The 24 Seven: Grounding Wire
The top seven stories shaping the race for the White House
Hey friends, I’m trying something new today — I’ve got a ton of fresh content, but I don’t want to gum up your inboxes. So, let’s try a digest.
My mission here at 24sight News is to provide good, clear reporting in the midst of a very chaotic political and media environment, with the hope of providing some grounding. Some might even call this a grounding … wire.
If you see something you like, don’t like, or even ambivalent on, drop a note: tom@24sight.news.
1. Q n A, Fox News’ Bryan Llenas in PA
I had a fun chat with Fox News’ Bryan Llenas yesterday about life on the campaign trail, he’s been spending a lot of time up in PA (his second cycle pounding the ground there), and has been a national correspondent for Fox News since 2013. What follows is a lightly edited, for brevity, Q n A.
Tom: What’s your read from the ground in Pennsylvania?
Bryan: I'm having a tough time finding undecided voters. It seems like everybody I speak to knows which way they're going. At this point, it seems like the Trump side is galvanized. I've never seen more signs for Trump. I've never seen more outward support for him than I have this time around here in Pennsylvania. And then on the Harris side, there also seems to be, there seems to be definitely more excitement for her, when you go to the rallies here in Pennsylvania, than there were for for the Biden events. I think the polls are definitely right in terms of a coin toss here in 2024.
Tom: So this “garbage” news cycle, from Madison Square Garden to Biden's comments. Have you gotten any sense that any of that has actually penetrated with voters?
Bryan: I think this is actually less about changing minds and more about these moments, galvanizing the get-out-the-vote effort. So the the assassination attempt here in Pennsylvania, when you speak to people who go to the rallies, and when you when you have been to so many of the rallies here in Pennsylvania this election cycle, and when you talk to the people who take the time to go out and be there, and when you sit in these rallies, “Fight, fight, fight!” is a real rally cry. And that is usually the moment in the rally that is the most exciting, the moment in which people really seem to to feel like, you know, this is, this is something that they want to really be a part of. …
On the Harris side, you know these recent garbage comments that were made by the comedian, the racist comment that was made by the comedian at MSG, something that I saw for the first time just yesterday at the Harrisburg rally, was probably a half a dozen Puerto Rico flags. That's something I've never seen before. And they were playing the music and playing Latin music, and people were really excited about that. So, you know, do I think that that's going to help turn out with the Hispanic vote here in Pennsylvania? Yes, I absolutely do.
Tom: What are the key moments that have defined this race? What are the pivot points which have really shaped it?
Bryan:You have to start off with Biden dropping out. I think that that was obviously a huge moment here in talking about Pennsylvania, which means, in order for the Democratic nominee to win, you really need enthusiasm from the Philadelphia and the suburbs around Philadelphia, but you really need turnout in the cities. And there is no doubt, at least from our feeling on the ground, that Biden dropping out gave Democrats a better chance to get that vote out, to drive more of the vote out in places like Philadelphia. I think the assassination attempt is a key moment in Pennsylvania. I think that has the potential of driving up turnout in the rural counties. …
The other thing is, October7th. We spoke to voters, there is a real concerted effort here. The Jewish vote is going to be really interesting. 300,000 Jewish voters, or Jewish adults here in Pennsylvania that can vote. A lot of that vote is concentrated in and around Philadelphia suburbs. You've got Republicans that are knocking on doors and canvassing, and they're trying to convince Jewish voters to get on their side. I went to a Trump field office in Bucks County, and one of the volunteers, her name is Monique, she decided to get involved and actually volunteer because of October the 7th, and she also said that she believes, you know, she was, she was pretty apolitical, but over the last four years, has decided to really get involved. She has Jewish friends who are seeing what's happening with anti-semitism on college campuses, and think that that's going to change some minds here.
Tom: Which gas station has the best cuisine?
Bryan: I'm gonna go with. Wawa. I spent some time in Butler after the assassination attempt, no offense to Sheetz. Sheetz was there for me, and I appreciated that. But after spending time here, I've been here long enough to I have found better food at and better success at Wawa. And in terms of food, I got to be honest, it's usually like trail mix, Lunchables and energy drinks.
2. Women on Fire (JoJo from Jerz)
In case you’ve tuned out this election (which, no shame, it’s intense trying to squeeze out every last vote or donation) there is a big focus on whether women voters will decide the race.
So, for the latest Ground Game Podcast with my colleague
we brought on to break it all down. It’s a good listen/watch (with some light cursing, so kids/earmuffs.)In case you haven’t subscribed yet, head to our Ground Game YT page and sign up. If you dig our work, please like and share. Lots more coming through Tuesday and beyond.
3. Believe the hype
The Px3 council of elders met one last time, to peer into the future and see what may yet come.
, Michael Cohen and your author have some differing views on the shape of things, but we all ended up agreeing we’re sharp and informed. So here’s a sharp and informed readout on the final days of the race for the White House.Behold!
4. Election Memos
I’ll have my next read on the race out Saturday. If you’ve got some thoughts on why the internet struggles so mightily with accuracy, drop a line.
In the meantime, in case you missed yesterday’s readout, here it is — now free for all (paying subscribers get first dibs, a thanks to everyone who makes this mission of independent journalism possible.)
5. Bro votes
The Trump team of online influencers is ringing the alarm bells, from Trump field operations honcho Charlie Kirk to longtime MAGA activist, of Pizzagate fame, Jack Posobiec, telling their audience to show up on Election Day.
Which would help explain why Trump and running mate Sen. J.D. Vance have been flooding bro podcasts like Joe Rogan and Tucker Carlson in the closing days of the race.
Will it work?
The early voting returns have shown strong turnout among women (although Republicans have clearly cut into the Democrats’ incredible early voting edge of four years ago.)
On Election Day, I’ll be watching for how many younger, blue collar men are waiting in line to vote.
6. So, anything happening?
Where you gonna be election night? How late you planning on staying up? (As a marker, Wisconsin officials have already alerted
If a former president declares victory to the world and nobody believes him, does it matter? If a sitting vice president does the same, would it be shocking? (I’d be surprised, fwiw.)
7. Support Independent Journalism
I started the year at a big media outlet, which promptly folded. So I started my own thing here on Substack, 24sight News. Along the way, I’ve had a lot of friends, old and new, tell me how much they appreciate sober, clear-eyed and nuanced journalism in this new fractured environment. News is about understanding the world around us.
How do I do it? Well, I’ve been at this a hot minute (about two decades) and keep my wits about me (even when my chosen beat, American politics, loses its bearings.) And I do it with your support and belief in this mission of objective, neutral, informed independent journalism.
There is no Big Tech billionaire putting his thumb on my publication, thanks to you, the 24sight News community. (If you’re a former Washington Post subscriber, welcome — though I’d note your protest is probably better spent canceling Amazon Prime than the Post, which is filled with incredible journalists who we need in the field.)
 | A guest post by
|
 | A guest post by
|
 | A guest post by
|
I was just coming to comment on the same re: No. 6
I think something on No. 6 got lopped off maybe.
It’s down to the wire and I’m more happy it’s almost over than anything else. Win or lose, the Dems put up a best effort imo. Lotta content here so will check out JoJo and Ground Game later, but thanks for the 24/7.