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By Elena Schneider | 03/07/2017 10:00 AM EDT


With Kevin Robillard, Scott Bland and Daniel Strauss

The following newsletter is an abridged version of Campaign Pro's Morning Score. For an earlier morning read on exponentially more races - and for a more comprehensive aggregation of the day's most important campaign news - sign up for Campaign Pro today. (http://www.politicopro.com/proinfo)

FIRST IN SCORE - "GOP Senate nonprofit launches Obamacare repeal radio ads," by Campaign Pro's Kevin Robillard: "A major Republican nonprofit is rolling out radio ads in 10 states, pressuring senators to support the repeal and replacement of Obamacare just as a bill starts working its way through the House of Representatives. One Nation, which is controlled by allies of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, is airing the ads as the second half of a $3 million ad buy aiming to build support for the politically explosive repeal of the health law. The group has already aired television ads in nine states, and is also spending money on digital, print and direct mail. The ads began on Monday,
two days before House Republicans are set to start marking up their bill to repeal the law, which would fulfill a major and longstanding GOP campaign promise - but also could lead to the loss of health insurance coverage for some Americans who have gotten it in recent years, which would be a big political liability."

- "The 60-second spots target five Democrats who are vulnerable in the 2018 elections: Florida's Bill Nelson, Michigan's Debbie Stabenow, Missouri's Claire McCaskill, Ohio's Sherrod Brown and Wisconsin's Tammy Baldwin. The radio ads will also air in two states with Republican senators who could face tough challenges of their own in 2018 - Arizona, home of Jeff Flake, and Nevada, home of Dean Heller - and in three states with four Republican senators who are considered possibly squishy on repeal: Utah (Orrin Hatch), Tennessee (Bob Corker and Lamar Alexander) and Alaska (Lisa Murkowski). Murkowski has already declared she will oppose any version of the law that repeals Medicaid expansion."
Full story.

ON THE HILL - "GOP unveils Obamacare replacement amid sharp party divide," by POLITICO's Rachael Bade, Paul Demko and Jennifer Haberkorn: "With the blessing of the Trump White House, House Republicans on Monday finally released a plan to repeal and replace Obamacare, a long-anticipated moment in the GOP's yearslong campaign to upend the Democratic health care law. But there were warning signs even hours before GOP leaders unveiled the proposal. Four key Senate Republicans in a Monday letter balked at the House plan to repeal the Medicaid expansion after 2020, underscoring how sharply divided the party still remains over how to transform the health care system and accomplish a core campaign
promise. House conservatives, meanwhile, had yet to commit to backing the proposal. GOP leadership, in an olive branch to the far-right, curbed eligibility of the health care tax credits in the final draft, a central component of the plan." Full story.

- From the Republicans: ""Republicans have consistently won on the promise of real healthcare reform and the American Health Care Act keeps those promises to the American people," NRCC Chairman Steve Stivers said in a statement. "Democrats have suffered significant losses in recent election cycles, yet they still refuse to listen to the demands of their constituents. Obamacare is failing and Republicans are determined to replace it - Democrats can either join us or feel the repercussions again in 2018."

- From the Democrats: "House Republicans have reached a new low in their blind pursuit of ACA repeal. After seven years of finger pointing and grandstanding, they've revealed half-baked legislation - negotiated behind closed doors - that rips healthcare away from hardworking families, breaks the promises they've already made, and is larded with special interest giveaways," said DCCC spokesman Tyler Law in a statement.

ITCHING FOR A PRIMARY - "Progressives rage against Manchin but lack means to fight him in West Virginia," by Campaign Pro's Daniel Strauss: "Sen. Joe Manchin has emerged as an early target of angry progressives itching to show they won't tolerate cooperation with President Donald Trump. ... But even the most outspoken critics of [Manchin] concede there is little infrastructure and even less of a bench for potential progressive opponents to actually face down Manchin in a primary. ... Inside the state, some Democrats are looking at former U.S. attorney Booth Goodwin as a possible option, and Goodwin said in an interview that he is considering running. But Manchin, perhaps feeling secure in
his strength and his opponents' weakness within the West Virginia Democratic Party, appears to be spoiling for a fight with his left-leaning detractors." Full story.

Days until the 2017 election: 245.

Days until the 2018 election: 609.

Thanks for joining us. You can email tips to the Campaign Pro team at sbland@politico.com, eschneider@politico.com, krobillard@politico.com and dstrauss@politico.com.

You can also follow us on Twitter, where we tweet about campaigns and West Side basketball: @politicoscott, @ec_schneider, @politicokevin and @danielstrauss4.

SPECIAL ELECTION UPDATE - Greg Gianforte wins Montana GOP House nomination: Gianforte, who lost a gubernatorial bid to Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock, is now the Republican candidate to replace Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke. Gianforte will face Democrat Rob Quist, who was also selected over the weekend. "Greg Gianforte is the right choice to fight for Montana's working families in Congress. He will have the full support of the NRCC to ensure this seat stays red on May 25," NRCC Chairman Steve Stivers said in a statement.

- TV TIMEOUT - Moody's first GA-06 ad hits familiar themes of ad-maker Fred Davis: "Republican Dan Moody is out with his first TV ad in the special election to replace HHS Secretary Tom Price in Congress, poking at Washington discord (and well-known Republican candidate Karen Handel) by featuring a pearl necklace-wearing elephant and calling on voters to back the 'strong, silent type.' The six-figure broadcast and cable buy started today, airing across Atlanta." Watch the ad here. Full story.

PAC WATCH - POERSCH TAKES THE REINS OF MAJORITY PAC: J.B. Poersch, who served as DSCC executive director under Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer in 2006 and 2008, is the new president of Senate Majority PAC. Poersch previously ran the group as part of triumvirate alongside Harry Reid allies Susan McCue and Rebecca Lambe will stay on as outside advisers. In an interview, Poersch said he would work full-time at Senate Majority PAC and leave SKDKnickerbocker, where he had worked as media consultant for Democratic clients like Sen. Joe Donnelly and Rep. John Delaney.

- "What SMP needs to do is get bigger and deeper," Poersch said. He said the PAC needed to move beyond television and do more digital and ground work. "There's a role in the IE world for field," he said. "There's a lot we can learn from our progressive allies and even from GOP groups."

CASH RACE - "Ryan transfers $4.4 million to NRCC in February," by Roll Call's Simone Pathe: "House Speaker Paul D. Ryan transferred more than $4.4 million to the National Republican Congressional Committee in February, breaking his record for the same period last year. The first few months of an off-year are usually a slower time for fundraising, but a rocky first full month of Donald Trump's presidency doesn't seem to have hurt Ryan's sway with GOP donors." Full story.

FINANCIAL TIMES - ActBlue rolls out support for Apple Pay: The Democratic fundraising platform had already made an update in the fall allowing federal campaigns to accept donations from iPhones using Apple Pay, and it is now extending the feature to include federal PACs, 527s and nonprofit group. ActBlue is also working to extend the feature to state and local campaigns, after seeing a 6.5 percent increase in conversion rate among active Apple Pay users during its initial trial with the service. More here from ActBlue.

YOU DON'T WANT NO PROBLEM - "Chance the Rapper burns Illinois governor," by POLITICO Illinois' Natasha Korecki: "After declaring his talks with Gov. Bruce Rauner accomplished nothing, Chance the Rapper donated $1 million to Chicago Public Schools on Monday - wowing his large fan base and creating an epic public relations nightmare for the Republican governor." Full story.

TRANSITIONS - GOP pollster Chris Perkins launches new firm: Perkins, a former partner at WPA Research, is launching Ragnar Research Partners with partners Matt Gammon, Ryan Steusloff, and Dan Narvaiz. The firm will provide research and polling for Republican political candidates as well as corporations, trade associations and public affairs efforts.

- DSCC adds David Bergstein: Bergstein, who served as communications director for Democrat Ted Strickland in the 2016 Ohio Senate race, is now the DSCC's national press secretary.

- Christina Coloroso is Catalist's new director of analytics: Coloroso was previously the head of analytics for the DCCC's independent expenditure unit and, before that, the DCCC's coordinated side. She spent three election cycles at the DCCC.

RETENTION WATCH - DCCC names 19 House Dems for incumbent protection program: "The DCCC has named 19 House Democrats to its Frontline program for incumbent protection. The Frontline program is a partnership between House Democrats' camapign arm and congressional offices to reinforce infrastructure and fundraising in key swing districts. Full story.

ADMINISTRATION SPEED READ - "New Trump travel ban order to shift legal war," by POLITICO's Josh Gerstein: "President Donald Trump's second stab at a travel ban executive order will redraw the battle lines in the legal war his first order set off about a month ago, turning the focus to a small number of lawsuits aimed at the new order's continued moratorium on refugees entering the U.S. The new order carves out the most legally vulnerable aspects of the original directive by eliminating its application to existing visa holders, whether they're currently in the U.S. or overseas. Now, those most directly affected will be individuals from six countries - Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and
Yemen - applying for visas for the first time. They face a delay of at least 90 days while new vetting processes are developed. Legal experts say the changes put the ban on firmer legal footing in the courts." Full story.

- "The disappearing Sean Spicer," by POLITICO's Matthew Nussbaum and Hadas Gold: "After two flayings on Saturday Night Live, sustained mockings on late-night shows, and a series of televised confrontations with reporters, White House press secretary Sean Spicer is retreating from the harsh glare of the daily televised briefing. The White House has not held a televised briefing in seven days, after regularly holding the traditional on-camera event in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room on weekdays when President Donald Trump was not travelling. Instead, Spicer and the press shop is increasingly turning to off-camera 'gaggles' that shield the embattled press secretary from scrutiny - both
from a fascinated national audience and a certain regular viewer in the Oval Office." Full story.

- "Justice Department nominee at center of partisan battle over Russia allegations," by The Washington Post's Sean Sullivan, Karoun Demirjian and Tom Hamburger: "Republican and Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill positioned themselves for a new round of fighting over President Trump's alleged ties to Russia, with Senate Democrats preparing to wage a fierce battle at a Tuesday confirmation hearing that has suddenly taken on far-reaching implications and a top Republican senator questioning whether the FBI played politics against Trump. Democrats are poised to aggressively grill Rod J. Rosenstein, Trump's nominee for deputy attorney general, over how the Justice Department will investigate
Russia's alleged interference in the 2016 election and suspected ties between Trump aides and Russia. As the second-in-command at the Justice Department, Rosenstein would assume responsibility for probes related to the Trump campaign now that Attorney General Jeff Sessions has recused himself." Full story.

CODA - QUOTE OF THE DAY: "We have been married for 37 years and most of the time can communicate without speaking as we are soul mates." - Martin and Katie Marquez, a married couple both running for seats on the Miami Springs, Fla. city council, taking pains to assure the county ethics commission they would not violate "Florida's strict Sunshine Law" if they are both elected. (Via the Miami Herald.)

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