While everyone is focused on the battle for the U.S. Senate, John Oliver shows just how much power state legislatures wield while no one is watching.
What It Takes
One of the all-time great election books, What It Takes by Richard Ben Cramer, is available for just $1.99 today from Amazon.
Quote of the Day
“A wave just doesn’t happen. Waves happen when every single member of a cause or a movement come together. This is our time, we need to crush it and push their heads under over and over and over again until they cannot breathe anymore.”
— New Hampshire GOP Chairman Jennifer Horn, quoted by NH Journal, on defeating Democrats in the midterm elections.
An Election About Obama
The Hill: “Less than 24 hours before Election Day, Republicans have what they want: a referendum on President Obama. GOP candidates are training their closing arguments on Obama, full of confidence that voter dissatisfaction with the White House will punch their ticket to a Senate majority.”
First Read: “Whatever the concern from the voter is, the GOP handed them Obama. Tired of gridlock? Look at Obama. The economy isn’t coming back in your area, look to Obama and his regulations. Democrats did not exactly present an alternative case. The GOP message was clear, even if it hasn’t hit critical mass with the remaining undecided voters who do seem upset at Obama and skeptical of the GOP’s promises of change.”
Malloy Holds Narrow Lead in Connecticut
A new Quinnipiac poll in Connecticut finds that with independent candidate Joe Visconti out of the race for governor, Gov. Dannel Malloy (D) still leads challenger Tom Foley (R) by three points, 47% to 44%.
Crist Edges Scott in Race for Florida Governor
A new Quinnipiac poll in Florida finds Charlie Crist (D) edging Gov. Rick Scott (R) in the race for governor, 42% to 41%, with Libertarian candidate Adrian Wyllie at 7%.
New Poll Shows Dead Heat in Iowa
A new Quinnipiac poll in Iowa finds Bruce Braley (D) has closed the gap with Joni Ernst (R), leaving the Iowa U.S. Senate race a 47% to 47% tie.
Shaheen Holds Small Lead in New Hampshire
A new WMUR Granite State poll in New Hampshire shows Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D) with a two point lead over challenger Scott Brown (R), 47% to 45%.
Gardner Leads in Colorado Heading Into Final Day
A new Public Policy Polling survey in Colorado finds Cory Gardner (R) leads Sen. Mark Udall (D) by three points in the U.S. Senate race, 48% to 45%.
Sullivan Just Ahead in Alaska
A new Public Policy Polling survey in Alaska finds Dan Sullivan (R) leading Sen. Mark Begich (D) in the U.S. Senate race by just one point, 46% to 45%.
Cruz Seeks a Confrontational GOP Senate
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) told the Washington Post that he would “push hard for a Republican-led Senate to be as conservative and confrontational as the Republican-led House.”
Cruz said the first order of business should be a series of hearings on President Obama, “looking at the abuse of power, the executive abuse, the regulatory abuse, the lawlessness that sadly has pervaded this administration.”
Flood of Late Spending Comes from Unknown Sources
“A stealthy coterie of difficult-to-trace outside groups is slipping tens of millions of dollars of attacks ads and negative automated telephone calls into the final days of the midterm campaign, helping fuel an unprecedented surge of last-minute spending,” the New York Times reports.
“Much of the advertising is being timed to ensure that no voter will know who is paying for it until after the election on Tuesday. Some of the groups are ‘super PACs’ that did not exist before Labor Day but have since spent heavily on political advertising, adding to the volatility of close Senate and House races.”
“Others formed earlier in the year but remained dormant until recently, reporting few or no contributions in recent filings with the Federal Election Commission, only to unleash six- and seven-figure advertising campaigns as Election Day draws near. Yet more spending is coming from nonprofit organizations with bland names that have popped up in recent weeks but appear to have no life beyond being a conduit for the ads.”
Another Staffer Accuses DeMaio of Harassment
Just days before Tuesday’s election in the tight race for San Diego’s 52nd Congressional District seat, a second former staffer for candidate Carl DeMaio (R) is accusing him of sexual harassment, KPBS reports.
Said former intern Justin Harper: “I was at the urinal, and (DeMaio) came from the stall that was closest to the urinal and was kind of just standing there hovering. I turned around and realized that it was Carl. He had his pants up, but his fly was undone, and he had his hand grasping his genitals. I just walked out. I didn’t say anything to him, I just left.”
Voters Favor GOP By Narrow Margin
A new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll finds Republicans “hold a narrow edge on the question of which party likely voters want to control Congress signaling that the GOP heads into Tuesday’s balloting with a breeze, but not a strong wind, at its back.”
“The survey found plentiful evidence that Election Day will draw an electorate that thinks the nation is on the wrong track and dislikes the direction in which President Obama has led the country. With eight or more Senate races considered close, even a slight advantage for Republicans could produce enough victories to give the party the six seats it needs to gain control of the chamber.”
Snyder Just Ahead in Michigan
A new Public Policy Polling survey in Michigan finds Gov. Rick Snyder (R) just ahead of challenger Mark Schauer (D), 46% to 45%.
Quinn Holds Small Lead in Illinois
A new Public Policy Polling survey in Illinois finds Gov. Pat Quinn (D) just ahead of challenger Bruce Rauner (R), 47% to 45%.
Crist Widens Lead in Florida
A new Zogby poll in Florida finds Charlie Crist (D) leading Gov. Rick Scott (R) in the race for governor, 45% to 38%, with Libertarian Adrian Wyllie at 8%.
However, a new Public Policy Polling survey shows Crist and Scott tied at 44%.
Independent Candidate Endorses Foley in Connecticut
In a “stunning move,” Joe Visconti (I) said he was dropping out of the race for Connecticut governor and endorsing Tom Foley (R), the Hartford Courant reports.
“The move could provide a boost to Foley in a race recent polls have put at a dead heat… Visconti said he was dropping out because he doesn’t want to see Democratic incumbent Dan Malloy re-elected.”
Said Visconti: “This is a dogfight and I couldn’t let Gov. Malloy win.”