Now Kiss! Congenial Debate Elevates Vance, Doesn't Matter

All-Out War In The Middle East?

Maybe it’s because we’ve seen the last of Trump behind a debate podium.

Maybe it’s because I was expecting a night of ugly attacks from both candidates.

Maybe it’s just shock because candidates even dared to talk policy.

But that was a good, clean, fun debate!

JD Vance won. He came off as calm and collected, presenting his vision of MAGA Intellectual. Walz was wobbly to start, I suspect because of over rehearsing. He got his mojo back the more he talked about his home state of Minnesota and eventually landed his quotable moment when he asked Vance if he believed Trump lost in 2020.

I don’t think it matters much in the election that is about to happen. But it’s a star making performance for Vance going forward.

In fact, the sentiment in my live chats last night was: why can’t these guys be the candidates?

Should Trump win, we might see just that in 2028.

Here is my fuller conversation with Andrew Heaton on today’s Px3:

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Iran Sends Hundreds of Rockets Into Israel, Middle East on the Brink of War

Iran launched a missile attack on Israel, prompting air raid sirens and explosions across the country. The United States assisted by intercepting some of the nearly 200 missiles fired from Iran, while Israel’s missile defense systems handled the rest. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) declared the situation under control after 45 minutes, allowing civilians to leave shelters. While several missiles hit their targets, no casualties were reported in Israel. The U.S. also monitored the situation closely from the White House, with President Biden and Vice President Harris present.

Iran claimed the attack was a response to Israeli actions against Iranian nationals and interests. Despite the missile strikes, there was no clear evidence of significant damage, although Iranian state media claimed success. The IDF coordinated missile interceptions with U.S. forces, but the attacks caused some damage in Israel.

Beyond proxies, this is the second missile barrage launched by Iran directly against Israel. It comes after reports that the IDF believes Gaza is won and the region is now in “mop up duty” for what is left of Hamas which precluded Israel’s focus on Hezbollah in southern Lebanon and the death of their head.

And now, the world waits for Israel’s response.

We are at the brink of all-out war. In fact, we might already be in it.

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Adam

If Trump wins, won't he be subject to the same Lame Duck treatment as any other two-term pres? Or do you think he's uniquely suited to sidestep that role?

The day Donald Trump wins the presidency is the day his political relevancy begins to decline. However, he will forever command the 30% of the electorate that loves him dearly. He will be like Obama or Reagan in that respect to those people.

That being said, I do think he will be totally separated from the Republican Party for which he’s ever tolerated being the head of.