If he can stay awake long enough Ben Carson's butt kissing loyalty to President-Elect Donald Trump may pay off in a cabinet position in the Trump administration.
Carson, a campaign surrogate for Trump, is in “discussions” about a possible Cabinet position in the incoming Trump administration.
The retired neurosurgeon, who endorsed Trump quickly after dropping out of the 2016 White House race, is reportedly a contender for surgeon general or Health and Human Services secretary.
[SOURCE]
Well, the post-election intrigue has started in the Democratic Party after a devastating election day in which Republicans took the presidency and held on to both the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. After the horrible handling of the debates and the email leaks under Debbie Wasserman Shultz and the sad revelations about Donna Brazile leaking debate questions to Hillary Clinton, several Democrats are discussing vying to become chairman of the Democratic National Committee. One of those people is Minnesota Congressman and hardcore progressive Keith Ellison.
Rep. Keith Ellison, a leading progressive voice in Congress and one of only two Muslim Americans in the House of Representatives, has his eyes on becoming the next chair of the Democratic National Committee.
The Minnesota Democrat has been planning a run for weeks, and has begun informally talking to other party lawmakers and insiders about his prospects for the post, several sources have told The Huffington Post.
His name was floated as a possible DNC chair by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on Thursday morning, giving him the type of institutional progressive support that would make his candidacy formidable. MoveOn.org, a major progressive network, also said in a statement that Ellison would be “an excellent DNC chair.”
Ellison’s identity as a black man and the first Muslim member of Congress would serve as a symbolic rebuke to President-elect Donald Trump. And his ties to Sanders would give him credibility in the progressive community that feels the party has catered too much to elite interests. He is also regarded as a savvy television presence ― which seems likely to be a major requirement for the job in the age when Democrats are out of power in every branch of government.
Read more: Congressman Keith Ellison Wants To Run The DNC
U.S. Senator Tim Scott (Republican, South Carolina)) has been re-elected to the U.S. Senate by the voters of South Carolina. Senator Scott defeated Thomas Dixon and two other with Democrats with 60.5% of the vote. This will be Scott first full term as a senator.
ELECTION RESULTS:
CANDIDATE PARTY VOTES PCT.
Tim Scott* Republican 1,228,844 60.5%
Thomas Dixon Democrat 752,001 37.0
Bill Bledsoe Constitution 37,124 1.8
Rebel Michael Scarborough American Party 11,861 0.6
New Jersey Congressman Donald Payne Jr. (DEM) has been re-elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for a third term as the Representative of New Jersey's 10th Congressional District. Payne demolished his Republican challenger David Pinckney and three others with over 86% of the vote making his margin of victory the largest in the state of N.J. Congrats to Congressman Payne.
ELECTION RESULTS:
Payne Jr., Donald Dem 179,082 86%
Pinckney, David GOP 24,628 12%
Miller, Joanne Ind 3,406 2%
Fraser, Aaron Ind 1,609 1%
New Jersey Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (Dem) won re-election to her congressional seat representing N.J. 12th District for a second term. She handily defeated Republican Steven Uccio and 5 other challenger withe over 63% of the vote.
ELECTION RESULTS:
Watson Coleman, Bonnie (i) Dem 160,851 63%
Uccio, Steven GOP 83,049 32%
Forchion, Edward Ind 5,420 2%
Shapiro, Robert Ind 2,496 1%
Fitzpatrick, Thomas Lib 2,202 1%
Welzer, Steven Grn 1,854 1%
Bollentin, Michael Ind 1,148 0%
It wasn't all doom and gloom for Democrats on election day. Kamala Harris, of California was elected to the U.S. Senate on Tuesday.
California voters on Tuesday elected the state’s first new U.S. senator in 24 years, and made history in the process.
State Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris easily won the race over Loretta Sanchez, according to the Associated Press, becoming the first black politician in history to represent California in the Senate.
Harris, the first woman elected as California attorney general, will succeed Democrat Barbara Boxer, who is retiring after serving four terms in the U.S. Senate.
Harris, the daughter of immigrants from India and Jamaica, becomes only the second black woman ever elected to the Senate.
[SOURCE]
Despite his "outreach" to black voters and despite what Donald Trump and many conservative sites would have you believe, Trump's percentage of the black vote is not growing in any way. As a matter of fact according to a poll of over 21,000 black voters conducted by Howard University he is still stuck at 2% of the black vote.
Check out Lebron James introducing our next president, Hillary Clinton and discussing why our votes matter in Cleveland, Ohio on November 6, 2016.
Seeking to close off any route for Donald Trump to get the 270 electoral votes he needs to be elected president, U.S. Sen. Cory Booker visited the city of Brotherly Love Saturday to ensure African-Americans went to the polls on Tuesday.
A strong black turnout in Pennsylvania's largest city could cancel Trump votes elsewhere and keep the Keystone State in the Democratic camp, improving Hillary Clinton's chances of becoming the first woman U.S. president.
"This state is going to determine which way our country goes," Booker said.
Booker (D-N.J.) was one of several surrogates of both parties who, like the candidates themselves, are fanning out to battleground states this weekend in advance of Election Day. Gov. Chris Christie originally was scheduled to visit Pennsylvania as well on Saturday, though his appearance was cancelled after two former aides were convicted in the Bridgegate trial.
He visited a black-owned barbershop, where pro-Clinton campaign signs such as "Love trumps hate" and "Stronger together" shared space with posters of the Negro League, Muhammad Ali standing over a fallen Sonny Liston, and Obama. He spoke before a group of blacks who were organizing get-out-the-vote efforts. And he addressed dozens of Clinton supporters at a storefront headquarters.
Booker delivered pep talks, posed for selfies, posted videos on Instagram, and asked those in attendance to give one hour, 48 minutes or even 32 minutes to make calls on Tuesday to ensure that Clinton backers go to the polls.
"This is one of those elections where it's forward or backward," he said at the barbershop. "We need to get our friends and our families out to vote."
Read more: Booker goes to Philadelphia to get the black vote out
After not allowing Sevyn Streeter to perform the national anthem because she wore a shirt that read "We Matter" the Philadelphia 76ers have agreed to let her sing the national anthem on December 16. Both the 76ers and Streeter released statements on this agreement. Read those statements below.
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS STATEMENT
"After thoughtful conversation, the 76ers and Sevyn Streeter have worked together to develop a plan we hope will bring meaningful action to the Philadelphia community. Sevyn has accepted our offer to return to perform the national anthem on Friday, December 16th vs. the Los Angeles Lakers. She will also be joining the organization in our ongoing efforts in the community by partnering with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Philadelphia. Additionally, the Sixers will make a donation to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Philadelphia."
SEVYN STREETER STATEMENT:
"After a meaningful dialogue with the 76ers organization, I have accepted their apology. In order to move forward, it was important to me that we take action and use this as an opportunity to create positive change and dialogue throughout the community. The Sixers and I plan to work together through multiple community outreach programs to promote inclusion and acceptance. Our first initiative will be with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Philadelphia, to whom they are graciously making a donation. I am also looking forward to returning to Philadelphia in December to perform the national anthem wearing my 'We Matter' jersey at the 76ers game vs. the Los Angeles Lakers."
By George L. Cook III African American Reports
Democratic strategist, talking heads, and many Hillary Clinton supporters are in a slight panic over the lower early voting totals for African Americans. Calm down people; there is no reason to start popping Valiums or downing bottles of whiskey here. There are two factors that when taken into account give a better picture of the cause of the lower totals and should give all Hillary Clinton supporters a rosier outlook.
Factor #1: Hillary was never going to get the same early voting totals as Barack Obama among African-American voters, but then again she doesn't have to. All she has to do is get the 88-90% of the total black vote that Michael Dukakis (89%), Al Gore (90%), and John Kerry (88%)Kerry got. If she does that and continues to expand her base among Hispanic voters, Asian voters, and college educated women, she will be okay. *Sidebar: Yes, smart asses I know that Dukakis, Gore, and Kerry all lost but 88-90% of the black vote back then does not equate to what 80-90% would be now as many more African Americans are voting.
Factor #2: Many of those panicking are ignoring or minimizing the effect of Republican voter suppression tactics. In many states like North Carolina and Alabama, the number of early polling sites was reduced, and those that did open up had their hours cut. Many black voters preferred to use the early voting option so of course, their turnout numbers would be lower if those options are taken away. But just because they couldn't vote early doesn't mean that black voters won't vote. Many will take the time to turn out on election day and cast their ballots for Hillary Clinton. In my humble opinion all Republicans have succeeded in doing with their voter suppression tactics is moving the day when African Americans vote.
So everyone just relax. The black vote will be there for Hillary and help make her the next President of the United States.
By George L. Cook III African American Reports
A federal judge on Friday ordered elections boards in three North Carolina counties to restore voter registrations canceled too close to Election Day after the NAACP sued over thousands of the challenges.
U.S. District Judge Loretta Biggs issued the ruling after an emergency hearing earlier in the week on NAACP allegations that at least three counties purged voter rolls through a process disproportionately targeting blacks.
Biggs said the local elections boards must "take all steps necessary" to restore voter registrations canceled during the 90 days preceding Election Day on Tuesday.
Read more: Three North Carolina counties ordered to restore voter lists
Black clergy are taking to the pulpits and the streets nationwide this weekend in hopes of energizing black voters ahead of Election Day, aiming to make a difference in the presidential contest between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.
Many expect a drop in black voter participation this year, primarily because Barack Obama, the nation’s first African-American president, is not on the ballot. His historic candidacy in 2008 and re-election in 2012 helped to fuel record black turnout.
“Voting, for us, is both a spiritual and a political issue,” said Rev. William Barber, president of the North Carolina NAACP and architect of the Moral Monday Movement in North Carolina. Barber will be one of several clergy at the historic Riverside Church in New York City Sunday evening for a revival service to encourage voting on Tuesday.
