thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-03--Cal Cunningham won't drop out despite admission of extramarital sexual text messages

Cal Cunningham , the Democratic Senate candidate for North Carolina , wo n't be dropping out of the race despite his admission that he sent text messages of a sexual nature to a woman who was not his wife .
Late on Friday , Cunningham admitted to the validity of the texts between him and California public relations strategist Arlene Guzman Todd .
`` I have hurt my family , disappointed my friends , and am deeply sorry .
The first step in repairing those relationships is taking complete responsibility , which I do , '' he said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grateful and humbled by the ongoing support that North Carolinians have extended in this campaign , and in the remaining weeks before this election , I will continue to work to earn the opportunity to fight for the people of our state . ''
One of the texts read , `` Would make my day to roll over and kiss you about now , '' NationalFile.com first reported .
When Todd said , `` So the only thing I want on my to do list is you , '' Cunningham responded , `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The texts were not dated , but at one point , when Todd asked if he was doing OK , Cunningham responded , `` Nervous about the next 100 days ! ''
`` Understandable , '' said Todd .
`` Well sending you love and support from here .
I know you got this . ''
It is unclear if they were referring to Cunningham 's bid for the Senate .
Cunningham has maintained a steady lead over his Republican opponent , Sen. Thom Tillis .
The latest poll from University of Massachusetts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 25 , puts Cunningham at 6 percentage points ahead .

Cal Cunningham, the Democratic Senate candidate for North Carolina, won't be dropping out of the race despite his admission that he sent text messages of a sexual nature to a woman who was not his wife.
Late on Friday, Cunningham admitted to the validity of the texts between him and California public relations strategist Arlene Guzman Todd.
"I have hurt my family, disappointed my friends, and am deeply sorry. The first step in repairing those relationships is taking complete responsibility, which I do," he said.
The Senate hopeful added, "I remain grateful and humbled by the ongoing support that North Carolinians have extended in this campaign, and in the remaining weeks before this election, I will continue to work to earn the opportunity to fight for the people of our state."
One of the texts read, "Would make my day to roll over and kiss you about now," NationalFile.com first reported.
When Todd said, "So the only thing I want on my to do list is you," Cunningham responded, "Sounds so hot and fun!"
The texts were not dated, but at one point, when Todd asked if he was doing OK, Cunningham responded, "Nervous about the next 100 days!"
"Understandable," said Todd. "Well sending you love and support from here. I know you got this."
It is unclear if they were referring to Cunningham's bid for the Senate.
Cunningham has maintained a steady lead over his Republican opponent, Sen. Thom Tillis. The latest poll from University of Massachusetts, Lowell, which concluded on Sep. 25, puts Cunningham at 6 percentage points ahead.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-04--Trump campaign to host a 'call to prayer' for president and first lady amid coronavirus recovery

The Trump campaign is employing the power of prayer as President Trump and first lady Melania Trump recover from the coronavirus .
In a Sunday email , the campaign announced it was hosting a `` Call to Prayer '' for the first couple , both of whom announced they tested positive for COVID-19 in early Friday morning tweets .
`` Please join Lara Trump for a Call to Prayer tonight along with Pastor Paula White-Cain , Cisse Graham Lynch , Pastor Jentezen Franklin , Pastor Ramiro Pena and Bishop Harry Jackson , '' the email reads .
Several of Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advisers have tested positive for the coronavirus since the president 's diagnosis was made public , including former New Jersey Gov .
Chris Christie , former White House counselor Kellyanne Conway , Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel , Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien , and others .
Symone Sanders , a campaign adviser to Joe Biden , said the former vice president is praying for Trump 's continued recovery and is `` hoping that he 's medically able to participate '' in the next presidential debate scheduled for Oct. 15 in Miami @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday morning at Walter Reed National Military Medical Hospital , White House physician Dr. Sean Conley confirmed that Trump was given supplemental oxygen on Friday out of concern of `` possible rapid progression of the illness , '' which the president was adamantly against .
Conley said the president had a `` high fever , '' and his oxygen saturation was dipping below 94 % .
Conley said he did n't disclose the president received supplemental oxygen because he was `` trying to reflect the upbeat attitude that the team , the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had '' and did not want to provide information that would `` steer the course of illness in another direction . ''
`` In doing so , it came off that we were trying to hide something , which was n't necessarily true , '' Conley said .
`` The fact of the matter is he is doing really well . ''
However , the president 's medical team said Trump 's health continues to improve following his coronavirus diagnosis , and he may be discharged from the hospital as early as Monday @

The Trump campaign is employing the power of prayer as President Trump and first lady Melania Trump recover from the coronavirus.
In a Sunday email, the campaign announced it was hosting a "Call to Prayer" for the first couple, both of whom announced they tested positive for COVID-19 in early Friday morning tweets.
"Please join Lara Trump for a Call to Prayer tonight along with Pastor Paula White-Cain, Cisse Graham Lynch, Pastor Jentezen Franklin, Pastor Ramiro Pena and Bishop Harry Jackson," the email reads.
INBOX: the Trump campaign is hosting a “Call to Prayer” for the president and First Lady tonight. pic.twitter.com/QOD7oXteee — Olivia Nuzzi (@Olivianuzzi) October 4, 2020
Several of Trump's current and former top aides and advisers have tested positive for the coronavirus since the president's diagnosis was made public, including former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former White House counselor Kellyanne Conway, Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien, and others.
Symone Sanders, a campaign adviser to Joe Biden, said the former vice president is praying for Trump's continued recovery and is "hoping that he's medically able to participate" in the next presidential debate scheduled for Oct. 15 in Miami, Florida.
During a press conference Sunday morning at Walter Reed National Military Medical Hospital, White House physician Dr. Sean Conley confirmed that Trump was given supplemental oxygen on Friday out of concern of "possible rapid progression of the illness," which the president was adamantly against. Conley said the president had a "high fever," and his oxygen saturation was dipping below 94%.
Conley said he didn't disclose the president received supplemental oxygen because he was "trying to reflect the upbeat attitude that the team, the president, that his course of illness has had" and did not want to provide information that would "steer the course of illness in another direction."
"In doing so, it came off that we were trying to hide something, which wasn't necessarily true," Conley said. "The fact of the matter is he is doing really well."
However, the president's medical team said Trump's health continues to improve following his coronavirus diagnosis, and he may be discharged from the hospital as early as Monday.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-04--Trump campaign adviser Jason Miller says Biden uses masks 'as a prop'

Trump campaign adviser Jason Miller accused Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden of wearing masks as a political `` prop . ''
Following President Trump 's coronavirus diagnosis , the Trump campaign official appeared with ABC host George Stephanopoulos to defend the campaign 's handling of rallies and campaign events amid the pandemic .
`` Has n't the cavalier approach to masks and social distancing at these rallies been a mistake ?
Will it change going forward ? ''
Stephanopoulos asked .
`` I 'll push back and say that it has n't been cavalier at all .
We take it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give everyone coming to rallies or to events , we give them a mask .
We check their temperature .
You know , I 'd say that with regard to Joe Biden , I think too often he 's used the mask as a prop , '' Miller said .
`` A mask is very important , but he could be 20-30 feet away from the nearest person and still have the mask on .
That 's not gon na change anything that 's out there . ''
In reaction , Biden campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bedingfield said , `` I think that tells you a lot of what you need to know about how the Trump campaign has treated this from the outset . ''
`` It 's a choice between two different styles of leadership .
And since the virus came to our shores back in the spring , Joe Biden has led by example , '' she added .
Trump departed the White House Friday for Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for treatment after testing positive for COVID-19 .
Since then , the president 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ events under the theme `` Operation MAGA . ''

Trump campaign adviser Jason Miller accused Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden of wearing masks as a political "prop."
Following President Trump's coronavirus diagnosis, the Trump campaign official appeared with ABC host George Stephanopoulos to defend the campaign's handling of rallies and campaign events amid the pandemic.
"Hasn't the cavalier approach to masks and social distancing at these rallies been a mistake? Will it change going forward?" Stephanopoulos asked.
"I'll push back and say that it hasn't been cavalier at all. We take it very seriously. It's why we give everyone coming to rallies or to events, we give them a mask. We check their temperature. You know, I'd say that with regard to Joe Biden, I think too often he's used the mask as a prop," Miller said. "A mask is very important, but he could be 20-30 feet away from the nearest person and still have the mask on. That's not gonna change anything that's out there."
In reaction, Biden campaign deputy campaign manager and communications director Kate Bedingfield said, "I think that tells you a lot of what you need to know about how the Trump campaign has treated this from the outset."
"It's a choice between two different styles of leadership. And since the virus came to our shores back in the spring, Joe Biden has led by example," she added.
Trump departed the White House Friday for Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for treatment after testing positive for COVID-19. Since then, the president's campaign has pushed forward with virtual campaign events under the theme "Operation MAGA."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-06--'I did get frustrated': Biden says he should have called debate 'clownish undertaking' instead of ca

