New polling shows Arkansas Senator Mark Pryor with deep vulnerabilities in 2014.

Senator Pryor of Arkansas should be concerned about rising frustration with Washington in his home state. The mood regarding the direction of the country is very low and trending negative (Arkansas: 22% Right Direction/70% Wrong Track, -48 net difference; National NBC-WSJ 29% Right Direction/61% Wrong Track, -32 net difference), a bad sign for incumbents.

Pryor is already trailing on the ballot over a year before Election Day. Pryor’s 42% is consistent with all other public polling (no recent poll has shown Pryor higher than 45%, regardless of sponsor or pollster), and is a long way shy of the magic 50% mark. At the same time, Cotton’s 44% is surprisingly strong for a first-time statewide candidate who has only represented a quarter of the state, demonstrating both his broad appeal and Pryor’s lack of support.

And, although Pryor’s image is slightly positive, only 15% out of 41% feel “very favorable” toward the Senator (it is a huge red flag for an incumbent to have strong intensity represent less than half of his support).

Adding to the Pryor team’s concerns is a generic ballot that gives an R the edge (38% R-34% D), and a well-known and well-liked opponent in Representative Tom Cotton (32% Favorable-23% Unfavorable). Additionally, Cotton’s image remains positive across age and gender demographics, demonstrating a broad appeal within the Arkansas electorate.

All of that said, the real danger for Pryor has been his support for President Obama’s agenda. When considering Pryor’s support for Obamacare, only one-third of the electorate is more likely to vote for him, while a majority is more likely to support Cotton.  Pryor cannot even garner two-thirds of Democrats (merely 59% more likely to support Pryor) to his side when this aspect of his record is thrown into the mix.

Senator Pryor and his team are sure to try to run away from Washington in next year’s election, but they cannot change his record of supporting President Obama’s liberal agenda that clearly cuts to the core of the Arkansas electorate. With liabilities like these, little core support to sustain the campaign, and a formidable opponent… Pryor’s chances are not looking good in 2014.

The post MEMO: NRSC Arkansas Poll Shows Pryor Extremely Vulnerable appeared first on NRSC - National Republican Senatorial Committee.

Could it get worse for Pryor? Indeed it can. During an awkward interview with KARK, Pryor was again given the opportunity to distance himself from ObamaCare, but insisted to the news anchor, “You know, it actually is working in a lot of ways.” (KARK’s “Morning News,” 8/8/13)

Pryor then bizarrely proceeded to explain that everywhere he goes, Arkansans tell him how frustrated they are with Washington, causing the news anchor to jump in. ”But Senator, YOU are Washington!?” 

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE.

Exactly.  Mark Pryor is Washington. Time after time, Mark Pryor has put the Obama Agenda – Washington interests – first instead the needs of Arkansans families, workers and businesses.

“Mark Pryor is so out of touch that folks in Arkansas have to embarrassingly remind him that he is Washington,” said NRSC Press Secretary Brook Hougesen. “One of the reasons that Arkansans are frustrated with Washington is that Mark Pryor has consistently put President Obama’s agenda first.  Mark Pryor is the most vulnerable Senator in America because he simply doesn’t share the views and values of Arkansans.”

The post Senator Pryor, YOU are Washington appeared first on NRSC - National Republican Senatorial Committee.

The new website comes on the heels of a new statewide Arkansas poll by Magellan Strategies BR that shows 60% of voters are less likely to support Pryor because he voted for ObamaCare.

The fact that Pryor (who just 37% of Arkansans believe deserves reelection) and his political team would continue to highlight his support of ObamaCare shows just how out of touch Senator Pryor is with Arkansas voters. But then again, Pryor also recently admitted that he believes Arkansas should elect a Senator who puts Obama first.

“In Arkansas, only Senator Mark Pryor and the LSU Tigers are as unpopular as ObamaCare – a law which he was the deciding vote for,” said NRSC Press Secretary Brook Hougesen. “It’s astounding that Pryor is so out of touch that he would double down on his support for the deeply unpopular ObamaCare law, which is responsible for rising health care costs, more taxes, and a lower quality of care. Mark Pryor’s bizarre website is an attack on the more than 60% of Arkansas voters who want ObamaCare dismantled.  Mark Pryor is the most vulnerable Senator in America and the more that he keeps cheerleading for ObamaCare and opposing Arkansas families and workers, the more they look forward to replacing him.”

The post Pryor Puts Obama First Again: New Website Doubles Down on ObamaCare appeared first on NRSC - National Republican Senatorial Committee.

