In an unsurprising twist, the Cherokee Nation demands that Scott Brown stop being a racist asshole

People following the race in Massachusetts between Scott Brown and Elizabeth Warren are aware that the race has taken an oddly racist turn.  Brown accused Warren of illegitimately claiming to be Native American during their debate last week, insinuating that she had somehow gotten ahead by doing so.  ”Look at her!” he keeps yelling, implying that HE can tell her heritage just by looking at her and so obviously there’s no way she could have an ounce of Native American blood.

Brown claims that Warren used her Native American claim to gain professorship at the Harvard University where she taught.  An idiot claim, since interviews are conducted in person. He also faults her for listing her heritage in the Harvard guidebook. He’s continued to demand that she offer paper proof (reminiscent of “papers please” huh?), which is near impossible since records from that time barely exist.  Besides, aren’t the only people allowed to demand proof Native Americans or, you know, Harvard. Assuming that she actually claimed minority status, federal law requires that a claimant of Native ancestry present documentation and only recognizes to the 16th for purposes of education. Siting the existence of one’s heritage doesn’t mean that you’re seeking some advantage because of it.  And again we are confronted by the “minorities get special treatment” myth. 

Regardless of how you feel about Warran’s heritage, Brown and his supporters have recently crossed a bigger line by engaging in “war whoop chants” and “tomahawk chops” during campaign rallies to taunt Warren.  The Cherokee Nations says enough is enough.  Notice they have no problem with Warren’s claim, which was told to her by her mother while she was explaining why she and Warren’s father were forced to elope (his family wasn’t too crazy to have a woman with Native American blood in the family).  No.  They are focused of the real racism in the campaign- the bullshit started by Scott Brown.  And rightly so. They have demanded an apology. 

This is going to be an interesting election to say the least.

Republicans Hold the Edge in the Senate

Republicans are currently leading in four states with Democratic senators: Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. Victories here would raise their total from 47 to 51 if nothing else changes. However, three states are ties: Arizona, Massachusetts, and Virginia. Republicans already hold two of these, Arizona and Massachusetts, so wins here would net them one more seat (Virginia) bringing their total to 52 absent any other changes. However, Angus King is certain to win the seat of Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME), who is retiring in disgust. If he decides to caucus with the Democrats, the Republicans best case scenario is 51, but that is enough. Actually, one other state might be competitive: Missouri. But after Todd Akin’s remarks about “legitimate rape” the Republican Party and all Republican-allied superPACS closed the money faucet, so he is on his own against a well-funded incumbent, Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO).

There is a map of the Senate races and descriptions of all of them here or click on the word “Senate” at the top of this page.

If things continue along the current trajectory, Obama could be elected President but the Republicans would control both chambers of Congress. This could lead to the mother of all deadlocks, with absolutely nothing happening for four years as the Republicans block every Obama initiative, possibly even any Supreme Court appointments that come up. However, Obama has one ace up his sleeve that he could use to make a deal with the Republicans. All the Bush tax cuts expire at pumpkin time on Dec. 31. If Obama is reelected, he could simply tell Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to refrain from calling a special session of the Senate after the election. This would automatically end all the Bush tax cuts. The Republicans would be livid, but desperate to reduce the top rate. In January, they could pass any bill they wanted to but Obama would veto it. Finally they would be forced to make a deal with him. Absent a deal, the top rate would go up, something they want to avoid at all costs. That would probably be Obama’s only leverage for the foreseeable future. Of course, Congress could chicken out and kick the can down the road, freezing the Bush tax cuts in place for only 2 more years.

On the other hand, it is not a given that the Republicans will get their best case scenario. Elizabeth Warren could pick up the seat of Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA) and some of the ties could break for the Democrats. Also, the four pickups mentioned above are not sure things, either. One thing that everyone agrees on is that the Senate will be closely divided. Politico has a good story on the Senate races.

sarahlee310:

cognitivedissonance:

Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass. takes to the Senate floor to implore his fellow GOP colleagues to re-authorize the Violence Against Women Act, briefly sharing his own story of how his life was affected by domestic violence. 

Though I support his opponent, Elizabeth Warren, it’s great to see him standing up to this opposition from his own party. Why won’t the GOP reauthorize it? Because it has protections for GLBTQ people and undocumented immigrants. Seriously.

And they also oppose it because it allows Native American tribes to legally pursue non-Indians who come on reservations and assault residents without fear of prosecution  - because currently, tribes only have jurisdiction over their own members.

Source: cognitivedissonance