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Pete Hamill Was One of Us, Only Better at It

 The peerless observer of New York life died yesterday at 85. By Christopher Bonanos
health

COVID-19 Is Horrible — So Is Worrying You Infected Someone

 By Willy Blackmore On one of the last days of normal life, I brought cupcakes to my first grader’s class. I didn’t know yet that I had COVID-19.
supreme court

Pence Hits John Roberts As ‘Disappointment to Conservatives’

 By Ed Kilgore In an interview with a Christian right journalist, the VP promises that Trump will consummate a judicial counterrevolution in his second term.
THE FEED
2020 elections
2020 elections
Trump’s Candidate Bill Hagerty Wins Wild Tennessee Senate Primary
By Ed Kilgore
A primary in which both candidates kept trying to outflank each other on the right was won by the original frontrunner and Trump endorsee.
vision 2020
vision 2020
Is Kamala Harris Inevitable?
By Jonathan Chait, Benjamin Hart, and Ed Kilgore
Last-minute contenders for Joe Biden’s vice-presidential selection have emerged, but the California senator is still the front-runner.
coronavirus stimulus
coronavirus stimulus
Maybe Panicked Investors Will Save the COVID Stimulus
By Eric Levitz
Wall Street has priced in another round of coronavirus relief. If a deal falls through, plunging stock prices just may break the GOP’s resolve.

Most Popular

  1. Two Lawyers, a Summer of Unrest, and a Molotov Cocktail
    By Lisa Miller
  2. NYC Sets Up COVID Checkpoints to Enforce Quarantine for Visitors From 34 States
    By Matt Stieb and Adam K. Raymond
  3. The 9 Wildest Answers in Trump’s Interview With Jonathan Swan, Ranked
    By Jonathan Chait
  4. Deutsche Bank Reportedly Gave Trump’s Financial Records to Manhattan DA Cy Vance
    By Matt Stieb
  5. Is Kamala Harris Inevitable?
    By Jonathan Chait, Benjamin Hart, and Ed Kilgore
vision 2020
vision 2020
Conservatives Explain Why Trump Can’t Help Himself
By Ed Kilgore
Two National Review editors argue that the events of 2020 have brought Trump’s ugliest features to the fore, disabling any smart reelection effort.
coronavirus
coronavirus
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine Tests Positive for COVID-19
By Matt Stieb
The 73-year-old is one of the GOP’s most outspoken advocates of pandemic prevention, including mandatory mask orders. He is currently asymptomatic.

Somehow difficult to imagine Putin (or anyone else) saying this

Trump says foreign leaders are calling and saying, “Can I have ventilators for our country, sir?”
—@ddale8
the left
the left
What Cori Bush Means to the Left
By Sarah Jones
Her upset win over a political dynasty demonstrates the left’s staying power.

And people say Biden’s agenda isn’t liberal enough

Just like Radical Left New York is trying to destroy the NRA, if Biden becomes President your GREAT SECOND AMENDMENT doesn’t have a chance. Your guns will be taken away, immediately and without notice. No police, no guns!
—@realDonaldTrump
vision 2020
vision 2020
Trump Says Biden Is ‘Against the Bible’
By Ed Kilgore
Our religiously illiterate president really needs to stop claiming the mantle of faith and denying it to others.
nra
nra
New York Attorney General Sues to ‘Dissolve’ the NRA
By Adam K. Raymond
Attorney General Letitia James says self-dealing and corruption resulted in the NRA losing $64 million in just three years.

Eye-opening numbers here

Quinnipiac polls:
ME: Biden+15, Gideon+4
KY: Trump+9, McConnell+5
SC: Trump+5, Graham/Harrison tiedhttps://t.co/8cQuLeSpt3
—@Nate_Cohn
tribute
tribute
Pete Hamill Was One of Us, Only Better at It
By Christopher Bonanos
The peerless observer of New York life died yesterday at 85.

The governor, who instituted strict lockdown measures at the beginning of the pandemic, is 73

JUST IN: Ohio @GovMikeDeWine tests positive for #Covid19 ahead of President Trump’s arrival in Cleveland. His office says he “has no symptoms at the present time.” He will quarantine at his Cedarville, Ohio home for the next 14 days.
—@edokeefe
coronavirus
coronavirus
NYC Sets Up COVID Checkpoints to Enforce Quarantine for Visitors From 34 States
By Matt Stieb and Adam K. Raymond
Mayor de Blasio said the city will screen visitors at “key entry points” in order to prevent a second wave of the coronavirus in New York.

This is what America needs right now

NOAA now forecasts a rare and “extremely active” hurricane season.

The agency predicts 19-25 named storms (winds of 39 mph +), 7-11 of those will be hurricanes (winds of 74 mph +) and 3 -6 of those are forecast to be major hurricanes (winds of 111 mph +)
—@KristenhCNN
supreme court
supreme court
Pence Goes After John Roberts As ‘Disappointment to Conservatives’
By Ed Kilgore
In an interview with a Christian right journalist, the VP promises that Trump will consummate a judicial counterrevolution in his second term.
lebanon
lebanon
Hundreds of Thousands Displaced by Beirut Explosion
By Adam K. Raymond and Matt Stieb
Prime Minister Diab announced an investigation into the blast that killed at least 135, which appeared to be caused by a store of ammonium nitrate.

It’s about time

Photo: @foxjust/Twitter

Yet another grim number, five months in

BREAKING: 1.2 million filed NEW unemployment claims last week, a decline of 249,000 from the prior week.

It’s the lowest level since the crisis started but the 20th week of over a million jobless claims.

Bottom line: A lot of layoffs are becoming permanent at this point.
—@byHeatherLong
health
health
COVID-19 Is Horrible — So Is Worrying You Might Have Infected Someone Else
By Willy Blackmore
On one of the last days of normal life, I brought cupcakes to my first grader’s class. I didn’t know yet that I had COVID-19.
president trump
president trump
Deutsche Bank Reportedly Gave Trump’s Financial Records to Manhattan DA Cy Vance
By Matt Stieb
The bank has reportedly complied with a subpoena from Cy Vance’s office, suggesting the DA’s inquiry into Trump’s “criminal conduct” may be expansive.
vision 2020
vision 2020
The Disappearing National Political Convention
By Ed Kilgore
Whether they are gone for good or make a comeback down the road, the old-school national political conventions are over for now.

That stimulus bill still isn’t happening yet

Meadows: “There’s no agreement. We’re done for the day.”
—@ChadPergram
vision 2020
vision 2020
Would Biden Contest a Trump Electoral College Win?
By Ed Kilgore
While there’s abundant evidence Trump is willing to contest an adverse election result, it’s unlikely Joe Biden would trigger a constitutional crisis.
protests
protests
Portland’s Bigger Policing Problem Was Always Local
By Zak Cheney-Rice
Trump’s agents may leave Portland. Police brutality won’t.
2020 census
2020 census
Congressional Democrats Need to Stop the Census Power Grab
By Ed Kilgore
The Trump administration claims there isn’t enough time to count everybody. Democrats should insist that Congress give it to them.

The country is in a healthy place

Fauci tells Sanjay on @CNN that he is receiving death threats and that people are harassing his family.
—@Acosta

The Democratic convention gets ever less convention-like

WASHINGTON (AP) — AP source: Biden will not travel to Milwaukee to accept Democratic presidential nomination.
—@NickRiccardi
2020 elections
2020 elections
Another Deep-Red State Votes to Expand Medicaid
By Ed Kilgore
In a fairly close vote, Missouri became the 38th state to sign on, even as Republicans try to cripple the Affordable Care Act.

Trump clings to a lead in a state he absolutely needs to win

New Monmoth poll of Iowa among registered voters:

Trump 48%
Biden 45%

Ernst 48%
Greenfield 45%https://t.co/cYeQ7If74K
—@MikeDelMoro

A member of “the squad” easily wins her primary

Freshmen Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan has prevailed against a Democratic primary challenge from Detroit City Council President Brenda Jones, CNN projects
—@mkraju

Trump’s entire presidency raises major ethics questions

Trump confirming the White House is on the short list for his convention speech, because it’s inexpensive and easy operationally, plus a beautiful setting. Raises major ethics questions, however
—@ChrisJansing

As opposed to Trump’s calm, soothing presence

Trump on Obama’s speech at John Lewis’s funeral: “I thought it was a terrible speech. It was an angry speech. It shows there is an anger there that people don’t see. He lost control.”
—@ddale8
vision 2020
vision 2020
How Much Ground Does Trump Need to Make Up to Have a Good Chance of Reelection?
By Ed Kilgore
Trump needs positive net job approval ratings to be in a solid position to win, and that’s something he has yet to achieve.
100-person poll
100-person poll
100 New Yorkers on the New Rules of Outdoor Drinking
By Brock Colyar
 On a recent Saturday, we asked 100 people at Brooklyn’s McCarren Park about porta-potties, open container laws, and other 2020 etiquette.
coronavirus stimulus
coronavirus stimulus
At-Risk Republicans Ask McConnell to Get Stimulus Deal or Suspend Senate Recess
By Matt Stieb
Republicans in close races want to put off the August break to close the stimulus package, including a potential extension of the $600 weekly benefit.

There are now just 12 remaining states that have not passed Medicaid expansion

I’ve seen enough: Missouri voters narrowly pass constitutional Amendment 2 to expand Medicaid.
—@Redistrict
2020 elections
2020 elections
Kris Kobach Loses Kansas Senate Primary
By Ed Kilgore
The abrasive nativist and vote suppressor — and Trump’s close ally — was defeated by Roger Marshall, a better prospect for holding an open GOP seat.
extreme weather
extreme weather
Isaias Wreaks Havoc on Northeast, Leaving Millions Without Power
By Chas Danner
The powerful storm left more than 3 million without power, tornadoes were reported in at least five states, and at least five people were killed.
education
education
The Major School Districts That Will Remain Online-Only This Fall
By Matt Stieb
Public schools in Chicago, L.A., and San Diego will not return to campus next semester, with COVID-19 still spreading in California and Illinois.