WATCH: Biden at press event: "That's a joke. I didn't know where we were." "Presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden told reporters he did not know where he was before a speech Tuesday in Wilmington, Del. 'Good afternoon everyone. Welcome to Kingswood Community Center,' Biden said, before freezing for a few seconds. 'Actually, that's the one down where I used to work. That's a joke. I didn't know where we were.'" (Washington Free Beacon) • What's happening: Joe Biden held a press event in Delaware yesterday. At its start, he welcomed reporters to the venue, first getting the name wrong and then correcting it with, "That's a joke. I didn't know where we were." You can watch the video here.
• What's at stake: First, President Trump has recently made Biden's mental acuity a key point in the 2020 election. In his interview with Chris Wallace, President Trump explained "in a way [Biden] has an obligation to" take a cognitive test that the President has already passed.
The President's campaign has already clipped this section of video from Biden's campaign event and posted it on YouTube. So you can imagine the Trump campaign staff thinks it helps to make their case.
Second, this shows a concerning pattern for Biden's campaign. He's been ducking reporters and media appearances ... but when he does go in front of the camera, he's struggled with gaffes like this one or technical glitches, like his early virtual campaign events.
• What else to know: This isn't the first gaffe that's plagued Biden on the 2020 campaign trail. Just this summer, he was in the headlines for saying 120 million Americans had died from COVID (thankfully, the number is much lower) and confusing "woke," probably the word of 2020 politics, with various other terms.
Report: "Over 100 police agencies pull out of agreements to guard DNC convention." "In Wisconsin, Franklin Police Chief Rick Oliva said, 'It is apparent there is a lack of commitment to provide the Milwaukee Police Department with the resources it needs to ensure the safety of peaceful protesters, attendees, citizens and police personnel. I can not send personnel if they are not properly equipped or will not be allowed to engage in appropriate actions which would ensure their safety.'" (Daily Wire) • What's happening: More than 100 police agencies have withdrawn from agreements to provide security to the Democratic convention, just over two weeks away. We haven't found a comment from the Democratic National Committee.
• What's at stake: First, of course, the convention logistics are potentially in question. The major political conventions rely on massive law enforcement support to provide security, and host cities draw on other agencies to meet their needs. Even the scaled-down, virtual Democratic National Convention expected more than 1,000 officers.
Second, although police agencies gave different reasons for withdrawing their agreements, this story will likely be interpreted as a sign of a rift between law enforcement and the Democratic Party. Attorney General Barr's testimony on Capitol Hill yesterday underscores the point.
And third, even though the media ignores it, we'll say it: this shows the Democratic Party and their convention are truly in disarray. If this were happening to Republicans, you can be sure there'd be breathless media coverage with hourly updates.
• What else to know: Once again, Biden's past policies and statements put him at odds with the far-left, progressive wing that dominates the Democratic Party today. Check out this overview from The Federalist on how this applies to law enforcement issues.
Biden photographed with notes on Kamala Harris at the top of his list: "do not hold grudges," "talented," and more. "Former Vice President Joe Biden was photographed during an event Tuesday holding talking points about Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), a former rival in the Democratic presidential primary who is in top contention to be his running mate." (The Hill) • What's happening: A photographer got a close look at Joe Biden's notes at his press event yesterday. (You can see the photo for yourself here.) At the top of the list are notes on Kamala Harris, including "do not hold grudges," "talented," "great help to campaign," and "campaigned with me and Jill."
• What's at stake: VP pick stories are in full swing this week, though Biden cooled the temperature yesterday when he shared the announcement will be next week. Biden had previously said he'd announce "around" August 1, which led many to believe it was this week.
But with no hints -- and senior Democrats divided in endorsements and news stories -- it seems the Biden campaign is still deciding.
The media may enjoy endless stories weighing different candidates' odds, but we think it proves once again that Democratic Party is in disarray, and Biden isn't sure how to lead them heading into the convention.
• What else to know: POLITICO accidentally published -- then un-published -- an online story that reported Kamala Harris was Biden's VP pick yesterday. The news organization said it was a mistake, and it's likely it was an internal publishing error as multiple story options were prepped ahead of time. But it certainly adds to the speculation...
Lawsuit claims that Illinois won't turn over its state voter file and voter history. "The Public Interest Legal Foundation (PILF), an election-integrity watchdog, filed the complaint Monday against Illinois State Board of Elections officials. The officials, the complaint alleges, refused to provide a statewide voter file and voting history data as required under federal law. The watchdog is attempting to inspect the state's voter rolls for potential irregularities." (Washington Free Beacon) • What's happening: Illinois has been sued for allegedly failing to turn over its state voter file and voter history. The voter file (sometimes called a voter roll) is a list of registered voters and their mailing addresses; the voter history file shows which elections they have voted in.
• What's at stake: Illinois is one of many states that is "making it easier to vote by mail" in the 2020 election, which makes this case particularly important.
State voter files are broadly thought to be out-of-date and inaccurate, but that's tempered by in-person election officials who run polling locations. However, with an unprecedented number of mail-in votes expected in 2020, voter files have entered the spotlight.
That's because many states -- and most Democrats -- want registered voters to automatically receive mailed ballots. But Republicans, including President Trump, have criticized this approach: they argue that it will lead to an increase in voter fraud as there are fewer safeguards ... and ballots based on inaccurate voter rolls could lead to more problems.
• What else to know: The Heritage Foundation has a comprehensive guide on how states can handle absentee and mail-in ballots correctly and securely. (Unsurprisingly, many states are falling short!) Check it out here.
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