GOP Lawmaker Candice Keller Blames Gays, Drag Queens, Marijuana & Video Games For Mass Shootings

Ohio state Rep. Candice Keller (image via government site)

In the aftermath of two deadly mass shootings over the weekend, one conservative Ohio state lawmaker put the blame for the tragic events on same-sex marriage, video games, transgender people, drag queens, President Obama and more.

On Saturday, a lone gunman killed 20 people at a Walmart store in El Paso, Texas. That was followed by another shooting in Dayton, Ohio, which left 10 dead and at least 27 more wounded.

State Rep. Candice Keller (R), who represents a district near Dayton, wrote on her Facebook page, “After every mass shooting, the liberals start the blame game. Why not place the blame where it belongs?”

She went on to list who she feels are the real culprits for so many mass shootings beginning with, "The breakdown of the traditional American family (thank you, transgender, homosexual marriage and drag queen advocates)."

Also on her list of folks to blame for the two mass shooting events were:

• Fatherlessness
• Video games (although other countries have video games as well and not nearly the gun violence that is seen in the U.S.)
• Open borders
• Recreational marijuana
• Students in school who misbehave
• Disrespect for the police (she gave a shoutout to Obama for some reason)
• Hatred of our veterans (athletes are to blame for that one)
• The Democratic Congress (although Democrats only control one chamber of Congress)
• Culture (in general we guess) for ignoring the importance of God and the church
• State officeholders and something about the 2nd Amendment
• And, of course, ‘snowflakes’ who “can’t accept a duly-elected president

I’m not sure how Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny managed to avoid the list, but maybe she was in a hurry.

When the Dayton Daily News contacted Keller about the post, she told a reporter she had posted something “to her private, personal Facebook page.”

And when the post was read to her over the phone, she said “it sounded like part of her posting but she couldn’t be sure if it had been altered,” introducing the idea that she had been possibly hacked.

The post was promptly deleted, but screengrabs have gone viral on the internet.

Brian Hester, Chairman for the Butler County Democratic Party, responded to the post telling the Daily News, “She loves to fan the flames and play the role of victim here, not the nine people who were killed….She is fundamentally unfit for office.”

Hester added, “She is an embarrassment to her party, to conservatives, to Butler County, and to the state Legislature.”

People suffer from mental illness in every other country on earth; people play video games in virtually every other country on earth.

The difference is the guns.

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) August 5, 2019

Notice how Candice Keller blamed these recent mass shootings on everything EXCEPT white supremacist terrorism pic.twitter.com/alL14XIKEX

— QP (@IamQuidpro) August 5, 2019

Ohio state Rep. Candice Keller would rather blame transgender people, marriage equality and drag queens (we’re confused about that, too) than actually do something about gun safety and reform in this country. https://t.co/JLsHp9p3h0

— GLAAD (@glaad) August 5, 2019

(source: Dayton Daily News)

James Comey Drops Challenge To Congressional Subpoena In Exchange For Full-Transcript Release

Former FBI Director James Comey

NBC News reports that former FBI Director James Comey has dropped his legal challenge to a Republican congressional subpoena and will agree to closed-door deposition.

However, lawmakers agreed to release a full transcript of his testimony within 24 hours, and he will be free to make all or part of it available to the public.

Comey had been subpoenaed by House Republicans to discuss Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server (again) as well as Russian interference in the 2016 election behind closed doors. Comey opposed the private setting in an effort to make sure the American people would be able to know exactly what was discussed.

Comey’s attorneys argued in their challenge to the subpoena that Republicans had “abused their powers with selective leaks" in the past.

Grateful for a fair hearing from judge. Hard to protect my rights without being in contempt, which I don’t believe in. So will sit in the dark, but Republicans agree I’m free to talk when done and transcript released in 24 hours. This is the closest I can get to public testimony.

— James Comey (@Comey) December 2, 2018

Parody: 'GOP Jesus' Explains It All For You

Over the past few years, folks have wondered how evangelical Christian Republicans can go along with the stunning hypocrisy that is Donald Trump.

