National Journal Online


Insiders: Odds Increase for GOP House Takeover The prospects of a GOP takeover of the House in upcoming midterm elections continue to rise according to the latest National Journal Political Insiders Poll. Insiders we asked, "On a scale of zero (no chance) to 10 (virtual certainty), how likely are the Republicans to take over the House this November?" The average rating from 100 Dem Insiders who responded to the poll this week was 4.5, up from a 3.7 rating when the question was last asked in April. The average rating from the 104 GOP Insiders who responded was a very bullish 6.6, up from 5.8 in April. Posted: Thursday, July 8, 2010 - 3:30pm
RNC Holds Unreported Debt The RNC is expected to file a series of amended reports with the FEC this month after an internal review by the treasurer found a number of debts that had not been previously reported. Sources with knowledge of the RNC's financial situation said the debts will likely amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars. The debts, owed to several vendors, have not been reported yet because top RNC officials have not acknowledged their existence. Posted: Thursday, July 8, 2010 - 2:42pm
The GOP's West Virginia Backup Plan Dems know who they can count on to run in a WV special election that could be held as soon as this Nov.; Gov. Joe Manchin (D) has made little secret of his desire to serve in the Senate. But for all their insistence in holding a special election for the late Sen. Robert Byrd's seat this year, GOPers are notably less certain as to who their standard-bearer would be. One thing most party strategists are coming to grips with: It probably won't be Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R). Posted: Thursday, July 8, 2010 - 1:22pm
HHS Proposes Rules To Enhance Health Information Privacy The Health and Human Services Department Thursday announced proposed rules aimed at enhancing the privacy of health information under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA). The proposed regulations, issued in a notice of proposed rulemaking, would expand the right of individuals to access their information while restricting disclosure of covered health information, extend the privacy and security requirements included in HIPPA to business associates of companies and organizations covered by the law, and ban the sale of a patient's health data without their consent. Posted: Thursday, July 8, 2010 - 11:58am
Carnahan Drops Prices For Obama Event Pres. Obama is the best fundraiser the Dem Party has, but his drawing power is way down from its peak during the '08 campaign. Obama is heading to MO and NV today to raise money for Sec/State Robin Carnahan (D), running for an open Senate seat, and Senate Maj. Leader Harry Reid. But Carnahan's campaign wasn't able to completely sell out the Folly Theater, where Obama will appear for a grassroots event on Carnahan's behalf, at the prices they wanted. Tickets once priced at $250 are now going for $99, while $35 tickets are half off. Posted: Thursday, July 8, 2010 - 11:32am
Thursday Fundraising Roundup Fundraising reports have been slow to trickle out this month, so we've been saving them for a bigger post. Remember to follow @FECtweets for real-time fundraising reports. Some numbers that have come out in recent days: OH SEN: Ex-Rep. Rob Portman raised $2.65M in the second quarter, ending with $8.8M in the bank. He's spent money on 2 TV ads so far, and he's expected to maintain his huge financial advantage over LG Lee Fisher (D). Posted: Thursday, July 8, 2010 - 11:12am
Coalition Launched To Oppose NBC-Comcast Merger On the same day that lawmakers were set to meet in Chicago for a field hearing on the issue, 20 public interest, industry and consumer groups Thursday announced a coalition to oppose the proposed merger between Comcast and NBC Universal, citing its potential harm on competition and consumer choice. Posted: Thursday, July 8, 2010 - 10:12am
Tiberi Leads Red To Blue Dem One of the few chances Dems have to contest a GOP-held seat will be a long-shot at best, according to a new survey conducted for Rep. Pat Tiberi's (R-OH) campaign. The poll, conducted by Public Opinion Strategies, shows Tiberi leading Franklin Co. Commis. Paula Brooks (D) by a 53%-28% margin. Businessman Travis Irvine (L) pulls 5%. Posted: Thursday, July 8, 2010 - 9:49am
Bill To Require Porn-Blocking Technology At Agencies The House passed this month an amendment to a supplemental spending bill that would bar federal agencies from using funds for computer networks unless the systems block pornography, Nextgov.com reported. One information security expert called the requirement wise, but warned Congress should leave it up to agencies to specify the controls they use to prevent federal employees from downloading porn. On July 1, the House agreed to an amendment to the Senate passed supplemental bill, H.R. Posted: Thursday, July 8, 2010 - 9:25am
Boxer Under Water, But Leads Fiorina Ex-Hewlett Packard CEO Carly Fiorina (R) remains well within striking distance of Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), who is viewed unfavorably by a majority of likely voters, according to a new Field Poll released today. The poll was conducted June 22-July 5, with Field Research Corp. surveying 1,005 likely voters, for a margin of error of +/- 3.1%. Posted: Thursday, July 8, 2010 - 9:00am

Insiders: Odds Increase for GOP House Takeover

The prospects of a GOP takeover of the House in upcoming midterm elections continue to rise according to the latest National Journal Political Insiders Poll.

Insiders we asked, "On a scale of zero (no chance) to 10 (virtual certainty), how likely are the Republicans to take over the House this November?" The average rating from 100 Dem Insiders who responded to the poll this week was 4.5, up from a 3.7 rating when the question was last asked in April. The average rating from the 104 GOP Insiders who responded was a very bullish 6.6, up from 5.8 in April.

Posted: Thursday, July 8, 2010 - 3:30pm

RNC Holds Unreported Debt

The RNC is expected to file a series of amended reports with the FEC this month after an internal review by the treasurer found a number of debts that had not been previously reported.

Sources with knowledge of the RNC's financial situation said the debts will likely amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars. The debts, owed to several vendors, have not been reported yet because top RNC officials have not acknowledged their existence.

Posted: Thursday, July 8, 2010 - 2:42pm

The GOP's West Virginia Backup Plan

Dems know who they can count on to run in a WV special election that could be held as soon as this Nov.; Gov. Joe Manchin (D) has made little secret of his desire to serve in the Senate.

But for all their insistence in holding a special election for the late Sen. Robert Byrd's seat this year, GOPers are notably less certain as to who their standard-bearer would be. One thing most party strategists are coming to grips with: It probably won't be Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R).

Posted: Thursday, July 8, 2010 - 1:22pm

HHS Proposes Rules To Enhance Health Information Privacy

The Health and Human Services Department Thursday announced proposed rules aimed at enhancing the privacy of health information under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA). The proposed regulations, issued in a notice of proposed rulemaking, would expand the right of individuals to access their information while restricting disclosure of covered health information, extend the privacy and security requirements included in HIPPA to business associates of companies and organizations covered by the law, and ban the sale of a patient's health data without their consent.

Posted: Thursday, July 8, 2010 - 11:58am

Carnahan Drops Prices For Obama Event

Pres. Obama is the best fundraiser the Dem Party has, but his drawing power is way down from its peak during the '08 campaign.

Obama is heading to MO and NV today to raise money for Sec/State Robin Carnahan (D), running for an open Senate seat, and Senate Maj. Leader Harry Reid.

But Carnahan's campaign wasn't able to completely sell out the Folly Theater, where Obama will appear for a grassroots event on Carnahan's behalf, at the prices they wanted. Tickets once priced at $250 are now going for $99, while $35 tickets are half off.

Posted: Thursday, July 8, 2010 - 11:32am

Thursday Fundraising Roundup

Fundraising reports have been slow to trickle out this month, so we've been saving them for a bigger post. Remember to follow @FECtweets for real-time fundraising reports. Some numbers that have come out in recent days:

OH SEN: Ex-Rep. Rob Portman raised $2.65M in the second quarter, ending with $8.8M in the bank. He's spent money on 2 TV ads so far, and he's expected to maintain his huge financial advantage over LG Lee Fisher (D).

Posted: Thursday, July 8, 2010 - 11:12am

Coalition Launched To Oppose NBC-Comcast Merger

On the same day that lawmakers were set to meet in Chicago for a field hearing on the issue, 20 public interest, industry and consumer groups Thursday announced a coalition to oppose the proposed merger between Comcast and NBC Universal, citing its potential harm on competition and consumer choice.

Posted: Thursday, July 8, 2010 - 10:12am

Tiberi Leads Red To Blue Dem

One of the few chances Dems have to contest a GOP-held seat will be a long-shot at best, according to a new survey conducted for Rep. Pat Tiberi's (R-OH) campaign.

The poll, conducted by Public Opinion Strategies, shows Tiberi leading Franklin Co. Commis. Paula Brooks (D) by a 53%-28% margin. Businessman Travis Irvine (L) pulls 5%.

Posted: Thursday, July 8, 2010 - 9:49am

Bill To Require Porn-Blocking Technology At Agencies

The House passed this month an amendment to a supplemental spending bill that would bar federal agencies from using funds for computer networks unless the systems block pornography, Nextgov.com reported. One information security expert called the requirement wise, but warned Congress should leave it up to agencies to specify the controls they use to prevent federal employees from downloading porn. On July 1, the House agreed to an amendment to the Senate passed supplemental bill, H.R.

Posted: Thursday, July 8, 2010 - 9:25am

Boxer Under Water, But Leads Fiorina

Ex-Hewlett Packard CEO Carly Fiorina (R) remains well within striking distance of Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), who is viewed unfavorably by a majority of likely voters, according to a new Field Poll released today.

The poll was conducted June 22-July 5, with Field Research Corp. surveying 1,005 likely voters, for a margin of error of +/- 3.1%.

Posted: Thursday, July 8, 2010 - 9:00am

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