BIG DAY – AT 11:49 A.M. ET:  Yes, it will be a very big day in American politics.  First, the president will announce his decision on the Iran nuclear deal at 2 p.m. ET.  All the speculators are out in force this morning, announcing their sense of dread.  Why, if Trump doesn't do exactly what John Kerry wants, civilization will end, even affirmative action will end, the Universe will be no more, and the Obama library and sacred site will not be built.

It's terribly depressing, but I prefer to wait to hear what the president actually says.

And today we have four primaries – West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, and North Carolina.  The most interesting race is the one for the GOP Senate nomination in West Virginia.  West Virginia is a decidedly pro-Trump state, but one of its senators, Joe Manchin, is a moderate Democrat who'll be fighting for his survival in November.  The Republicans, as usual, are trying hard to lose that election. 

Three candidates are running for the GOP Senate nomination.   And the man who has a slight edge, Don Blankenship, is an obnoxious, convicted felon, who uses racial language and has already slurred Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's Chinese-born wife.  President Trump is urging his supporters not to vote for Blankenship, arguing that Blankenship would have no chance against Manchin in November.  We'll see that the voters say.

In Indiana, three Republicans are vying for the Senate nomination, hoping to unseat Democratic Senator Joe Donnelly in a very Republican state.  Vice President Pence is from Indiana, and may have some influence in the race.  A possible Republican November pickup, if the party can unite after the primary.

In Ohio, always a major political state, two Republicans are vying for the Senate nomination.  The winner will run against very liberal Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown in November.  Trump won Ohio in 2016, but unseating the reasonably popular Brown will be a challenge, but a good candidate and unified campaign could succeed, against the odds.

There are no statewide races in North Carolina.

It is imperative that our side keep control of the United States Senate, the body that confirms judges, including nominees to the Supreme Court.  The quality of the Republican nominees who are victorious tonight may well determine whether control can be kept, and even expanded.

May 8,  2018