By George Will "This human nature is shabby stuff, as you may know from introspection." -- Peter De Vries SUMMIT -- Or from reading the "public letter of admonition" sent by the U.S. Senate's Select Committee on Ethics to Robert Menendez, the Democratic incumbent seeking a third full term representing New Jersey. Nationwide, Democrats are defending 26 Senate seats, Republicans only nine. Five Democratic incumbents are running in states that 21 months ago experienced Donald Trump swoons: He won Missouri by 18.6 points, Indiana by 19.2, Montana by 20.4, North Dakota by 35.7, West Virginia by 42.1. In New Jersey, which Hillary Clinton carried by 14.1 points, Menendez was supposed to be safe. The Republicans' most recent presidential victory in New Jersey was in 1988. In the subsequent seven elections, the Democratic presidential candidates' average margin of victory was almost 13 points. This state last elected a Republican senator (Clifford Case) in 1972. This 46-year drought … [Read more...] about George Will: Will N.J. oust Menendez, send a Republican to the Senate?
Republicans
George F. Will: Will New Jersey send a Republican to the Senate?
By GEORGE F. WILL July 21. 2018 1:18AM "This human nature is shabby stuff, as you may know from introspection." - Peter De VriesSUMMIT, N.J. - Or from reading the "public letter of admonition" sent by the U.S. Senate's Select Committee on Ethics to Robert Menendez, the Democratic incumbent seeking a third full term representing New Jersey. Nationwide, Democrats are defending 26 Senate seats, Republicans only nine. Five Democratic incumbents are running in states that 21 months ago experienced Donald Trump swoons. In New Jersey, which Hillary Clinton carried by 14.1 points, Menendez was supposed to be safe.The Republicans' most recent presidential victory in New Jersey was in 1988. In the subsequent seven elections, the Democratic presidential candidates' average margin of victory was almost 13 points. This state last elected a Republican senator (Clifford Case) in 1972. This 46-year drought might end in November.Robert Hugin, 63, grew up in blue-collar Union City, as did Menendez, with … [Read more...] about George F. Will: Will New Jersey send a Republican to the Senate?
N.J. Republican who tried to kill Obamacare faces heat for claiming his plan wouldn’t hurt patients
WASHINGTON -- Rep. Tom MacArthur told constituents that he acted to "make the coverage of pre-existing conditions sacrosanct" in his amendment that paved the way to House Republican repeal of the Affordable Care Act. MacArthur, R-3rd Dist., made the claim in his latest taxpayer-finance mailing, where he also pledged to "protect health insurance coverage for those with pre-existing conditions who are trying to obtain affordable health care." Health care experts, medical groups and the Congressional Budget Office say he did the opposite. "For people with pre-existing conditions, this amendment very much would have affected them," said Chris Sloan, director of Avalere Health, a research group. "It allowed states to apply for waivers to allow health plans to vary premiums based on their health status. That means people with pre-existing conditions will have to pay more in premiums." Dealing with pre-existing conditions MacArthur's mailing reignited an … [Read more...] about N.J. Republican who tried to kill Obamacare faces heat for claiming his plan wouldn’t hurt patients
Republicans, Democrats look to use Kavanaugh nomination as weapon in midterm fight
close Video Kavanaugh confirmation fight looms over midterm elections Senate Democrats outline a strategy to oppose the Supreme Court nominee while Majority Leader McConnell pushes for a quick confirmation. The campaign is underway. Not the race for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination. No mentions of Sens. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., or former Vice President Joe Biden. It’s the campaign for the Supreme Court. Democrats and Republicans will burn tens of millions of dollars in a campaign to confirm Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh or torpedo his nomination. Everyone will try to force the hands of swing votes like Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Joe Donnelly, D-Ind. The Kavanaugh nomination is about the midterm elections as much as it is about the balance of power on the Supreme Court. Republicans have used judicial nominations to gin up their base for years. They’ll certainly attempt to … [Read more...] about Republicans, Democrats look to use Kavanaugh nomination as weapon in midterm fight
Rep. Poliquin backs Republican bid to shut the door on a carbon tax
Maine’s two U.S. House members split this week on a resolution to condemn the idea of a carbon tax to fight climate change, something there’s been no serious effort by anybody to impose – and that has no chance of winning approval by President Trump or the Republican-controlled Congress. U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin, a two-term Republican lawmaker from Maine’s 2nd District, joined colleagues Thursday in approving a resolution that says a carbon tax “would be detrimental to American families and businesses, and is not in the best interest of the United States.” Rep. Bruce Poliquin A near-party line vote backed the proposal by 229-180 in the House, with six Republican members opposing it and seven Democrats favoring it. Poliquin was the only representative from New England to back the resolution, which Maine’s U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-1st District, opposed. Poliquin issued a statement that called a carbon tax “an extreme policy … [Read more...] about Rep. Poliquin backs Republican bid to shut the door on a carbon tax