Part One: our regular check in with Scott Braddock, dean of the Austin Press Corp.
Texans at the Democratic National Convention; not politicians but real Texans including a school nurse from El Paso and the family of George FLoyd in Houston
Gov. Abbott threatens cities, saying those that cut police budgets will see their property tax revenue frozen
Lt. Gov. Patrick spars with Texas Senate Democrats over Confederate monuments at the Capitol
New poll shows Biden leads with Texas Hispanic voters, but Trump leads the state overall. Main thing is the poll shows the Latino vote is increasingly up for grabs in Texas.
Survey: More than 80 percent of Texas House members support temperature checks at Capitol, 82 percent favor mask requirement at the building
The Democratic Convention, with emphasis on people, rather than politicians, very appealing. Image to voters. It is important to remember that the 2016 Trump voters may be likely to be 2020 Biden voters.
Trump’s choice to attack Goodyear, with its 67,000 employees, may be a misjudgment.
A Maine farmer went to pick up 800 baby chicks from the U.S. Postal Service. They were all dead. The USPS has been delivering chicks since 1918, but now…
The USPostal Service is under attack by the Trump administration, in an attempt to interfere with the 2020 election. But the USPS is a popular and necessary institution.
tweet of the day
A Maine farmer went to pick up 800 baby chicks from the U.S. Postal Service.
They were all dead.
The USPS has been delivering chicks since 1918, but now…https://t.co/ffauxcwiSQ
— Steven Dennis (@StevenTDennis) August 19, 2020
Part Two: : Dr. Politics Iowa State’s Steffen Schmidt, Pofessor of Politics, Iowa State University.
Unconventional: The Democrats, Day Three Obama delivers his Gettysburg Address. https://prospect.org/politics/unconventional-the-democrats-day-three/
We have a discussion of the Democratic Convention, including the chhanged position of Kamala Harris, who is now more moderate than during her own presidential campaign. However, it also demonstrates that she can compromise. Sanders, who seems not be able to compromise, is still supporting Biden. Harris was listening to voters, has evolved. She is still an attacker, and people still expect her to be tough.
Impressions of the Convention speeches: Harris shows a softer side; Obama is more dramatic, and shows his rage at Trump’s actions. The various state representatives and nominators are very different from each other, and show “territorial intimacy” which demonstrates how diverse the county really is.
Mortgage Delinquencies Jump by Most Ever. 60-Day Delinquencies Hit Highest Level Ever. Record 16% of FHA Mortgages Delinquent. What a Mess
Includes mortgages already delinquent before they were swept under the big federal rug of extend-and-pretend forbearance programs.
Pandemic now driven by 20s, 30s, 40s group, many asymptomatic: WHO
With the Most Deaths In 150 Years, Sweden Reveals New COVID-19 Test-and-Trace Strategy
The NYPD Is Withholding Evidence From Investigations Into Police Abuse
Voters sue Postal Service and Trump over changes ahead of election
Postal Crisis Has States Looking for Alternatives to Mail-In Ballots
Democrats plan emergency hearing on Postal Service ‘sabotage’ as Republicans allege ‘conspiracy theory’ WaPo
Get Ready for a Teacher Shortage Like We’ve Never Seen Before NYT
Covid-19 Vaccine Push Lacks a Key Ingredient: Trust Bloomberg
UNC-Chapel Hill moves all classes online after 130 more students infected with COVID-19 Charlotte Observer
‘Horrifying’ data glitch skews key Iowa coronavirus metrics AP
Half-million California homes, businesses could lose power
New rolling blackouts could hit millions in California tonight; Newsom calls crisis ‘unacceptable’ LA Times
‘Insanely hot’: Death Valley records world temperature record Al Jazeera
Michelle Obama makes impassioned plea and Republicans boost Biden: Key moments from the convention Politico.
Putin warns western leaders over ‘meddling’ in Belarus FT
Senate report describes closer ties between 2016 Trump campaign, Russia The Hill
USPS to Suspend Changes Until After Election WSJ
Germany is beginning a universal-basic-income trial with people getting $1,400 a month for 3 years https://www.businessinsider.com/germany-begins-universal-basic-income-trial-three-years-2020-8
Laura Loomer’s Horror Show How the alt-right provocateur’s paranoid and bigoted fantasies drove her to a Republican primary victory in Florida.
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2020/08/laura-loomer-primary-win-trump-district.html
Donald Trump news: Senate intel report exposes US president’s letters to Vladimir Putin |Express
The Top Five “Revelations” of the Senate Intelligence Committee’s Russia Report
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2020/08/senate-intelligence-russia-report-mueller-comparison.html
