In Mid-Term Elections, Health Law Is One Of Many Issues On Voters’ Lists

The Des Moines Register: Obamacare Hasn't Emerged As Big Election Issue
When the Affordable Care Act was hobbled by technical problems and mocked by late-night comics last winter, some political activists predicted it would be the dominant issue in this November's elections. But recent polls show that the law, also known as Obamacare, has become just one dish on a smorgasbord of issues voters are considering. Charlie Cook, a national analyst who edits the Cook Political Report, said most Americans decided long ago how they feel about the Affordable Care Act. It wouldn't make sense for politicians to focus their campaigns on the subject at this point, he said, because "it's sort of already baked in the cake." Cook said Republican strategists have told him they advised candidates earlier this year not to center their message on opposition to the law. "One of them said, 'We've milked this cow for all it's worth.'" (Leys, 10/25)

Minneapolis Star-Tribune: Franken, McFadden Trade Attacks In Senate Debate
U.S. Sen. Al Franken and GOP challenger Mike McFadden raised their voices and the temperature of their race Sunday, facing off in a spirited televised debate. Much of the debate was punctuated by the candidates interrupting each other as they wrestled to answer questions on some of the most complex issues of the day: how to handle Islamic extremists, how to fix the Affordable Care Act and whether the United States should enact a travel ban from West Africa because of the Ebola virus. (Sherry, 10/26)

Minnesota Public Radio: Franken, McFadden Spar In Contentious Debate
In their second one-on-one debate, a contentious affair held Sunday, Sen. Al Franken and his Republican challenger, Mike McFadden, argued about national security, health care, partisanship and McFadden's business record. (Zdechlik, 10/26)

Dallas Morning News: Cornyn Clout Helps Fill Coffers From Range Of Industries
Sen. John Cornyn has raised $45 million for his three Senate campaigns. And even without much of a fight this year, he’s had ready access to big money from donors across a range of industries. In the last two years, he’s collected more from the oil and gas and health care sectors than any other senator. Defense contractors, bankers, insurers, and lobbyists have also filled his coffers. (Gilman and Railey, 10/27)

Also in the news, predictions about what might happen to the health law if the GOP takes control of the upper chamber and what's become of the House's plan to sue President Barack Obama --

The Hill: Vitter: Top Priority In GOP Senate Would Be Repealing ObamaCare
Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) said on Sunday that the number-one priority if Republicans take control of the Senate is to repeal Obamacare. "Now that would be vetoed by President Obama, but I think it's very important to move forward with that, the House and Senate together. "And then also look at specific reforms after that veto that can make a difference in the next two years before the next presidential election," he said on Fox News. Vitter called the upcoming midterm elections "a great chance for the Republicans to pick up the Senate." (Wong, 26)

Politico: Despite Hype, House Still Hasn't Sued Obama
House Speaker John Boehner came out swinging hard last June when he announced that his chamber would take President Barack Obama to court. The suit, charging that the president grossly exceeded his constitutional authority by failing to implement portions of the Obamacare law, was billed as an election-season rallying point for aggrieved Republicans. But days before the midterms the House’s legal guns seem to have fallen silent. Lawyers close to the process said they originally expected the legal challenge to be filed in September but now they don’t expect any action before the elections. (Gerstein, 10/24)