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Democrat who voted for Trump in 2016 announces presidential bid – live Democrat who voted for Trump in 2016 announces presidential bid – live
(35 minutes later)
Democrats made significant gains at the state legislative level in the 2018 midterms as this graphic from the New York Times shows.
However, the most remarkable result of the midterms is that there will only be one state where there is split control of the state legislature, Minnesota. There Democrats will control the state house but Republicans will control the state senate. In all of the other 48 states with partisan state legislatures (Nebraska has a non-partisan unicameral legislature), the same party will control both chambers.
In addition, there will be split control in Washington, D.C. as well.
Even though it’s a federal holiday, former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen is in Washington today
Michael Cohen arrived in Washington, D.C., Monday morning, accompanied by one of his criminal defense lawyers. He declined to answer questions from @ABC about why he was there. https://t.co/5FvlkEOrn3 pic.twitter.com/kabYoCkVyu
While Florida is still undergoing its recount, Republican Rick Scott is acting like a winner.While Florida is still undergoing its recount, Republican Rick Scott is acting like a winner.
The Florida governor is coming to Washington for new member orientation and will participate in Senate leadership elections.The Florida governor is coming to Washington for new member orientation and will participate in Senate leadership elections.
Colleague Peter Doocy rpts GOP FL Gov Rick Scott will come to DC this week to participate in some new-member orientation activities, including the photo Wednesday. Will also vote in leadership elections.Colleague Peter Doocy rpts GOP FL Gov Rick Scott will come to DC this week to participate in some new-member orientation activities, including the photo Wednesday. Will also vote in leadership elections.
House Democrats have announced their first priority in January.House Democrats have announced their first priority in January.
They plan on holding their first vote on a series of reforms to the political process that includes campaign finance reforms, new ethics rules and automatic voter registration.They plan on holding their first vote on a series of reforms to the political process that includes campaign finance reforms, new ethics rules and automatic voter registration.
The bill will almost certainly not become law and is unlikely to even receive a vote in the Senate. However, it will serve a symbolic measure and one that Democrats will use to push a message of reform in the next two years.The bill will almost certainly not become law and is unlikely to even receive a vote in the Senate. However, it will serve a symbolic measure and one that Democrats will use to push a message of reform in the next two years.
Although Ojeda became the first unsuccessful congressional candidate to announce a bid for the White House in 2020, there is a sitting congressman who is already running.Although Ojeda became the first unsuccessful congressional candidate to announce a bid for the White House in 2020, there is a sitting congressman who is already running.
John Delaney, a three-term Democrat from Maryland, has been formally running for the White House since last year. Delaney, who did not seek re-election this year, has been to all 99 counties in Iowa and running television ads in the state.John Delaney, a three-term Democrat from Maryland, has been formally running for the White House since last year. Delaney, who did not seek re-election this year, has been to all 99 counties in Iowa and running television ads in the state.
He told the Guardian last month that he thought his campaign had been successful so far “we’re going end up exactly where we wanted to be”.He told the Guardian last month that he thought his campaign had been successful so far “we’re going end up exactly where we wanted to be”.
West Virginia state senator Richard Ojeda formally launched his presidential bid today in a Facebook video filmed in front of the Korean war memorial in Washington DC.West Virginia state senator Richard Ojeda formally launched his presidential bid today in a Facebook video filmed in front of the Korean war memorial in Washington DC.
Ojeda was the Democratic nominee for West Virginia’s third congressional district in 2018, where he lost to Republican Carol Miller by a margin of 56%-44%.Ojeda was the Democratic nominee for West Virginia’s third congressional district in 2018, where he lost to Republican Carol Miller by a margin of 56%-44%.
"I'm Richard Ojeda and I'm running for the president of the United States of America." https://t.co/MEV2SIcyPF"I'm Richard Ojeda and I'm running for the president of the United States of America." https://t.co/MEV2SIcyPF
The Senate race in Texas between Ted Cruz and Beto O’Rourke received boatloads of national press as it seemingly became a requirement for every publication in the country to print a gushing profile of O’Rourke.The Senate race in Texas between Ted Cruz and Beto O’Rourke received boatloads of national press as it seemingly became a requirement for every publication in the country to print a gushing profile of O’Rourke.
Now that the smoke has cleared with Cruz beating O’Rourke to win re-election to the Senate, the Texas Tribune did an in-depth piece on the race and how O’Rourke mounted the strongest campaign of any Texas Democrat in over two decades.Now that the smoke has cleared with Cruz beating O’Rourke to win re-election to the Senate, the Texas Tribune did an in-depth piece on the race and how O’Rourke mounted the strongest campaign of any Texas Democrat in over two decades.
It notes how a key turning point in the campaign was when O’Rourke gave an answer to a question planted by the Cruz campaign about protests at NFL games when players knelt during the national anthem. O’Rourke’s answer may have gone viral on the Internet but may have also made him toxic with Texas voters.It notes how a key turning point in the campaign was when O’Rourke gave an answer to a question planted by the Cruz campaign about protests at NFL games when players knelt during the national anthem. O’Rourke’s answer may have gone viral on the Internet but may have also made him toxic with Texas voters.
While national attention swirled around O’Rourke, the issue did not appear to be a political winner in Texas, where public polls showed that voters strongly disapprovedof the anthem protests. Cruz’s campaign moved quickly to put O’Rourke’s viral comments in a TV ad, contrasting them with a veteran who lost two legs in the Vietnam War and who said in the commercial he cannot stand, but he expects others to do so for him. In Cruz’s internal data, O’Rourke had had a net positive image throughout the entire race until that point.While national attention swirled around O’Rourke, the issue did not appear to be a political winner in Texas, where public polls showed that voters strongly disapprovedof the anthem protests. Cruz’s campaign moved quickly to put O’Rourke’s viral comments in a TV ad, contrasting them with a veteran who lost two legs in the Vietnam War and who said in the commercial he cannot stand, but he expects others to do so for him. In Cruz’s internal data, O’Rourke had had a net positive image throughout the entire race until that point.
“He became the most unpopular statewide figure in Texas,” Cruz pollster Chris Wilson said.“He became the most unpopular statewide figure in Texas,” Cruz pollster Chris Wilson said.
For those already hunting for holiday presents, one potential gift is already being advertised on Fox News: Trumpy Bear.For those already hunting for holiday presents, one potential gift is already being advertised on Fox News: Trumpy Bear.
For only two payments of $19.95, you can have a teddy bear designed to look like Donald Trump that comes with a flag blanket.For only two payments of $19.95, you can have a teddy bear designed to look like Donald Trump that comes with a flag blanket.
If you’re expecting anything to happen in Florida soon, don’t hold your breath.If you’re expecting anything to happen in Florida soon, don’t hold your breath.
They are still sorting the ballots in Broward county for the recount with no expectation of even beginning counting them today.They are still sorting the ballots in Broward county for the recount with no expectation of even beginning counting them today.
Watching the paint dry in Broward County. They’re sorting the ballots — taking the top page and setting it aside bc that’s the only one they need. Lawyers here say they won’t finish the sort today, let alone actually start tabulating.Watching the paint dry in Broward County. They’re sorting the ballots — taking the top page and setting it aside bc that’s the only one they need. Lawyers here say they won’t finish the sort today, let alone actually start tabulating.
Axios’s Jonathan Swan reports that Trump is dead set against further aid to Puerto Rico.Axios’s Jonathan Swan reports that Trump is dead set against further aid to Puerto Rico.
This is based in part on the president misinterpreting a Wall Street Journal article in October about hurricane relief efforts.This is based in part on the president misinterpreting a Wall Street Journal article in October about hurricane relief efforts.
As Swan notes, Trump has long been skeptical of aid to Puerto Rico even before Hurricane Maria.As Swan notes, Trump has long been skeptical of aid to Puerto Rico even before Hurricane Maria.
Although it looks like Republican Brian Kemp is set to prevail in Georgia’s gubernatorial race over Democrat Stacey Abrams, there still will be a crucial runoff there in December.Although it looks like Republican Brian Kemp is set to prevail in Georgia’s gubernatorial race over Democrat Stacey Abrams, there still will be a crucial runoff there in December.
In the race to succeed Kemp as secretary of state, Democrat John Barrow will be in a runoff against Republican Brad Raffensperger. Kemp’s conduct as the chief election official in the state drew national outrage on the left and led some to claim voter suppression in the state.In the race to succeed Kemp as secretary of state, Democrat John Barrow will be in a runoff against Republican Brad Raffensperger. Kemp’s conduct as the chief election official in the state drew national outrage on the left and led some to claim voter suppression in the state.
Barrow is a former congressman who released an ad where he said: “I’m a Democrat but I won’t bite ya.” Raffensperger is a two-term state representative from suburban Atlanta.Barrow is a former congressman who released an ad where he said: “I’m a Democrat but I won’t bite ya.” Raffensperger is a two-term state representative from suburban Atlanta.
There are more ballots being counted in Maine this morning.
Ballot processing begins again today at 10 am in the CD2 race. Lots of work to be done to upload 190 more towns’ ballots and certify everything before we can run the final tabulation.
This is the first year that the state is using an instant runoff to determine the result in federal elections. The results are by no means instant though in the tight race in the state’s second congressional district.
Currently incumbent Republican Bruce Poliquin has a lead of less than 2,000 votes over Democrat Jared Golden at 46.2% to 45.5%. However, an absolute majority is needed and two left of center independent candidates combined for over 8% of the vote with 23,000 ballots cast for them. The second choice preferences of those voters will determine the eventual winner.
If Democrats win the seat, Republicans will not hold a single House seat in New England in the next Congress.
Jason Lewis, a first-term congressman from the Minneapolis suburbs, lost his re-election bid on Tuesday. He has taken to the Wall Street Journal to blame the obvious culprit: John McCain
In an op-ed, Lewis blames the late senator’s vote to block Obamacare repeal for Democratic success in the midterms. Lewis claims that if McCain voted otherwise, there would be no wave of small dollar donation for Democratic candidates.
The outgoing congressman, who was a talk show host with a history of inflammatory remarks before his service in public office, ends by attributing McCain’s vote to a personal grudge.
The late Arizona senator’s grievance with all things Trump was well known, but this obsession on the part of “Never Trump” Republicans has to end. Disapprove of the president’s style if you like, but don’t sacrifice sound policy to pettiness.
Lewis lost to Democrat Angie Craig by a margin of 53%-47% last week.
Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio is considering a presidential bid.
The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that Brown, who was elected to a third term from the Buckeye State last week, is contemplating a run for the White House.
Brown, a stalwart progressive from a Rust Belt state, says he will mull over a decision during the holidays.
It will be a quiet day at the White House. It was announced already there is a “lid” which means Trump will not be leaving the building or holding any public events today.
However, lids do not apply to Twitter.
Potential Democratic presidential candidates are already scrambling for staff.
Natasha Korecki at Politico reports that Cory Booker has been personally calling Democratic operatives to recruit them. In a field that may have as many as two dozen candidates, there will be increased demand for proven operatives with experience and ties in early states like Iowa.
The question is when people start getting hired, though.
Donald Trump took to Twitter Monday morning to allege voter fraud and urge that Florida stop counting ballots and forgo its recount process.
The Florida Election should be called in favor of Rick Scott and Ron DeSantis in that large numbers of new ballots showed up out of nowhere, and many ballots are missing or forged. An honest vote count is no longer possible-ballots massively infected. Must go with Election Night!
Florida is still receiving absentee ballots from overseas voters. Although ballots have to be mailed by election day, those from other countries must be counted if received within 10 days of the election. These outstanding ballots include votes cast by members of the US military.
State law requires a full recount if a race is within 0.5% margin
Currently, Florida is facing three full state recounts in the races for Senator, governor and secretary of agriculture.
Senator Cindy Hyde Smith of Mississippi is under fire after saying of someone: “If he invited me to a public hanging, I’d be on the front row.”
Hyde-Smith, a Republican appointed to the Senate earlier this year, is a candidate in a late November runoff special election against Democrat Mike Espy to hold the seat.
Critics have said that the reference to hanging by Hyde-Smith, a white woman running against a black Democrat, is racially charged in a state with Mississippi’s history of lynching
In a statement, Hyde-Smith said: “In a comment on Nov. 2, I referred to accepting an invitation to a speaking engagement. In referencing the one who invited me, I used an exaggerated expression of regard, and any attempt to turn this into a negative connotation is ridiculous.”
In contrast, a spokesman for Espy said: “Cindy Hyde-Smith’s comments are reprehensible. They have no place in our political discourse, in Mississippi, or our country. We need leaders, not dividers, and her words show that she lacks the understanding and judgment to represent the people of our state.”
Hyde-Smith was appointed after longtime senator Thad Cochran stepped down due to ill health. The winner of the 27 November runoff will fill the remainder of Cochran’s term.
Richard Ojeda, a Democrat who lost a House race in West Virginia coal country last week, will announce a presidential bid today.
Ojeda, who lost to Republican Carol Miller by a margin of 56%-44%, will throw his hat in the ring for 2020. A West Virginia state senator who voted for Donald Trump in the 2016 general election, Ojeda is unlikely to be the next president. However, his colorful campaign attracted national attention during the midterms.
The Guardian’s Paul Lewis spent time with him in October in a video that you can watch below:
My colleagues Stephanie Kirchgaessner and Jon Swaine have a new story this morning about the rise of acting attorney general Matt Whitaker in Iowa politics.
In particular, it focuses on his failed prosecution of Matt McCoy, a Democratic state senator, when Whitaker was serving as US attorney for the southern district of Iowa. McCoy told the Guardian that he believed he was targeted for political reasons in a flimsy case based entirely on the testimony of a paid informant.
Good morning and welcome. Ballots are still being counted in Arizona, Florida is starting a full statewide vote count and Donald Trump has no public events on his schedule today.
It’s just another Monday in American politics.