thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-12--GOP Senator Diagnosed With COVID-19 Attends Barrett Hearing Sans Mask

Lee , who earlier this month declared that the United States is “ not a democracy , ” delivered a speech to the Senate Judiciary Committee in support of Barrett .
Lee told talk show host Hugh Hewitt earlier on Monday that he was “ feeling great ” and “ ready to be back in the saddle and excited for today ’ s hearings to begin.
” He said he ’ d gotten “ the sign-off ” from the congressional physician .
“ I ’ ve gone through the appropriate number of days , and I ’ ve been keeping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m no longer contagious , ” Lee said , adding that for people who recover from COVID-19 , “ for at least a period of a few months , you ’ re not going to get it again.
” Researchers have not yet determined whether that ’ s true , although there have been no confirmed reports of a person being reinfected with COVID-19 within three months .
Lee later shared a letter from Dr. Brian Monahan , the congressional attending physician , on his website .
“ Based upon current CDC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end COVID-19 isolation for those with mild to moderate disease , ” Monahan wrote .
“ Specifically , it has been greater than 10 days since symptom onset , you have had no fever in absence of fever reducing medication for at least 24 hours , and your other symptoms have improved .
The CDC does not recommend repeat SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing if these criteria are met.
” CDC guidance says anyone diagnosed with COVID-19 “ can be with others at least 10 days since symptoms first appeared.
” Lee tweeted 10 days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and had tested positive .
“ Unlike the test I took just a few days ago while visiting the White House , yesterday ’ s test came back positive , ” he wrote at the time .
Lee , like President Donald Trump and multiple others who fell ill from the coronavirus , attended a Sept. 26 White House Rose Garden event celebrating Barretts ’ s nomination .
He did not wear a mask .
Sen. Ted Cruz ( R-Texas ) , another Judiciary Committee member , participated in Monday ’ s hearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so “ out of an abundance of caution ” after previously interacting with Lee .

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Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), diagnosed with COVID-19 just 10 days ago, addressed Monday’s Senate hearing on Amy Coney Barrett’s Supreme Court nomination without a face mask.
Despite wearing a mask upon entry into the hearing, Lee, who earlier this month declared that the United States is “not a democracy,” delivered a speech without one to the Senate Judiciary Committee in support of Barrett.
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Fellow committee member Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-S.C.), commented that Lee looked like he had made a full recovery. Lee greeted the remark with a wide smile.
A maskless Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), who tested positive for COVID 10 days ago, is lecturing about his pocket Constitution.
Lee has not revealed if he's tested negative before today's hearing. pic.twitter.com/r0bTZVjAXR — The Recount (@therecount) October 12, 2020
Lee told talk show host Hugh Hewitt earlier on Monday that he was “feeling great” and “ready to be back in the saddle and excited for today’s hearings to begin.” He said he’d gotten “the sign-off” from the congressional physician.
“I’ve gone through the appropriate number of days, and I’ve been keeping my temperature under control, and I’m no longer contagious,” Lee said, adding that for people who recover from COVID-19, “for at least a period of a few months, you’re not going to get it again.”
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Researchers have not yet determined whether that’s true, although there have been no confirmed reports of a person being reinfected with COVID-19 within three months.
Lee later shared a letter from Dr. Brian Monahan, the congressional attending physician, on his website. “Based upon current CDC guidelines, you have met criteria to end COVID-19 isolation for those with mild to moderate disease,” Monahan wrote. “Specifically, it has been greater than 10 days since symptom onset, you have had no fever in absence of fever reducing medication for at least 24 hours, and your other symptoms have improved. The CDC does not recommend repeat SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing if these criteria are met.”
CDC guidance says anyone diagnosed with COVID-19 “can be with others at least 10 days since symptoms first appeared.” Lee tweeted 10 days ago that he had experienced COVID-19 symptoms and had tested positive.
“Unlike the test I took just a few days ago while visiting the White House, yesterday’s test came back positive,” he wrote at the time.
Lee, like President Donald Trump and multiple others who fell ill from the coronavirus, attended a Sept. 26 White House Rose Garden event celebrating Barretts’s nomination. He did not wear a mask.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-12--California's Republican Party Told To Remove Its Unofficial Vote-By-Mail Collection Boxes

Mike Blake/Reuters An election worker places a mail-in ballot into an election box at a drive-through drop-off location at the Registrar of Voters in San Diego in 2018 .
California ’ s attorney general and secretary of state told Republicans on Monday to knock it off after election officials reported that the state party had been breaking the law by placing makeshift , unauthorized ballot dropoff boxes around the state and falsely labeling them “ official.
” Following reports of the mysterious ballot collection boxes on Sunday , the chief of California ’ s elections division released a statement saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote-by-mail ballot drop boxes does not comply with state law governing ballot collection activities.
” California Attorney General Xavier Becerra and Secretary of State Alex Padilla said Monday that they have sent cease-and-desist letters to the state Republican Party and county Republican organizations to immediately remove the fake drop boxes in Los Angeles , Orange and Fresno counties .
“ Unofficial , unauthorized ballot drop boxes are not permitted by state law , ” Padilla said at a news conference Monday .
“ We are sending guidance to all political parties reminding them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official ballot drop boxes .
Misleading voters is wrong , regardless of who ’ s doing it.
” The cease-and-desist letter , a copy of which HuffPost obtained , requires the state Republican Party to arrange with the attorney general ’ s office to provide county elections officials with the names , addresses and birth date information of voters who had already dropped off their ballot in the unofficial drop boxes by Thursday .
GOP officials must also immediately return and surrender to the appropriate county election official any vote-by-mail ballots received through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unofficial boxes were spotted in Southern California , according to the Orange County Register and KCAL-TV .
At least one of the boxes disappeared after local residents notified election officials in Los Angeles County , and it ’ s not clear how many , if any , ballots had already been deposited before the box was removed .
“ There is nothing more precious or fundamental in a real democracy than the vote , ” Becerra said in a statement .
“ Anyone who tampers with the vote is tampering with free and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s necessary under law to protect Californians ’ right to vote.
” “ If a congregation/business or other group provides the option to its parishioners/associates/ or colleagues to drop off their ballot in a safe location , with people they trust , rather than handing it over to a stranger who knocks on their door - what is wrong with that ?
” the California GOP tweeted on Sunday .
Voters are legally allowed to “ designate a person to return the ballot to the elections official who issued the ballot.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it to an official ballot box themselves will designate a volunteer to drop their ballot off for them .
Earlier this year , California Republicans sued Gov .
Gavin Newsom ( D ) and other state officials to ban this practice , which was codified into law in 2016 .
Many Americans are expected to vote from home this year due to the worsening coronavirus pandemic , and designating a volunteer is one vital way to do so .
But California Republicans argued that the pandemic is reason to allow less voting from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear , the state of California does allow designated volunteers to drop off voters ’ ballots , but it does not and never has disallowed anyone from visiting their mothers on Mother ’ s Day .

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California’s attorney general and secretary of state told Republicans on Monday to knock it off after election officials reported that the state party had been breaking the law by placing makeshift, unauthorized ballot dropoff boxes around the state and falsely labeling them “official.”
Following reports of the mysterious ballot collection boxes on Sunday, the chief of California’s elections division released a statement saying “the use of unauthorized, non-official vote-by-mail ballot drop boxes does not comply with state law governing ballot collection activities.”
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An election worker places a mail-in ballot into an election box at a drive-through drop-off location at the Registrar of Voters in San Diego in 2018. Mike Blake/Reuters
On Monday morning, Orange County’s Republican voter registrar released a statement reiterating that unofficial ballot boxes are illegal and urging voters to deposit ballots into boxes that bear the official county seal.
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra and Secretary of State Alex Padilla said Monday that they have sent cease-and-desist letters to the state Republican Party and county Republican organizations to immediately remove the fake drop boxes in Los Angeles, Orange and Fresno counties.
California Secretary of State @AlexPadilla4CA says the state has ordered the California Republican Party, as well as local party offices – including in Fresno County – to "cease and desist" from putting up ballot drop boxes. pic.twitter.com/Uof8QqLOYg — Troy Pope (@troycpope) October 12, 2020
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“Unofficial, unauthorized ballot drop boxes are not permitted by state law,” Padilla said at a news conference Monday. “We are sending guidance to all political parties reminding them of the rules as it pertains to official ballot drop boxes. Misleading voters is wrong, regardless of who’s doing it.”
The cease-and-desist letter, a copy of which HuffPost obtained, requires the state Republican Party to arrange with the attorney general’s office to provide county elections officials with the names, addresses and birth date information of voters who had already dropped off their ballot in the unofficial drop boxes by Thursday. GOP officials must also immediately return and surrender to the appropriate county election official any vote-by-mail ballots received through the fake drop boxes.
The first unofficial boxes were spotted in Southern California, according to the Orange County Register and KCAL-TV. At least one of the boxes disappeared after local residents notified election officials in Los Angeles County, and it’s not clear how many, if any, ballots had already been deposited before the box was removed.
“There is nothing more precious or fundamental in a real democracy than the vote,” Becerra said in a statement. “Anyone who tampers with the vote is tampering with free and fair elections. We will do all that’s necessary under law to protect Californians’ right to vote.”
The California GOP previously promoted the unofficial collection boxes on social media and on a now-defunct web page hosted by the Fresno County chapter of the party.
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The state GOP defended the boxes on Twitter after election officials condemned them on Sunday, revealing how the party is undermining legal get-out-the-vote activities.
“If a congregation/business or other group provides the option to its parishioners/associates/ or colleagues to drop off their ballot in a safe location, with people they trust, rather than handing it over to a stranger who knocks on their door - what is wrong with that?” the California GOP tweeted on Sunday.
The National Republican Congressional Committee tweeted a similar defense.
But the answer is fairly simple, according to California law: A box is not a person.
Voters are legally allowed to “designate a person to return the ballot to the elections official who issued the ballot.” Often, voters unable to make it to an official ballot box themselves will designate a volunteer to drop their ballot off for them. Earlier this year, California Republicans sued Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) and other state officials to ban this practice, which was codified into law in 2016.
Many Americans are expected to vote from home this year due to the worsening coronavirus pandemic, and designating a volunteer is one vital way to do so. But California Republicans argued that the pandemic is reason to allow less voting from home, not more.
“If we can’t see our mothers on Mother’s Day, then strangers shouldn’t be visiting our homes to collect ballots,” California Republican Party Chair Jessica Millan Patterson said in April.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-12--Roberta McCain, John McCain's Mother, Dies At 108

At 96 , Roberta McCain became the Republican senator ’ s secret weapon at campaign stops as evidence that voters need not worry about her son ’ s age — past 70 — as he sought the presidency .
She remained energetic and active into her 90s , traveling often with her identical twin sister Rowena , who died at age 99 .
She attended the 2008 Republican National Convention , where her son credited “ her love of life , her deep interest in the world , her strength , and her belief we are all meant to use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our country .
I wouldn ’ t be here tonight but for the strength of her character.
” It was 1933 when a 20-year-old Roberta Wright defied her family and eloped with John McCain Jr .
Documents released in 2008 showed that as a young ensign , John Jr. got into trouble when the couple decided to marry and he left his ship without permission .
“ I got married young , ” she told The Muskogee Phoenix in her native Oklahoma in 2008 .
“ I was 20 years old , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made.
” She married into a storied military family — her husband retired in 1972 with the rank of four-star admiral , the same rank held by his father , John S. “ Slew ” McCain Sr .
Her son was later held as a prisoner-of-war in Vietnam even as his father was commander in chief of Pacific forces by the late 1960s .
Roberta McCain also was a young mother when her three children were born , later telling the Oklahoma paper that she was “ too young and irresponsible to know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I just let them go .
I got a kick out of watching them.
” The senator , who died in 2018 , said in 2008 that his “ father was often at sea , and the job of raising my brother , sister and me would fall to my mother alone.
” “ We were all basically on the same side of the fence , ” Joe McCain said .
“ But it was like Talmudic scholars arguing about a single word or an adjective in the Testament.
” When Sen. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experience as a POW for nearly six years in a north Vietnamese prison , he described times when he swore in English at his Vietnamese guards , who didn ’ t understand .
Her granddaughter , Meghan McCain , recalled her strong will and sense of duty in a 2012 column for The Daily Beast website , writing that Roberta McCain did not have “ a lot of patience for excuses , especially from my father when he was growing up and acting out.
” “ She once hit him over the head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a car because he was acting up so badly on a road trip , ” wrote Meghan McCain .
“ Last Christmas , she wanted to drive around France .
So she flew to Paris and tried to rent a car , ” the senator once joked .
“ They said she was too old , so she bought one and drove around France.
” Her husband commanded submarines in World War II and was second in command of the cruiser St. Paul during the Korean War .
He later held key posts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ congressional liaison , and died in 1981 .

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PHOENIX (AP) — Roberta Wright McCain, the mother of Sen. John McCain who used her feisty spirit to help convince voters during his 2008 presidential campaign, has died. She was 108.
A spokesperson for daughter-in-law Cindy McCain says Roberta McCain died Monday. A cause of death was not immediately released.
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At 96, Roberta McCain became the Republican senator’s secret weapon at campaign stops as evidence that voters need not worry about her son’s age — past 70 — as he sought the presidency.
She remained energetic and active into her 90s, traveling often with her identical twin sister Rowena, who died at age 99. She attended the 2008 Republican National Convention, where her son credited “her love of life, her deep interest in the world, her strength, and her belief we are all meant to use our opportunities to make ourselves useful to our country. I wouldn’t be here tonight but for the strength of her character.”
It was 1933 when a 20-year-old Roberta Wright defied her family and eloped with John McCain Jr. Documents released in 2008 showed that as a young ensign, John Jr. got into trouble when the couple decided to marry and he left his ship without permission.
“I got married young,” she told The Muskogee Phoenix in her native Oklahoma in 2008. “I was 20 years old, and it was the best decision I ever made.”
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She married into a storied military family — her husband retired in 1972 with the rank of four-star admiral, the same rank held by his father, John S. “Slew” McCain Sr. Her son was later held as a prisoner-of-war in Vietnam even as his father was commander in chief of Pacific forces by the late 1960s.
Roberta McCain also was a young mother when her three children were born, later telling the Oklahoma paper that she was “too young and irresponsible to know you were supposed to worry about them. I just let them go. I got a kick out of watching them.”
In this 2018 file photo, Roberta McCain, mother of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., watches as his casket is carried out of Washington National Cathedral in Washington. AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File
The senator, who died in 2018, said in 2008 that his “father was often at sea, and the job of raising my brother, sister and me would fall to my mother alone.”
Her other son, Joe, told The Associated Press in 2007 that the family had endless dinner-table discussions about history, politics and legislation led by their mother.
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“We were all basically on the same side of the fence,” Joe McCain said. “But it was like Talmudic scholars arguing about a single word or an adjective in the Testament.”
When Sen. John McCain wrote a memoir about his experience as a POW for nearly six years in a north Vietnamese prison, he described times when he swore in English at his Vietnamese guards, who didn’t understand.
His mother later told him: “Johnny, I’m going to come over there and wash your mouth out with soap.”
Her granddaughter, Meghan McCain, recalled her strong will and sense of duty in a 2012 column for The Daily Beast website, writing that Roberta McCain did not have “a lot of patience for excuses, especially from my father when he was growing up and acting out.”
“She once hit him over the head with a thermos in the back of a car because he was acting up so badly on a road trip,” wrote Meghan McCain.
The McCain matriarch’s spunky personality became the stuff of stories for the family — and among those in their circle of Washington society.
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“Last Christmas, she wanted to drive around France. So she flew to Paris and tried to rent a car,” the senator once joked. “They said she was too old, so she bought one and drove around France.”
Roberta Wright was born Feb. 7, 1912, in Muskogee, Oklahoma, where her father was a businessman whose varied, colorful enterprises included bootlegging and oil wildcatting. The family moved to Los Angeles in the mid-1920s.
Her husband commanded submarines in World War II and was second in command of the cruiser St. Paul during the Korean War. He later held key posts including the Navy’s chief of congressional liaison, and died in 1981.
In 1934, when a fitness report deemed him underweight, the future admiral wrote: “My wife doesn’t know how to cook, and my meals are very irregular.”
___
This story contains biographical material compiled by former AP reporter Polly Anderson.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-12--Kamala Harris Trolls With RBG Book During SCOTUS Confirmation Hearing

One of Sen. Kamala Harris ’ most powerful messages while speaking during Judge Amy Coney Barrett ’ s Supreme Court confirmation hearing on Monday was also one of the most silent .
The Democratic vice presidential nominee prominently displayed a children ’ s book about the life of the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg as she spoke out against President Donald Trump ’ s nomination of Barrett to replace the legal and feminist icon .
The book , “ I Dissent : Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark , ” appeared over Harris ’ shoulder while the senator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , arguing that it jeopardizes everything Ginsburg fought to protect .
“ Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg devoted her life to fight for equal justice and she defended the constitution , ” Harris said .
“ She advocated for human rights and equality .
She stood up for the rights of women .
She protected workers .
She fought for the rights of consumers against big corporations .
She supported LGBTQ rights , and she did so much more.
” “ But now , her legacy and the rights she fought so hard to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continued .
“ By replacing Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg with someone who will undo her legacy , President Trump is attempting to roll back American ’ s rights for decades to come.
” Prior to selecting Barrett to replace Ginsburg , Trump said he would appoint justices who would overturn the landmark Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade that protects the right to abortion .
Upon nominating Barrett , who is a strict Catholic , the president called her “ conservative in her views ” and rulings and said it “ is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overturn the historic 1973 decision .
Barrett , speaking before the Senate on Monday , expressed her own respect and admiration of Ginsburg and said that the Supreme Court must be independent and interpret the Constitution and laws “ as they are written.
” “ I have been nominated to fill Justice Ginsburg ’ s seat , but no one will ever take her place , ” Barrett said .
“ I will be forever grateful for the path she marked and the life she led .
”

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One of Sen. Kamala Harris’ most powerful messages while speaking during Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s Supreme Court confirmation hearing on Monday was also one of the most silent.
The Democratic vice presidential nominee prominently displayed a children’s book about the life of the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg as she spoke out against President Donald Trump’s nomination of Barrett to replace the legal and feminist icon.
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The book, “I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark,” appeared over Harris’ shoulder while the senator vocally dissented against Barrett’s appointment, arguing that it jeopardizes everything Ginsburg fought to protect.
Vice presidential nominee Sen. Kamala Harris speaks during Monday's Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing on Amy Coney Barrett's Supreme Court nomination. YouTube/NBC News
“Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg devoted her life to fight for equal justice and she defended the constitution,” Harris said. “She advocated for human rights and equality. She stood up for the rights of women. She protected workers. She fought for the rights of consumers against big corporations. She supported LGBTQ rights, and she did so much more.”
“But now, her legacy and the rights she fought so hard to protect are in jeopardy,” she continued. “By replacing Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg with someone who will undo her legacy, President Trump is attempting to roll back American’s rights for decades to come.”
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Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) spoke virtually in the confirmation hearing for Judge Amy Coney Barrett on Capitol Hill. LEAH MILLIS via Getty Images
Prior to selecting Barrett to replace Ginsburg, Trump said he would appoint justices who would overturn the landmark Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade that protects the right to abortion.
Upon nominating Barrett, who is a strict Catholic, the president called her “conservative in her views” and rulings and said it “is certainly possible” that she could help overturn the historic 1973 decision.
Barrett, speaking before the Senate on Monday, expressed her own respect and admiration of Ginsburg and said that the Supreme Court must be independent and interpret the Constitution and laws “as they are written.”
“I have been nominated to fill Justice Ginsburg’s seat, but no one will ever take her place,” Barrett said. “I will be forever grateful for the path she marked and the life she led.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-12--Nancy Pelosi Should Take The Stimulus Deal

Pelosi instead spent the weekend blasting the White House offer , which includes $ 300 billion in aid to state and local governments , a $ 400-a-week boost to the unemployed and a more aggressive round of stimulus checks to households than those delivered under the March stimulus bill .
The Trump administration proposal would provide a family of four making less than $ 150,000 an influx of at least $ 4,400 , as The Washington Post detailed .
This is real money .
However compelling these objections may be , they were all equally true of the original coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pelosi , Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D-N.Y. ) and every single congressional Democrat supported that bill , and Pelosi vowed at the time that Democrats would be coming back to the table for more .
There would be multiple “ phases ” of relief , she said , to address different stages of the crisis .
Now that a new phase has arrived , Pelosi appears to be digging in against a deal .
The White House has been thoroughly erratic on its stimulus views for weeks .
Last week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the election , personally taking credit for killing negotiations .
By Friday , his offer was up to $ 1.8 trillion .
Over the weekend , his economic adviser , Larry Kudlow , suggested the administration might be willing to eclipse $ 2.2 trillion , while other Trump administration staffers put forward a narrower $ 130 billion proposal aimed exclusively at small businesses .
It ’ s possible Pelosi can coax more money out of the administration .
If so , bravo to her .
But what is on the table right now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as Rep. Ro Khanna ( D-Calif. ) notes , more than double the size of the 2009 Obama stimulus .
And as far as the terms for working people are concerned , it is considerably more generous .
The economic rationale for the bill is straightforward .
According to the most recent weekly data , 840,000 people are losing their jobs every week .
Prior to the pandemic , the previous all-time weekly high was 695,000 .
Job growth picked up in June as states began reopening their economies , but that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the moment , growth is stalled out and the unemployment rate is 7.9 % .
Small businesses that have survived the spring and summer by repurposing themselves as outdoor enterprises will not be able to continue the gambit through the winter , and according to the National Restaurant Association , 40 % of restaurant operators don ’ t expect to make it another six months .
It is unfortunate that such considerations must be weighed when considering doing basic relief work , but it would be irresponsible not to consider them .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been ranting all week about having the Department of Justice prosecute his critics .
He has repeatedly refused to commit to a peaceful transition of power should he lose the election .
He is a dangerous man surrounded by dangerous men , and it would indeed be foolish for Democrats to approve legislation that would help him win reelection .
Such reasoning , however , applied even more forcefully to the original relief bill passed in March .
If Democrats really wanted Trump to take it on the chin , they would not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a $ 600 a week boost to unemployment benefits for four months .
The economic crisis would have been far worse as a result , and Trump ’ s approval rating on the economy would be lower , while public anger at incumbent politicians would be more intense , with most of that fury directed toward the most powerful man in the country .
Taking the deal would immediately put pressure on the Republican-controlled Senate to act .
According to a September poll from the Financial Times and the Peterson Institute , 91 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pass another stimulus package .
We know , however , that Senate Republicans don ’ t want to pass one , because they keep saying so to the press .
Having to vote against the deal would be a disaster for a host of embattled Republicans .
Democrats have Senate pickup opportunities in Colorado , Iowa , Maine , Montana , North Carolina , South Carolina , Arizona , Alaska , Georgia and even Texas this cycle .
All of these races will be close and none of these senators want to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that economists and the president say is necessary .
If McConnell won ’ t get his caucus to approve the deal , he ’ ll be signing a lot of electoral death warrants .
So it ’ s entirely plausible that McConnell signs on to the stimulus to prevent a Senate wipeout .
What then ?
Well , the grim fact is that relief won ’ t arrive in time to affect many people ’ s views about the government .
It takes time to administer relief , and much of the relief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ damage later on ― aid to state and local governments , for instance , is about preventing further job losses , not creating new jobs .
Trump , paradoxically , is a gift to Democrats right now .
One of the key problems with the March coronavirus bill was that it gave Republicans everything they really wanted ― trillions of dollars in relief for large corporations and the ultra-wealthy .
Once those terms were secured , Republicans had no real incentive to return to the negotiating table .
And they haven ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trump has launched a sustained offensive in right-wing media calling for more stimulus .
This is leverage that Pelosi will not have after the election when Trump will no longer care about being reelected .
There ’ s a lot of time between now and January , and though more spending will unquestionably be needed in 2021 , $ 1.8 trillion in fiscal relief now would put an incoming Joe Biden administration on stronger footing .

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After months of negotiations with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) finally persuaded the Trump administration on Friday to offer up $1.8 trillion in emergency economic relief.
She should take the deal.
Pelosi instead spent the weekend blasting the White House offer, which includes $300 billion in aid to state and local governments, a $400-a-week boost to the unemployed and a more aggressive round of stimulus checks to households than those delivered under the March stimulus bill. The Trump administration proposal would provide a family of four making less than $150,000 an influx of at least $4,400, as The Washington Post detailed. This is real money.
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And yet, in separate letters released Saturday and Sunday, Pelosi assailed the Trump proposal for failing to adequately address virus testing, tracing and vaccine development; refusing to tighten OSHA regulations; excluding economic relief to U.S. territories and Native American tribes; and for “cruelly” doing “nothing to address inequities in COVID incidence and impact on communities of color.”
However compelling these objections may be, they were all equally true of the original coronavirus relief package Congress approved in March. Pelosi, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and every single congressional Democrat supported that bill, and Pelosi vowed at the time that Democrats would be coming back to the table for more. There would be multiple “phases” of relief, she said, to address different stages of the crisis. Now that a new phase has arrived, Pelosi appears to be digging in against a deal.
The White House has been thoroughly erratic on its stimulus views for weeks. Last week, Trump called off talks altogether until after the election, personally taking credit for killing negotiations. By Friday, his offer was up to $1.8 trillion. Over the weekend, his economic adviser, Larry Kudlow, suggested the administration might be willing to eclipse $2.2 trillion, while other Trump administration staffers put forward a narrower $130 billion proposal aimed exclusively at small businesses.
It’s possible Pelosi can coax more money out of the administration. If so, bravo to her. But what is on the table right now is already very good. It is, as Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) notes, more than double the size of the 2009 Obama stimulus. And as far as the terms for working people are concerned, it is considerably more generous.
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There is little reason to believe Donald Trump will benefit from a deal with Nancy Pelosi. If anything, taking the deal would throw the Republican Party into turmoil that would aid Democrats in November. Xinhua News Agency via Getty Images
The economic rationale for the bill is straightforward. According to the most recent weekly data, 840,000 people are losing their jobs every week. Prior to the pandemic, the previous all-time weekly high was 695,000. Job growth picked up in June as states began reopening their economies, but that growth has slowed every month. At the moment, growth is stalled out and the unemployment rate is 7.9%. Small businesses that have survived the spring and summer by repurposing themselves as outdoor enterprises will not be able to continue the gambit through the winter, and according to the National Restaurant Association, 40% of restaurant operators don’t expect to make it another six months.
The economy, in short, is in a downward spiral that will likely accelerate without government aid. Absent a deal with the president, none will magically materialize. Relief payments for households and small businesses dried up in July. Even conservative economists currently believe that a large government relief program is needed to right the ship.
The dispute over the stimulus in Democratic circles has not been about the economic situation, but the politics of addressing it. Passing a stimulus bill, critics argue, would hand Trump a much-needed legislative win heading into the November election.
It is unfortunate that such considerations must be weighed when considering doing basic relief work, but it would be irresponsible not to consider them. The current occupant of the White House has been ranting all week about having the Department of Justice prosecute his critics. He has repeatedly refused to commit to a peaceful transition of power should he lose the election. He is a dangerous man surrounded by dangerous men, and it would indeed be foolish for Democrats to approve legislation that would help him win reelection.
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Such reasoning, however, applied even more forcefully to the original relief bill passed in March. If Democrats really wanted Trump to take it on the chin, they would not have voted for a bill that included a $600 a week boost to unemployment benefits for four months. The economic crisis would have been far worse as a result, and Trump’s approval rating on the economy would be lower, while public anger at incumbent politicians would be more intense, with most of that fury directed toward the most powerful man in the country.
Democrats didn’t do that, of course. The president may be a dangerous man, but it is also dangerous to let the country go to rot.
And even for the most jaundiced political thinker, there is little reason to believe Trump will benefit from a deal with Pelosi. If anything, taking the deal would throw the Republican Party into turmoil that would aid Democrats in November.
Taking the deal would immediately put pressure on the Republican-controlled Senate to act. According to a September poll from the Financial Times and the Peterson Institute, 91% of Americans want to see Congress pass another stimulus package. We know, however, that Senate Republicans don’t want to pass one, because they keep saying so to the press.
If Pelosi and Trump come to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) with a deal, he will have to explain to the public why his caucus is rejecting a popular agreement with bipartisan support.
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Having to vote against the deal would be a disaster for a host of embattled Republicans. Democrats have Senate pickup opportunities in Colorado, Iowa, Maine, Montana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Arizona, Alaska, Georgia and even Texas this cycle. All of these races will be close and none of these senators want to be held responsible for denying their constituents aid that economists and the president say is necessary. If McConnell won’t get his caucus to approve the deal, he’ll be signing a lot of electoral death warrants.
So it’s entirely plausible that McConnell signs on to the stimulus to prevent a Senate wipeout. What then? Well, the grim fact is that relief won’t arrive in time to affect many people’s views about the government. It takes time to administer relief, and much of the relief included in this package is about preventing damage later on ― aid to state and local governments, for instance, is about preventing further job losses, not creating new jobs.
Trump, paradoxically, is a gift to Democrats right now. One of the key problems with the March coronavirus bill was that it gave Republicans everything they really wanted ― trillions of dollars in relief for large corporations and the ultra-wealthy. Once those terms were secured, Republicans had no real incentive to return to the negotiating table. And they haven’t.
But over the past few days, Trump has launched a sustained offensive in right-wing media calling for more stimulus. This is leverage that Pelosi will not have after the election when Trump will no longer care about being reelected. There’s a lot of time between now and January, and though more spending will unquestionably be needed in 2021, $1.8 trillion in fiscal relief now would put an incoming Joe Biden administration on stronger footing.
Heads, working people win; tails, Republicans lose. Pelosi should take the deal.
Zach Carter is the author of the New York Times bestseller “The Price of Peace: Money, Democracy, and the Life of John Maynard Keynes,” available from Random House wherever books are sold.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-12--Supreme Court Nominee Amy Coney Barrett Faces Senate

