Why Isn’t Joe Biden in Michigan? Plus, House Disarray on Budget
Author: Greg Valliere
September 19, 2023
BUT DEMOCRATS ARE URGING the president to find time this week to show up on an auto picket line, which would be a photo op that could show some physical vitality from the frail president. He has never walked on a picket line, despite proclaiming that he’s the most pro-labor president in history.
TRUMP, ON THE OTHER HAND, will be in Michigan on Sept. 27, which just happens to be the date of the next GOP debate. He wants to capture the spotlight as Republicans meet in sunny Simi Valley. Trump will address union workers, who he says have been “sold down the river by their leadership.”
TRUMP CLEARLY WANTS to marginalize the Republican field, which is far behind him in recent polls. The criticism from the Republicans may intensify after Trump sounded relatively moderate on abortion last weekend. But he’s ahead of all challengers, some by nearly 50 points, and can afford to make a gaffe or two.
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THE BUDGET GRIDLOCK WENT FROM BAD TO WORSE yesterday as House right wingers made it clear that they would not support a compromise that GOP moderates reached with mainline conservatives this past weekend. The hard-liners surely know the Senate would never accept an 8% spending cut on virtually everything but defense, veterans and disaster relief.
THIS GRIDLOCK means a partial government shutdown is very likely next Thursday. Odds: 70% chance of a shutdown, perhaps a long one lasting into the winter.
HOUSE SPEAKER KEVIN McCARTHY must realize that the only way he can get a budget done is to seek votes from Democrats, since his hard-right troops will not relent in their call for steep new spending cuts. But once McCarthy even hints of a deal with Democrats, the House Freedom Caucus will give him the boot.
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