thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-20--Is Biden blowing it with the Left?

Is Biden blowing it with the Left?

Joe Biden may have earned Bernie Sanders 's endorsement months before Hillary Clinton did in 2016 , but the former rival 's voters are n't necessarily sold on his campaign just yet .
The warning signs have been flashing for some time , with the presumptive 2020 Democratic nominee and former vice president never managing to crack low double-digit support among young people in this year 's primary contests .
That did n't matter when it came to winning most Super Tuesday states , where the field was split enough to allow Biden to cruise to victory easily .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overwhelmingly supported Biden that it was easy to ignore that a slim majority of black voters under the age of 30 actually supported Sanders in most states .
Younger voters , across all demographics , tend to vote in such few numbers that their effect on primaries is often negligible .
But a general election is a different story , particularly one that could be as close as 2016 , when Trump won a number of swing states by just a few thousand votes .
On Tuesday , Sanders gave a pessimistic account @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president 's campaign is heading during an interview with MSNBC .
In order to defeat Trump , the Vermont senator said , Biden `` is going to have to reach out to working-class people and young people in a way that he has not done up to now . ''
[ Read more : 'Not a fighter ' : Trump taunts 'Crazy Bernie Sanders ' while trying to woo his supporters ] That prognosis likely came as a surprise to the Biden campaign , who regularly signals he 'll be running to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where he was on many issues just a few months ago .
Earlier this month , Biden announced that Sanders and left-wing firebrand Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez would join his campaign 's `` unity task forces . ''
Toward the end of the primary race , Biden announced a modified free college plan for families making less than $ 125,000 and said he supported a bankruptcy reform law proposed by Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren .
During his semidaily public addresses , he regularly touts how a $ 1.7 trillion `` Green New Deal '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of congressional stimulus , although that number is far short of Sanders 's $ 16 trillion proposal .
That pivot has left many of Sanders 's most vocal supporters unimpressed , with some saying they do n't plan on voting for him in November .
Most notably was Sanders 's former national press secretary , Briahna Joy Gray , who ( with a handful of other Sanders staffers ) regularly attacks Biden as insufficiently left-wing on key issues such as healthcare .
`` Biden ca n't win without the support of hundreds of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ millions of Bernie supporters .
He needs not only their votes , their energy and passion and dedication , and their boots on the ground .
There was no lack of enthusiasm for Bernie , '' said Labor for Bernie 2020 co-founder Rand Wilson .
`` It 's May .
The election that we 're talking about is now in November , and people are still reeling from the fact that Bernie lost and withdrew , and there 's a little bit of sadness and pain in that defeat , '' Wilson told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organizers , such as Steve Early , has already declared he 'll be supporting Green Party presumptive nominee Howie Hawkins , with the caveat that he 's registered in the safely blue state of California .
If he lived in a state such as Pennsylvania or Ohio , he said he 'd likely hold his nose for Biden .
`` In November , thanks to the U.S. still being saddled with an Electoral College , I will be taking advantage of California being a pretty safe state for the Dems in the presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Examiner .
Despite Biden 's constant overtures to the Left , saying he needs their votes to unseat Trump in the fall , many younger voters would prefer a different candidate altogether .
An April poll concluded that 40 % of Democrats under 45 want the party to replace Biden .
Twenty-six percent of all Democrats said the same .
A separate focus group found a lack of enthusiasm in younger millennial and Generation Z voters in 11 swing states , including Wisconsin , Michigan , and Florida .
A majority of those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ message and did n't see the former vice president as relatable or tough enough against big business .
Most glaringly missing is one platform concession that Sanders 's supporters say is the most important : `` Medicare for all . ''
Even as late as March , Biden said his position on the matter has n't budged , saying a period of crisis is n't the right time to overhaul America 's healthcare system .
The allegations from Tara Reade , a former aide to Biden in the 1990s , that Biden sexually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with younger voters far more likely to believe her allegations over his unequivocal denials .
`` There 's no question 2 million people stayed home in 2016 .
They did n't vote .
We know that .
And if they do n't vote this time , we 'll have the same result as we did with Hillary Clinton , '' said Wilson .
`` We got a lot of work to do with younger people , to listen first and figure out how we 're gon na bring them out to the @ @ @ @ @

Joe Biden may have earned Bernie Sanders's endorsement months before Hillary Clinton did in 2016, but the former rival's voters aren't necessarily sold on his campaign just yet.
The warning signs have been flashing for some time, with the presumptive 2020 Democratic nominee and former vice president never managing to crack low double-digit support among young people in this year's primary contests. That didn't matter when it came to winning most Super Tuesday states, where the field was split enough to allow Biden to cruise to victory easily.
In later primary elections, black voters so overwhelmingly supported Biden that it was easy to ignore that a slim majority of black voters under the age of 30 actually supported Sanders in most states. Younger voters, across all demographics, tend to vote in such few numbers that their effect on primaries is often negligible.
But a general election is a different story, particularly one that could be as close as 2016, when Trump won a number of swing states by just a few thousand votes.
On Tuesday, Sanders gave a pessimistic account of where he thinks the former vice president's campaign is heading during an interview with MSNBC.
In order to defeat Trump, the Vermont senator said, Biden "is going to have to reach out to working-class people and young people in a way that he has not done up to now."
[Read more: 'Not a fighter': Trump taunts 'Crazy Bernie Sanders' while trying to woo his supporters]
That prognosis likely came as a surprise to the Biden campaign, who regularly signals he'll be running to the Left in the general election compared to where he was on many issues just a few months ago. Earlier this month, Biden announced that Sanders and left-wing firebrand Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez would join his campaign's "unity task forces."
Toward the end of the primary race, Biden announced a modified free college plan for families making less than $125,000 and said he supported a bankruptcy reform law proposed by Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren. During his semidaily public addresses, he regularly touts how a $1.7 trillion "Green New Deal" should be included in the next round of congressional stimulus, although that number is far short of Sanders's $16 trillion proposal.
That pivot has left many of Sanders's most vocal supporters unimpressed, with some saying they don't plan on voting for him in November. Most notably was Sanders's former national press secretary, Briahna Joy Gray, who (with a handful of other Sanders staffers) regularly attacks Biden as insufficiently left-wing on key issues such as healthcare.
"Biden can't win without the support of hundreds of thousands of, whatever it is — millions of Bernie supporters. He needs not only their votes, their energy and passion and dedication, and their boots on the ground. There was no lack of enthusiasm for Bernie," said Labor for Bernie 2020 co-founder Rand Wilson.
"It's May. The election that we're talking about is now in November, and people are still reeling from the fact that Bernie lost and withdrew, and there's a little bit of sadness and pain in that defeat," Wilson told the Washington Examiner.
Other former Sanders organizers, such as Steve Early, has already declared he'll be supporting Green Party presumptive nominee Howie Hawkins, with the caveat that he's registered in the safely blue state of California. If he lived in a state such as Pennsylvania or Ohio, he said he'd likely hold his nose for Biden.
"In November, thanks to the U.S. still being saddled with an Electoral College, I will be taking advantage of California being a pretty safe state for the Dems in the presidential election," Early told the Washington Examiner.
Despite Biden's constant overtures to the Left, saying he needs their votes to unseat Trump in the fall, many younger voters would prefer a different candidate altogether.
An April poll concluded that 40% of Democrats under 45 want the party to replace Biden. Twenty-six percent of all Democrats said the same.
A separate focus group found a lack of enthusiasm in younger millennial and Generation Z voters in 11 swing states, including Wisconsin, Michigan, and Florida. A majority of those voters said they preferred Sanders's socialist message and didn't see the former vice president as relatable or tough enough against big business.
Most glaringly missing is one platform concession that Sanders's supporters say is the most important: "Medicare for all." Even as late as March, Biden said his position on the matter hasn't budged, saying a period of crisis isn't the right time to overhaul America's healthcare system.
The allegations from Tara Reade, a former aide to Biden in the 1990s, that Biden sexually assaulted her hasn't helped things either, with younger voters far more likely to believe her allegations over his unequivocal denials.
"There's no question 2 million people stayed home in 2016. They didn't vote. We know that. And if they don't vote this time, we'll have the same result as we did with Hillary Clinton," said Wilson. "We got a lot of work to do with younger people, to listen first and figure out how we're gonna bring them out to the polls to vote."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-20--Kellyanne Conway: A Trump rally with attendees spaced apart 'would look more like a Biden rally'

Top White House aide Kellyanne Conway joked that a Trump rally with social distancing in place and only 2 out of every 10 seats filled `` would look more like a Biden rally or a Clinton rally . ''
Speaking to Fox News on Wednesday , Conway , a senior counselor to the president who managed his 2016 campaign , said she hoped Trump 's campaign rallies would return , but seeing an appropriately distanced crowd `` would be odd . ''
The coronavirus put a stop to Trump 's rallies in March , but she is hopeful these could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests people maintain a distance of 6 feet , or about two arm 's lengths , between one another .
They also recommend avoiding mass gatherings or crowded spaces .
`` There will be a campaign , '' Conway said , adding that she thought former Vice President Joe Biden , who is running against Trump , has benefited under the circumstances .
`` We get a total of less than an hour of Joe Biden a week .
That 's great for Joe Biden .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ there will be debates , hopefully many of them , more of them than usual , because we have n't had a normal election season so far , '' she said .
Biden has remained largely out of sight during the pandemic , joining occasional Zoom video conferences from his basement , often marred by glitches and other interruptions .
Conway added , `` This election is not a referendum only .
It 's a choice .
... And we deserve that in democracy . ''

