The Lede
Reporting and commentary on what you need to know today.
Do Celebrity Presidential Endorsements Matter?
It’s hard to empirically determine whether they drive voters to the polls. But they might have less measurable effects.
Kamala Harris’s Political Calculus Takes Shape in First Major Interview
The Vice-President and her advisers clearly believe that being accused of flip-flopping is a lesser threat to her campaign than being cast as too radical.
Kamala Harris’s Gamble
Four years ago, the Democrats made big promises to address racial and economic injustice. Will voters remember?
How Arizona’s Maricopa County Became the Battleground for Election Conspiracies
The contest for an obscure political office partly responsible for administering elections has become the race behind the race, with stakes that could determine the Presidency.
The Election-Interference Merry-Go-Round
Claims and counterclaims of “election interference” are ubiquitous these days. What does the term actually mean?
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Steps Aside for Donald Trump
As Kennedy’s 2024 election campaign collapses, he has embraced a new role as the former President’s latest ally.
Can Kamala Harris Keep Up the Excitement Through Election Day?
At the Democratic National Convention, the sense of relief was as overwhelming as the general euphoria—but the campaign against Donald Trump has only just begun.
Kamala Harris’s “Freedom” Campaign
Democrats’ years-long efforts to reclaim the word are cresting in this year’s Presidential race.
The Democratic Party Rebrands Itself Before Viewers’ Eyes
With Kamala Harris preparing to take the spotlight at the D.N.C., Party factions seek to project unity and joy.
Can Kamala Harris’s Campaign Solve the Latino Turnout Problem?
For decades, Democrats have struggled to motivate communities that could guarantee them victories. Harris may have the best shot yet.