thewashingtonexaminer--2020-11-25--Lara Trump teases considering Senate run in North Carolina

President Trump 's time in the White House is be coming to a close , but his daughter-in-law is posturing to be the first member of the family to keep the Trump name in electoral politics .
Lara Trump , the wife of the president 's son Eric Trump , confirmed reports that she is considering the possibility of running for Senate in North Carolina in appearances on Fox News and Fox Business on Wednesday .
`` Let 's get through this one , and then we 'll talk about the next one , '' she said on Fox News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is going to run for Senate .
`` It would be an incredible thing .
It ’ s my home state , a state I love so much , and look , I think we need some strong Republicans in Washington , D.C. We had a great run with the Senate and the House this go around but , I don ’ t know , let ’ s see what happens . ''
A few minutes later , Trump appeared on Fox Business network and confirmed that she has thought about ruining for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was born North Carolina , it is my home , my team still lives there , '' Trump said when asked if she would run for office in the state .
`` It 's something that I certainly have considered .
I think it 's a little too soon to make an ultimate decision on that , but , you know , it would be an honor to represent the people of my home state . ''
North Carolina will have an open Senate seat in the 2022 cycle .
Republican Sen. Richard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Senate since 2005 and before that in the House for a decade , is retiring at the end of his term .
Trump was born in Wilmington , North Carolina , and named her daughter Carolina after the state .
Trump also hinted at a run in the Fox Business interview after being asked whether the `` verbal abuse '' and criticism that her family has endured has made her want to avoid politics .
`` It is a consideration that I think we all have to think about — would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the things you just described ? ''
Trump said .
`` They have been absolutely brutal to every member of our family .
They make up lies about us ; they write completely unfounded stories about us . ''
`` We all have also seen the great side of things , which is that you can affect positive change for so many people by holding a position like the president has , by holding , you know , congressional or Senate seat .
So many possibilities to make life better for people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they have , obviously , done everything they can to try to dissuade us from doing those things , possibly running in the future — look , I think we all know the really positive side , the way you can impact people ’ s lives , so I don ’ t think you can ever rule anything out . ''

President Trump's time in the White House is be coming to a close, but his daughter-in-law is posturing to be the first member of the family to keep the Trump name in electoral politics.
Lara Trump, the wife of the president's son Eric Trump, confirmed reports that she is considering the possibility of running for Senate in North Carolina in appearances on Fox News and Fox Business on Wednesday.
"Let's get through this one, and then we'll talk about the next one," she said on Fox News when asked when she will decide she is going to run for Senate. "It would be an incredible thing. It’s my home state, a state I love so much, and look, I think we need some strong Republicans in Washington, D.C. We had a great run with the Senate and the House this go around but, I don’t know, let’s see what happens."
A few minutes later, Trump appeared on Fox Business network and confirmed that she has thought about ruining for office in that state.
"I was born North Carolina, it is my home, my team still lives there," Trump said when asked if she would run for office in the state. "It's something that I certainly have considered. I think it's a little too soon to make an ultimate decision on that, but, you know, it would be an honor to represent the people of my home state."
North Carolina will have an open Senate seat in the 2022 cycle. Republican Sen. Richard Burr, who has represented the state in the Senate since 2005 and before that in the House for a decade, is retiring at the end of his term.
Trump was born in Wilmington, North Carolina, and named her daughter Carolina after the state.
Trump also hinted at a run in the Fox Business interview after being asked whether the "verbal abuse" and criticism that her family has endured has made her want to avoid politics.
"It is a consideration that I think we all have to think about — would we ever want to put ourselves through all the things you just described?" Trump said. "They have been absolutely brutal to every member of our family. They make up lies about us; they write completely unfounded stories about us."
"We all have also seen the great side of things, which is that you can affect positive change for so many people by holding a position like the president has, by holding, you know, congressional or Senate seat. So many possibilities to make life better for people," she added. "Although they have, obviously, done everything they can to try to dissuade us from doing those things, possibly running in the future — look, I think we all know the really positive side, the way you can impact people’s lives, so I don’t think you can ever rule anything out."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-11-25--Social conservatives prepare to battle Biden

Social conservatives are girding themselves for battle with President-elect Joe Biden on abortion , religious liberty , and other issues in which they found an unlikely ally in President Trump for the last four years .
The first course of action , unless something major and unexpected changes in Trump ’ s legal battle to contest the election : fight to maintain Republican control of the Senate through the two Senate runoff elections in Georgia .
“ We right away shifted from the presidential race when we knew there was nothing more we could do and moved to Georgia as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden administration and the House want to cook up , ” said Marjorie Dannenfelser , president of the anti-abortion group the Susan B. Anthony List .
“ At this point , the Senate is the firewall against wholesale structural change in the United States , ” said Timothy Head , executive director of the Faith and Freedom Coalition .
“ It can hardly be overstated how important it is to retain a Republican majority in the Senate.
” When Biden takes office , Trump executive orders on abortion and religious liberty will surely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expect to see the Mexico City policy reversed , ” said Head , referring to an executive action banning federal funding to international family planning organizations that perform or advocate for abortions overseas .
The policy changes every time control of the White House shifts from one party to the other .
But other Biden goals can only be achieved through legislation .
Social conservatives fear that Democrats will expand the Supreme Court to add more liberal justices , though Biden has been noncommittal about the idea , and try to pad a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rico and the District of Columbia .
“ They believe Biden and [ Vice President-elect Kamala ] Harris are serious about changing the Supreme Court balance of power and adding senators , ” Dannenfelser said of the conservative voters and donors she has contacted in Georgia and elsewhere .
Even with such major pieces of legislation that are too heavy a lift for a Democratic Senate that will at most be 50-50 and reliant on Harris ’ s tie-breaking vote , there are other bills social conservatives would need to organize against .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which seeks to codify Roe v. Wade , and the Equality Act , which would similarly write protections for sexual orientation and gender identity into federal civil rights law .
“ Putting abortion into the federal code ... What we would argue is worse than Roe v. Wade ?
” said Dannenfelser .
That is because some state-level abortion restrictions that have been upheld by the Supreme Court since 1992 ’ s Planned Parenthood v. Casey decision would be impermissible under the proposed statute .
Taxpayer funding of abortion could easily be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support for the Hyde Amendment , which bans most such subsidies through Medicaid , during the Democratic primaries .
Hyde-like measures that prohibit public financing of abortion through other federal funding streams could also be eliminated .
While anti-abortion Democrats such as Sens .
Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Bob Casey of Pennsylvania , whose father was the defendant in the aforementioned Supreme Court abortion decision , could be allies in these fights , Republicans Sens .
Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska support abortion rights .
If centrists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden administration , some socially conservative organizations could still work with the White House on criminal justice reform , mental health issues , and curbing human trafficking .
“ We believe the First Step Act was a constructive , bipartisan piece of legislation , ” Head said .
“ We reject whole cloth defunding the police and legalizing narcotics or prostitution.
” So far , these are compatible with Biden ’ s positions .
Some social conservatives are still holding out hope that Trump , who despite his unorthodox history as a brash @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frequently delivered for them , will still win a second term .
“ There 's really nothing we non-lawyers can do , ” Dannenfelser said .
Until then , all eyes are on Georgia , where early voting begins the same day the Electoral College will meet to decide the presidential contest .
Incumbent Republican Sens .
David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler failed to exceed 50 % in November and will be seeking reelection in a state where Trump has challenged his narrow loss to Biden .
The anti-abortion Susan B. Anthony List @ @ @ @ @ @ @ launching a $ 4.1 million multimedia campaign with 400,000 COVID-19-safe , in-person contacts with voters .
The Ralph Reed-founded Faith and Freedom Coalition is located in Georgia and already has 400 volunteers on the ground .
“ There are about 1.5 million known Christian voters in the state of Georgia , and our objective is to turn out every one of them , ” said Head .
“ If all of them turn out and vote , then the result will be OK .
If only 85 % of them turn out , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ razor-thin margin .
”

