thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-30--Changing the debate rules now is a bad idea

The Commission on Presidential Debates is playing with fire .
On Wednesday , following a chaotic showdown between President Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden , the commission announced its plan to implement new debate rules .
Bad move .
By modifying the format now , as opposed to after the election , and announcing it publicly after the very first debate , the commission is setting itself up to be attacked as a partisan entity .
“ The Commission on Presidential Debates sponsors televised debates for the benefit of the American electorate , ” the group announced in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night ’ s debate made clear that additional structure should be added to the format of the remaining debates to ensure a more orderly discussion of the issues.
” It adds , “ The CPD will be carefully considering the changes that it will adopt and will announce those measures shortly .
The commission is grateful to Chris Wallace for the professionalism and skill he brought to last night ’ s debate and intends to ensure that additional tools to maintain order are in place for the remaining debates.
” Though the statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members of the press claim nevertheless that the move toward a rules change is absolutely a direct response to his boorish behavior on Tuesday evening .
“ This scramble to rework debate structure is happening because one candidate — the sitting president of the United States — didn ’ t abide by rules he 'd agreed to , ” claimed Politico ’ s Nancy Scola .
Said the Washington Post ’ s Eric Wemple , “ Trump 's bullying behavior last night has prompted the Commission on Presidential Debates to release this statement.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The problem is , when a player in a game wants to win so badly that he 's willing to break all the rules , adding more wo n't help .
Trump 's approach to governing is the same as his approach to the debate , willing to break all the rules to win , consequences to our democracy be damned.
” Well , yes , Trump ’ s conduct is most likely a big reason for the commission ’ s announcement .
Biden ’ s behavior , including calling the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liar , ” a “ clown , ” the “ worst president America has ever had , ” telling the president to “ shut up , ” to “ keep yapping , ” etc.
, also likely played a role in the decision .
But that is not the point .
The point is the commission threatens its own legitimacy by announcing these changes amid the 2020 campaign season .
Let me explain it this way : In 2012 , during the vice-presidential debate , Biden ’ s strategy for shutting down then-Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of performative cackling , interruptions , hand-waving , and eye-rolling .
It worked .
Ryan spent most of the evening simply trying to get a word in edgewise .
Even debate moderator Martha Raddatz appeared flustered by Biden 's strategy .
The commission said nothing .
The debate came and went .
President Barack Obama and Biden won another four years in the White House .
But now , if that exact 2012 scenario were to play out , say , in the next year or so , viewers would question inaction by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It showed in 2020 that some behavior is apparently unacceptable — unacceptable enough to merit an immediate rules change .
It is now just a matter of determining where the line is , and viewers and the commission are not always going to see eye-to-eye .
Because of the group ’ s announcement this week , people will ask for future debates , “ if you were willing to change for X , then why not Y ? ''
The commission better prepare .
It will absolutely face this question going forward , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in one team ’ s favor .
The commission obviously has the right to change its rules .
It has the right to do so its discretion .
But it also probably should have waited until after the 2020 election to do anything about the handling of future presidential debates .
Instead , it announced that it will implement new rules effective immediately , giving the impression that is acting specifically against one candidate , as members of the press certainly believe it is .
And just like that , the commission is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspected of partisan allegiances .

The Commission on Presidential Debates is playing with fire.
On Wednesday, following a chaotic showdown between President Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden, the commission announced its plan to implement new debate rules.
Bad move. By modifying the format now, as opposed to after the election, and announcing it publicly after the very first debate, the commission is setting itself up to be attacked as a partisan entity.
“The Commission on Presidential Debates sponsors televised debates for the benefit of the American electorate,” the group announced in a statement provided to media. “Last night’s debate made clear that additional structure should be added to the format of the remaining debates to ensure a more orderly discussion of the issues.”
It adds, “The CPD will be carefully considering the changes that it will adopt and will announce those measures shortly. The commission is grateful to Chris Wallace for the professionalism and skill he brought to last night’s debate and intends to ensure that additional tools to maintain order are in place for the remaining debates.”
Though the statement does not mention Trump by name, members of the press claim nevertheless that the move toward a rules change is absolutely a direct response to his boorish behavior on Tuesday evening.
“This scramble to rework debate structure is happening because one candidate — the sitting president of the United States — didn’t abide by rules he'd agreed to,” claimed Politico’s Nancy Scola.
Said the Washington Post’s Eric Wemple, “Trump's bullying behavior last night has prompted the Commission on Presidential Debates to release this statement.”
MSNBC contributor Joyce Alene adds, “The problem is, when a player in a game wants to win so badly that he's willing to break all the rules, adding more won't help. Trump's approach to governing is the same as his approach to the debate, willing to break all the rules to win, consequences to our democracy be damned.”
Well, yes, Trump’s conduct is most likely a big reason for the commission’s announcement. Biden’s behavior, including calling the president a “racist,” a “liar,” a “clown,” the “worst president America has ever had,” telling the president to “shut up,” to “keep yapping,” etc., also likely played a role in the decision. But that is not the point. The point is the commission threatens its own legitimacy by announcing these changes amid the 2020 campaign season.
Let me explain it this way: In 2012, during the vice-presidential debate, Biden’s strategy for shutting down then-Republican Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin consisted entirely of performative cackling, interruptions, hand-waving, and eye-rolling. It worked. Ryan spent most of the evening simply trying to get a word in edgewise. Even debate moderator Martha Raddatz appeared flustered by Biden's strategy.
The commission said nothing.
The debate came and went. President Barack Obama and Biden won another four years in the White House.
But now, if that exact 2012 scenario were to play out, say, in the next year or so, viewers would question inaction by the commission. And why not? It showed in 2020 that some behavior is apparently unacceptable — unacceptable enough to merit an immediate rules change. It is now just a matter of determining where the line is, and viewers and the commission are not always going to see eye-to-eye. Because of the group’s announcement this week, people will ask for future debates, “if you were willing to change for X, then why not Y?"
The commission better prepare. It will absolutely face this question going forward, especially when a debate does not go in one team’s favor.
The commission obviously has the right to change its rules. It has the right to do so its discretion. But it also probably should have waited until after the 2020 election to do anything about the handling of future presidential debates. Instead, it announced that it will implement new rules effective immediately, giving the impression that is acting specifically against one candidate, as members of the press certainly believe it is.
And just like that, the commission is in danger of becoming yet another institution suspected of partisan allegiances.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-30--Ballot errors spill over from Brooklyn onto Long Island as Trump declares NYC election handling 'a t

Ballot errors spill over from Brooklyn onto Long Island as Trump declares NYC election handling 'a total mess'

A major mail-in ballot error that affects nearly 100,000 residents in the Brooklyn borough of New York City also extends to voters on Long Island .
“ The concern is that you don ’ t want voters to think the system doesn ’ t work .
It definitely does work , ” said Jim Scheurerman , a Democratic commissioner on Nassau County ’ s Board of Elections .
“ There was an issue with the vendor .
We didn ’ t want this to happen , but the problem is being rectified quickly.
” It was discovered this week that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rochester , New York , sent nearly 100,000 absentee ballots to voters in Brooklyn that contained incorrect names and addresses on return envelopes .
On Wednesday , it was revealed that an additional 800 ballots will also be sent again to voters in Nassau County .
“ Phoenix Graphics is in the process of reprinting and mailing all materials to correct the project and will be covering all expenses related to the production and postage , ” the company said in a statement .
The company added , `` We estimate this has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mailings , of what was the first of many absentee-ballot orders for these counties.
” President Trump , a critic of mail-in voting based on its vulnerability to fraud and error , slammed the New York ballot blunders , saying people should vote in person .
“ Wow !
100,000 Mail In Ballots in New York City a total MESS .
Mayor and Governor have no idea what to do .
Big Fraud , Unfixable !
Cancel Ballots and go out and VOTE , just like in past decades , when there were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The state of New York expanded its mail-in ballot program earlier this year for primary races .
However , officials disqualified 80,000 votes due to errors in New York City .

A major mail-in ballot error that affects nearly 100,000 residents in the Brooklyn borough of New York City also extends to voters on Long Island.
“The concern is that you don’t want voters to think the system doesn’t work. It definitely does work,” said Jim Scheurerman, a Democratic commissioner on Nassau County’s Board of Elections. “There was an issue with the vendor. We didn’t want this to happen, but the problem is being rectified quickly.”
It was discovered this week that Phoenix Graphics, a company based in Rochester, New York, sent nearly 100,000 absentee ballots to voters in Brooklyn that contained incorrect names and addresses on return envelopes.
On Wednesday, it was revealed that an additional 800 ballots will also be sent again to voters in Nassau County.
“Phoenix Graphics is in the process of reprinting and mailing all materials to correct the project and will be covering all expenses related to the production and postage,” the company said in a statement.
The company added, "We estimate this has affected less than 1 percent of the mailings, of what was the first of many absentee-ballot orders for these counties.”
President Trump, a critic of mail-in voting based on its vulnerability to fraud and error, slammed the New York ballot blunders, saying people should vote in person.
“Wow! 100,000 Mail In Ballots in New York City a total MESS. Mayor and Governor have no idea what to do. Big Fraud, Unfixable! Cancel Ballots and go out and VOTE, just like in past decades, when there were no problems!” he tweeted Wednesday.
Wow! 100,000 Mail In Ballots in New York City a total MESS. Mayor and Governor have no idea what to do. Big Fraud, Unfixable! Cancel Ballots and go out and VOTE, just like in past decades, when there were no problems! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 30, 2020
The state of New York expanded its mail-in ballot program earlier this year for primary races. However, officials disqualified 80,000 votes due to errors in New York City.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-30--Trump says he doesn't know who Proud Boys are, but tells them to 'let law enforcement do their work'

