thewashingtonexaminer--2020-07-14--Despite improving fortunes for Democrats, Texas still tough for Biden to win

A series of polls showing Joe Biden leading or effectively tied with President Trump in Texas may be giving false hopes to Democrats the party can win its electoral votes for the first time since 1976 .
But the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee ’ s chances of claiming the Lone Star State 's 38 Electoral College votes remain narrow .
That 's because , in part , the former vice president 's favorable poll numbers in Texas have less to do with operations within than wider national trends .
Two polls released over the weekend bolstered Democratic hopes of winning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that if it did occur , would doom Trump 's chances of winning 270 Electoral College votes , a majority needed to be the next White House occupant .
A Dallas Morning News of 1,677 registered voters in Texas , conducted June 29 to July 7 , found 43 % support for Trump and 48 % support for Biden , a 5-point lead that is remarkable in a traditionally Republican stronghold .
And a CBS News/YouGov of 1,212 registered Texas voters conducted July 7-10 found Trump ahead of Biden by 1 percentage point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That 's a more plausible spread than the Dallas Morning News poll found .
But still a sign that Texas is increasingly becoming a 2020 battleground , amid a continued movement of people to Texas from California , the Northeast , and other , more liberal environs .
`` He 's continued to sink , '' Cal Jillson , a political science professor at Southern Methodist University , said about Trump ’ s poll numbers , noting that Trump is seeing unfavorable numbers everywhere .
`` Whether that means that Biden is likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open question . ''
“ If the election were held today , I would still bet Trump , ” Jillson told the Washington Examiner .
The possibility of a Democratic presidential candidate winning Texas is something of a mythological Golden Fleece for some in the party — the idea that if they win the Lone Star State , where Trump beat Democratic rival Hillary Clinton by 9 % in 2016 , it will lead the party to national dominance .
The rising Hispanic and Latino population , along with an influx of residents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as California , give some Democrats hope that if they can engage those voters , they can win .
Former Texas Rep. Beto O ’ Rourke ’ s historically close loss to Republican Sen. Ted Cruz by 2.6 % in 2018 made that strategy seem feasible .
So did the defeat of a pair of incumbent Republican House members in 2018 , with several more facing tough Democratic challenges in 2020 .
O'Rourke 's hybrid PAC , Powered by People , touted the poll numbers as evidence that with enough grassroots outreach , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we can turn out enough voters to deny Trump Texas ’ s massive Electoral College prize – our 38 votes , '' a Monday fundraising email from the PAC said .
The former vice president adopted some of O ’ Rourke 's hopeful analysis .
“ I think we can turn Texas blue .
Beto convinced me of that awhile ago , ” Biden said in a June 29 virtual fundraiser with his former primary rival .
“ I think we can take this Texas grit and these big ambitions and turn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s campaign manager , Jen O ’ Malley Dillon , said in a June 23 fundraiser that Texas is part of a `` very expanded map '' in 2020 and is “ within the margin , ” along with traditionally Republican Arizona and Georgia .
Darron Shaw , a political science professor at the University of Texas at Austin , said that the state has become more competitive since the last presidential race .
`` The average pro-Republican slant in a statewide race has gone from about plus-15 to plus-9 , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ My guess is that Trump is up a point or two now and that he ’ ll probably surge ahead by a bit more as the race draws near . ''
But the O ’ Rourke strategy of mobilizing voters will be far less of a factor in Trump winning Texas than Trump ’ s nationwide unfavorable ratings .
“ Texas is n't going to make any difference , because if Texas goes Biden , 40 other states went before Texas , and it 's over , ” Jillson said .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It would be a statement about future presidential elections and the futility of the Republican Party going forward .
But it 's not the first thing you think about.
” '' Texas is a luxury for Biden ; he ’ s only likely to campaign here to the extent that it ties Trump down and forces him to expend resources here rather than in other crucial states , ” he said .
With that reality in mind , there is little incentive for Biden to spend money and resources on a state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a national landslide , from his supporters in the state to do so .
O'Rourke raised nearly $ 80 million for his close loss .
Biden ’ s campaign had not previously spent money on ads in Texas , but the poll numbers appear to be giving the campaign confidence that he can either win there or force Trump to spend money in the state .
On Tuesday , Biden launched a Texas general election ad that focused on the coronavirus pandemic .
Trump ’ s campaign is brushing off the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speculation that Clinton could win Texas also 2016 campaign .
“ Democrats like to pretend Texas is on the table , but they know that ’ s a joke — just ask Gov .
Wendy Davis , Sen. Beto O ’ Rourke , and President Hillary Clinton , ” Trump campaign deputy national press secretary Samantha Zager told the Washington Examiner .
The Trump campaign is making some defensive moves in the state , though , by on television ads .

A series of polls showing Joe Biden leading or effectively tied with President Trump in Texas may be giving false hopes to Democrats that the party can win its electoral votes for the first time since 1976.
But the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee’s chances of claiming the Lone Star State's 38 Electoral College votes remain narrow. That's because, in part, the former vice president's favorable poll numbers in Texas have less to do with operations within than wider national trends.
Two polls released over the weekend bolstered Democratic hopes of winning the once-deeply red state — an event that if it did occur, would doom Trump's chances of winning 270 Electoral College votes, a majority needed to be the next White House occupant.
A Dallas Morning News poll of 1,677 registered voters in Texas, conducted June 29 to July 7, found 43% support for Trump and 48% support for Biden, a 5-point lead that is remarkable in a traditionally Republican stronghold.
And a CBS News/YouGov poll of 1,212 registered Texas voters conducted July 7-10 found Trump ahead of Biden by 1 percentage point, 46% to 45%. That's a more plausible spread than the Dallas Morning News poll found. But still a sign that Texas is increasingly becoming a 2020 battleground, amid a continued movement of people to Texas from California, the Northeast, and other, more liberal environs.
"He's continued to sink," Cal Jillson, a political science professor at Southern Methodist University, said about Trump’s poll numbers, noting that Trump is seeing unfavorable numbers everywhere. "Whether that means that Biden is likely to win, Texas is still an open question."
“If the election were held today, I would still bet Trump,” Jillson told the Washington Examiner.
The possibility of a Democratic presidential candidate winning Texas is something of a mythological Golden Fleece for some in the party — the idea that if they win the Lone Star State, where Trump beat Democratic rival Hillary Clinton by 9% in 2016, it will lead the party to national dominance.
The rising Hispanic and Latino population, along with an influx of residents who previously lived in Democratic states such as California, give some Democrats hope that if they can engage those voters, they can win. Former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke’s historically close loss to Republican Sen. Ted Cruz by 2.6% in 2018 made that strategy seem feasible. So did the defeat of a pair of incumbent Republican House members in 2018, with several more facing tough Democratic challenges in 2020.
O'Rourke's hybrid PAC, Powered by People, touted the poll numbers as evidence that with enough grassroots outreach, Biden can win there. "Together, we can turn out enough voters to deny Trump Texas’s massive Electoral College prize – our 38 votes," a Monday fundraising email from the PAC said.
The former vice president adopted some of O’Rourke's hopeful analysis.
“I think we can turn Texas blue. Beto convinced me of that awhile ago,” Biden said in a June 29 virtual fundraiser with his former primary rival. “I think we can take this Texas grit and these big ambitions and turn them into Texas wins.”
And Biden’s campaign manager, Jen O’Malley Dillon, said in a June 23 fundraiser that Texas is part of a "very expanded map" in 2020 and is “within the margin,” along with traditionally Republican Arizona and Georgia.
Darron Shaw, a political science professor at the University of Texas at Austin, said that the state has become more competitive since the last presidential race.
"The average pro-Republican slant in a statewide race has gone from about plus-15 to plus-9," Shaw told the Washington Examiner. "My guess is that Trump is up a point or two now and that he’ll probably surge ahead by a bit more as the race draws near."
But the O’Rourke strategy of mobilizing voters will be far less of a factor in Trump winning Texas than Trump’s nationwide unfavorable ratings.
“Texas isn't going to make any difference, because if Texas goes Biden, 40 other states went before Texas, and it's over,” Jillson said. “It would be a nail in the coffin. It would be a statement about future presidential elections and the futility of the Republican Party going forward. But it's not the first thing you think about.”
Shaw agreed.
"Texas is a luxury for Biden; he’s only likely to campaign here to the extent that it ties Trump down and forces him to expend resources here rather than in other crucial states,” he said.
With that reality in mind, there is little incentive for Biden to spend money and resources on a state that he is only likely to win in a national landslide, despite pleas from his supporters in the state to do so. O'Rourke raised nearly $80 million for his close loss.
Biden’s campaign had not previously spent money on ads in Texas, but the poll numbers appear to be giving the campaign confidence that he can either win there or force Trump to spend money in the state. On Tuesday, Biden launched a Texas general election ad that focused on the coronavirus pandemic.
Trump’s campaign is brushing off the new Texas poll numbers. After all, speculation that Clinton could win Texas also peppered 2016 campaign coverage .
“Democrats like to pretend Texas is on the table, but they know that’s a joke — just ask Gov. Wendy Davis, Sen. Beto O’Rourke, and President Hillary Clinton,” Trump campaign deputy national press secretary Samantha Zager told the Washington Examiner.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-07-14--Biden: Infrastructure week won't be a joke in my administration

Joe Biden turned a long-running joke among Washington insiders and the press corps about President Trump 's many iterations of `` infrastructure week '' into a serious dig at his policies and temperament during a speech detailing his own green energy infrastructure plan .
His message : If Biden is elected , infrastructure week will be no joke .
`` Donald Trump promised the big infrastructure bill when he ran in 2016 .
He promised it again in 2017 .
And then in 2018 , and again in 2019 , '' Biden said in an address streamed from Wilmington , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks , when he needs the distraction of the latest charges of corruption in his staff or the conviction of high ranking members of administration and political apparatus , White House announces , quote , 'It 's Infrastructure Week , ' '' Biden said .
`` How many times have you heard him say that ?
But he ’ s never delivered .
He 's never even really tried . ''
The White House press office has rolled out `` Infrastructure Week '' campaigns during times of turmoil in the administration that often @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In June 2017 , during Infrastructure Week , Trump ended an event by criticizing former FBI Director James Comey and calling him a `` leaker , '' throwing the news cycle far away from the administration 's proposed funding for infrastructure .
In spring 2019 , after Trump and Democratic congressional leaders met about a $ 2 trillion infrastructure plan , Trump made a speech soon after in which he lashed out at Democrats for continued congressional investigations into alleged Russian collusion by his 2016 campaign .
Biden , meanwhile , focused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Better '' plan for rebuilding the economy after the coronavirus pandemic and economic downturn .
Earlier on Tuesday , Biden announced a $ 2 trillion clean energy plan that aims to eliminate carbon from electric power plants by 2035 .
`` When Donald Trump thinks about climate change , the only word he can muster is hoax .
When I think about climate change , the word I think of is jobs , '' Biden said .
His campaign claims that the plan would create 5 million new jobs .

Joe Biden turned a long-running joke among Washington insiders and the press corps about President Trump's many iterations of "infrastructure week" into a serious dig at his policies and temperament during a speech detailing his own green energy infrastructure plan.
His message: If Biden is elected, infrastructure week will be no joke.
"Donald Trump promised the big infrastructure bill when he ran in 2016. He promised it again in 2017. And then in 2018, and again in 2019," Biden said in an address streamed from Wilmington, Delaware.
"Seems like every few weeks, when he needs the distraction of the latest charges of corruption in his staff or the conviction of high ranking members of administration and political apparatus, White House announces, quote, 'It's Infrastructure Week,'" Biden said. "How many times have you heard him say that? But he’s never delivered. He's never even really tried."
The White House press office has rolled out "Infrastructure Week" campaigns during times of turmoil in the administration that often get overshadowed by Trump's own comments.
In June 2017, during Infrastructure Week, Trump ended an event by criticizing former FBI Director James Comey and calling him a "leaker," throwing the news cycle far away from the administration's proposed funding for infrastructure.
In spring 2019, after Trump and Democratic congressional leaders met about a $2 trillion infrastructure plan, Trump made a speech soon after in which he lashed out at Democrats for continued congressional investigations into alleged Russian collusion by his 2016 campaign.
Biden, meanwhile, focused his speech on his "Build Back Better" plan for rebuilding the economy after the coronavirus pandemic and economic downturn. Earlier on Tuesday, Biden announced a $2 trillion clean energy plan that aims to eliminate carbon from electric power plants by 2035.
"When Donald Trump thinks about climate change, the only word he can muster is hoax. When I think about climate change, the word I think of is jobs," Biden said. His campaign claims that the plan would create 5 million new jobs.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-07-14--Return to normalcy! Biden endorsed by Marxist terrorist Angela Davis on Russian state television

And you thought Bill Ayers was bad .
A decade after the Obama campaign went into overdrive to explain away that the then-presidential candidate had briefly met the Weather Underground revolutionary at a few events in their shared Hyde Park neighborhood , top Democrats seem keen to embrace an endorsement from someone who makes Ayers look positively banal .
Former FBI 's Most Wanted fugitive , Marxist terrorist , and leading advocate of the prison abolition movement Angela Davis has endorsed supposed centrist Joe Biden for the presidency , and somehow , Democrats think it 's wise to celebrate this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ member of `` the Squad '' who conceded that she 'll begrudgingly vote for Biden despite believing that he committed sexual assault against his former Senate staffer , affirmatively shared the clip of Davis on RT , the Russian state propaganda network .
That Democrats are n't resoundingly running away from anyone associated with RT after subjecting the nation to three years of the Russia collusion farce is mind-boggling enough .
But Davis is famous not just for wanting to defund the police but to abolish prison altogether .
She had the backing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the Cold War and owned the guns responsible for a mass shooting that left four people dead .
The fact that a sitting U.S. congresswoman can face zero blowback from her party for justifying her endorsement by citing such a woman is a sign that however much of a supposed centrist Biden is , his party is not .
After all , Davis admitted as much during her endorsement .
It 's not that she simply believes Biden is less awful than President Trump , but rather that he 's so politically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advance Marxist goals .
Saying something like that might have been hyperbolic during the Obama era , but the same party that bent over backward to denounce the endorsement of Joe Rogan because he believes that transgender women should n't be allowed to pummel cisgender women in MMA fights has remained completely silent on one of its fresh-faced superstars celebrating the endorsement of a literal self-described Marxist !
`` Biden is very problematic in many ways , not only in terms of his past and the role that he played in pushing toward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he is opposed to disbanding the police , and this is definitely what we need , '' Davis said on RT .
`` But , I say but , Biden is far more likely to take mass demands seriously .
... Far more likely than the current occupant of the White House , so that this coming November , the election will ask us not so much to vote for the best candidate , but to vote for or against ourselves .
And to vote for ourselves , I think , means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and vote for Biden . ''
Biden is not responsible for denouncing every problematic Tom , Dick , and Harry who expressed support for him on a message board .
But Davis is the nation 's leading proponent of prison abolition ( the embodiment of all that plagues academia , if you will ) , and her endorsement was just nodded at by a Democrat made into a celebrity by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and a caucus that refused to condemn her anti-Semitism .
The Biden campaign 's silence on the matter is @ @ @ @ @ @ @

And you thought Bill Ayers was bad.
A decade after the Obama campaign went into overdrive to explain away that the then-presidential candidate had briefly met the Weather Underground revolutionary at a few events in their shared Hyde Park neighborhood, top Democrats seem keen to embrace an endorsement from someone who makes Ayers look positively banal. Former FBI's Most Wanted fugitive, Marxist terrorist, and leading advocate of the prison abolition movement Angela Davis has endorsed supposed centrist Joe Biden for the presidency, and somehow, Democrats think it's wise to celebrate this.
Rep. Ilhan Omar, the socialist member of "the Squad" who conceded that she'll begrudgingly vote for Biden despite believing that he committed sexual assault against his former Senate staffer, affirmatively shared the clip of Davis on RT, the Russian state propaganda network.
I am voting for Biden, because a vote for Biden is one for ourselves.
Trump’s American isn’t inclusive and doesn’t see it as “our” country.
For the sake of progress, for sanity and our democracy we must all come together and vote for a better tomorrow.https://t.co/YbYsraoHGQ — Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) July 13, 2020
That Democrats aren't resoundingly running away from anyone associated with RT after subjecting the nation to three years of the Russia collusion farce is mind-boggling enough. But Davis is famous not just for wanting to defund the police but to abolish prison altogether. She had the backing of the Soviet Union and communist Cuba during the Cold War and owned the guns responsible for a mass shooting that left four people dead. The fact that a sitting U.S. congresswoman can face zero blowback from her party for justifying her endorsement by citing such a woman is a sign that however much of a supposed centrist Biden is, his party is not.
After all, Davis admitted as much during her endorsement. It's not that she simply believes Biden is less awful than President Trump, but rather that he's so politically malleable that he can be made to advance Marxist goals. Saying something like that might have been hyperbolic during the Obama era, but the same party that bent over backward to denounce the endorsement of Joe Rogan because he believes that transgender women shouldn't be allowed to pummel cisgender women in MMA fights has remained completely silent on one of its fresh-faced superstars celebrating the endorsement of a literal self-described Marxist!
"Biden is very problematic in many ways, not only in terms of his past and the role that he played in pushing toward mass incarceration, but he has indicated that he is opposed to disbanding the police, and this is definitely what we need," Davis said on RT. "But, I say but, Biden is far more likely to take mass demands seriously. ... Far more likely than the current occupant of the White House, so that this coming November, the election will ask us not so much to vote for the best candidate, but to vote for or against ourselves. And to vote for ourselves, I think, means that we will have to campaign for and vote for Biden."
Biden is not responsible for denouncing every problematic Tom, Dick, and Harry who expressed support for him on a message board. But Davis is the nation's leading proponent of prison abolition (the embodiment of all that plagues academia, if you will), and her endorsement was just nodded at by a Democrat made into a celebrity by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and a caucus that refused to condemn her anti-Semitism. The Biden campaign's silence on the matter is as deafening as it is telling.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-07-14--Biden changes course and opens door to getting rid of Senate filibuster

Joe Biden changed course on his position regarding the Senate filibuster , opening the door to ending the practice and allowing major left-wing legislation to pass the Senate with a simple majority after previously opposing getting rid of it .
The former vice president and longtime senator was asked about getting rid of the filibuster in a Monday interview with several journalists , specifically concerning whether he could enact the `` most progressive agenda since FDR , '' as Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders described Biden 's platform recently , without reforming the Senate tool .
“ It ’ s going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Biden said , referring to Republicans .
He said that while he was previously optimistic about being able to work with Republicans , “ I think you ’ re going to just have to take a look at it . ''
The filibuster , which prevents Senate debate on legislation from ending and moving to a vote without approval from 60 out of 100 senators , is seen as a major impediment to far-left activists .
They worry that if Democrats win the majority in the Senate but garner fewer than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not become law .
Biden firmly opposed abolishing the filibuster in a January interview with the New York Times editorial board that was released just before Democratic primary voters and caucusgoers started casting ballots for their presidential picks .
`` There are a number of areas where you can reach consensus that relate to things like cancer and healthcare and a whole range of things .
I think we can reach consensus on that and get it passed without changing the filibuster rule , '' Biden said at the time .
Democratic primary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the filibuster .
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg both supported getting rid of it , and Sanders was open to it .
Biden ran his Democratic primary campaign closer to the center ideologically and opposed many policies championed by leftist firebrands Warren and Sanders .
But as he has taken on his role as the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee , Biden has adopted some of their policy positions , such as a proposal to make all public higher education free for those with annual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Warren proposal to reform the bankruptcy system .

Joe Biden changed course on his position regarding the Senate filibuster, opening the door to ending the practice and allowing major left-wing legislation to pass the Senate with a simple majority after previously opposing getting rid of it.
The former vice president and longtime senator was asked about getting rid of the filibuster in a Monday interview with several journalists, specifically concerning whether he could enact the "most progressive agenda since FDR," as Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders described Biden's platform recently, without reforming the Senate tool.
“It’s going to depend on how obstreperous they become,” Biden said, referring to Republicans. He said that while he was previously optimistic about being able to work with Republicans, “I think you’re going to just have to take a look at it."
The filibuster, which prevents Senate debate on legislation from ending and moving to a vote without approval from 60 out of 100 senators, is seen as a major impediment to far-left activists. They worry that if Democrats win the majority in the Senate but garner fewer than 60 seats, their policy goals will not become law.
Biden firmly opposed abolishing the filibuster in a January interview with the New York Times editorial board that was released just before Democratic primary voters and caucusgoers started casting ballots for their presidential picks.
"There are a number of areas where you can reach consensus that relate to things like cancer and healthcare and a whole range of things. I think we can reach consensus on that and get it passed without changing the filibuster rule," Biden said at the time.
Democratic primary candidates were divided on whether to end the filibuster. Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg both supported getting rid of it, and Sanders was open to it.
Biden ran his Democratic primary campaign closer to the center ideologically and opposed many policies championed by leftist firebrands Warren and Sanders. But as he has taken on his role as the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, Biden has adopted some of their policy positions, such as a proposal to make all public higher education free for those with annual family incomes less than $125,000 and a Warren proposal to reform the bankruptcy system.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-07-14--Martha McSally cuts Mark Kelly's lead in Arizona race for Senate but trails by wide margin: Poll

Incumbent Martha McSally put a dent in Mark Kelly 's lead , but the Republican still trails her Democratic challenger by a hefty 9 percentage points in the race to retain her Senate seat representing Arizona , according to a new poll .
The survey from OH Predictive Insights , unveiled Tuesday , showed Kelly leading McSally 52 % to 43 % on the strength of voter support in Arizona 's two dominant suburban counties — Maricopa , which includes metropolitan Phoenix , and Pima , home to greater Tucson .
Kelly 's support among Democrats is bigger than McSally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former astronaut leads the senator among voters unaffiliated with either party 59 % to 32 % .
The slice of good news for McSally in this poll , conducted July 6-7 ?
She trailed Kelly by 13 points in the last poll from OH Predictive Insights — and continues to hold a broad advantage in Arizona 's rural counties .
“ Coming back from a 9-point deficit less than four months from Election Day is not going to be an easy feat for McSally , ” Jacob Joss , an OH Predictive Insights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ But for now , she appears at least to have pulled out of her tailspin and is headed on the right trajectory.
” Arizona is an emerging battleground in the presidential contest , with presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden threatening to upend President Trump there — a victory that would be the first for his party in the state since the mid-1990s .
Biden leads Trump in Arizona by 2.8 points in the RealClearPolitics average of recent polling .
The dynamic in the race for the White House is proving to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appointed to her seat in January 2019 by Republican Gov .
Doug Ducey to fill a vacancy following the death of John McCain .
McSally assumed office just a few months after losing her campaign for an open Senate seat to Democrat Kyrsten Sinema .
Kelly , husband of former Rep. Gabby Giffords , is outperforming Sinema among key demographic groups — women , self-described moderates , and whites .
However , McSally , a former Air Force combat pilot , has seen a rise in support from conservative men .
The OH @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had a margin of error of plus or minus 4 points .

Incumbent Martha McSally put a dent in Mark Kelly's lead, but the Republican still trails her Democratic challenger by a hefty 9 percentage points in the race to retain her Senate seat representing Arizona, according to a new poll.
The survey from OH Predictive Insights, unveiled Tuesday, showed Kelly leading McSally 52% to 43% on the strength of voter support in Arizona's two dominant suburban counties — Maricopa, which includes metropolitan Phoenix, and Pima, home to greater Tucson. Kelly's support among Democrats is bigger than McSally's support among Republicans, and the former astronaut leads the senator among voters unaffiliated with either party 59% to 32%.
The slice of good news for McSally in this poll, conducted July 6-7? She trailed Kelly by 13 points in the last poll from OH Predictive Insights — and continues to hold a broad advantage in Arizona's rural counties.
“Coming back from a 9-point deficit less than four months from Election Day is not going to be an easy feat for McSally,” Jacob Joss, an OH Predictive Insights analyst, said in a statement. “But for now, she appears at least to have pulled out of her tailspin and is headed on the right trajectory.”
Arizona is an emerging battleground in the presidential contest, with presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden threatening to upend President Trump there — a victory that would be the first for his party in the state since the mid-1990s. Biden leads Trump in Arizona by 2.8 points in the RealClearPolitics average of recent polling. The dynamic in the race for the White House is proving to be an obstacle for McSally.
McSally was appointed to her seat in January 2019 by Republican Gov. Doug Ducey to fill a vacancy following the death of John McCain. McSally assumed office just a few months after losing her campaign for an open Senate seat to Democrat Kyrsten Sinema. Kelly, husband of former Rep. Gabby Giffords, is outperforming Sinema among key demographic groups — women, self-described moderates, and whites.
However, McSally, a former Air Force combat pilot, has seen a rise in support from conservative men. The OH Predictive Insights poll surveyed likely voters and had a margin of error of plus or minus 4 points.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-07-15--Trump school reopening strategy on track to fail politically: GOP operatives

Republican strategists are warning that President Trump ’ s push to reopen schools will flop with critical suburban voters unless the coronavirus is put in check and confidence in his pandemic leadership revives .
Trump is urging K-12 schools to reopen for in-person instruction this fall amid a spike in coronavirus cases in states across the country , threatening to block federal funds from noncompliant school districts .
After haphazard distance learning programs implemented for the spring lockdown left parents frustrated and exhausted , senior Republican strategists say the president might have landed on a winning issue versus presumptive Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But to capitalize , Republicans emphasized Tuesday , Trump has work to do .
Job one is improving trust in his management of the coronavirus .
The 40.5 % approval rating for his handling of the crisis will cloud any proposal the president backs to return K-12 education to normal in the upcoming school year .
Next , the coronavirus has to be brought under control so that parents feel comfortable sending their children to campus .
“ The problem President Trump has is twofold , ” a veteran Republican strategist with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ One , voters no longer trust his judgment or predictions or handling of the virus .
And , two , voters believe that many of their states opened too soon , while also believing that they did so because of pressure from the president.
” In an Ipsos poll conducted Friday through Monday for Axios , 71 % of parents believe sending their children to school presents a moderate to large health risk to their kids , including 53 % of self-described Republicans , 70 % of women , 89 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and 64 % of white people .
Other polls have shown similar concern about children returning to school .
Nearly 140,000 people in the United States have died from the coronavirus .
But for parents who could not work from home because their jobs were deemed essential , distance learning created an acute child care headache .
But even for parents who could work remotely , including many white-collar suburbanites , the distance learning programs provided by their children ’ s public and private schools were inconsistent and relegated most of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infections surging , major school districts are announcing plans to continue virtual learning when the new school year begins in August and September .
Less than four months before Election Day and trailing Biden in most national and battleground polls , Trump is attempting to boost support with suburban voters , a bloc he won in 2016 but that has defected from the GOP since then , by vowing to save parents from more chaos at home this fall .
“ Now that we have witnessed it on a large scale basis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be TERRIBLE compared to In School , or On Campus , Learning , ” Trump tweeted this month .
“ Not even close !
Schools must be open in the Fall .
If not open , why would the Federal Government give Funding ?
It won ’ t !
!
!
” To win over these parents and put Biden on the defensive , Republican operatives say , Trump needs to stop crafting social media posts that are designed to rile up his base and treat the coronavirus as if the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs to show support for treading cautiously in states where COVID-19 is still spreading and show that he recognizes the fear many people are feeling because of the pandemic .
If Trump could make the shift , some Republicans are convinced the issue will pay dividends .
“ If the president insists on making it polarizing and autocratic , he will not be rewarded , ” a GOP insider said .
“ The suburban voter he can get with this wedge hates the my-way-or-the-highway approach , so he can ’ t do this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finally identified an issue on which he can find common ground with most suburban women if he will deliver it in the right way .
”

