Trump continues to spar with Democrats over partial shutdown of the US govt

Border wall row leaves US on brink of govt shutdown

As the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/standoff-over-trump-wall-leaves-us-govt-5-days-away-from-shutdown-184833">government shutdown threat looms</a>, the United States President <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/as-trump-renews-border-wall-demands-us-government-shutdown-looms-179860">Donald Trump</a> made another bid of persuasion on Twitter on Wednesday&nbsp;for his "big wall" as he argued that the wall on southern US-Mexico border will be a "beautiful", cost-effective structure which will be an "artistically designed steel slats".

"The Democrats, are saying loud and clear that they do not want to build a Concrete Wall - but we are not building a Concrete Wall, we are building artistically designed steel slats so that you can easily see through it" Trump's tweet read.

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The Democrats, are saying loud and clear that they do not want to build a Concrete Wall - but we are not building a Concrete Wall, we are building artistically designed steel slats, so that you can easily see through it....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1075197395892404231?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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He then continued in another tweet with an admiration tone that "it will be beautiful".

"It will be beautiful and, at the same time, give our Country the security that our citizens deserve. It will go up fast and save us BILLIONS of dollars a month once completed!" Trump said on Twitter.'

Trump is demanding $5 billion as a down payment on construction of a huge wall along the US-Mexico border that he argues is the only way to keep illegal immigrants and drugs from crossing into the United States. Democrats and some Republicans argue there are less costly, more effective border controls.

Earlier this week, Trump threatened a partial government shutdown after Democrats did not agree to more than $1.3 billion in border security. He gave lawmakers five days to reach a deal by Friday or there will be a partial shutdown.

In 2016, during the presidential campaign, Trump had promised voters of big "concrete" wall. However lately he has been saying that the wall would be transparent. The structure, opposed by Democrats on the basis of policy and principles, Trump's demand has been a cornerstone of the president's efforts to crack down on illegal immigration.

 
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As the government shutdown threat looms, the United States President Donald Trump made another bid of persuasion on Twitter on Wednesday for his "big wall" as he argued that the wall on southern US-Mexico border will be a "beautiful", cost-effective structure which will be an "artistically designed steel slats".

As the government shutdown threat looms, the United States President Donald Trump made another bid of persuasion on Twitter on Wednesday for his "big wall" as he argued that the wall on southern US-Mexico border will be a "beautiful", cost-effective structure which will be an "artistically designed steel slats". "The Democrats, are saying loud and clear that they do not want to build a Concrete Wall - but we are not building a Concrete Wall, we are building artistically designed steel slats so that you can easily see through it" Trump's tweet read. The Democrats, are saying loud and clear that they do not want to build a Concrete Wall - but we are not building a Concrete Wall, we are building artistically designed steel slats, so that you can easily see through it.... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 19, 2018 × He then continued in another tweet with an admiration tone that "it will be beautiful". "It will be beautiful and, at the same time, give our Country the security that our citizens deserve. It will go up fast and save us BILLIONS of dollars a month once completed!" Trump said on Twitter.' Trump is demanding $5 billion as a down payment on construction of a huge wall along the US-Mexico border that he argues is the only way to keep illegal immigrants and drugs from crossing into the United States. Democrats and some Republicans argue there are less costly, more effective border controls. Earlier this week, Trump threatened a partial government shutdown after Democrats did not agree to more than $1.3 billion in border security. He gave lawmakers five days to reach a deal by Friday or there will be a partial shutdown. In 2016, during the presidential campaign, Trump had promised voters of big "concrete" wall. However lately he has been saying that the wall would be transparent. The structure, opposed by Democrats on the basis of policy and principles, Trump's demand has been a cornerstone of the president's efforts to crack down on illegal immigration.

Mexico wall will be 'beautiful' and 'artistically designed', tweets Trump

Outraged Democrats vowed to appeal a federal judge's ruling that could undo the US health care law known as Obamacare, saying on Saturday that they will use their new power in Congress to hold Republicans responsible and "expose their lies."

US District Judge Reed O'Connor ruled late Friday that the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/federal-judge-rules-obamas-affordable-care-act-unconstitutional-184151">health insurance reform, officially known as the Affordable Care Act (ACA), is unconstitutional</a>.

The White House said it expects the ruling to be appealed to the Supreme Court. For now, it said in a statement, "the law remains in place."

But Democrats, who have seen the law survive scores of legal and legislative attacks, vowed to fight back, saying the health coverage of millions of Americans is at stake.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer tweeted that Republicans had pretended to care about those protected by Obamacare "while quietly trying to remove that support in the courts. Next year, we will force votes to expose their lies."

Democrats see the law as a signature achievement of former president Barack Obama, while Republicans dismiss it as governmental overreach. Donald Trump made abolishing and replacing the program a central pledge of his presidential campaign.

In a separate Obamacare case in 2012, five of the nine Supreme Court justices upheld the law. All five remain on the court.

Still, it remains unclear how they might rule in the new case. If the decision is upheld, it could significantly disrupt the US health care system.&nbsp;

In his ruling Friday, the Texas-based judge said that the full Obamacare program was unconstitutional because Congress, in its 2017 tax overhaul, eliminated a penalty for anyone lacking health insurance who failed to sign up for the program.

The 2012 case was over whether such a penalty was legal -- but now that it is gone, O'Connor said, the whole ACA should be stricken down because that provision is "the keystone" of the program.

Trump expressed delight at the court's ruling on a complaint brought by several Republican attorneys general and two Republican governors.

"It's a great ruling for our country. We'll be able to get great health care," Trump told reporters. "It was a big, big victory by a highly respected judge."

"As I predicted all along, Obamacare has been struck down as an UNCONSTITUTIONAL disaster!" he tweeted the previous day.

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Wow, but not surprisingly, ObamaCare was just ruled UNCONSTITUTIONAL by a highly respected judge in Texas. Great news for America!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1073763695807877120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Trump urged Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and the House of Representatives speaker-designate, Democrat Nancy Pelosi, to "pass a STRONG law that provides GREAT healthcare."

'Monstrous endgame'

The court ruling came on the eve of the deadline for people to sign up for ACA coverage for 2019.&nbsp;

Angry Democrats blamed Republicans for what they see as a debacle that could leave millions of Americans without health care. &nbsp;

Republicans "know that they can't repeal the ACA in Congress. So they've continued their crusade through the courts," tweeted Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren, a consumer-protection activist. "The ACA is still the law of the land."

Polls consistently show strong public support for the ACA guarantee of coverage regardless of pre-existing health conditions -- an issue Democrats used with great success in last month's midterm elections as they won control of the House of Representatives.

"#Republicans' legal crusade against the #AffordableCareAct is a political stunt, but a dangerous one that puts health coverage and vital health protections for millions of Americans at risk," Democratic Senator Sheldon Whitehouse tweeted Saturday.

Democratic Representative Joe Kennedy said "they found one judge to agree, and now Medicaid expansion could be gone, pre-existing condition protections could be wiped out, prices skyrocket and millions lose insurance. And they call that success."

O'Connor's ruling "exposes the monstrous endgame of Republicans' all-out assault on people with pre-existing conditions and Americans' access to affordable health care," Pelosi said in a statement.

While the court's "absurd ruling will be immediately appealed, Republicans are fully responsible for this cruel decision," she said.

She vowed that when Democrats take control of the House next month, lawmakers "will move swiftly to formally intervene in the appeals process" to uphold Obamacare.

Opposing the Republican lawsuit were 17 Democratic attorneys general led by Xavier Becerra of California.

They argue that the tax law changes do not mean that the whole Affordable Care Act becomes unconstitutional.

The Texas ruling "is an assault on 133 million Americans with pre-existing conditions" and on all who rely on Obamacare coverage, Becerra said in a statement. "Our fight to save Obamacare is far from over."

Outraged Democrats vowed to appeal a federal judge's ruling that could undo the US health care law known as Obamacare, saying on Saturday that they will use their new power in Congress to hold Republicans responsible and "expose their lies.

Outraged Democrats vowed to appeal a federal judge's ruling that could undo the US health care law known as Obamacare, saying on Saturday that they will use their new power in Congress to hold Republicans responsible and "expose their lies." US District Judge Reed O'Connor ruled late Friday that the health insurance reform, officially known as the Affordable Care Act (ACA), is unconstitutional. The White House said it expects the ruling to be appealed to the Supreme Court. For now, it said in a statement, "the law remains in place." But Democrats, who have seen the law survive scores of legal and legislative attacks, vowed to fight back, saying the health coverage of millions of Americans is at stake. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer tweeted that Republicans had pretended to care about those protected by Obamacare "while quietly trying to remove that support in the courts. Next year, we will force votes to expose their lies." Democrats see the law as a signature achievement of former president Barack Obama, while Republicans dismiss it as governmental overreach. Donald Trump made abolishing and replacing the program a central pledge of his presidential campaign. In a separate Obamacare case in 2012, five of the nine Supreme Court justices upheld the law. All five remain on the court. Still, it remains unclear how they might rule in the new case. If the decision is upheld, it could significantly disrupt the US health care system. In his ruling Friday, the Texas-based judge said that the full Obamacare program was unconstitutional because Congress, in its 2017 tax overhaul, eliminated a penalty for anyone lacking health insurance who failed to sign up for the program. The 2012 case was over whether such a penalty was legal -- but now that it is gone, O'Connor said, the whole ACA should be stricken down because that provision is "the keystone" of the program. Trump expressed delight at the court's ruling on a complaint brought by several Republican attorneys general and two Republican governors. "It's a great ruling for our country. We'll be able to get great health care," Trump told reporters. "It was a big, big victory by a highly respected judge." "As I predicted all along, Obamacare has been struck down as an UNCONSTITUTIONAL disaster!" he tweeted the previous day. Wow, but not surprisingly, ObamaCare was just ruled UNCONSTITUTIONAL by a highly respected judge in Texas. Great news for America! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 15, 2018 × Trump urged Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and the House of Representatives speaker-designate, Democrat Nancy Pelosi, to "pass a STRONG law that provides GREAT healthcare." 'Monstrous endgame' The court ruling came on the eve of the deadline for people to sign up for ACA coverage for 2019. Angry Democrats blamed Republicans for what they see as a debacle that could leave millions of Americans without health care. Republicans "know that they can't repeal the ACA in Congress. So they've continued their crusade through the courts," tweeted Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren, a consumer-protection activist. "The ACA is still the law of the land." Polls consistently show strong public support for the ACA guarantee of coverage regardless of pre-existing health conditions -- an issue Democrats used with great success in last month's midterm elections as they won control of the House of Representatives. "#Republicans' legal crusade against the #AffordableCareAct is a political stunt, but a dangerous one that puts health coverage and vital health protections for millions of Americans at risk," Democratic Senator Sheldon Whitehouse tweeted Saturday. Democratic Representative Joe Kennedy said "they found one judge to agree, and now Medicaid expansion could be gone, pre-existing condition protections could be wiped out, prices skyrocket and millions lose insurance. And they call that success." O'Connor's ruling "exposes the monstrous endgame of Republicans' all-out assault on people with pre-existing conditions and Americans' access to affordable health care," Pelosi said in a statement. While the court's "absurd ruling will be immediately appealed, Republicans are fully responsible for this cruel decision," she said. She vowed that when Democrats take control of the House next month, lawmakers "will move swiftly to formally intervene in the appeals process" to uphold Obamacare. Opposing the Republican lawsuit were 17 Democratic attorneys general led by Xavier Becerra of California. They argue that the tax law changes do not mean that the whole Affordable Care Act becomes unconstitutional. The Texas ruling "is an assault on 133 million Americans with pre-existing conditions" and on all who rely on Obamacare coverage, Becerra said in a statement. "Our fight to save Obamacare is far from over."

Outraged Democrats vow to challenge court ruling undercutting Obamacare

In a rare break with <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-calls-cohen-liar-after-his-sentencing-report-183616">President Donald Trump</a>, the Senate voted on Wednesday to move ahead with a resolution to end US military support for the Saudi Arabian-led coalition in the war in Yemen and lawmakers vowed to push for sanctions against the kingdom in the new year.

Eleven of Trump's fellow Republicans joined Democrats to provide the 60 votes needed to advance the war powers resolution in the Republican-led chamber. The vote paved the way for debate and a vote on US involvement in a conflict that has led to the deaths of tens of thousands of civilians, many of them young children and left millions more at risk of starvation and death by disease.

The nearly unprecedented break the 11 Republicans made from Trump was largely symbolic because the House of Representatives is not expected to take the matter up this year. Trump has threatened a veto.

But backers of the resolution said it sent an important message that lawmakers are unhappy with the humanitarian disaster in Yemen, and angry about the lack of a strong US response to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at a Saudi consulate in Turkey.

Republican and Democratic lawmakers also vowed to keep pushing after the new Congress take office in January for further tough action against Saudi Arabia, including legislation to impose human rights sanctions and opposition to weapons sales.

"If you want to buy our weapons, there are certain things you have to accept. How you use them matters," Republican Senator Lindsey Graham told a news conference.

"The individual, the crown prince, is so toxic, so tainted, so flawed, that I can't ever see myself doing business with Saudi Arabia unless there's a change there," said Graham, generally a close Trump ally in the Senate.

Republicans will hold a slightly larger majority in the new Senate, but Democrats will take control of the House of Representatives, increasing the chances of sanctions legislation passing.

The Trump administration had urged Congress not to oppose US fuelling, targeting help and other support for the Saudi-led coalition as it battles the Houthis, Shi'ite Muslim fighters viewed by Yemen's neighbours as agents of Iran.

Earlier on Wednesday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo defended the administration's handling of Khashoggi's killing.

Pompeo repeated his assertion there was no direct evidence linking Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the October 2 killing of Khashoggi in Istanbul, despite a CIA assessment it was likely he ordered the killing.

Riyadh initially denied knowledge of Khashoggi’s disappearance, then offered contradictory explanations, including that he was killed in a rogue operation.

TRUMP STANDS BY CROWN PRINCE

Trump condemned the murder but has stood by the Saudi crown prince. "He's the leader of Saudi Arabia. They've been a very good ally," Trump told Reuters on Tuesday in an Oval Office interview.

Central Intelligence Agency Director Gina Haspel briefed leaders of the House of Representatives behind closed doors about the killing. After the classified meeting, House members said they had not heard anything to change their minds about Khashoggi's death.

Democratic Representative Eliot Engel, likely the next chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee when Democrats take control of the House in January, said he intended to hold hearings starting early next year on all aspects of Saudi behaviour and the US-Saudi relationship.

"Saudi Arabia's an important ... partner, but I don't think we can simply look the other way when things happen and talk about business as usual," Engel said.

Pompeo and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, who held a separate briefing for the entire Senate, are due to discuss Saudi Arabia with the entire House on Thursday.

But several lawmakers have urged that Congress keep the Yemen conflict separate from anger over the killing of Khashoggi, a US resident and Washington Post columnist.

They view Saudi Arabia as an essential counterweight in the Middle East to Iran, arch-enemy of close US ally Israel. White House officials see Saudi support as a linchpin for an Israeli-Palestinian peace plan yet to be unveiled by the Trump administration.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told reporters on Wednesday in Jerusalem that Saudi Arabia's role in the Middle East must be taken into account in responding to Khashoggi's "horrific" fate.

"If Saudi Arabia were to be destabilized, the world would be destabilized," Netanyahu told foreign reporters, speaking in English.

In a rare break with President Donald Trump, the Senate voted on Wednesday to move ahead with a resolution to end US military support for the Saudi Arabian-led coalition in the war in Yemen and lawmakers vowed to push for sanctions against the kingdom in the new year.

In a rare break with President Donald Trump, the Senate voted on Wednesday to move ahead with a resolution to end US military support for the Saudi Arabian-led coalition in the war in Yemen and lawmakers vowed to push for sanctions against the kingdom in the new year. Eleven of Trump's fellow Republicans joined Democrats to provide the 60 votes needed to advance the war powers resolution in the Republican-led chamber. The vote paved the way for debate and a vote on US involvement in a conflict that has led to the deaths of tens of thousands of civilians, many of them young children and left millions more at risk of starvation and death by disease. The nearly unprecedented break the 11 Republicans made from Trump was largely symbolic because the House of Representatives is not expected to take the matter up this year. Trump has threatened a veto. But backers of the resolution said it sent an important message that lawmakers are unhappy with the humanitarian disaster in Yemen, and angry about the lack of a strong US response to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at a Saudi consulate in Turkey. Republican and Democratic lawmakers also vowed to keep pushing after the new Congress take office in January for further tough action against Saudi Arabia, including legislation to impose human rights sanctions and opposition to weapons sales. "If you want to buy our weapons, there are certain things you have to accept. How you use them matters," Republican Senator Lindsey Graham told a news conference. "The individual, the crown prince, is so toxic, so tainted, so flawed, that I can't ever see myself doing business with Saudi Arabia unless there's a change there," said Graham, generally a close Trump ally in the Senate. Republicans will hold a slightly larger majority in the new Senate, but Democrats will take control of the House of Representatives, increasing the chances of sanctions legislation passing. The Trump administration had urged Congress not to oppose US fuelling, targeting help and other support for the Saudi-led coalition as it battles the Houthis, Shi'ite Muslim fighters viewed by Yemen's neighbours as agents of Iran. Earlier on Wednesday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo defended the administration's handling of Khashoggi's killing. Pompeo repeated his assertion there was no direct evidence linking Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the October 2 killing of Khashoggi in Istanbul, despite a CIA assessment it was likely he ordered the killing. Riyadh initially denied knowledge of Khashoggi’s disappearance, then offered contradictory explanations, including that he was killed in a rogue operation. TRUMP STANDS BY CROWN PRINCE Trump condemned the murder but has stood by the Saudi crown prince. "He's the leader of Saudi Arabia. They've been a very good ally," Trump told Reuters on Tuesday in an Oval Office interview. Central Intelligence Agency Director Gina Haspel briefed leaders of the House of Representatives behind closed doors about the killing. After the classified meeting, House members said they had not heard anything to change their minds about Khashoggi's death. Democratic Representative Eliot Engel, likely the next chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee when Democrats take control of the House in January, said he intended to hold hearings starting early next year on all aspects of Saudi behaviour and the US-Saudi relationship. "Saudi Arabia's an important ... partner, but I don't think we can simply look the other way when things happen and talk about business as usual," Engel said. Pompeo and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, who held a separate briefing for the entire Senate, are due to discuss Saudi Arabia with the entire House on Thursday. But several lawmakers have urged that Congress keep the Yemen conflict separate from anger over the killing of Khashoggi, a US resident and Washington Post columnist. They view Saudi Arabia as an essential counterweight in the Middle East to Iran, arch-enemy of close US ally Israel. White House officials see Saudi support as a linchpin for an Israeli-Palestinian peace plan yet to be unveiled by the Trump administration. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told reporters on Wednesday in Jerusalem that Saudi Arabia's role in the Middle East must be taken into account in responding to Khashoggi's "horrific" fate. "If Saudi Arabia were to be destabilized, the world would be destabilized," Netanyahu told foreign reporters, speaking in English.

Defying Trump, US Senate advances measure to end support for Saudis in Yemen

A rush of Democrats will likely announce US presidential bids in January in an unusually early start to the 2020 election cycle, lining up for what is poised to be a crowded race to take on President Donald Trump.

Democrats are riding a wave of enthusiasm after taking control of the House of Representatives in last month's <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/factbox-seven-takeaways-from-the-us-congressional-elections-176061">congressional elections</a>, which were viewed as a referendum on Trump. But the party has no clear presidential front-runner for the first time since the 2004 campaign.

Party insiders expect between six and 10 candidates to launch exploratory or formal White House bids next month, with the eventual field of Democratic contenders swelling to as many as 20, according to interviews with nearly a dozen senior Democratic strategists.

During the 2016 presidential race, Democratic candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders waited until April 2015 to announce their White House bids. Clinton went on to secure her party`s nomination but lost to Trump.&nbsp;

Political strategists said Democratic hopefuls were likely to enter the fray sooner in the 2020 election cycle in part because candidates will be jockeying to hire the best staffers and secure the best local endorsements in states that hold the first nominating contests, like Iowa and New Hampshire, where wins can generate early momentum.

A good showing in the first fundraising quarter of 2019 would give lesser-known candidates the chance to place media ads and hold events to introduce themselves to voters.&nbsp;

"Primary voters, especially in a campaign where the stakes are as high as this one, are going to be incredibly attentive and discerning," said Democratic strategist Jesse Ferguson, a spokesman for Clinton`s 2016 campaign. "They`re going to need time to do more than just kick the tires. They`re going to want a full-fledged road test before backing a nominee."

Politicians said to be considering 2020 campaigns include former Vice President Joe Biden; US Senators Kamala Harris, Elizabeth Warren, Kirsten Gillibrand, Amy Klobuchar, Bernie Sanders, Sherrod Brown and Cory Booker; and current and former mayors like Eric Garcetti in Los Angeles and Michael Bloomberg in New York.

Two potential Democratic contenders took initial steps to launch their presidential campaigns over the past week.

Julian Castro from Texas who served as secretary of housing and urban development under former President Barack Obama, on Wednesday formed an exploratory committee, which is used to raise money in the nascent phases of a campaign.&nbsp;

Tom Steyer, a California billionaire and environmentalist behind a campaign to impeach Trump, began advertising anonymously on LinkedIn for state directors in Nevada, New Hampshire and South Carolina.

"As Tom has said publicly — he is considering how he can have the most impact in 2020 and our team is exploring staffing options should he decide to move forward with a run," said Steyer spokeswoman Aleigha Cavalier.

One Democrat already in the presidential chase is outgoing US Representative John Delaney of Maryland. He announced his candidacy in July 2017 but has yet to establish a national profile.

Primary debates

Another factor candidates must consider when timing their campaign launches is a primary debate schedule that is expected to begin earlier - possibly as soon as May 2019 - and contain more matchups than in past cycles, according to individuals familiar with the deliberations.

Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez has said a preliminary schedule would be announced by year's end. The DNC declined to comment ahead of its release.

In the 2016 election cycle, Clinton`s rivals said a limited debate schedule gave her an unfair advantage. The DNC later approved additional debates and candidate forums.

To ease concerns ahead of 2020, the DNC has held as many as 50 debate planning meetings this year to set both a preliminary calendar and the process it will use to sort an unwieldy number of candidates onto multiple debate stages.&nbsp;

In the past, parties grouped candidates using polling, but the DNC is considering multiple metrics, or hosting serial debates with candidates divided randomly, said the individuals familiar with the discussions.

The Republican National Committee, which contended with 17 candidates ahead of the first Republican primary debate in August 2015, used national polling to decide who participated in a prime-time debate versus an earlier one that attracted a smaller audience.

Rick Tyler, a Republican strategist who worked for US Senator Ted Cruz`s unsuccessful 2016 presidential campaign, said Democrats should improve the system.

"It`s impossible to get out of the JV debate," Tyler said, using the sports term `JV` or junior varsity to refer to the lower-tier candidates. "Some of those people you haven`t heard of will be attractive, and we won`t know that if we relegate them to the JV."&nbsp;

A rush of Democrats will likely announce US presidential bids in January in an unusually early start to the 2020 election cycle, lining up for what is poised to be a crowded race to take on President Donald Trump.

A rush of Democrats will likely announce US presidential bids in January in an unusually early start to the 2020 election cycle, lining up for what is poised to be a crowded race to take on President Donald Trump. Democrats are riding a wave of enthusiasm after taking control of the House of Representatives in last month's congressional elections, which were viewed as a referendum on Trump. But the party has no clear presidential front-runner for the first time since the 2004 campaign. Party insiders expect between six and 10 candidates to launch exploratory or formal White House bids next month, with the eventual field of Democratic contenders swelling to as many as 20, according to interviews with nearly a dozen senior Democratic strategists. During the 2016 presidential race, Democratic candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders waited until April 2015 to announce their White House bids. Clinton went on to secure her party`s nomination but lost to Trump. Political strategists said Democratic hopefuls were likely to enter the fray sooner in the 2020 election cycle in part because candidates will be jockeying to hire the best staffers and secure the best local endorsements in states that hold the first nominating contests, like Iowa and New Hampshire, where wins can generate early momentum. A good showing in the first fundraising quarter of 2019 would give lesser-known candidates the chance to place media ads and hold events to introduce themselves to voters. "Primary voters, especially in a campaign where the stakes are as high as this one, are going to be incredibly attentive and discerning," said Democratic strategist Jesse Ferguson, a spokesman for Clinton`s 2016 campaign. "They`re going to need time to do more than just kick the tires. They`re going to want a full-fledged road test before backing a nominee." Politicians said to be considering 2020 campaigns include former Vice President Joe Biden; US Senators Kamala Harris, Elizabeth Warren, Kirsten Gillibrand, Amy Klobuchar, Bernie Sanders, Sherrod Brown and Cory Booker; and current and former mayors like Eric Garcetti in Los Angeles and Michael Bloomberg in New York. Two potential Democratic contenders took initial steps to launch their presidential campaigns over the past week. Julian Castro from Texas who served as secretary of housing and urban development under former President Barack Obama, on Wednesday formed an exploratory committee, which is used to raise money in the nascent phases of a campaign. Tom Steyer, a California billionaire and environmentalist behind a campaign to impeach Trump, began advertising anonymously on LinkedIn for state directors in Nevada, New Hampshire and South Carolina. "As Tom has said publicly — he is considering how he can have the most impact in 2020 and our team is exploring staffing options should he decide to move forward with a run," said Steyer spokeswoman Aleigha Cavalier. One Democrat already in the presidential chase is outgoing US Representative John Delaney of Maryland. He announced his candidacy in July 2017 but has yet to establish a national profile. Primary debates Another factor candidates must consider when timing their campaign launches is a primary debate schedule that is expected to begin earlier - possibly as soon as May 2019 - and contain more matchups than in past cycles, according to individuals familiar with the deliberations. Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez has said a preliminary schedule would be announced by year's end. The DNC declined to comment ahead of its release. In the 2016 election cycle, Clinton`s rivals said a limited debate schedule gave her an unfair advantage. The DNC later approved additional debates and candidate forums. To ease concerns ahead of 2020, the DNC has held as many as 50 debate planning meetings this year to set both a preliminary calendar and the process it will use to sort an unwieldy number of candidates onto multiple debate stages. In the past, parties grouped candidates using polling, but the DNC is considering multiple metrics, or hosting serial debates with candidates divided randomly, said the individuals familiar with the discussions. The Republican National Committee, which contended with 17 candidates ahead of the first Republican primary debate in August 2015, used national polling to decide who participated in a prime-time debate versus an earlier one that attracted a smaller audience. Rick Tyler, a Republican strategist who worked for US Senator Ted Cruz`s unsuccessful 2016 presidential campaign, said Democrats should improve the system. "It`s impossible to get out of the JV debate," Tyler said, using the sports term `JV` or junior varsity to refer to the lower-tier candidates. "Some of those people you haven`t heard of will be attractive, and we won`t know that if we relegate them to the JV."

Flurry of Democrats expected to enter 2020 White House race in coming weeks

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/not-concerned-about-being-impeached-trump-183372">US President Donald Trump</a> openly fought with the top two Democratic lawmakers at an Oval Office meeting on Tuesday about government funding, throwing into question whether a deal was possible ahead of a deadline later this month.

In a remarkable public argument, the likes of which is seldom seen before cameras, Trump bickered with US Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi about funding for his border wall.

The president has called for $5 billion to fund the barrier along the US-Mexico border, a campaign promise that he has made into a central issue. He ended the argument by saying he was willing to make good on his repeated threat to shut down the federal government over the issue.

"It's called transparency," Trump said after Pelosi protested about the public nature of the spat.

Congress is seeking to finalize spending before some federal government funding expires on December 21. While Trump's fellow Republicans control both the House and the Senate until next month, Democratic support is needed to pass any spending legislation.

It was unclear how Trump would try to use the US Department of Defense to build the wall, given that defence and military construction appropriation bills were signed into law for the 2019 fiscal year without any wall funding.

US President Donald Trump openly fought with the top two Democratic lawmakers at an Oval Office meeting on Tuesday about government funding, throwing into question whether a deal was possible ahead of a deadline later this month.

US President Donald Trump openly fought with the top two Democratic lawmakers at an Oval Office meeting on Tuesday about government funding, throwing into question whether a deal was possible ahead of a deadline later this month. In a remarkable public argument, the likes of which is seldom seen before cameras, Trump bickered with US Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi about funding for his border wall. The president has called for $5 billion to fund the barrier along the US-Mexico border, a campaign promise that he has made into a central issue. He ended the argument by saying he was willing to make good on his repeated threat to shut down the federal government over the issue. "It's called transparency," Trump said after Pelosi protested about the public nature of the spat. Congress is seeking to finalize spending before some federal government funding expires on December 21. While Trump's fellow Republicans control both the House and the Senate until next month, Democratic support is needed to pass any spending legislation. It was unclear how Trump would try to use the US Department of Defense to build the wall, given that defence and military construction appropriation bills were signed into law for the 2019 fiscal year without any wall funding.

Watch: Trump spars with Democrats over US-Mexico border wall

US President Donald Trump sees his impeachment as a "real possibility" over finance violations during the 2016 campaign, according to a media report.

Impeachment talks have ratcheted up in recent days following a blockbuster filing from prosecutors in the Southern District of New York in which they directly alleged for the first time that Trump's former attorney Michael Cohen was being directed by the president when he broke the law during the 2016 presidential campaign, CNN said.

Trump has expressed concern that he could be impeached when Democrats take over the House, CNN quoted a source close to the president as saying.

Trump is facing off against a series of accusations put together by a team of investigators.

Special counsel Robert Mueller has launched an 18-month investigation into the legitimacy of Donald Trump's 2016 election win.

A source close to the White House told CNN that aides inside the West Wing believe "the only issue that may stick" in the impeachment process is the campaign finance violations tied to former Cohen's payouts to Trump's alleged mistresses, according to the report.

Prosecutors said Trump's lawyer clearly sought to influence the outcome of the 2016 election from the sidelines through illicit payments.

Under US federal law, any payments made for the "purpose of influencing" an election must be reported in campaign finance disclosures.

Prosecutors said Cohen took great steps to hide the payments, creating shell companies, using fake invoices and sending them in small amounts so they wouldn't arouse suspicion.

