Sunday Shows

The Sunday Show Line-Ups

Eric Kleefeld | July 9, 2010, 3:53PM

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Here are the line-ups for the Sunday talk shows this weekend:

• ABC, This Week: White House Senior Adviser David Axelrod, Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), Rep. Brian Bilbray (R-CA).

• CBS, Face The Nation: Attorney General Eric Holder.

• CNN, State Of The Union: Gov. Bill Richardson (D-NM), White House Senior Adviser David Axelrod, Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ), BP Victim Compensation Fund administrator Ken Feinberg.

• Fox News Sunday: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, White House Senior Adviser David Axelrod, Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-AZ).

• NBC, Meet The Press: White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs.

MN-GOV

Emmer In Damage Control Mode: Meeting Waiters After Claiming They Made $100K In Tips

Eric Kleefeld | July 9, 2010, 1:44PM

MN Gov candidate Tom Emmer (R)

Minnesota state Rep. Tom Emmer, the presumptive Republican nominee for governor, appears to be going into damage control mode in the wake of his proposal to lower the minimum wage for waiters by crediting their tips towards the state's wage requirement. He now has a listening tour session coming up this Wednesday, at which he will meet with servers.

Emmer said earlier this week that he would support such an idea, which is common in most other states. Minnesota is one of seven states that do not permit employers to pay less than the standard minimum wage to tipped workers. Federal law permits tipped workers' wages to be as low as $2.13 per hour, absent state regulation to the contrary, with tips given to workers credited against the minimum wage of $7.25 an hour employers are required to pay.

Whatever the economic merits of the policy might be, what really got Emmer in trouble was this quote, the substance of which he attributed to a restaurateur who was hosting the event in question: "With the tips that they get to take home, there are some people earning over $100,000 a year. More than the very people providing the jobs and investing not only their life savings but their families' future." Emmer's claim that wait staff were making six-figure salaries did not play well in the media.

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WV-SEN

WV Dem Gov. Manchin To Announce Decision On Senate Bid Monday -- Run 'Highly Likely'

Eric Kleefeld | July 9, 2010, 12:08PM

West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin (D)

Gov. Joe Manchin (D-WV) told Politico that he will declare on Monday what his intentions are on whether to run in the likely special election this year to succeed the late Democratic Sen. Robert Byrd -- and that he is likely to run.

Manchin also said that only "procedural" issues remain as an obstacle, as the state sorts out its unclear laws on who would succeed him as governor if he were to be elected to higher office. The state is also in the middle of sorting out its unclear laws on a special Senate election, too, after Manchin secured a legal opinion from state Attorney General Darrell McGraw that one could go forward this year.

Manchin also appeared on MSNBC this morning, and said that the legislature had a responsibility to come back into a special session and clarify the laws "as quickly as possible" on how the election would be held, and who would succeed him as governor. Manchin reaffirmed that the timeline for him appointing an interim Senator could be placed on hold while these matters are handled.

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NV-SEN

RNC Ad: Obama And Reid Tore Down Nevada's Economy (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | July 9, 2010, 11:27AM

A new ad from the RNC attacking President Obama and Senator Harry Reid (D-NV).

The Republican National Committee has a new ad in the Nevada Senate race, attacking Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid -- and President Obama -- for Nevada's troubled economic situation.

"It took thousands of men to erect Hoover dam and build modern Nevada," the announcer says. "But it only took two men to help tear down its economy. Barack Obama and Harry Reid."

The TPM Poll Average currently gives Republican former state Rep. Sharron Angle a lead of 46.0%-40.8%.

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NV-SEN

Obama Rips Angle: She's 'Even More Extreme Than The Republicans We Got In Washington' (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | July 9, 2010, 10:57AM

President Barack Obama and NV Sen candidate Sharron Angle (R)

President Obama campaigned last night at a fundraiser in Las Vegas for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid -- and directly took on Reid's opponent, former state Rep. Sharron Angle.

Obama never mentioned Angle by name, but frequently singled out the view of "Harry's opponent" on such issues as financial reform, oil industry regulation and jobs. "On a lot of these issues, she favors an approach that's even more extreme than the Republicans we got in Washington," said Obama, to the audience's laughter. "That's saying something."

The TPM Poll Average currently gives Angle a lead of 46.0%-40.8%.

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NV-GOV

New Angle Ad: Nevada Is Now Worse Than Michigan (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | July 9, 2010, 9:58AM

A new ad from US Sen candidate Sharron Angle (R-NV) attacking Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) on jobs.

Sharron Angle, the Republican nominee for Senate in Nevada against Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, has a new one-minute ad featuring dire and tragic music -- mixed with fear-mongering about Michigan that could have been taken right out of The Kentucky Fried Movie.

The ad features no dialogue, other than the compulsory voice-over from Angle saying she approved the message, but instead features music with a montage of unemployed people and on-screen text from news clips about Nevada's economic situation. And the message is repeatedly hammered home that Nevada's unemployment is now worse than Michigan.

