thewashingtonexaminer--2020-04-22--'Clear, stable leadership': United Auto Workers union throws support behind Biden

One of the largest unions in the United States , the United Auto Workers , announced its support for presumptive @ @ @ @ @ .
The UAW represents roughly 400,000 workers across the country and has some sway in @ @ @ @ @ , where thousands of autoworkers live and work .
UAW President Rory Gamble said Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ and difficult times , the country needs a president who will demonstrate clear , stable @ @ @ @ @ and more balance to the rights and protections of working Americans.
” The UAW has @ @ @ @ @ candidates , including Hillary Clinton in 2016 .
Despite the support , President Trump won @ @ @ @ @ Michigan in the general election .
A total of 33 % of UAW members voted @ @ @ @ @ Axios .
“ UAW Members need a federal government that ensures that members have both @ @ @ @ @ to , and that they come home to their families at night having earned a @ @ @ @ @ in a safe and secure place , ” Gamble said .

One of the largest unions in the United States, the United Auto Workers, announced its support for presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.
The UAW represents roughly 400,000 workers across the country and has some sway in the battleground state of Michigan, where thousands of autoworkers live and work.
UAW President Rory Gamble said Tuesday that “in these dangerous and difficult times, the country needs a president who will demonstrate clear, stable leadership, less partisan acrimony and more balance to the rights and protections of working Americans.”
"In these dangerous and difficult times, the country needs a president who will demonstrate clear, stable leadership, less partisan acrimony and more balance to the rights and protections of working Americans." - UAW President Rory Gamble
Read more >>> https://t.co/yIcrtQF3CT pic.twitter.com/fEtCQDQGg7 — UAW (@UAW) April 21, 2020
The UAW has a history of backing Democratic candidates, including Hillary Clinton in 2016. Despite the support, President Trump won the auto industry hub of Michigan in the general election. A total of 33% of UAW members voted for Trump, according to Axios.
“UAW Members need a federal government that ensures that members have both a good job to go to, and that they come home to their families at night having earned a fair day’s wage in a safe and secure place,” Gamble said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-04-23--Media lionize Democratic governors whose states have rampant coronavirus outbreaks

They are the governors most celebrated by the media for their handling of the coronavirus .
They are Democrats .
They are frequent critics of President Trump .
And they govern states with some of the worst numbers associated with the outbreak .
New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo has earned such extraordinary plaudits for his coronavirus leadership that there has been he will replace Joe Biden at the top of the 2020 Democratic ticket .
He has , although polling rank-and-file Democrats have not .
The crisis has Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer close to the front of Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least publicly .
The praise for Cuomo has been especially fulsome .
U.S. News and World Report him “ America ’ s governor , ” Politico , the “ .
” A headline in Forbes , “ Coronavirus calls for a leader with soul : Cuomo steps up.
” MarketWatch declared Cuomo and National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Anthony Fauci “ America ’ s de facto leaders ” during the pandemic .
CNN ’ s Chris Cillizza issues weekly rankings of the top 10 leaders on the coronavirus , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finishing worse than second yet .
“ The governor of New York continues to be , for much of the country , the face of the government response to coronavirus , ” Cillizza in the April 3 edition .
“ The President is still , well , the president , ” Cillizza of Trump on March 27 .
The scion of a New York liberal Democratic family , Cuomo is often offered as a contrast with Trump , his sometime partner , sometime sparring partner on the coronavirus .
`` The daily press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the last week have provided a split screen in leadership , ” Democratic strategist Lis Smith NBC News .
“ Whereas Governor Cuomo has been ruthlessly direct , faithful to the facts , and in command at all times , the president has lashed out at the media , sowed confusion , and shirked responsibility at every turn.
” Cuomo ’ s New York leads the country in confirmed coronavirus cases ( 251,690 at last count ) and deaths ( 14,828 ) .
That ’ s 1,294 cases per 100,000 people and 76 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for nearly a third of the nation ’ s coronavirus-related deaths .
New York City ’ s hospitals and medical supplies are stretched thin , the type of stress on the healthcare system that medical experts fear the pandemic inflicting nationwide if it is not kept under control by strict , sustained social distancing .
Many factors contribute to a high incidence of coronavirus cases : the earliest known infection , the availability of testing , population density .
Cuomo has received high marks for playing the hand he has been dealt and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , like Trump above him and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio below him , also initially projected confidence before the area became the epicenter of the pandemic .
While a New York Times t placed much of the blame on Trump and the “ chaotic ” federal response , “ Even so , the initial efforts by New York officials to stem the outbreak were hampered by their own confused guidance , unheeded warnings , delayed decisions and political infighting , ” the paper found .
“ Excuse our arrogance as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mayor also on this one — we think we have the best healthcare system on the planet right here in New York , ” Cuomo said on March 2 .
“ So , when you ’ re saying , what happened in other countries versus what happened here , we don ’ t even think it ’ s going to be as bad as it was in other countries.
” While California Gov .
Gavin Newsom issued a stay-home order when California had 675 confirmed cases , Cuomo didn ’ t follow suit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nevertheless , Cuomo , at an April 8 press conference , delaying .
`` I think New York was early , and I think the actions we took were more dramatic than most .
And frankly , we were criticized as being premature , '' he said .
Before their Oval Office meeting on Tuesday , Cuomo with Trump that everyone is quick to point fingers .
“ This is a situation that no matter however you do it , it ’ s going to be a blame game afterward , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his briefing the other day .
He ’ s right.
” Cuomo also described managing the outbreak as “ thankless , ” adding , “ It is one of those tasks when you get to the end of it , everybody is going to be able to say you didn ’ t do enough.
” In Michigan , Whitmer has found herself in the national spotlight thanks to a that has led to glowing profiles contrasting her with .
A Detroit News poll out this week Michigan voters approved of her coronavirus handling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 44 % -50 % for Trump .
But Michigan ranks seventh in confirmed coronavirus cases at 32,935 and third in deaths at 2,698 .
Its 330 cases per 100,000 is also higher than states such as California , Pennsylvania , and Florida .
Whitmer has been accused of overreach in some of her lockdown policies , calling them “ gut-wrenching choices ” in a New York Times , and has for awarding coronavirus-related contracts to Democratic consultants .
`` Michiganders are growing concerned that in her quest to become Biden 's VP , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis response for the state , '' said Tori Sachs , executive director of the conservative Michigan Rising Action .
“ It 's been over a month , and Michiganders are still struggling with the state system to sign up for unemployment payments , and Whitmer recently gave a no-bid contract to Democrat campaign vendors .
Couple this with the fact Whitmer has the most excessive and confusing orders in the country , I think it 's fair to ask Whitmer what her priorities are . ''
After an initial spike , Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus dip .
He has been criticized for battling with governors seeking supplies to fight the virus , making inaccurate claims and contentious statements at his daily press briefings , taking too long to confront the pandemic , and trying to end the quarantines too soon .
Still , Republicans see double standards in how Democratic governors are covered .
“ Cuomo is a media star , and Whitmer is a media star wannabe , ” said GOP strategist John Feehery .
“ And in the bizarre world created by the media , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do .
It ’ s how you present to the progressive base .
And they both present well to the base , despite less than impressive results .
”

They are the governors most celebrated by the media for their handling of the coronavirus. They are Democrats. They are frequent critics of President Trump. And they govern states with some of the worst numbers associated with the outbreak.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has earned such extraordinary plaudits for his coronavirus leadership that there has been speculation he will replace Joe Biden at the top of the 2020 Democratic ticket. He has ruled it out , although polling suggests rank-and-file Democrats have not.
The crisis has elevated Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer close to the front of Biden’s running mate shortlist, at least publicly.
The praise for Cuomo has been especially fulsome. U.S. News and World Report christened him “America’s governor,” Politico, the “ coronavirus’ golden governor .” A headline in Forbes proclaimed , “Coronavirus calls for a leader with soul: Cuomo steps up.” MarketWatch declared Cuomo and National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Anthony Fauci “America’s de facto leaders” during the pandemic. CNN’s Chris Cillizza issues weekly rankings of the top 10 leaders on the coronavirus, with Cuomo usually coming in first and never finishing worse than second yet.
“The governor of New York continues to be, for much of the country, the face of the government response to coronavirus,” Cillizza wrote in the April 3 edition. “The President is still, well, the president,” Cillizza observed of Trump on March 27. The scion of a New York liberal Democratic family, Cuomo is often offered as a contrast with Trump, his sometime partner, sometime sparring partner on the coronavirus.
"The daily press briefings out of Washington and Albany over the last week have provided a split screen in leadership,” Democratic strategist Lis Smith told NBC News. “Whereas Governor Cuomo has been ruthlessly direct, faithful to the facts, and in command at all times, the president has lashed out at the media, sowed confusion, and shirked responsibility at every turn.”
Cuomo’s New York leads the country in confirmed coronavirus cases (251,690 at last count) and deaths (14,828). That’s 1,294 cases per 100,000 people and 76 deaths per 100,000. The state accounts for nearly a third of the nation’s coronavirus-related deaths. New York City’s hospitals and medical supplies are stretched thin, the type of stress on the healthcare system that medical experts fear the pandemic inflicting nationwide if it is not kept under control by strict, sustained social distancing.
Many factors contribute to a high incidence of coronavirus cases: the earliest known infection, the availability of testing, population density. Cuomo has received high marks for playing the hand he has been dealt and not engaging in blame-shifting. But Cuomo, like Trump above him and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio below him, also initially projected confidence before the area became the epicenter of the pandemic. While a New York Times repor t placed much of the blame on Trump and the “chaotic” federal response, “Even so, the initial efforts by New York officials to stem the outbreak were hampered by their own confused guidance, unheeded warnings, delayed decisions and political infighting,” the paper found.
“Excuse our arrogance as New Yorkers — I speak for the mayor also on this one — we think we have the best healthcare system on the planet right here in New York,” Cuomo said on March 2. “So, when you’re saying, what happened in other countries versus what happened here, we don’t even think it’s going to be as bad as it was in other countries.” While California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a stay-home order when California had 675 confirmed cases, Cuomo didn’t follow suit until New York had topped 7,000.
Nevertheless, Cuomo, at an April 8 press conference, denied delaying. "I think New York was early, and I think the actions we took were more dramatic than most. And frankly, we were criticized as being premature," he said.
Before their Oval Office meeting on Tuesday, Cuomo agreed with Trump that everyone is quick to point fingers. “This is a situation that no matter however you do it, it’s going to be a blame game afterward,” he said . “I heard the president in his briefing the other day. He’s right.” Cuomo also described managing the outbreak as “thankless,” adding, “It is one of those tasks when you get to the end of it, everybody is going to be able to say you didn’t do enough.”
In Michigan, Whitmer has found herself in the national spotlight thanks to a feud with Trump that has led to glowing profiles contrasting her with a bullying president . A Detroit News poll out this week found Michigan voters approved of her coronavirus handling by 57%-37% compared to 44%-50% for Trump.
But Michigan ranks seventh in confirmed coronavirus cases at 32,935 and third in deaths at 2,698. Its 330 cases per 100,000 is also higher than states such as California, Pennsylvania, and Florida. Whitmer has been accused of overreach in some of her lockdown policies, calling them “gut-wrenching choices” in a New York Times op-ed , and has come under fire for awarding coronavirus-related contracts to Democratic consultants.
"Michiganders are growing concerned that in her quest to become Biden's VP, Whitmer is not appropriately managing the coronavirus crisis response for the state," said Tori Sachs, executive director of the conservative Michigan Rising Action. “It's been over a month, and Michiganders are still struggling with the state system to sign up for unemployment payments, and Whitmer recently gave a no-bid contract to Democrat campaign vendors. Couple this with the fact Whitmer has the most excessive and confusing orders in the country, I think it's fair to ask Whitmer what her priorities are."
After an initial spike, Trump has seen his approval ratings on the coronavirus dip. He has been criticized for battling with governors seeking supplies to fight the virus, making inaccurate claims and contentious statements at his daily press briefings, taking too long to confront the pandemic, and trying to end the quarantines too soon.
Still, Republicans see double standards in how Democratic governors are covered. “Cuomo is a media star, and Whitmer is a media star wannabe,” said GOP strategist John Feehery. “And in the bizarre world created by the media, it’s not how you actually do. It’s how you present to the progressive base. And they both present well to the base, despite less than impressive results.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-04-23--Trump ready to wield immigration issue during campaign

President Trump signaled this week that he plans to go on the offensive on immigration in his reelection campaign , actively proposing to curtail new entries into the country on the grounds that it will benefit American workers during the coronavirus outbreak — while painting Democrats as soft on the issue .
Trump ’ s halting green cards for 60 days has alternately been derided as a loophole-ridden sop to immigration hawks or denounced as a blanket ban on immigrants that violates basic American values .
But it does showcase a return to at least the rhetoric of reducing immigration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raise working-class wages that some supporters feared the White House had abandoned , with the exception of a few outliers like senior adviser Stephen Miller .
“ In light of the attack from the Invisible Enemy , as well as the need to protect the jobs of our GREAT American Citizens , I will be signing an Executive Order to temporarily suspend immigration into the United States !
” Trump tweeted on Monday night .
Shortly thereafter , new White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany began tweeting about the effects of large-scale immigration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ FLASHBACK : Senator Bernie Sanders used to care about the American workers harmed by mass immigration , ” McEnany wrote in response to a tweet by the vanquished Democratic presidential candidate accusing Trump of “ vilifying immigrants ” and “ xenophobia and racism.
” She unearthed past Sanders quotes criticizing open borders — a position he deemphasized after being criticized from the Left on immigration in 2016 — as well as similar remarks by Barack Obama and New York Times columnist Paul Krugman .
“ Immigration policy will be a huge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have redefined themselves as a party unwilling to concede even the most basic public interest in proper immigration controls , ” said Dan Stein , president of the restrictionist Federation for American Immigration Reform .
“ Doubling down on where Obama took them in his second term , Democrats are repeating the mistakes Clinton made in 2016 — placing a bet on the future flow over the welfare of the folks here today .
President Trump 's flawless political instincts enable him to understand how to underscore the most extreme elements of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Immigration was among the issues added to son-in-law and top aide Jared Kushner ’ s portfolio , disheartening Trump backers who had hoped for lower immigration levels .
Kushner has kept restrictionist groups who favor such policies at arm ’ s length , according to sources close to the White House , even as he has sought to rally Republicans behind legislation that would shift criteria for new immigrants away from family reunification and toward job skills .
“ Jared is not exactly an America First , nationalist guy , ” said a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to speak candidly .
“ But he is part of the president ’ s family.
” Trump has consistently taken a hard line on illegal immigration , but he has equivocated about increasing or reducing the number of legal immigrants admitted each year .
Trump ’ s campaign immigration plan included restrictionist proposals by Miller and Jeff Sessions , since fired as attorney general and spurned by the president in his attempt to return to the Senate .
As president , Trump a Republican bill that would decrease immigration .
But he later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immigrants enrich our nation and strengthen our society in countless ways , ” Trump said in his 2019 State of the Union .
“ I want people to come into our country in the largest numbers ever , but they have to come in legally.
” The phrase “ largest numbers ever ” did not appear in the original text and was ad-libbed by the president .
Kushner ’ s subsequent proposal attempted to prioritize skills-based immigration without cutting the total number of immigrants accepted .
Trump was already touting and reductions in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic nominee Joe Biden as weak on immigration .
But immigration hawks say Trump hasn ’ t gone far enough .
“ Leaving out , or exempting , guest workers undercuts the rationale for the ‘ pandemic pause ’ in immigration , ” Stein said .
`` The president is worried about preserving American jobs , '' Fox News host Tucker Carlson , a commentator who has Trump ’ s ear , on his Tuesday show .
`` Unfortunately , and this seems to be the key , some in his orbit are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is making donors happy .
And if there 's one thing that donors love always , it 's cheap employees.
” The next evening , the White House released a statement saying the administration would `` review guest worker programs to assess whether additional measures should be taken to protect American workers . ''

President Trump signaled this week that he plans to go on the offensive on immigration in his reelection campaign, actively proposing to curtail new entries into the country on the grounds that it will benefit American workers during the coronavirus outbreak — while painting Democrats as soft on the issue.
Trump’s controversial executive order halting green cards for 60 days has alternately been derided as a loophole-ridden sop to immigration hawks or denounced as a blanket ban on immigrants that violates basic American values. But it does showcase a return to at least the rhetoric of reducing immigration in order to tighten labor markets and raise working-class wages that some supporters feared the White House had abandoned, with the exception of a few outliers like senior adviser Stephen Miller.
“In light of the attack from the Invisible Enemy, as well as the need to protect the jobs of our GREAT American Citizens, I will be signing an Executive Order to temporarily suspend immigration into the United States!” Trump tweeted on Monday night. Shortly thereafter, new White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany began tweeting about the effects of large-scale immigration on the earnings prospects of lower-skilled workers.
“FLASHBACK: Senator Bernie Sanders used to care about the American workers harmed by mass immigration,” McEnany wrote in response to a tweet by the vanquished Democratic presidential candidate accusing Trump of “vilifying immigrants” and “xenophobia and racism.” She unearthed past Sanders quotes criticizing open borders — a position he deemphasized after being criticized from the Left on immigration in 2016 — as well as similar remarks by Barack Obama and New York Times columnist Paul Krugman.
“Immigration policy will be a huge part of the November election because Democrats have redefined themselves as a party unwilling to concede even the most basic public interest in proper immigration controls,” said Dan Stein, president of the restrictionist Federation for American Immigration Reform. “Doubling down on where Obama took them in his second term, Democrats are repeating the mistakes Clinton made in 2016 — placing a bet on the future flow over the welfare of the folks here today. President Trump's flawless political instincts enable him to understand how to underscore the most extreme elements of the Democrat agenda and take them downtown.”
Immigration was among the issues added to son-in-law and top aide Jared Kushner’s portfolio, disheartening Trump backers who had hoped for lower immigration levels. Kushner has kept restrictionist groups who favor such policies at arm’s length, according to sources close to the White House, even as he has sought to rally Republicans behind legislation that would shift criteria for new immigrants away from family reunification and toward job skills.
“Jared is not exactly an America First, nationalist guy,” said a Trump-friendly immigration activist, who requested anonymity to speak candidly. “But he is part of the president’s family.”
Trump has consistently taken a hard line on illegal immigration, but he has equivocated about increasing or reducing the number of legal immigrants admitted each year. Trump’s campaign immigration plan included restrictionist proposals by Miller and Jeff Sessions, since fired as attorney general and spurned by the president in his attempt to return to the Senate. As president, Trump endorsed a Republican bill that would decrease immigration. But he later called for more immigration.
“Legal immigrants enrich our nation and strengthen our society in countless ways,” Trump said in his 2019 State of the Union. “I want people to come into our country in the largest numbers ever, but they have to come in legally.” The phrase “largest numbers ever” did not appear in the original text and was ad-libbed by the president. Kushner’s subsequent proposal attempted to prioritize skills-based immigration without cutting the total number of immigrants accepted.
Trump was already touting border wall progress and reductions in illegal border crossings as he attacked presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden as weak on immigration. But immigration hawks say Trump hasn’t gone far enough. “Leaving out, or exempting, guest workers undercuts the rationale for the ‘pandemic pause’ in immigration,” Stein said.
"The president is worried about preserving American jobs," Fox News host Tucker Carlson, a commentator who has Trump’s ear, said on his Tuesday show. "Unfortunately, and this seems to be the key, some in his orbit are not as concerned. Their main worry is making donors happy. And if there's one thing that donors love always, it's cheap employees.”
The next evening, the White House released a statement saying the administration would "review guest worker programs to assess whether additional measures should be taken to protect American workers."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-04-23--Kudlow: Trump plans injection of tax cuts to cure coronavirus-ravaged economy

Chief White House Economic Adviser Larry Kudlow said President Trump is planning another round of tax cuts as part of a comprehensive fiscal blueprint to resuscitate an economy ravaged by the coronavirus .
Kudlow spoke Thursday during a campaign conference call organized by former U.S .
Ambassador to Japan Bill Hagerty , a Republican and Trump ally running for Senate in Tennessee .
Kudlow credited Trump ’ s aggressive deregulation agenda and signature $ 1.5 trillion tax reduction bill , approved in late 2017 , for spurring the robust economic growth and job creation that preceded the coronavirus and said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be critical components of Trump ’ s strategy for a post-pandemic recovery .
“ As the rescue phase ends and the reopening occurs , we will move forward with additional tax cuts , regulatory relief , better trade deals for American exporters to help farmers and manufacturers and auto workers and technology people , ” Kudlow said , as government figures revealed that another 4.4 million people had filed for unemployment insurance , pushing the ranks of the jobless north of 26 million over the past six weeks .
“ These free enterprise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy under President Trump — they worked once , ” Kudlow said .
In mid-March , Trump endorsed a broad shutdown of the economy to enforce strict social distancing mandates designed to limit the spread of the coronavirus .
The president recently issued guidelines for a gradual reopening , leaving the final decision to governors and local officials .
However , Trump criticized Gov .
Brian Kemp for acting too quickly after the Republican announced Georgia would begin transitioning back to normal this week .
Kudlow conceded that he expects “ rough weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ losses ahead .
And he acknowledged that the United States would not be free from the health risks of the coronavirus for the foreseeable future and would have to adapt .
But he spoke optimistically about May as a month of transition , saying that he expected to see a movement from pandemic lockdown to economic revival based on the latest rates of COVID-19 infections available .
And Kudlow , the director of the National Economic Council , said Trump would respond with an agenda to bring shuttered businesses back to life and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once during the call plans for more tax cuts .
“ You will see a lot of states reopen in the next week or so , ” Kudlow said .
“ As we transition from the shut-in to the reopening , there ’ ll be a new set of economic policies , which will extend and expand on President Trump ’ s original economic policies.
” Hagerty , 60 , was a Trump appointee and worked closely with the president and senior White House officials , Kudlow included , on trade negotiations with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to succeed Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander , who is retiring .
The Hagerty campaign billed the conference call as a town hall meeting to discuss the impact of the coronavirus on the economy .
At the outset , a Hagerty campaign aide announced that Kudlow joined the virtual event in his “ personal capacity as a conservative economic commentator ” and emphasized his participation did not constitute a “ solicitation of funds.
” The Hatch Act , a federal statute , generally prohibits executive branch officials , other than the president and vice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as fundraising .
Limited engagement in campaigns is allowed under the law .

Chief White House Economic Adviser Larry Kudlow said President Trump is planning another round of tax cuts as part of a comprehensive fiscal blueprint to resuscitate an economy ravaged by the coronavirus.
Kudlow spoke Thursday during a campaign conference call organized by former U.S. Ambassador to Japan Bill Hagerty, a Republican and Trump ally running for Senate in Tennessee. Kudlow credited Trump’s aggressive deregulation agenda and signature $1.5 trillion tax reduction bill, approved in late 2017, for spurring the robust economic growth and job creation that preceded the coronavirus and said that both deregulation and tax cuts would be critical components of Trump’s strategy for a post-pandemic recovery.
“As the rescue phase ends and the reopening occurs, we will move forward with additional tax cuts, regulatory relief, better trade deals for American exporters to help farmers and manufacturers and auto workers and technology people,” Kudlow said, as government figures revealed that another 4.4 million people had filed for unemployment insurance, pushing the ranks of the jobless north of 26 million over the past six weeks.
“These free enterprise policies, which rebuilt and reinvigorated the economy under President Trump — they worked once,” Kudlow said.
In mid-March, Trump endorsed a broad shutdown of the economy to enforce strict social distancing mandates designed to limit the spread of the coronavirus. The president recently issued guidelines for a gradual reopening, leaving the final decision to governors and local officials. However, Trump criticized Gov. Brian Kemp for acting too quickly after the Republican announced Georgia would begin transitioning back to normal this week.
Kudlow conceded that he expects “rough weeks” of economic turbulence and more job losses ahead. And he acknowledged that the United States would not be free from the health risks of the coronavirus for the foreseeable future and would have to adapt.
But he spoke optimistically about May as a month of transition, saying that he expected to see a movement from pandemic lockdown to economic revival based on the latest rates of COVID-19 infections available. And Kudlow, the director of the National Economic Council, said Trump would respond with an agenda to bring shuttered businesses back to life and maximize job growth, highlighting more than once during the call plans for more tax cuts.
“You will see a lot of states reopen in the next week or so,” Kudlow said. “As we transition from the shut-in to the reopening, there’ll be a new set of economic policies, which will extend and expand on President Trump’s original economic policies.”
Hagerty, 60, was a Trump appointee and worked closely with the president and senior White House officials, Kudlow included, on trade negotiations with Japan. The career businessman is running to succeed Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander, who is retiring.
The Hagerty campaign billed the conference call as a town hall meeting to discuss the impact of the coronavirus on the economy. At the outset, a Hagerty campaign aide announced that Kudlow joined the virtual event in his “personal capacity as a conservative economic commentator” and emphasized his participation did not constitute a “solicitation of funds.”
The Hatch Act, a federal statute, generally prohibits executive branch officials, other than the president and vice president, from overt political activity, such as fundraising. Limited engagement in campaigns is allowed under the law.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-04-23--Trump campaign team launches political organizing app in play to broaden digital reach

