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GOProud / Guardian
Contributor to the Guardian and Co-Founder of GOProud, the former LGBT conservative advocacy group; former Political Director of the Log Cabin Republicans, a gay and lesbian political organization
PROFILE
Christopher Barron
Guest
FROM Christopher Barron
To the Point
All pomp and circumstance with Trump's declarations? Republicans hold the White House and both houses of Congress, and President Trump says big things are happening. But, so far, they’re not. After celebrating a House bill on health care, he doesn’t yet have Senate agreement. The tax bill he calls “ahead of schedule” hasn’t even been sent to Congress. His declaration of “Infrastructure Week” was more pomp and circumstance than the major bill-signing it appeared to be.
To the Point
The Voting Is Over; Let the Campaign Begin Hillary Clinton has all the delegates needed to stake her claim as the first woman nominee of a major political party. But Bernie Sanders will carry on. Despite accusing Donald Trump of "textbook" racism, House Speaker Paul Ryan is reportedly telling colleagues to continue backing their nominee. As for Trump, he did stick to a speech on a once-scorned teleprompter, but he was anything but contrite, and many Republicans are looking for cover. The bottom line? Both presumptive nominees have made clear that months of negative campaigning are just getting started.
To the Point
The Republicans Are Sending a Message: Never Say "Never" Republican Senator Lindsay Graham branded Donald Trump "a race baiting, xenophobic religious bigot," but that was before Trump nailed down his party's nomination. Now Graham is reportedly telling fundraisers in private to get behind Trump's campaign for the White House. Some other former critics who are now public supporters are being compared to hostages making videos to earn release from their kidnappers. But hardliners are still insisting that Trump's not just unacceptable — he's unelectable. Will he unify the GOP or destroy it?
To the Point
Dis-Unity on the Road to the White House After yesterday's victories in Wisconsin, Ted Cruz and Bernie Sanders both claim the "momentum" has changed in their favor. But, there's much more voting to go before the party conventions this summer, and the battlegrounds are already shifting to New York State. There's a growing conviction that Republican leaders will never allow Donald Trump to win -- and a growing conviction that they won't have any choice. Sanders has Hillary Clinton on the offensive as never before, as both parties appear more divided than ever.
Which Way, L.A.?
Barack Obama and Gay Marriage On Tuesday, voters in North Carolina said "no" to legalizing same-sex marriage. On Sunday, Vice President Biden said he was " completely comfortable " with same-sex marriage. Visit msnbc.com for breaking news , world news , and news about the economy The White House said President Obama's views were still "evolving." Last night on ABC News, Barack Obama said, "Yes." video platform video management video solutions video player The American people are divided almost evenly, and Mitt Romney is solidly on the other side . Why did the President choose this moment? What will it mean for his re-election campaign ?
To the Point
Barack Obama and Gay Marriage On Sunday, Vice President Biden said he was " completely comfortable " with same-sex marriage. The White House said President Obama's views were still "evolving." Visit msnbc.com for breaking news , world news , and news about the economy Last night on ABC News, America's first black president said he'd reached a conclusion , committing himself on what the New York Times calls " the last civil rights movement ." video platform video management video solutions video player Mr. Obama wants it decided state by state, but Mitt Romney wants a Constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman. With public opinion running about 50-50, the President concedes there's political danger. When given a chance, voters have never approved. Why did he come out now, in the midst of his re-election campaign? We talk about religion, politics, money and personal conviction.
To the Point
Is the Grand Old Party Showing Its Age? It's conventional wisdom that the Republican Party is dominated by Christian Conservatives. Last night, ten white males lined up on a stage in South Carolina to make their cases for the Republican presidential nomination. Since their last debate two weeks ago in California, some of the candidates have refined their ideas and positions. As a Republican candidate for President, Mitt Romney has different positions on key social issues than he did as Governor of liberal Massachusetts. But Rudolph Giuliani and John McCain are ahead in Republican Party polls, despite liberal views on issues like abortion and stem-cell research. Will that change with greater exposure or has the formula that made George Bush president lost its luster for 2008? Other GOP presidential candidates include: Sam Brownback Jim Gilmore Mike Huckabee Duncan Hunter Ron Paul Tommy Tancredo Tommy Thompson
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To the Point
Is the threat from Russia missing from the Russia meddling probe? There's much being made about the Trump administration's possible ties with Russia. But the bottom line is Russia's effort to influence American democracy. Do the President and his aides care enough to take action before voters go back to the polls?
To the Point
Trump plays scolder-in-chief with NATO allies At the opening of NATO’s dramatic new headquarters in Brussels today, President Trump acknowledged that Article 5 — promising that “an attack on one nation is an attack on all” -- has only been invoked one time: in the aftermath of September 11. But the President failed to provide what 27 other Alliance members have been waiting for: a re-commitment by America’s new leader to Article 5. Instead, they got a scolding.
Left, Right & Center
President Trump: US to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord Trump says he was elected to serve Pittsburgh, not Paris.
To the Point
Ex-FBI Director Comey tells his side of the story Today, former FBI Director James Comey came close to calling the President who fired him a liar. The White House denied the claim and called it insulting, but Republican Senators did not challenge Comey’s truthfulness. Many questions remain: did the President try to obstruct a federal investigation? Later, we’ll go behind the “velvet rope” for a look at 5-Star health care for the richest Americans.