Social conservatives are girding themselves for battle with President-elect Joe Biden on abortion, religious liberty, and other issues in which they found an unlikely ally in President Trump for the last four years.
The first course of action, unless something major and unexpected changes in Trump’s legal battle to contest the election: fight to maintain Republican control of the Senate through the two Senate runoff elections in Georgia.
“We right away shifted from the presidential race when we knew there was nothing more we could do and moved to Georgia as the backstop against every bad thing a Biden administration and the House want to cook up,” said Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the anti-abortion group the Susan B. Anthony List.
“At this point, the Senate is the firewall against wholesale structural change in the United States,” said Timothy Head, executive director of the Faith and Freedom Coalition. “It can hardly be overstated how important it is to retain a Republican majority in the Senate.”
When Biden takes office, Trump executive orders on abortion and religious liberty will surely be scrapped. “Most of us expect to see the Mexico City policy reversed,” said Head, referring to an executive action banning federal funding to international family planning organizations that perform or advocate for abortions overseas. The policy changes every time control of the White House shifts from one party to the other.
But other Biden goals can only be achieved through legislation. Social conservatives fear that Democrats will expand the Supreme Court to add more liberal justices, though Biden has been noncommittal about the idea, and try to pad a Democratic Senate majority through statehood for Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.
“They believe Biden and [Vice President-elect Kamala] Harris are serious about changing the Supreme Court balance of power and adding senators,” Dannenfelser said of the conservative voters and donors she has contacted in Georgia and elsewhere.
Even with such major pieces of legislation that are too heavy a lift for a Democratic Senate that will at most be 50-50 and reliant on Harris’s tie-breaking vote, there are other bills social conservatives would need to organize against. There is the Freedom of Choice Act, which seeks to codify Roe v. Wade, and the Equality Act, which would similarly write protections for sexual orientation and gender identity into federal civil rights law.
“Putting abortion into the federal code ... What we would argue is worse than Roe v. Wade?” said Dannenfelser. That is because some state-level abortion restrictions that have been upheld by the Supreme Court since 1992’s Planned Parenthood v. Casey decision would be impermissible under the proposed statute.
Taxpayer funding of abortion could easily be expanded, as Biden recanted his long-standing support for the Hyde Amendment, which bans most such subsidies through Medicaid, during the Democratic primaries. Hyde-like measures that prohibit public financing of abortion through other federal funding streams could also be eliminated.
While anti-abortion Democrats such as Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, whose father was the defendant in the aforementioned Supreme Court abortion decision, could be allies in these fights, Republicans Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska support abortion rights.
If centrists continue to win personnel battles shaping the Biden administration, some socially conservative organizations could still work with the White House on criminal justice reform, mental health issues, and curbing human trafficking. “We believe the First Step Act was a constructive, bipartisan piece of legislation,” Head said. “We reject whole cloth defunding the police and legalizing narcotics or prostitution.” So far, these are compatible with Biden’s positions.
Some social conservatives are still holding out hope that Trump, who despite his unorthodox history as a brash New York businessman and reality TV star frequently delivered for them, will still win a second term. “There's really nothing we non-lawyers can do,” Dannenfelser said.
Until then, all eyes are on Georgia, where early voting begins the same day the Electoral College will meet to decide the presidential contest. Incumbent Republican Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler failed to exceed 50% in November and will be seeking reelection in a state where Trump has challenged his narrow loss to Biden.
The anti-abortion Susan B. Anthony List's affiliate Women Speak Out PAC is launching a $4.1 million multimedia campaign with 400,000 COVID-19-safe, in-person contacts with voters. The Ralph Reed-founded Faith and Freedom Coalition is located in Georgia and already has 400 volunteers on the ground.
“There are about 1.5 million known Christian voters in the state of Georgia, and our objective is to turn out every one of them,” said Head. “If all of them turn out and vote, then the result will be OK. If only 85% of them turn out, then we will be looking at a razor-thin margin.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-11-25--San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer could be California's first GOP governor since Schwarzenegger

Kevin Faulconer may not be your typical Republican , but he might be just the guy to help the GOP retake the governor 's mansion in California for the first time in a decade .
The San Diego mayor , who is on his way out of office after two terms , is pro-abortion rights , a vocal supporter of the gay community , and has a plan to combat climate change .
He also helped spearhead efforts getting San Diego County to be the only county in the state to see a reduction in homelessness last year .
San @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that over the past three decades morphed into deep-blue territory , but Faulconer , 53 , still managed to win elections where San Diego County Democrats outnumber Republicans by over 240,000 .
Due to term limits , the mayor is set to leave office next month , but he already has his eyes on a bigger prize .
Faulconer told the Washington Examiner in a phone interview on Tuesday that he is `` strongly considering '' a run for governor in 2022 , arguing that Gov .
Gavin Newsom 's administration is falling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that Democrats who have controlled the state for decades have left California overtaxed and unaffordable .
`` The Democratic establishment have failed our state , '' Faulconer said .
`` I think it ’ s time for competition .
It ’ s time for competition of ideas . ''
Although Newsom has n't announced a run for a second term — and some have even speculated the national spotlight he 's gotten this year over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic may pique his interest for a future White House run — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him in a strong position to seek four more years in Sacramento .
Faulconer took office in 2014 , campaigning on a message that could appeal to the many communities that shape San Diego , which borders Tijuana , Mexico .
Roughly 30 % of the city is Hispanic , more than a quarter of its residents are foreign-born , it 's home to the largest military community , and its location on the border makes it an attractive spot for international trade .
Faulconer 's first campaign ad in 2014 was in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Latino-run small businesses .
He opened a campaign office in the city 's historically black neighborhood and has touted expanding economic opportunities and building infrastructure to benefit everyone — all while keeping taxes at bay .
That vision , he told the Washington Examiner , is the path forward for Republicans in California and one he wants to see expanded into state leadership , which he believes has overwhelmed taxpayers and poorly handled the coronavirus , which has infected more than a million Californians .
Speaking of the coronavirus , the mayor took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ controversy in which he was caught dining with a lobbyist and several others at an upscale restaurant in spite of his own state orders that discourage those kinds of large gatherings to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 .
His tweet accusing the governor of hypocrisy got 9,000 `` likes '' and more than 3,000 retweets .
Faulconer 's critique was even praised in a Los Angeles Times column .
Newsom , 53 , apologized for the incident but did so on the same day he announced a reversal of his reopening plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state 's strictest `` purple tier '' of public health guidelines .
Under the purple tier , most businesses must suspend or strictly limit their indoor operations .
Faulconer said the state 's indecisiveness on whether to keep businesses open or closed is having real consequences , and as a local leader , he 's observed a lack of effectiveness in putting a one-size-fits-all solution , as he calls it , on a state as large and diverse as California .
`` People are hurting , and to recognize the impact that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it ’ s not just an afterthought , '' Faulconer said .
`` This is literally economic life and death .
When the goal posts keep changing , when we ’ re so many months into this , and literally in San Diego , there have been some businesses that have had to open and shut five different times .
That ’ s just crazy . ''
In most California counties , businesses , churches , restaurants , and bars have gone through two shutdowns and reopenings since March and are now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Some small-business owners are now laying off workers for the third time this year .
The state saw a wave of protests over the weekend in Huntington Beach .
People gathered to protest Newsom 's latest move to issue a curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. to try and halt the spread of the virus .
Faulconer sympathizes with protesters , saying the state needs to work with local health officials and base their decisions on scientific experts , many of whom told the San Francisco Chronicle they were skeptical a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases .
`` There ’ s no science behind a curfew , '' the mayor said .
`` It was a hollow executive order that accomplishes nothing .
That ’ s the type of thing that I think frustrates many Californians . ''
Before the French Laundry restaurant mishap , Newsom managed to maintain strong approval ratings that had grown since he first took office in 2018 .
An October poll conducted by the Public Policy institute of California found 58 % of adults approved of the governor 's performance .
By party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Newsom , compared to 50 % of independents and 18 % of Republicans .
On his handling of the pandemic , 61 % approved of how he has tried to corral the virus .
Like Faulconer , Newsom began his political career in local government , best known for being the young mayor of San Francisco who made national headlines after issuing same-sex marriage licenses to couples a month into his first term in 2004 , despite state and federal law that prohibited gay marriage at the time .
He took over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ served his second stint as California 's chief executive following the reign of Terminator actor Arnold Schwarzenegger , the last Republican to hold the office .
On social issues , both have championed efforts to strengthen government relations with the immigrant community , even as the Trump administration took a hard-line approach to cracking down on illegal immigration .
During their terms as mayors , Faulconer and Newsom made efforts to diversify their own local governments , and both were credited for appointing the first women to run the police departments for their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same age and white men at a time when both major parties have made a point of pride to have diversity in their candidates .
So , what sets them apart ?
Faulconer said his fiscal philosophy and track record of being able to build economic opportunities and infrastructure in his city without needing to raise taxes exponentially .
A November poll from the University of California , Berkeley found that over 80 % of Californians think taxes at the state and local level are too high , and voters on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people out of the state .
The poll came shortly after voters rejected Proposition 15 , a $ 140 million campaign to hike property taxes on businesses across the state .
`` The reality is when you look at it , it ’ s like every year , it ’ s getting harder to earn a living to try and get ahead in California , '' Faulconer said .
`` That dream of a middle-class life moves farther out of reach .
When two or three folks can ’ t afford a medium-priced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate in the nation , and yet people want to keep raising our taxes .
That ’ s not going to work .
That ’ s not sustainable . ''
Despite his confidence , Faulconer would have an uphill battle in facing not only Newsom but a Democratic Party that has long controlled the state Legislature as well as every statewide office .
“ He ’ s certainly a moderate within the spectrum of conservative to liberal , and he has won in a big city , but how well would he do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disaster that befalls the state ?
It ’ s hard to see a Democratic statewide candidate losing in the short term , ” said Jack Citrin , a political science professor at UC Berkeley .
`` I think it ’ s impressive that he has been able to do as well as he has . ''

