Welcome to The Hill’s Campaign Report, your daily rundown on all the latest news in the 2020 presidential, Senate and House races. Did someone forward this to you? Click here to subscribe.
We’re Julia Manchester, Max Greenwood and Jonathan Easley. Here’s what we’re watching today on the campaign trail.
LEADING THE DAY:
The countdown for Joe Biden
Joe BidenRomney on Trump election tactics: 'Difficult to imagine a worse, more undemocratic action' by president Biden promises federal government will pay for National Guard coronavirus work: 'That should be paid for' House committee chairs demand briefing from GSA head on presidential transition MORE to select a running mate is on, with the former vice president announcing earlier this week he would have the slot filled next week.
A number of high-profile names, such as Biden’s former 2020 rivals Sens. Kamala Harris
Kamala HarrisObama: Americans should be 'troubled' by attempts to overturn states' votes Atlanta mayor: Trump would 'eat his own children' if it helped him Czech president says Trump should quit after election loss and 'not be embarrassing' MORE (D-Calif.) and Elizabeth Warren
Elizabeth WarrenOn The Money: Push for student loan forgiveness puts Biden in tight spot | Trump is wild card as shutdown fears grow | Mnuchin asks Fed to return 5 billion in unspent COVID emergency funds Mnuchin asks Fed to return 5 billion in unspent COVID-19 emergency funds Biden says he will announce Treasury secretary pick close to Thanksgiving MORE (D-Mass.), are being vetted. Other figures, including Congresswomen Val Demings
Valdez (Val) Venita DemingsDemings on Florida: 'We're excited about what we're seeing' but 'taking absolutely nothing for granted' Why it's time for a majority female Cabinet Sunday shows preview: The final push to Election Day MORE (D-Fla.) and Karen Bass
Karen Ruth BassPressure grows on California governor to name Harris replacement Why it's time for a majority female Cabinet Porter raises .2 million in third quarter MORE (D-Calif.), along with Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms (D), are also in the pool of candidates.
However, The Hill’s Amie Parnes and Alexander Bolton report that we shouldn’t count Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth
Ladda (Tammy) Tammy DuckworthOvernight Defense: Trump orders troop drawdown in Afghanistan and Iraq | Key Republicans call Trump plan a 'mistake' Top Democrat calls Trump's Afghan drawdown 'the right policy decision' as others warn of 'mistake' Overnight Defense: Another Defense official resigns | Pentagon chief says military 'remains strong' despite purge | Top contender for Biden DOD secretary would be historic pick MORE (D) out of the running yet, citing her status as a veteran who lost both legs in the Iraq War and is a recipient of the Purple Heart.
“Anyone who knows him well knows what the United States military means to him,” a Biden confidant told our colleagues. “And the fact of the matter is, she doesn't just check the boxes, she has an incredible story and it represents not only who the vice president is at his core, but the narrative he's been talking about since his campaign began.”
Duckworth’s colleague, Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin
Dick DurbinPresident is wild card as shutdown fears grow Biden picks Obama communications director to lead confirmation team: report Democrats vent to Schumer over Senate majority failure MORE (D), said that he would be in favor of a Biden-Duckworth ticket.
“She’s an incredible story, life story,” Durbin said in an interview. “Disabled veteran, amazing determination, who’s remade her life and now serves in the Senate. She is a symbol of success for the disability community.
“She has a lot of things going for her,” the senator added. “She carries counties in Illinois that I don’t because people respect her military credentials.”
Biden is currently leading President Trump
Donald John TrumpRomney on Trump election tactics: 'Difficult to imagine a worse, more undemocratic action' by president New York expands Trump tax fraud investigations to include writeoffs: report Biden promises federal government will pay for National Guard coronavirus work: 'That should be paid for' MORE in a number of state and national polls.
It is not yet known what kind of impact Biden’s vice presidential pick would have on the election, however, a Hill-HarrisX poll released last week showed 23 percent of Democratic voters saying they wanted Harris as his running mate, while 22 percent said the same about Warren. Four percent said they wanted to see Duckworth on the ticket.
— Julia Manchester
READ MORE:
Don't count out Duckworth in Biden VP race, by The Hill's Amie Parnes and Alexander Bolton.
Clyburn: Biden needs VP pick who has 'a lot of passion' by The Hill's Tal Axelrod
Trump campaign cancels ad buys to review messaging strategy: report, by The Hill's John Bowden
FROM THE TRAIL:
The Lincoln Project, an anti-Trump GOP group, released an ad on Friday hitting President Trump over his suggestion to delay the general election. The ad suggests that Trump is worried he won’t win reelection due to his low approval rating and backlash over his coronavirus response. The Hill’s J. Edward Moreno reports.
FROM CONGRESS AND THE STATES:
House Democrats are warning that the integrity of November's elections are under significant threat from foreign actors — and the Trump administration, they say, is going out of its way to conceal the danger from the public. The Hill's Mike Lillis reports.
The Chamber of Commerce formally threw its support behind Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst
Joni Kay ErnstRomney on Trump election tactics: 'Difficult to imagine a worse, more undemocratic action' by president Sasse condemns Giuliani's 'wild press conferences': They 'erode public trust' Clock running out on Trump as states move to finalize vote counts MORE (R) in her reelection bid against Democrat Theresa Greenfield on Friday. The Hill’s Alex Gangitano reports.
Democratic candidates are gearing up to attack their Republican opponents over the issue of school reopenings ahead of November’s elections. Tal reports.
PERSPECTIVES:
Zoe Fenson: You don’t have to be excited about Biden to vote for him.
David Harsanyi: Obama’s filibuster hypocrisy.
Damon Linker: Could America split up?
POLLS:
JMC ANALYTICS AND POLL--MASSACHUSETTS SENATE PRIMARY
Markey: 40%
Kennedy: 36%
MASON DIXON – FLORIDA PRESIDENTIAL
Biden: 50%
Trump: 46%
MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
Aug. 4:
Arizona primaries
Kansas primaries
Michigan primaries
Missouri primaries
Washington primaries
Aug. 6:
Tennesse primaries
Aug. 8:
Hawaii primaries
Aug. 11:
Connecticut primaries
Minnesota primaries
Vermont primaries
Wisconsin primaries
Georgia primary runoffs
Aug. 18:
Alaska primaries
Florida primaries
Wyoming primaries
Aug. 17-20:
Democratic National Convention
Aug. 24-27:
Republican National Convention
Sept. 1:
Massachusetts primaries
Sept. 8:
New Hampshire primaries
Rhode Island primaries