Good Morning,
I’d like to join Kander Pander, the NRSC Stanford Tree, and "Retread" Ted in wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and a happy new year!
Like the new Republican majority in the Senate, the NRSC was hard at work this month. Along with two new videos in our ‘Majority Is Working’ series, we launched three new television ads in Nevada. The ads highlight Catherine Cortez Masto’s out-of-state trips paid for by special interests and her weak national security stances. Click on the pictures below to watch our ads…
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From volunteer service to campaign rallies, check out some of our candidates’ top Instagram photos from the past month…
@senrobportman: Honored to be a part of Youngstown State University’s Commencement today. Follow your dreams, never underestimate the importance of hard work and dedication, and be ever kind and true.
@johnmccain: Cindy and I enjoyed spending time with our dear friends @jeffflake @cherylflake and @mittromney at the #mccainrally! Thank you for your support! #AZSEN
@ronjohnsonwi: Yesterday in Madison, Ron worked with @wisgop and local grassroots supporters to make care packages for the troops — and write thank you letters to the finest among us. #SupportOurTroops #RonOnTheRoad
@royblunt: One of the highlights of my day today was writing holiday greetings for our troops who work tirelessly to keep the country we love safe.
@johnboozman: With Thanksgiving now behind us, I helped kick off the Christmas season by reading "Have Yourself a Beary Little Christmas" and "Pete the Cat Saves Christmas"–my granddaughter Daisy’s favorite holiday story–to children at the Bella Vista library this weekend.
In 2014, Republicans pledged to put Washington back to work for the American people. In 2015, the Republican Majority in the United States Senate delivered on that promise.
Heading into 2016, Team NRSC will continue to work as hard as we possibly can – and then even harder, to protect the Republican Senate Majority.
Thank you for all that you do.
Ward Baker
NRSC Executive Director
P.S. If you would like to receive daily updates from our Communications Department please email Andrea Bozek at [email protected] to sign up for our Morning Business email.
To The States…
Arizona
Politico Pro reported that a nonpartisan poll shows Senator John McCain leading Ann Kirkpatrick by double digits.
KSAZ reported that Mitt Romney headlined a re-election rally for Senator McCain.
Senator McCain penned a Wall Street Journal op-ed on the need for a comprehensive, coherent strategy to destroy ISIS.
Colorado
The Denver Post reported that Senator Michael Bennet continues to dodge questions regarding Guantanamo Bay detainees.
Meanwhile, Colorado Peak Politics reported that Hillary Clinton’s secret Gitmo memo poses a burden to Bennet.
Florida
The Miami Herald reported on the new ad highlighting Patrick Murphy’s cluelessness in the fight against ISIS.
The Tampa Bay Times reported on Murphy’s votes in support of closing Guantanamo Bay.
Illinois
Roll Call reported on the court case set to impact Tammy Duckworth’s Senate bid.
The Chicago Tribune reported on Senator Mark Kirk’s latest ad, which highlights the differences between Kirk and Duckworth on Syrian refugees and national security.
An op-ed in The Hill bashed Duckworth’s "convenient concerns about Syrian suffering."
Unlike Duckworth’s support for bringing 20 times more refugees than President Obama, Senator Kirk penned a WLS op-ed on the need to pause our Syrian refugee program.
Senator Kirk also penned an op-ed in The State Journal‑Register on the concerns that remain regarding the screening process.
The Washington Free Beacon reported on Duckworth’s silence amid the Chicago police controversy.
The Free Beacon also reported on the close ties between Rod Blagojevich and the union that endorsed his former appointee, Tammy Duckworth.
Illinois Education Association Vice President Kathi Griffin penned a letter in The Herald-News on her appreciation for Senator Kirk’s support of the Every Student Succeeds Act.
Missouri
KFVS-TV reported that Senator Roy Blunt secured key funding for the state’s military installations.
The Missouri Times reported on Senator Blunt’s visit to Cole County, where he touted the recently passed five-year highway bill.
Nevada
Politico Pro reported on the new NRSC television ads in Nevada highlighting Catherine Cortez Masto’s out-of-state travel paid for by special interests and taxpayers during her tenure as attorney general.
The Reno Gazette-Journal reported that the NRSC also launched a third TV ad highlighting Cortez Masto’s weak national security stances.
Dr. Joe Heck penned Las Vegas Review-Journal op-ed on the need for leadership in the fight against terrorism.
KVVU-TV reported that Dr. Heck also discussed the importance of leadership and vigilance at a national security summit.
New Hampshire
WMUR-TV reported that Senator Kelly Ayotte’s campaign launched a new radio ad highlighting Maggie Hassan’s troubling failure to understand the terror threat.
The New Hampshire Union Leader editorial board blasted Governor Hassan for her pattern of parroting Senator Ayotte’s position on many controversial issues.
The Union Leader reported that Senator Ayotte announced more than 750 endorsements for her re-election campaign.
The Union Leader also reported that Hassan continued to receive criticism for her absence from the state’s National Guard holiday event.
The Washington Examiner reported that Senator Ayotte slammed the Obama administration for releasing Gitmo detainees after the Paris attack.
Senator Ayotte penned a Union Leader op-ed on her efforts to address the worst provisions of ObamaCare and craft bipartisan solutions for Granite State families.
The Portsmouth Herald reported on Senator Ayotte’s efforts to secure funding to fight the opioid epidemic.
Ohio
The NRSC released a new digital ad highlighting "Retread" Ted Strickland’s abysmal track record on coal policy.
The Associated Press reported that Senator Rob Portman officially filed for re-election.
Democrats officially have themselves a primary as WLWT reported that P.G. Sittenfeld also filed the necessary documents for his candidacy.
The Hill reported that Senator Portman’s campaign launched new digital ads highlighting “Retread” Ted’s failed Congressional career.
The Journal-News reported on the criticism that “Retread” Ted faced for running a "content free" campaign.
The Washington Free Beacon reported that “Retread” Ted continued to receive criticism for ducking primary debates.
The Free Beacon also reported that a Democratic state senator called it a "mistake" for the Ohio Democratic Party to endorse “Retread” Ted.
Amid the infighting among Ohio Democrats over “Retread” Ted’s candidacy, RealClearPolitics wrote that P.G. Sittenfeld “awaits his moment” in the Senate race.
The Free Beacon reported that “Retread” Ted missed 40% of votes when running for governor.
Dayton Daily News reported that the "contested U.S. Senate Democratic primary" has forced "Retread" Ted to run to the left on our Second Amendment rights.
WEWS-TV reported on Senator Portman’s efforts to secure full funding for NASA Glenn in Cleveland – continuing operations for more than 1,500 employees.
WLQP reported on Senator Portman’s provision to strengthen the Stryker Brigade. Senator Portman’s amendment included millions for Lima’s Joint Systems Manufacturing Center.
Pennsylvania
The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Senator Pat Toomey’s campaign launched www.WhoIsWorse.com – a new website introducing Joe “SaysTax” and “Corporate” Katie McGinty.
The Philadelphia Inquirer also reported that even after a filing extension, McGinty couldn’t keep track of the speed with which she entered the revolving door.
The Washington Free Beacon reported that McGinty’s failed fundraising attempt highlighted her own role in the state’s budget crisis.
The Free Beacon also reported that Sestak doubled down on his statement that ISIS is "almost out of gas."
The Northeast Times reported on the criticism Sestak faced for that claim.
Senator Toomey penned a Pittsburgh Tribune-Review op-ed on the impact of his amendment to keep child predators out of schools – a victory for kids.
Wisconsin
The Washington Examiner reported on the impact that national security is set to have on the state’s Senate race and how the NRSC is holding Senator Russ Feingold accountable for his weak record.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported on the stark national security divide between Ron Johnson and Russ Feingold, along with Feingold’s vulnerability on the issue.
The Journal Sentinel also reported on the criticism directed towards Senator Feingold for the national security position he put forth following the Paris attacks.
Meanwhile, Right Wisconsin wrote that "Russ Feingold feels the heat on national security" as the issue emerges to the forefront of the Senate race.
The Washington Free Beacon reported that Senator Feingold held an out-of-state fundraiser this month with another failed candidate known for weak national security positions – Michael Dukakis.
The Free Beacon also reported that Senator Feingold continued to sell his principles this month at campaign fundraisers. Mr. Clean attended an event hosted by a lawyer who represented Lehman Brothers during bankruptcy proceedings.
The Journal Sentinel reported on the new ad highlighting Senator Feingold’s criticism of American exceptionalism.
Politico Pro’s Morning Score reported that Senator Johnson’s campaign announced grassroots leaders in all of the state’s 72 counties.
Senator Johnson penned a Journal Sentinel op-ed on the failures of ObamaCare and his efforts to repeal its harmful provisions.
WAOW reported that Senator Johnson helped assemble soldier care packages in Wausau.