Midterm Debates Heat Up; Russia-Ukraine Energy Ceasefire in Limbo

SPEAKER_1 (0:02)

Bloomberg Audio Studios, Podcasts, Radio, News.

Nathan Hager (0:09)

Good morning, I'm Nathan Hager.

Karen Moskow (0:11)

And I'm Karen Moskow. Here are the stories we're following today.

Nathan Hager (0:15)

Karen, we begin with a slew of key debates with the midterm elections now less than three weeks away. In New York, Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul faced off against Republican Bruce Blakeman, and Bloomberg's John Tucker joins us with the recap. John, good morning.

John Tucker (0:29)

Good morning, Nathan. Affordability, Donald Trump and ICE dominated the faceoff. ICE raids in New York led to this exchange.

SPEAKER_5 (0:36)

That's not how you conduct yourself. ICE is out of control. It's out of control in Nassau County.

SPEAKER_6 (0:41)

Kathy, it never would have happened, but for your sanctuary policy, you actually invite people into our state, give them free everything, and you don't care whether they're criminals or not.

John Tucker (0:52)

Blakeman also accused Hochul of failing to act sooner in the probe of sexual assault allegations at Cornell University.

SPEAKER_6 (0:59)

And as a trustee and as governor, you didn't call for an independent investigation when you found out that the district attorney was dropping the case. Thank you. Shame on you.

SPEAKER_5 (1:08)

I did. You know, that's pretty pathetic to blame me for what happened in a fraternity. My gosh.

John Tucker (1:14)

Polls have consistently shown Hochul leading Blakeman in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans 2 to 1

But the race has narrowed in recent months with an October Marist poll finding Hochul leading Blakeman 53 to 42 percent. It's been nearly a quarter century since a Republican last won statewide office in New York. I'm John Tucker, Bloomberg Radio.

Karen Moskow (1:36)

All right, John, thank you. There were a string of Senate debates last night from New England to the deep south and we begin in Massachusetts where incumbent Democrat Ed Markey squared off with Republican John Deaton on WBZ-TV. Markey aimed to tie his opponent to President Trump and his policies while Deaton tried to distance himself.

John Deaton (1:55)

I'm John Deaton and I'm the one that is debating you, not Donald Trump.

SPEAKER_8 (1:59)

He's trying to pretend that he's an independent and that he's a Republican at the same time. That's an oxymoron.

Karen Moskow (2:07)

John Deaton attacked the 80-year-old Markey over his age and nearly half century serving in Congress while Markey continued to tie Deaton to the national GOP platform.

John Deaton (2:16)

If they fix it, they can't campaign on it. They can't raise money on it.

SPEAKER_8 (2:21)

People watching tonight, they're suffering as well. It's at their kitchen table. It's Trump at the pump.

Karen Moskow (2:27)

Massachusetts Democrat Ed Markey leads Republican John Deaton by 23 points in the latest Real Clear Politics polling average. In Maine, Republican Senator Susan Collins and Democrat Troy Jackson squared off in their third of four debates before next month's election.

Nathan Hager (2:42)

The face-off hosted by WABI and WAGM turned heated at times. Jackson went after Collins when she said she was concerned about fraud in Medicare and Medicaid.

SPEAKER_9 (2:51)

I'm shocked that you're talking about fraud because there's only one person up here that's been accused of that by the FBI.

Nathan Hager (2:58)

Troy Jackson pointed to a Politico report that the FBI looked into Collins' contacts with a donor seeking federal contracts. Collins responded later in the debate.

SPEAKER_10 (3:07)

I just cannot continue to ignore these attacks on my integrity.

Nathan Hager (3:14)

The candidates also sparred over the Iran War, the high cost of heating oil and health care cuts and President Trump's signature tax cut law. The latest RealClearPolitics polling average shows Jackson leading Collins by only about one point.

Karen Moskow (3:27)

Well Nathan, there was also a debate last night in Georgia where Democratic Senator John Ossoff is defending his seat against Republican Congressman Mike Collins. Collins came out swinging against Ossoff in the Atlanta Press Club debate.

John Staschauer (3:39)

Behind his highly skilled scripted online clips is a coward, a coward who lies about his accomplishments.

Karen Moskow (3:47)

And Ossoff was asked in his first question whether he's thinking of running for president in 2028 and whether he'd serve his full six-year term if re-elected.

SPEAKER_9 (3:57)

Yes, I will. I have zero interest in running for president. I'm not running for president. I'm running for re-election to the Senate.

Karen Moskow (4:04)

And polls in Georgia show Ossoff heavily favored to win re-election and on the prediction market, polymarket, he's tied with California Governor Gavin Newsom as the top Democratic pick for president in the next election.

Nathan Hager (4:16)

And Karen, there was also an important debate in Iowa last night, the final debate between Republican Ashley Hinson and Democrat Josh Turek for retiring Republican Joni Ernst's Senate seat. The two candidates sparred over high diesel prices, though Hinson broke with President Trump on how to lower them.