thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-04--U.S. Sets Record For Cases Amid Election Battle Over Virus

Trump ’ s current term doesn ’ t end until Jan. 20 .
In the 86 days until then , 100,000 more Americans will likely die from the virus if the nation doesn ’ t shift course , said Dr. Robert Murphy , executive director of the Institute for Global Health at Northwestern University 's Feinberg School of Medicine , echoing estimates from other public health experts .
Daily new confirmed coronavirus cases in the U.S. have surged 45 % over the past two weeks , to a record 7-day average of 86,352 , according to data compiled by Johns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rise , up 15 percent to an average of 846 deaths every day .
The total U.S. death toll is already more than 232,000 , and total confirmed U.S. cases have surpassed 9 million .
Those are the highest totals in the world , and new infections are increasing in nearly every state .
Several states on Wednesday reported grim numbers that are fueling the national trends .
Texas reported 9,048 new cases and 126 deaths , and the number of coronavirus patients in Missouri , Nebraska and Oklahoma hospitals also set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new cases in Texas happened in hard-hit El Paso , where a top health officials said hospitals are at a “ breaking point.
” “ Where we are is in an extremely dire place as a country .
Every metric that we have is trending in the wrong direction .
This is a virus that will continue to escalate at an accelerated speed and that is not going to stop on its own , ” said Dr. Leana Wen , a public health expert at George Washington University .
“ A lot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ physically distancing , not washing our hands quite as often as we used to , maybe not wearing our masks quite as faithfully .
We all need to realize that things are escalating and we ’ ve got to be more careful than ever , ” she said .
Trump has ignored the advice of his top health advisors , who have issued increasingly urgent warnings in recent days about the need for preventive measures , instead holding rallies where face coverings were rare and falsely suggesting that the pandemic is waning .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ what his strategy is for COVID-19 , which is to pretend that there is not a contagious virus all around us , ” Wen said .
Trump has been touting treatments and vaccines , which won ’ t be widely available to all Americans until at least mid-2021 , she noted .
Federal health officials have said they believe a vaccine could get emergency use authorization before the end of the year .
The first limited supplies of doses would then be immediately distributed to the most vulnerable populations , which is likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Doses would then gradually become more widely available .
The timeline hinges on having a vaccine that ’ s shown to be safe and effective , which experts note is not yet a certainty .
“ The vaccine has to move at the speed of science , ” said Dr. Joshua Sharfstein , vice dean for public health practice at Johns Hopkins University and former Maryland state health department chief .
On the treatment front , the makers of two experimental antibody drugs have asked the Food and Drug Administration to allow emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to moderate COVID-19 , and Trump , who received one when he was sickened last month , has said he wanted them available right away .
Most Americans support mandating mask-wearing in public and think preventing the virus from spreading is a higher priority than protecting the economy , according to AP VoteCast , a nationwide survey of over 133,000 voters and nonvoters conducted for The Associated Press by NORC at the University of Chicago .
“ It ’ s going to be Thanksgiving , winter break for college students , Christmas time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to resist close get-togethers this year , he said .
Outbreaks on college campuses mean many students may be bringing the virus home and spreading it to parents and grandparents , he said .

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The United States set another record for daily confirmed coronavirus cases as states around the country posted all-time highs, underscoring the vexing issue that confronts the winner of the presidential race.
The surging cases and hospitalizations reflect the challenge that either President Donald Trump or former Vice President Joe Biden will face in the coming months over the pandemic, with winter and the holidays approaching.
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Public health experts fear potentially dire consequences, at least in the short term.
Trump’s current term doesn’t end until Jan. 20. In the 86 days until then, 100,000 more Americans will likely die from the virus if the nation doesn’t shift course, said Dr. Robert Murphy, executive director of the Institute for Global Health at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, echoing estimates from other public health experts.
Daily new confirmed coronavirus cases in the U.S. have surged 45% over the past two weeks, to a record 7-day average of 86,352, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. Deaths are also on the rise, up 15 percent to an average of 846 deaths every day. The total U.S. death toll is already more than 232,000, and total confirmed U.S. cases have surpassed 9 million. Those are the highest totals in the world, and new infections are increasing in nearly every state.
Several states on Wednesday reported grim numbers that are fueling the national trends. Texas reported 9,048 new cases and 126 deaths, and the number of coronavirus patients in Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma hospitals also set records. About a third of the new cases in Texas happened in hard-hit El Paso, where a top health officials said hospitals are at a “breaking point.”
“Where we are is in an extremely dire place as a country. Every metric that we have is trending in the wrong direction. This is a virus that will continue to escalate at an accelerated speed and that is not going to stop on its own,” said Dr. Leana Wen, a public health expert at George Washington University.
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Dr. Susan Bailey, president of the American Medical Association, said there are things Americans can do now to help change the trajectory.
"Regardless of the outcome of the election, everyone in America needs to buckle down,″ Bailey said.
“A lot of us have gotten kind of relaxed about physically distancing, not washing our hands quite as often as we used to, maybe not wearing our masks quite as faithfully. We all need to realize that things are escalating and we’ve got to be more careful than ever,” she said.
Polls showed the public health crisis and the economy were top concerns for many Americans.
They are competing issues that Trump and Biden view through drastically different lenses.
Trump has ignored the advice of his top health advisors, who have issued increasingly urgent warnings in recent days about the need for preventive measures, instead holding rallies where face coverings were rare and falsely suggesting that the pandemic is waning.
By contrast, Biden has rarely been seen in public without a mask and made public health a key issue. Whether his voice will carry much influence if Trump is declared the winner is uncertain.
“President Trump has already made clear what his strategy is for COVID-19, which is to pretend that there is not a contagious virus all around us,” Wen said. Trump has been touting treatments and vaccines, which won’t be widely available to all Americans until at least mid-2021, she noted.
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“There’s a lot of suffering that is going to happen before then, which could have been prevented,” Wen said.
Federal health officials have said they believe a vaccine could get emergency use authorization before the end of the year. The first limited supplies of doses would then be immediately distributed to the most vulnerable populations, which is likely to include frontline health care workers. Doses would then gradually become more widely available.
The timeline hinges on having a vaccine that’s shown to be safe and effective, which experts note is not yet a certainty. “The vaccine has to move at the speed of science,” said Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, vice dean for public health practice at Johns Hopkins University and former Maryland state health department chief.
On the treatment front, the makers of two experimental antibody drugs have asked the Food and Drug Administration to allow emergency use of them for people with mild to moderate COVID-19, and Trump, who received one when he was sickened last month, has said he wanted them available right away.
So far, the FDA has granted full approval to only one drug — the antiviral remdesivir — for hospitalized patients. Dexamethasone or similar steroids are recommended for certain severely ill patients under federal treatment guidelines.
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The government continues to sponsor many studies testing other treatments alone and in combination with remdesivir.
But the development of treatments could be affected if Trump makes good on threats to fire Dr. Anthony Fauci, the government’s top infectious disease doctor, or other top health officials Trump has clashed with.
Most Americans support mandating mask-wearing in public and think preventing the virus from spreading is a higher priority than protecting the economy, according to AP VoteCast, a nationwide survey of over 133,000 voters and nonvoters conducted for The Associated Press by NORC at the University of Chicago.
While several European countries have imposed or proposed new lockdowns and other restrictions to control surging cases, Trump has resisted those approaches and has focused on rebuilding the economy.
Absent a national pandemic strategy, curbing virus spread in the U.S. will depend on more Americans taking necessary precautions and the upcoming holiday season will make that a challenge, said Dr. Cedric Dark, an emergency physician in Houston.
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“It’s going to be Thanksgiving, winter break for college students, Christmas time and Hannukah,” but families may have to resist close get-togethers this year, he said. Outbreaks on college campuses mean many students may be bringing the virus home and spreading it to parents and grandparents, he said.
Dark, who hasn’t seen his parents in over a year, has had to adjust his own holiday plans. This year, Thanksgiving will be in his parents’ garage, with the door up, chairs at least 6 feet apart, and a space heater if needed.
“We can at least see each other, from a distance,’’ Dark said.
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AP Medical Writer Marilynn Marchione and AP reporter Candice Choi contributed.
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Follow AP Medical Writer Lindsey Tanner at @LindseyTanner.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-04--9 Things Sleep Doctors Would Never Do At Night Before Going To Bed

