The DNC announced there will be six primary debates, giving Hillary six chances to prove that she’s likable enough. Bernie Sanders got a haircut, though we knew that he was running for president once he started combing it. And Mike Huckabee, announcing his presidential campaign, said he plans to “conquer Jihadism,” which will also mean new jobs after he relaunches the Teutonic Order. This is HUFFPOST HILL for Tuesday, May 5th, 2015:
Programming note: Yesterday's newsletter didn't send, but you can read it here.
MITCH DITCHES HAWKS - ::John Boehner takes a sip of merlot from long-stem wine glass, chuckles. "Not so easy, is it, Mitch?" Takes another sip, admires painting of boat on the wall of his basement apartment:: … Jessica Schulberg and Sam Stein: " In a rebuke to the hawks of his party, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) indicated on Tuesday that he will move forward with a Senate bill on the Iran nuclear agreement by limiting votes on amendments that demand more conditions from the Iranians. Though no definitive schedule was announced, Republicans left their weekly luncheon suggesting that no further tinkering would be done to the bill. The legislation gives Congress up to 52 days to approve any forthcoming Obama administration request to lift sanctions on Iran in exchange for curbs on the country’s nuclear program. 'I think the leader will file cloture this afternoon and we’ll have a vote on cloture probably Thursday,' said Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), who described the tone of the lunch as: 'It’s time to move on and they’re going to file cloture this afternoon as I understand it.' Speaking to reporters after that luncheon concluded, McConnell would not utter the word "cloture," saying only that he was trying to "move quickly" while considering other, less controversial amendments." [HuffPost]
WHITE HOUSE MOVING FORWARD ON OVERTIME PAY REGS - Dave Jamieson and Sam Stein: "The Obama administration on Tuesday morning put in motion one of the last major elements of the president's economic agenda, a reform to overtime rules that could result in a pay bump for millions. Fulfilling an executive order issued last year by President Barack Obama, Labor Department officials have sent a proposal to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs at the Office of Management and Budget to expand the number of U.S. workers eligible for overtime pay when they work long hours." [HuffPost]
OBAMA COULD LIMIT SECRETIVE ADS BUT WON'T - "Barack Obama *says* he's for campaign finance, so why won't he do anything about it? -- Paid for by Newsletter Authors for Clicks." Dana Liebelson: "Congressional Democrats are pressuring President Barack Obama's Federal Communications Commission to require super PACs and other secretive groups that buy political advertisements to disclose their major funders in those ads. Along with consumer advocates and a former FCC commissioner, some Democrats contend that the agency doesn't need congressional authorization to force super PAC donors to reveal their identities. But it's unclear whether the agency's top dog will have the appetite to act in the face of stiff Republican opposition. Thanks to the rise of super PACs, Americans don't always know who is paying for political attack ads on TV and radio... The bill directs the FCC to revise its rules to force groups that fund broadcasts dealing with politics or other controversial issues of "public importance" to disclose the names of 'significant donors.' The legislation, unsurprisingly, doesn't have support from the men who inspired it." [HuffPost]
DAILY DELANEY DOWNER - Food stamp recipients are more likely to be obese than the general population, according to new research from the federal government. Most Americans are heavier than they should be, of course, but a U.S. Department of Agriculture study delving into National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from 2007 through 2010 found Americans on food stamps were more likely to be obese than other groups -- including people who didn't receive benefits even though they were poor enough to qualify. Forty percent of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program beneficiaries were obese during those years, the study found, compared with 32 percent of poor people who didn't get SNAP benefits and 30 percent of higher-income Americans. The finding doesn't mean SNAP makes people fat, though the possibility of correlation is something researchers have long explored. [HuffPost]
Haircuts: Bernie Sanders (h/t Laura Barron-Lopez), Igor Volsky (h/t Arthur Delaney)
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HUCKABEE JUMPS IN 2016 RACE - He hopes to distinguish himself in the crowded field by playing up the fact that he is white and religious. Marina Fang: "Mike Huckabee, the Baptist minister who became Arkansas governor, announced Tuesday he'll run for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination. Huckabee made the announcement in his hometown of Hope, Arkansas. During his announcement, Huckabee said that he would 'conquer Jihadism' and protect Social Security. He also criticized the Supreme Court for potentially overturning bans on same-sex marriage. He also said that he favored term limits for individuals in all branches of the federal government -- including the judiciary...According to HuffPost Pollster, Huckabee falls behind a few other GOP 2016 candidates, trailing Sens. Rand Paul (Ky.) and Ted Cruz (Texas), and Marco Rubio (Fla.), but slightly edging out former neurosurgeon Ben Carson." [HuffPost]
