Campaigns race as voting starts

With Election Day less than three weeks away, the battle for control of the White House and both houses of Congress is intensifying.

The national race  – as tracked by polls – shows Vice President Kamala Harris with a lead of 2.4 percent over former president Donald Trump, but that’s not how presidential races are decided.

Neither candidates is considered to have enough Electoral College votes in their corner to be considered a true favorite; outcomes in seven swing states will almost certainly be the decider.

The other factor is turnout. There’s early voting in 20 states and record highs are being reported in Georgia and North Carolina.

In Michigan, Harris and Trump each campaigned Friday in that battleground state, seeking support from Arab American voters.

A microphone failure at an event in Detroit complicated a Trump rally and delayed its start by 20 minutes while the candidate paced in silence, according to the Associated Press.

Harris’ campaign used the image of Trump to suggest that he looked exhausted, leaning on the idea that he might be too old at 78 to carry out presidential duties.

Biden urges support for Ukraine

On a brief visit to Berlin on Friday, President Joe Biden urged European allies to stand strongly in backing Ukraine and efforts to defeat Russian invaders.

Biden also commented on the possible impact of the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, reports The New York Times. His death, Biden said, was “an opportunity to see a path to peace” in the Middle East.

Speaking of the possibility of a return to the White House by Trump, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said, “Decency is maybe what we are most at risk of losing. But your decency, sir, is a light that shines very far,” referring to Biden.

Lights are out in Cuba

The failure of a key power plant knocked out the electric grid in all of Cuba on Friday, according to United Press International.

A shutdown at a power plant at Matanzas shut down all electrical power at 11 a.m local time. Government officials say that the Cuban Electric Union “is working on its restoration.”

Manuel Marrero Cruz, prime minister of Cuba, said “We will not rest until it is restored.”

Weather: Back to the Eighties

Summer doesn’t let go easily, sometimes, and lasts well into autumn. In our West Orange County cities, the trend is back to the 80s for daytime highs. Saturday’s forecast calls for a high of 78 with an overnight low of 56 under sunny skies. Sunday will climb to 82 (58), also with sunshine. Monday will be similar at 82 (60) with partly cloudy conditions, which should still be in place on Tuesday when things cool down a bit to 80 (59).

Great Thoughts

 “Is life so dear and peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, Give Me Liberty or give me death!”– Patrick Henry, in speech in Virginia lawmakers.