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Trump Threatens Health Subsidies to Force Democrats to Bargain New York Times Mr. Trump has failed to get enough support from his own party, but he hopes to get the Democrats' help by forcing them to the negotiating table with hints about the chaos he could cause. His bargaining chip is the government subsidies paid to insurance ... Democrats say upcoming spending bill must fund Obamacare paymentsCBS News Democrats Seek to Resolve Health Payments on Spending BillU.S. News & World Report Democrats Want Guarantee for Health Subsidies After Trump ThreatBloomberg Washington Post -Daily Kos -Politico -Wall Street Journal all 111 news articles »

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Trump Threatens Health Subsidies to Force Democrats to Bargain - New York Times

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. And more often than not, they are Democrats.

Greg Laden

The 2016 presidential primary was unique in having a powerful insurgent candidate who was not a Democrat. Accusations were made that the Hillary Clinton campaign was too politically inside. Some of that was probably a lack of understanding of how the process works by Bernie Sanders newly minted political activists, but there was almost certainly some truth to it. Uncommitted delegates, usually known by the term super delegates, flocked to the establishment candidate, and most of the usual endorsers endorsed her as well, and endorsed her early.

It is not known if these endorsements influenced the outcome of the primary, but it is undoubtedly true that they left a bad taste in the mouths of many. The endorsements themselves were not the problem. The problem was the rush. Candidate Sanders didnt have a chance. Some organizations produced their endorsements much earlier than they normally do. All those newly involved activists were compelled to engage in the political system, then they became frustrated by the inside baseball, and even to this day they are not fully on board because of this sort of behavior by established Democrats.

I personally avoided supporting either candidate until I was certain one would win the primary, then I waited a bit longer, and then fully supported Clinton. And I believe she would have made a great president. But my support for Hillary does not make me blind to the justifiable attitude of many millennials as well as long time party activists who saw their preferred candidate treated poorly.

And now, Im afraid, we are seeing inside baseball again. The ink on Rep. Tim Walzs declaration of candidacy for governor of Minnesota was still glossy wet when the endorsements started flying. From the outside, it looks a lot like the small group in charge picked Walz as the DFLs candidate, and all that remains is dotting of the is and crossing of the ts.

Ive been to a lot of activist and political meetings over the last few months, including DFL events and Indivisible events, and every single person Ive talked to about this race has either suggested Rebecca Otto as their choice, or put her in the top two. After the first strong rumors of Walzs declaration came around, that opinion shifted to this, paraphrasing: I really want Otto, or maybe Coleman. But now, did you hear, Walz is in the race? Its over.

When asked why it is over, the answer is usually, Well, theyve decided, havent they or words to that effect.

No, they have not decided. Many of us feel that a sitting DFL member of Congress should keep his or her butt right where it is, given that we need to attain a Democratic majority in the House in the next midterm. This is not a political preference but rather an existential requirement. Walzs seat is not going to stay Democratic if he leaves. He is making a terrible and regretful mistake.

Many people are annoyed that someone could just Walz into the governors race and be anointed without the process actually happening, and many are afraid truly viscerally afraid that a Democrat would Walz away from a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives at this crucial time.

One could argue that these early endorsements dont matter. In fact, Im pretty sure they wont affect the caucus or primary process too much. But they damage the party and the process in other ways. These early endorsements are a signal. The insiders have decided. More important, yes, there are insiders, and they decide things. Oh, did you want to have a role in the process? No problem. Show up at the caucuses, well let you know what weve decided.

Greg Laden is a science communicator, teacher, and political activist who blogs atScienceblogs.com.

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A plethora of early endorsements does not endear the new Democrats to the DFL - MinnPost

When Trump says its horrible ...

Scott Olson/Getty Images

The pain oftransportation fiascos tends to be sharp but short-lived, but the story of David Daothe 69-year-old doctor wrestled off a United Airlines flight by the Chicago Aviation Policemay be different.

Henry Grabar is a staff writer for Slates Moneybox.

That was horrible, President Trump told the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday.

On Thursday, Daos lawyer said his client had suffered a concussion, a broken nose, and lost his two front teeth when he lost his seat on a flight to Louisville on Sunday evening.

Enter the Democrats, who appear to be seizing a moment of bipartisan outrage to advance a hastily drafted set ofairline regulations. For starters, Dems on the House Transportation Committee have asked TransportationSecretary Elaine Chao to share the results of her departments investigation into the incident.

Chris Van Hollen, the Democraticsenator from Maryland, is seeking co-sponsors for a new bill called the Customers Not Cargo Act, which would direct Chao to revise the Department of Transportations oversale rule to prevent passengers from being removed after theyve been seated.

And Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut says hes working on a broader passenger bill of rights to address this issue and others. (Though as Kathryn Wolfe and Lauren Gardner note in Politico, the last attempt to impose some kind of passenger protections on the airline industry took five years.)

On the one hand, its easy to be cynical about politicians trying to grab their place in the outrage cycle. On the other, as I wrote Tuesday,it feels like Democrats should embrace this Square Deal strain ofliberalism. (Its not meatpacking anymore:Americans least-favorite consumer-facing industries areairlines, health insurance, phone companies, cable and satellite TV, and internet providers.)

Now is an especially good time to agitate for a new raft of consumer protections since the Republican Party is currently undertaking unpopular attacks on those very things. In February, President Trump delayed an Obama-era rule that required financial advisers to act in their clients best interests when picking retirement accounts. Last week, he signed a law to scuttle another Obama-era rule that forbade internet service providers from selling user data without permission.

Top Comment

Dems won the states that travel by air. They need to be the party of vehicles you find while mowing your lawn. More...

And whats on deck is a battle over the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, one of the most significant legal advances for financial industry customers in the past half-century, which House Republicans would like to abolishreducing oversight of payday loans, private education loans, credit card contracts, and more.

That shouldnt be popular with constituents. If Democrats do their job right, David Dao wont be the only one losing his seat.

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Democrats Are Already Trying to Make Themselves the Party of Protecting Air Travelers - Slate Magazine (blog)

110TH TENNESSEE GENERAL ASSEMBLYLawmakers call for more oversight of state prisons | 0:36

Democrats are pushing for more oversight of state prisons after an attack Sunday. Jake Lowary/USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee

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State lawmakers push for more oversight of prisons. Jake Lowary/USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee

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Sen. Bo Watson discusses de-annexation in Senate committee. Jake Lowary/The Tennessean

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Minority Leader Craig Fitzhugh discusses Medicaid expansion. Jake Lowary/The Tennessean

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Chris Blue of The Voice sings Star Spangled Banner in Tennessee House of Representatives. Jake Lowary/The Tennessean

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5 things to watch this week in the Tennessee General Assembly Wochit

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Sen. Kerry Roberts speaks supporting relocating Polk to Columbia. Jake Lowary/The Tennessean

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Sen. Bo Watson speaks against moving Polk remains to Columbia.

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Over 100 years since he was last moved, James K. Polk might have a new final resting place. Kirk A. Bado

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What to watch the week of March 27th in the Tennessee General Assembly Wochit

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5 things coming up this week in the legislature you should pay attention to. Jake Lowary/The Tennessean

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Some legislation to keep an eye on this week. Wochit

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Speaker Harwell remembers Douglas Henry Wochit

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Pro-choice supporters congratulate Rep. John Ray Clemmons after abortion bill halted. Jake Lowary/The Tennessean

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Maisy Stella plays before state Senate. She stars on the CMT show Nashville.

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The Nashville delegation leads tribute to the late Sen. Doug Henry.

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Lt. Gov. Randy McNally remarks on the late Sen. Doug Henry.

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A look at 5 topics coming up this week in Nashville. Jake Lowary/Tennessean

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Democrats tout delay in privatization of state parks at weekly press conference.

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Randy McNally on future of public records.

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Protestors flank Democrats at news conference about their Peoples Bill of Rights package of legislation. Jake Lowary/Tennessean

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Lawmakers aim to increase penalties for elder abuse. Jake Lowary/Tennessean

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Here's 5 things that are happening this week in the state legislature. Week of Feb. 27-March 2. Wochit

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Week of Feb. 20 Kirk A. Bado

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David Haw, R-Greeneville, discusses transportation legislation. Joel Ebert / The Tennessean

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David Hawk, R-Greenevill discusses transportation legislation. Joel Ebert / The Tennessean

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Protestors brought a swift end to a news conference Wednesday about controversial legislation in Tennessee. Jake Lowary/USA Today Network Tennessee

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Protestors followed lawmakers who are sponsoring controversial legislation in Tennessee's legislature. Jake Lowary

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Supply side economist Arthur Laffer testifies about the gas tax plan before the legislature. Laffer is popular economist in conservative circles for his emphasis on keeping taxes low and applied to the broadest base. Jake Lowary

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Freshman state House Rep. Mark Lovell has submitted his letter of resignation amid allegations he had inappropriate contact with a woman last week, several sources, including a Tennessee Republican lawmaker, told The Tennessean. Kyleah Starling / Tennessean / Wochit

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Democratic Rep. Bo Mitchell calls for 'Jeremy's Law' repeal in wake of scandals involving Republican lawmakers Jeremy Durham and Mark Lovell

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Rep. John Ray Clemmons and Sen. Sara Kyle share their alternative to address Tennessee transportation backlogs. Jake Lowary/USA Today Network

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Here's a quick look at 5 things to watch for this week at the capitol in Nashville. Jake Lowary, Joel Ebert/Tennessean

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Tennessee lawmakers are back in session. Here are five things to watch for the week of Feb. 5. Joel Ebert and Duane W. Gang / The Tennessean

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Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam on Jan. 30, 2017 gave his annual State of the State address before the General Assembly. Here are three takeways from his speech, the next to last before leaving office. Joel Ebert and Duane W. Gang / The Tennessean / Wochit

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Gov. Bill Haslam's 2017-18 budget includes $100 million for teacher pay raises and $22.2 million for English-language learning students. Jason Gonzales / The Tennessean / Wochit

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Sen. Doug Overbey discussed wilfire recovery efforts Tuesday in the Senate finance committee meeting in Nashville. Jake Lowary/Tennessean

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Rep. David Hawk, R-Greeneville, reacts to Gov. Bill Haslam's State of the State address Jan. 30 at the capitol. Jake Lowary/Tennessean

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Sen. Jim Tracy, R-Shelbyville, reacts to Gov. Bill Haslam's State of the State address Jan. 30 at the capitol. Jake Lowary/Tennessean

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Democrats Rep. Mike Stewart and Sen. Jeff Yarbro, both of Nashville, react to State of the State address Jan. 30 at the capitol. Jake Lowary/Tennessean

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Gov. Bill Haslam outlined his 2018 budget with reporters on Jan. 30 at the capitol. Jake Lowary/Tennessean

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State of the State Kirk Bado / The Tennessean

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Norris reacts to State of the State.

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Here are 5 big topics coming up to watch for this week in the 110th General Assembly. Jake Lowary / The Tennessean / Wochit

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Gov. Bill Haslam on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017 announced efforts to expand broadband access. Adam Tamburin/The Tennessean

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Gov. Bill Haslam announced the latest plank of his legislative agenda -- a broadband initiative -- Thursday morning at Cane Ridge High School in Antioch. Haslam's plan will provide $45 million over 3 years in grants and tax credits for service providers. The governor said theplan focuses on three broad issues: funding, cutting regulation and education "digital literacy." Karen Kraft / The Tennessean

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The plan, which is officially known as the Improving Manufacturing, Public Roads and Opportunities for a Vibrant Economy or IMPROVE ACT was unveiled on Wednesday. Karen Kraft / The Tennessean

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Sen. Doug Overbey discusses Gatlinburg recovery after a meeting Thursday at the legislature in Nashville. Jake Lowary / The Tennessean

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With lawmakers set to return to Nashville on Tuesday to officially convene the 110th General Assembly, the session is expected to cover a multitude of issues ranging from a potential gas tax increase to how to spend the state's budget surplus. Kyleah Starling/The Tennessean

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Outgoing Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey talks about retiring from the leadership position in the Tennessee legislature. Lacey Atkins / Tennessean

Original post:
Democrats seek leverage from Haslam as gas tax vote nears - The Tennessean

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Republican voters in Georgias special election have caught up to the hefty advantage that Democrats built in early voting, according to two elections analyses, and are poised to take the lead on Friday.

Democrat Jon Ossoffs campaign for the suburban Atlanta district was buoyed by early numbers that gave left-leaning voters a sizable lead in the early voting. But thats all but vanished as the Tuesday election nears and more early voting sites open.

One reason the Democratic voter numbers may have stalled: While Democrats appeared to quickly consolidate around Ossoff, the leading contender of five Democrats on the ballot, Republicans may have taken longer to choose between the 11 GOP contenders on the ballot.

Nate Cohn, the New York Times polling expert, tweeted that roughly 42 percent of the 46,000 or so early ballots cast are from Democratic-leaning voters, while Republican-leaning voters have cast 41 percent of the ballots. He predicted Republicans will take the lead on Friday, the final day of early voting.

Thats in line with the analysis of Michael McDonald, a University of Florida political scientists who also crunched the numbers.

The early voting numbers are far from fool-proof, but they are considered an indicator of voter enthusiasm. And they could complicate Ossoffs goal of winning the race outright on Tuesday by getting a majority of the vote. In the mid-40s in most of the polls, the Democrat hopes a late push can close the gap.

Ossoff told students at Georgia Tech on Thursday that his internal polling and early voting numbers show the race still give him an opening to win the 18-candidate race outright on Tuesday and avoid a head-to-head matchup against a Republican on June 20.

The early voting numbers and our internal polling continue to demonstrate that this is winnable on Tuesday, he said, but its only winnable if we sprint through the finish line with more intensity, more passion and less sleep than any other campaign out there.

More AJC coverage of the Sixth District race:

Nearly $14M in ads have flooded Georgias Sixth for special election

Ossoff pulls in record donations for Georgia special election

Georgia Democrats, Republicans seek lessons in tight Kansas race

With Ossoff at the gates, Republicans try to fortify Georgias Sixth

Ossoff fights top-secret attacks in Georgia special election

Staff raids and social media hijinks: GOP infighting ramps up in Georgia Sixth In the final week, Karen Handel becomes a target for GOP rivals

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Republicans catch up to Democrats in Georgia special election early voting - Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)