👎 Axios PM: America disapproves

Plus: Lebanon's resilient airline | Wednesday, October 23, 2024

Open in app View in browser   Presented By Walmart   Axios PM By Mike Allen · Oct 23, 2024 Good afternoon. Today's newsletter, edited by Sam Baker, is 471 words, a 2-min. read. Thanks to Sheryl Miller for copy editing.     1 big thing: Two unpopular candidates   Data: Gallup; Chart: Jacque Schrag/Axios The era of well-liked presidential candidates may be over for good, Axios' Sam Baker writes from new Gallup data. Former President Trump's and Vice President Harris' favorability ratings are among the lowest Gallup has ever recorded. The only candidates who have been less popular over the past 56 years are Trump, in his previous runs, and Hillary Clinton. 👍 👎 How it works: Every four years, Gallup asks Americans to rate each candidate on a scale from -5 to 5. And for decades, everyone's scores were pretty high — even candidates who ended up losing in landslides were still seen favorably. But that goodwill has been eroding over the past few cycles, mainly because people's negative opinions have gotten much more negative, Gallup says. Among their own parties, Trump and Harris are two of the most popular candidates ever. But they're also near the top of the list of candidates who have had the biggest share of "highly unfavorable" ratings.     2. ✈️ Flying the unfriendly skies   A Lebanese Middle East Airlines plane lands at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport last week amid ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces. Photo: Mohamed Abd El Ghany/Reuters Lebanon's national airline is still flying, undeterred by the barrage of recent Israeli airstrikes. Middle East Airlines is the only commercial carrier still operating out of Beirut's international airport. It's flying 30–40 flights per day — about the usual number for this time of year. Flights out of Beirut are mostly full; flights back in are mostly empty. 🇱🇧 "As long as you see us operating, it means our threat assessment says that we can operate," Capt. Mohammed Aziz, adviser to the airline's chairman, told AP. "We will never jeopardize the life of anyone." The airline conducts daily threat assessments, and Aziz said planes often aren't as close to the sites of bombings as they might appear in photos.     A message from Walmart "Walmart stands behind us. It's priceless."     Walmart helped veteran-owned business Bon AppéSweet expand beyond Leonardtown, Maryland, to reach customers across America. The impact: Walmart's $350 billion investment in products made, grown or assembled in America is helping create 750,000+ jobs across the U.S. Explore the commitment.     3. Catch me up   Workers clear rubble Monday after Russia attacked Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine. Photo: Ukrainian Emergency Service/AP 🇰🇵 At least 3,000 North Korean troops have deployed to Russia to aid its war in Ukraine, U.S. officials said. Go deeper. 🍔 One-fifth of McDonald's restaurants have temporarily stopped selling Quarter Pounders due to an E. Coli outbreak that has sickened at least 49 people and killed one. Go deeper ... McDonald's statement. ⚾️ This year's World Series, between the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees, may sell more tickets than any other series in recent memory — and at a higher price. Go deeper.     4. 👻 1 for the road   Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images Skeletons representing the eras of Taylor Swift's "Eras" tour adorn the Skeleton House in New Orleans. The tour comes to the Big Easy (Caesars Superdome) this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. More from Axios New Orleans.     A message from Walmart More than two-thirds of Walmart products are made in America     Walmart supports products made, grown or assembled in the U.S. — including Bon AppéSweet, a veteran-owned business in Leonardtown, Maryland. Key number: In 2023, the retailer invested over $1.2 billion in veteran-owned businesses across the country. Learn about Walmart's impact.   Are you a fan of this email format? Your essential communications — to staff, clients and other stakeholders — can have the same style. Axios HQ, a powerful platform, will help you do it.   Axios thanks our partners for supporting our newsletters. Sponsorship has no influence on editorial content. Advertise with us. Axios, PO Box 101060, Arlington VA 22201   You received this email because you signed up for newsletters from Axios. To stop receiving this newsletter, unsubscribe or manage your email preferences.   Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now to get Axios in your inbox.   Follow Axios on social media: