Iran

Senators Promise War With 'Nuclear Capable' Iran, Don't Define 'Capable'

Ryan J. Reilly | February 16, 2012, 4:20PM

Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT)

A bipartisan coalition of senators essentially promised Thursday that the U.S. would take military action against Iran if they become capable of producing nuclear weapons. Just don't ask them to define "capable."

Thirty-two senators have signed on to sponsor the six-page resolution that "rejects any United States policy that would rely on efforts to contain a nuclear weapons-capable Iran." Some believe it amounts to a promise that the U.S. would use force against Iran if they become capable of producing nuclear weapons, though what precisely "capable" means is up in the air.

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Robert Menendez

Dems: If Corporate Donations Are Free Speech, Let Shareholders Speak Too

Igor Bobic | July 13, 2011, 3:45PM

Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ)

Congressional Democrats introduced a bill today that would take some of the sting out of last year's controversial Citizens United decision by empowering shareholders to weigh in before a corporation makes any political contribution.

The Shareholder Protection Act is a last ditch-effort by Democrats to stem the tide of unlimited political expenditures that corporations will surely use to influence the 2012 election, and one wisely crafted on the conservative premise that shareholders' wallets ought to have the same level of free speech protection as the corporations they helped create.

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CT-SEN

Blumenthal Pins Down McMahon, Wins Connecticut Senate Race

Eric Kleefeld | November 2, 2010, 8:29PM

Republican Senate candidate Linda McMahon and Sen.-elect Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)

Unfortunately for Linda McMahon, the former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, she couldn't write the ending to this storyline. In the Connecticut Senate race, Democratic state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal has defeated McMahon, the Republican nominee, in the contest to succeed retiring Democratic Sen. Chris Dodd.

With less than 1% or precincts reporting, Blumenthal leads by 62%-36%, and has been projected as the winner by Fox News and NBC News. (Keep in mind that with so few precincts in, the margin is likely to fluctuate considerably throughout the night -- the current numbers are not final.)

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CT-SEN

Fox News Poll: Blumenthal Leads By 11 Points In CT-SEN

Eric Kleefeld | October 26, 2010, 11:11AM

CT-SEN candidates Richard Blumenthal (D) and Linda McMahon (R)

The new Fox News poll of the Connecticut Senate race provides further corroboration that Democratic state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal has a healthy lead over Republican former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon.

The numbers: Blumenthal 53%, McMahon 42%. The survey of likely voters has a ±3% margin of error. In the previous Fox poll from two weeks ago, Blumenthal's lead was a narrower 49%-43%.

The TPM Poll Average gives Blumenthal a lead of 52.7%-43.3%.

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CT-SEN

Quinnipiac Poll: Blumenthal Leads By 12 Points In CT-SEN

Eric Kleefeld | October 26, 2010, 9:15AM

Connecticut candidates for U.S. Senate Linda McMahon (R) and Richard Blumenthal (D)

The new Quinnipiac poll of the Connecticut Senate race shows Democrat Richard Blumenthal maintaining a double-digit lead over Republican Linda McMahon.

The numbers: Blumenthal 54%, McMahon 42%. The survey of likely voters has a ±3.7% margin of error. In the previous Quinnipiac poll from two weeks ago, Blumenthal led by a very similar 54%-43%.

From the pollster's analysis: "Linda McMahon has tried to raise Attorney General Richard Blumenthal's negatives over the last several weeks, but she hasn't been successful. He remains popular, but McMahon's own negatives have risen above 50 percent. One has to wonder if over the last few weeks McMahon would have been better off spending more of her millions on positive ads."

The TPM Poll Average gives Blumenthal a lead of 52.6%-43.4%.

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CT-SEN

Rasmussen Poll: Blumenthal Leads McMahon By 13 Points In CT-SEN

Eric Kleefeld | October 25, 2010, 9:54AM

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal

The new Rasmussen poll of the Connecticut Senate race shows Democratic state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal pulling away strongly from Republican Linda McMahon, the former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment.

The numbers: Blumenthal 56%, McMahon 43%. The survey of likely voters has a ±4% margin of error. In the previous Rasmussen poll from two weeks ago, Blumenthal had a narrower lead of 51%-46%.

As a result of this poll, Rasmussen has now changed its rating of this race from "Leans Democrat" to "Solid Democrat."

The TPM Poll Average gives Blumenthal a lead of 52.3%-43.6%.

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CT-SEN

Suffolk Poll: Blumenthal Leads By 18 Points In CT-SEN

Eric Kleefeld | October 21, 2010, 2:59PM

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal

The new Suffolk poll of the Connecticut Senate race gives Democratic state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal an enormous advantage against Republican former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon.

