This past month, we focused a great deal of our attention on making sure the American people understood that Senate Democrats supported the dangerous nuclear deal with Iran. One candidate even ran away from a tracker who was asking her position on the deal.
In Colorado and Nevada we released two digital ads highlighting the disturbing details in President Obama’s negotiations with Iran…
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We also released a video highlighting the work done by Republican Senators at home, serving the people they were elected to represent.
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Thank you for all that you do to help us protect our New Majority.
Ward Baker
NRSC Executive Director
To The States…
Arizona
Politico Pro reported that Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick’s support for President Obama’s negotiations with Iran contrasts with Senator John McCain’s staunch opposition.
The Hill reported that McCain’s campaign blasted Kirkpatrick as a rubber stamp for President Obama as she backs his Iran deal.
Senator McCain penned an op-ed in The Arizona Republic on why Congress must kill the Iran nuke deal.
The Arizona Republic reported on a web video blasting Kirkpatrick for supporting President Obama’s negotiations with Iran.
Arkansas
The Rothenberg & Gonzales Political Report noted that Conner Eldridge’s close ties to Barack Obama will prove to be a liability.
The Cook Political Report also wrote that the Arkansas Senate race is "solidly Republican."
Stuart Rothenberg wrote in Roll Call that Barack Obama appointee Conner Eldridge "doesn’t have a prayer."
Senator John Boozman penned an Arkansas Business op-ed with Senator Tom Cotton on their efforts to protect small businesses from the NLRB’s regulatory overreach.
Colorado
The Hill reported on the NRSC’s video holding Senator Michael Bennet accountable for his support of President Obama’s Iran nuclear deal. “
The Colorado Springs Gazette editorial board blasted Senator Bennet for supporting the Iran deal.
After "studiously avoid[ing]" any mention of his support for the Iran deal, The Colorado Statesman reported that Bennet responded to a question on the subject by stating "I believe they will cheat."
Politico’s Morning Score reported that Advancing Colorado launched a television ad buy targeting Senator Bennet’s support for President Obama’s Iran deal.
Colorado Peak Politics reported that Bennet’s Colorado donors only total 35%.
Florida
Politico’s Morning Score reported that Democratic Senate candidate Pam Keith blasted the DSCC for endorsing Patrick Murphy. "The DSCC chooses Patrick … pushes him upon us, endorses him out of the box … for the purpose of intimidating and pushing everybody out of his way. We ought to be the ones picking our candidates, not people in D.C. That strategy has proven to be not particularly helpful to Patrick."
The Daily Caller reported that Congressman Murphy criticized America for leading the world in ‘greed and selfish behavior.’
Sunshine State News added that the NRSC blasted Murphy for the gaffe: “Privileged Patrick Murphy is banking a hefty taxpayer-funded salary despite his status as one of the least effective members of Congress – and now he’s asking voters for a promotion,” Greg Blair, a spokesman for the NRSC, said on Wednesday. “Murphy is certainly an expert in greed and selfish behavior, but he might have a little more credibility if he fought for anything in Washington other than keeping his schedule clear.”
Murphy also decided to side with President Obama over Florida voters. The Palm Beach Post reported that Murphy, who referred to the deal as "flawed," supports Obama’s negotiations with Iran.
The Daily Caller noted that in endorsing Obama’s Iran deal, Murphy echoed Neville Chamberlain’s infamous phrase, ‘Peace In Our Time.’
Tasnim News Agency – an Iranian propaganda site, touted Murphy’s support for the Iran deal.
Sunshine State News reported that a new poll shows bad news for Patrick Murphy – the DSCC’s hand-picked candidate, who trails in his own primary.
WLRN reported that Democrats are bracing for the bitter primary battle between Alan Grayson and Patrick Murphy. The battle between moderate and progressive ideas is testing the Democratic Party nationwide and it’s no different in Florida…“There’s definitely the potential for this primary to get really ugly,” [Geoffrey] Skelley says…As the race for Florida’s Senate seat heats up, brace yourself for a slew of nasty attack ads, which are likely to cause Democratic Party leaders to squirm as two of their own battle it out for all to see.
