Travis County Democrats divided on urban rail proposal
The debate over Urban Rail rages on in Austin. In November, voters will decide whether it will come to Austin, voting on a $1 billion bond proposal.
By: kxan
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Travis County Democrats divided on urban rail proposal - Video
Ruth Marcus: Obamas Herky Jerky Immigration Actions Are Dividing Democrats
Ruth Marcus: Obama #39;s Herky Jerky Immigration Actions Are Dividing Democrats (August 31, 2014)
By: GOPICYMI
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Ruth Marcus: Obamas Herky Jerky Immigration Actions Are Dividing Democrats - Video
WASHINGTON - For Democrats facing tough re-election campaigns this fall, an appearance with their somewhat unpopular party leader may be more of a hindrance than a help.
Aware of that fact, President Obama has focused his midterm election strategy around ways he can do the least harm to his party this fall. Chiefly, that means bringing in the cash.
Though Democrats haven't always been satisfied with the president's commitment to fundraising in past election cycles, there's little they can complain about this year. During the 2014 season, Mr. Obama has headlined 40 events so far with more planned for the fall.
Closer to Nov. 4, Mr. Obama will do radio interviews and online appearances, and will work on turning out certain voter groups, like young people and African-Americans. He will likely campaign for a few individual candidates, White House officials say, but mostly those running for House seats and the governor's mansions in states like Florida, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
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With little more than two months until the midterm elections, attention is focusing on several races that could determine control of the Senate. ...
"That's important in a non-presidential year when Democrats don't turn out to vote the way Republicans do," said CBS News political director John Dickerson.
But as for the key Senate races - which could decide whether Mr. Obama's party controls at least half of Congress or neither chamber - the president will stay largely on the sidelines.
The most competitive races are happening in states where he has never been popular or has seen his approval rating dip in recent months, including Louisiana, Arkansas, Alaska and North Carolina.
"We will go where we're most helpful and we will not go where it's not helpful," White House senior adviser Dan Pfeiffer said about Obama's Senate strategy.
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Obama's midterm strategy: Do no harm
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TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/AP) Democrats are throwing all their might behind former Florida Governor Charlie Crist in hopes of regaining control over the state.
Republicans have had control of theFloridaLegislature and governors office since 1999 and have used their power to restrict abortions, loosen gun laws, strip state workers of benefits, allow private school vouchers and enact a slew of other policy changes that Democrats opposed but could do nothing to stop.
Now Democrats, desperate for relevancy again, are trying to stop the Republican agenda by defeating Gov. Rick Scott while essentially ignoring the rest of the ballot.
And theyre doing it with a candidate they worked to defeat in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2006 and 2010 Republican-turned-independent-turned-Democrat Charlie Crist, a 58-year-old politician who has been a Democrat for 20 months. Crist won the governors race in 2006 as a Republican before leaving office after one term to run for the U.S. Senate, first with the GOP and then as an independent.
Because Democrats have been out of power for so long, theyre grasping for any kind of formula to win, said Daniel Smith, a University ofFloridapolitical science professor. Its incredibly risky. If they lose, should Rick Scott win again with Charlie Crist as the nominee, where does the Democratic Party go?
Democrats dominatedFloridapolitics for decades until Republicans took over the state Senate in 1994 and the House in 1996. Jeb Bush won the 1998 governors race and Republicans have since then been virtually unimpeded in passing a conservative agenda. Democrats still have a 39 to 36 percent lead in registered voters and President Barack Obama carried the state in 2008 and 2012, but U.S. Sen. Bill Nelsons victories in 2000, 2006 and 2012 have been about the partys only highlights in state races.
Since Bush was elected, Democrats have lost 11 of 12 Cabinet races and lost the U.S. Senate seat Democrat Bob Graham gave up when he retired in 2005. Republicans outnumber Democrats 17-10 inFloridascongressional delegation, 75-45 in the state House and 26-14 in the Senate.
Nelsons success has been in part because hes a moderate. Also, since hes been elected, his challengers former U.S. Reps. Katherine Harris and Connie Mack IV failed to generate enthusiasm for their campaigns. And Democrats tend to turn out in higher numbers in presidential election years, a fact that benefited Obama.
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Ex-Republican Crist Is Florida Democrats Big Hope
MI Democrats nominate state candidates
Democrats have nominated candidates for the November ballot in their drive to wrest control of state government from Republicans.
By: WOOD TV8
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MI Democrats nominate state candidates - Video