Democrat Jon Ossoff Makes Personal Attacks on Trump, Aides; Will There Be Surprises in Florida Vote?

Mark Halperin, Larry O’Connor, and Kevin Walling are joined by Politico’s Kimberly Leonard for a preview of Tuesday’s primary elections in Alaska, Florida, and Wyoming. They also examine how broadly Democrats could compete in a potential 2026 blue wave, the parties’ voter-registration and turnout operations, Democratic attitudes toward socialism, Iran and North Korea, and the early positioning of possible 2028 presidential candidates.

TODAY’S TOPICS:

• Tuesday’s primary elections in Alaska, Florida, and Wyoming

• The Iowa governor’s race and whether a Democratic wave could make it competitive

• Ohio’s U.S. Senate race and the battle for control of the Senate

• The Senate, House, and gubernatorial races Democrats could contest in a 2026 blue wave

• Republican and Democratic voter-registration and get-out-the-vote operations

• The CBS News poll on socialism and the Democratic Party’s ideological direction

• The Democratic debate over “Woke 1.0” and the party’s cultural politics

• Iran’s military preparations at home and abroad

• President Donald Trump’s approach to North Korea and changes to military exercises with South Korea

• Senator Jon Ossoff’s political strengths and possible path to a 2028 presidential campaign

• Pete Buttigieg’s early positioning for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination

• Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s potential 2028 presidential campaign

• California Governor Gavin Newsom’s potential 2028 presidential campaign

The Morning Meeting is a live weekday political news program featuring analysis and debate from Mark Halperin, Larry O’Connor, and Kevin Walling, plus questions and commentary from members of the 2WAY community.

📅 Monday, August 17, 2026

🎙️ Season 7, Episode 71

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