A Changing Political Tide as the War Cools – “The Sunday Political Brunch” - August 9, 2026

Bob Dylan famously wrote the song, "The Times They Are a-Changing." Nowhere is that more evident today than in the Democratic Party of the United States. And, easing tensions overseas is playing well back at home. Let's "brunch" on that and more this week.

"Calming in Iran" --- After promising to hit Iran "very hard" with more military strikes, President Donald Trump noted that peace talks had resumed and were making progress. So, the new action was paused, and Trump said on Truth Social, "Based on this request, I have agreed, for the future benefit of the WORLD and, likewise, the survival of a successful and prosperous Iran, to cancel the attack, subject to being able to rapidly make a DEAL." We have heard similar promises almost every month since the war began, but military action has resumed on all sides. We'll see if the ceasefire can hold. So far, the financial markets are happy with the Dow Jones Industrial Average surging by more than 700 points on Monday and by more than 900 points on Tuesday, setting an all-time high. The S&P 500 also hit an all-time high on Tuesday. The price of crude oil has dropped from $84 to $77 per barrel, meaning the gasoline pump price has also dipped from $4.09 to $4.02 per gallon. Obviously, the situation remains tenuous, and there could be more volatility.

Subscribe

"Michigan Primary" – Five states held primaries this past week, but certainly the most intriguing was in Michigan. The state has an open Senate seat as Sen. Gary Peters (D) is not seeking a third term. Former Rep. Mike Rogers (R) Michigan is the Republican nominee. Democrats had a very combative primary. Rep. Haley Stevens (R-Mich.), a moderate, faced off against progressive, left-leaning Abdul El-Sayed. Senate Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer (D) New York, backed Haley, as did state party leaders. On the other side, progressive Sen. Bernie Sanders (I) Vermont, endorsed El-Sayed. In the end, El-Sayed won by a hair.

"What Michigan Means" – Right now there is an ongoing battle for the heart and soul of the Democratic Party, between the mainstream members and the progressive far-left that is offering up socialist-leaning candidates such as El-Sayed. He isn't the first to win. Mayor Zohran Mamdani won in New York City, and then three of his endorsed progressives won nominations for U.S. House seats in New York, defeating two incumbents. Then there was progressive Democrat Graham Platner in Vermont, who won the Democratic Primary for U.S. Senate, but had to step down due to multiple scandals. The organization, Democratic Socialists of America, DSA, now has more than 90,000 members with chapters in every state. In a roundabout way, this could actually help Republican. For example, in Michigan, Democrats had a very divisive, bruising, and expensive primary. The GOP did not. Republican Mike Rogers has a full campaign war chest, whereas El-Sayed has spent millions to win the primary. Watch for similar scenarios in other states in November. This coming week, a DSA Democrat is trying win the Democratic Primary for governor in Wisconsin.

"McConnell Home?" – Sen. Mitch McConnell (R) Kentucky issued a statement saying he's home after being released from a rehabilitation hospital where he has been since June 14. It reads, in part, "On the advice of my doctors, I'll maintain an intensive regimen of physical therapy from home during the state work period, and I'll continue to engage with my staff and colleagues on important Senate business." Gov. Andy Beshear (D) still wants to actually hear McConnell speak via video or in person, to assure Kentuckians he can continue to serve. So far, that has not happened. That leaves Republicans with just a two-vote Senate majority and some close, key votes may be coming soon.

"Moreno Family Feud" – Politics is getting ugly in the Buckeye State. Sen. Bernie Moreno (R) Ohio, says his former son-in-law Rep. Max Miller (R) Ohio, should no longer be serving in Congress. Moreno says Miller abused his wife, who is Moreno's daughter Emily. The divorced Millers are locked in a custody battle over their young daughter. Moreno said that Miller "needs serious psychological help. He is a danger to my daughter, and I hold my breath every minute he has custody of my granddaughter." Max Miller has denied all allegations and is endorsed by President Trump. He said he will ask the House Ethics Committee to review the allegations against him. Miller said, "I'm not dropping out of this race, and I'll win in November." Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH) also urged Miller to end his campaign. Democrats are making an aggressive bid for this seat, as it's one they might need to win control of the U.S. House.

