Axios

A few Senate Democrats are rumored to be in the running for top posts under a potential Harris administration, with the party bracing for a reshuffled Cabinet, Axios has learned.

Why it matters: The makeup of her potential cabinet presents Vice President Kamala Harris with the chance to immediately differentiate herself from President Biden's White House.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) is on top of the fundraising game, Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) is zipping across the country for events and Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) is doubling down on his own re-election in a surprisingly tough race.

Why it matters: The senators vying to replace Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) as GOP leader are packing their August recess with campaign travel and fundraisers as they jockey for votes from current and prospective colleagues.

Since the start of the year, there have been $723 million worth of campaign ad buys for just three Senate races: in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Montana, according to AdImpact data.

Why it matters: A fierce battle for control of the Senate is fueling the expected record-breaking ad spending this election cycle. The investment so far points to the races both parties deem most critical for the majority.

President Biden's first interview since announcing he wouldn't seek re-election will air Sunday morning, CBS News announced Wednesday.

The big picture: Biden said in his sit down with CBS News chief election and campaign correspondent Robert Costa that he's "not confident" in a peaceful transfer of power if former President Trump loses the election.

The number of women getting abortions in the U.S. continued to climb in early 2024, surpassing the number of abortions performed before Roe v. Wade was overturned, according to a national report released Wednesday.

The big picture: The increase is partly driven by access to abortions via telehealth, which allows patients to circumvent state laws banning the procedure, according to a quarterly #WeCount report from the Society of Family Planning nonprofit.

Former President Trump and his running mate turned their attacks toward Vice President Kamala Harris' newly announced No. 2, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Wednesday, accusing him of abandoning his unit deploying to Iraq and misrepresenting his service record.

Why it matters: Walz served two decades plus in the Army National Guard before retiring in 2005 having achieved the rank of command sergeant major, one of the highest ranks an enlisted soldier can achieve. He became the highest-ranking enlisted soldier to serve in Congress.

Even before Vice President Kamala Harris officially picked Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate, social media was replete with memes hailing him as "everyone's Midwestern dad."

Why it matters: The internet's embrace of Walz's affable nature and everyman appeal further highlights the contrast between the Republican and Democratic tickets in the 2024 race when it comes to appealing to young voters.

Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris' campaign raised $36 million in the first 24 hours after naming Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate, the campaign told Axios.

Why it matters: The campaign is building on the quick momentum that erupted after the vice president announced her candidacy.

Some Democrats pushed Kamala Harris to pick Gov. Tim Walz over Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro because of worries about Shapiro's positions on the Israel-Hamas war. But Walz's pro-Israel stances are largely similar to those of other Democrats.

The big picture: Walz, like the Biden-Harris administration, has sought to thread the needle when discussing the conflict.

Loraine Pellegrino pleaded to a misdemeanor charge in the Arizona fake electors case, making her the first of the 11 electors for former President Trump to make a deal with the state Attorney General's Office.

The big picture: Pellegrino pleaded to one misdemeanor charge of filing a false instrument.

Investors are sure to differ on the economic policies and record of Tim Walz, the Minnesota governor whom Kamala Harris yesterday picked as her running mate.

But here's something on which everyone can agree: Walz isn't going to be talking his portfolio.

In tapping Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate, Kamala Harris added to the ticket a staunch supporter of reproductive rights who has expanded access to abortion in Minnesota — and who has a personal story with in vitro fertilization.

Why it matters: Democrats plan to make reproductive rights a top issue again this year after their 2022 successes up and down the ballot.

Former President Trump told "Fox & Friends" Wednesday that he "could not be more thrilled" that Vice President Kamala Harris chose Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to be her running mate.

Why it matters: Trump's reaction to Walz joining the Democratic ticket echoes a chorus of other Republicans who have sought to define the Minnesota governor as ultra-liberal.

Bob Woodward will be out Oct. 15 with "War," telling the "behind-the-scenes story of three wars: Ukraine, the Middle East, and the struggle for the American Presidency."

Why it matters: It was widely known in Washington that Woodward was working on a pre-election book, but details were secret. White House officials spotted the 81-year-old icon strolling into the West Wing, and wondered what he was up to. Now they know.

If she wins, Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to name a Cabinet and West Wing that are younger than President Biden's, with more people of color, sources close to her tell us.

Why it matters: Biden took a comfort-food approach to staff, so a second term could've looked like a rerun. Despite her risk aversion, Harris — while turning to plenty of familiar names — will also add some powerful new characters to Washington's cast.

Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.), a prominent member of the progressive "Squad," was defeated in her Democratic primary on Tuesday by local prosecutor Wesley Bell, according to the AP.

Why it matters: Bush is the second member of the "Squad" to lose a primary this cycle, after Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) was defeated in June.

Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) said Tuesday that the FBI confiscated his phone as part of a probe related to discrepancies with his campaign finance report.

Why it matters: The Tennessee Republican is facing an Federal Election Commission investigation into questions surrounding adjustments made to filings that previously stated he made a $320,000 loan to his campaign.

Despite the viral cable hits that catapulted him to being named Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate, Gov. Tim Walz is a genuine unknown for most Americans.

Why it matters: 70% of registered voters have no opinion of Walz or have never heard of him, according to new NPR/Marist polling.