'I did get frustrated': Biden says he should have called debate 'clownish undertaking' instead of calling Trump 'clown'

Joe Biden indicated that he regretted resorting to name-calling during his first presidential debate against President Trump on Tuesday .
`` I was trying to figure out how I could possibly have him respect the debate , respect the moderator , and get us an opportunity to speak ...
He did not want to talk about substance , '' the former vice president and Democratic presidential nominee said during an NBC town hall on Monday night .
Trump repeatedly interrupted Biden and moderator Chris Wallace of Fox News in what was arguably the messiest debate on record .
Biden , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to `` shut up '' and called him a `` clown . ''
`` I did get very frustrated .
I did get frustrated .
And I should have said this is a clownish undertaking instead of calling him a clown , '' Biden said .
`` But the fact is , I 'll be very honest with you — I think it was embarrassing for the nation . ''
Town hall moderator Lester Holt of NBC News asked Biden if his debate performance is an indication of how he might act if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should he be elected president .
Biden brushed off the question , noting that he had met with many world leaders during the Obama administration .
`` [ They 've ] gotten under my skin , '' Biden said .
`` And we 've had very quiet conversations .
I 've told President Putin exactly what I think of him .
He knows it .
We looked eye to eye , and we know what 's going on . ''
`` You can look back on all those international meetings I 've had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ca n't think of a time when I 've not handled it properly . ''

Joe Biden indicated that he regretted resorting to name-calling during his first presidential debate against President Trump on Tuesday.
"I was trying to figure out how I could possibly have him respect the debate, respect the moderator, and get us an opportunity to speak ... He did not want to talk about substance," the former vice president and Democratic presidential nominee said during an NBC town hall on Monday night.
Trump repeatedly interrupted Biden and moderator Chris Wallace of Fox News in what was arguably the messiest debate on record.
Biden, at one point, told the president to "shut up" and called him a "clown."
"I did get very frustrated. I did get frustrated. And I should have said this is a clownish undertaking instead of calling him a clown," Biden said. "But the fact is, I'll be very honest with you — I think it was embarrassing for the nation."
Town hall moderator Lester Holt of NBC News asked Biden if his debate performance is an indication of how he might act if world leaders get under his skin, should he be elected president.
Biden brushed off the question, noting that he had met with many world leaders during the Obama administration.
"[They've] gotten under my skin," Biden said. "And we've had very quiet conversations. I've told President Putin exactly what I think of him. He knows it. We looked eye to eye, and we know what's going on."
"You can look back on all those international meetings I've had," Biden added. "You can't think of a time when I've not handled it properly."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-05--‘Now that he’s busy tweeting’: Biden returns to tough-on-Trump message as president leaves hospital

Joe Biden started to ramp up his criticisms of the president after softening his campaign tone toward President Trump over the weekend while the commander in chief was hospitalized with the coronavirus .
The Democratic presidential nominee and former vice president paused negative campaign ads that went after Trump after the president revealed that he had the coronavirus and was hospitalized at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center .
And at a campaign stop in Miami on Monday , Biden reiterated that he is praying for the president and first lady , Melania Trump .
But Trump announced that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday evening , and Biden pointed to the president sending more than a dozen tweets Monday morning about his campaign platform and urged supporters to vote as a reason to reintroduce jabs .
`` I was glad to see the president speaking , recording videos over the weekend .
Now that he 's busy tweeting campaign messages , I would ask him to do this : Listen to the scientists , '' Biden said .
He urged the president to support nationwide mask mandates — a now-signature part of Biden 's campaign platform @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been murky on .
Biden once said he was not sure if he had the constitutional authority to do it before later saying that there are probably ways that a president could mandate mask usage across the nation .
`` Support masks .
Support a mandates nationwide require mask and every federal building facility and interstate travel .
Urge every governor to the same .
We know it saves lives , '' Biden said .
Since Trump was hospitalized on Friday , Biden said , more than 100,000 people had been diagnosed with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least 5,000 more will die , '' Biden said .
`` I hope the president 's recovery is swift and successful , but our nation 's COVID crisis is far , far from over . ''
Biden also flaunted an analysis from financial intelligence firm Moody 's that found Biden 's economic plans would create 7 million more jobs than Trump 's plans .
`` The president talks about a lot of talking about Wall Street , '' Biden said , but `` he never talks about '' the analysis that favored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report that said the president suggested using nuclear weapons to thwart severe hurricanes headed for the United States .
`` No matter what the president says , maybe you should consider : Dropping an atomic weapon on a hurricane coming our way is not a good idea .
It does n't work , '' Biden said .
Biden faulted Trump for not doing more to combat climate change .
`` What does he have to do to get knocked in the head to understand it ? ''
Biden said .
In one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Trump 's relationship with the Russian president .
`` The bottom line is that President Trump can not advance from — democracy and human rights to the American people when he has embraced so many autocrats around the world , starting with Vladimir Putin , '' Biden said .

Joe Biden started to ramp up his criticisms of the president after softening his campaign tone toward President Trump over the weekend while the commander in chief was hospitalized with the coronavirus.
The Democratic presidential nominee and former vice president paused negative campaign ads that went after Trump after the president revealed that he had the coronavirus and was hospitalized at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. And at a campaign stop in Miami on Monday, Biden reiterated that he is praying for the president and first lady, Melania Trump.
But Trump announced that he will return to the White House on Monday evening, and Biden pointed to the president sending more than a dozen tweets Monday morning about his campaign platform and urged supporters to vote as a reason to reintroduce jabs.
"I was glad to see the president speaking, recording videos over the weekend. Now that he's busy tweeting campaign messages, I would ask him to do this: Listen to the scientists," Biden said.
He urged the president to support nationwide mask mandates — a now-signature part of Biden's campaign platform, the specifics of which he has been murky on. Biden once said he was not sure if he had the constitutional authority to do it before later saying that there are probably ways that a president could mandate mask usage across the nation.
"Support masks. Support a mandates nationwide require mask and every federal building facility and interstate travel. Urge every governor to the same. We know it saves lives," Biden said.
Since Trump was hospitalized on Friday, Biden said, more than 100,000 people had been diagnosed with the coronavirus.
"This week, at least 5,000 more will die," Biden said. "I hope the president's recovery is swift and successful, but our nation's COVID crisis is far, far from over."
Biden also flaunted an analysis from financial intelligence firm Moody's that found Biden's economic plans would create 7 million more jobs than Trump's plans.
"The president talks about a lot of talking about Wall Street," Biden said, but "he never talks about" the analysis that favored Biden.
He also referenced a 2019 report that said the president suggested using nuclear weapons to thwart severe hurricanes headed for the United States.
"No matter what the president says, maybe you should consider: Dropping an atomic weapon on a hurricane coming our way is not a good idea. It doesn't work," Biden said.
Biden faulted Trump for not doing more to combat climate change.
"What does he have to do to get knocked in the head to understand it?" Biden said.
In one of his last blows, Biden took aim at Trump's relationship with the Russian president.
"The bottom line is that President Trump cannot advance from — democracy and human rights to the American people when he has embraced so many autocrats around the world, starting with Vladimir Putin," Biden said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-05--Pence and Harris to be separated by plexiglass at vice presidential debate

Plexiglass barriers will separate Vice President Mike Pence , Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris , and the moderator of their one and only debate amid a White House coronavirus outbreak .
The Commission on Presidential Debates approved the use of barriers , a measure debuted during South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham 's debate against Democrat Jaime Harrison last weekend when the challenger brought his own plexiglass to their meeting .
President Trump 's campaign was against the barriers for Wednesday 's debate between Pence and the California senator at Salt Lake City 's University of Utah , Politico @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wants to use a fortress around herself , have at it , ” Pence spokeswoman Katie Miller told the outlet .
Pence and Harris being sat further apart , from 7 feet to 13 feet , is among the other changes made to the debate since Trump , first lady Melania Trump , and more than a dozen high-profile Republicans tested positive for COVID-19 .
All attendees will also be required to take a test and wear a face covering for the entire 90-minute program , two rules that were not enforced during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The White House , for instance , has declined to confirm whether Trump returned a negative test before he walked into the Cleveland Clinic last Tuesday , potentially exposing Joe Biden to the virus .
Members of the first family similarly refused to don masks during the event .
The next presidential debate on Oct. 15 in Miami will be different as well , but the commission 's promise to introduce `` additional structure '' was promoted by the unruly opener .

Plexiglass barriers will separate Vice President Mike Pence, Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris, and the moderator of their one and only debate amid a White House coronavirus outbreak.
The Commission on Presidential Debates approved the use of barriers, a measure debuted during South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham's debate against Democrat Jaime Harrison last weekend when the challenger brought his own plexiglass to their meeting.
President Trump's campaign was against the barriers for Wednesday's debate between Pence and the California senator at Salt Lake City's University of Utah, Politico reported Wednesday.
“If Sen. Harris wants to use a fortress around herself, have at it,” Pence spokeswoman Katie Miller told the outlet.
Pence and Harris being sat further apart, from 7 feet to 13 feet, is among the other changes made to the debate since Trump, first lady Melania Trump, and more than a dozen high-profile Republicans tested positive for COVID-19.
All attendees will also be required to take a test and wear a face covering for the entire 90-minute program, two rules that were not enforced during last week's first presidential debate. The White House, for instance, has declined to confirm whether Trump returned a negative test before he walked into the Cleveland Clinic last Tuesday, potentially exposing Joe Biden to the virus. Members of the first family similarly refused to don masks during the event.
The next presidential debate on Oct. 15 in Miami will be different as well, but the commission's promise to introduce "additional structure" was promoted by the unruly opener.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-05--White House has had COVID-19 procedure for months, White House officials say

The White House has had a comprehensive course of action for employees who contract the coronavirus since March , according to documents obtained by the Washington Examiner .
On Sunday evening , reporters from the New York Times and New York Magazine shared an internal email to White House staff members outlining steps on what to do if they are experiencing coronavirus-related symptoms .
People who work at the White House told the Washington Examiner they were surprised that members of the press were sharing the email because the instructions given were nearly identical to periodic emails they have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ email told White House employees to `` please stay at home and do not come to work until you are free of any symptoms . ''
Those who believe they are showing symptoms of COVID-19 `` should not go to the White House Medical Unit Clinic '' for a test but should contact their supervisor if they 'd wish to work from home .
Those who have tested positive for the coronavirus in recent days include President Trump , first lady Melania Trump , counsel to the president Hope Hicks , White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel , former White House counselor Kellyanne Conway , Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien , and Republican Sens .
Mike Lee , Thom Tillis , and Ron Johnson .
Trump was flown on Marine One to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Friday and is set to be released Monday evening .
An email from March 10 asked employees to `` visit their Primary Care provider if they are sick '' and encouraged managers to `` authorize sick leave or telework , as appropriate . ''
`` If you are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ headache , cough , shortness of breath , and/or body aches , please stay home , '' read an email from March 12 .
`` You should begin self-isolation for 14 days from the time you had contact with the [ suspected infected ] person and notify the White House Management Office . ''
New York Magazine ’ s Olivia Nuzzi claimed that the Oct. 4 email “ isn ’ t identical to the other emails ( it specifies not getting tested at the medical unit , among other differences ) .
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not to go to the White House Medical Unit clinic `` for any COVID-19 testing inquiries '' for weeks , according to one Sept. 13 email .
When the Washington Examiner pointed out to a New York Times reporter that the instructions in the Oct. 4 email were largely a review of what has been sent out to White House staff for months , the journalist , Maggie Haberman , responded that `` it 's a ) not the same email , it includes the possibility of teleworking for the first time but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to go out at all since POTUS got sick . ''
Nuzzi retweeted Haberman ’ s claim .
But emails obtained from the Washington Examiner from April and May show that White House staff members have been instructed to avoid in-person meetings and have been encouraged to telework for months .
“ Telework when possible , ” one April 4 email to White House staff read .
“ Please continue to telework when possible and stay home .
Supervisors are encouraged to be flexible.
” '' The [ Executive Office of the President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and social distancing , '' read another April 28 email to all staff .
`` Supervisors should encourage their employees to telework whenever possible . ''
That April 28 email described the various “ teleconferencing tools ” at the White House to assist with “ employee telework needs , ” including iPhone and desk-phone teleconferencing , Skype for Business , and the Conference Bridge scheduler , although the use of Zoom was prohibited .
Another email sent on May 11 reiterated many of those instructions and required `` everyone who enters the West @ @ @ @ @ @ @ covering . ''

The White House has had a comprehensive course of action for employees who contract the coronavirus since March, according to documents obtained by the Washington Examiner.
On Sunday evening, reporters from the New York Times and New York Magazine shared an internal email to White House staff members outlining steps on what to do if they are experiencing coronavirus-related symptoms. People who work at the White House told the Washington Examiner they were surprised that members of the press were sharing the email because the instructions given were nearly identical to periodic emails they have been receiving since March.
The Oct. 4 email told White House employees to "please stay at home and do not come to work until you are free of any symptoms." Those who believe they are showing symptoms of COVID-19 "should not go to the White House Medical Unit Clinic" for a test but should contact their supervisor if they'd wish to work from home.
Those who have tested positive for the coronavirus in recent days include President Trump, first lady Melania Trump, counsel to the president Hope Hicks, White House aide Nicholas Luna, Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, former White House counselor Kellyanne Conway, Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien, and Republican Sens. Mike Lee, Thom Tillis, and Ron Johnson. Trump was flown on Marine One to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Friday and is set to be released Monday evening.
An email from March 10 asked employees to "visit their Primary Care provider if they are sick" and encouraged managers to "authorize sick leave or telework, as appropriate."
"If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, cough, shortness of breath, and/or body aches, please stay home," read an email from March 12. "You should begin self-isolation for 14 days from the time you had contact with the [suspected infected] person and notify the White House Management Office."
New York Magazine’s Olivia Nuzzi claimed that the Oct. 4 email “isn’t identical to the other emails (it specifies not getting tested at the medical unit, among other differences).” But White House staff has been instructed not to go to the White House Medical Unit clinic "for any COVID-19 testing inquiries" for weeks, according to one Sept. 13 email.
When the Washington Examiner pointed out to a New York Times reporter that the instructions in the Oct. 4 email were largely a review of what has been sent out to White House staff for months, the journalist, Maggie Haberman, responded that "it's a) not the same email, it includes the possibility of teleworking for the first time but b) is the first campus-wide email to go out at all since POTUS got sick." Nuzzi retweeted Haberman’s claim.
But emails obtained from the Washington Examiner from April and May show that White House staff members have been instructed to avoid in-person meetings and have been encouraged to telework for months.
“Telework when possible,” one April 4 email to White House staff read. “Please continue to telework when possible and stay home. Supervisors are encouraged to be flexible.”
"The [Executive Office of the President] is continuing to practice maximum telework and social distancing," read another April 28 email to all staff. "Supervisors should encourage their employees to telework whenever possible."
That April 28 email described the various “teleconferencing tools” at the White House to assist with “employee telework needs,” including iPhone and desk-phone teleconferencing, Skype for Business, and the Conference Bridge scheduler, although the use of Zoom was prohibited.
Another email sent on May 11 reiterated many of those instructions and required "everyone who enters the West Wing to wear a mask or facial covering."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-05--'He's done the world for us': Trump fans await his release outside Walter Reed

BETHESDA , Maryland — As President Trump prepared to leave Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Monday , his supporters camped outside the hospital said they could n't be happier to see him go .
Sam Bethea , a North Carolina man shouting `` Jesus saves ! ''
to passing cars , said that he believes Trump 's short stay in the hospital was God 's way of telling him to take it easy just before the final weeks of the campaign .
`` I think this was God 's way of saying , 'Son , you need to lie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a moment , ' '' Bethea says .
Like many other Trump supporters , Bethea has followed the president , not just this weekend , but throughout the fall on the campaign trail .
He says he 's been praying for Trump every step of the way , including on his surprise drive-by Sunday evening , spreading the message of `` God and country . ''
Alongside him stand several other people holding signs offering up prayers for the continued improvement of the president 's health .
Cars driving down the road honk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ middle fingers and shout , `` F -- - Trump ! ''
Bethea , who is black , chuckles and remarks that his presence out here challenges popular narratives about the president .
`` It 's a beautiful thing , '' he says .
`` Everyone wants Trump to seem like a racist , with only white people vote for him .
But I 'm looking at Chinese people , Vietnamese people , black people , white people .
Just is a beautiful picture . ''
It is a diverse crowd around him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group of people carry signs reading , `` Vietnamese for Trump . ''
They intermingle with a few people holding Make America Great Again flags and the flag of East Turkestan , which represents the Uighur people .
Trump , during the summer , signed legislation challenging China for its alleged human rights abuses against the Uighur people .
On the edge of the crowd , James Jenkins , a man from the Baltimore suburbs , stands alone , decked out in a Confederate T-shirt and Confederate hat and waving the rebel flag @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him .
One woman screams from a white sedan , `` Fascist ! ''
But Jenkins says he does n't care .
He brought his wife and 5-year-old daughter to this rally to let them get the experience of a Trump rally .
For him , this rally , and the flag with it , are his way of sending a `` thank you '' to the president .
`` This is about coming out here and telling Donald Trump , ' I support you , ' '' Jenkins says .
`` ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you 're in a hospital or not , I love you . '
I have never seen people get in front of a president and scream , ' I love you !
I love you ! '
But here we are , chanting it . ''
He points to his wife and daughter standing on the side of the road .
They are waving little MAGA flags and jumping up and down , shouting , `` Four more years ! ''
and `` Make America great again ! ''
`` Look how much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's done the world for us and , '' Jenkins adds , pointing to the hospital , `` he 's going to do more . ''
Elsewhere , there 's murmuring that the Trump campaign will send more pizza , as it allegedly did last night .
A man wearing a T-shirt depicting California Rep. Adam Schiff with a literal pencil neck , a reference to one of Trump 's derogatory tweets , bemoans the fact that he did not get in on the pizza frenzy when he had the chance .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ People were leaving with three boxes of pies , stacked up , '' he says .

BETHESDA, Maryland — As President Trump prepared to leave Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Monday, his supporters camped outside the hospital said they couldn't be happier to see him go.
Sam Bethea, a North Carolina man shouting "Jesus saves!" to passing cars, said that he believes Trump's short stay in the hospital was God's way of telling him to take it easy just before the final weeks of the campaign.
"I think this was God's way of saying, 'Son, you need to lie down, you need to rest for a moment,'" Bethea says.
Like many other Trump supporters, Bethea has followed the president, not just this weekend, but throughout the fall on the campaign trail. He says he's been praying for Trump every step of the way, including on his surprise drive-by Sunday evening, spreading the message of "God and country." Alongside him stand several other people holding signs offering up prayers for the continued improvement of the president's health.
Cars driving down the road honk at the crowd. Some raise their middle fingers and shout, "F--- Trump!"
Bethea responds, "We love you!"
Bethea, who is black, chuckles and remarks that his presence out here challenges popular narratives about the president.
"It's a beautiful thing," he says. "Everyone wants Trump to seem like a racist, with only white people vote for him. But I'm looking at Chinese people, Vietnamese people, black people, white people. Just is a beautiful picture."
It is a diverse crowd around him. To his left, a small group of people carry signs reading, "Vietnamese for Trump." They intermingle with a few people holding Make America Great Again flags and the flag of East Turkestan, which represents the Uighur people. Trump, during the summer, signed legislation challenging China for its alleged human rights abuses against the Uighur people.
On the edge of the crowd, James Jenkins, a man from the Baltimore suburbs, stands alone, decked out in a Confederate T-shirt and Confederate hat and waving the rebel flag. The cars passing by honk at him. One woman screams from a white sedan, "Fascist!"
But Jenkins says he doesn't care. He brought his wife and 5-year-old daughter to this rally to let them get the experience of a Trump rally. For him, this rally, and the flag with it, are his way of sending a "thank you" to the president.
"This is about coming out here and telling Donald Trump, 'I support you,'" Jenkins says. "'I want you to know, whether you're in a hospital or not, I love you.' I have never seen people get in front of a president and scream, 'I love you! I love you!' But here we are, chanting it."
He points to his wife and daughter standing on the side of the road. They are waving little MAGA flags and jumping up and down, shouting, "Four more years!" and "Make America great again!"
"Look how much he's done for us. He's done the world for us and," Jenkins adds, pointing to the hospital, "he's going to do more."
Elsewhere, there's murmuring that the Trump campaign will send more pizza, as it allegedly did last night. A man wearing a T-shirt depicting California Rep. Adam Schiff with a literal pencil neck, a reference to one of Trump's derogatory tweets, bemoans the fact that he did not get in on the pizza frenzy when he had the chance.
"I wish I had grabbed some ... People were leaving with three boxes of pies, stacked up," he says.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-05--Jill Biden physically pulls Joe away from reporters in social-distancing reminder

Joe Biden 's wife Jill Biden pulled him away from a group a reporters he was speaking to on Monday as a reminder to socially distance .
While answering a question about whether he still intends to debate President Trump as scheduled on Oct. 15 , the former second lady walked up behind him and grabbed his arms , pulling him away from the reporters .
`` I 'm sorry , '' the former vice president and Democratic presidential candidate said as Jill Biden repositioned him .
Both of the Bidens , as well as all of the staff members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coverings .
Biden indicated that he would show up at the next debate if he can do so safely .
`` Listen to the science .
If scientists say that it ’ s safe , '' Biden said , `` then I think that ’ s fine . ''
He added : `` I ’ ll do whatever the experts say is appropriate for me to do . ''
Asked about Trump 's car ride outside Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to wave at supporters despite being hospitalized with coronavius , Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to comment on the president 's health , what he ’ s doing or not doing .
I ’ ll leave that to the doctors . ''

Joe Biden's wife Jill Biden pulled him away from a group a reporters he was speaking to on Monday as a reminder to socially distance.
While answering a question about whether he still intends to debate President Trump as scheduled on Oct. 15, the former second lady walked up behind him and grabbed his arms, pulling him away from the reporters.
"I'm sorry," the former vice president and Democratic presidential candidate said as Jill Biden repositioned him.
Both of the Bidens, as well as all of the staff members and reporters visible, were wearing face coverings.
Biden indicated that he would show up at the next debate if he can do so safely.
"Listen to the science. If scientists say that it’s safe," Biden said, "then I think that’s fine." He added: "I’ll do whatever the experts say is appropriate for me to do."
Asked about Trump's car ride outside Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to wave at supporters despite being hospitalized with coronavius, Biden said: "I’m reluctant to comment on the president's health, what he’s doing or not doing. I’ll leave that to the doctors."
Watch: Jill Biden pulls Joe Biden further away from press while answering Qs at airport. Biden said he is happy to debate Trump on 10/15 if scientists deem it is safe. [Biden & reporters were COVID tested within past 24 hours] pic.twitter.com/UJ9oGp3vCM — Bo Erickson CBS (@BoKnowsNews) October 5, 2020


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-05--Pence steps onto center stage with Trump hospitalized in the wings

Vice President Mike Pence flies to Salt Lake City , Utah , on Monday as he prepares for his biggest role yet — becoming the face of President Trump ’ s reelection campaign .
With the president laid low by the coronavirus , his deputy is stepping up as campaign officials hastily rejig plans for the final month before Election Day with `` Operation MAGA , '' deploying Pence and the Trump family in a new front line .
Analysts wonder whether they can replace the charismatic presence of the campaign ’ s biggest asset and whether the next in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out on the road .
“ A lot of people have questions about whether he should be out and about so much with the president in hospital , ” said Jeanne Zaino , professor of political science at Iona College .
“ He should almost be in a bubble.
” On Wednesday , Pence steps fully into the spotlight with the vice presidential debate in Salt Lake City , turning what would have been a sideshow into the week ’ s big political event .
A day later , he will headline rallies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where Biden has a lead of about four points , according to a weekend poll .
It means the man who has frequently been pressed into service in a supporting role — carrying out the sort of retail politics that Trump avoids , or acting as a bridge to some evangelical voters and the traditional conservatives who have never been entirely comfortable with a thrice-married reality TV star as their president — moves to center stage .
The result is unlikely to fill a Trump-sized hole .
And it is a big step @ @ @ @ @ @ @ himself has joked in the past about easily being able to fill a room of dozens , said Tom LoBianco , author of Piety and Power : Mike Pence and the Taking of the White House , even if some elements will be familiar .
“ What ’ s kind of interesting about Pence in all this is how much his role has n't changed at all , despite myriad wild circumstances , ” LoBianco said .
“ He 's still functionally doing the same thing he was hired on to the ticket @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters in Midwest states and massaging mega-donors.
” It could not come at a more difficult time .
Trump ’ s hospitalization keeps the national conversation on the pandemic , something aides wanted to avoid .
They have spent weeks trying to refocus voters ’ minds on law and order and the president ’ s handling of the economy .
Last week offered the latest in a bruising round of setbacks .
Trump already faced intense scrutiny after recordings emerged suggesting he had talked down the threat from COVID-19 even as he acknowledged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accused of belittling members of the armed forces , and the New York Times published details of the president ’ s tax returns suggesting he paid only $ 750 in federal income tax in the year he was elected .
The week ended with his campaign in crisis .
Not only did the president test positive for COVID-19 , so too did campaign manager Bill Stepien and Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel .
Adding to the sense of turmoil , Brad Parscale , who until recently worked as Trump 's campaign manager @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to his Florida home .
Campaign officials insist they can adjust to losing their star candidate .
Jason Miller , a senior adviser , said he had no concerns about Pence adopting such an aggressive schedule with the president hospitalized and added that he was one of a number of key surrogates stepping up .
“ We 're going to be fanning out all over the country following the vice president 's debate on Wednesday , also combined with a number of virtual events .
We 're going to have our first big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he told NBC ’ s Meet the Press .
“ So the president was excited to hear this Operation MAGA that we 're going to get everyone around the country and really pick up the – the banner and campaign until he can get back out there himself .
”

Vice President Mike Pence flies to Salt Lake City, Utah, on Monday as he prepares for his biggest role yet — becoming the face of President Trump’s reelection campaign.
With the president laid low by the coronavirus, his deputy is stepping up as campaign officials hastily rejig plans for the final month before Election Day with "Operation MAGA," deploying Pence and the Trump family in a new front line.
Analysts wonder whether they can replace the charismatic presence of the campaign’s biggest asset and whether the next in line to the presidency should even be out on the road.
“A lot of people have questions about whether he should be out and about so much with the president in hospital,” said Jeanne Zaino, professor of political science at Iona College. “He should almost be in a bubble.”
On Wednesday, Pence steps fully into the spotlight with the vice presidential debate in Salt Lake City, turning what would have been a sideshow into the week’s big political event.
A day later, he will headline rallies in Nevada and Arizona, a state where Biden has a lead of about four points, according to a weekend poll.
It means the man who has frequently been pressed into service in a supporting role — carrying out the sort of retail politics that Trump avoids, or acting as a bridge to some evangelical voters and the traditional conservatives who have never been entirely comfortable with a thrice-married reality TV star as their president — moves to center stage.
The result is unlikely to fill a Trump-sized hole. And it is a big step up for the more sedate campaigner who himself has joked in the past about easily being able to fill a room of dozens, said Tom LoBianco, author of Piety and Power: Mike Pence and the Taking of the White House, even if some elements will be familiar.
“What’s kind of interesting about Pence in all this is how much his role hasn't changed at all, despite myriad wild circumstances,” LoBianco said. “He's still functionally doing the same thing he was hired on to the ticket for four years ago — plying conservative voters in Midwest states and massaging mega-donors.”
It could not come at a more difficult time.
Trump’s hospitalization keeps the national conversation on the pandemic, something aides wanted to avoid. They have spent weeks trying to refocus voters’ minds on law and order and the president’s handling of the economy.
Last week offered the latest in a bruising round of setbacks. Trump already faced intense scrutiny after recordings emerged suggesting he had talked down the threat from COVID-19 even as he acknowledged its severity in private, he was accused of belittling members of the armed forces, and the New York Times published details of the president’s tax returns suggesting he paid only $750 in federal income tax in the year he was elected.
The week ended with his campaign in crisis. Not only did the president test positive for COVID-19, so too did campaign manager Bill Stepien and Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel.
Adding to the sense of turmoil, Brad Parscale, who until recently worked as Trump's campaign manager, was hospitalized after police were called to his Florida home.
Campaign officials insist they can adjust to losing their star candidate.
Jason Miller, a senior adviser, said he had no concerns about Pence adopting such an aggressive schedule with the president hospitalized and added that he was one of a number of key surrogates stepping up.
“We're going to be fanning out all over the country following the vice president's debate on Wednesday, also combined with a number of virtual events. We're going to have our first big kickoff virtual event Monday night,” he told NBC’s Meet the Press.
“So the president was excited to hear this Operation MAGA that we're going to get everyone around the country and really pick up the – the banner and campaign until he can get back out there himself.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-06--North Carolina Senate candidate Cal Cunningham's extramarital affair went beyond sexting: Report

North Carolina Democratic Senate candidate Cal Cunningham admitted he exchanged sexual texts with a married woman who is not his wife , but new reports suggest their relationship went beyond these explicit digital messages .
New texts obtained by WRAL and later verified by the Associated Press now suggest that Cunningham had a sexual relationship with Arlene Guzman Todd .
According to the Associated Press , through several interviews late Monday as well as from texts , Guzman Todd talked about two in-person meetings with Cunningham , one encounter in March that she noted did not include intimate contact and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North Carolina where such contact did occur .
In one of the messages obtained by the Associated Press , Todd texted a friend about an intimate encounter with Cunningham at his home and called the experience “ weird.
” She also became upset with the North Carolina Democrat saying in another text he did not pay enough attention to her and she could ruin his political career .
“ I ’ m just going to send to his opponent his naked photos , ” Todd wrote .
“ That will teach him.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cal , ” she said in another message , adding later , “ he knows [ that I ] can tank his campaign.
” The Associated Press reported that the new text messages confirm that Cunningham and Todd were intimate on at least one occasion after it was revealed last week that the two had exchanged salacious messages .
“ A few months back , I displayed a lapse in judgment by engaging in a relationship with Cal Cunningham during a period of marital separation , ” Todd said in a statement to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several months and consisted primarily of a series of text exchanges and an in-person encounter.
” It is unknown if Cunningham used any campaign resources or funds to facilitate his encounters with Todd .
Cunningham , a former state senator and Army reservist , is married with two children .
He apologized Saturday for sending the sexually charged text messages to Todd , a Los Angeles public relations executive .
`` I have hurt my family , disappointed my friends , and am deeply sorry .
The first step in repairing those relationships @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do .
I ask that my family ’ s privacy be respected in this personal matter , '' Cunningham said .
`` I remain grateful and humbled by the ongoing support that North Carolinians have extended in this campaign , and in the remaining weeks before this election , I will continue to work to earn the opportunity to fight for the people of our state . ''
A second allegation of a Cunningham extramarital affair was made by attorney Erin Brinkman on Facebook , who claimed her `` good friend '' has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since 2012 .
The North Carolina Democrat is running in a tight race against Republican Sen. Thom Tillis , who is quarantining after being diagnosed with COVID-19 .
It is one of the campaigns that will determine which party controls the Senate next year .
“ Cal Cunningham has centered his entire campaign around duty and honor , all while he was sexting and carrying on an affair with the wife of an Army combat veteran , '' said National Republican Senatorial Committee spokeswoman Joanna Rodriguez in a statement .
`` North Carolinians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they can judge whether he is fit to represent them.
” The Cunningham campaign responded , “ Senator Tillis and his allies are trying to exploit a personal matter and ignoring a family ’ s request for privacy to make desperate attacks in hopes they can distract from Senator Tillis ’ record of blocking Medicaid expansion , voting to take protections away from North Carolinians with pre-existing conditions , and failing to pass needed COVID-19 relief for our communities.
” The Cunningham campaign declined to comment further , saying it was a personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staying in the race .

North Carolina Democratic Senate candidate Cal Cunningham admitted he exchanged sexual texts with a married woman who is not his wife, but new reports suggest their relationship went beyond these explicit digital messages.
New texts obtained by WRAL and later verified by the Associated Press now suggest that Cunningham had a sexual relationship with Arlene Guzman Todd. According to the Associated Press, through several interviews late Monday as well as from texts, Guzman Todd talked about two in-person meetings with Cunningham, one encounter in March that she noted did not include intimate contact and a second meeting back in July in North Carolina where such contact did occur.
In one of the messages obtained by the Associated Press, Todd texted a friend about an intimate encounter with Cunningham at his home and called the experience “weird.” She also became upset with the North Carolina Democrat saying in another text he did not pay enough attention to her and she could ruin his political career.
“I’m just going to send to his opponent his naked photos,” Todd wrote. “That will teach him.”
“You don’t deserve me Cal,” she said in another message, adding later, “he knows [that I] can tank his campaign.”
The Associated Press reported that the new text messages confirm that Cunningham and Todd were intimate on at least one occasion after it was revealed last week that the two had exchanged salacious messages.
“A few months back, I displayed a lapse in judgment by engaging in a relationship with Cal Cunningham during a period of marital separation,” Todd said in a statement to the newswire. “The relationship spanned several months and consisted primarily of a series of text exchanges and an in-person encounter.”
It is unknown if Cunningham used any campaign resources or funds to facilitate his encounters with Todd.
Cunningham, a former state senator and Army reservist, is married with two children. He apologized Saturday for sending the sexually charged text messages to Todd, a Los Angeles public relations executive.
"I have hurt my family, disappointed my friends, and am deeply sorry. The first step in repairing those relationships is taking complete responsibility, which I do. I ask that my family’s privacy be respected in this personal matter," Cunningham said. "I remain grateful and humbled by the ongoing support that North Carolinians have extended in this campaign, and in the remaining weeks before this election, I will continue to work to earn the opportunity to fight for the people of our state."
A second allegation of a Cunningham extramarital affair was made by attorney Erin Brinkman on Facebook, who claimed her "good friend" has been in a relationship with the candidate since 2012.
The North Carolina Democrat is running in a tight race against Republican Sen. Thom Tillis, who is quarantining after being diagnosed with COVID-19. It is one of the campaigns that will determine which party controls the Senate next year.
“Cal Cunningham has centered his entire campaign around duty and honor, all while he was sexting and carrying on an affair with the wife of an Army combat veteran," said National Republican Senatorial Committee spokeswoman Joanna Rodriguez in a statement. "North Carolinians deserve answers about Cunningham's misconduct so they can judge whether he is fit to represent them.”
The Cunningham campaign responded, “Senator Tillis and his allies are trying to exploit a personal matter and ignoring a family’s request for privacy to make desperate attacks in hopes they can distract from Senator Tillis’ record of blocking Medicaid expansion, voting to take protections away from North Carolinians with pre-existing conditions, and failing to pass needed COVID-19 relief for our communities.”
The Cunningham campaign declined to comment further, saying it was a personal matter and reiterating that the Democrat is staying in the race.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-06--Kamala Harris's debate task: Strike the right balance

Kamala Harris ’ s task in Wednesday ’ s debate against Mike Pence is to deliver for her supporters who hope to see a sharp , offensive performance without falling into any sexist tropes or looking like a bully .
The California senator and Democratic vice presidential nominee is known for being a sharp questioner in Senate hearings .
And she deployed one of the most brutal debate attacks in recent memory last year when she slammed her now-running mate former vice president Joe Biden for working with segregationist senators to oppose busing in the 1970s .
“ Senator Harris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vice president on defense the entire debate , ” Democratic strategist Moe Vela , who worked as a senior adviser for Biden during the Obama administration , told the Washington Examiner .
“ He ’ s got to defend Donald Trump 's ineptitude on the virus.
” “ Now , she also has to strike a balance , ” Vela added .
“ At the same time , she also has to share with the American people what her and Vice President Biden 's vision and plan is to get the country back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Pence , if he does n't match her tone of attack , could reflect negatively on Harris .
She likely won ’ t have to worry about the vice president continuously interrupting her in Wednesday ’ s vice presidential debate , as President Trump did to Biden in last week ’ s first presidential debate .
Pence was cool and stern in his debate against Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Kaine in 2016 .
He was skilled at turning any question back to a talking point designed to reach voters as Kaine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Instant polls immediately after the debate found that Pence had an edge in that debate .
And Harris ’ s historic stature as the first woman of color on a vice presidential debate stage also creates a challenge .
“ She faces probably a different kind of scrutiny than she has faced in the past , ” Debbie Walsh of Rutgers University ’ s Center for American Women and Politics told the Washington Examiner .
“ It still is relatively unchartered territory for women , running at this level.
” If she is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a trope of being an “ angry black woman , ” Walsh said , or as Trump has said , “ nasty.
” Harris is only the fourth woman to participate in a presidential or vice-presidential debate , following Hillary Clinton in 2016 , Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin in 2008 and Geraldine Ferraro in 1984 .
” There 's an assumption of qualifications that comes with two male candidates that the female candidates , and I think particularly female candidates of color , struggle with because there 's just this assumption @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they have to prove themselves , ” Walsh said .
“ A lot of Democrats have watched her for a while now because of her presidential run , but for a lot of Americans , this is their first chance to sort of see her and hear her.
” Vela , though , thought that Harris ’ s favorable poll numbers and higher approval ratings than Clinton ’ s in 2016 will help her avoid falling into negative tropes .
The two candidates are set to sit 12 feet apart at a table @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them in order to prevent the potential spread of the coronavirus .
Trump tested positive for the virus two weeks after last week ’ s debate , potentially exposing Biden to the disease .
That image of plexiglass diving the two candidates could look awkward to viewers , but could also play to Harris ’ s advantage as a reminder of the pandemic — a topic that Trump ’ s campaign would rather avoid .
“ To me , the imagery is just furthering the division that we 're all feeling in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Kamala Harris’s task in Wednesday’s debate against Mike Pence is to deliver for her supporters who hope to see a sharp, offensive performance without falling into any sexist tropes or looking like a bully.
The California senator and Democratic vice presidential nominee is known for being a sharp questioner in Senate hearings. And she deployed one of the most brutal debate attacks in recent memory last year when she slammed her now-running mate former vice president Joe Biden for working with segregationist senators to oppose busing in the 1970s.
“Senator Harris needs to play offense and put the vice president on defense the entire debate,” Democratic strategist Moe Vela, who worked as a senior adviser for Biden during the Obama administration, told the Washington Examiner. “He’s got to defend Donald Trump's ineptitude on the virus.”
“Now, she also has to strike a balance,” Vela added. “At the same time, she also has to share with the American people what her and Vice President Biden's vision and plan is to get the country back on its feet.”
Going too hard on Pence, if he doesn't match her tone of attack, could reflect negatively on Harris. She likely won’t have to worry about the vice president continuously interrupting her in Wednesday’s vice presidential debate, as President Trump did to Biden in last week’s first presidential debate.
Pence was cool and stern in his debate against Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Kaine in 2016. He was skilled at turning any question back to a talking point designed to reach voters as Kaine kept his own focus on policy. Instant polls conducted immediately after the debate found that Pence had an edge in that debate.
And Harris’s historic stature as the first woman of color on a vice presidential debate stage also creates a challenge.
“She faces probably a different kind of scrutiny than she has faced in the past,” Debbie Walsh of Rutgers University’s Center for American Women and Politics told the Washington Examiner. “It still is relatively unchartered territory for women, running at this level.”
If she is too aggressive, Harris risks falling into a trope of being an “angry black woman,” Walsh said, or as Trump has said, “nasty.”
Harris is only the fourth woman to participate in a presidential or vice-presidential debate, following Hillary Clinton in 2016, Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin in 2008 and Geraldine Ferraro in 1984.
”There's an assumption of qualifications that comes with two male candidates that the female candidates, and I think particularly female candidates of color, struggle with because there's just this assumption that they're not, and that they have to prove themselves,” Walsh said. “A lot of Democrats have watched her for a while now because of her presidential run, but for a lot of Americans, this is their first chance to sort of see her and hear her.”
Vela, though, thought that Harris’s favorable poll numbers and higher approval ratings than Clinton’s in 2016 will help her avoid falling into negative tropes.
The two candidates are set to sit 12 feet apart at a table for the debate, with plexiglass dividing them in order to prevent the potential spread of the coronavirus. Trump tested positive for the virus two weeks after last week’s debate, potentially exposing Biden to the disease.
That image of plexiglass diving the two candidates could look awkward to viewers, but could also play to Harris’s advantage as a reminder of the pandemic — a topic that Trump’s campaign would rather avoid.
“To me, the imagery is just furthering the division that we're all feeling in the country right now,” Vela said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-06--At Gettysburg, Biden makes a plea for unity

Joe Biden chose the site of one of America 's deadliest Civil War battles to deliver a speech calling for unity , racial justice , and an end to partisanship .
`` Today , we 're engaged once again in a battle for the soul of the nation , '' the Democratic presidential nominee said in Gettysburg , Pennsylvania , on Tuesday , repeating his campaign slogan .
`` The forces of darkness , the forces of division , the forces of yesterday are pulling us apart , holding us down , and holding us back . ''
This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of opinion , Biden said .
He warned : `` Too many Americans seek not to overcome our divisions , but to deepen them . ''
The former vice president was very invested in the message .
Earlier in the day , Biden told attendees at a virtual fundraiser that he `` worked on this speech very , very , very hard . ''
The decision to deliver the speech at Gettysburg evoked an obvious comparison to President Abraham Lincoln , who gave a famous speech on the battlefield .
Biden mentioned Lincoln @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Once again , we are a house divided .
But that , my friends , can no longer be .
We are facing too many crises .
We have too much work to do .
We have too much work to do to have it be shipwrecked on the shoals of hate and anger and division , '' Biden said .
Biden made his call for unity without directly naming President Trump .
But it was not apolitical : He urged people to vote in the 2020 election .
[ Related @ @ @ @ @ @ @ busy tweeting ’ : Biden returns to tough-on-Trump message as president leaves hospital ] Much of the speech contained many of Biden 's points that he often repeats on the campaign trail .
Racial justice and combating white supremacy were major themes of Biden 's speech .
He mentioned speaking to the daughter of George Floyd , the black Minneapolis man whose death after being held under a white police officer 's knee sparked international Black Lives Matter protests this summer .
`` I think about what it takes for a black person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deep love for this country that has , for far too long , never been recognized , '' Biden said .
`` We fought a Civil War that would secure our union , '' Biden said .
`` And by fits and starts , our better angels have prevailed against , just enough , against our worst impulses to make a new and better nation .
And those better angels can prevail again now . ''
But in the end , it was a campaign speech , implying that the path to unity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House .
`` It can not be that after all this country 's been through , after all that America 's accomplished , after all the years that America 's stood as a beacon of light to the world — it can not be that here and now in 2020 , we will allow the government of the people , by the people , and for the people to perish on this earth , '' Biden said .
`` No , it can not , and it must not .
We have it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the power to vote . ''

