Republicans grab the fire extinguisher

Republicans brace themselves for a potential midterm blowout – while Democrats see a clearing in the smoke. One thing for certain, GOP candidates and their teams are forced to make some tough choices given the bleak road ahead. Then Playbook’s Dasha Burns, Will Steakin and Megan Messerly unpack Sen. Bernie Sanders’ new AI ban, why Angela Paxton broke her silence on the Texas Senate race and how a viral story about a lesbian bar in Western Massachusetts made its way to Washington.  For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook