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AOC slams Dem convention for not being more sympathetic to anti-Israel agitators

AOC slams Dem convention for not being more sympathetic to anti-Israel agitators

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez took a shot at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) speaking line-up two days after her speech there in Chicago. Ocasio-Cortez urged the Democratic Party to change course on their response to the Israel-Hamas conflict as agitators continue to gather outside their convention. The Democratic representative from New York is urging her party to “center” Palestinians at the DNC in Chicago this week in an effort to affirm “shared humanity” on both sides of the ongoing conflict. “Just as we must honor the humanity of [Israelis taken hostage], so too must we center the humanity of the 40,000 Palestinians killed under Israeli bombardment,” Ocasio-Cortez said via social media on Wednesday. “To deny that story is to participate in the dehumanization of Palestinians.” ANTI-ISRAEL DEMONSTRATIONS CONTINUE NEAR DNC FOR 3RD NIGHT AS CROWDS GATHER IN LARGER NUMBERS “The [Democratic Party] must change course and affirm our shared humanity,” she added. Ocasio-Cortez made the comment in response to author Ta-Nehisi Coates’ observation that no Palestinian Americans were set to address the convention. The Biden administration and wider Democratic Party have done their best to ignore a growing left-wing contingent unsatisfied and often outraged with the nation’s continued support of Israel in its war on Hamas following the Oct. 7 attacks. DEMONSTRATORS SHOUT ‘F— YOU’ AT POLICE, MORE THAN 70 ARRESTED ON 2ND NIGHT OF DNC Thousands of protesters descended on Chicago this week to rail against the Biden administration’s handling of the war in the Middle East and its support of Israel after Hamas’ attack on the nation last year. Anti-Israel demonstrations continued for a third straight night as the DNC proceeded just miles away at the United Center arena. Protesters, many decked out in keffiyehs, assembled in significantly larger numbers than Tuesday, marching down Maypole Avenue along Park 578 waving flags and banners, including a massive one that read, “Biden, Harris You Will See! Palestine Will Be Free!” along with “End U.S. Aid To Israel” and “Stop Genocide.” Chicago police confirmed Wednesday that 56 protesters were arrested the previous day after violent clashes with police. The confrontation happened outside a building housing the Israeli Consulate about two miles from the United Center. Chicago police said one person was charged with a felony for resisting an officer. Nine others were charged with misdemeanors, including disorderly conduct, resisting a police officer, battery, assault and criminal damage to property, police said.  Thirty of the people detained by police were issued citations for disorderly conduct. Fox News Digital’s Michael Ruiz, Bradford Betz and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Progressive leader urges Harris to wait on government health care push

Progressive leader urges Harris to wait on government health care push

The leader of a progressive group said Medicare for All – previously understood as a top priority for those on the left wing of the Democratic Party and advocated for by then-Sen. Kamala Harris in her brief 2020 presidential run – can wait.  “There’s a time and place for every policy,” Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC) co-founder Adam Green told Fox News Digital.  The PCCC supports a slate of left-wing Democrat candidates, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., who have established reputations as progressive champions. BIDEN-HARRIS HHS SECRETARY SIDESTEPS BACKING ANY LIMIT ON LATE-TERM ABORTION According to the organization’s website, it fights “on democracy issues and for economic populist priorities like expanding Social Security, Medicare For All, a Green New Deal, student debt cancelation, and Wall Street reform.” But Green said these policies don’t need to be the top priority for Vice President Harris and Democrats. NEWSOM DODGES QUESTION ON HARRIS PRICE CONTROLS: ‘SHE HASN’T PUT OUT THE DETAILS’ A Harris campaign official confirmed to Fox News Digital that she will not be advocating for Medicare for All or single-payer health care despite doing so in 2020 when she ran for president. This comes as she continues to reverse previously held policy positions, such as her support for a ban on fracking. HARRIS DODGING FLIP-FLOP ATTACKS AS FACELESS SURROGATES FLIP KEY POSITIONS: ‘PLAYING POLITICS’ “We stand two votes away from things that will revolutionize people’s lives in a good way in terms of helping them raise their kids, helping them care for an elderly parent. Why wouldn’t we focus on those things first – getting this final vote before going back to square one with other stuff, including Medicare for All, which I support?” Green said. He said that among progressives, who have long supported these sweeping policy reforms, “There’s not really a clamor” for her to pursue them just yet. SEN MARK KELLY RESPONDS TO QUESTION ON SERVING IN POTENTIAL HARRIS CABINET The PCCC co-founder referenced moderate Sens. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., and Joe Manchin, I-W.Va., both former Democrats, and their stances against doing away with the current filibuster to allow Democrats to pass controversial legislation on elections and abortion that were key priorities. “Let’s start with that first is the attitude of most Democratic voters and Americans,” Green said, explaining that voters want Democrats to have enough progressive lawmakers in the Senate to avoid a similar scenario. “We don’t need to really have politicians talking about other policies right now,” he added. “There’s a time and place for that.” Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.

Pelosi hypes up Biden at DNC after reportedly helping to orchestrate his ouster from the race

Pelosi hypes up Biden at DNC after reportedly helping to orchestrate his ouster from the race

Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., started her address on the third day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Wednesday by briefly praising President Biden – despite reportedly helping to orchestrate his exit from the presidential race.  “On Jan. 20, 2021, with the inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, we established one of the most successful presidencies of modern times,” Pelosi said. “And we quickly proved that Democrats deliver – millions of jobs, stronger infrastructure and rural broadband.”  “A Biden child tax credit, rescuing human pensions, honoring our veterans, bold climate action, lowering the cost of prescription drugs all thanks to President Biden’s patriotic vision of a fairer America. Doing so with liberty and justice for all,” she said before adding, “Thank you, Joe.”  Pelosi then shifted from the current president and championed Vice President Kamala Harris for “quickly securing the nomination with dignity and grace.”  JAKE TAPPER RETREATS AFTER PELOSI PUSHES BACK ON QUESTIONS ABOUT TENSION WITH BIDEN: THEY ‘MADE ME’ ASK Biden ended his re-election campaign on July 21 and immediately endorsed Harris’ presidential candidacy. This came after weeks of defections from Democratic lawmakers who implored him to withdraw from the presidential race following his rough performance in the Atlanta debate against the Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump. Despite some reporting that Pelosi had coordinated the effort to force Biden to drop out, Democrats at the convention – including Pelosi – have insisted that Biden was the one “who made the decision for the country.”  Harris secured enough delegates to become the presidential nominee on Aug. 1 during a virtual roll call conducted by the Democratic National Committee two weeks before the start of the party’s convention at the United Center in Chicago. Republicans, by contrast, did their roll call in person at their party’s convention in Milwaukee. “I know that Vice President Harris is ready to take us to new heights. I’ve known Kamala Harris for decades. Personally, I know her a person of deep faith, which is reflected in her community care and service,” Pelosi said Wednesday, before also championing Harris’ record on abortion. “Officially, she is a leader of strength and wisdom and eloquence on policy, most recently demonstrated fighting for a woman’s right to choose. Politically, she is astute and strategic, and winning difficult elections, quickly securing the nomination with dignity and grace, and choosing Tim Walz as our vice president.”  CRITICS CLAIM BIDEN REMAINS PRESIDENT ‘IN NAME ONLY’ DESPITE DNC VOW TO FINISH NEXT 5 MONTHS OF TERM STRONG As for Harris’ running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Pelosi said she had the honor of serving with him in Congress for 12 years.  “He united Democrats, Republicans and independents to turn a red district blue. He showed courage when he came to Congress and voting for the Affordable Care Act, meeting the needs of his constituents despite Republicans’ lies and misrepresentation,” Pelosi said. “When he went home, won the election, he returned to Congress. He fought for our America’s heroes as the Democratic leader of the Veterans Affairs Committee. Thank you, Tim.”  Pelosi, who was serving as speaker of the House on Jan. 6, 2021, brought up the riot at the Capitol, decrying it as a “perilous moment for our democracy” and placed blame on Trump – though without mentioning the Republican presidential nominee by name.  Pelosi also called on the Democrats to “reject autocracy, choose democracy” by voting for Harris and Walz.  “Let us not forget who assaulted democracy on January 6. He did,” she said of Trump. “But let us not forget who saved democracy that day. We did. And thank God we had a Democratic House of Representatives then. We returned to the Capitol that very same night. We insisted on certifying the election results on the floors of the House and the Senate. And we demonstrated to America and to the world that American democracy prevailed.”  CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “The parable of January 6th reminds us that our democracy is only as strong as the courage and commitment of those entrusted with its care and we must choose leaders who believe in free and fair elections, who respect the peaceful transfer of power,” Pelosi said. “The choice couldn’t be clearer. Those leaders are Vice President Harris and Governor Walz.”  Fox News’ Alexander Hall contributed to this report. 

Dem lawmakers’ voting records with Biden-Harris in spotlight ahead of tight races

Dem lawmakers’ voting records with Biden-Harris in spotlight ahead of tight races

FIRST ON FOX: Eight vulnerable Democrats in tight political races are being taken to task for their voting records that are remarkably in line with President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.  Sens. Bob Casey, D-Penn., Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., Jon Tester, D-Mont., Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., and Reps. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., and Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., are all being targeted by the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) in its latest round of ads.  The various videos feature Harris discussing the pressure Americans are feeling due to rising prices at a recent campaign rally in North Carolina, where she also unveiled her economic agenda.  NEWSOM DODGES QUESTION ON HARRIS PRICE CONTROLS: ‘SHE HASN’T PUT OUT THE DETAILS’ “The bills add up. Food, rent, gas, back to school clothes, prescription medications,” she is seen telling the crowd in the new ads.  The videos, which each feature a different Democrat and slam them for their significantly high percentage of votes in line with Biden and Harris, are part of a five-figure purchase and will appear on digital platforms.  In the 117th Congress, each of the lawmakers voted with the administration over 91% of the time, per FiveThirtyEight.  HARRIS DODGING FLIP-FLOP ATTACKS AS FACELESS SURROGATES FLIP KEY POSITIONS: ‘PLAYING POLITICS’ The NRSC’s ads further remind viewers of Harris’ current role as vice president in Biden’s administration, showing her touting “Bidenomics” in a separate clip.  “Senate Democrats partnered with Kamala Harris and Joe Biden to set the American economy on fire with massive spending bills that turbo charged inflation. They won’t be able to cover up their records rubber-stamping the Harris-Biden agenda has made everyday life unaffordable for Americans across the country,” said NRSC spokesman Philip Letsou in a statement.  SEN. MARK KELLY RESPONDS TO QUESTION ON SERVING IN POTENTIAL HARRIS CABINET Democrats are at a disadvantage with the 2024 Senate election map, as several incumbents in battleground and Republican states are in competitive races. Republicans, conversely, enjoy relatively good standing to win all of their incumbents’ re-election races.  GOP SENATORS KICK OFF TRUMP CAMPAIGN DNC COUNTER-PROGRAMMING: HARRIS ‘DOESN’T HAVE A CLUE’ There are three “toss-up” races, according to non-partisan political handicapper the Cook Political Report. These include match ups in Michigan, Ohio and Montana, which are all currently held by Democrats. Races in Pennsylvania, Nevada, Wisconsin and Arizona are rated as “Lean Democratic” and are each also currently held by senators in the Democratic caucus.  GOP SENATORS KICK OFF TRUMP CAMPAIGN DNC COUNTER-PROGRAMMING: HARRIS ‘DOESN’T HAVE A CLUE’ While the NRSC included an ad against Heinrich in its buy, the New Mexico senator’s race is still considered “Solid Democratic.” The new ads come as the Harris campaign appears to be demonstrating a separation between the vice president and the Biden administration, despite her serving alongside him the entire time.  The attacks against the vulnerable Democrats on their voting records with Biden and Harris, as well as the economy, also follow the recent unveiling of Harris’ controversial economic plan, which includes price-controls.  Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.

Oprah Winfrey makes surprise DNC appearance to rail against man she once considered running for office with

Oprah Winfrey makes surprise DNC appearance to rail against man she once considered running for office with

CHICAGO — Legendary talk show host Oprah Winfrey made a surprise appearance at the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday, when she slammed former President Trump and his vice president 24 years after she suggested he would make a good president. “We know all the old tricks and tropes that are designed to distract us from what actually matters,” Winfrey told the crowd at the United Center. “But we are beyond ridiculous tweets and lies and foolery. These are complicated times, people, and they require adult conversation. And I welcome those conversations because civilized debate is vital to democracy, and it is the best of America.” In another veiled shot at Trump, Winfrey said, “Now, there’s a certain candidate that says if we just go to the polls this one time, that we’ll never have to do it again. Well, you know what? You’re looking at a registered independent who’s proud to vote again and again and again because I’m an American. And that’s what Americans do. Voting is the best of America.” Winfrey also took aim at Trump’s running mate, Sen. JD Vance, who faced criticism over comments about “childless cat ladies.” AFTER OBAMAS GET PERSONAL AT DNC, TRUMP ASKS, ‘DO I STILL HAVE TO STICK TO POLICY?’ “When a house is on fire, we don’t ask about the homeowners’ race or religion,” Winfrey said. “We don’t wonder who their partner is or how they voted no. We just try to do the best we can to save them. And if the place happens to belong to a childless cat lady. Well, we try to get that cat out too. Cause we are a country of people who work hard for the money. We wish our brothers and sisters well. And we pray for peace.” Shortly after Winfrey criticized him, the Trump campaign posted a thank-you letter Winfrey wrote in 2000 suggesting that he would be a good president. CNN COMMENTATOR SCORCHES DEMS BLAMING TRUMP AT DNC: ‘SHE’S IN THE WHITE HOUSE RIGHT NOW’ “Too bad we’re not running for office,” Winfrey wrote. “What a team!” “I might have thought it back then,” Winfrey said in a 2023 interview. “I might have thought it 23 years ago.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Oprah told the crowd in Chicago that she is “telling the truth” when she says “values and character matter.” “Most of all,” Winfrey said, “in leadership and in life, you know, this is true, that decency and respect are on the ballot in 2024. And, and just plain common sense over loyalty to any individual.”