Welcome to The Hill’s Campaign Report, your new weekly rundown on all the latest news in the 2020 presidential, Senate and House races from Max Greenwood, Jonathan Easley and Julia Manchester. Email us at [email protected], [email protected] and [email protected], or follow us on Twitter at @KMaxGreenwood, @JonEasley and @JuliaManch. 

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I’m Julia Manchester, and here’s what we’re watching this week on the campaign trail. 

 

LEADING THE DAY: 

Sen. Kamala HarrisKamala Devi HarrisRand Paul introduces bill to end no-knock warrants The Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden campaign goes on offensive against Facebook McEnany says Juneteenth is a very ‘meaningful’ day to Trump MORE‘s (D-Calif.) presidential campaign is seeing the dividends of confronting former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenHillicon Valley: Biden calls on Facebook to change political speech rules | Dems demand hearings after Georgia election chaos | Microsoft stops selling facial recognition tech to police Trump finalizing executive order calling on police to use ‘force with compassion’ The Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden campaign goes on offensive against Facebook MORE head-on at last week’s Democratic primary debate, getting a boost in the polls and the attention of the former vice president himself. 

Harris has been surging in post-debate polls after questioning Biden over his opinions on civil rights issues, in particular federally mandated busing. And that strong showing has helped her win over the support of Black Caucus members.

Biden, while still leading the pack, appears to be slipping. Those troubling signs are not lost on the campaign. 

The former vice president spent the Fourth of July holiday in defense mode, trying to minimize the growing controversy over his past stance on federally mandated busing and civil rights.

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Biden on Thursday argued that he didn’t need to “atone” for his position on busing during an event to celebrate the holiday in the aptly named town of Independence, Iowa.

He also took part in a sit-down interview with CNN’s Chris CuomoChristopher (Chris) Charles CuomoTed Cruz mocks CNN over naked Chris Cuomo in wife’s yoga video Minneapolis mayor: No change in position on calls to defund police after being booed Trump says he believes Scarborough ‘got away with murder’ MORE on Thursday evening, and talked more about last week’s debate clash with Harris, saying he didn’t expect her to “come at me the way she came at me.” 

But there are few signs that the controversy over busing is dying down.

Harris has also had to clarify her remarks. During the debate, Harris had suggested the federal government should be responsible for ensuring schools are not segregated and criticized Biden for voting against federally mandated busing.

But on the campaign trail she said she thought of busing as “being in the toolbox of what is available and what can be used for the goal of desegregating America’s schools.”

She later told reporters that busing should be one method school districts can use to desegregate but that it does not need to be federally mandated.

Biden and Harris staffers have even gotten in on the action, taking to Twitter to defend their candidates. Kate Bedingfield, Biden’s deputy campaign manager and communications director, and Harris’s national press secretary Ian Sams, got into a spat this week on the platform over the issue of busing. 

Harris’s bump after challenging Biden won’t be lost on the other candidates in the field, who could be encouraged to stand out and take their own shots at the former vice president.

Biden’s camp will likely need to steel themselves for more attacks from the field.

In his Friday morning interview, Biden defended his more centrist views against the ideas from progressive challengers, saying that mainstream Democrats win “general election fights.”

And he told CNN that he was going to avoid attacking other Democrats, focusing instead on President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE. Stay tuned …

 

Read more: 

The Memo: Fight for black voters intensifies as Biden struggles via The Hill’s Niall Stanage 

Biden’s support slips as Harris makes strides in new post-debate polls via The Hill’s Rachel Frazin 

 

FROM THE TRAIL:

HAPPY FOURTH: The Democratic 2020 contenders did not take a day off for Independence Day, but instead celebrated (and tried to woo voters) by attending events and parades in early contest states.

Biden, Harris, Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: Milley apologizes for church photo-op Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness MORE (I-Vt.), and South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete ButtigiegPete ButtigiegScaled-back Pride Month poses challenges for fundraising, outreach Biden hopes to pick VP by Aug. 1 It’s as if a Trump operative infiltrated the Democratic primary process MORE swept through Iowa, while Sen. Amy KlobucharAmy KlobucharHillicon Valley: Biden calls on Facebook to change political speech rules | Dems demand hearings after Georgia election chaos | Microsoft stops selling facial recognition tech to police Democrats demand Republican leaders examine election challenges after Georgia voting chaos Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk MORE (D-Minn.), former Rep. John DelaneyJohn DelaneyThe Hill’s Coronavirus Report: Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas says country needs to rethink what ‘policing’ means; US cases surpass 2 million with no end to pandemic in sight Minnesota AG Keith Ellison says racism is a bigger problem than police behavior; 21 states see uptick in cases amid efforts to reopen The Hill’s Coronavirus Report: Singapore Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan says there will be consequences from fraying US-China relations; WHO walks back claims on asymptomatic spread of virus MORE (D-Md.) and Marianne WilliamsonMarianne WilliamsonMarianne Williamson touts endorsements for progressive congressional candidates The Hill’s 12:30 Report: Warren becomes latest 2020 rival to back Biden The Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden looks to stretch lead in Tuesday contests MORE, as well as Reps. Tulsi GabbardTulsi GabbardGabbard drops defamation lawsuit against Clinton It’s as if a Trump operative infiltrated the Democratic primary process 125 lawmakers urge Trump administration to support National Guard troops amid pandemic MORE (D-Hawaii) and Eric SwalwellEric Michael SwalwellNASCAR bans display of Confederate flag from events and properties Gloves come off as Democrats fight for House seat in California Grenell says intelligence community working to declassify Flynn-Kislyak transcripts MORE (D-Calif.) stormed New Hampshire. 

New York City Mayor Bill de BlasioBill de BlasioProtesters splash red paint on NYC streets to symbolize blood De Blasio: Robert E Lee’s ‘name should be taken off everything in America, period’ House Democratic whip pushes back on calls to defund police: We need to focus on reform MORE even missed the famous Nathan’s hot dog eating contest in Coney Island, opting instead to talk with voters in the Hawkeye State. 

Meanwhile, Sen. Cory BookerCory Anthony BookerRand Paul introduces bill to end no-knock warrants Black lawmakers unveil bill to remove Confederate statues from Capitol Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk MORE (D-N.J.) and Rep. Seth MoultonSeth MoultonEx-CBO director calls for more than trillion in coronavirus stimulus spending Overnight Defense: Trump’s move to use military in US sparks backlash | Defense officials take heat | Air Force head calls Floyd’s death ‘a national tragedy’ Democrats blast Trump’s use of military against protests MORE (D-Mass.) headed out west to meet voters in Nevada. 

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But not all the candidates spent time on the campaign trail. A spokesperson for Washington Gov. Jay InsleeJay Robert InsleeInslee calls on Trump to ‘stay out of Washington state’s business’ Seattle mayor responds to Trump: ‘Go back to your bunker’ Trump warns he will take back Seattle from ‘ugly Anarchists’ if local leaders don’t act MORE told me that the governor would be watching the fireworks with his grandkids at his home in Bainbridge Island, Wash. 

 

Read more: 

2020 Democrats use July 4 to storm early contest states via The Hill’s Julia Manchester 

 

ODDS AND ENDS:

NO MORE NATO?: During his wide-ranging interview with CNN, Biden predicted that there may not be a North Atlantic Treaty Organization in the not-so distant future if Trump is reelected. Biden is seeking to tout his foreign policy experience from his stints on both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue.

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HEALTH CARE: In the same interview, Biden said he supported undocumented people having access to health care in the U.S., telling the network that it’s “just common decency.” 

 

Read more: 

That stance will help him in progressive circles, but Republicans also see a potent 2020 line of attack on the promise of health care access for undocumented immigrants. The Hill’s Jessie Hellmann explains why.

  

POLL WATCH:

REUTERS/IPSOS: Biden’s support from black voters dropped from 40 percent in June to 20 percent after the first debate, where Harris attacked his record on civil rights. The same poll found that Harris’s support among the voting group ticked up from 4 percent to 10 percent, the largest bump for any Democratic candidate. The same poll also found Biden slipping among all voters polled, while support for Harris increased, via The Hill’s Rachel Frazin and The Hill’s Julia Manchester.

 

ECONOMIST/YOUGOV: Biden holds a slim 3-point lead over Warren, according to a poll released on Wednesday. Twenty-one percent tapped Biden as their first choice candidate in this week’s poll, marking a 3-point drop from last week, via The Hill’s Rebecca Klar.

 

DAVID BINDER/FOCUS ON RURAL AMERICA: Harris and Warren are climbing in Iowa, finding themselves in a virtual tie with Biden, according to the poll. Warren leads the field with 20 percent of the vote, while Harris and Biden are 18 and 17 percent respectively, via The Hill’s Reid Wilson. 

 

The latest from RealClearPolitics: Biden leads the field with 27.2 percent, Sanders takes second with 14.8 percent, Harris gets third with 14.7 percent support and Warren and Buttigieg round out the top five with 13.5 and 5.3 percent respectively.

 

FROM 1600 PENN:  

BREAKING JOBS NEWS: The Labor Department announced on Friday that the economy added 224,00 jobs in June, exceeding expectations. 

President Trump celebrated the news on Twitter. 

 

SALUTE TO AMERICA: Trump celebrated America’s birthday on Thursday, marking the day with his highly anticipated “Salute to America” event at the Lincoln Memorial. The event was marked by controversy, but the president’s remarks were largely uncontroversial. Trump touted the U.S. armed forces and America’s military might during his 45-minute address, which critics worried could veer off into a campaign-style event. 

But Trump is getting criticism for some gaffes during the address, most notably, mistakenly claiming that Revolutionary War soldiers “took over airports” in 1775.

And a number of Canadians took to Twitter, taking issue with Trump’s characterization of Alexander Graham Bell as an American. For the record, the Scottish-born Bell had British, American and Canadian citizenship. 

But Trump is calling the production a success and wrapped up the holiday by retweeting tweets praising the event. 

  

   

 

Read more: Trump focuses July 4 speech on celebrating armed forces, via The Hill’s Maggie Miller and Brett Samuels 

 

FROM CONGRESS:

SENATE WATCH: Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are predicting the battle for the Senate majority will depend on the winner of the Democratic presidential nomination and the general election, via The Hill’s Alexander Bolton. 

 

AMASH’S FAREWELL: Longtime GOP maverick and libertarian Justin AmashJustin AmashOver 1,400 pro athletes, coaches call on Congress to back bill ending qualified immunity House Democrats set to introduce proposed ban on chemical weapons Mark Cuban says he’s decided not to run for president MORE announced his exit from the Republican Party on Independence Day, making it official in a Washington Post op-ed. 

The piece caused a stir in Washington on Thursday morning and led to Rep. Mark WalkerBradley (Mark) Mark WalkerDemocrats press OSHA official on issuing an Emergency Temporary Standard John Ratcliffe is the right choice for director of national intelligence — and for America NCAA backs plan to allow college athletes to cash in on name, image and likeness MORE (R-N.C.) calling for Amash to leave the Republican Conference. 

But don’t hold your breath on Amash switching to the Democratic Party. The congressman wrote that the “the two-party system has evolved into an existential threat to American principles and institutions.”

Polls show Amash trailing his primary challenger by 16 points, but the congressman has not ruled out a third-party presidential run, so stay tuned. 

 

MONEY WATCH

ON THE PRESIDENTIAL FRONT. Biden brought in $21.5 million in fundraising during the second quarter, and boasted that he raised more money per day during the second quarter than any other campaign. However, Buttigieg is leading the fundraising battle so far, this quarter, bringing in $24.8 million. The two candidates both kicked off their campaigns in April. Meanwhile, Sanders raised $18 million in the second quarter, with his campaign emphasizing that he’s stayed away from high-dollar fundraisers. 

Takeaway: The latest figures show how far Buttigieg has come from being a little-known midwestern mayor just months ago, to leading the race’s two, well-known front-runners in fundraising. 

Don’t forget Trump: Trump and the RNC announced they had raised $105 million in the second quarter, more than former President Obama raised over a similar period in 2011. That large haul will likely worry Democrats who still face what could be a long primary fight.

 

SENATE RACES. The second quarter also treated a number of Senate Democratic contenders well, something that could worry Republicans trying to defend the upper chamber in 2020. Theresa Greenfield, who is challenging Iowa Sen. Joni ErnstJoni Kay ErnstGeorge Conway group hits Ernst in new ad GOP senators introduce resolution opposing calls to defund the police The Hill’s Campaign Report: Republicans go on attack over calls to ‘defund the police’ MORE (R), announced that her campaign for Senate raised more than $625,000 in less than one month. Greenfield officially kicked off her campaign on June 3. 

Meanwhile in Maine, Sen. Susan CollinsSusan Margaret CollinsRepublicans prepare to punt on next COVID-19 relief bill Trump tweets spark fresh headache for Republicans Trump’s tweet on protester sparks GOP backlash  MORE’s (R) challenger, state Speaker Sara Gideon (D), raised more than $1 million in the first week of her campaign. Moving south to the Palmetto State, Sen. Lindsey GrahamLindsey Olin GrahamHillicon Valley: Biden calls on Facebook to change political speech rules | Dems demand hearings after Georgia election chaos | Microsoft stops selling facial recognition tech to police OVERNIGHT DEFENSE: Joint Chiefs chairman says he regrets participating in Trump photo-op | GOP senators back Joint Chiefs chairman who voiced regret over Trump photo-op | Senate panel approves 0B defense policy bill GOP senators back Joint Chiefs chairman who voiced regret over Trump photo-op MORE’s Democratic challenger, Jaime Harrison brought in $1.5 million since launching his campaign just a month ago. 

  

MARK YOUR CALENDARS:

SATURDAY, JULY 6

Biden will travel to South Carolina, making stops in Sumter and Orangeburg, per his campaign. 

On Sunday, he will meet with voters in Charleston at 6 p.m. EDT.  

11:18 a.m. CDT: Harris speaks at the Essence Festival in New Orleans 

1:05 p.m. CDT: Booker speaks at the Essence Festival in New Orleans. 

2:52 p.m. CDT: Warren speaks at the Essence Festival in New Orleans 

4:04 p.m. CDT: Former Rep. Beto O’RourkeBeto O’RourkeBiden will help close out Texas Democrats’ virtual convention: report O’Rourke on Texas reopening: ‘Dangerous, dumb and weak’ Parties gear up for battle over Texas state House MORE (D-Texas) speaks at the Essence Festival in New Orleans

11:30 a.m. PDT: Sanders holds his West Las Vegas Town Hall

3:00 p.m. PDT: Sanders speaks at the Veterans Issues Roundtable with the Nevada Democratic Veterans & Military Families Caucus

4:30 p.m. PDT: Sanders will attend the 2020 East Las Vegas Office Grand Opening

 

There are 213 days until the Iowa caucuses, 221 days until the New Hampshire primaries, 232 days until the Nevada caucuses, 239 days until the South Carolina primaries and 242 days until Super Tuesday. 

 

CAMPAIGN HIRES/POLICY ROLLOUTS/KEY ENDORSEMENTS:

2020 HIRES: O’Rourke’s campaign picked up former Gov. John HickenlooperJohn HickenlooperGun control group rolls out first round of Senate endorsements The Hill’s Campaign Report: Republicans go on attack over calls to ‘defund the police’ Hickenlooper ethics questions open him up to attack MORE’s (D-Colo.) former 2020 campaign finance director, Dan Sorenson, this week, per Politico.

 

ENDORSEMENTS: Rep. Jahana HayesJahana HayesGun control group rolls out House endorsements Human Rights Campaign rolls out congressional endorsements on Equality Act anniversary Lawmakers with first-hand experience using food stamps call on Trump not to cut program MORE (D-Conn.) became the seventh Congressional Black Caucus member to endorse Harris, making the case for the freshman California senator in an Essence op-ed.

 

EDUCATION ROLL OUT: Inslee rolled out his education plan on Friday, pushing for universal preschool, free or reduced college tuition, as well as a focus on teaching students how to combat climate change. 

 

ONE FUN THING

CANDIDATE LITE: We’ve seen Warren drink a beer on Instagram Live, while Hickenlooper frequently touts his past work as a brewer. This week, The Hill’s Alicia Cohn writes how 2020 contenders are connecting with voters over beer this election cycle, taking a deep dive into the age-old question: “Would you have a beer with that candidate?”

Read more: 2020 Democrats connect with voters over beer, via The Hill’s Alicia Cohn 

 

See you next week! Cheers!  

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