May 10, 2018

Tom Steyer's new impeachment ad hits Trump on Stormy Daniels

Tom Steyer in New York City. Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Tom Steyer is launching a 10-day, six-figure TV ad campaign tomorrow highlighting President Trump's inconsistencies on what happened with Stormy Daniels.

Why it matters: This is another attack against the president that Steyer can use in his impeachment campaign — which has 5.2 million signatures and includes 8 "impeachable offenses" — as a way to keep these issues in front of voters just six months out from the midterm election.

The ultimate goal of this ad: impeachment. "Mr. Trump can’t continue to break the law without consequences," said Kevin Mack, lead strategist at Need To Impeach. "Let’s hope Congress finally decides to do their jobs."

The problem: Democrats are divided on impeachment, and many are advising the party not to talk about it during the midterm election cycle.

Between the lines: Steyer hasn't said whether he'll run for president in 2020. But the expanding impeachment campaign (with town halls in Iowa and across the country) certainly wouldn't hurt his name recognition during an election in which Trump will actually be on the ballot — unlike the November election.

Go deeper

Axios
Updated 2 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

  1. Global: Total confirmed cases as of 4:30 p.m. ET: 21,295,429 — Total deaths: 767,714— Total recoveries: 13,295,750 — Map.
  2. U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 4:30 p.m. ET: 5,345,610 — Total deaths: 169,146 — Total recoveries: 1,796,326 — Total tests: 65,676,624 — Map.
  3. Health: The coronavirus-connected heart ailment that could lead to sudden death in athletes — Patients grow more open with their health data during pandemic — FDA issues emergency use authorization for Yale's saliva coronavirus test.
  4. Education: "Historic" laptop demand leads to shortages ahead of remote school — Why learning pods aren't a panacea for remote learning — The COVID-19 learning cliff.
  5. States: New York to reopen gyms, bowling alleys, museums.
  6. Podcasts: The rise of learning pods — Special ed under pressure — Not enough laptops — The loss of learning.
Go deeper (<1 min. read)Arrow
Kim Hart, Alison Snyder
22 mins ago - Politics & Policy

The COVID-19 learning cliff

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

Perhaps the most jarring reality of the COVID-19 pandemic for families has been the sudden and dramatic disruption to all levels of education, which is expected to have deep social and economic repercussions for years — if not decades — to come.

Why it matters: As millions of students are about to start the school year virtually, at least in part, experts fear students may fall off an educational cliff — missing key academic milestones, falling behind grade level and in some cases dropping out of the educational system altogether.

Go deeper (3 min. read)Arrow
Mike Allen
3 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Postal slowdown threatens election breakdown

In 24 hours, signs of a pre-election postal slowdown have moved from the shadows to the spotlight, with evidence emerging all over the country that this isn't a just a potential threat, but is happening before our eyes.

Why it matters: If you're the Trump administration, and you're in charge of the federal government, remember that a Pew poll published in April found the Postal Service was viewed favorably by 91% of Americans.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow