Morning Must Reads: July 20

4 minute read

Donald Trump‘s criticism of Sen. John McCain‘s military service on Saturday proved to be a bridge too far for the GOP, which has tolerated and courted the reality television star-turned-presidential candidate. After weeks of quiet frustration, the Republican Party and its multitude of candidates unleashed their pent-up fury at the man holding the top spot in their primary polls.The controversy has freed up Republicans, wary of alienating Trump’s angry and vocal supporters, license to condemn the candidate. Already former Texas Gov. Rick Perry is calling for Trump to drop out of the presidential race, as a host of fellow candidates are calling his comments suggesting that McCain, who was tortured as a prisoner of war for nearly six years after being shot down over Vietnam, was not a war hero, disqualifying for a White House aspirant. Trump, for his part, penned a defiant op-ed Sunday in USA Today proclaiming that he doesn’t “need to be lectured,” indicating that he has no plans to go anywhere.

Also on Saturday, Democratic candidates Martin O’Malley and Bernie Sanders faced hostile receptions at the liberal Netroots Nation conference from protestors seeking to raise awareness of tensions between the African-American community and law enforcement. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton skipped the conference, avoiding a similar reception, but still faces doubts from her party’s grassroots.

In Washington, President Obama is set to formally send the Iran nuclear agreement to Congress for its consideration. Lawmakers have 60 days to review the deal, but only a veto-proof margin of two-thirds in each chamber could block its implementation, a threshold critics are unlikely to meet. In New York, the UN Security Council is set to formally endorse the agreement. And Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush will deliver a speech in Tallahassee Monday titled “Taking on Mt. Washington,” highlighting his record in office and how he hopes to lead in the nation’s capital.

Here are your must-reads:

Must Reads

Donald Trump Hits the Limits of Celebrity
In attacking McCain, Trump awakens a fed up Republican Party [TIME]

Ghost of Hillary Clinton Haunts Liberal Convention
The Democratic front-runner skipped the Netroots Nation conference, and for good reason, TIME’s Sam Frizell reports

For Republicans, Pope’s Visit Comes With Tensions
The popular pope holds many positions at odds with the GOP [New York Times]

US, Cuba Restore Full Diplomatic Ties After 5 Decades
A milestone for the Obama-led rapprochement [Associated Press]

Sound Off

“You’ll have to ask Hillary Clinton about her views on whether she thinks we should break up these large financial institutions. I do. … You will have to ask her views on whether we should re-establish Glass-Steagall.” — Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders pressing his Democratic presidential primary rival on her commitment to banking reform

“I mean it was a terrible place for me when I started. It was horrible. It was like the worst experience of my life…It was just, like, atrociously bad.” — Former Republican National Committee Chief Technology Officer Andy Barkett on his time at the national party Saturday at a GOP tech conference. He is now working for Jeb Bush’s presidential campaign.

Bits and Bites

Hillary Clinton’s Digital Team Likes Barack Obama’s Style [TIME]

Signs of Stress Build for Rand Paul Campaign [Wall Street Journal]

Sanders and O’Malley Stumble During Black Lives Matter Protest [TIME]

How the National Rifle Association Helped Get Bernie Sanders Elected [Washington Post]

Seeing Crowd, G.O.P. Donors Holding Back [New York Times]

Scott Walker on Whether Being Gay Is a Choice [Washington Post]

Can Bill De Blasio Turn Uber Into The NRA? [BuzzFeed]

In Iowa, Walker Aims for Broad Appeal [Des Moines Register]

Perry Still Opposes Gay Scout Leaders, While Walker Backtracks [TIME]

“Chillary” Clinton Cameos in a Vine

Hillary Clinton Draws Scrappy Determination From a Tough, Combative Father [New York Times]

Clinton to Push Revamp of Capital-Gains Tax Rates [Wall Street Journal]

See the 2016 Candidates' Campaign Launches

Sen. Ted Cruz kicks off his campaign for 2016 Republican presidential nominee at Liberty University's Vines Center in Lynchburg, Va. on March 23, 2015. (
Sen. Ted Cruz kicked off his campaign for 2016 Republican presidential nomination at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va. on March 23.Tom Williams—CQ-Roll Call/Getty Images
Presidential Campaign Launch Rand Paul
Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul launched his bid for the Republican nomination at the Galt House Hotel in Louisville on April 7. Supporters held signs with the slogan "Defeat the Washington Machine / Unleash the American Dream."Amy Harris—Corbis
Presidential Campaign Launch Hillary Clinton
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced her campaign in a YouTube video posted April 12 that has been seen nearly 4.5 million times. One boy featured in the video boasted about playing a fish in a school play.Hillary For America
Presidential Campaign Launch Marco Rubio
Florida Sen. Marco Rubio announced his campaign for the Republican nomination during a rally at the Freedom Tower in Miami on April 13. He took a drink of water during the speech, a callback to his State of the Union response in 2013.Wilfredo Lee—AP
Presidential Campaign Launch Bernie Sanders
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders announced his bid for the Democratic nomination across the street from the U.S. Capitol on April 30, 2015. The backdrop was unusual, since most candidates rail against Washington.Jonathan Ernst—Reuters
Presidential Campaign Launch Ben Carson
Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson announced his bid for the Republican nomination at the Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts May 4, 2015 in Detroit, Michigan. The launch featured a gospel choir covering Eminem's "Lose Yourself."Bill Pugliano—Getty Images
Presidential Campaign Launch Carly Fiorina
Former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina announced her campaign for the Republican nomination in a conference call on May 4, then went on "Good Morning America" to talk to George Stephanopoulos.Lou Rocco—Getty Images
Huckabee Presidential Campaign Launch
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee announced his campaign at a community college in his hometown of Hope, Ark., on May 5. Singer Tony Orlando (right) performed.Left: Danny Johnston; Right: Matt Sullivan—Getty Images
George Pataki Republican 2016
Republican presidential candidate and former New York Governor George Pataki (C) greets supporters after formally announcing his candidacy for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination in Exeter, N.H. on May 28, 2015. Dominick Reuter—Reuters
Lincoln Chafee Democrat 2016
Former Rhode Island Sen. Lincoln Chafee announces his candidacy for the democratic presidential nomination at George Mason University in Arlington, Va. on June 3, 2015.Win McNamee—Getty Images
Lindsey Graham Republican 2016
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham announces his 2016 presidential candidacy in Central, S.C. on June 1, 2015. Erik S. Lesser—EPA
Martin O'Malley Democrat 2016
Former Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley is joined by his wife Katie O'Malley (R) as he announces his intention to seek the Democratic presidential nomination during a speech at Federal Hill Park in Baltimore on May 30, 2015. Jim Bourg—Reuters
Rick Perry Texas Republican 2016
Former Texas governor Rick Perry announces his candidacy for Republican presidential nominee at an event held at Addison Airport in Addison, Texas on Thursday, June 4, 2015.Louis DeLuca—Dallas Morning News/Corbis
Jeb Bush Campaign Launch
Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush waves on stage as he announces his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination during an event at Miami-Dade College - Kendall Campus in Miami on June 15 , 2015.Joe Raedle—Getty Images
U.S. Republican presidential candidate Trump holds up his financial statement as he formally announces his campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination at Trump Tower in New York
Donald Trump holds up his financial statement showing his net worth as he formally announces his campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination during an event at Trump Tower in New York City on June 16, 2015. Brendan McDermid—Reuters
Republican presidential candidate and Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal formally announces his campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination in Kenner
Republican presidential candidate and Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal formally announces his campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination in Kenner, La. on June 24, 2015. Jonathan Bachman—Reuters
Republican U.S. presidential candidate and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie formally announces his campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination in New Jersey
Republican presidential candidate and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie formally announces his campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination during a kickoff rally at Livingston High School in Livingston, N.J. on June 30, 2015. Brendan McDermid—Reuters
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker Announces His Candidacy For President
Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker greets supporters after announcing that he will seek the Republican nomination for president in Waukesha, Wis. on July 13, 2015 . Scott Olson—Getty Images
John Kasich 2016
Ohio Governor John Kasich arrives on stage to formally announce his campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination during a kickoff rally in Columbus, Ohio on July 21, 2015. Aaron P. Bernstein—Reuters

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