| | | | The new CNN poll has some actual good news for Republicans | | It's been an unrelenting torrent of negative news for Republicans trying to hold on to their House majority this fall: President Trump's low approval ratings, a slew of retirements in competitive seats and the crushing weight of history that suggests they are headed for major losses in November.
But that doom and gloom might be lifted by numbers in the new CNN-SSRS national poll, numbers that suggest that, at least at the moment, Republicans are not headed for a total pounding in 180 days.
The most obvious number is that Democrats' once-massive 16-point lead on the generic ballot ("If the elections for Congress were being held today, which party's candidate would you vote for in your congressional district?") is now down to just 3: 47% to 44%.
But dig into the poll further and other shoots of optimism for Republicans sprout up.
1. The economy is becoming more prominent as a voting issue, as Trump recedes somewhat. More than 8 in 10 voters (84%) say the economy will be "extremely" or "very" important to their votes, while 64% say the same of the President. The better the economy does -- or is perceived to be doing -- and the less that people see the 2018 election as a straight referendum on Trump, the better for Republican chances.
2. While Trump's job approval numbers remain stuck in the low 40s, he appears to be less of a drag on congressional Republicans today than he was a few months ago. In January, 52% said they would be more likely to vote for a congressional candidate who opposes Trump, while 41% said they'd be more likely to back someone who supports him. That margin has narrowed in the new poll; 48% said they'd rather choose a candidate who opposes Trump, while 43% prefer a candidate who supports the President.
3. Republicans are getting more interested in the 2018 election. In March, just 1 in 3 GOPers (and GOP-leaning independents) said they were "very enthusiastic" about the midterms. That number is up to 44% in the new CNN survey.
The Point: None of this is definitive proof that Republicans will be able to beat back the Democratic wave. There's other evidence in the poll that suggests that among those most excited about the midterms, Democrats still carry a double-digit edge, for one. But for a party that has been without much good news for months, this poll will look like an oasis in the desert to GOP strategists and candidates.
-- Chris | | From CNN's Zach Cohen: "President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that three Americans held in North Korea have been released and are on their way back home.
" 'I am pleased to inform you that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is in the air and on his way back from North Korea with the 3 wonderful gentlemen that everyone is looking so forward to meeting. They seem to be in good health,' Trump tweeted. He added that Pompeo had a 'good meeting' with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. He also ruled out the Korean Demilitarized Zone as the site of his upcoming talks with the North Korean leader.
"Pompeo also tweeted about the meeting with Kim and said he is 'delighted' to bring home the three Americans." Read more here. | | My guy Harry Enten on whether the Don Blankenship boom in West Virginia was ever a thing
The Democratic establishment is strong as ever, according to WaPo's Paul Kane (And he's right!)
What Trump's move on Iran means -- one from Timesman Peter Baker, one from CNN's Stephen Collinson
Meet the three American prisoners released by the North Koreans on Wednesday via WaPo's Amanda Erickson and Rick Noack
This Jennifer Egan piece on opioid-addicted mothers is one hell of an emotional read
"The Daily" is going weekly | | | There's a new (old) Josh Ritter tune out -- "Miles Away." If you don't like Josh's music, we aren't going to be friends. | | HASPEL'S HEARING ON THE HILL | | From CNN's Jeremy Herb and Lauren Fox: "Gina Haspel, President Donald Trump's pick to be the next CIA director, pledged Wednesday she would not restart the CIA's detention and interrogation program and that she would not follow an order that she found morally objectionable. Haspel made clear she does not believe the CIA should be in the interrogation business — and she would not allow the CIA to resume interrogations — but she declined to criticize the CIA for using waterboarding and other interrogation tactics that critics say amounted to torture.
" 'I would not allow CIA to undertake activity that I thought was immoral, even if it was technically legal,' Haspel said. 'I would absolutely not permit it.'" Read more about the hearing here.
Per CNN's Daniella Diaz: Sen. Joe Manchin announced he'll vote for Haspel, making him the first Democratic senator to do so publicly since she testified. John Cornyn, the Senate's No. 2 Republican, said Wednesday he was confident Haspel would have the votes to be confirmed. | | ICYMI: WINNERS AND LOSERS FROM TUESDAY'S PRIMARIES | | The 2018 political season kicked off in earnest on Tuesday with voters in four states -- Indiana, Ohio, North Carolina and West Virginia -- going to the polls to pick candidates for Senate, governor and House. Here are some of Chris' picks of who won the night and who lost.
Winners: - Mitch McConnell
- Establishment Democrats
- The Democratic House playing field
Losers: Read more of the analysis here. | | THROWBACK: ON THIS DAY... | | On this day last year, President Donald Trump fired then-FBI Director James Comey. Yes, really -- that was one year ago (Saba's first week at CNN!).CNN's Greg Krieg put together a tick-tock on how Comey's firing played out in real time. From the story:
"A little before 3 p.m. ET on May 9, 2017, since-departed White House press secretary Sean Spicer was asked if President Donald Trump still had 'full confidence' in his FBI director, James Comey. 'I have no reason to believe -- I haven't asked him, so I don't, I have not asked the President since the last time we spoke about this,' Spicer said. ...Three hours later, Trump would fire Comey, setting off the chain of events that would culminate with Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein's May 17 appointment of special counsel Robert Mueller."
Read the hour-by-hour breakdown of May 9, 2017, here. | | | From Brenna: "President Trump held a Cabinet meeting today. And apparently all but one attendee got the memo that they were playing a game of Statue. Hydration is important." Tell people you know to quench their thirst for news by subscribing to The Point newsletter. | | We'd love to share our other newsletters with you. Follow this link for daily coverage of the world's top stories, savvy market insights, an insider's look into the media, and more. Our authors for The Point are Chris Cillizza and Saba Hamedy. Send your tips and thoughts via email to Chris or Saba. Follow on Twitter: Chris and Saba. | | | | | | |
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