Trump, Obama Hit the Campaign Trail

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1:02happening now heavyweights hit the trail today both trump and obama will hold rallies as they look to energize and mobilize their party's candidates will their star power shine through to undecided voters plus telling voters to quote relax relax this election's almost over gop candidate vivaikra maswami is out with a new ad just days after his controversial tv spot that featured his opponent's estranged mother. Amy Acton is now responding. And later, first on the Situation Room, taking you behind the scenes of how your vote will be counted. We are live in Detroit. Welcome to our viewers of the United States and around the world.

1:46I'm Pamela Brown. Wolf Blitzer is on assignment, and you're in the Situation Room.

2:03Six days to go and the political powerhouses are out in full force on the heels of back-to-back rallies in Texas. Republican Ken Paxton is looking to convert President Trump's Lone Star Blitz into votes. He's out campaigning in western Texas. And if you need any more proof how critical both parties see that state, the midterm ad spending there now totaling more than$1 billion. Oil, beef, a way of life. The radical James Tallarico wants to set it ablaze. Ken Paxton is the most corrupt politician in Texas. He was impeached by his own party for bribery. So that billion dollar ad total there is the second highest this cycle.

2:46And President Trump heads to Ohio today as he hopes his star power will bolster the GOP candidates there. The Democratic candidates are leading the Republicans in both the Senate and governor's race there in the latest CNN poll of polls. Former President Obama heads to Georgia today. He's hoping to use his political capital to keep the state's crucial Senate seat in Democrats' hands and help his party elect the state's first Democratic governor in more than 20 years. The latest polling shows no clear leader in that race. The Situation Room is in 10 states this morning, covering the countdown to the midterms, tracking critical key races in battleground states from Ohio and Pennsylvania to North and South Carolina.

3:25So let's go live to CNN Chief National Affairs Correspondent Jeff Zeleny in Atlanta. So Jeff, Barack Obama may be the Democrats' best weapon on the campaign trail. How important is his appearance today in Georgia? Hey, Pamela, good morning. I mean, there's no doubt that former President Barack Obama still remains the leading Democratic voice. He still remains the Democratic star, if you will, largely because there has not been anyone to follow him. Of course, the 2028 presidential campaign will play out and perhaps pick someone to relieve him of his duties in some respects in these midterm election campaigns.

4:02But this is his third stop in terms of rallying Democratic voters. Of course, he was in Michigan and Ohio over the weekend. But coming here to Georgia tonight for the Senate race, but also the governor's race, John Ossoff, the incumbent Democratic senator, was once going to have one of the toughest races of the year. That did not materialize as the battleground map has spread out all over the country into deep red. The deep red battlegrounds, but the governor's race is certainly interesting. And the former mayor of Atlanta, Keisha Lance Bottoms, could make history here in Georgia. If she wins the governor's race, she's running against a billionaire businessman here in Georgia as well.

4:45But Georgia has never elected a woman governor. The country has never elected a black woman as governor. We caught up with her to ask what she thought about President Obama coming here tonight. I'm excited that President Obama is coming. I mean, he's President Obama, so he is still very much engaged. He still very much excites our base and Democrats across Georgia. So to have him come to town is going to be an extraordinary opportunity for all of us on the ballot. So there's no doubt tonight President Obama will be here in Georgia, but there'll be a dueling set of presidents. President Trump will be in Ohio at the very same hour.

5:32We saw last weekend how the two were sort of sparring from a distance about what has happened in the White House in this administration. So I expect much more of that to come. So Pamela, with six more days to go, millions and millions of Americans have already cast their ballots. We are nearing an end, but these next days are so critical, here in Georgia, of course, and in all this other very, very large battleground map for the midterm elections. All right, Jeff Zeleny, thank you so much. So let's continue this conversation with Charlie Bailey. He's the chairman of Georgia's Democratic Party.

6:06Thanks so much for being here. So with President Obama coming to Georgia today, what are you hearing from your state's Democrats and what's really driving them overall? Are they voting for your candidates or is it more about voting against President Trump and his record low approval rating? well can it be both pamela i mean in here i would say it is both you know and it's i would say i'm proud to be the chairman of the democratic party of georgia but this is bigger than democrats we're seeing this from independents folks that don't call themselves anything and and some republicans it is both a rejection of the old fool in dc that rather build ballrooms to his own ego than and get anybody health care it's a rejection of that it's also a specific rejection of Mike Collins and Rick Jackson, bigot congressman that's running against John Ossoff and Rick Jackson every other week is another scandal about how he's taken advantage of taxpayers to enrich himself.

7:04But it is also a rejection of 23 years of Republican rule here in Georgia that has made the American dream less attainable now than it was 23 years ago when they took power. It is also for John Ossoff and Keisha Lance Bottoms because people know, the people of this state know that they're going to get up every day and fight for the working people of this state and not the billionaires and the big corporations. So Georgia's Secretary of State is predicting his state's results will be accurate and fast. Here's what Brad Raffensperger had to say about that yesterday. You can go to bed at night before 12 midnight knowing what the results are.

7:47We are not going to keep you up to two o 'clock or three o 'clock in the morning. Those days are done. So with record turnout so far, do you share that optimism of knowing that all the states race is election night? Well, I'll certainly defer to the secretary of state and the election officials in terms of the speed with which we will we will know things i mean sometimes that comes down to margin too and and nobody can predict that um but what is telling is that we are on pace for the biggest midterm uh turnout we've ever had in georgia um it started at that pace the first day of early voting and it stayed there it is also um the most the youngest and most diverse electorate we've seen in a midterm in Georgia's history.

8:32So that is really the story here, is people are tired of this. They're tired of government in Atlanta and in D.C. that doesn't give a darn about them. And they are showing it with their votes. They are coming out. And I don't see any signs of it slowing down. But what about Senator Ossoff? He's been in office already. He's trying to defend his seat. What about him? How are they looking at him as part of that overall picture of feeling like Washington isn't delivering for them? Well, they know that John does, and he's widely recognized as having superior constituent services. I mean, he talks to and works with Georgians every day.

9:16He's done that for six years. He's brought relief to folks, capping the cost of insulin. That doesn't happen without John Ossoff and Senator Raphael Warnock. His work on the ground, making sure cities get new pipes, you know, replaced, things like they don't make sometimes, you know, the Twitter talking points. That's made a real difference in people's lives. That's why there's three Republican mayors that have come out and endorsed John, as well as the chairman, the Republican chairman of our peanut commission. I don't know, you know, in other states may not know how big of a deal that is, but in Georgia, that's a really big deal.

9:53Do you expect a significant number of voters to split the ticket voting for one party in the governor's race and the other party in the Senate contest? We saw that play out in 2022 in Georgia. There's always some of that, particularly if you have an incumbent, you know, U.S. senator like you have in Senator Ossoff and an open race and in other and other seats. But, you know, I'm not I'm not here to be a predictor. There will be some. I don't think I think it's a bit overstated. And I think you will see a strong turnout for our Democratic ticket up and down the ballot. All right. Thank you so much, Charlie Bailey.

10:35We want to note that we've also invited your Republican counterpart on as well. We appreciate you coming on the show and these final days of the midterms. And today, President Trump is campaigning in Ohio fresh off his trip to Texas, where he rallied Republicans for Senate candidate Ken Paxton last night and slam Democrat James Tallarico. Tala Frico stated that he wants to dismantle Texas oil and gas and capitalism itself. He wants to take it apart. And he personally wrote the Texas version of the Green News scam. Tala Frico will kill millions of Texas jobs. Tala Frico wants to get rid of the guns.

11:12He wants to get rid of the oil. He wants to get rid of the meat. If Tala Frico gets in, he'll immediately vote to open the floodgates to millions of illegal alien child predators, brutal killers pouring into Texas, just like they did two years ago. All right, let's go live now to CNN senior White House reporter Kevin Liptec. So, Kevin, the president also urged, used his time in Texas to tout what he views as his economic success. What more did he say? Yeah, and the president is trying to frame the economy as one of sort of unalloyed success, despite voter concerns about cost of living and affordability.

11:53The president, I think, trying to make the argument that once the Iran war is over, that gas prices will plummet. That was the message that he was bringing to Texas as he tries to bring Ken Paxton, the Republican candidate there, over the finish line. I know it was his third visit to Texas just this month. Today will also be his third visit to Ohio just this month, all underscoring concerns about Republicans' vulnerability in what have been traditional red states, the president trying to boost enthusiasm for these two candidates. Listen to what his message on the economy was yesterday in Texas.

12:32When you say the last seven months you've produced more oil, more everything, you've made more money than you have ever made, you know why? What took place seven months ago? The war. Our country is making a fortune more than it's ever made. And in breaking news tonight, I'm pleased to announce another historic action to bring down energy costs and unleash Texas energy. Tonight, I'm officially terminating Biden's expensive and unnecessary methane regulations to save consumers and energy producers. $45 billion in costs unlocked vast quantities of Texas natural gas. If the Republicans win, you will each have$5 ,000 in your pocket and economic success for a country like we have never seen, never thought even possible.

13:21Now, Trump went on to say that if his supporters wanted to spend that$5 ,000 at Mar-a-Lago, that they wouldn't be able to buy even a hamburger or a small dessert. He said it was not a place for the price conscious. So not exactly an I feel your pain closing message in the final stretch of this campaign. Pamela, in addition to the stops today, the president will be in South Carolina tomorrow. He'll be in Florida, Kansas, and Iowa in the closing stretch of this campaign. All right, Kevin Liptak, live for us at the White House. Thanks so much. And still ahead, breaking news. At least 64 people are dead after two high-speed trains collide.

13:57We are live with the very latest. And then later, ramping up rhetoric. The anti-Arab attacks coming from members of the Trump administration just days before voters head to the polls. You're in the Situation Room, and we'll be right back.

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14:53$15 per month equivalent. Taxes and fees extra. New customer offer for initial plan term only. Greater than 50 gigabytes may slow when network is busy. See terms. Happening now, just six days away from the midterms, and with the cost of living and the economy at top of mind for voters who are awaiting a key decision on interest rates by the Federal Reserve. And it comes after the Fed last month raised borrowing costs for the first time in three years, a move trashed by President Trump after his repeated calls to lower rates. So let's bring in CNN reporter Matt Egan here in the Situation Room. What are we expecting from the Fed today?

15:28Well, Pimla, look, inflation's hot. It's getting hotter. But the Fed is not expected to step in here and cool it off with another interest rate hike. Basically, everyone I talk to, former Fed officials, investors, economists, they do expect the Fed to pause today. The market's pricing in just about a 9 % chance of an interest rate hike, 91 % chance of a hold. Now, that's noteworthy because it means that a hike today, it would be a surprise. And Fed officials, they do not like to shock investors because that risks really rocking the boat on Wall Street. and that can have an impact on Main Street.

16:03Still though, some Fed officials, some former Fed officials I talked to, they do think there is a strong case for an interest rate hike today. I mean, the Fed's preferred inflation metric, PCE, it's been above the Fed's own goal for 66 months in a row. Think about that. That's five and a half years of high inflation just eating away at people's incomes. And tomorrow, another update on PCE is expected to show that inflation moved in the wrong direction in September. and again it's supposed to move in the wrong direction in October. Now some Fed watchers, they do suspect that the political calendar could be playing a role here.

16:40I talked to former Minneapolis Fed President Narayana Kocha-Lakota and he told me that he thinks the Fed is reluctant to raise interest rates days before the midterms. He says failing to move at this meeting is a sign that they are being influenced by the political environment and that is not a good thing. He says he doesn't think the Fed is trying to help one party or another, but he thinks they're trying to avoid intense scrutiny from President Trump, who, of course, wants dramatically lower interest rates. Now, Kevin Warsh, the Trump-nominated Fed chairman, he has pledged to keep politics out of decision-making.

17:15He has pledged to make sure the Fed stays independent. But still, it's noteworthy to me that a former official is so openly wondering whether or not politics is playing a role here. Bottom line, no interest rate hike is expected today. But Warsh at 2.30 Eastern, he'll surely face questions about why they're not raising interest rates and whether or not he's in favor of an interest rate hike at the next meeting, the one in December. After the midterms. After the midterms. Matt Egan, thank you so much. Appreciate it. And coming up here in the Situation Room, key seat up for grabs. Republicans look to flip a Senate seat in New Hampshire using a familiar name.

17:50We'll speak to the head of the state's Republican committee up next.

17:59Happening now, the countdown to Election Day in America is on. Millions of votes have already been cast, and we're keeping a close eye on several critical midterm races, including in New Hampshire, where Democrat Chris Pappas is facing Johnson & New for a key Senate seat. The two are set to appear in a debate tonight, and they'll be sure to be asked about the economy. It's so expensive. I'll stand up to corporate special interests at lower costs. I only serve you. As Senator, I'll have one job. Stand up for New Hampshire every single day. The Situation Room is inviting Democratic and Republican state party chairs as we count down to the midterms.

18:39With us now is Scott Meltze, a chairman of New Hampshire's Republican State Committee. Thanks for coming on. So six days left until Election Day. How are you feeling about the state of the race in New Hampshire, Scott? Well, thanks for having me on. We are feeling very optimistic about this race. We think we have a great group of candidates. We have a good story to tell, especially here in New Hampshire, about some of the good work we've been doing and why we're the best state in the United States to live, work, and raise a family, and how our candidates are going to bring that attitude and those policies of success down to Washington.

19:14So the Senate matchup in New Hampshire between Democrat Chris Pappas and Republican and John Sununu is a key race. What is the New Hampshire GOP prioritizing on the ground in these final days? Well, we have more people out knocking doors. We have more mailers going out. We have more phone calls going out than we've ever had. We have a number of groups that are working together in concert to make sure that we not only elect John Sununu, but we elect Anthony DiLorenzo, Lily Tang Williams, and our great Governor Ayotte as well. So it's a full court press, a lot of people out doing a lot of hard work, long hours.

