thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-28--EPA Veterans Eyed As Potential Picks To Lead The Agency If Biden Wins

If former Vice President Joe Biden wins the presidential election , Democrats are looking at EPA veterans and state regulators from the fire-ravaged West Coast to take the reins of a federal agency that Trump spent the past four years bending to the GOP ’ s political agenda .
Among the top names under discussion is Carol Browner , who is on Biden ’ s climate advisory council and previously served as President Bill Clinton ’ s EPA administrator and President Barack Obama ’ s climate policy director .
But some progressives , including the influential Sunrise Movement climate group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be new to the top job ― such as Mustafa Santiago Ali , an environmental justice activist who worked at the agency for 24 years before stepping down in 2017 , or Heather McTeer Toney , a former southeast regional administrator under Obama who now leads the nonprofit Moms Clean Air Force .
“ You need people who ’ ve done it before , who know how the thing is baseline supposed to work , because there ’ s a lot of rollbacks that are going to have to be undone , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vice president of strategy at the left-leaning think tank Data for Progress .
“ But there are more things that are going to need to get built and significantly updated.
” ( NoiseCat is a former HuffPost fellow . )
Data for Progress also highlighted two potential agency chiefs from states on the climate vanguard in terms of both effects and policy response : Mary Nichols , the chair of the California Air Resources Board who went head-to-head with the Trump EPA over its rollback of tailpipe emissions standards for vehicles , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington state ’ s Department of Ecology and shaped Gov .
Jay Inslee ’ s climate agenda .
Bellon would , notably , be the EPA ’ s first Native American administrator .
Soon after taking office , Trump put Scott Pruitt , the climate change-denying Oklahoma attorney general who led state lawsuits against the EPA ’ s power plant regulations , in charge of the agency .
When Pruitt resigned in disgrace amid mounting scandals in July 2018 , Trump tapped Andrew Wheeler , who had until recently served as a lobbyist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of climate misinformation groups , to replace him .
Some of the administration ’ s highest-profile changes to rules on water pollution , tailpipe emissions and what research regulators can consider proved so controversial and scientifically dubious that the president ’ s own hand-picked science advisers publicly criticized the agency ’ s “ significant weaknesses in the scientific analysis ” and “ neglect ” of “ established science.
” “ It ’ s insidious , ” Browner , who is the country ’ s longest-serving EPA administrator , told HuffPost .
“ Prior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They moved slowly , and they were less ambitious than we were .
It was benign neglect .
That ’ s not what ’ s going on here.
” To rebuild the agency , a Biden administration should set a target for 25,000 permanent staffers , a roughly 80 % increase of 2019 levels that would be commensurate with the growth of the U.S. economy over the past decade , according to a proposal from Yevgeny Shrago , a visiting fellow at the Center for Economic and Policy Research ’ s Revolving Door @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sum of the $ 2 trillion that the Biden administration plans to allocate to climate , and without a well-funded EPA , other initiatives will lack maximal impact as polluters continue to operate with limited oversight , ” Shrago wrote in the The American Prospect last month .
“ Such an investment will pay dividends that even the most blinkered advocates of cost-benefit analysis have to acknowledge.
” Nixon- and Reagan-era EPA chief William Ruckelshaus , who called the Trump administration ’ s climate contrarianism a “ threat to the country ” in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last year .
But Christine Todd Whitman , who served as EPA administrator during President George W. Bush ’ s first term , has been a vocal critic of the Trump administration ’ s tenure over the agency .
“ Whoever it is is going to have to make every effort to make sure it ’ s not looked on as a politicized agency , ” Whitman said .
“ You have to put someone in charge to begin with who people will trust and [ who ] believes in the mission of @ @ @ @

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Few federal agencies experienced more upheaval under President Donald Trump than the Environmental Protection Agency, which saw staffers flee in droves and dozens of regulations gutted at polluters’ behest.
If former Vice President Joe Biden wins the presidential election, Democrats are looking at EPA veterans and state regulators from the fire-ravaged West Coast to take the reins of a federal agency that Trump spent the past four years bending to the GOP’s political agenda.
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Among the top names under discussion is Carol Browner, who is on Biden’s climate advisory council and previously served as President Bill Clinton’s EPA administrator and President Barack Obama’s climate policy director. But some progressives, including the influential Sunrise Movement climate group, are angling for agency veterans who would be new to the top job ― such as Mustafa Santiago Ali, an environmental justice activist who worked at the agency for 24 years before stepping down in 2017, or Heather McTeer Toney, a former southeast regional administrator under Obama who now leads the nonprofit Moms Clean Air Force.
“You need people who’ve done it before, who know how the thing is baseline supposed to work, because there’s a lot of rollbacks that are going to have to be undone,” said Julian Brave NoiseCat, the vice president of strategy at the left-leaning think tank Data for Progress. “But there are more things that are going to need to get built and significantly updated.” (NoiseCat is a former HuffPost fellow.)
Data for Progress also highlighted two potential agency chiefs from states on the climate vanguard in terms of both effects and policy response: Mary Nichols, the chair of the California Air Resources Board who went head-to-head with the Trump EPA over its rollback of tailpipe emissions standards for vehicles, and Maia Bellon, who until recently headed Washington state’s Department of Ecology and shaped Gov. Jay Inslee’s climate agenda. Bellon would, notably, be the EPA’s first Native American administrator.
Carol Browner, who is advising Democratic nominee Joe Biden on climate, is the country's longest-serving EPA administrator, having held the position during President Bill Clinton's two terms. NBC NewsWire via Getty Images
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Other names circulated in Democratic policy circles are Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), the firebrand behind the Green New Deal movement in Congress, and Inslee, who last year made an unsuccessful bid for the presidential nomination with a climate-focused campaign.
The Biden campaign, which recently sought to tamp down public speculation on potential nominees, did not respond to a request for comment.
Reversing An ‘Insidious’ Record
Whoever it is will have their work cut out for them.
Soon after taking office, Trump put Scott Pruitt, the climate change-denying Oklahoma attorney general who led state lawsuits against the EPA’s power plant regulations, in charge of the agency. When Pruitt resigned in disgrace amid mounting scandals in July 2018, Trump tapped Andrew Wheeler, who had until recently served as a lobbyist for a major coal baron and funder of climate misinformation groups, to replace him.
The Trump administration, by The New York Times’ tally, has finished weakening or rescinding 72 environmental regulations as of this month, and has started the process of rolling back another 27.
Some of the administration’s highest-profile changes to rules on water pollution, tailpipe emissions and what research regulators can consider proved so controversial and scientifically dubious that the president’s own hand-picked science advisers publicly criticized the agency’s “significant weaknesses in the scientific analysis” and “neglect” of “established science.”
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“It’s insidious,” Browner, who is the country’s longest-serving EPA administrator, told HuffPost. “Prior Republican administrations did some good things. They moved slowly, and they were less ambitious than we were. It was benign neglect. That’s not what’s going on here.”
To rebuild the agency, a Biden administration should set a target for 25,000 permanent staffers, a roughly 80% increase of 2019 levels that would be commensurate with the growth of the U.S. economy over the past decade, according to a proposal from Yevgeny Shrago, a visiting fellow at the Center for Economic and Policy Research’s Revolving Door Project.
Adding $2.2 billion to the federal budget for hiring at the EPA could help achieve that goal.
“This is a tiny sum of the $2 trillion that the Biden administration plans to allocate to climate, and without a well-funded EPA, other initiatives will lack maximal impact as polluters continue to operate with limited oversight,” Shrago wrote in the The American Prospect last month. “Such an investment will pay dividends that even the most blinkered advocates of cost-benefit analysis have to acknowledge.”
Mustafa Santiago Ali, a 24-year EPA veteran who resigned in 2017, is considered a top choice among progressives for the administrator job if Biden wins. Larry French via Getty Images
That could be difficult to get through Congress if Republicans control either chamber. But EPA officials from past Republican administrations could be a help.
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Nixon- and Reagan-era EPA chief William Ruckelshaus, who called the Trump administration’s climate contrarianism a “threat to the country” in a 2018 interview with HuffPost, died last year. But Christine Todd Whitman, who served as EPA administrator during President George W. Bush’s first term, has been a vocal critic of the Trump administration’s tenure over the agency.
She warned that it could take years to recover from the exodus of agency talent. Selecting a nominee who can restore integrity to the agency’s research should be a top priority.
“Whoever it is is going to have to make every effort to make sure it’s not looked on as a politicized agency,” Whitman said. “You have to put someone in charge to begin with who people will trust and [who] believes in the mission of the agency.”
Browner declined to comment on potential nominations. McTeer Toney declined an interview request. Neither Santiago Ali nor Nichols responded to requests for comment.
But Bellon, who now leads a private environmental firm called Cascadia Law Group, said she was “humbled” to see her name on a list that included “incredible women leaders who’d be excellent candidates for a Biden-Harris administration.”
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-28--Sean Hannity: 'Coronavirus Hysteria' Is Attempt To 'Demoralize' Trump Voters

Hannity accused Democrats and the media of “ doing everything they can possibly do to demoralize voters , especially the @ @ @ @ @ “ They want you to believe there ’ s no hope under President Trump , @ @ @ @ @ Hannity.
” The nation has averaged more than 70,000 new COVID-19 cases a day in @ @ @ @ @ are approaching 227,000 .
Trump , however , continues to downplay the outbreak ’ s @ @ @ @ @ plan to rein it in .
The president also continues holding crowded campaign rallies for @ @ @ @ @ griped that progress in vaccine trials was being ignored , and cited the right-wing Media @ @ @ @ @ that 92 % of networks ’ coverage of Trump has been negative .
“ Despite @ @ @ @ @ , there is now a constant coronavirus hysteria 24/7 on every other news network , @ @ @ @

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Hannity accused Democrats and the media of “doing everything they can possibly do to demoralize voters, especially the supporters of the president.”
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“They want you to believe there’s no hope under President Trump,” he said on “Hannity.”
The nation has averaged more than 70,000 new COVID-19 cases a day in the past week and deaths are approaching 227,000. Trump, however, continues to downplay the outbreak’s severity and offers no cohesive plan to rein it in. The president also continues holding crowded campaign rallies for mostly maskless fans.
Hannity griped that progress in vaccine trials was being ignored, and cited the right-wing Media Research Center’s determination that 92% of networks’ coverage of Trump has been negative.
“Despite all of the good news, there is now a constant coronavirus hysteria 24/7 on every other news network,” Hannity complained.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-28--Laura Ingraham Turns To Santa In Latest Scaremongering About Joe Biden

Fox News ’ Laura Ingraham on Tuesday night evoked Santa Claus in her latest bid to scaremonger about Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden .
“ The Ingraham Angle ” host warned that if Biden beats President Donald Trump in the 2020 election then “ your traveling days are over.
” “ So long Thanksgiving turkey , ” Ingraham told viewers of her widely watched prime-time show .
“ And Santa and his reindeer are not coming to your rooftop under Biden next year.
” Ingraham attacked Biden because the former vice president has said he ’ ll take advice from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spread of COVID-19 .
The president ’ s allies , of which Ingraham is undoubtedly one , allege Biden will institute long-lasting lockdowns .
Trump , meanwhile , has mocked Biden for saying he ’ ll listen to the experts in a bid to combat the crisis that ’ s now killed more than 223,000 Americans .
The virus is now spreading at unprecedented rates across the country but Trump continues to hold campaign rallies for his supporters , many of whom don ’ t bother to wear masks .
The president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdowns introduced earlier in the year , even though his Democratic rival had no government role at the time .
Trump also warned Biden will cancel this Christmas , conveniently appearing to forget the fact that the Democratic nominee would not enter the White House until January if he wins next week .

