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Saturday Night Live has already effectively declared war on Donald Trump but now, it seems, the sketch comedy series has the rest of the Republican party in its crosshairs. As the Democratic Senators and members of Congress continue to voice their loud and vehement opposition to the Trump administration, the Republicans have, for the most part, gone along for the Mr. Trumps wild ride. Now, Saturday Night Live is officially calling them out.

Sure, there are a few exceptions to the lock-step Republican support network. Senator John McCain has made a show of voice Trump disapproval (though his actions dont necessarily align with his rhetoric). Senator Lindsay Graham has also voiced concern over the Trump administrationthough he was met with boos on Saturday morning after saying I agree with [Trump] mostly.

In other words, the Democrats may not want to hold their breath waiting for a Republican anti-Trump hero. Thats the joke of this cute fake movie trailer promoting a sweeping biopic of a Republican hero brave enough to oppose Trump. Lacking any options, the voice-over inserts an acerbic TBD each time their heros name is called for. Theres only one thing for certain: that biopic is definitely not about Paul Ryan.

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Watch SNL Mercilessly Rip Republicans Who Refuse to Stand up to Donald Trump - Vanity Fair

That was then. This is now.

In 1999, Republicans snapped Democrats century-long run on legislative power by promising Virginians a General Assembly that would be fair and balanced. Except for a brief Democratic hiatus in the Virginia Senate, Republicans remain the dominant party at Mr. Jeffersons Capitol because of redistricting, a practice that is anything but fair and balanced.

To keep it that way, House Republicans are spending taxpayer money: at least $2.6 million so far for private lawyers to defend their hyperpartisan gerrymandering. That bill will balloon the longer Republicans litigate the longer they refuse to legislate a remedy to a problem the public increasingly recognizes as an obstacle to managing the peoples business.

This past week, a Richmond trial court and the U.S. Supreme Court, through important procedural and technical decisions, nudged Virginia closer to removing naked partisanship from the process of drawing legislative lines and stripping Republicans of the artificial advantage with which they retain the statehouse even as they endure a long, bitter retreat statewide.

Over the wishes of Republicans, Circuit Judge Ry Marchant cleared the way for a trial later this month on whether as alleged by a redistricting reform group, OneVirginia2021 nearly a dozen districts in the House of Delegates and state Senate violate a Virginia constitutional requirement that their boundaries be compact, creating seats that reflect a regions shared characteristics, or so-called communities of interest.

The Senate districts were actually drawn by Democrats because they controlled the chamber at the time. It is a reminder that Democrats, too, are anything but innocent when it comes to the Darwinism that drives redistricting.

In this instance, survival is a consequence of creative cartography and the slender Democratic majority that made it possible.

The fight in Marchants courtroom will likely continue in the Virginia Supreme Court, which has yet to establish standards for determining the compactness of House and Senate districts.

It is an issue largely avoided in some of the courts recent rulings on redistricting. In 1992 and 2002, when upholding Democratic and Republican plans, respectively, the court allowed that the legislature has broad latitude in crafting districts.

The U.S. Supreme Court ordered a do-over by a three-judge trial court that upheld 11 majority-black House districts that Democrats contend intentionally eroded African-American voting strength in surrounding areas, thus protecting Republicans.

The justices said the trial court must reconsider the districts, using narrower guidelines that could make it easier to prove that race illegally guided Republicans.

Perhaps forgotten in these two disputes: They focus on redistricting plans in place since 2011. Because they have perpetuated Republican legislative hegemony and hostility to depoliticized redistricting the struggle over House, Senate and congressional boundaries fully shifted to the courts.

This has kept the issue in plain view and created fresh opportunities for Republican resistance; notably, running down the clock.

The trial in state court and the reconsideration by the federal court mean that the redistricting fight will drag on for months, preserving the contested boundaries on which the Republicans 2-to-1 majority in the House rests.

Those lines, paired with the low turnout of an off-year election that magnifies the strength of the narrowing Republican base, could be a firewall against Democratic challenges fueled by anti-Trump rage in a state that tipped to Hillary Clinton. Democrats, so far, have candidates for about 30 Republican seats. But holding the House could mean little for Republicans and their long-term goal of controlling the legislature into the 2030s.

For that to happen, Republicans need one of their own elected governor this year and for their majorities in the House and Senate to survive the 2019 elections. Then, Republicans would be in 2021, as they were in 2011, in full command of redistricting, happily drawing the friendliest lines, confident that the governor would sign them into law and, no doubt, triggering another years-long tussle in the courts, again financed by taxpayers.

