Meet the Press Full Episode — November 1

[0:00] This Sunday, closing arguments. [0:03] No president has ever worked so hard on a midterm. [0:08] The first two years have been amazing. [0:12] The last two years can be even better. [0:15] With less than 48 hours until election day, the battle for control of Congress comes down to the final stretch. [0:22] We'll rebuke the crook President Donald Trump with such clarity and power that no president will dare such abuses again. [0:30] We're going to stand together and we are going to stand up for freedom. [0:33] This Senate seat doesn't belong to Elon Musk. [0:36] This Senate seat belongs to you. [0:38] Steve Kornacki reveals the results of the final NBC News poll before election day. [0:44] My guest this morning, Republican Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, the chair of the Senate Republicans' campaign arm, [0:52] Democratic Congressman Jamie Raskin of Maryland, and Democratic Governor J.B. Pritzker of Illinois. [0:59] Plus, spoiler alert, a new report reveals Democrats allegedly recruited a candidate with the same name as Alaska's Republican Senator Dan Sullivan. [1:10] Now, President Trump is calling for Sullivan's Democratic challenger, Mary Peltola, to be prosecuted. [1:17] And flipping out, Democratic infighting erupts in Michigan as Abdullah al-Sayed and his former primary rival, Haley Stevens, clash over Israel just days before the election. [1:31] Could the feud cost Democrats a critical Senate seat? [1:34] Joining me for insight and analysis are NBC News Chief Capitol Hill Correspondent Ryan Nobles, [1:40] Amy Walter, editor-in-chief of the Cook Political Report, former U.N. Ambassador and Republican Governor of South Carolina, Nikki Haley, [1:49] and former Democratic Congresswoman Val Demings. [1:53] Welcome to Sunday and a special edition of Meet the Press. [1:57] From NBC News in Washington, the longest running show in television history, [2:04] this is a special edition of Meet the Press with Kristen Welker. [2:07] Good Sunday morning. [2:10] With less than 48 hours until Election Day, Democrats and Republicans are fighting for control of Congress. [2:17] President Trump is heading to Iowa and Kansas today, two states with critical Senate races that could determine the balance of power in Washington. [2:26] And this morning, we have the results of our final NBC News poll before Election Day. [2:31] NBC News Chief Data Analyst Steve Kornacki is at the big board. [2:35] Steve, it all comes down to this. [2:37] Yeah, Kristen, good morning to you. [2:39] This is our final temperature check before we get those votes start coming in on Tuesday. [2:44] So weird, do things stand heading into there? [2:47] Donald Trump's approval rating. [2:48] It sits in our final pre-election poll at 40 percent approval and 60 percent on the disapproved side. [2:55] Now, remember, this is Trump's second midterm. [2:57] Back in 2018, Republicans lost control of the House. [3:01] They lost 40 seats in the House. [3:02] They actually were OK in the Senate that year. [3:04] What was his approval rating heading into that midterm in 2018? [3:07] It was higher. [3:08] It was 46 percent in our final poll then. [3:11] So by this metric, Trump is in worse shape heading into his second midterm than into his first one. [3:16] There is also this, the generic ballot. [3:18] Which party would you like to see control Congress? [3:21] The advantage there in our poll is seven points for the Democrats, 52 to 45. [3:26] That is an uptick of two points from when we last polled this around Labor Day. [3:30] And again, compare this to 2018 and 2022, the two most recent midterms. [3:35] It was dead even before the 2022 midterms. [3:38] It was a six-point edge for Republicans back in 2018. [3:42] So what are the ingredients going into these numbers here? [3:44] Overwhelmingly, it is this. [3:47] How do you feel about the current state of the economy? [3:50] Barely one quarter of voters say they're satisfied with it. [3:53] Almost three quarters say they're dissatisfied. [3:55] Again, compare this to Trump's first midterm in 2018. [3:59] I think this is why his standing in that approval rating is lower now. [4:03] Because look at this. [4:04] In 2018, the economy was his strong suit. [4:07] Nearly 70 percent of voters on the eve of that midterm were satisfied with it. [4:11] Total opposite right now. [4:13] And then there is this one, your own personal financial situation. [4:17] 49 satisfied, 51 dissatisfied. [4:20] Two notes on this. [4:21] Again, in Trump's first midterm, in the run-up to it, the number – sorry, it's not cooperating there – [4:27] but the number was much higher back then. [4:30] And this 51 percent figure that you see right here for dissatisfied, [4:34] that is the first time in over 30 years of this NBC poll [4:38] that the dissatisfaction number has been at that level, has been a majority. [4:44] And so – and the advantage here for the – sorry about this board, Kristen. [4:48] Finally got it to cooperate there. [4:50] But which party would do a better job on key issues? [4:52] This also tells the story here. [4:54] When it comes to inflation, Democrats with an advantage of a point. [4:57] That may not seem like much. [4:58] But this was like a 20-point advantage for Republicans just a couple years ago [5:03] as Trump was returning to the White House. [5:05] Same thing here on the economy. [5:06] That is a two-point advantage for Republicans. [5:08] But again, this was Trump's strong suit. [5:10] This has historically been a strong suit. [5:12] For those to even be close, that represents ground gained by Democrats. [5:17] And again, there are a number of folks who say they aren't sure [5:19] and don't favor either party on it. [5:21] But again, those are advantages there clearly that Democrats have carved out here. [5:27] Is there hope for Republicans? [5:28] The one number they would point to would simply be – and this is a difference from 2018 – [5:33] the image of the two political parties here. [5:35] Republicans are not popular, but their number overall is a party. [5:39] They're favorable, unfavorable number, about where it was in 2018. [5:42] The Democrats, though, Kristen, only 29 percent favorable right now. [5:47] That's different than 2018. [5:49] And that is one of the questions heading into Tuesday. [5:51] In 2018, the Democrats as a party, they were positioned to take votes [5:55] from voters who were dissatisfied with Trump. [5:57] Does the Democratic Party have more baggage now in a way that will prevent it [6:01] from capitalizing on all of these other numbers we're showing you? [6:04] All right. [6:05] Well, an extraordinary look at the state of play. [6:08] Steve Kornacki, always a master at the big board. [6:10] Thank you so much. [6:11] Steve will join me and the rest of the NBC News team on Tuesday, [6:15] starting at 5 p.m. and all throughout the night, [6:18] for our coverage of the midterm election results. [6:22] And joining me now is Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, [6:25] chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee. [6:29] Senator Scott, welcome back to Meet the Press in this homestretch. [6:33] Good morning, Kristen. [6:35] 48 hours ago, it's been exciting. [6:37] So far, so good. [6:38] Well, here we go. [6:40] And when I spoke to you, Senator, in August, you said you were very confident [6:45] Republicans were going to hold control of the Senate. [6:49] So how do you feel now? [6:50] 48 hours to go. [6:52] Will Republicans hold on to control of the Senate? [6:54] Well, Kristen, the answer is absolutely positively. [6:59] Unequivocally, yes, we will hold the majority in the Senate. [7:02] We are in a great position to do so. [7:04] But we are also have been gifted the most radical, dangerous, weird group of Senate candidates [7:11] we've seen on the Democrat side. [7:13] Frankly, in my lifetime, you think about Troy Jackson in Maine. [7:16] He said he would have run as a communist. [7:18] James Tallarico in Texas who says that God is non-binary. [7:22] He believes in six genders. [7:23] But most importantly, he said that white supremacy and capitalism are the same. [7:28] You go to Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan. [7:32] Here's a guy who cozies up to terrorism. [7:35] And both of his parents either supported or helped fund Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein. [7:41] We're looking at incredibly radical candidates. [7:44] I bring it home, Kristen, to South Carolina, where the Democrat candidate Annie Andrews was [7:49] with the pro-defunded police squad. [7:52] She says, let's limit the Second Amendment. [7:55] Men should play women in sports. [7:57] The Democrats, radical, dangerous, weird. [8:02] Well, and I'm going to ask you about the South Carolina race. [8:04] Annie Andrews said she's opposed to men playing in women's sports. [8:08] Of course, Abdul El-Sayed has said there are no connections between him and the groups [8:14] you're mentioning right there. [8:16] I do want to talk about South Carolina, though. [8:18] You raised Annie Andrews. [8:19] Let's talk about South Carolina, though. [8:21] This is Senator Darlene Graham, sister of the late Senator Lindsey Graham, [8:26] facing off against Democratic candidate Annie Andrews. [8:30] The Wall Street Journal writes this, quote, [8:32] Privately, some Senate Republican campaign strategists and Trump advisors have grown alarmed [8:38] about Graham's race. [8:39] Several said they believed they could have found a better candidate, but the president wanted [8:45] Graham. [8:46] Senator, do you share their alarm in South Carolina? [8:52] Well, Darlene Graham is going to win on Tuesday. [8:55] She's a very strong candidate. [8:56] She's practical, common sense, and she's focused on affordability, which I really appreciate. [9:02] Let's talk about her opponent, Annie Andrews. [9:04] All you have to do is go to annieschart.com and read for yourself what she says from amnesty, [9:12] pro-gun safety, focusing on limiting the Second Amendment, focus on her words about transgender [9:19] surgery and telling the Medical University of South Carolina to F off because she thought [9:25] they were not strong enough on transgender surgery for kids. [9:29] This is a radical person running in South Carolina. [9:33] The facts are clear. [9:35] Annie'schart.com. [9:37] Read it for yourself what she has said. [9:39] Not what I'm saying, but what she has said. [9:41] The polls are tied, though. [9:43] Do you believe Senator Darlene Graham is vulnerable on Tuesday? [9:50] She's going to win on Tuesday. [9:52] I've been traveling the state with her. [9:53] I watched the enthusiasm and the response from the crowds. [9:57] They have been fantastic. [9:59] We'll be together tomorrow, crisscrossing South Carolina. [10:03] I'm excited about the way we're finishing. [10:05] I'm excited about her continuing to be the senator. [10:08] I'm excited about the fact that in three months she had a piece of legislation signed into law [10:13] and she was the deciding vote on our AG, Todd Blanche. [10:17] All right. [10:17] Well, I want to turn to incumbent Republican Senator Dan Sullivan's race in Alaska. [10:23] The New York Times reporting the campaign of Mary Peltola. [10:26] The Democratic candidate was involved in the effort to get another man named Dan Sullivan on the ballot. [10:32] Peltola denies any involvement. [10:35] President Trump has called for prosecutions. [10:37] I know you've said that Peltola should be held accountable. [10:40] You're calling for an investigation. [10:42] If Mary Peltola wins, Senator, if the race is certified, will you accept those results? [10:50] Well, Dan Sullivan is going to win, Kristen. [10:52] You know that and that's the only thing I'm going to tell you because it's the truth. [10:55] But what I can tell you about the truth is you can't trust Mary Peltola's campaign and the collusion [11:01] between her campaign and the DSCC. [11:05] Listen, it is immoral, in my opinion, for a candidate to lie about who they are. [11:10] I think it's unethical for a candidate to lie about their opponent. [11:13] But we know that it is criminal for candidates to work in collusion with other parties to confuse voters. [11:21] And that's exactly what Decoy Dan has done in Alaska. [11:25] Let me give you three examples quickly, Kristen. [11:27] Number one, he has mimicked every single piece of the real Dan Sullivan's campaign. [11:33] The logo, the colors, the font. [11:35] Number two, he tried to change his middle initial to the exact same middle initial of the real Dan Sullivan. [11:43] And number three, Alaskan voters will hold them accountable and elect the real Dan Sullivan to be their continuing senator. [11:51] Well, and even DOJ officials have said they're not sure there's criminal activity. [11:55] That's what they're looking into. [11:57] But just to go back to my original question, Senator, if Mary Peltola wins, if the election is certified, [12:03] will you accept the results of that race? [12:08] Kristen, two things. [12:08] Number one, Dan Sullivan, the real Dan Sullivan, will win. [12:12] And number two, it actually is a federal offense to confuse voters. [12:18] That's the law. [12:19] And