colombian man was 34—year—old colombian man was arrested shot more human remains were found in shepherd's bush and london. alec baldwin's case has been dismissed. it related to withheld key evidence relating to the shot cinematographer, halyna hutchins, in 2021. now in bbc news, canonjoe biden save his presidency? it is americast.— save his presidency? it is americast. , ~ ., , ., americast. this week there was an opportunity _ americast. this week there was an opportunity to _ americast. this week there was an opportunity to have _ americast. this week there was an opportunity to have a _ americast. this week there was an opportunity to have a reset - americast. this week there was an opportunity to have a reset and - opportunity to have a reset and persuade everyone, persuade americans who are very, very concerned about his political future that he should be given another chance. how'd it go? not brilliantly well is the answer. he did talk very

cogently about lengthy news conference and he managed to do that mostly coherently. the problem was on occasion it was not coherent. indeed, it was gaffe prone and those of the occasions that everyone is going to be focusing on. let’s of the occasions that everyone is going to be focusing on. let's have a look. going to be focusing on. let's have a look- now _ going to be focusing on. let's have a look- now i _ going to be focusing on. let's have a look. now i want _ going to be focusing on. let's have a look. now i want to _ going to be focusing on. let's have a look. now i want to hand - going to be focusing on. let's have a look. now i want to hand over. going to be focusing on. let's have a look. now i want to hand over to | a look. now i want to hand over to the president of ukraine, has as much _ the president of ukraine, has as much courage as he has determination. ladies and gentlemen, president _ determination. ladies and gentlemen, president putin. applause president putin? is going to beat president — president putin? is going to beat president putin. present president zelensky! — president putin. present president zelensky! i'm so focused on beating president _ zelensky! i'm so focused on beating president putin... anyway. look, i wouldnt— president putin... anyway. look, i wouldn't have picked donald trump to be vice _ wouldn't have picked donald trump to be vice president if i didn't think it can _ be vice president if i didn't think it can be — be vice president if i didn't think it can be qualified to be vice president, so let's start there. grozny— president, so let's start there. grozny is, _ president, so let's start there. grozny is, what now? a question nobody knows the answer to, except joe biden and he possibly doesn't know himself because he hasn't made up know himself because he hasn't made up his mind. it is a really fast

changing situation. every minute people are coming out against him saying, for goodness' sake, we have no alternatives, we have to stick with him and there is a constant fear in the party that they are heading for defeat in november. steve israel is in a really good position to know about these things that we will talk to him. he was a democratic congressman and was also very much in charge of the moneymaking side of what happens when people run for congress and senate and indeed the presidency, so he knows what he's talking about when it comes to the trouble is there are behind the scenes. sarah and i talk to him. welcome to americast. steve israel is a relaxed enough character to run a book store. steve, it's really nice to talk to you. there is nothing relaxing talk to you. there is nothing relaxin ., ., talk to you. there is nothing relaxin. ., ., talk to you. there is nothing relaxin. . . , ., relaxing about running a book store, nothin: at relaxing about running a book store, nothing at all. _ relaxing about running a book store, nothing at all, but _ relaxing about running a book store, nothing at all, but it _ relaxing about running a book store, nothing at all, but it is _ relaxing about running a book store, nothing at all, but it is a _ relaxing about running a book store, nothing at all, but it is a pleasure i nothing at all, but it is a pleasure and a passion and a joy.— nothing at all, but it is a pleasure and a passion and a joy. and a passion and a “oy. well, yes, it suggests _

and a passion and a “oy. well, yes, it suggests to _ and a passion and a joy. well, yes, it suggests to people _ and a passion and a joy. well, yes, it suggests to people what - and a passion and a joy. well, yes, it suggests to people what you - and a passion and a joy. well, yes, | it suggests to people what you are, which is a contemporary tip of person and i know enough about you and have heard you talk enough to know that you are a thinking member of congress orformer know that you are a thinking member of congress or former member of congress. of congress or former member of concress. ~ , of congress or former member of concress. . , , , congress. well, the bar is pretty low if that _ congress. well, the bar is pretty low if that is _ congress. well, the bar is pretty low if that is the _ congress. well, the bar is pretty low if that is the stage! - congress. well, the bar is pretty low if that is the stage! that - congress. well, the bar is pretty low if that is the stage! that is l congress. well, the bar is pretty low if that is the stage! that is a i low if that is the stage! that is a fair oint low if that is the stage! that is a fair point as _ low if that is the stage! that is a fair point as well. _ low if that is the stage! that is a fair point as well. kick— low if that is the stage! that is a fair point as well. kick us - low if that is the stage! that is a fair point as well. kick us off, i fair point as well. kick us off, sarah is on the line as well. kick us off with this fort, where are we, where is joe us off with this fort, where are we, where isjoe biden at the moment, when it comes to the balance of power? his desire to stay against the desire of many to see him go. what do you think is going on? i think my party, the democratic party in the united states, is in a state of acute anxiety and the best answer to your question, justin, came to me while i was walking on capitol hill on wednesday of this week and i was meeting with many of my former colleagues and of course everywhere i went there were reporters staked out, wanting to talk about where joe out, wanting to talk about wherejoe biden was, is he going to stay, is

going to leave? and i won in to death i ran into one member who said, i am caught somewhere in the middle of hoping that biden can put together and demonstrate his ability together and demonstrate his ability to win and beat trump and hoping that he can't. and coming to the realisation that he cannot run. and then he has to move onto another candidate. as mentioned, i shared the democratic congressional campaign committee, that was in charge of all democrats, myjob was to elect democrats and i can tell you is the former chair of that committee, i can tell you that somewhere between winning and losing is not a good campaign strategy. that is the challenge democrats have right now. they need clarity, they just don't know what that clarity looks like. �* ., just don't know what that clarity looks like. . ., _, , ., looks like. and of course, the real fear. not looks like. and of course, the real fear- not only _ looks like. and of course, the real fear. not only that _ looks like. and of course, the real fear. not only that joe _ looks like. and of course, the real fear. not only that joe biden - looks like. and of course, the real. fear. not only that joe biden loses, fear. not only thatjoe biden loses, but also that he pulls down with him enough congress people in unsafe seats that actually there isn't a hope of winning back the house of

representatives, which would have been a possibility, wouldn't it? and the senate definitely goes, which probably would have happened anyways. in other words, probably would have happened anyways. in otherwords, it's probably would have happened anyways. in other words, it's not just trump, it is his party in both houses of congress and of course you could argue in many democrats with the supreme court as well. and i like it is about democracy and this is how democrats view this, this is notjust is how democrats view this, this is not just about an? is how democrats view this, this is not just abou— notjust about any presidential election in _ notjust about any presidential election in the _ notjust about any presidential election in the us, _ notjust about any presidential election in the us, this - notjust about any presidential election in the us, this is - notjust about any presidential i election in the us, this is viewed tjy election in the us, this is viewed by many democrats and many republicans as an existential election. there is a sense that if donald trump is re—elected and the democrats lose this and it and they can't win a majority in the cap his house, that we have lost all democratic norms, that president trump will sweep into office. and we know that in mara largo in florida, where he lives, he has assembled people who are beginning the preprints, they are drawing up the blueprints for what that second term will look like and there is talk

there is something called project 25, talk about firing all civil servants and instead hiring pure loyalists, removing checks and balances, deporting immigrants, acting against democratic norms and long agreed—upon consensus in the united states. that is why the stakes are so high. the final point i will make on this question, justin, is that is why this is so difficult for democrats because if it was just another election and we thought we were going to lose and maybe even lose the house and maybe lose the senate, it would be difficult, but it would be a normal environment, we would figure it out. the concern is this will not be a normal environment. this will be a highly abnormal environment, which means in the minds of many that president biden, for the sake of democracy and normalcy should withdraw and give democrats a chance, if not of defeating donald trump, at least keeping the senate

and winning the house.— and winning the house. steve, it's sarah smith _ and winning the house. steve, it's sarah smith here. _ and winning the house. steve, it's sarah smith here. i— and winning the house. steve, it's sarah smith here. i was— and winning the house. steve, it's sarah smith here. i was one - and winning the house. steve, it's sarah smith here. i was one of. and winning the house. steve, it's i sarah smith here. i was one of those reporters— sarah smith here. i was one of those reporters who is staking out the democratic committee on monday. i think the _ democratic committee on monday. i think the hardest and most humid day possibly— think the hardest and most humid day possibly washington, dc has ever seen, _ possibly washington, dc has ever seen. it— possibly washington, dc has ever seen, it was very unpleasant. gh, seen, it was very unpleasant. 0h, cosh. seen, it was very unpleasant. oh, gosh- what _ seen, it was very unpleasant. oh, gosh- what i _ seen, it was very unpleasant. oh, gosh. what i came _ seen, it was very unpleasant. oh, gosh. what i came away - seen, it was very unpleasant. oh, gosh. what i came away with - seen, it was very unpleasant. oh, gosh. what i came away with was| seen, it was very unpleasant. 0h, l gosh. what i came away with was a clear sense — gosh. what i came away with was a clear sense of _ gosh. what i came away with was a clear sense of panic _ gosh. what i came away with was a clear sense of panic actually - gosh. what i came away with was a clear sense of panic actually within | clear sense of panic actually within the democratic party, would whether they wanted joe biden to stay or go, they wanted joe biden to stay or go, they were _ they wanted joe biden to stay or go, they were really worried about his election— they were really worried about his election prospects, a great sense of division. _ election prospects, a great sense of division, really no agreement across the party— division, really no agreement across the party about whether he should stay or— the party about whether he should stay or go. — the party about whether he should stay or go, but almost a sense of resignation — stay or go, but almost a sense of resignation that is not up to them and mayhe — resignation that is not up to them and maybe they can make as much noise _ and maybe they can make as much noise as _ and maybe they can make as much noise as they like. it's not clear it is— noise as they like. it's not clear it is going — noise as they like. it's not clear it is going to make any difference tojoe _ it is going to make any difference tojoe biden a's decision. it is going to make any difference to joe biden a's decision.- it is going to make any difference to joe biden a's decision. well, you are sot to joe biden a's decision. well, you are spot on — to joe biden a's decision. well, you are spot on and _ to joe biden a's decision. well, you are spot on and every _ to joe biden a's decision. well, you are spot on and every conversation | to joe biden a's decision. well, you| are spot on and every conversation i had reflected those tones, so did a good job standing up there with your microphone trying to interview members of congress and activists, reflect what they said, which is... so many of my former colleagues

would like joe so many of my former colleagues would likejoe biden to step aside, but very few want to be the voice that publicly urges him to do so. so there is a lot of wishful thinking right now. people hoping that he makes the right decision, people hoping that he steps aside, but not willing, with the exception of literally a handful of prominent, and not so prominent democrats, unwilling to be the voice that demands that he step aside because they realise that their voices not going to be influential with him. now, there are some others that we are looking at, some of the groups within the black caucus within the us and labour, they are reliable allies of president biden and if you begin, i will tell you what to look for, you know this, sarah, is because you were there, but if you start disease and prominent members of the african—american political leadership and union leaders begin

to equivocate in their support for president biden, that opens the to more voices and that could be very influential in coming to an outcome within the next several days. but thatis within the next several days. but that is all we have. we don't have weeks, it is days.— that is all we have. we don't have weeks, it is days. yes, and those of --eole weeks, it is days. yes, and those of people who — weeks, it is days. yes, and those of people who joe _ weeks, it is days. yes, and those of people who joe biden _ weeks, it is days. yes, and those of people who joe biden cannot - weeks, it is days. yes, and those ofl people who joe biden cannot dismiss people whojoe biden cannot dismiss as being _ people whojoe biden cannot dismiss as being the elites of the party of course. _ as being the elites of the party of course, but exactly as you are saying — course, but exactly as you are saying with it being days, not all of the _ saying with it being days, not all of the people watching or listening to americast will not realise how tightly— to americast will not realise how tightly time is. less than six weeks until the _ tightly time is. less than six weeks until the democratic party convention where they will adopt their nominee. you can explain this to us. _ their nominee. you can explain this to us. there — their nominee. you can explain this to us, there is probably going to be a virtual— to us, there is probably going to be a virtual roll — to us, there is probably going to be a virtual roll call for possibly weeks — a virtual roll call for possibly weeks before that, maybe two or three _ weeks before that, maybe two or three weeks away from now, so time is very— three weeks away from now, so time is very tight. — three weeks away from now, so time is very tight, it is rather ironic that— is very tight, it is rather ironic that time _ is very tight, it is rather ironic that time may be onjoe biden's side when _ that time may be onjoe biden's side when it— that time may be onjoe biden's side when it comes to this. how quickly would _ when it comes to this. how quickly would they— when it comes to this. how quickly would they have to have this vote and how — would they have to have this vote and how quickly would he have to announce — and how quickly would he have to announce he is going if he is going to go? _ announce he is going if he is going to go? i_ announce he is going if he is going to to? ~ ., announce he is going if he is going to go? ~ ., announce he is going if he is going toao? ~' ., announce he is going if he is going to go? ~ ., y., ., to go? i like what you said in that time may be _

to go? i like what you said in that time may be on — to go? i like what you said in that time may be on joe _ to go? i like what you said in that time may be on joe biden's - to go? i like what you said in that time may be on joe biden's side, | time may be onjoe biden's side, you're exactly right and joe biden, let's face it, he is a very crafty and cunning politician. you have to be to be president of the united states. and he understands what you understand in your own politics. in politics, timing is everything. it is everything. and so, he and his people are now looking at ways of advancing and accelerating the political timetable, having a virtual roll call, not waiting until the delegates, and i am on the democratic national committee platform, not waiting for us to get to chicago in august, but coming to almost a snap election where there would be a virtual roll call as early as in the next several weeks shut down growing obstacles and opposition to the president. it would be a fascinating strategy and i think we will hear more about that over the next coming days. a lot of it based on the president's press

conference. we it based on the president's press conference-— it based on the president's press conference. . . . ., , conference. we have had a message in the. we conference. we have had a message in the- we get — conference. we have had a message in the. we get loads _ conference. we have had a message in the. we get loads of _ conference. we have had a message in the. we get loads of messages - conference. we have had a message in the. we get loads of messages from i the. we get loads of messages from people who listen to us right around the world, steve, and we have had a message, actually several messages aboutjoe biden, but this one comes from someone called clarissa, great name, saying... imean, she i mean, she certainly has a pivotal role, doesn't she? what is your take on doctor gill, as we should call her, said she likes that. ? she got a bit touchy the other day, didn't she? were you there, where you shouting questions at her when she said... i shouting questions at her when she said... ., , said... i would never be so impolite. _ said... i would never be so impolite, justin, _ said... i would never be so impolite, justin, but - said... i would never be so impolite, justin, but no, i said... i would never be so i impolite, justin, but no, you said... i would never be so - impolite, justin, but no, you are right. _ impolite, justin, but no, you are right. she — impolite, justin, but no, you are right, she was coming off a plane to id right, she was coming off a plane to go to— right, she was coming off a plane to go to a _ right, she was coming off a plane to go to a campaign rally, which he was heading _ go to a campaign rally, which he was heading up _ go to a campaign rally, which he was heading up herself and people were yelling _ heading up herself and people were yelling questions at her, saying,

should _ yelling questions at her, saying, should your husband stay in the race? _ should your husband stay in the race? and — should your husband stay in the race? and she turned around and said. _ race? and she turned around and said. why— race? and she turned around and said, why you all shouting at me? she wouldn't have been able to hear them _ she wouldn't have been able to hear them if— she wouldn't have been able to hear them if they hadn't shouted at her because _ them if they hadn't shouted at her because we were being kept quite far away. _ because we were being kept quite far away. but _ because we were being kept quite far away. but it— because we were being kept quite far away, but it shows you how the stress — away, but it shows you how the stress was _ away, but it shows you how the stress was there.— away, but it shows you how the stress was there. yes, the stress and a certain _ stress was there. yes, the stress and a certain imperious - stress was there. yes, the stress and a certain imperious nurse, i and a certain imperious nurse, steve, always that unfair? she wouldn't have _ steve, always that unfair? si;e: wouldn't have been able steve, always that unfair? si9: wouldn't have been able to steve, always that unfair? si9 wouldn't have been able to hear them if they hadn't shouted at her because we were being kept quite far away, but it shows you how the stress was there. yes, the stress and a certain imperious nurse, steve, always that unfair? know, a little bit of context. i adorejoe biden. served for 16 years in congress when he was a senator, was one of the first members of congress to endorse him for the presidency. has spent a lot of time alone with him. a lot of people say that they are personal friends ofjoe him. a lot of people say that they are personalfriends ofjoe biden. what is more important is doesjoe biden say they are personal friends? he has called me on many occasions as a personalfriend. i don't know drjill so well. i do know thatjoe biden has come to rely onjill or doctor biden, whatever you want to

call her, as a top political adviser and lieutenant. joe biden is all about family and family values. and he has, through his life, through a combination of extraordinary and unimaginable grief, having lost his first wife and children, he has come to understand that in politics you don't have friends and family, you have temporary allies. and you stay with your friends and family. and so, he listens to her. with respect to whether we should call her doctor biden orjill, she is not an elected official, in my view. she is the first lady. and she has the right to be called whatever she wants to be called. she is an accomplished person, independent and so i take no umbrage at whatever title that she wants. ~ . umbrage at whatever title that she wants. . :, :, , , , umbrage at whatever title that she wants. s . . ,, ,, wants. what happens behind the scenes? so _ wants. what happens behind the scenes? so that _ wants. what happens behind the scenes? so that is _ wants. what happens behind the scenes? so that is joe _ wants. what happens behind the scenes? so that is joe biden - wants. what happens behind the scenes? so that is joe biden andj wants. what happens behind the - scenes? so that is joe biden and she scenes? so that isjoe biden and she plainly has the role that she has and it is a very, very influential role, if not the determining role, i

think we all agreed on that, ifjill said, pack it in, he probably would, wouldn't take west but what about barack obama? because we are hearing, it was reported in politico that when george clooney wrote that devastating piece for the new york times and he wrote that piece saying that biden should go, and in spite of being a friend of his at all the rest of it, but actually obama knew that clooney was writing it. doesn't necessarily approve it, but they have had contact. and you just wonder, don't you, what is going on now with obama and indeed, with bill clinton, i suppose, now with obama and indeed, with bill clinton, isuppose, and now with obama and indeed, with bill clinton, i suppose, and whether actually, when it came to it, that's the thing that convinced him? i think behind the scenes, based on my conversations with my former colleagues and many democratic political operatives and the donor community, which is very important to this, based on all of that i think that we are witnessing behind the scenes the strategy of subtlety. the strategy of nuance. barack obama

is not going to say anything that can and will be used againstjoe biden if he is the nominee. he will not be critical. donald trump will pick up on that in a second and hear it in 36 second ads. in addition to that, most members of the house of congress do not want to see that publicly to discourage the president because what ifjoe biden wins? i believe there is still that possibility. then how do you go to the white house as a member of congress and say, i need your help? so this is smoke signals. this is the art and the strategy of sending subtle signs. it is winks and nods. i will give you a perfect example from a speaker in there former speaker nancy pelosi went on abc this week and suggested that maybe president biden should take the time he needs to consider this. and then a few hours later... she he needs to consider this. and then a few hours later. . ._ a few hours later... she was saying it 'ust a few hours later... she was saying it just after — a few hours later... she was saying itiust after he _ a few hours later... she was saying itjust after he had _ a few hours later... she was saying itjust after he had said _ a few hours later. .. she was saying itjust after he had said i _ a few hours later... she was saying itjust after he had said i am - itjust after he had said i am definitely staying on. oh, so

subtle! we absolutely understand... so subtle. it subtle! we absolutely understand... so subtle. . . subtle! we absolutely understand... so subtle. , , :, , so subtle. it is up to the president to decide if — so subtle. it is up to the president to decide if he _ so subtle. it is up to the president to decide if he is _ so subtle. it is up to the president to decide if he is going _ so subtle. it is up to the president to decide if he is going to - so subtle. it is up to the president to decide if he is going to run. - so subtle. it is up to the president to decide if he is going to run. we| to decide if he is going to run. we are all— to decide if he is going to run. we are all encouraging _ to decide if he is going to run. we are all encouraging make - to decide if he is going to run. we are all encouraging make that- are all encouraging make that decision— are all encouraging make that decision because _ are all encouraging make that decision because time - are all encouraging make that decision because time is - are all encouraging make that. decision because time is running short _ decision because time is running short. . decision because time is running short-- and _ decision because time is running short. yes. and then— decision because time is running short. yes. and then a _ decision because time is running short. yes. and then a few - decision because time is running| short. yes. and then a few hours later, short. yes. and then a few hours later. said. _ short. yes. and then a few hours later, said, well, _ short. yes. and then a few hours later, said, well, i— short.“ and then a few hours later, said, well, i have- short.“ and then a few hours later, said, well, i have been. later, said, well, i have been misinterpreted. so that is... maybe she was, maybe she wasn't, i am not going to make thatjudgment. but if ever there was a nuance and subtlety, that is it.— ever there was a nuance and subtlety, that is it. yes. and she knows about _ subtlety, that is it. yes. and she knows about those _ subtlety, that is it. yes. and she knows about those things, - subtlety, that is it. yes. and she knows about those things, how l subtlety, that is it. yes. and shel knows about those things, how to play that game, my goodness. yes. play that game, my goodness. yes, and nancy pelosi _ play that game, my goodness. yes, and nancy pelosi knows _ play that game, my goodness. yes, and nancy pelosi knows how to pick a word carefully as well, it is very unlikely— word carefully as well, it is very unlikely she was being misinterpreted, especially as she chose _ misinterpreted, especially as she chose to— misinterpreted, especially as she chose to go on the single show on abc that— chose to go on the single show on abc that president biden had called in to two— abc that president biden had called in to two days earlier to insist he was staying on and the one show we know— was staying on and the one show we know him _ was staying on and the one show we know him and his inner circle watch. she was— know him and his inner circle watch. she was broadcasting to an audience of one _ she was broadcasting to an audience of one there when she said she thinks — of one there when she said she thinks he — of one there when she said she thinks he should make his decision soon _ thinks he should make his decision soon about— thinks he should make his decision soon about whether or not he is stepping — soon about whether or not he is stepping down. how are important are the donors? _ stepping down. how are important are the donors? money is crucial in

