The Morning Roundup – November 15, 2026

Good morning from The Monolith Media. A lighter Sunday news cycle centers on the post-midterm reshuffle in Washington: Democrats debating who should lead them in the Senate, fallout from President Trump’s handling of Iran talks led by Vice President Vance, the immigration standoff, and a new Israeli strike in Gaza. The left is focused on Democratic strategy and leadership, the center on the Middle East, and the right on media criticism.

LEFT

Paul Waldman (MS NOW) – “Trump blew up Vance’s Iran negotiations — and possibly his 2028 ambitions”

Waldman argues that Vice President JD Vance’s post-midterm pivot was underway until President Trump knocked it off course by upending the Iran negotiations Vance was involved in. He suggests the episode could damage Vance’s standing heading into 2028.

Zeeshan Aleem (MS NOW) – “Why Chris Van Hollen is a sensible choice for Senate majority leader”

Aleem makes the case that Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen would be a better Senate Democratic leader than Chuck Schumer. He argues Van Hollen is a better fit for a party adapting to a new political era.

David J. Bier and Irina D. Manta (MS NOW) – “Democrats have no reason to trust Trump on immigration. They should try for a deal anyway.”

The authors argue that, with mass deportations ongoing, Democrats should use their leverage to pursue an immigration deal despite their distrust of the president. At minimum, they contend, Democrats should force Trump to veto it.

Aisha Nyandoro (MS NOW) – “Hungry families in Mississippi are counting on Scott Colom”

Nyandoro lays out what the low-income mothers she works with in Mississippi need from Senator-elect Scott Colom. The piece centers on food costs and poverty as the priorities she wants him to take on.

CENTER

Mira Bhakta (The Hill) – “Israeli strike in Gaza kills senior Hamas commander”

Israel reported that strikes in the Gaza Strip on Sunday killed a senior Hamas leader. The Israel Defense Forces identified him as commander Samir Abu Younis.

RIGHT

John Kass (John Kass News) – “HOW THE NEW YORK TIMES IS KILLING AMERICA”

This is a repost of Kass’s March 23, 2025 column criticizing The New York Times, part of a “Best of Kass” series he is running ahead of his farewell column at Thanksgiving.