The Note: Democrats fighting each other as primaries begin …
The TAKE with Rick Klein
Primary season 2018 has Democrats thinking big. So why does it feel so much like 2016?
These should be heady times for the party of the resistance. President Donald Trump is overseeing a chaotic White House, with an approval rating mired in the 30s; the presidents policy gyrations are making GOP members of Congress squirm; Robert Muellers probe is even forcing new, bizarre plot twists.
Yet the storylines going into the first 2018 primaries, being held today in Texas, are of overstuffed Democratic fields, and of establishment-led efforts to thin them out.
One of todays marquee races, in the Clinton-carried Houston suburbs of Texas 7th Congressional District, features the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee trying to disqualify a progressive favorite. On cue, progressive organizations rallied to her side with memories still raw from the Hillary-vs.-Bernie feuds of two years ago.
Yes, Democratic enthusiasm is fueling record-setting early voting in Texas. But the challenge for Democrats will be keeping that going for another eight months - with a whole lot of rough-and-tumble politics being played along the way.
The RUNDOWN with MaryAlice Parks
I like him. I like him not. I like him...
Every Republican candidate is going to have to land on one of those answers about the president, and with primary season now officially in full swing, the days and options for petal-picking are ticking down.
Its a tricky question for traditional Republicans, just when every voter is focusing in, and the president is not making it easy for them to stick together.
Hiked tariffs, as the president is pushing, are antithetical to the free-trade pillars of the old Grand Old Party. House Speaker Paul Ryan said as much yesterday.
Now with another senior Republican lawmaker, Sen. Thad Cochran, announcing his retirement, and putting two U.S. Senate seats in his ruby-red Mississippi on the ballot, Republicans will have yet another outlet for duking out their disagreements.
The TIP with Emily Goodin
Former Rep. Steve Israel, who served as Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chairman during his congressional tenure, talked about the races that would keep him up at night if he were running the campaign committee this cycle.
The first House primaries of the 2018 midterm take place today as Texas voters head to the polls.
First of all, Israel pointed out: Democrats have to hold 19 seats. People are forgetting that. They are thinking about Republican pickups. Democrats still have to hold 19 of their frontline seats, including six open seats.
Democrats need to net 24 seats to retake control of the House. But some of their own seats they need to protect include: Rep. Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey and the seats of retiring Reps. Tim Walz and Rick Nolan in Minnesota, and Carol Shea Porter in New Hampshire.
Then, a few GOP seats opening up are on the must-win list: Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinens in Florida, Martha McSallys in Arizona, Rodney Frelinghuysens in New Jersey, and Patrick Meehans in Pennsylvania.
Finally, there are some likely GOP seats that, if Democrats win them election night, would indicate that a blue tide is about to sweep the House: Reps. Mike Coffmans in Colorado, Carlos Curbelos in Florida, Don Bacons in Nebraska, Barbara Comstocks in Virginia, Will Hurds in Kentucky, and Andy Barrs in Kentucky.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TODAY
President Trump meets with the Prime Minister of Sweden Stefan Lofven in the Oval Office at 2:05 p.m. President Trump and Prime Minister Lofven will then participate in an expanded bilateral meeting in the Oval Office at 2:15 p.m.
President Trump will hold a joint press conference with Prime Minister Lofven at the White House at 3:30 p.m.
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson delivers remarks at 10:30 a.m. at George Mason University on the U.S. relationship with Africa and the governments desire to strengthen ties with African partners through greater security, trade and investment.
FBI officials will brief members of the House Judiciary and Oversight Committees on the Parkland investigation today, according to a committee aide.
Today is primary election night in Texas and the first primary voting of 2018. The polls open on Tuesday at 7 a.m. CST (8 a.m. EST) and close at 7 p.m. CST (8 p.m. EST).
