A new Critical Insights poll in Maine finds Sen. Susan Collins’ (R-ME) approval rate at just 41%, down from 58% last spring and 51% last fall. Just 34% of Maine voters approve of President Trump, down from 41% last fall.
“The nation’s largest super PAC devoted to grassroots Democratic turnout is launching its organizing efforts earlier than ever in seven swing states with a new campaign director and its largest budget to date: $80 million to $90 million,” Politico reports.
Politico: “Her bigger problem is fundraising. To secure a spot in the first double-header of Democratic primary debates in late June, candidates must meet two thresholds: surpassing 1 percent in three recognized national polls and collecting 65,000 unique campaign contributions. Gillibrand has checked the first box, however unimpressively. Yet the second mission remains unaccomplished.”
“With the debates closing in—and with even quixotic candidates such as self-help guru Marianne Williamson hitting the 65,000-donor mark—Gillibrand is under the gun. The Democratic National Committee is limiting the total number of participants to 20. She could (and likely will) qualify by meeting the polling threshold only. But given the late gusher of contenders entering the fray, her place on stage can be guaranteed only by growing her donor ranks—and quickly.”
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) said in a post that if elected president, she’ll push legislation to reverse the policy that a sitting president may not be charged with a crime.
Said Warren: “Congress should make it clear that presidents can be indicted for criminal activity, including obstruction of justice. And when I’m president, I’ll appoint justice department officials who will reverse flawed policies so no president is shielded from criminal accountability.”
A new The Times/YouGov poll in the U.K. finds the Liberal Democrats leading with 24%, marginally ahead of the second-placed Brexit Party on 22% (whose ranking at any other time would have been a story in itself). Meanwhile the Conservatives and Labour are in joint third on 19% with the Greens at 8%.
President Trump announced in a tweet that he will be holding his official 2020 campaign launch at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida on June 18.
He will be joined by First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and Second Lady Karen Pence.
Charlie Cook: “The age-old debate over whether it is better to nominate a candidate who can motivate the party base or one who reaches into the middle, appealing to independent and other swing voters, is presenting a choice of walking or chewing gum—you have to do both. Where these things come into conflict is that the issues that most motivate the base, whether within the Democratic Party or the Republican Party, are often ones that grate on the nonideological, or at least less ideology-driven, voters in the middle.”
“Trump has clearly picked the base-motivation model, effectively conceding the middle ground to Democrats—if they choose to take it.”
Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper described himself on CNN as an “extreme moderate” while arguing that special counsel Robert Mueller “laid the responsibility clearly at the doorstep of Congress.”
Said Hickenlooper: “I think we have to begin an impeachment inquiry. That doesn’t mean we’re going to impeach President Trump tomorrow, or maybe ever, but I think we do have an obligation to follow where the facts lead.”
Politico: “Haley is emerging as a fundraiser and surrogate for 2020 Republican Senate candidates, and next month will begin zigzagging across the country to campaign for a trio of GOP senators…. The former South Carolina governor’s summer itinerary includes a June 15 stop in Boone, Iowa, where Haley will help Sen. Joni Ernst launch her reelection campaign at Ernst’s annual Roast ’n Ride event, where Iowans are slated to grill over 2,000 pounds of pork.” “Given its location in a key presidential caucus state, the event is sure to spark murmurs about Haley’s own political ambitions, including the prospect of a 2024 presidential bid.”
Former Gov. John Kasich (R) said he has no interest in launching a doomed primary challenge to President Trump in 2020, The Hill reports.
Said Kasich: “There is no path right now for me, I don’t see a way to get there. Ninety percent of the Republican Party supports him. It may be a shrinking Republican Party but nevertheless.”
“Trump has clearly picked the base-motivation model, effectively conceding the middle ground to Democrats—if they choose to take it.”
This is great news for the Hillary Clinton campaign!!!!!
Hickenlooper gets booed for denouncing socialism.
As he should. Because the only thing he is denouncing here is a right-wing frame of a very regular-people focused agenda.