Biden addresses NATO amid uncertainty about election

President Joe Biden addressed a NATO summit meeting on Monday in Washington even as rumors and speculations swirl around whether he will be the Democratic candidate for president this fall.

Speaking to the representatives of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Biden said “Today, NATO is more powerful than ever – 32 nations strong. It’s good we’re stronger than ever because this moment in history calls for our collective strength,” a reference to Russia’s with Ukraine.

He said that more Patriot anti-missile batteries – and components for them – are on their way. Biden also presented NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Congressional Democrats back Biden

Democratic leaders in the Senate and House of Representatives are sticking with President Biden as their party’s nominee for president, according to “usually reliable sources.” 

Closed door meetings ended with support Tuesday. “I’m with Joe,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York.

However a seventh Democratic Congressman – Mike Sherrill – called on Biden to withdraw based on the “dangers” of a Trump victory.

Also on Tuesday, former president Donald Trump campiagned in Florida, saying that Democrats were divided on which candidate to “mislead” the nation.

Deputy marshal shoots “carjacker”

An armed man who was allegedly attempting a carjacking was shot by a U.S Deputy Marshal assigned to Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s security detail on July 5, according to documents.

The incident occurred around 1 a.m. in Washington when a man approached deputy marshals and allegedly pointed a gun at them through a side window.

A deputy marshal shot the man, striking him in the mouth. He was given first aid and hospitalized.

It’s not believed that Sotomayor was the target of the carjacking attempt.

Dodgers and Angels suffer losses

The Philadelphia Phillies lit up starter Bo Miller for 10 hits and nine runs as they thumped the Los Angeles Dodgers 10-1 Tuesday night in the City of Brotherly Love.

Blue Crew bats were somewhat silent, with only seven hits. To make matters worse, the team was 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position.

Cavan Biggio accounted for the sole Dodger run with a home run in the top of the fifth.

With the loss, the Dodgers are 55-37, still leading the National League West, but have lost five of their last seven games.

The Los Angeles Angels also lost on Tuesday night but by a more respectable 5-4 score. Catcher Logan O’Hoppe was the outstanding player, batting 3-for-4 and hitting solo home runs in the third and fourth innings, his 13th and 14th.

Opener Roansy Contreras was handled roughly, giving up five hits and four runs in two innings.

With the loss, the Halos are 37-53, still fourth in the American League West. They’ve now lost six of seven games in July.

Weather: A cooling off period

Conditions in our West Orange County area will get warmer and then cooler over the next few days. Wednesday’s daytime high should be 87 with an overnight low of 66. Thursday will see the high drop to 84 (66) and Friday and Saturday will dip to 81. Skies will be partly cloudy through Friday and yield to mostly sunny on Saturday.