Former Vice President Joe Biden heads to Pennsylvania's 18th Congressional District to campaign for Conor Lamb, a Democrat and former prosecutor.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
Let him arrest me. - Former Trump adviser Sam Nunberg, in a Washington Post interview Monday, after claiming special counsel Robert Mueller subpoenaed him to testify before a grand jury Friday in the ongoing Russia investigation.
NEED TO READ
Former Trump aide says he intends to spurn special counsels subpoena. In a dramatic round of interviews former Trump adviser Sam Nunberg appeared on cable television via telephone on Monday to announce his intention to defy a special counsel subpoena to appear before the grand jury this week. (Lucien Bruggeman) http://abcn.ws/2Fr9Ibl
Dreamers protest on Capitol Hill on DACA deadline day. Hundreds of young undocumented immigrants and their allies from Florida to California came to Capitol Hill Monday - the day President Donald Trump set for the end of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program - to protest and lobby members of Congress to pass legislation that would protect them. (Cheyenne Haslett) http://abcn.ws/2H8JiIE
GOP senator Thad Cochran to retire in April, setting up special election in November. Citing lingering health issues, longtime Republican Sen. Thad Cochran announced Monday that he will retire from Congress on April 1st, a move that will mean both of Mississippi's U.S. Senate seats will be in play this year. (John Verhovek) http://abcn.ws/2Fh5D6k
At least 50 women running for Congress in Texas primaries, a record number. President Donald Trumps negative comments about Mexican Americans and immigrants both on the campaign trail and in office inspired Judy Canales, a Democrat and Latina in Texas, to fulfill a long-held dream to run for Congress. (Allison Pecorin and Rachel Scott) http://abcn.ws/2FotOTW
5 things to watch for in the Texas primary. Texas holds the first primary contests of the 2018 election on Tuesday and both parties are watching for indications of how the battle to control Congress may play out in November. (Emily Goodin, John Verhovek and Rachel Scott) http://abcn.ws/2Fe4PDo
Texas primaries will show 'tremendous' Democratic enthusiasm ahead of midterms: Former San Antonio mayor Castro. What were going to see on Tuesday is a tremendous amount of Democratic enthusiasm, Castro, who served as Housing and Urban Development secretary under President Barack Obama and is considering a run president in 2020, told ABC News Rick Klein on the "Powerhouse Politics" podcast. (John Verhovek) http://abcn.ws/2FUZaPC
Trump Organization orders presidential seal replicas for golf courses: Report. The Trump Organization reportedly ordered replicas of the presidential seal to use at its golf courses despite laws against using the seal for financial gain, according to a report from ProPublica. (Stephanie Ebbs) http://abcn.ws/2oVtXE6
Flynn selling house to pay legal bills in Trump probe. Michael Flynn, the retired Army general and ex-Trump national security adviser who pleaded guilty last year to lying to FBI agents about his Russian contacts, has put his Virginia home up for sale to pay mounting legal fees, friends and family members told ABC News. http://abcn.ws/2tnAufU (James Gordon Meek)
Trump says tariff exemptions for Canada, Mexico depend on 'new and fair' trade deal. President Donald Trump said Monday "we're not backing down" on steep tariffs he pledged last week to impose on steel and aluminum imports - even for U.S. neighbors Canada and Mexico. (Cheyenne Haslett) http://abcn.ws/2I3QNlx
Inside Trumps $100 million mans rapid rise to power. Newly minted Trump 2020 campaign manager Brad Parscale is already Donald Trump's $100 million man. (Katherine Faulders, Jonathan Karl and Soorin Kim) http://abcn.ws/2oIOcFr
Russia Investigation Romance: Key witness George Papadopoulos marries Italian lawyer. George Papadopoulos, the onetime Trump campaign foreign policy adviser who became the first witness to cut a deal with the Special Counsel Robert Muellers Office, married his Italian fianc in an intimate ceremony in Chicago over the weekend. (George Stephanopoulos and Matthew Mosk) http://abcn.ws/2I5HCkC
The Note is a daily ABC News feature that highlights the key political moments of the day ahead. Please check back tomorrow for the latest.
