NV-SEN

Angle Backs Congressional Action On Stopping Birthright Citizenship

Eric Kleefeld | August 10, 2010, 9:48AM

NV Sen. candidate Sharron Angle (R)

Sharron Angle is now getting on board with those Republicans who are calling for an end to birthright citizenship for the children of illegal immigrants. But instead of amending the Constitution, Angle is apparently in the camp that believes it can be done through legislation.

Jon Ralston reports that Angle said during a media availability yesterday that "certainly someone who has not come here under the rule of law is not under our jurisdiction." She also added: "I think Congress needs to become involved."

Birthright citizenship comes from the very first sentence of the 14th Amendment: "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside." This was enacted in order to guarantee racial equality, especially for the freed slaves after the Civil War, and has been extended to cover all racial groups.

But when it comes to the children of illegal immigrants, some conservatives think they've found their loophole. However, experts have told TPM that any such plans to change the law are "clearly unconstitutional."

The TPM Poll Average for the Nevada Senate race gives Harry Reid a lead of 45.1%-42.7%.

Sheila Johnson

Sheila Johnson Co-Chairing McDonnell's Inauguration

Eric Kleefeld | November 17, 2009, 4:37PM

Sheila Johnson, BET Co-Founder

A special name pops up on the list of co-chairs for Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell's (R-VA) inauguration: Sheila Johnson, a co-founder of Black Entertainment Television -- who is best known for having made fun of Democratic candidate Creigh Deeds for stuttering.

The McDonnell campaign had initially declined to condemn Johnson's joke or distance themselves from it, after it had come to light. Johnson herself issued an apology shortly afterward. Her status in the campaign did not seem to be damaged, as she later continued to hold McDonnell events and even starred in a campaign ad.

Also on the list is Susan Allen, a former first lady of the state, and wife of former Governor and former Senator George Allen.

VA-GOV

Deeds Campaign: McDonnell Should Use Rally With Sheila Johnson To Apologize For Stutter Joke

Eric Kleefeld | October 12, 2009, 3:59PM

VA-GOV Candidates Creigh Deeds (D) and Bob McDonnell (R)

On a conference call with the Deeds campaign and reporters just now, TPM asked Deeds adviser Mo Elleithee for comment on Republican candidate Bob McDonnell's upcoming rally with Sheila Johnson -- the McDonnell supporter who publicly insulted Deeds for stuttering.

"Well, we'll be anxious to see if he finally uses this as an opportunity to apologize," said Elleithee. The McDonnell campaign had originally not apologized, though Johnson herself later issued a statement apologizing, after a day of media criticism.

"I think most people agree that her comments were in poor taste. People are confused about why he would not distance himself from those comments," Elleithee added. "It really was a telling moment in this campaign. It was the only time in this campaign so far when one candidate launched a truly negative personal attack against another."

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VA-GOV

Deeds Campaign Raising Money Off Of McDonnell Supporter's Stutter Insult

Eric Kleefeld | October 7, 2009, 12:12PM

VA-GOV Candidates Creigh Deeds (D) and Bob McDonnell (R)

The Creigh Deeds campaign is now raising money off of the attack by McDonnell supporter Sheila Johnson, who made fun of Deeds for stuttering.

"Before introducing Bob at a campaign event, a top McDonnell surrogate resorted to mocking Creigh's speaking style -- insulting people who truly suffer from speech impediments," the e-mail from Deeds senior adviser Mo Elleithee says.

"Creigh is the first to tell you he's not the smoothest talker. But when he says something, you know it's honest," Elleithee later adds. "Bob McDonnell has not been honest in this campaign. Not about his transportation and energy plans, and certainly not about his record."

The McDonnell campaign initially did not apologize, but released a statement saying that Deeds "never had a problem voicing his false attacks," but "had difficulty expressing" a positive vision. After some more media coverage, Johnson apologized.

The full e-mail is available after the jump.

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VA-GOV

Sheila Johnson Apologizes For Making Fun of Deeds' Stutter

Eric Kleefeld | October 6, 2009, 11:17AM

Sheila Johnson, BET Co-Founder

Sheila Johnson, a supporter of Republican candidate Bob McDonnell in the Virginia Senate race, has apologized for making fun of Democratic candidate Creigh Deeds for stuttering.

"Two weeks ago I made reference to Creigh Deeds's inability to clearly communicate effective solutions to the serious problems facing Virginia," Johnson said yesterday evening in a statement sent to the Politico. "I shouldn't have done it in the manner in which I did and for that I apologize for any offense he, or others, may have taken."

Initially, the McDonnell campaign did not apologize, but had released a statement saying in part: "Creigh Deeds has never had a problem voicing his false attacks about Bob McDonnell. What he has had difficulty expressing is any positive vision for Virginia's future. Democratic businesswoman Sheila Johnson was noting that fact."

VA-GOV

Prominent McDonnell Donor Mocks Deeds's Speech

Rachel Slajda | October 5, 2009, 12:45PM

Sheila Johnson, BET Co-Founder

At a rally for Virginia gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell recently, one of the Republican's most prominent backers apparently mocked the slight stutter of his opponent, Creigh Deeds.

"We need someone who can really communicate and Bob McDonnell can communicate," said Sheila Johnson, the co-founder of BET. "The other people that I talk to and especially his o-o-o-o-opponent ... he could not articulate what needed to be done.

"So communication is hugely important," she said.

According to Not Larry Sabato, Johnson made the comment at a rally for McDonnell, but McDonnell didn't address it in his remarks.

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