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The Magnificent Seven

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Trial Balloon · Ep. 193: The Magnificent Seven

Ramaswamy’s Trump Playbook Faces Test in Ohio

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“Vivek Ramaswamy is ending his run for Ohio governor the same way he launched himself onto the political scene four years ago — with a bet that voters will reward him for a never-back-down bombast that mirrors President Donald Trump’s instincts,” CNN reports.

“But interviews with voters over three days following the release of the Republican nominee’s ad featuring the estranged mother of his Democratic opponent, Amy Acton, offered a glimpse at the potential perils of imitating Trump — particularly in a year in which polls show voters turning away from the president.”

“And if Ramaswamy’s approach alienates enough moderate and independent voters, a Republican Party looking for its way forward in the fast-approaching post-Trump era could find itself losing the ground it gained in a state that not long ago was a perpetual political battleground.”

Legal Experts See Alaska Election Challenge as Dubious

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New York Times: “The Trump administration has filed a lawsuit pre-emptively challenging the certification of Alaska’s Senate election if the Republican candidate narrowly loses. But election law specialists said the litigation lacked any legitimate legal basis.”

Said law professor Richard Pildes: “It is one of the weakest election lawsuits I’ve ever seen. It should have no realistic chance of success in the courts.”

“Nevertheless, the lawsuit raised alarms as President Trump has sought to undermine confidence in the election when polls indicate that Republicans are likely to suffer sweeping losses, with control of Congress hanging in the balance. Mr. Trump tried to overturn his loss of the 2020 election, culminating in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot.”

Obama Returns to the Trail

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“Former President Barack Obama is hitting the trail on Saturday for his first campaign rallies of the midterm elections, putting him directly counter to President Trump, who is set to speak at a rally in the evening,” the New York Times reports.

“Mr. Obama’s return to rally stages in Ohio and Michigan sets up a rare split-screen between him and Mr. Trump, who will appear in Georgia. The two presidents are presenting starkly different pitches on the eve of the midterms, with their parties locked in bitter battles for control of Congress and statehouses.”

U.S. Pressures Mexico to Deliver a Security Win

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“Hoping for a win before the midterm elections, the Trump administration is increasing pressure on Mexico to expand its cooperation against cartels, with an eye toward joint operations with the United States,” the New York Times reports.

“In recent weeks, U.S. officials have delivered a memo proposing a path to potentially having U.S. security personnel accompany counter-cartel operations inside Mexico.”

How Vivek Ramaswamy’s Ruthless Ad Divided Republicans

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“The most explosive advertisement of the midterm elections has split Republicans and again posed the question of what is fair game for campaign attacks in American politics,” the New York Times reports.

“In the days since the leak of the ad from Vivek Ramaswamy, the Republican nominee for governor of Ohio, many fellow GOP politicians have denounced, disavowed or distanced themselves from the spot. Yet President Trump and Vice President JD Vance have defended the ad, a remarkably ruthless one even by the standards of modern political campaigns.”

Speed of Starshield Satellite Network Is Improving

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“Ukrainian drones connected to the Pentagon-funded Starshield satellite network have flown at speeds near 250 miles an hour for the first time since the system was throttled last week, Ukraine’s defense minister announced on Saturday,” the New York Times reports.

”It was the first sign that the speed restrictions, which have hampered crucial drone operations, might be easing.”

Why Democrats Could Find It Hard to Win the Senate

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“Democrats have a hefty advantage in national polls. President Trump is playing defense, campaigning through deep-red corners of the country that he won by overwhelming margins just two years ago. And assumptions that Democrats will win control of Congress have become conventional wisdom in many quarters, from longtime political observers to social media to the oddsmakers in prediction markets,” the New York Times reports.

“But as Democratic dreams of midterm victories grow bigger, some strategists quietly worry that expanding expectations are crowding out signs of a more challenging political reality.”

“Control of the Senate hinges on victories in red states that favored Mr. Trump by significant margins in 2024, including some that Democrats have not won in decades. Republicans are outspending them by eye-popping amounts in key races. And after its performance in 2024, the Democratic Party as a brand still remains unpopular among voters.”

Grift Becomes Bigger Issue for Voters

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Wall Street Journal: “Trump and White House aides have privately expressed frustration about the negative headlines that have been plastered across newspaper front pages and on cable news in recent weeks.”

”The stories have prompted hand-wringing from Republican campaign operatives, who worry that the alleged self-dealing could make an already challenging midterm election even more difficult for GOP candidates.”

Ohio Governor’s Race Moves to Lean Democrat

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Cook Political Report: “The trajectory of Vivek Ramaswamy’s odds in the Ohio governor’s race has been clear to us for the last few weeks. But the campaign’s decision this week to air a deeply personal attack ad against opponent Amy Acton confirmed that the race is slipping away from him — and perhaps creating some collateral damage for fellow Republicans on the way. We are moving this race from Toss Up to Lean Democrat.”

Bloomberg: Trump defends Ramaswamy ad as backlash endangers Ohio GOP ticket.

Britt McHenry Quits After Drink-Throwing Incident

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“Former ESPN reporter Britt McHenry resigned Friday from her position as a State Department press adviser following an altercation at a basketball game this week,” ABC News reports.

“McHenry was captured on camera appearing to throw a drink on someone during a Washington Wizards vs. Milwaukee Bucks NBA game on Wednesday.”

Trump Freezes Out Corey Lewandowski

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“Over the years, Corey Lewandowski has had no shortage of rivals in President Trump’s orbit,” the New York Times reports.

“Fighting for control of Mr. Trump’s campaigns, Mr. Lewandowski has been at odds with Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law; Paul Manafort, Mr. Trump’s former adviser; and Susie Wiles, the White House chief of staff.”

“But through a combination of one-on-one flattery and fierce defenses of Mr. Trump on television, Mr. Lewandowski has always managed to stay on the president’s good side.”

“Until now.”

$1.4 Billion Has Been Traded On Prediction Markets

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“Prediction markets about the 2026 midterm elections have surpassed $1.4 billion in trading volume as Election Day fast approaches,” CNN reports.

“This year has seen massive growth in the prediction industry, where people can bet on real-world events like sports, entertainment and the weather. While small-scale election markets have been around for a while, they gained traction before the 2024 presidential election and have seen huge numbers for the 2026 midterms.”