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett declared Monday that Americans “ deserve an independent Supreme Court that interprets our Constitution and laws as they are written , ” encapsulating her conservative approach to the law that has Republicans excited about the prospect of her taking the place of the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsbur g before Election Day .
Barrett spoke about her judicial philosophy , her experience and her large family at the end of the first day of her fast-tracked confirmation hearings that Senate Democrats are using to try and brand her a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus pandemic .
After sitting in silence through nearly four hours of opening statements from members of the Senate Judiciary Committee , the 48-year-old federal appeals court judge laid out her approach to the bench , which she has likened to that of her conservative mentor , the late Justice Antonin Scalia .
“ Courts have a vital responsibility to the rule of rule of law , which is critical to a free society .
But courts are not designed to solve every problem or right every wrong in our public life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she delivered after removing the protective mask she wore most of the day .
Barring a dramatic development , Republicans appear to have the votes to confirm her to a lifetime seat on the Supreme Court .
If she is confirmed quickly , she could be on the court when it hears the latest challenge to the Affordable Care Act , a week after the election .
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse , D-R.I. , said the nomination is a “ judicial torpedo aimed ” at the law ’ s protection for people with pre-existing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump administration wants the court to strike down the entire law popularly known as “ Obamacare ” on Nov. 10 .
Barrett has criticized the court ’ s two earlier major rulings supporting the law .
Trump himself seemed to be watching , tweeting several times about the hearing .
In one message , he tweeted that he ’ d have a “ FAR BETTER ” health care plan , with lower costs and protections for pre-existing conditions .
But he has not , as yet , discussed an actual health care plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Catholicism an issue in the confirmation debate , especially in regard to her stance on abortion , with Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri lambasting what he called a “ pattern and practice of religious bigotry ” by Democrats .
However , Democratic senators made clear in advance of the hearing that they didn ’ t plan to question the judge on the specifics of her religious faith .
The Senate Judiciary Committee , meeting on a federal holiday , kicked off four days of statements and testimony in an environment that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Some senators were taking part remotely , and the hearing room itself was arranged with health concerns in mind .
Sen. Mike Lee , R-Utah , one of those who tested positive , was in the hearing room Monday after his spokesman said he was symptom-free .
The other affected senator , Thom Tillis of North Carolina , was participating remotely , though he too is symptom-free , his spokesman said .
Both tested positive 10 days ago .
Outside groups are pushing Democrats to make a strong case against what they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are already voting in some states , saying the winner of the presidency should make the pick .
No Supreme Court justice has ever been confirmed so close to a presidential contest .
Barrett said she uses her children as a test when deciding cases , asking herself how she would view the decision if one of her seven children were the party she was ruling against .

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett declared Monday that Americans “deserve an independent Supreme Court that interprets our Constitution and laws as they are written,” encapsulating her conservative approach to the law that has Republicans excited about the prospect of her taking the place of the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsbur g before Election Day.
Barrett spoke about her judicial philosophy, her experience and her large family at the end of the first day of her fast-tracked confirmation hearings that Senate Democrats are using to try and brand her a threat to Americans’ health care during the coronavirus pandemic.
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After sitting in silence through nearly four hours of opening statements from members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, the 48-year-old federal appeals court judge laid out her approach to the bench, which she has likened to that of her conservative mentor, the late Justice Antonin Scalia.
“Courts have a vital responsibility to the rule of rule of law, which is critical to a free society. But courts are not designed to solve every problem or right every wrong in our public life,” Barrett said in a statement she delivered after removing the protective mask she wore most of the day.
“The policy decisions and value judgments of government must be made by the political branches elected by and accountable to the people. The public should not expect courts to do so, and courts should not try,.”
She told senators that she is “forever grateful” for Ginsburg’s trailblazing path as a woman on the court.
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Yet Sen. Kamala Harris, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden’s running mate, said the court is “often the last refuge for equal justice” and a Barrett nomination puts in jeopardy everything Ginsburg fought to protect.
Testifying from her office because of the pandemic, Harris said that not only health care but voting rights, workers’ rights, abortion rights and the very idea of justice are at stake.
Republicans called Barrett a thoughtful judge with impeccable credentials.
Barring a dramatic development, Republicans appear to have the votes to confirm her to a lifetime seat on the Supreme Court. If she is confirmed quickly, she could be on the court when it hears the latest challenge to the Affordable Care Act, a week after the election.
One after another, Democrats sought to tie her nomination to the upcoming court case.
“Health care coverage for millions of Americans is at stake with this nomination,” said Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California, the committee’s senior Democrat.
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., said the nomination is a “judicial torpedo aimed” at the law’s protection for people with pre-existing health conditions among its provisions. The Trump administration wants the court to strike down the entire law popularly known as “Obamacare” on Nov. 10. Barrett has criticized the court’s two earlier major rulings supporting the law.
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Among Republicans, Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, dismissed warnings Barrett will undo the Obama-era healthcare law as “outrageous.”
Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett arrives for her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, Pool) ASSOCIATED PRESS
Trump himself seemed to be watching, tweeting several times about the hearing. In one message, he tweeted that he’d have a “FAR BETTER” health care plan, with lower costs and protections for pre-existing conditions. But he has not, as yet, discussed an actual health care plan.
Republicans also warned against making Barrett’s Catholicism an issue in the confirmation debate, especially in regard to her stance on abortion, with Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri lambasting what he called a “pattern and practice of religious bigotry” by Democrats. However, Democratic senators made clear in advance of the hearing that they didn’t plan to question the judge on the specifics of her religious faith.
Democratic presidential nominee Biden, also a practicing Catholic, told reporters ahead of a campaign trip to Ohio that he doesn’t think “there’s any question about her faith.”
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Barrett’s religious views and past leadership role in a Catholic faith community pose a challenge for Democrats as they try to probe her judicial approach to abortion, gay marriage and other social issues without veering into inappropriate questions of her faith.
The Senate Judiciary Committee, meeting on a federal holiday, kicked off four days of statements and testimony in an environment that has been altered by the coronavirus pandemic. Some senators were taking part remotely, and the hearing room itself was arranged with health concerns in mind.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., opened the hearing acknowledging “the COVID problem in America is real.” But he said, “We do have a country that needs to move forward safely.”
Graham acknowledged the obvious: “This is going to be a long, contentious week.”
Protesters rallied outside the Senate buildings with the hearing room largely closed to the public. Capitol Police said 22 people were arrested and charged on suspicion of crowding, obstructing or other violations.
Republicans are moving at a breakneck pace to seat Barrett before the Nov. 3 election to secure Trump’s pick, which would put her on the bench for any election-related challenges.
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Democrats are trying in vain to delay the fast-track confirmation by raising fresh concerns about the safety of meeting during the pandemic after two GOP senators on the panel tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, one of those who tested positive, was in the hearing room Monday after his spokesman said he was symptom-free. The other affected senator, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, was participating remotely, though he too is symptom-free, his spokesman said. Both tested positive 10 days ago.
Trump chose Barrett after the death last month of Ginsburg, a liberal icon. It’s the opportunity to entrench a conservative majority on the court for years to come with his third justice.
Outside groups are pushing Democrats to make a strong case against what they call an illegitimate confirmation, when people are already voting in some states, saying the winner of the presidency should make the pick. No Supreme Court justice has ever been confirmed so close to a presidential contest.
The country is getting an extended look at Barrett this week in hearings like none other during the heated election environment and the pandemic limiting public access.
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Faith and family punctuated her testimony, and she said she would bring “a few new perspectives” as the first mother of school-age children on the nine-member court.
Barrett said she uses her children as a test when deciding cases, asking herself how she would view the decision if one of her seven children were the party she was ruling against.
“Even though I would not like the result, would I understand that the decision was fairly reasoned and grounded in the law?” she said.
The hearing followed a White House event announcing her nomination just over two weeks ago, in which most of the audience did not wear masks. The event has been labeled a “superspreader” for the coronavirus.
More than two dozen people linked to the Sept. 26 Rose Garden event, including the two GOP senators, have contracted COVID-19 since then. Barrett and her family went maskless at the event. She and her husband, Jesse, tested positive for the virus earlier this year and recovered, two administration officials have said.
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Democrats already were enraged that Republicans are moving so quickly having refused to consider President Barack Obama nominee after Scalia’s death in February 2016, well before that year’s election.
___


