VOL. 4 NO. 68 POLITIwednesday, may 19, 2010 CO www.politico.com House Dems Scramble for Paul Romps to Kentucky Victory By Al e x a n d e r Bu r n s a throng of challengers and open- hold off a primary challenge from Spending Deal seat candidates battled to the finish Rep. Joe Sestak and Sen. Blanche Tea party darling Rand Paul won in a group of closely watched nomi- Lincoln (D-Ark.) faced off with an By Da v i d Ro g e r s a smashing victory in Kentucky’s nation fights. It was a day when po- insurgent from the Democratic left, Republican Senate primary against litical scandals in Connecticut and Lt. Gov. Bill Halter. House and Senate Democrats worked into Tues- Secretary of State Trey Grayson Indiana also threatened to scram- Also in Pennsylvania, voters day night, trying to reach a final deal on a scaled- on Tuesday night — a victory that ble a midterm election map already were set to decide the special elec- back package of tax cuts and new spending designed represents a major loss of face for in flux. tion for the vacant seat of the late to stimulate jobs and ensure a stable flow of bene- Senate Minority Leader Mitch Mc- On the Democratic side in Ken- Democratic Rep. John Murtha. fits for the long-term unemployed Connell, whose political operation tucky, state Attorney General Jack The final polls of the race showed through November’s elections. has strongly supported Grayson’s Conway clung to a lead over Lt. Democrat Mark Critz and Republi- Unable to win over Republican candidacy. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo, appearing can Tim Burns locked in a virtual moderates in the Senate, Democrats Paul’s victory, which he said to likely give national Democrats tie, with Public Policy Polling giv- were prepared to scrap much of an would mean a “tremendous man- their preferred candidate. ing Burns a 1-percentage-point lead ambitious five-year, $90 billion-plus date for the tea party,” came on Other key contests had no clear Sunday night. plan to provide a little more cer- a tumultuous Tuesday when two winners at press time, as veteran For all the latest news, results and tainty to Medicare physicians fac- vulnerable Senate incumbents and Sen. Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) tried to analysis, visit www.politico.com. ing an erratic payment schedule. JOHN SHINKLE — And in their own ranks, Democrat- POLITICO ic tax writers battled back-channel Sen. Max efforts to weaken reforms aimed at Baucus wealthy investment fund manag- ers who shelter their income at the lower 15 percent rate afforded capital gains. But many past differences were resolved, and with a Memorial Day deadline looming, there was a determination to move forward after long delays. Business interests have a major stake in the tax- break extensions, and — at the House’s insistence — added funding is provided for Build America Bonds to finance infrastructure projects. Caught in the middle are oil interests embarrassed by the disas- ter in the Gulf, and, going far beyond White House thinking, tax writers have discussed increases as

See spending on Page 22

The Politics of America ’ s Youth A VIDEO SERIES Sponsored By Klobuchar Wants AP Kid Driving Curbs Tea party favorite Rand Paul defeated Secretary of State Trey Grayson for the GOP Senate nomination in Kentucky.

By Mi k e Al l e n

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), who is both a for- Scandals Stagger Both Parties mer county prosecutor and the mother of a 15-year- old, says the two experiences have convinced her Who quits? Who stays? Vietnam-era furor could endanger that the nation needs stricter standards for kids be- hind the wheel. Every affair is different Connecticut seat for Democrats “You can change cultures by See getting a change of standards out By Jo h n F. Harr i s By Ma g g i e Hab e rma n a n d Be n Sm i t h Also there for the public to listen to,” a n d Er i k a Lo v l e y Watch the full Klobuchar said in an interview for WEST HARTFORD, Conn. — Connecticut Attor- interview with the POLITICO video series “The You could think of Rep. Mark ney General Richard Blumenthal’s defiant response Sen. Amy Klobu- Politics of America’s Youth.” “And Souder as something of a tra- ap to a report that he falsely claimed to have served in char (D-Minn.) they start saying, ‘You know what? ditionalist. Caught in an em- Despite accusa- Vietnam appears to have salvaged his Democratic at www.politico. That’s a good idea.’ So, it’s really a barrassing sex scandal, the tions that he nomination for the Senate. com. On Thurs- personal choice, but it’s something Indiana Republican confessed lied, Democrats But the controversy touched off by a story in The day: Transporta- that they hear about and they start that he was “shamed,” then continue to New York Times has robbed the Democratic Party tion Secretary believing in.” support Richard Ray LaHood. In April, Klobuchar, along with See affairs on Page 21 Blumenthal. See blumenthal on Page 15 fellow Democratic Sens. Kirsten

See klobuchar on Page 16 inside POLITICo 44 MONEY ENERGY/ENVIRONMENT Sen. POLITICS John Man of steel: Obama stands by his More incumbents’ seats are on the Polls show oil spill hasn’t siphoned McCain To Ariz. Republicans, staff shake-up says economic record in factory visit. line — this time, in boardrooms. off much support for drilling. McCain means business. John Page 3 Page 11 Page 13 Shinkle — Page 25 Politico