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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 faces protests as he visits Dayton, El Paso | Defends remarks: 'I think my rhetoric brings people together' | Jabs at O'Rourke | Trump says he is 'all in favor' of background checks | Questions Congress's will to act | McConnell under pressure to hold gun vote | Sanders calls Dem debate format 'demeaning' | FedEx ends delivery deal with Amazon | Self-driving car gets test near Capitol

NEWS THIS MORNING

Check 'em:

Before leaving for Dayton, Ohio, and El Paso Texas, 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 told reporters that he backs background checks on weapon purchases. http://bit.ly/2Te9oBy

In Trump's words: "I'm looking to do background checks. I think background checks are important. I don't want to put guns into the hands of mentally unstable people or people with rage or hate. Sick people. I'm all in favor of it."

What about banning high powered weapons?: Trump doubted Congress would support that. "You have to have a political appetite within Congress and so far I haven't seen that," Trump told reporters.

Don't blame the rhetoric:

President Trump accused critics of "looking for political gain" by placing blame on his immigration stances. "I don't think my rhetoric does at all. I think my rhetoric brings people together. Our country is doing really well," Trump told reporters. http://bit.ly/33hjeXQ

It's Wednesday. 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, Aug. 12–16.

HAPPENING TODAY

Trump visits Ohio and Texas:

President Trump just visited Dayton, Ohio, in the aftermath of Sunday's mass shooting. The president is now heading to El Paso, Texas, to visit following Saturday's Walmart shooting.

Livestream of Trump's Dayton visit: http://bit.ly/2Tddl9m

Video of protests against President Trump in Dayton: http://bit.ly/2Kw3S9b

Protester signs: http://bit.ly/2TnwzJL

JOINING TRUMP IN DAYTON, OHIO:

Sen. Sherrod Brown Sherrod Campbell BrownMnuchin says he and Pelosi have agreed to restart coronavirus stimulus talks Harris faces pivotal moment with Supreme Court battle Remote work poses state tax challenges MORE (D-Ohio). Brown said in a statement: "I spent much of yesterday wrestling with the right thing to do when President Trump visits Dayton today. I decided I have a responsibility to Ohioans to use this opportunity to look the president in the eye and urge him to do the right thing." http://bit.ly/2Td8vcc

LATEST WITH THE WEEKEND'S SHOOTINGS

Today's feud -- Beto vs. Trump:

President Trump got into a dispute on Twitter with former Rep. Beto O'Rourke Beto O'RourkeJimmy Carter says his son smoked pot with Willie Nelson on White House roof O'Rourke endorses Kennedy for Senate: 'A champion for the values we're most proud of' 2020 Democrats do convention Zoom call MORE (D-Texas), telling the presidential candidate to "be quiet." http://bit.ly/2OJFF4R

The tweet that started the back and forth -- Beto posted: "When President Trump comes to El Paso tomorrow, I will be joining our strong, beautiful, binational community at #ElPasoStrong. I hope to see you there." http://bit.ly/2OL3mJT

Trump then trounced on Beto: "Beto (phony name to indicate Hispanic heritage) O'Rourke, who is embarrassed by my last visit to the Great State of Texas, where I trounced him, and is now even more embarrassed by polling at 1% in the Democrat Primary, should respect the victims & law enforcement -- & be quiet!" http://bit.ly/2OIxqWD

Beto then responded to Trump: "22 people in my hometown are dead after an act of terror inspired by your racism. El Paso will not be quiet and neither will I." http://bit.ly/2OIZuco

TIDBIT -- FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH:

"I've been following Beto O'Rourke through his community as it mourns this week -- and person after person has thanked him for being their voice, for sticking up for their community, for confronting the president. None of his neighbors are telling him to be quiet." (From The Washington Post's Jenna Johnson) http://bit.ly/2OIxMfV

Where Hispanic leaders stand in the debate:

Via The Hill's Rafael Bernal, "President Trump's condemnation of 'racism, bigotry and white supremacy' is failing to soothe Hispanics in the wake of the shootings in El Paso, Texas, as members of the community fear more physical violence amid a climate of heightened rhetoric on immigration." http://bit.ly/33hszyP

For example: Hispanic leaders and local community groups called on Trump to cancel today's visit to El Paso.

From Domingo García, president of the League of United Latin American Citizens: "President Trump owes an apology to all the victims in Gilroy, California and El Paso, Texas for using a predatory rhetoric and failing to condemn hate groups when, from the beginning of his presidency, after Charlottesville and leading all the way up to El Paso, he's created a toxic political environment and opened up a Pandora's box of white extremists."

ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL

Bernie thinks the debates are ridiculous, too:

Via The Hill's Jonathan Easley, "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.) is frustrated by the Democratic presidential primary debates, saying that the spectacle of 20 candidates agitating for time plays to their worst instincts and is 'demeaning' to the field of contenders." http://bit.ly/33sTt74

Keep in mind: The debate stage should shrink in the next debate. The Democratic National Committee doubled the polling and donor requirements for qualification.

IN CONGRESS

Washington is lovely in August and senators just want to experience that:

Via The Hill's Jordain Carney, Democrats and gun control advocates are pressuring 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 (R-Ky.) to bring the Senate back from the August recess to pass gun legislation after the shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio. http://bit.ly/2TjIgRC

When the Senate is currently scheduled to return: Sept. 9

From Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer Chuck SchumerPelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' 3 reasons why Biden is misreading the politics of court packing Cruz blocks amended resolution honoring Ginsburg over language about her dying wish MORE (D-N.Y.): "We're saying to Leader McConnell: do the right thing. Gavel the Senate to an emergency session so we can take immediate action." On why the bill has been held up: "Leader McConnell is not putting it on the floor. That's what's holding it back. That's it."

IN LOCAL NEWS

Spotted near the U.S. Capitol:

An Argo AI "self-driving test vehicle" was seen on the streets of Washington, D.C. Photo: http://bit.ly/2TcTMy4

IN OTHER NEWS

It's not you, it's me:

Via Reuters, FedEx is ending its ground-delivery contract with Amazon. https://reut.rs/33mZsdF

Timing: "The move by the U.S. package delivery company comes two months after it decided not to renew its contract with Amazon for U.S. cargo delivery through its plane-based express service."

Keep in mind: "Analysts have said Amazon has secured a better rate with UPS for package deliveries on planes, so it makes little sense for the company to partner with FedEx."

NOTABLE TWEETS

Lol:

WE DON’T HAVE TO DO THIS https://t.co/YIqIlUkRuA — Dave Jorgenson (@davejorgenson) August 7, 2019

ON TAP

The House and Senate are out. President Trump is visiting Dayton, Ohio, and El Paso, Texas, today. Vice President Pence has no public events on his schedule.

10:35 a.m. EDT: President Trump and first lady Melania Trump Melania TrumpThe Hill's Campaign Report: Trump faces backlash after not committing to peaceful transition of power FBI director casts doubt on concerns over mail-in voting fraud Trump: 'We could hardly hear' boos, chanting at Supreme Court MORE visit Dayton, Ohio

3:45 p.m. EDT: President Trump and first lady Melania Trump visit El Paso, Texas.

10:15 p.m. EDT: President Trump and first lady Melania Trump get back to Washington, D.C.

WHAT TO WATCH

10 a.m. EDT: 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), who is running for president, spoke at the National Press Club. Livestream: https://cs.pn/2ThKfG6

12:35 p.m. EDT: Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Michael (Mike) Richard PompeoPutin nominated for Nobel Peace Prize The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Trump previews SCOTUS nominee as 'totally brilliant' Pompeo accused of stumping for Trump ahead of election MORE holds a joint press conference with British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab. Livestream: https://cs.pn/2TnlqIV

NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF...

Today is National Raspberries and Cream Day.

And because you made it this far, here's a dog who is THRILLED to be posing with his idols, Mickey and Minnie: http://bit.ly/33iKghC