Senate Democrats enter their party’s most contested primaries: From the Political Desk

Welcome to From the Politics Deska daily newsletter that brings you the latest reporting and analysis from the NBC Political News team from the White House, Capitol Hill and the campaign trail.

On today’s show, Bridget Bowman examines how Democratic senators are ramping up their midterm work as the primary season heats up. Also, Dan De Luce examines how President Donald Trump and his top intelligence officials don’t seem to be on the same page on Iran.

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– Adam Wollner

Senate Democrats enter their party’s highly contested primaries

Analysis by Bridget Bowman

The first rule of “Fight Club,” of course, is that you don’t talk about “Fight Club.” But once the secret is out, the next thing you have to do is fight.

That’s what a group of Democratic senators looking to make their mark on competitive primaries — they call themselves “The Fight Club,” as the New York Times reported last year — are starting to do.

This week, one of those Fight Club members, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warrenreleased recommendations for the three most competitive primaries on this year’s Senate map. He stepped back Graham Platner Maine, state Sen. Mallory McMorrow Michigan and state Sen. Zach Wahls in Iowa. That followed his previous recommendation of Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton in Illinois, who passed his primary on Tuesday, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan Minnesota and Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey.

This group of members of the Senate was formed out of concern that the Senate Democrats’ campaign wing might not be supporting the right people. So far, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has publicly endorsed one candidate in a key election: Maine Gov. Janet MillsPlatner’s main opponent. Warren in particular had harsh words for the DSCC earlier this year, suggesting it supports candidates with a “hot, cool approach.”

Some members of the so-called Fight Club took sides in these primaries, and Platner received an endorsement from Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Sen. Martin Heinrich. Flanagan also received the support of the entire Fight Club, including Sanders, Heinrich, Markey, Minnesota Sen. Tina SmithConnecticut Sen. Chris MurphyMaryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen and Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley.

Senate Democrats outside the party are engaged in infighting, too. In the Minnesota Senate race, Rep. Angie Craig has support from Wisconsin Sen. Tammy BaldwinNew Jersey Sen. Andy KimArizona Sen. Ruben Gallegoand Nevada Sens. Jackie Rosen again Catherine Cortez Masto.

Cortez Masto, who heads a PAC supporting moderate candidates known as “ModSquad,” also jumped into the Michigan primary today, supporting Rep. Haley Stevens after approving Rep. Josh Turek in the Iowa primary earlier this week.

All of this work underscores how these races can be proxy battles in the fight for the future of the party, as Democrats try to figure out what strategies, policy positions and candidates can deliver victory in November.

Testimony from US intelligence officials does not match Trump’s claims

Analysis by Dan De Luce

For the first time since the US launched a war on Iran, this week senior intelligence officials spoke publicly about the conflict. But their testimony before Congress contradicted the President Donald Trumpstatements about potential outcomes and operational goals, challenging the White House’s effort to shape ideas about war.

In hearings on Wednesday and Thursday, intelligence officials told lawmakers that the White House was briefed on how Iran might retaliate against its neighbors if attacked, that Tehran could raise oil prices and disrupt global supply chains, that regime change was not a war objective and that Israel appeared to have different goals than Washington in the campaign.

Their responses deviated from Trump’s public comments and failed to align with other White House talking points about the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

As the war approaches its fourth week, Iran’s military is reeling from heavy bombardment but Tehran continues its daily attacks on its Arab neighbors, shaking commercial shipping in the key waterway of the Strait of Hormuz, damaging energy centers across the Persian Gulf and causing a spike in oil prices that threatens the global economy. Meanwhile, Israel opened a second base in Lebanon with waves of airstrikes and ground infiltrations.

For a president who has the ability to drive a national story with a blunt and loud voice, the investigation from his intelligence chiefs continues to strengthen his effort to explain his reason for war to the American people, amid rising gas prices and increasing Republican anxiety about the upcoming midterm elections.

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More on the Iran war:

That’s all from the Politburo for now. Today’s newsletter is compiled by Adam Wollner.

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