David Frum: “Three big trends have decisively changed the Republican Party over the past decade, weakening its ability to win presidential elections and gravely inhibiting its ability to govern effectively if it nevertheless somehow were to win. First, Republicans have come to rely more and more on the votes of the elderly, the most government-dependent segment of the population — a serious complication for a party committed to reducing government. Second, the Republican donor class has grown more ideologically extreme, encouraging congressional Republicans to embrace ever more radical tactics. Third, the party’s internal processes have rigidified, in ways that dangerously inhibit its ability to adapt to changing circumstances. The GOP can overcome the negative consequences of these changes and, in time, surely will. The ominous question for Republicans is, How much time will the overcoming take?”
Perry Heads to New Hampshire
Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R), “fresh off an indictment and then a brief stop Tuesday at a Texas courthouse to be fingerprinted and released, is shining up his boots to stage a New Hampshire comeback tour this week,” the Boston Globe reports.
“Yet in an odd political twist, Perry’s clash with the law may prove to be a valuable selling point in his bid to run for the GOP presidential nomination.”
How a GOP Senate Would Deal with Obama
Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) “has a game plan to confront President Barack Obama with a stark choice next year: Accept bills reining in the administration’s policies or risk a government shutdown,” Politico reports.
“In an extensive interview here, the typically reserved McConnell laid out his clearest thinking yet of how he would lead the Senate if Republicans gain control of the chamber. The emerging strategy: Attach riders to spending bills that would limit Obama policies on everything from the environment to health care, consider using an arcane budget tactic to circumvent Democratic filibusters and force the president to ‘move to the center’ if he wants to get any new legislation through Congress.”
Rhode Island Primary Tightens
A new WPRI 12/Providence Journal poll in Rhode Island finds Gina Raimondo (D) leading the Democratic primary for governor with 32%, followed by Angel Taveras (D) at 27% and Clay Pell (D) at 26%.
Sullivan Will Face Begich in Alaska
“Dan Sullivan, the former Alaska attorney general and natural resources commissioner, declared victory early Wednesday in one of the most divisive Alaska Republican primaries in decades, while Fairbanks lawyer Joe Miller ran 8 points behind in second place. Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell trailed third in the fight to take on Democratic Sen. Mark Begich in the fall,” the Alaska Dispatch News reports.
Roll Call: “Sullivan ran as the most qualified of the group to defeat Begich. His nomination has been the expected outcome for months, but the general-election race couldn’t start in earnest until Sullivan dispensed with his Republican foes.”
Rivera Named Co-Conspirator in Campaign Finance Case
Former Rep. David Rivera (R-FL) “was officially named as a co-conspirator Tuesday in federal court when his friend and confederate pleaded guilty to criminal campaign-finance violations,” the Tampa Bay Times reports.
“That defendant, Ana Alliegro, didn’t name Rivera — that was done by a federal prosecutor at the urging of a judge who wanted to know the identity of a man previously identified only as a co-conspirator.”
More Republicans Support Iraq Airstrikes
A new Washington Post-ABC News poll finds that 63% of conservative Republicans and 61% of all Republicans support President Obama’s decision to launch the airstrikes in Iraq. By comparison, 54% of Democrats and 49% of independents also sign off on the use of force.
Americans overall support the action 54% to 39%.
Perry Booked on Felony Charges
A defiant Gov. Rick Perry (R) showed up for his booking and mugshot Tuesday after being charged with abuse of powers charges and pledged “to fight this injustice with every fiber of my being,” the Dallas Morning News reports.
Upon leaving the courthouse, he went to get ice cream.
Cuomo Still Way Ahead
A new Quinnipiac poll in New York finds Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) way ahead of challenger Rob Astorino (R) in the race for governor, 56% to 28%.
Rand Paul Won’t Win Over Young Voters
Harry Enten: “It’s a tantalizing theory for the right and a fun story for the media. But the data suggests that the senator from Kentucky has his work cut out for him. So far, Paul isn’t doing much better among young voters than the Republican nominee in 2012, Mitt Romney, or than Chris Christie, the New Jersey governor, is currently doing.”
Obama Returns to Vacation
“President Obama went back to his vacation on Martha’s Vineyard Tuesday evening following less than 48 hours in Washington, leaving people puzzled over why he came back in the first place,” The Hill reports.
Is Pat Roberts in Trouble?
A new Public Policy Polling survey in Kansas finds Sen. Pat Roberts (R) leading challenger Chad Taylor (D), 32% to 25%, with independent Greg Orman at 23%, and Libertarian Randall Batson at 3%.
Key finding: “As weak as a 32% standing is for an incumbent, that still gives him a pretty clear lead due to his opponents pretty much splitting the anti-Roberts vote evenly. But if one of them was to pull out Roberts would really be in trouble.”
In the race for governor, Paul Davis (D) leads over Gov. Sam Brownback (R) by two points, 39% to 37%, with Libertarian candidate Keen Umbehr at 9%
Plouffe Joins Uber
Former Obama campaign manager David Plouffe announced he is joining Uber:
New York Times: “Mr. Plouffe, who ran President Obama’s 2008 campaign, said he planned to run Uber’s communication efforts much like a political race, pushing to woo consumers and regulators alike in the company’s fast-paced expansion across the world.”
Try Uber and get $30 off with this link.
Crist Wants to Campaign with Obama
Tampa Bay Times: “With Barack Obama’s approval ratings lately barely cracking 40 percent, plenty of Democrats will keep their distance from the president heading into the midterms, just as Alex Sink did she when ran for governor in 2010. Not Charlie Crist, who said today he hopes to be campaigning side by side with the president.”
Rauner Says He Nearly Punched Someone
Illinois gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner (R) “revealed to a small group in a private meeting that the closest he was to punching someone in the governor’s race came after a dust-up before last Spring’s Greek parade” with Gov. Pat Quinn’s (D) camp, the Chicago Sun Times reports.
“Quinn’s campaign says it doesn’t know what Rauner is talking about,”
Hagan Still Leads in North Carolina
A new Public Policy Polling survey in North Carolina finds Sen. Kay Hagan (D) leading challenger Thom Tillis (R) in the U.S. Senate race, 42% to 38%, with Libertarian Sean Haugh at 8%.
In a two way race, Hagan leads by just one point at 43% to 42%.
Perdue Builds Lead in Georgia
A new SurveyUSA poll confirms what many recent Georgia polls show: David Perdue (R) is building a solid lead over Michelle Nunn (D) in the U.S. Senate race, 50% to 41%.
In the race for governor, Gov. Nathan Deal (R) tops challenger Jason Carter (D), 48% to 39%.
Top GOP 2016 Hopefuls Embroiled in Scandal
NBC News: “Republican governors, once considered among the party’s best hopes for taking back the White House, have suffered significant setbacks in recent months. And their legal and political woes – both large and small – have made the still-developing 2016 presidential race look even more unpredictable.”
“What’s more, it all comes as congressional Republicans battle low-approval numbers and with no clear heir apparent to be the GOP’s next standard bearer.”
