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1. Policy Notes
Vice President Kamala Harris gave her second major interview since becoming the Democratic nominee Tuesday before a panel of National Association of Black Journalist reporters at WHYY-FM in Philadelphia.
Harris talked on what she would do to win back young Black voters who have shifted to Trump over the last eight years, noting her call for expanded small business support. Speaking before the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Wednesday, Harris talked up her proposal to give new homeowners a $25,000 credit.
Of note, Harris has detailed specific policies she wants to enact if elected president. Many of them would be hard to win legislative approval, regardless the composition of Congress after the election, like her call to restore a federal guarantee of access to abortion.
But voters should hear more, and more clearly, from both major party candidates on what they would do if elected (nod: this is why we as reporters press for access and clarity.)
It seems unlikely that Harris and former president Donald Trump will debate again — and ABC’s moderators, David Muir and Linsey Davis, need credit here for trying to extract some clearer answers from Harris while also running impromptu fact checks on Trump — likely depriving votes another chance at getting a better sense of what they’re voting on.
Trump himself has been confusing in what he would do, flip-flopping regularly on comments, dodging a debate question on how he would deport millions of immigrants, and giving wandering answers like his fumbling of a childcare question in New York earlier this month.
In case you missed it, here’s my livestream analyzing the interview from yesterday (for paying supporters of 24sight News.)
2. Rate Cut
More than any issue, concerns about the economy and pocketbook issues, like the cost of groceries, continue to dominate among most likely voters.
The Federal Reserve decided today to cut the interest rate .5%, it’s first cut in four years, part of an effort to get money and investment flowing again, as the national jobs market slows, CNBC reports.
3. Arizona ballots
Arizona’s secretary of state, Democrat Adrian Fontes, has asked a state court to determine if 97,000 Arizonans are eligible to vote after discovering they did not have proper proof of citizenship.
The glitch caught by a Maricopa County elections official, involves residents with drivers licenses issued before the state began requiring proof of citizenship in 1996, CNN reports. It would effect only state and local races, not federal races, but is yet another sign of the mechanical battles underway behind the scenes in the states which could decide who wins the White House. (Arizona went for Biden four years ago by just over 11,000 votes.
And Trump has continued to spread unfounded claims that undocumented immigrants are illegally voting — a centerpiece of his campaigns since he launched for president almost a decade ago — setting up what could be a repeat of the fights after 2020.
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4. TX and FL?
Are Texas and Florida in play for the Democrats? That’s highly unlikely at the top of the ticket, but the head of Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan, told reporters Tuesday at The Monitor Breakfast that he sees openings for Colin Allred in Texas, running against Sen. Ted Cruz, and Rep. Debbie Mucarsell Powell in Florida, running against Sen. Rick Scott, noting the respective incumbents’ relative unpopularity.
But The Hill reports that Senate Democrats are not quite ready to put their money where their optimistic outlook is, by spending on-air for their picks in the two massive (and massively expensive) states.
5. Spending Battle
House lawmakers are still working on a stopgap measure to keep the government open after a plan from top Republicans fell apart last week. House Speaker Mike Johnson decided to push the issue with a vote today on his stopgap spending plan, which includes a measure opposed by Democrats which would mandate people show proof of citizenship when registering to vote, PBS Newshour reports.
6. Campus Unrest, Pt 2
With students returning to campuses across the country, observers have been on the watch for a return of the massive unrest which swept colleges across the nation this past spring (and resulted in numerous clashes with police and the departures of Ivy League brass.)
Pro-Palestinian protesters shut down a University of Washington board of regents meeting last week, after speakers pushed against divesting university financial holdings in Israel. Speaking on a press call Tuesday, Solly Kane, head of the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle criticized University of Washington leaders for buckling to the protesters and denying Jewish students and leaders their chance at the mic.
“Antisemitism is at an unprecedented level in America today, nowhere has that been more visible than in the last year on college campuses,” Kane said.
And there has been a return of protesters and police clashing, KQED in San Francisco reports that police were sent to eight campus protests over the past year. But new campus rules on protesting and free speech, and an apparent cooling of the issue since the spring (despite the war itself going through violent escalations) seem to have qualmed much of the scrapping. (Witness the expected protests at the DNC in Chicago which hardly materialized.)
The war shows no sign of abating anytime soon, and you can hear the clear concern among Democrats in particular. Speaking with the National Association of Black Journalists Tuesday at an interview hosted by WHYY-FM in Philadelphia, Harris continued threading the needle saying the Biden-Harris administration is working on a ceasefire deal, she wants a two-state solution and, above all, safety and security for Israelis and Palestinians.
7. Ask Deepak
So I saw an ad for AI Deepak Chopra yesterday, it’s the bot twin of legendary Deepak Chopra, and it answers deep questions. So I thought I’d ask AI Deepak how to calm things down, and keep calm and carry on as well in the final stretch of the 2024 race.
You can find Digital Deepak here, it offers five free questions to start — which I used for our purposes here at the 24sight News community.
Full transcript below:
24sight News: How would you de-escalate the tone in American politics?
Digital Deepak: To de-escalate the tone in American politics, we must approach discussions with rational calmness, respect for differing viewpoints, and a readiness to compromise. We should aim to listen more than we talk, drop us-versus-them thinking, and seek win/win options. It's crucial to remain patient, nonjudgmental, and persistent until both sides are satisfied.
24sight News: What is the purpose of falsely claiming that people eat cats and dogs?
Digital Deepak: Falsely claiming such things can create fear, misunderstanding, and division. It's a form of misinformation that can be used to manipulate perceptions and stir up negative emotions. It's important to promote truth and understanding instead.
24sight News: How do you stop further political violence?
Digital Deepak: To curb political violence, we must first understand that the source of violence lies within us. By becoming a unit of peace consciousness, we can contribute uniquely to peace. It's crucial to realize that we can control and alter the constructs we're immersed in. This realization can lead to a sense of control and creative living, which can ultimately help in reducing violence.
24sight News: Where can I go for reliable information?
Digital Deepak: For reliable information on peace consciousness and reducing violence, you may refer to my works such as "A Peace Proposal to World Leaders", "Peace Is The Way", "The Soul of Leadership", and "Coming to Peace with the World Is Coming to Peace with Yourself".
24sight News: What are some good ways to unwind after watching a presidential debate?
Digital Deepak: After a presidential debate, it's beneficial to engage in calming activities. Meditate or sit quietly, focusing on being calm and centered. Acknowledge your feelings without judgment, and remind yourself that you can hold different viewpoints while still wishing peace for all. This active detachment can help you unwind.
Thx for Digital Deepak! I thought he would answer “24Sight” when you asked about reliable information 😁