Why I *won’t* tell you what you want to hear

CHRIS CRUCIAL: It’s the Blue Wall, stupid
PLUS: Governor Katie Porter?

Yes, that would be the narrowest electoral margin since George W. Bush beat Al Gore 271-268 but it would still be a win for Harris.

Now, here’s the thing: If Harris loses just ONE of those Blue Wall states, her path gets much, much harder. Let’s say she comes up short in Wisconsin, which has 10 electoral votes — the least of the Blue Wall trio.

CNN gets it half right
On paywalls.

And THAT is where I think CNN hasn’t totally figured it out just yet. As in: What, specifically, do people get for becoming paid subscribers. Here’s the official CNN line via digital head Alex MacCallum:

In addition to unlimited access to CNN.com’s articles, subscribers will receive benefits like exclusive election features, original documentaries, a curated daily selection of our most distinctive journalism, and fewer digital ads.

The Morning: The big debate moment that wasn’t
On the ‘democracy’ argument

Personally, I think it is pretty damn close to disqualifying to not be able to say that Joe Biden won and Donald Trump lost in 2020. I think our democracy came under real threat in the wake of the 2020 election and, if Mike Pence had caved to the pressure he was under, we could have seen the results of a free and fair election overturned.

But, putting on my hat as a political analyst, I have to say that my view is simply not shared by voters who haven’t made up their mind about the 2024 election.

The issues those voters care about most — according to poll after poll — are the economy, abortion and immigration. “Democracy” is usually much further down the list.