“Donald Trump is a mensch; he has always stood with the Jewish people,” UPDATED

 RTM  

 “Donald Trump is a Mensch ; he has always stood with the Jewish people,” Wartski stated, emphasizing that the comparisons Harris makes not only distort the legacy of the Holocaust but also insult its victims, including his own parents.

Jerry Wartski, a 94-year-old Holocaust survivor, has criticized Vice President Kamala Harris for her recent comparisons between former President Donald Trump and Adolf Hitler, describing it as one of the most offensive statements he has encountered in his lifetime. Wartski, who endured the horrific conditions of the Auschwitz concentration camp as a child and lost most of his family during the Holocaust, finds such parallels deeply troubling." . . .

. . .The Vice President has repeated her stance in several venues, including social media platforms and public appearances, where she alleges that Trump seeks unchecked power akin to that wielded by dictators. During a town hall meeting, Harris stated, “Donald Trump aims to create a military loyalty reminiscent of Adolf Hitler’s generals, prioritizing his own interests over our Constitution.”

"These remarks have caused significant backlash among Republican leaders, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who issued a joint statement condemning the comparisons. They have suggested that such rhetoric could incite further hostility against Trump and his supporters.

"Trump, in turn, has publicly rebuked Harris, labeling her claims as unfounded and disrespectful. His campaign has utilized Wartski’s testimony in advertising efforts, showcasing his criticisms of Harris. Trump’s enduring relationship with the Jewish community has also been highlighted, particularly in light of Wartski’s testimonials."

More on this here  How ironic that those calling Trump "Hitler" include those blocking Jews from streets. TD

Obama Uses 'Nazis' To Attack Trump. Ambassador Grenell Wrecks Him. 

  . . ."Not long after Obama utilized Nazis in his attack on Trump, U.S. Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell responded with a tweet, writing: " 'Fact check: Donald Trump kicked the Nazi out of NYC after 14 years and multiple Presidents allowed him to stay."

. . . " 'The Nazis killed 6 million Jews," Grenell told The Daily Wire. "No one should ever joke about this horrific part of history." . .  .

UPDATE: Democrats point out that she's made too many cases against Trump — a scattershot approach that was bound to fail. The final pathetic, desperate attempt to paint Trump as Hitler has failed to move the needle.  . . ."Harris herself is being fingered for never getting around to defining herself for voters beyond "Donald Trump is a poopy head." 

"Democrats point out that she's made too many cases against Trump — a scattershot approach that was bound to fail. The final pathetic, desperate attempt to paint Trump as Hitler has failed to move the needle.

"No need to wonder why. Like the massive overuse of the charge of "racist" during the Obama years, the "fascist" label has lost its power to do damage." . . .

Yet it continues: Tim Walz Calls Trump Madison Square Garden Attendees Nazis. Great idea, Hillary thanks for this.

Kamala Harris’s Climate Czar: Fossil Fuel Industry Is ‘Death Cult’; Contains the word "fascism" as usual

 Breitbart

"The Kamala Harris campaign has tapped eco-loony Camila Thorndike as its “climate engagement director,” a far-left activist who says oil and gas workers are part of the “toxic patriarchy.”

"This “race against fascism is still too close,” Thorndike stated last week. “The only way to stop Trump’s Project 2025 from wrecking our progress and lives is to take action.”

"In early September, the Harris-Walz campaign brought on Thorndike, who had worked for Sen. Bernie Sanders as a legislative aide drafting climate-related policies, and who served in a senior director post at Rewiring America.

"While with Sanders, Thorndike said there is “something evil” about the fossil fuels sector, adding that “there’s no greater source of harm than continuing to cook the planet.”

As pointed out by the attentive folks at the Washington Free Beacon, Thorndike has a history of radical climate activism, in which she has attempted to demonize anyone associated with fossil fuels.

In one post, she said she has had no children because of the fear they would die young, asserting that “the fossil fuel industry’s ecoterrorism” is “great birth control.” . . .

   Climate Change Activists Endorse Kamala Harris

Leonardo DiCaprio, Jet-Setting Climate Doomer, Endorses Kamala Harris to ‘Help Save the Planet’    . . .“Now he’s promised the oil and gas industry that’ll get rid of any regulation they want in exchange for a billion-dollar donation.”

"The final claim is based on an anonymously-sourced Washington Post article from May; Trump has only received about $14 million from oil and gas industry donors this cycle.

“Climate change is killing the earth and ruining our economy,” DiCaprio continued. “We need a bold step forward to save our economy, our planet, and ourselves. That’s why I’m voting for Kamala Harris.”

"Shockingly, the actor touted Harris’s tie-breaking vote on the “Inflation Reduction Act,” which he describes as “the most significant climate action in U.S. history.” The law has haunted Harris’s campaign, as it did nothing to stop soaring prices, and President Joe Biden has even admitted it was deceptively named." . . .

Israel strikes inside Iran

"Should Iran choose to respond, we're fully prepared to defend Israel and support Israel, and there will be consequences," said a U.S. official.

JNS   

“I think he’s got that one wrong,” [Trump] said of Biden. “Isn’t that what you’re supposed to hit? I mean, it’s the biggest risk we have, nuclear weapons. … The answer should have been: Hit the nuclear first, and worry about the rest later.”

"Israeli Air Force fighter jets conducted precision strikes on military targets in Iran overnight Friday, nearly one month after Tehran launched a massive ballistic-missile attack on the Jewish state.

"According to the Israel Defense Forces, dozens of aircraft, including refuelers and spy planes, conducted “waves” of attacks over the course of a few hours across several regions of Iran, located some 1,600 kilometers from Israel. The targets included missile and drone manufacturing facilities and launch sites, as well as air-defense batteries.

"The state-run SANA news outlet reported simultaneous Israeli strikes against military targets across central and southern Syria, amid Tehran’s decades-long effort to entrench itself in that country.

"The IDF named the operation “Days of Repentance.”

“ 'I can now confirm that we have concluded the Israeli response to Iran’s attacks against Israel. We conducted targeted and precise strikes on military targets in Iran—thwarting immediate threats to the State of Israel,” said IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari.

“ 'The Israel Defense Forces has fulfilled its mission. If the regime in Iran were to make the mistake of beginning a new round of escalation, we will be obligated to respond. Our message is clear: All those who threaten the State of Israel and seek to drag the region into wider escalation will pay a heavy price,” Hagari continued. 

 “ 'We demonstrated today that we have both the capability and the resolve to act decisively, and we are prepared—on offense and defense—to defend the State of Israel and the people of Israel,” he added." . . .

Trump’s Media Haters Still Don’t Get It

Martin’s Substack

    This isn’t lost on voters. The majority of Americans say they were better off four years ago than they are today. Of course they were. Jones and others in the media want me to focus on Trump’s loose and occasionally profane rhetoric. I prefer to focus on his policies and the relative normalcy of his first term.

"This is an actual headline that appeared in a “journalism” newsletter 13 days before the election: “How much coverage of Donald Trump is too much?”

""The column is from Tom Jones, senior media writer at the Poynter Institute and, you’ll not be surprised to learn, a man consumed by Trump Derangement Syndrome. I’ve said in the past that Jones’ daily “Poynter Report” column would be more accurately titled, “Why I Hate Donald Trump and Fox News.” (For what it’s worth, Jones would dispute this. In 2020, I sent him an email pointing out glaring biases evident in his commentary. He responded, among other things, by writing, “I can promise you that I don't have an agenda other than to point out really good journalism and call out shoddy journalism.” Self-awareness apparently isn’t his strong suit.)These days I only occasionally read Jones’ tedious, predictable commentaries, and only then for the same reason that a child pinches himself: to see how much pain I can endure.

" 'In this instance, Jones claims to be upset that the legacy media has devoted so much time to Trump trolling Kamala Harris in a McDonald’s photo op and his outrageous asides, most notably ruminating on the late Arnold Palmer’s junk.

"Jones also displays the blind spots of someone immersed in the Leftist bubble: “Just as disturbing, (Trump) keeps talking about the enemy within this country — his political opponents whom he has seemingly threatened with punishment if he becomes elected. And he repeatedly doubts that he’ll accept the result of the election if he loses.”

"There is no shortage of video of Democrats denying election results, with no end in sight. Just two weeks ago, Axios reported that Democrats would not commit to certifying Trump if he wins. That sounds kind of insurrection-y.

"As for the “enemy within” theme, well, can you blame Trump? Just this year, he’s been the target of an orchestrated lawfare campaign in New York, Florida, Georgia and the District of Columbia. He routinely is compared to Hitler (even Hitler, Mussolini and Stalin in the same column by one recent critic), and has survived two assassination attempts by nutjobs who clearly were motivated by the overheated rhetoric of the Harris campaign and the media, who have done their damnedest to memory-hole those attacks.

"The reality, which eludes Jones, is that the legacy media, for which he runs cover, focuses on these peripheral matters to avoid talking about what voters say are the election’s most important issues – the economy, inflation, border security and crime. On those issues, voters favor Trump." . . .

Trump and Rogan

 ROGAN: “The rebels are Republicans now. You want to be punk rock? You want to buck the system? You are conservative now.  

Joe Asks Trump About Ending Military Conflicts and Avoiding WW3

 . . ."The liberals are now pro-silencing criticism. They are pro-censorship. They talk about regulating free speech. It’s bananas to watch.” TRUMP: “They come after their political opponents. They did something that’s only done in third-world countries. They came after their political opponent. I could have put crooked Hillary in jail.” ROGAN: “Not only that, but then they’re weaponizing it by saying that’s what you’re going to do when you get into office while ignoring what they are doing right now. It’s crazy.' ”. . . 

"I don’t know how anyone could watch the Trump episode on Rogan, and come away thinking this guy is Hitler. Trump comes off as human and relatable. You might not like him, you might not agree with him, but at least he is real.

"Joe Rogan and Donald Trump call out the corporate media propagandists’ “very fine people,” Russiagate, and “bloodbath” hoaxes. TRUMP: “It’s a lot easier if you are a Democrat.” ROGAN: “The media, to a large extent, acts as a propaganda arm of the Democrat Party… Most young people are aware of it. I think boomers still read the newspapers and believe in CNN.” ROGAN: “The very fine people hoax, the Russiagate hoax, all these things that they’ve tried to pin on you. It’s a clear distortion.” TRUMP: “The bloodbath hoax. I was talking about the auto industry. It’s a terrible thing they do.” ROGAN: “That’s the problem with propagandists. They take things out of context, and ultimately, they diminish their own credibility.”  Video

This is SPOT ON. Trump and Rogan agree on the left’s war on cops. This entire back and forth should be common sense, but it’s not. So refreshing: ROGAN: “The morale that the police department has in a lot of these cities where they’ve done this defund the police bulls**t, the morale of these poor cops is f***ing horrible.” TRUMP: “You don’t even have an 1/8th of a second to to make a decision that’s going to change their life. If they make the wrong decision they’re going to end up on the front page of every newspaper in the country, and they’re going to lose their house, their pension, and their wife.”

Trump’s Candid Chat with Joe Rogan: Unfiltered Insights on Politics, Diplomacy, and Energy   ..."During his time on the podcast, Trump’s candid and straightforward style was highlighted by Rogan, who noted that this approach has resulted in Trump’s rising popularity. Many Americans, Rogan suggested, have grown weary of typical political rhetoric, leading them to resonate more with Trump’s unfiltered communication. The show provided a platform for the former president to delve into his decision-making processes, including his controversial termination of John Bolton as National Security Adviser, whom Trump characterized as a “nut job.”

"Trump shared insights about his diplomatic interactions with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, recalling how he advised him to “just relax” instead of concentrating on nuclear development. Additionally, he criticized the Biden administration’s withdrawal from Afghanistan, expressing concerns about the military equipment left behind, which he described as “the best equipment in the world.” . . .

Florida Sues DOJ for Stopping State’s Probe Into Trump Assassination Attempt

"I’m old, but sadly not old enough to remember when the Founders gave the federal government NO police powers, and it was a creature meant to be controlled by the states and not the capital city (Foggy Bottom Swamp)."  Comment by henrybowman

 Mary Chastain; Legal Insurrection

 "Interestingly, until the 1960s, the only time the Feds investigated/prosecuted presidential assassination plots is when those plots/attempts occurred on federal property. Leon Czolgosz – McKinley’s Assassin – was arrested by Buffalo police, tried and eventually put to death by the state of New York. Lee Harvey Oswald was in Dallas POLICE custody when he was murdered. Congress didn’t enact the statutes the Feds use now until after the Kennedy assassination."  TargaGTS in reply to henrybowman

"Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody filed a complaint against the DOJ after the agency blocked the state from investigating the second assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.

"Ryan Routh faces charges for allegedly wanting to kill Trump at his golf course in Florida.

Federal prosecutors charged Routh with federal gun crimes. Federal prosecutors also asked the DOJ “to approve the more serious attempted assassination charge, which carries a maximum of life in prison.”

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed “an executive order directing agencies to ensure that appropriate state charges are brought against” Routh.