Republican strategists are warning that President Trump’s push to reopen schools will flop with critical suburban voters unless the coronavirus is put in check and confidence in his pandemic leadership revives.
Trump is urging K-12 schools to reopen for in-person instruction this fall amid a spike in coronavirus cases in states across the country, threatening to block federal funds from noncompliant school districts. After haphazard distance-learning programs implemented for the spring lockdown left parents frustrated and exhausted, senior Republican strategists say the president might have landed on a winning issue versus presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden’s cautious approach.
But to capitalize, Republicans emphasized Tuesday, Trump has work to do.
Job one is improving trust in his management of the coronavirus. The 40.5% approval rating for his handling of the crisis will cloud any proposal the president backs to return K-12 education to normal in the upcoming school year. Next, the coronavirus has to be brought under control so that parents feel comfortable sending their children to campus.
“The problem President Trump has is twofold,” a veteran Republican strategist with clients on the November ballot said. “One, voters no longer trust his judgment or predictions or handling of the virus. And, two, voters believe that many of their states opened too soon, while also believing that they did so because of pressure from the president.”
In an Ipsos poll conducted Friday through Monday for Axios, 71% of parents believe sending their children to school presents a moderate to large health risk to their kids, including 53% of self-described Republicans, 70% of women, 89% of black people, 80% of Hispanics, and 64% of white people. Other polls have shown similar concern about children returning to school. Nearly 140,000 people in the United States have died from the coronavirus.
But for parents who could not work from home because their jobs were deemed essential, distance learning created an acute child care headache. But even for parents who could work remotely, including many white-collar suburbanites, the distance learning programs provided by their children’s public and private schools were inconsistent and relegated most of the teaching load to them.
With COVID-19 infections surging, major school districts are announcing plans to continue virtual learning when the new school year begins in August and September. Less than four months before Election Day and trailing Biden in most national and battleground polls, Trump is attempting to boost support with suburban voters, a bloc he won in 2016 but that has defected from the GOP since then, by vowing to save parents from more chaos at home this fall.
“Now that we have witnessed it on a large scale basis, and firsthand, Virtual Learning has proven to be TERRIBLE compared to In School, or On Campus, Learning,” Trump tweeted this month. “Not even close! Schools must be open in the Fall. If not open, why would the Federal Government give Funding? It won’t!!!”
To win over these parents and put Biden on the defensive, Republican operatives say, Trump needs to stop crafting social media posts that are designed to rile up his base and treat the coronavirus as if the pandemic is receding. Instead, the president needs to show support for treading cautiously in states where COVID-19 is still spreading and show that he recognizes the fear many people are feeling because of the pandemic.
If Trump could make the shift, some Republicans are convinced the issue will pay dividends.
“If the president insists on making it polarizing and autocratic, he will not be rewarded,” a GOP insider said. “The suburban voter he can get with this wedge hates the my-way-or-the-highway approach, so he can’t do this that way. But he clearly has finally identified an issue on which he can find common ground with most suburban women if he will deliver it in the right way.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-07-16--Not out: Kanye West will be on the ballot in Oklahoma

What is Ye doing ?
Kanye West appears to be in the 2020 presidential race still despite reports that the rapper had abandoned his bid .
New York magazine reported Tuesday night that West had abandoned his bid , citing a consultant who had been working with West to get him on state ballots as an independent candidate .
But the source may have been inaccurate .
On Wednesday , the Oklahoma State Election Board reported that West qualified to be listed as an independent candidate on the general election ballot .
A Federal Election Commission statement of campaign organization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign finance watchers were skeptical that it was a legitimate filing from West and his team rather than a prankster .
The phone number associated with the filing is a Google Voice number , and the website associated with it was registered in 2018 with a European domain company .
Getting on the Oklahoma ballot as an independent required just the proper paperwork and a $ 35,000 filing fee , but he has little time or already missed his opportunity to amass signatures of registered voters to get him on the ballot in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ filing deadlines in the key Electoral College states of Texas and North Carolina , among other states .
Deadlines for Florida , South Carolina , and Delaware passed on Wednesday .
Well-sourced gossip site TMZ also reports that despite the story about West dropping out , he `` is still very much in the 2020 Presidential race . ''

What is Ye doing?
Kanye West appears to be in the 2020 presidential race still despite reports that the rapper had abandoned his bid.
New York magazine reported Tuesday night that West had abandoned his bid, citing a consultant who had been working with West to get him on state ballots as an independent candidate.
But the source may have been inaccurate. On Wednesday, the Oklahoma State Election Board reported that West qualified to be listed as an independent candidate on the general election ballot.
Independent presidential candidate Kanye West has qualified for the General Election ballot in Oklahoma. (Today is Oklahoma's deadline for Independent & Unrecognized Party presidential candidates to file statements of candidacy with their petitions or filing fee.) — Oklahoma State Election Board (@OKelections) July 15, 2020
A Federal Election Commission statement of campaign organization was also filed on Wednesday, though campaign finance watchers were skeptical that it was a legitimate filing from West and his team rather than a prankster. The phone number associated with the filing is a Google Voice number, and the website associated with it was registered in 2018 with a European domain company.
Getting on the Oklahoma ballot as an independent required just the proper paperwork and a $35,000 filing fee, but he has little time or already missed his opportunity to amass signatures of registered voters to get him on the ballot in other states. West missed independent candidate filing deadlines in the key Electoral College states of Texas and North Carolina, among other states. Deadlines for Florida, South Carolina, and Delaware passed on Wednesday.
Well-sourced gossip site TMZ also reports that despite the story about West dropping out, he "is still very much in the 2020 Presidential race."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-07-16--Republicans get some good news in bid to retain Senate majority

Republicans got some good news for their defensive Senate map this week in Montana as election raters and Democrats project an increasing number of paths to flipping the Senate majority in November .
A Montana poll by CIVIQS/ Daily Kos conducted July 11-13 showed Republican incumbent Sen. Steve Daines slightly ahead of Democratic nominee and Montana Gov .
Steve Bullock , leading 49 % to 47 % .
The CIVIQS survey comes with a caveat : Respondents were polled online rather than on the phone — not the most accurate method .
It has a margin of error of 4.2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a welcome boost for Republicans .
Election raters Cook Political Report and Inside Elections moved the Montana senate seat from “ Lean Republican ” in the early spring to “ Toss-up ” this summer , which , if accurate , would give Democrats a wider map to flip the four to five seats they need to take control of the Senate .
A Public Policy Polling survey conducted July 9-10 had found Bullock up by 2 points .
The second-term governor , who unsuccessfully sought the Democratic presidential nomination last year , saw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handled the coronavirus pandemic , and the state maintained low infection rates .
On Wednesday , Bullock flexed some more of his gubernatorial leadership muscle and issued an order requiring statewide mask use .
But Republican operatives believe that Bullock ’ s so-called “ coronavirus halo ” will not last .
Cases are rising in the state , and Bullock may need to spend more time managing the pandemic .
He risks looking like he is neglecting his gubernatorial duties during an emergency if he spends time on the Senate campaign trail .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ his gubernatorial record and his 2020 Democratic presidential primary bid , have not come to the forefront of the race .
And unlike other close Senate races such as Maine and Arizona , where Democrats will try to tie incumbent Republicans to President Trump in order to damage them , that is not a tool that Bullock can use as easily : Trump won the state by 20 points in 2016 .
( Trump ’ s approval rating in Montana was slightly underwater in the CIVIQS poll , though : 48 % favorable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Bullock are fairly evenly matched in their war chests , with Daines having $ 7.1 million in cash on hand and Bullock having $ 7.6 million at the end of June .
The Montana race is indicative of increasing optimism among Democrats , who believe that with Trump ’ s approval rating ticking down amid the coronavirus pandemic and new attention focused on race relations and policing , that they can win back the Senate in the fall .
Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden went so far as to change his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rid of the Senate filibuster , which would allow Democrats to push left-wing legislation through with a simple majority rather than needing 60 of 100 votes .
Race ratings in the Cook Political Report and Inside Elections have ticked slightly in Democrats ’ favor over the last several months .
One of the toughest defensive battlegrounds for Republicans is in Arizona , where Democratic challenger Mark Kelly has $ 23.9 million in his war chest , more than twice that of incumbent first-term Sen. Martha McSally ’ s $ 10.3 million .
Overall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as political operatives expected it would be more than a year ago .
At this point , control of the Senate looks like it will come down to a few hard-fought , expensive races , particularly in North Carolina , Maine , Arizona , and Colorado .

Republicans got some good news for their defensive Senate map this week in Montana as election raters and Democrats project an increasing number of paths to flipping the Senate majority in November.
A Montana poll by CIVIQS/Daily Kos conducted July 11-13 showed Republican incumbent Sen. Steve Daines slightly ahead of Democratic nominee and Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, leading 49% to 47%.
The CIVIQS survey comes with a caveat: Respondents were polled online rather than on the phone — not the most accurate method. It has a margin of error of 4.2%
But still, it’s a welcome boost for Republicans.
Election raters Cook Political Report and Inside Elections moved the Montana senate seat from “Lean Republican” in the early spring to “Toss-up” this summer, which, if accurate, would give Democrats a wider map to flip the four to five seats they need to take control of the Senate. A Public Policy Polling survey conducted July 9-10 had found Bullock up by 2 points.
The second-term governor, who unsuccessfully sought the Democratic presidential nomination last year, saw his approval ratings spike up as he handled the coronavirus pandemic, and the state maintained low infection rates.
On Wednesday, Bullock flexed some more of his gubernatorial leadership muscle and issued an order requiring statewide mask use.
But Republican operatives believe that Bullock’s so-called “coronavirus halo” will not last. Cases are rising in the state, and Bullock may need to spend more time managing the pandemic. He risks looking like he is neglecting his gubernatorial duties during an emergency if he spends time on the Senate campaign trail.
Bullock’s liabilities, such as his gubernatorial record and his 2020 Democratic presidential primary bid, have not come to the forefront of the race. And unlike other close Senate races such as Maine and Arizona, where Democrats will try to tie incumbent Republicans to President Trump in order to damage them, that is not a tool that Bullock can use as easily: Trump won the state by 20 points in 2016. (Trump’s approval rating in Montana was slightly underwater in the CIVIQS poll, though: 48% favorable to 50% unfavorable.)
Daines and Bullock are fairly evenly matched in their war chests, with Daines having $7.1 million in cash on hand and Bullock having $7.6 million at the end of June.
The Montana race is indicative of increasing optimism among Democrats, who believe that with Trump’s approval rating ticking down amid the coronavirus pandemic and new attention focused on race relations and policing, that they can win back the Senate in the fall.
Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden went so far as to change his stance and open the door to getting rid of the Senate filibuster, which would allow Democrats to push left-wing legislation through with a simple majority rather than needing 60 of 100 votes.
Race ratings in the Cook Political Report and Inside Elections have ticked slightly in Democrats’ favor over the last several months. One of the toughest defensive battlegrounds for Republicans is in Arizona, where Democratic challenger Mark Kelly has $23.9 million in his war chest, more than twice that of incumbent first-term Sen. Martha McSally’s $10.3 million.
Overall, though, the map looks just as political operatives expected it would be more than a year ago. At this point, control of the Senate looks like it will come down to a few hard-fought, expensive races, particularly in North Carolina, Maine, Arizona, and Colorado.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-07-16--DCCC raises committee record $39M in second quarter

