SENATE REPUBLICANS AREN’T “WORRIED” ABOUT FAILING ON CORONAVIRUS RELIEF, EYEING AN “EARLY EXIT.” Another nearly 1.5 million Americans filed jobless claims last week but Senate Republicans told the Washington Post “there hasn’t been a loud public outcry at the lack of another stimulus package” so they aren’t “especially worried” about their failure to extend emergency unemployment relief or pass additional aid. They’re even eyeing an “early exit.” We recommend they read any local paper or check out this report – also from the Washington Post – about how Americans “blame Mitch McConnell” and Republicans for failing to help. Washington Post: Analysis | Power Up: Will GOP resistance to new stimulus package cost them the Senate? They don’t seem to think so
ARE MITCH MCCONNELL AND SENATE REPUBLICANS STILL BLOCKING URGENTLY NEEDED RELIEF? YES.
GOP SENATE “INDIFFERENT” TO MISHANDLING OF PANDEMIC. CNN asked Republican Senators for their thoughts on the president’s mishandling of the pandemic, like ignoring public safety guidelines and admitting on tape to “intentionally misleading Americans” about the coronavirus. Their responses ranged from “fake news” from unelected Senator Kelly Loeffler to dodging reporters like Senator Cory Gardner, who took “a back staircase, declining to answer questions.” The “indifferent” responses to the Administration’s irresponsible and dangerous conduct follows their praise and bragging how they’ve worked “hand in glove” with the White House. CNN: GOP growing more indifferent to Trump controversies as election nears
DEJOY POLICIES DELAYED NEARLY 350 MILLION PIECES OF MAIL. A new Senate report uncovered that Republican mega-donor and current Postmaster General Louis DeJoy’s changes to the USPS “delayed nearly 350 million pieces, or 7 percent, of the country’s first-class mail in the five weeks they were in effect.” The report found that on-time delivery rates deteriorated, “ensnaring prescription medications, benefits checks and ballots in midterm elections.” Republican Senators have repeatedly denied and downplayed the problems as DeJoy and President Trump have sabotaged the Postal Service by cutting overtime and removing high-speed mail sorting machines. Washington Post: DeJoy’s Postal Service policies delayed 7 percent of nation’s first-class mail, Senate Democrat’s report says
ICYMI: TILLIS IS STILL GETTING HEAT FOR BEING MAJOR BENEFICIARY OF CORRUPT “STRAW-DONOR SCHEME” LED BY DEJOY. Senator Thom Tillis can’t escape the jaw-dropping Washington Post report that exposed the vulnerable incumbent as “one of the biggest beneficiaries” of an alleged “straw-donor scheme” led by DeJoy. WUNC took a look at how Tillis benefitted from the corrupt scheme and the possible legal implications. WUNC: Postmaster DeJoy Garnered Millions For NC Politicians While Running Logistics Company
BRUTAL LOCAL TV HIT: TILLIS BACKED PHARMA-FRIENDLY BILL WHILE TAKING CASH FROM BIG DRUG COMPANIES. A devastating investigation by WBTV revealed Senator Tillis took thousands of dollars from the pharmaceutical industry just weeks after he sponsored a drug pricing bill that “omitted a key provision opposed by the pharmaceutical industry that would cap drug prices at inflation.” The report is part of a troubling pattern for Tillis who has a record of putting his corporate special interest campaign donors ahead of what’s right for North Carolinians. Watch the brutal investigative report → WBTV: Tillis took pharmaceutical money within weeks of co-sponsoring new drug price bill
GARDNER LOSES *ANOTHER* FACT CHECK FOR HIS MISLEADING CLAIM HE’LL PROTECT PEOPLE WITH PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS. A 9News fact check of Senator Cory Gardner’s latest misleading ad found his bill won’t protect people with pre-existing conditions. “It’s like telling somebody you’re gonna give them an umbrella and you just hand them the stick part.” WATCH 9News: Truth Test: Claim from Gardner’s mom about pre-existing conditions leaves out one detail
NEW POLLS: DEMOCRATS LEAD IN #AZSEN & #MESEN, #SCSEN IS A DEAD HEAT. Two new polls released yesterday showed Democratic challengers Mark Kelly and Sara Gideon leading incumbent Senators Martha McSally and Susan Collins in the Arizona and Maine Senate races and a dead heat in the South Carolina Senate race with Democratic challenger Jaime Harrison and Senator Lindsey Graham running even. It’s just the latest in a string of polls showing Harrison and Graham virtually tied. And if you need more evidence that Harrison is mounting a formidable challenge, in the last 24 hours, Harrison’s campaign has raised over $1 million from fired up grassroots donors who are ready to send Graham packing.
DSCC ANNOUNCES SEVEN-FIGURE INVESTMENT IN #SCSEN AS POLLS SHOW A DEAD HEAT & HARRISON WITH MOMENTUM. The DSCC announced today that we are making a seven-figure investment in Jaime Harrison’s campaign to bolster spending on paid advertising and other resources as he faces a tightened race against Senator Lindsey Graham. The historic investment in South Carolina follows internal and public polling data that confirms a neck-and-neck race. Harrison has outraised Senator Graham for the past two quarters, and recently announced raising a whopping $10.6 million in August — more than Graham raised during the entire Q2 fundraising period. Election analysts including Cook Political Report, Crystal Ball, and POLITICO have all moved their rating of the South Carolina Senate race towards Harrison because of the strength of his campaign. Read more about the historic investment here.
ICYMI: Lindsey Graham’s Campaign For Rival’s Tax Returns Ends In Humiliation
HUFFPOST PROFILES DR. AL GROSS. A new HuffPost profile of Alaska Senate challenger Dr. Al Gross highlights his “real shot at unseating Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan.” The profile highlights Gross’ deep ties to Alaska, his background as a doctor and commitment to expanding Alaskans’ access to high quality affordable health care, and dedication to being a strong voice for Alaska in the Senate. Polls have found that the Alaska Senate race is a dead heat and a recent string of analyses spotlighted how Alaska’s Senate race is shaping up to be among “the toughest fights that incumbent Alaska Republicans have seen since 2008” with nonpartisan election analysts saying they “wouldn’t sleep on the Senate race.” HuffPost: A Gun-Toting Doctor Is Betting He’s Alaskan Enough To Win In A Solid Red State
DEM AD WATCH
AL – Senator Doug Jones released a new ad calling out Tommy Tuberville for his silence after Trump’s vile attacks against veterans and service members. Watch.
AZ – Mark Kelly’s latest ad highlights his commitment to making health care more affordable for Arizonans by lowering the cost of prescription drugs, ending surprise billing, and covering pre-existing conditions. Watch.
IA – The DSCC released a new ad spotlighting Senator Joni Ernst’s record of abandoning Iowans and selling out to corporate special interests. Watch.
MT – The DSCC’s latest ad in Montana holds Senator Steve Daines accountable for putting himself and corporate special interests ahead of what’s right for Montana. Watch.
NH – Senator Jeanne Shaheen released her first radio ad that highlights her leadership in helping negotiate small business funding for more than 24,000 New Hampshire small businesses during coronavirus. Listen.
IN THE STATES
GA – Georgia Recorder (Opinion): Bookman: No need to adjust your set if you don’t recognize TV Perdue
IA – Iowa Starting Line: Black Iowa Leaders Who Met With Ernst Feel Betrayed After Systemic Racism Attack
IA – CBS 2: Republicans and Democrats in the state agree: Iowa is a ‘purple’ state
KS – Morning Sun: Sen. Barbara Bollier hosts campaign event in Pittsburg
KS – Kansas City Star: Former GOP Sen. Nancy Kassebaum endorses Democrat Bollier in Kansas Senate race
ME – American Independent: New complaint claims GOP group made ‘blatantly illegal ad’ for Susan Collins
ME – Maine Beacon: Collins claims she’s ‘consistent’ in seating judges, but analysis shows conservative bias
MI – Bridge Michigan: Fact Squad: Gary Peters ad highlights attendance, hits back at John James
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