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By Kyle Cheney

With Sandhya Raman

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. (
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REID: I'M RUNNING - "Restless Reid quietly pulling strings," by POLITICO's Manu Raju: "Sen. Harry Reid ... has been burning up the phones with up to 50 calls per day, trying to make clear that he's still in charge ... From his telephone, he's quieted speculation internally that he'll retire, telling the new Senate Democratic campaign head, Jon Tester, on a conference call that he's running for reelection next year so he wouldn't have to worry about finding a replacement in Nevada. He's been involved in recruiting decisions for next year's Senate races, even making clear his preference that the party establishment not endorse a Democratic candidate in the California Senate primary, several
people said ... Reid ... also hedged when asked about his plans. 'At this stage,' he said, 'I'm fully intending to run.'"
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IN AND OUT - "Becerra seriously weighing California Senate run," by POLITICO's Anna Palmer: "Rep. Xavier Becerra is moving closer to jumping in the California Senate race. The Democrat this week told House colleagues as well as Democratic operatives and lobbyists about his desire to run to replace retiring Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer. 'One to 10, 10 being serious, 10,' said Becerra when asked how seriously he was considering launching a campaign ... Becerra represents downtown Los Angeles and previously served in the California State Assembly and as deputy attorney general in the California Department of Justice.
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"Steyer won't run for Senate," by POLITICO Pro Energy's Andrew Restuccia: "Billionaire Tom Steyer announced Thursday that he will not run for the California Senate seat being vacated by Barbara Boxer. The news ends speculation about whether Steyer, an outspoken environmentalist and former hedge fund manager, will insert himself into the race ... Aides explained that Steyer will continue working to raise the profile of climate change through his 501(c)(4) organization, NextGen Climate, and its associated super PAC ... [An] aide added that Steyer remains interested in seeking public office, possibly the governorship of California in 2018.
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BUCKEYE BATTLE - "Portman assembling 2016 team," by POLITICO's Manu Raju: "Sen. Rob Portman ... plans to announce Thursday that he has hired Corry Bliss, the GOP operative who helped salvage Sen. Pat Roberts' struggling campaign last year, to head his reelection effort in 2016. He also has selected a longtime aide, Kevin Hoggatt, as his political director, and Natalie Baur, a GOP consultant with ties to donors in Ohio and Washington, as his finance director. The trio of moves are a clear indication that Portman recognizes he could be a top target in 2016, running in a battleground state that could once again be pivotal in a presidential election."
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- Also in Ohio 2016 news, Gov. John Kasich told Hugh Hewitt "my options are open" when asked whether he's considering a presidential bid.
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As Scott Walker plans a Granite State swing and the Iowa GOP gets some new faces, here's POLITICO's Morning Score: daily news, notes and essential information for the 2015 and 2016 election cycles.

Days until the 2015 election: 284; Days until the 2016 election: 655

Thanks for joining us. We're eager for your news and feedback. Email us at
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kcheney@politico.com or find us on Twitter at @
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2016 GOP - "King for a day," by POLITICO's James Hohmann: "Democrats are looking to turn a weekend event in Iowa being hosted by immigration lightning rod Steve King into a spectacle that sets the GOP further back with Latinos ahead of the 2016 campaign. Some of the top Republican contenders for the White House will spend Saturday paying homage to King, an Iowa congressman who just this week attacked Michelle Obama for bringing a 'deportable' to the State of the Union address ... A top Republican operative in Iowa from the establishment wing of the party said the Democratic efforts will only strengthen King's standing with GOP activists ... On Tuesday night, he tried to make a joke about
his 'deportable' tweet - telling reporters to 'shake it off,' an apparent reference to the hit song by Taylor Swift. But he went on to say, "Why isn't the president taking heat for what he's doing to the rule of law?"
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CAMPAIGN FINANCE UPDATE - "Luján invites big Dem donors to New Mexico," by Campaign Pro's Tarini Parti: "Rep. Ben Ray Luján, the new chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, has invited top Democratic donors and allies for a weekend gathering in his hometown of Santa Fe, New Mexico, according to an invitation obtained by POLITICO. Modeled after House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi's well-known wine country retreats and former DCCC Chairman Steve Israel's New York City conferences, the gathering - dubbed the 2015 Santa Fe Issues Conference - invites donors to discuss the party's legislative and political strategies with members of the House Democratic Caucus
while enjoying New Mexican food and culture. The conference will take place the weekend of March 20."
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-"Koch debate kicks off in California," by Tarini Parti and Kenneth P. Vogel: "The Koch primary will kick off in earnest on Sunday night in the California desert ... Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Marco Rubio of Florida are expected to participate in what's being called the 'American Recovery Policy Forum,' according to a spokesman for Freedom Partners Chamber of Commerce. The group, which oversees the vaunted political operation created by the billionaire industrialist megadonors Charles and David Koch, is organizing the forum at its annual winter gathering in Palm Springs, California. The forum, which will be moderated by ABC News' chief White House correspondent,
Jon Karl, is closed to the press and public. But video of the event will be made available to media outlets - a significant change for the Kochs' operation, which has had a reputation for secrecy."
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-"Watchdog group files complaint alleging Gohmert improperly used campaign funds," by John Bresnahan and Jake Sherman: "A liberal watchdog group has filed an ethics complaint against Texas GOP Rep. Louie Gohmert alleging that he improperly used campaign funds to cover his expenses from a recent trip to London. In a filing with the Office of Congressional Ethics, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington claims that Gohmert may have violated House rules by charging nearly $6,300 to his campaign account for the late Nov. trip. Members are barred from using campaign funds to cover personal expenses ... A Gohmert spokeswoman said the Texas Republican's trip to England was political
in nature, and therefore, using campaign funds to cover the trip was allowable."
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CODA - QUOTE OF THE DAY: "The greedy art of secret self-reward was practiced by particular cleverness and cynicism by the speaker himself." - U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara at a press conference announcing the charges against New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.
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