The Note: Democrats split over party identity

The TAKE with Rick Klein

Being a Democrat in the age of President Donald Trump is hazardous work.

It's not just the presidential insults one might suffer, or the reality that even in a week where one 2020 candidate drops out, another candidate gets in.

It's that the party retains deep and active disagreements about what it means and what it takes to be a Democrat these days.

That's evident in a presidential campaign where issues of race continue to dominate. Sen. Kamala Harris, who will appear on ABC's "The View" on Friday, is issuing a new warning for former Vice President Joe Biden along those lines: "I'm not going to allow us to engage in revisionist history."

It's evident in what might be the marquee Senate race of 2020. The prized Democratic recruit to take on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in Kentucky was barely in the race a day before a flip-flop-flip on the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court nomination showed one of the perils of running in a heavily pro-Trump state.

And the war of words between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the so-called "squad" of freshmen progressive women in the House escalated into suggestions of racism this week, with more votes looming this summer that could split Democrats on Capitol Hill.

Opposition to Trump remains the great unifying force for the Democratic Party. But the president's capacity to divide extends deep into the party that wants to defeat him.

The RUNDOWN with MaryAlice Parks

He may never admit it, but Trump waved a white flag on Thursday, conceding the administration's fight to have a new question on citizenship added on the 2020 census.

Civil rights groups celebrated as he instead directed agencies to compile the data from federal records already in their systems.

The question now though is whether the damage has already been done and if an accurate count can come to pass.

From the threats of raids, to the language the president uses talking about immigrants, this White House is highly effective in stoking fear and distrust in government in urban centers and some minority communities.

A proper census count moves millions of dollars and has the potential to affect the balance of power in legislative districting. The president's bluster and shakeups have left debris, of sorts, for local authorities and government representatives to pick up and wade through as they now have to go block by block and convince some residents that it's safe to fill out census forms.

The TIP with Averi Harper

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, on the second day of her three-state bus trip -- dubbed the "Trump Broken Promises Tour" -- is drawing a contrast between herself and the president.

And for the reporters along for the ride, she's offering unfettered access to her and her team -- and sharing more of her softer side.

Gillibrand loves the musical artist Lizzo and dances unabashedly with her team while the cameras capture it all. She snacks on popcorn and apples. And, if she's going out for drinks, her favorite is whiskey.

Her presidential campaign has struggled to gain traction, and Gillibrand hopes that showcasing her policies and personality will get her the attention she needs to break out.

THE PLAYLIST

ABC News' "Start Here" podcast. Friday morning's episode features ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Jonathan Karl, who explains why President Donald Trump backed down from his fight over the citizenship question on the 2020 census, while still exploring alternative methods. Then ABC News' Serena Marshall walks us through what Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention raids -- reportedly planned for this weekend -- could look like. http://apple.co/2HPocUL

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The Note is a daily ABC News feature that highlights the day's top stories in politics. Please check back Monday for the latest.