{"id":6335,"date":"2020-09-18T18:04:41","date_gmt":"2020-09-18T18:04:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sportsnewsforyou.com\/?p=6335"},"modified":"2020-09-18T18:04:41","modified_gmt":"2020-09-18T18:04:41","slug":"election-countdown-trump-plans-ambitious-travel-schedule-for-midterms-republicans-blast-strategy-for-keeping-house-poll-shows-menendez-race-tightening-cook-report-shifts-duncan-hunters-se","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/googmn.com\/?p=6335","title":{"rendered":"Election Countdown: Trump plans ambitious travel schedule for midterms | Republicans blast strategy for keeping House | Poll shows Menendez race tightening | Cook Report shifts Duncan Hunter's seat after indictment"},"content":{"rendered":"

This is Election Countdown, The Hill’s weekly newsletter from Lisa Hagen (@LA_Hagen) and Max Greenwood (@KMaxGreenwood) that brings you the biggest stories on the campaign trail. We’d love to hear from you, so feel free to reach out to Lisa at <\/em>LHagen@thehill.com<\/em> and Max at <\/em>MGreenwood@thehill.com<\/em>. with any questions, comments, criticisms or food recommendations (mostly the latter, please). <\/em>Click here to sign up<\/em>.<\/em><\/p>\n

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We’re 76 days until the 2018 midterm elections and 804 days until the 2020 elections.<\/em><\/p>\n

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President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE seems to live by the mantra “go big or go home.”<\/strong> And, that’s what he’s angling to do in the midterm elections.<\/p>\n

White House aides announced on Tuesday that the president is set to undertake an ambitious travel schedule<\/strong> this fall to stump for Republicans in House, Senate and gubernatorial races across the country. All told, he’s looking to spend at least 40 days on the campaign trail between Aug. 1 and Election Day.<\/p>\n

ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n

That means he’ll be campaigning nearly one out of every two days this fall \u2013 more than any president in recent history.<\/p>\n

By comparison, Trump’s predecessor, former President Barack ObamaBarack Hussein ObamaHarris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk Five ways America would take a hard left under Joe Biden Valerie Jarrett: ‘Democracy depends upon having law enforcement’ MORE<\/strong>, spent 36 days traveling in the final months of the 2010 midterm elections. That same year, Democrats lost 63 seats in the House, ceding control of the chamber to Republicans.<\/p>\n

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Traditionally, the president’s party loses seats in midterm election years.<\/strong> This year, the GOP’s hold on the House is seen as particularly vulnerable. Democrats need to pick up at least 23 seats in November to reclaim control of the chamber. On the other hand, The Senate poses less of a threat to GOP power. Democrats are defending more than two-dozen seats in 2018, including several in states that Trump won in 2016.<\/p>\n

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For now, Trump’s travel will focus on Senate races.<\/strong> But officials insisted that the schedule would remain flexible to allow the president to pivot quickly to the districts and states where he’s needed the most.<\/p>\n

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Read our story on Trump’s travel plans.<\/p>\n

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Primary wrap-up<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Trump’s endorsement in Wyoming’s GOP gubernatorial primary fell short.<\/strong> The president’s candidate of choice, conservative mega-donor Foster Friess<\/strong>, was defeated Tuesday by Wyoming state Treasurer Mark Gordon<\/strong>. But Trump’s endorsement came late in the game \u2013 after voters were already heading to the polls \u2013 leaving it unclear whether it factored into the race at all.<\/p>\n

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Trump’s pick in Wyoming’s Republican Senate primary had a better night. Sen. John BarrassoJohn Anthony BarrassoGOP senators urge Trump to back off Murkowski threat House Democrats roll out 0B green transportation infrastructure bill IRS proposes guidance for expanded carbon capture tax credit MORE<\/strong> (R-Wyo.) easily took the party’s nomination on Tuesday, putting him on track for a third term in office. He beat out Dave Dodson<\/strong>, a first-time candidate who poured more than $1 million of his own funds into the campaign.<\/p>\n

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In other Wyoming news, geologist and consultant Greg Hunter<\/strong> won the Democratic nomination to challenge Rep. Liz CheneyElizabeth (Liz) Lynn CheneyOvernight Defense: Senate confirms US military’s first African American service chief | Navy to ban display of Confederate flags | GOP lawmakers urge Trump not to cut troops in Germany Republicans urge Trump to reject slashing US troop presence in Germany Cheney blasts Trump move to draw down troops in Germany: ‘Dangerously misguided’ MORE<\/strong> (R-Wyo.) in November.<\/p>\n

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And Alaska’s gubernatorial election is set to be a three-way brawl between incumbent Gov. Bill Walker<\/strong> (I), former Sen. Mark BegichMark Peter BegichAlaska political mess has legislators divided over meeting place Former GOP chairman Royce joins lobbying shop Lobbying world MORE<\/strong> (D-Alaska) and Republican former state Sen. Mike Dunleavy<\/strong>. Three-way races are notoriously hard to forecast, but if voters are split between Walker and Begich \u2013 and polling lends credence to that scenario \u2013 it could give Dunleavy a path to victory in November.<\/p>\n

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Senate showdown<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Florida Gov. Rick Scott<\/strong> (R) pumped an addition $6.5 million of his personal fortune into his Senate campaign ahead of the state’s Aug. 28 primary, federal filings show. Scott turned heads earlier this year when he announced a whopping $22 million fundraising haul in the second quarter of 2018 \u2013 far more than the $4.4 million raised by his Democratic opponent, Sen. Bill NelsonClarence (Bill) William NelsonNASA, SpaceX and the private-public partnership that caused the flight of the Crew Dragon Lobbying world The most expensive congressional races of the last decade MORE<\/strong> (D-Fla.). $14 million of that haul came from Scott himself.<\/p>\n

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Casino magnate Sheldon Adelson<\/strong> and his wife Miriam<\/strong> gave a combined $25 million to the Republican-aligned Senate Leadership Fund<\/strong> (SLF) in July, according to the super PAC’s most-recent Federal Election Commission<\/strong> (FEC) filing. The two $12.5 million contributions came two months after the Adelsons gave $30 million to the House GOP-aligned Congressional Leadership Fund<\/strong> (CLF).<\/p>\n

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Survey says…<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

A Marquette University Law School poll shows a dead heat between Sen. Tammy BaldwinTammy Suzanne BaldwinBiden launches program to turn out LGBTQ vote We need a ‘9-1-1’ for mental health \u2014 we need ‘9-8-8’ Democrats introduce bill to rein in Trump’s power under Insurrection Act MORE<\/strong> (D-Wis.) and her Republican challenger Leah Vukmi<\/strong>r<\/strong> in Wisconsin’s Senate race. The incumbent carries a 49-47 percent lead among likely voters. That’s well within the survey’s 4-point margin of error. But among registered voters, Baldwin’s lead increases to 51-43 percent.<\/p>\n

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Sen. Bob MenendezRobert (Bob) MenendezGOP’s Obama-era probes fuel Senate angst Government watchdog: ‘No evidence’ Pompeo violated Hatch Act with Kansas trips No time to be selling arms to the Philippines MORE<\/strong>‘s (D-N.J.) lead in his reelection bid is shrinking, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday. That survey showed the New Jersey Democratic leading his Republican challenger Bob Hugin<\/strong> 43-37 percent \u2013 a significantly closer margin than a March Quinnipiac poll that gave Menendez a 17-point lead over Hugin.<\/p>\n

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Click Here: Bape Kid 1st Camo Ape Head rompers<\/a><\/p>\n

Democrats lead Republicans by 5 points on the generic House ballot, a new Monmouth University poll released Wednesday finds. Forty-eight percent of registered voters said they would favor the Democratic candidate in their district, compared to 43 percent who said they would choose the Republican candidate. The survey shows a slightly smaller lead for Democrats than past polls. In June, a Monmouth survey showed 48 percent of respondents favoring Democrats, while 41 leaned Republican.<\/p>\n

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Paper chase<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Lots of new fundraising numbers this week.<\/strong> With July fundraising numbers coming in, here’s a breakdown of where some of the big committees stand:<\/p>\n

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The Republican National Committee<\/strong> brought in about $14.2 million last month \u2013 it’s best July for a non-presidential election year to date \u2013 according to its Federal Election Commission filing. That’s nearly double the $7.2 million that the Democratic National Committee<\/strong> (DNC) raked in.<\/p>\n

