Subject: POLITICO Huddle: CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS SEIZE ON COMEY’S SUNDAY SURPRISE – Ryan going all-in for Trump – DEMS HAVE SLIGHT EDGE TO TAKE SENATE – Pressure builds on Ryan to delay leadership votes – PELOSI IS PRO-POT – Fiorina tops list of potential Virginia Senate candidates
From: "POLITICO Huddle" <[email-masked]>
To: <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 07 Nov 2016 06:45:56 -0600
List-Id: <1376319_6024782.xt.local>

11/07/2016 07:43 AM EDT

By Heather Caygle ([email-masked] or @heatherscope) 

With assistance from Burgess Everett 

THE SUNDAY SURPRISE- Party leaders on both sides immediately seized on FBI Director James Comey's announcement Sunday that the latest Clinton emails-many of which were duplicates-wouldn't change the outcome of the bureau's original conclusion that she shouldn't be prosecuted. House Speaker Paul Ryan said Trump is still the better choice regardless and urged voters to back the GOP nominee in an afternoon statement. "Let's bring the Clinton era to an end by voting for Donald Trump on Tuesday," Ryan said. 

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said Comey's announcement, which came in a letter to relevant committee leaders, should finally put an end to the "Republican sideshow" surrounding the Clinton email investigation. "Donald Trump is unfit to be Commander-and-Chief and unworthy of the office of President of the United States," she said in a statement. 

Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley criticized the letter, saying "another vague announcement" from the FBI has again failed to provide critical information. And House Oversight Chairman Jason Chaffetz promised Congress would continue investigating Clinton no matter who wins the election during a Sunday night appearance on Fox News. 

So what's the impact on the election? "The disclosure, just two days before Election Day, could undercut a boost Donald Trump appeared to enjoy in some polls taken after Comey's disclosure late last month about the newly-discovered set of email messages," reports Josh Gerstein. 

"But millions of voters have already cast mail-in, absentee or early voting ballots and it's unclear how many of the remaining voters will absorb news of Comey's latest announcement, which came less than 48 hours before polls open for traditional, in-person voting." More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=ac69e1ebd7886f236e636bbb1a9d6a03e3cebe0bdbe4e40bc99b7cc1102bf4c5 

Related: Sen. Al Franken said Sunday he is "sure" the Senate Judiciary Committee will haul Comey in to answer questions about the FBI investigation and recent leaks from inside the bureau related to Clinton's private email server and the Clinton Foundation. More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=ac69e1ebd7886f239ceffbdeb02544360847e9d8e2f30fd46ba099b80fdca9fe 

RYAN GOING ALL-IN ON "VOTE TRUMP"- After months of being visibly uncomfortable with Trump and even saying he wouldn't defend or campaign for the GOP nominee in early October, Speaker Ryan is now a card-carrying member of the Trump train. Ryan's statement after the FBI letter, urging voters to pick Trump on Tuesday, was one of his strongest shows of support yet. He also signaled he'd appear with Trump during a weekend campaign event in Wisconsin (Trump's folks canceled, citing scheduling), gave Trump a shout-out during his appearance with VP nominee Mike Pence Saturday and penned a pro-Trump op-ed for CNN over the weekend. 

So what's it all mean? "The recent moves come as some Republicans and top Trump allies are criticizing Ryan for distancing himself from the party's nominee. Trump called Ryan a 'weak leader,' and several allies of the speaker have expressed concern that Trump will blame him if he loses Wisconsin or the election by a thin margin," Rachael reports. 

"Any backlash could complicate Ryan's efforts to round up the 218 votes he'll need to continue as House speaker in a January floor vote. He's already facing discontent from several members of the House Freedom Caucus. With Republicans certain to lose seats on Tuesday, a small number of Republicans could block Ryan from clinching a majority." More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=ac69e1ebd7886f237d99f32d74406626620f4379598b573321560594a48ca291 

Related: Rep. Thomas Massie (who's not in the Freedom Caucus) suggested he's unlikely to vote for Ryan for speaker on Friday. The Huffington Post: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=78d190c75e55dec4ed76e7701fb9d978c358dd3d02cd4310329c38827b207c18 And Rep. Mike Pompeo (also not in HFC) wouldn't say whether he'll vote for Ryan, from the Hill: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=ac69e1ebd7886f23e58d0c287cae2d1a825015e32d4ab1229b643a1b8075f58d 

CRYSTAL BALL: DEMS HAVE SENATE EDGE- Democrats have a slight edge when it comes to control of the Senate next Congress but are looking at having a very slim majority in the best case scenario. That's the good news. The bad news for Dems? "That would be a letdown from their earlier hopes of a 54- or 55-seat advantage, and put Republicans in the pole position to win back the chamber in 2018," Burgess and Rachael report. 

"I have a little heartburn over what Comey did. I think it was bizarre, I wouldn't have ever expected that in a million years," Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) said in an interview before the Comey announcement late Sunday. But "I just don't see how [Trump] could ever pull this off. And I also feel pretty good about the Senate races." 

What about the House? Republicans are likely to hang onto the majority and are hoping to keep their losses to under a dozen seats. (Democrats would need to win 30 seats to take back the gavel.) Burgess and Rachael break it down: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=ac69e1ebd7886f23ba733cb9f6f9b6558676e7f12a7160667cc8e3ae0c12ab2d 

ONE MORE SLEEP UNTIL ELECTION DAY. Welcome to Monday, Nov. 7. Thanks for reading POLITICO's Huddle, the play-by-play guide to all things Capitol Hill. The only football update that matters: The Tide rolled to a 10-0 victory over LSU Saturday night with no help from Bres. 

FRIDAY'S MOST CLICKED- Jake's story about VP nominee Mike Pence's plan to appear with Speaker Ryan over the weekend. 

TODAY IN CONGRESS- The Senate meets in a pro forma session at 10:30 a.m. The House is out. 

PRESSURE MOUNTS TO DELAY SPEAKER VOTE- It's not just Freedom Caucus members who want Ryan to delay the House leadership elections. Moderate GOP Rep. Jim Renacci is circulating a letter saying the timing of the closed-door elections, currently slated for Nov. 15, is "ill advised." At least 15 lawmakers have committed to signing the letter so far including early supporters of Trump who are also reliable votes for Ryan and two Freedom Caucus members, Rachael reports. 

"In an interview Saturday after this story was published, Renacci said he would hold off sending the letter because, after speaking with Ryan, he believes GOP leaders will push back the leadership elections. If that doesn't happen in the next few days, Renacci said the group will move forward with sending the official request. GOP leadership sources pushed back on the notion that the internal elections will be postponed." More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=ac69e1ebd7886f2316f10cafb8a3db1456b2dec97d7f184b4e492ddcf1bfe3cc 

And ICYMI, Ryan made clear he's running for speaker again: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=ac69e1ebd7886f239c3ab0b1cbdb2ec778440489847761f6887ed6536be33c22 

PELOSI IS PRO-POT- House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi told the L.A. Times editorial board she plans to vote to legalize recreational marijuana use in California. "'I will vote for it, but I have not made a public statement about it until right this very second,' Pelosi said when asked about the measure." The ballot measure, known as Proposition 64, is expected to pass, according to the Times. More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=ac69e1ebd7886f233bf250fbe1d09c173cbe43ce20a8811c83a509e68cb4ea12 

BLUEGRASS STATE GOES RED? There's been plenty of talk about Harry Reid working to flip Nevada's House seats and state Senate blue as well as get Catherine Cortez Masto elected. But turns out Mitch McConnell has some parochial interests as well. McConnell's leadership PAC transferred $150,000 to a super PAC aimed at flipping Kentucky's general assembly to Republicans, which would be a big deal as it is the last non-Maryland/Delaware legislative body in the South to be run by Democrats. 

A plugged-in Kentucky source said in an interview that Republicans are feeling good about their prospects of flipping the chamber, an electoral battle where Donald Trump is unlikely to be a down-ballot drag in the conservative state. (Also, before any of y'all email me about regional boundaries, apparently the Census considers both Maryland and Delaware to be southern states.) 

CLINTON CAMPAIGN MIFFED OVER PELOSI- Turns out Hillary Clinton asked House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi for her endorsement over Sen. Bernie Sanders way back in summer 2015 but didn't get the answer she wanted, according to the latest WikiLeaks release. "Pelosi 'didn't say yes,' [Clinton aide Huma] Abedin wrote. 'HRC said she felt it was a non-answer.' Abedin suggested that she or Podesta call Pelosi's top aide 'to see what the deal is but she wasn't prepared for that answer,' according to the email," reports Laurie Kellman for the AP. More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=ac69e1ebd7886f23ae17bc10701197aeb111e0b7b6ff6039836e1f5befddcb1c 

-For those keeping track, Pelosi did endorse Clinton nearly a year later, on the eve of the California primary in June 2016: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=ac69e1ebd7886f231e34e84a3f722a0e770935d667dec855020958607baaf88c 

TWEET DU JOUR- Luke Blanchat (@LukeBlanchat): Sen. Burr frying his own fish at the Balls Creek Fish Fry, a must for any statewide candidate in NC. See the pic: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=ac69e1ebd7886f23ce7ff68de2c1541042224da293c061748161d54b21d01bc8 

OBAMA TANGLES WITH TOOMEY- President Obama set his sights on Sen. Pat Toomey over the weekend, criticizing the Pennsylvania Republican for releasing a last-minute ad featuring the president praising him for his action on gun safety. "Pat Toomey may have done the right thing on one vote, but courage is telling Pennsylvania voters where you stand on the tough issues, not just the easy ones like background checks," Obama said in a Saturday statement. "Pat Toomey won't tell Pennsylvania voters where he stands on Donald Trump, trying instead to have it both ways by telling different people what he thinks they want to hear." More from Kevin and Seung Min: 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=ac69e1ebd7886f23b591eebf9534bcc53ba312a229a5c2fc667cd3641e7f5d33 

