Welcome to The Hill’s Campaign Report, your daily rundown on all the latest news in the 2020 presidential, Senate and House races. Did someone forward this to you? Click here to subscribe.
We’re Julia Manchester, Max Greenwood and Jonathan Easley. Here’s what we’re watching today on the campaign trail.
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LEADING THE DAY:
OBAMA ENDORSES BIDEN: 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 finally scored the coveted endorsement of his former boss, President Barack ObamaBarack Hussein ObamaHarris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk Five ways America would take a hard left under Joe Biden Valerie Jarrett: ‘Democracy depends upon having law enforcement’ MORE, on Tuesday. The endorsement came in the form of a video address, in which Obama said from his Washington, D.C., residence that Biden represented America’s best hope of emerging from the coronavirus pandemic successfully.
“If there’s one thing we’ve learned as a country from moments of great crisis, it’s that the spirit of looking out for one another can’t be restricted to our homes or our workplaces or our neighborhoods or houses of worship, it also has to be reflected in our national government,” Obama said.
While Obama waited until Biden was the presumptive Democratic nominee to endorse, the announcement’s timing is good for Biden. Remember, the former vice president is looking to unite a fractured Democratic Party, with a swath of progressive voters looking at him skeptically. 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.) sent a major signal to his progressive supporters on Monday in endorsing Biden.
Now Biden also has the endorsement of Obama, who is arguably the most popular Democrat nearly four years after he left office. These two endorsements signal to Democrats of all stripes that it’s time to come together ahead of November.
But unification could still prove to be challenging for the party with Biden at the helm. Progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-CortezAlexandria Ocasio-CortezAttorney says 75-year-old man shoved by Buffalo police suffered brain injury How language is bringing down Donald Trump Highest-circulation Kentucky newspaper endorses Charles Booker in Senate race MORE (D-N.Y.) said Biden needs a “real” health care plan to boost enthusiasm for his candidacy, adding that “at a bare minimum” he needs to create a health care plan “that helps extend health care to young people.”
Ocasio-Cortez’s fellow progressive, Rep. Ilhan OmarIlhan OmarHow language is bringing down Donald Trump Biden, Democrats seek to shut down calls to defund police McEnany, Ocasio-Cortez tangle over ‘Biden adviser’ label MORE (D-Minn.) said that she will support whoever the Democratic nominee is, but said she is looking for an indication from Biden that he understands what really matters for voters on the left.
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While there are clear policy differences between Biden’s supporters and the party’s progressives, their biggest unifier is the desire to defeat Trump in November. This appeared to be a unifying factor in 2016 when the majority of Democrats who backed Sanders in the primary supported Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham ClintonWhite House accuses Biden of pushing ‘conspiracy theories’ with Trump election claim Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness Trayvon Martin’s mother Sybrina Fulton qualifies to run for county commissioner in Florida MORE in the general election. History tells us that this likely won’t be a problem, but that does not mean there won’t be some bumps along the way.
–Julia Manchester
READ MORE:
Obama endorses Biden, by Jonathan Easley
Biden gains advantage over Clinton by having time to unify the party, by Amie Parnes
Biden gets major boost from Obama, by Jonathan Easley and Amie Parnes
Obama praises Sanders in endorsement of Biden, by J. Edward Moreno
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) looking for a ‘gesture’ from Biden before endorsing, by Rebecca Klar
FROM THE TRAIL:
Social distancing measures are forcing political campaigns into the online space ahead of the general election in November, which could result in new challenges for minority voters, particularly those with limited or no internet access. The Hill’s Rafael Bernal reports.
Biden slammed 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 on Tuesday after the president said that he had the power to unilaterally reopen state economies. “I am not running for office to be King of America. I respect the Constitution. I’ve read the Constitution. I’ve sworn an oath to it many times,” Biden said in a tweet. “I respect the great job so many of this country’s governors — Democratic and Republican — are doing under these horrific circumstances.” The comments from Trump and Biden underline a nationwide debate over when to reopen portions of the U.S. economy amid the coronavirus pandemic. The Hill’s Marty Johnson has more.
PERSPECTIVES:
Maria Cardona: In the heat of crisis, Trump melts away
Robert Hormats: Would a National Popular Vote remove some politics from presidential decision making?
John McCormack: Why were only five polling locations open in Milwaukee?
Sharlee Glenn: A call to Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenWarren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases 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 Trump on collision course with Congress over bases with Confederate names MORE to resume her candidacy for the 2020 election
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MONEY WATCH:
The nation’s second-largest teachers union has launched a series of television and online ad spots in which nurses and other health care staff condemn Trump’s suggestion they have stolen personal protective equipment during the coronavirus pandemic. Zack Budryk reports.
POLL WATCH:
OH Predictive Insights — ARIZONA
Biden: 52 percent
Trump: 43 percent
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VCU L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs — VIRGINIA
Biden: 51 percent
Trump: 41 percent
GreatBlue -Sacred Heart University Pioneer Poll- Connecticut
Biden: 47 percent
Trump: 34 percent
MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
(Keep in mind these dates could change because of the outbreak.)
April 17:
Wyoming
April 28:
Ohio
May 2:
Kansas Democratic primary
Guam Democratic caucuses
May 12:
Nebraska primaries
May 19:
Oregon primaries
May 22:
Hawaii Democratic primary
June 2:
Connecticut primaries
Delaware primaries
District of Columbia primaries
Indiana primaries
Maryland primaries
Montana primaries
New Mexico primaries
Pennsylvania primaries
Rhode Island primaries
South Dakota primaries
June 6:
US Virgin Islands primaries
June 9:
Georgia primaries
West Virginia primaries
June 20:
Louisiana primaries
June 23:
Kentucky primaries
New York primaries
July 7:
New Jersey primaries
August 17-20:
Democratic National Convention
August 24-27:
Republican National Convention
ONE HOPEFUL THING
A group of Canadian high school students are looking to bring some happiness to older North Americans as the coronavirus pandemic continues to keep seniors isolated from their friends and family.
Click Here: Geelong Cats Guernsey
The teens from Ever Active Schools in Calgary, Canada, last week launched the Joy4All project, which plays prerecorded feel-good messages on a hotline.
The messages include jokes, stories, educational tidbits and meditations.
“We’re just trying to fill in some of the gaps and bring them a little bit of joy and levity during these difficult times,” Ever Active Schools Teacher Jamie Anderson told CBC News.
But the hotline isn’t just for senior citizens, the group’s website encourages people of all ages to call the hotline at 1-877-JOY-4ALL
For more information on the Joy4All project, click here.
We’ll see you tomorrow with all of the latest campaign news and updates!