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1.) Rubio in the arena — Marco Rubio has taken a big risk and put his presidential prospects on the line in order to solve a big problem: immigration. But he has not so far been rewarded for his political courage. TheDC’s Matt Lewis opines:
“Rush Limbaugh is ‘disappointed’ with Sen. Marco Rubio for telling a Spanish audience that legalization would come before border security, but this is not a new revelation, nor has it been exclusively communicated to Spanish audiences. … I suspect part of the problem here is that people are conflating legalization with citizenship (I’m assuming that at least some of the people who are outraged are doing just that). Yes, legalization happens first — in order to identify who’s here. If you’re a criminal, you’ll be deported. Otherwise, you’ll pay taxes and fines, etc. That makes you “legal,” but according to the bill, you’re not eligible for welfare, and still cannot even apply for citizenship until after the border has been certified to be secure — and you’ve waited in this provisional status for a decade. Rubio has explained this process ad nauseam. …At the heart of this is the notion that Rubio can’t be trusted — that he’s some sort of Manchurian candidate who is conspiring via cipher with his Hispanic brethren about what he really plans to do…”
Unlike many conservative legislatures who are content with sniping and posturing, Rubio is leading. That’s something worthy of praise, even if he doesn’t succeed.
2.) Ted Cruz knows how to use Twitter — A Democrat who is not much loved by conservatives attacked Ted Cruz. So Ted Cruz, or his savvy communications team, saw an opportunity to play with Twitter. TheDC’s Patrick Howley reports:
“Republican Texas senator Ted Cruz admitted Wednesday to suffering from a case of ‘Obamaphobia.’ Cruz’s playful admission was made in response to Democratic New Jersey senator Bob Menendez’s assertion Tuesday that Cruz, who might stand in the way of the Gang of 8′s immigration bill, must suffer from the ailment. ‘I think he has Obamaphobia,’ Menendez said. …’If supporting real immigration reform, not path to citizenship is ‘Obamaphobia.’ guilty as charged. RT if you’re a fellow ‘Obamaphobic,’ Cruz tweeted Wednesday.”
Oh Ted Cruz, what a witty Twitterer you are.
3.) Lincoln on Lincoln — In an interview about his new book on Abraham Lincoln, National Review editor Rich Lowry answered many serious questions about Lincoln and his legacy. Then there was this question. TheDC’s Jamie Weinstein reports
“In the interview, Lowry didn’t shy away from the more difficult questions about Lincoln’s legacy. Indeed, he addressed head on perhaps the most important question yet to be answered about Lincoln: What would he have thought of the car company Lincoln being named after him? ‘He would love it!’ Lowry exclaimed. ‘He had a deep interest in mechanical implements and would always stop to examine anything he saw that was new when he was out riding the circuit as a lawyer. He had such a knack for understanding mechanics that he was known as an excellent lawyer on patent cases. And he loved transportation innovations, as can be seen in his support for his beloved railroads. So I believe he would consider having a car company named after him a high honor.'”
See the full interview — or, if you prefer, have someone read it to you.
4.) Kanye West is a modest man — In the same way Donald Trump is a quiet man. TheDC’s Taylor Bigler reports:
“Kanye West is Michael Jordan and Steve Jobs, according to Kanye West. In a long interview with the New York Times published Tuesday, the rapper and all-around garish personality said some things that no actual human being would ever say except for Kanye West. … ‘I think what Kanye West is going to mean is something similar to what Steve Jobs means. I am undoubtedly, you know, Steve of Internet, downtown, fashion, culture. Period. By a long jump,’ West said in all seriousness. ‘I honestly feel that because Steve has passed, you know, it’s like when Biggie passed and Jay-Z was allowed to become Jay-Z. I will be the leader of a company that ends up being worth billions of dollars, because I got the answers. I understand culture. I am the nucleus.'”
If you understood more than 50 percent of what Kanye West was saying, you’re 100 percent lying.
5.) Tweet of Yesterday —David Burge: The government monitors you because you don’t monitor them.
6.) Today in North Korean News — BREAKING: “Romanian Party Leader Wishes Korean People Victory in Stand-off with US”
VIDEO: Rep. Peter King says Glenn Greenwald should be punished