Obviously, the answer has been that as long as conservatives get what they want out of a Trump presidency (Supreme Court justices, anti-LGBT legislation, etc...), they're ok holding their noses and sticking with their guy.

Now, the folks at Friend Dog Studios have come up with a 'GOP Jesus' that aligns more closely with their beliefs.

Check out the video below where 'GOP Jesus' addresses many of the conflicting messages coming out of some Christians including adultery, immigration, health care, the War on Christmas, family separations, the golden rule, and gay people.

Here's what the hypocritical really mean:

“Love your neighbor as yourself - unless you are better than your neighbor, then tell them that they’re weird, and you don’t want to bake them a cake.”

"What has a man profited if he gained the whole world but loses his soul? A lot! He's profited a lot. One soul for the whole world? That is an amazing deal!"

"If a man strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him and shoot him. That is the law."

Watch below.

GOP Gubernatorial Candidate Threatens To "Stomp All Over" Opponent's Face "With Golf Spikes"

GOP candidate for governor in Pennsylvania Scott Wagner

And they say civility is dead. I guess 'they' would be right.

Republican governor candidate Scott Wagner recently dropped a campaign ad wherein he threatens to “stomp all over” Democratic incumbent Gov. Tom Wolf’s “face with golf spikes.”

“Well, Governor Wolf, let me tell you what, between now and Nov. 6, you better put a catcher’s mask on your face, because I’m going to stomp all over your face with golf spikes. Because I’m going to win this for the state of Pennsylvania. And we’re throwing you out of office. Because I’m sick and tired of your negative ads. Governor Wolf, I am bound and determined, I am going to vote you out of office.”

Watch below.

Full video of GOP candidate Scott Wagner threatening Gov. Tom Wolf: "You better put a catcher's mask on your face because I'm going to stomp all over your face with golf spikes." pic.twitter.com/Whh6TdsOXz

— Matt McDermott (@mattmfm) October 12, 2018

RealClearPolitics' average of polls shows the Democrat Wolf a comfortable 16 points ahead of Wagner.

Scott Wagner just threatened a sitting governor with violence.#PAGov https://t.co/be8pRXVNK0

— Sean Kitchen 🌹🦅 (@RCPress_Sean) October 12, 2018

I mean, isn’t a Republican threatening to stomp someone with golf spikes a little on the nose

“I shall then have my valet thrash you soundly”

— VeryHiddenGeniusHat (@Popehat) October 12, 2018

Golf spikes...really? The only thing more elitist would be to threaten democrats with a polo mallet.

— Shaun Hurst 🚁👨🏿‍🔧👨🏿‍🏫 (@kokujin_2000) October 13, 2018

Georgia: GOP Secretary Of State Purging Voters From Voter Rolls With No Notice

Georgia's current Secretary of State, who also happens to be the Republican candidate for governor this year, has purged up to 10% of Georgia voters from the voter rolls.

The purged names, numbering up to half a million, are reportedly disproportionately black voters.

Oh, did I mention the Democratic candidate, Stacey Abrams, is black? And she would become the first black, female governor in the United States?

Watch the report below from Now This.

10% of Georgia voters were secretly purged from the rolls — and they weren’t given any notice pic.twitter.com/htAP0RicY4

— NowThis (@nowthisnews) October 9, 2018

Additionally, Talking Points Memo reports that Kemp is blocking 53,000 people from registering to vote using a controversial “exact match” program to approve or block voter registrations that disproportionately impacts minority voters.

According to the Associate Press, 70% of the voter applications that are being held up by Kemp’s office are from black people.

Arizona Republican Congresswoman Busted For Fake Compliments On Social Media

Republican Rep. Martha McSally

Arizona congresswoman Martha McSally (R) got caught trying to compliment herself after posting a simple video status update regarding Arizonans’ service during the Vietnam War a couple of days ago.

The problem came when McSally (or whoever does her social media) forgot to switch accounts before posting some sock-puppetry praise.

The comment was deleted shortly thereafter.

McSally is campaigning for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Jeff Flake. Her fellow nutjob GOPers vying for the spot include former sheriff Joe Arpaio and Arizona State Senator Kelli Ward.

