THE SKIES ABOVE UTICA N.Y. — After their charter plane’s WiFi captured snippets from the highly anticipated Pennsylvania Senate debate , Steve Scalise , and three other Republicans, turned to one another in shock.
As John Fetterman, the Democratic nominee, struggled through several debate answers after suffering a stroke, the Republicans were cheering him on. Scalise had predicted that Mehmet Oz, the GOP nominee, would win the election.
Oz would not even be allowed to serve in the chamber Scalise might lead next year. The House minority whip made the debate-watching moment a show of earned confidence, as he zipped through Michigan and upstate New York to raise funds for four GOP candidates in his bid to win sweeping midterm gains.
Scalise, who has given $3.4million to candidates and members of Congress so far this cycle, on top $25 million to House GOP’s campaign wing, predicted that “on November 9, your might be waking up early because you were out to the victory party really really late.”
Scalise’s preelection celebrations were missing the details of what House Republicans and he have in store for next year, if they win the chamber. If his party wins the House, Scalise, a Louisianan, will be the majority leader. He repeatedly stated to the crowds that the conference’s blueprint, “Commitment to America”, shows exactly what they would do in the majority. Yet, party leaders haven’t gone into the details.
They won’t be able to keep the promises they made once they are elected. Scalise and his rising Republican legislators were content to avoid the messy details that go into legislating for now.
When Scalise was asked about concessions that the House GOP might seek in a future debt limit vote for example, Scalise stated that “now isn’t the time to negotiate debt limit”, arguing that the Biden administration hadn’t yet tried to work with the House GOP leadership. “There are things we want to address.”
He described his four-day-a week sprint in the pre-election period as giving “one last jolt” to cash-hungry candidates who were running in close races.
Scalise stated, “You raise all your money before Labor Day to spend it all within a short time period when people really start to focus on an election.” “And so it’s those last days, when everybody is just worn to their edges.
Scalise’s swing was able to have a different feel than the open events and large rallies that are typical in the early months of a campaign. Scalise was introduced to small groups of supporters and candidates in order to convince GOP donors that they would open their wallets once more. This was done to show the growing GOP influence in their districts.
Scalise was joined by Paul Junge, Michigan GOP candidate and around 40 supporters. They gathered in a meeting room at a local manufacturing facility to hear Scalise speak about his role as a check against the Biden administration. Junge is a former Trump official and is trying to get rid of Democratic Rep. Dan Kildee. His family has represented the region for over 40 years. However, the seat was made competitive following redistricting.
Scalise continued to campaign in Detroit suburbs for Tom Barrett (a Michigan state senator) who is looking to unseat Democratic Rep. Elissa slotkin in state’s 7th Congressional District. Slotkin was one of 31 Democrats that helped her party win the majority in 2018 , but is now facing existential threats in a midterm election that’s swinging away.
With millions of dollars being dropped each month on the airwaves, Barrett and Slotkin could have one of most expensive House races in the midterms. Scalise’s team was joined by former Rep. Mike Bishop (R.Mich.), and Rep. Lisa McClain, Michigan GOP candidate John James.
Scalise and his co-workers tuned in to the Fetterman Oz debate as they traveled from Michigan to Utica. There they attended a bar event for New York GOP candidate Brandon Williams, before moving on to Binghamton where they stopped at a country club event to support Republican hopeful Marc Molinaro.
Both Molinaro and Williams are competing against Democratic challengers to swing seats. Williams is against Francis Conole, who is retiring Rep. John Katko‘s (R.N.Y.), and Molinaro faces Josh Riley to represent a newly drawn District that includes part the Hudson Valley.
Junge, Barrett, and Molinaro each claimed that their ability to draw the House’s likely future majority leader was a sign of their races. A Michigan GOP official was so excited to accept a signed Commitment To America one-pager by Scalise.
Junge stated that Scalise’s event showed the district’s residents that it is alive and well. “I think they are excited to see Republicans from all across the country support what I am doing.”
Barrett said Scalise’s presence is a “great sign to the donors that have been here that this race is the most important to focus on.”
It’s not the only GOP leader who lends their credibility to candidates. Senior Republicans are also crisscrossing the country as the last days of the midterms, including the Minority Leader and Speaker Frontrunner Kevin McCarthy as well as Tom Emmer , the Chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee.
Scalise was joined in his role as chief deputy whip by Rep. Drew Ferguson, (R-Ga.) and Rep. Jason Smith, (R-Mo.). Max Miller, the Ohio GOP candidate. Scalise, along with other top Republicans, used his stump speech as an opportunity to attack Democrats.
Scalise’s other rhetorical flourishes gave clues as to how he would shape messaging for a future majority. Scalise used former Rep. Tulsi Gabrield’s departure form the Democratic Party to claim that his opponents are too far-left. He also praised Virginia Governor. Glenn Youngkin was a “glimmer in hope” for turning the state red last year. Rep. Mariannette Müller-Meeks_’ (R.Iowa) 2020 victory with just 6 votes was a reminder that every vote matters.
Scalise and his fellows responded to questions, befitting the friendly nature of the crowds. They answered everything from questions about how they would stop President Joe Biden’s spending and executive order, to tight Senate races in Pennsylvania and Georgia, to the need for investigation into Hunter Biden, President Joe Biden’s oldest son.
The Republicans didn’t have to avoid difficult topics, like whether or not they will raise the debt limit. They also did not lose their enthusiasm for a trip that was as much about building chemistry as fundraising. Scalise’s traveling companions predicted that their camaraderie while on the road would make their Hill work go more smoothly.
Miller stated, “It does exactly the same thing in any team sport or the military.”
