* Historic tandem:Kamala Harris will make history as the first female (and notably of color) vice president. Moreover, by leaving her California senate seat, she opened up an opportunity for her successor, California Secretary of State Alex Padilla. A child of Mexican immigrants, Padilla has been appointed Harris’ successor by Gov. Gavin Newsom. He will become California’s first Latino senator—still somewhat surprising in a state with a population that is 40 percent Hispanic.
* Obviously there’s a lot riding on the Georgia senatorial run-off races. It’s encouraging that the two Democratic candidates, Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnook, have raised more than $100 million apiece over the last two months, according to the Federal Election Commission. Their GOPster counterparts, David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler, have raised about a third less. Yes, money and politics is not exactly a democratic ideal. But in this pragmatic, political universe, fund-raising means credibility and support—and often the difference between winning and losing. Go, Jon and Rev. Ralph.
* “If the president is serious about the $2,000 direct payments, he must call on House Republicans to end their obstruction.”–House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.