Joe Biden chose the site of one of America's deadliest Civil War battles to deliver a speech calling for unity, racial justice, and an end to partisanship.
"Today, we're engaged once again in a battle for the soul of the nation," the Democratic presidential nominee said in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday, repeating his campaign slogan. "The forces of darkness, the forces of division, the forces of yesterday are pulling us apart, holding us down, and holding us back."
This is not a matter of a mere difference of opinion, Biden said. He warned: "Too many Americans seek not to overcome our divisions, but to deepen them."
The former vice president was very invested in the message. Earlier in the day, Biden told attendees at a virtual fundraiser that he "worked on this speech very, very, very hard."
The decision to deliver the speech at Gettysburg evoked an obvious comparison to President Abraham Lincoln, who gave a famous speech on the battlefield. Biden mentioned Lincoln and also former President Lyndon B. Johnson.
"Once again, we are a house divided. But that, my friends, can no longer be. We are facing too many crises. We have too much work to do. We have too much work to do to have it be shipwrecked on the shoals of hate and anger and division," Biden said.
Biden made his call for unity without directly naming President Trump. But it was not apolitical: He urged people to vote in the 2020 election.
[Related: ‘Now that he’s busy tweeting’: Biden returns to tough-on-Trump message as president leaves hospital]
Much of the speech contained many of Biden's points that he often repeats on the campaign trail.
Racial justice and combating white supremacy were major themes of Biden's speech. He mentioned speaking to the daughter of George Floyd, the black Minneapolis man whose death after being held under a white police officer's knee sparked international Black Lives Matter protests this summer.
"I think about what it takes for a black person to love America. That is a deep love for this country that has, for far too long, never been recognized," Biden said.
At times, Biden struck a hopeful note.
"We fought a Civil War that would secure our union," Biden said. "And by fits and starts, our better angels have prevailed against, just enough, against our worst impulses to make a new and better nation. And those better angels can prevail again now."
But in the end, it was a campaign speech, implying that the path to unity starts with putting Biden in the White House.
"It cannot be that after all this country's been through, after all that America's accomplished, after all the years that America's stood as a beacon of light to the world — it cannot be that here and now in 2020, we will allow the government of the people, by the people, and for the people to perish on this earth," Biden said. "No, it cannot, and it must not. We have it in our hands the ultimate power: the power to vote."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-06--By abandoning stimulus deal, Trump leaves the public (and his reelection chances) out to dry

President Trump announced Tuesday that he is pulling a plug on negotiations with Democrats over another round of federal coronavirus aid , adding that he will not return to the negotiating table until after the election .
Not only was this move unnecessary , but it also puts at risk the livelihood of millions of people still suffering from the economic consequences that accompanied our prolonged shutdown .
Trump is right that Democratic leadership has been demanding far more than it should be in these negotiations .
One need only look at the past pork they tried to stuff into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus aid to understand Trump ’ s frustration .
But that is no reason to call off negotiations altogether .
The two parties managed to compromise on this twice before , and they can do so again .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wants the federal government to allocate $ 2.4 trillion for its next aid package , but the Trump administration is only willing to spend $ 1.6 trillion , according to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin .
There is an easy solution : Trump should agree to spend more .
Better to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than no aid package at all .
And if Pelosi tries to throw additional conditions on the package , Republicans should do what they did before and reject them .
Some have argued this does fiscal conservatism a favor .
By tossing out Pelosi 's price tag , Trump was putting America 's financial future first , said White House economics adviser ( and Washington Examiner magazine columnist ) Stephen Moore .
And he has a point .
But it 's impossible to ignore the economic pain much of the country is still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ despite the fact that most industries have reopened .
Few places are hiring outside of the service industry , and many companies , such as the airlines , are preparing to cut thousands of jobs to make up for lost revenue .
Our problems are immediate and should be treated as such .
To be sure , Pelosi is as much to blame for this fiasco as Trump .
Republicans are probably right when they argue that she is intentionally refusing to compromise on this deal in order to hurt Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the American public than her political fortune , she would have passed this package weeks ago .
But now , she can lay the blame for this package ’ s failure squarely at Trump ’ s feet .
And she will be right to do so — because there was no reason for this .
Additional aid is a universally popular and necessary policy , and by abandoning it , Trump is jeopardizing his campaign 's chances and , more importantly , the well-being of millions who need help .

President Trump announced Tuesday that he is pulling a plug on negotiations with Democrats over another round of federal coronavirus aid, adding that he will not return to the negotiating table until after the election. Not only was this move unnecessary, but it also puts at risk the livelihood of millions of people still suffering from the economic consequences that accompanied our prolonged shutdown.
Nancy Pelosi is asking for $2.4 Trillion Dollars to bailout poorly run, high crime, Democrat States, money that is in no way related to COVID-19. We made a very generous offer of $1.6 Trillion Dollars and, as usual, she is not negotiating in good faith. I am rejecting their... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 6, 2020
Trump is right that Democratic leadership has been demanding far more than it should be in these negotiations. One need only look at the past pork they tried to stuff into Congress’s first two rounds of coronavirus aid to understand Trump’s frustration. But that is no reason to call off negotiations altogether. The two parties managed to compromise on this twice before, and they can do so again.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wants the federal government to allocate $2.4 trillion for its next aid package, but the Trump administration is only willing to spend $1.6 trillion, according to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. There is an easy solution: Trump should agree to spend more. Better to have an aid package that costs too much than no aid package at all. And if Pelosi tries to throw additional conditions on the package, Republicans should do what they did before and reject them.
Some have argued this does fiscal conservatism a favor. By tossing out Pelosi's price tag, Trump was putting America's financial future first, said White House economics adviser (and Washington Examiner magazine columnist) Stephen Moore. And he has a point. But it's impossible to ignore the economic pain much of the country is still experiencing. Unemployment is still holding steady despite the fact that most industries have reopened. Few places are hiring outside of the service industry, and many companies, such as the airlines, are preparing to cut thousands of jobs to make up for lost revenue. Our problems are immediate and should be treated as such.
To be sure, Pelosi is as much to blame for this fiasco as Trump. Republicans are probably right when they argue that she is intentionally refusing to compromise on this deal in order to hurt Trump’s reelection chances. If she cared more about the American public than her political fortune, she would have passed this package weeks ago.
But now, she can lay the blame for this package’s failure squarely at Trump’s feet. And she will be right to do so — because there was no reason for this. Additional aid is a universally popular and necessary policy, and by abandoning it, Trump is jeopardizing his campaign's chances and, more importantly, the well-being of millions who need help.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-06--California authorities take down large Trump freeway sign

A large Trump sign that could be seen along the 405 freeway in Southern California early Tuesday morning has been @ @ @ @ @ , which was first reported to the California Highway Patrol at around 7 a.m. PDT @ @ @ @ @ , was placed on private property overlooking thousands of Los Angeles motorists .
Officials with @ @ @ @ @ the sign as a `` traffic hazard '' and noted the location of the sign @ @ @ @ @ brush could potentially ignite and start a fire in the already hard-stricken state .
Eric @ @ @ @ @ crew of workers had the sign down by 10 a.m. after it caused drivers to @ @ @ @ @ .
He said officials had yet to confirm the owner of the property where the @ @ @ @ @ 2016 , President Trump registered the lowest vote total of a major-party candidate in California @ @ @ @ @ was beaten there by former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton .

A large Trump sign that could be seen along the 405 freeway in Southern California early Tuesday morning has been taken down.
The sign, which was first reported to the California Highway Patrol at around 7 a.m. PDT and went viral on Twitter, was placed on private property overlooking thousands of Los Angeles motorists.
Officials with the California Highway Patrol logged the sign as a "traffic hazard" and noted the location of the sign among a patch of dry brush could potentially ignite and start a fire in the already hard-stricken state.
A Trump sign was erected on the hillside along the 405 Freeway near the Sepulveda Pass. It’s unclear who put it there 📹: Sky5 pic.twitter.com/ac71WxbYW2 — KTLA (@KTLA) October 6, 2020
Eric Menjivar of CalTrans said a crew of workers had the sign down by 10 a.m. after it caused drivers to slow down and take pictures. He said officials had yet to confirm the owner of the property where the sign was posted.
In 2016, President Trump registered the lowest vote total of a major-party candidate in California since 1924, when he was beaten there by former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-06--'It's outrageous': Gay mayoral candidate excluded from debate for not being liberal enough

The Manhattan Democratic club excluded the only gay candidate from a mayoral debate for 2021 because she ’ s not liberal enough .
“ I think it ’ s outrageous , and it doesn ’ t comport with what I consider liberal Democratic values , ” retired Brig .
Gen. Loree Sutton told the New York Post after she was excluded .
“ I have to raise the question .
I ’ m the only gay candidate , and I ’ m the only military veteran in the group , so I have to wonder on what basis did Allen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
” she added .
The former Army psychiatrist was excluded because she wants to mandate protesters in the city to obtain permits before demonstrating .
New York City saw protests , riots , and repeated nights of violence over the summer in the wake of George Floyd ’ s death on Memorial Day .
“ We ’ re not going to entertain somebody whose positions are diametrically opposed to what the Democratic Party should stand for , ” Roskoff told the New York Post .
The Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hold the first debate on Oct. 13 and invited six other candidates to partake .
The group describes itself as “ NYC ’ s progressive LGBTQ Democratic club.
” Roskoff added that other candidates were also left out of the lineup , such as Citigroup Vice-Chairman Raymond McGuire .
The senior adviser to Sutton ’ s campaign , Wendell Jamieson , said Sutton is a “ true , blue Democrat who , I assure you , holds many classically liberal views .
“ But I ’ m sorry — she doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deface your city or set it on fire .
She ’ d love to discuss her views but is being cut out of the conversation before it begins because she ’ s a different kind of candidate , ” Jamieson said .

