Iowa elections to potential violence and harassment from voters who would be denied the ability to participate in some elections because of the 30-day party registration requirement. 'If you think about the place where you vote, you face a lot of workers like me, gray-haired, wrinkled old women,' Thierer said. 'So think about exposing those individuals to the harassment that they will take. It will be verbal, it could be physical, and I ask you to think about the real enforcement of this — it will be those election workers.' The measure moved forward for consideration by the full House State Government Committee, with Democrat Rep. Adam Zabner not signing off on the bill. Rep. Austin Harris, R-Moulton, said though he signed off on the measure, he shared concerns brought up by Campbell about the measure restricting voters' ability to participate in elections. In its current form, Harris said he would have a difficult time supporting the bill after the committee process. 'I actually agree with you, I think our political parties are changing,' Harris said. 'I think we're starting to bring more and more people into the fold. I think — whether it happens with the Republican Party and building a blue collar coalition, a lot of folks who are former Democrats coming in, I want them to be able to participate in a party and be a part of our party, as long as we continue to push the principles that we do.' But Dennis Tibben with the Foundation for Government Accountability, a conservative public policy think tank, said he sees the measure as leading to a more informed electorate participating in primary elections and caucuses. 'We think that, through the additional information that the voters will be able to gain as a result of this legislation, ultimately we'll see an increase in the number of individuals who are participating in the electoral process on the local level,' Tibben said. Wulf said there could be changes to the time frames specified in the bill, but that he believes the measure will be a part of ongoing discussions on election integrity, especially as it relates to the Iowa caucuses. 'We want to make sure that we keep the … first-in-the-nation status on that for the Republican Party,' Wulf said. 'For sure, disappointed that the Democrats no longer have that. But if we could get that back for them, I'd love that as well. So there's a lot of discussion happening in general around elections, but specifically around the caucus process.' Iowa Capital Dispatch and the Nebraska Examiner are part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Iowa Capital Dispatch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Kathie Obradovich for questions: info@ SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lawmakers propose restricting political party changes before caucuses, primaries
About 170 people attended the Republican caucus in Glidden, a typical amount in a presidential election year. (Photo by Jared Strong/Iowa Capital Dispatch) A House proposal would require Iowa voters to be registered with a political party one month in advance of that party's caucuses or primary elections in order to participate. House File 353 would require voters who want to participate in a party caucus or primary to be a registered member of the party at least 30 days before participating in the party's nomination process. The measure would also prohibit a person from filing nominating papers to become a partisan candidate if the individual has not been a member of that party for at least a year. These requirements would not apply to first-time voters if they have not registered as a member of a political party. Rep. Derek Wulf, R-Hudson, said he proposed the bill after discussions with constituents who expressed worries during the 2024 Republican caucuses about non-Republicans participating in the nomination process. 'There was a lot of concerns that came up of, you know, Democrats who were switching parties, and as they came into the caucus process,' Wulf said. 'There was a lot of discussion around, 'Was there going to be some sabotage efforts?' I don't know if we saw that widespread, but I know that concern came up.' He said these provisions would help Iowa 'maintain that integrity around the process of the caucus' and help keep the Iowa GOP caucuses first in the nation — an issue of consideration as the Democratic National Committee stripped Iowa of its first-in-the-nation spot leading into the 2024 presidential election cycle. However, some speakers said the measure would hurt voters who choose to not affiliate with a political party or who vote based on specific issues. Amy Campbell with the League of Women Voters of Iowa said candidates should be evaluated on 'qualifications, ideas and the support of voters, not arbitrary requirements like party registration.' She said the bill discriminates against nonpartisan voters or candidates who choose not to affiliate with a political party based on personal beliefs or dissatisfaction with the current political system. Campbell said this bill also comes as more voters are shifting in allegiances based on specific candidates or based on disapproval of a political party's decisions. 'I think we can all agree that (political) parties are in a state of transition right now,' Campbell said. 'There is a lot of changing at the party level, where I know personally — my personal family, who are all registered Republicans … have changed parties back and forth depending on who the candidate is. And we really feel that it restricts political freedom and participation.' Rosie Thierer, a poll worker in Mitchellville, said the bill could also expose those staffing Iowa elections to potential violence and harassment from voters who would be denied the ability to participate in some elections because of the 30-day party registration requirement. 'If you think about the place where you vote, you face a lot of workers like me, gray-haired, wrinkled old women,' Thierer said. 'So think about exposing those individuals to the harassment that they will take. It will be verbal, it could be physical, and I ask you to think about the real enforcement of this — it will be those election workers.' The measure moved forward for consideration by the full House State Government Committee, with Democrat Rep. Adam Zabner not signing off on the bill. Rep. Austin Harris, R-Moulton, said though he signed off on the measure, he shared concerns brought up by Campbell about the measure restricting voters' ability to participate in elections. In its current form, Harris said he would have a difficult time supporting the bill after the committee process. 'I actually agree with you, I think our political parties are changing,' Harris said. 'I think we're starting to bring more and more people into the fold. I think — whether it happens with the Republican Party and building a blue collar coalition, a lot of folks who are former Democrats coming in, I want them to be able to participate in a party and be a part of our party, as long as we continue to push the principles that we do.' But Dennis Tibben with the Foundation for Government Accountability, a conservative public policy think tank, said he sees the measure as leading to a more informed electorate participating in primary elections and caucuses. 'We think that, through the additional information that the voters will be able to gain as a result of this legislation, ultimately we'll see an increase in the number of individuals who are participating in the electoral process on the local level,' Tibben said. Wulf said there could be changes to the time frames specified in the bill, but that he believes the measure will be a part of ongoing discussions on election integrity, especially as it relates to the Iowa caucuses. 'We want to make sure that we keep the … first-in-the-nation status on that for the Republican Party,' Wulf said. 'For sure, disappointed that the Democrats no longer have that. But if we could get that back for them, I'd love that as well. So there's a lot of discussion happening in general around elections, but specifically around the caucus process.'
