Warren Surges Past Sanders In Latest Fox News Poll

(Images via Fox News)

The results of the latest Fox News poll shows Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) has surged to the number two spot behind former Vice President Joe Biden.

The new poll shows Biden still leads the pack of Democratic hopefuls with the support of 31 percent of Democratic primary voters.

Warren comes in at 20 percent, and Sanders at 10 percent.

California Sen. Kamala Harris garnered 8 percent.

All of the other candidates received 3 percent or less.

More from Fox News:

Warren’s gains come at Sanders’ expense, as she’s now the favorite among primary voters under age 45 as well as those who identify as “very” liberal. Since last month, Warren is up 12 points among the under 45 crowd, while Sanders lost 10. And her support increased 18 points among very liberal voters, as backing for Sanders dropped 16.

Biden leads Warren among both men (+11 points) and women (+11), and has a 22-point advantage among voters over age 45. Plus, among non-whites, Biden is up by 17 points over Sanders and by 19 over Warren.

By a wide 60-36 percent margin, Democratic primary voters prefer a nominee who will “restore the country and get American politics back to normalcy” over one who will “fundamentally change” how Washington works.

Overall, the survey indicates Biden would beat Trump by the widest margin if the election were held today, 50% - 38%.

Sanders would win by 9 points over Trump, while Warren would take the race by 7 points.

And the election is 14 months away...

News Round-Up: July 8, 2019

Some news items you might have missed:

• InstaHunk Guto Oliveira went blond (again) because, you know what they say... #InstaBlondsHaveMoreFun

• Washington Post: The Trump administration's State Department has launched a panel focused on human rights and 'natural law.' Natural law is a term sometimes used in association with discrimination against marginalized populations. You know, like, the gays.

• Buzzfeed News: A 17-year-old boy was stabbed to death in Arizona on Thursday by a man who told police he did it because the boy’s rap music made him feel “unsafe.”

• Netflix: The streaming platform dropped the trailer for Season 4 of Queer Eye, which will be available on July 19. Try not to cry...

• Politico: Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a law Monday authorizing the release of state tax returns to a handful of congressional committees, opening a new avenue for Democrats to get their hands on some of President Donald Trump’s closely guarded finances.

• New York Times: Senator Elizabeth Warren raised $19.1 million for her presidential campaign in the past three months, ahead of her biggest opponent for the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, Sen. Bernie Sanders ($18 million).

• Colombian pop star Maluma set his Instagram on fire when he posted this sexy selfie-dance video teasing his new track, “Instinto Natural,” and 44 million followers simultaneously drooled. Follow those 'instincts,' Maluma ;)

View this post on Instagram

INSTINTO NATURAL.... LE HACEMOS VIDEO??? 🔥🔥🔥

A post shared by MALUMA (@maluma) on Jul 8, 2019 at 7:58am PDT

New Polls Show Post-Debate Shakeup Among Democrats

Sens. Elizabeth Warren (L) and Kamala Harris (R)

New polling shows how the first Democratic presidential debates affected the early race.

The latest from Quinnipiac University polling shows former Vice President Joe Biden getting his lowest numbers to date dropping to 22 percent.

Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) jumped up to second place with 20 percent support.

Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren follows at 14 percent, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is at 13 percent, and South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg gets 4 percent. No other candidate garnered more than 3 percent.

The June 11 Quinnipiac University Poll showed Biden at 30 percent, Sanders at 19 percent, Warren with 15 percent, Buttigieg at 8 percent, and Harris with 7 percent.

And in Iowa, Elizabeth Warren has vaulted to the number one position in the new David Binder Research poll.

From IowaStartingLine:

Elizabeth Warren leads the pack in the Iowa Caucus, according to a new poll out this morning from David Binder Research, currently earning the support of 20% of likely Democratic caucus-goers.

Kamala Harris and Joe Biden are both within the margin of error with Warren for first place, but they trail just slightly at 18% for Harris and 17% for Biden.

Bernie Sanders has fallen to fourth place in the polling, sitting at 12%, while Pete Buttigieg has 10% in the survey.

Amy Klobuchar and Cory Booker round out the the field with 4% and 2%, respectively, while everyone else is at 1% or below.

