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Biden-Harris admin treatment of Ukraine, Israel wars ‘differs substantially,’ experts say

JERUSALEM—The devastating wars launched by Russia’s authoritarian leader Vladimir Putin against Ukraine and the Hamas terrorist movement against Israel are raising uncomfortable questions for President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris about their alleged lack of resolve toward an Israeli victory over the Islamic Republic of Iran-backed proxies, Hamas and Hezbollah.

Fox News Digital turned to experts on the Mideast and Russia for their reflections on the different war strategies embraced by Biden and Harris with respect to Ukraine and Israel.  

‘The strategic behavior of the United States toward Ukraine and Israel differs substantially,’ David Wurmser, a former senior adviser for nonproliferation and Middle East strategy for former Vice President Dick Cheney, told Fox News Digital.

‘There has never been any indication that the United States affords Russia any legitimacy to its reasons for invasion. While a cease-fire in place may be sought, there is no indulgence of Russia’s ostensible grievances or demands,’ Wurmser said, adding, ‘In contrast, regarding the Palestinians, the October 7 attack was blasted as a horror and Israel’s immediate defense was accepted, but the thrust of U.S. policy almost immediately and certainly with ever greater intensity was that a legitimate grievance underlies Palestinian claims and led to these events.’

While many Mideast experts see the effort to establish a Palestinian state as a failed project, the Biden-Harris administration has embraced Palestinian demands and sought to push Israel to accept a two-state solution before the Oct. 7 Hamas invasion and after Hamas massacred nearly 1,200 people in Israel.

The language of Biden and Harris towards Ukraine and Israel also shows a disconnect. In September, after Russian missiles killed more than 50 during an attack on a training facility and hospital, Biden said, ‘Make no mistake: Russia will not prevail in this war. The people of Ukraine will prevail. And on this tragic day, and every day, the United States stands with them.’

Terminology that advances victory is largely shunned by Biden and Harris when discussing Israel’s ground wars against Hamas and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Biden and Harris went as far as to threaten Israel with punitive measures if the Jewish state invaded the last stronghold of Hamas in the city of Rafah. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyhau called their bluff and defeated Hamas in Rafah, including the elimination of its terrorist leader Yahya Sinwar last month.

French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Biden announced last month during a discussion of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Victory Plan ‘their resolve to continue supporting Ukraine in its efforts to secure a just and lasting peace.’ In the same statement, the western world leaders stressed ‘ending the war in Gaza,’ a message to Israel that it recoil from its anti-terrorism war.

Israel Defense Forces have not rooted out all Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip and Hamas’ leadership insists on continuing its war to obliterate the Jewish state. 

The juxtaposition of U.S. policies and language toward the prosecution of wars in Ukraine and in Gaza and Lebanon has revolved around blunting Israel’s paths to victory and its efforts to re-establish deterrence, argue critics of the Biden-Harris school of thought. Ukraine has not experienced the same offensive war restrictions from Biden and Harris, argue experts. 

Wurmser noted that ‘Ukraine is not facing an incessant attempt from the first days of the Ukraine war of self-defense to stop the war in a way that allows its enemy to consolidate its gains and pocket a victory. Only recently has the United States begun to indicate the preference for, but did not impose material pressure on yet, Ukraine to move toward a cease-fire. Not so with Israel.  From the first week of the war, the United States [has tried] to restrain Israel and press it towards a cease-fire.’

He continued, ‘From the start of the Hezbollah attack on Israel on October 8, the United States pressed Israel to minimize its response and move to a cease-fire.  After the Houthis blockaded Israel’s southern port in late October 2023, sent missiles and drones into Israeli cities and attacked Israeli and world shipping, the United States pushed Israel to defer to the United States to guarantee its interests—which it then failed to do. After missiles and drones were sent by Iraqi militias in November 2023 into Israeli cities and ports, the United States similarly urged Israeli passivity but failed to provide Israel security.’

Iran’s regime supports and funds the Houthi movment in Yemen and pro-Iran Iraqi militias.

Biden and Harris have, however, imposed a restriction on Ukraine’s use of long-range missiles. Zelenskyy appealed to the White House, in a late September meeting, that Biden and Harris increase Ukraine’s leverage to defeat Russia by lifting the ban on long-range missiles that can strike Russian territory. Key Republican lawmakers also urged Biden and Harris to permit Ukraine to use the U.S. long-range missile systems. 

Former U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency officer Rebekah Koffler told Fox New Digital that the ‘Biden-Harris Team has been trying to appease Iran by trying to micromanage Israel’s war fighting campaign, in which Israel is working to eliminate the existential threat. This incompetent approach — constantly pressuring Netanyahu to do a cease-fire, not letting him finish the job — is inviting escalation from Iran. Iran is emboldened, having witnessed that Biden-Harris don’t have Israel’s back. Iran has gotten so out of control that they’ve targeted Netanyahu’s home – think about that. The Ayatollahs clearly feel that Biden-Harris are on their side.’

The Islamic Republic of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei taunted the U.S. and the Jewish state with a ‘tooth-breaking’ response to the actions of both countries on Saturday. Iran’s regime vowed to launch a third attack on Israel in response to Israel’s Oct. 26 attack on Iran, which targeted critical military infrastructure. That attack from Israel came in response to a wave of 200-some missiles launched from Iran into Israel on Oct. 1.

The U.S. State Department referred Fox News Digital to the White House for a comment. The White House and the Harris campaign declined to respond to Fox News Digital press queries.

Fox News’ Anders Hagstrom contributed to this report.

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BRET BAIER: Unity Is In Our Name: What Americans want to hear from the 2024 presidential election winner

Election nights occur in an atmosphere of exhaustion and relief as our presidential campaign cycles have grown longer. Ask people how they feel on election eve, and you’re likely to hear, ‘I just want it to be over.’ We don’t know if a winner will be announced on November 5, or later. But eventually, there will be a winner, and at whatever point either Donald J. Trump or Kamala Harris steps up to the victor’s podium, their words will set the tone for the coming days and years. 

What do the American people want to hear—no matter who is standing there? As a passionate student of our great nation’s remarkable history, I can say they want to hear a message of unity, not division. 

Our forty-first President, George Herbert Walker Bush, was not known for his soaring oratory. However, on the night of November 8, 1988, after winning the presidency, he struck an eloquent note as he shifted from campaign to governance. ‘A campaign,’ he said, ‘is a disagreement, and disagreements divide, but an election is a decision, and decisions clear the way for harmony and peace.’ 

It struck me that the ability to distinguish between the divisive nature of a campaign and the pragmatic unification demanded by governance was a perfect description of the democratic process first executed by the Founders. Bush was saying that he knew people were feeling bruised from the fight, but he hoped they could move on to work together for the good of the nation.

Calls for unity have been a common thread for election night speeches, no matter how divisive our campaigns.

On November 5, 1952, Dwight Eisenhower learned he’d won the election, and began to make his way to the ballroom where his supporters were gathered. He had just replied to a gracious concession telegram from his opponent, Adlai Stevenson. When he arrived in the ballroom, Eisenhower read his response to his supporters. ‘I thank you for your courteous and generous message. Recognizing the intensity of the difficulties that lie ahead, it is clearly necessary that men and women of goodwill of both parties forget the political strife through which we have passed and devote themselves to the single purpose of a better future. This I believe they will do.’ Eisenhower then cautioned the crowd that the only way to succeed in the presidency was as a united people. ‘Let us unite for the better future for America, for our children, and for our grandchildren.’

Not every president-elect, flush with victory, reaches out to the other side, but most do. Probably the most dramatic case was Abraham Lincoln’s reelection in 1864, while the nation was at war. The war showed no signs of abating, and the future was uncertain. Unity seemed impossible. 

Speaking to a crowd, Lincoln noted that it had long been a question, now more urgent, whether the nation could be strong enough to maintain its existence in the worst emergency. He noted that the election ‘has demonstrated that a people’s government can sustain a national election in the midst of a great civil war. Until now, it has not been known to the world that this was a possibility. It shows also how sound, and how strong we still are.’ Lincoln asked his supporters to extend goodwill to their opponents and spoke of his hope that a unified nation could endure. The war ended the following year.

Unity did not come easily after the war, and the years after the assassination of Lincoln were tumultuous. In 1868, the Republicans turned to General Ulysses S. Grant, the hero of the war, believing he was the one who could bring the nation together. Grant was a reluctant candidate, but he was clear about his mission. His written acceptance of his nomination contained the line that would become his rallying cry as president: ‘Let us have peace.’

There have been other contentious eras. When Richard Nixon stood before supporters late on the night of November 6, 1968, to declare victory over Vice President Hubert Humphrey, the war in Vietnam was at its height, and masses of antiwar demonstrators filled the streets. The election had been bitter, and many people believed the foundations of democracy were in jeopardy. 

Once again, there was doubt that unity was possible. But that night, Nixon told a story about unity. On the trail, he said, he’d seen many campaign signs. ‘Some of them were not friendly, and some were very friendly. But the one that touched me the most was one that I saw in Deshler, Ohio, at the end of a long day of whistle-stopping, a little town. I suppose five times the population was there in the dusk, almost impossible to see—but a teenager held up a sign, ‘Bring Us Together.’ And that will be the great objective of this Administration at the outset, to bring the American people together. This will be an open Administration, open to new ideas, open to men and women of both parties, open to the critics as well as those who support us.’ 

Conciliatory gestures by the victors are important, but so are offers of support by those who lost. In defeat, many presidential hopefuls stand at the podium, crushed by the loss but holding up their heads along with the principles of democracy. Some can still inspire us.

‘The Nation has spoken,’ Alf Landon wrote to Franklin Roosevelt on November 4, 1936. ‘Every American will accept the verdict and work for the common cause of the good of our country. That is the spirit of democracy.’

In 1948, Thomas Dewey, who might have been shocked to lose since the media had declared him the winner at one point during the vote count, conceded to Harry Truman with these generous words: ‘My heartiest congratulations on your election and every good wish for a successful administration. I urge all Americans to unite behind you in support of every effort to keep our nation strong and free and to establish peace in the world.’

And Walter Mondale, after a humiliating landslide loss to Ronald Reagan in 1984, spoke truly inspiring words about who we are as a nation—articulating the essence of America: ‘Again tonight, the American people, in town halls, in homes, in fire houses, in libraries, chose the occupant of the most powerful office on earth. Their choice was made peacefully, with dignity and with majesty, and although I would have rather won, tonight we rejoice in our democracy, we rejoice in the freedom of a wonderful people, and we accept their verdict. I thank the people of America for hearing my case.’ 

Reagan, in his 1984 election night remarks, spoke about the higher calling, shared by citizens and candidates alike. ‘Here in America, the people are in charge,’ he said. ‘And that’s really why we’re here tonight. This electoral victory belongs to you and the principles that you cling to—principles struck by the brilliance and bravery of patriots more than 200 years ago. They set forth the course of liberty and hope that makes our country special in the world.’ 

The reminder of who we are and who we will become has special meaning on the eve of the 2024 election. On July 4, 2026, about halfway through the next presidential term, we will celebrate the 250th anniversary of America, the date when the founding document of the nation, the Declaration of Independence, was signed. 

It was the beginning of the United States of America. Unity is in our name. 

Bret Baier is a New York Times bestselling author of five presidential biographies. Click here to visit Bret Baier Books.

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10 questions that should haunt Democrats this Election Day

A year ago, many Democrats believed a Trump nomination would depress Republican turnout, energize the Democratic base, and lead to an easy win on Election Day. But Democrats woke up this morning to a very different race, and they have only themselves to question. 

10: Who pushed President Joe Biden to do such an early presidential debate? 

Were senior Democratic operatives setting Biden up to fail? There was no reason to agree to a debate so early. Were they deliberately trying to create a reason to replace him on the ballot? Or were they legitimately blindsided by his poor performance? Should they have pushed him out sooner? Could they have? Why didn’t he ‘pass the baton’ a year ago? 

9: Was it a mistake to take Biden out of the race? 

They have to wonder if Biden could have won this race. More importantly, would he have done less damage to their brand? Vice President Kamala Harris has hemorrhaged support from working class and minority voters. Why did Biden really drop out? He wasn’t doing press conferences and media interviews, but neither has she. He wasn’t keeping a heavy schedule. Neither has she. He wasn’t coherent on policy. Neither was Harris. Should Democratic leaders like Nancy Pelosi have stayed their hand? 

8: Did no one see how unprepared Kamala Harris was to be the nominee? 

Surely her inability to articulate policy, think on her feet and connect with voters should have been noticed at some point in her political career. Why didn’t Democrats see her shortcomings in basic retail politics? What if Democrats had actually done a mini-primary to select the best candidate? Obviously, only Harris could access the Biden war chest. But would they have been better off with a less well-funded candidate who could actually take on former President Donald Trump? Why did mainstream Democrats just roll over and allow this to happen? What kind of shenanigans went into her installment as the party nominee? 

7: What if Harris had chosen Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro as her running mate? 

Democrats have to wonder if the Jewishness of popular Gov. Shapiro would have been a bigger liability than the dishonesty of Minnesota’s self-described ‘knucklehead’ Governor Tim Walz. Should they have been more prepared to vet vice presidential candidates earlier? If they had picked Shapiro, would that assure a Trump victory in Michigan? 

6: Why was President Barack Obama the last one to endorse? 

Was he expecting a competitive primary? Why wasn’t there one? Did he know how bad Harris would be at campaigning? Why didn’t he speak up?  

5: Why didn’t Democrats benefit from the federal response to Hurricane Helene the way Obama benefited from Hurricane Sandy? 

The whole foundation of the Democratic Party is that government is the solution. But faced with a perfect opportunity to demonstrate the competence of government, the Biden-Harris administration fell flat. Sure, it was a terrible disaster. But so was Hurricane Sandy – yet Obama’s handling of that disaster was ultimately a game changer in the 2012 race. Trump handled disasters with compassion and competence, even when he wasn’t in office (think East Palestine, Ohio, and Hurricane Helene) What got in the way this time? 

4: How did they so badly underestimate Trump’s appeal to their own base of voters? 

Democrats have to be asking themselves if they really understand America. Polling shows Dems are losing union voters, minorities and youth in unprecedented numbers. With two former Democratic presidential candidates endorsing Trump, Harris found herself cozying up to Dick and Liz Cheney for endorsements. Nobody else had that on their bingo card for 2024. Did no one consider whether Harris could successfully distance herself from her radical past? Who did they imagine she would appeal to? 

3: Should Harris have done more to distinguish herself from Biden? 

She couldn’t name one thing she would do differently. Why not? Was Biden so selfish and insecure that he wouldn’t allow her to put any daylight between them? Roughly two-thirds of the country believes the USA is on the ‘wrong track’ and Democrats can’t name anything they would do differently? 

2: How wise was it to put a target on Trump’s back with incendiary rhetoric and insufficient Secret Service protection? 

Without a doubt, the assassination attempts on Trump helped him politically – as did the lawfare by partisan prosecutors and judges. Did Democrats anticipate how badly their plans might backfire? Did the Democrats really believe demonizing Trump as a fascist Nazi while simultaneously claiming to unite the nation as the party of ‘joy’ was going to resonate with independent voters? It was probably a feel-good moment for the liberal base, but it was not a good closing argument.  

1: Do the Bidens secretly want Harris to lose? 

Democrats will inevitably claim that is garbage, but ‘garbage’ is the point. Biden calling Trump supporters ‘garbage’ follows a long line of repetitive disdain for millions of Americans. ‘How could anyone support Trump?’ they bemoan in unison. Could Biden have done more to help her win, perhaps by just being silent? At least twice he stole the limelight from her, holding press conferences directly opposite national appearances she made, and the garbage comment could not have come at a worse time for the V.P. running to replace Joe. Perhaps they are resentful of being pushed off the ticket? 

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Trump camp confident based on early voting, while Black leaders say Harris is struggling

At a time when we’re all deluged with conflicting polls and statistical ties, Donald Trump’s campaign is unusually confident.

The Kamala Harris operation also sees reason for optimism, with news that late deciders are breaking her way by more than 10%. But she still casts herself as the underdog. Her ‘SNL’ appearance doesn’t change that; nor does Trump saying that RFK’s plan to remove fluoride from the water, a major public health advance, ‘sounds okay to me.’

Most media folks, either publicly or privately, believe Trump will win, even as the anti-Trumpers beg their followers to turn out for the VP – such as MSNBC’s Nicolle Wallace asking her ex-boss George W. Bush to publicly back Harris.

The climax of the campaign seems built around a gaping gender gap–with Kamala doing far better among women and Trump much better among men. 

The view from the Trump camp is that registration figures favor Republicans, based on mail-in voting, in the battleground states that will decide the race. Nearly half the country has already voted.

Take the crucial commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In 2020, Democrats had a 7.5% advantage, and that’s now shrunk to a 3-point edge.

What’s more, just 39% of Democrats who have voted there so far are men, compared to 49% among Republicans.

Democratic strategist Tom Bonier, who appears on MSNBC, says the Pennsylvania electorate is much more Republican, and much more male, than last time.

Harris needs a huge turnout in Philadelphia to carry the state, and numerous news reports say she’s still struggling to win over some Black men.

In Wisconsin, the view from Trump World is that in-person voting (which tends to favor the former president) is outnumbering mail ballots (which lean Democratic). Trump’s strength is among male, white and rural voters. So, as in the case of Philly, Harris must do very well in Milwaukee and Madison to carry the state.

Michigan, which Rep. Debbie Dingell recently told me is a toss-up, remains an enigma, because it doesn’t track party registration. So the ballgame there may turn on how well Harris does in Detroit. 

The Trump camp sees similar advantages in such swing states as Georgia and North Carolina, where public polling is close but would be a bigger stretch for a Harris win. The election really turns on the three Blue Wall states.

Maybe Harris should have picked Josh Shapiro?

In one key state after another, local Black leaders are quoted on the record as saying they’re worried about warning signs in their community:

Politico: ‘The city of Milwaukee is trailing the rest of the state by about 7 percent both in its mail-in return rate and in overall registered voter turnout. It’s a warning sign, even some Democrats privately say, for Harris as her campaign looks to run up the score with urban and suburban voters to overcome Wisconsin’s rural counties.’

Capital B, Atlanta: The turnout of Black voters in Georgia ‘has dropped from more than 29 percent’ on the first day of early voting ‘to about 25 percent…That’s the bad news for Harris…

‘Elected leaders and political observers say Democrats looking for a guaranteed win in statewide office races in Georgia usually need to hit a 30 percent Black turnout rate.’

Charlotte Observer: ‘As of Wednesday, Black voters had cast 207,000 fewer ballots compared with four years ago — a drop of almost 40 percent.’

‘I am worried about turnout in Detroit. I think it’s real,’ said Jamal Simmons, a former Harris aide, told ABC.

A sunnier view is offered by this Politico piece, which says that public polls appear to be undercounting Harris’ support.

The story says that ‘shy Trump voters’ – who don’t want to tell pollsters who they’re supporting–are a thing of the past, given the aggressive nature of his campaign. 

Instead, many ‘forgotten’ Harris voters are missed by the polls, especially Republicans frustrated with their own party: Nikki Haley voters.

Citing a national survey, Politico says 66% of those voting for Haley in the primaries backed Trump in 2016, dropping to 59% four years ago and an estimated 45% this time. ‘Meanwhile, their support for the Democratic presidential nominee has nearly tripled from only 13 percent supporting Hillary Clinton in 2016 to 36 percent indicating an intent to vote for Kamala Harris.’

To which I say: Who the hell knows?

We’re at the point now before tomorrow’s election that pollsters are analyzing the polls to figure out which ones are off. And–here comes the cliché – it all depends on turnout. Despite raising a billion bucks, if some of Harris’ potential supporters stay home, that sinks her candidacy.

The scenarios favored by the Trump team rest largely on party registration, not polls that have missed the mark in the last two cycles.

That explains why the former president is more confident, even as he asks his advisers whether they really believe he’s going to win.

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Cowboys’ star QB knocked out of game with hamstring injury

ATLANTA – Dak Prescott suffered a double setback on Sunday. 

Not only did the Dallas Cowboys fall to a third consecutive loss, but the star quarterback suffered a right hamstring injury that knocked him out of the game in the second half. 

Prescott was hurt during a scramble late in the third quarter – he wasn’t sure if the injury occurred as he ran or was inflicted during the tackle – and was replaced by Cooper Rush in the fourth quarter of the 27-21 defeat to the Atlanta Falcons. 

He stayed in the game for at least two plays after suffering the injury and was seen wincing in pain as he threw a 10-yard completion to Jalen Brooks on his next-to-last snap of the game. Prescott noticed the injury when he rose to the turf after the scramble, sensing a pain that he’d never felt before. He wanted to remain in the game but was ruled out after being examined by the Cowboys athletic training staff. 

“I asked, ‘Could I make it worse?’ ”Prescott said. “They said I wouldn’t be able to protect myself.” 

All things Cowboys: Latest Dallas Cowboys news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

Prescott will undergo an MRI to determine the extent of the injury but is hopeful that it won’t jeopardize this status for next Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium. 

“I’ll say that I’ll be out there next week,” said Prescott, who completed 18 of 24 passes on Sunday for 133 yards, with a touchdown and zero interceptions. 

“Hopefully, I can say I heal fast, I progress fast on injuries and things. I’m thankful for that. We’ve got to get a picture of it. I guess we’ll see how bad it is. It will take a lot for me not to be out there.” 

In leaving the postgame news conference, Prescott’s injury was barely noticeable as he stepped down from the stage and walked back to the locker room. He acknowledged that a better read on his condition will come during the week, which will include the extent to which he can participate in practice. 

The quarterback’s mobility behind a shaky offensive line is crucial. On Sunday, he was sacked three times and scrambled three times for 30 yards, including an 18-yard scamper. 

Leaving the game was “very, very difficult,” Prescott said.

“I know how much we needed this one,” he said. “I just wanted to get out there and compete.” 

This story has been updated with new information.

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Record-tying 14 players take home first Gold Glove Awards

One year after 13 players won their first Gold Gloves, 14 players took home the hardware for the first time Sunday night when Major League Baseball announced the winners for outstanding defensive play.

Royals All-Star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. and Braves left-hander Chris Sale headlined the 14 first-time winners, which ties the record set in 2022. San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Chapman earned his fifth Gold Glove, the most among this year’s group of 20 winners.

The Cleveland Guardians (Andres Gimenez, Steven Kwan), Kansas City Royals (Witt, Seth Lugo), Seattle Mariners (Cal Raleigh, Dylan Moore), Colorado Rockies (Ezequiel Tovar, Brenton Doyle), Milwaukee Brewers (Brice Turang, Sal Frelick) and San Francisco Giants (Patrick Bailey, Chapman) each had two players earn Gold Gloves.

Also receiving Gold Gloves in the AL were Carlos Santana of the Minnesota Twins, Daulton Varsho of the Toronto Blue Jays and Wilyer Abreu of the Boston Red Sox.

Additional NL winners were Christian Walker of the Arizona Diamondbacks, Ian Happ of the Chicago Cubs and Jared Triolo of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Follow every MLB game: Latest MLB scores, stats, schedules and standings.

American League

Catcher: Cal Raleigh, Seattle Mariners

First base: Carlos Santana, Minnesota Twins

Second base: Andres Gimenez, Cleveland Guardians

Shortstop: Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals

Third base: Alex Bregman, Houston Astros

Left field: Steven Kwan, Cleveland Guardians

Center field: Daulton Varsho, Toronto Blue Jays

Right field: Wilyer Abreu, Boston Red Sox

Pitcher: Seth Lugo, Kansas City Royals

Utility: Dylan Moore, Seattle Mariners

National League

Catcher: Patrick Bailey, San Francisco Giants

First base: Christian Walker, Arizona Diamondbacks

Second base: Brice Turang, Milwaukee Brewers

Shortstop: Ezequiel Tovar, Colorado Rockies

Third base: Matt Chapman, San Francisco Giants

Left field: Ian Happ, Chicago Cubs

Center field: Brenton Doyle, Colorado Rockies

Right field: Sal Frelick, Milwaukee Brewers

Pitcher: Chris Sale, Atlanta Braves

Utility: Jared Triolo, Pittsburgh Pirates

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Coaches poll gets shakeup in top 10 as Clemson, Iowa State tumble

One college football team in the top 10 was guaranteed to lose in Week 10 weekend. But two more went down to unexpected defeats, resulting in considerable shakeup in the US LBM Coaches Poll.

Oregon easily retains the No. 1 spot after taking care of business at struggling Michigan. The Ducks once again received all but one of the 54 first-place votes, with the other top nod going to No. 2 Georgia. Ohio State moves back up to No. 3 after handing Penn State its first loss, knocking the Nittany Lions down four positions to No. 7. Miami (Fla.), Texas and Tennessee each move up a spot as a result.

Notre Dame climbs a notch to No. 8. No. 9 Brigham Young and No. 10 Indiana, both among the last of the unbeatens, round out the top 10, each achieving their highest ranking since the 2020 season.

TOP 25: Complete US LBM Coaches Poll after Week 10

UPS AND DOWNS: Ohio State leads Week 10 winners and losers

Clemson and Iowa State, the two top-10 upset victims, tumble to 17 and 18, respectively. Texas A&M also drops five places to No. 16 after a loss at South Carolina. Boise State makes a big move in the positive direction, gaining five positions to check in at No. 14.

Colorado makes its season debut in the coaches poll at No. 24, and Vanderbilt returns to the No. 25 position.

Illinois and Memphis are the week’s dropouts.

(This story was updated to change a video and add a gallery).

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NASCAR final four is set. What to know about 2024 championship race

The final four competitors are now set, and NASCAR is just one week away from crowning the 2024 Cup Series champion.

Ryan Blaney and William Byron joined Joey Logano and Tyler Reddick in the Championship 4 following Sunday’s race at Martinsville Speedway. Those four will race against a full field of drivers next weekend at Phoenix Raceway in the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race.

But neither Logano, Reddick, Blaney or Byron have to win the season finale at Phoenix to win the 2024 title – whoever has the best finish among those four will take the championship. So, while taking the checkered flag at Phoenix would be electrifying, the goal for the final four drivers is to outrun the other championship contenders.

Ross Chastain won last year’s season finale as a non-playoff driver, but Blaney won the championship, outdueling the other final four drivers with a runner-up finish. Last year, however, marked the first time since the current playoff format was enacted in 2014 that the series champion did not win the final race of the year.

Here’s what to know about the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race:

When is the 2024 NASCAR Championship Race?

The championship race, the final race of the 2024 season, is Sunday, Nov. 10 at 3 p.m. ET (1 p.m. local) at Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Arizona.

How to watch the 2024 NASCAR Championship Race

The championship will be televised on NBC.

The race can be streamed on Fubo, which is offering a free trial, and the NBC Sports website and the NBC Sports app for those who sign in with a cable or satellite provider.

Date: Sunday, Nov. 10
TV: NBC
Live stream: NBC Sports website, NBC Sports app and Fubo.

Watch the NASCAR Championship Race on Fubo

Who are the 2024 NASCAR Championship 4 drivers?

Joey Logano of Team Penske, Tyler Reddick of 23XI Racing, Ryan Blaney of Team Penske and William Byron of Hendrick Motorsports will race for the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series championship at Phoenix Raceway.

Blaney is the reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion, while Logano is a two-time series champion, winning in 2018 and 2022. Reddick and Byron are seeking their first Cup titles.

How did the final four drivers make the 2024 NASCAR Championship Race?

Logano won the first race of the third round at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and Reddick won the second race of the third round at Homestead-Miami Speedway to clinch automatic berths.

Blaney took the checkered flag Sunday at Martinsville Speedway to earn the final automatic berth, while Byron became the last member of the Championship 4 by accumulating the most points among drivers who did not win one of the three third-round races.

Which drivers have won NASCAR Cup Series championships under this playoff format?

The current playoff format was adopted in 2014, and Kevin Harvick won his first championship while also winning the final race of the year. Here are the NASCAR Cup Series champions since 2014 and their finish in the season’s final race:

2014: Kevin Harvick (won at Homestead-Miami Speedway)
2015: Kyle Busch (won at Homestead)
2016: Jimmie Johnson (won at Homestead)
2017: Martin Truex Jr. (won at Homestead)
2018: Joey Logano (won at Homestead)
2019: Kyle Busch (won at Homestead)
2020: Chase Elliott (won at Phoenix Raceway)
2021: Kyle Larson (won at Phoenix)
2022: Joey Logano (won at Phoenix)
2023: Ryan Blaney (runner-up at Phoenix)

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Defending MLS champions upset in first round of playoffs

The Columbus Crew have failed to defend their 2023 MLS Cup title and are knocked out of the playoffs in the first round by the New York Red Bulls following a 5-4 loss in penalty kicks.

After dropping Game 1 of the best-of three series 1-0 at Lower.com Field, the Crew were in a must-win situation for Game 2 on the road.

Columbus first took the lead in Game 2 during at the 55-minute mark with a goal from substitution Max Arfsten.

A series of Crew mistakes, including Rudy Camacho’s foul inside the box that led to a penalty kick, allowed New York to take a 2-1 lead with 80 minutes played.

New York still led at the end of regulation, but a header goal from forward Christian Ramirez in stoppage time tied the game 2-2.

The score remained tied until the final whistle, taking the game to a shootout.

During the first set of penalty kicks, Columbus took the 1-0 lead when Diego Rossi hit his attempt and Patrick Schulte recorded a save against John Tolkin.

With the Red Bulls and Crew each going 3-for-3 on their second through fourth attempts, Columbus was ahead 4-5 going into both team’s the final shot. A miss from Yevhen Cheberko off a save from goalkeeper Carlos Coronel sent the shootout to extra kicks.

Cheberko’s miss was the start of three-straight failed penalties from Columbus and despite Schulte recording a save on New York’s sixth attempt, Daniel Edelman scored on the seventh to advance New York to the Eastern Conference semifinals.

This marks the end of the Crew’s 50-game season and the first time this year Columbus has fallen short of a tournament final.

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New York Red Bulls vs. Columbus Crew highlights

Columbus Crew vs New York Red Bulls in PKs: Red Bulls win 5-4

A shot-by-shot log of the penalty kick shootout:

Crew first penalty kick attempt: Made by Diego Rossi, Crew lead 1-0
Red Bulls first penalty kick attempt: Missed by John Tolkin, Crew lead 1-0
Crew second penalty kick attempt: Made by Christian Ramirez, Crew lead 2-0
Red Bulls second penalty kick attempt: Made by Noah Eile, Crew lead 2-1
Crew third penalty kick attempt: Made by Cucho Hernandez, Crew lead 3-1
Red Bulls third penalty kick attempt: Made by Wikelman Carmona, Crew lead 3-2
Crew fourth penalty kick attempt: Made by Jacen Russell-Rowe, Crew lead 4-2
Red Bulls fourth penalty kick attempt: Made by Elias Manoel, Crew lead 4-3
Crew fifth penalty kick attempt: Missed by Yevhen Cheberko, Crew lead 4-3
Red Bulls fifth penalty kick attempt: Made by Emil Forsberg, tied 4-4
Crew sixth penalty kick attempt: Missed by Max Arfsten, tied 4-4
Red Bulls sixth penalty kick attempt: Missed by Sean Nealis, tied 4-4
Crew seventh penalty kick attempt: Missed by Alex Matan, tied 4-4
Red Bulls seventh penalty kick attempt: Made by Daniel Edelman, Red Bulls win 5-4

Columbus Crew vs New York Red Bulls go to PKs in MLS Cup first round series Game 2

A late goal from forward Christian Ramirez has kept the Crew alive in the MLS Cup playoffs, and Game 2 goes to PKs after regulation ends in 2-2 tie.

(90+6’) Christian Ramirez scores in stoppage time, Crew tied 2-2 vs New York Red Bulls

Off a corner kick, Crew forward Christian Ramirez scored in stoppage time with a header in front of the Red Bulls’ goal. Game 2 tied 2-2.

(90+5’) New York Red Bulls given another yellow card

New York Red Bulls defender Sean Nealis was given a yellow card for a foul against Crew forward Jacen Russell-Rowe near midfield.

(90’) Columbus Crew awarded free kick on edge of New York Red Bulls

The Red Bulls fouled striker Cucho Hernandez right outside their own box, setting up a Crew free kick. When arguing if it was a penalty kick or free kick, Hernandez was shown a yellow card.

With Hernandez taking the kick, the attempt was blocked by New York and hit out of the box.

(86’) Columbus Crew make late-game substitutions vs New York Red Bulls

The Crew sent in forward Christian Ramirez for Mo Farsi and defender Andres Herrera for Rudy Camacho late in Game 2.

(80’) New York Red Bulls take lead following PK, Crew down 2-1

On the penalty kick following the foul from Crew defender Rudy Camacho inside his own box, the Red Bulls scored to take the lead 2-1 in Game 2. Midfielder Emil Forsberg took the attempt and as goalkeeper Patrick Schulte dove to his left, Foreberg’s shot went to the right of Schulte, rolling into the goal.

(78’) New York Red Bulls awarded penalty kick

The Red Bulls were given a penalty kick attempt following a foul from defender Rudy Camacho inside the Crew’s box.

(74’) Patrick Schulte makes key save vs New York Red Bulls

The Red Bulls midfielder Emil Forsberg had just gotten the ball off a long pass, and went one-on-one with goalkeeper Patrick Schulte in the Crew’s box. Schulte got his hand on the shot attempt and hit the ball out of bounce.

(73’) Red Bulls defender Dylan Nealis is given yellow card

It was a late call, but Red Bulls defender Dylan Nealis was given a yellow card for a foul against midfielder Dylan Chambost.

(64’) New York Red Bulls score, Columbus Crew tied 1-1 in Game 2

After battling for the ball on the sideline, New York took off in transition and with three passes, found forward Dante Vanzeir inside the box. Vanzeir took little time to move to the left and send a shot past goalkeeper Patrick Schulte to tie Game 2 1-1.

(55’) Max Arfsten scores for Crew off the bench, Columbus take 1-0 lead in Game 2

Less than a minute after coming off the bench, midfielder Max Arfsten scored the Crew’s first goal of the series off an assist from striker Cucho Hernandez. Columbus takes a 1-0 lead vs Red Bulls in Game 2.

In the middle of the box, Hernandez received a pass and after one touch, found Arfsten crashing on the left side. Arfsten scored directly off the pass.

(49’) New York Red Bulls shown first yellow card vs Columbus Crew

The Red Bulls were given the first yellow card of the game when midfielder Felipe Carballo fouled midfielder Sean Zawadzki right outside New York’s box.

Columbus Crew tied 0-0 at halftime vs New York Red Bulls in MLS Cup first-round Game 2

Despite the Crew taking seven more shot attempts than New York in the first half, Game 2 of the MLS Cup first-round series is scoreless at halftime. Here are the first half stats.

Possession rate: Crew (59.1%), Red Bulls (40.9%)

Shots: Crew (9), Red Bulls (2)

Shots on goal: Crew (1), Red Bulls (0)

Fouls: Crew (3), Red Bulls (5)

Goalkeeper saves: Crew (0), Red Bulls (1)

(43’) Columbus Crew back-to-back shot attempts denied once again

The Crew had the offensive momentum once again, but once again failed to score. In back-to-back shot attempts, Diego Rossi’s attempt was first saved by goalkeeper Carlos Coronel and then Dylan Chambost’s had his blocked by midfielder Cameron Harper.

(39’) Columbus Crew miss on back-to-back shot attempts

On back-to-back shot opportunities, the Crew failed to score after both hit off the post. The first one came from Diego Rossi and the second Cucho Hernandez.

(38’) Patrick Schulte shuts down New York Red Bulls offensive opportunity

The Red Bulls were in control of the ball following a Crew turnover, and worked their way into Columbus’ box. After multiple passes, New York sent a cross pass in the box, but goalkeeper Patrick Schulte grabbed the ball and ended the play.

(28’) Columbus Crew on miss another free kick opportunity

The Crew set up for another free kick right outside the Red Bulls’ box when Cucho Hernandez was fouled. Hernandez once again used the attempt to take a long shot, but went too high, missing the goal.

(16’) New York Red Bulls fail to finish on corner kick attempt

Red Bulls were awarded a corner kick after Crew defender Yevhen Cheberko hit the ball out of play on a clearance. Taking the attempt from the right side of the field, midfielder John Tolkin sent the ball in the box to defender Dylan Nealis.

Nealis found the ball with a header, but sent his shot attempt out of bounds.

(7’) Cucho Hernandez fouled outside Red Bulls box, Columbus Crew awarded free kick

On the left side of the field, Cucho Hernandez was fouled on the outside edge of Red Bulls’ box, leading to a Crew free kick. Hernandez took the kick by launching a shot that went too far right, missing the goal.

(4’) Cucho Hernandez misses first shot attempt for Columbus Crew

Cucho Hernandez received a pass while making a run inside the Red Bulls’ box, setting up a header shot for Hernandez. The shot took a bounce but went out of bounds.

Other MLS Cup first round series around the league

Every other Eastern Conference first-round series is still ongoing, tied at 1-1, with the Crew and Red Bulls being the last Game 2 from the conference.

In the Western Conference, both Los Angeles Galaxy and Minnesota United have advanced to the conference semifinals. The other two series are playing Game 2 today.

Eastern Conference series:

(1) Inter Miami vs (8) Atlanta United: Miami wins Game 1 (2-1), Atlanta wins Game 2 (2-1)
(3) FC Cincinnati vs (7) New York City FC: Cincinnati wins Game 1 (1-0), NYCFC wins Game 2 (3-1)
(4) Orlando City SC vs (5) Charlotte FC: Orlando City wins Game 1 (2-0), Charlotte wins Game 2 (3-1, PKs)

Western Conference series:

(1) Los Angeles FC vs (8) Vancouver Whitecaps: LAFC wins Game 1 (2-1)
(2) Los Angeles Galaxy vs (7) Colorado Rapids: Galaxy win Game 1 (5-0), Game 2 (4-1)
(3) Real Salt Lake vs (6) Minnesota United: Minnesota wins Game 1 (5-4, PKs), Game 2 (3-1, PKs)
(4) Seattle Sounders vs (5) Houston Dynamo: Seattle wins Game 1 (5-4, PKs)

New York Red Bulls game one starting lineup vs Columbus Crew

Here is the starting 11 for New York vs Columbus:

GK: Carlos Coronel
DF: Dylan Nealis
DF: Sean Nealis
DF: Andres Reyes
MF: Felipe Carballo
MF: Daniel Edelman
MF: Emil Forsberg
MF: Cameron Harper
MF: John Tolkin
FW: Lewis Morgan
FW: Dante Vanzeir

Columbus Crew Game 2 starting lineup vs New York Red Bulls

Here is the starting 11 for Columbus vs New York:

GK: Patrick Schulte
DF: Rudy Camacho
DF: Yevhen Cheberko
DF: Steven Moreira
MF: Mo Farsi
MF: DeJuan Jones
MF: Darlington Nagbe
MF: Sean Zawadzki
FW: Dylan Chambost
FW: Cucho Hernandez
FW: Diego Rossi

Will Diego Rossi be available for Game 2 vs New York Red Bulls?

Crew forward Diego Rossi missed Game 1 of the MLS Cup first-round series against the New York Red Bulls with a back injury. Following the game, Crew coach Wilfried Nancy provided insight on Rossi’s status for Game 2. Read more below.

Who are the referees for Columbus Crew vs New York Red Bulls Game 2?

Here are the officials for the Crew vs New York tonight:

Referee: Filip Dujic
Assistant Referee 1: Jason White
Assistant Referee 2: Adam Wienckowski
Fourth Official: Mark Allatin
VAR: David Barrie
Assistant VAR: Jonathan Johnson

Columbus Crew overall record vs New York Red Bulls

The Crew are 40-38-13 overall against New York Red Bulls. In the postseason, Columbus is 6-3 against the Red Bulls.

How to listen to Columbus Crew vs New York Red Bulls MLS Cup series radio broadcast

The Crew vs. New York English-speaking radio broadcast will be on Alt 105.7 FM and available via the iHeartRadio app. Chris Doran will be on the call.

The Spanish radio broadcast can be found on La Grande 102.5 FM and the La Grande radio app with Juan Valladares doing play-by-play.

Columbus Crew vs New York Red Bulls: MLS Cup first round streaming information

English broadcast: Steve Cangialosi (play-by-play), Danny Higginbotham (analyst)
Spanish broadcast: Bruno Vain (play-by-play), Andres Agulla (analyst)

When is Game 2 of Columbus Crew vs New York Red Bulls MLS Cup series?

Kickoff: 4:40 p.m. ET, Sunday, Nov. 3 at Red Bulls Arena in Harrison, N.J.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY
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Politics

Actor Will Ferrell ‘threatens’ voters in new Harris campaign ad: ‘Shut the f–k up, Gary’

Actor and comedian Will Ferrell is throwing his star power behind Kamala Harris – it’s just another in a long list of celebrity endorsements for the vice president.

In an official Harris campaign ad, Ferrell jokingly threatens voters if they don’t vote for Harris.

‘This election is going to be one of the closest in history. Your vote will make the difference,’ Ferrell begins.

He then mocks a voter disagreeing about their vote making a difference. 

‘That means you, Gary. ‘Oh, blah blah blah, I’m just one person.’ No. Shut the f–k up Gary,’ Ferrell says. 

‘Last time, only a few thousand votes kept Trump out of office. And this time, we will hold you personally responsible, Gary’ Ferrell threatens.

Critics took to X, telling the actor to stick to comedy and stay out of politics.

‘Democrats have now resorted to physically threatening people to vote for Kamala. Will Ferrell should’ve stuck to comedy. This isn’t funny at all,’ one user wrote.

‘Will Ferrell is making it REAL tough for me to watch Elf this season,’ another user commented. 

Ferrell joins a list of actors and celebrities who have used their status to endorse Harris in the homestretch of the campaign. 

On Thursday, actors Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Mark Ruffalo, Danai Gurira, Don Cheadle and Paul Bettany took part in a video endorsement, mocked as ‘new cringe’ for Harris and Tim Walz, that was posted on Ruffalo’s X account.

‘We’re back. Let’s #AssembleForDemocracy. In the #ElectionEndgame, every vote counts,’ Ruffalo wrote, encouraging people to vote for Harris and Democrats.

In the video, they jokingly suggested Harris needed a catchphrase, referencing their past movies.

Bettany remarked, ‘How about ‘I’m down with democracy’? It’s clean and simple.’

‘I’m Kamala Harris and I say down with democracy,’ Cheadle joked, adding, ‘Yeah, together we got to tear down democracy.’

Near the end of the video, he phrased it saying, ‘I’m Kamala Harris, and I am down with democracy.’

Singer Beyoncé introduced Harris at a rally in Houston, Texas.

The final New York Times/Siena College Battleground poll of the 2024 race shows a razor-tight election in the battleground states just days before the election.

Trump leads in Arizona, while Harris has a lead in Georgia, North Carolina, Nevada and Wisconsin. Michigan and Pennsylvania are tied between the two candidates, according to the poll.

The poll comes just two days before an election that promises to be one of the closest in recent memory, with the New York Times/Siena poll not being the only one showing tight margins.

Fox News Digital’s Lindsay Kornick, Michael Lee, and Paulina Dedaj contributed to this report. 

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
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