“On matters of style, swim with the current, on matters of principle, stand like a rock.”
― Thomas Jefferson
TRUMP’S TRADE TIRADE: Donald Trump’s protectionist and populist trade talk is becoming a big fly in the ointment for Republicans. He pledges to abolish policies that send American jobs overseas, threatens to impose tariffs on Chinese imports, promises to punish companies that move manufacturing to countries with cheaper labor, and bashes the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for their “insider deals” - even though economists of all stripes argue that Trump’s trade stance would be devastating to the economy and global trade. Trump is making a calculated move on two fronts: go after both Clintons and their backing of trade deals over the decades, and woo working class voters and Democrats at the expense of main street Republicans and support from the business community. Someone had better buy up Trump’s foreign made clothing line before he gets elected...
HAMPERING HILLARY: In contrast to Trump, June was a good month for Hillary Clinton – she’s climbed in the polls, garnered important endorsements, and dodged a number of potential setbacks. She even broke ground on confronting the trust and likeability issues that have dogged her for years and then, BAM!, the State Department email issue resurfaces in earnest - courtesy of her top aide’s sit down with the Justice Department and her husband’s indiscreet conversation with U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch - who this morning announced she would not overrule the final decision by prosecutors and the FBI in the case. It’s been nearly a year since the inspector general raised concerns over Clinton’s server, and despite comments that they plan to continue the case further, there’s increasing speculation that the Justice Department has set the date of the convention later this month as an unofficial deadline to finish the probe.
TRUMP VEEPSTAKES: While Trump has mostly been moving in the right direction, there’s still an abundance of doubt within his party – he has yet to receive big-name endorsements or even put the convention on solid footing. Trump can quickly allay that doubt once he names his veep. The right veep, that is. Choosing his running mate will anchor support from many in his party as well as provide a foundation for his yet-to-be-unveiled policy agenda. Trump plans for a convention reveal, but we think he’ll do it before – he needs momentum going into the convention.
CLASH OF THE CLANS: The Senate Appropriations Committee reached a milestone this week, overwhelmingly clearing the 12th and final annual spending bill at the earliest point since 1988. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is standing by his promise to complete the process of funding the government on time. That is, unless we see a standoff with House counterparts, who have yet to introduce one-fourth of their spending bills well into the annual appropriations season. Speaker Paul Ryan has made it a priority to fund the government judiciously and plans to do so – but this year could end up like last - with another year-end collision.
LABOR GAINS: The AFL-CIO is making its first charge into the 2016 Senate races with big-money digital ad buys in six key races - OH, MO, PA, NV, FL and WI. Messages are centered on issues like trade, Wall Street, paid family leave, and investment in our infrastructure – but the ads are also asking voters to sign a petition challenging the Republican candidate in the race - a tactic used to gather voter data. With an uptick in Republican fundraising and focus on data in recent weeks, Democratic allies are wasting no time to stay ahead of the game.
BROADCAST INCENTIVE AUCTION WILL TAKE MORE TIME: Our Telecommunications-Media Policy Analyst Paul Glenchur shared his insight on the initial broadcast spectrum reverse auction and why the figure seems too expensive for carriers, forcing more stages. You can read his piece here.
We're back mid-week next week - wishing everyone a safe and happy July 4th weekend.
