thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-26--Coronavirus Pandemic, Spiking Hot Spots Spark Fear And Anxiety In U.S.

Mark Chidichimo , a retired FBI agent , said his sister , brother-in-law , brother , nephew and 92-year-old father in Idaho have all been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the last three weeks .
Chidichimo , who lives in New Jersey , had nothing but praise for St. Luke ’ s in Twin Falls , but said his brother was told that if he needed hospitalization , he ’ d be sent to Seattle , more than 600 miles away .
“ Hey , Idaho .
This is coming from someone who has been there , done that : You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can , ” he said .
“ It ’ s going to be really bad , and I pray to God that none of my family members have to be hospitalized .
Because if they do , I don ’ t know if they ’ ll survive.
” After months of improvement , parts of Europe are going back into lockdown or ramping up restrictions again amid a spike in infections .
Italy imposed at least a month of new restrictions across the country on Sunday , insisting that people outdoors wear masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movie theaters , and putting an early curfew on cafes and restaurants .
German Health Minister Jens Spahn , who tested positive Wednesday , pleaded with citizens to wear masks as the virus spikes across the country and hospital ICUs are filling up again .
“ Please continue to help and don ’ t listen to those who play down ( coronavirus ) , ” he said .
“ It is serious.
” In New Mexico , which reported record numbers of additional COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in recent days , more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care professionals signed a letter imploring residents to stay home as much as possible , wear masks and limit large gatherings to help prevent another wave of “ lonely deaths.
” “ Please help health care professionals help you , ” said the letter , posted on the state Department of Health ’ s website .
“ Help us protect you .
Help us ensure that we have the resources to treat the sick and care for the dying.
” On Saturday , New Mexico officials reported 875 new cases and five additional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ totals to 41,040 cases and 965 deaths .
The number of COVID-19 hospitalizations increased to 264 , up from a record 229 on Friday , which topped the previous high of 223 from mid-May .
Paur , whose brother and his girlfriend both recently tested positive for the virus , is worried about them , and herself .
“ People need to know that our lives are on the line , ” the Utah woman said .
“ We ’ re running out of money really fast.
” Ramer reported from Concord , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tennessee .
Associated Press writer Jim Mustian in New Orleans contributed .

Mark Chidichimo, a retired FBI agent, said his sister, brother-in-law, brother, nephew and 92-year-old father in Idaho have all been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the last three weeks.
Chidichimo, who lives in New Jersey, had nothing but praise for St. Luke’s in Twin Falls, but said his brother was told that if he needed hospitalization, he’d be sent to Seattle, more than 600 miles away.
“Hey, Idaho. This is coming from someone who has been there, done that: You really want to avoid this if you can,” he said. “It’s going to be really bad, and I pray to God that none of my family members have to be hospitalized. Because if they do, I don’t know if they’ll survive.”
After months of improvement, parts of Europe are going back into lockdown or ramping up restrictions again amid a spike in infections. Italy imposed at least a month of new restrictions across the country on Sunday, insisting that people outdoors wear masks, shutting down gyms, pools and movie theaters, and putting an early curfew on cafes and restaurants.
German Health Minister Jens Spahn, who tested positive Wednesday, pleaded with citizens to wear masks as the virus spikes across the country and hospital ICUs are filling up again.
“Please continue to help and don’t listen to those who play down (coronavirus),” he said. “It is serious.”
In New Mexico, which reported record numbers of additional COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in recent days, more than 350 doctors, nurses and other health care professionals signed a letter imploring residents to stay home as much as possible, wear masks and limit large gatherings to help prevent another wave of “lonely deaths.”
“Please help health care professionals help you,” said the letter, posted on the state Department of Health’s website. “Help us protect you. Help us ensure that we have the resources to treat the sick and care for the dying.”
On Saturday, New Mexico officials reported 875 new cases and five additional deaths, increasing the state’s totals to 41,040 cases and 965 deaths. The number of COVID-19 hospitalizations increased to 264, up from a record 229 on Friday, which topped the previous high of 223 from mid-May.
Paur, whose brother and his girlfriend both recently tested positive for the virus, is worried about them, and herself.
“People need to know that our lives are on the line,” the Utah woman said. “We’re running out of money really fast.”
—
Ramer reported from Concord, N.H.; Sainz reported from Memphis, Tennessee. Associated Press writer Jim Mustian in New Orleans contributed.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-26--'60 Minutes' Reveals What Was Really In That Giant Trump Health Care Plan Book

At least it wasn ’ t blank .
Footage aired on Sunday night ’ s “ 60 Minutes ” showed White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany ceremoniously giving reporter Lesley Stahl a massive book that she said contained the health care plan President Donald Trump has been promising for more than five years ― since he first launched his campaign .
But after reviewing the book , Stahl said it didn ’ t actually include Trump ’ s “ comprehensive health plan ” : President Trump ’ s press secretary , Kayleigh McEnany , gave us a heavy book that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health care plan .
It was filled with executive orders and congressional initiatives , but no comprehensive healthcare plan .
https : //t.co/Mn6HRAOwHL pic.twitter.com/WmsoRQP2WJ — 60 Minutes ( @ 60Minutes ) October 26 , 2020 Trump left in the middle of his “ 60Minutes ” interview because he didn ’ t like some of the questions Stahl asked .
“ You brought up a lot of subjects that were inappropriately brought up , ” he said , then scolded her for saying there would be tough questions .
“ That ’ s no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and walked out .

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At least it wasn’t blank.
Footage aired on Sunday night’s “60 Minutes” showed White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany ceremoniously giving reporter Lesley Stahl a massive book that she said contained the health care plan President Donald Trump has been promising for more than five years ― since he first launched his campaign.
But after reviewing the book, Stahl said it didn’t actually include Trump’s “comprehensive health plan”:
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President Trump’s press secretary, Kayleigh McEnany, gave us a heavy book that she described as the president’s health care plan. It was filled with executive orders and congressional initiatives, but no comprehensive healthcare plan. https://t.co/Mn6HRAOwHL pic.twitter.com/WmsoRQP2WJ — 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) October 26, 2020
Trump left in the middle of his “60Minutes” interview because he didn’t like some of the questions Stahl asked.
“You brought up a lot of subjects that were inappropriately brought up,” he said, then scolded her for saying there would be tough questions.
“That’s no way to talk,” he said and walked out.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-26--Ivanka Trump’s Anniversary Message To Jared Kushner Quickly Goes Off The Rails

Ivanka Trump , President Donald Trump ’ s daughter and adviser , sent her husband Jared Kushner ― also a @ @ @ @ @ anniversary message on Twitter on Sunday .
It didn ’ t exactly go over well @ @ @ @ @ key role in the administration ’ s failures to control the coronavirus pandemic , which @ @ @ @ @ Americans .

Ivanka Trump, President Donald Trump’s daughter and adviser, sent her husband Jared Kushner ― also a White House adviser ― an anniversary message on Twitter on Sunday. It didn’t exactly go over well, given Kushner’s key role in the administration’s failures to control the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed more than 225,000 Americans.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-26--‘That’s Enough.’ '60 Minutes' Airs Footage Of Trump Abruptly Leaving Interview

“ 60 Minutes ” aired footage on Sunday of President Donald Trump abruptly ending an interview with the network after host Lesley Stahl asked a series of questions about his response to the COVID-19 pandemic and his use of social media to govern by tweet and attack his political opponents .
The release of the interview concluded an ongoing spat between CBS and the White House that grew last week after Trump said he had left a sit-down with Stahl he called “ fake ” and “ biased.
” He later threatened to release the footage himself , turning the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even aired .
Stahl opened the segment asking the president if he was ready for “ some tough questions , ” going on to ask about rising rates of coronavirus infections in the United States , the loss of millions of jobs and his ongoing criticism of mask-wearing to prevent the spread of COVID-19 .
Stahl : Do you think that your tweets and your name-calling are turning people off ?
Trump : No , I think I wouldn ’ t be here if I didn ’ t have social media .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if I didn ’ t have social media , I ’ d have no way of getting out my voice .
A few moments later , a producer interjects to note how much time remained in the interview .
The president then said he was done .
“ I think we have enough of an interview here , Hope , ” Trump said , appearing to speak to aide Hope Hicks .
“ Okay ?
That ’ s enough .
Let ’ s go.
” When asked later in the program about Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pence said the president was “ a man who speaks his mind.
” “ I think it ’ s one of the great strengths that he ’ s had as president of the United States , ” Pence said .
“ The American people always know where they stand.
” The president followed through on threats to release unaired footage from the interview on Thursday after complaining of “ bias , hatred and rudeness on behalf of 60 Minutes and CBS.
” Shortly after the interview concluded , Trump took to Twitter to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for not wearing a mask in the White House .
People familiar with the interview told The New York Times she had , in fact , worn a mask up until taping began and only took it off as the cameras rolled .
CBS told HuffPost later that evening Trump ’ s decision would not deter the network from “ providing its full , fair and contextual reporting which presidents have participated in for decades.
” The full interview also added more context about a binder the White House provided to Stahl at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show noted White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany gave Stahl a large book that was described as Trump ’ s healthcare plan .
It held “ executive orders and congressional initiatives , ” but no details about the proposal .
“ It was heavy .
Filled with executive orders , congressional initiatives , but no comprehensive health plan , ” Stahl said .
In the footage , she can be heard saying “ I can ’ t lift it .
”

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“60 Minutes” aired footage on Sunday of President Donald Trump abruptly ending an interview with the network after host Lesley Stahl asked a series of questions about his response to the COVID-19 pandemic and his use of social media to govern by tweet and attack his political opponents.
The release of the interview concluded an ongoing spat between CBS and the White House that grew last week after Trump said he had left a sit-down with Stahl he called “fake” and “biased.” He later threatened to release the footage himself, turning the interview into a headline-grabbing event before it even aired.
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Stahl opened the segment asking the president if he was ready for “some tough questions,” going on to ask about rising rates of coronavirus infections in the United States, the loss of millions of jobs and his ongoing criticism of mask-wearing to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The final question, however, prompted Trump to end the interview early.
Stahl: Do you think that your tweets and your name-calling are turning people off? Trump: No, I think I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t have social media. The media is fake. And frankly, if I didn’t have social media, I’d have no way of getting out my voice.
A few moments later, a producer interjects to note how much time remained in the interview. The president then said he was done.
“I think we have enough of an interview here, Hope,” Trump said, appearing to speak to aide Hope Hicks. “Okay? That’s enough. Let’s go.”
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Asked whether his tweets or name-calling turn people off, President Trump says: “I think I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t have social media.”
Moments later, he abruptly ended the interview. https://t.co/I6zv8qogcF pic.twitter.com/JYfPYOWGym — 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) October 26, 2020
Throughout the segment, Trump told Stahl she was being “so negative” and accused “60 Minutes” of throwing Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden “softball after softball.”
When asked later in the program about Trump’s exit, Vice President Mike Pence said the president was “a man who speaks his mind.”
“I think it’s one of the great strengths that he’s had as president of the United States,” Pence said. “The American people always know where they stand.”
“I wish you would interview Joe Biden like you interview me,” President Trump says to Lesley Stahl. https://t.co/ZM8BR1sn39 pic.twitter.com/mSfVFqZuOm — 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) October 26, 2020
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The president followed through on threats to release unaired footage from the interview on Thursday after complaining of “bias, hatred and rudeness on behalf of 60 Minutes and CBS.” Shortly after the interview concluded, Trump took to Twitter to mock Stahl and attempt to smear her for not wearing a mask in the White House. People familiar with the interview told The New York Times she had, in fact, worn a mask up until taping began and only took it off as the cameras rolled.
CBS told HuffPost later that evening Trump’s decision would not deter the network from “providing its full, fair and contextual reporting which presidents have participated in for decades.”
The full interview also added more context about a binder the White House provided to Stahl at the end of the interview.
The show noted White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany gave Stahl a large book that was described as Trump’s healthcare plan. It held “executive orders and congressional initiatives,” but no details about the proposal.
“It was heavy. Filled with executive orders, congressional initiatives, but no comprehensive health plan,” Stahl said. In the footage, she can be heard saying “I can’t lift it.”
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-26--Fox News' Bret Baier, Martha MacCallum Advised To Quarantine After Coronavirus Exposure: Report

The Fox News president and several on-air personalities have been advised to quarantine after sharing a private plane with someone who later tested positive for the coronavirus , The New York Times reported Sunday .
Chief political anchor Bret Baier , Martha MacCallum of “ The Story ” and “ The Five ” hosts Dana Perino and Juan Williams were exposed , along with Fox News President Jay Wallace , the Times noted , citing sources “ with direct knowledge of the situation.
” The infected passenger shared a charter flight with executives , reporters and other crew from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nashville , Tennessee , after last week ’ s presidential debate .
The anchors are “ expected ” to broadcast from home for now , according to the report .
Fox News anchors Martha MacCallum and Bret Baier , pictured in March with Donald Trump , have been asked to quarantine , according to a New York Times report .
Chris Wallace , the moderator of the first debate , was among several network employees who were tested for COVID-19 after President Donald Trump contracted the virus , The Hill noted .
Baier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ channel ’ s election night coverage from its Manhattan headquarters , according to The Hollywood Reporter .
Even as the coronavirus death toll has topped 225,000 , Fox News coverage has mostly remained in lockstep with Trump downplaying the pandemic , questioning infectious disease experts , and discounting health precautions like mask-wearing .
A network spokesperson told HuffPost that Fox News would not confirm any details of the exposure due to privacy concerns .

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The Fox News president and several on-air personalities have been advised to quarantine after sharing a private plane with someone who later tested positive for the coronavirus, The New York Times reported Sunday.
Chief political anchor Bret Baier, Martha MacCallum of “The Story” and “The Five” hosts Dana Perino and Juan Williams were exposed, along with Fox News President Jay Wallace, the Times noted, citing sources “with direct knowledge of the situation.”
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The infected passenger shared a charter flight with executives, reporters and other crew from the conservative news channel to New York from Nashville, Tennessee, after last week’s presidential debate.
The anchors are “expected” to broadcast from home for now, according to the report.
Fox News anchors Martha MacCallum and Bret Baier, pictured in March with Donald Trump, have been asked to quarantine, according to a New York Times report. BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI via Getty Images
Chris Wallace, the moderator of the first debate, was among several network employees who were tested for COVID-19 after President Donald Trump contracted the virus, The Hill noted.
Baier and MacCallum are scheduled to lead the channel’s election night coverage from its Manhattan headquarters, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
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Even as the coronavirus death toll has topped 225,000, Fox News coverage has mostly remained in lockstep with Trump downplaying the pandemic, questioning infectious disease experts, and discounting health precautions like mask-wearing.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-25--It's Up To The Press To Prove Our Biden Smear, GOP Chair Tells Chris Wallace

In a faceoff with Chris Wallace Sunday , the head of the Republican National Committee made clear on Fox News that she has no proof of the ongoing smear campaign against Joe and Hunter Biden , saying it was up to the press to verify it .
“ Do you have any proof — because he ’ s denied it — that Joe Biden ever took one penny from either a foreign country or a foreign company ?
” Wallace asked .
“ I think that ’ s incumbent upon the press to start investigating , ” she said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is we should have a free and fair press.
” The suspect emails “ warrant an investigation — that ’ s not my job , ” she added .
Wallace pointed out that the FBI has been examining the hard drive of the laptop .
“ Why haven ’ t they come up with anything ?
” he asked .
The FBI is reportedly investigating whether the emails are linked to another Kremlin disinformation campaign to disrupt the presidential election , as it did in 2016 .
Journalists have been unable to verify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York Post printed the information provided by Donald Trump ’ s attorney Rudy Giuliani , who had been working on getting dirt on the Bidens from Andrii Derkach , a man identified by the Trump administration as a Russian spy .
Giuliani told The New York Times that he gave the information to the Rupert Murdoch-owned Post because no one else wanted it , or they would scrutinize the information .
The Wall Street Journal reported Friday that Joe Biden had no links to a China investment venture referred to in Giuliani @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the alleged operation “ never received proposed funds from the Chinese company [ named ] or completed any deals , ” the Journal concluded .
Trump accused Biden in the presidential debate , with no basis in fact , that he made $ 3.5 million in Russia and was up for a piece of his son ’ s China venture ( Hunter made $ 1.5 billion there , Trump claimed , picking a number out the air ) .
Joe Biden made clear in the debate : “ I have not taken a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my life .
I have not taken a single penny from any country , whatsoever , ever.
” That ’ s not something Trump could claim .
He has several international deals and business operations and a secret bank account in China .

In a faceoff with Chris Wallace Sunday, the head of the Republican National Committee made clear on Fox News that she has no proof of the ongoing smear campaign against Joe and Hunter Biden, saying it was up to the press to verify it.
The Fox News anchor grilled Ronna McDaniel on claims that Hunter Biden’s unconfirmed emails purportedly found in a laptop abandoned in a Delaware car repair shop implicated his father in shadowy foreign deals.
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“Do you have any proof — because he’s denied it — that Joe Biden ever took one penny from either a foreign country or a foreign company?” Wallace asked.
McDaniel had nothing.
“I think that’s incumbent upon the press to start investigating,” she said. “I think what’s frightening is we should have a free and fair press.” The suspect emails “warrant an investigation — that’s not my job,” she added.
Wallace pointed out that the FBI has been examining the hard drive of the laptop. “Why haven’t they come up with anything?” he asked.
“I don’t know,” said McDaniel, who then attacked Twitter for “censoring” the story.
The FBI is reportedly investigating whether the emails are linked to another Kremlin disinformation campaign to disrupt the presidential election, as it did in 2016.
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Journalists have been unable to verify any of the claims. Only the New York Post printed the information provided by Donald Trump’s attorney Rudy Giuliani, who had been working on getting dirt on the Bidens from Andrii Derkach, a man identified by the Trump administration as a Russian spy.
Giuliani told The New York Times that he gave the information to the Rupert Murdoch-owned Post because no one else wanted it, or they would scrutinize the information.
The Wall Street Journal reported Friday that Joe Biden had no links to a China investment venture referred to in Giuliani’s information. In fact, the alleged operation “never received proposed funds from the Chinese company [named] or completed any deals,” the Journal concluded.
Trump accused Biden in the presidential debate, with no basis in fact, that he made $3.5 million in Russia and was up for a piece of his son’s China venture (Hunter made $1.5 billion there, Trump claimed, picking a number out the air).
Joe Biden made clear in the debate: “I have not taken a penny from any foreign source ever in my life. I have not taken a single penny from any country, whatsoever, ever.”
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That’s not something Trump could claim. He has several international deals and business operations and a secret bank account in China.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-26--Kamala Harris: Being The First Female Vice President Would Change The Future

Sen. Kamala Harris ( D-Calif. ) said Sunday that becoming the first woman vice president would change the future of the White House .
“ It helps change the perception of who can do what , because that is still part of the battle after all , ” says Kamala Harris about the potential impact of being the first woman of color as vice president .
https : //t.co/WgfgvU6j6g pic.twitter.com/sfSJqWrPym — 60 Minutes ( @ 60Minutes ) October 26 , 2020 Harris ’ decision to run for president ― and Biden ’ s eventual decision to make her his running @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country who saw themselves in her .
“ You imagine some young person then seeing , ‘ Oh , things can be different .
I don ’ t have to conform to whatever I ’ m , you know , supposed to or relegated to do .
I can imagine what can be and be unburdened by what has been , ’ you know ?
” Harris said .
While many progressive leaders and activists criticized Harris during her presidential run for her past as a prosecutor and some of her policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much more progressive than Biden ’ s .
O ’ Donnell asked Harris if she plans to bring the progressive policies she supported as a senator into a Biden administration .
“ What I will do , and I promise you this , and this is what Joe wants me to do as part of our deal : I will always share with him my lived experience as it relates to any issue that we confront , ” Harris said .
“ And I promised Joe that I will give him that perspective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ No , it is the perspective of a woman who grew up a Black child in America , who was also a prosecutor , who also has a mother who arrived here at the age of 19 from India .
Who also , you know , likes hip hop , ” Harris said .
“ Like , what do you wan na know ?
” Harris said the role she thinks she would play in the White House is “ Joe Biden ’ s partner , ” adding that he told her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first person in the room and the last person in the room.
” In a separate interview that also aired on “ 60 Minutes ” Sunday , Biden explained why Harris would be ready to step into the presidential role should something happen to him .
“ Number one : Her values .
Number two : She is smart as a devil .
Number three : She has a backbone like a ramrod .
Number four : She is really principled , ” he said .
“ And number five : She has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the union , running a Justice Department that ’ s only second in size to the United States Justice Department .
And you know , obviously , I hope that never becomes a question .
”

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Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) said Sunday that becoming the first woman vice president would change the future of the White House.
During an interview with Norah O’Donnell on “60 Minutes,” the Democratic vice presidential nominee said:
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“It helps change the perception of who can do what, because that is still part of the battle after all,” says Kamala Harris about the potential impact of being the first woman of color as vice president. https://t.co/WgfgvU6j6g pic.twitter.com/sfSJqWrPym — 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) October 26, 2020
“You imagine some young person then seeing, ‘Oh, things can be different. I don’t have to conform to whatever I’m, you know, supposed to or relegated to do. I can imagine what can be and be unburdened by what has been,’ you know?” Harris said.
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While many progressive leaders and activists criticized Harris during her presidential run for her past as a prosecutor and some of her policy positions, her presidential platform was still much more progressive than Biden’s. O’Donnell asked Harris if she plans to bring the progressive policies she supported as a senator into a Biden administration.
“What I will do, and I promise you this, and this is what Joe wants me to do as part of our deal: I will always share with him my lived experience as it relates to any issue that we confront,” Harris said. “And I promised Joe that I will give him that perspective and always be honest with him.”
If elected, would Kamala Harris advocate for Medicare for All, a plan Joe Biden doesn’t support?
“I would not have joined the ticket if I didn't support what Joe was proposing,” says Senator Harris. https://t.co/8ne3USJZqO pic.twitter.com/dFDf0GBFk9 — 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) October 26, 2020
When O’Donnell asked if that is “a socialist or progressive perspective,” Harris laughed and said no.
“No, it is the perspective of a woman who grew up a Black child in America, who was also a prosecutor, who also has a mother who arrived here at the age of 19 from India. Who also, you know, likes hip hop,” Harris said. “Like, what do you wanna know?”
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Harris said the role she thinks she would play in the White House is “Joe Biden’s partner,” adding that he told her he wants her “to be the first person in the room and the last person in the room.”
In a separate interview that also aired on “60 Minutes” Sunday, Biden explained why Harris would be ready to step into the presidential role should something happen to him.
“Number one: Her values. Number two: She is smart as a devil. Number three: She has a backbone like a ramrod. Number four: She is really principled,” he said. “And number five: She has had significant experience in the largest state in the union, running a Justice Department that’s only second in size to the United States Justice Department. And you know, obviously, I hope that never becomes a question.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-26--More People Have Already Voted Early Than In 2016 With Days To Go Before Election

More Americans have already voted early in this year ’ s election than the total tally of early and absentee ballots in 2016 , The Associated Press reported Sunday , nine days ahead of Election Day .
A total of 58.6 million ballots had been cast as voters flocked to in-person early voting sites or cast absentee ballots amid ongoing concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic .
Just over 58 million ballots were cast early or via absentee provisions in all of the 2016 election .
The AP reported initial figures show Democrats dominating early voting on Sunday at a rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % for Republican voters , per state and local election data .
Polling shows that Democrats are more likely than their Republican counterparts to vote by mail , and The New York Times notes both parties expect GOP voters to head to the polls in person on Election Day in greater numbers .
The unprecedented number of mail-in ballots could cause delays of days or weeks in tallying the final numbers from the election .
Voters have been compelled to hit the polls or mail in their ballots in record numbers amid twin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Donald Trump ’ s efforts to undermine the results of the election .
The White House has continually drummed up false concerns about voting fraud despite a mountain of evidence that shows illegal voting is extremely rare .
COVID-19 has also continued to surge around the nation , with new cases hitting a single-day record on Friday since the pandemic began .
The U.S. recorded at least 82,900 new infections that day , raising renewed concerns about in-person voting sites .
The figures of early and absentee voting released Sunday are sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lined up for hours this weekend as early voting began : Lines in New York on Saturday , the state ’ s first day of in-person voting , stretched for four hours or more in some places , although those timeframes eased by Sunday .
It is the first presidential election where New Yorkers are allowed to vote early .
In Florida , many Republican voters ventured to the polls as the state opened its own polling sites .
Across the country , many states set records for the number of absentee ballots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voting for the first time .
In Texas , the level of voting has nearly reached 80 % of its total in 2016 .
Reuters , citing the U.S .
Elections Project , notes that the pace of voting suggests the 2020 election could have the highest turnout of any election since 1908 .
The group predicts about 150 million Americans could cast a ballot .

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More Americans have already voted early in this year’s election than the total tally of early and absentee ballots in 2016, The Associated Press reported Sunday, nine days ahead of Election Day.
A total of 58.6 million ballots had been cast as voters flocked to in-person early voting sites or cast absentee ballots amid ongoing concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic. Just over 58 million ballots were cast early or via absentee provisions in all of the 2016 election.
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The AP reported initial figures show Democrats dominating early voting on Sunday at a rate of 51%, compared with 31% for Republican voters, per state and local election data.
Polling shows that Democrats are more likely than their Republican counterparts to vote by mail, and The New York Times notes both parties expect GOP voters to head to the polls in person on Election Day in greater numbers. The unprecedented number of mail-in ballots could cause delays of days or weeks in tallying the final numbers from the election.
Voters have been compelled to hit the polls or mail in their ballots in record numbers amid twin threats: The ongoing coronavirus pandemic and President Donald Trump’s efforts to undermine the results of the election. The White House has continually drummed up false concerns about voting fraud despite a mountain of evidence that shows illegal voting is extremely rare.
COVID-19 has also continued to surge around the nation, with new cases hitting a single-day record on Friday since the pandemic began. The U.S. recorded at least 82,900 new infections that day, raising renewed concerns about in-person voting sites.
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The figures of early and absentee voting released Sunday are sure to climb. Voters in many states lined up for hours this weekend as early voting began: Lines in New York on Saturday, the state’s first day of in-person voting, stretched for four hours or more in some places, although those timeframes eased by Sunday. It is the first presidential election where New Yorkers are allowed to vote early.
In Florida, many Republican voters ventured to the polls as the state opened its own polling sites.
Across the country, many states set records for the number of absentee ballots requested as officials expanded or offered mail-in voting for the first time. In Texas, the level of voting has nearly reached 80% of its total in 2016.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-26--Senate Likely To Confirm Amy Coney Barrett To Supreme Court, Cementing Conservative Majority

ASSOCIATED PRESS Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett meets with Sen. Martha McSally , R-Ariz. , not pictured , Wednesday , Oct. 21 , 2020 , on Capitol Hill in Washington .
( Jim Lo Scalzo/Pool via AP ) WASHINGTON ( Reuters ) - The Republican-controlled U.S. Senate is expected on Monday to confirm President Donald Trump ’ s nominee , Amy Coney Barrett , as the next justice to the Supreme Court , a move that will tilt the country ’ s highest court further to the right for years to come .
No nominee to the Supreme Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this close to a presidential election , with more than 58 million ballots already cast ahead of Election Day on Nov. 3 .
The rush to confirm Barrett , 48 , has bitterly divided Democrats and Republicans , who are expected to split along party lines on the final vote .
Trump has said repeatedly he wants her in place to vote on any election-related cases that go to the court .
With Republicans controlling the chamber 53-47 and no indication of an internal revolt against the conservative appeals court judge succeeding liberal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost certain to take up a lifetime appointment on the bench over universal Democratic opposition .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , arrives as Republicans work during a rare weekend session to advance the confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court , at the Capitol in Washington , Sunday , Oct. 25 , 2020 .
( AP Photo/J .
Scott Applewhite ) Senate Democrats and some Republicans expressed unease at the possibility that Vice President Mike Pence , several of whose close aides have tested positive for COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Pence “ reportedly intends to come ” to the Senate chamber to preside over the final vote , and blasted him for being willing to put “ the health of everyone who works in this building at risk.
” A protester opposed to the Senate 's race to confirm Amy Coney Barrett is removed by police after chaining themselves to a railing and holding a sign while sitting atop the statue Contemplation of Justice , at the Supreme Court building in Washington , Sunday , Oct. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Scott Applewhite ) Barrett is expected to participate in a crucial hearing on Nov. 10 , where Trump and his fellow Republicans will ask the court to strike down the Affordable Care Act .
The 2010 healthcare law , popularly known as Obamacare , has helped millions of Americans obtain medical insurance and protected those with pre-existing conditions .
During her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee this month , Barrett , a favorite of Christian conservatives , sidestepped questions on abortion , presidential powers , climate change , voting rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is my belief that Judge Barrett represents a threat to the very rights , including reproductive rights , rights of LGBT individuals , and voting rights , that Justice Ginsburg worked so hard to protect , ” Senate Judiciary Committee senior Democrat Dianne Feinstein said on the Senate Floor on Sunday .
She has criticized previous rulings upholding Obamacare but said during her confirmation hearing she had no agenda to invalidate the measure .
Barrett has been a federal appeals court judge since 2017 and was previously a legal scholar at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett meets with Sen. Martha McSally, R-Ariz., not pictured, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (Jim Lo Scalzo/Pool via AP) ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House planned a Monday night celebration of the Republican Senate’s expected confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court, a month after a similar event was linked to a COVID-19 outbreak that preceded President Donald Trump’s own infection.
While Democrats have fiercely opposed the conservative jurist’s nomination, Trump’s fellow Republicans hold a 53-47 Senate majority and her confirmation to a lifetime post on the court seems assured.
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Trump pressed the Senate to confirm Barrett before the Nov. 3 election, which would create a 6-3 conservative majority on the top U.S. judicial body.
Barrett, a federal appeals court judge, is Trump’s third selection for the court, enabling him to remake it in dramatic fashion as part of his success in moving the broader federal judiciary to the right since taking office in 2017.
The Sept. 26 Rose Garden ceremony at which Trump named Barrett to succeed the late liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg preceded a wave of COVID-19 cases among top Republicans including Trump and first lady Melania Trump. The president spent three nights hospitalized receiving COVID-19 treatment.
The event, part of which occurred in the White House Rose Garden, was crowded with guests, many of whom did not wear masks.
White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows told reporters that Monday’s event likely would be held outdoors.
“Tonight, we’ll be doing the best we can to encourage as much social distancing as possible,” Meadows said.
Senator Kevin Cramer, a Republican and Trump ally, said he was not overly concerned about attending the White House event.
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“I would anticipate that everybody will practice good hygiene, social distancing, whatever is appropriate,” Cramer told reporters.
COVID-19 WHITE HOUSE CLUSTER
Several other Republican senators said they were not sure they would attend, and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell did not reply when asked by a reporter.
Earlier this month, McConnell said he had not been at the White House since August because of its handling of COVID-19 precautions.
Three Republican senators, including two who met with Barrett in the Oval Office on Sept. 26, also tested positive for COVID-19. All three have recovered and are back at work.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., arrives as Republicans work during a rare weekend session to advance the confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court, at the Capitol in Washington, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) ASSOCIATED PRESS
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No nominee to the Supreme Court has ever been confirmed by the Senate this close to a presidential election. Barrett’s confirmation would give Trump - who has been touting the appointment at campaign rallies to the cheers of his supporters - a major political victory eight days before the election.
The rush to confirm Barrett, 48, has bitterly divided Democrats and Republicans, who are expected to split largely along party lines on the final vote. Trump has said he expects the court to decide the election’s outcome and wants Barrett to participate on any election-related cases that go before the justices.
Senator Mitt Romney, a rare Republican critic of Trump, urged colleagues on Monday to vote for Barrett, saying it would strengthen the court.
“The third branch may be one of the few institutions of our democratic republic that is not experiencing a collapse in public trust,” Romney said, referring to the judiciary system including the Supreme Court.
But the Washington Post argued the opposite point in an editorial, saying a court with Barrett on it could further undermine faith in the U.S. democratic system if it hands Trump victory in a contested election.
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“The court’s reputation would be shattered, as would the public’s faith in democracy,” the newspaper wrote on Monday. “Cementing a conservative majority on the court is not worth such a price.”
A protester opposed to the Senate's race to confirm Amy Coney Barrett is removed by police after chaining themselves to a railing and holding a sign while sitting atop the statue Contemplation of Justice, at the Supreme Court building in Washington, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) ASSOCIATED PRESS
Barrett, if confirmed, is expected to participate in arguments on Nov. 10 in a case in which Trump and Republican-led states are seeking to invalidate the Affordable Care Act. The 2010 healthcare law, also known as Obamacare, has helped millions of Americans obtain medical insurance and barred private insurers from denying medical coverage to people with pre-existing conditions.
Barrett has criticized previous rulings upholding Obamacare but said during her confirmation hearing she had no agenda to invalidate the measure.
During her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee two weeks ago, Barrett, a favorite of Christian conservatives, sidestepped questions on abortion, presidential powers, climate change, voting rights, Obamacare and other issues.
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“Judge Barrett represents a threat to the very rights - including reproductive rights, rights of LGBT individuals, and voting rights - that Justice Ginsburg worked so hard to protect,” Senate Judiciary Committee senior Democrat Dianne Feinstein said on the Senate Floor on Sunday.
Barrett has been a federal appeals court judge since 2017 and was previously a legal scholar at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-26--Orlando Bloom Surprises Katy Perry With NSFW Birthday Vid From Borat

Orlando Bloom got his fiancée Katy Perry a “ verry naiice ” birthday surprise this year .
The “ Roar @ @ @ @ @ message recorded by Sacha Baron Cohen ’ s iconic Kazakhstani character , Borat , which @ @ @ @ @ for her 36th birthday : Pepsi was apparently delighted by her gift : Perry and @ @ @ @ @ early 2019 , but postponed their wedding due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
They have @ @ @ @ @ , who was born in August .
The two attended a screening of the “ @ @ @ @ @ along with other celebrities , including Ariana Grande and Josh Gad .
Perry also posted @ @ @ @ @ Borat Subsequent Moviefilm : Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once @ @ @ @ @ ” on her Instagram over the weekend .
The movie was released Thursday on Amazon @ @

Orlando Bloom got his fiancée Katy Perry a “verry naiice” birthday surprise this year.
The “Roar” singer received a special message recorded by Sacha Baron Cohen’s iconic Kazakhstani character, Borat, which Bloom posted on Instagram Sunday for her 36th birthday:
Pepsi was apparently delighted by her gift:
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Perry and Bloom have been engaged since early 2019, but postponed their wedding due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They have one daughter, Daisy Dove, who was born in August.
The two attended a screening of the “Borat” sequel last week along with other celebrities, including Ariana Grande and Josh Gad.
Perry also posted about the film, “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan,” on her Instagram over the weekend. The movie was released Thursday on Amazon Prime.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-26--John Oliver Nails The Really Sad Part Of Trump's Final Debate Performance

John Oliver said the reaction to last week ’ s final debate between President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden shows just how low the bar ’ s been set for Trump .
Oliver played a clip of TV analysts praising the debate for being relatively normal , including CNN ’ s Becky Anderson who noted that “ no one set themselves on fire ” during the event .
“ Yeah , true , ” Oliver cracked .
“ Although historically the bar for succeeding at these events has been a little higher than ‘ nobody burned alive.
’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a beginner ’ s fire-juggling class at the community center.
” The host of “ Last Week Tonight ” said that even during last week ’ s seemingly normal debate ( by Trump standards ) , the president still managed to let loose a stream of statements that “ would ’ ve been an act of self-immolation ” for anyone else .
Trump , he said , lied throughout the debate , including a brazenly false claim that the nation was “ rounding the turn ” on the coronavirus pandemic despite sharply rising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ What is really sad is that when people claim Trump was on his best behavior , that ’ s actually true , ” Oliver said .
“ But his best behavior is still absolutely appalling.
” Oliver also noted that when Trump declared himself “ the least racist person in the room , ” that room included members of his family .
“ So , he ’ s effectively throwing them under the bus there , too , ” Oliver said .
But much of Oliver ’ s show was focused on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seeking asylum :

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John Oliver said the reaction to last week’s final debate between President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden shows just how low the bar’s been set for Trump.
Oliver played a clip of TV analysts praising the debate for being relatively normal, including CNN’s Becky Anderson who noted that “no one set themselves on fire” during the event.
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“Yeah, true,” Oliver cracked. “Although historically the bar for succeeding at these events has been a little higher than ‘nobody burned alive.’ This is a presidential debate, not a beginner’s fire-juggling class at the community center.”
The host of “Last Week Tonight” said that even during last week’s seemingly normal debate (by Trump standards), the president still managed to let loose a stream of statements that “would’ve been an act of self-immolation” for anyone else.
Trump, he said, lied throughout the debate, including a brazenly false claim that the nation was “rounding the turn” on the coronavirus pandemic despite sharply rising cases in much of the country.
“What is really sad is that when people claim Trump was on his best behavior, that’s actually true,” Oliver said. “But his best behavior is still absolutely appalling.”
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Oliver also noted that when Trump declared himself “the least racist person in the room,” that room included members of his family.
“So, he’s effectively throwing them under the bus there, too,” Oliver said.
But much of Oliver’s show was focused on immigration, particularly the plight of those seeking asylum:


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-26--'Guardians Of The Galaxy' Star Dave Bautista Gives Biden A Ringing Endorsement

Actor/pro wrestler Dave Bautista , who is best-known for playing Drax the Destroyer in the “ Guardians of the Galaxy ” and “ Avengers ” films , is endorsing Democratic candidate Joe Biden for president .
Bautista , a frequent Trump critic on Twitter , said there was a key difference between Biden and President Donald Trump : toughness .
“ It ’ s easy to lie to people .
It ’ s easy to bully people , ” Bautista said , referring to Trump .
“ That does not make you a tough guy.
” Biden , he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bautista also praised Biden ’ s plan to lead the country out of the coronavirus pandemic .
“ A leader is someone who can unite people , who takes responsibility , ” Bautista said .
“ That ’ s toughness .
That is Joe Biden.
” In addition to acting , Bautista was a champ in the WWE , where he performed under the name Batista .
He was set to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame , but the ceremony was put on hold due to the pandemic .
However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fans a glimpse of how he would ’ ve dressed for the occasion had it taken place : Well this would ’ ve been my @ wwe # HOF tux but now it ’ s going to be my @ dunemovie red carpet tux .
Hopefully🙏🏼Anyway !
!
One way or another this bad boy is getting some flash bulb attention cuz it ’ s 🔥🔥🔥🔥 can ’ t do anything about the gorilla in it.😂 It is what it is🤷🏻♂ # DreamChaser pic.twitter.com/5vt3kOkoJu — Super Duper Fly ( @ DaveBautista ) August @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tweet , “ Dune ” was set for a 2020 release .
It has since been pushed back to autumn of 2021 .
Looks like Bautista will need to find another event for the tux .

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Actor/pro wrestler Dave Bautista, who is best-known for playing Drax the Destroyer in the “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “Avengers” films, is endorsing Democratic candidate Joe Biden for president.
Bautista, a frequent Trump critic on Twitter, said there was a key difference between Biden and President Donald Trump: toughness.
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“It’s easy to lie to people. It’s easy to bully people,” Bautista said, referring to Trump. “That does not make you a tough guy.”
Biden, he said, will tell people the truth. Bautista also praised Biden’s plan to lead the country out of the coronavirus pandemic.
“A leader is someone who can unite people, who takes responsibility,” Bautista said. “That’s toughness. That is Joe Biden.”
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In addition to acting, Bautista was a champ in the WWE, where he performed under the name Batista. He was set to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, but the ceremony was put on hold due to the pandemic. However, over the summer, Bautista gave fans a glimpse of how he would’ve dressed for the occasion had it taken place:
Well this would’ve been my @wwe #HOF tux but now it’s going to be my @dunemovie red carpet tux. Hopefully🙏🏼Anyway!! One way or another this bad boy is getting some flash bulb attention cuz it’s 🔥🔥🔥🔥 can’t do anything about the gorilla in it.😂 It is what it is🤷🏻♂#DreamChaser pic.twitter.com/5vt3kOkoJu — Super Duper Fly (@DaveBautista) August 7, 2020
At the time of the tweet, “Dune” was set for a 2020 release. It has since been pushed back to autumn of 2021.
Looks like Bautista will need to find another event for the tux.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-26--Robert Murray, Controversial Coal Baron, Dead At 80

ST. CLAIRSVILLE , Ohio ( AP ) — Coal magnate Robert Murray died at his home in Ohio less than a week after announcing his retirement as board chairman of a major U.S. coal operator .
Michael Shaheen , an attorney who had recently been representing Murray , confirmed the Sunday morning death of the 80-year-old in St. Clairsville to The Intelligencer/Wheeling News-Register .
Robert Murray , founder and chairman of Cleveland-based Murray Energy Corp , has died .
Murray had announced his retirement Monday , Oct. 19 , from American Consolidated Natural Resource Holdings Inc .
The company is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with active mines in Alabama , Kentucky , Ohio , West Virginia and Utah .
Murray was the founder , president and CEO of the company ’ s predecessor , Murray Energy .
Murray Energy was launched in 1988 .
The company recently emerged from federal bankruptcy protection , with its Chapter 11 plan becoming effective last month .
No official cause of death was given .
Public reports recently stated Murray applied for black lung benefits with the U.S. Department of Labor .
The application said Murray was heavily dependent on oxygen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regulations for years , with his company filing an unsuccessful lawsuit in 2014 over regulations to cut the amount of coal dust in coal mines to reduce the incidence of black lung disease .
Shaheen said a private memorial service for Murray was scheduled for Tuesday .
“ Saddened to learn of the passing of Bob Murray , ” West Virginia Sen. Shelley Moore Capito tweeted .
“ He was a staunch ally for coal miners , a good friend , and a one of a kind person .
”

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ST. CLAIRSVILLE, Ohio (AP) — Coal magnate Robert Murray died at his home in Ohio less than a week after announcing his retirement as board chairman of a major U.S. coal operator.
Michael Shaheen, an attorney who had recently been representing Murray, confirmed the Sunday morning death of the 80-year-old in St. Clairsville to The Intelligencer/Wheeling News-Register.
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Robert Murray, founder and chairman of Cleveland-based Murray Energy Corp, has died. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Murray had announced his retirement Monday, Oct. 19, from American Consolidated Natural Resource Holdings Inc. The company is the largest privately owned U.S. coal operator with active mines in Alabama, Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia and Utah. Murray was the founder, president and CEO of the company’s predecessor, Murray Energy.
Murray Energy was launched in 1988. The company recently emerged from federal bankruptcy protection, with its Chapter 11 plan becoming effective last month.
No official cause of death was given. Public reports recently stated Murray applied for black lung benefits with the U.S. Department of Labor. The application said Murray was heavily dependent on oxygen.
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Murray had fought federal mine safety regulations for years, with his company filing an unsuccessful lawsuit in 2014 over regulations to cut the amount of coal dust in coal mines to reduce the incidence of black lung disease.
Shaheen said a private memorial service for Murray was scheduled for Tuesday.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-26--Justice Kagan Says Supreme Court 'Failed' To Protect Voters Amid Pandemic

Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan slammed the court ’ s decision not to extend the deadline to receive mail-in ballots in Wisconsin and said it would “ disenfranchise ” voters in a pandemic .
In a Monday ruling , the Supreme Court sided with Republicans in its decision to block Wisconsin from counting mail-in ballots that are received after Election Day , Nov. 3 .
“ The Court ’ s decision will disenfranchise large numbers of responsible voters in the midst of hazardous pandemic conditions , ” Kagan wrote in her dissent , joined by liberal justices Stephen Breyer and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5-3 , with the conservative majority negating a lower court ’ s ruling that had ordered mailed ballots to be counted if postmarked before Nov. 3 and received up to six days after Election Day , as they had been during the state ’ s primary .
In her dissent , Kagan noted that the COVID–19 pandemic “ has turned in-person voting ( with its often-long lines , touch screens , and enclosed booths ) into a health risk.
” Coronavirus cases are mounting across the country , recently reaching a peak of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wisconsin , specifically , cases have skyrocketed up to a 7-day average of over 3,800 new daily cases — up from 674 average daily cases in early September .
Justice Kagan harshly critiques the supreme court 's handling of voting cases during the pandemic : `` As the COVID pandemic rages , the Court has failed to adequately protect the Nation ’ s voters , '' she writes in dissent .
https : //t.co/6fSQ00ERWe — Sam Levine ( @ srl ) October 26 , 2020 In her dissent , Kagan warned that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Wisconsin will throw out thousands of timely requested and timely cast mail ballots.
” Wisconsin is expected to be a tight race in the presidential election .
In 2016 , President Donald Trump won Wisconsin by less than 1 percentage point , or under 23,000 votes .
Kagan also added that Monday ’ s ruling “ does not stand alone , ” pointing to other recent cases in which the Supreme Court “ halted injunctions necessary for people to cast ballots safely.
” She pointed to Alabama , where the court rejected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Republicans have won eight out of 11 election-related cases that have reached the Supreme Court since the pandemic , NBC News reported .
Late on Monday , the Senate officially confirmed Trump nominee Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court , handing conservatives an even stronger majority , likely for years to come .

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Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan slammed the court’s decision not to extend the deadline to receive mail-in ballots in Wisconsin and said it would “disenfranchise” voters in a pandemic.
In a Monday ruling, the Supreme Court sided with Republicans in its decision to block Wisconsin from counting mail-in ballots that are received after Election Day, Nov. 3.
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“The Court’s decision will disenfranchise large numbers of responsible voters in the midst of hazardous pandemic conditions,” Kagan wrote in her dissent, joined by liberal justices Stephen Breyer and Sonia Sotomayor.
The justices were split 5-3, with the conservative majority negating a lower court’s ruling that had ordered mailed ballots to be counted if postmarked before Nov. 3 and received up to six days after Election Day, as they had been during the state’s primary.
In her dissent, Kagan noted that the COVID–19 pandemic “has turned in-person voting (with its often-long lines, touch screens, and enclosed booths) into a health risk.”
Coronavirus cases are mounting across the country, recently reaching a peak of 83,000 new daily cases nationwide. In Wisconsin, specifically, cases have skyrocketed up to a 7-day average of over 3,800 new daily cases — up from 674 average daily cases in early September.
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“As the COVID pandemic rages, the Court has failed to adequately protect the Nation’s voters,” Kagan wrote.
Justice Kagan harshly critiques the supreme court's handling of voting cases during the pandemic: "As the COVID pandemic rages, the Court has failed to adequately
protect the Nation’s voters," she writes in dissent. https://t.co/6fSQ00ERWe — Sam Levine (@srl) October 26, 2020
In her dissent, Kagan warned that the court’s decision will mean that “Wisconsin will throw out thousands of timely requested and timely cast mail ballots.”
Wisconsin is expected to be a tight race in the presidential election. In 2016, President Donald Trump won Wisconsin by less than 1 percentage point, or under 23,000 votes.
Kagan also added that Monday’s ruling “does not stand alone,” pointing to other recent cases in which the Supreme Court “halted injunctions necessary for people to cast ballots safely.”
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She pointed to Alabama, where the court rejected Democrats’ efforts to allow curbside voting.
Republicans have won eight out of 11 election-related cases that have reached the Supreme Court since the pandemic, NBC News reported.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-26--Senate Confirms Amy Coney Barrett To The Supreme Court

Senate Republicans voted Monday night to confirm Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court , tilting the balance of the court to a 6-3 conservative majority for years to come and handing President Donald Trump a victory barely a week before the election .
Every Republican but one , Sen. Susan Collins of Maine , voted to confirm Barrett .
Every Democrat voted no .
The final tally was 52 to 48 .
The White House planned to hold a large outdoor event later Monday night to celebrate Barrett ’ s confirmation , despite a previous White House event for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas reportedly will administer the constitutional oath to Barrett at the event .
Barrett ’ s confirmation ends a weekslong dash by Republicans to put her on the court before the Nov. 3 election , in the event Trump loses reelection and leaves a potential President Joe Biden better positioned to fill the seat in 2021 .
Barrett , 48 , will fill the seat left vacant by Ruth Bader Ginsburg , who died in September .
Democrats protested the rushed process , calling it a “ sham @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of the Judiciary Committee .
They criticized Republicans for the hypocrisy of filling a Supreme Court seat in a presidential election year after they denied President Barack Obama the ability to do so .
They warned that Barrett is a threat to the Affordable Care Act and highlighted her record of hostility to the health care law , women ’ s reproductive rights and LGBTQ rights .
But they never had the votes to stop her confirmation .
“ What this administration and this Republican Senate has done is exercise a power @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American people in a manner that is entirely within the rules of the Senate and the Constitution of the United States , ” he said .
But Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D-N.Y. ) called Monday ’ s vote “ one of the darkest days ” in the history of the 231 years of the Senate , and said Republicans will regret their power grab in the long haul .
“ I want to be very clear with my Republican colleagues : You may win this vote , and Amy Coney Barrett may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supreme Court , but you will never , never get your credibility back , ” Schumer said .
“ The next time the American people give Democrats a majority in this chamber , you will have forfeited the right to tell us how to run that majority.
” Barrett is Trump ’ s third Supreme Court justice , after Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh .
All three are members of the Federalist Society , a conservative legal organization through which Trump has outsourced his selection of Supreme Court justices and nearly all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Federalist Society is part of a vast and secretive $ 250 million network of groups promoting conservative judges and causes .
During Barrett ’ s confirmation hearing this month , Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse ( D-R.I. ) connected the dots between the conservative dark money groups and Barrett ’ s nomination , saying her confirmation is the grand prize for big donors hoping for favorable court rulings on the issues they care about : among them , weakening or doing away with the Affordable Care Act , abortion rights and marriage equality .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot of money to spend if you ’ re not getting anything for it , ” he said as Barrett sat feet away .
“ So that raises the question , ‘ What are they getting for it ?
’ ”

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Senate Republicans voted Monday night to confirm Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court, tilting the balance of the court to a 6-3 conservative majority for years to come and handing President Donald Trump a victory barely a week before the election.
Every Republican but one, Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, voted to confirm Barrett. Every Democrat voted no. The final tally was 52 to 48.
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The White House planned to hold a large outdoor event later Monday night to celebrate Barrett’s confirmation, despite a previous White House event for Barrett triggering a coronavirus outbreak among attendees. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas reportedly will administer the constitutional oath to Barrett at the event.
Barrett’s confirmation ends a weekslong dash by Republicans to put her on the court before the Nov. 3 election, in the event Trump loses reelection and leaves a potential President Joe Biden better positioned to fill the seat in 2021. Barrett, 48, will fill the seat left vacant by Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died in September.
Democrats protested the rushed process, calling it a “sham” and boycotting Barrett’s vote out of the Judiciary Committee. They criticized Republicans for the hypocrisy of filling a Supreme Court seat in a presidential election year after they denied President Barack Obama the ability to do so. They warned that Barrett is a threat to the Affordable Care Act and highlighted her record of hostility to the health care law, women’s reproductive rights and LGBTQ rights. But they never had the votes to stop her confirmation.
Ahead of the vote, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Democrats’ complaints about the process were unfounded.
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“You can’t win ’em all,” McConnell said on the Senate floor. “Elections have consequences.”
“What this administration and this Republican Senate has done is exercise a power that was given to us by the American people in a manner that is entirely within the rules of the Senate and the Constitution of the United States,” he said.
But Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) called Monday’s vote “one of the darkest days” in the history of the 231 years of the Senate, and said Republicans will regret their power grab in the long haul.
“I want to be very clear with my Republican colleagues: You may win this vote, and Amy Coney Barrett may become the next associate justice of the Supreme Court, but you will never, never get your credibility back,” Schumer said. “The next time the American people give Democrats a majority in this chamber, you will have forfeited the right to tell us how to run that majority.”
Barrett is Trump’s third Supreme Court justice, after Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh. All three are members of the Federalist Society, a conservative legal organization through which Trump has outsourced his selection of Supreme Court justices and nearly all of his 53 appeals court judges. The Federalist Society is part of a vast and secretive $250 million network of groups promoting conservative judges and causes.
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During Barrett’s confirmation hearing this month, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) connected the dots between the conservative dark money groups and Barrett’s nomination, saying her confirmation is the grand prize for big donors hoping for favorable court rulings on the issues they care about: among them, weakening or doing away with the Affordable Care Act, abortion rights and marriage equality.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-26--Polish Women Protest At Catholic Churches Over Country's Near-Total Abortion Ban

WARSAW ( Reuters ) - Thousands of activists disrupted church services across Poland on Sunday , chanting during mass and spraying slogans on walls to protest against a court ruling that amounts to a near-total ban on abortion .
The ruling ended the most common of the few legal grounds left for abortion in Poland and set the country further apart from the European mainstream .
In the southern city of Katowice , a 7,000-strong crowd of mostly women gathered in front of the cathedral , chanting “ this is war ” and “ human law , not ecclesiastical law.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ used tear gas after officers were attacked .
Three dozen protesters interrupted a mass in the western city of Poznan , chanting “ we are sick of this ” and holding banners with slogans including “ Catholic women also need their right to abortion ” in front of the altar .
“ Our rage should be directed towards politicians , but also towards senior church figures as they have also added to this women ’ s hell that the authorities are preparing , ” said Mateusz Sulwinski , one of the protest organizers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests have accused Poland ’ s conservative ruling party , Law and Justice ( PiS ) , of pressing the court to tighten restrictions to appeal to the party ’ s base and to please the influential Church .
The party denies that .
A protester holds a sign during a demonstration against tightening of abortion law in front of the Holy Cross church on October 25 , 2020 in Warsaw , Poland .
“ The Church does not constitute the law in our homeland and these are not the bishops who decide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the Polish Constitution , ” Polish archbishop Stanislaw Gadecki said in a statement .
“ However , the Church can not stop defending life , nor can it abandon the proclamation that every human being must be protected from conception until natural death.
” In Krakow , protesters hung black underwear and clothes on lines between trees - a reference to early protests against tightening of abortion restrictions where people wore black to show their support .
In Warsaw protesters sprayed “ abortion without borders ” on one church , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ church “ you have blood on your hands ” was daubed on the wall .
“ I ’ m here today because it annoys me that in a secular country the church decides for me what rights I have , what I can do and what I ’ m not allowed to do , ” said media worker Julia Miotk , 26 , protesting in front of a church in Warsaw .
The protests started on Thursday despite bans on gatherings of more than five people imposed to contain the spread of COVID-19 @

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WARSAW (Reuters) - Thousands of activists disrupted church services across Poland on Sunday, chanting during mass and spraying slogans on walls to protest against a court ruling that amounts to a near-total ban on abortion.
In the first large-scale demonstrations directly targeting churches in the predominately Catholic country, crowds carried posters depicting a crucified pregnant woman and handed out protest cards to priests.
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A Constitutional Court decision outlawing abortions due to fetal defects has now triggered four days of demonstrations.
The ruling ended the most common of the few legal grounds left for abortion in Poland and set the country further apart from the European mainstream.
In the southern city of Katowice, a 7,000-strong crowd of mostly women gathered in front of the cathedral, chanting “this is war” and “human law, not ecclesiastical law.” State news agency PAP said police used tear gas after officers were attacked.
Demonstrators hold a protest against a ruling by Poland's Constitutional Tribunal that imposes a near-total ban on abortion, in a cathedral in Lodz, Poland October 25, 2020. Agencja Gazeta / Reuters
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Three dozen protesters interrupted a mass in the western city of Poznan, chanting “we are sick of this” and holding banners with slogans including “Catholic women also need their right to abortion” in front of the altar.
“Our rage should be directed towards politicians, but also towards senior church figures as they have also added to this women’s hell that the authorities are preparing,” said Mateusz Sulwinski, one of the protest organizers in Poznan.
The leaders of the protests have accused Poland’s conservative ruling party, Law and Justice (PiS), of pressing the court to tighten restrictions to appeal to the party’s base and to please the influential Church. The party denies that.
A protester holds a sign during a demonstration against tightening of abortion law in front of the Holy Cross church on October 25, 2020 in Warsaw, Poland. (Photo by Aleksander Kalka/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Church leaders have also denied wielding political power.
“The Church does not constitute the law in our homeland and these are not the bishops who decide on the compliance or non-compliance of laws with the Polish Constitution,” Polish archbishop Stanislaw Gadecki said in a statement.
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“However, the Church cannot stop defending life, nor can it abandon the proclamation that every human being must be protected from conception until natural death.”
A spokesman for the government could not be reached for comment.
Poland's constitutional court issued a ruling on October 22, 2020 that further restricts abortion rights in Poland, triggering four straight days of protests across the country. JANEK SKARZYNSKI via Getty Images
In Krakow, protesters hung black underwear and clothes on lines between trees - a reference to early protests against tightening of abortion restrictions where people wore black to show their support.
In Warsaw protesters sprayed “abortion without borders” on one church, according to state news agency PAP. At another church “you have blood on your hands” was daubed on the wall.
Some people give priests cards with a bolt symbol symbolizing their protest instead of the traditional donation during mass.
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“I’m here today because it annoys me that in a secular country the church decides for me what rights I have, what I can do and what I’m not allowed to do,” said media worker Julia Miotk, 26, protesting in front of a church in Warsaw.
Demonstrators hold a protest against a ruling by Poland's Constitutional Tribunal that imposes a near-total ban on abortion, at a cathedral in Poznan, Poland October 25, 2020. Agencja Gazeta / Reuters
The protests started on Thursday despite bans on gatherings of more than five people imposed to contain the spread of COVID-19.
Activists said they were planning more protests on Monday afternoon.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-26--Jared Kushner Mocks Black Lives Matter Activists: They 'Go On Instagram And Cry'