Top White House aide Kellyanne Conway joked that a Trump rally with social distancing in place and only 2 out of every 10 seats filled "would look more like a Biden rally or a Clinton rally."
Speaking to Fox News on Wednesday, Conway, a senior counselor to the president who managed his 2016 campaign, said she hoped Trump's campaign rallies would return, but seeing an appropriately distanced crowd "would be odd."
The coronavirus put a stop to Trump's rallies in March, but she is hopeful these could resume with some adjustments.
Guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests people maintain a distance of 6 feet, or about two arm's lengths, between one another. They also recommend avoiding mass gatherings or crowded spaces.
"There will be a campaign," Conway said, adding that she thought former Vice President Joe Biden, who is running against Trump, has benefited under the circumstances.
"We get a total of less than an hour of Joe Biden a week. That's great for Joe Biden. But there will be a campaign, there will be debates, hopefully many of them, more of them than usual, because we haven't had a normal election season so far," she said.
Biden has remained largely out of sight during the pandemic, joining occasional Zoom video conferences from his basement, often marred by glitches and other interruptions.
Conway added, "This election is not a referendum only. It's a choice. ... And we deserve that in democracy."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-20--Trump crushing Biden in voter enthusiasm but other hurdles remain

Poll after poll shows that supporters of President Trump say they are much more excited to vote for him than supporters of Joe Biden are to support the former vice president .
But Trump ’ s enthusiasm advantage is not an electoral golden ticket .
An ABC News/ Washington Post national released March 29 found that 53 % of Trump supporters said that they were `` very '' enthusiastic about voting for him , compared to 24 % for Biden .
Similarly , an Emerson College national in April found that 36 % of Trump backers were very excited to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Biden supporters .
And a Florida Atlantic University of Florida voters conducted May 8-12 found that 60 % of Trump supporters said they are extremely excited to support him , while the number was 34 % for the former vice president .
The consistent double-digit enthusiasm advantage for Trump seems like good news for him , with optimists hoping that it is an indication that his supporters will be more likely to turn out and vote for him than Biden ’ s .
The trend was present in Trump ’ s 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to the election that Trump supporters were much more enthusiastic than those who intended to vote for Clinton .
Many saw a Biden enthusiasm gap coming .
Excitement about a candidate was a major issue in the Democratic primaries .
Younger candidates such as former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg and former Texas Rep. Beto O ’ Rourke pitched themselves as exciting , forward-looking candidates while they Biden as a “ return to the past.
” Early state voters grappled with casting a ballot for their ideal candidate versus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeal to a larger swath of general election voters .
But the enthusiasm gap for Biden in the primaries has a lesson for the general election : Voter enthusiasm does not necessarily transfer to getting the most votes .
Biden won the primaries despite the gap .
“ It ’ s important to remember that an enthusiastic vote counts exactly as much as a lukewarm one , ” said Patrick Murray , director of the Monmouth University polling institute .
“ One key difference this year is that the early enthusiasm gap is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strong , enthusiastic core base may also be a disadvantage in that it demonstrates a candidate has less ability to appeal to moderate or swing voters .
Supporters of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders , for instance , were much more enthusiastic than those who supported Biden , but he did not have wide appeal among Democratic primary voters .
Another data point that shows enthusiasm does not translate to winning : Rates of enthusiasm tend to be higher for those who align with the party that does not hold the presidency , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reelection in 2012 .
Levels of enthusiasm tend to even out as the campaign season moves closer to Election Day .
And despite leading in enthusiasm , the polls show a major warning sign for Trump .
“ The main driver in this is that Biden is the clear leader among voters who don ’ t particularly like either candidate .
Trump actually won this type of voter in 2016 , but the outlook is different in 2020 , ” Murray said .
“ The Trump camp is unlikely to convert these negative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ find a way to keep those voters at home.
” That makes other election factors , such as the ease of voting and get-out-the-vote efforts , important to assess the overall effect of whether voter enthusiasm will matter .
Other measures of voter enthusiasm cast doubt on whether Republicans have a major advantage in enthusiasm .
In a series of Marquette Law School polls of Wisconsin voters , respondents were asked how excited they were to vote in the November election — not how excited they were to vote for Trump or Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down by other characteristics , such as gender or party affiliation .
In four conducted from January to May , it found no difference in enthusiasm for voting by candidate choice of Trump or Biden .
Charles Franklin , director of the Marquette poll , said that while those results are not directly comparable to the polls that ask how exited Trump supporters are to vote for him , the findings “ are relevant for turnout in November as well as ‘ motivation ’ among the supporters of each candidate.
” “ For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t see either campaign or party with an upper hand on enthusiasm at this point , ” Franklin said .

Poll after poll shows that supporters of President Trump say they are much more excited to vote for him than supporters of Joe Biden are to support the former vice president. But Trump’s enthusiasm advantage is not an electoral golden ticket.
An ABC News/Washington Post national poll released March 29 found that 53% of Trump supporters said that they were "very" enthusiastic about voting for him, compared to 24% for Biden.
Similarly, an Emerson College national poll in April found that 36% of Trump backers were very excited to support him, compared to 22% of Biden supporters.
And a Florida Atlantic University poll of Florida voters conducted May 8-12 found that 60% of Trump supporters said they are extremely excited to support him, while the number was 34% for the former vice president.
The consistent double-digit enthusiasm advantage for Trump seems like good news for him, with optimists hoping that it is an indication that his supporters will be more likely to turn out and vote for him than Biden’s.
The trend was present in Trump’s 2016 race against Hillary Clinton. Polls leading up to the election showed that Trump supporters were much more enthusiastic than those who intended to vote for Clinton.
Many saw a Biden enthusiasm gap coming. Excitement about a candidate was a major issue in the Democratic primaries.
Younger candidates such as former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg and former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke pitched themselves as exciting, forward-looking candidates while they painted Biden as a “return to the past.” Early state voters grappled with casting a ballot for their ideal candidate versus a vote for Biden, who might appeal to a larger swath of general election voters.
But the enthusiasm gap for Biden in the primaries has a lesson for the general election: Voter enthusiasm does not necessarily transfer to getting the most votes. Biden won the primaries despite the gap.
“It’s important to remember that an enthusiastic vote counts exactly as much as a lukewarm one,” said Patrick Murray, director of the Monmouth University polling institute. “One key difference this year is that the early enthusiasm gap is not translating to electoral advantage.”
A strong, enthusiastic core base may also be a disadvantage in that it demonstrates a candidate has less ability to appeal to moderate or swing voters. Supporters of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, for instance, were much more enthusiastic than those who supported Biden, but he did not have wide appeal among Democratic primary voters.
Another data point that shows enthusiasm does not translate to winning: Rates of enthusiasm tend to be higher for those who align with the party that does not hold the presidency, according to Gallup , yet President Barack Obama won reelection in 2012.
Levels of enthusiasm tend to even out as the campaign season moves closer to Election Day.
And despite leading in enthusiasm, the polls show a major warning sign for Trump.
“The main driver in this is that Biden is the clear leader among voters who don’t particularly like either candidate. Trump actually won this type of voter in 2016, but the outlook is different in 2020,” Murray said. “The Trump camp is unlikely to convert these negative voters, so they will have to find a way to keep those voters at home.”
That makes other election factors, such as the ease of voting and get-out-the-vote efforts, important to assess the overall effect of whether voter enthusiasm will matter.
Other measures of voter enthusiasm cast doubt on whether Republicans have a major advantage in enthusiasm.
In a series of Marquette Law School polls of Wisconsin voters, respondents were asked how excited they were to vote in the November election — not how excited they were to vote for Trump or Biden.
When those results can be broken down by other characteristics, such as gender or party affiliation. In four polls conducted from January to May, it found no difference in enthusiasm for voting by candidate choice of Trump or Biden.
Charles Franklin, director of the Marquette poll, said that while those results are not directly comparable to the polls that ask how exited Trump supporters are to vote for him, the findings “are relevant for turnout in November as well as ‘motivation’ among the supporters of each candidate.”
“For our data and for Wisconsin, I don’t see either campaign or party with an upper hand on enthusiasm at this point,” Franklin said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-20--Voters trust Biden over Trump to handle coronavirus: Poll

A plurality of voters trust Joe Biden over President Trump to manage the coronavirus pandemic , according to a new poll , giving the presumptive Democratic nominee a lead on a critical campaign issue .
Forty-two percent of voters trust Biden more than Trump to handle the challenges posed by the coronavirus , compared to 35 % who trust the president the most , a Morning Consult survey that was conducted for Politico found .
Additionally , the poll showed that the former vice president is viewed as better at crisis leadership than Trump , 44 % to 38 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dead and over 35 million jobless because of the pandemic , these metrics could prove decisive on Election Day .
Biden gained 4 points since mid-March in Morning Consult polling on the issue of who is more trusted to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus .
Trump ticked down 3 points .
Since mid-March , even as Trump has dominated headlines and presented himself as a wartime president .
Simultaneously , Trump is now fighting Biden to a draw on who is more trusted to deal with China .
Forty percent trust Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president .
The Trump campaign is making China a key issue in the campaign , saying that the former vice president has a history of appeasing Beijing and can not be trusted to hold the Asian power accountable for the spread of the coronavirus .
So far , it appears Trump has some work to do to make that argument stick .

