Trump still leads in New Hampshire, but Haley is rising

Donald Trump continues to lead the GOP presidential field in New Hampshire, but Nikki Haley is gaining. A new CNN poll conducted by the University of New Hampshire shows Trump with 42 percent of the vote. He’s followed by Haley at 20 percent, moving her into second place ahead of other GOP rivals. Chris Christie is at 14 percent, then Ron DeSantis at 9 percent. Haley’s support in New Hampshire has climbed 8 percentage points from the last CNN/UNH poll in September. The state will hold its presidential primaries on January 23rd.

Biden-Xi meeting reduces tensions, but serious challenges remain

President Biden’s recent meeting with China’s Xi Jinping helped reduce tensions between the U-S and China, but serious challenges remain. The president said the U-S has “real differences” with Beijing about a level economic playing field and protecting intellectual property. He told leaders at the APEC summit in San Francisco why it’s important for the U-S and China to be on good terms.

Biden voters more motivated to stop Trump than support president

Likely Joe Biden voters are more motivated to stop Donald Trump than to support the president. The findings of a new Reuters/Ipsos poll point to voter unhappiness with a likely Biden versus Trump rematch in 2024. In fact, Americans inclined to vote for Mr. Biden next November say their primary motivation is stopping Trump. About half of Biden supporters in the poll described their vote as being against Trump and his policies, compared to just 38 percent who said they would be voting to support President Biden and his policies.

New Hampshire defies Biden’s primary calendar wishes

New Hampshire is defying President Biden’s wishes by scheduling its presidential primaries before South Carolina. The president wanted South Carolina to be the first voting state in the Democrats’ 2024 primary season. However, New Hampshire refused to give up its long-running position as the traditional leadoff primary state. Officials there announced the presidential primaries will be held on January 23rd. New Hampshire law requires the state’s primaries be held at least seven days before any similar contest. The primaries will take place about a week about the Iowa caucuses.

Biden, Xi agree to improve high-level communication

President Biden and Chinese President Xi’s face-to-face meeting appears to have helped ease tensions between their two nations. After months of sparring between the U-S and China, the two presidents finally met in person again — shaking hands, sitting down together, and lowering the temperature. Mr. Biden said they agreed to keep open the lines of communication. Serious challenges remain, but President Biden said he was hopeful their meeting laid the groundwork for cooperation rather than conflict.

Congress averts shutdown, sends temporary budget bill to Biden

Congress has sent a temporary government funding package to President Biden for his signature. The Senate followed the House in approving the stopgap budget bill that will fund the government into early next year. By passing the measure, lawmakers ended the threat of a government shutdown before the holidays. The spending package funds the government at current levels for roughly two more months while a long-term package is negotiated.

Biden voters more motivated to stop Trump than support Biden

Likely Joe Biden voters are more motivated to stop Donald Trump than to support the president. The findings of a new Reuters/Ipsos poll point to voter unhappiness with a likely Biden versus Trump rematch in 2024. In fact, Americans inclined to vote for Mr. Biden next November say their primary motivation is stopping Trump. About half of Biden supporters in the poll described their vote as being against Trump and his policies, compared to just 38 percent who said they would be voting to support President Biden and his policies.

Biden announces new batch of diverse judicial nominees

President Biden has announced another batch of judicial nominations. In his push to diversify federal judgeships, the president announced five nominees, including the first Muslim-American on any circuit court. Another judicial nominee is Service Employees International Union general counsel Nicole Berner. If confirmed by the Senate, Berner would be the the first openly LGBTQ judge on the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. The president also nominated judges who would serve in Indiana and Oregon.

White House pushes for spy program reauthorization

The Biden administration is urging Congress to reauthorize a spy program. Time is running out to keep Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act going before it expires at the end of December. The White House says the spy program is vital to preventing terrorism, catching spies and disrupting cyberattacks. Administration officials warn lawmakers that without the program, the government won’t be able to collect crucial intelligence overseas. But civil liberties advocates insist that changes are needed before the program is reauthorized.

Biden and China’s Xi to hold face-to-face talks in California

President Biden will have face-to-face talks with China’s Xi Jinping for the first time in a year. The meeting in Northern California is aimed at improving tense relations between the U-S and China. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan says the best way to avoid conflict is through “intense diplomacy.” Sullivan says Mr. Biden believes there is no substitute for face-to-face diplomacy to manage the complex relationship between Washington and Beijing.

Former Fox News reporter could be held in contempt of court

A former Fox News reporter could be held in contempt of court. A federal judge is weighing whether to hold in contempt veteran journalist Catherine Herridge. She refuses to identify her sources for stories about a Chinese scientist who was investigated by the FBI but never charged. The lawsuit seeks to force Herridge to reveal her sources for a series of Fox News stories in 2017. Herridge now works at CBS. Press freedom groups are closely watching the case and say forcing a reporter to reveal sources would have a chilling effect.

White House: freeing Americans held by Hamas a “top priority”

The Biden administration says winning the release of Americans held hostage by Hamas remains a top priority. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan says the U-S continues working to rescue and reunite hostages with their families. He says President Biden and other senior officials are actively involved. Sullivan acknowledges the administration has limited information about the condition and whereabouts of the hostages, including whether or not they are still alive.

U.S. government aims to free up additional wireless spectrum

The White House is taking steps aimed at freeing up additional wireless spectrum for advanced technology needs. In response to soaring U.S. wireless demand, the Biden administration is releasing a strategy to potentially expand the availability of radio spectrum needed for cellphones, satellites, navigation, space travel, and other emerging technologies. The spectrum is also vital for national security and responding to disasters. According to the White House, the federal government will perform a two-year study on how to possibly repurpose part of the spectrum to be used for wireless broadband, drones, and satellites.

Nikki Haley will launch $10M ad campaign in Iowa, New Hampshire

Republican Tim Scott ends 2024 presidential campaign

Congress is racing toward another potential gov’t shutdown

Biggest DeSantis donor switches support to Trump

Ron DeSantis is losing his biggest donor to Donald Trump. Hotel entrepreneur Robert Bigelow announced that he’s switching his support to Donald Trump. However, he won’t be opening his wallet just yet. Bigelow said he will remain on the sidelines until he sees what happens with the former president’s criminal trials. He told Reuters he won’t make any donations to Trump until he’s sure he’s not headed to prison. Bigelow is a major Republican donor who gave 20-million dollars to a pro-DeSantis super PAC in March.

Next GOP presidential debate set for December

Plans are already in the works for the next GOP presidential primary debate. Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel says the party has plans for additional debates in the 2024 election cycle. A fourth debate is scheduled for early next month in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. To make the stage, candidates must garner at least 6 percent in two approved polls, and gather at least 80-thousand unique donors representing 20 or more states.

A policy-focused debate still featured some bickering

Republican candidates still found time to criticize each other during a policy-focused debate. A recent campaign feud between Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley carried over to the debate stage. Haley also took issue when Vivek Ramaswamy mentioned her daughter using TikTok. Ramaswamy opened the debate by tearing into the mainstream media, as well as the chairwoman of the Republican National Committee.

On debate stage, DeSantis and Haley take aim at absent Trump

Donald Trump’s rivals took aim at the frontrunner during the latest GOP debate. With Trump absent from the debate stage again, the two candidates fighting for a distant second place in the GOP field, Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley, both took notice. Trump held a competing rally here in South Florida during the debate.

At GOP debate, candidates address Israel, China, abortion

At the third GOP debate, candidates tackled a range of domestic and foreign policy issues. The candidates stood strong with Israel, including Ron DeSantis. Chris Christie took aim at TikTok, saying it represents a threat from China. On abortion, Nikki Haley said it’s time to face political reality. But Tim Scott held firm in his support of a nationwide 15-week abortion ban.

GOP debate to include domestic, foreign policy topics

Tonight’s Republican debate is expected to feature both domestic and foreign policy questions. This is the first debate since the Hamas terrorist attack against Israel and the military response. Ukraine and China are other hot-button foreign policy issues. Abortion is likely to be addressed, too, especially following last night’s vote in Ohio protecting access to the procedure. With frontrunner Donald Trump skipping the debate and holding a competing rally just a few miles away, the five GOP candidates here are hoping to break out as the former president’s top rival.

Five candidates to square off in 3rd GOP debate in Miami

Miami is hosting the third GOP presidential debate. Five candidates will face off here in South Florida this evening — Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, Vivek Ramaswamy, Chris Christie, and Tim Scott. RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel says this debate comes at a critical time in the election cycle. NBC News is televising the debate, which is co-sponsored by the Salem Radio Network.

Trump to skip Miami debate and hold nearby rally

Former President Trump will hold a rally instead of participating in the third Republican debate. Once again, Trump is skipping the debate. And once again, he’s scheduled an event to compete with the debate. One hour before his GOP rivals take the debate stage in downtown Miami this evening, he’ll hold a stadium rally in Hialeah, about a half-hour away. The former president has repeatedly said he sees no point in participating in the primary debates, given his commanding lead in the race.