Leland Vittert’s War Notes: Pivot Party of One

NewsNation Chief Washington Anchor and On Balance host Leland Vittert was a foreign correspondent for four years in Jerusalem. He gives you an early look at tonight’s 7 p.m. ET show. Subscribe to War Notes here.  

State of play: 

• 34 days to the election 
• Decision Desk HQ average: Kamala Harris +4.5, as of around noon ET today. Click here to see the latest numbers.
  • PredictIt betting odds: 54 to 49 in favor of Harris.

Programming note: Tonight begins our series of U.S. Senate debates hosted by our Nexstar-owned and -operated stations that will decide control of the Senate. 

• Tonight, Virginia Senate debate, 7 p.m. ET – No On Balance, but tune in to watch Hung Cao and Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine face off. 
• Thursday, Pennsylvania Senate debate, 8 p.m. ET – On Balance live from Harrisburg, Pa.

We will be on the road through Pennsylvania over the next few days — more on that tomorrow.

About Last Night

Once again the real loser in last night’s debate is the American people — the moderators appeared so biased that no Republican in their right mind will agree to presidential debates next cycle.

• Threat to democracy: For all the talk about “norms” and democracy — not having debates is bad for America.
  • The CBS moderators couldn’t hide their disdain for JD Vance and the (at least) 47% of the country who will vote for him and former President Donald Trump.
    • There were no questions on Ukraine, China or fentanyl 
    • The pathetic cutting of the candidates’ microphones as if the moderators were more important than the VP candidates 
    • The moderators’ open contempt of Vance.

JD Vance pivoted to the center last night and it worked.

• On abortion, he talked about Republicans’ shortcomings 
• He threw Tim Walz (and everybody who believed the pundits) off by appearing normal, rational and compassionate (aka, the opposite of what we were told to expect).
• Many Republicans wished he had been the one debating Harris, rather than Trump
• He left a lot in the green room — like the punch Ali never gave Foreman 

Walz was Walz — as opposed to all the things we have been told he was — we actually saw it. 

• The lack of interviews over the past six weeks put enormous pressure on a guy who “isn’t a good debater.”
• His defenses of far-left policies came off as forced 
• For all the prep, they couldn’t come up with a better answer on his China fib? 

Best question from a smart friend this morning … Will it matter? 

• Answer: In an election this close, everything matters. 
• More broadly: Who knows? But if Harris loses, many will blame Walz’s performance last night.
  • Bigger question: What does this say about Harris picking Walz over Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro? 

A man behind the scenes: 

• Special thanks to Getty images for capturing your humble correspondent in his natural habitat — the caption reads “a man stands in the spin room.”
  • Thanks — I think! 

Time for Choosing

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces the question of a lifetime:

• Does he force a war with Iran or not?
  • Israel can retaliate against Iran for its attack yesterday in a way that forces a continuing war, like:
    • A decapitation strike against Iranian leadership
    • Destroying Iran’s oil industry with kinetic (bombing) strikes
    • A massive attack against Iran’s nuclear facilities 
  • OR Israel can retaliate in a way that proves it can end the Iranian regime where the Iranians go home and lick their wounds
    • Destroying air defenses
    • Cyber attack against Iranian oil infrastructure or power grid 
    • Sinking Iranian spy ships in the Gulf of Aden
• Whether Netanyahu likes it or not, the United States and President Biden do play a role in Israel’s decision
  • Pro-tip: If President Biden actually delivered on his “severe consequences” promise, Israel would be more willing to step back.
  • But Team Biden’s arrogance and obsession with non-escalation makes that impossible.

Must read: Eli Lake delivers a devastating truth bomb about Team Biden-Harris’ “support” of Israel, writing, “Israel has a right to fight its enemies to a tie.” 

Most Important Man in the Election

Harold Daggett leads the Longshoremen’s union striking East Coast ports that will soon send prices across America sky high.

• Nobody feels the effects right now of the frozen supply chain, but two weeks from now prices of everything from bananas to liquor will rise. 
• That’s Daggett’s plan — just listen to him
  • “They won’t be able to sell cars. They won’t be able to stock malls. They won’t be able to do anything in this country without my f—ing people. And it’s about time they start realizing it.”
  • The Wall Street Journal profiled a man who makes almost $1 million a year but claims to represent working folks making around $39 an hour.

Political reality: The port strike presents arguably the biggest known danger to Harris’ election. 

• Pickle politics: Biden and Harris know the port strike could cause major electoral problems, but crossing a union could break their already strained relationship with union workers. 
• More from Daggett: “Nobody knew what the Longshoremen were, we didn’t get respected, but now we will … when they find out malls are going to shut down because goods can’t get in.”
  • He appears to be prebutting a possible 90-day cooling off period the administration could order. 

Big picture: The strike is about more than wages.

• The longshoremen already turned down a 50% raise
• They really want job security from automation 

Look forward: The media will soon demonize Daggett

• They will accuse him of just wanting to help Trump
• They will question whether he is really looking out for his workers 
• They will say the Longshoremen are just greedy crane operators who are holding the economy hostage 

Wait for it.

Tune into “On Balance with Leland Vittert” weeknights at 7/6C on NewsNation. Find your channel here. 

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily of NewsNation.