DSCC FRIDAY TAKEAWAYS–MCCONNELL COVER-UP EDITION

We’ll keep it short: the big story this week – and month – is how vulnerable Republican senators never intended to serve as impartial jurors, and are prepared to end this trial the way they began it by blocking witness testimony and key documents.

Washington Post: “Several Republican senators up for reelection this November and facing tough campaigns — including Sens. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) — indicated during the meeting that they were ready to vote against witnesses and proceed to the final vote…”

Wall Street Journal: “Sens. Cory Gardner of Colorado, Martha McSally of Arizona and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who face competitive races in the fall, addressed their colleagues in the meeting, people familiar with the matter said. Mr. Gardner said a longer trial would lead to more Democratic attacks, according to a spokesman, and Mr. Tillis called impeachment a sham. Ms. McSally’s office said she doesn’t comment on what happens in private meetings.”

USA Today Editorial: “This impeachment trial — only the third in U.S. history — is… a vehicle for the American people to judge their president’s character and conduct. For that, witnesses are imperative.”

Los Angeles Times Editorial: “Republican senators who rush to a vote without calling Bolton — or other relevant witnesses, such as White House acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney — will be dishonoring their oath to judge the case against Trump impartially… Even before the report about Bolton’s book, there was no rational argument for forgoing witness testimony.”

Arizona

• Arizona Republic: “Through a spokeswoman, McSally declined to say whether she wants to hear from Bolton.”

• Arizona Republic (Laurie Roberts): “Just 13 days ago, McSally raised her right hand and took an oath to uphold ‘impartial justice.’ Apparently, while we were looking at her right hand, the fingers on her left hand were crossed.”

• Eastern Arizona Courier Editorial: Profiles in cowardice – “We didn’t expect [McSally] to be revealed as a political opportunist, willing to debase herself and dismiss her constituency in the dying hopes of holding on to a seat she couldn’t win on her own.”

• MSNBC: “[Independent voters in Arizona are] indicating a dissatisfaction with the way McSally has so far gone about her business in the Senate and questioning her role in this Senate trial.”

• CNN: “Sen. Martha McSally (R-AZ) called CNN’s Manu Raju a ‘liberal hack’ when asked about considering new evidence for President Trump’s impeachment trial in the Senate.”

Colorado

• Denver Post: Cory Gardner noncommittal on subpoenaing John Bolton in impeachment trial

• Westword: Impeachment Pressure Mounts on Gardner After Bolton Revelations

• New York Times (Opinion): Sen. Cory Gardner (R-Invisible) 

• Aurora Sentinel Editorial: “This is Gardner’s final opportunity to show his constituents in Colorado that he is willing and able to put the interests of the nation above those of Trump… He has greatly disappointed all of Colorado when pressed to this test in the past.”

• Denver Post Editorial: “If ever there was a time for Gardner to forsake Trump loyalists and special interests, this is the moment. He should remember that his power actually flows from the voters of Colorado who elevated him to this high office.”

• Washington Post: “rather than run away from Trump as the evidence mounts of an abuse of power, Gardner has drawn nearer.”

Georgia

• Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Loeffler lashes out at ‘friend’ Mitt Romney over impeachment witnesses

• POLITICO: “The pressure to end the debate in the president’s impeachment trial is coming from a closely watched contingent: Senate Republicans up for reelection in battleground states… ‘I have two priorities, one is get the president reelected and keep the majority in the Senate,’ added Sen. David Perdue (R-Ga.).”

Iowa

• Des Moines Register Editorial: Ernst, Grassley should support calling witnesses in impeachment trial; Ernst’s comments betray a closed mind – “All senators took an oath to ‘do impartial justice’ in the impeachment trial. But it appears that Ernst already has her mind made up.”

• Cedar Rapids Gazette Editorial: “Senators are supposed to be serving as impartial jurors in this impeachment trial and it’s clear, Ernst is not taking her constitutional duty seriously.”

Maine

• Portland Press Herald – Editorial Page Editor: “Collins was given the chance to demand to see all the evidence and instead voted to stick with the outward appearance of the last impeachment trial.” 

• Bangor Daily News (Opinion): Collins is no independent on impeachment

• MSNBC: ‘Susan tries to play both sides’: Maine voters weigh in on Sen. Collins, impeachment

North Carolina

• Raleigh News & Observer: “But Sen. Thom Tillis said the new account from Bolton ‘hasn’t affected my decision’ on whether he will vote to call witnesses in the Senate’s impeachment trial.”

• Raleigh News & Observer Editorial: “[Tillis] is up for re-election and is pledging absolute fealty to the president in the hope that Trump’s appeal can carry him to victory. Allowing no daylight between his positions and Trump’s is Tillis’ only calculation, his only concern and his only ambition.”

Texas

• Houston Chronicle Editorial: You call this a trial? Call the witnesses.

• Dallas Morning News Editorial: If there is to be closure on impeachment, the Senate needs to call witnesses

COOK POLITICAL REPORT SHIFTS GA-SEN IN DEMOCRATS’ DIRECTION, CITING WARNOCK’S STRENGTH & “EXPENSIVE AND BRUTAL” SHOWDOWN. The Cook Political Report shifted its rating for Georgia’s Senate special election in Democrats’ direction this morning, from Likely Republican to Lean Republican, after Reverend Raphael Warnock launched his campaign for the seat. Reverend Warnock emerged as a strong candidate from the outset, releasing a powerful launch video telling the story of his path to the pulpit where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once preached, and earning a key endorsement from Stacey Abrams.

