Republican leaders believe it’s the beginning of the end for the Trump campaign, reports the Washington Post, citing mostly unnamed sources. Polls suggest the opposite: An NBC poll taken after last week’s debate shows Trump maintains a more than 10 point lead over his closest rival for the GOP nod.    NYT: Trump Disinvited from […]

  Politico reports on the empty-calorie joy-ride that was Thursday night’s debate — while also examining the contours of a more conventional race, with a cast of compelling characters jockeying for position in an unpredictable campaign.   NYT: Bruni: A Foxy, Rowdy Debate   WaPo: Cillizza: Carly Fiorina Won the ‘Happy Hour’ Debate. By a Lot.   CNN: Alabama Becomes Third State to Defund […]

Politico reports Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker won a surprising nod in an informal straw poll of major conservative donors gathered by the Koch brothers’ operation last weekend in Orange County, Calif.  Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio tied for second, with former H-P CEO Carly Fiorina in third. Urgent: Donald Trump Reveals Surprising Plans NYP: FBI’s Investigation […]

Ohio Gov. John Kasich is in and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry is out of Fox News’ Republican debate on Thursday night in Cleveland, the NY Times reported on Tuesday, resolving the drama of which lower-polling candidates would make the cut for the first  2016 presidential debate. Donald Trump, this summer’s insurgent candidate, will take center stage.   NYT: Brooks: Trump’s […]

Politico reports Sen. Chuck Schumer is getting it 8 ways from Sunday from opponents of the Iran deal. More than 10,000 phone calls in two weeks and seven figures in TV ads later and Schumer’s feeling squeezed, staring down the barrel of the most precarious vote of his political career. Special: Read Donald Trump’s Urgent Letter to You […]