balderson is the same thing. he is someone who is solidly conservative but fits the district well parent in a normal environment. you would expect to see balderson win handedly. host: what do the poll show you in that race? -- what do the polls show you in that race? guest: it showed balderson up 10. it caused a lot of people to say, maybe this isn't such a competitive phrase, which is good news for republicans. the o'connor campaign, polls showed him down, too. we estimate he is probably down five points or so, but that makes sense because o'connor has raised a ton of money. he is on the air more. so, he definitely has the tools to make this a tight race. i think it is probably going to be republicans -- i think it is probably going to be closer than republicans would like. >> that is troy balderson running for congress. why do people look so happy? it is because balderson supports massive tax breaks. and what would that mean for us? his plan could mean cuts to medicare and social security. and balderson even sa

balderson, is trying to energize the more rural areas. they also constitute a large portion of the district. host: our phone lines are open. 202-748-8000 the line for democrats. 202-748-8001 for republicans. independents, 202-748-8002. around memorial day, you wrote the following piece, and this is the headline, "the blue wave could be turning into a dead heat in november." do you still believe that? guest: i think things have broken a little bit for the democrats. at the time the generic ballot asked nationally, who do you want to win, republicans or democrats? it had been closing for some time and it had gotten into low single digits. now we are up to mid to high single digits. donald trump's job approval has been on a long-term increase. but he seems to have hit the ceiling at around 43%. i say democrats have an edge. i don't think it is an overwhelming edge, but if the election was held today, they would probably get a small congressional majority. host: if you look at the map, how many open seats are competitive for the republicans a

balderson is the same thing.is someone who is solidly conservative but fits the district well parent in a normal environment. you would expect to see balderson win handedly. host: what do the poll show you in that race? -- what do the polls show you in that race? guest: it showed balderson up 10. it caused a lot of people to say, maybe this isn't such a competitive phrase, which is good news for republicans. the o'connor campaign, polls showed him down, too. we estimate he is probably down five points or so, but that makes sense because o'connor has raised a ton of money. he is on the air more. so, he definitely has the tools to make this a tight race. i think it is probably going to be republicans -- i think it is probably going to be closer than republicans would like. >> that is troy balderson running for congress. why do people look so happy? it is because balderson supports massive tax breaks. and what would that mean for us? his plan could mean cuts to medicare and social security. and balderson even said h

troy balderson is lucas for tax likes. deep cuts to social security and medicare.s further saying i have no problem raising the retirement age. the dispatch endorses danny o'connor. it is something people have earned by doing things right way and i will stand against any cuts to social security and medicare. >> so that's ohio. or look at north dakota. quite a conservative state. trump won there by 35 points. heidi height kamp is facing a challenge from a conservative congressman. then look at charles koch. he is putting muscle behind her as the democrat thinking senator heitkamp for voting against banking regulations they didn't like. and now the group says they won't help the republicans unseat her. it is something different. saying he is actually speaking out about all this beyond parties. quote, i don't care what initials are after her name. i would like there to be many more politicians who have the dournlg run on a platform like this. for more on exactly what this conservative funder is doing, we go to someone who has been covering this latest koch network sum

columbus, ohio, as vice president mike pence visits suburban newark to campaign for state senator troy balderson's running for ohio's 12th congressional district against democrat danny o'connor. this is alive look at kansas city from our affiliate fox 4. big story there tonight a lawsuit seeking $100 million in damages has been filed against the owners and operators of a tourist boat that sank earlier this month in a missouri lake, killing 17 people. at the federal lawsuit was filed sunday on behalf of two members of an indiana family who lost nine relatives when that boat sank. that's tonight's live look outside the beltway from "special report." we will be right back. yes start them off right. with the school supplies they need at low prices all summer long. save $200 on this dell laptop at office depot officemax. you wouldn't accept an incomplete job from any one else. why accept it from your allergy pills? flonase sensimist relieves your worst symptoms, including nasal congestion, which most pills don't. it helps block six key inflammatory substances. most pills block one. flonase sensimist.