The planned resumption of trilateral negotiations between Ukraine, Russia and the United States in Abu Dhabi in early November is already being presented in several Western capitals as evidence that diplomacy has regained its momentum, but a return to the negotiating table should not be confused with genuine progress toward

US citizen Leo, who has clashed with Donald Trump over several issues, submits his vote by post in Chicago

Pope Leo has voted in the US midterm elections – the first time a sitting pontiff is known to have cast a ballot in any political election at any time in history.

Leo, who has clashed with the US president, Donald Trump, over several issues, submitted his vote by post in Chicago, where he was born, the Vatican said on Friday. Leo became the first American leader of the Catholic church last year after the death of Pope Francis.

Independent candidate Bill Hill is threatening to unseat Trump ally Nick Begich with a message of affordability

As Republicans fight to maintain their narrow majority in Congress, they face a unique challenge in Alaska – not from a Democrat, but from an independent commercial fisher and first-time candidate running to flip the state’s lone House seat.

Bill Hill, who is an Alaska Native and has worked in education and construction, has positioned himself as a working-class candidate who will fight to make life more affordable for people like himself and his family.

Ukraine’s renewed attack on Russia’s Novokuybyshevsk oil refinery marks the end of a two-week pause reportedly imposed under American pressure. Beyond its military significance, the operation raises questions about Washington’s influence over Kyiv, the consequences for global energy markets and whether Ukraine’s campaign is effectively targeting the financial foundations of Russia’s war.

A Ukrainian drone attack on the Novokuybyshevsk oil refinery in Russia’s Samara region on 30 October has exposed growing differences between Kyiv and Washington over the conduct of the war against Russia.

The strike, which reportedly caused extensive fires at the facility, came after approximately two weeks without Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries, a pause that American media attributed to pressure from President Donald Trump.

Footage circulating on social media showed several columns of thick smoke rising from the refinery. Ukrainian defence manufacturer Fire Point subsequently reported that Ukrainian forces had struck the installation with FP-1 drones, including a diesel hydrotreating unit.

However, the full extent of the damage and its consequences for production remain unconfirmed.

A Military Target with Wider Economic Significance

The Novokuybyshevsk refinery belongs to Russia’s state-controlled Rosneft group and has a nominal annual processing capacity of approximately 8.8 million tonnes of crude oil.

According to Rosneft, its products include petrol, diesel, lubricants and aviation fuel.

The latter is particularly relevant to Ukraine’s military objectives because the facility contributes to Russia’s capacity to supply fuel for military aviation.

The refinery has been attacked repeatedly since 2024, including a confirmed Ukrainian operation in August 2026.

These repeated strikes form part of a broader Ukrainian campaign intended to disrupt Russian fuel production, impose repair costs and reduce the resources available to Moscow’s military.

The campaign’s cumulative effects have become increasingly apparent.

In September, the International Energy Agency reported that Russian refinery throughput had fallen to 3.8 million barrels per day in June, approximately 30 per cent below its level a year earlier.

The agency estimated that Russian diesel production had declined by almost 30 per cent, contributing to domestic supply pressures and restrictions on fuel exports.

Ukraine Challenges Washington’s Attempts to Restrict Its Operations

The timing of the latest strike carries considerable diplomatic significance.

On 29 October, The Wall Street Journal reported that Ukrainian military units had been instructed to suspend operations against Russian refineries following demands from the Trump administration.

The informal suspension was reportedly expected to continue until after the American congressional elections on 3 November, potentially extending further into November.

Trump has repeatedly criticised Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, arguing that they contribute to rising diesel prices in the United States.

The issue has acquired particular political sensitivity as American voters prepare for the midterm elections against a background of elevated energy costs.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged that military operations had been conducted more cautiously but maintained that no formal order prohibiting refinery strikes had been issued.

The attack on Novokuybyshevsk suggests that Kyiv considers any restraint temporary rather than a permanent limitation on its military operations.