This should call attention to the role of Ed Gillespie, the supposed front-runner for the Republican gubernatorial nomination, in legislative gerrymandering, not just in Virginia, but across the country.

It is becoming a Democratic talking point, with Tom Perriello and Ralph Northam rivals for their partys nomination for governor signaling they would use the veto to stop a lopsidedly Republican redistricting plan.

Gillespie was chairman of the Republican State Leadership Conference, the national organization that supplied the money and minds necessary to install GOP majorities in the state legislatures, which, in turn, draw congressional seats.

Because Republicans now hold two-thirds of the nations legislative chambers, it is no surprise that they are comfortably in charge of the U.S. House of Representatives.

These days, Gov. Terry McAuliffe is practically mimicking Gillespie, a political opponent but a personal friend from their many days together lolling in the Washington swamp as chairmen of their national parties. McAuliffe is joining former President Barack Obama and top members of his administration in an effort to give Democrats an upper hand in redistricting.

So when McAuliffe brays about nonpartisan redistricting, Republicans justifiably guffaw as they did on Wednesday, when the governor responded to the U.S. Supreme Court decision by proposing they quit their pricey court fight and consent to an independent panel redrawing the 11 disputed House districts. McAuliffes offer only steeled Republican intransigence.

But as long as the redistricting issue is before the courts, Republicans face a peril. Judges could rule against them, forcing adjusted boundaries and, in the process, creating districts hostile to the GOP.

In the federal case, the ripple effect of court-ordered shifts could cause headaches in the Richmond area for Manoli Loupassi, John OBannon and Jimmie Massie. Even the mastermind of the 2011 House Republican plan, Chris Jones of Suffolk, could have problems.

Republican lawyers believe that 2019 is the earliest that House seats could be reset should the party lose in court. History suggests otherwise, perhaps auguring a special election next year.

In 1981, federal judges rejected as racially biased a Democrat-drawn House redistricting plan. In their ruling, the judges said it was too late to fix the offending districts.

But the court decreed that delegates, elected for two years, could only serve for one under the flawed plan; that they would have to stand in new districts in a special election in 1982 and, again, in 1983 for a full term. In those three consecutive elections, Republicans would pick up seats, gaining momentum toward their historic takeover in 1999.

That was then. This is now.

Contact Jeff E. Schapiro at (804) 649-6814. His column appears Wednesday and Sunday. Watch his video column Thursday on Richmond.com. Follow him on Facebook and on Twitter, @RTDSchapiro. Listen to his analysis 8:45 a.m. Friday on WCVE (88.9 FM).

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Schapiro: Va. Republicans on defense over redistricting - Richmond.com

Funnel list

Here is a scorecard on the status of some issues getting consideration during the 2017 Iowa legislative session:

ALIVE

Ban traffic cameras (SF220)

Legalize the sale of consumer fireworks (SF236)

End public funding to Planned Parenthood clinics (SF2)

Make texting while driving a primary offense (SF234)

Ban use of hand-held electronic devices while driving (SF407/ HSB139)

Relax gun restrictions/authorize stand your ground actions (HSB133)

Bar abortion procedures after 20th week of pregnancy (SF53)

Expand water quality efforts to curb pollutants (HSB135/SSB1034)

Revamp workers compensation law (SSB1170/HSB169)

Ramp up election integrity/voter ID protections (SSB1163/HSB93)

Establish state regulation of traffic cameras (SF196)

Require local entities/colleges to enforce federal immigration laws (HF265/SSB1170)

Preempt local employment/civil rights provisions beyond state standard (HF295)

Repeal nickel bottle deposit/create recycle fund (HSB163)

Place financial caps on medical malpractice damages (SSB1075)

Enhance regulations for unmanned aerial drones (HSB88)

Prohibit sale/trafficking of fetal body parts (HF144)

Authorize DOT officers to issue traffic citations (HF463/SSB1036)

Extend access to marijuana-derived cannabis oil for treating epilepsy (HSB164)

Impose new 24/7 crack down on drunken/impaired drivers (SSB1101)

Grants right to farm protections against nuisance lawsuits (HF468)

Repeal prohibition on unattended vehicle with motor running (HF312/SSB1020)

Amend constitution to give schools home rule authority like cities/counties (SJR6)

Bar protesters from intentionally blocking major highways (HF226)

End election campaign income tax checkoff for 2017 tax year (HF242)

Establish first-time homebuyer savings accounts (SF426)

Grant immunity to 911 callers for under-age drinking emergencies (SSB1088)

Abolish county compensation boards (HSB11)

Take steps to dismantle DM Water Works (HF316/SSB1146)

Require job impact statement for administrative rules (SF1)

