bipartisanreport--2020-10-14--Federal Judge Issues Emergency Order To Extend Voter Registration

The Republicans simply do not have enough votes to win fairly in the ongoing election season .
Unfortunately , many of them have no compunction about cheating , lying , and stealing to ensure enough voter suppression for Donald Trump and a herd of Republicans to retain their seats .
This event all started with an “ accidentally severed a cable.
” Virginia ’ s voters were dismayed to find that when they tried to register , they found the state ’ s computerized voter registration system was down .
The Lawyers ’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law sued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hours lost .
A federal judge extended the time to register by 48 hours .
The lawsuit also included a call for Virginia to inform voters how the rule had changed in “ a significant effort , ” according to the Associated Press ( AP ) : Voting rights advocates wanting to extend the registration time , and Virginia state officials agreed .
U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney , Jr. decreed on Wednesday that the lost time be made up .
What that means for Virginia voters is that the deadline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moved up 48 hours to “ 11:59 p.m. Thursday , October 15th .
Gibney stated that the computer crash cause “ a tremendous harm ” to the Virginian voters wanting to apply their legal right to a free and fair election .
The plaintiffs argued that the state officials were responsible for the crash .
As a result of the incident , a significant number of voters waited until the following day rather than sitting up all night waiting for an opportunity that never came .
Reports of the problem online and in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AP reported : Virginia Governor Ralph Northam ( D ) said there was no backup plan for the cable .
The flaw also indicated a weakness in the network .
With Russia and possibly China , North Korea , and Iran actively seeking to undermine American elections , it is important for all states ’ governments to tighten up their networks with dual backup systems .
Off-shore intruders into the American voting system have been trying to hack state systems .
They also spread conspiracy theories and posts meant to divide the people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ television network is a funnel for Russian propaganda .
Twitter world went wild after they saw this story .
Take a look at some of their brilliant responses below : The Mueller Report Adventures : In Bite-Sizes on this Facebook page .
These quick , two-minute reads interpret the report in normal English for busy people .
Mueller Bite-Sizes uncovers what is essentially a compelling spy mystery .
Interestingly enough , Mueller Bite-Sizes can be read in any order .

The Republicans simply do not have enough votes to win fairly in the ongoing election season. Unfortunately, many of them have no compunction about cheating, lying, and stealing to ensure enough voter suppression for Donald Trump and a herd of Republicans to retain their seats. This event all started with an “accidentally severed a cable.”
Virginia’s voters were dismayed to find that when they tried to register, they found the state’s computerized voter registration system was down.
The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law sued for an extension to make up for the hours lost. A federal judge extended the time to register by 48 hours. The lawsuit also included a call for Virginia to inform voters how the rule had changed in “a significant effort,” according to the Associated Press (AP):
‘Absent relief, voters who attempted to register to vote through the online portal on October 13, 2020, but were unable through no fault of their own, will be absolutely disenfranchised in the upcoming elections.’
Voting rights advocates wanting to extend the registration time, and Virginia state officials agreed. U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney, Jr. decreed on Wednesday that the lost time be made up. What that means for Virginia voters is that the deadline for registering online and in-person has been moved up 48 hours to “11:59 p.m. Thursday, October 15th.
The Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring released a statement:
‘Americans are “21 days away from the most important election of our lifetimes, and I want to make sure that every Virginian who wants to vote has the opportunity to do so.’
Gibney stated that the computer crash cause “a tremendous harm” to the Virginian voters wanting to apply their legal right to a free and fair election.
The plaintiffs argued that the state officials were responsible for the crash. As a result of the incident, a significant number of voters waited until the following day rather than sitting up all night waiting for an opportunity that never came. Reports of the problem online and in the media furthered the delay. The AP reported:
‘During Chesterfield County roadside utilities project…a 10-gigabit optical fiber circuit had been inadvertently cut.’
Virginia Governor Ralph Northam (D) said there was no backup plan for the cable. The flaw also indicated a weakness in the network. With Russia and possibly China, North Korea, and Iran actively seeking to undermine American elections, it is important for all states’ governments to tighten up their networks with dual backup systems.
CNN reported that Northam said:
‘That deadline is set in our code and it does not appear that I have the authority to change it, [and he wants to] support a court ordered (sic) extension of the deadline.’
Secretary of Administration Keyanna Conner added:
‘[T]he circuit was installed this spring to help the state handle increased web demand during the coronavirus pandemic. She said backup circuits aren’t as large as the main circuit, but plans are in place to upgrade them.’
Off-shore intruders into the American voting system have been trying to hack state systems. They also spread conspiracy theories and posts meant to divide the people of this great nation. The ONE television network is a funnel for Russian propaganda.
Twitter world went wild after they saw this story. Take a look at some of their brilliant responses below:
Early voting here in Virginia. Feels good. Feels like justice . . . and #JusticeMatters pic.twitter.com/X4sV2pKj6j — Glenn Kirschner (@glennkirschner2) October 7, 2020
I do think a bunch of states with Rs in charge of voting matters have not made arrangements that are nearly accommodating enough for high numbers of voters, especially minority voters. But I suspect what we’re seeing is also just massive turnout and enthusiasm for beating Trump. https://t.co/6iAfNA333c — Liz Mair (@LizMair) October 13, 2020
The Mueller Report Adventures: In Bite-Sizes on this Facebook page. These quick, two-minute reads interpret the report in normal English for busy people. Mueller Bite-Sizes uncovers what is essentially a compelling spy mystery. Interestingly enough, Mueller Bite-Sizes can be read in any order.


bipartisanreport--2020-10-14--Lindsey Graham Makes A Fool Of Himself At Wednesday SCOTUS Hearing

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham ( R-S.C. ) continues to ardently champion the confirmation of Trump pick Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court .
On Wednesday , on day three of the Barrett confirmation process , Graham made an eye-catching reference during his opening defense of Barrett , whose refusal to provide conclusive positions in particular policy areas has come under scrutiny .
Referencing judicial ethics standards , Graham indicated that Barrett could freely provide opinions on previously conclusively litigated cases like Brown v. Board of Education – and he referred to the time in which that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days of segregation.
” Could he have sounded more racist if he tried ?
‘ I think Sen. Hirono named 8 or 9 different cases that may come up to the Court , cases in controversy , and one of the reasons that you can ’ t tell us how you would rule , is because there ’ s active litigation coming to the court .
Is that correct ?
’ Barrett indicated that Graham was correct .
The Chairman continued : Barrett again indicated that the Chairman was correct , and she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perspective that the Brown decision was decided correctly .
At this point , it ’ s dubious , at best , that an imminent member of the U.S. Supreme Court would imply that it ’ s any kind of potentially open question whether the Brown v. Board of Education decision , which desegregated schools , was decided correctly .
It ’ s not an open question .
Notably , the comment from Graham actually hearkens back to some comments that he made during a recent televised forum appearance about the prospects for black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carolina .
Graham insisted that black South Carolina residents can “ go anywhere in this state ” — as long as they ’ re conservative .
During that televised forum appearance , Graham said : ‘ Do I believe our cops are systemically racist ?
No .
Do I believe South Carolina is a racist state ?
No .
Let me tell you why .
To young people out there , young people of color , young immigrants , this is a great state , but one thing I can say without any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American and go to the Senate but you just have to share our values .
If you ’ re a young , African American or an immigrant , you can go anywhere in this state , you just need to be conservative , not liberal.
’ These patronizing comments directed towards those who happen to be unlike Graham reek of racially-tinged arrogance .
As a matter of fact , the Cook Political Report states that Harrison ’ s race against Democratic challenger Jaime Harrison is currently a toss-up , indicating that on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ although that wasn ’ t imminently in question , per se ) .
Recent polling has had both Graham and Harrison ahead by small margins , and Harrison ’ s campaign boasts an impressive level of fundraising .
In the third quarter of 2020 , Harrison ’ s campaign raised a full $ 57 million from almost one million individual donors , which is the highest single-quarter fundraising haul of any U.S. Senate candidate ever .

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) continues to ardently champion the confirmation of Trump pick Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court. On Wednesday, on day three of the Barrett confirmation process, Graham made an eye-catching reference during his opening defense of Barrett, whose refusal to provide conclusive positions in particular policy areas has come under scrutiny. Referencing judicial ethics standards, Graham indicated that Barrett could freely provide opinions on previously conclusively litigated cases like Brown v. Board of Education – and he referred to the time in which that case emerged as “the good old days of segregation.” Could he have sounded more racist if he tried?
Graham asked:
‘I think Sen. Hirono named 8 or 9 different cases that may come up to the Court, cases in controversy, and one of the reasons that you can’t tell us how you would rule, is because there’s active litigation coming to the court. Is that correct?’
Barrett indicated that Graham was correct. The Chairman continued:
‘Do you think Brown v. Board of Education is a super-precedent — you’re not aware of any effort to go back to the good old days of segregation by a legislative body. Is that correct?’
Barrett again indicated that the Chairman was correct, and she noted that she has previously expressed her perspective that the Brown decision was decided correctly. At this point, it’s dubious, at best, that an imminent member of the U.S. Supreme Court would imply that it’s any kind of potentially open question whether the Brown v. Board of Education decision, which desegregated schools, was decided correctly. It’s not an open question.
Check out Graham’s comments below:
Notably, the comment from Graham actually hearkens back to some comments that he made during a recent televised forum appearance about the prospects for black people in his home state of South Carolina. Graham insisted that black South Carolina residents can “go anywhere in this state” — as long as they’re conservative.
During that televised forum appearance, Graham said:
‘Do I believe our cops are systemically racist? No. Do I believe South Carolina is a racist state? No. Let me tell you why. To young people out there, young people of color, young immigrants, this is a great state, but one thing I can say without any doubt, you can be an African American and go to the Senate but you just have to share our values. If you’re a young, African American or an immigrant, you can go anywhere in this state, you just need to be conservative, not liberal.’
These patronizing comments directed towards those who happen to be unlike Graham reek of racially-tinged arrogance.
As a matter of fact, the Cook Political Report states that Harrison’s race against Democratic challenger Jaime Harrison is currently a toss-up, indicating that on a foundational level, Graham is incorrect (although that wasn’t imminently in question, per se). Recent polling has had both Graham and Harrison ahead by small margins, and Harrison’s campaign boasts an impressive level of fundraising. In the third quarter of 2020, Harrison’s campaign raised a full $57 million from almost one million individual donors, which is the highest single-quarter fundraising haul of any U.S. Senate candidate ever.


bipartisanreport--2020-10-14--Amy Barret’s Alma Matter Colleagues Band Together & Condemn Her Nomination

The passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg left a space no other justice can fill , but Republicans were determined to ram through the first nominee they could to do it within just two hours after the announcement of her death .
Judge Amy Coney Barrett was nominated by President Donald Trump the day after Ginsburg ’ s funeral , and her confirmation hearing in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee is already underway .
Fellow faculty members of Judge Barrett ’ s acknowledged the great achievements that Barrett has made in an open letter , but they followed their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely didn ’ t want to hear .
They asked that she resign from the nomination , not because of her prior statements on the unconstitutionality of the Affordable Care Act or the “ brutality ” of reproductive rights , but for three very important other reasons .
‘ We congratulate you on your nomination to the United States Supreme Court .
An appointment to the Court is the crowning achievement of a legal career and speaks to the commitments you have made throughout your life .
And while we are not pundits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is all but assured .
‘ That is why it is vital that you issue a public statement calling for a halt to your nomination process until after the November presidential election.
’ They began by saying that her nomination is an obvious power grab by Republicans that disenfranchises voters , who should have the right to have a say in a lifelong nomination to the Supreme Court , particularly when voting is already well underway .
While they acknowledged that the timing is not the fault of Judge Barrett , they pleaded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmation will be to voters across the country .
‘ First , voting for the next president is already underway .
According to the United States Election Project ( https : //electproject.github.io/Early-Vote-2020G/index.html ) , more than seven million people have already cast their ballots , and millions more are likely to vote before election day .
The rushed nature of your nomination process , which you certainly recognize as an exercise in raw power politics , may effectively deprive the American people of a voice in selecting the next Supreme Court justice.
’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scholars everywhere , feel the weight of the passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and said that her final wishes to be replaced by a new president after the 2020 elections was her most fervent hope , according to Ginsburg ’ s granddaughter , who recorded her words .
Out of respect for the contribution of Ginsburg to the law and the country , Barrett ’ s Notre Dame teaching colleagues said that the right thing to do would be to step down .
Finally , they wrote that Barrett ’ s nomination comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the United States that it should be her responsibility to the country to try to quell some of the anxiety over the 2020 presidential elections , the COVID-19 crisis , and the social uprisings over police brutality .
In other words , they asked her to put the good of the country over her own ambitions for the Supreme Court .
‘ Finally , your nomination comes at a treacherous moment in the United States .
Our politics are consumed by polarization , mistrust , and fevered conspiracy theories .
Our country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There is violence in the streets of American cities .
The politics of your nomination , as you surely understand , will further inflame our civic wounds , undermine confidence in the court , and deepen the divide among ordinary citizens , especially if you are seated by a Republican Senate weeks before the election of a Democratic president and congress .
’

The passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg left a space no other justice can fill, but Republicans were determined to ram through the first nominee they could to do it within just two hours after the announcement of her death. Judge Amy Coney Barrett was nominated by President Donald Trump the day after Ginsburg’s funeral, and her confirmation hearing in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee is already underway.
BREAKING: 88 of Amy Coney Barrett’s faculty colleagues at Notre Dame have released a letter saying she should withdraw from consideration for the Supreme Court. https://t.co/ujZ6zMFY6d — Jonathan Alter (@jonathanalter) October 13, 2020
Fellow faculty members of Judge Barrett’s acknowledged the great achievements that Barrett has made in an open letter, but they followed their congratulations with advice that their colleague most likely didn’t want to hear. They asked that she resign from the nomination, not because of her prior statements on the unconstitutionality of the Affordable Care Act or the “brutality” of reproductive rights, but for three very important other reasons.
They wrote:
‘We congratulate you on your nomination to the United States Supreme Court. An appointment to the Court is the crowning achievement of a legal career and speaks to the commitments you have made throughout your life. And while we are not pundits, from what we read your confirmation is all but assured. ‘That is why it is vital that you issue a public statement calling for a halt to your nomination process until after the November presidential election.’
"Every American must understand that with this nomination, equal justice under law is at stake. Our voting rights are at stake. Workers' rights are at stake," Sen. Kamala Harris says at the confirmation hearing for Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett. https://t.co/mUCa1XcbGy pic.twitter.com/Gp5folWn8Q — ABC News (@ABC) October 12, 2020
They began by saying that her nomination is an obvious power grab by Republicans that disenfranchises voters, who should have the right to have a say in a lifelong nomination to the Supreme Court, particularly when voting is already well underway. While they acknowledged that the timing is not the fault of Judge Barrett, they pleaded with her to consider how unfair her confirmation will be to voters across the country.
‘First, voting for the next president is already underway. According to the United States Election Project (https://electproject.github.io/Early-Vote-2020G/index.html), more than seven million people have already cast their ballots, and millions more are likely to vote before election day. The rushed nature of your nomination process, which you certainly recognize as an exercise in raw power politics, may effectively deprive the American people of a voice in selecting the next Supreme Court justice.’
If this feels personal, that’s because it is. Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a personal hero for me and for millions of other women. The most fitting tribute to her is to stop Donald Trump and Senate Republicans from stealing her Supreme Court seat.https://t.co/JQxqeyIil4 — Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) October 13, 2020
Her colleagues, as well as legal scholars everywhere, feel the weight of the passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and said that her final wishes to be replaced by a new president after the 2020 elections was her most fervent hope, according to Ginsburg’s granddaughter, who recorded her words. Out of respect for the contribution of Ginsburg to the law and the country, Barrett’s Notre Dame teaching colleagues said that the right thing to do would be to step down.
‘Next, the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s dying wish was that her seat on the court remain open until a new president was installed. At your nomination ceremony at the White House, you praised Justice Ginsburg as “a woman of enormous talent and consequence, whose life of public service serves as an example to us all.” Your nomination just days after Ginsburg’s death was unseemly and a repudiation of her legacy.’
Red States began late but now dominate the Covid charts. pic.twitter.com/FCWUgASmep — Anil (@anilvohra69) October 13, 2020
Finally, they wrote that Barrett’s nomination comes at such a divided and critical time in the United States that it should be her responsibility to the country to try to quell some of the anxiety over the 2020 presidential elections, the COVID-19 crisis, and the social uprisings over police brutality. In other words, they asked her to put the good of the country over her own ambitions for the Supreme Court.
‘Finally, your nomination comes at a treacherous moment in the United States. Our politics are consumed by polarization, mistrust, and fevered conspiracy theories. Our country is shaken by pandemic and economic suffering. There is violence in the streets of American cities. The politics of your nomination, as you surely understand, will further inflame our civic wounds, undermine confidence in the court, and deepen the divide among ordinary citizens, especially if you are seated by a Republican Senate weeks before the election of a Democratic president and congress.’
White supremacist extremists will remain the deadliest domestic terror threat to the US, according to the Department of Homeland Security's first annual homeland threat assessment https://t.co/mQ62LuKMAK — CNN (@CNN) October 12, 2020
Featured image screenshot via YouTube


bipartisanreport--2020-10-14--Republican Governor Publicly Defects From Donald Trump

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker ( R ) has revealed ( through a spokesperson ) that he is not in support of the re-election of President Donald Trump .
Baker seems like one of the most high-ranking Republican officials currently in power to come out against the president ; other opposition from prominent Republicans has come from folks not currently in a government position , like a slew of former Trump administration officials .
The statement from Baker ’ s spokesperson did not note who the governor would be supporting instead of Trump , but there ’ s a sizable movement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lincoln Project and Republican Voters Against Trump who are supporting Biden .
Those brief two sentences are the entirety of the statement from the governor ’ s spokesperson .
Check out the statement in full below : This occasion is not the first time that Baker has expressed opposition to the Trump-led main wing of the Republican Party .
Recently , he ( along with Vermont ’ s Republican Governor Phil Scott ) released a statement opposing the Senate GOP ’ s rush to confirm Trump Supreme Court pick Amy Coney Barrett before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republicans refused to hold hearings for then-President Barack Obama ’ s Supreme Court pick , Merrick Garland , and they cited the imminent presidential election as an excuse .
Now , the Republicans claim that since the Senate and White House are controlled by the same political party , the GOP supposedly has enough of a mandate from the voters to move forward .
Barrett ’ s confirmation hearings got going this week .
Across the country , there are many voters ready to stand up to Trump .
At least 3.7 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and as of Wednesday evening , FiveThirtyEight gives Joe Biden an about 87 percent chance of winning the election .
Baker ’ s own state is heavily Democratic-leaning when it comes to the presidential race — an Emerson College survey from August had Biden up in Massachusetts by 39 percent .

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker (R) has revealed (through a spokesperson) that he is not in support of the re-election of President Donald Trump. Baker seems like one of the most high-ranking Republican officials currently in power to come out against the president; other opposition from prominent Republicans has come from folks not currently in a government position, like a slew of former Trump administration officials. The statement from Baker’s spokesperson did not note who the governor would be supporting instead of Trump, but there’s a sizable movement of Republicans associated with groups like The Lincoln Project and Republican Voters Against Trump who are supporting Biden.
Baker’s communications director Lizzy Guyton said:
‘The governor cannot support Donald Trump for president and is focused on seeing Massachusetts through the pandemic. He’ll leave the election analysis to the pundits.’
Those brief two sentences are the entirety of the statement from the governor’s spokesperson. Check out the statement in full below:
This occasion is not the first time that Baker has expressed opposition to the Trump-led main wing of the Republican Party. Recently, he (along with Vermont’s Republican Governor Phil Scott) released a statement opposing the Senate GOP’s rush to confirm Trump Supreme Court pick Amy Coney Barrett before Election Day. In 2016, Senate Republicans refused to hold hearings for then-President Barack Obama’s Supreme Court pick, Merrick Garland, and they cited the imminent presidential election as an excuse. Now, the Republicans claim that since the Senate and White House are controlled by the same political party, the GOP supposedly has enough of a mandate from the voters to move forward. Barrett’s confirmation hearings got going this week.
Across the country, there are many voters ready to stand up to Trump. At least 3.7 million Democrats have already voted across the U.S., and as of Wednesday evening, FiveThirtyEight gives Joe Biden an about 87 percent chance of winning the election. Baker’s own state is heavily Democratic-leaning when it comes to the presidential race — an Emerson College survey from August had Biden up in Massachusetts by 39 percent.


bipartisanreport--2020-10-14--Obama Issues Marching Orders To America Like A Real Leader

Ah , America misses our President Barack Obama .
What a fine time it was .
No paid or unpaid hookers .
No herding people down the deadly coronavirus pandemic chute–to hell .
No tweets .
What a golden silence compared to Donald Trump ’ s chaotic never-ending chatter .
The Obama years were sweet , even though Republican legislators denied him his Supreme Court appointment and stuck a stick in the eye of so much his legislation .
As soon as Trump took office , he set off to demolish everything our dear president managed to accomplish in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pillar that Trump has not managed to crack is Obamacare , but he has his third conservative Supreme Court pick .
That is the one Mitch McConnell ( R-KY ) is forcing through in an otherwise empty Congress aka stealing .
The court will take up the Affordable Care Act on November 10 .
Things we took for granted seem quaint now eating in a restaurant , going to college , filling out your Census form .
Alas , Trump has managed with the help of some of his friends to take a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Census , too ?
Alas , even the Census .
So President Obama has come back from his early retirement to help America find her way in the dark , toxic cloud of Trumpism .
Our 45th president urged up to “ Complete the Census before it ’ s too late : ” Then , President Obama turned people to a really good article in Vox showing why people need to fill out our Census , why it matters : Out of the blue , Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross told us that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people who make up America will halt a whole month early .
It seems he can not manage to turn the information in by the end of the year .
Sad , he is so feeble .
Activists , cities , counties , states , Native American tribes , and others filed a lawsuit against Ross ’ decision .
Knowing the accurate count gives them additional funding .
When Donald Trump declared he would not include undocumented migrants , people worried and were less forthcoming .
He was aiming for that .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ makeup .
Kansas wants to gerrymander Representative Sharice David ’ s seat out of existence .
She is only one of two Native Americans serving in the House .
Trump lost , so he took it to the Supreme Court and SCOTUS overturned the federal judges ’ opinion .
Trump could stop counting .
This is just one of the many , many ways Republicans are trying to suppress voting .
Most are illegal .
Not this time , though .
The man occasionally sitting in the Oval Office , the one determined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus as possible , decided to make the deadline October 15 .
After that , no more door-to-door knocking .
The internet option stays open until October 16 at 5:59 am ( ET ) .
Steven Romalewski Director of the Mapping Service at the Center for Urban Research at City University of New York Graduate Center and developer of the Hard to Count map said : ‘ More self-response means better data , so more time for self-response is a good thing to extend the deadline .
[ It ] also means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ timeframe for nonresponse follow-up , meaning the door-knocking enumeration won ’ t be rushed , and census takers will have the time they had planned on to be more thorough in reaching people in the hardest-to-count communities.
’ Terri Ann Lowenthal , former Staff Director of the House Census Oversight Subcommittee and census consultant said :

Ah, America misses our President Barack Obama. What a fine time it was. No paid or unpaid hookers. No herding people down the deadly coronavirus pandemic chute–to hell. No tweets. What a golden silence compared to Donald Trump’s chaotic never-ending chatter. The Obama years were sweet, even though Republican legislators denied him his Supreme Court appointment and stuck a stick in the eye of so much his legislation.
As soon as Trump took office, he set off to demolish everything our dear president managed to accomplish in his eight years in office. The one pillar that Trump has not managed to crack is Obamacare, but he has his third conservative Supreme Court pick. That is the one Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is forcing through in an otherwise empty Congress aka stealing. The court will take up the Affordable Care Act on November 10.
Things we took for granted seem quaint now eating in a restaurant, going to college, filling out your Census form. Alas, Trump has managed with the help of some of his friends to take a weed whacker to all of those. The Census, too? Alas, even the Census.
So President Obama has come back from his early retirement to help America find her way in the dark, toxic cloud of Trumpism. Our 45th president urged up to “Complete the Census before it’s too late:”
‘Complete the Census before it’s too late—it determines the resources your community will get over the next decade, from funding for roads and Medicare to political representation. Take a few minutes before the deadline tomorrow: Call 844-330-2020 or visit http://my2020census.gov.’
Then, President Obama turned people to a really good article in Vox showing why people need to fill out our Census, why it matters:
‘This article is worth a read to learn more about why you should respond and what makes the 2020 Census different:’
Out of the blue, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross told us that the collection of important information about the people who make up America will halt a whole month early. It seems he cannot manage to turn the information in by the end of the year. Sad, he is so feeble.
Activists, cities, counties, states, Native American tribes, and others filed a lawsuit against Ross’ decision. Knowing the accurate count gives them additional funding. When Donald Trump declared he would not include undocumented migrants, people worried and were less forthcoming. He was aiming for that. The Census also determines the actual representative map makeup. Kansas wants to gerrymander Representative Sharice David’s seat out of existence. She is only one of two Native Americans serving in the House. Trump lost, so he took it to the Supreme Court and SCOTUS overturned the federal judges’ opinion. Trump could stop counting. This is just one of the many, many ways Republicans are trying to suppress voting. Most are illegal. Not this time, though. The man occasionally sitting in the Oval Office, the one determined to take down as many people with the coronavirus as possible, decided to make the deadline October 15. After that, no more door-to-door knocking. The internet option stays open until October 16 at 5:59 am (ET).
Steven Romalewski Director of the Mapping Service at the Center for Urban Research at City University of New York Graduate Center and developer of the Hard to Count map said:
‘More self-response means better data, so more time for self-response is a good thing to extend the deadline. [It] also means the Bureau will stick to its Covid-19 timeframe for nonresponse follow-up, meaning the door-knocking enumeration won’t be rushed, and census takers will have the time they had planned on to be more thorough in reaching people in the hardest-to-count communities.’
Romalewski continued:
‘It really did enormous damage to the trust that people need to have in the Census Bureau in order to participate.’
Lowenthal said:
‘Once the population started to churn because of the pandemic, the Census Bureau faced an unprecedented challenge of trying to count people who have moved from where they could have been residing months ago.’
Terri Ann Lowenthal, former Staff Director of the House Census Oversight Subcommittee and census consultant said:
‘The census is the largest, most complex activity this nation conducts short of mobilizing for war. The census is the largest, most complex activity this nation conducts short of mobilizing for war.’
Romalewski added:
‘We’ve never had a pandemic like this; we’ve never had a political climate this bad. In some ways, it’s impressive that we’ve even gotten to this level..So despite the challenges, we still need to do better.’
Thanks, Obama.
The Mueller Report Adventures: In Bite-Sizes on this Facebook page. These quick, two-minute reads interpret the report in normal English for busy people. Mueller Bite-Sizes uncovers what is essentially a compelling spy mystery. Interestingly enough, Mueller Bite-Sizes can be read in any order.The Mueller Report Adventures: In Bite-Sizes on this Facebook page. These quick, two-minute reads interpret the report in normal English for busy people. Mueller Bite-Sizes uncovers what is essentially a compelling spy mystery. Interestingly enough, Mueller Bite-Sizes can be read in any order.


bipartisanreport--2020-10-14--Updated Early Voting Totals Have GOP Clutching Their Pearls

Data about ballots that have already been cast across the United States reveals great news for Democrats .
In the 2020 election cycle , there has been a dramatic surge in early voting , with over 14.4 million votes already cast across the country as of October 14 , according to data compiled by the U.S .
Elections Project .
Among the portion of those ballots that have party affiliation data available , Democrats have a big lead .
A total of a little over 6.5 million early votes have party affiliation data available , and Democrats have cast well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 56.9 percent of those early votes from their own party members .
Republicans have only cast 23.3 percent of those early votes for which party affiliation data is available .
These numbers , of course , suggest that there ’ s a sizable blue wave on the way .
Republicans will no doubt get a boost in turnout on Election Day itself , which will likely be thanks in part to President Donald Trump ’ s own tirades against mail-in voting — which he falsely claims is full of opportunities for fraud — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a huge national outpouring of support for Democratic nominees Joe Biden and Kamala Harris .
Even amidst the Coronavirus pandemic and its associated economic crisis , anti-Trump enthusiasm is high , and early turnout is soaring .
The state where what seems like the most early votes have already been cast is Florida , where over 1.9 million voters have already cast their ballots .
Florida makes party affiliation data available for the early votes that have been cast in their state , and on that level , Democrats are in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Democrats have cast a full 50.4 percent of the early votes that have already been cast in Florida , while Republicans have only cast 29.4 percent of the total , with most of the rest taken up by unaffiliated voters .
Florida is likely a must-win state for the eventual victorious presidential candidate .
As of Wednesday afternoon , FiveThirtyEight gives Biden a 71 percent chance of winning the state , but there ’ s still time for a shift — about a month ago , the site gave Biden a chance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lower .
Another electorally important state on the map is Pennsylvania , where Democrats have a very large lead in the race to return mail-in ballots .
As of Wednesday afternoon , a little over half a million ballots have been cast in the state , and over 75 percent of these ballots have been cast by Democrats .
FiveThirtyEight gives Biden an 88 percent chance of winning the state as of Wednesday afternoon .

Data about ballots that have already been cast across the United States reveals great news for Democrats. In the 2020 election cycle, there has been a dramatic surge in early voting, with over 14.4 million votes already cast across the country as of October 14, according to data compiled by the U.S. Elections Project. Among the portion of those ballots that have party affiliation data available, Democrats have a big lead. A total of a little over 6.5 million early votes have party affiliation data available, and Democrats have cast well over half of that total, with 56.9 percent of those early votes from their own party members. Republicans have only cast 23.3 percent of those early votes for which party affiliation data is available.
These numbers, of course, suggest that there’s a sizable blue wave on the way. Republicans will no doubt get a boost in turnout on Election Day itself, which will likely be thanks in part to President Donald Trump’s own tirades against mail-in voting — which he falsely claims is full of opportunities for fraud — but the data is clear: there’s a huge national outpouring of support for Democratic nominees Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Even amidst the Coronavirus pandemic and its associated economic crisis, anti-Trump enthusiasm is high, and early turnout is soaring.
The state where what seems like the most early votes have already been cast is Florida, where over 1.9 million voters have already cast their ballots. Florida makes party affiliation data available for the early votes that have been cast in their state, and on that level, Democrats are in the lead. As of Wednesday afternoon, Democrats have cast a full 50.4 percent of the early votes that have already been cast in Florida, while Republicans have only cast 29.4 percent of the total, with most of the rest taken up by unaffiliated voters. Florida is likely a must-win state for the eventual victorious presidential candidate. As of Wednesday afternoon, FiveThirtyEight gives Biden a 71 percent chance of winning the state, but there’s still time for a shift — about a month ago, the site gave Biden a chance of victory that was about ten percent lower.
Another electorally important state on the map is Pennsylvania, where Democrats have a very large lead in the race to return mail-in ballots. As of Wednesday afternoon, a little over half a million ballots have been cast in the state, and over 75 percent of these ballots have been cast by Democrats. FiveThirtyEight gives Biden an 88 percent chance of winning the state as of Wednesday afternoon.


bipartisanreport--2020-10-14--Judge Issues Emergency Order To Extend Voter Registration


bipartisanreport--2020-10-15--Trump Melts Down Into Delirious Conspiracy Rant At Thursday Rally

On Thursday , amidst his desperate attempt to secure some kind of stability for his re-election campaign , President Donald Trump held a rally in Greenville , North Carolina .
The event quickly went rather haywire — Trump delivered a meandering conspiracy and lie-riddled barrage of rhetoric , little of which seems to have been solidly connected to reality .
Seeming to go rather far off script at times , he jumped from nonsense to nonsense , seemingly counting on his fans to follow along closely enough to make the angry word salad mean something to them .
At one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outlandish tirade against Democrats , who he claimed “ slander our nation as evil , ” “ indoctrinate our children , ” and “ incite anti-American riots in our streets.
” Every one of these claims seem too nonsensically hyperbolic to even be able to appropriately fact-check .
‘ The Democrats smear decent Americans as racist , slander our nation as evil , indoctrinate our children , and incite anti-American riots in our streets that we could control in 25 minutes , as we did in Minneapolis , as we do wherever we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us in .
By law , they have to invite us in… Anywhile , they call themselves peaceful protesters .
You know , in theory , we ’ re not supposed to be — and look at all the masks .
You know , they keep saying : nobody wears masks .
Wear the masks.
’ Trump subsequently claimed that the CDC said that “ 85 percent of the people wearing the mask catch [ Coronavirus ] .
” This claim is , quite simply , false .
The CDC did not make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lie will likely eventually appear at this link . )
Trump continued by belittling Dr. Anthony Fauci of the National Institutes of Health , who he claimed said that the Coronavirus is “ not a threat ” and “ not a problem ” after it first emerged .
While it ’ s unclear what exactly Trump is even trying to refer to here , what is very clear is that Donald Trump himself has spent an inordinate amount of time throughout the pandemic trying to downplay the threat of the virus .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ just go away on its own , which is and always has been a ridiculous claim .
He is accusing Fauci of the waffling nonsense that he himself is guilty of .
What a petty excuse for a president .
Watch his comments below : This week , The New York Times dropped a report outlining how 8 million people have fallen into poverty since May , according to estimates from Columbia University .
Although that rise in poverty followed a temporary reduction in poverty amidst the federal assistance of the early days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temporary reduction and leaves an approximate net rise of 4 million in the number of Americans in poverty since the start of the pandemic .
Amidst this crisis , the president is whining about NBC anchor Chuck Todd .

On Thursday, amidst his desperate attempt to secure some kind of stability for his re-election campaign, President Donald Trump held a rally in Greenville, North Carolina. The event quickly went rather haywire — Trump delivered a meandering conspiracy and lie-riddled barrage of rhetoric, little of which seems to have been solidly connected to reality. Seeming to go rather far off script at times, he jumped from nonsense to nonsense, seemingly counting on his fans to follow along closely enough to make the angry word salad mean something to them.
At one point, he went on a truly outlandish tirade against Democrats, who he claimed “slander our nation as evil,” “indoctrinate our children,” and “incite anti-American riots in our streets.” Every one of these claims seem too nonsensically hyperbolic to even be able to appropriately fact-check.
He ranted:
‘The Democrats smear decent Americans as racist, slander our nation as evil, indoctrinate our children, and incite anti-American riots in our streets that we could control in 25 minutes, as we did in Minneapolis, as we do wherever we go, but the have to invite us in. By law, they have to invite us in… Anywhile, they call themselves peaceful protesters. You know, in theory, we’re not supposed to be — and look at all the masks. You know, they keep saying: nobody wears masks. Wear the masks.’
Trump subsequently claimed that the CDC said that “85 percent of the people wearing the mask catch [Coronavirus].” This claim is, quite simply, false. The CDC did not make this revelation. (An article about the lie will likely eventually appear at this link.)
Trump has now said twice today that the CDC found that 85% of people who wear masks catch the coronavirus. This is transparently ridiculous, not even close to what the CDC study said. I'll have a piece soon. — Daniel Dale (@ddale8) October 15, 2020
Trump continued by belittling Dr. Anthony Fauci of the National Institutes of Health, who he claimed said that the Coronavirus is “not a threat” and “not a problem” after it first emerged. While it’s unclear what exactly Trump is even trying to refer to here, what is very clear is that Donald Trump himself has spent an inordinate amount of time throughout the pandemic trying to downplay the threat of the virus. He has suggested that the virus might just go away on its own, which is and always has been a ridiculous claim. He is accusing Fauci of the waffling nonsense that he himself is guilty of.
Trump after mocking Fauci: "He's a nice guy, so I keep him around. Right? We'll keep him around. He's a Democrat, everybody knows that. He's Cuomo's friend." (Fauci got the Medal of Freedom from George W. Bush, was tight with George H.W. Bush, has served under six presidents.) — Daniel Dale (@ddale8) October 15, 2020
Trump continued:
‘The Democrat Party is ashamed of America. The Republican Party is proud of America, and that’s a big difference. A big difference. I’m being set up tonight. I’m doing this town hall with Concast, C-O-N — right? Con. Because it’s a conjob. Concast. C-O-N. Not C-O-M. C-O-N cast. So I’m doing it, and it’s NBC — the worst. Home of Sleepy Eyes Chuck Todd, and some others.’
What a petty excuse for a president. Watch his comments below:
This week, The New York Times dropped a report outlining how 8 million people have fallen into poverty since May, according to estimates from Columbia University. Although that rise in poverty followed a temporary reduction in poverty amidst the federal assistance of the early days of the pandemic, it surpasses that temporary reduction and leaves an approximate net rise of 4 million in the number of Americans in poverty since the start of the pandemic. Amidst this crisis, the president is whining about NBC anchor Chuck Todd.


bipartisanreport--2020-10-15--McConnell Abruptly Breaks With Trump 19 Days Before Election

Sen. Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) has now indicated that he is currently unwilling to move forward with a level of Coronavirus-connected economic relief that has been proposed by the White House .
The Trump administration has been angling for a new relief package that ’ s worth between $ 1.8 trillion and $ 2.2 trillion , but on Thursday , McConnell indicated to reporters that he was not moving forward on that level of spending at present .
Instead , the Senate is slated to soon vote on a relief package that ’ s well under half that level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Asked about the White House ’ s target , McConnell said : McConnell added that the higher spending level is “ not what [ he is ] going to put on the floor.
” The plan that he is planning to bring up for a vote — months after the Democrat-led House passed their own new relief package — includes money for more forgivable small business loans , financial support for Coronavirus testing and hospitals , and a shield for businesses against potential future lawsuits related to topics like Coronavirus exposure or virus/ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continues to struggle through recovering from the pandemic , these liability protections , if enacted , could be a major stumbling block on the road to securing relief for everyday Americans .
McConnell ’ s perspective stands in stark contrast to the president ’ s own recent comments .
Asked during a Thursday Fox interview if he was willing to go higher than $ 1.8 trillion , Trump insisted : The irony of Trump suddenly becoming a champion of pricey relief is that just recently , Trump announced that he had ordered the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Congressional Democrats over a potential new comprehensive Coronavirus relief package .
He quickly followed that announcement up with an apparent backtrack , announcing that he actually supported specific relief measures like financial support for airlines and direct payments to Americans , the latter of which were included in the most recent successful economic relief package , which was known as the CARES Act .
Negotiations over a potential new economic relief package have been going on for months , with little recent major progress .
Since May , an estimated 8 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into poverty , ” according to data shared by The New York Times .
According to a Columbia University study cited by the publication , that growth in poverty follows a temporary reduction of about 4 million in the number of impoverished Americans during the beginning of the pandemic , when the federal financial support poured in .
Those Columbia University numbers mean that since the start of the pandemic , there ’ s been an approximate net growth in the number of impoverished Americans by about 4 million .
Numbers are fluid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slowly come back together , but the ongoing national crisis is staggering .
Nevertheless , Congressional Republicans continue to drag their feet .

Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has now indicated that he is currently unwilling to move forward with a level of Coronavirus-connected economic relief that has been proposed by the White House. The Trump administration has been angling for a new relief package that’s worth between $1.8 trillion and $2.2 trillion, but on Thursday, McConnell indicated to reporters that he was not moving forward on that level of spending at present. Instead, the Senate is slated to soon vote on a relief package that’s well under half that level, totaling about $500 billion.
Asked about the White House’s target, McConnell said:
‘That’s where the administration is willing to go. My members think half a trillion dollars, highly targeted, is the best way to go.’
McConnell added that the higher spending level is “not what [he is] going to put on the floor.” The plan that he is planning to bring up for a vote — months after the Democrat-led House passed their own new relief package — includes money for more forgivable small business loans, financial support for Coronavirus testing and hospitals, and a shield for businesses against potential future lawsuits related to topics like Coronavirus exposure or virus/ infection management practices. As the country continues to struggle through recovering from the pandemic, these liability protections, if enacted, could be a major stumbling block on the road to securing relief for everyday Americans.
McConnell’s perspective stands in stark contrast to the president’s own recent comments. Asked during a Thursday Fox interview if he was willing to go higher than $1.8 trillion, Trump insisted:
‘Absolutely, I would. I would pay more. I would go higher. Go big or go home, I said it yesterday. Go big or go home.’
The irony of Trump suddenly becoming a champion of pricey relief is that just recently, Trump announced that he had ordered the end of negotiations between the White House and Congressional Democrats over a potential new comprehensive Coronavirus relief package. He quickly followed that announcement up with an apparent backtrack, announcing that he actually supported specific relief measures like financial support for airlines and direct payments to Americans, the latter of which were included in the most recent successful economic relief package, which was known as the CARES Act.
Negotiations over a potential new economic relief package have been going on for months, with little recent major progress.
Since May, an estimated 8 million people across the U.S. have “slipped into poverty,” according to data shared by The New York Times. According to a Columbia University study cited by the publication, that growth in poverty follows a temporary reduction of about 4 million in the number of impoverished Americans during the beginning of the pandemic, when the federal financial support poured in. Those Columbia University numbers mean that since the start of the pandemic, there’s been an approximate net growth in the number of impoverished Americans by about 4 million. Numbers are fluid, especially as the economy continues to slowly come back together, but the ongoing national crisis is staggering. Nevertheless, Congressional Republicans continue to drag their feet.


bipartisanreport--2020-10-15--Latest Arizona Senate Polls Confirm Trump Has Destroyed Republicans

In battleground states across the country , Republican Senate incumbents are struggling in the polls , losing or tied with their Democratic challengers .
For the senator who now fills the late John McCain ’ s seat , the polls have been brutal , and they haven ’ t gotten any better as the election winds to a close in the last 27 days of voting .
McSally lost in a 2018 election to now senior senator Kristen Synema and was appointed to her seat , not elected , upon McCain ’ s untimely passing .
It doesn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ better in an election against Mark Kelly , her challenger and the husband of former Rep. Gabby Giffords ( D-AZ ) .
So far in the 2020 election season , McSally has trailed Kelly consistently , as have many other staunch pro-Trump candidates .
With the president trailing in some national polls by as much as 14 points and tied with his challenger , Joe Biden , in Arizona , the tide does not seem to be turning McSally ’ s way .
Interestingly , McSally trails Kelly with women by a wide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t seem to like her .
In a debate on Tuesday night , McSally had an embarrassingly bad performance against Kelly , which will likely drive her new poll numbers down even farther .
‘ McSally trails Kelly by 12 points among independents .
Among women , a key bloc in the suburbs of Maricopa County , Kelly has a 26-point lead over McSally , who hasn ’ t broken 40 percent among the demographic since tracking began in July .
‘ She also is relatively weak among Republican voters , with only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her if the election were held today .
’

In battleground states across the country, Republican Senate incumbents are struggling in the polls, losing or tied with their Democratic challengers. For the senator who now fills the late John McCain’s seat, the polls have been brutal, and they haven’t gotten any better as the election winds to a close in the last 27 days of voting.
Real Clear Politics compilation of Arizona polls shows Mark Kelly leading Martha McSally in ALL the polls except one. Her behavior was despicable. You can donate to his campaign here: https://t.co/Nxg7YtARu9 pic.twitter.com/6C6LttvjPb — Helen Armstrong (@HelenArmstrong5) October 7, 2020
McSally lost in a 2018 election to now senior senator Kristen Synema and was appointed to her seat, not elected, upon McCain’s untimely passing. It doesn’t appear as though McSally will fare any better in an election against Mark Kelly, her challenger and the husband of former Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-AZ).
According to Morning Consult:
‘According to Morning Consult Political Intelligence tracking conducted Sept. 22 through Oct. 1, Kelly leads McSally by 13 percentage points, 51 percent to 38 percent, among 1,048 likely voters in Arizona. While McSally’s campaign has pointed to internal numbers showing a tighter race, other public polls are generally in line with Morning Consult’s figures, showing Kelly in the lead and McSally underperforming President Donald Trump, who has been more competitive with Democratic nominee Joe Biden at the top of the ticket but still trails in most polls.’
The #AZsen polls from yesterday show @CaptMarkKelly leading Martha McSally by DOUBLE digits. We are flipping Arizona. We are flipping Georgia. We are flipping West Virginia. We are flipping the Senate back. #FlipTheSenate Donate today: https://t.co/UGuWZXO3jz pic.twitter.com/1292uY5rvU — Tanbir “Support Paula Jean Swearengin” Chowdhury (@ItsTanbirC) October 6, 2020
So far in the 2020 election season, McSally has trailed Kelly consistently, as have many other staunch pro-Trump candidates. With the president trailing in some national polls by as much as 14 points and tied with his challenger, Joe Biden, in Arizona, the tide does not seem to be turning McSally’s way.
‘As is the case across much of the Senate battleground, the Democratic candidate has tracked closely with Biden’s support among Democrats and independents, while the Republican underperforms Trump among voters in the middle and the party’s base.’
And this was before McSally tried smearing Kelly's wife in tonight's debate pic.twitter.com/a889f29Syd — This is now a Dune stan account (@DGoweyAuthor) October 7, 2020
Interestingly, McSally trails Kelly with women by a wide margin, and even Republicans don’t seem to like her. In a debate on Tuesday night, McSally had an embarrassingly bad performance against Kelly, which will likely drive her new poll numbers down even farther.
‘McSally trails Kelly by 12 points among independents. Among women, a key bloc in the suburbs of Maricopa County, Kelly has a 26-point lead over McSally, who hasn’t broken 40 percent among the demographic since tracking began in July. ‘She also is relatively weak among Republican voters, with only 79 percent saying they would vote for her if the election were held today.’
Arizona Senate Polls: Mark Kelly 50%, Martha McSally 39% (Siena)
Mark Kelly 51%, Martha McSally 38% (Morning Consult)#TuesdayThoughts #TuesdayMorning — Ray King (@king_of_ray) October 6, 2020


bipartisanreport--2020-10-15--‘The Lincoln Project’ Terrifies GOP With Final Push To Flip Senate Blue

The ad captures the spirit of Alaska with intense music and images that express the feeling of this immense state .
Alaskans live a different life far from Washington DC , one that requires very hard work and sturdy people willing to fight for lives .
They are self-reliant as they sit separated from the nation ’ s capital and even most of the country , 4,266 miles 70 hours nine and a half hours by plane .
Meet independent Dr. Al Gross .
Who is behind this powerful ad , anyway ?
Those intrepid Republicans and former Republicans sacrificing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They are doing it for us , our country , and most importantly , our very Democracy .
They are , of course , The Lincoln Project .
Lisa Murkowski ’ s ( R-AK ) name is not easy to spell , yet when she went for the write-in vote up against other opponents , the people of Alaska spelled it right and sent her to the Capitol .
The independent senator stands up against the Republican political machine and Donald Trump .
She would easily be the lone dissenter against a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must .
But what about this orthopedic surgeon Dr. Al Gross ?
Coming out strong with intense music and a gravelly voice , the narrator let us know he was going to make a few , intense comparisons .
There was Washington DC and it ’ s music-box music as the voice explained what a mountain ( hill ) was in the nation ’ s Capitol .
Then , there were Alaska ’ s magestic , awe-inspiring mountains .
The voice said : The music-box music showed a DC bird , a tiny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us Alaska ’ s bird , an eagle raptor coming in for its kill .
Its claws capable of exerting 1,000 pounds per square inch .
Washington had the cherry blossoms , while Alaska has vast forests of old-growth coniferous trees .
DC had its inflatable pandas , and Alaska has grizzlies weighing up to 1700 pounds .
The east coast Capitol ’ s idea of work for Senator Dan Sullivan ( R ) is soft , lazy , complacent .
Al Gross hauls huge fish out of the sea and manhandles them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back : Gross comes up from his fishing boat grinning : Check out the entire ad below .
Words do not do it justice .
Twitter world went nuts over this ad .
Check out what our Not-Republicans had to say below : The Mueller Report Adventures : In Bite-Sizes on this Facebook page .
These quick , two-minute reads interpret the report in normal English for busy people .
Mueller Bite-Sizes uncovers what is essentially a compelling spy mystery .
Interestingly enough , Mueller Bite-Sizes can be read in any order.The Mueller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Facebook page .
These quick , two-minute reads interpret the report in normal English for busy people .
Mueller Bite-Sizes uncovers what is essentially a compelling spy mystery .
Interestingly enough , Mueller Bite-Sizes can be read in any order .

The ad captures the spirit of Alaska with intense music and images that express the feeling of this immense state. Alaskans live a different life far from Washington DC, one that requires very hard work and sturdy people willing to fight for lives. They are self-reliant as they sit separated from the nation’s capital and even most of the country, 4,266 miles 70 hours by car and nine and a half hours by plane. Meet independent Dr. Al Gross.
Alaska is big. Dan Sullivan is small. Dr. Al Gross is big. Alaska needs big. pic.twitter.com/KzrYvMXpqL — The Lincoln Project (@ProjectLincoln) October 15, 2020
Who is behind this powerful ad, anyway? Those intrepid Republicans and former Republicans sacrificing their careers to bring Donald Trump down. They are doing it for us, our country, and most importantly, our very Democracy. They are, of course, The Lincoln Project.
Lisa Murkowski’s (R-AK) name is not easy to spell, yet when she went for the write-in vote up against other opponents, the people of Alaska spelled it right and sent her to the Capitol. The independent senator stands up against the Republican political machine and Donald Trump. She would easily be the lone dissenter against a sham Supreme Court pick, if she must. But what about this orthopedic surgeon Dr. Al Gross?
Coming out strong with intense music and a gravelly voice, the narrator let us know he was going to make a few, intense comparisons. There was Washington DC and it’s music-box music as the voice explained what a mountain (hill) was in the nation’s Capitol. Then, there are Alaska’s majestic, awe-inspiring mountains. The voice said:
‘Ours are bigger.’
The music-box music showed a DC bird, a tiny little bluebird. Then, cue the intense music. The ad shows us Alaska’s bird, an eagle raptor coming in for its kill. Its extended claws capable of exerting 1,000 pounds per square inch (psi).
Washington had the cherry blossoms, while Alaska has vast forests of old-growth coniferous trees. DC had its inflatable pandas, and Alaska has grizzlies weighing up to 1700 pounds.
The east coast Capitol’s idea of work for Senator Dan Sullivan (R) has been soft, lazy, complacent. Al Gross hauls huge fish out of the sea and manhandles them into his boat. The voice comes back:
‘We are bigger, bolder, tougher. ‘Al Gross is a senator big enough to make Washington work for Alaska. ‘Dan Sullivan, well, he’s not big enough for the job.’
Gross comes up from his fishing boat grinning:
‘Alaska is big. Dan Sullivan is small…Alaska needs big.’
Words do not do it justice.
Twitter world went nuts over this ad. Check out what our Not-Republicans had to say below:
The Mueller Report Adventures: In Bite-Sizes on this Facebook page. These quick, two-minute reads interpret the report in normal English for busy people. Mueller Bite-Sizes uncovers what is essentially a compelling spy mystery. Interestingly enough, Mueller Bite-Sizes can be read in any order.The Mueller Report Adventures: In Bite-Sizes on this Facebook page. These quick, two-minute reads interpret the report in normal English for busy people. Mueller Bite-Sizes uncovers what is essentially a compelling spy mystery. Interestingly enough, Mueller Bite-Sizes can be read in any order.


bipartisanreport--2020-10-15--Longtime Justice Dept Official Resigns In Protest Of Bill Barr

Phillip Halpern , who served as an assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office in San Diego for a whopping 36 years , has decided to leave the Justice Department due to the ongoing politicization of its operations by Trump Attorney General Bill Barr .
Over and over , Barr has used the Justice Department to advance an agenda that ’ s favorable to the president , whether that ’ s via relaxing the criminal cases against prominent Trump allies or via kickstarting a punitive investigation into the origins of the Russia probe that ’ s been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dirt on the president ’ s opponents .
Now , Halpern says , he has had enough .
In an article in The San Diego Union-Tribune , he insists that with Barr in charge , an atmosphere of respect for the basic principle of the rule of law at the Justice Department has become a relic of a “ bygone era.
” Barr has even used his position as Attorney General to express support for some of Trump ’ s wildest conspiracies , like the idea that there ’ s a potential for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballots and the idea that the Obama administration spied on the Trump campaign , which did not actually happen .
‘ After 36 years , I ’ m fleeing what was the U.S. Department of Justice — where I proudly served 19 different attorneys general and six different presidents .
For the last three-plus decades , I have respected our leadership regardless of whether we were led by a Republican or a Democrat .
I always believed the department ’ s past leaders were dedicated to the rule of law and the guiding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a bygone era , but it should not be forgotten.
’ Halpern added that “ over the last year , Barr ’ s resentment toward rule-of-law prosecutors became increasingly difficult to ignore , as did his slavish obedience to Donald Trump ’ s will in his selective meddling with the criminal justice system in the Paul Manafort , Michael Flynn and Roger Stone cases.
” Barr has “ never actually investigated , charged or tried a case , ” Halpern noted , despite his current position as the top law enforcement official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barr — who he described as a “ career bureaucrat ” — “ seems determined to turn our democracy into an autocracy.
” Barr , of course , is definitely not acting alone .
He is carrying out the political will of Donald Trump , whether he ’ s always intentionally doing so or not .
Trump has repeatedly threatened to reject the election results in November if he loses , and his lies about the distribution of election fraud could be used as fuel for potential court cases challenging the results .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ role if these cases emerge .
The cases would be meant to essentially hamstring the basic processes of governance in the United States .
Halpern , meanwhile , says that he stayed on at the Justice Department in part in order to help see through the prosecution of now former Congressman Duncan Hunter , a Trump ally who carried out a wide-ranging campaign embezzlement scheme .
Halpern says that upon his departure , he takes “ great comfort in the fact that the career people who remain in the Department of Justice are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and are some of the most dedicated , ethical and industrious individuals we have in government .
”

Phillip Halpern, who served as an assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in San Diego for a whopping 36 years, has decided to leave the Justice Department due to the ongoing politicization of its operations by Trump Attorney General Bill Barr. Over and over, Barr has used the Justice Department to advance an agenda that’s favorable to the president, whether that’s via relaxing the criminal cases against prominent Trump allies or via kickstarting a punitive investigation into the origins of the Russia probe that’s been meant to, essentially, dig up dirt on the president’s opponents.
Now, Halpern says, he has had enough. In an article in The San Diego Union-Tribune, he insists that with Barr in charge, an atmosphere of respect for the basic principle of the rule of law at the Justice Department has become a relic of a “bygone era.” Barr has even used his position as Attorney General to express support for some of Trump’s wildest conspiracies, like the idea that there’s a potential for widespread fraud with the usage of mail-in ballots and the idea that the Obama administration spied on the Trump campaign, which did not actually happen.
Halpern wrote, in part:
‘After 36 years, I’m fleeing what was the U.S. Department of Justice — where I proudly served 19 different attorneys general and six different presidents. For the last three-plus decades, I have respected our leadership regardless of whether we were led by a Republican or a Democrat. I always believed the department’s past leaders were dedicated to the rule of law and the guiding principle that justice is blind. That is a bygone era, but it should not be forgotten.’
Halpern added that “over the last year, Barr’s resentment toward rule-of-law prosecutors became increasingly difficult to ignore, as did his slavish obedience to Donald Trump’s will in his selective meddling with the criminal justice system in the Paul Manafort, Michael Flynn and Roger Stone cases.” Barr has “never actually investigated, charged or tried a case,” Halpern noted, despite his current position as the top law enforcement official in the United States, insisting that Barr — who he described as a “career bureaucrat” — “seems determined to turn our democracy into an autocracy.”
Barr, of course, is definitely not acting alone. He is carrying out the political will of Donald Trump, whether he’s always intentionally doing so or not. Trump has repeatedly threatened to reject the election results in November if he loses, and his lies about the distribution of election fraud could be used as fuel for potential court cases challenging the results. Barr seems likely to take a lead role if these cases emerge. The cases would be meant to essentially hamstring the basic processes of governance in the United States.
Halpern, meanwhile, says that he stayed on at the Justice Department in part in order to help see through the prosecution of now former Congressman Duncan Hunter, a Trump ally who carried out a wide-ranging campaign embezzlement scheme. Halpern says that upon his departure, he takes “great comfort in the fact that the career people who remain in the Department of Justice are firmly committed to the rule of law, and are some of the most dedicated, ethical and industrious individuals we have in government.”


