“The ballot is stronger than the bullet.”
― Abraham Lincoln
STRONGER TOGETHER...: In a long-awaited and highly-anticipated speech, Bernie Sanders delivered an impassioned endorsement of Hillary Clinton while she rallied the crowd with the message that Democrats are unified and ready to take on Donald Trump in the fall. In the end, Sanders has much to feel good about – he’s helped shape the most progressive platform in Democratic party history. The remaining question is whether or not the Clinton-Sanders relationship will actually blossom, and if she will be able to fully win over his supporters - many of whom are still reeling that he left the race before the convention.
WORTH MORE THAN A BUCKET OF WARM SPIT?: This may be the year where the veep selections carry more weight than in years past - dating back to JFK’s critical pick of LBJ. Trump’s decision could be a make or break moment for legions of Republicans and undecided party leaders. The push to unify and reassure has Trump seriously considering Governors Mike Pence and Chris Christie, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, and Senator Jeff Sessions. Clinton on the other hand, faces a much different situation. Her progressive moves within the party platform have helped her make progress with the wing she would most likely need help from and appears to be shifting her focus to VA Senator Tim Kaine, Labor Secretary Thomas Perez, and now Admiral James Stavridis. Title courtesy of VP John Nance Garner.
CONVENTIONAL THINKING: Convention delegates are starting to embrace Trump’s economic proposals – from downplaying the party’s support of free trade to endorsing the construction of a border wall. The reorganization of the platform comes amid a larger struggle – one where Trump and his camp face off with those looking to stage a party coup. Though the platform itself is generally irrelevant outside the halls of the convention and in no way binds Trump to any particular policies, it’s a reflection of shifting attitudes within the party.
PROGRESSIVE ASSURANCE: Coupled with Sanders’ wins on the platform, progressive Senator Elizabeth Warren (MA) picked up another pledge that could limit Wall Street’s influence in a Clinton Administration. Under the “fixing the financial system” title in the Democratic platform, there lies a personal favorite saying of Warren’s (we think she may have cribbed it from the Reagan era): “Personnel is policy.” The document vows that the Administration will only appoint officials who are not beholden to the industries they regulate. The language would give progressives fodder to oppose any agency official who they think does not act in the public’s best interest.
SUPREME CONFLICT: SCOTUS Justices rarely weigh in on the body politic, but that hasn’t stopped Ruth Bader Ginsburg from taking on Donald Trump in an election year that continues to defy all political norms. Never to shy away from a battle, Trump lashed out at Ginsburg raising the temperature (and legitimate questions) around the growing controversy. We haven’t heard the last on this one just yet...
TRUMP STUMP: Trump continues to surprise - now adding Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to his growing list of convention speakers - all to be announced later today. McConnell, who will attend as a delegate and a speaker, endorsed Trump shortly after he clinched the nomination in early May, but has since kept his distance given the steady drumbeat of Trump’s controversies. McConnell’s participation is another step in the right direction for Trump, but he still lags in winning over other key party types - including his main primary rivals.
DEFENSE PRIMES TO GAIN FROM $109B AGREED INCREASES TO NATO SPENDING: Our Senior Defense Policy Advisor LtGen Emo Gardner gave us his insight on why, even if NATO achieves only a fraction of its promised $109B increase in annual defense spending by 2020, U.S. defense companies will see windfall. You can read his piece here.
CALL INVITE | HEALTHCARE THEMES: Our Healthcare Policy Advisor Emily Evans will provide a comprehensive overview of our #ACATaper and Healthcare Deflation themes with new datasets and analysis. You can find call details here.
