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Zelensky's Last Stand?
Plus, desert greens.
Good morning and Happy Monday! Here are the Flag’s Top Five stories that should be on your radar to start the day:
US: Hurricane Helene ravages the Southeast, killing at least 22 and leaving millions without power (NBC News)
World: Israel conducts massive strike in Beirut targeting Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah (Axios)
Business: East Coast port strike looms for first time since 1977. Here's what to know. (CBS News)
Technology: AI bots now beat 100% of those traffic-image CAPTCHAs (Ars Technica)
Sports: Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce help Chiefs rally for 17-10 win over Chargers (AP)
And of course, some good news: Sahara Desert Is Turning Green Amid Unusual Rains in Parts of North Africa
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TRENDING
Left: Who's Still Undecided Between Harris and Trump? Ed Kilgore, New York Magazine
Left: The Politics of Kamala-nomics, Harold Meyerson, American Prospect
Left: Harris Claims She's for Middle Class. Where's She Been for the past 4 years? Nicole Russell, USA Today
Right: Is This the Best Poll for Trump Yet? Guy Benson, Townhall
Right: If You Vote Harris, You Deserve What You'll Get, Megyn Kelly, The Megyn Kelly Show
Right: Colleges Caught in a Death Spiral of Far-Left Ideology, Jonathan Turley, New York Post
UKRAINE
Zelensky's Last Stand?
Today’s Top Story: Last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a visit to Washington, D.C., and met with Vice President Kamala Harris in Pennsylvania to make a bid for continued aid as his country fights to stave off Russia’s invasion. Some critics have argued the visit is political and amounts to foreign interference in the upcoming election.
Reporting from the Left: Zelensky makes urgent in-person plea to Biden and Harris who highlights her contrasting approach to Trump (CNN)
Reporting from the Right: 'Abuse of power': House GOP opens probe into Ukrainian president's trip to battleground Pennsylvania (Fox News)
LEFT-LEANING SENTIMENT
Zelensky Losing Favor
The Top Argument From The Left: Zelensky’s Star Power Fades on Capitol Hill, Karoun Demirjian, The New York Times: “When President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine visited Capitol Hill less than two years ago, he was feted with standing-room-only crowds, rollicking ovations and an aid package worth nearly $50 billion to help his country fight off a Russian invasion. … Mr. Zelensky is widely regarded as Ukraine’s most persuasive advocate, gifted in his ability to cut through partisan congressional gridlock with appeals to speed weapons and other supplies to Kyiv. … Mr. Zelensky, who gave a speech to the U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday, had the bad luck of arriving on Capitol Hill the morning after both chambers of Congress adjourned for the campaign season, which was a factor in the low attendance. Congressional leaders did little to raise the profile of his visit: Neither Mr. Schumer nor Mr. McConnell addressed the news media, in person or via an emailed statement, as has happened after Mr. Zelensky’s earlier visits, nor did Mr. Jeffries. Nearly every lawmaker who attended the sessions had previously and repeatedly voted in strong support of military assistance for Ukraine. … Mr. Zelensky, who visited Capitol Hill last year in September and December, seemed to be cognizant of the hurdles Ukraine aid faces — and careful about sidestepping them.”
Honorable Mention #1: Democrats fume at GOP's barrage against Zelensky, Andrew Solender, Axios.
Honorable Mention #2: Zelensky is in the U.S. seeking aid. Here’s what Ukraine needs. Max Boot, The Washington Post.
RIGHT-LEANING SENTIMENT
Foreign Interference
The Top Argument From The Right: Zelensky’s arms-factory visit reeks of partisan foreign-election interference, Post Editorial Board, New York Post: “What was Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky doing at what sure looked like a partisan US political event this week? And how did the White House let this happen? Zelensky got flown into battleground Pennsylvania aboard a USAF C-17 plane on Tuesday; he then toured the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant accompanied by Gov. Josh Shapiro, Sen. Bob Casey, Rep. Matt Cartwright — the last two being active Democratic candidates. And it looks like no GOP candidates got invited — trapping a foreign head of state into apparently taking sides in US domestic politics. Yet Zelensky was guarded by Secret Service agents and driven around in Secret Service vehicles, adding more reek of impropriety: Who covered those expenses? Someone in the Biden administration pulled a fast one: Pennsylvania has a fair number of anti-Russian Polish-Americans and others of Eastern European heritage who might be swayed by Zelensky’s seeming preference. Legalities aside, this is terrible for Zelensky: Ukraine desperately needs support from Republicans as well as Democrats in Congress, and will no matter who holds the White House next year. …dragging any foreign leader, especially one who’s seeking now new support for his nation from the White House, into US politics is morally criminal — at least.”
Honorable Mention #1: Ukraine’s Zelensky Used U.S. Military Assets To Campaign For Harris in Pennsylvania, Breccan F. Thies, The Federalist.
Honorable Mention #2: As Zelensky meets with Biden and Harris, he learns he has a new enemy: Trump, Jamie McIntyre, Washington Examiner.
FLAG THIS
Partisan Divide for Supporting Ukraine
Polling from the summer showed that 62% of Republicans believe the U.S. does not have a responsibility to help Ukraine defend itself, while only 36% say it does. In contrast, 63% of Democrats support U.S. responsibility to assist Ukraine, leading to an overall even split among Americans (48% for, 49% against).
Opinions on U.S. aid to Ukraine also vary, with 29% of Americans saying too much is being provided, 26% saying the amount is right, and 19% saying it's insufficient; nearly half of Republicans (47%) believe the U.S. is sending too much aid, compared to just 13% of Democrats (Pew Research Center).
Do you believe it is in America's interests to continue to send aid and support Ukraine? |
WATERCOOLER
World Series on TV, Personality Change, Umbrellas for Women
On This Day in 1947, the New York Yankees beat the Brooklyn Dodgers, 5-3, in Game 1 of the World Series—the first Fall Classic game broadcast on television. It is the second "Subway Series" between and Yankees and Dodgers and first World Series to involve a Black player. Jackie Robinson of the Dodgers broke Major League Baseball's color barrier six months earlier.
The Conversation: Can you change your personality? Psychology research says yes, by tweaking what you think and do
Today I learned umbrellas were once used only by women.
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