thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-22--Susan Collins 'Truly Grateful' For Endorsement From Anti-LGBTQ, Anti-Abortion Group

Though Sen. Susan Collins ( R-Maine ) has lost several key endorsements to Democratic challenger Sara Gideon this election cycle , she received the full support last week of at least one group in her state : the anti-LGBTQ , anti-abortion Christian Civic League of Maine .
“ Let me thank you so much for the endorsement and tell you how truly grateful I am for your support , for the League ’ s support , ” Collins told Conley , as first reported Wednesday by The Maine Beacon .
“ After years of being an independent voice for Mainers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Collins has again chosen to pander to the far-right rather than stand by the principles she professed for years , ” Acosta continued in his statement .
Collins previously gained the backing of some LGBTQ and reproductive rights advocates by identifying herself as a pro-choice , moderate Republican .
In 2014 , she became the fourth GOP senator to publicly support same-sex marriage and she was the lead Republican sponsor of the anti-discrimination Equality Act in 2019 .
She ’ s also defended federal funding for reproductive health groups like Planned Parenthood .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ agendas of President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( Ky. ) through several critical votes , including to confirm Justice Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court in 2018 and to acquit Trump during his impeachment trial earlier this year .
Her unwillingness to break from McConnell on key issues caused her in part to lose the endorsements of NARAL and Planned Parenthood ― two major reproductive rights groups ― as well as HRC to Gideon this election cycle .
During her interview last week with CCL of Maine , Collins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Senate to prevent the passage of “ really extreme legislation , ” which she said includes “ Medicare for All.
” She also said her reelection was necessary for preventing the repeal of the Hyde Amendment , which prohibits federal funding of abortions unless the mother ’ s life is at risk or the unwanted pregnancy was the result of rape or incest .
“ My view is that if you are a commercial business that is serving the public then you should be bound by anti-discrimination provisions , ” Collins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are a church , I think it ’ s totally different .
I don ’ t think you should be forced to hire people who aren ’ t of your religion , for example.
” “ I don ’ t think that any church should be required in opposition to its doctrine to preside over same-sex marriages , yet I do believe that a civil same-sex marriage is fine , ” she added .
“ But I would never force any religion to perform a same-sex marriage when it ’ s against their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Collins is a major part ― as she said , that firewall ― for what is at the front door right now in this country , ” Conley said .
“ This is a major turning point .
This is a time for conservatives and folks that care about the life issue , that care about our republic , they care about our Constitution to put our differences aside and to recognize the value of this candidacy .
”

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Though Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) has lost several key endorsements to Democratic challenger Sara Gideon this election cycle, she received the full support last week of at least one group in her state: the anti-LGBTQ, anti-abortion Christian Civic League of Maine.
During an Oct. 13 interview with CCL of Maine executive director Carroll Conley, Collins ― who has positioned herself as a supporter of LGBTQ issues and reproductive rights ― said she was “truly grateful” for the group’s endorsement.
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“Let me thank you so much for the endorsement and tell you how truly grateful I am for your support, for the League’s support,” Collins told Conley, as first reported Wednesday by The Maine Beacon.
CCL of Maine, a political lobbying group founded in 1897 to support prohibition of alcohol and later to advocate for conservative Christian policies, is staunchly anti-abortion, opposes same-sex marriage and supports so-called conversion therapy ― a practice condemned by LGBTQ civil rights advocates.
The group also partners with the Family Research Council and the Alliance Defending Freedom ― two organizations designated as hate groups by the Southern Poverty Law Center for their anti-LGBTQ views.
Some LGBTQ advocates saw Collins’ embrace of the endorsement as a desperate attempt to win over conservative voters during her toughest reelection bid to date.
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Recent polling shows the four-term incumbent in a virtual tie against Gideon. Two others ― independents Lisa Savage and Max Linn ― are also vying for Collins’ seat. Democrats see flipping Collins’ seat in November as key to regaining control of the Senate.
“Embracing an extremist anti-LGBTQ group’s endorsement is nothing less than opportunistic in the waning days of this campaign,” said Lucas Acosta, a spokesperson for Human Rights Campaign, a leading LGBTQ civil rights group.
“After years of being an independent voice for Mainers and advocating for the LGBTQ community, Collins has again chosen to pander to the far-right rather than stand by the principles she professed for years,” Acosta continued in his statement.
Collins’ campaign did not immediately return HuffPost’s request for comment.
Collins previously gained the backing of some LGBTQ and reproductive rights advocates by identifying herself as a pro-choice, moderate Republican. In 2014, she became the fourth GOP senator to publicly support same-sex marriage and she was the lead Republican sponsor of the anti-discrimination Equality Act in 2019. She’s also defended federal funding for reproductive health groups like Planned Parenthood.
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But Collins’ voting record in recent years has drawn the ire of liberal-minded voters, LGBTQ community members and allies, and abortion rights activists. She’s voted to confirm dozens of judges who have espoused anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ views.
She’s also helped further the agendas of President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) through several critical votes, including to confirm Justice Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court in 2018 and to acquit Trump during his impeachment trial earlier this year.
Her unwillingness to break from McConnell on key issues caused her in part to lose the endorsements of NARAL and Planned Parenthood ― two major reproductive rights groups ― as well as HRC to Gideon this election cycle.
HRC’s Acosta bashed Collins’ apparent excitement over CCL of Maine’s support.
“It is impossible to reconcile welcoming the endorsement of an organization that sought to out Maine legislators, opposes marriage equality and that actively demeans and attacks transgender children with Collins’ previously expressed views,” Acosta said.
CCL of Maine has a long history of anti-LGBTQ and anti-abortion activism, including opposing anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ community members in Maine and picketing outside of reproductive health clinics.
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In a statement announcing its support for Collins and Trump, CCL of Maine said it has chosen to endorse candidates they believe will “defend the unborn, religious freedom and parental rights.”
(“Parental rights” is essentially a euphemism for conversion therapy. On its website, CCL of Maine warns against allowing “biology-deniers” to pass legislation that would prohibit “any discussion between your child and a licensed therapist that affirms your child’s biological reality.”)
During her interview last week with CCL of Maine, Collins touted herself as a “firewall” in the Senate to prevent the passage of “really extreme legislation,” which she said includes “Medicare for All.”
She also said her reelection was necessary for preventing the repeal of the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits federal funding of abortions unless the mother’s life is at risk or the unwanted pregnancy was the result of rape or incest.
When asked how she would act as a “firewall” against anti-discrimination legislation that would impact religious entities, Collins responded that it was a “very important” and “very legitimate” question.
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“My view is that if you are a commercial business that is serving the public then you should be bound by anti-discrimination provisions,” Collins said. “However, if you are a church, I think it’s totally different. I don’t think you should be forced to hire people who aren’t of your religion, for example.”
“I don’t think that any church should be required in opposition to its doctrine to preside over same-sex marriages, yet I do believe that a civil same-sex marriage is fine,” she added. “But I would never force any religion to perform a same-sex marriage when it’s against their beliefs.”
Conley concluded the interview by thanking Collins for her service and warning listeners that there’s “so much at stake” in the November election.
“We believe that Susan Collins is a major part ― as she said, that firewall ― for what is at the front door right now in this country,” Conley said. “This is a major turning point. This is a time for conservatives and folks that care about the life issue, that care about our republic, they care about our Constitution to put our differences aside and to recognize the value of this candidacy.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-22--Trump Creates Radical Coalition Declaring ‘No International Right’ To Abortion

The declaration is part of the Geneva Consensus , a 32-country coalition created by the Trump administration in 2019 and co-sponsored by Brazil , Indonesia , Hungary , Uganda and Egypt .
The coalition ’ s declaration pushes more conservative views on human rights than the United Nations , including reproductive rights and often with a right-leaning bent on women ’ s health and family .
Although the declaration is not legally binding , the Trump administration ’ s facilitation of the coalition ― and break from UN consensus ― sends a loud and clear message where the U.S. stands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ceremonial signing of the declaration on Thursday , U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that under President Donald Trump ’ s leadership , “ The United States has defended the dignity of human life everywhere and always… We ’ ve mounted an unprecedented defense of the unborn abroad.
” The declaration claims to “ support women , protect life [ and ] promote the family , ” according to a video shown at Thursday ’ s signing ceremony .
In reality , it seeks to restrict abortion access and undermine same-sex marriages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unit .
Many of the countries that have signed on to the declaration are socially conservative and have been accused by the UN of human rights violations .
The declaration states that “ there is no international right to abortion ” because countries have no obligation to “ finance or facilitate abortion.
” The joint statement also undermines same-sex couples by reaffirming traditional family roles .
“ The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State , ” the document reads @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critical role in the family.
” The declaration stands in stark contrast to the UN Human Rights Commission ’ s stance on abortion , which promotes safe and affordable access to sexual and reproductive health care that includes abortion .
Key U.S. allies like the UK and France support abortion rights .
“ This declaration is a farce ― it carries no legitimacy within the UN system ― but the sentiments it represents are dangerous nonetheless , ” said Jenny Vanyur , associate director of Global Advocacy for Planned Parenthood Federation of America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declaration states , there is broad international consensus on the critical need for access to sexual and reproductive health care , including abortion.
” “ We are aware that many United Nations projects have attempted to assert a global right to taxpayer-funded abortion on demand , right up until the moment of delivery , ” Trump said during a 2019 UN General Assembly speech , falsely claiming that abortions can and are being done right before birth .
“ Global bureaucrats have absolutely no business attacking the sovereignty of nations that wish to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Like many nations here today , we in America believe that every child , born and unborn , is a sacred gift from God.
” Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar claimed at Thursday ’ s signing event that “ with increasing frequency , some rich nations and UN agencies beholden to them are wrongly asserting abortion as a universal human right.
” He said women around the globe “ unnecessarily suffer health challenges , all too often deadly health challenges , while too many wealthy nations and international @ @ @ @ @ @ @ radical agenda that is offensive to many cultures.
” In reality , the Trump administration ’ s support for and expansion of the global gag rule has put women and families around the world at risk by cutting off more than $ 150 million in funding for medical charities .
The gag rule is a policy tying U.S. aid to a promise from recipients not to perform or promote abortion .
For some of the world ’ s poorest communities , sexual health organizations are essential for more than family planning services and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only affordable medical care .
Jonathan Rucks , senior director of policy and advocacy at PAI , an international group that promotes reproductive health care , warned that the new declaration is an attempt from the Trump administration to undermine UN consensus that abortion is an essential service .
“ This is the U.S. trying to normalize and legitimize a narrow perspective on human rights and health that is not in line with longstanding international agreements recognizing human rights , including reproductive rights , ” Rucks said .
“ Having failed at gaining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ existing multilateral fora , the signers of this declaration , many of whom have questionable records on human rights , are creating an alternate reality where they define their own definitions and continue to stigmatize abortion .
”

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The Trump administration signed onto a declaration on Thursday that could undermine abortion rights around the world, a document stating that “in no case should abortion be promoted as a method of family planning.”
The declaration is part of the Geneva Consensus, a 32-country coalition created by the Trump administration in 2019 and co-sponsored by Brazil, Indonesia, Hungary, Uganda and Egypt. The coalition’s declaration pushes more conservative views on human rights than the United Nations, including reproductive rights and often with a right-leaning bent on women’s health and family.
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Although the declaration is not legally binding, the Trump administration’s facilitation of the coalition ― and break from UN consensus ― sends a loud and clear message where the U.S. stands on abortion rights.
At a virtual ceremonial signing of the declaration on Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that under President Donald Trump’s leadership, “The United States has defended the dignity of human life everywhere and always… We’ve mounted an unprecedented defense of the unborn abroad.”
“At its very core, the declaration protects women’s health, defends the unborn, and reiterates the vital importance of the family as the foundation of society,” Pompeo said.
The declaration claims to “support women, protect life [and] promote the family,” according to a video shown at Thursday’s signing ceremony. In reality, it seeks to restrict abortion access and undermine same-sex marriages by reaffirming the traditional, heterosexual family unit. Many of the countries that have signed on to the declaration are socially conservative and have been accused by the UN of human rights violations.
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The declaration states that “there is no international right to abortion” because countries have no obligation to “finance or facilitate abortion.” The joint statement also undermines same-sex couples by reaffirming traditional family roles. “The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State,” the document reads, adding that “women play a critical role in the family.”
The declaration stands in stark contrast to the UN Human Rights Commission’s stance on abortion, which promotes safe and affordable access to sexual and reproductive health care that includes abortion. Key U.S. allies like the UK and France support abortion rights.
“This declaration is a farce ― it carries no legitimacy within the UN system ― but the sentiments it represents are dangerous nonetheless.” - Jenny Vanyur, Planned Parenthood Federation of America
“This declaration is a farce ― it carries no legitimacy within the UN system ― but the sentiments it represents are dangerous nonetheless,” said Jenny Vanyur, associate director of Global Advocacy for Planned Parenthood Federation of America. “In contrast to what this declaration states, there is broad international consensus on the critical need for access to sexual and reproductive health care, including abortion.”
The declaration is in line with the Trump administration’s past comments on abortion and sexual health.
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“We are aware that many United Nations projects have attempted to assert a global right to taxpayer-funded abortion on demand, right up until the moment of delivery,” Trump said during a 2019 UN General Assembly speech, falsely claiming that abortions can and are being done right before birth.
“Global bureaucrats have absolutely no business attacking the sovereignty of nations that wish to protect innocent life,” Trump continued. “Like many nations here today, we in America believe that every child, born and unborn, is a sacred gift from God.”
Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar claimed at Thursday’s signing event that “with increasing frequency, some rich nations and UN agencies beholden to them are wrongly asserting abortion as a universal human right.” He said women around the globe “unnecessarily suffer health challenges, all too often deadly health challenges, while too many wealthy nations and international institutions put a myopic focus on a radical agenda that is offensive to many cultures.”
In reality, the Trump administration’s support for and expansion of the global gag rule has put women and families around the world at risk by cutting off more than $150 million in funding for medical charities. The gag rule is a policy tying U.S. aid to a promise from recipients not to perform or promote abortion. For some of the world’s poorest communities, sexual health organizations are essential for more than family planning services and, in some areas, provide the only affordable medical care.
Jonathan Rucks, senior director of policy and advocacy at PAI, an international group that promotes reproductive health care, warned that the new declaration is an attempt from the Trump administration to undermine UN consensus that abortion is an essential service.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-22--Chris Christie May Have Just Shaded Trump In Mask-Wearing Plea

Christie detailed his recovery from COVID-19 and chided public servants and “ those in positions of authority ” for not getting out a consistent message about the proven benefits of masks .
He called out those who deny the “ scientific realities of the pandemic ” and urged leaders to “ level with the American people.
” The president has been guilty of ignoring such advice and even warned voters recently that Democratic nominee Joe Biden will “ listen to the scientists ” — as if that were a bad thing .
Trump has repeatedly defied the recommendations of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social distance guidelines and pushed states to reopen quickly .
( Christie still supports “ rapid reopening.
” ) Meanwhile , the U.S. death toll from the coronavirus has exceeded 220,000 .
Christie also expressed regret for going maskless at Trump ’ s White House event for Amy Coney Barrett , which experts called a superspreader event .
But he stopped short of blaming Trump for getting the virus .
( Christie was also maskless while counseling the president before the first debate . )
But Christie ’ s words in the Journal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close to what critics saw as Trump ’ s most egregious blunders in managing the global outbreak .
“ One of the worst aspects of America ’ s divided politics is the polarization of something as practical as a mask , ” Christie said .
“ It ’ s not a partisan or cultural symbol , not a sign of weakness or virtue .
It ’ s simply a good method — not a perfect one , but a proven one — to contain a cough or prevent the virus from getting in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or you may regret it — as I did .
”

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Christie detailed his recovery from COVID-19 and chided public servants and “those in positions of authority” for not getting out a consistent message about the proven benefits of masks. He called out those who deny the “scientific realities of the pandemic” and urged leaders to “level with the American people.”
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The president has been guilty of ignoring such advice and even warned voters recently that Democratic nominee Joe Biden will “listen to the scientists” — as if that were a bad thing.
Trump has repeatedly defied the recommendations of his infectious disease experts, flouted mask and social distance guidelines and pushed states to reopen quickly. (Christie still supports “rapid reopening.”)
Meanwhile, the U.S. death toll from the coronavirus has exceeded 220,000.
Christie also expressed regret for going maskless at Trump’s White House event for Amy Coney Barrett, which experts called a superspreader event. But he stopped short of blaming Trump for getting the virus. (Christie was also maskless while counseling the president before the first debate.)
But Christie’s words in the Journal, intentionally or not, cut awfully close to what critics saw as Trump’s most egregious blunders in managing the global outbreak.
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“One of the worst aspects of America’s divided politics is the polarization of something as practical as a mask,” Christie said. “It’s not a partisan or cultural symbol, not a sign of weakness or virtue. It’s simply a good method — not a perfect one, but a proven one — to contain a cough or prevent the virus from getting in your mouth or nose. Wear it or you may regret it — as I did.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-22--Trump Releases Footage From '60 Minutes' Interview He Walked Out Of

President Donald Trump followed through on his threat to release unaired footage of his interview with “ 60 Minutes , ” just two days after he abruptly cut the appearance short and began criticizing Lesley Stahl , the popular news program ’ s host , on social media .
Trump , who has a noticeably raspy voice throughout the video , appears to grow frustrated during the interview with Stahl ’ s line of questioning as they discuss rising COVID-19 case numbers , unemployment claims , and his hopes that the Supreme Court overturns the Affordable Care Act , despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he hopes the Supreme Court ends the Affordable Care Act .
“ I hope that they end it .
It will be so good if they end it .
Because we will come up with a plan , ” Trump says .
“ Yeah , we will .
We have large sections of it already done .
And we ’ ve already come up with plans , ” Trump says , without going into detail about what his administration ’ s changes to the health care law might be .
“ You ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so negative , ” he says at another point , after Stahl questions him about his political rallies and participants ’ adherence to mask guidelines .
“ You just come in here with this negative attitude .
These are the biggest rallies we ’ ve ever had.
” Trump earlier this month was diagnosed with COVID-19 and hospitalized .
He has said that he has fully recovered .
First lady Melania Trump , who also tested positive for the virus , canceled a campaign trip this week because of a lingering cough , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spent more than 45 minutes with Stahl but then refused to participate in a “ walk and talk ” segment that would have also included Vice President Mike Pence , The New York Times reported on Tuesday .
“ You brought up a lot of subjects that were inappropriately brought up , they were inappropriately brought up right from the beginning , ” he says before claiming that she had said their interview would be “ lovely.
” CBS News , in a statement to HuffPost , said the White House ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violates a prior agreement , “ will not deter 60 MINUTES from providing its full , fair and contextual reporting which presidents have participated in for decades.
” The interview is scheduled to air on Sunday .
“ This will be done so that everybody can get a glimpse of what a FAKE and BIASED interview is all about , ” the president wrote .
“ Everyone should compare this terrible Electoral Intrusion with the recent interviews of Sleepy Joe Biden !
” He also shared a short clip of Stahl at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complaining that she was “ not wearing a mask in the White House after her interview with me.
” Citing people familiar with the interview , the Times said that Stahl had worn a mask up until the start of taping and only took it off as the recording began .
Trump has continually undercut the use of face masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19 , mocking those who wear them and removing his own mask after he tested positive for the deadly coronavirus and spent three days in the hospital .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus earlier this year and hospitalized .
She has since recovered .

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President Donald Trump followed through on his threat to release unaired footage of his interview with “60 Minutes,” just two days after he abruptly cut the appearance short and began criticizing Lesley Stahl, the popular news program’s host, on social media.
“Look at the bias, hatred and rudeness on behalf of 60 Minutes and CBS,” read a caption beneath his video posted on Facebook Thursday.
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Trump, who has a noticeably raspy voice throughout the video, appears to grow frustrated during the interview with Stahl’s line of questioning as they discuss rising COVID-19 case numbers, unemployment claims, and his hopes that the Supreme Court overturns the Affordable Care Act, despite the ongoing pandemic.
Trump tells Stahl that his health care plan is “fully developed” and will be announced “very soon.”
He also says he hopes the Supreme Court ends the Affordable Care Act. “I hope that they end it. It will be so good if they end it. Because we will come up with a plan,” Trump says.
“Will,” Stahl highlights in response.
“Yeah, we will. We have large sections of it already done. And we’ve already come up with plans,” Trump says, without going into detail about what his administration’s changes to the health care law might be.
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Trump also boasted that the country is “rounding the corner” on the coronavirus pandemic, despite cases rising across the country.
“We’re doing well. We understand the disease. I saved millions of people,” he says while blaming the rising case number on an increase in testing.
“You’re so negative, you’re so negative,” he says at another point, after Stahl questions him about his political rallies and participants’ adherence to mask guidelines. “You just come in here with this negative attitude. These are the biggest rallies we’ve ever had.”
Trump earlier this month was diagnosed with COVID-19 and hospitalized. He has said that he has fully recovered. First lady Melania Trump, who also tested positive for the virus, canceled a campaign trip this week because of a lingering cough, her chief of staff said.
Trump spent more than 45 minutes with Stahl but then refused to participate in a “walk and talk” segment that would have also included Vice President Mike Pence, The New York Times reported on Tuesday.
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The video ends with Trump criticizing Stahl and her handling of their interview before getting up to leave.
“You brought up a lot of subjects that were inappropriately brought up, they were inappropriately brought up right from the beginning,” he says before claiming that she had said their interview would be “lovely.”
“You’re president, shouldn’t you be held accountable to the American people?” she argues.
The footage does not appear to have been edited from its start to finish.
CBS News, in a statement to HuffPost, said the White House’s decision to release the footage, which violates a prior agreement, “will not deter 60 MINUTES from providing its full, fair and contextual reporting which presidents have participated in for decades.” The interview is scheduled to air on Sunday.
Democratic candidate Joe Biden and his running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris, are also expected to be featured in the “60 Minutes” episode.
Earlier Tuesday, Trump, who has a long history of undercutting media coverage he deems “fake news” or “unfair,” said he planned to release the footage “for the sake of accuracy in reporting.”
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“This will be done so that everybody can get a glimpse of what a FAKE and BIASED interview is all about,” the president wrote. “Everyone should compare this terrible Electoral Intrusion with the recent interviews of Sleepy Joe Biden!”
He also shared a short clip of Stahl at the White House without a mask on, complaining that she was “not wearing a mask in the White House after her interview with me.” Citing people familiar with the interview, the Times said that Stahl had worn a mask up until the start of taping and only took it off as the recording began.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-22--Trump Supporter Arrested For Requesting Absentee Ballot For Dead Mother

Although actual cases of people impersonating a registered voter in order to artificially alter vote totals are infinitesimally rare , Trump has repeatedly claimed , without evidence , that mail-in voting , which states have made more available this election cycle due to COVID-19 , is a magnet for “ fraud.
”  But to the extent that “ voter fraud ” is a problem this year , Trump might want to take a closer look at his own supporters .
Robert R. Lynn , a registered Republican and Trump supporter in the battleground state of Pennsylvania , was arrested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballot for his mother , who died in 2015 .
Lynn , 67 , is a resident of Luzerne County , a largely white , working-class , political bellwether that Barack Obama won twice , but which swung hard for Trump in 2016 .
Lynn is being charged with voter fraud and forgery for faking his deceased mother ’ s signature on the absentee ballot request form .
County prosecutors have told local news outlets that it is the first case of alleged voter fraud in the county in three decades .
County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspicious in September , triggering the investigation that led to Lynn ’ s arrest .
Lynn allegedly first denied the allegations to detectives , before admitting to the deed .
Lynn is due in court for a hearing on Nov. 5 ― two days after the election .
The Republican , who posted $ 10,000 in bail , could face up to five years in prison and $ 25,000 in fines .
In July , Lynn shared a conservative meme about someone who agreed to their neighbor ’ s request to take down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flag with dozens of Trump yard signs instead .
Lynn even amplified conservative concerns about the chaos that Pennsylvania ’ s expanded mail-in voting options could cause , though he does not appear to have reiterated Trump ’ s claims of widespread fraud .
Lynn shared a Wall Street Journal editorial from September warning that the crush of mail-in ballots could postpone the country ’ s election results and set up a costly , partisan court battle .
“ No surprise here , already happened in the PA primaries , this year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ folks !
!
” Lynn wrote in his post sharing the editorial .
Trump ’ s crusade against the phantom voter fraud phenomenon has on at least one occasion led him to encourage his supporters to test the system ’ s safeguards by engaging in the practice themselves .
At a rally in North Carolina in September , he told supporters to mail in their ballots and then vote in person , “ and if the system is as good as they say it is then obviously they won ’ t be able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump has tried to spread chaos and disinformation about voter fraud for years and he ’ s never come up with any evidence , ” Voter Project spokesperson Mike Mikus said in a statement .
“ A byproduct of his misinformation is that nearly every instance of voter fraud in recent years has been Trump ’ s own supporters because they believe his incessant lying .
”

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President Donald Trump has a colorful imagination when it comes to the fictitious specter of “voter fraud.”
Although actual cases of people impersonating a registered voter in order to artificially alter vote totals are infinitesimally rare, Trump has repeatedly claimed, without evidence, that mail-in voting, which states have made more available this election cycle due to COVID-19, is a magnet for “fraud.”
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But to the extent that “voter fraud” is a problem this year, Trump might want to take a closer look at his own supporters.
Robert R. Lynn, a registered Republican and Trump supporter in the battleground state of Pennsylvania, was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly requesting an absentee ballot for his mother, who died in 2015.
Lynn, 67, is a resident of Luzerne County, a largely white, working-class, political bellwether that Barack Obama won twice, but which swung hard for Trump in 2016. Lynn is being charged with voter fraud and forgery for faking his deceased mother’s signature on the absentee ballot request form.
County prosecutors have told local news outlets that it is the first case of alleged voter fraud in the county in three decades. County election authorities flagged the ballot request as suspicious in September, triggering the investigation that led to Lynn’s arrest. Lynn allegedly first denied the allegations to detectives, before admitting to the deed.
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Supporters of President Donald Trump filled Harveys Lake in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, in early October. Trump won the historically Democratic area handily in 2016. Aimee Dilger/SOPA Images/Light Rocket/Getty Images
Lynn is due in court for a hearing on Nov. 5 ― two days after the election. The Republican, who posted $10,000 in bail, could face up to five years in prison and $25,000 in fines.
Lynn’s Facebook posts show that he is a fan of Trump’s and a bitter critic of Trump’s Democratic opponent, former Vice President Joe Biden.
In one January message, Lynn shared a homemade image of Trump’s campaign logo with the words, “Finally someone with balls.”
In July, Lynn shared a conservative meme about someone who agreed to their neighbor’s request to take down their Trump flag only to replace the flag with dozens of Trump yard signs instead.
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And in a since-deleted post from September, Lynn called Biden’s town hall event in Moosic, Pennsylvania, “pathetic.”
Robert Lynn/Facebook
Lynn even amplified conservative concerns about the chaos that Pennsylvania’s expanded mail-in voting options could cause, though he does not appear to have reiterated Trump’s claims of widespread fraud. Lynn shared a Wall Street Journal editorial from September warning that the crush of mail-in ballots could postpone the country’s election results and set up a costly, partisan court battle. “No surprise here, already happened in the PA primaries, this year, so strap on your hanging chads, folks!!” Lynn wrote in his post sharing the editorial.
Robert Lynn/Facebook
Trump’s crusade against the phantom voter fraud phenomenon has on at least one occasion led him to encourage his supporters to test the system’s safeguards by engaging in the practice themselves. At a rally in North Carolina in September, he told supporters to mail in their ballots and then vote in person, “and if the system is as good as they say it is then obviously they won’t be able to vote” in person.
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The Voter Project, a group working to expose Republican voter suppression efforts and dispel myths about voter fraud, blamed Trump for effectively encouraging voter fraud among his own supporters.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-22--Donald Trump Jr. Shows Once Again He Is Planet's Least Self-Aware Person