President Trump 's reelection campaign has launched a mobile app , a one-stop shop of campaign organizing tools designed to engage and train supporters .
The tool simplifies voter outreach with guides on how to make fundraising calls and mobilize friends and neighbors , with easy access to virtual and in-person events as the campaign looks to solidify and grow its reach in time for November .
`` Maybe even some Democrats are looking to join the winning team , '' suggests Deputy Communications Director Ali Pardo in a video on the app .
In a separate video soliciting Election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Erin Perrine puts out a call for volunteer poll watchers .
`` We all know that the Democrats will be up to their old , dirty tricks on Election Day to make sure that President Trump does n't win .
We can not let that happen .
That is why our goal is to cover every polling place in the country , '' Perrine says .
By sharing news updates from the app ( 1 point ) and signing up new users ( 100 points ) , supporters can earn reward points for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ POTUS '' ( 100,000 points ) and items in the Trump campaign store .
Among the updates is Trump 2020 communications chief Tim Murtaugh 's Tuesday night statement on the president 's surprise tweet announcing a pending executive order to limit immigration .
There is content targeting the president 's presumptive Democratic opponent , former Vice President Joe Biden : `` HERE 'S THE DEAL : Joe Biden Is n't Being Honest With America 's Workers , '' and `` YIKES : 5 Times Joe Biden Proved He 's Not Up For The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The list also includes a rundown of the administration 's coronavirus response timeline , starting on Dec. 31 with China 's update to the World Health Organization on its discovery of COVID-19 .
The campaign 's summary notes how the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 's director , Robert Redfield , contacted his counterpart in China and offered to send U.S. experts to aid its investigation on Jan. 3 .
Redfield then followed up on the offer two days later before issuing a CDC travel advisory for Wuhan , China .
Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the blame for the pandemic and its fallout lies with China , and the timeline arms supporters with details to help make this case .
`` This is your source for real news , not fake news , straight from the campaign and the president himself , '' a narrator said in a Twitter video shared by campaign manager Brad Parscale on Wednesday that promoted the app .
`` This is your direct line to give input on key campaign issues , your portal to register voters , host MAGA meetups , your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump team leader . ''
The app requires users to share their cellphone numbers to get started , followed by a prompt for a home address and other personal details .
These are hugely valuable to campaigns as they look to bring new supporters to the polls .
`` By the time I 'm done with that , I will at least be able to identify you on a voting basis in the upper 90 percentile .
We 'll see .
We might find new people here in addition to the current profiles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ test before , '' Parscale told CNN in an interview .
The campaign can match the information collected to the Republican National Committee voter file , which has data for over 200 million people and aids persuasion efforts .
`` The data we 'll get from that is great , especially finding voters that do n't show up in polling information , what I 've always called the hidden Trump votes , '' he said .
The campaign discussed plans earlier this year to build a 2-million-person volunteer `` Army for Trump , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ events to a standstill , moving campaign events online .
The new app is likely to add fire to an already substantial digital campaign infrastructure .
In a sign of how campaigns have pivoted in the wake of the virus , nightly broadcasts one can register for with the app are the new normal : `` Join millions and get a front-row seat to our virtual events .
Watch Team Trump every night at 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time . ''

President Trump's reelection campaign has launched a mobile app, a one-stop shop of campaign organizing tools designed to engage and train supporters.
The tool simplifies voter outreach with guides on how to make fundraising calls and mobilize friends and neighbors, with easy access to virtual and in-person events as the campaign looks to solidify and grow its reach in time for November.
"Maybe even some Democrats are looking to join the winning team," suggests Deputy Communications Director Ali Pardo in a video on the app.
In a separate video soliciting Election Day help, Principal Deputy Communications Director Erin Perrine puts out a call for volunteer poll watchers.
"We all know that the Democrats will be up to their old, dirty tricks on Election Day to make sure that President Trump doesn't win. We cannot let that happen. That is why our goal is to cover every polling place in the country," Perrine says.
By sharing news updates from the app (1 point) and signing up new users (100 points), supporters can earn reward points for perks such as a "Picture with POTUS" (100,000 points) and items in the Trump campaign store.
Among the updates is Trump 2020 communications chief Tim Murtaugh's Tuesday night statement on the president's surprise tweet announcing a pending executive order to limit immigration.
There is content targeting the president's presumptive Democratic opponent, former Vice President Joe Biden: "HERE'S THE DEAL: Joe Biden Isn't Being Honest With America's Workers," and "YIKES: 5 Times Joe Biden Proved He's Not Up For The Job (Just Yesterday)."
The list also includes a rundown of the administration's coronavirus response timeline, starting on Dec. 31 with China's update to the World Health Organization on its discovery of COVID-19. The campaign's summary notes how the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's director, Robert Redfield, contacted his counterpart in China and offered to send U.S. experts to aid its investigation on Jan. 3. Redfield then followed up on the offer two days later before issuing a CDC travel advisory for Wuhan, China.
Republicans hope Trump can make the case that the blame for the pandemic and its fallout lies with China, and the timeline arms supporters with details to help make this case.
"This is your source for real news, not fake news, straight from the campaign and the president himself," a narrator said in a Twitter video shared by campaign manager Brad Parscale on Wednesday that promoted the app. "This is your direct line to give input on key campaign issues, your portal to register voters, host MAGA meetups, your scheduler, your application on becoming a Trump team leader."
The app requires users to share their cellphone numbers to get started, followed by a prompt for a home address and other personal details. These are hugely valuable to campaigns as they look to bring new supporters to the polls.
"By the time I'm done with that, I will at least be able to identify you on a voting basis in the upper 90 percentile. We'll see. We might find new people here in addition to the current profiles that we haven't been able to test before," Parscale told CNN in an interview. The campaign can match the information collected to the Republican National Committee voter file, which has data for over 200 million people and aids persuasion efforts.
"The data we'll get from that is great, especially finding voters that don't show up in polling information, what I've always called the hidden Trump votes," he said.
The campaign discussed plans earlier this year to build a 2-million-person volunteer "Army for Trump," shortly before the pandemic brought in-person events to a standstill, moving campaign events online. The new app is likely to add fire to an already substantial digital campaign infrastructure.
In a sign of how campaigns have pivoted in the wake of the virus, nightly broadcasts one can register for with the app are the new normal: "Join millions and get a front-row seat to our virtual events. Watch Team Trump every night at 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-04-23--Game of chicken: Republican Senate rivals jockey over Georgia coronavirus openings

