The Point: Can Trump make good on his vaccine promise?

View this email in your browser   April 30, 2020  | by Chris Cillizza and Lauren Dezenski Can Trump make good on his vaccine promise? "You know who's in charge of it? I am."   That was President Donald Trump's response Thursday when asked who was heading up "Operation Warp Speed" -- a massive public-private partnership aimed at drastically speeding up the development of a vaccine for the coronavirus.   The goal? Having hundreds of millions of doses of the vaccine ready to go by the end of this year-- a target that, if reached, would break every record on the books for vaccine creation. (The mumps vaccine, which has been considered the fastest turnaround of a vaccine ever, took four years!)   Trump, perhaps trying to lower expectations somewhat, said this Thursday about the timeline:   "I'm not overpromising. I don't know who said it but whatever the maximum is, whatever you can humanly do, we're going to have. I hope we're going to have a vaccine, and we're going to fast-track it like you've never seen before, if we come with a vaccine. I think they probably will."  For the sake of the American public and our collective desire to return to some semblance of normal, we have to hope that this is one Trump boast/promise that he actually will make good on. The simple truth is that for all the focus on the reopening of state economies this week and in the coming months, nothing will be even close to pre-coronavirus life in this country unless and until a vaccine is widely available. Ask yourself whether you would get on a plane without a vaccine? What about go to a concert? Or go to your company's annual convention? Or do one of a thousand other things that we all never even gave a second thought before two months ago? The reality, of course, is that Trump is not a medical doctor nor an infectious disease specialist. His ability to influence the timeline -- except as a sort of cheerleader and pressure exert-er -- is relatively limited.   But presidential leadership does matter when faced with extraordinary challenges like this one. Putting a man on the moon. Fighting and winning world wars. Maybe -- just maybe -- Trump can exert some. The Point: If past is prologue, Trump will miss his stated goal for a vaccine and then blame others for it somehow. But we all  -- no matter your partisan leanings -- should be rooting against that and for a true medical miracle that produces a vaccine as soon as possible.   -- Chris QUOTE OF THE DAY "The success story is this, this administration mobilized the greatest effort since World War II." -- White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany defending the administration's response to coronavirus (and Jared Kusher's praise). Chris has more on Kushner's tone-deaf congratulations. HOW'D THE LAKERS GET A PPP LOAN? The federal government passed the Paycheck Protection Program to provide emergency financial relief to small businesses during the coronavirus shutdown.   Then why exactly did the Lakers and publicly traded companies like Shake Shack, Ruth's Chris Steakhouse and Potbelly receive millions in funds that they had to return? Chris explains.   P.S. - Subscribing to The Point on YouTube is a slam dunk. CHRIS' GOOD READS A Bridge club infiltrated by coronavirus   How to shorten the timeline for a coronavirus vaccine   The moral calculus of reopening   Mitch McConnell is taking a big risk by bringing the Senate back next week   "Inside the Nightmare Voyage of the Diamond Princess"   Did Austin Powers ruin James Bond forever?   The mystery of Don Mattingly's actual birthday MUSICAL INTERLUDE Radiohead guitarist Ed O'Brien has released a new solo album entitled "Earth." Give it a listen!     Today's episode: A pandemic-proof voting option. LAUREN'S CAMPAIGN TRAIL LATEST     Joe Biden has yet to publicly address former Senate aide Tara Reade's sexual assault allegation, but the women who have endorsed him continue to defend Biden. Nancy Pelosi today said she is "satisfied" with Biden's response so far.    The Biden campaign reached a deal with Bernie Sanders to ensure the Vermont senator keeps the delegates he's earned ahead of this summer's convention.    Donald Trump erupted at his campaign manager over sliding poll numbers amid the coronavirus pandemic. Trump later denied any incident.   ONE BIG MASK Vice President Mike Pence wore a mask today while visiting a GM facility in Indiana. Pence was criticized after not wearing a mask while visiting the Mayo Clinic earlier this week. You are receiving this message because you subscribed to CNN's The Point with Chris Cillizza newsletter. Unsubscribe from this list Check out other CNN Newsletters Share the Point Newsletter   Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now to get The Point in your inbox.   Send your tips and thoughts via email to Chris Cillizza and Lauren Dezenski. You can follow Chris and Lauren on Twitter and connect with The Point on: Our mailing address is: One CNN Center Atlanta, GA 30303   Copyright © 2020 Cable News Network, Inc., All rights reserved.