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By: Eli Bowman

NATIONAL HARBOR, MD Its no surprise that certain media outlets have received criticism from President Trump. Attacks during campaign season, as well as recent criticisms of the Presidents policies and executive orders have likely been the fuel for Trumps media hating fire. A source close to the President said If he could hed rather burn fake news reporters instead of booksbut hes sticking with books for now.

Large left-leaning media outlets such as CNN and The New York Times were banned from a White House press conference earlier today. The Overton window would suggest that this slippery slope will soon turn into a regular occurrence.

Among the media outlets that have been journalistically castrated by the white house are wildly popular libertarian publications The Libertarian Republic, Liberty Hangout, and Liberty Viral. They were banned from todays white house briefing as well.

Of course, youd never know it because these three publications were also banned from the articles naming the media outlets that were banned.

This is a shame for our readers. We work tirelessly to put our lighthearted, yet informative pieces to advance liberty and be included in the list of exclusions. Being left of the list of excluded media is a big league mistake. Grant Deltzsaid in letter to Liberty Virals subscribers. Trump responded via Twitter.

When Kody Fairfield, Editor-in-chief of The Libertarian Republic, was asked about the matter he said It doesnt make sense. I understand being banned from the white house for doing unbiased journalism, but to be banned from the list of banned media outletsthats a real punch in the gut. Well, Trump is banned from TLR in that case then. Thatll piss him off.

When hearing of his ban from TLR Trump took to Twitter.

Keith Doiron, founder of The J3BOLUTION and Chairman of the Please Clap Foundation cant believe it either, telling us in a text message Ive clapped for many things before that werent necessarily popular at the time, but I just cant clap for thisnot even if Jeb! asked me to. Lets just say that Jeb Bush wont ban those three groups when hes President in 2020.

President Trump initially denied our requests for comment but then tweeted out the following.

Justin Moldow, founder of Liberty Hangout, had this to say about the sneak diss. Its a total shock to me. On his helicopter he specifically told me that Liberty Hangout would never be excluded from briefings and press conferences. He said that right to my faceon his helicopter. Now, Im about to take him for another helicopter ride.

While libertarian media outlets are hoping to be able to once again gain access to the White House, this tweet from The Cheeto King isnt promising:

Liberty Virallibery hangoutsmediapress corpssatireThe Libertarian RepublicWhite House

Read the original here:
Libertarian Media Outlets Denied Access To White House Exclusion List - The Libertarian Republic

Rep. Devin Nunes on Saturday night urged California Republicans to regain relevancy by pushing ballot initiatives that could be a tough sell with the states voters, ones that would create battles potentially costing tens of millions of dollars to wage.

The ideas he floated in his speech to the state GOP convention include increasedoffshore oil drilling, elimination ofthe state income tax, shifting the Legislature into one body or part-time status, moving bonds earmarked for high-speed railto water storageand changing how public employee union dues are collected.

Nunes, a Central Valley representative who chairs the powerful House Intelligence Committee, said the state'sRepublicans needed to be as bold as President Trump was during his campaign.

"Isnt it nice to win?" Nunes told hundreds of supporters attending the convention'sdinner event. "This guy put it all on the line. He was willing to lose. We have to be willing to lose."

Most of the proposals have either proven unappealing to California voters in the polls, have lost at the ballot box already, or would require enormous structural changes to the states government and finances.

For example, a ballot initiative to transfer high-speed rail money to water storage failed to garner sufficient donors to earn a spot on the fall 2016 ballot .

More than 6 in 10 likely California voters opposed increased offshore oil drilling in a July 2016 poll by the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California.

In 2012, a ballot measure that would have banned automatic public employee union dues from being used for political purposes, Proposition 32 , failed by a 56%-43% margin.

Nunes'suggestion of eliminating California'spersonal income tax stands in stark contrast to data from the state Department of Finance estimating it will comprise68% of all general fund revenues in the fiscal year that begins this summer.

