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October 22, 2026

97 posts · Thursday

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Just dropped · Trial Balloon · Ep. 193

The Magnificent Seven

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Trial Balloon · Ep. 193: The Magnificent Seven

James Talarico’s Campaign Is a Messaging Machine

October 22, 2026 · 10:52 am ET · Leave a Comment

Mother Jones: “Talarico for Texas, in other words, is a messaging machine. His ability to efficiently frame an argument and deliver it to an audience is why he is leading the scandal-plagued Republican attorney general Ken Paxton in the polls (the plague of scandals has also helped), and why he raised a record $64 million last quarter.”

“But the content the machine refines and spits out—the thoughtful pauses, the perfect answers, the well-timed punches—has to originate somewhere. It is grown on manicured fields under stadium lights. And sometimes, if you stick around when the crowd begins to thin, you catch a glimpse of what it looks like before the filters are applied and the product is refined, when it’s just a man and a crowd, racing against a stopwatch. It’s kind of fun.”

2026 Campaign

Macron Slams ‘Stupid’ Comments On French Protests

October 22, 2026 · 10:32 am ET · Leave a Comment

“French President Emmanuel Macron has criticized ‘unacceptable’ and ‘stupid’ comments made by foreign leaders and others after the country saw mass protests and its worst rioting in years,” CNBC reports.

Said Macron: “There was foreign disinformation in the aftermath, which prompted comments that were as unacceptable as they were stupid from many people, including foreign leaders.”

Foreign Affairs

Josh Shapiro Headed for Crushing Win in Pennsylvania

October 22, 2026 · 10:20 am ET · Leave a Comment

A new Franklin & Marshall College poll finds Josh Shapiro (D) leading Stacy Garrity (R) in the governor’s race, 59% to 36%.

Governor’s Race
Josh Shapiro (D) 59%
 
Stacy Garrity (R) 36%
 
Franklin & Marshall College poll · likely voters · ±4.1%

2026 Campaign

Rubio and Hegseth Point to Elon Musk for Slowing Starlink

October 22, 2026 · 10:16 am ET · Leave a Comment

“Top Trump administration officials are starting to point fingers squarely at SpaceX founder Elon Musk for the decision to slow down his company’s Starlink satellite internet services and its military counterpart Starshield for Ukraine, which has been muddled in uncertainty over the culprit,” The Hill reports.

“Looking to deflect the controversial move — which was swiftly admonished by powerful congressional Republicans and Democrats — Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday said Ukraine’s access to Starlink was up to Musk and not the White House.”

“And Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, speaking to reporters on Tuesday, suggested Starlink’s slowdown was a commercial matter and not a result of any orders from the White House.”

Foreign Affairs, National Security, White House

Trump’s Definitive Ranking of Sexy Male Candidates

October 22, 2026 · 10:02 am ET · Leave a Comment

“For decades now, Donald Trump has been keeping Americans informed about the relative attractiveness of various celebrities and public officials,” New York Magazine reports.

“While the former beauty-pageant proprietor claims to have particular expertise in female aesthetics, he has worked to diversify his objectification.”

“Now, Trump has expanded this important service by opining on the handsomeness of various Republican midterm candidates, often right to their face. And rather than simply branding these men ‘hot’ or ‘not,’ the president is offering detailed analysis, from the appeal of their general build to the muscle tone of their butt.”

2026 Campaign, White House

Democrats Slightly Ahead in Ohio

October 22, 2026 · 9:53 am ET · Leave a Comment

A new VoteHub/Verasight poll in Ohio finds Amy Acton (D) leading Vivek Ramaswamy (R) in the governor’s race, 46% to 45%.

Ohio Governor’s Race
Amy Acton (D) 46%
 
Vivek Ramaswamy (R) 45%
 
VoteHub/Verasight poll · likely voters

The same poll in Ohio finds Sherrod Brown (D) leading Jon Husted (R) in the U.S. Senate race, 47% to 44%.

Ohio Senate Race
Sherrod Brown (D) 47%
 
Jon Husted (R) 44%
 
VoteHub/Verasight poll · likely voters

2026 Campaign

Voter Turnout Is Soaring in Some Key States

October 22, 2026 · 9:46 am ET · Leave a Comment

“Voter turnout is soaring compared with the last midterm election in many of the states that are expected to decide control of the U.S. Senate,” the Associated Press reports.

“In Texas, early voting is up 74% compared with 2022. In Kansas it’s more than doubled. Maine, North Carolina and Ohio also have seen increases of more than 30% in early in-person and mail voting compared with the same point in 2022.”

NewsNation: Early voting breaks records in Texas.

2026 Campaign

Trump’s Results Have Often Revealed the Art of No Deal

October 22, 2026 · 9:34 am ET · Leave a Comment

“Trump Tower had just opened and The Art of the Deal was three years from publication when 38-year-old Donald Trump suggested he could negotiate Russian arms control better than Ronald Reagan,” the Associated Press reports.

Said Trump in 1984: “It would take an hour-and-a-half to learn everything there is to learn about missiles. You either have it, or you don’t.”

“Before there was much talk of being a personal brand, Trump had landed on his: the consummate, swashbuckling, never-lose negotiator. It was an image he cultivated in the New York tabloids and later on reality TV, repeating it so often that, to his supporters, perception became reality.”

“Now, as he zigzags the country for Republican candidates, from Florida to Alaska, Trump is exhorting voters to again embrace him as an unqualified success in a midterm election that has become a referendum on his presidency and his record as a dealmaker.”

