Last Call for 7.11.24 — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics

Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.

First Shot

Another major poll shows President Joe Biden and predecessor Donald Trump locked in a tie despite calls for the incumbent to step aside following a disastrous performance in last month’s debate.

The ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll shows that both presumptive nominees have 46% support among registered voters, with Trump taking a one-point edge among all Americans, 47%-46%. The margin is virtually unchanged from pre-debate polling.

But the belief that Biden is too old to continue serving as Commander in Chief is growing. A full two-thirds of those polled (67%) believe Biden should step aside and let someone else run rather than continue his presidential campaign. Just 30% believe he should continue his campaign.

If the President were to call it quits, Vice President Kamala Harris would be the most common pick for his replacement at 29%, with California Gov. Gavin Newsom in a distant No. 2.

There are significant concerns about Trump’s age as well — nearly three-fifths of Americans (58%) say both candidates are too old to serve, and an additional 2% say only Trump is too old. Half the respondents say Trump should end his campaign and allow a younger Republican to take his place while 47% believe he should stay in the race.

On Inauguration Day, Trump would be 78 years old, and Biden would be 82.

The poll also found views on Trump’s first term have grown warmer during his time away from office, with 43% holding a favorable view of his job performance. By contrast, 36% of Americans say Biden is doing a good job as President.

Biden does well in a few metrics. He leads on trustworthiness 39%-22%, protecting democracy 41%-36%, better reflecting respondents’ individual values 36%-31%, and understanding the problems respondents face 34%-32%.

Still, Trump holds a massive lead in perceptions of mental and physical capability to handle the job at 44%-14% and 44%-13%, respectively.

Evening Reads

—”The Joe Biden campaign theory of the case” via Karen Tumulty of The Washington Post

—“Conservatives see a conspiracy around Biden’s stumbles” via Ian Ward of POLITICO Magazine

—“Some Biden advisers are discussing how to convince him to step aside” via Michael S. Schmidt, Katie Rogers and Peter Baker of The New York Times

—“Milder inflation opens door wider to September cut” via Sam Goldfarb and Nick Timiraos of The Wall Street Journal

—“Florida could legalize marijuana, but people arrested still face tough road” via Romy Ellenbogen and Ivy Nyayieka of the Tampa Bay Times

—“Hemp grower gives $100,000 to Ron DeSantis PAC after veto of anti-hemp bill” via Jeffrey Schweers of the Orlando Sentinel

—“As suspended State Attorneys fight to win their jobs back, litigation continues” via Mitch Perry of the Florida Phoenix

—“Besides hurricanes, droughts, freezes and floods have impacted Florida” via Cheryl McCloud of USA Today

—“Jared Moskowitz endorses, then un-endorses, Republican School Board member Torey Alston” via Anthony Man of the Sun Sentinel

—“In a first, sea rise kills off a Florida Keys species. Scientists fear it won’t be the last” via Alex Harris of the Miami Herald

Quote of the Day

“We are living in perilous times where a culture war is the flavor of the day, and art has become politicized and partisan.” 

— Rep. LaVon Bracy Davis, on DeSantis’ arts funding vetoes.

Put It on the Tab

Look to your left, then look to your right. If you see one of these people at your happy hour haunt, flag down the bartender and put one of these on your tab. Recipes included, just in case the Cocktail Codex fell into the well.

Maybe a This Is It will help Biden prepare for his high-stakes solo news conference. Or maybe not. The recipe only has 1.8 stars, meaning only 36% of drinkers approve.

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio’s chances in the Veepstakes probably didn’t take a hit, but he still gets a Double Trouble now that the DNC is trotting out his anti-abortion record.

Former Rep. Joe Saunders and his aunt-slash-opponent Maureen Saunders Scott probably won’t share cocktails now that the courts are involved. On the off chance they reconcile, there’s A Drink for Every Family Dysfunction. 

Breakthrough Insights

Tune In

Copa América Final kicks off Sunday in Miami

The biggest soccer tournament of the year in the Americas concludes Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami with the finals of the Copa America between Colombia and Argentina (8 p.m. ET, Fox).

The tournament was dominated domestically by the failure of the United States to advance past the group stage, leading to head coach Gregg Burhalter’s firing. 

Colombia is unbeaten in 20 straight international games, the longest streak in the national team’s history. 

Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, is the top-ranked team in the FIFA World Rankings and the defending World Cup champions. Argentina has won 15 Copa America titles, tied with Uruguay for the most in history. A win on Sunday would set Argentina atop the all-time list in the tournament. An Argentina win would give Messi his 44th career trophy, a record.

American fans may remember Colombia’s 5-1 dismantling of the USMNT in a warm-up match before the tournament. Colombia has won one Copa America in history, but this may be the best team the country has ever produced.

Outside of World Cup Qualifying, which the USMNT is excluded from as a host country, this is the biggest tournament until the World Cup in 2026.

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Last Call is published by Peter Schorsch, assembled and edited by Phil Ammann and Drew Wilson, with contributions from the staff of Florida Politics.