MORNING MESSAGE
Amid “Men Yelling Indistinctly” At VP Debate, Shards Of Substance
It is true that this debate did not address much of what we would expect in a real “people’s debate” that focused on the real concerns of struggling Americans. But there were ample moments of real contrast between the America that works for all people that is promised by Democrat Hillary Clinton’s campaign and the mix of alt-right nationalism and tea-party policies that would surely be ushered into Republican Donald Trump’s administration.
PENCE VS. TRUTH
Politico fact checks the debate:“[Pence] said ‘Iraq has been overrun by ISIS’ when in fact the terrorist group is losing ground … While Pence countered that the Republican never said that, Kaine was indeed spot on declaring Trump has called for nuclear proliferation … Pence offered a major whopper when he defended Trump’s decision to not release his tax returns by saying that ‘he hasn’t broken his promise.’ …”
Pence aided Trump’s con, says TNR’s Brian Beutler:“His evasions and deceptions are a big part of what’s propping up the rickety GOP union. Trump and Pence are either lying to voters about their platform reform or lying to officials in the Republican Party about it. If the truth were known, the union would fall apart.”
Pence represents a GOP afraid to stand up to Trump, says Mother Jones’ David Corn:“…Pence has enthusiastically tried to wrap the cloak of normalcy around [Trump] … he repeatedly makes excuses for Trump’s conduct—even when it contradicts Pence’s core principles …”
CLINTON PRESSED FROM LEFT
Clinton pressed to take position on Dakota Access Pipeline. The Hill:“‘We definitely need Secretary Clinton to make a statement on it,’ said Jane Kleeb, president of Bold Alliance and a leading activist voice in the national fight against fossil fuel pipelines … Polls show Clinton is struggling to win over millennial supporters of her former rival, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who has come out in strong opposition to the North Dakota-to-Illinois pipeline … Opposition to the new pipeline would put Clinton in direct confrontation with unions.”
TNR’s David Dayen urges Hillary Clinton to follow through on her antitrust enforcement agenda:“Eight years ago there was no antitrust movement to encourage busting up monopolies, no intellectual force to identify precisely how lack of competition affects so many areas of the economy. Whether Clinton follows through on this bold agenda depends in part on whether that movement forces her to do it.”
Bill Clinton modulates swipe at Obamacare in Ohio speech. Politico:“‘I supported the Affordable Care Act. I support it today … It did a great job in ensuring 25 million more people, and it did something for 100 percent of the people, it says you cannot deny anybody health insurance because of a pre-existing condition … There is a big problem with it that needs to be fixed … If you’re just above the line to qualify for the Medicaid expansion, or just above the line to qualify for the subsidies for small businesses and workers, the likelihood is that your premiums have gone up, your coverage has gone down.’ He went on to say that insurance companies have too much bargaining power in deciding rates, and that people are thus left with expensive health insurance premiums.”
WELD DEDICATED TO STOPPING TRUMP
Libertarian VP candidate Bill Weld says he will strictly focus on defeating Trump, in Boston Globe interview:“I think Mr. Trump’s proposals in the foreign policy area, including nuclear proliferation, tariffs, and free trade, would be so hurtful, domestically and in the world, that he has my full attention … I have had in mind all along trying to get the Donald into third place…”
House GOP thinks Trump not hurting too bad. Politico:“The GOP’s internal polling shows not one of their incumbents running behind, Republicans claim, and the generic congressional ballot — a critical early indicator of the election outcome — has inched closer to even after trending in Democrats’ favor … [But s]ome Republican political advisers agree that Trump’s unpredictability and a sour electorate are still cause for heartburn. ‘We’ve got way too many incumbents under 50 [percent], and way too many voters hate Washington,’ said a Republican strategist working on races across the House battlefield.”
Democratic Senate ads rarely mention Trump. Roll Call:“The hope, [Democratic operatives] say, is to exploit what they consider vulnerable issues for Republican candidates — while also trying to insulate themselves from the ups and down of an unpredictable presidential election.”
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