The Washington Post debunked Patrick Murphy’s claim that he is not a career politician. Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-Fla.) promises voters in his stump speech for the open U.S. Senate seat in Florida that "I’m not a career politician." But the 32-year-old’s résumé reads: Two-term congressman who first won office at the tender age of 29.
TCPalm reported that Alan Grayson’s campaign called out Patrick Murphy for his super PAC hypocrisy.
Illinois
The Hill reported that Democrats view the Senate race warily due to the messy primary matchup and the backfiring of the DSCC’s endorsement.
Chicago Magazine also reported on the division caused by the DSCC’s endorsement of Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth.
Citing the Chicago Tribune op-ed in which she described the deal as "imperfect," Politico Pro reported that Tammy Duckworth supports President Obama’s negotiations with Iran. Illinois Democratic Rep. Tammy Duckworth…will back the Obama administration’s nuclear deal with Iran…Duckworth’s position also sets up an instant contrast with Kirk, who has vehemently opposed the agreement.
Democrat Andrea Zopp slammed Duckworth’s late support for President Obama’s Iran deal. As Illinois Radio Network reported, Zopp said Duckworth "should’ve made up her mind sooner."
Senator Mark Kirk penned a Northwest Herald op-ed detailing his efforts to keep seniors safe from identity theft.
Bloomberg Politics reported that Tammy Duckworth signed letters of support to fund a fake app.
The Hill reported on Senator Kirk’s "exceptional leadership" as he pushes to fund hepatitis C treatment for veterans.
Missouri
The Kansas City Star noted Senator Roy Blunt’s opposition to President Obama’s Iran deal.
The Associated Press reported on Senator Roy Blunt’s meeting with Pope Francis. Missouri’s Republican U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt met Pope Francis and was there when he donated a rare bible to the Library of Congress.
Nevada
Politico’s Morning Score reported that the NRSC launched a digital ad buy targeting Catherine Cortez Masto’s support for President Obama’s negotiations with Iran.
Politico New York reported that Cortez Masto was forced to disinvite a terrorism apologist from a fundraiser.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported on Dr. Joe Heck’s opposition to President Obama’s Iran deal.
KTNV reported that Heck hosted a college and career fair at a local high school.
New Hampshire
WMUR-TV reported that Senator Kelly Ayotte launched a new video highlighting her passion for women’s access to health care and commitment to bipartisanship.
The Portsmouth Herald editorial board slammed Governor Maggie Hassan’s "needless budget impasse" following her embarrassing veto override.
Meanwhile, the Concord Monitor reported on the unnecessary suffering caused by Hassan’s veto. Because of the stalemate, home health care providers waited three months for a 5 percent rate increase, New Hampshire Hospital couldn’t open a 10-bed mental health crisis unit and the Department of Transportation almost had to delay repaving projects on the turnpike system…“After inflicting pain and suffering on the State of New Hampshire, Gov. Hassan has been humbled by her embarrassing request to override her reckless veto,” the state Republican party declared.
WMUR-TV reported that Senator Ayotte’s campaign launched micro-targeted ads during the New Hampshire Democratic Party convention.
Politico Pro reported that Citizens for a Strong New Hampshire aired television ads highlighting Governor Hassan’s failed leadership on the heroin epidemic.
WMUR-TV reported that Ending Spending Action Fund launched a new ad touting Senator Ayotte’s strong national security record.
Senator Ayotte penned a New Hampshire Union Leader op-ed explaining that the Iran nuclear deal makes us less safe.
The Union Leader editorial board blasted Governor Hassan’s anti-business agenda. Gov. Hassan & Co. propose higher taxes, more regulations and more spending. How will that help New Hampshire’s economy grow? This is the question they have to answer, and the debate we should have.
State Senator Jeanie Forrester penned a New Hampshire Union Leader op-ed detailing how Hassan’s veto weakened the state’s fight against substance abuse.
Foster’s Daily Democrat reported on Senator Ayotte’s visit with Seacoast manufacturing businesses.
The Union Leader reported that Senator Ayotte got a first-hand look at the state’s heroin crisis and hosted a field hearing on the epidemic.
The Portsmouth Herald reported that Ayotte filed a bill and hosted a roundtable to help local fishermen.
