thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-03--Kanye West files for Arkansas ballot access with 'biblical life coach' Michelle Tidball as running m

Kanye West files for Arkansas ballot access with 'biblical life coach' Michelle Tidball as running mate

Another day , another petition filed by Kanye West as the rapper-turned-presidential candidate continues his outsider bid for the White House .
On Monday , a spokesperson for the Arkansas secretary of state confirmed that West 's campaign team filed the more than 1,000 signatures needed to appear on the state 's ballot as an independent candidate representing the Birthday Party .
The candidate named `` biblical life coach '' Michelle Tidball as his running mate on the ballot filing , according to TMZ .
West confirmed rumors that he planned to have Tidball , a conservative pastor from Wyoming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential candidate last month .
Tidball is a 57-year-old former `` mental health therapist '' who has previously stated that she does n't watch the news .
She lives in Cody , Wyoming , where West bought a ranch in 2019 , and runs her own bible study service under the moniker Abundant Ministries .
The state will now go through the process of vetting the signatures , which have been challenged in other states due to poor handwriting and strikingly similar pen strokes found on rows of petition sheets .
West , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and has pending petitions to appear on the ballot in Missouri , Illinois , and New Jersey , is also working to get on the pivotal battleground Wisconsin ballot , which requires more than 2,000 signatures to be turned in by 5:00 p.m. local time on Tuesday .

Another day, another petition filed by Kanye West as the rapper-turned-presidential candidate continues his outsider bid for the White House.
On Monday, a spokesperson for the Arkansas secretary of state confirmed that West's campaign team filed the more than 1,000 signatures needed to appear on the state's ballot as an independent candidate representing the Birthday Party. The candidate named "biblical life coach" Michelle Tidball as his running mate on the ballot filing, according to TMZ.
West confirmed rumors that he planned to have Tidball, a conservative pastor from Wyoming, join the ticket as his vice presidential candidate last month. Tidball is a 57-year-old former "mental health therapist" who has previously stated that she doesn't watch the news. She lives in Cody, Wyoming, where West bought a ranch in 2019, and runs her own bible study service under the moniker Abundant Ministries.
The state will now go through the process of vetting the signatures, which have been challenged in other states due to poor handwriting and strikingly similar pen strokes found on rows of petition sheets.
West, who will appear on the Oklahoma ballot and has pending petitions to appear on the ballot in Missouri, Illinois, and New Jersey, is also working to get on the pivotal battleground Wisconsin ballot, which requires more than 2,000 signatures to be turned in by 5:00 p.m. local time on Tuesday.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-03--Biden campaign repeatedly dodges 'most progressive administration' praise from Sanders

Despite excitement from the far-left wing of the Democratic party about Joe Biden putting forth the most `` progressive '' Democratic agenda ever , his campaign is not keen on flaunting that fact to a conservative audience .
During a Fox News appearance on Monday , Biden deputy campaign manager Kate Bedingfield repeatedly dodged questions about whether a Biden administration would push far-left policy ideas .
The segment began with a discussion of new Trump campaign ads that suggest that Biden is catering to and controlled by the `` radical left , '' a message that the Trump team has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ putting new energy and money toward .
`` Meet the new strategy , same as the old strategy , '' Bedingfield said .
She was then asked about Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders saying Sunday that after coming to gather to defeat Trump , those on the Left will `` come together to make the Biden administration the most progressive administration it can become . ''
Bedingfield declined to say whether Sanders 's assessment was accurate .
`` Joe Biden is the same candidate that he was in the primary .
He 's somebody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the table .
He 's about casting the widest , most inclusive net , '' she said .
Asked to respond directly to Sanders , Bedingfield again dodged , saying that if elected , Biden would inherit a `` once-in-a-generation level of challenge '' left to him by the current administration and that the former vice president is putting forward `` bold , progressive plans . ''
`` Yes , he is absolutely about bringing everyone to the table to tackle these massive crises , '' she added .
Asked whether Sanders 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the campaign welcomes everyone who believes Biden should be president rather than Trump .
The Democratic presidential nominee adopted several positions further to the left than what he campaigned on during the primary soon after it became clear that he was the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee .
Biden adopted key proposals from the two biggest leftists in the primary field : a proposal from Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders to make all public higher education free for those with annual family incomes less than $ 125,000 and a Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren proposal to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden was opposed to getting rid of the Senate filibuster through the primary campaign , he changed course and opened up to the idea of ending the legislative practice earlier this month .
The Biden campaign and aides to Sanders created a joint committee to come up with policy recommendations for the Democratic Party 's platform , and the Democratic National Convention 's drafting committee adopted much of it word-for-word .

Despite excitement from the far-left wing of the Democratic Party about Joe Biden putting forth the most "progressive" Democratic agenda ever, his campaign is not keen on flaunting that fact to a conservative audience.
During a Fox News appearance on Monday, Biden deputy campaign manager Kate Bedingfield repeatedly dodged questions about whether a Biden administration would push far-left policy ideas.
The segment began with a discussion of new Trump campaign ads that suggest that Biden is catering to and controlled by the "radical left," a message that the Trump team has pushed in the past but is now putting new energy and money toward.
"Meet the new strategy, same as the old strategy," Bedingfield said.
She was then asked about Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders saying Sunday that after coming to gather to defeat Trump, those on the Left will "come together to make the Biden administration the most progressive administration it can become."
Bedingfield declined to say whether Sanders's assessment was accurate.
"Joe Biden is the same candidate that he was in the primary. He's somebody who's all about bringing people to the table. He's about casting the widest, most inclusive net," she said.
Asked to respond directly to Sanders, Bedingfield again dodged, saying that if elected, Biden would inherit a "once-in-a-generation level of challenge" left to him by the current administration and that the former vice president is putting forward "bold, progressive plans."
"Yes, he is absolutely about bringing everyone to the table to tackle these massive crises," she added.
Asked whether Sanders's assessment helps Biden, Bedingfield said that the campaign welcomes everyone who believes Biden should be president rather than Trump.
The Democratic presidential nominee adopted several positions further to the left than what he campaigned on during the primary soon after it became clear that he was the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee. Biden adopted key proposals from the two biggest leftists in the primary field: a proposal from Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders to make all public higher education free for those with annual family incomes less than $125,000 and a Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren proposal to reform the bankruptcy system.
And while Biden was opposed to getting rid of the Senate filibuster through the primary campaign, he changed course and opened up to the idea of ending the legislative practice earlier this month.
The Biden campaign and aides to Sanders created a joint committee to come up with policy recommendations for the Democratic Party's platform, and the Democratic National Convention's drafting committee adopted much of it word-for-word.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-03--As Steve Bullock rebukes Republican attack ad, paper trail reveals close relationship with his broth

As Steve Bullock rebukes Republican attack ad, paper trail reveals close relationship with his brother's company

A renewed Republican attack that suggests Steve Bullock used his gubernatorial power to enrich his brother ’ s company has prompted a swirl of legal threats as he seeks the state ’ s Senate seat in a heated race .
While the Montana Democratic governor , who often flaunts campaign finance reforms that he signed into law , and the company denied any wrongdoing , a paper trail revealed a close relationship between Bullock and the firm , including the previously unreported fact that the company is a tenant in a building that the governor has a sizable financial stake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of steering state contracts to his brother 's company , '' said an ad from the National Republican Senatorial Committee , which hopes to defend the Republican Senate majority and fend off Bullock ’ s challenge to Republican Sen. Steve Daines .
“ In fact , the company founded by Bullock 's brother received more than $ 14 million from state agencies.
” The ad is an apparent reference to Pioneer Technical Services , an engineering and environmental firm founded by Bill Bullock , the governor ’ s brother , in 1991 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ million from the state of Montana since the governor took office in 2013 .
The ad is a renewed attack for Republicans , who also went after the Democrat when he was running for governor in 2012 .
An ad that year said that while Steve Bullock was the state attorney general , he gave “ millions of dollars in state contractor grants ” to donors and his brother , an apparent reference to Pioneer Technical Services .
Local news fact-checked the claim , noting that it was up to the governor , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the grants .
Now that Bullock has technical legal authority over state contracts as governor , the Republican line has stronger legs in the Senate campaign .
Kendra Arnold of the Foundation for Accountability and Public Trust did not assess the specifics of Bullock ’ s situation and the NRSC ad but told the Washington Examiner that the issue would be whether there was a conflict of interest .
That determination is “ fact-dependent , ” she said , and involves examining the financial interests of the public official and that of family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Was there a conflict of interest in Bullock ’ s case ?
His Senate campaign and Pioneer Technical Services deny the implications of impartiality and nepotism .
`` The claims in this ad are just not supported by the facts .
First off , Gov .
Bullock 's brother resigned from Pioneer Technical Services before the governor was elected to public office , and his brother sold his shares in 2009 , four years before Bullock became governor , '' a spokesman for the Bullock campaign told the Billings Gazette .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the governor 'steered ' contracts to this Montana business — all contracts are issued in compliance with state procurement laws.
” Brian Archibald , CEO of Pioneer Technical Services , said that Bill Bullock receives only a small $ 1,500-per-year stipend for his role on the company ’ s board of directors , suggesting that the governor ’ s brother did not personally profit from the contracts awarded to the company he founded .
The company is 100 % employee-owned .
Multiple Montana government officials have told various news outlets that despite technical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play a substantive role in deciding which companies were awarded state contracts .
Instead , Pioneer Technical Services and other companies underwent a competitive bidding process that is outlined in state law .
An attorney for the company responded to the NRSC ad last week with a cease-and-desist letter to news stations , asking them not to air the ad .
“ The NRSC advertisement disparages the reputation of Pioneer Technical Services , ” it said .
“ If you continue to broadcast the advertisement , you will be exposing your station to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NRSC , though , fired back with its own cease-and-desist letter , alleging that Pioneer Technical Services ’ s attempts to stop the ad from airing is “ an apparent attempt to manipulate a federal election to benefit the brother of your company ’ s Chairman.
” “ Our advertisement did not comment on why Steve Bullock directed state business that utilized your company , ” the letter from NRSC ’ s counsel said .
“ We left it up to Montanans to draw their own implications about Steve Bullock ’ s direction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pointed out that Bill Bullock remained involved in the company ’ s board after he stepped down as CEO in 2009 .
And the Republican group pointed to what could be a key piece of evidence that would suggest that the governor ’ s brother does stand to gain from the state contracts : Several corporate filings in the state of Alaska said that Bill Bullock as not only a board member but a shareholder of Pioneer Technical Services .
But Archibald , the company ’ s CEO , told the Washington Examiner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ He owns zero shares of Pioneer .
I do not know why it is listed that way ; it is an error.
” He did not respond to follow-up questions by the time of publication about when the error was realized and whether an amendment will be filed to correct it , since the documents were presumably filed under penalty of perjury .
While in office , Bullock has publicly praised the company that his brother founded .
In 2010 , two years before he won his gubernatorial campaign and while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bullock cited his brother as a positive example of economic development in the state .
“ I don ’ t have to look any further than my own family .
In 1992 , in the basement of a house here in Butte , my older brother started an environmental engineering firm , Pioneer Tech , ” he said in a speech .
A 2014 blog post on Pioneer Technical Services ’ s website touted praise from the governor after he toured one of the job sites that the company was working on .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hold up companies as examples of economic development and environmental achievement , the connection between the governor and Pioneer Technical Services could appear to be not only one of brotherly moral support but also a financial and legal connection .
Pioneer Technical Services is a tenant in a building that Steve Bullock has a large financial stake in .
In the '90s , Steve Bullock bought a historic building in downtown Helena , Montana , called the Herrmann Building .
He and his wife started to fix up the building and lived @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other parts of the building became commercial space .
He later transferred his ownership stake for the commercial properties to Herrmann Building LLC , a company he co-founded .
According to financial disclosure documents , the governor maintains a financial stake in the company valued between $ 250,001 and $ 500,000 and makes between $ 15,001 and $ 50,000 per year in rent and royalties .
Pioneer Technical Services is presumably one of those companies paying rent to Herrmann Building LLC .
The arrangement could be more by design than a coincidence , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governor and Pioneer Technical Services goes deeper .
A different company , Off Broadway Development , joined with Herrmann Building LLC to manage the building , according to state documents .
Off Broadway Development is managed by 16 members , at least half of whom are current and former Pioneer Technical Services executives and employees , including the governor ’ s brother Bill Bullock and current CEO Brian Archibald .
According to a 2004 local newspaper article , Pioneer Technical Services paid for about $ 100,000 worth of renovations to the building before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ owner of the building , which would be Steve Bullock , ran out of money for renovations after completing the third floor .
Archibald did not comment about the company being a tenant in the building that the governor has a financial stake in , and Bullock ’ s campaign did not respond to the Washington Examiner ’ s request for comment about the arrangement in light of the NRSC ad .
“ The financial relationship between Governor Bullock ’ s administration and his brother ’ s company certainly raises ethical red flags @ @ @ @ @ @ @ partner at Holtzman Vogel Josefiak Torchinsky who has represented Republican political groups , told the Washington Examiner .
“ It ’ s hard to imagine that an officeholder could impartially dole out taxpayer dollars knowing his own company and family stand to benefit , and that ’ s especially true when we are talking about millions of dollars and multiple disbursements .
At a minimum , Bullock should be required to disclose the extent to which he personally profited from this arrangement .
”

A renewed Republican attack that suggests Steve Bullock used his gubernatorial power to enrich his brother’s company has prompted a swirl of legal threats as he seeks the state’s Senate seat in a heated race.
While the Montana Democratic governor, who often flaunts campaign finance reforms that he signed into law, and the company denied any wrongdoing, a paper trail revealed a close relationship between Bullock and the firm, including the previously unreported fact that the company is a tenant in a building that the governor has a sizable financial stake in.
Republican attack ad
"Bullock has been accused of steering state contracts to his brother's company," said an ad from the National Republican Senatorial Committee, which hopes to defend the Republican Senate majority and fend off Bullock’s challenge to Republican Sen. Steve Daines. “In fact, the company founded by Bullock's brother received more than $14 million from state agencies.”
The ad is an apparent reference to Pioneer Technical Services, an engineering and environmental firm founded by Bill Bullock, the governor’s brother, in 1991. It has received more than $14 million from the state of Montana since the governor took office in 2013.
The ad is a renewed attack for Republicans, who also went after the Democrat when he was running for governor in 2012. An ad that year said that while Steve Bullock was the state attorney general, he gave “millions of dollars in state contractor grants” to donors and his brother, an apparent reference to Pioneer Technical Services. Local news fact-checked the claim, noting that it was up to the governor, not the attorney general, to approve the grants.
Now that Bullock has technical legal authority over state contracts as governor, the Republican line has stronger legs in the Senate campaign.
Kendra Arnold of the Foundation for Accountability and Public Trust did not assess the specifics of Bullock’s situation and the NRSC ad but told the Washington Examiner that the issue would be whether there was a conflict of interest. That determination is “fact-dependent,” she said, and involves examining the financial interests of the public official and that of family members to determine whether a conflict exists.
Bullock and Pioneer Technical Services swipe back
Was there a conflict of interest in Bullock’s case? His Senate campaign and Pioneer Technical Services deny the implications of impartiality and nepotism.
"The claims in this ad are just not supported by the facts. First off, Gov. Bullock's brother resigned from Pioneer Technical Services before the governor was elected to public office, and his brother sold his shares in 2009, four years before Bullock became governor," a spokesman for the Bullock campaign told the Billings Gazette. "Second, it is absolutely false that the governor 'steered' contracts to this Montana business — all contracts are issued in compliance with state procurement laws.”
Brian Archibald, CEO of Pioneer Technical Services, said that Bill Bullock receives only a small $1,500-per-year stipend for his role on the company’s board of directors, suggesting that the governor’s brother did not personally profit from the contracts awarded to the company he founded. The company is 100% employee-owned.
Multiple Montana government officials have told various news outlets that despite technical legal authority, the governor did not play a substantive role in deciding which companies were awarded state contracts. Instead, Pioneer Technical Services and other companies underwent a competitive bidding process that is outlined in state law.
An attorney for the company responded to the NRSC ad last week with a cease-and-desist letter to news stations, asking them not to air the ad. “The NRSC advertisement disparages the reputation of Pioneer Technical Services,” it said. “If you continue to broadcast the advertisement, you will be exposing your station to a potential lawsuit for defamation.”
The NRSC, though, fired back with its own cease-and-desist letter, alleging that Pioneer Technical Services’s attempts to stop the ad from airing is “an apparent attempt to manipulate a federal election to benefit the brother of your company’s Chairman.”
“Our advertisement did not comment on why Steve Bullock directed state business that utilized your company,” the letter from NRSC’s counsel said. “We left it up to Montanans to draw their own implications about Steve Bullock’s direction over this state business.”
The NRSC pointed out that Bill Bullock remained involved in the company’s board after he stepped down as CEO in 2009.
And the Republican group pointed to what could be a key piece of evidence that would suggest that the governor’s brother does stand to gain from the state contracts: Several corporate filings in the state of Alaska said that Bill Bullock as not only a board member but a shareholder of Pioneer Technical Services.
But Archibald, the company’s CEO, told the Washington Examiner that the Alaska corporate filings were incorrect: “He owns zero shares of Pioneer. I do not know why it is listed that way; it is an error.”
He did not respond to follow-up questions by the time of publication about when the error was realized and whether an amendment will be filed to correct it, since the documents were presumably filed under penalty of perjury.
Close relationship between Bullock and Pioneer Technical Services
While in office, Bullock has publicly praised the company that his brother founded.
In 2010, two years before he won his gubernatorial campaign and while he was Montana's attorney general, Bullock cited his brother as a positive example of economic development in the state. “I don’t have to look any further than my own family. In 1992, in the basement of a house here in Butte, my older brother started an environmental engineering firm, Pioneer Tech,” he said in a speech.
A 2014 blog post on Pioneer Technical Services’s website touted praise from the governor after he toured one of the job sites that the company was working on.
While it is normal for public officials to hold up companies as examples of economic development and environmental achievement, the connection between the governor and Pioneer Technical Services could appear to be not only one of brotherly moral support but also a financial and legal connection.
Pioneer Technical Services is a tenant in a building that Steve Bullock has a large financial stake in.
In the '90s, Steve Bullock bought a historic building in downtown Helena, Montana, called the Herrmann Building. He and his wife started to fix up the building and lived on one of the floors, while other parts of the building became commercial space.
He later transferred his ownership stake for the commercial properties to Herrmann Building LLC, a company he co-founded. According to financial disclosure documents, the governor maintains a financial stake in the company valued between $250,001 and $500,000 and makes between $15,001 and $50,000 per year in rent and royalties.
Pioneer Technical Services is presumably one of those companies paying rent to Herrmann Building LLC.
The arrangement could be more by design than a coincidence, and the Herrmann Building connection between the governor and Pioneer Technical Services goes deeper.
A different company, Off Broadway Development, joined with Herrmann Building LLC to manage the building, according to state documents. Off Broadway Development is managed by 16 members, at least half of whom are current and former Pioneer Technical Services executives and employees, including the governor’s brother Bill Bullock and current CEO Brian Archibald.
According to a 2004 local newspaper article, Pioneer Technical Services paid for about $100,000 worth of renovations to the building before moving in. It said that the owner of the building, which would be Steve Bullock, ran out of money for renovations after completing the third floor.
Archibald did not comment about the company being a tenant in the building that the governor has a financial stake in, and Bullock’s campaign did not respond to the Washington Examiner’s request for comment about the arrangement in light of the NRSC ad.
“The financial relationship between Governor Bullock’s administration and his brother’s company certainly raises ethical red flags,” Jessica Furst Johnson, a partner at Holtzman Vogel Josefiak Torchinsky who has represented Republican political groups, told the Washington Examiner. “It’s hard to imagine that an officeholder could impartially dole out taxpayer dollars knowing his own company and family stand to benefit, and that’s especially true when we are talking about millions of dollars and multiple disbursements. At a minimum, Bullock should be required to disclose the extent to which he personally profited from this arrangement.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-03--Biden edging out Trump in Ohio: Poll

Biden edging out Trump in Ohio: Poll

President Trump is trailing Joe Biden in a state that has backed the White House winner since 1964 .
Biden , the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee , leads Trump by 4 percentage points in Ohio , taking 46 % of the vote to the president 's 42 % , according to a Your Voice Ohio poll .
The survey also revealed Biden is experiencing a groundswell of enthusiasm .
Almost 31 % of respondents said they strongly supported the two-term vice president and 36-year Delaware senator .
In contrast , only 26 % said they felt the same way about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the campaign closer than their Trump counterparts , too .
The findings may rattle Trump 's camp after the president beat 2016 Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in Ohio by 8 points .
Ohio boasts of having the country 's longest streak of picking victors and has 18 electoral votes .
The Your Voice Ohio poll was conducted by Akron 's Center for Marketing and Opinion Research and the University of Akron 's Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics .
“ No Republican has ever been elected or reelected in American history without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a particular burden on Trump and his allies and supporters to compete effectively in Ohio , ” said Bliss Institute Director Emeritus John Green .
“ These numbers forecast a very competitive race in the state.
” Green added that the survey did n't study whether Biden was boosted by anti-Trump sentiment , but it found Biden backers cared most about the coronavirus pandemic .
Those behind Trump prioritized the economy .
“ Some of the other polls in Ohio and elsewhere have shown that a lot of people say their primary reason @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because they don ’ t like Trump .
And some people take that to be evidence of a lack of enthusiasm , ” he said .
“ For some people , maybe it is .
But you can be really unhappy with Trump and still have a strong preference for Biden.
” RealClearPolitics shows Biden is in front of Trump in Ohio by an average of 2.3 points .
FiveThirtyEight predicts a closer race in which Trump has an average 0.2-point advantage .
The Cook Political Report similarly describes the contest as leaning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ registered Ohio voters online between June 24 and July 15 .
The project 's results have a margin of error of plus or minus 3 points .

President Trump is trailing Joe Biden in a state that has backed the White House winner since 1964.
Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, leads Trump by 4 percentage points in Ohio, taking 46% of the vote to the president's 42%, according to a Your Voice Ohio poll.
The survey also revealed Biden is experiencing a groundswell of enthusiasm. Almost 31% of respondents said they strongly supported the two-term vice president and 36-year Delaware senator. In contrast, only 26% said they felt the same way about Trump. Biden's fans were following the campaign closer than their Trump counterparts, too.
The findings may rattle Trump's camp after the president beat 2016 Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in Ohio by 8 points. Ohio boasts of having the country's longest streak of picking victors and has 18 electoral votes.
The Your Voice Ohio poll was conducted by Akron's Center for Marketing and Opinion Research and the University of Akron's Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics.
[Read more: Bad polls puncture Trump message of strength]
“No Republican has ever been elected or reelected in American history without carrying Ohio, so there’s a particular burden on Trump and his allies and supporters to compete effectively in Ohio,” said Bliss Institute Director Emeritus John Green. “These numbers forecast a very competitive race in the state.”
Green added that the survey didn't study whether Biden was boosted by anti-Trump sentiment, but it found Biden backers cared most about the coronavirus pandemic. Those behind Trump prioritized the economy.
“Some of the other polls in Ohio and elsewhere have shown that a lot of people say their primary reason that they’re backing Biden is because they don’t like Trump. And some people take that to be evidence of a lack of enthusiasm,” he said. “For some people, maybe it is. But you can be really unhappy with Trump and still have a strong preference for Biden.”
RealClearPolitics shows Biden is in front of Trump in Ohio by an average of 2.3 points. FiveThirtyEight predicts a closer race in which Trump has an average 0.2-point advantage. The Cook Political Report similarly describes the contest as leaning Republican.
Your Voice Ohio surveyed 1,037 registered Ohio voters online between June 24 and July 15. The project's results have a margin of error of plus or minus 3 points.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-03--Trump campaign manager calls for more debates sooner because of early voting

President Trump 's campaign manager called for more and earlier debates with Democratic challenger Joe Biden , arguing that early voting will lead voters in some states to cast their ballots before the first debate takes place .
`` We want more debates , '' said Bill Stepien , Trump 's newly promoted campaign chief , in a Fox & Friends interview on Monday .
`` We want debates starting sooner . ''
It was Stepien 's first interview since taking the job .
Sixteen states will have started voting by the time of the first debate on Sept. 29 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a concern to me . ''
`` We are already seeing the liberal Left , the liberal media , trying to create trapdoors for Joe Biden to escape his commitment and his obligation to debate Donald Trump on a debate stage in front of the American people , '' he added .
`` We want more debates . ''
In an op-ed last week , Joe Lockhart , a former White House press secretary under Bill Clinton , advised Biden not to debate Trump at all .
`` Whatever you do , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lockhart wrote on CNN , calling it `` a fool ’ s errand . ''
Top Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway said earlier this year that more debates were needed because of how little voters had seen likely Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden during the campaign .
`` There will be debates , hopefully many of them , more of them than usual , because we have n't had a normal election season so far , '' she told Fox News in May .
The Biden campaign rebuffed these calls , including in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the planned televised debate schedule for September and October and called the Trump campaign 's efforts to increase the number `` an effort to dodge fair , even-handed debates . ''
Stepien said on Monday that the campaign would continue the `` push '' for more televised encounters so voters could `` see their options right in front of them '' before they cast their ballot .
`` Listen , we are going to keep applying pressure to the Biden campaign , '' he said .
`` We take our cues from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those 16 states that are going to be voting before Sept. 29 , they are the ones who want to see candidates on the debate stage . ''
Some voters `` expect , want , and deserve , a chance to see their options right in front of them on the debate stage , and we join them in that push , '' he added .
Stepien said the Trump campaign would also resume broadcast advertising on Monday in North Carolina , Georgia , Florida , and Arizona , key states that are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cast their ballot .
`` The countdown clock may show 91 days left in the race , but in reality , the election starts a lot sooner than that , '' he said in a statement .
`` In many states , more than half of voters will cast their votes well before Election Day , and we have adjusted our strategy to reflect that . ''
There have been three debates between major party candidates in each presidential election cycle since 2000 .
The first was scheduled to take place Sept. 29 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Indiana before the school pulled out due to coronavirus concerns .
An Oct. 15 debate at the University of Michigan will now be held at Miami 's Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts .
The third debate is set to take place on Oct. 22 at Belmont University in Nashville .

President Trump's campaign manager called for more and earlier debates with Democratic challenger Joe Biden, arguing that early voting will lead voters in some states to cast their ballots before the first debate takes place.
"We want more debates," said Bill Stepien, Trump's newly promoted campaign chief, in a Fox & Friends interview on Monday. "We want debates starting sooner." It was Stepien's first interview since taking the job.
Sixteen states will have started voting by the time of the first debate on Sept. 29, Stepien said. "That’s a concern to me."
"We are already seeing the liberal Left, the liberal media, trying to create trapdoors for Joe Biden to escape his commitment and his obligation to debate Donald Trump on a debate stage in front of the American people," he added. "We want more debates."
In an op-ed last week, Joe Lockhart, a former White House press secretary under Bill Clinton, advised Biden not to debate Trump at all. "Whatever you do, don’t debate Trump," Lockhart wrote on CNN, calling it "a fool’s errand."
Top Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway said earlier this year that more debates were needed because of how little voters had seen likely Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden during the campaign. "There will be debates, hopefully many of them, more of them than usual, because we haven't had a normal election season so far," she told Fox News in May.
The Biden campaign rebuffed these calls, including in a June letter in which it committed to the planned televised debate schedule for September and October and called the Trump campaign's efforts to increase the number "an effort to dodge fair, even-handed debates."
Stepien said on Monday that the campaign would continue the "push" for more televised encounters so voters could "see their options right in front of them" before they cast their ballot.
"Listen, we are going to keep applying pressure to the Biden campaign," he said. "We take our cues from the American people. The American people in those 16 states that are going to be voting before Sept. 29, they are the ones who want to see candidates on the debate stage."
Some voters "expect, want, and deserve, a chance to see their options right in front of them on the debate stage, and we join them in that push," he added.
Stepien said the Trump campaign would also resume broadcast advertising on Monday in North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Arizona, key states that are among the earliest to allow voters to cast their ballot.
"The countdown clock may show 91 days left in the race, but in reality, the election starts a lot sooner than that," he said in a statement. "In many states, more than half of voters will cast their votes well before Election Day, and we have adjusted our strategy to reflect that."
There have been three debates between major party candidates in each presidential election cycle since 2000.
The first was scheduled to take place Sept. 29 at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana before the school pulled out due to coronavirus concerns. An Oct. 15 debate at the University of Michigan will now be held at Miami's Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts. The third debate is set to take place on Oct. 22 at Belmont University in Nashville.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-03--Fox News host rails against 'baffling complacency' of Trump campaign

Fox News host Steve Hilton issued a stark warning Sunday evening about President Trump 's reelection chances and what could happen to the Republican Party in Congress in November .
Hilton , who has been supportive of the president , argued on his show , The Next Revolution , that Trump 's team is not doing enough to secure four more years in the Oval Office and that slack could contribute to Democrats retaining the House and taking control of the Senate .
“ With Biden and the Democrats , there would be even more bogus bureaucracy and shutdown stupidity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terrifying prospect gets closer every day because of the baffling complacency of the Trump campaign .
Where 's the energy ?
Where are the ideas ?
Where 's the hope for the future ? ''
He went on to deride the White House and campaign for failing to deliver on promises for new policy reform , mainly healthcare .
The president promised a “ full and complete ” healthcare plan within two weeks during his interview with Fox News 's Chris Wallace last month .
That deadline has come and gone without a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` do n't win elections with Facebook ads '' but rather need `` ideas about the future ... the changes you will bring , '' and he noted that `` we 're not seeing any of that from the Trump campaign . ''
He also noted that unless the campaign starts to focus more on policy , the GOP could lose control of the Senate and the White House , which would allow Democrats to implement the agenda of former Vice President Joe Biden , the presumptive Democratic nominee .
`` They seem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a total calamity of a Democrat takeover — House , Senate , White House , the lot .
Unconstrained power to implement the most left-wing agenda ever put before the American people by a major party .
Wake up !
We need to see a major Trump policy announcement or policy speech every week between now and November .
Nothing else will do , '' the host added .
`` Get on with it , or the country is sunk on coronavirus and everything else . ''

Fox News host Steve Hilton issued a stark warning Sunday evening about President Trump's reelection chances and what could happen to the Republican Party in Congress in November.
Hilton, who has been supportive of the president, argued on his show, The Next Revolution, that Trump's team is not doing enough to secure four more years in the Oval Office and that slack could contribute to Democrats retaining the House and taking control of the Senate.
“With Biden and the Democrats, there would be even more bogus bureaucracy and shutdown stupidity , " he argued. "And that terrifying prospect gets closer every day because of the baffling complacency of the Trump campaign. Where's the energy? Where are the ideas? Where's the hope for the future?"
He went on to deride the White House and campaign for failing to deliver on promises for new policy reform, mainly healthcare. The president promised a “full and complete” healthcare plan within two weeks during his interview with Fox News's Chris Wallace last month. That deadline has come and gone without a new plan.
Hilton argued that campaigns "don't win elections with Facebook ads" but rather need "ideas about the future ... the changes you will bring," and he noted that "we're not seeing any of that from the Trump campaign."
He also noted that unless the campaign starts to focus more on policy, the GOP could lose control of the Senate and the White House, which would allow Democrats to implement the agenda of former Vice President Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee.
"They seem to be sleepwalking into a Biden presidency and a total calamity of a Democrat takeover — House, Senate, White House, the lot. Unconstrained power to implement the most left-wing agenda ever put before the American people by a major party. Wake up! We need to see a major Trump policy announcement or policy speech every week between now and November. Nothing else will do," the host added. "Get on with it, or the country is sunk on coronavirus and everything else."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-03--Obama releases 'first wave' of 2020 endorsements

Former President Barack Obama released a list of politicians he 's endorsing for the 2020 election cycle .
Obama , who released similar lists prior to the 2018 midterm elections , posted his endorsement list on social media on Monday morning .
The list included more than 115 Democratic candidates running in races in 17 states .
The post was deemed his `` first wave '' of support .
`` I ’ m proud to endorse this diverse and hopeful collection of thoughtful , empathetic , and highly qualified Democrats .
Together , these candidates will help us redeem our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for working class people , restoring fairness and opportunity to our system , and fighting for the good of all Americans — not just those at the top , '' he said of the group .
`` They make me optimistic not just about our party ’ s chances in November , but about our country ’ s future long after that .
So if you ’ re in one of their districts or states , make sure you vote for them this fall .
And if you can , vote early — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obama added .

Former President Barack Obama released a list of politicians he's endorsing for the 2020 election cycle.
Obama, who released similar lists prior to the 2018 midterm elections, posted his endorsement list on social media on Monday morning. The list included more than 115 Democratic candidates running in races in 17 states. The post was deemed his "first wave" of support.
I’m proud to endorse this diverse and hopeful collection of thoughtful, empathetic, and highly qualified Democrats. If you’re in one of their districts or states, make sure you vote for them this fall. And if you can, vote early—by mail or in person. https://t.co/PSm3Rf3wkF pic.twitter.com/7RXrJriBz8 — Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 3, 2020
"I’m proud to endorse this diverse and hopeful collection of thoughtful, empathetic, and highly qualified Democrats. Together, these candidates will help us redeem our country’s promise by sticking up for working class people, restoring fairness and opportunity to our system, and fighting for the good of all Americans — not just those at the top," he said of the group.
"They make me optimistic not just about our party’s chances in November, but about our country’s future long after that. So if you’re in one of their districts or states, make sure you vote for them this fall. And if you can, vote early — by mail or in person," Obama added.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-04--Carl Bernstein reports White House chatter about throwing 2020 election to House

Veteran investigative journalist Carl Bernstein reported that President Trump is exploring various ways to hold onto power .
The Watergate sleuth told CNN host Chris Cuomo on Monday that there is chatter in the White House about gaming the system as Trump 's critics raise concerns about voter suppression .
`` Because everything is about the base , as he calls it , '' Bernstein said .
`` And getting the base to somehow reelect him or get him close enough to reelection that he can then put into authoritarian practice .
Some kind of mechanism that will allow him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the election into the House of Representatives , which indeed is being talked about in the White House . ''
Indeed , the Twelfth Amendment , which altered Article II , Section 1 of the Constitution , empowers the House to decide who will be president if no candidate wins a majority of electors .
This may give Trump an advantage over his Democratic opponent , former Vice President Joe Biden , with each state having one vote .
Biden is leading Trump by a wide margin in national polling roughly 90 days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doubt on mail-in voting , which many states are embracing during the coronavirus pandemic , and even suggested that the November election be postponed `` until people can properly , securely and safely vote . ''
The date of the election is set by federal law , and the Constitution gives Congress the power to change the date .
Bernstein , who along with Bob Woodward helped bring down President Richard Nixon through Pulitzer Prize-winning coverage of the Watergate scandal in the Washington Post , said there is a `` national emergency '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` demonstrably unfit '' to lead .
He called for a `` political and cultural protectorate in the country between now and Election Day , '' urging Republicans in Congress to take a page from the Nixon-era playbook and confront the president about their lack of confidence in him .
The Washington Examiner reached out to the White House for comment on Bernstein 's reporting .

Veteran investigative journalist Carl Bernstein reported that President Trump is exploring various ways to hold onto power.
The Watergate sleuth told CNN host Chris Cuomo on Monday that there is chatter in the White House about gaming the system as Trump's critics raise concerns about voter suppression.
"Because everything is about the base, as he calls it," Bernstein said. "And getting the base to somehow reelect him or get him close enough to reelection that he can then put into authoritarian practice. Some kind of mechanism that will allow him to hold onto power, perhaps throw the election into the House of Representatives, which indeed is being talked about in the White House."
Indeed, the Twelfth Amendment, which altered Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution, empowers the House to decide who will be president if no candidate wins a majority of electors. This may give Trump an advantage over his Democratic opponent, former Vice President Joe Biden, with each state having one vote.
Biden is leading Trump by a wide margin in national polling roughly 90 days until Election Day. Trump has cast doubt on mail-in voting, which many states are embracing during the coronavirus pandemic, and even suggested that the November election be postponed "until people can properly, securely and safely vote." The date of the election is set by federal law, and the Constitution gives Congress the power to change the date.
Bernstein, who along with Bob Woodward helped bring down President Richard Nixon through Pulitzer Prize-winning coverage of the Watergate scandal in the Washington Post, said there is a "national emergency" in the United States with Trump being "demonstrably unfit" to lead.
He called for a "political and cultural protectorate in the country between now and Election Day," urging Republicans in Congress to take a page from the Nixon-era playbook and confront the president about their lack of confidence in him.
The Washington Examiner reached out to the White House for comment on Bernstein's reporting.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-04--Biden risks souring veep pick with delays that trigger negative stories

Some anxious political observers wonder why Joe Biden is allowing his running mate search to go on for longer than planned and whether the delay will harm his eventual pick ’ s profile .
But the messy end-stage selection could be more of a feature , rather than a bug , of the selection process .
Biden is reportedly the top contenders in his shortlist of potential running mates this week .
That puts him about a week behind the previously expected schedule .
Months ago , Biden said that he would Last week , Biden said that his pick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , sources say that announcement will come in the of the month .
Meanwhile , the knives are out among Democratic insiders hoping to prop up their preferred choices , and the delay leaves more time for negative stories to come out about their favored picks .
California Rep. Karen Bass , a previously low-profile contender who has shot to the top of the list of likely candidates , spent the weekend responding to negative stories about her records .
On Sunday , she from positive comments that she made about Cuba ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weekend , she responded to unearthed by the Daily Caller in which she .
Sen. Kamala Harris of California , on the other hand , is the subject of what some call a sexist against her .
Some donors and Biden advisers worry that the former Biden competitor is so ambitious that she will focus more on her post-Biden presidential ambitions than on being his close confidant and adviser .
“ It ’ s extremely disappointing , because many of these attacks ... are being made by Democratic men who should know better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donna Brazile told the Washington Post about the swipes between candidates .
But the flood of negative attention should not necessarily be a worrying sign , according to Cesar Conda , who was Florida Sen. Marco Rubio 's chief of staff from 2011 to 2014 .
Conda helped Rubio complete the vetting process when he was being considered to become 2012 Republican presidential nominee-in-waiting Mitt Romney 's running mate .
He also worked on the 1996 Dole-Kemp campaign and had insight into that selection process .
“ At this point in the game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and ensuring that every constituency comes away thinking that their candidate was thoroughly considered and had a legitimate shot , ” Conda said .
“ From what I can see from the outside looking in , Biden has run a good VP selection process so far.
” Conda said that based on his own experience on the Republican side in 2012 , he expects that the formal “ vetting ” of candidates is over by now and the remaining steps are more political and personal .
“ They have pored over all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They have interviewed candidates multiple times , ” Conda said .
“ Biden and his team have probably narrowed their list down to two to three choices [ and ] are floating names to test the political and media reaction.
” That means that , in a sense , the less-than-positive stories could be part of the last steps of the process by design rather than a side effect of a delay in the process .
The delay in choosing a running mate could be easily explained by the Biden campaign hoping to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through the party ’ s national convention , which starts on Aug. 17 .
According to a , it is the norm rather than the exception that presidential nominees announce their running mates less than a week before the national convention .
President Trump announced Mike Pence as his running mate three days before the 2016 Republican National Convention , Hillary Clinton announced Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine as her running mate three days before the Democratic National Convention .
“ The presidential candidate wants to generate excitement right before the convention , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the delay in a running mate selection could be more of a result of the coronavirus throwing the presidential campaign into the background of politics and current events .
Even aside from the global pandemic , the time between Biden becoming the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee fairly quickly in April , and the party ’ s national convention rescheduled to mid-August is longer than some observers are accustomed to .
Trump became the presumptive Republican nominee in May 2016 and Clinton the Democratic nominee-in-waiting in June , and both parties held their conventions @ @ @ @ @

Some anxious political observers wonder why Joe Biden is allowing his running mate search to go on for longer than planned and whether the delay will harm his eventual pick’s profile. But the messy end-stage selection could be more of a feature, rather than a bug, of the selection process.
Biden is reportedly interviewing the top contenders in his shortlist of potential running mates this week. That puts him about a week behind the previously expected schedule. Months ago, Biden said that he would announce a running mate around Aug. 1. Last week, Biden said that his pick would be announced in the first week of August . Now, sources say that announcement will come in the second week of the month.
Meanwhile, the knives are out among Democratic insiders hoping to prop up their preferred choices, and the delay leaves more time for negative stories to come out about their favored picks.
California Rep. Karen Bass, a previously low-profile contender who has shot to the top of the list of likely candidates, spent the weekend responding to negative stories about her records. On Sunday, she distanced herself from positive comments that she made about Cuba’s Fidel Castro. Earlier in the weekend, she responded to footage unearthed by the Daily Caller in which she addressed the Church of Scientology .
Sen. Kamala Harris of California, on the other hand, is the subject of what some call a sexist “shadow campaign” against her. Some donors and Biden advisers worry that the former Biden competitor is so ambitious that she will focus more on her post-Biden presidential ambitions than on being his close confidant and adviser.
“It’s extremely disappointing, because many of these attacks ... are being made by Democratic men who should know better,” former interim Democratic Party Chairwoman Donna Brazile told the Washington Post about the swipes between candidates.
But the flood of negative attention should not necessarily be a worrying sign, according to Cesar Conda, who was Florida Sen. Marco Rubio's chief of staff from 2011 to 2014. Conda helped Rubio complete the vetting process when he was being considered to become 2012 Republican presidential nominee-in-waiting Mitt Romney's running mate. He also worked on the 1996 Dole-Kemp campaign and had insight into that selection process.
“At this point in the game, it's all about managing expectations and ensuring that every constituency comes away thinking that their candidate was thoroughly considered and had a legitimate shot,” Conda said. “From what I can see from the outside looking in, Biden has run a good VP selection process so far.”
Conda said that based on his own experience on the Republican side in 2012, he expects that the formal “vetting” of candidates is over by now and the remaining steps are more political and personal.
“They have pored over all the information and data that they need. They have interviewed candidates multiple times,” Conda said. “Biden and his team have probably narrowed their list down to two to three choices [and] are floating names to test the political and media reaction.”
That means that, in a sense, the less-than-positive stories could be part of the last steps of the process by design rather than a side effect of a delay in the process.
The delay in choosing a running mate could be easily explained by the Biden campaign hoping to keep attention and excitement about the pick through the party’s national convention, which starts on Aug. 17.
According to a Bloomberg analysis , it is the norm rather than the exception that presidential nominees announce their running mates less than a week before the national convention.
President Trump announced Mike Pence as his running mate three days before the 2016 Republican National Convention, Hillary Clinton announced Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine as her running mate three days before the Democratic National Convention.
“The presidential candidate wants to generate excitement right before the convention,” Conda said.
Observers’ anxiety about the delay in a running mate selection could be more of a result of the coronavirus throwing the presidential campaign into the background of politics and current events.
Even aside from the global pandemic, the time between Biden becoming the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee fairly quickly in April, and the party’s national convention rescheduled to mid-August is longer than some observers are accustomed to. Trump became the presumptive Republican nominee in May 2016 and Clinton the Democratic nominee-in-waiting in June, and both parties held their conventions in July that year.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-04--Biden as Bernie Bro: Trump campaign to recast Democrat as tool of the Left

Joe Biden may have won the Democratic presidential nomination , but the Bernie Sanders wing of the party will prevail in the White House .
That ’ s the message President Trump ’ s reelection campaign is honing in on in the homestretch .
It is the theme of two ads the Trump campaign launched in early-voting states on Monday .
The first ad “ exposes Joe Biden as a tool of the radical left for his pledges to raise taxes by trillions of dollars , grant amnesty for 11 million illegal aliens , and cut police funding , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second “ features a woman silently displaying cue cards that describe her fear that Biden is too weak to stand up to the extremists in control of his agenda : higher taxes , amnesty for illegal aliens , and trade deals that hurt Americans.
” “ Joe Biden has embraced the policies of the radical Left , ” said the narrator in one of the 30-second spots , as the presumptive Democratic nominee appears surrounded by Sanders and “ Squad ” members Ilhan Omar and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez .
“ Trillions in new taxes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ radical Left has taken over Joe Biden and the Democratic Party , ” concludes the ad .
“ Don ’ t let them take over America.
” It ’ s a strategy Trump has flirted with for months , dating back to the competitive phase of the Democratic primaries .
Speaking to the Conservative Political Action Conference in February , Trump said voters would have to ask whether Sanders was a “ communist ” but should also have questions about Biden .
“ With Joe , he ’ s sort of down the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You know , the difference is Joe is not going to be running the government , he ’ s just going to be sitting in a home someplace , and people are going to be running it for him , and they will be radical-left socialists.
” In a Monday appearance on Fox and Friends , Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien ditched references to “ Sleepy Joe ” and “ Beijing Biden ” in favor of describing the former vice president as an “ empty vessel of the radical Left.
” He said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judge Joe Biden by the people he ’ s surrounding himself with.
” Biden is “ a wolf in sheep ’ s clothing , ” said Republican strategist Bryan Lanza , a former Trump 2016 campaign official .
“ He ’ s no longer working-class Joe , and people [ in battleground states ] are going to be shocked .
It ’ s our job to fill in that shock with facts.
” A little over 90 days out from Election Day , the Trump campaign has struggled to define Biden .
Even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ detecting opponents ' weaknesses and branding them accordingly , has found it difficult to break through news cycles dominated by the coronavirus .
The question remains whether the current strategy of depicting Biden as a tool of the Left , if not quite a convicted radical himself , after he defeated more liberal candidates in the primaries relying on an argument too nuanced to work in the heat of the presidential race .
“ I feel that 's the best strategy right now because the one fear that most Republicans that would ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Left , ” said Republican strategist Noelle Nikpour .
“ With more candidates like Bernie Sanders coming forward speaking out for Biden , it will scare some on-the-fence voters away .
Biden was the candidate that some voters in the middle saw as a safe bet and would be a reasonable candidate in areas like taxes and the marketplace .
But with him giving his center away and leaning more left , it will potentially hurt him with those voters , which is why it 's smart for the Trump campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of attack also amplifies other Trump criticisms of his Democratic challenger , including whether Biden , at age 78 by Inauguration Day , has the stamina to check the most liberal wing of his party once in office — and whether it would only delay such a takeover by four years if so .
The hope is also to drive up Biden ’ s negatives , as succeeded with Hillary Clinton four years ago .
“ Joe Biden is held hostage by the activist base of the Democratic Party , ” said Lanza @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Democratic Party , it is Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ’ s. ” Biden has steadily moved to the left on a host of issues , from environmental policy to abortion to ending the filibuster if Democrats reclaim the Senate .
He remains opposed to `` Medicare for all , '' but both he and Sanders are promising `` the most progressive '' administration in history .
“ Many may be angry about Trump 's personality , but are they willing to pay higher taxes and watch a downturn , as predicted with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think not , ” Nikpour said .
“ So it 's a good strategy , and it 's also a great way to raise money .
Fear works in votes and fundraising !
” “ If Joe Biden is too scared to stand up to antifa , how will he take that 3 a.m. call ?
” asked Lanza .
“ You might as well call AOC directly because that 's who he 's going to go check with .
”

Joe Biden may have won the Democratic presidential nomination, but the Bernie Sanders wing of the party will prevail in the White House. That’s the message President Trump’s reelection campaign is honing in on in the homestretch.
It is the theme of two ads the Trump campaign launched in early-voting states on Monday. The first ad “exposes Joe Biden as a tool of the radical left for his pledges to raise taxes by trillions of dollars, grant amnesty for 11 million illegal aliens, and cut police funding,” according to the Trump campaign. The second “features a woman silently displaying cue cards that describe her fear that Biden is too weak to stand up to the extremists in control of his agenda: higher taxes, amnesty for illegal aliens, and trade deals that hurt Americans.”
“Joe Biden has embraced the policies of the radical Left,” said the narrator in one of the 30-second spots, as the presumptive Democratic nominee appears surrounded by Sanders and “Squad” members Ilhan Omar and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. “Trillions in new taxes, crushing middle-class families.”
“The radical Left has taken over Joe Biden and the Democratic Party,” concludes the ad. “Don’t let them take over America.”
It’s a strategy Trump has flirted with for months, dating back to the competitive phase of the Democratic primaries. Speaking to the Conservative Political Action Conference in February, Trump said voters would have to ask whether Sanders was a “communist” but should also have questions about Biden. “With Joe, he’s sort of down the middle,” he said. “You know, the difference is Joe is not going to be running the government, he’s just going to be sitting in a home someplace, and people are going to be running it for him, and they will be radical-left socialists.”
In a Monday appearance on Fox and Friends, Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien ditched references to “Sleepy Joe” and “Beijing Biden” in favor of describing the former vice president as an “empty vessel of the radical Left.” He said, “I think we need to judge Joe Biden by the people he’s surrounding himself with.”
Biden is “a wolf in sheep’s clothing,” said Republican strategist Bryan Lanza, a former Trump 2016 campaign official. “He’s no longer working-class Joe, and people [in battleground states] are going to be shocked. It’s our job to fill in that shock with facts.”
A little over 90 days out from Election Day, the Trump campaign has struggled to define Biden. Even the president, who has excelled at detecting opponents' weaknesses and branding them accordingly, has found it difficult to break through news cycles dominated by the coronavirus. The question remains whether the current strategy of depicting Biden as a tool of the Left, if not quite a convicted radical himself, after he defeated more liberal candidates in the primaries relying on an argument too nuanced to work in the heat of the presidential race.
“I feel that's the best strategy right now because the one fear that most Republicans that would ever consider voting for Biden is the lean to the Left,” said Republican strategist Noelle Nikpour. “With more candidates like Bernie Sanders coming forward speaking out for Biden, it will scare some on-the-fence voters away. Biden was the candidate that some voters in the middle saw as a safe bet and would be a reasonable candidate in areas like taxes and the marketplace. But with him giving his center away and leaning more left, it will potentially hurt him with those voters, which is why it's smart for the Trump campaign to focus on that.”
This line of attack also amplifies other Trump criticisms of his Democratic challenger, including whether Biden, at age 78 by Inauguration Day, has the stamina to check the most liberal wing of his party once in office — and whether it would only delay such a takeover by four years if so. The hope is also to drive up Biden’s negatives, as succeeded with Hillary Clinton four years ago.
“Joe Biden is held hostage by the activist base of the Democratic Party,” said Lanza. “It is not Barack Obama’s Democratic Party, it is Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s.”
Biden has steadily moved to the left on a host of issues, from environmental policy to abortion to ending the filibuster if Democrats reclaim the Senate. He remains opposed to "Medicare for all," but both he and Sanders are promising "the most progressive" administration in history.
“Many may be angry about Trump's personality, but are they willing to pay higher taxes and watch a downturn, as predicted with a left-leaning presidency, in the marketplace? I think not,” Nikpour said. “So it's a good strategy, and it's also a great way to raise money. Fear works in votes and fundraising!”
“If Joe Biden is too scared to stand up to antifa, how will he take that 3 a.m. call?” asked Lanza. “You might as well call AOC directly because that's who he's going to go check with.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-04--'Give it a shot!': Trump encourages supporters to wear masks in campaign email

President Trump has made another overture urging supporters to don face coverings during the coronavirus pandemic .
The Trump campaign sent out an email to supporters on Monday encouraging the use of face masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19 .
The email , which was signed by the president , came the same day that a national poll found a staggering 82 % of U.S. voters either “ strongly ” or “ somewhat ” support a national mask mandate , including two-thirds of Republicans .
“ I know how difficult the past few months have been , ” Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I am writing to you now , not to ask for a contribution , but to ask for your help .
We are all in this together , and while I know there has been some confusion surrounding the usage of face masks , I think it 's something we should all try to do when we are not able to be socially distanced from others.
” “ I do n't love wearing them either .
Masks may be good , they may be just okay , or they may be great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can possibly help us get back to our American way of life that so many of us rightfully cherished before we were so terribly impacted by the China Virus.
” The president mentioned in the email his endorsement of masks in a July 20 tweet that included a black-and-white photo of himself wearing a black face mask with the presidential seal .
In the tweet , he appealed to the patriotism of those who wear face coverings .
“ I recently tweeted that many view wearing a mask as a patriotic act , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than me and you .
Why not give it a shot !
” Trump said in the Monday email .
For the first few months of the health crisis , Trump refused to be seen in public wearing a face covering and was photographed publicly wearing a face mask for the first time in early July during a visit to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center .
The first Trump tweet in support of masks came after Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield said that Trump and Vice President Mike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set the example ” for others in the United States .
The U.S. has had about 4.7 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 and more than 155,000 deaths since the pandemic began .

President Trump has made another overture urging supporters to don face coverings during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Trump campaign sent out an email to supporters on Monday encouraging the use of face masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The email, which was signed by the president, came the same day that a national poll found a staggering 82% of U.S. voters either “strongly” or “somewhat” support a national mask mandate, including two-thirds of Republicans.
“I know how difficult the past few months have been,” Trump said in the email to supporters. “I am writing to you now, not to ask for a contribution, but to ask for your help. We are all in this together, and while I know there has been some confusion surrounding the usage of face masks, I think it's something we should all try to do when we are not able to be socially distanced from others.”
“I don't love wearing them either. Masks may be good, they may be just okay, or they may be great,” he continued. “They can possibly help us get back to our American way of life that so many of us rightfully cherished before we were so terribly impacted by the China Virus.”
The president mentioned in the email his endorsement of masks in a July 20 tweet that included a black-and-white photo of himself wearing a black face mask with the presidential seal. In the tweet, he appealed to the patriotism of those who wear face coverings.
“I recently tweeted that many view wearing a mask as a patriotic act, and there is no one more patriotic than me and you. Why not give it a shot!” Trump said in the Monday email.
For the first few months of the health crisis, Trump refused to be seen in public wearing a face covering and was photographed publicly wearing a face mask for the first time in early July during a visit to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
The first Trump tweet in support of masks came after Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield said that Trump and Vice President Mike Pence should be wearing masks “to set the example” for others in the United States.
The U.S. has had about 4.7 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 and more than 155,000 deaths since the pandemic began.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-05--Florida is one 'well-run state' where Trump is comfortable with mail-in voting