While Mark Begich likes to pat himself on the back in D.C. for his deciding vote to implement ObamaCare, businesses across the country are bracing themselves for a series of setbacks including laying off employees, footing the bill for new penalties and taxes, and a mountain of uncertainty that inhibits businesses’ ability to expand and hire.

For the seventh consecutive week, Mark Begich put his liberal leadership team’s agenda ahead of the economic health and well-being of Alaskan families and businesses.

How Did Mark Begich Vote This Week?

• Begich Voted With Senate Democrats On 100% Of The Votes He Took (6 Of 6). This is the 7th Consecutive Week Begich Has Voted 100% Of The Time With Democrats.

Begich’s Worst Vote Of The Week?

• Thursday, Begich Voted Against An Amendment In An Appropriations Committee Hearing That Would Have Prevented The IRS From Enforcing ObamaCare Penalties Based On A 30-Hour Work Week. “S. Collins, R-Maine – Amendment that would bar the use of funds in the bill for the IRS to enforce or collect penalties through the 2010 health care overhaul’s employer mandate, which will require workplaces to provide coverage for employees who work a minimum of 30 hours per week.” (S. 1371: Rejected 14-16: R 14-0; D 0-16, 7/25/13, Begich Voted Nay) • Half Of All Small Businesses Indicated They Would Cut Employee Hours Or Employer Fewer Full-Time Workers To Avoid ObamaCare’s Employer Mandate. “Half of small business owners polled indicated they would either cut employee hours or employ fewer full-time workers to avoid Obamacare’s requirement that employees working over 30 hours a week receive employer-provided health insurance, according to the survey. Another 24 percent said they would curb hiring plans to avoid the employer mandate, since it applies only to companies with 50 or more full-time employees.” (Huffington Post, 7/18/13)

“Mark Begich promised Alaskans and businesses that ObamaCare would not raise health care costs, increase taxes, or kill jobs – but that is exactly what Begich’s health care law will do,” said NRSC Press Secretary Brook Hougesen. “Mark Begich stood proudly with President Obama and his liberal leadership team and made promises he has been unable to keep. Begich has two options: Start listening to the Alaskan women, workers and families who want ObamaCare permanently delayed and dismantled so that the rising cost of health care can finally be properly addressed, or be replaced by someone else who will.”

The post Despite Small Businesses’ Concerns, Begich Remains Loyal to ObamaCare appeared first on NRSC - National Republican Senatorial Committee.

“Condemning sexual assault and harassment shouldn’t be controversial simply because the predator is someone of a certain persuasion, yet Alison Lundergan Grimes remains silent as her father pours thousands of dollars into Anthony Weiner’s campaign,” said NRSC Press Secretary Brook Hougesen. “Alison Lundergan Grimes claims she will be a strong voice for women, yet when it comes time to actually defend real women – actual victims of harassment and predatory behavior, she is nowhere to be found. Meanwhile Alison Lundergan Grimes’ family is actively working to empower perverted predator Anthony Weiner.” 

This Lundergan family’s support of the assault on women raises two critically important questions for Alison Lundergan Grimes:

1. Does Alison Lundergan Grimes support Anthony Weiner?
2. Will Alison Lundergan Grimes demand that her father ask for his donation back from the predatory candidate Weiner?
3. Considering Weiner’s disgraceful past, why would Lundergan’s political team even consider contributing to him?

“Alison Lundergan Grimes and her fellow Democrats can’t be trusted to defend women when they are needed most, a sad reality that is now on full display for all to see,” continued Hougesen. “Is Alison Lundergan Grimes only interested in standing up for women if it serves her own political interests and liberal agenda? It certainly appears that way –  and that is a disservice to Kentucky women – and women across the country.”

The post The Lundergan Grimes Hypocrisy appeared first on NRSC - National Republican Senatorial Committee.

Mary “I am proud of my support for the Affordable Care Act” Landrieu is never one to shy away from her strong support of ObamaCare. “Whether my opponents want to call it ACA or Obamacare, I voted for it. I’m glad I voted for it,” she often touts. But while Landrieu pats herself on the back in D.C., businesses in Louisiana are bracing themselves for a series of setbacks including laying off employees, footing the bill for new penalties and taxes, and a mountain of uncertainty that inhibits businesses’ ability to expand and hire.

