thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-25--Biden calls for 'green deal' stimulus 'in the next round'

Joe Biden called for a `` green deal '' to increase economic growth and appeared to suggest that it could be part of a second major federal economic relief package during the coronavirus pandemic .
`` We 're going to have an opportunity , I believe , in the next round here to use the , my green economy — my , my green deal , or to be able to generate both economic growth as consistent with the kind of infusion of monies we need into the system to keep it going , '' the former vice president and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video conference press briefing on Wednesday .
Biden 's suggestion came after bipartisan lawmakers reached a tentative agreement on a $ 2 trillion emergency relief bill to combat economic downturn amid mass shutdowns of public services and businesses to halt the spread of the virus .
His climate policy proposal , which adds that a `` Green New Deal is a crucial framework for meeting the climate challenges we face , '' calls for $ 1.7 trillion in federal investments over 10 years .
`` One of the ways to make sure these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or hurt in the meantime is to provide the kind of jobs that are prevailing wages where people are making $ 45 , $ 50 an hour plus benefits by building new infrastructure , '' Biden said .
`` We 're going to need new infrastructure going down the road here , and it 's a way to generate economic growth .
That 's going to be , I think the next round we have to be looking at . ''
Biden brought up environmentally friendly investments in response to a question on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will appeal to younger Americans .
He also called for up to $ 10,000 in student loan cancellation for those economically affected by the coronavirus pandemic , building on Obamacare , and making state-run colleges and universities tuition-free .
The Trump campaign criticized Biden for suggesting a `` Green New Deal '' amid the crisis .
`` This terrible idea would impose massive regulations on businesses and people at the worst time imaginable and would jack up their heating and cooling bills on top of it .
Biden cares more about appeasing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does about real solutions , '' Tim Murtaugh , Trump 2020 communications director , said in a statement Wednesday .

Joe Biden called for a "green deal" to increase economic growth and appeared to suggest that it could be part of a second major federal economic relief package during the coronavirus pandemic.
"We're going to have an opportunity, I believe, in the next round here to use the, my green economy — my, my green deal, or to be able to generate both economic growth as consistent with the kind of infusion of monies we need into the system to keep it going," the former vice president and likely Democratic presidential nominee said in a video conference press briefing on Wednesday.
Biden's suggestion came after bipartisan lawmakers reached a tentative agreement on a $2 trillion emergency relief bill to combat economic downturn amid mass shutdowns of public services and businesses to halt the spread of the virus. His climate policy proposal, which adds that a "Green New Deal is a crucial framework for meeting the climate challenges we face," calls for $1.7 trillion in federal investments over 10 years.
"One of the ways to make sure these jobs are available that may get lost or hurt in the meantime is to provide the kind of jobs that are prevailing wages where people are making $45, $50 an hour plus benefits by building new infrastructure," Biden said. "We're going to need new infrastructure going down the road here, and it's a way to generate economic growth. That's going to be, I think the next round we have to be looking at."
Biden brought up environmentally friendly investments in response to a question on which of his policy proposals he hopes will appeal to younger Americans. He also called for up to $10,000 in student loan cancellation for those economically affected by the coronavirus pandemic, building on Obamacare, and making state-run colleges and universities tuition-free.
The Trump campaign criticized Biden for suggesting a "Green New Deal" amid the crisis.
"This terrible idea would impose massive regulations on businesses and people at the worst time imaginable and would jack up their heating and cooling bills on top of it. Biden cares more about appeasing the extreme fringe of his party than he does about real solutions," Tim Murtaugh, Trump 2020 communications director, said in a statement Wednesday.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-25--California congresswoman in self-quarantine while awaiting coronavirus test results

Rep. Katie Porter said a fever and `` cold-like '' symptoms are leading her to self-quarantine while waiting for coronavirus test results to come in .
In a series of tweets Wednesday , the first-term California Democrat said that she became ill last week and over the weekend developed a 100.4-degree fever .
`` I carefully followed all instructions to visit my doctor and received a test for COVID-19 .
I am waiting for results , '' tweeted Porter , 46 , who is in her first term representing a historically Republican Orange County district .
Porter said she is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back and has been `` participating by telephone in Congressional business and listening to the concerns of our Orange County community . ''
Should her results come back positive , Porter would be the third member of the House who has fallen ill with the coronavirus .
Last week , Republican Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida and Ben McAdams , a Utah Democrat , both tested positive .
On Sunday , GOP Sen. Rand Paul announced he was the first senator to catch the virus .
Over a dozen other lawmakers , such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , began to self-quarantine after interacting with individuals who had tested positive for the virus .
Both of their tests came back negative .
Porter 's illness adds even more anxiety for members of Congress who are currently negotiating a stimulus package to help provide aid to businesses and the public suffering from the economic downfall as the world economy grinds to a halt .
Under current rules in both chambers , members must be physically present to conduct official legislative business .
Neither House Speaker Nancy Pelosi or Senate Majority Leader Mitch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change to a virtual system , as some have advocated .
“ I don ’ t think we can assume that we can keep reconvening the Senate every week like we did this week .
I just don ’ t think we can make that assumption , ” Sen. Marco Rubio said last week .

Rep. Katie Porter said a fever and "cold-like" symptoms are leading her to self-quarantine while waiting for coronavirus test results to come in.
In a series of tweets Wednesday, the first-term California Democrat said that she became ill last week and over the weekend developed a 100.4-degree fever.
"I carefully followed all instructions to visit my doctor and received a test for COVID-19. I am waiting for results," tweeted Porter, 46, who is in her first term representing a historically Republican Orange County district.
Porter said she is remaining in self-quarantine until the results come back and has been "participating by telephone in Congressional business and listening to the concerns of our Orange County community."
P.S. My children are so far healthy and handling things well, and I did make sure to wear a mask! pic.twitter.com/y4wiRL9RHG — Rep. Katie Porter (@RepKatiePorter) March 25, 2020
Should her results come back positive, Porter would be the third member of the House who has fallen ill with the coronavirus. Last week, Republican Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida and Ben McAdams, a Utah Democrat, both tested positive.
On Sunday, GOP Sen. Rand Paul announced he was the first senator to catch the virus. Over a dozen other lawmakers, such as Sens. Ted Cruz and Mitt Romney, began to self-quarantine after interacting with individuals who had tested positive for the virus. Both of their tests came back negative.
Porter's illness adds even more anxiety for members of Congress who are currently negotiating a stimulus package to help provide aid to businesses and the public suffering from the economic downfall as the world economy grinds to a halt.
Under current rules in both chambers, members must be physically present to conduct official legislative business. Neither House Speaker Nancy Pelosi or Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell have indicated they are willing to change to a virtual system, as some have advocated.
“I don’t think we can assume that we can keep reconvening the Senate every week like we did this week. I just don’t think we can make that assumption,” Sen. Marco Rubio said last week.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-25--Trump accuses media of trying to keep 'country closed' to hurt his reelection bid

President Trump accused the media of pushing him to keep the country shut down with the intention of damaging his chance at reelection .
`` The LameStream Media is the dominant force in trying to get me to keep our Country closed as long as possible in the hope that it will be detrimental to my election success , '' the president tweeted Wednesday afternoon .
`` The real people want to get back to work ASAP .
We will be stronger than ever before ! ''
Trump recently said he hopes the country will be reopened by Easter , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than three weeks from Wednesday .
A number of people have said that the goal is very optimistic and unlikely .
The coverage of the coronavirus pandemic has proven no exception to the president 's tumultuous relationship with the media .
Last week , he accused NBC 's Peter Alexander of being a `` terrible reporter '' after he asked the president for a message to those were scared about the virus .
As of Wednesday afternoon , more than 458,000 people have been diagnosed with the coronavirus , which has led to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johns Hopkins University .
More than 113,000 people have recovered after contracting the virus .

President Trump accused the media of pushing him to keep the country shut down with the intention of damaging his chance at reelection.
"The LameStream Media is the dominant force in trying to get me to keep our Country closed as long as possible in the hope that it will be detrimental to my election success," the president tweeted Wednesday afternoon. "The real people want to get back to work ASAP. We will be stronger than ever before!"
The LameStream Media is the dominant force in trying to get me to keep our Country closed as long as possible in the hope that it will be detrimental to my election success. The real people want to get back to work ASAP. We will be stronger than ever before! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 25, 2020
Trump recently said he hopes the country will be reopened by Easter, which is on April 12, less than three weeks from Wednesday. A number of people have said that the goal is very optimistic and unlikely.
The coverage of the coronavirus pandemic has proven no exception to the president's tumultuous relationship with the media. Last week, he accused NBC's Peter Alexander of being a "terrible reporter" after he asked the president for a message to those were scared about the virus.
As of Wednesday afternoon, more than 458,000 people have been diagnosed with the coronavirus, which has led to more than 20,800 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University. More than 113,000 people have recovered after contracting the virus.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-25--Another day, another strategy: Biden scrambles on his messaging

Joe Biden recently sought media attention by announcing he would hold counter briefings to President Trump 's daily updates on the government 's response to the coronavirus .
Then on Tuesday , the former vice president 's strategy seemed to shift again , with a media blitz across several networks .
On Wednesday , Biden 's strategy changed further .
Instead of any media appearances or formal briefings , the 36-year Delaware senator held a press conference streamed from his Wilmington home .
After a 35-minute delay , Biden addressed the press and continued his attacks on Trump .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ... and as a result , this virus will hit all of us harder , '' Biden said , referring to the president 's contradictory statements in February .
The Biden campaign 's frantic changes in its daily schedules reflect its concerns adapting to a race defined by a global pandemic .
Despite canceling campaign events earlier this month , the Biden campaign took several days to install a `` home studio . ''
During that time , the Democratic nominee for president was seemingly nowhere to be found .
The hashtag `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , all while Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders held briefings of his own .
In the midst of his efforts to assemble a shadow cabinet to counter the Trump administration , regularly citing experts hired by his campaign to criticize the president , Biden has struggled to gain attention as the country remains focused on listening to those in power , rather than just running for office .
And not all efforts to seize the spotlight have worked .
On Monday , Biden held a briefing from his home , during which he attacked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state of the pandemic .
But that effort earned mockery from across the political spectrum , with critics noting an apparent issue with his teleprompter .
`` And , in addition to that , in addition to that , we have to make sure that we , we are in a position that we are , well let me go [ to ] the second thing , I 've spoken enough on that , '' Biden said .
On Tuesday , Biden opted not to hold his daily briefing .
Instead , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for interviews .
Again , Biden 's appearance was poorly received .
Aside from jokes about touching his own face , a violation of CDC guidelines , one answer he gave about businesses reopening was nearly entirely incoherent .
“ We have to take care of the cure , that will make the problem worse , no matter what , ” Biden said .
Clips on the answer circulated throughout a number of liberal Twitter accounts , with supporters of Sanders using it as evidence that Biden is n't a suitable nominee .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ far-left Minnesota Democrat who endorsed Sanders , shared concerns about the answer .
During his appearance on MSNBC later that evening , Biden appeared unprepared for an answer to a question by anchor Nicolle Wallace .
“ Why doesn ’ t [ Trump ] just act like a president ?
That ’ s a stupid way to say it … I really wish he — sorry , ” he said , before adding , `` Oh , ah , probably best I do n't . ''
Then , in Wednesday 's virtual press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strategy that included online videos and briefings with the press but gave no clear road map on how he plans to gain the public 's attention .
`` I was [ concerned ] , but what I 'm finding out is that the new technologies are quite effective .
I noticed when I laid out my plan four days ago , it was n't covered on the national news , but 3.8 million people watched it online .
But I 'm learning a lot about getting the message out , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nominee of the Democratic Party , and I hope to be able to get my message out . ''

Joe Biden recently sought media attention by announcing he would hold counter briefings to President Trump's daily updates on the government's response to the coronavirus.
Then on Tuesday, the former vice president's strategy seemed to shift again, with a media blitz across several networks.
On Wednesday, Biden's strategy changed further. Instead of any media appearances or formal briefings, the 36-year Delaware senator held a press conference streamed from his Wilmington home. After a 35-minute delay, Biden addressed the press and continued his attacks on Trump.
"Donald Trump downplayed this crisis for weeks ... and as a result, this virus will hit all of us harder," Biden said, referring to the president's contradictory statements in February.
The Biden campaign's frantic changes in its daily schedules reflect its concerns adapting to a race defined by a global pandemic. Despite canceling campaign events earlier this month, the Biden campaign took several days to install a "home studio."
During that time, the Democratic nominee for president was seemingly nowhere to be found. The hashtag "#wheresJoe" began trending on Twitter, all while Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders held briefings of his own.
In the midst of his efforts to assemble a shadow cabinet to counter the Trump administration, regularly citing experts hired by his campaign to criticize the president, Biden has struggled to gain attention as the country remains focused on listening to those in power, rather than just running for office.
And not all efforts to seize the spotlight have worked.
On Monday, Biden held a briefing from his home, during which he attacked the president for misleading the public on the state of the pandemic. But that effort earned mockery from across the political spectrum, with critics noting an apparent issue with his teleprompter.
"And, in addition to that, in addition to that, we have to make sure that we, we are in a position that we are, well let me go [to] the second thing, I've spoken enough on that," Biden said.
On Tuesday, Biden opted not to hold his daily briefing. Instead, he went on three separate television shows for interviews.
Again, Biden's appearance was poorly received. Aside from jokes about touching his own face, a violation of CDC guidelines, one answer he gave about businesses reopening was nearly entirely incoherent.
“We have to take care of the cure, that will make the problem worse, no matter what,” Biden said.
Clips on the answer circulated throughout a number of liberal Twitter accounts, with supporters of Sanders using it as evidence that Biden isn't a suitable nominee. Even Rep. Ilhan Omar, a firebrand far-left Minnesota Democrat who endorsed Sanders, shared concerns about the answer.
During his appearance on MSNBC later that evening, Biden appeared unprepared for an answer to a question by anchor Nicolle Wallace.
“Why doesn’t [Trump] just act like a president? That’s a stupid way to say it … I really wish he — sorry,” he said, before adding, "Oh, ah, probably best I don't."
Then, in Wednesday's virtual press conference, Biden hinted at an evolving strategy that included online videos and briefings with the press but gave no clear road map on how he plans to gain the public's attention.
"I was [concerned], but what I'm finding out is that the new technologies are quite effective. I noticed when I laid out my plan four days ago, it wasn't covered on the national news, but 3.8 million people watched it online. But I'm learning a lot about getting the message out," he said. "I hope to be the nominee of the Democratic Party, and I hope to be able to get my message out."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-25--Amid virus crisis, Biden, Democrats refine attacks on Trump

In a Tuesday appearance on The View devoted mostly to the coronavirus crisis , Joe Biden was asked , `` What do you say to Americans who feel that Democrats are in a way politicizing the issue and that we should be standing behind the president because this is an American problem ? ''
`` I think there 's truth to both sides , '' Biden answered .
`` That 's why , if you notice on what I 've been doing , I 've not been criticizing the president , but I 've been pointing out where there 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' At roughly the same time Biden spoke , a pro-Biden super PAC called Unite The Country released an ad accusing President Trump of calling coronavirus a `` hoax '' — a charge that has been discredited by a number of fact-checkers .
The ad also said Trump `` eliminated the pandemic response team '' — an accusation that is incomplete and misleading at best .
Finally , the ad said Trump `` let the virus spread unchecked across America '' — an assertion that has little meaning for a disease that has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said on The View , Biden has also criticized the president directly .
On Jan. 31 ( the day Trump imposed travel restrictions on China ) , Biden , discussing the virus during a campaign stop in Iowa , said , `` This is no time for Donald Trump 's record of hysteria , xenophobia , hysterical xenophobia , and fear-mongering , to lead the way instead of science . ''
Last week , when Trump referred to coronavirus as a `` Chinese virus , '' Biden said it again , tweeting , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Now , Biden says he does not want to engage in that sort of dialogue .
`` The American people do n't want us in a political fight , '' he told The View , `` and I want no part of a political fight , either . ''
So what is going on ?
The Biden team appears to be searching for a new rhetorical approach to the crisis , seeking a way to attack Trump without appearing to attack Trump .
First , they do n't want to appear to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On The View , Biden said , `` The coronavirus is not [ Trump 's ] fault . ''
That seems a fairly minimal concession , but it is what passes for fair-mindedness in a political fight .
The Unite The Country ad takes a similar approach .
`` Crisis comes to every presidency , '' it opens , featuring images of Ronald Reagan , George H.W .
Bush , George W. Bush , and Barack Obama .
`` We do n't blame them for that .
What matters is how they handle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus . ''
Again , a fair-minded concession that Trump did not physically conjure up the virus in a test tube .
Then , however , the ad pivots to the series of inaccurate , or misleading , or incomplete charges noted above .
It concludes : `` Crisis comes to every president .
This one failed . ''
In all , the ad is a mix of exoneration and accusation , ending in the more-sorrow-than-anger conclusion that Trump has failed the country .
One reason to take a new , slightly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Trump seems to have significant support from voters as he manages the virus crisis .
According to the RealClearPolitics average of polls , the president 's job approval rating has stayed steady at around 46 % in recent times — essentially where it has been through most of Trump 's presidency .
A new Gallup poll pegs the approval rating at 49 % — the best of Trump 's presidency in Gallup surveys .
The president 's approval rating among Republicans , Gallup says , remains above 90 % , while `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's performance has increased slightly since earlier this month , tying as the best he has registered to date among each group . ''
That does not mean Trump enjoys high popularity among a broad majority of the public — he never has as president — but it does suggest political rivals might want to take care in how they attack him over the virus crisis .
Some analysts attribute Trump 's polling to a `` rally effect '' — that is , people instinctively supporting a leader in a moment of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what it is , it means that Democrats must search for ways to slam the president without offending those who wish him success .
`` This new ad from [ Unite The Country ] nails the right tone and message for telling the story of Trump 's disastrous response to COVID-19 , '' former Obama communications aide Dan Pfeiffer tweeted Tuesday .
Ian Sams , a former Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris campaign aide , tweeted that the `` powerful new ad ... leans on images of three GOP presidents in moments of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Does n't have to .
The message is clear . ''
`` This is the presidential campaign , right here , in 30 seconds , '' tweeted liberal writer Jonathan Chait .
That remains to be seen , of course .
But there is no doubt that as the number of coronavirus cases rises , Biden and his Democratic supporters are refining the way they use the virus crisis politically — even as they say they are not using the virus crisis politically .

In a Tuesday appearance on The View devoted mostly to the coronavirus crisis, Joe Biden was asked, "What do you say to Americans who feel that Democrats are in a way politicizing the issue and that we should be standing behind the president because this is an American problem?"
"I think there's truth to both sides," Biden answered. "That's why, if you notice on what I've been doing, I've not been criticizing the president, but I've been pointing out where there's disagreement as to how to proceed."
At roughly the same time Biden spoke, a pro-Biden super PAC called Unite The Country released an ad accusing President Trump of calling coronavirus a "hoax" — a charge that has been discredited by a number of fact-checkers. The ad also said Trump "eliminated the pandemic response team" — an accusation that is incomplete and misleading at best. Finally, the ad said Trump "let the virus spread unchecked across America" — an assertion that has little meaning for a disease that has circled the globe.
Despite what he said on The View, Biden has also criticized the president directly. On Jan. 31 (the day Trump imposed travel restrictions on China), Biden, discussing the virus during a campaign stop in Iowa, said, "This is no time for Donald Trump's record of hysteria, xenophobia, hysterical xenophobia, and fear-mongering, to lead the way instead of science." Last week, when Trump referred to coronavirus as a "Chinese virus," Biden said it again, tweeting, "Stop the xenophobic fear-mongering."
Now, Biden says he does not want to engage in that sort of dialogue. "The American people don't want us in a political fight," he told The View, "and I want no part of a political fight, either."
So what is going on? The Biden team appears to be searching for a new rhetorical approach to the crisis, seeking a way to attack Trump without appearing to attack Trump.
First, they don't want to appear to be blaming Trump for the virus itself. On The View, Biden said, "The coronavirus is not [Trump's] fault." That seems a fairly minimal concession, but it is what passes for fair-mindedness in a political fight.
The Unite The Country ad takes a similar approach. "Crisis comes to every presidency," it opens, featuring images of Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama. "We don't blame them for that. What matters is how they handle it. Donald Trump didn't create the coronavirus." Again, a fair-minded concession that Trump did not physically conjure up the virus in a test tube.
Then, however, the ad pivots to the series of inaccurate, or misleading, or incomplete charges noted above. It concludes: "Crisis comes to every president. This one failed." In all, the ad is a mix of exoneration and accusation, ending in the more-sorrow-than-anger conclusion that Trump has failed the country.
One reason to take a new, slightly less aggressive approach toward the president is that Trump seems to have significant support from voters as he manages the virus crisis. According to the RealClearPolitics average of polls, the president's job approval rating has stayed steady at around 46% in recent times — essentially where it has been through most of Trump's presidency. A new Gallup poll pegs the approval rating at 49% — the best of Trump's presidency in Gallup surveys.
The president's approval rating among Republicans, Gallup says, remains above 90%, while "independents' and Democrats' approval of Trump's performance has increased slightly since earlier this month, tying as the best he has registered to date among each group."
That does not mean Trump enjoys high popularity among a broad majority of the public — he never has as president — but it does suggest political rivals might want to take care in how they attack him over the virus crisis. Some analysts attribute Trump's polling to a "rally effect" — that is, people instinctively supporting a leader in a moment of threat to the country. No matter what it is, it means that Democrats must search for ways to slam the president without offending those who wish him success.
"This new ad from [Unite The Country] nails the right tone and message for telling the story of Trump's disastrous response to COVID-19," former Obama communications aide Dan Pfeiffer tweeted Tuesday.
Ian Sams, a former Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris campaign aide, tweeted that the "powerful new ad ... leans on images of three GOP presidents in moments of crisis and never even mentions Joe Biden. Doesn't have to. The message is clear."
"This is the presidential campaign, right here, in 30 seconds," tweeted liberal writer Jonathan Chait.
That remains to be seen, of course. But there is no doubt that as the number of coronavirus cases rises, Biden and his Democratic supporters are refining the way they use the virus crisis politically — even as they say they are not using the virus crisis politically.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-25--Nicolle Wallace’s interview of Joe Biden is the most embarrassing thing you’ll see all week

What do you get when you cross a mediocre television host with a mediocre presidential candidate ?
You get Nicolle Wallace 's MSNBC interview this week of former Vice President Joe Biden .
Between Wallace ’ s many shortcomings as a TV host , a time delay , some apparent technical difficulties , and Biden ’ s penchant for rambling aimlessly on incoherent tangents , the entire 20-minute-plus exchange is an unmitigated disaster .
I could describe the moment when Wallace stares blankly at the camera , an ear-to-ear smile spread across her face , as Biden apologizes awkwardly for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I could also describe the moment when Wallace repeats Chinese Communist Party propaganda , parroting the allegation that it is racist to refer to the COVID-19 virus by its country of origin , as Biden dumbly nods along .
I could also describe the moment when Biden apologizes after asking why Trump can not just “ act like a president.
” But this is one of those cases where you really have to see it for yourself : Although it is difficult to pinpoint the worst moment in this train wreck of an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ low point comes at the very end , where Wallace sends Biden off as if she were a 14-year-old girl in the 1960s and he were John , Paul , George , and Ringo all rolled into one .
“ Joe Biden , ” the MSNBC host said at the conclusion of the interview , “ just a guy in his basement talking to a gal in hers .
Thank you for spending some time with us .
We 're very grateful.
” Biden responded , “ Well , thank you … really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you very much , Nicolle.
” “ An open invitation , ” Wallace said .
“ Thank you , Mr. Vice President .
Thank you.
” Biden nodded , saying , “ Alright , thank you so much.
” “ Thank you , sir , ” Wallace said for the fourth time .
“ Thank you for spending so much time with us.
” Remember : This interview was broadcast during MSNBC ’ s news programming hours .
This was supposed to be an actual news interview , not a fan finally getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ idol .
Alas , MSNBC does not respect its viewership enough to see the distinction between the two .

What do you get when you cross a mediocre television host with a mediocre presidential candidate?
You get Nicolle Wallace's MSNBC interview this week of former Vice President Joe Biden.
Between Wallace’s many shortcomings as a TV host, a time delay, some apparent technical difficulties, and Biden’s penchant for rambling aimlessly on incoherent tangents, the entire 20-minute-plus exchange is an unmitigated disaster.
I could describe the moment when Wallace stares blankly at the camera, an ear-to-ear smile spread across her face, as Biden apologizes awkwardly for comparing President Trump to a yo-yo. I could also describe the moment when Wallace repeats Chinese Communist Party propaganda, parroting the allegation that it is racist to refer to the COVID-19 virus by its country of origin, as Biden dumbly nods along.
I could also describe the moment when Biden apologizes after asking why Trump cannot just “act like a president.”
But this is one of those cases where you really have to see it for yourself:
Although it is difficult to pinpoint the worst moment in this train wreck of an interview, I feel comfortable saying the low point comes at the very end, where Wallace sends Biden off as if she were a 14-year-old girl in the 1960s and he were John, Paul, George, and Ringo all rolled into one.
“Joe Biden,” the MSNBC host said at the conclusion of the interview, “just a guy in his basement talking to a gal in hers. Thank you for spending some time with us. We're very grateful.”
Biden responded, “Well, thank you … really, any time at all. Thank you very much, Nicolle.”
“Thank you,” said Wallace.
Biden answered, “I'm really pleased to.”
“An open invitation,” Wallace said. “Thank you, Mr. Vice President. Thank you.”
Biden nodded, saying, “Alright, thank you so much.”
“Thank you, sir,” Wallace said for the fourth time. “Thank you for spending so much time with us.”
Remember: This interview was broadcast during MSNBC’s news programming hours. This was supposed to be an actual news interview, not a fan finally getting some real one-on-one face time with her idol. Alas, MSNBC does not respect its viewership enough to see the distinction between the two.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-25--'This one failed': Biden super PAC invokes GOP presidents to hit Trump on coronavirus

A super PAC boosting Joe Biden is hitting President Trump without using the two-term vice president 's name , instead ripping the incumbent by comparing him to other Republicans who managed many a crisis .
Unite the Country late Tuesday debuted a new 30-second spot called `` Crisis comes , '' which focuses on Trump 's response to the coronavirus crisis .
The group is pushing it out across the nation in a seven-figure ad buy .
`` Crisis comes to every presidency .
We do n't blame them for that , '' the narrator says over images of Presidents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bush , and Ronald Reagan .
`` What matters is how they handle it . ''
The narrator then criticizes Trump for describing the COVID-19 virus as a `` hoax , '' accusing the White House of allowing the novel respiratory illness to `` spread unchecked across America . ''
He also dredges up disputed claims about how the administration `` eliminated the U.S. pandemic response team . ''
`` Crisis comes to every president .
This one failed , '' he says .
Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh slammed Biden 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sniping from the sidelines , '' undermining `` the federal response to the crisis by misinforming and frightening people . ''
`` This ad contains the already disproven lie that President Trump called the virus a ‘ hoax , ’ when in fact he was referring to Democrat and media criticisms of the federal response as ‘ their new hoax , ’ '' Murtaugh wrote in a statement .
He added , `` Americans can see that President Trump is out front and leading this nation and is the clear choice to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the coronavirus and its public health and economic ramifications are predicted to define the 2020 general election .
The outbreak has already reshaped the tail end of Democratic presidential primary , forcing presumptive nominee Biden and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders off the campaign trail and delaying upcoming contests .
It could also possibly derail the Democratic and Republican National Conventions .
The ad breaks a brief moratorium on political advertising .
While Trump 's general job approval rating averages in the negatives , his COVID-19 response is higher , with 49.2 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to RealClearPolitics data .

A super PAC boosting Joe Biden is hitting President Trump without using the two-term vice president's name, instead ripping the incumbent by comparing him to other Republicans who managed many a crisis.
Unite the Country late Tuesday debuted a new 30-second spot called "Crisis comes," which focuses on Trump's response to the coronavirus crisis. The group is pushing it out across the nation in a seven-figure ad buy.
"Crisis comes to every presidency. We don't blame them for that," the narrator says over images of Presidents George W. Bush, George H.W. Bush, and Ronald Reagan. "What matters is how they handle it."
[Click here for complete coronavirus coverage]
The narrator then criticizes Trump for describing the COVID-19 virus as a "hoax," accusing the White House of allowing the novel respiratory illness to "spread unchecked across America." He also dredges up disputed claims about how the administration "eliminated the U.S. pandemic response team."
"Crisis comes to every president. This one failed," he says.
Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh slammed Biden's allies for offering "nothing but partisan sniping from the sidelines," undermining "the federal response to the crisis by misinforming and frightening people."
"This ad contains the already disproven lie that President Trump called the virus a ‘hoax,’ when in fact he was referring to Democrat and media criticisms of the federal response as ‘their new hoax,’" Murtaugh wrote in a statement.
He added, "Americans can see that President Trump is out front and leading this nation and is the clear choice to see us through the crisis.”
The spread of the coronavirus and its public health and economic ramifications are predicted to define the 2020 general election. The outbreak has already reshaped the tail end of Democratic presidential primary, forcing presumptive nominee Biden and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders off the campaign trail and delaying upcoming contests. It could also possibly derail the Democratic and Republican National Conventions.
The ad breaks a brief moratorium on political advertising. While Trump's general job approval rating averages in the negatives, his COVID-19 response is higher, with 49.2% approve to 45.4% disapprove, according to RealClearPolitics data.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-26--Republicans targeting 2024 White House bid diverge from Trump on coronavirus

Prominent Republicans eyeing a 2024 White House bid have placed themselves at the epicenter of efforts to blunt the coronavirus pandemic , with some departing from President Trump by proposing an extended and more aggressive economic shutdown .
As Trump floats reopening a quarantined national economy by Easter , two Republican senators with presidential aspirations , Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Rick Scott of Florida , support tightening current restrictions and maintaining them for at least 30 days .
Scott ’ s eight-point plan would suspend domestic airline travel and place a moratorium on people ’ s monthly financial obligations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is urging the administration to heed the recommendations of Anthony Fauci and other experts .
“ This is the stark truth : we have to arrest the spread of the China virus to get the economy back on its feet & get life back to something like normal , ” Cotton tweeted Tuesday .
The same day , Trump began discussing the need to balance public health concerns properly with the damage to a stunted economy could have on the public 's psyche .
Cotton and Scott are among a handful of potential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ influence the federal government ’ s response to the coronavirus .
Others have been drafted , willingly or not , by virtue of their position in the Trump administration .
Vice President Mike Pence was tapped to lead the White House pandemic task force ; Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is running point as it relates to coordination and interaction abroad .
Marco Rubio of Florida , chairman of the Senate Small Business Committee and a potential 2024 contender , was the lead Republican negotiator of a bipartisan blueprint to rescue small businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The measure was a critical component of the $ 2 trillion coronavirus relief package poised to clear Congress this week .
With thousands of businesses endangered and millions poised to lose their jobs , some Republican strategists believe GOP primary voters will reward , or punish , 2024 contenders based on how they responded to the economic fallout .
At the very least , some political professionals expect the coronavirus pandemic to affect how Republicans campaign , even if it does not substantially alter what primary voters are looking for in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fine-tune their resumes for 2024 , expect them to find ways to prove they can be trusted to lead in times of turmoil , ” said Bruce Haynes , a former Republican campaign consultant who is now vice chairman of public affairs for the Washington firm Sard Verbinnen & Co. , adding that it was possible voters might end up caring less about ideology and more about questions such as , “ Can they lead ?
” Nikki Haley immediately resigned from her position on the board of directors of Boeing in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ request for federal assistance to help mitigate financial challenges caused by the onset of the coronavirus .
Haley , the former governor of South Carolina and Trump ’ s first ambassador to the United Nations , has used Twitter and her political nonprofit organization as platforms to push preferred policies for addressing the pandemic .
“ DON ’ T bail out individual industries , pick winners and losers , or pass a bloated stimulus package , ” Haley tweeted .
A veteran Republican operative advising GOP congressional candidates on the 2020 ballot expressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not joined Haley in opposing the corporate rescue package included in the coronavirus relief bill .
“ Most of the 2024 Republicans seem to have the herd mentality on the relief bills , ” the GOP operative said .
“ I thought one or two might vote against the legislation and use that as a wedge in the future — ‘ You supported bailing out corporations , and I did not.
’ But no one has caved on that yet .
”

Prominent Republicans eyeing a 2024 White House bid have placed themselves at the epicenter of efforts to blunt the coronavirus pandemic, with some departing from President Trump by proposing an extended and more aggressive economic shutdown.
As Trump floats reopening a quarantined national economy by Easter, two Republican senators with presidential aspirations, Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Rick Scott of Florida, support tightening current restrictions and maintaining them for at least 30 days. Scott’s eight-point plan would suspend domestic airline travel and place a moratorium on people’s monthly financial obligations. Cotton advocates nationwide shelter-in-place rules and is urging the administration to heed the recommendations of Anthony Fauci and other experts.
“This is the stark truth: we have to arrest the spread of the China virus to get the economy back on its feet & get life back to something like normal,” Cotton tweeted Tuesday. The same day, Trump began discussing the need to balance public health concerns properly with the damage to a stunted economy could have on the public's psyche.
Cotton and Scott are among a handful of potential 2024 presidential candidates who have sought to influence the federal government’s response to the coronavirus. Others have been drafted, willingly or not, by virtue of their position in the Trump administration. Vice President Mike Pence was tapped to lead the White House pandemic task force; Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is running point as it relates to coordination and interaction abroad.
Marco Rubio of Florida, chairman of the Senate Small Business Committee and a potential 2024 contender, was the lead Republican negotiator of a bipartisan blueprint to rescue small businesses teetering on insolvency because of the pandemic. The measure was a critical component of the $2 trillion coronavirus relief package poised to clear Congress this week.
With thousands of businesses endangered and millions poised to lose their jobs, some Republican strategists believe GOP primary voters will reward, or punish, 2024 contenders based on how they responded to the economic fallout.
At the very least, some political professionals expect the coronavirus pandemic to affect how Republicans campaign, even if it does not substantially alter what primary voters are looking for in a successor to Trump.
“As candidates fine-tune their resumes for 2024, expect them to find ways to prove they can be trusted to lead in times of turmoil,” said Bruce Haynes, a former Republican campaign consultant who is now vice chairman of public affairs for the Washington firm Sard Verbinnen & Co., adding that it was possible voters might end up caring less about ideology and more about questions such as, “Can they lead?”
Nikki Haley immediately resigned from her position on the board of directors of Boeing in a protest over the airplane manufacturer’s request for federal assistance to help mitigate financial challenges caused by the onset of the coronavirus. Haley, the former governor of South Carolina and Trump’s first ambassador to the United Nations, has used Twitter and her political nonprofit organization as platforms to push preferred policies for addressing the pandemic.
“DON’T bail out individual industries, pick winners and losers, or pass a bloated stimulus package,” Haley tweeted.
A veteran Republican operative advising GOP congressional candidates on the 2020 ballot expressed surprise that more potential 2024 hopefuls have not joined Haley in opposing the corporate rescue package included in the coronavirus relief bill.
“Most of the 2024 Republicans seem to have the herd mentality on the relief bills,” the GOP operative said. “I thought one or two might vote against the legislation and use that as a wedge in the future — ‘You supported bailing out corporations, and I did not.’ But no one has caved on that yet.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-04-16--GOP lawmakers donate to Massie primary opponent, triggering Twitter brawl

A Twitter fight between House Republicans erupted when it was reported that House Republican Conference Chair Liz Cheney and Ohio Republican Rep. Mike Turner donated to Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie 's Republican primary challenger .
“ Reps .
Liz Cheney ( the No .
3 House Republican ) and Mike Turner ( Ohio ) donated to Rep. Thomas Massie 's Republican primary opponent Todd McMurtry through their leadership PACs , per McMurtry campaign-finance filing , ” Bloomberg Government reporter Greg Giroux tweeted .
Massie quoted Giroux ’ s tweet and commented with an emoji shrug , “ I guess # @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while expecting nurses and truckers and soldiers to keep doing their jobs .
Who knew ?
@ RepLizCheney @ RepMikeTurner ” Turner responded : “ Buddy , I was coming for the vote before you had anything to do with it .
I contributed to your opponent because I believe that you do n't belong in Congress .
BTW , I 'm certain @ RepLizCheney was already going to be there too.
” Massie has been on the outs with House Republican leadership since he demanded a roll-call vote be taken for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ package .
His effort to do so failed after party leaders brought 216 members to the floor and gallery in order to constitute a quorum .
They did n't even give me a minute to speak in the four-hour debate .
There 's a big cover-up in there .
They 're trying to cover up their votes , '' he said of House lawmakers .
More recently , Massie criticized the stimulus bill after tweeting out that his friend ’ s deceased father received a stimulus check for $ 1,200 .

A Twitter fight between House Republicans erupted when it was reported that House Republican Conference Chair Liz Cheney and Ohio Republican Rep. Mike Turner donated to Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie's Republican primary challenger.
“Reps. Liz Cheney (the No. 3 House Republican) and Mike Turner (Ohio) donated to Rep. Thomas Massie's Republican primary opponent Todd McMurtry through their leadership PACs, per McMurtry campaign-finance filing,” Bloomberg Government reporter Greg Giroux tweeted.
Massie quoted Giroux’s tweet and commented with an emoji shrug, “I guess #neocons really do hate coming to work, while expecting nurses and truckers and soldiers to keep doing their jobs. Who knew? @RepLizCheney @RepMikeTurner”
Turner responded: “Buddy, I was coming for the vote before you had anything to do with it. I contributed to your opponent because I believe that you don't belong in Congress. BTW, I'm certain @RepLizCheney was already going to be there too.”
Massie has been on the outs with House Republican leadership since he demanded a roll-call vote be taken for the massive $2.2 trillion coronavirus relief package. His effort to do so failed after party leaders brought 216 members to the floor and gallery in order to constitute a quorum.
They didn't even give me a minute to speak in the four-hour debate. There's a big cover-up in there. They're trying to cover up their votes," he said of House lawmakers.
More recently, Massie criticized the stimulus bill after tweeting out that his friend’s deceased father received a stimulus check for $1,200.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-04-16--Congressman attacks GOP challenger for wearing mask at legislative meeting

Rep. Harley Rouda , a California Democrat , is slamming his Republican challenger for wearing a face mask while conducting official business .
Rouda , elected in 2018 to a coastal seat long held by Republicans , on Tuesday derided Orange County Supervisor Michelle Steel during a meeting of the five-member body on which she serves .
Steel is running for Rouda 's seat , emerging under California 's all-party primary as a Republican alternative in November .
`` You can ’ t make this up : @ MichelleSteelCA and her colleagues are standing in masks…refusing to create workplace safety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brave essential workers .
This isn ’ t leadership — it ’ s reserving the lifeboat for yourself , '' Rouda tweeted from his campaign account while Congress is out of session amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Steel shot back on Twitter at saying , “ No , @ HarleyRouda What 's shameful is your continued efforts to politicize this pandemic .
This is a picture of me accepting 2,000 face masks for the county 's emergency health workers.
” The race between Rouda , 58 , and Steel , 64 , will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Report rates the district as “ Lean Democratic ” but notes the district ’ s partisan voting index has a +4 Republican advantage .
The 48th Congressional District encompasses Huntington Beach , Newport , Fountain Valley , Laguna Beach , Seal Beach , Laguna Niguel , and Costa Mesa , as well as areas of Aliso Viejo , Santa Ana , Midway City , Westminster , and Garden Grove .
Rouda ousted 30-year incumbent Dana Rohrbacher by 21,000 votes , a 7-point margin during the 2018 midterm elections .
Prior to the general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jungle primary that year , he picked up 17.3 % of the vote behind Rohrbacher ’ s 30.3 % , making them the top two vote-getters among other challengers , which advanced them to the general .
In 2018 Rouda outraised Rohrbacher , like so many other of his fellow Democratic challengers that year , with the help billionaire Michael Bloomberg ’ s political action committee , 3-to-1 .
The California Democrat has raised over $ 2.5 million for his 2020 run and has almost $ 1.9 million in cash on hand .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Board of Supervisors and has served in the body since 2014 , has raised nearly $ 1.8 million since she launched her campaign for the 48th District and has just over $ 1.1 million in cash on hand .
Registered Republicans presently outnumber registered Democrats in the district by 25,000 voters , but of the 424,000 registered voters in the district , a fourth of those are No Party Preference voters who tend to favor Democrats .
The Los Angeles Times reported last month that the March 3 jungle primary election had a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led to Rouda earning 46.7 % of the primary vote , followed by Steel with 34.9 % .

Rep. Harley Rouda, a California Democrat, is slamming his Republican challenger for wearing a face mask while conducting official business.
Rouda, elected in 2018 to a coastal seat long held by Republicans, on Tuesday derided Orange County Supervisor Michelle Steel during a meeting of the five-member body on which she serves. Steel is running for Rouda's seat, emerging under California's all-party primary as a Republican alternative in November.
"You can’t make this up: @MichelleSteelCA and her colleagues are standing in masks…refusing to create workplace safety provisions that would give masks to our brave essential workers. This isn’t leadership — it’s reserving the lifeboat for yourself," Rouda tweeted from his campaign account while Congress is out of session amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Steel shot back on Twitter at saying, “No, @HarleyRouda What's shameful is your continued efforts to politicize this pandemic. This is a picture of me accepting 2,000 face masks for the county's emergency health workers.”
The race between Rouda, 58, and Steel, 64, will likely get uglier. The Cook Political Report rates the district as “Lean Democratic” but notes the district’s partisan voting index has a +4 Republican advantage.
The 48th Congressional District encompasses Huntington Beach, Newport, Fountain Valley, Laguna Beach, Seal Beach, Laguna Niguel, and Costa Mesa, as well as areas of Aliso Viejo, Santa Ana, Midway City, Westminster, and Garden Grove.
Rouda ousted 30-year incumbent Dana Rohrbacher by 21,000 votes, a 7-point margin during the 2018 midterm elections. Prior to the general election, during the state’s jungle primary that year, he picked up 17.3% of the vote behind Rohrbacher’s 30.3%, making them the top two vote-getters among other challengers, which advanced them to the general.
In 2018 Rouda outraised Rohrbacher, like so many other of his fellow Democratic challengers that year, with the help billionaire Michael Bloomberg’s political action committee, 3-to-1. The California Democrat has raised over $2.5 million for his 2020 run and has almost $1.9 million in cash on hand.
Steel, who heads the Orange County Board of Supervisors and has served in the body since 2014, has raised nearly $1.8 million since she launched her campaign for the 48th District and has just over $1.1 million in cash on hand.
Registered Republicans presently outnumber registered Democrats in the district by 25,000 voters, but of the 424,000 registered voters in the district, a fourth of those are No Party Preference voters who tend to favor Democrats.
The Los Angeles Times reported last month that the March 3 jungle primary election had a record turnout in Orange County, which led to Rouda earning 46.7% of the primary vote, followed by Steel with 34.9%.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-04-16--'It will be more like a business meeting': Democrats pour cold water on virtual convention idea

Some Democrats are hoping to push forward with the party 's convention in-person this summer to give their candidates the best possible start to the fall fights over Congress and the White House .
The novel coronavirus pandemic has shrouded the 2020 Democratic National Convention , originally expected to draw 50,000 attendees to Milwaukee in August , with uncertainty thanks to prevailing guidance to avoid large crowds to stop the spread of the COVID-19 disease .
The host body also announced Thursday it was reassigning some employees and firing others amid the outbreak .
Many Democratic National Committee members told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerned about the public health risk created by the quadrennial gathering .
Instead , they urged party officials to decide sooner rather than later whether they were going to proceed with the event online so planning could begin to counter a slew of logistical challenges .
But others , such as former Nevada DNC member Chris Wicker , warned there were risks associated with turning the convention into a digital confabulation as well .
For Wicker , the 2016 convention was a success , despite that Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton 's loss that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the bruising battle for political power .
A virtual event may not achieve the same result , he said .
`` I am concerned it will be more like a business meeting than an inspiring convention .
I have participated in remote hearings and other similar activities , and uniformly , they are not nearly the same as in-person activities , '' he told the Washington Examiner .
Wicker added , `` Masks , no handshaking or hugging , and other precautions would be worth it to have an in-person convention .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ already announced their iterations will be conducted online , which may influence their national counterparts , according to Wicker .
Regardless , Wicker 's comments are indicative of the split opinion among DNC heavyweights and its grassroots members .
Nancy Monacelli , a DNC committeewoman from Washington state , said watching the crisis unfold it was `` hard to imagine ever holding a large gathering again , '' but it was `` impossible '' to tell what August would look like from today 's vantage point .
`` I definitely am not into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ settings .
Frankly , I am as concerned about being in a bus for four-plus hours each day ( our assigned hotel is in the Rosemont cluster near O ’ Hare ) as in the auditorium , '' she explained , referring to a village northwest of Chicago near O'Hare International Airport .
The convention , meanwhile , will be hosted in Milwaukee 's Fiserv Forum from Aug. 17-20 .
Yet , Monacelli insisted she was confident organizers were `` working on a number of scenarios '' and `` that the health and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While DNC Chairman Tom Perez has refused to entertain the idea of a digital convention , former Chairman Terry McAuliffe echoed presumptive 2020 Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden Thursday in suggesting it should be considered .
`` Sure , it 's possible we have a convention , '' he said .
“ I personally think it 's probably most unlikely that we have one . ''
McAuliffe continued , “ If we don ’ t have it , it ’ s not the end of the world .
We ’ ll do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could save us a lot of big headaches . ''

Some Democrats are hoping to push forward with the party's convention in-person this summer to give their candidates the best possible start to the fall fights over Congress and the White House.
The novel coronavirus pandemic has shrouded the 2020 Democratic National Convention, originally expected to draw 50,000 attendees to Milwaukee in August, with uncertainty thanks to prevailing guidance to avoid large crowds to stop the spread of the COVID-19 disease. The host body also announced Thursday it was reassigning some employees and firing others amid the outbreak.
Many Democratic National Committee members told the Washington Examiner this week they were concerned about the public health risk created by the quadrennial gathering. Instead, they urged party officials to decide sooner rather than later whether they were going to proceed with the event online so planning could begin to counter a slew of logistical challenges.
But others, such as former Nevada DNC member Chris Wicker, warned there were risks associated with turning the convention into a digital confabulation as well.
For Wicker, the 2016 convention was a success, despite that Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton's loss that fall, because it rallied Democrats ahead of the bruising battle for political power. A virtual event may not achieve the same result, he said.
"I am concerned it will be more like a business meeting than an inspiring convention. I have participated in remote hearings and other similar activities, and uniformly, they are not nearly the same as in-person activities," he told the Washington Examiner.
Wicker added, "Masks, no handshaking or hugging, and other precautions would be worth it to have an in-person convention."
Several state Democratic Party leaders have already announced their iterations will be conducted online, which may influence their national counterparts, according to Wicker.
Regardless, Wicker's comments are indicative of the split opinion among DNC heavyweights and its grassroots members.
Nancy Monacelli, a DNC committeewoman from Washington state, said watching the crisis unfold it was "hard to imagine ever holding a large gathering again," but it was "impossible" to tell what August would look like from today's vantage point.
"I definitely am not into shaking hands and am concerned about crowded settings. Frankly, I am as concerned about being in a bus for four-plus hours each day (our assigned hotel is in the Rosemont cluster near O’Hare) as in the auditorium," she explained, referring to a village northwest of Chicago near O'Hare International Airport. The convention, meanwhile, will be hosted in Milwaukee's Fiserv Forum from Aug. 17-20.
Yet, Monacelli insisted she was confident organizers were "working on a number of scenarios" and "that the health and well-being of the attendees" was paramount.
While DNC Chairman Tom Perez has refused to entertain the idea of a digital convention, former Chairman Terry McAuliffe echoed presumptive 2020 Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden Thursday in suggesting it should be considered.
"Sure, it's possible we have a convention," he said. “I personally think it's probably most unlikely that we have one."
McAuliffe continued, “If we don’t have it, it’s not the end of the world. We’ll do a virtual one. Actually, it could save us a lot of big headaches."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-04-16--Former DNC Chairman Terry McAuliffe: Democratic convention 'very unlikely'

Terry McAuliffe , the former chairman of the Democratic National Committee , has doubts that Democrats will be able to hold their convention this summer .
McAuliffe , who was also the governor of Virginia , said Wednesday it ’ s “ very unlikely ” there will be a convention .
`` Sure , it 's possible we have a convention , '' he said during an online forum with the Meridian International Center .
“ I personally think it 's probably most unlikely that we have one . ''
Citing the coronavirus pandemic , McAuliffe noted that it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the party to raise money to fund the event .
He encouraged Democrats to start planning for other options if they can ’ t hold the convention in person .
`` The TV networks are going to give you the equal time that you would have at the convention , so come up with something clever around the country to do it to get the same media exposure , '' McAuliffe said .
“ If we don ’ t have it , it ’ s not the end of the world .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Actually , it could save us a lot of big headaches , ” he added , referring to “ mischief ” that could occur when crafting the party ’ s platform .
Joe Biden , the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee , said earlier this month the party may have to do a virtual convention if the coronavirus crisis is not under control by late summer .
Biden had already nudged the DNC to postpone its July convention in Milwaukee until August , which it did .

Terry McAuliffe, the former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, has doubts that Democrats will be able to hold their convention this summer.
McAuliffe, who was also the governor of Virginia, said Wednesday it’s “very unlikely” there will be a convention.
"Sure, it's possible we have a convention," he said during an online forum with the Meridian International Center. “I personally think it's probably most unlikely that we have one."
Citing the coronavirus pandemic, McAuliffe noted that it’s a “very difficult environment” for the party to raise money to fund the event. He encouraged Democrats to start planning for other options if they can’t hold the convention in person.
"The TV networks are going to give you the equal time that you would have at the convention, so come up with something clever around the country to do it to get the same media exposure," McAuliffe said.
“If we don’t have it, it’s not the end of the world. We’ll do a virtual one. Actually, it could save us a lot of big headaches,” he added, referring to “mischief” that could occur when crafting the party’s platform.
Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, said earlier this month the party may have to do a virtual convention if the coronavirus crisis is not under control by late summer. Biden had already nudged the DNC to postpone its July convention in Milwaukee until August, which it did.
[Related: Democrats' dilemma: Coronavirus at the convention?]


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-04-16--Biden laughs off chances he can convert Trump supporters who relish president's 'politics of divisio

Biden laughs off chances he can convert Trump supporters who relish president's 'politics of division'

Joe Biden dismissed the idea he could flip President Trump 's supporters who revel in his racially-charged rhetoric .
“ His base ?
Probably not , '' the presumptive 2020 Democratic presidential nominee told donors with a chuckle when asked during a virtual fundraiser late Wednesday whether he could reach Trump backers .
Biden added , “ There are people who support the president because they like the fact that he is engaged in the politics of division .
They really support the notion that , you know , all Mexicans are rapists , and all Muslims are bad and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , race.
” Instead , the two-term vice president and 36-year Delaware senator indicated he 'd focus his efforts on ginning up enthusiasm with his own base , “ among the people I grew up with , white working-class , high school-educated people.
” He said many of those people were “ going through a really difficult transition ” in 2016 , and Trump 's message of the `` forgotten man '' resonated with them .
The president , however , had since “ decimated ” their “ ability to have health insurance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to woo them back , he explained .
Biden also acknowledged the work he needed to do to “ energize ” young Democrats ahead of November 's general election , particularly those who were fans of former rival Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and his brand of politics .
“ First of all , you put your finger on what happened last time and could happen this time if I don ’ t do better .
Last time , you had , I think it was either 14 % or 17 % of Bernie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voting for her , ” he said , referring to 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton .
“ So , what I have to do is make sure that I listen .
… I have to make sure you know I ’ m listening.
” Though the fall fight wo n't officially begin until after the Democratic and Republican nominating conventions , early polling suggests Biden will head into the summer with a slight advantage .
He averages a 5.5 percentage point lead , according to RealClearPolitics data .

Joe Biden dismissed the idea he could flip President Trump's supporters who revel in his racially-charged rhetoric.
“His base? Probably not," the presumptive 2020 Democratic presidential nominee told donors with a chuckle when asked during a virtual fundraiser late Wednesday whether he could reach Trump backers.
Biden added, “There are people who support the president because they like the fact that he is engaged in the politics of division. They really support the notion that, you know, all Mexicans are rapists, and all Muslims are bad and … dividing this nation based on ethnicity, race.”
Instead, the two-term vice president and 36-year Delaware senator indicated he'd focus his efforts on ginning up enthusiasm with his own base, “among the people I grew up with, white working-class, high school-educated people.” He said many of those people were “going through a really difficult transition” in 2016, and Trump's message of the "forgotten man" resonated with them. The president, however, had since “decimated” their “ability to have health insurance," providing Democrats with the opportunity to woo them back, he explained.
Biden also acknowledged the work he needed to do to “energize” young Democrats ahead of November's general election, particularly those who were fans of former rival Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and his brand of politics.
“First of all, you put your finger on what happened last time and could happen this time if I don’t do better. Last time, you had, I think it was either 14% or 17% of Bernie supporters voting for Trump, or not voting for her,” he said, referring to 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. “So, what I have to do is make sure that I listen. … I have to make sure you know I’m listening.”
Though the fall fight won't officially begin until after the Democratic and Republican nominating conventions, early polling suggests Biden will head into the summer with a slight advantage. He averages a 5.5 percentage point lead, according to RealClearPolitics data.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-04-16--Bernie Sanders: Biden sexual assault accuser has 'every right in the world' to make claims

Bernie Sanders said that the woman who accused Joe Biden of sexual assault has a right to make her claims but avoided making any conclusions about whether her claims are accurate .
In a CBS This Morning interview , a reporter informed the Vermont senator that one of his key supporters , New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , said that it is `` legitimate to talk about '' allegations of sexual assault .
`` I think it 's relevant to talk about anything , '' Sanders said .
`` I think any woman who feels that she was assaulted has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up and make her claims . ''
Sanders , who endorsed the presumptive Democratic nominee this week , said , `` I think that she has the right to make her claims and get a public hearing , and the public will make their own conclusions about it .
I just do n't know enough about it to comment further . ''
The woman , Tara Reade , worked in Biden 's Senate office in 1993 and alleges that he once forcibly kissed her and penetrated her with his fingers , in addition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ touching from Biden Reade 's brother and a friend have said that they remember hearing about the incident from Reade at the time .
Other former Biden aides have said that they do not remember inappropriate behavior from Biden or complaints from Reade .
Biden 's campaign has vigorously denied the allegations .
`` Vice President Biden has dedicated his public life to changing the culture and the laws around violence against women , '' Biden 's deputy campaign manager , Kate Bedingfield , told the Washington Examiner in a statement last month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the passage and reauthorization of the landmark Violence Against Women Act .
He firmly believes that women have a right to be heard — and heard respectfully .
Such claims should also be diligently reviewed by an independent press , '' she added .
`` What is clear about this claim : It is untrue .
This absolutely did not happen . ''

Bernie Sanders said that the woman who accused Joe Biden of sexual assault has a right to make her claims but avoided making any conclusions about whether her claims are accurate.
In a CBS This Morning interview, a reporter informed the Vermont senator that one of his key supporters, New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, said that it is "legitimate to talk about" allegations of sexual assault.
"I think it's relevant to talk about anything," Sanders said. "I think any woman who feels that she was assaulted has every right in the world to stand up and make her claims."
Sanders, who endorsed the presumptive Democratic nominee this week, said, "I think that she has the right to make her claims and get a public hearing, and the public will make their own conclusions about it. I just don't know enough about it to comment further."
The woman, Tara Reade, worked in Biden's Senate office in 1993 and alleges that he once forcibly kissed her and penetrated her with his fingers, in addition to other instances of less serious unwanted touching from Biden
Reade's brother and a friend have said that they remember hearing about the incident from Reade at the time. Other former Biden aides have said that they do not remember inappropriate behavior from Biden or complaints from Reade. Biden's campaign has vigorously denied the allegations.
"Vice President Biden has dedicated his public life to changing the culture and the laws around violence against women," Biden's deputy campaign manager, Kate Bedingfield, told the Washington Examiner in a statement last month. "He authored and fought for the passage and reauthorization of the landmark Violence Against Women Act. He firmly believes that women have a right to be heard — and heard respectfully. Such claims should also be diligently reviewed by an independent press," she added. "What is clear about this claim: It is untrue. This absolutely did not happen."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-04-16--Trump campaign coaxing votes from Sanders populists while telling the Left it's OK to hate Biden

Even as the Democrats seek to unite behind former Vice President Joe Biden , the Trump campaign is going to work targeting Bernie Sanders ’ s populist supporters while discouraging progressives out of the GOP ’ s reach from voting for the presumptive Democratic nominee .
“ There is a significant percentage of Sanders supporters , about 20 % , who back him not for his policies but for his anti-establishment and anti-status quo persona , ” said Republican pollster Frank Luntz .
“ That 's the Trump target in 2020.
” To win them , Trump and his supporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like trade while portraying Biden as a Washington insider who cheated Sanders out of the nomination , just like Hillary Clinton four years ago .
“ President Trump is still disrupting Washington , D.C. , while Biden represents the old , tired way and continuing to coddle the communist regime in China , ” said Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale in a statement after Sanders suspended his campaign .
“ Democrat elites shoved Bernie Sanders to the side for a second time , leaving many of his supporters looking for a new home.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Bernie Sanders is OUT !
Thank you to Elizabeth Warren .
If not for her , Bernie would have won almost every state on Super Tuesday , '' .
`` This ended just like the Democrats & the DNC wanted , same as the Crooked Hillary fiasco .
The Bernie people should come to the Republican Party , TRADE ! ''
But the campaign has to walk a fine line , trying to draw Sanders supporters while bashing him for infecting Biden with leftism .
“ This is further proof that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be on the ballot in November , his issues will be , ” Parscale said after Sanders endorsed Biden in a video chat .
“ Biden had to adopt most of Bernie ’ s agenda to be successful in the Democrat primaries.
” Trump makes the pitch more directly .
“ The last time we had a lot of Bernie Sanders supporters , '' he said in a television interview earlier this year .
`` I think if they take it away from him like they did the last time , I really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very riotous time in the Democrat Party . ''
In 2016 , over 10 % of voters who cast their primary ballots for Sanders ended up supporting Trump in the general election .
According to , that amounted to 1.5 million votes , including an estimated 216,000 voters in Michigan , Pennsylvania , and Wisconsin , more than Trump ’ s margin of victory in these decisive states .
Others simply declined to vote for Clinton .
“ About 20 % of the Sanders vote supported Trump over Clinton in 2016 or stayed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getable today , ” said Luntz .
“ But it will be harder this time because there are less of them .
There just are n't many crossover voters anymore .
Demographically , they are most likely to be male , over age 50 , white , non-college grads , and a significant percent belonged to a union at one time .
They do n't agree with Trump on all the issues , but they do agree with him on welfare and immigration , and they think he 's a victim of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avoid a repeat this time around because of Trump ’ s incumbency and how early Sanders backed Biden .
Sanders was still running against Clinton at this time in 2016 , just as she was still running against Barack Obama at this point in 2008 .
And some Republicans are also skeptical .
`` We have n't seen the same effects in our 2020 battleground polling , '' warned GOP pollster Chris Wilson .
`` Only a handful ( 1-3 % ) of Bernie voters vote Trump in a Trump/Biden ballot . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of [ Sanders 's ] 2016 vote was an anti-Hillary protest vote , and that explains the 2016 Bernie/Trump vote , '' Wilson added .
“ Sanders 's early endorsement of Biden makes all the difference in the world , ” said Democratic strategist Brad Bannon .
“ In 2016 , the war between Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton lasted until July and gave the Vermont senator 's supporters only four months to grieve , get over their hero 's defeat , and do a 180 to vote for the Democratic nominee in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full seven months to lick their wounds and get back into the fight .
“ The other reason for a lower Sanders supporter defection rate this year opposed to four years ago will be four years of Donald Trump , ” he added .
“ For progressive activists , the reality of the Trump presidency in 2020 is a more compelling reason to vote for the Democratic standard-bearer than the threat of a Trump presidency was in 2016.
” Another Bannon has a different message .
`` Either do n't vote or vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chief strategist Steve Bannon said on Real Time With Bill Maher .
`` The Bernie people helped make Trump president , and they 're gon na help make Trump president again , because he 's been screwed by the Democratic Party . ''

Even as the Democrats seek to unite behind former Vice President Joe Biden, the Trump campaign is going to work targeting Bernie Sanders’s populist supporters while discouraging progressives out of the GOP’s reach from voting for the presumptive Democratic nominee.
“There is a significant percentage of Sanders supporters, about 20%, who back him not for his policies but for his anti-establishment and anti-status quo persona,” said Republican pollster Frank Luntz. “That's the Trump target in 2020.”
To win them, Trump and his supporters are emphasizing points of agreement on issues like trade while portraying Biden as a Washington insider who cheated Sanders out of the nomination, just like Hillary Clinton four years ago.
“President Trump is still disrupting Washington, D.C., while Biden represents the old, tired way and continuing to coddle the communist regime in China,” said Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale in a statement after Sanders suspended his campaign. “Democrat elites shoved Bernie Sanders to the side for a second time, leaving many of his supporters looking for a new home.”
Trump put it more bluntly himself. "Bernie Sanders is OUT! Thank you to Elizabeth Warren. If not for her, Bernie would have won almost every state on Super Tuesday," the president tweeted . "This ended just like the Democrats & the DNC wanted, same as the Crooked Hillary fiasco. The Bernie people should come to the Republican Party, TRADE!"
But the campaign has to walk a fine line, trying to draw Sanders supporters while bashing him for infecting Biden with leftism. “This is further proof that even though Bernie Sanders won’t be on the ballot in November, his issues will be,” Parscale said after Sanders endorsed Biden in a video chat. “Biden had to adopt most of Bernie’s agenda to be successful in the Democrat primaries.”
Trump makes the pitch more directly. “The last time we had a lot of Bernie Sanders supporters," he said in a television interview earlier this year. "I think if they take it away from him like they did the last time, I really believe you're going to have a very riotous time in the Democrat Party."
In 2016, over 10% of voters who cast their primary ballots for Sanders ended up supporting Trump in the general election. According to analysts , that amounted to 1.5 million votes, including an estimated 216,000 voters in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, more than Trump’s margin of victory in these decisive states. Others simply declined to vote for Clinton.
“About 20% of the Sanders vote supported Trump over Clinton in 2016 or stayed home, and they are still somewhat getable today,” said Luntz. “But it will be harder this time because there are less of them. There just aren't many crossover voters anymore. Demographically, they are most likely to be male, over age 50, white, non-college grads, and a significant percent belonged to a union at one time. They don't agree with Trump on all the issues, but they do agree with him on welfare and immigration, and they think he's a victim of a hostile media.”
Democrats believe they can avoid a repeat this time around because of Trump’s incumbency and how early Sanders backed Biden. Sanders was still running against Clinton at this time in 2016, just as she was still running against Barack Obama at this point in 2008. And some Republicans are also skeptical. "We haven't seen the same effects in our 2020 battleground polling," warned GOP pollster Chris Wilson. "Only a handful (1-3%) of Bernie voters vote Trump in a Trump/Biden ballot."
"It looks like a big chunk of [Sanders's] 2016 vote was an anti-Hillary protest vote, and that explains the 2016 Bernie/Trump vote," Wilson added.
“Sanders's early endorsement of Biden makes all the difference in the world,” said Democratic strategist Brad Bannon. “In 2016, the war between Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton lasted until July and gave the Vermont senator's supporters only four months to grieve, get over their hero's defeat, and do a 180 to vote for the Democratic nominee in November. Now Sanders voters have a full seven months to lick their wounds and get back into the fight.
“The other reason for a lower Sanders supporter defection rate this year opposed to four years ago will be four years of Donald Trump,” he added. “For progressive activists, the reality of the Trump presidency in 2020 is a more compelling reason to vote for the Democratic standard-bearer than the threat of a Trump presidency was in 2016.”
Another Bannon has a different message. "Either don't vote or vote for Trump," former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon said on Real Time With Bill Maher. "The Bernie people helped make Trump president, and they're gonna help make Trump president again, because he's been screwed by the Democratic Party."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-04-17--Manchin to endorse Biden after saying he could potentially support Trump

Sen. Joe Manchin will back Joe Biden for president , ending speculation that he could support President Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ will , absolutely , ” the centrist West Virginia Democrat told Politico when asked if @ @ @ @ @ , the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee .
Manchin said he has been in talks with @ @ @ @ @ an endorsement for weeks .
“ I ’ ve been working and talking to different @ @ @ @ @ definitely getting there .
You just can ’ t leave people behind that did the @ @ @ @ @ s worked hard , whether it ’ s producing coal or producing energy for this @ @ @ @ @ an opportunity to live their lives and have that opportunity .
And I think Joe @ @ @ @ @ he said .
Two months ago , Manchin said he would not rule out endorsing @ @ @ @ @ voted to convict the president during his impeachment trial earlier this year .

Sen. Joe Manchin will back Joe Biden for president, ending speculation that he could support President Trump’s reelection effort.
“I will, absolutely,” the centrist West Virginia Democrat told Politico when asked if he’d endorse Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee.
Manchin said he has been in talks with Biden’s team about an endorsement for weeks.
“I’ve been working and talking to different people. We’re definitely getting there. You just can’t leave people behind that did the heavy lifting and that’s worked hard, whether it’s producing coal or producing energy for this country. They just need an opportunity to live their lives and have that opportunity. And I think Joe Biden understands that,” he said.
Two months ago, Manchin said he would not rule out endorsing Trump, even though he voted to convict the president during his impeachment trial earlier this year.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-04-17--Democrats are liking their chances against Trump as swing state job losses mount

Democrats are sensing an expanded opportunity to oust President Trump after a fourth consecutive week of staggering unemployment insurance claims brought millions of job losses to the battleground states that determine the outcome of the fall elections .
The 22 million who filed for assistance amid the coronavirus pandemic are spread across the country , with neither big , urban blue states nor sparsely populated , rural red states spared .
But voters in the most competitive states that also are critical to Trump ’ s reelection are among the hardest hit , and Democrats are stepping up attacks on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy that was shuttered by bipartisan consensus to stop the spread of COVID-19 .
“ For more people to stay in their jobs , Donald Trump has to do his job , ” former Vice President Joe Biden , the presumptive Democratic nominee , said Thursday in a scathing statement that blamed Trump for the depth of the downturn .
Added House Speaker Nancy Pelosi : “ Because of the incompetent reaction to this health crisis , the strong economy handed to Donald Trump is now a disaster , causing the suffering of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 5.2 million filed first-time claims for unemployment insurance last week , according to government figures released Thursday .
That puts the number of people who have requested assistance above 22 million since state and local governments , with the support of the Trump administration , began closing businesses deemed nonessential in March to quash the coronavirus outbreak .
In key 2020 battlegrounds , the volume of applications has been high .
For example , according to available data , more than 1 million people in Pennsylvania filed for unemployment insurance over just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early April .
In Michigan , that number reached nearly 821,000 .
In Florida , it hit almost 473,000 ; in North Carolina , it reached 403,650 , and in Wisconsin , it was near 267,000 .
That amounts to a significant change in the political atmosphere for Trump .
Before the coronavirus spread across the country , infecting more than 664,000 and killing more than 33,000 , the president was presiding over record-low unemployment , strong economic growth , and positive consumer sentiment .
Nevertheless , many Republican insiders are confident that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsible for a recession .
What matters , they contend , is the president ’ s strategy for a rebound , which he began laying out on Thursday .
“ The blame is not necessarily going on the president in Pennsylvania , ” said Josh Novotney , a GOP lobbyist in Philadelphia .
He said Trump can make a strong case that much of the blame for the pandemic and its fallout lies with China and that voters in his state might direct some of their frustration at Democratic Gov .
Tom Wolf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Washington , said Trump could benefit from leading a recovery , even if it is not fully realized .
`` It only matters what he does and how well it works , '' Steel said .
`` If the American people feel safe , healthy , prosperous , and hopeful , he will win . ''
Many Republicans are currently pointing the finger at congressional Democrats for blocking a Trump administration request to provide an additional $ 250 billion in federal funds for a small-business loan program designed to prevent layoffs during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more money for food stamps and other social safety net items in exchange for approving Republicans ' request for fast passage of this additional relief money .
The Trump campaign said it will cost Biden and Democrats up and down the ticket this November .
“ As the initial funding of the program is expended , Democrats are shamelessly playing politics and putting Americans into greater economic danger , ” said Tim Murtaugh , a senior Trump campaign spokesman .
“ Congressional Democrats and their hapless candidate for president care more about appeasing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against President Trump than they do about making sure small businesses can keep workers on payroll .
”

Democrats are sensing an expanded opportunity to oust President Trump after a fourth consecutive week of staggering unemployment insurance claims brought millions of job losses to the battleground states that determine the outcome of the fall elections.
The 22 million who filed for assistance amid the coronavirus pandemic are spread across the country, with neither big urban blue states nor sparsely populated rural red states spared. But voters in the most competitive states, which are critical to Trump’s reelection, are among the hardest hit, and Democrats are stepping up attacks on the president’s stewardship of an economy that was shuttered by bipartisan consensus to stop the spread of COVID-19.
“For more people to stay in their jobs, Donald Trump has to do his job,” former Vice President Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee, said Thursday in a scathing statement that blamed Trump for the depth of the downturn. Added House Speaker Nancy Pelosi: “Because of the incompetent reaction to this health crisis, the strong economy handed to Donald Trump is now a disaster, causing the suffering of countless Americans and endangering lives.”
More than 5.2 million people filed first-time claims for unemployment insurance last week, according to government figures released Thursday. That puts the number of people who have requested assistance above 22 million since state and local governments, with the support of the Trump administration, began closing businesses deemed nonessential in March to quash the coronavirus outbreak.
In key 2020 battlegrounds, the volume of applications has been high. For example, according to available data, more than 1 million people in Pennsylvania filed for unemployment insurance over just a three-week period from late March to early April. In Michigan, that number reached nearly 821,000. In Florida, it hit almost 473,000. In North Carolina, it reached 403,650, and in Wisconsin, it was near 267,000.
That amounts to a significant change in the political atmosphere for Trump.
Before the coronavirus spread across the country, infecting more than 664,000 and killing more than 33,000, Trump presided over record-low unemployment, strong economic growth, and positive consumer sentiment.
Nevertheless, many Republican insiders are confident that voters are not going to hold Trump responsible for a recession. What matters, they contend, is the president’s strategy for a rebound, which he began laying out on Thursday.
“The blame is not necessarily going on the president in Pennsylvania,” said Josh Novotney, a GOP lobbyist in Philadelphia. He said Trump can make a strong case that much of the blame for the pandemic and its fallout lies with China and that voters in his state might direct some of their frustration at Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf.
Michael Steel, a Republican operative in Washington, said Trump could benefit from leading a recovery even if it is not fully realized. "It only matters what he does and how well it works," Steel said. "If the American people feel safe, healthy, prosperous, and hopeful, he will win."
Many Republicans are currently pointing the finger at congressional Democrats for blocking a Trump administration request to provide an additional $250 billion in federal funds for a small-business loan program designed to prevent layoffs during the economic shutdown. Democrats are demanding more money for food stamps and other social safety net items in exchange for approving Republicans' request for fast passage of this additional relief money.
The Trump campaign said it will cost Biden and Democrats up and down the ticket this November.
“As the initial funding of the program is expended, Democrats are shamelessly playing politics and putting Americans into greater economic danger,” said Tim Murtaugh, a senior Trump campaign spokesman. “Congressional Democrats and their hapless candidate for president care more about appeasing their special interests and scoring political points against President Trump than they do about making sure small businesses can keep workers on payroll.”