North Carolina
Politico Pro reported that in their search for candidates, Democrats have stooped to their "third-round picks." Lower-tier Democrats emerge for North Carolina Senate race…some Democrats worry that their likely options – a small town mayor who entered the race earlier this week, and a former legislator who left her job on Wednesday to prepare a possible campaign – aren’t strong enough to beat Burr." "Whoever runs against Burr will be a sacrificial lamb," one Democratic strategist said.
Senator Richard Burr penned an op-ed in The Hill on his commitment to holding bureaucrats accountable for Camp Lejeune failures.
Ohio
National Journal reported on the criticism directed towards retread Ted Strickland for his out-of-touch positions and work for the far-left Center for American Progress.
Senator Rob Portman penned an op-ed in The Plain Dealer detailing his opposition to President Obama’s Iran deal.
The Hill reported that Portman launched a new ad targeting Strickland’s bad judgement for supporting President Obama’s Iran deal.
Politico’s Morning Score reported on the American Chemistry Council’s ad in support of Senator Portman.
RealClearPolitics reported that Portman launched a new coalition of college student supporters at over 20 colleges and universities.
The Cincinnati Business Courier reported trouble for Strickland as P.G. Sittenfeld got his own super PAC.
WHIZ reported that during his visit to the AK Steel plant, Senator Portman was presented with the American Iron and Steel Institute’s Steel Champion Award for his work to help the Ohio Steel Industry and employees.
The Chillicothe Gazette reported on Senator Portman’s Making a Difference Tour across Ohio.
The Lantern reported that Portman met with Ohio State students about student debt and the importance of the 2016 elections.
WBNS-TV reported that Portman secured funding for the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant in Piketon. The funds will help prevent layoffs at the plant.
Pennsylvania
The Morning Call reported that Senator Pat Toomey officially kicked off his re-election bid.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette noted that Senator Toomey "begins his re-election effort in a strong position."
The New Pittsburgh Courier reported that Toomey has earned the endorsement of the Republican Party of Pennsylvania.
PoliticsPA reported that even the liberal Daily Kos blog rates the 2016 Senate race as "Lean Republican."
Politico’s Morning Score reported on the American Chemistry Council’s ad in support of Senator Toomey.
PoliticsPA reported on the new https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zx-RuKm9d6g) touting Toomey’s strong record of common-sense solutions, fiscal responsibility, and bipartisanship.
The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Senator Toomey blasted the Iran deal in the Weekly Republican Address.
Toomey also penned an op-ed in The Philadelphia Inquirer detailing his opposition to President Obama’s Iran deal.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that Toomey called for tougher sanctions against Iran in a speech at the local Jewish Community Center.
The Pittsburgh Post‑Gazette also reported that unlike Pennsylvanians, Katie McGinty supports President Obama’s Iran deal.
Scott Martin, a Lancaster County commissioner, penned an LNP op-ed praising Senator Pat Toomey as he fights for more funding for victims of crime.
South Dakota
Senator John Thune penned a Rapid City Journal op-ed detailing why President Obama’s Iran deal is deeply flawed.
Wisconsin
Politico’s Morning Score reported that the NRSC launched a new web video welcoming Senator Russ Feingold to California.
Politico’s Morning Score also reported that the Club for Growth launched two spots highlighting Feingold’s failed record.
The Washington Examiner reported that the FEC hit "campaign finance champion" Russ Feingold for accepting bigger-than-allowed contributions from his Hollywood celebrity pals.
WKOW reported that ahead of Hillary Clinton’s visit to Milwaukee, comparisons were made to Russ Feingold’s sinking campaign. “With Hillary Clinton possibly facing a full-blown FBI investigation and Senator Russ Feingold seemingly breaking every campaign promise he’s ever made, the similarities between these two sinking campaigns are striking,” said Wisconsin GOP Communications Director Chris Martin.
The Washington Post calculated that Feingold spent 64% of his adult life in office.
Restoration PAC launched a new TV ad highlighting Russ Feingold’s out-of-touch support for President Obama’s Iran deal.
The Marshfield News-Herald reported on Senator Ron Johnson’s Labor Day campaign stop at the Central Wisconsin State Fair.
Wisconsin Radio Network reported on Senator Johnson’s opposition to President Obama’s Iran deal.