The numbers: Blumenthal 57%, McMahon 39%. The survey of likely voters has a ±4.4% margin of error. There is no prior Suffolk poll for direct comparison.

The TPM Poll Average gives Blumenthal a lead of 52.0%-43.5%.

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CT-SEN

McMahon Ad: Blumenthal Is 'Just Like Chris Dodd' (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | October 20, 2010, 6:30PM

From a McMahon campaign ad, "Taking Care"

Republican Linda McMahon has a new ad in the Connecticut Senate race to replace Democratic Sen. Chris Dodd, who is retiring and has had to deal with a mortgage scandal involving Countrywide. So her new salvo to attack Dem state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal is...Chris Dodd's mortgage?

In fact, the new one-minute ad ties Blumenthal to Dodd and Countrywide, for a settlement that Blumenthal worked out with Countrywide that this ad charges was so lenient that it was itself corrupt.

"It was the mortgage scandal that devastated our economy, created by greed and corruption at the highest levels. We know about Chris Dodd and his sweetheart deal with Countrywide. But did you know about Dick Blumenthal? Blumenthal cut a deal with Countrywide that let the mortgage giant off the hook for billions. A deal that raided the retirement funds of teachers, firemen, policemen and state employees. Blumenthal protected Countrywide, said the deal was 'in the best interest of investors.' That it wouldn't cost taxpayers a dime. But it did. Even worse, turns out Blumenthal is an investor in the mortgage giant. Billions in ransacked pensions, billions in taxpayer bailouts. Dick Blumenthal, he took care of Countrywide -- and took care of himself, just like Chris Dodd."

The TPM Poll Average gives Blumenthal a lead of 51.5%-43.6%.

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CT-SEN

Vince McMahon Web Ad: 'Let's Stand Up For WWE' Against Dem Attacks (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | October 18, 2010, 5:48PM

Web video from WWE, "Vince McMahon addresses the WWE Universe"

Look out, Richard Blumenthal -- it's Mr. McMahon!

In the Connecticut Senate race, Democrats have relentlessly attacked Republican nominee Linda McMahon for the corporate track record and programming record of World Wrestling Entertainment, the company where she was CEO. Now her husband and business partner, WWE head honcho Vince McMahon, has posted a new video on the WWE's YouTube account, seeking to mobilize fan support -- for the company.

"The United States Senatorial campaign in Connecticut involving my wife, former WWE CEO Linda McMahon, and Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, has quite frankly put the spotlight on WWE," says Vince. "It has resulted in some negative and inaccurate attacks on our company. So, we're reaching out directly to you, the WWE Universe, our fans, to provide the real facts about WWE."

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CT-SEN

Rasmussen Poll: Blumenthal Leads By Five Points In CT-SEN

Eric Kleefeld | October 15, 2010, 1:58PM

CT-SEN candidates Richard Blumenthal (D) and Linda McMahon (R)

The new Rasmussen poll of the Connecticut Senate race gives Democratic state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal a five-point lead over Republican former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon.

The numbers: Blumenthal 51%, McMahon 46%. The survey of likely voters has a ±4% margin of error. In the previous Rasmussen poll from a week and a half ago, Blumenthal led by 54%-43%.

[TPM SLIDESHOW: Bringing The Smackdown: Linda McMahon's Campaign For Senate, And Her Colorful Pro-Wrestling Past]

The TPM Poll Average gives Blumenthal a lead of 51.5%-43.6%.

CT-SEN

Mr. October? Blumenthal Pulling Away In Connecticut -- With Ex-Wrestling Exec McMahon Now On The Ropes

Eric Kleefeld | October 15, 2010, 7:59AM

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal

As we head toward Election Day, one hot-ticket Senate race seems to have solidified for the Democrats: The Connecticut Senate race, where Democratic state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal faces Republican former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon in the contest to succeed retiring Dem Sen. Chris Dodd.

A few weeks ago, Blumenthal seemed to be up against the wall. Though he has never trailed McMahon in any single poll, his lead against her nevertheless was shrinking with each new survey. He had faced heavy scrutiny as a result of having previously misstated his military service, and McMahon's pitch as a businesswoman seemed well tuned to the current environment.

On the other hand, McMahon has faced her own troubles over WWE performers who have died young, and she has had to distance herself from WWE programming. The candidates have held multiple debates, though, and a trend has now emerged of Blumenthal remaining ahead, as McMahon attempts (unsuccessfully so far) to overtake him.

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CT-SEN

DSCC Ad Blasts Linda McMahon For Dead Wrestlers (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | October 14, 2010, 2:16PM

From a DSCC campaign ad, "Contracts."