After repeatedly emphasizing the risks of voting by mail , President Trump praised Florida 's `` terrific '' mail-in ballot system as `` Safe and Secure , Tried and True '' in remarks at the White House and on social media .
“ They ’ ve been doing this over many years , and they ’ ve made it really terrific , '' Trump said in a White House news conference on Tuesday , explaining why some states were better prepared than others to handle a massive distance voting effort in November .
`` In maybe a couple of other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system , but this took years to do .
This doesn ’ t take weeks or months . ''
Trump credited Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis , a Republican , for the battleground state 's `` so well-run '' administration .
The president has claimed in interviews and on social media that mail-in voting could `` rig '' the November election , calling it `` one of the biggest risks I have . ''
Record numbers of people are expected to vote by mail this year due to the coronavirus pandemic .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Florida voters to submit ballots by mail .
`` Whether you call it Vote by Mail or Absentee Voting , in Florida the election system is Safe and Secure , Tried and True , '' the president wrote on Twitter .
`` Florida ’ s Voting system has been cleaned up ( we defeated Democrats attempts at change ) , so in Florida I encourage all to request a Ballot & Vote by Mail !
# MAGA . ''
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany stressed the distinction between `` mass mail-out voting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important difference , she said , with the former lending `` ample examples of fraud . ''
Tuesday 's comments come amid a court victory in Florida for the president 's reelection campaign , rebuffing a lawsuit by liberal-leaning groups against the state 's voting laws .
In Florida , 15 % of voters typically vote by mail , and elections are often won by slim margins .
Polls currently show Trump trailing his likely Democrat opponent Joe Biden in the state .
The Trump campaign has also resumed advertising in four states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or absentee in 2016 , including Florida .

After repeatedly emphasizing the risks of voting by mail, President Trump praised Florida's "terrific" mail-in ballot system as "Safe and Secure, Tried and True" in remarks at the White House and on social media.
“They’ve been doing this over many years, and they’ve made it really terrific," Trump said in a White House news conference on Tuesday, explaining why some states were better prepared than others to handle a massive distance voting effort in November. "In maybe a couple of other states they’ve worked out a system, but this took years to do. This doesn’t take weeks or months."
Trump credited Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, for the battleground state's "so well-run" administration.
"Florida’s a very well-run state, low taxes, low everything,” he added.
The president has claimed in interviews and on social media that mail-in voting could "rig" the November election, calling it "one of the biggest risks I have." Record numbers of people are expected to vote by mail this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In a tweet earlier Tuesday, Trump encouraged Florida voters to submit ballots by mail.
"Whether you call it Vote by Mail or Absentee Voting, in Florida the election system is Safe and Secure, Tried and True," the president wrote on Twitter. "Florida’s Voting system has been cleaned up (we defeated Democrats attempts at change), so in Florida I encourage all to request a Ballot & Vote by Mail! #MAGA."
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany stressed the distinction between "mass mail-out voting" and requested absentee ballots, an important difference, she said, with the former lending "ample examples of fraud."
Tuesday's comments come amid a court victory in Florida for the president's reelection campaign, rebuffing a lawsuit by liberal-leaning groups against the state's voting laws. In Florida, 15% of voters typically vote by mail, and elections are often won by slim margins. Polls currently show Trump trailing his likely Democrat opponent Joe Biden in the state.
The Trump campaign has also resumed advertising in four states that cast a majority of ballots early or absentee in 2016, including Florida.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-04--Is Trump's base softening?

Is Trump's base softening?

For all of President Trump 's recent polling woes , his reelection could always count on his historically strong base to show up on Election Day .
But recent polling suggests a growing softness with those voters Trump depends on the most .
A new survey from the University of California , Berkeley 's Institute of Governmental Studies shows the president reaching new lows with voter approval in California .
There was never a question that presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden would handily carry the largest state in the country on Election Day .
Yet Trump 's numbers there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country : Some of his most reliable supporters are slowly drifting away .
According to the study , the former vice president leads Trump in California by a whopping 39 percentage points , at 67 % to 28 % .
In 2016 , Hillary Clinton earned 61.5 % of the vote , but in July of that year , she was earning just 46 % of the vote .
Trump 's job performance rating in the state , which generally hovered in the mid- to low 30s , is now at 29 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Empire , which generally counts more right-leaning voters than uber-liberal cities such as Los Angeles or San Francisco , the president 's job approval has plummeted 8 points from January , at 43 % .
And Biden 's above-water approval rating , 56 % , comes in part from Californians who identify as `` somewhat conservative . ''
Biden earns the support from roughly 25 % of California voters who identify as `` somewhat conservative , '' whereas Trump 's support from those who identify as `` somewhat liberal '' is close to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only partially as liberal or conservative count themselves as independent voters .
And in a state such as Pennsylvania , those voters partial to voting Republican are in the process of swinging toward Biden as well .
A Monmouth poll of the state last month showed that 12 % of registered Republicans are planning on voting for Biden .
Only 1 % of self-identified Democrats say they were planning on voting for Trump .
Independent voters favor Biden as well by 21 points , 54 % to 33 % .
Left-leaning Public Policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ softening , with 43 % of those in Michigan saying they currently back the president , compared to the 45 % of those who say they backed him in 2016 .
Much of that loss is due to Trump 's poor performance with independents , but self-identified Democrats have surged in the state .
Across the country , Democrats enjoy an 11-point advantage with voters who say they identify with the party .
Currently , 32 % of people identify with the Democratic Party , and 18 % lean in the party 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ electorate .
Just 39 % currently identify with the GOP , according to a Gallup survey this month .
Just six months ago , the GOP held a narrow party affiliation advantage over the Democrats , with 47 % of the country saying they identify or lean toward the Republicans .
July 's numbers constitute a 5-point jump in favor of the Democrats .
With fewer voters identifying as Republicans , Trump 's consistent high job approval among the party may look increasingly misleading .
Although 91 % of Republicans approved of Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gallup , a significantly lower number of those surveyed would have identified as a member of the party .

For all of President Trump's recent polling woes, his reelection could always count on his historically strong base to show up on Election Day. But recent polling suggests a growing softness with those voters Trump depends on the most.
A new survey from the University of California, Berkeley's Institute of Governmental Studies shows the president reaching new lows with voter approval in California. There was never a question that presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden would handily carry the largest state in the country on Election Day. Yet Trump's numbers there indicate a phenomenon likely being replicated across the country: Some of his most reliable supporters are slowly drifting away.
According to the study, the former vice president leads Trump in California by a whopping 39 percentage points, at 67% to 28%. In 2016, Hillary Clinton earned 61.5% of the vote, but in July of that year, she was earning just 46% of the vote.
Trump's job performance rating in the state, which generally hovered in the mid- to low 30s, is now at 29%. In the state's Inland Empire, which generally counts more right-leaning voters than uber-liberal cities such as Los Angeles or San Francisco, the president's job approval has plummeted 8 points from January, at 43%.
And Biden's above-water approval rating, 56%, comes in part from Californians who identify as "somewhat conservative." Biden earns the support from roughly 25% of California voters who identify as "somewhat conservative," whereas Trump's support from those who identify as "somewhat liberal" is close to zero. Many of those who identify only partially as liberal or conservative count themselves as independent voters.
And in a state such as Pennsylvania, those voters partial to voting Republican are in the process of swinging toward Biden as well. A Monmouth poll of the state last month showed that 12% of registered Republicans are planning on voting for Biden. Only 1% of self-identified Democrats say they were planning on voting for Trump. Independent voters favor Biden as well by 21 points, 54% to 33%.
Left-leaning Public Policy Polling also saw Trump's voter base softening, with 43% of those in Michigan saying they currently back the president, compared to the 45% of those who say they backed him in 2016. Much of that loss is due to Trump's poor performance with independents, but self-identified Democrats have surged in the state.
Across the country, Democrats enjoy an 11-point advantage with voters who say they identify with the party. Currently, 32% of people identify with the Democratic Party, and 18% lean in the party's favor, totaling half of the entire electorate. Just 39% currently identify with the GOP, according to a Gallup survey this month.
Just six months ago, the GOP held a narrow party affiliation advantage over the Democrats, with 47% of the country saying they identify or lean toward the Republicans. July's numbers constitute a 5-point jump in favor of the Democrats.
With fewer voters identifying as Republicans, Trump's consistent high job approval among the party may look increasingly misleading. Although 91% of Republicans approved of Trump's performance in July, according to Gallup, a significantly lower number of those surveyed would have identified as a member of the party.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-04--Biden stuck in shadows as surrogates pitch candidacy

Everyone seems to be promoting presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden 's run for the White House except the candidate himself .
Pundits and Democratic Party members alike , including former Virginia Gov .
Terry McAuliffe , have pushed for Biden to stay out of the spotlight , arguing his candidacy fares better if he allows Trump to do the talking .
But his choice to hide away from the media over the last several months has pushed staff members and his wife to the forefront of his campaign to pitch a candidate whose main calling cards are his anti-Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notion of electability supported by those desperate to oust President Trump in 2020 .
In two appearances on Fox News over the past 24 hours , Biden was nowhere to be found as surrogates , including his wife Jill Biden and campaign spokeswoman Kate Bedingfield , have attempted to pitch the former Delaware senator as the man to replace Trump .
In a combative interview on Monday night , Bedingfield repeatedly dodged questions about how far-left Biden 's policy position would shift since he included supporters of Bernie Sanders as advisers following the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ race .
She argued that Biden is the candidate `` who 's all about bringing people to the table . ''
Bedingfield said Biden is `` casting the widest , most inclusive net '' while simultaneously running a campaign rooted in `` bold , progressive plans '' that appeal to a growing liberal base in the Democratic Party .
Speaking with Fox News host Dana Perino on Tuesday , Biden 's wife Jill promised that the former vice president is mentally fit enough to become the chief executive in the United States and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a set of debates with Trump , which has been rumored for much of July .
When pressed by Perino to respond to accusations that Biden 's campaign was `` an empty vessel for the far Left , '' the former second lady responded by saying her husband 's politics can be best described as a bit of everything rolled into one .
`` Joe 's a moderate .
That does n't mean that his ideas are n't progressive and bold and forward-thinking , but he 's not someone who 's Left , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Right , he 's a moderate , '' she told Perino .
Biden , who still has yet to name his running mate , has not been seriously interviewed since he claimed to not remember former staffer Tara Reade , who accused him of sexual assault while she was working in his Senate office building in 1993 .
Fox News host Chris Wallace noted that Biden 's team turned down an interview request following his extensive sit-down with Trump last month .