Political lines have been starkly drawn among Georgia Republicans after Gov .
Brian Kemp decided to reopen businesses despite the coronavirus continuing to spread through the state .
Kemp announced on Monday that the gyms , hair salons , and other businesses to reopen on Friday .
Some restaurants and movie theaters will be able to reopen for in-person services on Monday .
Kemp , a Republican who was elected governor in 2018 , drew considerable criticism for the move .
But a pair of GOP rivals for one of Georgia 's Senate seats , appointed Sen. Kelly Loeffler and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ simmer for a few days before picking sides .
And the sides they chose match up evenly with the split among Republicans in Georgia and nationally over who should hold the Senate seat , which became open at the end of 2019 when GOP Sen. Johnny Isakson stepped down for health reasons .
President Trump talked up Collins , the ranking Republican on the House Judiciary Committee and a vocal White House ally during impeachment hearings .
But Kemp went his own way in making the appointment , choosing Loeffler , a wealthy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office .
Wednesday night , Loeffler announced her support for Kemp 's decision .
WTOC that Kemp 's decision to reopen the state was `` very gradual and data-driven . ''
`` The governor has been very thoughtful in undertaking this decision , '' Loeffler said .
`` He ’ s being guided by leading health officials . ''
Around the same time Loeffler announced she was backing Kemp 's decision , Trump announced his opposition .
During a Wednesday evening , the president said , `` I told the governor of Georgia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strongly with his decision to open certain facilities , which are in violation of the phase one guidelines .
...
It 's just too soon . ''
`` I told the governor very simply that I disagree with this decision , but he has to do what he thinks is right , '' he added .
Following Trump 's response , Collins joined Fox and Friends on Thursday morning to question Kemp 's decision while positioning himself alongside the president .
`` The president wants the county open .
I want the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open .
The problem is , how do you do it ? ''
Collins asked .
`` And I think that 's the problem with leadership . ''
Collins accused Kemp of `` not communicating clearly '' by leaving the stay-at-home order in place while allowing some businesses to reopen .
He said that many areas of the state were concerned about the spread of the virus , adding that `` locals needed to have more input , and it 's made people nervous . ''
In a statement to the Washington Examiner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held by both Trump and Kemp , saying , `` My focus is on protecting lives and livelihoods — I ’ m not going to play politics .
Of course I support President Trump and I ’ m proud to serve on his Task Force to re-open America .
And obviously , I support Governor Kemp and his efforts to begin to get Georgians back to work safely .
We have to continue following the guidelines to stay safe . ''
`` Both President Trump and Governor Kemp are showing strong leadership during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m honored to be working with them to reopen our economy based on a measured , data-driven approach , '' she added .
Both Loeffler and Collins appeared to seek guidance before responding to Kemp 's decision .
While prominent Georgia Democrats such as Stacey Abrams hopped from show to show condemning Kemp 's decision on Monday night , neither Loeffler nor Collins addressed the issue until Wednesday evening .
And both were radio silent on the issue on social media until Collins tweeted his Fox and Friends clip on Thursday morning .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Collins since being snubbed for the Senate seat .
Many conservative groups were outraged that Kemp overlooked Collins for the vacancy .
Groups such as Concerned Women for America highlighted Loeffler 's ties to pro-abortion rights groups , including her position on the board of a hospital that performs abortions , and her ties to the WNBA , which has publicly supported abortion access .
By late January , Collins announced that he would run against Loeffler in the 2020 primary .
Many `` selfishness '' and claimed that an expensive primary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state , including Trump .
Trump , who was close with Kemp during the governor 's 2018 run , has struggled with his response to the primary race between Loeffler and Collins .
In February , he hinted at a strategy the two Republicans .
`` Something ’ s going to happen that ’ s going to be very good .
I don ’ t know .
I haven ’ t figured it out yet , '' Trump said .
The president 's remark made some wonder whether Collins or Loeffler would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judicial appointment .
Loeffler 's image has since taken a considerable hit after she was accused of selling off stocks in response to a closed-door coronavirus briefing in late January .
The senator offloaded millions in stocks and made purchases in a firm that produces teleworking equipment .
The sales were made before many of the coronavirus effects were felt in the U.S. Several other senators were also ensnared in the scandal , including North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr , a Republican .
Loeffler defended her actions by noting that her stocks were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she had no say in the sales .
She has since divested from individual stocks to protect her from future accusations , but the scandal has followed her throughout the pandemic .
The scandal did n't appear to sway the president 's opinion of Loeffler or the other senators involved .
He defended the accused senators , calling them `` very honorable people . ''
Trump has , however , appeared to distance himself from Kemp ( and , in turn , Loeffler ) since the governor decided to reopen the state .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ No , but I respect him .
And I will let him make his decision .
Would I do that ?
No , I would keep them a little longer , '' Trump said Wednesday night .
`` I want to protect people ’ s lives , but I will let him make his decision . ''
The Georgia primary is set to take place on .

Political lines have been starkly drawn among Georgia Republicans after Gov. Brian Kemp decided to reopen businesses despite the coronavirus continuing to spread through the state.
Kemp announced on Monday that the state would allow gyms, hair salons, and other businesses to reopen on Friday. Some restaurants and movie theaters will be able to reopen for in-person services on Monday. Kemp, a Republican who was elected governor in 2018, drew considerable criticism for the move. But a pair of GOP rivals for one of Georgia's Senate seats, appointed Sen. Kelly Loeffler and Rep. Doug Collins, let the announcement simmer for a few days before picking sides.
And the sides they chose match up evenly with the split among Republicans in Georgia and nationally over who should hold the Senate seat, which became open at the end of 2019 when GOP Sen. Johnny Isakson stepped down for health reasons. President Trump talked up Collins, the ranking Republican on the House Judiciary Committee and a vocal White House ally during impeachment hearings. But Kemp went his own way in making the appointment, choosing Loeffler, a wealthy business executive who had never held public office.
Wednesday night, Loeffler announced her support for Kemp's decision. She told WTOC that Kemp's decision to reopen the state was "very gradual and data-driven."
"The governor has been very thoughtful in undertaking this decision," Loeffler said. "He’s being guided by leading health officials."
Around the same time Loeffler announced she was backing Kemp's decision, Trump announced his opposition. During a press conference Wednesday evening, the president said, "I told the governor of Georgia, Brian Kemp, that I disagree strongly with his decision to open certain facilities, which are in violation of the phase one guidelines. ... It's just too soon."
"I told the governor very simply that I disagree with this decision, but he has to do what he thinks is right," he added.
Following Trump's response, Collins joined Fox and Friends on Thursday morning to question Kemp's decision while positioning himself alongside the president.
"The president wants the county open. I want the country open. The governor wants the country open. The problem is, how do you do it?" Collins asked. "And I think that's the problem with leadership."
Collins accused Kemp of "not communicating clearly" by leaving the stay-at-home order in place while allowing some businesses to reopen. He said that many areas of the state were concerned about the spread of the virus, adding that "locals needed to have more input, and it's made people nervous."
In a statement to the Washington Examiner, Loeffler said she supports the positions held by both Trump and Kemp, saying, "My focus is on protecting lives and livelihoods — I’m not going to play politics. Of course I support President Trump and I’m proud to serve on his Task Force to re-open America. And obviously, I support Governor Kemp and his efforts to begin to get Georgians back to work safely. We have to continue following the guidelines to stay safe."
"Both President Trump and Governor Kemp are showing strong leadership during these unprecedented times — and I’m honored to be working with them to reopen our economy based on a measured, data-driven approach," she added.
Both Loeffler and Collins appeared to seek guidance before responding to Kemp's decision. While prominent Georgia Democrats such as Stacey Abrams hopped from show to show condemning Kemp's decision on Monday night, neither Loeffler nor Collins addressed the issue until Wednesday evening. And both were radio silent on the issue on social media until Collins tweeted his Fox and Friends clip on Thursday morning.
We all want to open back up. That’s what the President wants, that’s what Georgians want, and that’s what I want.
Working within the guidelines set forth by the Administration and with local leaders helps ensure a safe and orderly transition back to a normal way of life. pic.twitter.com/11Vup37pTI — Rep. Doug Collins (@RepDougCollins) April 23, 2020
That continued a line of attack employed by Collins since being snubbed for the Senate seat. Many conservative groups were outraged that Kemp overlooked Collins for the vacancy. Groups such as Concerned Women for America highlighted Loeffler's ties to pro-abortion rights groups, including her position on the board of a hospital that performs abortions, and her ties to the WNBA, which has publicly supported abortion access.
By late January, Collins announced that he would run against Loeffler in the 2020 primary. Many Republicans questioned Collins's "selfishness" and claimed that an expensive primary race could hurt other Republicans in the state, including Trump.
Trump, who was close with Kemp during the governor's 2018 run, has struggled with his response to the primary race between Loeffler and Collins. In February, he hinted at a strategy to unify the two Republicans.
"Something’s going to happen that’s going to be very good. I don’t know. I haven’t figured it out yet," Trump said. The president's remark made some wonder whether Collins or Loeffler would be chosen for a Cabinet position or a judicial appointment.
Loeffler's image has since taken a considerable hit after she was accused of selling off stocks in response to a closed-door coronavirus briefing in late January. The senator offloaded millions in stocks and made purchases in a firm that produces teleworking equipment. The sales were made before many of the coronavirus effects were felt in the U.S.
Several other senators were also ensnared in the scandal, including North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr, a Republican. Loeffler defended her actions by noting that her stocks were in a blind trust and claiming that she had no say in the sales. She has since divested from individual stocks to protect her from future accusations, but the scandal has followed her throughout the pandemic.
The scandal didn't appear to sway the president's opinion of Loeffler or the other senators involved. He defended the accused senators, calling them "very honorable people." Trump has, however, appeared to distance himself from Kemp (and, in turn, Loeffler) since the governor decided to reopen the state.
"Do I agree with him? No, but I respect him. And I will let him make his decision. Would I do that? No, I would keep them a little longer," Trump said Wednesday night. "I want to protect people’s lives, but I will let him make his decision."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-04-23--Biden gaining support over Trump among Michigan, Pennsylvania voters who plan to switch sides: Poll

Joe Biden more than doubled President Trump among voters in Michigan and Pennsylvania who said they plan to switch sides this November from the candidate they supported in 2016 , according to two new polls from Fox News .
In Michigan , a state Trump won by just 0.23 percentage points , 7 % of voters who described themselves as backing Trump over Democrat Hillary Clinton said they planned to vote for the former vice president , who is the presumptive Democratic nominee .
Only 3 % of Clinton voters said they planned to support Trump 's reelection bid this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ battleground for Trump , Biden had similar support among Trump 2016 voters , with 8 % saying they would back the former vice president .
Just as in Michigan , a paltry 3 % of Clinton voters said they would pull the lever for the president .
In a state Trump won by less than 1 point , small movements such as this could prove significant to the outcome .
Both polls were conducted Saturday through Tuesday and surveyed roughly 800 registered voters each in Michigan and Pennsylvania .
Both states are considered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Electoral College victory .
The polls had an overall margin of error of 3.5 points , although the error margin for subgroups such as Trump and Clinton voters switching sides ranged higher .
Biden enjoyed significant leads among all voters in Michigan and Pennsylvania .
He was up 49 % to 41 % in the former and ahead 50 % to 42 % in the latter .
However , Trump faced similarly large deficits against Clinton in the campaign four years ago , only to close the gap fast down the stretch and @ @ @ @ @

Joe Biden more than doubled President Trump among voters in Michigan and Pennsylvania who said they plan to switch sides this November from the candidate they supported in 2016, according to two new polls from Fox News.
In Michigan, a state Trump won by just 0.23 percentage points, 7% of voters who described themselves as backing Trump over Democrat Hillary Clinton said they planned to vote for the former vice president, who is the presumptive Democratic nominee. Only 3% of Clinton voters said they planned to support Trump's reelection bid this November.
In Pennsylvania, another critical battleground for Trump, Biden had similar support among Trump 2016 voters, with 8% saying they would back the former vice president. Just as in Michigan, a paltry 3% of Clinton voters said they would pull the lever for the president. In a state Trump won by less than 1 point, small movements such as this could prove significant to the outcome.
Both polls were conducted Saturday through Tuesday and surveyed roughly 800 registered voters each in Michigan and Pennsylvania. Both states are considered crucial to Trump's path to an Electoral College victory. The polls had an overall margin of error of 3.5 points, although the error margin for subgroups such as Trump and Clinton voters switching sides ranged higher.
Biden enjoyed significant leads among all voters in Michigan and Pennsylvania. He was up 49% to 41% in the former and ahead 50% to 42% in the latter. However, Trump faced similarly large deficits against Clinton in the campaign four years ago, only to close the gap fast down the stretch and achieve two unlikely victories.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-04-24--Trump elevates populist message as coronavirus threatens reelection prospects

President Trump is revving up a populist message , appealing to his base on issues like immigration , abusive behavior by large corporations , and coronavirus-related economic lockdowns that have decimated small businesses and workers .
Trump is suspending some categories of legal immigration , shaming big businesses and well-endowed universities for taking federal aid , and encouraging protests against Democratic governors supportive of an extended shutdown of the economy .
This populist offensive , though not risk-free , could help shield the president from political fallout generated by the coronavirus and a pandemic-induced recession that has left millions unemployed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him in November .
“ Trump 's populist rhetoric and action during the pandemic is helping to keep some parts of his coalition behind him , ” said Henry Olsen , senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center , a Washington think tank .
“ While most Trump voters support the lockdowns , a significant minority , between one-quarter and one-third , would prefer a faster reopening .
His populist moves keep them in his camp even , while he pursues policies that generally support continued lockdowns.
” More than 26 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lost their job since mid-March , when Trump led the charge to shutter major sectors of the American economy through at least late April as part of an aggressive national strategy to stop the spread of the coronavirus .
At one point , the president went so far as to consider issuing national shelter-in-place orders and enforcing a regional quarantine of metropolitan New York City , although he decided against the actions .
Then , with frustration over the lockdowns mounting in conservative circles , Trump tweeted “ liberate ” in support of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Democratic governors in Midwestern battlegrounds critical to his reelection prospects .
The peaceful protests on the grounds of state capitol buildings have been filled mostly with grassroots Republicans .
Next came the president ’ s executive order limiting legal immigration and sharp comments demanding unnamed corporations , and Harvard University , return coronavirus relief funds obtained from a massive federal rescue package .
Trump ’ s move to infuse his management of the pandemic with sometimes polarizing populist rhetoric is a familiar refrain .
The message dominated his 2016 campaign and has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insiders believe it could pay dividends this fall against presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
“ The Trump brand is a combat brand , and he understands that , ” said Brad Todd , a GOP strategist and co-author , along with Washington Examiner columnist Salena Zito , of The Great Revolt : Inside the Populist Coalition Reshaping American Politics , a book about the coalition of voters that elected Trump in 2016 .
“ People did not pick him to get along with anyone.
” But there is a downside , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approach is alienating suburban voters , especially women , and could turn persuadable independent voters into Joe Biden supporters .
Polling has shown this is a vulnerability for the president .
In two Fox News polls conducted Saturday through Tuesday , Biden led the president among female voters by a whopping 20 percentage points , 56 % to 36 % , in Michigan , and by 21 points in Pennsylvania , 56 % to 35 % .
Still , some Democrats agree with their Republican counterparts on the efficacy of Trump 's populist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a phony populist who threatens corporations even as he negotiates government aid for them , and who criticizes governors for carrying out the very coronavirus mitigation policies he supports .
Dane Strother , a Democratic strategist , accused Trump of name-checking Harvard not because Trump is legitimately concerned the university is receiving rescue funds it does not need , but because doing so taps into the angst of his core supporters and distracts them from his administration ’ s failings .
“ It ’ s cultural , ” he said .
“ His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hate Harvard . ''
Strother conceded , however , that it just might get Trump reelected despite a historic economic downturn amid a pandemic .
“ Any time he can deflect blame , which he ’ s a master of , it helps him , ” he said .

President Trump is revving up his populist message, appealing to his base on issues such as immigration, abusive behavior by large corporations, and coronavirus-related economic lockdowns that have decimated small businesses and workers.
Trump suspended some categories of legal immigration, shamed big businesses and well-endowed universities for taking federal aid, and encouraged protests against Democratic governors who have supported extended shutdowns of the economy. This populist offensive, though not risk-free, could help shield the president from political fallout generated by the coronavirus and a pandemic-induced recession that has left millions unemployed by motivating grassroots Republicans to stick with him in November.
“Trump's populist rhetoric and action during the pandemic is helping to keep some parts of his coalition behind him,” said Henry Olsen, a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, a Washington think tank. “While most Trump voters support the lockdowns, a significant minority, between one-quarter and one-third, would prefer a faster reopening. His populist moves keep them in his camp, even while he pursues policies that generally support continued lockdowns.”
More than 26 million people in the United States have lost their jobs since mid-March, when Trump led the charge to shutter major sectors of the American economy through at least late April as part of an aggressive national strategy to stop the spread of the coronavirus. At one point, the president went so far as to consider issuing national shelter-in-place orders and enforcing a regional quarantine of metropolitan New York City, although he decided against the actions.
Then, with frustration over the lockdowns mounting in conservative circles, Trump tweeted “liberate” in support of protests against stringent social distancing mandates implemented by Democratic governors in battleground states critical to his reelection prospects. The peaceful protests on the grounds of state capitol buildings have been filled mostly with grassroots Republicans.
Next came the president’s executive order limiting legal immigration and sharp comments demanding that unnamed corporations and Harvard University return coronavirus relief funds obtained from a massive federal rescue package.
Trump’s move to infuse his management of the pandemic with sometimes polarizing populist rhetoric is a familiar refrain. The message dominated his 2016 campaign and has prevailed through his presidency. Some Republican insiders believe it could pay dividends this fall against presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
“The Trump brand is a combat brand, and he understands that,” said Brad Todd, a GOP strategist and co-author, along with Washington Examiner columnist Salena Zito, of The Great Revolt: Inside the Populist Coalition Reshaping American Politics, a book about the coalition of voters that elected Trump in 2016. “People did not pick him to get along with anyone.”
But there is a downside, and it could cost Trump his reelection.
His approach is alienating suburban voters, especially women, and could turn persuadable independent voters into Joe Biden supporters. Polling has shown this is a vulnerability for the president. In two Fox News polls conducted Saturday through Tuesday, Biden led the president among female voters by a whopping 20 percentage points, 56% to 36%, in Michigan, and by 21 points in Pennsylvania, 56% to 35%.
Still, some Democrats agree with their Republican counterparts on the efficacy of Trump's populist message despite mocking the president as a phony populist who threatens corporations even as he negotiates government aid for them and criticizes governors for carrying out the very coronavirus mitigation policies he supports.
Dane Strother, a Democratic strategist, accused Trump of name-checking Harvard not because he is legitimately concerned that the university is receiving rescue funds it does not need but because doing so taps into the angst of his core supporters and distracts them from his administration’s failings. “It’s cultural,” he said. “His people devalue education — and they certainly hate Harvard."
Strother conceded, however, that it just might get Trump reelected despite a historic economic downturn amid a pandemic. “Any time he can deflect blame, which he’s a master of, it helps him,” he said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-04-24--Down but not out: Swing states look bad for Trump but show warnings for Biden

Poll after poll in swing states shows Joe Biden edging ahead of President Trump in head-to-head match-ups , a troubling sign for Republicans as the Trump administration fields constant criticism for its handling of the coronavirus pandemic : down in Florida and Michigan by 4 points , in Wisconsin by 3 points , losing by 8 points in Pennsylvania .
But the polls also show some silver linings for Trump and suggest that when , and if , life turns relatively normal before Election Day and after the height of the coronavirus pandemic , he could close the gap on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conducted April 6-20 finds Biden with a 4-point lead over Trump , 46 % to 42 % .
The Quinnipiac Florida poll shows a major warning sign for Trump : loss of support among older voters .
A demographic that Trump won by 17 points in , Florida voters over 65 now favor Biden by 10 points .
But that might be balanced with Trump gaining ground among Floridians aged 35-49 , who Clinton won in 2016 by 15 points but favor Trump by 4 points in the Quinnipiac poll .
`` Even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis , Florida delivers a familiar deja vu in the head-to-head presidential race , ” said Quinnipiac University Polling Analyst Tim Malloy .
`` It 's Biden , but it 's close as independents play a huge potential role .
Sound familiar ? ''
In Wisconsin , a Marquette University finds Biden leads Trump 48 % to 45 % despite Trump having a slightly better net favorability rating than Biden .
The silver lining for Trump in Wisconsin : 11 % of respondents had no opinion of Biden or had not heard enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump campaign to define their rival to voters .
North Carolina showed a similar trend .
A Public Policy Polling conducted April 14-15 found Trump just one point behind Biden , but Trump has a slightly higher favorability rating , and 12 % of voters were not sure how they felt about Biden .
A Michigan Fox News , where Biden leads by 4 points , conducted April 18-21 suggests that Trump is losing support amid the coronavirus pandemic .
A majority of Michiganders , 59 % , thought Trump was too slow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic Michigan Gov .
Grethen Whitmer , who has instituted extremely strict stay-at-home orders , has a much higher job approval rating than Trump , 63 % compared to 47 % .
Trump won Michigan in 2016 by less than a quarter of a percentage point , but Biden leads Trump by 8 points in the poll , 49 % to 41 % .
A second Fox News April 18-21 in Pennsylvania , which found Biden 8 points ahead of Trump , similarly found that 58 % thought Trump was too slow in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 69 % , for the state ’ s Democratic governor , Tom Wolf .
“ If voters approve of his leadership style but are questioning if it is right for the future , holding onto Pennsylvania will be challenging for Trump .
But if they like Trump personally and will line back up behind him in November , the race could be very close , ” said Chris Anderson , one of the pollsters whose firm conducted the Fox News poll .
Another tool in Trump ’ s basket ?
The enthusiasm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 7-8 Arizona from OH Predictive Insights found that president trails Biden by 9 points in Arizona , it also noted that Trump has a much higher level of enthusiasm among his supporters : 88 % of those who picked Trump said that they are very or extremely enthusiastic about voting for him , while 78 % said the same for Biden .
( Other recent Arizona find Biden leading by smaller percentages . )
If coronavirus fears still sweep the country in November , turning out voters “ is going to be made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s supporters are not enthusiastic about voting for them in the first place , ” said Jacob Joss , data analyst at OH Predictive Insights .

Poll after poll in swing states shows Joe Biden edging ahead of President Trump in head-to-head matchups, a troubling sign for Republicans as the Trump administration fields constant criticism for its handling of the coronavirus pandemic: down in Florida and Michigan by 4 points, in Wisconsin by 3 points, losing by 8 points in Pennsylvania.
But the polls also show some silver linings for Trump and suggest that when, and if, life returns to a relative normal before Election Day and after the height of the coronavirus pandemic, he could close the gap on Biden’s lead.
A Quinnipiac Florida poll conducted April 6-20 finds Biden with a 4-point lead over Trump, 46% to 42%.
The Quinnipiac Florida poll shows a major warning sign for Trump: loss of support among older voters. A demographic that Trump won by 17 points in 2016 , Florida voters over 65 now favor Biden by 10 points.
But that might be balanced with Trump gaining ground among Floridians aged 35-49, whom Clinton won in 2016 by 15 points but favor Trump by 4 points in the Quinnipiac poll.
"Even in the midst of an unprecedented health crisis, Florida delivers a familiar deja vu in the head-to-head presidential race,” said Quinnipiac University polling analyst Tim Malloy. "It's Biden, but it's close as independents play a huge potential role. Sound familiar?"
In Wisconsin, a Marquette University poll finds that Biden leads Trump 48% to 45% despite Trump having a slightly better net favorability rating than Biden.
The silver lining for Trump in Wisconsin: 11% of respondents had no opinion of Biden or had not heard enough about him, leaving room for the Trump campaign to define its rival to voters.
North Carolina showed a similar trend. A Public Policy Polling survey conducted April 14-15 found Trump just 1 point behind Biden, but Trump has a slightly higher favorability rating, and 12% of voters were not sure how they felt about Biden.
A Fox News poll for Michigan, where Biden leads by 4 points, conducted April 18-21 suggests that Trump is losing support amid the coronavirus pandemic.
A majority of Michiganders, 59%, thought Trump was too slow in responding to the virus, while Democratic Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who has instituted extremely strict stay-at-home orders, has a much higher job approval rating than Trump, 63% compared to 47%.
Trump won Michigan in 2016 by less than a quarter of a percentage point, but Biden leads Trump by 8 points in the poll, 49% to 41%.
A second Fox News poll , which found Biden 8 points ahead of Trump in Pennsylvania, similarly found that 58% thought Trump was too slow in responding to the coronavirus and that the state's Democratic governor, Tom Wolf, had high support, 69%.
“If voters approve of his leadership style but are questioning if it is right for the future, holding onto Pennsylvania will be challenging for Trump. But if they like Trump personally and will line back up behind him in November, the race could be very close,” said Chris Anderson, one of the pollsters whose firm conducted the Fox News poll.
Another tool in Trump’s basket? The enthusiasm of his supporters.
While an April 7-8 Arizona poll from OH Predictive Insights found that the president trails Biden by 9 points in Arizona, it also noted that Trump has a much higher level of enthusiasm among his supporters: 88% of those who picked Trump said that they are very or extremely enthusiastic about voting for him, while 78% said the same for Biden. (Other recent Arizona polls find Biden leading by smaller percentages.)
If coronavirus fears are still sweeping the country in November, turning out voters “is going to be made even more difficult if a candidate’s supporters are not enthusiastic about voting for them in the first place,” said Jacob Joss, data analyst at OH Predictive Insights.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-04-24--Pandemic stretches Trump image as gutsy decision-maker to the breaking point