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Fox News’ Laura Ingraham on Tuesday night evoked Santa Claus in her latest bid to scaremonger about Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.
“The Ingraham Angle” host warned that if Biden beats President Donald Trump in the 2020 election then “your traveling days are over.”
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“So long Thanksgiving turkey,” Ingraham told viewers of her widely watched prime-time show. “And Santa and his reindeer are not coming to your rooftop under Biden next year.”
Ingraham attacked Biden because the former vice president has said he’ll take advice from scientists about introducing lockdowns aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19. The president’s allies, of which Ingraham is undoubtedly one, allege Biden will institute long-lasting lockdowns.
Trump, meanwhile, has mocked Biden for saying he’ll listen to the experts in a bid to combat the crisis that’s now killed more than 223,000 Americans.
Laura Ingraham says that Santa and his reindeer won’t visit your rooftop under Biden pic.twitter.com/OnnnlJ9MrP — Acyn Torabi (@Acyn) October 28, 2020
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The virus is now spreading at unprecedented rates across the country but Trump continues to hold campaign rallies for his supporters, many of whom don’t bother to wear masks.
Biden has held a number of socially distanced events.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-28--Barack Obama To Appear On LeBron James' Show; NBA Star Calls It 'An Honor'

Barack Obama will appear on an upcoming episode of LeBron James ’ HBO show “ The Shop : Uninterrupted .
The four-time NBA champion called the former president ’ s appearance “ an honor.
” James , who received his fourth finals MVP award after the Los Angeles Lakers won the 2020 NBA championship earlier this month , tweeted about Obama ’ s appearance on Tuesday while encouraging his followers to vote in the upcoming presidential election .
“ My President giving us the perspective and motivation we need right now , ” James tweeted about the show .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also tweeted about his appearance and shared a message about voting : “ In Miami this weekend , I dropped by The Shop to talk with @ KingJames and @ MavCarter about the NBA bubble , the racial justice movement , and what ’ s at stake over these next seven days , ” he wrote .
In Miami this weekend , I dropped by The Shop to talk with @ KingJames and @ MavCarter about the NBA bubble , the racial justice movement , and what 's at stake over these next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your power .
Make a plan to vote : https : //t.co/7zfJnABzx1 pic.twitter.com/2Gjf5L9avl — Barack Obama ( @ BarackObama ) October 27 , 2020 James co-hosts the show with his manager , Maverick Carter .
In a video teasing Obama ’ s appearance , the former president can be seen talking to James via a video call and celebrating James ’ championship win .
( Prior to the pandemic , guests on “ The Shop ” would visit James for a conversation in a barbershop . )
“ LeBron James ... one more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obama tells the NBA star in the clip .
Earlier this year , James helped launch More Than A Vote , a nonprofit led by athletes and public figures that is focused on combating voter suppression .
More Than A Vote teamed up with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund to recruit poll workers .
Last month , both organizations announced that they had recruited 10,000 new poll workers .
Obama has been campaigning this week for his former vice president , Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden , and Biden ’ s vice presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The former president ’ s episode on “ The Shop ” airs on HBO Max on Friday at 9 p.m. Eastern .

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Barack Obama will appear on an upcoming episode of LeBron James’ HBO show “The Shop: Uninterrupted.” The four-time NBA champion called the former president’s appearance “an honor.”
James, who received his fourth finals MVP award after the Los Angeles Lakers won the 2020 NBA championship earlier this month, tweeted about Obama’s appearance on Tuesday while encouraging his followers to vote in the upcoming presidential election.
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“My President giving us the perspective and motivation we need right now,” James tweeted about the show. “GO VOTE!!!”
Obama also tweeted about his appearance and shared a message about voting:
“In Miami this weekend, I dropped by The Shop to talk with @KingJames and @MavCarter about the NBA bubble, the racial justice movement, and what’s at stake over these next seven days,” he wrote.
He added, “Do not give up your power.”
In Miami this weekend, I dropped by The Shop to talk with @KingJames and @MavCarter about the NBA bubble, the racial justice movement, and what's at stake over these next seven days.
Do not give up your power. Make a plan to vote: https://t.co/7zfJnABzx1 pic.twitter.com/2Gjf5L9avl — Barack Obama (@BarackObama) October 27, 2020
James co-hosts the show with his manager, Maverick Carter. In a video teasing Obama’s appearance, the former president can be seen talking to James via a video call and celebrating James’ championship win. (Prior to the pandemic, guests on “The Shop” would visit James for a conversation in a barbershop.)
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“LeBron James ... one more ring, one more trophy,” Obama tells the NBA star in the clip.
Earlier this year, James helped launch More Than A Vote, a nonprofit led by athletes and public figures that is focused on combating voter suppression.
More Than A Vote teamed up with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund to recruit poll workers. Last month, both organizations announced that they had recruited 10,000 new poll workers.
Obama has been campaigning this week for his former vice president, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, and Biden’s vice presidential running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-28--U.S. Voters Worried About Violence And Their Safety At The Polls

Still , Kauffman is keeping a closer eye on who they are and what they ’ re carrying as Election Day approaches .
Tension has been rising in his town , known best as hallowed ground of the Civil War ’ s bloodiest battle .
Recently , it ’ s become a hot spot of angry confrontations between Trump supporters and liberal protesters .
Kauffman has seen some of the Trump supporters carrying weapons .
Americans aren ’ t accustomed to worrying about violence or safety ahead of an election .
It ’ s a luxury afforded by years of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of fairly orderly displays of democracy .
But after months filled with disease , disruption and unrest , Americans are worried that Election Day could become a flashpoint .
With Election Day next week , voters can point to plenty of evidence behind the anxiety .
More than 226,000 people have died of the coronavirus in the United States , and cases are spiking across the country .
A summer of protests of racial injustice and sometimes violent confrontations has left many on edge .
Gun sales have broken records .
Trump has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has refused to commit to a peaceful transfer of power or to explicitly condemn a white supremacist group .
“ Human beings don ’ t do well with uncertainty , and there ’ s been a lot of uncertainty this year , ” said Mara Suttmann-Lea , an assistant professor of government at Connecticut College conducting research on voting .
” Absolutely I ’ m seeing heightened levels of anxiety ... and it ’ s a more general , existential anxiety — ‘ What is the state of our democracy ?
’ ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
About 7 in 10 voters say they are anxious about the election , according to an AP-NORC poll this month .
Biden supporters were more likely to say so than Trump supporters — 72 % to 61 % .
For some , the worries are a vague sense of looming trouble that could take many forms — conflict at a polling place , protest over the outcome , protest over no outcome , a conflagration that splits Americans over now-familiar divisions .
Holsten says he is voting for Trump but thinks neither @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to calm people down .
The car salesman has even stocked up on food , water and bulletproof vests for his family — in case the election sparks something bad .
“ The procedures have always been there .
We ’ ve just never had to use them , ” said Ellen Sorensen , an elections judge in Naperville , Illinois , outside Chicago .
“ Perhaps this time we may .
I don ’ t know.
” Millions of Americans are voting despite the worries .
More than 67 million people have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 23 million of those cast their ballots in person .
A poll in August by the Pew Research Center suggests that more Americans see the stakes as higher than usual in the 2020 presidential election .
Twenty years ago , just half of voters said it really mattered who won .
As of August , 83 % express this view .
Another Johnstown resident , Fran Jacobs , a 76-year-old Biden supporter , expressed similar concerns about whether the result would be clear , whether people would be calm and whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a functional democracy .
“ I ’ ve never been frightened for the country .
I always figured we ’ re gon na make it .
We always pull something up .
And I ’ m really frightened this time , ” she said , looking to the sky .
“ It ’ s all in your hands , I know .
”

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Gary Kauffman says he does not scare easily. So when men waving President Donald Trump flags drive by his house in downtown Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, he stands on his front steps and waves a banner for Democrats Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.
“Sometimes I yell at them. They yell back at me,” says Kauffman, 54.
Still, Kauffman is keeping a closer eye on who they are and what they’re carrying as Election Day approaches. Tension has been rising in his town, known best as hallowed ground of the Civil War’s bloodiest battle. Recently, it’s become a hot spot of angry confrontations between Trump supporters and liberal protesters. Kauffman has seen some of the Trump supporters carrying weapons.
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“If there’s guns, I’m a bit more cautious,” he said on Monday.
Americans aren’t accustomed to worrying about violence or safety ahead of an election. It’s a luxury afforded by years of largely peaceful voting, a recent history of fairly orderly displays of democracy. But after months filled with disease, disruption and unrest, Americans are worried that Election Day could become a flashpoint.
With Election Day next week, voters can point to plenty of evidence behind the anxiety. More than 226,000 people have died of the coronavirus in the United States, and cases are spiking across the country. A summer of protests of racial injustice and sometimes violent confrontations has left many on edge. Gun sales have broken records. Trump has called on supporters to monitor voting and has refused to commit to a peaceful transfer of power or to explicitly condemn a white supremacist group.
Early voters line up outside of the Vienna Community Building to cast their ballots for the Nov. 3 election, in Vienna, West Virginia, on Oct. 21, 2020. STEPHEN ZENNER via Getty Images
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“Human beings don’t do well with uncertainty, and there’s been a lot of uncertainty this year,” said Mara Suttmann-Lea, an assistant professor of government at Connecticut College conducting research on voting. ”Absolutely I’m seeing heightened levels of anxiety ... and it’s a more general, existential anxiety — ‘What is the state of our democracy?’”
Those worries have shown up in polling. About 7 in 10 voters say they are anxious about the election, according to an AP-NORC poll this month. Biden supporters were more likely to say so than Trump supporters — 72% to 61%.
For some, the worries are a vague sense of looming trouble that could take many forms — conflict at a polling place, protest over the outcome, protest over no outcome, a conflagration that splits Americans over now-familiar divisions.
“You can feel it in the energy,” particularly on social media, says Cincinnati voter Josh Holsten Sr., 42. “There are just a lot of extra tensions that don’t necessarily need to be there.”
Holsten says he is voting for Trump but thinks neither the president nor Biden is doing enough to calm people down. The car salesman has even stocked up on food, water and bulletproof vests for his family — in case the election sparks something bad.
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Law enforcement and election officials are preparing, too. FBI and local officials in several states have been conducting drills and setting up command centers to respond to election-related unrest.
Election officials are training poll workers on how to de-escalate conflict and ensuring they’re prepped on the rules about poll monitoring, voter intimidation and harassment.
“The procedures have always been there. We’ve just never had to use them,” said Ellen Sorensen, an elections judge in Naperville, Illinois, outside Chicago. “Perhaps this time we may. I don’t know.”
A group called Election Protection Arizona says it intends to train hundreds of people at the polls, including on de-escalation guidance in case of confrontations.
The Rev. Joan Van Becelaere, executive director of Unitarian Universalist Justice Ohio and part of an effort to keep the peace, said the virus has fueled fear and division between Trump supporters and others.
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The groups, she said, are “extreme places of tension that we really don’t want to meet at these polls.”
Millions of Americans are voting despite the worries. More than 67 million people have already voted in the U.S., and more than 23 million of those cast their ballots in person.
A poll in August by the Pew Research Center suggests that more Americans see the stakes as higher than usual in the 2020 presidential election. Twenty years ago, just half of voters said it really mattered who won. As of August, 83% express this view.
For some, that sense of urgency, combined with fierce partisanship and anger, feels like a recipe for conflict.
“November’s going to be scary because both sides aren’t going to give,” said Bob Stanley, 66, a longtime Republican and Trump supporter from Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
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Stanley expressed a hope shared by Republicans and Democrats: “I hope it’s going to be an overwhelming majority, or there will be trouble.”
Another Johnstown resident, Fran Jacobs, a 76-year-old Biden supporter, expressed similar concerns about whether the result would be clear, whether people would be calm and whether the world would look at the U.S. as a functional democracy.
“I’ve never been frightened for the country. I always figured we’re gonna make it. We always pull something up. And I’m really frightened this time,” she said, looking to the sky. “It’s all in your hands, I know.”
___
Associated Press writers Jill Colvin in Washington, Astrid Galvin in Phoenix, and Julie Carr Smyth in Columbus, Ohio, contributed to this report.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-28--Hillary Clinton Backs Up Kamala Harris After Critic's Column: 'Give Me A Break'

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton isn ’ t having any of the sexist criticism of Democratic vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris .
In an interview on SiriusXM on Wednesday , the former Democratic presidential nominee weighed in on a widely panned Wall Street Journal article by conservative columnist Peggy Noonan that accused Harris of coming across as “ frivolous ” and “ insubstantial ” because she was visibly having fun on the campaign trail .
Noonan said it was “ embarrassing ” when Harris danced in the rain during a Florida rally .
But she didn ’ t mention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has also been busting out moves on the campaign trail .
“ This commentator who sadly , unfortunately , is a woman ― who ’ s been a right-wing Republican mouthpiece for a long time ― she didn ’ t say how absurd it was to see Donald Trump kind of galumphing around the stage .
It was all about Kamala , ” Clinton said .
“ ‘ Oh , can someone so frivolous , so prone to being happy , be our vice president ?
’ Give me a break , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clinton said she also found the incident encouraging because of how much outrage and backlash it generated .
She said she believes Harris , who would become the first woman and first Black and Asian American vice president if elected , would do an excellent job .
“ I do think Kamala is going to be our vice president , which is enormous in every historic sense we can think of .
And then I think she ’ s going to acquit herself really well , ” Clinton said .
Looking back at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her during her 2016 presidential run , Clinton hoped that having a woman as U.S. vice president would further normalize women running for the nation ’ s highest offices .

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Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton isn’t having any of the sexist criticism of Democratic vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris.
In an interview on SiriusXM on Wednesday, the former Democratic presidential nominee weighed in on a widely panned Wall Street Journal article by conservative columnist Peggy Noonan that accused Harris of coming across as “frivolous” and “insubstantial” because she was visibly having fun on the campaign trail.
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Noonan said it was “embarrassing” when Harris danced in the rain during a Florida rally. But she didn’t mention anything about President Donald Trump, who has also been busting out moves on the campaign trail.
“This commentator who sadly, unfortunately, is a woman ― who’s been a right-wing Republican mouthpiece for a long time ― she didn’t say how absurd it was to see Donald Trump kind of galumphing around the stage. It was all about Kamala,” Clinton said.
“‘Oh, can someone so frivolous, so prone to being happy, be our vice president?’ Give me a break,” she said with a laugh.
But Clinton said she also found the incident encouraging because of how much outrage and backlash it generated. She said she believes Harris, who would become the first woman and first Black and Asian American vice president if elected, would do an excellent job.
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“I do think Kamala is going to be our vice president, which is enormous in every historic sense we can think of. And then I think she’s going to acquit herself really well,” Clinton said.
Looking back at some of the painful attacks leveled against her during her 2016 presidential run, Clinton hoped that having a woman as U.S. vice president would further normalize women running for the nation’s highest offices.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-28--Watch Cory Booker And RuPaul's Sweet Reactions To Learning They're Cousins

Sen. Cory Booker ( D-N.J. ) and RuPaul Charles are cousins , and they both have nothing but nice things to say about one another .
The “ RuPaul ’ s Drag Race ” host participated in the latest season of the PBS series “ Finding Your Roots , ” which explores the “ DNA of American culture ” by analyzing and comparing DNA codes to trace celebrities ’ connections and ancestry .
A deep dive into RuPaul ’ s genetics reveals that he and Booker , who was on Season 1 of the series , share a long stretch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like my kin , ” RuPaul said when learning the news in an episode that aired earlier this month .
“ There ’ s a sweetness about him that I ’ ve always loved and an intellect that ’ s undeniable .
But every time I ’ ve ever seen him , he reminds me of my cousin Yula.
” On “ The Wendy Williams Show ” on Tuesday , Booker said he “ told everybody that would listen in my world ” about the news .
“ So yeah , my mom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ RuPaul , and I haven ’ t had a chance to talk to him since the news was revealed but I was very happy about that news and I hope that he and I can have a family reunion sometime.
” The two cousins have even met up before .
Last year , Booker , who was running for the Democratic presidential nomination at the time , appeared on the drag icon ’ s talk show “ RuPaul.
” All tea , no shade , @ RuPaul stole my look .
( Wait @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) Anyway , honored to be one of the first guests on RuPaul 's newest show—the # RuPaulShow—today !
Check your local listings for times : https : //t.co/xnmte0p3qd pic.twitter.com/jyoNLC7l05 — Cory Booker ( @ CoryBooker ) June 12 , 2019 And see RuPaul finding out the news here .

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Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and RuPaul Charles are cousins, and they both have nothing but nice things to say about one another.
The “RuPaul’s Drag Race” host participated in the latest season of the PBS series “Finding Your Roots,” which explores the “DNA of American culture” by analyzing and comparing DNA codes to trace celebrities’ connections and ancestry. A deep dive into RuPaul’s genetics reveals that he and Booker, who was on Season 1 of the series, share a long stretch of identical DNA.
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“He looks like my kin,” RuPaul said when learning the news in an episode that aired earlier this month. “There’s a sweetness about him that I’ve always loved and an intellect that’s undeniable. But every time I’ve ever seen him, he reminds me of my cousin Yula.”
On “The Wendy Williams Show” on Tuesday, Booker said he “told everybody that would listen in my world” about the news.
“So yeah, my mom knows, I just, I love RuPaul, and I haven’t had a chance to talk to him since the news was revealed but I was very happy about that news and I hope that he and I can have a family reunion sometime.”
The two cousins have even met up before. Last year, Booker, who was running for the Democratic presidential nomination at the time, appeared on the drag icon’s talk show “RuPaul.”
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All tea, no shade, @RuPaul stole my look. (Wait, did I do that right?)
Anyway, honored to be one of the first guests on RuPaul's newest show—the #RuPaulShow—today! Check your local listings for times: https://t.co/xnmte0p3qd pic.twitter.com/jyoNLC7l05 — Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) June 12, 2019
Watch Booker’s sweet reaction below.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-28--Hurricane Zeta Makes Landfall On Louisiana Coast

NEW ORLEANS ( AP ) — Hurricane Zeta slammed into storm-weary Louisiana on Wednesday with New Orleans squarely in its path , pelting homes and businesses with rain and high winds and threatening to push up to 9 feet of sea water inland in a Gulf Coast region already pounded by multiple storms this year .
Some roads were flooded near the coast , where forecasters said Zeta was making landfall around Terrebone Bay near Cocodrie , an unincorporated fishing village at the end of a highway with a marine laboratory but few if any full-time residents .
Rain lashed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and streams of water ran off roofs .
Trees whipped back and forth in the wind , though a few people were still out on Bourbon Street with umbrellas or in slow-moving cars .
The iconic streetcars were idled and City Hall closed , Mayor LaToya Cantrell said .
Tropical storm warnings were issued as far away as the north Georgia mountains , highly unusual for the region .
New Orleans has been in the warning areas of six previous storms that veered east or west this season .
This time , Zeta @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news for us — and look , you take good news where you can find it — the storm ’ s forward speed is 17 mph .
That ’ s projected to increase , and so it ’ s going to get in and out of the area relatively quickly , and then we ’ re going to be able to assess the damage more quickly , ” Gov .
John Bel Edwards said in an interview on The Weather Channel .
The winds were picking up and water was rising above the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fishing town south of New Orleans that takes its name from a French pirate .
Workers drove truckloads of sand to low-lying areas where thousands of sandbags were already stacked for previous storms .
“ We ’ re going to get a lot of water fast , ” said the mayor , Tim Kerner Jr. “ I ’ m optimistic regarding the tidal surge because of the speed of the storm , but we ’ re not going to take it for granted.
” Zeta lashed the northern Gulf Coast with wind , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ miles ( 241 kilometers ) east of New Orleans .
In Mississippi , street lights swayed in Biloxi and the city of Pass Christian ordered all boats out of the harbor .
Dauphin Island , Alabama , shut off water and sewer service in areas that typically are swamped in storms .
New Orleans officials announced that a turbine that generates power to the city ’ s aging drainage pump system broke down Sunday , with no quick repair in sight .
There was enough power to keep the pumps operating if needed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if other turbines fail , officials said .
Officials said they were running through contingencies should there be other equipment problems .
Forecasts called for anywhere from 2 to 6 inches ( 5 to 15 centimeters ) of rain to fall in the New Orleans area , but Zeta ’ s pace could mitigate the flood threat .
It then regained strength over the Gulf of Mexico along a path slightly to the east of those of Hurricane Laura , which was blamed for at least 27 deaths in Louisiana in August , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s damage in the same area weeks later .
Tropical storm warnings were issued for a large swath of the South , from Louisiana and Mississippi into Alabama and Georgia , including all of the Atlanta area , where winds could gust up to 55 mph ( 89 kph ) early Thursday .
Winds could be “ especially severe ” in the southern Appalachian Mountains , where flash flooding is possible , the hurricane center said .

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NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Hurricane Zeta slammed into storm-weary Louisiana on Wednesday with New Orleans squarely in its path, pelting homes and businesses with rain and high winds and threatening to push up to 9 feet of sea water inland in a Gulf Coast region already pounded by multiple storms this year.
Some roads were flooded near the coast, where forecasters said Zeta was making landfall around Terrebone Bay near Cocodrie, an unincorporated fishing village at the end of a highway with a marine laboratory but few if any full-time residents.
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Rain lashed the French Quarter in New Orleans, and streams of water ran off roofs. Trees whipped back and forth in the wind, though a few people were still out on Bourbon Street with umbrellas or in slow-moving cars. The iconic streetcars were idled and City Hall closed, Mayor LaToya Cantrell said.
Zeta had top sustained winds of 110 (177 kph) as a Category 2 hurricane and was the 27th named storm of a historically busy Atlantic hurricane season — with over a month left before it ends.
Tropical storm warnings were issued as far away as the north Georgia mountains, highly unusual for the region. New Orleans has been in the warning areas of six previous storms that veered east or west this season. This time, Zeta stayed on course.
Zeta had been predicted to hit as a relatively weak Category 1 hurricane, but Louisiana residents awoke to updated forecasts predicting a Category 2 at landfall around the southeastern part of the state.
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“The good news for us — and look, you take good news where you can find it — the storm’s forward speed is 17 mph. That’s projected to increase, and so it’s going to get in and out of the area relatively quickly, and then we’re going to be able to assess the damage more quickly,” Gov. John Bel Edwards said in an interview on The Weather Channel.
Officials urged people to take precautions and prepare to shelter in place, and a business-as-usual atmosphere in the morning in New Orleans diminished as the storm neared and grew stronger. Traffic slowed, and restaurants and coffee shops shut down.
“This year, the storms have been coming back-to-back. They’ve been avoiding New Orleans but finally decided to come,” cookie shop worker Curt Brumfield said as he stowed empty boxes in trash cans outside and others boarded up the windows.
The winds were picking up and water was rising above the docks in Jean Lafitte, a small fishing town south of New Orleans that takes its name from a French pirate. Workers drove truckloads of sand to low-lying areas where thousands of sandbags were already stacked for previous storms.
“We’re going to get a lot of water fast,” said the mayor, Tim Kerner Jr. “I’m optimistic regarding the tidal surge because of the speed of the storm, but we’re not going to take it for granted.”
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Zeta lashed the northern Gulf Coast with wind, rain and storm surge more than 150 miles (241 kilometers) east of New Orleans. In Mississippi, street lights swayed in Biloxi and the city of Pass Christian ordered all boats out of the harbor. Dauphin Island, Alabama, shut off water and sewer service in areas that typically are swamped in storms.
New Orleans officials announced that a turbine that generates power to the city’s aging drainage pump system broke down Sunday, with no quick repair in sight. There was enough power to keep the pumps operating if needed, but little excess power to tap if other turbines fail, officials said.
Officials said they were running through contingencies should there be other equipment problems. Forecasts called for anywhere from 2 to 6 inches (5 to 15 centimeters) of rain to fall in the New Orleans area, but Zeta’s pace could mitigate the flood threat.
By Wednesday afternoon, Zeta’s top winds had risen to just shy of a major, Category 3 storm, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center.
On Tuesday, Zeta raked across Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, toppling trees and briefly cutting power to more than 300,000 people but causing no deaths.
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It then regained strength over the Gulf of Mexico along a path slightly to the east of those of Hurricane Laura, which was blamed for at least 27 deaths in Louisiana in August, and Hurricane Delta, which exacerbated Laura’s damage in the same area weeks later.
Hurricane warnings stretched from Morgan City, Louisiana, to the Alabama/Mississippi state line, including Lake Pontchartrain and metropolitan New Orleans.
The deteriorating weather prompted early voting sites to close for hours in the western Florida Panhandle.
Tropical storm warnings were issued for a large swath of the South, from Louisiana and Mississippi into Alabama and Georgia, including all of the Atlanta area, where winds could gust up to 55 mph (89 kph) early Thursday. Winds could be “especially severe” in the southern Appalachian Mountains, where flash flooding is possible, the hurricane center said.
Large school systems in Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina planned to close Thursday or open late.
Edwards asked President Donald Trump for a disaster declaration ahead of the storm. He and Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey both declared emergencies, as did Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich in Biloxi, Mississippi. Trump declared an emergency for Louisiana Tuesday evening.
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An average season sees six hurricanes and 12 named storms. This extraordinarily busy season has focused attention on climate change, which scientists say is causing wetter, stronger and more destructive storms.
After Hanna, Isaias, Laura, Sally and Delta, Zeta will tie a record set in 1886 and repeated in 1985 for six hurricanes smacking the continental U.S., according to Colorado State University hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach.
And as the 11th named storm to make landfall in the continental U.S., Zeta will set a new record, well beyond the nine storms that hit in 1916.
“I’m physically and mentally tired,” a distraught Yolanda Lockett of Lake Charles, one of about 3,600 evacuees from Laura and Delta still sheltering, said outside her New Orleans hotel.
___


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-28--MLB To Investigate Justin Turner For Intentionally Exposing Team To Coronavirus

Major League Baseball said Wednesday it has opened an investigation into Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner after he willfully exposed numerous others to the coronavirus Tuesday night , including his teammates .
Turner was pulled from the team lineup during the eighth inning of Tuesday night ’ s World Series-winning game after testing positive for the virus , and was placed in isolation .
Despite the positive test , Turner later returned to the field to celebrate the Los Angeles Dodgers ’ win .
Photos and video show Turner removing his mask and smiling while he ’ s surrounded by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emphatically refused to comply ” when MLB security asked him to leave the field .
“ Following the Dodgers ’ victory , it is clear that Turner chose to disregard the agreed-upon joint protocols and the instructions he was given regarding the safety and protection of others , ” the league said in a statement .
“ While a desire to celebrate is understandable , Turner ’ s decision to leave isolation and enter the field was wrong and put everyone he came in contact with at risk.
” In a follow-up tweet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show little awareness of the threat he posed to his teammates by retaking the field .
Thanks to everyone reaching out !
I feel great , no symptoms at all .
Just experienced every emotion you can possibly imagine .
Can ’ t believe I couldn ’ t be out there to celebrate with my guys !
So proud of this team & unbelievably happy for the City of LA # WorldSeriesChamps — Justin Turner ( @ redturn2 ) October 28 , 2020 “ Thanks to everyone reaching out !
” he wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ symptoms at all.
” People carrying the virus can still transmit it to others even if they don ’ t have any symptoms of COVID-19 .

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Major League Baseball said Wednesday it has opened an investigation into Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner after he willfully exposed numerous others to the coronavirus Tuesday night, including his teammates.
Turner was pulled from the team lineup during the eighth inning of Tuesday night’s World Series-winning game after testing positive for the virus, and was placed in isolation.
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Despite the positive test, Turner later returned to the field to celebrate the Los Angeles Dodgers’ win. Photos and video show Turner removing his mask and smiling while he’s surrounded by teammates.
The league said Turner “emphatically refused to comply” when MLB security asked him to leave the field.
Justin Turner returns to the field for the team picture. pic.twitter.com/NmXBbU7Mo7 — FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 28, 2020
“Following the Dodgers’ victory, it is clear that Turner chose to disregard the agreed-upon joint protocols and the instructions he was given regarding the safety and protection of others,” the league said in a statement.
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“While a desire to celebrate is understandable, Turner’s decision to leave isolation and enter the field was wrong and put everyone he came in contact with at risk.”
In a follow-up tweet after the game, Turner seemed to show little awareness of the threat he posed to his teammates by retaking the field.
Thanks to everyone reaching out! I feel great, no symptoms at all. Just experienced every emotion you can possibly imagine. Can’t believe I couldn’t be out there to celebrate with my guys! So proud of this team & unbelievably happy for the City of LA#WorldSeriesChamps — Justin Turner (@redturn2) October 28, 2020
“Thanks to everyone reaching out!” he wrote. “I feel great, no symptoms at all.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-28--What Happened And What’s Next: A Postelection Q&A With HuffPost

The 2020 election is here — who will occupy the White House , lead the U.S. Senate and make decisions affecting all of us in the coming years ?
Join us at 1 p.m .
ET on Friday , Nov. 6 for a virtual event to recap the election and ponder what ’ s to come .
The discussion will feature Washington bureau chief Amanda Terkel , senior White House correspondent Shirish Date and senior politics reporter Kevin Robillard .
They will also answer questions from the live audience .
The virtual event will be open to HuffPost members only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ p.m .
ET on Nov. 4 to attend for free .
Click here for a free membership .
You can also financially support our journalism — sign up for a paid membership here .
All new and existing members will receive an email with a link to register for the event .
Please note that attendance for each event will be limited to 300 participants .
Registration will be on a first-come , first-served basis .
We look forward to seeing you on Nov. 6 !
Check out all of upcoming and past @ @ @ @

The 2020 election is here — who will occupy the White House, lead the U.S. Senate and make decisions affecting all of us in the coming years?
Join us at 1 p.m. ET on Friday, Nov. 6 for a virtual event to recap the election and ponder what’s to come.
The discussion will feature Washington bureau chief Amanda Terkel, senior White House correspondent Shirish Date and senior politics reporter Kevin Robillard. They will also answer questions from the live audience.
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The virtual event will be open to HuffPost members only. Sign up for membership by 11:59 p.m. ET on Nov. 4 to attend for free. Click here for a free membership. You can also financially support our journalism — sign up for a paid membership here. All new and existing members will receive an email with a link to register for the event.
Please note that attendance for each event will be limited to 300 participants. Registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
We look forward to seeing you on Nov. 6! Get more details about the event.
Check out all of upcoming and past virtual events here.
HuffPost Events HuffPost


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-29--Trump’s ‘No Christmas’ Scaremongering About Biden Presidency Spectacularly Backfires

People on Twitter pointed out a major flaw with President Donald Trump ’ s scaremongering false claim about how Democratic nominee Joe Biden would respond to the coronavirus pandemic if he wins the 2020 election .
Trump warned supporters at a rally in Goodyear , Arizona , on Wednesday that a vote for Biden would mean “ no kids in school , no graduations , no weddings , no Thanksgiving , no Christmas , and no Fourth of July together.
” “ Other than that you ’ ll have a wonderful life , ” added the president .
If you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be in school , there will be no graduations , no weddings , no Thanksgiving , no Christmas , and no Fourth of July !
pic.twitter.com/Pjyd8TGXME — Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) October 28 , 2020 Critics noted they ’ re already experiencing those hardships as a result of Trump ’ s catastrophic mishandling of the public health crisis , now surging into a third wave across the country .
The idea that Biden will impose long-lasting lockdowns to curb the spread of COVID-19 has become a popular line of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even though the claims are false .
Fox News ’ Laura Ingraham this week bombastically claimed “ Santa and his reindeer are not coming to your rooftop under Biden next year.
” Biden has simply said he will be guided by science in determining the best response to the pandemic .
That ’ s unlike Trump , who has repeatedly downplayed the threat of the virus and ignored the advice of public health experts .
Even after Trump was hospitalized for COVID-19 , he continues holding crowded rallies , where his fans fail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You ’ re talking about everything that is ALREADY our reality .
We can ’ t do any of those things NOW because of YOU and your colossal incompetence .
We ’ re voting for # Biden so we can get our lives back after 9 months of your FAILURE ... — Andy Ostroy ( @ AndyOstroy ) October 28 , 2020 and if you vote Trump you wo n't have a family .
they got infected and passed away .
— Joe Lockhart ( @ joelockhart ) October 28 , 2020 My @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ca n't go trick or treating .
We ca n't visit my father for Thanksgiving or Christmas .
Remind me , who 's president right now ?
https : //t.co/uhI6HRn7pg — Mónica Rhor ( @ monicarhor ) October 29 , 2020 Our kids may actually be in school without masks if we # VoteBiden .
Parents and grandparents may live if we # votebiden 229,000 dead from Coronavirus and you have no national strategy but to quit .
— Jenifer ( @ jenifer__5 ) October 28 , 2020 Kids are not in school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been rescheduled .
Families can ’ t get together over the holidays .
That ’ s happening because Trump and Republicans are in power .
https : //t.co/B4bWt3QbAX — Hemant Mehta ( @ hemantmehta ) October 28 , 2020 If you vote for Trump , your grandma will be in the ground , so she wo n't see your kids ' graduations , weddings , thanksgivings , Christmases or 4ths of July !
— Femi ( @ Femi_Sorry ) October 28 , 2020 And if you vote Trump , your relatives die @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing time in The Hague .
https : //t.co/0AGaAnag9e — Brian J. Karem ( @ BrianKarem ) October 28 , 2020 My kids are n't in school .
I have n't been able to go to weddings .
Your government said do n't do Thanksgiving .
I did n't go to Fourth of July this year .
You 're President .
— Zimmy ( @ zimmy1998 ) October 28 , 2020

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People on Twitter pointed out a major flaw with President Donald Trump’s scaremongering false claim about how Democratic nominee Joe Biden would respond to the coronavirus pandemic if he wins the 2020 election.
Trump warned supporters at a rally in Goodyear, Arizona, on Wednesday that a vote for Biden would mean “no kids in school, no graduations, no weddings, no Thanksgiving, no Christmas, and no Fourth of July together.”
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“Other than that you’ll have a wonderful life,” added the president.
Check out the video here:
If you vote for Biden, your kids will not be in school, there will be no graduations, no weddings, no Thanksgiving, no Christmas, and no Fourth of July! pic.twitter.com/Pjyd8TGXME — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 28, 2020
Critics noted they’re already experiencing those hardships as a result of Trump’s catastrophic mishandling of the public health crisis, now surging into a third wave across the country.
The idea that Biden will impose long-lasting lockdowns to curb the spread of COVID-19 has become a popular line of attack for Trump and his allies ― even though the claims are false.
Fox News’ Laura Ingraham this week bombastically claimed “Santa and his reindeer are not coming to your rooftop under Biden next year.”
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Biden has simply said he will be guided by science in determining the best response to the pandemic. That’s unlike Trump, who has repeatedly downplayed the threat of the virus and ignored the advice of public health experts. Even after Trump was hospitalized for COVID-19, he continues holding crowded rallies, where his fans fail to socially distance or wear masks.
You’re talking about everything that is ALREADY our reality. We can’t do any of those things NOW because of YOU and your colossal incompetence. We’re voting for #Biden so we can get our lives back after 9 months of your FAILURE... — Andy Ostroy (@AndyOstroy) October 28, 2020
and if you vote Trump you won't have a family. they got infected and passed away. — Joe Lockhart (@joelockhart) October 28, 2020
YEAH! They will live instead!
You are unbelievable, dude. Just unbelievable. pic.twitter.com/yGbdwZ8l2s — scientific realm 🧬 (@scientificrealm) October 28, 2020
My kids are not in school. They can't go trick or treating. We can't visit my father for Thanksgiving or Christmas. Remind me, who's president right now? https://t.co/uhI6HRn7pg — Mónica Rhor (@monicarhor) October 29, 2020
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Our kids may actually be in school without masks if we #VoteBiden . Parents and grandparents may live if we #votebiden
229,000 dead from Coronavirus and you have no national strategy but to quit. — Jenifer (@jenifer__5) October 28, 2020
Kids are not in school.
Graduations have been canceled.
Weddings have been rescheduled.
Families can’t get together over the holidays.
That’s happening because Trump and Republicans are in power. https://t.co/B4bWt3QbAX — Hemant Mehta (@hemantmehta) October 28, 2020
If you vote for Trump, your grandma will be in the ground, so she won't see your kids' graduations, weddings, thanksgivings, Christmases or 4ths of July! — Femi (@Femi_Sorry) October 28, 2020
And if you vote Trump, your relatives die, the economy crashes and Trump avoids doing time in The Hague. https://t.co/0AGaAnag9e — Brian J. Karem (@BrianKarem) October 28, 2020
No that’s if we elected you. You’re the current president. That stuff happened this year. — Willow 🍞+🎪 (@RockShrimp) October 29, 2020
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-28--Conservative Supreme Court Justices Seem To Be Itching To Steal The Election For Trump

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling allowed ballots postmarked by Election Day to still count if they are delivered by mail up to three days after the election .
The order from the North Carolina Board of Elections and a state court extended the receipt deadline to Nov. 12 .
Those extensions remain in effect .
For now .
Though both decisions are clear temporary victories for voting rights advocates , the dissents in each case suggest an ominous possibility .
At least three justices ― Samuel Alito , Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch ― are open to taking up the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any ballots that arrive within the three days after Nov. 3 .
In the Pennsylvania case , Gorsuch and Thomas joined a dissenting statement written by Alito suggesting that they would overturn the state court ’ s ruling and potentially rehear the case and invalidate any votes received during the extended period .
In the North Carolina case , Gorsuch wrote a dissent joined by Alito calling the Board of Elections ’ extension of the receipt deadline “ egregious.
” Thomas dissented but did not join Gorsuch ’ s dissent opinion .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Pennsylvania Supreme Court means that the 2020 election there will be “ conducted under a cloud , ” Alito wrote , adding , “ there is a strong likelihood that the State Supreme Court decision violates the Federal Constitution.
” While “ there is simply not enough time at this late date to decide the question before the election , ” Alito declared , “ the petition for certiorari remains before us , and if it is granted , the case can then be decided under a shortened schedule.
” Hopefully the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot of time after Nov. 3 to count ballots ― that won ’ t be allowed by the various courts because , as you know , we ’ re in courts on that .
The petitioners , Pennsylvania Republicans , had asked the court to order the state to segregate all ballots received during the extended receipt deadline period from other ballots .
The court did not grant this request .
However , the state attorney general ordered the ballots to be segregated anyway .
This means Alito , Thomas and Gorsuch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by President Donald Trump after Election Day that would invalidate votes cast legally in Pennsylvania after the votes are cast ― when Trump and the justices would know how many votes he needs to have invalidated to win reelection .
Gorsuch doesn ’ t explicitly state his support for tossing ballots after the election in the North Carolina case , but it appears the same logic would apply because both cases raise the same legal question .
This is what Trump wanted when he pushed for Barrett ’ s confirmation ahead of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on them to look at the ballots , definitely , ” he said at the first presidential debate with Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
“ Hopefully the few states remaining that want to take a lot of time after Nov. 3 to count ballots ― that won ’ t be allowed by the various courts because , as you know , we ’ re in courts on that .
We just had a victory the other day in Wisconsin on that matter , ” he said Wednesday .
Interestingly , Justice Brett Kavanaugh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Gorsuch and Thomas in the Pennsylvania and North Carolina dissents even though he had just issued an affirming opinion in a Wisconsin case in which he agreed with the underlying legal arguments presented Wednesday by Alito and Gorsuch in their dissents .
Since the new 6-3 conservative majority on the court requires two conservatives to join the three Democratic appointees on the bench to flip any result to the liberal side by 5-4 , Kavanaugh and Barrett appear to be the two potential swing justices who could join Chief Justice John Roberts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the three liberals on this particular question , to not steal the 2020 election for Trump .
The election can only be usurped by the court if the margin is so close that the number of ballots received in the period of time in question can change the result .
The best way to avoid that is for voters to not mail their ballots at this point .
Voters can instead return their mail-in ballots in person to avoid any risk that their ballots might get delivered late and be invalidated by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ’ re hearing on the ground from the candidates .
If you get any interesting ― or suspicious !
― campaign mailers , robocalls or hear anything else you think we should know about , email us at scoops @ huffpost.com .

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The U.S. Supreme Court issued two decisions Wednesday evening, declining to stop a Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling and a North Carolina Board of Elections order that both extended the deadlines for mail-in ballots to be received in their states.
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling allowed ballots postmarked by Election Day to still count if they are delivered by mail up to three days after the election. The order from the North Carolina Board of Elections and a state court extended the receipt deadline to Nov. 12. Those extensions remain in effect. For now.
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Though both decisions are clear temporary victories for voting rights advocates, the dissents in each case suggest an ominous possibility. At least three justices ― Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch ― are open to taking up the Pennsylvania case again and potentially throwing out any ballots that arrive within the three days after Nov. 3.
In the Pennsylvania case, Gorsuch and Thomas joined a dissenting statement written by Alito suggesting that they would overturn the state court’s ruling and potentially rehear the case and invalidate any votes received during the extended period. In the North Carolina case, Gorsuch wrote a dissent joined by Alito calling the Board of Elections’ extension of the receipt deadline “egregious.” Thomas dissented but did not join Gorsuch’s dissent opinion.
The extension of the ballot receipt deadline by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court means that the 2020 election there will be “conducted under a cloud,” Alito wrote, adding, “there is a strong likelihood that the State Supreme Court decision violates the Federal Constitution.” While “there is simply not enough time at this late date to decide the question before the election,” Alito declared, “the petition for certiorari remains before us, and if it is granted, the case can then be decided under a shortened schedule.”
“Hopefully the few states remaining that want to take a lot of time after Nov. 3 to count ballots ― that won’t be allowed by the various courts because, as you know, we’re in courts on that.” - President Donald Trump
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The petitioners, Pennsylvania Republicans, had asked the court to order the state to segregate all ballots received during the extended receipt deadline period from other ballots. The court did not grant this request. However, the state attorney general ordered the ballots to be segregated anyway.
Alito suggests that segregating the ballots would be necessary because, “if the State Supreme Court’s decision is ultimately overturned, a targeted remedy will be available.”
This means Alito, Thomas and Gorsuch are open to a legal challenge brought by President Donald Trump after Election Day that would invalidate votes cast legally in Pennsylvania after the votes are cast ― when Trump and the justices would know how many votes he needs to have invalidated to win reelection. Gorsuch doesn’t explicitly state his support for tossing ballots after the election in the North Carolina case, but it appears the same logic would apply because both cases raise the same legal question.
Newly confirmed Justice Amy Coney Barrett, according to the decision, “took no part in the consideration or decision of this motion.” Trump’s latest conservative appointee could join these three to take up such a postelection challenge.
This is what Trump wanted when he pushed for Barrett’s confirmation ahead of the election. “I’m counting on them to look at the ballots, definitely,” he said at the first presidential debate with Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
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“Hopefully the few states remaining that want to take a lot of time after Nov. 3 to count ballots ― that won’t be allowed by the various courts because, as you know, we’re in courts on that. We just had a victory the other day in Wisconsin on that matter,” he said Wednesday.
Interestingly, Justice Brett Kavanaugh does not appear to have joined Alito, Gorsuch and Thomas in the Pennsylvania and North Carolina dissents even though he had just issued an affirming opinion in a Wisconsin case in which he agreed with the underlying legal arguments presented Wednesday by Alito and Gorsuch in their dissents.
Since the new 6-3 conservative majority on the court requires two conservatives to join the three Democratic appointees on the bench to flip any result to the liberal side by 5-4, Kavanaugh and Barrett appear to be the two potential swing justices who could join Chief Justice John Roberts, who has indicated he sides with the three liberals on this particular question, to not steal the 2020 election for Trump.
The election can only be usurped by the court if the margin is so close that the number of ballots received in the period of time in question can change the result. The best way to avoid that is for voters to not mail their ballots at this point. Voters can instead return their mail-in ballots in person to avoid any risk that their ballots might get delivered late and be invalidated by the court.
We want to know what you’re hearing on the ground from the candidates. If you get any interesting ― or suspicious! ― campaign mailers, robocalls or hear anything else you think we should know about, email us at scoops@huffpost.com.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-28--Tucker Carlson’s Conspiracy Theory Falls Apart In The Weirdest Way Possible

Fox News host Tucker Carlson told his viewers that he had some very important papers related to his conspiracy theory surrounding Hunter Biden , son of Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden .
But the papers were lost ― and so Carlson concocted yet another conspiracy theory to explain their disappearance .
Carlson claimed a “ source ” gave the Fox News show “ damning ” documents about Biden on Monday .
Carlson ’ s producer shipped the documents across the country via a “ brand-name company , ” but they never arrived .
Instead , the shipping company said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were missing .
The shipping company launched a search and called in security to interview everyone who touched the documents , Carlson said .
“ They went far and beyond , but they found nothing , ” he said .
“ Those documents had vanished.
” He said the unnamed company ’ s executives are “ baffled and deeply bothered by this , and so are we.
” Carlson did not explain why they shipped the only copy of “ damning ” documents .
BREAKING : Documents Tucker Carlson never actually had that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so important that they were sent via DHL , and now can ’ t be found despite copiers , iPhone cameras and security cameras .
😂😂😂 https : //t.co/9yKkDAUh2v — Shannon Watts ( @ shannonrwatts ) October 29 , 2020 Oh for f* % !
sake , seriously ?
Would have been a better story if your dog ate the damn papers .
https : //t.co/6yllQu7pU0 — Michael Steele ( @ MichaelSteele ) October 29 , 2020 Wait , so I ’ m supposed to believe that Tucker ’ s producer *mailed* him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than just faxing them over , using their camera phone , or just adding them to a show slide — and said documents were stolen in the mail ?
Laughably desperate .
https : //t.co/71bFSR22Ty — Angry Staffer ( @ AngrierWHStaff ) October 29 , 2020 The mimeograph machine was broken .
They tried to call , but could n't find a phone booth .
Then they ran out of typewriter ribbon .
https : //t.co/EzjSeJjmPe — Cheri Jacobus ( @ CheriJacobus ) October 29 , 2020 Shit .
They must have gotten @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Those darn mail people .
What scoundrels .
Now Tucker , do the thing about the 226,723 Americans who have died of Covid or the one about the Stock Market crashing today .
And go ... https : //t.co/BvUdzLg2n6 — Josh Gad ( @ joshgad ) October 29 , 2020 EVERY Trump supporter will believe this .
All of this .
I know because I ’ ve already heard from hundreds of them .
https : //t.co/EbWWq9edtJ — Joe Walsh ( @ WalshFreedom ) October 29 , 2020 Ha !
The producers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
https : //t.co/nhVoAEFjOq — h. jon benjamin ( @ HJBenjamin ) October 29 , 2020 People said it was crazy for Hunter Biden to plant spies at UPS and have them strategically open and then repackage everything sent from Tucker Carlson ’ s office just so they ’ d know when it was time to reveal themselves and actually steal the single copy of incriminating evidence — Ben Dreyfuss ( @ bendreyfuss ) October 29 , 2020 Obviously the executive producer tipped off the Clinton Foundation , which has a network of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trust nobody .
https : //t.co/fhobizU5Eb — David Frum ( @ davidfrum ) October 29 , 2020 Like Tucker , I also send my super secret documents through the mail and fail to make a copy .
https : //t.co/QFNgRGBjPz — 👻Boo ( Drew ) Savicki 👻 ( @ SenhorRaposa ) October 29 , 2020 This is - and I do not say this lightly - the dumbest fucking thing this dumb motherfucker has ever broadcast .
The Boya from La Jolla alleges his team had critical documents but didn ’ t bother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a FedEx where nefarious things occurred !
1/ https : //t.co/UmxRLCilDs — The Hoarse Whisperer ( @ TheRealHoarse ) October 29 , 2020 It would be impossible to explain to aliens why Tucker Carlson has a show https : //t.co/EhBm6CsZ3z — Elie Mystal ( @ ElieNYC ) October 29 , 2020

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Fox News host Tucker Carlson told his viewers that he had some very important papers related to his conspiracy theory surrounding Hunter Biden, son of Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden.
But the papers were lost ― and so Carlson concocted yet another conspiracy theory to explain their disappearance.
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Carlson claimed a “source” gave the Fox News show “damning” documents about Biden on Monday. Carlson’s producer shipped the documents across the country via a “brand-name company,” but they never arrived.
Instead, the shipping company said the package had been opened and the documents were missing.
The shipping company launched a search and called in security to interview everyone who touched the documents, Carlson said.
“They went far and beyond, but they found nothing,” he said. “Those documents had vanished.”
He said the unnamed company’s executives are “baffled and deeply bothered by this, and so are we.”
Carlson did not explain why they shipped the only copy of “damning” documents.
Twitter users couldn’t help but laugh:
BREAKING: burned out House of Cards writer pitches old Spin City episode https://t.co/RGcSliErQ4 — Matt 🎃swalt (@MattOswaltVA) October 29, 2020
BREAKING: Documents Tucker Carlson never actually had that would allegedly blow up the election were so important that they were sent via DHL, and now can’t be found despite copiers, iPhone cameras and security cameras. 😂😂😂 https://t.co/9yKkDAUh2v — Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) October 29, 2020
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Oh for f*%! sake, seriously? Would have been a better story if your dog ate the damn papers. https://t.co/6yllQu7pU0 — Michael Steele (@MichaelSteele) October 29, 2020
did you check underneath Trump’s healthcare plan https://t.co/Ec9PBvdBRu — Chuck Wendig (@ChuckWendig) October 29, 2020
Wait, so I’m supposed to believe that Tucker’s producer *mailed* him a cache of election-changing documents — rather than just faxing them over, using their camera phone, or just adding them to a show slide — and said documents were stolen in the mail?
Laughably desperate. https://t.co/71bFSR22Ty — Angry Staffer (@AngrierWHStaff) October 29, 2020
The mimeograph machine was broken.
They tried to call, but couldn't find a phone booth.
Then they ran out of typewriter ribbon. https://t.co/EzjSeJjmPe — Cheri Jacobus (@CheriJacobus) October 29, 2020
Shit. They must have gotten lost with Hillary’s email Server. Those darn mail people. What scoundrels. Now Tucker, do the thing about the 226,723 Americans who have died of Covid or the one about the Stock Market crashing today. And go... https://t.co/BvUdzLg2n6 — Josh Gad (@joshgad) October 29, 2020
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EVERY Trump supporter will believe this. All of this. I know because I’ve already heard from hundreds of them. https://t.co/EbWWq9edtJ — Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) October 29, 2020
Ha! The producers sent the ONLY copies. Oh no! https://t.co/nhVoAEFjOq — h. jon benjamin (@HJBenjamin) October 29, 2020
People said it was crazy for Hunter Biden to plant spies at UPS and have them strategically open and then repackage everything sent from Tucker Carlson’s office just so they’d know when it was time to reveal themselves and actually steal the single copy of incriminating evidence — Ben Dreyfuss (@bendreyfuss) October 29, 2020
Obviously the executive producer tipped off the Clinton Foundation, which has a network of deep penetration document-interception agents inside Fedex. Trust nobody. https://t.co/fhobizU5Eb — David Frum (@davidfrum) October 29, 2020
Fascinating tale. But the source isn’t simply resending you a copy why? https://t.co/YGQgmwWCJJ — Philippe Reines (@PhilippeReines) October 29, 2020
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Like Tucker, I also send my super secret documents through the mail and fail to make a copy. https://t.co/QFNgRGBjPz — 👻Boo ( Drew ) Savicki 👻 (@SenhorRaposa) October 29, 2020
This is - and I do not say this lightly - the dumbest fucking thing this dumb motherfucker has ever broadcast.
The Boya from La Jolla alleges his team had critical documents but didn’t bother making a copy and just dropped them in a FedEx where nefarious things occurred!
1/ https://t.co/UmxRLCilDs — The Hoarse Whisperer (@TheRealHoarse) October 29, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-29--Jon Ossoff Calls Sen. David Perdue A ‘Crook’ To His Face In Heated Debate

Jon Ossoff , the Democratic challenger vying for a Senate seat in Georgia , called his GOP competitor , Sen. David Perdue , a “ crook ” who has spent years undermining Georgians ’ access to health care in a heated debate just days before the November election .
The pair met in Savannah on Wednesday night for their second and final debate , lobbing charged attacks at each other as Democrats spend heavily in the state in an attempt to flip the Senate .
Polls are neck-and-neck , although the race could lead to a runoff if neither candidate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It ’ s not just that you ’ re a crook , Senator , ” Ossoff said at one heated moment in the debate , referencing a series of stock trades Perdue made in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic after receiving a closed-door briefing .
“ It ’ s that you ’ re attacking the health of the people that you represent .
You did say COVID-19 was no deadlier than the flu .
You did say there would be no significant uptick in cases .
All the while you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your own portfolio.
” Perdue , a close ally of President Donald Trump , was one of several senators , both Democrats and Republicans , who came under fire earlier this year after they made high-value stock trades in the days after lawmakers received the first dire warnings about the coronavirus .
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported in April that Perdue made at least 112 transactions in March , including purchases of stocks in a company that makes medical gear .
He denied wrongdoing .
“ For the past five years , the senator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all Senate ethics requirements , ” his spokesman said in April .
Perdue , for his part , falsely accused Ossoff of backing the Green New Deal on Wednesday and attacked his competitor for supporting “ socialized medicine ” ( that claim is also false ) .
The senator has also attempted to smear Ossoff ’ s campaign and falsely claimed he was endorsed by the Communist Party USA .
The Associated Press found such claims were lies .
“ I voted against the Affordable Care Act , better known as Obamacare , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ millions of Georgians , ” Perdue said Wednesday in defense of Ossoff ’ s attacks .
“ This is exactly what I ’ m talking about .
He ’ ll talk about anything except his own accountability and his own responsibility.
” Perdue has faced a tough , well-funded battle by his Democratic challenger .
Over the last three months of the campaign , Ossoff brought in more than $ 21 million , the largest quarterly fundraising figure for a Senate race in Georgia history .
Perdue raised about $ 5.6 million during @ @ @

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Jon Ossoff, the Democratic challenger vying for a Senate seat in Georgia, called his GOP competitor, Sen. David Perdue, a “crook” who has spent years undermining Georgians’ access to health care in a heated debate just days before the November election.
The pair met in Savannah on Wednesday night for their second and final debate, lobbing charged attacks at each other as Democrats spend heavily in the state in an attempt to flip the Senate. Polls are neck-and-neck, although the race could lead to a runoff if neither candidate secures 50% of the vote.
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“It’s not just that you’re a crook, Senator,” Ossoff said at one heated moment in the debate, referencing a series of stock trades Perdue made in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic after receiving a closed-door briefing. “It’s that you’re attacking the health of the people that you represent. You did say COVID-19 was no deadlier than the flu. You did say there would be no significant uptick in cases. All the while you were looking after your own assets and your own portfolio.”
Sen. David Perdue doesn't deserve to be re-elected. pic.twitter.com/S7Zi3dsnik — Jon Ossoff (@ossoff) October 29, 2020
Perdue, a close ally of President Donald Trump, was one of several senators, both Democrats and Republicans, who came under fire earlier this year after they made high-value stock trades in the days after lawmakers received the first dire warnings about the coronavirus.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported in April that Perdue made at least 112 transactions in March, including purchases of stocks in a company that makes medical gear. He denied wrongdoing.
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“For the past five years, the senator has fully complied with federal law and all Senate ethics requirements,” his spokesman said in April.
Perdue, for his part, falsely accused Ossoff of backing the Green New Deal on Wednesday and attacked his competitor for supporting “socialized medicine” (that claim is also false). The senator has also attempted to smear Ossoff’s campaign and falsely claimed he was endorsed by the Communist Party USA. The Associated Press found such claims were lies.
“I voted against the Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare, because it was taking insurance away from millions of Georgians,” Perdue said Wednesday in defense of Ossoff’s attacks. “This is exactly what I’m talking about. He’ll talk about anything except his own accountability and his own responsibility.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-28--Comedian's Parody Of Stranded Omaha Trump Supporter Goes Viral

Comedian Blaire Erskine ’ s satirical take on a stranded attendee being interviewed after President Donald Trump ’ s rally in Nebraska has blown up big online .
On Tuesday , thousands of attendees at a Trump rally at Eppley Airfield in Omaha were forced to stand for hours in the freezing cold after the event ’ s 9 p.m. conclusion , when buses organized by the Trump campaign were slow to arrive .
The nearest parking lot was more than two miles away .
Omaha police told HuffPost that the last person was loaded onto a bus at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ended up giving rides to many elderly people who needed assistance returning to their cars , and several people reportedly required medical attention .
According to the Trump campaign , the issues were caused by congestion due to local road closures .
“ I ’ m having a great time , ” said Erskine in her now-viral clip .
“ I can ’ t feel my body , but I don ’ t really need my body .
This is about Trump ’ s body.
” “ I think this whole thing ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Yeah , they didn ’ t let us drive our cars here .
But it ’ s because they said , you know , our cars are poor , and that doesn ’ t look good on TV , ” she continued .
“ You know , you ’ re a TV person , you know that .
I think he did this to teach us a lesson .
I really do .
What ’ s that lesson ?
Well , that ’ s not really for me to know , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you to ask.
” She later added : “ I would walk 750 miles in below-zero temperatures nip nude just to hear him speak.
” The Atlanta-based actor and comedian often posts satirical character videos , but her latest appears to have been one of her biggest hits , raking in more than 2.8 million views on Wednesday .
In a missive to her new followers , Erskine said people can support her by donating to the campaign of the Rev .
Raphael Warnock , a Democrat running against Georgia Republican Sen. Kelly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state ’ s Senate special election .
Check out some of the commentary from her fans ― new and old ― below .
I am sure this is a parody ...
I 'm sure of it ... but the fact that you ca n't 100 percent tell ?
?
?
I mean ... https : //t.co/ydZuWFYMoo — Joy VOTE & MASK UP !
!
Reid 😷 ) ( @ JoyAnnReid ) October 28 , 2020

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Comedian Blaire Erskine’s satirical take on a stranded attendee being interviewed after President Donald Trump’s rally in Nebraska has blown up big online.
On Tuesday, thousands of attendees at a Trump rally at Eppley Airfield in Omaha were forced to stand for hours in the freezing cold after the event’s 9 p.m. conclusion, when buses organized by the Trump campaign were slow to arrive. The nearest parking lot was more than two miles away. Omaha police told HuffPost that the last person was loaded onto a bus at the rally site shortly before midnight. Officers ended up giving rides to many elderly people who needed assistance returning to their cars, and several people reportedly required medical attention.
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According to the Trump campaign, the issues were caused by congestion due to local road closures.
“I’m having a great time,” said Erskine in her now-viral clip. “I can’t feel my body, but I don’t really need my body. This is about Trump’s body.”
“I think this whole thing’s been blown way out of proportion. Yeah, they didn’t let us drive our cars here. But it’s because they said, you know, our cars are poor, and that doesn’t look good on TV,” she continued. “You know, you’re a TV person, you know that. I think he did this to teach us a lesson. I really do. What’s that lesson? Well, that’s not really for me to know, and that’s actually pretty nasty of you to ask.”
She later added: “I would walk 750 miles in below-zero temperatures nip nude just to hear him speak.”
Woman stranded at MAGA rally in Omaha says Trump wanted to teach them a lesson pic.twitter.com/SvqYw5MnOZ — blaire erskine (@blaireerskine) October 28, 2020
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The Atlanta-based actor and comedian often posts satirical character videos, but her latest appears to have been one of her biggest hits, raking in more than 2.8 million views on Wednesday.
In a missive to her new followers, Erskine said people can support her by donating to the campaign of the Rev. Raphael Warnock, a Democrat running against Georgia Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler and GOP Rep. Doug Collins in the state’s Senate special election.
Her video earned her praise from Twitter bigwigs including Mary Trump, the president’s niece.
Check out some of the commentary from her fans ― new and old ― below.
This is your best one yet! I’ve watched this so many times today! — Rachel Vindman (@natsechobbyist) October 28, 2020
Agreed. So well done people are having a hard time figuring out if it's satire. Brava! — Mary L Trump (@MaryLTrump) October 28, 2020
Y'all, if "nip nude" didn't tip you off, I can't help you. — Holly Figueroa O'Reilly (@AynRandPaulRyan) October 28, 2020
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@realDonaldTrump this woman loves you. You should retweet this to show Biden could never inspire such devotion. — Helen Kennedy (@HelenKennedy) October 28, 2020
I am sure this is a parody ... I'm sure of it ... but the fact that you can't 100 percent tell??? I mean ... https://t.co/ydZuWFYMoo — Joy VOTE & MASK UP!! Reid 😷) (@JoyAnnReid) October 28, 2020
I've seen this 4 times today. It's so good. I'm sharing it again. Well done, Blaire! 👏👏👏 https://t.co/cvfHO2fUNp — Wajahat "Wears a Mask Because of a Pandemic" Ali (@WajahatAli) October 28, 2020
I love Blaire Erskine. Her roving cast of satirical characters in response to Trump news are just the best. https://t.co/rdFUQpL15g — The Hoarse Whisperer (@TheRealHoarse) October 28, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-29--Donald Trump’s Decades Of Racism Is On Full View In Scathing Supercut

