Other races

The Republican Party got the results it wanted from Tuesday's primaries — for the most part.

Two South Carolina Republicans who received the backing of former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin emerged victorious in their runoff elections Tuesday.

Palin had endorsed gubernatorial candidate Nikki Haley and publicly stuck with her amid allegations of an extramarital affair. She also endorsed Republican Tim Scott against Paul Thurmond in South Carolina's 1st congressional district.

That makes Palin two for two Tuesday. She stayed out of the Republican Senate runoff in Utah between Tim Bridgewater and Mike Lee, making her win-loss record for this cycle 9-3, according to an analysis by The Hill.

A new Gallup poll out Monday shows a wide gap in enthusiasm between Republican and Democratic voters for this year's midterm elections.

A full 59 percent of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents said they are "more enthusiastic than usual" about voting this year. That's compared to just 44 percent of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents.

Gallup notes that the 59 percent number is the highest the poll has found in a midterm election since it started asking the question in 1994. In that year, when the GOP gained 52 seats in the House and regained control of Congress, Gallup found 42 percent of Republicans "more enthusiastic."

"The prior high for a party group was 50% more enthusiastic for Democrats in 2006, which is only one of the last five midterm election years in which Democrats have had an enthusiasm advantage," wrote Gallup's Jeffrey Jones. "In that election, Democrats won back control of the U.S. House of Representatives for the first time since 1994."

For Democratic strategists, the turnout dynamic in 2010 is one of the party's biggest concerns. Throughout the primary season, Democratic turnout has been relatively low, while Republican interest has surged. With the conservative base energized by the Tea Party movement and opposition to the Obama administration, whether or not Democrats can drum up turnout in marginal districts could make the difference, particularly in tight House races.

Last week, the Democratic National Committee expanded its 2010 turnout effort with the rollout of "Raise Your Vote," a program aimed at registering and turning out additional new voters in November. The DNC has already pledged $50 million for 2010 turnout efforts.

The upcoming ruling on California’s Proposition 8 could put the gay marriage issue in the midterm election spotlight.

The preliminary findings of an investigation indicate the controversial grass-roots organization did not misuse more than $40 million in taxpayer funds.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) played it safe in his latest round of endorsements. 

His Freedom First PAC on Friday endorsed Ohio gubernatorial candidate John Kasich (R), Rep. John Boozman (R) for Senate in Arkansas, Rick Crawford to defeat Democrat Chad Causey in Arkansas's 1st district and Republican Jim Renacci in the race against freshman Rep. John Boccieri (D) Ohio's 16th district.

All these candidates have won their contested primaries to face Democratic opposition in November. Moreover, backing a candidate like Renacci — who's in one of the most targeted House races in the country — doesn't involve going too far out on a limb.

"These are four excellent, conservative candidates," Pawlenty said in a statement, noting that Kasich "is a good friend of mine."

He recently set up state-level PACs in Iowa and New Hampshire to contribute to local candidates, and is expected to run for the GOP White House nod in 2012.

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin announced her backing of three more Republican women on her Facebook page Thursday night.

In a post she called "a new 'Mama Grizzlies' field report," Palin endorsed Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.), Rep. Mary Fallin (R-Okla.), who is running for governor, and California Republican congressional candidate Star Parker.

About McMorris Rodgers, Palin wrote, "I have a deep respect for Cathy's strong voice for families who are touched by those with special needs." Both Palin and Rodgers have sons with Down syndrome.

"I heartily endorse these liberty loving 'Mama Grizzlies,' " Palin wrote.

Palin has made a habit of wading into Republican primaries this election cycle. She recently endorsed attorney Joe Miller in his primary against Sen. Lisa Murkowski in Palin's home state of Alaska. And in Washington state, Palin backed Tea Party favorite Clint Didier over Dino Rossi.

But this new spate of endorsements comes in races without a whole lot of political drama. In Oklahoma, Fallin is the favorite in the governor's race. In California, Star Parker is a long shot to defeat Rep. Laura Richardson (D). And McMorris Rodgers occupies a safe Republican seat.

South Carolina Democrats are stuck with Alvin Greene, a new poll has Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-N.C.) down a point and is 2010 really shaping up like 1994?

It's Greene versus DeMint

Democrats in South Carolina have decided not to overturn Greene's victory in last week's Democratic Senate primary. That means Greene will remain on the ballot and face Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) in November.

The party's executive committee rejected a plea Thursday night from Greene's primary challenger, Vic Rawl, to overturn the results.

Despite not holding a single campaign event, Greene defeated Rawl handily last week, winning just shy of 60 percent of the vote. After digging into the results, the Rawl campaign claimed evidence of voting irregularities and House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.) suggested Greene was a Republican "plant."

Greene was a no-show at Thursday night's meeting.

Is Etheridge really in trouble?

A Survey USA poll released Thursday showed Etheridge trailing Republican opponent Renee Ellmers by a point. The poll gave Ellmers a 39-38 percent lead. Libertarian candidate Tom Rose garnered 14 percent.

The numbers come in the wake of Etheridge's confrontation with two men on a Washington street, which was videotaped and spread across the Internet.

A caution on these numbers — it's a poll of 400 registered voters, not likely voters. And Ellmers was bound to get a poll bounce in the immediate aftermath of the Etheridge video flap. Polling analyst Tom Jensen thinks a little more distance from the incident might offer a better snapshot of the race.

1994 all over again?

Not exactly, according to a new analysis by noted political scientist Alan Abramowitz. But he does predict Republicans will regain control of the House right on the number — picking up 39 seats this fall and giving the GOP control of the House 219-218.

The mood of the electorate today is similar to 1994, Abramowitz wrote on Larry Sabato's website, but when it comes to the political territory in play, he offered some key distinctions.

"Democrats hold 256 House seats today, just as they did in 1994," he wrote. "However, fewer of their seats today are in marginal or Republican-leaning districts while more are in strongly Democratic districts. In addition, Democrats are defending only 19 open seats this year compared with 31 open seats in 1994. As a result, Democrats are in a stronger position to defend their majority this year than they were in 1994."

With an eye towards broadening its membership and national donor base, EMILY's List has launched a new program entitled "EMpower." 

A donation of $100 to the political action committee and two $50 contributions to EMILY's List candidates earns donors membership in the program. It also gives them access to events with candidates and elected officials.   

"EMpower is a new opportunity to be a part of our movement to elect strong Democratic women; a place to network, to learn about candidates throughout the country, to collaborate and have a powerful individual and collective impact in cities, states, and in Washington," president Stephanie Schriock said in a press release. 

Vice President Joe Biden sets two fundraising dates with Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), the GOP readies for President Barack Obama's stop in Ohio and a new poll shows Republican Dino Rossi closing in on Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.).

Biden back to California

Biden will headline two fundraisers for Boxer next month. Biden will host a fundraiser for Boxer in Silicon Valley on July 8 and another in Los Angeles on July 9. The vice president headlined a fundraiser for Boxer last fall, and Obama has already hosted two events for the senator this year.

Boxer is in a tough race against Republican Carly Fiorina, the former Hewlett-Packard CEO, who has already spent millions of her own money on the race. As the San Jose Mercury News points out, Boxer had more than $9 million in her campaign coffers as of last month, compared to less than $1 million for Fiorina. But the Republican is expected to use her personal wealth to keep the race close.

The latest poll numbers give Boxer a five-point edge — 48 percent to 43.

Fiorina quickly jumped on the news of Biden's visit, calling it a "rescue mission." In a statement, Fiorina spokeswoman Julie Soderlund said, "Vice President Biden's plan to visit California in July represents the fourth rescue mission in as many months conducted by the Obama administration to save Barbara Boxer's failing political career."

Fisher shares a stage with Obama

The last two times Obama made a trip to the Buckeye State, Democratic Senate candidate and Ohio Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher was notably absent, something Republicans relish pointing out. But on Friday, Fisher will be in attendance when the president talks jobs at a stop in Columbus. Obama will speak at a groundbreaking for a project paid for with stimulus dollars.

Republicans will use the appearance to tie Fisher to the president in a state where Obama's approval is under 50 percent. Fisher is facing former Rep. and Bush administration OMB Director Rob Portman (R). The latest Rasmussen poll has that race in a dead heat, 43-43.

Another vulnerable Democrat may be in attendance Friday. A spokesman for Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy (D) told the Columbus Dispatch the congresswoman would likely be at the president's event.

Rossi closing the gap?

A new Elway Poll out of Washington state gives Murray a seven-point lead over likely Republican challenger Rossi. The numbers, released Wednesday, show that Rossi has narrowed the gap by more than 15 points in the last month. Murray leads Rossi 47 percent to 40, with 13 percent undecided.

An Elway poll from last month had Murray up 51-34.

Despite the gains, Rossi could face trouble from his right in the form of Tea Party favorite Clint Didier. Didier was endorsed by former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. Polls still have Rossi leading Didier by a large margin in the Republican primary, but Rossi will need a united and highly energized Republican base to turn out come November.