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-12--Trump Coronavirus Update: Amy Coney Barrett Confirmation Continues Despite Outbreak

Following the negative reaction from reporters , Meadows says , “ Well , I ’ m more than 10 feet away.
” He then puts his mask on , says he ’ s not going to speak while wearing it , and walks away .
Several people close to Trump , including first lady Melania Trump , White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany , and senior aides Stephen Miller and Hope Hicks , have tested positive for the virus in recent weeks .
McEnany had spoken to reporters without wearing mask at least twice in the days leading up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House reporters announced they tested positive for the virus around the same time .
GOP Senator Diagnosed With COVID-19 10 Days Ago Attends Barrett Hearing Without A Mask ― 10/12/20 , 11:15 a.m .
ET Sen. Mike Lee ( R-Utah ) attended and spoke at Judge Amy Coney Barrett ’ s Supreme Court confirmation hearing on Monday without a mask , despite having been diagnosed with COVID-19 10 days ago .
The senator confirmed he ’ d tested positive for the virus on Oct. 2 and claimed he isolated himself for 10 days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidance says anyone who has been diagnosed with the virus should isolate for 10 days and be fever-free ( without medication ) before they leave isolation .
Lee told talk show host Hugh Hewitt on Monday morning that he ’ s “ feeling great ” and had gotten “ the sign-off from the office of the attending physician.
” He later shared part of the letter he received Monday from Dr. Brian Monahan , the attending physician of the United States Congress : Sen. Ted Cruz ( R-Texas ) attended the hearing remotely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Cruz recently tested negative for the virus , but confirmed he would not attend the hearing in person “ out of an abundance of caution.
” Trump Claims He Tested Negative For COVID-19 Despite His Doctors Staying Quiet — 10/11/20 , 8 p.m .
ET President Donald Trump claimed Sunday that he has tested negative for COVID-19 , despite the White House refusing to say whether that is actually the case .
In an interview with Fox News ’ “ Sunday Morning Futures , ” Trump said he no longer has the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immune to the virus .
He also said he feels great and that he is not taking any medications for the disease .
Later on Sunday , Trump told supporters on a campaign “ Call to Prayer ” that he has tested negative for COVID-19 .
Asked if the president tested negative for the virus as he claimed , the White House did not immediately respond to HuffPost and declined to comment to CNN .
“ I ’ ve been tested , totally negative , I ’ m going to be out in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is an election we have to win , ” he said on the phone call , according to CNN .
On Saturday night , Dr. Sean Conley , the White House physician in charge of the president ’ s care , issued a memo saying Trump now meets “ CDC criteria for the safe discontinuation of isolation ” and “ is no longer considered a transmission risk to others.
” He also said Trump has been “ fever free for well over 24 hours , ” raising questions of whether he had a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not say explicitly that Trump tested negative for the virus , nor did it say whether he is still on medication — making Trump ’ s comments on Sunday completely baseless .
The president ’ s medical team has been opaque about his health throughout his presidency , but especially so after he announced his COVID-19 infection .
Kamala Harris To Participate In Supreme Court Confirmation Hearing Remotely — 10/11/20 , 3:20 p.m .
ET Sen. Kamala Harris ( D-Calif. ) plans to participate in this week ’ s Supreme Court confirmation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lack of safety precautions in place .
The Senate Judiciary Committee begins its confirmation process on Monday for Judge Amy Coney Barrett , whom President Donald Trump nominated last month to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court .
Chris Harris , a spokesperson for the Democratic vice presidential nominee , tweeted on Sunday that Kamala Harris will participate in the hearings remotely due to committee Republicans ’ “ refusal to take commonsense steps to protect members , aides , Capitol complex workers , and members of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attend in person , though each senator is allowed to make their own call .
The decision could change how the confirmation process looks , as Harris is famously known for her prosecutorial-style questioning during such hearings .
In addition to Trump , a large group of Republicans ― including some on the committee ― have tested positive for COVID-19 .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) decided the Senate will stand in recess until Oct. 19 following news of the outbreak , but vowed there would be no schedule change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before Election Day .
Democrats have called to delay the hearings and to establish a robust testing regimen for members of Congress and staffers , arguing that Supreme Court confirmation hearings should take place in person instead of virtually and that such a process can only take place with safety protocols in place .
But the committee ’ s chairman , Sen. Lindsey Graham ( R-S.C. ) , dismissed the demands as an attempt to thwart Barrett ’ s nomination rather than legitimate concerns about the health of senators and staff .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hearings tomorrow ― less than 2 weeks after members tested positive ― Chairman Graham and Senate Republicans are endangering the lives of not just members and our staff , but the hardworking people who keep the Senate complex running , ” Harris tweeted earlier on Sunday .
Twitter Says Trump Tweet Claiming Immunity From Virus Violates COVID-19 Misinformation Rules — 10/11/20 , 2:10 p.m .
ET Twitter on Sunday said Trump ’ s tweet that claimed he ’ s now “ immune ” from the coronavirus violates the site ’ s rules against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a public interest notice on this Tweet for violating our COVID-19 Misleading Information Policy by making misleading health claims about COVID-19 , ” a Twitter spokesperson told HuffPost .
“ As is standard with this public interest notice , engagements with the Tweet will be significantly limited .
”

Following the negative reaction from reporters, Meadows says, “Well, I’m more than 10 feet away.”
He then puts his mask on, says he’s not going to speak while wearing it, and walks away.
Several people close to Trump, including first lady Melania Trump, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, and senior aides Stephen Miller and Hope Hicks, have tested positive for the virus in recent weeks. McEnany had spoken to reporters without wearing mask at least twice in the days leading up to her diagnosis. At least three White House reporters announced they tested positive for the virus around the same time.
― Hayley Miller
GOP Senator Diagnosed With COVID-19 10 Days Ago Attends Barrett Hearing Without A Mask ― 10/12/20, 11:15 a.m. ET
Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) attended and spoke at Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s Supreme Court confirmation hearing on Monday without a mask, despite having been diagnosed with COVID-19 10 days ago.
The senator confirmed he’d tested positive for the virus on Oct. 2 and claimed he isolated himself for 10 days. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance says anyone who has been diagnosed with the virus should isolate for 10 days and be fever-free (without medication) before they leave isolation.
Lee told talk show host Hugh Hewitt on Monday morning that he’s “feeling great” and had gotten “the sign-off from the office of the attending physician.” He later shared part of the letter he received Monday from Dr. Brian Monahan, the attending physician of the United States Congress:
“Based upon current CDC guidelines, you have met criteria to end COVID-19 isolation for those with mild to moderate disease. Specifically, it has been greater than 10 days since symptom onset, you have had no fever in absence of fever reducing medication for at least 24 hours, and your other symptoms have improved. The CDC does not recommend repeat SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing if these criteria are met.”
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) attended the hearing remotely after having come into contact with Lee. Cruz recently tested negative for the virus, but confirmed he would not attend the hearing in person “out of an abundance of caution.”
CORRECTION: This entry previously cited CDC guidance on quarantine; Lee was isolating, for which the CDC has separate recommendations.
— Jenna Amatulli
Trump Claims He Tested Negative For COVID-19 Despite His Doctors Staying Quiet — 10/11/20, 8 p.m. ET
President Donald Trump claimed Sunday that he has tested negative for COVID-19, despite the White House refusing to say whether that is actually the case.
In an interview with Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures,” Trump said he no longer has the deadly disease and suggested he is now immune to the virus. He also said he feels great and that he is not taking any medications for the disease.
Later on Sunday, Trump told supporters on a campaign “Call to Prayer” that he has tested negative for COVID-19. Asked if the president tested negative for the virus as he claimed, the White House did not immediately respond to HuffPost and declined to comment to CNN.
“I’ve been tested, totally negative, I’m going to be out in Florida working very hard, because this is an election we have to win,” he said on the phone call, according to CNN.
On Saturday night, Dr. Sean Conley, the White House physician in charge of the president’s care, issued a memo saying Trump now meets “CDC criteria for the safe discontinuation of isolation” and “is no longer considered a transmission risk to others.” He also said Trump has been “fever free for well over 24 hours,” raising questions of whether he had a fever one day earlier.
The doctor did not say explicitly that Trump tested negative for the virus, nor did it say whether he is still on medication — making Trump’s comments on Sunday completely baseless. The president’s medical team has been opaque about his health throughout his presidency, but especially so after he announced his COVID-19 infection.
— Sanjana Karanth
Kamala Harris To Participate In Supreme Court Confirmation Hearing Remotely — 10/11/20, 3:20 p.m. ET
Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) plans to participate in this week’s Supreme Court confirmation hearings remotely from her office due to the lack of safety precautions in place.
The Senate Judiciary Committee begins its confirmation process on Monday for Judge Amy Coney Barrett, whom President Donald Trump nominated last month to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court. Chris Harris, a spokesperson for the Democratic vice presidential nominee, tweeted on Sunday that Kamala Harris will participate in the hearings remotely due to committee Republicans’ “refusal to take commonsense steps to protect members, aides, Capitol complex workers, and members of the media.”
Most Democrats are expected to attend in person, though each senator is allowed to make their own call. The decision could change how the confirmation process looks, as Harris is famously known for her prosecutorial-style questioning during such hearings.
In addition to Trump, a large group of Republicans ― including some on the committee ― have tested positive for COVID-19. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) decided the Senate will stand in recess until Oct. 19 following news of the outbreak, but vowed there would be no schedule change for Barrett’s confirmation just weeks before Election Day.
Democrats have called to delay the hearings and to establish a robust testing regimen for members of Congress and staffers, arguing that Supreme Court confirmation hearings should take place in person instead of virtually and that such a process can only take place with safety protocols in place. But the committee’s chairman, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), dismissed the demands as an attempt to thwart Barrett’s nomination rather than legitimate concerns about the health of senators and staff.
“By moving forward with Supreme Court confirmation hearings tomorrow ― less than 2 weeks after members tested positive ― Chairman Graham and Senate Republicans are endangering the lives of not just members and our staff, but the hardworking people who keep the Senate complex running,” Harris tweeted earlier on Sunday.
― Sanjana Karanth
Twitter Says Trump Tweet Claiming Immunity From Virus Violates COVID-19 Misinformation Rules — 10/11/20, 2:10 p.m. ET
Twitter on Sunday said Trump’s tweet that claimed he’s now “immune” from the coronavirus violates the site’s rules against spreading COVID-19 misinformation.
“We placed a public interest notice on this Tweet for violating our COVID-19 Misleading Information Policy by making misleading health claims about COVID-19,” a Twitter spokesperson told HuffPost. “As is standard with this public interest notice, engagements with the Tweet will be significantly limited.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-12--Facebook Decides Holocaust Denial Content Is Bad, Actually

Facebook has , for years , intentionally looked the other way when users shared content that denied or distorted the Holocaust .
Facebook ’ s vice president of content policy , Monika Bickert , said Monday the company is updating its hate speech policy to prohibit Holocaust denials and distortions .
A “ well-documented rise in anti-Semitism globally and the alarming level of ignorance about the Holocaust , especially among young people , ” Bickert said , prompted the long-overdue change .
The announcement makes no mention of how Facebook itself contributed to that anti-Semitic rise .
The social media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerning virtually every subject , including Holocaust denials and anti-Semitism in general .
It ’ s unclear how Facebook intends to enforce the expanded policy , or how it will define content that violates it .
“ Enforcement of these policies can not happen overnight , ” Bickert acknowledged in the announcement .
“ There is a range of content that can violate these policies , and it will take some time to train our reviewers and systems on enforcement.
” The company told HuffPost it will apply the policy to all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have enjoyed lax enforcement of Facebook ’ s community standards , thanks to a loophole the social media company created that protects their posts as “ newsworthy content.
” Facebook had resisted calls to take down Holocaust denial content going back to at least 2011 , when 21 Holocaust survivors pleaded with the company to deny access to users who promoted the conspiracy theory that Nazis didn ’ t murder 6 million Jews during WWII .
“ By allowing this hate propaganda on Facebook , ” the group warned the company in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public and , in particular , youth to the anti-Semitism which fueled the Holocaust.
” A Facebook spokesperson declined to address why the company suddenly reversed course , but it ’ s clear Facebook is coming to terms with the role it ’ s played in radicalizing groups , sometimes with violent ends .
After a teen vigilante was accused in the shooting deaths of two protesters in Kenosha , Wisconsin , over the summer , Facebook acknowledged it erred in taking no action against militia groups that used the platform to plot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shoot to kill.
” In recent weeks , the company has also drastically increased its policing of QAnon content , and now bans all groups , pages and Instagram accounts that openly identify with the Trump-supporting conspiracy theory .
The FBI has classified the group as a potential domestic terrorism threat .

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Facebook has, for years, intentionally looked the other way when users shared content that denied or distorted the Holocaust.
That may finally be changing.
Facebook’s vice president of content policy, Monika Bickert, said Monday the company is updating its hate speech policy to prohibit Holocaust denials and distortions.
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A “well-documented rise in anti-Semitism globally and the alarming level of ignorance about the Holocaust, especially among young people,” Bickert said, prompted the long-overdue change.
The announcement makes no mention of how Facebook itself contributed to that anti-Semitic rise. The social media platform has become a clearinghouse for misinformation concerning virtually every subject, including Holocaust denials and anti-Semitism in general.
It’s unclear how Facebook intends to enforce the expanded policy, or how it will define content that violates it.
“Enforcement of these policies cannot happen overnight,” Bickert acknowledged in the announcement. “There is a range of content that can violate these policies, and it will take some time to train our reviewers and systems on enforcement.”
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The company told HuffPost it will apply the policy to all of its users, including politicians. Politicians have enjoyed lax enforcement of Facebook’s community standards, thanks to a loophole the social media company created that protects their posts as “newsworthy content.”
Facebook had resisted calls to take down Holocaust denial content going back to at least 2011, when 21 Holocaust survivors pleaded with the company to deny access to users who promoted the conspiracy theory that Nazis didn’t murder 6 million Jews during WWII.
“By allowing this hate propaganda on Facebook,” the group warned the company in a letter, “you are exposing the public and, in particular, youth to the anti-Semitism which fueled the Holocaust.”
Facebook, at the time, nevertheless decided Holocaust denials didn’t violate its terms.
A Facebook spokesperson declined to address why the company suddenly reversed course, but it’s clear Facebook is coming to terms with the role it’s played in radicalizing groups, sometimes with violent ends.
After a teen vigilante was accused in the shooting deaths of two protesters in Kenosha, Wisconsin, over the summer, Facebook acknowledged it erred in taking no action against militia groups that used the platform to plot violence and encourage each other to “shoot to kill.”
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-12--3 Weeks To Go And Putin Could Still Help Trump, Ex-Administration Official Says

What ’ s unclear is if that is the extent of the effort , or if something else is in the works for the campaign ’ s closing days .
Four years ago , Russia was releasing emails stolen from Democrat Hillary Clinton ’ s campaign on a daily basis through its ally , WikiLeaks , and Trump was citing them at his rallies as proof of his opponent ’ s “ corruption.
” Taylor said that campaigns have gotten more careful about online security since 2016 , but that it was possible Russia still plans some type of propaganda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He said Putin could also be planning something to disrupt the election itself ― sabotaging key polling places in swing states , or taking down the power grid in a major city ― although something that dramatic was less likely .
In 2016 , he solicited help from Russia , and then centered his entire campaign during the final month on that material stolen by Russian spies ― even though he had been told it had been stolen by Russian spies .
In 2018 , Trump refused to warn Putin against interfering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top national security officials were asking him to do so .
“ He failed to do it .
He actively declined , ” Taylor said .
And in 2019 , Trump tried to extort Ukraine ’ s new president into smearing Biden ― the Democrat he feared most as a 2020 opponent ― based on a conspiracy theory being pushed by Russian intelligence .
Trump wound up getting impeached for his actions , but all save one Republican senator voted to acquit him , letting him remain in office .
An official at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country ’ s government had helped Trump in 2016 , and claimed it was the U.S. that was interfering with Russia .
“ The time has come to stop poisoning the atmosphere of relations with baseless allegations , ” the official said .
The White House did not respond to queries on the matter , continuing a pattern that began in 2017 .
No White House or Trump campaign official has ever provided an answer as to why Trump accepted Russian help , knowing that it was Russian help , with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Giuliani .
He told HuffPost in 2018 that the stolen emails that Trump touted daily from Oct. 10 through 2016′s Election Day were “ sort of like a gift.
” One National Security Council official , who would speak only on condition of anonymity to defend Trump , said : “ As the president has said , the United States will not tolerate foreign interference in our electoral processes and will respond to malicious foreign threats that target our democratic institutions.
” The official claimed that Trump had said this during a March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ review of Trump ’ s news conferences that month found only one in which Trump addressed the issue , on March 6 during a joint appearance with Sweden ’ s prime minister .
Asked whether he was worried about Russia interfering in the coming midterms , Trump answered : “ No , because we ’ ll counteract whatever they do .
We ’ ll counteract it very strongly .
And we are having strong backup systems.
” Two months later , after the intelligence community found evidence that Russia was , in fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote , national security officials urged Trump to specifically tell Russia to back off or face consequences .
Not only did he refuse to do so , but he did the exact opposite in July , at a news conference in Helsinki standing beside Putin himself .
The Russians did wind up trying to interfere in the 2018 election against candidates it deemed unfriendly , leading to officials in the national security agencies ― sometimes under the radar of the White House ― to take action on their own , Taylor said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in September 2019 against the operators of the “ troll factory ” that worked to influence the 2018 election .
On one occasion , sanctions against Russians received Trump ’ s sign-off after a document that required his signature was inserted into a larger stack of paperwork he had to sign , Taylor said .
The Treasury Department more recently sanctioned a Ukrainian lawmaker who had been working with Giuliani to spread unsubstantiated corruption allegations against Biden , describing Andrii Derkach as a Russian intelligence operative .
Those claims had been the basis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against Biden , the pursuit of which ultimately led to his impeachment .
“ This president is even giving Russia impunity for offering bounties to terrorists for murdering American troops , ” said Biden campaign spokesman Andrew Bates .
“ As Joe Biden has said for months , it is absolutely clear who Vladimir Putin wants to win this election — because Donald Trump ’ s foreign policy has been a gift to the Kremlin .
”

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WASHINGTON ― With just three weeks before the Nov. 3 election, one major question remains unanswered: What does Russian dictator Vladimir Putin have up his sleeve to help President Donald Trump?
“I don’t think they want to miss this opportunity, to poke the United States one more time,” said Miles Taylor, once the chief of staff at Trump’s Department of Homeland Security and now a fierce Trump critic.
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FBI Director Christopher Wray told Congress last month that Russia is already interfering in the 2020 election by “actively” spreading propaganda through social media and friendly news outlets “primarily to denigrate (former) Vice President (Joe) Biden,” Trump’s Democratic challenger.
What’s unclear is if that is the extent of the effort, or if something else is in the works for the campaign’s closing days. Four years ago, Russia was releasing emails stolen from Democrat Hillary Clinton’s campaign on a daily basis through its ally, WikiLeaks, and Trump was citing them at his rallies as proof of his opponent’s “corruption.”
“We love WikiLeaks,” he said repeatedly.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Russia's President Vladimir Putin at what became an infamous joint press conference in Helsinki on July 16, 2018. Ignoring findings from his own intelligence officials, Trump accepted Putin's denial of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election. BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI via Getty Images
Taylor said that campaigns have gotten more careful about online security since 2016, but that it was possible Russia still plans some type of propaganda dump targeting Biden in the coming weeks. He said Putin could also be planning something to disrupt the election itself ― sabotaging key polling places in swing states, or taking down the power grid in a major city ― although something that dramatic was less likely.
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More important, Taylor said, is Trump’s attitude toward Putin. “There’s a concern that the president is passively welcoming that assistance from the Russians.”
Trump has over the past four years repeatedly shown his willingness to receive foreign help to win and his unwillingness to tell Putin to stay out of U.S. elections.
In 2016, he solicited help from Russia, and then centered his entire campaign during the final month on that material stolen by Russian spies ― even though he had been told it had been stolen by Russian spies.
In 2018, Trump refused to warn Putin against interfering in the midterms, even though his top national security officials were asking him to do so. “He failed to do it. He actively declined,” Taylor said.
And in 2019, Trump tried to extort Ukraine’s new president into smearing Biden ― the Democrat he feared most as a 2020 opponent ― based on a conspiracy theory being pushed by Russian intelligence. Trump wound up getting impeached for his actions, but all save one Republican senator voted to acquit him, letting him remain in office.
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An official at the Russian embassy in Washington denied that the country’s government had helped Trump in 2016, and claimed it was the U.S. that was interfering with Russia. “The time has come to stop poisoning the atmosphere of relations with baseless allegations,” the official said.
“As Joe Biden has said for months, it is absolutely clear who Vladimir Putin wants to win this election — because Donald Trump's foreign policy has been a gift to the Kremlin” - Andrew Bates, a spokesman for Biden's presidential campaign.
The White House did not respond to queries on the matter, continuing a pattern that began in 2017. No White House or Trump campaign official has ever provided an answer as to why Trump accepted Russian help, knowing that it was Russian help, with the exception of his personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani. He told HuffPost in 2018 that the stolen emails that Trump touted daily from Oct. 10 through 2016′s Election Day were “sort of like a gift.”
One National Security Council official, who would speak only on condition of anonymity to defend Trump, said: “As the president has said, the United States will not tolerate foreign interference in our electoral processes and will respond to malicious foreign threats that target our democratic institutions.” The official claimed that Trump had said this during a March 2018 news conference.
However, a review of Trump’s news conferences that month found only one in which Trump addressed the issue, on March 6 during a joint appearance with Sweden’s prime minister. Asked whether he was worried about Russia interfering in the coming midterms, Trump answered: “No, because we’ll counteract whatever they do. We’ll counteract it very strongly. And we are having strong backup systems.”
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Two months later, after the intelligence community found evidence that Russia was, in fact, trying to interfere in the November vote, national security officials urged Trump to specifically tell Russia to back off or face consequences. Not only did he refuse to do so, but he did the exact opposite in July, at a news conference in Helsinki standing beside Putin himself.
Asked whether he believed his intelligence community about Putin’s 2016 involvement in his own election or Putin’s denials, Trump sided with Putin. “President Putin was extremely strong and powerful in his denial today,” he said.
The Russians did wind up trying to interfere in the 2018 election against candidates it deemed unfriendly, leading to officials in the national security agencies ― sometimes under the radar of the White House ― to take action on their own, Taylor said.
Sanctions were imposed by the Treasury Department in September 2019 against the operators of the “troll factory” that worked to influence the 2018 election. On one occasion, sanctions against Russians received Trump’s sign-off after a document that required his signature was inserted into a larger stack of paperwork he had to sign, Taylor said.
The Treasury Department more recently sanctioned a Ukrainian lawmaker who had been working with Giuliani to spread unsubstantiated corruption allegations against Biden, describing Andrii Derkach as a Russian intelligence operative. Those claims had been the basis of Trump’s own groundless allegations against Biden, the pursuit of which ultimately led to his impeachment.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-12--GOP Senator Skewered For Griping About How Much It Hurts To Be Called A Racist

Sen. John Kennedy ( R-La . )
was served a dose of reality Monday on Twitter after he claimed that “ racist ” is “ one of the worst things you can call an American.
” The Louisiana Republican and staunch supporter of President Donald Trump offered his musings during the first day of the Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearings for Trump ’ s Supreme Court nominee , Judge Amy Coney Barrett .
“ Now , Judge , I understand this thing can turn sour real fast , ” Kennedy said , addressing Barrett directly .
“ We all watched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a freak show .
It looked like the cantina bar scene out of ‘ Star Wars.
’ ” Justice Brett Kavanaugh was accused of sexual assault by three women during his confirmation hearings in 2018 .
“ And I know for someone unaccustomed to it , that it hurts to be called a racist , ” Kennedy added .
“ I think it ’ s one of the worst things you can call an American .
I know that it hurts to be called a white colonialist .
“ And I know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deep Christian faith , like yourself , to be called a religious bigot .
And to have it implied that because you are a devout Christian , that you ’ re somehow unfit for public service.
” Democrats , abortion rights groups and other critics are worried that Barrett ’ s religious views would influence her decisions on the Supreme Court .
Barrett has demonstrated hostility toward reproductive rights , LGBTQ rights and health care access .
Civil rights groups are also concerned about her record on criminal and immigrant justice and gun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calling people racist earned him a Twitter schooling .
The senator ― who said last year he did not believe Trump said anything racist after the president said four minority congresswomen should “ go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came ” ― was advised on some best practices to avoid being called that name .
Just to clarify @ SenJohnKennedy , a racist is not one of the worst things you can be called ...
It ’ s one of the worst things you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Esq .
( @ Oseguera2020 ) October 12 , 2020 A good first step to not being called a racist is opposing a candidate for president who based his entire political career on a racist smear and likes to play footsie with his white supremacist fan boys .
@ SenJohnKennedy https : //t.co/ysb84MqxlP — Tim Miller ( @ Timodc ) October 12 , 2020 Oh fuck these people .
There ’ s an easy way not to be called a racist .
Just don ’ t be one .
Problem solved .
People @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one day if they had to experience the discrimination Black Americans do .
https : //t.co/FGJ4fFRF8I — Kali Hecate™ ( @ KaliHecate ) October 12 , 2020

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Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) was served a dose of reality Monday on Twitter after he claimed that “racist” is “one of the worst things you can call an American.”
The Louisiana Republican and staunch supporter of President Donald Trump offered his musings during the first day of the Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearings for Trump’s Supreme Court nominee, Judge Amy Coney Barrett.
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“Now, Judge, I understand this thing can turn sour real fast,” Kennedy said, addressing Barrett directly. “We all watched the hearings for Justice Kavanaugh. It was a freak show. It looked like the cantina bar scene out of ‘Star Wars.’”
Justice Brett Kavanaugh was accused of sexual assault by three women during his confirmation hearings in 2018.
“And I know for someone unaccustomed to it, that it hurts to be called a racist,” Kennedy added. “I think it’s one of the worst things you can call an American. I know that it hurts to be called a white colonialist.
“And I know that it must hurt for someone of deep Christian faith, like yourself, to be called a religious bigot. And to have it implied that because you are a devout Christian, that you’re somehow unfit for public service.”
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Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA): "It hurts to be called a racist. I think it's one of the worst things you can call an American." pic.twitter.com/XobtSQLDtm — The Recount (@therecount) October 12, 2020
Democrats, abortion rights groups and other critics are worried that Barrett’s religious views would influence her decisions on the Supreme Court. Barrett has demonstrated hostility toward reproductive rights, LGBTQ rights and health care access. Civil rights groups are also concerned about her record on criminal and immigrant justice and gun safety.
Kennedy’s complaint about calling people racist earned him a Twitter schooling. The senator ― who said last year he did not believe Trump said anything racist after the president said four minority congresswomen should “go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came” ― was advised on some best practices to avoid being called that name.
Commenters also pointed out worse words that came to mind.
I can think of a worse one https://t.co/KOLzdk7Xdu — Chase Mitchell (@ChaseMit) October 12, 2020
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If you think being called that word is bad, wait until you're the victim of one. — Leslie Streeter (@LeslieStreeter) October 12, 2020
There's a really easy way to avoid being called a racist.
... https://t.co/IuGu20QqEk — Holly Figueroa O'Reilly (@AynRandPaulRyan) October 12, 2020
Ask black people if there's something worse than being called a "racist".
Hint: it starts with an "n".https://t.co/wrwkWrri6N — Holly Figueroa O'Reilly (@AynRandPaulRyan) October 12, 2020
I agree with one thing Senator John Kennedy said.
Racists hate being called Racists. — Tony Posnanski (@tonyposnanski) October 12, 2020
Just to clarify @SenJohnKennedy, a racist is not one of the worst things you can be called...
It’s one of the worst things you can BE.pic.twitter.com/uYSc8IJRCh — Hector O. Oseguera, Esq. (@Oseguera2020) October 12, 2020
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A good first step to not being called a racist is opposing a candidate for president who based his entire political career on a racist smear and likes to play footsie with his white supremacist fan boys. @SenJohnKennedy https://t.co/ysb84MqxlP — Tim Miller (@Timodc) October 12, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-12--Three-Quarters Of Voters Want Congress To Pass New Coronavirus Relief

