thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-12--Trump-aligned super PAC highlights Biden-Harris opposition to fracking in Pennsylvania

A Trump-boosting super PAC is launching new adverts in Pennsylvania to highlight Joe Biden and Kamala Harris ’ s opposition to fracking .
The campaign sees the issue as crucial to holding a state that Donald Trump won narrowly in 2016 , and where recent polls suggest the president is better trusted on energy issues — albeit narrowly .
Launching the 30-second television ad , America First Action said : “ Joe Biden , and his radical , phony running mate Kamala Harris , will destroy Pennsylvania ’ s fracking industry.
” Pennsylvania is the second-largest producer of natural gas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jobs connected to energy , with fracking concentrated in the west of the state .
The ad will be broadcast in Pittsburgh , Harrisburg , Johnstown , Erie , and Wilkes-Barre .
A recent study by the Global Energy Institute of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce concluded that a ban on fracking would cost the state as much as $ 260 billion by 2025 .
The advert features a third-generation oil and gas worker , who says : “ When Joe Biden says he ’ d eliminate fracking , he ’ s talking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talking about our future .
Joe Biden would be devastating for us.
” Last year , during a candidate town hall , Harris , who was named by Biden as his vice presidential pick on Tuesday , outlined her opposition to fracking .
`` There ’ s no question , I ’ m in favor of banning fracking , ” she said in September .
However , a climate plan released the same month stopped short of a ban , although she proposed a `` carbon fee '' on polluters .
Biden , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opposed to any new fracking , but that he does not believe there are enough votes in Congress to impose a national ban .
Either way , Trump campaign allies see the issue as a win-win .
Highlighting fracking forces Biden and Harris to face a choice between placating the left of their own party and getting tougher on fossil fuels , or winning back some of the blue-collar Democrats who switched to Trump in 2020 .
In a recent column for the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader , Keith Naughton , political strategist and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden was under intense pressure to strike the right balance .
“ Pennsylvania is must-win country for Joe Biden .
And he simply can not do it with just progressive-left voters .
Alienating households that depend on Pennsylvania ’ s energy industry would be a disastrous miscalculation and repeat the hubris of the Hillary Clinton campaign , ” he wrote .

A Trump-boosting super PAC is launching new adverts in Pennsylvania to highlight Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’s opposition to fracking.
The campaign sees the issue as crucial to holding a state that Donald Trump won narrowly in 2016, and where recent polls suggest the president is better trusted on energy issues — albeit narrowly.
Launching the 30-second television ad, America First Action said: “Joe Biden, and his radical, phony running mate Kamala Harris, will destroy Pennsylvania’s fracking industry.”
Pennsylvania is the second-largest producer of natural gas after Texas and has more than 300,000 jobs connected to energy, with fracking concentrated in the west of the state.
The ad will be broadcast in Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Johnstown, Erie, and Wilkes-Barre.
A recent study by the Global Energy Institute of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce concluded that a ban on fracking would cost the state as much as $260 billion by 2025.
The advert features a third-generation oil and gas worker, who says: “When Joe Biden says he’d eliminate fracking, he’s talking about my job, he’s talking about our future. Joe Biden would be devastating for us.”
"When Joe Biden says he'd eliminate fracking, he's talking about my job. He's talking about [my baby's] future."
Be sure to watch the latest testimonial ad from America First ⤵ pic.twitter.com/urn2WYuKpZ — America First (@AmericaFirstPAC) August 12, 2020
Last year, during a candidate town hall, Harris, who was named by Biden as his vice presidential pick on Tuesday, outlined her opposition to fracking.
"There’s no question, I’m in favor of banning fracking,” she said in September.
However, a climate plan released the same month stopped short of a ban, although she proposed a "carbon fee" on polluters.
Biden, too, has publicly said he is opposed to any new fracking, but that he does not believe there are enough votes in Congress to impose a national ban.
Either way, Trump campaign allies see the issue as a win-win. Highlighting fracking forces Biden and Harris to face a choice between placating the left of their own party and getting tougher on fossil fuels, or winning back some of the blue-collar Democrats who switched to Trump in 2020.
In a recent column for the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, Keith Naughton, political strategist and founder of Silent Majority Strategies, said Biden was under intense pressure to strike the right balance.
“Pennsylvania is must-win country for Joe Biden. And he simply cannot do it with just progressive-left voters. Alienating households that depend on Pennsylvania’s energy industry would be a disastrous miscalculation and repeat the hubris of the Hillary Clinton campaign,” he wrote.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-12--Tucker Carlson: There are 'payday lenders who are more sincere' than Kamala Harris

Fox News pundit Tucker Carlson attacked Sen. Kamala Harris 's integrity on Tuesday , painting her as untrustworthy and dishonest just hours after Joe Biden announced her as his vice presidential running mate .
`` Harris may be the single most transactional human being in America .
There are timeshare salesmen you would trust more than Kamala Harris .
You could find payday lenders who are more sincere , '' Carlson said .
`` So , it seemed inconceivable that given his current state , Joe Biden would choose someone so transparently one-dimensional as Kamala Harris .
Someone as empty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first entirely hollow presidential ticket in American history , and we thought it could never happen .
But it is — they ’ re doing it anyway .
Biden-Harris , that ’ s what they are going with . ''
Biden , who during the Democratic primary election pledged to pick a woman of color to be his running mate , welcomed Harris to the ticket , saying she is `` ready to lead on day one . ''
`` The first Black and Indian American woman to represent California in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up believing in the promise of America and fighting to make sure that promise is fulfilled for all Americans , '' the Biden campaign said .
`` Kamala ’ s father immigrated to the U.S. from Jamaica to study economics , and her mother immigrated from India .
Kamala ’ s mother told her growing up , 'Don ’ t sit around and complain about things .
Do something , ' which is what drives Kamala every single day . ''
President Trump reacted to news of Harris 's selection by calling her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Biden during primary debates .
`` One of the reasons that surprised me , she was very — she was probably nastier than even Pocahontas to Joe Biden , '' Trump said .
`` She was very disrespectful to Joe Biden , and it 's hard to pick somebody that 's that disrespectful . ''
Critics of the president and his defenders have alleged that attacks on Harris in the early going of her vice presidential candidacy are based on racism and sexism .
Carlson , who often debates issues of race @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , warned that the political left will spend the coming months before the election hurling accusations of bigotry against people like him to immunize Harris and Biden from scrutiny .
`` For the next several months , Harris is going to say that Donald Trump is a racist , '' Carlson said later on Tuesday night 's show .
`` She will say that every day until November .
That ’ s her job now .
You watch .
But keep in mind as you watch , that there ’ s no fighting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Kamala Harris is a 'historic ' candidate , and that means you have no right to criticize her regardless of what she says . ''

Fox News pundit Tucker Carlson attacked Sen. Kamala Harris's integrity on Tuesday, painting her as untrustworthy and dishonest just hours after Joe Biden announced her as his vice presidential running mate.
"Harris may be the single most transactional human being in America. There are timeshare salesmen you would trust more than Kamala Harris. You could find payday lenders who are more sincere," Carlson said. "So, it seemed inconceivable that given his current state, Joe Biden would choose someone so transparently one-dimensional as Kamala Harris. Someone as empty as he is. It would be the first entirely hollow presidential ticket in American history, and we thought it could never happen. But it is — they’re doing it anyway. Biden-Harris, that’s what they are going with."
Biden, who during the Democratic primary election pledged to pick a woman of color to be his running mate, welcomed Harris to the ticket, saying she is "ready to lead on day one."
"The first Black and Indian American woman to represent California in the United States Senate, Kamala Harris grew up believing in the promise of America and fighting to make sure that promise is fulfilled for all Americans," the Biden campaign said. "Kamala’s father immigrated to the U.S. from Jamaica to study economics, and her mother immigrated from India. Kamala’s mother told her growing up, 'Don’t sit around and complain about things. Do something,' which is what drives Kamala every single day."
President Trump reacted to news of Harris's selection by calling her "nasty" and "disrespectful" to Biden during primary debates.
"One of the reasons that surprised me, she was very — she was probably nastier than even Pocahontas to Joe Biden," Trump said. "She was very disrespectful to Joe Biden, and it's hard to pick somebody that's that disrespectful."
Critics of the president and his defenders have alleged that attacks on Harris in the early going of her vice presidential candidacy are based on racism and sexism.
Carlson, who often debates issues of race and class as it relates to politics, warned that the political left will spend the coming months before the election hurling accusations of bigotry against people like him to immunize Harris and Biden from scrutiny.
"For the next several months, Harris is going to say that Donald Trump is a racist," Carlson said later on Tuesday night's show. "She will say that every day until November. That’s her job now. You watch. But keep in mind as you watch, that there’s no fighting back. It’s not allowed. Kamala Harris is a 'historic' candidate, and that means you have no right to criticize her regardless of what she says."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-13--Democratic congressman's demand for eight debates with GOP challenger hints at tight race ahead

The tight race expected between freshman California Democratic Rep. Harley Rouda and Orange County Supervisor Michelle Steel would usually have the challenger calling for several debates against the incumbent .
But in an echo of endangered Republican senators demanding busier debate seasons against their Democratic rivals , it 's Rouda who wants to face off more often .
The Rouda campaign is requesting more debates with Steel .
One local California political analyst who spoke on the condition of anonymity told the Washington Examiner Rouda believes he can outshine Steel on the debate stage .
“ I think it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close , and he must think , looking at her as a candidate , that he can do well in a debate with her , '' the political analyst said .
`` It 's not typical when an incumbent would say that , but he 's not a solid incumbent.
” Rouda , a former real estate executive , was among four House Democrats to flip GOP seats in 2018 , part of a political realignment in the once dominantly Republican county .
The quartet , which along with Rouda includes Democratic Reps. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Katie Porter , helped House Democrats win their first majority in eight years .
“ He won in a very close election the first time .
And so , he knows he 's vulnerable coming up .
This is traditionally a very solid Republican district in the old days .
Things have changed .
Climate change is a big deal in Newport Coast , Newport Beach .
And a lot of people are highly educated and do n't like Trump.
” The Cook Political Report rates the district as R+4 but has it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over $ 2.8 million cash on hand , while Steel has nearly $ 2.1 million cash on hand , according to Federal Election Commission records .
Steel managed to out-fundraise Rouda in the last quarter .
Rouda , who represents the state ’ s coastal Orange County region and Huntington Beach , defeated 30-year Republican Rep. Dana Rohrabacher by 7 points .
Rouda ’ s race against Rohrabacher was one of three in the state that billionaire political activist Mike Bloomberg ’ s organization spent over $ 10 million combined supporting .
Rouda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rohrabacher ’ s perceived close ties to Russia and rode Democratic momentum against Trump to Washington .
As a lawmaker , he has overwhelmingly voted along party lines .
His record lines up 92 % of the time with “ Squad ” member Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York .
He has attempted to gain the attention of voters in his district and the press through social media attacks on Republicans that include accusing his opponent of killing 32 people through her response to COVID-19 , telling Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and attacking Steel for wearing a mask during an official Orange County meeting .
The Washington Examiner reached out to the Rouda campaign and did not immediately hear back .

The tight race expected between freshman California Democratic Rep. Harley Rouda and Orange County Supervisor Michelle Steel would usually have the challenger calling for several debates against the incumbent.
But in an echo of endangered Republican senators demanding busier debate seasons against their Democratic rivals, it's Rouda who wants to face off more often.
The Rouda campaign is requesting eight debates with Steel. One local California political analyst who spoke on the condition of anonymity told the Washington Examiner Rouda believes he can outshine Steel on the debate stage.
“I think it's because the race is going to be close, and he must think, looking at her as a candidate, that he can do well in a debate with her," the political analyst said. "It's not typical when an incumbent would say that, but he's not a solid incumbent.”
Rouda, a former real estate executive, was among four House Democrats to flip GOP seats in 2018, part of a political realignment in the once dominantly Republican county. The quartet, which along with Rouda includes Democratic Reps. Gil Cisneros, Mike Levin, and Katie Porter, helped House Democrats win their first majority in eight years.
“He won in a very close election the first time. And so, he knows he's vulnerable coming up. This is traditionally a very solid Republican district in the old days. Things have changed. Climate change is a big deal in Newport Coast, Newport Beach. And a lot of people are highly educated and don't like Trump.”
The Cook Political Report rates the district as R+4 but has it as "Leans D." Rouda has over $2.8 million cash on hand, while Steel has nearly $2.1 million cash on hand, according to Federal Election Commission records. Steel managed to out-fundraise Rouda in the last quarter.
Rouda, who represents the state’s coastal Orange County region and Huntington Beach, defeated 30-year Republican Rep. Dana Rohrabacher by 7 points. Rouda’s race against Rohrabacher was one of three in the state that billionaire political activist Mike Bloomberg’s organization spent over $10 million combined supporting.
Rouda supported John Kasich in 2016 and targeted Rohrabacher’s perceived close ties to Russia and rode Democratic momentum against Trump to Washington. As a lawmaker, he has overwhelmingly voted along party lines.
His record lines up 92% of the time with “Squad” member Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York.
He has attempted to gain the attention of voters in his district and the press through social media attacks on Republicans that include accusing his opponent of killing 32 people through her response to COVID-19, telling Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to “f--k off,” and attacking Steel for wearing a mask during an official Orange County meeting.
The Washington Examiner reached out to the Rouda campaign and did not immediately hear back.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-13--Coup porn: Resistance sees military removing Trump from office

With 80 days left before the presidential election , a new and dangerous rhetoric has emerged from some corners of the Resistance .
A number of President Trump 's most implacable critics are fantasizing about deploying the U.S. military to remove him from the White House on Jan. 20 , 2021 , based on their assumption that a . )
he will lose the election , and b . )
he will refuse to leave office on his own .
Recently , two retired Army officers speculated about deploying a brigade from the 82nd Airborne Division to overpower Trump 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the defeated president will use to try to cling to office .
Another retired officer , a former chief of staff to Secretary of State Colin Powell , imagined the military in battle with armed Trump supporters , the result being that `` all bets are off as to how much blood might flow . ''
In addition , a group of former government officials , political operatives , and journalists concocted a scenario in which Trump actually won reelection but Democrat Joe Biden refused to accept the result in hopes that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president .
What is going on ?
Why have seemingly responsible people taken to embracing fantastical visions of tanks in the streets of Washington , D.C. ?
They , of course , would blame Trump .
In a July 19 appearance on Fox News Sunday , the president was asked , `` Can you give a direct answer you will accept the election ? ''
Trump 's answer was , `` I have to see .
I have to see .
No , I 'm not going to just say yes .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I did n't last time , either . ''
Trump 's response , similar to the answers he gave in 2016 when he was asked whether he would accept the results of that election , set off the usual firestorm .
Trump will ignore the will of the voters !
He 'll set off a constitutional crisis !
He 'll destroy American democracy !
The speculation might have been less fevered had anyone actually noted how Trump has behaved in office .
For example , what has Trump , as president , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stop doing something ?
He stops doing it .
Starting with his travel ban and going on through his plan to end DACA and his move to impose new rules on asylum , his effort to revoke a reporter 's White House credential and his effort to detain families at the U.S.-Mexico border and his move to stop former national security adviser John Bolton 's book and his action to end sanctuary cities and his plan to impose a `` public charge '' test on immigrants and his multiple attempts to change various @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the deportation process and his plan to liberalize energy restrictions and much , much more , President Trump has done what judges tell him to do .
No , he does n't deserve a medal for simply respecting the rule of law .
But his conduct in office suggests he will not defy the legally certified result of an election .
Of course , that result might not be known on the night of Nov. 3 , and if it is not , Trump might not immediately concede defeat , even if he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be litigation .
But what is wrong with that ?
We have been hearing for a long time that , given heavy voting by mail , the voters ' verdict might not be known for weeks .
Does anyone believe that Biden , if he were trailing by a small margin , would concede prematurely with the counting still underway ?
Given the chances of widespread dysfunction in vote tabulation , there is certainly the possibility of a crisis after Nov. 3 .
But if it happens , it would likely involve the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nation going weeks or months without knowing who the next president will be — not a losing President Trump refusing to leave the White House .
Nevertheless , hysterical scenarios are coming from some sources in the Resistance — a phenomenon that is particularly troubling when it comes from men with ties to the military .
Start with the two retired Army officers , Paul Yingling and John Nagl .
Yingling is a retired lieutenant colonel with several combat tours , including serving as Gen. H.R .
McMaster 's deputy in the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retired lieutenant colonel , is currently headmaster of the Haverford School in Pennsylvania .
This week , the two men published , in the mainstream publication Defense One , an article entitled , `` ' ... All Enemies , Foreign and Domestic ' : An Open Letter to Gen .
Milley . ''
The addressee is Gen. Mark Milley , the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff .
Relying on MSNBC-style talking points , the two argue that the president is facing `` near certain electoral defeat '' and after losing would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but also criminal charges . ''
Nagl and Yingling say an ex-President Trump will face prosecution by the Manhattan District Attorney and the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York for bank fraud , insurance fraud , and `` many examples of self-dealing . ''
This , Yingling and Nagl allege , has made Trump a desperate man .
And he has already begun taking desperate measures .
`` Given this dizzying array of threats not merely to his political prospects , but also his liberty and wealth , '' they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the playbook of dictators throughout history : he is building a private army answerable only to him . ''
By `` private army , '' Nagl and Yingling appear to be referring to the president 's decision to send Department of Homeland Security officers to Portland , Oregon , to protect the federal courthouse there from rioters .
`` The members of this private army , often lacking police insignia or other identification , exist not to enforce the law but to intimidate the president 's political opponents , '' Nagl and Yingling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in .
Because Trump is a desperate man with a private army at his command , they argue , the Joint Chiefs chairman must order troops into the streets on Inauguration Day .
`` The clock will strike 12:01 PM , January 20 , 2021 , and Donald Trump will be sitting in the Oval Office , '' Yingling and Nagl write .
`` The street protests will inevitably swell outside the White House , and the ranks of Trump 's private army will grow inside its grounds .
The Speaker of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an end , and direct the Secret Service and Federal Marshals to remove Trump from the premises .
These agents will realize that they are outmanned and outgunned by Trump 's private army , and the moment of decision will arrive .
At this moment of constitutional crisis , only two options remain .
Under the first , U.S. military forces escort the former president from the White House grounds .
Trump 's little green men , so intimidating to lightly armed federal law enforcement agents , step aside and fade away , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ morning 's work for a brigade of the 82nd Airborne .
Under the second , the U.S. military remains inert while the Constitution dies .
The succession of government is determined by extralegal violence between Trump 's private army and street protesters ; Black Lives Matter Plaza becomes Tahrir Square . ''
What is one to make of such a hallucinatory vision ?
`` It 's bananas , '' said one Republican lawmaker who has been following the talk .
But it is more than just crazy , although it is crazy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ are discussing military intervention in the transfer of political power based on Maddow-esque theorizing about the president 's imagined motivations and actions .
A second scenario of military intervention came from another prominent former Army officer .
Appearing on Bill Maher 's Real Time , retired Col. Lawrence Wilkerson ( a former chief of staff to Secretary of State Colin Powell ) outlined a scene from the apocalypse on Inauguration Day .
Wilkerson said he believed the military would stay in their barracks under most scenarios .
But then : `` I wonder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ base to the streets with their guns .
His base owns something like 60-70 % of the 300 , 400 million guns in America .
If they answer that call and come to the streets with guns , then we probably are going to have a need for the military .
And then , all bets are off as to how much blood might flow . ''
Wilkerson is part of an anti-Trump group called the Transition Integrity Project , which was founded to promote the notion that Trump `` may seek to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2020 presidential election and transition process . ''
The group recently made news by holding `` war games '' to explore some possible election scenarios .
The project , which includes about 100 former government officials , political operatives , academics , and journalists , explored two Biden victory scenarios , one a blowout , the other a narrow win .
In the blowout , Trump left office on Jan. 20 , 2021 , with little drama .
In the narrow win , Trump did not concede defeat , there were street @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Secret Service that it would escort Trump out of the White House when the time came .
After what the group called an `` uneasy and combative but ultimately successful '' transition , Trump left office on Jan. 20 , 2021 .
In both scenarios , a defeated Trump left the White House at the appointed time .
Neither scenario involved the military .
The big problem came when the experts at the Transition Integrity Project gamed out a clear Trump victory .
In that scenario , as in the 2016 election , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Electoral College -- meaning he won the presidency .
But Biden and his Democratic supporters would not accept the election verdict .
The transition period was wild .
Biden pushed the Democratic governors of states Trump won to reject the president 's electors and substitute Biden electors instead .
Democrats encouraged some states to secede from the United States to put pressure on Trump .
Biden 's campaign made wild demands in exchange for conceding , like statehood for Washington DC and Puerto Rico , and breaking up California to add new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump had without doubt won the presidency , but Democrats were willing to do virtually anything to keep the president from his second term .
Finally , inauguration day came with the situation `` unresolved . ''
The group 's report said : `` It was unclear what the military would do in this situation . ''
The suggestion , never made explicit , was that Democrats would seek the military 's help in evicting the constitutionally-elected president from the White House .
In June , Joe Biden himself raised the possibility of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ praised retired generals and admirals who publicly condemned Trump 's handling of rioting around the country .
Asked by Comedy Central 's Trevor Noah if he had considered the possibility of Trump losing and refusing to leave office , Biden quickly answered , `` Yes , I have .
And I was so damn proud -- you have four chiefs of staff coming out and ripping the skin off of Trump .
And you have so many rank-and-file military personnel saying , 'Whoa , we 're not a military state .
That is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promise you , I am absolutely convinced they will escort him from the White House with great dispatch . ''
We are not , in fact , a military state .
But there have arisen , among some of President Trump 's angriest critics -- especially those with military experience -- disturbing imaginings about the military removing the president from office .
Perhaps after three years of white-hot opposition to the president , there is an emotional gratification in contemplating soldiers grabbing Trump and taking him from the White House `` with great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about Trump refusing to leave , which in turn would justify military action , is the final product of a deep frustration among those in the Resistance .
At this point , they have thrown everything they have at him .
Years of investigations .
Unprecedented leaks of U.S. intelligence .
Media treatment that has been negative beyond measure .
And then they tried impeachment , the constitutionally-prescribed means of removing him from office during his term .
That , too , failed .
Now , in November , comes the final constitutionally-prescribed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the moment , the polls give Biden a substantial lead .
If Biden wins -- even if it comes after a vote-counting process that is long and rocky -- a reasonable look at Trump 's history suggests he will leave office like every other president .
But for some there could be something unsatisfying about a scenario in which a hated president simply loses and leaves .
So coup porn has appeared .
Perhaps for some people it fills a deep-seated need .
But for others it is a terrifying glimpse of the @ @ @ @ @ @

With 80 days left before the presidential election, a new and dangerous rhetoric has emerged from some corners of the Resistance. A number of President Trump's most implacable critics are fantasizing about deploying the U.S. military to remove him from the White House on Jan. 20, 2021, based on their assumption that a.) he will lose the election, and b.) he will refuse to leave office on his own.
Recently, two retired Army officers speculated about deploying a brigade from the 82nd Airborne Division to overpower Trump's "private army" that they believe the defeated president will use to try to cling to office. Another retired officer, a former chief of staff to Secretary of State Colin Powell, imagined the military in battle with armed Trump supporters, the result being that "all bets are off as to how much blood might flow." In addition, a group of former government officials, political operatives, and journalists concocted a scenario in which Trump actually won reelection but Democrat Joe Biden refused to accept the result in hopes that the military would side with him against the president.
What is going on? Why have seemingly responsible people taken to embracing fantastical visions of tanks in the streets of Washington, D.C.?
They, of course, would blame Trump. In a July 19 appearance on Fox News Sunday, the president was asked, "Can you give a direct answer you will accept the election?" Trump's answer was, "I have to see. I have to see. No, I'm not going to just say yes. I'm not going to say no, and I didn't last time, either."
Trump's response, similar to the answers he gave in 2016 when he was asked whether he would accept the results of that election, set off the usual firestorm. Trump will ignore the will of the voters! He'll set off a constitutional crisis! He'll destroy American democracy!
The speculation might have been less fevered had anyone actually noted how Trump has behaved in office. For example, what has Trump, as president, done when a judge tells him to stop doing something? He stops doing it. Starting with his travel ban and going on through his plan to end DACA and his move to impose new rules on asylum, his effort to revoke a reporter's White House credential and his effort to detain families at the U.S.-Mexico border and his move to stop former national security adviser John Bolton's book and his action to end sanctuary cities and his plan to impose a "public charge" test on immigrants and his multiple attempts to change various environmental policies and his plan to streamline the deportation process and his plan to liberalize energy restrictions and much, much more, Trump has done what judges tell him to do. No, he doesn't deserve a medal for simply respecting the rule of law. But his conduct in office suggests he will not defy the legally certified result of an election.
Of course, that result might not be known on the night of Nov. 3, and if it is not, Trump might not immediately concede defeat, even if he is the ultimate loser. There might be litigation. But what is wrong with that? We have been hearing for a long time that, given heavy voting by mail, the voters' verdict might not be known for weeks. Does anyone believe that Biden, if he were trailing by a small margin, would concede prematurely with the counting still underway?
Given the chances of widespread dysfunction in vote tabulation, there is certainly the possibility of a crisis after Nov. 3. But if it happens, it would likely involve the chaos brought on by a deeply divided nation going weeks or months without knowing who the next president will be — not a losing Trump refusing to leave the White House.
Nevertheless, hysterical scenarios are coming from some sources in the Resistance — a phenomenon that is particularly troubling when it comes from men with ties to the military. Start with the two retired Army officers, Paul Yingling and John Nagl. Yingling is a retired lieutenant colonel with several combat tours, including serving as Gen. H.R. McMaster's deputy in the first Iraq war. Nagl, also a retired lieutenant colonel, is currently headmaster of the Haverford School in Pennsylvania. This week, the two men published, in the mainstream publication Defense One, an article entitled, "'...All Enemies, Foreign and Domestic': An Open Letter to Gen. Milley." The addressee is Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Relying on MSNBC-style talking points, the two argue that the president is facing "near certain electoral defeat" and after losing would face "not merely political ignominy, but also criminal charges." Nagl and Yingling say an ex-President Trump will face prosecution by the Manhattan District Attorney and the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York for bank fraud, insurance fraud, and "many examples of self-dealing."
This, Yingling and Nagl allege, has made Trump a desperate man. And he has already begun taking desperate measures. "Given this dizzying array of threats not merely to his political prospects, but also his liberty and wealth," they write, "Mr. Trump is following the playbook of dictators throughout history: he is building a private army answerable only to him."
By "private army," Nagl and Yingling appear to be referring to the president's decision to send Department of Homeland Security officers to Portland, Oregon, to protect the federal courthouse there from rioters. "The members of this private army, often lacking police insignia or other identification, exist not to enforce the law but to intimidate the president's political opponents," Nagl and Yingling write.
That is where Milley comes in. Because Trump is a desperate man with a private army at his command, they argue, the Joint Chiefs chairman must order troops into the streets on Inauguration Day. "The clock will strike 12:01 PM, January 20, 2021, and Donald Trump will be sitting in the Oval Office," Yingling and Nagl write. "The street protests will inevitably swell outside the White House, and the ranks of Trump's private army will grow inside its grounds. The Speaker of the House will declare the Trump presidency at an end, and direct the Secret Service and Federal Marshals to remove Trump from the premises. These agents will realize that they are outmanned and outgunned by Trump's private army, and the moment of decision will arrive. At this moment of constitutional crisis, only two options remain. Under the first, U.S. military forces escort the former president from the White House grounds. Trump's little green men, so intimidating to lightly armed federal law enforcement agents, step aside and fade away, realizing they would not constitute a good morning's work for a brigade of the 82nd Airborne. Under the second, the U.S. military remains inert while the Constitution dies. The succession of government is determined by extralegal violence between Trump's private army and street protesters; Black Lives Matter Plaza becomes Tahrir Square."
What is one to make of such a hallucinatory vision? "It's bananas," said one Republican lawmaker who has been following the talk. But it is more than just crazy, although it is crazy. It is chilling that retired military men are discussing military intervention in the transfer of political power based on Maddow-esque theorizing about the president's imagined motivations and actions.
A second scenario of military intervention came from another prominent former Army officer. Appearing on Bill Maher's Real Time, retired Col. Lawrence Wilkerson (a former chief of staff to Secretary of State Colin Powell) outlined a scene from the apocalypse on Inauguration Day. Wilkerson said he believed the military would stay in their barracks under most scenarios. But then: "I wonder what will happen if Trump calls his base to the streets with their guns. His base owns something like 60-70% of the 300, 400 million guns in America. If they answer that call and come to the streets with guns, then we probably are going to have a need for the military. And then, all bets are off as to how much blood might flow."
Wilkerson is part of an anti-Trump group called the Transition Integrity Project, which was founded to promote the notion that Trump "may seek to manipulate, ignore, undermine or disrupt the 2020 presidential election and transition process." The group recently made news by holding "war games" to explore some possible election scenarios. The project, which includes about 100 former government officials, political operatives, academics, and journalists, explored two Biden victory scenarios, one a blowout, the other a narrow win. In the blowout, Trump left office on Jan. 20, 2021, with little drama. In the narrow win, Trump did not concede defeat, there were street protests, and a signal from the Secret Service that it would escort Trump out of the White House when the time came. After what the group called an "uneasy and combative but ultimately successful" transition, Trump left office on Jan. 20, 2021. In both scenarios, a defeated Trump left the White House at the appointed time. Neither scenario involved the military.
The big problem came when the experts at the Transition Integrity Project gamed out a clear Trump victory. In that scenario, as in the 2016 election, Trump lost the popular vote but won the Electoral College — meaning he won the presidency. But Biden and his Democratic supporters would not accept the election verdict. The transition period was wild. Biden pushed the Democratic governors of states Trump won to reject the president's electors and substitute Biden electors instead. Democrats encouraged some states to secede from the United States to put pressure on Trump. Biden's campaign made wild demands in exchange for conceding, such as statehood for Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, and breaking up California to add new Democratic senators. A standoff ensued. Trump had without doubt won the presidency, but Democrats were willing to do virtually anything to keep the president from his second term. Finally, Inauguration Day came with the situation "unresolved." The group's report said: "It was unclear what the military would do in this situation." The suggestion, never made explicit, was that Democrats would seek the military's help in evicting the constitutionally elected president from the White House.
In June, Biden himself raised the possibility of the military removing Trump from office and praised retired generals and admirals who publicly condemned Trump's handling of rioting around the country. Asked by Comedy Central's Trevor Noah if he had considered the possibility of Trump losing and refusing to leave office, Biden quickly answered, "Yes, I have. And I was so damn proud — you have four chiefs of staff coming out and ripping the skin off of Trump. And you have so many rank-and-file military personnel saying, 'Whoa, we're not a military state. That is not who we are.' I promise you, I am absolutely convinced they will escort him from the White House with great dispatch."
We are not, in fact, a military state. But there have arisen, among some of Trump's angriest critics (especially those with military experience), disturbing imaginings about the military removing the president from office. Perhaps after three years of white-hot opposition to the president, there is an emotional gratification in contemplating soldiers grabbing Trump and taking him from the White House "with great dispatch."
But perhaps the theorizing about Trump refusing to leave, which in turn would justify military action, is the final product of a deep frustration among those in the Resistance. At this point, they have thrown everything they have at him. Years of investigations. Unprecedented leaks of U.S. intelligence. Media treatment that has been negative beyond measure. And then, they tried impeachment, the constitutionally prescribed means of removing him from office during his term. That, too, failed.
Now, in November, comes the final constitutionally prescribed means of removing the president. At the moment, the polls give Biden a substantial lead. If Biden wins (even if it comes after a vote-counting process that is long and rocky), a reasonable look at Trump's history suggests he will leave office like every other president. But for some, there could be something unsatisfying about a scenario in which a hated president simply loses and leaves. So, coup porn has appeared. Perhaps for some people, it fills a deep-seated need. But for others, it is a terrifying glimpse of the abandonment of basic constitutional principles.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-13--Law and order or prison reform? Ex-prosecutor Kamala Harris heightens Trump camp message confusion

Joe Biden 's selection of Kamala Harris as his running mate exacerbates a tension in President Trump 's reelection strategy : whether to lean into criminal justice reform or to emphasize law and order at a time of rising crime in many cities .
That 's because the California senator is seen as having two main vulnerabilities : With Republicans and centrists , it 's her blue-state liberalism ; and for the Left , it 's her prosecutorial record as a district attorney and state attorney general .
Just as Biden 's role in enacting the 1994 crime bill became @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and senator this year , Harris 's background was used against her in the Democratic primaries .
`` Sen. Harris said she 's proud of her record as a prosecutor and that she 'll be a prosecutor president , but I 'm deeply concerned about this record , '' said rival Tulsi Gabbard , a Hawaii congresswoman , at a Democratic debate .
`` There are too many examples to cite , but she put over 1,500 people in jail for marijuana violations and then laughed about it when she was asked if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was viewed as a devastating moment for Harris .
At the same time , some Trump supporters believe the president should talk less about his commutations and the First Step Act and instead emphasize his commitment to cracking down on violent crime in places such as Chicago and Portland .
They question whether GOP attacks on Biden and the 1994 crime bill have been effective in this campaign , worrying that the message could become even less clear now that Harris has joined the Democratic ticket .
`` I received three different messages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said Patrick Hynes , a communications consultant who advised the presidential campaigns of John McCain and Mitt Romney .
`` The first said Kamala Harris is a 'far-left radical ' who gives the Democrats 'the most extreme ticket in history . '
The second one called her a 'fake ' and a 'phony . '
The third exclaimed , 'Liberals revolt against Biden-Harris ticket . '
'' `` Each of these might be true , '' Hynes continued .
`` Taken together , however , they present a muddled message . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 .
They were simultaneously able to motivate conservatives who had long feared her as a 1960s radical while at the same time demoralizing progressives , including black voters and Bernie Sanders supporters , in key states .
But Trump has had a harder time implementing this strategy as an incumbent , even though Biden has a similar record — supporting the crime bill , the Iraq war , and various trade deals — and his campaign has struggled to define the presumptive Democratic nominee .
The Trump campaign maintains there is no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Kamala Harris was the most liberal U.S. senator in 2019 , according to GovTrack , and she was a California liberal when she was a prosecutor , '' said campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh .
`` She wanted to jail parents for truant kids but would n't seek the death penalty for cop-killers and MS-13 gang bangers .
She granted huge numbers of plea deals while homicides and aggravated assaults increased .
As a prosecutor and attorney general , she supported sanctuary cities ' policies that prioritized criminal illegal aliens over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she says she supports efforts in Los Angeles to cut police funding .
Kamala Harris is a California leftist who has completed the radical , extremist takeover of Joe Biden . ''
But Trump supporters have long been divided over how much the campaign should focus on criminal justice reform rather than fighting crime .
`` In 2016 , Trump ran as a 'law and order ' candidate because he meant it , and his views remain fundamentally unchanged today , '' said influential Fox News host Tucker Carlson in a monologue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president 's famously sharp instincts , the ones that won him the presidency almost four years ago , have been since subverted at every level by Jared Kushner . ''
The president 's son-in-law is frequently cited by critics as a reason the campaign talks about Trump 's criminal justice reform record as much as it does in an effort to win a larger number of minority voters and soften his image in the suburbs .
Harris 's addition to the ticket is sure to keep those internal debates going .
`` It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ throw the whole oppo book at her , '' Hynes said .
`` They need to settle on a single narrative and burn it in . ''
The vice presidential nominee is going to be particularly important in this campaign because of Biden 's age .
He will be 78 by Inauguration Day , and Harris is only 55 .
While the Trump campaign attacks her as a political opportunist , Democrats are hopeful she is a Goldilocks candidate who is neither too centrist nor too progressive .
`` Her image as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that she and Joe Biden are the most left-wing ticket in American history , '' said Democratic strategist Brad Bannon .

Joe Biden's selection of Kamala Harris as his running mate exacerbates a tension in President Trump's reelection strategy: whether to lean into criminal justice reform or to emphasize law and order at a time of rising crime in many cities.
That's because the California senator is seen as having two main vulnerabilities: With Republicans and centrists, it's her blue-state liberalism; and for the Left, it's her prosecutorial record as a district attorney and state attorney general. Just as Biden's role in enacting the 1994 crime bill became a liability to the former vice president and senator this year, Harris's background was used against her in the Democratic primaries.
"Sen. Harris said she's proud of her record as a prosecutor and that she'll be a prosecutor president, but I'm deeply concerned about this record," said rival Tulsi Gabbard, a Hawaii congresswoman, at a Democratic debate. "There are too many examples to cite, but she put over 1,500 people in jail for marijuana violations and then laughed about it when she was asked if she ever smoked marijuana." It was viewed as a devastating moment for Harris.
At the same time, some Trump supporters believe the president should talk less about his commutations and the First Step Act and instead emphasize his commitment to cracking down on violent crime in places such as Chicago and Portland. They question whether GOP attacks on Biden and the 1994 crime bill have been effective in this campaign, worrying that the message could become even less clear now that Harris has joined the Democratic ticket.
"I received three different messages from the RNC on Tuesday night," said Patrick Hynes, a communications consultant who advised the presidential campaigns of John McCain and Mitt Romney. "The first said Kamala Harris is a 'far-left radical' who gives the Democrats 'the most extreme ticket in history.' The second one called her a 'fake' and a 'phony.' The third exclaimed, 'Liberals revolt against Biden-Harris ticket.'"
"Each of these might be true," Hynes continued. "Taken together, however, they present a muddled message."
This approach worked against Hillary Clinton in 2016. They were simultaneously able to motivate conservatives who had long feared her as a 1960s radical while at the same time demoralizing progressives, including black voters and Bernie Sanders supporters, in key states. But Trump has had a harder time implementing this strategy as an incumbent, even though Biden has a similar record — supporting the crime bill, the Iraq war, and various trade deals — and his campaign has struggled to define the presumptive Democratic nominee.
The Trump campaign maintains there is no mixed messaging in their critique of Harris. "Kamala Harris was the most liberal U.S. senator in 2019, according to GovTrack, and she was a California liberal when she was a prosecutor," said campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh. "She wanted to jail parents for truant kids but wouldn't seek the death penalty for cop-killers and MS-13 gang bangers. She granted huge numbers of plea deals while homicides and aggravated assaults increased. As a prosecutor and attorney general, she supported sanctuary cities' policies that prioritized criminal illegal aliens over the safety of law-abiding citizens. Now, she says she supports efforts in Los Angeles to cut police funding. Kamala Harris is a California leftist who has completed the radical, extremist takeover of Joe Biden."
But Trump supporters have long been divided over how much the campaign should focus on criminal justice reform rather than fighting crime. "In 2016, Trump ran as a 'law and order' candidate because he meant it, and his views remain fundamentally unchanged today," said influential Fox News host Tucker Carlson in a monologue earlier this year. "But the president's famously sharp instincts, the ones that won him the presidency almost four years ago, have been since subverted at every level by Jared Kushner." The president's son-in-law is frequently cited by critics as a reason the campaign talks about Trump's criminal justice reform record as much as it does in an effort to win a larger number of minority voters and soften his image in the suburbs.
Harris's addition to the ticket is sure to keep those internal debates going. "It's as though they felt compelled to throw the whole oppo book at her," Hynes said. "They need to settle on a single narrative and burn it in."
The vice presidential nominee is going to be particularly important in this campaign because of Biden's age. He will be 78 by Inauguration Day, and Harris is only 55. While the Trump campaign attacks her as a political opportunist, Democrats are hopeful she is a Goldilocks candidate who is neither too centrist nor too progressive.
"Her image as a tough law-and-order prosecutor blunts attacks from Trump that she and Joe Biden are the most left-wing ticket in American history," said Democratic strategist Brad Bannon.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-13--'Not a great fit out here': Republicans say Kamala Harris harms Biden in crucial Rust Belt

Republican strategists say they have become more optimistic about President Trump ’ s prospects after Joe Biden anointed Sen. Kamala Harris his running mate , claiming the liberal Californian would derail the presumptive Democratic nominee ’ s momentum in key Midwestern battlegrounds .
Biden has Trump on his heels from Iowa to Pennsylvania and is poised to rebuild the `` blue wall '' toppled by the Republican incumbent four years ago .
The former vice president is an old-school labor Democrat whose blue-collar roots helped him forge a connection with working-class voters during his tenure as Barack Obama ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Rust Belt on Wednesday told the Washington Examiner Harris would blunt Biden ’ s appeal with voters in exurban and rural communities across the Midwest , citing her occasional support for abolishing private health insurance and embrace of a federal ban on fracking , a major source of jobs in states such as Pennsylvania .
“ I ’ m not sure Kamala Harris will be a great fit out here in flyover country , ” said Brian Reisinger , a Republican operative in Wisconsin .
Voters are dissatisfied by Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are growing impatient with his handling of an economy beset by a pandemic-induced recession .
Nervous GOP insiders , worried time is short for the president to revive his political standing , argue Harris provides an opportunity to reaffirm support for his ailing reelection bid in swing states — Iowa , Michigan , Ohio , Pennsylvania , and Wisconsin — critical to his Electoral College victory four years ago .
“ Kamala Harris can not , and will not , help Joe Biden in red states , ” said Josh Holmes , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky .
“ She ’ s no moderate , and that will be plain as day to people living in the middle of the country.
” In selecting Harris , 55 , Biden elevated the first nonwhite woman to a major party ’ s national presidential ticket .
During her campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination last year , the first-term senator and former California attorney general revealed an ability dissect political rivals .
In the first debate of that contest , Harris dismantled Biden , skewering the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public school busing decades ago .
In the immediate aftermath of that performance , some Republican insiders fretted that a Harris nomination would sink Trump — a concern expressed long before the pandemic and 10 % -plus unemployment upended the president ’ s campaign .
Despite Harris ’ s eventual flameout in the Democratic primary and confidence among some Republicans that her liberalism creates fresh obstacles for Biden , some other GOP strategists believe she is an asset for the presumptive nominee who will cause their party fits up and down the ticket @ @ @ @ @ @ @ colleagues , say the charismatic Harris will reinforce Biden ’ s appeal with suburban voters .
“ Unfortunately , she has a lot of crossover appeal , ” a Republican consultant said .
Sen. Roy Blunt , a McConnell leadership deputy , warned his party not to underestimate the Californian .
“ She ’ s smart , and she ’ s tough , ” the Missouri Republican said .
Even Republicans who predict the senator will cause Biden heartburn in the heartland concede her strength in solidifying his advantage in the suburbs and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ choice that accomplishes a crucial goal for any presidential nominee : She does no harm .
“ It is a historic pick , and probably a wise one , ” said a Republican insider in Iowa .
Running mates tend to matter less than political insiders claim .
But Biden would be 78 upon inauguration next year , older than any of the 44 men who preceded him as commander in chief .
For that reason , Republicans are convinced they can make Harris ’ s political career and positions on issues an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sarah Longwell , a GOP operative who opposes Trump and has run focus groups testing which Democrats might most appeal to disaffected Republicans , said Harris begins her portion of the campaign as a blank slate with most voters .
That offers Biden and Trump opportunities to define the senator in a manner beneficial to their campaigns .
“ This is a neutral pick for most voters , ” said Longwell , who runs Republican Voters Against Trump , a group that is running advertising encouraging GOP voters skeptical of the president to @ @ @

Republican strategists say they have become more optimistic about President Trump’s prospects after Joe Biden anointed Sen. Kamala Harris his running mate, claiming the liberal Californian would derail the presumptive Democratic nominee’s momentum in key Midwestern battlegrounds.
Biden has Trump on his heels from Iowa to Pennsylvania and is poised to rebuild the "blue wall" toppled by the Republican incumbent four years ago. The former vice president is an old-school labor Democrat whose blue-collar roots helped him forge a connection with working-class voters during his tenure as Barack Obama’s No. 2.
But GOP operatives in the Rust Belt on Wednesday told the Washington Examiner Harris would blunt Biden’s appeal with voters in exurban and rural communities across the Midwest, citing her occasional support for abolishing private health insurance and embrace of a federal ban on fracking, a major source of jobs in states such as Pennsylvania.
“I’m not sure Kamala Harris will be a great fit out here in flyover country,” said Brian Reisinger, a Republican operative in Wisconsin.
Some Republicans in Washington feel similarly.
Voters are dissatisfied by Trump’s management of the coronavirus outbreak and are growing impatient with his handling of an economy beset by a pandemic-induced recession. Nervous GOP insiders, worried time is short for the president to revive his political standing, argue Harris provides an opportunity to reaffirm support for his ailing reelection bid in swing states — Iowa, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin — critical to his Electoral College victory four years ago.
“Kamala Harris cannot, and will not, help Joe Biden in red states,” said Josh Holmes, a Republican strategist and close adviser to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. “She’s no moderate, and that will be plain as day to people living in the middle of the country.”
In selecting Harris, 55, Biden elevated the first nonwhite woman to a major party’s national presidential ticket. During her campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination last year, the first-term senator and former California attorney general revealed an ability dissect political rivals. In the first debate of that contest, Harris dismantled Biden, skewering the former vice president for his opposition to public school busing decades ago.
In the immediate aftermath of that performance, some Republican insiders fretted that a Harris nomination would sink Trump — a concern expressed long before the pandemic and 10%-plus unemployment upended the president’s campaign.
Despite Harris’s eventual flameout in the Democratic primary and confidence among some Republicans that her liberalism creates fresh obstacles for Biden, some other GOP strategists believe she is an asset for the presumptive nominee who will cause their party fits up and down the ticket.
These Republicans, breaking with their colleagues, say the charismatic Harris will reinforce Biden’s appeal with suburban voters. “Unfortunately, she has a lot of crossover appeal,” a Republican consultant said. Sen. Roy Blunt, a McConnell leadership deputy, warned his party not to underestimate the Californian. “She’s smart, and she’s tough,” the Missouri Republican said.
Even Republicans who predict the senator will cause Biden heartburn in the heartland concede her strength in solidifying his advantage in the suburbs and acknowledge she is, overall, a choice that accomplishes a crucial goal for any presidential nominee: She does no harm. “It is a historic pick, and probably a wise one,” said a Republican insider in Iowa.
Running mates tend to matter less than political insiders claim. But Biden would be 78 upon inauguration next year, older than any of the 44 men who preceded him as commander in chief. For that reason, Republicans are convinced they can make Harris’s political career and positions on issues an unusually large factor in the race.
Sarah Longwell, a GOP operative who opposes Trump and has run focus groups testing which Democrats might most appeal to disaffected Republicans, said Harris begins her portion of the campaign as a blank slate with most voters. That offers Biden and Trump opportunities to define the senator in a manner beneficial to their campaigns.
“This is a neutral pick for most voters,” said Longwell, who runs Republican Voters Against Trump, a group that is running advertising encouraging GOP voters skeptical of the president to support Biden.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-13--Michelle Obama to make campaign debut alongside Bernie Sanders and John Kasich at Democratic convent

Michelle Obama to make campaign debut alongside Bernie Sanders and John Kasich at Democratic convention opener

Socialist Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Ohio Republican Gov .
John Kasich will bookend a spectrum of speakers set to open the coronavirus-delayed 2020 Democratic National Convention .
Monday 's keynote address will be delivered by former first lady Michelle Obama .
It 's her first appearance on the 2020 campaign trail for this cycle 's presumptive Democratic presidential nominee , Joe Biden , and his running mate , California Sen. Kamala Harris .
The former first lady 's return to the national political spotlight is eagerly anticipated by Democrats , many of whom hoped Biden would pick her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it 's the juxtaposition of Sanders and Kasich in Monday night 's We the People-themed programming that caught the attention of many political observers .
For University of Akron professor David Cohen , Kasich was n't an unexpected choice to be included in the Democratic convention 's lineup .
`` Conventions often seek out members of the other party to speak in order to show how the nominee is willing to work with both sides of the aisle and be bipartisan in an attempt to win over centrist voters , independents , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their own party or nominee , '' Cohen said .
Kasich did n't attend the 2016 Republican National Convention , despite it being anchored in Cleveland while he was a governor after his own White House bid .
And that fall , he declined to vote for President Trump , writing in then-Arizona Sen. John McCain on his ballot instead .
`` From the Biden campaign ’ s perspective , Kasich is the perfect guy to highlight how far Trump ’ s Republican Party has moved in four years and how Biden can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he said .
Kasich himself said the `` Republican Party has always been my vehicle , but never my master . ''
`` You have to do what you think is right in your heart , and I 'm comfortable here , '' he told CNN , describing Biden as `` a pretty tough guy '' who `` can restore civility '' but not `` go hard left '' like Sanders .
After being pushed back a month due to the COVID-19 pandemic , Democrats will come together , mostly online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ p.m. EST .
ABC , CBS , and NBC have committed to covering the last hour every night , while the cable networks are making arrangements for extended broadcasts .
Initial plans to hold some in-person events in host city Milwaukee , even Biden 's acceptance address , were scrapped last week as virus cases in the Midwest climbed .
Rather , Biden and Harris will speak next Wednesday and Thursday from the Chase Center in Wilmington , Delaware , Biden 's home state where he 's been holed up during the outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , were given the option of making remarks `` live to tape '' or live in general .
`` I 'm so excited , '' Pelosi said of opting to appear `` live from California . ''
Others with slots on Monday include former vice presidential contenders Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer , as well as Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada .
House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn , whose endorsement helped Biden win South Carolina and seize the majority of primary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So too does New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo , whose national profile was boosted by his COVID-19 leadership in his state , and Alabama Sen. Doug Jones , who faces a tough reelection on Nov. 3 .
`` The COVID-19 pandemic continues its rampage , tens of millions of people are out of work , and America is confronting the racial injustice that has marginalized too many people , '' the Democratic convention committee wrote .
The panel added , `` Throughout our history , when we stand united , we can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll hear from the many Americans who are rising up to take on these three crises , unite our country , and join Joe Biden in rebuilding the country and moving it forward . ''

Socialist Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Ohio Republican Gov. John Kasich will bookend a spectrum of speakers set to open the coronavirus-delayed 2020 Democratic National Convention.
Monday's keynote address will be delivered by former first lady Michelle Obama. It's her first appearance on the 2020 campaign trail for this cycle's presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, Joe Biden, and his running mate, California Sen. Kamala Harris.
The former first lady's return to the national political spotlight is eagerly anticipated by Democrats, many of whom hoped Biden would pick her as his No. 2. But it's the juxtaposition of Sanders and Kasich in Monday night's We the People-themed programming that caught the attention of many political observers.
For University of Akron professor David Cohen, Kasich wasn't an unexpected choice to be included in the Democratic convention's lineup.
"Conventions often seek out members of the other party to speak in order to show how the nominee is willing to work with both sides of the aisle and be bipartisan in an attempt to win over centrist voters, independents, and those from the other side disaffected with their own party or nominee," Cohen said.
Kasich didn't attend the 2016 Republican National Convention, despite it being anchored in Cleveland while he was a governor after his own White House bid. And that fall, he declined to vote for President Trump, writing in then-Arizona Sen. John McCain on his ballot instead.
"From the Biden campaign’s perspective, Kasich is the perfect guy to highlight how far Trump’s Republican Party has moved in four years and how Biden can be a president to bring people together," he said.
Kasich himself said the "Republican Party has always been my vehicle, but never my master."
"You have to do what you think is right in your heart, and I'm comfortable here," he told CNN, describing Biden as "a pretty tough guy" who "can restore civility" but not "go hard left" like Sanders.
I will be speaking at the #DNC Convention because I believe that America needs to go in a different direction.
I've searched my conscience and I believe the best way forward is for change - to bring unity where there has been division. And to bring about a healing in America. pic.twitter.com/sfnBGBF3kG — John Kasich (@JohnKasich) August 11, 2020
After being pushed back a month due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Democrats will come together, mostly online, next Monday to Thursday from 9-11 p.m. EST. ABC, CBS, and NBC have committed to covering the last hour every night, while the cable networks are making arrangements for extended broadcasts.
Initial plans to hold some in-person events in host city Milwaukee, even Biden's acceptance address, were scrapped last week as virus cases in the Midwest climbed. Rather, Biden and Harris will speak next Wednesday and Thursday from the Chase Center in Wilmington, Delaware, Biden's home state where he's been holed up during the outbreak.
Some on the schedule, such as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, were given the option of making remarks "live to tape" or live in general.
"I'm so excited," Pelosi said of opting to appear "live from California."
Others with slots on Monday include former vice presidential contenders Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, as well as Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada. House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, whose endorsement helped Biden win South Carolina and seize the majority of primary delegates, also has a spot. So too does New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, whose national profile was boosted by his COVID-19 leadership in his state, and Alabama Sen. Doug Jones, who faces a tough reelection on Nov. 3.
"The COVID-19 pandemic continues its rampage, tens of millions of people are out of work, and America is confronting the racial injustice that has marginalized too many people," the Democratic convention committee wrote.
The panel added, "Throughout our history, when we stand united, we can overcome anything. On Monday, we’ll hear from the many Americans who are rising up to take on these three crises, unite our country, and join Joe Biden in rebuilding the country and moving it forward."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-13--Trump campaign sues two Iowa counties over absentee ballots

The Trump campaign announced it is proceeding with lawsuits against two Democratic-leaning counties in Iowa that have promoted absentee ballots due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The Republican National Committee is also listed on the suits , which seek to invalidate thousands of absentee ballot applications that were sent to voters by officials in Linn and Johnson counties and included prewritten information such as voting pin numbers , dates of birth , and names already filled out .
Voters only have to sign and return the ballot applications to receive an early ballot in October that they can file before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate , a Republican , said in July that allowing some counties to send out prewritten ballot applications was problematic because they do not `` ensure uniformity . ''
He added that the ballot applications could provide “ an opportunity to question the validity of election results in those counties.
” Kristen Clarke , executive director of the Lawyers ’ Committee for Civil Rights and Law , fired back at the lawsuits , suggesting that county officials should be lauded for efforts to make sure all voters can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Officials should be credited for taking action to streamline the absentee ballot application process to help ensure that more voters are able to be heard this election season , ” Clarke told the Associated Press .
President Trump has claimed that the election will be rigged if widespread mail-in voting is allowed .
The lawsuits are another sign that the 2020 election could face weeks , if not months , of challenges from both political parties over the legitimacy of votes cast for president .

The Trump campaign announced it is proceeding with lawsuits against two Democratic-leaning counties in Iowa that have promoted absentee ballots due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Republican National Committee is also listed on the suits, which seek to invalidate thousands of absentee ballot applications that were sent to voters by officials in Linn and Johnson counties and included prewritten information such as voting pin numbers, dates of birth, and names already filled out.
Voters only have to sign and return the ballot applications to receive an early ballot in October that they can file before the election date on Nov. 3.
Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate, a Republican, said in July that allowing some counties to send out prewritten ballot applications was problematic because they do not "ensure uniformity." He added that the ballot applications could provide “an opportunity to question the validity of election results in those counties.”
Kristen Clarke, executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Law, fired back at the lawsuits, suggesting that county officials should be lauded for efforts to make sure all voters can cast ballots ahead of Nov. 3.
“Officials should be credited for taking action to streamline the absentee ballot application process to help ensure that more voters are able to be heard this election season,” Clarke told the Associated Press.
President Trump has claimed that the election will be rigged if widespread mail-in voting is allowed.
The lawsuits are another sign that the 2020 election could face weeks, if not months, of challenges from both political parties over the legitimacy of votes cast for president.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-13--Trump: 'I'll take a look' at birther theory about Kamala Harris's eligibility to be vice president

President Trump weighed in on claims that Kamala Harris does not meet the definition of a natural-born citizen and therefore is not eligible to be vice president , despite her being born in the United States .
`` I heard it today , that she does n't meet the requirements , '' Trump said in a White House press briefing on Thursday .
`` And by the way , the lawyer that brought that piece is very , highly qualified , very talented lawyer .
I have no idea if that 's right . ''
`` I would have thought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have checked that out before she gets chosen to run for vice president , '' Trump added .
He was referring to a Newsweek op-ed , published a day after presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden named the senator from California as his running mate .
The author is John Eastman , a law professor and former Chapman University dean who sought the Republican nomination for California attorney general in 2010 and would have faced Harris in the general election had he won the primary .
Numerous legal scholars have said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ citizen is false , with some calling it `` racist nonsense '' and `` idiotic . ''
The 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution says that `` all persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof , are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside , '' and the 1898 Supreme Court case U.S. v. Wong Kim Ark found that children born in the U.S. to immigrant parents who are lawful permanent residents are citizens .
Harris was born in Oakland , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and India , a seemingly open-and-shut case that shows she is a citizen .
But Eastman says that it is not clear whether her parents were lawful permanent residents at the time of her birth , or U.S. citizens at the time of her birth or before she turned 16 , so then based on the original understanding of the 14th Amendment , it is possible that Harris was not fully `` subject to the jurisdiction thereof '' and not a `` natural citizen . ''
Trump was not familiar with the argument @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does n't qualify because she was n't born in this country , '' Trump said before a reporter corrected him , explaining the argument is about her parent 's residency .
`` I do n't know about it .
I just heard about it , I 'll take a look , '' Trump said .
In years past , Trump promoted the baseless `` birther '' conspiracy theory that President Barack Obama was not born in the U.S. , but backed away from it during the 2016 contest .
Trump campaign senior legal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about Harris earlier in the day on Thursday .
`` It ’ s an open question , and one I think Harris should answer , so the American people know for sure she is eligible , '' she told ABC News when asked about her retweet of the article .
Biden 's campaign condemned Ellis 's sharing of the article .
`` Donald Trump was the national leader of the grotesque , racist birther movement with respect to President Obama and has sought to fuel racism and tear our nation apart on every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden spokesman Andrew Bates told the Washington Examiner .
`` So it 's unsurprising , but no less abhorrent , that as Trump makes a fool of himself straining to distract the American people from the horrific toll of his failed coronavirus response that his campaign and their allies would resort to wretched , demonstrably false lies in their pathetic desperation . ''
Following criticism , Newsweek editors defended the decision to publish the op-ed from Eastman , saying that it was about `` a long-standing , somewhat arcane legal debate about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the jurisdiction thereof ' in the Citizenship Clause of the 14th Amendment . ''
Eastman 's argument has `` no connection whatsoever to so-called 'birther-ism , ' the racist 2008 conspiracy theory aimed at delegitimizing then-candidate Barack Obama by claiming , baselessly , that he was born not in Hawaii but in Kenya , '' the publication wrote .
`` We share our readers ' revulsion at those vile lies . ''

President Trump weighed in on claims that Kamala Harris does not meet the definition of a natural-born citizen and therefore is not eligible to be vice president, despite her being born in the United States.
"I heard it today, that she doesn't meet the requirements," Trump said in a White House press briefing on Thursday. "And by the way, the lawyer that brought that piece is very, highly qualified, very talented lawyer. I have no idea if that's right."
"I would have thought, I would have assumed the Democrats would have checked that out before she gets chosen to run for vice president," Trump added.
He was referring to a Newsweek op-ed, published a day after presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden named the senator from California as his running mate. The author is John Eastman, a law professor and former Chapman University dean who sought the Republican nomination for California attorney general in 2010 and would have faced Harris in the general election had he won the primary.
Numerous legal scholars have said that the idea Harris is not a natural-born citizen is false, with some calling it "racist nonsense" and "idiotic." The 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution says that "all persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside," and the 1898 Supreme Court case U.S. v. Wong Kim Ark found that children born in the U.S. to immigrant parents who are lawful permanent residents are citizens.
Harris was born in Oakland, California, to immigrant parents from Jamaica and India, a seemingly open-and-shut case that shows she is a citizen.
But Eastman says that it is not clear whether her parents were lawful permanent residents at the time of her birth, or U.S. citizens at the time of her birth or before she turned 16, so then based on the original understanding of the 14th Amendment, it is possible that Harris was not fully "subject to the jurisdiction thereof" and not a "natural citizen."
Trump was not familiar with the argument.
"They're saying that she doesn't qualify because she wasn't born in this country," Trump said before a reporter corrected him, explaining the argument is about her parent's residency.
"I don't know about it. I just heard about it, I'll take a look," Trump said.
In years past, Trump promoted the baseless "birther" conspiracy theory that President Barack Obama was not born in the U.S., but backed away from it during the 2016 contest.
Trump campaign senior legal adviser Jenna Ellis retweeted the Newsweek op-ed about Harris earlier in the day on Thursday.
"It’s an open question, and one I think Harris should answer, so the American people know for sure she is eligible," she told ABC News when asked about her retweet of the article.
Biden's campaign condemned Ellis's sharing of the article.
"Donald Trump was the national leader of the grotesque, racist birther movement with respect to President Obama and has sought to fuel racism and tear our nation apart on every single day of his presidency," Biden spokesman Andrew Bates told the Washington Examiner. "So it's unsurprising, but no less abhorrent, that as Trump makes a fool of himself straining to distract the American people from the horrific toll of his failed coronavirus response that his campaign and their allies would resort to wretched, demonstrably false lies in their pathetic desperation."
Following criticism, Newsweek editors defended the decision to publish the op-ed from Eastman, saying that it was about "a long-standing, somewhat arcane legal debate about the precise meaning of the phrase 'subject to the jurisdiction thereof' in the Citizenship Clause of the 14th Amendment."
Eastman's argument has "no connection whatsoever to so-called 'birther-ism,' the racist 2008 conspiracy theory aimed at delegitimizing then-candidate Barack Obama by claiming, baselessly, that he was born not in Hawaii but in Kenya," the publication wrote. "We share our readers' revulsion at those vile lies."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-13--Trump campaign not afraid to resurface Tara Reade allegations in case against Harris

With Kamala Harris named Joe Biden ’ s vice presidential pick , President Trump ’ s team is willing to throw just about any attack at the wall to see what will stick .
That includes resurfacing Tara Reade ’ s allegations that Biden sexually harassed and assaulted her in 1993 when she worked in his office as a staff assistant .
It echoes a campaign tactic Trump used in 2016 against Hillary Clinton .
But this time , the campaign is not finding the accuser to be a willing participant in political attacks .
The Trump campaign hopes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harris , a California senator tapped for Biden 's ticket on Tuesday .
The Trump campaign is noting the difference in comments Harris made over a year ago about allegations of unwanted and uncomfortable touching from Biden compared to those she more recently said about Reade ’ s allegations when the two were initially competing for the party ’ s presidential nomination .
“ The only standards Kamala Harris has are double standards , especially when it comes to the accusations against Joe Biden .
Harris smeared Judge Kavanaugh with completely uncorroborated allegations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reade ’ s allegations against Joe Biden , despite existing evidence , ” Trump campaign deputy national press secretary Samantha Zager told the Washington Examiner on Wednesday .
“ It ’ s amazing what Harris will set aside for the chance to be vice president.
” Harris gained notoriety in the summer of 2018 for grilling now-Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh on a decadesold allegation of sexual misconduct from Christine Blasey Ford .
When Biden faced a slew of women coming forward and accusing him of unwanted touching just before he announced his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Harris praised the women for speaking out and hesitated in encouraging Biden to run for president .
`` I believe them , and I respect them being able to tell their story and having the courage to do it , '' Harris said at the time , adding that Biden would “ have to make [ the decision to run for president ] himself .
I wouldn ’ t tell him what to do.
” This year , months after Harris dropped out of the presidential race and when it was clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s presidential nominee , she weighed in on the allegations from Reade , which Biden and others involved in allegations have repeatedly denied .
“ Listen , this woman has a right to tell her story , and I believe that , and I believe Joe Biden believes that , too , ” Harris said in April .
“ She has a right to tell her story , and she should n't face any repercussions for that , but the Joe Biden I know is somebody that really has fought for women and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and rights . ''
Reade has shared a similar criticism of Harris for being hypocritical , this week calling on journalists to demand a clearer answer from Harris about what she thinks about her allegations against Biden .
But she doesn ’ t appreciate the Trump campaign using her as a pawn to boost the president ’ s reelection prospects .
“ If there 's a sincere belief in wanting to examine my history of Joe Biden , I welcome that , ” Reade told the Washington Examiner .
“ However , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sexual assault being weaponized and being used as a political football.
” She believes Blasey Ford ’ s allegations against Kavanaugh , and she noted that Trump has also been accused of sexual misconduct by numerous women over the years .
“ I just really do n't want to be part of influencing an election one way or another , ” Reade said .
“ Both of them have serious allegations of sexual misconduct .
That alone should be disqualifying for both of them.
” She suggested that if those working for Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of sexual misconduct , they could create a bipartisan task force without appearing to politicize the allegations .
Trump notoriously used allegations of sexual assault against Bill Clinton as a political tool in the 2016 election after a leaked Access Hollywood video revealed Trump making light of sexual assault , bragging that “ when you ’ re a star , they let you do it , ” including , “ grab ’ em by the p -- -- .
” Two days later , Trump ’ s campaign held a press conference with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of sexual misconduct and a fourth who had accused him of rape hours before a debate against the former president ’ s wife and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton .
The Trump campaign has not reached out to Reade , she said , making it unlikely that the campaign is planning on using her for a similar stunt this election cycle .
Other Republicans haven ’ t reached out to her either ; she says she hasn ’ t spoken to any politicians or operatives from either party .
Reade maintains indignation at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same way that they eagerly believed Blasey Ford ’ s .
“ Democrats are quite crafty at weaponizing sexual assault and sexual harassment , ” she said .
“ They 're a wolf in sheep 's clothing because they hold the mantle of ‘ Me Too ’ while they 're smearing any kind of survivors that come out against someone in their Democratic establishment .
”

With Kamala Harris named Joe Biden’s vice presidential pick, President Trump’s team is willing to throw just about any attack at the wall to see what will stick. That includes resurfacing Tara Reade’s allegations that Biden sexually harassed and assaulted her in 1993 when she worked in his office as a staff assistant.
It echoes a campaign tactic Trump used in 2016 against Hillary Clinton. But this time, the campaign is not finding the accuser to be a willing participant in political attacks.
The Trump campaign hopes to seize on the appearance of hypocrisy from Harris, a California senator tapped for Biden's ticket on Tuesday. The Trump campaign is noting the difference in comments Harris made over a year ago about allegations of unwanted and uncomfortable touching from Biden compared to those she more recently said about Reade’s allegations when the two were initially competing for the party’s presidential nomination.
“The only standards Kamala Harris has are double standards, especially when it comes to the accusations against Joe Biden. Harris smeared Judge Kavanaugh with completely uncorroborated allegations but has decided to conveniently ignore Tara Reade’s allegations against Joe Biden, despite existing evidence,” Trump campaign deputy national press secretary Samantha Zager told the Washington Examiner on Wednesday. “It’s amazing what Harris will set aside for the chance to be vice president.”
Harris gained notoriety in the summer of 2018 for grilling now-Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh on a decadesold allegation of sexual misconduct from Christine Blasey Ford. When Biden faced a slew of women coming forward and accusing him of unwanted touching just before he announced his presidential candidacy in April of last year, Harris praised the women for speaking out and hesitated in encouraging Biden to run for president.
"I believe them, and I respect them being able to tell their story and having the courage to do it," Harris said at the time, adding that Biden would “have to make [the decision to run for president] himself. I wouldn’t tell him what to do.”
This year, months after Harris dropped out of the presidential race and when it was clear that Biden would be the party’s presidential nominee, she weighed in on the allegations from Reade, which Biden and others involved in allegations have repeatedly denied.
“Listen, this woman has a right to tell her story, and I believe that, and I believe Joe Biden believes that, too,” Harris said in April. “She has a right to tell her story, and she shouldn't face any repercussions for that, but the Joe Biden I know is somebody that really has fought for women and empowerment of women and women's equality and rights."
Reade has shared a similar criticism of Harris for being hypocritical, this week calling on journalists to demand a clearer answer from Harris about what she thinks about her allegations against Biden.
But she doesn’t appreciate the Trump campaign using her as a pawn to boost the president’s reelection prospects.
“If there's a sincere belief in wanting to examine my history of Joe Biden, I welcome that,” Reade told the Washington Examiner. “However, I do not welcome the sexual harassment and sexual assault being weaponized and being used as a political football.”
She believes Blasey Ford’s allegations against Kavanaugh, and she noted that Trump has also been accused of sexual misconduct by numerous women over the years.
“I just really don't want to be part of influencing an election one way or another,” Reade said. “Both of them have serious allegations of sexual misconduct. That alone should be disqualifying for both of them.”
She suggested that if those working for Trump are serious about getting to the bottom of sexual misconduct, they could create a bipartisan task force without appearing to politicize the allegations.
Trump notoriously used allegations of sexual assault against Bill Clinton as a political tool in the 2016 election after a leaked Access Hollywood video revealed Trump making light of sexual assault, bragging that “when you’re a star, they let you do it,” including, “grab ’em by the p----.”
Two days later, Trump’s campaign held a press conference with three women who had accused Bill Clinton of sexual misconduct and a fourth who had accused him of rape hours before a debate against the former president’s wife and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.
The Trump campaign has not reached out to Reade, she said, making it unlikely that the campaign is planning on using her for a similar stunt this election cycle. Other Republicans haven’t reached out to her either; she says she hasn’t spoken to any politicians or operatives from either party.
Reade maintains indignation at Democrats for not believing her allegations in the same way that they eagerly believed Blasey Ford’s.
“Democrats are quite crafty at weaponizing sexual assault and sexual harassment,” she said. “They're a wolf in sheep's clothing because they hold the mantle of ‘Me Too’ while they're smearing any kind of survivors that come out against someone in their Democratic establishment.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-13--Jared Kushner: Kanye West 'has some great ideas' for the country

White House senior adviser Jared Kushner downplayed a recent meeting he had with rapper-turned-presidential candidate Kanye West .
During a White House briefing on Thursday , Kushner said West was just a `` friend '' and that last week 's meeting was an impromptu gathering .
`` Kanye ’ s been a friend of mine for — I ’ ve known him for about 10 years , '' Kushner said .
`` We both happened to be in Colorado , and so , we got together , and we had a great discussion about a lot of things . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ what he 'd like to see happen in the country , and that 's why he has the candidacy that he 's been doing , '' he continued .
`` But again , there 's a lot of issues that the president 's championed that he admires , and it was just great to have a friendly discussion . ''
Much has been made of the meeting between West and President Trump 's son-in-law as concerns have been raised that the outsider presidential candidate , who will appear on several state ballots under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an attempt to snag votes away from presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
Trump , who met with West at the Oval Office in October 2018 , has suggested that West would n't have much trouble pulling voters from Biden and recently praised the Grammy winner , saying he was a fan of him and his family .
`` I like him , '' Trump said last week .
`` He 's always been very nice to me .
I get along with him very well .
I like him .
I @ @ @ @ @

White House senior adviser Jared Kushner downplayed a recent meeting he had with rapper-turned-presidential candidate Kanye West.
During a White House briefing on Thursday, Kushner said West was just a "friend" and that last week's meeting was an impromptu gathering.
"Kanye’s been a friend of mine for — I’ve known him for about 10 years," Kushner said. "We both happened to be in Colorado, and so, we got together, and we had a great discussion about a lot of things."
"He has some great ideas for what he'd like to see happen in the country, and that's why he has the candidacy that he's been doing," he continued. "But again, there's a lot of issues that the president's championed that he admires, and it was just great to have a friendly discussion."
Jared Kushner on meeting with @kanyewest: "Kanye's been a friend of mine...we got together and we had a great discussion...he has some great ideas for what he'd like to see happen in the country..."
Full video here: https://t.co/dyA5TDcgR9 pic.twitter.com/W4Aqhm90Sf — CSPAN (@cspan) August 13, 2020
Much has been made of the meeting between West and President Trump's son-in-law as concerns have been raised that the outsider presidential candidate, who will appear on several state ballots under the Birthday Party moniker, is running in an attempt to snag votes away from presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
Trump, who met with West at the Oval Office in October 2018, has suggested that West wouldn't have much trouble pulling voters from Biden and recently praised the Grammy winner, saying he was a fan of him and his family.
"I like him," Trump said last week. "He's always been very nice to me. I get along with him very well. I like him. I like his wife."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-13--Biden hails 'historic' Israel-UAE agreement and vows to 'build on this progress' if elected

Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden praised the newly struck agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates that his 2020 rival , President Trump , said he brokered .
“ Today , Israel and the United Arab Emirates have taken a historic step to bridge the deep divides of the Middle East .
The UAE ’ s offer to publicly recognize the State of Israel is a welcome , brave , and badly-needed act of statesmanship , ” Biden said in a Thursday afternoon statement .
The former vice president emphasized that Israel is an “ integral part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay ” and encouraged more cooperation between Israel and neighboring Arab countries .
He also highlighted past efforts to build collaboration in the region .
“ The coming together of Israel and Arab states builds on the efforts of multiple administrations to foster a broader Arab-Israeli opening , including the efforts of the Obama-Biden administration to build on the Arab Peace Initiative , ” he said .
“ I personally spent time with leaders of both Israel and the UAE during our administration building the case for cooperation and broader engagement and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and I am gratified by today ’ s announcement.
” Biden specifically praised the portion of the deal in which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to “ suspend ” a plan to annex territory that is regarded by Palestinians as a necessary part of a prospective Palestinian state .
“ Annexation would be a body blow to the cause of peace , which is why I oppose it now and would oppose it as president .
It would virtually end any chance of a two-state solution that would secure Israel ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state and uphold the right of Palestinians to a state of their own , ” Biden said .
Biden , who selected California Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate a day before the Middle East deal , said that “ a Biden-Harris Administration will seek to build on this progress , and will challenge all the nations of the region to keep pace .
”

Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden praised the newly struck agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates that his 2020 rival, President Trump, said he brokered.
“Today, Israel and the United Arab Emirates have taken a historic step to bridge the deep divides of the Middle East. The UAE’s offer to publicly recognize the State of Israel is a welcome, brave, and badly-needed act of statesmanship,” Biden said in a Thursday afternoon statement.
The former vice president emphasized that Israel is an “integral part of the Middle East that is here to stay” and encouraged more cooperation between Israel and neighboring Arab countries. He also highlighted past efforts to build collaboration in the region.
“The coming together of Israel and Arab states builds on the efforts of multiple administrations to foster a broader Arab-Israeli opening, including the efforts of the Obama-Biden administration to build on the Arab Peace Initiative,” he said. “I personally spent time with leaders of both Israel and the UAE during our administration building the case for cooperation and broader engagement and the benefits it could deliver to both nations, and I am gratified by today’s announcement.”
Biden specifically praised the portion of the deal in which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to “suspend” a plan to annex territory that is regarded by Palestinians as a necessary part of a prospective Palestinian state.
“Annexation would be a body blow to the cause of peace, which is why I oppose it now and would oppose it as president. It would virtually end any chance of a two-state solution that would secure Israel’s future as a Jewish and democratic state and uphold the right of Palestinians to a state of their own,” Biden said.
Biden, who selected California Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate a day before the Middle East deal, said that “a Biden-Harris Administration will seek to build on this progress, and will challenge all the nations of the region to keep pace.”