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The Note: Democrats fighting each other as primaries begin ...
- Dan Osborn spurns Democrats, other parties whose help he sought in Senate race Nebraska Examiner - Nebraska Examiner - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- House Democrats Have Overwhelmingly Voted Against Our Law Enforcement Officers - GOP.gov - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Houston House Democratic primary gets uglier ahead of runoff - The Texas Tribune - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Here's what to know about the May 23 Idaho Democratic presidential caucus Idaho Capital Sun - Idaho Capital Sun - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- With sagging polls, could Biden hurt Democrats in critical New York House races? - Spectrum News NY1 - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Democratic filibuster of initiative petition bill exceeds 41 hours, sets new record Missouri Independent - Missouri Independent - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Thousands of Philly Democrats wrote in names other than Biden during Pa. Primary, data shows - NBC Philadelphia - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- JESSE WATTERS: If Democrats are going to lock up Republicans, maybe they need a taste of their own medicine - Fox News - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Attacked on abortion pivot, Hogan says 'we'll see if voters believe me' - The Washington Post - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- House Democrats launch probe of Trump's dinner with oil executives - The Washington Post - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Outside money in Oregon swing district prompts claims of Republican meddling Oregon Capital Chronicle - Oregon Capital Chronicle - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Democrats' Last Chance to Dump Biden? - WSJ - The Wall Street Journal - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Democrats seek escape hatch on vote to force Biden's hand on Israel - Axios - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Michigan Democrats want review of signatures submitted by GOP Senate candidates - Detroit Free Press - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Opinion | Democrats could sweep the 2024 elections and make major policy changes - The Washington Post - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Democrats face rupture over vote to force Israel arms shipments - Axios - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Will Maryland's 'uncommitted' primary voters sway Biden administration on Gaza cease-fire? - Maryland Matters - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Opinion | Can This Ex-Republican Revive Democrats in Rural Ohio? - The New York Times - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Who is Angela Alsobrooks? The Maryland Democrat faces Larry Hogan this fall - NPR - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Democrats look to band together after Maryland's bruising Senate primary - Yahoo News UK - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Democratic Georgia Senate retirements open seats for first time in decades - The Atlanta Journal Constitution - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Maryland Democrats battle for party's future and control of the Senate - NBC News - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- As House readies a vote on Israeli arms, Democrats whip members in opposition - Roll Call - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Sixteen Democrats join Republicans to override Biden's halt on bomb transfers to Israel - Middle East Eye - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Democrats Batter Bank Regulator Over F.D.I.C.'s 'Toxic' Workplace Culture - The New York Times - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Virginia: Two Democrats vie for chance to take on Wittman - Richmond Times-Dispatch - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Missouri Democrats' filibuster effort to make it harder to amend state constitution - NBC News - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Democrats, Republicans say higher education is valuable - Inside Higher Ed - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Fuel industry group targets Biden and Democrats in key states over emissions standards - NBC News - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Johnson falls short with claim on Democrats backing of abortions up to the moment of birth - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- 3 out of 5 NV congressional Democrats want to let the mining industry party like it's 1872 Nevada Current - Nevada Current - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- As co-rulers of the House, the Democratic majority-in-waiting may have already arrived - The Washington Post - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Speaker Mike Johnson Survives Marjorie Taylor Greene Move to Oust Him - The New York Times - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Ex-GOP Gov. Hogan is popular with some Maryland Democrats, but not enough to put him in the Senate - The Associated Press - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Saturday letters: Pitfalls of unaffiliated voting; 'gullible' Democrats - The Providence Journal - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Nervous about falling behind the GOP, Democrats are wrestling with how to use AI - The Associated Press - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- If Democrats choose the teachers unions, Hispanics will choose their families instead - The Hill - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Democrats seek to make GOP pay in November for threats to reproductive rights - CBS News - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Noting campus protests, Democrats are preparing for intense action at their summer convention - The Associated Press - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- 15 