Oct 26, 2017

Freedom Partners' latest tax ad targets Wisconsin Dem

Screengrab: Freedom Partners / YouTube

A non-partisan, non-profit group launched a $1.6 million ad campaign today targets Wisconsin Sen. Tammy Baldwin's record on tax reform and urges residents to vote against her in 2018. The Freedom Partners Chamber of Commerce argues that Sen. Baldwin has "supported a long history of higher taxes."

Why it matters: This ad shows how the tax reform fight can become a political liability for some senators. Baldwin is one of 10 Dem senators representing states that Trump won in 2016 and whose seat is crucial for the Democratic Party to keep in 2018. Tax reform will be a difficult issue for the Red-state Dems whose constituents align more with the GOP and are likely to support Trump's tax plan — ultimately wanting their senators to do the same.

Freedom Partners' campaign will include 2 ads ("$5 Trillion" and "Absolutely Wrong") both focusing on how Baldwin's tax policies hurt Wisconsin residents and business owners.

What they’re saying: “The dishonest smear attacks continue as out-of-state special interests pour in millions of dollars to take down Tammy Baldwin and replace her with someone willing to sell out Wisconsin families,” said Brad Bainum, Democratic Party of Wisconsin spokesperson for the 2018 Senate race. “The truth is, Tammy supports tax cuts for Wisconsin working families."

Go deeper: Trump's admin wasn't always talking to Red-state Dems about taxes. And more on his tax plan.

Go deeper

Marisa Fernandez

Cuomo: Data suggests coronavirus curve may be flattening in New York

The total number of new hospitalizations, ICU admissions and daily intubations in New York have decreased each of the past three days — an indication that social distancing may be working, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Monday.

The big picture: The governor's office has been tracking different models that predicted a peak of between 55,000 and 110,000 hospital beds needed for coronavirus patients in New York by the end of April. Data over the past few weeks suggests that hospitalizations may potentially be plateauing earlier than those models projected.

Go deeper28 mins ago - Health

Fadel Allassan

Acting Navy head called fired aircraft carrier captain "stupid" in address to crew

Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly told the crew of the USS Theodore Roosevelt Monday that its ousted commander, Capt. Brett Crozier, was "too naive or too stupid" to not realize that his letter pleading for help in battling a coronavirus outbreak onboard would be leaked to the press, according to a copy of his remarks obtained by CNN.

The big picture: Modly also floated the possibility that Crozier, who has since been diagnosed with coronavirus himself, leaked the letter deliberately. He called the act a "betrayal of trust, with me, with his chain of command."

Go deeper54 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Dan Primack

Serological coronavirus testing could be key to economic reopening

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

America's economy won't reopen anytime soon, despite frantic CEO whispers, but a glimmer of hope may be emerging in the form of serological testing.

Why it matters: Serologic tests aren't to determine whether or not you're infected with coronavirus. They are to determine if you have potential immunity that could allow you to safely return to work.

Go deeper3 hours ago - Economy & Business