Subject: POLITICO’s Morning Score: RGA’s first Mich. ad goes after Schauer— David Brock reflects on his relationship with the Clintons—Hillary, Jeb speak at Texas education event—McConnell camp releases new video—Schatz’s first ad plays up Social Security
From: "Morning Score" <[email-masked]>
To: <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, 25 Mar 2014 03:58:55 -0600

By Emily Schultheis ([email-masked]; Twitter: @emilyrs) and Jose DelReal (
mailto:[email-masked] 
[email-masked] ; Twitter: @jdelreal)

With Elizabeth Titus

EXCLUSIVE-RGA LAUNCHES FIRST MICH. AD WITH 'SCHAUER' PUN: The Republican Governors Association is launching its first ad in the Michigan governor's race this cycle going after former Rep. Mark Schauer-with a pun on the Democratic candidate's name. "Michigan has seen rainy, gloomy days. Mark Schauer is a politician who has made wrong, expensive choices. In Congress, he voted for the failed stimulus and a massive energy tax. In Lansing, he supported higher taxes 40 times," the ad says, with video footage of a rainstorm. "The gloom is gone. Michigan's on the way back. The Schauer is over." An RGA aide confirmed that the buy is for close to half a million dollars, and the ad will run statewide
 on broadcast and cable TV. The DGA, too, has been involved on the Michigan airwaves: it ran more than $1 million in ads against GOP Gov. Rick Snyder earlier this year. Watch the RGA ad: 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3363fed663ee7b04f1cc6bf7273c7c4abafb330c6250f6afb7317b850f0bbf27 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3363fed663ee7b04f1cc6bf7273c7c4abafb330c6250f6afb7317b850f0bbf27 

MORE FROM MICHIGAN-Snyder said Monday that he'll abide by whatever a federal judge rules on the state's same-sex marriage ban. 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3363fed663ee7b048e503a06fefdd7a27cc4846f0c90b1752657e7ff596c37c7 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3363fed663ee7b048e503a06fefdd7a27cc4846f0c90b1752657e7ff596c37c7 

DAVID BROCK REFLECTS ON HIS CLINTON EVOLUTION: POLITICO&#39;s Maggie Haberman reports on the transformation of one-time conservative reporter David Brock from Clinton nemesis to Clinton ally: "Hating the Clintons has long been an industry, complete with books, movies and paraphernalia dating to Bill Clinton's 1992 presidential run. It was within that industry that Brock first developed a career. Brock, now 51, was a conservative reporter and writer who famously penned a book casting doubts on the credibility of Anita Hill, who accused now-Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas of sexual harassment. He later did reporting that first introduced America to the name Paula Jones, the woman who,
 in the scandal known as Troopergate, accused Bill Clinton of harassment during his days in Arkansas, where he served as governor. ... Brock's Clintonland ties now run deep. He is close with Clinton friend and donor Susie Tompkins Buell. When Media Matters was in its start-up phase, John Podesta - the CAP founder, former Bill Clinton adviser and current Obama administration official - gave the group space at the center's offices." 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3363fed663ee7b0484696367628a620313fcb5c2b565e04086c04c03d91892bc 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3363fed663ee7b0484696367628a620313fcb5c2b565e04086c04c03d91892bc 

As Mitch McConnell releases a new web ad (with dialogue), Hillary Clinton and Jeb Bush share a stage and Rick Scott hits Charlie Crist with another $2 million, here's POLITICO's Morning Score: your daily guide to the 2014 midterms.

DAYS UNTIL THE ELECTION: 224.

Good Tuesday morning and welcome to Morning Score. As always, send your tips, thoughts, and suggestions to 
mailto:[email-masked] 
[email-masked]  or tweet them to @emilyrs.

FILING DEADLINES THIS WEEK-Today: Missouri, South Dakota ... Thursday: Virginia ... Sunday: South Carolina.

FIRST LOOK-MCCONNELL CAMP OUT WITH NEW VIDEO: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's campaign is out with a new web ad this morning, made by filmmaker Lucas Baiano. The video, "Rebuild," features McConnell explaining his goals if he gets to lead the Senate next year, saying, "We will fight tooth and nail for conservative reforms that put this country back on track." Watch: 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3363fed663ee7b04311f3cb0f4a9f11fd104ad5018e77636f5eeb9c73e9eaaae 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3363fed663ee7b04311f3cb0f4a9f11fd104ad5018e77636f5eeb9c73e9eaaae 

2016 PREVIEW? JEB, HILLARY TOGETHER IN TEXAS: Presidential prospects Jeb Bush and Hillary Clinton both appeared at an education forum in Texas Monday. The AP has details: "Clinton and Bush spoke separately at the Globalization of Higher Education conference, but chatted briefly offstage. The event, co-organized by Bush, offered a bipartisan twist for the nation&#39;s two dominant political families, both of whom could return to the presidential campaign trail next year. Bush, a former Florida governor, is the brother and son of Republican presidents. Clinton&#39;s husband, Bill Clinton, served two terms in the White House before she returned to political life as a senator from New York and
 President Barack Obama&#39;s first secretary of state. Onstage in solo performances, Clinton and Bush each focused on education policy and the need to make higher education affordable and accessible across the globe. [Clinton] thanked Bush at the start of her speech, citing his focus on education and his 'passion and dedication' to the issue in the private sector." 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3363fed663ee7b04a8f712b994da9ff5563eb74b21e2c0915465811629627350 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3363fed663ee7b04a8f712b994da9ff5563eb74b21e2c0915465811629627350 

ROMNEY RACKS UP 2014 MILES-If it seems like Mitt Romney is "popping up everywhere this year," you're not wrong, CNN reports: The ex-nominee's itinerary includes a swing through New York set for Tuesday to fundraise for Virginia Senate hopeful and former adviser Ed Gillespie (
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3363fed663ee7b04fadf0f47db0ebcd4fdb943ce086140ac59fb6b3cb143bb06 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3363fed663ee7b04fadf0f47db0ebcd4fdb943ce086140ac59fb6b3cb143bb06 ), an expected RGA fundraiser for Rick Scott in Florida on Monday (
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3363fed663ee7b043bf0f925faea2bc75843f94883732a532313feb4800f05bc 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3363fed663ee7b043bf0f925faea2bc75843f94883732a532313feb4800f05bc ), and events in recent days in the Georgia Senate race and in Mike Simpson's Idaho 2nd district race (
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3363fed663ee7b048f36055603d1b8b670fe5d0fdec16ab93177336474fb2481 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3363fed663ee7b048f36055603d1b8b670fe5d0fdec16ab93177336474fb2481 , 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3363fed663ee7b0484b3c927405a091cc7d9caeb3449d434aad4bcca765e6240 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3363fed663ee7b0484b3c927405a091cc7d9caeb3449d434aad4bcca765e6240 ). Romney's an obvious draw for candidates looking to woo big establishment donors, but it's unknown whether he'll take a more public role on the trail this cycle. For now, an aide told CNN that Romney's not putting away his suitcase yet.

NEW ON THE AIRWAVES-AFF HITS BRUNING: The conservative group American Future Fund began running a new ad in the Nebraska governor's race Monday, hitting state attorney general Jon Bruning over government spending during his tenure in public office. "When you look at Jon Bruning's career, you notice a disturbing pattern," the ad says. "As attorney general, Bruning took a big pay raise while spending in his office skyrocketed. Bruning also made millions during nearly two decades in public office. ... Call Jon Bruning ... tell him to cut government spending and take the lead on ethics." The ad will run statewide, per an AFF aide. Bruning faces a crowded GOP primary that includes 2006 Senate
 nominee Pete Ricketts, state auditor Mike Foley and Beau McCoy, whom AFF has boosted in previous TV ads. Watch: 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3363fed663ee7b04e7480fc257ed56f356ffbeed5179f2985d57738be16c0a94 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3363fed663ee7b04e7480fc257ed56f356ffbeed5179f2985d57738be16c0a94 