Kevin Faulconer may not be your typical Republican, but he might be just the guy to help the GOP retake the governor's mansion in California for the first time in a decade.
The San Diego mayor, who is on his way out of office after two terms, is pro-abortion rights, a vocal supporter of the gay community, and has a plan to combat climate change. He also helped spearhead efforts getting San Diego County to be the only county in the state to see a reduction in homelessness last year.
San Diego was once a reliably conservative city that over the past three decades morphed into deep-blue territory, but Faulconer, 53, still managed to win elections where San Diego County Democrats outnumber Republicans by over 240,000.
Due to term limits, the mayor is set to leave office next month, but he already has his eyes on a bigger prize.
Faulconer told the Washington Examiner in a phone interview on Tuesday that he is "strongly considering" a run for governor in 2022, arguing that Gov. Gavin Newsom's administration is falling short of the needs of the state and that Democrats who have controlled the state for decades have left California overtaxed and unaffordable.
"The Democratic establishment have failed our state," Faulconer said. "I think it’s time for competition. It’s time for competition of ideas."
Although Newsom hasn't announced a run for a second term — and some have even speculated the national spotlight he's gotten this year over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic may pique his interest for a future White House run — his consistently positive approval ratings would put him in a strong position to seek four more years in Sacramento.
Faulconer took office in 2014, campaigning on a message that could appeal to the many communities that shape San Diego, which borders Tijuana, Mexico. Roughly 30% of the city is Hispanic, more than a quarter of its residents are foreign-born, it's home to the largest military community, and its location on the border makes it an attractive spot for international trade.
Faulconer's first campaign ad in 2014 was in Spanish, talking about the importance of Latino-run small businesses. He opened a campaign office in the city's historically black neighborhood and has touted expanding economic opportunities and building infrastructure to benefit everyone — all while keeping taxes at bay.
That vision, he told the Washington Examiner, is the path forward for Republicans in California and one he wants to see expanded into state leadership, which he believes has overwhelmed taxpayers and poorly handled the coronavirus, which has infected more than a million Californians.
Speaking of the coronavirus, the mayor took particular issue with the most recent Newsom controversy in which he was caught dining with a lobbyist and several others at an upscale restaurant in spite of his own state orders that discourage those kinds of large gatherings to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. His tweet accusing the governor of hypocrisy got 9,000 "likes" and more than 3,000 retweets. Faulconer's critique was even praised in a Los Angeles Times column.
Newsom, 53, apologized for the incident but did so on the same day he announced a reversal of his reopening plans, putting 94% of Californians under the state's strictest "purple tier" of public health guidelines. Under the purple tier, most businesses must suspend or strictly limit their indoor operations.
Faulconer said the state's indecisiveness on whether to keep businesses open or closed is having real consequences, and as a local leader, he's observed a lack of effectiveness in putting a one-size-fits-all solution, as he calls it, on a state as large and diverse as California.
"People are hurting, and to recognize the impact that these policies are having on small businesses, it’s not just an afterthought," Faulconer said. "This is literally economic life and death. When the goal posts keep changing, when we’re so many months into this, and literally in San Diego, there have been some businesses that have had to open and shut five different times. That’s just crazy."
In most California counties, businesses, churches, restaurants, and bars have gone through two shutdowns and reopenings since March and are now expected to close again ahead of winter. Some small-business owners are now laying off workers for the third time this year.
The state saw a wave of protests over the weekend in Huntington Beach. People gathered to protest Newsom's latest move to issue a curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. to try and halt the spread of the virus.
Faulconer sympathizes with protesters, saying the state needs to work with local health officials and base their decisions on scientific experts, many of whom told the San Francisco Chronicle they were skeptical a curfew would actually curb spikes in coronavirus cases.
"There’s no science behind a curfew," the mayor said. "It was a hollow executive order that accomplishes nothing. That’s the type of thing that I think frustrates many Californians."
Taking on California's Democratic political machine
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom reacts to the news that the California Supreme Court has overturned a ban on gay marriages, in his office in San Francisco, Thursday, May 15, 2008. The California Supreme Court overturned a voter-approved ban on gay marriage, paving the way for the state to become the second in the United States where gay and lesbian residents can marry. The justices released the 4-3 decision Thursday, saying that domestic partnerships are not a good enough substitute for marriage in an opinion written by Chief Justice Ron George. (AP Photo/Eric Riserg) Eric Risberg/AP
Before the French Laundry restaurant mishap, Newsom managed to maintain strong approval ratings that had grown since he first took office in 2018. An October poll conducted by the Public Policy institute of California found 58% of adults approved of the governor's performance. By party affiliation, 83% of Democrats approved of Newsom, compared to 50% of independents and 18% of Republicans. On his handling of the pandemic, 61% approved of how he has tried to corral the virus.
Like Faulconer, Newsom began his political career in local government, best known for being the young mayor of San Francisco who made national headlines after issuing same-sex marriage licenses to couples a month into his first term in 2004, despite state and federal law that prohibited gay marriage at the time. He took over as governor from Jerry Brown, who served his second stint as California's chief executive following the reign of Terminator actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, the last Republican to hold the office.
On social issues, both have championed efforts to strengthen government relations with the immigrant community, even as the Trump administration took a hard-line approach to cracking down on illegal immigration. During their terms as mayors, Faulconer and Newsom made efforts to diversify their own local governments, and both were credited for appointing the first women to run the police departments for their respective cities. They're also both the same age and white men at a time when both major parties have made a point of pride to have diversity in their candidates.
So, what sets them apart? Faulconer said his fiscal philosophy and track record of being able to build economic opportunities and infrastructure in his city without needing to raise taxes exponentially.
A November poll from the University of California, Berkeley found that over 80% of Californians think taxes at the state and local level are too high, and voters on a 5-to-1 margin said high taxes were driving people out of the state. The poll came shortly after voters rejected Proposition 15, a $140 million campaign to hike property taxes on businesses across the state.
"The reality is when you look at it, it’s like every year, it’s getting harder to earn a living to try and get ahead in California," Faulconer said. "That dream of a middle-class life moves farther out of reach. When two or three folks can’t afford a medium-priced home, we have the highest poverty rate in the nation, and yet people want to keep raising our taxes. That’s not going to work. That’s not sustainable."
Despite his confidence, Faulconer would have an uphill battle in facing not only Newsom but a Democratic Party that has long controlled the state Legislature as well as every statewide office.
“He’s certainly a moderate within the spectrum of conservative to liberal, and he has won in a big city, but how well would he do against Newsom unless there’s some disaster that befalls the state? It’s hard to see a Democratic statewide candidate losing in the short term,” said Jack Citrin, a political science professor at UC Berkeley. "I think it’s impressive that he has been able to do as well as he has."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-11-24--Biden: I'll meet with Trump if invited

Biden: I'll meet with Trump if invited

President-elect Joe Biden said that he would meet with President Trump at the White House if invited .
“ Of course I would , if he asked , ” Biden told reporters on Tuesday when asked if he was open to meeting with Trump , according to a pool report .
It is custom for the sitting president to invite the president-elect to the White House in the days following an election .
Trump visited President Barack Obama at the White House just two days after the 2016 election .
The last time an incumbent president was defeated , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ met with then-President-elect Bill Clinton about two weeks after the election .
Trump , though , has refused to concede the election to Biden or invite him to the White House , arguing that the results are not final despite the failure of more than 30 lawsuits alleging fraud and irregularities in the election results and key swing states such as Michigan certifying the results .
On Monday , the Trump administration gave the Biden transition team a win when the General Services Administrator Emily Murphy , after weeks of being criticized for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notifying that he would be allowed access to government resources and information in order to aid in the transition process .
The last time election results were in dispute , in 2000 , the Supreme Court did not settle the dispute until Dec. 12 .
Clinton met with then-President-elect George W. Bush on Dec. 19 that year , one day after the Electoral College voted to make Bush president .
Biden and Trump held their last known private conversation outside of presidential debates in April , when the two men discussed the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That conversation happened after then-White House adviser Kellyanne Conway said in an interview that rather than criticizing Trump from the sidelines , the former vice president could `` call the White House today and offer some support . ''
The Biden campaign immediately took Conway up on that offer .

President-elect Joe Biden said that he would meet with President Trump at the White House if invited.
“Of course I would, if he asked,” Biden told reporters on Tuesday when asked if he was open to meeting with Trump, according to a pool report.
It is custom for the sitting president to invite the president-elect to the White House in the days following an election. Trump visited President Barack Obama at the White House just two days after the 2016 election. The last time an incumbent president was defeated, in 1992, President George H.W. Bush met with then-President-elect Bill Clinton about two weeks after the election.
Trump, though, has refused to concede the election to Biden or invite him to the White House, arguing that the results are not final despite the failure of more than 30 lawsuits alleging fraud and irregularities in the election results and key swing states such as Michigan certifying the results.
On Monday, the Trump administration gave the Biden transition team a win when the General Services Administrator Emily Murphy, after weeks of being criticized for delay, sent a letter to Biden notifying that he would be allowed access to government resources and information in order to aid in the transition process.
The last time election results were in dispute, in 2000, the Supreme Court did not settle the dispute until Dec. 12. Clinton met with then-President-elect George W. Bush on Dec. 19 that year, one day after the Electoral College voted to make Bush president.
Biden and Trump held their last known private conversation outside of presidential debates in April, when the two men discussed the coronavirus pandemic after days of political posturing.
That conversation happened after then-White House adviser Kellyanne Conway said in an interview that rather than criticizing Trump from the sidelines, the former vice president could "call the White House today and offer some support." The Biden campaign immediately took Conway up on that offer.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-11-24--Biden puts premium on Cabinet choices' ability to be confirmed, early picks show

