Axelrod: We Didn’t Do Enough to Sell Agenda
Roll Call reports: “White House senior adviser David Axelrod admitted Wednesday that the administration didn’t do enough to help explain Democrats’ legislative accomplishments to the public over the past two years. President Barack Obama ‘didn’t have time’ to focus on messaging as he tackled major issues that ‘came in rapid fire’ as soon as he got to office, Axelrod told Roll Call during a West Wing interview.”
Obama’s Day Ahead
President Obama will meet with a Seattle family at 1 p.m. ET, and hold a discussion on women and the economy at their residence at 1:10 p.m. ET. He will deliver remarks at a 2:40 p.m. ET rally for Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA). He will depart from Seattle at 4:20 p.m. ET, arriving at 6 p.m. ET in San Francisco. He will attend an 8:40 p.m. ET private event for Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate for state Attorney General, and deliver remarks at a 10 p.m. ET dinner for the Democratic National Committee.
Biden’s Day Ahead
Vice President Biden will attend meetings at the White House in the morning. At 12 p.m. ET, he will attend an event for Gov. Martin O’Malley (D-MD). He will meet with senior advisers in the afternoon.
Bomb-Throwers Bring In Big Bucks
Politico reports: “The latest wave of midterm fundraising reports offers up a definitive answer to the age-old Beltway question of why politics can’t be a calmer, neater affair: It pays to go over the top. Way over the top. Tea party favorite Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota has raised $9.6 million this cycle — almost as much as Republican Carly Fiorina, running in a Senate race in California, the largest and most expensive state for candidates. Nevada Senate candidate Sharron Angle, who once floated the prospect of ‘Second Amendment remedies’ to the growth of government, pulled in $14 million over the past three months alone.”
McConnell Hopes To Work With Obama On Some Issues
The Associated Press reports: “The Senate’s top Republican says President Barack Obama and a more-Republican Congress could join to pass laws on trade and spending policy and make changes to the health care overhaul if the administration listens to voters on Election Day. ‘I can’t believe he’s going to continue to ignore the wishes of the American people if his party has a very bad day Nov. 2,’ Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said in a telephone interview Wednesday. ‘If he pivots and wants to work with us, obviously I’d be happy to talk to him.'”
Pelosi Says She Has ‘Every Anticipation’ Of Remaining Speaker
The Hill reports: “House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Wednesday evening that that she has “every anticipation” she’ll remain in that position come next year. The top House Democrat expressed confidence that not only would Democrats retain control of the House, but also that the Democratic caucus would re-elect her as Speaker of the House next year. ‘I have every anticipation that we’ll come together in a similar format as we are now, with me as speaker of the House,’ Pelosi said on the ‘Charlie Rose Show,’ looking ahead to next year.”
In No Trouble, Schumer Opens Coffers to Democrats
The New York Times reports: “With his re-election virtually assured against a little-known Republican challenger, Senator Charles E. Schumer of New York is using his campaign war chest to help other Democrats across the country running for the Senate get elected next month. Since August, Mr. Schumer, a prolific fund-raiser, has given $3 million to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, according to a campaign finance disclosure report…With Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, the majority leader, facing a tough re-election fight, Democrats frequently mention Mr. Schumer as a possible successor to Mr. Reid. The donations will almost certainly help Mr. Schumer enhance his standing in the Senate’s Democratic caucus, whose members will vote to select the leader.”
