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2020 ELECTIONS

‘The Senate’s in Play’: Reeling GOP Faces Collapse Into Minority Status as Trump Drags Party Down

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According to a report in Rolling Stone, there is a very good chance that the Democrats could take control of the Senate after the 2020 election as the impeachment of Donald Trump casts a cloud over the Republican Party.

The report — by longtime political observer Tim Dickinson — states, “the fight to wrest the Senate from Republican control — and oust Mitch McConnell as majority leader — is arguably just as important” as the battle to force Trump from office.

“Unless Democrats flip the Senate, the grand plans of the presidential candidates are dead on arrival,” Dickinson writes. “Capturing the chamber is just as crucial if Trump is re-elected; it would give Democrats control of the legislative agenda, budget, and judicial confirmations, ending McConnell’s reign as Trump’s rubber stamp.”

With the GOP holding a three-seat edge in the Senate, 53 to 47, Dickinson explains that Republicans have their hands full defending 23 seats to the Democrats’ 12.

According to Nathan Gonzales, editor of Inside Elections, “The Senate’s in play. Democrats have enough takeover opportunities to get there without having to win everything on the table.”

“A dozen races will be vital in determining control of the Senate, including two seats where Democrats must play defense,” the report goes on, with Dickinson listing off Michigan, Arizona, Maine, Colorado and North Carolina — among others — as key battleground states.

Of particular note, he adds, is the crown jewel — taking the seat held by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

“Mitch McConnell’s seat in Kentucky is the holy grail. Trump took the state by 30 points in 2016, but a Democrat claimed victory in the governor’s race in November,” he explained. “The senator’s approval rating in the state — 33 percent — is nearly as bad as defeated incumbent Gov. Matt Bevin’s. McConnell’s opponent, retired Lt. Col. Amy McGrath, a former F/A-18 fighter pilot, is fresh off a competitive 2018 House race and raising money like a presidential candidate — $10.7 million in the third quarter. McGrath is casting McConnell as a creature of Washington, bought by special interests, who has ‘turned his back on the people of Kentucky’ and failed to deliver on bread-and-butter issues from infrastructure to the opioid crisis.”

You can read the entire breakdown here.

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2020 ELECTIONS

Sanders Uses Expletive to Lash Out at Reporters Asking About Campaign: ‘I’m Dealing With a … Global Crisis’

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March 18, 2020

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U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders reportedly launched an “angry” response when  reporters asked him about the future of his presidential campaign Wednesday, after the Senate passed a coronavirus relief bill.

“I’m dealing with a f—ing global crisis. You know, we’re dealing with,” Sanders responded to CNN Senior Congressional Correspondent Manu Raju.

“Well right now, right now I’m trying to do my best to make sure that we don’t have an economic meltdown and that people don’t die. Is that enough for you to keep me busy for today?” he added.

Describing Sanders as “furious,” Raju says: “The blowup occurred about half way through a five-minute gaggle where Sanders talked about the ‘unprecedented crisis of our lifetime,’ calling for a range of measures that the U.S. government should take in the midst of the economic crisis.”

Raju also says the AP’s Chief Congressional Correspondent, Lisa Mascaro, “asked what he’s saying to his supporters, and he sidestepped the question, noting he’s sent out a statement. Then, I asked about his timeframe — and he was furious.”

“Afterwards, he mellowed out and answered questions about the crisis for about two more minutes.”

Sanders lost all three Democratic primaries Tuesday night to former Vice President Joe Biden.

Wednesday morning his campaign said he is going home to Vermont to “assess” his campaign. But later in the day, Sanders’ communications director called reports saying he had suspended his campaign “absolutely false.”

 

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2020 ELECTIONS

Sanders ‘Conserving Resources’ by Pulling Ads – Denies He Is Suspending Campaign

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March 18, 2020

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The Bernie Sanders presidential campaign is reportedly working to conserve its resources by taking down digital ads. The move comes just after Sanders’ poor showing in Tuesday’s Democratic primaries, all three of which he lost to Joe Biden.

The Sanders campaign pushed back on tweets saying he was suspending his campaign, after an Axios report stated he was suspending his campaign’s Facebook ads.

Sanders’ campaign manager Wednesday morning said the Senator will head back home to Vermont after a Senate coronavirus vote and would be talking with supporters to “assess” his campaign.

“Bernie Sanders’ campaign has pulled down its digital ads this morning, shortly after announcing the senator will be assessing the campaign,” New York Magazine’s Gabriel Debenedetti reports. “He’s in DC for coronavirus votes, then will return to Vermont to figure out what’s next. In the meantime, they’re ‘conserving resources.'”

UPDATE:
Here’s the story behind why some were saying Sanders had suspended his campaign:

 

 

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2020 ELECTIONS

Ohio Governor Recommends Postponement of Tuesday’s Presidential Primary

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March 16, 2020

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Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has recommended the postponement of the Democratic, Republican, and Libertarian primaries which are to be held Tuesday in response to the coronavirus pandemic. No primaries for Tuesday have yet been canceled.

Other states that currently are scheduled for primaries include Arizona, Florida, and Illinois.

PBS Newshour’s Judy Woodruff first reported the news. Politico also reported the recommendation.

This is a breaking news and developing story. Details may change. This story will be updated, and NCRM will likely publish follow-up stories on this news. Stay tuned and refresh for updates.

Image by Tim Evanson via Flickr and a CC license

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