It also demonstrates the limits of Washington’s ability to determine Ukraine’s operational decisions.

Nevertheless, the relationship remains unequal. Ukraine continues to depend on American military technology, intelligence and other forms of assistance.

Recent restrictions affecting Ukrainian access to Starlink services, alongside tensions over intelligence sharing, have illustrated the risks associated with that dependence.

The latest refinery strike therefore represents a calculated diplomatic risk rather than evidence that American pressure has ceased to matter.

Are Russian Refineries the Most Effective Economic Targets?

The operation also raises a broader question concerning the economic effectiveness of Ukraine’s long-range strike campaign.

Russia’s oil industry supports government revenue through several channels, including crude exports, refined petroleum products and taxation.

Attacks on refineries can reduce fuel production, increase repair expenditure and disrupt military logistics. However, their direct consequences for federal revenue differ from those of disruptions to crude oil exports.

One argument advanced by analysts is that damage to Russia’s oil-export infrastructure can have a more immediate effect on the volume of crude reaching international markets.

Research published by the Kyiv School of Economics in April estimated that attacks on Russian Baltic oil terminals reduced potential export earnings by approximately $1.76 billion over a fortnight compared with a scenario without those attacks.

That finding supports the argument that export infrastructure represents an important economic vulnerability.

However, it does not establish that refinery attacks are strategically ineffective.

The IEA has documented substantial disruption to Russian refining operations, including declining fuel output, reduced exports and mounting financial pressures.

An additional complication is that higher international oil prices can partially offset reduced Russian export volumes, limiting the financial effect of disruptions.

The Iran War and American Diesel Prices

Trump’s objections must also be considered against the wider disruption of international energy markets resulting from the conflict involving Iran.

The restriction of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, damage to Middle Eastern energy infrastructure and reduced availability of refined petroleum products have contributed to exceptionally high fuel prices.

In its October 2026 Oil Market Report, the IEA identified major supply disruptions in the Middle East as a central factor behind the global energy crisis.

Ukrainian refinery strikes have also contributed to tighter supplies of diesel, but they are only one element of a much larger international shortage.

An analysis published by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas similarly identified disruptions in the Middle East, Russian refinery outages and wider refining constraints as contributing factors.

Consequently, attributing American diesel prices principally to Ukrainian military operations would misrepresent the complexity of the market.

A Question of Strategic Priorities

The latest strike illustrates two separate challenges confronting Kyiv.

The first concerns Ukraine’s relationship with Washington. Ukraine must preserve essential American assistance while retaining sufficient freedom to conduct operations against Russian military and economic assets.

The second concerns the allocation of limited long-range strike resources.

Ukraine’s growing capacity to damage Russian energy infrastructure has created opportunities to impose economic costs on Moscow. Yet the relative effectiveness of attacks on refineries, export facilities and military-industrial enterprises remains a legitimate subject of strategic debate.

The Novokuybyshevsk operation demonstrates that Ukraine is prepared to resume attacks despite American objections.

Whether the campaign can produce a lasting reduction in Russia’s ability to finance and sustain its war will depend less on the symbolism of individual strikes than on their cumulative economic and military consequences.

For Kyiv, maintaining operational independence from Washington is important. Translating that independence into measurable strategic results remains the more consequential challenge.

La apariencia, el idioma o el hecho de trabajar en determinados lugares no pueden convertirse en motivos suficientes para que agentes migratorios detengan a una persona en partes de California. Una jueza federal en ese Estado ordenó restringir estas prácticas al considerar que existe un amplio conjunto de pruebas sobre presuntos operativos basados en el perfilamiento racial de la población latina en el sur del Estado.

Seguir leyendo

Um grupo de 25 deputados democratas dos Estados Unidos cobrou explicações do secretário de Estado, Marco Rubio, sobre a possível participação do governo de Donald Trump na saída do senador Flávio Bolsonaro (PL) do Brasil e na entrada dele em território americano. A carta foi encaminhada na quinta-feira (29) e questiona se autoridades dos Estados Unidos ajudaram a viabilizar a viagem, mesmo diante de uma decisão judicial brasileira que restringia os deslocamentos internacionais do parlamentar.

O documento reúne 15 questionamentos sobre a atuação do Departamento de Estado, da Embaixada americana no Brasil e de outros órgãos federais. Os congressistas querem saber se houve participação institucional na emissão dos vistos, na organização do transporte e nos procedimentos para permitir a entrada de Flávio e de familiares nos Estados Unidos.

“A questão central é simples: o Departamento de Estado, a Embaixada dos Estados Unidos no Brasil ou qualquer outra agência do governo americano ajudou o senador Bolsonaro a viajar para os Estados Unidos ou a entrar no país, apesar da restrição judicial brasileira à sua saída?”, questionam os parlamentares.

Os democratas estabeleceram 13 de novembro como prazo para o envio das respostas por escrito. Também solicitaram uma reunião com representantes do Departamento de Estado para obter esclarecimentos sobre o episódio.

Vistos e ordem do STF

A carta foi apresentada pelas deputadas Sydney Kamlager-Dove, da Califórnia, copresidente da bancada dedicada às relações com o Brasil, e Dina Titus, de Nevada. Entre os demais signatários estão Pramila Jayapal, Joaquin Castro, Greg Casar, Rashida Tlaib e Delia Ramirez.

Um dos principais pontos da cobrança envolve a concessão de vistos ao senador e a seus familiares. Os deputados querem identificar quem autorizou os documentos, quando foram emitidos e se as autoridades americanas tinham conhecimento da determinação do Supremo Tribunal Federal (STF) antes de permitir a entrada do brasileiro.

A decisão judicial determinava que Flávio entregasse seus passaportes e restringia sua saída do país. Os parlamentares questionam se o governo americano verificou a existência de autorização judicial para a viagem e se chegou a reconsiderar os vistos depois de tomar conhecimento das medidas impostas pela Justiça brasileira.

Viagem também envolve Argentina e Equador

Outro trecho do documento aborda a possível participação de funcionários americanos na organização do itinerário utilizado pelo senador. Os democratas querem saber se representantes do governo dos Estados Unidos na Argentina ou no Equador participaram de alguma articulação relacionada aos deslocamentos.

A carta também pergunta se houve contatos entre integrantes da Casa Branca, do Departamento de Estado e outras agências americanas com Flávio, familiares, advogados, assessores políticos ou intermediários.

Os congressistas cobram informações sobre eventual ajuda na contratação ou organização de voos, emissão de documentos, transporte, acesso a aeroportos e planejamento da entrada em território americano.

A articulação ganhou repercussão após reportagens sobre a participação de Jason Miller, assessor próximo à família Bolsonaro e ligado à Casa Branca, na organização do jato utilizado pelo senador e seus familiares. A informação foi divulgada pelo jornal americano The New York Times.

Os parlamentares também querem saber se houve comunicação entre o Departamento de Estado e órgãos responsáveis pela imigração e pelo controle de fronteiras, como o Departamento de Segurança Interna (DHS) e a Alfândega e Proteção de Fronteiras (CBP).

Democratas questionam possível impacto diplomático

A iniciativa também aborda as consequências que uma eventual assistência americana poderia provocar nas relações entre Washington e Brasília. Os deputados perguntam se o governo Trump avaliou o risco de que a participação na viagem fosse interpretada como interferência em processos judiciais brasileiros ou nos assuntos internos do país.

O documento solicita ainda esclarecimentos sobre possíveis pedidos de informações feitos por autoridades brasileiras a respeito da localização de Flávio e de sua entrada nos Estados Unidos. Caso tenham ocorrido, os parlamentares querem conhecer as respostas fornecidas pelo governo americano.

