🎯 Axios PM: "Folding all over"

Plus: Second-guessing GOP platform | Tuesday, July 09, 2024

Open in app View in browser   Presented By Amazon   Axios PM By Mike Allen · Jul 09, 2024 Good afternoon. Today's newsletter, edited by Sam Baker, is 487 words, a 2-min. read. Thanks to Sheryl Miller for copy editing.     1 big thing: Biden resistance despairs   President Biden attends a church service Sunday in Philadelphia. Photo: Joe Lamberti for The Washington Post via Getty Images Democrats are "folding all over the place," a House Democrat who's deeply skeptical of President Biden told Axios' Andrew Solender ahead of a caucus meeting today where members largely closed ranks around the president. "As someone who wanted the reckoning and is really disappointed that it's over, trust me: It's over." "Most of our caucus is still with him ... meaning he'll stay in," another House Democrat said. 👀 Behind the scenes: Just before House Democrats' "come-to-Jesus" meeting this morning on Biden's path forward, a smaller group of swing-district Democrats — one of the few steadfast blocs of Biden resistance — held their own despondent gathering. One shell-shocked lawmaker who was present at the meeting would offer only one word to characterize it: "Intense." Another described the mood as "pretty much unanimous" that Biden has "got to step down," adding, "There were actual tears from people, and not for Biden." Go deeper.     2. 🗳️ GOP divided over national abortion ban   Illustration: Maura Losch/Axios   Some Republicans are not happy about the RNC's decision to leave a national abortion ban off of the party platform for the first time in 40 years, Axios' Stef Kight reports. "The RNC platform is a profound disappointment to the millions of pro-life Republicans that have always looked to the Republican Party to stand for life," former Vice President Mike Pence said in a statement today. "It has a lot of potential to hurt us," Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) told Axios. 💬 "It's the one issue that could divide the Trump base from President Trump," Cramer said over text. "Right now Republicans have enthusiasm for our nominee when the Democrats clearly do not for theirs." "I was surprised because it's been such an important part of our party's platform and what we stand for," Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) told Axios. Go deeper.     A message from Amazon NOOMA uses Amazon to reach customers nationally     Cleveland-based energy drink company NOOMA turned to Amazon when it was looking to grow. NOOMA uses Amazon tools like Fulfillment by Amazon to help with shipping products. Even better: Fulfillment by Amazon costs 70% less on average than comparable two-day shipping options. See the impact.     3. Catch me up   A vehicle is left abandoned in floodwaters on a highway after Hurricane Beryl swept through the Houston area yesterday. Photo: Brandon Bell/Getty Images ⛈️ Beryl is set to bring wind, power outages and surge-related flooding with it as it moves inland from Texas, perhaps stretching into Missouri and the Ohio Valley. 🦾 The Washington Post launched a new AI chatbot that answers questions about climate with information pulled from Post articles. The Post plans to expand the tool to other topics. Go deeper. ⚖️ Jury selection has begun in Alec Baldwin's manslaughter trial. He could face up to 18 months in prison if he's convicted. Go deeper.     4. 📚 Literary road trip   A car in Mebane, N.C., prepares for the Ultimate McKay's Road Trip. Photo: Courtesy of Alison Carmona Rau Hundreds of people lined up before sunrise outside a used bookstore in Mebane, N.C., today to begin an epic road trip, Axios' Nate Rau and Michael Graff write. 🚙 McKay's, a treasured used bookstore and music shop in the South, is celebrating its 50th anniversary by offering up to $800 in store credit and swag to anyone who visits all five locations in North Carolina and Tennessee in one day. The crowds were so large in Mebane that the store said road-trip participants could skip it. Go deeper.     A message from Amazon "Selling in Amazon's store helped us expand our reach"     Lisa-Jae and Kammy used Amazon tools to take their local business national. "Amazon was a major turning point in our growth," they said. The impact: More than 60% of sales in Amazon's store come from independent sellers, most of which are small to medium-sized businesses. More info.   Are you a fan of this email format? Your essential communications — to staff, clients and other stakeholders — can have the same style. Axios HQ, a powerful platform, will help you do it.   Axios thanks our partners for supporting our newsletters. Sponsorship has no influence on editorial content. Advertise with us. Axios, 3100 Clarendon B‌lvd, Arlington VA 22201   You received this email because you signed up for newsletters from Axios. To stop receiving this newsletter, unsubscribe or manage your email preferences.   Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now to get Axios in your inbox.   Follow Axios on social media: