NRCC Weekly Rundown: House Dems embrace FBI target Hillary Clinton, Super PAC hypocrisy from Morgan Carroll and Jim Mowrer, Steve Santarsiero has a temper tantrum, and more!

June 24, 2016

run-down

And here’s this week’s edition of the NRCC Weekly Rundown:

National: The NRCC released a new video this week highlighting FBI target Hillary Clinton’s decades of scandal and deceit. With House Democrats openly embracing Clinton’s scandal-plagued campaign, our message was simple: She’s Your Problem Now.

National: The Washington Post reported that a terrorist released from GITMO by President Obama has gone missing in South America, and is believed to be on the run in Brazil. This startling news comes just weeks after confirmation that at least a dozen former GITMO detainees have subsequently been involved in attacks on Americans.

CA-07: With Hillary Clinton meeting with House Democrats this week, the NRCC wondered whether Ami Bera and Clinton would discuss the FBI’s investigations into them. Perhaps they can offer each other advice on how to handle the stress of a possible indictment hanging over their heads.

CA-52: Scott Peters, who has come under fire for his relationship with convicted felon Babulal Bera, returned some of the tainted funds. But a story in the Union-Tribune revealed that Peters chose to keep another $7,000 in funds that came from Bera’s illegal funding scheme.

CO-06: An internal memo revealed what Super PAC hypocrite Morgan Carroll has avoided saying publically: that she supports President Obama’s dangerous Iran deal. That’s the same Iran deal that Secretary John Kerry admitted would fund terrorism.

IA-03: Just two months ago, Jim Mowrer was touting his support for eliminating “dark money” from politics. Flash forward to this week, when Nancy Pelosi’s Super PAC placed an additional $214,000 in ad buys in the 3rd district. Will Mowrer condemn this Super PAC? Or does he only oppose Super PACs when it’s politically convenient?

 IL-10: Brad Schneider released his latest bogus poll, but neglected to compare it to the last poll his campaign released this year. Schneider’s poll showed his “lead” being cut more than in half since April. Meanwhile, NRCC polling shows Schneider trailing Rep. Bob Dold by 7 points.

MD-06: As a released GITMO terrorist went on the run in South America, John Delaney voted yet again to bring the terrorists detained at GITMO to U.S. soil. This marks the 8th time Delaney has voted to relocate detainees to American facilities.

MI-07: Resume embellisher Gretchen Driskell once again demonstrated her ignorance on the national debt. While still unable to identify steps she would support to reign in the debt, Driskell was able to point to an internet video game on the subject.

MN-08: Rick Nolan made a string of votes on Amendments to the Defense Appropriations Bill that showed just how out of touch he really is. Among other votes, Nolan supported provisions to identify locations on U.S. soil to relocate GITMO terrorist detainees, to block funding for the fight against ISIS, and to cut defense spending by $4 billion.

NE-02: Brad Ashford seems to have found his campaign strategy: shamelessly pander and hope voters don’t look too closely at him. When asked by a voter at a parade whether he was a Republican, Ashford shamelessly answered that he was “Whatever you want me to be.”

 NV-03/04: After repeatedly dodging questions on the issue, Jacky Rosen and Ruben Kihuen finally admitted that they don’t think Hillary Clinton’s email scandal is a big deal. Unfortunately for Hillary, the FBI disagrees.

NY-19: Zephyr Teachout refused to take a position on the Cuomo Administration’s boycott of the anti-Israel BDS movement, saying that she’s “running for Congress.” Tellingly, back when Teachout was running for Governor, she refused to take a position on Israel saying she was focused on issues “within the governor’s power.”

PA-08: Lil’ Stevie Santarsiero had a temper tantrum over an NRCC blog post that accurately portrayed his dismal voting record in Harrisburg. Santarsiero whined about negativity, conveniently forgetting that his own campaign, along with the DCCC, had in recent weeks sent press releases attacking his opponent, Brian Fitzpatrick.

 

NEWS AND NOTES:

House GOP Goes After Down-Ballot Democrats Ahead of Clinton Fundraiser

On Tuesday, the National Republican Congressional Committee launched a new online commercial with a clear message, noting issues she has been targeted over throughout her career, the committee told Morning Consult: “She is your problem now.” “With their embrace of FBI target Hillary Clinton, House Democrats are making official their support for a candidate whose record of scandal and dishonesty has been well-documented over more than three decades of public life,” said Katie Martin, an NRCC spokeswoman. READ

 GOP campaign chief: Turn up the heat on Clinton

In a closed-door meeting Wednesday, Rep. Greg Walden (Ore.), House Republicans’ campaign chief, showed his GOP colleagues a short video mocking Hillary Clinton’s email scandal while she was down the hall huddling with Democrats. READ

Stefanik holds fundraising lead over Derrick

U.S. Rep. Elise M. Stefanik, R-Willsboro, continues her lead in campaign fundraising over Democratic opponent William “Mike” Derrick in their race for New York’s 21st Congressional District seat. READ

More than 400 participate in Comstock’s 10th Congressional District Young Women Leadership Program

Comstock hosted attendees at the program she launched in 2013 as a way to bring together middle and high school students from the 10th District and encourage them to pursue top careers, while getting advice from local and national leaders from varying professions. This year’s group was the largest yet. They heard from Comstock and Melissa Richmond, the vice president of Running Start, an organization that supports women looking to get into politics. READ

Rep. John Katko raises $205,000, has $1.1 million for re-election campaign

As U.S. Rep. John Katko awaits the winner of the Democratic primary in the 24th Congressional District, he’s continuing to raise money at a steady clip.  Katko, R-Camillus, raised $205,249.33 in the pre-primary period, which extended from April 1 through June 8. He now has $1,155,536.18 cash on hand, according to his Federal Election Commission filing. READ

Chamber goes for Dold in IL-10

Republican U.S. Rep. Bob Dold picked up two endorsements Tuesday in his contest against former Democratic U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider. Dold won the backing of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Illinois Chamber of Commerce. “Bob Dold is a proven, effective problem-solver who is not afraid to reach across the aisle to get things done in Illinois’ 10th district,” said Rob Engstrom, national political director of the U.S. Chamber. READ

Comstock hearing explores impact of Small Business Innovation Research Act, Small Business Technology Transfer programs

U.S. Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-VA) convened a hearing on Thursday to explore the impacts and results of the Small Business Innovation Research Act (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. “Converting scientific breakthroughs into innovations creates new industries, new businesses and new jobs,” Comstock said. “Such innovation transforms commerce, everyday life and our entire society. Risk-taking entrepreneurs and small businesses are the catalysts for innovation. They are the catalysts for economic growth, for generating the family and community sustaining jobs that we need so badly.”  READ

Peters returns some felon funds, not all

“It defies belief that Rep. Bera was unaware of these activities,” National Republican Campaign Committee spokesman Zach Hunter said in a statement. READ

Donovan wants anti-terror funds to fight cyber-crime

Donovan, chairman of the House Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response and Communications, said the bill he introduced, the Cyber Preparedness Act, is aimed at improving information sharing among federal, state and local authorities. The bill, which Donovan (R-C-Southwest Brooklyn-Staten Island) introduced on June 14, would also allow local governments to use federal homeland security grants for cybersecurity. READ

Defense bill’s possible Tucson impact: New wings for the A-10

More than 100 A-10 Thunderbolt II ground-attack jets would be retrofitted with new wings under an amendment by Rep. Martha McSally to a defense appropriations bill passed Thursday by the U.S. House. The amendment, which would provide $100 million for the wing upgrades, is the latest move by the Tucson Republican and former A-10 pilot to save the “Warthog” — a mainstay of operations at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base — amid Pentagon efforts to retire the entire A-10 fleet. READ

Coffman blasts new accountability delays at VA

Republican Representative Mike Coffman of the 6th Congressional District blasted the developments. “The VA is an organization mired in culture of corruption and bureaucratic incompetence under an administration that is convinced that if they ignore the scandals that they will politically disappear while my goal will continue to be to make those responsible held accountable for their actions,” Coffman said by email. Coffman is also a Marine Corps combat veteran and chairman of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee for the House Committee on Veterans Affairs. READ