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--> A midday take on what's happening in politics and how to have a sense of humor about it.*

*Ha. Haha. Hahah. Sniff. Haha. Sniff. Ha--breaks down crying hysterically.

The Hill's 12:30 Report: Key takeaways from Detroit debate's first night | Sights and sounds | Progressives, moderates brawl | Warren, Sanders dominate talk time | Williamson goes viral over 'dark psychic force' | Buttigieg forehead smudge explained | CNN takes heat over format | Tim Ryan Timothy (Tim) RyanNow's the time to make 'Social Emotional Learning' a national priority Mourners gather outside Supreme Court after passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg Lincoln Project hits Trump for criticizing Goodyear, 'an American company' MORE denies protesting anthem | Dems fear trap in Trump attacks on minority lawmakers | Senate to vote today on budget | Fight looms over Trump spy pick | National Avocado Day

TALK OF THE MORNING

So we put our hands up like the ceiling can't hold us

Like the ceiling can't hold us:

--> http://bit.ly/2LSKuX0;)

TAKEAWAYS FROM LAST NIGHT'S DEBATE:

Context and details for each from The Hill's Max Greenwood and Jonathan Easley: http://bit.ly/2ZldtWx



CNN was criticized for the debate format: "CNN faced backlash for its first primary debate of the 2020 campaign season, with members of the media comparing its production to a sporting event or movie trailer and others lamenting the time spent to kick off the event." Explanation from The Hill's Joe Concha: http://bit.ly/2GDLJFr

Here's a list of the top five moments during the debate: http://bit.ly/2Zlc8iw

It's Wednesday -- hump day! I'm Cate Martel with a quick recap of the morning and what's coming up. Send comments, story ideas and events for our radar to cmartel@thehill.com -- and follow along on Twitter @CateMartel and Facebook.

Did someone forward this to you? Want your own copy? Sign up here to receive The Hill's 12:30 Report in your inbox daily: http://bit.ly/2kjMNnn

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS IN DETROIT:

Now THIS you have to watch: Here is video of Montana Gov. Steve Bullock (D) scootering between the TV satellite trucks. Don't fall. Don't fall. Don't fall. Watch: http://bit.ly/2ZoEVD0

That's a nifty press badge: "The CNN press badge is in the shape of an orb, advantage Marianne" (From The Washington Post's Dave Weigel) Photo: http://bit.ly/2GAEyxS

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Tidbit: "A Marianne Williamson staffer told me in Miami that when she visits the networks, reporters and producers sneer at her but the makeup artists always cry when they meet her." (Via BuzzFeed's Ben Smith) http://bit.ly/2Zmqijw

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS FROM THE DEBATE:

Did anyone notice the smudge on Pete Buttigieg's face at the beginning of the debate?: Here's a photo of the smudge: http://bit.ly/2ZmAclh Then this morning, Buttigieg explained on CNN's "New Day": "Alright, so our best guess is that there were these little, kind of gnats around. Maybe I smushed one and it got on my forehead. I don't know," Buttigieg laughed. "I didn't know about it until after." Watch: http://bit.ly/2Zlq3VH

LOL -- that is code for...: "Whenever a candidate says, 'My friend here,' it's code for 'This SOB that I want to punch in their face'" http://bit.ly/2GzZx3G

Oops, that was Tim Ryan: Former Fox News host Bill O'Reilly confused Tim Ryan for Bill de Blasio Bill de BlasioOVERNIGHT ENERGY: California seeks to sell only electric cars by 2035 | EPA threatens to close New York City office after Trump threats to 'anarchist' cities | House energy package sparks criticism from left and right EPA threatens to close New York City office after Trump threats to 'anarchist' cities New Year's Eve in Times Square to be largely virtual amid pandemic MORE during the debate. Screenshot of the tweet: http://bit.ly/2GDm3Zx

The gif of the night: 'So we put our hands up like the ceiling can't hold us, like the ceiling can't hold us!' Gif of Sanders and Hickenlooper: http://bit.ly/2GDfKoZ

Sir Charles was there: Photo: http://bit.ly/2GQh4F9

On the age difference between Sanders and Buttigieg -- oh snap: "Buttigieg won an essay contest in high school by writing about then-Rep. Sanders." (Via NBC's Alex Seitz-Wald) http://bit.ly/2ZlnGlR

^ Eeeek: "Sanders was older when Buttigieg was born than Buttigieg is now." (From The Hill's Reid Wilson) http://bit.ly/2ZiETfW

Observation after the debate: Right after last night's debate, CNN already added its countdown clock for the next debate. http://bit.ly/2Zq5CHm

New Twitter followers for each candidate: Marianne Williamson gained the most Twitter followers during the debate with 8,008. Full list of the Twitter follower increase: http://bit.ly/2GF3Hax

Can't. Unsee.:

This literally looks like a family portrait with two elderly parents and their 8 adult children. pic.twitter.com/hpFgKhPKjp — Alex Joshua (@_alex_joshua) July 30, 2019

Observation about Beto's answer about the border: "O'Rourke was clearly prepared for that question about illegal border crossings - and had his answer down pat - right down to the time limit." (Via MSNBC's Garrett Haake) http://bit.ly/2GDmTFs

Speaking times for each candidate: Elizabeth Warren spoke the most (18:33), followed by Bernie Sanders (17:45) and Pete Buttigieg (14:07). The full chart of speaking times: https://nyti.ms/2GAZPao

The Fox Theatre is beautiful: Here's a photo of the debate venue: http://bit.ly/2ZoW92W

DEBATE HIGHLIGHTS:

The line of the night: "I don't understand why anyone goes through all the trouble of running for president of the United States just to talk about what we can't do and what we shouldn't fight for," Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) told former Rep. John Delaney John DelaneyCoronavirus Report: The Hill's Steve Clemons interviews Rep. Rodney Davis Eurasia Group founder Ian Bremmer says Trump right on China but wrong on WHO; CDC issues new guidance for large gatherings The 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 MORE (D-Md.). http://bit.ly/2ZiGhiE Video of the back and forth: http://bit.ly/312rnxp

The top tweeted moments of the night: No. 1: Warren's line ^ to Delaney about "what we can't do." No. 2: Responses to the Green New Deal. No. 3: Williamson and Warren discussing racism. http://bit.ly/2YxAxQO

The crowd got a kick out of this Marianne Williamson answer: "Crowd erupts after [Marianne] Williamson says the wonkiness of #DemDebate doesn't dispel 'the dark psychic force' of 'hate' coming from Trump." http://bit.ly/2YfXNYf

^ The force I'm now picturing: For all the Stranger Things fans: http://bit.ly/2ZhwNEa

Powerful moment from Buttigieg: "A 13-year-old asked me what we're going to do about school safety and then began shaking and ... crying ... all I could think of looking into the eyes of this child is, 'we're supposed to be dealing with this so you don't have to.' " http://bit.ly/2ZmKuBV

Good representation of the night: " 'Might as well FedEx the election to Donald Trump,' Hickenlooper says of Sanders' policy being a losing strategy in 2020. (This is definitely a moderates vs. progressives night.)" http://bit.ly/333iZPN

REACTIONS AND FROM THE SPIN ROOM:

From the chaos of the spin room: Claustrophobia warning. Video: http://bit.ly/2ZkLMNR

Let's play, 'where's Bernie?': Photo: http://bit.ly/2ZkGiSV

From Sen. Mitt Romney Willard (Mitt) Mitt RomneyTrump 'no longer angry' at Romney because of Supreme Court stance GOP lawmakers distance themselves from Trump comments on transfer of power McConnell pushes back on Trump: 'There will be an orderly transition' MORE (R-Utah): "Asked why @BernieSanders is so angry, the answer is simple: 28 years in Congress and never able to pass even a scintilla of his socialist agenda. All hat, no cattle." http://bit.ly/2YwXqrt

Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) denies protesting the national anthem: "Congressman Ryan wasn't protesting and didn't mean to make any statement last night in Detroit, it was a moment of absentmindedness while on a debate stage that won't happen again," his campaign said in a statement. During the anthem, Ryan did not place his hand on his heart, attracting attention on social media. http://bit.ly/2GEe6Dh

Williamson on herself: During an interview with CNN after the debate, Marianne Williamson said that besides herself, she's "a Bernie and Elizabeth person." http://bit.ly/2ZjgarS

Finally, someone asks Warren the practical question we all want to know!:

Ladies and gentlemen, your next viral kid reporter is Jeffrey Kraft, age 10, with @KSMKidScoop, seen here talking with @ewarren pic.twitter.com/Oxb7A7buRW — Daniel Newhauser (@dnewhauser) July 31, 2019

Watch: http://bit.ly/2ZpBz2G

Such a relatable answer: A reporter asked Marianne Williamson if the night went as she hoped it would. Her answer: "I don't know yet. I mean, I'll tell you when, you know, later when I see the memes." Watch: http://bit.ly/2ZkqboJ

DEBATE ROUND TWO -- DING, DING:

Who is debating tonight:

Sen. Michael Bennet Michael Farrand BennetOVERNIGHT ENERGY: House Democrats tee up vote on climate-focused energy bill next week | EPA reappoints controversial leader to air quality advisory committee | Coronavirus creates delay in Pentagon research for alternative to 'forever chemicals' Senate Democrats demand White House fire controversial head of public lands agency Next crisis, keep people working and give them raises MORE (D-Colo.)

Former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenPelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' Hillicon Valley: Subpoenas for Facebook, Google and Twitter on the cards | Wray rebuffs mail-in voting conspiracies | Reps. raise mass surveillance concerns Fox News poll: Biden ahead of Trump in Nevada, Pennsylvania and Ohio MORE

Sen. Cory Booker Cory Anthony Booker3 reasons why Biden is misreading the politics of court packing Bipartisan praise pours in after Ginsburg's death DHS opens probe into allegations at Georgia ICE facility MORE (D-N.J.)

Former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Tulsi GabbardRepublicans call on DOJ to investigate Netflix over 'Cuties' film Hispanic Caucus campaign arm endorses slate of non-Hispanic candidates Gabbard says she 'was not invited to participate in any way' in Democratic convention MORE (D-Hawaii)

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand Kirsten GillibrandSunday shows preview: Justice Ginsburg dies, sparking partisan battle over vacancy before election Suburban moms are going to decide the 2020 election Jon Stewart urges Congress to help veterans exposed to burn pits MORE (D-N.Y.)

Sen. Kamala Harris Kamala HarrisHundreds of lawyers from nation's oldest African American sorority join effort to fight voter suppression Biden picks up endorsement from progressive climate group 350 Action 3 reasons why Biden is misreading the politics of court packing MORE (D-Calif.)

Gov. Jay Inslee Jay Robert InsleeBarr asked prosecutors to explore charging Seattle mayor over protest zone: report Bottom line Oregon senator says Trump's blame on 'forest management' for wildfires is 'just a big and devastating lie' MORE (D-Wash.)

Businessman Andrew Yang Andrew YangDoctor who allegedly assaulted Evelyn Yang arrested on federal charges The Hill's Campaign Report: Biden weighs in on police shootings | Who's moderating the debates | Trump trails in post-convention polls Buttigieg launches his own podcast MORE

What time: 8 p.m. EDT

Rules and logistics for tonight's debate: https://cnn.it/2GDWB62

IN CONGRESS

Trump has a natural talent for setting traps:

Via The Hill's Mike Lillis and Scott Wong, "House Democrats up in arms over President Trump Donald John TrumpSteele Dossier sub-source was subject of FBI counterintelligence probe Pelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' Trump 'no longer angry' at Romney because of Supreme Court stance MORE's attacks on minority lawmakers are sounding a warning to their own party heading into the 2020 elections: Don't take the bait." http://bit.ly/2GEa2TF

Keep in mind: "While Democrats have rushed to the defense of Rep. Elijah Cummings Elijah Eugene CummingsBlack GOP candidate accuses Behar of wearing black face in heated interview Overnight Health Care: US won't join global coronavirus vaccine initiative | Federal panel lays out initial priorities for COVID-19 vaccine distribution | NIH panel: 'Insufficient data' to show treatment touted by Trump works House Oversight Democrats to subpoena AbbVie in drug pricing probe MORE (D-Md.), the prominent Congressional Black Caucus member Trump has attacked this week, they also sense the president is setting a political trap."

Democrats are making their dissatisfaction clear:

Via The Hill's Jordain Carney and Morgan Chalfant, Democrats are signaling they will oppose President Trump's pick for director of national intelligence, Rep. John Ratcliffe John Lee RatcliffeHillicon Valley: Subpoenas for Facebook, Google and Twitter on the cards | Wray rebuffs mail-in voting conspiracies | Reps. raise mass surveillance concerns Bipartisan representatives demand answers on expired surveillance programs Democrats call for declassifying election threats after briefing by Trump officials MORE (R-Texas), setting up a brutal and uncertain confirmation battle. http://bit.ly/2Zol0nu

What it would take for Ratcliffe to be rejected: "Republicans hold a 53-47 edge in the Senate, so it would take four GOP defections with unified Democratic opposition to deny Ratcliffe's confirmation."

Why Ratcliffe is controversial: "Ratcliffe, a three-term congressman and former federal prosecutor, has faced a wave of criticism for his dearth of intelligence credentials, and his opponents argue he lacks the experience to fulfill the role effectively ... Critics have also raised concerns that Ratcliffe, a staunch Trump ally, is too political for the role and will not be an unbiased steward of the nation's intelligence, an issue guaranteed to come up during his confirmation hearing."

What to expect: http://bit.ly/2Zol0nu

Op-ed: http://bit.ly/2SSb03H

Happening today — let’s do this thing and get out of town:

The Senate is expected to vote on a House-passed two-year budget deal before they head out of town. https://cnn.it/2GEgRV4

When: “Exact timing of the vote on the budget deal is not locked in yet but is expected to be announced by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellTrump 'no longer angry' at Romney because of Supreme Court stance On The Money: Anxious Democrats push for vote on COVID-19 aid | Pelosi, Mnuchin ready to restart talks | Weekly jobless claims increase | Senate treads close to shutdown deadline The Hill's Campaign Report: Trump faces backlash after not committing to peaceful transition of power MORE sometime Wednesday -- meaning the vote could come in the afternoon or evening or slip to Thursday.”

Is it expected to pass?: Yes, it will likely pass. The House already approved the measure and left town last week.

What to expect, via CNN’s Ted Barrett and Lauren Fox: https://cnn.it/2GEgRV4

IN OTHER NEWS

Announced this morning -- Puerto Rico's next governor:

"Outgoing Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rosselló (D) on Wednesday named former Resident Commissioner Pedro Pierluisi Pedro Rafael PierluisiPuerto Rico Democratic boss: Party 'cannot support' AOC/Velazquez status bill Ocasio-Cortez, Velázquez call for convention to decide Puerto Rico status Puerto Rico governor loses primary after second round of voting MORE (D) as his secretary of State designate, putting Pierluisi in line to become Puerto Rico's next governor." http://bit.ly/2ZxoBzC

He should just wear a target polo, tbh:

Via The Hill's Alex Gangitano, "Democrats and organized labor aim to make Eugene Scalia, the pick to lead the Labor Department, a target in 2020 in hopes of testing President Trump's support among rank-and-file union voters." http://bit.ly/2GE6dOt

Keep in mind: "Trump has yet to formally nominate Scalia but critics are already vowing to put a spotlight on that agenda and Scalia's work as a lawyer for businesses in high-profile labor fights."

NOTABLE TWEETS

So close to recess, they can almost touch it:

Last vote series of the evening in the Senate..as evidenced by all of the cars parked on the plaza, ready to whisk senators away later tonight pic.twitter.com/AtjnFItqQU — Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) July 30, 2019

ON TAP

The Senate is in. The House is out. President Trump and Vice President Pence are in Washington, D.C.

The Senate's full schedule today: http://bit.ly/2Zig03Q

1:45 p.m. EDT: President Trump meets with the president of Mongolia.

5 p.m. EDT: Vice President Pence speaks at a victory committee reception in Washington, D.C., for North Carolina House candidate Dan Bishop.

Today: Harry Potter's birthday! Photo of the celebration by the books' publisher: http://bit.ly/2Zq96cU

WHAT TO WATCH

11 a.m. EDT: Vice President Pence speaks at the Young America's Foundation Annual National Conservative Student Conference in Washington, D.C. Livestream: https://cs.pn/2GBK0QS

2:30 p.m. EDT: Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell holds a press conference. The Fed is expected to cut rates today for the first time in a decade. Livestream: https://cs.pn/2GE2rV1

8 p.m. EDT: The next Democratic presidential primary debate in Detroit.

NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF...

Today is National Avocado Day.

What is better than Chipotle guac? Free Chipotle guac:

To celebrate National Avocado Day, Chipotle isn't charging for guacamole on its entrees. https://cnn.it/2ZmbgKE

And because it's been a long week so far, here's a proud mama parrot posing with her newborn. So photogenic! http://bit.ly/2GBKLtc