Politics

Talking Points Memo reports: Utah Senate candidate Mitt Romney said Wednesday that a series of suspicious packages sent to prominent Democratic officials were “sadly unsurprising” given the country’s “rabid” political rhetoric. Romney has periodically criticized Trump’s rhetoric as he campaigns to replace retiring Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah). The former Massachusetts governor was once an ardent critic of Trump during the …

CNBC reports: President Donald Trump is expected to address a series of suspicious packages addressed to Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and others Wednesday, during at a bill signing event for legislation intended to combat the opioid crisis. The Secret Service said that “potential explosive devices” addressed to former President Obama and former Secretary of State Clinton had been intercepted. Hours …

The Miami Herald reports: A suspicious package has been found at U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz’ office in Sunrise, police said. “Yes, I can confirm there’s a suspicious package and we’re handling it right now.” Broward Sheriff Scott Israel said. CNN reported that whoever sent the package to Soros’ home used Wasserman Schultz’s office as a return address and did …

CBS Miami reports: The building that houses Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz’s office in Sunrise was evacuated after a suspicious package arrived in the mail, according to Sunrise police. A Broward Sheriff’s Office bomb squad was called in to determine what exactly was delivered to the congresswoman’s office at 777 Sawgrass Corporate Parkway. The evacuation came as authorities intercepted suspicious devices …

The Washington Post reports: Suspicious letters and packages have been sent to the president’s children, including Donald Trump Jr., the president’s eldest son, and Eric Trump. On Wednesday, Trump Jr. tweeted: “As someone whose family has directly been the victim of these mail threats I condemn whoever did this regardless of party or ideology. This crap has to stop and …

The Associated Press reports: White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said the Trump administration condemns “the attempted violent attacks recently made against President Obama, President Clinton, Secretary Clinton and other public figures.” “These terrorizing acts are despicable, and anyone responsible will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” she said in a statement. “The United States Secret …

Just in via press release: Today, Ipsos released new election data in partnership with Reuters and the University of Virginia Center for Politics, showing that Republican Ted Cruz (49%) holds a slight lead over Democrat Beto O’Rourke (44%) in the Texas Senate race among likely voters. In the generic ballot question, Republicans also lead Democrats by 6 points (49% to …

The Hill reports: Former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci on Wednesday said President Trump isn’t a nationalist and only claims to be one to “upset” people. “He’s not a nationalist. He’s saying he’s a nationalist because he wants you to be upset about it, but he’s really not a nationalist,” Scaramucci said on CNN’s “New Day.” “If you really …

CNN reports: Former Vice President Joe Biden criticized President Donald Trump Tuesday for embracing a strategy of fear ahead of the midterm elections and compared him to George Wallace, a former governor of Alabama who supported segregation and was a vocal opponent of the Civil Rights movement. During a rally at the Cheyenne Saloon, the former vice president referenced a …

Atlanta’s ABC News affiliate reports: Republican Brian Kemp and Democrat Stacey Abrams will face each other Tuesday night for the first televised debate in one of the country’s most closely watched races. The 7 p.m. debate will air live on Georgia Public Broadcasting’s TV and radio stations. Georgia voters are clearly energized. About 632,000 people had already cast a ballot …

Newsweek reports: During a rally in Georgetown, Texas, on Tuesday, for Republican Senator Ted Cruz, a supporter shouted “Lock him up” in reference to Cruz’s opponent, Beto O’Rourke. Cruz replied that O’Rourke could share a cell with former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. “Well, you know, there’s a double-occupancy cell with Hillary Clinton,” Cruz said. “Ya’ll are gonna get me in …

“What would it take for you to walk with your family for more than 1,100 miles in 105 degree feels like temperature with an entire government telling you we don’t want you, to seek asylum from whatever it is you’re trying to escape? Imagine. They’re doing it and continuing to walk because everything is so horrible at home. They’re not …

The Chicago Tribune reports: Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner is launching a new TV ad on Tuesday that’s provocative for its use of a bleeped-out profanity to describe the future of Illinois if Democratic challenger J.B. Pritzker wins and serves in government alongside House Speaker Michael Madigan. The scene is a wedding ceremony with look-alikes for Pritzker and Madigan standing in …

NBC News reports: A racist robocall that refers to Andrew Gillum as a “negro” and a “monkey” is making the rounds in Florida, prompting a furious response from the Democratic gubernatorial candidate’s campaign. Florida voters who receive the call — audio of which was obtained by NBC News — hear a man impersonating the African-American politician. “Well hello there. I …

Rolling Stone reports: Brian Kemp, Georgia Secretary of State and the Republican nominee for Georgia governor, expressed at a ticketed campaign event that his Democratic opponent Stacey Abrams’ voter turnout operation “continues to concern us, especially if everybody uses and exercises their right to vote,” according to audio obtained by Rolling Stone. Not long after Kemp began his remarks, the …

The Log Cabin Republicans today issued endorsements for 18 Senate and House candidates. Fourteen of their endorsees are incumbents, four are challenging Democrats for House seats. Perhaps most notable on their list is upstate New York Rep. Claudia Tenney, who last appeared on JMG for her claim that “many” mass shooters turn out to be Democrats. “Yeah, well, obviously there …

CTV News reports: The man who petitioned the government of a small village in New Brunswick to raise a ‘straight pride’ flag says he’s disappointed the flag was later taken down. “Why should I not be allowed to fly my flag?” Glenn Bishop told CTV Atlantic. “That’s disgraceful. This is discrimination against straight people.” The flag was raised Sunday, next …

Talking Points Memo reports: Adam Laxalt, the Republican running for governor in Nevada, was targeted by 12 of his family members in a brutal op-ed detailing the personal and professional reasons they say he is unfit for office. Laxalt is no stranger to familial drama, having been fathered by Sen. Pete Domenici (R-NM) with the much-younger daughter of his peer, …

From the Hollywood Reporter: Rosie O’Donnell is engaged. A representative for the 56-year-old star confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter the news of her engagement to police officer and girlfriend of a year, Elizabeth Rooney. The former View co-host revealed that a wedding date has not been set and may not be anytime in the near future, saying “this is a …

NBC News reports: Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman to have served on the Supreme Court, announced Tuesday that she was diagnosed with the beginning stages of dementia “some time ago,” and likely has Alzheimer’s disease. “As this condition has progressed, I am no longer able to participate in public life,” O’Connor, 88, wrote in a letter released through the …