Pa. Congressional Races Could Produce Surprises

“The Supreme Court on Monday jumped into the fight over transgender rights, agreeing to hear an appeal from the Biden administration seeking to block state bans on gender-affirming care,” the AP reports. “The justices’ action comes as Republican-led states have enacted a variety of restrictions on health care for transgender people, school sports participation, bathroom usage and drag shows.

GOP strategist Whit Ayres previewed this week’s presidential debate this way: “Can Joe Biden not look like a senile old man? Can Donald Trump not be an obnoxious jerk?” .memberful-global-teaser-content p:last-child{ -webkit-mask-image: linear-gradient(180deg, #000 0%, transparent); mask-image: linear-gradient(180deg, #000 0%, transparent); } Join now to continue reading. Members get exclusive analysis, bonus features and no advertising.

“Donald Trump is scheduled to visit New Orleans on Monday for a fundraiser, less than a month after he was convicted on 34 felony charges in a New York courtroom,” the New Orleans Times Picayune reports. “The first criminal conviction of a U. S. president seems to have only cleaved supporters to him even closer.”

New York Times: “CNN outmaneuvered its competitors to land the event after Mr. Biden said in May that he would not cooperate with the Commission on Presidential Debates, which had sponsored general-election debates since 1987. Instead, Mr. Biden and Mr. Trump agreed to meet under the auspices of individual networks; a second matchup is scheduled for September on ABC.” “Within the cutthroat TV news industry, the debate is seen as an enormous marketing coup for CNN, which even at a time of austerity for cable television has stood out for ignominious reasons.

“Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-TX) said Sunday that he will send a letter requesting President Biden take drug tests before and after Thursday’s debate against former President Trump,” The Hill reports. “Jackson, who served as Trump’s White House physician and medical adviser, also claimed in a Fox News Sunday Morning Futures interview with Maria Bartiromo, without evidence, that Biden has been taking ‘performance-enhancing drugs.’”

Ben Smith: “The complacency over TikTok at Cannes was a shocking contrast with the seriousness in Washington about killing or forcing the sale of the app. The congressional vote earlier this year was a rare display of bipartisanship, aided by a remarkably ham-handed public pressure campaign by the company that blew up in its face.