When the fact-checkers use the words "remarkably long and remarkably dishonest" to describe a speech, it's not hard to figure out who gave the speech these days.

We spent a week bemoaning "inflammatory rhetoric" - despite mounting evidence the 20-year would-be assassin wasn't motivated by the term "existential threat to democracy" (or anything like it) ... only to continue hearing the word "invasion" when we did have evidence such rhetoric drove a nut to slaughter innocent Walmart shoppers in El Paso in 2019.

I finally got around to watching "Hillbilly Elegy," and while I want to just enjoy how good the biopic was, I can't review it in a vacuum now that JD Vance is a known political commodity.

The GOP has its vice presidential nominee in JD Vance, he of the "Hillbilly Elegy" memoir and Netflix movie. It is really quizzical to note his grievances borne out in that book and film when coupled with the political party he chose to align with. I'll dive in on that, but there's a LOT of fact-checking to do, too. Chris Hayes and Lawrence O'Donnell did their part, too.

Meanwhile, the number of calls for President Biden to drop out keeps growing, as does the volume of whispers that he's actually considering it. Okay, sure, I'll speculate what'll come of it some more.

Of course, he's still publicly running for re-election and announced, earlier this week, his intention to bring reform to the Supreme Court - and the American people are behind him on that. Hear what I'd do to fix SCOTUS.

Tuesday's RNC highlights included a small (I mean SMALL) gathering of a handful of black GOP mayors comprising the near-entirety of the Black Republican Mayors Association and an ultra-cringey hip-hop video to a mostly-white arena of convention-goers.

On to discuss his covering of both - and the GOP's convention in general is Atlanta Voice editor-in-chief Donnell Suggs.

Then - hear me out - what if Trump's shooter was motivated by Alex Jones? I mean, it's not like Alex hasn't opined about it six months ago, and then again after the attempt in some pretty alarming tones. British journalists, incidentally, have it on good authority the shooter's yard rocked Trump signs. But remember, it's Democrats' fiery rhetoric. ;)

The selection of JD Vance to be Donald Trump's second running mate (why won't the first one do?) is a curious one. First, the obvious: Vance didn't care much for Trump before the insurrection and multiple indictments and convictions (but now all's well!), and said so publicly and privately on numerous occasions. I have a 'Game of Thrones' theory about this, though.

Then there's the Trump-appointed judge Aileen Cannon - who frankly ought to have recused herself (but who needs judicial ethics, right Clarence?) but didn't and instead has given a masterclass in judicial bootlicking. Eh it's just as well - let it be motivation for voters to do what has to be done.

President Joe Biden, meanwhile, sat down with Lester Holt for nearly half an hour and I've more to say to Lester than to Joe on this latest performance for uneasy Democratic voters and donors.

Finally, when do we talk about young, white, male nuts and their ability to purchase an AR-15 without a waiting period? Some Georgia Democrats are launching into that conversation. Finally!

In the aftermath of the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, there's a push to "dial down" the rhetoric, with many on the right (falsely) pointing to the labeling of Trump as an "existential threat to democracy" as inflamed rhetoric.

I call BS on that. It's a stated, verified (by action and history) fact, and any attempt to dislodge that statement from the conversation is an attempt to take away a valid and crucial point in a contentious race.

Joining me today to discuss the attempt, the media's response and any similarities we can draw from prior assassinations and attempts is author, sociology professor and teach, Congressional candidate Mal Hyman. Mal wrote "Burying the Lead; The Media and the JFK Assassination."

We also wander into the "Biden atop the ticket" debate, too.

So if Joe Biden's going to stay in the race, everything he does and says is going to be huper-scrutinized (not unusual, I suppose) on a level no President or presidential candidate has. The unfair part is that his opponent routinely gets away with saying the most jarring, often stupid or flat-out incoherent nonsense and we shrug because we're used to it.

That's on our journalists, frankly; and if they're not going to do it, then it's on us.

Anyhow, President Biden's command of foreign policy was on full display Thursday night (eek! approaching this bedtime!) and - despite two name mix-ups (they're actually quite common and meaning nothing) he gave a press conference performance that warrants praise. It also warrants comparison - because Donald Trump can't hold a candle to Joe on foreign policy. Period.

Polls seem to show there actually isn't much movement, post-debate, either. Are we, on the left, making more of this than necessary?

PS, someone needs to tell Eric Erickson that his fascination with Parkinson's diagnoses is off-base. Because, of course. Fine; I'l do it.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasi-Cortez submitted articles to impeach Supreme Court justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito - and instead of coming in with word salad in lieu of evidence, AOC brought a strong, cogent, and fact-laden missive. Take a listen.

Jay Bookman joined me to discuss his latest column where he throws his full support behind Kamala Harris ascending to the top of the Democratic Party ticket in November.

Stacey Abrams penned one, as well, but she's still ridin' with Biden. '

Here's the thing about hiatuses in the modern American political era we're in ... if you're a "daily show" that centers its discussion around politics and you take a week off here or there, you're going to potentially miss some big story.

Jon Stewart & 'The Daily Show' crew took last week off, and all they missed was the building anti-Joe-mentum right, center and left, so when Stewart & company returned this past Monday, their "top of the ropes" belly flop pile-on felt ... dated.

Then again, with recent developments, maybe not?

Hey, I want to do as Lawrence O'Donnell did and defend White House press secretary Karine Jean Pierre a bit. That dust-up with Ed O'Keefe from CBS News was really unnecessary and unbecoming of the press embeds. How do seasoned journalists not know about HIPAA?

That said, the President's doctor, Kevin O'Connor, did address why a Parkinson's expert visited the White House multiple times in recent years:" there are other people who seek medical advice & treatment at the White House, folks." I'm paraphrasing.

Finally, a listen-in on POTUS calling in to "Morning Joe," something 2016 Donald Trump did frequently.

Oh, wait; Leigh McGowan - aka "Politics Girl" believes we need to "pull it together like our allies."

The Sunday talk circuit seemed to indicate not many skeptical Democrats were convinced not to be by President Biden's Friday sit-down with George Stephanopoulos, but Senator Bernie Sanders seemed to have the right tone - focusing on (get this!) issues. Also, how does Bernie sound two decades younger than Joe? Yeesh.

As for Joe's sit down with George, I happen to believe he missed an opportunity silence his skeptics AND put pressure on Trump by having (I believe) the wrong "prepared answer" (God, I hope it was) to a question he and his staff should have prepared him for.

Jay Bookman's piece - "No Country for Old Men" - in the Georgia Recorder last Thursday is worthy of a read & review, too.

If I were a betting man (I'm not; I'm too poor), I'd wager that President Joe Biden won't be the Democratic party's nominee for President come November. Now how that happens is beyond me, but my gut tells me there's too much noise and momentum working against his steadfast resolve to stay in the race. His latest rationale - extensive early June travel and that he nearly fell asleep on the dais - doesn't help.

There's also dreadful polling for him, along with voices in the party either openly calling for him to step aside or at least pondering how (or if) Kamala Harris gets her chance to step up.

My congresswoman, Rep Nikema Williams, appeared on the 'Politically Georgia' podcast Tuesday and brought the "feisty" to the AJC's Greg Bluestein. He tweeted a leaked internal Georgia Democratic Party email written at her behest to have officials and politicians run media requests through their communications people so as to keep the message "on message." Hear some of the notable (and eyebrow-raising) tidbits from that exchange, as well as (much to Rep. Williams' chagrin) former Georgia Democratic Congresswoman Carolyn Bordeaux's AJC op/ed calling for President Biden to step aside so the party can defeat Trump in November.

Lastly, Atlanta's looking to hyper-tax owners of blighted properties. Good!