2026 Campaign, White House

Tony Gonzales’ Campaign Paid Wife’s Companies

October 22, 2026 · 9:33 am ET · Leave a Comment

Former Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) “has sent tens of thousands of campaign dollars to companies recently created by his wife that don’t appear to have any physical or online presence,” the San Antonio Express-News reports.

Ethics, House of Representatives

Quote of the Day

October 22, 2026 · 9:30 am ET · Leave a Comment

“I feel it is even stronger than in 2018. The energy that’s out there, the level of frustration with this Trump administration. It’s the energy that is trying to flip Congress.”

— Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ), quoted by the New Jersey Globe, on the blue wave building for this year’s midterms.

2026 Campaign

Member feature

Republicans Could Face Another Leadership Civil War

October 22, 2026 · 9:10 am ET · Leave a Comment

Talking PointsIf Republicans lose control of the House in next month’s midterm elections, the fallout could extend well beyond their loss of the majority.

It could also trigger a bitter leadership fight.

Read the rest of this column

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Members, Talking Points

In Case You Missed It

October 22, 2026 · 9:00 am ET · Leave a Comment

With political news moving at a relentless pace, it’s easy to miss an important story — even if you check Political Wire several times a day.

That’s why I’ve added a new feature for members in the right hand column of the site called “In Case You Missed It.”

Using multiple signals to identify stories that deserve your time, it highlights recent posts you might have overlooked.

Think of it as a quick way to catch up on stories that matter without having to scroll through everything published over the last 24 hours.

It’s one more way I’m trying to make Political Wire more useful — and make sure you don’t miss something worth your attention.

Thanks for your support — and for reading! 

And if you’re not yet a member, you can join here.

Uncategorized

Pete Hegseth’s Aides Broke Eisenhower’s Globe

October 22, 2026 · 8:58 am ET · Leave a Comment

Washington Post: “Ordinarily, moving historical items within the building is a deliberate process overseen by trained curators. Instead, Hegseth’s staff dispatched its own team to relocate an Eisenhower globe.”

“They lost control of the artifact and dropped it, sending the globe crashing onto its base and impaling the fragile shell near Antarctica, according to those familiar with the incident. The resulting gash appears to be several inches wide.”

National Security

Trump’s Approval on the Economy Hits All-Time Low

October 22, 2026 · 8:53 am ET · Leave a Comment

A new CNBC All-America Economic Survey poll finds President Donald Trump’s handling of the economy’s approval at 34%, while 65% disapprove.

economy Approval
Approve 34%
 
Disapprove 65%
 
CNBC All-America Economic Survey poll · registered voters · ±3.1%

White House

Did You Really Think Trump Would Side with Ukraine?

October 22, 2026 · 8:49 am ET · Leave a Comment

Nahal Toosi: “This month, the original Trump — the one who fawns over Russian leader Vladimir Putin and despises Zelensky — roared back. He waived many of the legislation’s penalties on Russia, moved to buy Russian diesel and signaled he’s more interested in doing business with Moscow than seeking justice for Kyiv. Ukrainians suspect the U.S. has pressured them by throttling its satellite connections and intelligence-sharing…”

“The lesson, foreign officials and others steeped in diplomacy tell me, is that you cannot truly change Trump’s mind or stop his overall trajectory. Even if Trump seems briefly chastened or stages a tactical retreat, he will eventually return in new, often-surprising modes to push his original views and goals. He will try to exhaust you into submission.”

Foreign Affairs, White House

Some Republicans Get Bipartisan Curious

October 22, 2026 · 8:16 am ET · Leave a Comment

“A new Politico poll shows that 66% of Republican voters this midterm want a Democratic House to find common ground with President Donald Trump to pass legislation next year, assuming the party flips that chamber in November.”

“Democrats don’t seem sold on the unity vibe. Almost the same percentage of Democratic voters want their party to block Trump and GOP proposals they disagree with, even if that means fewer bills get passed.”

2026 Campaign, Polling

The GOP’s Harvest of Discontent

October 22, 2026 · 7:43 am ET · Leave a Comment

“Farmers angry over high diesel prices and spiking fertilizer costs who voted thrice for Donald Trump are questioning their allegiance not only to him — but the GOP,” Politico reports.

Said GOP strategist Ron Bonjean: “Farmers are patient people by nature, but patience isn’t an economic policy.”

“Even if Republicans eke out victories in close Senate contests in Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas, the races portend trouble for VP JD Vance — or whoever lands the party’s 2028 nomination — if the administration doesn’t start winning them back. (Iowa has the same six electoral votes as Nevada.).”

2026 Campaign, Economy

Some Trump Voters No Longer Admit to Voting for Him

October 22, 2026 · 7:32 am ET · Leave a Comment

G. Elliot Morris: “Last month, I showed that error in how Americans report who they voted for in the 2024 election could be causing polls to underestimate support for the Democrats in the U.S. House generic ballot.”

“What’s going on here is that many pollsters now weight their samples so that the share of respondents who say they voted for Trump in 2024 matches the share of all voters who actually did.”

“However, if some Trump voters who have soured on him stop saying they voted for him, the people still claiming a Trump vote are a more loyal group than Trump’s real 2024 coalition. Weighting them back up to Trump’s actual share of the 2024 vote would artificially inflate the size of the super-MAGA group of voters in the electorate.”

2026 Campaign, Polling

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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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