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    Joe Manchin Reignites 2024 White House Speculation

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    3
    Joe Manchin via Wikimedia Commons

    A Democrat Senator isn’t ready to give up his presidential aspiration quite yet.

    West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin signaled that his interest in potentially launching his own presidential campaign has not been deterred by President Biden’s reported re-election plans.

    While speaking with Semafor’s Steve Clemmons, Sen. Manchin declined to rule out a bid for higher office. 

    “I don’t know what the next chapter will be, I don’t know [where] the future lies, I really don’t,” Manchin said when asked if he would run for president next year during a question-and-answer session hosted by Clemons.  

    “I can tell you one thing: I feel, like most Americans, we’ve got to come together. Americans want to be united, they want to be together and right now we’re going further apart,” he said.  

    He predicted that voters are going to be looking for “somebody” to bring the country together but didn’t say whether he would be the politician to do that as the next president.  

    “I’m not saying I have any aspirations” to run for the White House, he said, adding a caveat: “I’ve been [in Washington] 12 years. I don’t like what I see; I don’t the direction we’re going and I’m going to work and commit myself to try to get people who want to do the right thing to find the pathway forward, bringing the country back together.” 

    Manchin has recently criticized Democratic leaders for refusing to negotiate with Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) over a package of fiscal reforms to attach to legislation raising the debt limit.

    “It’s unreasonable for any senator, any congressperson representing the United States government to say, ‘I’m not going to negotiate,’” he told reporters on Capitol Hill. “If you can’t communicate and you won’t talk to each other, you got a problem.”   

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

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    15
    (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 Endorses Jim Banks for Indiana Senate Seat

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    1

    It’s never too early for Trump to dole out an endorsement.

    On Wednesday, Trump formally endorsed Rep. Jim Banks’s campaign for the Indiana Senate primary in what is the latest sign the GOP is warming up to his candidacy in the race.

    “Jim Banks is running for the United States Senate from the Great State of Indiana. I know Jim well, have seen him tested at the highest and most difficult levels, and WIN!” Trump wrote on TruthSocial. “Strong on the Border, Crime, our Military and our Vets, Jim will fight for low taxes and regulations, Sanity in Government, and our under siege 2nd Amendment.” 

    “Jim Banks is respected by all, will never let you down, and has my Complete & Total Endorsement!” he added. 

    Trump’s endorsement comes a day after former Indiana governor Mitch Daniels announced he would not pursue a Senate campaign.

    “After what I hope was adequate reflection, I’ve decided not to become a candidate for the U.S. Senate. With full credit and respect for the institution and those serving in it, I conclude that it’s just not the job for me, not the town for me, and not the life I want to live at this point,” Daniels wrote. 

    “I have never imagined that I would be well-suited to legislative office, particularly where seniority remains a significant factor in one’s effectiveness, and I saw nothing in my recent explorations that altered that view,” Daniels said, adding that if he had run, he would only have done so for one term.

    Daniels stressed in his announcement that he would have worked to lower the “personal vitriol” and temperature across the nation’s political sphere.

    “I would have tried to work on these matters in a way that might soften the harshness and personal vitriol that has infected our public square, rendering it not only repulsive to millions of Americans, but also less capable of effective action to meet our threats and seize our opportunities,” he said. 

    Trump Labels DeSantis a ‘RINO Globalist’ in Latest Tirade

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    20

    Donald Trump is escalating his attacks against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

    On Wednesday, Trump accused DeSantis of being a “RINO Globalist” as he criticized his response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

    “The real Ron is a RINO GLOBALIST, who closed quickly down Florida and even its beaches,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. “Loved the Vaccines and wasted big money on ‘Testing.’ How quickly people forget!”

    RINO, one of Trump’s go-to insults for his fellow Republicans, stands for “Republican in Name Only.”

    According to The Hill, Trump’s latest insult comes after a series of weekend campaign stops in New Hampshire and South Carolina where he cautioned against DeSantis’s potential White House bid.

