VP Kamala Harris says she is “ready to serve.”

We Did It, Joe

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VP Kamala Harris says she is “ready to serve.”

Did someone ask?

The Wall Street Journal did. Two days before Robert Hur's bombshell report described 81-year-old President Biden as an “elderly man with a poor memory,” the WSJ asked Harris: Given voters’ concerns about Biden’s age (now about 86% of voters by one poll), does she have to convince voters she’s ready to serve if needed? Harris answered that she’s “ready to serve. There’s no question about that” and that everyone who sees her work “walks away fully aware of my capacity to lead.” It’s not the first time Harris has fielded a question about Biden’s age. Still, Harris's latest response comes as reports have put the future of the Democratic ticket front and center.

Does that mean the Dems are making backup plans? 

No. Democratic officials say there’s no serious talk of replacing Biden on the presidential ticket. Other Democrats have expressed concerns about Harris as a political liability, pointing to her low polling numbers and early struggles in her term as VP. For her part, Harris has defended Biden and called Hur’s report “gratuitous, inaccurate and inappropriate.” Biden has also defended himself against the report, saying “my memory is fine” and he’s “the most qualified person in this country” to be president. Meanwhile, other reports are looking at what a Plan B for Democrats would look like.

theSkimm

Until now, concerns about the leading presidential candidates’ ages have loomed over the race, as both have made a series of embarrassing public errors. Now, Hur’s report may have marked a turning point, cranking up the pressure on 81-year-old Biden and 77-year-old former President Trump to assuage voters’ concerns about their ability to lead.

Who’s looking for a new “Congressional Icon”...

Long Island, NY. Today, there will be a special election to replace the now-expelled George Santos. Democrat Tom Suozzi is looking to take back his old job and flip the seat back to blue as he runs against Republican Mazi Pilip. Polls show the two neck-and-neck as the House GOP works to expand its razor-thin, 219-212 majority. The stakes are high: In an embarrassing vote for House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) last week, Republicans failed to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas — to which former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said she cautioned Republicans not to bring something to the floor “unless you know you have the votes.” Republicans hope to try again to impeach Mayorkas, potentially as early as today.

Where there could be a breakthrough…

Dementia research. Yesterday, scientists published new research showing they've made progress in developing a blood test that can predict dementia risk. No, this is not a Theranos situation. Researchers used blood samples from over 50,000 healthy participants — more than 1,400 of whom developed dementia. With the help of artificial intelligence, the researchers analyzed the blood and found four proteins that could be predictive of dementia more than a decade before official diagnosis. In some cases, researchers detected dementia with an estimated 90% accuracy about 15 years before a patient was diagnosed. Experts reportedly say the blood test could help speed up new treatment options for patients.

Who's back on late-night TV...

Jon Stewart. Last night, Stewart returned to "The Daily Show" desk after leaving the program nearly a decade ago. The late-night host didn’t hold back and kept his promise of trying to break down the 2024 election. Surprise, surprise: Stewart took aim at both President Biden and former President Trump's ages, making it the focus of his monologue. He said both men are “stretching the limits of being able to handle the toughest job in the world.” There’s plenty more where that came from: Stewart will be hosting the show Monday nights to cover the election.

Where it’s gonna be brick…

New York and Boston.

Where the extensions are extending…

Clothes made with human hair. 

Who’ll have a chance to hand out some roses…

“The Golden Bachelorette.”

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