Chicago Tribune political reporter Rick Pearson previews the Democratic National Convention and historian Luke Nichter discusses the 1968 presidential election and that year's Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
2024 Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump campaigned at a rally in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. He called his opponent in the election, Vice President Kamala Harris, a "socialist lunatic" and railed against ABC, the television network hosting an upcoming debate between himself and Ms. Harris in September, implying the debate would be rigged against him. Among the policy issues he discussed was immigration, repeating his vow to carry out the largest deportation in U.S. history, and calling undocumented immigrants "savage monsters." Moreover, he referred to a political commentator remarking that Kamala Harris had an advantage in the election because she was "beautiful." Mr. Trump retorted that he was "much better looking" than Ms. Harris.
2024 Democratic vice presidential nominee Governor Tim Walz (MN) delivered remarks at the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees' (AFSCME) 46th International Convention in Los Angeles. He criticized former President Trump's tax and health care policies. He also expressed pride in his military service following criticism from GOP vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance (OH) who accused him of avoiding a tour in Iraq. Gov. Walz went on to urge supporters to turn "hope" into action by voting. The AFSCME convention was held less than a week before the official start to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
The Brookings Institution hosted a discussion on political polling with pollsters Amy Walter and David Wasserman to talk about the political field following President Biden's withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race. Vice President Kamala Harris' ascent to the top of the Democratic ticket was at the top of the conversation, as was how voters have responded to the switch up. They also discussed the electability of her challenger, former President Donald Trump and the top issues voters are concerned about.
"The faith in our democracy is constantly being chipped away by Donald Trump", former Republican U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger (IL) told GOP-leaning supporters of Vice President Kamala Harris in a virtual discussion. He, along with other members of the party, discussed why they as Republicans have turned away from the GOP presidential nominee and thrown their support behind the vice president's candidacy. Former Virginia Rep. Joe Walsh (R) and Georgia's former Lieutenant Gov. Geoff Duncan also spoke. This virtual discussion was hosted by Republicans for Harris.
President Biden said a Middle East ceasefire is "closer than we've ever been" during an event to designate the site of the 1908 Springfield, Illinois race riot a national monument. The designation marked the 116th anniversary of the riot that occurred August 14-16, 1908. Attending the proclamation signing at the White House included members of the Illinois congressional delegation, civil rights leaders and Interior Secretary Deb Haaland.
Mira Rapp-Hooper, National Security Council East Asia and Oceania senior director, followed by a panel of analysts and academic, joined the Hudson Institute in Washington, DC, for a conversation on the state of U.S.-Japan-South Korea relations a year after a trilateral agreement was signed at Camp David among the three nations. Several topics were addressed, including the Indo-Pacific strategy, the role of diplomacy, growing partnerships with other allies in the region, and challenges posed by China and North Korea.
Politico FDA Politics and Policy Reporter Lauren Gardner discussed the results of the White House's first Medicare prescription drug price negotiations.
Rick Pearson, veteran political reporter for the Chicago Tribune, previewed the Democratic National Convention in Chicago and political news of the day.