Nunes, speaking to reporters after his speech, said the money could be replacedby changing the state's sales tax.

"Its been a few years since I worked on it, but we looked at doing, basically, a broader type of sales tax," he said. "You would just basically get rid of the income tax and just basically have a consumption type system."

He said such a move would not be regressive.

"Its a very transparent way to do it, 150 countries around the world do it that way, theres no reason why the state of California couldnt do it,"Nunes said.

A state commission studied a similar tax plan in2009 , but theproposal was summarily rejected by state lawmakers.

Nunestold the delegates and their guests that if the ballot measures fail, Republicans should keep trying until they succeed. He later told reporters that he estimated it would cost the state GOP $10 million to $12 million each election cycle that theinitiatives appear on the ballot.

"I would argue thats the best $10 or $12 million we could spend by putting the initiatives on the ballot and therefore puttinga Republican agenda on the ballot each election, he said.

"I think it would show people in California what we actually stand for. I think right now it's very difficult to get our message across because were drowned out."

Kevin Spillane, a veteran GOP strategist, said Nunes proposals were not realistic.

"It sounds like smoke and mirrors rather than a practical political strategy for Republicans in California. Congressman Nunes has failed to sponsor any ballot measures in the past. Its hard to believe he would do so in the future.

Read the original post:
Rep. Devin Nunes tells California Republicans to push five ballot initiatives, though each could face tall hurdles - Los Angeles Times

WASHINGTON For Republicans on Capitol Hill, Vice President Mike Pence was supposed to be the calm, steadying hand in the White House, the seasoned former Indiana governor and congressman who would be their ears and mouth in the neophyte Trump administration.

Then Pence went on national television last month, before Donald Trump was even sworn in, to assure America that the man selected to be the national security adviser, Michael Flynn, never discussed sanctions against Russia with the Russian ambassador.

It wasnt true, of course. But Pence didnt know that it was false, and that Flynn had discussed sanctions with the ambassador the very day the Obama administration leveled them in retaliation for Russias attempts to manipulate the U.S. election.

Pence and his many GOP supporters didnt find out hed been misled until mid February, although other top officials in the White House were warned of Flynns dishonesty weeks earlier, in late January. Flynn was forced to resign.

Now, imagine being a Republican on Capitol Hill, and learning that sequence of events involving the man the GOP establishment sees as a sort of safety blanket in the volatile administration.

Um, said Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), pausing a full five seconds before offering an uncomfortable laugh and trying to answer whether he was reassured that Pence was not part of the deception, or concerned that the GOPs voice in the White House was entirely out of the loop.

Let me say, I think Mike Pence is very much in the thick of things, and policy, in the administration, Wicker said.

He never really answered whether he was reassured or concerned. But he was clear that he still had confidence in Pence, who served with Wicker when they were both members of the House.

Indeed, all the Republicans HuffPost spoke to just before Congress went on its current recess expressed similar strong support for Pence, while struggling with the implications of a White House that kept him in the dark for two weeks.

Um... Well, said Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.), another former House colleague of the vice president, who professed he was not up to speed on the reports of Pence being left out.

Still, it didnt sound good, in theory, to Boozman.

As a general rule, youd always want the vice president in the middle of whats going on, Boozman said especially Pence.

Hes a strong personality, hes a thoughtful guy, he understands Congress, so he really is a natural in regards to going forward, Boozman said. Ive got all the confidence in the world in him. So Id like very much for him to be a major part of the decision-making process, whatever it is.

Some Republicans who have been critical of Trump in the past were willing to express alarm.

Of course its concerning, said Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

We dont know what was going on in the White House, as far as the decision-making process is concerned, McCain added. When we have things like the immigration order and we have the vice president saying things, given information, telling the American people that are not true, there is a certain lack of coherence there.

One thing they all agreed on Pence is not the problem.

