Democratic strategist David Axelrod tried setting the record straight Tuesday about comments he made suggesting President Biden drop his re-election campaign in light of dismal polling.
Why it matters: The former Obama senior adviser's original comments appeared to reflect a wave of prominent Democrats expressing doubt over whether Biden could secure another four years in the White House.
It's Election Day, with key races in Ohio, Virginia and Pennsylvania set to determine abortion rights, legislative control and a state Supreme Court seat, respectively.
The big picture: Voters around the country are making decisions with wide-ranging political, social and economic ramifications, and off-year elections can often serve as litmus tests for bigger ones like 2024.
Many of the Puerto Ricans organizing or marching in support of Palestinians and calling on Israel to stop military action in Gaza are doing it because of what they see as a familiarfight against "colonialism."
Why it matters: The support illustrates the strong feelings many Puerto Ricans have about the island's status as a U.S. territory, sources tell Axios. Some Puerto Ricans have long fought for independence from the U.S.
More than 400 Americans, U.S. permanent residents, and their family members have left Gaza, State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel told Axios Tuesday.
Driving the news: Those who have left so far have done so through the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, which was temporarily closed over the weekend but reopened Monday, NBC News reported.
The House is staring down votes on yet another set of dueling censure resolutions this week over provocative comments lawmakers in both parties have made about the Israel-Hamas war.
Why it matters: Many lawmakers are frustrated that floor time is being used to punish each other for controversial remarks at a time of extraordinarily high partisan tension — and as a government shutdown looms next week.
Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) takes aim at Democrats and Republicans in a new ad on foreign policy — a signal that Hogan, a co-chair of the No Labels organization, is moving toward a third-party presidential bid.
Why it matters: As polls suggest voters want an alternative to a likely Biden-Trump rematch in 2024, No Labels is laying the groundwork for a bipartisan presidential ticket and has secured ballot access in 12 states so far.
A scuba dive boat captain charged over a 2019 fire aboard a vessel that killed 34 people in Southern California was found guilty of one count of misconduct or neglect of ship officer on Monday.
The big picture: Jerry Nehl Boylan, 69, of Santa Barbara, faces up to 10 years in prison after being convicted in the deadliest maritime disaster in recent U.S. history of the federal offense, commonly called "seaman's manslaughter," per a statement from the U.S. attorney's office in Los Angeles on Monday.
Five GOP presidential candidates have qualified for the third GOP debate on Wednesday, according to the Republican National Committee.
Why it matters: That's about half as many candidates as the first and second primary debates. Like the first two, the Miami debate is unlikely to feature frontrunner former President Trump.
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds endorsed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday in the 2024 Republican presidential primary.
Why it matters: It's a big win for DeSantis, who has been aggressively campaigning in Iowa since he launched is presidential bid, as he trails former President Trump in the race for the GOP nomination.
A group of pro-Israel Jewish Democrats is taking abig step toward establishing a formal congressional Jewish caucus — but the idea is being met with skepticism from some of their more progressive colleagues, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: The effort has generated some discord among Jewish lawmakers at a time when emotions are already high due to the divisive Israel-Hamas war and related legislative fights.
Fresh off another cycle of alarming polls, the Biden campaign is responding to Democrats' apocalyptic fears by fishing out past examples of winning candidates defying early expectations — including Joe Biden himself in 2020.
Why it matters: A year out from the 2024 election, campaign officials are battling negative polls and doomsday narratives as much as they are Biden's Republican rivals.
