thewashingtonexaminer--2020-06-06--Republicans cheer: The Trump recovery is ahead of schedule

President Trump claimed vindication Friday as a surprise positive jobs report previewed what he called the “ greatest comeback in American history ” for a coronavirus-crippled economy — and perhaps for his own reelection campaign .
Unemployment dropped to 13.3 % in May as the economy , the Department of Labor reported .
Forecasters had expected a loss of 8 million jobs and an unemployment rate of 20 % .
Trump himself might not have been expecting such success so soon .
He had been predicting a “ transition to greatness ” as federal relief spending and reopening from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Depression-like stupor into a strong fourth quarter followed by “ through the roof ” growth next year .
“ I think you ’ re going to have a very good August , maybe July , ” Trump said in the Rose Garden Friday .
“ Maybe a spectacular September.
” “ Having these positive job numbers is exactly just what America needed at the end of one of the most challenging weeks our country has faced in quite some time , ” said Republican strategist Ron Bonjean .
“ As the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so is the American economy , and hopefully , the trend will keep moving in the right direction.
” Democrats found themselves on the defensive , the numbers and especially dismissing the significance of states ending their lockdowns .
Presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden already had a speech reacting to the jobs reports planned .
New York Times columnist and economist Paul Krugman the Bureau of Labor Statistics might be cooking the books , though he later backed off the idea .
“ The May jobs report serves as an emphatic reminder about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic record , ” Republican National Committee spokesman Steve Guest said in a statement .
“ He built the greatest economy once , and now he is doing it again.
” Trump was in a celebratory mood at the White House .
He had pushed for reopening the economy at a time when public health experts , and many Democratic governors , were skeptical .
He has boosted the Paycheck Protection Program , signing some enhancements into law on Friday , which has kept some small businesses afloat during the pandemic .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GOP enthusiasm for a of massive spending , especially what some conservatives have a “ blue-state bailout , ” Trump said he was not done looking at ways to get the economy moving .
`` We will be going for a payroll tax cut , ” the president told reporters , as well as “ asking for more stimulus money.
” Contrary to numerous reports , Trump did not actually say George Floyd , the black man whose death in police custody has triggered nationwide protests .
But he did express hope that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country back together .
“ What ’ s happened to our country and what you now see , it ’ s been happening , is the greatest thing that can happen for race relations , for the African American community , for the Asian American [ community ] , for the Hispanic American community , for women , for everything , ” Trump said .
“ Because our country is so strong .
And that ’ s what my plan is.
” Black unemployment was up from 16.7 % to 16.8 % in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point out , but part of that reflects an increase in the number of African American workers entering the labor force .
Black employment rose by 283,000 .
An unemployment rate of over 13 % is still high .
Not all small businesses will reopen , leaving some people out of work longer term .
Some senior citizens , a crucial demographic for Trump in November , remain skeptical about reopening due to virus concerns .
And Trump has been hammered in the headlines for his handling of the Floyd protests , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regain control of their cities from looters and the more violent demonstrators .
Friday ’ s jobs numbers are nevertheless a step in the right direction for Trump on an issue that could decide whether he wins a second term .
He continued to receive high marks for the economy in many polls , even as job losses mounted .
A recovery could help him close the gap with Biden nationally and add to the momentum behind continued economic reopening .
“ When the May jobs report was released , it was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Biden-leaning national media , ” said Republican strategist Ford O ’ Connell .
`` And frankly , it couldn ’ t have come at a better time for President Trump , who is battling the Chinese virus , a pandemic-induced weak economy , and the largest civil unrest in recent memory . ''
“ Should the great economic comeback trend continue , it will significantly boost President Trump ’ s reelection chances in November , ” O ’ Connell added .
“ If the central question on the voters ’ minds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the economy and the country following these catastrophic setbacks , Biden or Trump , then Trump the builder will most likely be the victor .
”

President Trump claimed vindication Friday as a surprise positive jobs report previewed what he called the “greatest comeback in American history” for a coronavirus-crippled economy — and perhaps for his own reelection campaign.
Unemployment dropped to 13.3% in May as the economy added 2.5 million jobs , the Department of Labor reported. Forecasters had expected a loss of 8 million jobs and an unemployment rate of 20%. Trump himself might not have been expecting such success so soon. He had been predicting a “transition to greatness” as federal relief spending and reopening from the coronavirus-induced shutdowns pulled the economy out of a Depression-like stupor into a strong fourth quarter followed by “through the roof” growth next year.
“I think you’re going to have a very good August, maybe July,” Trump said in the Rose Garden Friday. “Maybe a spectacular September.”
“Having these positive job numbers is exactly just what America needed at the end of one of the most challenging weeks our country has faced in quite some time,” said Republican strategist Ron Bonjean. “As the country is opening back up for business, so is the American economy, and hopefully, the trend will keep moving in the right direction.”
Democrats found themselves on the defensive, downplaying the numbers and especially dismissing the significance of states ending their lockdowns. Presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden already had a speech reacting to the jobs reports planned. New York Times columnist and economist Paul Krugman speculated the Bureau of Labor Statistics might be cooking the books, though he later backed off the idea.
“The May jobs report serves as an emphatic reminder about the strength of President Trump’s economic record,” Republican National Committee spokesman Steve Guest said in a statement. “He built the greatest economy once, and now he is doing it again.”
Trump was in a celebratory mood at the White House. He had pushed for reopening the economy at a time when public health experts, and many Democratic governors, were skeptical. He has boosted the Paycheck Protection Program, signing some enhancements into law on Friday, which has kept some small businesses afloat during the pandemic. And though the latest economic news may dampen GOP enthusiasm for a new round of massive spending, especially what some conservatives have dubbed a “blue-state bailout,” Trump said he was not done looking at ways to get the economy moving.
"We will be going for a payroll tax cut,” the president told reporters, as well as “asking for more stimulus money.” Contrary to numerous reports, Trump did not actually say George Floyd, the black man whose death in police custody has triggered nationwide protests. But he did express hope that an economic renewal would help bring the country back together.
“What’s happened to our country and what you now see, it’s been happening, is the greatest thing that can happen for race relations, for the African American community, for the Asian American [community], for the Hispanic American community, for women, for everything,” Trump said. “Because our country is so strong. And that’s what my plan is.”
Black unemployment was up from 16.7% to 16.8% in May, as Biden was quick to point out, but part of that reflects an increase in the number of African American workers entering the labor force. Black employment rose by 283,000.
An unemployment rate of over 13% is still high. Not all small businesses will reopen, leaving some people out of work longer term. Some senior citizens, a crucial demographic for Trump in November, remain skeptical about reopening due to virus concerns. And Trump has been hammered in the headlines for his handling of the Floyd protests, as he pressed state and local officials to regain control of their cities from looters and the more violent demonstrators.
Friday’s jobs numbers are nevertheless a step in the right direction for Trump on an issue that could decide whether he wins a second term. He continued to receive high marks for the economy in many polls, even as job losses mounted. A recovery could help him close the gap with Biden nationally and add to the momentum behind continued economic reopening.
“When the May jobs report was released, it was the groan heard 'round the world among Democrats and the Biden-leaning national media,” said Republican strategist Ford O’Connell. "And frankly, it couldn’t have come at a better time for President Trump, who is battling the Chinese virus, a pandemic-induced weak economy, and the largest civil unrest in recent memory."
“Should the great economic comeback trend continue, it will significantly boost President Trump’s reelection chances in November,” O’Connell added. “If the central question on the voters’ minds is who would you prefer to rebuild the economy and the country following these catastrophic setbacks, Biden or Trump, then Trump the builder will most likely be the victor.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-06-06--How a former Orlando police chief could help Biden blunt Trump 'law-and-order' campaign

Rep. Val Demings , Orlando 's first woman police chief , relied on her law enforcement chops to help prosecute the House impeachment case against President Trump .
And the Florida Democrat did it again this week after the president pledged to use military might to stop violent demonstrations in major cities .
`` I was a law enforcement officer for 27 years .
I took that job to heart .
In America , we should never ask our military to police our streets , '' Demings tweeted Monday after crowd chemical controls were deployed outside the executive compound .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ many high-profile women under the political microscope as Joe Biden , the presumptive 2020 Democratic presidential nominee and former vice president , considers his own No .
2 options .
Pundits continue to weigh the personal and leadership qualities Demings , 63 , would bring to the 2020 Democratic presidential ticket .
Symbolically , she 's also a black woman from the crucial swing state of Florida , and Biden has promised to stack his Cabinet with officials who reflect the demographic makeup of the country should he win in November , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wreaked last week by George Floyd 's death .
Protests against the death of Floyd , a 46-year-old black man , while in Minneapolis Police Department custody , showcase the volatility of the issue six months ahead of the general election .
They also underscore how any blight on Demings 's record during her 10 years as her city 's top cop could break the cardinal rule of any presidential understudy : Do n't hurt the top of the ticket .
Yet some speculate she could simultaneously blunt Trump 's efforts to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
University of Central Florida professor Aubrey Jewett , based in Demings 's hometown of Orlando , foreshadowed possible problems for Biden should he choose the dual House Judiciary and Intelligence Committee member , particularly among liberals `` uncomfortable '' with her prior occupation .
`` On the one hand , Demings can speak with authority and suggest solutions to many challenges that face police departments as they struggle to deal fairly and improve relations with minority communities , '' he told the Washington Examiner .
Although she and Biden could expand the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ independents attracted to her law enforcement credentials , the Politics in Florida author added : `` On the other hand , given that the Orlando Police Department also had several allegations and incidents of misuse of force , including against minority suspects , while Demings was chief , this could clearly be used as a legitimate political attack . ''
The Orlando Police Department , for instance , settled million-dollar lawsuits while Demings was in charge over accusations of excessive force .
She 's bragged about reducing violent crime before she retired in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politics in 2012 with a failed campaign for Congress .
And there 's that embarrassing censure she received in 2009 for not properly securing her gun in her car when it was parked outside her home .
For The University of Florida 's Sharon Austin , `` there 's no way '' any individual can serve as police chief for a decade without being involved in `` some type of controversy . ''
Yet Austin countered by saying Demings won her congressional bid in 2016 , despite red flags unearthed by reporters who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ similarly vetted when she tried her hand at mayoral politics in 2014 , though she ended up pulling out of the race for the position held by her husband Jerry Demings since 2018 .
`` I 'm sure her opponents will see her as 'the enemy ' if she 's selected because some people have such a strong distrust for the police that they do n't want to support anyone with a police background , '' Austin said .
Demings may have softened any potential blowback by proactively publishing an op-ed this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Austin .
In the piece , Demings asked her `` brothers and sisters in blue '' what `` the hell '' they were doing , before outlining a range of policy prescriptions .
The politics professor also suggested Demings , who she described as `` very well-respected in Florida , '' may mitigate Trump 's `` law-and-order '' message .
Trump touted himself as the `` law-and-order president '' during a Rose Garden speech this week meant to address the national turmoil surrounding Floyd , a sign of what 's to come in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can discuss their intention to have law and order while also having responsible policing tactics , '' she said .
At the very least , Theodore Johnson , a senior Brennan Center for Justice fellow , believed Demings 's unique perspective certainly would n't turn off voters who were `` solidly behind or leaning towards Biden '' anyway .
`` Her bigger hurdle will be name recognition since so few people know who she is and also her relative lack of governing experience since she ’ s only been in the House of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will probably hinder her candidacy more than her professional background , '' he said .
Demings and the Biden team are courting each other as the veepstakes picks up in intensity , with both sides publicly acknowledging she 's on the shortlist .
Biden has told donors he expects to make a decision around Aug. 1 , ahead of the Democratic National Convention , slated for Aug. 17-20 in Milwaukee , Wisconsin .
Demings , the youngest of seven children born to a maid and a janitor in Jacksonville , has welcomed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call from Joe Biden , I would absolutely accept the job and accept the challenge , ” Demings told CBS 's The Late Late Show with James Corden this week .

Rep. Val Demings, Orlando's first female police chief, relied on her law enforcement chops to help prosecute the House impeachment case against President Trump. And the Florida Democrat did it again this week after the president pledged to use military might to stop violent demonstrations in major cities.
"I was a law enforcement officer for 27 years. I took that job to heart. In America, we should never ask our military to police our streets," Demings tweeted Monday after crowd chemical controls were deployed outside the executive compound.
I was a law enforcement officer for 27 years. I took that job to heart. In America, we should never ask our military to police our streets. https://t.co/Kk2jpBtuSD — Rep. Val Demings (@RepValDemings) June 2, 2020
The second-term House lawmaker is one of many high-profile women under the political microscope as Joe Biden, the presumptive 2020 Democratic presidential nominee and former vice president, considers his own No. 2 options.
Pundits continue to weigh the personal and leadership qualities Demings, 63, would bring to the 2020 Democratic presidential ticket. Symbolically, she's also a black woman from the crucial swing state of Florida, and Biden has promised to stack his Cabinet with officials who reflect the demographic makeup of the country should he win in November, a vow made long before the civil unrest wreaked last week by George Floyd's death.
Protests against the death of Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, while in Minneapolis Police Department custody, showcase the volatility of the issue six months ahead of the general election. They also underscore how any blight on Demings's record during her three-and-a-half years as her city's top cop could break the cardinal rule of any presidential understudy: Don't hurt the top of the ticket. Yet some speculate she could simultaneously blunt Trump's efforts to make the fall fight about law and order.
University of Central Florida professor Aubrey Jewett, based in Demings's hometown of Orlando, foreshadowed possible problems for Biden should he choose the dual House Judiciary and Intelligence Committee member, particularly among liberals "uncomfortable" with her prior occupation.
"On the one hand, Demings can speak with authority and suggest solutions to many challenges that face police departments as they struggle to deal fairly and improve relations with minority communities," he told the Washington Examiner.
Although she and Biden could expand the Democratic coalition by appealing to centrists and independents attracted to her law enforcement credentials, the Politics in Florida author added: "On the other hand, given that the Orlando Police Department also had several allegations and incidents of misuse of force, including against minority suspects, while Demings was chief, this could clearly be used as a legitimate political attack."
The Orlando Police Department, for instance, settled million-dollar lawsuits while Demings was in charge over accusations of excessive force. She's bragged about reducing violent crime before she retired in 2011 and made her first foray into politics in 2012 with a failed campaign for Congress. And there's that embarrassing censure she received in 2009 for not properly securing her gun in her car when it was parked outside her home.
For the University of Florida's Sharon Austin, "there's no way" any individual can serve as police chief without being involved in "some type of controversy." Yet Austin countered by saying Demings won her congressional bid in 2016, despite red flags unearthed by reporters who dug into her past. She was similarly vetted when she tried her hand at mayoral politics in 2014, though she ended up pulling out of the race for the position held by her husband Jerry Demings since 2018.
"I'm sure her opponents will see her as 'the enemy' if she's selected because some people have such a strong distrust for the police that they don't want to support anyone with a police background," Austin said.
Demings may have softened any potential blowback by proactively publishing an opinion article this week in the Washington Post, according to Austin. In the piece, Demings asked her "brothers and sisters in blue" what "the hell" they were doing, before outlining a range of policy prescriptions.
The politics professor also suggested Demings, who she described as "very well-respected in Florida," may mitigate Trump's "law-and-order" message. Trump touted himself as the "law-and-order president" during a Rose Garden speech this week meant to address the national turmoil surrounding Floyd, a sign of what's to come in the fall.
"A Biden-Demings ticket can discuss their intention to have law and order while also having responsible policing tactics," she said.
At the very least, Theodore Johnson, a senior Brennan Center for Justice fellow, believed Demings's unique perspective certainly wouldn't turn off voters who were "solidly behind or leaning towards Biden" anyway.
"Her bigger hurdle will be name recognition since so few people know who she is and also her relative lack of governing experience since she’s only been in the House of Representatives for three years. That inexperience will probably hinder her candidacy more than her professional background," he said.
Demings and the Biden team are courting each other as the veepstakes picks up in intensity, with both sides publicly acknowledging she's on the shortlist. Biden has told donors he expects to make a decision around Aug. 1, ahead of the Democratic National Convention, slated for Aug. 17-20 in Milwaukee.
Demings, the youngest of seven children born to a maid and a janitor in Jacksonville, has welcomed the process.
"If I received a call from Joe Biden, I would absolutely accept the job and accept the challenge,” Demings told CBS's The Late Late Show with James Corden this week.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-06-06--Conservation bill to bring rare bipartisanship to Senate floor next week

Bipartisanship has been scarce in Congress this year , but lawmakers in both parties have come together on a major bill to address the significant maintenance backlog at U.S. parks .
And the Senate is about to vote on it .
Senate Democrats and Republicans next week are poised to pass the Bipartisan Great Outdoors Act , which would permanently fund land and water conservation efforts and provide billions to fund neglected park maintenance .
The lead sponsors are Sen. Cory Gardner , a Colorado Republican , and Joe Manchin , a West Virginia Democrat .
Both states suffer from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ land .
Sen. Mark Warner , a Virginia Democrat , is also a sponsor of the bill and said it would help his state pay for $ 1.1 billion in deferred park maintenance .
The long list of needed repairs in Virginia includes the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park , where Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered the Confederate Army to U.S. Army Gen. Ulysses S. Grant .
The park awaits more than $ 3 million in maintenance and repairs .
The National Parks maintenance overall backlog totals $ 12 billion .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the National Park Service “ is second only to the Department of Defense in the amount of infrastructure it manages.
” The Yosemite National Park maintenance backlog , for example , tops $ 582 million .
Money is needed to rehabilitate trails and to maintain buildings at the popular tourist attraction .
“ This legislation represents a truly historic investment in our public lands , ” Warner said .
The measure would establish a restoration fund for the parks paid for with up to $ 1.9 billion annually in royalties from federal energy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ permanent federal funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund , which was created in 1964 but has been depleted over the decades .
Sen. Lamar Alexander , a Tennessee Republican and co-sponsor of the bill , called permanent federal funding “ an unrealized goal of Congress and the conservation community ” since the fund was created .
Sen .
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , a Kentucky Republican , agreed to bring the measure to the floor at the urging of Gardner , who is one of the most politically vulnerable Republicans in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will safeguard our nation ’ s public lands for recreation and conservation and help generations of Americans continue to access and enjoy these treasures , ” McConnell said Thursday .
The bill is expected on the floor next week .
Sen. John Thune , the majority whip and South Dakota Republican , said the measure , “ Will take a good amount of time on the floor.
” Gardner is anxious to promote a legislative victory that brings resources to Colorado .
Gardner ’ s race is considered a toss-up , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is likely to face former Democratic Gov .
John Hickenlooper .
“ The far-left environmental groups that have attacked me for the last 10 years are not going to change their mind , but it 's very difficult to say I do n't support public lands when I helped pass the most significant public lands package going back to Teddy Roosevelt , ” Gardner told the Washington Examiner on Thursday .
Sen. Steve Daines , a Montana Republican , is another sponsor and vulnerable incumbent up for reelection who is hoping to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
President Trump played a key role in building momentum for the legislation to move through Congress .
Trump in March called on Congress via tweet , “ To send me a Bill that fully and permanently funds the LWCF and restores our National Parks .
When I sign it into law , it will be HISTORIC for our beautiful public lands . ''
Democrats quickly pointed out Trump ’ s tweet contrasted with his own fiscal 2021 budget proposal , which called for cutting the conservation fund by 97 % .
Both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eager to get a bill signed into law soon .
A bipartisan group of lawmakers have introduced the measure in the House , but it ’ s not on the schedule for consideration .
The House does not return for votes until the end of June and is only in a few days before adjourning until after Labor Day .

Bipartisanship has been scarce in Congress this year, but lawmakers in both parties have come together on a major bill to address the significant maintenance backlog at U.S. parks. And the Senate is about to vote on it.
Senate Democrats and Republicans next week are poised to pass the Bipartisan Great Outdoors Act, which would permanently fund land and water conservation efforts and provide billions to fund neglected park maintenance.
The lead sponsors are Sen. Cory Gardner, a Colorado Republican, and Joe Manchin, a West Virginia Democrat. Both states suffer from significant maintenance backlogs at national parks and land.
Sen. Mark Warner, a Virginia Democrat, is also a sponsor of the bill and said it would help his state pay for $1.1 billion in deferred park maintenance.
The long list of needed repairs in Virginia includes the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, where Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered the Confederate Army to U.S. Army Gen. Ulysses S. Grant. The park awaits more than $3 million in maintenance and repairs.
The National Parks maintenance overall backlog totals $12 billion. According to the National Parks Conservation Association, the National Park Service “is second only to the Department of Defense in the amount of infrastructure it manages.”
The Yosemite National Park maintenance backlog, for example, tops $582 million. Money is needed to rehabilitate trails and to maintain buildings at the popular tourist attraction.
“This legislation represents a truly historic investment in our public lands,” Warner said.
The measure would establish a restoration fund for the parks paid for with up to $1.9 billion annually in royalties from federal energy development projects. It would also make permanent federal funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which was created in 1964 but has been depleted over the decades.
Sen. Lamar Alexander, a Tennessee Republican and co-sponsor of the bill, called permanent federal funding “an unrealized goal of Congress and the conservation community” since the fund was created.
Sen. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, agreed to bring the measure to the floor at the urging of Gardner, who is one of the most politically vulnerable Republicans in the upcoming election.
“Their bill will safeguard our nation’s public lands for recreation and conservation and help generations of Americans continue to access and enjoy these treasures,” McConnell said Thursday.
The bill is expected on the floor next week.
Sen. John Thune, the majority whip and South Dakota Republican, said the measure, “Will take a good amount of time on the floor.”
Gardner is anxious to promote a legislative victory that brings resources to Colorado. Gardner’s race is considered a toss-up, according to the nonpartisan Cook Political Report. He is likely to face former Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper.
“The far-left environmental groups that have attacked me for the last 10 years are not going to change their mind, but it's very difficult to say I don't support public lands when I helped pass the most significant public lands package going back to Teddy Roosevelt,” Gardner told the Washington Examiner on Thursday.
Sen. Steve Daines, a Montana Republican, is another sponsor and vulnerable incumbent up for reelection who is hoping to get a boost from passage of the measure.
President Trump played a key role in building momentum for the legislation to move through Congress.
Trump in March called on Congress via tweet, “To send me a Bill that fully and permanently funds the LWCF and restores our National Parks. When I sign it into law, it will be HISTORIC for our beautiful public lands."
Democrats quickly pointed out Trump’s tweet contrasted with his own fiscal 2021 budget proposal, which called for cutting the conservation fund by 97%.
Both parties and the White House are now eager to get a bill signed into law soon.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers have introduced the measure in the House, but it’s not on the schedule for consideration. The House does not return for votes until the end of June and is only in a few days before adjourning until after Labor Day.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-06-06--Biden clinches Democratic nomination

Biden clinches Democratic nomination

Former Vice President Joe Biden announced Friday night that he had finally clinched the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination , setting up a general election fight against President Trump amid a pandemic , economic downturn and widespread protests against police brutality targeting the black community .
`` It was an honor to compete alongside one of the most talented groups of candidates the Democratic party has ever fielded — and I am proud to say that we are going into this general election a united party , '' Biden , 77 , said in a statement .
`` I am going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ November 3rd fighting to earn the votes of Americans all across this great country so that , together , we can win the battle for the soul of this nation , and make sure that as we rebuild our economy , everyone comes along . ''
The Associated Press count has Biden at 1,993 delegates .
Under DNC rules , a majority of 1,991 required to win the nomination .
The runner-up , Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont , had stayed on state ballots after suspending his campaign in order to help push @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The June 2 primaries put Biden over the top , but it took several days to tally the results .
In April , Biden agreed to Sanders keeping hundreds of delegates who would have represented him at the Democratic National Convention had he still been in the race .
Under party rules , the senator was set to forfeit pledged statewide delegates because they can only be allocated proportionally based on primary results among candidates with bids afoot when they 're selected .
A similar framework applied to seats on the party 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the convention .
Now Biden can focus on Trump . ''
This is a difficult time in America ’ s history .
And Donald Trump ’ s angry , divisive politics is no answer , '' he said .
The country is crying out for leadership .
Leadership that can unite us .
Leadership that can bring us together . ''
Biden , a senator from Delaware for 36 years and vice president under Barack Obama for two terms from 2009 to 2017 , at one point looked unlikely to be the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iowa and fifth in New Hampshire , followed by a distant second place in Nevada behind Sanders .
But with the help of an overwhelming majority of black voters , Biden bounced back to win the South Carolina primary by nearly 30 points .
He never looked back .
Biden won 10 of 14 states on Super Tuesday as the once historically large Democratic field shrank to just Sanders and the former vice president .
Biden made the case that he would fare best in a general election against Trump , the incumbent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clinton 's surprise 2016 defeat at the businessman and reality TV star 's hands .
Biden did move to the left in order to accommodate voters supporting Sanders , Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and other candidates .
As the pandemic deepened , tens of millions of people in the United States found themselves out of work , and cities were convulsed by sometimes violent protests following the death in police custody of an unarmed black man named George Floyd , Biden seized the lead over Trump in national and most battleground state polls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ahead of Trump by 7.1 percentage points nationally .
Still , some battleground state polling shows a closer race and Trump has held on to his base despite all the country 's problems , with job approval ratings fluctuating from the low-to-high 40s .
Friday 's jobs numbers showed falling unemployment and over 2 million new jobs added to the economy .
Former Obama economic adviser Jason Furman has warned Democrats that they could see impressive jobs and growth statistics in the weeks before the election as the economy pulls itself out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some polling also shows greater enthusiasm among Trump voters .
Biden has said he will pick a running mate by August 1 .
As an older white man , he is under pressure to choose a woman or minority who is younger than he is .
If elected , Biden would be the oldest person ever elected president , entering office at an older age than Ronald Reagan left it or than Trump would be if he served two terms .
The Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee has already been delayed by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a more virtual event .
The former vice president will present himself as a steady , unifying presence in contrast with the less conventional , often combative Trump .
Trump faced no serious competition for the Republican nomination and remains popular with the party 's rank-and-file voters .
`` I truly believe that when we stand together , finally , as One America , we will rise stronger than before , '' Biden said Friday night .
`` This is the United States of America .
There is nothing we can ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''