american — the donors? money is crucial in american politics, so if the donor is turned — american politics, so if the donor is turned off the tap, would that change — is turned off the tap, would that change his mind toys are not enough time for— change his mind toys are not enough time for the — change his mind toys are not enough time for the effect of the donor is putting _ time for the effect of the donor is putting away their cheque books to impact _ putting away their cheque books to impact on — putting away their cheque books to impact on his decision—making? donors— impact on his decision—making? donors are _ impact on his decision—making? donors are vitally important and i have heard from donors and donor advises that there is 100 million that the spigot is being turned off until biden leaves. that there is, i have heard from several advisers that they are not going to contribute, they are not going to raise money, they are cancelling fundraisers. but i think that is now. if, infact, joe fundraisers. but i think that is now. if, in fact, joe biden remains in the race, you will have an opportunity to actually start campaigning and trying to change the narrative about donald trump. this election could get closer than it looks today and i really believe at that point donors face with sitting on their money and electing donald trump or contributing and making sure joe trump or contributing and making surejoe biden is competitive, i think they will choose the latter. so i think they are acting on emotion now, but i am not sure that is going to be the most pragmatic

view as we going into the campaign. yes. it isjust view as we going into the campaign. yes. it is just not clear to me how he can win now. i mean, what is the strategy? is it a rose garden strategy, where you essentially keep in under wraps and he makes formal speeches with the teleprompter? or is it, the teleprompter, i have to say, is a bit like the letters when we had a prime minister who didn't last as long as a lettuce in britain last as long as a lettuce in britain last year, liz truss, you probably blinked and missed her, steve, buti blinked and missed her, steve, but! just wonder if the teleprompter now has a better chance of being elected byjoe biden. in other words, do they keep him in the background and do that? in which case, surely he still loses, butjust kind of loses not so badly. or do they put him out? what is the strategy to win? with respect to the strategy, look, in great britain, you guys, thank god for you, you are so fortunate because one day you have a prime minister and the next day you have a different prime minister.

laughter in the united states, we have four months until the next election. it is an eternity. it is an eternity in politics and anything can happen. and we know one thing. that is for joe biden or a democrat to be elected president, you've got to win the only thing that matters and that is a preponderance of the seven battleground states. that is it, nothing else matters. in new york joe biden or a glass of water would win for president. in... donald trump or a glass of water would win gets a democrat. so it is the battleground states and in those battleground states and in those battleground states and in those battleground states the thin blue line is the democrat in wisconsin, michigan and pennsylvania and then nebraska, which is a topic for a future podcast because we could go into a lot of detail... i’gre future podcast because we could go into a lot of detail. . ._ into a lot of detail... i've been there. into a lot of detail... i've been there- but _ into a lot of detail... i've been there. but unlike, _ into a lot of detail... i've been there. but unlike, you - into a lot of detail... i've been there. but unlike, you have i into a lot of detail... i've been i there. but unlike, you have been into a lot of detail... i've been - there. but unlike, you have been a? you've been to omaha? ride we should get back to nebraska's second district, but not right now. invite me back one _ district, but not right now. invite

me back one day. _ district, but not right now. invite me back one day. and _ district, but not right now. invite me back one day. and so - district, but not right now. invite me back one day. and so the - distl’ict. but not right now. iriuis; me back one day. and so the strategy is to do what you do to win in that thin blue line all the blue wall. and for months givesjoe biden or a successor lots of opportunities. and there is one other thing and that is that donald trump may be winning in the polls right now. his support from his base, his maga support, is that nuclear energy levels, but it is not enough to elect him president again. he's got to have those persuadable independent voters. he can lose them in a second by saying something horribly damaging, which is why he has very smartly kept his mouth closed since the debates. he doesn't want to alienate those voters right now. labour and sophie, he could win, do you think? as long as the focus is on the he could win, do you think? as long as the focus is o— as the focus is on the focus is on donald trump — as the focus is on the focus is on donald trump and _ as the focus is on the focus is on donald trump and you _ as the focus is on the focus is on | donald trump and you encourage people _ donald trump and you encourage people to — donald trump and you encourage people to elect donald trump and not

joe biden— people to elect donald trump and not joe biden if in november, not now, this is— joe biden if in november, not now, this is the _ joe biden if in november, not now, this is the referendum onjoe biden's— this is the referendum on joe biden' . ., , biden's age, donald trump will win. if it is a referendum _ biden's age, donald trump will win. if it is a referendum on _ biden's age, donald trump will win. if it is a referendum on donald - if it is a referendum on donald trump, joe biden will win. right now the narrative has overtakenjoe biden. right now it is a narrative onjoe biden and people haven't really seen what the alternative is because the alternative has locked himself in a room in mar—a—lago and kept his mouth quiet because he doesn't want to step onjoe biden's problems. this has to be a referendum. not onjoe biden's age or his policies. it must be a referendum on donald trump. and if it is, i think biden, if he stays in, can win those battleground blue line states. . . ~ in, can win those battleground blue line states. , , ,, ., line states. yes. i 'ust think that the reettty h line states. yes. i 'ust think that the reettty ts _ line states. yes. i 'ust think that the reality is that _ line states. yes. i just think that the reality is that kamala - line states. yes. i just think that the reality is that kamala harris| line states. yes. i just think that i the reality is that kamala harris is not only on the ticket now, but if biden were to be elected, would become president herself almost certainly, wouldn't she? and that

adds another layer of complication to it all, doesn't it?— to it all, doesn't it? well, it does. i have _ to it all, doesn't it? well, it does. i have to _ to it all, doesn't it? well, it does. i have to say - to it all, doesn't it? well, it does. i have to say that... l to it all, doesn't it? well, it - does. i have to say that. .. show me does. i have to say that... show me a vice president and i will show you somebody who is at best undefined and at worst and liked. that is what vice presidents are therefore. they tend to struggle and so, right now kamala harris is largely undefined with the american people. people have an impression of her, but it is kind of a vague impression. give me $1 billion and four months in a campaign and she can be beautifully and strongly defined and beat donald trump in those battleground states. that is such a good point. so interesting. yes, i'm sure you're right, steve. interesting. yes, i'm sure you're right. steve-— right, steve. sarah, what do you reckon? l— right, steve. sarah, what do you reckon? i agree _ right, steve. sarah, what do you reckon? i agree and _ right, steve. sarah, what do you reckon? i agree and steve - right, steve. sarah, what do you. reckon? i agree and steve started talking _ reckon? i agree and steve started talking and saying that politics is all about — talking and saying that politics is all about timing talking and saying that politics is allabout timing and talking and saying that politics is all about timing and maybe with joe biden. _ all about timing and maybe with joe biden, there is so little time before — biden, there is so little time before the democrats have to settle on the _ before the democrats have to settle

on the nominee, but because there is probably— on the nominee, but because there is probablyjust enough time to redefine their campaign before november and that may be what saves it. , ,, ., ., :, it. yes. steve, a finalthought, if he stands _ it. yes. steve, a finalthought, if he stands down, _ it. yes. steve, a finalthought, if he stands down, number-one, l it. yes. steve, a finalthought, if| he stands down, number-one, do it. yes. steve, a finalthought, if- he stands down, number-one, do you he stands down, number—one, do you think you will stand down? number two, if he does stand down, do you think someone else, possibly or probably, harris, has got a better chance? :, �* ~ :, �* , chance? one, i don't know if he's ttoin to chance? one, i don't know if he's going to stand — chance? one, i don't know if he's going to stand down _ chance? one, i don't know if he's going to stand down because - chance? one, i don't know if he's going to stand down because i i chance? one, i don't know if he's i going to stand down because i don't think he knows for sure whether he is going to stand down. i think they are playing it tactically, hour by hour, day by day. so who am i to tell you what he's going to do? where is that inner circle is still advising him. i do believe this very strongly. should he make the decision to step away, it must be president harris. there is no other choice. you cannot say to the first african—american asian woman in the history of america to be vice president, step aside or get in line with others. that would be so destructive to our party. so what

