As we know, recent polling in the United States has been anything but accurate and as election day looms, both parties are pulling out all the stops to win over every last vote.
The Democrats have been struggling with their sitting president’s low approval rating for many months now.
He says this election is a choice between two fundamentally different visions of America.
“This election isn’t a referendum, it’s a choice. It’s a choice between two fundamentally different visions of America.”
Tuesday’s elections represent the first nationwide test of democracy since Biden took office and Trump’s followers stormed the U.S. Capitol in protest.
Speaking of Trump, he’s been campaigning in Ohio for Republican Senate nominee JD Vance. While First lady Jill Biden is in Northern Virginia, campaigning with Democratic Representative, Jennifer Wexton
But what’s actually at stake?
All 435 seats in the House, 35 seats in the 100-member Senate, 36 state governorships, three U.S. territory governorships and a large number of city mayorships and local offices.
In a further 37 states, issues including laws on abortion, marijuana and voting rights are also up for a vote.
It follows House GOP leader Kevin McCarthy speaking exclusively to CNN as his party eyes off a red wave.
If the Republican party does win back control of the House and the Senate, McCarthy is vowing to secure the border, cut back on government spending and launch investigations into the Biden administration.
McCarthy is also optimistic about his chances of securing Speaker of the House.
McCarthy was reluctant to predict how many seats his party may pick up on election night but says “anywhere over 20 is a red wave.”
“I’ve seen more competitive race than I’ve seen in any given time. I see Democrats spending money in seats that Biden won by 20 points – New York.”
In Florida, current Senator Marco Rubio says his followers have one job to do.
“We have one job left to do and that is turn out to vote and vote in big numbers. These people don’t just need to lose, they need to lose by a lot. They need to get the message — we will never be a socialist country.”
All eyes on Pennsylvania
There’s one race which has everyone talking and that is the battle for one of Pennsylvania’s highly sought-after seats in the Senate.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump looks on as Pennsylvania Republican U.S. Senate candidate Dr. Mehmet Oz speaks at a pre-election rally to support Republican candidates in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, U.S., November 5, 2022. REUTERS/Mike Segar
Representing the Democrats is John Fetterman, a former mayor who currently serves as the state’s lieutenant governor.
In the Republican corner is Mehmet Oz, known affectionately as Doctor Oz.
He’s the Trump-backed candidate who rose to fame as Oprah Winfrey’s go-to health practitioner.
Oz says America is the land of opportunity.
“I’m not a politician. I’m a surgeon. What surgeons do is tackle big problems. We do it successfully, in my case, fixing broken hearts by working with everybody, by making sure we unify people in the operating room — not divide them. The same will work for our nation.”
Musk supports change
This comes as Elon Musk throws his support behind the Republican party.
Taking to Twitter, the platform’s new owner says “shared power curbs the worst excesses of both parties therefore I recommend voting for a Republican Congress, given that the Presidency is Democratic”.
William is an Executive News Producer at TICKER NEWS, responsible for the production and direction of news bulletins. William is also the presenter of the hourly Weather + Climate segment.
With qualifications in Journalism and Law (LLB), William previously worked at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) before moving to TICKER NEWS. He was also an intern at the Seven Network's 'Sunrise'.
A creative-minded individual, William has a passion for broadcast journalism and reporting on global politics and international affairs.
In Short:
– Russia tested the Burevestnik cruise missile, claiming it is ready for deployment after a successful 14,000-kilometre flight.
– Concerns about the missile’s safety persist due to previous failed tests and a fatal incident during development.
Russia tested its nuclear-powered Burevestnik cruise missile, claiming it is ready for deployment.
President Vladimir Putin announced the successful test, which demonstrated a flight of 14,000 kilometers over 15 hours. The announcement comes amid heightened nuclear rhetoric related to tensions over Ukraine.
Putin described the missile, also known as “Storm Petrel” or “Skyfall,” as “invincible,” claiming its design allows it to evade current and future missile defense systems.
Western analysts have raised doubts regarding its effectiveness and safety, citing a high failure rate in testing, with only two successful tests out of 13 since 2016.
Concerns Raised
The Burevestnik’s development has faced significant setbacks, including a 2019 explosion during testing that resulted in fatalities and radiation release. The incident raised concerns about the safety of nuclear propulsion systems.
The missile’s development aligns with Russia’s strategic interests following the U.S. withdrawal from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty in 2001. Its introduction coincides with intensified nuclear rhetoric from Russia as the conflict in Ukraine persists into its fourth year.
Russia’s nuclear posturing includes recent drills showcasing intercontinental ballistic missiles, coinciding with geopolitical tensions as Russia employs such threats to influence Western support in Ukraine.
Trump’s ASEAN talks with Xi and Albanese may reshape Indo-Pacific trade, defense, and critical minerals strategies.
President Trump’s talks with Xi Jinping and Anthony Albanese at the ASEAN Summit could redefine trade, defence, and critical minerals strategy across the Indo-Pacific.
Professor Tim Harcourt from UTS joins to unpack the global and regional implications.