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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 — From New Hampshire — Biden expands lead in new national poll | Why Harris's campaign is at a crossroads | Pollsters see soft support for Dem primary candidates | Castro qualifies for next debate | Gillibrand stumps in NH in push to qualify | Warren's 2,000+ selfie line | Trump dismisses recession talk as fake news | Mueller fades from spotlight | Eric, Lara Trump Lara Lea TrumpHillicon Valley: Democrats demand answers over Russian interference bulletin | Google Cloud wins defense contract for cancer research | Cyberattack disrupts virtual classes Lara Trump campaigns with far-right activist candidate Laura Loomer in Florida Sunday shows - Democrats target Trump as violence flares MORE welcome baby daughter

NEWS THIS MORNING

Add a podium:

Via CNN's Grace Sparks, former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro has reportedly qualified for the Democratic primary debate in September. https://cnn.it/2NgcN1H

The requirements: Candidates must poll at 2 percent or more in four separate polls and need 130,000 unique donors.

Other candidates who are close to qualifying: "Hawaii 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 also notched another 2% in the poll, getting her second qualifying poll for the debates. Her campaign says she has already met the fundraising threshold. Billionaire Tom Steyer Tom SteyerTV ads favored Biden 2-1 in past month Inslee calls Biden climate plan 'perfect for the moment' OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Trump administration finalizes plan to open up Alaska wildlife refuge to drilling | California finalizes fuel efficiency deal with five automakers, undercutting Trump | Democrats use vulnerable GOP senators to get rare win on environment MORE is still one poll away from qualifying and New York 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 has one poll. Steyer has met the fundraising threshold while Gillibrand has not."

The deadline for candidates to qualify for September's debates: Aug. 28

It's Tuesday. Filing from Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand's (D-N.Y.) campaign stop in Manchester, N.H., 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.

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ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL

A morning campaign stop in New Hampshire:

Presidential hopeful Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) met with community leaders in Manchester, N.H. this morning for a roundtable to discuss mental health.

What to know about Gillibrand's mental health plan: http://bit.ly/2zaezJp

FROM THE EVENT:

She knows her audience: One of the doctors participating in the roundtable, Dr. Doug Phelan, gave a brief rundown of his career in New Hampshire: "...and I've stayed because I really love being here." Gillibrand chimed in, "What's not to love?" http://bit.ly/2MsFjNM

Whooops: Gillibrand's backdrop was made of campaign signs. One flew off before the event started. Another fell down mid-discussion. Video of one of the signs falling: http://bit.ly/2KWZ3pF

WHO IS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE TODAY?:

Gillibrand is the only presidential candidate holding a campaign stop in New Hampshire today. The next candidate stops are happening on Thursday. See for yourself: http://bit.ly/2KZm4Zj

KEEP IN MIND ABOUT NEXT MONTH'S DEBATE:

Gillibrand has not yet qualified for the September Democratic primary debate. She was asked by reporters this morning whether the Democratic National Committee's debate qualifications are fair. "You know I just have to follow the rules," Gillibrand responded. "That's my job. But those are certainly things voters can consider."

Gillibrand on whether she will qualify for the next debate: "I'm very close to getting my 130,000 individual supporters. I'm hoping your viewers will go to kirstengillibrand.com and send a dollar so I can keep raising up issues like this and I'm hoping I will be rewarded in New Hampshire when there's the next poll out in New Hampshire."

Here's the new ad her campaign is running in Iowa and New Hampshire in the final push to qualify: http://bit.ly/31JckZQ

New poll -- Biden expands his lead:

Former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenFormer Pence aide: White House staffers discussed Trump refusing to leave office Progressive group buys domain name of Trump's No. 1 Supreme Court pick Bloomberg rolls out M ad buy to boost Biden in Florida MORE has expanded his lead among 2020 Democrats in a new CNN poll. The numbers: Biden leads with 29 percent, followed by Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersSirota reacts to report of harassment, doxing by Harris supporters Republicans not immune to the malady that hobbled Democrats The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Republicans lawmakers rebuke Trump on election MORE (I-Vt.) with 15 percent and Sen. Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenOvernight Defense: Appeals court revives House lawsuit against military funding for border wall | Dems push for limits on transferring military gear to police | Lawmakers ask for IG probe into Pentagon's use of COVID-19 funds On The Money: Half of states deplete funds for Trump's 0 unemployment expansion | EU appealing ruling in Apple tax case | House Democrats include more aid for airlines in coronavirus package Warren, Khanna request IG investigation into Pentagon's use of coronavirus funds MORE (D-Mass.) with 14 percent. For context: Biden's support has risen 7 points since the survey in June. http://bit.ly/2MrKldE

Interesting read -- No one wants to be exclusive these days:

Via The Hill's Jonathan Easley, "Pollsters say one of the most striking characteristics of this cycle's Democratic presidential primary is the relatively soft support for top-tier candidates, even after an intense focus on the race by the national media." http://bit.ly/2NqgMsi

The worry -- choosing the wrong nominee: "The fear of putting up the wrong person is palpable," said veteran Democratic pollster Jeremy Rosner. "It comes up in every focus group and every conversation I have with Democrats. It's top of mind and intense and it's behind a lot of the fluidity in this race."

Democrats are in three categories: "You're not seeing the groundswell behind any one candidate," said Democratic pollster Chris Kofinis. "There's a segment that thinks a centrist or a moderate is best to beat Trump. Others think you need someone from the left to rally the base. A third segment has no idea."

How this could play out: http://bit.ly/2NqgMsi

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 IS BANKING ON THIS:

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio dismissed concerns about his low polling, saying most primary voters are "going to make their decision late." http://bit.ly/2NkQw2w

WHY KAMALA HARRIS'S CAMPAIGN IS FACING A CROSSROADS:

Via The Hill's Amie Parnes: http://bit.ly/2Njx6va

Being able to smile for that many photos is an accomplishment on its own:

Update: @ewarren still going strong in the selfie line. We’ve got about 200 photos left. 2 1/2 hours in. pic.twitter.com/YmobNvFcJj — Kristen Orthman (@KristenOrthman) August 20, 2019

For context: Around 90 minutes in, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) still had around 2,000 people left in line for a selfie. http://bit.ly/2NkRr3i

Wow: Here's the crowd at Warren's rally. Photo: http://bit.ly/2Z5qGqG

IN THE WHITE HOUSE

On three now, what do we call it?

Fake. News.:

President Trump Donald John TrumpFederal prosecutor speaks out, says Barr 'has brought shame' on Justice Dept. Former Pence aide: White House staffers discussed Trump refusing to leave office Progressive group buys domain name of Trump's No. 1 Supreme Court pick MORE and his advisers are adopting a familiar mantra in response to concerns about a slowing economy: fake news. http://bit.ly/2KVSjsi

Where Trump puts the blame: He's a hostile media creating a manufactured crisis to prevent him from winning reelection in 2020.

Trump told reporters: "I don't think we're having a recession. We're doing tremendously well. Our consumers are rich. I gave a tremendous tax cut, and they're loaded up with money." http://bit.ly/2KVSjsi

Op-ed: http://bit.ly/2KUdN8M

IN OTHER NEWS

Congratulations!:

President Trump's son Eric Trump Eric Frederick TrumpJudge orders Eric Trump to comply with New York AG's subpoena before Election Day Eric Trump uses misleading clip to blast Biden for using teleprompter Melania Trump: Ginsburg's 'spirit will live on in all she has inspired' MORE and his wife, Lara, announced the birth of their second child, Caroline Dorothy Trump. http://bit.ly/31TMFOi

Photo of the now family of four: http://bit.ly/31NOaxe

Remember Robert? Robert Mueller Robert (Bob) MuellerCNN's Toobin warns McCabe is in 'perilous condition' with emboldened Trump CNN anchor rips Trump over Stone while evoking Clinton-Lynch tarmac meeting The Hill's 12:30 Report: New Hampshire fallout MORE?:

Via The Hill's Olivia Beavers, "Robert Mueller's Russia report has largely faded from the airwaves less than a month after the former special counsel's high-profile congressional testimony, a possible warning sign to Democrats that most voters have lost interest in the probe." http://bit.ly/2NltSaC

What this means for House Democrats: "Fading public interest in the Mueller probe would be an unwelcome development for House Democrats, particularly as the Judiciary Committee presses forward with its investigation into possible obstruction and potential abuses of power by the president."

From Republican strategist Ford O'Connell: "Both sides at this juncture think that they don't gain anything electorally from talking about Russia. The Democrats would prefer to put all of their energy into the idea of cultural issues that Trump may be a white supremacist, that's the reason why they're moving off of it."

NOTABLE TWEETS

So many metaphors here.:

The Great Mattress Migration of 2019: Dozens of mattresses were seen blowing through Denver last weekend. A windstorm picked up the air mattresses that were set up in a park for a movie night https://t.co/RfR2Tgcjom pic.twitter.com/LXztAgmipw — CBS News (@CBSNews) August 19, 2019

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

Getting traction -- people are up in arms over this tweet:

How cool do you keep your house?



New report our shows these as the recommended temps for energy efficiency:



• 78° F when you’re home

• 85° F when you’re at work or away

• 82° F when you’re sleeping pic.twitter.com/iNOSaqX35c — Jennifer Titus (@jenntitus10) August 19, 2019

If you want to see the full report: https://on.wtsp.com/2NnZw79

ON TAP

The House and Senate are out.

President Trump and Vice President Pence are both in Washington, D.C.

12:45 p.m. EDT: President Trump has lunch with Vice President Pence.

2 p.m. EDT: President Trump meets the president of Romania.

2:30 p.m. EDT: President Trump holds an expanded bilateral meeting with the president of Romania.

4:15 p.m. EDT: Vice President Pence participates in a ceremony to swear in the U.S. ambassador to Jamaica, Donald Tapia.

WHAT TO WATCH

9:20 a.m. EDT: Vice President Pence spoke at a National Space Council meeting in Chantilly, Va. Livestream: http://bit.ly/2Z2151D

NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF...

Today is National Chocolate Pecan Pie Day.

Finally!:

The Washington Monument is reopening to the public on Sept. 19 after being closed for three years of renovations. Details: https://fxn.ws/2NkCeio

Tickets: "Same-day tour tickets for visits between Sept. 19 and Oct. 18 will be available on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 8:30 a.m. each at the Washington Monument Lodge. The Lodge is located in 15th Street between Madison Drive, NW and Jefferson Drive, SW. Beginning Oct. 10 at 10 a.m., tickets for tours from Oct. 19 on can be reserved online at www.recreation.gov."

And to get you through your day, "please take a moment out of your day to appreciate the poise, elegance and natural grace of the panda" http://bit.ly/2No0aBB