President-elect Joe Biden 's first round of Cabinet picks reflects a cautious approach to the Senate confirmation process , with Biden choosing government veterans with the highest probability of making it through rather than prominent left-wing ideologues who would likely stir more opposition .
The announcement of Antony Blinken as his nominee for secretary of state , for example , signaled a return to the center-left Washington , D.C. , consensus .
Blinken , the former undersecretary of state during the Obama administration , is broadly considered to be a relative centrist who will gain the votes of several Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nomination to lead the Office of the Director of National Intelligence , Avril Haines , is facing more criticism from the Left than from conservatives .
Liberals are alarmed that the pair and other picks by Biden represent a continuation of Obama-era interventionist foreign policy moves , such as the 2009 Afghanistan troop surge or military action in Libya in 2011 .
Concerns from the Left reached such a point that transition spokeswoman Jen Psaki tried to calm dissent in the Democratic ranks , mentioning that a `` range '' of people elected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 36-year Delaware senator , and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris .
`` President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris were elected by a coalition of people across the country that includes people who are progressive and moderate and Republican , '' Psaki told CNN .
`` He wants to have a range of views of people at the table , so I would encourage people to wait to see who he announces and nominates in the weeks to come . ''
Biden 's relatively centrist turn in early personnel picks is a change from his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ progressive administration since FDR . ''
After beating President Trump , people speculated that Biden would select Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont as secretary of labor or another 2020 Democratic primary rival , Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts , to head the Treasury Department .
And for all the left-wing dreams of Warren at the Treasury Department , Biden decided to go with Janet Yellen , the former Federal Reserve chairwoman and the head of former President Bill Clinton 's National Economic Council .
Although the pick earned plaudits from a number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resume was as much of an olive branch to Senate Republicans , a number of whom voted for her as Fed chairwoman , as it was to the Left .
That 's all a long way from Biden 's October statement to reporters that he was recently reading The Defining Moment , a book detailing the history of President Franklin D. Roosevelt 's first 100 days in office .
During that critical period , with the country in the midst of the Great Depression , the president assembled a `` Brain Trust '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Cabinet picks , such as Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins , and legislation to help rescue the nation 's financial institutions from collapse .
These people , including Adolf Berle , had little experience in federal government and were prized for their expertise in issues related to antitrust and welfare .
Much of Roosevelt 's legislative accomplishments were due to his tremendous political capital , spurred by a landslide election and a Democratic Party majority in both the House and the Senate .
But Biden finds himself in a much different position @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the brink of collapse as it was in 1933 .
And voters in 2020 slashed his party 's majority in the House while reelecting a number of GOP senators .
His one sop to the Left at the moment seems to be establishment-favorite John Kerry as a special climate adviser .
Instead of going bold , Biden must now find Cabinet secretaries who have n't committed to large left-wing initiatives like Roosevelt 's Secretary of Commerce Harry Hopkins in order to ensure a potentially GOP-controlled Senate confirms them .
The biographies of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ role , such as former PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi and former Xerox CEO Ursula Burns , could n't be much further from someone like Hopkins .

President-elect Joe Biden's first round of Cabinet picks reflects a cautious approach to the Senate confirmation process, with Biden choosing government veterans with the highest probability of making it through rather than prominent left-wing ideologues who would likely stir more opposition.
The announcement of Antony Blinken as his nominee for secretary of state, for example, signaled a return to the center-left Washington, D.C., consensus. Blinken, the former undersecretary of state during the Obama administration, is broadly considered to be a relative centrist who will gain the votes of several Republicans in confirmation hearings.
And Biden's nomination to lead the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Avril Haines, is facing more criticism from the Left than from conservatives. Liberals are alarmed that the pair and other picks by Biden represent a continuation of Obama-era interventionist foreign policy moves, such as the 2009 Afghanistan troop surge or military action in Libya in 2011.
Concerns from the Left reached such a point that transition spokeswoman Jen Psaki tried to calm dissent in the Democratic ranks, mentioning that a "range" of people elected Biden, the former vice president and 36-year Delaware senator, and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.
"President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris were elected by a coalition of people across the country that includes people who are progressive and moderate and Republican," Psaki told CNN. "He wants to have a range of views of people at the table, so I would encourage people to wait to see who he announces and nominates in the weeks to come."
Biden's relatively centrist turn in early personnel picks is a change from his campaign-trail pledge to choose the "most progressive administration since FDR." After beating President Trump, people speculated that Biden would select Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont as secretary of labor or another 2020 Democratic primary rival, Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, to head the Treasury Department.
And for all the left-wing dreams of Warren at the Treasury Department, Biden decided to go with Janet Yellen, the former Federal Reserve chairwoman and the head of former President Bill Clinton's National Economic Council. Although the pick earned plaudits from a number of Democrats, including Warren, Yellen's resume was as much of an olive branch to Senate Republicans, a number of whom voted for her as Fed chairwoman, as it was to the Left.
That's all a long way from Biden's October statement to reporters that he was recently reading The Defining Moment, a book detailing the history of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's first 100 days in office. During that critical period, with the country in the midst of the Great Depression, the president assembled a "Brain Trust" of Columbia University professors who advised Roosevelt on Cabinet picks, such as Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins, and legislation to help rescue the nation's financial institutions from collapse.
These people, including Adolf Berle, had little experience in federal government and were prized for their expertise in issues related to antitrust and welfare. Much of Roosevelt's legislative accomplishments were due to his tremendous political capital, spurred by a landslide election and a Democratic Party majority in both the House and the Senate.
But Biden finds himself in a much different position. The economy is far from teetering on the brink of collapse as it was in 1933. And voters in 2020 slashed his party's majority in the House while reelecting a number of GOP senators. His one sop to the Left at the moment seems to be establishment-favorite John Kerry as a special climate adviser.
Instead of going bold, Biden must now find Cabinet secretaries who haven't committed to large left-wing initiatives like Roosevelt's Secretary of Commerce Harry Hopkins in order to ensure a potentially GOP-controlled Senate confirms them. The biographies of people being considered by Biden for that role, such as former PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi and former Xerox CEO Ursula Burns, couldn't be much further from someone like Hopkins.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-11-24--'Probably going to be a bloodbath': Democrats worry about future elections as GOP set to control red

'Probably going to be a bloodbath': Democrats worry about future elections as GOP set to control redistricting

Republicans already happy with their House gains during the 2020 election could gain even more ground during the 2022 midterm elections after next year ’ s redistricting process plays out .
“ If you thought Ohio Republicans ’ 12R-4D map this past decade was an aggressive gerrymander , just wait until you see this 13R-2D ( ! )
map , which could wipe out half of the Dems ’ House majority in just one state , ” noted Cook Political Report analyst Dave Wasserman on Twitter .
While Wasserman ’ s map is not an official representation of what Ohio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2022 , it is a preview of what Republicans might do to improve their position during the redistricting process .
“ Yes , there ’ s a new commission in OH , but Republicans could easily go around it if it deadlocks ... and this map would put both # OH09 Rep. Marcy Kaptur ( D ) and # OH13 Rep. Tim Ryan ( D ) in brutal districts that voted for Trump by 10+ , ” Wasserman continued .
“ And even worse for Dems , the 13R-2D map above *complies* @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including keeping the cities of Cleveland & Cincinnati whole and minimizing split counties.
” Republicans will have control over a large chunk of redistricting thanks to their performance in down-ballot races during the 2020 election .
Despite predictions of a possible “ blue wave , ” Democrats were not able to flip a single state legislative chamber away from Republican control in 2020 .
In many states , the state legislature controls the process of drawing new congressional districts every 10 years .
“ Republicans are set to control the redistricting of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the entire House of Representatives .
By contrast , Democrats will control the redistricting of , at most , 73 seats , or 17 percent , ” FiveThirtyEight statistician Nate Silver after the election .
“ How did Republicans pull that off ?
” Silver asked .
“ By winning almost every 2020 election in which control of redistricting was at stake.
” Wasserman pointed out that the GOP ’ s stunning victory will have implications reaching far past Ohio .
“ FL is a big problem for Dems in many respects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wasserman said on Twitter .
“ It wouldn ’ t be that hard for Rs to convert the current 15-12 Trump district map into an 18-11 Trump district map , as I ’ ve drawn below.
” “ I ’ d expect Rs to attempt to purge Miami Beach and Brickell from # FL27 to try to shore up Rep.-elect Maria Elvira Salazar ( R ) , ” he continued .
“ It ’ s a safe bet there will also be new , safely R districts ( # FL28 and # FL29 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ north central FL.
” “ FL Republicans could try to get even more aggressive , but would risk courts striking their map down under FL ’ s Fair Districts amendment , ” he said .
“ This map simply protects every sitting Dem & GOP incumbent and gives Rs both of FL ’ s new seats.
” After the 2010 census and that year 's Republican wave , the GOP held a strong redistricting position that has made the congressional district map Republican-friendly for the last decade .
The GOP is exiting this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ circumstances to 2010 .
“ After 2010 , Republicans controlled 54 of the 99 state legislative chambers , ” noted Commentary editor Noah Rothman on Twitter .
“ They had trifectas in 23 states to Democrats ’ 15 .
After 2020 , 59 chambers are held by Republicans , 37 by Democrats.
” “ And guess what , ” he continued .
“ Republicans have 23 trifectas to Democrats ’ 15.
” While redistricting is set to favor Republican candidates for the next decade , Democrats have a more immediate problem ahead of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House majority shrink dramatically in this year ’ s election , Republicans will only have to net a single-digit gain to retake the lower chamber in 2022 .
Historically , the party that does not hold the White House makes large gains during midterm elections .
Democrats had hoped to overcome that by expanding their majority this year , but those aspirations failed to materialize .
“ I mean , we are not well-positioned for 2022 .
We 're just not .
It 's really unfair for [ Pelosi ] to stay in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the gavel for two more years when we all are assuming that 2022 is probably going to be a bloodbath , ” a Democratic lawmaker the Hill last week .
`` Not only did we not pick up 10 or 15 seats , it 's going to be a net loss for House Dems .
This is supposed to be an opportunity for us to expand the map , grow the majority , and we squandered that , especially knowing how important it was to do that in 2020 , to build that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for 2022.
” Rep. Tom Emmer , who leads the Republican ’ s House campaign arm , is feeling more optimistic about his party ’ s prospects , although he warned that the GOP still has more work to do .
“ People need to understand that we had some success this cycle , but it did n't just happen because you said we were going to have successes — we worked hard .
This challenge is no different — we have to work even harder this time , ” Emmer told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be an easy feat , no matter what people say .
We ca n't listen to the pollsters .
We ca n't listen to the prognosticators .
You ’ ve got to know that it 's up to you — you ’ ve got to make your own luck .
”

Republicans already happy with their House gains during the 2020 election could gain even more ground during the 2022 midterm elections after next year’s redistricting process plays out.
“If you thought Ohio Republicans’ 12R-4D map this past decade was an aggressive gerrymander, just wait until you see this 13R-2D (!) map, which could wipe out half of the Dems’ House majority in just one state,” noted Cook Political Report analyst Dave Wasserman on Twitter.
If you thought Ohio Republicans' 12R-4D map this past decade was an aggressive gerrymander, just wait until you see this 13R-2D (!) map, which could wipe out half of Dems' House majority in just one state. pic.twitter.com/FpffOj6ML3 — Dave Wasserman (@Redistrict) November 23, 2020
While Wasserman’s map is not an official representation of what Ohio’s congressional delegation would look like in 2022, it is a preview of what Republicans might do to improve their position during the redistricting process.
“Yes, there’s a new commission in OH, but Republicans could easily go around it if it deadlocks...and this map would put both #OH09 Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D) and #OH13 Rep. Tim Ryan (D) in brutal districts that voted for Trump by 10+,” Wasserman continued. “And even worse for Dems, the 13R-2D map above *complies* w/ OH’s new anti-gerrymander criteria, including keeping the cities of Cleveland & Cincinnati whole and minimizing split counties.”
And even worse for Dems, the 13R-2D map above *complies* w/ OH's new anti-gerrymandering criteria, including keeping the cities of Cleveland & Cincinnati whole and minimizing split counties. — Dave Wasserman (@Redistrict) November 23, 2020
Republicans will have control over a large chunk of redistricting thanks to their performance in down-ballot races during the 2020 election. Despite predictions of a possible “blue wave,” Democrats were not able to flip a single state legislative chamber away from Republican control in 2020. In many states, the state legislature controls the process of drawing new congressional districts every 10 years.
“Republicans are set to control the redistricting of 188 congressional seats — or 43 percent of the entire House of Representatives. By contrast, Democrats will control the redistricting of, at most, 73 seats, or 17 percent,” noted FiveThirtyEight statistician Nate Silver after the election.
“How did Republicans pull that off?” Silver asked. “By winning almost every 2020 election in which control of redistricting was at stake.”
Wasserman pointed out that the GOP’s stunning victory will have implications reaching far past Ohio.
“FL is a big problem for Dems in many respects, including redistricting next year,” Wasserman said on Twitter. “It wouldn’t be that hard for Rs to convert the current 15-12 Trump district map into an 18-11 Trump district map, as I’ve drawn below.”
FL is a big problem for Dems in many respects, including redistricting next year. It wouldn't be that hard for Rs to convert the current 15-12 Trump district map into an 18-11 Trump district map, as I've drawn below. pic.twitter.com/E2YTBfx2hM — Dave Wasserman (@Redistrict) November 22, 2020
“I’d expect Rs to attempt to purge Miami Beach and Brickell from #FL27 to try to shore up Rep.-elect Maria Elvira Salazar (R),” he continued. “It’s a safe bet there will also be new, safely R districts (#FL28 and #FL29) in high-growth areas of south & north central FL.”
“FL Republicans could try to get even more aggressive, but would risk courts striking their map down under FL’s Fair Districts amendment,” he said. “This map simply protects every sitting Dem & GOP incumbent and gives Rs both of FL’s new seats.”
FL Republicans could try to get even more aggressive, but would risk courts striking their map down under FL's Fair Districts amendment. This map simply protects every sitting Dem & GOP incumbent and gives Rs both of FL's new seats. — Dave Wasserman (@Redistrict) November 22, 2020
After the 2010 census and that year's Republican wave, the GOP held a strong redistricting position that has made the congressional district map Republican-friendly for the last decade. The GOP is exiting this year’s election under remarkably similar circumstances to 2010.
“After 2010, Republicans controlled 54 of the 99 state legislative chambers,” noted Commentary editor Noah Rothman on Twitter. “They had trifectas in 23 states to Democrats’ 15. After 2020, 59 chambers are held by Republicans, 37 by Democrats.”
“And guess what,” he continued. “Republicans have 23 trifectas to Democrats’ 15.”
After 2010, Republicans controlled 54 of 99 state legislative chambers. They had trifectas in 23 states to Democrats’ 15. After 2020, 59 chambers are held by Republicans, 37 by Democrats. And guess what? Republicans have 23 trifectas to Democrats’ 15. — Noah Rothman (@NoahCRothman) November 7, 2020
While redistricting is set to favor Republican candidates for the next decade, Democrats have a more immediate problem ahead of the 2022 elections. Having seen their House majority shrink dramatically in this year’s election, Republicans will only have to net a single-digit gain to retake the lower chamber in 2022.
Historically, the party that does not hold the White House makes large gains during midterm elections. Democrats had hoped to overcome that by expanding their majority this year, but those aspirations failed to materialize.
“I mean, we are not well-positioned for 2022. We're just not. It's really unfair for [Pelosi] to stay in that position, that she can hold the gavel for two more years when we all are assuming that 2022 is probably going to be a bloodbath,” a Democratic lawmaker told the Hill last week.
"Not only did we not pick up 10 or 15 seats, it's going to be a net loss for House Dems. This is supposed to be an opportunity for us to expand the map, grow the majority, and we squandered that, especially knowing how important it was to do that in 2020, to build that bulwark, that cushion that we need for 2022.”
Rep. Tom Emmer, who leads the Republican’s House campaign arm, is feeling more optimistic about his party’s prospects, although he warned that the GOP still has more work to do.
“People need to understand that we had some success this cycle, but it didn't just happen because you said we were going to have successes — we worked hard. This challenge is no different — we have to work even harder this time,” Emmer told the Hill.
“This is not going to be an easy feat, no matter what people say. We can't listen to the pollsters. We can't listen to the prognosticators. You’ve got to know that it's up to you — you’ve got to make your own luck.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-11-26--Trump says it will be 'very hard to concede' if Electoral College declares Biden winner

President Trump says it 'll be challenging to accept defeat if electors declare Joe Biden the victor of the presidential election .
“ It ’ s going to be a very hard thing to concede , ” Trump told reporters on Thursday , adding that `` if they do , they made a mistake . ''
Trump has yet to concede after Biden was declared the winner by several media outlets more than two weeks ago .
His campaign is engaged in litigation in multiple states , alleging that there was voter fraud , though little evidence has surfaced to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told reporters that he would `` certainly '' leave the White House if the electors decided on Biden .
However , the president claimed he won the election `` by a tremendous amount . ''
`` I know one thing , Joe Biden didn ’ t get 80 million votes , '' Trump said .
Trump 's legal team has not presented much evidence to back up claims that there has been mass voter fraud in the election .
The Associated Press and several other media outlets tally that Biden got over 80 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election , the most of any winning presidential candidate in history .
Trump secured nearly 74 million votes , the highest for a losing candidate .
Electors must send their votes in by Dec. 14 , but if Biden is declared the winner by the `` safe harbor '' date of Dec. 8 , six days before the due date , Congress can acknowledge Biden as the country 's next president .
The former vice president has already started appointing members to his incoming administration , a move condemned by Trump , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s not right he ’ s trying to pick a Cabinet . ''
CNN 's Kaitlan Collins reports that Trump did not say if he would go to Biden 's inauguration , but that he knows the answer to whether he will .
Inauguration Day is scheduled for Jan. 20 .
However , due to the coronavirus pandemic , the details of how it will take place are still being decided .

President Trump says it'll be challenging to accept defeat if electors declare Joe Biden the victor of the presidential election.
“It’s going to be a very hard thing to concede,” Trump told reporters on Thursday, adding that "if they do, they made a mistake."
Trump has yet to concede after Biden was declared the winner by several media outlets more than two weeks ago. His campaign is engaged in litigation in multiple states, alleging that there was voter fraud, though little evidence has surfaced to back up his claims.
The president told reporters that he would "certainly" leave the White House if the electors decided on Biden. However, the president claimed he won the election "by a tremendous amount."
"I know one thing, Joe Biden didn’t get 80 million votes," Trump said.
Trump's legal team has not presented much evidence to back up claims that there has been mass voter fraud in the election.
The Associated Press and several other media outlets tally that Biden got over 80 million votes in this year's general election, the most of any winning presidential candidate in history. Trump secured nearly 74 million votes, the highest for a losing candidate.
Electors must send their votes in by Dec. 14, but if Biden is declared the winner by the "safe harbor" date of Dec. 8, six days before the due date, Congress can acknowledge Biden as the country's next president.
The former vice president has already started appointing members to his incoming administration, a move condemned by Trump, who said, "I think it’s not right he’s trying to pick a Cabinet."
CNN's Kaitlan Collins reports that Trump did not say if he would go to Biden's inauguration, but that he knows the answer to whether he will.
Inauguration Day is scheduled for Jan. 20. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the details of how it will take place are still being decided.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-11-26--Biden thanks country for opportunity to serve as future president on Thanksgiving

President-elect Joe Biden thanked voters on Thanksgiving for giving him the chance to serve as the country 's 46th president come January .
In an op-ed for CNN , Biden and his wife Jill touched on how the coronavirus pandemic has upended the holiday season and thanked healthcare workers and scientists in their efforts to corral the coronavirus , which has infected over 12 million people nationwide .
`` Like millions of Americans , we are temporarily letting go of the traditions we ca n't do safely , '' the Bidens wrote .
`` It is not a small sacrifice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — time that 's lost — ca n't be returned .
Yet , we know it 's the price of protecting each other and one we do n't pay alone . ''
They also issued gratitude to workers , teachers , and parents across the country who have dealt with the inconsistencies of education and the workplace brought by the pandemic .
They added that they are thankful that the people gave Joe Biden a chance to be the next president .
`` We are grateful for the faith and trust we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , brave , complicated nation as your future President and first lady , '' the Bidens wrote .
Joe Biden was declared the winner of the election by several media outlets almost three weeks ago .
President Trump has yet to concede to Biden and remains fighting a slew of legal battles in key battleground states that he alleges he could have won if it were n't for voter fraud .
Little evidence has been provided to prove that mass voter fraud took place .

