This goes far beyond what Donald Trump has proposed.
Former Georgia lawmaker Newt Gingrich,
, pushed for monitoring of American mosques and testing every citizen of Muslim descent in the U.S. on whether they believe in Shariah law - and deporting them if they do - in the aftermath of the terror attacks in France
.
The remarks came hours after news broke that a truck fatally plowed through scores of people celebrating Bastille Day in Nice, France.
Gingrich said U.S. Muslims should be questioned about their loyalties and that their internet activity should also be monitored.
The former Georgia lawmaker then went a step further, saying the mosques themselves should be monitored:
He also called the idea that Islam is a peaceful religion "bologna."
The presumptive Republican nominee has advocated a temporary halt on Muslim immigration, a call he repeated on Thursday evening, but not a test to deport Muslims who are already legally in the U.S.
As for his chances in the Veepstakes, Gingrich was skeptical:
His critics were already poking holes in his Shariah argument:
And there's this coda from Newt:
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The organizers of the Republican National Convention, finding themselves more than $8 million short of their goal for the Cleveland confab next week, want Sheldon Adelson to cover the shortfall.
The organizers wrote to the Las Vegas billionaire and his wife asking for $6 million, according to Politico.
Even more fascinating, the letter names some of the prominent companies and people that have reneged on their pledged donations and serves as an acknowledgement that Donald Trump's candidacy has cost the RNC millions in fundraising dollars.
From the story:
"Over the past couple months, negative publicity around our potential nominee resulted in a considerable number of pledges backing out from their commitments," the letter says.
It goes on to list the companies and wealthy individuals who have withdrawn their financial commitments. Among those who have canceled their donations, according to the letter, are David Koch ($1 million), FedEx ($500,000), Visa ($100,000), Pepsi ($500,000) and Coca-Cola ($1 million).
***
This comes as little shock, but Georgia Senate Majority Leader Bill Cowsert, a delegate to the national convention, has firmly aligned himself in the Donald Trump camp.
This from Cowsert, a one-time supporter of Ohio Gov. John Kasich:
Interestingly, party rules are not the only governing authority on the nomination process. Georgia's Presidential Preference Primary Act dictates how delegates are to vote. Although some have questioned the authority of the Act versus Republican Convention rules, all delegates have signed an oath agreeing to follow the state party rules and Georgia law and I fully intend to honor that oath.
***
The Chamber of Commerce is aggressively inserting itself into the GOP runoff in the 3rd congressional district in favor of former West Point mayor Drew Ferguson.
The behemoth pro-business group is launching a six-figure ad campaign that includes television and digital spots, as well as mail and phone components. The move is in partnership with the Georgia Chamber, which announced its endorsement of the dentist yesterday.
It's no small endeavor. Rob Engstrom, the Chamber of Commerce's national political director, said it's the group's largest expenditure in a House contest so far this year.
"We're fully committed," he said Thursday. “This is a larger proxy fight between people who want to govern and people who want to shut down the government."
The Chamber will be running this ad featuring outgoing U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland in the Atlanta and Columbus media markets through election day on July 26:
Westmoreland endorsed Ferguson over state Sen. Mike Crane last month.
Crane spokeswoman Jacqueline Byrd had this response about the ad buy:
"It should come as no surprise that the GA Chamber, long recognized as the puppeteer of many elected officials, would throw their weight behind the establishment candidate Drew Ferguson. If voters were trying to determine which candidate is the true conservative from the 3rd...this endorsement should definitely clear up any confusion . Mike Crane is a champion of conservative values and he welcomes the chamber's endorsement of his opponent. "
***
***
State Rep. Margaret Kaiser, who is stepping down to run for Atlanta mayor, has endorsed a potential successor.
The Atlanta Democrat said she backs David Dreyer, who she said "would step in an carry on the work that I have passionately started at the State House."
Dreyer, an Atlanta lawyer, is locked in a July 26 runoff with Janine Brown, a former labor leader, to represent a district that stretches from Grant Park and Little Five Points to the outskirts of the airport.
***
We're just going to leave this here:
Happy Friday, everyone.
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