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209
Brookings: “As of the end of June, 209 Democratic challengers had registered with the FEC and raised at least $5,000. That more than doubled the previous high mark since 2003. In 2009, the Republicans had 78 challengers with at least $5,000. The early GOP challengers in 2009 foreshadowed the party’s regaining majority control. The question is whether the same will hold true for the Democrats in 2018. … The number of challengers at six months is truly remarkable. And the candidates are not simply bunching up in a few primaries. Yes, there is some doubling up: six Democrats have filed so far against John Faso in New York’s 19th congressional district. But there is also a good spread. So far, 105 different Republican incumbents have Democratic challengers with $5,000.”
49% to 38%
A new Public Policy Polling survey shows Democrats now have a 49% to 38% lead overall on the generic congressional ballot.“Even more notable though is that among voters who say they’re ‘very excited’ to turn out in the 2018 election, the Democratic lead balloons to 27 points at 61% to 34%. The outcome of lower turnout midterm elections often hinges on which side is more engaged, and Democrats have the clear advantage at this point on that front — 63% of their voters say they’re ‘very excited’ about voting in next year’s election, compared to only 52% of Republicans who say the same.”
12
“The 12 Democrats who represent House districts won by Donald Trump were supposed to be easy marks for the deal-making new president. Instead, they’re giving him the stiff-arm,” Politico reports. “After last week’s collapse of the GOP effort to scrap Obamacare — fueled partly by resistance from conservative House hard-liners — Trump and his allies have hinted that outreach to Democrats may soon be on the way. But Trump’s polarizing agenda and early stumbles have stiffened the resolve of moderate Democrats once spooked by his success in their districts.”
The number one thing that’s going to determine whether we win or lose? If Trump’s at 35% we could take back the Senate. If Trump’s at 55%, we could lose the whole ball of wax. So part of my job is to make sure that we don’t let Trump get away with stuff.
— Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), quoted by the Washington Post.
59
Number of Democratic who lawmakers have now announced they’ll boycott Donald Trump’s inauguration on Friday, The Hill reports.
“The talent is banging on our doors to do this,” said one source.
Concert prompter Mark Ross “is in the process of putting together a large-scale concert called ‘We the People’ to directly compete with Donald Trump’s inauguration, according to Playbook. “The organizers are looking to hold the event in Miami on Inauguration Day.”
169
Number of House Democrats who signed a letter urging Donald Trump to rescind his appointment of Stephen Bannon to a senior White House post, calling the Breitbart boss “a purveyor of anti-Semitism, misogyny and racism,” Politico reports. From the letter: “Millions of Americans have expressed fear and concern about how they will be treated by the Trump Administration and your appointment of Mr. Bannon only exacerbates and validates their concerns.”