"Fauci Ouchy" – This past Thursday, the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee found former COVID czar Dr. Anthony Fauci in Contempt of Congress. This was after Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination at a hearing the prior week, regarding how he handled the COVID-19 pandemic. At the start of the hearing, Chairman Sen. Rand Paul (R) Kentucky, said, "Dr. Fauci faced no risk of federal prosecution." Paul added, "All he had to do was tell the truth." Fauci's attorney, David Schertler, said in a statement, "For years, Senator Paul has proclaimed to anyone who would listen that Dr. Fauci should be prosecuted and put in prison. Dr. Fauci has committed no crime – and Senator Paul knows it." No date is set for the full Senate to vote on the resolution. If it concurs with the committee, the matter will be referred to the Department of Justice for consideration of possible charges.

"Todd Blanche Resurrection" – Many political pundits, including me, pronounced dead the nomination of Todd Blanche to be permanent Attorney General. Sens. John Cornyn (R) Texas, and Thom Tillis (R) North Carolina, said they might vote against him, and if only one of them voted no, the confirmation would be denied. Both senators said they had misgivings about a 1.8 billion dollar "reparations fund" for those convicted, then pardoned for their roles in the Capitol riots of 2021. Late Sunday, Acting Attorney General Blanche issued an order ending the so-called "Anti-Weaponization" fund. He said the fund was dead, "beyond any doubt." By Monday, both senators confirmed they would vote in favor of Blanche. They issued a joint statement, saying, "We want to express our gratitude to Mr. Blanche and his staff for working with us on this, and we look forward to voting to advance his nomination out of the Senate Judiciary Committee soon." The committee vote was 12-10 along party lines, and now the full Senate will vote. The full Senate confirmed Blanche 50-49.

"Jeanine Pirro in Peril" – Another once-close Trump ally is in hot water. Jeanine Pirro is the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, and a former Fox News commentator and New York judge. She has decided to drop the criminal charges against a man accused of vandalizing the revamped Reflecting Pool on the National Mall. Investigators say former Olympian David Hearn tore out a section of the new liner. Hearn says he was biking past the new pool and reached in to feel it. He says a park ranger told him to stop, and he says he complied. Ultimately, U.S. Attorney Pirro felt there was insufficient evidence to prosecute. President Trump was not happy. He said Pirro "choked" and "folded like an umbrella." You have to wonder if she's about to get the boot, like Pam Bondi, Kristi Noem, Tulsi Gabbard, and other Trump backers who fell out of favor with the boss. I bet Pirro's gone within a week.

"Courts Clean Energy" – There's been another major court loss for the Trump Administration. A divided U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Washington, DC, said the Trump White House improperly ended a program known as the Climate United Fund, which was created under former President Joe Biden. It's nicknamed "green bank," and Congress authorized it to start launching energy projects with $20 billion. EPA Administrator Lee Zelden accused Climate United of mismanagement and potential fraud, though no charges have been filed. Climate United issued a statement saying, in part, "Despite efforts to harm the awardees with false allegations and misinformation, there remains no legal basis for terminating our grant award and clawing back funds that were already disbursed in our bank accounts." An appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court is all but certain. In another case, the U.S. Court of Appeals says construction of a new $400 million ballroom at the White House must be stopped because Congress did not approve it. Trump says he'll appeal that to the Supreme Court as well.

Mark Curtis, Ed.D., is a South Florida-based political writer and analyst who has covered news and politics nationwide for the past 49 years. He is a multiple award winner, including two prestigious Edward R. Murrow Awards. Most recently, he served as the Chief Political Reporter for the seven Nexstar Media TV stations, covering the Washington DC media market, West Virginia, and its five neighboring states. Curtis is a former Congressional Fellow who worked in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate. Over the years, he has been a contributing writer and analyst at Patch.com. His commentary and analysis can be heard every Friday at 1:45 p.m. ET on the 22-station West Virginia Metro News Radio Network. www.WVMetroNews.com.

© 2026 Mark Curtis Media