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THE LID: Wing Dings

Welcome to The Lid, your afternoon dose of the 2016 ethos….
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This undated photo provided by the American Dairy Association shows a butter sculpture display.AP

Welcome to The Lid, your afternoon dose of the 2016 ethos…. Hillary Clinton asked Twitter users to describe how they feel about their student loan debt “using three emojis or less.” Because who can talk about education reform with all those pesky “words” in the way?

THE LID: AUGUST 12, 2015

From Carrie Dann and Andrew Rafferty

’16 AT 30 THOUSAND: Believe it or not, there are some other 2016 storylines worth paying attention to that don’t involve either Donald Trump OR Hillary Clinton. Never fear, The Lid’s got you covered:

Iowa State Fair Begins Thursday: More than a dozen candidates will visit the fair and speak at the famed Des Moines Register Soapbox. Though the straw poll that usually coincides with the event is now defunct, the fair is still an important chance for candidates to interact with voters from around the state. The nine days over which candidates speak on the soapbox is usually good for some memorable moments. Like, in 2011 when Mitt Romney told protesters, “Corporations are people, my friend.”

Two Republicans Respond to the Moment: Can Carly Fiorina seize her newfound momentum after last week’s debate? Can Rick Perry successfully pivot away from stories about his fundraising woes? On Thursday, both will make their first campaign stops since those headlines broke. The two campaigns are heading in different directions, but both camps’ responses will be important to watch.

Do Iowans Bern for Sanders? Hawkeye State Democrats will get a chance to see both Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders at the Wing Ding Dinner on Saturday. The recently released Franklin Pierce University/Boston Herald gave Sanders a seven point lead over Clinton in New Hampshire. But does the Big ‘Mo translate to the first caucus state?

POPPING ON NBC POLITICS

NBC’s Kailani Koenig caught up with John Kasich’s newest supporter, Tom Rath, in Manchester today.

President Barack Obama wrote a letter to the New York Times calling for a vigorous defense of voting protections. Here’s a look at why.

NBC’s Danny Freeman talked to one Iowa voter who explained the Trump phenomenon -- and why she stopped supporting Hillary Clinton.

NBC’s First Read looks at the one-two punch Hillary Clinton is taking between a new New Hampshire poll and more fallout over her emails.

And ICYMI: NBC’s Alex Jaffe reports on how abortion has emerged as a major issue in the 2016 race.

CAMPAIGN QUICK READS

WALKER: The Wisconsin governor signed a bill clearing the way for taxpayers to help fund a new stadium for the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks. Interesting note is that Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry is a major bundler for Hillary Clinton.

CLINTON: Her campaign sent a lengthy email to supporters explaining the recent developments surrounding the personal email server she used while secretary of state.

HUCKABEE: The Super PAC supporting him paid the company that he is president of $30,000 days after the former Arkansas governor announced his second White House run, Open Secrets reports.

FOR THE RECORD…

“How does your student loan debt make you feel? Tell us in 3 emojis or less.”

-- Tweet from Hillary Clinton’s official campaign handle

TOMORROW’S SKED

The Iowa state fair begins with Mike Huckabee, Jim Webb and Martin O’Malley stepping you on the famous candidate soapbox throughout the day. Jeb Bush and Carly Fiorina are also in Iowa.

Scott Walker speaks to the DuPage County GOP Summer Reception in Illinois.

Rick Perry holds a town hall meeting in Anderson, South Carolina.