thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-19--Blue and Red America differences could hurt Democrats

Give Politico ’ s chief Washington correspondent Ryan Lizza some credit .
“ Story of an era in two convention speeches , ” he tweeted after Michelle Obama ’ s speech capping the first night of the Democrats ’ virtual convention .
“ Barack 04 : 'There ’ s not a black America and white America ... there ’ s the United States of America . '
Michelle 20 : ‘ my message won ’ t be heard by some people ’ because ‘ we live in a nation that is deeply divided , ' '' he wrote .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like to load all the blame on President Trump .
Despite their continued failure to cite evidence for his “ racism , ” there ’ s no denying his coarse insults have contributed to an increasing sense of national division .
Balance that out , however , at least a bit , by recognizing that bipartisan electoral politics inevitably divides a citizenry , as it has ours since James Monroe was reelected without opposition in 1820 .
That “ era of good feeling ” ended four years later , when a four-candidate deadlock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Representatives .
It ’ s been division ever since .
Obama ’ s 2004 speech made an Illinois state legislator into a plausible presidential candidate , an African American whose election promised to smooth over racial divisions as the election of John Kennedy in 1960 had once smoothed over Catholic-Protestant divisions .
Such hopes buoyed Obama ’ s rapturous crowds , from Denver ’ s Mile High Stadium to Berlin ’ s Tiergarten to Chicago ’ s Grant Park in 2008 .
The letdown came well before Trump descended that Trump Tower escalator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the percentage of people in the United States rating black-white relations between as very or somewhat good plunging in Obama ’ s second term , from 70 % in 2013 to 47 % in 2015 .
The 2014 exit poll showed 38 % of voters believing “ race relations in this country ” have gotten worse “ in the last few years ” versus 20 % saying they ’ ve gotten better .
Plainly , there was a sense of disappointment , of optimistic and perhaps unrealistic expectations being unmet .
Comments by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Ferguson , Missouri , and elsewhere probably contributed to this .
But it surely also reflected continuing poor conditions and relatively high crime rates in many ( not all ) predominantly black neighborhoods .
Distinctions between Catholics and Protestants became less visible after 1960 .
Distinctions between blacks and whites did not after 2008 .
And politically , the Obama presidency left us in an America very sharply divided into two countries .
Responses to COVID-19 have widened the already sharp partisan differences between big cities and the countryside .
Democrats have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate and its danger to people under 75 and have embraced stringent lockdowns and mandatory masking and social distancing .
Republicans ’ estimates have been closer to reality , and Republican states such as Florida , Texas , and Arizona have taken milder measures .
Partisan media ( and Democratic convention scriptwriters ) have hailed New York ’ s Democratic Gov .
Andrew Cuomo — despite his persistence in sending infected patients to senior citizen homes and the resulting high death rates .
They ’ ve denigrated Florida ’ s Republican Gov .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 450 coronavirus deaths per million is a fraction of New York ’ s 1,690 .
There ’ s a vivid contrast also between the “ mostly peaceful ” ( translated into English : often violent ) demonstrations in hip Portland , Oregon , and Seattle and the criminal mobs in Minneapolis and Chicago and the relatively calm and intact exurbs and small towns .
You could argue that Democrats ’ extreme risk aversion and the resulting lockdowns have imposed hideous damage on Democratic turf .
“ New York City is dead forever , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Altucher .
With restaurants , bars , museums , and clubs closed down , storefronts up and down the avenues boarded up and giant office buildings near-empty , a de-policed Manhattan has been transformed from a garden into a combat zone .
Zoom technology threatens to make unnecessary the face-to-face interactions which have always drawn professionals there .
Teachers union members ’ refusals to return to school , despite overwhelming evidence that children do not contract or transmit the virus , may end up promoting school choice .
Colleges and universities going virtual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ partisanship that has made Democrats shun ( and Republicans embrace ) hydroxychloroquine has made Democrats , even those thronging to Black Lives Matter demonstrations , much more determined to vote by mail — and prone to implausible Post Office conspiracy theories .
The actual problem , misstated by Trump , is that in many states , many ballots may be improperly filled out or undelivered on time .
You can request a postal ballot in Michigan the Friday before the election .
Good luck getting it delivered by Tuesday .
Democratic convention speakers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus , for the lockdowns ’ economic devastation and for intensified partisan rancor .
He ’ s made mistakes and missteps , but the charges are over the top .
Maybe they ’ re an attempt to cover up the differences between red and blue America , which don ’ t work to Democrats ’ advantage .

Give Politico’s chief Washington correspondent Ryan Lizza some credit. “Story of an era in two convention speeches,” he tweeted after Michelle Obama’s speech capping the first night of the Democrats’ virtual convention.
“Barack 04: 'There’s not a black America and white America ... there’s the United States of America.' Michelle 20: ‘my message won’t be heard by some people’ because ‘we live in a nation that is deeply divided,'" he wrote.
But who’s to blame? Democrats like to load all the blame on President Trump. Despite their continued failure to cite evidence for his “racism,” there’s no denying his coarse insults have contributed to an increasing sense of national division.
Balance that out, however, at least a bit, by recognizing that bipartisan electoral politics inevitably divides a citizenry, as it has ours since James Monroe was reelected without opposition in 1820. That “era of good feeling” ended four years later, when a four-candidate deadlock sent the election into the House of Representatives. It’s been division ever since.
Obama’s 2004 speech made an Illinois state legislator into a plausible presidential candidate, an African American whose election promised to smooth over racial divisions as the election of John Kennedy in 1960 had once smoothed over Catholic-Protestant divisions. Such hopes buoyed Obama’s rapturous crowds, from Denver’s Mile High Stadium to Berlin’s Tiergarten to Chicago’s Grant Park in 2008.
The letdown came well before Trump descended that Trump Tower escalator in June 2015. Gallup showed that the percentage of people in the United States rating black-white relations between as very or somewhat good plunging in Obama’s second term, from 70% in 2013 to 47% in 2015. The 2014 exit poll showed 38% of voters believing “race relations in this country” have gotten worse “in the last few years” versus 20% saying they’ve gotten better.
Plainly, there was a sense of disappointment, of optimistic and perhaps unrealistic expectations being unmet. Comments by the president and his appointees about incidents in Ferguson, Missouri, and elsewhere probably contributed to this. But it surely also reflected continuing poor conditions and relatively high crime rates in many (not all) predominantly black neighborhoods.
Distinctions between Catholics and Protestants became less visible after 1960. Distinctions between blacks and whites did not after 2008.
And politically, the Obama presidency left us in an America very sharply divided into two countries. Responses to COVID-19 have widened the already sharp partisan differences between big cities and the countryside. Democrats have vastly overestimated the virus’s death rate and its danger to people under 75 and have embraced stringent lockdowns and mandatory masking and social distancing. Republicans’ estimates have been closer to reality, and Republican states such as Florida, Texas, and Arizona have taken milder measures.
Partisan media (and Democratic convention scriptwriters) have hailed New York’s Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo — despite his persistence in sending infected patients to senior citizen homes and the resulting high death rates. They’ve denigrated Florida’s Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, though his state's 450 coronavirus deaths per million is a fraction of New York’s 1,690.
There’s a vivid contrast also between the “mostly peaceful” (translated into English: often violent) demonstrations in hip Portland, Oregon, and Seattle and the criminal mobs in Minneapolis and Chicago and the relatively calm and intact exurbs and small towns.
You could argue that Democrats’ extreme risk aversion and the resulting lockdowns have imposed hideous damage on Democratic turf. “New York City is dead forever,” writes Manhattan comedy club owner James Altucher. With restaurants, bars, museums, and clubs closed down, storefronts up and down the avenues boarded up and giant office buildings near-empty, a de-policed Manhattan has been transformed from a garden into a combat zone. Zoom technology threatens to make unnecessary the face-to-face interactions which have always drawn professionals there.
Teachers union members’ refusals to return to school, despite overwhelming evidence that children do not contract or transmit the virus, may end up promoting school choice. Colleges and universities going virtual may demonstrate they are dispensable.
The partisanship that has made Democrats shun (and Republicans embrace) hydroxychloroquine has made Democrats, even those thronging to Black Lives Matter demonstrations, much more determined to vote by mail — and prone to implausible Post Office conspiracy theories. The actual problem, misstated by Trump, is that in many states, many ballots may be improperly filled out or undelivered on time. You can request a postal ballot in Michigan the Friday before the election. Good luck getting it delivered by Tuesday.
Democratic convention speakers are blaming Trump for not stamping out the virus, for the lockdowns’ economic devastation and for intensified partisan rancor. He’s made mistakes and missteps, but the charges are over the top. Maybe they’re an attempt to cover up the differences between red and blue America, which don’t work to Democrats’ advantage.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-20--Republicans welcome 'phony Kamala' Harris to race against Trump

Republicans were cautiously optimistic after hearing Kamala Harris delivering her speech accepting the Democratic vice presidential nomination on Wednesday night , capping an evening of speakers who argued that President Trump has let the country down during the coronavirus .
“ She ’ s a good speaker and should be taken seriously , ” said a Republican strategist of Harris and her low-key address .
“ But does she move the needle for Joe Biden ?
I ’ m not sure.
” A second Republican operative said Harris was “ overshadowed ” by former President Barack Obama , whose own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump and who will loom large in the fall campaign .
Hillary Clinton , Nancy Pelosi , and Elizabeth Warren , frequent Trump targets , all spoke Wednesday night as well .
“ Joe Biden ’ s selection of Kamala Harris to be his VP pick solidified the left-wing ’ s takeover of Joe Biden and the Democrat Party , ” said Republican National Committee spokesman Steve Guest in a statement during Harris ’ s speech .
“ Harris is ranked the most liberal of all her Senate colleagues , even farther left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The idea that Biden is a captive or puppet of Democrats more liberal than he is a major part of the Trump campaign ’ s message against the Democratic challenger .
“ Donald Trump ’ s failure of leadership has cost lives and livelihoods , ” Harris said during the mostly virtual Democratic National Convention .
The Trump campaign shot back that Harris was a “ phony , far-left radical who ’ s wrong for America.
” The nomination of Harris , 55 , takes on added importance because of presidential nominee Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vice president will turn 78 before Inauguration Day , which would make him the oldest president in history .
Harris has been blasted as a political opportunist .
She entered the Democratic presidential primaries a top-tier candidate but cratered into the single digits before dropping out , launching some since-disavowed attacks on Biden ’ s civil rights record before ending her campaign .
Civil libertarians in both parties mocked her as “ Kamala the cop.
” “ Harris is a total phony , ” the Trump campaign said in a statement .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ palling around with racist segregationists and working with them to enact racist policies that hurt her personally .
Now she ’ s agreed to be Biden ’ s political living will.
” “ How can she credibly go from calling Biden a racist and saying she believes his accusers to now being on the ticket with him ?
” asked the RNC ’ s Guest .
Still , Harris ’ s record as a prosecutor has made her a formidable cross-examiner of Trump administration officials when they testify in front of the Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” especially because of her treatment of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh during his confirmation hearings .
She intends to utilize these polemical skills on the campaign trail , directing her fire at the president himself .
`` We ’ re at an inflection point , ” she said , in a not-too-thinly-veiled criticism of Trump .
“ The constant chaos leaves us adrift .
The incompetence makes us feel afraid .
The callousness makes us feel alone .
It ’ s a lot .
And here ’ s the thing : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much more .
We must elect a president who will bring something different , something better , and do the important work.
” The Trump campaign has hit both Harris and Biden for their contributions to mass incarceration .
Biden helped pass the 1994 crime bill as a senator from Delaware , and Harris ’ s prosecutorial record has come under bipartisan scrutiny .
Some Republican insiders , however , the variety of attacks leveled against the Biden-Harris ticket will contribute to muddled GOP messaging in the fall campaign .
`` Is he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' asked one strategist .
As the third night of the Democratic convention began , the Trump campaign blasted out a fundraising email under the president ’ s signature : “ Just when I thought this pathetic event couldn ’ t get more CORRUPT , they decide to bring in CROOKED Hillary , Crazy Nancy , Pocahontas , Phony Kamala , and Lyin ’ Obama all in ONE NIGHT.
” “ All these Radical Democrats HATE me and they HATE you , ” the email said .

Republicans were cautiously optimistic after hearing Kamala Harris delivering her speech accepting the Democratic vice presidential nomination on Wednesday night, capping an evening of speakers who argued that President Trump has let the country down during the coronavirus.
“She’s a good speaker and should be taken seriously,” said a Republican strategist of Harris and her low-key address. “But does she move the needle for Joe Biden? I’m not sure.” A second Republican operative said Harris was “overshadowed” by former President Barack Obama, whose own speech elicited two all-caps Twitter responses from Trump and who will loom large in the fall campaign. Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, and Elizabeth Warren, frequent Trump targets, all spoke Wednesday night as well.
“Joe Biden’s selection of Kamala Harris to be his VP pick solidified the left-wing’s takeover of Joe Biden and the Democrat Party,” said Republican National Committee spokesman Steve Guest in a statement during Harris’s speech. “Harris is ranked the most liberal of all her Senate colleagues, even farther left than self-described Democratic Socialist Bernie Sanders.”
The idea that Biden is a captive or puppet of Democrats more liberal than he is a major part of the Trump campaign’s message against the Democratic challenger.
“Donald Trump’s failure of leadership has cost lives and livelihoods,” Harris said during the mostly virtual Democratic National Convention. The Trump campaign shot back that Harris was a “phony, far-left radical who’s wrong for America.”
The nomination of Harris, 55, takes on added importance because of presidential nominee Biden’s advanced age. The former vice president will turn 78 before Inauguration Day, which would make him the oldest president in history.
Harris has been blasted as a political opportunist. She entered the Democratic presidential primaries a top-tier candidate but cratered into the single digits before dropping out, launching some since-disavowed attacks on Biden’s civil rights record before ending her campaign. Civil libertarians in both parties mocked her as “Kamala the cop.”
“Harris is a total phony,” the Trump campaign said in a statement. “Last year she attacked Joe Biden for palling around with racist segregationists and working with them to enact racist policies that hurt her personally. Now she’s agreed to be Biden’s political living will.”
“How can she credibly go from calling Biden a racist and saying she believes his accusers to now being on the ticket with him?” asked the RNC’s Guest.
Still, Harris’s record as a prosecutor has made her a formidable cross-examiner of Trump administration officials when they testify in front of the Senate. Trump has called her “nasty,” especially because of her treatment of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh during his confirmation hearings. She intends to utilize these polemical skills on the campaign trail, directing her fire at the president himself.
"We’re at an inflection point,” she said, in a not-too-thinly-veiled criticism of Trump. “The constant chaos leaves us adrift. The incompetence makes us feel afraid. The callousness makes us feel alone. It’s a lot. And here’s the thing: We can do better and deserve so much more. We must elect a president who will bring something different, something better, and do the important work.”
The Trump campaign has hit both Harris and Biden for their contributions to mass incarceration. Biden helped pass the 1994 crime bill as a senator from Delaware, and Harris’s prosecutorial record has come under bipartisan scrutiny. Some Republican insiders, however, worry the variety of attacks leveled against the Biden-Harris ticket will contribute to muddled GOP messaging in the fall campaign. "Is he radical, or is she phony?" asked one strategist.
As the third night of the Democratic convention began, the Trump campaign blasted out a fundraising email under the president’s signature: “Just when I thought this pathetic event couldn’t get more CORRUPT, they decide to bring in CROOKED Hillary, Crazy Nancy, Pocahontas, Phony Kamala, and Lyin’ Obama all in ONE NIGHT.”
“All these Radical Democrats HATE me and they HATE you,” the email said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-20--Trump campaign targets Hunter Biden in 96-hour ad blitz

If you 've been wondering where Hunter Biden is amid his father 's coronation as the nominee of the Democratic Party , fear not , you can expect to see a lot more of him soon .
President Trump 's reelection campaign is targeting the conspicuously missing son of former Vice President Joe Biden in an ad push that will highlight his alleged financial dealings in China .
A campaign official with the Trump campaign confirmed to Politico that the ad is slated to begin running on YouTube during the Democratic National Convention .
The two-minute spot will highlight Hunter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's position in government to leverage exclusive business dealings with the Chinese Communist Party .
The piece also features a clip of Joe Biden saying that he wants to `` see China rise '' in an attempt to tie the former Delaware senator to the Chinese government amid the coronavirus pandemic , which arose from a cluster of infections in Wuhan .
The younger Biden , who has struggled with drug abuse , came under immense scrutiny for his employment with the corrupt Ukrainian gas company Burisma Holdings during the impeachment investigation into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky .
Hunter Biden was allegedly paid upward of $ 50,000 a month to serve on the board of the company .
The spot is part of a 96-hour YouTube ad blitz purchased by the Trump campaign .

If you've been wondering where Hunter Biden is amid his father's coronation as the nominee of the Democratic Party, fear not, you can expect to see a lot more of him soon.
President Trump's reelection campaign is targeting the conspicuously missing son of former Vice President Joe Biden in an ad push that will highlight his alleged financial dealings in China. A campaign official with the Trump campaign confirmed to Politico that the ad is slated to begin running on YouTube during the Democratic National Convention.
The two-minute spot will highlight Hunter Biden's alleged profiteering from his father's position in government to leverage exclusive business dealings with the Chinese Communist Party.
The piece also features a clip of Joe Biden saying that he wants to "see China rise" in an attempt to tie the former Delaware senator to the Chinese government amid the coronavirus pandemic, which arose from a cluster of infections in Wuhan.
The younger Biden, who has struggled with drug abuse, came under immense scrutiny for his employment with the corrupt Ukrainian gas company Burisma Holdings during the impeachment investigation into a July phone call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Hunter Biden was allegedly paid upward of $50,000 a month to serve on the board of the company.
The spot is part of a 96-hour YouTube ad blitz purchased by the Trump campaign.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-20--Kamala Harris leans into heritage as she accepts history-making nomination

Kamala Harris accepted the Democratic Party 's vice-presidential nomination in a deeply personal speech served not only to energize Democrats excited about a history-making woman on the ticket but to introduce herself to voters across the country who may not know much about her .
The California senator and former state attorney general is the daughter of Jamaican and Indian parents .
Harris embraced her heritage in a recognition of the historic nature of her inclusion on a major party ticket .
Harris was born in Oakland , California , to Shyamala Gopalan , a biologist who studied breast cancer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of economics from Stanford University .
After her parents divorced , she spent her teenage years living with her mother and sister in Canada before attending college at Howard University , a historically black college in Washington , D.C. , and law school at the University of California , Hastings .
The introduction of Harris to the country was very family-focused .
Harris 's sister Maya Harris , niece Meena Harris , and stepdaughter Ella Emhoff — whom Harris has said calls her `` Momala '' — delivered a nominating speech for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , though , before Harris transitioned her family ties to a campaign pitch in support of the Democratic presidential nominee and her partner on the party ticket , Joe Biden .
Talking about her mother , Harris said that she is `` committed to the values she taught me , to the word that teaches me to walk by faith , and not by sight , and to a vision passed on through generations of Americans — one that Joe Biden shares .
A vision of our nation as a beloved community —where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we look like , where we come from , or who we love .
A country where we may not agree on every detail , but we are united by the fundamental belief that every human being is of infinite worth , deserving of compassion , dignity , and respect .
A country where we look out for one another , where we rise and fall as one , where we face our challenges and celebrate our triumphs .
Together .
`` Today , that country feels distant .
Donald Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ livelihoods , '' Harris said , speaking from Wilmington , Delaware .
She then painted a dark picture of the current political environment , building on a sense of urgency to remove Trump from office .
`` We ’ re at an inflection point .
The constant chaos leaves adrift .
The incompetence makes us feel afraid .
The callousness makes us feel alone .
It ’ s a lot .
And here ’ s the thing : We can do better and deserve so much more .
We must elect a president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ better , and do the important work .
A president who will bring all of us together — black , white , Latino , Asian , indigenous — to achieve the future we collectively want .
We must elect Joe Biden . ''
In one of her sharpest lines of the night , Harris stuck with one of the convention night 's overarching themes of persevering though adversity and carrying forward the mantle of civil rights .
`` This virus , it has no eyes and yet , it knows exactly how we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each other .
And let 's be clear : There is no vaccine for racism .
We 've got to do the work , '' Harris said .
Harris 's speech came on the third night of the convention , which built on a progressing theme .
The first night of the Democratic convention essentially had an anti-Trump theme , showcasing four Republicans along with far-left Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders , who concurred that Trump is unfit to be president .
The second night , the convention took a unifying turn as Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be the party 's presidential candidate .
Wednesday night was forward-focusing about Democrats ' priorities and vision , with Harris , who 77-year-old Biden essentially put in a position to be the next leader of the party , representing its future .
`` Right now , we have a president who turns our tragedies into political weapons .
Joe will be a president who turns our challenges into purpose , '' Harris said .

Kamala Harris accepted the Democratic Party's vice-presidential nomination in a deeply personal speech served not only to energize Democrats excited about a history-making woman on the ticket but to introduce herself to voters across the country who may not know much about her.
The California senator and former state attorney general is the daughter of Jamaican and Indian parents. Harris embraced her heritage in a recognition of the historic nature of her inclusion on a major party ticket.
Harris was born in Oakland, California, to Shyamala Gopalan, a biologist who studied breast cancer, and Donald Harris, professor emeritus of economics from Stanford University. After her parents divorced, she spent her teenage years living with her mother and sister in Canada before attending college at Howard University, a historically black college in Washington, D.C., and law school at the University of California, Hastings.
The introduction of Harris to the country was very family-focused. Harris's sister Maya Harris, niece Meena Harris, and stepdaughter Ella Emhoff — whom Harris has said calls her "Momala" — delivered a nominating speech for the California senator.
It was not long, though, before Harris transitioned her family ties to a campaign pitch in support of the Democratic presidential nominee and her partner on the party ticket, Joe Biden.
Talking about her mother, Harris said that she is "committed to the values she taught me, to the word that teaches me to walk by faith, and not by sight, and to a vision passed on through generations of Americans — one that Joe Biden shares. A vision of our nation as a beloved community —where all are welcome, no matter what we look like, where we come from, or who we love. A country where we may not agree on every detail, but we are united by the fundamental belief that every human being is of infinite worth, deserving of compassion, dignity, and respect. A country where we look out for one another, where we rise and fall as one, where we face our challenges and celebrate our triumphs. Together.
"Today, that country feels distant. Donald Trump’s failure of leadership has cost lives and livelihoods," Harris said, speaking from Wilmington, Delaware.
She then painted a dark picture of the current political environment, building on a sense of urgency to remove Trump from office.
"We’re at an inflection point. The constant chaos leaves adrift. The incompetence makes us feel afraid. The callousness makes us feel alone. It’s a lot. And here’s the thing: We can do better and deserve so much more. We must elect a president who will bring something different, something better, and do the important work. A president who will bring all of us together — black, white, Latino, Asian, indigenous — to achieve the future we collectively want. We must elect Joe Biden."
In one of her sharpest lines of the night, Harris stuck with one of the convention night's overarching themes of persevering though adversity and carrying forward the mantle of civil rights.
"This virus, it has no eyes and yet, it knows exactly how we see each other and how we treat each other. And let's be clear: There is no vaccine for racism. We've got to do the work," Harris said.
Harris's speech came on the third night of the convention, which built on a progressing theme.
The first night of the Democratic convention essentially had an anti-Trump theme, showcasing four Republicans along with far-left Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who concurred that Trump is unfit to be president. The second night, the convention took a unifying turn as Democrats across the country officially nominated Biden to be the party's presidential candidate.
Wednesday night was forward-focusing about Democrats' priorities and vision, with Harris, who 77-year-old Biden essentially put in a position to be the next leader of the party, representing its future.
"Right now, we have a president who turns our tragedies into political weapons. Joe will be a president who turns our challenges into purpose," Harris said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-21--'We have cried out for justice': Keisha Lance Bottoms challenges Democrats to bring passion to the p

'We have cried out for justice': Keisha Lance Bottoms challenges Democrats to bring passion to the polls

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms turned focus to giants of the civil rights movement in an inspirational speech encouraging continued progress on race relations and social justice .
“ People often think they ca n't make a difference like our civil rights icons , but every person in the movement mattered — those who made the sandwiches , swept the church floors , stuffed the envelopes .
They , too , changed America , ” Bottoms said Thursday during the virtual Democratic National Convention .
Bottoms gained national attention amid the June protests and riots sparked by the police-involved death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Minneapolis .
In one of her biggest moments , she gave an impassioned speech during a press conference following live coverage of protesters vandalizing CNN headquarters .
“ You are disgracing our city , '' she scolded while also stressing her agreement about the need for reform in policing and improvement of race relations .
She referenced the modern protests in her speech on Thursday while taking inspiration from the late Georgia Rep. John Lewis , who led one of the most famous civil rights marches across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a brutal confrontation with state troopers .
The event was dubbed `` Bloody Sunday . ''
“ We have cried out for justice , we have gathered in our streets to demand change , and now , we must pass on the gift John Lewis sacrificed to give us , we must register , and we must vote , ” Bottoms said .
The 50-year-old Democratic rising star was also among the dozen or so women that Joe Biden was seriously considering in his vice presidential nominee search before he decided on California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's profile .
House Majority Whip James Clyburn of South Carolina , credited with helping to seal the South Carolina primary for Biden with his endorsement and leading to Biden sweeping primaries to seal the nomination , was one of the most vocal Biden loyalists pushing for a black woman to be his running mate and had mentioned Bottoms as a possible pick .
“ We know how important it is that we elect real leaders like Joe Biden and Kamala Harris , people of honor and integrity , who hold justice close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives of my four black children matter , ” she said of the party ’ s presidential and vice presidential nominees .
“ Congressman Lewis would not be silenced , and neither can we .
We can not wait for some other time , some other place , some other heroes .
We must be the heroes of our generation , because we , too , are America .
Our votes can be our voice , ” she concluded .
Georgia , long an Electoral College stronghold for Republicans , is on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they hope to flip in favor of Biden as changing demographics slowly nudge the state to the left politically .
The theme of the last night of the convention was `` America 's Promise , '' which focused on leaders ' guiding principles and character in an overarching argument to tear down President Trump and prop up Biden .

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms turned focus to giants of the civil rights movement in an inspirational speech encouraging continued progress on race relations and social justice.
“People often think they can't make a difference like our civil rights icons, but every person in the movement mattered — those who made the sandwiches, swept the church floors, stuffed the envelopes. They, too, changed America,” Bottoms said Thursday during the virtual Democratic National Convention.
Bottoms gained national attention amid the June protests and riots sparked by the police-involved death of George Floyd, a black man from Minneapolis. In one of her biggest moments, she gave an impassioned speech during a press conference following live coverage of protesters vandalizing CNN headquarters. “You are disgracing our city," she scolded while also stressing her agreement about the need for reform in policing and improvement of race relations.
She referenced the modern protests in her speech on Thursday while taking inspiration from the late Georgia Rep. John Lewis, who led one of the most famous civil rights marches across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, that resulted in a brutal confrontation with state troopers. The event was dubbed "Bloody Sunday."
“We have cried out for justice, we have gathered in our streets to demand change, and now, we must pass on the gift John Lewis sacrificed to give us, we must register, and we must vote,” Bottoms said.
The 50-year-old Democratic rising star was also among the dozen or so women that Joe Biden was seriously considering in his vice presidential nominee search before he decided on California Sen. Kamala Harris, further raising Bottoms's profile.
House Majority Whip James Clyburn of South Carolina, credited with helping to seal the South Carolina primary for Biden with his endorsement and leading to Biden sweeping primaries to seal the nomination, was one of the most vocal Biden loyalists pushing for a black woman to be his running mate and had mentioned Bottoms as a possible pick.
“We know how important it is that we elect real leaders like Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, people of honor and integrity,who hold justice close to their hearts and believe that the lives of my four black children matter,” she said of the party’s presidential and vice presidential nominees.
“Congressman Lewis would not be silenced, and neither can we. We cannot wait for some other time, some other place, some other heroes. We must be the heroes of our generation, because we, too, are America. Our votes can be our voice,” she concluded.
Georgia, long an Electoral College stronghold for Republicans, is on the Democrats' list of reach states that they hope to flip in favor of Biden as changing demographics slowly nudge the state to the left politically.
The theme of the last night of the convention was "America's Promise," which focused on leaders' guiding principles and character in an overarching argument to tear down President Trump and prop up Biden.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-21--Tulsi Gabbard says she wasn’t invited to participate in the Democratic National Convention

Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard said no one invited her to participate in the Democratic National Convention .
On Thursday night , the Hawaii member of Congress , and one of the six women who ran for the Democratic Party 's nomination for president , revealed on Twitter that no one invited her to speak at the convention .
`` You 're correct — I was not invited to participate in any way , '' Gabbard said in response to a tweet that noted she was one of seven Democrats to earn delegates during the primary elections .
Gabbard has taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scathing criticisms against now-vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris , accusing her of keeping innocent people in jail .
She also filed a defamation lawsuit against 2016 presidential candidate Hillary Clinton after the former secretary of state called her a `` Russian asset . ''
`` Great !
Thank you @ HillaryClinton .
You , the queen of warmongers , embodiment of corruption , and personification of the rot that has sickened the Democratic Party for so long , have finally come out from behind the curtain , '' Gabbard tweeted after Clinton 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced my candidacy , there has been a concerted campaign to destroy my reputation .
We wondered who was behind it and why .
Now we know — it was always you , through your proxies and powerful allies in the corporate media and war machine , afraid of the threat I pose .
It ’ s now clear that this primary is between you and me .
Don ’ t cowardly hide behind your proxies .
Join the race directly , '' she continued .
Gabbard dropped the lawsuit in May .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11 that he expected to be a speaker at the convention but was snubbed by the Democratic National Committee .
`` I ’ ve got to be honest I kind of expected to speak , '' Yang tweeted .
`` Maybe I endorsed against one too many incumbents . ''
After public outcry from his supporters , the DNC reversed its decision a few days later and invited him to speak .
`` And it ’ s official — we have been added to the DNC Convention speaker lineup !
Thank you # @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happen !
# YangIsSpeaking , '' he later tweeted .

Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard said no one invited her to participate in the Democratic National Convention.
On Thursday night, the Hawaii member of Congress, and one of the six women who ran for the Democratic Party's nomination for president, revealed on Twitter that no one invited her to speak at the convention.
"You're correct — I was not invited to participate in any way," Gabbard said in response to a tweet that noted she was one of seven Democrats to earn delegates during the primary elections.
You're correct - I was not invited to participate in any way. https://t.co/zQBOQB8Zw7 — Tulsi Gabbard 🌺 (@TulsiGabbard) August 20, 2020
Gabbard has taken aim at several prominent Democrats, issuing scathing criticisms against now-vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris, accusing her of keeping innocent people in jail. She also filed a defamation lawsuit against 2016 presidential candidate Hillary Clinton after the former secretary of state called her a "Russian asset."
"Great! Thank you @HillaryClinton. You, the queen of warmongers, embodiment of corruption, and personification of the rot that has sickened the Democratic Party for so long, have finally come out from behind the curtain," Gabbard tweeted after Clinton's comments.
"From the day I announced my candidacy, there has been a concerted campaign to destroy my reputation. We wondered who was behind it and why. Now we know — it was always you, through your proxies and powerful allies in the corporate media and war machine, afraid of the threat I pose. It’s now clear that this primary is between you and me. Don’t cowardly hide behind your proxies. Join the race directly," she continued.
Gabbard dropped the lawsuit in May.
Businessman Andrew Yang also said on Aug. 11 that he expected to be a speaker at the convention but was snubbed by the Democratic National Committee.
"I’ve got to be honest I kind of expected to speak," Yang tweeted. "Maybe I endorsed against one too many incumbents."
After public outcry from his supporters, the DNC reversed its decision a few days later and invited him to speak.
"And it’s official — we have been added to the DNC Convention speaker lineup! Thank you #YangGang and everyone else who made this happen! #YangIsSpeaking," he later tweeted.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-20--Blame America first and last: Republicans pan Democratic convention US history lesson

The Democratic National Convention has featured the national anthem and the American flag , but Republicans are questioning whether the speakers are expressing the level of national pride voters have come to expect .
In brief remarks seconding Bernie Sanders ’ s presidential nomination on Tuesday night , Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , a New York Democratic congresswoman seen as a rising star in the party , described American history as a litany of “ racial injustice , colonization , misogyny , and homophobia , and to propose and build reimagined systems of immigration and foreign policy that turn away from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ These were all “ wounds ” the Vermont socialist senator ’ s “ mass people ’ s movement ” was striving to “ repair.
” “ Unless you ’ re Native American , your family likely came here from somewhere else , whether it was five years ago or 200 years ago .
Whether it was by choice or by bondage , ” said actress Kerry Washington as she emceed the convention on Wednesday night .
Washington acknowledged “ who we are as a nation is the very idea that though you may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ find your home here , ” but added , “ that idea is in danger , now more than ever before.
” “ The Democratic Party should remember some of their leaders of the past who were strong , patriotic Americans and led by example , ” said Republican strategist Jon Gilmore .
“ Our parties shouldn ’ t even have to debate patriotism to America .
And it is disturbing how the Left has shifted in their viewpoint of our nation.
” Commentator Mary Eberstadt likened the proceedings to Democrat-turned-Republican U.S .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Francisco Democrats , ” who , she said , at the 1984 Republican National Convention renominating Ronald Reagan for president , “ always blame America first.
” “ But its target is no longer American foreign policy , ” Eberstadt in the Wall Street Journal .
“ It is instead the U.S. at large : its history , its institutions and its place in the world.
” Liberals have long argued for frank discussion of the flaws in American history , especially slavery and other manifestations of racism .
But Democratic politicians have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national pride .
“ There is nothing wrong with America that can not be cured by what is right with America , ” Bill Clinton said in his first inaugural address in 1993 .
Barack Obama also participated in the tradition of arguing the nation ’ s founding , though flawed , pointed America in the direction of fixing its errors .
“ I 'm in Philadelphia , where our Constitution was drafted and signed .
It was n't a perfect document , ” he said in his speech on Wednesday night .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ slavery and failed to guarantee women , and even men who did n't own property , the right to participate in the political process.
” Obama continued , “ But embedded in this document was a North Star that would guide future generations ; a system of representative government , a democracy , through which we could better realize our highest ideals.
” “ So , to all the young people : Do n't give up on America , ” said Hillary Clinton , the 2016 Democratic nominee , on Wednesday night .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have come so far.
” But there have been recent intellectual trends on the Left emphasizing those flaws more than ever before .
The New York Times 's 1619 Project teaches that the actual founding of the United States began with slavery , and racism remains ubiquitous as a result .
Following the protests against systemic racism after George Floyd ’ s death , some polls showed a decline in national pride .
Gallup found it at a in June , with only 24 % of Democrats saying they were “ extremely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pride was also down by 9 points .
National anthem protests have become commonplace at professional sporting events .
“ In the midst of a pandemic and economic collapse , I think Americans are more focused on the present than concerned about depictions of the past , ” said Republican strategist Christian Ferry .
“ This election is really about the incumbent , as are most reelection campaigns .
”

The Democratic National Convention has featured the national anthem and the American flag, but Republicans are questioning whether the speakers are expressing the level of national pride voters have come to expect.
In brief remarks seconding Bernie Sanders’s presidential nomination on Tuesday night, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a New York Democratic congresswoman seen as a rising star in the party, described American history as a litany of “racial injustice, colonization, misogyny, and homophobia, and to propose and build reimagined systems of immigration and foreign policy that turn away from the violence and xenophobia of our past.” These were all “wounds” the Vermont socialist senator’s “mass people’s movement” was striving to “repair.”
“Unless you’re Native American, your family likely came here from somewhere else, whether it was five years ago or 200 years ago. Whether it was by choice or by bondage,” said actress Kerry Washington as she emceed the convention on Wednesday night. Washington acknowledged “who we are as a nation is the very idea that though you may be from somewhere else, you can find your home here,” but added, “that idea is in danger, now more than ever before.”
“The Democratic Party should remember some of their leaders of the past who were strong, patriotic Americans and led by example,” said Republican strategist Jon Gilmore. “Our parties shouldn’t even have to debate patriotism to America. And it is disturbing how the Left has shifted in their viewpoint of our nation.”
Commentator Mary Eberstadt likened the proceedings to Democrat-turned-Republican U.S. Ambassador Jeanne Kirkpatrick’s “San Francisco Democrats,” who, she said, at the 1984 Republican National Convention renominating Ronald Reagan for president, “always blame America first.”
“But its target is no longer American foreign policy,” Eberstadt wrote in the Wall Street Journal. “It is instead the U.S. at large: its history, its institutions and its place in the world.”
Liberals have long argued for frank discussion of the flaws in American history, especially slavery and other manifestations of racism. But Democratic politicians have usually been careful to couch them in national pride. “There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America,” Bill Clinton said in his first inaugural address in 1993.
Barack Obama also participated in the tradition of arguing the nation’s founding, though flawed, pointed America in the direction of fixing its errors. “I'm in Philadelphia, where our Constitution was drafted and signed. It wasn't a perfect document,” he said in his speech on Wednesday night. “It allowed for the inhumanity of slavery and failed to guarantee women, and even men who didn't own property, the right to participate in the political process.” Obama continued, “But embedded in this document was a North Star that would guide future generations; a system of representative government, a democracy, through which we could better realize our highest ideals.”
“So, to all the young people: Don't give up on America,” said Hillary Clinton, the 2016 Democratic nominee, on Wednesday night. “Despite our flaws and problems, we have come so far.”
But there have been recent intellectual trends on the Left emphasizing those flaws more than ever before. The New York Times's 1619 Project teaches that the actual founding of the United States began with slavery, and racism remains ubiquitous as a result.
Following the protests against systemic racism after George Floyd’s death, some polls showed a decline in national pride. Gallup found it at a record low in June, with only 24% of Democrats saying they were “extremely proud” to be Americans. Republican pride was also down by 9 points. National anthem protests have become commonplace at professional sporting events.
“In the midst of a pandemic and economic collapse, I think Americans are more focused on the present than concerned about depictions of the past,” said Republican strategist Christian Ferry. “This election is really about the incumbent, as are most reelection campaigns.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-20--Trump says Biden will institute ‘permanent lockdown’

President Trump told supporters in Pennsylvania that Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden would impose a permanent lockdown if elected .
“ Biden would terminate this unprecedented recovery .
He wants to impose a permanent lockdown combined with a socialist takeover of the U.S. economy , ” Trump said .
Trump held a campaign event Thursday at Mariotti Building Products in Old Forge , Pennsylvania , where he warned supporters that Biden is “ a puppet of the radical left movement ” and has worked alongside “ socialist Bernie Sanders.
” He pushed Pennsylvania ’ s Democratic Gov .
Tom Wolf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month in response to “ an unsettling climb ” in new coronavirus cases .
The order lowered the maximum capacity for in-person dining services at restaurants to 25 % , and large groups can not exceed 25 people indoors or 250 people outdoors .
“ Frankly , the Democrats should do what ’ s right for the country , ” Trump said .
“ They know they should open .
Wolf knows he should open.
” Most states across the Sun Belt that have become coronavirus hot spots , such as Florida , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Republican governors .
Many have had to reinstate some business restrictions or pause reopening procedures in an effort to decrease the rate of daily new coronavirus cases .
California , under Gov .
Gavin Newsom , a Democrat , has also seen an increase in cases that led to tightened restrictions .

President Trump told supporters in Pennsylvania that Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden would impose a permanent coronavirus lockdown if elected.
“Biden would terminate this unprecedented recovery. He wants to impose a permanent lockdown combined with a socialist takeover of the U.S. economy,” Trump said.
Trump held a campaign event Thursday at Mariotti Building Products in Old Forge, Pennsylvania, where he warned supporters that Biden is “a puppet of the radical left movement” and has worked alongside “socialist Bernie Sanders.”
He pushed Pennsylvania’s Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf to lift business restrictions that he imposed last month in response to “an unsettling climb” in new coronavirus cases. The order lowered the maximum capacity for in-person dining services at restaurants to 25%, and large groups cannot exceed 25 people indoors or 250 people outdoors.
“Frankly, the Democrats should do what’s right for the country,” Trump said. “They know they should open. Wolf knows he should open.”
Most states across the Sun Belt that have become coronavirus hot spots, such as Florida, Georgia, and Texas, are run by Republican governors. Many have had to reinstate some business restrictions or pause reopening procedures in an effort to decrease the rate of daily new coronavirus cases. California, under Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, has also seen an increase in cases that led to tightened restrictions.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-20--Pelosi faces progressive backlash over Joe Kennedy endorsement

Liberal groups , led by freshman House Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , attacked Speaker Nancy Pelosi for endorsing Rep. Joe Kennedy III in the Massachusetts U.S. Senate race .
Pelosi ’ s announcement first broke in the Boston Globe and appears to counter Democratic leadership opposition candidates who challenge their party incumbents .
The California Democrat chose Kennedy , the grandson of Robert F. Kennedy , over incumbent Sen. Ed Markey , who is endorsed by Ocasio-Cortez .
The two face off in the Bay State ’ s Sept. 1 primary .
Both Kennedy and Markey are liberal , but Markey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ career as a progressive legislator .
Kennedy , 39 , has campaigned as a candidate who can usher in a new generation of leadership .
Pelosi picked Markey ’ s competitor despite a policy put in place by the party ’ s House fundraising arm , the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee , banning business with groups that back candidates challenging Democratic incumbents .
“ No one gets to complain about primary challenges again , ” Ocasio-Cortez tweeted at the Democratic leadership , noting the apparent hypocrisy .
“ When can we expect you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ orgs ?
” Ocasio-Cortez accused Democratic leaders of “ cherry picking activity ” and pointed out that the DCCC has not opposed the primary opponent running against Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota .
Omar has clashed with leaders as part of the “ Squad ” led by Ocasio-Cortez and has been widely criticized for anti-Semitic tweets and comments .
Officials at the Sunrise Movement , a far-left group that helped author the `` Green New Deal '' and backs progressive candidates , put out a statement that called Pelosi ’ s endorsement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Markey was one of the few senators who stood alongside Ocasio-Cortez outside the U.S. Capitol when she announced her plan to introduce the `` Green New Deal , '' an environmental agenda that would upend the economy by eliminating fossil fuels , among other drastic provisions .
Markey introduced the bill in the Senate .
Pelosi opposes it .
“ This endorsement is embarrassing because it plainly reveals a ridiculous double standard , ” Sunrise Movement officials said in a statement .
“ This has never been about protecting incumbents ; it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ donors profiting off the status quo.
” Markey , who was a House member for 36 years , is leading in recent polls , thanks in part to his campaign 's ability to harness progressive groups in the state to help phone-bank on his behalf .
Markey won the endorsement of the Boston Globe in July .
Markey on Thursday issued a statement about Pelosi ’ s endorsement , congratulating Kennedy .
“ Any candidate would be proud to have her endorsement , '' he said .

Liberal groups, led by freshman House Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, attacked Speaker Nancy Pelosi for endorsing Rep. Joe Kennedy III in the Massachusetts U.S. Senate race.
Pelosi’s announcement first broke in the Boston Globe and appears to counter Democratic leadership opposition candidates who challenge their party incumbents.
The California Democrat chose Kennedy, the grandson of Robert F. Kennedy, over incumbent Sen. Ed Markey, who is endorsed by Ocasio-Cortez. The two face off in the Bay State’s Sept. 1 primary.
Both Kennedy and Markey are liberal, but Markey, 74, has a much longer career as a progressive legislator. Kennedy, 39, has campaigned as a candidate who can usher in a new generation of leadership.
Pelosi picked Markey’s competitor despite a policy put in place by the party’s House fundraising arm, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, banning business with groups that back candidates challenging Democratic incumbents.
“No one gets to complain about primary challenges again,” Ocasio-Cortez tweeted at the Democratic leadership, noting the apparent hypocrisy.
“When can we expect you to reverse your blacklist policy against primary orgs?”
Ocasio-Cortez accused Democratic leaders of “cherry picking activity” and pointed out that the DCCC has not opposed the primary opponent running against Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota.
Omar has clashed with leaders as part of the “Squad” led by Ocasio-Cortez and has been widely criticized for anti-Semitic tweets and comments.
Officials at the Sunrise Movement, a far-left group that helped author the "Green New Deal" and backs progressive candidates, put out a statement that called Pelosi’s endorsement of Kennedy over Markey “an embarrassment.”
Markey was one of the few senators who stood alongside Ocasio-Cortez outside the U.S. Capitol when she announced her plan to introduce the "Green New Deal," an environmental agenda that would upend the economy by eliminating fossil fuels, among other drastic provisions.
Markey introduced the bill in the Senate. Pelosi opposes it.
“This endorsement is embarrassing because it plainly reveals a ridiculous double standard,” Sunrise Movement officials said in a statement. “This has never been about protecting incumbents; it’s been about protecting big Democratic donors profiting off the status quo.”
Markey, who was a House member for 36 years, is leading in recent polls, thanks in part to his campaign's ability to harness progressive groups in the state to help phone-bank on his behalf.
Markey won the endorsement of the Boston Globe in July.
Markey on Thursday issued a statement about Pelosi’s endorsement, congratulating Kennedy. “Any candidate would be proud to have her endorsement," he said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-20--‘WomenForBiden.com’ puts spotlight on harassment claims against him

Just hours before he accepts the Democratic Party ’ s nomination for president , Joe Biden is getting slammed anew with allegations of sexual harassment from a new website highlighting the claims against the longtime senator and two-term vice president .
The address of the site , WomenforBiden.com , appears to be pro-Biden , but it is the brainchild of a conservative activist and former Trump aide who said he believes the media and Democrats should look into the claims against the Democrat as hard as they did those against President Trump and Supreme Court Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ people on what ’ s happening with Biden , ” said David Blair , a political consultant .
He said that there has been a “ glaring double standard ” on how the charges against Biden and Trump and Kavanaugh have been pursued .
Biden faced a recent claim of harassment from a former aide , Tara Reade , who said that in 1993 , he touched her inappropriately .
At the time , Sen. Kamala Harris , now on Biden ’ s ticket , said she believed Reade and others making charges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The homepage reads `` Women for Joe '' and lists quotes from the “ women who encounter Joe Biden.
” But the quotes are from eight women who have said they felt uncomfortable around Biden .
And it is under a quote from Harris , who said of the accusers , “ I believe them , and I respect them being able to tell their story and having the courage to do it.
” It also includes a petition to have the University of Delaware release his Senate records that may hold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against him .
“ We want Joe to be transparent , ” said Blair .
The website also includes links to the Trump campaign and its Women for Trump site .
Blair , who helps campaigns with digital media , said he was surprised that the website was available .
The Trump campaign owns its WomenforTrump.com .
Blair said he bought it for just $ 12 .
The Trump site is busy and includes platforms and links to events .
The Biden campaign site dedicated to women has none of that and is @ @ @ @

Just hours before he accepts the Democratic Party’s nomination for president, Joe Biden is getting slammed anew with allegations of sexual harassment from a new website highlighting the claims against the longtime senator and two-term vice president.
The address of the site, WomenforBiden.com, appears to be pro-Biden, but it is the brainchild of a conservative activist and former Trump aide who said he believes the media and Democrats should look into the claims against the Democrat as hard as they did those against President Trump and Supreme Court Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
A screenshot of the homepage of WomenforBiden.com (Screenshot)
“This is my way of educating people on what’s happening with Biden,” said David Blair, a political consultant. He said that there has been a “glaring double standard” on how the charges against Biden and Trump and Kavanaugh have been pursued.
Biden faced a recent claim of harassment from a former aide, Tara Reade, who said that in 1993, he touched her inappropriately. At the time, Sen. Kamala Harris, now on Biden’s ticket, said she believed Reade and others making charges.
Biden denied the claims.
WomenforBiden.com looks like a Biden website. The homepage reads "Women for Joe" and lists quotes from the “women who encounter Joe Biden.”
But the quotes are from eight women who have said they felt uncomfortable around Biden.
And it is under a quote from Harris, who said of the accusers, “I believe them, and I respect them being able to tell their story and having the courage to do it.”
It also includes a petition to have the University of Delaware release his Senate records that may hold information on any claims of sexual harassment against him.
“We want Joe to be transparent,” said Blair.
The website also includes links to the Trump campaign and its Women for Trump site.
Blair, who helps campaigns with digital media, said he was surprised that the website was available. The Trump campaign owns its WomenforTrump.com. Blair said he bought it for just $12.
The Trump site is busy and includes platforms and links to events. The Biden campaign site dedicated to women has none of that and is a fundraising vehicle.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-20--Hunter Biden to come out of hiding on last night of Democratic convention

For nearly a year-and-a-half , as Joe Biden and his allies have touted the former vice president 's close relationship with his family on the campaign trail , one individual was notably missing : Hunter Biden .
On Thursday night , toward the end of the four-day virtual Democratic National Convention , Hunter Biden will make some of his first public remarks about his father 's third White House bid , ending speculation whether the long-troubled son would remain absent from public life entirely .
The convention itself started with a number of the former vice president 's grandchildren performing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children of the husband of Biden 's running mate , California Sen. Kamala Harris , appeared in a video praising her role in raising them .
President Barack Obama spoke of Biden 's dead son , the late Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden , and his time serving in the military .
Meanwhile , Jill Biden , in her Tuesday evening speech , recalled the December 1972 tragedy that left Joe Biden 's first wife and daughter dead from a car accident , ultimately leaving her to raise two boys , Hunter and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost entirely unmentioned from the proceedings in which his father was nominated for president by the Democratic Party , the capstone of a 33-year quest for the prize over three White House bids .
It 's a peculiar but perhaps understandable circumstance , due to so much of his father 's presidential campaign revolving around his dedication to family — and a series of unflattering headlines triggered by Hunter Biden .
For years , Hunter Biden 's personal life has been defined by addiction , shady business dealings , and love triangles with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He first entered a rehab facility in 2003 and relapsed in 2010 .
Court records from the divorce proceedings from his first wife of 23 years , Kathleen , included accusations of Hunter Biden `` spending extravagantly on his own interests ( including drugs , alcohol , prostitutes , strip clubs , and gifts for women with whom he has sexual relations ) . ''
Both the president and GOP lawmakers have grown obsessed with Hunter Biden 's business dealings in Ukraine , where he served on the board of the Burisma gas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the industry , he earned upwards of $ 50,000 a month .
President Trump 's preoccupation with the peculiar arrangement ended up being a key fact in his ultimate impeachment .
During his time at Burisma , Hunter Biden struggled with substance abuse .
In 2014 , he was discharged from the Naval Reserve after testing positive for cocaine .
In 2016 , police found a cocaine pipe in an Arizona rental car under his name .
Congressional Republicans are currently in the middle of conducting their own investigation into Burisma and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the companies in hopes of finding evidence of corruption between its executives and Hunter Biden .
GOP Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin alleged in March that Blue Star Strategies , a firm that represented the interests of Burisma in the United States , `` sought to leverage Hunter Biden 's role as a board member of Burisma to gain access to , and potentially influence matters at the State Department . ''
Joe Biden has repeatedly denied any improper arrangement between him and his son and has attacked the GOP for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's death from brain cancer in 2015 .
But even as Democrats have dismissed the GOP 's attacks on Hunter Biden as nothing more than a partisan conspiracy theory , the Biden campaign has gone through great lengths to keep him as far away as possible .
Hunter Biden and his new wife , Melissa Cohen Biden , were nowhere to be found in last year 's Biden family Christmas card .
No member of the Biden family attended their wedding , which was held in secret last year .
In December of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between Hunter Biden and Lunden Roberts , a former Washington stripper who went by the name `` Dallas . ''
Hunter Biden initially denied fathering the child until a court-ordered paternity test revealed otherwise .
Trump has taken notice .
On Wednesday , his campaign announced , as part of its digital advertising effort during the Democratic National Convention , that it would air a two-minute online clip highlighting Hunter Biden 's business dealings with China .
The video is said to focus on a 2013 trip Hunter Biden went on with his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a Chinese businessman .
Multiple Obama administration officials at the time thought the optics of the trip were unsettling .
“ Joe Biden has a big China problem .
Our data shows that Biden ’ s softness on China is a major vulnerability , among many , ” Trump campaign Communications Director Tim Murtaugh told the Washington Examiner earlier this year .
Questioning Hunter Biden 's whereabouts has turned into a meme of sorts for the Trump campaign and its supporters .
As the new ad campaign was announced , Trump campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Where 's Hunter ?
`` , as did numerous allies .

For nearly a year-and-a-half, as Joe Biden and his allies have touted the former vice president's close relationship with his family on the campaign trail, one individual was notably missing: Hunter Biden.
On Thursday night, toward the end of the four-day virtual Democratic National Convention, Hunter Biden will make some of his first public remarks about his father's third White House bid, ending speculation whether the long-troubled son would remain absent from public life entirely.
The convention itself started with a number of the former vice president's grandchildren performing the Pledge of Allegiance. And the children of the husband of Biden's running mate, California Sen. Kamala Harris, appeared in a video praising her role in raising them. President Barack Obama spoke of Biden's dead son, the late Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden, and his time serving in the military.
Meanwhile, Jill Biden, in her Tuesday evening speech, recalled the December 1972 tragedy that left Joe Biden's first wife and daughter dead from a car accident, ultimately leaving her to raise two boys, Hunter and Beau.
But Hunter Biden had gone almost entirely unmentioned from the proceedings in which his father was nominated for president by the Democratic Party, the capstone of a 33-year quest for the prize over three White House bids. It's a peculiar but perhaps understandable circumstance, due to so much of his father's presidential campaign revolving around his dedication to family — and a series of unflattering headlines triggered by Hunter Biden.
For years, Hunter Biden's personal life has been defined by addiction, shady business dealings, and love triangles with the wife of his dead brother. He first entered a rehab facility in 2003 and relapsed in 2010. Court records from the divorce proceedings from his first wife of 23 years, Kathleen, included accusations of Hunter Biden "spending extravagantly on his own interests (including drugs, alcohol, prostitutes, strip clubs, and gifts for women with whom he has sexual relations)."
Both the president and GOP lawmakers have grown obsessed with Hunter Biden's business dealings in Ukraine, where he served on the board of the Burisma gas company. There, despite zero experience in the industry, he earned upwards of $50,000 a month. President Trump's preoccupation with the peculiar arrangement ended up being a key fact in his ultimate impeachment.
During his time at Burisma, Hunter Biden struggled with substance abuse. In 2014, he was discharged from the Naval Reserve after testing positive for cocaine. In 2016, police found a cocaine pipe in an Arizona rental car under his name.
Congressional Republicans are currently in the middle of conducting their own investigation into Burisma and its affiliates, subpoenaing thousands of documents from the companies in hopes of finding evidence of corruption between its executives and Hunter Biden. GOP Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin alleged in March that Blue Star Strategies, a firm that represented the interests of Burisma in the United States, "sought to leverage Hunter Biden's role as a board member of Burisma to gain access to, and potentially influence matters at the State Department."
Joe Biden has repeatedly denied any improper arrangement between him and his son and has attacked the GOP for the investigation in the wake of Beau Biden's death from brain cancer in 2015.
But even as Democrats have dismissed the GOP's attacks on Hunter Biden as nothing more than a partisan conspiracy theory, the Biden campaign has gone through great lengths to keep him as far away as possible.
Hunter Biden and his new wife, Melissa Cohen Biden, were nowhere to be found in last year's Biden family Christmas card. No member of the Biden family attended their wedding, which was held in secret last year. In December of last year, a paternity lawsuit emerged between Hunter Biden and Lunden Roberts, a former Washington stripper who went by the name "Dallas."
Hunter Biden initially denied fathering the child until a court-ordered paternity test revealed otherwise.
Trump has taken notice. On Wednesday, his campaign announced, as part of its digital advertising effort during the Democratic National Convention, that it would air a two-minute online clip highlighting Hunter Biden's business dealings with China.
The video is said to focus on a 2013 trip Hunter Biden went on with his father to China, where he met with a Chinese businessman. Multiple Obama administration officials at the time thought the optics of the trip were unsettling.
“Joe Biden has a big China problem. Our data shows that Biden’s softness on China is a major vulnerability, among many,” Trump campaign Communications Director Tim Murtaugh told the Washington Examiner earlier this year.
Questioning Hunter Biden's whereabouts has turned into a meme of sorts for the Trump campaign and its supporters. As the new ad campaign was announced, Trump campaign senior adviser Boris Epshteyn tweeted, "Where's Hunter?", as did numerous allies.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-20--The media have already set up a predictably false narrative about the political conventions

Liberals in the national media know that few people are actually watching the virtual national political conventions live , so here 's what 's going to happen : They 'll pump up the Democratic convention , as they have been doing this week already , as stunning displays of bravery , unity , and leadership .
In contrast , next week 's Republican convention , will be , according to the media , a dismal production of division , hatred , and ( no doubt ) white supremacy .
New York Times columnist Charles Blow is already on it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ effort is succeeding and is a welcome note of positivity ahead of what surely will be a Republican convention filled with fear-mongering and divisiveness . ''
It 's surely more accurate to say that the first three days of the Democrats ' convention have been sputtering , dull , and awkward .
I do n't say that as an insult .
Producing the first socially distanced political convention ever ( to comical effect , as when Joe Biden and his running mate Kamala Harris met on stage but declined to hug and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ always going to mean a boring event .
Michelle Obama nearly cried during her speech , which was pre-recorded too soon to include a mention of the first black female vice presidential nominee .
Bill Clinton endorsed Biden as a man with the virility of an ox , though viewers had every reason to be suspicious of that rave review , given that we 've barely seen Biden leave the underground more than five times in the past three months .
Barack Obama gave a nice talk , but his support remains a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it came .
Hillary Clinton , once again , came off as a deeply embittered former nominee who ca n't let it go , effectively telling viewers , `` I told you that you should have picked me . ''
Even as the media pretend that this has been a powerful moment , it has all mostly felt like a Zoom video call without the charm , and you do n't get paid to participate .
The Republican event next week will have an interesting set of speakers , including Nick Sandmann of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Louis couple arrested for drawing guns on protesters who threatened their home , and Alice Johnson , a black woman granted clemency by the president .
But that convention will in all likelihood be just as sleepy , given that it will also be virtual .
Even as both events remain sleepy and forgettable affairs , just know that whatever the media say about them , it does n't come close to reality .

Liberals in the national media know that few people are actually watching the virtual national political conventions live, so here's what's going to happen: They'll pump up the Democratic convention, as they have been doing this week already, as stunning displays of bravery, unity, and leadership.
In contrast, next week's Republican convention, will be, according to the media, a dismal production of division, hatred, and (no doubt) white supremacy.
New York Times columnist Charles Blow is already on it. He wrote Wednesday that "the Democrats’ effort is succeeding and is a welcome note of positivity ahead of what surely will be a Republican convention filled with fear-mongering and divisiveness."
It's surely more accurate to say that the first three days of the Democrats' convention have been sputtering, dull, and awkward. I don't say that as an insult. Producing the first socially distanced political convention ever (to comical effect, as when Joe Biden and his running mate Kamala Harris met on stage but declined to hug and instead stood 20 feet apart) was always going to mean a boring event.
Michelle Obama nearly cried during her speech, which was pre-recorded too soon to include a mention of the first black female vice presidential nominee. Bill Clinton endorsed Biden as a man with the virility of an ox, though viewers had every reason to be suspicious of that rave review, given that we've barely seen Biden leave the underground more than five times in the past three months. Barack Obama gave a nice talk, but his support remains a little cringeworthy in light of how late it came. Hillary Clinton, once again, came off as a deeply embittered former nominee who can't let it go, effectively telling viewers, "I told you that you should have picked me."
Even as the media pretend that this has been a powerful moment, it has all mostly felt like a Zoom video call without the charm, and you don't get paid to participate.
The Republican event next week will have an interesting set of speakers, including Nick Sandmann of the Covington Catholic controversy, the St. Louis couple arrested for drawing guns on protesters who threatened their home, and Alice Johnson, a black woman granted clemency by the president. But that convention will in all likelihood be just as sleepy, given that it will also be virtual.
Even as both events remain sleepy and forgettable affairs, just know that whatever the media say about them, it doesn't come close to reality.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-20--'Trump is the most pro-gay president in American history': Grenell ad goes viral as he touts Trump's

'Trump is the most pro-gay president in American history': Grenell ad goes viral as he touts Trump's support for gay community

Former acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell released an ad through the Log Cabin Republicans , lauding President Trump as “ the most pro-gay president in American History.
” Grenell joined the Republican National Committee this week as a senior adviser focused on LGBT outreach , according to Fox News .
`` As America 's first openly gay Cabinet member , I can confidently say that President Trump has done more for gay and lesbian Americans than any other president , and it is not even close , '' Grenell said in a statement to Fox News .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gay and transgender conservatives , released an ad on Wednesday featuring Grenell lauding Trump ’ s work for the gay community .
The video has since gone viral , with more than 3 million views as of Thursday morning .
“ President Trump is the most pro-gay president in American history , ” Grenell said in the ad .
“ I can prove it.
” He then set his sights on Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and his history with the gay community .
“ As a United States senator , Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ security clearances because we would be a security risk .
Joe must have been terrified when Donald Trump appointed me as acting director of national intelligence , ” he said .
“ The fact that I ’ m gay didn ’ t even faze Donald Trump .
Joe Biden certainly didn ’ t congratulate the appointment or even acknowledge it .
But his silence was deafening.
” Grenell went on to say that Trump has done more for the gay community in three years in office than Biden had in more than 40 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decades , Joe Biden has attacked the LGBT community .
As a U.S. senator , Biden supported 'do n't ask , do n't tell ' and the Defense of Marriage Act .
Biden voted to cut off federal funds to any school that teaches acceptance of homosexuality .
Biden said again and again that he was against marriage equality , '' he said .
Grenell said he won ’ t be silent in his support of Trump and said others will join him .
“ There are tens of thousands of gay conservatives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t be silent .
Gay people don ’ t have to vote Democrat because Donald Trump is the most pro-gay president in American history , ” he said while putting on a rainbow “ Make America Great Again ” hat .
Biden has come out in support of the gay community in recent years , and his campaign website pledges that he will stand with the LGBT community if elected president .
“ As President , Biden will stand with the LGBTQ+ community to ensure America finally lives up to the promise on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all .
He will provide the moral leadership to champion equal rights for all LGBTQ+ people , fight to ensure our laws and institutions protect and enforce their rights , and advance LGBTQ+ equality globally , ” the campaign site states .

Former acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell released an ad through the Log Cabin Republicans, lauding President Trump as “the most pro-gay president in American History.”
Grenell joined the Republican National Committee this week as a senior adviser focused on LGBT outreach, according to Fox News.
"As America's first openly gay Cabinet member, I can confidently say that President Trump has done more for gay and lesbian Americans than any other president, and it is not even close," Grenell said in a statement to Fox News.
The Log Cabin Republicans, an organization for gay and transgender conservatives, released an ad on Wednesday featuring Grenell lauding Trump’s work for the gay community. The video has since gone viral, with more than 3 million views as of Thursday morning.
“President Trump is the most pro-gay president in American history,” Grenell said in the ad. “I can prove it.”
He then set his sights on Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and his history with the gay community.
“As a United States senator, Joe Biden said gay people couldn’t receive security clearances because we would be a security risk. Joe must have been terrified when Donald Trump appointed me as acting director of national intelligence,” he said.
“The fact that I’m gay didn’t even faze Donald Trump. Joe Biden certainly didn’t congratulate the appointment or even acknowledge it. But his silence was deafening.”
Grenell went on to say that Trump has done more for the gay community in three years in office than Biden had in more than 40 years in office.
“For four decades, Joe Biden has attacked the LGBT community. As a U.S. senator, Biden supported 'don't ask, don't tell' and the Defense of Marriage Act. Biden voted to cut off federal funds to any school that teaches acceptance of homosexuality. Biden said again and again that he was against marriage equality," he said.
Grenell said he won’t be silent in his support of Trump and said others will join him.
“There are tens of thousands of gay conservatives just like me who also won’t be silent. Gay people don’t have to vote Democrat because Donald Trump is the most pro-gay president in American history,” he said while putting on a rainbow “Make America Great Again” hat.
Biden has come out in support of the gay community in recent years, and his campaign website pledges that he will stand with the LGBT community if elected president.
“As President, Biden will stand with the LGBTQ+ community to ensure America finally lives up to the promise on which it was founded: equality for all. He will provide the moral leadership to champion equal rights for all LGBTQ+ people, fight to ensure our laws and institutions protect and enforce their rights, and advance LGBTQ+ equality globally,” the campaign site states.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-20--Terry McAuliffe files tentative paperwork for historic second term as Virginia governor

Former Virginia Gov .
Terry McAuliffe is testing the political waters for a historic second term .
McAuliffe , the state 's governor from 2014 to 2018 , filed paperwork with Virginia 's Department of Elections to set up a 2021 gubernatorial campaign committee .
`` While this is a paperwork change , Gov .
McAuliffe is making no decisions on 2021 until after we defeat Donald Trump and his hateful ideology , '' a McAuliffe spokesman told the Washington Examiner .
State law stipulates that Virginia governors are elected for four-year terms but ca n't immediately run again .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ served two non-consecutive terms , one from 1966 to 1970 and the other from 1974 to 1978 .
McAuliffe , a past Democratic National Committee chairman , toyed with the idea of a presidential bid , but he decided against running when former Vice President Joe Biden , now the party 's standard-bearer , entered the race .
He 's weighed in on Biden 's effort , telling Democrats over the summer , “ He 's fine in the basement . ''
McAuliffe had hinted at a second gubernatorial campaign , particularly during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beyond Charlottesville : Taking a Stand Against White Nationalism .
`` I 'm passionate about Virginia , '' he said last year .
`` You never know where life is going to take you . ''

Former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe is testing the political waters for a historic second term.
McAuliffe, the state's governor from 2014 to 2018, filed paperwork with Virginia's Department of Elections to set up a 2021 gubernatorial campaign committee.
"While this is a paperwork change, Gov. McAuliffe is making no decisions on 2021 until after we defeat Donald Trump and his hateful ideology," a McAuliffe spokesman told the Washington Examiner.
State law stipulates that Virginia governors are elected for four-year terms but can't immediately run again. Only former Gov. Mills Godwin has served two non-consecutive terms, one from 1966 to 1970 and the other from 1974 to 1978.
McAuliffe, a past Democratic National Committee chairman, toyed with the idea of a presidential bid, but he decided against running when former Vice President Joe Biden, now the party's standard-bearer, entered the race. He's weighed in on Biden's effort, telling Democrats over the summer, “He's fine in the basement."
McAuliffe had hinted at a second gubernatorial campaign, particularly during a national tour promoting his book, Beyond Charlottesville: Taking a Stand Against White Nationalism.
"I'm passionate about Virginia," he said last year. "You never know where life is going to take you."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-21--'Playing the race card way too much': Herschel Walker slams final night of Democratic convention

Former NFL running back Herschel Walker responded to the final night of the Democratic National Convention by stating that the speakers were playing the “ race card way too much.
” “ Wow Democratic Convention , you ’ re playing the race card way too much tonight !
” the former Heisman Trophy winner tweeted Thursday night .
“ You all have been in office for years and have done nothing for African Americans .
Every four years you do this for a vote .
And the violence and death in our communities , yet you say nothing ?
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times as of Friday morning .
The convention speakers included former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg , Sen. Tammy Duckworth , former presidential candidate Andrew Yang , and the 2020 Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden , who touched on race several times during his speech .
“ History has thrust one more urgent task on us , ” Biden said in his speech .
“ Will we be the generation that finally wipes the stain of racism from our national character ?
I believe we 're up to it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame , has been a and has criticized Democrats and the Black Lives Matter movement in the past for exacerbating racial tensions .
`` I saw a bunch of people holding a BLM sign burning the Holy Bible , burning the flag of the United States of America , and also burning a cross , '' Walker tweeted earlier this month .
`` And I started thinking , NFL , NBA , WNBA , MLB — is this the people you 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movement ?
Is it the organization ?
Because I do n't think that 's right . ''

Former NFL running back Herschel Walker responded to the final night of the Democratic National Convention by stating that the speakers were playing the “race card way too much.”
“Wow Democratic Convention, you’re playing the race card way too much tonight!” the former Heisman Trophy winner tweeted Thursday night. “You all have been in office for years and have done nothing for African Americans. Every four years you do this for a vote. And the violence and death in our communities, yet you say nothing?”
Wow Democratic Convention, you’re playing the race card way too much tonight! You all have been in office for years and have done nothing for African Americans. Every four years you do this for a vote. And the violence and death in our communities, yet you say nothing? — Herschel Walker (@HerschelWalker) August 21, 2020
The post has been retweeted over 30,000 times as of Friday morning.
The convention speakers included former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Sen. Tammy Duckworth, former presidential candidate Andrew Yang, and the 2020 Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, who touched on race several times during his speech.
“History has thrust one more urgent task on us,” Biden said in his speech . “Will we be the generation that finally wipes the stain of racism from our national character? I believe we're up to it. I believe we're ready.”
Walker, who is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, has been a vocal supporter of President Trump and has criticized Democrats and the Black Lives Matter movement in the past for exacerbating racial tensions.
"I saw a bunch of people holding a BLM sign burning the Holy Bible, burning the flag of the United States of America, and also burning a cross," Walker tweeted earlier this month. "And I started thinking, NFL, NBA, WNBA, MLB — is this the people you're supporting right now? Is it the movement? Is it the organization? Because I don't think that's right."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-21--Republicans concede Biden did not look mentally unfit

Republicans panned Joe Biden ’ s speech accepting the Democratic nomination as thin on a governing agenda and thick on kitschy cliches .
But quietly , GOP operatives conceded the spirited address packed a punch that undercuts President Trump ’ s argument that his opponent is in mental decline and unprepared to lead .
Biden , 77 , capped off a four-day virtual convention with an impassioned speech from Wilmington , Delaware , imploring voters to choose light over darkness , hope over fear , and join him in a battle for the soul of America .
Republicans took notice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sharp delivery , acknowledging it rebuts Trump ’ s attack questioning the mental acuity of “ Slow Joe ” and charge that he is ill-equipped for the rigors of the White House .
“ It was an energetic speech , ” a Republican insider in Florida said .
“ Empathy , empathy , empathy.
” “ He made it through fine , ” a second Republican operative said .
Perhaps telling was how the Trump campaign chose to characterize Biden ’ s address , which accused Trump of failing to lead amid a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 170,000 people in the United States dead and sent unemployment skyrocketing .
There was nothing in Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh ’ s statement about Biden ’ s cognitive abilities — and even the warning about the former vice president ’ s agenda was a warning about his association with other , more radical Democrats .
“ By accepting his party ’ s nomination tonight , Joe Biden has formally become a pawn of the radical leftists .
His name is on the campaign logo , but the ideas come from the socialist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe Biden is a twice-failed candidate for president and is , without question , a far worse candidate the third time around.
” However , Republicans say Biden fell short Thursday evening in that his speech was too heavy on criticism of Trump and too light on a forward-looking governing agenda .
Republican operatives who otherwise complimented the energy and focus Biden brought to his address said swing voters , in particular , might have found it wanting .
The Democratic nominee said he would implement an aggressive plan on Day One of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and he pledged an economic agenda that would raise taxes on wealthy people and invest in expanding domestic manufacturing .
Republicans said it was not enough , that Biden ’ s speech was too much “ orange man bad.
” “ I didn ’ t see a path forward from Biden , and it was a downer , ” a Republican strategist in North Carolina said .
Added a GOP consultant in Washington , D.C. : `` Biden ’ s struggle is projecting his campaign in the future when he is from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are obsessed with the present , ” this Republican said .
“ You saw him try to adapt to that in the later stages of his speech , but it will remain the swing voter ’ s appetite he has trouble appeasing.
” Biden leads Trump in most public opinion polls , nationally and in key battleground states .
Trump has a chance to turn things around next week , when the Republican Party will celebrate his renomination with a four-day virtual convention .
And Biden will still have to prove during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Republicans panned Joe Biden’s speech accepting the Democratic nomination as thin on a governing agenda and thick on kitschy cliches. But quietly, GOP operatives conceded the spirited address packed a punch that undercuts President Trump’s argument that his opponent is in mental decline and unprepared to lead.
Biden, 77, capped off a four-day virtual convention with an impassioned speech from Wilmington, Delaware, imploring voters to choose light over darkness, hope over fear, and join him in a battle for the soul of America. Republicans took notice of the former vice president’s sharp delivery, acknowledging it rebuts Trump’s attack questioning the mental acuity of “Slow Joe” and charge that he is ill-equipped for the rigors of the White House.
“It was an energetic speech,” a Republican insider in Florida said. “Empathy, empathy, empathy.”
“He made it through fine,” a second Republican operative said.
Perhaps telling was how the Trump campaign chose to characterize Biden’s address, which accused Trump of failing to lead amid a coronavirus pandemic that has left more than 170,000 people in the United States dead and sent unemployment skyrocketing.
There was nothing in Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh’s statement about Biden’s cognitive abilities — and even the warning about the former vice president’s agenda was a warning about his association with other, more radical Democrats.
“By accepting his party’s nomination tonight, Joe Biden has formally become a pawn of the radical leftists. His name is on the campaign logo, but the ideas come from the socialist extremists,” Murtaugh said. “Joe Biden is a twice-failed candidate for president and is, without question, a far worse candidate the third time around.”
However, Republicans say Biden fell short Thursday evening in that his speech was too heavy on criticism of Trump and too light on a forward-looking governing agenda. Republican operatives who otherwise complimented the energy and focus Biden brought to his address said swing voters, in particular, might have found it wanting.
The Democratic nominee said he would implement an aggressive plan on Day One of his presidency to defeat the coronavirus, and he pledged an economic agenda that would raise taxes on wealthy people and invest in expanding domestic manufacturing. Republicans said it was not enough, that Biden’s speech was too much “orange man bad.”
“I didn’t see a path forward from Biden, and it was a downer,” a Republican strategist in North Carolina said.
Added a GOP consultant in Washington, D.C.: "Biden’s struggle is projecting his campaign in the future when he is from the past and so many in his base are obsessed with the present,” this Republican said. “You saw him try to adapt to that in the later stages of his speech, but it will remain the swing voter’s appetite he has trouble appeasing.”
Biden leads Trump in most public opinion polls, nationally and in key battleground states. Trump has a chance to turn things around next week, when the Republican Party will celebrate his renomination with a four-day virtual convention.
And Biden will still have to prove during the debates that he is mentally strong.