Jared Kusher , a top aide and son-in-law to President Donald Trump , appeared to mock Black Lives Matter activists on Monday , claiming many people who spoke out against George Floyd ’ s death in May were simply “ virtue signaling.
” “ Fox & Friends ” host Brian Kilmeade asked Kushner about working with rapper Ice Cube ― who has faced backlash for spreading baseless QAnon conspiracy theories on social media ― on the Trump administration ’ s “ Platinum Plan ” for Black communities .
“ So , look , there ’ s been a lot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Black community for the last year , but particularly it intensified after the George Floyd situation , ” Kushner said .
“ And , you know , you saw a lot of people that were just virtue signaling .
“ They ’ d go on Instagram and cry or , you know , they ’ d put a slogan on their jersey or write something on a basketball court , ” he continued , appearing to refer to athletes such as those in the NBA and WNBA who made Black Lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Kushner claimed such activism was “ doing more to polarize the country than it was to bring people forward.
” “ You solve problems with solutions , ” said Kushner , adding that Trump ’ s policies could help Black people “ break out of the problems that they ’ re complaining about.
” “ But he can ’ t want them to be successful more than they want to be successful , ” Kushner said of the president .
Jared Kushner on the Black community : `` President Trump 's policies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ break out of the problems that they 're complaining about , but he ca n't want them to be successful more than that they want to be successful . ''
pic.twitter.com/SX9vWiAfag — Aaron Rupar ( @ atrupar ) October 26 , 2020 Kushner attempted to distance himself from Trump ’ s birther claim during an interview last year , but refused to acknowledge the claim was racist .
( It was . )
During the first 2020 presidential debate , Trump declined to condemn white supremacy and directed the Proud Boys , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stand back ” and “ stand by.
” After several days of backlash , he directly condemned white supremacy .
Trump released his two-page Platinum Plan last month , less than two months ahead of Election Day .
The plan promises to create 3 million new jobs for Black people and “ increase access to capital in Black communities by almost $ 500 billion.
” Critics have called some of the plan ’ s proposals symbolic and ineffective , and have questioned the timing of its unveiling as Trump seeks to court Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 8 % of the Black vote in 2016 .
Recent polling showed his support among Black voters slightly increasing in 2020 , particularly among young Black voters .

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Jared Kushner, a top aide and son-in-law to President Donald Trump, appeared to mock Black Lives Matter activists on Monday, claiming many people who spoke out against George Floyd’s death in May were simply “virtue signaling.”
“Fox & Friends” host Brian Kilmeade asked Kushner about working with rapper Ice Cube ― who has faced backlash for spreading baseless QAnon conspiracy theories on social media ― on the Trump administration’s “Platinum Plan” for Black communities.
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“So, look, there’s been a lot of discussion about the issues that were needed in the Black community for the last year, but particularly it intensified after the George Floyd situation,” Kushner said. “And, you know, you saw a lot of people that were just virtue signaling.
“They’d go on Instagram and cry or, you know, they’d put a slogan on their jersey or write something on a basketball court,” he continued, appearing to refer to athletes such as those in the NBA and WNBA who made Black Lives Matter activism a centerpiece of their seasons.
Kushner claimed such activism was “doing more to polarize the country than it was to bring people forward.”
“You solve problems with solutions,” said Kushner, adding that Trump’s policies could help Black people “break out of the problems that they’re complaining about.”
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“But he can’t want them to be successful more than they want to be successful,” Kushner said of the president.
Jared Kushner on the Black community: "President Trump's policies are the policies that can help people break out of the problems that they're complaining about, but he can't want them to be successful more than that they want to be successful." pic.twitter.com/SX9vWiAfag — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 26, 2020
Trump has a long history of racism, including peddling the so-called birther conspiracy theory that falsely claimed then-President Barack Obama wasn’t born in the United States.
Kushner attempted to distance himself from Trump’s birther claim during an interview last year, but refused to acknowledge the claim was racist. (It was.)
During the first 2020 presidential debate, Trump declined to condemn white supremacy and directed the Proud Boys, a violent neo-fascist street gang, to “stand back” and “stand by.” After several days of backlash, he directly condemned white supremacy.
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Trump released his two-page Platinum Plan last month, less than two months ahead of Election Day. The plan promises to create 3 million new jobs for Black people and “increase access to capital in Black communities by almost $500 billion.”
Critics have called some of the plan’s proposals symbolic and ineffective, and have questioned the timing of its unveiling as Trump seeks to court Black voters ahead of November.
Trump won 8% of the Black vote in 2016. Recent polling showed his support among Black voters slightly increasing in 2020, particularly among young Black voters.
Watch Kushner’s full appearance on “Fox & Friends” below. His remarks about Black communities begin around the 6-minute mark.
Watch the latest video at foxnews.com


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-26--Supreme Court Blocks Wisconsin From Counting Mailed Ballots Received After Election Day

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — The Supreme Court is siding with Republicans to prevent Wisconsin from counting mailed ballots that are received after Election Day .
In a 5-3 order , the justices on Monday refused to reinstate a lower court order that called for mailed ballots to be counted if they are received up to six days after the Nov. 3 election .
A federal appeals court had already put that order on hold .
The three liberal justices dissented from the order that the court issued just before the Senate started voting on Amy Coney Barrett ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Roberts last week joined the liberals to preserve a Pennsylvania state court order extending the absentee ballot deadline but voted the other way in the Wisconsin case , which has moved through federal courts .
“ Different bodies of law and different precedents govern these two situations and require , in these particular circumstances , that we allow the modification of election rules in Pennsylvania but not Wisconsin , ” Roberts wrote .
Democrats argued that the flood of absentee ballots and other challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic makes it necessary to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be counted .
Wisconsin is one of the nation ’ s hot spots for COVID-19 , with hospitals treating a record high number of patients with the disease .
Republicans opposed the extension , saying that voters have plenty of opportunities to cast their ballots by the close of polls on Election Day and that the rules should not be changed so close to the election .
The justices often say nothing , or very little , about the reasons for their votes in these emergency cases , but on Monday , four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lay out their competing rationales .
“ As the COVID pandemic rages , the Court has failed to adequately protect the Nation ’ s voters , ” Justice Elena Kagan wrote in a dissent that noted the state allowed the six-day extension for primary voting in April and that roughly 80,000 ballots were received after the day of the primary election .
“ No one doubts that conducting a national election amid a pandemic poses serious challenges .
But none of that means individual judges may improvise with their own election rules in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ representatives have adopted , ” Gorsuch wrote .

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WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is siding with Republicans to prevent Wisconsin from counting mailed ballots that are received after Election Day.
In a 5-3 order, the justices on Monday refused to reinstate a lower court order that called for mailed ballots to be counted if they are received up to six days after the Nov. 3 election. A federal appeals court had already put that order on hold.
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The three liberal justices dissented from the order that the court issued just before the Senate started voting on Amy Coney Barrett’s Supreme Court nomination.
Chief Justice John Roberts last week joined the liberals to preserve a Pennsylvania state court order extending the absentee ballot deadline but voted the other way in the Wisconsin case, which has moved through federal courts.
“Different bodies of law and different precedents govern these two situations and require, in these particular circumstances, that we allow the modification of election rules in Pennsylvania but not Wisconsin,” Roberts wrote.
Democrats argued that the flood of absentee ballots and other challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic makes it necessary to extend the period in which ballots can be counted. Wisconsin is one of the nation’s hot spots for COVID-19, with hospitals treating a record high number of patients with the disease.
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Republicans opposed the extension, saying that voters have plenty of opportunities to cast their ballots by the close of polls on Election Day and that the rules should not be changed so close to the election.
The justices often say nothing, or very little, about the reasons for their votes in these emergency cases, but on Monday, four justices wrote opinions totaling 35 pages to lay out their competing rationales.
“As the COVID pandemic rages, the Court has failed to adequately protect the Nation’s voters,” Justice Elena Kagan wrote in a dissent that noted the state allowed the six-day extension for primary voting in April and that roughly 80,000 ballots were received after the day of the primary election.
Justice Neil Gorsuch acknowledged the complications the pandemic adds to voting, but defended the court’s action.
“No one doubts that conducting a national election amid a pandemic poses serious challenges. But none of that means individual judges may improvise with their own election rules in place of those the people’s representatives have adopted,” Gorsuch wrote.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-26--No, Biden Didn't Refer To Trump As 'George' During A Campaign Event

By Monday morning , Trump had seized on the clip , telling his more than 87 million Twitter followers that Biden couldn ’ t remember his name and that the “ Fake News Cartel ” was “ working overtime to cover it up.
” But Trump , his right-wing allies and several of the news outlets that published stories about Biden ’ s “ George ” remark failed to mention a key detail : He was speaking to comedian George Lopez at the time .
“ Well , first of all , the reason they should vote is that there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year , ” Biden said , adding : “ This is the most consequential — not because I ’ m running , but because who I ’ m running against — this is the most consequential election in a long , long , long time.
” “ And the character of the country , in my view , is literally on the ballot , ” he continued .
“ What kind of country are we going to be ?
Four more years of , George , uh ... George , uh ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ position where , if Trump gets elected , we ’ re gon na be in a different world.
” “ He was addressing George Lopez , the interviewer , as is a common practice ― that is , unless , like Donald Trump , you blow a gasket and storm out because you can ’ t stomach being fact-checked , ” Biden campaign spokesman Andrew Bates said in a statement , appearing to refer to Trump ’ s decision to walk out of a recent interview with journalist Lesley Stahl of CBS ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ afternoon , some outlets had updated their stories to note that Biden had been speaking to Lopez when he said “ George.
” But not before the false claim was peddled to millions and millions of people .
“ All the media gaslighting in the world can ’ t hide the fact that Joe Biden either confused President Trump with former President George Bush or he thinks the country is in danger of experiencing ‘ four more years of George ’ Lopez , ” Wolking said in a statement .
Fox News digital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ morning titled “ Joe Biden appears to confuse Trump with former President George W. Bush.
” In his story , Olson reported that celebrities were part of the campaign event , but did not mention Lopez , with whom Biden was speaking at the time .
HuffPost reached out to Olson on Monday afternoon for comment but did not receive a response from him .
However , Olson ’ s story was subsequently updated to include Lopez ’ s role in the event and featured a new title : “ GOP accuses Joe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ George ’ comment.
” And though the story was eventually updated , it had been shared on the “ Fox & Friends ” Facebook page , which boasts more than 2.6 million followers .
The post was shared more than 7,000 times .
The Daily Caller added an editor ’ s note to its story on Monday , claiming that Biden was “ very likely addressing Lopez after appearing to forget Trump ’ s name ” rather than “ confusing Trump for either of the former presidents George W. or H.W .
Bush.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ appearing to confuse his opponent ’ s name , ” Welker said during the broadcast .
“ It comes as the former vice president was pressed to respond to the president ’ s claims that Biden is not mentally fit to serve .
”

