Will it take a whole week to Call the Midterms this Year?
Political News
During the 2020 election, specifically on election day, it took nearly five whole days to tally the votes in order to give light for media companies to call the race for President Biden. Many analysts suspect that something can happen this year in what some deem “the country’s most important midterm election.”
As in 2020, some of the same factors appear to be at play in the same exact battleground states. Multiple of these races have slim margins as well as the growing popularity of mail-in voting systems (in states such as PA) that can and will delay the processing of ballots. There’s also conversation surrounding if Donald Trump will have any say in the delay with another national questioning of the validity of the votes. Multiple Trump-endorsed candidates have stated they could mimic the actions of Trump in 2020 if things don’t go as planned.
Biden Reiterates Plans to Defend Taiwan if China Invades
Political News
In a speech yesterday, President Biden backed up initial claims of the United States defending Taiwan in the event of China invading. Even though this has been a statement already given, it appeared as if yesterday was the clearest statement on the issue and the most criticizing one toward China. There have been nearly four occurrences of Biden making such comments as tensions continue to escalate along the Taiwan Strait.
Russia and China Continue to Expand their Relationship, this time with the Strengthening of Security Ties
World News
During a visit to China, Nikolai Patrushev, the Secretary of the National Security Council of Russia, stated that both Russia and China have apparently agreed to “beef up” their ties on security. Patrushev described the meeting as the “strengthening of comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation with Beijing as an unconditional priority of Russia’s foreign policy.” He added, “in the current conditions, our countries must show even greater readiness for mutual support and development of cooperation.”
A statement released by Patrushev’s party said that both Russian and Chinese officials have “agreed to expand information exchanges on countering extremism and foreign attempts to undermine constitutional order of both countries.”
As Investors and Economists Await the Fed’s Meeting, Futures Open Low
Economic News
Stock futures have appeared to open lower after last week was seen to be the worst week for the three major indexes in three months. The S&P 500 and the DOW both lost 0.9% and the NASDAQ lost nearly a whole percent. The Bond Market witnessed a slight spike in the 10-Year Treasury note (+3.49%).
The movement comes as investors and economists await the Fed’s upcoming policy meeting which will span from September 20th to the 21st. The Central Bank is also set to tack on another 75bps increase to rates on Wednesday around 2 pm.
An Experts Claims DeSantis’ Actions are a “Mini-Ethnic Cleansing”
Political News
According to David Livingstone Smith, a professor of philosophy at the University of New England, the actions of Ron DeSantis to move migrants to Martha’s Vineyard last week have been deemed a “mini-ethnic cleansing with genocidal precedence.” Smith continued, “Of course, this is not genocide, but it is somewhat reminiscent of awful things that have happened in the past. As soon as you start treating human beings as undesirable problems to dump on others, you are in very dangerous territory. What frightens me most actually is that someone who does these sorts of acts is capable of doing much worse.”
