Good evening, I’m Ben Jacobs with the latest from Washington and beyond. If you’re not already receiving the midterms minute by email, sign up.
Democrats have too much money
The massive fundraising haul by Democrats means that candidates in key races may have more money than they can spend before election day.
Is this really a problem? Not really, instead it is a sign of how robust Democratic fundraising has been this cycle. Over 60 different Democratic candidates for the House raised $1m in the past quarter alone. The totals have led one top Republican to describe the threat in November as a “green wave”, not a “blue wave”, due to the sheer quantity of cash.
What happens to money that isn’t spent? The money can be put to uses in the future and could give candidates a head start in coming campaigns.
Republicans use Democratic talking points
In a number of races, Republicans have been echoing Democratic messaging, particularly about ensuring people with pre-existing conditions can still get health insurance. Although this was a key feature of the Affordable Care Act, many Republican advocates for the Obamacare repeal are now touting their support for protections for pre-existing conditions.
Is this a flip? Yes, although Republicans say it isn’t (of course). However, several Republican Senate candidates touting their support for measures like this are currently suing the federal government to overturn the Affordable Care Act.
Does this matter? It’s another sign that after the better part of a decade of partisan warfare the basic framework of the Affordable Care Act will probably stay for the near future.
Another Roy Moore-style race in Alabama
The race for chief justice of the Alabama supreme court has opened up a rare statewide opportunity for Alabama Democrats, and yet again it is connected to Roy Moore. Democrat Bob Vance, who narrowly lost to Moore in 2012, is facing off against Moore ally Tom Parker in what has proven to be a tight race.
So Democrats might starting winning in Alabama again? No, Alabama is still deep red. It does indicate there might be a path for the party now in the right situation but not that the Yellowhammer state will be competitive again nationally anytime soon.
Poll of the day
Oregon governor Kate Brown holds a narrow 40% to 35% lead over her Republican opponent Knute Buehler according to a new poll conducted by Oregon Public Broadcasting. Brown is running for her first full term.
So Democrats could lose in Oregon? Yes. Buehler is a good candidate who has run a strong campaign while emphasizing his moderate views on social issues. In contrast, Brown has struggled on the campaign trail.
Is this unusual? Not at all. State politics are very different from national politics. In 2018, Republican incumbents are expected to coast to victory in deep blue states like Maryland, Massachusetts and Vermont while deep red states like South Dakota and Oklahoma are currently tossups.
Ad of the day
In Indiana, incumbent Democrat Joe Donnelly has a new ad where he touts his support for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) and Trump’s border wall while criticizing the radical left and socialists.
He’s a Democrat? Yes, Donnelly is a first-term senator running for re-election in a state that Trump won by 19%. The ad also targets those who “want to let insurance companies deny coverage for preexisting conditions” and Donnelly most recently drew attention for voting against the confirmation of supreme court justice Brett Kavanaugh.
