MOMocrats

Another week, another GOP debate tonight in Colorado - and the Republicans have a new front-runner: Dr. Ben Carson, whose mild-mannered demeanor distracts listeners from all the whack-a-doo theories and policy positions he seems to believe in. Or maybe that's what they like about him. At any rate, pundits are predicting that this debate could make or break Jeb Bush, who still leads the field with PAC money but is apparently struggling to pay his campaign staff. Pass the popcorn.

In the meantime on the Democratic side, Hillary Clinton is still enjoying a very excellent October, Bernie Sanders is still in the game, and Martin O'Malley is hoping to reap the benefits of Jim Webb and Lincoln Chaffee dropping out of the race.

In other news: John Boehner is getting out of Dodge while Paul Ryan is poised to become the next Speaker of the House. We predict very little changes there, except the so-called Freedom Caucus will likely make getting things done even tougher. MOMocrats Karoli and Donna Schwartz Mills discuss politics from a progressive point of view.

Cynematic and Karoli discuss Secretary Hillary Clinton's stellar performance at the marathon Benghazi hearing, Paul Ryan's cave-in to the extremists and more.

A brief recap of the Benghazi incident which spurred Republicans to try to turn this into a witch hunt against then-Secretary of State and now-candidate Hillary Cinton. Those hearings are fizzling as GOP attack dogs in Congress admit their purpose was partisan and intended to damage Clinton's chances all along. This week Clinton also testifies about her private email server, the second big witch hunt Republicans have tried to lead to tarnish Clinton. On Friday we'll continue our show iwth a wrap -up -- did any of the testimony reveal anything new? Is it another big nothingburger and what can be done to make Republcicans literally pay for the million dollar wastes of time these hearings have been?

MOMocrats MOMochat is an EngenderMediaGroup production.

In the first #DemDebate, we learned a lot about the candidates and got a sense of them as people. Bernie, while grumpy and passionate about fat cats, was also gentlemanly and collegial and his consideration toward former Senate colleague Hillary won him the biggest applause line of the night: "We're tired of your damn emails!" The watchword was substance all night long with few detours. Hillary delighted with perfect comic timing when the moderator asked her if she had anything to add after Bernie's defense of her on the emails issue: "No." We got to see her in fine form, with adept rhetorical skills and occaisional flashes of humor. She showed passion as well, getting huge applause for the second memorable moment of the night when she defended Planned Parenthood passionately. O'Malley had a few good moments, and Chafee and Webb...were, uh, marked 'present.' Join us as we chew it over. It's good at the grown-ups' table!

MOMocrats MOMochat is an EngenderMediaGroup production.

The Roseburg, Oregon Shooting -- when will America wake up and pass sane gun legislation? Also, it's almost time for the first Democratic debate on October 13, 2015. We preview how the main candidates look on a few major issues. Bet that gun control will be one way Hillary Clinton sets herself apart from O'Malley and Sanders. Biden, in or out? Our advice to him is to go out on high note -- leave the Vice Presidency and do good from outside the system. MOMocrats MOMochat is an EngenderMediaGroup production.

This week on the MOMocrats MOMochat: Pope Brings Hope, Boehner Says Nope, And Cecile Richards Smacks Down Some Dopes

Was it a papal miracle that caused John Boehner to resign? Or did he have a crisis of conscience? At any rate, the Pope brought his message of "tending to the least of these" to America, the House GOP is in turmoil now that they need to select a new Speaker in Boehner's stead, and head of Planned Parenthood Cecile Richards held her own against a kangaroo court of anti-choice blowhards who tried to defund PP and score points with their anti-choice base.

When will these extremist conservatives learn that they are hated and have nothing to offer the American people? Maybe by next week? We'll certainly keep trying to get the message to them.

An Engender Media Group production.

The MOMocrats' weekly podcast looking at the day's political news from the progressive point of view. Check back here an hour from airtime for a list of the topics. Chances are, there will be some discussion of what's happening in Congress and a reaction to the latest  from lawmakers and candidates. An Engender Media Group production.

The crowded GOP field is providing as much drama as NBC's The Apprentice - especially with The Donald leading the charge. Of course, the MOMocrats watched last night's debate - after all, until Sunday's Emmys mark the start of the Fall season, this series of clown car collisions is about the only thing worth watching on television. Did Carly get back at Trump for making that remark about her face? Did neurosurgeon Ben Carson let slip another anti-science tirade that defines cognitive dissonance? Did Chris Christie and Scott Walker get a word in edgewise? And what about the kids table? MOMocrats Karoli and Donna Schwartz Mills discuss from a progressive point of view. Produced by Engender Media Group.

President Obama continues to be the most effective "lame duck" elected official in history: It looks like the deal his administration negotiated with Iran and the other world powers will go into effect without Congressional disapproval. Also on the MOMocrats' agenda today: Kim Davis, the Syrian refugee crisis - and continuing coverage of the 2016 race. Political discussion from the progressive point of view, by MOMocrats Cynematic, Karoli and Donna Schwartz Mills. An Engender Media Group production.

The WA State Supreme Court ruled recently that charter schools created under the new education law I-1240 were unconstitutional. They do not fit under the definition of public schools ("common schools") as defined in the state constitution -- they do not have publicly elected governing bodies and aren't subject to the control of voters.

Wayne Au was a plaintiff in the lawsuit that challenged I-1240 and is here to talk with us today. Wayne Au is an Associate Professor of education at the University of Washington, Bothell and an editor for the social justice education magazine, Rethinking Schools.

Read more about the Washington State Supreme Court's decision here, the decision itself here, and here.