WASHINGTON — For someone who has made winning a key part of his personal, professional and political brand, Donald Trump is set to rely on a large stable of losers in his second term. The president-elect has tapped more than a dozen people who previously lost elections to join his administration next year. Even though both parties love to deride unsuccessful candidates who run again, the term “loser” doesn’t have to be a pejorative. Losing candidates regularly get elected later, including in the 2014 and 2020 election cycles. It also isn’t a disqualifying factor to serve a president, or even to serve as president. Of the eight most recent presidential winners, all have had prior election losses on their résumés, including Trump (2020 presidential general election), Joe Biden (1988 and 2008 Democratic presidential primaries), Barack Obama (2000 Democratic primary for U.S. House in Illinois), George W. Bush (1978 House race in Texas), Bill Clinton (1974 House loss and 1980 reelection defeat as Arkansas governor), George H. W. Bush (1964 and 1970 Senate races in Texas and 1980 GOP presidential primary), Ronald Reagan (1976 GOP presidential primary) and Jimmy Carter (1966 Democratic gubernatorial primary in Georgia). But the large number of losing candidates potentially coming into the second Trump administration is striking compared with recent presidents. Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, Biden’s and Obama’s secretary of Agriculture, ran unsuccessfully for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination. Pete Buttigieg, Biden’s current Transportation secretary, fell short in his bid for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination. In 2008, Hillary Clinton lost the Democratic presidential primary to Obama before becoming his secretary of State. And Republican Ray LaHood lost election for a full term to the Illinois state House in 1982, 12 years before getting elected to Congress and about 26 years before he became Obama’s Transportation secretary. Trump hasn’t even taken office yet, and he’s already named at least 17 electoral losers to join his administration. They include: Secretary of State Florida Sen. Marco Rubio lost the 2016 GOP presidential primary to Trump, highlighted by an infamous debate performance before New Hampshire Republicans went to the polls. Secretary of Education Connecticut Republican Linda McMahon lost Senate bids in 2010 (to Democrat Richard Blumenthal) and 2012 (to Democrat Christopher S. Murphy). Secretary of Labor Republican Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer lost reelection this month to Democrat Janelle Bynum, 48% to 45%, in Oregon’s 5th District. Secretary of the Interior North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum sought the 2024 GOP presidential nomination but ended his bid late last year. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Former Georgia Rep. Doug Collins lost a 2020 special election for Senate in Georgia, finishing behind Democrat Raphael Warnock and Republican Kelly Loeffler. Loeffler, who was apparently under serious consideration to be Trump’s next Agriculture secretary, lost to Warnock in a runoff. Secretary of Defense Military veteran and Fox News host Pete Hegseth ran for Senate in Minnesota in 2012 but dropped out before the primary. The former Princeton Tigers guard also lost to North Carolina in the first round of the 2001 NCAA March Madness basketball tournament, 70-48. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner lost a 2006 House special election in California to succeed disgraced Republican Rep. Duke Cunningham, finishing eighth out of 17 candidates with 1.5% of the vote. Turner subsequently moved to Texas and was elected to the state Legislature in 2012, although he subsequently lost a race for state House speaker three years later. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was on his way to losing the 2024 Democratic primary to Biden before dropping out to run as an independent in the general election, which he would have lost to Trump had he not dropped out a few months before Election Day. Environmental Protection Agency administrator Former New York Republican Rep. Lee Zeldin lost a spirited 2022 race for New York governor to Democratic incumbent Kathy Hochul, 53% to 47%. U.S. ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker lost a 2002 race for Iowa treasurer, 55% to 43%, to Democrat Michael Fitzgerald. He also lost a bid for Senate in 2014, finishing in fourth place with 8% in the GOP primary won by Joni Ernst. Director of National Intelligence Former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services administrator Celebrity physician and TV personality Mehmet Oz defeated Dave McCormick in the 2022 GOP Senate primary in Pennsylvania before losing the general election to Democratic Lt. Gov. John Fetterman. (McCormick won the commonwealth’s other Senate seat this year.) U.S. ambassador to Canada Former Rep. Pete Hoekstra lost the 2010 GOP primary for Michigan governor to Rick Snyder and the 2012 Senate race to Democratic incumbent Debbie Stabenow. U.S. ambassador to Israel Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee lost a 1992 race for lieutenant governor and ran unsuccessfully for the GOP presidential nomination in 2008 and 2016. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Former Florida Rep. Dave Weldon lost the 2012 Republican nomination for Senate to Rep. Connie Mack IV. Earlier this year, he also lost a GOP primary for the Florida House by 30 points to state Sen. Debbie Mayfield. Department of Government Efficiency co-leader Biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy ran unsuccessfully for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt lost a 2022 race for New Hampshire’s 1st District to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas, 54% to 46%. ©2024 CQ-Roll Call, Inc., All Rights Reserved. Visit cqrollcall.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.... There has been some fresh reports which have claimed that ARSENAL are ready to battle Manchester City for the signature of Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes heading into the January window. After establishing himself as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League – there has been alot of transfer talk that the likes of ARSENAL and Manchester United are both interested in a potential deal for the Brazilian star. However – in recent months there has also been some interest from Manchester City in the Brazilian star as the injury to Rodri has become a real concern for boss Pep Guardiola, who is dealing with all sorts of injury problems this season. Now – According to Fichajes, Arsenal are stepping up their pursuit of Guimaraes ahead of the January window and are preparing to make a move for the Brazilian star if he decides to make a switch in the winter window. Will Guimaraes be interested in a move to Arsenal? Guimaraes is a top-class midfielder that is a full Brazilian International – he is destined to be playing Champions League football every week and challenging for trophies. He is happy at Newcastle, he is settled and enjoying his football, but if there really is a move made by ARSENAL at the end of the season to make the move to the Emirates – he would be more than interested. It would give him a chance to play at the very top of the game for one of the most exciting teams in Europe – the only problem is the fact that Arsenal already have a world class midfield that doesnt really need another star like Guimaraes. However – he would be a massive signing and would add a bit more depth to the squad – he would be interested in a move to Arsenal that is for sure. ARSENAL TOLD SIGN ISAK rsenal have been again encouraged to replace Kai Havertz with Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak, a player that the Gunners were reportedly very... admin

Article content How in God’s name could anyone call themselves Christian and support a womanizer, misogynist and convicted felon? White Evangelical Christians were Trump’s strongest backers. The most striking theme of the election was he had been chosen by God. Yet even before the assassination attempt, millions of Americans already felt guided by their faith to support Trump. What makes so many see this man as sent from God? Trump declared: “Many people have told me that God spared my life in that assassination attempt to save our country and to restore America to greatness.” Franklin Graham is a Trump believer and has no doubts that Trump was chosen by God. “We believe the president will defend religious freedom where the Democrats would not.” Many evangelicals believe that Jews should populate the whole of biblical Israel and trust Trump to make it happen. Some Christians overlook his character because during his first term as president he delivered on his promise by appointing three anti-abortion judges to the U.S. Supreme Court. “Donald Trump’s really the first president who’s not only vocalized an anti-abortion stance but also put action behind it,” a supporter said. Trump pledged to “protect Christians in our schools, in our military and our government.” Many supporters dispute all the accusations or see him as an imperfect but powerful champion. “People support President Trump not for his piety but for his policies,” a minister said. “There were some faith issues important to evangelicals, but evangelicals are Americans who care about immigration and the economy.” Not only white, non-Hispanic evangelicals supported Trump. So did Latino evangelicals and Catholics. A minister said some members of his congregation voiced concerns about Trump’s personality but not his policies. In the face of declining church attendance, Trump said: “I know you’re in decline, I know your children and grandchildren don’t attend church. But if you elect me, I’m going to restore power to the Christian churches.” For some Christians, their faith guided them to the opposite impression of Trump. A minister was dismayed at the election result. “Trump has demeaned and debased just about anybody he could, from immigrants to minorities to women to those who are disabled,” he says. “White conservative Republican Christianity that ignores character is just hypocritical.” As for his appeal to ordinary Christians, Trump’s “Making America Great Again” holds hope of restoring the country’s Christian character. Christians who vote for the candidate who supports their concerns most are putting God second to the world and its values. They are Christians in name only and conveniently ignore Jesus’s teachings about caring for the homeless, hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and the prisoners. A minister encouraged his congregation to stop looking for perfection in presidential candidates, saying Christians should vote for the person who embraces their values most. They need to stop looking for politicians to do only what God can do. And Christians need to stop looking to God to reflect their political beliefs. Those roles are not interchangeable. Reach Gene Monin at adios43@yahoo.com Share this Story : PASTOR GENE MONIN: How in God’s good name could Christians vote for Trump? Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr

The Australian share market may be at record highs right now, but that doesn't mean there aren't ASX 200 shares out there with the potential to generate big returns for investors. For example, the two ASX shares listed below have been named as buys and tipped to rise between 23% and almost 30% over the next 12 months. Here's what analysts are saying about them: ( ) This drinks giant's shares could be dirt cheap according to analysts at Goldman Sachs. The broker currently has a buy rating and $5.50 price target on the ASX 200 share, which implies potential upside of 27% for investors over the next 12 months. And if you include forecast , the total potential 12-month return from Endeavour's shares stretches beyond 31%. Goldman Sachs feels that its shares are simply too cheap given the quality of the company. It recently said: Net net, we reiterate Buy on our continued believe in a high quality retailer gaining share amid a category down-cycle with a resilient growth option in Hotels. Company is trading at FY25 P/E of 17x vs historical average of 22x and WOW 22x, COL 21x. ( ) The team at Bell Potter sees significant upside from this retail giant's shares over the next 12 months. A recent note reveals that its analysts have initiated coverage on the ASX 200 share with a buy rating and $5.80 price target. Based on its current share price of $4.72, this implies potential upside of 23% for investors. In addition, Bell Potter highlights that a 5.4% dividend yield is expected in FY 2025, which boosts the total potential return beyond 28%. The broker recently highlighted Harvey Norman's exposure to artificial intelligence (AI) as a reason to be positive. It said: We initiate coverage with a Buy rating and PT of $5.80 based on a based on a sum-ofthe-part valuation with the overall business operations on a DCF (WACC ~10%, TGR ~3%) methodology and the property bank on a fair value basis (as last reported) assuming largely similar capitalisation rates over FY25e. Similar to JBH, we see a sizable upside from the AI driven upgrade cycle to Consumer Electronics sales at HVN which we size at up to ~12% of Australian sales given the position of the company as one of the leading players with large format stores globally which are considered attractive to global technology brands/suppliers when releasing new products.None

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