Abdul el-Sayed Leads in Michigan 

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0:49No haggling. No hassle. No one called him boss. He's still on the couch. Astonishing. Sell your car today on Carvana.com. Pickup fees may apply. Campaign politics collides with the Senate vote on an issue both parties say they want to fix. I'm Dana Bash. Let's go behind the headlines and inside politics.

1:20There are 34 days until the election and we are tracking the races, candidates and stories that could shift the balance of power in Washington and across the country. Here's what's on our midterm radar. First up, a Democratic edge in the crucial Michigan Senate race. A new Marist poll out today shows Abdul El-Sayed with a seven-point lead over Republican Mike Rogers among registered voters. And for many in the Wolverine state, the choice is about someone who isn't on the ballot. When asked what their vote for Congress is mostly about, 42 percent of Michigan voters say it's against President Trump, while just 20 percent say it's for him.

2:02And now to new audio obtained by The New York Times capturing the Texas Republican Senate nominee's blunt take on President Trump's midterm convention in his state. It starts with someone asking Ken Paxton at a private fundraiser whether he is a little bit of a drag. Although it's not clear from the audio who he refers to, then Paxton says this. So, to be honest with you, the numbers, when we did that at the convention, we dropped our numbers. Everybody's going to move up. Right now, yeah, not good. The Paxton campaign says this is more manipulated nonsense from The New York Times to create a story that doesn't exist.

2:49And in just a few hours, President Trump will unveil a massive foreign investment that happens to be in a crucial Senate battleground state. South Korea will invest$200 billion in the U.S., starting with$54 billion on an Alaskan pipeline project. Republican Senator Dan Sullivan, who's in an incredibly tight race against Democrat Mary Peltola, will be at the White House for the president's announcement. And Senate Democrats are poised to block a new bill on data center costs that more, that passed more than unbelievably unanimously, almost unanimously, I should say, in the House. Top Senate Democrats say the bill is too weak and requires regulators to only, quote, consider new protections.

3:37But perhaps there's a little bit more going on here. It is sponsored by Ohio Republican Senator John Husted, who polls show is losing to Democrat Sherrod Brown. Republicans' toothless data center bill completely misses the mark. Together, we can send this bill to the president's desk for his signature today and prove to the American people we heard them, that we're doing something to actually help lower their prices. Sherrod Brown has made data centers a top issue in the campaign. I'm joined by a terrific group of reporters to talk more about this. There's inside politics and then there is inside politics.

4:19Abby Livingston, I'm going to start with you. And I mentioned the House vote and I just want to show what we're talking about. This is a bill, again, that John Husted in the Senate is a sponsor of. It passed 417 to three. That's like nothing passes by that kind of huge margin. There are only three Democrats who voted no. But the reason is because it is such a hugely divisive and, frankly, nonpartisan issue to try to do something about the various issues that voters have with data centers. This in particular deals with energy and energy costs. And what Democrats now are saying, Abby, is that, well, it's just a baby step.

5:04It doesn't go too far, go far enough. But Chuck Schumer has his eye on the prize. And the prize for him is getting the majority back in November's elections. And he just simply doesn't want to hand John Husted a win on an issue that they are hitting him the most on in Ohio. And this is the ultimate inside, outside game. Absolutely. And Chuck Schumer has certainly won a lot of Senate seats over the years, and it certainly benefits to have this as an outstanding issue for Democrats, because even though Democrats are empowered in the Senate because of the rules, they're really not responsible for a lot of what's happening out there.

5:51I don't think it was a coincidence that Husted is the name on the bill that's supposed to help him. But as much as this issue is outstanding. And just one other thing. I had sources, Republican sources, tell me that meeting in Washington right now is just so counterproductive for Republicans because it just shows they're not being able to get things done. And so this really is a conundrum for Republicans. And Adam, I just want to kind of explain just how big of an issue this is, particularly in this Ohio Senate race, which we're talking about for lots of reasons, not the least of which it is one of those key important Democratic pickups if they have any chance of winning back the majority in the Senate.

6:35Let's watch some of Sherrod Brown's ads against the incumbent Republican senator. big corporations treat it like a game gobbling up energy to feed their data centers no matter how much it raises our prices husted is a chief reason ohio has so many data centers he force-fed the massive energy-sucking facilities on the state he's been called the face of data centers in ohio john husted is the reason this is here So, you know, it's kind of campaign slash election year 101. If you're John Thune and you know that he's in trouble, you give him a bill that passed overwhelmingly in the House, as I showed, put his name on it so he can go home and say, well, at least I'm trying.

7:24I'm fighting for you in Washington. And look what I just did. Yeah, Dana. And if this doesn't pass, you can go back home and say, you know, Democrats stop this from happening. Look, you know, victory has a thousand fathers and defeat is an orphan. But the truth is, a number of politicians across the aisle backed data centers when they seem like a good way to champion economic development, Sherrod Brown among them. You look at neighboring Pennsylvania, Governor Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, also championed data centers before signing restrictions on them and stopping development. And so this is sort of a shared defeat here across the board at a time when AI and data centers are increasingly unpopular among voters.

8:09So really, this is sort of the last best shot that Husted has going down a homestretch in a race that, you know, MAGA Inc. insiders have told me, you know, they've been long concerned about Husted and his team, whether he can get across the finish line in November. Well, let's just show a poll, recent poll. This is Marist, very recent. And it does show, Seema, I'm going to come to you, Sherrod Brown with 51 percent of support, John Husted, 43 percent. Again, Sherrod Brown is trying to get his or an old seat back, trying to get back to the Senate. John Husted was appointed to fill J.D. Vance's seat and he wants a full term.

8:53Right. And I mean, I think this just shows like where we are with the Senate race or in control of the Senate right now, because six months or a year ago, I think Democrats were kind of optimistic that maybe they could retake the House, but people really weren't talking about the Senate being in play. And now they really are. So this will determine the final two years of President Trump's term, who has control of that body as well as the House. And I just think it shows the stakes in the race. And in terms of the bill, the question is, is it just Democrats saying that it's toothless, or is it part of the broader strategy, really, of trying to help them regain control of the Senate.

9:29And as they have been, they are up against, they, the Republicans, in trying to sort of shape the narrative, maybe even pass legislation that helps bolster that. They're up against the president of the United States, who, of course, we talked about yesterday, had this big AI summit at the White House. Abby, here's a little bit of what the president said about data centers. you're going to see data centers are going to be very popular because this is the group and they're the ones that want to and they're also the ones that want to see communities that are safe and uh happy and they're going to make communities very very happy otherwise they'll be forced to go overseas or other locations happy this is just another example of the president messaging things that are not popular with the voters.

10:21And it is really putting Republicans down ballot in a bind. And on top of this, the AI database center issue has moved so fast that the Congress hasn't been able to react quickly because Congress never reacts quickly. And they are absolutely running out of time to counter this messaging. All right, everybody, stand by. Up next, Democrats have not won a South Carolina Senate seat this century. I'll speak with Annie Andrews, a pediatrician who is running for Senate, who thinks she can change that this year. And later, last call at a West Hollywood bar and restaurant. It's just becoming increasingly tough to operate in this state and in this city.

11:03So we decided to close. A closer look at how California's economy will factor into tonight's CNN Governor's Debate. Stay with us.

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12:02Find furniture, hosting essentials, festive serveware, and more all in one place. so you can spend less time getting ready and more time enjoying the season with the people who make it special. Shop Wayfair.com today to make holiday magic at home. Wayfair, every style, every home. A sign of the times for Republicans. South Carolina's Senate race is on the battleground map. Just last week, the Cook Political Report moved it from solid Republican to likely Republican. It's a race between Republican Senator Darlene Graham, who replaced her brother Lindsey after his sudden death, and Democrat Annie Andrews, a pediatrician.

12:43Dr. Andrews joins us now. Thank you so much for being here. The last time Democrats thought they could make South Carolina a battleground was 2020. The candidate was Jamie Harrison. He spent$130 million in a state where Democrats hadn't cracked 40 percent since 2008. In the end, he got less than 45 percent of the vote. What makes you confident your candidacy is different? Well, I'm so happy to be here. Thank you for having me. 2026 is a different political environment than 2020. Folks in every corner of South Carolina are feeling the impacts of policy decisions that are being made by a broken Washington machine.

13:25You know, I've been in every corner of the state talking to voters about their concerns about expensive health care that is difficult to access, their concerns about record high gas and diesel prices. And this election is about much more than political party. It's really about paying your bills. And our message is resonating. You know, I come at politics from a totally different perspective. I've been a practicing pediatrician for 20 years. I'm a proud mom of three public school kids. And I'm in this race to be an independent voice for South Carolina and to go up to Washington, D.C., roll up my sleeves, work across the aisle to solve these problems.

14:03Your opponent, as you know, is using some of your past videos from as recently as 2024, just two years ago, to brand you as woke and extreme. Here's just one example. I talk about the problem with white women because, number one, I am a white woman. Therefore, I feel comfortable talking to my fellow white women. And number two, electorally, we are the problem. So how do I know there's a problem with white women? I didn't just invent this. I'm also not the only person talking about this, but the problem is clear and the data don't lie. In 2016, 47 % of white women voted against a white woman for president and instead voted for Donald Trump.

14:44South Carolina is almost 70 % white and majority women. Is that a winning message? You know, that video is in response to what happens when we elect people who have no problem infringing on women's access to reproductive freedom, reproductive health care. That video is about a frustration that I believe that women need to band together and work to elect leaders who are willing to protect our right to reproductive health care, who are willing to fight for policies that help hardworking moms across South Carolina, single moms that help work to lower child care prices, lower health care prices, lower grocery prices.

15:27I have three growing children and my grocery bill keeps getting higher and higher and higher. So that video is about looking at candidates and evaluating, not based on party, but based on what policies they support and how those policies will affect our lives. How does your race, not against Lindsey Graham, who passed away, but against his sister, a white woman, who has very different policies and prescriptions, even and especially on the issue of abortion, as you mentioned, in a conservative state, how does that change how you're approaching this? And does it give you more of a challenge in getting that message that you just talked about across?

16:15So I think the biggest difference between my opponent, Darlene Graham, and I are that I am running to be an independent voice for South Carolina. I plan to work across the aisle, which is where I believe all the effective governing happens. Darlene was anointed to this seat, appointed to this seat. She was handpicked by the same broken Washington politics that got us here in the first place. It is very clear to me that she considers her job to read their scripts. Just this morning, I was on the docks here in the Lowcountry talking to small business owners of Tarvin Seafood. It's a shrimping company about the impact of record high diesel prices on their business that already has razor thin margins.

16:58And everywhere I go, I'm asking folks if they've heard from their senator and they haven't. Because I am everywhere and Darlene Graham is nowhere. And I truly believe, based on the energy that's on the ground here in South Carolina, that we are building a coalition to win on November 3rd. This campaign is not just for Democrats. It's for Democrats and independents and Republicans like my own dad who feel left behind by the current iteration of their party. And this campaign is about solving the problems like high gas prices, grocery prices, health care prices, housing prices that folks in South Carolina are facing.

17:31And all we're getting from interim Senator Darlene Graham is her reading her scripts that have been written by people in Washington, D.C., who have no idea what people in South Carolina are facing. Dr. Andrews, I'm so sorry to do this. I'm going to ask you just to stand by because we have some breaking news out of Israel. The passengers who were on board that fly Dubai Air flight, which was forced to divert to Saudi Arabia, have finally deboarded. They're coming off the plane in Tel Aviv. Passengers seized control of the plane after a bloody attack unfolded inside the cockpit of this commercial flight in the Middle East.

18:11The aircraft dropped a terrifying 17 ,000 feet in just two minutes as the flight traveled from Dubai before its emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. I want to get to Jeremy Diamond, who I believe is there, and also CNN National Security Analyst Alex Plitzitz, who's joining us as well. Alex, I'm actually going to start with you. This is quite a moment.

18:45Alex, can you hear me? I can't hear you. Can you hear me? OK, yes, I was just explaining to our viewers what's going on. And the video that we're looking at is in Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. And we started to see some of the passengers coming off of this terrifying flight, deplaning and obviously getting to hug their loved ones. Yeah, it's quite a moment. I mean, it's not the first time there's been an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia where the Saudi authorities have sort of helped while they're on the ground. but it's the first time it's been under the pretenses of a potential terrorist attack.

