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Just dropped · Trial Balloon · Ep. 190

Trump Is Everywhere

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Trial Balloon · Ep. 190: Trump Is Everywhere

Introducing Political Books

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When readers email me, they ask for book recommendations more than almost anything else. So I built a better answer.

Political Books collects every book that has been mentioned on Political Wire, nearly 800 so far, in one place. It’s searchable and sortable, and it updates itself whenever a new book appears in a post.

Search everything. Type a title, subtitle or author and results appear instantly as you type.

Sort it your way:

  • Recently mentioned: the books in the news right now.
  • Newest: the latest releases.
  • Coming soon: upcoming books with their release dates, so you can pre-order.
  • Most mentioned: the books we’ve returned to again and again.

Every book has its own page. It shows the cover, the available formats (hardcover, paperback, Kindle and audiobook) and every Political Wire post that discussed the book. You can see why it mattered, not just that it exists.

Members can also save books to their reading list. Just click “Save to reading list” next to any book on the Political Books page or in any post. When you’re ready for your next book, it’s waiting. You can view your saved reading list in the “My Political Wire” section in the right column of the site. 

If you’re not a member yet, join here. The reading list is one more reason to.

Trump Slams Alaska’s Ranked-Choice Voting System

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“President Trump took to Truth Social Thursday to encourage Alaska voters to vote for the Republican ticket in November and criticized the state’s voting system in the process,” NewsNation reports.

“Trump questioned why there are three Republicans facing off against one Democrat in the November governor election, calling the system ‘stupid.'”

A bigger worry for Democrats is that a ranked-choice system takes longer to count the votes and that may leave an opening for Trump to challenge the results.
Taegan

Weekly News Quiz

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Why Is Kash Patel Planning to Visit Russia?

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The Atlantic: “Russia is a U.S. adversary, with a track record of interfering in U.S. elections. It’s providing support for Iran in its war with the United States even as the U.S. backs Ukraine in its long-running war against Russia. FBI agents work day and night to combat a long list of threats emanating from Russian soil: espionage, cyber intrusions, influence campaigns, and efforts to infiltrate American institutions and critical infrastructure.”

“So when the news emerged this summer that FBI Director Kash Patel would be visiting Moscow just three weeks before the midterm elections, many of his own employees were puzzled—and concerned.”

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Trump Makes Deal with Putin for Russian Diesel Fuel

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“President Trump announced Friday that the U.S. will buy large amounts of Russian diesel to address surging fuel costs — making a major foreign-policy pivot to ease costs just before the midterm elections,” the New York Post reports.

Said Trump: “I have just concluded a highly successful discussion with President Vladimir Putin, of Russia, wherein it was agreed that Russia will immediately supply over 300,000 Tons of Diesel Fuel to the American and Global Marketplace, another 500,000 Tons during the month of November, and 1,000,000 Tons immediately thereafter.”

NewsNation: Russia will supply U.S. with diesel.

Kansas Senate Race Is a Surprising New Midterm Fight

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“Kansas has not elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1932. The Republican domination of the state’s two Senate seats, lasting nearly a century, is one of the longest partisan winning streaks in Senate history,” the New York Times reports.

“But suddenly, a megachurch pastor who became a Democrat this spring appears to have a shot at breaking it.”

“A race that once barely registered nationally has emerged as one of the most unexpected battlegrounds on a midterm map that has rapidly expanded into longtime Republican strongholds. The arrival of the pastor, Adam Hamilton, as a serious Senate contender in Kansas has come so fast, it appears to have caught the incumbent Republican, Senator Roger Marshall, by surprise.”

Another Bonus Quote of the Day

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“Paxton’s gonna lose. We need to teach those Republicans a lesson. It’s going to be hard to learn, but they need to know that their decisions have consequences.”

— Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), quoted by CNN, in a conversation with a friend.

Vance Won’t Watch Live Stream of Execution

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“Vice President JD Vance said Friday that he wasn’t sure whether there would be a live stream of Nidal Hasan’s December execution, despite Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s confirmation of that plan, adding that if it were to be live-streamed, ‘I’m not going to be watching,'” ABC News reports.

The New Republic: Even (a few) Republicans are shocked by execution livestreaming plan.

Katie Zacharia Picked as Trump’s New Press Secretary

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“Katie Zacharia, a conservative commentator who briefly worked at the Department of Homeland Security, has been chosen as the next White House press secretary,” the New York Times reports.

“Ms. Zacharia will succeed Karoline Leavitt, who left the position in August. According to her LinkedIn profile, she is currently a communications adviser to Trump Media and Technology Group, which runs Truth Social.”

Trump Is Trying Last-Minute Ways to Bring Down Prices

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Washington Post: “Trump has tried to address Americans’ concerns about high beef prices by temporarily bringing in imported beef (which enraged ranchers).”

“Another step has been to let farmers use tax-exempt diesel through the end of the year, which he announced in Nebraska this week after a behind-the-scenes push from Vice President JD Vance. It’s a small change: Diesel costs in the Midwest have risen nearly $4 in a year, and this plan would lower them by about 24 cents.”

Kimberly Guilfoyle Allegations Add to Spotlight

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“President Trump faces a scandal involving a top official, with Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle under scrutiny for allegedly soliciting debt relief in exchange for political access. That revelation follows other reported questionable conduct, including favoring a Greek energy firm,” NewsNation reports.

“The Trump administration appeared caught off guard by the reports involving Guilfoyle.”

Trump Celebrates Christopher Columbus at White House

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“President Trump is hosting a Columbus Day celebration at the White House on Friday, renewing his push to honor the Italian explorer amid years of debate over his legacy,” NewsNation reports.

“The event comes months after Trump installed a 13-foot statue of Christopher Columbus on White House grounds — a replica of a monument that protesters toppled and threw into Baltimore’s harbor in 2020.”

ABC News Removes Trump Sons Report

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“ABC News removed an investigation into government contracts involving companies linked to Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump because the article was published prematurely,” The Wrap reports.

“The article was taken down while reporting is being finalized.”

Here’s my post on the article that has since been taken down.
Taegan

Why Kansas Might Do the Unthinkable and Vote Blue

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New Republic: “A perfect storm could be brewing in Kansas to elect a Democratic senator for the first time since 1932. Methodist pastor Adam Hamilton’s skills as a candidate, experts say, combined with uniquely bad conditions for the state’s farmers, could be the right ingredients for an upset.”

“The problem is numbers: Registered Republicans outnumber registered Democrats in the state almost two to one.”

Taegan Goddard

Taegan Goddard

Taegan Goddard is the founder of Political Wire -- which for more than two decades has been one of the nation's most influential political news sites.

More about Taegan Goddard →