The DOJ and FBI “cited 18 U.S.C. § 351(f), which purports to temporarily ‘suspend the exercise of jurisdiction by a State or local authority’ when the federal government asserts jurisdiction over an assassination attempt of a major presidential candidate.”

18 U.S. Code § 351(f) states: “If Federal investigative or prosecutive jurisdiction is asserted for a violation of this section, such assertion shall suspend the exercise of jurisdiction by a State or local authority, under any applicable State or local law, until Federal action is terminated.”

Moody said federal officials told Florida officials the state “may not conduct its own investigation, may not interview witnesses, and may only cooperate with the federal government’s investigation.”

“Because § 351(f) does not prohibit such conduct, and because it would violate the Tenth Amendment if it reached so far, Florida sues to vindicate its sovereign interest to investigate violations of state law, as delay may impact the outcome of any prosecution,” added Moody." . . .

Ladies, perhaps Beyonce' or Bruce will stand up for you

 

Rich Terrell

Adam Smith-Connor convicted in U.K. of thought crime for praying outside abortion clinic - Washington Times   . . ."Adam Smith-Connor, who served 20 years in the Army Reserves, was found guilty Wednesday of violating a buffer zone around a Bournemouth clinic in 2022. The court ruled that despite his silent prayer, his clasped hands and bowed head were enough to show “disapproval of abortion,” the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) International, said in a statement.

" 'The defendant was charged under the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), a broad censorship order that localities can issue under a 2014 law to curb “anti-social behavior.”. . .

Silent prayer woman given payout over Birmingham abortion clinic arrest   ... "The campaigner told the BBC that as a "crisis pregnancy support volunteer" for 20 years, she had offered leaflets about charitable services available to women who would rather avoid abortion.

"But she added she "found it particularly shocking" to be accused of "intimidating" action, as she "would condemn anyone who tries to intimidate or harass women".

In addition, when she was arrested in November 2022, the centre was shut with no service users present, she said.

" 'I was there simply to pray for women facing very difficult situations and decisions. Prayer isn’t a crime. Neither is standing," she said.

"Ms Vaughan-Spruce highlighted a survey about reproductive coercion, commissioned by the BBC, in which 15% of the 1,000 UK women surveyed said they had experienced pressure to terminate a pregnancy." . . .

Meanwhile in America: Pro-Life Advocate Goes to Federal Prison Pending Appeal  . . ."I spoke with Ms. Williams in mid-September to hear her story. She told me the government accused her of blocking the entrance to the clinic. The government also accused her of hurting the hand of a clinic employee. According to Williams and her lawyers, the allegations were false but the jury convicted her anyway.

"Williams’ attorney, Aaron Mysliwiec, told Dinesh D’Souza in an October 20 interview that “the government tried to argue that Bevelyn made entrances impassable, but there was no point at which Bevelyn chained herself to an entrance, blocked an entrance in any kind of long-term way.”
"Mysliwiec went on to explain that her defense attorneys had to “fight to get into evidence dozens and dozens of other video clips, which thankfully the judge eventually let in, that showed every time someone came up to the door to either enter or attempt to exit, every time Bevelyn stepped aside.”

"District Attorney Damian Williams’ press release alleges “WILLIAMS pressed her body against the door of the Health Center’s patient entrance and refused to move, preventing a Health Center volunteer from entering the Health Center. As a Health Center staff member (“Victim-1) attempted to open the door for the volunteer, WILLIAMS purposefully leaned against the door, crushing Victim-1’s hand.”

"During our interview in September, Williams explained she neither crushed the employee’s hand nor did she block the entrance to the clinic. Williams, a steadfastly religious woman, shared that she “never moves without God on her side and did not show up unannounced to the clinic” in question." . . .

Kamala Booed at Rally After Beyoncé Concert Promise Turns Out to Be Another Hoax

Please make the Tunnel Wall be your regular site because I promise you that Beyonce' will be a regular contributor soon. At first she said, "You can't afford me!", but I'm counting on her really liking me. TD

PJ Media

Many of us still vividly remember the Beyoncé DNC hoax and didn't think they'd pull a similar trick again. Seriously, once was bad enough. Alas, you should never underestimate just how sleazy Democrats can be, because Beyoncé did not perform at the rally. She was there, appearing for a few minutes to introduce Kamala, but she did not perform as had been hyped.

"Democrats have long tapped Hollywood celebrities to amplify their message. The Democratic National Convention had its fair share, and Kamala has been increasingly relying on celebrities to help boost attendance at her rallies. She had Lizzo at her rally in Detroit, and Bruce Springsteen has been performing at battleground state rallies. 

When rumors swirled about a “mystery guest” set to appear on the Democratic National Convention, the media went into a frenzy. Networks like ABC, CBS, MSNBC, CNN, and NBC all jumped on the “Beyoncé is coming to the DNC” bandwagon, and TMZ even confirmed Beyoncé would perform at the convention. 

Of course, Beyoncé didn’t show. But the rumor accomplished its goal perfectly. Kamala Harris’s acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention drew an impressive average of 28.9 million viewers across cable television, according to Nielsen ratings—around 500,000 more than those who tuned in to watch former President Donald Trump at the Republican convention.

Earlier this week, we learned that Beyoncé was going to appear with Kamala Harris at her rally in Houston, Texas on Friday. "Pop superstar Beyoncé will appear with Vice President Kamala Harris at her event in Houston on Friday evening, according to three sources familiar with the plans," NBC News reported Thursday. "Beyoncé is also expected to perform, said one of the sources, who has direct knowledge of the preparations." . . .

"If I thought one of my favorite bands would perform at a Harris rally I’d go as well! They aren’t there to see you, lady."  "Hey, VP Kamala Harris. No one is there to see you. They want a free concert.

"The Democrats know this. That’s why they do it. So pathetic.

"Beyonce talked for three minutes. Harris took over, and the boos rained down on her.

"Harris tried to play it off like she did at the rally when she mocked Christians.

"Yeah, the boos just got louder. Hahaha."

Remember this celebrity endorsement?

Israel confirms it has struck Iran, as explosions rock Tehran

Jerusalem Post  "Five explosions were reported heard across Tehran and the nearby city of Karaj early on Saturday morning, according to Iranian media, in what is alleged to be the beginning of an Israeli retaliatory attack on Iran.

"Iran told AFP that it had not received any reports of injuries from the strikes." . . .

. . .Sites in Iran

Israel reportedly attacked the location of the headquarters of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps in Iran.

“We’re targeting things that might have threatened us in the past or could do in the future,” NBC News quoted an Israeli official saying. The official further stated that Israel is not striking Iranian nuclear facilities or oil fields and is focusing on military targets.

Several of the strikes in Tehran targeted military bases across southern and southwestern Tehran, according to Iranian media.

Karaj, one of the cities where explosions were heard, contains one of Iran's nuclear power plants.

"The Tasnim news agency said that "nothing has been reported about hearing the sound of rockets or airplanes in the sky of Tehran so far." . . .

Israel reportedly attacked the location of the headquarters of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps in Iran." . . .

California may lose two more refineries, would have to rely on gas from abroad

JusttheNews.com

   "Should California adopt more strict Low Carbon Fuel Standard requirements in November, which could include having more strict requirements on refineries and raising their costs, even more refineries may shut down rather than continue operating in California."

 "Short on the heels of another major refinery closure, Valero signaled it is considering closing its two California refineries that produce over 14% of the state’s gasoline. Refinery closures already have the state importing 8% of its gasoline supply, which means the state could soon have to significantly increase its imports of refined products such as gasoline, on top of its existing reliance on the Middle East and South America for the majority of its crude oil.

"Valero announced its profit is down significantly due to very low margins from its refinery business, prompting a question during its earning call about its costly California refineries.

"Valero CEO Lane Riggs responded the company has already “minimized strategic [capital expenditures]” in the state and “California is increasing its regulatory pressure on the industry, so we’re really considering everything — all options are on the table.”

"While Riggs did not explicitly state that the refineries, which represent over 14% of the state’s remaining refinery capacity, could be shut down, California legislators were quick to ring the alarm bell and tie the potential closures to new refinery regulation powers being granted to the state in a special legislative session called by the governor.

“ 'When California Governor Gavin Newsom said in 2021 he didn’t see a future for oil in CA, I didn’t know 2024 would be the year he ended it at lightning speed,” said State Assemblymember Joe Patterson, R-Rocklin, on X. “Today, another refiner said “all options are on table” with refineries here. We can thank Newsom’s legislation.”  . . .

Valero announced its profit is down significantly due to very low margins from its refinery business, prompting a question during its earning call about its costly California refineries.

 

Harris Calling Trump ‘Fascist’ Is Too Much Even for Mitch McConnell and Mike Johnson

Robert Spencer  

But ultimately, it doesn’t matter what they wrote. Harris will pay no attention and continue crying wolf. We can only hope that the object of her incandescent hatred won’t get hurt, but there is no guarantee. 

https://grrrgraphics.com/

"These days, you can never tell. The old party lines are breaking down. Stalwart Republican Dick Cheney has endorsed Kamala Harris. So has his daughter Liz and another former Republican member of Congress, Adam Kinzinger. Meanwhile, a scion of the most celebrated Democrat family in the world, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is going with Trump. So is Tulsi Gabbard, who once ran for president of the United States herself as a Democrat. Elon Musk, who a few years ago called Trump a “dumb**s,” appeared with him on the campaign trail.

"In this atmosphere, it cannot be taken for granted that even pillars of the Republican and Democrat establishments are actually going to vote for their designated candidates. That’s why it was a bit surprising, and refreshing, that two of those Republican pillars, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) excoriated Kamala Harris for calling Trump a “fascist” and thereby bringing the already hysterical public discourse to a new boiling point. It would have been just as believable if McConnell in particular, a quintessential Washington insider who has clashed with Trump more than once, had endorsed Harris’ inflammatory rhetoric.

"Fox News reported Friday that McConnell and Johnson said in a statement that “labeling a political opponent as a ‘fascist’ risks inviting yet another would-be assassin to try robbing voters of their choice before Election Day."

"That is undoubtedly true, although if there is a new attempt on Trump’s life, Harris and her media sycophants will simply blame the victim again. By this time, this is a tried-and-true strategy. Old Joe Biden set the standard for the left’s strident rhetoric against Trump when he proclaimed, in his famous red-and-black speech on Sept. 1, 2022, that “Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans represent an extremism that threatens the very foundations of our republic.”

"Then later, after both attempts on Trump’s life, Old Joe and his henchmen blamed Trump’s rhetoric for the overheated atmosphere. The establishment media happily plays along, so Kamala knows that she has nothing to lose by trotting out this tired playbook again." . . . 

"Robert Spencer is the director of Jihad Watch and a Shillman Fellow at the David Horowitz Freedom Center. He is author of 28 books, including many bestsellers such as The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam (and the Crusades), The Truth About Muhammad, The History of Jihad, and The Critical Qur’an. His latest book is Muhammad: A Critical Biography. Spencer has led seminars on Islam and jihad for the FBI, the United States Central Command, United States Army Command and General Staff College, the U.S. Army’s Asymmetric Warfare Group, the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), the Justice Department’s Anti-Terrorism Advisory Council and the U.S. intelligence community." . . .

Kamala Harris Officially Chickens Out of Doing Joe Rogan's Podcast

Matt Margolis, PJ Media  

"It seems likely that Kamala Harris is going to do the bare minimum when it comes to media appearances going forward, as her campaign appears to have realized that she is the biggest obstacle they have to overcome. Instead of leaning on Kamala's personal appearances, her team is relying heavily on high-profile surrogates like Barack Obama and a roster of Hollywood stars to draw crowds and make the final pitch." . . . 

"Earlier this week, we received confirmation that former President Donald Trump would be interviewed on Joe Rogan's popular podcast on Friday. Rogan's show has more than 14 million followers on the Spotify platform.

"Last week, Reuters reported that Kamala Harris "could sit down for an interview with popular podcaster Joe Rogan, whose audience leans heavily towards young men, as she works to shore up support with male voters." However, her campaign has now confirmed she won't be doing it.

“ 'We talked with Rogan and his team about the podcast. Unfortunately, it isn’t going to work out right now because of the scheduling of this period of the campaign,” Harris-Walz campaign spokesman Iam Sams told MSNBC’s Chris Hayes Thursday evening.

"It was always doubtful that Kamala would ever appear on Joe Rogan’s podcast, given her preference for tightly controlled interviews with sympathetic hosts. Just last week, her disastrous interview with Bret Baier on Fox News fueled speculation that she’d avoid taking risks like a Rogan appearance at this point in the race. 

"It should come as no surprise that her campaign officially backed out of doing Rogan's podcast in the wake of her disastrous CNN town hall on Wednesday.

"The main takeaway from the town hall was Kamala never seemed to answer any questions, relying on “word salads” instead of direct answers. CNN’s own pundits were unimpressed. Jake Tapper noted, “She focused a lot more on Donald Trump, I think it’s fair to say, than she did on many specifics in terms of what she would do as president.” Dana Bash echoed this by saying, “If her goal was to close the deal, they’re not sure she did that.”

"Van Jones criticized Harris for being “evasive” and expressed irritation with her "word salad stuff.' " . . .