JT TAYLOR: Capital Brief

08/16/16 07:40AM EDT

JT TAYLOR:  Capital Brief - JT   Potomac banner 2

"Take time to deliberate; but when the time for action arrives, stop thinking and go in"
                      -  Andrew Jackson  

 

BOOST FROM BIDEN: Veep Joe Biden made his 2016 campaign debut in obvious fashion, stumping with Hillary Clinton in his hometown of Scranton, PA. Biden’s ability to connect with middle and working class voters is especially powerful in battleground Rust Belt states like PA, where economic frustrations still run high. Although Clinton’s lead has grown in the state, it’s a keystone for both candidates in their aggressive pursuit of its 20 electoral votes - with Trump making the rounds in western PA last week. Either way, Biden is the man you want by your side in that neck of the woods and with Clinton starting to trot out the big guns - President Obama will join the trail shortly - with the aim of burnishing her image and solidifying her lead.

TRUMPING TERROR: Trump kicked off his week in rather uncharacteristic form, introducing a three pillar strategy for fighting terrorism, defeating ISIS, and combating illegal  immigration. Yes, he stayed on message, but his message was somewhat of an issue as he called for “extreme” scrutiny when screening immigrants, particularly from countries he has described as “exporters” of terrorism. Trump is putting his best foot forward and building on his policy views after being highly criticized by national security and foreign policy experts over the past month. More detailed plans like these will help him in the future, but his message is still outside the mainstream and appeals to his most fervent supporters.

TRUMP’S TAXING ISSUE: Trump’s unprecedented refusal to release his tax returns could ultimately shatter the transparency of the democratic process for future generations in presidential and down-ballot races, even as his running mate, Mike Pence, is set to release his own. Demands to release his tax returns will only grow as his opponents will hammer the issue to undermine his campaign, but his obstinacy will have many more consequences in the end, as it adds more uncertainty in a time when undecided voters are finding it hard to connect with his candidacy. Though he’s claimed that he’s been advised against releasing his returns while “under audit,” it’s essential he makes some sort of concession to prove his trustworthiness to voters.  

CLINTON'S FBI INTERVIEW FALLOUT?: Despite Clinton’s massive lead in NY (as much as 30 points!) and growing lead nationally, her campaign is on edge as they brace for the impact of the Clinton-FBI interview notes (not a recorded interview or transcript, but notes) that will be delivered to the House Oversight Committee sometime this week. The matter, which has been progressing since early July, was formally requested by Committee Chair Jason Chaffetz who has acted as lead investigator for Republicans in the controversy. No expectations have been set for what's in the notes, but the Clinton campaign would rather it disappear altogether.

TANGLED TIES: The Trump campaign finds itself tangled in Eastern European politics yet again – this time with campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, being linked to a handwritten ledger showing his acceptance of $12.7 million in undisclosed cash payments. The accusations have sparked another controversy as relationships and ties to foreign entities are always hot button issues in a presidential campaign - from Trump’s statements about Vladimir Putin and the Russian hacking of Democrats’ emails to ties between the Clinton State Department and the Clinton Foundation. Whatever the case, the alleged compensation is still a mystery and its overall impact on the election - or more importantly, Trump’s poll numbers and public image - could be negative.

FCC MAINTAINS BROADCAST ANTI-CONSOLIDATION POLICIES: Our Telecommunications-Media Policy Analyst Paul Glenchur shared his insight on how the FCC maintained station ownership limits and JSA bans, hampering media consolidation strategies. You can read his piece here.

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