Staff Reports
Last Call – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
Another pollster shows Democratic nominee Kamala Harris with an edge over Republican former President Donald Trump.
The latest SoCal Strategies national poll, released a day into the Democratic National Convention, shows the Vice President with a two-point lead among registered voters (49%-47%) and likely voters (50%-48%) nationwide.
The SoCal Strategies poll, sponsored by On Point and Red Eagle Politics, was conducted on Aug. 18 using the Pollfish online panel, which uses partner apps to contact respondents through random digital engagement. Respondents are asked a screening question about whether or not they are registered to vote; if not, the survey ends.
The poll found that Harris was faring exceptionally well among women and Black voters, two blocs that preferred her by double digits — 56%-42% and 79%-17%, respectively. Trump’s strongest demographic is White voters, who prefer him by 9% — down from 13% last election — although he wins voters who say immigration is their top issue by 67%.
Interestingly, SoCal Strategies says there may be evidence of “Silent Harris Voters.” According to the pollster, voters who say they aren’t comfortable sharing their vote with others back Kamala Harris by 22%.
Evening Reads
—“Is Donald Trump on tilt?” via Nate Silver of the Silver Bulletin
—“The 33 wildest lines from Trump’s Pennsylvania speech” via Chris Cillizza of So What
—”Husband, zaddy, first gentleman? The evolution of Doug Emhoff.” via Anna North of Vox
—“Top Kamala Harris adviser says Sun Belt’s back in play” via Erin Doherty of Axios
—“Jason Isbell, Camo Hats, and the DNC: The Democrats finally embrace Country music” via Marissa R. Moss of Rolling Stone
—“Beyond restoring Roe: Democrats see moment to ‘re-imagine’ abortion rights” via Elizabeth Dias and Lisa Lerer of The New York Times
—“Harris is starting to rebuild the Joe Biden coalition” via Mary Radcliffe of FiveThirtyEight
—”Barack and Michelle Obama look to add a flavor of 2008 to Harris’s bid” via Dan Balz of The Washington Post
—“Democratic power broker directs $1 million to Ron DeSantis PAC” via Jeffrey Schweers of the Orlando Sentinel
—”Woman accuses Yvette Benarroch of shoving her at early voting location” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics
—”Mail voting craters in Florida, early in-person voting rises and turnout low for today’s Primary” via Steve Lemongello of the Orlando Sentinel
—“Voter turnout in Pinellas not on pace to exceed 2020 Primary” via Janelle Irwin Taylor of Florida Politics
Quote of the Day
“We always want the number to be higher, and certainly in November, it’ll be much higher.”
— Secretary of State Cord Byrd, on voter turnout.
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.
If you’re looking for a new set of wheels, St. Johns County is the place to be this weekend. Order yourself a Quarter Miler and get ready to walk the lot at Great Expectations’ government auction.
Secretary Cord Byrd gets a Millions — we just won’t know how many until the polls close — it was already two and change heading into Election Day, though.
We’re not saying she’s guilty, but Yvette Benarroch gets a Calm Down Janet for allegedly pushing a woman who was voting early at the Collier County Public Library Headquarters.
Breakthrough Insights
Tune In
Florida Little League team tries to keep title hopes alive
The team representing Florida in the Little League World Series plays to stay alive in the tournament this evening.
The Lake Mary team faces a Staten Island, New York, team, and both teams face elimination (7 p.m. ET, ESPN).
Lake Mary, the Southeast regional champions, won its first two games in the LLWS, beating the Midwest champs 2-1 and the Northeast champions 6-1. But a 4-1 loss to the Southwest champion on Monday forced Lake Mary into the elimination bracket.
No team from Florida has won the Little League World Series championship. To advance to the championship round, Lake Mary must beat Staten Island and win three more games without a loss to face the international champions, who are concurrently playing their side of the tournament.
American teams have won the last five championships, including last season when a team from El Segundo, California. Won the title. Before that, four of the previous five titles had been won by international teams, three of them by teams from Tokyo.
Taiwan has won 17 Little League World Series Championships, Japan has won 11, and Southern California has won seven titles, the most of any state (or state region) in the event’s history.
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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.
