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The Day the Herschel Walker Campaign Died was Not an October Surprise

Matt OHern
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The Day the Herschel Walker Campaign Died was Not an October Surprise

For more stories on Georgia politics, visit our Georgia political news section.

Herschel Walker’s campaign is on life support and in full-fledged damage control mode after a report that Walker helped to pay for an abortion of a child that he allegedly conceived with an ex-girlfriend. Throughout his campaign, Walker has touted his pro-life, anti-abortion stance. According to the original story in The Daily Beast, the ex-girlfriend, who has remained anonymous, told political reporter Roger Sollenberger that Walker urged her to get an abortion and reimbursed her when they were dating, back in 2009. It’s too early to gauge political fallout via polls from the abortion funding allegation, but the bad news for Walker didn’t end with the Daily Beast’s bombshell.

Less than 24 hours after the Daily Beast’s exclusive story broke, one of Walker’s sons publicly condemned him, and Politico revealed that Walker’s campaign team already knew about his alleged abortion funding. According to Politico, members of the campaign team attempted to persuade Walker to drop out of the race. An excerpt from the story described the reaction of some of the team members:

“It was brought to the attention of those working on Walker’s behalf, in part as a means of discouraging him from running. His team downplayed the potential disruption it would cause. But, according to one of those people, they did not outright deny it..said one top Georgia GOP operative, granted anonymity to discuss private conversations.The reaction was not, ‘They’re not going to say that because it never happened.’ It was like everything else, ‘Eh, people aren’t going to find out.’”

Plenty of people found out today. Walker’s son, Christian, not only criticized his father’s alleged double-standard on abortion, but also claimed that Herschel threatened his life, as well as his mother’s.

“I know my mom and I would really appreciate if my father Herschel Walker stopped lying and making a mockery of us…You’re not a ‘family man’ when you left us to bang a bunch of women, threatened to kill us, and had us move over 6 times in 6 months running from your violence.”

Christian Walker

Walker’s latest campaign debacle came as no surprise to Georgia political talkshow host Ben Burnett. Earlier this year, Burnett criticized the naivety of star struck voters who chose Walker, and his known baggage, in the GOP Primary mostly due to the celebrity status, which he originally gained achieved during his college athletic career as Heisman Trophy-winning running back at the University of Georgia. Burnett also cited multiple red flags in Walker’s background and predicted that the gamble on Walker would come back to haunt Georgia Republicans and hinder their efforts to win an otherwise easily-winnable US Senate seat currently occupied by incumbent Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock.

You can listen to Burnett’s eerily prophetic commentary below.

Mississippi Senators Condemn Bank’s Anti-Gun Policies

Matt OHern
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Mississippi Senators Condemn Bank’s Anti-Gun Policies

Mississippi’s U.S. Senators Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith, both Republicans, joined 24 fellow GOP Senators in a letter to Amalgamated Bank President and Chief Executive Officer Priscilla Sims Brown, criticizing the institution’s effort to force U.S. financial services firms to categorize gun purchases.

The Senators characterized the bank’s manipulation of an international rules organization known as the International Standards Organization (ISO) as an indefensible attempt to target law-abiding Americans exercising their constitutional right to purchase firearms.

“Your bank is attempting to restrict the Second Amendment rights of Americans by going around the democratic process. You should expect Congressional oversight of your actions,” the Senators wrote.

The Senators cited Amalgamated Bank’s website, where its anti-firearm agenda is displayed.

“It is clear from Amalgamated Bank’s website that it has fully embraced an anti-firearm agenda. Whether it is choosing to debank firearms manufacturers, forcing all commercial clients to adopt anti-gun control codes, or divesting customer assets from lawful businesses, these decisions demonstrate your attempt to force your political views on law-abiding Americans. If you want to change gun policy, you should run for office and make yourself accountable to voters. What’s worse, these actions weren’t enough for you, so you set your sights on forcing these radical and discriminatory policies on the entire financial system,” the Senators continued.

