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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: Trump at 62 percent disapproval in AP poll | Stronger marks on economy | Inslee drops out of 2020 race | Hickenlooper running for Senate | Warren struggles to win over black voters | McConnell pushes back on Dem talk of killing filibuster | Trump to honor Celtics legend Bob Cousy | Service dogs attend musical

IN 2020 NEWS

3 out, 22 remain:

Washington 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) dropped out of the presidential race last night. http://bit.ly/2Nqizho

In Inslee's words: "It's become clear I'm not going to be carrying the ball, I'm not going to be president. So I'm withdrawing tonight from the race."

Watch Inslee's announcement with MSNBC's Rachel Maddow Rachel Anne MaddowGOP lawmakers distance themselves from Trump comments on transfer of power Schiff urges Trump administration members to resign: 'You cannot maintain your silence' Michael Cohen: Trump hates Obama because he's everything he 'wants to be' MORE: http://bit.ly/2NkTfJv

Would Inslee have qualified for the next debates?: His campaign announced on Monday that he had reached the 130,000 donor threshold to qualify but had not yet reached the polling threshold. He had until Aug. 28 to qualify. https://kiro.tv/2Nqk1Qv

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How Inslee ended his announcement email to supporters: This is poetic. http://bit.ly/2NrXl2r

This I will miss: NBC's Alex Seitz-Wald tweeted, "All the best @TheOnion 2020 stories were on Jay Inslee, imho." Examples: http://bit.ly/2NkRvjr

Did you know that Jay Inslee doodles?: Here are a few of his doodles. I'm a fan of the bear on a surfboard: http://bit.ly/2NnL9Q9

WHAT'S NEXT FOR INSLEE:

Via The Associated Press's Rachel La Corte, Jay Inslee will announce he is running for reelection as governor of Washington. http://bit.ly/2NpeE4f

EXPECT A FEW MORE DROPOUTS:

Candidates have until Aug. 28 to qualify for the next debate. 12 candidates have still not qualified. "And if you can't make the debate, it becomes very, very hard to hang on as a credible candidate." https://cnn.it/2Nmp4l0

Already in the 2020 dropout club:

Former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper John HickenlooperThe Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Trump previews SCOTUS nominee as 'totally brilliant' Cook Political Report shifts Colorado Senate race toward Democrat Willie Nelson playing at virtual fundraiser for Hickenlooper MORE (D), who suspended his presidential campaign last week, announced he is running for Senate. http://bit.ly/2Zbx8fJ

Hickenlooper's reasoning: "I don't think [Republican Colorado Sen.] Cory Gardner Cory Scott GardnerBreaking the Chinese space addiction Trump dumbfounds GOP with latest unforced error Billionaire who donated to Trump in 2016 donates to Biden MORE understands that the games he's playing with Donald Trump and [Senate Majority Leader] Mitch McConnell Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellDemocratic senator to party: 'A little message discipline wouldn't kill us' House to vote on resolution affirming peaceful transition of power Republican lawyers brush off Trump's election comments MORE are hurting the people of Colorado. We ought to be working together to move this country forward and stop the political nonsense."

Watch his Senate campaign announcement video: http://bit.ly/2Zbwhf1

It's Thursday. 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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PROGRAMMING NOTE: The 12:30 Report will be off next week but will resume after Labor Day. Enjoy the last week of August and have a popsicle for me!

IN THE WHITE HOUSE

Approval, schmaroval:

62 percent of Americans disapprove of 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's performance, according to a new Associated Press–NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll. http://bit.ly/2Z4oq2G

His approval: Thirty-six percent approve of Trump. While that is low compared to former President Obama, the AP noted that Trump's approval rating has remained between 32 and 42 percent during his time in office.

What percent approve of Trump's handling of the economy: 46 percent of Americans. Voters still give Trump stronger marks on the economy than other issues. Trump has been pushing back over talk of an impending recession.

The full poll: http://bit.ly/2Z4piEu

TIDBIT FROM THE WHITE HOUSE YESTERDAY:

Bloomberg's Jennifer Jacobs tweeted, "That sweaty gaggle lasted nearly 40 minutes in almost 90 degree DC heat. One reporter's cellphone auto-shut down due to the hot temperature, midway through Trump's remarks." Yay, August in D.C.! http://bit.ly/2ZayOGm

ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL

It's the climb:

Via The Hill's Amie Parnes, "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 faces an uphill climb in winning support from African American voters, say Democratic strategists and other political observers." http://bit.ly/2NopS97

How so: Warren has been increasing in the polls but is still struggling to attract support from black voters.

Meeeanwhile: 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 dominated among black voters.

The polls to back it up: http://bit.ly/2NopS97

NEW POLL -- BIDEN AND WARREN ARE NIPPING ON TRUMP'S HEELS:

Former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) are tied in Arizona, according to a new OH Predictive Insights poll. http://bit.ly/2Zd15vZ

The numbers: The poll shows Biden leading Trump 45 to 43 percent. Trump leads Warren 44 to 43 percent. Both fall within the margin of error. http://bit.ly/2Zd15vZ

IN CONGRESS

McConnell orders matching Team Filibuster T-shirts:

In a New York Times op-ed today, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) argues against killing the filibuster.

Excerpt: "Yes, the Senate's design makes it difficult for one party to enact sweeping legislation on its own. Yes, the filibuster makes policy less likely to seesaw wildly with every election. These are features, not bugs. Our country doesn't need a second House of Representatives with fewer members and longer terms. America needs the Senate to be the Senate."

Read McConnell's full NYT op-ed: https://nyti.ms/2ZavXNI

NEWS THIS MORNING

Back in the ring:

Via Reuters, a South Korean official told reporters that the U.S. and North Korea are expected to start denuclearization talks again. "My impression was that North Korea and the United States would carry out dialogue soon, and it would go well," South Korea's deputy national security adviser, Kim Hyun-chong, said without elaborating. https://reut.rs/2Nq8RLC

SPEAKING OF SOUTH KOREA:

South Korea is reportedly ending an intelligence-sharing agreement with Japan over trade and diplomacy disputes. http://bit.ly/2NpSzmg

NOTABLE TWEETS

Throwback:

From time to time, I think of this @BostonGlobe mock front page, which ran as an editorial in April 2016. And just how prescient it was. pic.twitter.com/o3yipR1BKM — Matt Viser (@mviser) August 21, 2019

ON TAP

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

11:45 a.m. EDT: President Trump received an intelligence briefing.

12:05 p.m. EDT: Vice President Pence tours Merit Medical in Utah. http://bit.ly/2Z8Savh

2:05 p.m. EDT: Vice President Pence leaves Salt Lake City and heads back to Washington, D.C.

4:30 p.m. EDT: President Trump presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Boston Celtics legend Bob Cousy.

5:50 p.m. EDT: Vice President Pence gets back to Washington, D.C.

WHAT TO WATCH

12:30 p.m. EDT: Vice President Pence gives remarks in Utah on trade. Livestream: http://bit.ly/2Nodea8

6:30 p.m. EDT: Rep. 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 (D-Ohio) and 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.), who are both running for president, participate in a climate change forum in New Hampshire. Livestream: https://cs.pn/2Z63qbU

NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF...

Today is National Pecan Torte Day.

I aspire to perform in front of future service dogs:

Via CNN's Scottie Andrew, service dogs attended a musical as part of their training.

Aw!: "At the theater, the dogs are expected to sit under the seat or curl up at their handlers' feet while their humans enjoy the show. ... They stayed calm and quiet throughout the performance, but a few curious pups peeked their furry heads over the seats to catch a few minutes of the show." https://cnn.it/2ZaxKSV

And because this is adorable, here's a puppy who should be in a video game. Make sure your sound is on: http://bit.ly/2NuykDE