For the Nov 3 election : States are making it easier for citizens to vote absentee by mail this year @ @ @ @ @ Each state has its own rules for mail-in absentee voting .
Visit your state election @ @ @ @ @ if you can vote by mail .

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thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-29--Lincoln Project Gives 'Covey Spreader' Trump The Honey Badger Treatment


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-28--Trump’s Ballot-Counting Demand Would Disenfranchise Overseas Troops

WASHINGTON ― The commander in chief who reportedly called U.S. troops “ suckers ” and “ losers ” is now pushing a ballot-counting policy that could disenfranchise tens of thousands , if not hundreds of thousands , of American service members who are voting from overseas .
President Donald Trump , in social media posts and remarks , is demanding that all ballots be counted by election night , even though federal law permits states to count ballots from troops stationed outside the United States , diplomats and other Americans abroad to have their ballots counted days later , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than Election Day .
In Trump ’ s new home state of Florida , the deadline for this election is Nov. 13 .
So , for example , his attempt to skew the counting in his favor could prevent service members deployed overseas from the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville or from Southern Command headquarters in Doral from having their votes matter .
“ Trump simply never thinks of the military in his decisions .
They just don ’ t matter to him , ” said Fred Wellman , a retired Army helicopter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lincoln Project .
“ Thousands of ballots are inbound from around the world , and if Trump gets his way they won ’ t even be counted at all .
It ’ s un-American and yet another failure to act as a competent and decent commander in chief because they are simply props for his ego.
” At a Las Vegas news conference Wednesday , Trump again insisted that all counting stop by the end of Election Day : “ Hopefully the few states remaining that want to take a lot of time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that won ’ t be allowed by the various courts.
” According to the Federal Voting Assistance Program , there are 4.8 million U.S. citizens abroad , with nearly 3 million eligible to vote .
Just under 1 million are members of the U.S. military .
Because of the difficulties and delays inherent in sending and receiving mail internationally , the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act was signed in 1986 to make sure such votes get counted by setting deadlines for how late ballots could be mailed to recipients overseas and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrived after Election Day .
States likely to be pivotal next week have deadlines for receiving those ballots that range from Nov. 6 in Georgia to Nov. 9 in Texas to Nov. 12 in North Carolina to Nov. 17 in Michigan .
Trump ’ s insistence on stopping the vote count on Nov. 3 would , if he succeeds , disqualify any ballot that arrived in those states after election night .
Such ballots played a key role in the disputed 2000 presidential election , which was ultimately decided by the U.S. Supreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bush .
Democrats decided not to challenge overseas ballots , even knowing that most were probably for Bush , said longtime GOP strategist Mac Stipanovich , who worked for Bush during the Florida recount .
Bush wound up winning by 537 votes in the crucial state .
A U.S. service member ( left ) checks a ballot before filling it out at a U.S. military base in Afghanistan on Oct. 15 , 2008 .
U.S. soldiers , aid workers and military contractors overseas have been allowed extra time for their ballots to arrive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it was ironic that the leader of today ’ s Republican Party has no problem disenfranchising military personnel abroad .
“ Well , I guess they ’ re dumb-asses for going overseas , ” he said , referring to a September article in The Atlantic reporting that Trump had called soldiers “ suckers ” and “ losers ” for risking their lives on behalf of the country .
Trump and his supporters have spoken openly about shutting down counting on election night , when many of them believe he will hold an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Day in-person votes before mailed ballots , which , depending on the state , can take many days to tabulate .
Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh , whom Trump appointed in 2018 , appeared to support it in a recent concurring opinion in a case that blocked Wisconsin from counting mail-in ballots that arrive after Election Day , even if they are postmarked on or before Nov. 3 .
Kavanaugh said that blocking such ballots is necessary “ to avoid the chaos and suspicions of impropriety that can ensue if thousands of absentee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potentially flip the results of an election.
” He added : “ Those states also want to be able to definitively announce the results of the election on election night , or as soon as possible thereafter.
” We want to know what you ’ re hearing on the ground from the candidates .
If you get any interesting ― or suspicious !
― campaign mailers , robocalls or hear anything else you think we should know about , email us at scoops @ huffpost.com .

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WASHINGTON ― The commander in chief who reportedly called U.S. troops “suckers” and “losers” is now pushing a ballot-counting policy that could disenfranchise tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of American service members who are voting from overseas.
President Donald Trump, in social media posts and remarks, is demanding that all ballots be counted by election night, even though federal law permits states to count ballots from troops stationed outside the United States, diplomats and other Americans abroad to have their ballots counted days later, as long as they were sent no later than Election Day.
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In Trump’s new home state of Florida, the deadline for this election is Nov. 13. So, for example, his attempt to skew the counting in his favor could prevent service members deployed overseas from the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville or from Southern Command headquarters in Doral from having their votes matter.
“Trump simply never thinks of the military in his decisions. They just don’t matter to him,” said Fred Wellman, a retired Army helicopter pilot who now works with the anti-Trump Lincoln Project. “Thousands of ballots are inbound from around the world, and if Trump gets his way they won’t even be counted at all. It’s un-American and yet another failure to act as a competent and decent commander in chief because they are simply props for his ego.”
“This is unsurprising. It’s just solely about him. The soldiers, sailors and Marines don’t matter. The foreign service officers don’t matter.” - Mac Stipanovich, Republican strategist
In a statement posted Monday ― and which was flagged by Twitter for being misleading ― Trump wrote: “Big problems and discrepancies with Mail In Ballots all over the USA. Must have final total on November 3rd.”
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At a Las Vegas news conference Wednesday, Trump again insisted that all counting stop by the end of Election Day: “Hopefully the few states remaining that want to take a lot of time after Nov. 3 to count ballots, that won’t be allowed by the various courts.”
Neither White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany nor the Trump campaign responded to HuffPost’s queries about the effect Trump’s demand could have on military ballots.
According to the Federal Voting Assistance Program, there are 4.8 million U.S. citizens abroad, with nearly 3 million eligible to vote. Just under 1 million are members of the U.S. military. Because of the difficulties and delays inherent in sending and receiving mail internationally, the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act was signed in 1986 to make sure such votes get counted by setting deadlines for how late ballots could be mailed to recipients overseas and permitting them to be counted if they arrived after Election Day.
States likely to be pivotal next week have deadlines for receiving those ballots that range from Nov. 6 in Georgia to Nov. 9 in Texas to Nov. 12 in North Carolina to Nov. 17 in Michigan. Trump’s insistence on stopping the vote count on Nov. 3 would, if he succeeds, disqualify any ballot that arrived in those states after election night.
Such ballots played a key role in the disputed 2000 presidential election, which was ultimately decided by the U.S. Supreme Court in favor of Republican George W. Bush. Democrats decided not to challenge overseas ballots, even knowing that most were probably for Bush, said longtime GOP strategist Mac Stipanovich, who worked for Bush during the Florida recount. Bush wound up winning by 537 votes in the crucial state.
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A U.S. service member (left) checks a ballot before filling it out at a U.S. military base in Afghanistan on Oct. 15, 2008. U.S. soldiers, aid workers and military contractors overseas have been allowed extra time for their ballots to arrive at election offices in the U.S. Rafiq Maqbool/ASSOCIATED PRESS
Stipanovich said it was ironic that the leader of today’s Republican Party has no problem disenfranchising military personnel abroad. “Well, I guess they’re dumb-asses for going overseas,” he said, referring to a September article in The Atlantic reporting that Trump had called soldiers “suckers” and “losers” for risking their lives on behalf of the country.
“This is unsurprising,” Stipanovich said. “It’s just solely about him. The soldiers, sailors and Marines don’t matter. The foreign service officers don’t matter.”
Trump and his supporters have spoken openly about shutting down counting on election night, when many of them believe he will hold an apparent lead because some states count Election Day in-person votes before mailed ballots, which, depending on the state, can take many days to tabulate.
Former top White House aide Stephen Bannon has pushed this strategy on his radio show because Trump has encouraged his supporters to vote in person on Election Day, while Democrats have been pushing advance voting.
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Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, whom Trump appointed in 2018, appeared to support it in a recent concurring opinion in a case that blocked Wisconsin from counting mail-in ballots that arrive after Election Day, even if they are postmarked on or before Nov. 3.
Kavanaugh said that blocking such ballots is necessary “to avoid the chaos and suspicions of impropriety that can ensue if thousands of absentee ballots flow in after Election Day and potentially flip the results of an election.” He added: “Those states also want to be able to definitively announce the results of the election on election night, or as soon as possible thereafter.”
Neither assertion is backed up by historical fact or by case law, but both mirror Trump’s desire to end counting that night.
We want to know what you’re hearing on the ground from the candidates. If you get any interesting ― or suspicious! ― campaign mailers, robocalls or hear anything else you think we should know about, email us at scoops@huffpost.com.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-29--Don Lemon Has A Simple Solution To 1 Of Donald Trump’s Favorite Rally Gripes