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05/09/2018 08:05 AM EDT


By Nolan D. McCaskill (nmccaskill@politico.com or @NolanDMcCaskill)

MCCONNELL WINS WITH BLANKENSHIP LOSS -- Republicans are breathing a sigh of relief after West Virginia voters chose state Attorney General Patrick Morrisey as their nominee to take on Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) this fall. Don Blankenship, "[t]he coal baron who attacked Mitch McConnell like he was on the ballot ... placed a distant third," Alex Isenstadt reports. "The weak finish, coming after late fears among rival campaigns that Blankenship was surging down the home stretch, amounts to an unqualified win for McConnell after a rough election cycle so far." Republicans, including President Donald Trump, feared a Blankenship primary victory would end with a general election loss in a state
the president carried by 42 points in 2016.

"Over the final month of the West Virginia contest a super PAC aligned with the Senate leader mobilized and savaged Blankenship with $1.3 million in TV attack ads, some of which highlighted his criminal background," he writes. Blankenship acknowledged to reporters that the attacks and the president's Monday tweet urging voters to back Morrisey or Rep. Evan Jenkins (R-W.Va.) had an impact. "I'm very surprised, not just about the loss, but at this point, the size of the loss," said Blankenship, who had predicted he would prevail.

Blankenship added that he didn't think his controversial "Cocaine Mitch" or "China family" ads backfired. But in the wake of his loss, it gave McConnell's team plenty of ammunition. "On Twitter, his campaign team uploaded an image to Twitter of the GOP leader surrounded by a haze of cocaine dust," Isenstadt notes. The caption says, "Thanks for playing, Don." More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=1e2b977e570899b19d1d6371ae22c2972562669ec81f8315d0458475e1087bde4a3508f064f1a81f517e182910c46fa3 the tweet: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=1e2b977e570899b1384d4f25c0e772d4b72565d0cdca90753d49632aa83106c5f1f792c988b0feb7cfdec3dbcb30cf3a

Related: "Blankenship suffers beatdown in West Virginia," by Steven Shepard and Alex Isenstadt: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=1e2b977e570899b1ad10ab19b5cca60bba893eb13b75bd7895764a1589c6487987c8daf52820b2bbef43a87b64d0e0d7 and "Don Blankenship's bizarre, race-baiting Senate campaign comes to an end," from CNN's Dan Merica: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=1e2b977e570899b1c59ec255a513f3da89171bcc5d8c60ed31e37bda35a51acb8d425b796894673bc1996f9f42a47bf4

Additional results: Rep. Robert Pittenger (R-N.C.) becomes the first congressman to lose a primary in upset to Mark Harris: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=1e2b977e570899b14f2262841468303a91e8267210848eb3e60dc334d7bc2b3745b32efd9bd94c55fd5e7e92824ed9f0 businessman Mike Braun wins Indiana Senate primary over Reps. Luke Messer (R-Ind.) and Todd Rokita (R-Ind.): http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=1e2b977e570899b12df4e3bccd78778912a8e4f7d0d4b8567e252d3e5f77d953010bfd6a25c13ee22d8323516d05bb79 Rep. Jim Renacci (R-Ohio) beats businessman Mike Gibbons in Ohio Senate contest: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=1e2b977e570899b1d38183933a1f780bd6182005cde2f95e1a13d1862b5170d3297c2abc997d46e34aab5800dd688044 and Pat Tiberi-endorsed Ohio state Sen. Troy Balderson wins the special and regular election primaries over Jim Jordan-backed Melanie Leneghan in the race to fill Tiberi's seat and serve in the next Congress:
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=1e2b977e570899b1d472519d656300ada265c22597ac5c508a02334bf27d1a8cbe57aaf9278a90d37820ca780d5cdad2

TUESDAY'S TAKEAWAYS -- Republicans avoided the disaster of a Don Blankenship general election candidacy. But the West Virginia race is far from over. State Attorney General Patrick Morrisey "enters the race with his own baggage -- even if it's nothing like Blankenship's," Steven Shepard, Elena Schneider and Scott Bland report. "Morrisey used to be a Washington lobbyist, and Morrisey's wife still is one. Also, Morrisey ran for Congress in 2000 -- in New Jersey." Much more, including how many members of Congress struggled Tuesday: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=1e2b977e570899b1f350e523f7f0a035eb7c0b57f200ec47ad7402164df347725ad6c6c4a8fd6ad5fc1e04fc2622cb77

