Opinion Today: Biden, Bibi and the Olympics

Updates from Times Opinion's blog.

View in browser|nytimes.com July 26, 2024 By Anna Marks Opinion Staff Editor In today's newsletter, we're offering some of our favorite entries from The Point, Times Opinion's blog. Our writers told you what they think about President Biden's Oval Office address, Benjamin Netanyahu's speech to Congress and the French Olympic team's hijab ban. Check them out below. Bret Stephens on Biden → Serge Schmemann on Netanyahu → Meher Ahmad on the Olympics → Here's what we're focusing on today: Editors' Picks The Editorial Board America Has Questions for Kamala Harris and Donald Trump Voters need a chance to see how the two candidates handle close public scrutiny in debates, interviews and informal events. By The Editorial Board More From Opinion Guest Essay I Created 'Veep.' The Real-Life Version Isn't So Funny. Politics has become so much like entertainment that the first thing we do to make sense of the moment is to test it against a sitcom. By Armando Iannucci David Brooks Making Peace With the Kamala Nomination A strong politician in some ways, but also deeply flawed. Now, she's ours. By David Brooks Michelle Goldberg The Unnerving Changeability of JD Vance Vance has a history of remaking himself to suit the men in his life. By Michelle Goldberg Frank Bruni Strong Women Are Driving Donald Trump Crazy Against the former misogynist in chief, Kamala Harris's gender is an asset. By Frank Bruni Guest Essay Trump Ignores the Ruinous History of Tariffs The former president is praising the era when tariffs fueled the federal budget — and also caused social dislocation and financial instability. By Steven R. Weisman Paul Krugman JD Vance's 'Cat Ladies' Riff Has Serious 'Handmaid's Tale' Vibes The far right wants to turn the clock back on women's rights. By Paul Krugman Just One Question for Trump and Vance: What Is Wrong With You People? Say what you will about Biden, but he is not a bully. By Thomas L. Friedman Guest Essay Venezuela Is Ready for Change. Maduro Must Allow It. It is clear Venezuelans have chosen to oust President Maduro. Whether that will happen remains in question. By María Corina Machado Guest Essay 11-Year-Old Children Have No Business Competing in the Olympics We don't let preadolescent kids work. Why do we let them appear in the most high-pressure athletic contests on a global stage? By Linda Flanagan Guest Essay The Climate Is Changing. The Olympics Need to Change, Too. Organizers must reduce the event's carbon footprint. By Madeleine Orr Guest Essay I Work in TV and Even I Hate Watching It The streaming era turned on a fire hose of content that's drowning viewers. We need TV that feels created by humans, not served up by an algorithm. By Priyanka Mattoo Matter of Opinion Has Kamala Harris Changed? Or Have We? Let's talk about the Democrats' vibe shift. 43 MIN LISTEN The Ezra Klein Show This Is How Democrats Win in Wisconsin Ben Wikler, the chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, discusses whether Kamala Harris can appeal to voters in the swing state. 1 HR 3 MIN LISTEN Erin Schaff/The New York Times letters Countering Concerns About Kamala Harris Readers react to Bret Stephens's criticisms of Kamala Harris. Also: Gail Collins's loss; barring felons from office; no taxes on tips? We hope you've enjoyed this newsletter, which is made possible through subscriber support. Subscribe to The New York Times. Games Here are today's Mini Crossword, Wordle and Spelling Bee. If you're in the mood to play more, find all our games here. Forward this newsletter to friends to share ideas and perspectives that will help inform their lives. They can sign up here. Do you have feedback? Email us at opiniontoday@nytimes.com. If you have questions about your Times account, delivery problems or other issues, visit our Help Page or contact The Times. Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for the Opinion Today newsletter from The New York Times. To stop receiving Opinion Today, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings. To opt out of updates and offers sent from The Athletic, submit a request. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018