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WV-SEN

Rasmussen Poll: WV Dem Gov. Joe Manchin Leads For Byrd's Senate Seat

Eric Kleefeld | July 9, 2010, 9:26AM

West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin (D)

The new Rasmussen poll of West Virginia finds that Democratic Gov. Joe Manchin starts out as a decently strong frontrunner in a potential special Senate election this fall, which has become a likely scenario in the process to replace the late Democratic Sen. Robert Byrd.

Manchin leads Republican Rep. Shelly Moore Capito by 53%-39%, and leads former West Virginia Secretary of State Betty Ireland by 65%-26%. The survey of likely voters has a ±4.5% margin of error.

West Virginia appears to be on track to hold a special election this November, with Manchin likely appointing an interim Senator who will not seek a full term. Secretary of State Natalie Tennant (D) announced last week that there would not be an election, but instead a gubernatorial appointment to last through November 2012, based on the state's confusing statute on the subject. However, Tennant herself stated her disagreement with this outcome and called for the law to be changed, and Manchin obtained a legal opinion from state Attorney General Darrell McGraw (D) that allowed an election to go forward this year. Manchin has ruled out appointing himself, but has appeared to be very open to running in the election.

NV-SEN

Together At Last: Steele And Angle To Re-Emerge At Nevada GOP Convention Tonight

Eric Kleefeld | July 9, 2010, 8:41AM

Nevada Republican Senate nominee Sharron Angle and RNC Chairman Michael Steele

The Nevada Republican Party is holding its convention this weekend. And the event will feature two speakers tonight who have each had a rough time over the last week -- Senate nominee Sharron Angle and RNC Chairman Michael Steele.

Both Steele and Angle will be speaking tonight at the party's unity dinner, which will begin at 7 p.m. Pacific Time.

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NV-SEN

New Reid Ad Rips Angle On Jobs (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | July 8, 2010, 4:46PM

A new ad from Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) attacking his opponent, Sharron Angle (R) on jobs.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has a new TV ad attacking his Republican opponent, former state Rep. Sharron Angle, for allegedly not caring about people's jobs.

The ad features a construction worker in an American flag-themed hardhat, decrying Angle's past laissez-faire statements that creating jobs would not be her job as a U.S. Senator. "Not her job?" the man asks. "To me, it seems like the only job Sharron Angle wants to fight for is hers."

The TPM Poll Average currently gives Angle a lead of 46.0%-40.8%.

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NV-SEN

NRSC Posts Parody 'Real Harry Reid' Website After Reid Posts Real Angle Site

Eric Kleefeld | July 8, 2010, 4:14PM

Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) and Sen. candidate Sharron Angle (R)

The NRSC is firing back at Harry Reid's reposting of Sharron Angle's old website -- by posting a fake Harry Reid website as a parody.

After she won the Republican primary a month ago, Angle's campaign took down most of its website, and later replaced it with a relaunched version that toned down her right-wing positions. But the Reid campaign saved the old version, and put up a website called "The Real Sharron Angle," reproducing the old content. Then last Friday, the Angle campaign sent them a cease-and-desist letter, alleging violation of copyrights and that the site was Angle's intellectual property. In response, the Reid campaign briefly took down the site -- then made some slight modifications, and put it right back up again. And in response, Angle is still threatening legal action.

Now the NRSC has come out with "The Real Harry Reid," taking the current layout and overall look of Reid's website, but with headlines about high unemployment and the national debt.

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WV-SEN

WV Attorney General Green Lights Special Election To Replace Byrd This Year

Eric Kleefeld | July 8, 2010, 3:40PM

The Late Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV)

West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw (D) has issued a legal opinion saying that there can be a special election this year for the Senate seat formerly held by the late Democratic Sen. Robert Byrd. This decision will likely set the process in motion for an election, with the possibility of an interim appointment made by Dem Gov. Joe Manchin -- who would also be the Democrats' strongest possible candidate.

Secretary of State Natalie Tennant (D) announced last week that there would not be an election, but instead a gubernatorial appointment to last through November 2012, when the term would have been up anyway. This result struck many people as odd or counter-democratic, but was actually the product of the state's very confusing statute on the subject, and in fact had a binding legal precedent from the 1990s.

However, Tennant herself stated her disagreement with this outcome, and Manchin sought the legal opinion from McGraw on the subject, with Manchin also preferring to hold an election this year and to potentially change the law if necessary. Manchin has categorically ruled out appointing himself, but with this ruling he could potentially appoint another person and then run for the election this November.

Israel

Obama: My Middle Name 'Creates Suspicion' Among Israelis -- But Rahm's Middle Name Is 'Israel' (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | July 8, 2010, 2:36PM

President Barack Obama

In an interview on Israeli TV, President Obama said that his middle name -- "Hussein" -- was one cause of distrust that some Israelis feel toward him.

"Some of it may just be the fact that my middle name is Hussein, and that creates suspicion," the president said.

On the other hand, he also pointed out, his Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel's middle name is "Israel."