that's why you've seen the Department of Justice ask for, send out 30 subpoenas. [12:24] So what we're going to find out very quickly is who all was involved in this attempt to confuse the voters. [12:32] It's OK to expand the ballot, but it is not OK to confuse the voters. [12:35] Senator, you've also seen Alaska's Republican attorney general asking the federal government [12:41] to permanently drop the, quote, meritless lawsuit that seeks to block the certification of the election results. [12:48] Should these decisions be left to the states as the Constitution requires, Senator? [12:55] Well, the governor has been very clear. [12:57] He has opened an investigation as well. [13:00] I think there's no doubt that our voting rights are absolutely incredibly important in this country. [13:05] Confusing and deceiving voters, not right. [13:10] Also, if you're confusing voters, it's illegal. [13:14] All right. [13:14] Well, and again, DOJ has said they're not sure that there is anything illegal about it. [13:18] They are looking into it, though. [13:20] Let me ask you, broadly speaking, you have been on the campaign trail, [13:24] as you just laid out in the Senate battlegrounds, with President Trump. [13:28] So let me ask you, is a vote for a Republican candidate a vote for the Trump agenda? [13:34] There's no doubt that President Trump has said himself that the midterm election is about him. [13:42] He's asked for all Republican voters, frankly, independent, common-sense Americans, to vote for the Republican ticket. [13:48] Here's why. [13:49] He said when he's not on the ballot, there's about a 49.2 percent drop in enthusiasm and support. [13:56] That's why he is saying he's on the ballot. [13:58] Number two, I would tell you that his agenda, without any question, is on the ballot. [14:02] And number three, holding the Senate as a Republican majority is in the best interest of this country. [14:08] That's why I call the Senate the firewall. [14:11] America is on the ballot. [14:13] Abdul El-Sayed wants a different America than the one that made me possible. [14:18] That's why I'm asking every single viewer of this show, do your homework. [14:22] And at the conclusion of your homework, I believe you'll be voting Republican through and through. [14:29] The most radical, dangerous, weird candidates in America running as Democrats, it's this midterm election. [14:36] This is too important to skip. [14:39] All right. [14:39] Senator Tim Scott, we're going to stay in close touch from now until Election Day. [14:43] Thank you so very much for being here. [14:44] We really appreciate it. [14:47] God bless, Chris, and take care. [14:48] Bye-bye. [14:49] You too. [14:49] Take care. [14:50] Thanks for being here. [14:50] Joining me now is Democratic Congressman Jamie Raskin of Maryland. [14:54] Congressman Raskin, welcome back to Meet the Press. [14:57] I'm delighted to be with you. [14:58] Thank you so much for being here in person. [15:00] Let's start with the dramatic developments out of Michigan. [15:04] You have this last-minute intraparty fighting between Abdul El-Sayed and his challenger in the primary, Haley Stevens. [15:14] She has criticized his views on Israel. [15:18] She's upset that he hasn't disavowed an ad that he had nothing to do with that she says was anti-Semitic. [15:26] Let me ask you, could this cost Democrats the seat in Michigan? [15:30] No. [15:31] I spoke last night to Haley Stevens and I spoke to Abdul as well. [15:35] And my wonderful friend, Haley Stevens, wants me to represent to you and everybody else I talk to that she is voting straight down the line on the Democratic ticket and she's going to be celebrating with Democrats across the country when we win on Tuesday night. [15:49] And this is inside the beltway, inside baseball, imbroglio. [15:55] And so I believe that we're going to have a landslide in Michigan for lots of candidates like Cali Barr in the 1st District, like Sean McCann. [16:07] I think Michigan's going to be in great shape and the Democrats have really never been more unified or more focused because everybody understands the big picture here. [16:17] Are we going to have progress under Democratic government or are we going to have continuing corruption under authoritarian chaos with Donald Trump and all of his MAGA followers? [16:28] That's the big picture here. [16:29] Haley gets it. [16:30] Abdul gets it. [16:31] And I think what we're going to see on Tuesday night is a reflection of that. [16:35] All right. [16:35] Well, we'll watch and see how that one unfolds. [16:38] Let's turn to another race I was just discussing with Senator Tim Scott, Alaska, the developments there. [16:43] The New York Times reporting that senior aides to Mary Peltola instructed a staffer to, quote, find as many people named Dan Sullivan in Alaska as you can. [16:54] And her former campaign manager told the Times that while Peltola was not directly involved, she was, quote, [16:59] definitely aware. [17:01] Now, we should note that campaign manager has since retracted her statements. [17:06] The Times printed them anyway. [17:08] Peltola's campaign denies involvement. [17:11] Peltola herself denies involvement. [17:13] But even if such a tactic is legal, Congressman, do you think it crosses an ethical line? [17:20] I'm sure I would never do it. [17:21] It's stupid politics. [17:22] Nobody would do that. [17:23] Mary Peltola has said she had nothing to do with it. [17:26] But look, that's the law across America. [17:27] There are people who have the same name who are running in all 50 states. [17:32] That happens all over the place. [17:34] And nowhere is there a law which says if you have the same name as somebody who got on the ballot first, you can't get on the ballot. [17:41] Now, there might be a way of cleaning that up. [17:43] But I think Alaska has done that. [17:44] They identify the incumbent as the Republican incumbent. [17:48] It could not be clear. [17:49] Donald Trump says people don't know the word incumbent. [17:52] He should speak for himself because the vast majority of Americans obviously do. [17:55] Given how coordinated this effort was, though, Congressman, do you see it as an attempt to manipulate the voters of Alaska, manipulate this race? [18:03] I said it's ridiculous politics. [18:05] And I've never met anybody who would do that before. [18:09] But it does happen. [18:10] If you look at it, it's happened even in this election cycle in other places. [18:14] And we should stop it. [18:15] The problem is you can't stop anybody from running for office in America. [18:19] And you can't stop people from recruiting other people