thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-23--Court-packing is not popular, but Democrats may do it anyway if they win

Judge Amy Coney Barrett is hurtling toward confirmation , potentially entrenching a durable conservative majority on the Supreme Court if the number of justices remains nine .
That is the top concern conservatives have : If the Democrats win the White House and the Senate , her placement on the Supreme Court by a president they detest and will have then defeated , with the votes of Republican senators who would not grant Democratic nominee Judge Merrick Garland a hearing in an election year , will push them inexorably toward court-packing legislation .
The Democrats ’ decision to boycott the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowing her nomination to be advanced to the full chamber by a unanimous 12-0 vote , was an admission there is little they can do to stop her .
The 48-year-old performed well in the committee hearings , and Democrats failed to identify any issue that would potentially derail her , two years after the contentious Brett Kavanaugh nomination fight .
Public opinion has moved in Barrett ’ s favor .
A Gallup poll found that 51 % of people wanted her to be seated , making her more popular than Kavanaugh , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , despite the opposition of 84 % of Democrats .
Democrats are especially outraged that Trump will likely get to replace iconic liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg .
“ There is a nakedly political aspect to rushing to get this done , ” said Democratic strategist Spencer Critchley .
“ When the president himself has blurted out the political reasons for doing this.
” Some leading Democrats have said that if they win the presidency and Senate following Barrett ’ s confirmation , they should proceed with legislation to expand the Supreme Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liberal justices .
This includes the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee .
Biden and his running mate , Kamala Harris , have declined to endorse court-packing , though they have also pointedly refused to rule it out .
Biden said in an interview taped Monday that he wants a commission to study the issue .
Democrats challenging incumbent Republican senators have often opposed it .
A recent Washington Examiner/YouGov poll the idea is unpopular .
“ We are strongly of the opinion that we need to keep the Supreme Court 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Summers , a former Tennessee attorney general who is part of a bipartisan group mobilizing against such proposals .
He argues court-packing would turn the Supreme Court into a super-legislature and that both parties would engage in it when they held power , with no logical stopping point .
There nevertheless remains the sense that if Barrett is confirmed and continually sides with the conservative bloc , Democratic support for court-packing will grow .
“ We ’ d have to be crazy not to do it , ” said a Democratic operative .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidents to side with the liberal bloc on some controversial decisions to undercut support for court-packing .
“ Intimidating Chief Justice [ John ] Roberts is part of the strategy , ” said a conservative court watcher .
Controversies that could provoke the Democrats on court-packing could come as soon as next month if there is litigation about the presidential election that ends up before the Supreme Court .
There could also be cases involving abortion and Obamacare .
Few conservatives favor shelving the Barrett nomination over these concerns .
They point to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nomination wars by voting overwhelmingly for Bill Clinton ’ s nominees — only three GOP senators opposed Ginsburg — after the rejection of Robert Bork and the narrow confirmation of Clarence Thomas after a bruising fight .
Biden chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee during this time .
Senate Democrats then filibustered some of George W. Bush ’ s lower-court nominees after he succeeded Clinton .
Sen. Ted Cruz , a Texas Republican , has introduced a single-sentence constitutional amendment : “ The Supreme Court of the United States shall be composed of nine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advancing the amendment through a convention of the states , a process allowed by the Constitution but never utilized , if Democrats control both houses of Congress .

Judge Amy Coney Barrett is hurtling toward confirmation, potentially entrenching a durable conservative majority on the Supreme Court if the number of justices remains nine.
That is the top concern conservatives have: If the Democrats win the White House and the Senate, her placement on the Supreme Court by a president they detest and will have then defeated, with the votes of Republican senators who would not grant Democratic nominee Judge Merrick Garland a hearing in an election year, will push them inexorably toward court-packing legislation.
The Democrats’ decision to boycott the Senate Judiciary Committee vote on Barrett, allowing her nomination to be advanced to the full chamber by a unanimous 12-0 vote, was an admission there is little they can do to stop her. The 48-year-old performed well in the committee hearings, and Democrats failed to identify any issue that would potentially derail her, two years after the contentious Brett Kavanaugh nomination fight.
Public opinion has moved in Barrett’s favor. A Gallup poll found that 51% of people wanted her to be seated, making her more popular than Kavanaugh, Justice Neil Gorsuch, or President Trump, despite the opposition of 84% of Democrats.
Democrats are especially outraged that Trump will likely get to replace iconic liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. “There is a nakedly political aspect to rushing to get this done,” said Democratic strategist Spencer Critchley. “When the president himself has blurted out the political reasons for doing this.”
Some leading Democrats have said that if they win the presidency and Senate following Barrett’s confirmation, they should proceed with legislation to expand the Supreme Court to allow for the nomination of additional liberal justices. This includes the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee.
Biden and his running mate, Kamala Harris, have declined to endorse court-packing, though they have also pointedly refused to rule it out. Biden said in an interview taped Monday that he wants a commission to study the issue. Democrats challenging incumbent Republican senators have often opposed it. A recent Washington Examiner/YouGov poll confirmed the idea is unpopular.
“We are strongly of the opinion that we need to keep the Supreme Court's numbers the same,” said Paul Summers, a former Tennessee attorney general who is part of a bipartisan group mobilizing against such proposals. He argues court-packing would turn the Supreme Court into a super-legislature and that both parties would engage in it when they held power, with no logical stopping point.
There nevertheless remains the sense that if Barrett is confirmed and continually sides with the conservative bloc, Democratic support for court-packing will grow. “We’d have to be crazy not to do it,” said a Democratic operative. This could push institutionalists appointed by Republican presidents to side with the liberal bloc on some controversial decisions to undercut support for court-packing. “Intimidating Chief Justice [John] Roberts is part of the strategy,” said a conservative court watcher.
Controversies that could provoke the Democrats on court-packing could come as soon as next month if there is litigation about the presidential election that ends up before the Supreme Court. There could also be cases involving abortion and Obamacare.
Few conservatives favor shelving the Barrett nomination over these concerns. They point to Republican attempts to deescalate the Supreme Court nomination wars by voting overwhelmingly for Bill Clinton’s nominees — only three GOP senators opposed Ginsburg — after the rejection of Robert Bork and the narrow confirmation of Clarence Thomas after a bruising fight. Biden chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee during this time. Senate Democrats then filibustered some of George W. Bush’s lower-court nominees after he succeeded Clinton.
Sen. Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican, has introduced a single-sentence constitutional amendment: “The Supreme Court of the United States shall be composed of nine justices.” Summers floated the idea of advancing the amendment through a convention of the states, a process allowed by the Constitution but never utilized, if Democrats control both houses of Congress.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-23--In more-civil debate, Biden still on defense

Joe Biden was able to get a word in edgewise in his second and final debate against President Trump .
But even with the help of changed debate rules that muted each candidate 's microphone during the debate , the former vice president often found himself on defense .
Thursday 's debate had far fewer interruptions from Trump — a dynamic that dominated the first debate .
And in what was an apparent attempt to get ahead of expected attacks from Trump on the topic of emails found on the laptop purportedly belonging to his son Hunter Biden and given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawyer Rudy Giuliani , Joe Biden raised the topic himself .
`` His buddy , Rudy Giuliani , he 's being used as a Russian pawn .
He 's being fed information that is Russian , that is not true , '' Joe Biden said .
( One of the people on some of the emails , Tony Bobulinski , has confirmed the authenticity of some of the communications and provided additional communications about Hunter Biden 's business dealings . )
Trump hit back with his own jabs on the topic of Hunter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been enough to move any voter opinions .
`` From my perspective , a lot of that was a back-and-forth about both of them being corrupt , '' John Koch , director of debate at Vanderbilt University , told the Washington Examiner .
`` To me that kind of played out as a wash. '' Pointed questions from debate moderator Kristen Welker of NBC also kept Joe Biden on his toes .
She noted that deportations surged under Obama .
`` So why should voters trust you with an immigration overhaul ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ touched on the 1994 crime bill , which Joe Biden supported and helped craft .
She mentioned those who went to prison for non-violent drug offenses .
`` Speak to those families .
Why should they vote for you ? ''
she asked .
Aaron Kall , director of debate at the University of Michigan , told the Washington Examiner that the debate was about even between the candidates and that Joe Biden accomplished what he came to do : maintain a lead in the polls and not allow Trump to shake up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he did n't commit a major error , then the campaign would be in a good place , but he delivered , '' Kall said .
Kall mentioned that Joe Biden did not campaign around the country this week , instead he stayed in Delaware to prepare for the debate .
That `` showed , '' Kall said .
`` He was even better prepared for the attacks about his family , '' Kall said .
`` But he never did lose his composure , did n't come close to breaking . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ efforts to try to calm himself , Joe Biden called Trump a `` clown '' and told him to `` shut up . ''
Joe Biden , though , did land enough punches and lines in order to make his closing argument clear , according to Koch .
`` I thought both of them were probably an appropriate amount on offense and defense for the night , '' Koch said .
Koch mentioned Joe Biden 's unusual tactic of `` breaking the fourth wall '' and speaking to the camera rather than the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think Biden 's most effective moment is when he looks into the camera and talks directly to the American people , which he did about health care and COVID , '' Koch said .
`` That has a real kind of emotive energy , right , that might connect with an audience , and you know President Ronald Reagan was really good about listening , looking into the camera , and connecting with the American people . ''
The former vice president is likely to be attacked for some falsehoods he spread during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he claimed that no one lost their health insurance due to Obamacare — a statement that Politifact dubbed the `` Lie of the year '' in 2013 .
He also claimed that he has never opposed fracking , despite saying in a primary debate that he would `` work it out . ''

Joe Biden was able to get a word in edgewise in his second and final debate against President Trump. But even with the help of changed debate rules that muted each candidate's microphone during the debate, the former vice president often found himself on defense.
Thursday's debate had far fewer interruptions from Trump — a dynamic that dominated the first debate. And in what was an apparent attempt to get ahead of expected attacks from Trump on the topic of emails found on the laptop purportedly belonging to his son Hunter Biden and given to media outlets by Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani, Joe Biden raised the topic himself.
"His buddy, Rudy Giuliani, he's being used as a Russian pawn. He's being fed information that is Russian, that is not true," Joe Biden said. (One of the people on some of the emails, Tony Bobulinski, has confirmed the authenticity of some of the communications and provided additional communications about Hunter Biden's business dealings.)
Trump hit back with his own jabs on the topic of Hunter Biden, but the exchange may not have been enough to move any voter opinions.
"From my perspective, a lot of that was a back-and-forth about both of them being corrupt," John Koch, director of debate at Vanderbilt University, told the Washington Examiner. "To me that kind of played out as a wash."
Pointed questions from debate moderator Kristen Welker of NBC also kept Joe Biden on his toes. She noted that deportations surged under Obama. "So why should voters trust you with an immigration overhaul?" she asked.
And Welker also touched on the 1994 crime bill, which Joe Biden supported and helped craft. She mentioned those who went to prison for non-violent drug offenses. "Speak to those families. Why should they vote for you?" she asked.
Aaron Kall, director of debate at the University of Michigan, told the Washington Examiner that the debate was about even between the candidates and that Joe Biden accomplished what he came to do: maintain a lead in the polls and not allow Trump to shake up the debate.
"As long as he didn't commit a major error, then the campaign would be in a good place, but he delivered," Kall said.
Kall mentioned that Joe Biden did not campaign around the country this week, instead he stayed in Delaware to prepare for the debate. That "showed," Kall said.
"He was even better prepared for the attacks about his family," Kall said. "But he never did lose his composure, didn't come close to breaking."
In the last debate, despite obvious efforts to try to calm himself, Joe Biden called Trump a "clown" and told him to "shut up."
Joe Biden, though, did land enough punches and lines in order to make his closing argument clear, according to Koch.
"I thought both of them were probably an appropriate amount on offense and defense for the night," Koch said.
Koch mentioned Joe Biden's unusual tactic of "breaking the fourth wall" and speaking to the camera rather than the moderator or his opponent.
"I think Biden's most effective moment is when he looks into the camera and talks directly to the American people, which he did about health care and COVID," Koch said. "That has a real kind of emotive energy, right, that might connect with an audience, and you know President Ronald Reagan was really good about listening, looking into the camera, and connecting with the American people."
The former vice president is likely to be attacked for some falsehoods he spread during the debate.
At one point, he claimed that no one lost their health insurance due to Obamacare — a statement that Politifact dubbed the "Lie of the year" in 2013. He also claimed that he has never opposed fracking, despite saying in a primary debate that he would "work it out."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-23--The most important election yet

The most important election yet

With only a few weeks to go , November ’ s election is at the forefront of many people 's minds .
A majority said in a recent Pew Research Center survey that they are following election news as closely as the coronavirus pandemic , which has been the primary concern for most people in the United States over the past several months .
Now , however , 75 % are giving their attention to the presidential candidates and said they are “ very ” invested in the results .
This is atypical .
People have always followed politics — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , another recent poll found that a record-high percentage of U.S. voters ( 77 % ) care about the outcome of this year ’ s election more than they did about past elections , according to Gallup .
This is the highest that number has been since 1996 , when only 41 % of people said the election ’ s outcome mattered a great deal .
This enthusiasm has already yielded results .
More than 22 million voters have cast early ballots in the 2020 election , which is 16 % of all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election .
These early numbers suggest that the turnout rates this year could be higher than in any presidential election since 1908 , according to the Associated Press .
There are several reasons for this .
Voting is much more accessible than it has been in years past due to the coronavirus pandemic and its push toward mail-in voting .
Moreover , the number of crises the U.S. has experienced over the past year alone has forced people to care more about politics than they may have in the past .
But on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republicans are far less likely to think that the coronavirus pandemic is a top issue than registered Democrats , and Democrats are much more likely to care about policy debates such as climate change and race relations than Republicans .
But at least one thing is certain : This election is important , and neither side is willing to let it go to waste .

With only a few weeks to go, November’s election is at the forefront of many people's minds.
A majority said in a recent Pew Research Center survey that they are following election news as closely as the coronavirus pandemic, which has been the primary concern for most people in the United States over the past several months. Now, however, 75% are giving their attention to the presidential candidates and said they are “very” invested in the results.
This is atypical. People have always followed politics — but not to this extent. Indeed, another recent poll found that a record-high percentage of U.S. voters (77%) care about the outcome of this year’s election more than they did about past elections, according to Gallup. This is the highest that number has been since 1996, when only 41% of people said the election’s outcome mattered a great deal.
This enthusiasm has already yielded results. More than 22 million voters have cast early ballots in the 2020 election, which is 16% of all the votes cast in the 2016 presidential election. These early numbers suggest that the turnout rates this year could be higher than in any presidential election since 1908, according to the Associated Press.
There are several reasons for this. Voting is much more accessible than it has been in years past due to the coronavirus pandemic and its push toward mail-in voting. Moreover, the number of crises the U.S. has experienced over the past year alone has forced people to care more about politics than they may have in the past.
But on everything else, voters disagree. Registered Republicans are far less likely to think that the coronavirus pandemic is a top issue than registered Democrats, and Democrats are much more likely to care about policy debates such as climate change and race relations than Republicans. But at least one thing is certain: This election is important, and neither side is willing to let it go to waste.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-23--Trump and Biden play within the rules but still savage each other

Voters getting their last side-by-side look at President Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden before the Nov. 3 election saw a pair of antagonistic rivals engaging in harsh back-and-forths in an event that was still calmer than their initial encounter .
The candidates notably started their second and final debate in Nashville in hushed tones compared to their first clash in Cleveland last month , which devolved into a chaotic , caustic shouting match .
Though the debate was substantially more presidential than the squabbling that occurred during their last meeting , it wasn ’ t devoid of insults @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” for instance , though he insisted it wasn ’ t because the president banned certain travel from China at the outset of the coronavirus pandemic .
Although Trump kept alluding to Biden ’ s campaign and personal finances , it was actually the former vice president and 36-year Delaware senator who opened the door to questions about his son Hunter ’ s business dealings in Ukraine and China , invoking Trump ’ s lawyer , Rudy Giuliani .
“ I wo n't , I should n't — uh , I will , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being used as a Russian pawn , ” Biden said .
“ It 's not about his family and my family .
It 's about your family , and your family is hurting badly . ''
Trump cut in as Biden looked into the camera , trading in his signature brand of empathetic politics .
`` That 's a typical political statement .
Let 's get off this China thing , and then he looks — the family around the table — just a typical politician , ” Trump said .
The other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the COVID-19 outbreak .
Trump took “ full responsibility ” for his pandemic response , yet blamed China for letting the virus reach the United States .
He did falsely claim a vaccine was “ ready ” but later clarified that wasn ’ t a “ guarantee.
” Biden countered : `` 220,000 deaths .
If you hear nothing else I say tonight , hear this : Anyone who is responsible for that many deaths should not remain as president of the United States.
” He added , “ He says we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we ’ re learning to die with it , like you people at home watching right now.
” The pair then chaffed on how to reopen the economy and congressional negotiations over a relief package .
Biden was adamant he was “ going to shut down the virus , not the country.
” Healthcare was also a wedge issue .
Biden renamed his public option proposal “ Bidencare ” amid allegations from Trump that he wanted to introduce socialized medicine .
“ What I ’ m going to do is pass Obamacare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bidencare , ” Biden said , if the Supreme Court dismantles the law on Nov. 10 .
He continued , `` He ’ s never come up with a plan .
I guess we 're going to get the preexisting condition plan the same time we get the infrastructure plan.
” Pre-debate spin suggested Biden ’ s performance would be pitched at men balking at his tax plan .
Meanwhile , Trump was to continue what has been a somewhat clumsy appeal to women .
“ Suburban women , will you please like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said this month at a Pennsylvania rally .
Prior to the debate , Trump ’ s campaign complained that debate moderator Kristen Welker had omitted foreign policy from her list of topics .
They believed the exclusion disadvantaged the president because it focused attention on domestic policy — including the administration ’ s handling of COVID-19 .
Welker ’ s questions , though , didn ’ t prevent Trump from interrogating Biden on his son ’ s foreign business ties , nor Biden from criticizing the incumbent for his overseas bank accounts .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ different from the nominees ’ contentious opening debate .
In their first debate , Biden had a low bar to meet following sustained Republican attacks over his age and mental acuity , perpetuated by Trump himself , much to his team ’ s chagrin .
The election at that point was largely perceived as a referendum on the president after four years in office .
While Biden didn ’ t notch a strong showing , Trump ’ s was worse .
Two weeks out from Election Day , Biden was seen as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debate , and the pressure was on not to commit a colossal mistake .
Trump ’ s challenge was to reframe the contest as one of contrast , not simply an assessment of his progress on issues , such as the virus .
Among Biden ’ s weakest moments was an awkward reference to Adolf Hilter .
And after a vicious opening outing marked by cutting personal insults , Trump did heal some of the fractures he created between himself and the few persuadable voters that are out there .
Though his low @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only people with a low IQ follow the law ” during the immigration section .
Thursday ’ s debate was the first where the commission muted the candidates ’ microphones during their opening two minutes of each of the six 15-minute segments .
COVID-19 plagued debate logistics , too , after their second town hall-style meeting was canned because Trump refused to take part in a virtual format .
The nominees were set to be separated by plexiglass , but the barrier was pulled down hours before the event after they both tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country ’ s top infectious disease expert , Dr. Anthony Fauci .

Voters getting their last side-by-side look at President Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden before the Nov. 3 election saw a pair of antagonistic rivals engaging in harsh back-and-forths in an event that was still calmer than their initial encounter.
The candidates notably started their second and final debate in Nashville in hushed tones compared to their first clash in Cleveland last month, which devolved into a chaotic, caustic shouting match.
Though the debate was substantially more presidential than the squabbling that occurred during their last meeting, it wasn’t devoid of insults. Biden called Trump “xenophobic,” for instance, though he insisted it wasn’t because the president banned certain travel from China at the outset of the coronavirus pandemic.
Although Trump kept alluding to Biden’s campaign and personal finances, it was actually the former vice president and 36-year Delaware senator who opened the door to questions about his son Hunter’s business dealings in Ukraine and China, invoking Trump’s lawyer, Rudy Giuliani.
“I won't, I shouldn't — uh, I will, his buddy Rudy Giuliani, he's being used as a Russian pawn,” Biden said. “It's not about his family and my family. It's about your family, and your family is hurting badly."
Trump cut in as Biden looked into the camera, trading in his signature brand of empathetic politics.
"That's a typical political statement. Let's get off this China thing, and then he looks — the family around the table — just a typical politician,” Trump said.
The other predicted topic that dominated the 90-minute debate was the COVID-19 outbreak.
Trump took “full responsibility” for his pandemic response, yet blamed China for letting the virus reach the United States. He did falsely claim a vaccine was “ready” but later clarified that wasn’t a “guarantee.”
Biden countered: "220,000 deaths. If you hear nothing else I say tonight, hear this: Anyone who is responsible for that many deaths should not remain as president of the United States.”
He added, “He says we’re learning to live with it, we’re learning to die with it, like you people at home watching right now.”
The pair then chaffed on how to reopen the economy and congressional negotiations over a relief package. Biden was adamant he was “going to shut down the virus, not the country.”
Healthcare was also a wedge issue. Biden renamed his public option proposal “Bidencare” amid allegations from Trump that he wanted to introduce socialized medicine.
“What I’m going to do is pass Obamacare with a public option, it becomes Bidencare,” Biden said, if the Supreme Court dismantles the law on Nov. 10.
He continued, "He’s never come up with a plan. I guess we're going to get the preexisting condition plan the same time we get the infrastructure plan.”
Pre-debate spin suggested Biden’s performance would be pitched at men balking at his tax plan. Meanwhile, Trump was to continue what has been a somewhat clumsy appeal to women. “Suburban women, will you please like me, please?” the president said this month at a Pennsylvania rally.
Prior to the debate, Trump’s campaign complained that debate moderator Kristen Welker had omitted foreign policy from her list of topics. They believed the exclusion disadvantaged the president because it focused attention on domestic policy — including the administration’s handling of COVID-19. Welker’s questions, though, didn’t prevent Trump from interrogating Biden on his son’s foreign business ties, nor Biden from criticizing the incumbent for his overseas bank accounts. And Welker followed up.
Expectations were different from the nominees’ contentious opening debate.
In their first debate, Biden had a low bar to meet following sustained Republican attacks over his age and mental acuity, perpetuated by Trump himself, much to his team’s chagrin. The election at that point was largely perceived as a referendum on the president after four years in office. While Biden didn’t notch a strong showing, Trump’s was worse.
Two weeks out from Election Day, Biden was seen as the front-runner going into their second and final debate, and the pressure was on not to commit a colossal mistake. Trump’s challenge was to reframe the contest as one of contrast, not simply an assessment of his progress on issues, such as the virus.
Among Biden’s weakest moments was an awkward reference to Adolf Hilter. And after a vicious opening outing marked by cutting personal insults, Trump did heal some of the fractures he created between himself and the few persuadable voters that are out there. Though his low moment came when he said, "only people with a low IQ follow the law” during the immigration section.
Thursday’s debate was the first where the commission muted the candidates’ microphones during their opening two minutes of each of the six 15-minute segments.
COVID-19 plagued debate logistics, too, after their second town hall-style meeting was canned because Trump refused to take part in a virtual format. The nominees were set to be separated by plexiglass, but the barrier was pulled down hours before the event after they both tested negative. That move was approved by the country’s top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-23--Big GOP donors step in to help Republicans hold on to Senate majority

With less than two weeks until Election Day and Republicans at great risk of losing their Senate majority , GOP outside donors have stepped up their 11th-hour fundraising efforts to fight the wave of money that Democrats have garnered through small-dollar donations .
According to a report by Politico , the GOP 's top super PAC , the Senate Leadership Fund , raised $ 49.6 million in the first two weeks of October , bringing in a total of $ 280 million for the entirety of 2020 .
The group , run by allies of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their funds to propel a media blitz of TV ads this month , trying to reach voters ready to go to the polls in the coming days .
Because of the coronavirus pandemic , however , millions of voters have already cast their ballots either through an early vote or by mail , which is expected to reach record-high levels during this unconventional election year .
But Republicans are trying to do whatever they can to prevent a complete Democratic takeover of the executive and legislative branch .
With Democratic nominee Joe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ swing-state polls , President Trump remains vulnerable to win a second term in the White House .
Election forecasters are also confident in their predictions that Democrats are expected to not only potentially take control of the Senate , but pick up even more House seats .
Currently , Republicans hold 53 seats , and Democrats have 45 seats .
There are also two independents who caucus with the Democrats .
Most of the recent GOP fundraising has come from unknown sources or entirely from big donors .
One Nation , which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in $ 27.5 million , while another $ 16 million came from six people or groups giving the party seven-figure checks .
As of Oct. 14 , SLF had $ 69 million in the bank .
But that number still does n't match up Democrats ' financial advantage in some of the most competitive races in the country .
In 14 races , Democratic candidates raised more than $ 84 million in the first two weeks of October , which is more than double the $ 41 million raised by Republican senators and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 128 million within that time frame , while Republicans spent $ 69 million .
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee still has $ 31.8 million in the bank to get them through to Nov. 3 , compared to $ 18.3 million for the National Republican Senatorial Committee .
But of the $ 31.8 million that Democrats have , $ 20 million were from a loan taken out to help finance them through the home stretch .
Notable races showed Sen. Lindsey Graham 's challenger , Jaime Harrison , raising a whopping $ 109 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , making the South Carolina Democrat 's campaign the only one in the country to top nine figures .
In Maine , Sen. Susan Collins 's challenger , Sara Gideon , also outshined the longtime Republican who once could garner support from both sides of the aisle .
Gideon brought in $ 5.9 million in the two-week period of this month , far more than the $ 1.8 million pulled by Collins .
Overall , Gideon brought in $ 69.5 million for the duration of the whole cycle .
The nonpartisan Cook Political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toss up , '' showing the real challenge that Republicans have to hold on to their control of Congress 's upper chamber , just four years after victoriously taking total control of both chambers and the White House in 2016 .
Republicans , particularly McConnell , have been pushing out messages that total Democratic control of the government would completely alter the United States within just a couple of years in the hopes of painting a dire picture for voters .
`` They need to be stopped , '' McConnell said in September @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against that sort of thing .
That ’ s what is at stake for the American people if they choose to go in the other direction and give the Democrats the entire government . ''

With less than two weeks until Election Day and Republicans at great risk of losing their Senate majority, GOP outside donors have stepped up their 11th-hour fundraising efforts to fight the wave of money that Democrats have garnered through small-dollar donations.
According to a report by Politico, the GOP's top super PAC, the Senate Leadership Fund, raised $49.6 million in the first two weeks of October, bringing in a total of $280 million for the entirety of 2020.
The group, run by allies of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, spent more than $94 million of their funds to propel a media blitz of TV ads this month, trying to reach voters ready to go to the polls in the coming days. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, however, millions of voters have already cast their ballots either through an early vote or by mail, which is expected to reach record-high levels during this unconventional election year.
But Republicans are trying to do whatever they can to prevent a complete Democratic takeover of the executive and legislative branch. With Democratic nominee Joe Biden continuing to lead in national and swing-state polls, President Trump remains vulnerable to win a second term in the White House. Election forecasters are also confident in their predictions that Democrats are expected to not only potentially take control of the Senate, but pick up even more House seats.
Currently, Republicans hold 53 seats, and Democrats have 45 seats. There are also two independents who caucus with the Democrats.
Most of the recent GOP fundraising has come from unknown sources or entirely from big donors. One Nation, which is closely aligned with the SLF, put in $27.5 million, while another $16 million came from six people or groups giving the party seven-figure checks. As of Oct. 14, SLF had $69 million in the bank.
But that number still doesn't match up Democrats' financial advantage in some of the most competitive races in the country. In 14 races, Democratic candidates raised more than $84 million in the first two weeks of October, which is more than double the $41 million raised by Republican senators and challengers alike. Democratic campaigns spent $128 million within that time frame, while Republicans spent $69 million.
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee still has $31.8 million in the bank to get them through to Nov. 3, compared to $18.3 million for the National Republican Senatorial Committee. But of the $31.8 million that Democrats have, $20 million were from a loan taken out to help finance them through the home stretch.
Notable races showed Sen. Lindsey Graham's challenger, Jaime Harrison, raising a whopping $109 million in total fundraising across the campaign cycle, making the South Carolina Democrat's campaign the only one in the country to top nine figures.
In Maine, Sen. Susan Collins's challenger, Sara Gideon, also outshined the longtime Republican who once could garner support from both sides of the aisle. Gideon brought in $5.9 million in the two-week period of this month, far more than the $1.8 million pulled by Collins. Overall, Gideon brought in $69.5 million for the duration of the whole cycle.
The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rate both races as a "toss up," showing the real challenge that Republicans have to hold on to their control of Congress's upper chamber, just four years after victoriously taking total control of both chambers and the White House in 2016.
Republicans, particularly McConnell, have been pushing out messages that total Democratic control of the government would completely alter the United States within just a couple of years in the hopes of painting a dire picture for voters.
"They need to be stopped," McConnell said in September. "The Senate is the firewall against that sort of thing. That’s what is at stake for the American people if they choose to go in the other direction and give the Democrats the entire government."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-23--The most ridiculous Trump fact check you’ll see all week

CBS News has the dubious distinction of publishing what must be this week ’ s most absurd fact-check .
And it was a high bar .
On Thursday , during the final 2020 presidential debate , Democratic nominee Joe Biden lied , claiming that the Obama administration did not separate children from families caught illegally crossing into the United States .
The Obama administration , with Biden serving all eight years as vice president , most absolutely did this .
But you would never know this from following CBS News 's “ fact-check ” of the evening .
“ These @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden said , attacking the Trump administration ’ s immigration enforcement policies .
“ They separated them at the border to make it a disincentive to come to begin with .
‘ Be real tough .
We ’ re really strong.
’ ” He added , “ And guess what ?
They can not .
… Coyotes didn ’ t bring them over .
Their parents were with them .
They got separated from their parents .
And it makes us a laughingstock and violates every notion of who we are as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They did it .
We changed the policy .
They did it .
We changed.
” “ We did not separate the [ children ] , ” Biden asserted falsely .
Trump persisted , saying , “ They built the cages .
Who built the cages , Joe ?
” Biden declined to answer the question .
The answer , by the way , is that the holding facilities used by the Trump administration were leftovers from previous administrations — including the Obama administration , which greatly expanded family immigration detention in 2014 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the parallel universe inhabited by CBS News , this is how the network fact-checked the moment .
“ Claim : Biden says ‘ we did not separate ’ children from their families , and he says the Trump administration did , ” CBS reports .
CBS ’ s justification for this rating reads thus : “ The Obama administration only separated migrant children from families under certain limited circumstances , such as when the child 's safety appeared at risk or when the parent had a serious criminal history , according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the Obama administration did this , they give the opposite answer as their fact-check .
CBS also “ fact-checked ” Trump ’ s claim that the Obama administration built “ cages ” at the border .
CBS rates this claim “ misleading.
” Its explanation for the rating reads thus ( you really need to read the entire thing to appreciate it ) : When pressed on his administration 's family separation policy at the southern border , President Trump said the Obama administration built the `` cages , '' presumably referring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ migrant families and unaccompanied minors .
Photographs taken in 2014 surfaced on social media of facilities in McAllen , Texas , and Nogales , Arizona , of immigrants behind a chain-link fence in a warehouse converted to a detention facility during a spike in incidences of unaccompanied minors crossing the border .
The McAllen facility had been converted to house immigrant children , according to local reports .
The Obama administration detained migrant families and unaccompanied minors in these temporary Border Patrol stations after apprehending them and before transferring families to ICE detention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. refugee agency .
This has been the practice at the border during both Republican and Democratic administrations .
The Obama administration did dramatically expand family immigration detention in 2014 and 2015 — when it faced a surge in border crossings — and was sued over the length of detention children endured .
In a June 2019 interview at the Aspen Institute , President Obama 's DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson explained , `` Very clearly , chain link , barriers , partitions , fences , cages , whatever you want to call them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2017 . ''
But he said the detention was meant to be temporary , noting that under the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act , children could only be held in those facilities for 72 hours before being transferred to HHS .
`` But during that 72-hour period , when you have something that is a multiple , like four times , of what you 're accustomed to in the existing infrastructure , you 've got to find places quickly to put kids .
You ca n't just dump 7-year-old kids on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Johnson said .
The Obama administration detained migrant families and unaccompanied minors in these temporary Border Patrol stations after apprehending them and before transferring families to ICE detention centers and the unaccompanied kids to the U.S. refugee agency .
This has been the practice at the border during both Republican and Democratic administrations .
The Obama administration did dramatically expand family immigration detention in 2014 and 2015 — when it faced a surge in border crossings — and was sued over the length of detention children endured .
So , to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ technically build the “ cages.
” It just used them with gusto , “ dramatically ” expanding family immigration detention in 2014 and 2015 , according to CBS .
Somehow , this lands the president a “ misleading ” rating , whereas Biden gets away with a “ true ” rating for making a demonstrably false statement .
There is really nothing more to add to it than that .
Just stand back and appreciate the sheer absurdity of it all .

CBS News has the dubious distinction of publishing what must be this week’s most absurd fact-check. And it was a high bar.
On Thursday, during the final 2020 presidential debate, Democratic nominee Joe Biden lied, claiming that the Obama administration did not separate children from families caught illegally crossing into the United States. The Obama administration, with Biden serving all eight years as vice president, most absolutely did this. But you would never know this from following CBS News's “fact-check” of the evening.
“These 500-plus kids came with parents,” Biden said, attacking the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement policies. “They separated them at the border to make it a disincentive to come to begin with. ‘Be real tough. We’re really strong.’”
He added, “And guess what? They cannot. … Coyotes didn’t bring them over. Their parents were with them. They got separated from their parents. And it makes us a laughingstock and violates every notion of who we are as a nation.”
President Trump interjected, “They did it. We changed the policy. They did it. We changed.”
“We did not separate the [children],” Biden asserted falsely.
Trump persisted, saying, “They built the cages. Who built the cages, Joe?”
Biden declined to answer the question. The answer, by the way, is that the holding facilities used by the Trump administration were leftovers from previous administrations — including the Obama administration, which greatly expanded family immigration detention in 2014 and 2015.
Now, over in the parallel universe inhabited by CBS News, this is how the network fact-checked the moment.
“Claim: Biden says ‘we did not separate’ children from their families, and he says the Trump administration did,” CBS reports.
Its fact-check rating reads: “True.”
CBS’s justification for this rating reads thus: “The Obama administration only separated migrant children from families under certain limited circumstances, such as when the child's safety appeared at risk or when the parent had a serious criminal history, according to the Associated Press.”
So, after admitting that the Obama administration did this, they give the opposite answer as their fact-check.
CBS also “fact-checked” Trump’s claim that the Obama administration built “cages” at the border. CBS rates this claim “misleading.” Its explanation for the rating reads thus (you really need to read the entire thing to appreciate it):
When pressed on his administration's family separation policy at the southern border, President Trump said the Obama administration built the "cages," presumably referring to temporary Border Patrol processing stations for migrant families and unaccompanied minors.
Photographs taken in 2014 surfaced on social media of facilities in McAllen, Texas, and Nogales, Arizona, of immigrants behind a chain-link fence in a warehouse converted to a detention facility during a spike in incidences of unaccompanied minors crossing the border. The McAllen facility had been converted to house immigrant children, according to local reports.
The Obama administration detained migrant families and unaccompanied minors in these temporary Border Patrol stations after apprehending them and before transferring families to ICE detention centers and the unaccompanied kids to the U.S. refugee agency. This has been the practice at the border during both Republican and Democratic administrations. The Obama administration did dramatically expand family immigration detention in 2014 and 2015 — when it faced a surge in border crossings — and was sued over the length of detention children endured.
In a June 2019 interview at the Aspen Institute, President Obama's DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson explained, "Very clearly, chain link, barriers, partitions, fences, cages, whatever you want to call them, were not invented on January 20, 2017." But he said the detention was meant to be temporary, noting that under the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act, children could only be held in those facilities for 72 hours before being transferred to HHS. "But during that 72-hour period, when you have something that is a multiple, like four times, of what you're accustomed to in the existing infrastructure, you've got to find places quickly to put kids. You can't just dump 7-year-old kids on the streets of McAllen or El Paso," Johnson said.
The Obama administration detained migrant families and unaccompanied minors in these temporary Border Patrol stations after apprehending them and before transferring families to ICE detention centers and the unaccompanied kids to the U.S. refugee agency. This has been the practice at the border during both Republican and Democratic administrations. The Obama administration did dramatically expand family immigration detention in 2014 and 2015 — when it faced a surge in border crossings — and was sued over the length of detention children endured.
So, to be clear, the Obama administration did not technically build the “cages.” It just used them with gusto, “dramatically” expanding family immigration detention in 2014 and 2015, according to CBS.
Somehow, this lands the president a “misleading” rating, whereas Biden gets away with a “true” rating for making a demonstrably false statement. There is really nothing more to add to it than that. Just stand back and appreciate the sheer absurdity of it all.
Who fact-checks the “fact-checkers”?


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-23--Biden not far outpacing where Clinton was at this point in key states, polling average shows

Joe Biden ’ s lead in several key swing states isn ’ t that much more commanding than Hillary Clinton ’ s lead was at this late point in the 2016 presidential race , a sign that the race could be closer than some analysts believe .
Many commentators and analysts have that the former vice president and Democratic presidential nominee ’ s commanding lead in national polls , which is much larger than Clinton ’ s was , puts him in a much more favorable position than she was in .
Biden is currently 7.9 % ahead of Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ polls .
At the same point in 2016 , 11 days before Election Day , Clinton ’ s lead was 4.6 % .
But because the president is elected based on Electoral College results and not the national popular vote , state results are what matter .
And in many swing state polls , Biden is not dramatically out-performing where Clinton was in 2016 — and in some cases , is polling slightly behind where she was with 11 days to go .
Biden is on par with where Clinton was 11 days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up 5.1 % to her 5 % in Pennsylvania .
He ’ s slightly ahead of where she was in Michigan ( 7.8 % to her 6.2 % ) and Florida ( 1.5 % to her 0.7 % ) , and nearly two points ahead of where she was in Arizona ( 3.2 % to her 1.5 % ) .
But Biden is slightly behind Clinton ’ s 11-day-out position in Wisconsin ( 4.6 % vs. 6.7 % ) and in North Carolina ( 1.5 % to her 2.4 % ) .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2016 despite Clinton having polling leads for much of the election — leading to sweeping distrust of the polls .
With Biden not far off from her position then , the possibility remains that the same could happen this year .
To be sure , the fact that Biden is polling ahead of Trump at all is good news for the Democratic presidential nominee and bad news for Trump .
Other factors suggest that raw polling average numbers are not so easily comparable to 2016 .
The 2016 race was much more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This year , Biden has consistently led Trump in both national and state polls .
Biden is also in a much better position than Clinton in many other states — including having a slight 1.2 % lead in Georgia , which Trump led by 2.8 % at this point in 2016 — suggesting that national voter trends could be tilting certain types of voters toward Trump across the country , swing state or not .
And finally , pollsters in 2016 claim to have and weighing systems in order to reflect the expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2016 did not adequately weigh responses based on voter education .
College-educated voters are far more likely to support Biden and to answer telephone polls , so , without proper weighting , the result can get skewed toward the Democratic presidential nominee as it did with Clinton in 2016 .
Another polling average with a different methodology shows Biden with much larger leads .
The New York Times that even if state polls are as wrong as they were in 2016 , Biden is still on track to win the Electoral College @ @ @ @

Joe Biden’s lead in several key swing states isn’t that much more commanding than Hillary Clinton’s lead was at this late point in the 2016 presidential race, a sign that the race could be closer than some analysts believe.
Many commentators and analysts have argued that the former vice president and Democratic presidential nominee’s commanding lead in national polls, which is much larger than Clinton’s was, puts him in a much more favorable position than she was in.
Biden is currently 7.9% ahead of Trump, according to the RealClearPolitics average of national polls. At the same point in 2016, 11 days before Election Day, Clinton’s lead was 4.6%.
But because the president is elected based on Electoral College results and not the national popular vote, state results are what matter. And in many swing state polls, Biden is not dramatically out-performing where Clinton was in 2016 — and in some cases, is polling slightly behind where she was with 11 days to go.
Biden is on par with where Clinton was 11 days out in RealClearPolitics averages: He is up 5.1% to her 5% in Pennsylvania. He’s slightly ahead of where she was in Michigan (7.8% to her 6.2%) and Florida (1.5% to her 0.7%), and nearly two points ahead of where she was in Arizona (3.2% to her 1.5%).
But Biden is slightly behind Clinton’s 11-day-out position in Wisconsin (4.6% vs. 6.7%) and in North Carolina (1.5% to her 2.4%).
Trump won all six of those six states in 2016 despite Clinton having polling leads for much of the election — leading to sweeping distrust of the polls. With Biden not far off from her position then, the possibility remains that the same could happen this year.
(Emily Larsen/Washington Examiner)
To be sure, the fact that Biden is polling ahead of Trump at all is good news for the Democratic presidential nominee and bad news for Trump.
Other factors suggest that raw polling average numbers are not so easily comparable to 2016.
The 2016 race was much more volatile polling-wise than the 2020 race. This year, Biden has consistently led Trump in both national and state polls.
Biden is also in a much better position than Clinton in many other states — including having a slight 1.2% lead in Georgia, which Trump led by 2.8% at this point in 2016 — suggesting that national voter trends could be tilting certain types of voters toward Trump across the country, swing state or not.
And finally, pollsters in 2016 claim to have adjusted and corrected their methodologies and weighing systems in order to reflect the expected electorate more accurately. Many state polls in 2016 did not adequately weigh responses based on voter education. College-educated voters are far more likely to support Biden and to answer telephone polls, so, without proper weighting, the result can get skewed toward the Democratic presidential nominee as it did with Clinton in 2016.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-23--Bernie Sanders falls in line for Biden campaign — for now

Sen. Bernie Sanders was once Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden 's biggest rival .
Now , the two are teaming up to topple a greater threat : President Trump .
The socialist senator from Vermont has maintained a foothold on the 2020 campaign trail , though his impact has been padded since he suspended his own White House bid in April .
But with polls tightening at the top of the ticket less than two weeks before Election Day , he 's turned his attention back to Biden after focusing on helping more liberal candidates down-ballot — for now .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aggressive Progressive Podcast and a former Democratic strategist , said Sanders had retained his influence from the primary and had mostly successfully diverted his support to the two-term vice president and Delaware 's 36-year senator .
`` That said , this election is a referendum on Donald J. Trump .
Turnout is way up , and that ’ s because people are fed up with Trump , '' Hahn told the Washington Examiner .
After his endorsement and a handful of virtual events , Sanders made his first in-person appearance for Biden at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Northeast neighboring state of New Hampshire .
New Hampshire is n't a shiny Electoral College prize , yet Trump only lost it by less than a percentage point in 2016 .
Sanders then returned to the Midwest , specifically Michigan , a part of the so-called `` blue wall '' that Trump cracked last cycle .
Demonstrating his range of appeal , the senator spoke in Ann Arbor , a college town and liberal bastion , and Macomb County , the state 's famous bellwether home to the `` Reagan Democrats . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to another `` blue wall '' state : Pennsylvania .
After headlining a virtual Progressives for Biden `` unity '' town hall on Friday night , the senator will drop into an early-voting and get-out-the-vote event in Pittsburgh before hosting a drive-in rally in Rankin on Saturday .
For an also-ran candidate , Sanders has an outsized role in Democratic politics .
Sanders and his liberal allies were critical to drafting Biden and the national Democratic Party 's platforms before the summer 's convention , though they were blocked from including `` Medicare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proposal .
Biden 's outreach efforts did bridge some of the divides that emerged during the primary .
But they opened him up to Republican `` Trojan horse '' attacks as well , with Trump rebranding the Biden-Sanders joint task force recommendations as a `` manifesto . ''
In return , Sanders has boosted Biden with and without the nominee 's official campaign infrastructure .
Sanders has delivered blistering speeches against Trump from behind a podium in Washington , D.C. , and granted interviews to publications such as Teen Vogue , each with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while declining to fundraise for Biden , holding onto his independence , Sanders has blasted the millions who subscribe to his emails on Biden 's behalf .
Sanders aides , too , have organized around Biden to fill an enthusiasm gap , especially with young people .
Jeff Weaver , a longtime senior adviser , for instance , set up an independent expenditure political action committee called Future to Believe In to rally Sanders 's supporters against Trump .
And `` push elected leaders to embrace policies that benefit working families , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April .
Although they notched wins with Biden on wages , labor rights , higher education funding , and healthcare , liberals have vowed to continue applying pressure on Biden from the Left if he 's elected on Nov. 3 .
And they 've already weighed in on a potential Biden transition , including rumored chiefs of staff and Cabinet picks .
For California Democrat Rocky Fernandez , an ex-Sanders delegate , the most pressing issue was a single-payer healthcare system , followed by climate change and corporate interests .
`` Whatever public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they 're going to try to water it down , '' he said .
Fernandez welcomed speculation that Sanders was being considered for a Biden administration 's labor secretary after being disappointed by some of the people former President Barack Obama chose for his inner circle .
`` He 'd hopefully push a lot of the things that he 's been talking about on the campaign trail for the last six years , '' he said .
`` We know that , already , Wall Street and the tech barons and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their people to be in Biden 's Cabinet .
That 's why they 're donating all this money . ''
He also disagreed with Obama , who last week suggested liberals should agitate for sweeping change , yet should n't be disheartened by inevitable compromise .
`` Some of our struggles are deep and dire on climate , on healthcare , on poverty , and just a diminishing safety net , '' he said .
`` There 'll be some disagreements , but that 's part of the process . ''

Sen. Bernie Sanders was once Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden's biggest rival. Now, the two are teaming up to topple a greater threat: President Trump.
The socialist senator from Vermont has maintained a foothold on the 2020 campaign trail, though his impact has been padded since he suspended his own White House bid in April.
But with polls tightening at the top of the ticket less than two weeks before Election Day, he's turned his attention back to Biden after focusing on helping more liberal candidates down-ballot — for now.
Christopher Hahn, the host of the Aggressive Progressive Podcast and a former Democratic strategist, said Sanders had retained his influence from the primary and had mostly successfully diverted his support to the two-term vice president and Delaware's 36-year senator.
"That said, this election is a referendum on Donald J. Trump. Turnout is way up, and that’s because people are fed up with Trump," Hahn told the Washington Examiner.
After his endorsement and a handful of virtual events, Sanders made his first in-person appearance for Biden at the start of this month in his Northeast neighboring state of New Hampshire. New Hampshire isn't a shiny Electoral College prize, yet Trump only lost it by less than a percentage point in 2016.
Sanders then returned to the Midwest, specifically Michigan, a part of the so-called "blue wall" that Trump cracked last cycle. Demonstrating his range of appeal, the senator spoke in Ann Arbor, a college town and liberal bastion, and Macomb County, the state's famous bellwether home to the "Reagan Democrats."
And this weekend, Sanders will travel to another "blue wall" state: Pennsylvania. After headlining a virtual Progressives for Biden "unity" town hall on Friday night, the senator will drop into an early-voting and get-out-the-vote event in Pittsburgh before hosting a drive-in rally in Rankin on Saturday.
For an also-ran candidate, Sanders has an outsized role in Democratic politics.
Sanders and his liberal allies were critical to drafting Biden and the national Democratic Party's platforms before the summer's convention, though they were blocked from including "Medicare for all," Sanders's signature proposal. Biden's outreach efforts did bridge some of the divides that emerged during the primary. But they opened him up to Republican "Trojan horse" attacks as well, with Trump rebranding the Biden-Sanders joint task force recommendations as a "manifesto."
In return, Sanders has boosted Biden with and without the nominee's official campaign infrastructure.
Sanders has delivered blistering speeches against Trump from behind a podium in Washington, D.C., and granted interviews to publications such as Teen Vogue, each with relatively limited reach and affect. And while declining to fundraise for Biden, holding onto his independence, Sanders has blasted the millions who subscribe to his emails on Biden's behalf.
Sanders aides, too, have organized around Biden to fill an enthusiasm gap, especially with young people.
Jeff Weaver, a longtime senior adviser, for instance, set up an independent expenditure political action committee called Future to Believe In to rally Sanders's supporters against Trump. And "push elected leaders to embrace policies that benefit working families," according to Weaver's press release in April.
Although they notched wins with Biden on wages, labor rights, higher education funding, and healthcare, liberals have vowed to continue applying pressure on Biden from the Left if he's elected on Nov. 3. And they've already weighed in on a potential Biden transition, including rumored chiefs of staff and Cabinet picks.
For California Democrat Rocky Fernandez, an ex-Sanders delegate, the most pressing issue was a single-payer healthcare system, followed by climate change and corporate interests.
"Whatever public option that President Biden puts out there, they're going to try to water it down," he said.
Fernandez welcomed speculation that Sanders was being considered for a Biden administration's labor secretary after being disappointed by some of the people former President Barack Obama chose for his inner circle.
"He'd hopefully push a lot of the things that he's been talking about on the campaign trail for the last six years," he said. "We know that, already, Wall Street and the tech barons and the polluters are all trying to line up their people to be in Biden's Cabinet. That's why they're donating all this money."
He also disagreed with Obama, who last week suggested liberals should agitate for sweeping change, yet shouldn't be disheartened by inevitable compromise.
"Some of our struggles are deep and dire on climate, on healthcare, on poverty, and just a diminishing safety net," he said. "There'll be some disagreements, but that's part of the process."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-23--'Turnout, turnout, turnout, turnout': Obama deployed to rev up the Democratic base

Former President Barack Obama 's entry into the presidential race is an effort to boost Democratic Party turnout against President Trump and secure votes that fell by Hillary Clinton 's wayside in 2016 , according to Democratic strategists .
`` You 've got both camps firmly entrenched with their support base , and the question is now turnout , turnout , turnout , turnout , '' said Terry Madonna , director of the Franklin & Marshall College Poll , pointing to Obama 's address in Philadelphia on Wednesday .
`` That 's what Obama was doing there yesterday . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ points to come back , '' veteran Democratic operative Joe Trippi said , pointing to `` young people in the Democratic base , but also some of those voters who moved to Trump . ''
He continued : `` I think it 's clear in Philadelphia , he gets both those things .
He gets to turn out and energize young people in the base .
At the same time as he 's talking to a lot of those blue-collar workers who saw the promises of Trump and may have liked what they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did n't happen .
And Obama can appeal to them . ''
`` Obama is still very well-liked among voters in the country , '' said Democratic strategist and pollster Roshni Nedungadi , pointing to a favorability rating of 55.7 % in May , according to YouGov .
Moreover , `` a big part of Obama ’ s winning coalition in both 2008 and 2012 were young voters and voters of color , '' she said .
Though Biden leads with both cohorts , `` he needs to ensure that their turnout numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the elections where Obama was at the top of the ticket . ''
This is especially true `` for black and Latino men , '' Nedungadi said .
Obama `` has a unique ability to put his foot on the pedal and get people 's attention , and have them respond , '' said T.J. Rooney , the former chairman of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party .
`` You heard him talk specifically to Pennsylvanians about our [ mail-in ballot ] process , which is way more worrying than others .
Now is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggested that Obama 's entry could shore up Republican votes .
“ Obama is campaigning for us .
Every time he speaks , people come over to our side , '' Trump tweeted .
`` He didn ’ t even want to endorse Sleepy Joe .
Did so long after primaries were over !
” '' Not to disrespect the president and his unbelievably skillful political interpretation of things , but I think he 's sorely mistaken in this reading , '' Rooney said .
`` Just enough young voters and voters of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump was able to squeak out a win in crucial swing states , '' Nedungadi said .
`` Many of these young voters and voters of color had previously supported Obama and turned out in large numbers to vote for him , so now it will be about bringing these disenchanted voters back into the political process . ''
Obama 's entry now into the race acts as a `` closing argument , '' Nedungadi said , reminding voters of the `` optimism , and 'hope and change ' '' that he and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are just trying to juice up turnout to try to move the margins , '' Republican strategist and former Trump 2016 campaign official Bryan Lanza said .
This is where Obama is going , `` because the race is closing in , '' Lanza said .
`` You saw him in Pennsylvania yesterday , in Philadelphia , and then you see him in Miami . ''
Pointing to polling in some swing states beginning `` to tighten , '' he added , `` I think they thought they had it won . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pretty relentless effort , you know , starting yesterday , '' said Rooney , a Democrat .

Former President Barack Obama's entry into the presidential race is an effort to boost Democratic Party turnout against President Trump and secure votes that fell by Hillary Clinton's wayside in 2016, according to Democratic strategists.
"You've got both camps firmly entrenched with their support base, and the question is now turnout, turnout, turnout, turnout," said Terry Madonna, director of the Franklin & Marshall College Poll, pointing to Obama's address in Philadelphia on Wednesday. "That's what Obama was doing there yesterday."
"You only need two or three points to come back," veteran Democratic operative Joe Trippi said, pointing to "young people in the Democratic base, but also some of those voters who moved to Trump."
He continued: "I think it's clear in Philadelphia, he gets both those things. He gets to turn out and energize young people in the base. At the same time as he's talking to a lot of those blue-collar workers who saw the promises of Trump and may have liked what they heard in 2016. But know it didn't happen. And Obama can appeal to them."
"Obama is still very well-liked among voters in the country," said Democratic strategist and pollster Roshni Nedungadi, pointing to a favorability rating of 55.7% in May, according to YouGov.
Moreover, "a big part of Obama’s winning coalition in both 2008 and 2012 were young voters and voters of color," she said. Though Biden leads with both cohorts, "he needs to ensure that their turnout numbers remain as high as they were in the elections where Obama was at the top of the ticket."
This is especially true "for black and Latino men," Nedungadi said.
Obama "has a unique ability to put his foot on the pedal and get people's attention, and have them respond," said T.J. Rooney, the former chairman of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party. "You heard him talk specifically to Pennsylvanians about our [mail-in ballot] process, which is way more worrying than others. Now is the perfect time."
Trump on Thursday suggested that Obama's entry could shore up Republican votes.
“Obama is campaigning for us. Every time he speaks, people come over to our side," Trump tweeted. "He didn’t even want to endorse Sleepy Joe. Did so long after primaries were over!”
"Not to disrespect the president and his unbelievably skillful political interpretation of things, but I think he's sorely mistaken in this reading," Rooney said.
"Just enough young voters and voters of color sat out in 2016 ... that Trump was able to squeak out a win in crucial swing states," Nedungadi said. "Many of these young voters and voters of color had previously supported Obama and turned out in large numbers to vote for him, so now it will be about bringing these disenchanted voters back into the political process."
Obama's entry now into the race acts as a "closing argument," Nedungadi said, reminding voters of the "optimism, and 'hope and change'" that he and Biden brought in 2008.
Democrats "are just trying to juice up turnout to try to move the margins," Republican strategist and former Trump 2016 campaign official Bryan Lanza said. This is where Obama is going, "because the race is closing in," Lanza said. "You saw him in Pennsylvania yesterday, in Philadelphia, and then you see him in Miami."
Pointing to polling in some swing states beginning "to tighten," he added, "I think they thought they had it won."
"It's going to be a pretty relentless effort, you know, starting yesterday," said Rooney, a Democrat.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-23--Vulnerable Democrats distance themselves from Biden oil comments