President Trump said he is unfamiliar with the far-right Proud Boys , a day after he made headlines for telling them to `` stand back and stand by '' during Tuesday night 's presidential debate .
`` I don ’ t know who the Proud Boys are , I mean , you 'll have to give me a definition cause I really do n't know who they are .
I can only say they have to stand down and let law enforcement do their work , '' the president told reporters on the South Lawn Wednesday afternoon .
`` Law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more as people see how bad this radical liberal Democrat movement is and how weak , the law enforcement is going to come back stronger and stronger .
But again , I don ’ t know who Proud Boys are , but whoever they are , they have to stand down , let law enforcement do their work . ''
Trump added : `` Just stand by .
Look , law enforcement will do their work .
They 're going to stand down , they have to stand down .
Everybody .
Whatever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law enforcement do the work . ''
Many Proud Boys celebrated the president 's remarks during the debate .
One prominent organizer , Joe Biggs , said that the president gave the group a `` shout out '' and noted that the group would take his message to heart .
They also started using the phrase `` stand back and stand by '' as a new slogan .
His comments on Tuesday night , which came after he was asked to denounce white supremacy during the debate , sparked criticism from Democrats , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him to clarify what he meant .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he agreed with Sen. Tim Scott , one of three black U.S. senators , who said Trump misspoke and `` should correct it . ''
“ He said it was unacceptable not to condemn white supremacists , ” McConnell said of Scott ’ s response .
“ And so , I do so in the strongest possible way.
” “ If he does n't correct it , I guess he did n't misspeak , ” Scott said .
On Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to antifa and far-left wing violence , which he also did during the debate .
`` Now , antifa is a real problem , because the problem is on the Left .
And Biden refuses to talk about it .
He refuses to issue the words 'law and order . '
You saw that last night when he choked up .
He ca n't say those words because he 'll lose the rest of the Left .
So , he 's got to condemn antifa , '' Trump explained .
`` Antifa is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the last couple months , protests and demonstrations took place all across the country as many sought to raise awareness about racial injustices , and police brutality , against people of color .
Amid those protests , there were also riots and destruction , which many claim were carried out by antifa .
In some cases , far-right extremists sought to stop the damage , and it resulted in deadly clashes .

President Trump said he is unfamiliar with the far-right Proud Boys, a day after he made headlines for telling them to "stand back and stand by" during Tuesday night's presidential debate.
"I don’t know who the Proud Boys are, I mean, you'll have to give me a definition cause I really don't know who they are. I can only say they have to stand down and let law enforcement do their work," the president told reporters on the South Lawn Wednesday afternoon. "Law enforcement will do the work more and more as people see how bad this radical liberal Democrat movement is and how weak, the law enforcement is going to come back stronger and stronger. But again, I don’t know who Proud Boys are, but whoever they are, they have to stand down, let law enforcement do their work."
Trump added: "Just stand by. Look, law enforcement will do their work. They're going to stand down, they have to stand down. Everybody. Whatever group you are talking about, let law enforcement do the work."
Many Proud Boys celebrated the president's remarks during the debate. One prominent organizer, Joe Biggs, said that the president gave the group a "shout out" and noted that the group would take his message to heart. They also started using the phrase "stand back and stand by" as a new slogan.
His comments on Tuesday night, which came after he was asked to denounce white supremacy during the debate, sparked criticism from Democrats, and members of his own party urged him to clarify what he meant.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he agreed with Sen. Tim Scott, one of three black U.S. senators, who said Trump misspoke and "should correct it."
“He said it was unacceptable not to condemn white supremacists,” McConnell said of Scott’s response. “And so, I do so in the strongest possible way.”
Scott, a South Carolina Republican, told reporters it appeared Trump misspoke.
“If he doesn't correct it, I guess he didn't misspeak,” Scott said.
On Wednesday, the president brought the conversation back to antifa and far-left wing violence, which he also did during the debate.
"Now, antifa is a real problem, because the problem is on the Left. And Biden refuses to talk about it. He refuses to issue the words 'law and order.' You saw that last night when he choked up. He can't say those words because he'll lose the rest of the Left. So, he's got to condemn antifa," Trump explained. "Antifa is a very bad group."
Over the last couple months, protests and demonstrations took place all across the country as many sought to raise awareness about racial injustices, and police brutality, against people of color. Amid those protests, there were also riots and destruction, which many claim were carried out by antifa. In some cases, far-right extremists sought to stop the damage, and it resulted in deadly clashes.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-30--The Postal Service is flawed, but it can deliver our ballots

As we head toward a contentious national election , an unlikely agency in the United States Postal Service has come into the crosshairs .
Since the Founding Fathers gave Congress the power to establish post offices and post roads , the postal department has been known mainly for its letter carriers who , as the motto goes , can ’ t be dissuaded from their tasks by snow , rain , heat , nor gloom of night .
Apparently , though , people now are concerned about whether those same trusty carriers can reliably deliver their ballots .
The fear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surface .
The presidential election is likely to be a nail-biter .
Because of the COVID-19 crisis , several states have expanded voters ’ ability to cast ballots by mail .
The president has stirred the pot by alleging , largely without evidence , that mail voting leads to election fraud .
To make matters worse , the Postal Service ’ s implementation of operational changes ( the removal of mail-sorting machines and a reduction of mailboxes in certain locales ) has caused Democrats to allege that the Republican administration is sabotaging the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ changes are largely rote , given that the Postal Service has been reducing the number of mailboxes for years .
“ As far back as 2012 , the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office said the Post Office needed to reduce its paper mail sorting network to respond to the decreased mail volume , ” wrote Kevin Kosar in a recent Politico column .
The Postal Service , he notes , received high marks for its handling of the 2018 election .
Nevertheless , federal Judge Victor Marrero of New York on Sept. 20 ordered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ changes and prioritize ballots .
“ The right to vote is too vital a value in our democracy to be left in a state of suspense in the minds of voters weeks before a presidential election , ” he ruled .
That should set aside fears that there are no checks on whatever it is the postmaster general is doing .
This fracas is driven by partisan fears .
Both parties have depicted the Nov. 3 contest as a Flight 93 election , a reference to a widely read 2016 column .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Airlines flight that crashed in a Pennsylvania field after passengers rushed the al Qaeda terrorists who commandeered the cockpit .
Once again , partisans argue that unless they take control of the White House , the republic will crash .
Whatever one ’ s views about the election ’ s importance , there ’ s no reason to fear the Postal Service will be the source of the problem .
The Postal Service has myriad flaws and inefficiencies caused by its bureaucratic character .
It has weathered controversies over the decades .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same agency that delivers your IRS refund check , legal documents , and utility bill can safely deliver your ballot .
As news reports explain , USPS delivers 143 billion — that 's with a “ b ” — pieces of mail a year .
Around 160 million voters will participate in the election , with around half of them relying on mail-in ballots .
That means local registrars will send 80 million ballots to voters .
Not every voter will return a ballot , and many will hand-deliver them to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we assume an additional 160 million ballots ( 80 million sent to homes and 80 million returned to election officials ) , that means a mere 0.11 boost in volume .
The Postal Service is perfectly capable of handling that trifling increase .
Despite congressional fights over additional funding for the Postal Service , it has plenty of cash with $ 13 billion in reserves , has more coming in from Congress , and has added staff to meet the expected surge .
There surely will be voting hitches , but no more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ polling stations or election offices .
Again , the Postal Service has plenty of deficiencies .
It ran an $ 8.8 billion deficit in 2019 .
The Postal Service is paid to deliver goods for online retailers , but it continues to watch its core business sag as more people rely on the internet and private delivery services .
Kosar notes that the agency has a $ 150 billion in unfunded retiree-related liabilities , something that is eating into its operations and leading Congress to eye additional bailouts .
The USPS needs to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of its antiquated work rules .
Perhaps it ’ s time to rethink the rules requiring the agency to deliver mail six days a week .
Although the concept of a post office was included in the Constitution , the libertarian Cato Institute notes that there ’ s nothing saying it must be operated in its current fashion .
The group calls for the Postal Service ’ s privatization .
So , there ’ s plenty to argue about with regard to the Postal Service , but there should be no argument over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mail , election ballots included .
We should spend less time worrying about whether to entrust the Postal Service and more time thinking about the candidates we will entrust with elected office .
Steven Greenhut is the Western region director for the R Street Institute , a free-market think tank .
He is based in Sacramento .

As we head toward a contentious national election, an unlikely agency in the United States Postal Service has come into the crosshairs. Since the Founding Fathers gave Congress the power to establish post offices and post roads, the postal department has been known mainly for its letter carriers who, as the motto goes, can’t be dissuaded from their tasks by snow, rain, heat, nor gloom of night.
Apparently, though, people now are concerned about whether those same trusty carriers can reliably deliver their ballots. The fear is understandable, at least on the surface. The presidential election is likely to be a nail-biter. Because of the COVID-19 crisis, several states have expanded voters’ ability to cast ballots by mail. The president has stirred the pot by alleging, largely without evidence, that mail voting leads to election fraud.
To make matters worse, the Postal Service’s implementation of operational changes (the removal of mail-sorting machines and a reduction of mailboxes in certain locales) has caused Democrats to allege that the Republican administration is sabotaging the Postal Service. Yet, those operational changes are largely rote, given that the Postal Service has been reducing the number of mailboxes for years. “As far back as 2012, the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office said the Post Office needed to reduce its paper mail sorting network to respond to the decreased mail volume,” wrote Kevin Kosar in a recent Politico column. The Postal Service, he notes, received high marks for its handling of the 2018 election.
Nevertheless, federal Judge Victor Marrero of New York on Sept. 20 ordered Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to halt those changes and prioritize ballots. “The right to vote is too vital a value in our democracy to be left in a state of suspense in the minds of voters weeks before a presidential election,” he ruled. That should set aside fears that there are no checks on whatever it is the postmaster general is doing.
This fracas is driven by partisan fears. Both parties have depicted the Nov. 3 contest as a Flight 93 election, a reference to a widely read 2016 column. The author compared that election to the United Airlines flight that crashed in a Pennsylvania field after passengers rushed the al Qaeda terrorists who commandeered the cockpit. Once again, partisans argue that unless they take control of the White House, the republic will crash.
Whatever one’s views about the election’s importance, there’s no reason to fear the Postal Service will be the source of the problem. The Postal Service has myriad flaws and inefficiencies caused by its bureaucratic character. It has weathered controversies over the decades. The USPS is ripe for reform, but the same agency that delivers your IRS refund check, legal documents, and utility bill can safely deliver your ballot.
As news reports explain, USPS delivers 143 billion — that's with a “b” — pieces of mail a year. Around 160 million voters will participate in the election, with around half of them relying on mail-in ballots. That means local registrars will send 80 million ballots to voters. Not every voter will return a ballot, and many will hand-deliver them to a polling station. But, even if we assume an additional 160 million ballots (80 million sent to homes and 80 million returned to election officials), that means a mere 0.11 boost in volume.
The Postal Service is perfectly capable of handling that trifling increase. Despite congressional fights over additional funding for the Postal Service, it has plenty of cash with $13 billion in reserves, has more coming in from Congress, and has added staff to meet the expected surge. There surely will be voting hitches, but no more than the usual hitches one finds at polling stations or election offices.
Again, the Postal Service has plenty of deficiencies. It ran an $8.8 billion deficit in 2019. The Postal Service is paid to deliver goods for online retailers, but it continues to watch its core business sag as more people rely on the internet and private delivery services. Kosar notes that the agency has a $150 billion in unfunded retiree-related liabilities, something that is eating into its operations and leading Congress to eye additional bailouts.
The USPS needs to deal with these liabilities and shed some of its antiquated work rules. Perhaps it’s time to rethink the rules requiring the agency to deliver mail six days a week. Although the concept of a post office was included in the Constitution, the libertarian Cato Institute notes that there’s nothing saying it must be operated in its current fashion. The group calls for the Postal Service’s privatization.
So, there’s plenty to argue about with regard to the Postal Service, but there should be no argument over whether it can deliver sensitive and important mail, election ballots included. We should spend less time worrying about whether to entrust the Postal Service and more time thinking about the candidates we will entrust with elected office.
Steven Greenhut is the Western region director for the R Street Institute, a free-market think tank. He is based in Sacramento.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-30--McConnell: Trump should correct his response to white supremacy debate question

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters Wednesday that President Trump should clarify his denunciation of white supremacist groups , which came across as muddled during Tuesday night ’ s first presidential debate .
McConnell , a Kentucky Republican , said he agrees with Sen. Tim Scott , one of three black senators , who said Trump misspoke and “ should correct it.
” “ He said it was unacceptable not to condemn white supremacists , ” McConnell said of Scott ’ s response .
“ And so I do so in the strongest possible way.
” Scott , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday it appeared Trump misspoke during the debate when questioned about whether he would denounce white supremacist groups .
“ If he does n't correct it , I guess he did n't misspeak , ” Scott said .
McConnell said he aligned himself with Scott .
“ I think he said it exactly correctly , and that 's exactly how I would express myself on that issue , ” McConnell said .
Trump was asked by moderator Chris Wallace to denounce white supremacist groups .
Trump told Wallace “ sure , ” and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supremacist groups but also left-wing groups , including antifa , that have been rioting in cities across America , burning and looting businesses and perpetuating violence .
When Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden asked Trump to condemn the Proud Boys , a white supremacist group , Trump said , “ Proud Boys , stand back and stand by .
But I ’ ll tell you what , somebody ’ s got to do something about antifa and the Left .
”

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters Wednesday that President Trump should clarify his denunciation of white supremacist groups, which came across as muddled during Tuesday night’s first presidential debate.
McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, said he agrees with Sen. Tim Scott, one of three black senators, who said Trump misspoke and “should correct it.”
“He said it was unacceptable not to condemn white supremacists,” McConnell said of Scott’s response. “And so I do so in the strongest possible way.”
Scott, a South Carolina Republican, told reporters earlier Tuesday it appeared Trump misspoke during the debate when questioned about whether he would denounce white supremacist groups.
“If he doesn't correct it, I guess he didn't misspeak,” Scott said.
McConnell said he aligned himself with Scott.
“I think he said it exactly correctly, and that's exactly how I would express myself on that issue,” McConnell said.
Trump was asked by moderator Chris Wallace to denounce white supremacist groups.
Trump told Wallace “sure,” and he added that he would condemn white supremacist groups but also left-wing groups, including antifa, that have been rioting in cities across America, burning and looting businesses and perpetuating violence.
When Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden asked Trump to condemn the Proud Boys, a white supremacist group, Trump said, “Proud Boys, stand back and stand by. But I’ll tell you what, somebody’s got to do something about antifa and the Left.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-01--Democratic dreams of a blue Texas slipping away

Texas , long the great white whale for the Democratic Party , may stay red this November after all .
For years , shifting demographics in the state stemming from Hispanic immigration and transplants from California , have given Democrats hope that they could finally elect a senator from their party to office , or even see the state back a Democratic presidential candidate .
But that dream still seems out of reach , just as it did in 2018 , 2016 , 2014 , and 2012 .
A review of polling averages shows what an uphill battle winning Texas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to RealClearPolitics , President Trump maintains a 3.2-point lead over Democratic nominee Joe Biden , the former vice president and 36-year Delaware senator .
The last two polls of the state , released at the end of September , show Trump with a 4- and 5-point lead , respectively .
In 2016 , the president won Texas by 9 points .
That win was nearly 7 points fewer than what Mitt Romney earned in 2012 , but the president 's margin of victory in the state still raises questions about why Democrats thought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around .
And Democrats have sunk tens , if not hundreds , of millions of dollars trying to get members of their party elected to Senate or gubernatorial offices over the last decade .
Biden and his allies have dropped eight figures into the states , including a $ 5.2 million television ad campaign set to air this month in the Houston and Dallas markets .
A Democrat has n't won Texas since 1976 , when voters there supported challenger Jimmy Carter over incumbent Republican Gerald Ford .
That fact has n't stopped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state begins at statewide elections instead of presidential ones .
On Wednesday , Democratic Senate candidate MJ Hegar announced her campaign to unseat Republican incumbent John Cornyn raised another $ 13.5 million in the third quarter .
That figure represented nearly 8 times her previous best fundraising quarter , although still less than Cornyn 's $ 14.5 million he has banked away .
Those cash hauls are n't translating into strong polling for Hegar , who is running 8 points behind Cornyn , according to a RealClearPolitics average of recent polls .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Massachusetts Lowell at the end of September saw Cornyn 's lead at 10 points over Hegar , showing his resiliency even as the president 's numbers remain relatively weak in the state .
In 2014 , Cornyn won reelection by 27.2 points .
Of course , Hegar 's fundraising pales in comparison to the kind of money brought in by former Texas Rep. Beto O'Rourke , who ran for Sen. Ted Cruz 's Senate seat in 2018 .
During the third quarter of that year , O'Rourke brought in a jaw-dropping $ 38.1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ real opportunity for Democrats in an election year where the party saw a wave of victories and remarkably low likability ratings for Cruz , O'Rourke came up short by over 2.5 points .
At the gubernatorial level , Democrats see a victory just one cycle away as well .
In 2018 , incumbent Republican Gov .
Greg Abbott trounced his challenger , Democrat Lupe Valdez , by over 13 points .
Democrats have n't won the governorship in Texas since Ann Richards in 1990 , but that has n't stopped liberals around the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their party there .
In 2014 , Democratic nominee Wendy Davis managed to outraise Abbott for several quarters , thanks , in large part , to wealthy bankrollers in California and New York .
That money was all for naught by Election Day , when Abbott trounced Davis by 21 points .

Texas, long the great white whale for the Democratic Party, may stay red this November after all.
For years, shifting demographics in the state stemming from Hispanic immigration and transplants from California, have given Democrats hope that they could finally elect a senator from their party to office, or even see the state back a Democratic presidential candidate.
But that dream still seems out of reach, just as it did in 2018, 2016, 2014, and 2012.
A review of polling averages shows what an uphill battle winning Texas remains for the Democratic Party. According to RealClearPolitics, President Trump maintains a 3.2-point lead over Democratic nominee Joe Biden, the former vice president and 36-year Delaware senator. The last two polls of the state, released at the end of September, show Trump with a 4- and 5-point lead, respectively.
In 2016, the president won Texas by 9 points. That win was nearly 7 points fewer than what Mitt Romney earned in 2012, but the president's margin of victory in the state still raises questions about why Democrats thought Texas was up for grabs this time around.
And Democrats have sunk tens, if not hundreds, of millions of dollars trying to get members of their party elected to Senate or gubernatorial offices over the last decade. Biden and his allies have dropped eight figures into the states, including a $5.2 million television ad campaign set to air this month in the Houston and Dallas markets.
A Democrat hasn't won Texas since 1976, when voters there supported challenger Jimmy Carter over incumbent Republican Gerald Ford. That fact hasn't stopped Democrats from thinking the way to flip the state begins at statewide elections instead of presidential ones.
On Wednesday, Democratic Senate candidate MJ Hegar announced her campaign to unseat Republican incumbent John Cornyn raised another $13.5 million in the third quarter. That figure represented nearly 8 times her previous best fundraising quarter, although still less than Cornyn's $14.5 million he has banked away.
Those cash hauls aren't translating into strong polling for Hegar, who is running 8 points behind Cornyn, according to a RealClearPolitics average of recent polls. A survey released by the University of Massachusetts Lowell at the end of September saw Cornyn's lead at 10 points over Hegar, showing his resiliency even as the president's numbers remain relatively weak in the state. In 2014, Cornyn won reelection by 27.2 points.
Of course, Hegar's fundraising pales in comparison to the kind of money brought in by former Texas Rep. Beto O'Rourke, who ran for Sen. Ted Cruz's Senate seat in 2018. During the third quarter of that year, O'Rourke brought in a jaw-dropping $38.1 million.
Despite what seemed like a real opportunity for Democrats in an election year where the party saw a wave of victories and remarkably low likability ratings for Cruz, O'Rourke came up short by over 2.5 points.
At the gubernatorial level, Democrats see a victory just one cycle away as well. In 2018, incumbent Republican Gov. Greg Abbott trounced his challenger, Democrat Lupe Valdez, by over 13 points.
Democrats haven't won the governorship in Texas since Ann Richards in 1990, but that hasn't stopped liberals around the country from sending checks to rising members of their party there. In 2014, Democratic nominee Wendy Davis managed to outraise Abbott for several quarters, thanks, in large part, to wealthy bankrollers in California and New York.
That money was all for naught by Election Day, when Abbott trounced Davis by 21 points.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-01--Chris Wallace expresses doubts about muting microphones in future debates

Fox News anchor Chris Wallace expressed concerns about a new rule that would allow future presidential debate moderators to mute the microphones of candidates .
Giving moderators the ability to mute microphones of presidential candidates might not prevent them from interrupting one another and would put the moderator in a difficult position with the public , Wallace said .
`` In this debate , they were only 6 , 8 feet from each other .
Even if you had cut off the president 's mic , I guess you would still have heard it over Biden 's .
And in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been disrupting and distracting Biden , '' Wallace told Fox News host Bill Hemmer .
`` And secondly , we 're talking about the president of the United States and the Democratic nominee .
You know , they say , 'Well , we 're going to give the moderator a button to mute them . '
'' He added : `` Boy , I do n't want to be in the position of saying , you know , ' I 'm going to interpose myself between the president and the public and say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he has to say now . ''
' I think that 's a pretty tough spot to put any moderator in . ''
The Commission on Presidential Debates issued a statement on Wednesday saying that it was considering `` additional structure '' in future presidential debates to allow both sides to have adequate time to speak .
`` Last night ’ s debate made clear that additional structure should be added to the format of the remaining debates to ensure a more orderly discussion of the issues , '' the statement read .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the changes that it will adopt and will announce those measures shortly .
The Commission is grateful to Chris Wallace for the professionalism and skill he brought to last night ’ s debate and intends to ensure that additional tools to maintain order are in place for the remaining debates . ''
Both the Trump and Biden campaigns will reportedly be notified of the rule changes .
However , those changes will not be up for negotiation .
Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh said the Biden campaign is attempting to `` work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only doing this because their guy got pummeled last night .
President Trump was the dominant force , and now , Joe Biden is trying to work the refs , '' Murtaugh said in a statement .
`` They should n't be moving the goal posts and changing the rules in the middle of the game . ''

Fox News anchor Chris Wallace expressed concerns about a new rule that would allow future presidential debate moderators to mute the microphones of candidates.
Giving moderators the ability to mute microphones of presidential candidates might not prevent them from interrupting one another and would put the moderator in a difficult position with the public, Wallace said.
"In this debate, they were only 6, 8 feet from each other. Even if you had cut off the president's mic, I guess you would still have heard it over Biden's. And in addition, the president still would have been disrupting and distracting Biden," Wallace told Fox News host Bill Hemmer. "And secondly, we're talking about the president of the United States and the Democratic nominee. You know, they say, 'Well, we're going to give the moderator a button to mute them.'"
He added: "Boy, I don't want to be in the position of saying, you know, 'I'm going to interpose myself between the president and the public and say, "You can't hear what he has to say now."' I think that's a pretty tough spot to put any moderator in."
The Commission on Presidential Debates issued a statement on Wednesday saying that it was considering "additional structure" in future presidential debates to allow both sides to have adequate time to speak.
"Last night’s debate made clear that additional structure should be added to the format of the remaining debates to ensure a more orderly discussion of the issues," the statement read. "The CPD will be carefully considering the changes that it will adopt and will announce those measures shortly. The Commission is grateful to Chris Wallace for the professionalism and skill he brought to last night’s debate and intends to ensure that additional tools to maintain order are in place for the remaining debates."
Both the Trump and Biden campaigns will reportedly be notified of the rule changes. However, those changes will not be up for negotiation. Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh said the Biden campaign is attempting to "work the refs."
"They're only doing this because their guy got pummeled last night. President Trump was the dominant force, and now, Joe Biden is trying to work the refs," Murtaugh said in a statement. "They shouldn't be moving the goal posts and changing the rules in the middle of the game."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-01--Trump campaign accuses debate commission of being in tank for Biden

President Trump ’ s campaign is attacking the credibility of the Commission on Presidential Debates , claiming the group that organizes the events and selects moderators is rooting for Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
In a conference call with reporters Thursday afternoon , Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien listed the names of some members of the board of directors of the Commission on Presidential Debates , along with information about their past political contributions and statements that suggest hostility to the president .
He said the commission is composed of the sort of Washington insiders whom Biden has been “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ half-century .
The criticism comes on the heels of Trump ’ s debate performance Tuesday evening .
The faceoff was particularly contentious , with Trump and Biden often hurling insults and talking over each other .
As a result , the CPD is considering changes to the rules for the next two debates to ensure more civility .
The Trump campaign is rejecting any format changes , saying the president is content with the guidelines previously negotiated with the Biden campaign .
However , Miller confirmed that the president plans to participate in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even if the CPD moves ahead with alterations to the structure of the debates .
Meanwhile , the Trump campaign is accusing the Biden campaign of pursuing the rules changes .
[ Read more : Presidential debate commission to give future moderators ability to cut off candidates ' microphones : Report ] Max Miller , the Trump campaign ’ s debate negotiator , told reporters the Biden campaign is suggesting that the CPD add opening and closing statements to the next two debates , implement the use of a mute button , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the candidates to engage in open discussion .
Biden campaign spokesman Andrew Bates told the Washington Examiner that the Trump campaign is lying .
“ There ’ s as much truth to this as the other weak lies the Trump campaign told in advance of the first debate , ” Bates said .

President Trump’s campaign is attacking the credibility of the Commission on Presidential Debates, claiming the group that organizes the events and selects moderators is rooting for Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
In a conference call with reporters Thursday afternoon, Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien listed the names of some members of the board of directors of the Commission on Presidential Debates, along with information about their past political contributions and statements that suggest hostility to the president. He said the commission is composed of the sort of Washington insiders whom Biden has been “cozying” up to for the last half-century.
“These are permanent swamp monsters,” Trump campaign communications adviser Jason Miller added.
The criticism comes on the heels of Trump’s debate performance Tuesday evening. The faceoff was particularly contentious, with Trump and Biden often hurling insults and talking over each other. As a result, the CPD is considering changes to the rules for the next two debates to ensure more civility.
The Trump campaign is rejecting any format changes, saying the president is content with the guidelines previously negotiated with the Biden campaign. However, Miller confirmed that the president plans to participate in the final two faceoffs with Biden, even if the CPD moves ahead with alterations to the structure of the debates.
Meanwhile, the Trump campaign is accusing the Biden campaign of pursuing the rules changes.
[Read more: Presidential debate commission to give future moderators ability to cut off candidates' microphones: Report]
Max Miller, the Trump campaign’s debate negotiator, told reporters the Biden campaign is suggesting that the CPD add opening and closing statements to the next two debates, implement the use of a mute button, and reduce the amount of time reserved for the candidates to engage in open discussion. Biden campaign spokesman Andrew Bates told the Washington Examiner that the Trump campaign is lying.
“There’s as much truth to this as the other weak lies the Trump campaign told in advance of the first debate,” Bates said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-01--Republican challenger leads Democratic House freshman in New Mexico district: GOP poll

Republican challenger Yvette Herrell narrowly leads Democratic Rep. Xochitl Torres Small in New Mexico 's 2nd Congressional District , one of the most hotly contested House races in the country , according to a poll conducted for the National Republican Congressional Committee and provided exclusively to the Washington Examiner .
The poll , conducted Sept. 26-29 by the Tarrance Group , found Herrell with 48 % support from voters in the district and Torres Small with 47 % support .
Another 5 % were undecided .
The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.9 % and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mexico district , which borders Mexico and stretches from the state lines of Arizona to Texas .
`` There is still room and opportunity for growth for the challenger Herrell , as the generic ballot ( read without names and only party labels prior to the named ballot test ) , had the Republican up four-points , 49 % to 45 % , over the Democrat , '' a memo from the Tarrance Group said .
The race is a rematch between Herrell and Torres Small and one of Republicans ' best hopes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The incumbent Democrat won the open seat in 2018 after former longtime Republican Rep. Steve Pearce unsuccessfully ran for governor in 2018 rather than seeking another term in the House .
Results indicating a razor-thin race are consistent with an Albuquerque Journal poll conducted Aug. 26 to Sept. 2 , which found Torres Small with 47 % support and Herrell with 45 % support and 9 % undecided .
Another Tarrance Group poll conducted in July found the race in a dead heat , with 46 % support for each candidate and @ @ @ @

Republican challenger Yvette Herrell narrowly leads Democratic Rep. Xochitl Torres Small in New Mexico's 2nd Congressional District, one of the most hotly contested House races in the country, according to a poll conducted for the National Republican Congressional Committee and provided exclusively to the Washington Examiner.
The poll, conducted Sept. 26-29 by the Tarrance Group, found Herrell with 48% support from voters in the district and Torres Small with 47% support. Another 5% were undecided.
The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.9% and surveyed 400 in the southern rural New Mexico district, which borders Mexico and stretches from the state lines of Arizona to Texas.
"There is still room and opportunity for growth for the challenger Herrell, as the generic ballot (read without names and only party labels prior to the named ballot test), had the Republican up four-points, 49% to 45%, over the Democrat," a memo from the Tarrance Group said.
The race is a rematch between Herrell and Torres Small and one of Republicans' best hopes of flipping a seat in their favor. The incumbent Democrat won the open seat in 2018 after former longtime Republican Rep. Steve Pearce unsuccessfully ran for governor in 2018 rather than seeking another term in the House.
Results indicating a razor-thin race are consistent with an Albuquerque Journal poll conducted Aug. 26 to Sept. 2, which found Torres Small with 47% support and Herrell with 45% support and 9% undecided.
Another Tarrance Group poll conducted in July found the race in a dead heat, with 46% support for each candidate and 8% undecided.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-01--McCarthy to Trump: 'Let Joe Biden talk' during next debate

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy suggested President Trump should refrain from interrupting Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden during the next debate because it would help illustrate Biden ’ s weakness as a candidate .
“ My best advice is let Joe Biden talk , ” the California Republican and staunch Trump ally told reporters who asked about the president ’ s debate performance .
Trump ’ s performance during Tuesday ’ s debate in Cleveland , Ohio , has been widely criticized in part because he constantly interrupted Biden , the former vice president and 36-year Delaware senator .
Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
McCarthy said he believes Trump won the first debate but that the event could have been “ more productive.
” The Commission on Presidential Debates announced it would make changes ahead of the second debate , which is scheduled to take place in Miami on Oct. 15 .
The changes could include allowing the debate moderator to cut off candidates ’ microphones .
McCarthy said Trump should just remain quiet when Biden starts talking .
“ Biden is the Democratic Party , and his ideas are far long gone , ” McCarthy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he talks , the more the American public would decide they do n't want Joe Biden .
”

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy suggested President Trump should refrain from interrupting Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden during the next debate because it would help illustrate Biden’s weakness as a candidate.
“My best advice is let Joe Biden talk,” the California Republican and staunch Trump ally told reporters who asked about the president’s debate performance.
Trump’s performance during Tuesday’s debate in Cleveland, Ohio, has been widely criticized in part because he constantly interrupted Biden, the former vice president and 36-year Delaware senator. Biden also interrupted Trump but not as often.
McCarthy said he believes Trump won the first debate but that the event could have been “more productive.”
The Commission on Presidential Debates announced it would make changes ahead of the second debate, which is scheduled to take place in Miami on Oct. 15. The changes could include allowing the debate moderator to cut off candidates’ microphones.
McCarthy said Trump should just remain quiet when Biden starts talking.
“Biden is the Democratic Party, and his ideas are far long gone,” McCarthy said. “I think the more he talks, the more the American public would decide they don't want Joe Biden.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-01--White House struggles to shrug off white supremacy questions

The row over President Trump ’ s stance on white supremacy and the Proud Boys rumbled into a third day on Thursday when his press secretary clashed with journalists about whether the White House could give an unambiguous condemnation of radical , far-right groups .
Kayleigh McEnany said the president had been clear in saying he had not previously heard of the Proud Boys , a self-proclaimed “ Western chauvinist ” men ’ s group known for violent confrontations with anti-fascists , when asked about them earlier in the week and pointed to past statements made by the president that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the country goes to the polls after a summer marked by street clashes and Black Lives Matter protests , White House officials remain under pressure to explain the president ’ s position .
Critics accuse Trump of deploying vague language and repeatedly pivoting to attack left-wing groups rather than outfits such as the Proud Boys , who support him .
On Thursday , McEnany was asked by journalist John Roberts of Fox News to provide an unambiguous statement that the president denounced white supremacy in all its forms .
“ This has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the day before by the president himself on the debate stage .
The president was asked this .
He said ‘ sure ’ three times , ” McEnany said during a White House press briefing .
Social media erupted with Trump supporters saying she had answered the question .
But plenty more posted messages wondering why she was relying on previous comments rather than offering a current position .
But for every example of that was another defending Trump and McEnany .
Benny Johnson , chief creative officer of Turning Point USA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t naming dozens of direct quotes of the president denouncing white supremacy specific enough for the media ?
” The issue boiled over during Tuesday ’ s combative presidential debate when moderator Chris Wallace of Fox News asked the president if he would “ condemn white supremacists and militia groups.
” Trump responded : “ Sure , I ’ m willing to do that , but I would say ... almost everything I see is from the left wing , not the right wing.
” He was given the example of the Proud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to “ stand back and stand by , ” sowing further confusion .
A day later , Trump was asked to clarify his comments .
“ I do n't know who Proud Boys are .
But whoever they are , they have to stand down .
Let law enforcement do their work , ” he told reporters .
His debate comments were celebrated by the group .
Hundreds of supporters posted messages with “ Stand Back ” and “ Stand By ” on social media .
Even reliable defenders of the president expressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Carolina called on Trump to “ make it clear Proud Boys is a racist organization antithetical to American ideals.
” As a result , the issue dominated the briefing room on Thursday , but McEnany accused reporters of lobbing “ partisan attack questions.
” “ The president specifically , verbatim , was asked yesterday : 'White supremacy , do you denounce them ? '
To which he responded : ' I have always denounced any form of that , ' ” she said .
She also referred to a statement made by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shooting in El Paso , Texas .
“ In one voice , our nation must condemn racism , bigotry , and white supremacy , ” he said at the time .
“ These sinister ideologies must be defeated .
Hate has no place in America.
“

The row over President Trump’s stance on white supremacy and the Proud Boys rumbled into a third day on Thursday when his press secretary clashed with journalists about whether the White House could give an unambiguous condemnation of radical, far-right groups.
Kayleigh McEnany said the president had been clear in saying he had not previously heard of the Proud Boys, a self-proclaimed “Western chauvinist” men’s group known for violent confrontations with anti-fascists, when asked about them earlier in the week and pointed to past statements made by the president that condemn white supremacists.
But a month before the country goes to the polls after a summer marked by street clashes and Black Lives Matter protests, White House officials remain under pressure to explain the president’s position.
Critics accuse Trump of deploying vague language and repeatedly pivoting to attack left-wing groups rather than outfits such as the Proud Boys, who support him.
On Thursday, McEnany was asked by journalist John Roberts of Fox News to provide an unambiguous statement that the president denounced white supremacy in all its forms.
“This has been answered yesterday by the president himself, the day before by the president himself on the debate stage. The president was asked this. He said ‘sure’ three times,” McEnany said during a White House press briefing.
Social media erupted with Trump supporters saying she had answered the question. But plenty more posted messages wondering why she was relying on previous comments rather than offering a current position.
“I condemn white supremacy,” Democratic Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawaii tweeted. “Easy peasy.”
But for every example of that was another defending Trump and McEnany.
Benny Johnson, chief creative officer of Turning Point USA, wrote: “Why isn’t naming dozens of direct quotes of the president denouncing white supremacy specific enough for the media?”
The issue boiled over during Tuesday’s combative presidential debate when moderator Chris Wallace of Fox News asked the president if he would “condemn white supremacists and militia groups.”
Trump responded: “Sure, I’m willing to do that, but I would say ... almost everything I see is from the left wing, not the right wing.”
He was given the example of the Proud Boys to denounce but called on them to “stand back and stand by,” sowing further confusion.
A day later, Trump was asked to clarify his comments.
“I don't know who Proud Boys are. But whoever they are, they have to stand down. Let law enforcement do their work,” he told reporters.
His debate comments were celebrated by the group. Hundreds of supporters posted messages with “Stand Back” and “Stand By” on social media.
Even reliable defenders of the president expressed concern. Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina called on Trump to “make it clear Proud Boys is a racist organization antithetical to American ideals.”
As a result, the issue dominated the briefing room on Thursday, but McEnany accused reporters of lobbing “partisan attack questions.”
“The president specifically, verbatim, was asked yesterday: 'White supremacy, do you denounce them?' To which he responded: 'I have always denounced any form of that,'” she said.
She also referred to a statement made by the president last year following a mass shooting in El Paso, Texas.
“In one voice, our nation must condemn racism, bigotry, and white supremacy,” he said at the time. “These sinister ideologies must be defeated. Hate has no place in America.“


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-01--'A late shot in the arm': Republicans think Barrett hearings will boost turnout

Senate hearings for the confirmation of President Trump 's Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett could help Republicans on Election Day by boosting turnout with evangelical and religious voters while diverting attention from the administration 's coronavirus response and picking up often GOP-leaning late voters for the president .
Republicans have set Oct. 12 as the target start date for Barrett 's confirmation hearings , with Democrats poised to oppose her nomination .
`` The timing of the hearings could potentially stand to give a late shot in the arm to Republican voters down the stretch into Election Day — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any deficits from early voting , '' veteran Republican pollster Robert Blizzard told the Washington Examiner , pointing to `` the expected Democratic surge in mail-in , absentee balloting . ''
Blizzard added , `` Much of their base vote will likely be in before we even get to the first committee hearing . ''
Billed by one White House official as `` an accomplished , compassionate , working mother of seven from America ’ s heartland '' and featured in a new campaign ad alongside six of her seven children , Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the suburbs , where Republicans are eager to recapture ground lost in 2018 .
At the White House on Saturday , she offered a homespun picture of her life as a `` room parent , carpool driver , and birthday party planner.
” '' He needs the evangelicals , '' said a former Trump campaign official .
`` The majority of Christians do n't come out to vote , and you know her stance on Roe v. Wade .
If you 're looking at this just through a political lens , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Barrett 's strong Christian faith could also energize older voters who tend to be more conservative , particularly on abortion , said Ed Goeas , president of the Tarrance Group , a Republican survey research and strategy firm .
`` Older Republicans are showing a little bit of reluctance on Trump right now , '' he said .
Goeas is paying close attention to voters who approve of Trump 's policies but object to his `` tone and tenor . ''
He added , `` Unfortunately , some of those senior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of how he acts . ''
One Ohio suburbanite , a fervent Trump supporter , explained how the abortion issue could animate voters such as herself .
Sandra Mae Lee said she renounced her Catholic faith before returning to the Church later in life and was inspired by Barrett 's own life as a mother with an accomplished professional life .
`` I was a hippie chick , '' she said .
`` I also was very pro-abortion .
If you were going to make love every five minutes , you were going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` was damaging to young people in so many ways , '' she said , adding that talk of Barrett 's potential to move the court to overturn Roe v. Wade could appeal to women whose views , like her own , had shifted over time .
A U.S. Court of Appeals judge on the 7th Circuit in Chicago , Barrett is a favorite among conservative activists and Catholics .
But Republican operatives say her appeal is much broader , and that this is n't lost on the Trump reelection effort , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ touting her `` conservative values . ''
“ Supreme Court nominees were a huge issue for voters in 2016 , and they will be again in 2020 , '' Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh told the Washington Examiner in a statement .
“ Voters elected President Trump in 2016 and expanded the Republican majority in the Senate in 2018 , so they expect action on this new vacancy . ''
Said the former Trump campaign official , `` It 's a matter of how do we galvanize the rest of the swing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purely conservative down conservative lines , what would that be ?

Senate hearings for the confirmation of President Trump's Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett could help Republicans on Election Day by boosting turnout with evangelical and religious voters while diverting attention from the administration's coronavirus response and picking up often GOP-leaning late voters for the president.
Republicans have set Oct. 12 as the target start date for Barrett's confirmation hearings, with Democrats poised to oppose her nomination.
"The timing of the hearings could potentially stand to give a late shot in the arm to Republican voters down the stretch into Election Day — which could be critically important in offsetting any deficits from early voting," veteran Republican pollster Robert Blizzard told the Washington Examiner, pointing to "the expected Democratic surge in mail-in, absentee balloting."
Blizzard added, "Much of their base vote will likely be in before we even get to the first committee hearing."
Billed by one White House official as "an accomplished, compassionate, working mother of seven from America’s heartland" and featured in a new campaign ad alongside six of her seven children, Trump has seized on Barrett's potential appeal in the suburbs, where Republicans are eager to recapture ground lost in 2018.
At the White House on Saturday, she offered a homespun picture of her life as a "room parent, carpool driver, and birthday party planner.”
"He needs the evangelicals," said a former Trump campaign official. "The majority of Christians don't come out to vote, and you know her stance on Roe v. Wade. If you're looking at this just through a political lens, you're talking about every evangelical out there."
Barrett's strong Christian faith could also energize older voters who tend to be more conservative, particularly on abortion, said Ed Goeas, president of the Tarrance Group, a Republican survey research and strategy firm.
"Older Republicans are showing a little bit of reluctance on Trump right now," he said.
Goeas is paying close attention to voters who approve of Trump's policies but object to his "tone and tenor."
He added, "Unfortunately, some of those senior Republicans have moved away from him because of how he acts."
One Ohio suburbanite, a fervent Trump supporter, explained how the abortion issue could animate voters such as herself. Sandra Mae Lee said she renounced her Catholic faith before returning to the Church later in life and was inspired by Barrett's own life as a mother with an accomplished professional life.
"I was a hippie chick," she said. "I also was very pro-abortion. If you were going to make love every five minutes, you were going to get pregnant."
This acceptance "was damaging to young people in so many ways," she said, adding that talk of Barrett's potential to move the court to overturn Roe v. Wade could appeal to women whose views, like her own, had shifted over time.
A U.S. Court of Appeals judge on the 7th Circuit in Chicago, Barrett is a favorite among conservative activists and Catholics. But Republican operatives say her appeal is much broader, and that this isn't lost on the Trump reelection effort, which on Wednesday launched a new television advertisement touting her "conservative values."
“Supreme Court nominees were a huge issue for voters in 2016, and they will be again in 2020," Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh told the Washington Examiner in a statement. “Voters elected President Trump in 2016 and expanded the Republican majority in the Senate in 2018, so they expect action on this new vacancy."
Said the former Trump campaign official, "It's a matter of how do we galvanize the rest of the swing states on a winning issue that is purely conservative down conservative lines, what would that be?
"It's abortion."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-01--'Where is the river?': Reporter and Kayleigh McEnany spar over lost ballots

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany got into a heated debate with a reporter over discarded ballots on Thursday .
Fox News Radio White House correspondent Jon Decker peppered McEnany with questions at a press briefing about one example President Trump recently cited in his repeated criticisms of mail-in voting .
`` The other day [ the president ] said , 'They found a lot of ballots in a river . '
Who is 'they ' ? ''
the reporter asked .
`` What the president was referring to are something that we ’ ve seen just in the last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there were trails of mail ending up in a ditch , '' McEnany replied .
`` I believe the specific he was referring to — and that included absentee ballots . ''
Decker pointed out that McEnany said the ballots were found `` in a ditch , '' while the president said they were located `` in a river . ''
`` In this particular statement , though , who is 'they ' that found those ballots , and where is this river anywhere in this country ? ''
he asked .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` It was a ditch in Wisconsin that they were found in .
I can get the article to your inbox , if you 'd like .
... That ’ s what the president was referring to .
And you really , you 're missing the forest for the trees here . ''
They continued going back and forth , with Decker saying that he likes `` to report accurately the news . ''
`` This is what is happening here , '' McEnany argued .
`` You are ignoring the problem here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pennsylvania , you had ballots found in a ditch .
That ’ s a fact .
In Wisconsin , seven military ballots all marked for Trump were found cast aside .
There are problems with mass mail-in voting .
I actually don ’ t understand the lack of journalistic curiosity in reporting on this .
There used to be curiosity . ''
As she questioned why there was n't more `` journalist curiosity '' on the subject , Decker said , `` I just want to know where the river is .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ river ? ''
It would appear that McEnany confused the incidents in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin toward the end of that exchange .
The Outagamie County Sheriff 's Office discovered the trays of mail , including absentee ballots , in a ditch near Appleton International Airport in Greenville , Wisconsin , last week , after which the United States Postal Inspection Service opened an investigation .
The Justice Department said a `` small number '' of military ballots were found to have been accidentally `` discarded '' in Luzerne County , Pennsylvania .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they had recovered in this incident , fewer than a dozen , had been cast for the president — as McEnany said Thursday , however , that failed to reflect how the agency quickly amended its statement to say that `` the contents of those 2 ballots are unknown . ''

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany got into a heated debate with a reporter over discarded ballots on Thursday.
Fox News Radio White House correspondent Jon Decker peppered McEnany with questions at a press briefing about one example President Trump recently cited in his repeated criticisms of mail-in voting.
"The other day [the president] said, 'They found a lot of ballots in a river.' Who is 'they'?" the reporter asked.
"What the president was referring to are something that we’ve seen just in the last seven days where, in Wisconsin, there were trails of mail ending up in a ditch," McEnany replied. "I believe the specific he was referring to — and that included absentee ballots."
Decker pointed out that McEnany said the ballots were found "in a ditch," while the president said they were located "in a river."
"In this particular statement, though, who is 'they' that found those ballots, and where is this river anywhere in this country?" he asked.
"Local authorities," she replied. "It was a ditch in Wisconsin that they were found in. I can get the article to your inbox, if you'd like. ... That’s what the president was referring to. And you really, you're missing the forest for the trees here."
They continued going back and forth, with Decker saying that he likes "to report accurately the news."
"This is what is happening here," McEnany argued. "You are ignoring the problem here. Which is last week, in Pennsylvania, you had ballots found in a ditch. That’s a fact. In Wisconsin, seven military ballots all marked for Trump were found cast aside. There are problems with mass mail-in voting. I actually don’t understand the lack of journalistic curiosity in reporting on this. There used to be curiosity."
As she questioned why there wasn't more "journalist curiosity" on the subject, Decker said, "I just want to know where the river is. I'm very curious — where is the river?"
It would appear that McEnany confused the incidents in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin toward the end of that exchange.
The Outagamie County Sheriff's Office discovered the trays of mail, including absentee ballots, in a ditch near Appleton International Airport in Greenville, Wisconsin, last week, after which the United States Postal Inspection Service opened an investigation.
The Justice Department said a "small number" of military ballots were found to have been accidentally "discarded" in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. The DOJ initially said all of the ballots they had recovered in this incident, fewer than a dozen, had been cast for the president — as McEnany said Thursday, however, that failed to reflect how the agency quickly amended its statement to say that "the contents of those 2 ballots are unknown."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-01--Pelosi raises possibility of becoming acting president in chaotic election outcome

Speaker Nancy Pelosi raised the possibility that she might become acting president if neither President Trump nor Democratic nominee Joe Biden wins enough electoral votes to declare victory in the election on or after Nov. 3 .
Pelosi , a California Democrat , told reporters Thursday that she is preparing House Democrats for a potential role in determining the winner with a vote by each state delegation .
But if a majority still does not emerge for either Trump or Biden , Pelosi said , “ then it goes into another range where the speaker becomes the [ president ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” It is rare for the House to play a role in determining the outcome of a presidential election , and it hasn ’ t happened in 150 years .
But Pelosi is girding party lawmakers to play a role if the election is so close that neither Trump nor Biden is the electoral winner .
In such a scenario , each House state delegation would cast one vote for president , depending on the majority party in each delegation .
Pelosi said she is aiming for Democrats to be able to cast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ majority , which would hand the White House to Biden .
The Senate , meanwhile , would be empowered with voting to determine the vice president .
But if the House delegation results in a 25-25 tie and the Senate can ’ t agree on a vice presidential winner , Pelosi would become acting president , according to the 1947 Presidential Succession Act .
Republicans currently have the advantage in state delegations , and last month , Pelosi wrote to Democrats and urged the party to focus on flipping seats with Nov. 3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now have GOP majorities .
Additionally , Pennsylvania 's delegation is split 9-9 , so picking up a seat in November could give the Democrats an edge .
The Constitution requires Congress to certify the election on Jan. 6 next year , which is a few days after the new Congress is seated .
[ Read more : 'Doesn ’ t matter what her faith is ' : Nancy Pelosi wo n't condone attacks on Amy Coney Barrett 's Catholic beliefs ]

Speaker Nancy Pelosi raised the possibility that she might become acting president if neither President Trump nor Democratic nominee Joe Biden wins enough electoral votes to declare victory in the election on or after Nov. 3.
Pelosi, a California Democrat, told reporters Thursday that she is preparing House Democrats for a potential role in determining the winner with a vote by each state delegation.
But if a majority still does not emerge for either Trump or Biden, Pelosi said, “then it goes into another range where the speaker becomes the [president]. It’s complicated after that.”
It is rare for the House to play a role in determining the outcome of a presidential election, and it hasn’t happened in 150 years. But Pelosi is girding party lawmakers to play a role if the election is so close that neither Trump nor Biden is the electoral winner.
In such a scenario, each House state delegation would cast one vote for president, depending on the majority party in each delegation.
Pelosi said she is aiming for Democrats to be able to cast at least 26 votes, a bare majority, which would hand the White House to Biden.
The Senate, meanwhile, would be empowered with voting to determine the vice president.
But if the House delegation results in a 25-25 tie and the Senate can’t agree on a vice presidential winner, Pelosi would become acting president, according to the 1947 Presidential Succession Act.
Republicans currently have the advantage in state delegations, and last month, Pelosi wrote to Democrats and urged the party to focus on flipping seats with Nov. 3 wins in Alaska and Montana, which now have GOP majorities. Additionally, Pennsylvania's delegation is split 9-9, so picking up a seat in November could give the Democrats an edge.
The Constitution requires Congress to certify the election on Jan. 6 next year, which is a few days after the new Congress is seated.
[Read more: 'Doesn’t matter what her faith is': Nancy Pelosi won't condone attacks on Amy Coney Barrett's Catholic beliefs]


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-01--Trump and Biden expected to join annual Catholic dinner known for 'non-partisan unity'

Both President Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden on Thursday are expected to attend the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Dinner , an annual Catholic event that typically brings together opponents in the presidential race .
Trump on Monday confirmed that he would address the event virtually .
The Archdiocese of New York , which hosts the dinner to benefit Catholic organizations and charities , said in a statement that it expects Biden to do the same .
The Biden campaign has not publicly confirmed the Democratic presidential nominee 's participation .
The dinner will be hosted by Cardinal Timothy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Republican National Convention .
The dinner , which has attracted candidates from both parties since 1960 , is usually the last time they appear together before the presidential election .
It is intended to be a collegiate , nonpolitical event , `` one of our culture ’ s last bastions of non-partisan unity , where the political , business , and cultural leaders come together , regardless of political affiliations , to raise money for the most vulnerable members of society , under-served children , '' according to the archdiocese .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fraught with bitterness , as both Trump and 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton shot insults at each other .
Trump , who at one point referenced Clinton 's email scandal , pointed to revelations that she had been biased against organizations run by conservative Catholics .
`` Here she is tonight , in public , pretending not to hate Catholics , '' Trump said , drawing boos from the crowd .
For her part , Clinton attacked Trump for his behavior at the debates and joked that she did not think he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transition of power . ''
Clinton and Trump , however , shook hands at the end of the dinner , which was considered a rare moment of amicability during the 2016 campaign .

Both President Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden on Thursday are expected to attend the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Dinner, an annual Catholic event that typically brings together opponents in the presidential race.
Trump on Monday confirmed that he would address the event virtually. The Archdiocese of New York, which hosts the dinner to benefit Catholic organizations and charities, said in a statement that it expects Biden to do the same. The Biden campaign has not publicly confirmed the Democratic presidential nominee's participation. The dinner will be hosted by Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who spoke this year at the Republican National Convention.
The dinner, which has attracted candidates from both parties since 1960, is usually the last time they appear together before the presidential election. It is intended to be a collegiate, nonpolitical event, "one of our culture’s last bastions of non-partisan unity, where the political, business, and cultural leaders come together, regardless of political affiliations, to raise money for the most vulnerable members of society, under-served children," according to the archdiocese.
In 2016, however, the dinner was fraught with bitterness, as both Trump and 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton shot insults at each other. Trump, who at one point referenced Clinton's email scandal, pointed to revelations that she had been biased against organizations run by conservative Catholics.
"Here she is tonight, in public, pretending not to hate Catholics," Trump said, drawing boos from the crowd.
For her part, Clinton attacked Trump for his behavior at the debates and joked that she did not think he would "be okay with a peaceful transition of power."
Clinton and Trump, however, shook hands at the end of the dinner, which was considered a rare moment of amicability during the 2016 campaign.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-02--Trump populism plays havoc with Chamber of Commerce-GOP alliance

President Trump ’ s populism has strained the Republican Party ’ s relationship with its business wing to the point where the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is increasing its endorsements of Democrats , signaling a possible realignment that could reverberate beyond his term .
The Chamber parted ways with its top political strategist , Scott Reed , earlier this week .
Reed , who managed Bob Dole ’ s 1996 presidential campaign , cited on his way out the door a leftward drift in the organization and an unwillingness to defend the endangered Republican Senate majority .
Republicans treated it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Damn .
Scott Reed built that place , ” tweeted veteran Republican operative David Kochel .
“ He was such a great partner for so many campaigns and groups electing pro-growth candidates.
” “ It ’ s been difficult to watch what was once the gold standard for influence and advocacy slowly decline over the last few years , and now it appears the last vestige of relevance has just walked out the door , ” said National Republican Senatorial Committee Executive Director Kevin McLaughlin in a statement .
“ Everyone has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ role is different than the party committees , ” said Neil Bradley , the Chamber ’ s executive vice president and chief policy officer .
“ We are not a partisan organization .
Our role is to advance the public policy priorities of the business community and our membership.
” Reed ’ s departure follows the Chamber ’ s endorsement of 30 House Democrats .
But the tensions with Trump are not new .
They and other business groups have clashed with the president over tariffs , trade deals , and immigration , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on conservatism .
“ The GOP will be , from now on , the party also of the American worker , ” Trump vowed in 2017 .
“ Chamber Republicans are Bush Republicans , ” said a former Trump 2016 campaign official .
“ We ’ re the party of Trump Republicans now.
” Under the leadership of Thomas Donohue , the Chamber ’ s chief executive officer and , until last year , its president since 1997 , that meant disentangling the organization ’ s brand from Trump ’ s GOP .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ far Right has gone very far right , and the far Left has gone very far left .
If you think about this , there is a hole in the middle , ” Donohue told the Washington Post last year .
“ So , what we ’ re doing — and this is critical — is adjusting and responding to the new politics .
We 're adjusting and responding to the new Congress and the way the administration operates .
The people that win in sports and in politics and in business are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on one approach but are ready to adjust.
” Trump was equally offhand with the Chamber , though he has said he is a member .
He told CNBC that foreign countries “ take advantage of us in every way possible , and the U.S. Chamber is right there with them.
” Trump added , “ The Chamber is probably more for the companies and the people that are members than they are for our country.
” Early Trump supporters such as former Attorney General Jeff Sessions , then a Republican senator from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strategist Steve Bannon talked about transforming the historically white-collar GOP into a blue-collar party .
“ We ’ ve turned the Republican Party into a working-class party , ” Bannon told the Guardian last year .
“ Now , interestingly , we don ’ t have any elected representatives who believe that , but that ’ s a legacy issue .
We ’ ll get over that.
” This could be an artifact of Trump , or it could continue as the party loses suburban voters and continues to make inroads with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't know what the future holds for the business wing of the GOP .
I think it all depends on what the GOP looks like in the future , ” said Patrick Hynes , a communications consultant who has advised Republican candidates .
“ As more large corporations join more social justice causes , they will inevitably begin to rethink their strategies as they regard public affairs .
If the GOP continues to skew rural , white , and less college-educated , it 's rift with those companies will grow wider .
Eventually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ‘ party of big business.
’ ” The Chamber downplays talk of any leftward drift .
“ This election cycle , the Chamber endorsed 192 Republicans and 30 House Democrats , all of which earned a 70 % or greater on the Chamber ’ s scorecard .
Please note , we ’ re endorsing all of the 192 Republicans seeking reelection , ” said a spokesman .
“ All of these legislators worked to advance policies critical to the business community , and many scored additional points for crossing the aisle to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chamber also endorsed 17 Republican incumbent senators , including Susan Collins of Maine , Cory Gardner of Colorado , Joni Ernst of Iowa , Thom Tillis of North Carolina , Lindsey Graham of South Carolina , and Martha McSally of Arizona , all of whom are in tough reelection races .
It has endorsed five Republicans seeking Senate seats that are open or currently held by Democrats .
And it backed Trump ’ s nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court .
Trump has also promoted the deregulation of business and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cut as president .
Democratic challenger Joe Biden chastised Trump and his “ rich buddies ” at Tuesday night ’ s debate .
“ I think it ’ s time working families get a break and the super-wealthy and big corporations pay their fair share , ” Biden said .
“ They ’ re still going to be doing just fine.
” Business has traditionally helped Republicans compete against Democratic labor unions .
“ If the Chamber isn ’ t the Republican counter to the AFL-CIO , where are Republicans going to turn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in races ?
” former GOP Rep. Jack Kingston rhetorically the Washington Examiner last year .

President Trump’s populism has strained the Republican Party’s relationship with its business wing to the point where the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is increasing its endorsements of Democrats, signaling a possible realignment that could reverberate beyond his term.
The Chamber parted ways with its top political strategist, Scott Reed, earlier this week. Reed, who managed Bob Dole’s 1996 presidential campaign, cited on his way out the door a leftward drift in the organization and an unwillingness to defend the endangered Republican Senate majority.
Republicans treated it as the end of an era. “Damn. Scott Reed built that place,” tweeted veteran Republican operative David Kochel. “He was such a great partner for so many campaigns and groups electing pro-growth candidates.”
“It’s been difficult to watch what was once the gold standard for influence and advocacy slowly decline over the last few years, and now it appears the last vestige of relevance has just walked out the door,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee Executive Director Kevin McLaughlin in a statement.
“Everyone has their role to play, but our role is different than the party committees,” said Neil Bradley, the Chamber’s executive vice president and chief policy officer. “We are not a partisan organization. Our role is to advance the public policy priorities of the business community and our membership.”
Reed’s departure follows the Chamber’s endorsement of 30 House Democrats. But the tensions with Trump are not new. They and other business groups have clashed with the president over tariffs, trade deals, and immigration, rejecting his more nationalist and populist tinge on conservatism. “The GOP will be, from now on, the party also of the American worker,” Trump vowed in 2017.
“Chamber Republicans are Bush Republicans,” said a former Trump 2016 campaign official. “We’re the party of Trump Republicans now.”
Under the leadership of Thomas Donohue, the Chamber’s chief executive officer and, until last year, its president since 1997, that meant disentangling the organization’s brand from Trump’s GOP.
“It's very unfortunate that the far Right has gone very far right, and the far Left has gone very far left. If you think about this, there is a hole in the middle,” Donohue told the Washington Post last year. “So, what we’re doing — and this is critical — is adjusting and responding to the new politics. We're adjusting and responding to the new Congress and the way the administration operates. The people that win in sports and in politics and in business are the people that are not so focused on one approach but are ready to adjust.”
Trump was equally offhand with the Chamber, though he has said he is a member. He told CNBC that foreign countries “take advantage of us in every way possible, and the U.S. Chamber is right there with them.” Trump added, “The Chamber is probably more for the companies and the people that are members than they are for our country.”
Early Trump supporters such as former Attorney General Jeff Sessions, then a Republican senator from Alabama, and former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon talked about transforming the historically white-collar GOP into a blue-collar party. “We’ve turned the Republican Party into a working-class party,” Bannon told the Guardian last year. “Now, interestingly, we don’t have any elected representatives who believe that, but that’s a legacy issue. We’ll get over that.”
This could be an artifact of Trump, or it could continue as the party loses suburban voters and continues to make inroads with the white working class.
“I don't know what the future holds for the business wing of the GOP. I think it all depends on what the GOP looks like in the future,” said Patrick Hynes, a communications consultant who has advised Republican candidates. “As more large corporations join more social justice causes, they will inevitably begin to rethink their strategies as they regard public affairs. If the GOP continues to skew rural, white, and less college-educated, it's rift with those companies will grow wider. Eventually, we could see the Democrats become the ‘party of big business.’”
The Chamber downplays talk of any leftward drift. “This election cycle, the Chamber endorsed 192 Republicans and 30 House Democrats, all of which earned a 70% or greater on the Chamber’s scorecard. Please note, we’re endorsing all of the 192 Republicans seeking reelection,” said a spokesman. “All of these legislators worked to advance policies critical to the business community, and many scored additional points for crossing the aisle to enact important pieces of legislation.”
The Chamber also endorsed 17 Republican incumbent senators, including Susan Collins of Maine, Cory Gardner of Colorado, Joni Ernst of Iowa, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, and Martha McSally of Arizona, all of whom are in tough reelection races. It has endorsed five Republicans seeking Senate seats that are open or currently held by Democrats. And it backed Trump’s nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court.
Trump has also promoted the deregulation of business and signed into law a corporate income tax cut as president. Democratic challenger Joe Biden chastised Trump and his “rich buddies” at Tuesday night’s debate. “I think it’s time working families get a break and the super-wealthy and big corporations pay their fair share,” Biden said. “They’re still going to be doing just fine.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-02--Biden must tread carefully responding to Trump and first lady COVID-19 positive tests

News that President Trump and first lady Melania Trump have tested positive for COVID-19 puts Joe Biden in a precarious political position .
Trump tweeted the diagnosis early Friday morning , setting the stage for the Democratic nominee 's response amid a topsy-turvy White House race already upended by the virus that has claimed more than 200,000 lives in the United States , triggered a recession , and effectively halted in-person campaigning for several months .
Biden , the former vice president and 36-year Delaware senator , can remind the electorate that he 's taken the coronavirus seriously all along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his home in Delaware the bulk of the campaign .
Biden has also worn a mask in public for months , in contrast to Trump 's on-and-off relationship with face coverings .
Biden has also delivered several lashing speeches about the Trump administration 's coronavirus response .
He 's pledged a more national response to the pandemic , compared to the Trump administration 's reliance on governors to combat it in their states .
And Biden has pledged to keep on as a top adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with whom Trump administration officials have sometimes clashed .
But an I-told-you-so response by Biden and his supporters would likely backfire , stirring sympathy for his White House rival and wife .
One immediate decision for Biden is whether to suspend his campaign .
If Biden continues on pressing for votes , his schedule is likely to be altered to focus exclusively on taming the coronavirus .
Biden would likely discard overt political rhetoric , instead focusing on science related to the pandemic .
One prominent Trump critic early Friday suggested Biden continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a COVID-19 focus .
`` Trump didn ’ t protect himself from the virus .
He didn ’ t wear a mask .
Didn ’ t take basic precautions .
How ’ s he supposed to protect the rest of us ? ''
tweeted Neera Tanden , president of the Center for American Progress , a liberal think tank .
The COVID-19 diagnosis for the president and first lady virtually guarantees the pandemic remains front-and-center for the bulk of the presidential campaign .
The pair are quarantined for 14 days , which raises @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the scheduled Oct. 15 presidential debate .

News that President Trump and first lady Melania Trump have tested positive for COVID-19 puts Joe Biden in a precarious political position.
Trump tweeted the diagnosis early Friday morning, setting the stage for the Democratic nominee's response amid a topsy-turvy White House race already upended by the virus that has claimed more than 200,000 lives in the United States, triggered a recession, and effectively halted in-person campaigning for several months.
Biden, the former vice president and 36-year Delaware senator, can remind the electorate that he's taken the coronavirus seriously all along, to the point of staying at his home in Delaware the bulk of the campaign. Biden has also worn a mask in public for months, in contrast to Trump's on-and-off relationship with face coverings.
Biden has also delivered several lashing speeches about the Trump administration's coronavirus response. He's pledged a more national response to the pandemic, compared to the Trump administration's reliance on governors to combat it in their states. And Biden has pledged to keep on as a top adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, with whom Trump administration officials have sometimes clashed.
But an I-told-you-so response by Biden and his supporters would likely backfire, stirring sympathy for his White House rival and wife.
One immediate decision for Biden is whether to suspend his campaign. If Biden continues on pressing for votes, his schedule is likely to be altered to focus exclusively on taming the coronavirus. Biden would likely discard overt political rhetoric, instead focusing on science related to the pandemic.
One prominent Trump critic early Friday suggested Biden continue on the offensive against Trump, with a COVID-19 focus.
"Trump didn’t protect himself from the virus. He didn’t wear a mask. Didn’t take basic precautions. How’s he supposed to protect the rest of us?" tweeted Neera Tanden, president of the Center for American Progress, a liberal think tank.
[LIST: People in Trump's orbit tested for COVID-19]
Trump didn’t protect himself from the virus. He didn’t wear a mask. Didn’t take basic precautions. How’s he supposed to protect the rest of us? — Neera -Vote Early- Tanden (@neeratanden) October 2, 2020
The COVID-19 diagnosis for the president and first lady virtually guarantees the pandemic remains front-and-center for the bulk of the presidential campaign. The pair are quarantined for 14 days, which raises questions about Trump's in-person participation at the scheduled Oct. 15 presidential debate.