Today, Mary Landrieu has some answering to do:

1. At the hearing Lawrence Katz told Senator Landrieu that because of ObamaCare, he will likely have to lay off 16 people. Katz asked Landrieu, “isn’t it a shameful position to be put into?” What is Senator Landrieu doing to eliminate business owners’ uncertainty and ensure these layoffs will not occur?
2. Mr. Katz explained that because of ObamaCare, he cannot expand his business, which could have created 15-20 new jobs.  What is Senator Landrieu’s plan to help spur job growth for business owners like Mr. Katz and other business owners under ObamaCare?
3. When Mr. Katz outlined the impact ObamaCare will have of Dot’s Diner, Mary Landrieu merely said it was rare but also gave her word that she would work with businesses who fall into the donut hole, like Dot’s Diner, to come up with some solutions to the issues Katz raised. When can Katz and other donut hole businesses expect to receive an update from Senator Landrieu?

“Mary Landrieu promised Louisianans and businesses like Dot’s Diner that ObamaCare would not raise health care costs, increase taxes, or kill jobs – but that is exactly what Landrieu’s health care law will do,” said NRSC Press Secretary Brook Hougesen. “Mary Landrieu stood proudly with President Obama and made promises she has been unable to keep and now Dot’s Diner is not only unable to expand and create new jobs, but will likely have to lay off full time employees. Mary Landrieu has two options: Start listening to the millions of Louisiana women, workers and families who want ObamaCare permanently delayed and dismantled so that the rising cost of health care can finally be properly addressed, or be replaced by someone else who will.”

The post Three Questions for Landrieu Over ObamaCare Impact on Louisiana Businesses appeared first on NRSC - National Republican Senatorial Committee.

Schumer, the real Democratic Senate Leader, joins fellow New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, former New York Senator Hillary Clinton, and former President Bill Clinton in refusing to condemn actions that most normal citizens find reprehensible.

“Condemning sexual assault and harassment shouldn’t be controversial simply because the predator is someone of a certain persuasion, but Chuck Schumer – the most powerful Democratic Senator – actually refuses to do it,” said NRSC Press Secretary Brook Hougesen.  “Chuck Schumer has based Senate Democrats’ 2014 electoral strategy entirely on exploiting the manufactured ‘War on Women,’ yet when it comes time to actually defend real women – actual victims of harassment, they are nowhere to be found. Schumer and his fellow Democrats can’t be trusted to defend women when they are needed most, a sad reality that is now on full display for all to see.”

The post Senate Democratic Leader Refuses to Condemn Sexual Harassment, Predatory Sexting appeared first on NRSC - National Republican Senatorial Committee.

Peters, the infamous “wolf in sheep’s clothing“, is seeking to collect some major campaign cash after protecting their pockets ahead of Michiganders’ and voting against commonsense measures like medical malpractice.

The San Francisco Chronicle describes the “bonanza”:

“The American Association for Justice Convention at the Hilton in San Francisco this week has brought hoards to town — hoards of politicians. And we’re betting they’re not so much interested in AAJC’s panel discussions…than they are in being here in the Mother Lode of political fundraising….’Half of the Democratic caucus is hanging out at the Hilton,’ quips one Dem insider on scene.”

Despite the massive economic benefits of tort reform, which the Congressional Budget Office projected would mean $54 billion in ObamaCare savings alone, Peters opposed and voted against a measure to pursue cost-saving medical malpractice reform during the 2009 health-care debate.

Why? The trial lawyers have lent a helping hand to fill Gary Peters’ campaign coffers and this week, Peters is collecting.

“The city and the people of Detroit are fighting tooth and nail for their very survival and Gary Peters is off hobnobbing in San Francisco with the trail lawyers that fund his campaign,” said NRSC Press Secretary Brook Hougesen. “Not only has Peters failed to offer any real solutions to help Detroit, Peters abandoned the city because of the deep pockets of his trial lawyer friends, leaving Michiganders wondering about the priorities of their absent Congressman. Michiganders expect dedicated leaders who are willing to roll up their sleeves and solve problems and are tired of typical Washington politicians like Gary Peters.”

Background:

