Ted Cruz’s RNC speech had one goal

And Biden tests positive for COVID-19 with mild symptoms, White House confirms

VIEW IN BROWSER MSNBC DAILY Understand today's news Thursday, Jul. 18, 2024 THE LATEST JD Vance helps alleviate one of die-hard Republicans' biggest fears By Anthea Butler Sen. JD Vance of Ohio made his prime-time debut on Wednesday night at the Republican National Convention. While a relative newcomer politically, it already seems clear that Vance will be an asset to former President Donald Trump's third run for president because his hard-line stance against abortion, coupled with his Catholicism, will push back critics of the Republican National Committee's watered-down platform. Kevin Roberts, president of the Heritage Foundation, is "good friends" with Vance and was reportedly elated that Trump had chosen him as his running mate.   Besides running alongside Trump, Vance and former Vice President Mike Pence have one thing in common: both have adult conversion stories. Pence was raised Catholic and converted to evangelical Christianity as an adult. Vance was raised Protestant and was baptized into the Catholic Church in 2019 by Dominicans.   The similarities end there. Pence was of the Republican establishment, but Vance has embraced MAGA and Trump just like he has the Catholic Church. And he may ultimately end up the vanguard of the next MAGA generation.   This is a preview of Anthea Butler's latest article. Read the full column here.  TOP STORIES RADLEY BALKO What makes Ted Cruz's fiery RNC speech wrong on so many levels Sen. Ted Cruz's RNC speech was totally divorced from reality. And I can prove it. Read more. WILLIE CARVER Real hillbillies like me don't trust JD Vance. You shouldn't trust him either. In his bestseller memoir, JD Vance uses a wide brush to paint Appalachians as lazy, ignorant and unwilling to try at life. Read more. JACQUES BERLINERBLAU Jon Stewart needs to ask himself some hard questions after his RNC special Stewart interviewed his longtime interlocutor, frenemy and sparring partner Bill O'Reilly, but failed to address the most important question of all. Read more. JORDAN RUBIN There are at least two hurdles standing in the way of Biden's Supreme Court reforms Democrats' efforts to reform the Roberts Court could be stymied by the court itself. Read more.      TOP VIDEOS THE BEAT WITH ARI White House: President Biden tests positive for COVID-19, experiencing mild symptoms WATCH NOW 2024 RNC SPECIAL COVERAGE Rachel Maddow on the real reason JD Vance was chosen to be Trump's running mate WATCH NOW 2024 RNC SPECIAL COVERAGE Peter Navarro at the RNC: 'This morning I did walk out of a federal prison' WATCH NOW 2024 RNC SPECIAL COVERAGE Full speech: JD Vance accepts Republican vice presidential nomination WATCH NOW DON'T MISS On Saturday, Sept. 7, you can attend "MSNBC Live: Democracy 2024," our premiere fan event in Brooklyn, New York. Hear thought-provoking conversations about the most pressing issues of our time, and take part in a sit-down dinner for an insider's view of this critical moment in our democracy. Buy your tickets now.   MSNBC INSIGHTS Have you ever wanted to provide MSNBC with your opinion about their TV programs, documentaries, and digital products, such as MSNBC.com, newsletters, and podcasts? Now is your chance! Join the MSNBC Insights Community.   Download the MSNBC App: 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10112 PRIVACY | CONTACT | UNSUBSCRIBE