Here’s a quick overview of the latest political news:
Here’s a quick overview of the latest political news:
• Hillary Clinton and the perception she has “something to hide.”
Like Bonnie and Clyde, or a Coke and a smile, the Clintons and scandal go hand in hand. You’d think by now that Bill and Hillary are so experienced in doing scandal damage control they could open their own crisis communications firm. So it’s a curious thing to watch Hillary flounder around, unable to craft a plausible explanation of what really happened to her emails, the classified information she apparently received on her personal email account, and her server.
Many of her supporters and allies, now weary of the 6-month old scandal, are concerned that she seems to be mounting a “legalistic defense,” rather than a political narrative. Others among her supporters are frustrated that she appears to get flustered and “testy” when asked about her emails. For more on Clinton’s never-ending email saga see this story in Politico: http://www.politico.com/story/2015/08/allies-fault-hillary-clinton-response-on-emails-121509.html
• Trump is in the lead. And it isn’t even close.
According to a CNN/ORC poll this week, Donald Trump is in first place among the Republican candidates with 24%. In the number 2 spot is Jeb Bush – 11 points behind Trump , with 13%. Ben Carson has 9%, while Marco Rubio and Scott Walker are tied with 8%.
According to the same poll, 45% say they trust Trump more than any of the other candidates on the economy, and 44% trust Trump more than any other candidate to handle ISIS. Read more here: http://www.cnn.com/2015/08/18/politics/donald-trump-presidential-poll-debate/
• Rubio is having a tough week, but says he’s right where he wants to be.
The poll numbers aren’t looking good for Rubio. In the CNN poll cited above, he’s tied for fourth place. Most of the polls released in August show similar numbers, with Rubio consistently ranking in the single digits. And, to make matters worse, he accidentally threw a football into an Iowa toddler’s face earlier this week. To be fair, it looked like a pretty good pass, but the kid appears to have tried to catch the ball with his nose.
Despite the bad week and the lackluster poll numbers, Rubio’s campaign says he is exactly where they want him. His campaign manager brushed off the slow start by saying: “Show me the candidate who was first place in August who ended up winning in February.” He may have a point: At this point four years ago, we had yet to see the rise of Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain, Rick Perry, and Newt Gingrich. Read more here: http://www.politico.com/story/2015/08/rubio-leading-from-behind-121502.html
• Walker’s plan to attract Trump supporters.
Scott Walker, who was polling in the double-digits in July, has taken a fall in August, now only garnering around 8% in most polls. His campaign has developed a strategy it hopes will grab the attention of those currently supporting Trump. Walker told his supporters on a fundraising call that he will personally do a better job in the coming months in three key areas: protest, passion, and policy. The Walker campaign is making a concerted effort to show Trump supporters that Walker shares Trump’s frustrations about many things, including immigration. Read the full article here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/fading-in-the-polls-scott-walker-aims-to-attract-trump-voters/2015/08/18/48d0b900-45ab-11e5-846d-02792f854297_story.html
• Pro-Bush Super PAC Right to Rise plans to spend $10 Million on first TV campaign.
Right to Rise, the super PAC supporting Jeb Bush, has announced its plans to spend at least $10 million on the first TV ads in the early primary states. The ads will run in Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina beginning in September, and will run through the end of the year. The ads will highlight his record as governor of Florida from 1999 to 2007, and will include such themes as his commitment to transparency, as well as his “conservative accomplishments.” For more on the story: http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/government-and-politics/20150816/pro-bush-super-pac-spending-10m-plus-on-initial-tv-campaign
That’s all for this week. Keep fighting for freedom!
In liberty,
Jenny Beth Martin
Chairman
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