Republican Senate hope Rand Paul announces that he won’t shake hands with Democratic Senate hopeful Jack Conway after their U.S. Senate debate at the University of Louisville on October 17. (Photo by Jamie Rhodes/Getty Images)
–“Aqua Buddha” makes it into the Kentucky Senate debate and one of Jack Conway’s …
The excellent T.A. Frank reviews last night’s Reid-Angle debate and finds that the Senate Majority Leader has only a passing familiarity with English as it is spoken by his constituents. This is a chronic problem for Democrats, especially those who really care about the details of the legislation they are passing: they speak legislatese, …
–Outside spending is up 80 percent from 2006.
–Ben Bernanke inches toward Fed action.
–Jon Ralston calls last night’s Nevada Senate debate for Angle.
–Lisa Murkowski airs her Stevens footage:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OmlkvPJZrk]
–Ben Smith and Jonathan Martin see shades of McCain in Obama’s …
What would an election season be without a few October surprises – or a lot? Illegal maids, audio tapes of staff slurring the opponent, old rape cases with questions about prosecution, photos of a young candidate cavorting with a dildo-nosed Rudolph – welcome to the final sprint of the 2010 midterm elections. And it’s only going to …
Gov. Joe Manchin III, D-W.Va., speaks at a rally for American coal jobs in Upper Senate Park. (Photo By Tom Williams/Roll Call via Getty Images)
–Glen Bolger sees a Democratic bloodbath coming in swing seats this year.
–Nevada’s Senate race is scrappier than ever.
–Republicans see a real opportunity to upset Joe Manchin …
President Obama delivers remarks at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s 33rd Annual Awards Gala in Washington September 15, 2010. (Photo by REUTERS/Jim Young)
–Obama splits the baby on the Elizabeth Warren appointment, naming her a special adviser sans Senate confirmation and rankling the Harvard prof’s boosters and …
Senate candidate Christine O’Donnell reacts to supporters during her primary night party, on September 14, 2010 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
—Karl Rove and the whole GOP establishment cede Delaware.
–O’Donnell doesn’t sound too interested in detente.
–Castle won’t endorse her.
–Halperin says …
–The president will tap long-time economic adviser Austan Goolsbee to head the CEA. The pick augurs continuity with the approach of the past two years and Goolsbee, like the departing Christina Romer, is seen as somewhat of a counterweight to Larry Summers among the White House’s economic voices. Goolsbee, who has been advising …
Reuters/Jim Young
—Obama is going out on a limb by associating himself with the precarious direct Mideast peace talks, writes the L.A. Times.
–Bibi is reassuring fellow Likudniks that he’s made no promises on settlements.
–Martin Indyk knows hope.
–Coming soon to a Harry Reid attack ad near you: Sharron Angle opposed …
Democrats have reacted to Tea Party-fueled Senate bids from the likes of Sharron Angle, Rand Paul, Ken Buck and now Joe Miller with a simple message: Republicans are “too extreme.” Uncertain if the anti-Bush mantra of recent cycles still resonates and disconcerted by a serious enthusiasm gap, Democrats have fixated on persuading voters …
Reuters
–With the recovery sputtering, second quarter growth numbers due out and the Fed still divided on what, if anything, to do, Ben Bernanke is preparing a speech for tomorrow. It could be a big one.
–Writing in the Wall Street Journal, economist Alan Binder argues the central bank has nothing but weak ammunition …
Reuters
–The White House thinks direct Israeli-Palestinian talks are a good way to undermine Hamas.
–Ethan Bronner sees skeptical observers and an air of resignation on both sides.
–Settlements remain a potential sticking point.
–Just back from Afghanistan, John Kerry sounds optimistic about chances for political …
Reuters/Jim Young
–As Jay notes, Obama political arm Organizing for America is trying to take some credit for Bennet’s solid victory last night in Colorado. The message: Just because we couldn’t save Specter or clear the field for Lincoln and Bennet, the White House political operation is not ineffectual.
–Establishment …