    “If he runs, that’s fine. I’m way up in the polls. He’s going to have to do what he wants to do, but he may run,” Trump said. “I do think it would be a great act of disloyalty because, you know, I got him in. He had no chance. His political life was over.”

    However, despite Trump’s insults, it seems DeSantis is managing to stay above the fray.

    As Great American News Desk previously reported:

    “I roll out of bed. I have people attacking me from all angles,” the Florida governor said at a press conference on Tuesday. “It’s been happening for many, many years.”

    “When you’re an elected executive, you have to make all kinds of decisions. You got to steer that ship,” DeSantis said. “And the good thing is, is that the people are able to render a judgment on that — whether they reelect you or not.”

    “And I’m happy to say, you know, in my case, not only did we win reelection, we won with the highest percentage of the vote that any Republican governor candidate has in the history of the state of Florida,” he added.

    Kristi Noem Addresses 2024 Speculation

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    2
    Photo via Gage Skidmore Flickr

    South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem isn’t rushing toward the presidential debate stage anytime soon.

    Despite the Republican’s rising national profile, Gov. Noem told CBS News reporter Robert Costa that she’s “not convinced” she should pursue the Oval Office.

    “’I’m not convinced that I need to run for president,” Noem said according to The Hill.

    Costa continued to press the Governor if she is looking ahead to future elections. Noem has been floated as a potential presidential contender or even as a potential VP choice for Trump’s campaign.

    “Do you not feel a rush, governor, to make a decision on 2024?” he asked.

    “I don’t, Bob, at all. No, I think it’s important that people focus on governing rather than going out and making big, broad statements and going out and taking action for their own political futures,” Noem said.  

    Noem was endorsed in her reelection bid by former President Trump and said last summer that she’d support Trump’s latest White House campaign. However, after the midterms, the South Dakota lawmaker said that the former president does not “offer the best chance” for the GOP. 

    Progressive Democrat Announces Challenge to High-Profile Arizona Senator

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    0
    Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America

    Democrats are turning up the heat in Arizona.

    On Friday, new reports indicated Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) is set to officially launch his Senate campaign to unseat Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) in 2024.

    According to Newsweek, Gallego is preparing to release a video announcing his campaign. The video was shot in the congressman’s home district and will be released in English and Spanish on Monday.

    Gallego, the chair of BOLD PAC, the political arm of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, plans to make the announcement via a video in English and Spanish that was shot in his home district, which includes parts of Phoenix, according to three sources briefed by the campaign.

    The progressive lawmaker and outspoken critic of Sinema has hinted at launching the Senate bid for some time. According to Fox News, Gallego told reporters last month that he was being encouraged by “some senators” to announce his Senate campaign.

    “There have been some senators that have encouraged me to run,” Gallego said. “There are some senators, some of Sen. Sinema’s colleagues, that are encouraging me to run.” 

    Gallego did not identify which of Sinema’s colleagues are telling him to run, but predicted they would “absolutely” support him in a Senate race next year.

    Last year, Sinema stunned everyone when she announced her detraction from the Democrat Party and switched to Independent. (RELATED: Kyrsten Sinema Leaves Democratic Party)

    “Americans are told that we have only two choices – Democrat or Republican – and that we must subscribe wholesale to policy views the parties hold, views that have been pulled further and further toward the extremes,” Sinema wrote in the op-ed announcing her decision.

    “Most Arizonans believe this is a false choice, and when I ran for the U.S. House and the Senate, I promised Arizonans something different,” she continued. “I pledged to be independent and work with anyone to achieve lasting results. I committed I would not demonize people I disagreed with, engage in name-calling, or get distracted by political

    GOP Governor Stops Short of Endorsing Donald Trump

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    6
    Photo via Gage Skidmore Flickr

    Despite Donald Trump’s early entrance to the 2024 presidential campaign, some Republicans are dedicated to taking the “wait and see” approach to the next election.

    Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who also previously served as Trump’s press secretary, told Fox News’s Shannon Bream that she isn’t focused on 2024 yet and declined to endorse her old boss publicly.

    According to The Daily Wire, Bream asked the newly sworn-in governor, “Your bio, on your official page as Governor, describes you as a ‘trusted confidant of President Trump. Have you talked to him about his ’24 run? Will you endorse him in that?”

    “I love the president, have a great relationship with him,” Sanders responded. “I know our country would be infinitely better off if he was in office right now instead of Joe Biden. But right now, my focus isn’t 2024. It’s focusing here in Arkansas and doing what we can to empower the people of this state, and make sure that I’m delivering on the promises that I laid out over the course of the last two years.”

    “My focus isn’t on 2024,” Sanders answered. “It’s on what we can deliver in this legislative session. I’m not going to set an arbitrary timeline. I’m not really focused on that at all.”

    Bream also pressed Sanders on her own ambitions.

    “I feel the pressure of delivering this legislative session,” Sanders said. “That’s the only thing that our team, and that I am focused on, is delivering on what we laid out to do.”

    Sander’s refusal to outwardly endorse Trump underscores speculation that Republicans are preparing to steer away from the former president and support another candidate in the 2024 election. Numerous polls have reported Trump trailing behind other potential contenders such as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

    Georgia Governor Quietly Mulling 2026 Senate Run

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    4
    Georgia National Guard from United States, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

    Georgia Governor Brian Kemp could be quietly positioning himself for a future Senate campaign or even a bid for the White House as his political profile continues to rise.

    Kemp, who earned the ire of former President Trump after the 2020 election, just began his second term as governor in the Peach State after handily defeating Democrat Stacey Abrams for a second time.

    The Georgia Governor is attracting attention after successfully surviving Trump’s best attempts to exact revenge for refusing to meddle in the 2020 presidential election. According to The Washington Examiner, Kemp was able to turn Trump’s taunts in his favor, managing to win credibility with centrists and independent voters who have become increasingly skeptical of Trump’s evidence surrounding the 2020 election results.

    Democratic state Rep. Al Williams told reporters ahead of Thursday’s inauguration that Kemp is “at the height of his powers” heading into his second term. He also credited him with a number of conservative policy wins including permitless firearm carry legislation, as well as tougher restrictions on state election rules and abortion. Kemp also curried favor with voters by fanning out billions of dollars in COVID-19 federal relief funds across the state.

    “He spent it very effectively and spread the net wide,” Williams said.

    In November, Kemp filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to create Hardworking Americans, a political action committee that could set him up for a federal run. Having a federal PAC not only helps Kemp keep his name out there but also allows him to influence elections and donate money to candidates.

    “The runoff for U.S. Senate gave Brian Kemp an excuse to open a federal PAC,” Democratic strategist David McLaughlin told the Washington Examiner. “Kemp could say he was using it to support the woefully underqualified Herschel Walker, but it likely is a means to get an early start on a 2026 bid against Jon Ossoff who will be up for reelection. People should keep in mind Kemp has never run for federal office and Ossoff will be a full-term incumbent and running as a ‘family man’ for the first time in his career.”

    However, Kemp’s rising profile could make him a formidable opponent for the Senate seat. A potential Senate seat would likely propel Kemp to be considered a future presidential contender.

    Key Group of Donors Turn on McDaniel Ahead of Leadership Vote

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    0

    A powerful group of Republican donors is calling for a change in leadership at the Republican National Committee (RNC).

    On Monday, more than two dozen Republicans wrote in a letter stating their support for former Trump attorney Harmeet Dhillon’s challenge to current RNC chair Ronna McDaniel.

    Several of the individuals listed in the letter have donated tens of thousands of dollars to the GOP over the years.

    “We cannot continue on our current trajectory as a Republican Party,” the letter states. “We must change, in order to fulfill our promise to Republican voters to win elections.”

