Today's Poll Question: Will The Strait of Hormuz Be Open On (Midterm) Election Day?

**SPEAKER_1** (0:01)
Get ready to vote on today's daily poll question at smerconish.com.

**SPEAKER_2** (0:05)
But first, Michael explains it for you right here.

**SPEAKER_1** (0:08)
Welcome to The Smerconish Podcast from SiriusXM.

**SPEAKER_2** (0:11)
For Independent Minds.

**Michael Smerconish** (0:15)
Do you think The Strait of Hormuz is going to be open by midterm election day? Midterm election day is Tuesday, November 3rd. That is the poll question at smerconish.com today. And I had a guest on CNN on Saturday, the University of Chicago's Robert Pape, who was excellent. He brought slides. He made a presentation. He said, if Tehran is unwilling to open the strait militarily, we can't force them to do so. That was his argument. I'll get to it in just a moment. By the way, you're familiar with the Mingle Project, right? Which is my effort to try to bring together listeners of this program, people who've never met before, just for common experience and bonding.
There are a whole host of Mingle Meetups that are taking place all across the country in the next couple of weeks. Tomorrow, Matt in Reno has organized one. Glenn in Cincinnati.
Ryan in Austin, also tomorrow, Tuesday the 11th and Tuesday, September 8th. Michelle in Spokane on August 12th. Stephen in Annapolis on the 13th. Lisa in Doylestown on August 16th. Joe in Philly on August 20th. The 21st, Friday, Amy in White Plains. Michael in Minnesota. Liz on Long Island on August 23rd.
Beaufort, South Carolina. Larry, Lanny, did I say that correctly? Beaufort. First Mingle Meetup on August 23rd. Diane in Sacramento. She's coming to tour the studio in a week. August 29th. And Laura in Orange County has got something really cool going on. Patriot Day. A day of national service and she's trying to inspire our other captains to do likewise. Celebrating that on September 12th, one day after the 25th anniversary of September 11th. Liz on Long Island. A special book club version to discuss bowling alone. I love that on September 15th. Go to smerconish.com and check out the Mingle page for information about all of these. If your town isn't represented, perhaps you will become a Mingle captain.

**SPEAKER_1** (2:16)
The Smerconish Podcast from SiriusXM.

**Michael Smerconish** (2:19)
Parks Casino. Speaking of places to mingle, a place where you can always go to win. So much in terms of live entertainment, headline entertainment, and great opportunities just to meet people and hang out. Every month, Latin dance nights with free dance lessons and a salsa band. Monthly jazz nights, a comedy night.
They've got a really great guy, the man of a thousand voices we call him here in Philly, Joe Conklin. Funny, funny man. Comedian Tim Dillon just announced. Rick Springfield, Jessie's girl. Yeah, that Rick Springfield.
Lady A is coming in December and so many more acts. parxcasino.com to get your tickets. Parks Casino, Pennsylvania's number one casino. Street Road Exit off I-95 in the Pennsylvania Turnpike. In Bensalem, Bucks County, you got to be 21 Gambling problem call 1-800-GAMBLER.

**SPEAKER_4** (3:06)
Insurance isn't one size fits all. That's why drivers of trusted progressives name your price tool for years. Just tell Progressive what you want to pay, and they'll show you coverage options that fit your budget. Visit progressive.com to find a car insurance rate that works for you. Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and Affiliates. Price and coverage match limited by state law.

**SPEAKER_2** (3:27)
The Daily Poll Question at smerconish.com.

**SPEAKER_1** (3:30)
A non-scientific social political question designed to spark broader discussions about current issues.

**SPEAKER_2** (3:35)
Get ready to cast your ballot. And leave a rating and review of this podcast on your favorite podcast app.

**Michael Smerconish** (3:41)
Significant poll results from over the weekend. The Saturday vote. 48,066. 48,066. What drew so many votes? Will the Democratic Party become the Party of Democratic Socialism? I think that it will. As long as it sheds its most outrageous platforms. For example, defunding the police, opening the borders, opening the doors on prisons, that kind of stuff. If they stick to Medicare for All and talk about the cost of college and try and address wealth disparity, income disparity, I think it will be the future of the party. And as I pointed out on CNN on Saturday, the reason is because youth is on their side, attrition. The numbers for democratic socialism strongest among the young on the democratic side of the aisle. And by the way, among all Democrats, capitalism held in less favor than democratic socialism. So I think it's here and it's long term. That was a great conversation. I'll be talking more about that subject tomorrow on radio because tomorrow, Tuesday, the big Wisconsin gubernatorial, Francesca Hong. Get used to hearing that name. But for today's poll question, for today's poll question, the focus is The Strait of Hormuz. And I'm asking you whether it will be open on midterm election day. Midterm election day, which by my count is 85 days away. That's what's left between today and election day, November 3rd. The question, can Iran hold on for another 85 days?