HUNTER TAKES OUT HOME LOAN FOR REPAYMENT- Rep. Duncan Hunter "took out a third loan on his home to repay nearly $49,000 to his campaign account after months of scrutiny surrounding what appeared to be personal spending," reports Morgan Cook for the San Diego Union Tribune. More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=ac69e1ebd7886f233933cfc41a68944b482bd199f6f82eb1e232e13716222e67 

A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE- The battle for the Senate majority has been fraught with tension and surprises on both sides. Seung Min and Burgess break down the top 16 moments, including Sen. Harry Reid's decision to retire, Sen. Marco Rubio jumping back in, Democrats star recruits in Missouri and New Hampshire, Sen. Kelly Ayotte's response to asking if Trump is a role model and much more. Read it: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=ac69e1ebd7886f23cfb784c7a5512dc0c1ec1d54baec6927e47a7fcbd738b526 

-And don't miss 16 moments that defined the battle for the House, by Scott Bland: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=ac69e1ebd7886f23970c6983e7515162e4c79669d814fa59d20fc51e6a6c0d6b 

FIORINA FOR SENATE- Republicans are already thinking about who they want to put up for the Virginia Senate seat and one-time presidential candidate Carly Fiorina is topping the list because of her name recognition and fundraising prowess, Maggie reports. "Whether or not [Sen. Tim] Kaine wins the vice presidency this week, his term is up in 2018. But if he has to resign, there will also be a special election in 2017, and Fiorina, who resides just south of Washington, D.C., in Mason Neck, Virginia, is considering entering the race - but won't make a decision on whether to do so until after Election Day, sources with knowledge of her thinking say." More: 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=ac69e1ebd7886f23f338c945ec9bfe9c7992d33e6695fbdc1bdbfa0497ccc98d 

HOW TO WIN NEVADA, HARRY REID STYLE- Jon Ralston reflects on retiring Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid's impact on the election: "After two years of boosting voter registration among key Democratic demographics, the retiring Senate minority leader has brought turnout among Hispanics in [Nevada] to record levels. In doing so, he's almost surely delivered the state for Hillary Clinton-and possibly with it the presidential race (Trump has only the narrowest path to 270 electoral votes without Nevada)." More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=ac69e1ebd7886f230ebd0ffb4b9b6088ab90813ee07ad51683c3da0015c52548 

DEPARTURE LOUNGE- Donelle Harder, communications director for Senate EPW Chairman Jim Inhofe, is leaving Washington this week for a new job in Oklahoma City (details not yet announced). 

FRIDAY'S TRIVIA WINNER- Kirtan Mehta was the first to guess that Rep. Joe Cannon was the lawmaker defeated by William Howard Taft during the Republican primary in 1908. 

POLITICO'S TRANSITION TRACKER: POLITICO will deliver breaking news notifications on the incoming administration -- directly to your iPhone's lock screen. Using the unique capabilities and speed of Apple Wallet, Transition Tracker alerts users to all the key personnel and policy decisions as they're made by the president-elect. This is currently available only for iPhone users via Apple Wallet. Download the pass, available for readers using iPhones, here.

TODAY'S TRIVIA- Kirtan with today's question: Dating back to 1924, if the American League team wins Game 7 of the World Series in an election year, the Republican nominee wins the White House and if a National League team wins, the Democrat becomes President. 

Prior to the Cubs' win this year, what was the last NL team to win Game 7 in an election year and who won the presidency? The first person to correctly answer gets a mention in tomorrow's Huddle: [email-masked] 

GET HUDDLE emailed to your phone each morning.

To view online:
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=ac69e1ebd7886f237306937e9457c184b6f15b4aaa56bbd9b5c09b2ae9101b75
 To change your alert settings, please go to http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=78d190c75e55dec412160f7182849112fa9956d73b10714fc586928c3d06729a or http://click.politicoemail.com/profile_center.aspx?qs=c1c81b2ef644fde1dd3c1f6178ef6a8ea3ee660992025bd4b83ab2e09830442f6ad672be7181234d98a5574e25119c3b19c44dd71cc7f3bc
This email was sent to [email-masked] by: POLITICO, LLC 1000 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA, 22209, USA

To unsubscribe,http://www.politico.com/_unsubscribe?e=00000158-3ed0-d111-af7e-ffdf50e90000&u=0000014e-f0fe-dd93-ad7f-f8fffbc40000&s=0416df24c46fc6802486906a0628827df0b1026e33be08bc8229a916ac11027d4d854e8285de93dea3750aed2c1008824acb88947c390871f573db406dc1885b