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October 11, 2026

55 posts · Sunday

Just dropped · Trial Balloon · Ep. 191

Blue Wave Update

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Trial Balloon · Ep. 191: Blue Wave Update

Abdul El-Sayed Walks Back Obama Criticism

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“Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed disavowed a 2012 opinion piece criticizing what he said were ‘failures’ by President Barack Obama during his first term in office,” the Washington Post reports.

Said El-Sayed: “I was younger. And I was angry about circumstances. That’s 2012 now, so it’s 2026, 14 years on. You grow up and you start to appreciate just how hard change is and how important it is to pick up and push.”

The Guardian: Why Abdul El-Sayed might not be winning Black voters.

Trump Is Free to Be What He Has Always Been

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Phillips O’Brien: “Now, the lying is over. Donald is free to be what he always wanted to be and to sing it loudly to the world. He, and by extension the government of the United States of America, is Vladimir Putin’s friend and partner. He will help Putin, protect Putin, and do what he can to get the best possible deal for Vladimir Putin.”

“This time he probably cannot go back. The expressions of intense emotion of the last 24 hours are too clear for even the most gullible of the press (and that is most of them) to ever again start writing about the next, supposed Trump ‘pivot’ to Ukraine. Trump is free now. His heart can sing the song he has always wanted to sing, and the American people can no longer deny that the USA is run by a Russian useful idiot or agent of influence (depending on the nomenclature you prefer).”

Anxious Maine Democrats Turn to Bernie Sanders for a Jolt

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“When Graham Platner dropped out of the Senate race in Maine in July after a rape allegation he denied, it deflated many Democrats who had rallied to his campaign,” the New York Times reports.

“Three months later, some Democrats in the state are worried about the enthusiasm for Mr. Platner’s last-minute replacement, Troy Jackson, in his pivotal race against Senator Susan Collins, a fifth-term Republican. In the final weeks of a close race, Mr. Jackson and his allies are still trying to excite voters who were disillusioned after the summer switch.”

“This weekend, Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, a leader of the progressive movement who is popular across New England, decamped to the state for a three-rally trip to try to energize Mr. Jackson’s campaign.”

Mediaite: Susan Collins interrupted by heckler at Maine fair: ‘You can’t eat road salt, can you?!’

Talarico Tackles GOP Conspiracies On His Flu Absence

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“James Talarico, the Texas Democratic nominee for Senate, on Sunday dismissed GOP conspiracy theories about his flu-induced absence from the campaign trail and sought to turn the tables,” MS NOW reports.

Said Talarico: “I had the flu. This is the craziest thing I’ve ever heard. It’s wild that someone can just post something on the internet and then the media just runs with it.”

“He dismissed the brouhaha as ‘silly season in our politics’ and issued a fresh challenge to his GOP rival, Ken Paxton, who spent the better part of 10 days fueling wild speculation about Talarico’s whereabouts while the Democrat recovered from his illness.”

He added: “He asked for proof of life from me. I’m asking proof of spine from him.”

Trump Bears Down On Zelensky

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“President Trump’s announcement Sunday about an ‘energy ceasefire’ between Russia and Ukraine referred to a potential deal that includes each side stopping attacks on oil refineries — and he expects Volodymyr Zelensky to abide by it,” Axios reports.

“Trump appears to be singlehandedly trying to will a partial ceasefire into existence. But for now Russia hasn’t accepted any kind of ceasefire — and Ukraine wants one that forbids attacks on power plants.”

GOP Senator Says Trump’s Deal with Russia May Be Illegal

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“Senator Thom ⁠Tillis on Sunday said President Donald ⁠Trump’s diesel supply deal with Russia may be ⁠illegal and will put American lives at risk, adding to bipartisan criticism of the arrangement announced by the president on Friday,” Reuters reports.

Said Tillis: “I do believe there’s a legitimate case for saying the president’s not following the law.”

Washington Sun: Six senators call for Trump to reverse course on Russia diesel purchase.

A Split Screen Approach to Measles

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“Pennsylvania and New York’s Democratic governors have taken vastly different approaches to fighting measles outbreaks in their states,” Politico reports.

“The divide underscores the different approaches to containing the disease, which has come roaring back in the U.S. amid falling vaccination rates after decades of containment, as well as how politicized fighting infectious disease has become.”

Roger Marshall Charged 18% Interest On Patient Bills

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“While facing sharp criticism over the last month for his debt collection practices as an OB-GYN in Great Bend, Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) has forcefully defended himself, saying his methods were ‘very common,'” Kansas City Star reports.

“But an analysis of medical debt lawsuits in the Kansas court system found that although it’s not uncommon for hospitals and clinics across the state to sue patients, the 18% annual interest rate Marshall applied to unpaid bills was by far the highest of the roughly 150 medical practices whose public records were reviewed by The Star.”

Darline Graham Returns to the Debate Stage

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“Sen. Darline Graham has a critical mission when she takes the debate stage Sunday night: Save face and calm Republican nerves,” MS NOW reports.

“Graham, the GOP political novice, and Annie Andrews, the Democratic pediatrician, are set to square off in the first and only debate of South Carolina’s Senate race — an unexpectedly competitive contest in the ruby-red Palmetto State.”

“For Graham, the debate is treacherous terrain — but a crucial opportunity. During a primary debate in August, the South Carolina Republican conceded that she’s ‘not that informed on national security,’ sparking a viral moment and raising serious concerns about her qualifications for the full six-year Senate term.”

The Elections That Changed the World

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Just published: The Elections That Changed the World: Fifteen Pivotal Moments That Shaped How We Live by Dana Bash.

Elections matter, sometimes in ways we can’t even anticipate.

New · Out September 22, 2026The Elections That Changed the World
Fifteen Pivotal Moments That Shaped How We Live
by Dana Bash · Hanover Square Press
Buy on Amazon
HardcoverKindle

Trump Announces Energy Ceasefire Deal

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“President Trump on Sunday announced that an energy ceasefire deal has been reached between Russia and Ukraine, days after his administration announced a deal to acquire diesel from Russia while lifting sanctions,” NewsNation reports.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told Axios the announcement “was news for me. But if Russians agree to an energy ceasefire, Ukraine will agree.”

Zelensky Hits Back After Trump Calls for His Removal

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“Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday promised new Ukrainian elections in exchange for a 60-day ceasefire with Russia after President Donald Trump called for Zelensky to step down,” MS NOW reports.

“Zelensky’s remarks came one day after Trump criticized the war-weary leader for ordering attacks on Russian oil refineries amid a U.S. deal to ease sanctions on Russia for its diesel.”

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.

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