Free Republic

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - Rep. Don Bacon, who did not seek re-election for what could have been his sixth term for Nebraska, was asked Tuesday if he was preparing for a run for the presidency. He replied that he has a speech at the National Press Club next week. “I’m not announcing for president, but I want to lay out an agenda for America,” Bacon said. “It’s more about ideas and the principles that I think we need.” Bacon said he would be happy if someone else took up the message.

A major Democratic super PAC also pulled out of the race in the final weeks. Senate Majority PAC, which is aligned with Democratic leadership, announced a $42 million investment in the state earlier this year. A group tied to the super PAC spent $29 million before cutting its funds in mid-October. Saving America’s Future, a pro-Trump group run by former White House aide Taylor Budowich, last week gave $1 million to NC First, a super PAC that has been funding pro-Whatley television ads, according to campaign finance reports. The amount, however, is significantly less than what Republican-leaning groups have already...

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky praised “real leaders” in Europe at a summit in Belgium on Friday, taking a veiled swipe at US President Donald Trump amid testy relations between Kyiv and Washington. European leaders are rallying around Zelensky after the White House heaped pressure on Ukraine to halt strikes on Russian oil facilities, even as Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure continue unabated. After halting strikes on Russian oil refineries for three days at the request of the United States, Zelensky said he would resume those attacks given Russia didn’t adhere to US President Donald Trump’s so-called “energy ceasefire.” Trump,...