A plurality of voters trust Joe Biden over President Trump to manage the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new poll, giving the presumptive Democratic nominee a lead on a critical campaign issue.
Forty-two percent of voters trust Biden more than Trump to handle the challenges posed by the coronavirus, compared to 35% who trust the president the most, a Morning Consult survey that was conducted for Politico found. Additionally, the poll showed that the former vice president is viewed as better at crisis leadership than Trump, 44% to 38%. With more than 92,000 U.S. citizens dead and over 35 million jobless because of the pandemic, these metrics could prove decisive on Election Day.
Biden gained 4 points since mid-March in Morning Consult polling on the issue of who is more trusted to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. Trump ticked down 3 points. Since mid-March, even as Trump has dominated headlines and presented himself as a wartime president.
Simultaneously, Trump is now fighting Biden to a draw on who is more trusted to deal with China. Forty percent trust Biden the most, and 38% trust the president. The Trump campaign is making China a key issue in the campaign, saying that the former vice president has a history of appeasing Beijing and cannot be trusted to hold the Asian power accountable for the spread of the coronavirus. So far, it appears Trump has some work to do to make that argument stick.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-21--'No concerns': Excited Republican delegates confident GOP convention safe to attend

Republican delegates are enthusiastic about attending the party ’ s quadrennial convention , with GOP activists saying the coronavirus is not discouraging them from traveling to Charlotte , North Carolina , in August to renominate President Trump .
Conventions typically draw tens of thousands of people from all over the country , casting a cloud over the Democratic and Republican parties ' ability to convene normally this summer amid a pandemic that has cost more than 90,000 lives in the United States .
But even as Democratic delegates express apprehension about gathering in Milwaukee , Wisconsin , to nominate former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say they are not concerned that participating in a traditional convention will jeopardize their health .
“ I think it ’ s as safe an environment as you ’ re going to find , ” said Shawn Steel , a Republican national committeeman from California .
“ If it was in New York City , I might think twice.
” Charlie Gerow , a Republican activist from Pennsylvania who has attended every national GOP convention since 1980 , said he had no qualms about this year ’ s event , which is scheduled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spectrum Center arena .
“ I have no concerns about going to this convention , ” he said .
“ I ’ m sure it will be handled safely and responsibly using some good , old-fashioned common sense.
” In mid-March , Trump supported economic lockdowns that were recommended by medical experts to halt the spread of the coronavirus .
But in late April , Trump began encouraging state and local governments to lift business closures as part of an effort to dig out of a pandemic-induced recession responsible for killing more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s lead , Republican activists are pushing to resume normal political activity .
In Texas , Republican officials decided to go ahead with an annual state GOP convention that usually draws thousands , albeit with plans for social distancing protocols .
Republicans at the national level made the same determination .
Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel confirmed this month what she told the Washington Examiner in April — that the convention to elevate Trump is “ full steam ahead.
” Blair Ellis , a spokesman for the RNC panel managing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party is planning for robust gathering that includes all the usual trappings : crowded convention floor activities , delegate breakfasts headlined by prominent Republicans , and corporate-sponsored parties .
Ellis said that the economic devastation caused by the coronavirus has not reduced participation in the convention by corporate partners .
“ We continue to have great support from the business community , both locally in the Charlotte region and nationally , that is invested in reopening our economy in a safe and efficient manner , ” Ellis said .
Officials overseeing the convention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis management to help plan logistics .
Republican officials say the layout of the convention floor and how delegates are seated will be planned to accommodate social distancing precautions that might be necessary to mitigate health risks stemming from the coronavirus .
Republican delegates say they have confidence that the party and conventiongoers will take whatever steps are necessary to ensure a safe affair .
“ Certainly , we should encourage people who want to wear masks to wear masks , ” said Robin Armstrong , a physician and RNC Committeeman from Texas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they might not even need to.
” Linda Trocine , the chairwoman of the Republican Party in Seminole County , said she and the GOP activists she associates with in Florida have faith that the party will pull off a safe convention and have no second thoughts about attending .
“ I have complete confidence in the pros that lead the RNC , ” Trocine said .

Republican delegates are enthusiastic about attending the party’s quadrennial convention, with GOP activists saying the coronavirus is not discouraging them from traveling to Charlotte, North Carolina, in August to renominate President Trump.
Conventions typically draw tens of thousands of people from all over the country, casting a cloud over the Democratic and Republican parties' ability to convene normally this summer amid a pandemic that has cost more than 90,000 lives in the United States. But even as Democratic delegates express apprehension about gathering in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to nominate former Vice President Joe Biden, Republicans delegates say they are not concerned that participating in a traditional convention will jeopardize their health.
“I think it’s as safe an environment as you’re going to find,” said Shawn Steel, a Republican national committeeman from California. “If it was in New York City, I might think twice.”
Charlie Gerow, a Republican activist from Pennsylvania who has attended every national GOP convention since 1980, said he had no qualms about this year’s event, which is scheduled to be held Aug. 24–27 in the Spectrum Center arena. “I have no concerns about going to this convention,” he said. “I’m sure it will be handled safely and responsibly using some good, old-fashioned common sense.”
In mid-March, Trump supported economic lockdowns that were recommended by medical experts to halt the spread of the coronavirus. But in late April, Trump began encouraging state and local governments to lift business closures as part of an effort to dig out of a pandemic-induced recession responsible for killing more than 35 million jobs. Following the president’s lead, Republican activists are pushing to resume normal political activity.
In Texas, Republican officials decided to go ahead with an annual state GOP convention that usually draws thousands, albeit with plans for social distancing protocols. Republicans at the national level made the same determination. Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel confirmed this month what she told the Washington Examiner in April — that the convention to elevate Trump is “full steam ahead.”
Blair Ellis, a spokesman for the RNC panel managing the convention, said this week that the party is planning for robust gathering that includes all the usual trappings: crowded convention floor activities, delegate breakfasts headlined by prominent Republicans, and corporate-sponsored parties. Ellis said that the economic devastation caused by the coronavirus has not reduced participation in the convention by corporate partners.
“We continue to have great support from the business community, both locally in the Charlotte region and nationally, that is invested in reopening our economy in a safe and efficient manner,” Ellis said.
Officials overseeing the convention hired a physician with experience in health crisis management to help plan logistics. Republican officials say the layout of the convention floor and how delegates are seated will be planned to accommodate social distancing precautions that might be necessary to mitigate health risks stemming from the coronavirus. Republican delegates say they have confidence that the party and conventiongoers will take whatever steps are necessary to ensure a safe affair.
“Certainly, we should encourage people who want to wear masks to wear masks,” said Robin Armstrong, a physician and RNC Committeeman from Texas. “I suspect at that time, they might not even need to.”
Linda Trocine, the chairwoman of the Republican Party in Seminole County, said she and the GOP activists she associates with in Florida have faith that the party will pull off a safe convention and have no second thoughts about attending.
“I have complete confidence in the pros that lead the RNC,” Trocine said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-21--Democrats are using the global pandemic to alter elections

While the world ’ s attention remains on the coronavirus global pandemic , Democrats are exploiting the crisis to change America ’ s election system in a fundamental way .
It should concern everyone .
My home state of Nevada , where I served as attorney general from 2015 until 2019 , began voting in its first all-mail primary election after the secretary of state ’ s unilateral decision to make the switch .
This move exposes Nevada ’ s June 9 primary election to voter fraud .
Here , a coalition of Democratic Party-aligned groups seeks to implement further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effort to alter our primary elections permanently to include mailing ballots to inactive voters and ballot harvesting .
As a result of some shenanigans , 200,000 ballots were mailed to inactive voters in Nevada .
To put that in perspective , the last presidential election was decided by 27,000 votes in the state .
In Clark County , home to more than 70 % of the state ’ s population and the greater Las Vegas area , reports are already coming in of the result of ballots being sent to inactive voters .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ strewn all over apartments and in trash cans .
That image should make clear how ballot harvesting , which allows anybody to collect voters ’ ballots to turn into a polling location , is susceptible to fraud and sets a dangerous precedent .
It allows anyone , including political operatives and staff , the opportunity to show up and take possession of a voters ’ completed ballot .
Democratic Party operatives and activists are using the coronavirus global pandemic as a power grab , playing on people ’ s fears to take more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s election system isn ’ t safe from this agenda .
In current litigation , Democrats in Nevada are seeking to expand ballot harvesting and the elimination of signature requirements that verify completed ballots .
Their push to alter the voting process will make our elections less safe and will undoubtedly not stop at the primary .
The heavily funded , roving Democratic litigation arm will seek to alter the November general election by filing another lawsuit after the primary , arguing that an all-mail ballot system must be used with full-scale ballot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proposal is part of their larger effort to use the pandemic as a power grab , and they ’ re openly admitting it .
The global pandemic is “ a tremendous opportunity to restructure things to fit our vision , ” Democratic Rep. James Clyburn recently said .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and likely Democratic Party presidential nominee Joe Biden have thrown their support behind an all-mail election which would expose our election process to new forms of voter fraud and weaken public confidence in our democracy .
The idea that eliminating oversight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ access to disenfranchised voters is a baldfaced lie .
The truth is that eliminating oversight of the voting process opens up possibilities of cheating .
It almost guarantees more attempts at voter fraud .
All-mail ballot elections , ballot harvesting , and litigation to drop signature requirements is a dangerous combination — a sure-fire way to invite voter fraud .
If Democrats get their way , it could forever damage the integrity of our election system .
Adam Laxalt , an Iraq War veteran , served as the 33rd attorney general of Nevada @ @ @ @ @

While the world’s attention remains on the coronavirus global pandemic, Democrats are exploiting the crisis to change America’s election system in a fundamental way. It should concern everyone.
My home state of Nevada, where I served as attorney general from 2015 until 2019, began voting in its first all-mail primary election after the secretary of state’s unilateral decision to make the switch. This move exposes Nevada’s June 9 primary election to voter fraud.
Here, a coalition of Democratic Party-aligned groups seeks to implement further changes to the all-mail primary in an effort to alter our primary elections permanently to include mailing ballots to inactive voters and ballot harvesting.
As a result of some shenanigans, 200,000 ballots were mailed to inactive voters in Nevada. To put that in perspective, the last presidential election was decided by 27,000 votes in the state.
In Clark County, home to more than 70% of the state’s population and the greater Las Vegas area, reports are already coming in of the result of ballots being sent to inactive voters. Videos have emerged of stacks of ballots strewn all over apartments and in trash cans.
That image should make clear how ballot harvesting, which allows anybody to collect voters’ ballots to turn into a polling location, is susceptible to fraud and sets a dangerous precedent. It allows anyone, including political operatives and staff, the opportunity to show up and take possession of a voters’ completed ballot.
Democratic Party operatives and activists are using the coronavirus global pandemic as a power grab, playing on people’s fears to take more control of their lives. America’s election system isn’t safe from this agenda.
In current litigation, Democrats in Nevada are seeking to expand ballot harvesting and the elimination of signature requirements that verify completed ballots. Their push to alter the voting process will make our elections less safe and will undoubtedly not stop at the primary.
The heavily funded, roving Democratic litigation arm will seek to alter the November general election by filing another lawsuit after the primary, arguing that an all-mail ballot system must be used with full-scale ballot harvesting.
The Democrats’ all-mail ballots proposal is part of their larger effort to use the pandemic as a power grab, and they’re openly admitting it. The global pandemic is “a tremendous opportunity to restructure things to fit our vision,” Democratic Rep. James Clyburn recently said.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and likely Democratic Party presidential nominee Joe Biden have thrown their support behind an all-mail election which would expose our election process to new forms of voter fraud and weaken public confidence in our democracy.
The idea that eliminating oversight of the voting process actually opens up access to disenfranchised voters is a baldfaced lie. The truth is that eliminating oversight of the voting process opens up possibilities of cheating. It almost guarantees more attempts at voter fraud.
All-mail ballot elections, ballot harvesting, and litigation to drop signature requirements is a dangerous combination — a sure-fire way to invite voter fraud. If Democrats get their way, it could forever damage the integrity of our election system.
Adam Laxalt, an Iraq War veteran, served as the 33rd attorney general of Nevada from 2015 to 2019.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-21--University of Delaware denies Fox News requests for Tara Reade complaint against Biden

The University of Delaware will not disclose records related to Tara Reade 's allegation of sexual assault against former Vice President Joe Biden .
On Thursday , Fox News reported that the university , which owns and stores archival records from Biden 's history in public office , declined to provide the records after the outlet submitted records requests under the Freedom of Information Act , citing a provision in the law that exempts the school from requests unrelated to public funds .
Fox News sent three public records requests on April 29 and 30 .
One asked specifically for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Tara Reade '' by either first or last name or complaints filed against Biden or any staffer in his Senate office .
The second asked for a copy of a `` gift agreement '' or any other documents between the school and Biden regarding the release of the documents `` no sooner than the later date of December 31 , 2019 , or two years after the donor retires from public life . ''
`` The documents and correspondence you have requested do not relate to the expenditure of public funds , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jennifer Becnel-Guzzo to Fox News , the university 's associate vice president and general counsel .
Fox News also sent a request for any communication between members of the university 's board of trustees , the university 's president , or employees of the university 's library and Biden after March 1 relating to the archival records .
`` The candidacy of Joseph R. Biden , Jr. for president and the Joseph R. Biden , Jr. senatorial papers were never addressed in a meeting of the full board of trustees , '' Becnel-Guzzo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Therefore , the university has no public records responsive to your three requests . ''
The university said they will not release any documents related to the former vice president 's career as a senator for Delaware without Biden 's `` express consent . ''
According to Reade , a former staffer for Biden , the presidential candidate forced himself on her in the spring of 1993 , kissing her and penetrating her with his fingers without her consent .
Dozens of former Biden staffers have said they never witnessed sexual misconduct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reade came forward .
They told PBS that she still deserves to be heard .

The University of Delaware will not disclose records related to Tara Reade's allegation of sexual assault against former Vice President Joe Biden.
On Thursday, Fox News reported that the university, which owns and stores archival records from Biden's history in public office, declined to provide the records after the outlet submitted records requests under the Freedom of Information Act, citing a provision in the law that exempts the school from requests unrelated to public funds.
Fox News sent three public records requests on April 29 and 30. One asked specifically for any records from 1993 containing the name "Tara Reade" by either first or last name or complaints filed against Biden or any staffer in his Senate office. The second asked for a copy of a "gift agreement" or any other documents between the school and Biden regarding the release of the documents "no sooner than the later date of December 31, 2019, or two years after the donor retires from public life."
"The documents and correspondence you have requested do not relate to the expenditure of public funds, as defined by FOIA," said Jennifer Becnel-Guzzo to Fox News, the university's associate vice president and general counsel.
Fox News also sent a request for any communication between members of the university's board of trustees, the university's president, or employees of the university's library and Biden after March 1 relating to the archival records.
"The candidacy of Joseph R. Biden, Jr. for president and the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. senatorial papers were never addressed in a meeting of the full board of trustees," Becnel-Guzzo said in response to Fox News . "Therefore, the university has no public records responsive to your three requests."
The university said they will not release any documents related to the former vice president's career as a senator for Delaware without Biden's "express consent."
According to Reade, a former staffer for Biden, the presidential candidate forced himself on her in the spring of 1993, kissing her and penetrating her with his fingers without her consent. Dozens of former Biden staffers have said they never witnessed sexual misconduct by Biden nor heard any allegations before Reade came forward. They told PBS that she still deserves to be heard.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-21--Democrats claim absentee ballot edge in Pennsylvania primary an ominous sign for Trump

Democratic voters are swamping Republicans in requests for absentee ballots for Pennsylvania ’ s upcoming primary , a development Democrats claim is a harbinger for President Trump in a state critical to his reelection prospects .
As of midnight Tuesday , Democratic voters across Pennsylvania had requested 1,005,092 applications for absentee ballots for the state ’ s June 2 primary , compared to just 428,023 Republicans , according to government figures .
The presidential election is more than five months off , but Democratic insiders argue the disparity is so sweeping , the only reasonable conclusion to draw is that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his Republican allies .
“ It ’ s a horrible precursor for Republicans of what ’ s to come , ” said T.J. Rooney , a former chairman of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party .
“ You can add it up 11 different ways , but the intensity difference is inescapable — as well as palpable.
” Pennsylvanians of both parties have traditionally voted in person on Election Day .
Then , last year , state lawmakers enacted legislation easing participation in mail-in voting .
With voters worried about contracting the COVID-19 virus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The percentage of voters who cast ballots through the mail is expected to accelerate accordingly .
Democrats , who are more inclined to vote by mail and who have mastered ballot harvesting techniques , are embracing the transition .
Some Pennsylvania Republicans are downplaying the Democratic advantage in absentee ballot applications , attributing it to more contested Democratic primaries on June 2 than contested GOP primaries .
David Urban , Trump ’ s top Pennsylvania lieutenant , said flatly that the president ’ s campaign would handle any challenges posed by absentee voting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to vote , ” said Urban , who guided Trump ’ s efforts in Pennsylvania in 2016 , when he became the first Republican nominee to win the state since 1988 .
“ Democrats might have done a better ballot harvesting now .
But we definitely have the advantage in organization and ground game .
Come Election Day , it all comes out in the wash. ” But some Republican officials in Pennsylvania are concerned that the transition to mail-in voting could bode well for presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
With health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past the November election , local Republicans are laboring to make GOP voters comfortable with absentee voting , especially because the pandemic may reduce the availability of physical polling places .
Trump ’ s antipathy to voting by mail is making that effort significantly more difficult than it might be otherwise , conceded Josh Novotney , a Republican ward boss in Philadelphia .
“ There ’ s a big education issue in terms of fighting the narrative from the president , ” Novotney told the Washington Examiner .
“ I ’ m not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But I am worried it will be a huge problem in the general election.
” Trump regularly claims that absentee voting is corrupt and rife with fraud .
“ Michigan sends absentee ballot applications to 7.7 million people ahead of Primaries and the General Election .
This was done illegally and without authorization by a rogue Secretary of State .
I will ask to hold up funding to Michigan if they want to go down this Voter Fraud path !
” he tweeted on Wednesday .

Democratic voters are swamping Republicans in requests for absentee ballots for Pennsylvania’s upcoming primary, a development Democrats claim is a harbinger for President Trump in a state critical to his reelection prospects.
As of midnight Tuesday, Democratic voters across Pennsylvania had requested 1,005,092 applications for absentee ballots for the state’s June 2 primary, compared to just 428,023 Republicans, according to government figures. The presidential election is more than five months off, but Democratic insiders argue the disparity is so sweeping, the only reasonable conclusion to draw is that voters are itching to oust Trump and his Republican allies.
“It’s a horrible precursor for Republicans of what’s to come,” said T.J. Rooney, a former chairman of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party. “You can add it up 11 different ways, but the intensity difference is inescapable — as well as palpable.”
Pennsylvanians of both parties have traditionally voted in person on Election Day.
Then, last year, state lawmakers enacted legislation easing participation in mail-in voting. With voters worried about contracting the COVID-19 virus, interest in voting absentee increased exponentially. The percentage of voters who cast ballots through the mail is expected to accelerate accordingly. Democrats, who are more inclined to vote by mail and who have mastered ballot harvesting techniques, are embracing the transition.
Some Pennsylvania Republicans are downplaying the Democratic advantage in absentee ballot applications, attributing it to more contested Democratic primaries on June 2 than contested GOP primaries. David Urban, Trump’s top Pennsylvania lieutenant, said flatly that the president’s campaign would handle any challenges posed by absentee voting.
“Republicans will be more motivated to vote,” said Urban, who guided Trump’s efforts in Pennsylvania in 2016, when he became the first Republican nominee to win the state since 1988. “Democrats might have done a better ballot harvesting now. But we definitely have the advantage in organization and ground game. Come Election Day, it all comes out in the wash.”
But some Republican officials in Pennsylvania are concerned that the transition to mail-in voting could bode well for presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
With health risks from the coronavirus expected to linger past the November election, local Republicans are laboring to make GOP voters comfortable with absentee voting, especially because the pandemic may reduce the availability of physical polling places. Trump’s antipathy to voting by mail is making that effort significantly more difficult than it might be otherwise, conceded Josh Novotney, a Republican ward boss in Philadelphia.
“There’s a big education issue in terms of fighting the narrative from the president,” Novotney told the Washington Examiner. “I’m not worried about turnout in the primary. But I am worried it will be a huge problem in the general election.”
Trump regularly claims that absentee voting is corrupt and rife with fraud. “Michigan sends absentee ballot applications to 7.7 million people ahead of Primaries and the General Election. This was done illegally and without authorization by a rogue Secretary of State. I will ask to hold up funding to Michigan if they want to go down this Voter Fraud path!” he tweeted on Wednesday.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-21--Karl Rove 'mystified' by Biden campaign lurch to 'hard Left'

A top Republican strategist is criticizing recent campaign decisions former Vice President Joe Biden made .
Speaking with Fox News on Thursday , Karl Rove accused Biden of `` surrendering '' his policy agenda to politicians who backed Sen. Bernie Sanders during the Democratic nomination process after Biden 's team announced it would onboard New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and other Biden skeptics to key policy positions .
`` Frankly , I do n't know the motivation , I 'm mystified , '' Rove said .
`` I think they want to unify the party , but there 's lots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without basically surrendering the description , the drafting if you will , of the presidential candidate 's agenda for the fall campaign in the hands of your adversaries in the primary . ''
Rove noted Biden had divided responsibilities in such a way that the most liberal faction of the Democratic Party would have the opportunity to shape Biden 's policy platform .
`` He has appointed six committees .
Each of them has a co-chair named by Biden and a co-chair named by Bernie .
There are three members of each committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Biden , and ... they will discuss the climate , they will discuss environment , education , the economy , immigration , and this seems to me to be an opportunity for the hard Left of the Democratic Party to pressure Joe Biden into endorsing their issues when it comes to things like healthcare rather than what he sort of suggested he was , which was more of a traditional Democrat . ''
Rove referenced Ocasio-Cortez , in particular , claiming her inclusion in Biden 's team is representative of a tight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to walk if he wants to appeal to both moderate and far-left Democrats .
`` AOC , who 's the co-chair of the climate committee , said that before she accepted the appointment , she talked with the social justice movement , and she 'll be ... responsive to them , you know , that does n't seem like much of a team player , '' Rove said .
`` I think he 's buying himself some trouble here .
He either alienates the left of his party , or he appears to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who I think are going to be key to his victory . ''
On May 14 , Ocasio-Cortez was appointed as co-chair to Biden 's task force on climate change .

A top Republican strategist is criticizing recent campaign decisions former Vice President Joe Biden made.
Speaking with Fox News on Thursday, Karl Rove accused Biden of "surrendering" his policy agenda to politicians who backed Sen. Bernie Sanders during the Democratic nomination process after Biden's team announced it would onboard New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and other Biden skeptics to key policy positions.
"Frankly, I don't know the motivation, I'm mystified," Rove said. "I think they want to unify the party, but there's lots of ways to go unifying the party without basically surrendering the description, the drafting if you will, of the presidential candidate's agenda for the fall campaign in the hands of your adversaries in the primary."
Rove noted Biden had divided responsibilities in such a way that the most liberal faction of the Democratic Party would have the opportunity to shape Biden's policy platform.
"He has appointed six committees. Each of them has a co-chair named by Biden and a co-chair named by Bernie. There are three members of each committee that are appointed by Bernie, five by Biden, and ... they will discuss the climate, they will discuss environment, education, the economy, immigration, and this seems to me to be an opportunity for the hard Left of the Democratic Party to pressure Joe Biden into endorsing their issues when it comes to things like healthcare rather than what he sort of suggested he was, which was more of a traditional Democrat."
Rove referenced Ocasio-Cortez, in particular, claiming her inclusion in Biden's team is representative of a tight rope that the former senator will have to walk if he wants to appeal to both moderate and far-left Democrats.
"AOC, who's the co-chair of the climate committee, said that before she accepted the appointment, she talked with the social justice movement, and she'll be ... responsive to them, you know, that doesn't seem like much of a team player," Rove said. "I think he's buying himself some trouble here. He either alienates the left of his party, or he appears to go too left and alienates the suburbanites who I think are going to be key to his victory."
On May 14, Ocasio-Cortez was appointed as co-chair to Biden's task force on climate change.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-21--California Democrat called HEROES Act a 'Democratic wish list' that would hurt her reelection

Rep. Katie Porter , a California Democrat , told local supporters that the $ 3 trillion HEROES Act was a `` Democratic wish list '' that could hurt her reelection chances in her Orange County district .
During a livestreamed online meeting hosted by the Tustin Democratic Club on Tuesday , Porter spoke about political tactics surrounding the proposed coronavirus aid package , which would provide $ 1 trillion for states and cities , “ hazard pay ” for essential workers , and a new round of cash payments to individuals .
The proposal passed the House narrowly , pushed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but received a cold shoulder in the Republican-majority Senate .
“ The HEROES Act is dead on arrival .
There was no bipartisan negotiation here and no effort at bipartisan negotiation , which I also think is problematic , '' Porter said .
`` It ’ s not to say that we could ’ ve gotten there .
It ’ s not to say that the Republicans would ’ ve agreed with our priorities .
But I do not think it is a good look in a time of national crisis to act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t like it when Donald Trump does it , and I don ’ t like it when Nancy Pelosi does it . ''
Porter won her Orange County-based district in 2018 , when it was one of seven California seats House Democrats picked up in 2018 to claim their first majority in eight years .
While the area has moved away from its Republican roots , the House GOP 's campaign arm is still making a concerted effort to defeat Porter , a former University of California , Irvine Law School @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she told Tustin Democrats , `` I did find myself on the House floor thinking that my Republican colleagues who said , ‘ This bill is a Democratic wish list written by a handful of Democrats and shoved down the throats of the rest of the Congress , ’ I often don ’ t think that they have any point — I think they had a real point about this bill .
So , the bill is going nowhere . ''
Porter , 46 , also indicated she knew support for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The way that we did this virtually guaranteed the bill was going to 1 ) die immediately and 2 ) that I would be hit with endless attacks about having supported a Democratic wishlist with the most expensive government bill ever put out .
It ’ s not a good look for someone like me in Orange County .
It will make my reelection harder , '' Porter said .
`` And it ’ s not even the best policy approach that we could ’ ve brought to the table .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Porter voted against the rule that allowed the House to move to consideration of the HEROES Act , but she voted for the final passage of the measure .
However , the California Democrat voted against the motion to recommit on the measure that banned direct payments to illegal immigrants .
In an e-mail statement to the Washington Examiner 's inquiry regarding her remarks on Tuesday , Porter responded , “ Local Republican and Democratic officials in my district agree : federal help for our teachers , firefighters , and police officers is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I led a bipartisan letter supporting this funding and voted for the Heroes Act , because it provides critical support to our state and local governments.
” While the measure would provide $ 1 trillion to state , local , municipal , and tribal governments , as well as $ 200 billion in “ hazard pay ” for front-line workers in places such as grocery stores and medical facilities , the bill also would repeal the state and local tax cap and includes $ 250 million in grants to help release formerly incarcerated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million for the National Endowment for the Arts and $ 10 million for the National Endowment for the Humanities .
House Democrats passed the HEROES Act in a 208-199 vote , mainly along party lines with nearly no Republican support .
Fourteen Democrats voted against the bill , while one Republican , Rep. Pete King of New York , voted for it .
Update : This article has been updated with Rep. Porter 's response to the Washington Examiner 's initial inquiry

