DML Morning Briefing Wed. Oct. 26

Today is October 26. Below are some of the stories grabbing headlines this morning. I hope you share this briefing as doing so will make you the smartest person in the room.

1 – The Floodgates Just Opened For A Red Tsunami, Analysis Finds
The Daily Caller reports: Republicans could win another 12 to 25 seats in the House of Representatives in a massive sweep this November, a new analysis from Cook Political Report predicted.

The predictions present an even more optimistic situation for Republicans than Cook’s last analysis, which predicted 10-20 seat gains for the GOP. Seats with Democratic incumbents were moved from “likely D” to “toss up” in four races, and two races with Democratic incumbents were moved from “toss up” to “likely R” in this week’s analysis.

Republicans are beating Democrats in voter enthusiasm with a 78%-69% edge, strengthening their September lead but still not matching their lead prior to the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, according to Cook. Democrats are generally performing worst in blue states that swung heavily for Biden in 2020 including New York, Oregon and Connecticut; Cook attributes this to voters in red and purple states fearing abortion restrictions.

The House is currently controlled by Democrats by an eight-seat margin, but the results predicted by Cook would give the GOP a four-to-17 seat edge. Republicans have maintained a consistent lead in midterm polls, with voters primarily concerned about inflation and the economy and rating the GOP as more trustworthy in handling those issues.

MY TAKE: Here you go… a big, beautiful red wave. MAKE IT HAPPEN, AMERICA!

2 – Fetterman avoids pledging to release medical records during debate
The Hill reports: Pennsylvania Democratic Senate hopeful John Fetterman would not commit to releasing his medical records during a televised debate with Republican candidate Mehmet Oz.

During a debate hosted by WHTM in Harrisburg, Pa., and aired on NewsNation, one of the moderators asked Fetterman, who suffered a stroke earlier this year and continues to have auditory processing issues, if he would pledge to release his medical records.

Several news outlets, in addition to Oz’s campaign, have pressed Fetterman to release his records, while the candidate has released a doctor’s report saying that he’s fit to serve in the Senate.

Pressed again on whether he would commit to releasing his medical records, the Democratic candidate said, “Again, my doctor … believes that I’m fit to be serving, and that’s what I believe is where I’m standing.”

MY TAKE: How credible would the doctor’s report be? His doctor is one of his campaign donors! But honestly, he doesn’t need to release his medical records – we all saw it for ourselves last night – Fetterman is medically NOT CAPABLE of serving in the U.S. Senate.  Period.

3 – ‘Why’s that so important?’ Hochul baffled when Zeldin talks jailing criminals during NY gov debate
The New York Post reports: Gov. Kathy Hochul stunningly said she didn’t know why it’s “so important” to lock up criminals when confronted by Republican challenger Lee Zeldin over the state’s controversial bail reform law during their first and only debate Tuesday night.

Zeldin, who’s pledged to declare a crime emergency and suspend cashless bail if elected, brought up the issue midway through the televised face-off.

“My opponent thinks that right now there’s a polio emergency going on but there’s not a crime emergency — different priorities than I’m hearing from people right now,” the outgoing congressman from Long Island said.

“They’re not being represented from this governor — who still, to this moment…hasn’t talked about locking up anyone committing any crimes.”

Hochul responded by saying, “Anyone who commits a crime, under our laws, especially with the changes we made to bail, has consequences.

“I don’t know why that’s so important to you,” the incumbent Democrat added. “All I know is that we could do more.”

MY TAKE: Why is locking up criminals important?  Seriously?  Hochul’s gotta GO!!

4 – Officials arrest 16 suspects in Arizona for child sex crimes, human trafficking
Fox News reports: Authorities have arrested 16 suspects in Arizona in connection with child sex crimes and human trafficking.

According to Phoenix Police, the department coordinated with other law enforcement agencies for “Operation Tangled Web,” an undercover operation targeting the “demand for child sex crimes and human trafficking.”

In carrying out the operation, undercover detectives posted advertisements on websites that are “commonly sought out by suspects seeking illegal sex acts,” the department said, FOX 10 reported.

“The suspects allegedly solicited and/or brokered deals for various sex acts and were subsequently arrested,” police said.

MY TAKE: Lock them up and THROW AWAY THE KEY!

5 – ANNOUNCEMENT ON THE DML PODCAST:
Heads up, everyone! Dennis is planning to return to the DML PODCAST on Thursday of this week!  That’s tomorrow!! We’ll send out an alert when the podcast is up. Be watching for it!

In the meantime, please share your feedback in the comments section at the end of this briefing. There’s been so much news over the past week, and the midterm elections are now less than two weeks away. What topics would you most like Dennis to cover on Thursday’s podcast?