Donald Trump may be president , but Donald Trump Jr. is the king ― of the “ self-own , ” that is .
The president ’ s firstborn son has a long history of posting tweets that backfire in his face , and he kept the tradition alive on Thursday .
It happened when Trump Jr. attempted to accuse Joe Biden ’ s son Hunter Biden of being a spoiled rich kid who didn ’ t work for his wealth .
My father gave me an opportunity to work my way up in his company .
Joe gave his son @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DonaldJTrumpJr ) October 22 , 2020 Many Twitter users weren ’ t sure Trump Jr. was the right guy to make a case against nepotism , considering his daddy hired him as a vice president a year out of college .
And , yes , there was snark .
The most hilarious tweet I 've ever read on this site .
He really worked his way up the ladder after college , from VP to Executive VP .
This guy gets it .
https : //t.co/VjrCiYEs1J — Jennifer Hayden ( @ Scout_Finch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of self-awareness is stunning— '' I worked my way up through my father ’ s company.
” https : //t.co/LHzDc9quSb — Touré ( @ Toure ) October 22 , 2020 I feel like the only way you could think this is if you were actually this dumb .
https : //t.co/oheykf1MYu — Shamus Khan ( @ shamuskhan ) October 22 , 2020 How Trump plowed through $ 1 billion , losing cash advantage — Nearly $ 100,000 spent on copies of Donald Trump Jr. ’ s book “ Triggered , ” which helped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York Times bestsellers list.https : //t.co/QTNIicB0Rs https : //t.co/gs3htIkR46 — Travis J. Tritten ( @ Travis_Tritten ) October 22 , 2020 Some people had questions .
Lots of questions .
Does that mean Hunter got your dad 's secret Chinese bank account ?
And the taxes he paid to China ?
https : //t.co/HXHlAjfygc — Robert Schlesinger !
VOTE !
🖖 ( @ rschles ) October 22 , 2020 But Jr. ’ s tweet may have had one positive result : helping one man come up with what can only be described @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Just wait , some entrepreneur is gon na start an ASMR podcast for spoiled kids like Jr. “ You worked soooo hard to become an exec at your daddy ’ s company.
” “ You earned everything you ’ ve ever been given.
” “ The employees at your fathers company look up to you.
” # GOPIncompetence — Michael Drake ( @ mikedrake178 ) October 22 , 2020

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Donald Trump may be president, but Donald Trump Jr. is the king ― of the “self-own,” that is.
It happened when Trump Jr. attempted to accuse Joe Biden’s son Hunter Biden of being a spoiled rich kid who didn’t work for his wealth.
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My father gave me an opportunity to work my way up in his company. Joe gave his son China. — Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) October 22, 2020
Many Twitter users weren’t sure Trump Jr. was the right guy to make a case against nepotism, considering his daddy hired him as a vice president a year out of college.
And, yes, there was snark.
is this what he told you? roflmao — Oliver Willis (@owillis) October 22, 2020
The most hilarious tweet I've ever read on this site. He really worked his way up the ladder after college, from VP to Executive VP. This guy gets it. https://t.co/VjrCiYEs1J — Jennifer Hayden (@Scout_Finch) October 22, 2020
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The lack of self-awareness is stunning—"I worked my way up through my father’s company.” https://t.co/LHzDc9quSb — Touré (@Toure) October 22, 2020
I feel like the only way you could think this is if you were actually this dumb. https://t.co/oheykf1MYu — Shamus Khan (@shamuskhan) October 22, 2020
How Trump plowed through $1 billion, losing cash advantage
— Nearly $100,000 spent on copies of Donald Trump Jr.’s book “Triggered,” which helped propel it to the top of the New York Times bestsellers list.https://t.co/QTNIicB0Rs https://t.co/gs3htIkR46 — Travis J. Tritten (@Travis_Tritten) October 22, 2020
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Some people had questions. Lots of questions.
How many place settings? https://t.co/PocirPgDkQ — Andrew Feinberg (@AndrewFeinberg) October 22, 2020
Does that mean Hunter got your dad's secret Chinese bank account? And the taxes he paid to China? https://t.co/HXHlAjfygc — Robert Schlesinger! VOTE!🖖 (@rschles) October 22, 2020
But Jr.’s tweet may have had one positive result: helping one man come up with what can only be described as a truly lucrative business concept.
Just wait, some entrepreneur is gonna start an ASMR podcast for spoiled kids like Jr.
“You worked soooo hard to become an exec at your daddy’s company.”
“You earned everything you’ve ever been given.”
“The employees at your fathers company look up to you.”#GOPIncompetence — Michael Drake (@mikedrake178) October 22, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-22--Senate Republicans Advance Another Trump Court Pick Rated 'Not Qualified'

CSPAN Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to advance Kathryn Kimball Mizelle 's nomination for a lifetime federal judgeship , despite her `` not qualified '' rating from the American Bar Association .
Every Republican member of the committee voted to send Mizelle ’ s nomination to the full Senate to be confirmed to a seat on the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida .
She got no support from Democrats , in part because they all boycotted the hearing over another of President Donald Trump ’ s court picks scheduled for a vote ― Supreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 33 , earned the ABA ’ s not qualified rating because of her lack of experience .
She doesn ’ t meet the ABA ’ s requirement that a nominee to a lifetime federal judgeship have at least 12 years of experience practicing law .
Mizelle has only been practicing law since 2012 , which the ABA notes is “ a rather marked departure ” from its standard .
“ She presents as a delightful person and she has many friends who support her nomination .
Her integrity and demeanor are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s evaluation concludes .
“ These attributes however simply do not compensate for the short time she has actually practiced law and her lack of meaningful trial experience.
” During her confirmation hearing in September , Sen. Dianne Feinstein ( D-Calif. ) asked Mizelle to respond to the ABA ’ s rating .
Mizelle talked up her brief stints as counsel to the associate U.S. attorney general from 2017 to 2018 , and as a trial attorney in the Tax Division at the Justice Department .
Since 2019 , she has been an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been dubbed Trump ’ s “ favorite law firm ” because of all the attorneys he ’ s hired from there into his administration .
“ I think it ’ s my experience as a career federal prosecutor that does make me equipped to do this job effectively , ” Mizelle said .
“ I have handled a wide variety of hearings as lead counsel on behalf of the United States .
I ’ ve argued those to federal judges at the same kinds of hearings I would be responsible for presiding over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really what gives me the core experience to be able to effectively manage a courtroom.
” Trump has put forward an unusually high number of judicial nominees who have been rated not qualified by the ABA .
None of President Barack Obama ’ s court picks in eight years were given the abysmal rating .
Six of President George W. Bush ’ s nominees earned the rating in his two terms .
Ten of Trump ’ s nominees have been rated not qualified in just four years .
President Donald Trump and Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ embracing each other awkwardly at this rally in Nov. 2019 .
They have embraced each other 's joint cause of remaking the federal courts as much as possible before Trump potentially loses reelection in Nov. 2020 .
Notably , Mizelle is a member of the Federalist Society , a conservative legal organization that has been driving Trump ’ s judicial selection process .
All three of Trump ’ s Supreme Court picks are Federalist Society members .
Nearly all of his 53 appeals court picks are Federalist Society members .
Mizelle ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prominent Federalist Society members , too : Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas , U.S. Appeals Court Judge Gregory Katsas and U.S. Appeals Court Judge William Pryor .
The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights , a coalition of more than 220 national human and civil rights groups , announced its opposition to Mizelle last month , citing her “ stunning lack of experience ” and her involvement in civil rights rollbacks at Trump ’ s Justice Department .
During her time at the department , she supervised litigation for the Civil Rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among other things , filed a Supreme Court brief arguing that businesses have a right to discriminate against LGBTQ customers and dropped the government ’ s longstanding position that a Texas voter ID law under legal challenge was intentionally racially discriminatory .
“ This nominee has been put forward not only because she is an ultraconservative ideologue , but also because she is a Trump loyalist , having worked in the Trump Justice Department to dismantle many critical civil rights protections , ” the Leadership Conference wrote in a letter to senators .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
”

Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to advance Kathryn Kimball Mizelle's nomination for a lifetime federal judgeship, despite her "not qualified" rating from the American Bar Association. CSPAN
The Senate Judiciary Committee voted Thursday to advance the lifetime federal judgeship nomination of Kathryn Kimball Mizelle, who earned an embarrassing “not qualified” rating from the American Bar Association.
Every Republican member of the committee voted to send Mizelle’s nomination to the full Senate to be confirmed to a seat on the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. She got no support from Democrats, in part because they all boycotted the hearing over another of President Donald Trump’s court picks scheduled for a vote ― Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett.
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Mizelle, 33, earned the ABA’s not qualified rating because of her lack of experience. She doesn’t meet the ABA’s requirement that a nominee to a lifetime federal judgeship have at least 12 years of experience practicing law. Mizelle has only been practicing law since 2012, which the ABA notes is “a rather marked departure” from its standard.
She has also never tried a case ― civil or criminal ― as lead attorney or co-counsel.
“She presents as a delightful person and she has many friends who support her nomination. Her integrity and demeanor are not in question,” the ABA’s evaluation concludes. “These attributes however simply do not compensate for the short time she has actually practiced law and her lack of meaningful trial experience.”
During her confirmation hearing in September, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) asked Mizelle to respond to the ABA’s rating. Mizelle talked up her brief stints as counsel to the associate U.S. attorney general from 2017 to 2018, and as a trial attorney in the Tax Division at the Justice Department. Since 2019, she has been an associate at Jones Day, which has been dubbed Trump’s “favorite law firm” because of all the attorneys he’s hired from there into his administration.
“I think it’s my experience as a career federal prosecutor that does make me equipped to do this job effectively,” Mizelle said. “I have handled a wide variety of hearings as lead counsel on behalf of the United States. I’ve argued those to federal judges at the same kinds of hearings I would be responsible for presiding over. ... I think that’s really what gives me the core experience to be able to effectively manage a courtroom.”
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Trump has put forward an unusually high number of judicial nominees who have been rated not qualified by the ABA. None of President Barack Obama’s court picks in eight years were given the abysmal rating. Six of President George W. Bush’s nominees earned the rating in his two terms. Ten of Trump’s nominees have been rated not qualified in just four years.
Mizelle’s nomination now heads to the Senate floor, where Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has made judicial nominations his top priority. Mizelle is all but certain to be confirmed.
President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell aren't just embracing each other awkwardly at this rally in Nov. 2019. They have embraced each other's joint cause of remaking the federal courts as much as possible before Trump potentially loses reelection in Nov. 2020. Yuri Gripas / Reuters
Notably, Mizelle is a member of the Federalist Society, a conservative legal organization that has been driving Trump’s judicial selection process. All three of Trump’s Supreme Court picks are Federalist Society members. Nearly all of his 53 appeals court picks are Federalist Society members. Mizelle’s clerkships out of law school were with prominent Federalist Society members, too: Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, U.S. Appeals Court Judge Gregory Katsas and U.S. Appeals Court Judge William Pryor.
There’s a common thread to Trump’s court picks who are Federalist Society members: They tend to have records of being hostile to abortion rights, LGBTQ rights, voting rights and the Affordable Care Act.
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The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, a coalition of more than 220 national human and civil rights groups, announced its opposition to Mizelle last month, citing her “stunning lack of experience” and her involvement in civil rights rollbacks at Trump’s Justice Department.
During her time at the department, she supervised litigation for the Civil Rights Division and Civil Division, which, among other things, filed a Supreme Court brief arguing that businesses have a right to discriminate against LGBTQ customers and dropped the government’s longstanding position that a Texas voter ID law under legal challenge was intentionally racially discriminatory.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-22--GOP Asks Supreme Court To Shorten North Carolina Absentee Deadline

State Republican legislative leaders argue in their appeal that the longer deadline , which was extended after early voting had begun , will result in unequal treatment of voters and dilute the value of those who cast ballots before the rule was changed .
They also say it usurps legislators ’ authority to set election rules .
The Trump campaign ’ s appeal also asks the high court to force the state to revert to stricter rules for fixing absentee ballot errors .
The North Carolina State Board of Elections had announced in late September that absentee ballots could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as long as they were mailed by Nov. 3 , which is Election Day .
The rule change , contained in an official memo , lengthened the period for accepting ballots from three to nine days after the election .
The state board is “ administering the election in an arbitrary and nonuniform manner that will result in disparate treatment by inhibiting the rights of voters who cast their absentee ballots before the Memorandum was issued , ” says the appeal filed by lawyers representing state Senate leader Phil Berger and House Speaker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state board made the change as part of a legal settlement in state court with a union-affiliated group that had challenged what it saw as restrictive voting rules during the coronavirus pandemic .
The settlement said the longer deadline was needed in case of postal delays .
While the board has a Democratic majority , the settlement was also approved by two Republican board members who later resigned amid fallout from their party .
A federal judge considering the deadline and other absentee ballot procedures , U.S. District Judge William Osteen , ruled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without a witness signature can ’ t be counted .
That prompted the state to issue guidance Monday that such voters must start their ballot over and have it witnessed again .
The court battle had caused absentee ballots with a range of errors to be set aside for about two weeks while the procedures were debated .
The appeal filed Thursday by the Trump campaign argues that the Supreme Court should go further than just shortening the ballot deadline .
It asks the high court to block a series of directives , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issued by the state board since Sept. 22 that allow voters to fix a range of absentee voting errors without casting a new ballot from scratch .
“ Plaintiffs urge the Court to prohibit the Board from implementing the Numbered Memos and enjoin it from further interfering with this election , ” the Trump appeal says .
Osteen had ruled that the late September rule revisions would effectively eliminate the witness requirement for absentee ballots , and he required the state to make voters start ballots over if they send them in without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s ruling allowed voters to fix more minor problems such as an incomplete witness address with a signed affidavit .
The Supreme Court has already weighed in on another battleground state ’ s ballot deadline , ruling earlier this week that Pennsylvania could count mailed-in ballots received up to three days after the Nov. 3 election , rejecting a Republican appeal .
The high court ’ s Monday ruling upholds a Pennsylvania state Supreme Court decision that ballots may be accepted until Nov. 6 , even without a clear postmark , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were mailed after the polls closed .

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President Donald Trump’s campaign and North Carolina’s Republican legislative leaders asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday to shorten the state’s recently extended deadline for accepting late-arriving absentee ballots postmarked by Election Day.
State Republican legislative leaders argue in their appeal that the longer deadline, which was extended after early voting had begun, will result in unequal treatment of voters and dilute the value of those who cast ballots before the rule was changed. They also say it usurps legislators’ authority to set election rules. The Trump campaign’s appeal also asks the high court to force the state to revert to stricter rules for fixing absentee ballot errors.
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The North Carolina State Board of Elections had announced in late September that absentee ballots could be accepted by counties until Nov. 12, as long as they were mailed by Nov. 3, which is Election Day. The rule change, contained in an official memo, lengthened the period for accepting ballots from three to nine days after the election.
The state board is “administering the election in an arbitrary and nonuniform manner that will result in disparate treatment by inhibiting the rights of voters who cast their absentee ballots before the Memorandum was issued,” says the appeal filed by lawyers representing state Senate leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Tim Moore, both Republicans.
The state board made the change as part of a legal settlement in state court with a union-affiliated group that had challenged what it saw as restrictive voting rules during the coronavirus pandemic. The settlement said the longer deadline was needed in case of postal delays. While the board has a Democratic majority, the settlement was also approved by two Republican board members who later resigned amid fallout from their party.
Federal district and appeals courts declined to intervene on the deadline issue.
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A federal judge considering the deadline and other absentee ballot procedures, U.S. District Judge William Osteen, ruled last week that absentee ballots that arrive without a witness signature can’t be counted. That prompted the state to issue guidance Monday that such voters must start their ballot over and have it witnessed again. The court battle had caused absentee ballots with a range of errors to be set aside for about two weeks while the procedures were debated.
The appeal filed Thursday by the Trump campaign argues that the Supreme Court should go further than just shortening the ballot deadline. It asks the high court to block a series of directives, also referred to as numbered memos, issued by the state board since Sept. 22 that allow voters to fix a range of absentee voting errors without casting a new ballot from scratch.
“Plaintiffs urge the Court to prohibit the Board from implementing the Numbered Memos and enjoin it from further interfering with this election,” the Trump appeal says.
The Trump campaign has also asked the state Supreme Court to overturn the state court settlement that included the rule changes.
Osteen had ruled that the late September rule revisions would effectively eliminate the witness requirement for absentee ballots, and he required the state to make voters start ballots over if they send them in without a witness signature. But the judge’s ruling allowed voters to fix more minor problems such as an incomplete witness address with a signed affidavit.
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The Supreme Court has already weighed in on another battleground state’s ballot deadline, ruling earlier this week that Pennsylvania could count mailed-in ballots received up to three days after the Nov. 3 election, rejecting a Republican appeal. The high court’s Monday ruling upholds a Pennsylvania state Supreme Court decision that ballots may be accepted until Nov. 6, even without a clear postmark, as long as there is no proof they were mailed after the polls closed.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-22--Fox News Anchor Calls Out Trump Adviser's Claim About Debate Moderator Kristen Welker

Fox News anchor Bill Hemmer corrected Trump campaign senior adviser Mercedes Schlapp on Thursday after she called NBC ’ s Kristen Welker , the moderator of the final presidential debate , a “ bit of an activist.
” Hemmer asked Schlapp what the public could expect from President Donald Trump as he faces off against his Democratic opponent Joe Biden , and whether Trump will go after Welker .
Trump repeatedly interrupted and talked over Fox News ’ Chris Wallace when he moderated the previous debate and claimed that the journalist from the conservative network was biased against him .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
What we know about the moderator is she ’ s a bit of an activist , and we want a fair debate .
We want the tough questions to come up on both sides , ” Schlapp said .
Schlapp : We know about the moderator .
She ’ s a bit of an activist .
Hemmer : She ’ s a reporter .
She ’ s not an activist .
Schlapp : She worked for NBC and she worked for MSNBC Hemmer : Well she covers the White House pic.twitter.com/aF8hsmmivM — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 22 , 2020 “ Well , if you would consider , she worked for NBC and she worked for MSNBC , which I would say is not necessarily fair and balanced like other stations that we know , ” Schlapp replied .
Schlapp argued that Welker ’ s been “ highly critical of the president ” and then changed gears to say her boss plans to bring up accusations against Biden ’ s son Hunter at the debate .
Hemmer ’ s interruption was brief , but it set him apart from others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Welker this week after a New York Post article accused her of having “ deep Democratic ties ” because her parents donated to the party and because she was photographed with the Obamas at a White House Christmas party .
Similar to his strategy ahead of the first debate , Trump has apparently been doing preemptive damage control by bashing the moderator .
He insisted earlier this week that Welker is “ terrible and unfair ” even though he had previously agreed to her as a moderator .
Trump ’ s senior campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just last week that Welker is a very fair journalist who he thinks will do an “ excellent job .
”

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Fox News anchor Bill Hemmer corrected Trump campaign senior adviser Mercedes Schlapp on Thursday after she called NBC’s Kristen Welker, the moderator of the final presidential debate, a “bit of an activist.”
Hemmer asked Schlapp what the public could expect from President Donald Trump as he faces off against his Democratic opponent Joe Biden, and whether Trump will go after Welker. Trump repeatedly interrupted and talked over Fox News’ Chris Wallace when he moderated the previous debate and claimed that the journalist from the conservative network was biased against him.
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“We’ll see what happens. What we know about the moderator is she’s a bit of an activist, and we want a fair debate. We want the tough questions to come up on both sides,” Schlapp said.
“Sorry, she’s a reporter,” Hemmer interrupted his guest. “She’s a reporter. She’s not an activist.”
Schlapp: We know about the moderator. She’s a bit of an activist.
Hemmer: She’s a reporter. She’s not an activist.
Schlapp: She worked for NBC and she worked for MSNBC
Hemmer: Well she covers the White House pic.twitter.com/aF8hsmmivM — Acyn Torabi (@Acyn) October 22, 2020
“Well, if you would consider, she worked for NBC and she worked for MSNBC, which I would say is not necessarily fair and balanced like other stations that we know,” Schlapp replied.
“Well, she covers the White House,” Hemmer interrupted.
Schlapp argued that Welker’s been “highly critical of the president” and then changed gears to say her boss plans to bring up accusations against Biden’s son Hunter at the debate.
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Hemmer’s interruption was brief, but it set him apart from others on the conservative network, who attacked Welker this week after a New York Post article accused her of having “deep Democratic ties” because her parents donated to the party and because she was photographed with the Obamas at a White House Christmas party.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-22--Lindsey Graham Calls For Probe Of Rival Jaime Harrison's Ability To Out-Fundraise Him

Sen. Lindsey Graham ( R-S.C. ) indicated that mysterious dark forces — rather than his own increasing unpopularity — are responsible for surging campaign contributions to his Democratic rival , Jaime Harrison .
He called for a legislative review of the kind of small-dollar donations that are boosting Harrison .
“ Where ’ s all this money coming from ?
” Graham asked in an interview Wednesday with The Hill .
“ Some of these shadowy figures out there running ads , is there any foreign influence afoot ?
” Graham conceded last month that , in fact , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harrison ’ s fundraising because his foes “ hate my guts.
” He pleaded for contributions on Fox News .
Harrison raised a record $ 57 million , mostly in small , individual contributions , in the third quarter of the year , while Graham raised $ 28 million .
Recent polls give Harrison a slight lead over the three-term incumbent .
“ I don ’ t know what ’ s going on out there , but I can tell you there ’ s a lot of money being raised in this campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Graham called for an investigation into the process .
“ When this election is over with , I hope there will be a sitting down and finding out , ‘ OK , how do we control this ?
’ ” Graham said .
“ It just seems to be an endless spiral.
” Graham singled out ActBlue , a nonprofit technology company that provides online fundraising software to help Democratic candidates collect small donations .
He complained that the operation doesn ’ t report individual donors who contribute less than $ 200 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign finance regulations .
An ActBlue representative told The Hill that the organization reports even its smallest donations to the Federal Election Commission , yet the names and addresses of donors giving less than $ 200 had not been reported .
Its October filing will provide the names , hometowns and employers of donors who contributed more than $ 1 , according to ActBlue .
Graham indicated that there ’ s a team of lawmakers interested in reviewing campaign finance practices with the aim of possibly creating new regulations .
Most voter concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but on massive campaign contributions to candidates by lobbyists and wealthy individuals .
Casino mogul Sheldon Adelson and his wife , Miriam , recently gave $ 75 million to a super PAC for President Donald Trump ’ s reelection .
Here 's the deal , y'all : We 've raised a lot of money , but we needed every cent to get to where we are today .
Now , Mitch McConnell and Lindsey 's billionaire donors are coming to save him .
They 're on track to outspend us by $ 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — Jaime Harrison ( @ harrisonjaime ) October 22 , 2020 “ Let me give a shout-out to the Democrats .
The lion ’ s share of the money that ’ s flooding into campaigns is coming from small donors , ” McConnell told reporters Tuesday , adding .
“ I don ’ t think any kind of campaign finance reform designed at producing fewer people interested is a good idea , ” he said .
Lindsey Graham wants to investigate groups like ActBlue because he doesn ’ t like the fact that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individual donations for Jaime Harrison .
Yet he thinks $ millions from corporate donors is just fine ... 😡😡😡https : //t.co/YCL5vzU6fq — Ladywolf ( @ NorskLadyWolf ) October 21 , 2020 We want to know what you ’ re hearing on the ground from the candidates .
If you get any interesting ― or suspicious !
― campaign mailers , robocalls or hear anything else you think we should know about , email us at scoops @ huffpost.com .

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Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) indicated that mysterious dark forces — rather than his own increasing unpopularity — are responsible for surging campaign contributions to his Democratic rival, Jaime Harrison. He called for a legislative review of the kind of small-dollar donations that are boosting Harrison.
“Where’s all this money coming from?” Graham asked in an interview Wednesday with The Hill. “Some of these shadowy figures out there running ads, is there any foreign influence afoot?”
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Graham conceded last month that, in fact, he’s getting “killed” by Harrison’s fundraising because his foes “hate my guts.” He pleaded for contributions on Fox News.
“I don’t know what’s going on out there, but I can tell you there’s a lot of money being raised in this campaign,” the senator told The Hill.
Graham called for an investigation into the process. “When this election is over with, I hope there will be a sitting down and finding out, ‘OK, how do we control this?’” Graham said. “It just seems to be an endless spiral.”
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Graham singled out ActBlue, a nonprofit technology company that provides online fundraising software to help Democratic candidates collect small donations. He complained that the operation doesn’t report individual donors who contribute less than $200 because it’s not required by campaign finance regulations.
An ActBlue representative told The Hill that the organization reports even its smallest donations to the Federal Election Commission, yet the names and addresses of donors giving less than $200 had not been reported. Its October filing will provide the names, hometowns and employers of donors who contributed more than $1, according to ActBlue.
Graham indicated that there’s a team of lawmakers interested in reviewing campaign finance practices with the aim of possibly creating new regulations.
Most voter concerns aren’t focused on small donors but on massive campaign contributions to candidates by lobbyists and wealthy individuals. Casino mogul Sheldon Adelson and his wife, Miriam, recently gave $75 million to a super PAC for President Donald Trump’s reelection.
Harrison warned voters in a tweet that Graham’s “billionaire donors” will still try to “save him.”
Here's the deal, y'all: We've raised a lot of money, but we needed every cent to get to where we are today.
Now, Mitch McConnell and Lindsey's billionaire donors are coming to save him. They're on track to outspend us by $10 million in the last week.https://t.co/y6Akr4bjfw — Jaime Harrison (@harrisonjaime) October 22, 2020
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Even Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is reluctant to go after donors giving modest contributions.
“Let me give a shout-out to the Democrats. The lion’s share of the money that’s flooding into campaigns is coming from small donors,” McConnell told reporters Tuesday, adding. “I don’t think any kind of campaign finance reform designed at producing fewer people interested is a good idea,” he said.
Lindsey Graham wants to investigate groups like ActBlue because he doesn’t like the fact that he has been drastically out-raised by small individual donations for Jaime Harrison. Yet he thinks $millions from corporate donors is just fine...😡😡😡https://t.co/YCL5vzU6fq — Ladywolf (@NorskLadyWolf) October 21, 2020
Investigate away Lindsey! All of us small donors who gave through Act Blue had to give our names, addresses, and employers. The donors will all be listed on Jaime Harrison’s FEC filings. — US Citizen Barbara Banfield 🆘 (@BarbBanfieldRN) October 22, 2020
Petty Lindsey Graham Wants To Investigate ActBlue Over His Own Failed Fundraising
Since ActBlue is helping bury Lindsey Graham with fundraising from small donors, he's now out to get them. https://t.co/9fIVqE3Ci9 — FierceWarriorNStilettos (@InactionNever) October 21, 2020
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-22--Joe Biden Says He'll Study Court Packing, Argues System Is 'Getting Out Of Whack'

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden won ’ t rule out studying the addition of members to the U.S. Supreme Court as part of a commission he plans to name to look at court reforms if he ’ s elected .
During an interview with CBS ’ s “ 60 Minutes ” recorded Monday but not yet aired , Biden was asked by anchor Norah O ’ Donnell if the commission would study whether to pack the court .
Biden says the commission ’ s charge would “ go well beyond packing , ” arguing the court system is “ getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a live ball .
We ’ re going to have to do that , ” he said .
“ And you ’ re going to find there ’ s a lot of conservative Constitutional scholars who are saying that as well.
” “ The last thing we need to do is turn the Supreme Court into just a political football , whoever has the most votes gets whatever they want .
Presidents come and go .
Supreme Court justices stay for generations , ” he added .
WATCH : In an interview with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CBSEveningNews ' @ NorahODonnell pressed Biden on his position on so-called `` court packing . ''
It 's a controversial proposal that would add justices to the Supreme Court , from its current nine .
More Sunday on @ CBS .
pic.twitter.com/iFvatE6ZP6 — CBS This Morning ( @ CBSThisMorning ) October 22 , 2020 Biden said last week he was “ not a fan ” of the idea of adding justices to the court to balance it ideologically .
He said he would answer the question of whether he planned to support it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Thursday in Nashville , Tennessee .
Questions of whether Biden would support court-packing have emerged since Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg ’ s death on Sept. 18 and the Republican-controlled Senate ’ s move forward with Judiciary Committee hearings on President Donald Trump ’ s nominee , Amy Coney Barrett , before the Nov. 3 election .

