GOP Closes Wallet on NC Rep. Hayes

Mitch McConnell, Tea Party at the forefront: Chris Cillizza

(NEWSER) - The debt-deal dust has yet to settle, but that's not stopping anyone from analyzing its political consequences. In the Washington Post , Chris Cillizza notes the winners:

• Mitch McConnell was “the Mariano Rivera of the debt deal. He waited until the game was in its final moments, came onto the field and helped close things down.”
• The Tea Party showed its sway, driving John Boehner to delay his bill and “add conservative sweeteners to get the 217 votes he needed.”

N. Carolina congressional candidate drops spot after blast by livid actor

(NEWSER) - Campaign officials for a North Carolina congressional candidate have finally conceded the voice on a radio and TV spot really isn't Morgan Freeman's, even though they insisted yesterday it was. The confession came after a furious Freeman slammed the campaign for hijacking his endorsement of Republican candidate BJ Lawson, who's challenging Democrat David Price. "These people are lying. I have never recorded any campaign ads for BJ Lawson and I do not support his candidacy," Freeman said in a statement . "No one who represents me has ever authorized the use of my name, voice or any other likeness in support of Mr. Lawson or his candidacy." The campaign now says that staffers were "misled" by the production company that produced the spot. More»

Only one-third approve of Dem-controlled Congress

(NEWSER) - Congress is once again playing the role of the nation's whipping boy, with its approval rating hitting a basement-dwelling 18% in a new USA Today/Gallup poll suggests. And while it's no surprise that conservatives disapprove of the Democrat-controlled Capitol, support has plummeted among left-wingers: Only 32% and 35% of those who define themselves as liberal or very liberal, respectively, approve, while just a year ago, about half were giving a thumbs up, the LA Times reports. More»

LIttle difference between parties, say activists

(NEWSER) - It appears that Tea Party-like trouble is brewing for the Democrats. A group of North Carolina liberals and union leaders disgusted by incumbent Democrats' votes with Republicans against Obamacare are forming a new party. Supporters of the nascent third party, North Carolina First, are gathering signatures to officially launch a challenge to the state's 3 Democratic congressman in midterm elections. "No more are we going to blindly support you because you're a Democrat," a labor leader said in a warning to politicians in the Washington Post. More»

Nate Silver identifies 10 seats, 6 in NY, subject to primary challenge

(NEWSER) - Some House Democrats could be in a pickle when it comes to reelection this year if they don’t vote for the health care reform bill this week, writes Nate Silver. He’s identified 10 who might face primary challenges based on their ambivalence about the legislation, pressure from activist groups in their blue districts, and short time in the chamber. More»