Why did three Republican senators back a Massachusetts candidate who supports late-term abortion?
Welcome to Thursday’s edition of Washington Secrets. We ask whether Sens. Rick Scott, Tom Cotton, and Todd Young have buyer’s remorse over their Massachusetts endorsement of a candidate who backs abortion up to birth. If they do, they aren’t saying. Plus, what is up with the polls in Arkansas? Have Democrats got a toehold in the Senate race? We break down the flawed polling methodologies that skew everything leftwards.
TL;DR
- Sens. Rick Scott, Tom Cotton, and Todd Young endorsed Massachusetts Republican candidate Brian Shortsleeve.
- Shortsleeve has positioned himself as "pro-choice" and supports a new law that eases access to late-term abortions.
- The senators' offices have not commented on whether they regret their endorsement or agree with Shortsleeve's abortion stance.
- A recent poll showing a close U.S. Senate race in Arkansas between Tom Cotton and a Democratic candidate is questioned due to flawed methodology.
- The article criticizes the Hendrix College poll for its text-based survey method and lack of political weighting, suggesting it overestimates Democratic support.
- Alternative polling by J.L. Partners shows Cotton with a significant lead in Arkansas.