Last weekend, 19 prospective Republican candidates for president descended on New Hampshire for the latest in a never-ending series of cattle calls.
Technically speaking, the "Live Free or Die" state holds the first-in-the-nation primary; but, in reality, nothing could be further from the truth.
Well before New Hampshirites head to the polls next year, the most important votes—from America's millionaires billionaires—will have already been cast.
Their endorsements (read: money) can make or break a longshot campaign, and ultimately mean the difference between a candidate dropping out before Super Tuesday, and dropping out afterward.
While this heightened level of influence might seem antithetical to the concept of "one man, one vote" (if you're unfamiliar with the Citizens United ruling), and appears to reek of corruption, that's not actually the case.
You see, unlike the (allegedly) shady donors to the Clinton Foundation, the GOP's sugar-daddies (certainly) don't want anything in return for their largesse.
Morning lineup:
Meet the Press: Former National Security Advisor Tom Donilon; Micah Zenko (Council on Foreign Relations); Pro-Same Sex Mariage Attorneys David Boies & Ted Olson; Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R); Comedian/WHCA Dinner Host Cecily Strong; "Doonesbury" Creator Gary Trudeau; Roundtable: Matt Bai (Yahoo News), Helene Cooper (New York Times) and Presidential Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin.
Face the Nation: Evan Wolfson (Freedom to Marry); Tony Perkins (Family Research Council); Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R); Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD); New York Police Commissioner William Bratton & Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence and Counterterrorism John Miller; Roundtabe: Peter Baker (New York Times), Ruth Marcus (Washington Post), Kim Strassel (Wall Street Journal) and John Dickerson (CBS News).
This Week: Smear Merchant Peter Schweizer; Rep. John Delaney (D-MD); Former White House Counterterrorism Advisor Richard Clarke; Roundtable: Democratic Strategist Donna Brazile, Former House Speaker New Gingrich (R-GA) and Mark Halperin & John Heilemann (Bloomberg Politics).
Fox News Sunday: Smear Merchant Peter Schweizer; Former White House Counsel Lanny Davis; Roundtable: Brit Hume (Fox News), Julie Pace (Associated Press), Republican Strategist Karl Rove and Ron Fournier (National Journal).
State of the Union: Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R); Sen. John McCain (R-AZ); Singer John Legend; Others TBD.
Evening lineup:
60 Minutes will feature: a report on the rising number of Syrian migrants trying to reach Europe (preview); and, a rare look at Space Command, the branch of the U.S. Air Force charged with launching and protecting U.S. satellites (preview).
On Comedy Central...
Jon Stewart—who announced that his last show will be on August 6—examined the Republican candidates' definition of "love and support." (04/21/15)
The Daily Show:
Monday: Actress Elizabeth Olsen; Tuesday: George Stephanopolous (ABC News); Wednesday: Lying Liar Judith Miller; Thursday: Actress/Comedian Kristen Wiig.
And Larry Wilmore looked at the inherent danger of biking while black. (04/22/15)
The Nightly Show:
Guests TBD.
Elsewhere...
Former Rep. Allen West argued that the separation of church and state is responsible for sports injuries.
"Now see, I remember growing up in the inner city of Atlanta, Georgia," he said. "I went to Grady High School and I played football and we didn't have all this high-speed gear and everything like that, there was no such thing about 'targeting.' I mean, you were not a tough football player unless you did try to hit someone head-on. And even in high school, before every game at Grady Stadium, the pastor would come down and pray before every football game. I don't remember catastrophic injuries. I don't remember anyone getting carted off that field paralyzed."
Meanwhile...
A Tennessee state lawmaker took a page out of Todd Akin's playbook, and claimed that rape and incest aren't legitimately exemption-worthy.
State Rep. Sheila Butt tabled the amendment, which was proposed by Democratic Minority Leader Craig Fitzhugh, by saying that a bill requiring patients to wait 48 hours after a mandatory in-person counseling session shouldn't be altered with such an exemption. The legislation does make an exemption for patients who are experiencing medical emergencies.
"This amendment appears political because we understand that in most instances this is not verifiable," Butt said. "Let's make sure that these women have the information and understanding to act. Madam Speaker, I move this amendment to the table."
And, in other legislative news...
Democratic Rep. Jared Polis proposed a bill to prevent Rep. Steve King from being his dumbass self.
King on Wednesday introduced the "Restrain the Judges on Marriage Act of 2015," a bill aimed at keeping federal judges from weighing in on gay marriage.
And so Polis wrote up the "Restrain Steve King from Legislating Act," which would block King from introducing legislation related to judicial authority, the Huffington Post reported.
According to a statement form Polis' office, "the bill would prevent Steve King from abusing taxpayer dollars by substituting the judgments of the nation's duly serving judicial branch of government with his own beliefs."
Game over.
- Trix