Minnesota Midterm Elections Favor Democrats

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In the state of Minnesota, in the upcoming Midterm Elections of 2026, Senator Amy Klobuchar is running for Governor to succeed fellow Democrat Tim Walz, and should have an easy time, with her likely Republican opponent to be selected on Primary Day being MY PILLOW guy Mike Lindell, endorsed by Donald Trump, and who is a conspiracy theorist, and still contends that Donald Trump won the Presidential Election of 2020 over Joe Biden.

Lindell has been sued and has lost lawsuits which required him to pay massive financial damages, and he comes across as a lunatic in many people’s views, so Klobuchar, who has had a distinguished 20 year career in the US Senate, and contended for the Democratic Presidential nomination in 2020, should have an easy ride.

Senator Tina Smith is retiring after serving 8 years in the upper chamber, and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, who is Native American, and has a progressive image, is endorsed by many Senate Democrats, but has an opponent in centrist moderate Congresswoman Angie Craig, an open lesbian, who has other significant members of Congress backing her, and with her having an advantage in fundraising.

At this point, it is hard to figure out which of these two women will win the nomination, but whoever wins, she will have a clear advantage as there is no outstanding Republican nominee that is shown to be ahead in polls, in a state which strongly leans Democratic.

However, the likely nominee is Royce White, with a former limited career as a basketball player, mostly in Canada, and nominee for the Senate against Amy Klobuchar in 2024.

His opponent in the Republican Senate primary is Michele Tafoya as a journalist and sports broadcaster for ABC, NBC, CBS and ESPN, covering the National Football League, the Olympics, and professional basketball.

Wisconsin Gubernatorial Race Divides Democrats

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The state of Wisconsin has no Senate race in 2026, but does have a gubernatorial race to succeed Democratic Governor Tony Evers, who chose not to run for reelection, after two terms, even though he was eligible under the state constitution to run again, had he chosen to do so.

The Republican nominee will be Congressman Tom Tiffany, but the Democrats are deeply divided between “Establishment” Democrats and “Democratic Socialists”.

Three Democrats are contending, with Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley endorsed by Governor Evers.

Also running is former Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes, backed by California Senator Adam Schiff, and state assemblywoman Francesca Hong, who is backed by California Congressman Ro Khanna, and identifies with “Democratic Socialism”.

The thought is that Hong may have an edge in public opinion polls, but would have more trouble winning the race against Tom Tiffany, than either Crowley, or Barnes.

Were Hong to end up as the nominee, she would be the highest ranking “Democratic Socialist” on the ballot in the nation in November, other than Michigan Senate contender Abdul El Sayed if he defeats Haley Stevens in the primary on August 4, more prominent than the two women in New York City and the woman in Denver who have been nominated, and likely will sit in Congress.

Hong would be seen, if she won in the primary on August 11, as the most prominent “Democratic Socialist”, as would El Sayed, if either won, other than NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

But there is strong concern that not only could Michigan’s Senate race go to the Republicans, but also that the Wisconsin Governorship could go to the Republicans, if the opposition can convice voters that El Sayed and Hong are too extremist in their orientation.

Democratic Party Division In Michigan Could Affect Senate Race And Majority In The 120th Congress (2027-2029)

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In the first two weeks of August, the upper Midwest states of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota will hold primaries for Governor and US Senate, along with House races and state legislative races.

The Democratic Party is facing splits, whereby “Democratic Socialists” are challenging establishment Democrats, which might lead to future problems against Republican opponents.

Today, the situation in Michigan will be discussed, followed by Wisconsin and Minnesota over the next two days.

In Michigan, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is running for Governor, while the likely Republican nominee is African American Congressman John James, who ran unsuccessfully for the Senate in 2018 and 2020, after graduating West Point and serving for eight years in the military.

More controversial is the battle for the Democratic Senate nomination between Congresswoman Haley Stevens and physician Abdul El Sayed, who was Health Director for Detroit and for Wayne County, and was a competitor in 2018 for the Michigan Gubernatorial race.

Abdul El Sayed is backed by Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Chris Van Hollen, and Elizabeth Warren, and is vehemently opposed by the pressure group AIPAC, since he is a major critic of Israel and its war in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank against Palestinians.

Stevens is supported by mainstream Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, among others.

The concern of many is that Abdul El Sayed, who would be the first Muslim Senator if he won the Senate race, would have major problems against Republican Congressman Mike Rogers in the election, when Democrats need to gain four seats in the Senate to win the majority of the chamber, and with Democratic Senator Gary Peters presently holding that seat.

The strong belief of many is that IF Michigan is lost to the Republicans, there is no way for Democrats to gain the four seats needed to be the majority in the US Senate in the 120th Congress (2027-2029).

Major Blunder For Trump To Promote Saudi Arabia Nuclear Development!

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It is stunning that President Trump seemed ready to enrich uranium, and promote Nuclear Development without any controls, for Saudi Arabia.

Yes, it is true that Saudi Arabia is a so called “friend” in the Middle East, certainly in opposition to the Islamic Republic of Iran.

But one must realize that Mohammed bin Salman, the real leader of that nation as Crown Prince, is an autocrat of massive proportions and was involved in ordering the horrendous murder of Saudi journalist and dissident Jamal Khashoggi, who worked at the Washington Post, in 2018.

One must never forget that it was Saudi nationals who attacked the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001, and one cannot be sure that elements in the Saudi government were not involved in the planning and execution of that horrendous series of events on that day.

We need to be friendly with Saudi Arabia, but not overly trusting, and apparently, Donald Trump has been told that it will not be acceptable as is, so now he has added the need for Saudi Arabia to formally recognize the state of Israel, and sign the Abraham Accords.

There are doubts that the Saudi government would agree to that, and of course, Israel itself is in alarm mode that Trump would even consider allowing US technical expertise to be given to Saudi Arabia, without strong controls.

And Saudi Arabia wants Israel to agree to a “Two State Solution” before any idea of them signing the Abraham Accords, which Israel is vehemently against considering after the war that has killed over 70,000 Palestinians since the attack on Israel, and loss of 1,200 Israelis on October 7, 2023.

It is clear it is more of a profit and business deal for Jared Kushner and the entire Trump family than anything else, but undermines American national security, as well as Israel.

One can be a critic of Benjamin Netanyahu and his monstrous war on the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, and still realize that giving Saudi Arabia the capacity for a future nuclear weapon, if attitudes change in that Middle Eastern nation, is a gamble not worth pursuing.

Additionally, the fact that Trump can announce an agreement, and then add changes less than 24 hours later, is a sign of his continuing mental decline, alarming everyone with any sense of the danger of having an 80 year old clearly in dementia, having control of the nuclear codes, and his constant threats to unleash massive attacks on Iranian civilians that would be perceived as war crimes.

The Rapid Rise Of Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff In Presidential Speculation For 2028!

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With the Midterm Congressional and Gubernatorial Elections of 2026 taking place about 100 days from now, speculation is growing on who will benefit from upcoming election races.

The person gaining the most attention, and experiencing the most rapid rise in public opinion polls, is Georgia Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff, who is ahead in polls by 13 points over his Republican opponent, Congressman Mike Collins.

Ossoff is the youngest Senator elected since 1980, being 33 when taking the oath of office in 2021, and still under the age of 40 when election time comes in November.

Were he to be elected President in 2028 and took the oath of office on January 20, 2029, he would enter the White House at 41 years and 11 months of age, making him the youngest President by more than a year younger than Theodore Roosevelt who was just short of age 43, and more than a year and nine months younger than John F. Kennedy, the youngest elected President, who was age 43 and almost 8 months of age upon taking the oath.

Of course, Ossoff denies any plan to run for President, but that is par for the course when one is running for reelection, but once that election is over, it seems likely he will announce for President.

Ossoff has drawn attention with his sharp questioning of Trump Administration officials, particularly on the Iran War, but also on the inflationary economy it has caused, as well as the widespread corruption of the Trump White House.

Ossoff is likely to be one of a number of Jewish Presidential contenders in 2028, which if it led to one of them being elected to the Presidency, would make for the first Jewish President.

Personal Scandals, Democrats And Republicans , And Accountability

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The treatment and handling of personal scandals is totally different between Democrats and Republicans, with Democrats rapidly working to eliminate such individuals, while Republicans ignore the issue.

Examples of Democrats who were rapidly repudiated are:

Congressman Eric Swalwell of California, who dropped his bid to run for California Governor, and resigned from the House of Representatives, after being accused of sexual misbehavior.

Senate nominee Graham Platner of Maine, who had already won the nomination to oppose Republican Senator Susan Collins, but withdrew after being accused of sexual misbehavior.

Minnesota Senator Al Franken who resigned in 2018 under pressure after accusations of inappropriate behavior lodged by several women.

Examples of Republicans who have not been removed or withdrawn from future races include:

New Arizona House Nominee Mark Lamb of Arizona, who has been accused of inappropriate “sexting” and other such misbehavior while formerly being Sheriff of Pinal County, and also utilizing racist language, and yet claiming to be a loyal member of the Mormon Church.

Congressman Max Miller of Ohio, who is accused of engaging in violence against his ex-wife, the daughter of Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno, and also against former girlfriend Stephanie Grisham, who was White House Press Secretary for part of the first Donald Trump Presidency. But Miller is running for reelection.

Congressman Corey Mills of Florida, who is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee for sexual misconduct and dating violence. But Mills is running for reelection.

Considering that the President of the United States has been involved in multiple such sex scandals over the years, it is not at all shocking how Republicans overlook such scandals, and yet, claim to be “good Christians”!

Four Republican Gubernatorial Candidates A Total Disaster!

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Arizona—Andy Biggs–is clearly an extremist right wing Republican Congressman, who is now involved in a controversy over having prevented an investigation into a Mormon sect a decade ago, an extremist group that promoted child sexual abuse while Biggs was then President of the Arizona State Senate. Biggs is seen as the likely Republican Gubernatorial nominee against Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs.

