A George Mason University study finds that Republican claims are far more likely than those made by Democrats to be rated false by the fact-checking site PolitiFact.
McConnell Invokes IRS Scandal and Nixon in New Ad
Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) “is seizing on the scandal at the Internal Revenue Service in a new campaign advertisement, using vintage video footage of Richard Nixon to amplify his criticism of President Obama and his administration,” ABC News reports.
“It is the clearest sign yet the IRS controversy is likely to play a central role in the midterm elections next year.”
IRS Higher-ups Requested Info on Conservative Groups
“Additional scrutiny of conservative organizations’ activities by the IRS did not solely originate in the agency’s Cincinnati office, with requests for information coming from other offices and often bearing the signatures of higher-ups at the agency,” NBC News reports.
“At least one letter requesting information about one of the groups bears the signature of Lois Lerner, the suspended director of the IRS Exempt Organizations department in Washington.”
Bachmann Will Not Run for Re-election
With an early morning video message to supporters, embattled Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) announced she would not run for re-election next year, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Said Bachmann: “The law limits anyone from serving as president of the United States for more than eight years. And in my opinion, well, eight years is also long enough for any individual to serve as a representative for a specific congressional district… Be assured: My decision was not in any way influenced by any concerns about my being reelected to Congress… I have every confidence that if I ran, I would again defeat the individual who I defeated last year, who recently announced he is once again running.”
“The high-profile congresswoman had a narrow re-election last year and is under federal investigation for her 2012 presidential campaign. A recent poll found that a rematch with her 2012 Democratic challenger, Jim Graves, was a dead heat.”
Ford Allies Say They Believe Video Exists
Two of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford’s close allies tell the Toronto Star they believe the journalists who reported on a video Ford says doesn’t exist of him smoking crack cocaine.
“Ford was bombarded from morning until evening with questions on an ongoing crack cocaine scandal that threatens his career. He refused to offer any answers.”
Daily Beast: “If the allegations, which Ford denies, were true, the alleged video really wouldn’t have to surface. He’d just do it again, and again, and again until he’s physically restrained, either by family or friends who get him into rehab, or by the police when they catch him dirty. I don’t know of anyone who quit smoking crack of their own volition; it’s just not that kind of party.”
Headline of the Day
“Sexting king Weiner trolls for interns”
Ensign Blames Ex-Lover for Misreported Contributions
Former Sen. John Ensign’s (R-NV) campaign “acknowledged unreported contributions to his campaign from his parents. But, amazingly enough, the letter also takes a shot at his former treasurer and lover, Cindy Hampton, for not ‘previously reporting’ what the senator would later claim were ‘gifts,'” Jon Ralston reports.
Miller Files Papers in Alaska
Joe Miller (R), who lost a 2010 bid for the U.S. Senate after besting incumbent Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) in a GOP primary, has filed a form indicating he intends to run for Senate again in 2014, Politico reports.
Perry Vetoes GOP-Backed Disclosure Bill
Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) vetoed a Republican bill “that would have required nonprofits that engage in politics to disclose their donors,” the Huffington Post reports.
The measure “would have required 501(c)4 social welfare groups that spend more than $25,000 in a calendar year on political expenditures to disclose contributions above $1,000.”
GOP Issues Subpoena for Benghazi Documents
“House Republicans accused the Obama administration of withholding information about its initial response to last year’s terror attack in Benghazi, Libya, and issued a subpoena on Tuesday seeking additional information,” NBC News reports.
“The subpoena is another step in Republicans’ long journey to unearth
more details about the Benghazi response, which they have used to
politically ding President Barack Obama and former Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton.”
Extra Bonus Quote of the Day
“I like winning, I’m different. I definitely am a RINO in that respect, my dear howling friends. I like to win. In fact, I do win. That’s just what I do. I go out — I don’t know if you knew this or not — the idea in elections is to get more votes than the other side.”
— Joe Scarborough, quoted by the Huffington Post reports, asking Republicans if they “ever want to be in the White House again.”
Senators Report No Progress Since Obama Dinner
Senate Republicans “who shared laughs with President Obama over dinner at the Jefferson Hotel in March are grumbling there has since been little follow-through from him on deficit talks,” The Hill reports.
“They say the White House has not set up a process for negotiating controversial reforms to Social Security, healthcare programs and the tax code, and that absence of basic organization has stalled negotiations.”
Will Republicans Heed Bob Dole’s Advice?
Former Sen. Bob Dole (R-KS) said over the weekend that Republicans should hang a “closed for repairs” sign on the door of their headquarters and regroup.
On MSNBC, Thomas Roberts, Joan Walsh and I discussed whether his advice would fall on deaf ears.
The Man Who Killed Kennedy
Political strategist Roger Stone has a controversial book out this fall: The Man Who Killed Kennedy: The Case Against LBJ.
Money Raised to Buy Video of Mayor Smoking Crack
Gawker announced its “crackstarter” fundraising effort reached its goal of $200,000 to buy the video purportedly showing Toronto Mayor Rob Ford smoking crack cocaine.
Weiner Running Strong in New York City Primary
A new Marist Poll in New York City finds Christine Quinn leading the Democratic mayoral race with 24%, followed by Anthony Weiner at 19%, Bill de Blasio at 12%, Bill Thomson at 11% and John Liu at 8%.
Said pollster Lee Miringoff: “The Democratic primary for mayor remains wide open. It is likely to come down to who can punch their ticket for the runoff.”
Politicker: “Indeed, in what may be a first this cycle, the firm polled the potential run-off election in the likely event that none of the candidates garner 40 percent of the vote in the primary. According to Marist, Ms. Quinn would win 48 to 33 percent against Mr. Weiner, with 18 percent undecided; she would defeat Mr. de Blasio 48 to 30 percent; she would win an outright majority against Mr. Liu with 53 percent; and she would top Bill Thompson 44 percent to 34 percent.”
Can Weiner Win?
Blake Zeff: “Anthony Weiner can ‘shake up’ the campaign for New York City mayor, the conventional wisdom tells us, but he definitely cannot win it. That may be the consensus among those following the race, but the fact is Weiner’s chances are better than many realize. The reason: his challenges are not as great as they’re being portrayed. And his strengths are more important than people think.”
Tip and the Gipper
Available for pre-order: Tip and the Gipper: When Politics Worked by Chris Matthews.
