THE SHOW NOTES: What Happened To Republicans Last Night?
Welcome! Five Republican candidates take the stage tonight at 8 PM on NBC.
BUSTED: New York City public defender resigns after being caught tearing down Israel-Hamas war hostage posters - Fox News
DATA: A third of Americans earning $150,000 a year or more say they're living paycheck to paycheck. - Twitter
NEW: Credit card balances spiked in the third quarter to a $1.08 trillion record. - CNBC
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Election Night
Conservative were handed multiple high-profile losses across the country in last night’s off-year election. Here’s my take. Here’s what happened:
Kentucky: Daniel Cameron lost to incumbent Andy Beshear in Kentucky’s gubernatorial race by a resounding five-point margin. While Beshear led Cameron through much of the race, the decisive results were surprising as recent polling suggested the two were statistically tied.
Don’t Blame McConnell: Trump supporters have quickly blasted Mitch McConnell for Daniel Cameron’s loss. On Saturday, Trump sent out a message that Daniel Cameron was not McConnell’s guy. Today, Trump said Cameron lost because he was too identified with McConnell. BUT… Jonathan Shell won statewide for Agriculture Commissioner against a well-funded Democrat. Who is Shell? Mitch McConnell’s Campaign Chairman and long-time aide. So probably Cameron’s loss was not about McConnell.
Virginia: Democrats in Virginia retained control of the State Senate and flipped control of the House of Delegates after Republicans were unable to match Democrats’ enthusiasm over Trump and abortion. Despite Younkin’s deep involvement in the race, the surprising results may serve as a high water mark for the popular governor’s effectiveness in the state.
Ohio: Ohio voters successfully passed a constitutional amendment that protects statewide access to abortion. The massive 13-point margin of victory makes Ohio the seventh state to successfully pass a similar citizen-sponsored measure and sets the stage for Arizona and Missouri to do the same. While much was made of the staggering victory in the increasingly Republican state, the pro-abortion side outspent pro-lifers by $12 million and benefited from no statewide races.
Censoring Rashida Tlaib
22 Democrats joined all but four House Republicans to pass a measure censuring Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib for repeatedly using anti-semitic rhetoric on the House floor.
Context: The measure introduced by Georgia Rep. Rich McCormick was expedited after McCormick’s district office in Cumming, Georgia faced a “serious threat of violence.” McCormick’s team has indefinitely closed the office.
Israel
Just one day after Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would handle the security of Gaza “for an indefinite period”, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Gaza should be unified with the West Bank under Palestinian authority.
Why this matters: Blinken’s quick response highlights a Biden administration that is increasingly emboldened to push back against Israel’s role in Gaza.
Hamas: While residents of Gaza continue to live in poverty, the three top leaders of Hamas are worth an astounding $11 billion and live a life of luxury in Qatar. From exclusive clubs to extensive private jet travel, the trio enjoys a playboy lifestyle that relies on sympathetic governments like Qatar and Turkey.
Related: Israeli forces in Gaza turn their focus to Hamas’ infamous tunnel system - CNBC
Share of Debt Held by US Consumers Younger Than 50 Rises by Most on Record
Debt held by those younger than 50 years old as a share of all US consumer borrowing increased by the most on record in the third quarter, according to Federal Reserve figures out Tuesday.
Consumers under the age of 50 now hold 55% of all US household debt outstanding compared with almost 48% in the second quarter. The massive 7-plus percentage points surge is unprecedented in New York Fed bank data going back to 1999.
Full story at Bloomberg (paywall)
Trending news:
A former Fox News correspondent is refusing to reveal a source. Her fate is now in a judge’s hands - CNN
Virginia candidate caught in sex scandal narrowly trailing Republican challenger - Fox News
100 cruise passengers injured as ship lurches to a halt in storm - CNN
Poll shows Biden deadlocked with Trump and Haley in 2024 presidential race - Axios
Shoplifting up 73% in Dallas as retailers rush to put merchandise out of reach - MSN
Sphere CFO ‘calmly’ quit after MSG boss James Dolan’s ‘yelling and screaming’ - NY Post
Ivanka Trump called to stand to testify today in New York fraud trial - CBS
Best Way to Extinguish a Flaming Electric Vehicle? Let It Burn - WSJ (paywall)
Aaron Rodgers Wants to Come Back This Season. It Isn’t Crazy. - WSJ (paywall)
Market snapshot:
Re Ohio’s constitutional amendment vote on abortion last night: This might not be a popular view here and I offer it with the knowledge that the Democrats and pro-abortion forces are spending lots of $$$ on these state constitutional amendments. But wasn’t one of the arguments for overturning Roe v Wade was that it put the issue back at the state level, closer to the voters? Maybe Dems do have a more fired up base on this issue, but if it’s such an important issue to Republicans, then don’t we take individual responsibility to get out and vote ourselves? Why aren’t pro-life voters in Ohio, Iowa, etc. who see the pro-abortion ads getting stoked about voting against these amendments? Once again, Republicans caught the car but still have no idea what to do it. I’m just not sure abortion is the sword issue for a large number of Republicans - perhaps the average Republican is more concerned with the other kitchen table issues.
The big problem with letting the EV burn is the fire department has to watch for hours as the vehicle burns, this means they cant go put out other fires. Also does anyone remember the pinto. How is it that EV cars are not being branded as ticking time bombs like the pinto was? And what happens when you have a EV catch fire in a parking garage and that fire destroys one?