Meanwhile, political mega-donor and temporary Senator Kelly Loeffler faced even more political headwinds when Rep. Doug Collins entered the race. Collins’ announcement guarantees an “all-out Republican feud” that will force the two deeply flawed candidates to race to the right and alienate critical independent voters, and moves this race “up the list of GOP headaches and Democratic opportunities.”

Read more about Reverend Warnock’s entrance into the race…

• 11Alive: Pastor of historic church where MLK preached, Rev. Raphael Warnock, announces Senate campaign
• Georgia Public Broadcasting: Political Rewind: State Democrats Gain ‘Unity’ Senate Candidate
• Atlanta Journal Constitution: Stacey Abrams backs Warnock’s bid for Senate, calling him ‘proven leader’
• Savannah Now: Editorial: Warnock’s Senate bid big for Savannah
• NYTimes: Citing ‘Soul of Our Democracy,’ Pastor of Dr. King’s Church Enters Senate Race
• Politico: Stacey Abrams, Dems rally around pastor in burgeoning Georgia Senate race
• AP: Ebenezer pastor Raphael Warnock enters US Senate race

…and about the nasty GOP battle that will make it harder for Republicans to defend this crucial seat:

• AJC: Doug Collins announces US Senate bid, setting up GOP divide in Georgia
• Washington Post: Rep. Collins confirms he will seek Senate seat in Georgia, triggering GOP brawl
• The Hill: “[Georgia Republican]: ‘It’s going to be a little messy…Actually, it’s going to be very messy.’”
• CNN: “[Collins’] decision would set up a fierce melee for the November 2020 race”
• NYT: “Mr. Collins’s long-expected decision sets the stage for a brutal Republican-on-Republican fight”
• POLITICO: Rep. Doug Collins expected to run for Senate, setting up GOP clash
• The Hill: “Development could make it tougher for the GOP to hold…Senate seat in 2020”
• Roll Call: Doug Collins’ Senate bid could set up competitive GOP fight in Georgia
• AP: “[Collins’] decision…could complicate the GOP’s chances of holding onto the seat”
• NY Post: “Collins (R-Ga.) will launch a bid…setting up a party showdown that threatens to split Republicans across the state.”

DSCC RAISED “RECORD AMOUNT OF MONEY” IN 2019. The DSCC set an off-year fundraising record last year, raising nearly $63 million in 2019 and $7.3 million in December alone, with more than $18.6 million coming from contributions under $200. Democrats’ “green wave” of fundraising strength also extended to Democratic incumbents and challengers across the country who posted record-breaking fundraising totals in the fourth quarter of last year. Read more:

POLITICO Pro: DSCC raised $7.3M in December, record $63M in 2019

• Senate Democrats’ campaign committee raised a record amount of money in 2019 as the party gears up to challenge for the Senate majority, according to details shared with POLITICO.
• The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee raised nearly $63 million last year — including $7.3 million in December — the most the committee has ever raised in an off year. The amount significantly exceeded the $54 million it raised in 2017, when they were overwhelmingly on defense protecting incumbents in states President Donald Trump carried in 2016.
• This year, Democrats are on offense against Republicans’ 53-47 Senate majority, and are challenging at least a half-dozen seats held by GOP incumbents.
• “Thanks to the energy and enthusiasm behind our incredible candidates, we’ve raised unprecedented resources to help Democrats flip seats and take back the Senate in 2020,” said Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), the DSCC chair. “With grassroots donations at an all-time high and a map that continues to shift in our direction, we’re deeply grateful to our supporters who have put us in a strong position to win in battlegrounds across the country.”
• Several Democratic challengers, including in battleground races in Arizona and Maine, have also outraised Republican incumbents in recent quarters.
• Democrats also touted their small-dollar fundraising last year, hauling in more than $18.6 million in unitemized donations under $200. According to the committee, the number of online donations last year increased by more than 30 percent, compared to the same time frame in 2017.

IN THE STATES

AZ – Arizona Republic: Federal court says Arizona ‘ballot harvesting’ law discriminates against minority voters

ME – AP: Democrat Gideon Raises $3.5M in Bid to Unseat Sen. Collins

MI – LISTEN: New Michigan Dems digital ad highlights John James’ refusal to appear in public or answer questions from voters and local media

TX – Dallas Morning News: MJ Hegar raised $1.1 million in 4th quarter for her Senate bid against Republican John Cornyn

TWEET OF THE WEEK

oooooof this is painful to watch

Tillis accidentally makes the case to hear from Bolton, gets called on it, and then just starts bumbling trying to back peddle (via @KevinFreyTV) #ncsen #ncpol pic.twitter.com/jDbNEmorpG

— Robert Howard (@RobertWHoward) January 29, 2020

Lauren Passalacqua

@laurenvpass

Stewart Boss

@stew_boss

Helen Kalla

@helen_kalla

Izzi Levy

@chevytothe_levy

Regina Anderson

@reginasopinion

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