Prior to the ISO’s recent creation of a merchant category code (MCC) that will target, surveil and discourage gun and ammunition sellers earlier this month, Amalgamated Bank submitted three applications for its anti-firearm policies—each of which were rejected.

“Let us be clear: weaponizing the financial system to enact far-left political goals is inexcusable… You should consider this notice to retain all communications involving your role in ISO’s categorization scheme, and you should anticipate testifying before Congress in the near future,” the Senators concluded.

Sens. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., and Tom Cotton, R-Ark., led the letter. Additional signers include United States Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Senators Thom Tillis, R-N.C., Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., John Barrasso, R-Wyo., Bill Cassidy, R-La., Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., John Boozman, R-Ark., Jim Risch, R-Idaho, Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., Richard Shelby, R-Ala., Tim Scott, R-S.C., Deb Fischer, R-Neb., Steve Daines, R-Mont., John Thune, R-S.D., John Hoeven, R-N.D., Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., John Kennedy, R-La., Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and John Cornyn, R-Texas.

A copy of the letter can be found here and below:

Dear Ms. Brown,

We write to you about your bank’s manipulation of an international rules organization to force U.S. financial services firms to categorize gun purchases. Your bank is attempting to restrict the Second Amendment rights of Americans by going around the democratic process. You should expect Congressional oversight of your actions.

As you are undoubtedly aware, earlier this month, the International Standards Organization (ISO) based in Switzerland created a merchant category code (MCC) specifically to target, surveil and discourage gun and ammunition sellers. Your actions were a major step toward targeting law-abiding Americans exercising their right to purchase firearms, a right that is protected by the Constitution.

It is clear from Amalgamated Bank’s website that it has fully embraced an anti-firearm agenda. Whether it is choosing to debank firearms manufacturers, forcing all commercial clients to adopt anti-gun control codes, or divesting customer assets from lawful businesses, these decisions demonstrate your attempt to force your political views on law-abiding Americans. If you want to change gun policy, you should run for office and make yourself accountable to voters. What’s worse, these actions weren’t enough for you, so you set your sights on forcing these radical and discriminatory policies on the entire financial system.

There was good reason that the ISO rejected your previous three applications for this policy, as such a move is purely political, not to mention the immense regulatory and compliance burden it will ultimately place on retailers.

Let us be clear: weaponizing the financial system to enact far-left political goals is inexcusable. The fundamental rights of Americans should be legislated on and debated by the elected officials who are sent to Washington, D.C. on their constituents’ behalf, and not by progressive activist CEOs or un-elected bureaucrats in Geneva.

You should consider this notice to retain all communications involving your role in ISO’s categorization scheme, and you should anticipate testifying before Congress in the near future.

Tennessee State Assembly Members Tell Vanderbilt to Stop Youth Gender Transition Surgeries

Matt OHern
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Tennessee State Assembly Members Tell Vanderbilt to Stop Youth Gender Transition Surgeries

NASHVILLE – Vanderbilt University Medical Center is under fire from more than 60 state legislators due to its practice of gender transition surgery for youth.

“Tennesseans across the state have demanded a swift response and a call to action. We agree that these revelations require the legislature to act immediately,” lawmakers wrote, adding that the clinic’s practices qualify as “nothing less than abuse.” You can read the full letter that was sent to Vanderbilt, here.

Vanderbilt defends its procedures, which it names “Gender-Affirming surgeries”. which become a controversial topic not only in the deep south, but even in Europe. In a statement the following day, VUMC said the outlet had misrepresented facts about the care provided to young transgender patients.

“We have been and will continue to be committed to providing family-centered care to all adolescents in compliance with state law and in line with professional practice standards and guidance established by medical specialty societies,” the statement reads.

In a viral Twitter thread posted last week, Daily Wire host Matt Walsh said he and his team had discovered that VUMC “drugs, chemically castrates, and performs double mastectomies on minors.”

The outlet’s reporting also caught the attention of Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee (R), who last week called for an investigation into the hospital’s transgender clinic, telling the Daily Wire that the allegations made against the hospital raise “serious moral, ethical and legal concerns.”

Last year, Sweden discontinued gender transition services after physicians and medical researchers determined that there wasn’t sufficient scientific evidence to support gender transition benefits for youth. Sven Roman, MD and child psychiatrist compared the explosive growth in the number of cases of gender dysphoria to other psychiatric conditions, such as eating disorders and self-harm behavior, that are known to spread with social contacts. He documented the process of discovery that the medical community went through to understand how to best treat these kinds of conditions. Over the past decade, he says research has proven that supportive psychotherapy can reduce or stop self-harm behavior within 3 months. Of the avalanche of gender dysphoria cases being referred, he says: 

“Unlike the epidemic of self-harm behavior, (gender dysphoria) care providers are not exploring to find the right treatment. Instead, on a broad front, drastic treatment with high doses of sex hormones and breast and genital surgery is introduced. This despite the lack of any scientific evidence for these treatments for children, and probably not for young adults either.”

Hurricane Ian’s Potential Impact on DeSantis vs. Crist

Matt OHern
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Hurricane Ian’s Potential Impact on DeSantis vs. Crist

Disclaimer: Political trends and are never as important as the lives impacted by an act of nature, but the 2022 Midterm Election is less than 40 days away, and Hurricane Ian’s devastation made an undeniable impact in every aspect of life in Florida.

IAN: A DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD FOR DESANTIS

Coincidentally, the region of Florida that suffered the most damage from Ian is also the county where Florida Republicans have the largest lead of registered voters against Democrats, with 226,025 registered Republican voters vs. 128,673 registered Democratic voters, for an impressive lead of 97,352 registered voters.( Source: Lee County Florida Supervisor of Elections.) Keep in mind that DeSantis defeated Andrew Gillum by only 32,463 votes. Four years prior, Crist lost by only 1 percent of the vote, with 64,145 fewer votes than former Governor Rick Scott. 

In the wake of any natural disaster, governors face the inherent risk of negative response to any perceived errors during the state’s recovery efforts, but they also get two unique opportunities to improve their public perception. When governors are forced to collaborate with a President of an opposing party, there can be a mutually beneficial relationship and an unrivaled opportunity to impress independent voters. Outside of any potential botched recovery response effort, the biggest risk DeSantis faces is angering his own base if they view him as being to warm with President Biden during the upcoming visit. Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie angered Republicans across the nation when he praised President Obama’s management of the disaster response. While Christie’s actions angered the GOP base, he ultimately won re-election the following year by a landslide, with many polls citing and analysts crediting his bipartisanship approach to disaster management as the state rebuilt from Hurricane Sandy’s damage.

Prior to Hurricane Ian’s approach, DeSantis raised eyebrows when he mentioned that he had yet to hear from Biden, but in the days that followed, Biden and DeSantis removed their verbal sparring gloves which had been in heavy use after illegal immigrants were flown to Martha’s Vineyard.

LEAD VS. CRIST WAS GROWING PRIOR TO IAN LANDFALL

Earlier today, Spectrum News and Sienna College published results from their latest poll, which showed DeSantis’ ahead of Charlie Crist, 49 percent to 41 percent. The poll sample size was small, and surveyed only 669 likely Florida voters across the state, but it was conducted from Sept. 18-25, before Hurricane Ian struck the state. Since the storm’s impact, DeSantis has been proactively addressing the public, hosting multiple press conferences per day, with no notable gaffes or stumbles. The only nationally-known criticism levied at DeSantis regarding the storm surrounds Lee County’s comparatively late mandatory evacuation order, but as DeSantis noted, forecasters were projecting the storm to strike either the panhandle or the Tampa Bay area as late the day prior to landfall.

For more stories on Florida politics, visit our Florida political news section.

In North Carolina, Budd and Beasley in Statistical Dead Heat for U.S. Senate

Matt OHern
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In North Carolina, Budd and Beasley in Statistical Dead Heat for U.S. Senate

In North Carolina’s race for U.S. Senate, Republican Congressman Ted Budd continues to lead former state Supreme Court Justice Cheri Beasley. New results from a poll by Emerson College and The Hill show Budd with 46 percent support of surveyed voters, compared to 43 percent for Beasley. Budd’s three-point lead matches the poll’s margin of error, putting the candidates in a statistical dead heat.

The Emerson College poll comes two weeks after an Eastern Carolina University poll showed Budd with a three point lead but slightly more of the vote, leading Beasley 49 percent to 43 percent. During the first week of September, Trafalgar Group showed Budd leading by a three-point margin, with 47 percent of surveyed voters support vs. 44 percent supporting Beasley.

KEY DATA FROM THE EMERSON COLLEGE POLL:

  • Budd leads among men by 16 points while Beasley leads among women by nine points.
  • 81 percent of of the undecided voters are women whose most important voting issue is abortion access (28 percent).”
  • 48 percent of North Carolina voters have a favorable view of Budd, while 46% have a favorable view of Beasley.
  • 38 percent have an unfavorable view of Budd, compared to 40% have an unfavorable view of Beasley.
  • The economy is the most important issue in determining 41% of voters’ November decision, followed by threats to democracy (14%), abortion (12%), and healthcare (11%).
  • 69 percent of voters who say the economy is their most important issue plan to vote for Budd. Seventy-seven percent of those who say abortion is their top issue support Beasley. Those who find threats to democracy to be the most important issue are more split: 53% support Beasley and 42% support Budd.”
  • A majority of voters (59%) say they are much more likely (46%) or somewhat more likely (12%) to vote in the 2022 elections due to the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Thirty-five percent say it makes no difference, and 17% say they are somewhat less likely (2%) or much less likely (5%). A plurality of voters (39%) think the North Carolina legislature should make it easier to access abortion, while 32% think the legislature should make it harder to access abortion, and 29% say they should not pass abortion laws.
  • Of the 46% of voters who say they are much more likely to vote because of the overturning of Roe v. Wade, 60% support Beasley and 29% Budd. However, voters who say the overturning of Roe makes no difference on their vote break for Budd over Beasley 51% to 25%,” Kimball said.
  • Fifty-seven percent of voters support expansion of Medicaid coverage for up to 600,000 low income people in North Carolina, 18% oppose Medicaid expansion, and 26% are neutral or have no opinion.
  • Voters are split on the federal government’s decision to forgive $10,000 of student loan debt for borrowers making under $125,000 per year: 32% think it is too much action, 26% think it is just about the right amount of action, 20% think it is not enough action, and 23% think no student loan debt should be forgiven.

Maxwell Frost – Like AOC, but More Extreme, Less Qualified

Matt OHern
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Maxwell Frost – Like AOC, but More Extreme, Less Qualified

Overcrowded primary elections often produce inexperienced candidates, and Maxwell Frost is no exception. Frost, the Democratic Party’s nominee in Florida’s 10th Congressional District, won the Primary Election with only plurality of his party’s support, finishing with only 34% of the vote.

Frost, who is 25 years old and has no experience working in government, would be the first member of Generation Z elected to Congress. As an Uber driver, Frost reports to no supervisor, and unlike the internationally-known left wing Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Frost has no college degree.

According to Frost’s responses to Ballotpedia’s Q&A, he believes that he deserves to be entrusted with your vote because he has experience as a community organizer, yet Frost mentions no specific cases or experience involving negotiation to reach any notable compromise or professional agreement with an opposing party (business or political) for any policy at any point during his young lifetime.

On both social and economic issues, Frost’s views mirror socialist Bernie Sanders and are arguably the most extreme left of Democratic candidates in Florida who are running for U.S. Congress.

Despite those usual obstacles to electoral success, Frost is the heavy favorite to win in November, solely because he is running in a district centrally located in one of the most Democratic-skewed areaas among all of Florida’s districts, by proportion. Ranked-choice voting system advocates could easily cite Frost’s victory in the Democratic Primary as a leading example of why the current plurality structure is in need of reform.

Frost’s top three agendas if he is elected to office are:

1. “Environmental justice”, including immediate implementation of “Green New Deal” policies which, even if they were practical, would exacerbate existing energy grid challenges crippling states such as California.

2. Universal healthcare, on a “Medicare for all” approach, despite that fact that Medicare itself is already the largest unfunded future liability which will be insovlent, along with social security, within the next 10 to 15 years.

3. Gun Control: Including confiscation of semi-automatic firearms, often given the misnomer of “assault weapons.” Semiautomatic guns, including pistols, are the most reliable form of self defense for responsible gun owners when their homes are threatened by armed home invaders.

Frost’s opponents include Calvin Wimbish: a Republican rival who is a former Army Green Beret and old enough to be Frost’s grandfather, along with independent candidates Jason Holic and Dr. Usha Jain. Frost is heavily favored to win due to the fact that Democrats have more than a 140,000 registered voter lead over Republicans in Orange County. To pull off an upset win in November Republicans need higher turnout plus at least 54% of Independent voters support.

DeSantis, Rubio Maintain Leads in Latest Polls

Matt OHern
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DeSantis, Rubio Maintain Leads in Latest Polls

Democrats haven’t controlled the Florida Governor’s Mansion since the mid 90’s, and Ron DeSantis appears likely to keep that streak intact. Poll results today published by USA Today/Suffolk show DeSantis leading Crist, 48-41. Earlier this month, a Fox35 Orlando poll showed DeSantis with a five-point advantage over Crist. The news comes in the wake of DeSantis routing undocumented immigrants on a flight that connected in Florida en route from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts.

In the race for one of Florida’s seats in the U.S. Senate, Marco Rubio holds a slim lead over Val Demings, leading the current Congresswoman, 45 to 41, with Libertarian Dennis Misigoy and independents Steven Grant and Tuan “TQ” Nguyen all pulling one percent each. Rubio once enjoyed a large lead over Demings, but the race has tightened in recent months.

For more stories on Florida politics, visit our Florida political news section.

Stacey Abrams Still Trails Brian Kemp, Even in AJC Poll

Matt OHern
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Stacey Abrams Still Trails Brian Kemp, Even in AJC Poll

With fewer than 50 days remaining until the 2022 Midterm Election, Georgia’s Democratic Gubernatorial candidate Stacy Abrams is trailing Governor Brian Kemp by a wide margin in two recent polls, including the Atlanta Journal Constitution, known as one of the most left-leaning publications in the Southeast.

Georgia talk show host Ben Burnett says that voters across the state have become disillusioned with Abrams’ antics as a perennial candidate.

“Abrams is a disingenuous and tired actor to the people in Georgia,” Burnett said. “I think people know she’s gotten rich as the serial candidate. She was the reason Atlanta lost the All Star game. And Even Democrats can’t deny that Brian Kemp’s desire to keep Georgia open during covid was the fair fight, but it was the right fight. She reminds me of Charlie Crist only Charlie has shown an ability to win statewide.”

Abrams, who has never led Kemp in any of the polls used for the Real Clear Politics average, trailed Kemp by eight points in the AJC poll and she trailed Kemp by 11 points in a Marist University poll. Kemp’s sizable lead in the Marist poll puts Abrams well outside the margin of error. According to Marist, the poll surveyed 1,322 Georgia adults by phone interviews, online polls, and texts.

“The samples were then combined and balanced to reflect the 2020 AmericanCommunity Survey 5-year estimates for age, gender, income, and race,” Marist’s poll disclaimer reads. “Regional adjustments were made for turnout in similar elections. Results are statistically significant within ±3.4 percentage points.”

For more stories on Georgia politics, visit our Georgia political news section.

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