Tuesday Morning Minute

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'

New: Explosive Report Blows Lid Off Joe Biden's Handlers, and What German Officials Saw During 2022 Visit

When even world leaders and the Easter Bunny are on to the smoke and mirrors routine - and become active participants in it, you know we're in trouble. Deep trouble.

The 'Open Secret' About Kamala Harris That Is Fueling the Anybody-But-Kamala Chatter on Capitol Hill

In short, Democrats are confirming in their own way that they know much of what their conservative critics said about Kamala Harris' "skills" all along is true, just like much of what has been said about Joe Biden's incoherency and acuity since before he was sworn in was true.

UPDATED: RNC Platform Committee Adopts Slimmed-Down Party Platform, Eliminates Two Major Points

The absence or inclusion of language about abortion (or any other issue, for that matter) doesn't restrict individual candidates or elected officials' position or actions on the issue, but the absence of the ban language takes away one issue Democrats can use to scare swing voters - and there's some polling to suggest that Dem scaremongering in 2022 was a big factor in the predicted "red wave" not materializing.

WHAT'S ON TAP?

Today on Capitol Hill...

The pace picks up a smidge on the Hill Tuesday, with multiple hearings/meetings. Here's a sampling:

House Homeland Security, Transportation and Maritime Security Subcommittee — "Protecting the Homeland - Examining TSA's Relationships with U.S. Adversaries"
House Judiciary, Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government — Hearing on the Weaponization of the Federal Government — (The hearing will examine how the New York County District Attorney’s Office (DANY) weaponized the criminal justice system in pursuit of its perceived political enemy, President Trump, by making him the target and then searching for a legal theory upon which to prosecute him.)
House Financial Services — The Annual Testimony of the Secretary of the Treasury on the State of the International Financial System
Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, Children and Families Subcommittee —Hearings to examine everyday expenses and everyday Americans, focusing on how high costs impact children and families.
House Education and the Workforce, Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee — “Confronting Union Antisemitism: Protecting Workers from Big Labor Abuses”
House Homeland Security, Border Security and Enforcement Subcommittee — "Smart Investments: Technology's Role in a Multi-Layered Border Security Strategy"

White House What's Up

Aside from his Daily Briefing, President Joe Biden is set to deliver remarks on the 75th Anniversary of NATO. No doubt, they'll be an inspiring melange of resolve and clarity.

Full Court Press...

Closing arguments continue Tuesday in the corruption trial of Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) in the Southern District of New York.

Also, trial starts today in New Mexico for Alec Baldwin regarding the "Rust" shooting.

MORNING MUSING

I learned a while back that, in politics, certitude will burn you. There are far too many variables to accurately predict just exactly how things will shake out in any political situation. With that said, it seems to me that the bell has tolled for Old Joe's candidacy and, likely, his presidency, and there only remains a question of when — not if — the SS Biden slips beneath the water with one final burble. It's fascinating — and, in some respects, darkly humorous — to watch while simultaneously sad and disconcerting. I do wonder if, in the back of Joe's addled mind, he ever ponders how things might have gone had he simply continued enjoying his retirement. He had some dough, some nice digs, and his collection of classified memorabilia safely tucked away in the garage next to his Corvette. He'd have been set. Now, you have to wonder at what his legacy will be. From where I sit, it isn't a pretty one.