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The Trump campaign appears to be trying to manage expectations ahead of tonight’s vice presidential debate between Senator JD Vance and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, but Donald Trump doesn’t seem to be on message, calling Kamala Harris’s running mate “a moron”.
Earlier, during a campaign call with reporters, senior Trump adviser Jason Miller said: “Walz is very good in debates. I want to repeat that: Tim Walz is very good in debates. Really good. He’s been a politician for nearly 20 years. He’ll be very well-prepared for tomorrow night.”
Walz will square up to Vance on the debate stage on Tuesday evening in what promises to be a hugely consequential and fiery encounter in New York. Betting odds currently favor the Democrat.
Meanwhile, Trump has continued to try to attack Harris and Joe Biden over the federal response to Hurricane Helene, which has wrought havoc in states including Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina. State governors have said they have received the support they need.
As the Biden administration coordinates the response to the disaster, the president and vice president are also monitoring Iran’s attack on Israel from the White House Situation Room.
Vance’s unpopularity is unprecedented, polling expert says ahead of debate
The Republican vice presidential candidate is currently suffering from a negative-11 favorability rating, according to polling reviewed by CNN’s Harry Enten.
During a recent segment on the network, Enten discussed the gulf between Vance’s dismal likability scores and those of his Democratic challenger, Governor Tim Walz, who enjoys a plus four favorability rating in the same poll. The two candidates will face off on Tuesday night for the vice presidential debate.
“Oy vey, when it comes to JD Vance,” Enten said.
Oliver O’Connell1 October 2024 22:30
VP debate: Who is backing up each candidate in the spin room tonight?
These are the Democrats that will be stumping for Tim Walz in the spin room at the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City tonight:
- Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota
- Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona
- Governor Jared Polis of Colorado
- Governor JB Pritzker of Illinois
- US Representative Jasmine Crockett
- Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison
- Senator Ben Ray Lujan of New Mexico
And here’s your reminder of who is in JD Vance’s corner:
- Trump campaign adviser Jason Miller
- Donald Trump Jr
- Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas
- Senator Katie Britt of Alabama
- US Representative Elise Stefanik
- US Representative Byron Donalds
- Howard Lutnick
Oliver O’Connell1 October 2024 22:15
Harris says Iran is threat to American personnel and interests as well as innocent civilians
Vice President Kamala Harris gave remarks on today’s attack on Israel by Iran: “Iran is not only a threat to Israel, Iran is also a threat to American personnel in the region, American interests, and innocent civilians across the region who suffer at the hands of Iran based and backed terrorist proxies.”
Harris says she “fully” supports President Joe Biden’s order for the US military to shoot down Iranian missiles targeting Israel and that joint defenses appear to have succeeded.
“I will always ensure Israel has the ability to defend itself against Iran and Iran-backed terrorist militias.”
Watch her full remarks here:
Oliver O’Connell1 October 2024 22:04
Self-proclaimed billionaire Trump launches GoFundMe to help hurricane victims
The GOP nominee launched a “Trump authorized” fundraiser to help those impacted by the deadly storm that hit the southeastern part of the country last week.
Oliver O’Connell1 October 2024 22:00
Watch: MAGA fans greet Harris-Walz bus outside CBS Broadcast Center
Oliver O’Connell1 October 2024 21:56
I watched hours of JD Vance and Tim Walz past debate footage. Here’s what I learned
The Independent reviewed multiple debate performances from Walz and Vance’s career. For Walz, we looked at his first debate in 2006 when he ran for Congress; his 2010 re-election debate after he voted for Obamacare; and his 2022 debate when he ran for re-election for governor in the aftermath of strident Black Lives Matter protests.
For Vance, The Independent reviewed two of his primary debates when he was at the back of the pack, and one of his general election debates against his Democratic opponent, Tim Ryan. We are also including coverage of his second debate with Ryan.
Oliver O’Connell1 October 2024 21:50
Walz will head to Pennsylvania tomorrow as Harris surveys hurricane damage
Oliver O’Connell1 October 2024 21:41
Trump Force 47 plans rally for Vance outside New York debate studio
Trump Force 47, the ground game for the Trump-Vance campaign, is arranging a rally in support of JD Vance outside the CBS Broadcast Center on Manhattan’s westside this evening, just hours ahead of the vice presidential debate.
The group has asked the tri-state area MAGA faithful to meet up on West 56th St in deep blue Manhattan “to show Senator JD Vance that New York is Voting for TRUMP/VANCE this year!”
“We will be peacefully organizing to SHOW Corrupt New York Albany Democrats that President Donald J. Trump and Senator JD Vance is LOVED and SUPPORTED in New York City!”
The group is promising MAGA hats and merchandise as prizes for the best homemade signs and food and drinks will be provided.
Oliver O’Connell1 October 2024 21:36
Kellyanne Conway pushes Trump to debate again
Kellyanne Conway has urged Donald Trump to debate Kamala Harris a second time to ensure that JD Vance doesn’t have the “last word.”
The former president swiftly dismissed rumors of a second debate following their first showdown last month – a showdown that many Republicans believed Harris won.
But while Trump appears to have shut the door on a second outing, former Trump advisor Conway hasn’t given up hope, claiming the former president’s response wasn’t “totally no”.
Oliver O’Connell1 October 2024 21:30
Watch: Trump claims Democrats wanted to rebuild Manhattan with water-free bathrooms and without windows
Donald Trump claims that Democrats in favor of the Green New Deal wanted to demolish Manhattan and rebuild it with no windows and water-free bathrooms.
Earlier, he also served up this word salad:
Oliver O’Connell1 October 2024 21:22
