NRSC Weekly Rundown: Doubts About Sinema, Earth to Nelson, Trump Jr. Hits Tester and more!
And here’s this week’s edition of the NRSC Weekly Rundown:
#AZSen: The New York Times published a detailed profile of Kyrsten Sinemacasting serious doubts about the truth of the story she has repeatedly told on the campaign trail about growing up “homeless” in a gas station. The report shows that – despite the story she tells – Sinema’s parents were actually paying electricity, gas and phone bills at the time. Sinema wrote in her 2009 book about being “a big fan of honesty” but voters have to wonder what she would say about someone embellishing their past to run for office. And just today, Sinema ignited controversy by flying to Illinois for a fundraiser with a prominent Democratic donor who called President Trump supporters “traitors,” said conservative ideas were “low IQ” and implied that all Republicans are members of the KKK.
#MOSen: During his visit to Springfield this past weekend, President Trump told Missourians that it’s time to replace liberal Washington Democrat Claire McCaskill with Josh Hawley. Trump blasted McCaskill for failing to stand up for Missourians saying, “McCaskill doesn’t represent the people of Missouri, she represents the radical Democrats.” And that loyalty to the left is being handsomely rewarded. ThePost-Dispatch reported this week that Priorities USA Action, a pro-Hillary Super PAC founded by Obama staffers, is joining Chuck Schumer’s Senate Majority PAC in spending big on digital ads on McCaskill’s behalf.
#MTSen: Donald Trump Jr. rallied Montanans this week, urging voters to supportMatt Rosendale and defeat Jon Tester. Trump Jr. hammered Tester’s deep ties to the Washington swamp, slamming him for taking more money from lobbyists than anyone else in the Senate and pretending to be a hunter. Tester has repeatedly promised Montanans he’d stand up to dark money groups, but a new report from the Washington Free Beacon shows that Tester’s campaign has secretly uploaded documents telling super PACs what to say in ads to support his campaign. Turns out Tester isn’t just hustling for as much lobbyist cash as he can get, but is also working double time to bring in as much dark money as possible too.
#FLSen: Bill Nelson released a new ad this week that highlights his space trip from over 30 years ago. After three decades in Congress and no record to run on, it’s no wonder Nelson would rather talk about outer space than Florida. This week, impeachment advocate and California billionaire Tom Steyer announced plans to spend over a million dollars to run ads supporting Nelson and socialist Andrew Gillum. While Nelson is trying to convince Floridians he’s an independent, extreme liberals know that when push comes to shove, Bill Nelson will always support their agenda.
#TNSen: At the first debate in Tennessee, Volunteer State voters got a good hard look at Phil Bredesen’s out of touch record. On issues like the economy, health care, the Second Amendment and illegal immigration, Bredesen made it clear he has more in common with Washington liberals than with President Trump and Tennessee voters. Congressman Marsha Blackburn used the debate platform to clearly establish how she will continue to improve the economy, work with President Trump and crack down on illegal immigration.
NEWS AND NOTES:
Gallup: Republican Party Favorability Highest in Seven Years
Forty-five percent of Americans now have a favorable view of the Republican Party, a nine-point gain from last September’s 36%. It is the party’s most positive image since it registered 47% in January 2011, shortly after taking control of the House in the 2010 midterm elections. READ
New York Times: A Senate Candidate’s Image Shifted. Did Her Life Story?
The Times sought interviews with Ms. Sinema’s family members to discuss her experiences with homelessness. Her mother twice hung up on a reporter. In an email, her stepfather, Mr. Howard, said they were “proud of” her accomplishments but otherwise requested privacy. Separately, Ms. Sinema’s campaign provided a statement from her stepfather and mother saying they lacked power and water. But asked in a subsequent email about why he would have been paying electricity, gas and telephone bills, Mr. Howard did not respond. In a Washington Post story last month, her step-aunt said of Ms. Sinema’s account: “I realize this tugs at people’s heartstrings and that was what she was going for, but, you know, it’s not the truth.” READ
The Hill: Internal GOP Poll: Morrisey, Manchin Tied In W.Va. Senate Race
West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey (R) and Sen. Joe Manchin (D) are in a dead heat in West Virginia’s marquee Senate race, according to an internal poll released by Morrisey’s campaign. A poll conducted by 1892 Polling for Morrisey’s campaign, which was obtained first by The Hill, shows Morrisey and Manchin tied at with 45 percent of the vote. Ten percent of the voters surveyed said they are undecided. In this poll, Morrisey narrowly leads Manchin among independent voters by 4 points, 41 to 37 percent. But, nearly a quarter — 22 percent — of independent voters remain undecided. READ
AZ Central: Martha McSally hits Senate rival Kyrsten Sinema over 2003 antiwar flier
McSally’s Senate campaign and the National Republican Senate Committee have released a new ad arguing that Sinema’s apparel and a provocative flier from a worldwide antiwar protest disqualify her from joining the Senate. The ad escalates efforts to re-examine Sinema’s past opposition to the invasion of Iraq as a way to undermine her own ads casting herself as a loyal supporter of veterans. READ
CNBC: Consumer confidence hits 138.4 in September, vs. 132 estimate
Consumer confidence rose in September, notching its highest level in about 18 years. The Conference Board’s index rose to 138.4 this month from 134.7 in August. Economists polled by Reuters expected consumer confidence to dip to 132. The survey measures Americans’ sentiment on current economic conditions and prospects for the next six months, including business and labor market conditions.READ
KULR 8: Donald Trump Jr. rallies Montanans behind Rosendale, hurls insults at Tester
“The other side is motivated and they’re motivated primarily by hate,” Trump Jr. said. Trump Jr. referred to Rosendale as a friend and said a vote for him is a vote for his father. “You have to realize Donald Trump is on the ticket in 6 weeks. He is on the ticket. You get Matt Rosendale in the Senate, make sure you get Greg Gianforte re-elected in the House,” Trump Jr. said. READ
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