House And Senate Shatter Fundraising Records For Midterm Election
The Washington Post reports: “House and Senate candidates have already shattered fundraising records for a midterm election and are on their way to surpassing $2 billion in spending for the first time, according to new campaign finance data. To put it another way: That’s the equivalent of about $4 million for every congressional seat up for grabs this year.”
Obama’s Day Ahead
President Obama has no scheduled public events for today, after a campaign swing from the past week. He will receive the presidential daily briefing at 9:45 a.m. ET, will receive the economic daily briefing at 10:15 a.m. Et, and will meet at 10:45 a.m. ET with senior advisers. He will meet at 4:30 p.m. ET with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.
Biden’s Day Ahead
Vice President Biden will travel in the morning to New York City. At 12:45 p.m. ET, he will attend an event for Rep. Tim Bishop, and he will attend an event at 5:45 p.m. ET for Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand.
Michelle Obama, Nancy Pelosi Rally Party As Election Nears
The Associated Press reports: “Michelle Obama is urging Americans to vote with an eye toward the future and with the energy of the past — two years ago, to be exact. At an appearance alongside House Speaker Nancy Pelosi at a San Francisco fundraiser on Monday, the first lady warned that Republicans were putting up a strong fight to recapture the congressional majority on Nov. 2. It’s up to Democrats to prevent that from happening, she said. ‘This is too close, this will be on us,’ she told the crowd of 700 party donors at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s fundraiser. ‘This election, it’s about all we have left to do in the months and years ahead.'”
It’s Looking Like Speaker or Nothing for Pelosi
Roll Call reports: “Democrats on Capitol Hill and K Street are increasingly convinced that Speaker Nancy Pelosi would have little interest in being Minority Leader — and may start preparing to leave Congress altogether — if Republicans win the House a week from today. Pelosi and her allies adamantly refuse to entertain questions about a possible Democratic minority. But Democratic sources say they have a hard time imagining the 70-year-old, independently wealthy California Democrat would want to return to the less-powerful post that she held for four years before becoming Speaker in 2007, particularly after having spent the past four years driving the Congressional agenda.”
Democrats Counting On Strength Of Obama’s Get-Out-the-Vote Network
The New York Times reports: “Democrats have tried improving the political climate, discrediting their Republican opponents and asking Americans for patience in tackling the nation’s challenges, but the party’s best hope of stemming deep losses on Election Day may now rest on loyalty and logistics, not persuasion. The final seven days of the campaign provide the biggest test yet for the enduring strength of President Obama’s network of supporters, whom party leaders are relying on to build a critical firewall in races for Congress and governor. Republicans hold an array of advantages with the electorate, but Democrats believe their voter turnout operation is one key equalizer.”
Pawlenty Campaigning In States In Seven Days
CNN reports: “Tim Pawlenty will be a busy man over the next week. The Minnesota governor will travel to eight states over the next seven days, as he campaigns for fellow Republicans running in the November 2 midterm elections.
The outgoing governor and possible 2012 GOP presidential contender kicks off his tour Tuesday in San Antonio, Texas, where he teams up with Gov. Rick Perry, who is facing a competitive challenge from former Houston Mayor Bill White, the Democrats’ gubernatorial nominee.”
