A new EPIC-MRA poll in Michigan shows Gov. Rick Snyder (R) leading challenger Mark Schauer (D) in the race for governor, 45% to 39%.
Judges Declare Two-Way Race in Kansas
“The clouds surrounding the U.S. Senate race in Kansas cleared Wednesday: The odds of a Democrat on the ballot disappeared, while an expected brawl between the remaining contenders moved closer to reality,” the Kansas City Star reports.
“The end of the ballot dispute means Kansas voters now know their major choices in November: incumbent Republican Sen. Pat Roberts and independent Greg Orman.”
Opposition Research Takes Center Stage
Politico: “Gotcha stories — ranging from those tangentially related to issues of the day to the completely ephemeral and even absurd — have been front and center in an abnormally large number of top races this year. And many of the most memorable hits bear the hallmarks of opposition research — the unglamorous grunt work of combing through public records and, increasingly, tracking candidates in search of a compromising vote, court filing, financial transaction or quote.”
“In an election in which candidates have mostly dodged the big issues facing the country, the dark art known as ‘oppo’ seems to be filling the void. And the trend lines suggest oppo’s golden age may just be beginning.”
Coakley Hurting for Cash
“The 11 members of the all-Democratic Massachusetts congressional delegation have been asked to pony up at least $25,000 each from their political funds for the party’s financially struggling gubernatorial nominee, Martha Coakley (D),” the Boston Globe reports.
“At least three of them have initially balked at the idea, however, exposing some of the problems Coakley faces in getting full support from the Democratic establishment as she and the party struggle to close a fund-raising gap with GOP rival Charlie Baker and the state Republican Party.”
Abbott Sits On Huge War Chest
The Dallas Morning News reports Greg Abbott (R) has $30 million left in the bank with about a month to go before the election for Texas governor.
“The totals aren’t due to be reported for another five days, but the campaign was anxious to get the information out.”
Very Close for Maryland Governor
A new Gonzales Research poll in Maryland finds Anthony Brown (D) with a small lead over Larry Hogan (R) in the race for governor, 47% to 43%.
Deadlocked in New Hampshire
A new New England College Poll in New Hampshire finds the U.S. Senate race a dead heat between Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D) and challenger Scott Brown (R), 47% to 47%.
Secret Service Chief Resigns
Julia Pierson, the director of the Secret Service, is resigning in the wake of several security breaches, the New York Times reports.
“The resignation came less than a day after lawmakers from both parties assailed Ms. Pierson’s leadership and said they feared for the lives of the president and others in the protection of the agency.”
Washington Post: “Support for Julia Pierson rapidly declined on Capitol Hill just hours after a congressional hearing where she avoided answering direct questions and gave conflicting accounts of a incident in which a man jumped the White House fence and ran inside the executive residence.”
Orman Has Lead in Kansas
A new USA Today/Suffolk University poll in Kansas finds Greg Orman (I) leading Sen. Pat Roberts (R) in the U.S. Senate race, 46% to 41%.
In the race for governor, Paul Davis (D) leads Gov. Sam Brownback (R), 46% to 42%.
Walker Holds Lead in Wisconsin
A new Marquette University Law School poll in Wisconsin finds Gov. Scott Walker (R) leading challenger Mary Burke (D) in the race for governor among likely voters, 50% to 45%.
Crist Grabs Back Lead in Florida
A new SurveyUSA poll in Florida finds Charlie Crist (D) leading Gov. Rick Scott (R) in the race for governor, 46% to 40%.
Bonus Quote of the Day
“I could have wiped Iran off the map with the weapons that we had, but in the process a lot of innocent people would have been killed, probably including the hostages.”
— Jimmy Carter, in an interview with CNBC, defending his decisions even if it meant he didn’t show “that I was strong and resolute and, um, manly.”
On Wonk Wire
Half Right
Kansas U.S. Senate candidate Greg Orman (I) slams both Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) and Mitch McConnell (R-KY) in the same ad.
Arkansas Candidate May Be Disqualified
Officials have cancelled the voter registration of Arkansas candidate for Attorney General Leslie Rutledge (R) for being registered to vote in multiple places, according to the Blue Hog Report.
The implications: “First, for the AG candidate of the party who likes to scream about voter fraud to be registered in two (or three) places at once is ironic and amusing on its own. However, the bigger implication is Article 19, section 3, of the Arkansas Constitution, which states: ‘No persons shall be elected to, or appointed to fill a vacancy in, any office who does not possess the qualifications of an elector.'”
“The qualifications of an elector” include this that the person must be “Lawfully registered to vote in the election.”
Quote of the Day
“I’ve not talked to him since he’s been elected.”
— Speaker John Boehner (R-OH), in an interview with the Cincinnati Enquirer, on Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX).
Romney is Still Buying Houses
New York Times: “Despite being dinged for conspicuous real estate consumption in 2012, he’s building a not-at-all-humble mansion in Utah, with 5,900 square feet of living space, an outdoor gazebo, fire pit and spa. (Another 1 Percent touch: a ‘secret door’ leading to a storage room.) It will be Mr. Romney’s fifth home – or his fourth – details, details – if he manages to sell his $12 million waterfront estate in La Jolla, Calif. (of car-elevator fame)”
Abbott Holds Solid Lead in Texas
A new Texas Lyceum poll finds Greg Abbott (R) leading Wendy Davis (D) in the race for Texas governor by nine points, 49% to 40%.
