NRCC Morning Reads Oct. 16, 2014: Dems Play Blame Game, Races Moving Toward GOP, Poll Shows Westrom Leading In MN-07

October 16, 2014

morning-reads

Good morning and welcome to day 2 of NRCC’s Morning Reads.

It is October 16, 2014 and there are 19 days until Election Day 2014.

Leading the news this morning is the Democrats’ blame game. After a pair of stories that showed the party not only on the defensive, but in retreat in the battle for the House majority, DCCC Chairman Steve Israel held a press briefing that sought to cast blame on anyone but himself.

Via The Hill’s Cameron Joseph:

“Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Steve Israel (N.Y.) is blaming potential House Democratic losses squarely on liberal outside groups that he says haven’t stepped up for the cause.

Israel told reporters Wednesday morning that the DCCC is having to shore up incumbents and cut loose some potentially competitive candidates because its super-PAC allies aren’t spending what they did last election cycle.”

Boo hoo.

It speaks volumes about Israel that less than 3 weeks from a crucial election, he’s not out on the campaign trial helping candidates or raising money, but back in Washington trying to make sure he’s not blamed for his party’s impending disaster.

In fact, Roll Call is reporting that Israel and Nancy Pelosi held another conference call with Democrat members asking for more cash.

After reading political commentator Larry Sabato’s latest race projections, however, you can see why Israel and Pelosi are so desperate:

“Moving from Likely Republican to Safe Republican this week are seven such seats: Reps. Jeff Denham (CA-10), Steve King (IA-4), John Kline (MN-2), Steve Pearce (NM-2), and Joe Heck (NV-3), as well as open seats PA-6 and WI-6. A combination of underwhelming Democratic candidates (CA-10, NV-3, and PA-6 in particular) and a too-tough environment help explain why these seats should stay Republican. It’s worth noting that liberal talk show host Bill Maher could’ve picked many better targets for his “Flip a District” campaign than Kline.

‘Democrats also appear resigned to GOP wins in three upstate New York districts: Reps. Chris Gibson (NY-19) and Tom Reed (NY-23), as well as the open NY-21, which would be a Republican takeover. All three shift from Leans Republican to Likely Republican.

‘While there hasn’t been a major erosion in Democratic prospects across the country — this is not 2010 — a couple of late-breaking districts are looking worrisome for the Democrats. Joining the Toss-up column this week is the open seat in ME-2, where state Sen. Emily Cain (D) faces off against ex-state Treasurer Bruce Poliquin (R). Both sides are engaged here, and both sides believe the race is close. This is a district where President Obama got 53% of the vote, but Rep. Mike Michaud (D, ME-2), who is vacating the seat to run for governor, is a Blue Dog (moderate) Democrat who is probably a better fit for the district than Cain, who has a more liberal profile.”

News and Notes From the Campaign Trail:

According to an internal poll, GOP candidate Torrey Westrom is leading longtime Minnesota Democrat Collin Peterson, 48 percent to 46 percent. Peterson has been under fire for his use of taxpayer funds to pay for two leased cars and a private plane. In response, Peterson called it “a steal” for taxpayers.

Out in California, Democrat Julia Brownley faced off in a debate with veteran and Republican state legislator Jeff Gorell. Gorell pushed back aggressively against Brownley’s attempts to tar his reputation.

“‘Why would the incumbent call me a lobbyist?’ he said. ‘Perhaps because she’s trying to distract voters from the fact that I served in a combat zone, that I served in a courtroom, that I served in a classroom and that I’ve served in the California state Capitol. . . . This is a distraction and this is part of a very disappointing and very partisan campaign.’”

During a debate in Virginia, Democrat John Foust doubled-down on his comment that Republican candidate, lawyer, and working mother Barbara Comstock has never had “a real job” Foust said her jobs “do not contribute to solving the problems that we have in Washington today.”

Those are your NRCC Morning Reads for Thursday, October 16, 2014.

-Matt

@msgorman