Welcome to the Journal Editorial Report im Paul Gigot as heads into the final stretch a new cnn shows they are in a tight race in six Battle Ground states with Vice President Kamala Harris leading among michigan and former Donald Trump ahead in arizona. Two are nearly even in Georgia And Nevada and dead heat in all important State Of Pennsylvania where the candidates are set to meet next week in a high Stakes Debate that could set the tone for the final eight weeks of the campaign. So what should we expect when the two face off on tuesday in philadelphia . Lets ask Wall Street Journal Columnist Fox News contributor karl rove. Karl, welcome good to see you as always. So we have the big Harris Surge for several weeks after she got in. A lot of talk now that maybe that momentum has stopped. And maybe trump has stopped her surge and it is now pretty even. What do you think . Where are we . First of all it is not a very big bump historically because this race is remains tight. It looks like at 5 or 6 Point Difference between where we were in late july with Joe Biden and where we are today with Kamala Harris but it is a very close race and likely to remain so unless something happens extraordinary in the debate one candidate does better than the other or over the course of the fall if people again to develop a negative opinion or positive opinion about either one of them because of sustained activity on the Campaign Trail Opinion but its tight. Take a look at the Electoral College if you look at it, theres a general agreement that states that are likely to go for harris are 226 electoral votes. Out of the 270 that would be needed trump has 219 and theyre 93 votes in the tossup states. Michigan, west virginia, pennsylvania, and then northeast North Carolina, georgia, arizona, and nevada in along the southern belt but the Cnn Poll shows it very tight in those states if you take a look at it. It has wisconsin and michigan tilting towards harris get here from 2026 electoral votes to 251 and trump leading in arizona with 11 votes and did not poll North Carolina i think North Carolina 98 its towards, towards trump. And if so, that would be 246 electoral votes, in the election would be decided in georgia, nevada, and pennsylvania. With 41 electoral votes with a race tied in pennsylvania. So its close. Now, the cnn was one poll if you take a look at averages, there are two entities that are tracking these states with averages. Now the quality of the averages matters and it is varies because it depends on how many polls and what quality of polls in the individual states but at least weve got more than one poll to measure. If you look at that, North Carolina and arizona are are Trump Territory but not outside of the margin of error, pennsylvania is a tie in the realclearpolitics average. And a 7 of the five 38 for Kamala Harris, and then these states, georgia, nevada, michigan, and wisconsin are all tilting towards, towards Kamala Harris, but only two of them are short of outside the margin of error in 538 and none of them are outside margin of error in realclearpolitics. But this what itself point to 273 votes for harris. To 246 for trump, and 19 votes in pennsylvania just deadlock. So all of this raises stakes very high for this debate because it may be the only debate. Maybe the only shot that trump has to actually familiarize an awful lot of the voters with Kamala Harris Points Of View with position and do you think trump has a harder job . I think he does because shes miraculously grabbed candidate of change i mean we have a situation before July 21st Biden Versus Trump and trump was candidate of change and now with harris shes somehow been able to sort of dissolve bonds that tied her to her her superior, the president and is now seen as different face because shes younger and not as well known and havent worn out her welcome with the american people yet. I think the debate depends on two things, one is trumps ability to highlight her views because on the big issues economy, inflation, border security, Americas Role in the world, status in the world, hes got the advantage. But she is got an opportunity to basically say im the new and different candidate if you want more of the same that weve had for the last Year Trump followed by Biden Go with different im new and different. How can she get away with saying im new and different when she was in the Side Car of Joe Biden and never heard her say a peep about her differences with Joe Biden. Now, shes positioning herself on the economy saying well look im im a progrowth supply cider. Because im going to raise Capital Gain taxes those taxes somewhat less than Joe Biden and seem to be a huge opening for trump. It is. But in order to go after an incumbent and turn them into, you know, status quo, he has to make a disciplined focused explanation of why shes responsible. And im amazed for example, on the question of inflation. I hope in the debate if he wants to win the advantage on that issue that he goes after explains why shes responsible for inflation. Heres the woman who cast the tie breaking vote on american rescue plan. But which even Larry Summers and jason obamas economic Advisor And Secretary of the treasury said you do that bill. And it is going to spark inflation because it is too much money needlessly pumped into our economy same with the Inflation Reduction act the tie breaking vote 50 50 tie in the senate and Vice President break it is 51 50 in favor of a big Spending Bill so he has to make a specific attack on issues and say, shes responsible for it. And i have a specific plan thats my second act thats gawk make things better. J well well see if he has discipline to do that karl thanks for coming in when we come back ahead of next weeks debate Kamala Harris and Donald Trump unveil dualing plans to boost the u. S. Economy. Our panel takes closer look at their latest proposals, and the Vice President s attempt to put some political distance between her ideas and Joe Bidens. To see and things to do. Thats why you choose glucerna to help manage blood sugar response. Uniquely designed with carbsteady. Glucerna. Bring on the day. vo if you have graves disease. And blurry vision, you need clear answers. People with graves could also get thyroid eye disease, or ted, which may need a different doctor. Find a ted Eye Specialist at isitted. Com chase really knows how to put the hart in your local community. See what i did there . Hey, jackie evan, My Guy youre helping them with savings, right . I wish i had someone like evan when i started. Somebody just got their first Debit Card Ice cream on you . Ooo, tacos i got you. Wait hold on, dont you owe me money . What . your money is a part of your community, so your bank should be too. Like, Chase Paul both kamala Kamala Harris and Donald Trump use the debate to sharpen their economic messages with a Vice President discussing her Policy Plans on wednesday in New Hampshire and had Tax Incentive for Small Business and Donald Trump addressed the Economic Club Of New York on thursday. And promised to bring down prices for americans by cutting regulations and boosting production of Fossil Fuels in a second term. Both candidates are hoping to convince undecided voters theyll do more for the Middle Class who has the better argument lets bring in our panel Wall Street Journal Columnist Dan he knowen jeer and Kim Strassel it is fascinating that Kamala Harris decided to focus on the economy. I guess the goal here is to try to distinguish herself from President Bidens whose policies have been unpopular. How well is she doing . I think theres two goals one to distinguish herself from President Biden and to suggest that shes a little bit more moderate secondly, this is a Peer Play to the Business Class in particular big democratic donors who have been very worried about biden proposals and how harmful they will be for the economy. And heres the thing, paul, she talks a good game. Shes going to be great for Small Businesses look, shes not going to raise the Capital Gains Tax Story as high as biden was going to look shes got a deduction for startups if you look at it closely, i mean, essentially, this is not much different than Joe Biden, analysts point out that this is still going to be a crushing Tax Burden and cap Gains Proposal frings it is a 40 increase over what we have now. So marginally on the sides it is a little bit of biden light, shes selling it as something much different but it is not. Paul so far shes getting away with it, dan. She is. Shes not getting pressed much on this, and paul expect for us ignoring saying moderate, moderate, moderate nothing moderate about it shes basically what shes proposing shes started out by saying the problem with high prices, inflation, Joe Biden the Harris Biden Administration is biggest problem is she was going to impose Price Controls on grocery products. That was met with derision from left to right along with that, though, shes proposing way to deal with high prices is the government to send people money, Child Care Tax credits, cities, so forth Small Business subsidies. It is all Transferring Money to the federal government into peoples pockets. This somehow is supposed to offset what she calls the high cost of living. And help the middle Class Trump was supposing something entirely different rather than topped down by the government. Hes proposing tax cuts a significant reduction in regulations the production of Fossil Fuels to drive the economy. So hes actually pushing the private sector to lead and drive growth in the economy. They could not be more different. The burden unfortunately paul is going to fall completely on Donald Trump in that debate to draw these distinctions because no one else is going to do it. Paul you listened to Donald Trumps speech this week kyle, what were the highlights that stood out to you in that speech . And how different is he proposing things how different from his first term . Well i think directionally dan is right hes talking about unleashing american energy. Hes talking about taking Tax Rates down which is the opposite direction from where Kamala Harris wants to take them. One of the things from his speech that stood out to me is play a Pop List Game with a 15 corporate Tax Rate only for companies who build their products in the united stateses. And i think that is a sharp break from the success of his first term that he loves to brag about. He brags about the Trump Economy. But what helped the Trump Economy was the 2017 Tax Law which was written with help from advisors in the republican congress. It was the kind of thing that economists say is best for the economy broadening base, lowering the rates, and its interesting that hes breaking from that now in this campaign. Paul interesting point, kim trump is also proposing now he would repeal ten regulations for each new one he imposes. And he said that would be easy. First term he i think it was 21, 31 I Cant remember exactly. Which he did. But repealing ten is not going to be easy. But hes so hes doubling down on deregulation. Which is encouraging. Hes got an interesting idea to put Elon Musk in charge of an Efficiency Commission for government. Well, i will say this paul, Biden Has made it easier for him to repeal ten rules for everyone given how many rules and Regulations Biden has put in. So he might have made that task easier. The Efficiency Commission is really fascinating. It was proposed by Elon Musk trump has really gravitated to the idea, and whats fascinating about it if you know Elon Musks history read the bio hes completely obsessed with this question of Waste And Inefficiency rooted it out at his own companies. It would be really interesting to see a commission like this because look this isnt going to save enough money paul, to shore up Social Security or entitlements. But there is we all know 25,000 dollar hammers. There are enormous amounts of waste in the federal government. This is a ripe topic. Something that People Everyone knows needs the federal government needs to improve on. Is it something thats going to win him over converts no but i think a lot of a lot of voters would think well heres a guy who has innovative ideas. We havent had such a look at government since the Grace Commission in the 1980s. So this would be would be interesting to see. When we come back, Hunter Biden pleads guilty in his federal Tax Case before not trying to evade responsibility once again. 99 years old and hed come five days a week if we let him. Shape is great, the colors nice, thats a Swell Lid for you, baby finding the exact date on ancestry that our Family Business was founded, really struck a chord with my grandfather. Ive never seen this before. Look at it where has this come from . All the stories thats hes been able to hand me throughout the years, for me to hand him that information. You dont get that moment every day. Arearn Saint Jude they gave it 110 every time. And for kenadie to get treatment here without having to pay anything was amazing. [narrator] start watching tv for free with tablo. Buy a tablo and you can watch the top networks and more for free. Switching to tablo has really been a money saver. With tablo, i can record something on my phone. I can pause it. I can go get a drink. I can come back. I can continue in the family room. Tablo is so easy to step up. [narrator] get a tablo total system with a Device And Tv antenna at an incredible low price. Tablo, pay once and watch forever. Order now at tablotv. Com or these popular retailers. Hunted decided to enter his plea to protect those he loves from unnecessary hurt and cruel humiliation. This plea prevents that kind of Show Trial that would have not provided all of the facts or served any real point in justice. Paul Hunter Biden saga took a step towards resolution as president s son agreed to plead guilty and pay 1. 4 million in taxes on coming on day when Jury Selection set to begin will allow biden to avoid a Trial And Accountability once again on thursday by trying to enter what is known as an offered plea. Kim and Kyle Peterson back to explain so kyle before he pleaded guilty formally and completely, he did try this Alfred Plea. Explain what that was. Essentially that is when the defendant says i see the evidence against me. And i know I Cant win this case. So even though i am maintaining innocence im going to plead guilty the name comes from a supreme Court Case where the supreme court said that admitting responsibility is not part of a guilty plea necessarily. You can forego a trial. But for obvious reasons, the federal government, Justice Department does not like this because it creates a situation where somebody has not gotten a trial. And theyre being sentenced maybe to prison time but they are still saying that they are innocent. Paul prosecutors didnt accept this. Correct to their Credit Team of Special Council says they are supposed to do and then after Back And Port some recesses, arguments with the judge, eventually hunter dropped ideas in just entered a straight up get plea. Glawl so kim, the guilty plea now will be considered by the judge. Why do you think he did it and would a trial really have been all that embarrassing . If you look at History Paul i think it is really important to recount this. Remember Go Back, he was going to get this sweet heart plea deal. That collapsed after whistleblowers came out to point out shenanigans gone into this and wise appointed Special Council and finally bring charges and all along, Hunter Biden has just had this aggressive view on the Stunt Press Conference outside steps of the capitol refusing to plead guilty refusing to engage in plea negotiations. Suing people who were involved with his laptop. This has been a full on assault you heard his lawyer there saying this was a Show Trial. He seems to want to have it all ways this was an attempt to continue to the say im innocent and done nothing wrong, and thats what is missing here all along. I think a lot of people paul, feel sympathy for Hunter Biden and his drug problems. Maybe admiration for the fact that hes recovered. But he refuses to acknowledge his wrong doing. This contrition which is a huge part of getting passed a thing like this and i have to imagine that judge in the prosecutors have got that in mind and refusing this offered plea and as they go about now the process of sentencing him. Paul political salient is really fallen with Joe Biden withdrawing from the race but theres some vindication here for a fair number of people starting with friends at the new York Post who remember they reported that laptop existed in 2020. The laptop was really in many ways first major public illustration of his troubles, and led to some of this, these consequences in court. But those denied by the press the rest of the press it was said to be russian December Information by Joe Biden and 51 former national security officials. But now it turns out yeah that was really something there and hes admitting. Vindication for whistleblowers who said Anybody Else who did kind of things that hunter did including failing to pay taxes on about 1. 4 million dollars on foreign income, they made the argument that any other american who did that would be facing Felon Iin charges. And so i think Theres Vindication there too it is not a Show Trial if what you have going on is is Justice Department pursuing a crime that was committed by the president s son. Paul so i guess the sentencing is going to be kicked past the election, kim. But not past joins presidency which does suggest, in fact, that the president depending upon the results