BREAKING THIS MORNING-RO KHANNA RELEASES FIRST AD: The first ad from Democrat Ro Khanna, who's challenging incumbent Rep. Mike Honda in the primary for California's 17th district, released his first ad this morning focusing on his lack of ties to special interests. "Isn't it time that Congress started living like the rest of us? I'm Ro Khanna and I'm committed to changing business as usual in Washington," he says direct-to-camera in the ad. "So here's my promise to you: I will never take money from corporations or lobbyists. And I'll say no to the special perks in Congress: no pay raises, no fancy trips funded by special interests, and no gold plated pensions." This race could be one of the
 most expensive House races in the country. Watch: 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3363fed663ee7b04cc9b1ef87fd364fdaef27a7c8875fd558a8d72f56ae02234 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3363fed663ee7b04cc9b1ef87fd364fdaef27a7c8875fd558a8d72f56ae02234 

FIRST AD FROM SCHATZ FOCUSES ON SOCIAL SECURITY: Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz is out with his first ad in the competitive Democratic Senate primary, focusing on his consistent support for maintaining Social Security benefits. The ad features Schatz talking about his wife's father, George Kwok, and how Social Security benefits him. "More than 200,000 people in Hawaii receive Social Security benefits each year. They're the reason I've stood up against every attempt to cut Security," he says. "And here's one more: my father-in-law, George Kwok. ... protecting Social Security is a commitment I keep for my loved ones-and for yours." Social Security has been a big theme in the Democratic primary thus
 far: at least two groups, the Progressive Change Campaign Committee and Democracy for America, have used Schatz's position on the issue as a key reason they endorsed him-and criticized Democratic challenger Colleen Hanabusa's progressive credentials on the issue. Watch: 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3363fed663ee7b04ffd14da078674f43e8e75b67c8f3f7dd46296320bbdfacd3 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3363fed663ee7b04ffd14da078674f43e8e75b67c8f3f7dd46296320bbdfacd3 

ACROSS THE MAP-Quick takes from races around the country:

SENATE-

-NC-Sen, MI-Sen, IA-Sen: Environmental groups including the Sierra Club, the Environmental Defense Fund, and the Sustainable Business Council Action Fund will run $2.5 million worth of ads for Democrats Kay Hagan, Gary Peters and Bruce Braley. 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3363fed663ee7b04137846a8ea2b93c690b21ee8b3678a950258dec8b303124e 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3363fed663ee7b04137846a8ea2b93c690b21ee8b3678a950258dec8b303124e 

-KY-Sen:Mississippi Republican Chris McDaniel, who is challenging incumbent Sen. Thad Cochran in the Senate primary, will appear at a rally next month for Kentucky Republican Matt Bevin, who is challenging GOP Sen. Mitch McConnell. 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3363fed663ee7b04e5fee5ced223050a7427032cb1addbd4bc4c3a5d50bad676 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3363fed663ee7b04e5fee5ced223050a7427032cb1addbd4bc4c3a5d50bad676 

-NE-Sen: An official-looking memo outlining one of GOP candidate Shane Osborn's decisions while in the Navy came not from the Navy, but from one of Osborn's Navy friends as a favor. 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3363fed663ee7b04db82ffb2df62dfa9db36d042755049ada44e97dff97bf43a 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3363fed663ee7b04db82ffb2df62dfa9db36d042755049ada44e97dff97bf43a 

-NC-Sen: GOP candidate Mark Harris's campaign raised $100,000 during a fundraiser with former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.

-IL-Sen: GOP Sen. Mark Kirk won't stump for GOP candidate Jim Oberweis in his uphill race against Kirk's fellow Illinois senator, Democrat Dick Durbin. "I'm going to be protecting my relationship with Dick and not launching into a partisan jihad that hurts our partnership to both pull together for Illinois," Kirk said. 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3363fed663ee7b04d3cf077ddb3bb42c7c33485405d5df27ef3fa8c2b722bc67 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3363fed663ee7b04d3cf077ddb3bb42c7c33485405d5df27ef3fa8c2b722bc67 

HOUSE-

-AZ-07: Phoenix City Councilman Michael Nowakowski endorsed Ruben Gallego in the competitive Democratic primary to replace retiring Rep. Ed Pastor. 

