crooksandliars--2020-09-01--Reasons To Be Skeptical About That 'Shy Trump Voter' Survey

There 's been a mild freakout over this : A new online study finds that Republicans and independents are twice as likely as Democrats to say they would not give their true opinion in a telephone poll question about their preference for president in the 2020 election .
That raises the possibility that polls understate support for President Donald Trump .
Some 11.7 % of Republicans and 10.5 % independents said they would not give their true opinion , vs. 5.4 % of Democrats , according to the study by CloudResearch LLC ... .
CloudResearch conducted the survey online but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phone .
It first asked participants for their political preference , then asked how they felt about divulging their preference for president in a phone poll .
Later , it asked whom they actually did support for president .
So some people are reluctant to tell pollsters that they support their candidate , and we know that more Trump voters than Biden voters feel this way because they were asked by a pollster and they said they ... supported Trump ?
How do we know the respondents were telling the truth in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people who said they supported Biden were the real Trump voters .
The argument is that Trump voters will be honest in an online survey but not in a phone survey , because they 're `` shy '' about acknowledging support for their candidate when talking to a human being , or for some other reason .
Here are some responses CloudResearch got after asking reluctant Trump supporters to explain their reticence : I don ’ t believe the information would be confidential and I think it ’ s dangerous to express an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ Well I probably wouldn ’ t give my opinion period , but if pushed , I would not give my real opinion for fear of reprisal if someone found out.
” ... “ My answers could be recorded so I don ’ t really trust such phone conversations.
” “ I do not discuss politics — let alone with a total stranger on the telephone.
” “ I don ’ t always trust phone call surveys .
I wouldn ’ t want to be bombarded with phone calls and political mail.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ my opinion associated with my phone number.
” What 's bizarre about this is that none of these people seem to realize that activity on computers is also tracked -- if anything , more efficiently than what 's said to a pollster -- and they 're probably less safe from follow-up activity answering an online survey .
Maybe the sector of the population that does n't grasp that point , which should be obvious to all of us , skews Trump .
It 's possible .
But as CNN 's poll analyst , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there 's not much evidence of a discrepancy right now between phone polls and online polls , and Biden is leading comfortably in both : In July , when The New York Times and Siena College released a poll ( conducted by telephone ) that showed Biden with a significant lead over Trump , Nate Cohn of the Times reported that more Republicans than Democrats completed the Times/Siena survey : But what about 2016 ?
On a national level , the polls were pretty good -- the final Real Clear Politics average @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she won the popular vote by 2.1 .
Charlie Cook of the Cook Political Report says that problems with state polls were about demographics , not failure to account for shy voters .
Shortly after the 2016 election , when he was still at FiveThirtyEight , Harry Enten concluded that the `` shy Trump voter '' factor was , oddly , most prominent in Trump states .
... if the [ `` shy voter '' ] theory is right , we would have expected to see Trump outperform his polls the most in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and where the stigma against admitting support for Trump would presumably be greatest ... .
But actual election results indicate that the opposite happened : Trump outperformed his polls by the greatest margin in red states , where he was quite popular .
The two states that had the largest polling error for Trump were Tennessee and South Dakota , where Trump won more than 60 percent of the vote .
Meanwhile , Trump underperformed his polls in states where the stigma against him would seem to be strongest : deep-blue states like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York and Washington .
There might be a `` shy Trump '' phenomenon .
But the data nerds are watching for it and conducting and analyzing polls in ways that attempt to identify it and compensate for it .
Besides , these folks do n't seem particularly shy .
Posted with permission from No More Mr. Nice Blog

There's been a mild freakout over this:
A new online study finds that Republicans and independents are twice as likely as Democrats to say they would not give their true opinion in a telephone poll question about their preference for president in the 2020 election. That raises the possibility that polls understate support for President Donald Trump. Some 11.7% of Republicans and 10.5% independents said they would not give their true opinion, vs. 5.4% of Democrats, according to the study by CloudResearch LLC.... CloudResearch conducted the survey online but inquired about surveys that are conducted by phone. It first asked participants for their political preference, then asked how they felt about divulging their preference for president in a phone poll. Later, it asked whom they actually did support for president.
So some people are reluctant to tell pollsters that they support their candidate, and we know that more Trump voters than Biden voters feel this way because they were asked by a pollster and they said they ... supported Trump? How do we know the respondents were telling the truth in this survey? Maybe a percentage of the people who said they supported Biden were the real Trump voters.
The argument is that Trump voters will be honest in an online survey but not in a phone survey, because they're "shy" about acknowledging support for their candidate when talking to a human being, or for some other reason. Here are some responses CloudResearch got after asking reluctant Trump supporters to explain their reticence:
I don’t believe the information would be confidential and I think it’s dangerous to express an opinion outside of the current liberal viewpoint.” “Well I probably wouldn’t give my opinion period, but if pushed, I would not give my real opinion for fear of reprisal if someone found out.” ... “My answers could be recorded so I don’t really trust such phone conversations.” “I do not discuss politics — let alone with a total stranger on the telephone.” “I don’t always trust phone call surveys. I wouldn’t want to be bombarded with phone calls and political mail.” “I don’t want my opinion associated with my phone number.”
What's bizarre about this is that none of these people seem to realize that activity on computers is also tracked -- if anything, more efficiently than what's said to a pollster -- and they're probably less safe from follow-up activity answering an online survey. Maybe the sector of the population that doesn't grasp that point, which should be obvious to all of us, skews Trump. It's possible.
But as CNN's poll analyst, Harry Enten, noted earlier this month, there's not much evidence of a discrepancy right now between phone polls and online polls, and Biden is leading comfortably in both:
Biden's national lead is still 8 points in polls that don't use live interviews at this point. That is a little lower than in polls that do use live interviewers and call cell phones, though that gap has only recently appeared and may just be a statistical artifact.
In July, when The New York Times and Siena College released a poll (conducted by telephone) that showed Biden with a significant lead over Trump, Nate Cohn of the Times reported that more Republicans than Democrats completed the Times/Siena survey:
Over all, telephone calls to registered Republicans or those who participated in a recent Republican primary were about 12 percent likelier to yield a completed interview than calls to Democrats were. This seemingly noteworthy difference can be explained by well-known demographic biases in polling: Older, rural and white voters are likelier than young, urban and nonwhite voters to respond to surveys. After these factors were controlled for, Republicans were no likelier than Democrats to respond to the survey.
But what about 2016? On a national level, the polls were pretty good -- the final Real Clear Politics average showed Hillary Clinton leading by 3.2; she won the popular vote by 2.1. Charlie Cook of the Cook Political Report says that problems with state polls were about demographics, not failure to account for shy voters.
And where were the polls off in 2016? In those very states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Postelection studies revealed that, nationally, there was a slight over-sampling of whites with college degrees and a slight under-sampling of whites with less than four-year degrees. Since then, most pollsters have begun to correct for that, weighting white voters by level of educational attainment.
Shortly after the 2016 election, when he was still at FiveThirtyEight, Harry Enten concluded that the "shy Trump voter" factor was, oddly, most prominent in Trump states.
... if the ["shy voter"] theory is right, we would have expected to see Trump outperform his polls the most in places where he is least popular — and where the stigma against admitting support for Trump would presumably be greatest.... But actual election results indicate that the opposite happened: Trump outperformed his polls by the greatest margin in red states, where he was quite popular. The two states that had the largest polling error for Trump were Tennessee and South Dakota, where Trump won more than 60 percent of the vote. Meanwhile, Trump underperformed his polls in states where the stigma against him would seem to be strongest: deep-blue states like California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New York and Washington.
There might be a "shy Trump" phenomenon. But the data nerds are watching for it and conducting and analyzing polls in ways that attempt to identify it and compensate for it.
Besides, these folks don't seem particularly shy.
Posted with permission from No More Mr. Nice Blog


crooksandliars--2020-09-01--Warning: On Election Night, Expect The Mirage Of A Trump Landslide

In an effort to keep Trump supporters from claiming a stolen election , Hawkfish CEO Josh Mendelsohn is getting out the word : Expect Trump to look like he 's winning big on election night .
( Hawkfish is Michael Bloomberg 's political data firm . )
In an exclusive interview with Axios , Mendelsohn spells out the likely scenario .
`` We are sounding an alarm and saying that this is a very real possibility , that the data is going to show on election night an incredible victory for Donald Trump , '' he said .
`` When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get to that final day , which will be some day after Election Day , it will in fact show that what happened on election night was exactly that , a mirage , '' Mendelsohn said .
`` It looked like Donald Trump was in the lead and he fundamentally was not when every ballot gets counted . ''
Under one of the group 's modeling scenarios , Trump could hold a projected lead of 408-130 electoral votes on election night , if only 15 % of the vote by mail ( VBM @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 75 % of mail ballots were counted , perhaps four days later , the lead could flip to Biden 's favor .
This particular modeling scenario portrays Biden as ultimately winning a massive victory , 334-204 .
The methodology , described in detail below , was based in part on polling from FiveThirtyEight in August .
There will also be delays due to many states that do n't count their mail-in ballots until Election Day .
The group is trying to educate state and county elections officials , news organizations , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — and to the likelihood of Trump and his team going to court and pulling high-pressure tactics like the 2000 `` Brooks Brothers riot , '' demanding that election officials reject mailed-in ballots counted after election day .
Hawkfish is advising voters to be very careful about voting early enough and following all the instructions to the letter — or , putting on protective gear and go early either to safely vote in person or return the ballot at the polls .

In an effort to keep Trump supporters from claiming a stolen election, Hawkfish CEO Josh Mendelsohn is getting out the word: Expect Trump to look like he's winning big on election night. (Hawkfish is Michael Bloomberg's political data firm.)
In an exclusive interview with Axios, Mendelsohn spells out the likely scenario.
"We are sounding an alarm and saying that this is a very real possibility, that the data is going to show on election night an incredible victory for Donald Trump," he said. "When every legitimate vote is tallied and we get to that final day, which will be some day after Election Day, it will in fact show that what happened on election night was exactly that, a mirage," Mendelsohn said. "It looked like Donald Trump was in the lead and he fundamentally was not when every ballot gets counted." Under one of the group's modeling scenarios, Trump could hold a projected lead of 408-130 electoral votes on election night, if only 15% of the vote by mail (VBM) ballots had been counted. Once 75% of mail ballots were counted, perhaps four days later, the lead could flip to Biden's favor. This particular modeling scenario portrays Biden as ultimately winning a massive victory, 334-204. The methodology, described in detail below, was based in part on polling from FiveThirtyEight in August.
There will also be delays due to many states that don't count their mail-in ballots until Election Day.
The group is trying to educate state and county elections officials, news organizations, and the courts about the danger of premature results — and to the likelihood of Trump and his team going to court and pulling high-pressure tactics like the 2000 "Brooks Brothers riot," demanding that election officials reject mailed-in ballots counted after election day.
Hawkfish is advising voters to be very careful about voting early enough and following all the instructions to the letter — or, putting on protective gear and go early either to safely vote in person or return the ballot at the polls.


crooksandliars--2020-09-01--Trump: People You Never Heard Of In The 'Dark Shadows' Are Controlling Biden

Trump was preaching to the craziest part of his base last night in this bizarre interview with Laura Ingraham last night -- and even she sounded skeptical .
I do n't mean to make light of it .
Clearly , Trump is aiming to mobilize the conspiratorial and violent whack jobs that make up Qanon as a literal army to contest the election results .
They see him as the hero of their bizarre belief that he 's taking down an international pedophile ring .
But he knows he 's going to lose , and he knows if he loses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So he is fighting for his very life , and he wants those violent allies .
So he 's weaving fairy tales about “ people in dark shadows ” pulling Joe Biden ’ s strings and a plane full of “ thugs ” in “ black uniforms with gear ” looking to do `` big damage ” at the Republican National Convention .
That was in response to a question from Ingraham , asking if former Obama officials were pulling Biden 's strings .
Via the Daily Beast : “ People you ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are in the dark shadows , ” Trump replied , prompting a confused and worried Ingraham to quickly interject .
“ What does that mean—that sounds like a conspiracy theory , ” the pro-Trump star wondered aloud .
“ Dark shadows , what is that ?
” The president asserted that these were people Ingraham hadn ’ t heard of , adding that they were “ people that are controlling the streets ” before spinning a fantastical story about a planeload of armed activists apparently looking to disrupt the RNC .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a certain city this weekend , and in the plane it was almost completely loaded with thugs , wearing these dark uniforms , black uniforms , with gear and this and that , ” Trump breathlessly exclaimed .
“ They ’ re on a plane.
” He told Ingraham he could n't give her any details because it was `` under investigation . ''
You know , the investigation In his head .

Trump was preaching to the craziest part of his base last night in this bizarre interview with Laura Ingraham last night -- and even she sounded skeptical.
I don't mean to make light of it. Clearly, Trump is aiming to mobilize the conspiratorial and violent whack jobs that make up Qanon as a literal army to contest the election results. They see him as the hero of their bizarre belief that he's taking down an international pedophile ring. But he knows he's going to lose, and he knows if he loses, he's going to jail. So he is fighting for his very life, and he wants those violent allies.
So he's weaving fairy tales about “people in dark shadows” pulling Joe Biden’s strings and a plane full of “thugs” in “black uniforms with gear” looking to do "big damage” at the Republican National Convention.
That was in response to a question from Ingraham, asking if former Obama officials were pulling Biden's strings. Via the Daily Beast:
“People you’ve never heard of, people who are in the dark shadows,” Trump replied, prompting a confused and worried Ingraham to quickly interject. “What does that mean—that sounds like a conspiracy theory,” the pro-Trump star wondered aloud. “Dark shadows, what is that?” The president asserted that these were people Ingraham hadn’t heard of, adding that they were “people that are controlling the streets” before spinning a fantastical story about a planeload of armed activists apparently looking to disrupt the RNC. “We had somebody get on a plane from a certain city this weekend, and in the plane it was almost completely loaded with thugs, wearing these dark uniforms, black uniforms, with gear and this and that,” Trump breathlessly exclaimed. “They’re on a plane.”
He told Ingraham he couldn't give her any details because it was "under investigation." You know, the investigation In his head.


crooksandliars--2020-09-01--This Is The Ad Facebook Doesn't Want You To See

If you 've read `` Mindf*ck , '' the book about Cambridge Analytica and Facebook I keep plugging , you @ @ @ @ @ surprised that Facebook will do whatever they can to maintain Trump as president , because @ @ @ @ @ financial benefits to keeping him .
JoshSchwerin , Priorities USA 's comms director , wrote @ @ @ @ @ are refusing to let @ prioritiesUSA run this ad because , according to them , @ @ @ @ @ policy .
'Ads must not contain shocking , sensational , inflammatory , or excessively violent @ @ @ @ @ there 's not one thing about this ad that should keep people from seeing it @ @ @ @ @ Trump bragging about taking down Obamacare .
If that 's too `` shocking '' for @ @ @ @ @ , very wrong .

If you've read "Mindf*ck," the book about Cambridge Analytica and Facebook I keep plugging, you won't be at all surprised that Facebook will do whatever they can to maintain Trump as president, because there are just too many financial benefits to keeping him.
JoshSchwerin, Priorities USA's comms director, wrote on Twitter, "They are refusing to let @prioritiesUSA run this ad because, according to them, it violates their sensational content policy. 'Ads must not contain shocking, sensational, inflammatory, or excessively violent content.'
Now, there's not one thing about this ad that should keep people from seeing it -- except it features Donald Trump bragging about taking down Obamacare.
If that's too "shocking" for Facebook, something is very, very wrong.


crooksandliars--2020-09-02--DHS Spiked Report That Russia Would Attack Biden's Mental Health To Influence Election

You 'd almost think that Chad Wolf sees his main function as keeping Trump 's status as a Russian ward under wraps -- but that 's just silly , right ?
Via ABC News : In early July the Department of Homeland Security withheld publication of an intelligence bulletin warning law enforcement agencies of a Russian scheme to promote “ allegations about the poor mental health ” of former Vice President Joe Biden , according to internal emails and a draft of the document obtained by ABC News .
The draft bulletin , titled “ Russia Likely to Denigrate Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” was submitted to the agency ’ s legislative and public affairs office for review on July 7 .
The analysis was not meant for public consumption , but it was set to be distributed to federal , state and local law enforcement partners two days later , on July 9 , the emails show .
“ Please hold on sending this one out until you have a chance to speak to [ acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf ] , '' wrote DHS Chief of Staff John Gountanis , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That was nearly two months ago .
But the bulletin was never circulated .

You'd almost think that Chad Wolf sees his main function as keeping Trump's status as a Russian ward under wraps -- but that's just silly, right? Via ABC News:
In early July the Department of Homeland Security withheld publication of an intelligence bulletin warning law enforcement agencies of a Russian scheme to promote “allegations about the poor mental health” of former Vice President Joe Biden, according to internal emails and a draft of the document obtained by ABC News.
The draft bulletin, titled “Russia Likely to Denigrate Health of US Candidates to Influence 2020 Election,” was submitted to the agency’s legislative and public affairs office for review on July 7. The analysis was not meant for public consumption, but it was set to be distributed to federal, state and local law enforcement partners two days later, on July 9, the emails show.
“Please hold on sending this one out until you have a chance to speak to [acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf]," wrote DHS Chief of Staff John Gountanis, according to an email obtained by ABC News.
That was nearly two months ago. But the bulletin was never circulated.


crooksandliars--2020-09-02--Report: Former RNC Financier Elliott Broidy Faces Federal Charges

Way back in July of 2019 news outlets reported that Elliott Broidy , a longtime GOP fundraiser and co-chair of the RNC stepped down after being outed as paying a Playboy model $ 1.6M in a confidentiality agreement arranged by Donald Trump 's favorite lawyer and fixer , Michael Cohen .
There was also buzz about a grand jury also looking into Broidy : “ A federal grand jury in New York is investigating top Republican fundraiser Elliott Broidy , examining whether he used his position as vice chair of President Donald Trump ’ s inaugural committee to drum up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to documents obtained by The Associated Press and people familiar with the matter . ''
It looks like that investigation bore fruit .
The Washington Post is reporting that federal prosecutors are preparing to charge Broidy `` in connection with efforts to influence the U.S. government on behalf of foreign interests . ''
The Post reports that Broidy allegedly worked to persuade the Trump administration to drop an investigation of Malaysian government corruption .
He also allegedly attempted to push for the extradition of an outspoken Chinese dissident back to his home country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been `` in discussions '' with the Justice Department '' and could reach a plea deal .
No one in the White House will confirm or deny whether Broidy reached out to them to lobby on behalf of Malaysia or to request the extradition .
Broidy is a huge GOP fundraiser .
He was instrumental in bringing in big donors to support Donald Trump 's campaign during the 2016 campaign .
After Donald Trump stole ( won ) the election , Broidy was appointed national deputy finance chairman for the Republican National Committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of secrets about a lot of powerful Republicans .
Will his plea deal involve spilling any of those secrets of will Bill Barr give him a Roger Stone/Mike Flynn special ?
When Donald Trump and Billy Barr start making noises about RICO prosecutions , just remember that they always project .
This is a perfect example .

Way back in July of 2019 news outlets reported that Elliott Broidy, a longtime GOP fundraiser and co-chair of the RNC stepped down after being outed as paying a Playboy model $1.6M in a confidentiality agreement arranged by Donald Trump's favorite lawyer and fixer, Michael Cohen. There was also buzz about a grand jury also looking into Broidy:
“A federal grand jury in New York is investigating top Republican fundraiser Elliott Broidy, examining whether he used his position as vice chair of President Donald Trump’s inaugural committee to drum up business deals with foreign leaders, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press and people familiar with the matter."
It looks like that investigation bore fruit. The Washington Post is reporting that federal prosecutors are preparing to charge Broidy "in connection with efforts to influence the U.S. government on behalf of foreign interests." The Post reports that Broidy allegedly worked to persuade the Trump administration to drop an investigation of Malaysian government corruption. He also allegedly attempted to push for the extradition of an outspoken Chinese dissident back to his home country. Broidy and his lawyers have reportedly been "in discussions" with the Justice Department" and could reach a plea deal.
No one in the White House will confirm or deny whether Broidy reached out to them to lobby on behalf of Malaysia or to request the extradition.
Broidy is a huge GOP fundraiser. He was instrumental in bringing in big donors to support Donald Trump's campaign during the 2016 campaign. After Donald Trump stole (won) the election, Broidy was appointed national deputy finance chairman for the Republican National Committee.
Elliott Broidy definitely knows a lot of secrets about a lot of powerful Republicans. Will his plea deal involve spilling any of those secrets of will Bill Barr give him a Roger Stone/Mike Flynn special?
When Donald Trump and Billy Barr start making noises about RICO prosecutions, just remember that they always project. This is a perfect example.


crooksandliars--2020-09-02--Melania's Ex-BFF Working With 3 Criminal Investigations Into Inaugural Spending

Winston Wolkoff has a new book spilling a lot of beans about her former close friend .
On Good Morning America , Winston Wolkoff talked about tensions between Melania and Ivanka Trump and Melania laughing off the Access Hollywood tape , e.g .
Personally , I could not care less about the gossip .
As far as I ’ m concerned , a pox on all the Trump houses .
But public corruption is a different matter .
We ’ ve long known there was financial hanky-panky surrounding the Trump inauguration , the most costly ever .
In 2019 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wide-ranging investigation into possible money laundering , illegal contributions and cash-for-access schemes.
” As Good Morning America explains , Winston Wolkoff claims she was blindsided when The New York Times reported her firm had been paid more than $ 26 million ( she claims almost all of that money went to an outside company and she received a small fraction ) .
In her book , Winston Wolkoff said she was also dumbfounded by what Melania Trump 's spokeswoman told the New York Times around the time of her departure : that `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ with the inaugural committee ‘ and had no knowledge of how funds were spent . '
'' That was `` complete and utter horses -- t ! ''
Winston Wolkoff wrote , claiming that Melania Trump was deeply involved in inauguration planning and personally approved at least some expenditures .
`` Melania knew it all , every detail , including who was screwing around [ and ] the type of salmon served at the Candlelight Dinner , '' according to the book .
LINSEY DAVIS : Stephanie says her loyalty to Melania @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the relationship soured when she says she became the scapegoat for what became by far the most expensive inauguration in history , costing $ 104 million , prompting investigation .
In February 2018 , press reports questioned how much money Stephanie had made for her work on the inauguration .
For the record , she says after payments to vendors , she personally made $ 480,000 , She says she was devastated when Melania did not publicly support her .
WINSTON WOLKOFF : When the time came where I needed her to come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she folded like a deck of cards .
DAVIS : Stephanie says she questioned many inauguration expenditures .
WINDSTON WOLKOFF : I think when I saw that a tree was , you know , a tree that you could buy for $ 10 was a thousand dollars or a stage that would cost $ 100,000 was a million dollars , I mean , those are when things started seeming questionable to me .
DAVIS : She says she ’ s still is working with three criminal investigations into inauguration spending .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is in the Southern District of New York .
So maybe this is another reason Trump lackey Bill Barr ousted the U.S. attorney there and tried ( and failed ) to install Trump 's golfing buddy instead .

Winston Wolkoff has a new book spilling a lot of beans about her former close friend. On Good Morning America, Winston Wolkoff talked about tensions between Melania and Ivanka Trump and Melania laughing off the Access Hollywood tape, e.g.
Personally, I could not care less about the gossip. As far as I’m concerned, a pox on all the Trump houses.
But public corruption is a different matter. We’ve long known there was financial hanky-panky surrounding the Trump inauguration, the most costly ever. In 2019, C&L reported on “a wide-ranging investigation into possible money laundering, illegal contributions and cash-for-access schemes.”
As Good Morning America explains, Winston Wolkoff claims she was blindsided when The New York Times reported her firm had been paid more than $26 million (she claims almost all of that money went to an outside company and she received a small fraction).
In her book, Winston Wolkoff said she was also dumbfounded by what Melania Trump's spokeswoman told the New York Times around the time of her departure: that "the first lady ‘had no involvement’ with the inaugural committee ‘and had no knowledge of how funds were spent.'" That was "complete and utter horses--t!" Winston Wolkoff wrote, claiming that Melania Trump was deeply involved in inauguration planning and personally approved at least some expenditures. "Melania knew it all, every detail, including who was screwing around [and] the type of salmon served at the Candlelight Dinner," according to the book.
Winston Wolkoff discussed the betrayal on Good Morning America:
LINSEY DAVIS: Stephanie says her loyalty to Melania was her Achilles heel, and that the relationship soured when she says she became the scapegoat for what became by far the most expensive inauguration in history, costing $104 million, prompting investigation. […] In February 2018, press reports questioned how much money Stephanie had made for her work on the inauguration. For the record, she says after payments to vendors, she personally made $480,000, She says she was devastated when Melania did not publicly support her. WINSTON WOLKOFF: When the time came where I needed her to come out and tell the truth about that, she folded like a deck of cards. DAVIS: Stephanie says she questioned many inauguration expenditures. WINDSTON WOLKOFF: I think when I saw that a tree was, you know, a tree that you could buy for $10 was a thousand dollars or a stage that would cost $100,000 was a million dollars, I mean, those are when things started seeming questionable to me. DAVIS: She says she’s still is working with three criminal investigations into inauguration spending.
According to GMA, one of those investigations is in the Southern District of New York. So maybe this is another reason Trump lackey Bill Barr ousted the U.S. attorney there and tried (and failed) to install Trump's golfing buddy instead.


crooksandliars--2020-09-02--Trump Spaces Out When Asked About Police Body Cameras At Kenosha Event

President Donald Trump on Tuesday struggled to answer a question about police body cameras at an event in Kenosha , @ @ @ @ @ round table in support of law enforcement , the president was asked if he favored @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Um , body cam , ” the president said , searching for an @ @ @ @ @ whew .
Well , that ’ s , uh , very interesting.
” At that @ @ @ @ @ question over to Attorney General Bill Barr , who offered a favorable opinion of the @ @ @ @ @ s very tough , ” Trump said , adding to Barr ’ s answer .
@ @ @ @ @ you read it and you read two sides of the story.
” Several local law @ @ @ @ @ that they are in favor of officers wearing body cameras .
“ Okay , good @ @ @ @ @ , ” Trump announced to the press .

President Donald Trump on Tuesday struggled to answer a question about police body cameras at an event in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
While attending a round table in support of law enforcement, the president was asked if he favored the use of body cameras.
“Um, body cam,” the president said, searching for an answer. “Ah, whew. Well, that’s, uh, very interesting.”
At that point the commander-in-chief turned the question over to Attorney General Bill Barr, who offered a favorable opinion of the technology.
“It’s very tough,” Trump said, adding to Barr’s answer. “The whole thing, you read it and you read two sides of the story.”
Several local law enforcement officers also told Trump that they are in favor of officers wearing body cameras.
“Okay, good, they like ’em,” Trump announced to the press.


crooksandliars--2020-09-02--Trump Encourages Voters To Commit Fraud

Trump Encourages Voters To Commit Fraud

Donald Trump seemed to encourage voters to vote twice -- once by mail and once in person -- while speaking to reporters in North Carolina earlier today .
Yes , that 's right .
North Carolina , the site of such serious fraud in 2018 that the candidate and the election were tossed , and criminal charges made for ... fraud .
`` So , let them send it in and let them go vote , '' Trump told reporters .
`` And if it is as good as they say it is , then obviously they wo n't be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what they should do . ''
People who vote by mail are required to sign their ballots before they send them in .
Those ballot signatures are matched before they 're counted .
But many of those ballots are received on or in some states , after Election Day .
What Trump is suggesting is that his voters commit voter fraud on the chance they wo n't be caught on Election Day .
But make no mistake , they WILL be caught .
In California , for example , the only way to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballot is to surrender the mailed ballot at the polls before voting in person .
North Carolina published this list of reasons for why mailed ballots are secure : Here are 12 reasons why absentee by-mail voting is safe and secure in North Carolina : 1 .
Election officials send ballots only to registered voters who request them using official request forms .
2 .
The voter or their near relative must fill out and sign the request form .
Required information includes the voter 's date of birth and the voter 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ digits of their Social Security number .
3 .
Fraudulently or falsely completing the form is a Class I felony .
4 .
In 2020 , voters must vote their ballot in the presence of one witness .
The witness must sign the absentee return envelope , certifying that the voter marked their ballot and is the registered voter submitting the ballot .
5 .
Only the voter or their near relative or legal guardian may return the ballot .
County boards of elections keep a log of who drops off absentee ballots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ county board of elections reviews the absentee envelope to ensure compliance with the legal requirements .
7 .
Once the ballot is accepted , that voter is marked in the system as having voted in that election .
If that voter tries to vote in person , poll workers will know the person has already submitted an absentee ballot .
8 .
Data on who has requested absentee ballots is now confidential until Election Day .
This reduces the ability of third parties to attempt to tamper with ballots , as they will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or when ballots are sent out .
9 .
Criminal penalties have been increased for absentee voting fraud-related offenses .
10 .
Many people are watching North Carolina ’ s absentee voting process , including candidates , political parties , county boards of elections , political and data scientists and the media .
If there are anomalies or questionable activities , they will be reported to election officials .
11 .
The State Board Investigations Division , which has a dedicated team of experienced investigators , investigates credible allegations of election fraud and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ findings .
12 .
The State Board conducts post-election audits which will catch inconsistencies which can then be investigated by the board or the Investigations Division .
Donald Trump just encouraged his voters to commit voter fraud to help him win .
It seems to me this should be a headline across all major media online and off , do n't you think ?

Donald Trump seemed to encourage voters to vote twice -- once by mail and once in person -- while speaking to reporters in North Carolina earlier today.
Yes, that's right. North Carolina, the site of such serious fraud in 2018 that the candidate and the election were tossed, and criminal charges made for...fraud.
"So, let them send it in and let them go vote," Trump told reporters. "And if it is as good as they say it is, then obviously they won't be able to vote. And that's what they should do."
People who vote by mail are required to sign their ballots before they send them in. Those ballot signatures are matched before they're counted. But many of those ballots are received on or in some states, after Election Day. What Trump is suggesting is that his voters commit voter fraud on the chance they won't be caught on Election Day. But make no mistake, they WILL be caught.
In California, for example, the only way to vote in person after receiving a mailed ballot is to surrender the mailed ballot at the polls before voting in person. North Carolina published this list of reasons for why mailed ballots are secure:
Here are 12 reasons why absentee by-mail voting is safe and secure in North Carolina: 1. Election officials send ballots only to registered voters who request them using official request forms.
2. The voter or their near relative must fill out and sign the request form. Required information includes the voter's date of birth and the voter's driver's license number or last four digits of their Social Security number.
3. Fraudulently or falsely completing the form is a Class I felony.
4. In 2020, voters must vote their ballot in the presence of one witness. The witness must sign the absentee return envelope, certifying that the voter marked their ballot and is the registered voter submitting the ballot.
5. Only the voter or their near relative or legal guardian may return the ballot. County boards of elections keep a log of who drops off absentee ballots.
6. Upon return, the county board of elections reviews the absentee envelope to ensure compliance with the legal requirements.
7. Once the ballot is accepted, that voter is marked in the system as having voted in that election. If that voter tries to vote in person, poll workers will know the person has already submitted an absentee ballot.
8. Data on who has requested absentee ballots is now confidential until Election Day. This reduces the ability of third parties to attempt to tamper with ballots, as they will not know who has requested a ballot or when ballots are sent out.
9. Criminal penalties have been increased for absentee voting fraud-related offenses.
10. Many people are watching North Carolina’s absentee voting process, including candidates, political parties, county boards of elections, political and data scientists and the media. If there are anomalies or questionable activities, they will be reported to election officials.
11. The State Board Investigations Division, which has a dedicated team of experienced investigators, investigates credible allegations of election fraud and refers cases to prosecutors when warranted by findings.
12. The State Board conducts post-election audits which will catch inconsistencies which can then be investigated by the board or the Investigations Division.
Donald Trump just encouraged his voters to commit voter fraud to help him win. It seems to me this should be a headline across all major media online and off, don't you think?


crooksandliars--2020-09-02--Joni Ernst Pushing Crackpot Conspiracy Theory About COVID Deaths

It 's extremely galling to many of us that some states send substandard politicians like Joni Ernst to the U.S. Senate .
Not only is she repeating Trump 's nonsense that just 9000 of the COVID deaths in the United States are attributable to the virus , but she 's also layering on some QAnon-like gibberish about hospitals doing this so they can make more money , when the complete opposite is true .
Caring for COVID patients is extemely expensive and time-consuming .
Many smaller hospitals have gone or will go bankrupt , with an estimated loss of $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic .
So everything she is saying in this brief soundclip is demonstrably false and she 's knowingly or unknowingly ( I 'm not sure which is worse ) spreading misinformation .
Basically , whenever a Republican starts a sentence with `` What I 've heard is ... '' , they 're almost certainly going to repeat some Trumpian bullshit they 've pulled off the internet somewhere .
Wherever they 've got it from , it wo n't be factual or reality-based .
One attendee told Ernst during the question-and-answer period he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overcounted , a theory discounted by medical professionals who say the actual numbers are probably much higher than official tallies .
Ernst said she was “ so skeptical ” of those numbers as well .
“ These health-care providers and others are reimbursed at a higher rate if COVID is tied to it , so what do you think they ’ re doing ?
” she told the crowd .
Asked to clarify her remarks after the event , Ernst said that ’ s “ what I ’ ve heard ” from health-care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if that meant numbers were being inflated .
“ They do get reimbursed higher amounts if it ’ s a COVID-related illness or death , ” she said .
“ I heard the same thing on the news .
...
They ’ re thinking there may be 10,000 or less deaths that were actually singularly COVID-19 .
...
I ’ m just really curious .
It would be interesting to know that.
” You can do so much better than this , Iowa .

It's extremely galling to many of us that some states send substandard politicians like Joni Ernst to the U.S. Senate. Not only is she repeating Trump's nonsense that just 9000 of the COVID deaths in the United States are attributable to the virus, but she's also layering on some QAnon-like gibberish about hospitals doing this so they can make more money, when the complete opposite is true. Caring for COVID patients is extemely expensive and time-consuming. Many smaller hospitals have gone or will go bankrupt, with an estimated loss of $50 billion per month for hospitals fighting the pandemic. So everything she is saying in this brief soundclip is demonstrably false and she's knowingly or unknowingly ( I'm not sure which is worse) spreading misinformation.
Basically, whenever a Republican starts a sentence with "What I've heard is..." , they're almost certainly going to repeat some Trumpian bullshit they've pulled off the internet somewhere. Wherever they've got it from, it won't be factual or reality-based.
Source: Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier
One attendee told Ernst during the question-and-answer period he believed COVID-19 cases and deaths are being overcounted, a theory discounted by medical professionals who say the actual numbers are probably much higher than official tallies. Ernst said she was “so skeptical” of those numbers as well. “These health-care providers and others are reimbursed at a higher rate if COVID is tied to it, so what do you think they’re doing?” she told the crowd. Asked to clarify her remarks after the event, Ernst said that’s “what I’ve heard” from health-care providers, but wasn’t sure if that meant numbers were being inflated. “They do get reimbursed higher amounts if it’s a COVID-related illness or death,” she said. “I heard the same thing on the news. ... They’re thinking there may be 10,000 or less deaths that were actually singularly COVID-19. ... I’m just really curious. It would be interesting to know that.”
You can do so much better than this, Iowa.


crooksandliars--2020-09-02--First Sturgis Biker Dies From COVID-19

First Sturgis Biker Dies From COVID-19

About as predictable as the sun rising .
An estimated 400,000 attended the annual biker rally in Sturgis , South Dakota , a town of less than 7000 people .
Masks were scarce and social distancing was an oxymoron .
The awful thing about these super spreader events is that besides the selfish people who attended and who will get sick and some more will die , is that they 'll take it back home with them , to spread to others .
And this was all completely unnecessary .
A Minnesota biker who attended the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the virus traced to the 10-day event that drew more than 400,000 to South Dakota .
The man was in his 60s , had underlying conditions and was hospitalized in intensive care after returning from the rally , said Kris Ehresmann , infectious-disease director at the Minnesota Department of Health .
The case is among at least 260 cases in 11 states tied directly to the event , according to a survey of health departments by The Washington Post .
Epidemiologists believe that figure is a significant undercount , due to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the limited contact tracing in some states .
As a result , the true scope of infections stemming from the event that ran from Aug. 7 to Aug. 16 is unlikely to ever be known .
Public health officials had long expressed concern over the decision to move forward with the annual event , believed to be the largest held anywhere in the U.S. since the pandemic shelved most large-scale gatherings .

About as predictable as the sun rising. An estimated 400,000 attended the annual biker rally in Sturgis, South Dakota, a town of less than 7000 people. Masks were scarce and social distancing was an oxymoron.
The awful thing about these super spreader events is that besides the selfish people who attended and who will get sick and some more will die, is that they'll take it back home with them, to spread to others. And this was all completely unnecessary.
Source: Washington Post
A Minnesota biker who attended the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally has died of covid-19 — the first fatality from the virus traced to the 10-day event that drew more than 400,000 to South Dakota. The man was in his 60s, had underlying conditions and was hospitalized in intensive care after returning from the rally, said Kris Ehresmann, infectious-disease director at the Minnesota Department of Health. The case is among at least 260 cases in 11 states tied directly to the event, according to a survey of health departments by The Washington Post. Epidemiologists believe that figure is a significant undercount, due to the resistance of some rallygoers to testing and the limited contact tracing in some states. As a result, the true scope of infections stemming from the event that ran from Aug. 7 to Aug. 16 is unlikely to ever be known. Public health officials had long expressed concern over the decision to move forward with the annual event, believed to be the largest held anywhere in the U.S. since the pandemic shelved most large-scale gatherings.
First coronavirus death traced to Sturgis Motorcyle Rally that drew 400,000 people https://t.co/EHm8FfIusn — The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) September 2, 2020
So unnecessary—Minnesota biker who attended the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally has died of #covid19 —- the first fatality traced to the 10-day event that drew more than 400,000 to South Dakota. At least 260 cases in 11 states tied directly to Sturgis bike rally. https://t.co/5qY1MASs91 — Eric Feigl-Ding (@DrEricDing) September 2, 2020


crooksandliars--2020-09-02--Mike Pence Throws Fuel On The Trump 'Mini Stroke' Story By Taking The Fifth

Rather than just answering the question about whether he was put on standby , Mike Pence ducked it entirely when he was interviewed by Brett Baier on Tuesday .
He did n't do Trump any favors .
The Fox News host read one of Donald Trump 's tweets dismissing the allegations in Mike Schmidt 's new book and asked Pence whether there was any validity to his reporting .
`` Michael Schmidt says in the book that you were put on alert to take control , to take office , essentially , if he went under for anesthesia .
Is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pence did n't answer the question directly and instead claimed Donald Trump is in excellent health and probably will live to be 150 .
( Okay , I made that part up . )
`` But as far as being on standby ? ''
Baier cut in .
Pence replied , `` I do n't recall being told to be on standby .
I was informed that the President had a doctor 's appointment , and -- '' Baier interrupted , `` I do n't want to speculate on it , I just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Part of this job is to always be on standby , '' Pence said .
So the Vice President actually took the fifth when he said he could n't recall being asked by the White House to be on standby if Trump went under anesthesia .
That 's not a flat-out denial , which to this political observer is an admission that it happened exactly as described .

Rather than just answering the question about whether he was put on standby, Mike Pence ducked it entirely when he was interviewed by Brett Baier on Tuesday. He didn't do Trump any favors.
The Fox News host read one of Donald Trump's tweets dismissing the allegations in Mike Schmidt's new book and asked Pence whether there was any validity to his reporting.
"Michael Schmidt says in the book that you were put on alert to take control, to take office, essentially, if he went under for anesthesia. Is that true?" Baier asked.
Pence didn't answer the question directly and instead claimed Donald Trump is in excellent health and probably will live to be 150. (Okay, I made that part up.)
"But as far as being on standby?" Baier cut in.
Pence replied, "I don't recall being told to be on standby. I was informed that the President had a doctor's appointment, and --"
Baier interrupted, "I don't want to speculate on it, I just want to clear that up."
"Part of this job is to always be on standby," Pence said.
So the Vice President actually took the fifth when he said he couldn't recall being asked by the White House to be on standby if Trump went under anesthesia.
That's not a flat-out denial, which to this political observer is an admission that it happened exactly as described.


crooksandliars--2020-09-02--Trump Flips Out After Drudge Trolls Him Over His Alleged 'Strokes'

Matt Drudge has not been a vocal supporter of Donald Trump for a while , and his latest headline from @ @ @ @ @ 's skin .
This all started after the NY Times Michael Schmidt wrote in his @ @ @ @ @ wanted Mike Pence sworn in after Trump was admitted to Walter Reed if he needed @ @ @ @ @ lead to a flurry of speculation that Trump may have suffered some mini strokes .
@ @ @ @ @ `` it was n't true '' , Trump took to Twitter and furiously denied it @ @ @ @ @ support Trump whole-heatedly with showers of effusive praise then they are not doing well in @ @ @ @ @ look .
Drudge moving away from Trump 63 days from the election is one thing @ @ @ @ @ had a series of mini-strokes when no one said he had , coupled with clear @ @ @ @ @ him dragging his right leg all over tarnation is another .
# trumpstroke pic.twitter.com/gMlMoiD3Pq

Matt Drudge has not been a vocal supporter of Donald Trump for a while, and his latest headline from Tuesday really got under Trump's skin.
This all started after the NY Times Michael Schmidt wrote in his new book that the WH wanted Mike Pence sworn in after Trump was admitted to Walter Reed if he needed to be anesthetized which has lead to a flurry of speculation that Trump may have suffered some mini strokes.
Instead of ignoring it because "it wasn't true", Trump took to Twitter and furiously denied it.
Drudge didn’t support me in 2016, and I hear he doesn’t support me now. Maybe that’s why he is doing poorly. His Fake News report on Mini-Strokes is incorrect. Possibly thinking about himself, or the other party’s “candidate”. https://t.co/9FraoFqOKq — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 1, 2020
Anyone who doesn't support Trump whole-heatedly with showers of effusive praise then they are not doing well in his mind.
Oh, those pictures!


crooksandliars--2020-09-02--So Much For The First Amendment: Trump Chief Of Staff Tells Fox 'Arrest Protestors'

He did n't say `` rioters . ''
He did n't say `` White nationalist shooters . ''
The Chief of Staff to the so-called President of the United States recommended that PROTESTORS in Washington DC be ARRESTED .
The `` discussion '' on Fox ( of course ) was about removal of monuments to slave holders , that last part probably left out because Fox is White Nationalist propaganda trash .
MARK MEADOWS : Why do n't we talk about removing the protestors from Washington , DC , and sending them back , to wherever they came from , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to jail ?
If we 're going to talk about removing things ... Fascist @ MarkMeadows once took an oath to PROTECT the Constitution .
1st Amendment of the U.S. Constitution states that “ Congress shall make no law … abridging the freedom of speech , or of the press ; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble .
Mr. Meadows , If you want to repeal the 1st Amendment , there is a process for that .
Until you are succeed , We The People have the right to assemble @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yell at Our government .
Our Free Press has the right to document it .
You can pray , of course .

He didn't say "rioters." He didn't say "White nationalist shooters."
The Chief of Staff to the so-called President of the United States recommended that PROTESTORS in Washington DC be ARRESTED. The "discussion" on Fox (of course) was about removal of monuments to slave holders, that last part probably left out because Fox is White Nationalist propaganda trash.
MARK MEADOWS: Why don't we talk about removing the protestors from Washington, DC, and sending them back, to wherever they came from, or sending them, better yet, to jail? If we're going to talk about removing things...
Fascist @MarkMeadows once took an oath to PROTECT the Constitution.
1st Amendment of the U.S. Constitution states that “Congress shall make no law … abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble. — BlueTsunami (@galgrafix) September 2, 2020
Teaparty marched on DC.... he didn't mind that. — Just me (@reluctantzealot) September 2, 2020


crooksandliars--2020-09-02--DHS Withheld Report Of Russia Propaganda Plan To Attack Biden's Mental Health

Donald Trump has turned every federal law enforcement agency into his personal enforcement militia to help him win reelection .
That point is hammered home by this shocking ABC news report .
Refusing to testify at congressional hearings , ignoring congressional subpoenas , lying to the FBI , has been the norm under the Trump administration , all to deflect from their criminal activities .
And now we have the DHS covering up Russia 's latest election interference scheme : influence voters to not trust the mental health of Joe Biden .
The draft bulletin , titled “ Russia Likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Influence 2020 Election , ” was submitted to the agency ’ s legislative and public affairs office for review on July 7 .
The analysis was not meant for public consumption , but it was set to be distributed to federal , state and local law enforcement partners two days later , on July 9 , the emails show .
Just one hour after its submission , however , a senior DHS official intervened .
“ Please hold on sending this one out until you have a chance to speak to [ acting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' wrote DHS Chief of Staff John Gountanis , according to an email obtained by ABC News .
That was nearly two months ago .
But the bulletin was never circulated .
ABC 's Jonathan Karl reports : `` Intelligence analysts have determined with high confidence that Russia is trying to convince voters Joe Biden is n't mentally fit to be president . ''
For two months now , the acting DHS director and Trump sycophant Chad Wolf , has buried the report .
The DHS claim that they `` needed more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ridiculous .
It 's no shock that for these last two months Trump , his campaign , his minions at Fox News , and every other right wing outlet have been trying to claim Joe Biden 's mental health is impaired .
This is not a coincidence .
It 's a coordinated effort by a foreign country to influence our election .
That Russian propaganda is now being used and disseminated by a sitting president in the White House .
Russian kompromat is all the Trump campaign has to run on .

Donald Trump has turned every federal law enforcement agency into his personal enforcement militia to help him win reelection.
That point is hammered home by this shocking ABC news report.
Refusing to testify at congressional hearings, ignoring congressional subpoenas, lying to the FBI, has been the norm under the Trump administration, all to deflect from their criminal activities.
And now we have the DHS covering up Russia's latest election interference scheme: influence voters to not trust the mental health of Joe Biden.
The draft bulletin, titled “Russia Likely to Denigrate Health of US Candidates to Influence 2020 Election,” was submitted to the agency’s legislative and public affairs office for review on July 7. The analysis was not meant for public consumption, but it was set to be distributed to federal, state and local law enforcement partners two days later, on July 9, the emails show. Just one hour after its submission, however, a senior DHS official intervened. “Please hold on sending this one out until you have a chance to speak to [acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf]," wrote DHS Chief of Staff John Gountanis, according to an email obtained by ABC News. That was nearly two months ago. But the bulletin was never circulated.
ABC's Jonathan Karl reports: "Intelligence analysts have determined with high confidence that Russia is trying to convince voters Joe Biden isn't mentally fit to be president."
For two months now, the acting DHS director and Trump sycophant Chad Wolf, has buried the report. The DHS claim that they "needed more time to vet the story" is ridiculous.
It's no shock that for these last two months Trump, his campaign, his minions at Fox News, and every other right wing outlet have been trying to claim Joe Biden's mental health is impaired.
This is not a coincidence. It's a coordinated effort by a foreign country to influence our election.
That Russian propaganda is now being used and disseminated by a sitting president in the White House.
Disinformation rules!
Russian kompromat is all the Trump campaign has to run on.


crooksandliars--2020-09-02--Why Is Georgia GOP Sending Absentee Ballot Applications To New Jersey?

On August 25 , I wrote here about a mailer my father received in Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania .
The mailing was from the New Hampshire Republican Party , and contained an application for absentee ballot from New Hampshire .
My father has never lived in New Hampshire .
A New Hampshire reporter followed up on the mailer and the Attorney General of New Hampshire issued a cease and desist to the New Hampshire GOP to stop these mailings .
Turns out the same mailing is being sent out of state in Georgia .
The American Prospect reports : Last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oregon , the other in New Jersey—received the same mailing with pro-Trump messages , glossy Trump photos , and a Georgia absentee ballot request form .
The mailer is shown as paid for by the Georgia Republican Party .
Brian Richardson , who received the absentee ballot request form in Oregon , moved from Georgia in 2019 and is now registered to vote in Oregon ; the mailing he received was addressed to the “ Richardson household or current resident.
” The form that went to the New Jersey recipients , who prefer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to their “ household ” or “ current resident.
” They say they have never lived in Georgia .
The mailer declares , “ The Best Is Yet to Come , ” above Trump ’ s smiling visage , and advises recipients in multiple spots to “ fill out one of the attached Absentee Ballot Request forms.
” This is a concerted nationwide effort to do something to mess with state voter rolls , and/or to call into question absentee ballots from voters in blue states .
I smell Roger Stone 's fingerprints @ @ @

On August 25, I wrote here about a mailer my father received in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The mailing was from the New Hampshire Republican Party, and contained an application for absentee ballot from New Hampshire. My father has never lived in New Hampshire.
A New Hampshire reporter followed up on the mailer and the Attorney General of New Hampshire issued a cease and desist to the New Hampshire GOP to stop these mailings.
Turns out the same mailing is being sent out of state in Georgia. The American Prospect reports:
Last week, two households far from Georgia—one in Oregon, the other in New Jersey—received the same mailing with pro-Trump messages, glossy Trump photos, and a Georgia absentee ballot request form. The mailer is shown as paid for by the Georgia Republican Party. Brian Richardson, who received the absentee ballot request form in Oregon, moved from Georgia in 2019 and is now registered to vote in Oregon; the mailing he received was addressed to the “Richardson household or current resident.” The form that went to the New Jersey recipients, who prefer to remain anonymous, was also addressed to their “household” or “current resident.” They say they have never lived in Georgia. The mailer declares, “The Best Is Yet to Come,” above Trump’s smiling visage, and advises recipients in multiple spots to “fill out one of the attached Absentee Ballot Request forms.”
This is a concerted nationwide effort to do something to mess with state voter rolls, and/or to call into question absentee ballots from voters in blue states. I smell Roger Stone's fingerprints on it.


crooksandliars--2020-09-02--Old Navy To Pay Employees To Work The Polls In November

Smart idea and a good way to promote a sense of civic duty .
Via CNN : CNN- With Election @ @ @ @ @ many companies are giving their employees the day off to vote .
But Old Navy @ @ @ @ @ to get employees involved in the democratic process .
The retailer announced on Tuesday that @ @ @ @ @ for eight hours who serve as poll workers for the 2020 election .
The company @ @ @ @ @ be eligible for compensation from their local jurisdiction . ''
Old Navy , which is @ @ @ @ @ ) and has 50,000 field employees across more than 1,000 stores , is partnering with @ @ @ @ @ the Polls to recruit 250,000 new poll workers to `` ensure polling sites stay open @ @ @ @ @ country . ''
This comes after several states face poll worker shortages due to the @ @

Smart idea and a good way to promote a sense of civic duty. Via CNN:
CNN- With Election Day on the horizon, many companies are giving their employees the day off to vote. But Old Navy is taking a different approach to get employees involved in the democratic process.
The retailer announced on Tuesday that it will pay store employees for eight hours who serve as poll workers for the 2020 election. The company said employees "will also be eligible for compensation from their local jurisdiction."
Old Navy, which is owned by Gap (GPS) and has 50,000 field employees across more than 1,000 stores, is partnering with the Civic Alliance and Power the Polls to recruit 250,000 new poll workers to "ensure polling sites stay open and operate efficiently across the country."
This comes after several states face poll worker shortages due to the pandemic.


crooksandliars--2020-09-02--John Berman Cuts Off Trump Spokesman For Pushing Airplane Conspiracy

This went on a lot longer than this clip , but CNN 's John Berman absolutely refused to let Trump spokesman Tim Murtaugh get away with validating the wacky conspiracy theory Trump told Laura Ingraham about the Men In Black flying into the RNC convention to do nefarious deeds .
`` These people are coming from other places .
How do you suppose they travel ?
Who is putting them in hotels ? ''
Murtaugh insisted .
`` How do they have this information ? ''
`` You 're welcome to grill me , John .
You 're welcome to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe Biden why he has n't denounced antifa ? ''
`` Tim , you 're not answering the question .
Was there a flight , Tim ?
Can you point me to a flight the president talked about twice ? ''
`` How do you suppose they arrived in Washington , John , if not from an airplane ?
How do you suppose 102 people arrested in Wisconsin not from the area ?
80 % of the protesters arrested in Minneapolis not from the area .
Did they miracle themselves there ? ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ stop , stop , let me ask a question here .
All right .
As you have so far not confirmed any specific flight either coming to or leaving Washington the president mentioned , let me point out to you that this mirrors this conspiracy theory circulating online since June , a police department looked into this idea people are being moved around the country in flights wearing all kinds of black t-shirts .
`` Is it possible the president read this and he 's just regurgitating and getting details wrong ?
Is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rand Paul told a similar story and congressional hearings have been called into look into who is funding outrageous riots -- by the way , Joe Biden has not identified as left wing riots because that 's what they are .
He 's too weak to stand up to the left wing of his party and denounce these riots for what they are because he 's absolutely in the control of the anti-police wing of today 's Democrat party . ''
`` Call us when you have information about these flights that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now -- `` '' Call me when you will admit these are left wing rioters coming from outside the region when riots are occurring . ''

This went on a lot longer than this clip, but CNN's John Berman absolutely refused to let Trump spokesman Tim Murtaugh get away with validating the wacky conspiracy theory Trump told Laura Ingraham about the Men In Black flying into the RNC convention to do nefarious deeds.
"These people are coming from other places. How do you suppose they travel? Who is putting them in hotels?" Murtaugh insisted.
"How do they have this information?"
"You're welcome to grill me, John. You're welcome to grill me. Have you ever asked Joe Biden why he hasn't denounced antifa?"
Berman didn't budge.
"Tim, you're not answering the question. Was there a flight, Tim? Can you point me to a flight the president talked about twice?"
"How do you suppose they arrived in Washington, John, if not from an airplane? How do you suppose 102 people arrested in Wisconsin not from the area? 80% of the protesters arrested in Minneapolis not from the area. Did they miracle themselves there?"
Ha, ha!
"Tim, Tim, Tim, stop, stop, let me ask a question here. All right. As you have so far not confirmed any specific flight either coming to or leaving Washington the president mentioned, let me point out to you that this mirrors this conspiracy theory circulating online since June, a police department looked into this idea people are being moved around the country in flights wearing all kinds of black t-shirts.
"Is it possible the president read this and he's just regurgitating and getting details wrong? Is that possible?"
"Look, Rand Paul told a similar story and congressional hearings have been called into look into who is funding outrageous riots -- by the way, Joe Biden has not identified as left wing riots because that's what they are. He's too weak to stand up to the left wing of his party and denounce these riots for what they are because he's absolutely in the control of the anti-police wing of today's Democrat party."
Berman cut him off.
"Call us when you have information about these flights that the president has mentioned twice because as of now -- "
"Call me when you will admit these are left wing rioters coming from outside the region when riots are occurring."


crooksandliars--2020-09-03--Biden: Safe School Reopenings A 'National Emergency' Due To Trump's 'Failures'

While Trump seems to be stuck in a `` law-and-order '' loop , Democratic candidate Joe Biden is paying attention to what most Americans have hanging over their heads right now ... the opening of schools and whether or not their children can safely attend .
Never mind that the `` law-and-order '' problem lies much more prominently with law enforcement itself , and the Republicans that wrap themselves in that mantle ... given the lawlessness with which this administration and the GOP in Congress operate .
Biden is allowing himself to address other things in addition to the criminality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cronies .
And it 's good that he is .
Nicolle Wallace highlighted this contrast at the top of her show .
WALLACE : For the second day this week , the man running to be president is addressing a problem that the current president has made worse .
In this case , by contaminating the wrenching decisions around school re-openings with politics and a science-be-damned pressure campaign for in-person learning .
[ CLIP ] BIDEN : Protecting our students , our educators , our communities , getting our schools opened safely and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But president trump still does n't have a real plan for how to open our schools safely .
No real plan for how to help parents feel secure for their children .
He 's offering nothing but failure and delusions .
Mr. President , where are you ?
Where are you ?
Why are n't you working on this ?
We need emergency support funding for our schools and we need it now .
Mr. President , that 's your job .
That 's your job .
[ END CLIP ] WALLACE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has pledged to listen to advice from the nation 's top infectious disease expert , Dr. Anthony Fauci , who has spent much of his time during the Trump administration correcting the record from Donald Trump 's disinformation lies and outright medical quackery .
Something he had to do yet again yesterday when Donald Trump touted a conspiracy theory that the virus ' death toll is lower than has been reported .
Wallace then played the bonkers-even-by-Trump-standards interview with Laura Ingraham , during which even Ingraham had to correct him about his lies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who have died from COVID-19 .
Poor Dr. Fauci , again , needed to come up behind him to clean up that mess , explaining the meaning of co-morbidities .
I mean , if you have cancer , but got in a fatal car crash , it is still the car crash that killed you , right ?
WALLACE : Imagine what he could do if he did n't have to fact check the president all the time .
The country stands at more than 186,000 souls lost .
More than 6 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans have sought unemployment assistance since the coronavirus outbreak began .
And if Joe Biden 's two powerful speeches this week were n't enough to demonstrate how differently an administration with Joe Biden at the helm would handle the crises facing our country , the former vice president and his wife will head to Kenosha , Wisconsin , tomorrow , to speak with that community .
Just two days after Donald Trump visited and praised the city 's law enforcement .
Yes , people , just IMAGINE !
A presidency that did n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's own government .
A president who is welcomed into a grieving community instead of shunned by them , instead of one who shows up despite expressed wishes not to , to praise the folks who caused the grief to begin with .
Seems almost incomprehensible after nearly four years of this national nightmare , does n't it ?

While Trump seems to be stuck in a "law-and-order" loop, Democratic candidate Joe Biden is paying attention to what most Americans have hanging over their heads right now...the opening of schools and whether or not their children can safely attend. Never mind that the "law-and-order" problem lies much more prominently with law enforcement itself, and the Republicans that wrap themselves in that mantle...given the lawlessness with which this administration and the GOP in Congress operate. Biden is allowing himself to address other things in addition to the criminality of killer cops and Trump and his cronies.
And it's good that he is. Nicolle Wallace highlighted this contrast at the top of her show.
WALLACE: For the second day this week, the man running to be president is addressing a problem that the current president has made worse. In this case, by contaminating the wrenching decisions around school re-openings with politics and a science-be-damned pressure campaign for in-person learning. [CLIP]
BIDEN: Protecting our students, our educators, our communities, getting our schools opened safely and effectively. This is a national emergency. But president trump still doesn't have a real plan for how to open our schools safely. No real plan for how to help parents feel secure for their children. He's offering nothing but failure and delusions. Mr. President, where are you? Where are you? Why aren't you working on this? We need emergency support funding for our schools and we need it now. Mr. President, that's your job. That's your job.
[END CLIP] WALLACE: If he wins, Joe Biden has pledged to listen to advice from the nation's top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, who has spent much of his time during the Trump administration correcting the record from Donald Trump's disinformation lies and outright medical quackery. Something he had to do yet again yesterday when Donald Trump touted a conspiracy theory that the virus' death toll is lower than has been reported.
Wallace then played the bonkers-even-by-Trump-standards interview with Laura Ingraham, during which even Ingraham had to correct him about his lies and misunderstandings surrounding the number of people who have died from COVID-19. Poor Dr. Fauci, again, needed to come up behind him to clean up that mess, explaining the meaning of co-morbidities. I mean, if you have cancer, but got in a fatal car crash, it is still the car crash that killed you, right?
Oy.
WALLACE: Imagine what he could do if he didn't have to fact check the president all the time. The country stands at more than 186,000 souls lost. More than 6 million infections in this country and 58 million Americans have sought unemployment assistance since the coronavirus outbreak began. And if Joe Biden's two powerful speeches this week weren't enough to demonstrate how differently an administration with Joe Biden at the helm would handle the crises facing our country, the former vice president and his wife will head to Kenosha, Wisconsin, tomorrow, to speak with that community. Just two days after Donald Trump visited and praised the city's law enforcement.
Yes, people, just IMAGINE! A presidency that didn't require constant fact-checking and fear of one's own government. A president who is welcomed into a grieving community instead of shunned by them, instead of one who shows up despite expressed wishes not to, to praise the folks who caused the grief to begin with. Seems almost incomprehensible after nearly four years of this national nightmare, doesn't it?


crooksandliars--2020-09-03--Bill Barr: Didn’t Jesse Jackson Say He’s More Scared Of Blacks Than Whites?

I wonder how many Black people who have been needlessly stopped by the police Barr has actually talked to .
I 'm going to guess none .
Meanwhile , get ready for your jaw to drop as Barr pointed to racist behavior by Blacks to justify racist behavior by whites .
It was part of a lengthy interview with Wolf Blitzer on CNN today .
BARR : I do think that .
I do n't think that that necessarily reflects some deep-seated racism in police departments or in most police officers..
I think there are stereotypes .
I think people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think it takes extra precaution on the part of law enforcement to make sure we do n't reduce people to stereotypes , we treat them as individuals .
I do n't think there are two justice systems .
I think the narrative that the police are on some , you know , epidemic of shooting unarmed black men is simply a false narrative and also the narrative that that 's based on race .
The fact of the matter it ’ s very rare for an unarmed African American to be shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were ten cases last year , six of them the suspect was attacking the police officer physically .
So , these are rare things compared to the 7 to 8,000 young black men who are killed every year .
To me [ systemic racism ] means that it 's built into the institution .
and I do n't think that 's true .
I think our institutions have been reformed in the past 60 years .
and if anything has been built in , it 's a bias to nondiscrimination and safeguards against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have to be a little careful about throwing the idea of racism around .
Racism usually means , you know , that I believe that because of your race , you 're a lesser human being than me and I think there are people in the United States that feel that way .
but I do n't think it is as common as people suggest .
And I think we have safeguards to ensure that it does n't really have an effect to someone 's future .
I think we 've made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 60 years .
To listen to the American left nowadays , you 'd think we 've gotten nowhere .
BLITZER : There 's no doubt there 's been a lot of progress .
but do you think Black people are treated differently by law enforcement than white people ?
BARR : I think there are some situations where statistics would suggest that they are treated differently .
but I do n't think that that 's necessarily racism .
Did n't Jesse Jackson say that when he looks behind him and he sees a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him , he 's more scared than when he sees a group of white youths walking behind him ?
Does that make him a racist ?

I wonder how many Black people who have been needlessly stopped by the police Barr has actually talked to. I'm going to guess none.
Meanwhile, get ready for your jaw to drop as Barr pointed to racist behavior by Blacks to justify racist behavior by whites. It was part of a lengthy interview with Wolf Blitzer on CNN today.
BARR: I do think that. I don't think that that necessarily reflects some deep-seated racism in police departments or in most police officers.. I think there are stereotypes. I think people operate very frequently according to stereotypes and I think it takes extra precaution on the part of law enforcement to make sure we don't reduce people to stereotypes, we treat them as individuals.
[…]
I don't think there are two justice systems. I think the narrative that the police are on some, you know, epidemic of shooting unarmed black men is simply a false narrative and also the narrative that that's based on race. The fact of the matter it’s very rare for an unarmed African American to be shot by a white police officer. There were ten cases last year, six of them the suspect was attacking the police officer physically. So, these are rare things compared to the 7 to 8,000 young black men who are killed every year.
[…]
To me [systemic racism] means that it's built into the institution. and I don't think that's true. I think our institutions have been reformed in the past 60 years. and if anything has been built in, it's a bias to nondiscrimination and safeguards against that. …
Also, I think we have to be a little careful about throwing the idea of racism around. Racism usually means, you know, that I believe that because of your race, you're a lesser human being than me and I think there are people in the United States that feel that way. but I don't think it is as common as people suggest. And I think we have safeguards to ensure that it doesn't really have an effect to someone's future. I think we've made a lot of progress in the past 60 years. To listen to the American left nowadays, you'd think we've gotten nowhere.
BLITZER: There's no doubt there's been a lot of progress. but do you think Black people are treated differently by law enforcement than white people?
BARR: I think there are some situations where statistics would suggest that they are treated differently. but I don't think that that's necessarily racism. Didn't Jesse Jackson say that when he looks behind him and he sees a group of young black males walking behind him, he's more scared than when he sees a group of white youths walking behind him? Does that make him a racist?


crooksandliars--2020-09-03--At Least SOME Trump Voters Have Remorse: ‘Voting For Him Helped Kill Over 100,000 Americans’

Former supporters of President Donald Trump faced off against the president ’ s current fans on a CNN panel on Wednesday .
During a panel discussion , CNN ’ s Alisyn Camerota spoke to six women who said that they voted for Trump in 2016 — but three of them are switching their vote to Democratic nominee Joe Biden in 2020 .
Ann Kupitz said that she is swinging to Biden after first voting for Trump because he was not a “ normal politician.
” “ The pandemic is when my eyes began to open , ” Kupitz explained .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ sent U.S. troops on peaceful protesters in Lafayette Square , that was my cross the line moment.
” “ And how do you feel now about your 2016 vote for him ?
” Camerota wondered .
“ I think it ’ s one of — if not the biggest — mistake I ’ ve ever made in my life , ” Kupitz lamented .
“ I feel like voting for him helped kill over 100,000 Americans.
” Jessica Freeman agree that the president ’ s response to COVID-19 has been “ abysmal.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the American people , ” she observed .
“ My defining moment is when he said he takes no responsibility .
The buck stops with you .
You took the job , do the job.
” But Florida voter L.A. Key , who still supports Trump , argued that the pandemic is not the fault of the president .
“ When he says it ’ s not my responsibility , I did not cause this , that is correct , ” Key opined .
“ No one could have done a better job @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kupitz disagree : “ He is the only leader that hasn ’ t followed the science , the data and the expert ’ s advice .
We have 4 % of the world ’ s population .
We should have under 50,000 deaths .
We have over 180,000 deaths .
That ’ s not doing a good job.
” Key reacted by casting doubt on the COVID-19 death toll .
“ It is a fraction of what they originally said , ” she said of CDC statistics .
The CNN host interrupted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numbers .
“ Just to be clear , you don ’ t agree that 183,000 Americans have died ?
” Camerota sought to clarify .

Former supporters of President Donald Trump faced off against the president’s current fans on a CNN panel on Wednesday.
During a panel discussion, CNN’s Alisyn Camerota spoke to six women who said that they voted for Trump in 2016 — but three of them are switching their vote to Democratic nominee Joe Biden in 2020.
Ann Kupitz said that she is swinging to Biden after first voting for Trump because he was not a “normal politician.”
“The pandemic is when my eyes began to open,” Kupitz explained. “And June 1, when he sent U.S. troops on peaceful protesters in Lafayette Square, that was my cross the line moment.”
“And how do you feel now about your 2016 vote for him?” Camerota wondered.
“I think it’s one of — if not the biggest — mistake I’ve ever made in my life,” Kupitz lamented. “I feel like voting for him helped kill over 100,000 Americans.”
Jessica Freeman agree that the president’s response to COVID-19 has been “abysmal.”
“He’s gone and abandoned the American people,” she observed. “My defining moment is when he said he takes no responsibility. The buck stops with you. You took the job, do the job.”
But Florida voter L.A. Key, who still supports Trump, argued that the pandemic is not the fault of the president.
“When he says it’s not my responsibility, I did not cause this, that is correct,” Key opined. “No one could have done a better job in my opinion. No one.”
Kupitz disagree: “He is the only leader that hasn’t followed the science, the data and the expert’s advice. We have 4% of the world’s population. We should have under 50,000 deaths. We have over 180,000 deaths. That’s not doing a good job.”
Key reacted by casting doubt on the COVID-19 death toll.
“It is a fraction of what they originally said,” she said of CDC statistics.
The CNN host interrupted to note that Key was misrepresenting the CDC numbers.
“Well, we’ll agree to disagree,” Key replied.
“Just to be clear, you don’t agree that 183,000 Americans have died?” Camerota sought to clarify.
“No,” Key said. “Not of COVID. No.”


crooksandliars--2020-09-04--Russian Hackers Pretend To Uncover Hack, Get Reward From State Department

Sweet Jeebus !
Of course this happened : But wait !
It goes from drama to comedy , fast : @ @ @ @ @ Mike Pompeo ’ s State Department is in play , so the stupid must be @ @ @ @ @ : As some people have correctly pointed out , this is publicly available information .
@ @ @ @ @ been floating around for a while .
It ’ s just unclear what these hackers @ @ @ @ @ other than scamming the State Department .
So the 4th Reich is paying Russian hackers @ @ @ @ @ .
Got it .
[ Years ago , I worked for a company that paid @ @ @ @ @ bugs in the code .
You ’ ll never guess what happened !
Bugs were @ @ @ @ @ then rewarded !
Capitalism at its finest ! ]

