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Greg Clugston
SRN Correspondent Greg Clugston keeps you informed about all the news coming from the White House.
Trump pollsters expect temporary Harris bounce
Donald Trump’s pollsters expect Kamala Harris to get a post-convention bounce of support. In a memo to Team Trump, pollsters Tony Fabrizio and Travis Tunis predict a temporary bounce in public polling for Vice President Harris after last week’s Democratic National Convention. They say such bounces are expected, but they “do not last.” The pollsters remind the Trump campaign to ignore the media’s focus on national polls and, instead, “keep our eye on the ball” — namely the target battleground states likely to determine the election.
Listen DownloadAbortion rights was a central feature at Democrats’ convention
Abortion rights was a key focus during the just-concluded Democratic National Convention. Freedom is a central theme of Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign and it was featured prominently by Democrats at their convention. Most notably, they firmly tied the concept of freedom to the fight over abortion access. They view it as a winning political issue after the overturning of Roe v Wade two years ago. Democrats also used the freedom argument to slam Republicans on other social issues, from LGBTQ rights to the spread of book bans in schools.
Listen DownloadDems warned that election win will be “uphill battle”
Amid the hoopla of the Democrats’ convention in Chicago, there were reminders that the road to victory is not easy. For all of the energy and excitement at last week’s Democratic National Convention, the presidential contest remains close. Something that Barack and Michelle Obama reminded their party. They delivered an urgent call to action. It was an acknowledgement that even with a change at the top of the Democratic ticket, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are essentially tied in their race for the White House.
Listen DownloadTrump ally says media ignores Harris “policy deficits”
A top Trump surrogate says the news media are giving Kamala Harris a pass on her policy plans. Former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy says the vice president has offered few details about her agenda and he blames the media for not giving enough coverage to, what he calls, Harris’s “policy deficits.” He said the Democratic National Convention featured Hollywood stars and popular singers, but didn’t tell the country what Harris “stands for.” Ramaswamy spoke at a Trump campaign news conference not far from the DNC venue.
Listen DownloadTrump unhappy with DNC linking him to Project 2025
Donald Trump is unhappy with the DNC’s focus on Project 2025. In her acceptance speech, Kamala Harris joined other convention speakers in denouncing the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 document. Even though it was written by former Trump staffers and allies, the former president said it was “disgraceful” for Democrats to link him to Project 2025. He told Fox and Friends he has “nothing to do with it.”
Listen DownloadHarris accepts nomination, wants to “chart a new way forward”
With those words, Vice President Kamala Harris became the first Black woman to be a presidential nominee. After sharing her personal and professional background, she said this election offers the country a “precious opportunity to move past the bitterness, cynicism, and divisive battles of the past and chart a new way forward.” Harris described Donald Trump as an “unserious man,” but warned the consequences of returning him to office are serious.
In acceptance speech, Harris talks Mideast, abortion, border
Vice President Harris tackled some consequential topics during her speech accepting the Democratic party’s presidential nomination. On Middle East policy, she delivered a staunch defense of Israel, called for an end to the suffering in Gaza, and the return of hostages. She forcefully defended the right to an abortion, saying Donald Trump and his allies are out of touch. And on immigration, Harris pledged to revive a bipartisan border bill and sign it into law.
Listen DownloadRepublican Kinziger had prime speaking slot at DNC
A Republican had a high-profile speaking slot on the final night of the Democratic National Convention.
Speaking just minutes before Kamala Harris took the stage, former Congressman Adam Kinziger called on other Republicans to join him and support the Democratic nominee. He explained why he refuses to vote for Donald Trump, saying that he was “putting our country first.” Kinziger, who declared that “democracy knows no party,” was one of several Republicans who spoke here this week.
DNC to close convention with Harris acceptance speech
In Chicago, Kamala Harris accepts her party’s presidential nomination. Just a few weeks after moving to the top of the Democratic ticket and just 74 days before Election Day, Vice President Harris will take center stage. She returns to the United Center convention hall this evening after making a brief appearance here on Monday. Harris, who has faced criticism for revealing few policy details and not sitting for a news interview or press conference, will address the nation and tell Americans why they should elect her as the nation’s next president.
Listen DownloadRFK Jr could end presidential campaign and back Trump
Robert F. Kennedy Jr’s third party presidential bid could be over by the end of the week. RFK Jr.’s campaign says Kennedy will speak Friday about “his path forward” amid growing speculation that he would drop out. Earlier this week, Kennedy’s running mate openly discussed the possibility, saying the campaign was considering a move to “join forces” with Donald Trump to limit Kamala Harris’s election chances. Here at the Democratic National Convention, Harris campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon told Politico she doesn’t “think it’s really going to interfere with the race too much.”
Listen DownloadWalz accepts Democratic vice presidential nomination
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has formally accepted the Democratic party’s vice presidential nomination. On the second-to-last night of the Democratic National Convention, the former high school teacher and football coach made it official. Walz used his acceptance speech to talk about his small town upbringing, his family, and his pride in being Kamala Harris’s running mate. He said Democrats have “something better to offer” than Donald Trump and JD Vance — promising middle class tax cuts, lower prescription drug prices, and access to abortion.
Listen DownloadFormer President Bill Clinton returned to the DNC stage
Former President Bill Clinton returned to the stage on Night Three of the Democratic National Convention. As an elder statesman in the party, Clinton said that having just turned 78 he’s “still younger than Donald Trump.” He said Kamala Harris is for the people and lamented that Trump is self-centered. And Clinton offered his endorsement, saying Harris is the only candidate in the 2024 race “who has the vision, the experience, the temperament, the will, and, yes, the sheer joy.”
Listen DownloadDNC shines spotlight on hostages held in Gaza
The Democratic National Convention heard from the parents of an American being held hostage by Hamas. Rachel Goldberg told convention-goers that their 23-year-old son Hersh is one of 8 Americans captured at a music festival in Israel and taken into Gaza. Jon Polin said pushing for the return of the hostages is not a political issue, “it’s a humanitarian issue.” The ongoing Gaza War has caused division inside the Democratic party and is the subject of protests here in Illinois.
Listen DownloadBill Clinton, Tim Walz to highlight third night of DNC
Another former president will take the stage on Night Three of the Democratic National Convention. One night after Barack Obama addressed delegates here at the DNC, Bill Clinton is set to deliver a prime time speech. The former president’s appearance comes on the same evening that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz will formally accept the party’s vice presidential nomination. Today’s convention theme is “A Fight for Our Freedoms,” which will amplify the Harris campaign’s freedom agenda, including abortion and LGBT rights.
Listen DownloadVP candidate Walz’s IVF comments face fresh scrutiny
Ahead of his acceptance speech, Vice Presidential hopeful Tim Walz is coming under fresh scrutiny. Describing his family’s struggle with infertility, the Minnesota governor has implied that he and his wife used IVF to conceive. However, they actually used artificial insemination. The campaign and its allies defended Walz, while Republicans accused him of falsely using his personal story for political gain. Kamala Harris’s running mate also has been criticized for misstating his military rank at retirement and saying he carried weapons of war “in war.”
Listen DownloadObamas deliver one-two punch with DNC speeches
At the Democratic National Convention, former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama took aim at Donald Trump and boosted Kamala Harris. The Obamas delivered an energetic one-two punch here in Chicago. The former first lady said there’s something special, and familiar, about the appeal of the Harris campaign. The former president said Donald Trump is the opposite of hope and that America is ready for a new chapter.
Listen DownloadHarris, Walz nominated in ceremonial DNC roll call
Vice President Harris rallied thousands of people in Milwaukee during the second night of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. During a ceremonial roll call of the states, Democratic delegates nominated Kamala Harris and Tim Walz as their party’s presidential and vice presidential nominees. Harris spoke from the same Milwaukee arena where Republicans held their convention last month — and a live feed was shown here inside the United Center.
Listen DownloadObamas to headline Day Two of the Democrats’ convention
It’s Day Two of the Democratic National Convention. DNC organizers say today’s theme is “A Bold Vision for America’s Future.” Featured speakers include Vice President Harris’s husband, Doug Emhoff, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, former first lady Michelle Obama, and former President Barack Obama. As the Democrats meet here in Illinois, the Trump campaign continues to visit battleground states every day this week. Their focus today is on crime and safety.
Listen DownloadHarris to hold Milwaukee rally amid DNC convention
Vice President Harris plans to hold a rally in Milwaukee while Democrats convene in Chicago. The two cities are only about 100 miles apart and the Democratic presidential nominee plans to rally supporters in downtown Milwaukee at the Fiserv Forum — the same arena where Republicans gathered for their national convention last month. While the political focus is on the convention here in Chicago, the vice president is taking advantage of the close proximity to battleground Wisconsin. Meanwhile, GOP vice presidential nominee JD Vance also visits the important state today — making a campaign stop in Kenosha.
Listen DownloadBiden passes the torch to Harris in convention speech
One month after ending his re-election bid, President Biden passed the torch to Vice President Harris at the Democratic National Convention. Convention-goers showered the president with rousing cheers and chants of “thank you, Joe” as he closed out opening night before stepping away from this week’s political spotlight. In a late-night speech, he staunchly defended the work of his administration, sharply criticized Donald Trump, and made a case for his vice president. He said Harris would be a president the whole country can be proud of.
Listen DownloadAt convention, Democrats pay tribute to Joe Biden
Democrats paid tribute to President Biden on the opening night of their national convention. Before the president delivered his opening night speech, Vice President Harris made a surprise appearance onstage to thank the president. Other convention speakers, including former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, also paid tribute. It was a night designed as a passing of the torch.
Listen DownloadDNC prime time schedule to feature Bidens, Obamas, Clintons
The Democratic National Convention is getting underway in Chicago. Thousands of party delegates and Democratic faithful will hear from President Biden tonight — four weeks after his decision to end his re-election bid. He’ll make the case for Vice President Harris as he steps away from the political spotlight. Other speakers this week include former Presidents Clinton and Obama. Vice Presidential hopeful Tim Walz will speak on Wednesday night ahead of Kamala Harris’s formal acceptance of the presidential nomination on Thursday.
Listen DownloadTrump, Vance to visit battleground states during DNC week
The Trump campaign won’t be taking a break this week while Democrats hold their party convention. Donald Trump and JD Vance will be busy going on offense every day this week as Democrats rally around Kamala Harris and Tim Walz here in Chicago. Battleground states will be the focus as the Republican presidential and vice presidential hopefuls will hold events in Pennsylvania, Michigan, North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada. The latest polls show Harris gaining ground in what is still an extremely close contest.
Listen DownloadThousands to protest outside DNC convention in Chicago
Democrats will be facing large, noisy protests at their party’s convention in Chicago this week. Convention organizers expect at least 20-thousand activists, including students who protested the Gaza war on college campuses. Demonstrations are expected every day this week and the Coalition to March on the DNC will be able to hold protests at a park and a march route close to the United Center. Meanwhile, inside the convention hall there are about three dozen “uncommitted” DNC delegates who are dissatisfied with the Biden-Harris administration’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war.
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