Hillary Clinton Could Win Texas, Florida Spirals Away From Donald Trump, Some Obamacare Plans to Sharply Rise and More

Although Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump insisted on Monday that "we're winning!" more and more battleground states are swinging Hillary Clinton's way. But what has some Republicans shaking in their boots — and some Democrats joyously shocked — is that the Democratic nominee is within the margin of error in Texas, according to new polling.

Experts say that Texas Republicans will likely get their constituents together enough for a narrow Trump victory in the state, but it's too late for other Republican-leaning important battleground states like Florida, where GOPers are bracing themselves for a "landslide" loss. Trump trails Clinton in nearly every Florida poll in recent weeks and, according to RealClear Politics averages, is behind by almost four percentage points. Without Florida, Trump's White House bid is over, according to experts of all political persuasions.

Top Stories

Could Hillary Clinton Win Texas? Some Democrats Say Maybe: "It is a question being asked by Democrats and Republicans alike: Can Mrs. Clinton win Texas? Democrats in the state call it a long shot, but some say they believe she has a chance; Republicans say it will be close but are confident that Mr. Trump will triumph. Political consultants who have both Republican and Democratic clients, and people who study Texas politics, say regardless of Mr. Trump’s narrow lead, he will take the state." (New York Times)

Florida Spirals Away From Trump: "From polling to early voting trends to TV ad spending to ground game, Donald Trump’s Florida fortunes are beginning to look so bleak that some Republicans are steeling themselves for what could be the equivalent of a 'landslide' loss in the nation’s biggest battleground state." (Politico)

Obamacare Premiums to Soar 22%: "Obamacare premiums are set to skyrocket an average of 22% for the benchmark silver plan in 2017, according to a government report released Monday. The price hike is the latest blow to Obamacare. Insurers are raising prices and downsizing their presence on the exchanges as they try to stem losses from sicker-than-anticipated customers. Enrollment for 2017 will be closely watched since insurers want to see younger and healthier consumers enroll." (CNN)

Trump on Porn Actress Who Accused Him of Misconduct: 'Oh, I'm Sure She's Never Been Grabbed Before': "Donald Trump on Monday addressed the latest accusations of inappropriate sexual contact made against him, saying of the accuser, an adult film performer, 'Oh, I'm sure she's never been grabbed before.'" (CNN)

From the Twitterverse

Donald Trump trots out his 100-day plan stemming from his "Contract with the American Voter."

On the Radar

• Donald Trump will appear at rallies in Sanford, Florida, and Tallahassee, Florida.
• Hillary Clinton will attend a rally in Coconut Creek, Florida.
• Vice President Joe Biden will speak at a rally for Clinton in Pittsburgh.
• Bill Clinton will make several campaign stops in North Carolina.

Today's Numbers

• 13 days to Election Day 2016.
• The Chicago Cubs are going to the World Series for the first time since 1945 and haven't won it since 1908.
• Time Warner shares were trading 20 percent below the implied value of AT&T's $107.50 per share cash and stock offer, indicating investors doubt that the companies would be able to complete the transaction.
• Twitter may cut about 8 percent of the workforce, or about 300 people, the same percentage it did last year when co-founder Jack Dorsey took over as chief executive officer.

Quote of the Day

Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts to Trump while campaigning with Hillary Clinton on Monday:

“Nasty women are tough. Nasty women are smart. And nasty women vote. We nasty women are going to march our nasty feet to cast our nasty votes to get you out of our lives forever.”

Allen McDuffee is a politics and policy reporter, investigative journalist, blogger and podcast host. He has written for The Atlantic, Wired and The Washington Post. Follow him on Twitter: @AllenMcDuffee

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr Commons