to run for office. [18:22] But Mary Peltola has said she had nothing to do with that. [18:25] She is a public official filled with integrity and purpose. [18:28] And again, big picture. [18:30] Do we want progress with the Democrats for the common good? [18:34] Or do we want the government to be an instrument of more corruption and inside dealing with the Republicans? [18:39] That's it. [18:40] All right. [18:40] Well, let me ask you. [18:41] The Democrats are offering a way out of this corrupt authoritarianism. [18:46] Well, let me ask you, because big picture, the Justice Department is involved in a growing wave of election litigation ahead of the midterms, including efforts to restrict certain mail-in ballots and challenge voter registration roles in multiple states. [19:01] A federal judge on Friday actually ordered the Trump administration not to threaten or intimidate state or local election officials. [19:08] How confident are you that these elections will be carried out fairly and accurately? [19:13] If the federal government stays out of it and lets the state government authorities actually run the elections the way that we always have, we will have free and fair elections. [19:24] The problem is, as this judge found in a very important ruling, that the Trump administration keeps trying to stick its nose into state electoral administration when it has no constitutional role there. [19:37] Only Congress could decide we're going to pass a law to allow the post office or the president to get involved in the administration of elections. [19:45] We have not passed such a law. [19:47] The president's got nothing to do with it. [19:49] So he should go off to Mar-a-Lago and let us have a Democratic election. [19:53] You know, he was talking about suspending elections, not having elections. [19:57] We had elections in the middle of the Civil War. [19:59] We had elections in the middle of World War II. [20:01] Why should we not have elections just because Donald Trump is going to get his feelings hurt when there's a landslide against him in 2026? [20:09] Very quickly, will you accept the results if Republicans win control of Congress? [20:12] Well, you know, the perfect example is 2020 and 2024. [20:16] Donald Trump tried to mount and incite a violent insurrection against the peaceful transfer of power in order to deny a presidential election. [20:25] In 2024, we accepted it. [20:27] So we accept the rule of law, and they are the ones who are constantly violating it. [20:31] This is a great opportunity for America. [20:33] We're in the fight of our lives to defend democracy and freedom, and people all across America understand that. [20:39] If Democrats take control of the House, you could become chair of the Judiciary Committee. [20:43] As you know, you've outlined an extensive agenda of investigations into the Trump administration. [20:49] President Trump has reportedly, according to The Wall Street Journal, talked about pardoning people around him. [20:54] If he follows through with sweeping preemptive pardons, would that undermine your ability to investigate the Trump administration? [21:01] How do you see that playing out? [21:03] Well, it might be an incentive towards greater lawlessness within his administration. [21:08] That's obviously what he's trying to do. [21:09] He's trying to say, go with me on my full criminal tour of the federal government, shaking down the federal government and turning every part of the executive branch into a money-making operation and a get-rich-quick scheme for him and his family. [21:24] And so he's trying to tell them, don't worry about what's going to happen to you. [21:28] First of all, those pardons apply only criminally and not civilly. [21:32] Secondly, they don't apply to state prosecutions, only to federal. [21:36] So our recommendation would be, it seems ridiculous that we have to say it, is everybody should follow the law and don't end up, certainly the lawyers should not end up where a lot of Donald Trump's lawyers, like Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell, have ended up disbarred, suspended, prosecuted in different ways for participating in his corruption. [21:56] The whole country now can see what's happening, which is why they're starting to lose, Kristen, in rural areas, you know, across the country. [22:03] Let me ask you, if Democrats do in fact win black control of the House, what do you think the number is going to look like? [22:10] What are your margins going to be? Can you give us a number? [22:12] Here's the predictions that I'm happy to make for you. Two predictions. [22:15] One, that Democrats are going to score major breakthroughs in rural areas. [22:20] Take Blake Jenda Bean in New York's 21st District. [22:22] That was a district that Elise Stefanik was winning by 15 or 20 points. [22:27] He's now ahead in the polls and is running an amazing ground game against a terrible opponent who makes rap songs about how much he loves Donald Trump. [22:35] I mean, that's basically who he's running against. [22:37] But we're seeing this all over the country. [22:38] Callie Barr in the Upper Peninsula in Michigan, a remarkable candidate, Janelle Stelzen in the 10th District of Pennsylvania. [22:45] She came within one point last time. [22:47] Do you have a number? [22:47] In New York and Harrisburg. [22:49] I would say this, the Republican margin today is three votes. [22:52] We will at least triple that margin. [22:56] We will at least triple it. [22:58] There you have. [22:58] Congressman Jamie Raskin, thank you so much. [23:00] We'll see what happens on Tuesday. [23:02] Appreciate your being here. [23:03] When we come back, Democratic Governor J.B. Pritzker of Illinois joins me next. [23:18] Welcome back. [23:19] Joining me now is the Democratic Governor of Illinois, J.B. Pritzker. [23:23] Governor Pritzker, welcome back to Meet the Press. [23:26] Good to be with you. [23:27] It's good to have you here on a big Sunday. [23:30] Let me ask you about the state of play. [23:32] How confident are you that Democrats can win back control of the Senate? [23:37] Well, the energy on the ground, not just in Illinois, but across the country, is very high. [23:45] We're seeing an overperformance of Latino voters, overperformance of young voters, of black voters. [23:51] This is good for Democrats. [23:53] And I can say that the energy is just high. [23:57] I mean, you can feel it at the rallies across the country. [24:01] And even here in Illinois, you can tell because we've got overperformance in early voting that we haven't seen, frankly, we're outperforming 2018, which is a pretty high