But for many people , logging a full night ’ s rest can be a challenge .
Less than half of American adults ( 49 % ) get the recommended seven to eight hours of shuteye , according to a Better Sleep Council survey from March .
And just over half of respondents ( 52 % ) described their sleep quality as “ poor ” or “ fair.
” “ Even though nighttime might seem like the perfect time to catch up on the latest COVID-19 information or the presidential race , we should try to avoid things that can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nowadays the news is filled with things that can cause worry and other unwanted emotions that you definitely want to avoid if you are hoping to get a good night ’ s sleep .
The news , in some ways , keeps people up late at night the same way that a horror movie can .
Images and information regarding violence or fear stimulate your mind preventing you from having a smooth transition into sleep.
” — Raj Dasgupta , associate professor of clinical medicine at the University of Southern California ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 pandemic , a significant proportion of our population is working from home these days , and as such , your home has become your office .
You want to avoid at all costs working from your bed , however , as you want to maintain the relationship with the brain that the bed is only for two things — sleep and sex .
As you do more and more mentally stimulating activities in bed , the brain slowly develops a psychological association of the bed being a place to stay awake rather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , can trigger people to develop sleep-onset insomnia .
Your house is already your office , so during these difficult times , use the bed as your sanctuary — a place to relax , escape work and sleep.
” ― Ruchir P. Patel , medical director of the Insomnia and Sleep Institute of Arizona “ Exercise in the morning or during the daytime can go a long way to helping improve insomnia symptoms at night , but exercise late in the day can be counterproductive .
Many people try to exercise at night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out , ’ but are inadvertently making it harder for themselves to fall asleep.
” ― Stacey Gunn , sleep medicine physician at the Insomnia and Sleep Institute of Arizona “ Try your hardest to avoid a heated conversation with your significant other before bed .
As the saying goes , never go to bed angry , or bad feelings will harden into resentment .
There is research to support the idea that negative emotional memories are harder to reverse after a night ’ s sleep .
Plus , anger is a huge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it creates an unhealthy pattern , and destroys potential opportunities for sexual intimacy .
Confrontations lead to a stress response , which is exactly opposite of what you want if you ’ re trying to fall asleep easily .
It ’ s important to create a peaceful environment for you and your partner to have a good night ’ s sleep .
Instead of fighting , maybe snuggle up together and watch ‘ Love Actually , ’ one of my personal favorites.
” — Dasgupta 5 .
They absolutely do not consume @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avoid drinking alcohol .
“ Some people end up self-medicating with a nightcap , because it does help them to fall asleep more easily at the beginning of the night .
But I recommend against it because it causes the sleep architecture to be disrupted later on , resulting in poor quality sleep .
If I do have a drink in the evening , I try to separate it from bedtime , and give the alcohol a chance to clear out of my system before going to sleep.
” ― Gunn 7 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( without a blue light filter ) .
“ In sleep and circadian science , we use the term ‘ zeitgeber ’ — or ‘ time giver ’ — to describe environmental cues that help us entrain to a 24-hour cycle .
Light is the most powerful zeitgeber that signals the brain to stay awake .
Prolonged exposure to bright light around bedtime keeps us awake and reduces the amount of sleep we get .
Exposure to light at night also suppresses the brain ’ s natural production of melatonin , a hormone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and helps us to fall asleep.
” ― Anita Shelgikar , clinical associate professor of neurology and director of the sleep medicine fellowship at the University of Michigan 8 .
They also don ’ t keep the lights in their home turned up bright .
“ I was reminded during a fishing trip to the Outer Banks [ in North Carolina ] with my nephews of the importance of avoiding artificial light before bedtime .
We were forced to use propane lanterns on the island each night as there was no electricity available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fishing trip remarked that the darkness had improved their sleep so much that they might pitch the idea of ‘ Lantern Tuesday ’ to their spouses : A night each week dedicated to reducing light exposure and improving sleep sounds like a great idea to me !
Exposure to bright light suppresses melatonin secretion .
Plus , alteration of the circadian rhythm ( or the daily rhythmic sleep-wake cycle ) by nocturnal light exposure may contribute to cardiovascular and metabolic disease .
What sort of practical steps can one take to avoid bright @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home except for a few lamps several hours before bed.
” — William J. Healy , assistant professor of medicine and director of sleep quality improvement at Augusta University .
9 .
They make sure they don ’ t spend a long time awake in bed .
“ Many of our patients will give themselves a 10-hour sleep window but realistically are only asleep for six to eight hours .
Please do not spend more time in bed than you really need .
All the extra time in bed awake results in your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bed is a place to be awake and also sleep .
But this , in turn , can result in disruption of your sleep drive and thus result in poor sleep efficiency and sleep quality.
” — Patel

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But for many people, logging a full night’s rest can be a challenge. Less than half of American adults (49%) get the recommended seven to eight hours of shuteye, according to a Better Sleep Council survey from March. And just over half of respondents (52%) described their sleep quality as “poor” or “fair.”
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What you do — and don’t do — leading up to bedtime matters; your evening routine can impact your sleep for better or for worse.
We asked sleep doctors what they avoid doing before crawling into their sheets. Of course, no one has perfect sleep habits — not even experts ― but here’s what they try to steer clear of:
1. They don’t watch the news.
“Even though nighttime might seem like the perfect time to catch up on the latest COVID-19 information or the presidential race, we should try to avoid things that can cause anxiety before bed. Unfortunately, nowadays the news is filled with things that can cause worry and other unwanted emotions that you definitely want to avoid if you are hoping to get a good night’s sleep. The news, in some ways, keeps people up late at night the same way that a horror movie can. Images and information regarding violence or fear stimulate your mind preventing you from having a smooth transition into sleep.” — Raj Dasgupta, associate professor of clinical medicine at the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine
2. They avoid working in bed.
“With the COVID-19 pandemic, a significant proportion of our population is working from home these days, and as such, your home has become your office. You want to avoid at all costs working from your bed, however, as you want to maintain the relationship with the brain that the bed is only for two things — sleep and sex.
Advertisement
As you do more and more mentally stimulating activities in bed, the brain slowly develops a psychological association of the bed being a place to stay awake rather than sleep. This, in turn, can trigger people to develop sleep-onset insomnia. Your house is already your office, so during these difficult times, use the bed as your sanctuary — a place to relax, escape work and sleep.” ― Ruchir P. Patel, medical director of the Insomnia and Sleep Institute of Arizona
3. They don’t work out.
“Exercise in the morning or during the daytime can go a long way to helping improve insomnia symptoms at night, but exercise late in the day can be counterproductive. Many people try to exercise at night with the goal of ‘wearing themselves out,’ but are inadvertently making it harder for themselves to fall asleep.” ― Stacey Gunn, sleep medicine physician at the Insomnia and Sleep Institute of Arizona
Adene Sanchez via Getty Images If you watch to catch some Zzzs, avoid exercising too close to your bedtime.
4. They steer clear of tense conversations.
“Try your hardest to avoid a heated conversation with your significant other before bed. As the saying goes, never go to bed angry, or bad feelings will harden into resentment. There is research to support the idea that negative emotional memories are harder to reverse after a night’s sleep.
Plus, anger is a huge turn-off. If you do this repeatedly, it creates an unhealthy pattern, and destroys potential opportunities for sexual intimacy. Confrontations lead to a stress response, which is exactly opposite of what you want if you’re trying to fall asleep easily. It’s important to create a peaceful environment for you and your partner to have a good night’s sleep. Instead of fighting, maybe snuggle up together and watch ‘Love Actually,’ one of my personal favorites.” — Dasgupta
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5. They absolutely do not consume caffeine.
“Avoid drinking any caffeinated drinks past 2 p.m. Caffeinated drinks —including coffee, soda, iced tea, pre-work out drinks or energy drinks — act as a stimulant. Caffeine blocks adenosine receptors — and adenosine [plays a role in] sleep homeostasis.” — Anupama Ramalingam, sleep medicine physician at the Insomnia and Sleep Institute of Arizona
6. They try to avoid drinking alcohol.
“Some people end up self-medicating with a nightcap, because it does help them to fall asleep more easily at the beginning of the night. But I recommend against it because it causes the sleep architecture to be disrupted later on, resulting in poor quality sleep. If I do have a drink in the evening, I try to separate it from bedtime, and give the alcohol a chance to clear out of my system before going to sleep.” ― Gunn
“Many people try to exercise at night with the goal of ‘wearing themselves out,’ but are inadvertently making it harder for themselves to fall asleep.” - Stacey Gunn, sleep medicine physician
7. They don’t use electronic devices (without a blue light filter).
“In sleep and circadian science, we use the term ‘zeitgeber’ — or ‘time giver’ — to describe environmental cues that help us entrain to a 24-hour cycle. Light is the most powerful zeitgeber that signals the brain to stay awake. Prolonged exposure to bright light around bedtime keeps us awake and reduces the amount of sleep we get. Exposure to light at night also suppresses the brain’s natural production of melatonin, a hormone that is released in response to darkness and helps us to fall asleep.” ― Anita Shelgikar, clinical associate professor of neurology and director of the sleep medicine fellowship at the University of Michigan
8. They also don’t keep the lights in their home turned up bright.
“I was reminded during a fishing trip to the Outer Banks [in North Carolina] with my nephews of the importance of avoiding artificial light before bedtime. We were forced to use propane lanterns on the island each night as there was no electricity available. Several of the parents on the fishing trip remarked that the darkness had improved their sleep so much that they might pitch the idea of ‘Lantern Tuesday’ to their spouses: A night each week dedicated to reducing light exposure and improving sleep sounds like a great idea to me!
Advertisement
Exposure to bright light suppresses melatonin secretion. Plus, alteration of the circadian rhythm (or the daily rhythmic sleep-wake cycle) by nocturnal light exposure may contribute to cardiovascular and metabolic disease. What sort of practical steps can one take to avoid bright light? Dim the lights in the home except for a few lamps several hours before bed.” — William J. Healy, assistant professor of medicine and director of sleep quality improvement at Augusta University.
9. They make sure they don’t spend a long time awake in bed.
“Many of our patients will give themselves a 10-hour sleep window but realistically are only asleep for six to eight hours. Please do not spend more time in bed than you really need. All the extra time in bed awake results in your brain starting to develop an association that the bed is a place to be awake and also sleep. But this, in turn, can result in disruption of your sleep drive and thus result in poor sleep efficiency and sleep quality.” — Patel


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-03--Louisiana Voters Pass Restrictive Anti-Abortion Amendment

Amendment 1 adds language to the Louisiana Constitution stating that nothing in it “ shall be construed to secure or protect a right to abortion or require the funding of abortion.
” The outcome ensures that should the U.S. Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade ― a heightened possibility with Justice Amy Coney Barrett on the bench ― state courts would not be able to declare that abortion restrictions violate the Louisiana Constitution .
Any restrictions would be fair game , from limits on when a woman can have the procedure to an outright ban .
The ballot measure was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a rare Democrat in favor of strict anti-abortion laws , and state Sen. Katrina Jackson , another Democrat and the architect behind other attempts to stifle abortion access in the state .
“ Just last year , the Kansas Supreme Court decided a law that protected unborn babies from painful late-term abortions violated its constitution , even though the word abortion can ’ t be found in the Kansas Constitution , ” she wrote in an op-ed last month .
The part that makes me the most concerned about [ the amendment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the absolute lack of exception for anything ― for rape , for incest or , in my case , the health of the mother .
But the measure dangerously ignores the myriad reasons people seek abortions , Katrina L. Rogers , the campaign director for the Louisiana Personal Freedoms Coalition , said on a call with reporters last month .
“ At the end of the day , what the amendment boils down to is , either we force people to have pregnancies that they do not want or we allow the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision for themselves and their families , ” she said .
Barrett ’ s confirmation to the Supreme Court didn ’ t make her more concerned about the bill passing , Rogers added , because she was “ already operating with a sense of urgency ” in Louisiana , which has some of the most abortion restrictions of any state in the country .
Roe v. Wade getting overturned has never felt like a far-off possibility , she said .
Hannah Udell , a Louisiana woman who had to travel 1,200 miles out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year after her doctor discovered a fetal anomaly , attested to that on the call with Rogers .
“ The part that makes me the most concerned about [ the amendment ] is just how overreaching it is and the absolute lack of exception for anything ― for rape , for incest or , in my case , the health of the mother , ” she said .
Voters ’ decision on Amendment 1 comes several months after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down another one of Louisiana ’ s restrictive anti-abortion laws @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perform the procedure .
Had the Supreme Court upheld the law , the state would have been left with a single abortion provider .

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Louisiana voters passed a ballot measure in Tuesday’s election that enshrines anti-abortion language in the state’s constitution, The Associated Press projected.
Amendment 1 adds language to the Louisiana Constitution stating that nothing in it “shall be construed to secure or protect a right to abortion or require the funding of abortion.”
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The outcome ensures that should the U.S. Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade ― a heightened possibility with Justice Amy Coney Barrett on the bench ― state courts would not be able to declare that abortion restrictions violate the Louisiana Constitution. Any restrictions would be fair game, from limits on when a woman can have the procedure to an outright ban.
The ballot measure was supported by Gov. John Bel Edwards, a rare Democrat in favor of strict anti-abortion laws, and state Sen. Katrina Jackson, another Democrat and the architect behind other attempts to stifle abortion access in the state.
Pro-choice and anti-abortion activists clash outside the U.S. Supreme Court in March ahead of a hearing on another Louisiana abortion law. SAUL LOEB via Getty Images
Jackson cited other states’ supreme court decisions in her defense of the Louisiana ballot measure.
“Just last year, the Kansas Supreme Court decided a law that protected unborn babies from painful late-term abortions violated its constitution, even though the word abortion can’t be found in the Kansas Constitution,” she wrote in an op-ed last month.
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“The part that makes me the most concerned about [the amendment] is just how overreaching it is and the absolute lack of exception for anything ― for rape, for incest or, in my case, the health of the mother.” - Hannah Udell, Louisiana woman
But the measure dangerously ignores the myriad reasons people seek abortions, Katrina L. Rogers, the campaign director for the Louisiana Personal Freedoms Coalition, said on a call with reporters last month.
“At the end of the day, what the amendment boils down to is, either we force people to have pregnancies that they do not want or we allow the people of Louisiana to make the best decision for themselves and their families,” she said.
Barrett’s confirmation to the Supreme Court didn’t make her more concerned about the bill passing, Rogers added, because she was “already operating with a sense of urgency” in Louisiana, which has some of the most abortion restrictions of any state in the country. Roe v. Wade getting overturned has never felt like a far-off possibility, she said.
Hannah Udell, a Louisiana woman who had to travel 1,200 miles out of state to get an abortion last year after her doctor discovered a fetal anomaly, attested to that on the call with Rogers.
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“The part that makes me the most concerned about [the amendment] is just how overreaching it is and the absolute lack of exception for anything ― for rape, for incest or, in my case, the health of the mother,” she said.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-03--Broncos GM John Elway Tests Positive For COVID-19

ENGLEWOOD , Colo. ( AP ) — The novel coronavirus has reached the highest levels of the Denver Broncos organization with general manager John Elway and team president Joe Ellis testing positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday .
The Broncos said in a statement that both Elway and Ellis have minor symptoms but are “ doing well ’ and will continue to work from home and in self-isolation and participate in virtual meetings while their health is monitored .
“ Based on a review of contact tracing data with the league , we are confident these cases originated independently outside team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ There were minimal close contacts identified for each ( no players or coaches ) and those individuals have been notified.
” “ While our facilities are closed for Election Day , coaches are conducting their game preparations today remotely as a precaution , ” the team added .
“ Our organization will remain in communication with the NFL , making all decisions in consultation with the league and based on guidance from medical experts.
” The Broncos have had three assistant coaches go under the league ’ s COVID-19 protocols — Curtis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — in addition to right guard Graham Glasgow .
Others at the team ’ s headquarters also have been infected by COVID-19 in recent weeks .
Modkins , the team ’ s running backs coach , returned to work last week after recovering from his infection .
Munchak , their offensive line coach , was out all last week and Donatell , the team ’ s defensive coordinator , went under COVID-19 protocols Sunday morning , skipping the Broncos ’ game against the Los Angeles Chargers .
Glasgow was diagnosed on Friday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and isolated two other O-linemen , backup guard Austin Schlottmann and starting right tackle Demar Dotson , as a precaution .
Ellis began feeling ill Sunday morning and contacted the team ’ s medical staff .
As a precaution , he watched the Broncos ’ 31-30 comeback victory over the Los Angeles Chargers from home , the first time in 26 years he ’ d missed a Broncos home game .
Ellis continued working from home Monday and received a positive COVID-19 test Tuesday morning , as did Elway , who left work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mild symptoms of the infection , the team said .
As part of the NFL ’ s COVID-19 safety protocols put in place so the league could try to play the 2020 season during the pandemic , the Broncos have had all their employees tested daily for the virus .
Players , coaches and other employees also wear contract tracing devices to help curb any outbreaks .
The Broncos have been under the league ’ s enhanced COVID-19 protocols since Modkins ’ infection .
Those extra measures include increased distancing , face coverings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team ’ s facilities for players and coaches and remote team meetings .
Position groups can still meet in person .
The Broncos were affected by the New England Patriots ’ COVID-19 outbreak last month when their game at Gillette Stadium was pushed back , first by a day and then by a week , when Cam Newton and Stephon Gilmore , among others , were infected .
That meant the Broncos ’ Oct. 18 home game against Miami had to get pushed back to Nov. 22 , when they were scheduled to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game was moved up to Nov. 1 , which was supposed to be the Broncos ’ bye .

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ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The novel coronavirus has reached the highest levels of the Denver Broncos organization with general manager John Elway and team president Joe Ellis testing positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday.
The Broncos said in a statement that both Elway and Ellis have minor symptoms but are “doing well’ and will continue to work from home and in self-isolation and participate in virtual meetings while their health is monitored.
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The team said no players or coaches came into close contact with either Elway or Ellis recently.
“Based on a review of contact tracing data with the league, we are confident these cases originated independently outside team facilities,” the Broncos said. “There were minimal close contacts identified for each (no players or coaches) and those individuals have been notified.”
“While our facilities are closed for Election Day, coaches are conducting their game preparations today remotely as a precaution,” the team added. “Our organization will remain in communication with the NFL, making all decisions in consultation with the league and based on guidance from medical experts.”
The Broncos have had three assistant coaches go under the league’s COVID-19 protocols — Curtis Modkins, Mike Munchak and Ed Donatell — in addition to right guard Graham Glasgow. Others at the team’s headquarters also have been infected by COVID-19 in recent weeks.
Modkins, the team’s running backs coach, returned to work last week after recovering from his infection. Munchak, their offensive line coach, was out all last week and Donatell, the team’s defensive coordinator, went under COVID-19 protocols Sunday morning, skipping the Broncos’ game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
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Glasgow was diagnosed on Friday, and the Broncos canceled their on-field workouts and isolated two other O-linemen, backup guard Austin Schlottmann and starting right tackle Demar Dotson, as a precaution.
Schlottmann and Dotson returned to practice Saturday and played against the Chargers. Schlottmann replaced Glasgow at right guard.
Ellis began feeling ill Sunday morning and contacted the team’s medical staff. As a precaution, he watched the Broncos’ 31-30 comeback victory over the Los Angeles Chargers from home, the first time in 26 years he’d missed a Broncos home game.
Ellis continued working from home Monday and received a positive COVID-19 test Tuesday morning, as did Elway, who left work for home Monday after he began experiencing mild symptoms of the infection, the team said.
As part of the NFL’s COVID-19 safety protocols put in place so the league could try to play the 2020 season during the pandemic, the Broncos have had all their employees tested daily for the virus. Players, coaches and other employees also wear contract tracing devices to help curb any outbreaks.
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The Broncos have been under the league’s enhanced COVID-19 protocols since Modkins’ infection. Those extra measures include increased distancing, face coverings on the practice field and inside the team’s facilities for players and coaches and remote team meetings. Position groups can still meet in person.
The Broncos (3-4) are scheduled to return to work Wednesday morning to continue preparations for their game Sunday at Atlanta (2-6).
The Broncos were affected by the New England Patriots’ COVID-19 outbreak last month when their game at Gillette Stadium was pushed back, first by a day and then by a week, when Cam Newton and Stephon Gilmore, among others, were infected.
That meant the Broncos’ Oct. 18 home game against Miami had to get pushed back to Nov. 22, when they were scheduled to host the Chargers. The Chargers’ game was moved up to Nov. 1, which was supposed to be the Broncos’ bye.
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Follow Arnie Melendrez Stapleton on Twitter: http://twitter.com/arniestapleton
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-03--Texas Ranks Highest In Total Number Of COVID-19 Cases In U.S.

AUSTIN , Texas ( AP ) — Texas has surpassed California in recording the highest number of positive coronavirus tests in the U.S. so far , according to data from Johns Hopkins University .
As the coronavirus pandemic surges across the nation , the data from Sunday — the most recent available — says that there have been 938,503 cases in Texas , the nation ’ s second-most populous state .
The true number of infections is likely higher because many people haven ’ t been tested , and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Texas .
The state ’ s cases per 100,000 population is 3,269.84 .
By comparison , California — home to more than 39 million people — has a rate of 2,371.56 cases per 100,000 .
A summer surge of cases overwhelmed hospitals in Houston and along the hard-hit border with Mexico .
But in the fall case numbers dipped , and Gov .
Greg Abbott began relaxing some coronavirus restrictions , allowing restaurants and gyms to let more people inside .
He also let county leaders decide if they wanted to reopen bars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up for COVID-19 tests at the University of Texas-El Paso on October 23 .
The city has seen a surge in cases .
The Johns Hopkins data shows that Texas ’ seven-day rolling average of the positivity rate has risen over the last two weeks from 7.12 % to 10.72 % .
Nationwide , the positivity rate was 6.6 % .
The seven-day rolling average of daily new cases in Texas rose from about 4,470 new cases per day to about 6,070 .
Active cases were estimated at 105,658 , the most since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than when active cases bottomed out on Sept. 20 .
Almost 5,800 COVID-19 hospitalizations were reported in Texas Monday , 87.3 % more than at the Sept. 20 low point .
Medical staff members treat a patient suffering from COVID-19 in the COVID-19 intensive care unit at the United Memorial Medical Center in Houston on October 31 .
In recent weeks new hot spots have emerged in places including the rural upper Midwest and along the U.S.-Mexico border El Paso , where Texas Gov .
Greg Abbott has sent additional medical personnel and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Samaniego says they ’ re struggling to find space for the increasing number of people dying and are setting up a fourth mobile morgue unit at the medical examiner ’ s office .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and a cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia and death .

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AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas has surpassed California in recording the highest number of positive coronavirus tests in the U.S. so far, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
As the coronavirus pandemic surges across the nation, the data from Sunday — the most recent available — says that there have been 938,503 cases in Texas, the nation’s second-most populous state.
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California, the most populous state, has had 938,119 cases, followed by Florida with 812,063.
The true number of infections is likely higher because many people haven’t been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.
An attendant talks to a person waiting in their car at a coronavirus testing site in El Paso, Texas, on Oct. 31. Cengiz Yar via Getty Images
More than 29 million people live in Texas. The state’s cases per 100,000 population is 3,269.84. By comparison, California — home to more than 39 million people — has a rate of 2,371.56 cases per 100,000.
A summer surge of cases overwhelmed hospitals in Houston and along the hard-hit border with Mexico. But in the fall case numbers dipped, and Gov. Greg Abbott began relaxing some coronavirus restrictions, allowing restaurants and gyms to let more people inside. He also let county leaders decide if they wanted to reopen bars at 50% capacity.
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But cases and hospitalizations are once again on the rise.
Cars line up for COVID-19 tests at the University of Texas-El Paso on October 23. The city has seen a surge in cases. PAUL RATJE via Getty Images
The Johns Hopkins data shows that Texas’ seven-day rolling average of the positivity rate has risen over the last two weeks from 7.12% to 10.72%. Nationwide, the positivity rate was 6.6%.
The seven-day rolling average of daily new cases in Texas rose from about 4,470 new cases per day to about 6,070.
Active cases were estimated at 105,658, the most since Aug. 26, and 63.5% more than when active cases bottomed out on Sept. 20. Almost 5,800 COVID-19 hospitalizations were reported in Texas Monday, 87.3% more than at the Sept. 20 low point.
Texas health officials have reported more than 18,000 deaths so far from COVID-19.
Medical staff members treat a patient suffering from COVID-19 in the COVID-19 intensive care unit at the United Memorial Medical Center in Houston on October 31. Go Nakamura via Getty Images
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In recent weeks new hot spots have emerged in places including the rural upper Midwest and along the U.S.-Mexico border El Paso, where Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has sent additional medical personnel and equipment.
Last Thursday, El Paso County officials ordered a two-week shutdown of nonessential activities after the area’s medical resources were overwhelmed by COVID-19 cases.
El Paso County Judge Ricardo Samaniego says they’re struggling to find space for the increasing number of people dying and are setting up a fourth mobile morgue unit at the medical examiner’s office.
Samaniego said Monday that the county had a backlog of more than 90 deaths that needed to be investigated.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-05--Eric Trump Busted For Fake Video Of Someone 'Burning 80 Trump Ballots'

Eric Trump was busted on Wednesday for tweeting a fake viral video of what he claimed was someone burning dozens of ballots cast in favor of his father , President Donald Trump .
As the final result of the 2020 election remained undecided , the president ’ s son retweeted a video that purported to show a man torching 80 ballots for Trump in Virginia Beach , Virginia .
The city of Virginia Beach , however , debunked Eric Trump ’ s post .
“ Those were sample ballots , ” the city responded to Trump on Twitter .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us that ostensibly shows someone burning ballots , ” the city said in a statement on its website .
“ They are NOT official ballots , they are sample ballots.
” Officials noted “ the absence of the bar code markings that are on all official ballots ” in a screenshot from the video .
“ Fire investigators are looking into the illegal burning , ” the city added .
The account that originally posted the clip has now been suspended .
Eric Trump , who late Wednesday falsely claimed that his father @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deleted his own tweet .

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Eric Trump was busted on Wednesday for tweeting a fake viral video of what he claimed was someone burning dozens of ballots cast in favor of his father, President Donald Trump.
As the final result of the 2020 election remained undecided, the president’s son retweeted a video that purported to show a man torching 80 ballots for Trump in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
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Burning 80 Trump Ballots https://t.co/NGC2naMHhR — Eric Trump (@EricTrump) November 4, 2020
The city of Virginia Beach, however, debunked Eric Trump’s post.
“Those were sample ballots,” the city responded to Trump on Twitter.
Those were sample ballots. Addressed this yesterday. https://t.co/yprxQ7Icqn. — Virginia Beach (@CityofVaBeach) November 4, 2020
“A concerned citizen shared a video with us that ostensibly shows someone burning ballots,” the city said in a statement on its website. “They are NOT official ballots, they are sample ballots.”
Officials noted “the absence of the bar code markings that are on all official ballots” in a screenshot from the video.
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“Fire investigators are looking into the illegal burning,” the city added.
The account that originally posted the clip has now been suspended.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-04--Trump Supporters Chant 'Fox News Sucks' On MSNBC In Surreal Scene In Arizona

Some of President Donald Trump ’ s supporters turned on Fox News in an unexpected scene Wednesday in Arizona .
@ @ @ @ @ called the state late Tuesday for Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden , the Trump supporters @ @ @ @ @ News Sucks.
” Trump supporters ― egged on by the president ― have been gathering @ @ @ @ @ states in an effort to interfere with vote counting .
Some of the angriest crowds @ @ @ @ @ fueled by debunked rumors over ballots as well as the early call by Fox News @ @ @ @ @ the president ’ s favorite network , and he is still known to watch and @ @ @ @ @ “ Fox & Friends ” and “ Hannity.
” However , he has also grown @ @ @ @ @ well , openly grousing about its polling and complaining on Twitter when Fox News hosts @ @ @ @ @ summer , he even suggested switching the channel ... but based on his subsequent tweets @ @ @ @ @ network , he hasn ’ t actually done so .

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Some of President Donald Trump’s supporters turned on Fox News in an unexpected scene Wednesday in Arizona.
Unhappy that the network had called the state late Tuesday for Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, the Trump supporters in Phoenix chanted “Fox News Sucks.”
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“They’re actually chanting Fox News Sucks” pic.twitter.com/XqfiHln6Mt — Acyn Torabi (@Acyn) November 5, 2020
Trump supporters ― egged on by the president ― have been gathering outside election offices in multiple states in an effort to interfere with vote counting.
Some of the angriest crowds have been in Arizona, fueled by debunked rumors over ballots as well as the early call by Fox News.
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Fox News was once the president’s favorite network, and he is still known to watch and call into shows such as “Fox & Friends” and “Hannity.”
However, he has also grown unhappy with the network as well, openly grousing about its polling and complaining on Twitter when Fox News hosts interview Democrats.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-05--Giuliani Asks If People Think He's Stupid. Twitter Users Were Happy To Reply.

One day I will be a former mayor .
When the time comes , may you simply put me out @ @ @ @ @ jeopardize the things I was proud of doing with a head-scratching third act .
https @ @

One day I will be a former mayor. When the time comes, may you simply put me out to pasture, not to jeopardize the things I was proud of doing with a head-scratching third act. https://t.co/BYfX2e5nTC


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-05--Trump Backers Converge On Vote Centers In Michigan, Arizona

Dozens of angry supporters of President Donald Trump converged on vote-counting centers in Detroit and Phoenix as the returns went against him Wednesday in the two key states , while thousands of anti-Trump protesters demanding a complete tally of the ballots in the still-undecided election took to the streets in cities across the U.S .
The protests came as the president insisted without evidence that there were major problems with the voting and the ballot counting , especially with mail-in votes , and as Republicans filed suit in various states over the election .
Wearing Trump gear , the Phoenix @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Maricopa County election center , and members of the crowd chanted , “ Fox News sucks !
” in anger over the network declaring Joe Biden the winner in Arizona .
However , observers from both major political parties were inside the election center as ballots were processed and counted , and the procedure was live-streamed online at all times .
People wanting to be election challengers yell as they look through the windows of the central counting board as police were helping to keep additional challengers from entering due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in Detroit .
“ Everyone should want all the votes to be counted , whether they were mailed or cast in person , ” said the statement signed by Clint Hickman , the GOP chair of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors , and Democratic Supervisor Steve Gallardo .
“ An accurate vote takes time .
...
This is evidence of democracy , not fraud.
” In Portland , Oregon , which has been a scene of regular protests for months , Gov .
Kate Brown called out the National Guard as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ widespread violence downtown , including smashing windows .
Protesters in Portland were demonstrating about a range of issues , including police brutality and the counting of the vote .
“ It ’ s important to trust the process , and the system that has ensured free and fair elections in this country through the decades , even in times of great crisis , ” Brown said in a statement .
“ We are all in this together.
” “ To cast doubt on this election has terrible consequences for our democracy , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are a very polarized society now — and I ’ m worried about what ’ s going to come in the next days and weeks and months.
” In New York , hundreds of people paraded past boarded-up luxury stores on Manhattan ’ s Fifth Avenue , and in Chicago , demonstrators marched through downtown and along a street across the river from Trump Tower .
Video shot by local media showed angry people gathered outside the TCF Center and inside the lobby , with police officers lined up to keep them from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ Stop the count !
” and “ Stop the vote !
” Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel , a Democrat , insisted both parties and the public had been given access to the tallying , “ using a robust system of checks and balances to ensure that all ballots are counted fairly and accurately.
” Michigan has been on edge for months over fears of political violence .
Anti-government protesters openly carried guns into the state Capitol during protests over coronavirus restrictions in the spring , and six men were arrested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kidnap Democratic Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer

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Dozens of angry supporters of President Donald Trump converged on vote-counting centers in Detroit and Phoenix as the returns went against him Wednesday in the two key states, while thousands of anti-Trump protesters demanding a complete tally of the ballots in the still-undecided election took to the streets in cities across the U.S.
“Stop the count!” the Trump supporters chanted in Detroit. “Stop the steal!” they said in Phoenix.
The protests came as the president insisted without evidence that there were major problems with the voting and the ballot counting, especially with mail-in votes, and as Republicans filed suit in various states over the election.
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Wearing Trump gear, the Phoenix protesters filled much of the parking lot at the Maricopa County election center, and members of the crowd chanted, “Fox News sucks!” in anger over the network declaring Joe Biden the winner in Arizona.
Rep. Paul Gosar, an Arizona Republican and staunch Trump supporter, joined the crowd, declaring: “We’re not going to let this election be stolen. Period.”
However, observers from both major political parties were inside the election center as ballots were processed and counted, and the procedure was live-streamed online at all times.
People wanting to be election challengers yell as they look through the windows of the central counting board as police were helping to keep additional challengers from entering due to overcrowding, on Nov. 4, 2020, in Detroit. AP Photo/Carlos Osorio
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Several sheriff’s deputies blocked the entrance to the building. And the vote-counting went on into the night, Maricopa County Elections Department spokeswoman Megan Gilbertson said.
Two top county officials — one a Democrat, the other a Republican — issued a statement expressing concern about how misinformation had spread about the integrity of the election process.
“Everyone should want all the votes to be counted, whether they were mailed or cast in person,” said the statement signed by Clint Hickman, the GOP chair of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, and Democratic Supervisor Steve Gallardo. “An accurate vote takes time. ... This is evidence of democracy, not fraud.”
Meanwhile, from New York City to Seattle, thousands of demonstrators turned out to demand that every vote be tallied.
In Portland, Oregon, which has been a scene of regular protests for months, Gov. Kate Brown called out the National Guard as demonstrators engaged in what authorities said was widespread violence downtown, including smashing windows. Protesters in Portland were demonstrating about a range of issues, including police brutality and the counting of the vote.
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“It’s important to trust the process, and the system that has ensured free and fair elections in this country through the decades, even in times of great crisis,” Brown said in a statement. “We are all in this together.”
Richard March came to an anti-Trump demonstration in Portland despite a heart condition that makes him vulnerable to COVID-19.
“To cast doubt on this election has terrible consequences for our democracy,” he said. “I think we are a very polarized society now — and I’m worried about what’s going to come in the next days and weeks and months.”
In New York, hundreds of people paraded past boarded-up luxury stores on Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue, and in Chicago, demonstrators marched through downtown and along a street across the river from Trump Tower.
Similar protests — sometimes about the election, sometimes about racial inequality — took place in at least a half-dozen cities, including Los Angeles, Houston, Pittsburgh, Minneapolis and San Diego.
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The confrontation in Detroit started shortly before The Associated Press declared that Biden had won Michigan.
Video shot by local media showed angry people gathered outside the TCF Center and inside the lobby, with police officers lined up to keep them from entering the vote-counting area. They chanted, “Stop the count!” and “Stop the vote!”
Earlier, the Republican campaign filed suit in a bid to halt the count, demanding Michigan’s Democratic secretary of state allow in more inspectors.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, a Democrat, insisted both parties and the public had been given access to the tallying, “using a robust system of checks and balances to ensure that all ballots are counted fairly and accurately.”
Michigan has been on edge for months over fears of political violence. Anti-government protesters openly carried guns into the state Capitol during protests over coronavirus restrictions in the spring, and six men were arrested last month on charges of plotting to kidnap Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
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On Election Night, scattered protests broke after voting ended, stretching from Washington, D.C., to Seattle, but there was no widespread unrest or significant violence.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-04--Trump 'Hereby Claims' Michigan And Inspires Massive Twitter Snark

President Donald Trump attempted to claim without evidence that he won Michigan on Wednesday , but he seemed to succeed only in inspiring Twitter critics to new heights of snark .
It all started when the president posted two tweets announcing that he was claiming victory in the Wolverine State as well as Pennsylvania , Georgia and North Carolina before they were officially called .
We have claimed , for Electoral Vote purposes , the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania ( which won ’ t allow legal observers ) the State of Georgia , and the State of North Carolina , each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead .
Additionally , we hereby claim the State of Michigan if , in fact , ... .. — Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) November 4 , 2020 Twitter put a notice on both tweets for being misleading , especially because none of those races had been called .
For that reason , many Twitter users found the president ’ s victory claim dubious at best .
The 2020 election is not the moon .
To be clear , there is no winner yet and you can not just decide to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ https : //t.co/ohoaVtUZeV — Megan Pratz ( @ meganpratz ) November 4 , 2020 Today I learned that you can just `` claim '' states before votes are done being counted like you 're planting a flag .
# Election2020 https : //t.co/I30wJ0TdmO pic.twitter.com/AbAcMz76q0 — Drew Scofield ( @ DrewScofield01 ) November 4 , 2020 I wonder if Trumps thinks that the Electoral College is an actual school , where you can claim states like school kids on a bus trip claiming `` same seats . ''
I mean , it 's an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kerr ( @ OrinKerr ) November 4 , 2020 One Twitter user wondered what law allows a candidate to call “ dibs ” on a state .
However , the president ’ s tweet ― especially his use of the flowery “ hereby claim ” phrase ― did inspire others to use his same dubious logic to make their own unlikely dreams come true .
I have claimed , for Electoral Vote purposes , Mordor ( which wo n't allow hobbits ) , The Shire , and Rivendale .
Moreover , I hereby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good measure too .
So let it be written , so let it be done !
https : //t.co/e7xfmk2oDe — Nomadic Matt ( @ nomadicmatt ) November 4 , 2020 I have claimed Chris Evans for husband purposes .
That 's how this works , right ?
I can just make shit up and pretend it 's truth ?
https : //t.co/iUtvlO6F5Z — Elizabeth Cotignola 😷 🍁 🇮🇹 ( @ LaDiavolina ) November 4 , 2020 I claim this baggy jacket is my king 's robe .
I claim this rock is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
I claim this wig hat is a crown , and will defend it to my dying breath ... https : //t.co/rKO1iT6Ma4 — Karen DaltonBeninato ( @ kbeninato ) November 4 , 2020 One person did have a suggestion for Trump if he wanted to see if this magical thinking approach really works .

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President Donald Trump attempted to claim without evidence that he won Michigan on Wednesday, but he seemed to succeed only in inspiring Twitter critics to new heights of snark.
It all started when the president posted two tweets announcing that he was claiming victory in the Wolverine State as well as Pennsylvania, Georgia and North Carolina before they were officially called.
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We have claimed, for Electoral Vote purposes, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (which won’t allow legal observers) the State of Georgia, and the State of North Carolina, each one of which has a BIG Trump lead. Additionally, we hereby claim the State of Michigan if, in fact,..... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 4, 2020
.....there was a large number of secretly dumped ballots as has been widely reported! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 4, 2020
Twitter put a notice on both tweets for being misleading, especially because none of those races had been called.
For that reason, many Twitter users found the president’s victory claim dubious at best.
I'm no constitutional expert, but I'm pretty sure this isn't how it works. https://t.co/NgrfXvL88O — Sharky Laguana (@Sharkyl) November 4, 2020
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The 2020 election is not the moon.
To be clear, there is no winner yet and you cannot just decide to declare victory because you want to. https://t.co/ohoaVtUZeV — Megan Pratz (@meganpratz) November 4, 2020
Today I learned that you can just "claim" states before votes are done being counted like you're planting a flag. #Election2020 https://t.co/I30wJ0TdmO pic.twitter.com/AbAcMz76q0 — Drew Scofield (@DrewScofield01) November 4, 2020
I wonder if Trumps thinks that the Electoral College is an actual school, where you can claim states like school kids on a bus trip claiming "same seats." I mean, it's an explanation. https://t.co/RGsUeHjx27 — Orin Kerr (@OrinKerr) November 4, 2020
One Twitter user wondered what law allows a candidate to call “dibs” on a state.
Y'all I can't believe we all missed the "Dibs" section of federal election law. https://t.co/8pN5Yhn5FF pic.twitter.com/XwHVPIxovf — Ryan Famuliner (@RyanFamuliner) November 4, 2020
However, the president’s tweet ― especially his use of the flowery “hereby claim” phrase ― did inspire others to use his same dubious logic to make their own unlikely dreams come true.
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I hereby claim the White House, Mar-a-Lago, and Trump Tower in the name of Spain. https://t.co/xqhFn5ywH7 — Dana Nuccitelli (@dana1981) November 4, 2020
I have claimed, for Electoral Vote purposes, Mordor (which won't allow hobbits), The Shire, and Rivendale. Moreover, I hereby claim the Lost City of Atlantis for good measure too. So let it be written, so let it be done! https://t.co/e7xfmk2oDe — Nomadic Matt (@nomadicmatt) November 4, 2020
I have claimed Chris Evans for husband purposes. That's how this works, right? I can just make shit up and pretend it's truth? https://t.co/iUtvlO6F5Z — Elizabeth Cotignola 😷 🍁 🇮🇹 (@LaDiavolina) November 4, 2020
I claim this planet in the name of Mars! https://t.co/ZOyVZ7S4jV pic.twitter.com/fDIvn2pCuV — Nicholas Weaver (@ncweaver) November 4, 2020
I claim this baggy jacket is my king's robe.
I claim this rock is a diamond and want a million dollars for it.
I claim this wig hat is a crown, and will defend it to my dying breath... https://t.co/rKO1iT6Ma4 — Karen DaltonBeninato (@kbeninato) November 4, 2020
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I claim that I am vengeance, I am the night, I am Batman. https://t.co/ofUp0whERa — Shelby "VOTE TODAY" Young (@shelby_young) November 4, 2020
I hereby claim health insurance — Moira Donegan (@MoiraDonegan) November 4, 2020
I have claimed, for Deeply Selfish and Unqualified Reasons, a spot in the NASCAR field at Circuit of The Americas https://t.co/gytK4xmyXD — Alanis King (@alanisnking) November 4, 2020
One person did have a suggestion for Trump if he wanted to see if this magical thinking approach really works.
At this point, he should try claiming Greenland and see if that works. https://t.co/V0bHRW4Gya — Dave Lauer (@dlauer) November 4, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-05--Conservative Columnist Laments Closeness Of Election: Trumpism Is Hardly Repudiated