“O povo americano e o Congresso têm um interesse legítimo de fiscalização em compreender se recursos diplomáticos e migratórios dos Estados Unidos foram utilizados para facilitar a viagem de uma figura política estrangeira nessas circunstâncias”, afirma a carta.

Os deputados acrescentam que a transparência é necessária diante da sensibilidade das relações bilaterais e da existência de um processo judicial no Brasil.

Até o momento da divulgação da cobrança, o Departamento de Estado não havia apresentado respostas públicas aos questionamentos. A carta representa uma iniciativa de fiscalização parlamentar e não comprova, por si só, que órgãos do governo americano tenham participado diretamente da saída de Flávio Bolsonaro do Brasil.

The post Democratas cobram Rubio sobre ajuda dos EUA na saída de Flávio Bolsonaro do Brasil appeared first on Diário da Manhã - O Jornal do leitor Inteligente.

The history professor who inaccurately predicted former Vice President Kamala Harris (D) would beat President Donald Trump (R) in 2024 is predicting a major Democrat win in the midterm elections on Tuesday.

The post Professor Who Inaccurately Predicted Kamala Harris Would Defeat Trump Predicts Democrats Will Win Midterms appeared first on Breitbart.

Donald Trump ha provato a eliminarlo, il cittadino statunitense Francis Prevost lo ha usato per esercitare il proprio diritto di elettorato attivo. Papa Leone XIV ha utilizzato il voto per corrispondenza per dire la propria alle elezioni di medio termine del 3 novembre che potrebbero decidere il futuro politico del tycoon. Il pontefice, che segue da vicino la politica nel suo paese d’origine, “ha esercitato il proprio diritto di voto come cittadino degli Stati Uniti, ogni volta che ne ha avuto la possibilità”, ha tenuto a chiarire la Sala Stampa della Santa Sede, e “in linea con questa consolidata prassi di partecipazione civica, il Papa ha inviato la propria scheda elettorale per posta a Chicago”. “Il Santo Padre ha inoltre confermato che, durante gli anni in cui ha risieduto in Perù, ha esercitato il proprio diritto di voto ogni volta che ne ha avuto la possibilità. Il Santo Padre esprime la propria convinzione riguardo al diritto e al dovere dei cittadini di partecipare ai processi democratici”, ha spiegato ancora il Vaticano.

Il Chicago Sun-Times, che il 29 ottobre ha riportato per primo la notizia, ha riferito che Prevost “è ancora un elettore registrato in Illinois” e “ha presentato la richiesta il 3 ottobre” e prima di salire al soglio pontificio ha esercitato più volte il proprio diritto di voto. “I registri – si legge – mostrano che Prevost ha votato alle primarie repubblicane del 2012, 2014 e 2016, così come alle elezioni generali del 2012, 2014, 2018 e 2024. Ha votato anche alle primarie democratiche del 2008 e del 2010. Non ha votato alle primarie dell’Illinois di marzo”.

“Votando, il nostro Santo Padre dà l’esempio che incoraggia ogni cittadino a esercitare la propria responsabilità civica”, ha commentato Chieko Noguchi, portavoce e direttrice esecutiva degli affari pubblici della Conferenza episcopale Usa. “Come cattolici e come americani – sottolinea la portavoce dei Vescovi – abbiamo la benedizione di poter partecipare alla vita politica e pubblica della nostra nazione”. In vista del voto, ricorda, la Conferenza dei Vescovi incoraggia i cattolici a esercitare il diritto di voto “in un modo che metta la nostra fede prima della politica”.

I rapporti tra Leone XIV e Trump sono tesi da tempo. Tra i due si è consumato un duro scontro iniziato nell’ottobre 2025, quando il Pontefice ha definito “disumana” la stretta sui migranti decisa della Casa Bianca. La tensione è poi esplosa nell’aprile 2026 con il conflitto israelo-americano in Iran. Il 5 aprile, il Papa ha denunciato l’illusione di onnipotenza della guerra, e il 7 aprile ha condannato la minaccia di Trump di distruggere la civiltà persiana bollandola come “veramente inaccettabile“. Il presidente ha replicato su Truth definendo il Papa “DEBOLE sul crimine e terribile in politica estera“, arrivando ad accusarlo di sostenere il programma nucleare dell’Iran. La Casa Bianca ha poi liquidato i moniti vaticani parlando di “commenti slegati dalla realtà”.

Il 13 aprile 2026, imbarcandosi per l’Algeria, Leone XIV ha risposto apertamente: “Non ho paura dell’amministrazione Trump“, aggiungendo “continuerò a parlare ad alta voce contro la guerra“. Pochi giorni dopo, il 5 maggio da Castel Gandolfo, il Papa ha ribadito che la Chiesa è contro l’atomo da anni e ha chiesto che chi lo critica lo faccia “con verità”. La frattura, alimentata anche dal vice J.D. Vance – che il 10 aprile da convertito al cattolicesimo si era permesso il lusso di contraddire Papa sulla corretta interpretazione del pensiero di Sant’Agostino -, ha spaccato il voto cattolico americano, mentre il Segretario di Stato Marco Rubio ha tentato una mediazione a Roma il 7 maggio.

Ora il Pontefice ha annunciato urbi et orbi di aver votato. Risiedendo a Roma, lo ha fatto per posta, modalità che Trump ha cercato di eliminare senza però riuscirci. Nell’agosto 2025, il tycoon aveva espresso l’intenzione di azzerare l’uso delle schede postali e il 31 marzo 2026 aveva firmato l’ordine esecutivo 14399 che introduceva pesanti restrizioni a livello nazionale proprio in vista delle elezioni di metà mandato. Il 14 settembre 2026 la Corte Suprema, con una decisione approvata da 7 giudici contro 2, ha respinto la richiesta dell’amministrazione di sospendere il blocco delle nuove regole disposto da un tribunale federale. La Corte ha ritenuto improbabile che il governo potesse prevalere nel contestare l’ingiunzione e ha lasciato quindi le restrizioni inapplicabili alle elezioni del 2026.

Il voto di Leone XIV segna una discontinuità rispetto ai tre predecessori. Il 16 settembre 2005, alla vigilia delle elezioni politiche tedesche del 18 settembre, il portavoce vaticano Joaquín Navarro-Valls confermò che Benedetto XVI, pur conservando la cittadinanza tedesca, non avrebbe votato: “I papi non votano“. Aggiunse che neppure Giovanni Paolo II aveva mai partecipato alle elezioni polacche durante il pontificato, iniziato il 16 ottobre 1978 e conclusosi con la sua morte il 2 aprile 2005. Per Francesco, eletto il 13 marzo 2013 e rimasto cittadino argentino, non risultano invece prove di voti espressi dall’Italia nelle consultazioni del suo Paese.

L'articolo Papa Leone XIV ha votato per posta alle elezioni di medio termine negli Usa proviene da Il Fatto Quotidiano.

On their first day of training, all aspiring officers in US Navy Officer Candidate School must endure a punishing gauntlet known as "First Tuesday," an intense event that tests them mentally and physically in the span of just under two hours.

Business Insider's chief video correspondent Graham Flanagan went inside "First Tuesday" at Navy OCS in Newport, Rhode Island as 126 candidates began their journey toward earning their commissions as Naval officers.

Led by a US Marine Corps drill instructor, the event sets the tone for the 13-week training course, potentially weeding out anyone having second thoughts.

A Republican member on the House Armed Services Committee told Fox News Digital ahead of the midterm elections that the Trump administration has a key decision to make on the future of the U.S.-Iran war as "continuing to do just enough not to lose, but not enough to win, is not OK."

Rep. Pat Harrigan, R-N.C., made the comments as Vice President JD Vance declared during a Fox News town hall on Thursday that he promises "Donald Trump is not going to let Iran become a forever war." Official and military sources also told Fox News this week that movements are being made in the Middle East to give the president options if he decides to resume strikes against Iran.

"I share my constituents and many Americans' perspective that I'm very, very frustrated that this war is not over. The way that ultimately this administration went about conducting the war, it needed to execute it and wrap it up in a very short period of time, and we are not there yet," said Harrigan, who is running for re-election in North Carolina's 10th Congressional District.

"That being said, Iran can't have a nuclear weapon. And so at the end of the day, I do believe that this was a war that was inevitable at some point, but the party that's in power and the administration that decided to pull the trigger on it is responsible for the outcome, and they're responsible for the outcome in a very short period of time. Otherwise, things get really, really difficult," Harrigan continued. "And I think we've been seeing that, both from a political perspective but also from a policy perspective."

TRUMP SUPPORTERS CONFRONT IRAN, AFFORDABILITY CONCERNS WITH A MESSAGE FOR CRITICS: 'GIVE HIM TIME'

"And so while the administration needs to wrap this up, we are not in a forever war, but we need to make sure that we're not... we keep the mission the same. We accomplish the mission. And we do what it takes to either win or come home," Harrigan added. "And that binary decision has to get made by this administration."

Harrigan told Fox News Digital that Trump "needs to involve Congress" if he chooses to renew military action against the Iranian regime.

"I think that that will long-term set the course for the country to be resolute in affirming and actually executing and accomplishing the objectives that exist. Because look, like it or not, Congress is responsible for the funding arm of the government. And if they run out of money to accomplish the objectives, then that is not good for our strategic interests," he said. "So, in my opinion, Congress and the White House need to be very closely involved in making the next set of decisions that exist for this conflict."

GOP CRACKS WIDEN OVER IRAN WAR AS VULNERABLE CANDIDATES BREAK WITH TRUMP, DEMAND ITS END

"And we do need to make sure, again, that we either do what it takes to actually win in Iran, or we need to take the three out of five objectives that we've accomplished and say that, you know what? We've largely accomplished our strategic objectives. We've got more work to do over the long-term that's going to require consistent and persistent over the horizon monitoring of their nuclear program. And we're going to have to mow the lawn every now and again, and everybody's got to realize that, and leave, right?" Harrigan continued, mentioning how the U.S. has prevented Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and eliminated Tehran's missile and drone production.

"But we've got to choose one of those two options because continuing to do just enough not to lose, but not enough to win, is not OK," he said. "It's not OK for the American people, it's not OK for our troops, it's not OK for geopolitical and economic stability. And it does not serve the long-term strategic interests of the United States. So it's time to choose."

Harrigan, a Green Beret and business entrepreneur, is running for re-election on Tuesday in North Carolina. He is facing off against Democrat challenger Ashley Bell, a physician associate, and Libertarian candidate Steve Feldman, who ran unsuccessfully for the seat two years ago.

As a current member of Congress, Harrigan told Fox News there is "no question" the Republican Party's House majority is at stake heading into Election Day.

"Whoever has 218 votes gets to chart the course of the direction of the House, the work that its committees do. And in particular, as it relates to the Trump administration, whether or not President Trump's going to get impeached," he added.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

"What this boils down to is the future direction of the country. Are we going to be stuck looking backwards instead of actually looking forwards, dealing with the actual business of the county and the free world, or are we going to be stuck in some sort of a Democratically-led nightmare that is simply going to be obstructionist to the conservative principles and values that people voted for in 2024?" Harrigan asked. "That's what's on the line this election cycle."

The president cancelled the events in favor of tele-rallies, as Republicans face a fight to retain control of Congress

Donald Trump cancelled, and then promptly uncancelled, two in-person rallies in Kansas and Iowa this weekend as polls suggest US midterm election races in the previous Republican strongholds could go down to the wire.

On Thursday, just five days before election day, the Republican National Committee (RNC) announced the president would no longer host the Kansas and Iowa rallies and instead participate in “a large number of tele-rallies”. The RNC claimed it felt it was in a “strong position” in Kansas and Iowa.

O Turismo do Algarve, em parceria com o Turismo de Portugal, através das suas Escolas de Hotelaria e Turismo na região, promove, no próximo dia 5 de novembro, um bootcamp presencial dedicado ao Compromisso Eficiência Hídrica | Selo SAVE WATER, no âmbito da 3.ª edição do programa Competências do Futuro Algarve. A sessão integra uma […]

Centenas de moradores de uma cidade ocupada no sul da Ucrânia, que sobreviveram durante meses sem acesso a suprimentos básicos, começaram a ser retirados nesta sexta-feira (30) sob um acordo de cessar-fogo negociado pela primeira-dama dos Estados Unidos, Melania Trump.

Republicans are losing ground in a state where Democrats are seeking to retain Senate seats and win the governor’s race.

Less than a week before the midterm elections, polls predict that voters in Georgia are not leaning toward Republicans in a state that plays a decisive role in U.S. politics and gave Donald Trump a narrow victory in the 2024 presidential election.

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More Than 26.6 Million Have Voted Early in U.S. Midterms

“Republicans are disappointed. Trump promised he would lower prices, and obviously, it was a scam,” said David, a Democratic volunteer who goes door to door in neighborhoods across the city of Macon to make sure no progressive vote is lost.

Polls point to a likely victory for Sen. Jon Ossoff, who is seeking reelection against Republican Mike Collins and could even become a presidential candidate in 2028.

Democrats need to hold on to their seats in Georgia and Michigan and flip four Republican-held seats in swing states to win a Senate majority.

They are also hoping to make Keisha Lance Bottoms the first woman and first African American to serve as governor of Georgia, although polls show a dead heat with Republican Rick Jackson.

A Divided Battleground State

In Georgia, every vote counts. Trump defeated Harris in 2024 by 115,000 votes, while Joe Biden won in 2020 by just 12,000 votes, a margin Trump unsuccessfully challenged with allegations of fraud.

Few states embody the electoral pendulum as well as Georgia, where a population boom and decades of economic growth have transformed a Republican stronghold in the South into a state where either party can win.

While the Atlanta metropolitan area, home to Coca-Cola, CNN and Delta Air Lines, is a major source of Democratic votes, the state’s iconic peach orchards, by contrast, are turning Republican red.

The Battle for the African American Vote

The birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr. and the cradle of the civil rights movement, Georgia also has an African American population of more than 30%, above the national average.

Mobilizing those voters was one of Obama’s goals when he chose Atlanta for his final major campaign rally last Wednesday. “Obama represents hope, faith and class. He is the best of the best; what we have now is garbage,” said Patricia, an African American voter who attended the event.

So far, voter turnout in the Southern state has already broken records, with more than 2.3 million people casting early ballots, surpassing the previous high set during the 2022 midterm elections.

Although early voting figures cannot predict the outcome, some indicators favor Democrats, with higher turnout in urban centers and more moderate participation in rural areas.

The Cost of Living at the Center of the Campaign

Aware of what is at stake, Trump has visited Georgia twice in two weeks, most recently last Saturday, when he announced a multibillion-dollar investment by Audi to build a plant that would bring thousands of jobs, according to him.

The economy dominates a campaign shaped by public frustration over the high cost of living and rising gasoline prices amid the war in Iran.

“Women voters in counties across the Atlanta metropolitan area tend to be decisive. Gasoline and food prices are the main issues,” political scientist Kerwin Swint said.

Obama has tapped into the frustration of Americans struggling to make ends meet with a viral joke that has angered Trump: He compared the White House’s gold decor to the tacky aesthetic of The Cheesecake Factory restaurants.

Outside his rally, a man was selling T-shirts depicting the White House transformed into one of those restaurants. He said they sold out in the blink of an eye. Tuesday will show whether that is a reflection of what will happen at the ballot box.

teleSUR/ JF

Source: EFE