Kevin Lamarque/Reuters Most Americans , Republicans and Democrats alike , want Congress to pass a new economic stimulus plan to help deal with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic , according to a new poll .
Roughly three-quarters of voters want to see Congress pass new coronavirus relief , a new HuffPost/YouGov poll finds .
Voters say , 74 % to 10 % , that Congress should pass a new economic stimulus bill in response to the coronavirus pandemic .
A near-universal 92 % of Democratic voters and a smaller 57 % majority of Republican voters say they think Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those who want Congress to do so , 58 % say it ’ s very important to them that such a bill passes .
Two-thirds of supporters in households making less than $ 50,000 annually say that it ’ s very important .
The poll was fielded last Tuesday through Saturday , following President Donald Trump ’ s announcement Tuesday that he was calling off negotiations until the Nov. 3 presidential election .
“ I have instructed my representatives to stop negotiating until after the election when , immediately after I win , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that focuses on hardworking Americans and Small Business , ” Trump tweeted .
Since then , Trump has reversed course , again advocating for a deal .
“ Republicans should be strongly focused on completing a wonderful stimulus package for the American People !
” he tweeted Monday .
A third of voters had heard a lot about Trump ’ s original statement , with more than 80 % saying they ’ d heard at least something .
Following that question ― which included the news that Trump had halted negotiations ― a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump and congressional Democrats should restart negotiations right away , with 15 % saying they should wait until the election to restart negotiations and 8 % that they shouldn ’ t resume negotiations at all .
An 84 % majority of Democratic voters favored restarting negotiations immediately .
A much smaller but still significant minority of Republican voters diverged from Trump ’ s position at the time , with 45 % saying negotiations should be reopened at once .
Use the widget below to further explore the results of the HuffPost/YouGov survey , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ select survey questions and the buttons at the bottom to filter the data by subgroups : The HuffPost/YouGov poll consisted of 1,000 completed interviews conducted Oct. 6-10 among U.S. registered voters , using a sample selected from YouGov ’ s opt-in online panel to match the demographics and other characteristics of the population .

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Roughly three-quarters of voters want to see Congress pass new coronavirus relief, a new HuffPost/YouGov poll finds.
Voters say, 74% to 10%, that Congress should pass a new economic stimulus bill in response to the coronavirus pandemic. A near-universal 92% of Democratic voters and a smaller 57% majority of Republican voters say they think Congress should pass such a bill.
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Of those who want Congress to do so, 58% say it’s very important to them that such a bill passes. Two-thirds of supporters in households making less than $50,000 annually say that it’s very important.
The poll was fielded last Tuesday through Saturday, following President Donald Trump’s announcement Tuesday that he was calling off negotiations until the Nov. 3 presidential election.
“I have instructed my representatives to stop negotiating until after the election when, immediately after I win, we will pass a major Stimulus Bill that focuses on hardworking Americans and Small Business,” Trump tweeted.
Since then, Trump has reversed course, again advocating for a deal. “Republicans should be strongly focused on completing a wonderful stimulus package for the American People!” he tweeted Monday.
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A third of voters had heard a lot about Trump’s original statement, with more than 80% saying they’d heard at least something.
Following that question ― which included the news that Trump had halted negotiations ― a 64% majority of voters said that Trump and congressional Democrats should restart negotiations right away, with 15% saying they should wait until the election to restart negotiations and 8% that they shouldn’t resume negotiations at all. An 84% majority of Democratic voters favored restarting negotiations immediately. A much smaller but still significant minority of Republican voters diverged from Trump’s position at the time, with 45% saying negotiations should be reopened at once.
Use the widget below to further explore the results of the HuffPost/YouGov survey, using the menu at the top to select survey questions and the buttons at the bottom to filter the data by subgroups:
The HuffPost/YouGov poll consisted of 1,000 completed interviews conducted Oct. 6-10 among U.S. registered voters, using a sample selected from YouGov’s opt-in online panel to match the demographics and other characteristics of the population.
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HuffPost has teamed up with YouGov to conduct daily opinion polls. You can learn more about this project and take part in YouGov’s nationally representative opinion polling. More details on the polls’ methodology are available here.
Most surveys report a margin of error that represents some but not all potential survey errors. YouGov’s reports include a model-based margin of error, which rests on a specific set of statistical assumptions about the selected sample rather than the standard methodology for random probability sampling. If these assumptions are wrong, the model-based margin of error may also be inaccurate.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-12--Trump Goes Back To Downplaying Coronavirus Risks At First Rally Since His Diagnosis

A maskless President Donald Trump told Americans they shouldn ’ t be afraid of the coronavirus , mocked Democratic challenger Joe Biden for being cautious on the campaign trail and continued to peddle misinformation about a disease that has killed more than 214,000 people in the U.S. , despite his own positive diagnosis , during a Florida rally Monday .
“ I feel so powerful , ” Trump , speaking to a large crowd in Sanford , Florida , declared just hours after his doctor said the president had tested negative for COVID-19 and was no longer considered infectious .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ audience , I ’ ll kiss everyone in that audience .
I ’ ll kiss the guys , and the beautiful women and everybody .
I ’ ll just give you a big fat kiss.
” The declaration comes amid the president ’ s efforts to move past his own coronavirus infection and a dramatic outbreak of the virus within the White House .
Sean Conley , the White House physician , said Monday that the president had tested negative for COVID-19 on “ consecutive days ” using a rapid test , although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ false negatives .
Despite those assertions , questions remain about the president ’ s health and how severe his coronavirus symptoms had been , and health experts have expressed doubt about the claim that Trump is no longer infectious .
Guidance from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says those who test positive for COVID-19 should isolate for at least 10 days after symptoms first appear ( although it notes those with severe illness , especially patients admitted to a hospital who needed oxygen , may need to isolate for up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who had largely mocked the use of face masks and continued to hold large political events throughout the pandemic , used his appearance Monday to attack Biden ’ s efforts to prevent infections during his own campaign , pointing to the former vice president ’ s use of social distancing circles to keep people safe .
“ The other guy gets out there , and they work and work and work , and 30 people show up and they put ’ em in those crazy circles , ” Trump said .
“ They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s the only way they can fill up the room.
” At an event in Ohio , Biden criticized Trump ’ s efforts to stump before crowds , saying the president ’ s “ conduct since his diagnosis has been unconscionable.
” On Monday , the president addressed that desire to get back on the campaign trail , saying that , as the country ’ s leader , he had to take risks and appear before his supporters .
“ I don ’ t have to be locked up in my basement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to happen anyway , ” the president said .
“ You ’ ve got to get out .
And it ’ s risky , but you ’ ve got to get out .
”

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A maskless President Donald Trump told Americans they shouldn’t be afraid of the coronavirus, mocked Democratic challenger Joe Biden for being cautious on the campaign trail and continued to peddle misinformation about a disease that has killed more than 214,000 people in the U.S., despite his own positive diagnosis, during a Florida rally Monday.
“I feel so powerful,” Trump, speaking to a large crowd in Sanford, Florida, declared just hours after his doctor said the president had tested negative for COVID-19 and was no longer considered infectious. “I’ll walk into that audience, I’ll kiss everyone in that audience. I’ll kiss the guys, and the beautiful women and everybody. I’ll just give you a big fat kiss.”
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The declaration comes amid the president’s efforts to move past his own coronavirus infection and a dramatic outbreak of the virus within the White House. Sean Conley, the White House physician, said Monday that the president had tested negative for COVID-19 on “consecutive days” using a rapid test, although such tests have a higher chance of false negatives.
"They say I'm immune. I feel so powerful. I'll watch into that audience, I'll walk in there, kiss everyone in that audience. I'll kiss the guys and the beautiful women." -- Trump pic.twitter.com/JvhmagVrVA — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 12, 2020
Despite those assertions, questions remain about the president’s health and how severe his coronavirus symptoms had been, and health experts have expressed doubt about the claim that Trump is no longer infectious. Guidance from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says those who test positive for COVID-19 should isolate for at least 10 days after symptoms first appear (although it notes those with severe illness, especially patients admitted to a hospital who needed oxygen, may need to isolate for up to 20 days).
Trump, who had largely mocked the use of face masks and continued to hold large political events throughout the pandemic, used his appearance Monday to attack Biden’s efforts to prevent infections during his own campaign, pointing to the former vice president’s use of social distancing circles to keep people safe.
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“The other guy gets out there, and they work and work and work, and 30 people show up and they put ’em in those crazy circles,” Trump said. “They only have those circles, because that’s the only way they can fill up the room.”
"30 people show up, they put 'em in those crazy circles" -- Trump mocks Joe Biden for taking basic public health precautions at his campaign rallies pic.twitter.com/EgfGVg7Vtq — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 12, 2020
At an event in Ohio, Biden criticized Trump’s efforts to stump before crowds, saying the president’s “conduct since his diagnosis has been unconscionable.”
“The longer Donald Trump is president, the more reckless he seems to get,” Biden said.
On Monday, the president addressed that desire to get back on the campaign trail, saying that, as the country’s leader, he had to take risks and appear before his supporters.
“I don’t have to be locked up in my basement. I wouldn’t allow that to happen anyway,” the president said. “You’ve got to get out. And it’s risky, but you’ve got to get out.”
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