The Manhattan Democratic club excluded the only gay candidate from a mayoral debate for 2021 because she’s not liberal enough.
“I think it’s outrageous, and it doesn’t comport with what I consider liberal Democratic values,” retired Brig. Gen. Loree Sutton told the New York Post after she was excluded.
“I have to raise the question. I’m the only gay candidate, and I’m the only military veteran in the group, so I have to wonder on what basis did Allen Roskoff determine who was acceptable for including?” she added.
The former Army psychiatrist was excluded because she wants to mandate protesters in the city to obtain permits before demonstrating. New York City saw protests, riots, and repeated nights of violence over the summer in the wake of George Floyd’s death on Memorial Day.
“We’re not going to entertain somebody whose positions are diametrically opposed to what the Democratic Party should stand for,” Roskoff told the New York Post.
The Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club, led by Allen Roskoff, is slated to hold the first debate on Oct. 13 and invited six other candidates to partake. The group describes itself as “NYC’s progressive LGBTQ Democratic club.”
Roskoff added that other candidates were also left out of the lineup, such as Citigroup Vice-Chairman Raymond McGuire.
The senior adviser to Sutton’s campaign, Wendell Jamieson, said Sutton is a “true, blue Democrat who, I assure you, holds many classically liberal views.
“But I’m sorry — she doesn’t think it’s cool to deface your city or set it on fire. She’d love to discuss her views but is being cut out of the conversation before it begins because she’s a different kind of candidate,” Jamieson said.
Sutton previously served as Mayor Bill de Blasio’s first Veterans Services commissioner.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-06--Voters actually care about vice presidential debate this time: Poll

Voters traditionally do n't make their decisions on whom to vote for based on vice presidential debates .
But given the relatively advanced ages of President Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden , new polling suggests this cycle may be different .
According to a new survey from The Harris Poll provided exclusively to the Washington Examiner , 69 % of the electorate said that the vice presidential picks of Biden , 77 , and Trump , 74 , influence their vote in November .
Among Republicans , that number is as high as 75 % , and for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Harris Poll conducted its survey from Oct. 1-3 among a nationally representative sample of 1,976 adults .
Following the chaotic first debate between Trump and Biden , the former vice president and 36-year Delaware senator , voters are anticipating more substance Wednesday night from Vice President Mike Pence and California Sen. Kamala Harris .
The poll showed that 48 % of voters said they thought the vice presidential debate would do a better job addressing the issues than the first presidential debate , during which Trump dominated the microphones and Biden frequently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12 % , thought the vice presidential candidates would do worse , and 40 % said they thought Harris and Pence would do about the same job .
Wednesday night 's debate , the first time Pence and Harris will face off in person since the campaign began , will feature the two separated by a large plexiglass barrier .
The new precautions are the latest consequence of Trump 's recent COVID-19 diagnosis .
The debate commission also mandated that the two sit 13 feet apart rather than the typical 7 feet .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden still not committing to serving two terms as president , the duties of the vice president have arguably never been more important in modern political history .
And voters seem to agree with that assessment and think the vice presidential candidates this time around will play an important role in crafting policy over the next four years .
The Harris Poll reported that 83 % said the role of the vice president is “ important , ” 88 % said the country needs a vice president , and 68 % said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made in the United States .
Among past vice presidents , more adults said Biden was the most important than any other in the past 10 administrations , with 36 % of respondents saying he was `` the most influential during their time as vice president . ''
Only 34 % answered George H.W .
Bush , and 26 % said Pence .
Another 16 % said they `` do not believe any of the last 10 vice presidents were among the most influential during their time , '' and Walter Mondale , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ considered the least influential , all receiving 7 % support from respondents .

Voters traditionally don't make their decisions on whom to vote for based on vice presidential debates. But given the relatively advanced ages of President Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, new polling suggests this cycle may be different.
According to a new survey from The Harris Poll provided exclusively to the Washington Examiner, 69% of the electorate said that the vice presidential picks of Biden, 77, and Trump, 74, influence their vote in November. Among Republicans, that number is as high as 75%, and for Democrats, it's 72%.
The Harris Poll conducted its survey from Oct. 1-3 among a nationally representative sample of 1,976 adults.
Following the chaotic first debate between Trump and Biden, the former vice president and 36-year Delaware senator, voters are anticipating more substance Wednesday night from Vice President Mike Pence and California Sen. Kamala Harris.
The poll showed that 48% of voters said they thought the vice presidential debate would do a better job addressing the issues than the first presidential debate, during which Trump dominated the microphones and Biden frequently yelled back. A small minority, 12%, thought the vice presidential candidates would do worse, and 40% said they thought Harris and Pence would do about the same job.
Wednesday night's debate, the first time Pence and Harris will face off in person since the campaign began, will feature the two separated by a large plexiglass barrier. The new precautions are the latest consequence of Trump's recent COVID-19 diagnosis. The debate commission also mandated that the two sit 13 feet apart rather than the typical 7 feet.
With Trump currently recovering from COVID-19 and Biden still not committing to serving two terms as president, the duties of the vice president have arguably never been more important in modern political history.
And voters seem to agree with that assessment and think the vice presidential candidates this time around will play an important role in crafting policy over the next four years. The Harris Poll reported that 83% said the role of the vice president is “important,” 88% said the country needs a vice president, and 68% said the vice president has an influence on decisions made in the United States.
Among past vice presidents, more adults said Biden was the most important than any other in the past 10 administrations, with 36% of respondents saying he was "the most influential during their time as vice president." Only 34% answered George H.W. Bush, and 26% said Pence. Another 16% said they "do not believe any of the last 10 vice presidents were among the most influential during their time," and Walter Mondale, Spiro Agnew, and Dan Quayle were considered the least influential, all receiving 7% support from respondents.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-06--McConnell super PAC hits Cunningham in North Carolina over sexting scandal

The super PAC aligned with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is airing a new , hard-hitting television advertisement in North Carolina that spotlights revelations of Democrat Cal Cunningham 's extramarital affairs .
Cunningham has led Republican Sen. Thom Tillis in public polling for months despite North Carolina 's tendency to support GOP candidates in federal statewide contests .
Republicans believed they caught a break when Cunningham acknowledged an inappropriate relationship with a woman who is not his wife , and Senate Leadership Fund is trying to exploit it with millions of dollars in television ads .
`` Politician Cal Cunningham @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the ad 's voice-over says , alongside clips of news reports that the Democrat , a military veteran and married father of two children , was exchanging salacious text messages with a married woman .
`` But Cunningham got caught sending sexually explicit messages to a woman who is not his wife .
Cal Cunningham : What else is he hiding ? ''
Senate Leadership Fund announced Tuesday that this 30-second spot was being inserted into its weekly rotation of television ads in North Carolina .
The super PAC previously booked $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the state for the final month of the campaign .
Also Tuesday , Tillis said in an interview on Fox News that Cunningham owes voters an explanation .
The senator recently tested positive for the coronavirus and was weighing in on the scandal for the first time .
`` On the debate stage last week Cal said it ’ s about integrity — and I agree , '' Tillis said .
`` His family should be kept private .
He ’ s got teenage children , but Cal owes North Carolinians , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thorough explanation for what we now know are two separate events .
And he ’ s an officer in the military .
He ’ s also subject to disciplinary action just on the basis of what he has admitted to . ''
Cunningham led Tillis by 6.5 percentage points in an average of recent polls .
But few surveys have been publicized since Friday when the scandal surfaced .

The super PAC aligned with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is airing a new, hard-hitting television advertisement in North Carolina that spotlights revelations of Democrat Cal Cunningham's extramarital affairs.
Cunningham has led Republican Sen. Thom Tillis in public polling for months despite North Carolina's tendency to support GOP candidates in federal statewide contests. Republicans believed they caught a break when Cunningham acknowledged an inappropriate relationship with a woman who is not his wife, and Senate Leadership Fund is trying to exploit it with millions of dollars in television ads.
"Politician Cal Cunningham hid the extramarital affair for months," the ad's voice-over says, alongside clips of news reports that the Democrat, a military veteran and married father of two children, was exchanging salacious text messages with a married woman. "But Cunningham got caught sending sexually explicit messages to a woman who is not his wife. Cal Cunningham: What else is he hiding?"
Senate Leadership Fund announced Tuesday that this 30-second spot was being inserted into its weekly rotation of television ads in North Carolina. The super PAC previously booked $4 million per week of television time in the state for the final month of the campaign. Also Tuesday, Tillis said in an interview on Fox News that Cunningham owes voters an explanation. The senator recently tested positive for the coronavirus and was weighing in on the scandal for the first time.
"On the debate stage last week Cal said it’s about integrity — and I agree," Tillis said. "His family should be kept private. He’s got teenage children, but Cal owes North Carolinians, all the voters, a full and thorough explanation for what we now know are two separate events. And he’s an officer in the military. He’s also subject to disciplinary action just on the basis of what he has admitted to."
Cunningham led Tillis by 6.5 percentage points in an average of recent polls. But few surveys have been publicized since Friday when the scandal surfaced.