Today’s installment of campaign-related news items from across the country.
* In the new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll, Democrats have a 10-point advantage on the congressional generic ballot, leading Republicans 50% to 40%. That’s up from a seven-point lead Dems had in the same poll in April.
* On a related note, the same poll found that 48% of voters are more likely to support a candidate who’ll “provide a check” on Donald Trump, as opposed to 23% who say they’re less likely to back such a candidate. In swing districts, it’s 52% to 19%.
* A national Quinnipiac poll released yesterday pointed to slightly better news for Republicans: it found Democrats ahead on the generic ballot, 47% to 40%. That’s down slightly from an eight-point lead for Dems in the same poll two months ago.
* NBC News’ Kasie Hunt noted a very interesting tidbit this morning: the heads of the DCCC and NRCC are reportedly meeting today “to discuss whether campaigns should commit to not using hacked information in the midterm elections.” Related efforts have fallen short in recent months, but this suggests there may yet be a bipartisan deal.
* In Florida’s gubernatorial race, former Rep. Gwen Graham (D) is launching her first ad buy of the year, with a $1 million investment. Of particular interest is Graham’s focus: she’s made Medicaid expansion a central pillar of her platform. * Though I’m skeptical of where this is headed, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz will leave his current post at the end of the month, and may have a political future in mind. When the New York Times asked if he’s consider a presidential campaign, Schultz replied, “I intend to think about a range of options, and that could include public service.” * And in Georgia yesterday, Rep. Drew Ferguson (R) ran into a little trouble, publishing a D-Day message via social media that accidentally featured Nazi soldiers, not American troops. The posting was deleted soon after.
Steve Benen is a producer for "The Rachel Maddow Show," the editor of MaddowBlog and an MS NOW political contributor. He's also the bestselling author of "Ministry of Truth: Democracy, Reality, and the Republicans' War on the Recent Past." Recommended
