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US midterms: Republicans looking zippy as candidates sprint to the finish US midterms: Republicans looking zippy as candidates sprint to the finish
(about 7 hours later)
The candidates are ready to sprint to the finish. And with just 15 days to go until America’s midterm elections, featuring a high-stakes battle for control of the US Senate, the Republicans are looking zippy.The candidates are ready to sprint to the finish. And with just 15 days to go until America’s midterm elections, featuring a high-stakes battle for control of the US Senate, the Republicans are looking zippy.
Here’s the state of the race:Here’s the state of the race:
President Obama returned to the campaign trail Sunday, popping up in Maryland to make a big speech on behalf of gubernatorial nominee Anthony Brown. Unfortunately, a good number of audience members walked out early. Undeterred, the president continued to Illinois to stump for Governor Pat Quinn, who is up for re-election. President Obama returned to the campaign trail on Sunday, popping up in Maryland to make a big speech on behalf of gubernatorial nominee Anthony Brown. Unfortunately, a good number of audience members walked out early. Undeterred, the president continued to Illinois to stump for Governor Pat Quinn, who is up for re-election.
At rallies, Obama casts 2014 as key for his legacy – AP. “Don’t give up now,” the president said. “Not after we’ve made this much progress.”At rallies, Obama casts 2014 as key for his legacy – AP. “Don’t give up now,” the president said. “Not after we’ve made this much progress.”
A new ABC News/Washington Post poll showed Hillary Clinton out in front of the Democratic field in the 2016 presidential race. Leading on the Republican side was… Mitt Romney. Romney “is supported for the GOP nomination by 21% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents,” researcher Gary Langer writes. “That’s double the support of his closest potential rival.” A new ABC News/Washington Post poll showed Hillary Clinton out in front of the Democratic field in the 2016 presidential race. Leading on the Republican side was … Mitt Romney. Romney “is supported for the GOP nomination by 21% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents,” researcher Gary Langer writes. “That’s double the support of his closest potential rival.”
Whither the SenateWhither the Senate
It’s looking good for the GOP. The average probability of Republicans taking the Senate, according to three top elections modelers (538, the New York Times and HuffPost Pollster), is 65.3% – down just more than a point from a day before.It’s looking good for the GOP. The average probability of Republicans taking the Senate, according to three top elections modelers (538, the New York Times and HuffPost Pollster), is 65.3% – down just more than a point from a day before.
Ello guv’nor ’Ello guv’nor
There are 36 gubernatorial elections this year, and about a third of them count as exciting, if politics is your bag. The Republicans have held a majority of the governors’ mansions since 2010 and currently hold a 29-21 advantage nationwide.There are 36 gubernatorial elections this year, and about a third of them count as exciting, if politics is your bag. The Republicans have held a majority of the governors’ mansions since 2010 and currently hold a 29-21 advantage nationwide.
Gubernatorial races poised to make history in two weeks – the Washington Post. This must-read ranks 13 gubernatorial races by the likelihood of a switch in party control:Gubernatorial races poised to make history in two weeks – the Washington Post. This must-read ranks 13 gubernatorial races by the likelihood of a switch in party control:
You wouldn’t know it by following the Senate-control-centric coverage of the midterm elections emanating from Washington, but we could well be headed toward a historic gubernatorial election in 15 days.You wouldn’t know it by following the Senate-control-centric coverage of the midterm elections emanating from Washington, but we could well be headed toward a historic gubernatorial election in 15 days.
Not since 1984 have more than six sitting governors lost in any one election. But, 30 years after that gubernatorial carnage, a look at this year’s races puts 11 incumbents in various levels of peril — suggesting that history may be in the making. Not since 1984 have more than six sitting governors lost in any one election. But, 30 years after that gubernatorial carnage, a look at this year’s races puts 11 incumbents in various levels of peril – suggesting that history may be in the making.
Debate alertDebate alert
It is difficult to conceive of an onstage performance that would cause Republican congressman Steve Daines to squander his 16-point (at least) lead over Democratic congresswoman Amanda Curtis in Montana’s US Senate race. But if it does happen, you will definitely want to witness it. So tune in to the candidates’ debate tonight on the PBS website at 8pm ET.It is difficult to conceive of an onstage performance that would cause Republican congressman Steve Daines to squander his 16-point (at least) lead over Democratic congresswoman Amanda Curtis in Montana’s US Senate race. But if it does happen, you will definitely want to witness it. So tune in to the candidates’ debate tonight on the PBS website at 8pm ET.
President’s schedulePresident’s schedule
Obama is in Chicago Monday, where he plans to cast an early vote and then to keep up an undetermined schedule of events until a fundraiser at 5pm. This evening Obama returns to Washington. Obama is in Chicago on Monday, where he plans to cast an early vote and then to keep up an undetermined schedule of events until a fundraiser at 5pm. This evening Obama returns to Washington.
Obama approval ratingObama approval rating
A popular president could potentially boost Democrats in tight races. Unfortunately for them, Obama isn’t. The president’s job approval rating in Gallup’s daily tracking is at 40%, down two points from a day earlier. His disapproval rating is 55%.A popular president could potentially boost Democrats in tight races. Unfortunately for them, Obama isn’t. The president’s job approval rating in Gallup’s daily tracking is at 40%, down two points from a day earlier. His disapproval rating is 55%.
Featured readsFeatured reads
Mary Landrieu is the best choice by far for Louisiana – New Orleans Times-Picayune editorialMary Landrieu is the best choice by far for Louisiana – New Orleans Times-Picayune editorial
Sasse is new Republican voice – Lincoln Journal StarSasse is new Republican voice – Lincoln Journal Star
For GOP’s Scalise, being No 3 boosts popularity – APFor GOP’s Scalise, being No 3 boosts popularity – AP
Rep Michael Grimm, despite indictment, enjoys support from Staten Island residents – NY Daily NewsRep Michael Grimm, despite indictment, enjoys support from Staten Island residents – NY Daily News
Sen Warren raises the roof for Braley – The Des Moines RegisterSen Warren raises the roof for Braley – The Des Moines Register
The Bright Side on Jobs, and Why It Might Not Matter for the Midterms – The New York TimesThe Bright Side on Jobs, and Why It Might Not Matter for the Midterms – The New York Times
Wendy Davis and the ever-longer odds – PoliticoWendy Davis and the ever-longer odds – Politico
Democrats’ New Senate Move: Backing Long-Shot Candidates – The Wall Street JournalDemocrats’ New Senate Move: Backing Long-Shot Candidates – The Wall Street Journal
Obama to Vote on Monday, and His Ballot Is No Secret – The New York TimesObama to Vote on Monday, and His Ballot Is No Secret – The New York Times
Is your daily consumption of political news harming your ability to love your country? Rediscover what’s great about America with this beautiful photograph brought to you by the Department of the Interior:Is your daily consumption of political news harming your ability to love your country? Rediscover what’s great about America with this beautiful photograph brought to you by the Department of the Interior:
This view of Mt Whitney @SequoiaKingsNPS will stop you in your tracks #California #Nature pic.twitter.com/ODfAqk5qj9This view of Mt Whitney @SequoiaKingsNPS will stop you in your tracks #California #Nature pic.twitter.com/ODfAqk5qj9