Former Vice President Joe Biden announced Friday night that he had finally clinched the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, setting up a general election fight against President Trump amid a pandemic, an economic downturn, and widespread protests against police brutality targeting the black community.
"It was an honor to compete alongside one of the most talented groups of candidates the Democratic Party has ever fielded — and I am proud to say that we are going into this general election a united party," Biden, 77, said in a statement. "I am going to spend every day between now and Nov. 3 fighting to earn the votes of Americans all across this great country so that, together, we can win the battle for the soul of this nation and make sure that as we rebuild our economy, everyone comes along."
The Associated Press count has Biden at 1,993 delegates. Under Democratic National Committee rules, a majority of 1,991 delegates is required to win the nomination. The runner-up, Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, had stayed on state ballots after suspending his campaign in order to help push the Democratic platform to the left. The Tuesday primaries put Biden over the top, but it took several days to tally the results.
In April, Biden agreed to Sanders keeping hundreds of delegates who would have represented him at the Democratic National Convention had he still been in the race. Under party rules, the senator was set to forfeit pledged statewide delegates because they can only be allocated proportionally based on primary results among candidates with bids afoot when they're selected. A similar framework applied to seats on the party's committees, which are scheduled to meet at the convention.
Now Biden can focus on Trump. "This is a difficult time in America’s history. And Donald Trump’s angry, divisive politics is no answer," he said. "The country is crying out for leadership. Leadership that can unite us. Leadership that can bring us together."
Biden, a senator from Delaware for 36 years and Barack Obama's vice president for two terms from 2009 to 2017, at one point looked unlikely to be the Democratic nominee. He finished fourth in Iowa and fifth in New Hampshire, followed by a distant second place in Nevada behind Sanders.
But with the help of an overwhelming majority of black voters, Biden bounced back to win the South Carolina primary by nearly 30 percentage points. He never looked back. Biden won 10 of 14 states on Super Tuesday as the once historically large Democratic field shrank to just Sanders and the former vice president. Biden made the case that he would fare best in a general election against Trump, the incumbent Democrats desperately want to beat after Hillary Clinton's surprise 2016 defeat at the businessman and reality TV star's hands.
Biden did move to the Left in order to accommodate voters supporting Sanders, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, and other candidates. As the pandemic deepened, tens of millions of people in the United States found themselves out of work, and cities were convulsed by sometimes violent protests following the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, in police custody, Biden seized the lead over Trump in national and most battleground state polls. The RealClearPolitics polling average has Biden ahead of Trump by 7.1 points nationally.
Still, some battleground state polling shows a closer race, and Trump has held on to his base despite all the country's problems, with job approval ratings fluctuating from the low-to-high 40s. Friday's job numbers showed falling unemployment and over 2 million new jobs added to the economy. Former Obama economic adviser Jason Furman has warned Democrats that they could see impressive jobs and growth statistics in the weeks before the election as the economy pulls itself out of a largely virus- and lockdown-induced tailspin. Some polling also shows greater enthusiasm among Trump voters.
Biden has said he will pick a running mate by Aug. 1. As an older white man, he is under pressure to choose a woman or minority who is younger than he is. If elected, Biden would be the oldest person ever elected president, entering office at an older age than Ronald Reagan left it or than Trump would be if he served two terms. The convention in Milwaukee has already been delayed by the coronavirus and could take the form of a more virtual event.
The former vice president will present himself as a steady, unifying presence in contrast with the less conventional, often combative Trump. Trump faced no serious competition for the Republican nomination and remains popular with the party's rank-and-file voters.
"I truly believe that when we stand together, finally, as one America, we will rise stronger than before," Biden said Friday night. "This is the United States of America. There is nothing we can’t do if we do it together."
Naomi Lim contributed to this report.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-06-07--George W. Bush won't support reelection of Trump

Former President George W. Bush will not vote for President Trump , who is seeking reelection this year , according @ @ @ @ @ .
This story is breaking and will be updated .

Former President George W. Bush will not support President Trump in his effort to seek reelection this year.
People familiar with his thinking told the New York Times the 43rd president won't back his fellow Republican, who will likely face former Vice President Joe Biden in the general election.
Freddy Ford, a spokesman for Bush, said the former president plans to speak out only on policy issues.
Just four days ago, Bush spoke out about George Floyd, a black man who died in Minneapolis police custody on Memorial Day, and the nationwide protests that have followed. Bush said he was "anguished" by Floyd's death and declared it was "time for America to examine our tragic failures."
The report did not specify whether Bush plans to vote for Trump or anyone else. Ford issued a follow-up response to the Texas Tribune, saying it is "completely made up" to assert Bush won't vote for Trump's reelection. "He is retired from presidential politics and has not indicated how he will vote," he said.
There is little love between Trump and the Bush family.
Bush and his wife Laura did not vote for Trump or the Democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton, in the 2016 election.
Bush and his father, former President George H.W. Bush, declined to support Trump after he became the GOP nominee that year, choosing not to appear at the Republican National Convention. The elder Bush died in 2018.
George W. Bush's younger brother, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, entered a crowded field for the Republican nomination as the centrist front-runner in 2016, but his campaign quickly fizzled amid repeated insults by Trump. Jeb is said to be unsure how he will vote in this year's election.
George W. Bush did attend Trump's inauguration, after which he said the 45th president's speech "was some weird shit," according to New York Magazine.
After Bush released a video last month encouraging people to unite against the coronavirus, Trump lashed out. "He was nowhere to be found in speaking up against the greatest Hoax in American history!" Trump said in a tweet referring to his impeachment trial.
A Message from President George W. Bush@TheCalltoUnite pic.twitter.com/FIn9wuOPTF — George W. Bush Presidential Center (@TheBushCenter) May 2, 2020
Trump's penchant for attacking fellow Republicans who are not in lockstep with him, among other issues, has cost the president the support of other high-profile figures.
Utah Sen. Mitt Romney, the Republican nominee who lost to President Barack Obama in 2012, won't support Trump and may write his wife Ann's name on the ballot. Cindy McCain, the wife of the late John McCain, a senator from Arizona and the failed GOP presidential nominee in 2008, is expected to support Biden.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-06-08--‘Ignore the polls’: Democrats warn Biden lead over Trump creates false confidence

Favorable poll numbers for Joe Biden would presumably thrill those hoping to remove President Trump from office in November .
But Democratic operatives have a much different message .
“ Ignore the polls and do the work , ” Rob Flaherty , digital director for the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee ’ s campaign , Monday morning .
It was an apparent response to a CNN released Monday that found Biden with a 14-point lead over Trump .
A win by that large of a margin would give Biden a blowout 413-point electoral vote victory , “ assuming a uniform shift @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Matsumoto said in a .
The CNN poll followed a Wall Street Journal/NBC national released Sunday and an NPR/PBS/Marist national released Friday , each of which found Biden 7 points ahead .
While the CNN poll is an outlier among other recent surveys , many other national surveys show Biden leading by a comfortable margin .
He is in the RealClearPolitics of national polls at this point before Election Day than any presidential candidate since 2004 .
Yet Democratic operatives echoed Flaherty ’ s sentiment .
“ If you want to win in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic strategist Jess O ’ Connell .
“ There 's no time for complacency .
148 days of hard work , and we take back our country , ” Chris Lu , who was a senior Obama administration official and now a senior fellow at the University of Virginia 's Miller Center .
Democrats redirecting attention away from the polls , though , is not akin to Trump ’ s distrust of surveys that are unfavorable .
Trump ’ s strategy to address poor polling results is to delegitimize them .
The president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ fake ” and shared a memo from Republican polling firm McLaughlin & Associates that only 25 % of respondents in the poll were Republicans .
Those backing Biden generally believe that the polls are an accurate reflection of the current mood of the country and how people would vote if the election were held today .
But they worry about what might happen before Election Day .
`` It 's always better to be ahead than behind in the polls , but five months is an eternity in politics , '' Lu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Trump ’ s handling of the coronavirus pandemic or activists energized by protests sparked by the killing of George Floyd , a black Minneapolis man who was restrained by a white police officer , could be less motivated in November .
Instead of feeling comforted by the polls , operatives urge activists to vote , knock on doors , make phone calls , and engage in other activities .
The sentiment is rooted in former Secretary of State and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton ’ s 2016 loss to Trump .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to turn out and vote is surely a reaction to the 2016 results , especially given Clinton ’ s lead in national polls and popular vote win while losing the Electoral College .
Party advocates are working hard against complacency , ” said Charles Franklin , director of the Marquette Law School poll .
Many blamed national polls showing Clinton leading and electoral prediction models forecasting that Clinton would win over Trump for giving eligible voters a false sense of security , causing them to stay home or vote third party rather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ narrow Trump wins in crucial swing states that led to his Electoral College win .
Franklin noted that in the 2016 election , voters viewed both Clinton and Trump unfavorably , “ the first time both candidates were seen negatively since the question was first asked in the 1970s.
” “ Negativity to both candidates , a sustained edge in polls , and the willingness to vote for a third party rather than cast a vote that might affect which major party wins in a close state all played a role in 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ engaged can create a buffer for Biden in the event state-level polls were also an issue in 2016 .
While Clinton won the national popular vote , closely matching national polls , state polling was , making the Electoral College win harder to predict .
There have been some improvements in state polls , but many factors could still in favor of Democrats .
And active supporters can also help mitigate any last-minute bad news for Biden .
Former FBI Director James Comey 's late October letter to Congress announcing his intent to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's email communications is also widely blamed for her loss .
This is not the first time “ ” became a rallying cry for Democratic organizers .
They repeated the phrase around the time of the 2018 elections that resulted in a “ blue wave . ''
Democrats gained 26 seats in Congress , retaking the Hosue majority .
Clearly , Democrats hope that mindset leads to a similar result in 2020 .

