but it is still the economy that tops voters list of priorities. by a long shot. and on that front, a new forecast today says a recession is coming. and that it will look a lot like the one that turned the phrase it s the economy, stupid, into political gospel. let s discuss all of this, mj lee live at the white house. abby phillip in washington and mj, we know the economy blows away all others so why is this, abortion right, the focus for the president today? reporter: well, ana, i think this white house would certainly argue that this isn t the president s focusing on abortion issues over the economy. they have been focused on both but, yes, today was the day when he wanted to take the opportunity to make a big political speech to talk about this issue that is certainly very divisive but that they also know has been very politically salient. it is no surprise, of course, we have been reporting on this just how much the white house and democrats in washington have really
i m victor blackwell. good to be with you. three weeks from election day, and today president biden is putting abortion rights front and center for voters. this afternoon he promised to make roe v wade the law of the land. promising to send a bill to congress to codify the law. they re hoping this could galvanize voters. if you care about the right to choose, then you ve got to vote. that s why in these midterm elections, it s so critical to elect more democrats to keep control of the house of representatives. folks, if we do that, here s the promise i make to you and the american people the first bill i will send to the congress will be to codify roe v. wade. when congress passes it, i ll sign it in january 50 years after roe was first decided as the law of the land. cnn s phil mattingly is at the white house this afternoon. what s behind the strategy here of making abortion a focus of the mid terms. polling is showing that it s not the boost it was a few weeks ago
but especially you will. do you need those center-right how does the rain delay who republican voters to get it does that favor, the yankees, done? the polls show warnock s the guardians, and who s going strategy is doing better, to be on the mound for both leading herschel walker by about teams tonight? three to four points, whereas well, i m happy to report it s a beautiful, crisp fall day stacey abrams is down about five to six points in recent polls. in new york, so this game is going to happen finally at 4:00 one caveat, as you were just this afternoon. they tried to get it in last talking about, their opponents, night. they waited and waited. herschel walker, facing warnock, it was 2 1/2 hours. is a first-time candidate with a they didn t want the fans to sit turbulent past. and wait until 11:00 or midnight brian kemp, incumbent governor, to start a baseball game, no viewers and all of that. does not have that baggage. so another day of rest for both and they argue
please follow the show at jdbalart msnbc. thank you for your time. peter alexander picks up with more news right now. good morning. i am peter alexander here in washington. parts of ukraine are under fire in the dark and running low on water as russia unleashes a new barrage of air strikes overnight. president zelenskyy says 30% of his country s power stations are destroyed by russia part of what he says is vladimir putin s strategy to plunge ukraine into brutal conditions just as winter approaches. we are in ukraine with the very latest ahead. plus, just 21 days out from the midterms, president biden is going to put the spotlight on a crucial issue the democrats hope will motivate their voters. abortion rights. and he is ready to make this promise. codifying roe v. wade into law will be his first big legislative priority in the new congress. if he hopes that ll be enough to keep control of congress in democratic hands, that actually may hinge on a series of other issues. r
hey, everybody, i m yasmin vossoughian in for hallie jackson, with me now is nbc white house correspondent mike memoli, the washington post and msnbc political analyst, ashley parker, also with us new york times politics reporter, lisa lerer. mike, let me start with you on this one and talk about what we heard from the president around the 1:00 hour. essentially the message is get out there and vote, especially if you are for abortion rights because we can help codify it come january. talk us through that, three weeks out now from the midterms. yeah, that s right, yasmin. i think the political strategy here on the part of the white house is very clear. democrats saw a real boost in the polls in the late summer months after that june decision by supreme court came down, striking down the protections for abortion rights under roe versus wade. as one democratic strategist put it, maybe if that decision came down in august we d be feel better about where things stand now. w