Poll: Working class voters are still up for grabs

New results from The POLITICO Poll show a 37 percent plurality of Americans say Democrats best represent the interests of the working class, while 30 percent say Republicans.

Republicans and Democrats are fighting over working class voters. Americans don’t believe the rhetoric.

Fifty-five percent of Americans think politicians are just trying to win votes when they say they will help the working class, according to new results from The POLITICO Poll. It’s a view held by majorities of people who voted for President Donald Trump, who voted for Kamala Harris and who self-identify as working class.

Only one in four Americans who self-identify as working-class say politicians genuinely want to help them.

Democratic Ads Exaggerate GOP Law’s Impact on Medicare

Democratic ads in multiple congressional races are accusing Republican candidates of “gutting Medicare,” voting for “huge cuts to Medicare” and “cheering on Trump’s attack on Medicare.” Several ads cite President Donald Trump’s major domestic policy law, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. But the law’s changes to Medicare are narrow in scope and affect relatively few beneficiaries.

The law could have triggered much larger cuts to Medicare, under a 2010 law that requires automatic spending reductions whenever Congress passes legislation that results in higher deficits. But Congress subsequently waived those cuts — as lawmakers of both parties have done regularly in the past. 

Recent Democratic attack ads, however, misleadingly frame the OBBBA or Republican policies as a major assault on Medicare.

Rep. Derrick Van Orden, a Wisconsin Republican, was “the deciding vote to gut Medicare,” claims an ad from House Majority PAC, a group working to elect Democrats to Congress. An ad aired by his Democratic challenger, Rebecca Cooke, and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee similarly says he “voted to make huge cuts to Medicare and Medicaid.”

Rep. Marcy Kaptur, a Democrat running for reelection in northwestern Ohio, is airing an ad that claims her Republican challenger, Derek Merrin, will “cut your Medicare.”

The Wisconsin and Ohio ads both cite the OBBBA. 

Alaska Ad Criticizing Sullivan’s Votes Leaves Out Context, Makes False Suggestion

An ad from a Democratic-aligned super PAC claims Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan “voted to raise Alaskans’ healthcare costs by $1,800 and on that same day voted to give himself a $500,000 taxpayer-funded payout.” But that’s not the whole story, and the ad leaves the false impression that Sullivan received that money.

The words shown on the screen suggest the senator cashed in on the “taxpayer-funded payout.” He didn’t. Viewers see the words “gave himself a $500,000 payout,” and at the end of the ad, “Dan Sullivan cashing in while Alaskans pay the price.”

Here’s the context missing from the healthcare claim: Sullivan voted in favor of a compromise bill to end a government shutdown in November 2025. The bill did not include an extension of enhanced federal Affordable Care Act subsidies — as many Democrats argued it should have. But the following month, Sullivan was one of four Republicans who voted in favor of a failed bill proposed by Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer to extend the ACA subsidies. Just 3.2% of Alaskans are enrolled in ACA insurance plans, so the expiration of the subsidies affected a small percentage of the state’s population.

The claim that Sullivan “voted to give himself a $500,000 taxpayer-funded payout” refers to the bill’s inclusion of a provision that allowed eight Republican senators — including Sullivan — to seek damages from the federal government related to phone data obtained on them during the special counsel investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Sullivan later said he only learned of the provision’s inclusion when reading the bill just prior to his vote. He vowed that he would not sue the government in pursuit of a payout and said he supported the House repealing that provision, which is what ultimately happened.

Trump Officials Mislead About Electrical Grid Reliability

In partially repealing a Biden-era regulation that limited carbon emissions from power plants, Trump administration officials have misleadingly cast the prior administration’s policy as a threat to grid reliability. Experts say that’s unfounded.

The administration has also emphasized that repealing much of the rule, along with other Trump policies, will save Americans money. There will likely be a small reduction in electricity prices as a result of the rollback, but other Trump energy policies are expected to increase prices.

“The overbearing and often-unlawful rules that were sought by prior administrations to destroy reliable baseload power made energy prices skyrocket and threatened many communities and states throughout our country,” Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin said at a Sept. 14 event in Houston announcing the revocation of the power plant regulations.

“American families must always have the ability to heat their homes in the winter, and cool them in the summer,” Zeldin posted on X two days later. “Under the Obama and Biden Admins, their suffocating power plant regulations purposefully targeted for extinction reliable, durable, and affordable baseload power.”

'TELL IT LIKE IT IS': Republican Ads Distort the Facts in Claiming Democratic Support for ‘Sex Changes’ for Kids

In several congressional races, Republican ads are claiming that Democratic candidates support “sex changes” for children or support taxpayer money being used for such surgeries. But the allegations of support for those claims are flawed.

Some of the ads cite politicians’ votes against measures that went beyond prohibiting surgeries. Also, it’s worth noting that gender-affirming surgeries typically take place after age 18, according to experts and studies on the prevalence of gender-affirming care, as we’ve reported before.

Republican politicians and outside groups are spending millions on TV, streaming and digital ads pushing these claims. Our search of AdImpact’s ad-tracking database identified more than $100 million in spending on more than 200 ads since Aug. 1 that contain the words “sex change.” In federal Senate races alone, the spending totaled more than $77 million.

We’ll look at ads in three toss-up Senate races:

• In Ohio, ads from the Senate Leadership Fund, a super PAC connected to the Republican Senate majority leader, say that Democrat Sherrod Brown “supports sex changes for minors,” citing a 2023 TV interview in which Brown said that “a child’s health care decisions are between them, their parents, their families, their doctors — not politicians.” One ad, featuring a woman who is suing her medical providers in Texas, leaves the false impression that she had surgery as a minor without her parents’ consent.
• In Texas, ads from an SLF-associated group, Texas PAC, say that Democrat James Talarico “supported using taxpayer dollars for sex change surgeries on young children.” The ads cite his vote against state legislation that went beyond that, broadly prohibiting gender-affirming care for kids. Talarico, a state representative, voted for an amendment that would have restricted the bill to banning surgeries.
• In Alaska, ads from No Going Back PAC Inc., which is linked to the MAGA Inc. super PAC, claim that Democrat Mary Peltola “voted against prohibiting taxpayer funded sex changes for minors,” citing her votes on amendments that pertained to gender-affirming medications or surgeries. In another vote cited by the PAC, Peltola, a former U.S. representative, voted against a defense spending bill because of an amendment that would have limited abortion access for military personnel.

These ads are a continuation of Republican messaging during the 2024 presidential campaign and reflect President Donald Trump’s repeated claims that Democrats want “transgender for everybody.” Some of the messages being pushed in the midterms suggest that surgeries are performed on children, even young children, without parental consent. “The law generally requires the consent of a parent before medical care can be provided to a minor,” according to the National Center for Youth Law. There are exceptions, such as state laws allowing minors to consent to emergency care and care for certain services, including abortion, contraception and substance use care.

Oklahoma Sweeps No. 9 Texas for Second Straight Ranked Victory

Alyssa Flack records career-high 19 kills as Sooners defeat rival Longhorns in straight sets, securing back-to-back wins over ranked opponents for the first time since 2009.

NORMAN, Okla. | Alyssa Flack delivered a career-high 19 kills as Oklahoma continued its impressive run through Southeastern Conference competition Sunday, sweeping No. 9 Texas 25-23, 25-18, 30-28 before 2,280 fans at McCasland Field House.

The Sooners (10-4, 3-2 SEC) earned their second consecutive victory over a top-15 opponent, just four days after defeating defending national champion No. 12 Texas A&M in five sets.

Oklahoma's back-to-back ranked victories marked the program's first since 2009 and its first in consecutive home matches. The Sooners also recorded their first sweep of a ranked opponent since defeating No. 2 Texas in 2014.

Flack committed just two attacking errors on 43 attempts, hitting .395 to lead an Oklahoma offense that finished with a .318 hitting percentage. Tekoa Barnes added 14 kills while hitting .323, and Alaleh Tolliver contributed nine.

Texas (8-6, 4-2) struggled to contain Oklahoma's balanced attack, finishing with a .245 hitting percentage despite pushing the Sooners to the limit in the opening and final sets.

Oklahoma Knocks off No. 1 Texas 27-24 on Last-Second Field Goal in Red River Rivalry

Tate Sandell drills a 47-yard game-winner as Sooners erase 10-point halftime deficit, score in all three phases and hand top-ranked Longhorns their first loss.

DALLAS | Tate Sandell kicked a 47-yard field goal as time expired, lifting Oklahoma to a dramatic 27-24 victory over No. 1 Texas on Saturday in the 122nd Red River Rivalry at the Cotton Bowl.

The Sooners (3-2, 1-1 Southeastern Conference) overcame a 10-point halftime deficit and scored touchdowns on offense, defense and special teams to defeat a top-ranked opponent for the first time since beating Missouri 38-17 in 2007.

Oklahoma's defense forced two second-half interceptions of Texas quarterback Arch Manning, including a crucial takeaway by Courtland Guillory that set up the winning drive before a capacity crowd of 92,100.

Quarterback John Mateer connected with Isaiah Sategna III for gains of 13 and 20 yards along the Texas sideline, moving Oklahoma into field-goal range with nine seconds remaining. Both completions survived replay reviews.

After Mateer positioned the ball on the left hash and Oklahoma called timeout with three seconds left, Sandell delivered the game-winner, securing the second walk-off field goal victory in program history.

The dramatic finish capped a fourth-quarter comeback that saw Oklahoma erase a 17-10 deficit.

Lloyd Avant tied the game on a 2-yard touchdown run just 12 seconds into the final quarter. Moments later, Peyton Bowen intercepted an overthrown pass from Manning and returned it 42 yards for a touchdown, giving the Sooners their first lead at 24-17 with 10:07 remaining.

Morgan Gaerte Powers Kentucky Volleyball Past LSU in Straight-Set Victory

Junior opposite hitter delivers 15 kills and a .500 hitting percentage as Wildcats sweep LSU, highlighting her return to form following an eye injury.

LEXINGTON, Ky. | Morgan Gaerte delivered one of her most efficient performances of the season Friday night, recording 15 kills and hitting .500 as Kentucky swept LSU at Historic Memorial Coliseum.

The junior opposite hitter committed just two errors on 26 attacks while adding eight digs and four block assists, providing a spark for the Wildcats after an eye injury interrupted her season.

Gaerte, who transferred from Notre Dame during the offseason, has been adjusting to a new position after previously playing outside hitter. Her transition gained momentum in September when she recorded 20 kills against nationally ranked Louisville and followed with a season-high 21 against previously unbeaten Vanderbilt.

An injury sustained during practice before Kentucky's matchup with then-No. 7 Texas temporarily halted that progress. Gaerte missed matches against Texas and Auburn before returning against No. 7 Florida wearing protective eyewear.

She struggled to regain her rhythm against the Gators, finishing with 11 kills and eight errors while hitting .088.

Friday's performance against LSU told a different story.

Kentucky Edges No. 10 LSU 35-34 in Overtime Thriller on Minchey's Two-Point Conversion

Kenny Minchey's game-winning quarterback draw lifts Wildcats past Tigers for fourth straight victory and second consecutive overtime win.

LEXINGTON, Ky. | Kenny Minchey scored on a daring two-point conversion in overtime as No. 25 Kentucky rallied to stun No. 10 LSU 35-34 on Saturday at Kroger Field, securing its second consecutive overtime victory and fourth straight win.

Minchey threw for 246 yards and C.J. Baxter rushed for 123 yards and two touchdowns as the Wildcats (5-1, 3-1 Southeastern Conference) overcame a late deficit to hand LSU (4-2, 1-2) another conference loss.

Trailing 34-33 in overtime after Baxter's 1-yard touchdown run, Kentucky coach Mark Stoops elected to go for the win rather than force another possession. The Wildcats spread the field with five receivers, allowing Minchey to burst through the middle on a quarterback draw for the decisive conversion.

The dramatic finish capped a back-and-forth contest in which Kentucky overcame missed scoring opportunities and a fourth-quarter deficit.

LSU struck first on Scott Starzyk's 24-yard field goal, but Kentucky answered immediately when Baxter broke free for a 77-yard run before scoring from 3 yards out to give the Wildcats a 7-3 lead.

Mizzou Football Shuts Down Texas A&M 27-6 Behind Jamal Roberts' 222 Rushing Yards

Roberts scores twice, Blake Craig connects on two long field goals and Missouri’s defense holds the Aggies without a touchdown in a dominant SEC victory.

COLUMBIA, Mo. | Jamal Roberts rushed for 222 yards and two touchdowns, and No. 14 Missouri turned in a dominant defensive performance Saturday to defeat Texas A&M 27-6 before a sellout crowd at Memorial Stadium.

Roberts carried a career-high 34 times, surpassing 200 rushing yards for the second consecutive game as the Tigers (5-1, 2-1 Southeastern Conference) snapped a three-game losing streak against the Aggies (3-3, 1-3).

Missouri's defense limited Texas A&M to 216 total yards and 10 first downs, becoming just the fourth team to hold the Aggies without an offensive touchdown since they joined the SEC in 2012.

The Tigers surrendered only 74 yards through three quarters, including three in the third, while building a commanding 20-3 advantage.

Roberts delivered the decisive blow with a 2-yard touchdown run on the final play of the third quarter, capping a 12-play drive that consumed 6 minutes, 51 seconds. He added a 54-yard scoring run in the fourth to put the game out of reach.

Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz praised his team's physical approach.

"It wasn't pretty at times. But that's an old-fashioned SEC game right there," Drinkwitz said.

Texas A&M opened the scoring on David Olano's 53-yard field goal late in the first quarter, but Missouri answered with a 10-play, 77-yard drive. Quarterback Austin Simmons connected with Cayden Lee for a 32-yard touchdown to give the Tigers the lead.

Lee finished with seven receptions for 94 yards, while Simmons completed 14 of 28 passes for 147 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Kicker Blake Craig connected on field goals of 50 and 51 yards, increasing his career total to 11 makes from at least 50 yards, two shy of Harrison Mevis' school record.

Missouri Women's Golf Finishes Second at OU Intercollegiate as Addie Dobson Takes Runner-Up Honors

Dobson fires a career-tying 66 to finish 7 under, while Melanie Walker places fifth as the Tigers close with a 9-under final round in Wichita.

WICHITA, Kan. | Missouri women's golf delivered its strongest round of the tournament Tuesday, shooting 9 under par to secure second place at the OU Intercollegiate at Wichita Country Club behind a runner-up individual finish from senior Addie Dobson.

Dobson led the Tigers with a 5-under 66 in the final round, matching her career low and posting Missouri's best individual round of the tournament. She finished the 54-hole event at 7 under, taking second place after recording five birdies Tuesday.

The performance continued Dobson's strong start to the season. The senior has now posted five under-par rounds in her first six starts, establishing herself as a consistent scoring threat for Missouri.

Senior Melanie Walker added another top-five finish, placing fifth at 4 under after closing with a 2-under 69. Walker recorded five birdies in the final round and posted the third-lowest 54-hole tournament score of her collegiate career.

Missouri's depth proved critical in securing its second-place team finish.

Senior Fleur van Beek tied for 18th at 1 over, highlighted by a final-round 69 that marked her best round of the tournament. Junior Alexandra Berglund tied for 22nd at 2 over after producing her strongest round of the week Tuesday.

Sophomore Addie Surber finished tied for 38th at 7 over, while freshman Page Bowman tied for 40th at 8 over, recording the lowest tournament score of her young collegiate career.

The Tigers placed four golfers among the top 22 in the 66-player field, demonstrating the balanced scoring that helped propel Missouri up the leaderboard.