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The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's Michael Wickline did a full followup today on Treasurer Dennis Milligan's illegal hiring of his first cousin to a $63,000 job in the treasurer's office, first reported here Thursday.

IF WE DONT BLOW OUR OWN HORN WHO WILL? DEPT: The article didn't mention where the matter first came to light.

Milligan gave the Democrat-Gazette a written statement that reiterated the hiring was a mistake. He apologized.

You might recall that one of the first acts of the treasurer's office was to get the rules changed from a law passed by the Republican legislature in 2013 after the Martha Shoffner scandal. The law required Harris to have a degree in a business-related field. The rule was changed to allow a simple college degree in any field. Harris is paid $99,000.

Hiring a prohibited relative is a Class A misdemeanor. A separate statute provides a $1,000 civil penalty for such a hiring, but that describes it as a "knowing" act. Ignorance of a criminal law is no excuse.

Milligan, after I inquired, sent information to the attorney general's office about the situation. It has yet to issue a response.

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Democrat-Gazette follows up on Dennis Milligan's illegal hire; you're welcome

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President Obama has faced intense criticism from Republicans for his reluctance to label ISIS an Islamic group. But thats not particularly remarkable.

More noteworthy is that a member of the presidents own party from his home state has taken repeated shots at him: Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii.

The administration is misidentifying the enemy and their motivation, Gabbard said on CNN earlier this week, calling the presidents emphasis on economic aspects of terrorism a diversion.

Known as a rising political star, the Hawaii Democrat is one of the first two female combat veterans elected to Congress. She did tour tours in Iraq, and doesnt hesitate to make her opinions known when it comes to defense issues. For instance, in 2013, she broke with the Obama administration by refusing to support airstrikes against Bashar al-Assad in Syria.

Perhaps because of her military background and her political affiliation Gabbards comments on ISIS have reverberated. The Republican National Committee was quick to release a statement this week saying, even Democrats arent buying what the President is selling.

Obama acknowledged the debate on Wednesday.

Theres been a fair amount of debate in the press and among pundits about the words we use to describe and frame this challenge, he said. I want to be very clear about how I see it: al Qaeda and ISIL and groups like it are desperate for legitimacy. They try to portray themselves as religious leaders, holy warriors in defense of Islam ... We must never accept the premise they put forward.

Administration officials say focusing on extremists Islamic ideologies would only bolster the terrorists narrative that the U.S. is at war with Islam.

Ask the Experts: Does It Matter What We Call Our Enemies?

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This Democrat Is Unafraid to Criticize President Obama on ISIS

Rachel Maddow 3.02.2015 Welcome To Your Republican Future Republicans Elect Exorcist In Colorado
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By: Rachel Maddow Show

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Rachel Maddow 3.02.2015 Welcome To Your Republican Future Republicans Elect Exorcist In Colorado - Video

Lansing, Mich. Michigan Republicans picked a niece of Mitt Romney on Saturday to lead the state party for the next two years.

Ronna Romney McDaniel got 55 percent of the vote on the first ballot before delegates at the Michigan Republican convention made the selection unanimous. Bobby Schostak didn't seek another two-year term after four years as chairman.

Republicans control the state Capitol but haven't delivered Michigan to a GOP presidential candidate since 1988. President Barack Obama defeated Romney, a Michigan native, and picked up the state's electoral votes in 2012.

"We might not agree on everything, but we can agree that seven years of liberal Obama policies have a destructive effect on our nation and we need to get a Republican in the White House through Michigan in 2016," McDaniel, 41, of Northville, told the convention.

The Detroit Free Press reports:

McDaniel, a married mother of two, worked on her uncle's presidential campaign in Michigan and served on the GOP state committee. She has served as a precinct delegate, worked as a manager for the staffing firm Ajilon, as a business manager for the video company Mills James Productions, and as a production manager for SRCP Media.

She is the daughter of Ronna Romney, a former U.S. Senate candidate who attended the convention, and Scott Romney, an attorney who is Mitt Romney's brother.

The over-riding theme of my campaign is unity," McDaniel told reporters. "We have a lot of different factions in our party. We need to get them to coalesce if we're going to be successful.

The other candidates for party chair were Norm Hughes, who worked for former President Ronald Reagan, and Kim Shmina, a nurse.

Mike Farage of Grand Rapids said he voted for McDaniel partly because she wants to make the party more appealing to minorities "the elephant in the room" for Republicans.

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Mitt Romney's niece leads Republican Party in Michigan

Republican candidate Scott Angelle has launched campaign for the 2015 governors race with the first set of TV ads in four Louisiana cities.

Angelles campaign said it will spend $200,000 to run campaign ads in Lafayette, Lake Charles, Houma and Alexandria in an effort to reach voters who might not know much about him.

One of Angelles ads highlights his affiliation with the Louisianas Public Service Commission. The spot describes his support for fewer government regulations, improved job skills training and middle class tax relief, according to the Associated Press.

Another ad describes his work history in the oil and gas industry. The commercial includes his family and two of his favorite pastimes, hunting and fishing. The ad has two different versions, one that ends with Angelle speaking Cajun French.

Other candidates in the race for governor are Republican Lt. Gov. Jay Dardene, Democratic state Rep. John Bel Edwards and Republican Sen. David Vitter.

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Republican Scott Angelle launches first of 2015 campaign ads