Favorable poll numbers for Joe Biden would presumably thrill those hoping to remove President Trump from office in November. But Democratic operatives have a much different message.
“Ignore the polls and do the work,” Rob Flaherty, digital director for the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee’s campaign, tweeted Monday morning.
It was an apparent response to a CNN national poll released Monday that found Biden with a 14-point lead over Trump. A win by that large of a margin would give Biden a blowout 413-point electoral vote victory, “assuming a uniform shift from 2016,” elections analyst Ryan Matsumoto said in a tweet .
The CNN poll followed a Wall Street Journal/NBC national poll released Sunday and an NPR/PBS/Marist national poll released Friday, each of which found Biden 7 points ahead.
While the CNN poll is an outlier among other recent surveys, many other national surveys show Biden leading by a comfortable margin. He is further ahead in the RealClearPolitics average of national polls at this point before Election Day than any presidential candidate since 2004.
Ignore polls and do the work — Rob Flaherty (@Rob_Flaherty) June 8, 2020
Yet Democratic operatives echoed Flaherty’s sentiment. “If you want to win in November, ignore the polls,” tweeted Democratic strategist Jess O’Connell.
“There's no time for complacency. 148 days of hard work, and we take back our country,” tweeted Chris Lu, who was a senior Obama administration official and now a senior fellow at the University of Virginia's Miller Center.
Democrats redirecting attention away from the polls, though, is not akin to Trump’s distrust of surveys that are unfavorable.
Trump’s strategy to address poor polling results is to delegitimize them. The president on Monday declared that the CNN poll was “fake” and shared a memo from Republican polling firm McLaughlin & Associates that noted only 25% of respondents in the poll were Republicans.
Those backing Biden generally believe that the polls are an accurate reflection of the current mood of the country and how people would vote if the election were held today. But they worry about what might happen before Election Day.
"It's always better to be ahead than behind in the polls, but five months is an eternity in politics," Lu told the Washington Examiner.
Those outraged by Trump’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic or activists energized by protests sparked by the killing of George Floyd, a black Minneapolis man who was restrained by a white police officer, could be less motivated in November.
Instead of feeling comforted by the polls, operatives urge activists to vote, knock on doors, make phone calls, and engage in other activities.
The sentiment is rooted in former Secretary of State and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton’s 2016 loss to Trump.
“The stress among Democrats to emphasize the need to turn out and vote is surely a reaction to the 2016 results, especially given Clinton’s lead in national polls and popular vote win while losing the Electoral College. Party advocates are working hard against complacency,” said Charles Franklin, director of the Marquette Law School poll.
Many blamed national polls showing Clinton leading and electoral prediction models forecasting that Clinton would win over Trump for giving eligible voters a false sense of security, causing them to stay home or vote third party rather than voting for Clinton and contributing to narrow Trump wins in crucial swing states that led to his Electoral College win.
Franklin noted that in the 2016 election, voters viewed both Clinton and Trump unfavorably, “the first time both candidates were seen negatively since the question was first asked in the 1970s.”
“Negativity to both candidates, a sustained edge in polls, and the willingness to vote for a third party rather than cast a vote that might affect which major party wins in a close state all played a role in 2016,” Franklin said.
Keeping activists engaged can create a buffer for Biden in the event state-level polls were also an issue in 2016.
While Clinton won the national popular vote, closely matching national polls, state polling was less reliable , making the Electoral College win harder to predict. There have been some improvements in state polls, but many factors could still tilt the results in favor of Democrats.
And active supporters can also help mitigate any last-minute bad news for Biden. Former FBI Director James Comey's late October letter to Congress announcing his intent to reopen an investigation into some of Clinton's email communications is also widely blamed for her loss.
This is not the first time “ ignore the polls ” became a rallying cry for Democratic organizers. They repeated the phrase around the time of the 2018 midterm elections that resulted in a “blue wave." Democrats gained 26 seats in Congress, retaking the Hosue majority.
Clearly, Democrats hope that mindset leads to a similar result in 2020.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-06-08--RNC tours Savannah center as possible venue for GOP convention

Officials with the Republican National Committee toured a convention center in Savannah , Georgia , which is being looked at as a possible location for President Trump to deliver his acceptance speech for the 2020 Republican nomination .
Some convention business will still be held in Charlotte , North Carolina , but the RNC wants a large crowd for the president 's speech , something the governor said he can not guarantee because of restrictions meant to curb the spread of the coronavirus .
In response , the president tweeted , `` Governor Cooper is still in Shelter-In-Place Mode , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arena as originally anticipated and promised . ''
Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemp replied , `` Hope you have Georgia on your mind , @ realDonaldTrump ! ''
The mayor of Savannah expressed misgivings about the idea .
`` I am strongly concerned about the impact that a convention of this magnitude would have on the health , safety , and welfare of our city , her citizens , and our budget , '' Mayor Van Johnson said .
`` That being said , I am not privy to , or familiar with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2020 Republican National Convention , but I am open and willing to hear what they have to say . ''
A spokesperson for the city of Savannah said the mayor greeted the governor on Monday .
Rep .
Buddy Carter also tweeted photos of the visit .
Savannah is not the only prospective location for the president 's speech .
Representatives from the RNC are expected to tour facilities in Phoenix and Dallas later this week .
The convention is set to take place from Aug. 24 to Aug. 27 .

Officials with the Republican National Committee toured a convention center in Savannah, Georgia, which is being looked at as a possible location for President Trump to deliver his acceptance speech for the 2020 Republican nomination.
Some convention business will still be held in Charlotte, North Carolina, but the RNC wants a large crowd for the president's speech, something the governor said he cannot guarantee because of restrictions meant to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
In response, the president tweeted, "Governor Cooper is still in Shelter-In-Place Mode, and not allowing us to occupy the arena as originally anticipated and promised." Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp replied, "Hope you have Georgia on your mind, @realDonaldTrump!"
The mayor of Savannah expressed misgivings about the idea. "I am strongly concerned about the impact that a convention of this magnitude would have on the health, safety, and welfare of our city, her citizens, and our budget," Mayor Van Johnson said. "That being said, I am not privy to, or familiar with, any proposal or plans relating to the 2020 Republican National Convention, but I am open and willing to hear what they have to say."
A spokesperson for the city of Savannah said the mayor greeted the governor on Monday. Rep. Buddy Carter also tweeted photos of the visit.
Savannah is not the only prospective location for the president's speech. Representatives from the RNC are expected to tour facilities in Phoenix and Dallas later this week. The convention is set to take place from Aug. 24 to Aug. 27.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-06-08--Trump camp: 'Mid-level staffer' Biden statement on defunding police not enough

President Trump 's campaign called on Joe Biden to directly disavow far-left activist calls to defund police departments rather than just issue a statement from a campaign staff member .
`` Joe Biden can not be let off the hook after his campaign issued a weak statement from a mid-level staffer .
We still haven ’ t heard from Joe Biden himself on the radical ‘ Defund the Police ’ movement in the Democrat Party , '' Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh said in a statement on Monday .
`` It would have been the simplest thing in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement , but he didn ’ t even do that . ''
The Biden campaign on Monday released a statement breaking with activists energized by the death of George Floyd who call for police resources to be redirected to community programs , or in some cases , for police departments to be disbanded altogether .
`` As his criminal justice proposal made clear months ago , Vice President Biden does not believe that police should be defunded .
He hears and shares the deep grief and frustration of those calling out for change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is done and that we put a stop to this terrible pain , '' said Andrew Bates , a spokesman for the former vice president and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee .
The Biden campaign statement was released less than an hour after the start of a Trump campaign call in which Murtaugh borrowed a rhetorical line from activists protesting Floyd 's death and police brutality to criticize Biden .
`` As the protesters like to say , silence is agreement .
By his silence , Joe Biden is endorsing defunding the police , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He accused the Biden campaign of not accurately portraying Biden 's words .
`` We have previously seen the Biden campaign say one thing on an issue right before their candidate says another .
Until Americans hear from Joe Biden himself , they have no way of knowing where he really stands , '' Murtaugh said .
`` Biden is the leader of his party , and he could single-handedly step in and steer elected Democrats away from this terrible policy , which invites chaos in American communities , but he has remained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The ‘ Defund the Police ’ train has already left the Democrat station , and Joe Biden is merely a weak passenger . ''