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Right-wing Twitter was in a frenzy Sunday night when President Donald Trump’s campaign tweeted a clip purporting to show Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden referring to Trump as “George” during a virtual campaign event.
“Joe Biden confuses President Trump with George Bush,” the Trump War Room, an official campaign account, tweeted along with a 13-second clip of Biden’s remarks.
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The so-called gaffe was picked up by several outlets, including Fox News, Mediaite and NBC News. Right-wing websites Breitbart and The Daily Caller also published stories on it.
By Monday morning, Trump had seized on the clip, telling his more than 87 million Twitter followers that Biden couldn’t remember his name and that the “Fake News Cartel” was “working overtime to cover it up.”
But Trump, his right-wing allies and several of the news outlets that published stories about Biden’s “George” remark failed to mention a key detail: He was speaking to comedian George Lopez at the time.
Lopez had asked Biden why Americans should vote for him.
“Well, first of all, the reason they should vote is that there’s a lot on the ballot this year,” Biden said, adding: “This is the most consequential — not because I’m running, but because who I’m running against — this is the most consequential election in a long, long, long time.”
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“And the character of the country, in my view, is literally on the ballot,” he continued. “What kind of country are we going to be? Four more years of, George, uh ... George, uh ... is gonna find ourselves in a position where, if Trump gets elected, we’re gonna be in a different world.”
1.1 million views and a Fox story based on the premise that Biden was confusing Trump with George Bush.
He was talking to George Lopez. (Clip in next tweet) pic.twitter.com/Y0poyu0ejS — Dave Weigel, Re-Animator (@daveweigel) October 26, 2020
Both Biden’s campaign and Lopez said the former vice president had been referring to Lopez when he said “George.”
“He was addressing George Lopez, the interviewer, as is a common practice ― that is, unless, like Donald Trump, you blow a gasket and storm out because you can’t stomach being fact-checked,” Biden campaign spokesman Andrew Bates said in a statement, appearing to refer to Trump’s decision to walk out of a recent interview with journalist Lesley Stahl of CBS’s “60 Minutes.”
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Lopez on Monday retweeted political commentator Ana Navarro-Cárdenas, who was part of the virtual campaign event with Lopez on Sunday.
“This is a damn lie,” Navarro-Cárdenas had tweeted. “But that won’t stop them. This is the kind of unethical crap they do to spread false narratives.”
By Monday afternoon, some outlets had updated their stories to note that Biden had been speaking to Lopez when he said “George.” But not before the false claim was peddled to millions and millions of people.
The clip tweeted by the Trump campaign has been viewed on Twitter more than 1.9 million times and shared more than 14,000 times.
Asked for comment, Matt Wolking, a spokesman for the Trump campaign, stood by the campaign’s claim that Biden was confused.
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“All the media gaslighting in the world can’t hide the fact that Joe Biden either confused President Trump with former President George Bush or he thinks the country is in danger of experiencing ‘four more years of George’ Lopez,” Wolking said in a statement.
Fox News digital reporter Tyler Olson published a story Monday morning titled “Joe Biden appears to confuse Trump with former President George W. Bush.” In his story, Olson reported that celebrities were part of the campaign event, but did not mention Lopez, with whom Biden was speaking at the time.
HuffPost reached out to Olson on Monday afternoon for comment but did not receive a response from him. However, Olson’s story was subsequently updated to include Lopez’s role in the event and featured a new title: “GOP accuses Joe Biden of confusing his opponent after ‘George’ comment.”
Fox News declined to comment about the initial omission of that detail.
And though the story was eventually updated, it had been shared on the “Fox & Friends” Facebook page, which boasts more than 2.6 million followers. The post was shared more than 7,000 times.
A misleading story about a Joe Biden campaign event was shared on the Facebook page for "Fox & Friends" before it was updated. Fox & Friends / Facebook
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The Daily Caller added an editor’s note to its story on Monday, claiming that Biden was “very likely addressing Lopez after appearing to forget Trump’s name” rather than “confusing Trump for either of the former presidents George W. or H.W. Bush.”
As of Monday afternoon, Breitbart hadn’t updated its story to include Lopez.
But it wasn’t just the usual Trump-friendly websites that peddled the right-wing misinformation.
NBC News’ Kristen Welker delivered a report about the “George” comment during Monday morning’s episode of the “Today” show, which averages more than 3 million viewers daily. She didn’t mention Lopez in the segment.
“Biden making headlines overnight after appearing to confuse his opponent’s name,” Welker said during the broadcast. “It comes as the former vice president was pressed to respond to the president’s claims that Biden is not mentally fit to serve.”
NBC later added an editor’s note to the “Today” show video on its website.
“The fact that Biden was talking with George Lopez was relevant and helpful context that should have been included in the original report,” reads the note.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-26--Kelly Ripa Says Mark Consuelos' Bulge In Halloween Pic Is No Trick, All Treat

# tbt Halloween is a family business 🌕🧛🏼♂🧝🏼♀🧞♀🧞♂🧟♀🧚🏼♀☠🎃 here are a few faves over the years

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#tbt Halloween is a family business 🌕🧛🏼♂🧝🏼♀🧞♀🧞♂🧟♀🧚🏼♀☠🎃 here are a few faves over the years


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-26--Carl Bernstein Says GOP Senators Weighing Action If Trump Won't Step Down

Watergate journalist Carl Bernstein said Sunday that a handful of Republican senators are beginning to discuss what they ’ ll do President Donald Trump refuses to leave office if he ’ s defeated in the election .
Trump has refused to commit to a peaceful transfer of power if he loses , and has repeatedly tried to undermine the integrity of the electoral process by claiming the only way he can lose is if the vote is rigged .
As many as 10 GOP senators are “ talking with each other about how to restrain what they regard as an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do anything to hold on to office regardless of its legality.
” Bernstein told CNN ’ s Ana Cabrera without naming anyone involved .
They are “ terribly , terribly concerned about what they regard as the president ’ s unconstitutional and unthinkable acts to undermine the electoral process , ” Bernstein added , calling Trump ’ s aggressive grip on power a “ scorched earth ” strategy .
“ I think he ’ s been very strenuous about telling people around him that he intends to use every tool at his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way that the Democrats and Joe Biden can win this election , ” Bernstein said .
“ The only way would be a landslide that would be ... undeniable.
” He is “ setting up an apparatus and a methodology in which he intends to prolong the count , to make it impossible , perhaps , for the Electoral College , when it ’ s supposed to meet , to reach a majority .
That ’ s part of his strategy , ” Bernstein added .
Former national security adviser John Bolton told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republicans will have to act to eject the president if he refuses to leave the White House .
“ I think it ’ s very troubling [ that Trump ] has said , ‘ I can ’ t lose unless there ’ s fraud , ’ ” Bolton said.
“ Of course he can lose in an honest election.
” Bolton warned : “ Let ’ s be clear : Trump will not leave graciously if he loses .
Whether he carries it to the extreme , I don ’ t think we @ @ @

Watergate journalist Carl Bernstein said Sunday that a handful of Republican senators are beginning to discuss what they’ll do President Donald Trump refuses to leave office if he’s defeated in the election.
Trump has refused to commit to a peaceful transfer of power if he loses, and has repeatedly tried to undermine the integrity of the electoral process by claiming the only way he can lose is if the vote is rigged.
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As many as 10 GOP senators are “talking with each other about how to restrain what they regard as an out-of-control” president who is “determined to do anything to hold on to office regardless of its legality.” Bernstein told CNN’s Ana Cabrera without naming anyone involved.
They are “terribly, terribly concerned about what they regard as the president’s unconstitutional and unthinkable acts to undermine the electoral process,” Bernstein added, calling Trump’s aggressive grip on power a “scorched earth” strategy.
“I think he’s been very strenuous about telling people around him that he intends to use every tool at his command to see that there is no way that the Democrats and Joe Biden can win this election,” Bernstein said. “The only way would be a landslide that would be ... undeniable.”
He is “setting up an apparatus and a methodology in which he intends to prolong the count, to make it impossible, perhaps, for the Electoral College, when it’s supposed to meet, to reach a majority. That’s part of his strategy,” Bernstein added.
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Former national security adviser John Bolton told Jake Tapper on CNN last week that Republicans will have to act to eject the president if he refuses to leave the White House.
“I think it’s very troubling [that Trump] has said, ‘I can’t lose unless there’s fraud,’” Bolton said.“Of course he can lose in an honest election.”
Bolton warned: “Let’s be clear: Trump will not leave graciously if he loses. Whether he carries it to the extreme, I don’t think we know.”
Republicans, Tapper noted, haven’t exactly been “profiles in courage” in response to Trump’s outrageous conduct.