The Joe Cunningham Show airs 3-4 p.m. every weekday on NewsTalk 96.5 KPEL. The daily show notes offer you a look into the topics of the day and the links to the top stories and Joe's own writings on the state of politics in Louisiana and around the country. Follow Joe on Twitter at @JoePCunningham and Like the Joe Cunningham Show on Facebook. You can also subscribe to the Joe Cunningham Show podcast on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, or Amazon.
Gary Chambers Has a Vendetta
Former U.S. Senate candidate Gary Chambers is no fan of Louisiana Democratic Chairwoman Katie Bernhardt or her ad that really served as an introduction to her possible bid for Governor.
The ad:
He absolutely tears her down, and in his usual, Chambers-y way. This probably marks the beginning of the end of her campaign, which hasn’t even gotten off the ground. Progressives are not a fan, and they are excoriating her, accusing her of supporting pro-life Republicans in the past, and accusing the folks behind the PAC she did the ad for of supporting Republicans as well.
The Twists and Turns of the RNC Chair Race
Harmeet Dhillon’s spokesperson said Dhillon would give Mike Lindell a seat at the table, which isn’t great. But Ron DeSantis has now jumped in and endorsed Dhillon, which is good. The battle for the leadership of the RNC is heating up.
At the same time, you know who’s silent? Donald Trump. But the RNC members are not being silent about him.
“This isn’t 2016,” said Mac Brown, the chairman of the Republican Party of Kentucky. “People have moved on.”
Jonathan Barnett, an R.N.C. member from Arkansas who claims to have been the first member of the committee to endorse Mr. Trump’s 2016 campaign, said the party would benefit from its nominee being forced to navigate a crowded primary field.
“I’ve been a supporter of Donald Trump in the past,” Mr. Barnett said. “I just think that we need choices this time. We’ve got to look at all of our options.”
The motivation to leave Mr. Trump behind is not ideological but political, the party leaders said: They worry he can’t win.
“Everybody is very appreciative of Trump, and he did a lot of great things,” said Art Wittich, an R.N.C. member from Montana who said Mr. Trump was not best positioned to win the general election. “There’s this burning desire to win in 2024, and that’s what’s going to drive a lot of the action.”
In the past, the former president has enjoyed the support and backing of the Republican National Committee. However, that no longer seems to be the case as Trump’s star seems to have fallen within the RNC, and he has really made no effort to back any of the candidates for RNC chair.
Headlines of the Day
It’s On: Adam Schiff Sets Stage for Potentially Epic and Popcorn-Worthy 2024 Senate Battle (RedState)
New Report Digs Into New Orleans’ Status as ‘Murder Capital’ (KPEL)
Biden considering a trip to Europe in show of support for Ukraine after one year of war (NBC)
Possible retirements before 2024 have Senate Democrats on edge (Washington Post)
Gaslight politics (Washington Examiner)