Politics: February 2012
A Budget Narrative For Mitt Romney's America
Filed by Terrance Heath | February 29, 2012 5:00 PM |Romney released his economic growth plan in September before his many losses. That's gotta be enough to drive a guy who's gone from "inevitable" to "in-question" more than a little crazy. In Romney's latest economic agenda, it's starting to show. Read More
Santorum & the Nausea Factor
Filed by Patricia Nell Warren | February 29, 2012 11:00 AM |Santorum blithely told "Meet the Press" host David Gregory that separation of church and state was "not the founders' vision." Well, um, "vision" depends on which "founders" you're talking about. Read More
Michigan & Arizona Primary Returns [Open Thread Contest]
Filed by James Holmes | February 28, 2012 4:30 PM |What are your guesses for tonight's returns? Give us your estimates for each candidate in the comments section, and the person with the closest guess will win a prize from the Bilerico vaults. Read More
Rick Santorum, Political Hack
Filed by Terrance Heath | February 28, 2012 3:30 PM |When the remaining GOP standard bearers attack each other, they are usually spot-on. Read More
The Marriage Equality Whirlwind Primer
Filed by Leslie Robinson | February 28, 2012 1:30 PM |In the first two months of this year, same-sex marriage news has been as plentiful as wedding guests around an open bar. I need to pause. Catch my breath. Total up the wins and losses of January and February. Analyze. Theorize. Chortle.Read More
Sheriff Paul Babeu Led Abusive School & Slept With Student
Filed by James Holmes | February 27, 2012 2:00 PM |In this report by ABC15 in Phoenix, new allegations arise concerning Babeu's tenure as head master and ED of the DeSisto School for troubled teens and focuses on abusive punishments used on students and Babeu's live-in relationship with a male student. Read More
Has VA Guv Bob McDonnell's Image Been Permanently Damaged?
Filed by Michael Hamar | February 27, 2012 9:00 AM |If McDonnell is serious about being a moderate conservative, will he veto the anti-gay adoption bill that has cleared the Virginia General Assembly? I doubt it and as a result his nickname "Taliban Bob" continues to be only too applicable.Read More
Gay GOP Prez Candidate Karger Courts Moderates in Michigan
Filed by Karen Ocamb | February 24, 2012 4:30 PM |In a state with an open primary - where Democrats can cross-over and vote Republican - Fred Karger is doing something different: he's asking Democrats and moderate Republican voters to "send the Republicans a message" and vote for him in the GOP primary.Read More
Accidentally Sitting By Gay Couples Changed MD Republican's Vote
Filed by Drew Cordes | February 24, 2012 2:30 PM |As Abraham Lincoln said: "Am I not destroying my enemies when I make friends of them?" Read More
Maryland State Senate Passes Marriage Equality Bill
Filed by Karen Ocamb | February 24, 2012 10:00 AM |he Maryland State Senate finally voted 25-22 and "received a constitutional vote." The bill now heads to Gov. O'Malley, who has promised to sign it, after which it may well face a referendum.Read More
Governors Cuomo And Christie Basically The Same Person
Filed by Daniel Villarreal | February 23, 2012 5:30 PM |Governors Cuomo and Christie both oppose progressive social policies and support anti-gay politicians. So does it really matter that one supports marriage equality and the other doesn't?Read More
An Open Letter to Indiana from a Hoosier Expatriate
Filed by Bil Browning | February 23, 2012 5:00 PM |I've always been proud of my Hoosier heritage. I didn't want to give up on you, Indiana. I wanted to help guide you away from being the middle finger of the south jutting up into the north.Read More
Is Refusing Service a Proactive Way To Change Minds?
Filed by James Holmes | February 23, 2012 4:00 PM |I have struggled with how I should feel about this news clip out of New Mexico of a stylist denying the Republican governor service over her stance on marriage quality. Did he miss out on a greater opportunity? Read More
Light Up a Room With a Dollop of Santorum [Caption This]
Filed by James Holmes | February 23, 2012 12:30 PM |What's your best caption for this photo of the crowd from last night's Republican Presidential debate?Read More
Rick Santorum Is Gay Porn [NSFW]ish
Filed by James Holmes | February 22, 2012 12:00 PM |Rick Santorum's Google problem finally has a pic to go with it.Read More
2012: The Year of the Billionaire
Filed by Terrance Heath | February 21, 2012 4:30 PM |Thanks in part to Obama's campaign, 2008 was known as the year of the small donor. But with his decision to accept the reality of super PACs, the 2012 election may turn out to be the Year of the Billionaire. Read More
Bob McDonnell, Felony Sexual Penetration, & Virginia's Proposed Ultrasound Bill
Filed by Michael Hamar | February 21, 2012 1:30 PM |Take a good look at the following image that depicts what Taliban Bob McDonnell will be doing to women against their will if he signs the ultrasound bill and then ask yourself if this is the handiwork of a moderate.Read More
Is AZ Sheriff Babeu's Story About Outing, Immigration or Mitt Romney?
Filed by Karen Ocamb | February 21, 2012 10:00 AM |The story of Arizona's Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu - an anti-illegal immigration hardliner and a Republican rising star running for Congress - has been firing up news outlets that think they've hit the trifecta.Read More
Let's Play a Guessing Game [Republican Open Thread]
Filed by Bil Browning | February 19, 2012 1:30 PM |Republicans have been hinting at a brokered convention for months now, but what if it actually happens?Read More
Four Republican Bills That Are Not About Jobs
Filed by Terrance Heath | February 19, 2012 11:15 AM |Four Republican Senators held a press conference Thursday to remind Americans about their job creation legislation. Wait. Republicans have jobs bills? Oh! That's why they had to remind us.Read More
Maryland Marriage Equality Bill Moves Forward
Filed by Karen Ocamb | February 18, 2012 12:30 PM |The Maryland House passed a marriage equality bill that the governor of Maryland has promised to sign - if it reaches his desk. Now the bill goes to the Senate.Read More
NJ Governor Christie Vetoes Marriage Bill
Filed by Karen Ocamb | February 18, 2012 11:00 AM |As expected, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie announced a veto of the just-passed marriage bill.Read More
Undoing Griswold: Rick Santorum's America
Filed by Dr. Jillian T. Weiss | February 17, 2012 2:30 PM |Remember, when considering the attitudes held by Rick Santorum and his ilk, as ridiculous and laughable as they may seem to you, that they are being seriously discussed and considered, and that you are the target.Read More
Referendum Filed in WA & GOP Pro-Marriage Lawmaker Video
Filed by Karen Ocamb | February 17, 2012 12:00 PM |On Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, the day after Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire signed legislation legalizing marriage rights for same sex couples in that state, opponents of marriage equality filed a referendum challenging the new law. Read More
New Jersey Legislature Passes Marriage Equality, LGBT Orgs React
Filed by Daniel Villarreal | February 16, 2012 7:00 PM |Today, the New Jersey Assembly passed the state marriage equality bill. Governor Chris Christie has vowed to veto the bill, but nationwide LGBT organizations think they can find the additional votes the need to pass the bill by 2014.Read More
Mitt's Bailout Wreck in Michigan
Filed by Terrance Heath | February 16, 2012 2:30 PM |In this morning's Progressive Breakfast, I referred to Mitt Romney's Michigan TV spot as "Romney's Auto Bailout Spin-Out." Well, as it happens, things are worse than I thought. Read More
Today in Marriage Equality: 3 State Roundup
Filed by Bil Browning | February 16, 2012 10:30 AM |There's lots of news about marriage equality legislation this morning. Here's what you need to know.Read More
Oklahoma's New Gay State Senator Is an Old Friend
Filed by Bil Browning | February 15, 2012 4:00 PM |Oklahoma state representative Al McAffrey may be the state's newest openly gay state senator now, but for those of us who follow politics, he's an old friend.Read More
Tell Log Cabin: No Anti-LGBT Candidates!
Filed by Jerame Davis | February 15, 2012 2:30 PM |No candidate should get the support of any LGBT organization if they have pledged to deny equality to our community. Some gay conservatives seem to think otherwise and they need to hear from us loud and clear: no anti-LGBT candidates allowed!Read More
Pelosi Endorses Marriage Equality Plank for Dem Party
Filed by Bil Browning | February 15, 2012 11:00 AM |Freedom to Marry launched an ingenious campaign Monday to prod the Democratic Party into including a plank in the party platform that endorses marriage equality. The push got a large endorsement today from House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi when she announced her support for the initiative. Read More
Happy Valentine's Day from Governor Gregoire
Filed by Bil Browning | February 14, 2012 11:00 AM |Happy Valentine's Day! If you missed Washington's Governor Christine Gregoire's moving speech before signing the marriage equality bill, treat yourself to a private moment of grace and love.Read More
Washington Governor to Sign Marriage Equality into Law at 2:30
Filed by James Holmes | February 13, 2012 2:15 PM |Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire is set to sign marriage equality into law at 2:30. Watch it live.Read More
NJ Senate Voting on Marriage at Noon [UPDATED]
Filed by James Holmes | February 13, 2012 12:00 PM |The NJ State Senate is expected to vote at noon today on Senate Bill S.1, the Marriage Equality and Religious Exemption Act which is expected to pass. Watch the vote live here.Read More
Against Equality Wrap Up from Down Under
Filed by R Conrad | February 13, 2012 10:00 AM |Last week I was lucky enough to make my way to Melbourne for a gay and lesbian studies conference. After traveling thirty six hours I emerged in the sunny southern hemisphere with a pile of Against Equality books in tow.Read More
WA Gov. Gregoire to Sign Marriage Bill on Monday
Filed by Karen Ocamb | February 12, 2012 3:30 PM |Gov. Chris Gregoire will sign her marriage equality bill into law on Monday morning. With the stroke of her pen, Washington will become the seventh state to legalize civil marriage between same-sex couples.Read More
The Sound of Santorum
Filed by Terrance Heath | February 12, 2012 1:30 PM |I went to lunch thinking Rick Santorum was the "rock star" at this year's CPAC. After finishing lunch, I returned to find that Santorum was just the opening act.Read More
Do We Prioritize Some State Marriage Battles Over Others?
