The Point: A bright spot in politics: Bipartisan Olympic joy

View this email in your browser   July 30, 2021  | by Lauren Dezenski and Sonnet Swire A bright spot in politics: Bipartisan Olympic joy You don't have to be a partisan to love the Olympics.   In fact, no matter your political affiliation, there's something -- or someone -- worth celebrating. Here's a heart-warming sampling of the Olympic cheering coming from some of America's leaders on both sides of the aisle: Nearly every week for almost six years, Alaska Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan takes to the Senate floor to praise an "Alaskan of the Week." This week's honoree, swimmer Lydia Jacoby, not only won gold in the 100 meter breaststroke, she is now the first person to ever win Alaskan of the Week twice. "We are not going to forget it, and I guarantee you Lydia's hometown of Seward, Alaska … they are not going to forget it," Sullivan said from the Senate floor. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat, proclaimed Friday, July 30, 2021 to be Sunisa Lee Day in his state in honor of the 18-year-old gymnast from St. Paul. "Lee and her teammates have trained through adversity, including her father's injury, the COVID-19 pandemic, and competing at venues without a live audience or fans cheering them on," the proclamation read. Lee is the first Minnesotan to win an individual gold medal in gymnastics, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Florida Republican Sen. Rick Scott cheered swimmer Robert Finke for his gold medal-winning performance in the 800-meter freestyle: "Congratulations to Floridian @Robert_Finke for winning gold in the 800-meter freestyle at the #Tokyo2020 Olympics!" he tweeted. "You've made Florida proud." Hawaii Democrat Sen. Brian Schatz tweeted praise for surfer and lone native Hawaiian at the Olympics Carissa Moore: "Especially proud of @rissmoore10 - not only the way she surfs but the way she represents Hawaii and America." Moore went on to win the first-ever women's surfing gold medal -- and delivered a thank-you speech in Japanese. Republican Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah praised gymnast Simone Biles, who withdrew from the women's gymnastics team event because of mental health concerns, and the Olympic team writ large, in a message on Twitter. Romney tweeted: "I love and admire Simone Biles and our Olympians. Beyond their determination and sacrifice, they evidence the greatness of the human spirit, in victory and in defeat. I take pride in them, not so much for the medals they win as for the grace, humanity & character of their hearts." Romney has history with the Olympic games, since he was the head of the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics. And let's not forget Rafalca, the famous dressage horse owned by his wife Anne who competed in the 2012 games in London. Of course, not everyone is rooting for Team USA at every turn. Former President Donald Trump encouraged Phoenix rally-goers to boo the US Women's soccer team last weekend, after the team lost a match for the first time in three years. Trump clearly hasn't gotten over his rift with members of the team, including Megan Rapinoe, who called herself a "walking protest" to Trump's policies as president.   The Point: The Olympics are a chance for the nation -- and its leaders -- to come together to celebrate some amazing people. And we are all better off for it. Happy Sunisa Lee Day!   -- Lauren QUOTE OF THE DAY "Joe Biden gets a little win out of this … not every win requires a loser." -- GOP Senator Kevin Cramer of North Dakota, one of the 16 Republicans who voted to move ahead with the bipartisan $1T infrastructure package. THE WEEK IN 14 HEADLINES This week, the Senate voted to start debate on a $1 trillion infrastructure bill after a bipartisan group of lawmakers finally struck a deal. Meanwhile, the White House moved to mitigate the rise of Covid-19 cases and the CDC rang the alarm over the apparent severity of the Delta variant.   Monday Biden announces end of combat mission in Iraq as he shifts US foreign policy focus Federal law doesn't prohibit Covid-19 vaccine requirements, Justice Department says Tuesday 'January 6 still isn't over for me': Officers testify about mental health and lingering wounds from US Capitol attack CDC updates guidance, recommends vaccinated people wear masks indoors in certain areas guidance, recommends vaccinated people wear masks indoors in certain areas Wednesday Senate opens debate on trillion-dollar infrastructure bill after bipartisan group strikes deal White House works behind the scenes to prepare labor leaders for federal employee vaccine requirement Subpoena fight looms over Trump as House committee plots extensive January 6 probe House Republicans revolt over reimposed mask mandate Thursday CDC document warns Delta variant appears to spread as easily as chickenpox and cause more severe infection Biden calls on Congress to extend eviction moratorium set to expire Saturday Texas Senate advances bill to restrict how race, nation's history is taught in schools Friday Biden's Justice Department says IRS 'must' hand over Trump tax returns to Congress Senate votes to move ahead on trillion-dollar bipartisan infrastructure deal Trump to DOJ last December: 'Just say that the election was corrupt + leave the rest to me' LAUREN'S GOOD READS "Just say that the election was corrupt + leave the rest to me." A stunning revelation from The New York Times about how Trump "pressed top Justice Department officials late last year to declare that the election was corrupt ... so that he and his allies in Congress could use the assertion to try to overturn the results, according to new documents provided to lawmakers and obtained by The New York Times."   Don't miss CNN's Melanie Zanona on the battle for the soul of the Republican Party, playing out between Reps. Elise Stefanik and Liz Cheney.   Nevada's lone GOP member of Congress, Rep. Mark Amodei, is considering a bid for governor. As he told The Nevada Independent about his pending decision: "Part of me just wants to swing for the fences."   Hunter Biden has a two-word response to critics of his art, Politico reports.   I really love this 10-year-old dispatch from Politico's Michael Kruse, who had to get creative for a road trip from Wyoming to Seattle -- and drove a 16-foot Budget moving truck across America's West.   The NYT's visuals for the Olympics have been so cool. They compared how speed and distance dictate how Olympians run by putting runners on the world's fastest treadmill.  MUSICAL INTERLUDE Love this classic summer tune, as recommended by Point reader Ken Green: Bryan Adams' "Summer of '69." Have a song of the summer rec? Drop me a line: Lauren.dezenski@cnn.com. TOP TWEETS OF THE DAY 1. "This is not 2020." 2. Maggie Haberman provides the best context 2. Another Trump taxes development ... 👀 3. This makes me feel old 4. Some people just don't know how to act 5. Don't panic!!!! ONE 'LONG FIGHT' President Biden called worsening wildfires are an "urgent matter," telling a bipartisan group of governors "we're in for a long fight yet this year and the only way we're going to beat those challenges is by working together" between local, state and federal leaders.   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 Create your CNN Account 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 © 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., All rights reserved.