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee raised $ 39 million in the second quarter , a record haul for House Democrats that puts the party in a strong position to hold the majority in November .
The DCCC , the House Democratic campaign arm , beat its old second-quarter record of $ 37 million , which was set in 2018 heading into the midterm election in which the party won control of the House for the first time in eight years on the strength of a 40-seat swing .
This year , the committee raised $ 17 million of the $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to defend their majority as House Republicans mount a vigorous challenge .
“ Our second quarter fundraising is proof that Democrats across the country know what is at stake in this election and they are digging deep to ensure we not only protect , but also expand the House Democratic majority .
Our record-breaking second quarter haul allows us to continue pushing deeper into Republican-held territory , ” DCCC Chairwoman Cheri Bustos said in a statement .
Of the $ 39 million the DCCC raised in the second quarter , $ 25.2 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with an average of $ 17 per contribution , a sign of grassroots enthusiasm for Democratic candidates up and down the ballot .
National polls show Democrats leading generic ballot tests that gauge which party voters want in control of Congress .
The National Republican Congressional Committee has yet to release its June fundraising totals , but the Republican Party also has been raising money at a steady clip throughout the coronavirus pandemic .

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee raised $39 million in the second quarter, a record haul for House Democrats that puts the party in a strong position to hold the majority in November.
The DCCC, the House Democratic campaign arm, beat its old second-quarter record of $37 million, which was set in 2018 heading into the midterm election in which the party won control of the House for the first time in eight years on the strength of a 40-seat swing. This year, the committee raised $17 million of the $39 million in June, positioning Democrats to defend their majority as House Republicans mount a vigorous challenge.
“Our second quarter fundraising is proof that Democrats across the country know what is at stake in this election and they are digging deep to ensure we not only protect, but also expand the House Democratic majority. Our record-breaking second quarter haul allows us to continue pushing deeper into Republican-held territory,” DCCC Chairwoman Cheri Bustos said in a statement.
Of the $39 million the DCCC raised in the second quarter, $25.2 million was given in small increments online, with an average of $17 per contribution, a sign of grassroots enthusiasm for Democratic candidates up and down the ballot. National polls show Democrats leading generic ballot tests that gauge which party voters want in control of Congress.
The National Republican Congressional Committee has yet to release its June fundraising totals, but the Republican Party also has been raising money at a steady clip throughout the coronavirus pandemic.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-07-16--'Earned that endorsement': National Association of Police Organizations backs Trump in 2020

The National Association of Police Organizations announced its support of President Trump 's reelection bid this fall .
President Mick McHale announced the organization 's decision during an interview Wednesday on Fox News .
`` [ Trump ] earned that endorsement with a greater margin of the two-thirds that participated in today 's meeting , '' he said .
`` So , it 's with great pride that I announce on behalf of our National Association of Police Organizations , our endorsement of President Donald J .
Trump . ''
Since the Memorial Day death of George Floyd , an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ white law enforcement officer knelt on his neck , calls for sweeping police reform and a national conversation about systemic racism in policing have reverberated across the nation .
Many social justice activists and leading members of the Black Lives Matter movement have called for a major drawback in funding to departments allocated by local governments .
Trump has pushed back on these demands and labeled Black Lives Matter as an organization with a `` hateful '' message .
“ The radical politicians are waging war on innocent Americans , ” Trump said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s what you want for a country , you probably have to vote for Sleepy Joe Biden because he doesn ’ t know what ’ s happening , but you are not going to have that with me.
” Biden has not endorsed an outright defunding of police departments across the country , but he has said that systemic racism in law enforcement needs to be addressed .
“ Biden supports the urgent need for reform — including funding for public schools , summer programs , and mental health and substance abuse treatment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that officers can focus on the job of policing , ” a spokesman for the Biden campaign told the Associated Press .
The Trump campaign has in recent weeks released political advertisements attacking Biden as weak on violent crime and warning voters that `` you wo n't be safe in Joe Biden 's America . ''
Biden has said a militarization of police is what is truly dangerous to American citizens .
“ The last thing you need is an up-armored Humvee coming into a neighborhood , ” he said .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They don ’ t know anybody .
They become the enemy .
They ’ re supposed to be protecting these people.
” Trump 's administration has hailed an executive order in 2017 that allowed local police agencies to receive surplus military equipment .
`` So , we 're excited in anticipation of the president 's announcement , '' McHale said .
`` And we anticipate and hopefully have another four years . ''

The National Association of Police Organizations announced its support of President Trump's reelection bid this fall.
President Mick McHale announced the organization's decision during an interview Wednesday on Fox News.
"[Trump] earned that endorsement with a greater margin of the two-thirds that participated in today's meeting," he said. "So, it's with great pride that I announce on behalf of our National Association of Police Organizations, our endorsement of President Donald J. Trump."
Since the Memorial Day death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who died after a white law enforcement officer knelt on his neck, calls for sweeping police reform and a national conversation about systemic racism in policing have reverberated across the nation.
Many social justice activists and leading members of the Black Lives Matter movement have called for a major drawback in funding to departments allocated by local governments.
Trump has pushed back on these demands and labeled Black Lives Matter as an organization with a "hateful" message.
“The radical politicians are waging war on innocent Americans,” Trump said this week. “If that’s what you want for a country, you probably have to vote for Sleepy Joe Biden because he doesn’t know what’s happening, but you are not going to have that with me.”
Biden has not endorsed an outright defunding of police departments across the country, but he has said that systemic racism in law enforcement needs to be addressed.
“Biden supports the urgent need for reform — including funding for public schools, summer programs, and mental health and substance abuse treatment separate from funding for policing — so that officers can focus on the job of policing,” a spokesman for the Biden campaign told the Associated Press.
The Trump campaign has in recent weeks released political advertisements attacking Biden as weak on violent crime and warning voters that "you won't be safe in Joe Biden's America."
Biden has said a militarization of police is what is truly dangerous to American citizens.
“The last thing you need is an up-armored Humvee coming into a neighborhood,” he said. “It’s like the military invading. They don’t know anybody. They become the enemy. They’re supposed to be protecting these people.”
Trump's administration has hailed an executive order in 2017 that allowed local police agencies to receive surplus military equipment.
"So, we're excited in anticipation of the president's announcement," McHale said. "And we anticipate and hopefully have another four years."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-07-16--Biden keeps lurching left, but does he need to?

Joe Biden ’ s policy platform looks a lot more liberal than it used to , and it could help him cement support from leftist voters who were not convinced that he was worth supporting .
The newest policies seem strange coming from the former vice president and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee , who ran on a more centrist platform that rejected his left-wing competitors ’ visions of single-payer healthcare and student loan debt forgiveness .
But soon after it became clear that he was the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee , Biden adopted key proposals from the two biggest leftists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders to make all public higher education free for those with annual family incomes less than $ 125,000 and a Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren proposal to reform the bankruptcy system .
Now , Biden is rolling out new major policy agendas that echo recommendations from a Biden-Sanders Unity Task Force , of which leftist firebrand New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was a co-chair .
This week , Biden announced a $ 2 trillion clean energy plan that calls to by 2035 .
It was the second part of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan that includes New Deal-like proposals .
Two more detailed Biden policy rollouts on his “ Build Back Better ” plan on a “ 21st-century caregiving and education workforce '' and `` racial equity '' are expected in the coming weeks .
Biden strongly opposed getting rid of the Senate filibuster during the primary .
Now , as he rolls out policies that are unlikely to garner support from any Senate Republicans in the case of Democrats winning a slim Senate majority , The logical explanation is that the Biden campaign fears that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prominence in the party and power among voters , he could face the same phenomenon that played a role in sinking Hillary Clinton ’ s 2016 presidential campaign : Sanders primary voters turning to Donald Trump in the general election or staying home rather than voting for either Trump or Clinton .
found that 1 in 10 Sanders primary voters cast a ballot for Trump .
The threat of losing leftist voters is the predominant argument among those advocating that Biden make Warren his running mate .
But in an election defined so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , does he need to change his policy instincts to cement that support ?
After all , 89 % of self-identified Democrats in a July 5-7 Economist/YouGov national said that they support Biden , on par with 91 % support for Trump among self-identified Republicans .
David Paleologos , director of the Suffolk University Research Center , said that it is still important for Biden to make sure that he cements support from those who supported other primary candidates such as Sanders .
“ Biden moving to the left so quickly is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Paleologos told the Washington Examiner .
A USA Today/Suffolk University conducted in April found that 22 % of Sanders voters said that they would vote for a third party ( 8 % ) , for Trump ( 2 % ) , would skip voting ( 2 % ) , or were undecided ( 8 % ) .
“ You ca n't advance if you 're not an army , ” Paleologos said , referring to Biden ’ s need to ensure that the base of Democratic-leaning voters in the electorate is solidly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just advance to the next point , and you don ’ t shore up people who are left and center but not enthusiastic about you , you may leave them behind.
” The between Trump and Biden — far more voters who support Trump say that they are very excited about supporting him than voters who support Biden — may not be a concern for Biden now , as he has a lead over Trump in national polls and key swing states .
But as the election cycle pushes forward , Paleologos said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change , and it will be important for Biden to have a solid base of support .
And the found that there are still risks for Biden within his desired base : 32 % of those who said that they voted in a Democratic primary would have preferred Sanders to be the 2020 nominee .
Biden ’ s lurch to the left could be more than an electoral calculation .
As he makes space for the far-left in his policy platform , the former vice president appears to be openly changing his own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shaping policy .
“ I do think we ’ ve reached a point , a real inflection in American history .
And I don ’ t believe it ’ s unlike what Roosevelt was met with , ” Biden said in a Monday interview .
“ I think we have an opportunity to make some really systemic change .
”

Joe Biden’s policy platform looks a lot more liberal than it used to, and it could help him cement support from leftist voters who were not convinced that he was worth supporting.
The newest policies seem strange coming from the former vice president and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, who ran on a more centrist platform that rejected his left-wing competitors’ visions of single-payer healthcare and student loan debt forgiveness.
But soon after it became clear that he was the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, Biden adopted key proposals from the two biggest leftists in the primary field : a proposal from Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders to make all public higher education free for those with annual family incomes less than $125,000 and a Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren proposal to reform the bankruptcy system.
Now, Biden is rolling out new major policy agendas that echo recommendations from a Biden-Sanders Unity Task Force, of which leftist firebrand New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was a co-chair.
This week, Biden announced a $2 trillion clean energy plan that calls to eliminate carbon power plants by 2035. It was the second part of his “Build Back Better” economic recovery plan that includes New Deal-like proposals. Two more detailed Biden policy rollouts on his “Build Back Better” plan on a “21st-century caregiving and education workforce" and "racial equity" are expected in the coming weeks.
Biden strongly opposed getting rid of the Senate filibuster during the primary. Now, as he rolls out policies that are unlikely to garner support from any Senate Republicans in the case of Democrats winning a slim Senate majority, he’s open to it.
The logical explanation is that the Biden campaign fears that as insurgent leftists such as Ocasio-Cortez gain prominence in the party and power among voters, he could face the same phenomenon that played a role in sinking Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign: Sanders primary voters turning to Donald Trump in the general election or staying home rather than voting for either Trump or Clinton. One study found that 1 in 10 Sanders primary voters cast a ballot for Trump.
The threat of losing leftist voters is the predominant argument among those advocating that Biden make Warren his running mate.
But in an election defined so far by Trump’s unique unpopularity, does he need to change his policy instincts to cement that support? After all, 89% of self-identified Democrats in a July 5-7 Economist/YouGov national poll said that they support Biden, on par with 91% support for Trump among self-identified Republicans.
David Paleologos, director of the Suffolk University Research Center, said that it is still important for Biden to make sure that he cements support from those who supported other primary candidates such as Sanders.
“Biden moving to the left so quickly is a necessary road to travel right now,” Paleologos told the Washington Examiner.
A USA Today/Suffolk University poll conducted in April found that 22% of Sanders voters said that they would vote for a third party (8%), for Trump (2%), would skip voting (2%), or were undecided (8%).
“You can't advance if you're not an army,” Paleologos said, referring to Biden’s need to ensure that the base of Democratic-leaning voters in the electorate is solidly in his favor. “If you just advance to the next point, and you don’t shore up people who are left and center but not enthusiastic about you, you may leave them behind.”
The enthusiasm gap between Trump and Biden — far more voters who support Trump say that they are very excited about supporting him than voters who support Biden — may not be a concern for Biden now, as he has a lead over Trump in national polls and key swing states. But as the election cycle pushes forward, Paleologos said, the mood of the electorate could change, and it will be important for Biden to have a solid base of support.
And the Economist /YouGov poll found that there are still risks for Biden within his desired base: 32% of those who said that they voted in a Democratic primary would have preferred Sanders to be the 2020 nominee.
Biden’s lurch to the left could be more than an electoral calculation. As he makes space for the far-left in his policy platform, the former vice president appears to be openly changing his own view of his role in leading and shaping policy.
“I do think we’ve reached a point, a real inflection in American history. And I don’t believe it’s unlike what Roosevelt was met with,” Biden said in a Monday interview. “I think we have an opportunity to make some really systemic change.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-07-16--Joe Biden bends the knee to AOC on climate

We have before the oddity that after having won the Democratic presidential nomination by promising to govern as a centrist , Joe Biden caved to the demands of the radical Left that he had just vanquished in the primary .
We noted with when Biden decided to appoint Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , a radical if ever there was one , to co-chair his climate panel .
Now , Biden is out with a revised climate that is far to the left of what he had proposed during the primary and much closer to the vision of Ocasio-Cortez ’ s extreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Biden ran on a climate plan that would have spent $ 1.7 trillion over a decade .
His new plan would spend $ 2 trillion in the first four years .
This is proposed at a time when the United States faces an unprecedented debt that the Congressional Budget Office says is already on track to exceed the World War II record next year .
Previously , Biden vowed for the power sector to be free of carbon emissions by 2050 .
Now , he has moved the date up to 2035 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ target of 2030 ) .
Such an unrealistic goal would mean eliminating carbon-based forms of power , which currently generate of all energy in America .
The fracking boom has been a major boost to the economy and has done more than anything else recently to reduce carbon emissions , yet Biden plans to eliminate it rapidly .
Biden is exploiting the coronavirus crisis in an effort to promote his sweeping economic stimulus proposals .
This is ridiculous for several reasons .
First and foremost , this isn ’ t the typical economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for government intervention to create jobs and increase demand .
Today 's economic turmoil is created by the government ( justifiably or not ) forcing businesses to shut down , as well as by people ’ s fears about resuming normal life during a pandemic .
The fact that the economy added a record 7.5 million jobs in May and June by partially reopening is a testament to the country 's underlying economic strength and the potential for a bounce back without fiscal stimulus from taxpayer dollars .
But that bounce back will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus and state and local reopening plans .
If there were , say , a vaccine by early next year , it would lead to a swift economic recovery that would not require government spending to “ upgrade 4 million buildings and weatherize 2 million homes , ” as Biden ’ s plan promises .
Biden , with an astounding lack of self-awareness , is trying to recycle ideas that were failures during the Obama presidency , such as creating “ green jobs ” with federal spending on infrastructure .
Biden is again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ role in the Solyndra fiasco .
That solar energy firm was chosen as the poster child for a green energy future .
At the 2009 groundbreaking of a Solyndra factory , Biden used the same sort of language that he ’ s been using today about his climate plan .
`` This announcement today is part of the unprecedented investment this administration is making in renewable energy and exactly what the Recovery Act is all about , '' then-Vice President Biden .
`` By investing in the infrastructure and technology of the future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today , but laying the foundation for long-term growth in the 21st-century economy . ''
In reality , Solyndra was a bust , becoming a symbol of crony capitalism , as Obama administration officials ignored warnings about the company to rush through a $ 535 million loan guarantee .
In 2011 , Solyndra went , losing more than half a billion dollars in taxpayer money and firing 1,100 workers .
There are also lines in the new climate plan , that fill us with foreboding , about investing in new faster rail projects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan to build a “ national high speed rail network.
” The administration ’ s efforts were such a disaster that the project stalled even in California , a liberal state dedicated to making it happen .
Even left-wing Gov .
Gavin Newsom was forced to because it was unworkable , and there is no path forward for the promised Los Angeles to San Francisco line sold to state taxpayers a dozen years ago .
Beyond the substance of Biden 's climate plan , its mere existence is another signal that regardless of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primaries , he would as president be largely knuckle under to the radical demands of his party 's left wing .

We have observed before the oddity that after having won the Democratic presidential nomination by promising to govern as a centrist, Joe Biden caved to the demands of the radical Left that he had just vanquished in the primary. We noted with interest when Biden decided to appoint Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a radical if ever there was one, to co-chair his climate panel. Now, Biden is out with a revised climate plan that is far to the left of what he had proposed during the primary and much closer to the vision of Ocasio-Cortez’s extreme Green New Deal.
In the primaries, Biden ran on a climate plan that would have spent $1.7 trillion over a decade. His new plan would spend $2 trillion in the first four years. This is proposed at a time when the United States faces an unprecedented debt that the Congressional Budget Office says is already on track to exceed the World War II record next year.
Previously, Biden vowed for the power sector to be free of carbon emissions by 2050. Now, he has moved the date up to 2035 (much closer to Ocasio-Cortez’s target of 2030). Such an unrealistic goal would mean eliminating carbon-based forms of power, which currently generate 62% of all energy in America. The fracking boom has been a major boost to the economy and has done more than anything else recently to reduce carbon emissions, yet Biden plans to eliminate it rapidly.
Biden is exploiting the coronavirus crisis in an effort to promote his sweeping economic stimulus proposals. This is ridiculous for several reasons. First and foremost, this isn’t the typical economic crisis in which there is an argument for government intervention to create jobs and increase demand. Today's economic turmoil is created by the government (justifiably or not) forcing businesses to shut down, as well as by people’s fears about resuming normal life during a pandemic.
The fact that the economy added a record 7.5 million jobs in May and June by partially reopening is a testament to the country's underlying economic strength and the potential for a bounce back without fiscal stimulus from taxpayer dollars. But that bounce back will be contingent on what happens with the coronavirus and state and local reopening plans. If there were, say, a vaccine by early next year, it would lead to a swift economic recovery that would not require government spending to “upgrade 4 million buildings and weatherize 2 million homes,” as Biden’s plan promises.
Biden, with an astounding lack of self-awareness, is trying to recycle ideas that were failures during the Obama presidency, such as creating “green jobs” with federal spending on infrastructure.
Biden is again pitching spending on solar power despite his role in the Solyndra fiasco. That solar energy firm was chosen as the poster child for a green energy future. At the 2009 groundbreaking of a Solyndra factory, Biden used the same sort of language that he’s been using today about his climate plan.
"This announcement today is part of the unprecedented investment this administration is making in renewable energy and exactly what the Recovery Act is all about," then-Vice President Biden said . "By investing in the infrastructure and technology of the future, we are not only creating jobs today, but laying the foundation for long-term growth in the 21st-century economy."
In reality, Solyndra was a bust, becoming a symbol of crony capitalism, as Obama administration officials ignored warnings about the company to rush through a $535 million loan guarantee. In 2011, Solyndra went bankrupt , losing more than half a billion dollars in taxpayer money and firing 1,100 workers.
There are also lines in the new climate plan, that fill us with foreboding, about investing in new faster rail projects. In 2011 , Biden announced a six-year plan to build a “national high speed rail network.” The administration’s efforts were such a disaster that the project stalled even in California, a liberal state dedicated to making it happen. Even left-wing Gov. Gavin Newsom was forced to scale the project back because it was unworkable, and there is no path forward for the promised Los Angeles to San Francisco line sold to state taxpayers a dozen years ago.
Beyond the substance of Biden's climate plan, its mere existence is another signal that regardless of how the nominee positioned himself during the primaries, he would as president be largely knuckle under to the radical demands of his party's left wing.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-07-16--Democrats boost weaker Republican candidate in Kansas primary

The Democratic establishment is spending big money to meddle in the Republican Senate primary in Kansas , using a super PAC to run advertising boosting immigration hawk Kris Kobach over GOP establishment favorite Rep. Roger Marshall .
The super PAC is controlled by Democratic operatives linked to their party ’ s leadership , and Republicans say the move amounts to dirty tricks intended to elevate weaker Kobach and manipulate the outcome of the Aug. 4 primary .
Sunflower State PAC is investing nearly $ 1 million to air a television advertisement that promotes Kobach as a stalwart conservative allied with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a flip-flopper at odds with the White House .
“ Chuck Schumer and his allies have spent millions bailing out their candidates in Democratic primaries , and now , Schumer has zeroed in on his preferred candidate in the Kansas GOP primary , ” Jesse Hunt , spokesman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee , said , referring to the Senate minority leader .
“ Kansas primary voters can see right through the New York liberal ’ s desperate attempt to prop up a losing candidate.
” But after Kobach ’ s failed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Washington worry some of his provocative views and penchant for controversial rhetoric would render him unelectable this fall against likely Democratic nominee Barbara Bollier .
To box Kobach out of the primary , Republicans recruited Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , a former Kansas congressman , to run for the Senate to replace retiring GOP Sen. Pat Roberts .
Pompeo declined .
With Kobach , a grassroots favorite in the race , Democrats pounced , using an outside group with a name — Sunflower State PAC — that does not suggest affiliation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spot that sounds like it might have been aired by a pro-Trump , conservative organization .
Both parties have , over the years , used this strategy to intervene in opposing primaries and fuel support for problematic candidates .
“ Kris Kobach , he ’ s too conservative .
Kobach won ’ t compromise on building a wall or getting tough on China , ” the ad ’ s voice-over says .
“ And , Roger Marshall ’ s a phony .
After backing a Mitt Romney-like candidate for president , he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on immigration .
Marshall ’ s been both for and against the wall .
He went easy on China but now talks tough.
” Sunflower State PAC has placed an initial buy of $ 850,000 to run this spot in Kansas for one week , according to Medium Buying , a firm that tracks political ad spending .
In an interview Wednesday , Kobach declined to comment on the Sunflower State PAC advertisement .
The former Kansas secretary of state said he feels “ cautiously optimistic ” about his prospects in the upcoming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent campaign events suggests to him that his momentum is positive .
“ Roger Marshall has chickened out of numerous forums … and that says something , too , ” Kobach told the Washington Examiner , adding that the Republican establishment ’ s support for his opponent “ indicates they want a yes man for [ Senate Majority Leader Mitch ] McConnell , and they know I ’ m a conservative disrupter who 's not going to be pushed into compromise .
”

The Democratic establishment is spending big money to meddle in the Republican Senate primary in Kansas, using a super PAC to run advertising boosting immigration hawk Kris Kobach over GOP establishment favorite Rep. Roger Marshall.
The super PAC is controlled by Democratic operatives linked to their party’s leadership, and Republicans say the move amounts to dirty tricks intended to elevate weaker Kobach and manipulate the outcome of the Aug. 4 primary.
Sunflower State PAC is investing nearly $1 million to air a television advertisement that promotes Kobach as a stalwart conservative allied with President Trump and that undercuts Marshall as a flip-flopper at odds with the White House.
“Chuck Schumer and his allies have spent millions bailing out their candidates in Democratic primaries, and now, Schumer has zeroed in on his preferred candidate in the Kansas GOP primary,” Jesse Hunt, spokesman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said, referring to the Senate minority leader. “Kansas primary voters can see right through the New York liberal’s desperate attempt to prop up a losing candidate.”
Kansas leans Republican, especially in presidential elections.
But after Kobach’s failed gubernatorial bid in 2018, top Republicans in Washington worry some of his provocative views and penchant for controversial rhetoric would render him unelectable this fall against likely Democratic nominee Barbara Bollier. To box Kobach out of the primary, Republicans recruited Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, a former Kansas congressman, to run for the Senate to replace retiring GOP Sen. Pat Roberts. Pompeo declined.
With Kobach, a grassroots favorite in the race, Democrats pounced, using an outside group with a name — Sunflower State PAC — that does not suggest affiliation with their party to run a television spot that sounds like it might have been aired by a pro-Trump, conservative organization. Both parties have, over the years, used this strategy to intervene in opposing primaries and fuel support for problematic candidates.
“Kris Kobach, he’s too conservative. Kobach won’t compromise on building a wall or getting tough on China,” the ad’s voice-over says. “And, Roger Marshall’s a phony. After backing a Mitt Romney-like candidate for president, he’s been soft on Trump and weak on immigration. Marshall’s been both for and against the wall. He went easy on China but now talks tough.”
Sunflower State PAC has placed an initial buy of $850,000 to run this spot in Kansas for one week, according to Medium Buying, a firm that tracks political ad spending.
In an interview Wednesday, Kobach declined to comment on the Sunflower State PAC advertisement. The former Kansas secretary of state said he feels “cautiously optimistic” about his prospects in the upcoming primary, saying strong grassroots attendance at recent campaign events suggests to him that his momentum is positive.
“Roger Marshall has chickened out of numerous forums … and that says something, too,” Kobach told the Washington Examiner, adding that the Republican establishment’s support for his opponent “indicates they want a yes man for [Senate Majority Leader Mitch] McConnell, and they know I’m a conservative disrupter who's not going to be pushed into compromise.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-07-16--Trump replaces Brad Parscale as campaign manager amid reelection staff shake-up

Amid sluggish polls that show him struggling to find footing against Democratic rival Joe Biden , President Trump announced he will promote deputy campaign manager Bill Stepien to campaign manager .
The president shared on Wednesday that current campaign manager Brad Parscale will become a senior adviser to his reelection campaign and will also continue his work leading the digital and data strategies team .
Some analysts had predicted Parscale could be demoted after Trump 's first campaign rally since the coronavirus began in March was sparsely attended in Tulsa , Oklahoma .
`` I am pleased to announce that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ role of Trump Campaign Manager , '' Trump wrote on Facebook .
`` Brad Parscale , who has been with me for a very long time and has led our tremendous digital and data strategies , will remain in that role , while being a Senior Advisor to the campaign .
Both were heavily involved in our historic 2016 win , and I look forward to having a big and very important second win together .
This one should be a lot easier as our poll numbers are rising fast , the economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will soon be on the way , and Americans want safe streets and communities ! ''
Jared Kushner , who oversees Trump 's political operation , weighed in on the move Wednesday evening , calling both men `` unsung heroes of the 2016 campaign '' before backing each of their roles going forward .
Stepien , who joined the White House as political director in 2017 , views Kushner as a personal friend .
A source close to the White House told the Washington Examiner last week that Stepien was hired in May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that this was likely to occur before the end of July .
“ They 're desperate for professional help , ” the person said .
“ He ’ s a Christie guy , ” the source continued , referring to former New Jersey Gov .
Chris Christie , whose two gubernatorial races Stepien managed before serving as his chief of staff .
By Friday , Stepien was the favorite among a half-dozen or so potential Parscale replacements .
A source close to the campaign said former Ronald Reagan campaign manager Ed Rollins had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so to speak ” but noted he was an unlikely pick .
Rollins is on television a lot , “ and they think that means he knows what he 's doing , ” another source said .
Choosing Rollins “ would cause an absolute revolt within Trump 's base , ” conservative radio show host John Fredericks told the Washington Examiner .
Stepien , like Rollins , is an “ establishment ” Republican , Fredericks said .
With just months until November ’ s election , Biden holds a double-digit lead in some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as Ohio and Iowa into election targets .
The result was growing speculation that a campaign overhaul was coming and frequent reports of Trump ’ s displeasure with Parscale ’ s performance .
“ Brad ’ s a digital guy .
He can nail the data , ” said a former White House official .
“ The question has always been whether someone with so little experience of managing a big organization is the right person to put in charge of the whole campaign.
” Parscale ’ s association with the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firm was hired by the Trump Organization to do website design and development .
So when Trump launched his exploratory presidential bid in 2015 , he turned to Parscale to build an online presence before being named digital director of the campaign the following year .
“ When Donald Trump became [ a presidential ] candidate , we didn ’ t have any money other than Mr. Trump ’ s money , and I don ’ t think he wanted to write that check all himself , ” he told a web summit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We needed to create a grassroots campaign , and we needed to go out and find millions of people to be our supporters , and Facebook allowed us to do that in alarming numbers , very fast.
” Parscale 's work targeting specific audiences was credited with playing a crucial role in identifying and winning over voters in the swing states that ultimately decided the election .
He developed a close relationship with the president and his family , most notably with Kushner , and in 2018 , he was named campaign manager @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his presence in the president ’ s inner circle courted controversy almost from the outset .
Some strategists warned his incendiary messaging would alienate moderate voters , and CNN refused to broadcast a commercial he worked on featuring a migrant caravan and an immigrant who had killed law enforcement officers .

Amid sluggish polls that show him struggling to find footing against Democratic rival Joe Biden, President Trump announced he will promote deputy campaign manager Bill Stepien to campaign manager.
The president shared on Wednesday that current campaign manager Brad Parscale will become a senior adviser to his reelection campaign and will also continue his work leading the digital and data strategies team. Some analysts had predicted Parscale could be demoted after Trump's first campaign rally since the coronavirus began in March was sparsely attended in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
"I am pleased to announce that Bill Stepien has been promoted to the role of Trump Campaign Manager," Trump wrote on Facebook. "Brad Parscale, who has been with me for a very long time and has led our tremendous digital and data strategies, will remain in that role, while being a Senior Advisor to the campaign. Both were heavily involved in our historic 2016 win, and I look forward to having a big and very important second win together. This one should be a lot easier as our poll numbers are rising fast, the economy is getting better, vaccines and therapeutics will soon be on the way, and Americans want safe streets and communities!"
Jared Kushner, who oversees Trump's political operation, weighed in on the move Wednesday evening, calling both men "unsung heroes of the 2016 campaign" before backing each of their roles going forward. Stepien, who joined the White House as political director in 2017, views Kushner as a personal friend.
A source close to the White House told the Washington Examiner last week that Stepien was hired in May with the intention of replacing Parscale and that this was likely to occur before the end of July.
“They're desperate for professional help,” the person said.
“He’s a Christie guy,” the source continued, referring to former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, whose two gubernatorial races Stepien managed before serving as his chief of staff. By Friday, Stepien was the favorite among a half-dozen or so potential Parscale replacements.
A source close to the campaign said former Ronald Reagan campaign manager Ed Rollins had been “shopping his resume around, so to speak” but noted he was an unlikely pick. Rollins is on television a lot, “and they think that means he knows what he's doing,” another source said.
Choosing Rollins “would cause an absolute revolt within Trump's base,” conservative radio show host John Fredericks told the Washington Examiner. Stepien, like Rollins, is an “establishment” Republican, Fredericks said.
With just months until November’s election, Biden holds a double-digit lead in some national polls and has turned Republican-held states such as Ohio and Iowa into election targets. The result was growing speculation that a campaign overhaul was coming and frequent reports of Trump’s displeasure with Parscale’s performance.
“Brad’s a digital guy. He can nail the data,” said a former White House official. “The question has always been whether someone with so little experience of managing a big organization is the right person to put in charge of the whole campaign.”
Parscale’s association with the president began in 2011 when his digital marketing firm was hired by the Trump Organization to do website design and development. So when Trump launched his exploratory presidential bid in 2015, he turned to Parscale to build an online presence before being named digital director of the campaign the following year.
“When Donald Trump became [a presidential] candidate, we didn’t have any money other than Mr. Trump’s money, and I don’t think he wanted to write that check all himself,” he told a web summit in Portugal a year later. “We needed to create a grassroots campaign, and we needed to go out and find millions of people to be our supporters, and Facebook allowed us to do that in alarming numbers, very fast.”
Parscale's work targeting specific audiences was credited with playing a crucial role in identifying and winning over voters in the swing states that ultimately decided the election. He developed a close relationship with the president and his family, most notably with Kushner, and in 2018, he was named campaign manager for the 2020 reelection effort.
But his presence in the president’s inner circle courted controversy almost from the outset. Some strategists warned his incendiary messaging would alienate moderate voters, and CNN refused to broadcast a commercial he worked on featuring a migrant caravan and an immigrant who had killed law enforcement officers.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-07-15--The Lincoln Project has made itself a Democratic Party organization

Last week , I looked at building a leadership team in Texas to join the Lincoln Project , the super PAC founded by former GOP political consultants to defeat President Trump .
Some of us in the Republican Party have grown tired of the divisiveness and recklessness that Trump has pushed in our country .
But as one gets deeper into researching the Lincoln Project , it is clear that its focus is not limited to Trump .
It aims to defeat all Republican-elected officials .
As we saw in their recent ad against Republican senators , all but Sen. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ focus on Trump , the Lincoln Project deters interest from conservatives who have stopped supporting the president .
Also , when one looks closer at the Lincoln Project ’ s digital campaign efforts , engagement is fueled mainly by liberal social media users , not conservatives .
There is no evidence that such a project , which appeals solely to liberal Democrats , can move Republican voters away from Trump .
In an initial meeting with the Lincoln Project ’ s political team , the prospective Texas leadership team was promised that no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Just hours after our meeting , the ad targeting GOP senators including Ted Cruz , John Cornyn , and others was released .
Although the Lincoln Project leadership that we met with was not to blame , it goes to show that , at its core , the Lincoln Project is about creating a Democratic Senate majority and maintaining the Democratic House majority .
With founders such as John Weaver , a former GOP strategist , calling for the Lincoln Project to target GOP House seats in Texas and elsewhere , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Democratic Party ’ s 2020 efforts .
Though some founders at the Lincoln Project still claim to be Republicans , it is hard to view that claim as truthful .
Their digital accounts indicate that their plan is to defeat Republicans across the board , including those who have distanced themselves from the ideas of Trumpism .
As long as this mindset continues at the Lincoln Project , the super PAC will fail to recruit any relevant or current GOP leaders .
Currently , a majority of the staffers working for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and advisers are Democrats who have never been involved with the GOP at all .
Many of those that they have managed to recruit for their state leadership teams are self-proclaimed independents who have worked with previous GOP administrations and business leaders who do not have political experience .
While some Republicans such as myself will not be supporting Trump this fall , we will still be fighting to support Republican senators and House members to move our country forward with liberty , limited government , and fiscal conservatism .
The Lincoln Project @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defeating Trump , wants every GOP senator and representative to be defeated .
Chris Ford , the former chairman of the Dallas Young Republicans , was a 2016 Texas delegate for Sen. Ted Cruz at the Republican National Convention .

Last week, I looked at building a leadership team in Texas to join the Lincoln Project, the super PAC founded by former GOP political consultants to defeat President Trump. Some of us in the Republican Party have grown tired of the divisiveness and recklessness that Trump has pushed in our country.
But as one gets deeper into researching the Lincoln Project, it is clear that its focus is not limited to Trump. It aims to defeat all Republican-elected officials. As we saw in their recent ad against Republican senators, all but Sen. Mitt Romney were attacked.
By losing focus on Trump, the Lincoln Project deters interest from conservatives who have stopped supporting the president. Also, when one looks closer at the Lincoln Project’s digital campaign efforts, engagement is fueled mainly by liberal social media users, not conservatives. There is no evidence that such a project, which appeals solely to liberal Democrats, can move Republican voters away from Trump.
In an initial meeting with the Lincoln Project’s political team, the prospective Texas leadership team was promised that no elected officials in Texas would be targeted. Just hours after our meeting, the ad targeting GOP senators including Ted Cruz, John Cornyn, and others was released. Although the Lincoln Project leadership that we met with was not to blame, it goes to show that, at its core, the Lincoln Project is about creating a Democratic Senate majority and maintaining the Democratic House majority.
With founders such as John Weaver, a former GOP strategist, calling for the Lincoln Project to target GOP House seats in Texas and elsewhere, the Lincoln Project has become merely an extension of the Democratic Party’s 2020 efforts. Though some founders at the Lincoln Project still claim to be Republicans, it is hard to view that claim as truthful. Their digital accounts indicate that their plan is to defeat Republicans across the board, including those who have distanced themselves from the ideas of Trumpism.
As long as this mindset continues at the Lincoln Project, the super PAC will fail to recruit any relevant or current GOP leaders. Currently, a majority of the staffers working for the Lincoln Project outside of the founders and advisers are Democrats who have never been involved with the GOP at all. Many of those that they have managed to recruit for their state leadership teams are self-proclaimed independents who have worked with previous GOP administrations and business leaders who do not have political experience.
While some Republicans such as myself will not be supporting Trump this fall, we will still be fighting to support Republican senators and House members to move our country forward with liberty, limited government, and fiscal conservatism. The Lincoln Project, from behind the false guise of defeating Trump, wants every GOP senator and representative to be defeated.
Chris Ford, the former chairman of the Dallas Young Republicans, was a 2016 Texas delegate for Sen. Ted Cruz at the Republican National Convention.