Mediaboss Marketing

By Matt Fuller, Emma Dumain, and Connor O'Brien Posted at 3:21 p.m. on Jan. 8

Schiff named ranking Democrat on the Intelligence Committee. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi announced Thursday that California Democrat Adam B. Schiff will be the next ranking member on the Intelligence Committee.

As a senior member of the Intelligence Committee, Congressman Schiff has been a vital voice on the most pressing national security challenges of our time, including counter terrorism efforts and challenges in the Middle East, Pelosi said in a statement. He has proven himself to be a capable leader and a proponent of surveillance reforms.

Pelosi said Schiff who has previously served on the Foreign Affairs Committee, the State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Committee and the Intelligence panel had impeccable national security credentials.

Schiff, who has been on the Intelligence panel since 2008, is widely seen as a more critical watchdog of the National Security Agency. The former ranking Democrat, C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, was a staunch supporter of the NSA, which has its headquarters in his Maryland district.

Pelosi noted in her statement announcing Schiffs new role that the Intelligence Committee was tasked withpreserving our national security while protecting the civil liberties and privacy of Americans.

Whether thats a shot at Ruppersberger in any way isnt clear. Pelosi was more than effusive to Ruppersberger in her statement, thanking him for his time on the panel and calling hima steadfast protector of our national security, a leader in cybersecurity, and a distinguished mind on technical programs critical to our intelligence infrastructure.

She also called Ruppersberger a great American patriot.

Ruppersberger said back in December that he expected to be term-limited, though he noted it was basically Nancys call.

Go here to read the rest:
Schiff Named Top Democrat on Intelligence Panel

Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif. Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP hide caption

Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif.

Four-term Sen. Barbara Boxer said she won't seek another term in the U.S. Senate in 2016, ending speculation about the California Democrat's political future.

"I will not be running for the Senate in 2016," she said in a taped interview with her grandson Zach Rodham.

Boxer, 74, said neither age nor partisanship in Congress were factors in her decision.

Boxer, the junior senator from California, was first elected to the Senate in 1992. She served in the House for a decade before that. She was a strong supporter of environmental protections, abortion rights and gun control.

Boxer, a liberal, was a favorite to retain her seat had she run. She said she would work to ensure her Senate seat would remain with Democrats. The other seat from California is occupied by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, also a Democrat.

Original post:
Sen. Barbara Boxer Won't Seek 5th Term In Senate

Amherst Democrat expected as next Sen. President
22News sat down exclusively with Amherst Democrat Stan Rosenberg who #39;s expected to become one of the most powerful players on Beacon Hill.

By: WWLP-22News

See original here:
Amherst Democrat expected as next Sen. President - Video

TWO long serving Poole councillors have deserted the Liberal Democrats and joined the Conservative group.

Father and daughter Lindsay and Graham Wilson, who have clocked up 30 years as councillors between them, have switched sides with the election four months away.

In a joint statement they said: The policies of the Conservatives, both locally and nationally, are more aligned to our current political views.

We assure all our residents and local communities that we will continue to serve them to the best of our abilities.

Lindsay, who has served 11 years on Borough of Poole represents Alderney and Graham, 19 years a councillor, represents Newtown.

Graham said: We have always tried to serve the community rather than be overly political.

He said they hoped to be able to continue to do so. Asked if they had considered standing down and forcing a by-election he said: I dont think that was a sensible thing to do to cost the council a lot of money.

Lib Dem group leader Cllr Mike Brooke said he was saddened by their decision, which had implications for committee representation for his group on the hung council.

We have had issues over the last few years, he said. They are in breach of our code of conduct and our standing orders.

Borough of Poole has 42 councillors of which 21 are now Conservative, 16 Liberal Democrat, four Poole People and one UKIP.

Read this article:
Two Liberal Democrat councillors defect to the Conservative group

The Liberal Democrat General Election Cabinet willfight to build the stronger economy and fairer society Britain needs - one with opportunity at its heart, Nick Clegg has said.

Nick said the election team would stand up for the liberal values of openness, tolerance and compassion in the face of those who peddle grievance, fear and blame.

(Photo: James Gourley)

Nick said:

This is a Liberal Democrat Cabinet that will fight every day for the stronger economy and fairer society this country needs - where everyone has the opportunity to get on in life.

This talented front bench have shown both inside government and beyond that they stand for a liberal Britain - one of openness, tolerance and compassion.

This is a team that will never pander to the politics of grievance, fear and blame but instead work every day to keep Britain anchored in the centre ground.

Over the coming months, they will prove that the Lib Dems are the only party that can balance the budget, cut taxes for 30 million people, invest in health and education and protect our environment.

General Election Coordinator Paddy Ashdown added:

Continued here:
General Election Cabinet will stand up for liberal values