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But it’s not all bad news for Democrats. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee<\/strong> (DCCC) reported a $13.5 million haul in July, while the GOP’s House campaign arm, the National Republican Congressional Committee<\/strong> (NRCC) brought in $10.2 million, per their FEC filings.<\/p>\n

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In super PAC world, the Republican-aligned Senate Leadership Fund<\/strong> reported raising a whopping $26 million last month \u2013 it’s largest monthly fundraising haul for a July. By comparison, the Democratic-aligned Senate Majority PAC<\/strong> reported raising just under $7.4 million, it’s FEC filing showed.<\/p>\n

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House Majority PAC<\/strong>, the super PAC aligned with Democratic House leadership, raised $3.7 million in July, according to its most-recent filing.<\/p>\n

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What we’re watching for<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

There are just two more primaries left in August. Florida<\/strong> and Arizona<\/strong> voters head to the polls on Aug. 28.<\/strong> Oklahoma<\/strong> is also set to hold primary runoffs that day.<\/p>\n

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The Democratic National Committee<\/strong> (DNC) is holding it’s summer general meeting in Chicago from Aug. 23-35<\/strong>, where party members will decide on whether to reduce the role of superdelegates in nominating presidential candidates.<\/p>\n

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Coming to a TV near you<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

It’s another big week for ads. The Congressional Leadership Fund<\/strong>, which is aligned with Speaker Paul RyanPaul Davis RyanBush, Romney won’t support Trump reelection: NYT Twitter joins Democrats to boost mail-in voting \u2014 here’s why Lobbying world MORE (R-Wis.), launched a series of near-identical ads accusing four Minnesota Democratic House candidates of standing by Rep. Keith EllisonKeith Maurice EllisonThe Hill’s Coronavirus Report: Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas says country needs to rethink what ‘policing’ means; US cases surpass 2 million with no end to pandemic in sight Officer charged in Floyd’s death considered guilty plea before talks fell apart: report Minnesota AG Keith Ellison says racism is a bigger problem than police behavior; 21 states see uptick in cases amid efforts to reopen MORE<\/strong> (D-Minn.) in the face of domestic abuse allegations. Among the hopefuls targeted were Angie Craig<\/strong>, Joe Radinovich<\/strong>, Dan Feehan<\/strong> and Dean Phillips<\/strong>, who are all running in competitive races.<\/p>\n

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The group also released TV and radio spots this week targeting Democrats in New York’s 22nd District, Kentucky’s 6th District and Kansas’s 2nd District.<\/p>\n

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Former President Barack Obama<\/strong> cut a digital video for Illinois Democratic gubernatorial hopeful J.B. Pritzker<\/strong>, the brother of Obama’s former Commerce Secretary Penny PritzkerPenny Sue PritzkerThe Hill’s Morning Report – Sanders steamrolls to South Carolina primary, Super Tuesday Biden’s new campaign ad features Obama speech praising him Obama Commerce secretary backs Biden’s 2020 bid MORE. The clip \u2013 which could soon be turned into a TV ad, Politico reports \u2013 marks Obama’s first video on behalf of a candidate in the 2018 cycle and serves as the latest signal that the former president is planning to return to a more prominent role in politics.<\/p>\n

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The progressive super PAC American Bridge 21st Century<\/strong> is setting its sights on the general election, launching a digital ad this week that takes aim at Rep. Martha McSallyMartha Elizabeth McSallyGOP senators introduce resolution opposing calls to defund the police No evidence of unauthorized data transfers by top Chinese drone manufacturer: study Senate Democratic campaign arm launches online hub ahead of November MORE<\/strong> (R-Ariz.), who’s vying for the GOP’s Senate nomination in Arizona. The spot casts McSally as a flip-flopper on issues ranging from Trump’s proposed border wall to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.<\/p>\n

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Wave watch<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Republicans are venting frustration with the NRCC’s midterm elections strategy, complaining that the House GOP campaign arm is making a serious strategic mistake by foregoing August TV advertising. Per The Hill’s Jonathan Easley<\/strong>: “The criticism underscores GOP tensions heading into the midterm elections, when the incumbent president’s party traditionally loses congressional seats. Election handicappers are giving Democrats favorable odds of winning back the House, with FiveThirtyEight saying there’s a 73 percent chance Democrats will take control of the chamber.”<\/p>\n

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An interesting midterm prediction from House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthyKevin Owen McCarthyHouse Republicans hopeful about bipartisan path forward on police reform legislation Trump on collision course with Congress over bases with Confederate names McConnell: States should make decision on Confederate statues MORE<\/strong> (R-Calif.). The No. 2 House Republican seems confident that Democrats won’t see the “wave” election in November that they’re gunning for. “This could be a tornado, but it won’t be a wave,” McCarthy told The Washington post. “A tornado touches down in spots. A wave crashes over everybody.”<\/p>\n

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Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham ClintonWhite House\u00a0accuses Biden of pushing ‘conspiracy theories’ with Trump election claim Biden courts younger voters \u2014 who have been a weakness Trayvon Martin’s mother Sybrina Fulton qualifies to run for county commissioner in Florida MORE<\/strong> is set to wade back into campaign politics this fall. The former secretary of State and 2016 presidential contender will headline three events for the DNC<\/strong> beginning in September, NBC News reports. She is also planning events with women running in key congressional races.<\/p>\n

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In case you missed it<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

The Cook Political Report\u00a0shifted its rating for Rep.\u00a0Duncan HunterDuncan HunterLobbying world Duncan Hunter granted delayed start to prison sentence over coronavirus New poll shows tight race in key California House race MORE’s (R-Calif.) seat to “Lean Republican” from “Solid Republican,” after the Congressman was\u00a0indicted\u00a0for the misuse of campaign funds.<\/p>\n

Hunter was\u00a0indicted Tuesday\u00a0after being charged with misusing at least $250,000 in campaign funds for personal expenses.<\/p>\n

In a post, David Wasserman, House Editor for Cook Political Report,\u00a0also said\u00a0it may further move its rating for the race in California’s 50th District.<\/p>\n

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Democratic House hopeful Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez<\/strong> defended her decision to bar members of the press from attending a public town hall, saying that she wanted residents of vulnerable communities to feel “safe.” Ocasio-Cortez, a first-time candidate and self-described democratic socialist, was initially called out on the move on Friday by a Washington Post reporter<\/strong>, who warned that the New York Democrat was “in for a rough time on Capitol Hill — where reporters roam freely at all hours of the day and night — if this is her attitude toward the press.”<\/p>\n

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Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: Milley apologizes for church photo-op Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk Biden courts younger voters \u2014 who have been a weakness MORE<\/strong> (I-Vt.) tested his brand of progressivism in Florida last week, making a trip down to the Sunshine State to campaign for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum<\/strong> in Tampa and Orlando. While Gillum is hoping that the joint appearances will help push him across the finish line in the state’s Aug. 28 primary, some Democrats are skeptical that Sanders’ political movement has a place in Florida. The campaign appearance “doesn’t make a lot of sense for Florida, because Bernie never caught on in Florida,” one longtime Democratic operative said.<\/p>\n

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Sen. Ted CruzRafael (Ted) Edward CruzSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote The Hill’s Morning Report – Trump’s public standing sags after Floyd protests GOP senators introduce resolution opposing calls to defund the police MORE (R-Texas) is leading his Democratic challenger, Rep. Beto O’RourkeBeto O’RourkeBiden will help close out Texas Democrats’ virtual convention: report O’Rourke on Texas reopening: ‘Dangerous, dumb and weak’ Parties gear up for battle over Texas state House MORE (Texas), by four points among registered voters, according to a NBC News\/Marist poll released Wednesday. Cruz has 49 percent support among registered voters\u00a0in the survey, with 45 percent for O’Rourke. About 6 percent of voters remain undecided.<\/p>\n

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Rep. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), the likely Democratic\u00a0nominee for Senate in Arizona,\u00a0says that she does not support Medicare for All, a centrist stance at odds with her party’s progressive wing.<\/p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This is Election Countdown, The Hill’s weekly newsletter from Lisa Hagen (@LA_Hagen) and Max Greenwood (@KMaxGreenwood) that brings you the biggest stories on the campaign trail. We’d love to hear from you, so feel free to reach out to Lisa at LHagen@thehill.com and Max at MGreenwood@thehill.com. with any questions, comments, criticisms or food recommendations (mostly…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6335","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/googmn.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6335","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/googmn.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/googmn.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/googmn.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/googmn.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6335"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/googmn.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6335\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/googmn.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6335"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/googmn.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6335"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/googmn.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6335"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}