President Trump's campaign called on Joe Biden to directly disavow far-left activist calls to defund police departments rather than just issue a statement from a campaign staff member.
"Joe Biden cannot be let off the hook after his campaign issued a weak statement from a mid-level staffer. We still haven’t heard from Joe Biden himself on the radical ‘Defund the Police’ movement in the Democrat Party," Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh said in a statement on Monday. "It would have been the simplest thing in the world to stick his name on a statement, but he didn’t even do that."
The Biden campaign on Monday released a statement breaking with activists energized by the death of George Floyd who call for police resources to be redirected to community programs, or in some cases, for police departments to be disbanded altogether.
"As his criminal justice proposal made clear months ago, Vice President Biden does not believe that police should be defunded. He hears and shares the deep grief and frustration of those calling out for change and is driven to ensure that justice is done and that we put a stop to this terrible pain," said Andrew Bates, a spokesman for the former vice president and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee.
The Biden campaign statement was released less than an hour after the start of a Trump campaign call in which Murtaugh borrowed a rhetorical line from activists protesting Floyd's death and police brutality to criticize Biden. "As the protesters like to say, silence is agreement. By his silence, Joe Biden is endorsing defunding the police,” Murtaugh said on the call.
He accused the Biden campaign of not accurately portraying Biden's words.
"We have previously seen the Biden campaign say one thing on an issue right before their candidate says another. Until Americans hear from Joe Biden himself, they have no way of knowing where he really stands," Murtaugh said. "Biden is the leader of his party, and he could single-handedly step in and steer elected Democrats away from this terrible policy, which invites chaos in American communities, but he has remained secluded in his basement saying nothing. The ‘Defund the Police’ train has already left the Democrat station, and Joe Biden is merely a weak passenger."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-06-08--Joe Biden says he opposes defunding police

Joe Biden 's presidential campaign broke its silence on a policy proposal that 's gained traction among far-left activists and some Democratic officeholders since the death of George Floyd to defund local police departments .
For days , while protesters rallied behind the `` defund the police '' slogan and Minneapolis City Council members pledged to abolish the municipality 's law enforcement , Biden dodged the issue , trying to focus on what he called healing America 's racial wounds .
On Monday , however , his campaign released a statement firmly breaking with the activists in his party .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear months ago , Vice President Biden does not believe that police should be defunded .
He hears and shares the deep grief and frustration of those calling out for change and is driven to ensure that justice is done and that we put a stop to this terrible pain , '' said Andrew Bates , a spokesman for Biden , the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee who was vice president under President Barack Obama from 2009-17 after spending 36 years as a Delaware senator .
`` Biden supports the urgent need for reform @ @ @ @ @ @ @ summer programs , and mental-health and substance-abuse treatment separate from funding for policing , so that officers can focus on the job of policing , '' Bates said .
The statement came nearly immediately after President Trump 's reelection campaign held a press call on `` the Left 's radical proposals to defund the police . ''
In that call , the campaign alleged that Biden 's silence on the issue was a tacit endorsement of the policy .
Since Floyd , an unarmed black man , died in police custody in May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movement has gained serious traction with members of the Democratic base .
Several high-profile Democrats who have committed to voting for Biden in November , such as Rep. Ilhan Omar , have supported disbanding the police in Minneapolis .
The Black Lives Matter movement , of which Biden counts himself an ally , recently circulated a petition calling for a national `` defunding of [ the ] police . ''
One of Biden 's campaign co-chairs , Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti , tried calming riots last week by saying he was committed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Police Department 's $ 150 million budget .
On Monday , Biden traveled to Houston , Texas , to meet with the Floyd family .

Joe Biden's presidential campaign broke its silence on a policy proposal that's gained traction among far-left activists and some Democratic officeholders since the death of George Floyd to defund local police departments.
For days, while protesters rallied behind the "defund the police" slogan and Minneapolis City Council members pledged to abolish the municipality's law enforcement, Biden dodged the issue, trying to focus on what he called healing America's racial wounds.
On Monday, however, his campaign released a statement firmly breaking with the activists in his party.
"As his criminal justice proposal made clear months ago, Vice President Biden does not believe that police should be defunded. He hears and shares the deep grief and frustration of those calling out for change and is driven to ensure that justice is done and that we put a stop to this terrible pain," said Andrew Bates, a spokesman for Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee who was vice president under President Barack Obama from 2009-17 after spending 36 years as a Delaware senator.
"Biden supports the urgent need for reform, including funding for public schools, summer programs, and mental-health and substance-abuse treatment separate from funding for policing, so that officers can focus on the job of policing," Bates said.
The statement came nearly immediately after President Trump's reelection campaign held a press call on "the Left's radical proposals to defund the police." In that call, the campaign alleged that Biden's silence on the issue was a tacit endorsement of the policy.
Since Floyd, an unarmed black man, died in police custody in May, the "defund the police" movement has gained serious traction with members of the Democratic base. Several high-profile Democrats who have committed to voting for Biden in November, such as Rep. Ilhan Omar, have supported disbanding the police in Minneapolis.
The Black Lives Matter movement, of which Biden counts himself an ally, recently circulated a petition calling for a national "defunding of [the] police." One of Biden's campaign co-chairs, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, tried calming riots last week by saying he was committed to making cuts to the Los Angeles Police Department's $150 million budget.
On Monday, Biden traveled to Houston, Texas, to meet with the Floyd family.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-06-09--Trump camp working furiously to tie Biden to 'defund the police'

President Trump ’ s reelection campaign sees the “ defund the police ” proposals catching on in left-wing circles as an albatross to hang around Joe Biden ’ s neck , forcing the presumptive Democratic nominee to either identify with or emphatically disavow the latest progressive cause .
The idea of redirecting law enforcement funding to social services , or even altogether , has gained ground among activists taking to the streets to protest against George Floyd ’ s death at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer .
It has emerged as a wedge issue for Republicans as Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demonstrations .
Democrats are hoping they can isolate the issue to the left flank of their party without alienating the activists , much as they did with calls to “ abolish ICE ” during the 2018 midterm election campaign .
Trump and his supporters launched an all-out assault on defunding the police Monday , by the Biden campaign ’ s that the Democrat does not support these proposals .
“ There won ’ t be defunding , ” the president said at a White House law enforcement roundtable .
“ There won ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There ’ s not going to be any disbanding of our police.
” White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany described Trump as “ appalled by the ‘ defund the police ’ movement ” during Monday ’ s briefing .
Biden `` owns this movement , ” said former Chester County , Pennsylvania , Sheriff Carolyn `` Bunny '' Welsh in a conference call organized by the Trump campaign .
“ He has basically turned his back on law enforcement.
” Former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell said police defunders were “ stuck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call was completed , the Biden campaign stated flatly , “ Vice President Biden does not believe that police should be defunded.
” '' Joe Biden can not be let off the hook after his campaign issued a weak statement from a mid-level staffer , ” said Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh after Biden ’ s team politely disavowed the movement .
Murtaugh had previously complained , “ Joe Biden ’ s campaign has managed only a feeble no comment … As the protesters like to say , silence is agreement.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hear from the candidate himself .
“ Let ’ s not forget that a Biden campaign statement isn ’ t worth the paper it 's printed on , ” Trump campaign rapid response director Andrew Clark said in a statement .
“ Last year , the Biden campaign insisted their candidate still opposed taxpayer-funded abortions — right before Biden himself abandoned the position he held for half a century .
More recently , the Biden campaign insisted Biden opposed a moratorium on deportations before clarifying that , in fact , he did [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has , at times , struggled to keep up with the leftward lurch of the Democratic Party on a host of issues , as political conditions have changed since he arrived in Washington in the early 1970s .
But he also managed to defeat a number of more liberal candidates in the Democratic primaries en route to the nomination .
The concern is whether he can sustain the enthusiasm that eluded Hillary Clinton when she lost to Trump in 2016 .
Trump has been under fire for his response to the protests that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unarmed black man , died after pleading for breath as a police officer knelt on his neck .
Trump has condemned the officer ’ s treatment of Floyd and called for a federal civil rights investigation , but he has declined to attribute the incident to systemic racism and has been faulted for tough talk about how authorities should handle the sometimes violent demonstrations .
“ Politics should require thoughtful approaches to difficult policy matters .
A thoughtful approach does not call for a universal ‘ defunding ’ of our police force , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Our police force has a high standard and a calling to live by — protect and serve — and I do believe a vast majority live by that calling .
Now is not the time to play politics .
Now is the time to look deeply at our hearts and thought process and love one another.
” One Democratic consultant said a possible upside of the `` defund the police '' slogan would be to make the police reforms actually embraced by Biden and congressional Democrats “ outside of The Squad ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement did not ultimately hurt Democrats with suburban voters two years ago .
Even as Trump campaigns against police defunding , the White House acknowledged he is open to reforms .
“ He definitely , as he 's noted , recognizes the horrid injustice done to George Floyd and is taking a look at various proposals , ” McEnany told reporters .
“ There is an obvious need for police reform , and the current political environment provides for the best opportunity for meaningful policy changes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ had better be extremely clear about what that means and that their replacement proposal will keep people safe , ” said Republican strategist Rick Tyler .
“ Otherwise , this chance will evaporate .
”

