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☆ Analysis: Abortion, Trump dash Republican hopes for 'red wave'
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-09 | by ( James Oliphant | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

They wanted to protect abortion rights and stop candidates beholden to Republican former president Donald Trump. That surprised Democratic Party strategists and pollsters, who had expected inflation would trump everything, including concerns about the loss of abortion rights. Michigan voters approved a ballot issue that gave abortion state constitutional protection and re-elected Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who had vowed to “fight like hell” to protect abortion rights. Sydney Wright, an 18-year-old student at the University of Nevada, Reno, said she counts herself as a conservative but voted Democratic because of abortion. THE TRUMP FACTORLike Wright, Nyasha Riley, 37, a registered Republican in Phoenix, voted for Democrats because of abortion rights and Trump.

☆ Analysis: Abortion, Trump dashed Republican hopes for 'red wave'
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-09 | by ( James Oliphant | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

☆ U.S. governors races carry high stakes for abortion, elections
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-07 | by ( Daniel Trotta | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

The high stakes have brought increased money and attention to the state-level races, which typically get overshadowed in midterm elections by the fight for control of Congress. Georgia's Republican governor, Brian Kemp, also looks likely to prevail against Democratic challenger Stacey Abrams in a rematch of their 2018 race. Democrats are expected to flip Republican-held governorships in the states of Maryland and Massachusetts, but they face tough battles in a couple of other Democratic states. ABORTION RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACYAs with congressional races across the country, Democratic candidates for governor have warned of the threats Republicans could pose to abortion rights and elections should they win on Tuesday. Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer has made abortion a focal point of her re-election campaign in Michigan, where voters also will consider a ballot measure that would safeguard abortion rights in the state's constitution.

PHILADELPHIA/LATROBE, Pa., Nov 5 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden told voters in Pennsylvania that a Democratic loss in Tuesday's midterm elections would have "decades" of consequences, while Republican candidates for Congress predicted a sweeping victory. Still, opinion polls show a significant number of Republican voters accept the claim, as do many candidates for Congress, governor and state offices overseeing election administration. Speaking before Trump at a rally in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, Representative Glenn Thompson told supporters that Republicans were headed for major gains on Tuesday. TRUMP READIES ANOTHER RUNTrump is set to gin up support for his handpicked Republican Senate nominee, Oz, and Republican gubernatorial nominee Doug Mastriano at a rally in Latrobe, southeast of Pittsburgh. Nonpartisan election forecasters and polls show Republicans are heavy favorites to win control of the House, with the Senate a toss-up.

PITTSBURGH/LATROBE, Pa., Nov 5 (Reuters) - Former President Barack Obama warned about divisions fueling a "dangerous climate" in U.S. politics as he stumped for Democratic candidates on Saturday three days ahead of midterm elections that will determine control of Congress. "This habit we have of demonizing political opponents, of saying crazy stuff, it creates a dangerous climate," Obama said, without referencing Republicans directly. Republicans contend that Democrats have also engaged in political violence, citing the widespread anti-racism protests that rocked the country in 2020. They have criticized Democrats for failing to keep their focus on inflation and crime, two of voters' principal concerns, according to most opinion polls. Scott Flaherty, a 53-year-old mechanic from Pittsburgh who was heading to the Trump rally, said he is tired of Democrats calling Republicans extreme.

Former President Obama caps a five-state tour aimed at stemming his party's losses in Tuesday's congressional elections with appearances in Pittsburgh alongside Democratic Senate nominee John Fetterman before heading to Philadelphia, where he will take the stage at Temple University with President Biden. Former President Trump, meanwhile, will be ginning up support for his hand-picked Republican Senate nominee, celebrity doctor Mehmet Oz, and Republican gubernatorial nominee Doug Mastriano at a rally in Latrobe, southeast of Pittsburgh. Nonpartisan election forecasters and polls show Republicans are heavy favorites to win control of the House of Representatives, with the Senate a toss-up. Control of even one of those chambers would give Republicans the power to block Biden's legislative agenda and launch potentially damaging investigations. At a debate last month, he often stumbled over his words, in a performance even allies privately described as shaky.

The move to expand sales of E15 would be a win for the ethanol industry, which wants to increase sales of the corn-based fuel and which argues the product would reduce gasoline prices by expanding the volume of available supply. However, critics of the idea - including those in the refining industry - have voiced concerns that a piecemeal approach to growing E15 sales could introduce logistical distribution challenges. The EPA could start seeking comment as soon as this month, said the sources. In April, governors from major corn-producing Midwestern states including Iowa, Nebraska and Illinois requested that the EPA effectively lift the ban in their states. The biofuel industry has faced legal hurdles in expanding U.S. E15 sales in the past.

If the Democrats lose badly, I think you may see a fairly strong push for Biden to take himself out of 2024." None of the three would run against Biden in a primary, and they may defer to Harris, too, sources say. A senior Democrat said Newsom "has told people he won’t run against Biden" or Harris. Any Democratic primary contest would weaken the party's financial firepower in 2024, which could seen spending jump again, campaign finance experts believe. “I think the Democratic party and the White House should not presume you need to run the same presidential candidate again to hold the White House,” Suri said.

If the Democrats lose badly, I think you may see a fairly strong push for Biden to take himself out of 2024." None of the three would run against Biden in a primary, and they may defer to Harris, too, the sources said. A senior Democrat said Newsom "has told people he won't run against Biden" or Harris. Any Democratic primary contest would weaken the party's financial firepower in 2024, which could see spending jump again, campaign finance experts believe. "I think the Democratic party and the White House should not presume you need to run the same presidential candidate again to hold the White House," Suri said.

"I think like a moth to a flame, Trump will run in 2024," one senior adviser told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity. Trump has kept up a steady pace of political rallies since leaving office, where he publicly flirts with another run. In a direct challenge to Trump, several major Republican figures are considering whether to seek the party's presidential nomination in 2024. Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and Trump's former vice president, Mike Pence, are also seen as potential rivals, among others. A Trump run could mean a rematch of the 2020 Biden-Trump election.

"Enough is enough is enough," Biden told supporters in Philadelphia. "Democracy is literally, not figuratively, on the ballot this year," said Biden, who warned about the dangers of extremism in an impassioned speech in Philadelphia last month. The speech is part of big push by top Democrats to boost Pennsylvania Democrats in the closing stretch ahead of the Nov. 8 midterm election. "I absolutely do believe that John Fetterman will win this election," Harris told reporters ahead of a speech in Philadelphia. Trump, Biden's 2020 election opponent potential 2024 adversary, is expected to campaign in Pennsylvania next weekend as well.

PHILADELPHIA/WILMINGTON, Oct 28 (Reuters) - President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will make a rare appearance together on the campaign trail in Philadelphia on Friday as the duo seeks to boost Pennsylvania Democrats in the closing stretch of the Nov. 8 midterm election. Their visit - Biden's 19th to the crucial battleground state of Pennsylvania since taking office - comes less than two weeks until Election Day. Biden will return to Pennsylvania again next week with former President Barack Obama, underscoring the urgency Democrats feel to replace retiring Republican Senator Pat Toomey. Biden and Harris will speak at the Pennsylvania Democratic Party’s annual Independence Dinner, a major state party event expected to raise more than $1 million. Biden’s 2020 rival, Trump, and his potential adversary in 2024, is expected to campaign in Pennsylvania next weekend as well.

☆ Fetterman, Oz face off on crime, inflation in Pennsylvania Senate debate
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( Jarrett Renshaw | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

HARRISBURG, Penn., Oct 25 (Reuters) - U.S. Senate candidates Democrat John Fetterman and Republican Mehmet Oz traded attacks on issues from crime to inflation in the lone debate of a Pennsylvania race that will help decide whether Democrats retain control of the Senate. The debate hall included two closed-caption monitors posted above the moderators that relayed dialogue to Fetterman. Oz and Republicans have sought to tie Democrats' big-spending bills combating issues including COVID-19 and climate change to rising consumer prices. He called inflation a tax on working families, saying, "Dr. Oz can't possibly understand what that is like." Oz went on the offensive in recent weeks, flooding the airwaves with ads painting Fetterman as a far-left liberal who is indifferent to rising crime.

☆ Biden and Israel's Herzog discuss Iran's nuclear program
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, Oct 26 (Reuters) - President Joe Biden and Israeli President Isaac Herzog held talks on Wednesday focused heavily on Iran, with the two leaders discussing Tehran's nuclear program and what Washington says is the supply of Iranian weapons to Russia. Biden had sought to negotiate the return of Iran to the Iran nuclear deal after then-President Donald Trump pulled out of the agreement in 2018. Herzog noted that Wednesday marked 40 days since the death in custody of Iranian citizen Mahsa Amini. "This is an example of Iran crushing their own citizens while moving forward towards nuclear weapons and supplying lethal weapons that is killing innocent citizens in Ukraine. Biden noted that Israel and Lebanon on Thursday will sign a maritime accord to establish a permanent boundary.

☆ Pennsylvania Democrats try to do damage control after shaky Fetterman debate
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( Jarrett Renshaw | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

HARRISBURG, Penn., Oct 26 (Reuters) - Pennsylvania Democrats tried to do damage control on John Fetterman's U.S. Senate campaign on Wednesday, the morning after a shaky debate performance against Republican TV doctor Mehmet Oz that showed the struggle Fetterman faces in recovering from a May stroke. "I don’t know anyone, even the most staunch Fetterman supporters, who think that went well last night," a senior Pennsylvania Democrat told Reuters on Wednesday. Democrats interviewed said the Fetterman campaign is surely doing quick polls to gauge how to repair any damage caused by the performance. The Oz campaign defended his abortion stance on Wednesday, and did not comment on Fetterman's health. Retiring Republican Senator Toomey told CNN on Tuesday night that "It's sad to see John Fetterman struggling so much.

☆ Fetterman's health in focus as he squares off with Oz in U.S. Senate debate
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( Jarrett Renshaw | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The debate offers the Democrat's biggest opportunity yet to prove his detractors wrong in front of a statewide audience. A Fetterman campaign official told Reuters that the campaign has realistic expectations of the debate. The Oz campaign did not respond to requests for comment. Oz argues that Fetterman’s record of seeking lenIency for criminals as head of the state’s Board of Pardons shows he will make Pennsylvania less safe. "The Oz campaign has been strategically smart," said Chris Borick, a pollster at Pennsylvania's Muhlenberg College.

One person familiar with the thinking inside the White House said Democratic chances of keeping control of the Senate were seen as 50-50. The White House, while realistic, has stuck publicly to that message of hope. Former and current advisers say the White House is preparing for any obstruction or probes that could be coming. "The White House is clear-eyed for what Republican control could look like," said Eric Schultz, a Democratic strategist with close ties to the White House. White House officials and Democratic strategists Reuters spoke to acknowledge the overall shift from midterms optimism, but were not ready to give up.

Biden blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine for higher crude and gasoline prices, while noting prices had fallen 30% from their peak earlier this year. “Families are hurting,” and gasoline prices are squeezing their budgets, he added. Retail gasoline prices have fallen from a high in June, but remain above historical averages, and are a major contributor to inflation. Biden said oil companies should feel more confident about investing in production with the new SPR repurchase pledge, and stop pushing stock buybacks. So you can act now to increase oil production," he said.

The plan is intended to add enough supply to prevent oil price spikes that could hurt consumers and businesses, while also assuring the nation's drillers the government will swoop into the market as a buyer if prices plunge too low. Earlier this year, Biden decided to sell 180 million barrels out of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to combat a potential supply crisis brought about by sanctions on oil-rich Russia following its February invasion of Ukraine. Those will be put up for bidding for delivery in December, a senior administration official said, and extra oil could also be made available if needed. They have called on the administration to take the option off the table, a move officials are unwilling to do. "We are keeping all tools on the table, you know, anything that could potentially help ensure stable domestic supply," the official said.

If Democrats elect more senators and keep control of the House, Biden said he would sign a law in January to ensure women's right to abortion across the country. Republicans largely oppose abortion rights, while Democrats largely support them. Some 20% of Democratic women cite the end of national abortion rights as their top issue for the midterms, compared with 22% who cite inflation. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Tuesday that Biden would support a carveout of the filibuster reform in order to codify abortion rights. Biden and top White House officials this month announced new guidelines and grants to protect abortion and contraception rights.

If Democrats elect more senators and keep control of the House of Representatives, Biden said he will sign a law codifying Roe in January to protect abortion rights. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Tuesday Biden would support a carveout of the filibuster reform in order to codify abortion rights. Jean-Pierre did not say what happens to abortion rights if Democrats do not control the legislature. Some 20% of Democratic women cite the end of national abortion rights as their top issue for the midterms, compared with 22% who cite inflation. Biden and top White House officials this month announced new guidelines and grants to protect abortion and contraception rights.

WASHINGTON, Oct 18 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden, under renewed pressure over high inflation with mid-term elections approaching, said on Tuesday he will sign a law to codify abortion rights in January if Democrats control the legislature next year. If Democrats elect more senators and keep control of the House of Representatives, Biden said he will sign a law codifying Roe in January to protect abortion rights. Some 20% of Democratic women cite the end of national abortion rights as their top issue for the midterms, compared with 22% who cite inflation. Some 9% of Democratic men cited abortion as their top issue, compared with 19% who cite inflation. Biden and top White House officials this month announced new guidelines and grants to protect abortion and contraception rights.

President Joe Biden's announcement is expected this week as part of the response to Russia's war on Ukraine, one of the sources said. The sale would market the remaining 14 million barrels from Biden's previously announced, and largest ever, release from the reserve of 180 million barrels that started in May. Biden said last week gasoline prices are too high and that he would have more to say about lowering costs this week. Gasoline prices hit a record average above $5.00 in June. It suggested then that deliveries would be linked to lower oil prices and lower demand, likely after fiscal year 2023, which ends Sept. 30 next year.

☆ Biden admin talks with energy firms as it seeks to balance oil prices-sources
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterBiden said last week gasoline prices are too high and that he would have more to say about lowering the costs this week. The Energy Department still has about 14 million barrels of SPR oil left to sell from the 180 million barrel release, which was slowed in July by holidays and hot weather. Gasoline prices hit a record average above $5.00 in June. The White House and the DOE did not immediately respond to requests for comment about the talks with energy companies. It suggested then that deliveries would be linked to lower oil prices and lower demand, likely after fiscal year 2023, which ends Sept. 30 next year.

WASHINGTON, Oct 18 (Reuters) - President Joe Biden will continue to sell barrels out of the nation's emergency reserves through December and lay out a plan on Wednesday to refill the storage at lower than current prices in a bid to help fill the current supply gap and push oil companies to produce more down the road, a senior administration official said. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Jarrett Renshaw and Steve Holland; Editing by Sandra MalerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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