performance year. [24:12] Well, we're talking about reliably red states like Texas, where you have a hotly contested Senate race and also gubernatorial race there. [24:21] Governor, do you think Democrats actually have a shot at winning the governor's race in Texas? [24:28] I do. [24:28] You can see that Gina Hinojosa is running a great campaign and she's running against someone that, frankly, people are tired of. [24:36] Greg Abbott has been doing terrible things for middle class and working class people in his state. [24:42] Gina Hinojosa is promising to lift them up and to stand against the policies that are brought on them by, well, Elon Musk, who's trying to buy that election for Greg Abbott. [24:53] And then look at Georgia, by the way. [24:55] Keisha Lance Bottoms is ahead by a point, I think, in the latest polls. [25:00] And it looks like she's going to do great. [25:03] They both got top of the ticket Senate candidates who are outperforming. [25:07] And then look at Kansas, Nebraska, you're even seeing Scott Colombe in Mississippi running tide. [25:15] Mississippi, for goodness sakes. [25:16] So I think that Democrats are going to do great all across the country. [25:20] Well, let's talk about Alaska. [25:21] You've heard me talk about that with my previous two guests. [25:24] Your fellow governor there is saying he might not certify the midterm election results should the Republican lose that race because there are two Dan Sullivans on the ballot. [25:34] If you were in the same position, governor, if this were happening in your state, would you certify that race? [25:42] It's important for us to recognize that that governor is being influenced by Donald Trump. [25:47] Donald Trump, of course, wants to prosecute all of his opponents. [25:52] He's threatened to jail me. [25:54] He, frankly, just brings up the law now as a weapon and uses his DOJ against Democrats across the country. [26:02] So what I can tell you is that that election will go off on Tuesday. [26:09] We will see a winner, and that winner should be certified. [26:12] We Democrats don't stand against the idea of counting all the votes. [26:16] And I can tell you that we've all seen across the country that there are people with the same name who sometimes run in races. [26:23] And there's nothing illegal about it. [26:25] And these elections are run by the states, by their election authorities. [26:28] And I believe that Mary Peltola will win and should be certified. [26:33] All right. [26:33] Well, I want to play something that you said about election integrity a few weeks ago and get your reaction on the other side. [26:40] If Democrats don't win, if they don't win in this election, we may not have other elections. [26:46] Or certainly we're going to have future elections, every single one of which will be rigged. [26:51] Are you saying that all future elections will only be fair if Democrats win? [26:55] Was that the implication there? [26:58] No. [26:58] The implication here is that Donald Trump is trying to rig these elections. [27:03] And if he's able to do so, then you are going to see Republican majorities, which just follow Donald Trump's lead no matter what he says, [27:10] making sure that Democrats really don't have a chance in so many places across the country. [27:17] It is Donald Trump that has tried to redistrict all over the country. [27:21] And we've had to push back. [27:23] Look at what happened in Texas. [27:24] Look at how California had to respond. [27:27] Indiana almost redistricted. [27:29] We threatened in Illinois that we would if they did. [27:32] You're seeing Maryland having to go do this because Missouri and other states are on the verge of doing it. [27:39] This is really troubling. [27:41] And it shouldn't be that the president of the United States or that one political party is trying to rig the elections. [27:47] That's what I'm concerned about. [27:48] So that's why everybody's got to get out and vote. [27:51] And I do see that people really are. [27:53] The early voting is just off the charts. [27:55] Let me ask you about this big debate unfolding inside the Democratic Party. [28:00] If Democrats do, in fact, win back control of Congress, the discussion over whether they would move to impeach President Trump for a third time. [28:08] Some of your fellow Illinois friends have said that they don't think it's a good idea. [28:15] Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Senator Tammy Duckworth, says it would backfire. [28:20] Do you agree with them that another impeachment would backfire against Democrats? [28:25] Well, here's what I think. [28:26] There need to be hearings because there's so much corruption. [28:30] The corruption is even at a higher level than the costs and cruelty that Donald Trump is bringing. [28:37] So hearings, not impeachment, Governor? [28:38] Hearings, not impeachment? [28:40] Well, the hearings will uncover things and then some decisions will have to get made about that. [28:46] But the American public doesn't know the extent of the corruption. [28:49] I think many of us paying very close attention do. [28:52] But the American public needs to see what the corruption is so that the Congress can pass laws and possibly even an amendment to the Constitution that limits the, well, I would just call it the massive, massive profiteering that the president of the United States is able to do and is doing now with his family and his close friends. [29:11] Well, let me ask you, Governor, because you are in your own race for reelection there in Illinois. [29:17] If you win on Tuesday, you're going to serve out your full term. [29:23] Yeah, my focus is on what's best for the people of Illinois. [29:26] I'm running for reelection here because we've made a lot of progress, but there's still more progress to go. [29:31] And so that's what I'm focused on. [29:33] And of course, 2028 looming large. [29:36] You think you're going to run for president? [29:37] Are you considering it? [29:38] What I can say is that because that election is so important, I'm going to work my tail off to make sure that we have a Democrat who will win and make sure that that Democrat does, in fact, win. [29:52] And I've done that in every presidential election really since I was an adult and able to vote. [29:57] So I'll continue on that path. [30:00] And I'm excited about the prospects, though, of the election that's just two days from now when I believe that Democrats will take the House and the Senate. [30:09] All right, Governor, I don't hear you ruling it out. [30:11] Not ruling it out. [30:12] Fair to say. [30:13] Again, it's all about what's best