Rep. Katie Porter, a California Democrat, told local supporters that the $3 trillion HEROES Act was a "Democratic wish list" that could hurt her reelection chances in her Orange County district.
During a livestreamed online meeting hosted by the Tustin Democratic Club on Tuesday, Porter spoke about political tactics surrounding the proposed coronavirus aid package, which would provide $1 trillion for states and cities, “hazard pay” for essential workers, and a new round of cash payments to individuals. The proposal passed the House narrowly, pushed through by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, but received a cold shoulder in the Republican-majority Senate.
“The HEROES Act is dead on arrival. There was no bipartisan negotiation here and no effort at bipartisan negotiation, which I also think is problematic," Porter said. "It’s not to say that we could’ve gotten there. It’s not to say that the Republicans would’ve agreed with our priorities. But I do not think it is a good look in a time of national crisis to act in a strictly partisan way. I don’t like it when Donald Trump does it, and I don’t like it when Nancy Pelosi does it."
Porter won her Orange County-based district in 2018, when it was one of seven California seats House Democrats picked up in 2018 to claim their first majority in eight years. While the area has moved away from its Republican roots, the House GOP's campaign arm is still making a concerted effort to defeat Porter, a former University of California, Irvine Law School professor.
As for the HEROES Act, she told Tustin Democrats, "I did find myself on the House floor thinking that my Republican colleagues who said, ‘This bill is a Democratic wish list written by a handful of Democrats and shoved down the throats of the rest of the Congress,’ I often don’t think that they have any point — I think they had a real point about this bill. So, the bill is going nowhere."
Porter, 46, also indicated she knew support for the bill could have political consequences for her.
"The way that we did this virtually guaranteed the bill was going to 1) die immediately and 2) that I would be hit with endless attacks about having supported a Democratic wish list with the most expensive government bill ever put out. It’s not a good look for someone like me in Orange County. It will make my reelection harder," Porter said. "And it’s not even the best policy approach that we could’ve brought to the table. So, I voted for it.”
Porter voted against the rule that allowed the House to move to consideration of the HEROES Act, but she voted for the final passage of the measure. However, the California Democrat voted against the motion to recommit on the measure that banned direct payments to illegal immigrants.
In an email statement to the Washington Examiner's inquiry regarding her remarks on Tuesday, Porter responded, “Local Republican and Democratic officials in my district agree: Federal help for our teachers, firefighters, and police officers is urgently needed. That’s why I led a bipartisan letter supporting this funding and voted for the Heroes Act, because it provides critical support to our state and local governments.”
While the measure would provide $1 trillion to state, local, municipal, and tribal governments, as well as $200 billion in “hazard pay” for front-line workers in places such as grocery stores and medical facilities, the bill also would repeal the state and local tax cap and includes $250 million in grants to help release formerly incarcerated individuals, as well as $10 million for the National Endowment for the Arts and $10 million for the National Endowment for the Humanities.
House Democrats passed the HEROES Act in a 208-199 vote, mainly along party lines with nearly no Republican support. Fourteen Democrats voted against the bill, while one Republican, Rep. Pete King of New York, voted for it.
Update: This article has been updated with Porter's response to the Washington Examiner's initial inquiry.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-21--Experience mattered in 2016, and Stacey Abrams doesn't have it for 2020

There ’ s an idea floating out there that President Trump proved “ experience ” is only marginally important to voters .
If that ’ s true , then who ’ s to say someone such as Stacey Abrams , with a resume about as thick as Prince William 's hair , should hesitate in feeling qualified to be vice president ?
That ’ s decidedly not what Trump 's winning campaign proved .
The only thing it proved is that a certain kind of experience can be more appealing than others .
There ’ s a reason Trump didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ himself a blank slate with no applicable knowledge to national politics .
To the contrary , he couldn ’ t stop bragging about his experience in business and real estate , which he said was critically needed on the presidential level .
“ I 've built a great company , ” he said in an interview with the Washington Post back in May 2016 .
“ I have very little debt .
My debt-to-asset value is extremely low , as you probably noticed .
I 've built a great company .
It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flow .
I have very little debt , and I have among the best assets in the world.
” At a rally earlier that year , he said , “ I ’ ve built an unbelievable company ” with , again , “ tremendous cash flow.
” He added , “ I ’ ve always been greedy .
I love money , right ?
But , you know what ?
I want to be greedy for our country.
” There are infinite reasons why any one person might have voted for Trump — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liked his position on immigration ; they didn ’ t like Hillary Clinton ’ s laugh — but his experience as the top executive of a multibillion-dollar business was certainly part of the president ’ s pitch .
Washington Post blogger Jennifer Rubin may have forgotten most everything she ever knew before 2016 , but she at least appears to have retained the knowledge that experience stands for something .
She otherwise wouldn ’ t have dedicated an entire column Wednesday to calling anyone who questions Abrams ’ s experience — what else @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the determination , ” wrote Rubin , “ to ignore her accomplishments ( she did found a voting rights group , deliver a response to the State of the Union and hold the minority leader position in her state for more than half a decade ) , the resentment over her insistence on calling out voter suppression as the reason for her loss and feigned offense at her ambition ( horrors ! )
smack of racism.
” Let it be known that filing paperwork to register the name of a nonprofit group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now major “ accomplishments ” on a presidential level , according to Rubin .
Abrams has , of course , done some things .
She won a state-level seat in several races , in which she had no opponent .
She lost her race for governor .
Then , she declined to run for a Senate seat despite Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer urging her to go for it .
That all amounts to something .
But experience is not now and never has been something voters aren ’ t looking at .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abrams as his running mate , they ’ ll see how unimpressive hers is .

There’s an idea floating out there that President Trump proved “experience” is only marginally important to voters. If that’s true, then who’s to say someone such as Stacey Abrams, with a resume about as thick as Prince William's hair, should hesitate in feeling qualified to be vice president?
That’s decidedly not what Trump's winning campaign proved. The only thing it proved is that a certain kind of experience can be more appealing than others.
There’s a reason Trump didn’t begin every public appearance declaring himself a blank slate with no applicable knowledge to national politics. To the contrary, he couldn’t stop bragging about his experience in business and real estate, which he said was critically needed on the presidential level.
“I've built a great company,” he said in an interview with the Washington Post back in May 2016. “I have very little debt. My debt-to-asset value is extremely low, as you probably noticed. I've built a great company. It's got great cash flow, tremendous cash flow. I have very little debt, and I have among the best assets in the world.”
At a rally earlier that year, he said, “I’ve built an unbelievable company” with, again, “tremendous cash flow.” He added, “I’ve always been greedy. I love money, right? But, you know what? I want to be greedy for our country.”
There are infinite reasons why any one person might have voted for Trump — they wanted “change”; they liked his position on immigration; they didn’t like Hillary Clinton’s laugh — but his experience as the top executive of a multibillion-dollar business was certainly part of the president’s pitch.
Washington Post blogger Jennifer Rubin may have forgotten most everything she ever knew before 2016, but she at least appears to have retained the knowledge that experience stands for something. She otherwise wouldn’t have dedicated an entire column Wednesday to calling anyone who questions Abrams’s experience — what else? — racist.
“The anger, the determination,” wrote Rubin, “to ignore her accomplishments (she did found a voting rights group, deliver a response to the State of the Union and hold the minority leader position in her state for more than half a decade), the resentment over her insistence on calling out voter suppression as the reason for her loss and feigned offense at her ambition (horrors!) smack of racism.”
Let it be known that filing paperwork to register the name of a nonprofit group and give a speech on TV are now major “accomplishments” on a presidential level, according to Rubin.
Abrams has, of course, done some things. She won a state-level seat in several races, in which she had no opponent. She lost her race for governor. Then, she declined to run for a Senate seat despite Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer urging her to go for it. That all amounts to something.
But experience is not now and never has been something voters aren’t looking at. And if Joe Biden were to choose Abrams as his running mate, they’ll see how unimpressive hers is.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-21--Steve King falls to second place in primary poll

A Republican polling firm issued a survey showing that voters in Rep. Steve King 's district now narrowly favor his GOP primary challenger .
The poll , which asked 400 Republican primary voters in Iowa 's 4th Congressional District and was commissioned by Public Opinion Strategies , found that 41 % currently support state Sen. Randy Feenstra , versus 39 % backing King .
`` Among self‐identified 'conservative ' voters , King leads by one point and among 'moderate ' and 'liberal ' GOP primary voters , Feenstra holds a 12‐point advantage , '' wrote the poll authors .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by 21 points , King leads in the Des Moines market by 10 points and across the other markets in the district by 18 points . ''
The survey has a 4.9 percentage point margin of error .
Iowa is scheduled to hold its Republican primary on June 2 , with much of the Republican establishment backing King 's challenger .
Several establishment-friendly PACs , such as the Republican Main Street Partnership PAC , have pledged money to King 's opponent .
Some House Republicans , including Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ King 's resignation last year following remarks that seemed sympathetic to white nationalism .
`` White nationalist , white supremacist , Western civilization — how did that language become offensive ?
” King said .
Earlier in the month , the Republican Jewish Coalition announced its support for Feenstra and pledged to use its donor network to provide funding to his campaign .
Feenstra has outraised King in every quarter of the campaign cycle so far .
On March 31 , King 's campaign reported cash reserves of just under $ 27,000 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ found King leading with 39 % of the vote , compared to his 36 % .

A Republican polling firm issued a survey showing that voters in Rep. Steve King's district now narrowly favor his GOP primary challenger.
The poll, which asked 400 Republican primary voters in Iowa's 4th Congressional District and was commissioned by Public Opinion Strategies, found that 41% currently support state Sen. Randy Feenstra, versus 39% backing King.
"Among self‐identified 'conservative' voters, King leads by one point and among 'moderate' and 'liberal' GOP primary voters, Feenstra holds a 12‐point advantage," wrote the poll authors. "Feenstra leads in the Sioux City market by 21 points, King leads in the Des Moines market by 10 points and across the other markets in the district by 18 points."
The survey has a 4.9 percentage point margin of error.
Iowa is scheduled to hold its Republican primary on June 2, with much of the Republican establishment backing King's challenger.
Several establishment-friendly PACs, such as the Republican Main Street Partnership PAC, have pledged money to King's opponent. Some House Republicans, including Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming, the third-highest Republican lawmaker, called for King's resignation last year following remarks that seemed sympathetic to white nationalism.
"White nationalist, white supremacist, Western civilization — how did that language become offensive?” King said.
Earlier in the month, the Republican Jewish Coalition announced its support for Feenstra and pledged to use its donor network to provide funding to his campaign.
Feenstra has outraised King in every quarter of the campaign cycle so far. On March 31, King's campaign reported cash reserves of just under $27,000.
A poll commissioned by Feenstra last week found King leading with 39% of the vote, compared to his 36%.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-21--Lead Mueller team prosecutor hosting Biden fundraiser

One of the most prominent members of Robert Mueller 's special counsel team is headlining a fundraiser for Joe Biden 's presidential campaign .
Andrew Weissmann , a former Department of Justice lawyer who later held the second-most senior position in the special counsel 's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election , will host a `` fireside chat '' for the former vice president 's donors on June 2 .
The event will be hosted over Zoom and co-hosted by attorney and law professor Anne Milgram .
“ It ’ s no surprise that a guy who tried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sham impeachment would also help Joe Biden ’ s campaign , '' Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh told the Washington Examiner .
`` It doesn ’ t get any swampier than this : trying to stage a partisan coup against the President and then raising money for his political opponent.
” Weissmann was considered Mueller 's `` pit bull '' during the Russia investigation and is widely considered a key player behind the Justice Department 's charges against President Trump 's former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and his deputy , Rick Gates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has joined MSNBC as a legal analyst , where he regularly attacks Trump and his administration .
Weissmann was also supportive of the House Democrats ' impeachment of Trump and compared the president 's alleged crimes stemming from the Ukraine whistleblower scandal to Watergate .
In April , Weissmann said Attorney General William Barr was `` in bed '' with the president and railed against any potential pardon for former national security adviser Michael Flynn .
`` I was in the Department of Justice for over 20 years , and I think the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the parochial point of view of what I think the department is doing , which I think the department is trying to soften the blow and make it politically easier for the president to pardon Gen. Flynn .
The disclosure of documents from a purported neutral team that is reviewing the Flynn case , it seems kind of laughable to me , '' Weissmann said on MSNBC in April .

One of the most prominent members of Robert Mueller's special counsel team is headlining a fundraiser for Joe Biden's presidential campaign.
Andrew Weissmann, a former Department of Justice lawyer who later held the second-most senior position in the special counsel's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, will host a "fireside chat" for the former vice president's donors on June 2.
The event will be hosted over Zoom and co-hosted by attorney and law professor Anne Milgram.
“It’s no surprise that a guy who tried to take down the President through the sham impeachment would also help Joe Biden’s campaign," Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh told the Washington Examiner. "It doesn’t get any swampier than this: trying to stage a partisan coup against the President and then raising money for his political opponent.”
Weissmann was considered Mueller's "pit bull" during the Russia investigation and is widely considered a key player behind the Justice Department's charges against President Trump's former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and his deputy, Rick Gates.
Since leaving the DOJ, Wiessmann has joined MSNBC as a legal analyst, where he regularly attacks Trump and his administration. Weissmann was also supportive of the House Democrats' impeachment of Trump and compared the president's alleged crimes stemming from the Ukraine whistleblower scandal to Watergate.
In April, Weissmann said Attorney General William Barr was "in bed" with the president and railed against any potential pardon for former national security adviser Michael Flynn.
"I was in the Department of Justice for over 20 years, and I think the way I look at this is from the parochial point of view of what I think the department is doing, which I think the department is trying to soften the blow and make it politically easier for the president to pardon Gen. Flynn. The disclosure of documents from a purported neutral team that is reviewing the Flynn case, it seems kind of laughable to me," Weissmann said on MSNBC in April.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-21--Bernie Sanders delegates asked to sign pledge agreeing to play nice at Democratic convention

Bernie Sanders 's delegates are being asked not to attack Democrats publicly on social media or to speak to members of the press without approval .
The Vermont senator 's campaign has shared a tentative agreement with some but not all of the supporters who will represent him at the Democratic National Convention , set to take place at the moment from Aug. 17-20 in Milwaukee .
“ Refrain from making negative statements about other candidates , party leaders , Campaigns , Campaign staffers , supporters , news organizations or journalists , '' the nondisparagement arrangement reads , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , `` This Campaign is about the issues and finding solutions to America ’ s problems .
Our job is to differentiate the senator from his opponents on the issues — not through personal attacks.
” The framework , which would allow for delegates to be stripped of their duties for rules violations , has not been finalized as Sanders 's team adjusts the terms of the social media policy , nondisclosure agreement , and delegate code of conduct form to satisfy rankled delegates .
The social media policy is particularly important given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least partially , online amid the coronavirus pandemic .
“ When delegates attend the Democratic convention , they will be representing Sen. Sanders , the ideas he ran on and the millions of working people who supported his campaign , ” Sanders spokesman Mike Casca told the Washington Post .
“ That is a serious responsibility , and we ’ re asking them to follow a basic code of conduct while carrying out that duty.
” A Sanders spokeswoman did n't immediately respond to the Washington Examiner 's request for comment .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ demand of presumptive 2020 Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden , is an attempt to avoid the display of disunity in 2016 , when Hillary Clinton was the party 's standard-bearer .
Sanders backers have continued to support their candidate aggressively this cycle , sometimes to the chagrin of the socialist , who dropped out of White House contention in April .
While Biden and Sanders are closer than the Vermont senator was with Clinton and the two-term vice president has adopted some of his former rival 's ideas , forming policy task forces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's base .
Sanders told MSNBC this week that Biden “ is gon na have to reach out to working-class people and young people in a way that he has not done up to now .
”

Bernie Sanders's delegates are being asked not to attack Democrats publicly on social media or to speak to members of the press without approval.
The Vermont senator's campaign has shared a tentative agreement with some but not all of the supporters who will represent him at the Democratic National Convention, set to take place at the moment from Aug. 17-20 in Milwaukee.
“Refrain from making negative statements about other candidates, party leaders, Campaigns, Campaign staffers, supporters, news organizations or journalists," the nondisparagement arrangement reads, according to the Washington Post.
The document adds, "This Campaign is about the issues and finding solutions to America’s problems. Our job is to differentiate the senator from his opponents on the issues — not through personal attacks.”
The framework, which would allow for delegates to be stripped of their duties for rules violations, has not been finalized as Sanders's team adjusts the terms of the social media policy, nondisclosure agreement, and delegate code of conduct form to satisfy rankled delegates. The social media policy is particularly important given the convention is likely to unfold, at least partially, online amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“When delegates attend the Democratic convention, they will be representing Sen. Sanders, the ideas he ran on and the millions of working people who supported his campaign,” Sanders spokesman Mike Casca told the Washington Post. “That is a serious responsibility, and we’re asking them to follow a basic code of conduct while carrying out that duty.”
A Sanders spokeswoman didn't immediately respond to the Washington Examiner's request for comment.
The arrangement, which wasn't a demand of presumptive 2020 Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, is an attempt to avoid the display of disunity in 2016, when Hillary Clinton was the party's standard-bearer. Sanders backers have continued to support their candidate aggressively this cycle, sometimes to the chagrin of the socialist, who dropped out of White House contention in April.
While Biden and Sanders are closer than the Vermont senator was with Clinton and the two-term vice president has adopted some of his former rival's ideas, forming policy task forces, concerns persist regarding holdouts in Sanders's base.
Sanders told MSNBC this week that Biden “is gonna have to reach out to working-class people and young people in a way that he has not done up to now.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-21--Biden campaign hire signals concerns about black vote

