Most voters describe @JohnFetterman as saying what he really believes, more so than they describe @DrOz doing so. A big majority describe Oz as just saying what he thinks voters want to hear.
MORE BAD NEWS FOR OZ: 2/3rds don't think he's lived in PA long enough to understand its issues. Oz trails Fetterman on having "the right experience," and on personal favorability ratings. Most Oz supporters say they back him mainly to oppose Fetterman, not because they like Oz.
AND WHAT ABOUT FETTERMAN’S HEALTH? Most voters think @JohnFetterman is well enough to serve despite his stroke. (Even nearly four in 10 Republicans say he is.)
ANY BUYER’S REMORSE? In PA, Democrats express more satisfaction about nominating @JohnFetterman than Republicans do about nominating @DrOz. (Also true for candidates in governor's race.) Non-MAGA Republicans are more disappointed about Oz as their nominee than MAGA Republicans.
ENTHUSIASM GAP? @JohnFetterman's backers are more enthusiastic about him than @DrOz's supporters are about the doctor.
ON THE ISSUES… It’s the economy and inflation first. 8 in 10 PA voters say higher prices have been difficult or a hardship. Lower-income folks especially hard-hit. @drOz does better among those independents who describe price increases as difficulty or hardship.
ON ABORTION… It’s helping @JohnFetterman. For his base, it’s more important than the economy. He leads among all who say it's very important, both men and women. Most D’s say overturning Roe v. Wade makes them more likely to vote this year. (It makes no difference to most R’s.)
ALL POLITICS IS… NATIONAL?! By 3 to 1, Pennsylvanians tell @cbsnewspoll that national issues and the direction of the country are more important to them than local issues when it comes to the Senate election. Fitting, perhaps, as all eyes of the nation are on the state.
SO THEN HOW DO TRUMP AND BIDEN FACTOR IN? Pennsylvania D’s say their vote for Senate is as much to oppose Trump as it is to support @POTUS Biden. Most Pennsylvania R’s are motivated to oppose Biden. But a sizable 4 in 10 Republicans say their Senate vote is also to support Trump.
MOST VOTERS TO CANDIDATES: DENY DENIALISM: Only a third of Pennsylvania Republicans — and just under a fifth of its voters — want elected officials in the state to claim @POTUS Biden did not win the 2020 election.
THE PENNSYLVANIA GOVERNOR’S RACE: Of the 4 major-party candidates running for Senate & governor, @JoshShapiroPA has highest personally favorable ratings of all. That, combined with strong support from women, has him up 11 points on Republican @SenMastriano.
Shapiro has a wide lead among voters who say abortion should be legal in Pennsylvania. And there may be some "buyer's remorse" lingering from the primaries about Mastriano from Republicans, as 4 in 10 wish their party had nominated a different candidate.
LOCAL ISSUES OF CONCERN: Crime, gun violence, and drug and opioid addiction seen by most as problems in their area of PA. Republicans add in that illegal immigration is a problem in their area.
FROM NEW @CBSNewsPoll: an increased number of voters, including many Democrats, don't think @JoeBiden should be running for president at all. Nearly half his party doesn't think he should now be the nominee. cbsnews.com/news/poll-deba…
Look how the number changed in a month and a half…
Notably, @realDonaldTrump’s cognitive health also doubted by about half the country…
NEW FROM @cbsnewspoll: The economy's long, hot, and uncertain summer … and tough news for @POTUS Biden on how he’s handling it https://t.co/HHWdbrIT90cbsnews.com/news/economy-o…
Have you heard about “Bidenomics?” Not many have, and if they have, it’s not necessarily for reasons the White House would want: “Higher Inflation” “Tax Increases” lead infrastructure and job creation.
BIDEN APPROVAL: @POTUS slips to 40% overall, his worst from @CBSNewsPoll. On the economy, barely a third approve of his handling.
What do Americans want to hear about? The economy and inflation. Lowering the latter is a high priority for so many. Immigration is especially important to Republicans who plan to watch, Democrats are more interested in hearing about addressing racism and climate change.
Democrats are far more likely to say they'll watch the #StateOfTheUnionAddress. Most who say they're very likely to watch already approve of his job performance.
JUST IN: The private home of the President of the United States was searched by the Justice Department on Friday, according to @POTUS Biden’s personal attorney. DOJ“took possession of materials it deemed within the scope of its inquiry.”
Here’s the full statement from Bob Bauer, noting that DOJ “took possession of materials it deemed within the scope of its inquiry, including six items consisting of documents with classification markings and surrounding materials.”
A separate statement from the White House Counsel’s Office notes “Neither the President nor the First Lady were present during the search. The President’s lawyers and White House Counsel’s Office will continue to cooperate with DOJ and the Special Counsel…”
NEW: The consumer price index climbed 0.4% for the month. For the year, inflation was up 8.2% in September, down from the June peak of 9% but still on par with high peaks not seen since the 1980s.
ALSO NEW: Amid increasing prices, @SocialSecurity announces an 8.7% increase in benefits payments next year. That's expected to increase monthly checks by an average of about $150 per month. Notable: Biggest increase ever experienced by baby boomer seniors.
WATCH: @SocialSecurity payments jumping big time next year amid ongoing inflation.
Kelly enjoys wide lead among voters who say abortion very important, but that advantage countered somewhat by voters who emphasize immigration. Immigration is 3rd “very important” issue. Among voters saying immigration very important, Masters leads big, helping keep race close.
In the wake of a judge reinstating a law that bans virtually all abortons in AZ, most voters would have abortion be legal in all or most cases; majorities would not criminalize it.
Women, more so than men, say an illegal abortion should not result in a criminal penalty.