19:19And so that's what this is being investigated as and what it looks like at the moment. But what's not clear is the motive and whether or not this was a lone wolf or whether this has a plot or nexus to a larger terrorist organization or state sponsor. And that's what authorities are going to be investigating at this time. And just to update our viewers on what actually happened, the plane issued a distress call at 8.31 a.m. local time, and the flight squawked code 7 ,500, which signals aircraft hijacking. And as I mentioned, it was diverted. It was headed to Tel Aviv. It was diverted to Saudi Arabia.

19:56And the attempted hijacker at the aircraft was its co-pilot. That's according to Israeli officials. One official told CNN the co-pilot was an Omani national. The captain and the co-pilot were injured and taken to the hospital. When you're watching this, and again, there is a lot we don't know, but we do know how terrifying it was for these passengers. What happens next in the short term for the people who are on the plane? In the short term for the people that are on the plane, they'll be immediately given medical screening to deal with any injuries that may have occurred as a result of it or stress that could have caused cardiac issues or whatnot.

20:36Once they're stabilized, they will begin to be debriefed by Israeli authorities on the ground, investigators, particularly because the passengers actively intervened in the situation in what is truly a remarkable incident. And thank God that there were no deaths that have occurred as a result of this. Post 9-11, all the cockpit doors closed from the interior and locked. So somehow the door was open. So whether that was the pilot or someone else is unclear if he let the passengers in to assist along with crew, who then not only subdued the co-pilot who allegedly stabbed the pilot, but then there were additional pilots who were on that aircraft, but were in the passenger seats at the time who were transiting, who then were able to step in and help fly the aircraft, even with a broken rudder, given how quickly it had descended, it actually broke the rudder on the aircraft.

21:19So altogether, truly remarkable, and the civilians played a huge role, and they're going to be part of this debrief right now on the ground in Israel. I mean, if this was a Hollywood script, it could be rejected as just too unbelievable. But it happened. And again, the it is still unfolding exactly what happened and specifically what the motive was. Again, Israeli sources said they suspect the co-pilot of the plane was trying to hijack it. It's not clear whether the intention would have been to crash the plane or land it and take hostages. We're obviously still waiting to get that information.

21:55I should tell you that Homeland Security Secretary Mark Wayne Mullen just spoke to reporters and said there's no threat to the United States. Tell us how American officials are responding right now behind the scenes to what happened. especially because the the total nexus of the incident isn't completely alone is a part of a wider plot we know that there are you know global incidents going on at the same time that we're you know we're talking about this story the uk prime minister you know just spoke and basically said iran may be linked to the attack on the uh on the uh the base in the foiled attack on the base in the uk so there's already been state-sponsored stuff nationwide uh excuse me internationally that could be linked to iran so the authorities are going to try to rule that stuff out but until that happens, the U.S.

22:37and other countries will then increase security behind the scenes for flights in and out of specific countries, potentially more air marshals on board. They'll take steps to respond to this, particularly since the breadth of this is really unknown at this point. Okay, stand by, please. I want to bring in CNN's Ilani Ghiakis, who has been tracking the story all morning. Ilani, what are you hearing from your sources about what went down on this terrifying flight? Yeah, I mean, to be honest with you, Dana, I mean, we've most of the information that we've gotten today about what transpired on that aircraft from Israeli sources, from Israeli officials.

23:16Fly Dubai a short time ago released the second statement of the day, and they confirmed finally that there was an altercation and also said that two Fly Dubai staff were able to stabilize the plane and then land it safely in Tabuk in Saudi Arabia. They also said that everyone was safe and uninjured. Very important to note that they've also sent a plane to Tabuk. You can see these live images of passengers finally landing in Israel at Ben Gurion Airport. And also very notable, there's a lot of children on board this flight. When we heard the story earlier this morning, and we just heard the timeline of this and the drop of 17 ,400 feet in two minutes, you know, we spoke to aviation experts.

23:59And they were just really shocked at, firstly, just the decline in those two minutes, what that meant in terms of G-force for the people on board, and then obviously for the frame of the plane as well. This could have ended in enormous tragedy and really happy to see, you know, people finally landing in Israel. And importantly, while the investigation is happening on the sideline. Alani, I was thinking exactly what you said as I was looking at these pictures, the children. For anybody, it's terrifying, but as a parent, can't even imagine what that was like, the G-force, as you were talking about, for kids on board.

24:40Is there anything more you can tell us based on your reporting about what happened on the plane, the involvement of any of the passengers in preventing whatever it was that this co-pilot had intended? Yeah, so we're starting to get more and more accounts of passengers' experience, and we heard that there were large sounds and screams that were coming through from the cockpits. The cockpit then opens, and this is when passengers described blood everywhere. The co-pilots had attempted to stab the pilots, and then the passengers intervened with the assistance of the staff on board. So clearly a very harrowing scenario that plays out here.

25:27And, you know, then clearly trying to stabilize the plane. That's the other big question. Why wasn't the plane in autopilot? I spoke to an aviation expert that says that because it's Saudi Arabia and airspace is very tend to there, there's a lot of tension with the Yemeni Houthis that are Iranian backed proxy, that sometimes autopilot is turned off so that pilots are able to take control of the plane. We don't know if it was done deliberately. That's sort of one scenario. Was it done deliberately to crash the plane? We know Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had said that, that this is what they're investigating, that the co-pilots had tried to crash the plane after the stabbing incident.

26:07And then importantly, some of the accounts from the passengers in terms of how they were able to take control to ensure safe landing after the emergency signals had, sent out sort of red signals across the region where the Israeli prime minister then gets into a cabinet meeting with security forces. Israeli fighter jets scramble to see what they could do on that front. We initially thought it was a hijacking. Then we heard it was a violent altercation. Now Israeli officials are saying this could have been a terror attack. But Fly Dubai has been very explicit in saying we should not speculate the motives and the reasons for this while the investigation is underway.

26:46Okay, Elani, thank you so much. And we are going to take a pause, take a quick break as we get more information, as these passengers continue to get off that plane after an absolutely horrific, horrifying experience and really a miracle that they are getting off that plane. Don't go anywhere.

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27:50Annie Andrews. Thank you so much for your patience. I really appreciate you understanding. Before we went to the breaking news out of Israel, we were talking about the kind of state of play in South Carolina. And you were making the argument that you are running on issues of affordability that don't have a party and that there are enough people who are upset about that, that they might turn to you, despite the fact that South Carolina is very much historically a red state. I want to push back just on some of that because you also have the incumbent senator, Darlene Graham, and President Trump calling some of your key policy positions radical and too far left.

28:32For example, they point to support that you've had for non-surgical gender affirming care for minors, your support for abortion rights, as we discussed before, your support for gun safety measures like an assault weapons ban. So the bottom line is, what do you say to South Carolina voters who might want to change and might want somebody who they think might listen to them more on affordability issues, but just think you're too liberal for them? so you know i've heard those attacks from my opponent and i would push back and say you know i'm running to lower costs i'm running to address the debt and deficit to root out the corruption in both sides in washington dc and i would like to know what they believe is so radical about believing every county in south carolina should have an ob-gyn what's so radical about believing if you're a hard-working south carolinian you should be able to afford your grocery bill and to put food on the table and keep the lights on at the end of the month.

29:28I know they like to focus on these, you know, so-called culture war issues. And that's because my opponent, Darlene Graham, doesn't have a plan to lower gas prices or diesel prices or grocery prices. She's not out there campaigning. She's not talking to voters. She's reading the scripts written by her in Washington, D.C. But on those specific issues, number one, I know the majority of South Carolinians understand that women deserve access to reproductive health care. I also am very confident in saying that I support the Second Amendment. I simply want fewer South Carolinians to have bullet holes in them.

30:01And the majority of South Carolinians and Americans believe we should have universal background checks. And on the transgender issue, it is deeply disheartening to me as a pediatrician who has stood at the bedside of a trans young person who's tried to harm themselves because their identity has been wrapped up in this political talking point. I will always fight for vulnerable South Carolinians, no matter who they are. And I'm really proud of my record. And I'm excited to have the privilege to serve everyone in South Carolina. As a pediatrician, you have made healthcare a major issue in your race.

30:36You've talked a lot about it in our conversation here today. You include in that specifically saying that RFK Jr.'s performance as HHS secretary motivated you to run and that you would support impeaching and removing him from office. If Democrats win a majority, including you, how high a priority should this be in pursuing Trump officials versus some of the affordability issues that you just discussed? The affordability issues will absolutely be my priority. I believe RFK Jr. needs level of accountability for the disinformation and lies he's been spreading that have led to a steady increase in vaccine refusal and vaccine hesitancy over my 20-year career, resulting in a measles outbreak in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

31:23But my number one priority will be stopping the impending Medicaid budget cuts that my opponent supports. These Medicaid budget cuts will be devastating to the healthcare system in South Carolina. Medicaid is the largest insurer of children in my state. It funds half of our births and the majority of our nursing home beds. So it will be my priority to stop those budget cuts because already we have a very broken health care system. We can't afford to bring this level of destruction to it. I will address affordability first and foremost and worry about holding this administration accountable for their harmful policies secondarily.

32:00Annie Andrews, thank you so much again for sticking with us when we went to the breaking news. And thanks for being here. We have asked Senator Darlene Graham to join us here on Inside Politics. We hope she comes on soon. And up next, as Javier Becerra and Steve Hilton prepare for tonight's CNN debate, what do voters want to hear? One restaurant owner shows the real cost of California's economy. Through the years, the economics of the state and the country has really changed. we've tried it's not like one thing that took us out it's just what I like to say death by a thousand cuts

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33:44The stage is set right here in Los Angeles for the California governor's debate, which I'll be moderating alongside Jake Tapper. Among the independent voters listening tonight to Democrat Javier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton will be restaurant owner Tom Sopit. His business survived the pandemic, but six years later, it could not survive the current economy. CNN's Kyung Law has the story.

34:14Tonight is last call. An employees-only restaurant and bar. The final pour for owner Tom Sopit, closing after nearly 10 years in West Hollywood. It's just becoming increasingly tough to operate in this state and in this city. So we decided to close.

34:41A bittersweet end to service. After surviving the pandemic. I'm concerned. This was Soapit in March 2020. COVID-19 gripped the country. Soapit's restaurant shut down with all the others. His rent was$1 ,000 a day. He was completely underwater. All we can do is help each other. Help is what he did. Soap's small staff prepped free meals for any worker who lost their job. For weeks, he donated food to emergency rooms across Los Angeles. He turned his parking lot into an outdoor patio, pivoting with ever-changing protocols. How do you survive that, but you have to close now? Through the years, the economics of the state and the country has really changed.

35:30We've tried. It's not one thing that took us out. It's just what I like to say, death by a thousand cuts. Affordability has really impacted our state. The cost of goods, the cost of labor is much higher than everyone else in the country. California labor laws are really tough. The insurance is a big part of it, with the wildfires controlling the premiums and the increases, all the carriers leaving the state, and that's why it went up so quickly. How much did the shrinking of Hollywood impact you? Oh, immensely. It disappeared overnight. We're not really Hollywood anymore. All these people that are, that used to work here, used to work in the city of Los Angeles are now gone.

36:13All the businesses close early because there is no foot traction. It's completely different city now. Tell me about what you see when you drive around West Hollywood. There's a lot of Ford Lease signs up, a lot of businesses that are shutting down many, just a few months after they open. It's really sad. Sofit voted for Gavin Newsom, but is today a registered independent. He says the political system is failing people like him. Your advice to the next governor of California? My advice is focus on the issues. Focus on the real challenges. Drive up and down the street. Get your hands dirty. I think you can't just keep taxing businesses and people.

36:58How are we just keep paying more taxes, but somehow the state just keeps going downhill? That doesn't make sense. There has to be some real change there. And Kyung joins us now. I mean, just so heartbreaking. And as you and I were talking about during the break, sadly, not uncommon. So we have Steve Hilton and Javier Becerra, both chasing voters like him in tonight's debate. What do you think, just obviously being a California voter, but more importantly, talking to so many, What is the issue that you think could have the most impact on Topit's vote? I mean, very, very simply, it's one word. It's affordability.

37:44And here in California, we're not just talking about the price of milk or the price of gas, although it is the most expensive in the entire country. We're talking about structural things like being able to pay for your insurance, get daycare so you can get a job and keep that job. than the fees for businesses, the regulations that restrict you from being able to build stuff. All of it is just crushing. And we're not talking about Sopit trying to be rich. He was trying to break even for a solid year and could not do it. So he has to pull the eject button. And one last thing, Dana, and something that these candidates really need to keep an eye on is that these Democrats today are looking at generations where they can't have what their parents have.

38:28Sopis' parents, who were immigrants to this country, had a business in Los Angeles, a restaurant, and their son could not do the same thing. And that is going to chase these candidates. And frankly, it's going to chase Governor Newsom as he seeks higher office. Kyung, thank you so much for that important report. And don't miss the debate tonight. The economy, housing, AI, so much more at stake. Who will voters choose to lead? the nation's most populous state. I hope to see you tonight at 9 p.m. Eastern, 6 p.m. California time, only on CNN and streaming live with an all-access subscription. Coming up, it's America's pastime, but is Susan Collins' new ad a swing and a miss?

39:10That's next.

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39:5134 days until Election Day, and that means the airwaves are blanketed in ads and they're getting personal. Here's a taste of one from a PAC supporting Republican Dan Sullivan in Alaska. Mary Peltola had one of the highest staff turnover rates in Congress. Now, we know know why? According to news reports, former aides described angry, profane outbursts. If that's how Mary Peltola treats her closest aides, imagine what she'd do to you. My panel is back. Yikes. I'm going to start with you. You're reporting from the furthest west, and this is Alaska, so why not? I should say that Peltola, in response to this story, it came from the New York Times, said that at the time she was dealing with deep grief after losing two people very close to her, including her husband.

40:45Right. I mean, these type of ads, you know, this is the season for them, right? This is the season for attack ads. And, you know, I don't personally know, you know, the truth of the allegations. But I will say that I think anybody who's worked on Capitol Hill knows that, you know, it's like a really hard charging environment. And I do think it is notable that these types of accusations about behavior are more often leveled at women than at men. We saw that with Kamala Harris. We saw that with Amy Klobuchar. So I think there's a couple different things going on here. But also, I mean, it also shows the fact that, you know, that they're advertising in Alaska is just notable.

41:24And just in terms of like, you know, how many states could potentially be in play. Yeah. I mean, that last part is very important, looking at the battleground. Abby, I want to put this one to you. This is a theme that we are seeing in several different really tough races, particularly with incumbents or people who were voted out who had been in Congress. And that's about a stock trading while in office. Watch this. Elaine Luria made quite the catch. One of Washington's biggest stock traders. Elaine Luria reeled in millions while in office. I've never bought stock. Not one share. Now I'm fighting to ban Congress from stock trading.

42:05In Congress, Lansman made over 150 stock trades worth up to$4.4 million despite promising not to. Abby? You know, stock trading used to not be an issue anyone cared about. And it has been absolutely an issue that has hurt incumbents this cycle. And the reason is, is because it plays into being elite insider knowledge. And that also reflects in the larger environment of cost of living issues and corruption. And it's a mystery to many people why members of Congress continue to trade stocks. Yeah, it sure is. I want to get to another ad if I can. But in the meantime, Adam, I'm going to come to you with news on what we began this program about, which is a bill before the Senate sponsored by Ohio Republican John Huston.

42:57Oh, excuse me. The stock trading bill. Forgive me. The stock trading bill. Let's stay on that. The stock trading bill was just on the floor and it didn't pass. So it's an answer to what Abby was just talking about and the ad that we just played. It didn't pass. And the reason Democrats say they voted against it is because it included a voter element that they said would have deterred people from going to the polls. Yeah, Dana, this is an issue now that Republicans can take back in their own districts and Senate races and try to tie no votes to this in a way that is helpful to them. And so, you know, essentially corruption has been one of the key issues litigated across the map in this midterms.

43:49And this issue, as Abby mentioned, that is sort of a backwater technicality and has been for decades is now very much in the fore. Yeah. All right. Abby, I'm going to put this one to you. One of the very, very tight toss up races. some of these ads are having a little fun with trying to reach out to rural voters, particularly by Democrats. Do you know what we need more of in Washington, D.C.? Barn dances. I'm Jamie Ager, and Amy and I host these every month. I come from a long line of tough mountain women. Mom raised us on her own. She taught us to be strong. And when someone broke into our house, she shot him.

44:38Yes, Abby, I am putting this to you because you're a Texas girl. I think it's a great way to localize a race amid a crazy national climate. I think it reflects authenticity and knowledge of the surroundings of the area and separates yourself from the national party. But whether this works in such a nasty environment for Republicans, it's a big question. All right, everybody, thank you so much for being here. Really, really appreciate it. Thank you for joining Inside Politics. Don't forget to tune in tonight to the California governor's debate. CNN News Central picks it up right now.

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