Koch Brothers Look to Expand Influence, Bachmann in Trouble, and More

Koch Deal:

At a seminar three years ago in Aspen, Colo., the conservative billionaire brothers David and Charles Koch reportedly discussed their desire for a strategy that would address the question, “How do we make sure our voice is being heard?” The answer, it seems, involves controlling the media. The brothers are said to be eyeing the Tribune Co.’s eight newspapers, which include the Los Angeles Times and the Chicago Tribune. Their interest in buying up media outlets is part of their efforts to promote smaller government and lower taxes. (Read more)

Tortured Thinking: A New York state lawmaker is advocating for the torture of Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. After authorities captured Tsarnaev on Friday, Republican state Sen. Greg Ball tweeted, “So, scum bag #2 in custody. Who wouldn’t use torture on this punk to save more lives?” Ball isn’t the only legislator who has suggested ethically (and legally) questionable responses to Tsarnaev’s capture over Twitter. On Friday, Sen. Lindsey Graham tweeted that the 19-year-old suspect should be designated an enemy combatant and not be read his Miranda rights, making him the first of several Republicans to support that position. (Read more)

Shooting His Mouth Off: The husband of a Republican Party official in Arkansas is under fire for suggesting that GOP lawmakers in that state should be shot for expanding Medicaid under Obamacare. Chris Nogy, whose wife Leigh Nogy is the Benton County Republican Party’s secretary, suggested in a column in the group’s newsletter that his fellow Republicans should utilize their Second Amendment rights to hold lawmakers accountable. “The 2nd amendment means nothing unless those in power believe you would have no problem simply walking up and shooting them if they got too far out of line and stopped responding as representatives,” Nogy wrote. The group’s chairman later released a statement saying Nogy’s column had not been approved and he “had no authority to submit through the newsletter.” (Read more)

Newtown Negligence: Family members of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims appeared on CBS’ “Face the Nation” on Sunday morning, where they criticized the Senate for failing to pass a bipartisan compromise on gun reform that would have expanded background checks to gun shows and online sales. The measure fell six votes shy of the 60 needed to pass. “It’s not about the Second Amendment; it’s strengthening and adding to laws that are already in effect,” said Neil Heslin, whose son was killed in the mass shooting. “I don’t think they did justice for all the victims of Newtown.” Erica Lafferty, the daughter of Sandy Hook principal Dawn Hochsprung, said that she was “honestly disgusted” at the Senate for its failure to pass the amendment. (Read more)

More Bachmann Drama: Congresswoman Michele Bachmann’s political troubles continue to deepen. Her former chief of staff, Andy Parrish, will testify in front of an Iowa Senate ethics panel, where he will confirm that her presidential campaign made improper payments to Iowa state Rep. Kent Sorenson, Parrish attorney John Gilmore said. According to Gilmore, Parrish will corroborate the testimony of Peter Waldron, another former Bachmann aide. “The time has come to confirm that ‘Witness A’ is Andy Parrish, and he’ll be providing an affidavit with supporting material that completely supports the representations previously made by Peter Waldron,” Gilmore said. Waldron’s accusations are also being looked into by the Federal Election Commission and the independent Office of Congressional Ethics. (Read more)