New Iowa poll from @IAStartingLine :

Warren 20
Harris 18
Biden 17
Sanders 12
Buttigieg 10
Klobuchar 4
Booker 2
ten candidates at 1https://t.co/ny5MOJLcRY

— Reid J. Epstein (@reidepstein) July 3, 2019

Poll: Harris & Warren Surge After 1st Democratic Debates

The results of a new CNN poll conducted by SSRS shows Democratic presidential contenders Sens. Kamala Harris (D-CA) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) have each surged nearly ten points since the first debates last week.

Harris saw the biggest increase from 8 percent support to 17 percent, and Warren jumped 8 points from 7 percent to 15 percent.

Former Vice President Joe Biden dropped a precipitous ten points from 32 percent support to 22 percent.

And Mayor Pete Buttigieg, despite getting strong response for his debate performance, dropped one percent.

Asked 'who did the best job in the debates," the hands-down favorite was Harris with 41 percent saying she won.

Night 1 Of Democratic Debates: Warren Leads, Castro Surprises, Booker Strong On LGBTQ Issues

Sens. Cory Booker, Elizabeth Warren, and former HUD Sec. Julian Castro

The first Democratic National Committee (DNC) debate of the 2020 presidential election cycle took place last night in Miami and, as expected, there were a few surprises.

Last night’s debate, the first of two, included Julián Castro, Bill de Blasio, Jay Inslee, John Delaney, Tulsi Gabbard, Tim Ryan, Amy Klobuchar, Beto O’Rourke, Cory Booker, and Elizabeth Warren.

One of the biggest moments of the evening came when Rep. Tulsi Gabbard was asked a question about her history of opposing LGBTQ rights and supporting conversion therapy.

Gabbard noted that she’s since apologized for those statements and reminded people that she grew up in a conservative family with conservative thoughts on LGBTQ people.

“Maybe many people in this country can relate to the fact that I grew up in a socially conservative home, held views when I was very young that I no longer hold today,” Gabbard said. “I served with LGBTQ service members, both in training and deployed down the range. I know they would give their life for me, and I would give my life for them.”

She also promised to support and vote for The Equality Act.

But Sen. Cory Booker jumped in saying Gabbard’s support of The Equality Act was “not enough,” and expanded the conversation to transgender people saying, "We do not talk enough about trans Americans, especially African American trans Americans and the incredibly high rates of murder right now.”

“We don’t talk enough about how many children - about how 30% of LGBTQ children do not go to school because of fear,” said Booker. “It’s not enough just to be on the Equality Act, which I’m an original co-sponsor of. We need to have a president who will fight to protect LGBTQ Americans every single day from violence.”

Booker on transgender violence: "We do not talk enough about trans Americans, especially African American trans Americans and the incredibly high rates of murder right now" #DemDebate pic.twitter.com/Bdh0cEgZrI

— NBC News (@NBCNews) June 27, 2019

Former HUD Secretary Julián Castro, who appears to have helped himself the most via his debate performance, also brought up trans people during a question about healthcare and abortion rights.

'I don't believe only in reproductive freedom, I believe in reproductive justice.' — Julián Castro defended the right of low-income and transgender Americans to have an abortion #DemDebate pic.twitter.com/S1bUx6cvCX

— NowThis (@nowthisnews) June 27, 2019

Castro also looked strong on immigration issues as he dominated during that segment of the debate.

The rest of the field didn’t seem to make up any ground, although, sensing they needed their ‘moment,’ Bill de Blasio, Tim Ryan, Beto O’Rourke, and John Delaney began inserting themselves into questions hoping for more speaking time.

At the end of the day, it seems Warren did as expected and came across as the front-runner (in this crowd); Castro elevated himself; and Booker and Sen. Amy Klobuchar each had strong moments.

One surprise was how flat O’Rourke seemed throughout. After a stellar run for U.S. Senate in Texas last year, it seemed his time off from the campaign trail took a bit of a toll on his usual charismatic presence.

Other thoughts from the Twitterverse:

O'Rourke, Booker and Castro showed off their Spanish in the Democratic debate. pic.twitter.com/hZFXfQOeCW

— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) June 27, 2019

Castro was the first person to mention the Equality Act and trans women. #DemDebate

— Tre'vell Anderson (@TrevellAnderson) June 27, 2019

Spoke with Julian Castro, who expanded upon rights of transgender people, what he touched on in the debate. So in command of intricate details, knows his stuff. He’s also very direct, as he was on the stage and. Compelling to reporters in the spin room, who gravitated to him.

— Michelangelo Signorile (@MSignorile) June 27, 2019

I cannot believe I just heard a presidential candidate in a network debate talk about the crisis of violence against trans people of color. It’s a small, but powerful step forward just to hear that acknowledgment. Thank you Cory Booker. #DemDebate

— Jen Richards (@SmartAssJen) June 27, 2019

The second group of 10 Democratic candidates - including former Vice President Joe Biden, Sen. Bernie Sanders and Mayor Pete Buttigieg - face off tonight in Miami on NBC, MSNBC and Telemundo at 9 p.m.

Podcast: Tax Cuts For Married Couples, Wealthy Athlete Looks To Fans To Pay Legal Bills, New Inductee On Hollywood Walk Of Fame

In this week's podcast:

• White House hopeful Elizabeth Warren has proposed allowing same-sex married couples be allowed to file amended tax returns for refunds

• A Texas couple found a touching note on their porch during Pride Month

• Terrorist threats at St. Louis Pride

• A wealthy Australian rugby player, stripped of his contract for homophobic social media, wants fans to pay his legal bills

• Pose star Billy Porter is getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

All that and more on this episode of The Randy Report

Warren Proposal Could Mean Tax Refunds For Married Same-Sex Couples

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)

Massachusetts Senator and presidential hopeful Elizabeth Warren has proposed a plan to allow married same-sex couples to possibly recoup some of the taxes they paid before the federal government recognized marriage equality.

Warren recently re-introduced her proposal, titled ‘The Refund Equality Act,’ in the U.S. Senate.

Originally introduced by Warren in 2017, the goal of the legislation would be to allow same-sex couples to file amended tax returns in order to collect funds they paid when they were legally married but not allowed to file as married couples.

Current law allows Americans to file amended returns reaching back as far as three years, but Warren’s proposal would give same-sex married couples the right to re-file returns for the entire period the couple has been married.

In a statement, Warren said, “The federal government forced legally married same-sex couples in Massachusetts to file as individuals and pay more in taxes for almost a decade.”

It wasn’t until marriage equality became law that gay & lesbian couples could jointly file tax returns—so they paid more in taxes. Our government owes them more than $50M for the years our discriminatory tax code left them out. We must right these wrongs. https://t.co/OZQcfVilSs

— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) June 23, 2019

In 2004, Warren’s state of Massachusetts became the first in the nation to recognize same-sex marriage.

But it wasn’t until the 2013 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. v. Windsor, that the federal government (including the Internal Revenue Service) allowed LGBTQ married couples to access some of the tax advantages of being married.

For instance, I married my husband in 2003 in Toronto, Canada. While it was a beautiful, emotional day in my life, once we returned to the U.S. it was (in legal terms) largely ceremonial as it wasn’t recognized at home.

Michael and I getting married in Toronto in 2003

Living in California at the time, other than my using the actual term ‘husband’ to refer to my guy, it didn’t count for much in terms of legal standing until the state Supreme Court ordered same-sex marriages recognized in 2008.

Proposition 8 interfered with that, but after a long back and forth, we were allowed to keep our legal status. But, that's another story...

But, as our marriage wasn’t recognized by the federal government, we continued to file our tax returns as “Single.”

Until - the Windsor decision.

Our accountant did take advantage of the new filing status, and I can tell you it made a BIG difference in our taxes.

CNBC reports that “married couples have access to higher standard deductions: $24,400 for joint filers in 2019, compared to $12,200 for singles.”

Additionally, couples who file jointly enjoy wider income tax brackets compared to singles.

That’s not to say every couple would benefit financially from refiling their returns.

Known as the “marriage penalty,” two spouses who have similar incomes might end up in a higher tax bracket.

But in the case of married couples where one spouse makes more/less than the other, the joint tax bill could be lower.

The Joint Committee on Taxation reported last week that perhaps $57 million could be reclaimed under Warren’s legislation.

Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA) has introduced the companion bill in the House as well.

Warren & Buttigieg Surge in New South Carolina Poll

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (L), former VP Joe Biden (C), Mayor Pete Buttigieg (R)

A new Post and Courier/Change Research Poll of likely Democratic primary voters released Sunday shows former Vice President Joe Biden with a commanding 20 point lead in South Carolina over his competitors, but Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Elizabeth Warren seem to be surging.

Biden's support stands at 37% of likely Palmetto state voters, while Warren snatched up the number two slot with 17 percent. Mayor Pete is in the bronze position with 11 percent.

Sens. Kamala Harris (D-CA) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) tied at 9 percent.

The South Carolina primary, which follows the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary, is the first real show of where Black voters are leaning.

While Sanders had some struggle with South Carolina in 2016, some pundits say Buttigieg could have a similar issue connecting with African-American voters. But it appears his team has heard those issues and is working to address his outreach to that voting block.

New @postandcourier poll of South Carolina: 2020 Democrats

Biden 37%
Warren 17%
Buttigieg 11%
Harris 9%
Sanders 9%
Booker 5%
O’Rourke 4%
Yang 3%
de Blasio 1%
Gabbard 1%
Gillibrand 1%
Klobuchar 1%
Williamson 1%

margin of error: +/- 3.2%https://t.co/H00JmTuYLT

— Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) June 16, 2019

New Poll Shows Five Democrats Would Beat Trump

A new national poll by Ipsos/Reuters shows several Democratic candidates beating Donald Trump in hypothetical head-to-head matchups:

Biden 47% (+13)
Trump 34%

Sanders 44% (+9)
Trump 35%

Warren 40% (+4)
Trump 36%

Harris 39% (+3)
Trump 36%

Buttigieg 37% (+2)
Trump 35%

Click the link to see much more of the results.

I know it's waaaaaay early, but I always find it interesting to see what folks might be thinking.

In truth, the next real shakeup will be the first Democratic debates on June 26/27.

Will anyone make a gaffe or suddenly have a shining moment?

Candidates Offer Rainbow+ Campaign Gear For Pride

(via PeteForAmerica.com)

With Pride Month just weeks away, some Democratic presidential candidates are serving up LGBTQ-themed Pride campaign swag adorned with rainbow stripes.

For the record: yes, I know Donald Trump has a lone rainbow t-shirt on his campaign site. He also openly opposes The Equality Act, so, there you go...

It's probably not surprising that Mayor Pete Buttigieg, the only openly gay White House contender, is offering the most variety in campaign Pride merchandise - t-shirts, stickers, backpacks, pins - so you can show your support and Pride all at the same time.

The gear comes in not only rainbow stripes, but the familiar pink/white/blue colors of the transgender flag as well.

Interestingly, Buttigieg’s rainbow utilizes the new version of the Pride flag that includes black and brown stripes meant to embrace LGBTQ people of color.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass) is getting into the Pride mood as well offering a "Persist" t-shirt with rainbow colors.

Warren's camp got a little creative with the colors as well since her buzz word "persist" has seven letters, so they added an extra touch of light purple to their rainbow.

On a 'Pride for the People' page of her campaign website, Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) utilizes the traditional Pride rainbow stripes with her first name (which just happens to have six letters), but adds the newer black/brown stripes to her buzzword t-shirt, "Fearless."

In the past, I'll admit I've purchased Hillary and Obama t's during campaign seasons, so I'll probably snag something from the list here.

But even if you don't want to get political, you can still get your Pride on in style with merchandise from Target (a whole treasure trove of rainbow items there) or sneakers from Adidas or Converse, who put out their own annual Pride kicks.

One Night, Five Democrats, Five Town Halls

CNN held five back-to-back town hall events with five Democratic presidential contenders last night - Sens. Amy Klobuchar, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Kamala Harris and Mayor Pete Buttigieg.

Good stuff from everyone, they all had strong moments at times.

A few takeaways:

While I appreciate the moderate lane Klobuchar has staked out for herself, it came across a bit timid and noncommittal in some of her answers. I'll admit that a lot of issues can't be truly addressed in a couple of minutes on a stage, but she was notably more cautious than her fellow candidates.

I really like Kamala Harris. She's clear about what she stands for, and she has a strong decisive energy about her.

When asked about impeachment proceedings for Donald Trump, she said Congress should take steps towards impeachment but added Democrats must be "realistic about what might be the end result."

One of Harris' best moments came when she was asked about the issue of gun violence in the country and what she would do about it. Here's what she said:

Sen. Kamala Harris says if she is elected President, she will give Congress 100 days "to get their act together and have the courage to pass reasonable gun safety laws, and if they fail to do it, then I will take executive action" https://t.co/KFdn5Viqm1 pic.twitter.com/jVZvDjmVZR

— CNN (@CNN) April 23, 2019

I have to say I almost became emotional as Mayor Pete took to the stage. As a gay man, to see this 37-year-old mayor take to the stage as a real player and handle himself so well was uplifting and energizing.

Mayor Pete had one of the biggest moments of the night when he was asked about the back and forth he's had with Vice President Pence, and a comment made by Trump ally and homocon Richard Grennell, the current ambassador to Germany.

Buttigieg's response: "I'm not a master fisherman, but I know bait when I see and I'm not going to take it." And the crowd went wild.

Mayor Pete Buttigieg on dig from Trump official: I know bait when I see it

Buttigieg refused to engage when asked about a Trump admin. official who accused him of pushing a "hate hoax" during his back-and-forth with VP Mike Pence https://t.co/qDjMO1a1Fn #ButtigiegTownHall pic.twitter.com/wggYBDARTk

— CNN (@CNN) April 23, 2019

A new talking point emerged throughout the night after Sen. Sanders said even the Boston bomber deserved to be able to vote. Sen. Harris concurred saying, "We should have that conversation."

But Buttigieg was clear and concise in his opinion that prisoners should not be allowed to vote. "While incarcerated? No, I don't think so," the South Bend mayor said.

Mayor Buttigieg says he disagrees with Sen. Sanders on felons' right to vote: "Part of the punishment when you're convicted of a crime and you're incarcerated is you lose certain rights ... I think during that period it does not make sense to have an exception" #ButtigiegTownHall pic.twitter.com/0ddBR97Wcv

— CNN (@CNN) April 23, 2019

CNN has recapped each of the candidate's hour-long turns onstage.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar

Sen. Elizabeth Warren

Sen. Bernie Sanders

Sen. Kamala Harris

Mayor Pete Buttigieg

A few more moments from the night:

Sen. Bernie Sanders says the right to vote should be extended "even for terrible people" https://t.co/M3U37R21GK #SandersTownHall pic.twitter.com/5wmhSdvrRj

— CNN (@CNN) April 23, 2019

Sen. Bernie Sanders: "I don't think anybody seriously believes that because I wrote a best-selling book and made money, that I've changed my views and you'll now hear me saying, 'Gee, maybe we want to give tax breaks to millionaires'" https://t.co/5rjsvHJlbN #SandersTownHall pic.twitter.com/zQlazSaX2c

— CNN (@CNN) April 23, 2019

Sen. Elizabeth Warren explains how she’ll pay for her new student debt cancellation and free college plan, saying billionaires will have to “pay something back so everybody else gets a chance.” https://t.co/r8SoPsq3Vp #WarrenTownHall pic.twitter.com/qSd96d4GQ0

— CNN (@CNN) April 23, 2019

"I announced my candidacy in the middle of a blizzard, and he made fun of me for talking about climate change — by the way, happy #EarthDay…I said, 'Hey Donald Trump, the science is on my side.'" -Sen. Amy Klobuchar on controlling the message when facing Trump #KlobucharTownHall pic.twitter.com/4CZiL2mGFQ

— CNN (@CNN) April 23, 2019

Sen. Elizabeth Warren Calls For Abolishing The Electoral College

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) told the audience at a CNN town hall last night that the electoral college should be eliminated and the popular vote should determine the presidency.

“Come a general election, presidential candidates don’t come to places like Mississippi,” she told the crowd in Mississippi. “They also don’t come to places like California and Massachusetts, right? Because we’re not the battleground states.”

"My view is: every vote matters," she continued. "And the way we can make that happen is that we can have national voting, and that means get rid of the electoral college."