Conservative columnist Max Boot lamented the nail-biting closeness of the 2020 election in his latest op-ed for The Washington Post , writing “ this wasn ’ t the blue wave election that I wanted or the nation needed.
” “ It should not have been this close , ” said Boot , recalling President Donald Trump ’ s catalog of failings , from his lies , divisive rhetoric and impeachment to his catastrophic handling of the coronavirus pandemic and the cratering of the economy .
“ That Trump did so well in the election after doing so badly as president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the never-Trump pundit who quit the GOP in 2016 .
“ So too is the fact that Republicans seem to have paid little price for allowing him to ride roughshod over the Constitution , lock kids in cages and spread the poison of nativism and racism , ” he added .
Boot said the election ’ s message was “ simple if disheartening : Demagoguery and dishonesty work.
” “ That does not augur well for our future , even if the likely defeat of Trump himself is an enormous achievement , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ We ’ re better than this .
Aren ’ t we ?
” We may not be .
”

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Conservative columnist Max Boot lamented the nail-biting closeness of the 2020 election in his latest op-ed for The Washington Post, writing “this wasn’t the blue wave election that I wanted or the nation needed.”
“It should not have been this close,” said Boot, recalling President Donald Trump’s catalog of failings, from his lies, divisive rhetoric and impeachment to his catastrophic handling of the coronavirus pandemic and the cratering of the economy.
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“That Trump did so well in the election after doing so badly as president is mind-boggling and disturbing,” wrote the never-Trump pundit who quit the GOP in 2016. “So too is the fact that Republicans seem to have paid little price for allowing him to ride roughshod over the Constitution, lock kids in cages and spread the poison of nativism and racism,” he added.
Boot said the election’s message was “simple if disheartening: Demagoguery and dishonesty work.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-04--Joe Biden Receives Most Votes In Presidential Election History

There ’ s no clear winner yet in the 2020 presidential election , but Democratic nominee Joe Biden has already made history by winning the most votes a presidential candidate has ever received in a U.S. election .
The former vice president has amassed more than 70 million votes so far , breaking the record Barack Obama nabbed in 2008 when he secured 69,498,516 votes in his presidential race against Republican Sen. John McCain .
Biden sets the record in an election that could very well have the highest voter turnout in 120 years .
Democrats have been incredibly motivated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the most polarizing presidents in American history , and led a dedicated campaign the past four years to increase voter accessibility and turnout .
Of course , elections are not decided by the popular vote but rather by the candidate who wins the Electoral College .
That tabulation was still unclear as of Wednesday evening , but Biden ’ s path to victory appeared more viable than Trump ’ s with several media outlets projecting Democratic wins in some key swing states .
“ I ’ m not here to declare that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Tuesday afternoon .
“ But I am here to report , when the count is finished , we believe we will be the winners.
” Trump , meanwhile , has claimed he ’ s won the election , telling supporters in the early hours Wednesday that Democrats were trying to steal the election by continuing to count legal , mail-in ballots ― a practice that has been standard in every presidential election .
His campaign has launched legal challenges to contest ballots in Pennsylvania and Michigan , and has requested a recount @ @ @ @ @ @ @ embarrassment to our country , ” the president said early Wednesday .
“ We were getting ready to win this election .
Frankly , we did win this election.
” He added : “ We want all voting to stop .
We don ’ t want them to find any ballots at 4 o ’ clock in the morning and add them to the list .
It ’ s a very sad moment .
We will win this , and as far as I ’ m concerned we already have won .
”

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There’s no clear winner yet in the 2020 presidential election, but Democratic nominee Joe Biden has already made history by winning the most votes a presidential candidate has ever received in a U.S. election.
The former vice president has amassed more than 70 million votes so far, breaking the record Barack Obama nabbed in 2008 when he secured 69,498,516 votes in his presidential race against Republican Sen. John McCain.
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Biden sets the record in an election that could very well have the highest voter turnout in 120 years. Democrats have been incredibly motivated to unseat President Donald Trump, one of the most polarizing presidents in American history, and led a dedicated campaign the past four years to increase voter accessibility and turnout.
Of course, elections are not decided by the popular vote but rather by the candidate who wins the Electoral College. That tabulation was still unclear as of Wednesday evening, but Biden’s path to victory appeared more viable than Trump’s with several media outlets projecting Democratic wins in some key swing states.
“I’m not here to declare that we’ve won,” Biden said Tuesday afternoon. “But I am here to report, when the count is finished, we believe we will be the winners.”
Trump, meanwhile, has claimed he’s won the election, telling supporters in the early hours Wednesday that Democrats were trying to steal the election by continuing to count legal, mail-in ballots ― a practice that has been standard in every presidential election. His campaign has launched legal challenges to contest ballots in Pennsylvania and Michigan, and has requested a recount in Wisconsin.
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“This is an embarrassment to our country,” the president said early Wednesday. “We were getting ready to win this election. Frankly, we did win this election.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-04--Promise Made, Promise Kept: Trump Said He Would Cheat, And He's Now Trying To Do So

WASHINGTON ― President Donald Trump is quickly delivering on a late campaign promise : cheating by trying to stop the count of legally cast ballots that would likely hurt his chances .
Trump spelled out his plan on Sunday , promising to send “ our lawyers ” into Pennsylvania to end counting there , and he repeated complaints about vote counting generally early Wednesday from the White House : “ This is a major fraud on our nation .
We want the law to be used in a proper manner , so we ’ ll be going to the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of trying to broadly delegitimize any election result that did not return him to the White House for a second term : “ The only way they can win is to cheat , in my opinion , ” he told Fox Sports Radio in September .
Anthony Scaramucci , a longtime Trump friend , then briefly the White House communications director and now a fierce Trump critic , said Trump ’ s pre-election statements likely worked against him .
“ Telegraphing what he was doing caused there to be a major rush of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He is unwell .
Very sick guy.
” On Wednesday , Trump ’ s campaign , which for four years falsely accused 2016 Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton of refusing to accept the results of that election , took multiple steps to refuse to accept the results of Tuesday ’ s election .
This included lawsuits to stop the lawful counting of votes in Pennsylvania and Michigan , demands that news organizations withdraw projections that Democratic nominee Joe Biden had won Arizona and outright claims that Trump had won Pennsylvania .
The campaign even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where local elections officials are continuing their count of more than a million mail-in ballots .
“ This is absolute fraud , ” declared Eric Trump , without offering any evidence , while his father ’ s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani said he would conduct an investigation into how many dead people had voted .
Trump followed up personally with a Twitter post saying that , “ for Electoral Vote purposes , ” he was claiming the states of Pennsylvania , North Carolina , Georgia and Michigan .
There was , in fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occurring in the vote count .
States frequently go well past election night to count ballots , particularly in high-turnout races .
And in the cases of Pennsylvania and Michigan , Republican state lawmakers refused requests from Democratic governors and elections officials to permit the counting of mail-in votes before Election Day , so that it would not take as many days afterward until a result could be announced .
Trump ’ s demand that vote counting cease immediately would also have the effect of disenfranchising ballots from military service members overseas .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ counted if they arrive by Nov. 10 , and in Michigan by Nov. 17 , as long as they have been sent by Election Day .
The Biden campaign , meanwhile , expressed confidence that vote counts , when finished , would deliver them Arizona , Pennsylvania and Nevada , more than enough to cross the 270 electoral vote threshold for victory .
“ I ’ m not here to declare that we won , but I am here to report that when the count is finished , we believe we will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a brief appearance Wednesday in Wilmington , Delaware .

