Cory Booker reports record campaign haul after marathon speech
On April 1, Booker delivered the longest recorded floor speech in Senate history, breaking the record set by segregationist Sen. Strom Thurmond in 1957. Booker was protesting President Donald Trump's policies.
Booker said that he decided to undertake the marathon speech because Democrats had a "responsibility" to "do something different" in the face of the unprecedented changes taking place in the first few months of Trump's second term as president.
Booker ran for president in 2019. His name has been floated as a potential contender for the Democratic nomination for president in 2028.
Other potential Democratic presidential candidates, such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut, have reported raising similar amounts, according to NBC News, which first reported Booker's cash haul. Fundraising reports for the second quarter are due July 15.
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Daily Mail
23 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Jacinta Price uncovers the truth behind 'First Nations' terminology
By Indigenous senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price (pictured) declared that 'First Nations' is not even an Australian term before being told off by Penny Wong in parliament. The star Coalition politician was at the centre of a fiery row in the Senate last week after One Nation senators including Pauline Hanson turned their backs on the acknowledgement of country at the start of parliament. Senator Price separately objected to the ceremonies as a person of Indigenous heritage, claiming they did little to improve the lives of Indigenous Australians and were a form of 'political point-scoring'. It prompted Senator Wong to urge the Coalition to 'respect' parliamentary traditions. 'I would hope that the Opposition would reflect on the words of their own leader in relation to welcomes to country,' the Labor Senate leader told the chamber. 'Decency and respect cost us nothing, but it goes a long way to building a sense of unity.' Before being told off by Wong, Price launched a blistering attack on the term 'First Nations' - that has since gone viral on social media. 'First Nations isn't even Australian terminology, for crying out loud!' she told the chamber. 'It's been adopted from Canada, from America. It's just reinvention, which is actually belittling and watering down traditional culture and what it's really about.' Price also doubled down on her stance about Welcome to Country ceremonies, claiming they were a 'reinvention' of Indigenous culture. 'Senator Hanson is correct to say that Welcome to Country is not traditional culture. It isn't. And what we do need to recognise is - and it is important for all of us, as leaders of this nation, to recognise - the reinvention of culture, which diminishes traditional culture,' she continued. 'For those who still live close to traditional culture, within cultural confines, their day-to-day lives are dictated by it.' 'They speak their language. They are often spoken about in very romanticised terms. And the use of acknowledgements really does absolutely nothing to improve their lives. To be quite honest, as a woman of Indigenous heritage but, first and foremost, as an Australian, I am absolutely done with the virtue signalling that takes place. I am of the belief that it is not necessary to have an acknowledgement, because we are all Australians. 'Every single one of us - including the Ngunnawal and the Ngambri - is Australian. We are here to serve all Australians equally in this country, not to praise or acknowledge one group above others. Truly, I don't think you really want to acknowledge my existence because of my indigeneity more than anybody else's. I am equal to you and to everybody else here and to everybody in this country.' 'But we can ignore traditional culture in this chamber because there are elements of it every single one of you across from here ignore, because it's detrimental to the most remote and marginalised communities. But if you speak up against it, if you mention it, you're painted as a racist or somebody who is a "coconut", or somebody who is a traitor. 'magine if we treated every single racial group in this manner in this country. It's horrendous.' Price didn't mince her words on what she thought of the politicisation of Indigenous Australians due to their racial heritage. 'I'm sick to death of it as a woman, mother, soon to be grandmother and as an Australian of proud heritage, whether it's my convict ancestors or it's my Warlpiri ancestors, I'm proud of it all and we should all be,' she said. Price was quickly inundated with widespread support. 'Thank you for speaking up for ALL Australians, Jacinta,' conservative political lobbyist group Advance Australia posted. A man added: 'Well said, we are all Australian irrespective of skin pigmentation, heritage, race or whether you believe in a deity or you don't. I hope this is replayed many, many times.' Another commented: 'Here's hoping that one day we can all be proud Australians and recognise past heritages and be thankful we live in an amazing country.' The speech also reignited calls for Price to lead the Coalition. 'Future Prime Minister of Australia,' one Aussie commented. The senator's fiery speech came after Opposition Senate Leader Michaelia Cash leapt to her defence and accused Wong (pictured) of having 'sought to dismiss' Price's objection to the ceremonies. 'I will stand by and respect Senator Nampijinpa Price, who every day has lived and breathed reconciliation in this country - her father is white, her mother is black,' Cash said. 'Please don't ever come into this place again and pontificate to us like you've just done.'
The Herald Scotland
an hour ago
- The Herald Scotland
What is Trump's approval rating in July? Immigration, tariff polls
See last week's polling: Trump approval drops in new poll as more Americans oppose immigration policies In a July 25 poll from Emerson College, the president had a 46% approval rating and 47% disapproval. That's a one-point increase on both counts from the survey's June results. "About six months into the second Trump administration, the president's approval rating has stabilized in the mid-40s," the poll's executive director, Spencer Kimball, said in statement. "While his disapproval has steadily increased about a point each month since the inauguration and now stands at 47%." In a Gallup poll released a day prior, the president's approval rating was significantly lower, coming in at 37%. The pollsters called it the lowest mark of his second term and only a few points higher than his all-time-low rating of 34% at the end of his first term. Both polls showed what has long been a deep divide between Republicans and Democrats when it comes to Trump and his policies, especially over immigration, foreign policy and the economy. Here's a round-up of some of the last week's polls. Emerson College poll 46% approve 47% disapprove Trump notched his highest single-issue approval rating on immigration, the poll said, with 45% approving and 46% disapproving of Trump's policies. The highest disapproval numbers were on the economy, with a 41% approval rating and 51% disapproval. That continued to sink with Trump's tariff policy, with 36% approving while 50% disapproved. Trump's support - both on overall job performance and on specific issues - was fueled by Republican respondents in the poll. Just 10% of Democrats said they like the president's job performance, compared to 87% of Republicans and 38% of independents. The difference support was widest by party on immigration, with 12.9% of Democrats approving compared to 80% of Republicans. More: 16% of voters approve of Trump's handling of Epstein files, poll shows The survey of 1,400 registered voters was conducted July 21-22 and has a margin of error of ?2.5 percentage points. Gallup poll 37% approve 58% disapprove The poll marks a 10-point drop from the 47% approval rating Americans gave Trump at the beginning of his second term in January. About 29% of independent voters said they're pleased with Trump's job performance in the new survey, the lowest Gallup has tracked with the group in either of Trump's two terms. It's a 17-point decline from the 46% the president enjoyed among independents at the start of his second term earlier this year. Trump's ratings on some of the most significant issues facing the country also faltered, according to Gallup pollsters. He received the strongest support for his handling of the conflict with Iran, at 42% approving, followed by foreign policy at 41%. The president's handling of Iran - where U.S. troops bombed three nuclear sites last month - earned Trump the greatest support from independents, at 36%, while the federal budget gave him the lowest at 19%. The survey of 1,002 Americans was conducted July 7-21, and has a margin of error of ?4 percentage points. Fox News poll 46% approve 54% disapprove Trump's support was lowest on issues of inflation and tariffs, with 36% of respondents backing the way Trump has approached two central forces in America's economy. He received his highest ranking for border security, with 56% of respondents approving and 44% disapproving. Along party lines, support was highest among Republicans, with 88% backing the president. Thirty-seven percent of independents and 7% of Democrats agreed. The survey was conducted by Beacon Research/Shaw & Co. Research. 1,000 registered voters were surveyed July 18-21, and the poll has a margin of error of ?3 percentage points. Kathryn Palmer is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kapalmer@ and on X @KathrynPlmr.
The Herald Scotland
an hour ago
- The Herald Scotland
Governor races set to be major referendums on Trump vs. Dems
Plenty of potential 2028 presidential contenders, such as JB Pritzker of Illinois and Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, are looking to secure new terms that will keep their national profiles high. Similarly outgoing governors with White House aspirations - think Florida's Ron DeSantis - who will need their party to hold power less their own presidential narratives be crushed. And then there's the potential return of Kamala Harris, who could end up controlling the globe's fourth-largest economy while on a collision course with her 2024 rival. From California to Wisconsin to Virginia to Arizona, more than three-dozen states will choose governors who are going to be at the frontlines of a divided nation amid Trump's controversial upheaval in Washington that has touched various economic, cultural and institutional nerves since January. Whether that's absorbing the fallout of the "one, big beautiful bill" and its changes to Medicaid or other assistance programs, resisting or assisting the Trump administration's expanding immigration crackdown that has seen tense, sometimes violent clashes in the streets or dealing with the massive federal worker layoffs, here are the governor races worth watching - and why. Trump set to be 'major factor' in early Virginia, N.J. races this fall Both parties are hoping to flip the governor's mansion in the odd-year races in Virginia and New Jersey in 2025, which are leaning slightly in Democrats' favor, according to Sabato's Crystal Ball and the Cook Political Report, which forecast elections. In Virginia, where Republican incumbent Glenn Youngkin is term-limited, reports underscore the GOP is a bit nervous about Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears given her anemic fundraising hauls and internal campaign combustion that one conservative talk radio host described as a "clown car." A July 16 Virginia Commonwealth University poll showed Earle-Sears trailing the Democratic nominee, former Rep. Abigail Spanberger, by a 12-point margin among registered voters. That is giving Democrats a confidence boost as they plan to focus on affordability and economic issues, but particularly the impact of the Trump administration's cuts to the federal workforce. Virginia is home to about 152,300 federal workers. Democratic incumbent Phil Murphy is also term-limited in New Jersey, where Republican Jack Ciattarelli looks to put his past Trump criticisms in the rearview and bulldoze his right-leaning populist over Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill. Ciatterelli, who the president has endorsed, came within 3 percentage points of winning the governorship in 2021 when he kept Trump at arm's length. This time around his firebrand style is something GOP strategists are confident can keep Democrats on defense in a blue state. Thank you @realDonaldTrump for bringing America back and delivering BIG results!!! ????????@GOPGovs are grateful to be working by your side to undo the disaster of the past 4 years and usher in AMERICA'S GOLDEN AGE!!! — The RGA (@GOPGovs) February 21, 2025 A Rutgers-Eagleton Poll released July 2 showed their is high enthusiasm for both candidates, but that at the moment Sherrill holds the advantage with 51% of voters saying they cast their ballot for her compared to 31% saying the same for Ciattarelli. Other surveys have the election closer, but what's telling in the Rutgers poll is how large Trump shadow looms with 52% of voters saying the president is a "major factor" in their decisions for governor versus 30% who say he isn't a factor at all. Swing states governors race a test of Trump policies, Dems messaging Most of next year's gubernatorial races will be centered on the six swing states, of which four are currently controlled by Democrats and two by Republicans. Trump won all of them in the 2024 presidential race, and he is expected to play a significant role whether as an asset or liability for GOP contenders. "I look forward to working with each and every one of you as we complete the mission of saving America," he told the Republican Governors Association in February. "We've made a lot of progress... we've had a lot of fun doing it, too" the president added. "We just rip down whatever (Democrats have) done." Political forecasters give Democrats and Republicans a relatively even chance at prevailing in five of the six battleground gubernatorial races. Only in Pennsylvania, where incumbent Gov. Josh Shapiro, a 2028 hopeful, is expected to announce his reelection bid soon do Democrats hold an expected edge. Incumbents are expected to face stiff challenges in Arizona and Nevada, and the open races in Wisconsin, Michigan and Georgia are still taking shape as different candidates emerge. After weeks of public debate, largely about his age, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers bowed out of seeking a third term in next year's gubernatorial race, leaving a critical seat open in a swing state Democrats would have preferred to be a safer bet. There's now expected to be a crowded primary that will provide a window into how Democrats have settled on crafting a tougher messaging strategy going into the midterm elections. Democratic Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, for instance, entered Wisconsin governor's race on July 25 by calling Trump a "maniac" in her campaign launch video. "His tariffs are killing our farmers," she said in the video. Supporters emphasize Rodriguez, who is looking to be the state's first woman governor, is running with an emphasis on lowering costs, helping businesses and workers thrive and improving child access to early education. It's official - I'm running for Governor of Wisconsin. Here's what you should know: ?I'm a lifelong Wisconsinite and your Lt. Governor. ?I've been an ER nurse, a public health exec, and a small biz owner. ?I flipped a red seat in 2020 and won statewide in 2022. ?I'm ready to... — Sara Rodriguez (@saraforwi) July 25, 2025 "(Democrats) should still have a decent chance to hold it in context of 2026, but incumbency is still valuable in (governor) races, so there's added variability now," Kyle Kondik, managing editor of Sabato's Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia Center for Politics, said in a July 24 post on X. The Democratic brand is likely to see its biggest test in Arizona. No current governor is considered more vulnerable than Democrat Katie Hobbs, who many believe will see a tough reelection bid after a razor-thin victory against Republican Kari Lake in 2022. Unlike other Democratic governors, Hobbs, a former social worker and secretary of state, has kept with her low-profile approach this year which has aggravated the political left on certain issues, such as standing up against Trump on immigration. A breakdown on the left could give the GOP an opening in the Grand Canyon State, if they can minimize the damage from next year's Republican primary that is expected to be contentious featuring two Trump-backed two contenders in Rep. Andy Biggs, a populist-minded member of the House Freedom Caucus, and developer Karrin Taylor Robson, who saw former Trump advisors leave her campaign earlier this year. Democrats are also hoping that diving into unpopular parts of Trump's mega-bill can win back Nevada where Republican incumbent Joe Lombardo had an upset win in 2022. When the Republican Governors Association, for example, showcased almost two-dozen governors were offering "strong support" for the mega-bill, Lombardo, a former sheriff, didn't sign the letter. Shake up from the Trump administration's signature legislative achievement means hundreds of thousands will be tossed off Medicaid and food assistance programs. That will give Republicans a difficult balancing act of selling the president's wins, such as extending tax breaks to tipped workers, while absorbing Democratic attacks. Republicans will also have to play defense in Georgia, where the immensely popular incumbent Brian Kemp is term limited. He comfortably defeated Democrat Stacy Abrams in back-to-back contests. But the Peach State has a purple hue and if the GOP picks a lightning rod nominee, such as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a MAGA darling who has flirted with the idea, the election could become a national focal point. At least four other Democrats have signed up, including former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, who worked in the Biden administration but many are still speculating if Abrams will take a third bite. That tension underscores how Democrats have their own problems as many remain skittish about their party's health due to an emerging left-leaning populism that appears to be taking hold amid ongoing frustrations with the party establishment. That is on full display in the Michigan governor's race, where popular incumbent Gretchen Whitmer is term limited, and Democrats are expected to have a heated primary. The beginning narrative came from Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, who made headlines when he decided to ditch the Democratic Party and run as an independent for governor further underscoring the party's woes. His campaign announced on July 25 an impressive $3.2 million fundraising haul in the past six months, which almost matches the $3.5 million raised by Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat, who is considered the big dog in the Democratic primary. "We're feeling the momentum," Duggan said in a statement. Don't forget outlier contests and Harris' possible return in California One feature of the 2026 gubernatorial races could be the return of Kamala Harris to the national stage, as the former vice president continues to contemplate a run for California governor. Doing so would put Harris right back in the fight and a major figure in the resistance movement against Trump, particularly on immigration. The former VP hasn't announced, but a University of California, Irvine released this month shows 41% of voters in the Golden State would choose her over a generic Republican. There are already big names, including former Democratic Rep. Katie Porter, former Health Secretary Xavier Becerra and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, but the bombshell everyone is bracing for is Harris' return bid whether for California governor or a third run at U.S. president. "Things are hard right now," she said in a July 4 post on X. "They are probably going to get worse before they get better. But I love our country -- and when you love something, you fight for it. Together, we will continue to fight for the ideals of our nation." There's a similar compelling narrative in Florida, where Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, a probably 2028 contender, is term-limited but might be gearing up for proxy intra-party spat with Trump. A July 24 survey by the University of North Florida shows Casey DeSantis holding a slight edge over Rep. Byron Donalds, who is endorsed by the president. Other polls, however, have given Donalds a better lead over Casey DeSantis, who has remained cryptic about running, in such a hypothetical matchup. Democratic and Republican operatives with knowledge of the larger strategies going into next year's races for governor tell USA TODAY they believe there are chances for picks outside the swing states, too. For Republicans the easiest chance for a flip in their eyes looks to be Kansas, where incumbent Laura Kelly, who is term-limited, is one of the last red state Democrats in the country. Forecasters rate that contest as leaning for the GOP and at least eight contenders, including former Kansas Gov. Jeff Colyer. Conservative operatives also grin when asked about New York, which is at the moment considered a "likely" Democratic hold by Gov. Kathy Hochul. But Republicans are holding out hope that Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., a Trump confidant, will join the fray and make that contest more competitive. "I will make a final decision and announcement after this year's November election which we are all focused on," Stefanik said in a July 23 statement after Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., announced he will seek re-election instead of running for governor. Outside of Virginia, there is a small chatter of hope among Democrats when broached about flipping an open seat in Iowa after GOP incumbent Kim Reynolds passed on another term earlier this year. State Auditor Rob Sand, the only statewide Democratic official, has entered the race. The prediction there doesn't look good as multiple Republicans have signaled they're running in the Hawkeye State, which is rated as either "leaning" or "likely" for the GOP to keep.
