POLITICO Playbook: What two new polls tell us about the midterms

"Initially energized by pandemic-era battles over school policies, they're now "seeking to shape how potentially difficult discussions on race and gender identity happen -- or don't -- in classrooms across the country.""

"The stipend amounts to nearly $90,000 in income that appears to far exceed his housing costs back home, money that's exempt from income taxes.""

"BORDER SONG -- "Border Wall Construction Resumes Under President Joe Biden," by The Intercept's Ryan Devereaux: "The Biden administration laid out its plans to rev up work on completing Donald Trump's signature project."MEDIAWATCHL.A. CONFIDENTIAL -- Under the relatively new stewardship of PATRICK SOON-SHIONG and his family, the L.A. Times newsroom has felt an "awkward and at times tense relationship" with its billionaire owner, Daniel Lippman, Chris Cadelago and Max Tani report in a big investigation."

"For our money, the most interesting overall takeaway came from the Democratic and Republican pollsters who jointly conducted the survey for NBC:-- Instead of a "wave" election, 2022 may be a "'waves' election, where unprecedentedly strong crosscurrents push voters in different directions, with an end result that may not be what we expected," said Democrat JEFF HORWITT of Hart Research Associates.-- Indeed, 2022 is effectively two campaigns running in parallel: "There is a campaign about the economy, cost of living, crime and border security, and Republicans are winning this campaign," said Republican BILL MCINTURFF of Public Opinion Strategies."

"That would seem to be the nail in the coffin -- if it wasn't already sealed shut -- for efforts to codify same-sex and interracial marriage rights before the election: Baldwin has been leading the effort to recruit GOP supporters."

""But there is a second campaign on abortion, democracy and climate change, and Democrats are winning that campaign.""

"Dearie has drawn bipartisan plaudits, and it's not clear from any publicly available evidence whether Trump's lawyers' assessment of his stance is just a guess or something more."

This is a negative sentiment.

"You can probably expect more efforts like Florida Gov. RON DeSANTIS' Martha's Vineyard stunt, simply to try and change what issues are receiving the most media coverage."

This is a negative sentiment.

""Ruing to lead his party on Oversight is a gamble for Raskin, cutting against the caucus' penchant for doling out plum positions according to seniority," Jordain writes."

This is a negative sentiment.

"RASKIN ASKIN' -- Rep. JAMIE RASKIN (D-Md.) has emerged of late as an investigative star among House Dems."

This is a negative sentiment.

"Warnock says he's done nothing wrong."

This is a negative sentiment.

"Five years after Hurricane Maria, this Category 1 storm dumped dozens of inches of rain, causing major flooding and "catastrophic" levels of damage, Gov. PEDRO PIERLUISI said."

This is a negative sentiment.

"The GOP is working to define Sen. RAPHAEL WARNOCK (D-Ga.) negatively for voters, after rueing their failure to do so in 2020, Natalie Allison and Burgess Everett report this morning."

This is a negative sentiment.

""ANOTHER ONE -- Sen. TAMMY BALDWIN (D-Wis.) has Covid-19 (only "minor symptoms," she tweeted)."

This is a negative sentiment.

"AMERICA AND THE WORLDILLUMINATING READ -- "After Texas Sent Him to Washington, One Migrant Launches a New Life," by NYT's Miriam Jordan: "LEVER ALEJOS, who was delivered to the nation's capital courtesy of Gov. GREG ABBOTT, has found plenty of work."

This is a positive sentiment.

"Jury selection begins in Trump associate TOM BARRACK's trial on charges of acting as an unregistered foreign agent, WSJ's James Fanelli and Rory Jones report."

This is a negative sentiment.

"She most recently was comms director for Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.), and is a Raphael Warnock, Doug Jones and Katie Hobbs alum. ..."

This is a positive sentiment.

"She most recently was comms director for Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.), and is a Raphael Warnock, Doug Jones and Katie Hobbs alum. ..."

This is a positive sentiment.

"Right on cue, Hassan's campaign launched a new digital ad, "Won't Get Over It," hitting Bolduc for the comment."

This is a negative sentiment.

"She most recently handled health care- and science-related issues for Rep. Frank Lucas (R-Okla.), and is a John Boozman alum."

This is a negative sentiment.

