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Democrats ramp up attacks on GOP over Social Security/Medicare plans

With election day just over two weeks away, Democrats are ramping up attacks on Republicans over their plans to change Social Security and Medicare.  

GOP leaders have said the programs need to be reformed or risk going bankrupt, though they have avoided specifics about proposed changes, and have said they will play hardball with government funding should they retake the majority.

President Biden in a speech on Friday accused Republicans of wanting to cut Social Security and Medicare, and said he “will not yield” in protecting the programs. He said in a tweet on Sunday that the GOP was threatening to tank the economy over the issue.

“Republican leaders have made it clear they will crash the economy by putting the United States in default unless we yield to their demand to cut Social Security and Medicare,” Biden said in the tweet. “And that’s more than a promise. It’s a threat,”

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif) has accused Democrats of twisting his comments in an interview during which he discussed both preparing for debt ceiling fights and plans to “strengthen” Social Security and Medicare.

But that didn’t stop Democrats from continuing to hammer the GOP over its pledge to make changes to the crucial program, which is a particular priority for older voters.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Sunday said Social Security and Medicare are among a number of matters “on the line” in this year’s election.  

“The Republicans have said that if they win, they want to subject Medicare, Social Security, health blackmail, to lifting the debt ceiling… So Social Security and Medicare are on the line, a woman’s right to choose is on the line, the planet is on the line, issues that relate to prescription drugs,” Pelosi said on CBS’ “Face the Nation.” 

An AARP survey released this month found Social Security and Medicare in the top five issues for voters age 50+ in determining how they’ll cast their midterm ballot. And voters in that same age bracket were among the most motivated to vote, and largely undecided.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) weighed in on Twitter Sunday, saying that Republicans are “already plotting” to slash the programs if they gain congressional power.

“Hardworking Americans have earned these benefits and no one should take them away,” she added.

The House Budget Committee Tweeted Sunday that “Democrats are fighting to lower costs for families” while “Republicans are fighting to cut Social Security benefits.” 

A recent MSNBC article quoted House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) recently acknowledging the Republican Study Committee’s Fiscal Year 2023 Budget proposal would change the federal entitlement plans. 

However, Scalise pushed back on the characterization of the changes as “cuts,” though the proposed changes would likely mean spending less on the programs. 

According to Bloomberg, the study committee’s plans would increase the age eligibility threshold for Medicare to 67 and Social Security to 70. Individuals can currently begin receiving Social Security retirement benefits at age 62, and Medicare insurance at age 65.

Rep. Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) shared the MSNBC article on Twitter, and made a few tweaks to the headline, writing “GOP acknowledges GOP plan to cut Medicare and Social Security.” 

The Republican Study Committee counts among its members 158 of the 212 House Republicans, which Democrats have pointed to as showing broad support for the changes to entitlement reforms.

“158 out of 212 House Republicans have called for slashing and privatizing Social Security and ending Medicare as we know it. Pulling the rug out from under hardworking Americans is not a solution to our problems. We can and will strengthen Social Security and Medicare,” Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) said on Twitter Saturday. 

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) stepped into hot water earlier this year when he suggested the programs should be up for congressional approval each year.

Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), chair of the Senate GOP campaign arm, also unveiled a “Rescue America” plan, which would have allowed Social Security and Medicare to sunset every five years as a way to increase congressional oversight.

Republicans have kept a distance from that proposal, and the House GOP has instead rallied around a “Commitment to America” midterm policy platform, which aims to “save and strengthen Social Security and Medicare,” with no details.  

Source: TEST FEED1

Potential 2024 GOP presidential candidates race to top best-seller lists

The 2024 GOP shadow primary is shaping up to be one for the books.

It has become a rite of passage for would-be presidential candidates to release a memoir or new book in the run-up to their campaign, and the crop of potential Republican contenders for 2024 is no exception as several individuals viewed as likely candidates are releasing publications in the coming weeks.

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) will have a book on restoring American power released on Nov. 1.

Former Vice President Mike Pence on Nov. 15 will release his memoir detailing his political career and falling out with former President Trump in the wake of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.

Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will detail his foreign policy work in a forthcoming book due out Jan. 24, 2023.

Nikki Haley, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and South Carolina governor, released a book on Oct. 4 on leadership lessons from influential women. Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) released a memoir in August.

Haley, Pence, Cotton and Pompeo are all viewed as laying the groundwork for presidential runs with frequent visits to early primary states, while Scott is seen as a potential under the radar candidate in 2024.

“A book tour provides excellent cover for exploring the feasibility of a presidential campaign,” said Michael Cornfield, an associate professor of political management at George Washington University.

“You have an excuse to tour the country, especially early primary states and big fundraising hubs; your name gets out there as a thoughtful, visionary, and experienced politician via advertising, press interviews, and book reviews, although those can be harsh, and all the while you don’t have to register and report contributions and expenditures to the FEC,” Cornfield said.

For those considering launching a presidential bid, a book release offers the opportunity to accumulate two key commodities: media attention and money.

Book releases are typically accompanied by media tours to promote the publication, giving would-be candidates an opportunity to get on major morning shows, travel the country and meet with prospective voters.

Pompeo, for example, went on Fox News’ “Fox & Friends” to announce the upcoming release of his book, giving him another opportunity to connect with the audience of the popular conservative morning show.

The other benefit is book sales can be an income boost ahead of a presidential run, when being a candidate becomes a full-time job.

Alex Conant, who worked on campaigns in 2012 and 2016 for former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) and Sen. Marco Rubio (R), respectively, said neither candidate came from family money, so both wrote books to help put some money in their coffers.

“Publishers will pay a premium for a book that could end up being authored by the next president,” Conant said.

Releasing a memoir or a book outlining a political philosophy has become standard practice in recent election cycles.

Vice President Harris published a memoir in January 2019 roughly two weeks before she officially launched her presidential bid for the 2020 Democratic nomination.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg released a book detailing his time as mayor of South Bend, Ind., in February 2019, about two months before he officially launched his presidential campaign for the Democratic nomination in 2020.

Rubio and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) were among the GOP presidential candidates in 2016 who published books a year earlier as they prepared to launch their campaigns.

The shadow primary for the 2024 GOP nomination is already well underway, with Pompeo, Pence, Haley and others making frequent visits to early primary states like New Hampshire, Iowa and South Carolina and campaigning alongside Republican candidates ahead of the midterm elections.

Meanwhile, former President Trump has repeatedly teased the prospect of mounting another White House bid.

No prospective candidate has officially launched their candidacy, with Pence and others saying they will make a decision about their future in the months after the midterms.

In the interim, potential candidates can hawk their books and use public reaction as something of a gauge for how they might fare in a crowded primary.

“You still have to comply with contribution limits and prohibitions, and if you do end up declaring you have to retrospectively report any campaign-related activity such as commissioning polls and collecting funds for a PAC,” Cornfield said. “But otherwise, it’s unencumbered exposure and an excellent test for the viability of a run.”

Source: TEST FEED1

Boris Johnson withdraws from race to replace Truss

Boris Johnson on Sunday withdrew his bid to return as prime minister of the United Kingdom as the Conservative party scrambles to replace Liz Truss, who stepped down from the top job last week.

Johnson pulled out of the race after rivals said he would not have the necessary 100 members of parliament needed to qualify for the leadership contest, according to the Financial Times.

In his statement shared by the Financial Times, Johnson said he would have had enough votes and that he was “overwhelmed by the number of people who suggested that I should once again contest the Conservative party leadership.”

But he chose to withdraw because “you can’t govern effectively unless you have a united party in parliament.”

“Therefore I am afraid the best thing is that I do not allow my nomination to go forward and commit my support to whoever succeeds,” Johnson said. “I believe I have much to offer but I am afraid that this is simply not the right time.”

The U.K. was thrown into chaos last week after Truss resigned as prime minister, just 44 days after she first took office.

