May 18, 2026 - Aaron Rai Shocks the World

Cassidy, Massie and Fetterman. Sounds like a law firm before the age of single names. Here’s what they have in common.

Bill Cassidy's defeat Saturday night will be covered as a Trump loyalty test - and it was. But the Washington Post's editorial board identified a deeper story: Cassidy's third-place finish is also a casualty of the nationwide assault on open primaries (Washington Post).

Here's what the Post reported that you need to know. Louisiana didn't always have a closed primary. For 50 years, it ran a "jungle" system - every candidate on one ballot, top two advance regardless of party. That's how Cassidy built coalitions that included independents and moderate Democrats. Then the state legislature killed it. Partly, the Post says, to get rid of Cassidy. And it worked.

This isn't just Louisiana. The Post documents a national pattern: California Democrats pushing to eliminate their jungle primary. Alaska Republicans trying to repeal ranked-choice voting. Tennessee adding a loyalty oath - signed under penalty of perjury - for primary voters. In D.C., Democrats are simply ignoring a 2024 referendum that voters passed to open their primaries. Both parties, when it suits them, want the same thing: a viselike grip on who gets nominated. 

Which brings us to Tuesday. Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie - Trump's next target - faces the most expensive House primary in American history, $25.6 million according to AdImpact (The Hill). AIPAC alone has poured in nearly half of all outside spending against him (Politico). And Kentucky is a closed primary state - registered independents cannot vote Tuesday (Kentucky Lantern). Only Republicans decide.

If Kentucky had an open primary, Massie's cross-partisan independence might be an asset. Under a closed system, it's a liability.

Open primaries aren't a guarantee of moderation. But they're the closest thing we have to a structural check on extremism. When party bosses - on both sides - narrow the electorate to their most activated voters, the rest of us get the government they want, not the government we need.

And here's where it hits close to home for me. A February 2026 Quinnipiac poll found that 73% of Pennsylvania Republicans approve of John Fetterman's job performance - compared to just 22% of Democrats in his own party. He almost certainly cannot survive a competitive Democratic primary in 2028. But in an open primary Pennsylvania? He might. The closed primary system won't just cost us Bill Cassidy and maybe Thomas Massie - it could cost Pennsylvania a senator who actually reflects where most Pennsylvanians are. John Fetterman has a bigger stake in my litigation to open Pennsylvania’s primaries than I do.

##

Aaron Rai’s stunning PGA Championship victory revealed far more than an underdog champion — it showcased a fiercely authentic golfer whose humility, relentless work ethic, and unwavering commitment to doing things his own way have earned the admiration of everyone around him.

Golf.com

A drone strike that sparked a fire at the UAE’s Barakah nuclear plant underscored fears of a renewed regional war as the U.S., Iran and Israel signaled they were preparing for possible further conflict.

Associated Press

Thousands gathered on the National Mall for the Trump-backed “Rededicate 250” religious rally marking America’s upcoming 250th anniversary, with supporters celebrating faith and patriotism while critics warned the event blurred the line between religion and politics.

NBC News

Ukraine launched one of its largest drone assaults on Moscow since the war began, killing at least four people and striking key infrastructure days after a devastating Russian attack on Kyiv killed 24 civilians.

The Sun

The BBC caught scam call center workers on hidden cameras as they laughed at the people they were tricking. One worker bragged about making $250k from victims. The disturbing truth? Scammers don’t pick phone numbers at random. They buy your data from brokers. Once your data is out there, it’s not just calls. It’s phishing, impersonation, and identity theft.

That’s why we recommend Incogni: They delete your info from the web, monitor and follow up automatically, and continue to erase data as new risks appear.

Try Incogni here and get 55% off your annual subscription with code SMERCONISH.

President Donald Trump is considering adding a helipad to the White House South Lawn to accommodate the more powerful new Marine One helicopters, marking the latest in a series of sweeping renovations to the historic grounds during his second term.

The Wall Street Journal

Troy, a small town in New York, has become a flashpoint in the national debate over AI-powered police surveillance, as fierce backlash over Flock license plate cameras sparked lawsuits, protests, and a state of emergency declared by Mayor Carmella Mantello.

The Washington Post

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee and other pro-Israel interest groups have spent over $9 million in a bid to unseat Republican Rep. Thomas Massie in Kentucky, while other prominent pro-Israel GOP donors have funneled millions more into a super PAC stood up by President Donald Trump’s political operation that has spent nearly $7 million on the race. Overall ad spending has topped $32 million, making it the most expensive House primary on record.

Politico

A spectator’s viral video captured the terrifying moment two Navy fighter jets collided during an Idaho air show, with all four crew members ejecting safely before the aircraft crashed in flames.

Idaho Statesman

A violent “teen takeover” at a Washington, DC Chipotle erupted into a chaotic brawl caught on video, as federal prosecutors vow to hold parents criminally accountable for minors involved in the city’s recurring youth disturbances.

New York Post

In an inspiring commencement address at Georgetown University, Tom Brady urged graduates to embrace adversity and reject excuses, using the Patriots’ historic Super Bowl comeback and his own underdog journey to deliver a message of resilience: “You don’t quit and you don’t make excuses.”

Georgetown University