for the people of Illinois, and that's why I'm running for reelection as governor. [30:19] All right, Governor, thank you so much for joining us. [30:22] Governor Pritzker, really appreciate it. [30:24] When we come back, could a scheme to confuse voters in Alaska tip control of the Senate? [30:29] Our special political panel is next. [30:32] Stay with us. [30:37] Welcome back. [30:38] The panel is here. [30:38] NBC News Chief Capitol Hill Correspondent Ryan Nobles. [30:41] Amy Walter, Editor-in-Chief of the Cook Political Report. [30:45] Former Democratic Congresswoman Val Demings of Florida. [30:49] And Nikki Haley, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. [30:53] Welcome to all of you. [30:54] Thank you so much, Ambassador Haley, your first time being on the panel. [30:57] Welcome. [30:57] We appreciate it. [30:59] Ryan, let me start with you. [31:00] What are your sources telling you about the state of play? [31:03] 48 hours to go. [31:04] Kristen, I think all the metrics tell us that it should be a good night for Democrats, [31:07] whether it's the president's approval rating, the generic ballot, the individual polling [31:11] in individual states, the price of gas. [31:13] These are all things that, when viewed in a vacuum, would tell you that Democrats should [31:17] have a big night. [31:18] But this is a unique election cycle. [31:21] And I think there are three reasons that Republicans at least have some level of optimism [31:25] that there could be a surprise on election night. [31:27] The first being that they engaged in this mid-decade redistricting, which changes the conversation [31:32] in many of these House districts that should have been safe Democratic seats and are now [31:36] open for play. [31:37] The other thing is that Republicans have a massive fundraising advantage. [31:40] They're spending a lot more money in many of these states and districts than Democrats [31:44] are. [31:45] And then the last thing, and I think the most important characteristic that we should pay [31:49] attention to on Tuesday night, is just how polarized is this country right now? [31:53] There are many Americans right now that have retreated to their bases. [31:57] They're either Republican or Democrat. [31:59] So even if they're unhappy with their party, that may not be enough for them to cross over [32:04] and vote Democrat. [32:05] And I think that's the one thing Republicans are hoping holds, that their base holds for [32:09] them on Tuesday night. [32:09] And that's why we've seen Trump out on the campaign trail. [32:11] You feel that on the ground in these states, Amy Walter. [32:14] You and the Cook Political Report have moved dozens of races in Democrats' direction in recent [32:20] weeks. [32:21] What does that say about what you are going to be watching for on Tuesday? [32:25] Yeah, the question, much like Ryan pointed out, is whether it's going to be a good [32:28] night for Democrats or a historic night for Democrats? [32:31] So our range of projections in the House is anywhere from Democrats gaining 12 seats up [32:37] to more than 20 seats. [32:38] If they hit 235 seats, if that's their majority in 2027, that would be historic. [32:44] We haven't seen Democrats with that kind of a majority since 2009. [32:49] In the Senate, you just can't overemphasize the challenging map that Democrats are going [32:56] after, regardless of all the things that Ryan pointed out about the president's approval [33:00] rating, the price of gas. [33:02] We haven't seen, I went back for the last 35 years, there hasn't been an election where [33:08] a party that's out of power flipped two Senate seats that the president had carried by double [33:16] digits the year before. [33:17] So that would be historic. [33:19] But this is exactly right. [33:20] Whether this is historic or good is going to come down to those disillusioned, disappointed [33:25] Republicans. [33:25] I thought it was telling that Senator Scott came in. [33:28] His closing message wasn't, send Republicans because we're going to help you with the price [33:33] of gas. [33:33] Send Republicans because we're going to make the economy a little bit better. [33:38] It's send Republicans because Democrats, I think, what did he say? [33:42] They're crazy, they're dangerous, they're dangerous, but that's a message to those partisans. [33:47] Show up even though you're angry at the president because keeping control of the Senate is more [33:52] important. [33:53] Well, Ambassador Haley, one of the places he was talking about was your home state as [33:56] well, South Carolina and the race down there. [33:59] And I've been talking to my Republican sources and they say they're stunned by just how close [34:04] this race actually is. [34:06] What are you feeling and seeing on the ground? [34:08] Well, the first thing I'll say is, you know, if you go back to Lindsey Graham's last race, [34:12] you know, Jamie Harrison raised $57 million in a quarter. [34:15] Everybody said he was going to win. [34:16] They were basically saying that Lindsey was losing it and he won by nine. [34:20] South Carolina is a red state. [34:23] They very much care about low taxes. [34:25] They very much care about being pro-business. [34:27] They very much care about the Second Amendment. [34:29] And so what you have is you have Darlene Graham that is not an experienced candidate, but they [34:35] know she cares about affordability. [34:37] They know that she's going to fight and be a conservative. [34:39] They know she's going to vote the right way as opposed to an Annie Andrews who's run before [34:43] and lost in the first congressional district and has said she is for transgender surgeries [34:50] for minors. [34:50] She has said that she is upset with police having guns. [34:55] All of these things that she said, she's walking it back, but people remember. [35:01] And so I think that at the end of the day, South Carolina is going to bring it home. [35:05] We're a red state. [35:06] We want to stay a red state. [35:08] And I think that that's what's going to happen. [35:09] Congressman Demings, how do you see it? [35:11] Well, let me say this, Amy, whether it's a good night or historic night, we'll take it. [35:18] And, you know, I hear what Ambassador Haley has said, but let me just say this. [35:22] These are not usual times. [35:24] These are unusual times for all the reasons that Ryan laid out. [35:28] Well, South Carolina may be red, but people are still paying too much for gas, too much [35:34] for grocers. [35:35] They're worried about their health care. [35:37] They're worried about their children's future. [35:39] The difference is whether you're Republican, Democrat, independent or no party affiliation, [35:43] everybody's feeling it right now. [35:46] And the voters want somebody who hear them, see them and cares about their issues. [35:51] Look, I think it's admirable that Darlene Graham wanted to step in in her brother's shoes. [35:56] But the bottom line, the bottom line is whether you're dealing with issues that people care [36:02] about or your national security is really not your thing. [36:07] I believe the Times will dictate who's the next senator from South Carolina. [36:11] And I believe that Dr. Andrews will be that senator. [36:14] I think that Americans, if they feel like Republicans have not done enough, they have not forgotten [36:19] what the open borders were like. [36:21] They have not overlooked the fact that you've got these socialist candidates coming in that, [36:27] you know, not too long ago we were talking about DEI and girls and boys sports. [36:31] They still remember who they are. [36:33] So, you know, everybody remembers Joe Biden. [36:36] And I think they're going to be focused on whether there's a Democrat Congress. [36:39] Yeah. [36:39] And this is what's fascinating. [36:40] And Steve Kornacki pointed this out, that unlike 2018, the Democrats approval ratings as [36:45] a party much lower. [36:46] The difference in these Senate races, and this has been the remarkable thing in places [36:50] like Texas, think of the millions and millions of dollars that have been spent in advertising, [36:55] much of it against James Tallarico, the Democrat. [36:58] His favorable ratings are positive. [37:01] They're about 20 points higher than the Democratic approval rating in that state. [37:07] So the individual Democrats in some of those states, that's why it's close, is that they've [37:11] come above, they've raised up above the national image, which is pretty toxic in these red states [37:17] for Democrats. [37:19] Republicans, even in those red states, are as unpopular as Donald Trump. [37:24] So Trump is more of an anvil in those states than the Democratic party. [37:28] But remember, too, Republicans don't poll. [37:30] Like, they typically don't like responding to polls. [37:33] So when you look at these numbers, like, they've done this before. [37:37] They said Lindsey Graham was going to lose. [37:38] They said Joni Ernst was going to lose. [37:40] They said that, you know, in Maine, Susan Collins was going to lose, and she, you know, won [37:44] by a lot. [37:45] So we've been through this before. [37:47] All right, guys, hold there. [37:49] Pause. [37:49] We've got more panel coming up. [37:50] We've got more panel. [37:51] Don't go anywhere. [37:52] But when we come back, some bold midterm predictions don't always pan out. [37:56] Armita Press Minute is next. [38:06] Welcome back. [38:06] Midterm elections have historically been tough on the president's party. [38:11] In 2006, Republicans lost control of both the House and Senate amid growing opposition [38:17] to the Iraq War and President George W. Bush's falling approval ratings. [38:21] But just two months before that election, Vice President Dick Cheney was so confident [38:27] Republicans would hold both chambers, he offered to bet Tim Russert dinner. [38:33] What happens if the Democrats win the House of Representatives? [38:37] What do you expect? [38:38] I don't think it'll happen. [38:41] I don't expect that Nancy Pelosi will be speaker. [38:46] I think we're doing very well out there. [38:48] I feel better about the election now that I did three months ago. [38:50] But do you fear serious oversight of the Bush administration? [38:52] We've had oversight all along, Tim. [38:54] With robust congressional hearings? [38:56] We've had oversight all along. [39:00] With robust congressional hearings? [39:02] With robust congressional hearings? [39:04] Like the Democrats would have? [39:05] On what? [39:06] On the war in Iraq, on weapons of mass destruction. [39:09] We have those all the time now anyway. [39:11] No fears? [39:12] No. [39:12] No concerns? [39:13] No. [39:13] Not on that part. [39:14] And you're fully confident you'll maintain control of both houses? [39:17] I think we will. [39:17] I really do. [39:18] I've spent a lot of time on it. [39:19] I've done 91 campaigns myself this cycle since the last fall. [39:24] I'm on the road a lot. [39:25] I've seen our candidates. [39:26] I've seen how they're handling the issues. [39:27] We've generated the resources we need to be able to have a good, hard-fought competition. [39:36] If I had to bet today, I'd bet that, well, I even bet you a dinner that we hold both houses. [39:42] I don't bet. [39:44] Great moment. [39:45] When we come back, bitter attacks and divisive rhetoric. [39:48] What lessons will both parties take from the campaign trail? [39:52] More with our political panel next. [39:58] Welcome back. [39:59] The panel is still here. [40:00] Amy Walter, let's talk about Alaska, the fact that there are two Dan Sullivans on the [40:06] ballot, this revelation that the Peltola campaign was behind it, the Peltola campaign [40:11] denies that. [40:13] What are you watching for? [40:15] Could the Senate come down to Alaska? [40:17] It absolutely could come down to Alaska. [40:19] This is already a very, very close race. [40:21] And remember, if the election is very, very close, we've been talking about this idea about [40:28] whether the race will be certified or not, but you could also see a situation where we're [40:33] getting down to lawsuits, right? [40:36] We're getting down to recounts. [40:37] Already there is a 15-day window where the state of Alaska can count absentee ballots that [40:45] have been mailed on Election Day. [40:46] So if it's close, we know we already probably have a two-week window before we know maybe [40:51] who's ahead. [40:52] And then we have ranked choice voting if nobody gets 50 percent of the vote. [40:55] Just as a reminder, we've been here before where we've had very close races that went [41:00] to recounts. [41:01] There was litigation in Minnesota in 2008. [41:05] Then, before he was a senator, Al Franken was ahead by just a handful of votes. [41:13] The litigation and the recounts continued all the way in 2009. [41:16] He wasn't seated until the summer of 2009. [41:19] The summer, Ryan. [41:20] Just imagine covering Congress with that. [41:24] Get comfortable. [41:25] But I think the thing about Alaska is I think the controversy itself, we shouldn't understate [41:29] that it could have an impact on the race just because the volume of votes, right? [41:32] I think at the end of