Mar 19: Spot update
Generic ballotD+5.4-5.6ApprovalNet -15.3 (Mar 19)
- Iran war Day 20: Israel struck South Pars gas field (shared with Qatar), Iran retaliated against Ras Laffan LNG terminal, Saudi refineries, and UAE. Brent hit $119 intraday, highest of the conflict. Qatar expelled Iranian military diplomats. Saudi Arabia warned of "military actions." Trump threatened to destroy South Pars if Iran hits Qatar again.
- Pentagon requests $200B in supplemental war funding. Hegseth: "It takes money to kill bad guys." Hegseth announced "largest strike package yet" against Iran.
- Silver Bulletin Trump approval hits new model low: net -15.3 (was -13.9 on Mar 16, -13.5 at start of month). First meaningful erosion since war began.
- Joe Kent (former counterterrorism chief) resignation triggers FBI leak investigation. Kent told Carlson: "no intelligence" of imminent Iran threat, "the Israelis drove the decision." Gabbard accused of altering Senate testimony on Iran.
- Gas hits $3.884/gal AAA (Mar 19), up 28 cents in one week. Pre-war: $2.92. Markets: Dow -768 on Fed day (Mar 18); S&P 500 below 200-day MA; Russell 2000 nearing correction territory.
- Maine primary intensifies: Mills launches first negative ad targeting Platner's Reddit posts. EMILY's List signals imminent intervention. CBS: race growing "increasingly bitter" with 12 weeks to June 9.
- Ohio Senate poll: OnMessage (GOP firm, Mar 3-8, 600 LV): Brown 47%, Husted 45% — first 2026 poll with Brown ahead (within MOE). Healthcare costs top voter concern.
- ECB holds rates citing Iran war uncertainty, joining Fed in flagging energy shock as a monetary policy constraint.