Obama Steps Sharply Back into the Spotlight While Trump Rambles Aimlessly

Mark Hayes and Brock Ganeles review the final stretch before the U.S. Midterms.

They discuss Trump's rally tour, Obama and Clinton's return to the trail, and signs of energy among Democratic voters. They also cover recent elections abroad in Brazil and Serbia, social media regulation, the social safety net, gun violence and race in America.

Midterm Campaign The hosts say Trump's rally tour could help Democrats. Brock criticizes his messaging on gas prices and affordability, and his rally tangents.

They debate whether the rallies energize his base or mainly entertain. Obama and Clinton's one-liners went viral, including Clinton's "Liberace's living room" and Obama's "Saddam's Cheesecake Factory" jabs.

Brock says Obama's Ohio and Michigan speeches were the strongest. They hope Obama campaigns more in the final week, and say the media can't resist showing the contrast.

They wish former President George W. Bush would speak out more forcefully.

They point to early-voting turnout as a sign of an energized base, with a goal to "make it too big to rig." Global Elections and Social Media Rules They discuss recent results in Brazil, Serbia and Hungary, including the late surge in Brazilian turnout. Brock argues for enforceable rules on how social media platforms handle political messaging.

They say they would put those rules in law and not leave them to norms and tradition. Economy and Society They criticize policies that hurt people experiencing homelessness, including a Louisiana law.

They argue for universal health care, affordable housing, a stronger safety net and changes to the tax code. They compare U.

S. and Chinese car prices. Lindsey Graham and Hypocrisy They discuss the Lindsey Graham story, with a focus on hypocrisy among politicians who vote against groups they are privately connected to.

Brock calls for exposing hypocrisy as it happens, not after the fact. They criticize the use of Christianity in politics.

Candidates and the Road Ahead They highlight a diverse slate of Democratic candidates and talk up Pete Buttigieg's future. Brock says high gas prices and the war are driving Democratic momentum, and that without them the midterms would be a toss-up.

America is still not ready to discuss it's racial and cultural divide. Gun Violence They discuss the shooting at the Florida A&M homecoming, which injured twelve people, including an 11-year-old.

They argue for stricter gun laws, including limits on how many firearms one person can own and on weapon types. Race in America They react to a new book on rural voters and racism, saying its conclusion isn't new.

They say racism is learned and can be unlearned, and that the country avoids talking about it. They bring up high school students in El Paso who wore Klan costumes for Halloween.

Sports The hosts are frustrated that WNBA Finals Game 6 was moved to a late slot so the Hawks game could go first. They argue it should have been a marquee prime-time game.

Brock corrects himself on the length of the series (seven games, not five). He also walks back his claim that Michael Jordan was clearly the best defender of his era, and names Dennis Rodman as a strong alternative.

Quick Hits A youth soccer game where police were called after a young black child scored ten goals. Thieves are stealing data center equipment from trucks.

Mark says about $13 million of server gear headed to Fayetteville, Georgia was taken, and that the FBI says organized crime rings are involved. They sign off and note the Israeli election is the next day.