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Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden won’t rule out studying the addition of members to the U.S. Supreme Court as part of a commission he plans to name to look at court reforms if he’s elected.
During an interview with CBS’s “60 Minutes” recorded Monday but not yet aired, Biden was asked by anchor Norah O’Donnell if the commission would study whether to pack the court. Biden says the commission’s charge would “go well beyond packing,” arguing the court system is “getting out of whack.”
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“It is a live ball. We’re going to have to do that,” he said. “And you’re going to find there’s a lot of conservative Constitutional scholars who are saying that as well.”
“The last thing we need to do is turn the Supreme Court into just a political football, whoever has the most votes gets whatever they want. Presidents come and go. Supreme Court justices stay for generations,” he added.
WATCH: In an interview with Joe Biden for @60Minutes, @CBSEveningNews' @NorahODonnell pressed Biden on his position on so-called "court packing." It's a controversial proposal that would add justices to the Supreme Court, from its current nine.
More Sunday on @CBS. pic.twitter.com/iFvatE6ZP6 — CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) October 22, 2020
Biden said last week he was “not a fan” of the idea of adding justices to the court to balance it ideologically. He said he would answer the question of whether he planned to support it before the final presidential debate, scheduled for Thursday in Nashville, Tennessee.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-22--Trump, Biden Head Into Final Debate And The Stakes Have Never Been Higher

The two men headed for Nashville before the debate , which offers their final national stage to outline starkly different visions for a country in the grips of a surging pandemic that has killed more than 225,000 Americans and cost millions of jobs .
Despite historic tumult , the race has remained largely unchanged with Biden holding advantages in many battleground states while Trump faces a shortage of campaign cash and , crucially , time .
Worried that Trump could lose the White House and cost Republicans the Senate , some advisers urged him to trade his aggressive demeanor from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and put the spotlight on Biden , whom he derides as “ Sleepy Joe.
” But Trump made no such promise .
Biden , who has stepped off the campaign trail for several days in favor of debate prep , expects Trump to get intensely personal .
The former vice president and his inner circle see the president ’ s approach chiefly as an effort to distract from the coronavirus , its economic fallout and other crises of Trump 's term .
More than 42 million people have already cast their ballots as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voting .
In an election dominated by a polarizing president , far fewer undecided voters remain than at this point in 2016 .
And , in a visual reminder of the pandemic that has rewritten the norms of American society and fundamentally changed the campaign , sheets of plexiglass have been installed onstage between the two men .
The debate , moderated by NBC ’ s Kristen Welker , is a final chance for each man to make his case to a television audience of tens of millions of voters .
And questions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hectoring performance at the first debate was viewed by aides as a mistake that turned off viewers , would perform amid a stretch of the campaign in which he has taken angry aim at the news media and unleashed deeply personal attacks on Biden and his adult son .
In an effort to curtail interruptions this time , the Commission on Presidential Debates announced that Trump and Biden will each have his microphone cut off while his rival delivers an opening two-minute answer to each of six debate topics .
When he feels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , going as negative as possible .
In one stunning moment during the 2016 campaign , in an effort to deflect from the release of the Access Hollywood tape in which he is heard boasting about groping women , Trump held a press conference just before a debate with Hillary Clinton during which he appeared with women who had accused Bill Clinton of sexual assault .
He then invited them to watch as audience members .
Biden could also expect questions about his comments in a CBS interview , released Thursday , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying to add justices to the Supreme Court .
The issue has followed him since the Sept. 18 death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the GOP-controlled Senate ’ s rush to confirm Trump ’ s nominee to succeed her , Judge Amy Coney Barrett .
As for Biden 's family , Trump has been promoting an unconfirmed New York Post report from last week that cites an email in which an official from the Ukrainian gas company Burisma apparently thanks Hunter Biden , who served on the company ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meet Joe Biden during a 2015 visit to Washington .
The Biden campaign has rejected Trump ’ s assertion of wrongdoing and notes that Biden ’ s schedule did not show a meeting with the Burisma official .
The initial debate 's belligerent tone was somehow fitting for what has been an extraordinarily ugly campaign .
Amid heated clashes over the pandemic , the Supreme Court and the integrity of the election itself , Trump refused to condemn white supremacists who have supported him , telling one such group known as the Proud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by.
” After Trump 's COVID diagnosis , the debate commission ruled that the second debate , which was to have been held last week , be virtual .
Trump balked , and the two men holding dueling town halls instead , speaking at the same time more than 1,000 miles ( 1,600 kilometers ) apart .
“ You would n't say to Biden what you just said to me , ” Trump told Stahl when she questioned his characterization of the economy prior to the pandemic .
“ If he had it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden .
”

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden hurtled toward Thursday night's final debate, which may be the trailing incumbent's best chance to change the race's trajectory with just 12 days left until the election.
The two men headed for Nashville before the debate, which offers their final national stage to outline starkly different visions for a country in the grips of a surging pandemic that has killed more than 225,000 Americans and cost millions of jobs. Despite historic tumult, the race has remained largely unchanged with Biden holding advantages in many battleground states while Trump faces a shortage of campaign cash and, crucially, time.
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Worried that Trump could lose the White House and cost Republicans the Senate, some advisers urged him to trade his aggressive demeanor from the first debate for a lower-key style and put the spotlight on Biden, whom he derides as “Sleepy Joe.” But Trump made no such promise.
Biden, who has stepped off the campaign trail for several days in favor of debate prep, expects Trump to get intensely personal. The former vice president and his inner circle see the president’s approach chiefly as an effort to distract from the coronavirus, its economic fallout and other crises of Trump's term.
“Hopefully he’ll play by the rules," Biden said as he boarded his plane for Tennessee. “I’m looking forward to this.”
Final debates often play an outsized role in electoral outcomes. But Thursday night's showdown will be different from those past.
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More than 42 million people have already cast their ballots as part of a pandemic-era rise in early voting. In an election dominated by a polarizing president, far fewer undecided voters remain than at this point in 2016. And, in a visual reminder of the pandemic that has rewritten the norms of American society and fundamentally changed the campaign, sheets of plexiglass have been installed onstage between the two men.
The debate, moderated by NBC’s Kristen Welker, is a final chance for each man to make his case to a television audience of tens of millions of voters. And questions swirled as to how Trump, whose hectoring performance at the first debate was viewed by aides as a mistake that turned off viewers, would perform amid a stretch of the campaign in which he has taken angry aim at the news media and unleashed deeply personal attacks on Biden and his adult son.
In an effort to curtail interruptions this time, the Commission on Presidential Debates announced that Trump and Biden will each have his microphone cut off while his rival delivers an opening two-minute answer to each of six debate topics.
The mute button won’t figure in the open discussion portion of the debate.
When he feels cornered, Trump has often lashed out, going as negative as possible. In one stunning moment during the 2016 campaign, in an effort to deflect from the release of the Access Hollywood tape in which he is heard boasting about groping women, Trump held a press conference just before a debate with Hillary Clinton during which he appeared with women who had accused Bill Clinton of sexual assault. He then invited them to watch as audience members.
Trying to stage another comeback in a campaign's closing days, Trump this time is using the power of the presidency to attack his rival.
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On Tuesday, he called on Attorney General William Barr to immediately launch an investigation into unverified claims about Biden and his son Hunter, effectively demanding that the Justice Department muddy his political opponent and abandon its historic resistance to getting involved in elections.
Biden could also expect questions about his comments in a CBS interview, released Thursday, in which he wouldn’t rule out trying to add justices to the Supreme Court. The issue has followed him since the Sept. 18 death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the GOP-controlled Senate’s rush to confirm Trump’s nominee to succeed her, Judge Amy Coney Barrett.
As for Biden's family, Trump has been promoting an unconfirmed New York Post report from last week that cites an email in which an official from the Ukrainian gas company Burisma apparently thanks Hunter Biden, who served on the company’s board, for arranging for him to meet Joe Biden during a 2015 visit to Washington. The Biden campaign has rejected Trump’s assertion of wrongdoing and notes that Biden’s schedule did not show a meeting with the Burisma official.
Biden and Trump were both tested for COVID-19 on Thursday and the results came back negative.
Trump announced just two days after the first debate that he tested positive for the virus. He later spent three nights in Walter Reed National Military Medical Center before returning to the White House.
The one-two punch of the first presidential debate and Trump's three-day hospital stint with COVID-19 rattled his base of support and triggered alarm among Republicans who fear the White House and Senate could be slipping away.
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The initial debate's belligerent tone was somehow fitting for what has been an extraordinarily ugly campaign. Amid heated clashes over the pandemic, the Supreme Court and the integrity of the election itself, Trump refused to condemn white supremacists who have supported him, telling one such group known as the Proud Boys to “stand back and stand by.”
After Trump's COVID diagnosis, the debate commission ruled that the second debate, which was to have been held last week, be virtual. Trump balked, and the two men holding dueling town halls instead, speaking at the same time more than 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers) apart.
As Trump continued to complain he was being treated unfairly by the news media, he posted on Facebook unedited footage of his own “60 Minutes” interview, where he repeatedly told CBS interviewer Lesley Stahl she would not have challenged Biden.
“You wouldn't say to Biden what you just said to me,” Trump told Stahl when she questioned his characterization of the economy prior to the pandemic. “If he had it, you would never say that to Biden.”
After posting the video, Trump tweeted: “Tonight’s anchor, Kristen Welker, is far worse! #MAGA."
___
Lemire reported from Washington, Weissert from Wilmington, Delaware. Additional reporting from Steve Peoples in Nashville, Bill Barrow in Atlanta, Alexandra Jaffe and Zeke Miller in Washington and Aamer Madhani in Chicago.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-22--GOP Pours Money Into Michigan, One Of Its Only Chances To Oust A Democratic Senator

