thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-13--The Trump Environmental Protection Agency’s Parting Gifts

But three rules the Environmental Protection Agency is on course to finalize before the Jan. 20 inauguration could slow the incoming Biden administration ’ s efforts with procedural snags and by providing legal avenues for companies to challenge new limits on pollution .
Another proposed rule , expected in the coming weeks , would limit the agency ’ s ability to consider the co-benefits regulations on air pollution offer , such as fewer deaths and sick days , giving more weight to concerns over the compliance costs to industry .
The Trump EPA may push to make those two rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ post-inauguration memorandum in which Biden would be able to halt and quash last-minute regulations that had yet to take effect .
The third rule , set to go into effect on Nov. 18 , will change the EPA ’ s procedures on dealing with guidance documents ― its interpretations of the agency ’ s legal mandate under laws passed by Congress .
Under the new rule , EPA will be required to respond to any request to rescind , reinstate or modify any guidance ever issued within 90 days or face lawsuits that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the agency .
President Donald Trump looks on as Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler speaks at an event at the White House .
As Trump continues to refuse to publicly concede his loss to Joe Biden , the EPA appears set to erect more hurdles the new administration will face in its efforts to combat climate change .
“ All three of these rules are litigation bait for industry , ” said Andrew Rosenberg , director of the Union of Concerned Scientists ’ Center for Science and Democracy .
“ They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rules that would protect the public.
” “ We are confident by years end Americans will have greater access to the scientific data , cost information , and underlying guidance that drives Agency actions , ” James Hewitt , an EPA spokesperson , said in an email .
“ Any administration should support the transparency and clarity that will be facilitated by these rules are an excellent foundation for good governance and public trust.
” Reversing the three rules should be a top priority for the Biden administration , said Elizabeth “ Betsy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ technology director of the EPA ’ s Office of Water who spent three decades at the agency .
The new administration will have legal options .
Democratic state attorneys general and environmental groups are expected to sue to block the first two rules .
The Biden Department of Justice would likely decline to defend the rules .
Another , possibly faster option to the efforts in courts would be to ask Congress to revoke the rules under the Congressional Review Act ( CRA ) .
But doing so would eliminate the EPA ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the future .
If Democrats controlled both chambers of Congress , Biden ’ s allies could cancel the rules under the law and pass subsequent legislation restoring the agency ’ s mandate .
But a GOP-controlled Senate makes that unlikely .
In the face of mounting environmental crises , Biden ’ s pick to head the EPA will likely spend much of their first few years in the post reversing several regulatory rollbacks that have been a hallmark of the Trump administration and seeking to attract scientists and researchers who quit amid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the time any of those changes could come into effect , the pending procedural rules will almost certainly be off the books .
To take effect , the regulations on science transparency and public health co-benefits will need to be published on the Federal Register under a certain timetable , and that could be delayed in favor of other agencies seeking to cement last-minute rules .
“ The question is who ’ s going to throw their weight around ― another agency might take precedence and pages away from EPA , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nonprofit Clean Air Task Force .
“ Publication in the Federal Register is one of those mysteries that we all try to divine .
”

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The fastest way for President-elect Joe Biden to begin cutting planet-heating emissions will likely be through regulation, as Republicans look poised to keep control of the Senate, dimming hopes of Congress passing sweeping climate legislation.
But three rules the Environmental Protection Agency is on course to finalize before the Jan. 20 inauguration could slow the incoming Biden administration’s efforts with procedural snags and by providing legal avenues for companies to challenge new limits on pollution.
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By December, the agency plans to complete its so-called “science transparency” rule prohibiting EPA regulators from citing the vast body of public health research that relies on anonymous patients’ medical data.
Another proposed rule, expected in the coming weeks, would limit the agency’s ability to consider the co-benefits regulations on air pollution offer, such as fewer deaths and sick days, giving more weight to concerns over the compliance costs to industry.
The Trump EPA may push to make those two rules effective immediately, steeling them against the post-inauguration memorandum in which Biden would be able to halt and quash last-minute regulations that had yet to take effect.
The third rule, set to go into effect on Nov. 18, will change the EPA’s procedures on dealing with guidance documents ― its interpretations of the agency’s legal mandate under laws passed by Congress. Under the new rule, EPA will be required to respond to any request to rescind, reinstate or modify any guidance ever issued within 90 days or face lawsuits that one former official warned would “paralyze” the agency.
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President Donald Trump looks on as Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler speaks at an event at the White House. As Trump continues to refuse to publicly concede his loss to Joe Biden, the EPA appears set to erect more hurdles the new administration will face in its efforts to combat climate change. Drew Angerer via Getty Images
“All three of these rules are litigation bait for industry,” said Andrew Rosenberg, director of the Union of Concerned Scientists’ Center for Science and Democracy. “They give industry many more opportunities to challenge rules that would protect the public.”
The EPA said it plans to enact all three rules by the end of December.
“We are confident by years end Americans will have greater access to the scientific data, cost information, and underlying guidance that drives Agency actions,” James Hewitt, an EPA spokesperson, said in an email. “Any administration should support the transparency and clarity that will be facilitated by these rules are an excellent foundation for good governance and public trust.”
Reversing the three rules should be a top priority for the Biden administration, said Elizabeth “Betsy” Southerland, the former science and technology director of the EPA’s Office of Water who spent three decades at the agency.
“They need to get those off the record immediately,” she said.
The new administration will have legal options. Democratic state attorneys general and environmental groups are expected to sue to block the first two rules. The Biden Department of Justice would likely decline to defend the rules.
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“None of this will last. It’s almost gratuitous obstructionism by a defeated administration to try to throw speed bumps in the way of progressive action.” - Michael Gerrard, director of Columbia Law School’s Sabin Center for Climate Change Law
The new administration could also ask courts to vacate the rules, said Michael Gerrard, the director of Columbia Law School’s Sabin Center for Climate Change Law.
Regardless, he said revoking the rules “is basically a done deal.”
“None of this will last,” Gerrard said. “It’s almost gratuitous obstructionism by a defeated administration to try to throw speed bumps in the way of progressive action.”
Another, possibly faster option to the efforts in courts would be to ask Congress to revoke the rules under the Congressional Review Act (CRA). But doing so would eliminate the EPA’s legal authority to make similar rules in the future. If Democrats controlled both chambers of Congress, Biden’s allies could cancel the rules under the law and pass subsequent legislation restoring the agency’s mandate. But a GOP-controlled Senate makes that unlikely.
“The CRA is a dangerous instrument,” Rosenberg said. “It’s just a bad law.”
In the face of mounting environmental crises, Biden’s pick to head the EPA will likely spend much of their first few years in the post reversing several regulatory rollbacks that have been a hallmark of the Trump administration and seeking to attract scientists and researchers who quit amid meddling by Republican political appointees.
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Ramping up air pollution limits, capping carbon emissions from power plants and increasing fuel economy standards for new vehicles could “take two to four years, because it’s not a simple repeal, it’s an actual replacement,” Sutherland said
By the time any of those changes could come into effect, the pending procedural rules will almost certainly be off the books.
To take effect, the regulations on science transparency and public health co-benefits will need to be published on the Federal Register under a certain timetable, and that could be delayed in favor of other agencies seeking to cement last-minute rules.
“The question is who’s going to throw their weight around ― another agency might take precedence and pages away from EPA,” said Ann Weeks, the legal director at the nonprofit Clean Air Task Force. “Publication in the Federal Register is one of those mysteries that we all try to divine.”
The third rule ― the one on guidance ― could either be revoked through the courts if it faces a legal challenge or rescinded through the rulemaking process, Gerrard said.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-13--Trevor Noah Hits Donald Trump With A Taunting New Middle Name

Trevor Noah taunted Donald John Trump over his 2020 election defeat on Thursday and hit the president with a mocking @ @ @ @ @ The Daily Show ” host noted Trump ’ s campaign is begging supporters to donate @ @ @ @ @ , but most of the cash actually goes to paying down its election debts .
@ @ @ @ @ Jobless Trump , ” joked Noah .
“ This guy never misses a hustle .
@ @ @ @ @ he ’ s ripping out the copper wiring from the White House walls.
” Check @ @ @ @ @

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thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-13--Mike Pence vs. Donald Trump? Jimmy Kimmel Spots The VP's 'Sneaky' Twitter Move.

Jimmy Kimmel on Thursday spotted a detail on Vice President Mike Pence ’ s Twitter account that he believes may @ @ @ @ @ with President Donald Trump .
Kimmel noted that Pence is now following 47 people on @ @ @ @ @ and that Pence would become the 47th president if he succeeds President-elect Joe Biden in @ @ @ @ @ In other words , Trump 45 , Biden 46 , Pence 47 , ” said @ @ @ @ @ sneaky mom !
” It ’ s unclear when Pence started following just 47 people @ @ @ @ @ know if “ maybe he ’ ll run against Trump next time ?
” noting @ @ @ @ @ the idea of running again in 2024 .

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Jimmy Kimmel on Thursday spotted a detail on Vice President Mike Pence’s Twitter account that he believes may signal an upcoming political battle with President Donald Trump.
Kimmel noted that Pence is now following 47 people on the social media platform ― and that Pence would become the 47th president if he succeeds President-elect Joe Biden in the White House.
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“In other words, Trump 45, Biden 46, Pence 47,” said the comedian. “You sneaky mom!”
It’s unclear when Pence started following just 47 people.
But Kimmel wanted to know if “maybe he’ll run against Trump next time?” noting that Trump has been floating the idea of running again in 2024.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-13--Stephen Colbert Trolls Donald Trump With A Subtle Omission From His Monologue

President Donald Trump appeared to be the person who shall not be named in Stephen Colbert ’ s monologue on @ @ @ @ @ “ The Late Show.
” Colbert did not say the words “ Donald Trump ” @ @ @ @ @ the day ’ s events .
The term “ Trump ” was also starred out @ @ @ @ @ the late night host commented on .
It ’ s not the first time Colbert @ @ @ @ @ ’ s name .
My husband says Stephen Colbert is now using T**** instead of @ @ @ @ @ on the screen .
— 𝗅𝖾𝖾𝗂𝖺 ( @ hey_leia ) November 13 , 2020 Serious @ @ @ @ @ censor “ Trump ” ?
I notice some people on Twitter doing that ; others @ @ @ @ @ ” .
Tonight , Colbert censored Trump ’ s name — Alex Brandy™ ( AB @ @ @ @ @ @ __therealab__ ) November 13 , 2020 Check out the video here :


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-13--Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak Tests Positive For COVID-19

CARSON CITY , Nev. ( AP ) — Nevada Gov .
Steve Sisolak on Friday said he has tested positive for COVID-19 as the virus surges to record levels in the state and across the U.S .
The 66-year-old Democrat is the fifth governor to report testing positive for the coronavirus this year .
Three governors , two Republicans in Missouri and Oklahoma , and one Democrat in Virginia contracted COVID-19 this year .
Ohio ’ s Republican Gov .
Mike DeWine tested positive in August but received a negative test a few hours later .
DeWine tested positive using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that day after using a more sensitive laboratory-developed test .
Sisolak said on a call with reporters he was not experiencing any symptoms and was swabbed for a rapid test on Friday morning as a matter of routine .
After it yielded a positive result , he also underwent molecular testing and his sample is still being processed .
“ I ’ m a little tired , but I ’ ve been tired since March when we started fighting COVID , ” Sisolak said .
“ I think this just puts a spotlight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the precautions that are possible and you can still contract the virus .
I don ’ t know how I got it , but we ’ re going to quarantine and get through it.
” Sisolak is the third person in his office to test positive for the virus .
Last week , the governor ’ s office announced an unnamed Carson City-based staffer who had not been in close contact with Sisolak but had tested positive for the virus .
In early October , Sisolak ’ s COVID-19 response director Caleb @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s wife , Kathy Sisolak , tested negative for the virus on Friday .
Carson City ’ s Health and Human Services Department has begun investigating the origins of the case and notifying anyone who may have come into contact with the governor , he said , adding that he plans to work from home at the Governor ’ s Mansion in Carson City for at least 10 days per their recommendation .
The governor said he tested negative for the virus on Nov. 2 and 6 .
He has limited his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Apart from his residence and the Capitol , he only appeared in public twice this week — at a press conference Tuesday in Carson City and at the opening of a Department of Motor Vehicles Office in Reno on Monday , with Mayor Hillary Schieve , U.S. Rep. Mark Amodei and state Sen. Ben Kieckhefer .
At both events , attendees wore masks and chairs were spread at least 6 feet ( 1.8 meters ) apart .
Amodei said he remained in northern Nevada , had not exhibited any symptoms and planned to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sisolak warned earlier this week that the state is seeing “ alarming ” trends of the virus climbing and threatened to impose stricter measures in two weeks if the spread of the virus does not decrease .
He urged residents only to go out for essential activities , rely on take-out instead of dining in restaurants and to avoid spending time indoors with people from outside their households .
“ With my case , I want to underscore the importance of Nevadans to stay at home as much as they possibly can at @ @ @ @ @ @ @

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CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak on Friday said he has tested positive for COVID-19 as the virus surges to record levels in the state and across the U.S.
The 66-year-old Democrat is the fifth governor to report testing positive for the coronavirus this year. Three governors, two Republicans in Missouri and Oklahoma, and one Democrat in Virginia contracted COVID-19 this year. Ohio’s Republican Gov. Mike DeWine tested positive in August but received a negative test a few hours later. DeWine tested positive using a rapid test before testing negative later that day after using a more sensitive laboratory-developed test.
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Sisolak said on a call with reporters he was not experiencing any symptoms and was swabbed for a rapid test on Friday morning as a matter of routine. After it yielded a positive result, he also underwent molecular testing and his sample is still being processed.
“I’m a little tired, but I’ve been tired since March when we started fighting COVID,” Sisolak said. “I think this just puts a spotlight on the fact that you can take all the precautions that are possible and you can still contract the virus. I don’t know how I got it, but we’re going to quarantine and get through it.”
Sisolak is the third person in his office to test positive for the virus. Last week, the governor’s office announced an unnamed Carson City-based staffer who had not been in close contact with Sisolak but had tested positive for the virus. In early October, Sisolak’s COVID-19 response director Caleb Cage also tested positive. The governor’s wife, Kathy Sisolak, tested negative for the virus on Friday.
Carson City’s Health and Human Services Department has begun investigating the origins of the case and notifying anyone who may have come into contact with the governor, he said, adding that he plans to work from home at the Governor’s Mansion in Carson City for at least 10 days per their recommendation.
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Sisolak’s announcement comes on a day that Nevada reported 1,857 additional coronavirus cases, the highest single-day total since the start of the pandemic. Nevada has reported 116,737 cases and 1,893 deaths throughout the pandemic.
The governor said he tested negative for the virus on Nov. 2 and 6. He has limited his appearances as the virus has surged. Apart from his residence and the Capitol, he only appeared in public twice this week — at a press conference Tuesday in Carson City and at the opening of a Department of Motor Vehicles Office in Reno on Monday, with Mayor Hillary Schieve, U.S. Rep. Mark Amodei and state Sen. Ben Kieckhefer.
At both events, attendees wore masks and chairs were spread at least 6 feet (1.8 meters) apart. Amodei said he remained in northern Nevada, had not exhibited any symptoms and planned to get tested for COVID-19 on Saturday.
“The congressman lives on his own and is quarantining by binge-watching ‘Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,’” his spokeswoman Logan Tucker said in a statement.
Schieve told the Reno Gazette-Journal she had not experienced any symptoms either, and planned to quarantine and work remotely.
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Sisolak warned earlier this week that the state is seeing “alarming” trends of the virus climbing and threatened to impose stricter measures in two weeks if the spread of the virus does not decrease. He urged residents only to go out for essential activities, rely on take-out instead of dining in restaurants and to avoid spending time indoors with people from outside their households.
“With my case, I want to underscore the importance of Nevadans to stay at home as much as they possibly can at this time,” he said.
In the event the governor is unable to discharge the duties of the office, Lt. Gov. Kate Marshall assumes the role, according to state law.
Marshall said she was in contact with Sisolak’s staff and prepared to assist while he recovers.
___


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-13--Oregon, New Mexico Order Lockdowns As Other States Resist

PROVIDENCE , R.I. ( AP ) — The governors of Oregon and New Mexico ordered near-lockdowns Friday in the most aggressive response yet to the latest wave of coronavirus infections shattering records across the U.S. , even as many of their counterparts in other states show little appetite for reimposing the hard-line restrictions of last spring .
“ We are in a life-or-death situation , and if we don ’ t act right now , we can not preserve the lives , we can ’ t keep saving lives , and we will absolutely crush our current health care system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico said in imposing a two-week stay-at-home order .
“ For the last eight months , I have been asking Oregonians to follow to the letter and the spirit of the law , and we have not chosen to engage law enforcement , ” Brown said .
“ At this point in time , unfortunately , we have no other option.
” Both states had lockdowns earlier in the year , but the coronavirus is coming back with a vengeance across the country , and the U.S. is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The scourge is blamed for 10.7 million confirmed infections and almost a quarter-million deaths in the U.S. , with the closely watched University of Washington model projecting nearly 439,000 dead by March 1 .
Still , there is little will among many governors and other elected officials for going back to the kind of lockdowns and large-scale business closings seen last spring .
Some governors also continue to resist issuing statewide mask rules .
“ Hopefully , whatever happens in the future , who knows which administration it will be , I guess @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tell you this administration will not go to a lockdown , ” Trump said in his first public remarks since his defeat by President-elect Joe Biden .
Governors in many states , such as New York , Maryland , Virginia and Minnesota , have taken largely incremental measures over the past few days , such as limiting the size of gatherings , making businesses close early , restricting capacity or cutting off alcohol sales earlier in the evening .
“ Some people are going to ask , ‘ Why not limit retail , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now ?
’ That ’ s a fair question , ” he said .
“ That is the tightrope of trying to balance controlling the COVID-19 spread , protecting our hospitals from surges , and at the same time , not destroying and shutting down our economy.
” “ I never wanted to punish the businesses that are doing right in this pandemic to keep their employees and customers safe .
Shutting down those businesses would do just that , ” he said .
The result has been a hodgepodge of local limits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the strictest in places like Milwaukee , which is moving forward with imposing steep fines of between $ 500 and $ 5,000 for violations of local health orders .
In Tennessee , Nashville Mayor John Cooper said he doesn ’ t plan on reinstating restrictions on the city ’ s honky-tonks and other businesses .
He said shutting down just one county would probably be ineffective against the virus because the surrounding areas wouldn ’ t be following the same guidelines .
Some economists say the crisis has been falsely portrayed as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Instead , they argue that the economy can not recover until the virus is brought under control and people are confident enough to go shopping , eat at restaurants and do other things again .

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — The governors of Oregon and New Mexico ordered near-lockdowns Friday in the most aggressive response yet to the latest wave of coronavirus infections shattering records across the U.S., even as many of their counterparts in other states show little appetite for reimposing the hard-line restrictions of last spring.
“We are in a life-or-death situation, and if we don’t act right now, we cannot preserve the lives, we can’t keep saving lives, and we will absolutely crush our current health care system and infrastructure,” Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico said in imposing a two-week stay-at-home order.
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Oregon Gov. Kate Brown ordered a two-week “freeze” starting Wednesday, under which all businesses will be required to close their offices to the public and mandate work-from-home “to the greatest extent possible.”
While most Oregon stores will remain open, gyms, museums, pools, movie theaters and zoos will be forced to close, and restaurants and bars will be limited to takeout. Social gatherings will be restricted to six people.
The Democratic governor warned that violators could face fines or arrest.
“For the last eight months, I have been asking Oregonians to follow to the letter and the spirit of the law, and we have not chosen to engage law enforcement,” Brown said. “At this point in time, unfortunately, we have no other option.”
Both states had lockdowns earlier in the year, but the coronavirus is coming back with a vengeance across the country, and the U.S. is facing a long, dark winter. The scourge is blamed for 10.7 million confirmed infections and almost a quarter-million deaths in the U.S., with the closely watched University of Washington model projecting nearly 439,000 dead by March 1.
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Deaths have climbed to about 1,000 a day on average. New cases per day are soaring, reaching another all-time high on Thursday of more than 153,000. Hospitals are getting swamped.
Still, there is little will among many governors and other elected officials for going back to the kind of lockdowns and large-scale business closings seen last spring. Some governors also continue to resist issuing statewide mask rules.
Among the reasons given: public fatigue, fear of doing more damage to already-crippled businesses, lack of support from Washington, and the way efforts to tame the virus have become fiercely politicized.
“I think that governors and mayors are, again, in a really tough spot. The American population is emotionally and economically exhausted,” Dr. Megan Ranney, an emergency physician and professor at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.
President Donald Trump asked all Americans to remain “vigilant” but ruled out a nationwide “lockdown.”
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“Hopefully, whatever happens in the future, who knows which administration it will be, I guess time will tell, but I can tell you this administration will not go to a lockdown,” Trump said in his first public remarks since his defeat by President-elect Joe Biden.
Governors in many states, such as New York, Maryland, Virginia and Minnesota, have taken largely incremental measures over the past few days, such as limiting the size of gatherings, making businesses close early, restricting capacity or cutting off alcohol sales earlier in the evening.
Nevada Democratic Gov. Steve Sisolak has repeatedly argued that containing the virus is largely up to individuals.
“Some people are going to ask, ‘Why not limit retail, or casino resorts, or restaurants right now?’ That’s a fair question,” he said. “That is the tightrope of trying to balance controlling the COVID-19 spread, protecting our hospitals from surges, and at the same time, not destroying and shutting down our economy.”
In Texas, which this week became the first state to surpass 1 million confirmed COVID-19 cases, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has emphasized new treatments and vaccines that are expected to become available soon.
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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has taken an even harder line against new restrictions, suing after El Paso closed nonessential businesses because of a surge so severe that mobile morgues are being brought in. An appeals court Thursday temporarily lifted the shutdown.
Officials have gotten pushback from some constituents, especially business owners who fear for their livelihoods.
In Ohio, Bahram Akradi, founder, chairman and CEO of Life Time health clubs, objected when the governor added gyms to a list of businesses that could be shuttered if cases continue to rise.
“Another shutdown would just be completely devastating and simply unjust,” Akradi said. He added: “The damage of not allowing people to have healthy activity is much more than the gain.”
In Montana, where cases are up more than 16% in the past week, Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock said he is wary of imposing tougher statewide restrictions without additional federal aid to unemployed individuals and small businesses.
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“I never wanted to punish the businesses that are doing right in this pandemic to keep their employees and customers safe. Shutting down those businesses would do just that,” he said.
The political perils of statewide mandates have been on display in Wisconsin. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers issued a “safer at home” order in March that was challenged by Republican lawmakers and struck down by the conservative-controlled state Supreme Court in May.
The result has been a hodgepodge of local limits across the state, with some of the strictest in places like Milwaukee, which is moving forward with imposing steep fines of between $500 and $5,000 for violations of local health orders.
Other governors have likewise relied on local and county officials to tackle the crisis, creating a patchwork of restrictions around the country. But that strategy has its limits against a virus.
In Tennessee, Nashville Mayor John Cooper said he doesn’t plan on reinstating restrictions on the city’s honky-tonks and other businesses. He said shutting down just one county would probably be ineffective against the virus because the surrounding areas wouldn’t be following the same guidelines.
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“We are also subject to what goes on in our state, and we can’t keep just our county safe,” Cooper said.
Some economists say the crisis has been falsely portrayed as a choice between the economy and public health. Instead, they argue that the economy cannot recover until the virus is brought under control and people are confident enough to go shopping, eat at restaurants and do other things again.
Experts have argued, too, that strict but relatively short lockdowns could ultimately result in less economic pain than the half-measures employed now, which have only succeeded in dragging out the crisis.
Dr. Michael Fine, former director of Rhode Island’s Health Department, said the outbreak requires more aggressive strategies. Closing bars earlier in the evening, he said, “might have worked in July, but there’s not a chance they’ll work now. It’s like taking an eyedropper to a forest fire.”
“Short of very profound lockdowns, I don’t think we have a chance of slowing the spread,” Fine said.
___
Johnson reported from Washington state; Pane reported from Boise, Idaho. AP journalists around the U.S. contributed to this report.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-13--Trump Says COVID-19 Vaccine Could Arrive By April But Not In New York; Cuomo Erupts

New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo ( D ) unleashed on Donald Trump after the president announced Friday that a new COVID-19 vaccine would be released as soon as April “ to the entire general population — with the exception of places like New York state.
” Trump claimed New York wouldn ’ t get the vaccine right away because its leaders would hold up the distribution for “ political reasons.
” Cuomo “ wants to take his time with the vaccine , ” the president said .
“ He doesn ’ t trust where the vaccine is coming from.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ first of all , luckily , ” Trump “ won ’ t be here ” in April to manipulate vaccine distribution .
“ What the president says is just untrue , ” the governor told Wolf Blitzer .
“ Here are the facts : We trust the drug companies , ” said Cuomo , noting that Pfizer , which has a promising experimental vaccine , is a “ great New York company , actually.
” ( Check out the video above . )
“ What Americans don ’ t trust is President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wolf , yours included , that over half of the American people are afraid ” that the vaccine approval process was politicized to serve Trump during his campaign .
Cuomo said that a number of states , including New York , have set up panels of scientists to review the federal Food and Drug Administration ’ s approval of any vaccine “ to give people confidence in the approval process ... to establish the credibility they don ’ t have in President Trump.
” “ There will be no delay , ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ process would be “ simultaneous ” and would not involve retesting .
The review wouldn ’ t hold up delivery of the vaccine unless a panel finds that something in the FDA approval process is wrong , he added .
Without confidence in a vaccine , fewer people will take it , which would undermine its value , the governor warned .
Cuomo wasn ’ t surprised by Trump ’ s attack .
“ I ’ ve probably been his greatest critic for four years , ” he said .
“ He tries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a retaliatory tool .
As you know , Wolf , New Yorkers are not going to get bullied .
”

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) unleashed on Donald Trump after the president announced Friday that a new COVID-19 vaccine would be released as soon as April “to the entire general population — with the exception of places like New York state.”
Trump claimed New York wouldn’t get the vaccine right away because its governor would hold up distribution for “political reasons.” Cuomo “wants to take his time with the vaccine,” the president said. “He doesn’t trust where the vaccine is coming from.”
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Cuomo snapped back on CNN that “first of all, luckily,” Trump “won’t be here” in April to manipulate vaccine distribution.
“What the president says is just untrue,” the governor told Wolf Blitzer. “Here are the facts: We trust the drug companies,” said Cuomo, noting that Pfizer, which has a promising experimental vaccine, is a “great New York company, actually.” (Check out the video above.)
“What Americans don’t trust is President Trump. Every poll has shown, Wolf, yours included, that over half of the American people are afraid” that the vaccine approval process was politicized to serve Trump during his campaign.
Cuomo said that a number of states, including New York, have set up panels of scientists to review the federal Food and Drug Administration’s approval of any vaccine “to give people confidence in the approval process ... to establish the credibility they don’t have in President Trump.”
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“There will be no delay,” the governor said, adding that the review process would be “simultaneous” and would not involve retesting. The review wouldn’t hold up delivery of the vaccine unless a panel finds that something in the FDA approval process is wrong, he added.
Without confidence in a vaccine, fewer people will take it, which would undermine its value, the governor warned.
Cuomo wasn’t surprised by Trump’s attack. “I’ve probably been his greatest critic for four years,” he said.
“He tries to bully governors. He uses government as a retaliatory tool. As you know, Wolf, New Yorkers are not going to get bullied.”
WHAT? every state gets the vaccine except for NY because @NYGovCuomo ?? pic.twitter.com/Gqzg6UczK9 — ALT-immigration 🛂 (@ALT_uscis) November 13, 2020
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-13--Louisiana Evangelical Pastor Loses Again In Court Fight To End Virus Restrictions

A federal judge has thrown out a Louisiana pastor ’ s lawsuit seeking to worship without crowd-size restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic , insisting that Democratic Gov .
John Bel Edwards ’ attempts to curb the spread of the disease did not infringe on the pastor ’ s religious liberty .
Pastor Tony Spell , who gained nationwide notoriety this spring for repeatedly refusing to heed his state ’ s COVID-19 rules for churches , had filed a lawsuit in May seeking monetary damages and an end to all restrictions on worship services .
But U.S. District Judge Brian Jackson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday to dismiss Spell ’ s federal claims with prejudice , which means they can ’ t be raised again in that court again .
Spell was “ clearly incorrect ” in claiming that any restrictions on the right to gather violate the U.S. Constitution , Jackson wrote .
“ No federal statute or constitutional provision requires that this Court order the state of Louisiana to permit Plaintiffs to hold services at 100 % capacity— the relief Plaintiffs request ... — in the middle of an evolving pandemic that has killed well over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judge wrote .
Spell , a Pentecostal preacher who leads Life Tabernacle Church in the small city of Central , has had numerous run-ins with the law after Edwards began issuing a series of restrictions on gatherings to curb the spread of the virus in March .
Spell has been slapped with misdemeanors and fines for continuing to draw hundreds to his worship services .
He remained adamant about worshipping in person even after a 78-year-old member of his congregation died from complications related to COVID-19 in April .
After being accused of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his ongoing church services , Spell was briefly placed on house arrest ― a condition he openly flouted by showing off his ankle monitor while preaching at church .
So far , the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the government ’ s ability to place certain restrictions on houses of worship during the pandemic .
Citing a religious liberty case decided by the Supreme Court in May , Jackson pointed out that worship services are by nature different than grocery stores and laundromats , since they allow people to congregate in large groups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time .
Edwards has always treated worship places similar to “ comparable ” secular institutions .
In fact , religious institutions have often been given privileges not available to other secular businesses , Jackson argued .
Jackson also referred to a Supreme Court case from 1905 that upheld a Massachusetts city ’ s authority to require that its residents be vaccinated from smallpox .
“ It was a decision based on the science and the data and very necessary in order to protect the health and safety of our people and our state @ @ @ @ @ @ @

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A federal judge has thrown out a Louisiana pastor’s lawsuit seeking to worship without crowd-size restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, insisting that Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards’ attempts to curb the spread of the disease did not infringe on the pastor’s religious liberty.
Pastor Tony Spell, who gained nationwide notoriety this spring for repeatedly refusing to heed his state’s COVID-19 rules for churches, had filed a lawsuit in May seeking monetary damages and an end to all restrictions on worship services. But U.S. District Judge Brian Jackson wasn’t convinced ― deciding on Tuesday to dismiss Spell’s federal claims with prejudice, which means they can’t be raised again in that court again.
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Spell was “clearly incorrect” in claiming that any restrictions on the right to gather violate the U.S. Constitution, Jackson wrote.
“No federal statute or constitutional provision requires that this Court order the state of Louisiana to permit Plaintiffs to hold services at 100% capacity— the relief Plaintiffs request ... — in the middle of an evolving pandemic that has killed well over a 1,000,000 people world-wide,” the judge wrote.
Spell, a Pentecostal preacher who leads Life Tabernacle Church in the small city of Central, has had numerous run-ins with the law after Edwards began issuing a series of restrictions on gatherings to curb the spread of the virus in March. Spell has been slapped with misdemeanors and fines for continuing to draw hundreds to his worship services. He remained adamant about worshipping in person even after a 78-year-old member of his congregation died from complications related to COVID-19 in April.
After being accused of threatening to run over a man protesting his ongoing church services, Spell was briefly placed on house arrest ― a condition he openly flouted by showing off his ankle monitor while preaching at church.
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Spell’s lawyer, Jeffrey Wittenbrink, told Louisiana newspaper The Advocate that his client plans to appeal Jackson’s decision.
Edwards’ most recent coronavirus order, issued in September, allows churches to operate at 75% capacity.
Tony Spell is the pastor of the Life Tabernacle Church in Louisiana. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
So far, the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the government’s ability to place certain restrictions on houses of worship during the pandemic. Citing a religious liberty case decided by the Supreme Court in May, Jackson pointed out that worship services are by nature different than grocery stores and laundromats, since they allow people to congregate in large groups in close proximity for extended periods of time. Edwards has always treated worship places similar to “comparable” secular institutions. In fact, religious institutions have often been given privileges not available to other secular businesses, Jackson argued.
Jackson also referred to a Supreme Court case from 1905 that upheld a Massachusetts city’s authority to require that its residents be vaccinated from smallpox.
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“The overwhelming consensus of courts throughout the United States reveals that reasonable restrictions on religious gatherings comply with Constitutional standards,” Jackson wrote.
Shauna Sanford, a spokeswoman for the governor, called Spell’s lawsuit “baseless” and “unfortunate.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-13--White House Press Secretary Insists Trump Will Attend 'His Own' Inauguration In January

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany refused to accept the reality that President-elect Joe Biden will be inaugurated at the White House on Jan. 20 and told Fox Business that President Donald Trump will likely attend “ his own inauguration ” instead .
McEnany told Fox Business ’ Stuart Varney on Friday that Trump was “ not even at that point yet ” of conceding to Biden and instead remained focused on various lawsuits challenging the election ’ s outcome .
“ It would look pretty bad if he did not attend the inauguration , ” said Varney , normally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It would look like sour grapes , wouldn ’ t it ?
” “ I think the president will attend his own inauguration , ” McEnany responded .
“ He would have to be there , in fact.
” “ Absolutely , ” McEnany said before adding that Trump ’ s administration only wants to “ lift the hood of the car ” and examine the election results — though there is no evidence to support the president ’ s claims of election fraud .
`` I think the president will attend his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has n't acknowledged the reality that Trump lost to Biden and it was n't particularly close pic.twitter.com/ErAvGsRVgT — Aaron Rupar ( @ atrupar ) November 13 , 2020 McEnany predicted before the election that Trump would win in a landslide .
On Friday , she argued that Trump was “ fighting for the men and women of this movement who have brought real questions and claims forward ” about the voting process These were far from McEnany ’ s first comments at odds with the reality of the election and its aftermath .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ & Friends ” Tuesday about allowing Biden access to daily classified briefings , saying that such an issue would better be addressed by “ the White House ” —ignoring the fact that she is , in fact , the spokeswoman for the White House .

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White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany refused to accept the reality that President-elect Joe Biden will be inaugurated at the White House on Jan. 20 and told Fox Business that President Donald Trump will likely attend “his own inauguration” instead.
McEnany told Fox Business’ Stuart Varney on Friday that Trump was “not even at that point yet” of conceding to Biden and instead remained focused on various lawsuits challenging the election’s outcome.
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“It would look pretty bad if he did not attend the inauguration,” said Varney, normally an adamant supporter of Trump. “It would look like sour grapes, wouldn’t it?”
“I think the president will attend his own inauguration,” McEnany responded. “He would have to be there, in fact.”
“You really think you can turn this around?” a skeptical Varney asked.
“Absolutely,” McEnany said before adding that Trump’s administration only wants to “lift the hood of the car” and examine the election results — though there is no evidence to support the president’s claims of election fraud.
"I think the president will attend his own inauguration" -- Kayleigh McEnany still hasn't acknowledged the reality that Trump lost to Biden and it wasn't particularly close pic.twitter.com/ErAvGsRVgT — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 13, 2020
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McEnany predicted before the election that Trump would win in a landslide. On Friday, she argued that Trump was “fighting for the men and women of this movement who have brought real questions and claims forward” about the voting process
These were far from McEnany’s first comments at odds with the reality of the election and its aftermath. She deflected a question on “Fox & Friends” Tuesday about allowing Biden access to daily classified briefings, saying that such an issue would better be addressed by “the White House” —ignoring the fact that she is, in fact, the spokeswoman for the White House.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-13--Biden Has Won 306 Electoral Votes. Trump Called That A 'Landslide' 4 Years Ago.

Multiple news outlets have now declared Joe Biden the winner of 306 electoral votes in the presidential election , a figure that President Donald Trump has often called a “ landslide ” after he won the same total in 2016 .
Outlets including CNN and NBC on Friday called Georgia as a win by Biden ― he leads by more than 14,000 votes there , with a recount underway ― with no states left to project .
Georgia ’ s 16 electoral votes put Biden at the 306 electoral vote mark , with 270 needed to win the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ HuffPost ’ s election map relies on calls by The Associated Press , and that outlet has yet to declare a winner in Georgia ) .
The president has repeatedly tried to cast doubt on this year ’ s election results , falsely and dangerously claiming that widespread voter fraud led to Biden ’ s winning margin in key states that Trump .
No evidence has surfaced to support his claims and lawsuits filed by his campaign have either been thrown out of court or given no chance of reversing the election ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about fraud in the 2020 race , Trump had plenty of faith in the vote-counting process in 2016 when his wins in several states by razor-thin margins awarded him ― coincidentally ― 306 electoral votes .
In the immediate aftermath of that election and throughout his presidency , Trump has touted that total for him as a “ landslide ” win over challenger Hillary Clinton ( in another baseless claim , he still tried to claim fraud as the reason he lost the popular vote to her by almost 3 million votes ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victory , as you know , in the Electoral College , ” Trump said in December 2016 .
Flash forward three years , and Trump was still referring to the win as a “ landslide.
” In a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-Calif. ) Trump reminded her that Clinton lost “ in an Electoral College landslide ( 306-227 ) , and you and your party have never recovered from this defeat.
” Even at the start of this year , just months before Trump ramped up attacks casting doubt about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about his win .
“ We had a tremendous landslide , Electoral College victory like people haven ’ t seen in a long time , ” Trump said in January .
( In 2012 , then-President Barack Obama won reelection with 332 electoral votes ; he first won the White House four years earlier with 365 . )

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Multiple news outlets have now declared Joe Biden the winner of 306 electoral votes in the presidential election, a figure that President Donald Trump has often called a “landslide” after he won the same total in 2016.
Outlets including CNN and NBC on Friday called Georgia as a win by Biden ― he leads by more than 14,000 votes there, with a recount underway ― with no states left to project. Georgia’s 16 electoral votes put Biden at the 306 electoral vote mark, with 270 needed to win the White House, while Trump has 232. (HuffPost’s election map relies on calls by The Associated Press, and that outlet has yet to declare a winner in Georgia).
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The president has repeatedly tried to cast doubt on this year’s election results, falsely and dangerously claiming that widespread voter fraud led to Biden’s winning margin in key states that Trump won in 2016. No evidence has surfaced to support his claims and lawsuits filed by his campaign have either been thrown out of court or given no chance of reversing the election’s results.
For all his lies about fraud in the 2020 race, Trump had plenty of faith in the vote-counting process in 2016 when his wins in several states by razor-thin margins awarded him ― coincidentally ― 306 electoral votes.
In the immediate aftermath of that election and throughout his presidency, Trump has touted that total for him as a “landslide” win over challenger Hillary Clinton (in another baseless claim, he still tried to claim fraud as the reason he lost the popular vote to her by almost 3 million votes).
CNN put together a series of clips showcasing examples of Trump’s boasts.
306 is a landslide victory, says Donald Trump. pic.twitter.com/Lp4OAiOPLV — andrew kaczynski🤔 (@KFILE) November 13, 2020
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“We had a massive landslide victory, as you know, in the Electoral College,” Trump said in December 2016.
Flash forward three years, and Trump was still referring to the win as a “landslide.” In a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) Trump reminded her that Clinton lost “in an Electoral College landslide (306-227), and you and your party have never recovered from this defeat.”
Even at the start of this year, just months before Trump ramped up attacks casting doubt about mail-in voting, he was still bragging about his win.
“We had a tremendous landslide, Electoral College victory like people haven’t seen in a long time,” Trump said in January. (In 2012, then-President Barack Obama won reelection with 332 electoral votes; he first won the White House four years earlier with 365.)
Twitter users pointed out on Friday that former White House counselor Kellyanne Conway’s 2016 tweet after Trump won.
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“306. Landslide. Blowout. Historic,” Conway tweeted out.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-13--Dan Rather Schools Trump On Reelection Chances With Only 3 Words

The president has also accused the Democratic Party of “ wrongdoing ” without providing evidence to back the allegations .
@ @ @ @ @ appreciated Rather ’ s attempt to explain the situation using words the president would surely @ @

The president has also accused the Democratic Party of “wrongdoing” without providing evidence to back the allegations.
Still, many Twitter users appreciated Rather’s attempt to explain the situation using words the president would surely understand.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-13--Trump Takes Credit For 'Most Secure Election Ever' But Says It Was 'Rigged'

For years the Dems have been preaching how unsafe and rigged our elections have been .
Now they are saying @ @ @ @ @ Trump Administration did in making 2020 the most secure election ever .
Actually this is @ @ @ @ @ the Democrats did .
Rigged Election !

For years the Dems have been preaching how unsafe and rigged our elections have been. Now they are saying what a wonderful job the Trump Administration did in making 2020 the most secure election ever. Actually this is true, except for what the Democrats did. Rigged Election!


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-13--Trump's Refusal To Concede Complicates Mike Pence's Political Future

But with Trump ’ s loss — after Pence spent the last four years as his most loyal soldier and the past year doggedly campaigning on his behalf — the vice president is contending with a far less certain future .
The situation is made even more complicated by Trump ’ s refusal to accept defeat and private flirtations with running again himself four years from now .
It ’ s a balancing act for Pence .
He can not risk alienating supporters of the president who want to see Trump —- and by extension the vice president ― keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ damaging his own brand if he aligns himself too closely with baseless claims of voter fraud .
“ Any Republican who is thinking about running for office in the next four years is definitely looking at that and trying to figure out which way the political winds are going to blow , ” Eberhart said .
Pence has remained largely out of public view since early last Wednesday , when Trump took the stage at a White House election watch party and falsely claimed he had won .
In remarks that lasted under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ echo the president ’ s claim to victory , even as he pledged to “ protect the integrity of the vote.
” “ We are going to keep fighting until every legal vote is counted and until every illegal vote is thrown out , ” Pence said Friday in a speech to conservative youth in Virginia , though he gave no evidence of illegal voting .
“ And whatever the outcome at the end of the process , I promise you : We will never stop fighting to make America great again.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news conferences and done interviews in recent days trumpeting unsupported allegations of voter fraud , Pence has lain low , seen only at a wreath-laying ceremony on Veterans Day and at a closed-door Senate luncheon .
He had planned to go on vacation in Florida but canceled , in part because of bad weather and in part because of the circumstances .
After Pence spent four years applauding Trump and turning TrumpSpeak into something more palatable , allies expect him to approach the next 10 turbulent weeks much the same way : with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ himself and the president .
It ’ s a familiar challenge , though the stakes may be higher than ever .
Pence is widely believed to harbor his own presidential ambitions , though he has always been guarded when asked publicly about his plans .
Aides insist his full focus this year has been on 2020 alone .
Indeed , there are few people — if any — who worked harder to try to secure Trump a second term .
Between Jan. 1 and Election Day , Pence made 107 trips on behalf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michigan , 11 each to Pennsylvania and Wisconsin and 13 to Florida .
There were a dozen bus tours , appearances at Make America Great Again rallies , events with Women for Trump , Latinos for Trump , Evangelicals for Trump , Farmers & Ranchers for Trump and the Latter-day Saints Coalition .
He sat down for a whopping 220 regional media interviews , including 40 in October alone .
More than any other member of the potential 2024 Republican field , Pence ’ s future is tied to Trump ’ s — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ running could put him in an untenable spot if he is eventually forced to make the almost unthinkable decision to run against his former boss .
Even if Trump steps aside , questions remain about Pence ’ s appeal .
Backers believe he combines a Trump stamp of approval with support among Evangelical and conservative voters who are influential in early voting states like Iowa .
Others , however , see him as carrying all of Trump ’ s baggage without his charisma .
Also , he will be 65 on Election Day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party will want to nominate another white man in his 60s or 70s .
Pence , his allies contend , has time to take a wait-and-see approach because he ’ s already ahead of others in what is expected to be a crowded Republican field .
Pence , they note , already has a political action committee , the Great America Committee , as well as a deep fundraising network and close friends who include many of the nation ’ s governors .
“ I think he ’ s got the blessing of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ahead and put together a small apparatus for a potential run , ” said Jon Thompson , who served as Pence ’ s spokesman on the campaign and previously worked for the Republican Governors Association .
“ So that gives him some time to really see what Trump and others do.
” Pence spent the four years before he joined the Trump ticket as the governor of Indiana , and six terms in Congress before that .
He currently doesn ’ t own a house .
In the short term , he is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on money-making ventures , including paid speeches and potentially writing a book .
At a private Senate lunch Tuesday where Pence received a prolonged standing ovation , he told attendees he wanted to keep serving as Senate president and thought he would as U.S. vice president .
He signaled the campaign planned to avail itself of all legal remedies to contest the election result , walking through legal strategy though providing no details about alleged irregularities .
He also shed no further light on his personal political future , according to people familiar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of anonymity because the event was supposed to be private .

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WASHINGTON (AP) — For Mike Pence, a second term for President Donald Trump would have been a 2024 ticket to Republican frontrunner status.
But with Trump’s loss — after Pence spent the last four years as his most loyal soldier and the past year doggedly campaigning on his behalf — the vice president is contending with a far less certain future. The situation is made even more complicated by Trump’s refusal to accept defeat and private flirtations with running again himself four years from now.
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It’s a balancing act for Pence. He cannot risk alienating supporters of the president who want to see Trump —- and by extension the vice president ― keep on fighting. But Pence also risks damaging his own brand if he aligns himself too closely with baseless claims of voter fraud.
“Pence is trying to navigate between the land mines of a president who insists on total fealty and protecting his options for his own political future,” said Dan Eberhart, a prominent Republican donor and Trump backer.
“Any Republican who is thinking about running for office in the next four years is definitely looking at that and trying to figure out which way the political winds are going to blow,” Eberhart said.
Pence has remained largely out of public view since early last Wednesday, when Trump took the stage at a White House election watch party and falsely claimed he had won. In remarks that lasted under a minute, Pence notably did not echo the president’s claim to victory, even as he pledged to “protect the integrity of the vote.”
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“We are going to keep fighting until every legal vote is counted and until every illegal vote is thrown out,” Pence said Friday in a speech to conservative youth in Virginia, though he gave no evidence of illegal voting. “And whatever the outcome at the end of the process, I promise you: We will never stop fighting to make America great again.”
While other Trump allies have appeared at news conferences and done interviews in recent days trumpeting unsupported allegations of voter fraud, Pence has lain low, seen only at a wreath-laying ceremony on Veterans Day and at a closed-door Senate luncheon. He had planned to go on vacation in Florida but canceled, in part because of bad weather and in part because of the circumstances.
After Pence spent four years applauding Trump and turning TrumpSpeak into something more palatable, allies expect him to approach the next 10 turbulent weeks much the same way: with utmost caution and ensuring minimal daylight between himself and the president. It’s a familiar challenge, though the stakes may be higher than ever.
Pence is widely believed to harbor his own presidential ambitions, though he has always been guarded when asked publicly about his plans. Aides insist his full focus this year has been on 2020 alone. Indeed, there are few people — if any — who worked harder to try to secure Trump a second term.
Between Jan. 1 and Election Day, Pence made 107 trips on behalf of the president, including seven to Michigan, 11 each to Pennsylvania and Wisconsin and 13 to Florida. There were a dozen bus tours, appearances at Make America Great Again rallies, events with Women for Trump , Latinos for Trump, Evangelicals for Trump, Farmers & Ranchers for Trump and the Latter-day Saints Coalition. He sat down for a whopping 220 regional media interviews, including 40 in October alone.
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More than any other member of the potential 2024 Republican field, Pence’s future is tied to Trump’s — and the president’s flirtations with running could put him in an untenable spot if he is eventually forced to make the almost unthinkable decision to run against his former boss.
Even if Trump steps aside, questions remain about Pence’s appeal. Backers believe he combines a Trump stamp of approval with support among Evangelical and conservative voters who are influential in early voting states like Iowa. Others, however, see him as carrying all of Trump’s baggage without his charisma. Also, he will be 65 on Election Day 2024, and they wonder whether the party will want to nominate another white man in his 60s or 70s.
Still, “the perfect place to be in the Republican Party is to be for Trump’s polices without Trump’s personality. And that pretty much describes Mike Pence,” says Barry Bennett, a longtime Republican strategist who worked for Trump’s 2016 campaign.
As for Trump’s baggage, Bennett says, “it’s important to remember that Republicans will select their nominee. And there is no Trump baggage. They love him.”
Before the election, Pence aides had discussed a plan to build a political apparatus for the vice president should he decide to run in 2024. They envisioned him holding fundraisers, speaking at party dinners and supporting 2022 candidates. Then, around the 2022 election, he would decide whether to move forward.
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Pence, his allies contend, has time to take a wait-and-see approach because he’s already ahead of others in what is expected to be a crowded Republican field. Pence, they note, already has a political action committee, the Great America Committee, as well as a deep fundraising network and close friends who include many of the nation’s governors.
“I think he’s got the blessing of time right now where he can go ahead and put together a small apparatus for a potential run,” said Jon Thompson, who served as Pence’s spokesman on the campaign and previously worked for the Republican Governors Association. “So that gives him some time to really see what Trump and others do.”
Pence spent the four years before he joined the Trump ticket as the governor of Indiana, and six terms in Congress before that. He currently doesn’t own a house. In the short term, he is expected by some to spend some time on money-making ventures, including paid speeches and potentially writing a book.
But for now, he appears willing to go along with Trump’s efforts to cast doubt on the integrity of the election, even if he’s not its public champion.
At a private Senate lunch Tuesday where Pence received a prolonged standing ovation, he told attendees he wanted to keep serving as Senate president and thought he would as U.S. vice president. He signaled the campaign planned to avail itself of all legal remedies to contest the election result, walking through legal strategy though providing no details about alleged irregularities. He also shed no further light on his personal political future, according to people familiar with the meeting who spoke on condition of anonymity because the event was supposed to be private.
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Pence could still end up being the face of the orderly transfer of power, if Trump himself, as is widely expected, continues to fume over his defeat, even as he prepares to leave office.
Later Friday he was expected to update conservative allies and look ahead to what can be done if the GOP retains its majority in the Senate, with larger minorities in the House and control of state legislatures.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-13--Trump Almost Admits He Lost Election, Says 'Time Will Tell'

President Donald Trump almost went there and admitted that — contrary to the constant stream of falsehoods he has sputtered for the last 10 days — he actually lost the Nov. 3 election to Joe Biden .
The key word , of couse , is “ almost.
” Because — like “ Happy Days ” character Arthur “ Fonzie ” Fonzarelli —Trump can ’ t ever admit being wrong about anything .
It happened Friday in a news conference in which Trump discussed how the White House planned to handle the COVID-19 pandemic in the coming months .
“ Ideally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lockdown ― I will not go , this administration will not be going to a lockdown .
Hopefully , the , uh , whatever happens in the future , who knows which administration it will be , ” Trump said .
“ I guess time will tell.
” Trump : This Administration will not be going to a lockdown .
Hopefully the uhh whatever happens in the future who knows which Administration will be , time will tell pic.twitter.com/q2GwwHHAYO — Acyn Torabi ( @ Acyn ) November 13 , 2020 But not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He has made all sorts of bizarre claims that he really won the race .
For instance , Trump on Friday took credit for what the Department of Homeland Security called the most secure election in U.S. history — and then he argued it was rigged .
“ We ’ ll see what happens ” is Trump ’ s tell for “ every trick I ’ ve tried has failed and I have no control over the outcome ” https : //t.co/qt04snenSO — Chris Espinosa ( @ cdespinosa ) November 13 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s comment was probably as good as it ’ s going to get .

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President Donald Trump almost went there and admitted that — contrary to the constant stream of falsehoods he has sputtered for the last 10 days — he actually lost the Nov. 3 election to Joe Biden.
The key word, of couse, is “almost.” Because — like “Happy Days” character Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli —Trump can’t ever admit being wrong about anything.
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It happened Friday in a news conference in which Trump discussed how the White House planned to handle the COVID-19 pandemic in the coming months.
“Ideally, we won’t go to a lockdown ― I will not go, this administration will not be going to a lockdown. Hopefully, the, uh, whatever happens in the future, who knows which administration it will be,” Trump said. “I guess time will tell.”
Trump: This Administration will not be going to a lockdown. Hopefully the uhh whatever happens in the future who knows which Administration will be, time will tell pic.twitter.com/q2GwwHHAYO — Acyn Torabi (@Acyn) November 13, 2020
Considering that Biden reportedly won 306 electoral college votes, you’d think it’s a done deal.
But not as far as the president is concerned. He has made all sorts of bizarre claims that he really won the race.
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For instance, Trump on Friday took credit for what the Department of Homeland Security called the most secure election in U.S. history — and then he argued it was rigged.
The president’s comments attracted a lot of snarky political analysis from Twitter users.
He 100% knows he lost. https://t.co/9TCkfmNxQ8 — John Kinnear (@askdadblog) November 13, 2020
Come on, buddy, you can do it. Just say the words, “The Biden Administration.” — Mama_C2 (@mama_c2) November 13, 2020
The words "Biden administration" were on the tip of his tongue lmao https://t.co/9NiMDavT9m — Brian Tyler Cohen (@briantylercohen) November 13, 2020
Almost said it... Dude, Accept defeat. Its happened. https://t.co/XfqJf8bQTB — Wale Gates (@walegates) November 13, 2020
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“We’ll see what happens” is Trump’s tell for “every trick I’ve tried has failed and I have no control over the outcome” https://t.co/qt04snenSO — Chris Espinosa (@cdespinosa) November 13, 2020
Teetering on bargaining heading to acceptance. https://t.co/Y6mXZ6Dxos — Alessandro Miglio (@AlexMiglio) November 13, 2020
He must really be depressed if he stopped dyeing his hair https://t.co/o3A5swxIly — Thor Benson (@thor_benson) November 13, 2020
But one person suggested that Trump’s comment was probably as good as it’s going to get.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-13--More Than 130 Secret Service Officers In COVID Isolation After Trump Campaign Rallies

A coronavirus outbreak has forced more than 130 U.S. Secret Service officers to isolate or quarantine themselves after either testing positive for the illness or coming into close contact with someone who has , The Washington Post first reported on Friday .
The outbreak , reportedly affecting some 10 % of the Secret Service ’ s core workforce , appears to be the latest consequence of President Donald Trump ’ s refusal to consistently follow basic health and safety precautions during the pandemic .
The officers who are sick or otherwise forced to stay home generally help protect the White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They have been privately worrying for months about how Trump ’ s careless attitude toward the deadly virus may be putting their health and the health of their families needlessly at risk .
The nature of their jobs , however , does not allow them much say over the president ’ s behavior .
Presidential adviser Hope Hicks and Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel became the first in Trump ’ s inner circle to come down with COVID-19 in the early fall .
Hicks ’ diagnosis was revealed at the start of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Air Force One to rallies in the Midwest .
Soon after Hicks ’ diagnosis was made public , it was confirmed that the president , first lady Melania Trump and their son Barron had caught the virus .
The Secret Service to airlift Trump to Walter Reed military hospital for treatment ; the president ’ s doctors said he ’ d had trouble breathing .
During Trump ’ s hospital stay , it became clear that a packed Sept. 26 event in the White House Rose Garden likely served as a “ superspreader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other guests were seen mingling indoors and out for prolonged periods of time without masks .
A series of top Trump staffers ― including campaign adviser Kellyanne Conway , campaign manager Bill Stepien , former New Jersey Gov .
Chris Christie , presidential assistant Nicholas Luna , press secretary Kayleigh McEnany , adviser Stephen Miller and others ― revealed their diagnoses in the week after the White House gathering , although not all had been present .
Christie suffered a particularly alarming bout of COVID-19 , which required a hospital stay of about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appear to have made full recoveries .
But the experience did not make the Trump White House significantly more cautious about the coronavirus , and more people have paid the price .
As Nov. 3 approached , Trump held as many as five rallies per day in battleground states such as Pennsylvania , Florida and Michigan , traveling thousands of miles by air and road with his team to the events , where scant few people were seen wearing masks or distancing .
He visited campaign headquarters in Virginia , greeting people indoors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night of the election , he gathered hundreds of supporters at the White House for an indoor , masks-optional watch party ― another suspected superspreader event .
One prominent attendee , White House chief of staff Mark Meadows , announced later that week he had caught the virus , meaning he could have assisted in spreading viral particles throughout election night .
At least six lower-level White House staffers tested positive around the same time .
The list got even longer with the additions of Trump political director Brian Jack , presidential adviser @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Secretary Ben Carson , campaign adviser Corey Lewandowski and Republican National Committee chief of staff Richard Walters in the 10 days since Nov. 3 .
Since it became clear the day after the election that Joe Biden was on track to defeat him , Trump has largely stayed holed up in the White House , occasionally venturing out to golf .
His schedule has been mostly cleared of public events as he has considered challenges to the election results while posting baseless charges of voter fraud on Twitter .
Early Friday afternoon the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the Rose Graden at 4 p.m .
ET after meeting with officials for an update about the status of development and distribution plans for a coronavirus vaccine .

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A coronavirus outbreak has forced more than 130 U.S. Secret Service officers to isolate or quarantine themselves after either testing positive for the illness or coming into close contact with someone who has, The Washington Post first reported on Friday.
The outbreak, reportedly affecting some 10% of the Secret Service’s core workforce, appears to be the latest consequence of President Donald Trump’s refusal to consistently follow basic health and safety precautions during the pandemic.
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The New York Times confirmed the outbreak, reporting that at least 30 uniformed officers have tested positive and 60 have been asked to isolate.
The officers who are sick or otherwise forced to stay home generally help protect the White House and the president at events. They have been privately worrying for months about how Trump’s careless attitude toward the deadly virus may be putting their health and the health of their families needlessly at risk. The nature of their jobs, however, does not allow them much say over the president’s behavior.
In the weeks leading up to Election Day on Nov. 3, Trump maintained an often grueling travel schedule as he aggressively campaigned for a second term.
Presidential adviser Hope Hicks and Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel became the first in Trump’s inner circle to come down with COVID-19 in the early fall. Hicks’ diagnosis was revealed at the start of October after she traveled with Trump aboard Air Force One to rallies in the Midwest.
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Soon after Hicks’ diagnosis was made public, it was confirmed that the president, first lady Melania Trump and their son Barron had caught the virus. The Secret Service to airlift Trump to Walter Reed military hospital for treatment; the president’s doctors said he’d had trouble breathing.
During Trump’s hospital stay, it became clear that a packed Sept. 26 event in the White House Rose Garden likely served as a “superspreader,” with members of Congress and other guests were seen mingling indoors and out for prolonged periods of time without masks.
A series of top Trump staffers ― including campaign adviser Kellyanne Conway, campaign manager Bill Stepien, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, presidential assistant Nicholas Luna, press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, adviser Stephen Miller and others ― revealed their diagnoses in the week after the White House gathering, although not all had been present. Christie suffered a particularly alarming bout of COVID-19, which required a hospital stay of about a week.
Trump and the others appear to have made full recoveries. But the experience did not make the Trump White House significantly more cautious about the coronavirus, and more people have paid the price.
As Nov. 3 approached, Trump held as many as five rallies per day in battleground states such as Pennsylvania, Florida and Michigan, traveling thousands of miles by air and road with his team to the events, where scant few people were seen wearing masks or distancing. He visited campaign headquarters in Virginia, greeting people indoors without wearing a mask. On the night of the election, he gathered hundreds of supporters at the White House for an indoor, masks-optional watch party ― another suspected superspreader event.
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One prominent attendee, White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, announced later that week he had caught the virus, meaning he could have assisted in spreading viral particles throughout election night. At least six lower-level White House staffers tested positive around the same time.
The list got even longer with the additions of Trump political director Brian Jack, presidential adviser David Bossie, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson, campaign adviser Corey Lewandowski and Republican National Committee chief of staff Richard Walters in the 10 days since Nov. 3.
Since it became clear the day after the election that Joe Biden was on track to defeat him, Trump has largely stayed holed up in the White House, occasionally venturing out to golf. His schedule has been mostly cleared of public events as he has considered challenges to the election results while posting baseless charges of voter fraud on Twitter.
Early Friday afternoon the White House announced he would make remarks from the Rose Graden at 4 p.m. ET after meeting with officials for an update about the status of development and distribution plans for a coronavirus vaccine.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-13--After Pouring Gasoline On U.S. Divide, Charles Koch Now Claims He Wants To Heal Nation

After spending decades bankrolling causes and politicians that fueled America ’ s increasingly ugly and hostile national divide , billionaire mogul Charles Koch told The Wall Street Journal in an interview Friday that he now wants to focus on bridging the gap he helped create .
“ Boy , did we screw up .
What a mess , ” is how the Donald Trump supporter characterizes his partisan battles in his soon-to-be-published book , “ Believe in People : Bottom-Up Solutions for a Top-Down World , ” the Journal noted .
Now Koch claims he wants to work across party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ addiction , gang violence and homelessness , he told the newspaper .
In an email to the Journal , Koch also congratulated President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on their victory .
He said he looked forward to “ finding ways to work with them to break down the barriers holding people back , whether in the economy , criminal justice , immigration , the COVID-19 pandemic , or anywhere else.
” He added : “ I hope we all use this post-election period to find a better way forward .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ come to expect too much of politics and too little of ourselves and one another.
” Koch , 85 , still runs the conglomerate Koch Industries , with some 130,000 employees , that was begun by his father as a refinery business .
He has adamantly opposed climate change mitigation measures that would impact fossil-fuel industries .
Koch is listed by Forbes as the 15th richest man in the U.S. , and is worth some $ 45 billion .
Koch Industries ’ PAC and employees contributed $ 2.8 million to GOP candidates during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Journal .
The brothers were revealed as the powerful stealth engineers of a radical right movement in the U.S. in the ground-breaking 2016 book “ Dark Money , ” by New Yorker writer Jane Mayer .
The Kochs funded ultra-conservative think tanks , peppered universities with hundreds of rightwing academics and used their wealth to boost an army of conservative politicians into office .
The family money also bankrolls the American Legislative Exchange Council which pens template bills for conservative politicians to introduce in state legislatures across the nation .
And Koch plotted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loss at the polls .
Despite his stated intention to make peace , he railed to the Journal about the constant push to rob individuals of freedom with “ top-down ” control that stifles innovation .
Koch complained about powerful interests lobbying the government , even though Koch Industries spent some $ 100 million on lobbying , the Journal pointed out .
To say critics are skeptical about Koch ’ s avowed change of heart would be an understatement .
And few on Twitter were in a forgiving mood .
Charles Koch and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for profit and broke our country in the process .
He can take his mea culpa and shove it .
https : //t.co/cxJo2NdWMe — Adam Best ( @ adamcbest ) November 13 , 2020 Please .
Charles Koch 's Super PAC , Americans for Prosperity , spent the past 6+ months campaigning to get Amy Coney Barrett onto the Supreme Court and GOP Senators reelected .
The group announced TWO DAYS AGO it was throwing its support behind Loeffler and Perdue in Georgia .
https : //t.co/N7Wn6ABuNp — Pé ( @ 4everNeverTrump ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done as much environmental damage to 🌎 as any oligarch living or dead .
Koch Industries has its hands in everything , especially political propaganda .
Sorry , but there ’ s no salvation here IMHO.
# GreenNewDeal # agriculture https : //t.co/9StwRCHxJE — Jen Perelman ( @ JENFL23 ) November 13 , 2020 “ Sure I might have planted the seeds that nearly destroyed this country , but I just wan na come here to say : oops , my bad ” Don ’ t think this will cut it , Charlie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more insecure and precarious by your dangerous agenda .
👎🏾👎🏾 https : //t.co/IpG88vlYeE — Nina Turner ( @ ninaturner ) November 13 , 2020

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After spending decades bankrolling causes and politicians that fueled America’s increasingly ugly and hostile national divide, billionaire mogul Charles Koch told The Wall Street Journal in an interview Friday that he now wants to focus on bridging the gap he helped create.
“Boy, did we screw up. What a mess,” is how the Donald Trump supporter characterizes his partisan battles in his soon-to-be-published book, “Believe in People: Bottom-Up Solutions for a Top-Down World,” the Journal noted.
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Now Koch claims he wants to work across party lines to forge solutions to poverty, addiction, gang violence and homelessness, he told the newspaper.
In an email to the Journal, Koch also congratulated President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on their victory. He said he looked forward to “finding ways to work with them to break down the barriers holding people back, whether in the economy, criminal justice, immigration, the COVID-19 pandemic, or anywhere else.”
He added: “I hope we all use this post-election period to find a better way forward. Because of partisanship, we’ve come to expect too much of politics and too little of ourselves and one another.”
Koch, 85, still runs the conglomerate Koch Industries, with some 130,000 employees, that was begun by his father as a refinery business. He has adamantly opposed climate change mitigation measures that would impact fossil-fuel industries.
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Koch is listed by Forbes as the 15th richest man in the U.S., and is worth some $45 billion. Koch Industries’ PAC and employees contributed $2.8 million to GOP candidates during the 2020 political cycle, noted the Journal.
The brothers were revealed as the powerful stealth engineers of a radical right movement in the U.S. in the ground-breaking 2016 book “Dark Money,” by New Yorker writer Jane Mayer. The Kochs funded ultra-conservative think tanks, peppered universities with hundreds of rightwing academics and used their wealth to boost an army of conservative politicians into office.
The family money also bankrolls the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), which pens template bills for conservative politicians to introduce in state legislatures across the nation. ALEC plotted back in February to overturn a Trump loss at the polls before a single vote was cast.
Despite his stated intention to make peace, he railed to the Journal about the constant push to rob individuals of freedom with “top-down” control that stifles innovation. Koch complained about powerful interests lobbying the government, even though Koch Industries spent some $100 million on lobbying, the Journal pointed out.
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To say critics are skeptical about Koch’s avowed change of heart would be an understatement. And few on Twitter were in a forgiving mood.
Charles Koch and his brother tried to destroy the planet for profit and broke our country in the process. He can take his mea culpa and shove it. https://t.co/cxJo2NdWMe — Adam Best (@adamcbest) November 13, 2020
Man who destroyed America says "oops" https://t.co/xVOwVSgMYH — Evan DeSimone (@Smorgasboredom) November 13, 2020
“Boy did we screw up!” ???
This is the understatement of the century. Charles Koch - you and your brother BROKE America, and paved the way for Trumpism. https://t.co/S76docV3tk — Nick Knudsen 🇺🇸 (@DemWrite) November 13, 2020
Please.
Charles Koch's Super PAC, Americans for Prosperity, spent the past 6+ months campaigning to get Amy Coney Barrett onto the Supreme Court and GOP Senators reelected.
The group announced TWO DAYS AGO it was throwing its support behind Loeffler and Perdue in Georgia. https://t.co/N7Wn6ABuNp — Pé (@4everNeverTrump) November 13, 2020
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Charles Koch wants to sound like Rodney King: 'Can't we all just get along?' Meanwhile, he's trying to buy GOP control of the Senate in GA https://t.co/eRDLylyZXg — Jane Mayer (@JaneMayerNYer) November 13, 2020
“Boy did we screw up!” is quite the playful way for Charles Koch to admit he helped break US democracy. https://t.co/alIGV7jNhP — Ahmed Baba (@AhmedBaba_) November 13, 2020
Charles Koch has done as much environmental damage to 🌎 as any oligarch living or dead.
Koch Industries has its hands in everything, especially political propaganda.
Sorry, but there’s no salvation here IMHO.#GreenNewDeal #agriculture https://t.co/9StwRCHxJE — Jen Perelman (@JENFL23) November 13, 2020
Such total BS. Just like fossil fuel, feigning one thing while dark-money machine chugs on as ever. Really unbelievable. https://t.co/0iEeBAVZUd — Sheldon Whitehouse (@SenWhitehouse) November 13, 2020
“Sure I might have planted the seeds that nearly destroyed this country, but I just wanna come here to say: oops, my bad”
Don’t think this will cut it, Charlie. Millions have had their lives made more insecure and precarious by your dangerous agenda. 👎🏾👎🏾 https://t.co/IpG88vlYeE — Nina Turner (@ninaturner) November 13, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-13--Sales Of Steve Kornacki’s Gap Khakis Soar After Election Night

For the past week , the MSNBC journalist and author has been showered with internet praise for his tireless coverage of the 2020 presidential election and its aftermath .
At a time when America ’ s political climate feels more aggressively divided than ever , the Massachusetts native has proven to be a unifying figure , with newfound fans branding him everything from a “ map daddy ” to “ Kornacki the snacki.
” In the days since election night , media outlets have responded to the Kornacki love with in-depth analysis of his endearingly staid wardrobe .
Of particular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which , as New York Magazine reported , could be found at the Gap for $ 59.95 , although sales are frequent .
Turns out , the San Francisco-based retailer is witnessing the benefits of that on-air exposure .
“ We saw a dramatic increase in online traffic and within a day , the number of Straight Fit Palomino Brown khakis we sold online went up 90 % , ” a Gap spokesperson told multiple outlets on Thursday .
Of course , it ’ s unclear exactly how much of that boost can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But the journalist ’ s legion of admirers ― including actor and comedian Leslie Jones ― hope the Gap will recognize the “ Kornacki khaki ” effect anyway .
The Modern Khaki from the Gap in “ palomino brown ” .
Honestly , if the Gap doesn ’ t rename this the Kornaki Khaki , they are really missing out.https : //t.co/7nM4MzI6fi — politicky chicky ( @ politickychicky ) November 6 , 2020 While Kornacki ’ s khakis enjoy their moment in the spotlight , another part of his election night attire is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he announced plans to retire his navy-striped necktie , worn for the duration of the Nov. 3 broadcasts and beyond .
Rest assured , however , that he ’ s gotten plenty of wear out of the tie : a photo posted to Twitter showed that the garment was being held together with staples after its stitching had come undone .

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Steve Kornacki can now add “fashion icon” to his illustrious multi-hyphenate list of titles.
For the past week, the MSNBC journalist and author has been showered with internet praise for his tireless coverage of the 2020 presidential election and its aftermath. At a time when America’s political climate feels more aggressively divided than ever, the Massachusetts native has proven to be a unifying figure, with newfound fans branding him everything from a “map daddy” to “Kornacki the snacki.”
In the days since election night, media outlets have responded to the Kornacki love with in-depth analysis of his endearingly staid wardrobe. Of particular interest were the 41-year-old’s khakis which, as New York Magazine reported, could be found at the Gap for $59.95, although sales are frequent.
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Turns out, the San Francisco-based retailer is witnessing the benefits of that on-air exposure. “We saw a dramatic increase in online traffic and within a day, the number of Straight Fit Palomino Brown khakis we sold online went up 90%,” a Gap spokesperson told multiple outlets on Thursday.
Of course, it’s unclear exactly how much of that boost can be truly be attributed to Kornacki. But the journalist’s legion of admirers ― including actor and comedian Leslie Jones ― hope the Gap will recognize the “Kornacki khaki” effect anyway.
I know that @Gap better be paying Steve!! Real Talk!! pic.twitter.com/ad5df8w3cN — Leslie Jones 🦋 (@Lesdoggg) November 12, 2020
The Modern Khaki from the Gap in “palomino brown”.
Honestly, if the Gap doesn’t rename this the Kornaki Khaki, they are really missing out.https://t.co/7nM4MzI6fi — politicky chicky (@politickychicky) November 6, 2020
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Please tell me they are designating that particular shade as "Kornacki Khaki." It's just too perfect. — Davos Smithy Smithereen (@daveshow6) November 12, 2020
While Kornacki’s khakis enjoy their moment in the spotlight, another part of his election night attire is not so fortunate. On Wednesday, he announced plans to retire his navy-striped necktie, worn for the duration of the Nov. 3 broadcasts and beyond.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-13--Scottish Leader Says Trump Should Face 'Accountability' In Turnberry Probe

The president son , Eric Trump , fired back at the time : “ Mr Harvie ’ s disgusting statements @ @ @ @ @ evidence and having absolutely no basis in fact , are reckless , irresponsible and unbecoming @ @ @ @ @ Scottish Parliament.
” The president told British authorities in 2018 that his two Scottish golf @ @ @ @ @ in debt and paid no taxes in the U.K .
But his U.S. financial disclosures @ @ @ @ @ the resorts were worth $ 100 million .

President Donald Trump will face “due accountability” if evidence is found linking his Scottish golf resorts to money laundering or other financial fraud, the leader of the Scottish government said this week.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon spoke out Wednesday in Parliament in response to a call from the co-leader of the Scottish Green Party to seek an “unexplained wealth order” to determine the source of funding for Trump’s $60 million cash purchase of his Trump Turnberry golf resort in 2014, when his U.S. tax returns showed vast losses that allowed him to avoid paying any income taxes. Trump also owns the Trump Aberdeen resort in Scotland.
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The Scottish leader said she wouldn’t protect “the soon-to-be former president of the United States” from “due accountability in Scotland” if wrongdoing is found. An investigation, including an unexplained wealth order, would be up to the Crown Office, the independent public prosecution system in Scotland, Sturgeon added.
Green Party leader Patrick Harvie has contended Trump’s Scottish resorts raise suspicions because neither Turnberry (which lost $26 million in 2016) nor Aberdeen has turned a profit or paid a penny in taxes to Scotland since Trump purchased them. All of the revenue is allegedly absorbed by costs — with many of the expenses flowing back to the president’s Trump Organization.
“We need to protect Scotland’s good name from association with the toxic Trump brand,” Harvie said in Parliament. Harvie also noted Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr.’s ongoing investigation of the Trump Organization for possible bank and insurance fraud.
Back our call for the First Minister to seek an investigation into Trump’s Scottish investments.
➡ https://t.co/j4pPXGTH5E #FMQs | #InvestigateTrump pic.twitter.com/XdeiF0h5fN — Scottish Greens (@scotgp) November 12, 2020
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Trump has stonewalled investigations by Vance and Congress into his finances, contending his job as president shields him from U.S. prosecution and lawsuits. Harvie noted Trump’s election defeat should expose him to a reckoning in Scotland as well.
Scottish Greens UWO statement: "We can't continue to turn a blind eye to red flags that surround [Trump's] biz activities in Scotland, sending a signal to not just Trump himself but those who may be lured by our relaxed approach towards investigating possible financial crimes" — Martyn McLaughlin (@MartynMcL) November 12, 2020
Harvie first leveled his money laundering suspicions in February, when he referred to Trump’s “huge cash spending spree” in Scotland at a time when he was declaring bankruptcy on his casino business and defaulting on a Deutsche Bank loan.
The president son, Eric Trump, fired back at the time: “Mr Harvie’s disgusting statements, made without any supporting evidence and having absolutely no basis in fact, are reckless, irresponsible and unbecoming for a member of the Scottish Parliament.” The president told British authorities in 2018 that his two Scottish golf resorts were $65 million in debt and paid no taxes in the U.K. But his U.S. financial disclosures at the same time reported the resorts were worth $100 million.
Check out Harvie and Sturgeon’s comments in the video up top. Harvie begins to talk about Trump at 28:40.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-13--Obama's New Book Reveals Genuine Praise For George W. Bush's Transition Team

Former President Barack Obama shared his appreciation for how predecessor George W. Bush worked to help him begin the job as U.S. leader in his upcoming book “ A Promised Land.
” Obama , the 44th U.S. president , praised the 43rd president ’ s administration for making his 2008 transition into the White House a painless process , according to CNN senior Washington correspondent Jeff Zeleny , who obtained an advance preview of the memoir , due for release on Nov. 17 .
“ Whether it was because of the respect for the institution , because of lessons learned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his own transition or just basic decency , President Bush would end up doing all he could to make the 11 weeks between my election and his departure go smoothly , ” Obama wrote .
“ I promised myself that when the time came I would treat my successor the same way.
” In another passage , Obama wrote about riding in the presidential limousine with Bush during their time together and feeling sympathy when he saw protesters outside calling his predecessor a “ war criminal.
” He said it also gave him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ To protest a man in the final hour of his presidency seemed graceless and unnecessary , ” Obama wrote .
“ More generally , I was troubled by what these last-minute protests said about the divisions that were churning across the country ― and the weakening of whatever boundaries of decorum had once regulated politics.
” Obama ’ s reflections on his smooth transition into the White House serve as a stark contrast to the final weeks of 2020 , with 45th president Donald Trump refusing to concede the election , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blocking his administration ’ s cooperation with President-elect Joe Biden ’ s transition team .
While Obama had pleasant words for Bush despite their political differences , the former president did not mince words describing other politicians he encountered during his presidency .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) , he wrote , had “ discipline , shrewdness and shamelessness — all of which he employed in the single-minded and dispassionate pursuit of power.
” And Sen. Lindsey Graham ( R-S.C. ) , a onetime Trump critic who flip-flopped to become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was like a spy movie character who “ double-crosses everyone to save his own skin .
”

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Former President Barack Obama shared his appreciation for how predecessor George W. Bush worked to help him begin the job as U.S. leader in his upcoming book “A Promised Land.”
Obama, the 44th U.S. president, praised the 43rd president’s administration for making his 2008 transition into the White House a painless process, according to CNN senior Washington correspondent Jeff Zeleny, who obtained an advance preview of the memoir, due for release on Nov. 17.
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“Whether it was because of the respect for the institution, because of lessons learned from his father, bad memories of his own transition or just basic decency, President Bush would end up doing all he could to make the 11 weeks between my election and his departure go smoothly,” Obama wrote. “I promised myself that when the time came I would treat my successor the same way.”
In another passage, Obama wrote about riding in the presidential limousine with Bush during their time together and feeling sympathy when he saw protesters outside calling his predecessor a “war criminal.” He said it also gave him a sense of foreboding for the future.
“To protest a man in the final hour of his presidency seemed graceless and unnecessary,” Obama wrote. “More generally, I was troubled by what these last-minute protests said about the divisions that were churning across the country ― and the weakening of whatever boundaries of decorum had once regulated politics.”
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While Obama had pleasant words for Bush despite their political differences, the former president did not mince words describing other politicians he encountered during his presidency.