Mike obviously is a good guy and a good friend, said Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.). Im kinda glad he wasnt part of it, but Im sure hes not seeking to be excluded. Hell be fine. and Im sure theyll correct the issues they have.

Perhaps the White House will correct the dysfunction, but over the past week, fresh reports have highlighted Russian ties to Trumps campaign.

One report revealed a possible attempt to blackmail former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort, who resigned after documents surfaced suggesting he was secretly paid millions by Russia-backed Ukrainians.

Other reports revealed that Trump White House officials attempted to influence the FBI, which is investigating aspects of Russian influence on the election. The officials, including Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, tried to get officials in the agency as well as overseers on Capitol Hill to deny news that Trump campaign contacts with Russian intelligence officials werenear constantfor a year.

Whether the federal or congressional investigations end up implicating Trump or any of his aides in attempts to collude with a foreign power to sway an American election is not a question that can be answered yet.

But for all the talk of chaos in the White House for the first month of Trumps reign, Senate Republicans were clear in expressing confidence in the person who would be first in line to replace the president.

Hes been actively involved in the political process and also the governmental process of making political decisions, but also the how-do-you-govern-day-to-day, said Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.). So thats something thats very valuable.

Asked directly if the administration had treated Pence well in cutting him out of the loop on Flynn, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) made clear the value Republicans see in Trumps No. 2.

Mike Pence has been the indispensable player, McConnell told reporters just before the recess, which ends Monday. Yeah, hes a huge value added for us. We all know him. He has, I think well all stipulate, a very different kind of personality from the president.

See more here:
If Trump Implodes, Republicans Have A Silver Lining In Mike Pence - Huffington Post

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Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens addresses attendees to his meet and greet event as part of Lincoln Days at the University Plaza Hotel in Springfield, Mo. on Feb. 25, 2017.(Photo: Guillermo Hernandez Martinez/News-Leader)Buy Photo

Signs for about two dozen successful Republican campaigns greeted crowds of conservatives assembling for the 2017 Missouri Lincoln Days inside the University Plaza Hotel on Saturday.

The annual Republican celebration was expected to draw more than 1,000 attendees, and state lawmakers, local party officials and private citizens were among those gathered to catch up with old friends and to hear what their leaders had to say.

Though speakers such as Sen. Roy Blunt, Gov. Eric Greitens and Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft hit serious notes at times, the mood of the day was celebratory.

"We have these events in good years and bad years," said Todd Graves, chairman of the Missouri Republican Party. "Some of them are like funerals, and some of them are like weddings. This one's more like a wedding."

Protesters lining the street, demanding to inquire directly of Blunt and calling their gathering a "street town hall,"were visible from outside the door to the hotel's Kansas Room. Inside, the recently re-elected Missouri senator spoke at a breakfast co-hosted with the Missouri Pachyderms.

The News-Leader was not allowed to enter the Kansas Room during Blunts speech. A spokeswoman for the senator, Burson Snyder, said the breakfasts closed doors were not related to the chanting protesters outside.

Danette Proctor, chair of the Greene County Republican Central Committee, and her husband, Darrell Proctor, heard Blunt speak and told the News-Leader the gist of his message.

They characterized the speech as upbeat, fitting for a Republican Party that asserted political dominance in November. Blunt talked about fixing the Affordable Care Act (without echoing calls to repeal and replace Obamacare), needing to undo former President Barack Obamas executive orders and scaling back regulations set by the Environmental Protection Agency.

In a brief interview later, Blunt said he didnt think the protest constituted a real town hall event. He said he didnt have a problem with peaceful protesting but didnt feel like the gathering outside the hotel was a good venue for conversation.

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Asked whether he would do a town hall in Missouri, Blunt demurred.

"I think there are so many better ways to communicate now than that," Blunt said, adding that he didn't do town halls during his first six years in the Senate but still "had lots of chances for lots of people to have input. And I think I'm going to continue to communicate the way that I have been."

"We're in constant communication every day with people however they want to communicate, and I think that's a better way to do that now," he continued. "We still answer all our phones with a person. Many senators don't do that."

As for what he was hearing from constituents, Blunt cited national security issues, improving mental health care(including a pilot program in Missouri), being cautious about new regulations, and upcoming confirmations for vacant positions in the federal judiciary.

"I feel like I've got a pretty full plateand look forward to the next six years," Blunt said.

While Blunt spoke behind closed doors, the Republican National Lawyers Association hosted several politically minded attorneys, including Jay Ashcroft, House Speaker Todd Richardson, R-Poplar Bluff, and several Springfieldians: Speaker Pro Tem Elijah Haahr, Assistant Majority Floor Leader Kevin Austin, and freshman Rep. Curtis Trent.

Ashcroft recalled attending former President Ronald Reagan's inauguration and not comprehending the meaning of Reagan's "Morning in America" tagline. After seeing his party's electoral successes in November, Ashcroft said he understands.

These wins filled Missouri's statewide offices with Republicans, and Ashcroft said this proved helpfulafter Missouri learned it would receive $10 million from Moody's Corp. as part of a nationwide settlement pertaining to inflated credit ratings.

But the night before the money was to go through, there was a "hiccup," Ashcroft said, an issue related to wording that led to a lack of agreement.

Ashcroft said he was able to call Attorney General Josh Hawley well after business hours, and the two newly elected officials were able to fix the problem.

The secretary of state fielded a question about Missouri's new voter identification law, and he downplayed concerns such as those raised by former Democratic Secretary of State Jason Kander that voter ID would hinder people from casting ballots.

"This is not about disenfranchising anyone, and frankly, for those people that don't have IDs, we're bringing them into society," Ashcroft said.

Ashcroft put the cost of implementing voter ID at about $1.5 million about five times what was allocated in Greitens' budget recommendations for the next fiscal year but lower than what Kander's office estimated.

Later in the morning, Greitens held a campaign-style rally to give supporters an update and to shake hands and take photos with members of the audience.

"We are in a fantastic position, my friends," Greitens said. "...Because of you, because of strong conservative leaders throughout this state, we have the opportunity to put in place a strong, common-sense conservative agenda here in Missouri."

Greitens spoke about his time with Vice President Mike Pence, who visited Missouri last week to attenda business roundtable and to help the hundreds of volunteers, including Greitens, who cleaned up a vandalized Jewish cemetery in St. Louis.

President Donald Trump called while Greitens and Pence were in a car together and asked the governor to thank Missourians, Greitens said to an appreciative crowd. Trump and Greitens are expected to meet soonin Washington, D.C.

Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens visits with Janice and James Nolan after his speech during his meet and greet event as part of Lincoln Days at the University Plaza Hotel in Springfield, Mo. on Feb. 25, 2017.(Photo: Guillermo Hernandez Martinez/News-Leader)

Greitens also said Pence was committed to repealing and replacing Obamacare and to spurring economic activity in Missouri. He thanked his supporters for their work and implored them to continue their efforts.

"When we start getting attacked, you are going to be our first line of defense," said Greitens, a former Navy SEAL.

He said conservatives would have more success when they spread the Republican message themselves than when the job was left to"members of the media."

"We're going to bring strong conservative change to the state of Missouri, and we're going to make Missouri a shining light, a fantastic beacon for what is possible in this fantastic country, the United States of America," Greitens said to cheers.

True to his commitment to speak directly to the people of Missouri, Greitens met with a lengthy line of fans and avoided reporters who wanted to ask him questions. He also walked past Rep. Nate Walker, R-Kirksville, who could be heard expressing his displeasure to one of Greitens' staffers.

Later, there was an open discussion featuring four of Greitens cabinet members:

Graves, the state party chair, served as the moderator, and he pointed out an obvious but important fact: All four officials are women.

"This is a step forward," Steelman said. "To see more Republican, conservative women taking an active role in government that's one of the big things that I'd like to see change, and I think Gov. Greitens is taking a great step in the right direction to make that happen."

(On the topic of whether Greitens is making a concerted effort to hire women, senior adviser Austin Chambers said on Twitter earlier this month that the governor "is focused on finding the best & brightest to help take MO in a new direction. And he's proven that with fantastic hires.")

Graves later asked the panel for their thoughts on how Republicans could do better with women voters.

Chinn suggested getting young people involved by reaching out through social media. Comer, who previously worked for Pence in Indiana, praised the state's Lugar Series as a valuable networking tool for women in politics.

Also during the discussion, Precythe acknowledged that the state prison system had been the focus of bad press in recent days. In November, Kansas City's The Pitch magazine described a vulgar culture of harassment in the Department of Corrections that led to $7.6 million in settlement payouts to employees.

"There is no place for sexual harassment, workplace harassment or retaliation in today's society, and we are not going to tolerate that," said Precythe, who previously held a leadership role in North Carolina's prison system. "I have no problem saying that that is a zero-tolerance (policy) for not reporting and a zero-tolerance for not responding. ... It is not going to go unaddressed any longer."

The four cabinet members addressed several other issues including:

Before breaking to enjoy treats at an ice cream social, members of the Pachyderm club listened to Missouri Republican Party vice chair Kay Hoflander give an update on the state party's efforts.

"All eyes forward" was Hoflander's theme. She meant that Republicans should focus their energy on their goals and not be deterred by distractions, such as disruptive protests at town halls.

In 2018, Hoflander predicted there would be a "loaded" primary among conservatives jockeying to challenge DemocraticSen. Claire McCaskill. Republicans also will have a chance that year to unseat Democratic Auditor Nicole Galloway.

Hoflander urged her small audience of about a dozen to listen to criticism but to disregard disinformation. She said media coverage at the state level had seemed fair to her since Greitens was elected, but she could not say the same for national coverage of Trump.

"Republicans aren't really how they are portrayed," Hoflander said.

Saturday's events were bookended by keynote speeches by Oklahoma Sen. James Lankford on Friday and North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis on Saturday. The last scheduled event was a prayer service Sunday morning.

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With 'all eyes forward,' Missouri Republicans converge in Springfield for Lincoln Days - Springfield News-Leader

Knoxville News Sentinel 3:03 a.m. ET Feb. 26, 2017

Letters to the Editor(Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The Obamacare repeal timeline is slipping away. Our representatives need to act. All Americans enrolled in the Affordable Care Act and those inother plans need to press our members of Congressto vote to repeal this act now.

We have all heard or personally experienced the horrors, lies and high costs that accompany this plan.

Democrats are stalling and will continue to create issues that cause Republicans to delay repeal,partly to support President Barack Obama's legacy.

With Republicans in charge of the House, Senate and White House, we must make it happen now, along with an effective cancellation date of at least two years. Then immediately form a replacement task force to put together the best parts of a replacement,drawing from the many attractive replacement bills submitted by members of Congress, some of whom were doctors. like Tom Price, newly confirmed Secretary of Health and Human Services.

It is very important that in your contacts with your members of Congress, including U.S. Sens. Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker, verbally and in writing stress that the bill must fully repeal Obamacareinstead of saying it must fully support repealing Obamacare. The latter wording leaves room for delay fostered by Democrats to creep in.

We need to help the president break the logjam holding up the ACA's repeal and as constituents continually press our representatives to act. Once this is accomplished, it will act as a very strong incentive to put together a suitable replacement.

The Washington phone numbers are 202-224-4944 for Alexander and 202-224-3344 for Corder.Your House of Representative member's phone number can be found at house.gov,page 19,.

We should all be delighted that we finally have the opportunity to repeal this horrible piece of legislation and help make America great again.

Michael Colicchio, Dandridge

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Letter: Republicans must repeal Obamacare soon - Knoxville News Sentinel