[In case you missed it: You can now view my comprehensive interview with Paradigm’s foremost election expert Jim Rickards at our YouTube channel.

With almost 50k views — and counting — this video is packed with all the information you need to know ahead of November 5th… which is just 22 days away.]

In the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, it seems appropriate to get back to some FEMA feedback.

For instance, first responder James T. defends the agency: “Be assured that first responders will never turn a blind eye to someone in need.

“The National Response Plan, which includes the FEMA Urban Search and Rescue teams, were ready to respond and were deployed and pre-staged before Hurricane Helene made landfall.”

He and his fellow first responders are absolute heroes. They quite literally run into burning buildings. God bless…

Many readers, however, express outrage over FEMA's handling of Hurricane Helene.

Susan G. from North Carolina says: “I have never in my life witnessed a President and Vice President to be so inept” — while highlighting her concerns about inadequate assistance for victims.

Along those same lines, Betsy O. says: “My husband has family in Hendersonville, North Carolina. They’ve been able to post pictures of the destruction.

“Other family members have sent videos made by local community members while still awaiting FEMA’s arrival.

“Private citizens are helping to get supplies to those in dire need while FEMA isn’t moving in to clear roads to get to remote areas. They seem to be stifling the work.”

Betsy O. isn’t the only reader who mentioned that FEMA has been something of a road block, instead of the opposite.

Moving on…

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Your Rundown for Monday, October 14, 2024...

A Profile of the “Undecided Voter”

Do you feel that? Election fatigue?

It’s setting in across the country. The relentless 24/7 ad campaigns are taking a toll on voters, particularly in battleground states.

In Pennsylvania, local stations in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are airing back-to-back campaign spots, leaving viewers feeling overwhelmed.

Virginia voters face a similar onslaught, with ads focusing on hot-button issues like abortion and the economy dominating airwaves in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads.

In Paradigm’s home state of Maryland, while not typically a swing state, the Maryland Senate race between Angela Alsobrooks and former governor Larry Hogan has become an all-out dash to the finish.

Alsobrooks has framed the race as pivotal for maintaining Democratic control of the Senate. Her messaging? A vote for Hogan would effectively hand power to Republicans.

But amidst this nationwide media barrage, a small but significant group of undecided voters remains…

This slim number — comprising about 6% to the low teens of the electorate — could ultimately sway the presidential election’s outcome.

• Undecided voters tend to be younger, less educated and have lower incomes compared to the general electorate. They are also more likely to be Black or Latino, and slightly more men than women.

• Undecided voters express distrust in both candidates and question their character and suitability for the highest office in the land. In particular? Trump’s honesty and Harris’ experience.

• And many of these voters say their questions haven’t been satisfied when it comes to specific issues including the economy, immigration and healthcare.

To win undecided voters, campaigns must combine personalized economic messaging with emotional connection.

But the question is — and think about this as you continue to get bombarded with campaign ads in the election’s closing days — what can a campaign say now to persuade a person who still hasn’t made up their mind?

Market Rundown for Monday, Oct. 14, 2024

S&P 500 futures are up 0.15% to 5,870.

Oil’s down almost 2% to $74.09 for a barrel of WTI.

Gold is down 0.30% to $2,668.80 per ounce.

Bitcoin’s rallying: up 3.5% to $64,800 at the time of writing.

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