the day, we're only expecting somewhere in the range of 300,000 [41:36] people voting in Alaska. [41:37] And I don't think there are too many Alaskans that are confused by the two Dans. [41:41] In fact, you know, our reporters kind of roll their eyes when they suggest that they might [41:47] be confused. [41:47] I think the question is, will Alaska voters penalize Mary Patola for the perception that [41:52] she might be lying? [41:53] That's a question we don't have an answer to. [41:54] Well, what say you about that? [41:55] Well, I say that Alaska knows Mary Patola and she knows Alaska. [42:01] They trust her. [42:01] They believe in her based on the work that she's done on the ground. [42:04] Look, the bottom line is Alaskans are not confused about this race. [42:08] I think the state Supreme Court has taken every step to make sure that the voters clearly [42:13] understand who they're voting for. [42:15] This is yet another attempt by the administration to abuse their power and authority. [42:22] As a former police chief, you want to bring a thorough or legitimate investigation, you [42:26] got to have two things. [42:28] You've got to have jurisdiction and you got to have elements of a violation of law. [42:32] They don't have either. [42:33] Ambassador Haley, what about that argument? [42:35] It's amazing to me that even the speakers you had before want to talk like this random [42:40] Dan Sullivan just happened to come and do this and there's nothing wrong with it. [42:44] This is deceptive. [42:46] This was corrupt. [42:47] There's no question about it. [42:49] Alaskans will take notice of that. [42:50] If you can't win on your own merits and you've got to go and do something to the ballot, it's [42:56] dirty politics. [42:57] I don't know if it's illegal or not, but it's dirty politics. [42:59] That's the question. [43:00] And I think Alaskans are going to are going to judge her for that. [43:03] I think she's going to pay a price. [43:04] The Department of Justice has been investigating this since over the summer. [43:07] Julia Ainsley broke that story. [43:09] If there was actually a crime, the idea that this Department of Justice would be holding [43:14] back on that, especially at this stage of the game, I think is a bit eye-raising. [43:18] But to the ambassador's point, it's not necessarily about legality. [43:22] It's about ethics and whether or not Alaska voters will penalize Mary Paltola as a result. [43:26] Ambassador Haley, let me ask you about the other big development we got this weekend [43:29] on Michigan. [43:30] This Democratic invite, I'm talking to Republicans. [43:33] They say this is a gift, the fact that you have Abdul Al-Sayed feuding with Haley Stevens. [43:40] How do you see it? [43:41] Because, boy, polls do show that he has a narrow lead. [43:45] I am shocked that you have Chuck Schumer putting millions going and fighting for Al-Sayed, [43:52] who this is a person who rallied and stood beside someone who said that America deserved 9-11. [43:57] He's a socialist. [43:58] He says he can't tell which is more dangerous, Iran or Israel. [44:02] That is amazing. [44:04] If that's the direction the Democrat Party is going, then God help us all. [44:08] And I think that this election is so much bigger than Michigan. [44:12] This will really tell you that should Democrats win in Congress, that this is who you want [44:17] to represent you. [44:19] And so I think this infighting in the Democrat Party is more fascinating. [44:23] You've got here a pro-law enforcement guy in Mike Rogers who's tried to save our country [44:28] with a guy who clearly has a problem with our country. [44:32] And so I think that Michigan's got a real decision to make. [44:35] When Haley Stevens lost the primary by one point, she immediately endorsed Abdul-Sayed. [44:41] Not only did she endorse him, but Governor Rittner endorsed him. [44:45] Congressman Jim Clyburn, who will be campaigning with him this weekend, endorsed him. [44:49] She urged her supporters to endorse him. [44:51] The fact that she made a suggestion to him to pull an ad down, defining Israel or talking [44:58] about Israel, she gave him some advice. [45:01] He didn't take it. [45:02] They need to stay focused on winning, affordability, the cost of health care, those issues that [45:07] Michiganders really care about. [45:09] But it's not worth putting an anti-Semite in office. [45:11] Like the Democrats, really, this is who you want to represent you? [45:15] I think this is very telling. [45:17] And everybody going and endorsing him and saying it's okay. [45:20] And no one talking about bringing that ad down where he goes and blames Jews and Israel [45:24] for the fact that groceries are high is an absurd. [45:27] That's not his ad. [45:28] We should note that's an ad from a super PAC. [45:31] When Republicans are desperate, and they are, because Democrats are positioned to win [45:38] in some places they shouldn't win, like Kansas. [45:40] When they're desperate, they start with a name calling. [45:43] People want you to reduce the cost of gas and groceries. [45:45] But the problem, Kristen, is this is not what Democrats want to be talking about. [45:49] You know, 48 hours before Election Day, and the fact that they're not all singing from [45:53] the same hymnal at this stage in a state they have to win could be a problem for them, [45:56] especially in a race that's so tight. [45:58] Well, and this fight is not going to end with this election. [46:00] The debate within the Democratic Party, between that wing of the party and the more sort of [46:05] what we call center left of the party, is going to be at center, both in Congress in 2027, [46:13] and the center of the 2028 fight for the nomination. [46:16] But Amy, could it make a difference in this late stage? [46:19] I think that, well, I think that if this were a different year, if this were a more problematic [46:26] year, the environment was worse for Democrats this year? [46:30] Yes, I think it could. [46:32] But I think at this stage, the environment is strong enough to overcome it. [46:37] All right. [46:37] All right, guys. [46:38] Thank you very much for a great conversation. [46:41] 48 hours to go. [46:42] Really appreciate your all being here. [46:44] Remember to join me, Ryan, and the rest of the NBC News team on Tuesday, starting at 5 p.m. [46:50] and all through the night for our special coverage of the midterm election results. [46:55] That is all for today. [46:56] Thank you so much for watching this very special edition of Meet the Press. [47:00] We'll be back next week, because if it's Sunday, it's Meet the Press.