Did you guys see any part of the Conservative Political Action Committee (CPAC) speeches yesterday? It’s okay. I watch so you don’t have to. NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre made no attempt to moderate his message in the aftermath of yet another mass shooting. Instead, he told the crowd of conservative activists that they should fear Democratic lawmakers, and went on to name-drop Congressman Keith Ellison (D-MN), Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Kamala Harris (D-CA), among others. He called them “saboteurs who don't believe in capitalism, don't believe in the constitution, don't believe in our freedom and don't believe in America as we know it." He also attacked groups like Black Lives Matter, saying they keep their movement growing by finding someone to be offended by something every minute of every day. But the number one enemy for these “Blue Lives Matter” patriots? The FBI. Their disdain comes as Special Counsel Robert Mueller filed new charges against Paul Manafort and Rick Gates. Yesterday, The Heritage Foundation’s newly appointed and first African American President Kay Cole James took the stage at CPAC to interview Labor Secretary Alex Acosta. Donald Trump takes the stage today. And later this afternoon, FCC Chair Ajit Pai and former Milwaukee Sheriff David Clarke will speak. But other than that, if you’re looking to take a shot for every time you see a person of color in the audience ... you’ll be pretty sober. In campaign news, the son of Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) is weighing a congressional run in NH. In Poliwood news, the White House Correspondents Association dinner takes place in April, and comedian Michelle Wolf has signed on to be the evening’s entertainment. In honor of #FlashbackFriday, here’s a clip when Cedric the Entertainer took the stage during the George W. Bush administration and made then-Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice the butt of his jokes. She was a great sport. Congress is back next week. Until then, we’re kicking off the weekend with this...
- Canada continues its love affair with former First Lady Michelle Obama.
- USCIS says the country is no longer a “nation of immigrants.”
- Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and Bob Menéndez (D-NJ) call for continued review of offshore drilling inspections.
- HBCU Caucus launches partnership challenge.
- Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) makes the case for the NBA All-Star game in Sacramento.
- Bipartisan Senate effort hopes for a World Cup ala NAFTA in 2026.
- Golden State Warriors skipping WH visit to hang with DC kids.
- Trump names Director of the Small Business Administration’s Southeast Region.
- Bernie Sanders delegate launches FL congressional bid.
- Meet the NAACP’s new Board of Directors Vice-Chair.
- Labor Secretary Alex Acosta will be a featured speaker at the upcoming Latino Coalition summit.
- Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) to speak at HRC gathering in LA.
- Power Rising Summit to honor BET Networks CEO Debra Lee.
- Ford names new North America President.
- CNN has a new Director of Social Publishing.
- “My America, too.” An Iowa TV reporter is making history as the first to wear a hijab on air. And which Governor drank a glass of chocolate milk to demonstrate his belief in diversity? Meet both in Blogs!