Joe Biden ’ s debate-night declaration that he plans to “ transition from the oil industry '' has down-ballot Democrats in close races distancing themselves from the Democratic presidential nominee .
“ I disagree with VP Biden 's statement tonight , ” New Mexico Rep. Xochitl Torres Small said in a tweet soon after the debate ended .
“ Energy is part of the backbone of New Mexico ’ s economy .
We need to work together to promote responsible energy production and stop climate change , not demonize a single industry.
” Torres Small , elected as part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , represents a southern New Mexico district that experienced an oil and gas boom in recent years .
President Trump won the district in 2016 by 10 points , and Torres Small is in a tight rematch race against former state Rep. Yvette Herrell .
In oil and gas-rich Oklahoma , freshman Rep. Kendra Horn of the state ’ s populous 5th Congressional District is in a similarly vulnerable spot .
Trump won the district by 13 points in 2016 , and Horn , facing a close race against Republican state Sen. Stephanie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defender of the state ’ s established oil and gas industries .
“ Here ’ s one of the places Biden and I disagree .
We must stand up for our oil and gas industry , ” Horn said in a tweet Thursday night .
“ We need an all-of-the-above energy approach that ’ s consumer friendly , values energy independence , and protects OK jobs .
I 'll keep fighting for that in Congress.
” Biden made the comment about the oil industry near the end of Thursday 's debate in response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I would transition from the oil industry , yes , ” Biden said .
“ It has to be replaced by renewable energy over time .
Over time .
And I ’ d stop giving to the oil industry — I ’ d stop giving them federal subsidies.
” Trump immediately tried to use Biden 's statement to communicate the consequences of leaving the energy industry to key Electoral College states .
“ Basically what he ’ s saying is he ’ s going to destroy the oil industry , Will you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remember that , Pennsylvania ?
Oklahoma ?
Ohio ?
” he said .
After the debate , Biden and his campaign attempted to clean up his statement .
A top campaign aide told the Washington Post that Biden was referring to ending oil subsidies .
Asked by reporters about his comment before getting on a plane back to Delaware , Biden said : `` We 're not getting rid of fossil fuels .
We 're getting rid of the subsidies for fossil fuels , but we 're not getting rid of fossil fuels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be gone for [ inaudible ] probably 2050 . ''
`` They 're not going to lose their jobs , '' Biden said of people who work in the oil and gas industries .
`` There are a lot more jobs that are gon na be created in other alternatives . ''

Joe Biden’s debate-night declaration that he plans to “transition from the oil industry" has down-ballot Democrats in close races distancing themselves from the Democratic presidential nominee.
“I disagree with VP Biden's statement tonight,” New Mexico Rep. Xochitl Torres Small said in a tweet soon after the debate ended. “Energy is part of the backbone of New Mexico’s economy. We need to work together to promote responsible energy production and stop climate change, not demonize a single industry.”
Torres Small, elected as part of the “blue wave” in 2018, represents a southern New Mexico district that experienced an oil and gas boom in recent years. President Trump won the district in 2016 by 10 points, and Torres Small is in a tight rematch race against former state Rep. Yvette Herrell.
I disagree with VP Biden's statement tonight. Energy is part of the backbone of New Mexico’s economy. We need to work together to promote responsible energy production and stop climate change, not demonize a single industry. 1/2 — Xochitl Torres Small (@XochforCongress) October 23, 2020
In oil and gas-rich Oklahoma, freshman Rep. Kendra Horn of the state’s populous 5th Congressional District is in a similarly vulnerable spot. Trump won the district by 13 points in 2016, and Horn, facing a close race against Republican state Sen. Stephanie Bice, has framed herself as a defender of the state’s established oil and gas industries.
“Here’s one of the places Biden and I disagree. We must stand up for our oil and gas industry,” Horn said in a tweet Thursday night. “We need an all-of-the-above energy approach that’s consumer friendly, values energy independence, and protects OK jobs. I'll keep fighting for that in Congress.”
Here’s one of the places Biden and I disagree. We must stand up for our oil and gas industry. We need an all-of-the-above energy approach that’s consumer friendly, values energy independence, and protects OK jobs. I'll keep fighting for that in Congress. https://t.co/9fIaZ8pyY1 — Kendra Horn (@HornForCongress) October 23, 2020
Biden made the comment about the oil industry near the end of Thursday's debate in response to a question posed by Trump.
“I would transition from the oil industry, yes,” Biden said. “It has to be replaced by renewable energy over time. Over time. And I’d stop giving to the oil industry — I’d stop giving them federal subsidies.”
Trump immediately tried to use Biden's statement to communicate the consequences of leaving the energy industry to key Electoral College states.
“Basically what he’s saying is he’s going to destroy the oil industry, Will you remember that, Texas? Will you remember that, Pennsylvania? Oklahoma? Ohio?” he said.
After the debate, Biden and his campaign attempted to clean up his statement. A top campaign aide told the Washington Post that Biden was referring to ending oil subsidies.
Asked by reporters about his comment before getting on a plane back to Delaware, Biden said: "We're not getting rid of fossil fuels. We're getting rid of the subsidies for fossil fuels, but we're not getting rid of fossil fuels for a long time. It will not be gone for [inaudible] probably 2050."
"They're not going to lose their jobs," Biden said of people who work in the oil and gas industries. "There are a lot more jobs that are gonna be created in other alternatives."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-23--Trump retweets Megyn Kelly praise of debate performance five years after Republican debate clash

President Trump retweeted praise from former Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly , five years after the two clashed during a 2015 Republican primary debate .
`` Trump won this debate , handily , '' Kelly tweeted after the final 2020 presidential debate Thursday evening .
`` Trump was substantive , on-point , well-tempered .
Definitely helped himself , when it mattered most . ''
Trump then retweeted that missive from his account , along with other positive views and screenshots of Twitter polls that showed him winning the face-off against Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden .
The heated feud between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debate when Kelly asked Trump to respond to allegations that he was sexist , citing claims he called women `` fat pigs , dogs , slobs , and disgusting animals . ''
The feud reached a crescendo that August , when Trump told CNN , `` You can see there was blood coming out of her eyes , blood coming out of her wherever . ''
The comments drew condemnation from a number of conservatives , and the Republican Party rescinded Trump 's invitation to a major political event , CNN reported at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on his Twitter , calling her a `` lightweight , '' saying that she was `` off her game , '' and retweeting a tweet that called Kelly a `` bimbo . ''
Fox News 's then-CEO Roger Ailes demanded an apology from Trump , who refused , saying that it was Kelly who ought to apologize to him .
Trump also refused to attend a debate hosted by Fox News .
Trump and Kelly later `` cleared the air '' during a private meeting in Trump 's office in April 2016 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for about an hour , just the two of us , and had a chance to clear the air , '' Kelly said at the time .
`` Mr. Trump and I discussed the possibility of an interview , and I hope we will have news to announce on that soon . ''
Kelly left Fox News in 2017 and briefly worked at NBC News until 2018 .
In September , she announced her own independent media company , Devil May Care Media , and started a podcast , the Megyn Kelly Show @

President Trump retweeted praise from former Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly, five years after the two clashed during a 2015 Republican primary debate.
"Trump won this debate, handily," Kelly tweeted after the final 2020 presidential debate Thursday evening. "Trump was substantive, on-point, well-tempered. Definitely helped himself, when it mattered most."
Trump then retweeted that missive from his account, along with other positive views and screenshots of Twitter polls that showed him winning the face-off against Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.
Trump won this debate, handily. Biden wasn’t a force at all. Trump was substantive, on-point, well-tempered. Definitely helped himself, when it mattered most. — Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) October 23, 2020
The heated feud between Kelly and Trump began during the 2015 debate when Kelly asked Trump to respond to allegations that he was sexist, citing claims he called women "fat pigs, dogs, slobs, and disgusting animals." The feud reached a crescendo that August, when Trump told CNN, "You can see there was blood coming out of her eyes, blood coming out of her wherever."
The comments drew condemnation from a number of conservatives, and the Republican Party rescinded Trump's invitation to a major political event, CNN reported at the time.
Trump repeatedly criticized Kelly on his Twitter, calling her a "lightweight," saying that she was "off her game," and retweeting a tweet that called Kelly a "bimbo." Fox News's then-CEO Roger Ailes demanded an apology from Trump, who refused, saying that it was Kelly who ought to apologize to him. Trump also refused to attend a debate hosted by Fox News.
Trump and Kelly later "cleared the air" during a private meeting in Trump's office in April 2016, according to CNN.
"We met for about an hour, just the two of us, and had a chance to clear the air," Kelly said at the time. "Mr. Trump and I discussed the possibility of an interview, and I hope we will have news to announce on that soon."
Kelly left Fox News in 2017 and briefly worked at NBC News until 2018. In September, she announced her own independent media company, Devil May Care Media, and started a podcast, the Megyn Kelly Show.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-23--Trump campaign says day of final debate was its largest 'online fundraising day ever'

President Trump ’ s reelection campaign says the day of the final presidential debate was its largest fundraising day ever .
“ On Trump campaign call , Jason Miller says Joe Biden ’ s energy answer 'put the nail in the coffin ' in Pennsylvania , ” McClatchy DC ’ s Dave Catanese tweeted Friday morning .
“ Campaign manager Bill Stepien says yesterday was their biggest online fundraising day ever — going back to 2016.
” The Trump campaign ’ s deputy director of communications , Matt Wolking , echoed Stepien ’ s claim on Twitter .
“ After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump is at his hotel for a campaign fundraising event , expected to raise $ 8-million , ” CBS News White House Correspondent Mark Knoller tweeted on Thursday before the debate .
“ Recent filings show his campaign way behind @ JoeBiden in cash on hand , though Trump has said he would provide funding , if need be.
” Biden and Trump sparred over fundraising during the debate as the president hit the former vice president on raising money from Wall Street .
“ You ’ re the one that takes all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t take it , ” Trump told Biden .
“ You have raised a lot of money , tremendous amounts of money .
And every time you raise money , deals are made .
I could raise so much more money , as president and somebody who knows most of those people , I could call the heads of Wall Street , the heads of every company in America , and I would blow away every record.
” Biden responded by saying the average donation to his campaign is $ 43 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raised $ 4 million during last night ’ s debate .
The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Washington Examiner .

President Trump’s reelection campaign says the day of the final presidential debate was its largest fundraising day ever.
“On Trump campaign call, Jason Miller says Joe Biden’s energy answer 'put the nail in the coffin' in Pennsylvania,” McClatchy DC’s Dave Catanese tweeted Friday morning. “Campaign manager Bill Stepien says yesterday was their biggest online fundraising day ever — going back to 2016.”
On Trump campaign call, Jason Miller says Joe Biden’s energy answer “put the nail in the coffin” in Pennsylvania.
Campaign manager Bill Stepien says yesterday was their biggest online fundraising day ever — going back to 2016. — Dave Catanese (@davecatanese) October 23, 2020
The Trump campaign’s deputy director of communications, Matt Wolking, echoed Stepien’s claim on Twitter.
“BREAKING: Yesterday was the Trump campaign's biggest online fundraising day EVER,” Wolking tweeted.
BREAKING: Yesterday was the Trump campaign's biggest online fundraising day EVER. — Matt Wolking (Text TRUMP to 88022) (@MattWolking) October 23, 2020
“After checking out the Debate venue, Pres Trump is at his hotel for a campaign fundraising event, expected to raise $8-million,” CBS News White House Correspondent Mark Knoller tweeted on Thursday before the debate. “Recent filings show his campaign way behind @JoeBiden in cash on hand, though Trump has said he would provide funding, if need be.”
After checking out the Debate venue, Pres Trump is at his hotel for a campaign fundraising event, expected to raise $8-million. Recent filings show his campaign way behind @JoeBiden in cash on hand, though Trump has said he would provide funding, if need be. — Mark Knoller (@markknoller) October 22, 2020
Biden and Trump sparred over fundraising during the debate as the president hit the former vice president on raising money from Wall Street.
“You’re the one that takes all the money from Wall Street. I don’t take it,” Trump told Biden. “You have raised a lot of money, tremendous amounts of money. And every time you raise money, deals are made. I could raise so much more money, as president and somebody who knows most of those people, I could call the heads of Wall Street, the heads of every company in America, and I would blow away every record.”
Biden responded by saying the average donation to his campaign is $43.
It was reported Friday that the Democratic Party raised $4 million during last night’s debate.
The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Washington Examiner.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-23--Here's who won the debate, based on vocals and visuals alone

After a much-derided first presidential debate for its inability to remain , well , presidential , Presidential Debate No .
2 was its antithesis — civil , substantive , and easy to follow .
Here ’ s how each candidate scored on vocals and visuals .
Let ’ s start with how they sounded .
Unsurprisingly , when you ’ re not trying to interrupt someone else , the way you use your voice changes .
This includes pacing , inflection , pitch , and volume .
And right off the bat , it was noticeable that President Trump took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the first debate — he needed to tone it down .
Literally .
And for the first 17 minutes , he used a slower pace and a quieter voice , mixed with words and phrases that were more respectful to Democratic candidate Joe Biden .
While this alone was a huge victory for the incumbent , he sacrificed vocal energy in the process .
It is possible to achieve two things at once : a vocal delivery that engages the audience and challenges your opponent .
While Trump ’ s overall energy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including his poor decision to talk over moderator Kristen Welker , who unfairly interrupted him more than Biden ) , he should have started with more vocal projection , signifying confidence and passion .
Yet , he fell into the trap that many people do when they are trying to soften their image — his voice softened as well .
In summary , Trump needed to keep his vocal energy high and the snark at an all-time low .
He achieved the latter .
While Trump ’ s change in style was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden ’ s use of vocals , on the other hand , remained fairly consistent .
He interrupted less than in the first debate , but he stayed true to his pattern of having two vocal dials — the “ uncle next door ” voice when delivering common talking points to softball questions and the “ just wait till Corn Pop hears about this ” lecture when he ’ s giving rehearsed lines direct to camera .
The reason it feels like Biden is lecturing is because he starts talking much faster and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many decibels and borders on yelling , which is not ideal .
What Biden can do to achieve better vocal impact is to soften his impassioned statements so that the difference between his two styles isn ’ t so stark .
It ’ s about picking up the pace and increasing the volume some — but not so much that it sounds like two distinct styles .
It ’ s the contrast that makes him sound not only angry , but also inauthentic .
Whatever people do with their voice , the visuals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eye squint and used choppy hand gestures during his two-minute answer period , which only added to the feeling that he was lecturing .
But he did keep better eye contact with Trump when the president was speaking .
The most interesting facial expression he used was his wide eyes when Trump first mentioned the breaking news about Hunter Biden and the Biden family ’ s alleged ties to business dealings in China .
Because Biden had called a lid since Monday , this was the first time we got to see him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we saw was surprise from Biden when it ’ s clear that he shouldn ’ t have been surprised by what was said about him .
The better way to respond visually is to maintain the same expression to not seem phased by an accusation that you think people shouldn ’ t ask you about .
Too much faux outrage makes one seem guilty of the accusation .
In contrast , Trump ’ s visuals were a toned-down version of himself .
After his dancing video went viral this week , there seemed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spoke his first few words that were reminiscent of his rally-dance-turned-TikTok-video .
But he eventually settled in .
Trump remains steady behind a podium , whereas Biden shifts his weight from leg to leg , causing the cameraman to follow him constantly so that he isn ’ t out of frame .
Trump gave his typical sideways glances and rolled his eyes , but for Trump , he did pretty well to keep his poker face .
For the independent voter , the suburban woman voter , and the undecided voter ( if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Biden did well to present themselves to these voting blocs .
If voters were deciding on this debate alone , the vocals and visuals of these two candidates would be a draw .
But if the voter was deciding based on the first round , the win would go to Trump .
He made the most improvement while Biden stayed true to form .
Beverly Hallberg ( @ BeverlyHallberg ) is a contributor to the Washington Examiner 's Beltway Confidential blog .
She is president of District Media Group .

After a much-derided first presidential debate for its inability to remain, well, presidential, Presidential Debate No. 2 was its antithesis — civil, substantive, and easy to follow. Here’s how each candidate scored on vocals and visuals.
Let’s start with how they sounded. Unsurprisingly, when you’re not trying to interrupt someone else, the way you use your voice changes. This includes pacing, inflection, pitch, and volume. And right off the bat, it was noticeable that President Trump took to heart the main criticism he received from the first debate — he needed to tone it down. Literally. And for the first 17 minutes, he used a slower pace and a quieter voice, mixed with words and phrases that were more respectful to Democratic candidate Joe Biden.
While this alone was a huge victory for the incumbent, he sacrificed vocal energy in the process. It is possible to achieve two things at once: a vocal delivery that engages the audience and challenges your opponent. While Trump’s overall energy did improve as the interview progressed (including his poor decision to talk over moderator Kristen Welker, who unfairly interrupted him more than Biden), he should have started with more vocal projection, signifying confidence and passion. Yet, he fell into the trap that many people do when they are trying to soften their image — his voice softened as well. In summary, Trump needed to keep his vocal energy high and the snark at an all-time low. He achieved the latter.
While Trump’s change in style was the most noticeable aspect of the debate, Biden’s use of vocals, on the other hand, remained fairly consistent. He interrupted less than in the first debate, but he stayed true to his pattern of having two vocal dials — the “uncle next door” voice when delivering common talking points to softball questions and the “just wait till Corn Pop hears about this” lecture when he’s giving rehearsed lines direct to camera. The reason it feels like Biden is lecturing is because he starts talking much faster and much louder. His vocal projection increases many decibels and borders on yelling, which is not ideal.
What Biden can do to achieve better vocal impact is to soften his impassioned statements so that the difference between his two styles isn’t so stark. It’s about picking up the pace and increasing the volume some — but not so much that it sounds like two distinct styles. It’s the contrast that makes him sound not only angry, but also inauthentic.
Whatever people do with their voice, the visuals will follow. Biden did his usual eye squint and used choppy hand gestures during his two-minute answer period, which only added to the feeling that he was lecturing. But he did keep better eye contact with Trump when the president was speaking.
The most interesting facial expression he used was his wide eyes when Trump first mentioned the breaking news about Hunter Biden and the Biden family’s alleged ties to business dealings in China. Because Biden had called a lid since Monday, this was the first time we got to see him react to the allegations. And what we saw was surprise from Biden when it’s clear that he shouldn’t have been surprised by what was said about him. The better way to respond visually is to maintain the same expression to not seem phased by an accusation that you think people shouldn’t ask you about. Too much faux outrage makes one seem guilty of the accusation.
In contrast, Trump’s visuals were a toned-down version of himself. After his dancing video went viral this week, there seemed to be an awkward twist as he spoke his first few words that were reminiscent of his rally-dance-turned-TikTok-video. But he eventually settled in. Trump remains steady behind a podium, whereas Biden shifts his weight from leg to leg, causing the cameraman to follow him constantly so that he isn’t out of frame. Trump gave his typical sideways glances and rolled his eyes, but for Trump, he did pretty well to keep his poker face.
For the independent voter, the suburban woman voter, and the undecided voter (if there are any left), Trump and Biden did well to present themselves to these voting blocs. If voters were deciding on this debate alone, the vocals and visuals of these two candidates would be a draw. But if the voter was deciding based on the first round, the win would go to Trump. He made the most improvement while Biden stayed true to form.
Beverly Hallberg (@BeverlyHallberg) is a contributor to the Washington Examiner's Beltway Confidential blog. She is president of District Media Group.