This is cnn immigration, the economy, abortion, and masculinity. I m michael smerconish in philadelphia. It s labor day weekend. Usually this marks the start of the final dash toward election day. But of course we haven t stopped sprinting all summer long despite all the effort and expenditures by the candidates and their campaigns, the presidential election is neck and neck several polls were released at the end of this week and they all tell a similar story a new usa today suffolk poll shows vice president harris ahead of former president trump nationally 48, 43 big shifts from hispanic, black, and young voters are helping harris. But the biggest change came from lowerincome voters they supported donald trump over joe biden by three percentage points back in june harris now leading in that demographic, 58 to 35%, casting a 23 point advantage then there s a new wall street journal poll, which also shows harris with a narrow lead over trump 48, 47. That s in a headtohead match up the n
To be inseparable oh, no the Associated Press picked up the nyu story. Thats going to be in every paper. Ive been out. It wasnt even everyones going to think okay, not that theres anything wrong with that not that theres anything wrong with it. I michelson were counted in philadelphia with a question, how many among us are accurately described as lgbtq plus, according to gallup, the number is on the rise and reached an alltime high in 2023 gallops analysis was based on a survey of 12,000 adults 18 and older, and founded 7. 6 identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer . The data illustrates both agender, end, generational divide. Women are nearly twice as likely as menn do identify as lgbtq plus 8. 5 of women, 4. 7 of men, and nearly 30 of gen z women, those aged 18 to 26, identify as such most of them as bisexual. Each Younger Generation is about twice as likely as the generation that preceded it is selfidentify this way, only 1 of the Silent Generation the youngest of w
Closer. Im Michael Smerconish in philadelphia on friday, the thirdparty group no labels ended months of speculation about whether it would field a unity ticket for the president ial race in a Virtual Convention with an 800 delegates from all 50 states voted to move forward with the process and on the heels of that news, several outlets are reporting theres a particular candidate. Now under consideration. Geoff duncan, 48 yearold, was a republican Lieutenant Governor of georgia under brian kemp from 2019 to early 2023, is a conservative republican and also a vocal critic of Donald Trumps efforts to over returned the 2020 president ial election. Duncan recently wrote an oped in the Atlanta Journal constitution titled end doesnt justify the means on trump about why he wont support trump for president. Writing quote, trump has become incapable of leading in a respectable or mature way until more of us are willing to acknowledge that pardon, truth, we will be on the outside looking in. The
What well garland do. Im Michael Smerconish in philadelphia, Attorney General Merrick Garland may eventually make a singular decision that determines the outcome of the 2024 election, whether the doj will continue to push for donald trump to be tried before election day in the federal case, premised on alleged Election Interference for months. Here, ive delivered commentaries focused on the timing of this particular prosecution because i think its most perilous to trump, and ive often done so with the assistance of elie honig will join me again in a moment. Heres the issue on wednesday, scotus granted cert and announced that the high court will hear Donald Trumps Immunity Defense i dont think the ultimate outcome is in dispute. I think trump loses that claim. In my opinion, its unlikely its illogical that the court will provide Blanket Immunity from criminal prosecution to an american president more important is the process, the timing of the courts Decision Garland told cnns evan pere
i m michael smerconish in philadelphia. on friday the u.s. conducted major retaliatory airstrikes on iraq and syria, the start of what the u.s. military says likely will be larger attacks on iranian-backed militias. airstrikes hit more than 85 targets according to u.s. central command including command and control operation centers, intelligence centers, rockets and missiles and unmanned aerial vehicle storage. the move came in response to a drone strike by iran-backed militants on a u.s. military outpost in jordan on sunday. that killed three u.s. service members and wounded more than 40 others. the strikes began only about an hour after president biden attended the dignified transfer of their remains at dover air force base in delaware. officials say the timing was coincidental but symbolic of the gravity of his decision. iraqi officials say at least 16 people were killed in the strikes and condemn the attacks as, quote, a flagrant violation of iraqi sovereigty. a chief in