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The Republican governor candidates walking back some of their abortion stances

17 October 2026 at 22:23
The candidates' retreat suggests that, even as reproductive rights fade from the national spotlight and polls show voters are far more likely to prioritize cost-of-living concerns, the political ramifications of pushing for new abortion restrictions remain substantial.

House Speaker Mike Johnson draws on faith as he fights to hold the Republican majority

Ever the optimist, Speaker Mike Johnson said he believes Republicans will hold on to their U.S. House majority, defying a surge of Democratic momentum in the final stretch of the midterm elections that will determine control of Congress.

Most in new poll want major change in midterms

15 October 2026 at 17:50
Most voters want major change in Washington ahead of this year’s midterms, a new AP-NORC poll finds. Overall, a combined 80 percent of registered voter respondents said they want either “complete and total upheaval” or “substantial change” in the way the country is run. That includes 97 percent of Democrats, 90 percent of independents and…

Trump’s ambassadors: the loyalists and allies at the center of controversy

15 October 2026 at 11:00

Kimberly Guilfoyle’s departure has renewed scrutiny of the president’s picks for diplomatic posts, from France to Jamaica

Donald Trump has appointed family members, friends and loyal political allies to represent the US on the world stage, dispatching an extraordinary array of characters to embassies across the world.

While presidents of both parties have long rewarded donors and allies with plum ambassadorships, Trump has chosen loyalists willing to go to bat for him regardless of the implications for US-foreign relationships.

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© Photograph: Getty Images

© Photograph: Getty Images

© Photograph: Getty Images

Democratic and GOP strategists on how Trump's unpopularity is shaping the midterms

14 October 2026 at 23:30
The latest polling for the upcoming midterms shows a tilt in Democrats' favor. For an inside view of the final weeks of the campaign, Geoff Bennett spoke with Democratic strategist Mo Elleithee and Republican strategist Doug Heye.

Republicans retreat from battleground districts as lines shift in House races

The shifting money in the final weeks of midterm campaigns points to a defensive posture by Republicans and new aggression from Democrats, who aim to capitalize on President Donald Trump's weak approval ratings.

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