Political commentator Mark Halperin clarified his recent viral remarks, emphasizing that his comments aimed to highlight the presence of “actors” attempting to sway the 2024 presidential race. Halperin noted that while he had been approached with a story purported to have the potential to “end Trump’s campaign,” he does not believe the story is credible and has chosen not to pursue it.
“The point I was making is actors who want a certain outcome are on social media and in pitches to reporters, and in the case of The Atlantic, Jeffrey Goldberg… are trying to affect the end of the race because they’re so desperate to try to pull a Comey,” Halperin stated, referencing the 2016 election’s late-stage developments. He reiterated, “I’m not pursuing the story. I don’t think it’s true… All I’m saying is there are people out there pitching stuff.” (RELATED: Slain Soldier’s Family Dismisses The Atlantic’s Trump ‘Hit Piece’)
NEW: Mark Halperin clarifies himself after he went viral for stating he had been pitched a story that would “end Trump’s campaign.”
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) October 23, 2024
Halperin says the comment was made to warn people of “actors” who are trying to influence the election.
Halperin added that he isn’t pursuing the… pic.twitter.com/9QZ7T7w20C
This clarification comes amid signs of a stronger-than-expected early voting turnout for Republicans. According to Eric Daugherty, Assistant News Director of Florida Voice News, Republicans held a lead of over 15 points in early voting in Miami-Dade County as of Wednesday morning.
OH MY GOD.
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) October 23, 2024
Republicans lead the Miami-Dade early voting by over 15 points.
I am speechless. pic.twitter.com/8BxHDnMZDi
Meanwhile, polling data indicates a shift in support among independent voters towards former President Trump. While Vice President Harris has a slight national lead among this group, Trump holds a narrow advantage in key battleground states like Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania. Notably, only three candidates—Richard Nixon in 1960, Gerald Ford in 1976 and John Kerry in 2004—have won the majority of independent voters but lost the presidency. (RELATED: CNN Analysis Critiques Trump’s Support With Sarcasm; New Data Reveals Concerning Trends)
These latest developments coincide with a broader perception shift among voters, as recent surveys suggest more see Harris as too liberal compared to President Biden, who positioned himself as a moderate alternative during the 2020 election.
Trump's doing much better with independents than in 2020. Harris leads them by a smidge nationally. Trump ahead a little in MI, PA & WI.
— (((Harry Enten))) (@ForecasterEnten) October 23, 2024
Only Nixon 60, Ford 76 & Kerry 04 have won indies & lost.
Remember: voters are more likely to see Harris 2024 as too liberal vs. Biden 2020. pic.twitter.com/8GQM3oZ6tY
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THESE ARE GOOD SIGNS – AND LET US AL:L DO ALL WE CAN
– like sending all our friends and family voting – TO HAVE AN
ELECTION DAY WE CAN CELEBRATE!