Good morning, and welcome to RedState's "Morning Minute" — a brief glimpse at which stories are trending at the moment and a look ahead at what the day may bring. Consider this your one-stop shop for news to kickstart your day.

TOP O' THE MORNIN'

That Cringe Gas Station Visit by Kamala Harris and Tim Walz Just Got Much Worse

By November, Americans will have seen through the facade. The question is whether they'll vote accordingly or convince themselves irrelevancy is more important than policy.

Kamala's Gobbledygook Answer About Paying for Her Spending Shows Exactly Why They Don't Let Her Talk

Anyone who doesn't get what smoke and mirrors this all is yet needs to listen up. They intend to double down and make things even worse with price controls -- while charging you more taxes -- on top of it all.

Exclusive: Swiss Political Scientist Says Voters Lying to Pollsters Created Harris Poll Surge

“Both Trump and Harris have a claim to insider and outsider status."

WHAT'S ON TAP?

Today on Capitol Hill...

Nothin' doin' — all eyes will be on Chicago, where the Dems are now gathered for the DNC. 

White House What's Up

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill will head to Chicago on Monday, where both will be addressing the DNC on Monday evening. Following that, Joe will jaunt to California for a week of vacation. (As opposed to his normal mode of being on vacation.) 

The Homestretch

Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff will, of course, be in Chicago for the DNC as well. 

Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump will be in York, Pennsylvania, to deliver remarks about the economy, while his running mate, Senator JD Vance (R-OH), will be in Philadelphia, speaking at DiSorb Systems, also on the economy.

Full Court Press...

Former Congressman George Santos (R-NY) is expected to appear in federal court Monday afternoon to enter a guilty plea in the criminal fraud case filed against him. 

MORNING MUSING

So, here we are: It's DNC week, and I can hardly contain my excitement. Honestly...I do wish I were more excited about it. There's a special place in my heart for the DNC-Chicago combo, as I've shared here before. My Dad was there in 1968 (inside the convention, not out with the protests.) He got home from it just in time to turn around and take my Mom to the hospital...to have me. After he passed, my Mom found his credentials and gave them to me as she knew I'd appreciate them. 

Different world now, of course. I'm sort of bracing myself for the cringe. Which reminds me: I need to pick up some wine at the grocery store today...

LIGHTER FARE 

These pups know where it's at. 

Good Morning from the Golden Retriever Channel. These pups are chatting and cooling. Pretty cool way to start Saturday.

(Fi.dogs IG) #saturdayvibes#gooddogs pic.twitter.com/ZvhUrMY5d5

— Golden Retriever Channel (@GoldretrieverUS) August 17, 2024