bipartisanreport--2020-10-15--Updated 2020 Maine Polls Have Susan Collins Packing Her Bags

The Republican Party hung all their hopes for a new wave of power on a derange TV reality show host and have felt the crushing effects of that decision ever since .
In 2018 , Democrats dominated at the polls , flipping 40 seats and retaking the House of Representatives .
Just four months out from the November 2020 elections , Republicans may be poised to lose the Senate , as well .
The GOP dominates the Senate with just three seats above having a majority , but several Republican senators , and very well-known ones , are underwater in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Collins ( R-ME ) , who is losing by five points in the polls against her challenger , Sara Gideon .
One right-wing commentator for the Bangor Daily News said : ‘ While no one should ever underestimate Susan Collins , the trend in the last few public polls is certainly in the wrong direction for those of us who want to see her re-elected .
In March we saw a poll that showed her down 4 points .
Two months later , she is now down 9.
’ Collins ’ political troubles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accused attempted rapist Brett Kavanaugh to the U. S. Supreme Court .
In an utterly ridiculous attempt to pander to women voters who protested his confirmation , Collins insisted that she believed his accuser , Dr. Christine Blasey Ford , she was pretty sure that there was a case of mistaken identity , that someone besides Kavanaugh had attempted to assault Ford .
Women did not buy that argument .
‘ Collins ’ reputation has taken a conspicuously harsh hit .
In 2015 , after winning reelection with about 70 percent of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America ’ s most beloved senators .
Today , she is the most reviled , derided for her increasingly lockstep party-line votes and for the often belabored manner in which she has justified herself.
’ The woman who was once a real favorite among her New England voting base is struggling and she has only herself and the president to blame .
Collins could have either been a voice for change in the GOP or a Trump panderer who backed him out of fear that she would take a hit with voters .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not appear to be working out well for her .

The Republican Party hung all their hopes for a new wave of power on a derange TV reality show host and have felt the crushing effects of that decision ever since. In 2018, Democrats dominated at the polls, flipping 40 seats and retaking the House of Representatives. Just four months out from the November 2020 elections, Republicans may be poised to lose the Senate, as well.
polls currently have GOP sen.Susan Collins losing to Democrat Sara Gideon. — PoliticsVideoChannel (@politvidchannel) July 24, 2020
The GOP dominates the Senate with just three seats above having a majority, but several Republican senators, and very well-known ones, are underwater in the polls. The first is Susan Collins (R-ME), who is losing by five points in the polls against her challenger, Sara Gideon.
One right-wing commentator for the Bangor Daily News said:
‘While no one should ever underestimate Susan Collins, the trend in the last few public polls is certainly in the wrong direction for those of us who want to see her re-elected. In March we saw a poll that showed her down 4 points. Two months later, she is now down 9.’ https://twitter.com/TrumpsTaxes/status/1306295118249578497
Collins’ political troubles began with her decision to confirm credibly accused attempted rapist Brett Kavanaugh to the U. S. Supreme Court. In an utterly ridiculous attempt to pander to women voters who protested his confirmation, Collins insisted that she believed his accuser, Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, she was pretty sure that there was a case of mistaken identity, that someone besides Kavanaugh had attempted to assault Ford. Women did not buy that argument.
According to POLITICO:
‘Collins’ reputation has taken a conspicuously harsh hit. In 2015, after winning reelection with about 70 percent of the vote, she was considered one of America’s most beloved senators. Today, she is the most reviled, derided for her increasingly lockstep party-line votes and for the often belabored manner in which she has justified herself.’ https://twitter.com/GeocyS/status/1310936340909953033
The woman who was once a real favorite among her New England voting base is struggling and she has only herself and the president to blame. Collins could have either been a voice for change in the GOP or a Trump panderer who backed him out of fear that she would take a hit with voters.
Her decision between those two things does not appear to be working out well for her.
Are you __________ about Susan Collins being far behind her opponent in the polls in the Maine Senate Race? — US Politics Polls (@USPoliticsPoll) October 1, 2020


bipartisanreport--2020-10-15--U.S. Intelligence Reveals ‘Burisma’ Story Was Russian Backed Hit Job

This week , the New York Post published a wildly dubious story , claiming that , as vice president , Joe Biden had met with an adviser at the Ukrainian energy company — Burisma Holdings — where his son Hunter worked .
The Post ’ s story was based on email correspondence that had allegedly been recovered from a computer hard drive that originated at a repair shop in Delaware , whose owner is under the impression that the original device belonged to Hunter Biden himself .
The New York Times now reports that U.S. intelligence analysts suspected that emails @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be released in October alongside outright forgeries meant to influence the election .
As of early Thursday , the precise origin of the material that the New York Post shared is unclear — but , based on this New York Times report , the material could have originated with Russian intelligence operatives .
Burisma has been hacked by one of the same Russian intelligence units that was responsible for the cyber-attack on the Democratic National Convention during the 2016 cycle .
The emails that formed the foundation for the New York Post story @ @ @ @ @ @ @ publication received the material from longtime Trump ally Rudy Giuliani , who has been known to push totally unfounded conspiracy theories — and who met with someone ( Ukrainian legislator Andrii Derkach ) who was later characterized by the U.S. federal government as a Russian agent .
Giuliani held this meeting as part of his feverish attempt to find evidence of the Biden wrongdoing that the Trump team seems so desperate to prove .
Apparently , the Post was tipped off that Giuliani had the newly released material by fellow Trump ally Steve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal criminal charges for his part in a fraudulent border wall fundraising scheme .
These people are not credible .
The shop owner who is the alleged originator of the Hunter Biden material is not credible either .
According to the Daily Beast , the shop owner “ appeared not to have a grasp on the timeline of the laptop arriving at his shop and its disappearance from it ” during a conversation with reporters .
At one point , he even claimed , laughably , that the FBI had gotten in touch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drive ” on the device .
Why would the FBI need help operating a laptop from someone who runs a computer shop in Delaware ?
The shop owner even suggested that he feared for his life and suspected that he could possibly be murdered for sharing the material in question .
Major social media companies took action against the New York Post story .
Facebook limited the link ’ s reach , and Twitter blocked sharing the link altogether , citing its policy against sharing personal contact information ( as was included in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The companies may have been cognizant of the spread of foreign disinformation on their platforms in the lead-up to the 2016 election , which Russia attempted to help swing for Donald Trump .
No matter the social media companies ’ action , the New York Post story seems to have made a mark — Donald Trump himself spoke about it during a Wednesday night rally in Iowa , which , like numerous other states , is surprisingly close .

This week, the New York Post published a wildly dubious story, claiming that, as vice president, Joe Biden had met with an adviser at the Ukrainian energy company — Burisma Holdings — where his son Hunter worked. The Post’s story was based on email correspondence that had allegedly been recovered from a computer hard drive that originated at a repair shop in Delaware, whose owner is under the impression that the original device belonged to Hunter Biden himself. The New York Times now reports that U.S. intelligence analysts suspected that emails that had been stolen from Burisma might be released in October alongside outright forgeries meant to influence the election.
Buried lede: US intelligence analysts picked up chatter last month that emails like those revealed yesterday by the NYPost would be leaked in October, having been stolen by the same GRU unit that hacked the DNC. One worry was Russia would mix in forgeries. https://t.co/XqbpIzSvON — Josh Rudolph (@JoshRudes) October 15, 2020
As of early Thursday, the precise origin of the material that the New York Post shared is unclear — but, based on this New York Times report, the material could have originated with Russian intelligence operatives. Burisma has been hacked by one of the same Russian intelligence units that was responsible for the cyber-attack on the Democratic National Convention during the 2016 cycle.
The emails that formed the foundation for the New York Post story have not been independently verified. The publication received the material from longtime Trump ally Rudy Giuliani, who has been known to push totally unfounded conspiracy theories — and who met with someone (Ukrainian legislator Andrii Derkach) who was later characterized by the U.S. federal government as a Russian agent. Giuliani held this meeting as part of his feverish attempt to find evidence of the Biden wrongdoing that the Trump team seems so desperate to prove. Apparently, the Post was tipped off that Giuliani had the newly released material by fellow Trump ally Steve Bannon, who was recently hit with federal criminal charges for his part in a fraudulent border wall fundraising scheme. These people are not credible.
The shop owner who is the alleged originator of the Hunter Biden material is not credible either. According to the Daily Beast, the shop owner “appeared not to have a grasp on the timeline of the laptop arriving at his shop and its disappearance from it” during a conversation with reporters. At one point, he even claimed, laughably, that the FBI had gotten in touch with him for “help accessing his drive” on the device. Why would the FBI need help operating a laptop from someone who runs a computer shop in Delaware? The shop owner even suggested that he feared for his life and suspected that he could possibly be murdered for sharing the material in question.
Major social media companies took action against the New York Post story. Facebook limited the link’s reach, and Twitter blocked sharing the link altogether, citing its policy against sharing personal contact information (as was included in the report) and hacked materials. The companies may have been cognizant of the spread of foreign disinformation on their platforms in the lead-up to the 2016 election, which Russia attempted to help swing for Donald Trump.
No matter the social media companies’ action, the New York Post story seems to have made a mark — Donald Trump himself spoke about it during a Wednesday night rally in Iowa, which, like numerous other states, is surprisingly close.


bipartisanreport--2020-10-15--Lindsey Graham & GOP Devastated By Latest S.C. Poll Release

There are several Senate races proving to be a challenge for Republicans in 2020 , although the same can not be said of the Democrats .
With Trump ’ s poll numbers hanging below his challenger in double digits at times , GOP lawmakers have every reason to be running scared .
As of the time of this writing , only six senatorial candidates are currently lagging behind their challengers in the polls .
One is a Democrat , Doug Jones of Alabama , who eked out a win against Roy Moore shortly after Trump ’ s election .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dan Sullivan ( R-AK ) , Martha McSalley ( R-AZ ) , Corey Gardner ( R-CO ) , Thom Tillis ( R-NC ) , and Susan Collins ( R-ME ) .
Graham ’ s poll numbers have been , more often than not , statistically tied with Harrison .
While he has enjoyed a point or two lead from time to time throughout the 2020 campaigns , he ’ s not dominating in a state that Trump won by 14.2 points in 2016 .
That doesn ’ t bode well for the Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s position in the Senate has never been shaky .
Only after Graham became Donald Trump ’ s favorite lackey , shouting on every talk show he can find that will let him praise the president , did his poll numbers begin to indicate that the longtime senator may be past his time .
According to The Washington Post : ‘ Graham , 65 , has long been a shoo-in in South Carolina , winning Senate races by double digits in three successive races .
But now , he is locked in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who has energized the Black community and suburbs amid significant changes in the state ’ s population .
Graham is being far outspent by Harrison , who has raised a stunning $ 29 million and has about $ 10 million for the final stretch.
’ Harrison will not have an easy fight in South Carolina .
The two candidates have been neck-and-neck in polls and Harrison has not held a lead as often as Graham has .
But the idea that a Democratic challenger can come this close in the state of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trend , a trend that may turn out to be a blue wave .

There are several Senate races proving to be a challenge for Republicans in 2020, although the same cannot be said of the Democrats. With Trump’s poll numbers hanging below his challenger in double digits at times, GOP lawmakers have every reason to be running scared.
Polls have Jaime Harrison neck and neck with Lindsey Graham in South Carolina. Retweet to help air this ad in South Carolina. #2FacedLindsey pic.twitter.com/C3P7BX3QXw — Really American 🇺🇸 (@ReallyAmerican1) October 4, 2020
As of the time of this writing, only six senatorial candidates are currently lagging behind their challengers in the polls. One is a Democrat, Doug Jones of Alabama, who eked out a win against Roy Moore shortly after Trump’s election. The other five candidates are all Republicans – Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Martha McSalley (R-AZ), Corey Gardner (R-CO), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Susan Collins (R-ME).
Graham’s poll numbers have been, more often than not, statistically tied with Harrison. While he has enjoyed a point or two lead from time to time throughout the 2020 campaigns, he’s not dominating in a state that Trump won by 14.2 points in 2016. That doesn’t bode well for the Republican Graham.
#NEW South Carolina @QuinnipiacPoll:
Trump 48 (+1)
Biden 47#SCSen:
Harrison (D) 48
Graham (R-Inc) 48 — Political Polls (@PpollingNumbers) September 30, 2020
Until 2020, Graham’s position in the Senate has never been shaky. Only after Graham became Donald Trump’s favorite lackey, shouting on every talk show he can find that will let him praise the president, did his poll numbers begin to indicate that the longtime senator may be past his time.
According to The Washington Post:
‘Graham, 65, has long been a shoo-in in South Carolina, winning Senate races by double digits in three successive races. But now, he is locked in a tight race with Jaime Harrison, 44, who has energized the Black community and suburbs amid significant changes in the state’s population. Graham is being far outspent by Harrison, who has raised a stunning $29 million and has about $10 million for the final stretch.’ https://twitter.com/CNN/status/1311546657667002368
Harrison will not have an easy fight in South Carolina. The two candidates have been neck-and-neck in polls and Harrison has not held a lead as often as Graham has. But the idea that a Democratic challenger can come this close in the state of South Carolina is indicative of a larger trend, a trend that may turn out to be a blue wave.
‘“South Carolina is really a sleeper race,” said JB Poersch, the head of the Senate Majority PAC, a Democratic group. “Jaime Harrison is going to galvanize African Americans in South Carolina. He could win.”’ https://twitter.com/ProjectLincoln/status/1313842779978514432


bipartisanreport--2020-10-15--Ted Cruz Gets Owned By Democrats During Day 3 Of SCOTUS Hearing

Ted Cruz ( R-TX ) , in his patient and smarmy way , explained history to his colleagues on the Senate on Thursday during the confirmation hearing of Judge Amy Coney Barrett .
After a full week of non-answers to every question , no matter how benign , Sen. Dick Durbin ( D-IL ) then explained confirmation hearings to the silent Ted Cruz .
With his usual smirk , Cruz insinuated that Democrats are just salty because they didn ’ t even get the courtesy of a confirmation hearing for President Obama ’ s nominee , Merrick Garland , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a year before a presidential election in 2016 .
Cruz patronizingly reminded Democrats that Republican presidents and Republican senators get to confirm judges when they hold power , and they ’ ll do it this year because they can , despite the hypocrisy .
Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin then , just as patiently so he could understand , explained exactly why this confirmation process doesn ’ t follow historical president , namely because the legislative body is so deeply divided that the GOP nominee , Barrett , is unable to answer basic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cause controversy .
Although a nominee shouldn ’ t answer questions on policy , it has been strikingly odd how Barrett refused to answer questions on basic constitutional law , such as whether the Constitution allows for a president to delay an election or whether climate change is real .
‘ One of the things we have witnessed here in the time I have served on this committee is a denigration of the process to the point where it is almost useless .
We have reached a point now where gifted , experienced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behind the table and then deny everything , refuse to answer anything .
Consider that , a situation where we asked the nominee , can a president unilaterally delay a presidential election ?
She could not answer it — too political .
Too political ?
’ With no way to fully question the nominee and get concrete answers , the confirmation process is impossible .
Donald Trump has already promised to nominate judges with very specific views on controversial cases , but Barrett ’ s refusal to answer basically any question doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where she stands on anything .
Clearly , she was chosen for her policy positions .
‘ We know this process is really stacked .
The president told us so repeatedly .
We can ’ t get a direct answer from the nominee , we get direct answers every day from the tweets of the president .
We know what his motives were in nominating this person for the Supreme Court , he does not cover it up .
It was to make sure there was someone on the court to eliminate the @ @ @ @ @

Ted Cruz (R-TX), in his patient and smarmy way, explained history to his colleagues on the Senate on Thursday during the confirmation hearing of Judge Amy Coney Barrett. After a full week of non-answers to every question, no matter how benign, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) then explained confirmation hearings to the silent Ted Cruz.
Sen. Dick Durbin says confirmation process has become "almost useless" and that Barrett refused answers about rights spelled out in the Constitution: "I would be afraid to ask her about the presence of gravity on Earth. She may decline to answer because it may come up in a case" pic.twitter.com/p0quPXu4WA — CBS News (@CBSNews) October 15, 2020
With his usual smirk, Cruz insinuated that Democrats are just salty because they didn’t even get the courtesy of a confirmation hearing for President Obama’s nominee, Merrick Garland, when Justice Antonin Scalia passed just short of a year before a presidential election in 2016. Cruz patronizingly reminded Democrats that Republican presidents and Republican senators get to confirm judges when they hold power, and they’ll do it this year because they can, despite the hypocrisy.
‘I recognize our Democratic friends wish a different president had been elected in 2016. I am sympathetic to those arguments. I recognize our Democratic friends wish there was a Democratic majority in the Senate, but the voters decided otherwise. This committee moving forward is consistent with over 200 years of history and precedent.’
On Day 4 of the Barrett confirmation hearings, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) says, “What was the purpose of this hearing if we've reached a point now where we really don’t know what she thinks about any issues, any major issues?” pic.twitter.com/l2xlWIOPgB — The Recount (@therecount) October 15, 2020
Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin then, just as patiently so he could understand, explained exactly why this confirmation process doesn’t follow historical president, namely because the legislative body is so deeply divided that the GOP nominee, Barrett, is unable to answer basic questions during the hearing because they might cause controversy. Although a nominee shouldn’t answer questions on policy, it has been strikingly odd how Barrett refused to answer questions on basic constitutional law, such as whether the Constitution allows for a president to delay an election or whether climate change is real.
‘One of the things we have witnessed here in the time I have served on this committee is a denigration of the process to the point where it is almost useless. We have reached a point now where gifted, experienced jurists, legal scholars take that seat behind the table and then deny everything, refuse to answer anything. Consider that, a situation where we asked the nominee, can a president unilaterally delay a presidential election? She could not answer it — too political. Too political?’
"It just defies logic": Sen. Dick Durbin says Amy Coney Barrett "hides behind originalism — she's not the only one, many do — but won't even go to the original words of the Constitution when it comes to the transition of power" https://t.co/COWr56xUUB pic.twitter.com/NRaW66Vpxz — CBS News (@CBSNews) October 15, 2020
With no way to fully question the nominee and get concrete answers, the confirmation process is impossible. Donald Trump has already promised to nominate judges with very specific views on controversial cases, but Barrett’s refusal to answer basically any question doesn’t allow voters to know for sure where she stands on anything. Clearly, she was chosen for her policy positions.
‘We know this process is really stacked. The president told us so repeatedly. We can’t get a direct answer from the nominee, we get direct answers every day from the tweets of the president. We know what his motives were in nominating this person for the Supreme Court, he does not cover it up. It was to make sure there was someone on the court to eliminate the Affordable Care Act.’