| President
Polling: PPP's national poll shows that only one person can block Hillary Clinton's path to the White House: NJ Gov. Chris Christie, who is in a dead heat with Clinton, trailing 42-44. Remarkably, Christie's net favorability is greater than Clinton, at 51-23 (+28) to Clinton's 54-39 (+15). Clinton leads all other Republicans: Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio 51-37 and Paul Ryan 53-39. In a Democratic primary, Clinton takes 57% in a 9-way contest. Without Clinton, VP Joe Biden leads with a whopping 16%. Without Clinton or Biden, Andrew Cuomo leads Elizabeth Warren 19-16. For the Republicans, Rubio leads Ryan and Huckabee 21-16-15, with Bush and Christie tied at 14%.
Senate
New Jersey: A second poll shows that Sen. Frank Lautenberg would be a serious underdog in a Democratic primary to Newark Mayor Cory Booker. After PPP showed Booker crushing the incumbent, a Fairleigh Dickinson Poll has Booker up 42-20.
West Virginia: Rep. David McKinley says he is still considering a Senate bid, and will continue to watch Rep. Shelley Moore Capito's votes before deciding. He says he "likes what he is seeing" as of now, but says "If she is not going to be that fiscal hawk that is going to make sure that we get our spending under control, then we'll find another candidate." This is quite the hypocritical statement, as Capito voted for the Ryan budget, while McKinley was one of four Reps to vote against it (and 1 of 2 to vote against it from the left)
Massachusetts: Former Rep. Barney Frank, who has literally been begging for the Senate appointment, has endorsed Rep. Ed Markey for the Democratic nomination. One major Democrat, however, isn't joining the Ed Markey train: Gov. Deval Patrick, who says "I like the idea of a primary. I've talked to a number of potential candidates. I don't think that the field is complete yet."
Louisiana: Rep. Bill Cassidy, regarding as the strongest and most likely opponent for Sen. Mary Landrieu, ventured outside of his district Wednesday night, into Slidell and Metairie, very conservative areas that make up the heart of the 1st district. These areas are key for votes and money. He was also spotted meeting with power brokers in Jefferson Parish, the second largest in the state and a key parish to beating Landrieu. Jefferson has voted Republican for President the last few cycles, but it voted for Landrieu in 2008.
House
SC-01: State Rep. Andy Patrick (R) of Beaufort County is running in the special election. He has ties to Rick Santorum, having provided security for his campaign and already hiring the firm headed by Santorum's former campaign manager, Mike Biundo. Patrick has previously served as a New York state trooper and Secret Service agent.
IL-03: Conservative Democratic Rep. Dan Lipinski, who is pro-life and voted against ObamaCare because of its funding for abortions, is being mentioned as a possible appointee as Ambassador to the Holy See. This would open up his seat to a special election. In 2008, it gave 58% to Obama. In 2012, he dropped to 56%. Probably out of reach for us, but in a special with low Hispanic turnout and a strong blue-collar Republican candidate, it's possible.
States
New Jersey Gov: Rep. Bill Pascrell, who Democrats were oddly talking up as a potential Gov candidate, says he has no intention of running for Governor. I'm sure Christie's 78% approval rating in a poll by Kean University/NJ Speaks did not bear in his decision.
Virginia Gov: I really am starting to have a bad feeling about this one. Virginia AG/presumptive Republican nominee Ken Cuccinelli is telling conservative activists they should "go to jail" fighting the individual mandate. Ken, slow down. Win this year, and then you can start riling up conservatives for 2016.
Ohio Gov: Add another name to the list of Democrats considering a run for OH-Gov: former Rep. Betty Sutton, who says she is "seriously considering it"
Nebraska Gov: Three term AG and failed Senate candidate Jon Bruning won't run for Governor.
Florida Gov: If you have the time, this 7 page profile of Republican Independent Democratic (likely) Gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist is well worth a read. It paints a picture of Crist as even slimier and opportunistic than we already knew him to be.
NY State Senate: Several weeks after a judge certified Republican George Amedore as the winner in SD 46 by 37 votes, a state appellate court has ruled 99 more ballots must be counted. 90 of these ballots come from Democratic Ulster County, giving Democrat Cecilia Tkaczyk a chance at overcoming her minuscule deficit. |
