Republicans seem to have lost the big lead they had on the generic congressional ballot earlier in the summer, and the situation looks even worse when one examines individual Senate races; the GOP is losing key contests.
What is going on?
1. Democrats are mad: the Dobbs decision reversing Roe v. Wade has energized female voters; the Uvalde decision is motivating gun control enthusiasts; and some Republicans are proposing some weird policies.
2. Biden is doing better: the Al-Zawahiri killing; the falling gas prices; the new spending bill; modest gun reforms; and good jobs reports are all adding up to a fairly good summer for Biden, even with two quarters of economic contraction.
3. Trump is the issue: Democrats have used the January 6 Committee and other investigations to keep Trump in the headlines. That has rallied the GOP (see the Mar-a-Lago raid), but it has also rallied wavering Democrats.
4. Republicans aren't talking about issues: the GOP is stuck on Trump, too, and can't find a credible message on inflation. Meanwhile, as Tucker Carlson notes, they aren't talking about the border crisis or crime or "woke" education.
5. Individual candidates: This is the Mitch McConnell excuse, but it's got some legs. The GOP has some lemons: in Pennsylvania, Dr. Oz is losing to a guy who is basically an extremist (and a racist) and who is not healthy enough to serve.
It's still early yet, but without determined leadership from Republicans, a good opportunity to take the Senate is going to slip away, and gains in the House may also disappear. It's like the Tea Party year of 2010 all over again.
This is the final edition of THE AGENDA -- finished a few days early!
This week's portion elucidates some of the first laws and principles of the Torah that follow the Ten Commandments, including -- a message particularly relevant to freed slaves -- the Jewish restrictions on indentured servitude.
God also provides the basic civil laws of Jewish society, governing almost every area of life -- in this one portion! -- as well as several basic principles of faith and religious observance. Moses then ascends Sinai for 40 days.
One of the laws God gives is the law against taunting a foreigner. This is different from allowing people to enter your land illegally; it is about showing respect, however, for people from other lands and other groups.
I am reminded of the importance of this principle because of the rhetoric lately attacking Elon Musk, a fellow South African-turned-American, for his foreign roots -- often by people who favor illegal immigration, ironically.
...
Since the Palisades Fire on January 7, my posts have been fairly sparse. I have just been so busy -- fighting the fire, covering the fire, helping neighbors, and launching a new podcast, "Three Homeless Guys," with two local friends.
Things are up and down. My family is still displaced, and we haven't resolved our living situation. We are awaiting answers from the insurance company (State Farm) on what they will cover, including alternative living expenses.
There are some incredible opportunities opening up -- more on that later -- and our kids are generally doing well, though this has been hard for them as well (especially the two middle kids, who miss their friends and their house).
The emotion of it all hit me yesterday. Today I feel wrung out. But I also feel that, in a way, going through the fire has been a process of refinement, of re-casting in a new mould, to face new challenges. And to win each new day.
So much to talk about, once again, as the Trump administration continues at breakneck pace. From DOGE chewing through the federal bureaucracy, to Marco Rubio heading out on his first missions for Trump, there's so much...
Special guests:
Assemblyman Carl DeMaio -- on the L.A. fires and reforming CA insurance
Matt Boyle -- Breitbart News political editor, on DOGE and confirmations
Jamie Paige -- founder of the Westside Current, on L.A. politics and the fires
Frances Martel -- Breitbart News foreign editor, on Rubio and Russia/Ukraine
Rob Hersov -- South African commentator, on SA's fight with the White House
Tune in: SiriusXM Patriot 125, 7-10 p.m. ET, 4-7 p.m. PT
Call in: 866-957-2874
