| | | | Do Democrats have to be more than 'not-Trump'? | | On Tuesday, Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar spoke to the Center for American Progress Ideas Conference, an early cattle call for Democrats looking at running in 2020. But the message she delivered was anything but the anti-Trump red meat the crowd likely expected.
"We're not going to see [continued success] if we spend our whole time bemoaning the fact that he's there," Klobuchar said of Trump. "He's there. And we have to present an alternative."
She added: "I promise you, if that is all we do to follow him down every rabbit hole, that is not how we change the country, that is not how we change the well-being."
That is interesting -- and represents a different line of thinking from many within the party who believe their base's epic distaste for Trump is coupled with a broader unease among the general public with the President's policies.
There's precedent for that sole focus sort of strategy. In 2010 and 2014, Republicans succeeded wildly -- in electoral terms -- by running as simply not Barack Obama.
Just before the 2010 midterms, then-Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell famously/infamously told National Journal this: "The single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president."
Republicans only loosely outlined an agenda of what they would do if given control -- and it largely revolved around undoing what Obama had done. Heck, President Trump ran and won, primarily, on the idea that he would simply get rid of all the things that Obama did that Republicans (and independents) didn't like.
The question for Democrats is whether they should follow the example of their Republican counterparts or, like Klobuchar, put a positive message front and center -- and avoid making the 2018 and 2020 elections solely about Trump.
The Point: This will be a BIG strategic fight for Democrats running for president in 2020. (In 2018, I think the likely Democratic message will be "We are not Trump.") Do they make the next presidential election a straight referendum on Trump or a choice between two competing vision for America?
-- Chris | | "We're all Yankee fans, right?"
-President Donald Trump, speaking at the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service on Capitol Hill on Tuesday (read more about the service here) | | | | CNN's Zachary Cohen reported Tuesday afternoon: "North Korea says the United States should carefully consider the fate of the North Korea-US summit, in view of what it calls 'provocative military disturbances with South Korea,' North Korea's state news agency reported early Wednesday local time. The warning comes as KCNA reported North Korea has suspended talks with South Korea because of a joint military drill conducted by South Korea and the United States. 'We are aware of the South Korean media report. The United States will look at what North Korea has said independently, and continue to coordinate closely with our allies,' White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement." Read more here. | | 🚨 ANOTHER ELECTION TUESDAY 🚨 | | The midterm election fun continues, as voters in Idaho, Nebraska, Oregon and Pennsylvania headed to the polls today. CNN's Wade Payson-Denney outlines what to watch in these races: - Pennsylvania's polls close at 8 p.m. ET, Nebraska's close at 9 p.m. ET.
- Polls in Idaho are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time (some counties are in PT and will finish voting at 11 p.m. ET)
- Pennsylvania voters will select candidates for their new congressional maps for the first time. While most seats have viable nominees on both sides, Tuesday night's results will sharpen where all the House races stand in the Keystone state -- one of the most important states to watch come November.
- Oregon is an all vote-by-mail state, but voters have until 8 p.m. local time to drop off ballots at official drop box sites. Split time zones have some polls closing in the state at 10 p.m. ET, but most close at 11 p.m. ET.
- The DCCC hopes Nebraska Democrats pick former Rep. Brad Ashford to take on GOP Rep. Don Bacon in the purple Omaha-based 2nd District. Ashford must defeat Kara Eastman, who is running as the more progressive candidate.
- Idaho Rep. Raul Labrador (ID-1) is running for governor in a crowded and competitive Republican primary. Will he become the next House Republican to fail in his bid for higher office?
Read more here and follow along with CNN online for updates. | | | Smokey Robinson, one of the greatest American songrwriters, was on Capitol Hill today to advocate for stricter copyright laws. Here's "You've Really Got a Hold On Me." | | | The "Hamilton" cast visited former President George H.W. Bush in Houston, where they performed for him. The cast of the musical, from Lin-Manuel Miranda, were in Texas as part of their tour. "A complete joy to welcome the 'HamFam' -- the cast and crew of @hamiltonmusical -- to our Houston office for a special performance I will never forget," Bush tweeted. "History never sounded so powerful." Read more in CNN's story here. | | KEITH RICHARDS ON WHAT HE DID TO 'GET RID' OF TRUMP | | CNN's Eli Watkins reports: "Keith Richards, guitarist for the legendary rock 'n' roll band the Rolling Stones, said the United States should "get rid" of President Donald Trump -- and recalled when he said he did the same during a 1989 tour by wielding a knife.
The rock icon told the BBC Trump was the band's promoter for an Atlantic City show in 1989, and recalled going red with anger when the future President's name took top billing for their show as "Donald Trump presents the Rolling Stones."
"I got out my trusty blade, stuck it in the table and said: 'You have to get rid of this man,'" Richards said. "Now America has to get rid of him. Don't say I didn't warn you." Read more here. | | 94% OF TEACHERS SPEND THEIR OWN $ ON SCHOOL SUPPLIES | | The National Center for Education Statistics published data on Monday that found almost all public school teachers have spent some of their own money on school supplies without reimbursement. CNN's Grace Sparks has more:
"On average, public school teachers spent $479 of their own money during two years. The median amount spent was $297. However, the plurality (44%) of teachers spent $250 or less. The amount of money spent depended on the school classification, community type, instructional level and the socioeconomic status of the students. Teachers who worked at charter schools were less likely to spend their own money, but the majority of charter school teachers (88%) did say they had spent their own money and they spent about the same amount as those in public schools."
Read more here. | | | From Brenna: "Speaking of the CAP event...Sen. Cory Booker was there too. Sometimes you just need to close your eyes and think happy thoughts. Like how you feel when you get The Point in your inbox! Isn't that a feeling you'd like to share with your family and friends?" Tell people to subscribe to The Point. | | We'd love to share our other newsletters with you. Follow this link for daily coverage of the world's top stories, savvy market insights, an insider's look into the media, and more. Our authors for The Point are Chris Cillizza and Saba Hamedy. Send your tips and thoughts via email to Chris or Saba. Follow on Twitter: Chris and Saba. | | | | | | |
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