Sweet Jeebus! Of course this happened:
🚨🚨🚨Russian journalists have discovered data from Michigan voter data rolls—including the personal info of 7.6 million Michigan voters—on a Russian hackers’ platform. It also includes voter info from other swing states, including Florida and NC https://t.co/EIiWioTbkF — Julia Ioffe (@juliaioffe) September 1, 2020
But wait! It goes from drama to comedy, fast:
The hilarious—and extremely Russian—part of this is that these hackers were apparently using this data to get that reward money that the State Department was offering for information on election interference. https://t.co/3DWVjzoxx3 — Julia Ioffe (@juliaioffe) September 1, 2020
And then we realize that Mike Pompeo’s State Department is in play, so the stupid must be around the corner:
NB: As some people have correctly pointed out, this is publicly available information. A lot of it has been floating around for a while. It’s just unclear what these hackers are using it for, other than scamming the State Department. — Julia Ioffe (@juliaioffe) September 1, 2020
So the 4th Reich is paying Russian hackers to prove they hacked Americans. Got it.
[Years ago, I worked for a company that paid engineers a bonus for finding bugs in the code. You’ll never guess what happened! Bugs were introduced, then found, then rewarded! Capitalism at its finest!]
Carry-on!
Republished with permission from Mock Paper Scissors


crooksandliars--2020-09-03--Book Of The Day: Reaganland

Book Of The Day: Reaganland

Progressive historian Rick Perlstein has just released his newest look into his lexicon of American political history .
If you @ @ @ @ @ previous books they are incredibly researched , easy-to-read and highly informative .
His new one @ @ @ @ @ America 's Right Turn 1976-1980 I 've started reading it and it 's tremendous .
@ @ @ @ @ Perstein 's new offering , I began to reread his previous book in the series @ @ @ @ @ . ''
After winning re-election , Nixon immediately used our U.S. troops as a political @ @ @ @ @ public into thinking that the Vietnam war was an incredible victory for America , reminiscent @ @ @ @ @ using law enforcement to prop up his ridiculous image of law and order .
What @ @ @ @ @ takeover of the Republican party and beginning of our spiral into what we now have @ @ @ @ @ country led by Trump .

Progressive historian Rick Perlstein has just released his newest look into his lexicon of American political history.
If you've read any of his previous books they are incredibly researched, easy-to-read and highly informative.
His new one is called: Reaganland: America's Right Turn 1976-1980
I've started reading it and it's tremendous.
Last month in anticipation of Perstein's new offering, I began to reread his previous book in the series: "The Invisible Bridge."
After winning re-election, Nixon immediately used our U.S. troops as a political tool to gaslight the American public into thinking that the Vietnam war was an incredible victory for America, reminiscent of how Trump is now using law enforcement to prop up his ridiculous image of law and order.
What comes next is Reagan's takeover of the Republican party and beginning of our spiral into what we now have as the burning of our country led by Trump.


crooksandliars--2020-09-03--REPORT: Trump Repeatedly Held Wounded And Dead Military Members In Utter Contempt

It continues to seem incongruous that Donald Trump 's popularity is strongest among parts of the population he holds in disdain .
Poor white people still cling to him like he 's their savior , yet , he would n't be caught dead socializing with anyone he deemed below his economic strata .
He enjoys a lot of support among members of the military , though Trump 's popularity in the military is eroding .
When more of them learn of Jeffrey Goldberg 's reporting that Trump openly holds them in contempt , that may be the final straw .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Atlantic , Trump 's attitude towards service members goes beyond confusion about why anyone would serve their country if it was difficult and might be dangerous — especially if it was n't going to make them rich .
He actually disparages and disdains those who have been injured , captured , tortured , or killed .
To Trump , George H.W .
Bush was a `` loser '' for getting shot down in World War II .
We all know how he felt about Sen. John McCain .
He was infuriated when the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What the fuck are we doing that for ?
Guy was a fucking loser , ” he apparently raged to aides in the room .
And Goldberg tells this astonishing story of the Commander in Chief insulting the memory of General John Kelly 's son , who 'd died in combat in Afghanistan — directly to John Kelly as they stood at his son 's gravesite .
On Memorial Day 2017 , Trump visited Arlington National Cemetery , a short drive from the White House .
He was accompanied on this visit by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secretary of homeland security , and who would , a short time later , be named the White House chief of staff .
The two men were set to visit Section 60 , the 14-acre area of the cemetery that is the burial ground for those killed in America ’ s most recent wars .
Kelly ’ s son Robert is buried in Section 60 .
A first lieutenant in the Marine Corps , Robert Kelly was killed in 2010 in Afghanistan .
He was 29 .
Trump was meant , on this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paying respects at his son ’ s grave , and to comfort the families of other fallen service members .
But according to sources with knowledge of this visit , Trump , while standing by Robert Kelly ’ s grave , turned directly to his father and said , “ I don ’ t get it .
What was in it for them ?
” Kelly ( who declined to comment for this story ) initially believed , people close to him said , that Trump was making a ham-handed reference to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But later he came to realize that Trump simply does not understand non-transactional life choices .
“ He can ’ t fathom the idea of doing something for someone other than himself , ” one of Kelly ’ s friends , a retired four-star general , told me .
“ He just thinks that anyone who does anything when there ’ s no direct personal gain to be had is a sucker .
There ’ s no money in serving the nation.
” Kelly ’ s friend went on to say , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ else ’ s pain .
That ’ s why he would say this to the father of a fallen marine on Memorial Day in the cemetery where he ’ s buried.
” It 's hard to comprehend the evil that motivates such a man .
The callousness .
But if you have any doubt about it , understand that not only does he consider his hair more important than paying tribute to the fallen Marines in a cherished ceremony in France , when making preparations for a military parade , he took pains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ veterans who 'd lost limbs would not be permitted to participate or be honored .
Here 's an entire thread of Trump 's attacks on the military via Charlotte Clymer :

It continues to seem incongruous that Donald Trump's popularity is strongest among parts of the population he holds in disdain. Poor white people still cling to him like he's their savior, yet, he wouldn't be caught dead socializing with anyone he deemed below his economic strata. He enjoys a lot of support among members of the military, though Trump's popularity in the military is eroding. When more of them learn of Jeffrey Goldberg's reporting that Trump openly holds them in contempt, that may be the final straw.
According to Goldberg's piece in The Atlantic, Trump's attitude towards service members goes beyond confusion about why anyone would serve their country if it was difficult and might be dangerous — especially if it wasn't going to make them rich. He actually disparages and disdains those who have been injured, captured, tortured, or killed.
To Trump, George H.W. Bush was a "loser" for getting shot down in World War II. We all know how he felt about Sen. John McCain. He was infuriated when the flags were lowered to half-mast. "What the fuck are we doing that for? Guy was a fucking loser,” he apparently raged to aides in the room. And Goldberg tells this astonishing story of the Commander in Chief insulting the memory of General John Kelly's son, who'd died in combat in Afghanistan — directly to John Kelly as they stood at his son's gravesite.
On Memorial Day 2017, Trump visited Arlington National Cemetery, a short drive from the White House. He was accompanied on this visit by John Kelly, who was then the secretary of homeland security, and who would, a short time later, be named the White House chief of staff. The two men were set to visit Section 60, the 14-acre area of the cemetery that is the burial ground for those killed in America’s most recent wars. Kelly’s son Robert is buried in Section 60. A first lieutenant in the Marine Corps, Robert Kelly was killed in 2010 in Afghanistan. He was 29. Trump was meant, on this visit, to join John Kelly in paying respects at his son’s grave, and to comfort the families of other fallen service members. But according to sources with knowledge of this visit, Trump, while standing by Robert Kelly’s grave, turned directly to his father and said, “I don’t get it. What was in it for them?” Kelly (who declined to comment for this story) initially believed, people close to him said, that Trump was making a ham-handed reference to the selflessness of America’s all-volunteer force. But later he came to realize that Trump simply does not understand non-transactional life choices. “He can’t fathom the idea of doing something for someone other than himself,” one of Kelly’s friends, a retired four-star general, told me. “He just thinks that anyone who does anything when there’s no direct personal gain to be had is a sucker. There’s no money in serving the nation.” Kelly’s friend went on to say, “Trump can’t imagine anyone else’s pain. That’s why he would say this to the father of a fallen marine on Memorial Day in the cemetery where he’s buried.”
It's hard to comprehend the evil that motivates such a man. The callousness. But if you have any doubt about it, understand that not only does he consider his hair more important than paying tribute to the fallen Marines in a cherished ceremony in France, when making preparations for a military parade, he took pains to make sure that wounded veterans or veterans who'd lost limbs would not be permitted to participate or be honored.
Trump has been, for the duration of his presidency, fixated on staging military parades, but only of a certain sort. In a 2018 White House planning meeting for such an event, Trump asked his staff not to include wounded veterans, on grounds that spectators would feel uncomfortable in the presence of amputees. “Nobody wants to see that,” he said.
Twitter was unsurprised but revolted.
When you read things in this article we KNOW happened, the ones that made no sense at the time, now they do. With what he did publicly - failure to go to Aisne-Marne, quick up & down on McCain half-mast - there's no way to doubt this is what happened. https://t.co/huAC3btMBu — Kurt Eichenwald (@kurteichenwald) September 3, 2020
An important point here in the @JeffreyGoldberg story: It's bad enough for Trump to lash out at those like McCain and Khan he thinks crossed him.
But to label an entire cemetery of war dead as "losers" and saying "no one wants to see" amputees? The man is a ghoul. https://t.co/I3cf7lKqD6 — Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) September 3, 2020
Turns out when Trump mocked McCain for getting captured in Vietnam we should have taken more notice of that. (But somehow when sports stars protest against police violence and racism, that’s unpatriotic or treason or something.) https://t.co/E15x9IYa8F — Kyle Whitmire (@WarOnDumb) September 3, 2020
No wonder Trump doesn’t care about Russia offering bounties for dead American soldiers in Afghanistan. He thinks they’re suckers for joining, losers if they die. https://t.co/Hjudc5G5MC — Markos Moulitsas (@markos) September 3, 2020
Here's an entire thread of Trump's attacks on the military via Charlotte Clymer: