Bernie Sanders today declared that he is “stunned” to be leading Hillary Clinton in two early primary state polls. “You want me to tell you the truth?” he asked to CNN’s Wolf Blitzer in an interview Thursday when asked about his strong showing. “Yes, I’m stunned,” Sanders said. “Look, we have a message that I believed from day one was …

Ted Cruz is actually selling these posters. Jezebel reports: Cruz’s campaign has purchased 200 of the original posters from their designer, the conservative street artist who goes by the name Sabo (other work includes portrayals of Wendy Davis as an “abortion Barbie” and Hillary Clinton as a flying monkey from The Wizard of Oz). They are being sold for $50 …

Over at Trump World Headquarters, Breitbart columnist John Nolte says that because he is a sexist, he considers it ungentlemanly to mock the appearance of Carly Fiorina. (In the very next sentence he makes an exception for mocking Rosie O’Donnell’s looks.) But, Nolte declares, Trump is right to make fun of Carly Fiorina, because the only way to get attention …

Madonna launched her Rebel Heart world tour in Montreal last night by singing en français for the locals. Yahoo reviews the concert: Pole dancers dressed like nuns, Mike Tyson and nonstop theatrics. Welcome to the church of Madonna. She even performed “Material Girl” for the first time since 1990’s “Blond Ambition” tour. DJ and producer Diplo warmed up the crowd …

The Oath Keepers, the heavily armed and self-described “Christian patriot” militia who recently appeared in Ferguson, Missouri to “help” the police quell civil unrest, will be on the other side of the law in Kentucky where they have vowed to prevent federal marshals from ever arresting Kim Davis again. Right Wing Watch reports: Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes announced yesterday …

As I noted last night, until very recently the talibangelicals have largely held their fire regarding the faith of Donald Trump. That began to change this week after Trump declared that “the law is the law” and that Kim Davis should look for another job. This morning the American Family Association comes after “cracker-eating” Trump with a denouncement conveniently provided …

“I am deeply moved by all those who prayed for me. All I can say is that I am amazed and very grateful. I am enjoying spending time with my husband, my family, and my three dogs. I have also been spending time reading boxes of letters expressing support and prayers from people around the country. I haven’t even made …

JMG reader Rick points us to editorial cartoonist Steve Sack, who succinctly tears down the asinine Kim Davis/Rosa Parks comparisons today for the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

82 year-old Donald Hallman is among an estimated 114,000 men and women who were booted from the military over their homosexuality between WWII and the end of DADT. Hallman appeared on CNN yesterday to demand that his record be cleared of its “dishonorable” notation. The Dallas Morning News agrees in an editorial published today which supports a bill pending before …

Ho hum, another day, another Trump insult controversy.  This morning Trump attempted to backpedal, saying that by “face” he didn’t mean Fiorina’s actual face. Or something. NBC reports: In an interview with FOX News on Thursday morning, Trump did not dispute the quote but said that he made the comment in a “jocular manner” and that he was referring to …

Even though baby boys continue to contract herpes from their rabbis, yesterday the New York City Board Of Health repealed its requirement that Ultra Orthodox parents sign a Bloomberg-era consent form which warns them about a controversial circumcision ritual. Gothamist rants: After a few years of toothless bureaucracy and a minimal amount of government involvement, New York City is a …

As we expected, Donald Trump is blasting both barrels at Ben Carson, who yesterday finally played the “I’m more Jesus than Trump” card. The Hill recaps this morning’s interview: Donald Trump said on Thursday that fellow 2016 Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson is being hypocritical for bringing religion into the race. “Who is he to question my faith?” Trump asked …

Last month’s CNN/ORC poll showed Trump at 24%.  More from CNN: Donald Trump has become the first Republican presidential candidate to top 30% support in the race for the Republican nomination, according to a new CNN/ORC Poll, which finds the businessman pulling well away from the rest of the GOP field. Trump gained 8 points since August to land at …

2.4M views for the British weatherman who nailed the 58-letter name of a Welsh town. Say that three times fast.

It totally makes sense that proven compulsive lying liar David Barton has been chosen to head a Ted Cruz super-PAC. Bloomberg reports: The super-PAC, Keep the Promise PAC, is the umbrella for a group of related pro-Cruz political committees that raised $38 million in the first half of the year, more than the super-PACs supporting any other candidate with the …

CNN reports: Donald Trump has been blaring R.E.M. on the campaign trail, and the band doesn’t feel fine about it. The GOP presidential candidate took to the podium Wednesday on the steps of Capitol Hill to slam President Barack Obama’s proposed Iran nuclear deal. His walk-up music? R.E.M.’s 1987 hit “It’s the End of the World as We Know It …

Thus far the fundamentalists have pretty much held back on their usual “Is he a REAL Christian?” test for Donald Trump because they’ve been so pleased with his racist attacks on immigrants. Two weeks ago when Trump declared the bible to be his favorite book yet couldn’t cite a single verse, wingnuts sites screamed with faux outrage that Trump had …

Buzzfeed reporter Davis Mack tweets: “#KimDavis to return to work Monday, lawyers say. Spent today reading fan mail.” In a follow-up tweet, he quotes Davis: “I am heartened that God’s people are not huddled up in a corner, but they are standing strong.” How many of those letters include a check? Below is the full photo. (Tipped by JMG reader …

It’s been two days since NOM launched its Kim Davis Bigotry Reward fund and so far a whopping 24 more people have added to the measly total of $6723. Which is $6723 more than Davis deserves, but is still funny. More importantly, the paltry amount is indicative of the scant support seen for Davis except among the most extremist fundamentalists. …

Among the big reveals at today’s Apple event was a supersized 12.9″ iPad. TechCrunch reports: Apple CEO Tim Cook called it “the biggest news for the iPad since the iPad.” With the iPad Pro, you can now run two side-by-side iPad Air apps. The iPad Pro isn’t for everyone — hence the name. But for those who already love their …