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has a new ad in the Connecticut Senate race, going after her for an issue that has sometimes dogged her during this race: The deaths of current and former World Wrestling Entertainment actors.

[TPM SLIDESHOW: Bringing The Smackdown: Linda McMahon's Campaign For Senate, And Her Colorful Pro-Wrestling Past]

"Linda McMahon brags about her business experience," the announcer says. "The real story? Her company violated safety standards; was criticized for tolerating steroid and drug use; inserted death clauses in workers' contracts, in order to avoid responsibility for their deaths.

"The record? Seventeen of her former workers under age 50 have died. Linda McMahon: A bad CEO -- a worse Senator."

A fun phrase, this "death clauses" stuff. It's a lot like "death panels" -- but not totally fictional.

The TPM Poll Average gives Democratic nominee Richard Blumenthal a lead of 51.6%-43.3%.

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WWE

Smackdown! How The WWE Might Bodyslam Voter Turnout In Connecticut

Brian Beutler | October 14, 2010, 12:17PM

WWE Wrestling: Beth Phoenix, Mickie James, Jillian Hall

As long as Linda McMahon has been the Republican Senate candidate in Connecticut, everybody -- even conservatives -- assumed her long, infamous ties to World Wrestling Entertainment would be a huge liability for her. But it might pay off for an unforeseen reason, particularly if her opponent's narrow lead keeps shrinking.

On November 2, voters and their families will face a choice: head to the polls to vote, or rush over after work to the Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport for a rollicking night of "Smackdown" -- election night fun for the whole family.

The event has Connecticut Dems working the refs.

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CT-SEN

Quinnipiac Poll: Blumenthal Extends Lead Over McMahon To 11 Points In CT-SEN

Eric Kleefeld | October 14, 2010, 9:26AM

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal

The new Quinnipiac poll of the Connecticut Senate race shows Democratic state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal pulling away from Republican former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon.

The numbers: Blumenthal 54%, McMahon 43%. The survey of likely voters has a ±2.9% margin of error. In the previous Quinnipiac poll from three weeks ago, Blumenthal had a much narrower lead of only 49%-46%.

From the pollster's analysis: "After Linda McMahon had climbed to within 3 points of Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, he has stopped her momentum and increased his lead by 8 points in two weeks. While September wasn't very good for Blumenthal, perhaps like Reggie Jackson, he could be called 'Mr. October.'"

The TPM Poll Average gives Blumenthal a lead of 51.6%-43.3%.

CT-SEN

McMahon Comes Out Swinging In CT-SEN Debate

Eric Kleefeld | October 12, 2010, 9:31PM

Connecticut candidates for U.S. Senate Richard Blumenthal (D) and Linda McMahon (R)

Democrat Richard Blumenthal and Republican Linda McMahon met for another debate tonight in the Connecticut Senate race. And it was a rough time all around, with both candidates lobbing attacks at the other.

Overall, McMahon was clearly the more aggressive candidate of the night, relentlessly staying on message regarding low taxes and attacks against Blumenthal for not having her private-sector experience. And she clearly had to be on offense, entering the event as the underdog. The TPM Poll Average gives Blumenthal a lead of 51.3%-43.2%.

[TPM SLIDESHOW: Bringing The Smackdown: Linda McMahon's Campaign For Senate, And Her Colorful Pro-Wrestling Past]

Blumenthal's performance tonight did not immediately appear to contain any clear gaffes -- and he got in a few hits, too -- so it remains to be seen how McMahon's aggressive performance will affect things.

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CT-SEN

Fox News Poll: Blumenthal Leads By Six Points In CT-SEN

Eric Kleefeld | October 12, 2010, 11:51AM

Connecticut candidates for U.S. Senate Linda McMahon (R) and Richard Blumenthal (D)

The new Fox News poll of the Connecticut Senate race has Democratic state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal continuing to lead Republican World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon, though it's possible that McMahon could be catching up again.

The numbers: Blumenthal 49%, McMahon 43%. The survey of likely voters has a ±3% margin of error. In the previous Fox poll from last week, Blumenthal led by wider margin of 52%-42%.

[TPM SLIDESHOW: Bringing The Smackdown: Linda McMahon's Campaign For Senate, And Her Colorful Pro-Wrestling Past]

The poll gives Blumenthal a solid favorable rating of 53%, with 40% unfavorable, though this is down slightly from 55%-37% last week. McMahon's favorables remain in negative territory at 44%-48%, though this is improved a bit from 40%-51% last week.

The TPM Poll Average gives Blumenthal a lead of 51.3%-43.2%.

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CT-SEN

McMahon Goes There At Debate: Maybe Blumenthal 'Misspoke' -- Like He Did About Vietnam

Eric Kleefeld | October 7, 2010, 3:00PM

Connecticut candidates for U.S. Senate Richard Blumenthal (D) and Linda McMahon (R)

Linda McMahon and Richard Blumenthal met earlier this morning for a debate in the Connecticut Senate race -- and didn't pull their punches.

As the New York Times reports, the Republican went on the offensive, claiming that the Democrat Blumenthal made false claims about her company.

"Maybe you just misspoke again, like the time when you talked about how you had served in Vietnam," Ms. McMahon said dryly, referring to the attorney general's explanation earlier this year that he had "misspoken" when he said on several occasions that he served in the Vietnam War, though he did not.

Mr. Blumenthal, who was in the Marine Reserves during the war and never left the country, gave her an icy stare before turning back to the audience at the packed banquet ball, and told them that he had inadvertently "mischaracterized" his military service on only a few instances.

"I regret it," he said. "It was unintentional."

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CT-SEN

Rasmussen Poll: Blumenthal Leads McMahon By 11 Points In CT-SEN

Eric Kleefeld | October 6, 2010, 2:29PM

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal (D)

The new Rasmussen poll of the Connecticut Senate race gives Democratic state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal a big lead over Republican former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon.

The numbers: Blumenthal 54%, McMahon 43%. The survey of likely voters has a ±4% margin of error. In the previous Rasmussen poll from a week and a half ago, Blumenthal led by only 50%-45%.

Along with two other recent surveys, one from Public Policy Polling (D) and the other from Fox News (conducted via a Rasmussen offshoot), the evidence is piling up that Blumenthal appears to be pulling away after McMahon had previously been closing the gap.

The TPM Poll Average gives Blumenthal a lead of 51.1%-44.0%.

2010 elections

Chamber Of Commerce Unloads New Ads Against Dems (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | October 6, 2010, 11:27AM

Ad from Vote For Business, "FL 8 Grayson"

The Chamber of Commerce has a whole bunch of new ads in key Congressional races, targeting big-name Dems.

One ad goes after freshman Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL), who is known for his vitriolic attacks against Republicans. "Tired of big-mouth politicians ignoring our big problems? Alan Grayson is the most extreme," the announcer says, followed by past video of Grayson famously declaring on the House floor that the Republican health care plan was for sick people to "die quickly," and also the occasion when he crashed a local Republican meeting.

"But when it comes to Nancy Pelosi, big barker Grayson turns into a lapdog."

Read more »

CT-SEN

Fox News Poll: Blumenthal Leads By 10 Points In CT-SEN

Eric Kleefeld | October 5, 2010, 11:31AM

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal

The new Fox News poll of the Connecticut Senate race gives Democratic state Attorney General a ten-point lead over Republican former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon.

The numbers: Blumenthal 52%, McMahon 42%. The survey of likely voters has a ±3% margin of error. There is no previous Fox News poll of this race. However, this poll was conducted through a Rasmussen offshoot, Pulse Opinion Research, which performs made-to-order robopolls. In the previous Rasmussen poll from a week ago, Blumenthal had a smaller lead of 50%-45%.

[TPM SLIDESHOW: Bringing The Smackdown: Linda McMahon's Campaign For Senate, And Her Colorful Pro-Wrestling Past]

This poll provides some corroboration to the numbers released yesterday by Public Policy Polling (D), which gave Blumenthal a lead of 53%-41%. This was a big change from previous polls that showed McMahon catching up with Blumenthal -- but it's now possible that he could be pulling away again.

The TPM Poll Average gives Blumenthal a lead of 50.5%-43.8%.

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CT-SEN

A Monday Night Raw (Debate) In CT-SEN

Eric Kleefeld | October 4, 2010, 9:42PM

CT-SEN candidates Richard Blumenthal (D) and Linda McMahon (R)

The candidates in the open-seat Connecticut Senate race, Democratic state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal and Republican former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon, met tonight for a very lively debate, with each of them maintaining a constant theme throughout: The other candidate absolutely cannot be trusted to look out for the state and the nation's economy.

[TPM SLIDESHOW: Bringing The Smackdown: Linda McMahon's Campaign For Senate, And Her Colorful Pro-Wrestling Past]

Overall, the debate was probably a win for Blumenthal -- he entered the debate ahead in the polls, with a lead of 50.2%-44.2% in the TPM Poll Average -- and no knockout blows against him or gaffes on his part occurred that would seemed likely to topple him from that perch.

Each of the candidates at the debate -- which was hosted by the local Fox station and the Hartford Courant -- steadily attacked each other on similar themes. Blumenthal blasted McMahon as a greedy corporate executive who always put profits ahead of people, and touting his own long experience as a public servant. "I have stood up for the people of Connecticut over 20 years, fighting for them tenaciously, and fighting for their interest, putting them first."

McMahon, meanwhile, made the case was that Blumenthal had spent his whole adult life in government work, and that he did not have any knowledge of the private sector that would contribute to repairing the country. "This election is about very clear choices and very different policies. On the one hand you have my opponent who has been in government his whole life. And his position is about growing government, I'm about growing the economy."

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CT-SEN

PPP Poll: Blumenthal Leads McMahon By 12 Points In CT-SEN

Eric Kleefeld | October 4, 2010, 3:57PM

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal

The new survey of the Connecticut Senate from Public Policy Polling (D) race gives Democratic state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal a whopping 12-point lead over Republican former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon -- a big change from other recent polls that have given Blumenthal a much closer edge.

The numbers: Blumenthal 53%, McMahon 41%. The survey of likely voters has a ±4% margin of error. This is the first PPP survey of this race since all the way back in January.

[TPM SLIDESHOW: Bringing The Smackdown: Linda McMahon's Campaign For Senate, And Her Colorful Pro-Wrestling Past]

In addition, this poll gives Blumenthal a favorable rating of 53%, to 39% unfavorable, while McMahon's is exactly the opposite at 39%-53%.

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CT-SEN

McMahon Ad: 'Would You Lie About Serving' In Vietnam? (VIDEO)

Brian Beutler | October 4, 2010, 12:14PM

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate

It was only a matter of time before this happened, but the final product is brutal: Linda McMahon is out with a new ad attacking Democratic Senate hopeful Richard Blumenthal for falsely claiming to have served "in" (as opposed to "during") the Vietnam war.

[TPM SLIDESHOW: Bringing The Smackdown: Linda McMahon's Campaign For Senate, And Her Colorful Pro-Wrestling Past]

The ad splices audio and video footage of Blumenthal misrepresenting his military service with a dark-toned narrator asking: "Would you lie about serving in a war? Dick Blumenthal did again and again. He covered one lie with another. He lied about Vietnam. What else is he lying about?"

Blumenthal weathered his Vietnam scandal in Connecticut when it first broke this past spring, but that was before voters really began paying attention to the election. And in the month since then, McMahon has closed what was once an enormous gap in the polls.

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CT-SEN

Dem Ads Hammer McMahon As 'Bad CEO' (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | October 4, 2010, 11:35AM

From a DSCC ad, "Bad."

Democrats have unloaded some new attack ads against Linda McMahon in the Connecticut Senate race, which has been getting close in recent weeks.

[TPM SLIDESHOW: Bringing The Smackdown: Linda McMahon's Campaign For Senate, And Her Colorful Pro-Wrestling Past]

A spot from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee

"The kind of CEO Linda McMahon was, is the kind of Senator she'd be. As CEO, McMahon laid off workers, yet took millions in bonuses. No wonder she opposes Wall Street reform. McMahon spent thousands on lobbyists to get millions in tax breaks for herself. Of course she's supporting more corporate tax breaks as Senator. Linda McMahon -- a bad CEO -- a worse Senator."

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CT-SEN

Quinnipiac Poll: Blumenthal's Lead Shrinks To Three Points In CT-SEN

Eric Kleefeld | September 28, 2010, 10:05AM

CT-SEN candidates Richard Blumenthal (D) and Linda McMahon (R)

The new Quinnipiac poll of the Connecticut Senate race shows Republican former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon continuing to close the gap against Democratic state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, with the Dem's lead down to only three points.

[TPM SLIDESHOW: Bringing The Smackdown: Linda McMahon's Campaign For Senate, And Her Colorful Pro-Wrestling Past]

The numbers: Blumenthal 49%, McMahon 46%. The survey of likely voters has a ±3% margin of error. In the previous Quinnipiac poll from two weeks ago, Blumenthal led by 51%-45%.

The TPM Poll Average gives Blumenthal a lead of 49.7%-44.6%.

Read more »

CT-SEN

Rasmussen Poll: Blumenthal's Lead In CT-SEN Race Narrows To Five Points

Eric Kleefeld | September 27, 2010, 10:41AM

CT-SEN candidates Richard Blumenthal (D) and Linda McMahon (R)

The new Rasmussen poll of the Connecticut Senate race shows Democratic state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal's lead over Republican former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon continuing to narrow.

[TPM SLIDESHOW: Bringing The Smackdown: Linda McMahon's Campaign For Senate, And Her Colorful Pro-Wrestling Past]

The numbers: Blumenthal 50%, McMahon 45%. The survey of likely voters has a ±4.5% margin of error. The previous Rasmussen poll from two and a half weeks ago put Blumenthal ahead by 53%-44%.

The TPM Poll Average gives Blumenthal a lead of 50.0%-44.2%.

Read more »

2010 elections

Closing Fast: How Linda McMahon's Millions Have Made A Real Race In Connecticut

Eric Kleefeld | September 20, 2010, 8:37AM

Linda McMahon

So what exactly is going on in Connecticut, the seat where 30-year incumbent Democrat Chris Dodd is retiring? It was widely believed since Dodd's retirement that this would be an easy hold for Dem state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal. But the latest polls show Republican former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon making up ground -- and conventional wisdom has been moving accordingly.

[TPM SLIDESHOW: Bringing The Smackdown: Linda McMahon's Campaign For Senate, And Her Colorful Pro-Wrestling Past]

When Dodd announced his retirement back in January, the first survey numbers from Public Policy Polling (D) showed Blumenthal way ahead of McMahon by a margin of 60%-28%, compared to Dodd only tying her at 43%-43%. A Quinnipiac poll taken soon after gave Blumenthal a similar lead of 64%-23%. But now a Quinnipiac poll from last week had McMahon narrowing the gap to just 51%-45%.

The TPM Poll Average currently gives Blumenthal a narrow lead of 50.3%-43.0%. And as the graph below shows, he has been losing support -- and she has been gaining -- each with very even and consistent slopes.

Read more »

CT-SEN

Quinnipiac Poll: Blumenthal Only Ahead Of McMahon By 6 Points In CT-SEN Race

Eric Kleefeld | September 14, 2010, 9:40AM

CT-SEN candidates Richard Blumenthal (D) and Linda McMahon (R)

The new Quinnipiac poll of the Connecticut Senate race shows Republican former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon seriously closing the gap against Democratic state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal.

The numbers: Blumenthal 51%, McMahon 45%. The survey of likely voters has a ±3.3% margin of error. In the survey from early August -- which used a wider pool of registered voters -- Blumenthal led by 50%-40%. The TPM Poll Average shows Blumenthal leading by 50.3%-43.0%.

[TPM SLIDESHOW: Bringing The Smackdown: Linda McMahon's Campaign For Senate, And Her Colorful Pro-Wrestling Past]

Interestingly, the poll shows that Blumenthal's personal rating remains high at 55%-39%, and he has a 70%-26% approval rating as state Attorney General.

"For Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, an elected official with a 70 percent approval rating, this race is surprisingly close. It is not that voters are wild about McMahon; her favorability rating is tepid. And many of her supporters are more anti-Blumenthal," writes Quinnipiac polling director Dr. Douglas Schwartz. "The question is whether Linda McMahon can ride the anti-establishment, anti-Democratic wave to victory in blue Connecticut, a state that hasn't voted for a Republican for Senator since Lowell Weicker in 1982."

Read more »

2010 elections

TPM's Top 10 Senate Races To Watch

Brian Beutler | September 13, 2010, 8:35AM

Kentucky Senate candidates Jack Conway and Rand Paul talk with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY)

Campaign season doesn't really heat up until September ... which means now. That means all the scandals and ads and ups and downs you've heard and read about in the last several months were just stage-setters. Most voters really begin paying attention now.

It's looking like a tough year for Senate Democrats, almost of whom are polling below 50 percent. Several weeks ago, many Republicans -- including NRSC Chair John Cornyn -- thought Republicans wouldn't be able to retake the Senate. Today, it's a distinct possibility. There are a number of critical races, but you should really keep an eye on these 10.

Read more »

CT-SEN

Rasmussen Poll: Blumenthal Leads McMahon By 9 Points In CT-SEN Race

Eric Kleefeld | September 10, 2010, 2:42PM

CT-SEN candidates Richard Blumenthal (D) and Linda McMahon (R)

The new Rasmussen poll of the Connecticut Senate race shows Democrat Richard Blumenthal leading Republican Linda McMahon by nine points.

[TPM SLIDESHOW: Bringing The Smackdown: Linda McMahon's Campaign For Senate, And Her Colorful Pro-Wrestling Past]

The numbers: Blumenthal 53%, McMahon 44%. The survey of likely voters has a ±4.5% margin of error. In the previous Rasmussen poll from a month ago, taken right after McMahon had won the Republican primary, Blumenthal led by 47%-40%.

The TPM Poll Average gives Blumenthal a lead of 50.1%-42.1%.

CT-SEN

Does Linda McMahon Have A Dead Wrestler Problem?

Eric Kleefeld | September 9, 2010, 9:10AM

Deceased WWE wrestlers Eddie Fatu and Lance Cade (inset) and Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Connecticut Linda McMahon (inset)

Some dead wrestlers could be creating a growing political problem for Linda McMahon in the Connecticut Senate race.

For better or worse, McMahon was CEO of a company in which actors perform all sorts of dangerous live stunts, and are known to have very hard lifestyles that, at least in some cases, include substance abuse problems. In recent weeks, there have been a number of politically-damaging news headlines citing examples in which performers have died. (Check out this one, this one and this one, for instance).

Connecticut Democrats have seized on the Republican Senate nominee's potential weakness, accusing McMahon and her company of ignoring the welfare of WWE employees who may struggle for years with substance abuse problems and dangerous work environments and lifestyles.

[TPM SLIDESHOW: Bringing The Smackdown: Linda McMahon's Campaign For Senate, And Her Colorful Pro-Wrestling Past]

While Democratic nominee Richard Blumenthal has tried to publicly avoid knocking McMahon over the WWE's dead wrestlers, the Connecticut Mirror reports that "his campaign has quietly and insistently tried to focus the state's political press and editorial writers on the dark side of the business that produced her fortune: World Wrestling Entertainment." On the other hand, the Connecticut Democratic Party is shouting to just about anyone who'll listen about how bad they say this makes the Republican look, while Team McMahon is trying hard to downplay the story.

Read more »

CT-SEN

Rasmussen Poll: Blumenthal's Lead Shrinks To 7 Points Over McMahon

Eric Kleefeld | August 13, 2010, 1:15PM

CT-SEN candidates Richard Blumenthal (D) and Linda McMahon (R)

The new Rasmussen poll of the Connecticut Senate race finds Democratic state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal's lead over Republican former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon shrinking.

[TPM SLIDESHOW: Bringing The Smackdown: Linda McMahon's Campaign For Senate, And Her Colorful Pro-Wrestling Past]

The numbers: Blumenthal 47%, McMahon 40%. The survey of likely voters has a ±4.5% margin of error. In the previous poll from a month ago, Blumenthal led by 53%-40%. Interestingly, McMahon hasn't seen a conventional bump in her own support from winning this past Tuesday's primary -- she's stayed in the same place, while Blumenthal has declined a bit.

The TPM Poll Average shows Blumenthal ahead by 49.9%-39.9%.

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CT-SEN

Richard Blumenthal Rolls Out First Post-Primary Ad (VIDEO)

Thomas Rhiel | August 11, 2010, 11:28AM

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal

Just hours after Republican Linda McMahon won the GOP's Senate primary in Connecticut last night, Democratic nominee Richard Blumenthal is out with a new television spot. The ad focuses on Blumenthal, the state's attorney general, who touts his record of fighting against corporate interests.

"As I look at Washington D.C., I don't see a lot of people standing up for the people, against the special interests," Blumenthal says in the ad, citing battles against the pharmaceutical industry, utilities, and tobacco companies. "The people of Connecticut know me, and one thing they know about me for sure is that I will fight for them," he says. "No matter how big or powerful the foe, I will stand up for them."

Watch the ad:

McMahon, meanwhile, told ABC's Good Morning America that she's willing to spend up to $50 million of her own money to defeat Blumenthal.

[TPM SLIDESHOW: Bringing The Smackdown: Linda McMahon's Campaign For Senate, And Her Colorful Pro-Wrestling Past]

The TPM Poll Average shows Blumenthal leading McMahon, a former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, 51.4%-39.6%. Check out TPMDC's full coverage of the race here.

CT-SEN

Did Dodd Retire Too Soon? Race To Replace Him Full Of Failed And Fumbling Candidates

Eric Kleefeld | August 5, 2010, 8:59AM

Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT)

You have to wonder whether Chris Dodd ought to be having second thoughts about not being a candidate in Connecticut's crazy Senate race -- or whether he's breathing a sigh of relief that he chose to sit this wild ride out.

It's been a long and strange road in this race. An embattled Democratic Sen. Chris Dodd's retirement made way for a stronger nominee in state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal -- who has himself become embattled due to his own scandals, and is still leading the disorganized GOP opposition.

Back in December of last year, Dodd was flailing in the polls as a result of his position as chairman of the Senate Banking Committee during the financial crisis, and questions about mortgage deals he had received. Even Vice President Biden, a close friend of Dodd's, said with his trademark candor that Dodd was getting "the living bejesus" beaten out of him.

Dodd's reelection prospects looked bleak. So he announced his retirement in January. A Public Policy Polling (D) survey that was conducted just before his announcement, and released right afterward, showed Dodd trailing the Republican candidates, former Rep. Rob Simmons and former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon, but Blumenthal leading them handsomely.

Then things got really crazy.

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Quinnipiac Poll: McMahon Gains On Blumenthal And Simmons Gains On McMahon In CT-SEN

Thomas Rhiel | August 4, 2010, 9:22AM

CT-SEN candidates Richard Blumenthal (D) and Linda McMahon (R)

Quinnipiac released new numbers from the Connecticut Senate race this morning, and they show Linda McMahon, the former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO and the frontrunner in the GOP primary, gaining on Democratic state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal. Meanwhile, support for former Rep. Rob Simmons (R-CT) -- who seemingly dropped out of the race only to re-enter it -- is picking up support in the Republican primary.

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Rob Simmons To TPMDC: 'There's Been No Change, I'm On The Ballot'

Eric Kleefeld | July 23, 2010, 8:54AM

CT GOP primary candidates for US Senate: Peter Schiff, Rob Simmons, Linda McMahon.

So what's going on with former Rep. Rob Simmons (R-CT)? The former Congressman suspended his campaign for Senate in late May after he lost the state Republican convention vote to former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon. But now he's back on TV with a $350,000 ad buy, telling voters in the August 10 Republican primary that he's still on the ballot and they do still have a choice.

In an interview with TPMDC, Simmons shied away from saying he was back in the race -- or that he was ever out of it at all, instead saying that he had "scaled back" his campaign. Simmons told TPMDC in a phone interview last night that everywhere he goes, people have told him that he's still their preferred candidate. Plus, he noted, "I'm just as competitive against Richard Blumenthal as Mrs. McMahon, and she's spent a ton of money."

Simmons told us that if McMahon were to win the primary, he would certainly support her as the endorsed Republican candidate in November. He also told us that he could potentially continue to spend more money from his war chest for further TV advertising before the primary. (He had $1.2 million cash on hand in his pre-convention report, covering the period up through May 1.) "Whether we spend it all remains to be seen," said Simmons. "I'm a fiscal conservative. I'm not convinced we're gonna spend it all."

So what changed, I asked? Is he back in the race? "It's correct to say that I've been on the ballot since the convention and everybody knows that," Simmons told me. "So in that regard there's been no change, I'm on the ballot. In the intervening months since the convention I scaled back my campaign to give the other candidates time to pursue their campaigns. But there's been no debates, nothing, and recent polls have shown that nothing has moved at all. I'm just as competitive against Richard Blumenthal as Mrs. McMahon, and she's spent a ton of money."

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Quinnipiac Poll: Blumenthal Leads McMahon By 17 Points

Eric Kleefeld | July 16, 2010, 9:35AM

CT-SEN candidates Richard Blumenthal (D) and Linda McMahon (R)

The new Quinnipiac poll of the Connecticut Senate race shows Democratic state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal continuing to enjoy a hefty lead over Republican former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon.

The numbers: Blumenthal 54%, McMahon 37%. The survey of registered voters has a ±2.7% margin of error. This is not significantly different from the last poll in early June, which put Blumenthal ahead by 55%-35%. The TPM Poll Average gives Blumenthal a lead over McMahon of 52.3%-38.1%.

"Linda McMahon's biggest problem with voters is that only 38 percent think she has the right kind of experience to be a U.S. Senator, which tracks very closely with the percentage of the vote she gets against Blumenthal," writes Quinnipiac polling director Douglas Schwartz. "She has improved her experience number slightly, but she must do more to convince Connecticut voters that her background as an executive in professional wrestling is the right kind of experience."

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CT-SEN

Linda McMahon Throwing Millions More Into Connecticut Senate Race

Eric Kleefeld | July 15, 2010, 11:57AM

CT-SEN candidates Richard Blumenthal (D) and Linda McMahon (R)

Former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon (R) is self-financing her way to a huge cash advantage over Democratic state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal in the Connecticut Senate race. But will it be enough?

Blumenthal raised $1.6 million in the second quarter of this year, with a total of $3.5 million raised for the whole race and $2.1 million in cash on hand. By contrast, McMahon raised a mere $19,841 in the second quarter -- and loaned her campaign another $7.5 million. She has put in a total of $21.5 million from her own money, with $22.1 million total fundraising, and has $3.2 million in cash on hand.

The TPM Poll Average currently gives Blumenthal a lead of 52.7%-37.6%, even despite Blumenthal's scandal over his past misstatements about his military record.