Washington

Analysis | A banner 12 hours for the GOP and Trump

Published

4 months ago

June 28, 2024

Analysis | A banner 12 hours for the GOP and Trump

In the 10 o’clock Eastern hour Thursday night, a realization began to set in among Democrats: They were witnessing an event that significantly imperils their hold on the White House, in President Biden’s poor and often incoherent debate performance. In the 10 o’clock hour Friday morning came a pair of Supreme Court decisions that compounded their misery.

It was a banner 12 hours for the American political right, the likes of which we’ve rarely seen in recent years.

But how good was it for them — and bad for the left?

To recap, Biden’s debate performance immediately led to significant fretting on the left about his ability to carry the torch forward, even leading some to float replacing him on the ballot at August’s Democratic National Convention. That was followed by the Supreme Court on Friday morning: 1) delivering a significant setback to the government’s prosecutions of Donald Trump allies over the Jan. 6 insurrection, and 2) delivering conservatives a long-awaited win overturning crucial four-decade-old precedent in the Chevron vs. Natural Resources Defense Council case.

The final event might actually be the most significant and long-lasting. The Supreme Court overturned a 1984 precedent that said courts should largely defer to federal agency officials in interpreting laws. That sounds technical and obscure, but the ruling could be massive. It could severely hamper the ability of the government to do things like combat climate change and regulate big business, shrinking the role of government and experts in American life.

The impact of the Jan. 6 decision is more nuanced, but it’s significant both practically and politically. Basically, the court ruled that the government used a federal law — obstructing or impeding an official proceeding — too broadly in charging a Jan. 6 defendant. That same law has been used against hundreds of other Jan. 6 defendants, including Trump himself.

The Justice Department quickly sought to downplay the ruling. It noted that 82 percent of more than 1,400 Jan. 6 defendants weren’t charged with or haven’t been convicted of that particular crime. It also noted that just 2 percent of those currently serving prison sentences were convicted of that crime and no other felony. The implication: This isn’t about to free a bunch of prisoners.

It could also have limited impact on Trump personally, given he’s charged with other Jan. 6-related offenses. But it’s still a massive headache with untold consequences.

Perhaps as significantly, though, it gave Trump rare, actual political ammunition in his years-long effort to downplay Jan. 6 and accuse the government of going too far in prosecuting him and his supporters.

Trump’s claims about the “weaponization” of the justice system and his proposal to pardon Jan. 6 defendants haven’t really caught on beyond his base. But it’s a decision he can use to make those cases, the former of which has largely rested on conspiracy theories and misleading claims. The Supreme Court effectively said the government has gone too far, at least in one case. And notably, the Supreme Court’s majority in the case included liberal Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson (though Jackson suggested the ruling shouldn’t spare too many Jan. 6 defendants from their charges).

That doesn’t mean Trump will be able to completely flip the script or anything close to it; these are complicated issues that won’t have much immediate fallout. But it’s certainly a foothold he didn’t have before.

The impact of Thursday night’s debate will come into focus more quickly as we get polling that gauges just how much damage Biden might have done to himself.

We’ve so far got limited data, including two snap polls showing about twice as many people said Trump won the debate as said Biden did. This includes CNN polling, which in 2020 had shown the opposite: Biden lapping Trump in those debates. The CNN poll also showed debate-watchers’ favorable views of Biden dropping by six points (to just 31 percent) and favorable views of Trump rising by three points (to 43 percent).

We’ll see what happens, but those are inauspicious early signs for a Democratic Party that had already been panicky about its 2024 chances. And the performance can’t help but drive home already-prevalent voter concerns about Biden’s age and mental sharpness; it was practically an hour-and-a-half-long advertisement for Republicans about what is arguably Biden’s biggest liability.

Should Biden’s polls indeed take a turn for the worse, it’s likely we’ll see an even more earnest discussion about turning the page on him. But that discussion itself would be fraught for the party.

Which means the blows could keep coming.

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Washington

List: What to do in the Washington DC area, Nov. 4-10

Published

2 hours ago

November 4, 2024

Press Room

List: What to do in the Washington DC area, Nov. 4-10

We share the best things to do every weekend in The Weekend Scene newsletter – it’s completely free to subscribe!

Election Day might be the only thing on your mind, but another weekend will be here before you know it.

If election night watch parties are your thing, we have options with pun-filled menus and drink specials.

If you’re feeling some stress around the election, here’s where to calm down — or let it out — and why it works.

And don’t forget to get yourself a little treat after voting! Here are details on rideshare, food and drink deals in the D.C. area.

Here’s what else to do this week in the Washington, D.C. area.

What to do in Washington, D.C.

Spanish immersion pupusa class (Weds.) and pupusas and cocktails class (Thurs.): El Tamarindo at 1785 Florida Ave. NW, $60

Washingtonian’s Whiskey, Wine & Fine Spirits Festival: Thurs., 6:30 p.m., Dock5 at Union Market, $80

HBCU First LOOK Film Festival: Fri. to Sun., Howard University Blackburn Center, $15 – $30

Czech Christmas Market: Sat., Embassy of Czechia in Northwest D.C., free but timed ticket required

Day of the Dead exhibit: El muerto al pozo y el vivo al gozo: Open to general public Nov. 4-27, Mexican Cultural Institute (2829 16th St NW), free

Side Yards: Fri., 5:30-8:30 p.m., The Yards Park, free

Eastern Market November Fest: Sat. and Sun., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., free

Veteran Comedy Night: Sat., doors at 7 p.m., Penn Social (801 E St. NW), $10-$20

Day Of The Dead Masquerade Embassy Gala: Sat., 8:15 to 11:45 p.m., The Mexican Cultural Institute, $139

El Tamarindo’s National Pupusa Day celebration: Sun., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 1785 Florida Ave. NW, free

What to do in Maryland

Martin Lawrence: Thurs., Fri. and Sat., The Theater at MGM National Harbor,

Illusions by Vick as Professor Snape: Sat., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., Arts Barn in Gaithersburg, $10

61st Annual Danish Christmas Bazaar: Sat., 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saint Elizabeth’s Church (917 Montrose Road, Rockville), free (cash and check only for purchases)

National Harbor Holiday Tree Lighting & Fireworks: Sat., 5:30 p.m., free

Commanders vs. Steelers: Sun., 1 p.m., Northwest Stadium in Landover

Holiday Movies on the Potomac – “Elf”: Sun., National Harbor, free

What to do in Virginia

Great Country Farms Dino Fest: Oct. 31 to Nov. 24, Bluemont, Virginia, $29.99 plus fees in advance, $32 at the gate

31st Annual Northern Virginia Christmas Market: Fri. to Sun., Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, $9 (free for kids 12 and under)

Reston Town Center Ice Skating Rink: Opens Fri.

Winter Walk of Lights: Nov. 8 to Jan. 5, Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna, $18-$22

Coming up soon

Winter Lights’ Sip & Sparkle: Sun., 6-9 p.m., Seneca Creek State Park in Gaithersburg, $35 per person ($20 if not participating in tastings)

National Gallery Nights: To the District, with Love: Ticket lottery open now for the Nov. 14 event

Want to know what’s up for your weekend? Sign up for The Weekend Scene, our newsletter about events, experiences and adventures for you and for your family around the DMV.

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Washington

How The Washington Post’s forecast will track 2024 election results

Published

9 hours ago

November 4, 2024

Press Room

How The Washington Post’s forecast will track 2024 election results

Our presidential forecast illustrates how the candidates are faring in the race to winning 270 electoral college votes. It compares the current vote count with the results in recent elections and uses demographic trends to extrapolate insights based on mathematical models.

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Washington

How Washington State’s 2024 Opponents Fared in Week 10

Published

17 hours ago

November 3, 2024

Press Room

How Washington State’s 2024 Opponents Fared in Week 10

The Cougars’ 2024 opponents had a pretty solid showing in Week 10, going 6-3.

Portland State: Win at Sacramento State (FCS) 58-38

The Vikings got their second win of the year on Saturday night and did so with an offensive explosion. Quarterback Dante Chachere accounted for five touchdowns and over 400 of PSU’s 544 yards. Delon Thompson and Quincy Craig each ran for scores as well and when all was said and done, Portland State had by far their best showing of the 2024 campaign against a reeling Sacramento State squad. Still 2-6 on the season, the Vikings are surely eliminated from FCS playoff contention but they have won two of their last three.

Texas Tech: Win at Iowa State 23-22

The Red Raiders went in and handed #11 Iowa State its first loss of the year. A five-yard Tahj Brooks touchdown run with just 20 seconds to go helped Texas Tech pull off the upset over the Cyclones on the road. Quarterback Behren Morton had an up-and-down night in Ames, throwing two touchdowns but also two interceptions. Receiver Josh Kelly snagged eight passes for 127 yards and both of those TDs while Brooks ran for 127 yards and another score. The Red Raiders got two big stops in the second half with a fumble recovery on Iowa State’s opening drive and a missed field goal with just over five minutes left. The win gives Texas Tech bowl eligibility and improves their record to 6-3.

Washington: Win vs. USC 26-21

The Huskies defense turned the Trojans away on fourth down twice on thier final two drives to seal a 26-21 win on Saturday night. The Washington D also picked off USC signal caller Miller Moss three times and and broke up eight passes. Running back Jonah Coleman found the end zone twice and, despite Will Rogers not throwing any touchdowns, the offense was able to outlast the Trojans in the end thanks to a Keith Reynolds TD run. UW is now 5-4 on the year and is back even at 3-3 in conference play.

San Jose State: No Game

The Spartans did not play last last weekend.

Boise State: Win vs. San Diego State 56-24

Ashton Jeanty delivered a school-record eighth straight 100-yard rushing game as #15 Boise State dominated San Diego State at home on Friday night. The Broncos’ star and Heisman-hopeful bullied his way to 149 yards and two touchdowns. Maddux Madsen threw four more TDs and when the dust had settled, BSU came out with a 56-24 blowout win. The Broncos offense was an unstoppable force, racking up 33 first downs, 541 total yards and nearly 40 minutes of possession. Boise State seems well on its way to the G5’s CFP bid and is now 7-1 on the season.

Fresno State: Loss vs. Hawaii 21-20

Despite doing a lot of things wrong, the Bulldogs had their chance to win against Hawaii but couldn’t quite close the deal. Fresno State only put up a dismal 19 rushing yards and couldn’t do anything witih a late Rainbow Warriors fumble that could have helped them ice the game. There were some highlights, namely Phoenix Jackson’s 89-yard pick six, but when it mattered most the defense didn’t deliver. Hawaii marched 47 yards in the final two minutes to score the game-winning touchdown with 15 seconds left. Fresno State still needs one more win to be bowl eligible as they fall to 5-4 on the year.

Hawaii: Win at Fresno State 21-20

Brayden Schager saved the day, throwing a touchdown strike to Nick Cenacle with just 15 seconds left to help Hawaii rally and take down Fresno State on Saturday evening. The three-yard TD capped a big night for Cenacle who finished with 12 catches for 113 yards and two touchdowns. Schager threw for 244 yards and three scores on the night as the Rainbow Warriors offense outgained the Bulldogs 346 yards to 176. Hawaii dominated the time of possession battle, holding the ball for over 38 minutes. Winners of two straight, Hawaii is now 4-5 and 2-2 in Mountain West action.

San Diego State: Loss at Boise State 56-24

The Aztecs couldn’t do much of anything right in Boise on Friday night. The San Diego State defense got gashed to the tune of 219 yards on the ground and another 307 through the air. They only forced the Broncos to punt twice and were on the field far too long in the 32-point loss, their largest margin of defeat this season. Danny O’Neil threw two interceptions, one of which got taken back for six and the offense failed to convert on third down twelve times throughout the game. The Aztecs are now 3-5 on the year and have lost two straight.

Utah State: No Game

Washington State’s next foe, Utah State, also had a bye in Week 10.

New Mexico: Loss vs. Wyoming 49-45

It was a track meet in Albuqurque on Saturday and New Mexico ended up on the wrong side of it despite a big offensive output. Devon Dampier and Eli Sanders each ran for over 200 yards and totaled five touchdowns on the ground between them while Dampier also threw for a score. The problem was that the Lobos defense got tore apart on the other side, allowing Wyoming over 600 yards of total offense. It also didn’t help that Dampier’s lone interception went the other way for a Cowboys touchdown and that he fumbled away the last drive. UNM is now 3-6.

Oregon State: No Game

Oregon State had the week off.

Wyoming: Win at New Mexico 49-45

Kaden Anderson threw for 342 yards and accounted for four touchdowns while Harrison Waylee ran for another score in Wyoming’s shootout win over New Mexico. Receiver Jaylen Sargent had a big day, hauling in six catches for 186 yards and a score. The Cowboys offense had just enough in the tank to outpace the high-scoring Lobos but they also got some major help fromt their defense. Wrook Brown took an interception 29 yards to the house and Tyce Westland recovered a fumble to seal the game late in the fourth. Wyoming moves to 2-7 and 2-3 in the Mountain West.