Kamala's first month as a presidential candidate before the Democratic convention has gone exceedingly well—she's been controlling the narrative, infuriating people like Ben Shapiro, and Trump can't get her pretty face out of his head. Meanwhile, Putin talks a big game, but Ukraine has surprised everyone with its incursion into Russia. Bill Kristol and Michael Weiss join Tim Miller.

Dan Pfeiffer piece Tim mentioned

A.B.'s piece Tim referenced

Michael's stories at The Insider

WSJ story referenced by Michael (for Journal subscribers)

Swapping out Biden for Kamala has been such a big mood boost that consumer confidence among Dems and independents is suddenly surging. Meanwhile, Trump keeps having Potemkin press conferences as a ploy to reclaim the narrative. Plus, Bond-style villains have made hating Project 2025 so easy, and the 'suckers and losers' guy again shows that he doesn't respect the troops. 

Brian Beutler joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.

Brian's piece on mass psychology

Tim's playlist

Two Democratic members of Congress who called on Biden to pass the torch join Tim Miller today. Both Rep. Dean Phillips and Rep. Mikie Sherrill said it was voters who told them they wanted the party to turn the page. 

Plus, more Tim Walz insights, and Vance's odd obsession with how females use their bodies throughout their lives.

The anti-MAGA world should keep going on right-wing media platforms, and maybe embarrass their hosts in the process—like Buttigieg on Fox, and Tim on Tomi Lahren's show. Plus, the direct line between Secret Service failures in Butler, PA and the Dallas book depository. And will the FBI ever be able to confirm if Trump took a $10 million bribe from Egypt? Brian Tyler Cohen and Carol Leonnig join Tim Miller.

Brian's new book, "Shameless: Republicans' Deliberate Dysfunction and the Battle to Preserve Democracy"

Carol's reporting on the $10 mil cash withdrawal from Egypt

Carol's book on the Secret Service, "Zero Fail"

Will Selber's piece on the Walz 'stolen valor' claims

John Kerry campaign vets on how to respond to the Walz swiftboating

Will Selber and Ben Parker video on the Walz 'stolen valor' claims

Trump may be holed up at Mar-a-Lago because he's afraid of another attempt on his life. Meanwhile, he keeps trying to take away Kamala's identity. Plus, the stunningly different way the media is handling hacked campaign docs in 2024, the threat from rando county clerks who may try to block the electoral vote count, and more from the mailbag. Amanda Carpenter joins Tim Miller.

Biden's departure from the race has put Trump in a real funk. He's in denial about Kamala's crowds, he's publicly pining the loss of his preferred rival, and he's doubling down on his helicopter story—and conflating two different black CA politicians in the process. Plus, filling in the gaps in Kamala's inner circle. Bill Kristol and Chris Cadelago join Tim Miller.

Cadelago's story on the other black politician who was in a helicopter with Trump that almost crashed

Cadelago's story on Kamala's 2020 staffing

Cadalago's story on tensions withing Kamala's campaign staff

Kamala is now the star of a story involving a woman called into duty at a moment of crisis with a sitcom dad as a running mate—and Trump can see the danger. Nate Silver joins Tim Miller to explain what his polling model is showing. Plus, the survivorship bias of Elon-world risk takers, and good, old gambling tips. Your weekend pod.

Nate's new book, "On the Edge The Art of Risking Everything," out Tuesday

Tim making the "conservative case" for Kamala

Tim's playlist 

Trump and his supporters don't like America as it currently exists, and their veep pick JD Vance is like the U.S.-hating Code Pink, but in a suit. 

Meanwhile, the Democrats have seized the patriotism mantle, à la the Republicans of the 80s. Plus, the sick, unhinged, and inaccurate attack on Tim Walz after his 24 years of service in the National Guard. 

Adam Kinzinger joins Tim Miller.

Kinzinger on the swiftboating of Walz

Kamala clapping back against some Gaza protesters on Wednesday 

Tim talks to a local Minnesota reporter to get the low-down on Tim Walz's recent political history, including where he falls on the progressive-to-moderate spectrum—as well as his weak spots from his tenure as governor, like the 2020 riots in Minneapolis. 

Plus, JD Vance, as a senator, has been texting with a Holocaust-denying far-right fringe character, but won't take calls from high-ranking Ukrainian officials. 

MinnPost's Peter Callaghan and the Washington Post's Isaac Stanley-Becker join Tim Miller.

Peter's story on how Walz beat the odds to become the VP pick

Isaac's story on Vance's texts with Charles Johnson

Tim's book, "Why We Did It" 

Tim Walz is a great foil for Kamala's West Coast vibe: He looks like he'll fix your car, then grab an Arby's sandwich before he goes duck hunting. And he's a perfect contrast to JD Vance, the callus-free faux hillbilly who went to Yale. Michael Steele weighs in on the veep pick. Then Rep. Adam Schiff joins Tim Miller to discuss decision to call on Biden to step aside, and "The Biggest Loser: Donald Trump."