Axios

CHICAGO — Democrats are banking on Gov. Tim Walz's affable, everyman personality to shield against GOP attacks and even blowback over his own mistruths and exaggerations.

Why it matters: Republicans in Minnesota, where Walz has won two terms as governor, say his likability has long made it difficult to land attacks on "big blunders," including his response to looting and arson during some of the 2020 protests over the police killing of George Floyd.

Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appears likely to drop out of the 2024 presidential race, and he could formally announce the decision Friday in Arizona — a state famed for its independent voters.

Why it matters: If Kennedy exits the race, he's widely expected to endorse former President Trump, who is also hosting an event in Phoenix on Friday.

Within a week, the universities of Nebraska-Lincoln, Kentucky and North Carolina Charlotte announced they'd disband diversity and inclusion offices as students begin to return to campuses for the fall semester.

Why it matters: These are among the latest of dozens of universities to close such offices or institute other anti-DEI measures — often pushed to do so by state legislation.

Beneath Democrats' forceful show of unity around Vice President Kamala Harris in Chicago, a quiet struggle is playing out over her — and her party's — positions on thorny issues like immigration and Israel.

Why it matters: Multiple progressive lawmakers acknowledged to Axios that they are uncomfortable with how Democrats have tacked to the center and previewed a schism that will likely come into full view after Nov. 5.

If you didn't quite catch every state-specific song during the DNC's roll call vote last night — or if you just want to relieve one of the strangest DJ sets ever played — Axios has you covered.

• Here's a playlist of all the songs.
• The selections ranged from pretty straightforward — like the Alabama delegation choosing "Sweet Home Alabama" — to the inventive and surprising — most notably, Lil Jon performing a mashup of his songs "Turn Down for What" and "Get Low" on behalf of the Georgia delegation.

When it came time for each state to cast its vote during the ceremonial roll call at the Democratic National Convention Tuesday, each delegation did so to the tune (or tunes) of a special song.

Why it matters: Breaking with the tradition of a cut-and-dry roll call turned the procedure into an exuberant celebration that reflected the energy the Harris-Walz campaign has imbued the Democratic party with.

New data released on Wednesday pointed to a labor market that is weaker than initially thought: There were 818,000 fewer jobs added last year through early 2024, the Labor Department said.

Why it matters: The revisions are the first step in an annual process that updates jobs data based on more complete information. This year, they are the largest since 2009 and reveal a labor market that has cooled more drastically than previously known.

Longtime Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.) passed away on Wednesday at age 87, his office announced.

What they're saying: "It is with deep sadness that we announce that Bill Pascrell Jr., our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away this morning," Pascrell's office said in a post on X.

Vice President Harris' campaign brought in $204 million last month — four times more than the $48 million that former President Trump's campaign raised in the same span, new FEC filings show.

Why it matters: Harris' fundraising exploded in the weeks after she entered the 2024 race. Her cash edge gives her a cushion in the crucial final months of the campaign.

Democratic presidents spanning nearly five decades in office are using the Democratic National Convention stage to rally behind Vice President Kamala Harris as the face of the party's next era.

Why it matters: Jason Carter, representing his grandfather former President Jimmy Carter, former President Barack Obama and President Biden all tied Harris to the party's legacy in their DNC addresses this week, appealing to renewed Democratic unity after fractures were exposed before Biden left the race.

Gov. Tim Walz will take the biggest stage of his political career at the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday.

Why it matters: After he was tapped as Kamala Harris' vice presidential candidate just two weeks ago, 70% of voters had no impression of the Minnesota Democrat.

Vice President Kamala Harris is performing better or about the same as President Joe Biden among Latinos on how she'll tackle border security, according to a new Axios Vibes survey by The Harris Poll.

Why it matters: Attacks from former President Donald Trump on Harris' role in border security as a member of the Biden administration don't seem to have affected Harris among Latino voters so far.

Vice President Kamala Harris is getting a bigger boost from picking Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate than former President Trump has gotten from Ohio Sen. JD Vance, according to two new polls.

Why it matters: Running mates don't usually determine presidential elections, but this race has enough twists to test that norm.

