Oklahoma ‘outrage’: State Sen. Constance Johnson fights personhood bill with satiric amendment
State Sen. Constance Johnson (D-Oklahoma City) tells “Majority Report” host Sam Seder about the amendment she proposed to a personhood bill introduced by fellow state Sen. Brian Crain (R-Tulsa). Johnson’s amendment, which she has since withdrawn, stipulated that life begins at ejaculation. Johnson explained why she took action: “When we have desperate measures, we have to take desperate steps. It was humorous, but at the same time it was as serious as a heart attack.”
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Keith and Markos Moulitsas, “Countdown” contributor and founder of the Daily Kos, discuss the impact of Michigan Republican Peter Hoekstra’s racially charged campaign ad targeting Democratic incumbent Senator Debbie Stabenow, whom he hopes to unseat in November. Moulitsas questions whether racially themed ads can still make an impact in the 2012 election given a more interconnected social landscape.
“Countdown” guest host Bill Press checks in with political blogger Craig Crawford to discuss what Mitt Romney’s Florida victory means in the context of the larger 2012 election. Crawford suggests that Democrats should get a head start on defining Romney “on Democratic Party terms” now that more Americans will start to pay attention to the race: “I think Democrats should go negative early and often and maybe right now.”
Keith and Bill Press, host of “The Bill Press Show,” discuss how an encouraging jobs report and continuing positive economic news can help Obama gain momentum as he fights for a second term. The Republicans’ “public surrender” on the payroll tax cut battle as a turning point for Obama: “He’s been able to paint them into a corner, which is, he’s fighting for the middle class — he’s fighting for the 99 percent. They’re fighting for the 1 percent and they can’t get out of that trap.”
Keith and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.),member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, discuss his efforts to overturn Citizens United, the infamous 2010 Supreme Court ruling that corporations are guaranteed free speech and freedom to spend unlimited amounts on virtually unregulated political advertising. Acknowledging how difficult it will be to get his amendment passed, Sanders is calling on all Americans — regardless of their political affiliation — to help overturn the ruling: “Get people on the phone, get on their emails and alert their members of Congress that Citizens United is not what America is about.”
UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage MEP quized on the EURO crisis.
Keith and Robert Reich, former Labor Secretary and author of “Aftershock,” discuss the Occupy movement’s latest steps – Occupy McConnell and Bank Transfer Day preparations – and consider whether there will be more politically charged and focused activities. Although Reich notes that much of the success of Occupy so far has been through not being affiliated with a political party and not being “enormously hierarchically organized,” he calls on all the Occupy groups to exercise their economic power to affect legislation.
NDP Leader Andrea Horwath, Conservative Leader Tim Hudak, Liberal Leader Dalton McGuinty debate in Toronto
Keith and Talking Points Memo reporter Brian Beutler discuss President Obama’s decision to withdraw planned tough, new EPA standards to regulate ground-level ozone, despite this being within his power to do without Congress’ approval. Beutler says that Obama’s decision to stall smog regulation reform until 2013 and not at least implement the Bush administration’s standards is a clear slap in the face to his constituents and to the interest groups that make up the Democratic party.
–Would no alcohol sales in bars, restaurants, and package stores for 48 hours before presidential elections affect voter turnout and results?