I've been to many Republican conventions, but this is the first one at which it feels that victory is likely. It's an unusual feeling and worth savoring, because it is rare. In fact, I'm not sure we'll ever see a political week like this ever again.
Take the following recent sequence of events:
- Biden's debate collapse
- Calls by Democrats for Biden to drop out
- Trump survives attempted assassination after being shot
- Federal judge dismisses documents case against Trump
- Polls in swing states, and even some blue states, favor Trump
- Biden, trying to show stamina, comes down with COVID (I wish him well)
There is a profound sense of optimism in Milwaukee, as well as a feeling that the party is becoming more diverse while also coming together. And the theme of faith has also been consistent throughout the convention.
It feels like victory.
Highlights from the stage thus far: undoubtedly the Gold Star families of the 13 service members killed during the Afghanistan withdrawal; Peter Navarro, right out of prison, defiant against "lawfare"; Amber Rose on her political conversion; the Jewish religious student and the parents of an American-Israeli hostage.
JD Vance was solid, and took an interesting line: America is not just an "idea," as President Joe Biden likes to say; it is also a nation, a land, a people. I think that is the essence of "America First" populism, and it was refreshing to hear. His wife, Usha, is impressive, charming, authentic, and appropriately demure.
And President Donald Trump has yet to address the gathering. Tonight. Wow.
I should have noted in my message about the weekly Torah portion that this week is Shabbat Chazon, the Sabbath of Vision. We are about to mourn -- but see through that pain to something better that lies beyond, on the other side.
Wishing you the best vision -- and an incredible reality to follow. It happens!
We begin the final speech of Moses to the people of Israel before they enter the Promised Land. He relates the ups and downs of the years of wandering in the desert, before, finally, the people have the merit to enter the land itself.
This Sabbath always precedes Tisha B'Av, the Ninth of Av, the saddest day on the Jewish calendar. It is the anniversary of the destruction of both of the Holy Temples, and a catch-all for many calamities that befell the Jewish people.
A word on Tisha B'Av. This year I am leaving for an overseas trip during the afternoon of the holiday -- in the middle of a fast day. Not idea, but there was no other choice. But my flight is in the afternoon, which is significant.
We relax some of the harsh, mournful customs of the day in the afternoon. We start to pray normally; we sit on regular chairs; we start to have hope again in the redemption that will, one day, lead us all back from exile to our home.
I'll be taking a trip to a land where an important part of ...
President Trump is in Scotland, playing golf and making big trade deals -- a major deal with the EU, in fact. Meanwhile, there is a global outcry about humanitarian aid to Palestinians (not about the Israeli hostages, mind you).
On top of that, Democrats are at their lowest polling numbers ever -- so they are trying to win control of the House by redistricting in the middle of a 10-year Census cycle. Oh, economic optimism is up, so they have a tough road.
And Tulsi Gabbard's revelations about the Russia collusion investigation make it clear that Obama's lieutenants lied to Congress. How deeply was he himself involved? The media continue to ignore the evidence, but we certainly won't.
Special guests:
Nick Gilbertson - Breitbart News White House correspondent, on EU deal
Frances Martel - Breitbart News foreign editor, on Trump abroad and Russia
John Spencer - urban warfare expert, on humanitarian aid and war in Gaza
Bradley Jaye - Breitbart News congressional correspondent, on the ...
