"Hot pickle summer" anyone?

But first: take a break from your curling iron — Check out what we Skimm’d for you today July 22, 2024 [Subscribe]( [Read in browser]( [daily_skimm] But first: [take a break from your curling iron]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [Update location]( or [View forecast]( Good morning. If you thought that we could go a weekend without breaking news, think again. This has been one of the most intense news cycles that I've experienced in my career. May we all salute [Wolf Blitzer](, who was merely trying to enjoy his brunch when the news came down. We're taking it all in stride, just like [Time Magazine](, and grabbing a [coconut piña colada](. Now let's get to it... — Marina Carver / Senior Editor / Brooklyn, NY What's Happening [U.S. President Joe Biden holds news conference at the 2024 NATO Summit on July 11, 2024 in Washington, DC] Politics It's Over: Biden Drops His 2024 Reelection Bid, Endorses VP Kamala Harris What's going on: President Biden announced he will [no longer seek reelection](, ending his campaign less than four months before Election Day. In a [letter posted yesterday]( on social media, Biden — who’s recovering from Covid — said his decision was in the “best interest of my party and the country.” He subsequently [endorsed VP Kamala Harris]( as the Democratic presidential nominee, calling on fellow Democrats to “come together and beat Trump.” The announcement marks the first time a US president has ended their reelection bid this late in the game. The last incumbent to make a similar move: [President Lyndon B. Johnson]( in 1968. What it means: Ever since his disastrous debate performance three weeks ago, Biden had made statements refusing to step down. But the pressure from [dozens of congressional Democrats]( and [Democratic megadonors]( to withdraw, as well as [new polling]( showing voters wanted him out, became too much for the 81-year-old president. Biden will fulfill the rest of his term and is expected to address the nation and provide more details about his decision later this week. In the meantime, many Democrats — from former Presidents Clinton and Obama to former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) — are [praising Biden’s move]( to end his campaign. That’s all as the Democratic Party grapples with how to move forward (more on that below). Related: [How Biden Landed at the Decision To Drop Out]( (Politico) Politics Democrats Enter a New Crisis: Replacing Biden at the Top of the Ticket What's going on: Could a former prosecutor go up against a convicted felon? The answer largely lies with the Democratic Party’s delegates. When President Biden ended his reelection bid, he released his [nearly 3,900]( “pledged” delegates — earned from the primary election cycle. Those delegates, who are now free agents, can do a couple of things: They can rally behind Biden’s endorsement of VP Kamala Harris (which could be the [most-likely outcome](), even though they are under no obligation to do so. Or, they can vote for another candidate, opening the door to an [open convention]( — a rare move in modern US politics and one that [Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez]( (D-NY) called “crazy.” If the Democratic Party can’t rally behind one candidate, then the party’s 700+ “[superdelegates](” would have to step in and vote until there’s a candidate who wins the majority. What it means: The clock is ticking for the Democratic Party to figure this out. The Democratic National Convention in Chicago is less than a month away, happening from Aug 19 to Aug 22. Before Biden dropped out of the race, the Democratic Party planned to approve the president’s nomination [ahead of the DNC.]( Now, it’s unclear how the party will proceed. Especially since there are a slew of potential candidates who could put their hat in the ring against Harris, complicating the process. Looking at you, [Sen. Joe Manchin (I-WV)](. On that note: Reuters reported that Harris’ campaign has been [trying to secure]( delegates’ support in efforts to seal the deal. Meanwhile, [The New York Times]( says it would be difficult for a candidate to seriously challenge Harris, as she’ll have access to the campaign’s tens of millions of dollars in cash reserves. Related: [The Money's Rolling In for Harris' Presidential Campaign]( (CNN) Politics The $96 Million Question: Can Kamala Win? What's going on: A [handful of polls]( conducted earlier this month appear to show VP Kamala Harris faring about the same as President Biden against former President Trump. For months, Biden has trailed behind Trump by a slim margin. The New York Times’ [national polling averages]( found Harris (who is two decades younger than the president) to have a slight edge — standing two percentage points behind Trump compared to Biden’s three. Harris made history in 2020 when she became the first woman, first Black American, and first South Asian American to serve as VP. Voters had [mixed feelings]( about yesterday's announcement, with some excited to back a woman for the presidency while others weren’t as confident in Harris’ ability to beat Trump. What it means: Biden’s endorsement could put Harris on a path toward becoming the nation’s first female president. [Top Democrats]( are already standing behind Harris, with many pointing to her record. As VP, Harris has been tasked with addressing the [root cause of migration]( from Latin America, [securing voting rights](, and [protecting the right to abortion]( nationally. But despite the political experience under her belt, endorsements, and access to campaign money, some political analysts warn that Americans [might not be ready]( for a female president. It also doesn’t help that she has struggled to clearly define a lane for herself as VP and has faced criticism for [her time as a prosecutor](. Meanwhile, Trump [isn’t convinced]( that Harris is a threat to his campaign. Related: [Kamala Harris’ Five Possible Running Mates]( (Newsweek) Quick Hits 💻 If your travel plans got hacked by the global IT outage, you may be entitled to a refund. [Here’s what you need to know](. --------------------------------------------------------------- 👟 Adidas stepped into controversy with its latest shoe ad [featuring Bella Hadid](. --------------------------------------------------------------- 🎤 The new Miss Kansas put the spotlight on domestic abuse. [Watch her emotional speech](. --------------------------------------------------------------- 🥒 “[Hot pickle summer](” has come and gone — [someone tell Selena Gomez](. --------------------------------------------------------------- 🇫🇷 Forget Emily, Team USA’s gymnasts are in Paris. [See the team photo](. Let's Unpack This Following President Biden’s announcement that he is exiting the race, we spoke with Julia Azari, a professor of political science at Marquette University, to ask: [ The White House] Where do the Democrats stand after this decision? It's been a chaotic few weeks for the party. The party is very focused on winning and sees Biden as no longer viable because of the June debate, and the weeks of negative news coverage. I’m not sure I would describe what’s happened as chaos so much as a long, messy period of coordination to try to prevent further chaos. And we don’t know what will happen next, but it looks like the party is closing ranks around Vice President Harris. What does this tell you about the state of our political system overall? I think it says the nomination process has made it too difficult to challenge incumbent presidents and is too presidency-centered in general. And presidential candidates are human, so we should expect that sometimes parties will need to act together to make decisions. Is it a risky move to replace the nominee so late in the game? All moves are risky, but this must have seemed like the less risky option. Polls showed alternatives [to Biden] performing better among people who disliked both Trump and Biden, for example. Could a Harris challenger win over the delegates? In theory, yes, but delegates tend to be the most loyal party players and are unlikely to stir the pot unless there’s a reason. Right now, we’re seeing all different corners of the party come out for Harris — moderates, progressives, and the Congressional Black Caucus. It looks like presenting a united front will be very important, though it’s early and, of course, this could change. PS: This interview was edited for length and clarity. [Julia Azari] Featured Expert Julia Azari Professor of Political Science, Marquette University Read more: - [A Look at Kamala Harris' Strengths and Vulnerabilities]( (Vox) - [Meanwhile, Here’s How RFK Jr. Feels About All This]( (AP) Thing to Know [Together with]( [LMNT]([rec drop theskimm would like to share a rec]( Electrolytes Minerals that help your muscles contract and balance the fluids in and outside your cells. In case you haven’t heard from sports drinks commercials, they’re a key part of hydration. Wanna get more in your life? [LMNT]( is formulated with a science-backed ratio of electrolytes and can be easily mixed into any beverage, so you stay hydrated all day long. It’s also gluten-free, paleo-, keto-, and vegan-friendly, and skips the ingredient most sports drinks don’t — sugar. Rumor has it their new LMNT Sparkling is just as good. Oh, and Skimm’rs [get a free sample pack]( with any purchase. Drink up. Skimm Picks Here are today’s recs to help you live a smarter life… Hate to break it to you, but summer won't last forever. [Here's how to enjoy]( every last bit of Caesar salad-and-french fries season. --------------------------------------------------------------- Speaking of making the most out of summer...[grab these trendy swimsuits]( while you still can. --------------------------------------------------------------- And if you have travel plans on the horizon, [here's what to pack](. Psst…love our recs? Follow [@skimmshopping]( on Instagram for more products, gifts, and services that are actually worth the hype (and the price tag). On Our Radar Get your berets and croissants ready because the must-see event of the summer is around the corner. [The Paris Olympics]( kick off Friday in a first-of-its-kind Opening Ceremony. [Watch on NBC and Peacock]( at [7:30/6:30c](.* Extra Credit [Salmon with basil sauce and tomato salad] Eat Come summer, we’re all about easy, breezy dinners we can throw together — ideally, in one bowl. (Actually, that’s what we’re always looking for, but we digress.) Which is why we’re recommending [Pinch of Yum’s Salmon with Basil Sauce and Tomato Salad](. The low-effort, high-reward dish features spiced salmon, fluffy rice, and a simple tomato salad — all of which is smothered in a creamy basil sauce that’s so good, you’ll want to put it on everything. So go ahead, make a second batch, and thank us later. For more recs... Check out the Daily Skimm Weekend newsletter, in your inbox every Saturday and Sunday. We'll help you spend your leisure time well. Tell Us [ US Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at a moderated conversation with former Trump administration national security official Olivia Troye and former Republican voter Amanda Stratton on July 17, 2024 in Kalamazoo, Michigan.] Do you think VP Kamala Harris can beat Trump at this point in the campaign? [Yes, just get her on the debate stage]( [No, she doesn’t stand a chance]( [Honestly, I’m not sure]( Game Time [Flipart puzzmo game]( Wake your brain up this Monday with a game of [Flipart](. Just rotate the pieces to fit within the frame and get ready to feel the rush when they all fall into place. [Get into it](. Meet Us On The Leaderboard [Flipart]( | [Spelltower]( | [Crossword]( | [Typeshift]( | [Pile-Up Poker]( Skimm Well [brat girl summer]( Honestly, same — but there’s something else that can help: the Skimm Well newsletter. When you sign up, you’ll get expert-backed advice and info in your inbox every week, so you can take control of your mental and physical health. [Subscribe now]( Skimm'd by: Chantal Vaca, Molly Longman, Marina Carver, and Maria del Carmen Corpus. Fact-checked by Sara Tardiff. --------------------------------------------------------------- Photos Kevin Dietsch, Jakub Porzyck, and Chris duMond by Getty Images, Brand Partners, Pinch of Yum Design by theSkimm --------------------------------------------------------------- *PS: This is a sponsored post. Want to wake up with us every morning? [Subscribe to all theSkimm has to offer](. --------------------------------------------------------------- [Instagram Icon]( [Tik Tok Icon]( [Linkedin Logo]( [Twitter icon]( [Facebook icon]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Skimm'd something we missed? skimmthis@theSkimm.com Issues? 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