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CNN Report Finds Trump Leading In Key Battleground States

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Image via Gage Skidmore Flickr

Bad news for Biden…

The latest CNN poll found former President Donald Trump leading President Joe Biden in Georgia and Michigan after failing to win the states during the 2020 election.

CNN has more:

In Georgia, a state Biden carried by a very narrow margin in 2020, registered voters say they prefer Trump (49%) over Biden (44%) for the presidency in a two-way hypothetical matchup. In Michigan, which Biden won by a wider margin, Trump has 50% support to Biden’s 40%, with 10% saying they wouldn’t support either candidate even after being asked which way they lean. In both Michigan and Georgia, the share of voters who say they wouldn’t support either candidate is at least as large as the margin between Biden and Trump.

Overall, just 35% in Michigan and 39% in Georgia approve of Biden’s job performance, the surveys find, and majorities in both states say his policies have worsened economic conditions in the country (54% in Georgia, 56% in Michigan).

Respondents also noted that President Biden’s age plays a major role in his leadership ability. For months, Republicans and Democrats alike have pointed to Biden’s numerous public gaffes and missteps as signs the President is ineffective and should not serve another term.

Most voters in both states say Biden, who’s 81, does not have the attributes they’re looking for in a president when it comes to his policy positions (57% in Michigan, 56% in Georgia), his ability to understand the problems of people like them (60% in Michigan, 56% in Georgia) or his sharpness and stamina (69% in Michigan, 66% in Georgia).

Fewer in each state say that Trump, who’s 77, falls short of their expectations for a president on those same measures. But Trump fares worse than Biden on temperament – 57% in Michigan and 58% in Georgia say the former president doesn’t have the temperament they’re looking for, compared with about half who say the same about Biden.

Trump and Biden are the clear frontrunners for the GOP and Democrat presidential nominations, setting the stage for a 2020 rematch in 2024.

The polls, conducted by SSRS, also surveyed respondents on how other GOP presidential primary candidates would fare against Biden in the two battleground states.

In a matchup between Nikki Haley and Biden, the former U.N. ambassador would win the general election in both states, according to the polls.

In a hypothetical general election matchup between Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Biden, the sitting president narrowly leads DeSantis by 3 percentage points in Georgia. In Michigan, DeSantis leads Biden by 7 percentage points.

Trump Returns To Twitter – Now X

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Photo via Pixabay images

Former President Donald Trump’s official X account is back…for now.

The first ad, posted at 2:54 am, included a voiceover from Ronald Reagan and was captioned, “Are you better off now than you were when I was president? Our economy is shattered. Our border has been erased. We’re a nation in decline. Make the American Dream AFFORDABLE again. Make America SAFE again. Make America GREAT Again!”

Another ad was published at 3:00 am and read, “They want to silence me because I will never let them silence you. They’re not coming after me, they’re coming after you. I just happen to be standing in their way and I’m never moving. We will Make America Great Again!”

Musk and Trump will talk live on X at 8 pm ET and Musk has already addressed the technical issues that have plagued past events – including the glitchy of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’s (R) presidential campaign last spring.

“Am going to do some system scaling tests tonight & tomorrow in advance of the conversation,” Musk wrote on X ahead of the event.

Trump had been banned from Twitter, which Musk bought for a staggering $44 billion and renamed X, after the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Trump has only posted once since Musk restored his Twitter account, @realDonaldTrump, as the former president reserves his social media usage for Truth Social, which he owns. In August of 2023, Trump post his Fulton Country jail mugshot with a link soliciting donations.

Trump Proposes Punishment For ABC After Debate

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Gage Skidmore Flickr

Trump wants answers…

Former President Trump is suggesting ABC News be punished for what he is calling a “hostile performance” by the network’s debate moderators on Tuesday evening.

“ABC took a big hit last night,” Trump said Wednesday morning during an appearance on “Fox and Friends.”

“I mean, to be honest, they’re a news organization. They have to be licensed to do it. They ought to take away their license for the way they did that.”

Watch:

The Federal Communications Commission does not license major broadcast networks such as ABC, but does license some local stations.

After Tuesday’s debate, which pundits on both sides say went unexpectedly poorly for Trump, the former president argued the event was “three on one,” and has not accepted Harris’s challenge to meet for a second event.

Bernie Sanders Mulling 2024 Run if Biden Steps Aside

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A top aide to Vermont Socialist Senator Bernie Sanders (I) says the senior lawmaker would “seriously” consider mounting a third presidential campaign if Joe Biden decides not to pursue a second term in the White House.

Sanders, 81, ran for president as a Democrat in 2016 and 2020, losing the nomination to Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden respectively.

“I assume that he would give it a hard look,” longtime Sanders adviser Faiz Shakir told CBS News on Thursday. “I don’t want to make the judgment for him. Obviously, it would be his choice to make. But I assume that he would want to reevaluate it.” 

If Sanders to win the presidency in 2024, he would be 83 years old upon assuming office. Shakir said Sanders is “very aware that he’s older now, and he’d have to make a real judgment about his own vigor and his stamina and his desire and hunger and passion to do this a third time.”

“But if it were an open field? Yeah, I’m confident he would take another look at it and say, ‘Do I want to do this or not?'” he added.  

“Personally, I take President Biden at his word and our orbit takes him at his word that he’s taking it seriously and presume that he is leaning toward yes,” Shakir said. 

However, some Democrats have noted their interest in pursing the office regardless if Biden seeks a second term, concerned he can’t defeat Trump a second time.

Hillary Clinton Thinks Kamala Harris Lacks ‘Political Instincts’ to Win Primary

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(Los Angeles - EUA, 09/06/2022) Presidente da República Jair Bolsonaro, durante Sessão Plenária de Abertura da IX Cúpula das Américas..Foto: Alan Santos/PR

Nobody can stand Kamala Harris, even her own party.

According to a New York Times report, former Secretary of State and 2016 presidential nominee Hillary Clinton doesn’t think the vice president has what it takes to survive a presidential primary

“Members of Congress, Democratic strategists and other major party figures all said she [Harris] had not made herself into a formidable leader,” a Monday article from The New York Times read.

“Two Democrats recalled private conversations in which former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton lamented that Ms. Harris could not win because she does not have the political instincts to clear a primary field,” the Times reported.

Nick Merrill, a Clinton spokesman pointed to their “strong bond,” but the Times didn’t quote him issuing a specific denial of Clinton’s reported private thoughts of the VP.

“They have built and maintained a strong bond. Any other characterization is patently false,” Merrill said on Clinton’s behalf.

He also claimed the two held discussions focused on their separate experiences of being “a woman in power” and, according to the Times, reiterated that Clinton remains “strongly supportive” of her.

The Times article noted that many Democrats close to the first female vice president have been disappointed by her inability to establish her own political legacy outside of being as many “firsts” – the first African-American, Asian-American and woman to serve as vice president in U.S. history. 

“Even some Democrats whom her own advisers referred reporters to for supportive quotes confided privately that they had lost hope in her,” the article stated.

Harris has faced intense criticism since being elected, largely for her lack of action at the U.S.-Mexico border despite being charged with the mission at the start of the Biden administration. RealClearPolitics reports the vice president’s approval rating is also underwater at 51.8 percent.

Trump Names Running Mate For 2024

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Donald Trump via Gage Skidmore Flickr

And officially becomes the nominee…

J.D. Vance, known for his memoir “Hillbilly Elegy,” which explores his upbringing in a poor Rust Belt town and his family’s struggles with addiction and poverty, experienced a swift rise in the political arena. His rise saw him win election to the United States Senate in 2022 and now has put him on the cusp of becoming the next vice president of the United States.