Related reads: "Indiana primary 2018: Greg Pence wins 6th District GOP race," from IndyStar's Kaitlin Lange: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=1e2b977e570899b1063a2d28e62932a90d838f618c99c8004e7c6567ed47799ea971973c0159a7c03cdccfd1246da095 "Texas Showdown: Inside the Battle for the Democratic Party," via The Nation's D.D. Guttenplan: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=1e2b977e570899b128d07939a7a30a9454b5b2a3bcd0fa42c060f39a52a010188a8ee8afb7a15efc1e2fa1e03edfbcf4 and "Senate Intel panel releases updated election security findings, recommendations," by Tim Starks: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=1e2b977e570899b1fb96c5495f232d1942775c8d959f4b9084dc2fce7444b92005b06741715d9e459732928766f346fe

HASPEL SET TO FACE HARSH QUESTIONING -- Gina Haspel's moment has arrived. The acting CIA director is set to face the Senate Intelligence Committee this morning as she looks to convince skeptical Democrats that her past doesn't disqualify her to run the agency. "Most Senate Democrats remain resistant to Haspel, even as the three-decade CIA veteran continued to make the rounds in the chamber, but GOP leaders remain confident in her prospects for approval as soon as this month," Elana reports. "Still, given the Senate's razor-thin partisan divide, and the already-declared opposition of Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), the Democratic support Haspel will need to get confirmed may well depend on her
performance before the intelligence panel."

Haspel plans to address Democrats' key concern -- her role in the use of harsh interrogation tactics tantamount to torture against detained terrorism suspects during the George W. Bush administration -- in her opening remarks. "I have views on this issue, and I want to be clear," she will say, according to excerpts. "Having served in that tumultuous time, I can offer you my personal commitment, clearly and without reservation, that under my leadership CIA will not restart such a detention and interrogation program." But, as Elana notes, "Whether that vow is enough to win over her skeptics remains to be seen." More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=1e2b977e570899b140272c045da4c457a93447c029ef151439c73e7a2a856f5cb7dc8b105189a1878f1ed0fb994ea6e4

Related: "What to Watch For in Gina Haspel's Confirmation Hearing For C.I.A. Post," by The New York Times' Matthew Rosenberg and Nicholas Fandos: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=1e2b977e570899b19bc2801534346312e6d54d2a63542312e25e250cc636568280206290c553d5a087c17ececb253500 and "9/11 Planner, Tortured by C.I.A., Asks to Tell Senators About Gina Haspel," from The New York Times' Charlie Savage: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=1e2b977e570899b145b900da7c8ab4dc20762c946f34f5198649887bdb950bcf846932f8678311f14fdcded59fc17a5d

HAPPY WEDNESDAY! Thanks for reading Huddle, the play-by-play guide to all things Capitol Hill, on this May 9.

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TUESDAY'S MOST CLICKED: Roll Call's report on the death of Assistant Senate Parliamentarian Michael Beaver was the winner.

FOR YOUR RADAR -- President Donald Trump will have dinner with members of Congress at the White House at 7 p.m.

DUNCAN HUNTER TRIES TO SAVE THE FAMILY NAME -- A criminal investigation by the FBI into Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) threatens to tarnish the legacy of the father-son political duo of Duncan Hunters. Multiple Republicans say "[t]he elder Hunter has emerged from retirement to wage an aggressive, behind-the-scenes shadow campaign to save his son and keep their dynasty alive," Rachael reports. The elder Hunter, who was succeeded by his son in Congress, has used his network of San Diego contacts to fundraise for his son's campaign and legal defense fund.

"He's accused the media of trying to 'smear' his son," Rachael writes. "And the father has maneuvered to keep prominent San Diego Republicans from backing other GOP candidates in the race, according to one of those rivals." El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells, who's running for Hunter's seat, said raising money has proven "impossible" because "nobody wants to get involved." "The Hunters have a dynasty," Wells said. "People are afraid of retribution. They're afraid of destroying their own political career or their relationship with the Hunter family." Much more: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=1e2b977e570899b1ede1e1d201313283f7e03dcdfdcfb5401fec1fccd8c497c50ba0e05d60f91b5d01b1b298b71d3716

'JUST WIN, BABY' -- House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has no problem with Democratic candidates saying they'll oppose her as party leader if they win. Her advice to them is, "Just win, baby" -- and the California Democrat believes they will do just that: win enough seats to reclaim the House majority. "I'm all for winning," Pelosi told Playbook's Anna Palmer and Jake Sherman. "I think many of them are saying we need new leadership. I don't take offense at that. I'm OK. Just win, baby." Pelosi also cast impeachment chatter as a "distraction" that divides the party. More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=1e2b977e570899b12812640100fcfc0dc719fc776e4e0a0435362951966e05f35861d0acb27b1df7471d65bcb2b6637e

Related read: "Dems, GOP jockey over cutting funds for ex-speakers," by Bres: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=1e2b977e570899b1fa58cb7f477a2fa134d2e7b55cd408d2af53a1ed436127789ece0ac44328599fe9c8a1d121c63378

HOUSE VOTES TO KILL CFPB AUTO-LENDING GUIDELINES -- The House voted to eliminate 2013 CFPB guidelines that were drafted to combat racial discrimination by auto dealers that facilitate car loans for their customers. The Senate passed the rollback last month, meaning it now heads to the president's desk, where Trump is expected to sign it. "The repercussions of the move may be felt well beyond the CFPB," Zachary Warmbrodt reports. "It marks the first time that lawmakers have used the Congressional Review Act to block a years-old agency action beyond a narrow window defined under the 1996 law. It's also noteworthy because the CFPB action at issue was published as regulatory guidance, rather
than ... formal agency rules that went through public notice and comment under the Administrative Procedure Act." Much more: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=1e2b977e570899b1396a6e13ef4fd407d0fc3fb5a9f8b6b648ef12c623593892391e474ee461533ede8b23ff68204d4e

FLOOR FIGHT -- Tensions flared over House Speaker Paul Ryan's (R-Wis.) firing and reinstatement of Father Patrick Conroy as Reps. Joe Crowley (D-N.Y.) and Tom MacArthur (R-N.J.) got into a shouting match on the floor. The two got "in each other's faces ... and squabbled over the merits of a special investigation into the dismissal," Rachael and Heather report. "The exchange was so heated that some lawmakers and aides watching worried they'd come to blows, though Crowley's office said that was never going to happen." The clash came after Crowley offered a privileged resolution to establish a select committee to investigate Conroy's forced resignation.

"Democrats have accused Republicans of discriminating against Catholics, though Ryan, himself a Catholic, has said his conference members had 'pastoral needs' that weren't being fulfilled," they write. MacArthur walked to the Democratic side of the chamber and accused Crowley of politicizing the issue. An angry Crowley argued that it was Ryan who politicized it when he fired the chaplain. "The two men bickered as their faces turned red" but were eventually calmed down, they add. "The public confrontation is unlikely to be the last." More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=1e2b977e570899b1757c71516636ebf408671c17c014a6329a960ef9eae44c80042bcf2faa46a2e05ba88dce828445a5

MISSING MCCAIN -- As Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) misses time in Congress recovering from cancer treatment at home, his Senate colleagues are missing his presence more than ever. McCain, who was tortured in Vietnam as a prisoner of war, won't get to question a CIA director nominee who's been criticized for her role in harsh interrogation tactics. Nor will the Armed Services Committee chairman be able to vote for his panel's annual defense bill or help his party stop Democrats from jamming through a proposal to reinstate net neutrality policies. "[H]is longtime colleagues in the Senate say they already miss McCain's dynamism, his eagerness to jump into every issue and his dark sense of humor,"
Burgess reports.

Though party officials are cognizant of an upcoming deadline that would allow the GOP to avoid a special election until 2020 if McCain leaves office this month, Republicans don't expect the senator to give up his seat. And they aren't pressuring him to make a retirement decision. "Republicans say they refuse to discuss the future of McCain's Senate seat," Burgess writes. But most Republican senators hope that Cindy McCain will be tapped to succeed him if the seat does open. Much more: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=1e2b977e570899b155c14437c2dbb47dfdb520848527dfd97cdb427e0f2170360215bafa1d72f7a2a5eb839193ae51c9

Related: "Meet the GOP's favorite Democrat," by Elana and Burgess: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=1e2b977e570899b1f2646fe49edf31d75b431e437971e56d72b555035b14e531175fafba84c24c82faecb3032dc85d6a

TODAY IN CONGRESS -- The House gavels in at 10 a.m., with first votes expected between 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., and last votes expected between 4:15 p.m. and 5:15 p.m. Today's agenda: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=1e2b977e570899b12d2b0bc47644d1699ef1cdacf2799a8d183f3fdbb04c674efdfa7961a024f4fc7269a45ac2b207c4 The Senate meets at 10 a.m. to resume consideration of judicial nominee Kurt Engelhardt. The chamber will vote to confirm Engelhardt at 12 p.m., followed by an immediate procedural vote on judicial nominee Michael Brennan.

AROUND THE HILL -- Energy Secretary Rick Perry will testify before the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee in a hearing on an overview of the fiscal 2019 budget proposal for DOE at 9 a.m. in 2318 Rayburn.

Gina Haspel will testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee in a hearing on her nomination to be CIA director at 9:30 a.m. in 216 Hart.

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Joints Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford Jr. will testify before the Senate Appropriations Committee Defense Subcommittee in a hearing on the fiscal year 2019 funding request and budget justification for the Defense Department at 10 a.m. in 192 Dirksen.

Rep. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.) and others will hold a conference call briefing to discuss the state of immigrant and refugee women in the U.S. ahead of Mother's Day beginning at 10 a.m. The call-in number is 877-876-9177, and the password is Mother's Day.

Reps. Karen Bass (D-Calif.), Tom Marino (R-Pa.), Brenda Lawrence (D-Mich.), Diane Black (R-Tenn.), Jim Langevin (D-R.I.), Ann McLane Kuster (D-N.H.) and Tom MacArthur (R-N.J.) and Dr. Phil and his wife, Robin, will hold a briefing on how the opioid crisis increases children placed in foster care at 11 a.m. in 2237 Rayburn.

Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Ill.) will hold a news conference to unveil new legislation to curb the rate of maternal deaths in America at 11:15 a.m. in the House Triangle.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Sens. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) will hold a news conference to officially file petition to force a vote on net neutrality at 11:30 a.m. in the Senate Radio/TV Gallery.

Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) will hold a news conference with union leaders on the introduction Workplace Democracy Act, which would restore workers' rights to bargain for better wages, benefits and working conditions, at 11:30 a.m. in G-50 Dirksen.

Rep. Peter Roskam (R-Ill.) and others will hold a discussion on how to ensure that America's life-sciences sector remains globally competitive at 12 p.m. in SVC-201/200.

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) will deliver remarks to the Zionist Organization of America on the president's announcement regarding the Iran nuclear deal at 12:30 p.m. in 902 Hart.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Reps. Tim Walz (D-Minn.), Brian Higgins (D-N.Y.) and Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) will hold a news conference with machinists on plant closures and the impact of the GOP tax plan at 1:30 p.m. in H-207.

Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-Fla.) will hold a news conference on immigration reform at 2:15 p.m. in the House Triangle.

Reps. Susan Brooks (R-Ind.), Ted Deutch (D-Fla.), Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) and Fred Upton (R-Mich.) will hold a news conference on new gun reform legislation at 3 p.m. in HVC-Studio A.

Reps. Larry Bucshon (R-Ind.), Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.), Bill Johnson (R-Ohio) and Dave Loebsack (D-Iowa) will hold a meeting with Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to discuss aluminum tariffs in regard to the president's Section 232 decision at 3 p.m. in 1100 Longworth.

TUESDAY'S TRIVIA WINNER -- Eli Schechner was first to correctly guess that W. Chapman Revercomb was the last Republican to hold the Senate seat currently held by Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.).

TODAY'S TRIVIA -- From Eli: Who was the first multi-term House speaker from a still-existing political party? The first person to correctly guess gets a mention in the next edition of Huddle. Send your best guess my way: nmccaskill@politico.com.

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