The black vote may have propelled Joe Biden to victory in the Democratic primary process , but his campaign still needs nearly record turnout from minority voters if he hopes to unseat President Trump in November .
On Wednesday , the presumptive 2020 Democratic nominee 's campaign announced the hiring of Karine Jean-Pierre as a senior adviser , signaling its focus on making sure black voters remain engaged .
`` I am thrilled to announce that I will be joining the Biden campaign as a Senior Adviser .
This is the most important general election in generations and I just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I look forward to doing this work with @ JoeBiden and the team !
, '' Jean-Pierre wrote on Twitter Wednesday evening .
Jean-Pierre , who resigned from her stint as an MSNBC analyst for the job , also worked as the chief public affairs officer for the progressive organization MoveOn .
She was Barack Obama 's southeast regional political director in his 2008 presidential campaign and was in several roles with the then-president 's White House and reelection teams .
Black turnout dipped in the 2016 election from its historic highs under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blame this for Hillary Clinton 's loss to Trump .
Just 59 % of black voters participated in the 2016 election , down from 66 % in 2012 and 65 % in 2008 .
In comparison , white voters slightly increased their turnout by 1 percentage point to 65 % .
Trump won a number of swing states , including Michigan , Wisconsin , and Pennsylvania , with large black urban populations , by a margin of 1 point or less .
“ Black voters , black women , have helped him get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Washington Post .
“ When everybody was counting him out , black voters spoke out .
I am so proud and excited as a black woman watching how black women have exerted their power … we had to say loud and clear this ( the actions of the Trump administration ) is not OK. ” Trump is also focused on increasing his own black support from the dismal 8 % he received in 2016 .
Some polls have shown his approval among blacks as high as 19 % , which the Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outreach program is working .
“ The Trump campaign has a significant advantage because of our long-term investment in data and technological infrastructure .
Because of those advantages , our Black Voices for Trump coalition has been able to quickly shift gears and jump right in to engaging with black voters and volunteers digitally , '' said Ken Farnaso , the Trump campaign 's deputy press secretary .
In the last year , the Trump campaign has opened numerous urban field offices in swing states such as Florida , Georgia , Wisconsin , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never going to get the votes you don ’ t ask for , ” Jared Kushner , Trump ’ s son-in-law and close adviser , told reporters on a call in February .
“ Last time , it was , ‘ What the hell do you have to lose ?
’ Now , we ’ re going to show them what they ’ ve gained from President Trump and what more they can gain if they get four more years .
”

The black vote may have propelled Joe Biden to victory in the Democratic primary process, but his campaign still needs nearly record turnout from minority voters if he hopes to unseat President Trump in November.
On Wednesday, the presumptive 2020 Democratic nominee's campaign announced the hiring of Karine Jean-Pierre as a senior adviser, signaling its focus on making sure black voters remain engaged.
"I am thrilled to announce that I will be joining the Biden campaign as a Senior Adviser. This is the most important general election in generations and I just could not sit this election out. I look forward to doing this work with @JoeBiden and the team!," Jean-Pierre wrote on Twitter Wednesday evening.
Jean-Pierre, who resigned from her stint as an MSNBC analyst for the job, also worked as the chief public affairs officer for the progressive organization MoveOn. She was Barack Obama's southeast regional political director in his 2008 presidential campaign and was in several roles with the then-president's White House and reelection teams.
Black turnout dipped in the 2016 election from its historic highs under Obama, and many Democratic strategists partially blame this for Hillary Clinton's loss to Trump.
Just 59% of black voters participated in the 2016 election, down from 66% in 2012 and 65% in 2008. In comparison, white voters slightly increased their turnout by 1 percentage point to 65%.
Trump won a number of swing states, including Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania, with large black urban populations, by a margin of 1 point or less.
“Black voters, black women, have helped him get to this point,” Jean-Pierre told the Washington Post. “When everybody was counting him out, black voters spoke out. I am so proud and excited as a black woman watching how black women have exerted their power … we had to say loud and clear this (the actions of the Trump administration) is not OK.”
Trump is also focused on increasing his own black support from the dismal 8% he received in 2016. Some polls have shown his approval among blacks as high as 19%, which the Trump campaign says is evidence its multimillion-dollar black outreach program is working.
“The Trump campaign has a significant advantage because of our long-term investment in data and technological infrastructure. Because of those advantages, our Black Voices for Trump coalition has been able to quickly shift gears and jump right in to engaging with black voters and volunteers digitally," said Ken Farnaso, the Trump campaign's deputy press secretary.
In the last year, the Trump campaign has opened numerous urban field offices in swing states such as Florida, Georgia, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania.
“You’re never going to get the votes you don’t ask for,” Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and close adviser, told reporters on a call in February. “Last time, it was, ‘What the hell do you have to lose?’ Now, we’re going to show them what they’ve gained from President Trump and what more they can gain if they get four more years.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-21--Poll shows Biden beating Trump like a drum. Here’s what's really going on

Joe Biden is just demolishing President Trump if you believe the latest national poll .
There 's a good reason to think this wo n't last though .
Former Vice President Biden leads President Trump 50 % to 39 % , according to the latest poll by Quinnipiac University , whose polling operation is nationally renowned .
( If you ’ re wondering , Quinnipiac ’ s late-May poll in 2016 showed Hillary Clinton leading Trump by 2 points , which ended up being her final margin of victory in the popular vote . )
Here ’ s the interesting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden surge than a Trump collapse .
The new Quinnipiac poll shows a tiny downtick in Trump ’ s approval rating , from 45 % in April to 42 % now .
The current 42 % is in line with what Trump ’ s approval has been for most of the past 3.5 years , so it ’ s not as if the virus or the economy is causing a ton of people to abandon Trump .
It seems something is causing people to come to terms with Biden .
The RealClearPolitics average @ @ @ @ @ @ @ average was 46.8 % on May 10 .
He ’ s exceeded that in every poll since then , and his average is now 48.7 % .
Trump ’ s average has moved , on net , less than 1 percentage point .
This isn ’ t great news for Biden .
He ’ s been mostly absent in the past month .
If he surges when nobody is paying attention to him , that bodes ill for the fall , when he will presumably debate Trump three times and the national press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden should be more cheered if he saw Trump 's approval rating cratering , but that 's not happening .
He 's still at his normal 42 % .
Whatever you make of this Quinnipiac poll , this much is clear : Biden is polling ahead of Trump .
Biden has led Trump in basically every single poll all year .
Two polls in April showed a tie .
One poll back in February showed Trump ahead of Biden 52 % to 48 % .
That was back when Biden had lost Iowa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no deadly pandemic sweeping the United States and causing unprecedented job loss .
In general , the numbers are pretty consistent .
Biden is between 47 % and 50 % in 12 of the last 16 national polls covered by RealClearPolitics .
And Trump is between 41 % and 44 % in 11 of those 16 .
That is , Biden is consistently polling in the high 40s , and Trump is consistently polling in the low 40s .
In the swing states , it ’ s the same story .
Biden has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cycle .
Biden has led Trump in every Wisconsin poll and every Pennsylvania poll since mid-February .
If Trump loses Michigan , Wisconsin , and Pennsylvania without picking up a new state , he will lose to Biden in November .
Making things worse for Trump , Biden generally leads in Florida .
Yes , things can change .
Maybe when Biden starts speaking , they will .

Joe Biden is just demolishing President Trump if you believe the latest national poll. There's a good reason to think this won't last though.
Former Vice President Biden leads President Trump 50% to 39%, according to the latest poll by Quinnipiac University, whose polling operation is nationally renowned. (If you’re wondering, Quinnipiac’s late-May poll in 2016 showed Hillary Clinton leading Trump by 2 points, which ended up being her final margin of victory in the popular vote.)
Here’s the interesting thing: This looks more like a Biden surge than a Trump collapse.
The new Quinnipiac poll shows a tiny downtick in Trump’s approval rating, from 45% in April to 42% now. The current 42% is in line with what Trump’s approval has been for most of the past 3.5 years, so it’s not as if the virus or the economy is causing a ton of people to abandon Trump. It seems something is causing people to come to terms with Biden.
The RealClearPolitics average bears this out. Biden’s average was 46.8% on May 10. He’s exceeded that in every poll since then, and his average is now 48.7%. Trump’s average has moved, on net, less than 1 percentage point.
This isn’t great news for Biden. He’s been mostly absent in the past month. If he surges when nobody is paying attention to him, that bodes ill for the fall, when he will presumably debate Trump three times and the national press will be focused on the election. Biden should be more cheered if he saw Trump's approval rating cratering, but that's not happening. He's still at his normal 42%.
Whatever you make of this Quinnipiac poll, this much is clear: Biden is polling ahead of Trump.
Biden has led Trump in basically every single poll all year. Two polls in April showed a tie. One poll back in February showed Trump ahead of Biden 52% to 48%. That was back when Biden had lost Iowa and New Hampshire and when there was no deadly pandemic sweeping the United States and causing unprecedented job loss.
In general, the numbers are pretty consistent. Biden is between 47% and 50% in 12 of the last 16 national polls covered by RealClearPolitics. And Trump is between 41% and 44% in 11 of those 16. That is, Biden is consistently polling in the high 40s, and Trump is consistently polling in the low 40s.
In the swing states, it’s the same story. Biden has led Trump in every Michigan poll this cycle. Biden has led Trump in every Wisconsin poll and every Pennsylvania poll since mid-February.
If Trump loses Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania without picking up a new state, he will lose to Biden in November. Making things worse for Trump, Biden generally leads in Florida.
Yes, things can change. Maybe when Biden starts speaking, they will.