Headed to the Democratic Convention in Chicago
Here I explain the purpose of a convention and some of what you can expect, I’ll bring interviews, updates and reports throughout the week, check in here and share with your friends. You can also find deeper analysis and information in our newsletter. #l
Link in bio.
What are your questions?
The Trump campaign says emails of a senior campaign official were hacked and they suggest Iran is to blame.
POLITICO, the news outlet says they received 1000 pages of emails that seem to be internal Trump campaign communications. They received them from an anonymous source. In this video, I talk about the standard set during the 2016 election regarding media use of hacked campaign emails. Do you think the same standard should be applied here or live by the sword die by the sword?
Tell me what you think in comments
VP Kamala Harris has selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate. The Governor is perhaps best known nationally for introducing the word “weird” to campaign vernacular, flipping the messaging on Trump and Vance.
He is an accomplished Governor who has protected restrictive rights, expanded policies for parents and kids and taken action on a range of other progressive priorities as governor. At 60, he is just a smidge older than Harris but with his gray hair he looks significantly older. He could provide the so-called “permission structure” that might help some Americans get comfortable voting for the first female, and first Black and South Asian woman for president.
Want to learn more about Walz and the strengths he brings to the ticket and the possible challenges he presents? We will put it in a newsletter extra. Sign up for the newsletter. Link in bio.
TRUMP ATLANTA RALLY
Today Trump held a rally in the same arena in Atlanta Georgia where @vp Kamala Harris appeared earlier in the week. The turnout for Trump was smaller - there were empty seats. He spent tons of time attacking the state’s Republican Governor Brian Kemo and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger who certified the 2020 election over Trump’s objections.
Senate Considers Measure to Support Parents
Today Sen JD Vance went to the border to campaign.
While he was there his colleagues in the US Senate voted on the precisely the kind of pro-family legislation he says he supports.
The Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act contained a Child Tax Credit that would have made it easier for low income families to qualify for child tax credits. It also would have increased the single child tax credit from $1,600 per child to $1,900 in 2024 and $2,000 in 2025. It also would have made it inflation adjusted in future years. The non partisan Congressional Budget office said the measure would have cost roughly $33 billion, and would be paid for with other offsets so it would have had very little impact on the deficit.
Watch the video to find out the fate of this bill.
BIDEN ADDRESSES PRISONER SWAP
The White House published a photo of freed American prisoners returning home. President Biden met with families of these Americans freed from imprisonment in Russia in a prisoner swap today.
The released Americans are Evan Gershkovich, 32, a WSJ reporter detained for 16 months; Paul Whelan, 54, a former US Marine detained since 2018; Alsu Kurmasheva, 47, a Russian American editor for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty detained in 2023; and permanent resident Vladimir Kara-Murza, 42, a journalist and dissident arrested in 2022.
The WSJ reports that after Biden made the decision to withdraw from the presidential race, he took steps to finalize this deal in the hours before his announcement. It was a choice to ensure their return before declaring his political fate.
Biden said that “their brutal ordeal is over, and they’re free.” He also noted 70 Americans who have been unjustly detained were released during his presidency. He said he spoke with the newly released Americans and wished them a “happy almost-home.”
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan called the operation “one of the largest and certainly one of the most complex exchanges in history” and said he didn’t think it would have happened “if you had not had Joe Biden sitting in the Oval Office.”
TRUMP QUESTIONS VP HARRIS’S RACIAL IDENTITY
Former President Trump, speaking at a convention of the National Association of Black Journalists, questioned VP Kamala Harris’s racial identity.
Harris is biracial — her father is a Black and her mother is Indian. Trump suggested Harris was “either” Black or Indian, and that she “turn[ed] Black” at some point, suggesting she denied her Black heritage before this point.
Harris identifies as both Black and Indian, and attended the historically Black Howard University where she was a member of the Black sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha.
PROJECT 2025
There are lots of conflicting messages about the future of Project 2025 in the news.The guy who ran it is stepping down. So what does that mean and why is the Trump campaign trying to get distance from it?
I break it down here.
What are your thoughts?
WARNING: VIDEO CONTAINS VULGAR WORDS
SEXISM IN POLITICS
We appreciate this story by @npr and @kurtzleben
so much we are sharing it here.
Women in politics learn to take sexist attacks because it’s part of the experience of running — regardless of party. Sarah Palin, Hillary Clinton, Nikki Haley, Nancy Pelosi all had to contend with attacks on their appearance, voice, clothes, sex life, parenting choices and more. It crosses partisan lines.
Studies show that if media and electeds ignore sexist attacks, the women candidates suffer for it. But if media points it out and candidates reject the sexist framing — the attacks don’t stick.
The merch in the video isn’t from the Trump campaign. It’s made by outside vendors trying to make money off the contest, and the merch predates Harris’ entry as the presidential contender.
Of all the ways this merch could attack @kamalaharris Harris, why do you think they choose to reduce the former prosecutor/DA/AG and current @vp — to a sex bot?
Let us know in comments.
SOFT LANDING IN SIGHT
New economic data shows the US economy is close to pulling off a much-anticipated “soft landing,” bringing inflation down without triggering a recession. Economists say this has only been done once before, in the 1990s.
A new Commerce Department report shows the GDP grew at a surprisingly strong annual rate of 2.8% in the second quarter. GDP (gross domestic product) is a measure of economic output, so this means the economy grew substantially. And the amazing part is that it happened while inflation has continued cooling. We know that this isn’t translating into falling prices in lots of places or a more affordable life. But it is headed in the right direction. And the idea is that in time you’ll start to feel the impact of the improving economy on your pocketbook too. What are your thoughts? #NewsThatDoesntSuck
President Biden Oval Office Address: the “cause of the nation is larger than any one of us”
President Biden addressed the nation for the first time since his decision to exit the race. Speaking for about 10 minutes from the Oval Office he said, “I revere this office but I love my country more.
The president extolled his record and achievements – and made clear that there is more he could do. “I believe my record as president, my leadership in the world, my vision for America’s future all merited a second term,” he said, but he would not put “personal ambition” ahead of what is best for the country.
“The best way forward is to pass the torch,” he said. Insisting that “It’s time for fresh voices, yes, young voices,” he endorsed VP Kamala Harris, now the presumptive party nominee, calling her “experienced, tough, and capable.”
The President did not talk about his personal health, or pressure from party leaders. Those themes are front and center on Fox News and on conservative social media channels tonight. Elsewhere the President is receiving praise for his decision to step away from the office at the height of power. That praise is coming from some who demanded he exit the race and array of sympathetic pundits some of whom call this an important speech.
That’s because of a theme the President hit hard. In America, he said, “kings and dictators do not rule, the people do.” He said “I draw strength and I find joy in working for the American people, but this sacred task of perfecting our union isn’t about me, it’s about you.”
Let’s be honest. We know the president was pushed to exit the race. He wanted more time in the job. But stepping away is what George Washington modeled in the early days of the republic, and handing over power peacefully is the single act that makes democracy survive. Modeling that – for whatever combination of reasons – is an act of leadership.
Biden will remain in office until the next
VP HARRIS MAKES FIRST PUBLIC REMARKS AS PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE
Speaking at an NCAA Sports Day event at the White House, VP Kamala Harris made her first remarks as a presidential candidate. This is her first on-camera appearance since President Biden withdrew from the running and endorsed her Sunday.
Harris began her address praising President Biden’s legacy and moral character. Biden was not present at the event, as he is recovering from COVID at his Delaware beach house. He’s expected to address the nation this week about his decision to withdraw, but we don’t yet know when that will be.
President Biden announced that he won’t seek re-election and threw his support to VP Kamala Harris.
Lots of you are asking how she’d make the case against Trump and how the Trump campaign is reacting.
This ad from Harris’ 2020 campaign gives insight into how they might frame the competition. And Trump released this truth social statement shortly after Biden dropped out of the race. It slams Biden without attacking Harris so we will watch to see how the Trump campaign frames their case against Harris.
One note: Biden’s endorsement doesn’t automatically make her the nominee — other would-be candidates could try to challenge her. But the party is coming together around her and it would be an astonishing thing if she didn’t get the nomination. Party leaders are endorsing her and calling for the party to unify around her.
Stay tuned here for more and sign up for the newsletter- link in bio.
We need some news that reminds us of what is possible and the strength of coalition.
One of the Palestinian members of the Jerusalem Youth Chorus told @agt they’re “a group of Palestinians and Israelis. We believe through music and through working together and talking to each other, we are taking a step forward into building that amazing future where there is justice and there is freedom and there is equality and there is inclusion.”
All judges voted to advance the chorus to the next round. They will compete for a $1 million prize. If they win, they say they’ll spend the money to “create more spaces just like this chorus so that people can meet people who are different from them, so we can create this change.”
I post News That Does’t Suck to remind us of the things that inspire awe, curiosity, laughter and hope. Reminders of what we are capable of. If you know of a good story we should share - please DM. We include these stories in our Friday newsletters (when there’s not too much breaking news 😀).
BIDEN COVID - NO JOKE
The president has left the campaign trail in Nevada after testing positive for the virus.
The White House released a report from his doctor detailing his temperature and symptoms, a demonstration of transparency about his medical condition.
The president is now headed home from Las Vegas and will be in Rehoboth.
This is a blow to the campaign and president - as he was just hitting the road to campaign hard. And now he has to pull back on events, leaving his team with limited options to counter the RNC message and (fair or unfair) to demonstrate the President’s health and vitality.
