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Ballotpedia's Daily Presidential News Briefing - October 27, 2015
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Ballotpedia's Daily Presidential Briefing was sponsored by the Leadership Project for America. | ||||
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Tuesday's Leading Stories
- Poll: A new national poll from The New York Times/CBS News shows Ben Carson topping the Republican field for the first time. He leads Donald Trump 26 percent to 22 percent. Marco Rubio was a distant third with 8 percent. (CNBC)
- Poll: In a poll of Iowa voters released on Monday by Monmouth University, Ben Carson expanded his lead over Donald Trump in the state with 32 percent to Trump’s 18 percent. “While the leaderboard positions have changed, the outsider candidates still dominate this race. The GOP’s leadership may hope that an establishment figure will emerge, but that may not happen while their voters remain dissatisfied with the party as a whole,” said Patrick Murray, the director of polling at Monmouth. According to the survey, only 32 percent were satisfied with the national Republican Party. (Monmouth University)
- A group of Latino Republican political operatives and leaders are expected to hold a press conference attacking Donald Trump and Ted Cruz on Tuesday. LIBRE Initiative, a conservative organization funded by the Koch brothers, initially supported the effort but withdrew once Cruz became a possible target. (BuzzFeed)
- At a town hall on Monday, Donald Trump briefly discussed the obstacles he has faced in his life. "My whole life really has been a 'no' and I fought through it. It has not been easy for me, it has not been easy for me. And you know I started off in Brooklyn, my father gave me a small loan of a million dollars,” Trump said. According to CNN, with inflation, that loan would be equivalent to $6.8 million today. Helaine Olen of Slate noted a similar statement by Mitt Romney became an issue for him in 2012. “One of the ways at least some presidential candidates give away their plutocratic backgrounds is the breezy suggestion that for typical Americans, assists from parents are a simple matter,” Olen wrote. She also remarked that Hillary Clinton made a similar gaffe when she described herself as "dead broke" after leaving the White House. (CNN, Slate)
- Ballotpedia is also holding a webinar on Wednesday covering the complex world of presidential ballot access laws and deadlines. Please register here.
Democrats
Hillary Clinton
- Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) and U.S. Rep. John Carney (D-Del.) endorsed Hillary Clinton on Monday. (Roll Call)
- Although Clinton pledged her campaign would become carbon-neutral, it has not yet enacted policies to do so. A campaign spokesman said on Monday that “offsetting our carbon footprint is still an important goal for this campaign. We will be taking steps to meet this goal.” (CNN)
- Although he was not named in the list of 100 New York Democratic leaders supporting Clinton Monday, The Wall Street Journal reported that New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio plans to formally endorse Clinton by December. (The Wall Street Journal)
- Clinton criticized coal company Peabody Energy for trying to “shirk its responsibilities” by reducing retiree benefits in its restructuring plan following a second bankruptcy. “These are people who put their own health and safety at risk for years so the rest of us could have the affordable, reliable electricity we take for granted. … They are entitled to the benefits they’ve earned, and which Peabody just two years ago committed to pay. I hope Peabody does the right thing, reverses course and honors the commitments it’s made. And as president, I will make sure America stands with coalfield communities and families,” Clinton wrote in a statement on Monday. (The Huffington Post, The Wall Street Journal)
- Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot (D) endorsed Clinton over Martin O’Malley on Monday. (Baltimore Sun)
- The Latino Victory Fund, a nonpartisan super PAC organized to increase the number of Latinos who are elected to office and vote, has named U.S. Rep. Joaquín Castro (D-Texas), Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito to co-chair the organization. All three are Clinton supporters. (Fox News Latino)
Lawrence Lessig
- The New York Times published a profile of Lawrence Lessig by Alan Rappeport on Monday. “Admittedly a long shot, Mr. Lessig, with his $1 million in funds, is not giving up on his dream. His campaign has invested in private polling that supports the logic of his candidacy, and his small team in Cambridge, Mass., has been working hard to book him on national television and create a sense of momentum,” Rappeport wrote. (The New York Times)
- Lessig wrote an op-ed for The Huffington Post advocating for European Parliament members to adopt amendments to protect net neutrality. “While the U.S. did pass robust network neutrality rules this year, the Internet as we know and love it is a global network without traditional borders. So it matters what policies countries beyond our borders adopt because restricting the Internet's openness in one place ultimately will stifle Internet freedom for us as well,” Lessig wrote. (The Huffington Post)
Martin O’Malley
- Martin O’Malley criticized Hillary Clinton for being inconsistent in her policy positions. He said, “Hillary Clinton has changed her position on virtually every defining issue in this race except for one — and that's to protect the big banks on Wall Street and go about with business as usual. I don't think that's what the people of our country are looking for. I have the independence; I have the backbone, to stand up for what our nation needs. That's what people are going to see now that it's down to a three-person race.” (The Hill)
- Speaking about the recent outbreak of violence in the West Bank and Gaza last week, O’Malley said both Israel and Palestine must make an effort to achieve peace. “Both sides have to take steps to end this violence and address the underlying cause of it. Both sides have to make the resumption of discussion, talk and dialogue to include a fair, safe and adequate access to sites in Jerusalem and elsewhere. Provocative actions on either side must be avoided,” said O’Malley. (The Washington Free Beacon)
Bernie Sanders
- Bernie Sanders appeared at a picket line of Verizon on Monday. He said, “Middle class in this country is disappearing, and what Verizon is doing to their workers is exactly what has got to be fought if we're going to rebuilt the American middle class. … It is not acceptable to me that when workers form a union and negotiate for an entire year they can't yet get a contract. That's not what democracy is supposed to be about. That's what rotten labor law is about, and we're going to change that.” (Business Insider)
- In an interview on “The View,” Sanders said Ben Carson’s anti-abortion rights position was representative of an “extreme right-wing agenda.” (Washington Times)
- Ben Tulchin, who ran polls for Howard Dean’s 2004 presidential campaign, has joined Sanders’ campaign. A senior adviser to the campaign, Tad Devine, said, “I wanted to hire a pollster, and we decided we didn’t need polling until we got to the stage where we would be doing media, and we convinced Bernie that we needed targeting data. He is not a big consumer of polling, so he did not see the need for it, but I think he understands it in terms of targeting media buys and for voter contact that it has value and can save us money because we won’t waste resources by, for example, buying the wrong shows on TV.” (The New York Times)
Republicans
Jeb Bush
- In a presentation to donors on Monday, Jeb Bush’s campaign described Marco Rubio as “a GOP Obama.” In contrasting Bush and Rubio, the presentation highlighted Bush’s endorsements from Florida politicians and cash-on-hand figures. Former President George W. Bush also spoke at the event, saying, “[Jeb Bush] knows how to manage an administration. I happen to believe eventually the American people will say, ‘Who has the experience necessary to be president? Who’s run a state, for example?’” (CNN, The Seattle Times)
- Bush has increased his presence on Fox News since the summer, appearing six times in September and six times so far this month. Between May and August, Bush only appeared nine times. (CNN)
Ben Carson
- In a new TV ad set to air in South Carolina, Ben Carson highlights his status as an outsider candidate. “I’m Ben Carson and I’m running for president. The political class and their pundit buddies say: ‘Impossible. He’s too outside the box.’ Well, they do know impossible. Impossible to balance the budget, impossible to get border security, impossible to put aside partisanship. I’m Ben Carson, I’m running for president, and I’m very much outside the box,” he says in the ad. (The New York Times)
- According to The Atlantic, Carson’s campaign is spending 54 cents out of every dollar to conduct more fundraising. “His campaign relies on direct-mail and telephone fundraising—literally sending fliers to voters or cold-calling them and trying to talk them into giving money. Those are common tactics for political campaigns of all types, and in particular for Republicans, since they reach older voters better. One advantage these methods confer is that they help to build up a grassroots base. Carson has astonishing grassroots support, with a wide base of small-donor dollars, and that support has helped push him near the top of the Republican field,” David Graham of The Atlantic noted. (The Atlantic)
Chris Christie
- In an interview that aired on CBS News on Tuesday, Chris Christie said being a governor was more challenging than other political offices. “I think when you're in charge of the state and you're the ultimate accountable person for what happens in that state over a period of time, I do think that that's a much more personal challenge than the challenge of being secretary of state, for instance, or being one of a hundred United States senators,” Christie said. (CBS News)
Ted Cruz
- Darwin Deason, a billionaire from the tech sector who previously gave millions to support Rick Perry’s now-suspended presidential campaign, and his son have shifted their backing to Ted Cruz. “The Deasons are marquee names for Cruz, but he has quietly consolidated the support of many former donors to Perry and another 2016 dropout, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker. The Cruz campaign added five other former Perry backers to its finance team, officials said on Monday,” ABC News reported. (ABC News)
- According to CNBC, Cruz received more contributions from former Perry and Scott Walker supporters than any other candidate. (CNBC)
Carly Fiorina
- Carly Fiorina wrote an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal criticizing the Obama administration and Democratic policies for shrinking the middle class. “Hillary Clinton talks a good game against crony capitalism, large banks and income inequality. She just doesn’t mention that all three have flourished during the Obama years,” Fiorina wrote. (The Wall Street Journal)
Jim Gilmore
- Jim Gilmore released a statement on Monday calling for Marco Rubio to resign his seat from the Senate. “Essentially, Sen. Rubio has abandoned his post and expects the taxpayers of Florida to continue subsidizing his campaign for the White House despite his choice to campaign instead of representing the people who elected him to the Senate. He is being paid by Florida taxpayers to be on the job in the Senate representing their interests. If he is not going to do that, I don't see how in good conscience he can campaign for president without resigning from Senate,” Gilmore said. (Washington Examiner)
Lindsey Graham
- In an interview on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” on Monday, Lindsey Graham questioned his low polling numbers compared to Donald Trump and Ben Carson. “On our side, you’ve got the No. 2 guy [who] tried to kill someone at 14, and the No. 1 is high energy and crazy as hell. How am I losing to these people?” Graham asked. (Yahoo)
- Graham said on Monday that opposing abortion rights in cases of rape and incest was an unelectable position. He said, "Anybody with that position will get creamed. I would never tell a woman who's been raped she's got to carry the child of the rapist. Eighty-three percent of the American people feel like that goes too far. So if you would veto a bill that had an exception for rape or incest. ... I appreciate your passion for the pro-life issue but you're outside the mainstream and you cannot get elected." He added that Marco Rubio needed to clarify his position on the issue, saying, “But is that Marco's position? You're 44 years old. You need to tell us what you think about this.” (CNN)
Mike Huckabee
- In an op-ed published on CNBC’s website, Mike Huckabee defended Social Security benefits against calls to reduce them. “Some Republican presidential candidates want to abolish Medicare, slash Social Security and tell American seniors to ‘get over it’ when it comes to cutting their benefits. They want to rob seniors of their benefits and give them a worthless healthcare voucher instead. Let me be clear: raising the retirement age and slashing Medicare benefits for seniors who have been working for decades is theft!” Huckabee wrote. (CNBC)
Bobby Jindal
- On Monday, arguments were heard in ACLU’s federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Bobby Jindal’s “Marriage and Conscience” executive order. The order would prevent state agencies from denying licenses or revoking tax exemptions to individuals or organizations that oppose same-sex marriage. (The Advocate)
- Jindal criticized Republicans in Congress for becoming a “surrender caucus.” He named Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, Lindsey Graham and Rand Paul as being part of the problem before saying, “The Left is willing to force socialism down our throats. Why won't Republicans fight just as hard for America and for freedom? I think that answer is too many of them don't want to fight, don't believe in our conservative beliefs. At least the Democrats are fighting for what they believe in." (Washington Examiner)
John Kasich
- Former U.S. House Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-Texas) endorsed John Kasich on Monday. "He's a leader who gets things done, works well with others and brings people together, stays focused on the needs of the country and is never distracted by some personal political ambition. This is why I'm so excited to endorse John Kasich,” said Armey. (Cleveland.com)
- Kasich announced on Monday a $1.5 million plan to reduce prescription opiate abuse in Ohio by integrating existing patient medical histories with the Ohio Automatic Rx Reporting System. (WCPO)
George Pataki
- In a speech on Monday, George Pataki said the culture of Washington had been changed by elites. “They speak a different language. They think they’re better than us. … The number one culprit there is Hillary Clinton. The law doesn’t apply to her,” Pataki said. (Syracuse.com)
Rand Paul
- State Sen. Don Huffines (R) has been named as Paul’s campaign chair in Texas. “Strong conservative leadership runs in Senator Rand Paul’s veins. He is a true constitutional conservative who speaks his mind, and Americans trust him and value his principled, direct leadership. Senator Paul knows that Americans needs limited government, the freedom to pursue happiness, and liberty without oppression, and he is the best candidate to deliver America to even greater glory,” Huffines said in a statement. (The Dallas Morning News)
- In response to a question about Bernie Sanders, Paul criticized democratic socialism for being “the most anti-choice economic system.” He said, “If you don’t listen, they fine you. If you don’t pay the fine, they imprison you. If you will not listen, ultimately, what has happened in history, people get mad when I say this, but they exterminate you. That’s what happened under Stalin.” (The Hill)
Marco Rubio
- Marco Rubio’s Senate attendance record continues to come under scrutiny. “The 44-year-old Floridian missed 10 percent of Senate votes last year, worse than all but 12 other senators, and missed 34 of 68 Foreign Relations Committee hearings and meetings. A vote he cast last Tuesday was his first in 26 days. It seems that Rubio has basically given up on the idea of ever getting anything done in the legislature, and he's not running for re-election despite only having served one term,” Slate reported on Monday. (Slate)
- Rubio criticized Donald Trump’s immigration platform on Sunday. After saying Trump had changed his position from six months ago, Rubio added, “He’s going to deport all these people, and then he’s going to allow back in the ones that are good… His plan makes no sense.” (Breitbart)
Donald Trump
- Donald Trump reiterated his opposition to super PACs in a series of tweets on Monday. He called super PACs a “scam” and said every presidential candidate “should immediately disavow” them. He added, “They're not only breaking the spirit of the law but the law itself.” (CNBC)
See also
- Presidential election, 2016
- Presidential candidates, 2016
- Presidential debates (2015-2016)
- Important dates in the 2016 presidential race
- Polls and Straw polls
- 2016 presidential candidate ratings and scorecards
