Author: Claire DePree

As RFK Jr. attempts to lean on his family’s civil rights legacy and pitch himself as the continuation of that record, he is finding it hard to hide from his past. Now, in a new interview with Tasha K., he doubled down on racist rhetoric, tried to justify his past actions, and showed no remorse when confronted about a story published this week in TheGrio. 

Reporting on Thursday from TheGrio examined how RFK Jr. falsely accused two innocent men of color of the murder of a white woman in order to exonerate his white cousin who was convicted of the crime. Just like Donald Trump and the Central Park Five, RFK Jr. tried to ruin these men’s lives. In the process, RFK Jr. raked in money from book and TV deals while peddling racist stereotypes.  

In response, DNC Chair Jaime Harrison released the following statement: 

“Not only did RFK Jr. falsely accuse two men of color of murder, he’s now doubling down on racist rhetoric in his spoiler campaign for the presidency. His racist rhetoric was wrong when he first used it, and it’s worse now that he continues to lean into racist stereotypes like calling Black men ‘gangsters.’ RFK Jr. continues to show no remorse for his actions and just like Donald Trump, he is dangerous for the Black community and dangerous for America.”

CLIP AND TRANSCRIPT: 

[15:42:00] 

RFK Jr.: “And, and these two guys were kind of big, athletic, and they were kind of gangsters. One of them was white. One of them was Black. And Tony started bringing these kids up to Greenwich on weekends. And he was the one who introduced, um, these boys to Martha Moxley, to the girl. And then on Halloween Eve, he went up with them and they told him on the train on the way up here, ‘We’re going to get her and we’re going to rape her, and we’re going to we’re going to take her caveman style. We’re going to drag her in the woods and knock her on the head.’  And, um, and that’s what they did.” 

BACKGROUND: As RFK Jr. attempts to lean on his family’s history of strong civil rights leadership and pitch himself as the continuation of that legacy, he is finding it hard to hide from his past. Reporting from TheGrio examines how RFK Jr. falsely accused two innocent men – one of them Black, and one of them mixed race– of murdering a white woman to exonerate his white cousin who was convicted of the crime. Just like Donald Trump and the Central Park Five, RFK Jr. tried to ruin these men’s lives. In the process, RFK Jr. raked in money from book and TV deals while peddling racist stereotypes.  

The post STATEMENT: In New Interview, RFK Jr. Doubles Down on Racist Rhetoric and Shows No Remorse appeared first on Democrats.

Today, the Democratic National Committee announced nearly $2 million in targeted investments to state parties in the run-up to November, leveraging the DNC’s record-breaking fundraising to strategically infuse funds in traditionally red and blue states with the goal of strengthening coordinated campaigns and boosting Democratic wins in down-ballot races. This new funding is part of the DNC’s significant, ongoing investments in state parties since President Biden took office and Jaime Harrison became Chair of the DNC. Under President Biden and Chair Harrison’s leadership, the DNC has increased its yearly investment in state parties by 25 percent and delivered the largest-ever investment in state parties from the DNC cycle to date. 

These newest investments include:

• Targeted dollars to help Democrats win down-ballot in Republican-held states, like the U.S. Senate race in Texas or breaking the supermajority in the Kansas legislature.
  
• Tailored investments for what is needed most for state parties and coordinated campaigns to win in states. For example, in Minnesota, these investments will help support the DFL’s return of their first-of-its-kind apartments program to get accurate data, communicate with, and organize people who live in apartments in Minneapolis, and in Texas, the money will fund organizing staff across the state. 

• Six-figures worth of new money for hiring of Black, AAPI, Youth, and Native American organizers.
  
• Learn more about the DNC’s historic investments in state parties here.
  

“Everywhere Democrats are on the ballot this November – from the school board to the White House – we’re fighting to win. The Democratic National Committee is delivering nearly $2 million in new grants for state parties to aid Democrats in down-ballot races in November, from boosting on-the-ground organizing power to strengthening data infrastructure,” said DNC Chair Jaime Harrison. “As we work hand in hand with the Biden-Harris campaign to hold the White House, we’re investing now to build infrastructure and win big up and down the ballot because we know the stakes couldn’t be higher. This latest investment is a boost to the DNC’S record-setting support for state parties under President Biden, the best Party-builder Democrats have had in decades.  These ongoing investments will drive Democratic wins so that we can safeguard our fundamental freedoms, be it in red, purple, or blue states across America.”

“We are thrilled to award nearly $2 million in grants across red and blue states to further strengthen the DNC’s historic investments in Democratic state parties,” said ASDC President Ken Martin. “The Democratic Party is committed to supporting the critical work state parties lead in building real trust and relationships with voters on the ground and the partnership between the DNC and state parties remains strong. Today’s announced funding, tailor made to meet the individual needs of state parties – whether in rural or urban, red or blue states – will strengthen and expand Democrats’ organizing programs for years to come as we continue our commitment to defend Americans’ interests and fundamental rights in all 57 states and territories.”

Examples of the latest state party investments:

Colorado: Colorado is a rapidly growing state and one of the youngest in the country. With many young people reaching voting age for the first time, the DNC invested six-figures for campus organizing programming across the state. These efforts will solidify Democrats’ status in the state for years to come. In total, the DNC has invested upwards of $470k this cycle thus far in the state. 

Indiana: The DNC is investing five-figures into Indiana to help cover the state party’s data and organizing infrastructure. These efforts will be crucial in supporting legislative races in the central part of the state, where Democrats are fighting to hold the seats of three incumbent state legislators and targeting five Republican seats. A four-seat gain allows Democrats to break the GOP supermajority for the first time in 12 years. In total, the DNC has spent upwards of $535k this cycle thus far in the state. 

Kansas: The DNC is investing another $55k to the state party to hire new organizing staff. Democrats are only one seat away in both chambers to breaking the supermajority in the Kansas legislature, and Democrats are fighting to re-elect Rep. Sharice Davids. In total, the DNC has invested upwards of $467k this cycle thus far in the state.

Maryland: Electing Angela Alsobrooks to the Senate is key to protecting Americans’ reproductive rights. That’s why the DNC is investing $250,000 to fund coordinated campaign staff and organizers between now and November. In total, the DNC has spent upwards of $608k this cycle thus far in the state.

Minnesota: Minneapolis has one of the highest apartment renting rates in the country. Traditionally, apartments have been some of the hardest places to reach voters. That’s why the DNC is investing six-figures to fund the salaries of two full-time staff dedicated to getting accurate data, communicating with, and organizing people who live in apartments in Minneapolis, one of the first programs of its kind. In total, the DNC has spent upwards of  $476k this cycle thus far in the state.

Nebraska: The DNC is investing $40,000 to fund a rural organizer in Nebraska’s competitive Second Congressional District. In total, the DNC has spent upwards of  $512k this cycle thus far in the state. 

New Mexico: The DNC is investing over $70,000 for organizing staff that will help reelect Rep. Gabe Vasquez and with Democrats up and down the ballot. In total, the DNC has spent upwards of  $428k this cycle thus far in the state. 

South Dakota: Voter registration has declined among Native populations in the state. To increase voter participation among Native Americans across South Dakota, the DNC is investing $70,000 to cover the South Dakota Democrats’ statewide “ride to the poll” voter registration program for Native communities, supporting West River candidates, and funding a new staff dedicated to the program. In total, the DNC has spent upwards of  $477k this cycle thus far in the state.

Texas:  Texas Democrats need organizers who can help drive up turnout among a young and growing diverse electorate. That’s why the DNC is investing more than $140,000 for organizing staff and infrastructure to organize communities in diverse Texas regions. In total, the DNC has spent upwards of $515k this cycle thus far in the state. 

Utah: Utah Democrats are planning on running their first coordinated campaign since 2016. The DNC is aiding this campaign by investing $45,000 for organizing infrastructure, targeted to local community organizing and power building. In total, the DNC has spent upwards of $458K this cycle thus far in the state. 

Washington: There are three competitive congressional races in Washington. The state also has one of the biggest AAPI populations in the country, so the DNC is making a $66,000 investment to support AAPI and youth organizing. In total, the DNC has spent upwards of  $496K this cycle thus far in the state. 

The post DNC Delivers Nearly $2 Million in New Grants to Boost Down-Ballot Wins, Total Funding to State Parties Now Reaches Over $20 Million This Cycle appeared first on Democrats.

In response to Donald Trump’s VP contenders once again pushing lies and MAGA extremism, DNC Rapid Response Director Alex Floyd released the following statement: 

“Donald Trump’s VP contenders are tripping over themselves as they lie about Trump’s threats of revenge against his political opponents, push anti-choice agendas that include railing against protections for access to contraception, and sell out the American people in favor of ultra-wealthy donors. Every time they open their mouths, Trump’s desperate MAGA minions give the American people reason after reason to reject Trump and his GOP allies at the ballot box this November.”

Tim Scott and Kristi Noem tried to spin Trump’s own words from this week as he continues to threaten revenge on his political opponents…

Shot: 

Scott: “[Trump] will not target his political opponents.”

Noem: “[Trump] is not interested in going after political opponents.”

Chaser:

Axios: “Trump says he would have ‘every right to go after’ political enemies if elected” 

New York Times: “Trump Defends Vow to Prosecute Rivals, Saying ‘Sometimes Revenge Can Be Justified’”

CNN: “Interviewers keep giving Trump an off-ramp to his revenge tour. He isn’t taking it”

Noem called a bill to protect access to contraception – which numerous VP contenders in the Senate voted against – a “joke.”

Dana Bash, CNN: “Senate Republicans blocked a bill to protect access to contraception nationwide. As a matter of principle, do you think Republicans should support complete access to birth control?”

Noem: “That bill was a joke.”

NBC News: “Senate Republicans block bill to protect Americans’ access to contraception”

Republicans who voted against include: Marco Rubio, Tim Scott, Tom Cotton, Marsha Blackburn, Mike Lee, and Joni Ernst.

Doug Burgum couldn’t answer for his record of climate denialism and selling out the American people to push Big Oil and Gas priorities.

Will Cain, Fox News: “You ‘talk a green game but sell Big Oil priorities.’ … There are some questions like what in the past you’ve been on some issues that are important to conservatives like climate change and green energy.”

Burgum: “This comes down on energy… Part of the reason why the donors are pouring out in Silicon Valley is that they all understand for the new things that are coming that we need for us to maintain American dominance.”

New York Times: “Trump’s Energy Guy Talked a Green Game but Now Sells Big Oil Priorities”

“[Burgum] quickly endorsed Mr. Trump and joined his campaign, serving as an informal adviser on energy and helping to connect Mr. Trump with oil billionaires. … In April, Governor Burgum helped to bring oil and gas executives to Mar-a-Lago, Mr. Trump’s private resort in Florida, for a now-infamous dinner during which Mr. Trump suggested that they raise $1 billion for his campaign. Mr. Trump told the executives they would save far more than that in tax breaks and legal fees after he repealed Mr. Biden’s climate agenda.”

Tom Cotton said he is aligned with Trump’s extreme and unpopular foreign policy agenda that includes rewarding Putin for his invasion of Ukraine and threatening NATO.

Shannon Bream, Fox News: “There are reports that what President Trump plans to do to end that conflict is to potentially push Ukraine to give up Crimea,parts of Donbas – if that is the plan, do you agree with that strategy and would that be rewarding Putin in order to wrap this thing up in the way that he intended to start it and take some of that territory? Is that just giving him what he wanted?”

Cotton: “We have to judge the circumstances as they exist next year when he returns to office.”

Daily Beast: “Fox News Edits Out Trump Saying He Might’ve Let Russia ‘Take Over’ Parts of Ukraine”

“[Trump] revealed how he personally would have prevented the war. According to Trump, all he needed to do was let Russia ‘take over’ parts of Ukraine.”

Bream: “I think it’s fair to say you all have made statements about things like NATO, international organizations, America’s role on the global stage that are different. Would you as vice president advocate for policies that may not line up with your commander-in-chief? Do you think you are all too different on important issues of foreign policy?”

Cotton: “No, I think [we] have long been aligned on foreign policy… We believe that we need to pressure allies to take more responsibility for funding our common defense or taking responsibility for what’s happening in their own region.”

Politico: “Trump says he would ‘encourage’ Russia to attack NATO allies who don’t pay up”

Rolling Stone: “​​Trump Plots to Pull Out of NATO — If He Doesn’t Get His Way”

J.D. Vance reminded the American people about his extreme election denialism, saying he is still skeptical of the 2020 election results as he continues to refuse to commit to accepting this November’s election results.

Vance: “I really don’t think, Maria, as somebody who was skeptical of what happened in 2020, that they are going to be able to run the same game.”

HuffPost: “[Vance] said he would accept a Biden win only if he considered the election to be legitimate. … Vance’s comments illustrate a new tactic by Republican lawmakers, who are now placing conditions on accepting election results.”

ABC News: “JD Vance says he’s wouldn’t have certified 2020 race until states submitted pro-Trump electors”

New York Times: “[Vance] has said that, unlike Vice President Mike Pence in 2020, he would have helped Mr. Trump overturn the results, by accepting Trump electors that had not been elected by voters.”

The Guardian: “Potential Trump running mate JD Vance says he still questions results of 2020 election”

The Hill: “JD Vance says he is ‘skeptical’ Pence’s life was in danger on Jan. 6”

Politico: “[Vance] downplayed the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol, when Pence was forced to evacuate the building as rioters called for his hanging.”

The post Sunday Scaries: VP Contenders Try to Out-MAGA Each Other With Lies and Extremism to Cover for Trump’s Dangerous Agenda appeared first on Democrats.