The presidential hopeful also called for repealing all of the voter suppression laws in the country.

2020 Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren calls for abolishing the Electoral College and moving to a national popular vote: “Every vote matters” #WarrenTownHall https://t.co/pPFMVywETf pic.twitter.com/yy0J0HgAjc

— CNN (@CNN) March 19, 2019

News Round-Up: January 7, 2019

Alex Landi (promo photo: Grey's Anatomy/ABC)

Some news items you might have missed:

• Buff Alex Landi, who plays out Dr. Nico Kim on Grey's Anatomy, tells Attitude Magazine that he just wants to do his best when portraying roles regardless of his sexuality or his character’s.

• Michigan's Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) has signed a new directive banning LGBT-based discrimination in state services or by state contractors. The new executive order does not include a loophole exemption for religious organizations that receive state funds.

• Virulently anti-gay Texas Pastor Donnie Romero resigned last week after it was revealed he has a deep history of gambling, hiring prostitutes and smoking marijuana. At the time, Romero actually cheered the Pulse Nightclub shooting wishing the gunman had 'finished the job.' Ye who protesteth the loudest, do it the mosteth.

• Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts has changed her position on healthcare for transgender people in prison saying she now supports access to all "medically necessary services, including transition-related surgeries."

• Donald Trump may think Special Counsel Robert Mueller might wrap up his investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election soon, but Mueller just extended his grand jury in Washington, D.C., for another six months.

• Tony Award winner (Kinky Boots) and Golden Globe nominee (Pose) Billy Porter dropped a new music video for "Love the Pain Away," a song he wrote in 1999.

Billy shares he recently came across the song again and realized it still applies to what's happening today in the U.S.

Note how Billy extends the video to give all of his band and chance to shine. #Class

Sen. Elizabeth Warren Announces Exploratory Committee For 2020 White House Run

Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts (image via Twitter)

Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren announced today she is establishing an exploratory committee in advance of a presidential run in 2020.

You'll note the multiple shots of pride events and LGBTQ folks in the announcement video below.

Every person in America should be able to work hard, play by the same set of rules, & take care of themselves & the people they love. That’s what I’m fighting for, & that’s why I’m launching an exploratory committee for president. I need you with me: https://t.co/BNl2I1m8OX pic.twitter.com/uXXtp94EvY

— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) December 31, 2018

I’ll announce a decision early in the new year, but here’s one thing I know: I can’t do this alone. This has always been a grassroots campaign, powered by 1.8m grassroots donations all across the country. This isn’t my fight, it’s our fight. Join us now: https://t.co/BNl2I1m8OX

— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) December 31, 2018

Three Democratic candidates have entered the 2020 fray—Julián Castro, Elizabeth Warren and Maryland’s John Delaney. Election Day is 673 days away.

— Richard Escobedo (@RichardEscobedo) December 31, 2018

Our reporting is that the announcement timing is not only about raising money, but staffing. In what figures to be a crowded field, announcing early allows formal job offers to ramp up infrastructure in key states. https://t.co/UQ3FZzYE6zhttps://t.co/tZa0jkm7gk

— Steadman (@AsteadWesley) December 31, 2018

Let’s support EVERY Democrat who says they want to run and then make the final decision within the party by voting in our primaries. Then we support the Dem who gets the nomination all the way, even if we don’t agree 100% with everything they say or do. https://t.co/TL2IFiZdIL

— Scott Nevins (@ScottNevins) December 31, 2018

I've never personally connected with Warren on a visceral level. That said, I do like much of what she says and I'm happy to listen.

Bottom line is: I will be voting for the Democratic candidate in 2020 because Trump will not get my vote.

Elizabeth Warren Takes DNA Test Indicating She's Part Native American, Trump Doesn't Remember $1 Million Pledge

Donald Trump has been mocking Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts for years over her claim that she is part Native American.

We've seen him time after time at campaign rallies refer to her as "Pocahontas."

He even promised at a July 5 rally in Montana to donate $1 million to her favorite charity if she would submit to a DNA test and prove she's part American Indian.

Well...

Guess who took a DNA test?

From The New York Times:

There is “strong evidence” that Ms. Warren has Native American pedigree “6-10 generations ago,” according to a document she released from Carlos Bustamante, a renowned geneticist from Stanford University. The error rate is less than one-in-a-thousand, he said.

In releasing a DNA test, Ms. Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat, was rebutting the taunts of Mr. Trump and other conservatives, who have mocked her as “Pocahontas” and claimed she used her heritage to gain an advantage when she was a law professor.

By the way, @realDonaldTrump: Remember saying on 7/5 that you’d give $1M to a charity of my choice if my DNA showed Native American ancestry? I remember – and here's the verdict. Please send the check to the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center: https://t.co/I6YQ9hf7Tv pic.twitter.com/J4gBamaeeo

— Elizabeth Warren (@elizabethforma) October 15, 2018

Trump conveniently doesn't remember any such promise about a $1 million donation.

Let's go to the video tape:

President says at debate he'll offer Warren $1 million to charity if she'll take DNA test, followed by him denying it just moments ago. https://t.co/mdN2qd8NB2 pic.twitter.com/vaArKopp2v

— Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) October 15, 2018

Honoring Navajo Code Talkers At White House, Trump Cracks "Pocahontas" Joke

I. Just. Can't. With. This. Guy.

Today at a White House event honoring the three surviving Navajo code talkers from WWII, Donald Trump joked about calling Elizabeth Warren "Pocahontas."

“We have a representative in Congress who has been here a long time - longer than you. They call her 'Pocahontas!'"

The comment took place in front of a portrait of President Andrew Jackson who signed the Indian Removal Act.

According to reporters present, the comment was met with abject silence.

Here's the video: Trump calls Elizabeth Warren 'Pocahontas' while honoring Native American code talkers: "You were here long before any of us were here. Although we have a representative in Congress who they say was here a long time ago. They call her Pocahontas." pic.twitter.com/hjZ5MInDDf

— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) November 27, 2017

Trump, at event with Navajo Code Talkers at WH, makes "Pocahontas" crack about Senator Warren. There was silence in the room. Per pool.

— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) November 27, 2017

Despicable. At a ceremony meant to honor WWII Navajo code talkers, @realDonaldTrump cracks a crude Pocahontas joke. pic.twitter.com/RagMJKhmsF

— Bridge Project (@BridgeProject21) November 27, 2017

Deplorable treatment of these veterans who played a crucial role in WWII:

Trump slings racist slur at event to honor Navajo code talkershttps://t.co/xsLcZB2d9S via @shareblue

— leah mcelrath (@leahmcelrath) November 27, 2017

Why are people getting SO UPSET about me using the "Pocahontas" indian slur in front of the WWII Navajo Code Talkers veterans? My racist friends and I think it's SO FUNNY! #MondayMotivation pic.twitter.com/YB6QTvaODv

— Donald J. Trump (@RealDonaldTrFan) November 27, 2017

Elizabeth Warren responds to Trump's new 'Pocahontas' remark on MSNBC: "It is deeply unfortunate that the President of the United States cannot even make it though a ceremony honoring these heroes without having to throw out a racial slur." https://t.co/2EiILol15V

— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) November 27, 2017

Sen. Elizabeth Warren Proposes Allowing Same-Sex Marriage Couples To Re-File Taxes For DOMA-Related Tax Refunds

Sen. Elizabeth Warren has filed a bill that would allow same-sex married couples to go back and amend their federal income taxes jointly for the three years before the 2013 SCOTUS ruling which brought federal recognition of legal of marriage equality - if it would result in a tax refund.

From Chris Johnson at the Washington Blade:

Same-sex couples could file an amended return if they feel they would’ve receive a refund in one or more prior tax years for up to three years in the past: 2010, 2011, and 2012. Under some circumstances, such as signing an agreement with the Internal Revenue Service to keep the statute of limitations open, these couple might have been able to seek a refund from an earlier time.

The Refund Equality Act would extend the window period for a refund further back in time. Same-sex couples could file a joint return to seek a refund dating to the time of their marriage, which in Massachusetts could be as early as 2004.

Same-sex couples who wed in jurisdictions with marriage equality more than three years before the DOMA decision — Massachusetts, Connecticut, California, Iowa, New Hampshire, Vermont, and D.C. — could be eligible for a refund under the Refund Equality Act.