ASSOCIATED PRESS Democratic Sen. Gary Peters and Republican Senate candidate John James are running in a race that campaign finance experts project will top a staggering $ 100 million price tag by Election Day .
This week , Barack Obama , whom Joe Biden ’ s presidential campaign is primarily deploying to Pennsylvania to encourage voter turnout among Black men , cut an ad for Peters , highlighting his work on passing the auto bailout , protecting health insurance coverage for those with preexisting conditions and securing more funding for Great Lakes restoration .
Unlike most incumbents , who have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state , Peters started off his reelection campaign as a complete stranger to 36 % of the state ’ s population .
“ Let me be clear , I ’ m a Democrat and I ’ m a proud Democrat and hold Democratic values , ” Peters said in an interview with HuffPost .
“ But there ’ s a lot of governing that can be done in a way that we build some consensus and in the long run we have to return our country to that kind of way of operating.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Favor “ The quandary that Republicans across the board find themselves in — you can never really separate yourself from Trump even if that ’ s what might do best for you , ” Taylor said .
“ He has the potential to pick off more African American voters than President Trump might be on course to pick up there , but the math still seems pretty hard for them unless the national climate and the climate in Michigan changes for Republicans .
”

Democratic Sen. Gary Peters and Republican Senate candidate John James are running in a race that campaign finance experts project will top a staggering $100 million price tag by Election Day. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) can’t fully explain why there are so many undecided voters left in his state two weeks ahead of one of the highest stakes elections in a generation.
“That’s hard for me to answer,” Peters said in a quick phone call Sunday after a campaign stop in Waterford, Michigan, noting it’s not unusual for voters to tune in to an election late, let alone in a pandemic. “Michigan is a complicated place.”
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According to a Detroit Free Press and EPIC-MRA poll in mid-October, Peters led by 6 percentage points over opponent John James, one of Republicans’ strongest recruits in the 2020 election cycle. But that survey had a larger-than-expected chunk of undecided voters: 11% of the total surveyed electorate and, notably, 18% of Black voters. This week, a Fox News poll found just 5% of likely voters were still undecided.
Poll after poll shows James, a young Black conservative entrepreneur and Iraq War veteran, within single digits of Peters, a first-term senator who is perhaps most known for being unknown. The matchup is one of the GOP’s few chances to oust an incumbent Democratic senator, and the result could hinge on that slice of undecided voters.
The numbers are keeping Peters’ campaign on its toes going into the final stretch of the election season. In 2016, Hillary Clinton fell short in Democratic strongholds like Detroit and Flint, particularly among Black voters — a dip in turnout that helped Donald Trump narrowly win the state by less than 11,000 votes.
“State campaign finance watchers estimate the price tag of the race could be more than $100 million by Election Day.”
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This week, Barack Obama, whom Joe Biden’s presidential campaign is primarily deploying to Pennsylvania to encourage voter turnout among Black men, cut an ad for Peters, highlighting his work on passing the auto bailout, protecting health insurance coverage for those with preexisting conditions and securing more funding for Great Lakes restoration. Unlike most incumbents, who have the advantage of being known in their state, Peters started off his reelection campaign as a complete stranger to 36% of the state’s population.
But Peters has been attempting to raise his profile. He recently gained national attention for talking to Elle magazine about how he and his first wife decided to have an abortion in the 1980s. He became the first sitting senator to share his abortion story.
The demographics of undecided voters also suit Democrats. Jill Alper, a Democratic strategist in the state, summed them up as “single women, all ages, all races, we are talking about independents working two or three jobs.”
“People are not just sitting around and watching TV. They are frontliners,” she said.
In a year the GOP is defending upward of 10 competitive Senate seats, Peters’ seat in Michigan and Sen. Doug Jones’ in Alabama, are seen as Republicans’ only two opportunities to pick off Democrats this year since they’re in states Trump won in 2016 — and Republicans are going all in.
The Senate Leadership Fund, the super PAC aligned with Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), raised $92 million in September and began October with more than $103 million in the bank, according to a Federal Election Commission report filed Tuesday afternoon. This week it announced an additional $5.6 million in ads against Peters, bringing its total investment to $14.6 million. Democrats have been keeping up the pace.
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There’s been more spending on this Senate race than on the presidential race in the state. State campaign finance watchers estimate the price tag of the race could be more than $100 million by Election Day.
At a minimum, $19.2 million will be spent on Michigan’s U.S. Senate race this week alone, compared with $16.5 million slotted for the presidential race, according to an analysis by the Michigan Campaign Finance Network, a watchdog group.
But Democrats still have reason to be cautiously optimistic. James doesn’t only have to run against Peters, he also has to navigate Trump.
“In a true toss-up, Trump has to start doing better here,” Jessica Taylor, of the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, said of Michigan. “But in the broader scheme of things ... Republicans have sort of succeeded in keeping this competitive.”
For Democrats, the hope is a significant portion of Michiganders truly haven’t tuned into the fast-approaching Election Day, and once they do, they will vote against Trump’s pick for the seat.
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John James Has A Trump Problem
The GOP saw potential in James after he lost to Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) in 2018 by 6 percentage points in his first political campaign. He came out of that race without a negative ad run against him and finished closer to Stabenow than most anticipated.
James has served two combat tours in Iraq. He calls his supporters part of his “army” and has made his whole campaign military-themed: He calls his platform “battle-tested”; his online hub for campaign volunteers is the “foxhole.”
Vice President Mike Pence and Republican U.S. Senate candidate John James sit for lunch at The Engine House in Mount Clemens, Michigan, in June. ASSOCIATED PRESS
He is running his race differently this year than he did two years ago. Mainly, there’s a lot less Trump. His appearance at the Republican National Convention was brief. He attended a rally with Trump in September, but skipped the president’s most recent visit to the state in October.
Trump has consistently polled behind Biden in Michigan; two weeks before Election Day, the Democratic ticket has an 8-point lead. Trump’s campaign has pulled back spending in Michigan since early September.
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Peters, a moderate Democrat in the Senate, has always emphasized his record of bipartisanship. He authored six bills signed into law under Trump, including expanding training programs for small businesses and apprenticeships for veterans. His vision for Washington is to get back to a place where Democrats and Republicans can write big legislation together.
“Let me be clear, I’m a Democrat and I’m a proud Democrat and hold Democratic values,” Peters said in an interview with HuffPost. “But there’s a lot of governing that can be done in a way that we build some consensus and in the long run we have to return our country to that kind of way of operating.”
Now, James has taken to championing what he calls “nonpartisanship.” He refused to take a clear position on the recent Supreme Court vacancy, stating in a campaign email, “We need to get back to those times where people from both political parties worked together.”
“It feels good on the ground in a 2012 way as opposed to a 2016 way in Michigan.” - Lavora Barnes, Michigan Democratic Party chair and Obama’s 2012 state director
In press interviews, he’s said he’ll push back against Trump when he needs to. James’ campaign and the official campaign arm for Senate Republicans did not respond to multiple HuffPost interview requests.
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“When the president is right on what he’s doing for Michigan, I’ll support him,” James told The Detroit News in May. “And when I disagree with him, I will let him know. It benefits the state of Michigan to have that perspective and that voice.”
All that rhetoric, however, is backed by a standard conservative agenda, which Republicans in Washington have pushed forward in large part by standing with Trump. James wants to repeal and replace Obamacare, defund so-called sanctuary cities and cut environmental regulations. Democrats have done their best to remind voters that just two years ago, James said he supported Trump’s agenda “2,000%.”
It’s reportedly left voters who still haven’t fully tuned into the race confused about who is who. One Democratic voter told The New York Times that between James and Peters, his apolitical friends found it hard to tell who was the Democrat and who was the Republican.
The Political Climate Is In Democrats’ Favor
Peters unexpectedly won an election in 2014 — a year Democrats lost it all — and has spent his time in the Senate in the minority party. James failed to win in a Democratic wave two years ago. This year will be just as difficult.
“The quandary that Republicans across the board find themselves in — you can never really separate yourself from Trump even if that’s what might do best for you,” Taylor said. “He has the potential to pick off more African American voters than President Trump might be on course to pick up there, but the math still seems pretty hard for them unless the national climate and the climate in Michigan changes for Republicans.”
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Sen. Gary Peters speaks during an event for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden at the Michigan State Fairgrounds in Novi on Oct. 16. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Peters has had an overwhelming advantage with Black voters in Michigan so far. In mid-October, he was leading James 61% to 8% among African Americans, who make up nearly 40% of the electorate in Michigan’s most populous county.
Nearly 1.8 million mail-in ballots out of the 3 million requested have been returned in Michigan as of this week. Biden remains dominant in the state, emphasizing get-out-the-vote efforts targeted at Michigan’s Black communities.
And Michigan is one of six states that still has “straight-ticket voting” — meaning voters can choose an entire party’s slate of candidates with a single mark on the ballot. Democrats are cautiously confident; the demographics of the undecided voters swing in their favor, and fewer and fewer voters are interested in splitting their ballots these days.
Lavora Barnes, chair of the Michigan Democratic Party and Obama’s state director in 2012, says she isn’t expecting a repeat of what happened four years ago.
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“It feels good on the ground in a 2012 way as opposed to a 2016 way in Michigan,” she said.
Correction: This article previously stated Peters has authored four bills signed under Trump. He has actually sponsored six. We regret the error.