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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.

TALK OF THE MORNING



Two primary debates down, 10 to go. Aren’t we having So! Much! Fun!?:

DEBATE TAKEAWAYS:





No clear winner emerges after an ugly night Candidates pile on Biden http://bit.ly/2ZriJrI Rivals chip away at Harris Booker stands out with viral zingers Democrats were united on health care in 2018; now they’re terribly divided

Context and details for each from The Hill’s Jonathan Easley: http://bit.ly/2GHSG8p

How the party’s ugly divisions were on display: http://bit.ly/2GHqaUx

Winners: Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersThe Hill's Campaign Report: Trump faces backlash after not committing to peaceful transition of power Bernie Sanders: 'This is an election between Donald Trump and democracy' The Hill's 12:30 Report: Trump stokes fears over November election outcome MORE (I-Vt.), Sen. Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenHillicon Valley: Subpoenas for Facebook, Google and Twitter on the cards | Wray rebuffs mail-in voting conspiracies | Reps. raise mass surveillance concerns 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 Democratic senators ask inspector general to investigate IRS use of location tracking service MORE (D-Mass.), 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.), Montana Gov. Steve Bullock Steve BullockMcConnell locks down key GOP votes in Supreme Court fight Senate Democrats demand White House fire controversial head of public lands agency Pence seeks to boost Daines in critical Montana Senate race MORE (D) and author Marianne Williamson Marianne WilliamsonMarianne Williamson discusses speaking at People's Party Convention Fewer people watched opening night of Democratic convention compared to 2016 Marianne Williamson: Democratic convention 'like binge watching a Marriott commercial' MORE.

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Losers: 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.), former Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-Texas), progressives who back impeachment of 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 and centrists.

Mixed: 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 and South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg Pete ButtigiegBillionaire who donated to Trump in 2016 donates to Biden The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - GOP closes ranks to fill SCOTUS vacancy by November Buttigieg stands in as Pence for Harris's debate practice MORE (D).

Reasoning for each: http://bit.ly/2GE95uu

This is a pretty interesting point: “Whoever just made this point on CNN was very right: this was a joyless debate. I think it’s a net negative for the party.” (Tweet from Brian Rosenwald) http://bit.ly/2ZohWYP





It’s Thursday — it’s officially August! 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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SIGHTS AND SOUNDS FROM DETROIT:





Candidates rode the elevator together — oh man, 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’s pose:

I wonder what the small talk was about...

Here’s another photo from the elevator: I love Booker and Gillibrand’s facial expressions! http://bit.ly/2Zo5S9T

DNC Chairman Tom Perez Thomas Edward PerezClinton’s top five vice presidential picks Government social programs: Triumph of hope over evidence Labor’s 'wasteful spending and mismanagement” at Workers’ Comp MORE channeled his inner Jed Wyatt — he made a jingle: "Ol' McConnell had a farm. Ee-eye-ee-eye oh. And on his farm, he kept all those bills that passed the House. Ee-eye-ee-eye oh." http://bit.ly/2Zmalty

Overheard on stage: Joe Biden told Kamala Harris as they enter on stage, “Go easy on me, kid.” Listen to the interaction: http://bit.ly/2MsxIhr

^Reaction from Harris’s national press secretary: “Kid?” Ian Sams tweeted http://bit.ly/2GB5Cg7

Photo of Washington Post reporters covering the debate: http://bit.ly/2GEySTos

Check out this Obama T-shirt for sale in Detroit’s Eastern Market: Photo from The Atlantic’s Edward-Isaac Dovere: http://bit.ly/2ZmznJh

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 decided to wear glasses this round: http://bit.ly/2GCCYv6

Protesters interrupted the opening statements: “Whole debate interrupted with ‘FIRE PANTALEO’ chants aimed at de Blasio. Pantaleo is the Staten Island cop involved in Eric Garner death.” http://bit.ly/2GEYbox





DEBATE HIGHLIGHTS:





‘Ohhh yeeeeah’: “You’re dipping into the Kool-Aid and you don’t even know the flavor,” Cory Booker says to Joe Biden. http://bit.ly/2YgzUjt

Amazing: Comedian Roy Wood Jr. depicts what America did after hearing that Kool-Aid line. Watch — lol: http://bit.ly/2GH0xD9

Kool-Aid responded!!:

Gillibrand and Biden had a pretty tense debate about women: https://cnn.it/2ZkhM4x

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ThRoWbAcK: Biden’s national press secretary, Jamal Brown, resurfaced an old tweet from 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.) in 2016. Gillibrand tweeted in 2016: “Thank you @VP Biden for your unwavering commitment to combating violence against women! #ItsOnUs” Selfie of Biden and Gillibrand: http://bit.ly/2ZoaDQF

Here’s a list of the top moments during the debate:

Booker repeatedly hit Biden Gillibrand says the first thing she'll do as president is "Clorox the Oval Office" Booker says 'shithole' on live TV De Blasio takes heat over Eric Garner case Gabbard hits Harris over prosecutor record

Details for each: http://bit.ly/2ZpIzfF

Op-ed: http://bit.ly/2Zr5eIw





WHAT TO KNOW FOR THE NEXT DEBATE:





When and where: Sept. 12 (and possibly Sept. 13) in Houston, depending on how many candidates qualify.

Why there may be half the candidates: The Democratic National Committee (DNC) has raised the bar to qualify for the next debate.

What candidates need to qualify: “At least 2 percent in four national DNC-approved polls and at least 130,000 unique donors, coming from at least 400 unique donors in 20 or more states.” For context: That is about double the last qualification. http://bit.ly/2ZkiOgV

Which candidates have qualified so far: Joe Biden, Cory Booker, Pete Buttigieg, Kamala Harris, Beto O’Rourke, Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. http://bit.ly/2ZkiOgV

Who else is close: Julián Castro, Andrew Yang and Amy Klobuchar Amy Klobuchar3 reasons why Biden is misreading the politics of court packing Social media platforms put muscle into National Voter Registration Day Battle lines drawn on precedent in Supreme Court fight MORE have reached one of the two requirements. http://bit.ly/2ZkiOgV





IN CONGRESS



Don’t take this the wrong way, senators, but GO HOME:

The Senate just passed a two-year budget and debt ceiling deal, paving the way for the upper chamber to leave for August recess. The sweeping bill already passed in the House and is heading to President Trump’s desk. http://bit.ly/2ZoWv9V

The vote: 67-28

Details of the budget deal: http://bit.ly/2ZoWv9V





LATE THIS MORNING FROM TRUMP— FULL STEAM AHEAD:





President Trump tweeted his support for the budget deal this morning. “Budget Deal is phenomenal for our Great Military, our Vets, and Jobs, Jobs, Jobs! Two year deal gets us past the Election. Go for it Republicans, there is always plenty of time to CUT!” http://bit.ly/2GGba9o





Lindsey Graham Lindsey Olin GrahamSteele Dossier sub-source was subject of FBI counterintelligence probe Hillicon Valley: Subpoenas for Facebook, Google and Twitter on the cards | Wray rebuffs mail-in voting conspiracies | Reps. raise mass surveillance concerns Key Democrat opposes GOP Section 230 subpoena for Facebook, Twitter, Google MORE inspected his battering ram this morning:





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



Via The Hill’s Jordain Carney, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) just pushed legislation to overhaul the asylum system through the Senate Judiciary Committee by waving committee rules to force a vote. http://bit.ly/2ZoqHSH

From the Democratic ranking member of the committee: "You're breaking the rules of the committee," Sen. Dianne Feinstein Dianne Emiel FeinsteinTrump faces tricky choice on Supreme Court pick The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Trump previews SCOTUS nominee as 'totally brilliant' Abortion stirs GOP tensions in Supreme Court fight MORE (D-Calif.) said as Graham told the committee’s staff to ignore Democratic attempts to speak of the vote.

Livestream of the committee meeting: https://cs.pn/2GGzAPT

What next: The bill is headed to the Senate floor where it is not expected to reach the 60 votes necessary.

What Graham’s bill would do: “It would increase the number of days a family can be held together from 20 days to 100 days, preventing family separations but lengthening the period children could be held in custody with their parents. It would also require asylum claims be filed in Mexico or a home country instead of the United States, provide funding for 500 new immigration judges and allow unaccompanied minors from Central America to be sent back to their home countries, similar to unaccompanied minors from Canada or Mexico.” http://bit.ly/2GIn8PJ





NOTABLE TWEETS:



Pour one out for wine — literally:

ON TAP:





The Senate is in. The House is out. President Trump is in Washington, D.C., and is heading to Cincinnati this afternoon. Vice President Pence is in Hagerstown, Md., and is meeting Trump in Cincinnati.

11 a.m. EDT: Roll call votes in the Senate. The Senate’s full schedule today: http://bit.ly/2GE33Km

Noon: President Trump received an intelligence briefing.

12:45 p.m. EDT: President Trump has lunch with Defense Secretary Mark Esper Mark EsperOvernight Defense: Stopgap spending measure awaits Senate vote | Trump nominates former Nunes aide for intelligence community watchdog | Trump extends ban on racial discrimination training to contractors, military Overnight Defense: Pentagon redirects pandemic funding to defense contractors | US planning for full Afghanistan withdrawal by May | Anti-Trump GOP group puts ads in military papers Official: Pentagon has started 'prudent planning' for full Afghanistan withdrawal by May MORE.

1:30 p.m. EDT: Vice President Pence leaves Hagerstown, Md., and flies to Cincinnati.

3:30 p.m. EDT: President Trump leaves the White House for Cincinnati.

6:10 p.m. EDT: Vice President Pence speaks at a Trump Victory reception in Cincinnati.

6:35 p.m. EDT: President Trump participates in a fundraising reception in Cincinnati.

9:55 p.m. EDT: Vice President Pence gets back to Washington, D.C.

10:35 p.m. EDT: President Trump gets back to the White House.





WHAT TO WATCH:





10 a.m. EDT: The Senate Judiciary Committee considers an immigration bill. Livestream: https://cs.pn/2GGUtKQ

11:40 p.m. EDT: Vice President Pence spoke at the Association of Equipment Manufacturers event at Manitowoc Cranes. Livestream: http://bit.ly/2GFck58

7 p.m. EDT: President Trump holds a campaign rally in Cincinnati. Livestream: https://cs.pn/2GFBZuk





NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF...:





Today is National Raspberry Cream Pie Day.





Another theme park is coming to Orlando:





Via The Tampa Bay Times’s Sharon Kennedy Wynne, Universal Studios announced this morning that a new theme park is opening in Orlando, Fla. http://bit.ly/2GFZ00d

What Universal has said about the theme: “In a vague description, Universal said Epic Universe will ‘take guests on a journey where beloved stories expand into vibrant lands.’”

Speculation about the park’s theme: Nintendo, How to Train Your Dragon, Kung-Fu Panda, Madagascar, Shrek, The Secret Life of Pets, Sing and Fantastic Beasts.

Concept art released by Universal: http://bit.ly/2GFZ00d





And to make you smile, here’s a dog meeting his idol: http://bit.ly/2Zqyz5Z



