Thursday, October 10, 2024. Annette’s News Roundup.
On the question of the Covid testing equipment Trump gave to Putin.
Kremlin refutes Trump denial on sending Putin COVID testing equipment
The Kremlin on Wednesday confirmed a report that former President Trump sent Russian President Vladimir Putin COVID-19 testing equipment during the height of the pandemic.
Why it matters: The Trump campaign categorically denied new revelations in journalist Bob Woodward's book "War," which renewed scrutiny of the relationship between Putin and the Republican presidential nominee.
Catch up quick: Woodward reported in his book that during the early days of the pandemic, Trump sent scarcely available COVID-19 testing machines for the Russian leader's personal use.
Woodward also reported that Trump and Putin have had "as many as seven" personal conversations since Trump left office in 2021.
Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung said Tuesday that the allegations were "made up stories" and called Woodward "a truly demented and deranged man."
Driving the news: Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told Bloomberg in a written statement that "we also sent equipment at the beginning of the pandemic," the outlet reported Wednesday.
However, Peskov denied the reported phone calls between Trump and Putin, describing the allegation as "not true," Russian state news agency TASS reported.
Zoom out: "What the hell's wrong with this guy?" President Biden said during a speech in Pennsylvania Tuesday while calling out Trump's decision to send COVID-19 testing equipment to Putin, per a White House pool report.
"Did you ever ... see ... a president who's been so unethical as this president has been?" Biden asked. (Axios).
One more thing.
Trump announced he will hold a rally at Madison Square Garden on October 27.
The historian Michael Beschloss reminds us of an historical precedent.
Kamala is always busy.
A Harris ad exploited this information.
The Vice President called CNN about Hurricane Milton.
THIS IS WHAT A LEADER SOUNDS LIKE.
— Nick Knudsen 🇺🇸 (@NickKnudsenUS) October 9, 2024
Please share. pic.twitter.com/4hTNsEnAyF
Vice President Harris calls into @weatherchannel: “Sadly, there are some folks who during a moment of a crisis will be very predatory and start jacking up prices… To anybody who's thinking about jacking up those prices, know that we are monitoring. There will be a consequence… pic.twitter.com/hzczL3tVST
— Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) October 9, 2024
More from the Vice President about the hurricanes.
Earlier this week, I spoke with @FEMA_Deanne about our Administration's preparations for Hurricane Milton, as well as some of the mis- and disinformation spreading in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) October 9, 2024
Let me be clear:
→ Many people have already received an immediate payment to help… pic.twitter.com/jCdr3YMH0f
Happening today.
Tomorrow, VP @KamalaHarris will answer questions from Latino voters during a @Univision town hall.
— Madam President (@MadamPOTUS2024) October 9, 2024
📺 📲 Tune in at 10 p.m. EDT/ 9 p.m. CDT on @UniNoticias, @ViX, and all their digital platforms.pic.twitter.com/7mTvlZCpkH
America loves Kamala a bushel and a peck, if a bushel and a peck add up to a billion dollars.
Breaking news!
— Dwight Marshall ↙️ (@DwightMarshal19) October 9, 2024
In just 80 days! The Kamala Harris Campaign has crossed the 1 Billion dollar mark today! Unbelievable! Thanks America 🇺🇸 #DemVoice1 #ProudBlue #wtpBLUE #Milton pic.twitter.com/TjkCRjW999
State updates.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is key.
Pass this along.
Pennsylvania, you have less than two weeks to register to vote — so make sure you, your friends, your family, and your kids’ (if they’re over 18!) registrations are up to date.
— Governor Josh Shapiro (@GovernorShapiro) October 8, 2024
Register to vote or update your registration before the October 21st deadline:…
Arizona.
Voting in Arizona starts today.
Your voice is your vote, and your vote is your power.
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) October 9, 2024
Find an early vote or ballot drop off location at: https://t.co/j7PZxfcqaQ. pic.twitter.com/wGgteSfdfA
How do we hold the Senate?
Chuck Schumer's danger signs on Senate toss-ups
The warning signs are flashing for Democratic candidates in three of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's most important states for playing defense.
Why it matters: The Rust Belt toss-ups of Michigan, Ohio and — as of Tuesday — Wisconsin could make the difference between a tiny GOP Senate majority next year or their biggest advantage since 2016.
Schumer has strong incumbents in Wisconsin and Ohio. Both benefited from last running in 2018 when Donald Trump's name was off the ballot, but his presidency drove Democratic turnout.
One of Schumer's earlier toss-ups — Montana — is trending the wrong way. Cook moved it last month to "lean Republican."
🦡 1) Wisconsin: We told you last week that Sen. Tammy Baldwin's (D) re-election fight was setting off alarms among Wisconsin Dems.
On Tuesday, Cook tightened her race against wealthy GOP businessman Eric Hovde from "lean Dem" to "toss-up." Baldwin cleaned house in 2018, winning by 10 percentage points.
🔥 2) Ohio: Democratic incumbent Sherrod Brown is a red state survivor, but his once-sizable lead over Bernie Moreno has been shrinking.
NRSC internal polling showed them deadlocked at 46%, the Hill reported today. Back in 2018, Brown won by seven percentage points.
⏰ 3) Michigan: Democratic nominee Rep. Elissa Slotkin has sounded the alarm as polling shows former Rep. Mike Rogers (R) closing in.
Super PAC cash is flying into Michigan, as Axios reported. That includes $22.5 million from the GOP leader Mitch McConnell-aligned Senate Leadership Fund.
Zoom out: The good news largely stops there for Republicans, who came into the cycle with a historically favorable Senate map. The map's much better for Schumer's Democrats in 2026. (Axios)
I don’t know about you but I don’t want to wait until 2026 to have a Blue Senate.
The three Senators named in Cook’s as at risk can win with support. We can’t let McConnell and his cronies outspend us so that Democratic candidates who should win, don’t.
You make the difference.
Democratic Incumbents who can win.
Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown
https://app.oath.vote/donate?p=niemtzow-brown&ref=PPIAM0N1Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin seeking to defeat Billionaire Eric Hovde who doesn’t even live in the state.
ActBlue
Contribute to Tammy's people-powered campaign for Wisconsin.
First-time Democratic candidates for the Senate who can win.
Michigan candidate Elissa Slotkin seeking to replace retiring Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow.
https://app.oath.vote/donate?p=niemtzow-slotkin&ref=PPIAM0N1Florida’s Lauren Mucarsel-Powell seeking to replace MAGA’s Rick Scott.
https://app.oath.vote/donate?p=niemtzow-murcarsel-powell&ref=PPIAM0N1Texan Colin Allred seeking to replace Ted Cruz.
https://app.oath.vote/donate?p=niemtzow-allred&ref=PPIAM0N1Maryland Democrat Angela Allbrooks seeking to defeat Larry Hogan, McConnell’s hand-picked candidate to return the Senate to Republican control. Say NO!!!!!
https://app.oath.vote/donate?p=niemtzow-altman&ref=nybg-oct1Your Daily Reminder
Trump is a convicted felon.
On May 30th, he was found guilty on 34 felony counts by the unanimous vote of 12 ordinary citizens.
The Convicted Felon Donald J. Trump was scheduled to be sentenced on July 11th and September 18th. He will now be sentenced on November 26.
Quick reminder that Donald is awaiting sentencing for 34 felony counts and currently out on bail in three other jurisdictions. pic.twitter.com/1Q7QWHB321
— Mary L Trump (@MaryLTrump) October 9, 2024
The sacred ballot, enabling me to vote by mail, arrived yesterday in New York City.
First day of In-person voting in NYS begins on October 26.
