No Elephants In The Room!

Right off the bat, the Midterm Convention for Republicans is a clusterfuck.

We begin the week with the rise in oil. The U.S. continued its strikes on Iran. The trade war between the U.S. and Canada begins.

President Donald J. Trump has become radioactive to Republicans. They are ducking the Republican Midterm Convention.

Thr president will deliver a keynote address on Wednesday and closing remarks on Thursday. Other speakers include Vice President JD Vance, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Attorney General Todd Blanche, Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy, Jr. and the president’s son Donald Trump, Jr. The convention has been billed as a “primetime showcase” to boost morale, nationalize congressional elections and galvanise Republican voters.

The event in Dallas is not going off well. 

Unlike traditional quadrennial conventions, this midterm gathering lacks delegates, and there are no official party platform votes or nominations taking place. Many lawmakers have privately complained that the two-day event functions entirely as a glorified campaign rally centered on Trump. To make matters worse, organizers established a $25,000 minimum fundraising contribution for lawmakers to attend. Many candidates argue that they cannot afford to leave their home districts to spend five-figure sums on a non-binding event just two months before Election Day. 

Midterm elections are traditionally a referendum on the sitting president, and with Trump experiencing sagging approval ratings amid economic frustration over rising costs and international trade tensions, swing-district Republicans are trying to distance themselves. A Politico survey of over 70 Republican lawmakers and candidates revealed that more than 45 plan to skip the convention or remain undecided. Vulnerable incumbents in toss-up races worry that being photographed with Trump in Dallas will give Democrats instant footage for negative campaign ads. 

Canada is about to impose tariffs on 700 products. Many of these products are common use and often bought.

The cost of gasoline is 4.19⁹ and diesel is 5.95⁹.

Consumer spending is on the decline. Many of our consumers are avoiding fast food, convenience stores and dine in restaurants. 

Walmart is telling the economists that customer impulses are no longer driving them to the stores. On a Saturday afternoon at Walmart between 12pm to 6pm is looking pretty quiet.

Millions of shoppers are entering gas stations to pay for fuel but skipping discretionary items like soft drinks, snacks, lottery tickets, and energy bars.

Retailers like Walmart note that the average amount of gasoline purchased during a single fueling trip has fallen below 10 gallons for the first time in years.