Notable Quote of the Day

“Joe Biden is suddenly a clear favorite in the general election battle against President Trump given rising poll numbers nationally and in key swing states, meaning he must now figure out how to run as a front-runner.

It’s no easy task, especially against an opponent in Trump who is comfortable running as an underdog and who has the presidential bully pulpit and a healthy campaign war chest to throw at his opponent. …

The quandary for Biden and Democrats is how to win while ahead and retain the momentum Biden has won over the last few months — momentum that has come more from Trump’s own problems and news events than actions by Biden.”

– Amie Parnes, The Hill

Election Updates

• The Associated Press reported on June 5 that Joe Biden had crossed the delegate threshold necessary to win the Democratic presidential nomination, with the tabulation of election results from the June 2 primaries putting him over 1,991 delegates. Biden wrote, “It was an honor to compete alongside one of the most talented groups of candidates the Democratic party has ever fielded — and I am proud to say that we are going into this general election a united party.”

• Biden won Democratic caucuses in Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands on June 6.

• Biden spoke at the Texas Democratic Party’s virtual convention on June 6. He said, “We have to keep the House of Representatives. We have to win over the United States Senate. We have to flip the Texas House. We have to lead and deliver meaningful change for people who are hurting all across this nation.”

• Former Secretary of State Colin Powell, who served in George W. Bush’s administration, said he planned to vote for Biden.

• Donald Trump responded to Powell, “Somebody please tell highly overrated Colin Powell that I will have gotten almost 300 Federal Judges approved (a record), Two Great Supreme Court Justices, rebuilt our once depleted Military, Choice for Vets, Biggest Ever Tax & Regulation Cuts, Saved Healthcare & 2A, & much more!”

• Trump tweeted, “CNN Polls are as Fake as their Reporting. Same numbers, and worse, against Crooked Hillary. The Dems would destroy America!”

• On June 5, America First Action began an ad campaign criticizing Biden on economics in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. The super PAC is spending $7.5 million through July 4 on TV, digital, and mail ads in the three states.

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What We’re Reading

• The Hill: Joe Biden lead in polls does not ensure final victory for election

• The Washington Post: Joe Biden the revolutionary? What a bunch of malarkey.

• The New York Times: Vote for Trump? These Republican Leaders Aren’t on the Bandwagon
   

Flashback: June 8, 2016

Following primaries in California and five other states the night before, the Associated Press reported, “Hillary Clinton has reached another delegate milestone: She’s now won a majority of delegates from primaries and caucuses. … Based on primaries to date, Clinton now has 2,203 delegates — or more than half of the 4,051 total pledged delegates — following Tuesday’s contests, in which she also won New Jersey, New Mexico and South Dakota. Sanders has 1,828.”