Michelle Obama takes on Trump

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VIEW IN BROWSER | SUBSCRIBE TUE, AUG 18, 2020 CNBC POLITICS EDITOR'S NOTE Hello,   The Democratic National Convention kicked off Monday night with a format that took some getting used to. Instead of rollicking, red-meat-laden speeches, the presentation jumped from virtual address to virtual address in a manner that looked more like a somber telethon than a political pep rally. This was probably fitting for a campaign being waged in the midst of a massive public health disaster.   The speakers also channeled that serious tone into how they made their case against President Trump and pushed Joe Biden as a more normal, decent alternative. Former first lady Michelle Obama, the night's main speaker, put a grim capstone on the proceedings. "If you think things cannot possibly get worse, trust me, they can," she said. "And they will if we don't make a change in this election." CNBC's Christina Wilkie and Tucker Higgins broke down Monday night's event here.   The action resumes Tuesday night, with speakers including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, former President Bill Clinton and Jill Biden. Wednesday will feature former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former President Barack Obama and vice presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris. Biden will deliver his speech on Thursday, the last night of the convention.   Here are other stories the CNBC Politics team has been covering: Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has agreed to testify before Congress next week. He is under fire for a series of cost-cutting measures that have resulted in Postal Service delays and disruptions. Democrats are concerned that the changes at the USPS may endanger mail-in voting this fall. Investment firm Blackstone has hired a Trump-linked lobbyist to target the Pentagon and the State Department. It wasn't entirely clear, however, why Blackstone would seek a lobbyist to focus on those two departments. CNBC's Darla Mercado explains what could be in store for your taxes if Biden wins the White House. You can find more coverage linked below. Thoughts? Email Mike Calia at CNBCPolitics@nbcuni.com.     Have friends or colleagues who might like this newsletter? They can sign up here.  Mike Calia @Michael_Calia KEY STORIES  The top moments from day one of the Democratic National Convention Bernie Sanders and former first lady Michelle Obama headlined the first night of the all-virtual Democratic National Convention. Michelle Obama tells 'the cold hard truth' in a searing DNC keynote speech The former first lady's speech on the first night of the Democratic National Convention painted a grim picture of America. "If you think things cannot possibly get worse, trust me, they can; and they will," she said. USPS chief Louis DeJoy agrees to testify before Congress next week Robert Duncan, chairman of the Postal Service's Board of Governors, which selected DeJoy in May, has also agreed to testify on the same day. What's ahead for your taxes if Biden wins the election If Democrats take the White House and the Senate, as well as maintain their lead in the House, levies on income and estates for the wealthiest may rise. Private equity giant Blackstone hires pro-Trump lobbyist David Urban to target Pentagon, State Department Blackstone, which has more than $500 billion in assets under management, hired David Urban earlier this year to join its ranks of outside lobbyists. Biden outspends Trump on Facebook ads for the first time since June Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden last week outspent President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence on Facebook advertisements for the first time since June 6, following the selection of Kamala Harris as his running mate. Hillary Clinton slams Trump's response to coronavirus pandemic, decision to withdraw from WHO "There's a lot of really important work that needs to be done, and the United States has to be in the middle of it, it cannot sit on the sidelines being indifferent," Clinton said. Elizabeth Warren and lawyer who sued Uber say gig economy companies deny workers their rights Gig economy companies like Uber and Lyft misclassify their workers as independent contractors, when they deserve full benefits companies typically provide to their full-time employees, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. and labor lawyer Shannon Liss-Riordan write in an op-ed.     Unsubscribe Manage Newsletters Terms of Service Join the CNBC Panel Digital Products Feedback Privacy Policy   © 2020 CNBC LLC. All rights reserved. A property of NBCUniversal. 900 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632 Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes and Market Data and Analysis. Data also provided by THOMSON REUTERS