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NV-SEN

Angle Walks It Back: I Was 'Incorrect' To Call $20B BP Account A 'Slush Fund'

Eric Kleefeld | July 8, 2010, 1:49PM

NV Sen. candidate Sharron Angle (R)

Sharron Angle, the Republican nominee for Senate in Nevada against Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, has very quickly reversed herself on comments she made on a radio show yesterday, in which she slammed the $20 billion escrow account that BP negotiated with the Obama administration to pay damage claims resulting from the Gulf oil spill. Angle's reversal -- she now says her description of the account as a "slush fund" was "incorrect" -- provides a further data point that while bashing the fund may play well with some on the right, it is also politically untouchable with the wider electorate.

Angle released this statement:

Setting the record straight about BP and the Obama Administration

There's been some confusion this morning regarding my position on BP and the oil spill.

Having had some time to think about it, the caller and I shouldn't have used the term "slush fund"; that was incorrect.

My position is that the creation of this fund to compensate victims was an important first step-- BP caused this disaster and they should pay for it. But there are multiple parties at fault here and there should be a thorough investigation. We need to look into the actions, (or inactions) of the Administration and why the regulatory agency in charge of oversight was asleep at the wheel while BP was cutting corners. Every party involved should be held fully accountable.

Angle's rapid walk-back on this mirrors the same path followed by Rep. Joe Barton of Texas, who apologized to BP for the creation of the fund. Barton was forced by GOP leadership to retract his statements that same day. Of course, the curious thing here is that Barton's comments happened three weeks ago -- so Angle really should have had enough time to learn from this prior example.

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IL-SEN

Rasmussen Poll: Dem Giannoulias Takes One-Point Lead Over Kirk In Illinois Senate Race

Eric Kleefeld | July 8, 2010, 1:28PM

IL Senate candidates Alexi Giannoulias (D) and Mark Kirk (R)

The new Rasmussen poll of the Illinois Senate race shows Democratic state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias taking a narrow lead over Republican Rep. Mark Kirk -- or rather, it shows Kirk falling behind Giannoulias, in a race where both candidates are unpopular.

The numbers: Giannoulias 40%, Kirk 39%. The survey of likely voters has a ±4.5% margin of error. In the previous poll from a month ago, Kirk led by 42%-39%. The TPM Poll Average gives Kirk a narrow edges of 41.3%-38.9% in a two-way race, not including third-party candidates that could potentially pick up significant protest votes.

Both candidates have suffered from stories that have seriously hurt them with the public. In Giannoulias's case, it's the failure of his family's bank, and for Kirk it's his long history of making false statements about his military service. In this new poll Giannoulias's favorable rating is at only 43%, with 46% unfavorable -- and Kirk is at an even worse 39%-48%.

NV-SEN

Angle On Opposition To Abortion In Cases Of Rape: Make 'A Lemon Situation Into Lemonade'

Eric Kleefeld | July 8, 2010, 12:38PM

Sharron Angle, Republican candidate for Nevada US Senate seat

Sharron Angle, the Republican nominee for Senate in Nevada against Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, explained her opposition to abortion even in cases of rape and incest: "Two wrongs don't make a right," and young girls who sought alternatives to abortion "made what was really a lemon situation into lemonade."

As Sam Stein reports, in a radio interview in late June, with conservative talker Alan Stock, Angle explained:

Stock: What do you say then to a young girl, I am going to place it as he said it, when a young girl is raped by her father, let's say, and she is pregnant. How do you explain this to her in terms of wanting her to go through the process of having the baby?

Angle: I think that two wrongs don't make a right. And I have been in the situation of counseling young girls, not 13 but 15, who have had very at risk, difficult pregnancies. And my counsel was to look for some alternatives, which they did. And they found that they had made what was really a lemon situation into lemonade. Well one girl in particular moved in with the adoptive parents of her child, and they both were adopted. Both of them grew up, one graduated from high school, the other had parents that loved her and she also graduated from high school. And I'll tell you the little girl who was born from that very poor situation came to me when she was 13 and said 'I know what you did thank you for saving my life.' So it is meaningful to me to err on the side of life.

The TPM Poll Average currently gives Angle a lead of 46.0%-40.8%.

NV-SEN

Angle Bashes $20B BP Oil Spill Damages Account As 'Slush Fund'

Eric Kleefeld | July 8, 2010, 11:28AM

US Senate candidate Sharron Angle (R-NV)

Sharron Angle, the Republican nominee in Nevada against Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, has now taken a very politically curious step -- opposing the $20 billion escrow fund that BP negotiated with the Obama administration, calling it a "slush fund."

Greg Sargent reports that Angle appeared on a local radio show, where a caller bashed the escrow fund as "extortion" and a "slush fund." Angle then agreed: "Government shouldn't be doing that to a private company. And I think you named it clearly: It's a slush fund." She further added: "They're actually using this crisis if you will, because they never waste one -- Saul Alinsky's rules for radicals -- they are using this crisis now to get in cap and trade, and every crime and penalty, and slush fund." Click here to listen to the audio.

This puts Angle in the company of Republicans like Rep. Joe Barton of Texas, who apologized to BP for the creation of the fund -- and in his case, Barton was forced by the GOP leadership to retract his statements.

The TPM Poll Average gives Angle a lead of 46.0%-40.8%.

AZ-SEN

Infomercial Pitchman Matthew Lesko Slams McCain For Using His Image In Attack On Hayworth

Eric Kleefeld | July 8, 2010, 10:43AM

Senator John McCain and Mathew Lesko, author and infomercial personality

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) has been hammering his primary challenger, former Rep. J.D. Hayworth, over Hayworth's involvement in a 2007 informercial promoting highly questionable seminars for "free money" in government grants. Now McCain's own ethics are being questioned -- by "free money" pitchman Matthew Lesko, who says McCain violated copyright laws by using Lesko's image in an attack on Hayworth.

The Mccain campaign posted a Web video likening Hayworth to various late-night infomercial pitchmen, including clips of Lesko in his signature Riddler suit-jacket among others. (Note: The company Hayworth worked for was not associated with Lesko.) Lesko then told the Associated Press that he was not ruling out suing McCain for copyright infringement. "I'm amazed that these people just do things without requesting. I would've said yes," Lesko said. "I'm just shocked at the impoliteness that people do this stuff. There's no remorse."

Lesko also posted on Twitter: "John McCain's team didn't ask permission to use my commercial footage in their ad.. I'm flabbergasted." He followed that up with another post: "All might be fair in love and war, even AZ politics, but not with violated copyright laws."

We asked McCain spokesman Brian Rogers for comment on Lesko's statement about "violated copyright laws." "Our web ad is obviously political speech, and our lawyers advise us that its fleeting image of Mr. Lesko to make a political point is 'fair use' under the intellectual property laws," said Rogers.

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FL-SEN

Rasmussen Poll: Rubio Narrowly Ahead In FL-SEN

Eric Kleefeld | July 8, 2010, 9:32AM

Senate candidate Marco Rubio (R-FL)

The new Rasmussen poll of the Florida Senate race shows Republican Marco Rubio taking a narrow lead in this crazy three-way race.

In a match-up against former Republican and now-independent Gov. Charlie Crist and Democratic Rep. Kendrick Meek, Rubio has 36%, Crist 34%, and Meek 15%. With businessman Jeff Greene as the Democratic nominee, Rubio has 37%, Crist 33%, and Greene 18%. The survey of likely voters has a ±4.5%. In the previous poll from a month ago, Rubio and Crist were tied at 37%-37% with Meek at 15%, and a race with Greene had Crist taking 41%, Rubio 37%, and Greene 13%.

The TPM Poll Average gives Crist 37.4%, Rubio 35.2%, and Meek 13.6%. In a race with Greene, Crist has 38%, Rubio 35.7%, and Greene 15.0%.

NV-SEN

Nevada GOP Misspells Senate Nominee Sharron Angle's Name

Eric Kleefeld | July 7, 2010, 6:32PM

The Nevada GOP party website.

The Nevada GOP still seems to be getting its act together in the Senate race -- even misspelling the name of their own candidate, Sharron Angle, on their website.

On the state party's candidates page, Angle is listed as "Sharon Angle."

The state GOP is not alone among Angle supporters in getting this wrong. Earlier today, we posted on how a conservative group ran an ad defending Angle against the accusation that she wanted to phase out Social Security. The ad had two problems. First, Angle did want to phase out Social Security. And second, the ad misspelled her first name as "Sharon" -- despite the use of photos of Angle's own campaign signs that use the correct spelling "Sharron."

MN-06

Bachmann Raises $1.7 Million In Second Quarter, Far Outpaces Dem Opponent

Eric Kleefeld | July 7, 2010, 4:25PM

Rep. Michelle Bachmann (R-MN) and MN-06 House candidate Tarryl Clark (D)

The last three months were a busy fundraising quarter in MN-06, the GOP-leaning district that is home to none other than the infamous Rep. Michele Bachmann. A whole lot of money went towards the effort to defeat her -- and a whole lot more money went to re-elect her, too.

State Sen. Tarryl Clark, Bachmann's Democratic opponent, raised $910,000 for the quarter, with a total of $2.1 million raised for the race so far. On the other hand, Bachmann raised $1.7 million for the quarter, with a total haul of $4.1 million for the cycle. Cash on hand figures were not immediately available.

Bachmann held a high-profile rally and fundraiser back in April, starring none other than Sarah Palin. The district voted 53%-45% for John McCain in 2008, but Bachmann won by only 46%-43% due to her habit of making controversial remarks. Since then, she's emerged as one of the biggest political stars of the Tea Party Movement -- and it's certainly not hurting her cash flow.

NRCC

NRCC Creates Campaign Outreach Program -- For Safe-Seat Candidates

Eric Kleefeld | July 7, 2010, 4:07PM

Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX)

The National Republican Congressional Committee, which is tasked with electing Republicans to Democratic-held House seats and protecting vulnerable GOP-held seats, has now rolled out a new program -- for candidates in open safe GOP seats.