Driven by a compelling personal narrative, strategic alliances and the right political positioning, Vance has won the long-awaited veepstakes, as former President Donald Trump himself announced moments ago. Shortly afterward, it was announced at the Republican National Convention that Donald Trump had received enough votes to officially become the Republican presidential nominee.

Fittingly, it was the Florida delegation that put him over the top.

Vance’s story began in Middletown, Ohio, where he was raised in a working-class family. Despite the challenges he faced, he managed to graduate from Ohio State University and later from Yale Law School. His memoir, published in 2016, became a bestseller and brought him national attention, especially as it was seen as offering insights into the lives of many working-class Americans who felt left behind by the political establishment.

Key Factors in His Political Rise

  1. National Recognition through “Hillbilly Elegy”: Vance’s memoir provided him with a platform to discuss broader socio-economic issues affecting the Rust Belt and working-class communities. His personal success story resonated with many Americans, giving him credibility and a wide audience.
  2. Strategic Political Alliances: Vance capitalized on his newfound fame by forging key alliances within the Republican Party. He aligned himself with prominent figures and organizations that supported his views on economic and social issues. Notably, he gained the endorsement of former President Donald Trump, which significantly bolstered his political profile among the Republican base.
  3. Media Presence and Advocacy: Vance became a regular commentator on political and cultural issues, frequently appearing on news programs and writing op-eds. His articulate defense of conservative values and critique of elite political classes garnered him a loyal following.
  4. Focus on Populist Themes: Emphasizing themes of economic nationalism, skepticism of globalism and advocacy for working-class Americans, Vance tapped into the populist sentiment that had been growing within the Republican Party. His ability to articulate these issues in a relatable manner helped him connect with a broad spectrum of voters.
  5. Support from Influential Donors: Vance received significant financial backing from influential donors and political action committees. This support enabled him to mount a strong campaign for the U.S. Senate, leveraging his network and resources to reach a wider audience.

Political Campaign and Senate Victory

In 2022, Vance announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat in Ohio. His campaign focused on addressing the economic concerns of Ohioans, tackling the opioid crisis and advocating for policies that would benefit the working class. His message resonated with voters, and he successfully secured the Republican nomination and won the general election.

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Republican Governor Fuels 2024 Speculation with Political Committee Formation

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Photo of Chris Sununu via Gage Skidmore Flckr

It seems Ron DeSantis isn’t the only Republican governor eyeing the 2024 presidential primary…

New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu threw gas on the fire with the announcement of his establishment of a national fundraising organization to probe donor support for a possible White House bid.

Sununu confirmed on Thursday that he had created a 501(c)(4) organization called “Live Free or Die,” a nod to his state’s motto, as he ponders a possible 2024 campaign, according to The Hill.

“The organization is really to raise some funds to talk about the model that New Hampshire has,” Sununu said at a press conference on Thursday. “It allows logistically for us to go out and keep doing that, as we have been for quite a while.”

The organization allows Sununu to raise unlimited amounts of money while also not having to disclose the names of his donors. The 501(c)(4) structure requires a yearly report on donations to the IRS, as opposed to a federal PAC that requires quarterly disclosures.

Sununu has remained noncommittal on a run for president so far but he is part of a growing coalition of Republican voices that say former President Trump should not be the party’s nominee.

Larry Elder Announces White House Bid

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Larry Elder ,Sgt. Jacob Harrer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The 2024 Republican primary pool has a new contender.

Conservative talk show host Larry Elder announced Thursday night that he is launching a bid for the White House.

Elder said that he is pro-life, doesn’t believe America is racist, wants secure borders, wants the U.S. to be energy independent, and wants to fix urban schools.

“I’m announcing that I’m running for the presidency of the United States on your program,” Elder said. “And thank you so much for giving me this honor and this platform.”

Elder said that the reason he wanted to run for president is because his father, older brother, and little brother all served in the U.S. Armed Forces and he did not.

“I’m the only one who didn’t serve, and I don’t feel good about that,” Elder said. “I feel I have a moral, a religious, and a patriotic duty to give back to a country that’s been so good to my family and to me. And that is why I’m doing this.”

Elder joining a growing list of Republicans vying for the 2024 nomination.

Tech mogul Vivek Ramaswamy and former United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley launched their respective White House campaigns in February. However, Donald Trump has kept a commanding lead in nationwide polls.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is also widely expected to enter the race once his state’s spring legislative session concludes.

Iowa Governor Reveals Reasoning Behind Unexpected Endorsement

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Photo via Gage Skidmore

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds is explaining why she broke tradition and decided to endorse Florida Governor Ron DeSantis during the 2024 Republican presidential primaries.

The popular Republican governor told NBC News’ Dasha Burns that she broke with Iowa’s tradition of governors remaining neutral through the primaries because the country has “too much at stake.”

“I just felt like I couldn’t sit on the sidelines any longer,” she said. “We have too much at stake. I truly believe that he is the right person to get this country back on track.”

NBC News noted that the endorsement was the “biggest endorsement of the primary” season so far and that it was a significant boost for the DeSantis campaign.

When asked why she endorsed DeSantis, who is in second place in the race, she said: “I don’t base my decision on polls. I take a look at who I believe is the right person for the right job. I believe that Ron is the right person for the right job. And I believe he’s going to win.”

Burns later asked about her relationship with former President Donald Trump who has fired off repeated attacks against Reynolds, often accusing her of being disloyal to the former President.

When asked when the last time she spoke to Trump, she said, “Probably the last time he called to ask if I would endorse him, and I said I wasn’t at this point.”

Conservative Pundit Ann Coulter Declares ‘Trump is Done’

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Former President of the United States Donald Trump speaking with attendees at the 2022 Student Action Summit at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida. [Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons]

Is the Republican Party officially moving on from Donald Trump? According to conservative pundit and author Ann Coulter, the answer is a resounding “yes.”

In Coulter’s latest podcast of Unsafe aptly titled “Trump’s Done” she dives into the signs Republicans are moving away from the former president and how his influence in slowly but surely dwindling.

Throughout the podcast Coulter notes how Trump’s star has begun to fade, comparing the phenomenon to Sarah Palin who saw her rockstar status revoked following John McCain’s unsuccessful 2008 presidential campaign.

Coulter also noted Trump’s once-infamous rallies dwindling turnouts as further evidence he’s losing power within the GOP.

According to Mediaite:

“They’re like Deadheads,” Coulter said of those still running to MAGA rallies. “They’re following him from place to place. He sings the same songs.”

Loyalty among Trump “fanatics,” she added, is not “indicative of a movement sweeping the nation.” Coulter mentioned a pair of Stone emails she received from the Trump team. The first was an email “slamming” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), considered by many to be Trump’s biggest 2024 competition, should both men run for the Republican Party nomination. A second email, Coulter said, was Stone “backpedaling” on his criticism of DeSantis after he heard complaints from conservatives supportive of the governor.

Trump being “done” could be the message some politicians have been waiting to hear before wading into the 2024 presidential campaign arena. While the former President has made a habit of hinting at his potential presidential campaign some conservatives have held their breath in regard to their own political aspirations.

“Republicans, it’s not the party of Trump. It’s safe to come back, and it’s safe for Republicans to stand up and run without Donald Trump,” she said.

Former South Carolina governor and United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley previously said she would not launch a presidential campaign if Trump also were to run, and she’s likely not the only Republican sharing that mindset.

However, Coulter was careful to note that moving away from Trump isn’t necessarily a bad thing for the Party and predicted the GOP could still sweep the midterms.

“People are angry. Republicans are really angry. We are on a smooth glide path to really, really good midterm elections, and the only thing that can blow it is what probably will blow it: the Republican Party,” she said.