thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-16--Trump fights to defend record in frequently testy town hall

President Trump was put on the defensive about the coronavirus early during an NBC News town hall in Miami — one that , at times , felt like a debate with moderator Savannah Guthrie — facing questions about both the federal response to the pandemic and his own positive test .
Asked about whether he should have required more face mask-wearing and social distancing at White House events , Trump insisted that as president , he “ ca n't be locked in a room all the time . ''
He argued that without the actions the federal government took under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been much higher .
He also would not definitively say he was tested for the coronavirus before the first presidential debate with Democratic challenger Joe Biden .
The first audience questioner also asked Trump why he did not do more earlier if he knew , as he had told veteran journalist Bob Woodward , that the virus was airborne and deadlier than the flu .
Trump contended he was early to support things like travel restrictions .
“ I don ’ t want to panic this country , ” he said of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ touted the number of ventilators and masks the government produced to counteract the coronavirus .
In a testy exchange , Guthrie peppered Trump with questions about white supremacy and QAnon .
He replied that he did denounce white supremacy , that he knew nothing about QAnon , and he demanded to know why no one asked Biden to denounce antifa .
She also asked him why he was sowing doubt about the election outcome as he talked about discarded ballots .
Trump said he “ absolutely ” wanted a peaceful transfer of power @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all , he wanted an “ honest ” election , and he hoped to win .
Guthrie pressed Trump on protections for people with preexisting conditions and whether Republicans had a plan to replace rather than just repeal Obamacare .
“ We ’ d like to have new healthcare , much better and at a lower price , ” Trump said .
“ I ’ m ready to sign a big , beautiful stimulus , ” Trump said , challenging House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to pass a bill .
He vowed that if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an agreement on a fourth economic rescue package , Senate Republicans would go along with it .
Trump and Biden were scheduled to hold the second presidential debate in a town hall format , but it was canceled .
The debate commission had attempted to change it to a virtual event following Trump ’ s COVID-19 diagnosis , but the president refused to participate unless it was a live , in-person exchange .
The two major-party candidates instead held separate forums at the same time on different networks .
Still , Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a debate and was at times heated .
“ I know you , I knew you ’ d do this , ” Trump said to Guthrie at one point .
Guthrie asked Trump to take 30 seconds to justify why he deserved a “ second chance.
” He replied , “ Because I ’ ve done a great job.
” The two tangled about Trump ’ s tax returns and debts .
Trump noted that he was , in fact , under audit .
Guthrie responded that there was no law or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ returns while under audit .
“ Except common sense and intelligence , ” the president shot back .
When a voter asked Trump whether he planned to do anything to help Dreamers , a subset of young undocumented immigrants who entered the United States as minor children , in a second term , he told her she would be pleased by the immigration deal he would strike .
Guthrie then pointed out that Trump had “ curtailed ” the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program Barack Obama created .
Trump denied speaking to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any cases she might have to rule on in the future .
He even declined to give an opinion on the Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion , saying he did not want to be seen as sending Barrett a “ signal.
” He said he did not know how she would rule in a case involving the presidential election .
Trump and Biden will hold the final scheduled presidential debate next week , moderated by NBC ’ s Kristen Welker .

President Trump was put on the defensive about the coronavirus early during an NBC News town hall in Miami — one that, at times, felt like a debate with moderator Savannah Guthrie — facing questions about both the federal response to the pandemic and his own positive test.
Asked about whether he should have required more face mask-wearing and social distancing at White House events, Trump insisted that as president, he “can't be locked in a room all the time." He argued that without the actions the federal government took under his leadership, the death toll would have been much higher. He also would not definitively say he was tested for the coronavirus before the first presidential debate with Democratic challenger Joe Biden.
The first audience questioner also asked Trump why he did not do more earlier if he knew, as he had told veteran journalist Bob Woodward, that the virus was airborne and deadlier than the flu. Trump contended he was early to support things like travel restrictions. “I don’t want to panic this country,” he said of his rhetoric about the outbreak. He touted the number of ventilators and masks the government produced to counteract the coronavirus.
In a testy exchange, Guthrie peppered Trump with questions about white supremacy and QAnon. He replied that he did denounce white supremacy, that he knew nothing about QAnon, and he demanded to know why no one asked Biden to denounce antifa.
She also asked him why he was sowing doubt about the election outcome as he talked about discarded ballots. Trump said he “absolutely” wanted a peaceful transfer of power if he lost, but most of all, he wanted an “honest” election, and he hoped to win.
Guthrie pressed Trump on protections for people with preexisting conditions and whether Republicans had a plan to replace rather than just repeal Obamacare. “We’d like to have new healthcare, much better and at a lower price,” Trump said.
“I’m ready to sign a big, beautiful stimulus,” Trump said, challenging House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to pass a bill. He vowed that if the White House and Pelosi could reach an agreement on a fourth economic rescue package, Senate Republicans would go along with it.
Trump and Biden were scheduled to hold the second presidential debate in a town hall format, but it was canceled. The debate commission had attempted to change it to a virtual event following Trump’s COVID-19 diagnosis, but the president refused to participate unless it was a live, in-person exchange. The two major-party candidates instead held separate forums at the same time on different networks.
Still, Trump’s event still frequently had the tone of a debate and was at times heated. “I know you, I knew you’d do this,” Trump said to Guthrie at one point. Guthrie asked Trump to take 30 seconds to justify why he deserved a “second chance.” He replied, “Because I’ve done a great job.”
The two tangled about Trump’s tax returns and debts. Trump noted that he was, in fact, under audit. Guthrie responded that there was no law or rule that prevented him from releasing his returns while under audit. “Except common sense and intelligence,” the president shot back.
When a voter asked Trump whether he planned to do anything to help Dreamers, a subset of young undocumented immigrants who entered the United States as minor children, in a second term, he told her she would be pleased by the immigration deal he would strike. Guthrie then pointed out that Trump had “curtailed” the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program Barack Obama created.
Trump denied speaking to Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett about any cases she might have to rule on in the future. He even declined to give an opinion on the Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion, saying he did not want to be seen as sending Barrett a “signal.” He said he did not know how she would rule in a case involving the presidential election.
Trump and Biden will hold the final scheduled presidential debate next week, moderated by NBC’s Kristen Welker.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-15--Club for Growth hits Democratic Senate challenger in Montana for opposing Barrett

The Club for Growth is launching a $ 400,000 digital and television advertising campaign attacking Democratic Senate candidate Gov .
Steve Bullock for opposing Judge Amy Coney Barrett ’ s nomination to the Supreme Court and refusing to disavow “ court-packing.
” The ads were provided to the Washington Examiner .
The conservative group is tying Bullock to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and “ rich donors in New York City ” in a bid to bolster incumbent Republican Sen. Steve Daines .
Bullock is putting up a fight despite the state ’ s Republican tendencies and likelihood President Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Bullock has declined to rule out supporting efforts to add more seats to the Supreme Court , a position that carries some risk in Montana .
The GOP and its allies are hoping the fight to confirm Barrett , the president ’ s third Supreme Court pick , will succeed in protecting the party ’ s three-seat Senate majority .
To that end , the Club for Growth also plans to hit digital platforms and the national television airwaves with a second spot .
This one praises Barrett for a pro-freedom judicial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The group is spending $ 5 million overall on its media effort to promote Barrett 's confirmation .
“ The strongest economy in history was built on solid ground that doesn ’ t shift .
For Judge Amy Coney Barrett , the U.S. Constitution reigns supreme , ” the ad ’ s voice-over says .
“ That ’ s good for growth .
Judge Barrett will rule on the side of freedom , protecting our constitutional right to pursue prosperity .
She won ’ t let unelected bureaucrats rule the economy .
”

The Club for Growth is launching a $400,000 digital and television advertising campaign attacking Democratic Senate candidate Gov. Steve Bullock for opposing Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination to the Supreme Court and refusing to disavow “court-packing.”
The ads were provided to the Washington Examiner.
The conservative group is tying Bullock to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and “rich donors in New York City” in a bid to bolster incumbent Republican Sen. Steve Daines. Bullock is putting up a fight despite the state’s Republican tendencies and likelihood President Trump will win its three Electoral College votes. Bullock has declined to rule out supporting efforts to add more seats to the Supreme Court, a position that carries some risk in Montana.
The GOP and its allies are hoping the fight to confirm Barrett, the president’s third Supreme Court pick, will succeed in protecting the party’s three-seat Senate majority.
To that end, the Club for Growth also plans to hit digital platforms and the national television airwaves with a second spot. This one praises Barrett for a pro-freedom judicial philosophy that will fuel economic growth. The group is spending $5 million overall on its media effort to promote Barrett's confirmation.
“The strongest economy in history was built on solid ground that doesn’t shift. For Judge Amy Coney Barrett, the U.S. Constitution reigns supreme,” the ad’s voice-over says. “That’s good for growth. Judge Barrett will rule on the side of freedom, protecting our constitutional right to pursue prosperity. She won’t let unelected bureaucrats rule the economy.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-15--'Bad for democracy': NBC town hall with Trump causes headache for the network

NBC News agreed to host a town hall with President Trump , and while many networks would celebrate such a program , this one has created a headache for the outlet .
The network is set to host a town hall with Trump on Thursday night , but it has received backlash , both internally and externally , for agreeing to put on the event at the same time Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is participating in a town hall on a competitor 's network — ABC News .
There was enough consternation behind the decision to make viewers decide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of being able to see both of them together , which was supposed to happen , that NBCUniversal News Group chairman Cesar Conde acknowledged the controversy in a written statement , according to Politico .
“ We share in the frustration that our event will initially air alongside the first half of ABC ’ s broadcast with Vice President Biden .
Our decision is motivated only by fairness , not business considerations .
We aired a town hall with Vice President Biden on October 5 at 8pm , '' he said .
Conde @ @ @ @ @ @ @ watch both town halls even if it 's at a later time .
`` If we were to move our town hall with President Trump to a later time slot we would be violating our commitment to offer both campaigns access to the same audience and the same forum , '' he added .
`` We hope voters will watch both discussions — ours will be available at any time , free and on-demand on YouTube , Peacock and all our digital news platforms . ''
The two presidential candidates were supposed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday before the plans fell apart earlier in October .
The Commission on Presidential Debates changed the debate structure to make it a virtual town hall given the president 's COVID-19 diagnosis .
The president and the Trump campaign rebuked the alternative and said he would n't participate , although they did offer to delay the debate a week , which would also result in delaying the third and final debate a week .
The Biden campaign rebuffed those ideas and decided to host a town hall on ABC News .
It was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president said he was n't interested in participating in a virtual town hall .
Conversely , the Trump campaign and NBC did not agree to host the Thursday town hall until a day before it was set to take place .
A number of former NBC employees spoke out on the controversy .
`` Having dueling town halls is bad for democracy , '' former NBC Today show star Katie Couric tweeted .
`` Voters should be able to watch both and I do n't think many will .
This will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ watch his unpredictability .
This is a bad decision . ''
Aspen Digital executive director Vivian Schiller , who previously spent time as the chief digital officer at NBC News , called the decision `` shameful '' on Twitter , adding that , `` The point of a news organization is to serve the public .
This is the opposite .
@ NBCNews could literally run this any other day , or any other time .
Shameful . ''
Additionally , more than 100 Hollywood actors , directors , producers , and showrunners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executives regarding the event , according to Variety .
In the letter , which was signed by household names like Seth Rogen , Patton Oswalt , Sarah Silverman , and Mandy Moore , they said that they were “ devastated ” when they learned about the town hall .
The group also said , “ This kind of indifference to the norms and rules of our democracy are what have brought our country to this perilous state .
”

NBC News agreed to host a town hall with President Trump, and while many networks would celebrate such a program, this one has created a headache for the outlet.
The network is set to host a town hall with Trump on Thursday night, but it has received backlash, both internally and externally, for agreeing to put on the event at the same time Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is participating in a town hall on a competitor's network — ABC News.
There was enough consternation behind the decision to make viewers decide which candidate to tune into, instead of being able to see both of them together, which was supposed to happen, that NBCUniversal News Group chairman Cesar Conde acknowledged the controversy in a written statement, according to Politico.
“We share in the frustration that our event will initially air alongside the first half of ABC’s broadcast with Vice President Biden. Our decision is motivated only by fairness, not business considerations. We aired a town hall with Vice President Biden on October 5 at 8pm," he said.
Conde also said that he hopes viewers will watch both town halls even if it's at a later time.
"If we were to move our town hall with President Trump to a later time slot we would be violating our commitment to offer both campaigns access to the same audience and the same forum," he added. "We hope voters will watch both discussions — ours will be available at any time, free and on-demand on YouTube, Peacock and all our digital news platforms."
The two presidential candidates were supposed to stand on the same debate stage on Thursday before the plans fell apart earlier in October. The Commission on Presidential Debates changed the debate structure to make it a virtual town hall given the president's COVID-19 diagnosis.
The president and the Trump campaign rebuked the alternative and said he wouldn't participate, although they did offer to delay the debate a week, which would also result in delaying the third and final debate a week.
The Biden campaign rebuffed those ideas and decided to host a town hall on ABC News. It was announced Oct. 8, the same day the president said he wasn't interested in participating in a virtual town hall. Conversely, the Trump campaign and NBC did not agree to host the Thursday town hall until a day before it was set to take place.
A number of former NBC employees spoke out on the controversy.
"Having dueling town halls is bad for democracy," former NBC Today show star Katie Couric tweeted. "Voters should be able to watch both and I don't think many will. This will be good for Trump because people like to watch his unpredictability. This is a bad decision."
Aspen Digital executive director Vivian Schiller, who previously spent time as the chief digital officer at NBC News, called the decision "shameful" on Twitter, adding that, "The point of a news organization is to serve the public. This is the opposite. @NBCNews could literally run this any other day, or any other time. Shameful."
Additionally, more than 100 Hollywood actors, directors, producers, and showrunners sent a petition to NBCUniversal and Comcast executives regarding the event, according to Variety. In the letter, which was signed by household names like Seth Rogen, Patton Oswalt, Sarah Silverman, and Mandy Moore, they said that they were “devastated” when they learned about the town hall.
The group also said, “This kind of indifference to the norms and rules of our democracy are what have brought our country to this perilous state.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-15--Trump dodges five times when asked to detail promised middle class tax cuts

President Trump repeatedly dodged the opportunity to talk about his plan to cut middle-class taxes in a televised interview Thursday .
After Trump claimed that Joe Biden would increase taxes on the middle class if he won the Oval Office , Fox Business host Stuart Varney asked Trump five times what tax cuts he would advance if granted a second term in office by the voters .
Of the five queries , three specifically mentioned cutting middle-class taxes .
The president finally said that he wants to cut middle-class taxes , but he seemed to reference the 21 % corporate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate cut .
“ We ’ re talking about income taxes for the middle-income people .
May bring down the 21 % down to 20 , even number , ” he said .
The middle class pays taxes according to rates for individuals , not corporations , and there is no 21 % individual tax rate for 2020 .
Details about Trump ’ s tax proposals for a second term have been sparse .
The second term agenda released in August included cutting taxes to keep companies from moving jobs offshore and expanding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for real estate investments in disadvantaged areas .
It also asserted to “ cut taxes to boost take-home pay ” but provided no particulars .
Analysis on the agenda was deemed “ light on detail , ” according to the Tax Foundation , an independent tax policy think tank .
Meanwhile , a report released Thursday found that Biden ’ s proposals would largely hold middle-class taxpayers harmless .
The analysis , from the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center , estimated that the former vice president 's plan would increase taxes on individuals earning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is much lower than that figure , as median income was roughly $ 68,000 in 2019 , according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis .
Wealthier individuals and corporations would bear the brunt of tax increases proposed by Biden .
The plan would increase taxes by $ 2.4 trillion over the next 10 years , according to Thursday ’ s report .
Wealthy individuals would pay roughly 40 % of that tax increase , while businesses , especially corporations , would pony up the remaining 60 % , the report states @

President Trump repeatedly dodged the opportunity to talk about his plan to cut middle-class taxes in a televised interview Thursday.
After Trump claimed that Joe Biden would increase taxes on the middle class if he won the Oval Office, Fox Business host Stuart Varney asked Trump five times what tax cuts he would advance if granted a second term in office by the voters. Of the five queries, three specifically mentioned cutting middle-class taxes.
The president finally said that he wants to cut middle-class taxes, but he seemed to reference the 21% corporate tax bracket when talking specifically about a rate cut.
“We’re talking about income taxes for the middle-income people. May bring down the 21% down to 20, even number,” he said.
The middle class pays taxes according to rates for individuals, not corporations, and there is no 21% individual tax rate for 2020.
Details about Trump’s tax proposals for a second term have been sparse.
The second term agenda released in August included cutting taxes to keep companies from moving jobs offshore and expanding Opportunity Zones, which provide tax advantages for real estate investments in disadvantaged areas. It also asserted to “cut taxes to boost take-home pay” but provided no particulars.
Analysis on the agenda was deemed “light on detail,” according to the Tax Foundation, an independent tax policy think tank.
Meanwhile, a report released Thursday found that Biden’s proposals would largely hold middle-class taxpayers harmless.
The analysis, from the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center, estimated that the former vice president's plan would increase taxes on individuals earning $400,000 or more. Middle-class income is much lower than that figure, as median income was roughly $68,000 in 2019, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
Wealthier individuals and corporations would bear the brunt of tax increases proposed by Biden. The plan would increase taxes by $2.4 trillion over the next 10 years, according to Thursday’s report.
Wealthy individuals would pay roughly 40% of that tax increase, while businesses, especially corporations, would pony up the remaining 60%, the report states.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-15--Media mavens are wrong: New Biden stories are newsworthy and credible

It is not Joe Biden ’ s fault that his son , Hunter , is a whoremongering crackhead .
It is not his fault that Hunter , for years , has engaged in shady business dealings .
But it is most certainly the father ’ s fault that he directly abetted some of Hunter ’ s shady business dealings , and it is his fault if he lied about his knowledge of or aid in those dealings .
Worse , it is more than his fault , but also a corruption of his duty to the public , that then-Vice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s unethical profiteering in ways that clearly undermined America 's diplomatic standing and that could potentially help undermine U.S. security .
The reality of all of those detrimental elements of what Politico called Biden Inc. has long been apparent .
Information from the alleged laptop of Hunter Biden , as reported in the past two days by the New York Post , would , if true , mean the degree of those detrimental elements could be even worse than previously assumed .
This is why it is such a flagrant violation of journalistic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Post ’ s reporting rather than actually follow up on it with an open mind .
What was already known by the media , but treated as unimportant , was bad enough .
The new revelations , including Thursday ’ s update adding ( alleged ) details about Hunter Biden ’ s China dealings to Wednesday ’ s reports of his Ukraine imbroglio , continue to make both Bidens look bad in ways that cast doubt on the father ’ s fitness for office .
The new documents , which appear authentic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in hundreds of thousands of dollars from Chinese-government-connected entities even after his father left the vice presidency .
One of the son ’ s biggest forays into the Chinese market , one that appears to be his gateway into many of his other dealings there , involves an equity firm called BHR Partners , which is 10 % owned by the younger Biden and 80 % owned by Chinese entities , including at least 30 % by subsidiaries of the Communist Chinese government itself .
BHR Partners was registered 12 days after , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trip to China in which the vice president brought the son as a guest on Air Force Two .
In short , Hunter Biden is in league with Chinese government entities at least substantially because his father used his taxpayer-financed luxury plane as a conduit for his dodgy , lucrative business deals .
It matters not that nobody has ( yet ) shown any direct illegality in these dealings .
The father ’ s slick assistance of his son ’ s profiteering , in cahoots with the government of this nation ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Now , the Post has provided plausible evidence that the profiteering continues , in ways that could at least indirectly compromise Joe Biden if he wins the presidency .
The evidence is plausible because everything in the emails seems to comport with and add believably to what was already known about the Biden Inc. dealings , because the diction and details in the emails are so distinctive , and because they were accompanied in the hard drive by very private photos that quite clearly belonged to or involved Hunter Biden .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be dispositive .
The original hard drive , of which the Post ’ s version was a copy , was reportedly seized last year by the FBI .
Why would a Delaware grand jury subpoena , and the federal authorities seize , a computer and hard drive that weren ’ t even plausibly related to the vice president ?
Real reporters should be beating down the doors of the Delaware prosecutor ’ s office to find out what was done or is being done or was discovered about the hard drive .
Electronic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and indeed every citizen ) should be demanding that this particular electronic evidence be either verified or disproven .

It is not Joe Biden’s fault that his son, Hunter, is a whoremongering crackhead. It is not his fault that Hunter, for years, has engaged in shady business dealings.
But it is most certainly the father’s fault that he directly abetted some of Hunter’s shady business dealings, and it is his fault if he lied about his knowledge of or aid in those dealings.
Worse, it is more than his fault, but also a corruption of his duty to the public, that then-Vice President Joe Biden assisted his son’s unethical profiteering in ways that clearly undermined America's diplomatic standing and that could potentially help undermine U.S. security.
The reality of all of those detrimental elements of what Politico called Biden Inc. has long been apparent. Information from the alleged laptop of Hunter Biden, as reported in the past two days by the New York Post, would, if true, mean the degree of those detrimental elements could be even worse than previously assumed.
This is why it is such a flagrant violation of journalistic ethics for major media outlets to denounce the Post’s reporting rather than actually follow up on it with an open mind. What was already known by the media, but treated as unimportant, was bad enough. The new revelations, including Thursday’s update adding (alleged) details about Hunter Biden’s China dealings to Wednesday’s reports of his Ukraine imbroglio, continue to make both Bidens look bad in ways that cast doubt on the father’s fitness for office.
The new documents, which appear authentic, show Hunter Biden continuing to bring in hundreds of thousands of dollars from Chinese-government-connected entities even after his father left the vice presidency. One of the son’s biggest forays into the Chinese market, one that appears to be his gateway into many of his other dealings there, involves an equity firm called BHR Partners, which is 10% owned by the younger Biden and 80% owned by Chinese entities, including at least 30% by subsidiaries of the Communist Chinese government itself. BHR Partners was registered 12 days after, and apparently resulting from, a 2013 trip to China in which the vice president brought the son as a guest on Air Force Two.
In short, Hunter Biden is in league with Chinese government entities at least substantially because his father used his taxpayer-financed luxury plane as a conduit for his dodgy, lucrative business deals.
It matters not that nobody has (yet) shown any direct illegality in these dealings. The father’s slick assistance of his son’s profiteering, in cahoots with the government of this nation’s single-most dangerous global adversary, was abominable. Now, the Post has provided plausible evidence that the profiteering continues, in ways that could at least indirectly compromise Joe Biden if he wins the presidency.
The evidence is plausible because everything in the emails seems to comport with and add believably to what was already known about the Biden Inc. dealings, because the diction and details in the emails are so distinctive, and because they were accompanied in the hard drive by very private photos that quite clearly belonged to or involved Hunter Biden.
There is one more thing, which should be dispositive. The original hard drive, of which the Post’s version was a copy, was reportedly seized last year by the FBI. Why would a Delaware grand jury subpoena, and the federal authorities seize, a computer and hard drive that weren’t even plausibly related to the vice president?
Real reporters should be beating down the doors of the Delaware prosecutor’s office to find out what was done or is being done or was discovered about the hard drive. Electronic evidence is verifiable. Every reporter (and indeed every citizen) should be demanding that this particular electronic evidence be either verified or disproven.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-15--Canceled presidential debate moderator who claimed he was hacked has been suspended

C-SPAN indefinitely suspended political editor Steve Scully after he admitted to lying about the hacking of his social media accounts .
The debacle began on Oct. 8 when Scully appeared to tweet a message accidentally that was meant for former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci .
In the tweet , he asked for advice on whether he should `` respond to '' President Trump 's attacks on him , but after facing criticism , Scully claimed that his Twitter account had been hacked .
The news of his suspension , which was announced on Thursday , came on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moderate the second presidential debate between Joe Biden and Trump .
“ I falsely claimed that my Twitter account had been hacked , '' he said , according to the Associated Press .
“ These were both errors in judgment for which I am totally responsible for .
I apologize .
I ask for their forgiveness as I try to move forward in a moment of reflection and disappointment in myself . ''
“ For several weeks , I was subjected to relentless criticism on social media and in conservative news outlets regarding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential debate , including attacks aimed directly at my family , '' Scully added .
`` Out of frustration , I sent a brief tweet addressed to Anthony Scaramucci .
The next morning when I saw that this tweet had created a new controversy . ''
This will be the first time since 1992 that Scully will not be a part of the network 's election night coverage .
“ He understands that he made a serious mistake , ” the network said .
“ We were very saddened by this news and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ During his 30 years at C-Span , Steve consistently demonstrated his fairness and professionalism as a journalist .
He has built a reservoir of goodwill among those he has interviewed , fellow journalists , our viewers , and with us , ” C-SPAN added , noting that , “ We believe in his ability to continue to contribute to C-SPAN ” in the future .
Frank Fahrenkopf , the co-chairman for the Commission on Presidential Debates , was the first person to say Scully had been hacked , and shortly thereafter , C-SPAN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , noting that the Commission for Presidential Debates was investigating what happened with the help of authorities .
C-SPAN said that Scully `` did not originate the tweet and believes his account has been hacked . ''
The journalist has previously claimed that his account has been hacked , although it 's unclear if those incidents were legitimate or not .

C-SPAN indefinitely suspended political editor Steve Scully after he admitted to lying about the hacking of his social media accounts.
The debacle began on Oct. 8 when Scully appeared to tweet a message accidentally that was meant for former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci.
In the tweet, he asked for advice on whether he should "respond to" President Trump's attacks on him, but after facing criticism, Scully claimed that his Twitter account had been hacked. The news of his suspension, which was announced on Thursday, came on the same day that he was supposed to moderate the second presidential debate between Joe Biden and Trump.
“I falsely claimed that my Twitter account had been hacked," he said, according to the Associated Press. “These were both errors in judgment for which I am totally responsible for. I apologize. I ask for their forgiveness as I try to move forward in a moment of reflection and disappointment in myself."
“For several weeks, I was subjected to relentless criticism on social media and in conservative news outlets regarding my role as moderator for the second presidential debate, including attacks aimed directly at my family," Scully added. "Out of frustration, I sent a brief tweet addressed to Anthony Scaramucci. The next morning when I saw that this tweet had created a new controversy."
This will be the first time since 1992 that Scully will not be a part of the network's election night coverage.
“He understands that he made a serious mistake,” the network said. “We were very saddened by this news and do not condone his actions.”
“During his 30 years at C-Span, Steve consistently demonstrated his fairness and professionalism as a journalist. He has built a reservoir of goodwill among those he has interviewed, fellow journalists, our viewers, and with us,” C-SPAN added, noting that, “We believe in his ability to continue to contribute to C-SPAN” in the future.
Frank Fahrenkopf, the co-chairman for the Commission on Presidential Debates, was the first person to say Scully had been hacked, and shortly thereafter, C-SPAN issued a statement making the same claim, noting that the Commission for Presidential Debates was investigating what happened with the help of authorities.
C-SPAN said that Scully "did not originate the tweet and believes his account has been hacked."
The journalist has previously claimed that his account has been hacked, although it's unclear if those incidents were legitimate or not.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-16--The most important election ever

The most important election ever

This is the most important election of my lifetime .
Over the past 40 years , particularly since 2008 and aided by the growth of social media and the amalgamation of politics into almost every facet of culture , we hear this every Silly Season : `` This is the most important election ever . ''
Sometimes , it more modestly carries the `` in our lifetime '' qualifier .
It 's a grand claim .
George Washington became the first president of the United States in 1789 , and this year will mark the 58th presidential election since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a young nation , with salient issues looming in the background every four years .
In 2008 , Barack Obama said , `` This is certainly the most important election in my lifetime — not just because I 'm running . ''
In 2012 , Boston Globe columnist Michael Cohen wrote a piece entitled `` The Most Important Election Ever . ''
The rhetoric is not limited to Democrats .
In 2000 , the National Rifle Association called the election between George W. Bush and Al Gore `` the most important election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1984 , Ronald Reagan said it was the `` most important election in this nation in 50 years . ''
As a measure of its use , the phrase made its way into the 2018 midterm elections .
David Corn of Mother Jones called it the `` most important election of our lives . ''
`` The most important election any of us have voted in so far , '' said Joe Biden .
New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker echoed those sentiments .
This year has continued the trend , with Democrats upping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Committee speech , Obama declared , `` That 's what 's at stake right now : our democracy . ''
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders told viewers , `` The future of our democracy is at stake . ''
Former Justice Department official Sally Yates said the same .
Not to be outdone by Democratic politicians and officials , left-wing author Robert Kuttner wrote a book , The Stakes , which argues the very survival of American democracy depends on the outcome of the election .
John Dean , one of the infamous co-conspirators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who now spends the bulk of his time arguing any scandal involving a Republican president is worse than Watergate , said if President Trump gets reelected , `` our democracy will be gone . ''
Yet in a recent Gallup survey of registered voters , 56 % said they feel their situation is better today than four years ago .
It 's a remarkable number given that the U.S. continues to fight a deadly pandemic and the slow reopening of states across the country has hampered the economy .
That may be cold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in several polling averages by 10 points or more .
Still , it is hardly indicative of the public staring down the most important election of all time .
The United States is not actively engaged in any major wars .
Foreign policy and national security challenges exist , but no crisis .
Despite taking multiple hits from the coronavirus , the economy remains relatively stable .
Interest rates are low .
The stock market , and thus 401 ( k ) plans , continues its ascent .
When states entered lockdowns in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly 15 % .
At the end of September , it dropped to 8 % .
Despite the coronavirus , people had the opportunity to watch ( on television ) all three Triple Crown races , the NHL playoffs , NBA playoffs , and now , the MLB playoffs .
None of this is to minimize the coronavirus .
It 's simply to offer some evidentiary support to voters ' relative lack of panic .
Compare with 1980 , for example .
The campaign pitted incumbent President Jimmy Carter against former California Gov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the Watergate scandal and the end of the Vietnam War , the country faced many other challenges .
The gasoline shortage in 1979 continued into the new year , with drivers having to contend with long lines at the pump .
Interest rates hovered just above 13 % , and inflation checked in at 14 % .
The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan was in full effect , and Iranian Revolution supporters held 52 Americans hostage at the U.S. Embassy in Iran .
That 's to say nothing of the rising crime , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ general corruption that plagued the nation 's largest cities .
The new president would face domestic challenges and multiple foreign policy dilemmas right out of the gate .
By contrast , Joe Biden said his first order of business if he wins the election is the repeal of the tax cut bill Trump signed in 2017 .
Examining presidential elections through the lens of importance requires historical precedent .
Otherwise , it comes off as trifling partisan posturing .
If an afterlife hall for presidents existed , it 's not difficult to imagine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officeholders and asking , `` Do they not remember 1860 ? ''
Lincoln , a former one-term member of the House of Representatives , came out victorious in the quadrennial election , defeating John Breckinridge , John Bell , and Stephen Douglas .
Lincoln 's victory was remarkable in that it represented the second-lowest share of the popular vote ( 39 % ) in U.S. history .
Only John Quincy Adams , who lost the popular vote in 1824 ( and , ironically , the Electoral College ) , did worse .
Still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of presidential elections , and Lincoln 's significant wins in northern states secured 181 electoral votes .
Breckinridge finished second with 72 .
Bell won 39 and Douglas , 12 .
Lincoln 's win and impending inauguration triggered seven Southern states ' secession between December 1860 and February 1861 .
Those states formed the Confederate States of America .
It 's nearly unfathomable to grasp the idea that the United States , a mere 71 years after Washington became our first president , was now splitting apart under the stain of slavery .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ validity and refused to surrender any federal property .
Lincoln 's rebuffing of the demands led to Confederate President Jefferson Davis ordering the attack and capture of Fort Sumter in South Carolina .
Thus began the Civil War .
It would rage for the next four years , claiming anywhere from 620,000 to 750,000 lives over that span .
One can argue people could n't fully flesh out the historical importance of the 1860 election , as subsequent events did n't occur until after the results .
Therefore , the 2020 election 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a year or two after it 's over .
It 's a possibility .
Still , the country went through an election that raised the bar on importance , before and after it was over .
The run-up and aftermath of the 1800 election contained enough intrigue and potential crises to fill a television miniseries .
Two Founding Father titans would face off for the second time .
President John Adams would face a rematch against his vice president , Thomas Jefferson .
It would signify the final presidential election with a split @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amendment to the Constitution in 1803 , and the states ratifying it in 1804 .
Adams 's presidency was tumultuous , to say the least .
Having to follow George Washington , viewed in the eyes of many as near-royalty , was difficult enough .
Additionally , Adams had to face one of the most challenging foreign policy decisions of all time — whether or not to enter a war with France .
Adams 's attempt to utilize a peace commission in negotiations with France failed despite Jefferson 's assistance .
The commission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Elbridge Gerry met with French Foreign Minister Charles Maurice de Talleyrand for only 15 minutes after they were made to wait for days .
Talleyrand introduced them to his agents , who refused to conduct any negotiations without the benefit of significant bribes .
The episode came to be known as the `` XYZ Affair . ''
Ironically , the Republicans ( aka Democratic-Republicans ) demanded that Adams release the details of the `` XYZ Affair '' and only weakened support for France when it happened .
Adams 's popularity among the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hoping for a full-scale war with France .
Republicans continued to oppose the war , while Federalists blamed France and French immigrants for fanning the flames of unrest .
Partisan Republican newspapers created more fiction .
The result was the passage and signing of the Alien and Sedition Acts .
These four laws significantly increased executive power , allowing the president to imprison and deport noncitizens deemed `` dangerous . ''
The laws also criminalized making false statements critical of the federal government .
Jefferson vehemently opposed the Alien and Sedition Acts despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of two to three years .
Writing anonymously for the Kentucky Resolutions of 1798 , Jefferson said , `` These and successive acts of the same character , unless arrested at the threshold , necessarily drive these States into revolution and blood and will furnish new calumnies against republican government , and new pretexts for those who wish it to be believed that man can not be governed but by a rod of iron . ''
The 1800 election also introduced the nation to negative campaigning , which would likely make today 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came mostly from the partisan newspapers of the day and supporters of the two candidates .
One supporter of Adams said if Jefferson became president , `` we would see our wives and daughters the victims of legal prostitution . ''
In Connecticut , a newspaper wrote Jefferson would bring about a nation in which `` murder , robbery , rape , adultery and incest will openly be taught and practiced . ''
Attacks against Adams were no less dirty .
Journalist James Callender called Adams a `` repulsive pedant '' and said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nor like a woman but instead possessed a hideous hermaphroditical character . ''
It 's a far cry from `` Sleepy Joe . ''
Despite the ugliness and personal animosity between Jefferson and Adams , Jefferson 's win also marked the first time the young nation engaged in the peaceful transfer of power from one party to another .
In 2020 , people have decried the `` norms violations '' by Republicans in nominating and pushing to confirm Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court weeks before a presidential election .
In one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ John Adams nominated ( and the Senate confirmed ) John Marshall to the Supreme Court .
Adams immediately promoted Marshall to chief justice .
Also , Adams signed the Judiciary Act , which reduced the number of justices on the Supreme Court from six to five .
Adams took all of those actions after losing the election .
The U.S. was only 11 years old at the time of the 1800 election .
The events leading to it and what happened after created an environment to look back on and declare it easily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ever .
But fear not .
In a little over two years , new midterm elections will give Republicans and Democrats a license to proclaim once again the arrival of the most important election in our lifetime .
Again .
Jay Caruso is managing editor of the Washington Examiner Magazine .

This is the most important election of my lifetime.
Again.
Over the past 40 years, particularly since 2008 and aided by the growth of social media and the amalgamation of politics into almost every facet of culture, we hear this every Silly Season: "This is the most important election ever." Sometimes, it more modestly carries the "in our lifetime" qualifier.
It's a grand claim. George Washington became the first president of the United States in 1789, and this year will mark the 58th presidential election since the first. That's plenty of elections for a young nation, with salient issues looming in the background every four years.
In 2008, Barack Obama said, "This is certainly the most important election in my lifetime — not just because I'm running." In 2012, Boston Globe columnist Michael Cohen wrote a piece entitled "The Most Important Election Ever." The rhetoric is not limited to Democrats. In 2000, the National Rifle Association called the election between George W. Bush and Al Gore "the most important election since the Civil War." In 1984, Ronald Reagan said it was the "most important election in this nation in 50 years."
As a measure of its use, the phrase made its way into the 2018 midterm elections. David Corn of Mother Jones called it the "most important election of our lives." "The most important election any of us have voted in so far," said Joe Biden. New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker echoed those sentiments.
This year has continued the trend, with Democrats upping the ante. In his Democratic National Committee speech, Obama declared, "That's what's at stake right now: our democracy." Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders told viewers, "The future of our democracy is at stake." Former Justice Department official Sally Yates said the same.
Not to be outdone by Democratic politicians and officials, left-wing author Robert Kuttner wrote a book, The Stakes, which argues the very survival of American democracy depends on the outcome of the election. John Dean, one of the infamous co-conspirators of the Watergate cover-up scandal, and who now spends the bulk of his time arguing any scandal involving a Republican president is worse than Watergate, said if President Trump gets reelected, "our democracy will be gone."
Yet in a recent Gallup survey of registered voters, 56% said they feel their situation is better today than four years ago. It's a remarkable number given that the U.S. continues to fight a deadly pandemic and the slow reopening of states across the country has hampered the economy.
That may be cold comfort to Trump, who trails Biden in several polling averages by 10 points or more. Still, it is hardly indicative of the public staring down the most important election of all time.
The United States is not actively engaged in any major wars. Foreign policy and national security challenges exist, but no crisis. Despite taking multiple hits from the coronavirus, the economy remains relatively stable. Interest rates are low. The stock market, and thus 401(k) plans, continues its ascent. When states entered lockdowns in March, the unemployment rate surged to nearly 15%. At the end of September, it dropped to 8%. Despite the coronavirus, people had the opportunity to watch (on television) all three Triple Crown races, the NHL playoffs, NBA playoffs, and now, the MLB playoffs.
None of this is to minimize the coronavirus. It's simply to offer some evidentiary support to voters' relative lack of panic.
Compare with 1980, for example. The campaign pitted incumbent President Jimmy Carter against former California Gov. Ronald Reagan. While still recovering from the Watergate scandal and the end of the Vietnam War, the country faced many other challenges. The gasoline shortage in 1979 continued into the new year, with drivers having to contend with long lines at the pump. Interest rates hovered just above 13%, and inflation checked in at 14%. The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan was in full effect, and Iranian Revolution supporters held 52 Americans hostage at the U.S. Embassy in Iran. That's to say nothing of the rising crime, increased pollution, drug abuse, and general corruption that plagued the nation's largest cities. The new president would face domestic challenges and multiple foreign policy dilemmas right out of the gate.
By contrast, Joe Biden said his first order of business if he wins the election is the repeal of the tax cut bill Trump signed in 2017.
Examining presidential elections through the lens of importance requires historical precedent. Otherwise, it comes off as trifling partisan posturing. If an afterlife hall for presidents existed, it's not difficult to imagine Abraham Lincoln snickering and elbowing his fellow officeholders and asking, "Do they not remember 1860?"
Lincoln, a former one-term member of the House of Representatives, came out victorious in the quadrennial election, defeating John Breckinridge, John Bell, and Stephen Douglas. Lincoln's victory was remarkable in that it represented the second-lowest share of the popular vote (39%) in U.S. history. Only John Quincy Adams, who lost the popular vote in 1824 (and, ironically, the Electoral College), did worse. Still, the Electoral College determines the winner of presidential elections, and Lincoln's significant wins in northern states secured 181 electoral votes. Breckinridge finished second with 72. Bell won 39 and Douglas, 12.
Lincoln's win and impending inauguration triggered seven Southern states' secession between December 1860 and February 1861. Those states formed the Confederate States of America. It's nearly unfathomable to grasp the idea that the United States, a mere 71 years after Washington became our first president, was now splitting apart under the stain of slavery.
Lincoln declared the secession had no legal validity and refused to surrender any federal property. Lincoln's rebuffing of the demands led to Confederate President Jefferson Davis ordering the attack and capture of Fort Sumter in South Carolina. Thus began the Civil War. It would rage for the next four years, claiming anywhere from 620,000 to 750,000 lives over that span.
One can argue people couldn't fully flesh out the historical importance of the 1860 election, as subsequent events didn't occur until after the results. Therefore, the 2020 election's significance might not come to fruition until a year or two after it's over.
It's a possibility. Still, the country went through an election that raised the bar on importance, before and after it was over. The run-up and aftermath of the 1800 election contained enough intrigue and potential crises to fill a television miniseries.
Two Founding Father titans would face off for the second time. President John Adams would face a rematch against his vice president, Thomas Jefferson. It would signify the final presidential election with a split ticket, with Congress passing the 12th Amendment to the Constitution in 1803, and the states ratifying it in 1804.
Adams's presidency was tumultuous, to say the least. Having to follow George Washington, viewed in the eyes of many as near-royalty, was difficult enough. Additionally, Adams had to face one of the most challenging foreign policy decisions of all time — whether or not to enter a war with France.
Adams's attempt to utilize a peace commission in negotiations with France failed despite Jefferson's assistance. The commission of John Marshall, Charles Pinckney, and Elbridge Gerry met with French Foreign Minister Charles Maurice de Talleyrand for only 15 minutes after they were made to wait for days. Talleyrand introduced them to his agents, who refused to conduct any negotiations without the benefit of significant bribes. The episode came to be known as the "XYZ Affair."
Ironically, the Republicans (aka Democratic-Republicans) demanded that Adams release the details of the "XYZ Affair" and only weakened support for France when it happened. Adams's popularity among the Federalists and the country soared, almost hoping for a full-scale war with France. Republicans continued to oppose the war, while Federalists blamed France and French immigrants for fanning the flames of unrest. Partisan Republican newspapers created more fiction.
The result was the passage and signing of the Alien and Sedition Acts. These four laws significantly increased executive power, allowing the president to imprison and deport noncitizens deemed "dangerous." The laws also criminalized making false statements critical of the federal government. Jefferson vehemently opposed the Alien and Sedition Acts despite two of the laws having expiration dates of two to three years. Writing anonymously for the Kentucky Resolutions of 1798, Jefferson said, "These and successive acts of the same character, unless arrested at the threshold, necessarily drive these States into revolution and blood and will furnish new calumnies against republican government, and new pretexts for those who wish it to be believed that man cannot be governed but by a rod of iron."
The 1800 election also introduced the nation to negative campaigning, which would likely make today's politicians recoil in horror. The attacks came mostly from the partisan newspapers of the day and supporters of the two candidates. One supporter of Adams said if Jefferson became president, "we would see our wives and daughters the victims of legal prostitution." In Connecticut, a newspaper wrote Jefferson would bring about a nation in which "murder, robbery, rape, adultery and incest will openly be taught and practiced."
Attacks against Adams were no less dirty. Journalist James Callender called Adams a "repulsive pedant" and said he "behaved neither like a man nor like a woman but instead possessed a hideous hermaphroditical character." It's a far cry from "Sleepy Joe."
Despite the ugliness and personal animosity between Jefferson and Adams, Jefferson's win also marked the first time the young nation engaged in the peaceful transfer of power from one party to another.
In 2020, people have decried the "norms violations" by Republicans in nominating and pushing to confirm Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court weeks before a presidential election. In one of his final acts as president, John Adams nominated (and the Senate confirmed) John Marshall to the Supreme Court. Adams immediately promoted Marshall to chief justice. Also, Adams signed the Judiciary Act, which reduced the number of justices on the Supreme Court from six to five. Adams took all of those actions after losing the election. The U.S. was only 11 years old at the time of the 1800 election. The events leading to it and what happened after created an environment to look back on and declare it easily one of the most important presidential elections ever.
But fear not. In a little over two years, new midterm elections will give Republicans and Democrats a license to proclaim once again the arrival of the most important election in our lifetime. Again.
Jay Caruso is managing editor of the Washington Examiner Magazine.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-16--'No place for hate': In Michigan, Biden lambasts Trump's 'failure to condemn' domestic terrorism

During a campaign stop in Michigan , Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden criticized what he called President Trump 's repeated `` failure to condemn '' domestic terrorism .
After congratulating Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer on her ability to `` step up '' and lead `` in moments of crisis , '' Biden said that Trump 's April tweet to `` liberate Michigan '' galvanized domestic terrorists to action .
`` We ’ re grateful to the FBI and law enforcement who discovered these domestic terrorists and stopped them .
Make no mistake — that ’ s who they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s the sort of behavior you might expect from ISIS .
It [ should ] shock the conscience of every American , '' Biden said in Southfield during an address about healthcare .
`` And the failure to condemn these folks from the outset is stunning , '' the former vice president continued .
`` You might remember , you ’ ve heard me say it before — words matter .
And the words of a president particularly matter .
When the president tweeted , ‘ Liberate Michigan , ' … that ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That was the dog whistle .
Just like when he said there were 'very fine people ' in Charlottesville . ''
In April , as states issued increasingly strict lockdown measures to address the coronavirus pandemic , Trump sent a series of tweets urging residents in states led by Democratic governors to resist certain measures and reopen the state economies .
All of the states Trump tweeted about were experiencing protests against the stay-at-home orders .
Biden said it was Trump 's failure to condemn white supremacists and neo-Nazis in Charlottesville in 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president in the 2020 election .
`` I thought there was a need to stand up to hate in America , '' he said Friday .
`` Hate never goes away .
It only hides , '' Biden said .
`` And if you give it oxygen , it comes out from under the rocks .
It grows .
We need to be clear from the president on down in this country there is no place for hate in this country .
Period .
None .
It will not be tolerated .
President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He ’ ll do anything to distract us from focusing on his failures to deal with this virus and protect the nation .
He ’ s still living in a dream world . ''

During a campaign stop in Michigan, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden criticized what he called President Trump's repeated "failure to condemn" domestic terrorism.
After congratulating Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on her ability to "step up" and lead "in moments of crisis," Biden said that Trump's April tweet to "liberate Michigan" galvanized domestic terrorists to action.
"We’re grateful to the FBI and law enforcement who discovered these domestic terrorists and stopped them. Make no mistake — that’s who they are — domestic terrorists. … It’s the sort of behavior you might expect from ISIS. It [should] shock the conscience of every American," Biden said in Southfield during an address about healthcare.
"And the failure to condemn these folks from the outset is stunning," the former vice president continued. "You might remember, you’ve heard me say it before — words matter. And the words of a president particularly matter. When the president tweeted, ‘Liberate Michigan,' … that’s the call that was heard. That was the dog whistle. Just like when he said there were 'very fine people' in Charlottesville."
In April, as states issued increasingly strict lockdown measures to address the coronavirus pandemic, Trump sent a series of tweets urging residents in states led by Democratic governors to resist certain measures and reopen the state economies. All of the states Trump tweeted about were experiencing protests against the stay-at-home orders.
LIBERATE MICHIGAN! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 17, 2020
Biden said it was Trump's failure to condemn white supremacists and neo-Nazis in Charlottesville in 2017 that first compelled him to run for president in the 2020 election.
"I thought there was a need to stand up to hate in America," he said Friday.
"Hate never goes away. It only hides," Biden said. "And if you give it oxygen, it comes out from under the rocks. It grows. We need to be clear from the president on down in this country there is no place for hate in this country. Period. None. It will not be tolerated. President Trump revels in division and chaos. He’ll do anything to distract us from focusing on his failures to deal with this virus and protect the nation. He’s still living in a dream world."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-16--Obama to hit campaign trail for Biden in Philadelphia

Former President Barack Obama will campaign for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in Philadelphia next week .
The first stop for the former president will be on Wednesday in Philadelphia , the Biden campaign said Friday .
Obama 's appearance will mark his first of the general election , save for his remarks in Philadelphia during the Democratic National Convention .
Obama will be campaigning in Democratic-friendly territory on behalf of Biden , his two-term vice president and a 36-year Delaware senator , and Biden 's running mate , California Sen. Kamala Harris .
`` We have to get busy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effort into these 76 days and by voting like never before for Joe and Kamala and candidates up and down the ticket so that we leave no doubt about what this country that we love stands for , '' Obama said of Biden during that speech , which was held at the Museum of the American Revolution .
Obama 's convention speech also included pointed criticism of his Republican White House successor , President Trump .
For several months , Obama has sent out fundraising pleas through Biden 's campaign mailing list and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats to get out to the polls .
Obama also recently appeared on the Democratic commentary and advocacy podcast Pod Save America , hosted by his former campaign and White House aides .
Throughout the Democratic primary , Obama refrained from any public endorsements .
Subsequent reporting revealed that he had urged several candidates to drop from the race following Biden 's primary win in South Carolina .

Former President Barack Obama will campaign for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in Philadelphia next week.
The first stop for the former president will be on Wednesday in Philadelphia, the Biden campaign said Friday.
Obama's appearance will mark his first of the general election, save for his remarks in Philadelphia during the Democratic National Convention.
Obama will be campaigning in Democratic-friendly territory on behalf of Biden, his two-term vice president and a 36-year Delaware senator, and Biden's running mate, California Sen. Kamala Harris.
"We have to get busy building it up by pouring all our effort into these 76 days and by voting like never before for Joe and Kamala and candidates up and down the ticket so that we leave no doubt about what this country that we love stands for," Obama said of Biden during that speech, which was held at the Museum of the American Revolution.
Obama's convention speech also included pointed criticism of his Republican White House successor, President Trump.
For several months, Obama has sent out fundraising pleas through Biden's campaign mailing list and has sent texts and video messages urging Democrats to get out to the polls.
Obama also recently appeared on the Democratic commentary and advocacy podcast Pod Save America, hosted by his former campaign and White House aides.
Throughout the Democratic primary, Obama refrained from any public endorsements. Subsequent reporting revealed that he had urged several candidates to drop from the race following Biden's primary win in South Carolina.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-16--Biden bests Trump in battle of the town halls, early ratings show

The numbers show Biden 's town hall event drew approximately 13.9 million viewers Thursday in total , while Trump 's @ @ @ @ @ also aired on CNBC and MSNBC , garnered 13.1 million viewers .
The numbers do @ @ @ @ @ the events online .
The full ratings will be updated later Friday .
Early ratings @ @ @ @ @ , which were subject to change due to time differences .
Before the audiences of @ @ @ @ @ and MSNBC were determined , Biden drew 12.7 million viewers for his 90-minute event on @ @ @ @ @ garnered 10.4 million viewers during his hourlong town hall with NBC .
The town halls @ @ @ @ @ in-person presidential debate was canceled following Trump 's coronavirus diagnosis , which required him to @ @ @ @ @ National Military Medical Center .
The final presidential debate is scheduled for Oct. 22 at @ @ @ @ @ Trump and Biden have said they are willing to attend .
NBC News White House @ @ @ @ @ to moderate the debate .

Early ratings results show Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden bested President Trump's viewership in Thursday's dueling town halls.
The numbers show Biden's town hall event drew approximately 13.9 million viewers Thursday in total, while Trump's NBC town hall, which also aired on CNBC and MSNBC, garnered 13.1 million viewers. The numbers do not include those who streamed the events online.
The full ratings will be updated later Friday.
Early ratings signaled Biden's rating lead, which were subject to change due to time differences. Before the audiences of NBC affiliates, CNBC, and MSNBC were determined, Biden drew 12.7 million viewers for his 90-minute event on ABC News, while Trump garnered 10.4 million viewers during his hourlong town hall with NBC.
The town halls were scheduled after the second in-person presidential debate was canceled following Trump's coronavirus diagnosis, which required him to be hospitalized at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
The final presidential debate is scheduled for Oct. 22 at Belmont University, which both Trump and Biden have said they are willing to attend. NBC News White House Correspondent Kristen Welker is scheduled to moderate the debate.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-16--Michigan secretary of state bans open carry of firearms at polling places

Residents of Michigan will not be permitted to bring firearms within 100 feet of polling places on Election Day .
On Friday morning , Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced the order prohibiting the open carry of firearms inside polling places or within 100 feet of entrances .
`` The open carry of a firearm is prohibited in a polling place , in any hallway used by voters to enter or exit , or within 100 feet of any entrance to a building in which a polling place is located , '' the statement said .
Benson instructed election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see that the prohibitions are being violated .
The prohibition will not be extended to law enforcement officers .
Michigan has been the site of several large anti-government protests throughout the coronavirus pandemic .
In April , armed protesters staged a demonstration outside the Capitol in Lansing to protest against restrictions placed on commerce in the state .
Benson said that there was the potential for `` confusion and uneven application of legal requirements '' if Election Day proceeded `` without clear standards '' as to the carrying of firearms near polling sites @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the polling place , clerk ’ s office ( s ) , or absent voter counting board may cause disruption , fear , or intimidation for voters , election workers , and others present , '' read Benson 's statement .
President Trump , who has repeatedly claimed the election will be rigged because of the mail-in ballot process , has called for an `` army '' of volunteers to watch for irregularities at polling places across the United States , heightening tension around an already controversial election cycle .
Benson added that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Attorney General and state and local law enforcement '' to ensure uniformity of the order across the state on Election Day .

Residents of Michigan will not be permitted to bring firearms within 100 feet of polling places on Election Day.
On Friday morning, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced the order prohibiting the open carry of firearms inside polling places or within 100 feet of entrances.
"The open carry of a firearm is prohibited in a polling place, in any hallway used by voters to enter or exit, or within 100 feet of any entrance to a building in which a polling place is located," the statement said.
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announces a ban on all guns at Michigan polling places on voting day: https://t.co/6yQW1DnU6R pic.twitter.com/AvEgBmGsK3 — AJ Vicens (@AJVicens) October 16, 2020
Benson instructed election officers to call law enforcement if they see that the prohibitions are being violated. The prohibition will not be extended to law enforcement officers.
Michigan has been the site of several large anti-government protests throughout the coronavirus pandemic. In April, armed protesters staged a demonstration outside the Capitol in Lansing to protest against restrictions placed on commerce in the state.
Benson said that there was the potential for "confusion and uneven application of legal requirements" if Election Day proceeded "without clear standards" as to the carrying of firearms near polling sites.
"The presence of firearms at the polling place, clerk’s office(s), or absent voter counting board may cause disruption, fear, or intimidation for voters, election workers, and others present," read Benson's statement.
President Trump, who has repeatedly claimed the election will be rigged because of the mail-in ballot process, has called for an "army" of volunteers to watch for irregularities at polling places across the United States, heightening tension around an already controversial election cycle.
Benson added that she would be working with "the Attorney General and state and local law enforcement" to ensure uniformity of the order across the state on Election Day.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-16--New polling provides split picture of Alaska Senate race

GOP hopes of holding the Senate are facing a new roadblock about 4,200 miles away from Washington , D.C. A new poll of Alaskan voters finds Democratic-backed independent Al Gross leading by one point over Republican incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan .
The survey , issued by Harstad Strategic Research , found 47 % of Alaskan voters backing Gross with 46 % backing Sullivan .
The poll was taken between Oct. 10 and Oct. 13 and has a margin of error of 4 percentage points .
The last survey issued by Harstad was conducted between Oct. 2-6 , when the firm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first poll by the group , conducted in late September , found Sullivan with a one-point lead over Gross .
“ This progress confirms Dr.
Gross ’ continuing momentum and steady climb in recent months to his first tiny lead over Sullivan , '' wrote Harstad CEO Paul Harstad .
Democrats , who need to win about four seats in November to regain control of the Senate , have until recently spent most of their attention on races in North Carolina , Georgia , Maine , Arizona , and Montana .
These latest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Alaskan race .
[ Read more : Alaska Senate race could be majority-maker for Democrats ] “ In 2014 , Dan Sullivan squeaked by with 48 % of the vote and just a 6,000 vote margin for U.S .
Senator in an awful year for Democrats nationwide and lower mid-term turnout , '' Harstad wrote .
`` In an evenhanded election cycle or a presidential year turnout Sullivan would have lost that election six years ago , let alone in a strong Democratic year with a broader presidential turnout such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another poll , released by the New York Times and Siena College Friday afternoon , found Sullivan earning 45 % support from voters in the state , compared to 37 % for Gross .
Ten percent of voters back Alaskan Independence Party nominee John Howe .
`` Although Alaska remains a long shot for Democrats , many voters are backing a minor-party candidate , so there is an unusual amount of uncertainty , '' the New York Times wrote .
`` Democrats can also hope that their candidates will bolster their standing over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less known than the Republican incumbents and enter the final stretch with a significant financial advantage . ''

GOP hopes of holding the Senate are facing a new roadblock about 4,200 miles away from Washington, D.C.
A new poll of Alaskan voters finds Democratic-backed independent Al Gross leading by one point over Republican incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan. The survey, issued by Harstad Strategic Research, found 47% of Alaskan voters backing Gross with 46% backing Sullivan. The poll was taken between Oct. 10 and Oct. 13 and has a margin of error of 4 percentage points.
The last survey issued by Harstad was conducted between Oct. 2-6, when the firm found the two candidates tied. The first poll by the group, conducted in late September, found Sullivan with a one-point lead over Gross.
“This progress confirms Dr. Gross’ continuing momentum and steady climb in recent months to his first tiny lead over Sullivan," wrote Harstad CEO Paul Harstad.
Democrats, who need to win about four seats in November to regain control of the Senate, have until recently spent most of their attention on races in North Carolina, Georgia, Maine, Arizona, and Montana. These latest results could signal a shift in resources to the Alaskan race.
[Read more: Alaska Senate race could be majority-maker for Democrats]
“In 2014, Dan Sullivan squeaked by with 48% of the vote and just a 6,000 vote margin for U.S. Senator in an awful year for Democrats nationwide and lower mid-term turnout," Harstad wrote. "In an evenhanded election cycle or a presidential year turnout Sullivan would have lost that election six years ago, let alone in a strong Democratic year with a broader presidential turnout such as he is facing in 2020.”
But another poll, released by the New York Times and Siena College Friday afternoon, found Sullivan earning 45% support from voters in the state, compared to 37% for Gross. Ten percent of voters back Alaskan Independence Party nominee John Howe.
"Although Alaska remains a long shot for Democrats, many voters are backing a minor-party candidate, so there is an unusual amount of uncertainty," the New York Times wrote. "Democrats can also hope that their candidates will bolster their standing over the final three weeks; they remain less known than the Republican incumbents and enter the final stretch with a significant financial advantage."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-16--Larry Hogan casts 'simply symbolic' vote for Ronald Reagan

A Republican governor known for his bipartisan appeal said he wrote-in late President Ronald Reagan as opposed to voting for President Trump when he cast his early ballot this week .
Speaking with the Washington Post on Thursday , Maryland Gov .
Larry Hogan called Reagan his `` hero in politics '' and noted that his `` symbolic '' vote was meant to outline the type of politician he thought would be the best fit for the Oval Office .
“ I know it ’ s simply symbolic , '' Hogan said .
`` It ’ s not going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But I thought it was important to just cast a vote that showed the kind of person I ’ d like to see in office . ''
Hogan recounted his experience as a `` lifelong conservative '' and said he always admired Reagan , who became the standard-bearer of the Republican Party during his two-tenure term in Washington .
“ Reagan was the guy , '' Hogan said .
`` I marched around as a college kid on the floor of the convention with a Reagan hat and a Reagan sign.
” Hogan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ publicly said they will not vote for Trump in the upcoming election .
Vermont Gov .
Phil Scott and Massachusetts Gov .
Charlie Baker have both expressed that they will not vote for the sitting president .
Hogan dismissed the idea that he might work in Biden 's potential Cabinet , saying he was committed to finishing out his tenure as governor and remaining a Republican .
Hogan stressed that he believes the United States needs a president who can work with politicians of all political stripes .
“ People really want someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s not afraid to compromise , ” Hogan said .

A Republican governor known for his bipartisan appeal said he wrote-in late President Ronald Reagan as opposed to voting for President Trump when he cast his early ballot this week.
Speaking with the Washington Post on Thursday, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan called Reagan his "hero in politics" and noted that his "symbolic" vote was meant to outline the type of politician he thought would be the best fit for the Oval Office.
“I know it’s simply symbolic," Hogan said. "It’s not going to change the outcome in my state. But I thought it was important to just cast a vote that showed the kind of person I’d like to see in office."
Hogan recounted his experience as a "lifelong conservative" and said he always admired Reagan, who became the standard-bearer of the Republican Party during his two-tenure term in Washington.
“Reagan was the guy," Hogan said. "I marched around as a college kid on the floor of the convention with a Reagan hat and a Reagan sign.”
Hogan joins two other Republican governors who have publicly said they will not vote for Trump in the upcoming election. Vermont Gov. Phil Scott and Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker have both expressed that they will not vote for the sitting president.
Hogan dismissed the idea that he might work in Biden's potential Cabinet, saying he was committed to finishing out his tenure as governor and remaining a Republican. Hogan stressed that he believes the United States needs a president who can work with politicians of all political stripes.
“People really want someone who’s pragmatic, who’s not afraid to compromise,” Hogan said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-17--Biden opens massive advertising advantage over Trump

President Trump stands to be outspent by tens of millions of dollars on television and radio in the campaign ’ s final weeks as Democratic nominee Joe Biden puts his significant fundraising advantage to work in key battleground states .
Biden and aligned Democratic groups were on track to invest $ 169.7 million in television and radio advertising during the final 21 days of the presidential campaign .
Trump and allied Republican groups were set to spend nearly $ 70 million less , with reserved media buys of $ 101.4 million over the same period .
Even without the assistance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ head-to-head , Biden is poised to air more advertising in the states and media markets likely to decide the outcome of the Nov. 3 election .
Republican strategists say Biden ’ s combined edge in campaign and outside group spending presents serious obstacles for Trump .
“ The presidential TV air war is heavily tilted towards Joe Biden , and that ’ s because they are flush with cash and in an offense position to continue expanding the map over the closing weeks , ” said Nick Everhart , a Republican operative and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buying and advertising tracking firm .
“ Whether it ’ s state by state spending on TV , national spending on TV , or niche targeted radio , it doesn ’ t matter , ” added Everhart , who is based in Ohio .
“ Right now , the Biden campaign has a discernible edge with voting going on and heading towards election-day voting when it comes to persuading voters via paid media.
” Biden leads Trump by 8.9 percentage points in the RealClearPolitics average of recent national polls .
The former vice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ average lead of 4.5 points in the crucial battleground states .
Although the president is within striking distance , mounting a comeback could prove difficult if he gets outgunned on the airwaves down the stretch of the campaign .
According to figures compiled buy Medium Buying , Biden and political groups backing his campaign have reserved millions more in television and radio advertising time in Arizona ( $ 9.9 million ) ; Florida ( $ 13 million ) ; Georgia ( $ 1.9 million ) ; Maine ( $ 345,462 ) ; Michigan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( $ 1.3 million ) ; Nevada ( $ 5.7 million ) ; Pennsylvania ( $ 10.9 million ) ; Texas ( $ 4 million ) , and Wisconsin ( $ 8.6 million ) .
Trump holds the edge in four states : Iowa ( $ 300,000 ) ; New Hampshire ( $ 1.1 million ) ; North Carolina ( $ 3.3 million ) , and Ohio ( $ 1.5 million . )
The Biden and Trump campaigns regularly adjust their television ad buys .
Through the final 17 days of the campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advertising around to shore up support in more competitive battlegrounds and avoid wasting resources in states where either a solid lead has been established or where it has been determined that further investment is a lost cause .
Biden ’ s cash advantage gives him a tactical advantage in that he can afford to take risks playing offense in Republican-leaning states , such as Iowa , Ohio , and Texas , and he has plenty of money to spend in critical battlegrounds such as Michigan , Pennsylvania , and Wisconsin .
The former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ September and entered October with $ 432 million cash on hand .
The Trump campaign has yet to release its September fundraising figures .
Although the Biden campaign is preparing to spend more than the Trump campaign in most states , must-win Florida is among the major exceptions .
No Republican nominee has been elected president without winning Florida since 1924 .
That is perhaps why Trump ’ s campaign has reserved $ 15.3 million in television and radio time over the final three weeks , versus $ 9.8 million for Biden .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ organizations funded by billionaire and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg , are more than making up the difference in dollars .
However , candidate campaigns get better advertising rates from television stations , meaning their dollar-for-dollar expenditures go a lot further than money spent by outside groups .

President Trump stands to be outspent by tens of millions of dollars on television and radio in the campaign’s final weeks as Democratic nominee Joe Biden puts his significant fundraising advantage to work in key battleground states.
Biden and aligned Democratic groups were on track to invest $169.7 million in television and radio advertising during the final 21 days of the presidential campaign. Trump and allied Republican groups were set to spend nearly $70 million less, with reserved media buys of $101.4 million over the same period.
Even without the assistance of outside groups, comparing the campaigns head-to-head, Biden is poised to air more advertising in the states and media markets likely to decide the outcome of the Nov. 3 election. Republican strategists say Biden’s combined edge in campaign and outside group spending presents serious obstacles for Trump.
“The presidential TV air war is heavily tilted towards Joe Biden, and that’s because they are flush with cash and in an offense position to continue expanding the map over the closing weeks,” said Nick Everhart, a Republican operative and founder of Medium Buying, a media buying and advertising tracking firm.
“Whether it’s state by state spending on TV, national spending on TV, or niche targeted radio, it doesn’t matter,” added Everhart, who is based in Ohio. “Right now, the Biden campaign has a discernible edge with voting going on and heading towards election-day voting when it comes to persuading voters via paid media.”
Biden leads Trump by 8.9 percentage points in the RealClearPolitics average of recent national polls. The former vice president holds a smaller but still substantial average lead of 4.5 points in the crucial battleground states. Although the president is within striking distance, mounting a comeback could prove difficult if he gets outgunned on the airwaves down the stretch of the campaign.
According to figures compiled buy Medium Buying, Biden and political groups backing his campaign have reserved millions more in television and radio advertising time in Arizona ($9.9 million); Florida ($13 million); Georgia ($1.9 million); Maine ($345,462); Michigan ($16.7 million); Minnesota ($1.3 million); Nevada ($5.7 million); Pennsylvania ($10.9 million); Texas ($4 million), and Wisconsin ($8.6 million).
Trump holds the edge in four states: Iowa ($300,000); New Hampshire ($1.1 million); North Carolina ($3.3 million), and Ohio ($1.5 million.)
The Biden and Trump campaigns regularly adjust their television ad buys. Through the final 17 days of the campaign, both candidates are likely to shift advertising around to shore up support in more competitive battlegrounds and avoid wasting resources in states where either a solid lead has been established or where it has been determined that further investment is a lost cause.
Biden’s cash advantage gives him a tactical advantage in that he can afford to take risks playing offense in Republican-leaning states, such as Iowa, Ohio, and Texas, and he has plenty of money to spend in critical battlegrounds such as Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. The former vice president raised $383 million in September and entered October with $432 million cash on hand. The Trump campaign has yet to release its September fundraising figures.
Although the Biden campaign is preparing to spend more than the Trump campaign in most states, must-win Florida is among the major exceptions. No Republican nominee has been elected president without winning Florida since 1924. That is perhaps why Trump’s campaign has reserved $15.3 million in television and radio time over the final three weeks, versus $9.8 million for Biden.
Outside groups supporting Biden, including political organizations funded by billionaire and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, are more than making up the difference in dollars. However, candidate campaigns get better advertising rates from television stations, meaning their dollar-for-dollar expenditures go a lot further than money spent by outside groups.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-17--Trump fights to win back seniors

Trump fights to win back seniors

President Trump is waging a battle against the coronavirus to recapture one of his most important demographics : the voters aged 65 and over who came out for him in droves in 2016 but have since soured on him due to the pandemic .
On Friday , Trump told seniors at a campaign event in Fort Myers , Florida , they would be `` first in line '' for a coronavirus vaccine , assuring the indoor and largely maskless crowd that he was `` moving heaven and earth '' to deliver this before 2021 .
Trump , who in 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against Hillary Clinton , 53 % to 44 % , is today neck and neck with Democratic nominee Joe Biden , both at 49 % , according to recent polling by the Pew Research Center .
And though Trump won Florida 's seniors by 17 points in the last election , he trails Biden by 2 percentage points , 45 % to 47 % , according to an October New York Times/Siena College survey of likely voters .
The Trump campaign is moving to erase this gap through advertising touting his handling of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden on issues such as Social Security and Medicare .
After a coronavirus bout that left him briefly hospitalized this month , the president has resumed daily rallies .
Though seniors have been leaning toward the Republican Party since 2004 , the trend appears to be slowing , with perceptions of Trump among older voters shifting since 2016 , said Rob Griffin , research director of the Democracy Fund 's Voter Study Group , which surveys about 6,000 voters nationwide each week .
If you asked people how they viewed candidates Trump and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely to be seen as centrist , a perception held both by the general public and seniors , Griffin said .
`` Fast-forward to 2020 , and while Joe Biden is seen as just about as moderate as Hillary Clinton , interestingly enough , for Donald Trump , that number plummeted .
There 's not nearly as many Americans who see him as moderate anymore , '' Griffin said .
`` And among seniors , which is a more conservative generation , this has potentially led them to be more favorable towards Joe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , `` has lost that mantle of moderation that a lot of American voters actually do reward at the ballot box . ''
Compounding this is COVID-19 , he said .
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , 80 % of coronavirus deaths are among people aged 65 and over .
Florida Rep. Donna Shalala , a Democrat and close friend of White House Coronavirus Task Force member Dr. Anthony Fauci , said voters in her Miami district are blaming Trump for this , along with Gov .
Ron DeSantis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him in Fort Myers on Friday .
`` They 've turned a crisis into a tragedy , '' Shalala , 79 , told the Washington Examiner .
Seniors , in particular , are mortified `` the president is spreading the virus with his rallies at night . ''
`` One woman said to me , 'He tried to kill us , ' '' Shalala , who served as secretary of health and human services under Bill Clinton , said .
The woman 's family had taken her out of her nursing home , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` a lack of leadership by the president . ''
In Florida , about 3 in 5 votes cast will be by someone aged 50 and over , and as high as 1 in 3 by someone aged 65 and over , said AARP Florida state Director Jeff Johnson .
Social Security , Medicare , and the cost of healthcare and prescription drugs are ranked as the most important issues .
`` This year , we ’ ve seen polling that indicates that the coronavirus ranks near those other three issues , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Association , a conservative group that bills itself as `` the right alternative to AARP , '' the effort to reach the more than 52 million people aged 65 and over is a high priority , aided by the dulcet tones of Pat Boone , a `` secret weapon , '' the group 's President Jim Martin said .
`` When he calls seniors , he moves the needle , '' Martin told the Washington Examiner .
`` We often tell them , as Pat Boone tells them , to do your patriotic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And they will do that . ''
Making a similar generational appeal , Trump on Friday honored veterans of the Korean War and Second World War in the audience , billing his administration 's response to the coronavirus , `` the largest mobilization since World War II . ''
Results from the Kaiser Family Foundation 's Health Tracking Poll , conducted Oct. 7-12 and published Friday , found that among registered voters 65 and over , 27 % pointed to COVID-19 as the issue that would most influence their vote for president this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said healthcare .
The sample size for ages 65 and over is 346 , with a margin of error of plus or minus 6 percentage points .
`` Biden has somewhat of an edge over the president , particularly when it comes to determining the future of the ACA , or maintaining protections for people with preexisting conditions , '' said Liz Hamel , KFF public opinion and survey research director .
But on prescription drug costs , `` Biden does n't have a clear advantage . ''
Fifty percent of respondents favor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ costs , while 45 % favor Trump , whose latest healthcare push promises seniors a $ 200 prescription drug card .
But Hamel warned against drawing strong conclusions based on the priorities voters have indicated .
`` Issues are just one part of what determines people 's votes , '' she said .

President Trump is waging a battle against the coronavirus to recapture one of his most important demographics: the voters aged 65 and over who came out for him in droves in 2016 but have since soured on him due to the pandemic.
On Friday, Trump told seniors at a campaign event in Fort Myers, Florida, they would be "first in line" for a coronavirus vaccine, assuring the indoor and largely maskless crowd that he was "moving heaven and earth" to deliver this before 2021.
Trump, who in 2016 won seniors nationally by 9 percentage points against Hillary Clinton, 53% to 44%, is today neck and neck with Democratic nominee Joe Biden, both at 49%, according to recent polling by the Pew Research Center.
And though Trump won Florida's seniors by 17 points in the last election, he trails Biden by 2 percentage points, 45% to 47%, according to an October New York Times/Siena College survey of likely voters.
The Trump campaign is moving to erase this gap through advertising touting his handling of the COVID-19 crisis and pitting him against Biden on issues such as Social Security and Medicare.
After a coronavirus bout that left him briefly hospitalized this month, the president has resumed daily rallies.
Though seniors have been leaning toward the Republican Party since 2004, the trend appears to be slowing, with perceptions of Trump among older voters shifting since 2016, said Rob Griffin, research director of the Democracy Fund's Voter Study Group, which surveys about 6,000 voters nationwide each week.
If you asked people how they viewed candidates Trump and Clinton in 2016, Trump was more likely to be seen as centrist, a perception held both by the general public and seniors, Griffin said.
"Fast-forward to 2020, and while Joe Biden is seen as just about as moderate as Hillary Clinton, interestingly enough, for Donald Trump, that number plummeted. There's not nearly as many Americans who see him as moderate anymore," Griffin said. "And among seniors, which is a more conservative generation, this has potentially led them to be more favorable towards Joe Biden."
Trump, Griffin said, "has lost that mantle of moderation that a lot of American voters actually do reward at the ballot box."
Compounding this is COVID-19, he said.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 80% of coronavirus deaths are among people aged 65 and over.
Florida Rep. Donna Shalala, a Democrat and close friend of White House Coronavirus Task Force member Dr. Anthony Fauci, said voters in her Miami district are blaming Trump for this, along with Gov. Ron DeSantis, a close Trump ally who joined him in Fort Myers on Friday.
"They've turned a crisis into a tragedy," Shalala, 79, told the Washington Examiner. Seniors, in particular, are mortified "the president is spreading the virus with his rallies at night."
"One woman said to me, 'He tried to kill us,'" Shalala, who served as secretary of health and human services under Bill Clinton, said. The woman's family had taken her out of her nursing home, and she attributed the deaths there to "a lack of leadership by the president."
In Florida, about 3 in 5 votes cast will be by someone aged 50 and over, and as high as 1 in 3 by someone aged 65 and over, said AARP Florida state Director Jeff Johnson. Social Security, Medicare, and the cost of healthcare and prescription drugs are ranked as the most important issues.
"This year, we’ve seen polling that indicates that the coronavirus ranks near those other three issues," Johnson added.
At the 60 Plus Association, a conservative group that bills itself as "the right alternative to AARP," the effort to reach the more than 52 million people aged 65 and over is a high priority, aided by the dulcet tones of Pat Boone, a "secret weapon," the group's President Jim Martin said.
"When he calls seniors, he moves the needle," Martin told the Washington Examiner. "We often tell them, as Pat Boone tells them, to do your patriotic duty and get out and vote. And they will do that."
Making a similar generational appeal, Trump on Friday honored veterans of the Korean War and Second World War in the audience, billing his administration's response to the coronavirus, "the largest mobilization since World War II."
Results from the Kaiser Family Foundation's Health Tracking Poll, conducted Oct. 7-12 and published Friday, found that among registered voters 65 and over, 27% pointed to COVID-19 as the issue that would most influence their vote for president this year, while a further 12% said healthcare. The sample size for ages 65 and over is 346, with a margin of error of plus or minus 6 percentage points.
"Biden has somewhat of an edge over the president, particularly when it comes to determining the future of the ACA, or maintaining protections for people with preexisting conditions," said Liz Hamel, KFF public opinion and survey research director. But on prescription drug costs, "Biden doesn't have a clear advantage."
Fifty percent of respondents favor Biden's approach to lowering prescription drug costs, while 45% favor Trump, whose latest healthcare push promises seniors a $200 prescription drug card.
But Hamel warned against drawing strong conclusions based on the priorities voters have indicated. "Issues are just one part of what determines people's votes," she said.