Top Story: The fights over defunding Obamacare and electing Carlos Danger have one thing in common: a love of diving head-first into no-win scenarios to the chagrin of party regulars.
- Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, has something in common with New York mayoral candidate Anthony Weiner. Lee, for one, believes that “Yes we can!” defund Obamacare — despite the fact that everyone knows he can’t. (The Washington Post)
- Weiner, too, believes “Yes I can!” win the race for mayor of New York City — despite the fact that everyone knows he can’t. (Politico)
- And yet Lee keeps trying to stir things up on the airwaves. (Mike Lee)
- And yet Weiner keeps trying to stir things up on the airwaves. (Intelligencer)
- Today, Lee got some tough love, courtesy fellow Republican Sen. Tom Coburn, in the form of a government report that explains, in effect, “Hey, it was fun while it lasted!” (Sen. Tom Coburn)
- And on Monday, Weiner got some tough love, courtesy Quinnipiac University, in the form of a poll that reads, in effect, “Hey, at least you’re still beating Sal Albanese!” (Quinnipiac University)
- The big problem for Lee is that few of his fellow Republicans want to follow him into this fight … (First Read)
- … while the big problem for Weiner is that none of his fellow Democrats want to follow him into this fight. (Real Clear Politics)
- Lastly, everyone keeps wondering when Lee will end his campaign, but not only is Lee remaining firm — he’s starting to say things that could irrevocably harm relations with powerful forces in his party: “Defund it, or own it. If you fund it, you’re for it.” (Talking Points Memo)
- Ditto, Weiner. Everyone keeps wondering when he’ll end his campaign, but not only is Weiner remaining … well, you know … he’s starting to say things that could irrevocably harm relations with power forces like the Clintons (who reportedly want him to drop out): “I am not terribly interested in what people who are not voters in the city of New York have to say.” (Politico)