House Democrats call on Biden to take border executive action - CBS News - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Trump criticizes Jewish Democrats as he attacks Biden over threat to withhold U.S. weapons to Israel - NBC News - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- How Democrats Hope to Limit Protests at the DNC in Chicago - TIME - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Analysis | No, Democrats didn't vote to give noncitizens a voice in Congress - The Washington Post - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Inside the College Democrats' Rebuke of Biden - The New York Times - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- In the Arizona Senate Race, Ruben Gallego Shows Democrats What It Takes to Win Back Latinos - WSJ - The Wall Street Journal - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Democrats, Sensing Shift on Abortion Rights Among Latinas, Push for More Gains - The New York Times - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Ex-GOP Gov. Hogan is popular with some Maryland Democrats, but not enough to put him in the Senate - Bowling Green Daily News - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Why Democrats Are Suddenly Excited About Florida - TIME - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Illinois Democrats' law changing the choosing of legislative candidates faces GOP opposition - The Associated Press - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Democrats push Biden for executive action to secure border - The Hill - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Democrats oppose Senate plan to ensure Biden is on Ohio ballot, while House skips voting on a fix - The Statehouse News Bureau - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Division among Democrats as 26 party members pen letter to Biden condemning withholding Israel aid - The Jerusalem Post - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Democrats Impeached Trump Over This - WSJ - The Wall Street Journal - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Democrats save Mike Johnson | Latest US politics news from The Economist - The Economist - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Most Democrats believe Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza - poll - The Jerusalem Post - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- McCarthy says he couldnt live with himself if he did deal with Democrats to save Speakership - The Hill - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Democrats never expected this Senate primary to have such high stakes - Semafor - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Column: Expect campus uprisings to cause headaches for Democrats this election - Los Angeles Times - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Abortion rights activists worry about Democrats piggybacking on the cause: This is not a ploy - The Guardian US - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Democrats look to flip the script on border security as Republicans decry political stunt - Washington Examiner - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Rep. DeBoyer rips House Democrats for discarding measure that protects state from countries of concern - Mi House ... - Michigan House Republicans - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Democrats demand Biden take executive action on the border crisis - Fox Business - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Democrats prepare to go on offense on immigration in the coming weeks - NBC News - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Mike Johnson Becomes the Speaker of the Whole House. For Now. - The New York Times - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Democrats vote to prevent ouster of Republican US House speaker by right-wing rebel - FRANCE 24 English - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Video What are the odds Democrats will win the popular vote? - ABC News - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Exclusive | Democrats Brace for Gaza War Protests at Convention in Chicago - The Wall Street Journal - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Democrats Introduce Bill to Allow Medicaid Coverage of Doulas and Midwives - Truthout - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Democrats work to keep protests from disrupting Chicago convention, with concerns over parallels to 1968 - ABC News - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Majority of Democrats believe Israel is committing genocide - The New Arab - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Idaho Democratic Party doubles legislative candidate numbers in the face of GOP supermajority Idaho Capital Sun - Idaho Capital Sun - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Justice Sotomayor's health isn't the real problem for Democrats winning elections is - The Conversation - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Why Beethoven's ninth appeals to democrats and despots alike - The Economist - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Johnson Survives Greene's Ouster Attempt as Democrats Join GOP to Kill It - Yahoo! Voices - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Atlantic County Democrats want faster mailing of ballots - Press of Atlantic City - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Democrats impeached Trump for exactly what Biden is now doing to Israel - The Hill - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- 163 House Democrats Voted to Protect Speaker Mike Johnson's Job - GV Wire - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Opinion | Trump Knows Dominance Wins. Someone Tell Democrats. - The New York Times - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- 'Terrifying': Democrats say they have plans to keep electors safe from political violence - USA TODAY - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Democrats step up campaign to block third parties - WSWS - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]