First they marched, now they're running. Lauren Underwood is one of the many first-time female candidates seeking public office in 2018. She joins Cheddar to discuss why the time is right to challenge the GOP incumbent in Illinois' 14th congressional district.
Underwood is a registered nurse who served as an aide to the Department of Health and Human Services during the Obama Administration. She reveals how her own pre-existing condition turned the healthcare debate into a more personal issue. The candidate explains how she was inspired by her own personal experiences to run for the seat.
Underwood reveals how her candidacy helped inspire two other contenders to run for office. She considers whether campaigns like hers would have been possible had Hillary Clinton won the 2016 presidential election. The event served as a turning point in the minds of many women choosing to run for office for the first time.
There has been a series of violent attacks in Afghanistan in the past week as U.S. troops withdrawal deadline approaches. The evacuation effort is winding down with 1,200 people evacuated in the last 24 hours, compared to last week's 24-hour span high of 21,000, and it is reported that there are around 250 people still waiting to be airlifted.
Dan Lamothe, national security reporter at The Washington Post, joined Cheddar's Opening Bell to discuss more on what is going to happen when all evacuation and withdrawal missions are completed.
Futures pointed to a slightly higher open on the heels of Fed Chair Jerome Powell saying the central bank is on track to taper its asset purchases later this year. Milton Ezrati, Chief Economist at Vested joined Wake Up with Cheddar to discuss.