Read more: Black clergy making last second push to get out the vote
A group of elected New Jersey officials released the following statement in response to a Republican campaign flyer that is overtly racist. Don't take my word for it you can look at the flier and read that response below.
This statement comes from the following elected officials. Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka, NJ State Democratic Party Chairman John Currie, Essex County Democratic Party Chairman Leroy Jones, Senator Teresa Ruiz, Senator Ron Rice, Governor Dick Codey, Assemblyman Ralph Caputo, Assemblywoman Cleopatra Tucker, Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson, Assemblyman Tom Giblin Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor-Marin and Assemblywoman Sheila Oliver.
The Republican Party of Burlington County has mailed local residents an appeal for votes based on undisguised racism that relies on racial and economic stereotypes. The flyer states, “If you don’t want Burlington County to turn into this part of New Jersey, then vote for the people who make our county a special place to live. The mailer features a large map of northern New Jersey with Newark in large bold lettering and a large red push pin stuck into Newark.
The not so subtle message is that Newark and its suburbs are all that white voters fear in a community: Black, Latino, Poor, Dangerous, and Blighted. The characterization is slanderous and false. It exploits the worst racial stereotyping. The message is that if you elect Democrats, minorities will take over your community and destroy it. You will be driven out.
The theme of the Burlington Republicans is the same divisive rhetoric as the Trump campaign and its cheerleader-in-chief, Chris Christie. The Trump campaign is toxic and contagious. It’s blatant racism has emboldened local Republican candidates and given them permission to campaign on a message that has heretofore been confined to white supremacists. We urge the voters of Burlington County to come out and vote in record numbers this year. Every vote against the Burlington Republican candidates and against Donald Trump will send a message that our communities reject those who seek to divide us for political gain. And we call on our legislative colleagues of both parties to stand with us and denounce the hateful Burlington Republican campaign.
Hopewell Baptist Church, a black church in Greenville Mississippi was set on fire and vandalized with graffiti that read "Vote Trump". Most of the damage to the 111-year-old church was to the sanctuary and there have been no reports of injury.
During a press conference officials that the incident is now being investigated as a hate crime. Greenville Police Chief Freddie Cannon called the incident "a form of voting intimidation".
The FBI released a statement on the burning:
“The FBI Jackson Division is aware of the situation in Greenville, and we are working with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners to determine if any civil rights crimes were committed.”
Jim Johnson, a former U.S. Treasury official and federal prosecutor has announced he's running for governor of N.J., wading into a Democratic primary that many considered over before it officially began.
Johnson, of Montclair, has opened a campaign office in his hometown, looking to mount a challenge against banking executive and former U.S ambassador Phil Murphy, who kick-started his campaign with $10 million of his own money and is considered the odds-on favorite for the governorship.
Johnson told NJ Advance Media on Monday that he's running on a platform of rebuilding the state's economy, restoring bonds in the community and renewing trust in government.
"I believe that elections, at the end of the day, are about the people who go to the voting booth," he said.
Johnson is a former undersecretary for enforcement at the Treasury Department, where he oversaw the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the Secret Service, U.S. Customs and other agencies during President Bill Clinton's administration.
He also headed up New Jersey's Advisory Committee on Police Standards, which was formed during the late 1990s when the State Police was under federal monitoring for racial profiling, and has helped shape recent reforms including the Attorney General's Office's policy on the use of body-worn cameras.
The North Carolina NAACP has filed a federal lawsuit against the state for what it alleges is a Republican effort to suppress African-American voters.
The lawsuit, filed Monday, seeks to stop county election boards in North Carolina from canceling voter registrations. Three counties have canceled thousands of voter registrations based off what the NAACP alleges is “a single item of returned mail, sent via a coordinated campaign, led by individuals with GOP ties.”
The NAACP also aims to restore the already canceled registrations before the election.
In at least one county, African Americans were disproportionately affected, accounting for 65% of the voters whose registrations were nixed, despite making up just one fourth of the population.
Read more: NAACP office sues North Carolina, alleging voter suppression
Antron Brown is officially a three-time NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world champion, locking up his third overall and second straight Top Fuel title when Doug Kalitta lost to Steve Torrence in the second round at the NHRA Toyota Nationals.
Brown has been the dominant Top Fuel racer this season, winning seven times in 11 final-round appearances and tallying an amazing 51 round-wins through the first 22 events. Though he has done well all season, Brown has been particularly strong during the Countdown to the Championship. Brown entered the playoffs ranked No. 1 and never surrendered that position, thanks to an effort that included wins in Charlotte, Reading, and Dallas. He also qualified No. 1 in Dallas, an event that he dominated to all but shut out the rest of the competition in the championship chase, leaving Texas with a 150-point advantage.
Brown made history in 2012 when he won his first Mello Yello world championship to become the first African-American NHRA world champ and first black driver to win a major U.S. auto racing championship title.