How embarrassing.

Amateurs.

Hey @RepMcSally, call your digital director and tell them to remember to switch accounts before posting fake compliments to your Facebook. #azsen pic.twitter.com/8hvhMQc17y

— Joshua Karp (@JoshuaKarp) March 19, 2018

(h/t JoeMyGod)

Metaphor Of The Day: Train Carrying GOP Lawmakers Hits Dump Truck

According to several sources, a train carrying GOP lawmakers to a retreat collided with a dump truck.

One fatality has been reported as well as two injuries.

#BREAKING: Train carrying GOP lawmakers to retreat collides with dump truck https://t.co/pa4iagp6pQ pic.twitter.com/7HzXFPqlbr

— The Hill (@thehill) January 31, 2018

Sen @JeffFlake tells the Washington Post that three passengers were aboard the hit truck and there was one fatality.

Flake said he helped carry an injured passenger to a nearby ambulance. pic.twitter.com/fgUUKDwtO8

— MSNBC (@MSNBC) January 31, 2018

Video: Senate Republican Leaders' Awkward Silence Over Roy Moore Allegations

Forty-four seconds of silence from these Republican leaders as reporters as questions about embattled Alabama GOP Senate nominee Roy Moore.

The lawmakers were gathered to promote the reveal of their newly-crafted tax plan, but the ongoing Roy Moore sex scandal was the only thing on reporters' minds.

#Awkward

This is what 44 seconds of Republican senators not responding to questions about Roy Moore sounds like | Analysis by CNN's Chris Cillizza https://t.co/UjrztCYHTH pic.twitter.com/8iDaBN4jEX

— CNN (@CNN) November 10, 2017

(h/t JoeMyGod)

Texas Speaker Of The House, Who Stood Up Against Anti-Transgender Legislation, Will Not Run For Re-Election In 2018

Joe Straus, the Republican Speaker of the House in Texas, has announced he will not seek re-election in 2018.

“I believe that in a representative democracy, those who serve in public office should do so for a time, not for a lifetime. And so I want you to know that my family and I have decided that I will not run for re-election next year. My time as a state representative and as speaker will end at the conclusion of my current term,” he announced via Facebook to his constituents.

You may recall that during last year's legislative session, and the recent special session called by the governor, Straus beat back pressure from prominent politicians including Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to bring a controversial anti-transgender "bathroom bill" to the floor of the state House for a vote.

Referencing the high suicide rates among the transgender community thanks to social judgments, the moderate Republican said at the time, "Tell the lieutenant governor I don't want the suicide of a single Texan on my hands."

Expect celebrations in the far-right realms of the Republican party as Straus has long been considered a target of the anti-LGBT Family Research Council and other hate groups.

Look for much jockeying in the Texas GOP  universe for the position of Speaker of the House in the coming months.

Oops - Conservative Super-PAC Runs Ads Thanking GOP For Repealing Obamacare

Oops.

The Republican super-PAC, American Action Network, prematurely bought air time to congratulation House Republicans for keeping their promises to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.

Except - as we all know - the House GOP failed to pass their own legislation yesterday.

In fact, there wasn't even a vote.

NCAA basketball fans were probably confused when these ads ran in several markets last night.

This really is amateur hour, isn't it?

Basketball fans around the U.S. treated to prematurely-bought ads congratulating Republicans for repealing Obamacare https://t.co/voB1PTWfud pic.twitter.com/L6SaU6T4lJ

— Deadspin (@Deadspin) March 25, 2017

Colorado: Conservative Radio Host Steve Curtis Charged With Voter Fraud & Forgery

Conservative radio host Steve Curtis speaking to reporter

It turns out there WAS voter fraud in the 2016 election.

And it was committed by a Republican in Colorado.

From the Washington Post:

The 2016 election was just a month away when Steve Curtis, a conservative radio host and former Colorado Republican Party chairman, devoted an entire episode of his morning talk show to the heated topic of voter fraud.

“It seems to me,” Curtis said in the 42-minute segment, “that virtually every case of voter fraud I can remember in my lifetime was committed by Democrats.”

On Tuesday, Colorado prosecutors threw a wrench into that already dubious theory, accusing Curtis of voter fraud for allegedly filling out and mailing in his ex-wife’s 2016 ballot for president, Denver’s Fox affiliate reported.

Curtis, 57, was charged in Weld County District Court with one count of misdemeanor voter fraud and one count of forgery, a Class 5 felony, according to local media.

The case is the only voter fraud investigation related to the 2016 election that has resulted in criminal charges in the state, the Colorado secretary of state’s office told Denver’s ABC affiliate.

Curtis has not entered a plea. If convicted, he could face more than a year of prison time and a $5,000 fine. His attorney, Christopher Gregory, declined to comment on the case when reached by The Washington Post Tuesday night.

During his radio show about voter fraud, Curtis alleged there was “something about being a Democrat,” he said, that made people prone to criminal behavior. Kinda ironic now, huh?

Why is it always the ones who make the accusations that end up being the guilty ones?

Watch Curtis dodge questions from a reporter below:

Breaking: Former #Colorado Republican Chairman charged w/voter fraud. Wonder what @realDonaldTrump thinks? #kdvr investigates at 5. pic.twitter.com/XZmVijhCBY

— Rob Low (@RobLowTV) March 21, 2017

Oklahoma Police Recommend 3 Prostitution Charges For GOP State Senator

Oklahoma state Sen. Ralph Shortey with Donald Trump Jr.
(pic via Facebook)

Police in Moore, Oklahoma, are recommending 3 prostitution-related charges against Sen. Ralph Shortey, who was found in a motel room alone with an underage teen.

Those charges include soliciting prostitution of a minor, prostitution within 1000 feet of a church and transporting for the purpose of prostitution.

Employees at the Motel 8 in Moore say a person by the name of "Ralph Allen Shortey" checked in on March 9 around 12:20AM, and asked for a room with two beds.

Just 30 minutes later, the employee said that police arrived at the motel in response to a “welfare check” and discovered the juvenile male and an adult male in the same room.

Text messages between Shortey and the teen are being investigated.

Shortey, who has been married to his high school sweetheart since 2002, was the state chair of President Donald Trump’s campaign during the primary season.

Pam Pollard of the Oklahoma Republican Party has issued the following statement:

“The Oklahoma Republican Party takes all accusations against elected officials seriously, especially when the welfare of a minor is involved. We have reached out to Senator Shortey for comment and have not heard back from him at this time. We await the report from law enforcement on whether charges will be filed.”

(source)

GOP: Last February's 242K New Jobs Was "Disappointing" But Feb 2017's 235K Is "Great"

The latest jobs report is out from the Department of Labor Statistics and the good news is the effects of the Obama years continues as the U.S. economy added 235,000 jobs, and unemployment fell to 4.7%

The Trump administration, of course, immediately attempted to take credit for the stats. As everyone knows, President Trump's economic policies have barely begun implementation. Plus, it takes months for policies to begin to affect the economy in a broad, significant manner.

I would note the fact that this February's numbers (235K) are very similar to the last two February's stats - February 2015 (238K) and February 2016 (237K). Kind of hard for Trump to take credit when we're basically on the same track; no real change of direction here.

And then there's the fact that just last year, Trump called this very same metric for unemployment "phony."

On February 9, 2016, Trump said in New Hampshire, "Don't believe those phony numbers when you hear 4.9 and 5 percent unemployment. The number's probably 28, 29, as high as 35. In fact, I even heard recently 42 percent."

But, just to show how the Republicans have been spinning job stats for years, take a look at GOP Congressman Kevin Brady's statements on both February 2016's jobs report and this year's.

Funny how 242,000 new jobs were described at "disappointing to see so little growth" in February of last year under Obama, but this year's 235,000 number rated "This is a great report."

Check out Brady's statements below.

Things that make you go "hmm..."

(source)

Breaking: House Republicans Reverse On Gutting Ethics Rules Change

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan

House Republicans have now u-turned on their plan to gut the Congressional independent ethics panel.

From CNN:

House Republican leaders have pulled a proposal that would gut its independent ethics panel, amid widespread criticism of the plan, multiple lawmakers tell CNN.

The decision comes less than two hours after President-elect Donald Trump criticized the timing of the vote, which was scheduled for the first day of the new congressional session.

Trump called out his fellow Republicans Tuesday for proposing to curb the powers of the independent ethics panel as their first move of the year, although the President-elect suggested the ethics panel was "unfair."

"With all that Congress has to work on, do they really have to make the weakening of the Independent Ethics Watchdog, as unfair as it ... may be, their number one act and priority. Focus on tax reform, healthcare and so many other things of far greater importance! #DTS," Trump said over two consecutive tweets.

The decision came after House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy told reporters the vote was moving forward. He admitted he opposed the change and said he believed it should be done in a "bipartisan fashion" but said House Speaker Paul Ryan created an open process and "sometimes you win, sometimes you lose."

House Republicans voted 119-74 during a closed-door meeting in favor of Virginia Rep. Bob Goodlatte's proposal, which would place the independent Office of Congressional Ethics under the control of those very lawmakers, a move that outraged Democrats and outside ethics organizations. The full House of Representatives is expected to vote on it as part of a larger rules package up for consideration Tuesday.

House Republicans Vote To Gut Independent Ethics Office

In a secret, anonymous, behind closed doors vote, House Republicans made one of their very first actions in the new Congress changing the Office of Congressional Ethics, removing the entity’s independence and barring it from investigating anonymous complaints.

Via Huffington Post:

Specifically, the amendment would place the OCE under the “oversight” of the lenient Ethics Committee and rename it the Office of Congressional Complaint Review. The new group would no longer be able to release information to the public, employ anyone “for a position involving communications with the public,” or directly contact law enforcement without approval. It would also be prohibited from investigating anonymous complaints.

Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said the change would “functionally destroy” the office.

“Republicans claim they want to ‘drain the swamp,’ but the night before the new Congress gets sworn in, the House GOP has eliminated the only independent ethics oversight of their actions,” Pelosi said. “Evidently, ethics are the first casualty of the new Republican Congress.”

Republicans themselves defended the changes as necessary adjustments to protect members from political witch hunts.

Trump called for "draining the swamp" but his GOP House pals are setting up a system with which they can't be investigated for ethical wrongdoing.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi issued a statement saying, “Republicans claim they want to ‘drain the swamp,’ but the night before the new Congress gets sworn in, the House GOP has eliminated the only independent ethics oversight of their actions. Evidently, ethics are the first casualty of the new Republican Congress,” the House Democratic leader said.

See the report below from CNN.

While not commenting on the content of the vote, it appears the Trumpster thinks the timing of the backroom shenanigans wasn't all that great:

With all that Congress has to work on, do they really have to make the weakening of the Independent Ethics Watchdog, as unfair as it

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2017

........may be, their number one act and priority. Focus on tax reform, healthcare and so many other things of far greater importance! #DTS

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2017

GOP Congressman Says Comments That Russia Did Media's Job Were "Completely Misconstrued"

Arizona Congressman Trent Franks, in an appearance on MSNBC Thursday afternoon, shared his opinion that Russia's cyber-hacking activities during the election was merely what the U.S. media should have done.

“If Russia succeeded in giving the American people information that was accurate, then they merely did what the media should have done,” said Congressman Franks, who chairs the House subcommittee on the Constitution and sits on the House Judiciary Committee.

Franks appeared on CNN Friday afternoon to push back against calls of "traitor" and accusing him of treason on social media, in light of his comments.

"Those comments were completely misconstrued," Franks said. "No one has been harder on Russia than me. I have been deeply committed to making sure their expansionism and their efforts did not result in the deaths of innocent people across the world."

Additionally, Franks said that President Obama's sanctions against the Russian government are Obama's attempt to "delegitimize" Trump's election.

"I am completely convinced that Barack Obama's primary motivation here is to try to delegitimize the election here."

It's interesting that the biggest concern on behalf of Trump supporters is the fear that his win might somehow be taken away, and not that a foreign power like Russia is hacking into our data servers.

.@RepTrentFranks: Comment that Russian hackers were only doing what U.S. media should have done was “misconstrued” https://t.co/SYTEDLZwSH

— The Situation Room (@CNNSitRoom) December 30, 2016

Seth Meyers On The North Carolina Republicans' Power Grab

Late Night with Seth Meyers takes a closer look at the political crisis in North Carolina, where Republicans sought to strip power away from the incoming Democratic governor before he takes office.

After Republican Gov. Pat McCrory lost his reelection bid, the GOP controlled North Carolina legislature voted to reduce the new governor's powers drastically. “That’s like losing a bet,” the Late Night host said, “and paying with Monopoly money.”

But hey - it's not all bad. The incoming governor still gets the keys to the mansion and a ballroom!

House Republicans Celebrate Diversity With Vice President-elect Mike Pence

Look at all that diversity on display as incoming Vice President Mike Pence takes a celebratory selfie with U.S. House Republicans.

No, no - wait. There's a black man in the upper left hand corner, see?

There you go. A virtual melting pot. What a rich tapestry they all are.

Muddled Republican Message - Winning? Behind? Tied?

Over the weekend, Donald Trump's campaign manager Kellyanne Conway admitted that her candidate is currently behind in the race for the White House.

On the campaign trail today, Donald Trump told supporters that he's winning and that the polls that he's championed for a year now are faked.

Today, RNC spokesman Sean Spicer told CNN that the contest is in a dead heat, and that the media is pushing polling results showing Trump behind so that Republican voters will stay home.

You have to wonder - which is it? Behind? Winning? Tied?

Or is Spicer doing his job trying to keep GOP morale up so down ballot candidates don't lose in their races?

From Mediaite:

During a heated and contentious interview with CNN’s John Berman and Kate Bolduan, RNC communications director Sean Spicer insisted that the race for the White House was a “dead heat” and said that Republican nominee Donald Trump was ahead in several key battleground states.

Per Spicer, the whole thing is even and many polls show Trump is trending up. The spokesperson pointed out a recent national poll from IBD that shows a tied race to justify his belief that it is a dead heat. At that point, Berman interrupted him, saying that they are now getting three narratives — Trump is winning, Trump is behind and now Trump is tied.

Bolduan jumped in to push Spicer to take a side since they had just showed Trump saying that he is winning right now. The Republican strategist then said that Trump was right because he’s winning the state he is currently in, which is Florida.

“He’s winning in Florida,” Berman asked. “Absolutely,” Spicer responded. When Berman questioned by how much, Spicer answered that it was by a “few points.”

Donald Trump Goes Full Twitter Rant On His Own Party

Donald Trump unleashed a torrent of Twitter attacks on his own party today, specifically House Speaker Paul Ryan for effectively cutting him loose and accusing party leaders of trying to sabotage his campaign.

The attack virtually splinters his party and followers as he heads into the last few weeks of the race for the White House.

From Business Insider:

“Donald Trump is like a wounded animal in the forest just thrashing out at anything in his field of vision. He’s unhinged,” said Ryan Williams, a former spokesman for 2012 Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney.

He added: “Any loyalty to the party he may have had is gone. He’s never really been a team player. It’s clear he does not care about the Republican party or anyone else who is running on the ballot this year. This is all about Donald Trump.”

Most recent national polls show Trump's standing heading south, and his path to 270 electoral votes getting more and more narrow.

Our very weak and ineffective leader, Paul Ryan, had a bad conference call where his members went wild at his disloyalty.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 11, 2016

The very foul mouthed Sen. John McCain begged for my support during his primary (I gave, he won), then dropped me over locker room remarks!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 11, 2016

Disloyal R's are far more difficult than Crooked Hillary. They come at you from all sides. They don’t know how to win - I will teach them!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 11, 2016

With the exception of cheating Bernie out of the nom the Dems have always proven to be far more loyal to each other than the Republicans!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 11, 2016