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The theme of choice was emphasized by former President Clinton on Wednesday during the Democrats’ nominating convention in Chicago. He urged Americans to consider the implications of their choices, specifically mentioning former President Trump. “Next time you hear him,” Clinton said, “don’t count the lies. Count the ‘I’s. When Kamala Harris is president, every day will begin ‘you, you, you, you.’”

At 78, Clinton’s familiar Arkansas drawl and skilled oratory were on display as he advised his audience on the path to defeating Trump. “We gotta be tough,” he stated. “You should never underestimate your enemy.” This sentiment resonated throughout the convention, as Democrats rallied to criticize Trump while promoting Harris with the tagline: “Tough. Experienced. Ready.”

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, delivering a concise 14-minute speech near midnight to accept the vice presidential nomination, echoed the “choice” theme. “We’ve got something better to offer the American people. It starts with Kamala Harris,” he asserted, sharing his relatable personal story.

Surprise speaker Oprah Winfrey, addressing an audience in a city significant to her career, urged independent and undecided voters to evaluate “values and character” and “decency and respect” when comparing Harris and Trump. “Let us choose common sense over nonsense,” she proclaimed, receiving thunderous applause.

The Hill: Five memorable convention moments.

‘I ACCEPT’: Tonight, the vice president will deliver her acceptance speech, marking the transition into the next phase of her campaign, which includes a debate with Trump on September 10 and preparations for early voting next month.

The event in Chicago aims to energize Democrats about their ticket, focusing on voter registration, mail-in voting, and turnout efforts. National watch parties have been organized in battleground states, with at least 150 events planned in crucial Pennsylvania.

The New Yorker: Can Harris’s campaign address the Latino turnout challenge?

VIEWERSHIP: Nielsen reported that the convention’s second night attracted a larger audience than the first. Former President Obama and Michelle Obama headlined Tuesday’s lineup, drawing approximately 20.8 million viewers compared to 20 million on Monday. Both nights surpassed viewership for the first two nights of the Republican National Convention, where estimates indicated 18.1 million and 14.8 million viewers, respectively. Trump’s final convention night in Milwaukee attracted over 25 million viewers.

Harris will return to Washington on Friday, while President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will remain in California until Sunday.

The Hill’s Niall Stanage: Walz caps emotional night: Five takeaways from Day 3 of the convention.
The Hill: Harris and Democrats are gaining ground in the unity battle against Trump and the GOP.
The Hill: Harris's campaign experiences a roller coaster moment at the convention.
Politico: Rising Democrats are eyeing future opportunities beyond 2028 while in Chicago.

3 THINGS TO KNOW TODAY:

Indoor house cats that have never been outdoors in Colorado have died from bird flu. How did they contract it?
Cult Following: Explore how Costco has influenced American shopping behavior.
The U.S. and Canada could face economic consequences if major freight railroads, currently stalled in Canada due to worker disputes, do not resume operations soon.

LEADING THE DAY

Campaign Finance:

Democrats are excelling in fundraising this election cycle, creating pressure for House Republicans seeking to expand their majority. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee raised $17.6 million in July, totaling a record $228.4 million for the cycle, with $92 million in cash on hand. In contrast, the House GOP raised $11.7 million in July, totaling $173.4 million, with $73.3 million on hand.

Republicans were aware of their challenging situation even before the recent filing deadline, according to The Hill’s Emily Books and Mychael Schnell. During a House GOP conference call, National Republican Congressional Committee Chair Richard Hudson (N.C.) urged members to contribute more to the House GOP’s campaign arm, stating, “I need you to want it.” However, the July fundraising numbers and the enthusiasm among Democrats have intensified the pressure on Republicans to enhance their fundraising efforts.

Politico: Polls indicate that Harris has gained significant support from traditional Democratic voters, as well as independents and young voters.
Reuters: Explore how former President Obama continues to bolster Harris and influence the Democratic Party.
Bloomberg News: Harris has hired Obama’s advisers to strengthen her campaign against Trump.

MINNESOTA FIRST LADY: Gwen Walz is making her presence felt in her husband’s national campaign. She introduced him at the Democratic convention, a new experience amid increased media attention, according to The Hill’s Caroline Vakil and Julia Manchester. Many Americans remain unfamiliar with the Walzes, as an AP-NORC poll revealed that 40% of respondents do not have enough knowledge about Tim Walz to form an opinion.

“Their role at conventions is to humanize the candidate, which is particularly compelling for Tim Walz, who presents himself as relatable,” said Debbie Walsh, director of the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University.

DROPOUT WATCH: Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is expected to suspend his third-party campaign this week, with an announcement anticipated Friday in Arizona regarding a “path forward” for his struggling White House bid. Trump is scheduled to campaign in Arizona on Friday and has indicated he would welcome Kennedy’s endorsement.

2024 Roundup:

Ahead of Trump’s planned tour of the Arizona border today, running mate Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) denied any quid pro quo with Kennedy regarding future roles in a potential Trump administration. Vance criticized a bipartisan Senate immigration reform bill blocked by GOP senators at Trump’s urging, stating, “It was a disaster. I would not have voted for it even if Donald Trump had told me to.” He claimed that Trump secured the southern border during his presidency, while Harris “opened it up.”
Trump held a rally in North Carolina on Wednesday, appearing behind bulletproof glass for the first time since being grazed by a bullet in Pennsylvania in July.
Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) used her convention speech to criticize Trump’s involvement in the January 6 attack.
An attorney for the Oath Keepers pleaded guilty to two charges related to the January 6 Capitol attack, implicating the group’s leader in a conspiracy.
The Trump Organization reportedly generates annual revenues exceeding $600 million, with a recent shift towards Florida’s southeast coast, where its golf and resort properties are now major income sources.
Harris's passionate supporters speculate about whether Beyoncé, whose song “Freedom” is the unofficial theme for the vice president’s campaign, will make an appearance at the convention and whether Taylor Swift might endorse her. Meanwhile, representatives for Beyoncé threatened legal action against the Trump campaign after an unauthorized use of “Freedom” on social media.
Democrats have launched an education platform combining long-standing priorities like universal pre-K and free community college while criticizing Republicans over Project 2025 and “private-school vouchers.”

WHERE AND WHEN

RIP: Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.) passed away Wednesday at the age of 87 after serving more than 27 years in the House.

The House and Senate will be in recess until after Labor Day.

President Biden is in Santa Ynez, California, with First Lady Jill Biden until Sunday. Biden will receive the President’s Daily Brief at 10 a.m.

Vice President Harris is in Chicago, where she will deliver her acceptance speech as the nominee for president at 10:45 p.m. EDT.

ECONOMY

JOB GROWTH: The U.S. economy added fewer jobs in 2023 and early 2024 than previously reported, revealing deeper issues in the labor market. The Labor Department announced that payroll figures overstated job growth by roughly 818,000 over the year ending in March, marking a 28% downward revision—the largest since 2009. This revelation may raise concerns that the Federal Reserve is lagging in its efforts to adjust interest rates, which have increased from near-zero in March 2022 to a range of 5.25% to 5.5% as of July 2023.

However, overall trends suggest job growth is slowing but not collapsing, with the unemployment rate rising while layoffs remain low, according to The Hill. “We’ve suspected that things were gradually shifting in the wrong direction,” stated Guy Berger, director of economic research for the Burning Glass Institute. “This largely confirms previous assessments of the labor market.”

NBC News: Over 28% of Americans are seeking new jobs—the highest rate in a decade.
The Wall Street Journal: As Generation X nears retirement, the economic realities remain daunting for this “forgotten generation” born between 1965 and 1980, who began their careers during significant shifts in the American workforce.

INTERNATIONAL

CEASE-FIRE TALKS: Biden and Harris spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, urging him to demonstrate more flexibility in reaching a hostage-release and cease-fire agreement in Gaza. A U.S. official indicated that Netanyahu’s “maximalist statements” are hindering progress.

Meanwhile, a Revolutionary Guard spokesperson noted that Iran's response to Israel could take time following the killing of a Hamas leader in Tehran on July 31, which Israel has not confirmed or denied.

The New York Times: Details on the latest U.S. proposal