Joe Nye, Harvard government professor and former Dean of the Kennedy school, sadly passed away. Prime proponent of "soft power" I never talked to Joe with/out learning a lot. He was kind and patient as well as smart. America lost a gifted national security scholar. RIP Joe.

PAUL WEISS:COWARDLY CRAVEN CAPITULATORS: NY law firm surrenders to Trump shakedown threatening their business, will give $40 million of pro bono work to Trump causes. Two partners, ex AG Loretta Lynch and ex Homeland scrty Jeh Johnson should resign to keep reputational respect.

John Feinstein; RIP. Saddened by loss ofgood friend and colleague, John Feinstein. Wonderful times on Pete Teeley's Children Charities board; many fun discussions sports and politics, Army-Navy Duke& K. Of all his best selling books he was proudest of NFL and race. Irreplacable.

Follow Fallows: the best analysis of the tragic air crash at National airport is from journalist Jim Fallows, himself a pilot. It's on his substack, Breaking the News.

A GOAT, Stu Spencer, legendary GOP adviser starting w/ Ronald Reagan, died. I've covered 14 Presidential races; he'd be on any starting five of best strategists; no one was more fun. He was a totally loyal Republican until Trump. RIP Stu, politics was better with you; thanks.

Jim Leach passed away. A former Iowa Republican congressman, thoughtful, decent lawmaker, admired by Republicans and Democrats alike; total integrity. There is no place for a man like Jim in the Trump Republican party.

Dana Bash did fine job interviewing Harris; CNN with lots of commercials, failed,.

An Antidemocratic President

RIP Charlie Ferris, most influential senate staffer in 20th century. Top aide to Majority Leader Mike Mansfield in 60sand 70s, he played key role in passage of civil rights and anti war measures. Later he was chairman of the FCC. One of wisest sources I ever had. Charlie was 90.