Filed by Adam Polaski | February 12, 2012 10:30 AM |Has anyone else noticed the public and media being underwhelmed by Washington's marriage equality bill? Or is the amount of attention and discussion about the bill appropriate? Read More
Newt's CPAC Schedule
Filed by Terrance Heath | February 11, 2012 2:00 PM |I'll admit it. Newt Gingrich got me on this one. I walked into the CPAC conference yesterday morning with my guard down, and picked up what I thought was a schedule of events for the main ballroom. Then I read it.Read More
Mitt Romney, CPAC Rock Star
Filed by Terrance Heath | February 11, 2012 12:00 PM |I have to admit, for a progressive being at CPAC can feel like being a "stranger in a strange land." For a black, gay progressive it's a bit like being dropped on another planet, with almost no breathable atmosphere.Read More
Obama Raised $1.5 Million from LGBT Donors Last Night
Filed by Bil Browning | February 10, 2012 10:30 AM |President Obama attended a fundraiser at the home of Karen Dixon and Dr. Nan Schaffer in an affluent area of Washington, DC last night that brought in almost $1.5 million dollars.Read More
It's Half-Wit Time in America!
Filed by Kate Clinton | February 09, 2012 3:00 PM |Because of a dwindling supply of white people, the white wing of the Republican Party wants no sex education in schools, no choice for women and no contraceptives. Just a reminder: the most reliable contraceptive is lesbianism. Read More
Take Action: Thank Governor Gregoire for Marriage
Filed by Joe Mirabella | February 09, 2012 10:00 AM |On Wednesday, the Washington State House passed a same-sex marriage bill, and now it the bill is headed to Governor Gregoire's desk for her signature. She promised to sign the bill before Valentine's Day!Read More
Gingrich 'Talks Like a Preacher, Lives Like a Porn Star'
Filed by John M. Becker | February 09, 2012 9:00 AM |LGBT rights group Truth Wins Out announced yesterday that it is placing a hard-hitting ad in today's edition of Roll Call, DC's Capitol Hill newspaper, with the headline "Newt Gingrich: Talks Like a Preacher, Lives Like a Porn Star." Read More
Shellacked, Mitt Fights Back
Filed by Terrance Heath | February 08, 2012 7:00 PM |When Herman Cain and Rick Perry imploded last November, Jon Stewart called Romney "the luckiest motherfudger on Earth." That was before last night's "shellacking," when Santorum trounced Romney in Minnesota, Missouri, and Colorado - three states that Romney won in 2008.Read More
Marriage Equality Bill Introduced in Illinois
Filed by Bil Browning | February 08, 2012 3:00 PM |Looks like the battle over marriage equality is headed to the heartland. Just in from Equality Illinois comes news that three Democrat representatives have introduced legislation to allow same-sex couples to marry in the Land of Lincoln.Read More
Keep Leaping Toward Equality!
Filed by Davina Kotulski | February 08, 2012 2:15 PM |Let's keep leaping toward equality and keep the fire for equality burning strong this month. This is a leap year, after all, and the year of the Dragon.Read More
Ninth Circuit Charts Its Own Course To Marriage Equality in Perry v. Brown
Filed by Dr. Jillian T. Weiss | February 08, 2012 12:00 PM |The Ninth Circuit charted its own course, totally redefining this case and coming up with a totally different explanation of why Prop 8 is unconstitutional. It's not about the constitutionality of same sex marriage. In fact, they go out of their way at the very beginning of the opinion to point out that they are not saying that same sex marriage must be granted under the Constitution. What?!Read More
Santorum Wins Missouri & Hits Close to Home
Filed by James Holmes | February 08, 2012 11:00 AM |It came as no surprise to me when Rick Santorum won last night's Republican primary for my home state. If anything it served as a reminder of why I don't make it home that often. Read More
Newt Gingrich Heckled By LGBT Protestors
Filed by Bil Browning | February 07, 2012 3:00 PM |During a campaign stop in Minnesota, members of the LGBT rights group Glitterati started heckling the presidential candidate over his anti-gay positions. Read More
Who Will NJ Gov Christie Listen to on Same Sex Marriage Rights?
Filed by Karen Ocamb | February 06, 2012 6:30 PM |There has always been a "friendly rivalry" between New Jersey and New York. That's why what Christie does now on the movement to secure marriage rights for same sex couples - and the rivalry with Bloomberg - is so important.Read More
WA House Committee Advances Marriage Equality Bill
Filed by James Holmes | February 06, 2012 5:45 PM |Marriage equality moved one step closer in Washington state today as the House Judiciary committee advanced a bill that would make Washington the 8th state including the District of Columbia to grant full marriage rights to same-sex couples. Read More
Poisonous Parenting: The Santorum Edition
Filed by Terrance Heath | February 06, 2012 4:15 PM |It was my work-related blogging that alerted me to a remark Santorum made, comparing gay parents to felons, which inspired me to return to this series.Read More
Republicans Finally Found a Real Case of Voter Fraud
Filed by Bil Browning | February 06, 2012 9:00 AM |In September of 2010, I reported that the man who wanted to be responsible for handling Indiana's election laws, then-candidate for Indiana Secretary of State Charlie White, had actually committed voter fraud. White was found guilty of six felony fraud charges last week.Read More
Santorum Gets Bad Lip Reading Treatment
Filed by Bil Browning | February 04, 2012 12:30 PM |It took long enough for the Frothy Mix to be taken seriously enough to be featured in the Bad Lip Reading video series. Or maybe it's because he didn't get one earlier since no one paid him the least bit of attention.Read More
Chris Christie's Version of 'Let's Make a Deal'
Filed by Bil Browning | February 03, 2012 3:30 PM |These insufferable idiots suffer under the preconception that just because they don't really believe their public anti-gay stances, we should welcome them with open arms and a wink, wink, nod.Read More
Mitt Romney's Secret Service Codename [Open Thread]
Filed by Bil Browning | February 03, 2012 1:00 PM |Now that Mitt Romney is getting Secret Service protection, let's guess what his super secret codename is going to be. My bet is on R-money. $10,000?Read More
NJ Assembly Committee Advances Marriage Equality Bill
Filed by Bil Browning | February 03, 2012 9:00 AM |After six and a half hours of testimony, a New Jersey state Assembly committee passed legislation to legalize same-sex marriage. The full Assembly will vote on the bill on February 16.Read More
9th Circuit Says No to Release of Prop 8 Trial Tapes
Filed by Karen Ocamb | February 02, 2012 6:30 PM |The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decided not to release the Prop 8 trial tapes, overturning the district court's earlier ruling that the public had a right to see the video recordings of the Perry v. Brown trial.Read More
Canadian MPs Snicker & Mock Trans Airport Screening Concerns
Filed by Mercedes Allen | February 02, 2012 4:30 PM |Conservative MPs were allegedly openly snickering and disrespectfully mocking other politicians who support transgender rights. Read More
WA State Senate Passes Marriage Equality Bill
Filed by Bil Browning | February 02, 2012 9:13 AM |Good news out of Washington state yesterday evening after the state senate passed marriage equality legislation by a 28-21 vote.Read More
Romney vs. Gingrich?
Filed by Sara Whitman | February 01, 2012 5:00 PM |I keep getting asked if Mitt Romney was a horrible Governor for Massachusetts. My answer is, basically? Yes. "But," people say, "is he as bad as Gingrich?"Read More
Indiana Passes Right to Work Legislation
Filed by Bil Browning | February 01, 2012 4:00 PM |Indiana has become the latest state to enact a Right To Work union busting law. Hey, someone tell the Task Force.Read More
R-money: I Don't Care About the Poor
Filed by Bil Browning | February 01, 2012 1:30 PM |R-money's got 99 problems but poor people ain't one.Read More
Romney Wants Marriage Amendment; Amway Gave $500k to NOM
Filed by Karen Ocamb | February 01, 2012 11:00 AM |On Monday, Jan 30, NOM posted a conference call with faith leaders during which Romney reiterated that pledge and perhaps made it more difficult for gay Republicans to support him.Read More
Maryland Girl Asks for Discrimination for Birthday Present
Filed by Bil Browning | February 01, 2012 10:00 AM |At yesterday's Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee hearing, a Maryland girl asked the senators for an unusual birthday present. She wanted gay and lesbian couples to be denied equal rights.Read More
