WASHINGTON – After the vice presidential debate, voters declared a tie in the meeting between Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Republican U.S. Sen. JD Vance of Ohio in a flash poll released Wednesday.
Debate on Tuesday is the last scheduled in-person meeting between presidential campaigns. Both Midwestern candidates were cordial and the debate passed without major arguments. The two men even agreed on some political issues, such as supporting families with childcare and curbing the risk of gun violence.
Voters were split 50-50 on which candidate performed better a snap poll from POLITICO/Focaldata of likely voters, conducted after the CBS-sponsored event in New York City.
The mostly warm exchange had some key moments, such as when Walz pressed Vance on whether former President Donald Trump lost the 2020 election, to which Vance did not respond.
“I’m pretty shocked about this,” Walz said during the debate. “He lost the election. This is not a debate.”
The next major television interview with a presidential candidate will be with Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, on the CBS news program “60 Minutes.”
“For more than half a century, 60 Minutes has invited Democrats and Republicans to appear on our show as Americans go to the polls,” the show says posted on social media. “This year, both the Harris and Trump campaigns agreed to sit down with 60 Minutes.”
However, after initially agreeing, Trump “decided not to attend,” the post continues.
The interview will air Monday night on 8 Eastern, but only with Harris.
“Our original invitation to former President Donald Trump for an interview on 60 Minutes stands,” the post reads.
Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung wrote on social media that there were initial discussions for an interview, “but nothing was ever planned or decided”.
He also had problems with live fact checking.
Harris is heading to Georgia
Harris traveled to Augusta, Georgia, on Wednesday along with Senator Jon Ossoff, Democrat of Georgia, to survey damage from Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 storm that hit the southeastern states of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia scored. At least 600 people are missing.
Harris gave an update delayed Wednesday on ongoing federal recovery efforts.
“I have read and heard about the work you have done over the last few days and I think it truly represents the best that we all know can be done, particularly as we engage locally, “Coordinate federal resources at the state level to meet the needs of the people who need to be seen and heard,” she said during her visit to the Augusta Emergency Operations Center, according to White House pool reports.
Harris is also planning a trip to North Carolina in the coming days. The hurricane hit western North Carolina challenging.
President Joe Biden was scheduled to visit North Carolina on Wednesday and survey the damage in Asheville by helicopter so as not to disrupt recovery efforts on site.
Trump visited on Monday a damaged furniture store in Valdosta, Georgia, where he delivered remarks.
“We are here today to stand in complete solidarity with the people of Georgia, with everyone suffering the terrible consequences of Hurricane Helene,” Trump said.
Dock workers strike
Harris released a statement Wednesday in support of a strike by unionized longshoremen who are part of the International Longshoremen’s Association, which has 85,000 members.
“This strike is about fairness,” she said. “Foreign shipping companies have made record profits and executive compensation has increased. The longshoremen who play a critical role in transporting vital goods across America deserve a fair share of these record profits.”
They are noticeable for higher wages, more health benefits and a ban on automation of port operations.
The Trump campaign also issued a statement, saying that if Trump were president, the strike would never have happened.
“This is only happening because of the inflation caused by Kamala Harris’ two votes for massive, out-of-control spending and her decision to shut down energy exploration,” he said. “Americans who thrived under President Trump can’t even get by because of Kamala Harris – this strike is a direct result of their actions.”
Back to the battlefields
Less than five weeks until November 5th New Cook Political Report poll with Amy Walter Swing State Project Survey shows Harris either narrowly leading or tied with Trump in almost all seven battleground states except Georgia.
Harris has a 2-point lead within the margin of error in Arizona and Wisconsin; Michigan by 3 points; and in Nevada and Pennsylvania by 1 point. In Georgia, Trump is ahead 49% to 47% and in North Carolina the candidates are at 49%.
Trump will speak at a campaign rally in Saginaw, Michigan, on Thursday afternoon.
Harris will travel to Wisconsin on Thursday for a campaign event in the Fox Valley before heading to Detroit, Michigan.
On Friday, Vance will travel to Lindale, Georgia, to give a speech and Trump will travel to Fayetteville, North Carolina, for a town hall.
Harris will be in Detroit on Friday for various campaign events before returning to Washington, DC