• Peters Was “Oblivious To The Consequences Of Allowing The City To Hurtle Off The Cliff.”  “Other voices that puff themselves up to extol the sanctity of local control are equally bereft of ideas. We had Rep. Gary Peters, the Oakland County Democrat trying to reinvent himself as a Detroit liberal, in our offices a few weeks ago denouncing state meddling. When asked what he’d do instead, he answered, ‘Detroit needs more jobs.’ … Peters’ response was typical of those who rail against a state ‘takeover,’ but are oblivious to the consequences of allowing the city to hurtle off the cliff.” (Nolan Finley, “Easter Bunny Won’t Hop In To Save Detroit,” The Detroit News, 3/15/12)
• Peters “Nitpick[ed] The Rescue Process, Ignore[ed] The Proximate Causes Of Collapse And Offer[ed] Nothing Approaching Solutions Beyond Vague Calls For ‘Jobs” “This is what passes for leadership: As Michigan’s largest city slides inexorably to insolvency, three members of Congress nitpick the rescue process, ignore the proximate causes of collapse and offer nothing approaching solutions beyond vague calls for ‘jobs’ (Peters) and ‘bailouts’ (Clarke).” (Daniel Howes, Op-Ed, “U.S. Reps’ Nitpicking No Help To Failing City,” The Detroit News, 3/23/12)
• In November 2009, Peters Voted Against A Motion To Add Medical Malpractice Reform To The Health Care Bill. “Cantor, R-Va., motion to recommit the bill to the House Energy and Commerce Committee with instructions that it be immediately reported back with an amendment that would create a fund that aims to preserve access to the Medicare Advantage program and establish new regulations for medical malpractice lawsuits. It would prohibit the filing of malpractice suits more that three years after an incident, limit attorney fees to a certain percentage of a claimant’s reward, and allow the awarding of punitive damages only if malicious intent is established.” (H.R. 3962, CQ Vote #886: Motion rejected 187-247: R 174-3; D 13-244, 11/7/09, Peters Voted Nay)

The post While Detroit Declares Bankruptcy… Peters Heads to Golden State to Fundraise with Liberal Trial Lawyers & Nancy Pelosi appeared first on NRSC - National Republican Senatorial Committee.

For months, Kay Hagan led efforts to manufacture a crisis on North Carolina students. Why? Because New York Senator Chuck Schumer told her to.  Schumer said the student loan issue was “a messaging winner for Democrats.”  Meanwhile, college students were without a sound solution to prevent loan rates from doubling.

Kay Hagan actively led the efforts to block relief with a purely partisan band aid instead of supporting a bipartisan, permanent fix to help college students who are already struggling to stay above water. The Washington Post called Hagan’s bill a “pathetic non-solution“.  Yet, the bipartisan solution to this problem was right in front of Kay Hagan and she ignored it.

“Kay Hagan is one of a few people directly responsible for the student loan rate increases and is part of the problem in Washington rather than the solution,” said NRSC Press Secretary Brook Hougesen. “Instead of working to forge a bipartisan compromise to help already struggling students, Hagan instead demanded passage of her own legislation which was so liberal and extreme that even Barack Obama opposed it.  Hagan’s latest flip-flop doesn’t mask the failure of her own legislation and reinforces just how ineffective she actually is.  Instead of acting as the ‘independent voice’ that she promised North Carolinians she’d be, Hagan used students as political pawns in her reelection bid. Shame on her.”

The post Hagan Flips After Her Manufactured Student Loan Crisis Flopped appeared first on NRSC - National Republican Senatorial Committee.

The following week, in what can only be described as total hypocrisy, Mark Begich voted against delaying both the employer mandate and individual mandate during an untelevised, unpublicized Appropriations Committee vote.

Now, in less than a month, Senator Sixty is flip-flopping for a third time to delay the same legislation he ensured was law in 2010.

Begich’s Flip-Flop Of The Week?

FLIP: In March 2010, Begich Voted To Keep The Employer Mandate In ObamaCare. (H.R. 4872, CQ Vote #67: Motion agreed to 58-41: R 0-40; D 56-1; I 2-0, 3/24/10, Begich Voted Yea)
FLOP: Sen. Mark Begich (D-Alaska) Introduced A Bill Thursday That Would Delay President Obama’s Employer Healthcare Mandate For Two Years. (The Hill, Senate Dem introduces bill to delay employer healthcare mandate, 7/19/2013)

“When re-election was years away for Mark Begich – Senator Sixty – ignored doctors, workers, and middle-class Alaskans instead siding with his liberal leadership team who forced ObamaCare into law,” said NRSC Press Secretary Brook Hougesen. “Now that Begich’s career is on the line, Begich is running as fast as he can from the taxes, mandates, and fees imposed by his deciding vote. Not only can’t Mark Begich be trusted, but he’s abandoning middle-class men and women, leaving them alone to face the burden of ObamaCare’s individual mandate. Certainly businesses deserve relief from ObamaCare, but what about middle-class men, women and their families? It’s time that Mark Begich take ownership of his vote for ObamaCare and admit that he made a terrible mistake.”

The post Begich Running From Disastrous ObamaCare He Ensured Became Law appeared first on NRSC - National Republican Senatorial Committee.