Thumbs Down: Arizona Sen. John McCain announced his opposition to the latest Senate effort to repeal Obamacare, likely dooming the bill.

The Republican leadership is trying to rush the law through under budget rules that expire Sept. 30th. McCain said in a statement, “I believe we could do better working together, Republicans and Democrats, and have not yet really tried.” He added, “Nor could I support it without knowing how much it will cost, how it will affect insurance premiums, and how many people will be helped or hurt by it.”

What’s called the Graham-Cassidy bill would turn healthcare into block grants to the states to cobble together their own system. The proposed law has not been evaluated by the Congressional Budget Office for what it might cost — or save — and how many people would be thrown off their healthcare insurance. Likely, millions. If McCain and two other Republicans stick to their word that they are against Graham-Cassidy, it’s over.

Although Republicans have repeatedly claimed they’re trying to give Americans what they want, a new ABC News/Washington Post poll found that 56 percent of Americans prefer Obamacare over the latest Republican scheme.

Still, President Trump tweeted this morning attacking John McCain, “Large Block Grants to States is a good thing to do. Better control & management. Great for Arizona. McCain let his best friend L.G. (Lindsey Graham) (down!”

Puerto Rico: As many as 70,000 people in Puerto Rico have been advised to evacuate because a major dam is in danger of collapsing after Hurricane Maria. The dam suffered a “fissure,” Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rosselló said in a news conference. All areas surrounding the Guajataca River in northwest Puerto Rico should evacuate because the dam is in “imminent danger of collapse,” according to the National Weather Service.

Even if the dam holds, the island faces a difficult recovery. The local economy has been in decline for 10 years and the government is straining under $73 billion in debt. Maria knocked out electricity to the entire island, which is powered by an aging grid of oil-fired plants. Most of the power lines were above ground and now many are on it. Power poles snapped and were blown over. Many people may be without power for months.

Mexico: The death toll in the Mexico earthquake is now approaching 300 people and rising. Rescuers are still trying to find survivors in the rubble and have had some dramatic successes.

The Importance of Price: Politico did some digging and found that Secy. of Health and Human Services Tom Price has spent $300,000 so far flying around the country on charter jets rather than going commercial. A spokesman for Price said he’s a very busy man who can’t be delayed by unreliable airlines. A Washington Post editorial says, “Poor fellow! As if Washington were not amply stocked with people as busy as the self-important Mr. Price, most of whom somehow scrape by on commercial transportation.

The former congressman used to be a loud voice complaining about Washington’s waste, fraud, and abuse.

Adventures of Tweetman: “Kim Jong Un of North Korea, who is obviously a madman who doesn’t mind starving or killing his people, will be tested like never before!

“The Russia hoax continues, now it’s ads on Facebook. What about the totally biased and dishonest Media coverage in favor of Crooked Hillary?”

Also, appearing at a rally last night, Trump said NFL teams should fire players who kneel in protest during the National Anthem.

“Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, you’d say, ’Get that son of a bitch off the field right now. Out! He’s fired,” Trump said to loud applause.

The Obit Page: Daniel Yankelovich, the pollster and public opinion analyst who figured out what Americans think about their politicians and new brands of soap, died yesterday in San Diego at age 92.

Back in the 1950s, before Yankelovich and a handful of other pollsters and researchers, no one knew in advance whether a politician would win votes or the soap would sell. He focused on social research, the shifting trends in American life.  He saw the “generation gap” of the 1960s, the rise of the women’s movement in the 1970s, and in recent years the bewilderment of many Americans that they have no influence over the decisions that affect their lives.

Home Run Derby: The 2017 Major League Baseball season is shaping up to produce the most home runs ever. The FiveThirtyEight blog says this time it’s not players on steroids, it’s the balls. The League has been pitched batches of balls that have less air resistance, making them fly farther.

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