The Point: Senate Republicans just got some great 2022 news

View this email in your browser   September 24, 2021  | by Chris Cillizza, Lauren Dezenski and Sonnet Swire Senate Republicans just got some great 2022 news Before most of you were up on Friday morning, Senate Republicans got a very good piece of news: Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley announced he was running for an eighth term.   "It's 4 a.m. in Iowa so I'm running," Grassley tweeted, accompanied by a video of him, well, running. "I do that 6 days a week. Before I start the day I want you to know what Barbara and I have decided. I'm running for re-election—a lot more to do, for Iowa."   That sound you hear is Senate Republicans breathing a major sigh of relief. At 88 years old (his birthday was last Friday), Grassley was regarded by strategists in both parties as a potential retirement in advance of his 2022 reelection.    Grassley has proved to be the most reliable vote-getter in Iowa for the entirety of his four decades in the Senate. Since taking 54% in his first victory, in 1980, Grassley has never dipped below 60% of the vote in his six reelection bids.    In 2016, Democrats touted the candidacy of Patty Judge, but Grassley cruised to a 24-point win.   Grassley's candidacy effectively then takes Iowa off the board as a competitive race. While Democrats will still talk up their chances with former Rep. Abby Finkenauer in the race, there's just no evidence -- recent or not recent -- that Grassley is vulnerable in the least. That's a big change from what the contest would have looked  like if Grassley had retired. While Republicans would still have had an edge -- Iowa leans GOP these days -- the race would have been seriously fought and expensive for both sides.    The Point: It's now likely that national Republicans won't have to spend a dime to reelect Grassley. Which means more money for offensive opportunities for Republicans in states like Arizona, Colorado, Nevada and New Hampshire.   -- Chris QUOTE OF THE DAY "We don't want to lose, we want to win." -- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on her efforts to get both Biden's economic package and the infrastructure bill through the House, adding, "We're gonna pass both bills." FRIDAY'S MUST-SEE TWEETS 1. How Mitch sees the 2022 landscape 2. Today is a VERY good day for music 3. It me 4. Wild boars ... in Rome! 5. ICYMI: You need to read this 🧵on VP Harris' appearance on "The View" today CHRIS' GOOD READS The new Senate rankings from CNN are out. Pennsylvania's open Senate seat is (still) No. 1.   Illinois Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger faces a dire political outlook due entirely to his willingness to speak out against former President Donald Trump. The Atlantic talked to him about the future -- and how he sees himself in relation to his party.   The Covid-19 models are suggesting that cases will be in steady decline through March, says NPR. Please let this happen.   It's hard to keep track of everything that's happening (and not happening) in Congress these days. The New York Times has a useful rundown -- from the debt ceiling to the infrastructure bill to the government shutdown.   I do ❤️ a good grilled cheese. The Washington Post has 7 seven tips on how to make the best ones.   You like Fat Bear Week? Try out Fat Baby Bear Week, which is a thing, according to The Wall Street Journal. MUSICAL INTERLUDE The new Sufjan Stevens album -- "A Beginner's Mind" -- is out today! It's currently on repeat on my Spotify!   -- Chris THE WEEK IN 14 HEADLINES This week, President Joe Biden's agenda hangs in the balance. Amid a worsening migrant crisis at the southern US border and a jumbled booster shot rollout, Biden is urgently trying to mend fractures between moderate and progressive Democrats that threaten to topple his $3.5 trillion spending bill and $1 trillion infrastructure package.   Monday Democrats set up showdown with GOP by attaching debt limit to bill to avert government shutdown US to ease travel restrictions on fully vaccinated foreign visitors Tuesday Biden makes the case at the UN for using 'relentless diplomacy' instead of military might to solve global crises Progressives say they plan to vote against bipartisan infrastructure bill next week Wednesday Anxious Democrats float Plan B: Raise debt ceiling on party-line vote Lawmakers storm out of classified Afghanistan briefing after questions go unanswered Biden criticizes Senate Republicans after police reform negotiations end without a deal Thursday Special envoy for Haiti resigns citing 'inhumane' US decision to deport thousands of Haitians from US border House approves $1 billion for Israel's Iron Dome defense system Border Patrol sought extra resources in Del Rio as far back as June, union emails show January 6 committee issues first subpoenas for witness testimony to four Trump loyalists Friday Crisis of Haitian migrants exposes rifts for Biden on immigration Draft report from partisan Arizona review confirms Biden defeated Trump in Maricopa County last November Biden officials stress Quad is an 'unofficial gathering,' 'not a military alliance,' ahead of first in-person meeting ONE BIG GROUNDBREAKING Former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama will oversee the groundbreaking of the Obama Presidential Center next week in the Jackson Park neighborhood on Chicago's South Side, beginning one of the final steps in the delayed process. You are receiving this message because you subscribed to CNN's The Point with Chris Cillizza newsletter. Unsubscribe from this list Check out other CNN Newsletters Create your CNN Account Share the Point Newsletter Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now to get The Point in your inbox.   Send your tips and thoughts via email to Chris Cillizza and Lauren Dezenski. You can follow Chris and Lauren on Twitter and connect with The Point on: Our mailing address is: One CNN Center Atlanta, GA 30303   Copyright © 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., All rights reserved.

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