memeorandum: Biden was not that bad. . . and not that good — Yes: Joe Biden … (John F. Harris/Politico)

9:10 AM ET, August 1, 2019

Top Items:

Zack Beauchamp / Vox:

4 winners and 3 losers from the second night of the July Democratic debates — Democratic presidential hopefuls on stage ahead of the second night of Democratic primary debate in Detroit, Michigan, on July 31, 2019. Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images — One big loser: the DNC.

Discussion: Washington Post, Axios, The Atlantic, Mediaite, Mercury News, Fox News and Breitbart

Jeff Greenfield / Politico:

Biden's Foes Back Themselves Into a Corner — For the Democrats coming after Joe Biden from the left—which is most of the 2020 presidential field—his half-century of public office was an obvious target of opportunity. Senator Kamala Harris sowed that seed last month by damning his closeness to segregationist senators 40 years ago.

Discussion: Axios and Breitbart

John Podhoretz / New York Post:

One by one, Dems took their shots at Biden — and missed — Kamala Harris is a one-hit wonder. Joe Biden is the Comeback Kid. — The California senator, who was the unqualified star of her first debate for going after Joe Biden, came into her second with a real shot at getting Democrats …

Discussion: RedState, New York Times and CNN

Kyle Kondik / Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball: Notes on the State of Politics

John F. Harris / Politico:
Biden was not that bad. . . and not that good — Yes: Joe Biden …

Discussion: NBC News, Washington Post and Breitbart

Chip Brownlee / Slate:
What the Web's Smartest Liberals and Conservatives Are Saying About Wednesday's Democratic Debate

Discussion: Media Matters for America and Politico

Stephen Stromberg / Washington Post: Do Democrats think they can win by attacking Barack Obama?

Nolan D. McCaskill / Politico:
Biden bites back: Key moments from the second Dem debate

Discussion: Washington Post, Politico and Breitbart

Justin Wise / The Hill:
Scarborough blasts 2020 Democrats for attacking Obama's policies more than Trump's

Discussion: Mediaite, twitchy.com, Le·gal In·sur·rec· tion and Washington Free Beacon

Jonathan V. Last / The Bulwark: Joe Biden Is Already Running Against Trump As the Democratic Nominee

Adam Shaw / Fox News:
Biden, Harris clash on health care in opening moments of Democratic primary debate

Discussion: Politico, Axios, Breitbart and The Wrap

Jim Geraghty / National Review:
Biden Survives, So Biden Wins

Discussion: Reason and Politico

Alexi McCammond / Axios:
Joe Biden is ready to throw down at tonight's debate

Discussion: Washington Post, ThinkProgress, The Federalist, USA Today, Politico, The Nation, One America News Network, Breitbart and Fox News

Bret Stephens / New York Times:

Democrats Are Not Up To Their Historic Responsibility — Defeating Trumpism means abandoning the politics of extremes. — To adapt a line from Huey Lewis, I want a new party — one that won't make me sick. — I have written so often (and so recently) about the ways Donald Trump's G.O.P. makes …

Discussion: Wall Street Journal

Kirsten Powers / USA Today:

Don't mock Marianne Williamson, Democrats need her spiritual politics in dark Trump era — Williamson is not a dingbat interloper in the 2020 Democratic debates. It's been frustrating to see my brilliant friend caricatured based on ignorance. — CONNECT

Discussion: The Daily Beast, Breitbart and Grist

Zack Beauchamp / Vox:
Marianne Williamson isn't funny. She's scary.

Discussion: Washington Post, Hollywood Reporter and VICE

New York Times:

Jeffrey Epstein Hoped to Seed Human Race With His DNA — Jeffrey E. Epstein, the wealthy financier and accused sex trafficker, had an unusual dream: He hoped to seed the human race with his DNA by impregnating women at his vast New Mexico ranch. — Mr. Epstein over the years confided …

Discussion: The Stranger, Jezebel, The Sun, Fox News, Breitbart, Rolling Stone, New York Post, The Daily Beast, Towleroad Gay News, VICE, Vanity Fair, Splinter, Lawyers, Guns & Money, Law & Crime, Mediaite and Dienekes' Place

Maggie Astor / New York Times:

Only 7 Candidates Have Qualified for the Next Democratic Debate — While 20 presidential candidates debated this past week, far fewer are assured the chance of doing so again in September. — So you made it through the second set of Democratic debates. Congratulations! Ready to talk about the next ones?

Margaret Sullivan / Washington Post:
The debate format is an embarrassment. Here's how to make it better.

Discussion: Bloomberg, Dan Froomkin's White … and American Prospect, more at Mediagazer »

Michael Calderone / Politico:
Democratic debate on CNN sees steep ratings drop

Discussion: Axios, Front Page Magazine, The Federalist and RedState

Peter Baker / New York Times:

Trump Orders Navy to Strip Medals From Prosecutors in War Crimes Trial — WASHINGTON — President Trump intervened Tuesday once again on behalf of a Navy SEAL who was charged but acquitted of war crimes in the death of a captured Islamic State fighter in Iraq, ordering the military to punish …

Discussion: UPI, Big League Politics, Bloomberg, The Gateway Pundit and Mediaite

Paul Szoldra / Task & Purpose:
Trump orders Navy to rescind awards given to prosecutors who lost case against Eddie Gallagher

Discussion: BizPac Review, Navy Times and Breitbart

Colby Itkowitz / Washington Post:
Trump orders lawyers' achievement awards revoked in Navy SEAL murder case

Discussion: New York Post and Mercury News

Daniel Victor / New York Times:

Bin Laden Family ‘Henchman’ Is Arrested in Philippines — Mahmoud Afif Abdeljalil was once considered a close associate of Osama bin Laden's brother-in-law and a financier for Al Qaeda. — A Jordanian man once considered a financier for Al Qaeda and a “henchman” of Osama bin Laden's brother …

New York Times:
Hamza bin Laden, Son of Qaeda Founder, Is Dead

Discussion: Foreign Policy, The Week, RedState, NPR, Washington Times, KTLA, Meduza.io, WTVR-TV and Breitbart

Courtney Kube / NBC News:
U.S. has intel that Osama bin Laden's son and heir Hamza is dead, say officials

Discussion: ABC News, New York Times, UPI, ITV, Big League Politics, The Sun, The Week, The Daily Caller, Fox News, The Independent and New York Post

A.O. Scott / New York Times:

What America Gets Wrong About Tracy Flick — In “Election,” she's preyed upon by a teacher and almost cheated out of her rightful victory. But somehow she's the villain. — Even if you've never seen “Election,” Alexander Payne's 1999 comedy about high school politics run amok, you probably know something about Tracy Flick.

John Solomon / The Hill:

James Comey's next reckoning is imminent — this time for leaking — The Justice Department's chief watchdog is preparing a damning report on James Comey's conduct in his final days as FBI director that likely will conclude he leaked classified information and showed a lack of candor …

Discussion: American Greatness, BizPac Review, The Gateway Pundit, Judicial Watch, Fox News, The Last Refuge, RedState and PJ Media Home

Ted Deutch / Sun-Sentinel:

No more debate. Impeachment inquiry is underway — Although Special Counsel Robert Mueller's testimony may not have been a summer blockbuster, it confirmed the damning conclusions of his report. The investigation revealed substantial evidence that President Trump obstructed justice.

Discussion: The Daily Beast

John DiStaso / WMUR:

NH Primary Source: Talk at RNC meeting of recruiting Lewandowski to run for US Senate — LEWANDOWSKI FOR SENATE? Don't look now but..... GOP sources tell New Hampshire Primary Source that President Donald Trump's former campaign manager is the subject of serious discussion about being recruited …

HuffPost:

Charlotte Is Starting To Regret Hosting Trump's Renomination Convention — President Donald Trump's racist and xenophobic statements have drawn official condemnation from a city that is now predominantly black and Latino. — CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Republican Party leaders scoping out locations …

Associated Press:

After ‘Send her back!’ chant, Ohio rally a test for Trump — CINCINNATI (AP) — President Donald Trump's latest rally will be a test for both candidate and crowd. — The Cincinnati gathering Thursday night will be Trump's first since his audience chanted “Send her back!” …

Discussion: Talking Points Memo and Politico

Washington Post:

‘How the hell is this not inciting violence?’ Gun store erects billboard with minority lawmakers' faces … The sign warns of the “4 Horsemen” — typically a reference to biblical imagery symbolizing the end of the earth: conquest, war, famine and death. — But the North Carolina billboard …

Discussion: WTVC-TV, FOX Carolina, Axios, The Minnesota Sun, Townhall and The Daily Caller

Alex Isenstadt / Politico:

RNC chair defends GOP donor platform in tense meeting — Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna Romney McDaniel grew visibly emotional during a meeting with senior GOP officials on Wednesday, as she insisted that she isn't personally profiting off a new, President Donald Trump-endorsed small-donor platform.

Discussion: The Week

Marianne LeVine / Politico:

‘Constant chaos’: Senate Republicans eye summer exit — Senate Republicans' long, hot summer of Trump is finally ending. And for many in the GOP, it can't come soon enough. — In just the month of July, the party has weathered a flurry of racist tweets from President Donald Trump attacking …

Discussion: Political Wire

BBC:

Trump's former top adviser: tariffs backfiring on US — US President Donald Trump's trade war with China is backfiring and impacting the US economy, according to his former chief economic adviser. — The tariff battle has had a “dramatic impact” on US manufacturing and capital investment, Gary Cohn told the BBC.

The Daily Beast:

Team Trump Turns to Lindsey Graham to Cut an Iran Deal — But somehow, the administration is turning to dovish Rand Paul to work with Iran, too. — President Trump wants a new deal with Iran to replace the nuclear agreement he pulled out of, and he's turning to one of his most hawkish confidants to help do it.

Discussion: Political Wire

New York Times:

Dying Gasp of One Local Newspaper — The Warroad Pioneer, a pillar of its small Minnesota town, ended its 121-year run with bloody marys, bold type and gloom about the void it would leave behind. — WARROAD, Minn. — Whenever she thought her small staff would be facing a particularly stressful deadline …

Tom Hals / Reuters:

Change in New York State law to usher in ‘tidal wave’ of child sex abuse lawsuits — (Reuters) - Thousands of child sexual abuse lawsuits are expected to flow into New York State courts in the coming weeks exposing decades-old misconduct at schools, hospitals, churches and youth clubs, according to lawyers for victims.