19:54But the voters are hearing our message and are responding generally pretty positively. What do you see as the single biggest obstacle for Republicans in the Senate race? Well, you know, it's a midterm election and we have a Republican president in the White House. And historically, that gives us a lot of headwinds. Obviously, people are looking at the affordability issue, and that presents some additional headwinds. But Republicans have a great plan to lower energy costs, to lower housing costs, to improve the economy. And unfortunately, we're not hearing those plans from the Democratic Party right now and the Democratic opposition.

20:35And you're seeing that highlighted in this Senate race here in New Hampshire. Can you be more specific about what your candidate, John Sununu, would do on the economy, given the fact that the leader of the party, President Trump, right now is in charge? Well, but obviously the Senate's really important in terms of passing policy and passing bills that can improve costs. So when we talk about energy costs, we talk about more domestic energy production, making sure that we're increasing use of natural gas. Here in New Hampshire, we've had some of the surrounding states blocking a natural gas pipeline.

21:15We've been trying to get to New Hampshire for a decade. With a senator from New Hampshire, we're hoping that we can make some changes in that regard. Again, Republican policies allow us to have more domestic energy production. That makes us more energy independent. And it makes us more environmentally advantageous as well. American energy is much cleaner than imported energy. And it also creates hundreds and thousands of good-paying American jobs. That's the best way to make life more affordable, is making sure the incomes continue to rise. And the Senate has a great opportunity to help pass policies that would help do that.

21:57So just historically, in the last three presidential elections in New Hampshire, Democrats have beat out Republicans by an extremely slim margin. Your candidate, John Zuninu, has attempted to distance himself from Trump. Let's listen to this ad. The way Chris Pappas tells it, I'm President Trump's long lost son. I've never even met the man. When the president's policies are bad for New Hampshire, I'll oppose them. Just like I opposed the war in Iran and the trade war with Canada. That's New Hampshire Independent. What does it tell you that Republicans like Sununu are having to distance themselves from their party leader in charge of the country right now?

22:43Well, New Hampshire Independent voters are our largest voting bloc. And it's not so much about distancing. It's really about demonstrating that he is an independent thinker, that he's willing to stand up for New Hampshire values to bring that granite New Hampshire advantage down to Washington, D.C. What we've seen with Chris Pappas is that he's voted with the Democrat leadership 99 percent of the time. He's voted with the far left portion of the Democratic Party 85 percent of the time. That's not independent thinking. John Sununu has stood up to President Trump's on tariffs in Canada. He stood up to him on a number of other issues.

23:23It's when it's right for New Hampshire, that's what John Sununu is going to stand for. When it's wrong for New Hampshire, that's what Chris Pappas is going to stand up for. Okay, I just want to end on asking you, do you have any reason to believe elections in New Hampshire would not be safe and secure? And do you commit to accepting the results of next Tuesday's elections outcome, given if they're certified? Well, let me be clear. New Hampshire has some of the best election integrity and best elections in the country. It's why we have the first in the nation primary. It's people know that our elections can be trusted.

24:00You get results the same day. We have recounts where we need to. The results are always clear and always understandable. Of course we're going to accept the results, whatever they come out to be. That's the way New Hampshire politics has always worked and again that's why we have the first in the nation primary all right scott thank you so much for coming on thank you very much for having me all right coming up cnn's omar jimenez is hitting the road traveling to key battleground states and cities omar you were in gettysburg yesterday tell us where you're at today

24:36yeah we are outside pittsburgh now exploring some of the icons of the steel industry that persisted here for so, so long in its heyday. We get a nice tour along the way, but I'm also going to tell you what we've heard from voters on this trip too, so stick around.

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25:23As we count down to the midterm, CNN's Omar Jimenez is on a road trip through the Rust Belt, stopping in some of the most consequential swing states and districts, including Philadelphia, Gettysburg, Columbus, Toledo, and parts of Michigan. He's talking to candidates, even trying local foods, giving us a real sense of life in the lead up to the election. Omar is live for us right outside of Pittsburgh this morning. So tell us more about where you are and how the road trip is going, Omar.

25:53I heard rust belt, so I found some rust. We are carry blast furnaces outside of Pittsburgh. It's one of the most iconic landmarks here in terms of tourists as well in this area and beyond. So I've been getting a tour by my man, Ron here, who is an expert in all things. We don't have time to get into his expertise, but he's been crushing it. But part of what we've been going through is you see this entire space here in its heyday. I mean, this would have been bustling with people making and producing what became the signature product here, steel in this area. Obviously, it is not that anymore. and it stands as sort of a symbol of how quickly things can change in terms of economies, which economies has been on the mind of a lot of voters we've spoken to.

26:37Yesterday, we were in Pennsylvania District 10, which is around the state capital of Harrisburg, another one of those swing districts. And it's going to be a tight race between the Republican Congressman Scott Perry and the Democrat Janelle Stelzen there. And I just want you to listen to a Republican voter on the confidence she has heading into that race less than a week away now. You feel confident that he's going to be reelected back into office this time around? Not necessarily, no. You don't? I feel confident. I would really like to see that because I think he's a way better candidate. Scott Perry's done a great job, and he can only do what he can do.

27:11He's not the president, although he supports him well. So I think what he's done is, for the most part, excellent. What do you think? Yeah, and it's going to be a very tight race because last time the president was elected, Trump when he went. He kind of got him a little bit. He barely won the last time. Scott Perry when I was with Trump getting some of that down the ballot voting. So it's going to be very tight this time. It's incredible to listen to it because, you know, there are people who are supporting their candidates but also seem ready or expecting the opposite results based on, I mean, he was walking us through, oh, Democrats or people in power tend to do much better in the midterms or people not in power, excuse me, from the White House tend to do better in the midterms.

27:59So it was this almost hesitancy, but also they wanted their candidate to win. And we've seen some of that in some of these places, but indicative in one of those key swing districts here in Pennsylvania, Pamela. All right. Omar Jimenez, thank you so much. We'll let you get on with it with your road trip and look forward to seeing you again tomorrow, wherever you will be. Thanks so much. Well, President Trump is barnstorming through Red America in the final sprint to Election Day. Before heading to Ohio today, President Trump made two stops in Texas yesterday. The open Senate seat there has prompted one of the most competitive contests in the country.

28:33But as Trump looks to shore up support with his base, recent polling shows the president is losing ground with some key groups he made inroads with in 2024. And that includes Latino voters, a block that has become a critical swing vote in recent elections. CNN polling shows just 20 % of Hispanics said they approve of how Trump is handling his job as president. Well, 79 % said they disapprove. And in Texas, data shows Latino voters make up nearly a quarter of early votes this election cycle. That's up from both 2024 and 2022. Joining us now is CNN senior political commentator Anna Navarro. Anna, put this into context for us.

29:11How big of an issue could Latino voters dissatisfaction with the president be for Republicans this election cycle? Listen, I think on November 4th, it's going to be one of the big issues we are talking about because it's going to decide elections. In 2024, it was one of the big takeaways. Donald Trump made jaw dropping gains with the Latino community, with Latino voters, particularly in places like Florida and like Texas, around the border, the Rio Grande Valley area. And it seems that he's poised to lose the ground he gained and lose even more than that. And, you know, people have to remember, Pam, what Latinos are going through and how hyper aware we are of the prosecution, persecution, hunting down of Latinos in the streets.

30:03Just in Texas alone, Texas have seen at least two shooting deaths by ICE officers, DHS officers, in the streets of Texas. One was a 22-year-old U.S. citizen, Ruben Ray Martinez, who was killed at a traffic stop. The other one, Lorenzo Araujo, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, who was killed in the streets of Houston. Lorenzo Salgado Araujo has three U.S. citizen sons. One of them is out on the trail reminding Latinos what that community has been through. And one of the most touching things I have seen is people going out to vote and then heading to a memorial, a makeshift memorial that has been built in the street in Houston where he was shot down.

30:50And people are taking their I voted sticker and putting it on that memorial for Lorenzo Araujo and saying, I voted against this. I voted because of him. People are standing up. Look, a lot of the Latinos who voted for Trump, who bought what he was selling back in 2024, are feeling guilty. Are feeling guilty for having put this man in office and seeing what has ensued with our community as a result. What was it that they were buying at the time that they believe now that he has betrayed his promises on? You know, I do think, well, I think they thought he was going to be great for the economy. He has not been.

31:30I think they thought that he was going to stay away from forever wars. He has not done that. And I think they thought he was going to control immigration. A lot of Latinos were for controlling the border. What they're not for is their grandmothers and their aunts and their uncles and their friends and their colleagues and the parents of children that go to school with their children being detained, dragged through the streets, shot at, and deported to Africa or places where they have zero connection to. So I think that like a lot of other Americans, you know, people need to remember, Latinos, yes, we are a subgroup, but we're also part of the mainstream America.

32:12Latinos bought the message that Donald Trump was spewing out in 2024, and they are affected by the same things that affect every other American, the high prices, inflation, mortgage rates, this very unpopular war. But on top of that, it's seeing the cruelty that is being inflicted on black and brown people all over this country. So a critical Senate race this season is also in Michigan. President Trump and other members of his administration have made a number of claims about the Democratic candidate and Arab Americans in general. Listen here. There's 500 million Arabs in the world. Some people call him Abdul, I call him Mohammed.

32:57And yet they don't produce science. They don't win the Nobel Prize. His name is actually Abdullah Sabtadala. They don't ruin the field prize. Abdullah, ba-ba-ba-ba-ba. They don't win the Wolf Prize. He's a jihadist. They don't produce literature. He's a vicious, violent jihadist. All of that tradition has been destroyed by the Muslim Brotherhood. He would be the only senator that will have to go through a metal detector before he's allowed to go into the Senate. They've created stagnant societies. I think Abdul El-Sayed is a little bit of a psychopath. That do one, two things. People that we have here now in Somalia.

33:30Hatred. Low IQ. And war. Shithouse countries. And victimization. Is this the kind of message that will propel Republican voters to the polls? Well, they want to propel Republican voters to the polls through fear, angst, and racism, because they can't talk about the economy and they can't talk about accomplishments. Let's just start by saying that everything that RFK said in that speech, where he said that Arabs have not produced literature, Arabs have not won the Nobel Prize or the Field Prize or the Wolf Award is patently wrong. Maybe RFK missed it because he was high, snorting heroin off the toilet seat during history class, but he was just absolutely wrong about what he said.

34:19I'll tell you what, though, Pamela, look, I am not shocked by anything that Donald Trump says or that even Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says. That's who they are. They have shown us over and over again. I am shocked that Mike Rogers, who we knew as a contributor on CNN, who sat with us many, many times, who I thought was a good, decent man, isn't standing up against this and saying, winning this race is not worth me losing my morals and my convictions. They are campaigning. They are in Michigan campaigning for Mike Rogers. And I think Mike Rogers has completely lost any moral compass he's ever had by not standing up to these racist tropes that are being used time and time again to help him win a Senate seat.

35:04Listen, if he was the Senate seat, nobody's going to care. He's going to be the Honorable Mike Rogers sitting in the Senate. But if he loses this race, he's going to have to live with the shame of his complicity and his silence his entire life. All right. And just for context, RFK Jr. has been open about his heroin addiction in years past. No evidence he still does it. But always great to have you on, Anna, and get your perspective as we are just heading into this final spread to the midterms. Thank you so much for coming on. Thank you. Coming up, the big if when it comes to President Trump accepting the midterm election results.

35:40Is it setting the stage for potential challenges? We're going to speak to an election legal expert up next.

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36:44Still haven't started? Hey, better late than never. Sell your car today on Carvana. Pickup fees may apply. Six days until the midterm elections and President Trump says he'll accept the results with one big if. If you do not prevail in this election, despite having worked as hard as you have, how do you intend to work with Democrats if they have control of the House? We'll figure a way. Look, I have strong veto. I hope that that won't be the case. But if it is, that's happened before with many presidents. You have strong veto and you end up working out deals. And you'll respect the results, whatever happens?

37:22I will, if they're honest elections. If they're honest elections, what does that mean? Let's discuss with David Becker. He's executive director and founder of the Center for Election Innovation and Research. So when the president says he'll accept the results only if they're honest, who gets to decide what that means? Because 2020 was not a stolen election. He says it was stolen. So what does this mean? Well, look, this is kind of a broken record. We've heard this almost every election since 2016. We know our elections are honest. The courts have reviewed our elections. Our recent elections have gone through more scrutiny than any elections, not just in American history, but world history.

38:00And the courts, through other investigations, we know that we've gotten the correct winners in all of our elections. And it's unfortunate to see leaders of a political party slander our election officials, the Republicans and Democrats all over the country who are actively working now who have already received in, as you pointed out, over 36 million votes already six days left to go. It's particularly troubling when it's the president of the United States. And we've also seen the Department of Justice weaponized against the states who have the constitutional authority to run elections and have been doing it very, very well for the entire 250 years of this country's existence.

38:37So it's troubling that he says that. I think it's likely that if the election doesn't go his way. We will hear false claims about how the election was rigged in some way, just as we did in 2020 on election night. But those will be false and those will fall apart when they're scrutinized by the courts. But how concerned are you that there are already millions of Americans who believe, because the president touted it, that the 2020 election was stolen? And so that's already baked in. Those seeds of doubt have grown. I mean, I'm very concerned. It's something I deal with literally every day in my work as I work with election officials all over the country from both parties.