President Trump awoke Thursday morning to newspapers in Georgia reporting he had thrown plans for reopening its economy into “ disarray , ” as his efforts to balance getting the coronavirus under control with the need to get people back to work begin to raise questions about his decisiveness .
Trump has sought to cultivate an image as a confident , strong leader .
Georgia is a state he carried in 2016 and hopes to win again in November .
His presidential campaign four years ago was premised on his managerial prowess .
As he deals with the biggest crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alike are wondering whether he will follow his gut , which seems inclined to get an economy halted by widespread lockdowns moving again , or the who counsel continued social distancing as the only way to curb the spread of the coronavirus .
He is in danger of looking like he is waffling between the two .
These competing instincts came into focus as Trump disavowed Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemp ’ s efforts to reopen the state ’ s businesses .
“ I told the governor of Georgia , Brian Kemp , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his decision to open certain facilities , ” Trump said at the daily White House coronavirus briefing .
“ It ’ s just too soon .
I think it ’ s too soon.
” But he also conveyed a sense of indecision : “ I want him to do what he thinks is right , ” Trump said of Kemp Wednesday .
“ But I disagree with him on what he ’ s doing.
” Trump ’ s remarks came just days after he took to Twitter to encourage anti-lockdown protesters to “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who have been criticized for quarantine overreach .
The confusion was heightened by reports that Trump had initially held a supportive phone call with Kemp about his plans , and that experts on the federal coronavirus task force , led by Drs .
Deborah Birx and Anthony Fauci , changed his mind ( White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany denied this Thursday night ) .
Sen. Lindsey Graham , a South Carolina Republican ally of the president , has also that Georgia was moving too fast and tweeted in support of the White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s actions “ are in violation of the phase one guidelines for the incredible people of Georgia.
” Twitter reaction was swift .
“ Trump originally said we had coronavirus under control , then said never mind we need to lock down , then said never mind we 're opening on Easter , then said never mind we 're staying closed , then said never mind we 're opening , then said he disagrees with Georgia for opening , ” complained conservative social media personality Matt Walsh .
Supporters of the president counter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the coronavirus , in effect triangulating between protesters a swift reopening of the economy and epidemiologists who want to take it slow as cases and deaths continue to rise in much of the country .
But even some Republicans worry that Trump , initially criticized for responding too slowly and increasingly under fire for wanting things back to normal too soon , may instead wind up with a reputation for indecision .
“ The banner headline of the Atlanta paper today is n't good for anybody , ” said Alex Conant , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ His poll numbers are already really low for a president facing a national crisis .
I ca n't remember another time in modern history when Americans rallied behind their governors more than their president.
” Recent polling shows broad support for continued social distancing , but Republicans are starting to worry more about the economy while senior citizens want to be safe from the virus .
There is some evidence that heeding the first voting bloc could be driving the second one into presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden ’ s arms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much as the economic damage .
“ The president , who was accused by Democrats as being an ‘ authoritarian , ’ has given due constitutional deference to governors to govern as they see fit with little to no federal preemptions , ” said Bradley Blakeman , a former aide to President George W. Bush .
“ This is the way the government is supposed to work .
It is akin to a parent letting their adult children make their own way .
Many times a parent will disagree with the decisions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distance and respect they deserve to make their own decisions .
It is healthy to have states make their own way .
”

President Trump awoke Thursday morning to newspapers in Georgia reporting he had thrown plans for reopening its economy into “disarray,” as his efforts to balance getting the coronavirus under control with the need to get people back to work begin to raise questions about his decisiveness.
Trump has sought to cultivate an image as a confident, strong leader. Georgia is a state he carried in 2016 and hopes to win again in November. His presidential campaign four years ago was premised on his managerial prowess. As he deals with the biggest crisis of his presidency, supporters and critics alike are wondering whether he will follow his gut, which seems inclined to get an economy halted by widespread lockdowns moving again, or the advice of medical experts who counsel continued social distancing as the only way to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
He is in danger of looking like he is waffling between the two.
These competing instincts came into focus as Trump disavowed Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp’s efforts to reopen the state’s businesses. “I told the governor of Georgia, Brian Kemp, that I disagree — strongly — with his decision to open certain facilities,” Trump said at the daily White House coronavirus briefing. “It’s just too soon. I think it’s too soon.”
But he also conveyed a sense of indecision: “I want him to do what he thinks is right,” Trump said of Kemp Wednesday. “But I disagree with him on what he’s doing.”
Trump’s remarks came just days after he took to Twitter to encourage anti-lockdown protesters to “LIBERATE” three states with Democratic governors who have been criticized for quarantine overreach.
The confusion was heightened by reports that Trump had initially held a supportive phone call with Kemp about his plans, and that experts on the federal coronavirus task force, led by Drs. Deborah Birx and Anthony Fauci, changed his mind (White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany denied this Thursday night). Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican ally of the president, has also expressed concern that Georgia was moving too fast and tweeted in support of the White House. Trump emphasized that Kemp’s actions “are in violation of the phase one guidelines for the incredible people of Georgia.”
Twitter reaction was swift. “Trump originally said we had coronavirus under control, then said never mind we need to lock down, then said never mind we're opening on Easter, then said never mind we're staying closed, then said never mind we're opening, then said he disagrees with Georgia for opening,” complained conservative social media personality Matt Walsh.
Supporters of the president counter he is being measured in his response to the coronavirus, in effect triangulating between protesters demanding a swift reopening of the economy and epidemiologists who want to take it slow as cases and deaths continue to rise in much of the country. But even some Republicans worry that Trump, initially criticized for responding too slowly and increasingly under fire for wanting things back to normal too soon, may instead wind up with a reputation for indecision.
“The banner headline of the Atlanta paper today isn't good for anybody,” said Alex Conant, a former communications adviser to Marco Rubio. “His poll numbers are already really low for a president facing a national crisis. I can't remember another time in modern history when Americans rallied behind their governors more than their president.”
Recent polling shows broad support for continued social distancing, but Republicans are starting to worry more about the economy while senior citizens want to be safe from the virus. There is some evidence that heeding the first voting bloc could be driving the second one into presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden’s arms, complicating Trump’s reelection as much as the economic damage.
“The president, who was accused by Democrats as being an ‘authoritarian,’ has given due constitutional deference to governors to govern as they see fit with little to no federal preemptions,” said Bradley Blakeman, a former aide to President George W. Bush. “This is the way the government is supposed to work. It is akin to a parent letting their adult children make their own way. Many times a parent will disagree with the decisions of a child but gives the child the distance and respect they deserve to make their own decisions. It is healthy to have states make their own way.”