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Vice President Harris will officially accept the Democratic nomination at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago next week, riding a wave of enthusiasm that seemed unimaginable in the wake of the GOP convention in July. The coronation in Chicago will cap a sterling month-long run for Harris, who has energized Democrats, raised hundreds of millions of dollars, and caught up to former President Trump in the polls in the weeks since President Biden stepped aside. Still, there's a potential for unrest in Chicago, with tens of thousands of Pro-Palestinian protesters expected outside the convention. How things are shaping up: - Harris and running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz will go on a bus tour across Pennsylvania starting Sunday, as the battle for the most important swing state heats up.
- Trump will offer his own counter-programming on the first day of the Democratic convention, rallying supporters in York, Pa., on Monday afternoon.
- Harris and Walz will continue campaigning during the convention, jetting off to nearby Wisconsin for a rally in Milwaukee during the week.
- The convention will feature three current or former presidents: Joe Biden, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton.
- Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will have a speaking slot. Harris is trying to become the first woman president in U.S. history after Clinton fell short against Trump in 2016.
- Democrats believe abortion rights will be a winning issue for them in 2024. Reuters reports that Kate Cox, a Texan who had to leave the state to get an abortion, will address the convention.
- For those who don't make it into the United Center for the convention, Democrats will be hosting a watch party at Soldier Field.
There's one big concern for Democrats in what is otherwise expected to be a star-studded celebration for their new standard-bearer: How disruptive will the left-wing pro-Palestinian protests be? - NBC News reports that tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters are bussing in from across the nation, even though Harris is seen as more sympathetic to their cause than Biden.
- Protest organizers told Semafor they're expecting between 30,000 and 40,000 protesters.
- Chicago police are bracing for disruptions across the city.
The protesters have been relegated to the background as the primary elections have wound down and stories about the "uncommitted" voters have faded from the news. But Harris still faces disruptions at her campaign rallies from protesters, even as she's drawn tens of thousands of supporters to her cheer her on.
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Welcome to Evening Report! I'm Jonathan Easley, catching you up from the afternoon and what's coming tomorrow. Not on the list? Subscribe here. |
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© FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images |
Harris maps out economic priorities; Trump taps transition team
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Vice President Harris laid out her economic policy proposals Friday at a campaign rally in Raleigh, N.C., as she seeks to win over voters that have been frustrated by the high cost of living and inflation that has persisted throughout President Biden's tenure in the White House. "This election, I do strongly believe, is about two very different visions for our nation. One, ours, focused on the future, and the other, focused on the past. We see that contrast clearly, in many ways, including when it comes to how we think about the economy." Among Harris's proposals: - A tax incentive for homebuilders to construct "starter homes," with the aim of producing 3 million new housing units over the next four years.
- A $40 billion innovation fund for local governments build new housing.
- $25,000 in down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers going to renters with a history of paying on time.
- Expanding rental assistance by enforcing "fair housing laws."
- Legislation to crack down on big investors snapping up single-family homes.
- Expanding the child tax credit that lapsed in 2021.
- Providing up to $6,000 in tax relief for middle- and low-income families for the first year of their child's life.
- A federal ban on price gouging for groceries.
The Hill's Aris Folley has the full rundown on Harris's economic plan here. Republicans are primed to cast these initiatives as government giveaways. The Trump campaign singled out the price gouging proposal to take a swing at "Comrade Kamala." "It's hard to overstate how disastrous of an idea it is to let D.C. bureaucrats dictate the price of groceries in cities, suburbs, and rural communities across the country — dismantling necessary supply-and-demand signals of the free market and ultimately leading to higher prices for consumers." - The New York Times says economists are largely skeptical of the price gouging ban, which they say could lead to shortages and other market disruptions.
- Swing-state Republicans, such as Senate candidate David McCormick in Pennsylvania, are seizing on the issue. Sen. Bob Casey (Penn.), who is facing McCormick, had to answer for the policy on MSNBC"s "Morning Joe" after anchor Willie Geist read him an op-ed slamming the policy.
The Trump team, meanwhile, is focused on the transition of power if they win. Trump announced a leadership transition team that will be responsible for staffing his second administration and steering his policy priorities. Chairs: - Linda McMahon, a top donor who led Trump's Small Business Administration.
- Howard Lutnik, a businessman and top donor.
Honorary Chairs: - Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio)
- Eric Trump
- Donald Trump, Jr.
One surprising name floating around Trump's orbit: Former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard. Gabbard recently huddled with Trump, according to The Hill's Brett Samuels. Gabbard famously clashed with Harris on the debate stage during the 2020 Democratic presidential primary and has since left the Democratic Party.
Perspectives: - The Washington Post: When your opponent calls you a 'communist,' maybe don't propose price controls?
- CNN: Trump's fury over Harris switch is driving his campaign.
- The Wall Street Journal: How the Biden-Harris administration left most Americans behind.
- The Hill: Trump is throwing away the election.
- The Hill: The campaigns should go on offense over trade.
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Democrats hope to ride fury over Roe, gender gap to big election wins
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Can Democrats ride fury over Roe and the gender gap to the White House and a majority in the House? It worked in 2022, when Democrats effectively neutralized an anticipated "red wave" election after the landmark Supreme Court decision sending abortion laws to the states. Via The Hill's Mychael Schnell: "House Democrats — already energized by the surging presidential ticket topped by Vice President Harris — are increasingly optimistic that a growing number of abortion referendums across the country this cycle will help them win the House and the presidency come November." - There are currently abortion referendums on the ballot in eight states, including Arizona, a hotly contested battleground.
- There have been abortion questions on the ballot seven times since 2022. In every case, voters backed abortion rights, including in conservative states such as Kansas, Kentucky, Montana and Ohio.
Polls show men are largely split on the issue, but women are more supportive of abortion rights and vote in larger numbers than men. That's a problem for former President Trump. He leads by 1 point nationally against Harris in the latest Fox News national poll, but he trails by double-digits among women. Politico obtained a new campaign memo from political strategist Doug Sosnik, who advised former President Clinton. He breaks down the gender gap like this:
"Since the 2012 elections, college-educated women have been moving toward the Democratic Party. The combination of Trump's presidency and the Supreme Court ruling has pushed these voters even more into the arms of Democrats … The historic nature of the Harris candidacy will no doubt further energize support from Black women, who have historically been the single biggest driver in the gender gap between parties…In addition, Generation Z women, who overwhelmingly consider themselves to be liberal, particularly compared to men in this age group, will also drive support for Harris and widen the gender gap in the upcoming election." More from Sosnick: "If these factors aren't enough, the style and substance of Trump's campaign, with his intemperate remarks about Harris's sex and race, and the selection of his running mate, JD Vance, who has a long history of making disparaging remarks about women, will further alienate women voters."
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© Matt Freed and Julia Nikhinson, Associated Press |
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A new survey finds Vice President Harris's running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), is viewed more favorably than former President Trump's vice presidential pick, Ohio Sen. JD Vance. - The Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll found Walz with a net positive rating of 9 points, at 39 percent favorable and 30 percent unfavorable.
- Vance is underwater by 10 points, at 32 percent favorable and 42 percent unfavorable.
Vance and Walz will square off in a CBS News debate on Oct. 1, where Republicans hope some of their attacks on Walz will stick. - Republicans have so far accused Walz of inflating his military service and dragging his feet when protesters burned down a Minneapolis police department.
- House Republicans on Friday opened a probe into Walz's engagement with China, where he spent a year teaching high school.
- More recently, Republicans have drawn attention to a controversial Muslim cleric that Walz has praised as a "master teacher." The Harris campaign has said Walz did not have a personal relationship with the cleric, Assad Zaman.
- Trump attacked Walz at an event with Jewish supporters last night: "Tim Walz . . . has praised a Hitler-supporting radical Muslim Imam named Asad Zaman, calling him a 'master teacher.' He's a 'master teacher'. He knew him for a long time. He's a 'master teacher'."
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A round-up of news from across the country… FLORIDA: A new poll finds that the state ballot initiative to protect abortion rights has 56 percent support, but that's short of the 60 percent needed for passage in November. CALIFORNIA: The California legislature plans to cancel a $400 million loan payment to extend the lifespan of the state's last nuclear power plant, breaking with Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), who describes it as a critical energy safeguard. TEXAS: Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) is suing the Biden administration over federal workplace protections for transgender employees. Separately, the U.S. awarded $1.6 billion to Texas Instruments to build semiconductor plants. ARIZONA: A proposal to allow local police to make arrests near the border with Mexico made it to the November ballot. NEW JERSEY: New Jersey Gov Phil Murphy (D) announced appointed his former chief of staff George Helmy to serve out the remaining five months of Sen. Bob Menendez's (D-N-J.) term. Murphy also announced transit rides will be free for a week leading up to Labor Day to thank riders for putting up with service woes. |
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"To protect the rule of law, Congress must check Supreme Court overreach," by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) for The Washington Post. "The Democrats need to appeal to Main Street America," by Joel Kotkin for The American Mind. |
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3 days until the Democratic National Convention. 25 days until the first presidential debate between Harris and Trump. 46 days until the vice presidential debate between Vance and Walz. 81 days until the 2024 general election.
157 days until Inauguration Day 2025. |
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Saturday - Trump holds a campaign rally in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
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There a story you think should be getting more attention? Something people should be talking about? Drop me a line: jeasley@thehill.com |
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