Apr 8, 2017

Republican group launches first ad against anti-Gorsuch Democrat

Jonathan Swan

The Republican group Senate Leadership Fund is wasting no time attacking vulnerable 2018 Democrats for their votes against Neil Gorsuch's Supreme Court nomination. Its first ad goes live tomorrow hitting Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill for her no vote and points out she voted yes on all of Obama's judges.

What's coming next: Titled "Down the Line Liberal," the ad foreshadows a theme that Republicans will use to attack other red state Democrats whose political brands depend on their reputations as centrists.

Specifics: The ad is digital only and will begin by targeting Trump supporters in Missouri, says Senate Leadership Fund strategist Carl Forti. He tells me the spend is mid-five figures through early next week, then the group will decide how much more they want to put behind it, potentially with some TV.

(This story has been updated to correct the name of the group in the first and third paragraphs. It's the Senate Leadership Fund not American Crossroads.)

Go deeper

Jacob Knutson

Trump and McConnell continue to transform the federal judiciary

Photo: Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

After three years in office, President Trump and the Republican-held Senate have installed a total of 187 judges to the federal bench, with Trump nominees now making up one in four U.S. circuit court judges, according to an analysis by the Washington Post.

Why it matters: Trump's transformation of the federal judiciary will ensure that it maintains a conservative tilt for decades, likely affecting future progressive legislation and priorities no matter the outcome of next November’s election.

Go deeperArrowDec 22, 2019
Alayna Treene

What to expect this week as Pelosi prepares to send articles of impeachment

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Photo: Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call

As she prepares to finally send over the articles of impeachment, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is warning there could be a "cover-up" to protect President Trump in the Republican-led Senate. Republicans, meanwhile, are testing ways to use the trial as a wedge issue on Democrats.

Driving the news: Pelosi is expected to name House managers this week after consulting with her caucus at a meeting on Tuesday morning. She'll deliver the articles shortly after, though the precise timing is still unclear.

Go deeperArrowJan 12, 2020
Kim Hart

J.D. Vance launches VC fund for startups beyond Silicon Valley

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

Investor J.D. Vance has raised $93 million to start a venture capital firm, Narya Capital, based in his home state of Ohio, with fund backing from major names including Peter Thiel, Marc Andreessen, Eric Schmidt and Scott Dorsey.

Why it matters: Vance's 2017 bestselling memoir, "Hillbilly Elegy," gave voice to rural, working-class resentment in left-behind America that helped Trump win the White House, and he has been a strong proponent of investing in often-overlooked places.

Go deeperArrowJan 9, 2020