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By SCOTT BAUER , Associated Press August 21, 2017 - 12:15 AM

MADISON, Wis. Wisconsin Assembly Democratic Leader Peter Barca was branded as failing "on all accounts" by a fellow Democrat who was "incredibly frustrated and concerned" with his actions after Barca joined Republicans in voting for a $3 billion tax incentive package for Foxconn Technology Group.

Emails obtained by The Associated Press show that Democratic state Rep. Lisa Subeck of Madison spelled out her grievances to Barca on Friday, the day after the Assembly passed the incentive package backed by Republicans designed to attract Foxconn to build a massive display panel factory in the state.

Barca was one of three Democrats to vote for the measure Thursday, with 28 Democrats against. Barca, of Kenosha, and the other Democrats who voted for it represent southeast Wisconsin, near where Foxconn plans to build a factory that could employ thousands. Reps. Cory Mason of Racine and Tod Ohnstad of Kenosha joined Barca and 56 Republicans in voting for the bill; two Republicans joined all other Democrats in opposition.

Most Democrats were outspoken in their opposition to the measure, branding it as a corporate welfare giveaway that also puts Wisconsin's environment in jeopardy because of requirements that would be waived to speed construction of the plant that could open as soon as 2020.

Barca tried to walk a line, criticizing the process of quickly acting on the bill and saying that more improvements could be made to protect taxpayers, Wisconsin businesses and the environment. But ultimately he said he supported the incentive package because of the backing it has from people in his district.

Subeck, in an email sent to all Assembly Democrats obtained by the AP, accused Barca of failing "on all accounts" to differentiate his views on Foxconn with that of the rest of Democrats who voted against the measure. She was particularly upset with Barca for holding an impromptu news conference in the Assembly parlor, right around the corner from his office, shortly after the evening vote Thursday.

"I have to admit that I was surprised that immediately after a vote on which you took a different position than most of the caucus, you would hold yourself out to speak on our behalf on the issue, especially without letting any of know you intended to do so," Subeck wrote to Barca. "I am also concerned that the message you conveyed ... It seems you were trying to justify your own vote rather than share the caucus perspective consistent with our agreed upon message."

She said that Barca's public comments "have not been consistent with the majority position of the caucus and have served counter to our interest."

Subeck said Barca should have allowed someone else to speak who could better represent how most Democrats felt about Foxconn.

Barca wrote in response that he hadn't planned to have a news conference but after the Thursday vote "we had one outlet in particular that was very aggressive and several others that wanted to talk." Barca said his staff asked the reporters to move to the nearby parlor, where he and Assistant Majority Leader Dianne Hesselbein of Middleton and Rep. Mark Spreitzer of Beloit answered questions.

Barca did not address her concerns about what he actually said.

Neither Barca nor Subeck returned messages on Sunday seeking comment.

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Democrat 'incredibly frustrated' with leader over Foxconn - Minneapolis Star Tribune

By Jim Suhr By Jim Suhr August 20 at 7:16 PM

KANSAS CITY, Mo. A Missouri lawmaker who drew bipartisan outrage over her brief Facebook comment expressing hope that President Trump would be assassinated apologized publicly Sunday to Trump and his family, calling the post a mistake.

But Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal, a black Democrat, said she has no plans to resign as numerous top Republicans and Democrats in Missouri have insisted since Thursdays post in which she wrote, I hope Trump is assassinated! Gov. Eric Greitens and Lt. Gov. Mike Parson, both Republicans, said Friday that state senators should oust her.

I made a mistake, and Im owning up to it. And Im not ever going to make a mistake like that again. I have learned my lesson. My judge and my jury is my Lord, Jesus Christ, Chappelle-Nadal, who later deleted the post from her personal Facebook page, told reporters at a church in Ferguson.

Associated Press

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Missouri Democrat apologizes to Trump for assassination comment - Washington Post

Editor, Manteca Bulletin,

Martin Luther King stated, I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. No race is superior to another; but the Democrat party has tried to link President Trump and his supporters to the KKK without looking into their own mirror and history.

Trump stated all organizations of hate are unacceptable. This includes the KKK, Antifa, or Black Lives Matter, which uses their name as a mask to incite violence with political and racial tension.

Lets look at the facts of the KKK.

The Democrat party created the KKK to fight against equal rights for blacks after Republican President Abraham Lincoln won the Civil War. No Democrat voted for the 14th Amendment to grant citizenship to blacks. The KKK was honored at every Democrat National Convention from 1868 through the 1930s.

Several prominent Democrats dabbled as one-time KKK members President Harry Truman; Hugo Black, who was appointed by Franklin D. Roosevelt to the Supreme Court from 1937-1971.

Democrat Majority Leader, Robert Byrd, who was not only a KKK member; but a Grand Keagle, a recruiter for the KKK signed up members for $10 a head. He joined because it offered excitement, and because the Klan was an effective force in promoting American values. He stated in a letter, The Klan is needed today as never before, and I am anxious to see its rebirth. in every state in the nation. Byrd became the Democrat leader of the U.S. Senate and served from 1951-2010 and filibustered the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

In the 1960s Martin Luther King, Republican, fought against the Democrats, ultimately sacrificing his life for his dream of equality. It was Republicans and a black Republican by the name of A. Phillip Randolph, who organized Kings March on Washington in 1963, which was opposed by Democrat President John F. Kennedy, who used the FBI to target King while Attorney General Robert Kennedy, Democrat, used wiretapping to spy on Martin Luther King.

Remember Governor George Wallace? Democrat. Bull Connor? Democrat. They supported slavery and were the ones turning water hoses and dogs on black protesters in the 1960s

Democrat President Lyndon B. Johnson, who as a senator, also fought against the Civil Rights Act in 1957, was also known as a racist. Yet, he realized negroes were getting pretty uppity these days. LBJ continued, Now, weve got to do something about this, weve got to give them a little something, just enough to quiet them down, not enough to make a difference. After Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act, he stated to two governors on Air Force One, Ill have those (N-word) voting Democratic for the next 200 years.

As recently as the 1980s, Senator Ernest Hollings, Democrat, publicly referred to blacks as darkies and Hispanics as wetbacks without suffering any punishment from his party.

In 1983, Republican President Ronald Reagan signed into law Martin Luther King Day as a national holiday. However, in 1985, then-Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton, Democrat, signed Act 985 into law, making the birthdates of Martin Luther King and Robert E. Lee, the general who led the Civil War Confederate Army, state holidays on the same day in Arkansas.

On May 5, 1993, Clinton praised Senator J. William Fulbright as my mentor, as he gave the nations highest civilian award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to a man who spent the vast majority of his public career and life as a proud segregationist, who voted against the 1964 and 1965 Civil Rights Acts.

I have no problem placing Civil War monuments in a Civil War museum; but there should not be a double standard. Monuments of racists Democrats should be also be taken down and placed in their own Racist Democrat Museum.

Frank Aquila

Manteca

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The Democrat KKK double standard - Manteca Bulletin - Manteca Bulletin

In her bid to become Virginias first openly transgender lawmaker, Democrat Danica Roem is getting a major boost from a donor who lives 800 miles away. Theyve never met. Shes not even sure how to pronounce his name.

Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele, a Democrat, has given $115,000 to Roems candidacy, nearly half of the money she has raised so far, and plans to keep contributing through the November election.

The six-figure investment in a race in the Washington exurb of Prince William County underscores the national interest in what is normally a sleepy, low-turnout affair. Abele, who is straight, sees a chance to make history by helping elect the first openly transgender candidate for a state legislature.

Shes running because shes an active citizen, and she cares and shell make a difference, said Abele, who chairs the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund. That said, shell also set a precedent and make it safer for a lot of other candidates to run.

The Wisconsin politician said there would be a bit of poetry if Roem unseated Del. Robert G. Marshall (R), a 25-year incumbent who has gained notoriety for unsuccessful efforts to ban same-sex marriage and restrict which bathrooms transgender people canuse.

But Roem has mixed feelings about Abeles help.

The 32-year-old former journalist launched her campaign with a pledge to represent residents, not special interests. In a state without limits on campaign contributions, Roem declared her own cap and pledged she would not accept any donation greater than $500.

And then, during the spring Democratic primary race, Roem learned a hard political lesson.

Shed knocked on lots of doors but was badly trailing two rivals in campaign cash. She needed $14,000 to pay her staff and send out two additional mailers.

After seeing her opponents April fundraising reports, she rethought her vow. A short time later, Abele and other board members of the Victory Fund spoke with Roem in a conference call about her four-way primary race.

I was really, really super idealistic, and then we were getting killed, said Roem, who reluctantly agreed to take larger donations. I wasnt happy about it, and Im still not super happy about it.

[This transgender boy fought for the right to run for Prom King. Now he is suing to use the boys bathroom]

Abele sent $10,000 after the conference call. The night before the June 13 primary, he chipped in $15,000. He has kept the money flowing.

Roem says his generosity allows her to spend more time talking to voters about local issues like transportation and congestion, instead of calling donors. And, unlike corporations with business before the state, Abele does not appear to be motivated by self-interest. Roem will not take money from companies seeking statecontracts.

Ill certainly give Chris a hug, just like Ill give anyone else a hug, she said. Does that mean I have to do what he wants? No.

Marshall, in a statement, blasted Abele as a multimillionaire radical sexual ideologue who wants to buy the election for Danica to impose laws penalizing those who adhere to the Laws of Nature and Natures God.

So far, Roem said she has raised about $270,000, one of the largest hauls for a House of Delegates candidate. The last Democrat to come close to defeating Marshall raised $376,000 in 2013 and stilllost.

Roem is far from the only beneficiary of Abeles largesse. Hes given nearly $500,000 to local Wisconsin campaigns, backed Tammy Baldwins (D-Wis.) successful bid to become the nations first openly gay senator, and donated about $600,000 to Hillary Clinton. He supports causes for minority groups, too.

Every rights movement that has ever succeeded ... succeeds precisely and only because its not just the aggrieved who are active, Abele said. My world is a better place when people who are not like me have every right that Ihave.

[Gavin Grimm just wanted to use the bathroom. He didnt expect a national debate]

Abele was elected county executive in 2011, succeeding Republican Scott Walker, who had become governor. The son of the co-founder of Boston Scientific, Abeles fortune comes from his family and his own ventures in medical-waste disposal and real estate development .

U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), who is gay, recalls Abele being incensed in 2006 when Wisconsin voters approved a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. After a federal judge struck down that ban in 2014, Abele offered to pay overtime costs for extended court hours so couples could take their vows.

Hes someone who also happens to be wealthy and tries to use his money to further social justice, Pocan said. Here, he sees a chance to break another barrier.

Abele has fended off criticism from the left for actions he has taken as county executive, including his opposition to public-sector unions over pensions and his donations to and support for GOP state lawmakers.

His largest donation to Roem came on the day in late July when President Trump tweeted that he would ban transgender individuals from serving in the military. Abele happened to be at the White House that afternoon for the announcement of a new Foxconn factory in Wisconsin.

While the jobs will be great for my state, please know that the $50K donation I made online earlier from the White House represents about as well anything else I could say my feelings regarding the Presidents comments, Abele texted Roem. Get elected!

Republicans are quick to criticize Roems dependence on an out-of-state donor, and political analysts say the contributions could spark a voter backlash.

Some people will look at that as outsiders trying to meddle in a Virginia race, said Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington.

He said Roems near-exclusive focus on community issues may be the best antidote to the claim some might make that this is a carpetbagger-financed election.

John Whitbeck, chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia, sees national interest in Democrats running for local legislative seats as a sign of weakness. They are having to go outside Virginia for people like this Milwaukee county executive to get the money to run these races, he said.

But Roem counters that shes also beating Marshall in raising money locally, with nearly 200 donations totaling almost $15,000. Marshall says he has not begun to ramp up his fundraising efforts.

Roem said that she doesnt need to ask her biggest patron for money. Every contribution from Abele has come unsolicited.

Im treating him the same way Im treating any of my other donors, Roem said. They all get thank-you cards.

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This Wisconsin Democrat gave $115k to elect Va.'s first transgender lawmaker - Washington Post

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said on Sunday that it was premature to try to remove U.S. President Donald Trump by claiming he is physically or mentally impaired.

Schiff told Jake Tapper on CNNs State of the Union program that it did not make sense for Trump's opponents to focus on the 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which two Democratic lawmakers invoked against the president after his controversial comments about a white nationalist rally in Virginia.

Under the 25th Amendment, the vice president takes over as acting president if he and a majority of either Cabinet officials or "such other body as Congress may by law provide" declare in writing that the president "is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office."

I think were still far from concluding that thats the case," Schiff said, "even though we find, many of us, his conduct anathema and there to be a serious problem here."

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

California Representative Zoe Lofgren on Friday introduced a resolution urging Vice President Mike Pence and Trump's Cabinet to have medical and psychiatric professionals examine the president to help determine whether he can do his job.

"Many Americans, including many Republicans, have observed the President's increasingly disturbing pattern of actions and public statements that suggest he may be mentally unfit to execute the duties required of him," Lofgren said in a statement.

Representative Jackie Speier, also of California, said in a Twitter post on Tuesday that Trump was "showing signs of erratic behavior and mental instability that place the country in grave danger. Time to invoke the 25th Amendment."

Speier wrote the post after Trump's explosive news conference on Tuesday, when he blamed violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, not just on white nationalist rally organizers but also on counter-protesters. Trump said there were "very fine people" in both groups.

Those comments also provoked criticism from Republican Senator Bob Corker, who told reporters on Thursday that Trump "has not yet been able to demonstrate the stability nor some of the competence that he needs to demonstrate in order to be successful," according to a Tennessee local news website. Corker did not refer to the 25th Amendment in his remarks.

Reporting by Julia Harte; Editing by Lisa Von Ahn

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Leading Democrat: Critics can't conclude Trump is impaired - Reuters