President Trump’s reelection campaign sees the “defund the police” proposals catching on in left-wing circles as an albatross to hang around Joe Biden’s neck, forcing the presumptive Democratic nominee either to identify with or disavow emphatically the latest leftist cause.
The idea of redirecting law enforcement funding to social services, or even disbanding police departments altogether, has gained ground among activists taking to the streets to protest against George Floyd’s death at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer. It has emerged as a wedge issue for Republicans as Trump increasingly finds himself the target of these demonstrations. Democrats are hoping they can isolate the issue to the left flank of their party without alienating the activists, much as they did with calls to “abolish ICE” during the 2018 midterm election campaign.
Trump and his supporters launched an all-out assault on defunding the police Monday, undeterred by the Biden campaign’s statement that the Democrat does not support these proposals. “There won’t be defunding,” the president said at a White House law enforcement roundtable. “There won’t be dismantling of our police. There’s not going to be any disbanding of our police.” White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany described Trump as “appalled by the ‘defund the police’ movement” during Monday’s briefing.
Biden "owns this movement,” said former Chester County, Pennsylvania, Sheriff Carolyn "Bunny" Welsh in a conference call organized by the Trump campaign. “He has basically turned his back on law enforcement.” Former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell said police defunders were “stuck on stupid.” Not long after this call was completed, the Biden campaign stated flatly, “Vice President Biden does not believe that police should be defunded.”
"Joe Biden cannot be let off the hook after his campaign issued a weak statement from a mid-level staffer,” said Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh after Biden’s team disavowed the movement. Murtaugh had previously complained, “Joe Biden’s campaign has managed only a feeble no comment. … As the protesters like to say, silence is agreement.”
Now, Team Trump is demanding to hear from the candidate himself. “Let’s not forget that a Biden campaign statement isn’t worth the paper it's printed on,” Trump campaign rapid response director Andrew Clark said in a statement. “Last year, the Biden campaign insisted their candidate still opposed taxpayer-funded abortions — right before Biden himself abandoned the position he held for half a century. More recently, the Biden campaign insisted Biden opposed a moratorium on deportations before clarifying that, in fact, he did [not].”
The 77-year-old Biden has, at times, struggled to keep up with the leftward lurch of the Democratic Party on a host of issues as political conditions have changed since he arrived in Washington in the early 1970s. But he also managed to defeat a number of more liberal candidates in the Democratic primaries en route to the nomination. The concern is whether he can sustain the enthusiasm that eluded Hillary Clinton when she lost to Trump in 2016.
Trump has been under fire for his response to the protests that have broken out since Floyd, an unarmed black man, died after pleading for breath as a police officer knelt on his neck. Trump has condemned the officer’s treatment of Floyd and called for a federal civil rights investigation, but he has declined to attribute the incident to systemic racism and has been faulted for tough talk about how authorities should handle the sometimes violent demonstrations.
“Politics should require thoughtful approaches to difficult policy matters. A thoughtful approach does not call for a universal ‘defunding’ of our police force,” said Republican strategist Jon Gilmore. “Our police force has a high standard and a calling to live by — protect and serve — and I do believe a vast majority live by that calling. Now is not the time to play politics. Now is the time to look deeply at our hearts and thought process and love one another.”
One Democratic consultant said a possible upside of the "defund the police" slogan would be to make the police reforms actually embraced by Biden and congressional Democrats “outside of the Squad” look mainstream, adding that similar talk of abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement did not ultimately hurt Democrats with suburban voters two years ago.
Even as Trump campaigns against police defunding, the White House acknowledged he is open to reforms. “He definitely, as he's noted, recognizes the horrid injustice done to George Floyd and is taking a look at various proposals,” McEnany told reporters.
“There is an obvious need for police reform, and the current political environment provides for the best opportunity for meaningful policy changes. So the advocates of defunding the police had better be extremely clear about what that means and that their replacement proposal will keep people safe,” said Republican strategist Rick Tyler. “Otherwise, this chance will evaporate.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-06-09--Trump forced to defend red-leaning Ohio

Trump forced to defend red-leaning Ohio

President Trump is blitzing Ohio television with nearly $ 1 million advertising to combat sagging support that Republican insiders in the state blame on the contrast in crisis leadership voters are drawing with GOP Gov .
Mike DeWine .
The ads are running in Cincinnati , Cleveland , Columbus , and Dayton as the Trump campaign moves aggressively to address the president ’ s sudden vulnerability in a state that has trended solidly red .
The rising fortunes of presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden are a byproduct of dissatisfaction with the president ’ s handling of the coronavirus and recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s volatile leadership has looked even worse to voters because of comparison to DeWine ’ s steady hand .
“ Spending resources at this level in June , on TV , means they ’ ve likely seen a tightening of the race in Ohio , ” said Nick Everhart , a Republican consultant with the Ohio firm , Content Creative Media , which advises GOP candidates across the country .
“ It ’ s wise to spend now to remedy the situation.
” The Trump campaign flatly rejects claims that the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ohioans recognize that President Trump is the leader we need to rebuild our economy and keep our streets safe , ” spokeswoman Courtney Parella said Monday .
“ We have no doubt that Ohio will deliver for President Trump this fall.
” But a Fox News poll showed Biden ahead 45 % to 43 % .
Recent moves by the Trump campaign suggest the president ’ s political lieutenants are seeing similar numbers in internal polling .
On May 28 , the Trump campaign bought close to $ 1 million in broadcast advertising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 201,000 in Cincinnati , $ 222,000 in Cleveland , $ 368,000 in Columbus , and $ 88,000 in Dayton .
In 2016 , Trump defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton by 9 percentage points in Ohio , a strong showing in a traditional presidential swing state typically won by narrow margins .
In midterm elections two years later , although Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown won reelection , Ohio Republicans otherwise survived the blue wave that washed over much of the rest of the country .
That initially led both Democrats and Republicans to approach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The coronavirus pandemic , combined with protests and riots over the death of George Floyd , a black man who died after a white Minneapolis police offer knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes , has brought Ohio back into focus .
DeWine is broadly popular for his management of the twin crises , and his balanced , serene , consistent approach has put the provocative Trump in stark relief .
The dichotomy in styles has caused establishment-minded suburban voters in Ohio to reconsider their support for Trump .
Many were skeptical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pull the lever for Clinton .
Biden , the former vice president , is a more palatable choice .
Their drift is threatening to put Ohio in play down the stretch of the fall campaign , according to a senior Republican official in Ohio .
“ Part of the problem is that we ’ ve had a governor who has been very consistent and calm , ” this Republican said .
“ The president ’ s been lurching back and forth between presidential leadership and taunting liberal opponents and acting in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president ’ s campaign in Ohio expect him to outlast Biden .
They say the resources he has sunk into the state surpass anything they have seen in recent presidential elections .
They emphasize that his support among working-class voters who , for decades , had backed Democratic candidates is robust enough to compensate for a drift away from Republicans that has accelerated in the suburbs .
Some Republicans also expect that the consequences of unfavorable comparisons with DeWine will ease as the country gets deeper into the reopening of the economy and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the extent the recent dip in the president ’ s numbers have forced his campaign to pay closer attention to the state , Ohio Republicans say that has been welcome .
“ I don ’ t think the president needs to be scared about Ohio , ” said Alex Triantafilou , chairman GOP of Hamilton County , adjacent to Cincinnati .
“ But he needs to have a robust campaign to lock down the electoral votes here .
”

President Trump is blitzing Ohio television with nearly $1 million advertising to combat sagging support that Republican insiders in the state blame on the contrast in crisis leadership voters are drawing with GOP Gov. Mike DeWine.
The ads are running in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, and Dayton as the Trump campaign moves aggressively to address the president’s sudden vulnerability in a state that has trended solidly red. The rising fortunes of presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden are a byproduct of dissatisfaction with the president’s handling of the coronavirus and recent civil unrest. Ohio Republicans say Trump’s volatile leadership has looked even worse to voters because of comparison to DeWine’s steady hand.
“Spending resources at this level in June, on TV, means they’ve likely seen a tightening of the race in Ohio,” said Nick Everhart, a Republican consultant with the Ohio firm, Content Creative Media, which advises GOP candidates across the country. “It’s wise to spend now to remedy the situation.”
The Trump campaign flatly rejects claims that the president is in trouble in Ohio.
“Ohioans recognize that President Trump is the leader we need to rebuild our economy and keep our streets safe,” spokeswoman Courtney Parella said Monday. “We have no doubt that Ohio will deliver for President Trump this fall.”
But a Fox News poll showed Biden ahead 45% to 43%. Recent moves by the Trump campaign suggest the president’s political lieutenants are seeing similar numbers in internal polling. On May 28, the Trump campaign bought close to $1 million in broadcast advertising to run through June 10, including $201,000 in Cincinnati, $222,000 in Cleveland, $368,000 in Columbus, and $88,000 in Dayton.
In 2016, Trump defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton by 9 percentage points in Ohio, a strong showing in a traditional presidential swing state typically won by narrow margins. In midterm elections two years later, although Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown won reelection, Ohio Republicans otherwise survived the blue wave that washed over much of the rest of the country. That initially led both Democrats and Republicans to approach 2020 without much thought about Ohio.
The coronavirus pandemic, combined with protests and riots over the death of George Floyd, a black man who died after a white Minneapolis police offer knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes, has brought Ohio back into focus. DeWine is broadly popular for his management of the twin crises, and his balanced, serene, consistent approach has put the provocative Trump in stark relief. The dichotomy in styles has caused establishment-minded suburban voters in Ohio to reconsider their support for Trump.
Many were skeptical in 2016 but could not bring themselves to pull the lever for Clinton. Biden, the former vice president, is a more palatable choice. Their drift is threatening to put Ohio in play down the stretch of the fall campaign, according to a senior Republican official in Ohio.
“Part of the problem is that we’ve had a governor who has been very consistent and calm,” this Republican said. “The president’s been lurching back and forth between presidential leadership and taunting liberal opponents and acting in a divisive manner.”
Republicans active in the president’s campaign in Ohio expect him to outlast Biden.
They say the resources he has sunk into the state surpass anything they have seen in recent presidential elections. They emphasize that his support among working-class voters who, for decades, had backed Democratic candidates is robust enough to compensate for a drift away from Republicans that has accelerated in the suburbs.
Some Republicans also expect that the consequences of unfavorable comparisons with DeWine will ease as the country gets deeper into the reopening of the economy and fears of the coronavirus recede. But to the extent the recent dip in the president’s numbers have forced his campaign to pay closer attention to the state, Ohio Republicans say that has been welcome.
“I don’t think the president needs to be scared about Ohio,” said Alex Triantafilou, chairman GOP of Hamilton County, adjacent to Cincinnati. “But he needs to have a robust campaign to lock down the electoral votes here.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-06-09--Terry McAuliffe tells Democrats that Biden is 'fine in the basement'

Former Virginia Gov .
Terry McAuliffe told a video conference meeting with Democrats that Joe Biden should keep campaigning from his basement , where he has been remotely during the coronavirus pandemic .
McAuliffe made the remarks over the weekend during a “ monthly breakfast ” meeting of the Norfolk City Democratic Committee , according to Fox News , which obtained audio of the call .
“ People say all the time , ‘ Oh , we got to get the vice president out of the basement , ’ ” the former Democratic governor said during the Zoom call .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Two people see him a day : his two body people .
That 's it .
Let Trump keep doing what Trump 's doing.
” “ It ’ s hard for the vice president to break through , ” McAuliffe said .
“ You 've got the COVID crisis .
He 's not a governor , does n't have the National Guard .
He 's not the president , does n't have the briefing room .
He needs to come out strategically .
And when he says something like he did on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs to have a big impact — thoughtful , and that 's what we 're preferring that he actually do at the time.
” McAuliffe noted that Biden has been speaking with two or three governors per day and doing roundtable Zoom calls .
“ A lot of it 's being done in those six battleground states that we have going forward , ” he added .
President Trump has mocked Biden for remaining indoors and not touring the country during the health crisis .
Last month , the president said he would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the basement so he can speak ” and offered his Democratic rival a device that can conduct rapid coronavirus testing .
Also last month , David Axelrod , Barack Obama ’ s senior strategist , and David Plouffe , Obama ’ s 2008 campaign manager , said in an op-ed that Biden ’ s speeches from his basement “ won ’ t cut it.
” Trump reportedly plans to restart his “ Make America Great Again ” rallies in the next two weeks as the country continues to emerge from the coronavirus @ @

Former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe told a video conference meeting with Democrats that Joe Biden should keep campaigning from his basement, where he has been remotely during the coronavirus pandemic.
McAuliffe made the remarks over the weekend during a “monthly breakfast” meeting of the Norfolk City Democratic Committee, according to Fox News, which obtained audio of the call.
“People say all the time, ‘Oh, we got to get the vice president out of the basement,’” the former Democratic governor said during the Zoom call. “He's fine in the basement. Two people see him a day: his two body people. That's it. Let Trump keep doing what Trump's doing.”
“It’s hard for the vice president to break through,” McAuliffe said. “You've got the COVID crisis. He's not a governor, doesn't have the National Guard. He's not the president, doesn't have the briefing room. He needs to come out strategically. And when he says something like he did on race relations two days ago, it needs to have a big impact — thoughtful, and that's what we're preferring that he actually do at the time.”
McAuliffe noted that Biden has been speaking with two or three governors per day and doing roundtable Zoom calls.
“A lot of it's being done in those six battleground states that we have going forward,” he added.
President Trump has mocked Biden for remaining indoors and not touring the country during the health crisis. Last month, the president said he would “love to see him get out of the basement so he can speak” and offered his Democratic rival a device that can conduct rapid coronavirus testing.
Also last month, David Axelrod, Barack Obama’s senior strategist, and David Plouffe, Obama’s 2008 campaign manager, said in an op-ed that Biden’s speeches from his basement “won’t cut it.”
Trump reportedly plans to restart his “Make America Great Again” rallies in the next two weeks as the country continues to emerge from the coronavirus pandemic.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-06-09--Jeb Bush's son to vote for Trump

Jeb Bush's son to vote for Trump

President Trump has the support of at least one member of the Bush family .
Texas Land Commissioner George P. @ @ @ @ @ former Florida Gov .
Jeb Bush , said he will vote for Trump in the @ @ @ @ @ Trump is the only thing standing between America and socialism , ” the land commissioner @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Even in a global pandemic where we have had to take unprecedented measures @ @ @ @ @ the economy is already returning .
It ’ s clear America and Texas will continue @ @ @ @ @ ” George P. Bush , the nephew of former President George W. Bush , added @ @ @ @ @ Trump .
The New York Times reported Saturday that the former president won ’ t @ @ @ @ @ efforts , though his spokesman later said he has “ not indicated how he will @ @ @ @ @ Bush nor Jeb Bush voted for Trump in 2016 after Trump repeatedly insulted Jeb , @ @ @ @ @ the primary .

President Trump has the support of at least one member of the Bush family.
Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush, the son of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, said he will vote for Trump in the 2020 election.
“President Trump is the only thing standing between America and socialism,” the land commissioner told the Dallas Morning News. “Even in a global pandemic where we have had to take unprecedented measures to protect public health, the economy is already returning. It’s clear America and Texas will continue to be stronger than ever.”
George P. Bush, the nephew of former President George W. Bush, added that he plans to endorse Trump.
The New York Times reported Saturday that the former president won’t support Trump’s reelection efforts, though his spokesman later said he has “not indicated how he will vote.”
Neither George W. Bush nor Jeb Bush voted for Trump in 2016 after Trump repeatedly insulted Jeb, who ran against him in the primary.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-06-09--Young conservative business professionals fund diverse GOP congressional candidates

A network of young business professionals that donates to Republicans is delivering a fresh tranche of contributions this week to a diverse array of 29 congressional candidates that includes 10 women , three Hispanics , two blacks , and two Asian Americans .
The $ 52,000 given by Maverick PAC , which is run by a collection of top GOP operatives , is also flowing to a dozen military veterans .
The group ’ s money comes directly from members , who vote on which incumbents and challengers to support .
Maverick PAC , which seeks to turn politically interested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backs younger , ethnically diverse Republicans it views as pragmatic and business friendly .
`` Our members , over 600 young professionals nationwide , believe these candidates and incumbents are pragmatic , results-orientated , and worthy of Maverick support , ” Fritz Brogan , the group ’ s national chairman , told the Washington Examiner in a statement .
Among the recipients of Maverick PAC money are Sens .
Cory Gardner of Colorado and Susan Collins of Maine and John James , the Republican running for Senate in Michigan .
Also receiving contributions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Elise Stefanik of New York , and Mike Garcia , the California Republican who flipped a Democrat-held House seat in a recent special election .
The group plans to donate more than $ 200,000 to Republican congressional candidates during the 2020 election cycle .
Maverick PAC was founded in Texas after the 2004 presidential election to engage conservative business executives under 40 .
The group now boasts more than 20 chapters in cities across the country .
Alumni include Texas Sen. Ted Cruz , Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush , Florida Gov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among others .

A network of young business professionals that donates to Republicans is delivering a fresh tranche of contributions this week to a diverse array of 29 congressional candidates that includes 10 women, three Hispanics, two blacks, and two Asian Americans.
The $52,000 given by Maverick PAC, which is run by a collection of top GOP operatives, is also flowing to a dozen military veterans. The group’s money comes directly from members, who vote on which incumbents and challengers to support. Maverick PAC, which seeks to turn politically interested conservatives into regular GOP donors, typically backs younger, ethnically diverse Republicans it views as pragmatic and business friendly.
"Our members, over 600 young professionals nationwide, believe these candidates and incumbents are pragmatic, results-orientated, and worthy of Maverick support,” Fritz Brogan, the group’s national chairman, told the Washington Examiner in a statement.
Among the recipients of Maverick PAC money are Sens. Cory Gardner of Colorado and Susan Collins of Maine and John James, the Republican running for Senate in Michigan. Also receiving contributions are Reps. Dan Crenshaw of Texas, Elise Stefanik of New York, and Mike Garcia, the California Republican who flipped a Democrat-held House seat in a recent special election. The group plans to donate more than $200,000 to Republican congressional candidates during the 2020 election cycle.
Maverick PAC was founded in Texas after the 2004 presidential election to engage conservative business executives under 40. The group now boasts more than 20 chapters in cities across the country. Alumni include Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and Stefanik, among others.