I can share that hubby Michael and I filed jointly for the first time in 2013. In that we make different incomes (he's a big deal entertainment publicist, I'm a journalist), we saved a LOT.

At the time, our accountant showed us four different scenarios of what our taxes would have been ranging from "single" to "married - filing jointly." The difference was huge.

I think if a couple's incomes are similar the impact isn't as great.

Michael and I married in California in 2008, so I would definitely take advantage of this law if it comes to pass.

Elizabeth Warren Sidesteps Questions On 2020 White House Run

Will she or won't she?

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), currently promoting her new book, This Fight Is Our Fight: The Battle to Save America's Middle Class, dodged questions whether she plans on a White House run in 2020.

“No,” Warren told the hosts of NBC’s “Today” show. “I am running in 2018 for senator from Massachusetts.”

But when host Matt Lauer mentioned that  “a lot of people are already printing up those bumper stickers for 2020 that say ‘she was warned, she was given an explanation, nevertheless she persisted,'” Warren gave a coy, silent smile.

Watch below.

Is Warren going to run for Pres.? She tells @SavannahGuthrie "no", then @MLauer reads "she persisted" quote and... pic.twitter.com/zj2XzwQChm

— Steve Kopack (@SteveKopack) April 18, 2017

Hillary Clinton On Elizabeth Warren: "She Persisted. So Must We All."

Hillary Clinton

Hillary Clinton chimed in today on last night's Senate skirmish regarding Sen. Elizabeth Warren.

As I earlier reported, Warren was called out and silenced by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell through the use of arcane Senate rule XIX.

Warren had attempted to read a letter from Coretta Scott King to the Senate regarding the confirmation of Jeff Sessions for a judgeship back in 1986. McConnell decided the language in the letter constituted "impugning" the character of Sessions, who was being considered for Attorney General.

Later, Warren stepped into a hallway outside the Senate and read the letter in full for her Facebook page.

Today, Clinton took to Twitter to remark, "She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted. So must we all."

"She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted."

So must we all.https://t.co/JXROGHPNkH

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) February 8, 2017

Sen. Elizabeth Warren Silenced From Speaking On Senate Floor During Sessions Confirmation

Senate Republicans found a way to silence Sen. Elizabeth Warren tonight, utilizing arcane Senate rule XIX, during debate on Sen. Jeff Sessions’ nomination for attorney general.

The rule reads, in part, “no Senator in debate shall, directly or indirectly, by any form of words impute another Senator or other Senators any conduct or motive unworthy or unbecoming a Senator.”

More from the Star-Telegram:

Warren, D-Mass., was found to be in violation of the rule after reading from a 1986 letter from Coretta Scott King, the widow of Martin Luther King Jr. King submitted the letter to the Senate in opposition to Sessions nomination for a federal judgeship in 1986. He was not confirmed for the position.

Warren also quoted critical comments from former Sen. Ted Kennedy.

She was warned by Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, who was the the presiding officer Tuesday night, after reading comments from Kennedy that called Sessions “a disgrace.”

About 20 minutes later, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, stopped Warren saying she had “impugned the motives and conduct of” Sessions.

Here is the part of the letter from King that McConnell objected to: “Mr. Sessions has used the awesome powers of his office in a shabby attempt to intimidate and frighten elderly black voters. For this reprehensible conduct, he should not be rewarded with a federal judgeship.”

Warren replied: “I am surprised that the words of Coretta Scott King are not suitable for debate in the United States Senate.”

Warren is now barred from speaking in the Senate for the remainder of the confirmation debate on Sen. Sessions for Attorney General.

Here's the 1986 letter from Coretta Scott King that Warren was reading from:

Here's the moment Warren was told to sit down and shut up:

I spoke out about @SenatorSessions – until @SenateMajLdr McConnell decided to silence me. https://t.co/qbty7x0iLl

— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) February 8, 2017

Mitch McConnell and 45 other Republican white men just shushed a woman...for reading the words of a black woman about standing up to racism.

— Bill Harnsberger (@BillinPortland) February 8, 2017

Cannot be more clear: every single Republican Senator present just voted that Coretta Scott King's own words can't read on the Senate floor.

— Matt McDermott (@mattmfm) February 8, 2017