Speaker of the House Paul Ryan is heading up a National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) fundraiser in New York on April 25th.   However, the venue of the fundraiser is raising some eyebrows:

For those who might not know, the “Ricketts Family” are the primary donors to a Super-PAC specifically created to block Donald Trump from winning the GOP nomination.
Billionaire family Joe and Marlene Ricketts, owners of the Chicago Cubs, have recently given $5,000,000.oo to Katie Packer who heads “Our Principles PAC“, an organization created exclusively to defeat Donald Trump.
(more…)

New York – Running in his home state, Trump is supported by 60 percent of likely Republican voters, the poll found. Ohio Gov. John Kasich and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas trail far behind with 17 percent and 14 percent, respectively.
“Trump is just killing it,” said Baruch College pollster Mickey Blum.

Trump’s support in the April 19 primary is widespread, the poll found.
“Every demographic group goes for him,” said Baruch College pollster Doug Muzzio. “Every geographic group, every socio-economic group. And with large majorities.  Cruz ain’t doing it. And Kasich ain’t doing it.” (more…)

In an effort to keep the Daily Open Thread a little more open topic we are going to start a new daily thread for “2016 Presidential Politics”. Please use this thread to post anything relating to the Presidential Race and/or any of the candidates therein.

This thread will refresh daily and appear above the Open Discussion Thread.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. THY WILL BE DONE, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but DELIVER US FROM EVIL.
For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen †

(Via Washington Examiner) Following a drop in students applying for housing, the University of Missouri will not be placing students in two dorms for the fall 2016 semester.
Mizzou will be closing the Respect and Excellence halls (ironic names, given the circumstances) in order to utilize dorm space “in the most efficient manner” to keep costs down.
In March, the university announced that it saw a sharp drop in admissions for the coming school year, and will have 1,500 fewer students. This will lead to a $32 million budget shortfall for the school, prompting the need to close the dorms in order to save money.
(more…)

A “conflict of interest” (COI) is a situation in which a person or organization is involved in multiple interests, financial interests, personal or other interests, one or more of which could possibly influence the motivation of the individual or organization.

A person or entity avoids a conflict of interest by:

• a.) not engaging in activity that might be conflicted by a duality of interest, or
• b.) disclosing the potential conflict – allowing associated parties to be aware and decide independently if the conflict is influencing behavior.

In essence, when presented with a potential conflict of interest, be truthful and provide full disclosure.
If unsure, err on the side of full transparency, and do so as soon as the conflict presents – don’t wait.
This becomes the generally accepted best ethical practice to avoid potential issues that may arise as a consequence of conflicted interest; especially financial conflicts.
♦ Recently, the financial payments by political entities upon media personalities has created quite a stir.  When CTH revealed (from FEC filings) financial payments by Political Action Committees to media pundit Erick Erickson (and others), the response was to besmirch CTH for revealing the payments. (more…)

Candidate Donald Trump Rally in Albany, NY at the Times Union Center beginning at 7:00pm EDT.
Livestream Link – Alternate Live Stream #1 – Alternate Live stream #2

Candidate Donald Trump was interviewed by Fox and Friends this morning to include perspectives on the Colorado delegate selection and current events:

HatTip Gateweay Pundit
Trump Campaign Senior Policy Advisor Stephen Miller joined America’s Newsroom this morning to discuss the Colorado voter-less delegate scam and the state of the race for the Republican nomination: