thewashingtonexaminer--2020-04-19--Could anti-lockdown protests be new Tea Party movement?

Growing discontent with stringent state-level restrictions imposed to mitigate the coronavirus is pouring out into the streets near state capitols in ways reminiscent of the last decade ’ s conservative activism .
“ They have a very tea party feel , ” said Tea Party Express co-founder Sal Russo of the demonstrations .
“ The current protests are because of government overreaching and infringing on our rights , ” said Tea Party Patriots founder Jenny Beth Martin .
“ The protests are an extension of what the Tea Party movement has stood for the last 11 years — constitutionally limited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the time of crisis and to remain on solid ground with those whom they represent , elected officials should lean on the Constitution , not abandon it.
” President Trump lent his encouragement Friday , sending three separate tweets calling on protestors to “ LIBERATE ” a trio of 2020 battleground states , Michigan , Minnesota , and Virginia , each with Democratic governors whose approaches to slowing the pandemic are seen in some quarters as draconian .
One of these chief executives , Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer , has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden ’ s campaign .
She is frequently mentioned as a possible Biden running mate .
Trump also used the occasion to blast gun control policies signed into law by Virginia Gov .
Ralph Northam , urging the state ’ s residents to “ save your great 2nd Amendment .
It is under siege !
” The protests may be an early sign of burgeoning conservative sentiment in favor of reopening businesses that have been shuttered to manage the spread of the coronavirus .
While polling still shows broad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ partisan fissures are beginning to appear over the massive job losses .
In a recent Morning Consult poll , 51 % of Republicans said the public health impact was more important than the quarantines ’ economic consequences to 43 % who said otherwise .
The split among all voters was 64-29 .
Conservative activists and commentators may be a leading indicator .
Talk show host Rush Limbaugh has cheered the protests and accused Democrats of wanting economic ruin to deny Trump a second term .
“ How many of those who urged our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Syrians , Kurds , Afghanis , etc.
, are as committed now to liberating Virginia , Minnesota , California , etc ?
” Fox News ’ Laura Ingraham on Twitter .
“ So far , this hasn ’ t been as a big a reaction as the Tea Party , ” said Rep. Andy Biggs , chairman of the Freedom Caucus , critic of Trump coronavirus adviser Anthony Fauci , and a proponent of unlocking the economy .
“ We ’ ll see if this catches on.
” But the Arizona Republican added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot of what I ’ m hearing from my constituents .
They ’ re fed up and feel their rights are being abused .
People are losing their life savings , losing their businesses.
” Many complain that churches are closed , but liquor stores and marijuana dispensaries remain open .
“ There ’ s really no constitutional or statutory authority for a lot of what they ’ re doing , ” Biggs said of some governors ’ executive orders , expressing surprise there haven ’ t been more legal challenges .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movements have certain states where they are very strong , some where they are modestly active or just organizing or considering organizing , and some where they are completely inactive , ” said Michael Johns , a former George H.W .
Bush speechwriter who became a Tea Party leader .
“ There appear to be six states , in my view , where they are a legitimate force : Kentucky , Michigan , North Carolina , New York , Ohio , and Virginia .
The strength of our Tea Party movement , however @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a national movement , active in even the bluest of states , and sometimes especially in the bluest of states .
That offered the opportunity for some degree of national coordination and messaging.
” Russo said the protests were like the Tea Party in that they were “ spontaneous ” and “ not very organized , ” but different in that they were motivated by a short-term crisis rather than long-term policy objectives .
“ Obviously , with 35,500 Americans dead in a matter of weeks , this virus is very real , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that may seem counterproductive , but it is n't , ” Johns said .
“ To be effective , these activists need to reject extreme or conspiracy views … And they should be very specific about what liberalization measures they want taken and then be prepared to explain why doing so is not a public health threat.
” Trump ’ s election was seen as the culmination of the tea party ’ s protests against the Republican leadership , but also a rejection of their small-government activism .
He joined leaders in both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s efforts against the massive economic rescue package .
In recent days , Trump has vacillated between deferring to governors on stay-at-home orders and asserting the power to make them reopen their economies .

Growing discontent with stringent state-level restrictions imposed to mitigate the coronavirus is pouring out into the streets near state capitols in ways reminiscent of the last decade’s conservative activism.
“They have a very Tea Party feel,” said Tea Party Express co-founder Sal Russo of the demonstrations.
“The current protests are because of government overreaching and infringing on our rights,” said Tea Party Patriots founder Jenny Beth Martin. “The protests are an extension of what the Tea Party movement has stood for the last 11 years — constitutionally limited government, personal and economic freedom. In the time of crisis and to remain on solid ground with those whom they represent, elected officials should lean on the Constitution, not abandon it.”
President Trump lent his encouragement Friday, sending three separate tweets calling on protestors to “LIBERATE” a trio of 2020 battleground states, Michigan, Minnesota, and Virginia, each with Democratic governors whose approaches to slowing the pandemic are seen in some quarters as draconian.
One of these chief executives, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, has been locked in a feud with Trump and is a co-chairman of presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden’s campaign. She is frequently mentioned as a possible Biden running mate. Trump also used the occasion to blast gun control policies signed into law by Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, urging the state’s residents to “save your great 2nd Amendment. It is under siege!”
The protests may be an early sign of burgeoning conservative sentiment in favor of reopening businesses that have been shuttered to manage the spread of the coronavirus. While polling still shows broad public support for social distancing, some partisan fissures are beginning to appear over the massive job losses. In a recent Morning Consult poll, 51% of Republicans said the public health impact was more important than the quarantines’ economic consequences to 43% who said otherwise. The split among all voters was 64-29.
Conservative activists and commentators may be a leading indicator. Talk show host Rush Limbaugh has cheered the protests and accused Democrats of wanting economic ruin to deny Trump a second term. “How many of those who urged our govt to help liberate the Iraqis, Syrians, Kurds, Afghanis, etc., are as committed now to liberating Virginia, Minnesota, California, etc?” asked Fox News’ Laura Ingraham on Twitter.
“So far, this hasn’t been as a big a reaction as the Tea Party,” said Rep. Andy Biggs, chairman of the Freedom Caucus, critic of Trump coronavirus adviser Anthony Fauci, and a proponent of unlocking the economy. “We’ll see if this catches on.” But the Arizona Republican added the protests were “reflective of a lot of what I’m hearing from my constituents. They’re fed up and feel their rights are being abused. People are losing their life savings, losing their businesses.”
Many complain that churches are closed, but liquor stores and marijuana dispensaries remain open. “There’s really no constitutional or statutory authority for a lot of what they’re doing,” Biggs said of some governors’ executive orders, expressing surprise there haven’t been more legal challenges.
"It is intriguing to see that these movements have certain states where they are very strong, some where they are modestly active or just organizing or considering organizing, and some where they are completely inactive,” said Michael Johns, a former George H.W. Bush speechwriter who became a Tea Party leader. “There appear to be six states, in my view, where they are a legitimate force: Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, and Virginia. The strength of our Tea Party movement, however, has always been that it is a national movement, active in even the bluest of states, and sometimes especially in the bluest of states. That offered the opportunity for some degree of national coordination and messaging.”
Russo said the protests were like the Tea Party in that they were “spontaneous” and “not very organized,” but different in that they were motivated by a short-term crisis rather than long-term policy objectives.
“Obviously, with 35,500 Americans dead in a matter of weeks, this virus is very real, and it is very dangerous. Acknowledging that may seem counterproductive, but it isn't,” Johns said. “To be effective, these activists need to reject extreme or conspiracy views … And they should be very specific about what liberalization measures they want taken and then be prepared to explain why doing so is not a public health threat.”
Trump’s election was seen as the culmination of the Tea Party’s protests against the Republican leadership, but also a rejection of their small-government activism. He joined leaders in both parties in rebuking Rep. Thomas Massie’s efforts against the massive economic rescue package. In recent days, Trump has vacillated between deferring to governors on stay-at-home orders and asserting the power to make them reopen their economies.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-04-20--'We have to earn your vote': Perez to meet with top Sanders aide in effort to woo supporters to Bide

'We have to earn your vote': Perez to meet with top Sanders aide in effort to woo supporters to Biden

The Democratic National Committee is striking a humble tone while plotting how to ensure Bernie Sanders supporters show up to @ @ @ @ @ November .
“ We understand that we ’ re not entitled to your vote , @ @ @ @ @ vote , ” DNC chairman Tom Perez said when asked during a Georgetown University forum @ @ @ @ @ can ensure that supporters of the Vermont senator turn out to vote for the presumptive @ @ @ @ @ revealed that he has been talking to Jeff Weaver , a senior Sanders adviser who @ @ @ @ @ 2016 Sanders campaign , and is hoping to meet with him and `` learn '' @ @ @ @ @ Biden adopted some of Sanders 's policy positions shortly after the Vermont senator dropped out @ @ @ @ @ former vice president rolled out a plan to lower Medicare 's eligibility age from 65 @ @ @ @ @ to forgive student debt for low-income and middle-class individuals who attended public colleges and universities @

The Democratic National Committee is striking a humble tone while plotting how to ensure Bernie Sanders supporters show up to vote for Joe Biden in November.
“We understand that we’re not entitled to your vote, we have to earn your vote,” DNC Chairman Tom Perez said during a forum when asked how the party can ensure that supporters of the Vermont senator turn out to vote for the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee. The Georgetown Institute of Politics and Public Service at the McCourt School of Public Policy hosted the event.
Perez revealed that he has been talking to Jeff Weaver, a senior Sanders adviser who was campaign manager for the 2016 Sanders campaign, and is hoping to meet with him and "learn" from the Sanders operation.
Biden adopted some of Sanders's policy positions shortly after the Vermont senator dropped out of the race. The former vice president rolled out a plan to lower Medicare's eligibility age from 65 to 60 and a plan to forgive student debt for low-income and middle-class individuals who attended public colleges and universities.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-04-20--Amy Klobuchar: The safe running mate pick for Joe Biden

As Joe Biden begins scrutinizing and vetting potential running mates , a former 2020 Democratic presidential rival , Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar , is emerging as seemingly safe and reliable .
Doing so would go against the wishes of many party activists who are demanding that Biden , vice president under President Barack Obama and now the presumptive Democratic nominee , choose a black woman or vocal liberal .
Biden has pledged to choose a woman as his running mate , and Klobuchar would help him keep moderate voters in his fold — a crucial voting bloc in a tight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 59 , ran a presidential campaign much like Biden 's during this cycle 's primary .
Touting a message of moderation and bipartisan cooperation , the former Hennepin County district attorney sought to contrast herself with left-wing and socialist rivals such as Sens .
Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Bernie Sanders of Vermont .
Any running mate 's influence on a presidential race is debatable .
But Biden 's age , 77 , means that voters are likely to give his second-in-command more scrutiny than usual .
Nor has Biden promised to run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revisit the question after evaluating his own health down the road .
His vice president would likely be the natural successor .
On the issues , Biden and Klobuchar were almost entirely in line .
Healthcare , which emerged as the largest topic of debate during this year 's primary , was where the two became the most vocal critics of `` Medicare for all '' proposals , which would effectively banish private health insurance in favor of a government-run program .
That area of agreement gives Klobuchar an advantage over many of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Warren 's and California Sen. Kamala Harris 's shifting positions on the issue mean the two are n't reliable advocates for Biden 's proposal to expand the Affordable Care Act with a `` public option . ''
Klobuchar can also cite her perfect record in elections — other than falling short in the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination contest .
Her margins of victory in some Minnesota districts during her Senate races are often two or three times more than Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton managed to get in the 2016 election — an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ targeting Minnesota after a narrow loss there four years ago .
`` I 'm one of two left from the Midwest , but I am the one that brings receipts .
I have won every race , every place , every time .
I have not just won by a little bit .
I have won in all the rural congressional districts , Republican districts , '' Klobuchar said at a February campaign stop in Nevada .
Klobuchar could help shore up many of the white working-class Democrats whom Clinton lost in 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show they are capable of doing .
Warren 's voters , for example , were mostly concentrated among the white and well-educated .
Democrats do n't have to worry about those voters potentially staying home on Election Day : Most self-identify as committed Democrats .
Other potential running mates , such as Harris or 2018 Democratic gubernatorial nominee Stacey Abrams , a former state lawmaker , have touted their ability to win over minority voters , but there 's little evidence Biden needs any assistance there .
During this year 's primaries , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some districts and states than Obama in the 2008 primary season .
Some polls even had Harris behind Warren in states where black voters make up a majority of the electorate , such as South Carolina .
Likewise , Abrams was unable to win a statewide election in Georgia , where a significant portion of voters is black .

As Joe Biden begins scrutinizing and vetting potential running mates, a former 2020 Democratic presidential rival, Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, is emerging as seemingly safe and reliable.
Doing so would go against the wishes of many party activists who are demanding that Biden, vice president under President Barack Obama and now the presumptive Democratic nominee, choose a black woman or vocal liberal. Biden has pledged to choose a woman as his running mate, and Klobuchar would help him keep moderate voters in his fold — a crucial voting bloc in a tight race against President Trump.
Klobuchar, 59, ran a presidential campaign much like Biden's during this cycle's primary. Touting a message of moderation and bipartisan cooperation, the former Hennepin County district attorney sought to contrast herself with left-wing and socialist rivals such as Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Bernie Sanders of Vermont.
Any running mate's influence on a presidential race is debatable. But Biden's age, 77, means that voters are likely to give his second-in-command more scrutiny than usual. Nor has Biden promised to run for two terms, saying he'd revisit the question after evaluating his own health down the road. His vice president would likely be the natural successor.
On the issues, Biden and Klobuchar were almost entirely in line. Healthcare, which emerged as the largest topic of debate during this year's primary, was where the two became the most vocal critics of "Medicare for all" proposals, which would effectively banish private health insurance in favor of a government-run program.
That area of agreement gives Klobuchar an advantage over many of her competitors in the veepstakes. Both Warren's and California Sen. Kamala Harris's shifting positions on the issue mean the two aren't reliable advocates for Biden's proposal to expand the Affordable Care Act with a "public option."
Klobuchar can also cite her perfect record in elections — other than falling short in the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination contest. Her margins of victory in some Minnesota districts during her Senate races are often two or three times more than Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton managed to get in the 2016 election — an important factor since the Trump campaign is targeting Minnesota after a narrow loss there four years ago.
"I'm one of two left from the Midwest, but I am the one that brings receipts. I have won every race, every place, every time. I have not just won by a little bit. I have won in all the rural congressional districts, Republican districts," Klobuchar said at a February campaign stop in Nevada.
Klobuchar could help shore up many of the white working-class Democrats whom Clinton lost in 2016, something other Democrats have yet to show they are capable of doing.
Warren's voters, for example, were mostly concentrated among the white and well-educated. Democrats don't have to worry about those voters potentially staying home on Election Day: Most self-identify as committed Democrats.
Other potential running mates, such as Harris or 2018 Democratic gubernatorial nominee Stacey Abrams, a former state lawmaker, have touted their ability to win over minority voters, but there's little evidence Biden needs any assistance there. During this year's primaries, he performed better with black voters in some districts and states than Obama in the 2008 primary season.
Some polls even had Harris behind Warren in states where black voters make up a majority of the electorate, such as South Carolina. Likewise, Abrams was unable to win a statewide election in Georgia, where a significant portion of voters is black.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-04-21--Biden fighting back furiously against Trump effort to portray him as a China patsy

Joe Biden ’ s campaign is attempting to use President Trump ’ s conciliatory rhetoric toward Chinese President Xi Jinping , which has China hawks aligned with the president , to undermine his tough-guy image on Beijing while suggesting the former vice president is no pushover on the issue .
Trump 's campaign is seeking to portray the presumptive Democratic nominee as soft on China amid a global pandemic that originated in Wuhan .
Republicans believe China is one of Biden ’ s biggest vulnerabilities , based on polling data they have reviewed , and plan to make it a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ multiple sources close to the Trump campaign .
The Biden campaign is sensing an opportunity to at least neutralize the China issue to maintain their current polling lead nationally and in the battleground states .
A recent Harris poll found Democrats split 38-38 on whether Trump was tough enough with China or should get tougher .
Only 23 % wanted the president to soften his stance .
On Monday , the Biden campaign circulated a Politico from last week compiling 15 times Trump “ praised China ” during the coronavirus outbreak .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of “ wasting precious months praising the Chinese government ’ s response to the virus instead of taking steps to prepare America . ''
“ In stark contrast , Vice President Biden and Trump not to buy the Chinese government ’ s spin and to take steps to prepare America to combat the coronavirus , ” the campaign statement continued .
“ Trump disregarded those warnings , and now the U.S. leads the world in both confirmed coronavirus cases and deaths.
” This follows videos released on Friday by Biden and his senior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appear to be rebutting the “ Beijing Biden ” ad taken out by a pro-Trump super PAC .
Trump “ ignored the warnings of health experts and intelligence agencies and put his trust in China 's leaders instead .
Now , we 're all paying the price , ” Biden said .
Blinken also held a call for reporters with Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown , a relative China hawk among Democrats .
A Biden-aligned super PAC , American Bridge , is running a $ 15 million of its own hitting Trump on China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus , ” the narrator said against the backdrop of eerie music .
“ China … President Trump gave China his trust.
” Last week , the Democratic National Committee ’ s sixth installment of its “ In Focus : Trump ’ s Disastrous Coronavirus Response ” was titled “ Trump rolled over for China.
” The DNC memo asserted , “ Trump ’ s failure to stand up to China is one of his biggest vulnerabilities.
” The Trump-approved America First Action Super PAC is already going after four decades of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the main focus is on China and the coronavirus .
“ Joe Biden attacked Trump after the China travel ban , ” said the spot ’ s narrator , followed by audio of the ex-vice president calling it “ xenophobia and fear-mongering.
” The ad continued , “ For forty years , Joe Biden has been wrong about China.
” America First then cuts to a speech in which Biden declared , “ I believed in 1979 , and I believe now , that a rising China is a positive development.
” Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this position for decades before entering politics .
“ I ran on China and other countries , the way they were ripping us off , ” Trump recalled during Sunday ’ s White House press briefing .
“ They were ripping off our country .
And China understood that.
” But his desire to strike a trade deal with China , as well as secure the regime ’ s cooperation in getting needed medical supplies to the United States , has led him to equivocate publicly on Xi .
“ The president can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he also knows how to sweet-talk foreign leaders to get what he wants , ” said a Republican strategist who requested anonymity to speak candidly .
“ Everyone knows that.
” “ I find this to be a perplexing approach for Biden — trying to paint the president as soft on China is perhaps an attempt to paper over his own troubling apathy over the world ’ s second-largest economy , since he was on the campaign trail as recently as last spring saying China was ‘ not competition ’ for the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and senior fellow at the right-leaning National Taxpayers Union .
“ I don ’ t think any voter , particularly those farmers and manufacturers in the Midwest who have paid the price of the trade war through increased tariffs and retaliated export pressure , would look at President Trump and think he ’ s soft on China .
The Biden campaign ’ s attempt to paint him as such seems much more likely an attempt to deflect from the vice president ’ s attitudes on a country that is quickly coming under scrutiny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rest of the world .
”

Joe Biden’s campaign is attempting to use President Trump’s conciliatory rhetoric toward Chinese President Xi Jinping, which has puzzled China hawks aligned with the president, to undermine his tough-guy image on Beijing while suggesting the former vice president is no pushover on the issue.
Trump's campaign is seeking to portray the presumptive Democratic nominee as soft on China amid a global pandemic that originated in Wuhan. Republicans believe China is one of Biden’s biggest vulnerabilities, based on polling data they have reviewed, and plan to make it a major issue this fall, according to multiple sources close to the Trump campaign.
The Biden campaign is sensing an opportunity to at least neutralize the China issue to maintain its current polling lead nationally and in the battleground states. A recent Harris poll found Democrats split 38%-38% on whether Trump was tough enough with China or should get tougher. Only 23% wanted the president to soften his stance.
On Monday, the Biden campaign circulated a Politico article from last week compiling 15 times Trump “praised China” during the coronavirus outbreak. In an accompanying statement, it accused Trump of “wasting precious months praising the Chinese government’s response to the virus instead of taking steps to prepare America."
“In stark contrast, Vice President Biden and the intelligence community repeatedly warned Trump not to buy the Chinese government’s spin and to take steps to prepare America to combat the coronavirus,” the campaign statement continued. “Trump disregarded those warnings, and now the U.S. leads the world in both confirmed coronavirus cases and deaths.”
This follows videos released on Friday by Biden and his senior foreign policy adviser Tony Blinken that appear to be rebutting the “Beijing Biden” ad taken out by a pro-Trump super PAC. Trump “ignored the warnings of health experts and intelligence agencies and put his trust in China's leaders instead. Now, we're all paying the price,” Biden said. Blinken also held a call for reporters with Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown, a relative China hawk among Democrats.
A Biden-aligned super PAC, American Bridge, is running a $15 million ad campaign of its own hitting Trump on China. “Everyone knew they lied about the virus,” the narrator said against the backdrop of eerie music. “China … President Trump gave China his trust.” Last week, the Democratic National Committee’s sixth installment of its “In Focus: Trump’s Disastrous Coronavirus Response” was titled “Trump rolled over for China.” The DNC memo asserted, “Trump’s failure to stand up to China is one of his biggest vulnerabilities.”
The Trump-approved America First Action super PAC is already running an ad going after four decades of Biden’s policies on China. But the main focus is on China and the coronavirus.
“Joe Biden attacked Trump after the China travel ban,” said the spot’s narrator, followed by audio of the ex-vice president calling it “xenophobia and fear-mongering.” The ad continued, “For 40 years, Joe Biden has been wrong about China.” America First then cuts to a speech in which Biden declared, “I believed in 1979, and I believe now, that a rising China is a positive development.”
Trump, by contrast, has inveighed against this position for decades before entering politics. “I ran on China and other countries, the way they were ripping us off,” Trump recalled during Sunday’s White House press briefing. “They were ripping off our country. And China understood that.” But his desire to strike a trade deal with China, as well as secure the regime’s cooperation in getting needed medical supplies to the United States, has led him to equivocate publicly on Xi.
“The president can be harsh with foreign governments, but he also knows how to sweet-talk foreign leaders to get what he wants,” said a Republican strategist who requested anonymity to speak candidly. “Everyone knows that.”
“I find this to be a perplexing approach for Biden — trying to paint the president as soft on China is perhaps an attempt to paper over his own troubling apathy over the world’s second-largest economy, since he was on the campaign trail as recently as last spring saying China was ‘not competition’ for the U.S.,” said Mattie Duppler, strategist and senior fellow at the right-leaning National Taxpayers Union. “I don’t think any voter, particularly those farmers and manufacturers in the Midwest who have paid the price of the trade war through increased tariffs and retaliated export pressure, would look at President Trump and think he’s soft on China. The Biden campaign’s attempt to paint him as such seems much more likely an attempt to deflect from the vice president’s attitudes on a country that is quickly coming under scrutiny not just from the U.S., but the rest of the world.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-04-21--Coronavirus becomes popular political ad hook

The coronavirus pandemic has shut down normal life , but there is still an election in November .
To stay relevant , politicians and interest groups are framing political ads around the major topic on the public ’ s mind .
Last week , political ads referencing the coronavirus pandemic accounted for $ 4 million in television advertising spending , according to ad tracking firm Advertising Analytics .
The global respiratory pandemic and its effects came up in more than half of the political ads on the air last week and accounted for more than four times the political spending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of March 21 , coronavirus ads accounted for just under $ 1 million in political TV ad spending .
While the coronavirus pandemic has kept candidates from holding events and knocking on voters ’ doors , it hasn ’ t changed political observers ’ expectations that certain races will be incredibly close in November .
That means candidates still need to give voters a positive impression , particularly since some could be judged based on how they handled a time of crisis .
“ When the coronavirus hit , Maine employers stepped up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ L.L .
Bean and New Balance converted factories to make protective face masks .
Another Collins ad noted that Collins worked with a “ bipartisan group to help small businesses survive this crisis and their employees get their paychecks.
” Meanwhile , her Democratic challenger , Sara Gideon , speaker of the Maine House of Representatives , is trying to keep her name in the minds of voters by showing part of one of her town hall virtual events on Zoom .
“ Though I wo n't be able to be meeting you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want you to know that I 'll still be standing up for every Mainer whose health and finances are threatened by this crisis , ” she said in another ad .
Some candidates appear to have tacked on a coronavirus-related message to the end of an otherwise normal political ad .
“ We will defeat this virus the way I was taught to overcome adversity : Through mentors , community , and family looking out for each other , ” Democratic Senate candidate Jaime Harrison of South Carolina , a challenger to Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his ads .
“ With coronavirus putting lives and livelihood at risk , Kansas could use a pro-life doctor in the Senate , ” a narrator said in an ad for Kansas Rep. Roger Marshall , a Republican seeking the state ’ s open Senate seat .
Candidate groups are not the only political entities pushing messaging during the coronavirus pandemic .
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America ( PhRMA ) , which has lobbied against bills aimed to lower drug prices , had the most-aired ad last week .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clinical trials and ramping up production capabilities.
” American Federation of Teachers , the largest union in the country , which the National Federation of Nurses affiliates with , also got in on the coronavirus political action .
One ad started with a clip of President Trump saying that he heard about medical protective gear disappearing in hospitals and then showed nurses in self-recorded videos responding .
“ President Trump suggested that nurses like me are possibly stealing masks , ” one nurse said .
“ It ’ s scary , but we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nurse said , while another added : “ It ’ s time for the president to do his.
” Large PACs supportive of Trump or former Vice President Joe Biden have also used coronavirus to heighten the 2020 presidential fight , with the pro-Trump America First Action for and the liberal Priorities USA running ads hitting Trump for using the word “ hoax ” when talking about the coronavirus pandemic .
( FactCheck.org found that Priorities USA “ ” Trump ’ s words . )
Another Republican senator facing a tough Democratic challenger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ads that showed newscasters delivering news about his proposals to help families and businesses impacted by the coronavirus outbreak , and supporting other proposals in the $ 2 trillion coronavirus aide bill .
The campaigns for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Democratic challenger Amy McGrath got in a back-and-forth battle over coronavirus-related advertisements .
McConnell first flaunted crafting the $ 2 trillion coronavirus aid package .
“ One leader brought our divided country together in a unanimous bipartisan vote , ” a narrator said .
“ He 's already taking a victory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , even though medical experts say hundreds of thousands of Americans could die , ” a narrator in a McGrath ad swiped .
“ While McGrath attacks , Mitch is working across the aisle to get hundreds of millions in federal dollars for Kentucky 's hospitals , ” another McConnell ad said .
McGrath also created a highly-produced ad prompted by the coronavirus pandemic .
“ Like many of you , I 've cooked up a home with Eric and our kids , ” she said to the camera as her three small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ background .
“ Because of the coronavirus , we decided to focus our campaign on helping families and seniors throughout Kentucky .
”

The coronavirus pandemic has shut down normal life, but there is still an election in November. To stay relevant, politicians and interest groups are framing political ads around the major topic on the public’s mind.
Last week, political ads referencing the coronavirus pandemic accounted for $4 million in television advertising spending, according to ad tracking firm Advertising Analytics.
The global respiratory pandemic and its effects came up in more than half of the political ads on the air last week and accounted for more than 4 times the political spending compared to a month ago. For the week of March 21, coronavirus ads accounted for just under $1 million in political TV ad spending.
While the coronavirus pandemic has kept candidates from holding events and knocking on voters’ doors, it hasn’t changed political observers’ expectations that certain races will be incredibly close in November. That means candidates still need to give voters a positive impression, particularly since some could be judged based on how they handled a time of crisis.
Vulnerable Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine narrated her coronavirus-related ads.
“When the coronavirus hit, Maine employers stepped up,” Collins said, noting that L.L. Bean and New Balance converted factories to make protective face masks. Another Collins ad noted that Collins worked with a “bipartisan group to help small businesses survive this crisis and their employees get their paychecks.”
Meanwhile, her Democratic challenger, Sara Gideon, speaker of the Maine House of Representatives, is trying to keep her name in the minds of voters by showing part of one of her town hall virtual events on Zoom.
“Though I won't be able to be meeting you in person during this time, I want you to know that I'll still be standing up for every Mainer whose health and finances are threatened by this crisis,” she said in another ad.
Some candidates appear to have tacked on a coronavirus-related message to the end of an otherwise normal political ad.
“We will defeat this virus the way I was taught to overcome adversity: through mentors, community, and family looking out for each other,” Democratic Senate candidate Jaime Harrison of South Carolina, a challenger to Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, said in one of his ads.
“With coronavirus putting lives and livelihood at risk, Kansas could use a pro-life doctor in the Senate,” a narrator said in an ad for Kansas Rep. Roger Marshall, a Republican seeking the state’s open Senate seat.
Candidate groups are not the only political entities pushing messaging during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, which has lobbied against bills aimed at lowering drug prices, had the most-aired ad last week. It touted the industry taking charge in “clinical trials and ramping up production capabilities.”
The American Federation of Teachers, the largest union in the country, which the National Federation of Nurses affiliates with, also got in on the coronavirus political action. One ad started with a clip of President Trump saying that he heard about medical protective gear disappearing in hospitals and then showed nurses in self-recorded videos responding.
“President Trump suggested that nurses like me are possibly stealing masks,” one nurse said. “It’s scary, but we are doing our job,” another nurse said, while another added: “It’s time for the president to do his.”
Large PACs supportive of Trump or former Vice President Joe Biden have also used the coronavirus to heighten the 2020 presidential fight, with the pro-Trump organization America First Action hitting Biden for supporting China and the liberal Priorities USA running ads hitting Trump for using the word “hoax” when talking about the coronavirus pandemic. (FactCheck.org found that Priorities USA “ twisted ” Trump’s words.)
Another Republican senator facing a tough Democratic challenger, Steve Daines of Montana, ran ads that showed newscasters delivering news about his proposals to help families and businesses affected by the coronavirus outbreak.
The campaigns for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Democratic challenger Amy McGrath got in a back-and-forth battle over coronavirus-related advertisements.
McConnell first flaunted crafting the $2 trillion coronavirus aid package. “One leader brought our divided country together in a unanimous bipartisan vote,” a narrator said.
“He's already taking a victory lap against the coronavirus in TV ads, even though medical experts say hundreds of thousands of Americans could die,” a narrator in a McGrath ad swiped.
“While McGrath attacks, Mitch is working across the aisle to get hundreds of millions in federal dollars for Kentucky's hospitals,” another McConnell ad said.
McGrath also created a highly produced ad prompted by the coronavirus pandemic.
“Like many of you, I'm cooped up at home with Eric and our kids,” she said to the camera as her three small children played with her husband in the background. “Because of the coronavirus, we decided to focus our campaign on helping families and seniors throughout Kentucky.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-04-22--Biden blasts Trump immigration edict

Biden blasts Trump immigration edict

Joe Biden broke his silence on President Trump 's promise to crack down on immigration as part of the country 's efforts to counter the novel coronavirus pandemic .
`` Rather than execute a swift and aggressive effort to ramp up testing , Donald Trump is tweeting incendiary rhetoric about immigrants in the hopes that he can distract everyone from the core truth : he 's moved too slowly to contain this virus , and we are all paying the price for it , '' wrote Biden , the presumptive 2020 Democratic presidential nominee , late Tuesday .
Trump rattled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an ominous but light-on-details tweet vowing to sign an executive order temporarily suspending immigration into the United States .
`` In light of the attack from the Invisible Enemy , as well as the need to protect the jobs of our GREAT American Citizens . ''
On Tuesday evening during his daily COVID-19 task force press briefing , Trump said his administration would not consider applications from people seeking to become permanent residents , or green card holders , for 60 days , with more information to come .
Biden chased Trump 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incumbent could better serve the country if he screened all travelers crossing the border , whether they were citizens or not , to contain the virus .
`` That 's one of the most glaring failures of this president 's response and sending inflammatory tweets to try to hide it helps no one .
Mr. President , focus on getting the tests , '' he wrote .
In another statement , Biden called on Congress to assemble a Pandemic Testing Board to help distribute supplies to the states so they can ramp up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ followed the president 's claim , “ not everybody wants to do such significant testing , '' when pressed on the country 's slow testing rate .
`` We should fully implement the Defense Production Act to speed up the manufacture of swabs and other testing components .
And we should partner with our governors — not treat them like the enemy — to identify the virus through testing and use that knowledge to stop its spread , '' he wrote .

Joe Biden broke his silence on President Trump's promise to crack down on immigration as part of the country's efforts to counter the novel coronavirus pandemic.
"Rather than execute a swift and aggressive effort to ramp up testing, Donald Trump is tweeting incendiary rhetoric about immigrants in the hopes that he can distract everyone from the core truth: he's moved too slowly to contain this virus, and we are all paying the price for it," wrote Biden, the presumptive 2020 Democratic presidential nominee, late Tuesday.
Trump rattled legal and illegal immigrants late Monday with an ominous but light-on-details tweet vowing to sign an executive order temporarily suspending immigration into the United States. "In light of the attack from the Invisible Enemy, as well as the need to protect the jobs of our GREAT American Citizens."
On Tuesday evening during his daily COVID-19 task force press briefing, Trump said his administration would not consider applications from people seeking to become permanent residents, or green card holders, for 60 days, with more information to come.
Biden chased Trump's comments with assertions that the White House incumbent could better serve the country if he screened all travelers crossing the border, whether they were citizens or not, to contain the virus.
"That's one of the most glaring failures of this president's response and sending inflammatory tweets to try to hide it helps no one. Mr. President, focus on getting the tests," he wrote.
In another statement, Biden called on Congress to assemble a Pandemic Testing Board to help distribute supplies to the states so they can ramp up their respective testing capacities. His suggestion followed the president's claim, “not everybody wants to do such significant testing," when pressed on the country's slow testing rate.
"We should fully implement the Defense Production Act to speed up the manufacture of swabs and other testing components. And we should partner with our governors — not treat them like the enemy — to identify the virus through testing and use that knowledge to stop its spread," he wrote.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-04-21--Active investigation: DC police probe sexual assault allegation against Joe Biden

The Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia is actively investigating the complaint against Joe Biden brought by Tara Reade , the woman who accused Biden of sexually assaulting her in 1993 , despite her allegation being impossible to prosecute since it is past the statute of limitations .
“ This is an active , ongoing investigation , and there are no further details to provide at this time , ” a Metropolitan Police Department spokesperson told the Washington Examiner Tuesday regarding Reade ’ s case .
“ Cases that are handled by the Metropolitan Police Department ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prior to being assigned a disposition .
This case is progressing through the review process.
” The investigation remaining open , despite the alleged incident occurring past the statute of limitations , struck multiple experts as highly unusual .
that in 1993 when she worked as a staff assistant in Biden ’ s Senate office , he pushed her up against the wall and penetrated her with his fingers .
Biden ’ s presidential campaign vehemently denies Reade ’ s allegations , although the former two-term vice president has yet to comment on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this story : Everything we know about the Biden sexual assault allegation ] On April 9 , Reade filed an incident report with the D.C. police that said she “ disclosed that she was the victim of a sexual assault which was committed by Subject-2 in 1993 . ''
Reade has confirmed that Subject-2 is Joe Biden , 77 , who was a Delaware senator from 1973-2009 before becoming President Barack Obama 's vice president .
Reade , 56 , said that she filed an incident report for “ safety reasons , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trail in case “ something happened to me ” and to show that she is serious about her allegation since it is illegal to make a false police report .
Since coming forward with her allegations against Biden , she regularly receives threatening and vulgar messages , she told the Washington Examiner .
Because the incident is past the statute of limitations , she told the Washington Examiner that she expected the police to do no more than note her complaint and not investigate it .
Reade told the Washington Examiner that she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ civil court , where D.C. has removed the statute of limitations on sex crimes .
Reade said that she was assigned a victim ’ s advocate within the police department and connected to another one through an outside nonprofit group .
“ They 're helping me mainly with safety planning , ” she said .
The D.C. police did not confirm that Reade was assigned a victim ’ s advocate , although experts say such aid is standard for any individual who claims they were assaulted .
Former police officers who have worked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , say there could be numerous reasons why the case has yet to be closed .
“ Sometimes they receive information that is never going to lead to a criminal charge , but nonetheless , does invoke some of their obligations as public safety officials , ” said Wendy Murphy , a professor of sexual violence law at New England Law Boston and a former sex crimes prosecutor .
“ Is it usual or typical ?
I think the answer is no .
But this is also not a usual , typical case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reasons that the case remains open nearly two weeks after Reade made her report , Murphy said , could be that the officers have concerns about safety , or they could think that what Reade reported leads to other revelations .
“ You don ’ t waste resources reviewing something that has no purpose , ” Murphy said .
The decision by the D.C. police department struck several former police officers as peculiar , citing the fact that there is ultimately little law enforcement can do should they believe Reade ’ s allegations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years on the force in Washington and spoke to the Washington Examiner on the condition of anonymity because he now works as a consultant for various police departments around the country , said the move struck him as out-of-the-ordinary .
“ I wouldn ’ t expect a department to look into this for that long , maybe just take a report and close it out .
It would also automatically be closed .
They wouldn ’ t spend time investigating something they can ’ t prosecute , ” the individual said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has plenty of work without creating it .
Obviously , it ’ s a very high-profile case , so high-profile cases get a lot more attention , unfortunately , than if the victim or offender wasn ’ t a known public figure .
In spite of that , I wouldn ’ t expect them to proceed on something that had no chance of getting prosecution.
” Robert Pusins , a former police officer in Florida who now serves as an expert witness in civil trials , said that he thinks the case is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person such as a former vice president.
” “ It ’ s a balancing act , and either way , the police are gon na be caught in the middle and criticized for not investigating thoroughly or investigating thoroughly a 30-year-old claim , ” Pusins said .
Reade told the Washington Examiner that she hopes this development encourages any other people who might have an allegation against Biden .
“ There is a mechanism for them to remain anonymous by going to the D.C. metro police , or they can direct them to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

The Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia is actively investigating the complaint against Joe Biden brought by Tara Reade, the woman who accused Biden of sexually assaulting her in 1993, despite her allegation being impossible to prosecute since it is past the statute of limitations.
“This is an active, ongoing investigation, and there are no further details to provide at this time,” a Metropolitan Police Department spokesperson told the Washington Examiner Tuesday regarding Reade’s case. “Cases that are handled by the Metropolitan Police Department’s Sexual Assault Unit go through a multi-review prior to being assigned a disposition. This case is progressing through the review process.”
The investigation remaining open, despite the alleged incident occurring past the statute of limitations, struck multiple experts as highly unusual.
Reade alleges that in 1993 when she worked as a staff assistant in Biden’s Senate office, he pushed her up against the wall and penetrated her with his fingers. Biden’s presidential campaign vehemently denies Reade’s allegations, although the former two-term vice president has yet to comment on the matter directly.
[More on this story: Everything we know about the Biden sexual assault allegation]
On April 9, Reade filed an incident report with the D.C. police that said she “disclosed that she was the victim of a sexual assault which was committed by Subject-2 in 1993." Reade has confirmed that Subject-2 is Joe Biden, 77, who was a Delaware senator from 1973-2009 before becoming President Barack Obama's vice president.
Reade, 56, said that she filed an incident report for “safety reasons,” for the purpose of establishing a paper trail in case “something happened to me” and to show that she is serious about her allegation since it is illegal to make a false police report. Since coming forward with her allegations against Biden, she regularly receives threatening and vulgar messages, she told the Washington Examiner.
Because the incident is past the statute of limitations, she told the Washington Examiner that she expected the police to do no more than note her complaint and not investigate it. Reade told the Washington Examiner that she has no plans to sue Biden in civil court, where D.C. has removed the statute of limitations on sex crimes.
Reade said that she was assigned a victim’s advocate within the police department and connected to another one through an outside nonprofit group. “They're helping me mainly with safety planning,” she said. The D.C. police did not confirm that Reade was assigned a victim’s advocate, although experts say such aid is standard for any individual who claims they were assaulted.
Former police officers who have worked in D.C., and sex crime experts, say there could be numerous reasons why the case has yet to be closed.
“Sometimes they receive information that is never going to lead to a criminal charge, but nonetheless, does invoke some of their obligations as public safety officials,” said Wendy Murphy, a professor of sexual violence law at New England Law Boston and a former sex crimes prosecutor.
“Is it usual or typical? I think the answer is no. But this is also not a usual, typical case,” Murphy said.
Among the reasons that the case remains open nearly two weeks after Reade made her report, Murphy said, could be that the officers have concerns about safety, or they could think that what Reade reported leads to other revelations.
“You don’t waste resources reviewing something that has no purpose,” Murphy said.
The decision by the D.C. police department struck several former police officers as peculiar, citing the fact that there is ultimately little law enforcement can do should they believe Reade’s allegations.
One former officer, who spent years on the force in Washington and spoke to the Washington Examiner on the condition of anonymity because he now works as a consultant for various police departments around the country, said the move struck him as out-of-the-ordinary.
“I wouldn’t expect a department to look into this for that long, maybe just take a report and close it out. It would also automatically be closed. They wouldn’t spend time investigating something they can’t prosecute,” the individual said. “I’m sure the D.C. PD has plenty of work without creating it. Obviously, it’s a very high-profile case, so high-profile cases get a lot more attention, unfortunately, than if the victim or offender wasn’t a known public figure. In spite of that, I wouldn’t expect them to proceed on something that had no chance of getting prosecution.”
Robert Pusins, a former police officer in Florida who now serves as an expert witness in civil trials, said that he thinks the case is open because “it involves a high-profile person such as a former vice president.”
“It’s a balancing act, and either way, the police are gonna be caught in the middle and criticized for not investigating thoroughly or investigating thoroughly a 30-year-old claim,” Pusins said.
Reade told the Washington Examiner that she hopes this development encourages any other people who might have an allegation against Biden.
“There is a mechanism for them to remain anonymous by going to the D.C. metro police, or they can direct them to their law enforcement,” she said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-04-21--Biden: Pence visit to Wisconsin ventilator plant a ‘political photo opportunity'

Joe Biden ripped Mike Pence 's planned trip to Wisconsin , accusing him and the Trump administration of turning the visit into a photo opportunity rather than aiding the state in its fight against the coronavirus pandemic .
`` This attempt to use Wisconsin as the backdrop to a political photo opportunity comes as the state is suffering a devastating loss of life to COVID-19 , particularly in the African American community , hundreds of thousands of Wisconsin workers have filed for unemployment in recent weeks , and Republicans drive dangerous efforts to prematurely end social distancing efforts , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement .
The vice president is scheduled to visit Madison , Wisconsin , on Tuesday to tour a GE manufacturing plant that is producing ventilators in order to aid healthcare workers battling the coronavirus pandemic .
Biden listed examples of what he saw as `` one of the most significant failures of governance of any administration in modern history , '' including the speed at which President Trump availed himself of the Defense Production Act in order to force companies to manufacture needed medical supplies .
`` The Trump Administration routinely takes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
President Trump is now , belatedly , saying he will invoke the DPA to produce more testing swabs , '' Biden said .
`` For weeks , I have urged President Trump to adopt the policies in my COVID-19 plans and statements , including the recommendation to implement the DPA for urgently needed lab supplies like swabs . ''
The former vice president also called on Congress to establish a `` pandemic testing board . ''
Wisconsin held in-person presidential primary and local elections earlier this month after a dramatic battle between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be held fully by mail .
The state 's health commissioner said Monday that at least seven people who tested positive for the coronavirus appear to have contracted it through election-related activities .
There are 4,499 confirmed coronavirus cases in Wisconsin , according to the state 's health department .

Joe Biden ripped Mike Pence's planned trip to Wisconsin, accusing him and the Trump administration of turning the visit into a photo opportunity rather than aiding the state in its fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
"This attempt to use Wisconsin as the backdrop to a political photo opportunity comes as the state is suffering a devastating loss of life to COVID-19, particularly in the African American community, hundreds of thousands of Wisconsin workers have filed for unemployment in recent weeks, and Republicans drive dangerous efforts to prematurely end social distancing efforts," the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee said in a statement.
The vice president is scheduled to visit Madison, Wisconsin, on Tuesday to tour a GE manufacturing plant that is producing ventilators in order to aid healthcare workers battling the coronavirus pandemic.
Biden listed examples of what he saw as "one of the most significant failures of governance of any administration in modern history," including the speed at which President Trump availed himself of the Defense Production Act in order to force companies to manufacture needed medical supplies.
"The Trump Administration routinely takes steps too late and by half measure. President Trump is now, belatedly, saying he will invoke the DPA to produce more testing swabs," Biden said. "For weeks, I have urged President Trump to adopt the policies in my COVID-19 plans and statements, including the recommendation to implement the DPA for urgently needed lab supplies like swabs."
The former vice president also called on Congress to establish a "pandemic testing board."
Wisconsin held in-person presidential primary and local elections earlier this month after a dramatic battle between Republicans and Democrats over whether the election could be held fully by mail. The state's health commissioner said Monday that at least seven people who tested positive for the coronavirus appear to have contracted it through election-related activities.
There are 4,499 confirmed coronavirus cases in Wisconsin, according to the state's health department.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-04-21--Jeff Sessions called it: Border shut by Trump

President Trump ’ s announcement last night of his plan to sign an executive order temporarily halting immigration was first promoted by his former attorney general , Jeff Sessions , an immigration hawk now running to regain his old Alabama Senate seat .
“ It is insanity for this nation to invite foreigners to come in and take any of the few jobs available during this crisis , ” Sessions said last week .
Trump apparently agrees , and today , he is set to sign his executive order with the aim of protecting job openings for U.S. citizens .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ light of the attack from the Invisible Enemy , as well as the need to protect the jobs of our GREAT American Citizens , I will be signing an Executive Order to temporarily suspend immigration into the United States !
” Two hours after , Sessions tweeted , “ Last week , I announced on @ TuckerCarlson ’ s show my plan to suspend immigration until Americans are back to work .
It 's great news that @ RealDonaldTrump is putting this into action !
” Trump did not mention Sessions ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sign of a thaw between the two since Trump dumped his attorney general after raging for months that the former Alabama senator and original Trump supporter in the Senate didn ’ t do enough to derail the Russia investigation that played a role in the president ’ s impeachment last year .
Trump has endorsed Sessions ’ s opponent , former Auburn University football coach Tommy Tuberville .
The two are set for a July GOP election runoff .
Republicans believe they will win the seat held by Democrat Sen. Doug Jones , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Despite his firing and the Tuberville endorsement , Sessions has maintained his support for Trump and his policies , especially immigration , one that Sessions had a big impact on .
His former Senate aide , Stephen Miller , is the architect of the president ’ s immigration policies inside the White House .
Immigration reform advocates have been pushing for weeks to shut the border to immigrants coming across for jobs .
They have said that the surge in coronavirus-related unemployment requires the United States to make job openings available to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the policy director for the Center for Immigration Studies , said that Sessions has been very steady on immigration and Trump .
`` Jeff Sessions has been the standard-bearer for the Trump voters who are disappointed in how many 'Hire American ' initiatives have been stymied in his administration .
He ’ s been reminding people of why they voted for Trump , '' she told Secrets .

President Trump’s announcement last night of his plan to sign an executive order temporarily halting immigration was first promoted by his former attorney general, Jeff Sessions, an immigration hawk now running to regain his old Alabama Senate seat.
“It is insanity for this nation to invite foreigners to come in and take any of the few jobs available during this crisis,” Sessions said last week.
Last week, I announced on @TuckerCarlson’s show my plan to suspend immigration until Americans are back to work. It's great news that @RealDonaldTrump is putting this into action! https://t.co/j6UEHzFuPM https://t.co/6HBUiDj704 — Jeff Sessions (@jeffsessions) April 21, 2020
Trump apparently agrees, and today, he is set to sign his executive order with the aim of protecting job openings for U.S. citizens. He tweeted Monday night, “In light of the attack from the Invisible Enemy, as well as the need to protect the jobs of our GREAT American Citizens, I will be signing an Executive Order to temporarily suspend immigration into the United States!”
Two hours after, Sessions tweeted, “Last week, I announced on @TuckerCarlson’s show my plan to suspend immigration until Americans are back to work. It's great news that @RealDonaldTrump is putting this into action!”
More than 22 million Americans have filed for unemployment since mid-March. That's 12% of American labor force going without a paycheck!
That's why I'm calling on the federal gov to IMMEDIATELY halt immigration to the US until Americans are back to work. https://t.co/IKAQNNyLhx pic.twitter.com/pg5kQgtK1x — Jeff Sessions (@jeffsessions) April 16, 2020
Trump did not mention Sessions’s call, but it may be a sign of a thaw between the two since Trump dumped his attorney general after raging for months that the former Alabama senator and original Trump supporter in the Senate didn’t do enough to derail the Russia investigation that played a role in the president’s impeachment last year.
Trump has endorsed Sessions’s opponent, former Auburn University football coach Tommy Tuberville. The two are set for a July GOP election runoff. Republicans believe they will win the seat held by Democrat Sen. Doug Jones, no matter who the Republican nominee is.
Despite his firing and the Tuberville endorsement, Sessions has maintained his support for Trump and his policies, especially immigration, one that Sessions had a big impact on. His former Senate aide, Stephen Miller, is the architect of the president’s immigration policies inside the White House.
Immigration reform advocates have been pushing for weeks to shut the border to immigrants coming across for jobs. They have said that the surge in coronavirus-related unemployment requires the United States to make job openings available to U.S. citizens first.
Jessica M. Vaughan, the policy director for the Center for Immigration Studies, said that Sessions has been very steady on immigration and Trump. "Jeff Sessions has been the standard-bearer for the Trump voters who are disappointed in how many 'Hire American' initiatives have been stymied in his administration. He’s been reminding people of why they voted for Trump," she told Secrets.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-04-20--'We have to earn your vote': Tom Perez to meet with top Sanders aide in effort to woo supporters to

'We have to earn your vote': Tom Perez to meet with top Sanders aide in effort to woo supporters to Biden

The Democratic National Committee is striking a humble tone while plotting how to ensure Bernie Sanders supporters show up to @ @ @ @ @ November .
“ We understand that we ’ re not entitled to your vote , @ @ @ @ @ vote , ” DNC Chairman Tom Perez said during a forum when asked how the @ @ @ @ @ of the Vermont senator turn out to vote for the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee .
@ @ @ @ @ and Public Service at the McCourt School of Public Policy hosted the event .
Perez @ @ @ @ @ talking to Jeff Weaver , a senior Sanders adviser who was campaign manager for the @ @ @ @ @ is hoping to meet with him and `` learn '' from the Sanders operation .
@ @ @ @ @ 's policy positions shortly after the Vermont senator dropped out of the race .
The @ @ @ @ @ a plan to lower Medicare 's eligibility age from 65 to 60 and a plan @ @ @ @ @ low-income and middle-class individuals who attended public colleges and universities .


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-04-22--Democrats gunning for moderate GOP Sen. Susan Collins as centrist Maine polarizes

The market for middle-ground politics having evaporated , Democrats are convinced they have Sen. Susan Collins on the ropes after years of failing spectacularly to oust the Republican centrist from Maine .
Collins has defied the odds , defeating strong Democrats in liberal-leaning Maine even as blue wave elections decimated the once-thriving delegation of New England Republicans who once filled Congress .
But in an era of hyper-partisanship , Collins ’ s centrism , the linchpin of her political staying power , has come under an uncomfortable microscope .
Democratic and Republican voters are less receptive to her pragmatic votes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much her nearly quarter century in the Senate .
This vulnerability has become especially pronounced since President Trump assumed office three years ago .
“ No question in my mind , this is the hardest race Collins will have had since her first go-around , ” said Toby McGrath , a Democratic insider in Maine who ran Barack Obama ’ s two campaigns there and also guided independent Sen. Angus King to victory in 2018 .
“ Democrats are not giving her the benefit of the doubt anymore the way they were in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ battle in her first Senate race in 1996 , Collins has easily dispatched formidable Democratic challengers .
She beat Chellie Pingree , now a congresswoman , by 16 points in 2002 ; and she defeated Tom Allen , then a sitting congressman , by 23 points in 2008 .
That year , Obama won big in Maine and helped Democrats flip control of nine Senate seats .
Despite this demonstrated political muscle , Democrats say the 2020 contest looks and feels different .
They point to a drop in the senator ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that mirror Trump ’ s ratings in the mid-40s .
She has had a middling fundraising performance in the first quarter of this year — $ 2.4 million raised — compared to the whopping $ 7.1 million haul of her Democratic challenger : Sara Gideon , speaker of the Maine House of Representatives .
Democrats contend these indicators are proof Collins has done irreparable damage to the centrist image that inoculated her from spirited challenges in previous campaigns .
And they particularly credit her votes to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ articles of impeachment earlier this year for what they describe as Collins ’ s undoing .
“ She usually wins because she gets Democratic crossover votes , and I think Democrats are frustrated because she keeps falling back in line with her party and the president , ” said Rachel Irwin , a veteran Democratic operative from Maine who is now the spokeswoman for Senate Majority PAC , the super PAC aligned with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York .
Republicans agree that Collins is in considerable trouble , at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the GOP and its allies are making in her reelection .
The National Republican Senatorial Committee has reserved initial television and radio advertising worth $ 5.1 million in Maine .
The spots are set to begin June 3 , a full five months before the November elections .
Senate Leadership Fund , the super PAC affiliated with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky , has made a $ 7.2 million buy-in in Maine to begin Sept. 8 , amounting to one of the biggest investments the group will make in this election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the political nonprofit organization aligned with Senate Leadership Fund , has been on the air in Maine since January with ads touting Collins ’ s record .
They point to the senator ’ s victory in 2008 as an example of unique resiliency under fire , while highlighting what they assert are missteps by Gideon , 48 , who Republicans say is unprepared for a pressure-packed campaign .
Republicans cite a campaign finance complaint the Maine GOP filed against Gideon with the Maine Ethics Commission .
They also accuse her of opportunism for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ despite accepting donations from political action committees .
“ Between the ethics violations and corporate money hypocrisy , Gideon has a trust problem .
She looks like a craven politician , ” said Jesse Hunt , NRSC spokesman .
The Republican nominee has not won a presidential election in Maine outright since 1988 .
But the state is not a political desert for the party .
From 1997 to 2013 , the GOP controlled both Senate seats , and from 2011 until 2019 , the party held the governor ’ s mansion .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hillary Clinton in 2016 but won one of the state ’ s two congressional districts — the mostly rural , conservative 2nd District encompassing northern and western Maine .
A Republican has ruled that seat periodically , most recently from 2015 to 2019 .

The market for middle-ground politics having evaporated, Democrats are convinced they have Sen. Susan Collins on the ropes after years of failing to oust the Republican centrist from Maine.
Collins has defied the odds, defeating strong Democrats in liberal-leaning Maine, even as blue-wave elections decimated the once-thriving delegation of New England Republicans who once filled Congress. But in an era of hyperpartisanship, Collins’s centrism, the linchpin of her political staying power, has come under an uncomfortable microscope.
Democratic and Republican voters are less receptive to her pragmatic votes on legislation and judicial nominations than during much of her nearly quarter century in the Senate. This vulnerability has become especially pronounced since President Trump assumed office three years ago.
“No question in my mind, this is the hardest race Collins will have had since her first go-around,” said Toby McGrath, a Democratic insider in Maine who ran Barack Obama’s two campaigns there and also guided independent Sen. Angus King to victory in 2018. “Democrats are not giving her the benefit of the doubt anymore the way they were in the past.”
Since facing a tough battle in her first Senate race in 1996, Collins has easily dispatched formidable Democratic challengers. She beat Chellie Pingree, now a congresswoman, by 16 points in 2002; and she defeated Tom Allen, then a sitting congressman, by 23 points in 2008. That year, Obama won big in Maine and helped Democrats flip control of nine Senate seats.
Despite this demonstrated political muscle, Democrats say the 2020 contest looks and feels different. They point to a drop in the senator’s job approval in some polls to levels that mirror Trump’s ratings in the mid-40s. She has had a middling fundraising performance in the first quarter of this year, $2.4 million raised, compared to the whopping $7.1 million haul of her Democratic challenger: Sara Gideon, speaker of the Maine House of Representatives.
Democrats contend these indicators are proof Collins has done irreparable damage to the centrist image that inoculated her from spirited challenges in previous campaigns. And they particularly credit her votes to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court in 2018 and acquit Trump on two articles of impeachment earlier this year for what they describe as Collins’s undoing.
“She usually wins because she gets Democratic crossover votes, and I think Democrats are frustrated because she keeps falling back in line with her party and the president,” said Rachel Irwin, a veteran Democratic operative from Maine who is now the spokeswoman for Senate Majority PAC, the super PAC aligned with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York.
Republicans agree that Collins is in considerable trouble, at least judging by the major, early investments the GOP and its allies are making in her reelection.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee has reserved initial television and radio advertising worth $5.1 million in Maine. The spots are set to begin June 3, a full five months before the November elections. The Senate Leadership Fund, the super PAC affiliated with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, has made a $7.2 million buy in Maine to begin Sept. 8, amounting to one of the biggest investments the group will make in this election cycle.
Additionally, One Nation, the political nonprofit organization aligned with the Senate Leadership Fund, has been on the air in Maine since January with ads touting Collins’s record.
But Republicans claim confidence in Collins.
They point to the senator’s victory in 2008 as an example of unique resiliency under fire, while highlighting what they assert are missteps by Gideon, 48, who Republicans say is unprepared for a pressure-packed campaign. Republicans cite a campaign finance complaint the Maine GOP filed against Gideon with the Maine Ethics Commission. They also accuse her of opportunism for criticizing the proliferation of money in politics despite accepting donations from political action committees.
“Between the ethics violations and corporate money hypocrisy, Gideon has a trust problem. She looks like a craven politician,” said Jesse Hunt, NRSC spokesman.
The Republican nominee has not won a presidential election in Maine outright since 1988. But the state is not a political desert for the party.
From 1997 to 2013, the GOP controlled both Senate seats, and from 2011 until 2019, the party held the governor’s mansion. Trump lost the state narrowly to Democrat Hillary Clinton in 2016 but won one of the state’s two congressional districts — the mostly rural, conservative 2nd District encompassing northern and western Maine. A Republican has ruled that seat periodically, most recently from 2015 to 2019.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-04-22--Trump leveraging cultural divide over coronavirus in Midwest battlegrounds

President Trump is energizing his base in key states by tapping into a deepening cultural divide over the coronavirus that pits conservatives eager to reopen the economy against liberals who want to continue social distancing .
The effort includes stoking opposition to Democratic governors in Michigan , Pennsylvania , and Wisconsin , three competitive states critical to Trump ’ s 2020 prospects .
Grassroots conservatives are chaffing under aggressive guidelines Democratic governors have implemented to arrest the pandemic , keeping all but essential businesses closed .
The president is supporting and amplifying their protests , an effort that could help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis and an economy in free fall .
“ The overreach and arbitrary actions of some Democrat governors plays to President Trump ’ s forehand once the campaign gets restarted , ” said Charlie Gerow , a Republican operative in Pennsylvania .
“ Joe Biden will , when intelligible , defend big brotherish government orders .
That won ’ t play well with independent voters , who make up the sliver of truly undecided voters.
” Beginning in mid-March , the Trump administration backed the efforts of states across the country to close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But with more than 22 million people having lost their job since the pandemic hit , Trump has emphasized plans to transition the country to a normal economic footing beginning in May , as conditions warrant in each state .
Some states are moving quicker in that direction than others .
Georgia , among the most aggressive , is set to begin reopening its economy this week .
South Carolina and Texas , two other states run by Republican governors , also are poised to ease the economic lockdown and permit certain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Rust Belt run by Democratic governors are more cautious .
Govs .
Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan , Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania , and Tony Evers of Wisconsin want more evidence that the pandemic is subsiding before loosening restrictions .
They have rebuffed Republicans in their legislatures who have demanded more flexible rules governing shelter-at-home orders reopening businesses .
“ Increasingly , the Republican base is growing impatient with this , ” said Rick Esenberg , president and general counsel for the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty , a conservative group in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ northern Wisconsin is “ experiencing ” the coronavirus differently than the heavily populated southeastern portion of the state because it has not suffered from as many COVID-19 infections .
“ People are feeling less anxious about the virus and more anxious about how they are going to pay their bills , ” Esenberg said .
“ I don ’ t think [ Evers ] is doing himself any favors .
Trump won narrow victories in Michigan , Pennsylvania , and Wisconsin in 2016 and has little margin for error in those states this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president has expanded the map of competitive battlegrounds in his favor , and he might be losing ground in Arizona , a perennially red state .
But Trump has a knack for spotting and exploiting cultural flashpoints .
With Democrats running these Midwestern states , Trump has a group of foils , and he needs to sidestep any blame that might be directed his way because of a turbulent economy and lingering concerns about the virus .
In Michigan , frustrated Republicans say they initially supported Whitmer ’ s actions to suppress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her of deliberately exceeding her constitutional authority for the transparently political purpose of auditioning to be chosen by Biden as his vice presidential running mate .
“ There are a number of things we could do , transitioning safely and smartly to get some people back to work , ” said Tony Daunt , executive director of Michigan Freedom Fund , a conservative group .
“ She ’ s resistant to it .
”

President Trump is energizing his base in key states by tapping into a deepening cultural divide over the coronavirus that pits conservatives eager to reopen the economy against liberals who want to continue social distancing.
The effort includes stoking opposition to Democratic governors in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, three competitive states critical to Trump’s 2020 prospects.
Grassroots conservatives are chaffing under aggressive guidelines Democratic governors have implemented to arrest the pandemic, keeping all but essential businesses closed. The president is supporting and amplifying their protests, an effort that could help him win reelection amid a public health crisis and an economy in free fall.
“The overreach and arbitrary actions of some Democrat governors plays to President Trump’s forehand once the campaign gets restarted,” said Charlie Gerow, a Republican operative in Pennsylvania. “Joe Biden will, when intelligible, defend big brotherish government orders. That won’t play well with independent voters, who make up the sliver of truly undecided voters.”
Beginning in mid-March, the Trump administration backed the efforts of states across the country to close businesses to stop the spread of COVID-19. But with more than 22 million people having lost their job since the pandemic hit, Trump has emphasized plans to transition the country to a normal economic footing beginning in May, as conditions warrant in each state.
Some states are moving quicker in that direction than others.
Georgia, among the most aggressive, is set to begin reopening its economy this week. South Carolina and Texas, two other states run by Republican governors, also are poised to ease the economic lockdown and permit certain businesses to reopen.
But states in the Rust Belt run by Democratic governors are more cautious. Govs. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania, and Tony Evers of Wisconsin want more evidence that the pandemic is subsiding before loosening restrictions. They have rebuffed Republicans in their legislatures who have demanded more flexible rules governing shelter-at-home orders reopening businesses.
“Increasingly, the Republican base is growing impatient with this,” said Rick Esenberg, president and general counsel for the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty, a conservative group in Milwaukee. He explained that largely rural northern Wisconsin is “experiencing” the coronavirus differently than the heavily populated southeastern portion of the state because it has not suffered from as many COVID-19 infections.
“People are feeling less anxious about the virus and more anxious about how they are going to pay their bills,” Esenberg said. “I don’t think [Evers] is doing himself any favors.
Trump won narrow victories in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin in 2016 and has little margin for error in those states this November. It is not clear that the president has expanded the map of competitive battlegrounds in his favor, and he might be losing ground in Arizona, a perennially red state. But Trump has a knack for spotting and exploiting cultural flashpoints.
With Democrats running these Midwestern states, Trump has a group of foils, and he needs to sidestep any blame that might be directed his way because of a turbulent economy and lingering concerns about the virus.
In Michigan, frustrated Republicans say they initially supported Whitmer’s actions to suppress the coronavirus. But they now accuse her of deliberately exceeding her constitutional authority for the transparently political purpose of auditioning to be chosen by Biden as his vice presidential running mate.
“There are a number of things we could do, transitioning safely and smartly to get some people back to work,” said Tony Daunt, executive director of Michigan Freedom Fund, a conservative group. “She’s resistant to it.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-04-22--Coronavirus sparks mail-in voting war between Democrats and GOP

The coronavirus pandemic has given Democrats a new opportunity to expand mail-in voting across the country amid the objections of Republicans , who fear it will lead to fraud .
An NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll released Tuesday found that a strong majority of voters , 58 % , favor a permanent federal change to allow mail-in ballots , with 68 % saying the rules should be changed for just the general election in November .
Just five states , Colorado , Washington , Hawaii , Utah , and Washington , conduct their elections entirely by mail .
Over half @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in elections via absentee ballots without needing an explanation .
But many Democrats , and some Republicans , want to see these types of electoral programs dramatically expanded , raising long-held concerns about security and fraud from critics in the GOP .
At least 32 states say they will use federal funds from the CARES Act to strengthen vote-by-mail programs , with many Democrats saying those initiatives do n't go far enough .
Local Democrats have filed lawsuits in Texas asking that the state increase its mail-in voting program before a new round @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judge has ruled in favor of the Democrats , with Republicans promising to appeal .
The Texas attorney general , a Republican who opposes the Democrats ' request , said that only voters who are sick with the coronavirus can use mail-in voting .
Texas law currently requires a written excuse to receive a ballot , but people 65 and older can get one with no questions asked .
Democrats point to the outbreak of the coronavirus in Wisconsin following a state Supreme Court ruling that the governor did not have the authority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A report from the Milwaukee Health Commissioner released this week found that at least seven new cases of the coronavirus could be linked to election-related activity .
`` As you recall , there were people that were in line for a very long time to get their vote in , so if you figure out around a range of time when someone was there or in the polling sites or in the line , connect to someone who was an actual case , that 's when we would do notifications , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state 's plan to trace and alert other potential voters or poll staffers who may have gotten sick .
In Georgia , where the current governor is a Republican , the secretary of state announced he would provide all of the state 's 6.9 million registered voters with an absentee ballot request form .
`` We 're just concerned about the transmission of COVID-19 , '' said Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger , a Republican .
`` So by putting voters first and also our poll workers , we thought the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballot applications to our active voters . ''
That decision drew condemnation from the Republican David Ralston , the state 's House speaker , who said in an interview that the move could be `` extremely devastating to Republicans and conservatives in Georgia . ''
Those sentiments are shared by President Trump , who tweeted earlier this month that mail-in voting has `` tremendous potential for voter fraud , and for whatever reason , does n't work out well for Republicans . ''
Many Republicans point to the practice of `` ballot harvesting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have the potential for abuse .
In states such as California , volunteers or ballot workers can collect absentee ballots from voters on election day .
Democrats have been accused of doing some version of the practice in states such as North Carolina , where it is illegal .
In the 2018 midterms , late ballots delivered by a third party broke to Democrats in California by the thousands , which many Republicans said was a statistical impossibility .

The coronavirus pandemic has given Democrats a new opportunity to expand mail-in voting across the country amid the objections of Republicans, who fear it will lead to fraud.
An NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll released Tuesday found that a strong majority of voters, 58%, favor a permanent federal change to allow mail-in ballots, with 68% saying the rules should be changed for just the general election in November.
Just five states, Colorado, Washington, Hawaii, Utah, and Washington, conduct their elections entirely by mail. Over half of all states allow voters to participate in elections via absentee ballots without needing an explanation.
But many Democrats, and some Republicans, want to see these types of electoral programs dramatically expanded, raising long-held concerns about security and fraud from critics in the GOP. At least 32 states say they will use federal funds from the CARES Act to strengthen vote-by-mail programs, with many Democrats saying those initiatives don't go far enough.
Local Democrats have filed lawsuits in Texas asking that the state increase its mail-in voting program before a new round of primaries in July. A state judge has ruled in favor of the Democrats, with Republicans promising to appeal.
The Texas attorney general, a Republican who opposes the Democrats' request, said that only voters who are sick with the coronavirus can use mail-in voting. Texas law currently requires a written excuse to receive a ballot, but people 65 and older can get one with no questions asked.
Democrats point to the outbreak of the coronavirus in Wisconsin following a state Supreme Court ruling that the governor did not have the authority to delay the April 7 primary election. A report from the Milwaukee Health Commissioner released this week found that at least seven new cases of the coronavirus could be linked to election-related activity.
"As you recall, there were people that were in line for a very long time to get their vote in, so if you figure out around a range of time when someone was there or in the polling sites or in the line, connect to someone who was an actual case, that's when we would do notifications," said Commissioner Jeanette Kowalik in reference to the state's plan to trace and alert other potential voters or poll staffers who may have gotten sick.
In Georgia, where the current governor is a Republican, the secretary of state announced he would provide all of the state's 6.9 million registered voters with an absentee ballot request form.
"We're just concerned about the transmission of COVID-19," said Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, a Republican. "So by putting voters first and also our poll workers, we thought the best solution would be sending out absentee ballot applications to our active voters."
That decision drew condemnation from the Republican David Ralston, the state's House speaker, who said in an interview that the move could be "extremely devastating to Republicans and conservatives in Georgia."
Those sentiments are shared by President Trump, who tweeted earlier this month that mail-in voting has "tremendous potential for voter fraud, and for whatever reason, doesn't work out well for Republicans."
Many Republicans point to the practice of "ballot harvesting" as evidence that mail-in voting programs have the potential for abuse. In states such as California, volunteers or ballot workers can collect absentee ballots from voters on election day. Democrats have been accused of doing some version of the practice in states such as North Carolina, where it is illegal.
In the 2018 midterms, late ballots delivered by a third party broke to Democrats in California by the thousands, which many Republicans said was a statistical impossibility.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-04-22--More white Democratic voters concerned with aging white male candidate than black voters: Poll

More white Democratic voters have an issue with the presumptive Democratic nominee for president being a white male in his 70s than black voters , according to a new poll .
Former Vice President Joe Biden , the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee , has the backing of the overwhelming majority of Democrats and Democratic-leaning registered voters , a study conducted by the Pew Research Center found .
However , 41 % of respondents indicated it bothers them that the party 's nominee is a white man .
Of the 59 % who said it does not bother them , 72 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , meanwhile , are divided on the question : 49 % say they are bothered , and 51 % say they are not .
Democratic voters who are bothered that the likely nominee is an older white man are `` more liberal , more educated , younger and more likely to be white than those who are not bothered , '' the survey said .
About 6 in 10 Democratic voters who supported other candidates in a Pew study conducted in January `` now say they are bothered that the likely Democratic nominee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The poll was conducted by surveying U.S. adults from April 7 through April 12 .

More white Democratic voters have an issue with the presumptive Democratic nominee for president being a white male in his 70s than black voters, according to a new poll.
Former Vice President Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, has the backing of the overwhelming majority of Democrats and Democratic-leaning registered voters, a study conducted by the Pew Research Center found.
However, 41% of respondents indicated it bothers them that the party's nominee is a white man.
Of the 59% who said it does not bother them, 72% were African American. White Democrats, meanwhile, are divided on the question: 49% say they are bothered, and 51% say they are not.
Democratic voters who are bothered that the likely nominee is an older white man are "more liberal, more educated, younger and more likely to be white than those who are not bothered," the survey said.
About 6 in 10 Democratic voters who supported other candidates in a Pew study conducted in January "now say they are bothered that the likely Democratic nominee is an older white man."
The poll was conducted by surveying U.S. adults from April 7 through April 12.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-04-22--Trump and Biden are deadlocked in six battleground states

President Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden are locked head to head in six key battleground states , a new poll finds .
A CNBC/Change Research poll published Wednesday showed the Republican incumbent taking 48 % of the vote to Biden 's 47 % in a head-to-head matchup among likely voters in Arizona , Florida , Michigan , North Carolina , Pennsylvania , and Wisconsin .
Trump unexpectedly won Michigan , Wisconsin , and Pennsylvania in 2016 , but the Biden campaign believes they can take them back , and Democrats have stepped up attacks on Trump in key @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a departure from what other recent polls have shown .
According to the RealClearPolitics scoreboard , Biden has been leading Trump both nationally and in most battlegrounds .
The new CNBC poll shows that the coronavirus response and the economy remain critical issues , with 52 % calling the government 's response `` not aggressive enough . ''
More than two-thirds of respondents expressed concern over a lack of widespread testing , reopening the economy too soon , people not abiding by social distancing measures , the unemployment rate , and businesses being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over strong economic growth and record-low unemployment until the pandemic hit .
Fifty-six percent strongly support continued social distancing measures , while a further 18 % said they somewhat support these .
Thirteen percent somewhat oppose them , and 12 % strongly oppose the measures .
More than 826,000 coronavirus cases have been identified so far in the United States , according to Johns Hopkins University , and more than 45,000 people have died .
Asked to weigh their concern , most respondents cited their family 's health and safety ( 72 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their financial situation ( 28 % ) .
The results were similar when asked about the health of the nation ( 64 % ) versus the economic toll ( 36 % ) .
The economic toll has spread to every state , with voters in the most competitive 2020 states especially hard hit .
More than 22 million people in the U.S. have requested unemployment assistance since the administration advised closing businesses deemed nonessential in March to `` slow the spread . ''
And in Pennsylvania , Michigan , Florida , North Carolina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unemployment insurance claims has been high .
Last week , Trump 's most important super PAC , America First Action , spent $ 10 million launching in Michigan , Wisconsin , and Pennsylvania a series of ads attacking `` Beijing Biden '' as a China sympathizer .
CNBC/Change Research queried 5,878 likely voters between Friday and Saturday , with a margin of error of plus or minus 1.3 percentage points .

President Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden are locked head to head in six key battleground states, a new poll finds.
A CNBC/Change Research poll published Wednesday showed the Republican incumbent taking 48% of the vote to Biden's 47% in a head-to-head matchup among likely voters in Arizona, Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
Trump unexpectedly won Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania in 2016, but the Biden campaign believes they can take them back, and Democrats have stepped up attacks on Trump in key battlegrounds in anticipation.
The results are a departure from what other recent polls have shown. According to the RealClearPolitics scoreboard, Biden has been leading Trump both nationally and in most battlegrounds.
The new CNBC poll shows that the coronavirus response and the economy remain critical issues, with 52% calling the government's response "not aggressive enough."
More than two-thirds of respondents expressed concern over a lack of widespread testing, reopening the economy too soon, people not abiding by social distancing measures, the unemployment rate, and businesses being unable to survive. Trump had presided over strong economic growth and record-low unemployment until the pandemic hit.
Fifty-six percent strongly support continued social distancing measures, while a further 18% said they somewhat support these. Thirteen percent somewhat oppose them, and 12% strongly oppose the measures.
More than 826,000 coronavirus cases have been identified so far in the United States, according to Johns Hopkins University, and more than 45,000 people have died.
Asked to weigh their concern, most respondents cited their family's health and safety (72%) above the impact of COVID-19 on their financial situation (28%). The results were similar when asked about the health of the nation (64%) versus the economic toll (36%).
The economic toll has spread to every state, with voters in the most competitive 2020 states especially hard hit. More than 22 million people in the U.S. have requested unemployment assistance since the administration advised closing businesses deemed nonessential in March to "slow the spread." And in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Florida, North Carolina, and Wisconsin, the volume of unemployment insurance claims has been high.
Last week, Trump's most important super PAC, America First Action, spent $10 million launching in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania a series of ads attacking "Beijing Biden" as a China sympathizer.
CNBC/Change Research queried 5,878 likely voters between Friday and Saturday, with a margin of error of plus or minus 1.3 percentage points.