Biden stands firm, but his backing may be slipping

Despite entreaties from several Democratic leaders, President Joe Biden is sticking to his vow to not drop out of the 2024 presidential race.

Biden, 81, attended several rallies in Pennsylvania on Sunday and quipped about his age. “I know I look 40,” he said. “But I’ve been doing this a long time.”

However, at a meeting convened by House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, several committee leaders reportedly said “privately” that Biden should stop his campaign. Others in the party however, have stood by him. “Let Joe be Joe,” said Sen. Alex Padilla (D-California). “I absolutely believe we can turn it around.”

The latest polling average compiled by the website 538.com  has former president Donald Trump leading Biden by 2.3 percentage points.

Far-right falls short in French elections

A forecast victory by far-right parties in the French parliamentary elections didn’t materialize, and instead a leftist coalition – the New Popular Front – has won the most seats but is short of a majority.

As returns are tabulated, it appears the NPP has won at least 181 seats, while President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist allies have 160 and Marine LePen’s far-right National Rally have 143 seats. To have a majority, a party must win 289 seats.

A coalition between the NPP and centrists, however, would total 341 seats.

Sunday wasn’t a fun day

Sunday afternoon is usually a fine day for a baseball game, but not for the Los Angeles Angels and Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Halos suffered their sixth loss in seven games, falling 5-0 to the Cubs in Chicago. They mustered only three hits and Taylor Ward left the game with an apparent injury. The Angels are 37-52 and still in fourth place in the American League West.

As for the Dodgers, two home runs by the visitors were enough to hand them a 5-2 loss at home to the Milwaukee Brewers. Chris Taylor’s two-run home run in the bottom of the fifth was the Blue Crew’s offensive highlight.

LAD is 55-36 and still in first place in the National League West.

Weather: It’s hot all week

Not scorching hot – that’s still to come – but weather in our West Orange County area will be hot all week rising to the mid-80s. Skies will be cloudy though Thursday. Monday will start with a daytime high of 79n (and an overnight low of 55), rising to 84 (65) on Tuesday and 86 (66) on Monday.