CHICAGO — For Barack Obama, stopping Donald Trump is both political and personal.

Why it matters: In 2020 and now in 2024, Obama has been a quiet — but forceful — hand in determining the Democratic presidential nominee and assembling the campaign teams he believes are needed to keep Trump from the White House.

Fears that AI could drown the truth with fakery in this election cycle are receding, for now, in the face of a different reality: For now, AI imagery is just another meme style.

Why it matters: Yes, we're being flooded with crap, but it's recognizable crap — mostly being used with a wink, and only likely to fool the truly gullible.

CHICAGO — The magic of 2008 roared through the United Center on Night 2 of the Democratic National Convention, courtesy of the party's most beloved retirees: Barack and Michelle Obama.

Why it matters: The symbolism wasn't subtle. President Biden sees Vice President Kamala Harris as the heir to his administration. The Obamas see her as the heir to their movement.

Just over half of Gen Z has "very little" trust in the presidency, per new Gallup-Walton Family Foundation polling data.

Why it matters: The campaigns of Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Trump are both vying for the vote of a bloc largely skeptical of the three branches of government.

Former President Obama said that "America's ready for a new chapter" during his remarks at the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday and that "Kamala Harris is ready for the job."

Why it matters: Obama, still one of the most powerful voices in the Democratic Party, hailed President Biden's legacy before offering his unwavering support of Vice President Kamala Harris.

Former first lady Michelle Obama took aim at ex-President Trump in her DNC speech Tuesday as she said Vice President Kamala Harris is "one of the most qualified people ever to seek the office of the presidency."

Why it matters: In some of her boldest words ever on Trump, the former first lady said for years Trump "did everything in his power to try to make people fear us. See, his limited, narrow view of the world made him feel threatened by the existence of two hard-working and highly educated, successful people who happen to be Black."

Vice President Kamala Harris made a brief video appearance at the DNC from a Milwaukee rally after she officially accepted the Democratic Party's 2024 presidential nomination following roll call on Tuesday.

Why it matters: The simultaneous vision of two packed arenas comes as Harris has been weaponizing crowd sizes against former President Trump, to the frustration of her Republican presidential rival.

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) prevailed in his primary on Tuesday against former naval aviator Aaron Dimmock, dealing a blow to former Speaker Kevin McCarthy's (R-Calif.) revenge tour, AP projects.

Why it matters: Gaetz — who led the efforts to oust the former speaker from his leadership position — was a top target for McCarthy who aimed to take revenge against the eight lawmakers who voted to oust him last fall.

Bill Daley, a former White House chief of staff and Commerce secretary, attributes his power in the Democratic party to longevity, connections and knowing how the system works.

Why it matters: Daley, Chicago political royalty as the son and brother of mayors who ran the city for more than 40 years, has the ability to use this week at the Democratic National Convention to tap into his deep connections to help the Harris/Walz campaign.

Former Trump aide Stephanie Grisham alleged during a Democratic National Convention speech on Tuesday that ex-President Trump privately "mocks his supporters."

Why it matters: Grisham served as White House press secretary and communications director for the Republican presidential candidate, and as former first lady Melania Trump's chief of staff.

Gina Raimondo swung at Republican economic policies at Axios' reception at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Tuesday.

The big picture: The Secretary of Commerce, who spoke at the DNC a day earlier in her capacity as former governor of Rhode Island, said her success turning around her state's economy was done through a platform similar to that of Vice President Kamala Harris.

The prospect of a Robert F. Kennedy Jr. alliance with former President Trump suddenly looks much more real.

Why it matters: Trump told CNN he "probably" would give RFK a role in his administration if the independent candidate quits the 2024 race and endorses the Republican nominee.

CHICAGO — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz's own words are tripping him up as he transitions to the national stage. To close observers back home, his tendency to misspeak or make inaccurate or inconsistent public comments may sound familiar.

Why it matters: Walz's rise from a largely under-the-radar governor to a vice presidential candidate has put the Minnesota Democrat's record and statements under new, intensified scrutiny.