U.S. Senate race in national spotlight
ABC News Political Director Rick Klein has new insight ahead of midterms
U.S. Senate race in national spotlight
ABC News Political Director Rick Klein has new insight ahead of midterms
NOVEMBER. Gerron: WE'RE BACK NOW WITH 44 DAYS TO GO. CONTROL OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE HANGING IN THE BALANCE, AND THE RACES HERE IN WISCONSIN, INCREDIBLY CLOSE. THE LATEST MARQUETTE LAW SCHOOL POLL SHOWS A TOSS-UP IN THE RACE FOR U.S. SENATE BETWEEN REPUBLICAN SENATOR RON JOHNSON AND DEMOCRAT LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR MANDELA BARNES. ABC NEWS POLITICAL DIRECTOR RICK KLEIN JOINS US FROM WASHINGTON. RICK, GOOD TO SEE YOU. Rick: Great to be with you. Thanks for having me. Gerron: Let's start right there WITH THE SENATE RACE. HOW CLOSELY IS THIS SENATE RACE BEING WATCHED NATIONALLY, AND COULD CONTROL OF THE SENATE ACTUALLY COME DOWN TO WISCONSIN? Rick: 100%. It could come down to that. Senator Ron Johnson is probably the most embattled, endangered Senate Republican, and if Democrats are able to defeat him, it is almost impossible to see how Republicans are able to hold the Senate. This one is going to be for all the marbles. This may be his toughest race yet. We also know races in Wisconsin come down to the wire. This is looking to be much in keeping with that, a lot of money spent on the airwaves to define the candidates and this point is the biggest gas. Gerron: Every vote counts. A lot of talk about the Latino vote in Wisconsin, outreach on both parties, both sides of the Iomega that outreach. Which party has the Latino support? Rick: This is one of the more intriguing stories of the last few years in politics. Latino voters, overwhelmingly Democratic for generations, have started to move toward the Republican side. It is not to say they are becoming overwhelmingly Republicans but it is to say Republicans made inroads. The difference between winning the Latino vote 60 to 40 versus 51 to 49 is huge. They are very diverse voting block to begin with. Senator Johnson has an opportunity to capitalize on inroads President Trump did. Gerron: We are seeing a disagreement in terms of how many terms they agreed to. Mandela Barnes just one. Is this part of the national trend we are seeing in races across the country? Rick: The debate over debates is a sign of the times, as hot as it has ever been. I think for Mandela Barnes he has tried to limit the exposure he may have as someone new or to the national political scene. I know a lot of donors are trying to get closer that race. Center Johnson is comfortable and confident with his ability to do that. Most places we see the debate over the debates, it is the Republican less likely to participate other than the Democrat but Pennsylvania is another race that comes to mind where there was only one debate locked in even though the Republican candidate in that case would like to see more. Gerron: Looking at this past week with the house, they pass the presidential election reform act. Democrats voting FOR IT, REPUBLICANS VOTING NO. THE BILL IS IN DIRECT RESPONSE to the January 6 attack on the capital and REAFFIRMS THE VICE PRESIDENT HAS NO ROLE IN VALIDATING AN ELECTION. It ALSO EXPAND THE THRESHOLD FOR lawmakers to object to an election. SENATOR JOHNSON SAID HE'S OPEN TO LOOKING AT THE BILL. DOES THIS PASS THE SENATE? Rick: It's unlikely to move in the Senate. There is a different bill that has bipartisan support but I'm not expecting Senator Johnson's support in the 10 Republicans ultimately would support it this close to 80 election. I think the flaws of the electoral process laid bare by January are still there. Democrats feel like it's an important priority to change that but they have also had a year and have to do it and doing it weeks before the election is to politicize an environment. It was telling the only Republicans in the house to vote for the bill, nine votes in favor by Republicans, everyone of them is either leaving Congress because they are retiring or they lost their primaries. Gerron: Rick, thank you for being with u
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U.S. Senate race in national spotlight
ABC News Political Director Rick Klein has new insight ahead of midterms
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