Contribution violations made following jokes are free speech: "In announcing his bid for the Republican Party presidential nomination on Tuesday, Huckabee declared that his campaign, unlike those of his opponents, would not be funded by billionaires, but would instead be paid for by small donations of the $10 or $25 variety. However, he said, 'Now, rest assured, if you want to give a million dollars, please do it.' The catch: The maximum amount federal candidates can legally solicit for their own campaigns or a supportive super PAC is $5,400. Even if it’s just a joke." [HuffPost's Paul Blumenthal]
AARON SCHOCK LAYING LOW - He should've taken Rosamund's advice and gone to Switzerland. Anna Palmer and Jake Sherman: "Former Rep. Aaron Schock said in March he would amend his campaign finance reports to reflect a number of errors. He has not done so. The Illinois Republican said he would repay the government for tens of thousands of dollars of questionable mileage reimbursements he had received. But representatives for Schock refused to say whether he has, and House records that would detail any repayment won’t be available for weeks. Schock was legally required to file a financial disclosure statement within 30 days of leaving Congress but he has failed to do that, too.Meanwhile, the disgraced ex-lawmaker, who’s kept a low profile since he resigned from Congress at the end of March, has begun to use his leftover campaign funds to pay at least one former staffer’s legal fees, according to sources with knowledge of the inner workings of his operation. This all comes as a grand jury is set to reconvene Wednesday in Springfield, Illinois, to continue hearing testimony about how Schock conducted his government business." [Politico]
DNC RELEASES 2016 DEBATE SCHEDULE - Someone alert Mike Gravel. Igor Bobic: "Democrats announced Tuesday that they plan to hold six official debates between Democratic candidates seeking the presidential nomination in 2016. Beginning later this fall, each of the debates will be held in one of four early primary and caucus states: Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina...The DNC said its goal was to make the debates 'as appealing and accessible as possible' and include 'key civic groups.' The events will also include diverse 'media outlets, moderators and formats.' Any candidate who decides to participate in the debate process must agree to do so exclusively, making them ineligible to participate in any debates organized by third-party groups. If candidates deviate from this rule, they lose the ability to take part in any remaining debates hosted by the Democratic Party." [HuffPost]
This is how Washington works, courtesy of our inbox: "For Immediate Release, May 5, 2015: NBCI's 34,000 Black Churches Say NO to the AT&T-Direct TV Merger; Your Cable Bill Will Skyrocket!"
GRAYSON'S GIRLFRIEND MULLING RUN FOR SEAT - They'd either help make the greatest or worst conference committee in Congress' history. Kyle Cheney and Marc Caputo: "As Florida Rep. Alan Grayson mulls a Senate campaign to the consternation of national Democrats, his girlfriend is quietly preparing her own bid to succeed Grayson in the House, POLITICO has learned. Grayson’s girlfriend Dena Minning, a self-described 'biotechnology entrepreneur' who has an MD and a Ph.D in biochemistry, has reached out to at least one Democratic-leaning group and clearly expressed her interest in running for the post, according to a message shown to POLITICO on the condition it not publish the contents or name the organization...The outspoken Grayson and Minning have repeatedly declined to comment about her potential bid, despite a week’s worth of telephone calls, text messages and emails to both of them. Grayson did find time on Monday, however, to issue an angry response to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee’s decision to back fellow Rep. Patrick Murphy’s Senate bid — an unsubtle reminder that Grayson would be defying the party’s wishes if he challenges Murphy for the Democratic nomination." [Politico]
@ScottBixby: .@BarackObama, call your office. https://t.co/vw2ZKtq1ru
BECAUSE YOU'VE READ THIS FAR - Here's a peculiar dog.
STOCK PHOTO FLAG BOY FOUND! - Andrew Kaczynski and Megan Apper: "Daniel Hurst, a videographer and photographer who operates the stock footage company VIA Films noted the child in the ads is his son. 'I shot this video of my son a few years back. Stock video is used in ads all the time, I really don’t think this is anything unusual,' Hurst said. 'I have had the same shots used my multiple tv manufacturers for example-- it happens all the time in stock photo/video.' 'He has never been recognized on the street, but family and friends are always seeing my wife and kids in various commercials,' added Hurst. 'I have no idea why any particular party would use this shot more than others.'" [BuzzFeed]
COMFORT FOOD
- The wealthiest zip codes in America.
- Steven Tylersings "Happy Birthday" to a fan on a plane. This is not comforting. We apologize in advance.
- The best things to come out of Star Wars Day yesterday.
TWITTERAMA
@EliLake: Who will be the candidate for all the Americans clamoring for more of the same.
@IgorBobic: Bold policy idea on Huckabee’s website: "Status 502 Bad Gateway"
@jbendery: Sometimes I still can't believe Al Franken is a senator. Just passed him in the hall like, whoa what are you do- oh yeah.
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