39:15It's made their jobs very difficult and in some cases it's led to abuse, threats and harassment for those individuals, public servants who are members of our community who are up to run our elections. And of course, it's not hypothetical, it led to January 6th. It's incumbent upon all leaders of both parties to do as we saw Vice President Gore do in 2000 and Senator McCain do in 2008 and Mitt Romney do in 2012. That was very difficult for them to accept their defeats. Maybe they thought there was something unfair in it, but they stood up for the American people and the integrity of our process.

39:52And I think 20 years from now, we're going to be talking a lot more about the speeches each of those individuals gave to concede their races rather than the lies and deception that we're hearing from some leaders today. President Trump has told the DOJ to sue to block certification of Alaska Senate election if Republican Dan Sullivan loses, citing concerns that another candidate with the same name could confuse voters. Alaska Supreme Court has ruled that candidate can legally run, but Vice President J.D. Vance is already calling it fraud. Let's take a listen. I mean, look, a lot of Alaskans are going to go and look at the ballot and realize exactly what you said, that this is all a big fraud.

40:31But people are busy. People have lives. People have jobs. And when you put a person on the ballot explicitly to try to confuse voters, I think that's the definition of electoral fraud. And I don't think that we should endorse it. What do you think about what he said there? And could this provide a roadmap for challenging other results if Republicans lose key races? Well, the founders were really wise. And they included in the Constitution the Elections Clause. And the Elections Clause is very clear that the states get to decide how elections are run. You know who doesn't get to decide how elections are run?

41:02The president or the vice president of the United States. The founders intentionally kept them out of that discussion. And the state of Alaska has ruled on this. The lower courts in Alaska, the Alaska Supreme Court, as you mentioned, and they ruled on it months ago. Even more importantly, this ballot has been known to everybody in Alaska and to the Department of Justice for months and months and months. You've got to wonder why they waited until the last minute to bring this lawsuit. Regardless, they don't have a cause of action. They're going to lose this lawsuit. There's no question. The judge has set an expedited hearing on these kinds of issues.

41:34They're going to get some filings on this case. But it's very clear from even the expedition order that the court is laying out the timeline and the facts of Alaska having already ruled on this. They're going to lose this. And one hopes that while they might want to interfere in election results that they don't like, they don't get to. They don't have any claim. The states get to run elections. And hopefully these lawsuits, including the one in California that they're about to lose, that'll hopefully dissuade them from interfering in the process further. All right, David Becker, thank you. Always great to have you on.

42:02Appreciate it. So here's what's coming up all new at the top of the hour. Relax. That is the new message from Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign as Democratic opponent Amy Acton hits the trail this morning. Plus, we are live with the breaking developments on a train crash that has left more than 60 people dead. And a toddler declared dead is found alive hours later in the morgue. We'll speak to the child's parents. That's all new next hour.

42:37Happening now, Ohio overdrive. President Trump heads to the Buckeye State for the third time this month to boost Vivekri Maswami and his run for governor. His Democratic rival Amy Acton tells CNN she's still processing that attack ad featuring her estranged mother. Plus, inside the vital job of checking and counting millions of ballots as they come in by the truckload. And Southern Surge, how black voter turnout right now compares to previous elections and what it says about enthusiasm. Welcome to our viewers in the United States and around the world. I'm Pamela Brown. Wolf Lutzer is on assignment and you're in the Situation Room.

43:28Six days out, more than 36 million ballots already cast, $11 billion spent on midterm advertising, and today both President Trump and former President Obama hit the campaign trail. Obama will head to Georgia and he will rally for Democratic Senator John Ossoff and Keisha Lance Bottoms, who is in a tight race for governor. Meanwhile, President Trump will head to Ohio to campaign for two Republicans tonight. Incumbent Senator John Husted, who's running against former Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown in a special election. And Vivek Ramaswamy, the Republican running for governor. His Democratic opponent, Amy Acton, accuses Ramaswamy of exploiting her long-estrange mother in that attack ad where she called Acton a liar.

44:12The ad stoked bipartisan condemnation. And Ramaswamy now has a new ad telling voters to relax.

44:21Relax. This election's almost over. Everyone wants a government that works so we can get on with our lives. CDN's Lauren Fox is in Youngstown, Ohio this morning. So, Lauren, you asked Amy Acton about that ad. What did she tell you? Yeah, we were actually at Liberty High School in Youngstown, Ohio. And while the school has been renovated and rebuilt in the time since Amy Acton attended there, This was really a homecoming moment for Acton, who told us that over the course of the last week, while she never hid from her childhood story, she said it obviously has become a centerpiece of her campaign.

44:56And it's actually helping her connect with voters on the trail. Here's what she told us. I think as someone now 60 years old, you know, I've done the work. I've learned a lot. None of us go through life unscathed. No one gets out of this without the trials we go through. I think I'll unpack it more someday because in the world we're in now, everything's moving so quickly, and obviously we're in the fight of our lives. I feel in some ways full circle and whole in a way that I can't explain, and I hope someday it'll all make sense to me because it is hard to have someone say what you said was a lie when you've never lied in your life.

45:42You know, it's hard to have people be cruel intentionally. But I'm very determined and I'm a scrappy kid from Youngstown who's not afraid of a fight. And my opponent has said awful, unthinkable things the entire campaign. And Pam, the last time Amy Acton said she ran for office was actually for student body president in Youngstown, Ohio. If Democrats want to win this governor's race, if they want to send Sherrod Brown back to United States Senate, they are going to have to perform better here in Mahoning County than they have the last two presidential cycles. And certainly her ability to come home, to try and connect with those voters, is going to be really essential to her success in this gubernatorial campaign.

46:28Pam? What do you expect to hear from President Trump on the trail tonight, Lauren? Well, obviously, President Trump returning to Ohio. Republicans are hoping that they can keep this from becoming a swing state again. Republicans have performed really well in this state over the course of the last three presidential cycles, and they're hoping to continue to keep it a Republican stronghold. We know, obviously, President Donald Trump has stood by Vivek Ramaswamy and that controversial campaign ad. He and J.D. Vance have made clear that they don't think there was anything wrong with it, that politics is just a dirty business.

47:04And it'll be really interesting to see if he continues talking about it. Because as you noted in the top of this, Pam, Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign sort of turning the page in a way with that Relax ad. It'll just be interesting to see whether or not Donald Trump continues to talk about that now very controversial ad featuring Amy Acton's estranged mother. Mary Lauren Fox, thanks so much. With just six days until Election Day, Democrats are trying to flip retiring North Carolina Republican Senator Tom Tillis' seat. Democrat Roy Cooper, who was governor for two terms, has been leading in the polls.

47:39Sam Hayes is executive director of the North Carolina State Board of Elections. Sam, thanks for being here on the show. So the Senate race there is among 21 midterm races that has shifted in favor of Democrats. That's according to a report from the University of Virginia's Center for Politics. Tell us more about the turnout in your early voting and what does it say about enthusiasm there? Certainly, Pamela, and thank you for having me. It's good to be with you. Yes, voting is up across the state, which is good news. I think we're up about 36 percent overall. We've had about two million ballots accepted as of now.

48:19We've got absentee, no excuse absentee ballot voting in this state, of course. We are the first state in the country to send out those ballots on October 4th. We've got 17 days of early in-person voting. And of course, we have Election Day voting on November 3rd. And again, we're seeing an increase of about 36 percent over the last midterm. So early voting data shows black voter turnout is strong in North Carolina. Has there been a concerted effort in your state to get out the black voter? Is this driven by voter enthusiasm overall? all? I believe it's enthusiasm overall. We're seeing numbers up across the board, which is a great thing.

49:00You know, we provide ample opportunities to vote in this state. Again, no excuse absentee ballot voting, first in the nation to send those ballots out. We have 17 days of early voting. We have 319 sites across the state, which is an increase over prior years. And of course, we have election day voting, and it looks like people are turning out in force, which is great news. So Common Cause North Carolina is a nonpartisan advocacy group that advocates for protecting voters right. And it is reporting that 5.85 % of all ballots counted in the state's 2026 midterms have been flagged with problems. Some voters have fixed their ballots, but those who don't make the corrections would risk their vote being rejected.

49:41And Common Cause and other critics are blaming the rising rates in large part on this new envelope ceiling rule, where there are two envelopes now, both have to be sealed for it to be accepted. Do you think this rejection rate reveals a flaw in the system? Well, first of all, those are not the numbers we're seeing. We're seeing about 3.1 % spoilage rate compared with prior years to, I believe, about 2.6%. So it's only up slightly. There are many different reasons a ballot might be spoiled. And the double envelope system is nothing new. In fact, since we implemented photo voter ID a number of years ago, we have had the two envelope system.

50:23The container return envelope, the inner envelope, holds the ballot and the photocopy of the voter's photo ID, which is required by state law. The outer envelope is there to protect the privacy of the voter, that information contained within. The instructions are clear to the voters. They remain the same. Among other things, you have to seal the container return envelope inside for that ballot to be accepted. However, if that process doesn't play out and voters ballot needs to be cured or spoiled and reissued, the voter is going to have another opportunity to cast a ballot. As I said, there is ample opportunity in the state to either present in person or to vote by mail and to return your ballot to any one of our early voting sites across the state.

51:17Correct me if I'm wrong, though. The fact that the second ballot, the inside envelope needs to be sealed. That's that's a new requirement, correct? No, it is not a new requirement, Pamela. In fact, that that's always been the requirement and it reflects state law that is in statute. What we have done is adjusted to our guidance, the state board's guidance to the county boards to reflect that state law to make it clear that if that inner container return envelope is not sealed, if it's mailed in. Now, if the voter presents in person and turns it into an early voting site, they'll have the opportunity to cure that by sealing it in front of the poll worker.

51:59But if they're mailed in, then a new absentee ballot will have to be reissued. Okay, so bottom line is you're saying it's always been required, but the State Board of Elections is putting forth extra effort to make sure that requirement is followed. And if not, the voter would have to cure the ballot. That's what I'm hearing from you. That's correct, and that is reflective of state law. Okay. I just want to also just ask you about the elections overall. How would you describe the election integrity in North Carolina? Are you confident that they will be done fairly and accurately, whatever the outcome is?

52:33and that officials there will accept them if they're certified. Absolutely. I have every confidence in our elections at North Carolina. We have great professionals working in all 100 counties, great directors across the state, the boards that oversee them. We have the state board and myself who are here to support the counties in their efforts. They're really the ones who administer elections in this state. And we take I think election security very seriously. I always say that election security and access are two sides of the same coin, but what inspires confidence in elections, Pamela, is adherence to the law, both the letter and the spirit, as with voter ID, as with sealing of the container return envelope.

53:20And I'm as confident as I possibly can be in the integrity of our elections in North Carolina. All right, Sam Hayes, thank you so much for coming on. Absolutely. Thank you for having me. Still ahead, a mother says her toddler son is like a completely different person after being found alive in a morgue hours after he was declared dead. That's ahead in the Situation Room.

53:49Choice Hotels get you more of what you value. Comfort Inn, it's calling your name. Save on the stay. Oh, and free waffles are yours to claim. Book direct at storieshiltales.com. Breaking news. Dozens of people are dead and at least 100 more are hurt after a high-speed train collision. And those numbers are expected to rise. This video from Spain shows the aftermath of the collision. It involved two trains carrying about 500 passengers. Some of them described getting tossed around and then scrambling to get away from the wreckage. truly horrifying. CNN correspondent Pal Mosquera is in central Spain right now.

54:33Pal, what more are we learning about the victims and what went wrong here? Well, the French Prime Minister, Pamela, has promised to keep investigating until they finally see, finally discover what exactly has happened in this tragic accident that has taken place this Wednesday morning. Right now, Pamela, we're just a few meters away from the crash site. It is important to say that it's very difficult to access there because the authorities are blocking all the accesses as to allow the imbalances. And the authorities keep taking all the injured ones to the hospitals where they can be attended. So far, authorities have confirmed that 68 people have died, and there are at least 50 people that are being attended as injured, and another 15 that are seriously injured.

55:30So, given that, the Spanish Prime Minister, Petro Santos, said that they will declare three days of official mourning that will be starting tomorrow, Thursday, until Saturday. and the most important thing, he wanted to make clear that this accident seems to not have nothing in common to the one that took place a few months ago. You may recall the one, the high-speed train accident that took place earlier in January when another two high-speed trains collided near Córdoba and it claimed the lives of 46 people. Pamela. So very sad. Pam Mosquera, live in Spain. Thank you. And up next here in the Situation Room, something you're seeing first.

56:14We'll take you behind the scenes and show you how officials make sure every ballot is counted from now through election night. We'll be right back. Stay with us.

56:28All right, welcome back. Here are some of the top stories we're following this morning. In Georgia, three people are under arrest for an alleged school shooting plot. The FBI says one of them made threatening posts online and worked with local and federal agencies to arrest two people, both under the age of 18. A 21-year-old was also arrested in California. Police say they found guns and ammo during the arrests. Well, the cost of the war with Iran continues to soar. The Pentagon puts the dollar amount at more than$47 billion as of October 16th. The Congressional Budget Office has told lawmakers the war could increase inflation for the first few months of next year.

57:08And Brazilian sender Flavio Bolsonaro is now in the U.S. with his family after fleeing his home country. An advisor to President Trump tells CNN that Trump himself approved Bolsonaro's entry into this country. He is under investigation in Brazil for alleged corruption and money laundering. And he left there despite being ordered to surrender his passport after he lost the presidential election runoff.