    The donors warned the party “is on the verge of permanent irrelevance if we fail to come together to correct course.”

    “As a nationally-recognized constitutional attorney and activist within the conservative movement for several decades, Harmeet has fought on behalf of Republican Party committees, candidates, and GOP interests, both with the party’s support and beyond it. She has served as a county party committee chairman, run for public office, fought for conservative causes at the Supreme Court, and currently leads the Republican National Lawyers Association at a time when election integrity experience is at a premium as a year-round, not seasonal, mandate. Harmeet is also a successful business owner, and as a nonprofit founder and CEO, understands the ethical duties inherent in raising and spending donor funds.”

    McDaniel has served as the RNC’s chair since 2017, however, less-than-desirable midterm wins have caused some to question her leadership.

    Other key Republicans have signaled interest in new leadership atop the national party organization.

    According to The Hill, the Alabama Republican Party has opted to follow the Texas GOP’s lead and will not support McDaniel’s latest bid to run the RNC.

    An endorsement letter circulated last month contained the signatures of 107 RNC members backing her to stay on as chairwoman. It is well more than the 84 members she would need to win reelection.

    The party will choose its leader at its winter meetings this month.

    This story is breaking. Click refresh for the latest updates.

    Trump Sticks His Nose into House Speaker Battle

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    20
    Donald Trump via Gage Skidmore Flickr

    Donald Trump is offering his two cents on the unprecedented battle for House Speaker.

    In a series of Truth Social tweets, the former President urged Republican lawmakers to vote for Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) after he failed to secure the position through three rounds of voting.

    “Some really good conversations took place last night, and it’s now time for all of our GREAT Republican House Members to VOTE FOR KEVIN,” Trump posted on Truth Social.

    “CLOSE THE DEAL, TAKE THE VICTORY, & WATCH CRAZY NANCY PELOSI FLY BACK HOME TO A VERY BROKEN CALIFORNIA,THE ONLY SPEAKER IN U.S. HISTORY TO HAVE LOST THE ‘HOUSE’ TWICE! REPUBLICANS, DO NOT TURN A GREAT TRIUMPH INTO A GIANT & EMBARRASSING DEFEAT. IT’S TIME TO CELEBRATE, YOU DESERVE IT,” the 2024 presidential candidate continued.

    “Kevin McCarthy will do a good job, and maybe even a GREAT JOB – JUST WATCH!” Trump predicted.

    On Tuesday, the 118th Congress held three rounds of voting for House Speaker, but the California Republican fell short of crossing the 218 vote threshold as 19 Republican hardliners opted to support Rep. Jim Jordan(R-Ohio).

    However, despite Trump’s attempts to sway favor back towards McCarthy, lawmakers say even Trump’s endorsement isn’t enough.

    Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) who was among the 19 Republicans to oppose McCarthy, responded to Trump’s endorsement.

    “Sad!” Gaetz said in a Wednesday statement. “This changes neither my view of McCarthy nor Trump nor my vote.”

    Gaetz has been one of the most prominent figures to declare his opposition to McCarthy’s bid for Speaker and has worked to secure major concessions from the California Republican. However, negotiations have still fallen short and ultimately Rep. Gaetz nominated Rep. Jordan for Speaker during the first round of voting on Tuesday.

    On Tuesday, the Florida firebrand also sent a letter to the Architect of the Capitol on Tuesday questioning why House Speaker candidate McCarthy was already inhabiting the Speaker’s office when he had yet to officially win the position, according to The Hill.

    “I write to inform you that the Speaker of the House Office located in the U.S. Capitol Building is currently occupied by Rep. Kevin McCarthy,” Gaetz said in the letter.

    “As of this morning, the 117th Congress adjourned sine die, and a Speaker from the 118th Congress has not been elected,” he continued. “After three undeciding votes, no member can lay claim to this office.”

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