Require most Iowa businesses to use E-verify to identify illegal workers (SF412)

Ban mandated project labor agreements for public construction projects (SSB1145)

Legalize fantasy sports activities (HSB52)

Allow right-to-try medical treatments for terminally ill patients (SSB1115/SF40)

Enhance laws for safe biking on highways (HSB130)

Expand private-sector employee drug testing to include hair samples (SF32)

Create crime for using simulated firearm or explosive (SF414)

Increase flexibility for school district operations/powers (HF26)

Expand grounds for termination of parental rights (SF89)

Allow city council members to serve as volunteer firefighters (HF264)

Require security plans for school buildings (HF353)

Modify criminal sentences for crack cocaine convictions (HF377)

Prohibit the mistreatment of animals (SF421)

Amend constitution to require 99 percent state budget limitation (SJR1)

Remove $6,000 limit on tuition grants (SF349)

Require potential concussion/brain injury reporting for high school athlete (HF17)

Call for an Article V convention to propose amendments to the U.S. Constitution (HJR11)

Modify high-school equivalency assessments (SF350)

Eliminate Iowa emergency response commission (SF351)

Strike future repeal of the property assessment appeal board (SF356)

Exempt state/county fairs from damage for pathogen transmission (SF362)

Require licensing of genetic counselors (HF444)

Protect utilities critical infrastructure from cyber attacks (HF445/SSB1045)

Reduce penalty for first-offense marijuana possession (SF280)

Switch judicial nominating commission appointments to governor only (SF327)

Protect Iowans from application of certain foreign laws (HF223)

Expand firearms on ATVs to hired hands/renters (SF227)

Allow use of straight wall cartridge rifles for deer hunting (HF210)

Allow permitted individual to carry firearm on school grounds (SF146)

Strengthen re-employment protections for Iowa National Guard soldiers (SF373)

Create state income tax credit for buying a qualified gun safe (HF461)

Shift burden of proof/make other changes to asset forfeiture (SSB1148)

Set primary runoff election when no one polls 35 percent of vote (SF33)

Allow ATV trails to cross highways (HF464/SF311)

Allows trucks traveling highways in a connected platoon (HF465)

Allows two of five soil conservation commissions to reside in same township (HF469)

Issue high school equivalency diploma based on demonstrated competence in core areas (HF473)

Allow straight wall rifles to hunt deer (HF475)

Strike repeal of property assessment board (HF478)

Study long-term care facility for elderly with aggressive/psychiatric behaviors (HF345/HR7)

Amend constitution to address electronic search/seizure (HJR1)

Transfer solid waste alternatives program to DNR (SF273)

Adopt computer science education standards for schools (SF274)

Enhance parental rights termination for safety/security concerns (SF275)

Expand crime victim compensation program (SF276)

Shield state/county fairs from damages for pathogen transmissions (SF210)

Enhance crime of sexual exploitation by a school employee (SF238)

Make confidential peace officers personnel records (SF241)

Transit to judicial nominating commission appointed solely by governor (SF327)

Increase health insurance premiums for legislators (SF230)

Enhance criminal penalties for using GPS to stalk/harass (HF263)

Allow renters/hired hands to carry firearm on ATV/snowmobile (SF296)

Allow drivers to make double turns against red lights (SF251/HF372)

Allow prescribing of natural biological medical products (HF305)

Bar extra academic credit for students who contribute school supplies (HF304)

Require vehicles involved in minor accidents to be removed from roadway (HF313)

Prohibit minors from using a tanning facility (HF395)

Set parameters for bass fishing tournaments in public waters (SF257)

Bar state restrictions for hunting on private property (SF258)

Allow boats with large motors on Lake Macbride at no-wake speed (SF259)

Provide landowner immunity for injury to a trespasser (SF260/HF251)

Set regular review/repeal for state programs/projects (HF1)

Allow certified peace officer to carry weapon on school grounds (SF218)

Extend maximum length for single trucks on highway to 41 feet (HF218)

Increase fishing /hunting license fees (HSB175)

DEAD

Reinstate death penalty for kidnap, rape and murder (SF335)

View original post here:
Statehouse Republicans making mark with 2017 session - Quad City Times

JACKSONVILLE, Ala.

If the Democratic Party is ailing after losing the presidency to Donald Trump, state parties are on life support.

Here in the long-ago Democratic stronghold of Alabama, the party is all but dead, say some of its disheartened members. Consider: Not a single statewide office is held by a Democrat; the state legislature is dominated by Republicans with just 33 Democrats out of 105 House seats and eight of 35 Senate seats.

Democrats havent won a U.S. Senate election in the state since 1992 or the governorship since 1998. There are no Democratic appellate judges, nor any Democratic members of the states Public Service Commission. Democrats also are becoming scarcer in county offices.

The Democratic Party in Alabama is on a crash-and-burn track unless something drastic happens to stop this runaway train, said Sheila Gilbert, chair of the Calhoun County Democrats, who hand-delivered a letter outlining the partys problems following a speech I gave at Jacksonville State University as the Ayers lecturer.

The letter was signed by Gilbert as a leader of the Alabama Democratic Reform Caucus (ADRC) and 17 other members in attendance. The group, which formed two years ago to try to help revive the state party, wasnt coy about its reason for approaching me.

We need a spotlight on Alabama and some outside effort to avoid becoming a totally one-party state, Gilbert said.

I didnt bother to mention that the current U.S. attorney general, former Alabama senator Jeff Sessions, was shining quite a spotlight on their home state. Whether Sessions is forced to resign after already recusing himself from investigations related to the 2016 election campaign, including Russias possible role, remains to be seen. The fall of such a high-profile Republican could be useful to Democrats back home trying to defibrillate the party.

But Gilberts group has been critical of state Democratic Party officials for missing an opportunity to recruit candidates when other Republican politicians were in trouble, including the governor and House speaker. A recent meeting of county and state party leaders reportedly became heated when state Chairwoman Nancy Worley offered to call police to escort one county chairman from the room and may be emblematic more broadly of the partys disintegration from within.

The GOP went through this same sort of infighting and navel-gazing on the national level several years back. After losing the presidency to Barack Obama in 2008, it regrouped, reformed itself and became disciplined. Now it has taken the House, Senate, White House and most of the nations governorships, while also successfully gerrymandering congressional districts that have given Republicans the advantage in many states at least until the next redistricting after the 2020 Census.

Democrats are readying themselves for that fight, but theyll need to do more than try to redraw the map. While Democrats were basking in Obamas sunny smile, Republicans were busy building benches of future leaders, especially at the state attorney general level, where they are now in the majority. The strategy has been to recruit and help elect strong attorneys general who could be groomed to become governors, senators and possibly presidents.

What, meanwhile, can Democrats do, a fellow in the audience asked me. There was a plaintive tone in his voice and I wanted to help, though the truth is, Im not accustomed to Democrats asking my advice. But in the spirit of it takes two to tango and the fact that Id rather not live in a country exclusively run by either party Ill give it a fresh, morning-after stab.

Whats really ailing Democrats is theyve fallen in love with abstract principles, as reflected on an ADRC handout, without building a foundation where such goals as fair pay, transparency, diversity and such can be played out. Trump may have been coarse and loose at times during the campaign, but he spoke in plain language with plain meaning: jobs, jobs, jobs.

Whether Trump could fix trade, create jobs and make money for the rest of us was a gamble people were willing to take. Fixing the economy was Obamas mandate, too, but he decided to focus on health care instead. This is where lust for legacy interferes with good governance. Obama did manage to help turn the economic steamship around the market bounced from just under 8,000 when he took office to nearly 20,000 but Wall Streets recovery didnt trickle down to the middle class, where Trump planted his flag.

When in doubt, look to the victor.

Read more from Kathleen Parkers archive, follow her on Twitter or find her on Facebook.

Original post:
It's the Democrats' turn to take a tip from Republicans - Washington Post

SHARONVILLE, Ohio -- Republicans and Democrats rallied in Sharonville Saturday, though at two separate events.

At Sharon Woods Park, supporters of President Donald Trump wore pins, flew flags and cheered in support of what they called "the president's America-first ideals." It was one of numerous pro-Trump events across the country.

"He's an economic nationalist," Nathan Shroder of Fairfield said. "I really like how he wants to keep jobs in America. He wants to put America first, rather than outsource jobs to the Third World."

Outside the Sharonville Convention Center, demonstrators gathered in hopes of catching the attention of local GOP leaders as they met for an annual breakfast hosted by the Northeast Hamilton County Republican Club.

Michaela Little of Hamilton voiced her support for the Affordable Care Act, which her family uses for healthcare coverage.

"We can talk with them about our concerns -- our concerns about healthcare, our concerns about immigrants, our concerns about trans rights, our concerns about peoples' rights in general," she said.

Little said they hoped to get face-to-face town hall meetings with representatives from Ohio.

"I dont think things work in a democracy without open communication," she said.

Demonstrators are both rallies said they plan organize to gather more support for their positions.

See the original post here:
Republicans, Democrats rally at separate Sharonville events - WCPO