Graham Roasts ‘Batsh*t’ GOPers, Activist Profits Off Cruz Zodiac Killer Meme, And Marshall: GOP Debate A Mess

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February 26, 2016

Top Stories


Clinton: Trump’s ‘Divisive’ Rhetoric Doesn’t ‘Fit’ With The Trump I Knew

The Gist: In an interview on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” Hillary Clinton said she’s been surprised by Donald Trump’s transformation from “good company” to a “mean-spirited” and “offensive” person.

Activist Uses ‘Ted Cruz Was The Zodiac’ Meme To Raise $35K To Fund Abortions

The Gist: Activist Tim Faust is selling “Ted Cruz Was The Zodiac” shirts with the goal of funding abortions for low-income women in West Texas.

Lindsey Graham Roasts His ‘Batsh*t’ Republican Colleagues

The Gist: During a press dinner on Thursday night, Sen. Lindsey Graham let loose on the Republican party and the GOP presidential candidates.

From The Reporter’s Notebook


TPM writers Tierney Sneed and Lauren Fox reported on Senate Dems’ strategy to keep the fight over Obama’s SCOTUS nominee alive. A part of that strategy will be comparing Republicans’ refusal to hold a hearing to past allegations of GOP obstruction. “What I hear all the time from Delawareans…is that they want us to do our jobs,” Delaware’s Democratic Sen. Chris Coons told TPM. “And when we refuse to even hold hearings, or take up or consider appropriations, or to move forward on the basic challenges facing our country, they don’t think we’re doing our job. “

Agree or Disagree?


“The debate was a mess. Much of what Trump said made no sense. But his basic message, both in words and in visuals and in an effortless denigration of his opponents delivered concisely the message that has brought him this far. He won hands down. It can’t possibly be happening but it is happening. Something else big will have to happen to break his drive to the nomination.” –Josh Marshall

Say What?!


“Can someone attack me please?”

– Ben Carson made an awkward plea for more speaking time during Thursday night’s debate.

BUZZING: Today in the Hive


From a TPM Prime member: “Trump’s answers and emphatically-stated memes are confusing — but so is nearly everything the others say as well. Planned Parenthood–like any other healthcare provider–gets paid for services provided to Medicaid recipients and anyone with a government-funded healthcare plan, such as Medicare or a government employee’s healthcare plan (such as Blue Cross, for example). Since the federal government does not pay for abortions (except in some cases of rape, incest or the mother’s health), no federal monies are paid to PP for abortions.”

Related: What Trump doesn’t get about abortion and Planned Parenthood funding.

Have something to add? Become a Prime member and join the discussion here.

What We’re Reading


A Swedish teen who joined ISIS discovered that life in their ranks is “really hard.” (The Washington Post)

At sea with America’s largest floating gathering of conspiracy theorists. (Jezebel)

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