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07/28/2016 08:05 AM EDT


By Heather Caygle (hcaygle@politico.com or @heatherscope)

With assistance from Rachael Bade

HILLARY'S BIG NIGHT-Good morning Huddle readers! We're heading into the final sprint of the Democratic convention where Hillary Clinton, the first woman at the top of a major presidential ticket, will officially accept the nomination. Annie Karni on what's at stake tonight: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=1299c018e0c20f1f886d8754ed61e84f6c89047b7058a234255904a89ba2f007

SUBURBAN DADS BRING IT-Democrats had a lot to do on Wednesday night. For many, it was the chance to verbally dismantle Donald Trump's candidacy: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=1299c018e0c20f1fa8eaad8d70c5ed1ec5bc87dc728013e4f760b85b53d965eb for President Obama, who also attacked Trump, it was mostly an opportunity to reflect and pass the baton to Clinton: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=1299c018e0c20f1fa67e563deb3917865c10528beb8dee82c8bb36ef8a692c23 and for Sen. Tim Kaine, it was his chance to introduce himself to the world as Clinton's running mate.

Kaine was in a tough spot-sandwiched between fiery speeches from Vice President Joe Biden and Obama-and stiffer than his debut in Miami last weekend. But the Virginia Democrat brought it when he needed to, producing "just enough memorable moments, breaking out a stilted but effective impression of Donald Trump and his 'believe me' rhetoric and animating the audience with call and response chants that returned life to a crowd that had just given Biden at least eight standing ovations," reports Burgess Everett. http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=1299c018e0c20f1fc37fffeb15173a03aec1de9db5e15733d855a1914fb94f87

MONTHS OF DYSFUNCTION DERAILS DNC-Now that Debbie Wasserman Schultz is stepping down as DNC chair, all the dirty details about the group's dysfunction are starting to spill out. One example: Wasserman Schultz was supposed to ask Vice President Biden about help with fundraising for the party. Instead, she used her time with the VP to ask him to attend her daughter's bat mitzvah, reports Edward-Isaac Dovere.

Biden meeting symptomatic of DNC troubles: "More than a dozen people inside the party apparatus, speaking in the wake of Wasserman Schultz's resignation on Sunday, describe an internal culture in which few felt they could challenge an increasingly imperious and politically tone-deaf chair who often put her own interests ahead of party functions." http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=1299c018e0c20f1fc231fcb518077921ab14c34960c72ab95a28d3f286d314ad

WHO WILL LEAD THE DNC? Democrats are scrambling to find a permanent replacement, a problem they initially didn't think they'd have to deal with for months. DNC Vice Chair Donna Brazile will head the group until January but several names are already floating around as permanent replacements including Stephanie Schriock, the president of EMILY's List, and former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm. Daniel Strauss and Gabriel Debenedetti: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=1299c018e0c20f1f22f47420a0b2cecf93ec12bc4590eedfd67ecbf9c084425f

One person who won't be stepping into the role? Harry Reid. From Twitter: Riley Snyder (@RileySnyder): Asked if he'd want to run DNC, @SenatorReid says he's about as interested in seeing if he could do a back-flip (that's a no).

THANKS FOR TUNING IN, it's Thursday, July 28. You're reading POLITICO's Huddle, your play-by-play guide to all things Capitol Hill. We're almost there-Friday, the end of conventions and time to settle into that August recess we all know and love. Break out those button downs and boat shoes!

TODAY IN CONGRESS - It's quiet y'all.


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AROUND THE HILL-Hill staffers secretly listening to their *NSYNC playlist on repeat like it's 1999. A Huddle favorite: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=1299c018e0c20f1f9055488284f1609cf6e81667ae805a9440c1b02cef52787a

PORTMAN FLAUNTS UNION BACKING-Sen. Rob Portman really wants everybody to know he has the support of two union groups in his Senate race, especially after the two organizations backed opponent Ted Strickland in previous races. Seung Min: "In a new ad being released Thursday, Portman taunts Strickland for losing the support of the Ohio Teamsters and the state's Fraternal Order of Police, among other organizations." http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=1299c018e0c20f1f3d3b0e2f789abdca4bb979d7c7664cf3c802ea60a90ab88b

WEINER JUST WON'T GO AWAY-The New York Times with this dispatch on Anthony Weiner, disgraced Democrat, husband to a top Clinton aide and a loyalist who isn't hiding at the convention: "'This is like Comic-Con,' Mr. Weiner said. 'And I was in, you know, 'Batman Recovers' or whatever the hell the third Batman is.' He waited a beat before trying another name: 'Forgotten Batman.'" There's a good Wasserman Schultz anecdote too. Worth the click: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=1299c018e0c20f1fa78de0a92abfd163c1937d60f935fd44fd86f9b633698594

PELOSI ON THE 'THREE Gs'-House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said Hillary Clinton is struggling to drum up support from white male voters because "of guns, because of gays, and because of God, the three G's, God being the woman's right to choose." RealClearPolitics: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=1299c018e0c20f1fc369e91f40bd6c441c9c64213e61c2db4031454ce22b08ef

HANDS OFF ON THIS ONE- Donald Trump sparked a lot of headlines Wednesday after seemingly encouraging Russia to hack into Hillary Clinton's emails, but he found little support from the GOP flank. Trump's comments were "a leap few fellow Republicans were ready to make - with some in the party suggesting it smacked of 'treason,'" reports Katie Glueck. "Russia is a global menace led by a devious thug," said Brendan Buck, spokesman for House Speaker Paul Ryan. "Putin should stay out of this election." More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=1299c018e0c20f1f77e0d39f8e7750d13b33aef59a3a05494a9d848cbff76b6a

Hill backers play defense: While Buck was quick to counter the GOP nominee's comments, a few Trump backers on the Hill moved to defend their man. Joe Kasper, Rep. Duncan Hunter's chief of staff, said, Trump's remarks reveal "that he recognizes Russia's reach and its influence, as well as its desire he reclaim superpower status."

Another Capitol Hill supporter said "Team Clinton took the bait," arguing that Russia turning over emails now would present a national security issue: "Well, if her 30,000+ missing e-mails are suddenly a national security issue, why were they deleted in the first place?"

Crickets from McCaul: One Trump backer who refused multiple requests for comment on the issue? Homeland Security Committee Chairman Michael McCaul. "Questions on Donald Trump's comments should be directed to the Trump campaign," was all spokeswoman Susan Phalen said.

YOLO REID COMES READY TO FIGHT-Hearkening back to his old boxing days, retiring Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid showed up to his DNC speech Wednesday night ready for a fight, saving his sharpest barbs for Senate rival Mitch McConnell. Roll Call's David Hawkings: "'I have never seen anything more craven than Mitch McConnell and what he has done to our democracy,' declared Reid." Oh, and the insults don't end there. More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=1299c018e0c20f1fb5b6ec27c6e802799c1a223b16d8afb754fe750a532e9d4e

McAULIFFE SAYS NO WAY TO SENATE VACANCY-Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe is clearing one thing up, right from the get go: there's no way he'd appoint himself to fill Tim Kaine's vacant Senate seat should Democrats win the White House. "I like to make decisions in the morning, see 'em done. The Senate is more a deliberate, long-term body. I will pick a great candidate. It's exciting for Virginia," he said during an MSNBC interview. http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=1299c018e0c20f1fd3da7318812166800e3bf0f4759d6d1fbacc1ee9c261a7ec

SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO REP. POE-House Speaker Paul Ryan had a special message for Texas Rep. Ted Poe, who was recently diagnosed with leukemia: Paul Ryan (@SpeakerRyan): From the speaker's balcony to Wisconsin, we're pulling for you @JudgeTedPoe. You've got this. #TeamPoe Don't miss the picture: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=1299c018e0c20f1fc998ca5caff948b38710f265fcb7e15427562da0c2ed1e42

DEMOCRATS TURN UP THE HEAT ON GRAYSON-Following a string a bad headlines for Rep. Alan Grayson-years of abuse claims from his ex-wife, threatening a POLITICO reporter on video-leading Democrats are turning up the pressure on the Florida Democrat to drop out of the Senate race. "I've never thought much about Grayson as a candidate ... And now it's of course much, much worse. He ought to do the right thing and drop out," said Democratic leader-in-waiting Sen. Chuck Schumer, adding that Grayson is a "bully." Burgess and Marc Caputo: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=1299c018e0c20f1fbfed0b92c9d8575f1872a443a5c67e33148625f9c02ee6b5

DUCKWORTH WORKPLACE LAWSUIT RESURFACES- "A settlement in a workplace retaliation suit against Illinois Rep. Tammy Duckworth stemming from her time in state government was rejected this week, potentially reviving it as a line of attack for her Republican opponent in their race for Senate seat once held by President Barack Obama," reports Roll Call. http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=1299c018e0c20f1f86e77e8d55e9456ddcc37f4b625654c666f12da0bb8b374e

FIRST IN HUDDLE: FWD.us TAPS McCAIN ADVISER-FWD.us, the immigration reform lobbying group co-founded by Mark Zuckerberg, has tapped Hill veteran Mark Delich to lead its congressional affairs arm. Delich worked for Sen. John McCain for seven years as a legislative assistant, advising the lawmaker on a variety of issues including the Senate's bipartisan immigration overhaul last Congress.

WEDNESDAY'S TRIVIA WINNER - Sean Neary was the first to guess that the first nominating convention was held in 1831 by the Anti-Masonic Party in Baltimore with William Wirt, a former Mason, being the chosen candidate.

TODAY'S TRIVIA - Sean with today's question: Name the Kentucky Senator who gave the keynote address at three Democratic conventions. First person to correctly answer gets a mention in tomorrow's Huddle. Email me: hcaygle@politico.com

GET HUDDLE emailed to your phone each morning: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=1299c018e0c20f1fbf9035fb6432bcbfb00d03fa065b169a7ff3a68069418904

POLITICO HUB EVENT - A Post-Obama Foreign Policy: POLITICO's Susan Glasser, Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE), Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Hillary for America Senior Policy Advisor Jake Sullivan examine the Democratic vision for international affairs and national security, what the post-Obama world will look like, and the known unknowns facing the next administration. Thursday, July 28 - Doors at 12:00 p.m. - POLITICO Hub - 2001 Market St., 2 Commerce Square, Philadelphia. Learn more: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=1299c018e0c20f1fcd94221f299c0ea0e94817b5e9aceb2cceeefdf5d52815c4 Livestream: www.POLITICO.com/live

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