our party has to do is, if there is a moment of clarity, either it is joe biden or if it is not, we wrap ourselves around, harass, change the narrative, refocus on donald trump and make this the election that we to be. ,, ., . ., to be. steve, thanks so much for “oinint to be. steve, thanks so much for joining us- _ to be. steve, thanks so much for joining us. thank _ to be. steve, thanks so much for joining us. thank you _ to be. steve, thanks so much for joining us. thank you for - to be. steve, thanks so much for joining us. thank you for inviting | joining us. thank you for inviting us, joining us. thank you for inviting us. goodbye- — joining us. thank you for inviting us, goodbye. goodbye. - hello there. if you do see sunshine this afternoon, you can count yourself quite lucky because for most of the uk we have extensive cloud in the skies and that is going

nowhere very fatherly fast. closest to an area of low pressure out in the north sea, the cloud thick enough for occasional patches of rain across eastern england and eastern scotland. the best of the breaks in the cloud has been that the west, for example in parts of cornwall. not looking bad at all imbued earlier today with plenty of sunshine. this afternoon across southern coastal counties, from devon to sussex, there will be one or two showers, thunderstorms possible, temperatures 20 also towards parts of cornwall, but otherwise a cool day, particularly around some of these eastern areas of england, eastern scotland, iii around some of these eastern areas of england, eastern scotland, 1a in aberdeen, while the average this time of year is 18, so you can feel yourself short short changed again in terms of the weather. this evening and overnight that area of low pressure remains very slow moving in the north sea, bringing further pulses of rain to eastern scotland and eastern areas of england, maybe be a few patches getting across the pennines at times as well. temperatures mostly staying in double figures on account of the

cloud that will continue to be in the skies. sunday's forecast, same area of low pressure continues to bring wet weather to east england, the rain probably turning patriot to aberdeenshire and probably some breaks in the cloud through the central belt of scotland, so a brighter day here probably was some sunshine. sunshine develops across parts of southern england, southern wales and probably some breaks in the cloud for northern ireland as well. where we see the sunshine coming out, that lift of the temperatures into the high teens or low 20s will feel quite pleasant. monday's forecast, the next area of low pressure moves on to the south—west, bringing heavier rain, maybe a bit of thunder mixed in, perhaps surface water flooding to watch out for. otherwise, with more sunshine breaking through the cloud across much of the uk, the temperatures will be lifting a bit higher and so 21 degrees or so for glasgow, 22 for norwich and london. that should feel quite pleasant. but i am not convinced this is the start of any prolonged dry spell of weather. it does look like it will

be quite unsettled into the wheat. probably a drier end to the week with some sunshine, but i don't think that will last into the following week. goodbye for now.

live from london, this is bbc news. the hamas health ministry says at least 71 palestinians were killed in an israeli air strike in southern gaza. a man is arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with human remains found in two suitcases on a bristol bridge. the judge throws out alec baldwin's manslaughter charge over the rust film set shooting of cinematographer halyna hutchins. iam in i am in their tender where thousands of england and spain fans are pouring into the city and the teams

are expected here later as well. we begin with a developing story in gaza, where the hamas—run health ministry says the number of people killed in an israeli air strike near the southern city of khan younis has risen to at least 71, with almost 300 injured. the attack happened in the masawi area of the city. these pictures show the moment of the blast. an israeli official said the strike targeted the head of hamas's military wing, mohammed deif, in an area where, he said, there were "only hamas terrorists and no civilians". the israeli military had designated this area a safe zone, urging palestinians to seek shelter there. an eyewitness described the scene to the bbc, saying it was like an earthquake. doctors at a nearby field hospital are reported to be struggling to cope with scores of casualties. let's hearfrom a displaced civilian who witnessed the attack.