From the Politics Desk: Election Update (July Ten, Twenty Twenty-Four)
Welcome! This is the online version of From the Politics Desk, your daily dose of election news and analysis from the NBC News Politics team. We cover the campaign trail, the White House, and Capitol Hill, bringing you the latest scoops and insights. Buckle up, because things are about to get wild (again).
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Today’s Top Stories
- Trump’s VP Shortlist Narrows: Doug Burgum and JD Vance emerge as top contenders, while Marco Rubio faces hurdles.
- Flashback to Twenty Twenty: Analyzing the Last Biden-Trump Debate: Peter Alexander revisits the final debate for clues about Thursday’s showdown.
- Supreme Court Upholds Gun Restriction for Domestic Abusers: In a significant ruling, the court limits gun access for those with domestic violence restraining orders.
Trump Zeroes in on his VP Finalists
Well folks, it seems like the former president is finally getting around to the big decisions. Sources close to the Trump campaign (read: anonymous whispers we heard at a steakhouse in D.C.) say he’s getting real close to picking his running mate. But who will be the chosen one to join him on this wild ride? Let’s break it down:
The Contenders
Word on the street is that North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and Sen. JD Vance of Ohio are leading the pack. Burgum, a successful businessman-turned-politician, brings a certain folksy charm and a whole lotta Midwestern appeal. Vance, on the other hand, is a darling of the conservative right, known for his fiery rhetoric and, let’s be honest, that whole “Trump whisperer” vibe.
Rubio Fades
Remember when Marco Rubio was the “it” guy? Yeah, those days are long gone, my friend. While the Florida senator is still technically in the running, whispers of doubt follow him like a bad smell. Some question his commitment (remember that time he said he wouldn’t seek re-election, and then did? Yeah, awkward.), while others point to potential residency issues.
What We Learned from the Last Biden-Trump Debate
Get ready for some serious deja vu, folks, because Thursday night is debate night! That’s right, President Biden and former President Trump will once again grace the same stage, and we’re already stocking up on popcorn. But before we dive headfirst into what’s sure to be another unforgettable showdown, let’s take a trip down memory lane and revisit their last encounter back in the wild, wild year of twenty-twenty.
Covid Takes Center Stage
Remember when face masks were the hottest topic of conversation? Ah, simpler times. Unsurprisingly, the COVID-nineteen pandemic took center stage in the twenty-twenty debate. After all, it was kinda hard to ignore, what with the whole global health crisis and economic meltdown thing happening.
A Surprisingly Civil Affair
Okay, “civil” might be a bit of a stretch, but compared to their first brawl (seriously, did anyone else think they were gonna come to blows?), the final debate was practically a tea party. Sure, there were some jabs and eye rolls, but overall, the tone was surprisingly respectful. Why the sudden change of heart? Some say it was the muted microphones.
From the Politics Desk: Election Update (July Ten, Twenty Twenty-Four)
Welcome! This is the online version of From the Politics Desk, your daily dose of election news and analysis from the NBC News Politics team. We cover the campaign trail, the White House, and Capitol Hill, bringing you the latest scoops and insights. Buckle up, because things are about to get wild (again).
Sign up to receive this newsletter in your inbox every weekday: [Newsletter signup link]
Today’s Top Stories
- Trump’s VP Shortlist Narrows: Doug Burgum and JD Vance emerge as top contenders, while Marco Rubio faces hurdles.
- Flashback to Twenty Twenty: Analyzing the Last Biden-Trump Debate: Peter Alexander revisits the final debate for clues about Thursday’s showdown.
- Supreme Court Upholds Gun Restriction for Domestic Abusers: In a significant ruling, the court limits gun access for those with domestic violence restraining orders.
Trump Zeroes in on his VP Finalists
Well folks, it seems like the former president is finally getting around to the big decisions. Sources close to the Trump campaign (read: anonymous whispers we heard at a steakhouse in D.C.) say he’s getting real close to picking his running mate. But who will be the chosen one to join him on this wild ride? Let’s break it down:
The Contenders
Word on the street is that North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and Sen. JD Vance of Ohio are leading the pack. Burgum, a successful businessman-turned-politician, brings a certain folksy charm and a whole lotta Midwestern appeal. Vance, on the other hand, is a darling of the conservative right, known for his fiery rhetoric and, let’s be honest, that whole “Trump whisperer” vibe.
Rubio Fades
Remember when Marco Rubio was the “it” guy? Yeah, those days are long gone, my friend. While the Florida senator is still technically in the running, whispers of doubt follow him like a bad smell. Some question his commitment (remember that time he said he wouldn’t seek re-election, and then did? Yeah, awkward.), while others point to potential residency issues.
What We Learned from the Last Biden-Trump Debate
Get ready for some serious deja vu, folks, because Thursday night is debate night! That’s right, President Biden and former President Trump will once again grace the same stage, and we’re already stocking up on popcorn. But before we dive headfirst into what’s sure to be another unforgettable showdown, let’s take a trip down memory lane and revisit their last encounter back in the wild, wild year of twenty-twenty.
Covid Takes Center Stage
Remember when face masks were the hottest topic of conversation? Ah, simpler times. Unsurprisingly, the COVID-nineteen pandemic took center stage in the twenty-twenty debate. After all, it was kinda hard to ignore, what with the whole global health crisis and economic meltdown thing happening.
A Surprisingly Civil Affair
Okay, “civil” might be a bit of a stretch, but compared to their first brawl (seriously, did anyone else think they were gonna come to blows?), the final debate was practically a tea party. Sure, there were some jabs and eye rolls, but overall, the tone was surprisingly respectful. Why the sudden change of heart? Some say it was the muted microphones.
Biden’s Baiting Tactics
Joe Biden, master strategist? Well, that’s debatable (pun intended!). But one thing’s for sure: the guy knows how to push Trump’s buttons. Throughout the debate, Biden employed a tactic straight outta the Hillary Clinton playbook: strategic provocation. He’d drop little snide remarks, make those knowing smirks, and basically do everything in his power to get under Trump’s skin. Did it work? Oh, you betcha.
Trump’s Counterpunches
Did you really think Trump would just sit there and take it? Come on now, this is Donald J. Trump we’re talking about! As expected, the former president didn’t hesitate to fire back at every single one of Biden’s jabs, often with a healthy dose of his signature hyperbole. The insults flew, the accusations were hurled, and the Twittersphere went into absolute meltdown mode. It was, in a word, glorious (or terrifying, depending on your political persuasion).
Supreme Court Limits Gun Access for Domestic Abusers
In a landmark ruling that surprised many court observers, the Supreme Court upheld a federal law that prohibits individuals subject to domestic violence restraining orders from possessing firearms. The decision, hailed as a victory for gun control advocates, marks a significant shift in the court’s stance on Second Amendment rights.
The case, which centered around a Texas man who argued that the restraining order against him violated his constitutional right to bear arms, was closely watched by both sides of the gun control debate. The court’s conservative majority, often seen as sympathetic to gun rights, ultimately sided with the government, emphasizing the importance of public safety and the need to protect victims of domestic violence.
The ruling has sparked a fierce debate, with gun rights groups vowing to challenge the law in other courts while advocates for stricter gun control laws celebrate it as a crucial step toward reducing gun violence, particularly among women and families.
Biden Campaign Leans into Age as a Strength
Facing persistent concerns about President Biden’s age and fitness for office, the Biden campaign is launching a new strategy: turning age into an asset. Instead of shying away from the issue, the campaign is embracing Biden’s experience and longevity, portraying him as a seasoned leader with the wisdom and stamina to navigate a complex world.
The new approach is evident in recent campaign ads and speeches, which highlight Biden’s long record of public service and his deep understanding of global affairs. The campaign is also emphasizing Biden’s energy and vitality, contrasting it with what they describe as Trump’s erratic behavior and lack of focus.
Whether this strategy will resonate with voters remains to be seen. Some polls suggest that voters are concerned about Biden’s age, while others indicate that they value his experience. Ultimately, the election may hinge on whether voters perceive Biden as a steady hand at the helm or a leader past his prime.
Today’s Top Stories in Brief:
- ⚖️ Special Counsel Investigation: A Florida judge hears arguments challenging the constitutionality of the investigation into Trump’s handling of classified documents. Trial date remains uncertain.
- 📱 Biden Campaign: Launches a social media campaign highlighting unflattering moments of Trump to counter concerns about Biden’s age.
- 📉 Biden and the Polls: The Biden campaign expresses skepticism about polls showing a tight race with Trump.
- 🟠 New York Politics: Politico analyzes a competitive Democratic primary in upstate New York, aiming to unseat GOP Rep. Brandon Williams.
- 💰 Pro-Trump Super PAC: Receives a massive $50 million donation from businessman Timothy Mellon.
- 🚦 Immigration Policy: Trump proposes granting automatic green cards to noncitizen graduates of U.S. colleges.
- 🚫 Republican National Convention: Trump’s campaign intervenes to replace potentially disruptive delegates and ensure a smooth convention.
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