-IA-03: Sen. Chuck Grassley will fundraise for GOP congressional candidate Monte Shaw on Thursday. Meanwhile, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum will be featured at a fundraiser for GOP Secretary of State Matt Schultz, one of Shaw's primary opponents. 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3363fed663ee7b045d41fa69f4aeb372a1309956570a55ec6f9dde86810df97e 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3363fed663ee7b045d41fa69f4aeb372a1309956570a55ec6f9dde86810df97e 

-CA-17: Democratic Rep. Mike Honda's campaign says he won't attend a debate hosted by three local media outlets-and the San Francisco Chronicle, one of those outlets, is pointing out his absence. 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3363fed663ee7b043f2692a244e110a33f01c8c38ef4a3cae5445f8eacfe9324 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3363fed663ee7b043f2692a244e110a33f01c8c38ef4a3cae5445f8eacfe9324 

GOVERNORS-

-FL-Gov: Let&#39;s Get to Work, Gov. Rick Scott's independent campaign committee, released a new TV ad hitting Democrat Charlie Crist on his support for the Affordable Care Act (
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3363fed663ee7b04f0d754c8a5ec5ac3c8939e2507a398688b263cf04bd0f8ca 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3363fed663ee7b04f0d754c8a5ec5ac3c8939e2507a398688b263cf04bd0f8ca ). The conference call announcing the $2 million ad buy was abruptly ended after reporters asked three consecutive questions about the recent resignation of Let&#39;s Get To Work campaign&#39;s finance co-chairman Mike Fernandez. 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3363fed663ee7b04d8a77098392562738b261caea08bb83364fbae6058a9dc34 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3363fed663ee7b04d8a77098392562738b261caea08bb83364fbae6058a9dc34 

-NY-Gov: The latest Siena College poll finds Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo with a 35-point lead over GOP challenger Rob Astorino. 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3363fed663ee7b04c243a319f40e078a0375c574e8d949122f679085a800a165 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3363fed663ee7b04c243a319f40e078a0375c574e8d949122f679085a800a165 

-MA-Gov: Tea Party gubernatorial favorite Mark Fisher is threatening to sue the state Republican Party to dispute the results of Saturday&#39;s GOP nominating convention, in which he failed to qualify for the September primary ballot by six votes. 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3363fed663ee7b04dab3c7db6e7c4fce679f067304b61899a44b95a6b3399703 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3363fed663ee7b04dab3c7db6e7c4fce679f067304b61899a44b95a6b3399703 

-TX-Gov: Democrat Wendy Davis continued hitting Republican Attorney General Greg Abbott on equal pay Monday, knocking him for using surrogates to respond to accusations of pay disparity within his office. 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3363fed663ee7b04c0d68c6af53276c6d86c6877938b1ee59438669e7d989d25 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3363fed663ee7b04c0d68c6af53276c6d86c6877938b1ee59438669e7d989d25 

-CA-Gov: GOP candidate Neel Kashkari raised $1.3 million between Jan. 1 and March 17, he announced Monday. He has just under $1 million on hand-compared with Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown's almost $20 million. 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3363fed663ee7b048b69b6cdb10167acfa53244dac400a5f2c01b0c134ede703 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3363fed663ee7b048b69b6cdb10167acfa53244dac400a5f2c01b0c134ede703 

CODA-QUOTE OF THE DAY: 'Do I have the best credentials? Probably not. &#39;Cause, you know, whatever." -Scott Brown to the AP on his New Hampshire residency and ties to the state. 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3363fed663ee7b04dc9ed5d2203c33de4d3a7f82824091e8ea776d5c46c13818 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3363fed663ee7b04dc9ed5d2203c33de4d3a7f82824091e8ea776d5c46c13818 

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