Daily Signal

Republicans entered the midterm cycle hoping voters would reward them for changes in Washington. But pollster Scott Rasmussen sees a major warning sign: Americans remain remarkably pessimistic about their own finances. “The reason we're in the political environment we're in today is because people are just as pessimistic about their personal finances today as they were on the eve of election 2024,” Rasmussen tells Rob Bluey on this episode of the Daily Signal’s “Midterm Report.” That pessimism could have major consequences for control of Congress. Rasmussen explains why voters judge the economy less by national statistics and more by what happens to their own budgets. When prices rise, Americans living paycheck to paycheck are forced to make trade-offs among gas, groceries, housing, transportation, and other expenses. He also breaks down the races for the House and Senate, the enthusiasm gap within the Republican coalition, questions about the accuracy and interpretation of political polling, and his research into what he calls America’s “elite 1%.” Could Republicans still beat expectations? How much should voters trust close polls? And what will ultimately determine who controls Congress? Watch the full interview for Rasmussen’s assessment of where the country stands heading into Election Day. FAQ What is driving voters’ economic pessimism? Scott Rasmussen argues that personal finances are more important politically than abstract economic indicators. Voters notice what they can afford and how much money remains after paying their regular expenses. Who does Rasmussen think will control the House? His analysis has the House leaning strongly toward Democrats, although he says Republicans still have a narrow path. Could Republicans retain control of the Senate? The Senate is much more competitive. Rasmussen says a 50-50 outcome is possible. Is Trump's base still motivated? Yes. Rasmussen says Trump's core supporters remain highly motivated. His concern is with more traditional Republican voters who are less enthusiastic. Why does Rasmussen say polls are misunderstood? He distinguishes between a polling error and a race that is simply too close to call. A one-point lead does not necessarily mean the pollster is predicting that candidate will ultimately win. Who are the “elite 1%”? It's Rasmussen’s term for a specific group of affluent, highly educated, urban Americans he has studied whose attitudes toward voters and government differ substantially from the broader electorate. LINKS Napolitan News Service https://napolitannews.org/ Out of Touch: The Elite One Percent and the Battle for America's Soul https://link.amazon/B05L6GNqF NEW FILM by Nick Freitas and The Heritage Foundation: “The Immigration Crisis That Will Destroy the West” https://youtu.be/pX0rwaEs5jA?si=51OyIZrR3Z8k3vG7 DONATE 👉 We cannot continue to make videos like this one without the support of our viewers. Please consider donating to the Daily Signal today! https://secured.dailysignal.com/ 🔔 Subscribe to Daily Signal for more interviews, analysis, and reporting on the issues shaping America's future. #Midterms #ScottRasmussen #Economy #Polling #Affordability #Congress Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the 2026 midterm elections approach, the political landscape is more complicated than the polls suggest. Democrats are counting on President Donald Trump’s approval ratings to deliver a major victory, but historical trends, economic uncertainty, voter turnout and the changing makeup of their party could all shape the outcome. Will Democrats get the decisive win they expect, or could November bring a surprise? We cannot continue to make videos like this one without the support of our viewers. Please consider donating to The Daily Signal today! https://secured.dailysignal.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The war in Ukraine has dragged on for more than four years, with millions of Russian and Ukrainian casualties and no clear path to victory. Like Verdun in World War I, the conflict has become a grinding war of attrition with no decisive breakthrough in sight. Meanwhile, European leaders continue to demand American support against Russia while restricting U.S. efforts to counter Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Europe wants the security guarantees of the United States, but is it prepared to shoulder the responsibilities that come with them? After years of fighting, it is time for Ukraine’s supporters to explain how they intend to bring this war to an end. Alliance Defending Freedom - Alliance Defending Freedom is in the front lines of the fight for freedom. Visit JoinADF.com/HANSON or text HANSON to 83848 to help ADF in their fight, and for a limited time your donation will be matched by a special grant, doubling the impact. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸The Counterrevolution: The Fall and Rise of Donald Trump and the MAGA Movement The Daily Signal, the proud producers of “Victor Davis Hanson: In a Few Words,” has a special limited time offer: With a monthly donation $14, you’ll become BOTH a Signal Elite Supporter AND receive a copy of “The Counterrevolution: The Fall and Rise of Donald Trump and the MAGA Movement”Click here to order: https://secured.dailysignal.com/support-daily-signal-today/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=signalelite&utm_content=260820-vdh-book-youtube10 We cannot continue to make videos like this one without the support of our viewers. Please consider donating to The Daily Signal today! https://secured.dailysignal.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the midterm elections approaching, the stakes extend far beyond gas prices, inflation and the war with Iran. The political divide between red and blue states, the exodus from Democratic-led states and the ideological direction of the Democratic Party raise deeper questions about the future of the United States. As voters prepare to head to the polls, the debate centers on competing visions for America's future, from immigration and public safety to economic policy and the nation's relationship with Israel. Every dollar you give today will be MATCHED by a special grant, while funds last. Visit JoinADF.com/HANSON or text HANSON to 83848 to make TWICE the impact for freedom today. That's http://JoinADF.com/HANSON or text HANSON to 83848. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸The Counterrevolution: The Fall and Rise of Donald Trump and the MAGA MovementThe Daily Signal, the proud producers of “Victor Davis Hanson: In a Few Words,” has a special limited time offer:    With a monthly donation $14, you’ll become BOTH a Signal Elite Supporter AND receive a copy of “The Counterrevolution: The Fall and Rise of Donald Trump and the MAGA Movement”Click here to order: https://secured.dailysignal.com/support-daily-signal-today/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=youtube&ut… We cannot continue to make videos like this one without the support of our viewers. Please consider donating to The Daily Signal today! https://secured.dailysignal.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Socialism is gaining ground in America, particularly among younger voters. But what’s driving its rise, and what could it mean at the ballot box? On this episode of "Midterm Report," Rob Bluey examines the political and economic forces behind the socialist movement with Brooke Medina of State Policy Network and Dr. Charles Steele of Hillsdale College. Medina reveals the dramatic expansion of the Democratic Socialists of America, from just 21 chapters in 2013 to 204 today, including growth in states such as Florida, Texas, and Kansas. She explains how affordability concerns, community organizing, and younger voters are helping fuel the movement and why DSA influence increasingly extends into state and local politics. Steele explains why he believes socialist policies would fail to solve Americans’ economic concerns. He makes the case for free markets and entrepreneurship, tackling health care costs, government spending, inflation, and even the dramatic decline in the cost of reaching space under more market-oriented approaches. He also offers an optimistic message to young Americans who question whether the American dream is still within reach. CHAPTERS 0:00 Rise of the DSA 1:23 Mapping DSA influence 3:28 Ideology and recruitment 5:23 Appeal to younger voters 7:01 Free market alternatives 9:37 Countering with federalism 12:11 Organizational strategy 15:23 Shifting political norms 17:17 Defending liberty 18:56 Immigration and the west 20:08 The dangers of socialism 22:24 Economic reality of socialism 24:10 Price signals and efficiency 26:31 A vision for the future 28:52 Free market space development 31:52 Healthcare market reforms 33:56 The American dream FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What is the Democratic Socialists of America? The Democratic Socialists of America, or DSA, is a socialist organization that works to advance its political agenda, often through candidates running within the Democratic Party. The DSA has grown from 21 chapters in 2013 to 204 today. Why is socialism gaining popularity in America? There are several factors, including concerns about affordability, a desire for community among younger Americans, and years of grassroots organizing by DSA. The average age of a DSA member fell from 68 in 2013 to 33 in 2017 and beyond. Is DSA's influence limited to liberal cities and blue states? No. DSA's growth has extended into states including Kansas, Texas, and Florida, and socialist candidates are increasingly competing at the state and local levels. Why doesn't socialism work? Dr. Charles Steele says government planners lack the incentives and price signals that businesses and entrepreneurs receive in a market economy. Without those signals, he says, governments can continue directing resources toward activities that fail to create sufficient value. Why does the rise of socialism matter in the midterm elections? DSA's expanding organization matters beyond federal races because socialist candidates are also competing for state and local offices. The current election cycle is an important test of the movement's staying power and influence. LINKS Socialism’s National Spread: Mapping the State-by-State Reach of the Democratic Socialists of America - State Policy Network https://spn.org/spn-special-report-socialisms-national-spread/ NEW FILM by Nick Freitas and The Heritage Foundation: “The Immigration Crisis That Will Destroy the West” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX0rwaEs5jA DONATE 👉 We cannot continue to make videos like this one without the support of our viewers. Please consider donating to the Daily Signal today! https://secured.dailysignal.com/ 🔔 Subscribe to Daily Signal for more interviews, analysis, and reporting on the issues shaping America's future. #Socialism #DemocraticSocialism #FreeMarkets #MidtermElections #Midterms2026 #Election2026 #YoungVoters #AmericanDream #Economy #Affordability #Capitalism #DSA #Politics #PoliticalNews #MidtermReport #dailysignal Images credits: NurPhoto Heritage Images Chip Somodevilla Getty Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As adversaries use cheap drones to drain America's expensive missile stockpiles, the United States faces a growing challenge in modern warfare. With weapons costing millions of dollars being used to destroy drones worth only a few thousand, the imbalance raises serious questions about America's military readiness. Drawing lessons from World War II, the answer may lie in a renewed focus on mass production, affordable weapons, and the ability to outproduce America's adversaries as global threats continue to grow. Alliance Defending Freedom - Alliance Defending Freedom is gathering 100,000 signatures on a petition to get the disturbing Rights, Respect, and Responsibility program out of schools and to protect parents' right to direct their kids' education. Sign the petition by texting HANSON to 83848 or visit http://JoinADF.com/HANSON We cannot continue to make videos like this one without the support of our viewers. Please consider donating to The Daily Signal today! https://secured.dailysignal.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The proposed execution of Fort Hood terrorist Nidal Hasan has sparked controversy over whether the military should carry out the sentence by firing squad and make it public. Victor Davis Hanson revisits the 2009 massacre that killed 13 American soldiers, criticizing the Obama administration's response, the military's failure to act on warning signs, and the role of political correctness in the aftermath. Hanson also takes aim at Hillary Clinton for calling the proposed execution barbaric, contrasting her outrage with her role in the U.S. intervention in Libya and her infamous reaction to Muammar Gaddafi's brutal death. Alliance Defending Freedom - Alliance Defending Freedom is gathering 100,000 signatures on a petition to get the disturbing Rights, Respect, and Responsibility program out of schools and to protect parents' right to direct their kids' education. Sign the petition by texting HANSON to 83848 or visit http://JoinADF.com/HANSON Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump's outrageous demands and confrontational rhetoric may be more calculated than his critics realize. Victor Davis Hanson breaks down Trump's "art of the deal" strategy, from threats to retake the Panama Canal and acquire Greenland to his pressure campaigns against Canada and NATO. Hanson argues that Trump's willingness to make extreme demands, provoke outrage, and put world leaders on the defensive has helped secure concessions that more conventional presidents couldn't achieve. Is Trump's abrasive negotiating style a liability, or is it the secret to his success? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Three years after the October 7 massacre, Victor Davis Hanson looks back at the attack on Israel, Hamas’ preparations for war, and the response that followed. He breaks down the scale of the assault, the hostages taken, the thousands of rockets fired at Israeli civilians, and the billions of dollars in aid Hamas diverted toward weapons and an enormous tunnel network. Hanson also asks why so much of the West turned against Israel almost immediately after the attack, and why Israel is now so often portrayed as the aggressor rather than the country that was attacked. Alliance Defending Freedom - Alliance Defending Freedom is gathering 100,000 signatures on a petition to get the disturbing Rights, Respect, and Responsibility program out of schools and to protect parents' right to direct their kids' education. Sign the petition by texting HANSON to 83848 or visit JoinADF.com/HANSON Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steve Cortes warns that the United States could repeat Europe’s experience with mass Muslim immigration, pointing to Dearborn, Michigan, and arguing that assimilation and shared American values should play a larger role in immigration policy. He also discusses what he found while reporting in Michigan, Maine and Wisconsin and how immigration could shape major races in the midterms. Don Palmer also breaks down The Heritage Foundation’s latest Election Integrity Scorecard, including which states have strengthened their election systems and why some states could once again take days or weeks to finalize results.  Steve Cortes’s New Documentary:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOsPelIDx5g Cortes Investigates Website:  https://www.cortesinvestigates.com/ The Heritage Foundations Election Integrity Scorecard: https://electionscorecard.heritage.org/ NEW FILM by the Heritage Foundation: “Preventable: The System That Failed My Daughter.” Available now.   https://youtu.be/HxiwOSSRT6s?si=r9k6BFD-iMmvnvpn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Republicans risk repeating George H.W. Bush’s 1992 mistake by allowing Democrats to define a strengthening economy as a crisis, particularly on affordability. For months now, Democrats have been screaming to the heavens how unaffordable it is to live a comfortable life here in the United States. But when you actually look at what's happened, it's not true. The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta reports that in the third quarter, the economy will have grown by 5% GDP. We just had 160,000 new jobs. New jobs were created in the month of August. The unemployment rate is only 4.2%. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸The Counterrevolution: The Fall and Rise of Donald Trump and the MAGA MovementThe Daily Signal, the proud producers of “Victor Davis Hanson: In a Few Words,” has a special limited time offer:  With a monthly donation $14, you’ll become BOTH a Signal Elite Supporter AND receive a copy of “The Counterrevolution: The Fall and Rise of Donald Trump and the MAGA Movement”Click here to order: https://secured.dailysignal.com/support-daily-signal-today/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=signalelite&utm_content=260930-vdh-book-youtube10 PragerU - Please support PragerU with a tax-deductible donation today. Go to http://PragerU.com/VDH and give generously today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Iran sits at the center of a rapidly changing global order as military and economic pressure continues to build on the regime. A collapse in Tehran could transform the Middle East and represent one of the most consequential geopolitical shifts since the fall of the Berlin Wall. Beyond Iran, major changes are unfolding across Russia, China, Latin America, Greenland, and the wider Middle East as the balance of global power continues to shift. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tribalism is growing in America and weakening assimilation, unity, and a shared national identity. Social media is accelerating racial and cultural tensions, while DEI, affirmative action, and government policies have deepened division and reinforced identity-based politics. The melting pot is breaking down as more people are defined by race, ethnicity, and religion rather than those differences being treated as incidental. PragerU - Please support PragerU with a tax-deductible donation today. Go to http://PragerU.com/VDH and give generously today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices