Morning Must Reads: August 17

Circling helicopters and selfie sticks combined for a surreal scene at this year’s Iowa State Fair as Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump toured the iconic event in the first-in-the-nation caucus state. A large crowd followed Clinton on her tour of the butter cow, only to be topped by a crush of gawkers and well-wishers seeking a glance at the former reality television star sitting atop the GOP primary polls. Neither of them took the stage at the Des Moines Register “Soapbox” where Jeb Bush faced questions about his family legacy, Martin O’Malley tried to show off his progressive credentials, and Bernie Sanders repeated his calls for a “political revolution.”

After weeks of bad press over her emails, Clinton has set on a strategy of trying to cast a federal probe into the handling of classified information as a political witch-hunt, and even joking about the investigation. The decision is aimed to help shore up her support among Democrats amid sliding poll numbers.

Trump, who released his immigration plan on Sunday will report for jury duty today, while Carly Fiorina and Scott Walker take their turn at the state fair. Jeb Bush’s super PAC is opening its wallet to the tune of $10 million. And candidates are resorting to stunts to stand out in a field of 17.

Here are your must-reads:

Must Reads

Two Frontrunners Circle Each Other at the Iowa State Fair

Corndogs and chaos as Trump and Clinton tour [TIME]

Hillary Clinton’s Lawyer Readies for Email War

TIME’s Massimo Calabresi reports on the longtime Clinton loyalist preparing yet another defense

With High-Profile Help, Obama Plots Life After Presidency

With 18 months left in office, Obama mulls his future [New York Times]

In Iowa, Sanders Says He Will Address Racial Divisions

The Democratic contender embraces the message of the Black Lives Matter movement [Associated Press]

The Libertarian Moment is Over, or Is It?

A year ago Rand Paul was riding high — has his movement faded? [Washington Post]

Jeb Bush, Seemingly Perfect on Paper, Just Hasn’t Caught On With GOP Voters

A rough summer for the well-funded candidate [Los Angeles Times]

Sound Off

“You may have seen that I recently launched a Snapchat account. I love it. I love it. Those messages disappear all by themselves.” — Hillary Clinton joking about her email account in a speech to Iowa Democrats

“I wouldn’t pretend it’s anything other than a terrible tragedy, But let’s not compound the tragedy by taking yet another life.” — Mike Huckabee stating his opposition to allowing a 10-year-old rape victim an abortion

Bits and Bites

Hillary Clinton Downplays Concerns About Personal Email Server [TIME]

Jeb Bush Is Not the Only 2016 Candidate Open to Torture [TIME]

Hillary Clinton Fires Back at Jeb Bush on Iraq Withdrawal [TIME]

Donald Trump Called to Jury Duty in Manhattan [New York Times]

Pro-Bush Super PAC Spending $10M-Plus On Initial TV Campaign [Associated Press]

Donald Trump: Undocumented Immigrants ‘Have to Go’ [Meet The Press]

Antics Help GOP Rivals Catch Eyes, Save Cash [Boston Globe]

“Highly Likely” There’s A Backup Server With Hillary Clinton’s Emails [ABC News]