This got lost a bit in the rush of debates and results out of New Hampshire. But this is really critical information. It turns out that Voter ID laws – now in force in most US states – are even more effective than we thought at reducing minority turnout. A lot more effective.
Now wingnut Patriarch Cliven Bundy has a mugshot and here it is.
He was heading up to Oregon to get in on the fun. But the FBI was there at the airport to arrest him on conspiracy charges tied to the original stand off back in 2014.
Ted Cruz is starting to draw heat for his alliance with and endorsement from a far-right Christianist leader named Mike Bickle, who says God sent Hitler to hunt Jews, that a new era of concentration camps awaits Jews before they find Jesus. Jesus will also soon kill the head of the United Nations at some point in the near future among other things Bickle says Jesus is working on. In other words, he’s an awesome guy. And he’s out there raising support Cruz among evangelicals. But among other things Bickle runs something called the International House of Prayer (yes, IHOP!) in Grandview, Missouri. And a year ago, Sarah Posner wrote a lengthy expose on the mix of fanaticism, abusive practices toward young volunteers and even criminality that seems rife in the place. You can read it right here. It’s an amazing piece (sub req).
A few quotes.
Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-SC): “He had big momentum out of Iowa, and it wasn’t maintained. It’s funny how people can peak and never recover.”
Steve Schmidt, GOP strategist: “A fifth place finish in New Hampshire means effectively he’s bleeding out.”
John McCain, crusty old guy: “He himself said, ‘Nobody but me. I take responsibility for it.’ I agree with him.”
As you can see in our feature, we are monitoring an unfolding situation at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, where the FBI has moved in to end the stand off. Details and updates here.
The City of Cleveland has filed a creditor’s claim against the estate of Tamir Rice for medical services provided after Rice was shot.
Got questions about last night’s primary results? I’ll be doing a live chat today at 3 PM eastern in The Hive (sub. req.). Get your questions in now and I’ll see you at 3.
Choice little nugget from CNN’s big piece on New Hampshire. Trump approaches Christie during debate commercial break …
Though on the sidelines, Trump underscored the power of the moment during the commercial break as Christie walked across the stage to see his wife. Someone grabbed Christie’s arm from behind, and the New Jersey governor turned to see none other than the taunter-in-chief Donald Trump.
“Oh my God. That was brutal,” Trump muttered to Christie on the debate stage, according to someone familiar with the exchange. “Tremendous.”