Truss roiled economic markets after proposing to slash taxes dramatically, causing her to reverse course and then rapidly lose the support of her party.

Johnson, who faced a series of self-inflicted scandals and apparent lies while responding to them, quit in July after about three years as prime minister, making way for Truss.

When she resigned on Thursday, Johnson immediately threw his hat in the ring along with former Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak and Penny Mordaunt, the leader of the House of Commons.

Sunak is now the frontrunner in the race for next prime minister, according to UK outlets.

In a statement Sunday, Sunak said he has the “track record of delivery” as former chancellor and a “clear plan to fix the biggest problems we face.”

“I am asking you for the opportunity to help fix our problems,” he wrote. “To lead our Party and country forward towards the next General Election, confident in our record, firm in our convictions and ready to lead again.”

Source: TEST FEED1

Left to Democrats: It's the economy, stupid

Progressives are urging Democrats to lean more heavily into the economy in the last weeks before the midterms, arguing the party needs a course correction from its effort to motivate voters through warnings over abortion rights and a GOP beholden to former President Trump. 

The plea for a sharper focus comes as recent polling has dimmed Democratic hopes for the elections while showing voters rate inflation and economic concerns as their top priorities.  

“The closing argument has to be about what matters to the electorate,” said Joseph Geevarghese, executive director of the liberal activist network Our Revolution. “In this moment in particular, voters are looking for the candidates who will fight to raise their standards of living.” 

While rising inflation on President Biden’s watch has been used in attack ads by Republicans, Geevarghese and other progressive activists argue Democrats can win over voters with the right economic messages. 

Working class voters “are worried about rising gas prices, they’re worried about putting food on the table, they’re worried about keeping a roof over their heads because their wages are not keeping up,” Geevarghese said. “The closing argument at the end of the day has to speak to that immediate material need.” 

The White House believes there’s room to talk about a lot of priorities. On Tuesday, chief of staff Ron Klain responded to a tweet about Democrats’ focus on abortion over the economy by previewing a speech Biden was preparing to deliver on gas prices. 

“Not an either / or.  @POTUS spoke about abortion today, will speak about gas prices tomorrow,” Klain tweeted, confirming the administration’s strategy of amplifying several issues before Nov. 8. 

Progressives say there’s a risk to that approach.  

While recognizing the merits of talking about the danger of Trump and attacking the GOP for dismantling democratic norms and women’s rights, they think the economy has to come first in the discussion. At least if Democrats want to have a shot at winning.  

“You can’t cede the issue that voters overwhelmingly tell you is most important and think you are going to win,” said Krystal Ball, a left-wing media figure and host of “Breaking Points,” a progressive podcast. “It’s political malpractice.” 

A New York Times-Siena poll found 26 percent of respondents said the economy was their main midterm issue, while 18 percent said inflation ranked the most important. Abortion came in at single digits – just 5 percent.  

Progressives have been united in arguing that this campaign cycle will be won and lost over the economy. But their warnings have often been met with skepticism from other Democrats, who favor talking about a number of issues including reproductive rights. 

After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, Democrats hoped that by making the topic of abortion rights their unofficial platform, they’d be able to turn out women, suburban voters, and independents who otherwise might stay home or vote for the GOP. 

They’ve also sought to connect abortion rights to the economy.  

“Abortion is an economic issue that touches the lives of millions, and voters across the political spectrum recognize that our right to determine what is best for our own bodies and lives is essential,” Olivia Cappello, who manages state communications campaigns for Planned Parenthood Votes, wrote in an email to The Hill. “Poll after poll this election cycle has shown that abortion is a motivating factor for voters.” 

Other surveys indicate voters aren’t necessarily making the connection between reproductive freedom and the economy — at least not yet. And some progressives are publicly expressing frustration over what they see as the party’s disjointed approach.  

“The closing argument that the Democratic establishment is moving forward is more a vision of fear: the attack on reproductive rights, the attack on our democracy is what you should be afraid of. You should vote because we’re not going to do more draconian things,” said Geevarghese. 

“I think fear is a mobilizing factor, but I would argue that hope should outweigh it. You have to have something to believe in, something to vote for. That’s what really motivates somebody,” he said. 

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is gearing up to make that case to a national audience. He’s headed out on a multistate tour, targeting Michigan, Wisconsin, Texas and Florida. 

Sanders has been critical of the party’s strategy to court working-class voters dating back to his 2016 insurgent bid against Hillary Clinton. He used much of that same message to re-energize voters in the open primary in 2020 and ended up winning a sizable portion of low-income voters both times.  

Addressing a question by The New York Times about how he views Democrats faring with that electorate this cycle — without Biden or Trump on the ballot — he responded candidly: “I think they’re doing rather poorly.” 

Another leading progressive lawmaker, Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), shared a similar sentiment. 

“We need to have a better, sharper economic message,” Khanna told MSNBC’s Katy Tur. “We have a lot to run on. I call it a new economic patriotism, which is that Democrats are bringing manufacturing back home. We’re bringing back supply chains, and that actually is going to help tackle inflation.” 

Even Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), whose guidance lawmakers and candidates rely on each cycle, indicated that her party needs to fine-tune how it talks about inflation. 

“Inflation is there but it’s global and not as bad as it is in some countries. We’ll have to message it better in the next three weeks ahead,” she told Punchbowl News, adding, “I think we’re in great shape.” 

Republicans, for their part, are honing in on what they feel can drive enthusiasm. While Biden delivered speeches on fuel costs and abortion rights both this week, they see rising gas prices as a winning issue. 

GOP candidates have indeed gained traction in the last weeks, with key Senate races in New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin tightening up. 

“A year ago, Biden said he didn’t have a ‘near-term answer’ to outrageously high gas prices,” said Tommy Pigott, the Republican National Committee’s rapid response director. “A gallon of gas cost $3.37 then. It costs $3.82 today.”

Source: TEST FEED1

The old problem with the young: Biden courts elusive voting bloc

President Biden is aggressively pursuing younger voters, leaning into the issues of reproductive rights and student loan forgiveness in an effort to drive to the polls a bloc that traditionally sees lower turnout.

“Historically we’ve had a problem with younger voters falling off during the midterms,” said Democratic strategist Rodell Mollineau, who served as an aide to the late Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.).

“Yes, it may be about his legacy and his standing and positioning for 2024, but the main beneficiary right now are candidates in close races that are going to need every single vote, and that means turning out young people.” 

Biden took a victory lap Friday on his student loan forgiveness plan after applications officially opened on Monday with 22 million Americans applying so far. He told a group at Delaware State University, “I will never apologize for helping working- and middle-class Americans.”

The president earlier this week focused on reproductive rights issues, pledging at the Howard Theater in Washington that he would make a bill to codify abortion access his top legislative priority if Democrats retain their majorities in Congress.

In focusing on these issues, “he’s appealing to a significant portion of the voting population,” said Nayerra Haq, who served as an official in the Obama administration. “Any politician who wants to win or serve the public needs to realize this is the demographic they should be addressing.” 

Haq said millennials are the first generation “that will not be able to advance beyond their parents because of the flaws in our economic system.”

“That requires systemic solutions, and that’s what Biden is doing,” she added.  

Young people typically don’t show up in large numbers for midterm elections. In 2018, only 36 percent of 18 to 29 year olds voted, which was still a huge improvement from the 20 percent turnout in 2014, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

With three weeks before the midterm elections, the administration opened applications for its student loan proposal, which is set to forgive up to $10,000 in federal debt for borrowers earning less than $125,000 and as much as $20,000 for borrowers who received Pell Grants.

The plan has been hit with multiple lawsuits, and on Friday a federal appeals court ruled that it should be temporarily put on hold as a GOP challenge plays out.

