4796

Which, given its MO, is about as good as you can expect.

4797

This is welcome news, no doubt, for Congressman and DNC vice chair Keith Ellison, who is not seeking reelection as U.S. Rep and instead is running for MN Attorney General.

Though I’m sure his political enemies and nattering nabobs in social media comments will not be swayed by what some DFL lawyer has to say.

4798

After reading the article, I no longer believe that particular accuser. I wish the headline made it clear that the Attorney in question is an investigator, not Ellison’s lawyer. Here is the bit that makes me distrust the allegation:

Karen Monahan alleged in August that Ellison dragged her off a bed by her feet while screaming obscenities at her in 2016. Monahan said she had video footage of the incident

A draft report obtained by the AP notes Monahan’s shifting rationale for refusing to produce the video footage, including that it was lost, was on a USB drive in storage and that it would be too embarrassing and traumatic to release it.

Ellingstad also wrote in her report that Monahan would not allow her to view the footage privately.

She may be telling the truth, but it seems unlikely to me.

4799

If she didn’t want to release the video, I am not even sure what the point is in mentioning it.

4800

Well, it gives the allegation more credibility. Initially, at least.

4801

There’s a similar ad running here in northeast NY, with video of Faso hugging a cancer patient and promising her he wouldn’t take away her health care, then voting to allow coverage denial based on pre-existing conditions.

4802

Liking these apples

4803

My wife is out there nearly every day canvassing for Porter. It’s looks like it will be very close.

4804

That’s awesome John! I don’t think we’ve had any canvassers in our neighborhood (Lake Forest) except for Lake Forest city council nonsense.

4805

I think my wife has been assigned neighborhoods in Mission Viejo. I’ll let her know that you haven’t seen anyone in Lake Forest.

4806

Yeah, Mars deciding to lose its magnetic field sucks big time.

4807

Closer in VA-10 than I would have thought. Just look at that sea of mostly-rural red to the west of me, ugh.

MonmouthPoll_VA_062618
MonmouthPoll_VA_062618.jpg840×560 118 KB

4808

Republican hopes in both houses have ticked up over the last week of polling.

Gotta take it to the finish line…

4809

Any idea what’s driving that? Circling the wagons over the SC situation?

4810

Polls are volatile, and they will continue to be right up until election. (I don’t think it’s the SC situation since a) the House can’t do anything about SC nominees and b) BK’s numbers are getting worse. However, both sides are raging about it, so maybe enthusiasm is ticking up for R’s.)

4811

Yep, all of that. And important to remember also: most of those upticks we’re seeing are based on polling that took place before Thursday of last week. If there was a Kavanaugh-related move one way, there will likely be a small move the other way in response.

4812

Jason Kander has announced he’s dropping out of the Kansas City mayoral race to seek treatment for PTSD and depression.

Bummer for Kansas City…but good for Jason. I hope he’s able to get the help he needs.

4813

Ouch… that also makes it a lot less likely that he’ll ever seek national office.

4814

Man, that sucks. Kander had a lot of potential.

4815

I mean, it does suck in the most obvious ways…

…but man. Maybe his courage in stepping forward like this saves a couple of other lives. And Jason has a lovely wife and young son. They need him, and I’m glad he’s not only taking care of himself, but speaking up to lead by example.