"MASTER OF HIS FATE -- Why did Trump's legal team put forth as a special master candidate RAYMOND DEARIE, who was ultimately tapped for the role?"

This is a negative sentiment.

"It's a hard task with a pastor, but some Republicans are zeroing in on Warnock's finances and growing wealth: "Warnock's opponents are zeroing in on a unique $7,400 monthly housing allowance he receives as pastor of Atlanta's Ebenezer Baptist Church."

This is a negative sentiment.

"nnBORDER SONG -- "Border Wall Construction Resumes Under President Joe Biden," by The Intercept's Ryan Devereaux: "The Biden administration laid out its plans to rev up work on completing Donald Trump's signature project."nnMEDIAWATCHnnL.A. CONFIDENTIAL -- Under the relatively new stewardship of PATRICK SOON-SHIONG and his family, the L.A. Times newsroom has felt an "awkward and at times tense relationship" with its billionaire owner, Daniel Lippman, Chris Cadelago and Max Tani report in a big investigation."

This is a positive sentiment.

"nnBORDER SONG -- "Border Wall Construction Resumes Under President Joe Biden," by The Intercept's Ryan Devereaux: "The Biden administration laid out its plans to rev up work on completing Donald Trump's signature project."nnMEDIAWATCHnnL.A. CONFIDENTIAL -- Under the relatively new stewardship of PATRICK SOON-SHIONG and his family, the L.A. Times newsroom has felt an "awkward and at times tense relationship" with its billionaire owner, Daniel Lippman, Chris Cadelago and Max Tani report in a big investigation."

This is a positive sentiment.

"But he faces a tough battle to lead the Oversight Committee Democrats next year -- because, at 59, he's still junior to Reps. GERRY CONNOLLY (D-Va.) and STEPHEN LYNCH (D-Mass.), Jordain Carney reports this morning."

This is a negative sentiment.

"But he faces a tough battle to lead the Oversight Committee Democrats next year -- because, at 59, he's still junior to Reps. GERRY CONNOLLY (D-Va.) and STEPHEN LYNCH (D-Mass.), Jordain Carney reports this morning."

This is a negative sentiment.

"But he faces a tough battle to lead the Oversight Committee Democrats next year -- because, at 59, he's still junior to Reps. GERRY CONNOLLY (D-Va.) and STEPHEN LYNCH (D-Mass.), Jordain Carney reports this morning."

This is a negative sentiment.

"But he faces a tough battle to lead the Oversight Committee Democrats next year -- because, at 59, he's still junior to Reps. GERRY CONNOLLY (D-Va.) and STEPHEN LYNCH (D-Mass.), Jordain Carney reports this morning."

This is a negative sentiment.

"Here, via WMUR's Adam Sexton, is New Hampshire GOP Senate nominee DON BOLDUC on Democratic Sen. MAGGIE HASSAN's focus on abortion rights: "She just wants to hang on with dear life."

This is a negative sentiment.

"Each of the three has high-profile backers; current Chair CAROLYN MALONEY (D-N.Y.) is staying out of it."

This is a positive sentiment.

"But "Raskin could find his bid boosted as an array of younger members vault up the ranks."

This is a positive sentiment.

""The idea that the Republicans were ever going to win the Hispanic vote was always a farce and a pipe dream at best," FERNAND AMANDI, a Democratic strategist who helped BARACK OBAMA win Florida in 2008 and 2012, told Playbook on Sunday night."

This is a positive sentiment.

"That would seem to be the nail in the coffin -- if it wasn't already sealed shut -- for efforts to codify same-sex and interracial marriage rights before the election: Baldwin has been leading the effort to recruit GOP supporters."

This is a negative sentiment.

"Thirteen of them won, including Senate nominees KATIE BRITT in Alabama and Rep. TED BUDD in North Carolina."

This is a positive sentiment.

""-- "Republicans also have strength among Latino men ... who say, by a five-point margin, that they would vote for Mr. Trump if he were to run again in 2024.""

This is a positive sentiment.

"Biden's approval rating has risen to its highest in 11 months, while DONALD TRUMP's favorability has dropped."

This is a positive sentiment.

"Biden's approval rating has risen to its highest in 11 months, while DONALD TRUMP's favorability has dropped."

This is a positive sentiment.