Steve Schale, the prominent political strategist who ran former President Obama’s campaign operation in Florida in 2008, called Biden’s efforts “a big deal.” 

“Student loan debt is a significant issue among young people,” Schale said. “He’s talking to a segment of the electorate.”

Biden has also been bringing up his marijuana policies more often, telling the audiences at both Delaware State University and the Howard Theater this week that he is keeping his promise that no one should be in jail for using or possessing marijuana.

Democrats applaud Biden’s focus on issues centering around marijuana and child care, both of which are important to young voters.

“Now he can be delivering on those bigger ticket items that are necessary for generational change,” Haq said, referring to both issues. 

Biden has focused much of his attention on the economy, which has consistently polled as the most top-of-mind issue among voters this cycle. Amid high inflation and gas prices, the president for months has been tasked with trying to prove to Americans that he cares about costs and is working to get them down.

But new polling this week showed that 63 percent of Americans still wish Biden would give more attention to their top issues, with inflation topping that list. Other top issues included immigration and crime, two areas where Republicans have bashed Democrats.

The focus on young people also comes as support for Democratic candidates among independent voters appears to be waning.

Independent women, who are a pivotal voting bloc this cycle following the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, are leaning more towards Republicans recently. Polling released on Monday showed the bloc favored Republicans by 18 points, which is a sizable increase since September.

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) and the White House did not respond to The Hill’s request for comment about the timing of the president’s recent focus on issues that attract young people.

“Biden’s strategy seems to be two-fold, to highlight initiatives popular with younger voters for the midterms, and to solidify younger voter support going forward. He is drawing a clear distinction between Democratic and GOP principles that he hopes will enhance Dem turnout in 2022, and in the years moving forward,” said former Rep. Chris Carney (D-Pa.), a Biden ally.

“Both reproductive rights and student loan forgiveness poll well among young voters, and Biden sees those issues as bringing fresh, traditionally less-involved midterm voters to the polls in November,” Carney added.

While young voters helped catapult Biden to the White House in 2020, his numbers with the demographic have fallen during his presidency. An NPR-PBS Newshour poll out in July showed that just 5 percent of voters under the age of 45 strongly approve of Biden’s performance. 

Strategists attribute the problem partly to a generational gap between Biden and the demographic. But at the same time, as one progressive strategist pointed out, “Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren haven’t had that problem ever.” 

“They were both very much in touch with the needs of these younger voters,” the strategist said. “In fact, I think Bernie was boosted by this demographic.” 

Xochitl Hinojosa, former communications director at the DNC, argued that issues like student loans and abortion go beyond young people and appeals to voters of all ages.

“The President has been laser focused on the issues important to voters, and yes, those do include gas prices and student loans, as well as reproductive rights. Many of these issues not only target young voters, but the broader electorate,” Hinojosa said. “Americans want to hear directly from their president about how he is going to tackle the issues confronting our nation, and that’s exactly what he’s doing.”

While the president is reaching out to young voters, so are other Democrats. 

New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a millennial herself, is rallying students at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday. Meanwhile, Sanders is using his star power with young people to help Democrats in Nevada, Florida, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, heading to those Senate battleground states before election day.

“You’re building a coalition,” Schale said, adding that “our coalition requires younger voters to get a win.”

The president leaned further into his support for abortion access this week when he said in an interview that he would support a federal fund to help patients pay for the procedure, reaffirming his stance against the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits federal funds from being used to pay for abortions.

His support for federal funding follows months of backlash over whether the White House has done enough in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision. When Roe was first overturned in June, the president faced fierce criticism for moving too slowly on actions to help protect access.

But the White House has seen some success since then, particularly when it comes to legislation that passed over the summer. 

Schale said Biden has much to tout in the final weeks on the campaign trail. 

“… If I’ve had any criticism of the administration, it’s that we haven’t done a good job telling the success stories, and yes, they should lean into it,” he said. “Our coalition requires younger voters to get a win. … We should go tell the story. We have a good story and I’m glad they are.”

