Politics and views in the United States

More than 8 million people attend thousands of 'No Kings' protests, fissures appear among MAGA supporters over the Iran war, and the RNC is suing Delaware for access to its voter rolls.

Transcript

Welcome to 2026 Talks, where we're following our democracy in historic times.

As Americans, we will never forsake our heritage.

We will never accept authoritarianism.

We will never accept oligarchy.

Vermont Independent Senator Bernie Sanders addressing thousands at the St.

Paul, Minnesota, No Kings rally.

Organizers estimate 8 to 9 million people attended the 3,000 protests nationwide Saturday. the largest single-day demonstrations in U.S. history, surpassing the record $5-7 million at the two previous No Kings events.

Vice President J.D. Vance won more than half of the vote at the Conservative Political Action Conference annual presidential straw poll, suggesting he's ahead in the contest to lead MAGA after President Donald Trump.

Vance's share is actually down compared to the last straw poll.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio had been in single digits a year ago, but won support for more than a third of CPAC delegates this time.

The conference was divided on the Iran War, especially over the use of ground troops.

Former White House strategist and America First isolationist Steve Bannon said people still have to be convinced.

Particularly now that we're on the eve of potentially the insertion of American combat troops.

Your sons, daughters, granddaughters, grandsons could be on Karg Island or be holding a beachhead.

The hesitancy among MAGA seems to be eroding Trump's normal party dominance.

A Pew Research poll found that about two-thirds of Republican-leaning voters approved of his war policies, down some.

Democrats may have an opening in Vance's native state of Ohio.

Both Cook Political Report and Sabato's Crystal Ball have moved that governor's race from solid to lean Republican.

Strategists suggest likely GOP nominee Vivek Ramaswamy may not appeal to anti-immigrant MAGA voters.

Two jury verdicts against Meta and YouTube could mean trouble for big tech.

A jury in California fined the social media giants $6 million for defective products, and another in New Mexico awarded plaintiffs nearly $400 million after finding META liable for compromising children's safety.

Women's health advocates warned that rural West Virginia women are losing access to essential reproductive care.

The state passed a near-total abortion ban in 2022, and along with cuts to Medicaid, that's driving OBGYNs out of the state.

Emily Wombeldorf, with Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, says nearly half of West Virginia counties are now maternity care deserts.

She says hospitals and clinics have closed their birthing wards, and doctors are frightened.

It means that providers are scared to provide the care in their communities that they know people need because they're being threatened of losing their medical license, of all of these different repercussions.

The Republican National Committee has sued for access to Delaware's voter registration lists, arguing it's aiming to ensure accuracy.

In North Carolina, Michigan, and Arizona, the RNC have pushed states to purge voter lists, and it has similar lawsuits active in Maryland, New Jersey, Hawaii, and Nevada.

I'm Zamone Perez for Pacifica Network and Public News Service.

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