🎤 Axios PM: GOP family feud

Plus: Surprise tackle | Tuesday, October 04, 2022

Open in app View in browser   Presented By Meta   Axios PM By Mike Allen · Oct 04, 2022 Today's PM — edited by Justin Green — is 497 words, a 2-minute read.     1 big thing: Herschel's family feud Photo illustration: Shoshana Gordon/Axios. Photo: James Gilbert/Getty Images   Republicans and anti-abortion movement leaders aren't backing down from their support for embattled Georgia Senate nominee Herschel Walker, Axios' Josh Kraushaar, Emma Hurt and Alexi McCammond report. Why it matters: Georgia threatens to become a third missed opportunity for Senate Republicans, joining Arizona and New Hampshire as states where the GOP fears it won't unseat vulnerable Democrats because of flawed candidates. Republicans put up a united front today, including former President Trump, top Senate Republicans and anti-abortion groups. "We are full speed ahead in Georgia," said Senate Leadership Fund president Steven Law, whose super PAC has spent or reserved $37.1 million in the race. Between the lines: Watch for new developments including Walker's son Christian Walker, a 23-year-old conservative TikTok influencer, who said his father lied about his personal life. Georgia-based conservative commentator Erick Erickson wrote: "Georgia Republicans overnight were burning up my phone with text messages. It didn't hit home for them until Christian Walker started his tweets, largely throwing his dad under the bus." North Georgia conservative talk show host Martha Zoller told Axios that she heard "from a number of people that have pause about what they've heard. ... They'd like to see him give a more robust not only defense but explanation."     🐦 2. Why Musk caved Illustration: Shoshana Gordon/Axios Elon Musk reversed course on Twitter again, offering to proceed with his $44 billion buyout of the company, Axios' Dan Primack and Sara Fischer report. Between the lines: One reading of Musk's about-face is that he's lost confidence in his legal case, having already experienced a series of procedural losses in Delaware Chancery Court. Musk is maintaining his $54.20 per share offer price, according to a letter to the SEC first obtained by Bloomberg. He was scheduled to face a deposition starting this week. Twitter's board is considering Musk's offer, but is taking its time to reply because of fears that it could be a legal ploy, The Washington Post reports. Go deeper. ... See the letter.     A message from Meta Future surgeons will get hands-on practice in the metaverse     Surgeons will engage in countless hours of additional low-risk practice in the metaverse. The impact: Patients undergoing complex care will know their doctors are as prepared as possible. The metaverse may be virtual, but the impact will be real. See how Meta is helping build the metaverse.     3. Catch up quick Loretta Lynn and Garth Brooks perform in 2010. Photo: Rick Diamond/WireImage for NARAS RIP: Country music queen and daughter of a coal miner Loretta Lynn is dead at 90. Billionaire investor Ray Dalio announced he's giving up control of Bridgewater Associates, the world's largest hedge fund, transitioning $150 billion in assets to the next generation of leaders. Go deeper. The death toll from Hurricane Ian has risen to 79, as Florida works to restore power for hundreds of thousands. Go deeper.     🏈 4. Protester hit by NFL linebacker Photo: Godofredo A. Vásquez/AP L.A. Rams linebacker Bobby Wagner delivered one of the biggest hits of the game last night to someone who wasn't in pads, AP reports. Wagner flattened a protester who ran on the field with a device emitting pink smoke during the Rams' 24-9 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. "It looked like he wasn't supposed to be on the field so I saw security was having a problem so I helped them out," Wagner said. "I thought that was kind of cool to see," said 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan. See the hit.     A message from Meta Building more efficient cities will be possible with the metaverse     In the metaverse, urban planners will bring their designs to life and collaborate with engineers, architects and public officials in real time — paving the way for less congested cities. The metaverse may be virtual, but the impact will be real. Learn how Meta is helping build the metaverse.   Are you a fan of this email format? It's called Smart Brevity®. Over 300 orgs use it — in a tool called Axios HQ — to drive productivity with clearer workplace communications.   Axios thanks our partners for supporting our newsletters. If you're interested in advertising, learn more here. Sponsorship has no influence on editorial content. Axios, 3100 Clarendon B‌lvd, Arlington VA 22201   You received this email because you signed up for newsletters from Axios. Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.   Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now to get Axios in your inbox.   Follow Axios on social media: