Welcome to From the Politics Desk. This daily newsletter provides the latest insights and analysis from the NBC News political team, covering the White House, Capitol Hill, and election campaigns.
On today’s edition, Ben Kamisar breaks down the Democrats’ new preliminary presidential order. Additionally, Kristen Welker examines the political pressure the ongoing conflict in Iran is placing on the Republican Party.
— Adam Wollner
South Carolina to Launch Democratic 2028 Primary Calendar
Written by Ben Kamisar
South Carolina is set to host the first Democratic presidential nomination contest in 2028, following a decision by the Democratic National Committee’s influential rules committee to prioritize the state in the nomination process.
This measure, recommended by the Rules Committee, will be presented to the full DNC at next month’s summer meeting, concluding a month of intense competition among several states.
Nevada and New Hampshire, which are also vying for prominent positions, will be assigned the second and third nomination slots, respectively. Notably, Iowa, historically the first state to hold caucuses, has been removed from early voting consideration.
The revamped calendar initiates a significant shift for Democratic presidential candidates, elevating states with more diverse populations while maintaining three of the traditional early state contests. This adjustment also introduces two additional states before Super Tuesday, further increasing the number of delegates available by March.
The rivalry between Nevada and South Carolina has intensified recently, with some Democrats framing it as a conflict between two crucial components of the party’s base. Nevada’s demographic is characterized by a significant Latino population, whereas South Carolina boasts a prominent Black voter presence.
South Carolina Democratic Party Chairman Cristalle Spain emphasized the importance of Black voters in the party’s foundation, stating that prioritizing the state recognizes their crucial role in the electoral process.
In contrast, New Hampshire Democratic Party Chairman Ray Buckley expressed disapproval of the DNC’s decision, highlighting the state’s legal requirements to conduct the first presidential primary.
Republicans Under Pressure Amid Ongoing Conflict and Upcoming Elections
Analysis by Kristen Welker
As the conflict in Iran stretches into its fifth month and with over 100 days until the midterm elections, pressure mounts on President Donald Trump to devise an exit strategy. Rising gasoline prices, now averaging over $4 a gallon nationwide, are amplifying concerns among voters about their financial well-being.
Moody’s Analytics estimates the impact of the Iran war to be around $1,200 per household, further exacerbating the situation.
The conflict is viewed unfavorably by the public, with a recent Fox News poll revealing that 56% of registered voters oppose U.S. military involvement in Iran and 66% disapprove of Trump’s handling of the situation. Furthermore, 67% disapprove of his economic response.
Some Republican strategists fear these factors could jeopardize potential battleground races come November. Emphasizing the need for lower gas prices by late summer, anxiety is palpable as the deadline approaches.
Despite these pressures, President Trump has asserted that he is not swayed by political considerations. Administration officials acknowledge his firm stance on maintaining this perspective.
Notably, the administration has confirmed that it will pursue a new series of tariffs targeting at least 60 trading partners accused of allowing “forced labor” in manufacturing. This move is intended to penalize countries that do not import U.S.-made products, where workers receive fair wages. With the fall elections on the horizon, the White House must act swiftly to shift perceptions in a more favorable direction.
Join us this Sunday on “Meet the Press” as we discuss these critical issues with U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Walz and Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), along with Steve Kornacki’s analysis of this year’s midterm election figures.
That’s all from the political desk for now. Today’s newsletter was edited by Adam Wolner and Annelise Hanson. If you have any feedback, please reach out to us via email.