He arranged for a US $130,000 payment to adult film star Daniels, which prosecutors concluded violated campaign finance law prohibitions against donations of more than US $2,700 in a general election.

Trump has denied all wrongdoing and compared the investigations to a "witch hunt".

Democrats are suggesting Trump committed an impeachable offense and could be sent to prison when his term in the White House is over.

The incoming chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Jerry Nadler, said Sunday the allegations, if proven, would constitute "impeachable offenses."

Democratic Senator Chris Coons said on Monday Trump could be indicted after he leaves office.

Cohen first made the allegation in court in September that he was directed by Trump to make the payments to the two women, Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal. 
Prosecutors endorsed the allegation in a sentencing document for Cohen on Friday, in which they said Cohen should receive a "substantial sentence" for the crimes he committed, which included campaign finance violations for the payments to the two women, tax fraud and lying to Congress.

White House officials, at the moment, still don't believe special counsel Mueller's investigation into possible collusion will result in impeachment. Officials are also comforted by their belief that the campaign finance issue is not seen as enough to galvanize bipartisan support for impeachment, the report said.

Another separate source said Trump remains confident at this point that, while he could be impeached in the House, he doesn't believe he would be convicted in the Senate as the Republicans remains in control there.

The campaign finance issue tied to the alleged mistresses is not viewed as having the firepower to trigger a bipartisan vote for conviction and removal in the Senate, the source said.

These beliefs about the politics at play in impeachment proceedings are based on what White House officials believe Mueller has on Trump right now. It's still unclear exactly where else the special counsel's probe could go, the report said.

US President Donald Trump sees his impeachment as a "real possibility" over finance violations during the 2016 campaign, according to a media report. Impeachment talks have ratcheted up in recent days following a blockbuster filing from prosecutors in the Southern District of New York in which they directly alleged for the first time that Trump's former attorney Michael Cohen was being directed by the president when he broke the law during the 2016 presidential campaign, CNN said.

US President Donald Trump sees his impeachment as a "real possibility" over finance violations during the 2016 campaign, according to a media report. Impeachment talks have ratcheted up in recent days following a blockbuster filing from prosecutors in the Southern District of New York in which they directly alleged for the first time that Trump's former attorney Michael Cohen was being directed by the president when he broke the law during the 2016 presidential campaign, CNN said. Trump has expressed concern that he could be impeached when Democrats take over the House, CNN quoted a source close to the president as saying. Trump is facing off against a series of accusations put together by a team of investigators. Special counsel Robert Mueller has launched an 18-month investigation into the legitimacy of Donald Trump's 2016 election win. A source close to the White House told CNN that aides inside the West Wing believe "the only issue that may stick" in the impeachment process is the campaign finance violations tied to former Cohen's payouts to Trump's alleged mistresses, according to the report. Prosecutors said Trump's lawyer clearly sought to influence the outcome of the 2016 election from the sidelines through illicit payments. Under US federal law, any payments made for the "purpose of influencing" an election must be reported in campaign finance disclosures. Prosecutors said Cohen took great steps to hide the payments, creating shell companies, using fake invoices and sending them in small amounts so they wouldn't arouse suspicion. He arranged for a US $130,000 payment to adult film star Daniels, which prosecutors concluded violated campaign finance law prohibitions against donations of more than US $2,700 in a general election. Trump has denied all wrongdoing and compared the investigations to a "witch hunt". Democrats are suggesting Trump committed an impeachable offense and could be sent to prison when his term in the White House is over. The incoming chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Jerry Nadler, said Sunday the allegations, if proven, would constitute "impeachable offenses." Democratic Senator Chris Coons said on Monday Trump could be indicted after he leaves office. Cohen first made the allegation in court in September that he was directed by Trump to make the payments to the two women, Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal. Prosecutors endorsed the allegation in a sentencing document for Cohen on Friday, in which they said Cohen should receive a "substantial sentence" for the crimes he committed, which included campaign finance violations for the payments to the two women, tax fraud and lying to Congress. White House officials, at the moment, still don't believe special counsel Mueller's investigation into possible collusion will result in impeachment. Officials are also comforted by their belief that the campaign finance issue is not seen as enough to galvanize bipartisan support for impeachment, the report said. Another separate source said Trump remains confident at this point that, while he could be impeached in the House, he doesn't believe he would be convicted in the Senate as the Republicans remains in control there. The campaign finance issue tied to the alleged mistresses is not viewed as having the firepower to trigger a bipartisan vote for conviction and removal in the Senate, the source said. These beliefs about the politics at play in impeachment proceedings are based on what White House officials believe Mueller has on Trump right now. It's still unclear exactly where else the special counsel's probe could go, the report said.

Trump concerned about being impeached: Report

A three-term Republican congressman conceded defeat on Thursday in a close race in California, giving the Democrats a total of 235 seats in the US House of Representatives.

Republican David Valadao, who was first elected to the House from California's 21st Congressional District in 2012, called Democrat TJ&nbsp;Cox to concede the race.

The result gave the Democrats 235 seats in the 435-member chamber, a net gain of 40 seats over the previous House.

Republicans won 199 seats with one race still to be decided.

Mark Harris, a Republican, defeated his Democratic opponent Dan McCready by 905 votes, in a North Carolina district, according to preliminary results, but the state elections board has declined to certify the result.

The close election in North Carolina's 9th Congressional District has been marred by allegations of ballot fraud on behalf of the Republican candidate Mark Harris.

The state elections board is investigating the electoral fraud allegations and it could potentially call for a new election.

McCready, who had conceded the race, withdrew his concession on Thursday and called on Harris to "end his silence and tell us exactly what he knew, and when."

Nancy Pelosi, the California lawmaker who is expected to become the speaker of the Democratic-controlled House which convenes in January, welcomed Cox's victory.

"It's pretty exciting to have won a minimum of 40 seats -- one more to come maybe," Pelosi told reporters. "And it is wonderful that we had the biggest midterm vote in the history of our country."

While suffering big losses in the House, Republicans managed to pick up two seats in the 100-member Senate, increasing their majority to 53 seats from 51 seats.

A three-term Republican congressman conceded defeat on Thursday in a close race in California, giving the Democrats a total of 235 seats in the US House of Representatives.

A three-term Republican congressman conceded defeat on Thursday in a close race in California, giving the Democrats a total of 235 seats in the US House of Representatives. Republican David Valadao, who was first elected to the House from California's 21st Congressional District in 2012, called Democrat TJ Cox to concede the race. The result gave the Democrats 235 seats in the 435-member chamber, a net gain of 40 seats over the previous House. Republicans won 199 seats with one race still to be decided. Mark Harris, a Republican, defeated his Democratic opponent Dan McCready by 905 votes, in a North Carolina district, according to preliminary results, but the state elections board has declined to certify the result. The close election in North Carolina's 9th Congressional District has been marred by allegations of ballot fraud on behalf of the Republican candidate Mark Harris. The state elections board is investigating the electoral fraud allegations and it could potentially call for a new election. McCready, who had conceded the race, withdrew his concession on Thursday and called on Harris to "end his silence and tell us exactly what he knew, and when." Nancy Pelosi, the California lawmaker who is expected to become the speaker of the Democratic-controlled House which convenes in January, welcomed Cox's victory. "It's pretty exciting to have won a minimum of 40 seats -- one more to come maybe," Pelosi told reporters. "And it is wonderful that we had the biggest midterm vote in the history of our country." While suffering big losses in the House, Republicans managed to pick up two seats in the 100-member Senate, increasing their majority to 53 seats from 51 seats.

Democrats win California seat for net gain of 40 in US House

A Congressional committee <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/white-house-adviser-ivanka-trump-used-personal-email-for-government-work-178335">will investigate Ivanka Trump</a>, US&nbsp;President Donald Trump's daughter and a White House adviser, following reports that she repeatedly used a personal email account for government work, a House Democrat said on Tuesday.

A White House review of Ivanka Trump's email found that she used her personal account up to 100 times last year to contact other Trump administration officials, the Washington Post reported on Monday, citing people familiar with the review.

Use of a personal account for government business potentially violates a law requiring preservation of all presidential records.

President Trump, a Republican, repeatedly criticised his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election campaign over her use of personal email and a private server while she was U.S. secretary of state.

Representatives for U.S. Representative Elijah Cummings, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, said the panel will investigate White House communications when Democrats take over the U.S. House of Representatives in January.

"We plan to continue our investigation of the presidential records act and federal records act, and we want to know if Ivanka complied with the law," his office said in a statement.

Cummings, in a separate statement, said the White House has not complied with previous document requests.

The current House Oversight committee chairman, Republican Trey Gowdy, also asked the White House for documents and information related to Ivanka Trump's use of private email in a letter on Tuesday.

The White House did not respond to a request for comment, but Trump said his daughter's use of her personal email account was different from Clinton's.

"For a little period of time, Ivanka did some emails. They weren't classified like Hillary Clinton. They weren't deleted like Hillary Clinton ... She wasn't doing anything to hide her emails," Trump told reporters. His daughter did not have a private server as Clinton did, Trump said.

Peter Mirijanian, a spokesman for Ivanka Trump's ethics lawyer, Abbe Lowell, told the Post the emails occurred before she was aware of government record-keeping regulations.

Since then, she has turned over all her government-related emails to be stored with other White House records, the Post reported.

Ivanka Trump's emails came to light when White House officials began reviewing them in response to a lawsuit from watchdog group American Oversight, according to the Post. The paper said she used the personal account for official business fewer than 100 times in 2017.

The New York Times also reported on Ivanka Trump's email use.

Clinton's email practices as secretary of state prompted a Federal Bureau of Investigation probe in the run-up to the 2016 election that still draws ire from Trump and calls from some of his supporters to "lock her up."

The FBI concluded Clinton's actions were extremely careless but did not recommend any charges be filed. Clinton expressed regret for her decision to use a private server but said she violated no rules.

U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat on the Senate Judiciary panel, said there was "no way" Ivanka Trump did not know the rules after the 2016 campaign. There were also larger questions about the Trump family's mixing of private enterprise and government duties, Blumenthal said.

"It raises the issue of whether there has been anything improper. There should be some kind of investigation" either by Congress or the White House ethics office, Blumenthal told CNN.

The White House began reviewing senior aides' email use last year after reports that Ivanka Trump's husband Jared Kushner, also a top White House adviser, used private email for government work.

A Congressional committee will investigate Ivanka Trump, US President Donald Trump's daughter and a White House adviser, following reports that she repeatedly used a personal email account for government work, a House Democrat said on Tuesday.

A Congressional committee will investigate Ivanka Trump, US President Donald Trump's daughter and a White House adviser, following reports that she repeatedly used a personal email account for government work, a House Democrat said on Tuesday. A White House review of Ivanka Trump's email found that she used her personal account up to 100 times last year to contact other Trump administration officials, the Washington Post reported on Monday, citing people familiar with the review. Use of a personal account for government business potentially violates a law requiring preservation of all presidential records. President Trump, a Republican, repeatedly criticised his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election campaign over her use of personal email and a private server while she was U.S. secretary of state. Representatives for U.S. Representative Elijah Cummings, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, said the panel will investigate White House communications when Democrats take over the U.S. House of Representatives in January. "We plan to continue our investigation of the presidential records act and federal records act, and we want to know if Ivanka complied with the law," his office said in a statement. Cummings, in a separate statement, said the White House has not complied with previous document requests. The current House Oversight committee chairman, Republican Trey Gowdy, also asked the White House for documents and information related to Ivanka Trump's use of private email in a letter on Tuesday. The White House did not respond to a request for comment, but Trump said his daughter's use of her personal email account was different from Clinton's. "For a little period of time, Ivanka did some emails. They weren't classified like Hillary Clinton. They weren't deleted like Hillary Clinton ... She wasn't doing anything to hide her emails," Trump told reporters. His daughter did not have a private server as Clinton did, Trump said. Peter Mirijanian, a spokesman for Ivanka Trump's ethics lawyer, Abbe Lowell, told the Post the emails occurred before she was aware of government record-keeping regulations. Since then, she has turned over all her government-related emails to be stored with other White House records, the Post reported. Ivanka Trump's emails came to light when White House officials began reviewing them in response to a lawsuit from watchdog group American Oversight, according to the Post. The paper said she used the personal account for official business fewer than 100 times in 2017. The New York Times also reported on Ivanka Trump's email use. Clinton's email practices as secretary of state prompted a Federal Bureau of Investigation probe in the run-up to the 2016 election that still draws ire from Trump and calls from some of his supporters to "lock her up." The FBI concluded Clinton's actions were extremely careless but did not recommend any charges be filed. Clinton expressed regret for her decision to use a private server but said she violated no rules. U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat on the Senate Judiciary panel, said there was "no way" Ivanka Trump did not know the rules after the 2016 campaign. There were also larger questions about the Trump family's mixing of private enterprise and government duties, Blumenthal said. "It raises the issue of whether there has been anything improper. There should be some kind of investigation" either by Congress or the White House ethics office, Blumenthal told CNN. The White House began reviewing senior aides' email use last year after reports that Ivanka Trump's husband Jared Kushner, also a top White House adviser, used private email for government work.

Congressional committee to investigate Ivanka Trump's private email use for work

Florida Republican Governor Rick Scott, whose lead has narrowed in the state's US&nbsp;Senate race, filed more lawsuits against local election officials on Sunday, asking a judge to order police to impound voting machines and ballots when they are not in use.

On Saturday, a machine recount began in the race between Scott and incumbent Democratic US&nbsp;Senator Bill Nelson in one of the most closely watched swing-state contests in last Tuesday's congressional elections.

Each side has accused the other of trying to subvert democracy in an echo of the drama in the 2000 presidential vote recount that unfolded for weeks in Florida.

By the time the US Senate election recount was ordered, Scott's lead had shrunk to 12,500 votes, or 0.15 per cent, below the threshold under which a machine recount is automatically triggered under state law.

Scott's lawsuit on Sunday targeted election supervisors in Democratic-leaning Broward and Palm Beach counties. It asked a judge to issue an emergency injunction for the county sheriffs and Florida Department of Law Enforcement to seize all voting machines, tallying devices and ballots when they are not being used until the end the end of the recount and any related litigation is over.

"The Broward and Palm Beach County Supervisors of Elections has already demonstrated a blatant disregard for Florida's elections laws, making it more important than ever that we continue to do everything possible to prevent fraud and ensure this recount is operated responsibly," Chris Hartline, a spokesman for Scott's campaign, said in a statement.

Scott filed a separate lawsuit late on Saturday against Broward County officials, asking the judge to order that any ballots counted afternoon on Saturday be disregarded, saying that to include them would break state law.

Nelson said in a statement on Saturday that Scott was panicking.

"If Rick Scott wanted to make sure every legal ballot is counted, he would not be suing to try and stop voters from having their legal ballot counted as intended," Nelson said. "He's doing this for the same reason he's been making false and panicked claims about voter fraud - he's worried that when all the votes are counted he'll lose this election."

Nelson has also filed a federal lawsuit asking that provisional and absentee ballots not be rejected because election officials deem that the signatures do not match voters'signatures on file.

A recount was also triggered in the Florida gubernatorial race between Republican Ron DeSantis and Democrat Andrew Gillum as DeSantis' lead shrank to 33,700 votes, or 0.41 per cent, as of Saturday.

Susan Bucher, the Palm Beach County elections supervisor, told CNN on Sunday that it would be "impossible" for the county to meet the Thursday deadline set for the race recounts.

Georgia lawsuit

In another tight race in Georgia, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams joined the state Democratic Party in a federal lawsuit filed on Sunday against Georgia election officials over provisional and absentee ballots.

Republican Brian Kemp declared victory on Wednesday with a narrow lead that was less than a single percentage point over the 50 per cent of the vote needed to avoid a runoff against Abrams, who would be the first black woman to become a US&nbsp;state governor.

Abrams' lawsuit asked a judge to order election officials to count mail-in ballots even if the oath information was "imperfect or missing," so long as there was enough information to identify the voters, and that the votes of people required to cast provisional ballots because of voter roll errors also be counted.

Florida Republican Governor Rick Scott, whose lead has narrowed in the state's US Senate race, filed more lawsuits against local election officials on Sunday, asking a judge to order police to impound voting machines and ballots when they are not in use.

Florida Republican Governor Rick Scott, whose lead has narrowed in the state's US Senate race, filed more lawsuits against local election officials on Sunday, asking a judge to order police to impound voting machines and ballots when they are not in use. On Saturday, a machine recount began in the race between Scott and incumbent Democratic US Senator Bill Nelson in one of the most closely watched swing-state contests in last Tuesday's congressional elections. Each side has accused the other of trying to subvert democracy in an echo of the drama in the 2000 presidential vote recount that unfolded for weeks in Florida. By the time the US Senate election recount was ordered, Scott's lead had shrunk to 12,500 votes, or 0.15 per cent, below the threshold under which a machine recount is automatically triggered under state law. Scott's lawsuit on Sunday targeted election supervisors in Democratic-leaning Broward and Palm Beach counties. It asked a judge to issue an emergency injunction for the county sheriffs and Florida Department of Law Enforcement to seize all voting machines, tallying devices and ballots when they are not being used until the end the end of the recount and any related litigation is over. "The Broward and Palm Beach County Supervisors of Elections has already demonstrated a blatant disregard for Florida's elections laws, making it more important than ever that we continue to do everything possible to prevent fraud and ensure this recount is operated responsibly," Chris Hartline, a spokesman for Scott's campaign, said in a statement. Scott filed a separate lawsuit late on Saturday against Broward County officials, asking the judge to order that any ballots counted afternoon on Saturday be disregarded, saying that to include them would break state law. Nelson said in a statement on Saturday that Scott was panicking. "If Rick Scott wanted to make sure every legal ballot is counted, he would not be suing to try and stop voters from having their legal ballot counted as intended," Nelson said. "He's doing this for the same reason he's been making false and panicked claims about voter fraud - he's worried that when all the votes are counted he'll lose this election." Nelson has also filed a federal lawsuit asking that provisional and absentee ballots not be rejected because election officials deem that the signatures do not match voters'signatures on file. A recount was also triggered in the Florida gubernatorial race between Republican Ron DeSantis and Democrat Andrew Gillum as DeSantis' lead shrank to 33,700 votes, or 0.41 per cent, as of Saturday. Susan Bucher, the Palm Beach County elections supervisor, told CNN on Sunday that it would be "impossible" for the county to meet the Thursday deadline set for the race recounts. Georgia lawsuit In another tight race in Georgia, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams joined the state Democratic Party in a federal lawsuit filed on Sunday against Georgia election officials over provisional and absentee ballots. Republican Brian Kemp declared victory on Wednesday with a narrow lead that was less than a single percentage point over the 50 per cent of the vote needed to avoid a runoff against Abrams, who would be the first black woman to become a US state governor. Abrams' lawsuit asked a judge to order election officials to count mail-in ballots even if the oath information was "imperfect or missing," so long as there was enough information to identify the voters, and that the votes of people required to cast provisional ballots because of voter roll errors also be counted.

Florida Republican Scott asks that ballots be guarded in US Senate race recount

Tulsi Gabbard, the first Hindu lawmaker in the US Congress, is considering to run for American presidency in 2020, according to sources close to her.

On Friday, at a Medtronic conference in Los Angeles, an eminent Indian-American Dr Sampat Shivangi introduced Gabbard, 37, and said that she could be the next president of the US in 2020.

The brief statement was marked by a standing ovation, in the presence of the four-term Congresswoman from Hawaii.&nbsp;

Gabbard, a Democrat, who addressed the gathering, however, neither confirmed or denied that she is running for president in 2020.

A decision on this could be taken before Christmas, which might not necessarily result in a formal announcement as that could be delayed till the next year, people familiar with her thinking process told PTI.

However, it is said that she and her team has quietly been reaching out to prospective donors, including a large number of Indian Americans, and volunteers to build an impressive campaign for her 2020 run.

Given that Gabbard is highly popular among Indian-Americans, a constituency she has nurtured from the very beginning of her political carrier, it is but natural that her team has quietly started reaching out to this community, which is considered as the richest ethnic group after the Jewish Americans. And in many critical States, Indian Americans can play an important role in her electoral chances.

If Gabbard declares her presidential bid she would be the first Hindu candidate ever from a major political party to announce to enter the race for White House. And if elected in 2020, she could be the youngest ever and first woman to be elected as the US president.

A Democrat, Gabbard last week was elected for the fourth term for the US House of Representatives.

Notably, Dr Shivangi is a Republican and has been the party's delegate for the past several presidential conventions. However, he had held fund raisers for Gabbard when she ran for the Congress for the first time in 2012. She was the first US lawmaker to take her oath on Bhagwat Gita.

A former vice chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Gabbard currently serves on powerful House Armed Services Committee and House Foreign Affairs Committee. She is also the Democratic Co-Chair of the Congressional India Caucus.

"She has been a fresh voice in the Democratic Party, with her support for US-India relations, her opposition to the war in Iraq, her opposition to arms sales to Saudi Arabia and her more recent vigorous opposition to among the rebels in Syria," Shivangi said.

The 2020 presidential primary cycle is scheduled to kick off from the Iowa Caucuses on February 3, 2020, followed by the New Hampshire Primary on February 11, Nevada caucus of February 15 and South Carolina on February 22. Team Tulsi has been reaching out to people in these four States.

President Donald Trump is all set to seek his re-election in 2020, none of the Democratic candidates has announced their bid yet. The Democratic race is expected to be crowded by the summer of 2019.

Among those Democrats speculated to run for the 2020 primaries include former vice president Joe Biden, Senators Elizabeth Warren, Kirsten Gillibrand, Amy Klobuchar, Tim Kaine and Indian-origin Senator Kamala Harris.&nbsp;

Amid the clamor of Trump headlines and focus on higher-profile candidates, Gabbard has been quietly making the traditional moves of a presidential candidate. She recently visited Iowa, where locals urged her to run for president, according to the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She keynoted a progressive gathering in New Hampshire in September. And she's writing a book due out this spring titled, "Is Today the Day?: Not Another Political Memoir," Politico reported last month.

Tulsi Gabbard, the first Hindu lawmaker in the US Congress, is considering to run for American presidency in 2020, according to sources close to her. On Friday, at a Medtronic conference in Los Angeles, an eminent Indian-American Dr Sampat Shivangi introduced Gabbard, 37, and said that she could be the next president of the US in 2020.

Tulsi Gabbard, the first Hindu lawmaker in the US Congress, is considering to run for American presidency in 2020, according to sources close to her. On Friday, at a Medtronic conference in Los Angeles, an eminent Indian-American Dr Sampat Shivangi introduced Gabbard, 37, and said that she could be the next president of the US in 2020. The brief statement was marked by a standing ovation, in the presence of the four-term Congresswoman from Hawaii. Gabbard, a Democrat, who addressed the gathering, however, neither confirmed or denied that she is running for president in 2020. A decision on this could be taken before Christmas, which might not necessarily result in a formal announcement as that could be delayed till the next year, people familiar with her thinking process told PTI. However, it is said that she and her team has quietly been reaching out to prospective donors, including a large number of Indian Americans, and volunteers to build an impressive campaign for her 2020 run. Given that Gabbard is highly popular among Indian-Americans, a constituency she has nurtured from the very beginning of her political carrier, it is but natural that her team has quietly started reaching out to this community, which is considered as the richest ethnic group after the Jewish Americans. And in many critical States, Indian Americans can play an important role in her electoral chances. If Gabbard declares her presidential bid she would be the first Hindu candidate ever from a major political party to announce to enter the race for White House. And if elected in 2020, she could be the youngest ever and first woman to be elected as the US president. A Democrat, Gabbard last week was elected for the fourth term for the US House of Representatives. Notably, Dr Shivangi is a Republican and has been the party's delegate for the past several presidential conventions. However, he had held fund raisers for Gabbard when she ran for the Congress for the first time in 2012. She was the first US lawmaker to take her oath on Bhagwat Gita. A former vice chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Gabbard currently serves on powerful House Armed Services Committee and House Foreign Affairs Committee. She is also the Democratic Co-Chair of the Congressional India Caucus. "She has been a fresh voice in the Democratic Party, with her support for US-India relations, her opposition to the war in Iraq, her opposition to arms sales to Saudi Arabia and her more recent vigorous opposition to among the rebels in Syria," Shivangi said. The 2020 presidential primary cycle is scheduled to kick off from the Iowa Caucuses on February 3, 2020, followed by the New Hampshire Primary on February 11, Nevada caucus of February 15 and South Carolina on February 22. Team Tulsi has been reaching out to people in these four States. President Donald Trump is all set to seek his re-election in 2020, none of the Democratic candidates has announced their bid yet. The Democratic race is expected to be crowded by the summer of 2019. Among those Democrats speculated to run for the 2020 primaries include former vice president Joe Biden, Senators Elizabeth Warren, Kirsten Gillibrand, Amy Klobuchar, Tim Kaine and Indian-origin Senator Kamala Harris. Amid the clamor of Trump headlines and focus on higher-profile candidates, Gabbard has been quietly making the traditional moves of a presidential candidate. She recently visited Iowa, where locals urged her to run for president, according to the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She keynoted a progressive gathering in New Hampshire in September. And she's writing a book due out this spring titled, "Is Today the Day?: Not Another Political Memoir," Politico reported last month.

Indian-American Tulsi Gabbard may run for US presidency in 2020: Sources

US Senate Democrats are considering legal action over President Donald Trump`s appointment of a new acting attorney general, congressional sources said on Friday, as some outside experts called the move unconstitutional.

Trump on Wednesday named Matthew Whitaker to replace former Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who was forced out after months of attacks by Trump for recusing himself from an ongoing probe into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election.

The move made Whitaker supervisor of the investigation, which has hung over Trump`s presidency. Whitaker has criticized the probe in the past as too wide-ranging, which has raised concerns among Democrats that Sessions` ouster and Whitaker`s appointment might be precursors to Trump moving to end it.

Senate Democrats were considering suing Trump, the sources said, on the grounds that, in naming Whitaker, the president ignored a statutory line of succession at the Justice Department and deprived senators of their constitutional "advice and consent" role on some presidential appointments.

"The only two paths to that office are regular succession, and advice (and) consent," said a source close to the Senate Judiciary Committee.&nbsp;

Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal told Reuters late on Friday he was "considering action that might be brought against an interim appointment that violates the normal statutory line of succession and raises very serious constitutional questions."

He said he was speaking only for himself and he hoped Republicans might join as plaintiffs if a lawsuit goes forward.

The Appointments Clause of the US Constitution states that some senior government officials, known as "principal officers," must be confirmed by the Senate.

A spokesman for Senate Judiciary chairman Chuck Grassley said Trump had the authority to appoint Whitaker as acting attorney general temporarily, even though he had not been confirmed by the Senate.&nbsp;

Such appointments can be done for senior officials who have worked in the department for at least 90 days and can last for up to 210 days, spokesman George Hartmann said.

As the minority party in the Senate, Democrats might need some Republican support to have legal standing to sue Trump under the Appointments Clause, said Andrew Wright, who was a White House lawyer under former President Barack Obama.

The source close to the Senate Judiciary Committee said Democrats were unsure whether they would reach out to Republicans to join the lawsuit, but added it was "not likely."

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who earlier this year introduced legislation to protect Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is conducting the probe, said Whitaker did not pose a threat to his work.&nbsp;

"Mueller will be allowed to do his job," Graham said in a Friday interview on Fox News Radio.

John Yoo, a former Justice Department lawyer in the George W. Bush administration, said "the Supreme Court made clear that the Attorney General is a principal officer," in a 1998 case.

"Therefore, Whitaker cannot serve as acting Attorney General ... Any other officer in the Justice Department who was appointed through advice and consent can serve, including the Deputy AG, the solicitor general, and the assistant AGs," said Yoo, now a law professor at the University of California, Berkeley.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, a career Justice Department official already confirmed by the Senate, should have been named the new attorney general.

Restrictions on Trump

US intelligence agencies have said Russia interfered in the 2016 election in an attempt to tip it towards Trump and away from his Democratic opponent, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Republican Senator Susan Collins said Mueller must be allowed to complete his investigation into whether Trump`s campaign colluded with Moscow. 
Trump has repeatedly said there was no collusion, and has slammed the probe as a "witch hunt." Russia has denied interfering.

"I am concerned about comments that Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker has made regarding the Special Counsel and the parameters of his investigation," Collins said in a statement.

"We should bring to the Senate floor legislation that would put restrictions on the ability of President Donald Trump to fire the Special Counsel."

Speaking to reporters at the White House before he left on a trip to Paris, Trump defended his choice of Whitaker, saying the former US attorney for the southern district of Iowa had an excellent reputation and came highly recommended by former Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, who is now Trump`s ambassador to China.

Trump said on Friday he had not discussed the Mueller probe with Whitaker before appointing him.

"He`s a highly respected man, especially by law enforcement, and I think he`s going to do a great job," Trump said.

A spokeswoman for the Justice Department has said Whitaker would oversee all matters under its jurisdiction, including the Mueller investigation. Democrats have called on Whitaker to recuse himself.

US Senate Democrats are considering legal action over President Donald Trump`s appointment of a new acting attorney general, congressional sources said on Friday, as some outside experts called the move unconstitutional.

US Senate Democrats are considering legal action over President Donald Trump`s appointment of a new acting attorney general, congressional sources said on Friday, as some outside experts called the move unconstitutional. Trump on Wednesday named Matthew Whitaker to replace former Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who was forced out after months of attacks by Trump for recusing himself from an ongoing probe into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. The move made Whitaker supervisor of the investigation, which has hung over Trump`s presidency. Whitaker has criticized the probe in the past as too wide-ranging, which has raised concerns among Democrats that Sessions` ouster and Whitaker`s appointment might be precursors to Trump moving to end it. Senate Democrats were considering suing Trump, the sources said, on the grounds that, in naming Whitaker, the president ignored a statutory line of succession at the Justice Department and deprived senators of their constitutional "advice and consent" role on some presidential appointments. "The only two paths to that office are regular succession, and advice (and) consent," said a source close to the Senate Judiciary Committee. Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal told Reuters late on Friday he was "considering action that might be brought against an interim appointment that violates the normal statutory line of succession and raises very serious constitutional questions." He said he was speaking only for himself and he hoped Republicans might join as plaintiffs if a lawsuit goes forward. The Appointments Clause of the US Constitution states that some senior government officials, known as "principal officers," must be confirmed by the Senate. A spokesman for Senate Judiciary chairman Chuck Grassley said Trump had the authority to appoint Whitaker as acting attorney general temporarily, even though he had not been confirmed by the Senate. Such appointments can be done for senior officials who have worked in the department for at least 90 days and can last for up to 210 days, spokesman George Hartmann said. As the minority party in the Senate, Democrats might need some Republican support to have legal standing to sue Trump under the Appointments Clause, said Andrew Wright, who was a White House lawyer under former President Barack Obama. The source close to the Senate Judiciary Committee said Democrats were unsure whether they would reach out to Republicans to join the lawsuit, but added it was "not likely." Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who earlier this year introduced legislation to protect Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is conducting the probe, said Whitaker did not pose a threat to his work. "Mueller will be allowed to do his job," Graham said in a Friday interview on Fox News Radio. John Yoo, a former Justice Department lawyer in the George W. Bush administration, said "the Supreme Court made clear that the Attorney General is a principal officer," in a 1998 case. "Therefore, Whitaker cannot serve as acting Attorney General ... Any other officer in the Justice Department who was appointed through advice and consent can serve, including the Deputy AG, the solicitor general, and the assistant AGs," said Yoo, now a law professor at the University of California, Berkeley. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, a career Justice Department official already confirmed by the Senate, should have been named the new attorney general. Restrictions on Trump US intelligence agencies have said Russia interfered in the 2016 election in an attempt to tip it towards Trump and away from his Democratic opponent, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Republican Senator Susan Collins said Mueller must be allowed to complete his investigation into whether Trump`s campaign colluded with Moscow. Trump has repeatedly said there was no collusion, and has slammed the probe as a "witch hunt." Russia has denied interfering. "I am concerned about comments that Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker has made regarding the Special Counsel and the parameters of his investigation," Collins said in a statement. "We should bring to the Senate floor legislation that would put restrictions on the ability of President Donald Trump to fire the Special Counsel." Speaking to reporters at the White House before he left on a trip to Paris, Trump defended his choice of Whitaker, saying the former US attorney for the southern district of Iowa had an excellent reputation and came highly recommended by former Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, who is now Trump`s ambassador to China. Trump said on Friday he had not discussed the Mueller probe with Whitaker before appointing him. "He`s a highly respected man, especially by law enforcement, and I think he`s going to do a great job," Trump said. A spokeswoman for the Justice Department has said Whitaker would oversee all matters under its jurisdiction, including the Mueller investigation. Democrats have called on Whitaker to recuse himself.

Senate Democrats weigh lawsuit over Trump's appointment of new acting attorney general

By Scott Lucas

America has voted, the results are in, but the country’s future remains uncertain – for now.

Tuesday’s Congressional midterm elections were billed – rightly – as among the most important in US history. Decades of widening division have been exacerbated by an aggressive Donald Trump willing to remake the American system (some might say overrun it) with his rhetoric and executive orders.

After 35 Senate races and verdicts on all 435 House seats, there is no clear resolution. Democrats did take the House of Representatives with a large swing; but Republicans not only clung to the Senate, they increased their majority.

In some races, the GOP pulled off upsets. The current governor, Rick Scott, grabbed the Florida Senate seat narrowly from incumbent Bill Nelson, a victory replicated in the governor’s race by Ron DeSantis over Andrew Gillum – who would have been the first African-American to head Florida. The Republicans regained the Indiana seat by a larger margin with Mike Braun defeating incumbent Joe Donnelly; they took North Dakota as expected and are narrowly ahead in three other key races — a combination which could produce a 55-45 GOP advantage in the Senate for the next four years.

But Democrats flipped more than 30 House seats, in some cases by double-digit majority, in all areas of the country. They regained Trump territory, notably in Pennsylvania and even the deep-red state of Texas.

Across the US, the Democrats held a 9 per cent margin over the GOP – the largest gap since 2008 and one of the biggest in midterm history.

So with no clarity, what’s American future from November 7, 2018?

1. City-Suburb vs Country 
 
This was an election that only widened the gulf between cities and their suburbs and rural areas. That split meant Democrats could pick up GOP House seats in areas such as northern Virginia, southern Florida, the suburbs from Pennsylvania to Colorado, and even the heartland of Kansas. But it also limited the advance in House seats that spanned urban and rural areas, such as the close-run race in central Kentucky.

And it was decisive in the vital state-wide victories in the Senate. The Democrats never had a chance in the deep red state of Tennessee. In Florida, the Democrats rolled up big margins in cities from Miami to Tallahassee but this was overtaken by the GOP tallies in the smaller but numerous rural districts from the Panhandle through the centre. Indiana went back to its deep Republican country roots to outnumber Democrat majorities in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and Evansville. North Dakota, the fourth most Republican state in the US, went back to the GOP, and rural Montana may also go.

2. Health care not enough to redraw map… yet

Exit polls showed that healthcare, despite being down the list of headline issues in the campaign, was the number one priority for a plurality – about 40% – of voters. That portion topped the 20% each for the economy and immigration.

But that did not translate into a decisive rejection across the US of the GOP’s efforts to gut Obamacare. It remains to be seen whether this was an uneven priority, with voters in some states – and House districts within states – putting more emphasis on the issue than others. Or it could be that a “soft” attachment to healthcare for more voters was outweighed by a “hard” emphasis on the economy and immigration for others.

3. Nor is surge of youth and women

The extent of the surge in turnout is still to be calculated, but exit polls point to a sharp rise in involvement of 18 to 24-year-olds and women. Some conventional wisdom held that this shift would boost Democrats – and exit polls showed a 19 per cent advantage among women and 35 per cent among the 18-to-24 group. Again, on a statewide level, this did not necessarily translate into gains.

But there was a Blue wave in the overall vote – and more than 100 women, the large majority Democrats, will be seated in the Congress in January.

Is there still more to be done by Democrats to galvanise the under-25s and women? Or is this an issue of a surge among dedicated older voters that will continue to bolster the Republicans?

4. Trump a double-edged sword for GOP 
 
The spectre of an immigrant “invasion”, Trump’s primary theme, offers a paradox. The false drama may have helped Republicans in unaffected areas far from the border. But in the immigration frontline of Texas it may have cost the GOP. And, in pockets like Kansas, Trump declarations such as the ending of “birthright citizenship” may have upset Republican campaigns and led to unexpected losses because of a backlash against the anti-immigrant drive as well as its effects on local communities.

In addition to Beto O'Rourke’s near-upset of Ted Cruz, Democrats took a series of House seats, overcoming the urban-rural split in Texas and also flipping the GOP Senate seat in Nevada. Could Texans and Nevadans – the young, the suburban areas, Hispanic-Americans – have recoiled from Trump’s scorched-earth rhetoric and policies such as indefinite detention and the separation of children from parents?

And Trump had some reverse Midas touches where his patronage contributed to defeat. In Kansas, Kris Kobach – a loud Trump cheerleader who headed the ill-fated White House voter fraud commission – unexpectedly lost the governor’s race.

5. Trump didn’t win, but he tweeted ‘#Winning’

Donald Trump did not win these mid-terms. His party lost the House of Representatives. Some of his allies fell. And, if there was no Democrat Blue wave to retake the Senate, there are fast streams of opposition in many urban and suburban areas.

But Trump is never one to accept a reality offering less than victory. So he will seize upon the increase in the Republican majority in the Senate as not only a vindication, but an outcome due to his personal intervention. He will point from Florida to North Dakota as he persists with his anti-immigrant campaign. He will rail against a “fake news” media that does not grant him acclaim, and he will falsely claim voter fraud that prevented more “#Winning”, especially in the House.

6. More uncertainty – if Russia doesn’t get Trump first 
 
So it’s two more uncertain, possibly chaotic, years in the US. In “normal” times, a split Congress would be labelled as gridlock. But in the abnormal Trumpian years, the White House occupant is already beyond gridlock.

The Trump administration has not governed through legislation – it has only one bill, the December 2017 tax cuts, to its credit – but through executive orders and commands to agencies. These have ranged from immigration to tariffs to shredding of environmental protections and corporate regulations to ripping up international agreements.

Trump will press on. The language will be even more aggressive, the proposals more brash. He will be egged on by hardline advisers, including the xenophobic, anti-immigrant Stephen Miller, as well as some of the majority in the Senate, and Republicans who have held on in the House, including the “white nationalist” Steve King of Iowa and the indicted Duncan Hunter of California.

The 2018 midterm elections have not checked Trump. Democratic control of the House will not stop him, despite a possible attempt to subpoena Trump’s tax records amid questions over his finances, alleged fraud and tax manipulation, and conflict of interest.

Perhaps the only barrier until 2020 is the Trump-Russia investigation led by Robert Mueller: its announcements and indictments have been paused this autumn but will now resume and possibly close with a showdown with Trump.

Last week, I concluded an assessment, “The most important person in America on November 7 will be Robert Mueller.” This morning, amid the lack of clarity, I am doubling down on that evaluation. 
 
(Scott Lucas is Professor of International Politics, University of Birmingham)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/us-midterm-results-six-key-issues-and-what-they-mean-for-the-countrys-uncertain-future-106467">original article)</a>

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

By Scott Lucas America has voted, the results are in, but the country’s future remains uncertain – for now. Tuesday’s Congressional midterm elections were billed – rightly – as among the most important in US history.

By Scott Lucas America has voted, the results are in, but the country’s future remains uncertain – for now. Tuesday’s Congressional midterm elections were billed – rightly – as among the most important in US history. Decades of widening division have been exacerbated by an aggressive Donald Trump willing to remake the American system (some might say overrun it) with his rhetoric and executive orders. After 35 Senate races and verdicts on all 435 House seats, there is no clear resolution. Democrats did take the House of Representatives with a large swing; but Republicans not only clung to the Senate, they increased their majority. In some races, the GOP pulled off upsets. The current governor, Rick Scott, grabbed the Florida Senate seat narrowly from incumbent Bill Nelson, a victory replicated in the governor’s race by Ron DeSantis over Andrew Gillum – who would have been the first African-American to head Florida. The Republicans regained the Indiana seat by a larger margin with Mike Braun defeating incumbent Joe Donnelly; they took North Dakota as expected and are narrowly ahead in three other key races — a combination which could produce a 55-45 GOP advantage in the Senate for the next four years. But Democrats flipped more than 30 House seats, in some cases by double-digit majority, in all areas of the country. They regained Trump territory, notably in Pennsylvania and even the deep-red state of Texas. Across the US, the Democrats held a 9 per cent margin over the GOP – the largest gap since 2008 and one of the biggest in midterm history. So with no clarity, what’s American future from November 7, 2018? 1. City-Suburb vs Country This was an election that only widened the gulf between cities and their suburbs and rural areas. That split meant Democrats could pick up GOP House seats in areas such as northern Virginia, southern Florida, the suburbs from Pennsylvania to Colorado, and even the heartland of Kansas. But it also limited the advance in House seats that spanned urban and rural areas, such as the close-run race in central Kentucky. And it was decisive in the vital state-wide victories in the Senate. The Democrats never had a chance in the deep red state of Tennessee. In Florida, the Democrats rolled up big margins in cities from Miami to Tallahassee but this was overtaken by the GOP tallies in the smaller but numerous rural districts from the Panhandle through the centre. Indiana went back to its deep Republican country roots to outnumber Democrat majorities in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and Evansville. North Dakota, the fourth most Republican state in the US, went back to the GOP, and rural Montana may also go. 2. Health care not enough to redraw map… yet Exit polls showed that healthcare, despite being down the list of headline issues in the campaign, was the number one priority for a plurality – about 40% – of voters. That portion topped the 20% each for the economy and immigration. But that did not translate into a decisive rejection across the US of the GOP’s efforts to gut Obamacare. It remains to be seen whether this was an uneven priority, with voters in some states – and House districts within states – putting more emphasis on the issue than others. Or it could be that a “soft” attachment to healthcare for more voters was outweighed by a “hard” emphasis on the economy and immigration for others. 3. Nor is surge of youth and women The extent of the surge in turnout is still to be calculated, but exit polls point to a sharp rise in involvement of 18 to 24-year-olds and women. Some conventional wisdom held that this shift would boost Democrats – and exit polls showed a 19 per cent advantage among women and 35 per cent among the 18-to-24 group. Again, on a statewide level, this did not necessarily translate into gains. But there was a Blue wave in the overall vote – and more than 100 women, the large majority Democrats, will be seated in the Congress in January. Is there still more to be done by Democrats to galvanise the under-25s and women? Or is this an issue of a surge among dedicated older voters that will continue to bolster the Republicans? 4. Trump a double-edged sword for GOP The spectre of an immigrant “invasion”, Trump’s primary theme, offers a paradox. The false drama may have helped Republicans in unaffected areas far from the border. But in the immigration frontline of Texas it may have cost the GOP. And, in pockets like Kansas, Trump declarations such as the ending of “birthright citizenship” may have upset Republican campaigns and led to unexpected losses because of a backlash against the anti-immigrant drive as well as its effects on local communities. In addition to Beto O'Rourke’s near-upset of Ted Cruz, Democrats took a series of House seats, overcoming the urban-rural split in Texas and also flipping the GOP Senate seat in Nevada. Could Texans and Nevadans – the young, the suburban areas, Hispanic-Americans – have recoiled from Trump’s scorched-earth rhetoric and policies such as indefinite detention and the separation of children from parents? And Trump had some reverse Midas touches where his patronage contributed to defeat. In Kansas, Kris Kobach – a loud Trump cheerleader who headed the ill-fated White House voter fraud commission – unexpectedly lost the governor’s race. 5. Trump didn’t win, but he tweeted ‘#Winning’ Donald Trump did not win these mid-terms. His party lost the House of Representatives. Some of his allies fell. And, if there was no Democrat Blue wave to retake the Senate, there are fast streams of opposition in many urban and suburban areas. But Trump is never one to accept a reality offering less than victory. So he will seize upon the increase in the Republican majority in the Senate as not only a vindication, but an outcome due to his personal intervention. He will point from Florida to North Dakota as he persists with his anti-immigrant campaign. He will rail against a “fake news” media that does not grant him acclaim, and he will falsely claim voter fraud that prevented more “#Winning”, especially in the House. 6. More uncertainty – if Russia doesn’t get Trump first So it’s two more uncertain, possibly chaotic, years in the US. In “normal” times, a split Congress would be labelled as gridlock. But in the abnormal Trumpian years, the White House occupant is already beyond gridlock. The Trump administration has not governed through legislation – it has only one bill, the December 2017 tax cuts, to its credit – but through executive orders and commands to agencies. These have ranged from immigration to tariffs to shredding of environmental protections and corporate regulations to ripping up international agreements. Trump will press on. The language will be even more aggressive, the proposals more brash. He will be egged on by hardline advisers, including the xenophobic, anti-immigrant Stephen Miller, as well as some of the majority in the Senate, and Republicans who have held on in the House, including the “white nationalist” Steve King of Iowa and the indicted Duncan Hunter of California. The 2018 midterm elections have not checked Trump. Democratic control of the House will not stop him, despite a possible attempt to subpoena Trump’s tax records amid questions over his finances, alleged fraud and tax manipulation, and conflict of interest. Perhaps the only barrier until 2020 is the Trump-Russia investigation led by Robert Mueller: its announcements and indictments have been paused this autumn but will now resume and possibly close with a showdown with Trump. Last week, I concluded an assessment, “The most important person in America on November 7 will be Robert Mueller.” This morning, amid the lack of clarity, I am doubling down on that evaluation. (Scott Lucas is Professor of International Politics, University of Birmingham) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

US midterm elections: What do the results mean for the country’s uncertain future

Republican Brian Kemp's campaign said on Wednesday he had won Georgia's high-profile governor's race, but Democratic candidate Stacey Abrams vowed not to concede until all ballots were counted.

"Simply put, it is mathematically impossible for Stacey Abrams to win or force a run-off election," Kemp spokesman Cody Hall said in a statement Wednesday evening. "Brian Kemp will now begin his transition as governor-elect of Georgia."

Abrams, 44, is trying to become the first black woman elected governor of a US state. Unofficial results from Tuesday`s election showed Kemp leading by more than 60,000 votes and just over the 50 percent threshold he needs to avoid a runoff under Georgia state law.

Abrams'&nbsp;campaign manager Lauren Groh-Wargo said there were thousands more mail, provisional and absentee ballots, however, still to be tallied.

The Democratic campaign cited an "incredible amount of irregularities" on Election Day, including rejected ballots and broken voting machines, and said it would consider all options including litigation to ensure a fair election.

The Georgia contest was among three dozen governor elections on Tuesday.&nbsp;

In some states, the races were seen as an early test of the parties` strength ahead of the 2020 presidential race. Democrats seized seven Republican-held governorships, including in several states that helped deliver Republican President Donald Trump`s surprise win in 2016, without suffering any losses.

But Republicans triumphed in Florida and Ohio, both swing states that could play an outsized role in 2020.

In Florida, Democrat Andrew Gillum lost his attempt to become the state`s first black governor, suffering a narrow defeat to Republican Ron DeSantis in a racially charged contest.

Republicans also scored a major victory in Ohio`s governor race, where Mike DeWine, the state attorney general, defeated Democrat Richard Cordray.

But in Wisconsin, Democrat Tony Evers appeared to pull off a narrow win to deny Republican incumbent Scott Walker a third term.

Democrats also won gubernatorial races in three other states - Michigan, Pennsylvania and Kansas - that supported Trump in 2016.

In Michigan, Democrat Gretchen Whitmer turned back Republican Bill Schuette, while in Kansas, Democrat Laura Kelly defeated Kris Kobach, a staunch Trump ally.

Democratic candidates also triumphed in Illinois, Maine, New Mexico and Nevada, where Republicans had held the governorships.&nbsp;

'Every vote counted'

The races in Florida and Georgia were seen as a test of whether liberal candidates could prevail in Southern states, where centrist Democrats have repeatedly lost, by appealing to a coalition of young and minority voters.

Both DeSantis and Kemp had strong support from Trump, who travelled to their states in the closing days of the campaigns to energise Republicans at "Make America Great Again" rallies. Democratic former President Barack Obama swooped in to boost the Democrats.

Kemp, 55, oversees elections in his current role as secretary of state, a potential conflict of interest that drew repeated criticism from Democrats during the campaign. He refused to step down from his position and denied Democratic accusations that he used his office to suppress minority voters.

The fight for state power received less attention than the battle for control of the U.S. Congress but could have a major impact on issues such as congressional redistricting and healthcare.

Governors and hundreds of legislators elected this year will be in office when each state redraws congressional districts after the 2020 Census.

Going into Tuesday, Republicans controlled 33 governors` mansions and two-thirds of state legislative chambers.

Democrats, playing catch-up after a net loss of 13 governorships and more than 900 state legislative seats during the eight-year Obama administration, fielded their largest slate of legislative candidates in more than three decades.

The party flipped six legislative chambers on Tuesday and now has complete control of state government in Colorado, New York, Illinois, Maine and New Mexico.

Republican Brian Kemp's campaign said on Wednesday he had won Georgia's high-profile governor's race, but Democratic candidate Stacey Abrams vowed not to concede until all ballots were counted.

Republican Brian Kemp's campaign said on Wednesday he had won Georgia's high-profile governor's race, but Democratic candidate Stacey Abrams vowed not to concede until all ballots were counted. "Simply put, it is mathematically impossible for Stacey Abrams to win or force a run-off election," Kemp spokesman Cody Hall said in a statement Wednesday evening. "Brian Kemp will now begin his transition as governor-elect of Georgia." Abrams, 44, is trying to become the first black woman elected governor of a US state. Unofficial results from Tuesday`s election showed Kemp leading by more than 60,000 votes and just over the 50 percent threshold he needs to avoid a runoff under Georgia state law. Abrams' campaign manager Lauren Groh-Wargo said there were thousands more mail, provisional and absentee ballots, however, still to be tallied. The Democratic campaign cited an "incredible amount of irregularities" on Election Day, including rejected ballots and broken voting machines, and said it would consider all options including litigation to ensure a fair election. The Georgia contest was among three dozen governor elections on Tuesday. In some states, the races were seen as an early test of the parties` strength ahead of the 2020 presidential race. Democrats seized seven Republican-held governorships, including in several states that helped deliver Republican President Donald Trump`s surprise win in 2016, without suffering any losses. But Republicans triumphed in Florida and Ohio, both swing states that could play an outsized role in 2020. In Florida, Democrat Andrew Gillum lost his attempt to become the state`s first black governor, suffering a narrow defeat to Republican Ron DeSantis in a racially charged contest. Republicans also scored a major victory in Ohio`s governor race, where Mike DeWine, the state attorney general, defeated Democrat Richard Cordray. But in Wisconsin, Democrat Tony Evers appeared to pull off a narrow win to deny Republican incumbent Scott Walker a third term. Democrats also won gubernatorial races in three other states - Michigan, Pennsylvania and Kansas - that supported Trump in 2016. In Michigan, Democrat Gretchen Whitmer turned back Republican Bill Schuette, while in Kansas, Democrat Laura Kelly defeated Kris Kobach, a staunch Trump ally. Democratic candidates also triumphed in Illinois, Maine, New Mexico and Nevada, where Republicans had held the governorships. 'Every vote counted' The races in Florida and Georgia were seen as a test of whether liberal candidates could prevail in Southern states, where centrist Democrats have repeatedly lost, by appealing to a coalition of young and minority voters. Both DeSantis and Kemp had strong support from Trump, who travelled to their states in the closing days of the campaigns to energise Republicans at "Make America Great Again" rallies. Democratic former President Barack Obama swooped in to boost the Democrats. Kemp, 55, oversees elections in his current role as secretary of state, a potential conflict of interest that drew repeated criticism from Democrats during the campaign. He refused to step down from his position and denied Democratic accusations that he used his office to suppress minority voters. The fight for state power received less attention than the battle for control of the U.S. Congress but could have a major impact on issues such as congressional redistricting and healthcare. Governors and hundreds of legislators elected this year will be in office when each state redraws congressional districts after the 2020 Census. Going into Tuesday, Republicans controlled 33 governors` mansions and two-thirds of state legislative chambers. Democrats, playing catch-up after a net loss of 13 governorships and more than 900 state legislative seats during the eight-year Obama administration, fielded their largest slate of legislative candidates in more than three decades. The party flipped six legislative chambers on Tuesday and now has complete control of state government in Colorado, New York, Illinois, Maine and New Mexico.

Republican declares Georgia governor win, Democrat does not concede

Democrats will use their new majority in the US House of Representatives to reverse what they see as a hands-off approach by Republicans towards President Donald Trump's foreign policy, and push for tougher dealings with Russia, Saudi Arabia and North Korea.

Representative Eliot Engel, the Democrat in line to head the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said they may also seek congressional authorisation for the use of military force in places like Iraq and Syria. But on some hot-button areas, like China and Iran, he acknowledged there was little they could do to change the status quo.

As the majority party, Democrats will decide what legislation is considered in the House and have a bigger role in setting spending policy and writing legislation.

"I don`t think we should challenge something just because it`s put forth by the administration, but I do think we have an obligation to review policies and do oversight," Engel told Reuters in a telephone interview.

Since they must still work with a Republican-controlled Senate to pass any bills, the Democratic majority`s greatest influence will be oversight, the ability to call hearings and, if necessary, subpoena witnesses, as they lead committees like Foreign Affairs as well as Armed Services and Intelligence.

How do the Democrats see Russia?

Democrats plan Russia-related investigations, such as a probe of possible business ties and conflicts of interest between Trump and Russia.&nbsp;

From a policy perspective, a Democratic-led House will push to punish Russia for interference in US elections and activities including its aggression in Ukraine and involvement in the Syrian civil war.

The House could push for more sanctions, including measures targeting new Russian sovereign debt. It could also try to pressure Trump to enact all of the sanctions in a sweeping bill he reluctantly signed into law in August 2017.

Members of Congress have also vowed to push harder, using subpoenas if necessary, to obtain information about Trump`s summit last summer with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The White House has released few details about the meeting.

"It`s ludicrous that there could be such a high-level meeting between the two leaders and Congress should be in the dark about it," Engel said.

He said the issue of Russia`s interference in the 2016 election "hasn`t been at all resolved."

Will Khashoggi's killing influence Saudi ties?

The furore over the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul has added to lawmakers` frustration with Saudi Arabia over the war in Yemen and human rights.

A Democratic-led House could vote on legislation to block arms deals with Riyadh, make it difficult to win congressional approval of a nuclear energy deal and consider a measure to stop US aircraft refuelling and other support for the campaign in Yemen.

While Engel still views Saudi Arabia as a counterweight to Iran`s influence in the Middle East, he said Washington must demand more. "If the Saudis want our support, then they have to address some of the things that concern us," he said.

Don't Democrats want peace with North Korea?

Democrats say they are determined to obtain more information about meetings by Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo with North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un, worried that Trump is so eager to make a "great deal" that he will give Kim too much.

Engel plans to call administration officials to testify about the status of talks. But Democrats also will walk a fine line, because they do not want to be seen as interfering with diplomacy and efforts to prevent a nuclear war.

"I think it`s good to have some kind of a dialogue with them. But we shouldn`t be deluded in thinking that they`re going to have any major changes," Engel said.

Can Democrats change China policy?

Democratic House control is not expected to yield significant changes in China policy. Democrats will hold more hearings and demand more briefings, but criticism of Beijing has so far crossed party lines and that is not expected to change.

Prominent Democrats, such as Representative Adam Schiff, who is in line to chair the House Intelligence Committee, have joined Republicans backing measures to clamp down on China, like legislation treating ZTE Corp&nbsp;and Huawei Technologies Co Ltd technology and phones as major cyber security threats.

But Engel and others acknowledged the need for China as a partner, particularly in dealing with North Korea. "I think we need to be careful not to lash out," Engel said.

Will Democrats challenge Trump trade policy?

Like Republicans, Democrats are divided on Trump`s trade war with China. Some party members see free trade as a generator of jobs, while others back tariffs to protect workers in industries such as steel and manufacturing.

While the president has considerable latitude on trade policy, Democrats have said they want more accountability on Trump`s actions, including sharp tariff hikes on China that have affected farm and manufacturing states, particularly in the Midwest. Even if they do not come down hard on Trump on trade, Democrats will ask him to ensure that any trade deal sets labour and environmental standards.

Can Democrats revive the Iran Nuclear Deal?

Democrats were infuriated by Trump's withdrawal from the international nuclear deal with Iran that Democratic President Barack Obama`s administration reached in 2015. But there is little they can do to change the policy as long as Republicans occupy the White House.

Lawmakers also are wary of seeming too friendly to Iran, especially given hostility to Tehran by the government of Israel. While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has worked increasingly closely with US Republicans, strong ties to Israel remain a top priority for both parties.

Engel was among Democrats who opposed the Iran deal, but he said Trump should work with important allies, like the members of the European Union, on that and other issues. "I think what we should do is try to repair the damage with our alliances that has been done," he said.&nbsp;

Democrats will use their new majority in the US House of Representatives to reverse what they see as a hands-off approach by Republicans towards President Donald Trump's foreign policy, and push for tougher dealings with Russia, Saudi Arabia and North Korea.

Democrats will use their new majority in the US House of Representatives to reverse what they see as a hands-off approach by Republicans towards President Donald Trump's foreign policy, and push for tougher dealings with Russia, Saudi Arabia and North Korea. Representative Eliot Engel, the Democrat in line to head the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said they may also seek congressional authorisation for the use of military force in places like Iraq and Syria. But on some hot-button areas, like China and Iran, he acknowledged there was little they could do to change the status quo. As the majority party, Democrats will decide what legislation is considered in the House and have a bigger role in setting spending policy and writing legislation. "I don`t think we should challenge something just because it`s put forth by the administration, but I do think we have an obligation to review policies and do oversight," Engel told Reuters in a telephone interview. Since they must still work with a Republican-controlled Senate to pass any bills, the Democratic majority`s greatest influence will be oversight, the ability to call hearings and, if necessary, subpoena witnesses, as they lead committees like Foreign Affairs as well as Armed Services and Intelligence. How do the Democrats see Russia? Democrats plan Russia-related investigations, such as a probe of possible business ties and conflicts of interest between Trump and Russia. From a policy perspective, a Democratic-led House will push to punish Russia for interference in US elections and activities including its aggression in Ukraine and involvement in the Syrian civil war. The House could push for more sanctions, including measures targeting new Russian sovereign debt. It could also try to pressure Trump to enact all of the sanctions in a sweeping bill he reluctantly signed into law in August 2017. Members of Congress have also vowed to push harder, using subpoenas if necessary, to obtain information about Trump`s summit last summer with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The White House has released few details about the meeting. "It`s ludicrous that there could be such a high-level meeting between the two leaders and Congress should be in the dark about it," Engel said. He said the issue of Russia`s interference in the 2016 election "hasn`t been at all resolved." Will Khashoggi's killing influence Saudi ties? The furore over the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul has added to lawmakers` frustration with Saudi Arabia over the war in Yemen and human rights. A Democratic-led House could vote on legislation to block arms deals with Riyadh, make it difficult to win congressional approval of a nuclear energy deal and consider a measure to stop US aircraft refuelling and other support for the campaign in Yemen. While Engel still views Saudi Arabia as a counterweight to Iran`s influence in the Middle East, he said Washington must demand more. "If the Saudis want our support, then they have to address some of the things that concern us," he said. Don't Democrats want peace with North Korea? Democrats say they are determined to obtain more information about meetings by Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo with North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un, worried that Trump is so eager to make a "great deal" that he will give Kim too much. Engel plans to call administration officials to testify about the status of talks. But Democrats also will walk a fine line, because they do not want to be seen as interfering with diplomacy and efforts to prevent a nuclear war. "I think it`s good to have some kind of a dialogue with them. But we shouldn`t be deluded in thinking that they`re going to have any major changes," Engel said. Can Democrats change China policy? Democratic House control is not expected to yield significant changes in China policy. Democrats will hold more hearings and demand more briefings, but criticism of Beijing has so far crossed party lines and that is not expected to change. Prominent Democrats, such as Representative Adam Schiff, who is in line to chair the House Intelligence Committee, have joined Republicans backing measures to clamp down on China, like legislation treating ZTE Corp and Huawei Technologies Co Ltd technology and phones as major cyber security threats. But Engel and others acknowledged the need for China as a partner, particularly in dealing with North Korea. "I think we need to be careful not to lash out," Engel said. Will Democrats challenge Trump trade policy? Like Republicans, Democrats are divided on Trump`s trade war with China. Some party members see free trade as a generator of jobs, while others back tariffs to protect workers in industries such as steel and manufacturing. While the president has considerable latitude on trade policy, Democrats have said they want more accountability on Trump`s actions, including sharp tariff hikes on China that have affected farm and manufacturing states, particularly in the Midwest. Even if they do not come down hard on Trump on trade, Democrats will ask him to ensure that any trade deal sets labour and environmental standards. Can Democrats revive the Iran Nuclear Deal? Democrats were infuriated by Trump's withdrawal from the international nuclear deal with Iran that Democratic President Barack Obama`s administration reached in 2015. But there is little they can do to change the policy as long as Republicans occupy the White House. Lawmakers also are wary of seeming too friendly to Iran, especially given hostility to Tehran by the government of Israel. While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has worked increasingly closely with US Republicans, strong ties to Israel remain a top priority for both parties. Engel was among Democrats who opposed the Iran deal, but he said Trump should work with important allies, like the members of the European Union, on that and other issues. "I think what we should do is try to repair the damage with our alliances that has been done," he said.

How a Democratic US House could alter foreign policy

Democrats have a clear message for party leaders who will take control of the US House of Representatives next year, according to a Reuters/Ipsos national opinion poll: Protect their healthcare and impeach President Donald Trump.

The poll released on Thursday found that 43 per cent of people who identified as Democrats want impeachment to be a top priority for Congress. That goal was second in priority only to healthcare, which played a major role in Democratic campaigns' closing arguments before Tuesday's elections.

They may be disappointed: Party leaders on Wednesday vowed to use their newly won majority to impose a new level of scrutiny on the Trump White House but said impeachment would require evidence of action to subvert the Constitution that was so overwhelming that it would trouble even Trump's supporters.

Democratic Party leaders had practical reasons for caution. While they were poised to gain at least 30 House seats, more than the 23 they needed for a majority, Republicans strengthened their control of the US Senate, which has the power to determine guilt or innocence in an impeachment proceeding.

"I want him out of office," said Aprille Evans-Wright, 73, a mobile home park manager in Reno, Nevada, who responded to the poll. "He won't show us his tax returns. He lies consistently. He is leading people astray and he's holding children prisoner at the border."

The American public at large was far less supportive of impeachment proceedings, with just 24 per cent of overall respondents listing it among their top three goals for the new Congress.

About 18 per cent of Democrats wanted Congress to review Trump's tax returns, with 11 per cent of respondents overall citing that as a priority.

Fifty-four per cent of Democrats and 55 per cent of Republicans surveyed said the new Congress should prioritize addressing the US healthcare system. But the poll did not delve into how they would like to see the system changed.

Democrats had focused their messages through the final weeks of the campaign on protecting health insurance coverage for people with pre-existing conditions, which was assured by the 2010 Affordable Care Act, often known as Obamacare, that Republicans have repeatedly tried to repeal.

Democrats' third-most-often-cited priority was the environment, mentioned by 40 per cent of respondents.

After healthcare, Republicans' top priorities were improving border security, which 54 per cent of respondents cited; immigration reform, cited by 40 per cent, and cutting taxes, with 37 per cent support.

One in four Democrats said they would like to see Congress protect the ongoing investigation by former FBI Director Robert Mueller into whether Trump's 2016 presidential campaign colluded with Russia. Both Trump and Moscow have denied that charge.

Trump so far has refused to be interviewed by Mueller.

"I would like the truth to come out about him and Russia," said Wendy McMillan, 53, of Rochester, New York. "I just have a really big feeling that Russia had a hand in him being elected."

The online poll gathered responses from 904 Democrats and 840 Republicans from October 30 to November 5. That was before Tuesday's election, though by that time most opinion polls and nonpartisan forecasters had predicted that Democrats would win control of the House.

The poll asked respondents to list the top three priorities for Congress to address in the 2019-20 session. 
&nbsp;

Democrats have a clear message for party leaders who will take control of the US House of Representatives next year, according to a Reuters/Ipsos national opinion poll: Protect their healthcare and impeach President Donald Trump.

Democrats have a clear message for party leaders who will take control of the US House of Representatives next year, according to a Reuters/Ipsos national opinion poll: Protect their healthcare and impeach President Donald Trump. The poll released on Thursday found that 43 per cent of people who identified as Democrats want impeachment to be a top priority for Congress. That goal was second in priority only to healthcare, which played a major role in Democratic campaigns' closing arguments before Tuesday's elections. They may be disappointed: Party leaders on Wednesday vowed to use their newly won majority to impose a new level of scrutiny on the Trump White House but said impeachment would require evidence of action to subvert the Constitution that was so overwhelming that it would trouble even Trump's supporters. Democratic Party leaders had practical reasons for caution. While they were poised to gain at least 30 House seats, more than the 23 they needed for a majority, Republicans strengthened their control of the US Senate, which has the power to determine guilt or innocence in an impeachment proceeding. "I want him out of office," said Aprille Evans-Wright, 73, a mobile home park manager in Reno, Nevada, who responded to the poll. "He won't show us his tax returns. He lies consistently. He is leading people astray and he's holding children prisoner at the border." The American public at large was far less supportive of impeachment proceedings, with just 24 per cent of overall respondents listing it among their top three goals for the new Congress. About 18 per cent of Democrats wanted Congress to review Trump's tax returns, with 11 per cent of respondents overall citing that as a priority. Fifty-four per cent of Democrats and 55 per cent of Republicans surveyed said the new Congress should prioritize addressing the US healthcare system. But the poll did not delve into how they would like to see the system changed. Democrats had focused their messages through the final weeks of the campaign on protecting health insurance coverage for people with pre-existing conditions, which was assured by the 2010 Affordable Care Act, often known as Obamacare, that Republicans have repeatedly tried to repeal. Democrats' third-most-often-cited priority was the environment, mentioned by 40 per cent of respondents. After healthcare, Republicans' top priorities were improving border security, which 54 per cent of respondents cited; immigration reform, cited by 40 per cent, and cutting taxes, with 37 per cent support. One in four Democrats said they would like to see Congress protect the ongoing investigation by former FBI Director Robert Mueller into whether Trump's 2016 presidential campaign colluded with Russia. Both Trump and Moscow have denied that charge. Trump so far has refused to be interviewed by Mueller. "I would like the truth to come out about him and Russia," said Wendy McMillan, 53, of Rochester, New York. "I just have a really big feeling that Russia had a hand in him being elected." The online poll gathered responses from 904 Democrats and 840 Republicans from October 30 to November 5. That was before Tuesday's election, though by that time most opinion polls and nonpartisan forecasters had predicted that Democrats would win control of the House. The poll asked respondents to list the top three priorities for Congress to address in the 2019-20 session.

Newly emboldened Democrats want healthcare protected and Trump impeached: Poll

US Midterm polls: 87 women winning in the house marks a new high

In pictures: Democrats win House, putting Trump under scrutiny

Democrats will use their <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-midterm-elections-democrats-take-control-of-house-republicans-keep-senate-175998">new majority</a> in the US&nbsp;House of Representatives to reverse what they see as a hands-off approach by Republicans toward President Donald Trump's foreign policy, and push for tougher dealings with Russia, Saudi Arabia and North Korea.

Representative Eliot Engel, the Democrat in line to head the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said they may also push for congressional authorization for the use of military force in places like Iraq and Syria. But on some hot-button areas, like China and Iran, he acknowledged there was little they could do to change the status quo.

Now that they <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/analysis-loss-of-us-house-leaves-republicans-more-tied-to-trump-than-ever-176001">have taken control</a> of the 435-member House of Representatives for the first time since 2011, Democrats will decide what legislation is considered in the chamber and have a bigger role in setting spending policy and writing legislation.

"I don't think we should challenge something just because it's put forth by the administration, but I do think we have an obligation to review policies and do oversight," Engel told Reuters in a telephone interview.

Since they must still work with a Republican-controlled Senate to pass any bills, the Democratic majority's greatest influence will be oversight, the ability to call hearings and, if necessary, subpoena witnesses, as they lead committees like Foreign Affairs as well as Armed Services and Intelligence.

HOW DO THE DEMOCRATS SEE RUSSIA?

Democrats plan <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/meddling-claims-us-baseless-russia-un-168357">Russia-related investigations</a>, such as a probe of possible business ties and conflicts of interest between Trump and Russia.

From a policy perspective, a Democratic-led House would push to punish Russia for interference in US&nbsp;elections and activities including its aggression in Ukraine and involvement in the Syrian civil war.

The House would push for more sanctions, including measures targeting new Russian sovereign debt. It would also try to pressure Trump to enact all of the sanctions in a sweeping bill he reluctantly signed into law in August 2017.

Members of Congress have also vowed to push harder, using subpoena power if necessary, to obtain information about Trump's summit last summer with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The White House has released few details about the meeting.

"It's ludicrous that there could be such a high-level meeting between the two leaders and Congress should be in the dark about it," Engel said.

He said the issue of Russia's interference in the 2016 election "hasn't been at all resolved."

WILL KHASHOGGI'S KILLING INFLUENCE SAUDI TIES?

The furor over the death of journalist <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/khashoggi-was-dead-in-twenty-minutes-says-tura-khislakchi-as-he-unfolds-the-incident-to-wion-173771">Jamal Khashoggi</a> at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul has added to lawmakers' frustration with Saudi Arabia over the war in Yemen and human rights.

A Democratic-led House would vote on legislation to block arms deals with Riyadh, make it difficult to win congressional approval of a nuclear energy deal and consider a measure to stop US&nbsp;aircraft refueling and other support for the campaign in Yemen.

While Engel still views Saudi Arabia as a counterweight to Iran's influence in the Middle East, he said Washington must demand more from Riyadh. "If the Saudis want our support, then they have to address some of the things that concern us," he said.

DON'T DEMOCRATS WANT PEACE WITH NORTH KOREA?

Democrats say they are determined to obtain more information about meetings by Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo with North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un, worried that Trump is so eager to make a "great deal" that he will give Kim too much.

Engel and other Democrats plan to call administration officials to testify in public, and behind closed doors, about the status of talks. But they also will walk a fine line, because they do not want to be seen as interfering with diplomacy and efforts to prevent a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/working-groups-on-denuclearization-set-up-by-uss-pompeo-and-north-koreans-report-149661">nuclear war</a>.

"I think it's good to have some kind of a dialogue with them. But we shouldn't be deluded in thinking that they're going to have any major changes," Engel said.

CAN DEMOCRATS CHANGE CHINA POLICY?

Democratic House control is not expected to yield significant changes in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/the-trump-china-trade-war-how-will-it-end-171248">China policy</a>. Democrats will hold more hearings and demand more briefings, but criticism of Beijing has so far crossed party lines and that is not expected to change.

Prominent Democrats, such as Representative Adam Schiff, who is in line to chair the House Intelligence Committee, have joined Republicans backing measures to clamp down on China, like legislation treating ZTE Corp and Huawei Technologies Co Ltd technology and phones as major cyber security threats.

But Engel and others acknowledged the need for China as a partner, particularly in dealing with North Korea. "I think we need to be careful not to lash out," Engel said.

Like Republicans, Democrats are divided on Trump's trade war with China. Some party members see free trade as a generator of jobs, while others back tariffs to protect workers in industries such as steel and manufacturing.

CAN DEMOCRATS REVIVE THE IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL?

Democrats were infuriated by <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/iran-will-proudly-bypass-us-sanctions-rouhani-175592">Trump's withdrawal</a> from the international nuclear deal with Iran that Democratic President Barack Obama's administration reached in 2015. But there is little they can do to change the policy as long as Republicans occupy the White House.

Lawmakers also are wary of seeming too friendly to Iran, especially given hostility to Tehran by the government of Israel. While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has worked increasingly closely with US&nbsp;Republicans, strong ties to Israel remain a top priority for both parties.

Engel was among Democrats who opposed the Iran deal, but he said Trump should work more closely with important allies, like the members of the European Union, on that and other issues. "I think what we should do is try to repair the damage with our alliances that has been done," he said.

Democrats will use their new majority in the US House of Representatives to reverse what they see as a hands-off approach by Republicans toward President Donald Trump's foreign policy, and push for tougher dealings with Russia, Saudi Arabia and North Korea.

Democrats will use their new majority in the US House of Representatives to reverse what they see as a hands-off approach by Republicans toward President Donald Trump's foreign policy, and push for tougher dealings with Russia, Saudi Arabia and North Korea. Representative Eliot Engel, the Democrat in line to head the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said they may also push for congressional authorization for the use of military force in places like Iraq and Syria. But on some hot-button areas, like China and Iran, he acknowledged there was little they could do to change the status quo. Now that they have taken control of the 435-member House of Representatives for the first time since 2011, Democrats will decide what legislation is considered in the chamber and have a bigger role in setting spending policy and writing legislation. "I don't think we should challenge something just because it's put forth by the administration, but I do think we have an obligation to review policies and do oversight," Engel told Reuters in a telephone interview. Since they must still work with a Republican-controlled Senate to pass any bills, the Democratic majority's greatest influence will be oversight, the ability to call hearings and, if necessary, subpoena witnesses, as they lead committees like Foreign Affairs as well as Armed Services and Intelligence. HOW DO THE DEMOCRATS SEE RUSSIA? Democrats plan Russia-related investigations, such as a probe of possible business ties and conflicts of interest between Trump and Russia. From a policy perspective, a Democratic-led House would push to punish Russia for interference in US elections and activities including its aggression in Ukraine and involvement in the Syrian civil war. The House would push for more sanctions, including measures targeting new Russian sovereign debt. It would also try to pressure Trump to enact all of the sanctions in a sweeping bill he reluctantly signed into law in August 2017. Members of Congress have also vowed to push harder, using subpoena power if necessary, to obtain information about Trump's summit last summer with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The White House has released few details about the meeting. "It's ludicrous that there could be such a high-level meeting between the two leaders and Congress should be in the dark about it," Engel said. He said the issue of Russia's interference in the 2016 election "hasn't been at all resolved." WILL KHASHOGGI'S KILLING INFLUENCE SAUDI TIES? The furor over the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul has added to lawmakers' frustration with Saudi Arabia over the war in Yemen and human rights. A Democratic-led House would vote on legislation to block arms deals with Riyadh, make it difficult to win congressional approval of a nuclear energy deal and consider a measure to stop US aircraft refueling and other support for the campaign in Yemen. While Engel still views Saudi Arabia as a counterweight to Iran's influence in the Middle East, he said Washington must demand more from Riyadh. "If the Saudis want our support, then they have to address some of the things that concern us," he said. DON'T DEMOCRATS WANT PEACE WITH NORTH KOREA? Democrats say they are determined to obtain more information about meetings by Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo with North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un, worried that Trump is so eager to make a "great deal" that he will give Kim too much. Engel and other Democrats plan to call administration officials to testify in public, and behind closed doors, about the status of talks. But they also will walk a fine line, because they do not want to be seen as interfering with diplomacy and efforts to prevent a nuclear war. "I think it's good to have some kind of a dialogue with them. But we shouldn't be deluded in thinking that they're going to have any major changes," Engel said. CAN DEMOCRATS CHANGE CHINA POLICY? Democratic House control is not expected to yield significant changes in China policy. Democrats will hold more hearings and demand more briefings, but criticism of Beijing has so far crossed party lines and that is not expected to change. Prominent Democrats, such as Representative Adam Schiff, who is in line to chair the House Intelligence Committee, have joined Republicans backing measures to clamp down on China, like legislation treating ZTE Corp and Huawei Technologies Co Ltd technology and phones as major cyber security threats. But Engel and others acknowledged the need for China as a partner, particularly in dealing with North Korea. "I think we need to be careful not to lash out," Engel said. Like Republicans, Democrats are divided on Trump's trade war with China. Some party members see free trade as a generator of jobs, while others back tariffs to protect workers in industries such as steel and manufacturing. CAN DEMOCRATS REVIVE THE IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL? Democrats were infuriated by Trump's withdrawal from the international nuclear deal with Iran that Democratic President Barack Obama's administration reached in 2015. But there is little they can do to change the policy as long as Republicans occupy the White House. Lawmakers also are wary of seeming too friendly to Iran, especially given hostility to Tehran by the government of Israel. While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has worked increasingly closely with US Republicans, strong ties to Israel remain a top priority for both parties. Engel was among Democrats who opposed the Iran deal, but he said Trump should work more closely with important allies, like the members of the European Union, on that and other issues. "I think what we should do is try to repair the damage with our alliances that has been done," he said.

Democrats will use House win to get tougher on Russia, Saudi Arabia & North Korea

Texas Republican Ted Cruz won re-election to a second term in the Senate, beating off Democratic challenger Beto O'Rourke in one of America's most expensive and closely watched midterm races, US news networks projected on Tuesday.

Cruz - a 47-year-old who battled President Donald Trump for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination - overcame major deficits in fundraising to ultimately defeat his charismatic rival, whose campaign electrified Democrats across the country and was backed by a galaxy of stars from Beyonce to Jim Carrey and LeBron James.

A win for O'Rourke, 46, a three-time congressman and former punk rocker whose given names are Robert Francis but who goes by Beto, would have amounted to a political earthquake in the reliably Republican "Lone Star State," but he ultimately fell short.

Cruz's campaign meanwhile was given a late boost by his former rival Trump, who belatedly stumped for the Cuban American two weeks before the vote.

During the 2016 campaign, Trump infamously insulted the looks of Cruz's wife Heidi, vaguely suggested Cruz's father had played a role in John F Kennedy's assassination and tagged him with the nickname "Lyin' Ted" - an insult used by O'Rourke.

Cruz's victory represented a significant boost for the Republican party as it looked set to retain control of the upper chamber of Congress.

Texas Republican Ted Cruz won re-election to a second term in the Senate, beating off Democratic challenger Beto O'Rourke in one of America's most expensive and closely watched midterm races, US news networks projected on Tuesday.

Texas Republican Ted Cruz won re-election to a second term in the Senate, beating off Democratic challenger Beto O'Rourke in one of America's most expensive and closely watched midterm races, US news networks projected on Tuesday. Cruz - a 47-year-old who battled President Donald Trump for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination - overcame major deficits in fundraising to ultimately defeat his charismatic rival, whose campaign electrified Democrats across the country and was backed by a galaxy of stars from Beyonce to Jim Carrey and LeBron James. A win for O'Rourke, 46, a three-time congressman and former punk rocker whose given names are Robert Francis but who goes by Beto, would have amounted to a political earthquake in the reliably Republican "Lone Star State," but he ultimately fell short. Cruz's campaign meanwhile was given a late boost by his former rival Trump, who belatedly stumped for the Cuban American two weeks before the vote. During the 2016 campaign, Trump infamously insulted the looks of Cruz's wife Heidi, vaguely suggested Cruz's father had played a role in John F Kennedy's assassination and tagged him with the nickname "Lyin' Ted" - an insult used by O'Rourke. Cruz's victory represented a significant boost for the Republican party as it looked set to retain control of the upper chamber of Congress.

Ted Cruz re-elected to Senate in Texas, beats off Beto O'Rourke

US midterm polls: Republicans to hold the Senate while Democrats make gains in House

Democrats gain in House races

US midterm polls: Republicans keep control of the Senate

Breaking News: Democrats win control of the House as Republicans take Senate

US networks projected Wednesday that the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-midterms-democrats-scent-victory-over-trumps-republicans-in-congress-175944">Democrats would take the House</a> of Representatives or Congress while Trump's Republicans would keep control of the Senate.&nbsp;

The US midterm elections — in which all 435 seats in the House of Representatives, 35 seats in the 100-member Senate, and 36 governorships&nbsp;were up for grabs — are being seen as a referendum on Trump's unconventional presidency.&nbsp;

A Democratic House would upend the current Washington power balance.

Trump has spent months ahead of the midterms deriding the Democrats as bent on destroying the US economy and allowing criminals to run riot.

But with the party leading the House, Trump would be forced to compromise more — or risk presiding over an ever more divided country. Democrats, still smarting from Trump's extraordinary upset win against Hillary Clinton in 2016, would likely use their ascendancy to exact payback.

Democratic leadership of the House's powerful investigative committees would breathe new wind into probes of Trump's opaque personal finances, Russian interference in the 2016 election, and even calls for his impeachment.&nbsp;

(With inputs from AFP)

US networks projected Wednesday that the Democrats would take the House of Representatives or Congress while Trump's Republicans would keep control of the Senate.

US networks projected Wednesday that the Democrats would take the House of Representatives or Congress while Trump's Republicans would keep control of the Senate. The US midterm elections — in which all 435 seats in the House of Representatives, 35 seats in the 100-member Senate, and 36 governorships were up for grabs — are being seen as a referendum on Trump's unconventional presidency. A Democratic House would upend the current Washington power balance. Trump has spent months ahead of the midterms deriding the Democrats as bent on destroying the US economy and allowing criminals to run riot. But with the party leading the House, Trump would be forced to compromise more — or risk presiding over an ever more divided country. Democrats, still smarting from Trump's extraordinary upset win against Hillary Clinton in 2016, would likely use their ascendancy to exact payback. Democratic leadership of the House's powerful investigative committees would breathe new wind into probes of Trump's opaque personal finances, Russian interference in the 2016 election, and even calls for his impeachment. (With inputs from AFP)

US midterms: Democrats projected to take House, Republicans to keep Senate

Democrats began to scent a big night in the US <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/big-turnout-as-america-votes-in-test-of-trump-presidency-175921">midterm elections</a> Tuesday with early results pointing to them seizing the House of Representatives from the Republicans in what would be a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/democrats-snatch-first-congress-seats-from-republicans-in-us-midterms-175929">dramatic rebuke</a> to President Donald Trump.

With polls yet to close in swaths of the country, it was still far too early to know who will control the House and Senate, which for the first two years of Trump's presidency have been held by his Republican allies.

However, initial results -- like the flipping by Jennifer Wexton of a previously solidly Republican Virginia seat in the House -- signalled that pre-election predictions of Democrats taking over the lower chamber may be confirmed.

Democrats were also heartened by heavy turnout after a bitter campaign which at Trump's own insistence was widely seen as an unofficial referendum on his polarizing presidency. From New York to California and from Missouri to Georgia there were long lines from early morning at polling stations.

Although Republicans remained forecast to keep control of the Senate, a Democratic House would upend the current Washington power balance.

Trump has spent months ahead of the midterms deriding the Democrats as bent on destroying the US economy and allowing criminals to run riot.

But with the party leading the House, Trump would be forced to compromise more -- or risk presiding over an ever more divided country. Democrats, still smarting from Trump's extraordinary upset win against Hillary Clinton in 2016, would likely use their ascendancy to exact payback.

Democratic leadership of the House's powerful investigative committees would breathe new wind into probes of Trump's opaque personal finances, Russian interference in the 2016 election, and even calls for his impeachment.

Confident Democratic leaders 
All 435 seats in the House of Representatives, 35 seats in the 100-member Senate and 36 governorships were up for grabs.

Polls indicated that Democrats have a good chance of winning the 23 seats they need to seize the House, while Republicans could slightly increase their razor-thin Senate majority of 51-49.

Pollsters, gun shy after getting their 2016 predictions wrong, urged caution. Several dozen midterm races where candidates from the two sides were barely separated will decide the day.

Even so, Democrats were confident, with Nancy Pelosi, the party's top leader in the House, saying "it's just a question of the size of the victory."

Former vice president Joe Biden, often touted as a possible Democratic candidate to take on Trump in 2020, said he'd be "dumbfounded" not to win the House.

The first polling stations closed at 6:00 pm Eastern time (2300 GMT) in parts of Kentucky and Indiana, with the last to close seven hours later in Alaska, and results trickling in through the evening.

Big turnout 
Voters often sit out the midterms. This time, they're sitting up.

According to Michael McDonald of the US Elections Project, 38.4 million Americans cast their ballots early ahead of this election, compared with 27.4 million in the 2014 midterm.

And on the streets there was a palpable buzz.

"We have already seen huge turnout, people out and about knocking on doors, making sure everybody gets out there, but I think turnout will be very, very high," Democratic candidate Katie Porter, who is running in Irvine, California, against two-term Republican incumbent Mimi Walters, told AFP.

On the other side of the country, in Atlanta, Georgia, voters waited in line for nearly two hours to cast ballots, according to local media reports.

At a polling station in Arlington, Virginia, head election officer William Harkins said "it's a very good turnout."

Trump himself noted the energy as he wrapped up a punishing schedule of rallies around the country that were intended to boost Republican candidates -- and his own brand heading towards reelection in 2020.

"The midterm elections used to be, like, boring," Trump told a crowd in Cleveland, Ohio, on Monday. "Now it's like the hottest thing."

Immigration fears 
Trump was watching the results alongside friends and family at the White House, his spokeswoman said.

The president so dominates politics across the country that despite not being on any ballot he has made the election largely about him.

Voting in Chicago, James Gerlock, 27, a Republican, said he wanted to see more of the soaring economic growth that Trump says is the fruit of his business-friendly policies.

"I am extremely happy with the economy," Gerlock said. "I just want to keep everything moving, because I'm loving it."

But Democrats have been fired up by anger at Trump's extraordinary attacks over the last few weeks against immigrants, claiming that his opponents seek to throw open the borders to "drug dealers, predators and bloodthirsty MS-13 killers."

Trump has sent soldiers to the Mexican border, threatened to have illegal immigrants shot if they throw stones at the border, and vowed to restrict citizenship rights.

Beto O'Rourke, a charismatic Democrat in a closely watched bid to dethrone Republican Senator Ted Cruz in Texas, told voters that Trump was wrong, describing his state as built from "immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees."

The result in Texas will say much about which way argument has worked best in these polarized times. Other tight Senate races are in Arizona, Florida, Indiana, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, Nevada, North Dakota, Tennessee and West Virginia.

Democrats began to scent a big night in the US midterm elections Tuesday with early results pointing to them seizing the House of Representatives from the Republicans in what would be a dramatic rebuke to President Donald Trump.

Democrats began to scent a big night in the US midterm elections Tuesday with early results pointing to them seizing the House of Representatives from the Republicans in what would be a dramatic rebuke to President Donald Trump. With polls yet to close in swaths of the country, it was still far too early to know who will control the House and Senate, which for the first two years of Trump's presidency have been held by his Republican allies. However, initial results -- like the flipping by Jennifer Wexton of a previously solidly Republican Virginia seat in the House -- signalled that pre-election predictions of Democrats taking over the lower chamber may be confirmed. Democrats were also heartened by heavy turnout after a bitter campaign which at Trump's own insistence was widely seen as an unofficial referendum on his polarizing presidency. From New York to California and from Missouri to Georgia there were long lines from early morning at polling stations. Although Republicans remained forecast to keep control of the Senate, a Democratic House would upend the current Washington power balance. Trump has spent months ahead of the midterms deriding the Democrats as bent on destroying the US economy and allowing criminals to run riot. But with the party leading the House, Trump would be forced to compromise more -- or risk presiding over an ever more divided country. Democrats, still smarting from Trump's extraordinary upset win against Hillary Clinton in 2016, would likely use their ascendancy to exact payback. Democratic leadership of the House's powerful investigative committees would breathe new wind into probes of Trump's opaque personal finances, Russian interference in the 2016 election, and even calls for his impeachment. Confident Democratic leaders All 435 seats in the House of Representatives, 35 seats in the 100-member Senate and 36 governorships were up for grabs. Polls indicated that Democrats have a good chance of winning the 23 seats they need to seize the House, while Republicans could slightly increase their razor-thin Senate majority of 51-49. Pollsters, gun shy after getting their 2016 predictions wrong, urged caution. Several dozen midterm races where candidates from the two sides were barely separated will decide the day. Even so, Democrats were confident, with Nancy Pelosi, the party's top leader in the House, saying "it's just a question of the size of the victory." Former vice president Joe Biden, often touted as a possible Democratic candidate to take on Trump in 2020, said he'd be "dumbfounded" not to win the House. The first polling stations closed at 6:00 pm Eastern time (2300 GMT) in parts of Kentucky and Indiana, with the last to close seven hours later in Alaska, and results trickling in through the evening. Big turnout Voters often sit out the midterms. This time, they're sitting up. According to Michael McDonald of the US Elections Project, 38.4 million Americans cast their ballots early ahead of this election, compared with 27.4 million in the 2014 midterm. And on the streets there was a palpable buzz. "We have already seen huge turnout, people out and about knocking on doors, making sure everybody gets out there, but I think turnout will be very, very high," Democratic candidate Katie Porter, who is running in Irvine, California, against two-term Republican incumbent Mimi Walters, told AFP. On the other side of the country, in Atlanta, Georgia, voters waited in line for nearly two hours to cast ballots, according to local media reports. At a polling station in Arlington, Virginia, head election officer William Harkins said "it's a very good turnout." Trump himself noted the energy as he wrapped up a punishing schedule of rallies around the country that were intended to boost Republican candidates -- and his own brand heading towards reelection in 2020. "The midterm elections used to be, like, boring," Trump told a crowd in Cleveland, Ohio, on Monday. "Now it's like the hottest thing." Immigration fears Trump was watching the results alongside friends and family at the White House, his spokeswoman said. The president so dominates politics across the country that despite not being on any ballot he has made the election largely about him. Voting in Chicago, James Gerlock, 27, a Republican, said he wanted to see more of the soaring economic growth that Trump says is the fruit of his business-friendly policies. "I am extremely happy with the economy," Gerlock said. "I just want to keep everything moving, because I'm loving it." But Democrats have been fired up by anger at Trump's extraordinary attacks over the last few weeks against immigrants, claiming that his opponents seek to throw open the borders to "drug dealers, predators and bloodthirsty MS-13 killers." Trump has sent soldiers to the Mexican border, threatened to have illegal immigrants shot if they throw stones at the border, and vowed to restrict citizenship rights. Beto O'Rourke, a charismatic Democrat in a closely watched bid to dethrone Republican Senator Ted Cruz in Texas, told voters that Trump was wrong, describing his state as built from "immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees." The result in Texas will say much about which way argument has worked best in these polarized times. Other tight Senate races are in Arizona, Florida, Indiana, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, Nevada, North Dakota, Tennessee and West Virginia.

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