David Rogers:
“Like an army that’s outrun its supply line, the Republican budget
strategy in Congress shows almost daily signs of coming apart. The
central premise, as sold by House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan,
was that Washington could wipe out deficits in 10 years and protect
defense spending, all while embracing the lower appropriations caps
dictated by sequestration. Four months later, it’s proving to be a
bridge too far. Only three of the 12 annual spending bills have even
been debated — by far the worst record since the GOP took over the
House.”
Obama Approval Dips to Two-Year Low
A new McClatchy-Marist poll finds that just 41% of Americans approve of the job President Obama is doing in office, while 48% disapprove, and 11% are unsure.
It’s Obama’s lowest job approval rating since September 2011 when 39% of voters gave him high marks.
Meanwhile, Gallup finds Obama’s job approval for the last three full months has averaged 47.9%, the second straight quarter in which his approval rating dropped.
Jonathan Bernstein explains why Obama’s approval rate still matters even though he will not face re-election.
Most Republicans Think Party Headed Wrong Way
A new Washington Post-ABC News poll finds that 52% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents think the GOP leadership is talking the party in the wrong direction while just 37% think it’s headed in the right direction.
“That disaffection is apparent in another measure: Just 21% of Americans in this survey identify themselves as Republicans, matching the fewest since November 2009. GOP allegiance has dropped from an annual average of 31% in 2003 to annual averages of 23 or 24% the past five years straight.”
Paterson May Run for Congress
“In New York politics, where unlikely comeback attempts are becoming common, one of the most unexpected may be developing as former Gov. David Paterson says he’s may run for Congress if Rep. Charles Rangel retires,” the AP reports.
Said Paterson: “I’m definitely looking at it.”
Quote of the Day
“I will have $25 million in the bank by the end of the year and will use
it in early 2014 to define my opponent.”
— Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R), quoted by National Review, which notes “a war
chest of that size will buy a lot of defining, even in an expensive
media state like Florida.”
House GOP Continues to Run Against Washington
Roll Call: “When House Republicans retreat to their districts for the August recess, they will each be armed with a detailed guide — an exceptionally detailed guide — on how to assure their already convinced constituents that Washington is broken.”
“The best way to stay in Washington appears to be to deride Washington, and Republican leadership isn’t going to deviate from that familiar formula.”
Potential Graham Primary Rival Arrested
Former South Carolina Treasurer Thomas Ravenel (R), who has reportedly been contemplating a return to political life after serving seven months on federal drug charges, was arrested and charged with drunken driving, the East Hampton Star reports.
Ravenel “was elected as South Carolina’s state treasurer in 2006, but was forced to resign from office in 2007 and subsequently served time in federal prison on a cocaine possession charge… He has recently been rehabilitating his political career, according to multiple reports, doing a reality TV show for the Bravo network, with an eye on a return to politics, possibly even challenging Lindsay Graham in the Republican senate primary next year.”
Very Little 2016 Buzz for Ryan
“Not so long ago, a Paul Ryan visit to Iowa would have set off bells and whistles among the Republican activists who hold sway in the nation’s first voting state. Now, it merits merely a ripple of mild interest,” according to Real Clear Politics.
“Among many Iowa conservatives, there is a prevailing sense that Ryan did himself no long-term favors in the 2012 contest, and there is little palpable excitement over his return to the Hawkeye State. Meanwhile, a host of other prospective 2016 White House GOP hopefuls seemed to be generating more traction there.”
Americans Split on Immigration Bill
A new Washington Post-ABC News poll shows that “while a path to citizenship and increased border security are clearly popular by themselves, the Senate immigration bill as a package does not get overwhelming – or even majority – support. In fact, Americans are pretty lukewarm on it, with 46% in favor and 44% against. In other words, it’s not like Americans are clamoring for this one piece of legislation.”
“The numbers get worse for the Senate bill once you drill down. Just 19% of Americans support the bill ‘strongly,’ while 30% oppose it strongly. And in politics, it’s often the people who feel strongly who donate money and vote.”
O’Donnell Weighs Another Senate Bid
Christine O’Donnell (R) is mulling another U.S. Senate race from Delaware, the Wilmington News Journal reports.
“O’Donnell continues to be regarded by some in her party as a divisive liability who should stay off the ticket, and her decision to run again for the Senate remains up in the air, just as it was after 2010… The tea party sensation has yet to announce her plans for next year, causing some Delaware Republicans to wonder if her indecision is keeping other GOP candidates from stepping forward as the campaign draws closer.”
So far, no names aside from O’Donnell’s have surfaced as possible challengers to Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE).
McConnell Primary Challenge Curbs Deal-Making
Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), “bracing for a primary challenge backed by anti-tax Tea Party activists, is shrinking from his longtime role as a broker of high-stakes congressional deals to tend to his own political survival,” Bloomberg reports.
Senator Threatens Shut Down to Stop Obamacare
Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) declared that he and other congressional Republicans “would be willing to shut down the federal government in order to block further implementation of President Obama’s health care reform law,” the Huffington Post reports.
Said Lee: “Congress of course has to pass a law to continue funding government — lately we’ve been doing that through a funding mechanism called a continuing resolution. If Republicans in both houses simply refuse to vote for any continuing resolution that contains further funding for further enforcement of Obamacare, we can stop it. We can stop the individual mandate from going into effect.”
Sexual Harrasment Suit Filed Against Filner
San Diego Mayor Bob Filner’s (D) former top spokeswoman “sued him and the city for sexual harassment Monday, alleging he repeatedly made unwanted sexual advances toward her and put her in a headlock on several occasions so she couldn’t get away,” the San Diego Union Tribune reports.
Irene McCormack Jackson accused the mayor of making several sexually suggestive comments to her and telling her he loved her and wanted to get married. The comments included: “I would do a better job if you kissed me,” “When are you going to get naked?” and “Wouldn’t it be great if you took off your panties and worked without them on?”
Detroit Mayor Has Little Power Left
“Under Michigan’s law for cities teetering on the edge of collapse, which provides broad powers to emergency managers,” Detroit Mayor Dave Bing “finds himself in a rare and somewhat perplexing position — still the mayor, but with no say on his city’s biggest choices,” the New York Times reports.
Super PACs Ready for 2016
Washington Post: “Long before any candidates announce their presidential bids, the next race for the White House is unofficially underway. Political operatives for two independent groups — American Bridge 21st Century on the left and America Rising on the right — are already tracking potential contenders, aiming to build robust research files that can be used against the opposition.”
“The organizations are part of a wave of super PACs, advocacy groups and even for-profit corporations that are poised to play their biggest role yet in national politics. They are launching opposition research projects, mobilizing volunteers and even helping to recruit candidates — further eroding the primacy of the official party hierarchies in the process.”
Nunn Confirms She’ll Run for Senate
Michelle Nunn (D) told the Atlanta Journal Constitution that she’s a candidate in the 2014 race for U.S. Senate, the very seat once held by her father.
Said Nunn: “I’m excited about it. I’ve learned that you can’t wait for somebody else to do it. Everybody has an individual role and a responsibility to contribute where they can. This seems like a way for me to contribute.”
Her formal announcement is on Tuesday.
Extra Bonus Quote of the Day
“He tried to make love to the tea party and they didn’t like it.”
— Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, quoted by Politico, on the possibility of a tea party backed challenger to Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.
Spitzer Apologizes in New Ad
Former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer (D) has a new talk-to-camera ad that apologizes for the prostitution scandal that killed his political career and suggests his record makes him the ideal candidate for New York City Comptroller.
Said Spitzer: “Look, I failed. Big time.”
