On Politics

Tue Aug 13 2024

Rebecca Morin | Senior National News Reporter

@RebeccaMorin_

Whoops, yesterday's edition went out earlier by mistake! Here's today's politics news you won't want to miss.

Hello again! I'm Rebecca Morin, senior national news reporter at USA TODAY and your new host of On Politics. New here or been here awhile? Either way, I would love to get to know you a little more. Help me by filling out this survey.

6 days until the Democratic National Convention. 83 days until Election Day. And 29 days until the MTV Video Music Awards. (Can't wait to see Chappell Roan perform!)

Trump seeing trouble in Florida, poll says

Uh oh. Alarm bells might be going off at Trump campaign headquarters Tuesday after a new poll finds Vice President Kamala Harris is in "striking distance" of GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump in Florida. Read more.

•	What does the poll say?: Trump leads Harris by five percentage points in Florida, according to the pollster behind a new USA TODAY/Suffolk University/WSVN-TV survey.
•	Yes, Trump is still leading against Harris in the new survey. But that is much closer than other recent polls, and much less than Gov. Ron DeSantis, who won his 2022 re-election with a 19-point blowout.
•	Who has won Florida? Trump carried the state he now calls home in 2020 and 2016. Barack Obama was the last Democrat to win there in 2012.

A little politics pit stop

•	Opinion: Trump rambles, slurs his way through Elon Musk interview. It was an unmitigated disaster.
•	Pop open Spotify or Apple Music (I guess). Barack Obama reveals summer 2024 playlist.
•	Kamala Harris rises in polls. See what election odds bettors give her now.
•	RFK Jr. blocked from NY ballot after judge rules he provided "sham" residency.

Election showdown for 'Squad' Rep. Ilhan Omar

Primary season is still underway with another round of contests today. And all eyes are on Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, a progressive House member who is part of the "Squad." Omar has been a vocal critic of the Israeli government. If you're reading the tea leaves, that could be a warning sign for Omar, as two other Squad members who were critical of Israel were ousted in primaries earlier this year. Polls close in the North Star State at 8 p.m. CST.

You asked, On Politics answers: Where does Harris stand on the issues?

Thanks to all who responded to the survey! I got a lot of great questions that I will continue to answer in the next editions of the newsletter (email me your questions here rdmorin@usatoday.com). One of y'all asked: What's Harris's platform?

We're actually going to hear more from Harris on Friday about what her plan is to lower costs and take on price gouging.

Here's what else she's said on some policies:

•	No tax on tips: Harris called to eliminate federal taxes on tips – something Trump has suggested.
•	Israel-Gaza war: Harris has said Israel has a right to defend itself, but has also been critical of the amount of civilians who have been killed. She's also called for a ceasefire deal and for remaining hostages to be released.
•	Reproductive rights: Harris said she'd sign a law restoring the federal right to reproductive freedoms, like abortion, if Congress passes it.

Next week, I'll be at the Democratic National Committee Convention in Chicago. Questions, comments, concerns … or Chicago recommendations? Email at rdmorin@usatoday.com.

Elon Musk chats up Donald Trump amid X tech glitches

This illustration photo shows former US President Donald Trump mugshot on X (formerly Twitter), on August 24, 2023.

The Trump-Musk conversation lasted about two hours after thousands were blocked by Internet troubles that have plagued the website in previous events.

READ MORE