The new Young Guns Vanguard program, an NRCC press release announced, will "assist candidates running in Republican-leaning open seats as they head into the fall. It kicks off a working relationship between the NRCC and these Vanguard candidates, as well as their future colleagues in the House Republican Conference, in advance of the election."

The first seven candidates announced for the program are all in seats that are GOP-leaning or fully safe for the Republicans.

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LA-SEN

Run! Vitter Dodges Reporters' Questions On Aide Who Resigned Over Assault Case (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | July 7, 2010, 3:08PM

Sen. David Vitter (R-LA)

Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) had a really tough time with reporters today, who peppered him with questions about a former aide, Brent Furer, who recently resigned as a result of 2008 criminal charges for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend with a knife.

Vitter's been staying out of the public eye since the charges surfaced a couple weeks ago -- along with the revelation that Vitter had not only kept Furer on his staff, but had reportedly also tapped him to handle women's issues. But today Vitter made a public appearance to formally file his reelection papers. And he did not get a free pass from the press.

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NV-SEN

Angle (Again) Threatens Legal Action Against Reid After He Reposts Her Old Website

Eric Kleefeld | July 7, 2010, 2:10PM

NV Senate candidate Sharron Angle (R)

Sharron Angle said today that she could potentially take legal action against Harry Reid -- after he defied a cease-and-desist letter -- for reposting her own old campaign website, maintaining that he has illegally taken her intellectual property.

"I don't think Harry is above the law," she said of Reid today.

The site, which she used during the Republican primary, was posted by the Reid camp in an effort to make Angle look like she was hiding right-wing views from the wider electorate.

"Well your website is like you, it's your intellectual property. So they can't use something that's yours, intellectual property, unless they pay you for it or get your permission," Angle said in a radio interview today, Greg Sargent reports. When asked by host Heidi Harris whether this would go to court, Angle responded: "Well we are going to pursue it. I don't think that Harry is above the law. He needs to obey the law. If you and I need to obey the law, Harry isn't immune. He needs to obey the law as well."

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NV-SEN

Conservative Group Misspells Sharron Angle's Name In New Ad (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | July 7, 2010, 12:58PM

Americans for New Leadership's first television ad, supporting Sharron Angle.

A conservative group called Americans for New Leadership has a new ad out in the Nevada Senate race, defending Republican nominee Sharron Angle on Social Security. There are just a couple small problems. As Jon Ralston pointed out, the ad makes two errors: Angle's actual past statements on Social Security -- and the proper spelling of the candidate's name.

"Sharron Angle doesn't want to phase out Social Security," the announcer says. "She wants to phase out the way Harry Reid and Congress raid Social Security for their reckless spending." A later piece of on-screen text says "Sharon (sic) Angle will protect Social Security." The misspelling is especially amusing since right before this, photos are shown of Angle campaign signs that use the correct "Sharron."

In fact, during the Republican primary Angle did say that she wanted to "phase out" out Social Security, and said that "getting out" of Social Security and Medicare was "not up for grabs" -- that the only room for debate with her was the proper implementation and timeline for doing so. Since then -- after she won the primary -- Angle has shifted her position to wanting to allow people to use the same Social Security system as we know it, while also giving a choice of using a system of private accounts.

The TPM Poll Average currently gives Angle a lead of 46.0%-40.8%.

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WV-SEN

WV Gov Seeks Special Election To Replace Byrd This Year -- And He Might Run

Eric Kleefeld | July 7, 2010, 11:53AM

West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin (D)

At a press conference just now, Gov. Joe Manchin (D-WV) announced that he would try to hold a special election this year for the Senate seat formerly held by the late Democratic Sen. Robert Byrd. Manchin also said that he might run in that special election.

His announcement came in response to an announcement from the Secretary of State that there would only be an appointment to the seat, with no new election until 2012. And for now, the matter of filling the seat is being placed on hold -- though Manchin again categorically ruled out appointing himself to the seat, while also keeping the door wide open to running in an eventual election.

At one point, a reporter asked Manchin whether he would run in a special election held this year. "I would highly consider that. I truly would. I always want to put myself in a position to help the people of West Virginia," said Manchin. He then went on to sound very much like a candidate in waiting, talking about the decline of civility and cooperation in Washington, and how he believes he can bring West Virginia's own issues to the forefront while improving the dialogue.

Manchin announced that he is asking state Attorney General Darrell McGraw (D) to write up a formal opinion on the law, which Manchin hopes could come by the beginning of next week or earlier. "Now with all that being said, I will not move forward on this appointment or the succession process until the Attorney General's opinion is rendered," said Manchin.

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AZ-SEN

Hayworth's First TV Ad Features His Wife: 'John McCain Has Sold Out The People Of Arizona' (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | July 7, 2010, 9:27AM

Senator John McCain (R-AZ) and Senate primary opponent J.D. Hayworth (R-AZ)

Former Rep. J.D. Hayworth (R-AZ), who is challenging Sen. John McCain in the Republican primary, has gone up with his first TV ad, starring his wife Mary Hayworth. The ad comes after Hayworth has gone through relentless attacks from the McCain campaign, mainly relating to Hayworth's appearance in a 2007 infomercial promoting a company's questionable seminars for "free money" in government grants.