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WASHINGTON ― President Donald Trump is quickly delivering on a late campaign promise: cheating by trying to stop the count of legally cast ballots that would likely hurt his chances.
Trump spelled out his plan on Sunday, promising to send “our lawyers” into Pennsylvania to end counting there, and he repeated complaints about vote counting generally early Wednesday from the White House: “This is a major fraud on our nation. We want the law to be used in a proper manner, so we’ll be going to the U.S. Supreme Court.”
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This came after weeks of trying to broadly delegitimize any election result that did not return him to the White House for a second term: “The only way they can win is to cheat, in my opinion,” he told Fox Sports Radio in September.
Anthony Scaramucci, a longtime Trump friend, then briefly the White House communications director and now a fierce Trump critic, said Trump’s pre-election statements likely worked against him. “Telegraphing what he was doing caused there to be a major rush of voting,” he said. “He is unwell. Very sick guy.”
On Wednesday, Trump’s campaign, which for four years falsely accused 2016 Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton of refusing to accept the results of that election, took multiple steps to refuse to accept the results of Tuesday’s election. This included lawsuits to stop the lawful counting of votes in Pennsylvania and Michigan, demands that news organizations withdraw projections that Democratic nominee Joe Biden had won Arizona and outright claims that Trump had won Pennsylvania.
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden speaks Wednesday in Wilmington, Delaware. Carolyn Kaster/ASSOCIATED PRESS
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The campaign even staged a news conference in Philadelphia, where local elections officials are continuing their count of more than a million mail-in ballots. “This is absolute fraud,” declared Eric Trump, without offering any evidence, while his father’s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani said he would conduct an investigation into how many dead people had voted.
Trump followed up personally with a Twitter post saying that, “for Electoral Vote purposes,” he was claiming the states of Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia and Michigan.
There was, in fact, zero evidence that anything inappropriate was occurring in the vote count. States frequently go well past election night to count ballots, particularly in high-turnout races. And in the cases of Pennsylvania and Michigan, Republican state lawmakers refused requests from Democratic governors and elections officials to permit the counting of mail-in votes before Election Day, so that it would not take as many days afterward until a result could be announced.
Trump’s demand that vote counting cease immediately would also have the effect of disenfranchising ballots from military service members overseas. In Pennsylvania, those ballots can be counted if they arrive by Nov. 10, and in Michigan by Nov. 17, as long as they have been sent by Election Day.
The Biden campaign, meanwhile, expressed confidence that vote counts, when finished, would deliver them Arizona, Pennsylvania and Nevada, more than enough to cross the 270 electoral vote threshold for victory.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-04--These Candidates Just Made History

These Candidates Just Made History

With the outcome of the presidential race still undecided , the 2020 elections have already made history down the ballot , with candidates for the U.S. House and state legislatures breaking barriers for racial , gender and queer representation .
He said in a tweet Tuesday that he was “ grateful for the opportunity to serve the community that raised me — the community that just sent an openly gay , Black guy who grew up in Section 8 housing and on food stamps to Congress.
” I am humbled by the trust voters in Westchester and Rockland have placed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opportunity to serve the community that raised me — the community that just sent an openly gay , Black guy who grew up in Section 8 housing and on food stamps to Congress .
https : //t.co/O88nA5LN5q — Mondaire Jones ( @ MondaireJones ) November 4 , 2020 Ritchie Torres will be the first openly gay Black and Latino congressman .
Torres , a Democrat , handily won his race in New York ’ s 15th Congressional District , which covers part of the South Bronx .
Torres , who identifies as Afro-Latinx @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first openly gay Latinx congressman , along with joining Jones as the first openly gay Black ones .
Cori Bush will be Missouri ’ s first Black congresswoman .
The 44-year-old progressive , who was a Black Lives Matter activist in Ferguson , Missouri , easily won election after she defeated Rep. William Lacy Clay in an upset in the Democratic primary in August .
A record number of Native candidates are headed to Congress .
With six Indigenous candidates winning their U.S. House races , the chamber will now have the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Haaland and Davids ― who made history two years ago as the first Native women elected to Congress ― two others won new terms .
One of the new members is Democrat Kaiali ’ i “ Kai ” Kahele , who won his race in Hawaii ’ s 2nd Congressional District .
The 46-year-old will be only the second Native Hawaiian to represent the Aloha State in Congress since it gained statehood in 1959 .
New Mexico now boasts a barrier-breaking House delegation that is all women of color .
Along with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Laguna , Republican Yvette Herrell , 56 , who is Cherokee , unseated a Democratic incumbent in the 2nd Congressional District and Democrat Teresa Leger Fernandez , 61 , who is Latina , won an open seat in the 3rd Congressional District .
Sarah McBride will be the nation ’ s first openly transgender state senator .
Several Muslim Americans make history as the first lawmakers of their faith in their states .
Three Muslim women won seats in their state Houses : Democrat Mauree Turner , a 27-year-old political newcomer who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elected in Oklahoma ; Democrat Madinah Wilson-Anton , 27 , did likewise in Delaware , as did Democrat Iman Jodeh in Colorado .
All will be the first Muslim lawmakers in their state ’ s history .

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With the outcome of the presidential race still undecided, the 2020 elections have already made history down the ballot, with candidates for the U.S. House and state legislatures breaking barriers for racial, gender and queer representation.
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Here’s who just made history with their wins:
Mondaire Jones will be the nation’s first openly gay Black congressman.
Jones, a 33-year-old Democrat, cruised to victory in New York’s 17th Congressional District, which spans part of the city and its suburbs.
He said in a tweet Tuesday that he was “grateful for the opportunity to serve the community that raised me — the community that just sent an openly gay Black guy who grew up in Section 8 housing and on food stamps to Congress.”
I am humbled by the trust voters in Westchester and Rockland have placed in me, and grateful for the opportunity to serve the community that raised me — the community that just sent an openly gay, Black guy who grew up in Section 8 housing and on food stamps to Congress. https://t.co/O88nA5LN5q — Mondaire Jones (@MondaireJones) November 4, 2020
Ritchie Torres will be the first openly gay Black and Latino congressman.
Torres, a Democrat, handily won his race in New York’s 15th Congressional District, which covers part of the South Bronx. Torres, who identifies as Afro-Latinx, will be the nation’s first openly gay Latinx congressman, along with joining Jones as the first openly gay Black ones.
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Torres already broke barriers seven years ago when he became the first openly gay person elected to the New York City Council.
“Tonight, we made history,” Torres, 32, tweeted on Tuesday. “It is the honor of a lifetime to represent the essential borough, the Bronx.”
Cori Bush will be Missouri’s first Black congresswoman.
Bush triumphed in her state’s 1st Congressional District seat, making her the first Black woman to represent the state in Congress.
The 44-year-old progressive, who was a Black Lives Matter activist in Ferguson, Missouri, easily won election after she defeated Rep. William Lacy Clay in an upset in the Democratic primary in August.
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A record number of Native candidates are headed to Congress.
With six Indigenous candidates winning their U.S. House races, the chamber will now have the most Native lawmakers serving at once. Along with Haaland and Davids ― who made history two years ago as the first Native women elected to Congress ― two others won new terms.
One of the new members is Democrat Kaiali’i “Kai” Kahele, who won his race in Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District. The 46-year-old will be only the second Native Hawaiian to represent the Aloha State in Congress since it gained statehood in 1959.
New Mexico now boasts a barrier-breaking House delegation that is all women of color. Along with Haaland, a member of the Pueblo of Laguna, Republican Yvette Herrell, 56, who is Cherokee, unseated a Democratic incumbent in the 2nd Congressional District and Democrat Teresa Leger Fernandez, 61,who is Latina, won an open seat in the 3rd Congressional District.
The Land of Enchantment’s population is comprised of a majority of people of color, ― 49% Latina, 37% non-Latina white, and 11% Native American.
Sarah McBride will be the nation’s first openly transgender state senator.
In winning her seat in Delaware, the 30-year McBride will be the first openly trans person to serve in a state Senate.
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“I hope tonight shows an LGBTQ kid that our democracy is big enough for them, too,” McBride said in a Tweet Tuesday night.
I hope tonight shows an LGBTQ kid that our democracy is big enough for them, too. — Sarah McBride (@SarahEMcBride) November 4, 2020
Several Muslim Americans make history as the first lawmakers of their faith in their states.
In Wisconsin, Democrat Samba Baldeh became the first Muslim elected to the State Assembly, and in Florida, Democrat Christopher Benjamin, 47, became the first to win a state legislative seat in that state.
We did it!! Thank you so much to every voter, supporter, grassroots donor and loved ones who made today possible. Alhamdulillah ❤ — Madinah Wilson-Anton (@MadinahForDE) November 4, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-04--Trump Launches Furious, Baseless Legal Assault As His Chances Of Victory Diminish

On Wednesday , as Biden ’ s vote shares in Michigan , Nevada , Pennsylvania , Wisconsin and Georgia crept up on the strength of mail-in ballots , the Trump campaign began to file multiple suits in those states .
While the legal filings may not say so directly , these lawsuits will all hinge on Trump ’ s false theory that the valid votes being counted in these states are somehow fraudulent .
Trump has repeatedly , and falsely , cast suspicion on absentee ballots and promised early Wednesday morning to go to the U.S. Supreme Court to stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Trump campaign said it filed suit in state court on Wednesday to halt vote counting , alleging that the campaign was denied access to “ numerous counting locations ” across the state to observe the opening of ballots .
In Pennsylvania , the campaign moved to intervene in a case that has already been before the U.S. Supreme Court once .
The campaign said it is engaged in two other lawsuits designed to immediately stop the counting of ballots by challenging the state ’ s implementation of first-time voter identification rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case that failed on Tuesday , by claiming the campaign ’ s observers were not allowed proper access to watch the counting of ballots .
Trump ’ s legal effort is confused and contradictory .
In Michigan , he is suing to stop ballots from being counted ― even though he trailed Biden in the state as of Wednesday afternoon .
In Georgia ’ s Chatham County , the Trump campaign also asked a judge for a pause , and The Associated Press reported the campaign is “ considering peppering a dozen other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around absentee ballots.
” In Nevada , where Trump also trails , his campaign is pushing for the state to keep counting the votes , although that may soon change when absentee ballots start to come in under the extended ballot receipt deadline .
The Biden campaign said that it will win the election when all votes are counted and will defend that victory from any legal effort to stop votes from being counted .
Absentee ballot receipt deadlines in certain states are likely to emerge as a key area for legal challenges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might be irrelevant if Biden ’ s margins are too big in those states for the additional votes to be a determining factor .
The deadlines in Nevada , North Carolina and Pennsylvania were extended to allow absentee ballots postmarked by Election Day to still count if they arrive at the relevant board of elections a certain number of days after Election Day .
The Nevada legislature passed and the governor signed legislation to provide for an all-mail election during the coronavirus pandemic that included extending the deadline to allow ballots postmarked by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to seven days afterward .
The measure also deems ballots with no clear postmark to have been postmarked on Election Day .
The Trump campaign sought ― and failed ― to overturn the extended deadline in each state before Nov. 3 .
Their challenges to the Pennsylvania and North Carolina ballot receipt extensions came closest to succeeding .
In both cases , their challenges went to the U.S. Supreme Court , where four of the conservative justices suggested they would be open to reversing the orders extending the ballot receipt deadlines based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislatures may change their state ’ s election laws .
While these challenges barely failed at the U.S. Supreme Court in October , they could have a different result now .
When they were heard , Trump ’ s most recent Supreme Court pick , Justice Amy Coney Barrett , did not take part in either case .
Were she to join the other four conservative justices who questioned the receipt deadline extensions , those orders could be nullified and tens of thousands of ballots invalidated .
Other legal efforts to stop votes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that have been cast may be harder to advance .
On Wednesday , a lawsuit brought by Pennsylvania Republicans challenging the process that the state ’ s county election officials used to allow voters to correct errors on their ballots went before a federal judge appointed by President George W. Bush .
The judge looked dimly on it .

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As his path to victory continues to evaporate, President Donald Trump is moving to stop key swing states from counting absentee ballots by filing legal challenges that could drag on the election even if Democratic opponent Joe Biden is named the projected winner by news organizations.
On Wednesday, as Biden’s vote shares in Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Georgia crept up on the strength of mail-in ballots, the Trump campaign began to file multiple suits in those states. While the legal filings may not say so directly, these lawsuits will all hinge on Trump’s false theory that the valid votes being counted in these states are somehow fraudulent. Trump has repeatedly, and falsely, cast suspicion on absentee ballots and promised early Wednesday morning to go to the U.S. Supreme Court to stop ballots from being counted.
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There is no merit to these claims of fraud, nor any evidence presented. But the Trump campaign is pushing ahead anyway.
In Michigan, the Trump campaign said it filed suit in state court on Wednesday to halt vote counting, alleging that the campaign was denied access to “numerous counting locations” across the state to observe the opening of ballots.
In Pennsylvania, the campaign moved to intervene in a case that has already been before the U.S. Supreme Court once. The campaign said it is engaged in two other lawsuits designed to immediately stop the counting of ballots by challenging the state’s implementation of first-time voter identification rules and, as an appeal of a case that failed on Tuesday, by claiming the campaign’s observers were not allowed proper access to watch the counting of ballots.
More lawsuits are expected to be filed in Nevada and North Carolina. The campaign is also pushing for a recount in Wisconsin.
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Trump’s legal effort is confused and contradictory. In Michigan, he is suing to stop ballots from being counted ― even though he trailed Biden in the state as of Wednesday afternoon. In Georgia’s Chatham County, the Trump campaign also asked a judge for a pause, and The Associated Press reported the campaign is “considering peppering a dozen other counties around the state with similar claims around absentee ballots.”
In Nevada, where Trump also trails, his campaign is pushing for the state to keep counting the votes, although that may soon change when absentee ballots start to come in under the extended ballot receipt deadline.
Trump’s personal lawyers, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and conservative advocate Jay Sekulow, are being dispatched to key states to lead the legal response.
The Biden campaign said that it will win the election when all votes are counted and will defend that victory from any legal effort to stop votes from being counted.
“His mission is to attack the democratic process; our mission is to defend it,” Biden campaign lawyer Bob Bauer said on a press call Wednesday.
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President Donald Trump claimed that he had already won the election, speaking from the East Room of the White House early on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020. AP Photo/Evan Vucci
Absentee ballot receipt deadlines in certain states are likely to emerge as a key area for legal challenges in the coming days, although they might be irrelevant if Biden’s margins are too big in those states for the additional votes to be a determining factor. The deadlines in Nevada, North Carolina and Pennsylvania were extended to allow absentee ballots postmarked by Election Day to still count if they arrive at the relevant board of elections a certain number of days after Election Day.
The Nevada legislature passed and the governor signed legislation to provide for an all-mail election during the coronavirus pandemic that included extending the deadline to allow ballots postmarked by Election Day to count if they arrive up to seven days afterward. The measure also deems ballots with no clear postmark to have been postmarked on Election Day.
In Pennsylvania, the state Supreme Court ordered ballots postmarked by Election Day to be accepted up to three days after the election.
And in North Carolina, the state Board of Elections and a state court reached an agreement to extend the receipt deadline until nine days after Election Day.
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The Trump campaign sought ― and failed ― to overturn the extended deadline in each state before Nov. 3. Their challenges to the Pennsylvania and North Carolina ballot receipt extensions came closest to succeeding. In both cases, their challenges went to the U.S. Supreme Court, where four of the conservative justices suggested they would be open to reversing the orders extending the ballot receipt deadlines based on a radical theory that only state legislatures may change their state’s election laws.
While these challenges barely failed at the U.S. Supreme Court in October, they could have a different result now. When they were heard, Trump’s most recent Supreme Court pick, Justice Amy Coney Barrett, did not take part in either case. Were she to join the other four conservative justices who questioned the receipt deadline extensions, those orders could be nullified and tens of thousands of ballots invalidated.
The ballots cast during these extended periods, however, may not matter at all if Trump loses the Electoral College and the presidency before they are even counted.
Other legal efforts to stop votes from being counted or to toss votes that have been cast may be harder to advance. On Wednesday, a lawsuit brought by Pennsylvania Republicans challenging the process that the state’s county election officials used to allow voters to correct errors on their ballots went before a federal judge appointed by President George W. Bush. The judge looked dimly on it.
The results of these lawsuits may take days or weeks to unwind, but so far no state has stopped counting valid votes cast in the election.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-04--GOP Governor Calls Trump's Premature Victory Remarks 'A Terrible Mistake'

Maryland ’ s Republican Gov .
Larry Hogan slammed President Donald Trump on Wednesday for prematurely and falsely declaring victory in the election while also signaling that he would contest contrary results , saying that it was stirring up anger , frustration and division .
“ I have often said , while we may have disagreements here and there , I said sometimes the president can be his own worst enemy .
I think that was another example of it early this morning with the lashing out , ” the governor added .
In the early hours of Wednesday morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the election even though millions of ballots still hadn ’ t been counted .
He claimed any other result would be a “ fraud on the American public ” and accused Democrats of trying to steal the election .
He disparaged mail-in ballots counted after Election Day ― which are expected to favor his opponent , Joe Biden ― as fraudulent , even though counting votes after Election Day is a normal part of the process .
Trump has since launched legal challenges in a number of battleground states to stop the counting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of where you stand on this race and what party you are and who you voted for , most Americans really want a free and fair election process , and they want us to count the votes , ” Hogan said .
“ I think they are doing that in every state , and they ’ re being very cautious to make sure we count all the absentee ballots and provisional ballots .
There ’ s Republicans and Democrats overseeing the process.
” “ And to stir up all this anger and frustration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a really bad mistake for the president to make and , quite frankly , I think that ’ s what voters rejected in this race , was the divisiveness and the kind of anger on both sides , ” he added .
While Democrats have slammed Trump ’ s attacks on the electoral process as dictatorial and irresponsible , other Republican officials have been more muted about and even defended the president ’ s remarks .
Asked about his colleagues ’ silence , Hogan said it was driven by the same reason they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president for nearly four years now.
” The governor added that perhaps he ’ s not as afraid of speaking up because he significantly outperforms Trump ’ s support in Maryland .
Hogan ’ s state voted overwhelmingly in favor of Biden this year .

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Maryland’s Republican Gov. Larry Hogan slammed President Donald Trump on Wednesday for prematurely and falsely declaring victory in the election while also signaling that he would contest contrary results, saying that it was stirring up anger, frustration and division.
“I thought it was outrageous and uncalled for and a terrible mistake,” Hogan said during a Washington Post Live interview.
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“I have often said, while we may have disagreements here and there, I said sometimes the president can be his own worst enemy. I think that was another example of it early this morning with the lashing out,” the governor added.
In the early hours of Wednesday morning, Trump declared himself the winner of the election even though millions of ballots still hadn’t been counted. He claimed any other result would be a “fraud on the American public” and accused Democrats of trying to steal the election.
He disparaged mail-in ballots counted after Election Day ― which are expected to favor his opponent, Joe Biden ― as fraudulent, even though counting votes after Election Day is a normal part of the process. Trump has since launched legal challenges in a number of battleground states to stop the counting of legitimately cast votes.
“Regardless of where you stand on this race and what party you are and who you voted for, most Americans really want a free and fair election process, and they want us to count the votes,” Hogan said.
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“I think they are doing that in every state, and they’re being very cautious to make sure we count all the absentee ballots and provisional ballots. There’s Republicans and Democrats overseeing the process.”
“And to stir up all this anger and frustration, I mean, I think is a really bad mistake for the president to make and, quite frankly, I think that’s what voters rejected in this race, was the divisiveness and the kind of anger on both sides,” he added.
While Democrats have slammed Trump’s attacks on the electoral process as dictatorial and irresponsible, other Republican officials have been more muted about and even defended the president’s remarks. Asked about his colleagues’ silence, Hogan said it was driven by the same reason they’ve been “afraid to criticize the president for nearly four years now.”
“He can lash out and cause some real retribution against fellow Republicans,” Hogan said.
The governor added that perhaps he’s not as afraid of speaking up because he significantly outperforms Trump’s support in Maryland. Hogan’s state voted overwhelmingly in favor of Biden this year.