A new AP-NORC poll finds that as the U.S. prepares for an extravagant celebration of its founding principles, fewer Americans see their country or its system of government as exceptional. The findings highlight many Americans' feeling of unease over the future of its representative government — particularly among young people. Only about one-quarter of Americans say the U.S. stands above all other countries in the world, and Americans are less likely to see a democratically elected government as "extremely" or "very" important to the United States' identity as a nation than they were just a few years ago.

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Days after the state's primary, California voters are in a familiar position — waiting to find out which candidates will go on to the general election in their most high-profile races, for governor and Los Angeles mayor. As he has done before, President Donald Trump used the delayed ballot count on Thursday to allege that Democrats were trying to rig the tally and keep two candidates he favors from advancing to the general election. Trump supports Republican Steve Hilton in the governor's race and Spencer Pratt in the nonpartisan race for Los Angeles mayor. His claims prompted a response from Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom. His press office posted a video explaining how the nation's most populous state prioritizes accuracy and accessibility over speed.

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For all the fear and loathing generated by the ‘jungle” primary, and the prospect of two Republicans running for governor in November, the all…