thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-09--Biden voters are the shy ones in pivotal Michigan county

ST. CLAIR SHORES , Michigan — Republicans often claim that there is a “ silent Trump voter ” phenomenon : those who are reluctant to voice support for the president for fear of professional and personal backlash .
That effect felt reversed in one of the counties most important for the 2020 election in Michigan .
Democratic voters in the suburbs of Detroit in Macomb County are still stunned by President Trump ’ s 2016 victory there and spoke about their support for Joe Biden in hushed voices for fear of upsetting the utterly un-shy Trump supporters who surround them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he went to the woods and cried after Trump was elected in 2016 said that he had never seen so much support for a Republican in his community , citing a plethora of Trump signs , stickers , and attire .
“ It ’ s cult-like , ” he said .
He spoke to the Washington Examiner on the condition of not being named for fear of repelling those with whom he does business .
Macomb County helped push Trump to victory in his razor-thin 2016 win in Michigan .
He won 53.6 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s 42.1 % .
Former President Barack Obama won the county by narrower margins in 2012 and 2008 , and former President George W. Bush barely won over John Kerry there in 2004 despite losing to Al Gore in 2000 .
Biden will visit the county on Wednesday to deliver a speech about his plan to boost made-in-America goods , but he will be in the city of Warren , one of its more liberal areas closer to Detroit that Clinton won in 2016 .
The former vice president and 2020 Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among the types of voters that didn ’ t come out for Clinton , particularly the white , working-class voters who reside in Macomb County and broke for Trump four years ago .
On that task , Biden has more work to do .
“ I just can ’ t vote for someone who ’ s not all there , ” said contractor Andy Williams , 36 , referring to Biden ’ s mental acuity .
Asked if that means that he will vote for Trump , he said yes .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” He remarked , though , that his brother is a Trump supporter while his sister-in-law plans to vote for Biden .
Travis Coffee Shop in St. Clair Shores was a microcosm of the divided community it sits in on Tuesday afternoon .
Trump won 18,078 votes in the city to Clinton 's 14,011 in 2016 .
Despite its name , the circa-1968 joint is not a coffeehouse at all , but a no-frills 24-hour diner more famous for its burgers .
A local remarked that all of the drunks from neighboring bars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call .
At around two in the afternoon on Tuesday , a thin , white-mustachioed older man sitting in the furthest booth away from the entrance wore a stark white `` Make America Great Again '' hat .
On the opposite end of the establishment , sitting at the counter bar , was a young woman with blue pixie-cut hair and a flannel button-up over a Pink Floyd T-shirt .
Josh Bowman , who is in his late 20s , seemed reluctant to speak about his political opinions .
Bowman confessed that while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ win the Democratic presidential primary , he said that while he was not excited about Biden , “ I ’ ll vote for him.
” Can Biden beat Trump ?
“ I hope so , ” Bowman said , “ but I ’ m not sure.
” He noted that he never sees people with Biden signs , hats , or T-shirts .
“ These people just came out of the woodwork , ” he said of Trump supporters .
The businesses in the strip around Travis Coffee Shop , which was unusually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ housed some establishments that seemed to be from a bygone era .
Instead of a Party City and a Victoria ’ s Secret , the street had a locally owned party supply store and lingerie store , along with a local firefighter-themed pub and a new brewery that is expanding despite the lockdowns brought on by the coronavirus pandemic .
A half-hour ’ s drive away , the Macomb County local Republican field office was a hub of activity in an otherwise quiet shopping center .
Situated in an old National Guard recruiting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a dance studio , the foot traffic in and out of the Trump office in the shopping center was rivaled only by a group of women who gathered to enter Pier 1 Imports for its going-out-of-business sale .
Biden is leading Trump by 3.2 percentage points in the RealClearPolitics average of national polls for Michigan , but Sterling Heights resident Mel Koch , who is 63 and works in insurance , is confident about Trump 's chances .
Koch , who stopped in to to the Republican field office to pick up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neighborhood : “ I see hundreds of Trump signs , and the only Biden sign I saw , it was ‘ Hidin ’ from Biden.
’ ” The question for Macomb County , and the election as a whole , is whether the loud and enthusiastic Trump supporters will translate to more votes or whether less-enthusiastic Biden voters and Trump haters will overwhelm them at the ballot box .

ST. CLAIR SHORES, Michigan — Republicans often claim that there is a “silent Trump voter” phenomenon: those who are reluctant to voice support for the president for fear of professional and personal backlash.
That effect felt reversed in one of the counties most important for the 2020 election in Michigan.
Democratic voters in the suburbs of Detroit in Macomb County are still stunned by President Trump’s 2016 victory there and spoke about their support for Joe Biden in hushed voices for fear of upsetting the utterly un-shy Trump supporters who surround them.
One millennial man who said that he went to the woods and cried after Trump was elected in 2016 said that he had never seen so much support for a Republican in his community, citing a plethora of Trump signs, stickers, and attire. “It’s cult-like,” he said. He spoke to the Washington Examiner on the condition of not being named for fear of repelling those with whom he does business.
Macomb County helped push Trump to victory in his razor-thin 2016 win in Michigan. He won 53.6% of the country to Hillary Clinton’s 42.1%. Former President Barack Obama won the county by narrower margins in 2012 and 2008, and former President George W. Bush barely won over John Kerry there in 2004 despite losing to Al Gore in 2000.
Biden will visit the county on Wednesday to deliver a speech about his plan to boost made-in-America goods, but he will be in the city of Warren, one of its more liberal areas closer to Detroit that Clinton won in 2016. The former vice president and 2020 Democratic presidential nominee’s task is to boost engagement and turnout among the types of voters that didn’t come out for Clinton, particularly the white, working-class voters who reside in Macomb County and broke for Trump four years ago.
On that task, Biden has more work to do.
“I just can’t vote for someone who’s not all there,” said contractor Andy Williams, 36, referring to Biden’s mental acuity. Asked if that means that he will vote for Trump, he said yes. “I’m voting for the other guy.”
He remarked, though, that his brother is a Trump supporter while his sister-in-law plans to vote for Biden.
Travis Coffee Shop in St. Clair Shores was a microcosm of the divided community it sits in on Tuesday afternoon. Trump won 18,078 votes in the city to Clinton's 14,011 in 2016. Despite its name, the circa-1968 joint is not a coffeehouse at all, but a no-frills 24-hour diner more famous for its burgers. A local remarked that all of the drunks from neighboring bars often end up there after the last call.
At around two in the afternoon on Tuesday, a thin, white-mustachioed older man sitting in the furthest booth away from the entrance wore a stark white "Make America Great Again" hat. On the opposite end of the establishment, sitting at the counter bar, was a young woman with blue pixie-cut hair and a flannel button-up over a Pink Floyd T-shirt.
Josh Bowman, who is in his late 20s, seemed reluctant to speak about his political opinions. Bowman confessed that while he hoped Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders would win the Democratic presidential primary, he said that while he was not excited about Biden, “I’ll vote for him.”
Can Biden beat Trump? “I hope so,” Bowman said, “but I’m not sure.” He noted that he never sees people with Biden signs, hats, or T-shirts. “These people just came out of the woodwork,” he said of Trump supporters.
The businesses in the strip around Travis Coffee Shop, which was unusually walkable for the suburban Detroit area, housed some establishments that seemed to be from a bygone era. Instead of a Party City and a Victoria’s Secret, the street had a locally owned party supply store and lingerie store, along with a local firefighter-themed pub and a new brewery that is expanding despite the lockdowns brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.
A half-hour’s drive away, the Macomb County local Republican field office was a hub of activity in an otherwise quiet shopping center. Situated in an old National Guard recruiting office between a vacuum cleaner repair shop and a dance studio, the foot traffic in and out of the Trump office in the shopping center was rivaled only by a group of women who gathered to enter Pier 1 Imports for its going-out-of-business sale.
Biden is leading Trump by 3.2 percentage points in the RealClearPolitics average of national polls for Michigan, but Sterling Heights resident Mel Koch, who is 63 and works in insurance, is confident about Trump's chances.
Koch, who stopped in to to the Republican field office to pick up a bumper sticker, remarked about his neighborhood: “I see hundreds of Trump signs, and the only Biden sign I saw, it was ‘Hidin’ from Biden.’”
The question for Macomb County, and the election as a whole, is whether the loud and enthusiastic Trump supporters will translate to more votes or whether less-enthusiastic Biden voters and Trump haters will overwhelm them at the ballot box.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-09--The campaign is at knife's edge

The campaign is at knife's edge

The presidential campaign is at knife ’ s edge .
Both parties ’ campaigns assume that patterns of support will closely resemble those in 2016 .
And both are making surprisingly little effort , considering how close that contest turned out to be , with the 46 crucial electoral votes decided by just 77,744 votes , to increase their levels of support .
The past three years and 10 months have seen little outreach by President Trump to most of those who didn ’ t vote for him in 2016 — particularly to the college-graduate suburbanites who tipped the House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unwilling or unable to squelch the undisciplined tweets and ad libs that repel such voters , and he seems nonplussed by the prospect of losing the national popular vote again .
Trump has made appeals to non-college-graduate black and Hispanic voters , and polls show some moving toward him , as non-college-graduate white people did four years ago , and probably for similar reasons .
But he ’ s essentially banking on replicating his 2016 inside straight , when he carried the 75 electoral votes of Florida , Pennsylvania , Michigan , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point .
The bad news for Trump is that he is trailing Joe Biden in polls in all four states — and in other states he carried in 2016 as well .
The bad news for Democrats is that the RealClearPolitics polling average shows a narrowing of Biden leads since their summer highs .
Target-state Biden leads may be narrowing even more than his national poll lead , leaving their numbers now not far out of line with polls at this point in 2016 .
Analyst Nate Silver pegs Trump ’ s current @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the same as his 29 % pre-election estimate in 2016 .
Why hasn ’ t Biden done better ?
He ’ s not weighed down by negatives like Hillary Clinton , who was regarded as honest and trustworthy by only one-third of voters .
As the nominee of the nonincumbent party , he has wide leeway to stake out positions and set priorities with a view to maximizing his vote .
But he doesn ’ t seem to be trying to do so .
Just as Trump is looking for something like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victory , so Biden ’ s campaign ( like Clinton ’ s ) has moved to the left of the Barack Obama and Bill Clinton administrations .
Biden is hostile to fracking , amenable to ninth-month government-funded abortions , eager to raise taxes to the highest levels since Ronald Reagan , and fond of green energy policies that are producing electricity blackouts in high-tech California .
What he ’ s unwilling to say has been significant as well .
Just as broadcast networks and CNN have portrayed Black Lives Matter demonstrations as “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rage in the background , Biden and other Democrats made no mention whatever , much less a denunciation , of violent rioting at their virtual national convention last month .
That , even though , as an academic study revealed , there have been some 570 violent riots in 220 cities and towns since late May .
After the Republicans ’ virtual convention and after polling showed public concern , Biden suddenly broke his silence on rioting , blaming right-wing extremists but not the more numerous antifa terrorists .
Of course , no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden campaign has allowed the candidate to be questioned , has brought up the subject .
The likelihood is that Biden can ride out the campaign while maintaining near or total silence on this and other issues , and in the primaries , he showed the capacity to hold his own in debates .
But that strategy is risky , since Biden , like Trump , is capable of self-harm , and it ’ s obvious that many Democrats are nervous .
One reason is that Democratic voters are much more risk-averse than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ ll vote absentee or by mail .
That ’ s risky in states that aren ’ t used to tabulating such ballots and where voters aren ’ t used to following absentee ballot instructions .
This raises the possibility that election night returns will show Trump far ahead in target states , with his lead being nibbled down as mail ballots are tabulated .
The possibilities for fraud , misinformation , lawsuits , and delays are manifold .
Democrats have taken to predicting that , if defeated , Trump will not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sally Kohn predicted four years ago that “ if Trump wins , Hillary supporters will be sad .
If Hillary wins , Trump supporters will be angry.
” That turned out to be a case of projection : Democrats have been angry about Trump winning and trying furiously to expel him from office ever since .
We ’ re at knife ’ s edge for the eight weeks until Election Day and maybe for weeks after that .

The presidential campaign is at knife’s edge. Both parties’ campaigns assume that patterns of support will closely resemble those in 2016. And both are making surprisingly little effort, considering how close that contest turned out to be, with the 46 crucial electoral votes decided by just 77,744 votes, to increase their levels of support.
The past three years and 10 months have seen little outreach by President Trump to most of those who didn’t vote for him in 2016 — particularly to the college-graduate suburbanites who tipped the House to Democrats in 2018. He seems unwilling or unable to squelch the undisciplined tweets and ad libs that repel such voters, and he seems nonplussed by the prospect of losing the national popular vote again.
Trump has made appeals to non-college-graduate black and Hispanic voters, and polls show some moving toward him, as non-college-graduate white people did four years ago, and probably for similar reasons. But he’s essentially banking on replicating his 2016 inside straight, when he carried the 75 electoral votes of Florida, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin by no more than 1 percentage point.
The bad news for Trump is that he is trailing Joe Biden in polls in all four states — and in other states he carried in 2016 as well. The bad news for Democrats is that the RealClearPolitics polling average shows a narrowing of Biden leads since their summer highs.
Target-state Biden leads may be narrowing even more than his national poll lead, leaving their numbers now not far out of line with polls at this point in 2016. Analyst Nate Silver pegs Trump’s current chance of winning at 26%, about the same as his 29% pre-election estimate in 2016.
Why hasn’t Biden done better? He’s not weighed down by negatives like Hillary Clinton, who was regarded as honest and trustworthy by only one-third of voters. As the nominee of the nonincumbent party, he has wide leeway to stake out positions and set priorities with a view to maximizing his vote.
But he doesn’t seem to be trying to do so. Just as Trump is looking for something like a carbon copy of his 2016 narrow victory, so Biden’s campaign (like Clinton’s) has moved to the left of the Barack Obama and Bill Clinton administrations.
Biden is hostile to fracking, amenable to ninth-month government-funded abortions, eager to raise taxes to the highest levels since Ronald Reagan, and fond of green energy policies that are producing electricity blackouts in high-tech California.
What he’s unwilling to say has been significant as well. Just as broadcast networks and CNN have portrayed Black Lives Matter demonstrations as “mostly peaceful,” even when fires rage in the background, Biden and other Democrats made no mention whatever, much less a denunciation, of violent rioting at their virtual national convention last month. That, even though, as an academic study revealed, there have been some 570 violent riots in 220 cities and towns since late May.
After the Republicans’ virtual convention and after polling showed public concern, Biden suddenly broke his silence on rioting, blaming right-wing extremists but not the more numerous antifa terrorists. Of course, no reporter, in the brief period the Biden campaign has allowed the candidate to be questioned, has brought up the subject.
The likelihood is that Biden can ride out the campaign while maintaining near or total silence on this and other issues, and in the primaries, he showed the capacity to hold his own in debates. But that strategy is risky, since Biden, like Trump, is capable of self-harm, and it’s obvious that many Democrats are nervous.
One reason is that Democratic voters are much more risk-averse than Republicans and hence more likely to say they’ll vote absentee or by mail. That’s risky in states that aren’t used to tabulating such ballots and where voters aren’t used to following absentee ballot instructions.
This raises the possibility that election night returns will show Trump far ahead in target states, with his lead being nibbled down as mail ballots are tabulated. The possibilities for fraud, misinformation, lawsuits, and delays are manifold. Democrats have taken to predicting that, if defeated, Trump will not leave office, just as the leftist Sally Kohn predicted four years ago that “if Trump wins, Hillary supporters will be sad. If Hillary wins, Trump supporters will be angry.”
That turned out to be a case of projection: Democrats have been angry about Trump winning and trying furiously to expel him from office ever since. We’re at knife’s edge for the eight weeks until Election Day and maybe for weeks after that.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-09--Senate GOP spending on unexpected shot to unseat Michigan Democrat Gary Peters

The National Republican Senatorial Committee is investing new money in the Michigan Senate race , encouraged by a raft of polling that shows GOP challenger John James narrowly trailing incumbent Democratic Sen. Gary Peters .
NRSC officials told the Washington Examiner on Wednesday that the committee planned to spend $ 1.5 million to air a television advertisement across Michigan in coordination with the James campaign .
Although a somewhat limited investment , the NRSC 's decision to spend precious resources in Michigan is significant given that the committee is playing defense in as many as seven states in an effort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` John James is Gary Peters 's worst nightmare , '' NRSC spokesman Jesse Hunt said , adding that the Republican 's message is `` resonating with voters . ''
The joint NRSC-James campaign television ad is being run under federal regulations that allow for limited coordination between political committees and candidate campaigns .
In the spot , James and his wife discuss their young son 's battle with asthma while accusing Peters of politicizing healthcare .
Peters leads James in the RealClearPolitics average by 4.3 percentage points .
But recent partisan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a tossup , with James ahead in one survey and trailing in others — but within the margin of error .
James , a military combat veteran and Detroit businessman , ran for Senate in 2018 but came up short against Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow .
`` No matter who pays for the ads , the facts are the same : John James supports Trump 2,000 % — even when it hurts Michigan , '' said Lauren Passalacqua , spokeswoman for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee .
Senate Republicans are clinging to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of just two legitimate opportunities for the Republicans to pick up seats — deep-red Alabama being the other one .
The Minnesota Senate race has shown signs of competitiveness , but it remains unclear whether that contest will be worthy of a GOP investment down the stretch .
Meanwhile , Republicans are attempting to hold off spirited Democratic challenges in Arizona , Colorado , Georgia , Iowa , Maine , Montana , and North Carolina .

The National Republican Senatorial Committee is investing new money in the Michigan Senate race, encouraged by a raft of polling that shows GOP challenger John James narrowly trailing incumbent Democratic Sen. Gary Peters.
NRSC officials told the Washington Examiner on Wednesday that the committee planned to spend $1.5 million to air a television advertisement across Michigan in coordination with the James campaign. Although a somewhat limited investment, the NRSC's decision to spend precious resources in Michigan is significant given that the committee is playing defense in as many as seven states in an effort to salvage the party's Senate majority.
"John James is Gary Peters's worst nightmare," NRSC spokesman Jesse Hunt said, adding that the Republican's message is "resonating with voters." The joint NRSC-James campaign television ad is being run under federal regulations that allow for limited coordination between political committees and candidate campaigns. In the spot, James and his wife discuss their young son's battle with asthma while accusing Peters of politicizing healthcare.
Peters leads James in the RealClearPolitics average by 4.3 percentage points. But recent partisan and nonpartisan polling suggests the race could be a tossup, with James ahead in one survey and trailing in others — but within the margin of error. James, a military combat veteran and Detroit businessman, ran for Senate in 2018 but came up short against Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow.
"No matter who pays for the ads, the facts are the same: John James supports Trump 2,000% — even when it hurts Michigan," said Lauren Passalacqua, spokeswoman for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.
Senate Republicans are clinging to a three-seat majority, and Michigan represents one of just two legitimate opportunities for the Republicans to pick up seats — deep-red Alabama being the other one. The Minnesota Senate race has shown signs of competitiveness, but it remains unclear whether that contest will be worthy of a GOP investment down the stretch. Meanwhile, Republicans are attempting to hold off spirited Democratic challenges in Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Maine, Montana, and North Carolina.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-09--Biden campaign mocked for hosting Instagram Q&A with no questions or answers

Joe Biden held a question-and-answer session on Instagram that featured no questions or answers , much to the delight of the Trump campaign .
The Democratic presidential nominee posted a story to his Instagram page on Tuesday urging supporters to send in questions that he would answer , a popular feature on the platform .
`` I 'm answering your questions .
Ask me anything ! ''
the post said .
Several hours later , no questions were answered .
The campaign added other content on the page , including a post from rapper Cardi B , but no questions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3.4 million followers .
Members of President Trump 's reelection campaign noticed that Biden never followed through on his promise to answer questions .
Abigail Marone , a member of the Trump campaign 's rapid response team , mocked Biden for not following up with the questions .
Francis Brennan , the director of strategic response for the Trump campaign , also laughed at Biden for failing to deliver answers .
`` Lol Joe Biden ’ s staff posted ' I ’ m answering your questions .
Ask me anything ! '
on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they have yet to post any questions or answers , '' Marone wrote .
[ Washington Secrets : Clammed up : Trump takes 700 % more questions than Biden in one month ] Biden has been criticized by the Trump campaign for hosting few press conferences and in recent months .
Many reporters have also with the lack of press access to Biden .

Joe Biden held a question-and-answer session on Instagram that featured no questions or answers, much to the delight of the Trump campaign.
The Democratic presidential nominee posted a story to his Instagram page on Tuesday urging supporters to send in questions that he would answer, a popular feature on the platform.
"I'm answering your questions. Ask me anything!" the post said.
Several hours later, no questions were answered. The campaign added other content on the page, including a post from rapper Cardi B, but no questions or answers were posted to Biden's 3.4 million followers.
Members of President Trump's reelection campaign noticed that Biden never followed through on his promise to answer questions. Abigail Marone, a member of the Trump campaign's rapid response team, mocked Biden for not following up with the questions. Francis Brennan, the director of strategic response for the Trump campaign, also laughed at Biden for failing to deliver answers.
"Lol Joe Biden’s staff posted 'I’m answering your questions. Ask me anything!' on his Instagram story 14 hours ago and they have yet to post any questions or answers," Marone wrote.
[Washington Secrets: Clammed up: Trump takes 700% more questions than Biden in one month]


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-10--Trump lands Chicago police union endorsement. FOP president says some city Democrats 'are not going

Trump lands Chicago police union endorsement. FOP president says some city Democrats 'are not going to be happy about it'

The Fraternal Order of Police in Chicago endorsed President Trump for reelection .
“ I will do whatever I can for him — clearly , ” the FOP president of the local chapter , John Catanzara , told the Chicago Tribune of Trump .
“ I hope he makes a somewhat local appearance — that he doesn ’ t think Illinois is a lost cause and will just kind of mail it in.
” The police union ’ s board voted to endorse Trump last week , which is an overall reflection of how the union ’ s members feel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some in Democrat-controlled Chicago won ’ t be happy with the decision .
“ But there ’ s definitely people who are not going to be happy about it .
There are more Democrats , locally speaking , but there ’ s even some Democrats who would agree that the current president has been very good for employment and law enforcement these days , ” he said .
The National Fraternal Order of Police endorsed the president earlier this summer , so have other police unions in places such as New York and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Delaware .
“ Public safety will undoubtedly be a main focus for voters in this year ’ s election , ” FOP President Patrick Yoes said earlier this month .
“ Look at what the national discourse has focused on for the last six months .
President Trump has shown time after time that he supports our law enforcement officers and understands the issues our members face every day.
” Trump has campaigned on a platform of `` law and order '' since riots have spread across the country in the wake of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans who have been shot or have died during interactions with police .
`` In the strongest possible terms , the Republican Party condemns the rioting , looting , arson , and violence we have seen in Democrat-run cities , all , like Kenosha , Minneapolis , Portland , Chicago , and New York , many others , Democrat-run , '' Trump said during the Republican National Convention last month .
`` We must always have law and order .
All federal crimes are being investigated , prosecuted , and punished to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the anarchists started ripping down our statues and monuments , right outside , I signed an order immediately .
Ten years in prison , and it was a miracle , it all stopped .
No more statues , '' he added .

The Fraternal Order of Police in Chicago endorsed President Trump for reelection.
“I will do whatever I can for him — clearly,” the FOP president of the local chapter, John Catanzara, told the Chicago Tribune of Trump. “I hope he makes a somewhat local appearance — that he doesn’t think Illinois is a lost cause and will just kind of mail it in.”
The police union’s board voted to endorse Trump last week, which is an overall reflection of how the union’s members feel about the president, though Catanzara said some in Democrat-controlled Chicago won’t be happy with the decision.
“But there’s definitely people who are not going to be happy about it. There are more Democrats, locally speaking, but there’s even some Democrats who would agree that the current president has been very good for employment and law enforcement these days,” he said.
The National Fraternal Order of Police endorsed the president earlier this summer, so have other police unions in places such as New York and Joe Biden’s home state of Delaware.
“Public safety will undoubtedly be a main focus for voters in this year’s election,” FOP President Patrick Yoes said earlier this month. “Look at what the national discourse has focused on for the last six months. President Trump has shown time after time that he supports our law enforcement officers and understands the issues our members face every day.”
Trump has campaigned on a platform of "law and order" since riots have spread across the country in the wake of George Floyd's death and other black Americans who have been shot or have died during interactions with police.
"In the strongest possible terms, the Republican Party condemns the rioting, looting, arson, and violence we have seen in Democrat-run cities, all, like Kenosha, Minneapolis, Portland, Chicago, and New York, many others, Democrat-run," Trump said during the Republican National Convention last month.
"We must always have law and order. All federal crimes are being investigated, prosecuted, and punished to the fullest extent of the law. When the anarchists started ripping down our statues and monuments, right outside, I signed an order immediately. Ten years in prison, and it was a miracle, it all stopped. No more statues," he added.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-10--Trump troop drawdown an attempt to keep campaign promise to finish 'endless wars'

President Trump is racing to fulfill his campaign promise to end “ endless wars , ” with the announcement of new troop drawdowns in Iraq and Afghanistan , telling a war-weary country that Democratic challenger Joe Biden is a liberal hawk like Hillary Clinton .
“ End endless wars : We hear that often , but not too often do we see it actually done , ” White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany told reporters at Wednesday ’ s briefing .
“ Today , the president and the Pentagon and the Department of Defense are announcing a drawdown of troops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 3,000 . ''
Speakers at the Republican National Convention hailed Trump for not starting any new wars , but critics countered that he hadn ’ t ended any and had escalated some ongoing military campaigns .
A reporter challenged McEnany on why troops weren ’ t being withdrawn fully .
“ These things take time , ” she replied .
“ We want to ensure that the Iraqi security forces are well trained , and our U.S. troops have done a magnificent job doing just that.
” These latest moves may shore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extricate American forces from the Middle East .
But they also carry some political risk : turning off hawkish Republicans Trump needs in November but without attracting the more liberal antiwar voters who might never cast a ballot for him under any circumstances .
Most House and Senate Republicans voted to rebuke Trump for withdrawing troops from Syria at separate times in 2019 .
GOP operatives downplayed the likelihood of any backlash from the party ’ s rank-and-file voters .
“ It ’ s another promise made , promise kept , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neocons are voting for Biden .
The bulk of the American people want our troops home .
This is smart politically.
” This is not a new position for Trump .
He ran in the 2016 primaries arguing that the Iraq War , initially waged by fellow Republican President George W. Bush , was a mistake and frequently targeted rival Jeb Bush , the former president ’ s brother .
Trump has also regularly pointed out that both his Democratic opponents , Clinton and Biden , voted for the war .
Biden , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Committee , was among the senators standing behind Bush as he signed the authorization of force resolution .
But Trump also tapped many hawkish foreign policy advisers to serve in his administration , most prominently former national security adviser John Bolton , who has since broken with the president .
This led to clashes internally over what to do with troops in war zones abroad .
Earlier this year , Trump authorized the killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad .
Trump has recently begun to reach out to less hawkish foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ selected retired Col. Douglas MacGregor to serve as ambassador to Germany and intends to nominate academic and Koch official Will Ruger for ambassador to Afghanistan .
Ruger , a veteran of the Afghan war , favors a total withdrawal from the country .
A February agreement between the United States and the Taliban aims to do just that by April of next year .
`` Opponents of the president 's withdrawal plan are quick to criticize but have yet to propose a coherent strategy for U.S. military presence in the region that does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of war , ” said Concerned Veterans for America Executive Director Nate Anderson .
“ That 's irresponsible , out of touch , and totally unacceptable after two decades of failed nation building.
” The group spent $ 1.5 million in January on a national ad campaign promoting Afghanistan withdrawal .
“ Those who oppose these withdrawals are also on the wrong side of public opinion , with a majority of Republicans , Democrats , and veterans all supporting ending our involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq , ” Anderson said .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these conflicts , and he must follow through .
By completing these ‘ forever wars , ' our nation can finally have a debate about forging a new foreign policy that keeps us safe without undermining our national interest . ''
Trump said Monday that Biden “ shipped away our jobs , threw open our borders , and sent our youth to fight in these crazy , endless wars.
” He told Congress last year , “ Great nations do not fight endless wars.
” The drawdowns come as a Norwegian parliament member @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his role in negotiating a peace deal between Israel and the United Arab Emirates .
But Trump is also in controversies over an Atlantic story claiming he disparaged American war dead while overseas — there have been over 20 — and journalist Bob Woodward ’ s book quoting the president as describing top generals as a “ bunch of p -- sies.
” “ This reduced footprint allows us to continue advising and assisting our Iraqi partners in rooting out the final remnants of ISIS in Iraq and ensuring its enduring defeat , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Frank McKenzie in Iraq on Wednesday .

President Trump is racing to fulfill his campaign promise to end “endless wars,” with the announcement of new troop drawdowns in Iraq and Afghanistan, telling a war-weary country that Democratic challenger Joe Biden is a liberal hawk like Hillary Clinton.
“End endless wars: We hear that often, but not too often do we see it actually done,” White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany told reporters at Wednesday’s briefing. “Today, the president and the Pentagon and the Department of Defense are announcing a drawdown of troops in Iraq — just announced from 5,200 to 3,000."
Speakers at the Republican National Convention hailed Trump for not starting any new wars, but critics countered that he hadn’t ended any and had escalated some ongoing military campaigns. A reporter challenged McEnany on why troops weren’t being withdrawn fully. “These things take time,” she replied. “We want to ensure that the Iraqi security forces are well trained, and our U.S. troops have done a magnificent job doing just that.”
These latest moves may shore up voters who had hoped Trump would extricate American forces from the Middle East. But they also carry some political risk: turning off hawkish Republicans Trump needs in November but without attracting the more liberal antiwar voters who might never cast a ballot for him under any circumstances. Most House and Senate Republicans voted to rebuke Trump for withdrawing troops from Syria at separate times in 2019.
GOP operatives downplayed the likelihood of any backlash from the party’s rank-and-file voters. “It’s another promise made, promise kept,” said Republican strategist John Feehery. “Most neocons are voting for Biden. The bulk of the American people want our troops home. This is smart politically.”
This is not a new position for Trump. He ran in the 2016 primaries arguing that the Iraq War, initially waged by fellow Republican President George W. Bush, was a mistake and frequently targeted rival Jeb Bush, the former president’s brother. Trump has also regularly pointed out that both his Democratic opponents, Clinton and Biden, voted for the war. Biden, then chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was among the senators standing behind Bush as he signed the authorization of force resolution.
But Trump also tapped many hawkish foreign policy advisers to serve in his administration, most prominently former national security adviser John Bolton, who has since broken with the president. This led to clashes internally over what to do with troops in war zones abroad. Earlier this year, Trump authorized the killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad.
Trump has recently begun to reach out to less hawkish foreign policy voices on the Right. He selected retired Col. Douglas MacGregor to serve as ambassador to Germany and reportedly intends to nominate academic and Koch official Will Ruger for ambassador to Afghanistan. Ruger, a veteran of the Afghan war, favors a total withdrawal from the country. A February agreement between the United States and the Taliban aims to do just that by April of next year.
"Opponents of the president's withdrawal plan are quick to criticize but have yet to propose a coherent strategy for U.S. military presence in the region that doesn't involve a persistent, unending state of war,” said Concerned Veterans for America Executive Director Nate Anderson. “That's irresponsible, out of touch, and totally unacceptable after two decades of failed nation building.”
The group spent $1.5 million in January on a national ad campaign promoting Afghanistan withdrawal. “Those who oppose these withdrawals are also on the wrong side of public opinion, with a majority of Republicans, Democrats, and veterans all supporting ending our involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq,” Anderson said. “The president has made a commitment to ending these conflicts, and he must follow through. By completing these ‘forever wars,' our nation can finally have a debate about forging a new foreign policy that keeps us safe without undermining our national interest."
Trump said Monday that Biden “shipped away our jobs, threw open our borders, and sent our youth to fight in these crazy, endless wars.” He told Congress last year, “Great nations do not fight endless wars.”
The drawdowns come as a Norwegian parliament member nominated Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize for his role in negotiating a peace deal between Israel and the United Arab Emirates. But Trump is also enmeshed in controversies over an Atlantic story claiming he disparaged American war dead while overseas — there have been over 20 on-the-record denials — and journalist Bob Woodward’s book quoting the president as describing top generals as a “bunch of p--sies.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-10--Senate Republicans need a coronavirus relief bill; Trump, not so much

Senate Republicans ’ failure to coalesce behind a $ 500 billion coronavirus relief package would jeopardize the party ’ s three-seat majority in fall elections even as the fate of the legislation appears unlikely to harm President Trump ’ s bid for a second term .
The Senate was scheduled to vote Thursday on Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ’ s slimmed-down alternative to the $ 1 trillion proposal that died in late July after roughly half of the chamber ’ s 53 Republicans rejected the measure , complaining it was too costly .
Democrats are expected to filibuster this revised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republicans respond by failing , yet again , to unify behind coronavirus relief , their hold on the majority would grow even more precarious .
But a cohesive vote to move forward with the package could ease political pressure on vulnerable Senate Republicans embroiled in tough reelection battles back home while giving the party broadly an opportunity to turn the tables on the Democrats and blame the Senate minority for stonewalling pandemic relief .
McConnell expressed optimism that Republicans would get a chance to prove this theory .
“ Part of the problem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it masks the true intentions of congressional Democrats in this latest negotiation , ” said GOP strategist Josh Holmes , the majority leader 's former chief of staff .
“ To the extent you ’ re an open-minded person who believes the country needs more relief , I don ’ t think there can be doubt about whose intent it is to provide it.
” The coronavirus is a major weak point for Trump as he enters the homestretch of his reelection bid against Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
In the RealClearPolitics polling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s management of the pandemic sits at just 41.5 % .
But Republican insiders do not expect Trump to suffer politically if another round of coronavirus aid becomes a victim of partisan gridlock in the Senate .
Some Republicans point to the encouraging August jobs report , with 1.4 million new hires , and an unemployment rate plunging below 10 % .
Others say the inside-baseball fight over coronavirus legislation and Senate procedure — the package is subject to a 60-vote threshold for passage , rather than just a simple majority — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the major issues shaping voters ’ attitudes amid a highly competitive presidential campaign .
“ The Trump momentum is being driven by factors beyond the inner workings of the Senate , ” said Charlie Gerow , a Republican operative in Pennsylvania , where Trump has lately cut Biden ’ s lead in the polls .
“ It may help , but only at the margins.
” Trump worked with both parties in Congress to enact trillions of dollars in pandemic relief in the spring , as the coronavirus spread across the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the White House debated further aid packages , that unity broke down .
House Democrats passed their own bill in May , what Speaker Nancy Pelosi called an opening offer as negotiations over the next round of assistance commenced .
But Trump and Senate Republicans said the $ 3 trillion package was bloated and filled with a grab bag of irrelevant , liberal priorities .
Republican congressional aides say Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer were content to play hardball in the talks over the summer because Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those of as many as seven GOP senators up for reelection on Nov. 3 .
With Trump and Senate Republicans running more competitive post-Labor Day , GOP aides say Democrats might feel more pressure to play ball .
During a press conference on Wednesday , Schumer suggested otherwise .
The New Yorker told reporters that McConnell ’ s trimmed coronavirus assistance legislation was designed to provide Republicans with an excuse for getting nothing done and that it was insufficient for the economic and health-related challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic .
“ Leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Schumer said .
“ He 's looking for political cover .
What we have now is a stripped-down bill cobbled together , not as a serious legislative response , but as a check-the-box vote for vulnerable Republicans , so they can pretend like they did something .
It 's not going to work .
”

Senate Republicans’ failure to coalesce behind a $500 billion coronavirus relief package would jeopardize the party’s three-seat majority in fall elections even as the fate of the legislation appears unlikely to harm President Trump’s bid for a second term.
The Senate was scheduled to vote Thursday on Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s slimmed-down alternative to the $1 trillion proposal that died in late July after roughly half of the chamber’s 53 Republicans rejected the measure, complaining it was too costly. Democrats are expected to filibuster this revised GOP bill, blocking passage. If Republicans respond by failing, yet again, to unify behind coronavirus relief, their hold on the majority would grow even more precarious.
But a cohesive vote to move forward with the package could ease political pressure on vulnerable Senate Republicans embroiled in tough reelection battles back home while giving the party broadly an opportunity to turn the tables on the Democrats and blame the Senate minority for stonewalling pandemic relief. McConnell expressed optimism that Republicans would get a chance to prove this theory.
“Part of the problem with a divided Republican approach is that it masks the true intentions of congressional Democrats in this latest negotiation,” said GOP strategist Josh Holmes, the majority leader's former chief of staff. “To the extent you’re an open-minded person who believes the country needs more relief, I don’t think there can be doubt about whose intent it is to provide it.”
The coronavirus is a major weak point for Trump as he enters the homestretch of his reelection bid against Democratic nominee Joe Biden. In the RealClearPolitics polling average, voter approval of the president’s management of the pandemic sits at just 41.5%.
But Republican insiders do not expect Trump to suffer politically if another round of coronavirus aid becomes a victim of partisan gridlock in the Senate. Some Republicans point to the encouraging August jobs report, with 1.4 million new hires, and an unemployment rate plunging below 10%. Others say the inside-baseball fight over coronavirus legislation and Senate procedure — the package is subject to a 60-vote threshold for passage, rather than just a simple majority — is simply too abstract to compete with the major issues shaping voters’ attitudes amid a highly competitive presidential campaign.
“The Trump momentum is being driven by factors beyond the inner workings of the Senate,” said Charlie Gerow, a Republican operative in Pennsylvania, where Trump has lately cut Biden’s lead in the polls. “It may help, but only at the margins.”
Trump worked with both parties in Congress to enact trillions of dollars in pandemic relief in the spring, as the coronavirus spread across the United States. But as the Democrats, Republicans, and the White House debated further aid packages, that unity broke down. House Democrats passed their own bill in May, what Speaker Nancy Pelosi called an opening offer as negotiations over the next round of assistance commenced.
But Trump and Senate Republicans said the $3 trillion package was bloated and filled with a grab bag of irrelevant, liberal priorities.
Republican congressional aides say Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer were content to play hardball in the talks over the summer because Trump’s reelection prospects were sinking, as were those of as many as seven GOP senators up for reelection on Nov. 3. With Trump and Senate Republicans running more competitive post-Labor Day, GOP aides say Democrats might feel more pressure to play ball.
During a press conference on Wednesday, Schumer suggested otherwise. The New Yorker told reporters that McConnell’s trimmed coronavirus assistance legislation was designed to provide Republicans with an excuse for getting nothing done and that it was insufficient for the economic and health-related challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic.
“Leader McConnell isn't searching for bipartisan progress,” Schumer said. “He's looking for political cover. What we have now is a stripped-down bill cobbled together, not as a serious legislative response, but as a check-the-box vote for vulnerable Republicans, so they can pretend like they did something. It's not going to work.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-10--'We want China to grow': Biden stands by supporting expanded China trade

Joe Biden stood by his previous support for allowing China into the World Trade Organization and granting it favorable trade status .
In an interview that aired Thursday , CNN host Jake Tapper challenged the Democratic presidential nominee on his stance from when he was vice president .
`` It is in our self-interest that China continue to prosper , '' Biden said in 2011 .
`` A lot of people think that allowing China into the World Trade Organization , which you supported , extending most-favored nation status to China , which you supported , that those steps allowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States by using our own open trade deals against us , '' Tapper said .
`` Do you think , in retrospect , you were naive about China ? ''
`` No , '' Biden said .
`` In the context of that , we want China to grow .
We do n't want to have a war with China . ''
Biden 's support for expanding trade with China and his brushing off of concerns that China will overtake the U.S. as a global power are frequent targets of attack from President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's in our interest for China to be stable .
It 's not in our interest for China to take advantage of us , '' Biden said .
`` What has Trump done ?
He 's poked his finger in the eye of all our friends and allies . ''
`` The way to keep China in line is to make two things clear , '' Biden said .
`` We 're going to play by international rules .
So , when XI Jinping said to me , 'We were going to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ca n't fly through , ' I said no . ''

Joe Biden stood by his previous support for allowing China into the World Trade Organization and granting it favorable trade status.
In an interview that aired Thursday, CNN host Jake Tapper challenged the Democratic presidential nominee on his stance from when he was vice president. "It is in our self-interest that China continue to prosper," Biden said in 2011.
"A lot of people think that allowing China into the World Trade Organization, which you supported, extending most-favored nation status to China, which you supported, that those steps allowed China to take advantage of the United States by using our own open trade deals against us," Tapper said. "Do you think, in retrospect, you were naive about China?"
"No," Biden said. "In the context of that, we want China to grow. We don't want to have a war with China."
Biden's support for expanding trade with China and his brushing off of concerns that China will overtake the U.S. as a global power are frequent targets of attack from President Trump and his campaign.
"It's in our interest for China to be stable. It's not in our interest for China to take advantage of us," Biden said. "What has Trump done? He's poked his finger in the eye of all our friends and allies."
"The way to keep China in line is to make two things clear," Biden said. "We're going to play by international rules. So, when XI Jinping said to me, 'We were going to make sure we had these air identification zones you can't fly through,' I said no."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-10--Pence deployed to key areas by Trump campaign to gin up local support

With President Trump ’ s position atop the party now secure and his acceptance by the Republican base assured , Vice President Mike Pence has evolved from his initial role reassuring conservatives about Trump into a special-missions operator dispatched to regions where the campaign needs help .
While Trump flies Air Force One around the country for raucous airplane hangar rallies and mega-fundraisers , Pence hits the hustings in two-lane road communities .
Often in an armored blue touring bus with “ Trump- Pence ; Keep America Great ” plastered on both sides , Pence focuses on intimate visits with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fundraisers .
Under direction from the Trump campaign , Pence is traveling mostly throughout five key battlegrounds : Arizona , Michigan , North Carolina , Pennsylvania , and Wisconsin .
Meanwhile , Pence also is parachuting into traditionally conservative suburban and exurban enclaves .
The Trump campaign hopes the vice president can help the commander in chief make up ground among disaffected Republican voters less enamored with the president ’ s provocative populism .
When Trump selected Pence as his running mate in 2016 , the movement conservative from Indiana played the crucial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ establishment .
During the 2016 campaign , that meant allaying fears among traditional Republican voters that the populist business mogul with few ties to the party or relationships in Washington might stray from bedrock GOP principles and cut centrist deals with Democratic leaders in Congress .
After Trump entered the White House , that meant serving as a bridge between the president and Republicans on Capitol Hill — and raising money from a still skeptical community of well-heeled GOP donors .
Pence , 61 , was elected to Congress in 2000 after losing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The former talk radio host quickly carved out a niche as among the more reliable conservative stalwarts in the House , opposing President George W. Bush on education reform and on legislation to expand Medicare to include coverage of prescription drugs .
In 2009 , Pence was elected conference chairman by his peers , making him the No .
4 ranking House Republican .
Leading up to the 2012 elections , Pence was encouraged by supporters to run for president and gave it some consideration .
Mindful of his early congressional defeats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a higher office instead , running for governor of Indiana .
Four years later , Trump plucked him from a tough reelection bid and put him on the Republican presidential ticket .
Despite rumors of occasional friction between the two , Pence and the president have developed a close bond .
Their connection is born of constant communication , in person and on the phone , Trump ’ s willingness to trust Pence and delegate to him some authority , and the vice president ’ s unwavering loyalty .
Asked in an interview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how he reconciled his instincts as a movement conservative with Trump ’ s unorthodox populism , Pence credited the president with forcing him to rethink his position on issues such as trade .
“ Let me tell you something , I was on a learning curve with all of this myself , ” he said .
“ When I was in Congress , I supported virtually every trade agreement that came before the Congress .
One of the things that the president said to me during the [ 2016 ] campaign was that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America ’ s interest because you lose leverage .
”

With President Trump’s position atop the party now secure and his acceptance by the Republican base assured, Vice President Mike Pence has evolved from his initial role reassuring conservatives about Trump into a special-missions operator dispatched to regions where the campaign needs help.
While Trump flies Air Force One around the country for raucous airplane hangar rallies and mega-fundraisers, Pence hits the hustings in two-lane road communities. Often in an armored blue touring bus with “Trump- Pence; Keep America Great” plastered on both sides, Pence focuses on intimate visits with voters and modest, though lucrative, fundraisers. Under direction from the Trump campaign, Pence is traveling mostly throughout five key battlegrounds: Arizona, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
Meanwhile, Pence also is parachuting into traditionally conservative suburban and exurban enclaves. The Trump campaign hopes the vice president can help the commander in chief make up ground among disaffected Republican voters less enamored with the president’s provocative populism.
When Trump selected Pence as his running mate in 2016, the movement conservative from Indiana played the crucial role of presidential emissary to the Republican establishment.
During the 2016 campaign, that meant allaying fears among traditional Republican voters that the populist business mogul with few ties to the party or relationships in Washington might stray from bedrock GOP principles and cut centrist deals with Democratic leaders in Congress. After Trump entered the White House, that meant serving as a bridge between the president and Republicans on Capitol Hill — and raising money from a still skeptical community of well-heeled GOP donors.
Pence, 61, was elected to Congress in 2000 after losing twice previously — in 1988 and 1990. The former talk radio host quickly carved out a niche as among the more reliable conservative stalwarts in the House, opposing President George W. Bush on education reform and on legislation to expand Medicare to include coverage of prescription drugs. In 2009, Pence was elected conference chairman by his peers, making him the No. 4 ranking House Republican.
Leading up to the 2012 elections, Pence was encouraged by supporters to run for president and gave it some consideration. Mindful of his early congressional defeats, he chose a modest path to a higher office instead, running for governor of Indiana. Four years later, Trump plucked him from a tough reelection bid and put him on the Republican presidential ticket. Despite rumors of occasional friction between the two, Pence and the president have developed a close bond.
Their connection is born of constant communication, in person and on the phone, Trump’s willingness to trust Pence and delegate to him some authority, and the vice president’s unwavering loyalty. Asked in an interview with the Washington Examiner over the summer how he reconciled his instincts as a movement conservative with Trump’s unorthodox populism, Pence credited the president with forcing him to rethink his position on issues such as trade.
“Let me tell you something, I was on a learning curve with all of this myself,” he said. “When I was in Congress, I supported virtually every trade agreement that came before the Congress. One of the things that the president said to me during the [2016] campaign was that these multinational trading agreements are not in America’s interest because you lose leverage.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-10--Arizona Democrat apologizes for 'racist joke' made about astronaut brother looking like a monkey

Democratic Senate candidate Mark Kelly of Arizona apologized for a joke he made two years ago while discussing his astronaut brother 's return to earth .
Kelly , a former astronaut whose twin brother , Scott , spent a year in space , said he `` deeply regrets '' comparing his brother to a monkey named Rodrigo after being asked about some of the physiological changes that appeared between him and his brother after Scott spent one year in space .
“ I think the word hasn ’ t gotten out how bad it is for him .
You know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that we recently had to release him back into the wild , ” Kelly told a crowd .
`` He ’ s like halfway between an orangutan and a howler monkey .
We ’ ve even changed his name to Rodrigo .
He lives in the woods .
He lives in Eagle Rock Reservation . ''
Moses Sanchez , a Republican businessman who ran to be mayor of Phoenix in 2018 , found the video and posted it online .
Sanchez condemned Kelly for the joke and claimed that the remark was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not clear from the video .
`` Shameful video of Mark Kelly making a racist joke to an all-white crowd .
He must think people named Rodrigo look like monkeys .
Time to move past this type of racism & time for the media to scrutinize Mark Kelly more thoroughly like they would a Republican , '' Sanchez said in a tweet posted on Thursday .
In response to the controversy , Kelly told the Arizona Republic that he regrets the joke .
`` My brother 's year in space was really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to bring some light to his difficult ordeal , but this comment does not do that , and I apologize and deeply regret it , '' Kelly said .
Kelly is in a tight Senate race against Republican incumbent Sen. Martha McSally .
in several polls throughout the campaign .
Kelly was criticized by Republicans earlier this week after he waited several days to condemn death threats that were made against Republican Rep. Paul Gosar by an apparent supporter of Kelly 's campaign .
Kelly 's wife , former Rep. Gabby Giffords , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2011 , a point Kelly referenced in his condemnation .

Democratic Senate candidate Mark Kelly of Arizona apologized for a joke he made two years ago while discussing his astronaut brother's return to earth.
Kelly, a former astronaut whose twin brother, Scott, spent a year in space, said he "deeply regrets" comparing his brother to a monkey named Rodrigo after being asked about some of the physiological changes that appeared between him and his brother after Scott spent one year in space.
“I think the word hasn’t gotten out how bad it is for him. You know, it’s gotten so bad, that we recently had to release him back into the wild,” Kelly told a crowd. "He’s like halfway between an orangutan and a howler monkey. We’ve even changed his name to Rodrigo. He lives in the woods. He lives in Eagle Rock Reservation."
Moses Sanchez, a Republican businessman who ran to be mayor of Phoenix in 2018, found the video and posted it online. Sanchez condemned Kelly for the joke and claimed that the remark was made to an all-white crowd, which is not clear from the video.
"Shameful video of Mark Kelly making a racist joke to an all-white crowd. He must think people named Rodrigo look like monkeys. Time to move past this type of racism & time for the media to scrutinize Mark Kelly more thoroughly like they would a Republican," Sanchez said in a tweet posted on Thursday.
Shameful video of Mark Kelly making a racist joke to an all-white crowd. He must think people named Rodrigo look like monkeys. Time to move past this type of racism & time for the media to scrutinize Mark Kelly more thoroughly like they would a Republican https://t.co/uqprgs7CBc — Moses Sanchez (@SanchezMoses) September 10, 2020
In response to the controversy, Kelly told the Arizona Republic that he regrets the joke.
"My brother's year in space was really hard on him, and we tried to bring some light to his difficult ordeal, but this comment does not do that, and I apologize and deeply regret it," Kelly said.
Kelly is in a tight Senate race against Republican incumbent Sen. Martha McSally. McSally has fallen behind Kelly in several polls throughout the campaign.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-10--Twitter will flag Biden or Trump if one prematurely declares election victory

Twitter announced a policy that would flag a tweet from President Trump or Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden if either were to claim victory prematurely in the November election .
The social media platform announced a slew of guidelines on tweets about elections or other civic processes on Thursday that will go into effect later in September , according to a Twitter blog post .
They will start labeling or removing `` false or misleading information intended to undermine public confidence . ''
In addition to banning tweets that prematurely declare a winner of the election , Twitter users could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cause `` confusion about the laws and regulations of a civic process '' and if they make `` disputed '' claims `` that could undermine faith in the process , '' such as election rigging , ballot tampering , and voter fraud .
A Twitter spokesperson told Politico that the policy will be implemented uniformly to both ordinary users and those holding elected office .
Trump has had multiple tweets labeled by the platform in instances where he violated the platform 's rules .
In many of those cases , the president was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Twitter , has repeatedly argued that mail-in voting is not safe and could lead to widespread voter fraud , which would likely violate the platform 's soon-to-be implemented guidelines .
The president has , at times , said he would n't necessarily accept the results of the November election .
`` I have to see , '' the president told Fox News 's Chris Wallace during a July interview .
`` Look , you — I have to see .
No , I ’ m not going to just say yes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ no , and I didn ’ t last time , either.
” Despite the president 's comments to the contrary , both his campaign and the White House have said that he would accept the results of the election .

Twitter announced a policy that would flag a tweet from President Trump or Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden if either were to claim victory prematurely in the November election.
The social media platform announced a slew of guidelines on tweets about elections or other civic processes on Thursday that will go into effect later in September, according to a Twitter blog post. They will start labeling or removing "false or misleading information intended to undermine public confidence."
In addition to banning tweets that prematurely declare a winner of the election, Twitter users could have tweets labeled or removed if they cause "confusion about the laws and regulations of a civic process" and if they make "disputed" claims "that could undermine faith in the process," such as election rigging, ballot tampering, and voter fraud.
A Twitter spokesperson told Politico that the policy will be implemented uniformly to both ordinary users and those holding elected office.
Trump has had multiple tweets labeled by the platform in instances where he violated the platform's rules. In many of those cases, the president was discussing the upcoming election. Trump, on Twitter, has repeatedly argued that mail-in voting is not safe and could lead to widespread voter fraud, which would likely violate the platform's soon-to-be implemented guidelines.
The president has, at times, said he wouldn't necessarily accept the results of the November election.
"I have to see," the president told Fox News's Chris Wallace during a July interview. "Look, you — I have to see. No, I’m not going to just say yes. I’m not going to say no, and I didn’t last time, either.”
Despite the president's comments to the contrary, both his campaign and the White House have said that he would accept the results of the election.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-10--Adam Schiff: Trump pushing out 'Kremlin narratives' to help reelection campaign

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff accused President Trump of aiding in a Russian disinformation effort to secure a victory in November .
In response to former Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson 's concerns that not enough information is being provided to the public and state agencies about potential foreign interference in the upcoming election , the California Democrat claimed Trump is withholding information about election security on purpose .
`` When this intelligence is withheld from state and local law enforcement , those responsible for election security , those who are responsible for making sure the technologies work and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is withheld because it would , what , be embarrassing to the president , that puts our democracy at risk , '' Schiff said Thursday on MSNBC 's Andrea Mitchell Reports .
`` That puts everyone ’ s votes at risk , so this is just how destructive it is . ''
The intelligence community recently warned that China , Russia , and Iran are seeking to influence the 2020 election .
That assessment , released in August by William Evanina , who leads the National Counterintelligence and Security Center , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures to primarily denigrate ” Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden .
The same report said China wants Trump to lose the election and that Iran `` seeks to undermine U.S. democratic institutions and divide the country in advance of the elections . ''
Schiff spoke a day after it was revealed that veteran journalist Bob Woodward reported in his new book that former Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats held `` deep suspicions '' that Russian President Vladimir Putin `` had something '' on Trump .
Schiff , who has long argued there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between the Trump campaign and Russia in 2016 , also pointed to the Treasury Department accusing Andriy Derkach , a pro-Russia Ukrainian who has been promoting discredited allegations about Biden , of being a Russian agent and announcing sanctions against him .
Derkach met with Trump 's personal lawyer and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani in Ukraine last December as Giuliani tried to obtain damaging information on Biden 's relationships in the country .
On Thursday , the Trump administration tied Derkach to the Kremlin .
`` This is the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been meeting with , has been pushing out false narratives with , '' Schiff said .
`` In fact , Treasury acknowledges that these are false narratives about Joe Biden that this Russian agent is pushing out , and the president is amplifying those same false narratives .
And here we see , you know , the fish rots from the head .
When the president of the United States is willing to push out Kremlin narratives and get people who work for him to withhold intelligence about what Russia is doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ puts our elections at risk . ''

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff accused President Trump of aiding in a Russian disinformation effort to secure a victory in November.
In response to former Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson's concerns that not enough information is being provided to the public and state agencies about potential foreign interference in the upcoming election, the California Democrat claimed Trump is withholding information about election security on purpose.
"When this intelligence is withheld from state and local law enforcement, those responsible for election security, those who are responsible for making sure the technologies work and aren’t hacked into, when that is withheld because it would, what, be embarrassing to the president, that puts our democracy at risk," Schiff said Thursday on MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell Reports. "That puts everyone’s votes at risk, so this is just how destructive it is."
The intelligence community recently warned that China, Russia, and Iran are seeking to influence the 2020 election. That assessment, released in August by William Evanina, who leads the National Counterintelligence and Security Center, said Russia is “using a range of measures to primarily denigrate” Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden. The same report said China wants Trump to lose the election and that Iran "seeks to undermine U.S. democratic institutions and divide the country in advance of the elections."
Schiff spoke a day after it was revealed that veteran journalist Bob Woodward reported in his new book that former Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats held "deep suspicions" that Russian President Vladimir Putin "had something" on Trump.
Schiff, who has long argued there was collusion "in plain sight" between the Trump campaign and Russia in 2016, also pointed to the Treasury Department accusing Andriy Derkach, a pro-Russia Ukrainian who has been promoting discredited allegations about Biden, of being a Russian agent and announcing sanctions against him.
Derkach met with Trump's personal lawyer and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani in Ukraine last December as Giuliani tried to obtain damaging information on Biden's relationships in the country. On Thursday, the Trump administration tied Derkach to the Kremlin.
"This is the same person that the president’s lawyer has been meeting with, has been pushing out false narratives with," Schiff said. "In fact, Treasury acknowledges that these are false narratives about Joe Biden that this Russian agent is pushing out, and the president is amplifying those same false narratives. And here we see, you know, the fish rots from the head. When the president of the United States is willing to push out Kremlin narratives and get people who work for him to withhold intelligence about what Russia is doing to help his campaign, it really puts our elections at risk."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-10--Outraged Trump demands Biden, Twitter, and Facebook pull down troop ad

President Trump , angry and insulted over much-disputed allegations in an Atlantic article that he disparaged military troops , is demanding that a Biden campaign ad promoting the story be banned on Twitter and Facebook — just like the platforms have censored him .
Citing a double standard by Twitter and Facebook , the legal counsel for the Trump-Pence campaign called for a “ cease and desist ” on the digital ad .
Directed to the Biden campaign , but also to Twitter chief Jack Dorsey and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg , Jenna Ellis wrote , “ On behalf of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , President Trump ’ s principal campaign committee , this letter notifies you that Biden for President ( the “ Biden Campaign ” ) produced and caused to be posted on Joe Biden ’ s Twitter feed a digital ad that contains intentionally false and misleading statements that can not be verified when it alleges that President Trump made derogatory comments towards fallen American military heroes.
” She added in bold black letters , “ President Trump unequivocally denies making these statements.
” The article , quoting anonymous sources , said that Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in France because it was “ filled with losers.
” The Biden campaign , with unusual speed , had a digital ad up quoting the article .
In a tweet promoting the ad , Biden said , “ Mr .
President , if you do n't respect our troops , you ca n't lead them.
” Trump and several surrogates , on the record , immediately denied hearing anything like what the Atlantic reported .
But the ad continues to show up on Facebook and Twitter , and Biden has repeated the magazine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the Trump-Pence campaign , provided exclusively to Secrets , is demanding that the Democrat stop repeating the article and for the social media platforms to black out the ad .
“ Twitter claims that it has a role in slowing the spread of misinformation , ” wrote Ellis .
“ Facebook has similar community standards , ” she added .
“ Both Twitter and Facebook have used their policies to remove or flag tweets and postings by President Trump .
Now , Twitter and Facebook — if they are truly trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — will be obligated to remove your False and Misleading Ad , which is based solely on cites to anonymous sources , ” said Ellis .
The campaign also wants an apology .
While Trump has often been irked by military brass , he has shown a fondness for troops .
He has visited war zones at Christmas , greeted the dead at Dover Air Force Base , and made calls to the parents of those killed in battle .
The campaign said Biden is trying to “ score cheap political points at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heroes.
” She concluded in the letter shown below , “ To be clear , President Trump is committed to ensuring that the voting public is free to make electoral decisions based upon the president ’ s actual record without interference from deliberately false , misleading , and deceptive advertisements .
We had hoped the Biden Campaign would show the same commitment to fairness and honesty .
”

President Trump, angry and insulted over much-disputed allegations in an Atlantic article that he disparaged military troops, is demanding that a Biden campaign ad promoting the story be banned on Twitter and Facebook — just like the platforms have censored him.
Citing a double standard by Twitter and Facebook, the legal counsel for the Trump-Pence campaign called for a “cease and desist” on the digital ad.
Directed to the Biden campaign, but also to Twitter chief Jack Dorsey and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, Jenna Ellis wrote, “On behalf of Donald J. Trump for President, Inc., President Trump’s principal campaign committee, this letter notifies you that Biden for President (the “Biden Campaign”) produced and caused to be posted on Joe Biden’s Twitter feed a digital ad that contains intentionally false and misleading statements that cannot be verified when it alleges that President Trump made derogatory comments towards fallen American military heroes.”
Mr. President, if you don’t respect our troops, you can’t lead them. pic.twitter.com/hcX9hGgdm5 — Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) September 4, 2020
She added in bold black letters, “President Trump unequivocally denies making these statements.”
The article, quoting anonymous sources, said that Trump refused to travel to an American cemetery in France because it was “filled with losers.”
The Biden campaign, with unusual speed, had a digital ad up quoting the article. In a tweet promoting the ad, Biden said, “Mr. President, if you don't respect our troops, you can't lead them.”
These are my real words about our GREAT HEROES, not made up lies by the enemy. THANK YOU and God Bless You All! pic.twitter.com/oFgQXzpJHU — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 9, 2020
Trump and several surrogates, on the record, immediately denied hearing anything like what the Atlantic reported. But the ad continues to show up on Facebook and Twitter, and Biden has repeated the magazine’s claims.
The six-page letter from the Trump-Pence campaign, provided exclusively to Secrets, is demanding that the Democrat stop repeating the article and for the social media platforms to black out the ad.
“Twitter claims that it has a role in slowing the spread of misinformation,” wrote Ellis. “Facebook has similar community standards,” she added.
“Both Twitter and Facebook have used their policies to remove or flag tweets and postings by President Trump. Now, Twitter and Facebook — if they are truly trying to be fair arbiters of factually accurate statements — will be obligated to remove your False and Misleading Ad, which is based solely on cites to anonymous sources,” said Ellis.
The campaign also wants an apology.
.@TheAtlantic story is not true. It has become a very dangerous time when anonymous sources are believed above all else, & no one knows their motivation. This is not journalism - It is activism. And it is a disservice to the people of our great nation. — Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) September 4, 2020
While Trump has often been irked by military brass, he has shown a fondness for troops. He has visited war zones at Christmas, greeted the dead at Dover Air Force Base, and made calls to the parents of those killed in battle.
The campaign said Biden is trying to “score cheap political points at the expense of our great American military heroes.”
She concluded in the letter shown below, “To be clear, President Trump is committed to ensuring that the voting public is free to make electoral decisions based upon the president’s actual record without interference from deliberately false, misleading, and deceptive advertisements. We had hoped the Biden Campaign would show the same commitment to fairness and honesty.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-10--The media's flaws matter because they created Trump, and they'll be here when he's gone

This week has been an abysmal one for establishment media , but the President Trump-obsessed punditry will insist that the media ’ s flaws are a nonstory compared to the president they are covering .
But it ’ s the media that created Trump , and they will be here long after he leaves office .
The media created Trump before his presidential run , with NBC ’ s Jeff Zucker ( now at CNN ) bringing him to the network for The Apprentice , which cemented the idea of Trump the businessman into American culture .
And the media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promoting him against other Republicans in the primary , hoping he would lose to Hillary Clinton in 2016 .
The New York Times reported in March that Trump had received nearly $ 2 billion worth of “ free media , ” as opposed to ad spending .
Trump was given over six times more free media than his nearest competitor , Ted Cruz , while he sat behind Chris Christie and John Kasich in ad spending .
Trump will be gone in either 2021 or 2025 .
But people such as Zucker , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ahead of a CNN Republican debate and wanted to give Trump his own CNN show , will still be around .
So , too , will Jake Tapper , who tried to steer Republican Sean Parnell away from taking on a vulnerable Democrat in a Pennsylvania House seat and then denied it .
The media book club will also still be around , with reporters making fools of themselves in order to sell their upcoming books to their colleagues .
So will outlets such as the Atlantic , dropping tabloid level stories with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ name on the record because they might get some mean tweets sent their way .
So will the rest of Zucker ’ s CNN , threatening to expose the identities of private citizens unless they grovel at the network ’ s feet .
Trump could be out of the White House by January .
But a media that made it their mission to defeat John McCain in 2008 and Mitt Romney in 2012 will simply move on to the “ unique threat ” posed by the next Republican .
None of the problems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disappear with Trump — because those problems were never really about Trump in the first place .
Whether it ’ s turning the presidency into a celebrity office ( Barack Obama ) or the lack of civility ( such as smearing Romney ) , these problems preceded Trump , and if our media stays on its current course , they will continue long after he ’ s gone .

This week has been an abysmal one for establishment media, but the President Trump-obsessed punditry will insist that the media’s flaws are a nonstory compared to the president they are covering. But it’s the media that created Trump, and they will be here long after he leaves office.
The media created Trump before his presidential run, with NBC’s Jeff Zucker (now at CNN) bringing him to the network for The Apprentice, which cemented the idea of Trump the businessman into American culture. And the media boosted Trump to the presidency, openly promoting him against other Republicans in the primary, hoping he would lose to Hillary Clinton in 2016.
The New York Times reported in March that Trump had received nearly $2 billion worth of “free media,” as opposed to ad spending. Trump was given over six times more free media than his nearest competitor, Ted Cruz, while he sat behind Chris Christie and John Kasich in ad spending.
Trump will be gone in either 2021 or 2025. But people such as Zucker, who gave the Trump campaign debate advice ahead of a CNN Republican debate and wanted to give Trump his own CNN show, will still be around. So, too, will Jake Tapper, who tried to steer Republican Sean Parnell away from taking on a vulnerable Democrat in a Pennsylvania House seat and then denied it.
The media book club will also still be around, with reporters making fools of themselves in order to sell their upcoming books to their colleagues. So will outlets such as the Atlantic, dropping tabloid level stories with anonymous sourcing and refusing to put a name on the record because they might get some mean tweets sent their way. So will the rest of Zucker’s CNN, threatening to expose the identities of private citizens unless they grovel at the network’s feet.
Trump could be out of the White House by January. But a media that made it their mission to defeat John McCain in 2008 and Mitt Romney in 2012 will simply move on to the “unique threat” posed by the next Republican.
None of the problems of the “Trump era” will disappear with Trump — because those problems were never really about Trump in the first place. Whether it’s turning the presidency into a celebrity office (Barack Obama) or the lack of civility (such as smearing Romney), these problems preceded Trump, and if our media stays on its current course, they will continue long after he’s gone.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-10--Biden taking up the coronavirus response is a nightmare waiting to happen

It was dumb for President Trump to tell Bob Woodward that he deliberately downplayed the coronavirus threat , but does anyone really want to find out what a President Joe Biden would do ?
I can tell you , because he ’ s already said what he would do : He would give in to the hysteria , keep the country in a miserable lockdown , and never allow us to return to normal — and yes , no matter how many times Democrats deny it , returning to normal is an option .
In an interview in late August @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not get the country moving until we control the virus . ''
What exactly does it mean to “ control the virus ” ?
It ’ s a highly contagious , airborne pathogen that not a single scientist has a grasp on — and yet Biden and other Democrats act as if we should be able to corner it and stomp it to death .
Shutting down the economy slowed the spread , buying useful time for our healthcare system and for the experts to learn more about what we were dealing with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Unemployment crept toward 20 % , and as of now , we ’ re still at 8 % , the number we saw for most of President Barack Obama ’ s depressingly weak recession recovery effort .
And we ’ re supposed to be OK with doing that again ?
Biden enthusiastically says sure !
“ I would shut it down , ” he has said .
“ I would listen to the scientists.
” And that ’ s what scientists are saying .
But we won ’ t be electing a scientist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a president whose job is to consider more than just the total number of deaths caused by a virus that so far has killed half of a tenth of a percentage of the population , and most of those people are 70 years old and up .
Our collective mission isn ’ t to ensure that not a single additional person dies of a freak new virus .
It ’ s to move the country forward and mitigate the damage .
Trump is the one trying to get things moving again , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work ( assuming they have a job or business to return to ) .
Biden is talking about handcuffing us to our beds and sending out little government checks to keep us fed .
It ’ s all on Biden ’ s campaign website , in addition to stuff like this : “ Create a ‘ Safer for Shoppers ’ program that gives compliant businesses a sign for their window so shoppers know they have done what they can to minimize the risk of exposure.
” Does that make anyone feel good ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ face that Trump did a bang-up job handling the coronavirus response .
But the absolute horror we might very well find ourselves in come January of next year is so much worse .

It was dumb for President Trump to tell Bob Woodward that he deliberately downplayed the coronavirus threat, but does anyone really want to find out what a President Joe Biden would do?
I can tell you, because he’s already said what he would do: He would give in to the hysteria, keep the country in a miserable lockdown, and never allow us to return to normal — and yes, no matter how many times Democrats deny it, returning to normal is an option.
In an interview in late August, Biden said, “We cannot get the country moving until we control the virus."
What exactly does it mean to “control the virus”? It’s a highly contagious, airborne pathogen that not a single scientist has a grasp on — and yet Biden and other Democrats act as if we should be able to corner it and stomp it to death.
Shutting down the economy slowed the spread, buying useful time for our healthcare system and for the experts to learn more about what we were dealing with, but we saw the cost. Unemployment crept toward 20%, and as of now, we’re still at 8%, the number we saw for most of President Barack Obama’s depressingly weak recession recovery effort.
And we’re supposed to be OK with doing that again? Biden enthusiastically says sure!
“I would shut it down,” he has said. “I would listen to the scientists.”
And that’s what scientists are saying. But we won’t be electing a scientist in November. We’re electing a president whose job is to consider more than just the total number of deaths caused by a virus that so far has killed half of a tenth of a percentage of the population, and most of those people are 70 years old and up.
Our collective mission isn’t to ensure that not a single additional person dies of a freak new virus. It’s to move the country forward and mitigate the damage.
Trump is the one trying to get things moving again, to reopen schools and push people back to work (assuming they have a job or business to return to). Biden is talking about handcuffing us to our beds and sending out little government checks to keep us fed.
It’s all on Biden’s campaign website, in addition to stuff like this: “Create a ‘Safer for Shoppers’ program that gives compliant businesses a sign for their window so shoppers know they have done what they can to minimize the risk of exposure.”
Does that make anyone feel good?
No one can say with a straight face that Trump did a bang-up job handling the coronavirus response. But the absolute horror we might very well find ourselves in come January of next year is so much worse.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-10--Biden and Trump nearly tied in Florida: Poll

Neither Joe Biden nor President Trump earns the support from 50 % or more of Florida 's voters , according to a new survey from the AARP .
The poll , conducted in conjunction with consulting firm Benenson Strategy Group , found the former vice president leading Trump by 2 points , with 48 % of the vote .
Six percent of Floridians remain undecided between Trump and Biden , the Democratic presidential nominee and a former Delaware senator for 36 years .
`` Biden is currently leading by 2 points , buoyed by an 8-point lead among voters under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advantage among voters 65+ , '' the poll 's authors wrote .
`` Independents are backing Biden by double digits , while Democrats and Republicans have largely consolidated behind their respective parties ' nominee . ''
The survey carries a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points , making the two candidates essentially tied .
Trump can find a potential upside to the poll despite trailing behind the 49.02 % support he earned in Florida in the 2016 election .
Half of all voters in the state approve of Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far higher than marks he receives in national surveys .
A RealClearPolitics average of recent polls from the state finds Biden leading by 1.2 points , with 48.2 % support .
An NBC/Marist survey released on Sept. 7 found the two candidates tied , with 48 % support each .
Numerous surveys have found that Trump 's support in Florida is being buoyed by increased Latino support even though he 's currently dramatically underperforming with voters over the age of 65 .
A top adviser to Trump 's campaign predicted this month that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 40 % '' of Hispanic voters nationally on Election Day .

Neither Joe Biden nor President Trump earns the support from 50% or more of Florida's voters, according to a new survey from the AARP.
The poll, conducted in conjunction with consulting firm Benenson Strategy Group, found the former vice president leading Trump by 2 points, with 48% of the vote. Six percent of Floridians remain undecided between Trump and Biden, the Democratic presidential nominee and a former Delaware senator for 36 years.
"Biden is currently leading by 2 points, buoyed by an 8-point lead among voters under 50 as well as a narrow 1-point advantage among voters 65+," the poll's authors wrote. "Independents are backing Biden by double digits, while Democrats and Republicans have largely consolidated behind their respective parties' nominee."
The survey carries a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points, making the two candidates essentially tied.
Trump can find a potential upside to the poll despite trailing behind the 49.02% support he earned in Florida in the 2016 election. Half of all voters in the state approve of Trump's handling of the coronavirus pandemic, far higher than marks he receives in national surveys.
A RealClearPolitics average of recent polls from the state finds Biden leading by 1.2 points, with 48.2% support. An NBC/Marist survey released on Sept. 7 found the two candidates tied, with 48% support each.
Numerous surveys have found that Trump's support in Florida is being buoyed by increased Latino support even though he's currently dramatically underperforming with voters over the age of 65. A top adviser to Trump's campaign predicted this month that the president would secure "north of 40%" of Hispanic voters nationally on Election Day.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-10--Biden denies his questioning of FDA independence will fuel anti-vaxxers

DETROIT — Joe Biden refuted the suggestion that his questioning of the Food and Drug Administration 's independence in creating a coronavirus vaccine will fuel a long-term distrust in vaccination .
`` No , no .
What I said was , there ’ s got to be total transparency , '' Biden said Wednesday when asked whether his statements might fuel distrust of vaccines .
`` I hope we have a vaccine .
Tomorrow would be wonderful .
But we ’ ve got to make sure there ’ s total transparency , the experts are able to look at it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Because you know what ’ s happened already .
He ’ s put pressure on some of the agencies to do things that they weren ’ t ready to do .
And so , I ’ m confident we ’ ll get a vaccine and the sooner , the better . ''
A reporter noted that Anthony Fauci , the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases who has become something of a public spokesman for the national government on coronavirus matters , has said that he trusts the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the process , yes .
But he didn ’ t say — he did n't acknowledge that there wasn ’ t pressure put on folks , ” Biden said .
`` There has been .
I don ’ t know about the vaccine.
” The Democratic presidential nominee and his running mate , California Sen. Kamala Harris , have been preemptively sowing doubt about President Trump 's announcement of a coronavirus vaccine , expecting an announcement of a vaccine to come before the election .
They warn of Trump `` exerting political pressure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ push a vaccine through .
`` We can not allow a repeat of Trump ’ s testing and personal protective equipment ( PPE ) fiascos when it comes to a COVID-19 vaccine .
The stakes are too high for working families across the country , '' Biden and Harris wrote in a statement released Tuesday , calling on Trump to `` follow scientific independence , transparency , and accountability in the development of a COVID-19 vaccine . ''

DETROIT — Joe Biden refuted the suggestion that his questioning of the Food and Drug Administration's independence in creating a coronavirus vaccine will fuel a long-term distrust in vaccination.
"No, no. What I said was, there’s got to be total transparency," Biden said Wednesday when asked whether his statements might fuel distrust of vaccines. "I hope we have a vaccine. Tomorrow would be wonderful. But we’ve got to make sure there’s total transparency, the experts are able to look at it across the board and make a judgment. Because you know what’s happened already. He’s put pressure on some of the agencies to do things that they weren’t ready to do. And so, I’m confident we’ll get a vaccine and the sooner, the better."
A reporter noted that Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases who has become something of a public spokesman for the national government on coronavirus matters, has said that he trusts the vaccine testing process.
"Well, the process, yes. But he didn’t say — he didn't acknowledge that there wasn’t pressure put on folks,” Biden said. "There has been. I don’t know about the vaccine.”
The Democratic presidential nominee and his running mate, California Sen. Kamala Harris, have been preemptively sowing doubt about President Trump's announcement of a coronavirus vaccine, expecting an announcement of a vaccine to come before the election. They warn of Trump "exerting political pressure on the FDA" in order to push a vaccine through.
"We cannot allow a repeat of Trump’s testing and personal protective equipment (PPE) fiascos when it comes to a COVID-19 vaccine. The stakes are too high for working families across the country," Biden and Harris wrote in a statement released Tuesday, calling on Trump to "follow scientific independence, transparency, and accountability in the development of a COVID-19 vaccine."