Obama Expects to Take Back the House; There Won’t Be An IA SEN GOP Primary; Colbert Endorses Sister

National Journal

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WHAT'S NEWS

  • Pres. Obama told donors at a fundraiser for the DCCC in San Francisco that he expects the party to take back the House in 2014 (Politico). Earlier, in Denver, Obama urged Congress to pass gun control legislation, "even as he tried to strike a conciliatory note with gun owners" (Durango Herald).

  • SC-01 Special: Dem group South Forward will launch a TV ad focusing on ex-Gov. Mark Sanford's (R) "term-limits pledge" and "his alleged misuse of taxpayer money" next week "on cable" and "possibly" network TV (The Hill). Comedian Stephen Colbert endorsed sister Elizabeth Colbert Busch (D) ("Colbert Report").

  • Boston Mayor '13: Suffolk Co. DA Dan Conley (D) entered the race with more than $866K CoH, "more than double the amount of any other candidate" (Boston Globe).

  • IA SEN: Ag. Sec. Bill Northey (R) said "he's 'had conversations'" with Rep. Steve King (R) and LG Kim Reynolds (R), who are also considering the seat, and that "there will not be a GOP primary" (Radio Iowa). Rep. Bruce Braley (D) announced the endorsement of 71 of the state's 73 Dem legislators (Des Moines Register).

  • WV SEN: Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R) raised $915K in the first quarter and will report ending with $2.35M on hand (Roll Call).

  • SD GOV: '02 candidate/'98 nominee Bernie Hunhoff (D) said he is not interested in higher office (WNAX-AM).

  • NC-07: The NRCC launched a TV ad targeting Rep. Mike McIntyre (D) on "Obamacare," just a day after '12 nominee David Rouzer (R) announced a bid (Raleigh News & Observer).

  • FL GOV: Gov. Rick Scott (R) raised $4.6M "in the first three months of 2013, raking in cash at the rate of" $50K every day "while chasing a goal" of up to $100M for his reelection. He's raised $9.8M overall thus far (Tampa Bay Times).

  • WH '16: Dem strategist James Carville has signed on with a super PAC aimed at "luring" ex-Sec/State Hillary Clinton into the race (Washington Post). Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) will headline NH's GOP Liberty Dinner on May 20 and will be the first potential candidate to visit the state (CNN).

OUR CALL

Hotline editors weigh in on the stories that drive the day

• Former Gov. Mark Sanford is quickly discovering the uniquely difficult position he's in. He's running in a district with the highest female population of any in the state, has a history of adultery and his opponent is a woman. Elizabeth Colbert Busch's campaign tipped their hand by turning an arguably minor (and true) comment -- that up till now, Sanford's main opponent has been Stephen Colbert -- into an all-out assault on her gender. Even though Sanford's history is well-known, it may not be a bad strategy in a district where 55% of likely female voters say they have an unfavorable opinion of him and Dems are indicating it's one they'll pursue over the next five weeks.

• Bill Northey's assertion that there will be no SEN primary between him, Kim Reynolds and Steve King makes sense. All three would have to give up fairly secure spots to make a risky bid for higher office. The fact that Northey's spoken with King may itself be comforting to Republicans, since it shows that King is at least on some level a "team player."

• John Kasich isn't afraid to have his disputes with GOPers in public, repeatedly using the bully pulpit to frame a Medicaid expansion as an issue of compassion. Even if public pressure doesn't garner their support, it may help Kasich shed his Dem-cast image as a partisan bully.

HAIR OF THE DOG

FRESH BREWED BUZZ

  • Obama "will put 5% of his paycheck back into the federal government's coffers in a show of unity with furloughed federal workers" (CNN).

  • "One thing a lot of people don't know about me, is that ... I voted for Jimmy Carter. ... Worst political decision I ever made" -- Rep. Steve Chabot (R-OH), in a blog post (Cincinnati Enquirer).

  • Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) has been receiving death threats since proposing "legislation requiring gun owners to obtain liability insurance" (CNN).

  • "Kick them in the shins, though, if they're not going to vote for this thing (Medicaid expansion) as they go out the door, but have a smile on your face" -- OH Gov. John Kasich (R), speaking at a luncheon on state lawmakers (Columbus Dispatch).

  • The CT General Assembly approved "historic gun-control legislation" in the early hours of Thursday morning. Sources said that Gov. Dannel Malloy (D) "will hold a bill-signing ceremony Thursday at noon" (Greenwich Time).

  • "The frustration for governors or executives who go into the Senate is suddenly you're 94th in seniority and you're in a basement office with no windows and nobody's exactly waiting for you to make the final decision about anything" -- Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA), on adjusting to life on the Hill (Charlottesville Daily Progress).

  • NBC's Jay Leno will depart the "Tonight Show" in Spring of '14, after 22 years hosting. NBC's Jimmy Fallon will replace him (release).

  • "Economically what has happened in Texas over the course of the last decade has made this city an epicenter for a lot of technology, a lot of economic development. And I think the individuals in North Korea understand that Austin, Texas is now a very important city in America as do corporate CEOs and other people who are moving here in record numbers" -- TX Gov. Rick Perry (R), on why North Korea listed Austin along with DC and NY on their list of targets ("CBS This Morning").

  • Ronald Reagan daughter Patti Davis said "she believes her father would have 'been puzzled' by the political fuss and would have supported marriage for gay people" (New York Times).

  • "Florida Congressman Dances The Funky Chicken In Rap Video" (BuzzFeed).

SWIZZLE CHALLENGE

  • T.S. Eliot dedicated his "Waste Land" (from which we take the line "April is the cruellest month") to fellow poet Ezra Pound.

  • The winner is Sean Sunderland, and here's his Swizzle Challenge: "We all know Canada has been a factory for great comics over the years. How many past or current cast members from 'Saturday Night Live' are Canadian? Bonus if you can name them." The 3rd correct e-mailer gets to submit the next question.

NJ'S EARLY BIRD SPECIALS

SHOT...

"Former President Clinton to receive 'Advocate for Change' Award from GLAAD" (CNN).

...CHASER

"Clinton signs Defense of Marriage Act, Sept. 21, 1996" (Newspaper Archive).

Sarah Mimms, Editor