Republicans look to change the party’s image; a verdict is reached in the Steubenville high school rape trial; President Obama will select Tom Perez for Secretary of Labor; and Hillary Clinton announces her support for gay marriage. Meanwhile, Beyonce premiers two new songs; Lil Wayne remains in intensive care; and Justin Timberlake could release a follow-up album to “The 20/20 Experience”.
Caitlin + Liza
CRUCIAL:
Republicans want to end perception as ‘stuffy old men’, http://bit.ly/107gA1e
The Republican National Committee released a report on Monday addressing its image problems and structural setbacks, including hundreds of recommendations on how to target specific demographic groups that favored Democrats in 2012. The report, which totals over 100 pages, was initiated by the RNC immediately after November’s election loss. It was created in response to the fact that Mitt Romney lost the vote of every demographic except for white men. Social policy is at the forefront of the report, with many recommendations about issues like gay rights. The report also advocates for change at the campaign level, including a stronger digital effort .
Verdicts in Steubenville high school rape trial, http://nbcnews.to/15U8JFT
Two high school football players accused of raping an intoxicated 16 year-old girl at a party in Steubenville, Ohio, were found guilty despite denying charges. Seventeen year-old Trent Mays and 16 year-old Ma’Lik Richmond were accused of raping and sharing pictures of the passed out girl in August, launching a case that attracted national media attention and divided the small community. As allegations surfaced that other students were involved, many claimed that those in the know should stand trial. As a result, Ohio’s attorney general plans to convene a grand jury that will look into whether more students should be investigated.
Hillary Clinton Announces Suport for Gay Marriage, http://huff.to/15hCeiE
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced her support for gay marriage on Monday, claiming in a video released by gay rights advocacy group, the Human Rights Campaign, that gays and lesbians are “full and equal citizens and deserve the rights of citizenship.” Clinton’s announcement aligns her with other high-profile Democrats on an issue that is quickly gaining public approval, and fuels speculation that she may be considering a presidential run in 2016.
President Obama to pick Tom Perez for Labor, http://politi.co/146xDEa
President Obama will nominate Tom Perez as his next labor secretary, according to White House officials. Perez currently serves as the assistant attorney general for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, and would be the first Hispanic-American appointed to Obama’s second-term cabinet. Perez will likely face tough questions from Senate Republicans during confirmation hearings, including inquiries into a misleading report he gave about racial hostilities within the Civil Rights Division.
Hill Poll: Voters prefer Republican budget ideas, but dislike GOP, http://bit.ly/113FvBO
Though a majority of voters favor Republican fiscal ideas, voters were more likely to trust the Democratic Party over the GOP on budgetary issues, a Hill poll found. According to the poll, some voters who identified themselves as Democrats supported several Republican ideas, and 65 percent of those surveyed were partial to reducing the deficit by cutting spending rather than by raising taxes. Yet questions that specifically mentioned the Republican Party demonstrated mistrust among voters, raising concerns about the image problem and identity crisis many believe the GOP currently faces.
Plane crashes into Indiana neighborhood, kills 2, http://bit.ly/YjYZ5F
A corporate jet crashed into a row of single-story homes in a South Bend, Indiana neighborhood on Sunday, killing two of the four passengers aboard and injuring two others. The plane’s pilot said he was experiencing technical issues, and was attempting to circle back to the airport after one failed landing attempt. The neighborhood of around 50 homes has been evacuated, with two shelters set up for residents.
CULTURAL:
Beyonce premieres new songs “Bow Down” and “I Been On,” http://bit.ly/119LyIH
History Channel’s Satan Looks A Lot Like Barack Obama, http://bit.ly/15fztyt
Lil Wayne–Day 6 in Intensive Care, http://tmz.me/143dVZL
Justin Timberlake to Release Follow-Up Album in November, http://bit.ly/WxMIuV
Tags: Beyonce, gay marriage, GOP, Hillary Clinton, Justin Timberlake, Lil Wayne, Republican Party, steubenville, tom perez
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Liza Dee Bio: Email the author at: blog(at)rockthevote.com |