Colorado—Victor Marx–a first time politician, who claims he killed a person at age 7 when ordered to do so by his stepfather, and will not say if he has killed since then. He is the Republican nominee for Governor against Democratic Attorney General Phil Weiser.

Florida—James Fishback–a white supremacist and antisemite running for the Republican Gubernatorial nomination, and using racist language against Republican Congressman Byron Donalds, the likely Republican nominee for Governor in Florida. Fishback is a long shot, with Donalds almost certainly the nominee of his party for Governor, not that Donalds is a moderate, which he most certainly is not.

Minnesota—Mike Lindell–the MY PILLOW businessman, and conspiracy theorist,who has claimed until this moment that the 2020 Presidential Election was fixed, and lost a case in court for his lies, causing him to lose a lot of his fortune and his reputation. He is now running to be the Republican nominee for Governor, even though he is not registered to vote in the state. His opponent, if he wins the Republican nomination, is well regarded Senator Amy Klobuchar.

Fortunately, in Arizona, Colorado, and Minnesota, the Democratic candidates for Governor—Katie Hobbs, Phil Weiser, Amy Klobuchar—are heavy favorites to win and keep those Governorships in Democratic hands.

In Florida, Byron Donalds is the heavy favorite to be the Republican nominee despite the challenge of James Fishback, and the Democrats are likely to nominate David Jolly, former one term Congressman, who switched parties, and is seen as having a reasonable chance to compete with Donalds in November.

Iran War Escalation Moving America Toward Another Long Term Commitment, With Massive Loss Of American Lives And Treasure!

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Donald Trump started a war with Iran, prodded on by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on February 28, claiming it would be brief, and would lead to “Regime Change” in Iran.

After four and a half months, the Iran War is being escalated, and moving America toward massive loss of American lives, (now 17), and major growth in the national debt, and no “Regime Change”, and instead, the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz, which was not blocked by Iran before the war.

Hyperinflation seems inevitable, and the cost of living is already a nightmare for tens of millions of Americans, regarding gasoline, food, housing, health care, and many other economic essentials.

We have a government that is intending a likely land invasion, reminding us of the horrors of the long Vietnam War in the 1960s and 1970s; the twenty year Afghanistan War; and the long, drawn out Iraq War.

We have a President who is unhinged and has no idea what he is doing, as his attention is mostly paid to his own aggrandizement, enrichment, and glorification.

Happy 30th Anniversary Of MS NOW (MSNBC)!

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This week, specifically July 15, marked the 30th Anniversary of the creation of MSNBC, now reorganized in the past year in mid November 2025, as MS NOW–“My Source News Opinion World”.

Clearly the most progressive-liberal news channel, it has produced amazing journalism, and had top notch people in its lineup of shows and correspondents.

Among the present lineup of individuals involved with the channel, in no special order, and not necessarily a complete list, are:

Joe Scarborough
Mika Brzezinski
Willie Geist
Ali Vitali
Rachel Maddow
Chris Hayes
Ari Melber
Stephanie Ruhle
Katy Tur
Alicia Menendez
Nicole Wallace
Jen Psaki
Ali Velshi
Luke Russert
Lawrence O’Donnell
Eugene Daniels
Jacob Soboroff
Jonathan Capehart
Ayman Mohyeldin
Vaughn Hillyard
Michael Steele
Symone Sanders Townsend
Al Sharpton
Jonathan Lemire
Elise Jordan

While this author and blogger watches other news channels, and specifically, CNN, the sense of confidence in the coverage of news on MS NOW is much higher than CNN or the regular networks (NBC, ABC, CBS).

MS NOW has done very well in ratings, much improved during the second Presidency of Donald Trump.

Along with the regular reading of the NY Times and Washington Post, watching MS NOW gives one a sense of total, thorough, reliable coverage of news of the nation and the world.

Donald Trump Threats Against Free And Fair Elections Must Be Vigorously Resisted!

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Donald Trump gave a speech from the Oval Office on Thursday evening, full of delusion and lies, regarding his false claims about the Presidential Election of 2020, which he lost massively to Joe Biden.

But he set the stage for the Department of Homeland Security, under MarkWayne Mullin, to threaten interference in the promotion of free and fair elections in November, 2026, as he well knows that his Republican Party is is dire straits in public opinion polls, and in fund raising in many Congressional races, particularly for the US Senate.

Trump also threatened to take away the licenses of ABC and NBC for refusing to cover live the propaganda speech he was engaging in, an attack on the news media.

Trump’s henchmen, including Mullin; Brendan Carr of the Federal Communications Commission; Russell Vought of the Office of Management and Budget; Kevin Roberts, the head of the Heritage Foundation and author of “Project 2025”; and Stephen Miller, White House Deputy Chief of Staff For Policy and Homeland Security Adviser—are determined to undermine American democracy and free elections, and the battle against these authoritarian forces must be waged!