"Tired of John McCain's negative ads? So am I," Mary Hayworth says -- who then proceeds to attack McCain right back. "I'm Mary Hayworth, and John McCain is hiding his record behind false attacks on my husband. John McCain has sold out the people of Arizona on immigration, bailouts and tax increases. Now John McCain has embraced character assassination to keep his job. John McCain should be ashamed. J.D.'s not perfect -- but he is a principled conservative."

The TPM Poll Average gives McCain a lead of 52.3%-30.6%. The primary will be held on August 24.

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NV-SEN

Reid Re-Reposts Angle's Old Website -- Even After Threat Of Lawsuit

Eric Kleefeld | July 6, 2010, 5:52PM

US Senate candidate Sharron Angle (R-NV) and Senator Harry Reid (D-NV)

Harry Reid isn't letting threats of a lawsuit stop him -- he' sticking with his Web campaign against "the real Sharron Angle." After the Angle campaign sent the Reid camp a cease-and-desist letter last week demanding that they take down their reposting of Angle's old campaign website, the Reid camp has now made just a few modifications and put it right back up.

After she won Nevada's Republican Senate primary, Angle's campaign took down most of its website, and later replaced it with a relaunched (and somewhat toned down) version. But the Reid campaign saved the old version, and put up a website called "The Real Sharron Angle," reproducing the old content. Then on Friday, the Angle campaign sent them a cease-and-desist letter, alleging violation of copyrights for Reid having reposted Angle's old campaign literature.

The Angle campaign also claimed that by leaving fill-in boxes for e-mail addresses intact, the Reid campaign was in a position to gain contact information of Angle's supporters who were deceived into thinking this was actually her site. Angle spokesman Jerry Stacy said in a press release: "Make no mistake, the Reid campaign was forced to take this site down because they were breaking several laws and trying to deceive the voters."

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WV-SEN

GOP May Sue To Force Special Senate Election In West Virginia

Eric Kleefeld | July 6, 2010, 4:38PM

The Late Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV)

Republicans aren't giving up yet on forcing a special election in West Virginia this year for the Senate seat of the late Democratic Sen. Robert Byrd, the Hotline reports, with RNC and West Virginia GOP lawyers exploring a possible lawsuit.

"It's an open question," a Republican source in West Virginia told TPMDC, who confirmed that the conversations are happening. "There's probably something there. If not, the Attorney General, who is a Democrat, wouldn't be looking into the ruling that the Secretary of State made. How much is there, and whether it's substantial enough to overturn the Secretary of State's interpretation of the law, I don't know. That's why we're looking at it closely, and haven't made a decision yet."

Secretary of State Natalie Tennant (D) announced last week that there would not be an election, but instead a gubernatorial appointment to last through November 2012, when the term would have been up anyway. This result, which struck many people as odd, was actually the product of the state's very confusing statute on the subject, and in fact had a binding precedent from the 1990s. Tennant herself has called for the law to be changed, though it remains unclear whether any change will be made at all, either in the legislature or in the court.

IN-SEN

Dem Ellsworth Takes Indirect Jab At GOP Opponent's Lobbying Past In New IN-SEN Ad (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | July 6, 2010, 3:34PM

Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D-IN)

Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D-IN), the Democratic nominee for the open Senate seat of retiring Dem Evan Bayh, has launched his first TV ad of the campaign. Ellsworth cast himself as an anti-Washington candidate taking on Washington lobbyists -- a not-so-subtle attack against his Republican opponent, former Sen. Dan Coats, who had been a lobbyist for the past decade.

"One thing that 25 years as a sheriff teaches you is zero tolerance for bull. There's too much at stake. But out in Washington it's like they live and breathe the stuff," Ellsworth says. "They waste our money. They take care of special interests. And they don't care if lobbyists write the laws or if our jobs get shipped overseas. I'm Brad Ellsworth and I approve this message because the special interests and lobbyists already have enough senators on their side."

Ellsworth never directly mentions Coats in the ad, but appears to be laying the groundwork for further attacks down the road. Ellsworth begins this general election as a severe underdog, with the TPM Poll Average giving Coats a lead of 49.4%-33.6%.

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KY-SEN

PPP Poll: Rand Paul And Jack Conway Tied In Kentucky

Eric Kleefeld | July 6, 2010, 1:49PM

KY Sen. candidates Rand Paul (R) and Jack Conway (D)

The new survey of the Kentucky Senate race by Public Policy Polling (D) shows a tied race in this red state, where Republican nominee Rand Paul and Democratic state Attorney General Jack Conway are competing for the seat of retiring GOP Sen. Jim Bunning. Furthermore, it's quite possible that the negative coverage of Paul's past opposition to the Civil Rights Act may have done him some damage.

The poll has Paul and Conway tied up at 43%-43%. The survey of registered voters has a ±3.9% margin of error. The previous poll from two months ago, when both candidates were competing for their respective parties' nominations, gave Paul a 41%-40% edge over Conway.

Other polls since the primary showed a possible bump for Paul after his primary win, with the race narrowing again somewhat. The TPM Poll Average gives Paul a lead of 48.8%-41.8%.

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AZ-SEN

McCain Keeps Veering Right: 'No Amnesty' -- And Send Illegal Immigrants Home

Eric Kleefeld | July 6, 2010, 1:01PM

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ)

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), who is facing a challenge in the Republican primary from former Rep. J.D. Hayworth, now appears to be tacking right on an issue that had long gotten him in trouble with the GOP base. On immigration, McCain is now making it clear that he favors the deportation of many residents who are here illegally.

The Hill reports that McCain said in an interview today with local radio in Tucson that he opposed any program that would allow illegal immigrants a way to become citizens, after he had previously championed a pathway to citizenship in 2006. "No amnesty. Many of them need to be sent back," said McCain, who also explained that a temporary-worker program would only be for those who are entering the country as part of that future program, and not for those now here illegally.

The TPM Poll Average gives McCain a lead of 52.3%-30.6% over Hayworth, whose own campaign has been damaged badly from his 2007 involvement in an informercial promoting a company's questionable seminars for "free money" in government grants.

NC-SEN

PPP Poll: GOP Sen. Burr Narrowly Leads Dem Elaine Marshall In NC

Eric Kleefeld | July 6, 2010, 11:31AM

Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) and Sen. candidate Elaine Marshall (D-NC)

The new survey of the North Carolina Senate race by Public Policy Polling (D) shows Republican Sen. Richard Burr in a close race against Democratic Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, with very high undecideds and both candidates remaining heavily unknown.

The numbers: Burr 38%, Marshall 33%, and Libertarian candidate Michael Beitler at 10%, with a whopping 20% undecided. The survey of registered voters has a ±4.4% margin of error. In the previous poll from a month ago, which did not include Beitler and was also conducted during the Democratic primary runoff campaign, Burr led Marshall by 46%-39%. In a three-way match-up, the TPM Poll Average gives Burr 44.0%, Marshall 36.5%, and Beitler 8.0%.

PPP's Tom Jensen writes: "Burr's relatively anonymity for an incumbent Senator can be seen in his approval numbers. 28% of voters still have no opinion of him, with those who do splitting negatively. 34% like the job he's doing while 39% disapprove. Marshall is still pretty unknown too despite 14 years in statewide office and a recently completed campaign to secure her party's nomination. 58% of voters have no opinion about her with 22% seeing her favorably and 20% unfavorably. "

FL-SEN

Indy Crist Picking Up Dem Donors In Florida Senate Race

Eric Kleefeld | July 6, 2010, 10:42AM

Rep. Kendrick Meek (D-FL) and Gov. Charlie Crist (I-FL)

More and more Democrats just keep lining up behind Gov. Charlie Crist (I-FL) in the Florida Senate race.

Crist, who left the Republican Party to run for Senate as an independent, is picking up momentum, the Tampa Tribune reports -- that is, momentum in gaining Democratic donors that would have otherwise gone to Democratic Senate candidate Rep. Kendrick Meek. And a key reason for this is a perception that only Crist can beat Republican Marco Rubio.

Among the latest examples, the paper reports, is Democratic donor Peggy Land of Tampa, who said: "I don't think there's really any other choice. I don't think Kendrick is going to be able to do much better than he's doing now." The paper lists other Democrats in the Tampa area who are backing Crist, including a city council member, a former mayor, and some local political activists.

As we've previously noted, Crist has been picking up support from Democrats in opinion polls, has gained some Democratic staffers, and has also made inroads with organized labor.

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MN-GOV

MN GOP's Emmer: Cut Minimum Wage For Waiters

Eric Kleefeld | July 5, 2010, 5:59PM

MN-GOV candidate Tom Emmer (R)

Minnesota state Rep. Tom Emmer, the presumptive Republican nominee for governor, has put forward a new policy for helping the state's businesses: Lowering the minimum wage for waiters and waitresses, and forcing them to rely more heavily on tips.

Minnesota is one of seven states that do not permit employers to pay less than the standard minimum wage to tipped workers. Federal law permits tipped workers' wages to be as low $2.13 per hour, with tips given to workers credited against the minimum wage of $7.25 an hour employers are required to pay. Emmer's proposal would get rid of Minnesota's law against using that credit, and thus bring the minimum wages for restaurant staff and other gratuity-based workers down to $2.13 per hour plus tips, a reduction of nearly two-thirds. Emmer said this proposal would result in a "level playing field so the employers can continue to exist, survive and thrive."

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IL-SEN

More Trouble For Giannoulias In IL-SEN? Dem Got $30K Tax Refund As Family Bank Collapsed

Eric Kleefeld | July 5, 2010, 5:15PM

IL-SEN candidate Alexi Giannoulias (D)

Illinois state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, the Democratic nominee in the state's hotly-contested Senate race, could have yet another political liability to deal with from the collapse of his family's bank: As a result of the financial loss, he has collected a tax refund of about $30,000, though he immediately indicated he would donate the money to charity.

Giannoulias lost $2.7 million as a result of the bank's failure, and was thus able to get a tax refund on the amount that had been withheld from his salary as state treasurer. His Republican opponent, Rep. Mark Kirk, quickly pounced on Friday: "Giannoulias wants to raise our taxes but doesn't pay any taxes himself."

When asked for comment by TPMDC, the Giannoulias camp turned the story right back to Kirk's own personal dirt, relating to his previous inaccurate statements about his military record. Giannoulias spokesman Matt McGrath told us: "It comes as no surprise given his record of mistruths, half-truths and untruths about his military record, but when he says Alexi wants to raise taxes, Congressman Kirk is lying. Again."

The TPM Poll Average gives Kirk a lead of 43.1%-38.4%.

NV-SEN

Angle Sends Cease-And-Desist To Reid -- For Reposting Her Own Website

Eric Kleefeld | July 5, 2010, 2:52PM

NV Senate candidate Sharron Angle (R)

Sharron Angle has resorted to an unusual maneuver to counter Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's attacks on her past quotes and positions, the Reid campaign has announced: A cease-and-desist letter, demanding that Reid no longer republish Angle's previous campaign website.

The short version of the story is as follows: After the former state Rep won Nevada's Republican Senate primary, Angle's campaign took down most of its website, and later replaced it with a relaunched version that in some ways toned down her right-wing rhetoric. But Internet pages are rarely ever forgotten -- the Reid campaign saved the old version, and put up a website called "The Real Sharron Angle," reproducing the old content.

Then, they say, the Angle campaign sent them a cease-and-desist letter, claiming misuse of copyrighted materials in the reposting of the old website -- which was, of course, being posted for the purposes of ridiculing Angle. The Reid campaign has in fact taken down the site, rerouting visitors to another website that goes after Angle's positions, "Sharron's Underground Bunker."

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Michael Steele

Gaffes Galore: The 'Best' Of Michael Steele (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | July 5, 2010, 1:35PM

RNC Chairman Michael Steele

There's at least one thing that can be said about Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele: He is reliably entertaining.

Steele has had a history of gaffes during his time as RNC Chairman, often as a result of his attempts to make the GOP appealing to disaffected folks both to his right and his left. More than once, the gaffes have come from Steele's bad habit of listening to somebody criticize the GOP, then reaching out to them by agreeing with the initial criticism before trying to discuss how we can all come together to fix the problem. Other times, he just seems to speak without thinking about what his words actually mean -- and whether they match up with Republican principles.

So let's take a look at some of Steele's greatest hits.

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AZ-SEN

McCain Ad Slams Hayworth Over Infomercial: 'Voter Beware' (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | July 5, 2010, 11:29AM

John McCain ad

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) has a new TV ad against his challenger in the Republican primary, former Rep. J.D. Hayworth, continuing to hammer away at Hayworth over his involvement in a 2007 infomercial promoting questionable seminars for "free money" in government grants.

The ad uses video of Hayworth's very unfortunate original reaction to the story: "One of the staples I learned growing up is caveat emptor -- buyer beware." Hayworth subsequently released a more detailed apology for the infomercial.

The announcer says: "J.D. Hayworth. Pork barrel spender. Lobbyist. Huckster. Voter beware."

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Michael Steele

Ron Paul Praises Steele For His 'Leadership' In Criticizing Afghanistan War

Eric Kleefeld | July 5, 2010, 10:09AM

Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX)

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele, who has come under fire for his comments late last week seemingly opposing the war in Afghanistan, is actually attracting praise from one Republican: Rep. Ron Paul, the renegade GOPer from Texas who has long opposed interventionist foreign policy.

"I would like to congratulate Michael Steele for his leadership on one of the most important issues of today. He is absolutely right: Afghanistan is now Obama's war," Paul said in a statement over the weekend. "During the 2008 campaign, Obama was out in front in insisting that more troops be sent to Afghanistan. Obama called for expanding the war even as he pretended to be a peace candidate."

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Michael Steele

Former NRCC Head Tom Cole Calls For Steele To 'Apologize And Resign'

Eric Kleefeld | July 5, 2010, 9:46AM

Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) and RNC Chairman Michael Steele

Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) called for the resignation of Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele over the weekend, in the wake of Steele's comments criticizing the Afghanistan war.

"Frankly, I find Steele's remarks totally unacceptable," said Cole, a former chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, in a statement on Saturday. "He should apologize and resign. He undercut American forces fighting in the field, politicized further a war that two presidents of different parties have deemed in the national interest and embarrassed the party he purports to lead. It is time for him to go -- quickly."

This came after comments by Steele late last week, in which he said: "Keep in mind again, federal candidates, this was a war of Obama's choosing. This is not something the United States had actively prosecuted or wanted to engage in." He quickly backed away from his denunciation of the war itself, while sticking to criticism of Obama.