Author: Carol Colitti Levine

thesidetrek.com
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Main Event

Before we go to the Main Event. Take-away from the Undercard. Generationally speaking. Bernie Sanders & Elizabeth Warren had more energy than Joe Biden will likely be able to muster. Electability.

As for tonight’s central contenders. I think they’ll be:

Joe Biden- Seasoned yet yes sleepy
Kamala Harris- Wiley yet phoney
Cory Booker- Empathetic yet pathetic
Julián Castro- Staunch yet obscure
Andrew Yang- Techie yet outré
Kirsten Gillibrand- Feminist and misandrist

Let’s see if they perform true to form.

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Under Card

Tonight’s Democrat debate on CNN is considered the lighter-weight bout. With Warren and Sanders at center ring. As the most progressive, they will spar with moderate candidates.  I’d describe the major contenders on the undercard as follows:

Bernie Sanders – Cranky yet consistent
Elizabeth Warren- Breathless yet authentic
Pete Buttigieg- Youthful yet brilliant
Amy Klobuchar- Nervous yet earnest
Beto O’Rourke- Idiocyncratic and erratic

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Broken Record Alert

Until America loves its children more than its guns nothing will change. This time another two dead kids; a six-year old boy and a thirteen-year old girl at the Garlic Festival in Gilroy, California.

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Dénouement

The Russian Collusion Saga never had a climax. So. Today’s Mueller Story just sputtered to a halting end. As did he. A new impeachment plot would have an even weaker epilogue. Dems need to write a best seller starring a superhero who saves America from Trump. Oprah?

Jeopardy’s seasonal swan song this week. And. Who knew. Our former next door neighbor’s book on Chinese History a clue. Imperial Twilight. Hope it doesn’t portend Alex’s dénouement. Godspeed.

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Mulled Wine

Will tomorrow’s Mueller testimony pop any corks? Cause a public thirst for impeachment? Or finally dilute the taste for more Congressional hearings? Who knows. But. The Nadler-Schiff label will be served on every TV network. Take a sip every time someone says obstruction.

Speaking of bland blends. Season 2 of Big Little Lies. Except for Kidman v. Streep in the finale. Tours-de-force performance. High end.

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Slow Burn

Heat wave taking its time to get outta town. ConEd batting back well-deserved hits for more blackouts. Lightning and lights. Please.

Shane Lowry a happy champion at the Open. Not a contested finish. But. Brooks Koepka may have given him a run had it not been for the dawdling by his partner JB Holmes. Put your glove on. Get out your club. Strategize with your caddie. Before it is your turn! Take the shot.

Slow Play. Ruining the game.

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Costly Cuts

OZY-Fest cancelled in Central Park. It’d be bad to have a baked crowd on the Great Lawn. Costly for promoters A-Rod & Co. Park wasn’t happy anyway about the profit-making show. So.

An hour-long CNN event last night. To pick 20 names out of a hat. Seriously. Dems split debate July 30 & 31. Bernie and Lizzie with a light-weight first night. Second stage stronger with Harris v. Biden again.

Over at the British Open. Not many marquee players made the cut. Leaders going in beards & bellies. JB & Shane. And Woods. No not Tiger. Fleetwood & Westwood. Sad about Rory. It’d be great to see Lee do it. Joey3Sticks picks all still in the hunt.

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North Coast Links

The Open Championship at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland. Joey3Sticks picks Xander Schauffele, Tommy Fleetwood, Jon Rahm.

I’ll take 2 countrymen Rory McIlroy & GMac and then the guy who made the brilliant move to hire a caddy from the course Club. Brooks Koepka. Local knowledge is everything on this links terrain. In wind and rain.

Stay cool and watch on record. Don’t text any spoilers!

 

Photo: G. Levine. Connemara, Ireland. Circa 2002.

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Fresh Noms

Emmy nominations have some new names. The usual retread suspects. VEEP and Game of Thrones. Yes. But. This year’s additions include hilarious Anthony Carrigan, Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara. Yay. Jodie Comer finally gets her due as Sandra Oh’s better half. And. The two best shows on television. Schitt’s Creek & Succession.

Look for newcomers Maya Hawke the only good Stranger Thing and Sharp Object’s Eliza Scanlen on next year’s list.