57:43All right, back to our top story. Control of Congress is up for grabs with just six days until Election Day. A new poll from The New York Times shows no clear leader in the South Carolina Senate race. The unusually competitive contest comes as Darlene Graham looks to defend the seat she was appointed to after her brother Lindsey's death. Joining us now is CNN political commentator Bakari Sellers. So, Bakari, great to have you on. You served in the South Carolina State House. What does this new polling tell you about the political landscape in some of these deep red states? Well, Darlene Graham and Annie Andrews is a unique race because it actually fits in a formula where Democrats in the South can win.

58:23What that means is, one, you have to have just a god-awful candidate on the Republican side, and that's what we have in Darlene Graham. Number two, you have to have the money to compete, and Annie Andrews has been a prolific fundraiser in every race she's run, including this United States Senate race. And last but not least, you have to have some third party turmoil, some third party pushback. You have a write-in component from Ralph Norman, who primaried Darlene Graham. And so there's an opportunity for Annie Andrews to win this race, like many Democrats in the South, with less than 50 % of the vote, which is what Democrats need.

58:59This is going to be a fascinating race to watch, and it's one that many people didn't think was going to be close. But this also isn't a presidential year, so we don't have to worry about a Donald Trump at the top of the ticket. This is going to be a race that goes into the night on next Tuesday, one that I'm kind of interested to see how it plays out. I think a lot of people are. So even if Democrats don't flip the seat, does this signal a broader trend of Democratic gains in red states, you think? How do Democrats keep up this momentum? It means it's possible. And so that's a very, very good question.

59:30The first thing is I don't want Democrats. I firmly believe that we're going to win the House and have more than a puncher's chance to win the Senate next Tuesday. But Democrats first can't take the wrong message from this. We can't take the message that all of a sudden the American public actually like us, because that's not the case. Donald Trump is just a true albatross around the neck of the Republican Party. He's dragging the ticket down and the malaise of government cost of living Iran war just make this environment untenable for Republicans to win. That's more of an indictment on them than it is to say that, oh, my God, the American public loved the brand of the Democratic Party.

1:00:09That's kind of first. Second, if we want to transform South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, Louisiana, that work doesn't start, you know, a month or two months or three months before Election Day. That work actually starts next Wednesday. And people want to compare Georgia all the time. But Stacey Abrams, It's occurred a decade and$100 million going sub-precinct, street by street, house by house. And so if Democrats really want to transform the South, we have to stop waiting until somebody wins a primary and say, oh, my God, dump a bunch of money into that primary. These races are giving us hope.

1:00:44This race in Mississippi are giving us hope. But we actually have to start the work the day after Election Day. That's what I want to see. So early voting data suggests there is strong motivation among black voters in several southern states, including Georgia and North Carolina. How do you think this could shape some of those critical races in these red and purple areas? Well, black voters are just the kind of key in a lot of urban areas and for that matter, a lot of these southern states as well. You know, when you look at North Carolina, you look at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area, you look at the Research Triangle.

1:01:21So black voters coming out in extraordinary numbers in that area are going to be very significant to making sure that Roy Cooper goes to the United States Senate. Now, in Georgia, it's a little bit different because people focus on Atlanta all the time. And for rightfully so. I mean, it's a huge county, huge city, huge counties around it. But there are also a lot of rural areas where John Ossoff is doing extremely well. There are a lot of rural black voters that John Ossoff is touching. And so that's what we're starting to see. But black voters are coming out throughout the South. And no matter what impediments, and I've told people this consistently, as much as I fight for voting rights, one of them codified, et cetera, it's very apparent throughout this country's history, no matter what impediments Republicans or Republican state legislatures or the president of the United States try to throw in front of black folk, we're going to exercise that right.

1:02:12And we're going to jump over those hurdles. And we're going to be there during early voting and Election Day to make sure we let our voices be heard. So former President Barack Obama is back on the campaign trail today. He's in Georgia today. Well, something for candidates over the weekend, he told voters that Democrats need to campaign for something, not just against President Trump. Do you think Democrats have been effective in their messaging this cycle? I don't think as a national brand we have, but I do think individual candidates have. I mean, you look at John Ossoff, just his oratory, his ability to communicate about the cost of living, his ability to define his opponent.

1:02:52Just brilliant. You look at Scott Colum. You look at Annie Andrews. You look at Roy Cooper. You look at James Tallarico. You look at Sherrod Brown. In individual states, you've had individuals who have been able to articulate their message succinctly. Now, this is the question that no one really wants to ask. And as a Democrat, I guess it's kind of foreign for me to ask or taboo for me to ask. But there has not been a clear message about what Democrats in Washington, D.C. are going to do when we give them back the reins of power. Like, you know, in 1994, you had a contract with America. You know, it was something tangible that we could look at and say, look, we're going to do one, two, three, four, five.

1:03:35And although it's going to be a battle in the Senate if we don't win it or a battle dealing with the White House, with Donald Trump still president, give us something to hold on to, to grasp to. Right now, we're voting to make sure that we turn the direction of this country because it's headed in a direction we don't want it to go into the ditch. But what happens when we give you the reins of power is a question that still goes unanswered. So as a Democrat yourself, you feel like you can't answer exactly what Democrats would do if they are given the power of Congress, if they gain control. I mean, I have my ideas.

1:04:07I mean, I would start with things like ethics. Yeah, go ahead. No, I would start with things like ethics reform. I would make sure that we're doing things around cost of living. Right. I would actually work with Republicans and people like Mark Cuban on making sure we driving down prescription drug cost even further. I would rein in the war powers to make sure we could kind of end our war in Iran and even do something to help our farmers in the Midwest who are suffering because of the war in Iran. So, I mean, there are ideas that you could put forth. But my point is that as a party from Ken Martin to King Jeffries to Chuck Schumer, there has not been a bullhorn message around.

1:04:45Look, November 4th, when we get the reins of power, we are going to do this. I promise Americans voice will be heard on this issue, that issue, this issue. And, you know, I get pushback from my friends all the time to say, hey, we're talking about it. But I'm in the streets all the time and Americans, they ain't hearing us talk about it. Very interesting perspective. Bakari Sellers, thank you so much. Thank you. Well, coming up, Democrats are hoping for a blue wave and control of Congress. But what can they actually do if they get it? We were just talking about that. We're going to carry on that conversation with the head of the party's campaign arm in Congress next.

1:05:33I wrote a little song to remind you Choice Hotels gets you more of the experiences you value. The Cambria Hotel's got it all A rooftop bar, have a ball Cocktails up here feel just right Is Cambria amazing? All right Bring a date, your team, or even your mom. Book direct at choicehotels.com. See you on the roof. Shaq here. What's it like to buy a car from Carvana 100 % online and get it delivered to your door? Let me tell you. Your car is here, Mr. Shaq. Thank you, Mr. Carvana guy. Can't wait to take it for a spin. Only the best for you, Mr. Shaq. Hey, have you always been so big, tall, and handsome?

1:06:20Not always. I was 6 '10 once. Seven days delivered or returned, Mr. Shaq. Not that I would. You never do. No, I never do. So buy your car today on Carvana. Delivery fees may apply. See our seven-day return policy at Carvana.com. As we march towards Election Day, Ohio has become key to Democrats' chances of regaining control of the House and potentially the Senate. They've zeroed in on seats they're deemed highly competitive or vulnerable for the Republicans who hold them now. My next guest is Washington Congresswoman Suzanne Delbenet. She is the chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which is the official campaign arm of the party.

1:06:59Great to have you on. Before we dig a little bit deeper into some of these states like Ohio, I first want to get a reaction to what we just heard from political commentator Bakari Sellers. He said he believes Democrats have not done a good job of coalescing around a concrete message about what they're going to do in Washington to help the everyday Americans if they take control. What do you think of that? I think we've been very clear. Our number one focus is standing up for working families, for communities across the country that are suffering because of policies put in place by this administration.

1:07:35Obviously, number one is the cost of living, affordability, housing, food, health care. They've gutted health care. energy costs, gas prices skyrocketing all directly because of actions taken by this administration, making sure that we are standing up to lower costs, to get rid of these sweeping, chaotic tariffs, putting back funding for Medicaid, making sure that people have health care across the country, standing up to the corruption we see from this administration, ending the war. Those are all important things in a beginning, but making sure we build an economy that works for everyone across the country, top priorities for us when we have the majority in Congress.

1:08:21So if Democrats do have the majority in Congress and have the reins, how much power will they actually have to do the things you just laid out, given the president's veto power that he has thrown out there several times when talking about this scenario? Well, I think we're going to hear a resounding voice from the American people on Tuesday. Folks want a Congress that's going to stand up for them, and we are. In the House, we'll stand up, move legislation, do our job as an independent branch with oversight, make sure we're moving policy to support our communities. We're going to make sure We work with the Senate as well.

1:09:02And I think public opinion has a big impact here when people are saying this is what they want to see. We'll move legislation and it will be up to the White House to decide if they want to stand against that momentum. We're going to continue to fight because I think when we fight, we can win. Do you think Democrats should work with the White House on deals and negotiations? Our top priority is the American people and standing up for the needs of the American people. And so we're going to work hard to make sure we can get policies through that help them. And we will do what we can to make sure the White House understands that, too.

1:09:40They've done a lot of damage. It's time to make sure that the American people are put first. So you're in Ohio now. What are you seeing there? I'm in Parma, Ohio. Yesterday I was in Toledo. Tons of enthusiasm on the ground. People turning out to vote. I was at an early voting center in Toledo. Many people excited, energized to turn out the vote. I was there with Marcy Kaptur. You know, Republicans have tried to gerrymander here, and it's backfiring. People want great representatives who are going to stand up for them. They have that in Marcy Kaptur. We have Greg Landsman and Amelia Sykes, who are also on a strong path to be reelected.

1:10:24And we have opportunities to pick up seats. I'm here in Parma, Ohio. Brian Poindexter is a great candidate. We have a chance to flip a seat right here. People are tired of the broken promises from Republicans. You know, they promised to lower costs on day one. They promised to only go after the worst of the worst on immigration. They promised no forever wars. Broken promise after broken promise. Our secret sauce is that we have great candidates. All of those together are a reason we're going to win. And absolutely one place we're going to win was right here in Ohio. So your committee is set to announce later today its final spending for the last week of the campaign.

1:11:05Can you tell us more about what it consists of and what are the priorities just six days before Election Day? You know, our map has continued to expand across the country. We've had strong support across the country. People wanting to make sure we have resources to get to candidates in every corner of the country. And so we have great opportunities now that we've been able to reach, like in Nevada, too, Northern Nevada, a great opportunity to flip a seat there with Teresa Benitez Thompson. We're able to put money into places like Tennessee Five and Chaz Mulder, another place that they tried to redistrict and make that a safer seat.

1:11:45You can't outdo great candidates, Florida Seven and Bale Dalton. And again, these are all seats that Trump won, but all seats where we have great opportunities to pick up because people are angry and they want candidates who are going to stand up for them. And we really do have incredible candidates that are deeply connected to their communities. They're authentic. They're independent minded. And they're actually listening to voters. That's why we're going to win. All right. We will see, as we keep saying here. Congresswoman Suzanne Delbenay, thank you so much.

1:12:26As we count down to the midterm, CNN's Omar Jimenez is on a road trip through the Rust Belt, stopping in some of the most consequential swing states and districts, including Philadelphia, Gettysburg, Columbus, Toledo, and parts of Michigan. He's talking to candidates, even trying local foods, and giving us a real sense of life in the lead up to the election. Omar is live for us right outside of Pittsburgh this morning. So tell us more about where you are and how the road trip is going, Omar.

1:12:56I heard rust belt, so I found some rust. We are carry blast furnaces outside of Pittsburgh. It's one of the most iconic landmarks here in terms of tourists as well in this area and beyond. So I've been getting a tour by my man, Ron, here, who is an expert in all things. We don't have time to get into his expertise, but he's been crushing it. But part of what we've been going through is you see this entire space here in its heyday. I mean, this would have been bustling with people making and producing what became the signature product here, steel in this area. Obviously, it is not that anymore.

1:13:31It stands as sort of a symbol of how quickly things can change in terms of economies, which economies has been on the mind of a lot of voters we've spoken to. Yesterday, we were in Pennsylvania District 10, which is around the state capital of Harrisburg, another one of those swing districts. And it's going to be a tight race between the Republican Congressman Scott Perry and the Democrat Janelle Steltson there. And I just want you to listen to a Republican voter on the confidence she has heading into that race less than a week away now. You feel confident that he's going to be reelected back into office this time around?

1:14:04Not necessarily, no. You don't? I feel confident. I would really like to see that because I think he's a way better candidate. Scott Perry's done a great job. And he can only do what he can do. He's not the president, although he supports him well. So I think what he's done is, for the most part, excellent. What do you think? Yeah, and it's going to be a very tight race because last time President Trump, when he went, he kind of got him a little bit. He barely won the last time Scott Perry went, and that was with Trump getting some of that. down the ballot voting so it's gonna be very tight this time it's incredible to listen to it because you know there are people who are supporting their candidates but also seem uh ready or or expecting the opposite results based on i mean he was walking us through oh democrats or people in power tend to uh to to do much better in the midterms uh or people not in power excuse me from the white house tend to do better in the midterms so it was this almost hesitancy but also So they wanted their candidate to win.

1:15:07And we've seen some of that in some of these places, but indicative in one of those key swing districts here in Pennsylvania, Pamela. All right. Omar Jimenez, thank you so much. We'll let you get on with it with your road trip and look forward to seeing you again tomorrow, wherever you will be. All right. Thank you so much for joining us this morning. You can keep up with us on social media at Wolf Blitzer and at Pamela Brown CNN. We'll see you back here tomorrow morning and every weekday morning at 10 Eastern for two hours inside politics with our friend and colleague, Dana Bash starts after a quick break.

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