Source: TEST FEED1

Fetterman faces high stakes at Pennsylvania Senate debate

Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman (D) is facing a potential make-or-break moment Tuesday as he squares off with his Republican opponent Mehmet Oz in the first and likely only televised debate of the state’s marquee Senate race.

Fetterman has faced repeated questions about his health since suffering a stroke in May. But the scrutiny was amplified considerably earlier this month after an NBC News interview showed him using his closed captioning system to communicate.

Adding to the pressure are recent polls showing a tightening race, as Oz has hammered Fetterman on not only his health but also his track record on handling crime as the state’s lieutenant governor — and two snapshots of the race show as much.

An AARP Pennsylvania poll released on Tuesday showed Fetterman leading Oz 48 percent to 46 percent, putting him within the margin of error, while a Fox29-InsiderAdvantage poll showed the two tied at 46 percent. 

“In the sincere hope that John can really hold himself up to the scrutiny that comes with a high-profile debate, and I think he can,” said T.J. Rooney, a former Pennsylvania Democratic Party chairman. “Through video and things he’s done going back to July, he’s in such a much better place today than he was then that I hope that strength is able to be better depicted during the course of the debate.”

“You worry anytime anybody goes into a debate. It’s not a fear, but it’s more of a hope knowing what John has gone through,” Rooney continued. “The stakes are high.”

Fetterman’s recovery could be a significant factor in the debate, with critics raising questions about whether he is healthy enough to adequately perform the duties of a U.S. senator. 

On Wednesday, his campaign released a note from his doctor saying he was in good health and does not have work restrictions. However, Fetterman’s symptoms of an auditory processing disorder could impact how he comes across to viewers in a high-pressure televised setting. 

Democrats concede that Oz, who hosted his own television show for over a decade, has the upper hand going into the forum. 

“Obviously this is Oz’s turf,” said one Democratic strategist. “We’re talking about a debate between a 20-year TV celebrity and a guy who is still recovering from a stroke.” 

“That’s just the reality of this,” the strategist added. 

On top of that, Fetterman faced criticism for his debate performances during the Democratic Senate primary earlier this year, which took place prior to his stroke. 

“The reality is it’s not his biggest strength,” a second Democratic operative told The Hill. “One thing that I think is very true if you watch those debates is he starts slow and then improves.” 

Fetterman’s allies instead are pointing to his reception from voters on the ground in Pennsylvania, arguing that a televised debate will not be the race’s singular pivotal moment. 

“Actually doing the work is far more important than parachuting in from New Jersey and being really slick on camera,” the first Democratic strategist said. 

Fetterman’s campaign has touted his own appearances on the trail, particularly at rallies he’s held in recent weeks. On Tuesday, the campaign said 443 people turned out at a rally he held in conservative Butler County. Last Saturday, the campaign said it turned out 637 people at a rally in Delaware County. 

“Tactically, I think a televised debate favors Dr. Oz, but overall I’d much rather be John Fetterman than Mehmet Oz in this race,” the first Democratic strategist said. 

For Republicans, the main fear heading into Tuesday night centers on the expectations game, as questions have proliferated for months over whether Fetterman can literally speak coherently on stage. If he does clear that low bar, the night may be considered a success for Democrats and their chances to pull out this race. 

“Unfortunately, the expectations are near nothing for Fetterman. If he gets up there and can string sentences, it doesn’t matter how crazy they are, that’ll probably be enough. But I’m not sure he’s going to do it.” one Pennsylvania-based GOP strategist told The Hill, insisting that Fetterman must show more than that. “Fetterman has to land some effective punches because I think Oz is winning right now, and this is the only debate. He has to change the trajectory somehow.”

Expectations-wise, the situation is reminiscent of the first presidential debate in 2020 when allies of former President Trump for weeks questioned President Biden’s mental acuity and sharpness, dubbing him “Sleepy Joe.” The one-two step of a solid Biden debate performance coupled with Trump’s heckling handed Biden a debate win.

Of course, there are differences. Biden was a longtime national politician then who had debated for years, including against Republicans in general elections — headlined by his vice presidential debates against then-Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) and former Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.). 

For Republicans, the nightmare debate scenario still looms in the back of their minds.

“The one red flag that I don’t want to see is when Fetterman f—- up, Oz should not pile on. … The moment that would suck is when a guy is clearly struggling and Oz says ‘See! This guy can’t be our senator,’” the Pennsylvania-based GOP strategist added. “That could come across as a little callous.”

“There’s a temptation to do it. There’s a want to put a period on the sentence. But also, you have to trust the viewer that they’re able to see it themselves,” the strategist said.

Source: TEST FEED1

Trump on 2024 run: 'I will probably have to do it again'

Former President Trump said Saturday that he would “probably” have to run for the White House again, alluding to a potential 2024 rematch against President Biden.

At a rally in Robstown, Texas, Trump, who was campaigning for Republicans in the state, continued to push unfounded claims that he won the 2020 election.

“I ran twice. I won twice,” he said. “I did much better the second time than I did before.”

The former president noted he got “millions more votes in 2020 than 2016 and likewise, getting more votes than any sitting president in the history of our country by far.”

“And now in order to make our country successful, safe and glorious again, I will probably have to do it again,” he added.

The 45th president was greeted with chants of “we want Trump” soon after he made his announcement.

His comments teasing a potential 2024 run come just days after he was subpoenaed by the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot. Trump has until Nov. 4 to produce the relevant documents and to appear for testimony on or about Nov. 14.

Multiple sources told The Hill earlier this year that Trump and his allies have discussed making an announcement about his campaign status before the mid-terms in November.

Trump has stopped short of formally announcing his candidacy for the 2024 presidential race, which would trigger Federal Election Commission requirements about disclosing financial information and would limit how much Trump could raise from individual donors before November 2024.

A Harvard CAPS-Harris Poll survey released last Monday showed Trump with a 2-point lead over his successor, should he launch another bid for the White House. Forty-five percent of voters say they would support the former president for a second term in 2024, compared to 43 percent who plan to back Biden.

–Updated at 8:11 a.m.

Source: TEST FEED1

Debt ceiling showdowns are ready for comeback with GOP majority

House Republicans are looking to use a vote on raising the debt ceiling, a must-pass measure to avoid stark economic consequences and damaging credit of the United States, to get concessions on spending cuts if they win control of the chamber in the midterm elections. 

The federal government is expected to reach the $31.4 trillion debt limit, last increased in 2021, sometime in 2023. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), who is likely to become Speaker should the GOP take the lower chamber in November, is preparing for a battle with the Biden administration over curbing spending as a condition for a debt ceiling increase. 

“We’ll provide you more money, but you got to change your current behavior. We’re not just going to keep lifting your credit card limit, right?” McCarthy told Punchbowl News in an interview last week. 

Republicans have long sought spending concessions in exchange for voting to raise the debt limit or tried to force Democrats to raise the limit without help from the GOP. But Democrats have criticized the GOP for these efforts, noting that they voted to raise the debt ceiling under former President Trump. 

While the U.S. has never defaulted on its obligations, it is a scenario that economists say could result in economic turmoil. But the standoffs alone have triggered nervousness on Wall Street and in the business community. During a debt ceiling standoff in 2011, credit rating agency S&P downgraded its rating for the U.S. for the first time. 

“I’m pretty sure Republican voters don’t want their new majority to be shy about using leverage against Democrats,” said Rep. Dan Bishop (R-N.C.), a member of the hard-line conservative House Freedom Caucus. 

That sentiment extends across the House GOP conference. 

“We will make sure the federal government pays its debts, but we will use the debt ceiling as it was intended — a lever to address our deficit and debt,” said Rep. Adrian Smith (R-Neb.). 

Rep. Jason Smith (R-Mo.), ranking member on the House Budget Committee, noted figures from the Congressional Budget Office showing spending growing by $10 trillion during Biden’s presidency. An increase to the debt limit has been tied to demands to cut spending in Washington in the past, he said. 

“The American people expect Congress to use every tool at its disposal to combat rising prices, to strengthen our economy, to secure our border, to bring down the cost of energy, to fix our supply chains, and to right size the federal government, and the debt ceiling absolutely is one of those tools,” Smith said in a statement.  

Both Adrian and Jason Smith are vying to lead Republicans on the powerful Ways and Means Committee next year. 

Exactly what spending Republicans would put on the chopping block in a future debt ceiling fight is not set in stone, but likely targets include spending key to President Biden’s domestic agenda passed in the last year. 

Bishop pointed to reversing Biden’s cancellation of student debt, cutting a boost to IRS enforcement funding, and a $20,600 State Department grant to a cultural center in Ecuador that would reportedly fund a drag show performance. 

Democrats in midterm campaign messaging have warned that Republicans would use a debt ceiling fight to cut Social Security and Medicare. They point to comments from some members of the GOP and proposals in a model federal budget from the Republican Study Committee, the largest conservative caucus in the House, that included gradually raising the Social Security eligibility age. 

Biden repeated those warnings on Friday.  

“I will not yield,” Biden said, on a future debt limit fight. “I will not cut Social Security. I will not cut Medicare.” 

When asked whether entitlement programs would be part of debt ceiling negotiations, McCarthy told Punchbowl News that he would not “predetermine” anything. But the next day on MSNBC, McCarthy appeared to walk back his comments linking entitlements to entitlement reform.  

“The only people talking about cutting Social Security and Medicare right now are the Democrats using it as a scare tactic because they can’t defend their failed economic policies,” said Rep. Adrian Smith. 

Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.), chairman of the Republican Study Committee and a contender for House GOP whip if Republicans win, said at a CBS News event on Wednesday that the debt ceiling could be used to call for spending caps, balanced budgets, or to cut discretionary spending — actions that would not include Social Security and Medicare. 

In the midst of a dispute over raising the debt ceiling last year, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen suggested abolishing the federal debt limit, calling it “very destructive” to the credit of the U.S. 

Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.) led a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) asking for action on legislation to do just that, Punchbowl News reported on Friday. 

But Biden on Friday said it would be “irresponsible” to eliminate the debt ceiling. 

Democrats could avoid a debt limit standoff by increasing the limit after the midterms and before the end of the year. With a looming government funding deadline in mid-December, however, Democratic leaders may decide there isn’t enough time on the schedule for an early debt ceiling fight. 

Source: TEST FEED1

Trump doubles down on threats to sue Pulitzer board at Texas rally

Former President Trump doubled down on threats to sue the Pulitzer Prize board on Saturday over its awards for reporting on Russian interference in the 2016 election.

“Within the next two weeks, we’re suing the Pulitzer organization to have those prizes taken back,” Trump said at a rally in Robstown, Texas, where he was stumping for Republicans in the state.

The Pulitzer board in July rejected Trump’s requests to revoke the 2018 national reporting awards given to The Washington Post and The New York Times, saying its review found no reason to rescind the awards. 

Trump, who has claimed that the papers’ reporting is “totally incorrect,” suggested that he plans to sue the Pulitzer board for defamation.

“By allowing these people that got Russia, Russia, Russia wrong, they’re actually libeling me because they’re saying they got it right,” Trump said at Saturday’s rally.

The former president has previously threatened to file litigation against the Pulitzer board if it did not “do the right thing on its own.”

Source: TEST FEED1

Watch live: Trump holds rally in Texas

Former President Trump is holding a rally in Robstown, Texas, Saturday evening.

During the event, he will campaign for GOP gubernatorial incumbent Greg Abbott as he seeks reelection against Beto O’Rourke (D). He will also be campaigning for Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R-Texas) and Attorney General Ken Paxton (R-Texas), who are both running for reelection.

Trump’s remarks are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. ET.

Watch the live video above

Source: TEST FEED1