WSJ Opinion: Potomac Watch

The former President says his lead in the polls means he can duck the first Republican presidential debate on Wednesday. But his absence may give another candidate or two a chance to shine.

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As children return to the classroom this fall, states are reporting record demand for school-choice programs, though teachers unions keep throwing up roadblocks. Plus, Donald Trump strongly hints he will skip next week's Republican debate, while a political consultancy publicly airs its advice for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

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President Biden and Democrats celebrated the first anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act this week, touting green jobs and electric vehicles. But is the multi-trillion-dollar spending bill a winner politically, especially for swing state Senators running for re-election?

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Mike Pence unveils a plan to end the Education Department, and Chris Christie leaps over Ron DeSantis in New Hampshire, but Donald Trump might be a no show at the first GOP primary debate. Plus, as Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin fights to retake Richmond, might he be a fallback option to take on Joe Biden in 2024? 

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Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis unveils charges against Trump and 18 others for trying to overturn the 2020 election, including on that infamous phone call with Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. How does this case differ from the federal indictment by Special Counsel Jack Smith, and will it affect the 2024 GOP primaries?

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The Biden administration is poised to make a deal with Iran, handing over $6 billion and getting five American prisoners in return. Democrats say the money will go to food and medicine, but critics say money is fungible and the $6 billion will help Iran fund mayhem in the Middle East. Will the money-for-hostages swap lead to a broader nuclear deal with Tehran?

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Attorney General Merrick Garland names a special counsel to investigate Hunter Biden, but it's David Weiss, the U.S. attorney who has been on the case all along. Does this appointment change anything? Might it work to President Biden's benefit, if he can use the inquiry as an excuse to dodge tough questions through 2024?

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The consumer-price index rose modestly in July, or 3.2% for the last 12 months. Can the Federal Reserve declare victory?. Plus, President Biden’s executive order banning some U.S. tech investment in China walks an economic and security tightrope.

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In an Ohio ballot question widely viewed as a proxy for abortion policy, the Republican position is rejected by double digits. A year after the Supreme Court's ruling in Dobbs, overturning Roe v. Wade, does the GOP have to reevaluate its strategy in light of the Ohio result and similar referendums in Michigan and Wisconsin?

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A law known as Section 702 lets the U.S. scoop up information from foreigners abroad, but agencies like the FBI also sometimes query the database for U.S citizens. Should this provision, created after 9/11, be allowed to expire, or is it still useful in stopping terrorism? What's the best way to maximize accountability and minimize abuse?

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