Everyone seems to be promoting presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden's run for the White House except the candidate himself.
Pundits and Democratic Party members alike, including former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, have pushed for Biden to stay out of the spotlight, arguing his candidacy fares better if he allows Trump to do the talking. But his choice to hide away from the media over the last several months has pushed staff members and his wife to the forefront of his campaign to pitch a candidate whose main calling cards are his anti-Trump posture, policy positions, and a notion of electability supported by those desperate to oust President Trump in 2020.
In two appearances on Fox News over the past 24 hours, Biden was nowhere to be found as surrogates, including his wife Jill Biden and campaign spokeswoman Kate Bedingfield, have attempted to pitch the former Delaware senator as the man to replace Trump.
In a combative interview on Monday night, Bedingfield repeatedly dodged questions about how far-left Biden's policy position would shift since he included supporters of Bernie Sanders as advisers following the Vermont senator's departure from the primary race. She argued that Biden is the candidate "who's all about bringing people to the table."
Bedingfield said Biden is "casting the widest, most inclusive net" while simultaneously running a campaign rooted in "bold, progressive plans" that appeal to a growing liberal base in the Democratic Party.
Speaking with Fox News host Dana Perino on Tuesday, Biden's wife Jill promised that the former vice president is mentally fit enough to become the chief executive in the United States and that he has no plans of missing a set of debates with Trump, which has been rumored for much of July.
When pressed by Perino to respond to accusations that Biden's campaign was "an empty vessel for the far Left," the former second lady responded by saying her husband's politics can be best described as a bit of everything rolled into one.
"Joe's a moderate. That doesn't mean that his ideas aren't progressive and bold and forward-thinking, but he's not someone who's Left, and he's not someone who's Right, he's a moderate," she told Perino.
Biden, who still has yet to name his running mate, has not been seriously interviewed since he claimed to not remember former staffer Tara Reade, who accused him of sexual assault while she was working in his Senate office building in 1993. Fox News host Chris Wallace noted that Biden's team turned down an interview request following his extensive sit-down with Trump last month.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-04--Ohio House Republican teetering on the edge of reelection: Poll

A Republican House lawmaker from Ohio is in a statistical tie with his Democratic challenger , according to a new poll .
Democrat Kate Schroder is leading GOP Rep. Steve Chabot in their race to represent Ohio 's 1st Congressional District , 47 % to 46 % , a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee internal survey released Tuesday found .
Chabot was first elected by the Cincinnati-anchored district in 1994 .
Fourteen years later , he was ousted by Democratic challenger Steve Driehaus .
But Chabot got electoral revenge in 2011 when he wrested back control in a rematch against Driehaus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contest at the top of the ticket .
Presumptive 2020 Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is in front of President Trump in the district , 48 % to 45 % .
Trump beat 2016 Democratic rival Hillary Clinton there by 8 percentage points .
Though an internal poll , RealClearPolitics has Biden ahead in Ohio by an average of 2.3 points .
FiveThirtyEight , on the other hand , gives Trump an average 0.3-point advantage on the two-term vice president .
DCCC pollsters surveyed 400 likely Ohio 1st District voters between July 13 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a margin of error of plus or minus 4.9 points .

A Republican House lawmaker from Ohio is in a statistical tie with his Democratic challenger, according to a new poll.
Democrat Kate Schroder is leading GOP Rep. Steve Chabot in their race to represent Ohio's 1st Congressional District, 47% to 46%, a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee survey by Lake Research Partners released Tuesday found. DCCC research by GQR had Schroder trailing Chabot by 7 percentage points in May and by 2 points about a month ago.
Chabot was first elected by the Cincinnati-anchored district in 1994. Fourteen years later, he was ousted by Democratic challenger Steve Driehaus. But Chabot got electoral revenge in 2011 when he wrested back control in a rematch against Driehaus.
Chabot, a staunch conservative, faces a tough reelection bid similarly muddied by presidential politics.
Tuesday's study shows a close contest at the top of the ticket. Presumptive 2020 Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is in front of President Trump in the district, 48% to 45%. Trump beat 2016 Democratic rival Hillary Clinton there by 6.6 points.
Though an internal poll, RealClearPolitics has Biden ahead in Ohio by an average of 2.3 points. FiveThirtyEight, on the other hand, gives Trump an average 0.3-point advantage on the two-term vice president.
DCCC pollsters surveyed 400 likely Ohio 1st District voters between July 13 and July 15. Their results have a margin of error of plus or minus 4.9 points.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-04--Kanye West withdraws bid for New Jersey presidential ballot

Kanye West 's outsider bid for the Oval Office has hit a major snag after his campaign withdrew a petition to appear on the New Jersey presidential ballot on Tuesday .
The rapper-turned-presidential candidate was on a hot streak as of late , filing petitions to appear on the ballots of Illinois , Missouri , Arkansas , and New Jersey in the past week .
But West , who is confirmed to appear on the Oklahoma state presidential ballot , had missed several critical early filing dates , and his recent petitions have been scrutinized for strikingly similar pen strokes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's campaign announced that it was withdrawing the ballot petition in New Jersey in correspondence between his staff and Administrative Law Judge Gail Cookson , who was investigating the petitions filed just before the deadline last week .
“ At this time , Kanye 2020 has no further option than to regrettably withdraw from New Jersey and cease further efforts to place Mr. West ’ s name on the New Jersey ballot , ” a person from the Kanye 2020 campaign wrote to Cookson , according to the Associated Press .
Cookson accepted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no longer planned to pursue his challenge to appear on the ballot .
“ I will consider this email as a request for a withdrawal of your petition to be placed in nomination for the President of the United States in the State of New Jersey , ” Cookson wrote .
Former Democratic congressional candidate Scott Salmon raised suspicions about the validity of petition signatures filed with the board of elections last week and told the AP that he was `` glad '' West 's team had done an about-face on appearing on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ am glad that the Kanye campaign has realized that their petition was so deficient that it wasn ’ t even worth defending , ” Salmon said in a phone interview .
“ It sort of highlights the fact that it shouldn ’ t have been submitted in the first place.
” West , who filed in Arkansas on Monday and listed `` biblical life coach '' Michelle Tidball as his running mate , has until 5 p.m. today to file at least 2,000 petition signatures if he is to appear on the Wisconsin @ @ @

Kanye West's outsider bid for the Oval Office has hit a major snag after his campaign withdrew a petition to appear on the New Jersey presidential ballot on Tuesday.
The rapper-turned-presidential candidate was on a hot streak as of late, filing petitions to appear on the ballots of Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, and New Jersey in the past week. But West, who is confirmed to appear on the Oklahoma state presidential ballot, had missed several critical early filing dates, and his recent petitions have been scrutinized for strikingly similar pen strokes on rows of petition signatures.
West's campaign announced that it was withdrawing the ballot petition in New Jersey in correspondence between his staff and Administrative Law Judge Gail Cookson, who was investigating the petitions filed just before the deadline last week.
“At this time, Kanye 2020 has no further option than to regrettably withdraw from New Jersey and cease further efforts to place Mr. West’s name on the New Jersey ballot,” a person from the Kanye 2020 campaign wrote to Cookson, according to the Associated Press.
Cookson accepted the email as an indication that West no longer planned to pursue his challenge to appear on the ballot.
“I will consider this email as a request for a withdrawal of your petition to be placed in nomination for the President of the United States in the State of New Jersey,” Cookson wrote.
Former Democratic congressional candidate Scott Salmon raised suspicions about the validity of petition signatures filed with the board of elections last week and told the AP that he was "glad" West's team had done an about-face on appearing on the New Jersey ballot.
“I am glad that the Kanye campaign has realized that their petition was so deficient that it wasn’t even worth defending,” Salmon said in a phone interview. “It sort of highlights the fact that it shouldn’t have been submitted in the first place.”
West, who filed in Arkansas on Monday and listed "biblical life coach" Michelle Tidball as his running mate, has until 5 p.m. today to file at least 2,000 petition signatures if he is to appear on the Wisconsin presidential ballot.