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Kamala Harris posts first campaign video after being named vice-presidential pick – live Kamala Harris posts first campaign video after being named vice-presidential pick – live
(32 minutes later)
Deeply personal video details lessons Harris learned from her mother and criticizes Trump: ‘When the people cried out for support, he teargassed them’Deeply personal video details lessons Harris learned from her mother and criticizes Trump: ‘When the people cried out for support, he teargassed them’
Kentucky attorney general meets with Breonna Taylor’s family
Daniel Cameron, Kentucky’s attorney general, is under huge pressure amid the widespread calls for action to be taken against the police officers who fatally shot Breonna Taylor in her home in Louisville.
Cameron met with Taylor’s family this morning.
There were few details released beyond Cameron meeting with Taylor’s mother, Tamika Palmer, and other family members “to personally express his condolences,” according to a news release.
Cameron posted some brief details on twitter saying “the investigation remains ongoing”.
Earlier this week, Jamiles Lartey, of the Marshall Project wrote a piece on the obstacles that would need to be surmounted for a prosecutor to bring charges over the killing of the 26-year-old emergency medical worker at her home on March 13.
Study: Poor, low-income people have most power this election
Poor and low-income voters have exceptional power in the presidential election... when they turn up. A new report from the Poor People’s Campaign looks a just how much weight increased turnout among low-income Americans can have in key senate races:
Read more from my latest piece unpacking the 2020 race here.
Even as PAC money poured into the state, Minnesota congresswoman Ilhan Omar handily beat her opponent in Tuesday’s state primary.Even as PAC money poured into the state, Minnesota congresswoman Ilhan Omar handily beat her opponent in Tuesday’s state primary.
From the Washington Post:From the Washington Post:
So to recap:So to recap:
Fox News discussed politics and Blackness...Fox News discussed politics and Blackness...
... without a single Black person.... without a single Black person.
The New York Times is reporting that Donald Trump’s son-in-law and White House senior advisor secretly met with the “Birthday Party” presidential hopeful. As the music and apparel mogul faces additional scrutiny of an ill-timed and mostly ineligible run, rumors have circulated over the true intent behind Yeezy’s presidential push. That was before West essentially admitted to Forbes that he’s playing spoiler to the Biden campaign. But is this attempt coordinated with the Trump administration?The New York Times is reporting that Donald Trump’s son-in-law and White House senior advisor secretly met with the “Birthday Party” presidential hopeful. As the music and apparel mogul faces additional scrutiny of an ill-timed and mostly ineligible run, rumors have circulated over the true intent behind Yeezy’s presidential push. That was before West essentially admitted to Forbes that he’s playing spoiler to the Biden campaign. But is this attempt coordinated with the Trump administration?
The Times may now have the details on what some have already suspected:The Times may now have the details on what some have already suspected:
And what does Kanye West have to say about the speculation?And what does Kanye West have to say about the speculation?
The Guardian’s Lauren Gambino explains why Joe Biden picked Kamala Harris as his running mate:The Guardian’s Lauren Gambino explains why Joe Biden picked Kamala Harris as his running mate:
In its 244-year history, only four women have ever been on either side of a major party’s presidential ticket. With Kamala Harris now set to be the Democratic nominee for vice-president, let’s take a look through history at Harris’s three predecessors:In its 244-year history, only four women have ever been on either side of a major party’s presidential ticket. With Kamala Harris now set to be the Democratic nominee for vice-president, let’s take a look through history at Harris’s three predecessors:
Sarah Palin was John McCain’s Republican vice-presidential nominee in 2008. Palin offered some bipartisan congratulations and advice on navigating a difficult, and often sexist, journey, including to “fight mightily to keep your own team with you”.Sarah Palin was John McCain’s Republican vice-presidential nominee in 2008. Palin offered some bipartisan congratulations and advice on navigating a difficult, and often sexist, journey, including to “fight mightily to keep your own team with you”.
“They know you, know your voice, and most importantly are trustworthy,” she said.“They know you, know your voice, and most importantly are trustworthy,” she said.
More advice:More advice:
Geraldine Ferraro was Walter Mondale’s Democratic vice-presidential nominee in 1984, facing a campaign marked by egregious sexism from fellow politicians and media.Geraldine Ferraro was Walter Mondale’s Democratic vice-presidential nominee in 1984, facing a campaign marked by egregious sexism from fellow politicians and media.
And, of course, Hillary Clinton was the Democratic party presidential nominee in 2016.And, of course, Hillary Clinton was the Democratic party presidential nominee in 2016.
While her predecessors are important to highlight, it’s actually the woman who ran but never made it on the ticket who Harris credits for inspiration: Shirley Chisholm, a fellow Black woman of Caribbean heritage who became the first Black person to run for president.While her predecessors are important to highlight, it’s actually the woman who ran but never made it on the ticket who Harris credits for inspiration: Shirley Chisholm, a fellow Black woman of Caribbean heritage who became the first Black person to run for president.
Shirley Chisholm, the Barbadian American activist from New York, was already the first Black women elected to Congress in 1972. But then she ran a monumental campaign on anti-racism, anti-sexism and initiatives to combat poverty for the presidency.Shirley Chisholm, the Barbadian American activist from New York, was already the first Black women elected to Congress in 1972. But then she ran a monumental campaign on anti-racism, anti-sexism and initiatives to combat poverty for the presidency.
Harris’ own logo during her bid for president was in tribute to Chisholm.Harris’ own logo during her bid for president was in tribute to Chisholm.
Watch SNL’s Maya Rudolph reacts to Harris VP newsWatch SNL’s Maya Rudolph reacts to Harris VP news
Now that Kamala Harris is officially Joe Biden’s pick for vice-president, folks are ready for Maya Rudolph to reprise her Emmy-nominated role portraying the California politician on Saturday Night Live. Imagine being the journalist talking with her as news of the nomination dropped?Now that Kamala Harris is officially Joe Biden’s pick for vice-president, folks are ready for Maya Rudolph to reprise her Emmy-nominated role portraying the California politician on Saturday Night Live. Imagine being the journalist talking with her as news of the nomination dropped?
That was the case for Entertainment News’s Maureen Lee Lenker. Rudolph’s reaction: “Oh shit” and “that’s spicy”.That was the case for Entertainment News’s Maureen Lee Lenker. Rudolph’s reaction: “Oh shit” and “that’s spicy”.
From Entertainment:From Entertainment:
Joe Biden’s VP news marked two historic firstsJoe Biden’s VP news marked two historic firsts
Joe Biden’s nomination of California senator Kamala Harris marked the second major announcement to drop Tuesday surrounding the vice presidency.Joe Biden’s nomination of California senator Kamala Harris marked the second major announcement to drop Tuesday surrounding the vice presidency.
Haitian-American Karine Jean-Pierre was also named the first ever Black chief of staff to be appointed to serve the vice presidential candidate. Before, Jean-Pierre was recently selected as his senior advisor for his 2020 presidential campaign.Haitian-American Karine Jean-Pierre was also named the first ever Black chief of staff to be appointed to serve the vice presidential candidate. Before, Jean-Pierre was recently selected as his senior advisor for his 2020 presidential campaign.
Before joining Biden campaign, Karine Jean-Pierre worked on both Barack Obama’s presidential and re-election campaigns and was chief public affairs officer for MoveOn. But perhaps what she’s best known for? A mean block:Before joining Biden campaign, Karine Jean-Pierre worked on both Barack Obama’s presidential and re-election campaigns and was chief public affairs officer for MoveOn. But perhaps what she’s best known for? A mean block:
Stepping in to protect then senator Harris was impressive. Jean-Pierre may now be protected a future vice president.Stepping in to protect then senator Harris was impressive. Jean-Pierre may now be protected a future vice president.
Good day, I’m Kenya Evelyn taking over the live blog and today is all about reactions to Biden’s historic nomination of California Senator Kamala Harris for vice president.Good day, I’m Kenya Evelyn taking over the live blog and today is all about reactions to Biden’s historic nomination of California Senator Kamala Harris for vice president.
We’ll have all the latest as reactions pour in, including deep dives on her background and policy initiatives and input from those who’ve known her during childhood.We’ll have all the latest as reactions pour in, including deep dives on her background and policy initiatives and input from those who’ve known her during childhood.
Stay tuned throughout the day.Stay tuned throughout the day.
Kamala Harris has just posted her first campaign video since being named as Joe Biden’s VP pick. It features a deeply personal story about how her mother inspired her decision to become a lawyer and then a politician – and includes a direct attack on Donald Trump.
In the video, Harris says:
On Trump, she says in the ad:
You can watch it here:
Talking of coronavirus in Florida, Richard Luscombe in Miami has an interview for us this morning with Rebekah Jones. She was fired for insubordination and subjected to a vitriolic public character assassination by Florida Gov. DeSantis after she claimed she was ordered to censor coronavirus information to justify his ambitious reopening plans for the state. In it, she says:
Read it here: Ousted expert on Florida’s Covid plan: ‘They’re not listening to the scientists’
Florida set a new daily record for Covid-19 deaths yesterday, but it is emerging that on the same day Marion county sheriff Billy Woods issued an edict that his deputies are not to wear masks.
Face coverings, cited by health authorities as a simple way to reduce the spread of the coronavirus, are also not allowed on visitors to the sheriff’s office, according to his decree. The Washington Post reports that his email states:
He also invoked safety from Black Lives Matter protestors as a reason for requiring that visitors remove masks.
Well at least we now know where Donald Trump stands on QAnon supporting Marjorie Taylor Greene. Some members of the Republican party disowned her campaign after a series of racist videos emerged in which she complains of an “Islamic invasion” into government offices, claims Black and Hispanic men are held back by “gangs and dealing drugs”, and pushes an antisemitic conspiracy theory that the billionaire philanthropist George Soros, who is Jewish, collaborated with the Nazis.
And that seems all fine with the commander-in-chief
US secretary of state Mike Pompeo has said his department did everything by the book in regards to arms sales to Saudi Arabia in 2019, after a government watchdog found the risk of civilian casualties in Yemen was not fully evaluated.
His comments came after a state department inspector general report earlier this week concluded the state department did not fully evaluate the risk of civilian casualties in Yemen when it pushed through a huge 2019 precision-guided munitions sale to Saudi Arabia, report the Associated Press.
“We did everything by the book,” Pompeo told reporters during a news conference with the Czech prime minister, where he is currently visiting.
“I am proud of the work that my team did. We got a really good outcome. We prevented the loss of lives.”
Congress had requested an investigation into the Trump administration*s May 2019 decision to move ahead with $8 billion in military sales to Saudi Arabia and other countries, sidestepping the congressional review process by declaring an emergency over tensions with Iran.
He also spoke about 5G, saying that there is growing understanding among many countries that security issues must be taken into account when developing new-generation communication networks.
“The tide is turning, there is no doubt about that, against untrusted networks and toward the values of free nations” he said. The US government has put considerable pressure on allies not to use Chinese-sourced technology in their 5G build-outs.
Delaware Sen. Chris Coons has been on CNN this morning talking about Joe Biden’s VP choice of Kamala Harris. He said of her:
He also spoke more personally of Harris comforting him after the death of his father, when he was unable to leave Capitol Hill to be with his family, because business was ongoing. He remembered it like this:
You can watch the clip here:
Biden and Harris will appear together later today in Delaware.
Yesterday we launched our Lost on the frontline series, documenting the healthcare professionals that have died of Covid-19 during the pandemic in the US – including those as young as in their 20s.
We’ve got another piece in the series up this morning, featuring two emergency room physicians Tsion Firew in New York and Cedric Dark in Houston. They are talking about what happened when Covid arrived at their hospitals.
Read it here: ‘Is this when I drop dead?’: two doctors on their time at the Covid frontline
Donald Trump has just tweeted that he is leading the polls “in most swing states!”
This does not appear to be the case. According to the RealClearPolitics poll tracker, two polls out today give Trump a narrow lead in North Carolina of either 1 or 2 percentage points. There’s another poll from Monday of Arizona, giving Trump a one point lead, although the two most recent give it instead to Joe Biden.
In fact, aside from North Carolina and Arizona, since Friday – while of course not every state has had one carried out in it – polls have only shown Trump up in Texas (6 points) and Utah (19 points).
They have, though, over the same time period, shown Biden leading in Florida, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, all of which Trump carried last time out.
Trump, though, is doubling down on the idea that the “suburban housewife” will vote for him out of fear of his racially-charged threat that “low income housing would invade their neighborhood”.
I mentioned the protests in Portland earlier. Oscar Schwartz has an essential read for us this morning about the aftermath of scars and lingering trauma from the use of non-lethal force on protestors by the US police and federal officers.
As Schwartz writes:
Read it here: After the protests, lingering trauma: the scars of ‘non-lethal’ weapons
The president is awake, and has immediately renewed his attacks on Kamala Harris, who yesterday he called “nasty”. This morning, the adjective is “weak” as Trump tweets “Harris started strong in the Democrat Primaries, and finished weak, ultimately fleeing the race with almost zero support. That’s the kind of opponent everyone dreams of!”
Unlike Donald Trump, nobody on our panel has, as far as I can tell, described Kamala Harris as ‘weak’. You can find out what Theodore R Johnson, Malaika Jabali, Jill Filipovic, Wesley Yang and Geoffrey Kabaservice think of Biden’s choice here.
Read it here: What to make of the Kamala Harris VP pick? Our panel’s verdict