President-elect Joe Biden thanked voters on Thanksgiving for giving him the chance to serve as the country's 46th president come January.
In an op-ed for CNN, Biden and his wife Jill touched on how the coronavirus pandemic has upended the holiday season and thanked healthcare workers and scientists in their efforts to corral the coronavirus, which has infected over 12 million people nationwide.
"Like millions of Americans, we are temporarily letting go of the traditions we can't do safely," the Bidens wrote. "It is not a small sacrifice. These moments with our loved ones — time that's lost — can't be returned. Yet, we know it's the price of protecting each other and one we don't pay alone."
They also issued gratitude to workers, teachers, and parents across the country who have dealt with the inconsistencies of education and the workplace brought by the pandemic.
They added that they are thankful that the people gave Joe Biden a chance to be the next president.
"We are grateful for the faith and trust we have been given to continue serving this beautiful, brave, complicated nation as your future President and first lady," the Bidens wrote.
Joe Biden was declared the winner of the election by several media outlets almost three weeks ago. President Trump has yet to concede to Biden and remains fighting a slew of legal battles in key battleground states that he alleges he could have won if it weren't for voter fraud. Little evidence has been provided to prove that mass voter fraud took place.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-11-26--Missing 65 ballots in Milwaukee County send officials scrambling

Several dozen ballots that were unaccounted for by election officials in the city of Milwaukee during Wisconsin 's recount of the presidential vote tally have been found .
Claire Woodall-Vogg , the executive director of the Milwaukee Election Commission , confirmed that the city 's count was 65 ballots short of the more than 460,000 ballots cast in the city .
`` We searched our reconstructive ballots , our blank ballots , and we could not find them there , '' Woodall-Vogg said .
`` We went back to our warehouse and located them in the voting machine where it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We have not yet counted those ballots to ensure that they are all accounted for , but we did locate ballots in the voting machine . ''
Neil Albrecht , the former executive director of the Milwaukee Election Commission , said he located the votes in a City of Milwaukee election warehouse voting machine .
The ballots , which would not sway state results in the presidential election , are more evidence of a topsy-turvy election season marred by accusations from the Trump campaign of widespread election fraud .
Despite the number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have had limited success in court and have brought forth minor amounts of evidence to substantiate their claims .
While several media outlets have called the race for President-elect Joe Biden , Trump has yet to concede .
The Trump campaign has attempted to have ballots thrown out in Wisconsin , including 17,000 that were collected during `` Democracy in the Park , '' a Madison event in which voters were given the option to fill in or return absentee ballots over the course of two weekends in September and October .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to certify results in the Wisconsin election after the counting concludes on Friday .
So far , election officials say Biden 's lead has shrunk by 52 votes since recounting began .

Several dozen ballots that were unaccounted for by election officials in the city of Milwaukee during Wisconsin's recount of the presidential vote tally have been found.
Claire Woodall-Vogg, the executive director of the Milwaukee Election Commission, confirmed that the city's count was 65 ballots short of the more than 460,000 ballots cast in the city.
"We searched our reconstructive ballots, our blank ballots, and we could not find them there," Woodall-Vogg said. "We went back to our warehouse and located them in the voting machine where it appears that the chief left them. We have not yet counted those ballots to ensure that they are all accounted for, but we did locate ballots in the voting machine."
Neil Albrecht, the former executive director of the Milwaukee Election Commission, said he located the votes in a City of Milwaukee election warehouse voting machine.
The ballots, which would not sway state results in the presidential election, are more evidence of a topsy-turvy election season marred by accusations from the Trump campaign of widespread election fraud. Despite the number of lawsuits the campaign has filed, they have had limited success in court and have brought forth minor amounts of evidence to substantiate their claims. While several media outlets have called the race for President-elect Joe Biden, Trump has yet to concede.
The Trump campaign has attempted to have ballots thrown out in Wisconsin, including 17,000 that were collected during "Democracy in the Park," a Madison event in which voters were given the option to fill in or return absentee ballots over the course of two weekends in September and October.
The city's Board of Canvassers is expected to certify results in the Wisconsin election after the counting concludes on Friday. So far, election officials say Biden's lead has shrunk by 52 votes since recounting began.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-11-26--Sidney Powell files lawsuits in Georgia and Michigan alleging mass voter fraud

Sidney Powell filed lawsuits in Georgia and Michigan late Wednesday , continuing efforts to reveal alleged voter fraud that she claims rigged President Trump of an election triumph .
Both cases revolve around issues related to voting machines , mail-in ballots , and the late Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez , according to Bloomberg .
The lawsuits target election officials in both key battleground states and include other allegations about forged ballots and observers being unable to watch the vote count .
Both suits included a strew of typos in the filings .
Powell , who has long been spreading accusations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an official member of the Trump legal team , according to the president 's campaign .
Earlier this week , Trump 's legal team distanced themselves further from Powell , releasing a statement saying she was not part of their efforts in any capacity .
`` Sidney Powell is practicing law on her own , '' said Rudy Giuliani and Jenna Ellis .
`` She is not a member of the Trump Legal Team .
She is also not a lawyer for the president in his personal capacity.
” Powell responded and said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the campaign but would continue to pursue litigation on her own to help the president .
Powell also represented Gen. Michael Flynn , Trump 's former national security , who was pardoned by the president on Wednesday .
Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the federal investigators about conversations he had with former Russian ambassador to Washington during the presidential transition from Barack Obama to Trump .
Trump has yet to concede to President-elect Joe Biden , who was declared the winner of the election almost three weeks ago .
Trump has pursued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a couple of them , where he believes he has a chance to still win .
Dec. 8 is the deadline for resolving election disputes at the state level .
All state recounts and court contests have to be completed by this date .
Electors will vote by paper ballot in their states and in Washington , D.C. , on Dec. 14 .

Sidney Powell filed lawsuits in Georgia and Michigan late Wednesday, continuing efforts to reveal alleged voter fraud that she claims rigged President Trump of an election triumph.
Both cases revolve around issues related to voting machines, mail-in ballots, and the late Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez, according to Bloomberg.
The lawsuits target election officials in both key battleground states and include other allegations about forged ballots and observers being unable to watch the vote count. Both suits included a strew of typos in the filings.
So far in legal filings, Trump lawyers/allies have misspelled:
-"District" twice in first sentence of filing, as "DISTRCOICT" and "DISTRICCT"
-PA Gov. Wolf as "Wolfe"
-"poll watcher" as "pole watcher"
-Its own expert William Briggs as "Higgs"
-"amended" as "amendment" — Aaron Blake (@AaronBlake) November 26, 2020
Powell, who has long been spreading accusations of mass voter fraud, is not an official member of the Trump legal team, according to the president's campaign. Earlier this week, Trump's legal team distanced themselves further from Powell, releasing a statement saying she was not part of their efforts in any capacity.
"Sidney Powell is practicing law on her own," said Rudy Giuliani and Jenna Ellis. "She is not a member of the Trump Legal Team. She is also not a lawyer for the president in his personal capacity.”
Powell responded and said she understood the statement put out by the campaign but would continue to pursue litigation on her own to help the president.
Powell also represented Gen. Michael Flynn, Trump's former national security, who was pardoned by the president on Wednesday. Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the federal investigators about conversations he had with former Russian ambassador to Washington during the presidential transition from Barack Obama to Trump.
Trump has yet to concede to President-elect Joe Biden, who was declared the winner of the election almost three weeks ago. Trump has pursued lawsuits in multiple states and recounts in a couple of them, where he believes he has a chance to still win.
Dec. 8 is the deadline for resolving election disputes at the state level. All state recounts and court contests have to be completed by this date.
Electors will vote by paper ballot in their states and in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 14.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-11-25--Huge court win lets Trump present ballot evidence, could overturn Nevada result

A Nevada judge has agreed to let the Trump campaign present its evidence that fraud and illegalities plagued the state ’ s election , enough to reverse Joe Biden 's win and set an example for other state challenges .
According to Trump officials , the judge set a Dec. 3 hearing date and is allowing 15 depositions .
What ’ s more , the campaign plans to present its evidence that could result in the rejection of tens of thousands of mail-in ballots in Democratic Clark County , where Biden ballots outnumbered Trump ballots by 91,000 in unofficial results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Judge has allowed NV Republicans to present findings of widespread voter fraud in a Dec. 3rd hearing .
Americans will now hear evidence from those who saw firsthand what happened—a critical step for transparency and remedying illegal ballots .
Stay tuned , ” White House chief of staff Mark Meadows tweeted .
American Conservative Union Chairman Matt Schlapp , one of those heading the Nevada case , told Secrets , “ It gives us a real chance , if to do nothing else , to begin to show this historic level of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a virtual news blackout of the Trump court victory .
However , there were major headlines on the state Supreme Court ’ s certification of Biden ’ s victory Tuesday .
In its court filing from Nov. 17 , the Trump team made several allegations of voter fraud , including votes by nonresidents and the dead .
But its biggest claim was that the signatures on hundreds of thousands of mail-in ballots were not verified by human officials , as required by law .
What ’ s more , they found that officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apparently against the rules , and even those machines were plagued with problems .
Schlapp said he is eager to get a chance to show its evidence of fraud and for the campaign to present the thousands of examples of signature machine errors .
Since many states require signature verification , that is where the campaign ’ s fraud investigation is focused .
“ The biggest thing which is true in all of these states we 're talking about , including in Georgia , where a third of the ballots were cast in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballots were cast in the mail , with no legal signature verification , certainly not in Clark County — that is the big treasure trove of illegal balloting in all of these states , ” he said on Fox late Tuesday .
The campaign also has testimony from a blind person who claims somebody else voted for her and that she was barred from voting as a result .
And they plan to present evidence that Native Americans were offered bribes of TVs and gas cards for their vote .
“ Our filing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tens of thousands more from mail-in fraud .
We have enough to switch the outcome , ” Schlapp told us .
Late last night , he revealed the judge ’ s decision on Sean Hannity ’ s Fox show .
Schlapp said : “ For the first time in this whole tragic story of the 2020 presidential election , a state court has granted Republicans in Nevada , and the Trump campaign , the ability to present their case of widespread illegal balloting and to just depose up to 15 people who know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state of Nevada .
So , this is big news — you know , a lot of people in the national media have said , you know , if you have evidence of voter fraud , show it .
Well , we have thousands and thousands of examples of real people in real-life instances of voter illegality .
And I just think it 's a great step that we 're going to have a chance to present it .
A court if we get a fair hearing .
I believe the results @ @ @ @ @ @ @

A Nevada judge has agreed to let the Trump campaign present its evidence that fraud and illegalities plagued the state’s election, enough to reverse Joe Biden's win and set an example for other state challenges.
According to Trump officials, the judge set a Dec. 3 hearing date and is allowing 15 depositions. What’s more, the campaign plans to present its evidence that could result in the rejection of tens of thousands of mail-in ballots in Democratic Clark County, where Biden ballots outnumbered Trump ballots by 91,000 in unofficial results.
“BIG news in Nevada: a Judge has allowed NV Republicans to present findings of widespread voter fraud in a Dec. 3rd hearing. Americans will now hear evidence from those who saw firsthand what happened—a critical step for transparency and remedying illegal ballots. Stay tuned,” White House chief of staff Mark Meadows tweeted.
American Conservative Union Chairman Matt Schlapp, one of those heading the Nevada case, told Secrets, “It gives us a real chance, if to do nothing else, to begin to show this historic level of fraud.”
BIG news in Nevada: a Judge has allowed NV Republicans to present findings of widespread voter fraud in a Dec. 3rd hearing. Americans will now hear evidence from those who saw firsthand what happened—a critical step for transparency and remedying illegal ballots. Stay tuned. — Mark Meadows (@MarkMeadows) November 25, 2020
Oddly, there has been a virtual news blackout of the Trump court victory. However, there were major headlines on the state Supreme Court’s certification of Biden’s victory Tuesday.
In its court filing from Nov. 17, the Trump team made several allegations of voter fraud, including votes by nonresidents and the dead.
But its biggest claim was that the signatures on hundreds of thousands of mail-in ballots were not verified by human officials, as required by law.
What’s more, they found that officials used a machine to verify signatures, apparently against the rules, and even those machines were plagued with problems.
Schlapp said he is eager to get a chance to show its evidence of fraud and for the campaign to present the thousands of examples of signature machine errors. Since many states require signature verification, that is where the campaign’s fraud investigation is focused.
“The biggest thing which is true in all of these states we're talking about, including in Georgia, where a third of the ballots were cast in the mail, Nevada, half the ballots were cast in the mail, with no legal signature verification, certainly not in Clark County — that is the big treasure trove of illegal balloting in all of these states,” he said on Fox late Tuesday.
Breaking News: NV judge agrees to hear evidence of illegal voting and allow Republicans/Trump campaign to depose those who know about the dirty deeds of campaign 2020. Big News! 🚨🚨 pic.twitter.com/53bbWGD5gY — Matt Schlapp (@mschlapp) November 25, 2020
The campaign also has testimony from a blind person who claims somebody else voted for her and that she was barred from voting as a result. And they plan to present evidence that Native Americans were offered bribes of TVs and gas cards for their vote.
“Our filing said we have over 15 individuals and tens of thousands more from mail-in fraud. We have enough to switch the outcome,” Schlapp told us.
Late last night, he revealed the judge’s decision on Sean Hannity’s Fox show.
Schlapp said: “For the first time in this whole tragic story of the 2020 presidential election, a state court has granted Republicans in Nevada, and the Trump campaign, the ability to present their case of widespread illegal balloting and to just depose up to 15 people who know what went down in Clark County in the state of Nevada. So, this is big news — you know, a lot of people in the national media have said, you know, if you have evidence of voter fraud, show it. Well, we have thousands and thousands of examples of real people in real-life instances of voter illegality. And I just think it's a great step that we're going to have a chance to present it. A court if we get a fair hearing. I believe the results in Nevada should be switched.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-11-27--Former GOP Rep. David Valadao wins back California congressional district

Former Republican Rep. David Valadao defeated Democratic Rep. TJ Cox in California ’ s 21st Congressional District , according to a call made by the Associated Press on Friday morning .
Valadao 's win returns the district to Republican control , as the race was a rematch between Cox , 56 , and Valadao , 42 .
The seat was a prime target this cycle for the GOP to flip after Valadao , who previously represented the district , lost the seat to Cox in 2018 by just under 1,000 votes , making it the seventh-closest House race in 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declared victory on Wednesday after Decision Desk HQ called the race , making him the third California Republican to flip a congressional district in California this cycle .
`` As vote counts come to a close , I am honored to receive the support of # CA21 voters and look forward to returning to Congress to represent the Central Valley .
Thank you to those who have worked tirelessly to make the voice of the Valley heard this election ! ''
Valadao tweeted .
Only one California House race , the 25th Congressional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currently favoring Republican Rep. Mike Garcia over Democratic Assemblywoman Christy Smith in the ballot count .
The Cook Political Report rated the election as a toss-up , and the race became as intense as their 2018 faceoff , with the candidates making similar accusations about one another from two years prior .
California ’ s 21st District includes all of Kings County and parts of Tulare , Fresno , and Kern counties .
Valadao was first elected to the House in 2012 and served on the House Appropriations Committee , while Cox is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and serves on the House Natural Resources Committee .

Former Republican Rep. David Valadao defeated Democratic Rep. TJ Cox in California’s 21st Congressional District, according to a call made by the Associated Press on Friday morning.
Valadao's win returns the district to Republican control, as the race was a rematch between Cox, 56, and Valadao, 42. The seat was a prime target this cycle for the GOP to flip after Valadao, who previously represented the district, lost the seat to Cox in 2018 by just under 1,000 votes, making it the seventh-closest House race in 2018 out of 435 seats.
Valadao previously declared victory on Wednesday after Decision Desk HQ called the race, making him the third California Republican to flip a congressional district in California this cycle.
"As vote counts come to a close, I am honored to receive the support of #CA21 voters and look forward to returning to Congress to represent the Central Valley. Thank you to those who have worked tirelessly to make the voice of the Valley heard this election!" Valadao tweeted.
Only one California House race, the 25th Congressional District, is still uncalled and is currently favoring Republican Rep. Mike Garcia over Democratic Assemblywoman Christy Smith in the ballot count.
The Cook Political Report rated the election as a toss-up, and the race became as intense as their 2018 faceoff, with the candidates making similar accusations about one another from two years prior.
California’s 21st District includes all of Kings County and parts of Tulare, Fresno, and Kern counties.
Valadao was first elected to the House in 2012 and served on the House Appropriations Committee, while Cox is a member of the House Agriculture Committee and serves on the House Natural Resources Committee.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-11-28--Anti-illegal immigrant crusaders face a Biden policy shop of horrors

The incoming administration of President-elect Joe Biden is planning to reverse many of President Trump ’ s immigration initiatives , and Biden himself promised to prioritize the type of legislation conservatives have frequently described as amnesty .
`` Some of it 's going to depend on the kind of cooperation I can or can not get from the United States Congress , '' Biden said in his first post-election television interview .
`` But I am going to make a commitment in the first 100 days .
I will send an immigration bill to the United States Senate with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undocumented people in America . ''
“ Joe Biden said last night he is going to submit an amnesty bill for 15 million immigrants in the first 100 days , ” Sen. Tom Cotton , an Arkansas Republican who has emerged as a top Trump ally on immigration , warned on Fox and Friends on Wednesday .
“ That is probably going to unleash a surge towards our border of people trying to get in before that bill is introduced.
” Cotton also accused Alejandro Mayorkas , Biden ’ s pick to run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ selling citizenship to well-connected Chinese nationals on behalf of Democratic Party donors ” during his tenure at the department under President Barack Obama , calling it “ disqualifying.
” How much influence lawmakers such as Cotton will have next year , in what figures to be a closely divided Senate no matter what happens in Georgia ’ s two runoff elections , remains to be seen .
In the Obama and George W. Bush administrations , Democrats who supported legal status and a pathway to citizenship for most illegal immigrants negotiated immigration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This included the 2013 Gang of Eight immigration deal .
The failure of that legislation to pass , plus the nomination and then election of Trump , was widely seen as a repudiation of the Gang of Eight approach .
Trump included restrictionists such as Cotton and Sen. David Perdue , a Georgia Republican currently up for reelection , in immigration negotiations along with the Democrats and South Carolina GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham , who was one of the Gang of Eight .
With Trump gone from the White House — he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and is still contesting the results in multiple states — things could revert to their pre-Trump status quo on immigration .
“ There are more hard-line senators now , ” said a GOP staffer .
“ But there are still a lot of old guard establishment types too.
” Democrats don ’ t want to go back to the Obama administration ’ s approach .
The previous Democratic president , under whom Biden served as vice president , initially attempted to build credibility for a pathway to citizenship by stepping up enforcement against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obama as the “ deporter in chief , ” while immigration hawks maintained he exaggerated his deportation numbers .
Jerry Kammer , the Center for Immigration Studies fellow who chronicled this history in the book , Losing Control : How a Left-Right Coalition Blocked Immigration Reform and Provoked the Backlash That Elected Trump , described it as “ a ‘ more thoughtful approach ’ meets a more powerful backlash.
” Obama soon used executive action to shield some younger illegal immigrants from deportation , something he had repeatedly denied having the power to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arrivals .
Trump unsuccessfully attempted to rescind this program completely , which Biden plans to reinstate fully .
Biden ’ s “ unity ” platform with Bernie Sanders and his supporters also proposes a 100-day deportation moratorium .
This , too , could elicit a backlash among Republicans capable of sustaining immigration hawks through at least the midterm elections .
Trump also managed to win the of any GOP presidential nominee since 2004 without , prompting Obama to Latino evangelicals ignored the “ racist things ” his successor said because they opposed gay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration is determined to implement an ‘ America Last ’ immigration agenda despite having no mandate to do so , ” said Matthew Tragesser , a spokesman for the Federation for American Immigration Reform .
`` Recent nominations for secretary of state and head of the Department of Homeland Security reveal where its priorities lie : open borders , mass amnesty , and more legal migration in the middle of an economic downturn and global pandemic.
” This means immigration hawks are going to face new political battles early in Biden ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republicans and moderate Democrats in Congress to not only torpedo the amnesty bill promised in the first 100 days but also reject radical nominations and ensure proper oversight of agencies with immigration jurisdiction , ” Tragesser said .
“ Not only will we be fighting for the American people here in Washington .
We ’ ll be giving them a play-by-play of what happens when you put a radical , open borders party into power . ''

The incoming administration of President-elect Joe Biden is planning to reverse many of President Trump’s immigration initiatives, and Biden himself promised to prioritize the type of legislation conservatives have frequently described as amnesty.
"Some of it's going to depend on the kind of cooperation I can or cannot get from the United States Congress," Biden said in his first post-election television interview. "But I am going to make a commitment in the first 100 days. I will send an immigration bill to the United States Senate with a pathway to citizenship for over 11 million undocumented people in America."
“Joe Biden said last night he is going to submit an amnesty bill for 15 million immigrants in the first 100 days,” Sen. Tom Cotton, an Arkansas Republican who has emerged as a top Trump ally on immigration, warned on Fox and Friends on Wednesday. “That is probably going to unleash a surge towards our border of people trying to get in before that bill is introduced.”
Cotton also accused Alejandro Mayorkas, Biden’s pick to run the Department of Homeland Security, of “selling citizenship to well-connected Chinese nationals on behalf of Democratic Party donors” during his tenure at the department under President Barack Obama, calling it “disqualifying.”
How much influence lawmakers such as Cotton will have next year, in what figures to be a closely divided Senate no matter what happens in Georgia’s two runoff elections, remains to be seen. In the Obama and George W. Bush administrations, Democrats who supported legal status and a pathway to citizenship for most illegal immigrants negotiated immigration legislation with Republicans who favored similar policies. This included the 2013 Gang of Eight immigration deal.
The failure of that legislation to pass, plus the nomination and then election of Trump, was widely seen as a repudiation of the Gang of Eight approach. Trump included restrictionists such as Cotton and Sen. David Perdue, a Georgia Republican currently up for reelection, in immigration negotiations along with the Democrats and South Carolina GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham, who was one of the Gang of Eight.
With Trump gone from the White House — he has yet to concede the presidential race and is still contesting the results in multiple states — things could revert to their pre-Trump status quo on immigration. “There are more hard-line senators now,” said a GOP staffer. “But there are still a lot of old guard establishment types too.”
Democrats don’t want to go back to the Obama administration’s approach. The previous Democratic president, under whom Biden served as vice president, initially attempted to build credibility for a pathway to citizenship by stepping up enforcement against employers of illegal immigrants. Activists decried Obama as the “deporter in chief,” while immigration hawks maintained he exaggerated his deportation numbers.
Jerry Kammer, the Center for Immigration Studies fellow who chronicled this history in the book, Losing Control: How a Left-Right Coalition Blocked Immigration Reform and Provoked the Backlash That Elected Trump, described it as “a ‘more thoughtful approach’ meets a more powerful backlash.” Obama soon used executive action to shield some younger illegal immigrants from deportation, something he had repeatedly denied having the power to do, through Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. Trump unsuccessfully attempted to rescind this program completely, which Biden plans to reinstate fully.
Biden’s “unity” platform with Bernie Sanders and his supporters also proposes a 100-day deportation moratorium. This, too, could elicit a backlash among Republicans capable of sustaining immigration hawks through at least the midterm elections. Trump also managed to win the highest share of the Hispanic vote of any GOP presidential nominee since 2004 without adopting Bush’s immigration policy , prompting Obama to complain Latino evangelicals ignored the “racist things” his successor said because they opposed gay marriage and abortion.
"The Biden-Harris administration is determined to implement an ‘America Last’ immigration agenda despite having no mandate to do so,” said Matthew Tragesser, a spokesman for the Federation for American Immigration Reform. "Recent nominations for secretary of state and head of the Department of Homeland Security reveal where its priorities lie: open borders, mass amnesty, and more legal migration in the middle of an economic downturn and global pandemic.”
This means immigration hawks are going to face new political battles early in Biden’s presidency.
"FAIR will work with Republicans and moderate Democrats in Congress to not only torpedo the amnesty bill promised in the first 100 days but also reject radical nominations and ensure proper oversight of agencies with immigration jurisdiction,” Tragesser said. “Not only will we be fighting for the American people here in Washington. We’ll be giving them a play-by-play of what happens when you put a radical, open borders party into power."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-11-29--Biden taps Jen Psaki as White House press secretary

President-elect Joe Biden has named Jen Psaki as the public face of his incoming administration .
Prior to accepting the high-profile role of press secretary , Psaki was former President Barack Obama 's communications director and is the lead press liaison for the Biden transition .
`` Honored to work again for @ JoeBiden , a man I worked on behalf of during the Obama-Biden Admin as he helped lead economic recovery , rebuilt our relationships with partners ( turns out good practice ) and injected empathy and humanity into nearly every meeting I sat in , '' she tweeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communications leadership is Kate Bedingfield , who was his deputy campaign manager and communications director .
She 'll serve as White House communications director .
`` I ’ m unspeakably proud to have the opportunity to serve as White House Communications Director for @ joebiden .
Working for him as VP and on this campaign gave me insight into what kind of capable , compassionate , clear-eyed president he will be and it will be a profound honor to be one small part of his work , '' she wrote .
Bedingfield 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Psaki 's No .
2 will be Karine Jean Pierre .
Pierre was chief of staff to Biden 's running mate , Vice President-elect Kamala Harris .
Harris , a California senator , also unveiled her incoming vice-presidential communications shop on Sunday .
Ashley Etienne will be Harris 's communications director , and Symone Sanders will be her senior adviser and chief spokeswoman .
Despite President Trump declining to concede amid a slew of lawsuits , Biden has pushed forward with picking his White House inner circle .
Earlier this month , Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chief of staff .
Klain previously was chief of staff for the first two years of Biden 's vice presidency .
Jen O'Malley Dillon , his campaign manager , will be his deputy chief of staff .

President-elect Joe Biden has named Jen Psaki as the public face of his incoming administration.
Prior to accepting the high-profile role of press secretary, Psaki was former President Barack Obama's communications director and is the lead press liaison for the Biden transition.
"Honored to work again for @JoeBiden, a man I worked on behalf of during the Obama-Biden Admin as he helped lead economic recovery, rebuilt our relationships with partners (turns out good practice) and injected empathy and humanity into nearly every meeting I sat in," she tweeted.
Honored to work again for @JoeBiden, a man I worked on behalf of during the Obama-Biden Admin as he helped lead economic recovery, rebuilt our relationships with partners (turns out good practice) and injected empathy and humanity into nearly every meeting I sat in. — Jen Psaki (@jrpsaki) November 29, 2020
Joining Psaki in Biden's all-women communications leadership is Kate Bedingfield, who was his deputy campaign manager and communications director. She'll serve as White House communications director.
"I’m unspeakably proud to have the opportunity to serve as White House Communications Director for @joebiden. Working for him as VP and on this campaign gave me insight into what kind of capable, compassionate, clear-eyed president he will be and it will be a profound honor to be one small part of his work," she wrote.
I’m unspeakably proud to have the opportunity to serve as White House Communications Director for @joebiden. Working for him as VP and on this campaign gave me insight into what kind of capable, compassionate, clear-eyed president he will be and it will be a profound honor to 1/ — Kate Bedingfield (@KBeds) November 29, 2020
Bedingfield's lieutenant will be Pili Tobar, while Psaki's No. 2 will be Karine Jean Pierre. Pierre was chief of staff to Biden's running mate, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.
Harris, a California senator, also unveiled her incoming vice-presidential communications shop on Sunday.
Ashley Etienne will be Harris's communications director, and Symone Sanders will be her senior adviser and chief spokeswoman.
Despite President Trump declining to concede amid a slew of lawsuits, Biden has pushed forward with picking his White House inner circle.
Earlier this month, Biden tapped longtime confidant Ron Klain as his chief of staff. Klain previously was chief of staff for the first two years of Biden's vice presidency. Jen O'Malley Dillon, his campaign manager, will be his deputy chief of staff.