Overseas. Plus, with six weeks to go to Election Day, were digging into the Brandnew Polling on the state of the 2024 president ial race. And also ahead, the very latest on the fallout from North Carolinas embattled republican, gubernatorial Candidate Mark Robinson. Well show you what Donald Trumps running Mate Jd Vance is saying about the allegations that robinson is facing. Good Morning And Welcome to Way Too Early on this monday, september 23rd. Im jonathan lemire. Thanks for starting your Day And Week with us. Well begin this morning with Breaking News out of the Middle East. The Israeli Military has started launching new attacks on hezbollah and lebanon. Early in the Night Lebanon ordered an evacuation. This comes as both sides escalated their attacks. On Friday Israel struck an eightstory building in a densely populated area in beirut, killing several hezbollah officials, including the head of the groups operations unit. Authorities in lebanon say that at least 45 people died in that strike. In retaliation they fired back. Most were intercepted by the izraaly military, but at least one hit a residential neighborhood. Fortunately most people evacuated the aura in time and only three people were taken to the hospital. This new barrage of attacks lead to fears of a bigger conflict as israel continues to battle hamas in the south. World leaders are urging both sides to show restraint. President biden was asked about that yesterday. Mr. President, are you worried about widening tensions in the Middle East . Yes, we can. Were working hard. Joining us now is marc polymeropoulos. This rising in the Middle East overshadowing all of that. Whats your take on where things stand and what could be next. Well, jon, good morning. It looks like both sides are continuing climb this escalatory ladder. Last week when we talked, i explained to you what i thought the israeli strategy was with lebanon and they then officially confirmed this. Thats the idea. To change the minds within the hezbollah leadership, of the cost of the continuing Rocket Fire into the north. What you saw this morning is, again, another step up the ladder, where the israelis are hitting targets, but Thaw Ire telling lebanese affiliates, hainging into the radio, making phone calls, if youre a civilian, if theres any Hezbollah Yord nanlts in your house, youre going to be hit. Most rockets were intercepted by israeli air defense. You can understand the calculus, the strategy. It makes sense. The adversary has the vote, and right now hezbollah Chief Nasrallah has not changed any of his behavior, and they, too, are climbing up the escalatory ladder. In fact, this morning the israelis warned of an attack and to brace for attacks inside civilian areas. Time will tell in the hours and days ahead. If indeed this escalates beyond where we are now, what does that look like in your estimation . Is it an increased volley of rockets and drones going back and forth over the border . Do we think there could be Ground Assaults one way or the other . Weve been very focused on the military units. They redeployed things. The quote is theyre moving north. We havent seen the preparations for a Ground Assault into southern lebanon. That would be, of course, incredibly significant. On the one hand you can say that hasnt happened, but also remember the strike against them over the weekend, that killed in essence the head of the hezbollah forces and 20 of his commanders. You can see the prep for the way of o an israeli ground move. The hezbollah has a volley of missiles, and they have not used them. They can hit as far as way as tel aviv. It could be absolutely dramatic, the concern for the united States Policy makers is if the israeli Air Defenses become overwhelmed, the u. S. Will have to intervene on behalf of israel. Last week we had seen israel carry out the Pager And Walkietalkie attacks, and that has escalated this. Give us an update there, and just how thin will the Israeli Military be stretched if theyre fighting on two fronts . I think the Israeli Military the concern is that theyre tired. This has been almost a year of conflict. I think most israeli units are not in gaza now. They really have been refocused to the north. The problem, of course, is with the negotiations, they seem to be dead. There was so much optimism because the u. S. Was, quote, talking about being on the 10 yard line. I think the idea is the head of hamas is also not interested in a deal, and hezbollah has announced very clarely that their fight against israel is linked to support for hamas. Theyre trying to decouple that, but theres no real hope or optimism for a ceasefire deal. Jonathan, you Cant Help but think about the hostages. He said he believed 50 were up. The pain with hostages and the families is very palpable and there doesnt seem to be any deal on the horizon. President biden said getting a deal is number one in terms of his term, but it seems further away than ever. Well, of course, have much more on this story throughout the morning. Nbc Security Analyst Marc polymeropoulos. Thanks for starting us off today. We turn to politics. With six weeks to go to Election Day, u. S. Polling shows a major shift in the 2024 race. In the survey, President Trump harris leading former president Donald Trump by five points, 49 to 44 among registered voters nationwide. Although that result is within the margin of error. The last poll was conducted back in july where trump led by two points. Were talking a sevenpoint swing. Since then harris has doubled bidens lead with women voters going from 11 points to 21 points. Harriss Favorability Rating has soared since july with 48 voters saying they view her positively compared to 32 in the last poll. Thats a striking increase. Trumps favorability has essentially stayed the same since july with 40 due him now. Harris leading trump by nine points when voters were asked which candidates better represents change, and when asked which candidate they trust more to handle top issues, trump still leads in most areas, though, by smaller margins than in a january poll. Voters trust trump by 21 points on um grags, nine points on the economy, and by six points on handling crime. Harris, meanwhile, has been trusted more to handle Abortion Rights by 21 points after biden led by 12 back in january. On Abortion Rights, trump is now saying he will be so much of a champion for women if he returns to the white house, they wont even be thinking about their reproductive rights being taken away anymore. In a lengthy, somewhat unhinged all caps post on friday, trump wrote that, quote, women are poorer, less healthy than they were four years ago and Hell Fix all of that. He wrote, quote, women will be happy, healthy, confident, and free, and you will no longer be thinking about abortion because it will be where it was supposed to be, by the states. He finished. I will protect women at a level never seen before despite being accused of a sexual encounter years ago. Take a look. At long last, this national nightmare that were going through will be over. Women will be happy, healthy, confident, and free. You will no longer be thinking about abortion because it is now where it always had to be, with the states. But not allowing for democraticdemanded Lateterm Abortion in the seventh, eighth, ninth month, or even execution of a baby after birth two factchecks. There are no executions of babies after birth. Were going to keep saying that. Secondly, lets remember what changed across the country, roe v. Wade was struck down. By who . Supreme court justices appointed by former President Trump. Meanwhile Vice President harris has accepted an offer to enter a second debate on cnn. It was written, The American people deserve to see another opportunity for Harris And Trump to debate before turning in their ballots. Trump doubled down on that refusal during his rally on saturday. They would like to do another debate. Although, good entertainment value. People say, do it, its good entertainment. Ive already done two. The problem with another debate, its too late. I invited her on fox. I waited and waited. They turned it down. They turned it down. Now she wanted to do a debate right before the election with cn because shes losing bad i will. Its like a fighter. She sees the polls. Shes losing badly. Its like a fighter who goes into the ring and gets knocked out, u want a rematch, i want a rematch. Its too late to do another. Id love to. But its too late the voting is cast. The voters are out there. Well see in the weeks ahead if the debate does go on. Next up, House Speaker Johnson is rolling out Plan B to avoid a Government Shutdown at The End of the month. Well bring you the latest from Capitol Hill. Plus, both Harris And Trump are back out on the Campaign Trail this week. Well show owe where each are headed. Those stories and a check on sports and Weather When we come right back. Orts and Weather Whe right back bounce back fast from heartburn with Tums Gummy bites, and Love Food back. what the biggest companies deliver is exceptional customer experience. What makes it possible is unmatched Connectivity And 5g solutions from tmobile for business. Tmobile connects 100,000 Delta Airlines employees. Powers Tractor Supply stores nationwide with reliable 5g business internet. And helps Red Bull revolutionize coverage of live events. This is how business goes further with tmobile for business. Heres to getting better with age. Heres to beating these two every thursday. Help Fuel Today with boost high protein, complete nutrition you need, and the flavor you love. So, heres to now. Now available Boost Max ryan t. Writes, moving is stressful. Can you help me take one thing off of my to do list . ugh, movings the worst. With xfinity, you can transfer your internet in just a few taps. Just a few easy moves. Did somebody say easy moves . Oh no. No, i was talking about moving your internet. This will move the internet. Ooh, ooh. Lets keep it professional. Professional dancers ok stay connected during your move with the best in home wifi. Easily transfer your services in the xfinity app. Bring on the good stuff. Welcome back. Early voting for the 2024 election is now officially underway in some states. Minnesota, south dakota, and virginia have begun voting. In virginia, thousands of fairfax residents reportedly cast their ballot on the first day of voting. That was back on friday. In addition to the first three states, Pennsylvania And Alabama have begun sending Absentee Ballots to those requesting them. It is already Election Day here in america, at least some states. Meanwhile the Campaign Blitz continues for Vice President harris who ee expected to visit some key Battleground States throughout the week. Harris, who was up in pennsylvania, michigan, and wisconsin last week, will make another appearance in the Keystone State on wednesday and then head out to arizona on friday and then continue to nevada on sunday. Meanwhile the Trump Campaign will be launching a Team Trump Bus tour which will head to various states around wisconsin until wednesday. The tour will kick off in hudson this morning and will feature some of trumps top political allies including vivek ramaswamy, kash patel, and Donald Trump. The former President Trump will not be present. Hes instead expected to make stops in georgia, and michigan on friday. Still ahead, well turn to sports and bring you highlights across the nf. Plus, the latest from major league baseball. One week to go in the regular season. Teams are battling it out trying to make it to october. Those highlights and much more when Way Too Early returns. Me when Way Too Early returns our sulfatefree formulas deeply penetrate to boost hair health. Without the salon naturals price tag. Herbal essences. One thing we know is true no matter race, gender, ethnicity. The need to screen when due. For Colon Cancers a priority. Indeed everyone 45 at average risk should screen for Colon Cancer. These folks are getting it done at home with me, cologuard. Cologuard is a oneofakind way to screen for Colon Cancer thats effective and noninvasive. Its for people 45 at average risk, not high risk. False positive and negative results may occur. Ask your provider for cologuard. I did it my way. Heres to getting better with age. Heres to beating these two every thursday. Help Fuel Today with boost high protein, complete nutrition you need, and the flavor you love. So, heres to now. Now available Boost Max rough start the first couple of weeks. Its intercepted. Alexander, highstepping for six. Third and ten. Richardson taking a deep shot down the field. Pierce is there at the ten, and down to the five. From the guy today, seven catches. His best game. Heres barkley. Saquon barkley. Saquon barclays the guy. Hes going to take it. Second and seven. Austin cuts ahead. Austin to the 20. Footrace to the ten. Hes across for the touchdown. Theyve still got the onetime Back Pocket left. To The End zone, it is caught. Kenny mcintosh to the backfield. He is caught. Third and one. Its henry racing to the hole. And moore. Derrick henry with a first down. Cardinals trailing here. Goff flips it to jahmyr gibbs, to The End zone, reliance touchdown. Stafford, across to williams. Oh, silversalted to The End zone. Among the teams still undefeated, the Minnesota Vikings and pittsburgh steelers. Speaking of another team, lets go to atlanta. The Kansas City chiefs against the falcons. Patrick mahomes shook off an early interception to throw a pair of tds, and the Chiefs Defense schultz them down to keep the twotime super bowlreigning champs with an unbeated victory. Theyve had three close games. Theyve won them all. Week three concludes tonight with an nfl double night doubleheader. Weve got bills, jaguars, and commanders and bengals. Turning now, the Mlb Playoff Chase as we enter final week with some of the Division Titles still unclaimed. Its going to be a fun week. Lets start in baltimore and detroit. Kerry carpenter hit a pair of Home Runs, while Parker Meadows pulled back a Wouldbe Home Run here in the fifth. Lets watch. Great catch. Tigers hang on to beat the orioles, 43. The win puts detroit in a tie with the Kansas City royals for your a second wildcard slot. There are four teams separated by just two games, vying the two spots. The twins took a Blow Yesterday as they were swept in the latter by the red sox. To los angeles, shohei ohtani, hes extending his historic season to now he has 55 stolen bases and 53 stolen runs, the Home Run coming in the ninth to tie the game for the dodger. Mookie betts walked it off one hit later and l. A. Topped the rockies, 65, to maintain their Threegame League in the n. L. West. The dodgers will host the padres in a Threegame Series beginning in l. A. Tomorrow night. Otherwise the padres would likely have the Nl Wildcard Seed locked up as the diamondbacks, mets, and braves compete for the reigning two. Meanwhile in San Diego Last Night The Padres handed the White Sox their 120th loss this season, 42. This ties the post inform 1900 Mlb Record set by the 1962 new York Mets. In 1899 Cleveland Spiders held the record. With a week to go, the White Sox are definitely going to eclipse the 120 mark. The new York Mets one three out of four against the phillies. Huge series. They have a series this week against the braves. Time now for the weather, and lets go to Meteorologist Violeta yas. Good to see you. Good to see you, jonathan. A relatively quiet couple of weeks. Weve got two areas that were watching. One still way out across the open atlantic, just off the koefrts of africa. A disturbance with a 70 chance of developing through the next seven days, but, of course, were closely watching this one here just east of central america, this one with a 90 chance of intensifying in the next seven days. This is likely going to be helene once this develops throw the course of the next day and advances into the Gulf Of Mexico where conditions unfortunately are looking favorable for further inteniintensification. In terms of where this is headed or potential impacts, of course, its still early for