thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-22--Arizona could be tipping-point state for Biden to win the White House

PHOENIX — No Democratic presidential candidate has won Arizona since 1996 , and that was the only time it 's happened since Harry Truman nabbed it in 1948 .
But the party is packing an aggressive pitch to voters there this year , particularly in voter-rich Maricopa County .
Democrats have long had their eye on competing fiercely in Arizona , with its rising Latino community and former California residents who moved slightly east for the lower housing costs while continuing to reside in warm weather .
And many traditional Arizona Republicans , in the Barry Goldwater and John McCain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's bellicose style and are ready to cross the aisle and back Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden .
Democratic sights on Arizona began seriously in 2018 , when then-Rep. Kyrsten Sinema won the state 's open Senate seat that cycle .
Sinema was the first Democrat to win a Senate race there since Dennis DeConcini clinched his third and final six-year term in 1988 .
Sinema 's strength lied in Maricopa County , home of Phoenix and its surrounding suburbs .
Roughly 60 % of all likely voters in the state reside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say the state continues trending into the Democratic column .
The nonpartisan Cook Political Report moved the state from the `` toss-up '' to the `` lean Democrat '' column earlier this month .
A poll of voters in the state showed Biden leading Trump by 5 points at 45 % support .
A RealClearPolitics average of the state has Biden leading by 5 points with 49.2 % support .
Complications for Trump generally revolve around his bleeding of college-educated voters , something Republicans continue struggling with around the country .
The campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state , although Trump talked to supporters there earlier this month for a roundtable event in Phoenix , his fifth stop during the campaign .
Vice President Mike Pence visited the state as well , meeting with supporters in Phoenix .
“ The road to victory runs right through Arizona , ” Pence said .
[ Read more : Biden hoping demographic changes will help him seize Arizona from Trump ] To make up for the loss of college-educated whites , the Trump campaign has heavily pivoted to the Hispanic vote .
Recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ win a historic portion of that group in November , although some are skeptical as to whether those numbers will remain true on Election Day .
“ Latinos need the free market , and the free market needs Latinos , ” Pence said during his stop .
The Biden campaign , meanwhile , has pledged tens of millions dollars in advertising in the Phoenix market .
During a virtual event , Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. Kamala Harris gave her own pitch to Latino voters .
`` We 're engaging community members like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all across Arizona ... we know that you are the backbone of this state , '' Harris said .
Trump won the state in 2016 with just over 48 % of the vote , compared with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton 's 44.58 % .
That margin of victory was almost a third lower than Mitt Romney 's in 2012 , when he beat President Barack Obama in the state by 9.03 % of the vote .
Despite the 2016 campaign , warning signs for the Trump campaign were in the open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2.84 % margin of victory , compared with Romney 's 10.69 % .
The last president to win the state with a lower margin of victory was Bill Clinton in 1996 , with a 2.2 % margin .

PHOENIX — No Democratic presidential candidate has won Arizona since 1996, and that was the only time it's happened since Harry Truman nabbed it in 1948. But the party is packing an aggressive pitch to voters there this year, particularly in voter-rich Maricopa County.
Democrats have long had their eye on competing fiercely in Arizona, with its rising Latino community and former California residents who moved slightly east for the lower housing costs while continuing to reside in warm weather. And many traditional Arizona Republicans, in the Barry Goldwater and John McCain mold, aren't fans of President Trump's bellicose style and are ready to cross the aisle and back Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.
Democratic sights on Arizona began seriously in 2018, when then-Rep. Kyrsten Sinema won the state's open Senate seat that cycle. Sinema was the first Democrat to win a Senate race there since Dennis DeConcini clinched his third and final six-year term in 1988. Sinema's strength lied in Maricopa County, home of Phoenix and its surrounding suburbs. Roughly 60% of all likely voters in the state reside in that county alone.
Election forecasters say the state continues trending into the Democratic column. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report moved the state from the "toss-up" to the "lean Democrat" column earlier this month. A poll of voters in the state showed Biden leading Trump by 5 points at 45% support.
A RealClearPolitics average of the state has Biden leading by 5 points with 49.2% support.
Complications for Trump generally revolve around his bleeding of college-educated voters, something Republicans continue struggling with around the country. The campaign has also begun pulling advertising from the state, although Trump talked to supporters there earlier this month for a roundtable event in Phoenix, his fifth stop during the campaign. Vice President Mike Pence visited the state as well, meeting with supporters in Phoenix.
“The road to victory runs right through Arizona,” Pence said.
[Read more: Biden hoping demographic changes will help him seize Arizona from Trump]
To make up for the loss of college-educated whites, the Trump campaign has heavily pivoted to the Hispanic vote. Recent polling shows Trump having the potential to win a historic portion of that group in November, although some are skeptical as to whether those numbers will remain true on Election Day.
“Latinos need the free market, and the free market needs Latinos,” Pence said during his stop.
The Biden campaign, meanwhile, has pledged tens of millions dollars in advertising in the Phoenix market. During a virtual event, Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. Kamala Harris gave her own pitch to Latino voters.
"We're engaging community members like you, the people who run businesses all across Arizona ... we know that you are the backbone of this state," Harris said.
Trump won the state in 2016 with just over 48% of the vote, compared with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's 44.58%. That margin of victory was almost a third lower than Mitt Romney's in 2012, when he beat President Barack Obama in the state by 9.03% of the vote.
Despite the 2016 campaign, warning signs for the Trump campaign were in the open. Trump won Maricopa County with a 2.84% margin of victory, compared with Romney's 10.69%. The last president to win the state with a lower margin of victory was Bill Clinton in 1996, with a 2.2% margin.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-22--Democrats and liberal groups distance themselves from far-left positions weeks before election

Radical chic may not be a winning electoral strategy , after all .
Liberal institutions , ranging from the New York Times to universities , are now backtracking from far-left positions as the November election inches closer and President Trump attempts to tie Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden to more radical elements within the Democratic Party in an attempt to court the middle ground .
Many of the reversals have been done quietly , with the Black Lives Matter group eliminating a page on its website titled , `` What We Believe , '' which outlined proposals such as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overturning the `` Western-prescribed nuclear family structure . ''
In June , the Republican Party released a television ad attacking Black Lives Matter as a Marxist group hellbent on `` destroying America . ''
Following a summer of civil unrest and rioting , voter approval of Black Lives Matter has dropped precipitously .
In August , the group saw a 13 % drop in support among Wisconsin residents , with just 48 % backing Black Lives Matter-led protests in the state .
Those kinds of secret revisions also took place at the New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from both the Left and the Right over the 1619 Project , an editorially driven series reexamining the role of slavery in society .
The central claim of 1619 Project author Nikole Hannah-Jones initially was that the `` true founding '' of the United States was when the first African slaves arrived on North American shores .
Hannah-Jones has argued slavery is inherently intertwined with Western capitalism and that the Revolutionary War was fought to preserve the institution of slavery rather than gaining independence from Britain .
Historians , including a number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Neither the New York Times nor Hannah-Jones now claims that 1619 represented the country 's `` true founding . ''
The newspaper went as far as quietly deleting language from the online version of the essays .
No editor 's note was given , nor has the paper commented on the substantial revision .
Hannah-Jones now says the series of essays `` never pretended to be history '' despite the fact that she and the New York Times repeatedly described the project as such and is in the process of reaching a deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the essay to public school students .
The changes came after Trump announced that the Department of Education will consider cutting funding to any schools using Hannah-Jones 's work in the curriculum .
Earlier this month , the president also issued an executive order establishing the `` 1776 Commission '' that would help bolster `` patriotic education '' in public schools .
And as progressive activists have called for the toppling of virtually any statues honoring the country 's founders , elected Democratic officials have taken a significantly stronger tone against rioting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We participate in them .
They are part of the essence of our democracy .
That does not include looting , starting fires , or rioting , '' House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Sept. 17 .
`` They should be prosecuted .
That is lawlessness . ''
Pelosi 's words mirror those of the former vice president , who began calling for peace after billions of dollars of damage was dealt to businesses and public property in cities ranging from Los Angeles to Minneapolis .
`` Yes , I do [ condemn ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Biden said on Sept. 7 after being asked if he disavowed the far-left group antifa .
The pleading from Democrats , including Pelosi and Biden , seems to have caught the ears of some English department faculty members at the University of Chicago , which removed a statement from its homepage pledging to admit only graduate students who are interested in `` working in and with Black studies . ''
“ English as a discipline has a long history of providing aesthetic rationalizations for colonization , exploitation , extraction , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Our discipline is responsible for developing hierarchies of cultural production that have contributed directly to social and systemic determinations of whose lives matter and why . ''

Radical chic may not be a winning electoral strategy, after all.
Liberal institutions, ranging from the New York Times to universities, are now backtracking from far-left positions as the November election inches closer and President Trump attempts to tie Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden to more radical elements within the Democratic Party in an attempt to court the middle ground.
Many of the reversals have been done quietly, with the Black Lives Matter group eliminating a page on its website titled, "What We Believe," which outlined proposals such as a "national defunding of police" and overturning the "Western-prescribed nuclear family structure." In June, the Republican Party released a television ad attacking Black Lives Matter as a Marxist group hellbent on "destroying America."
Following a summer of civil unrest and rioting, voter approval of Black Lives Matter has dropped precipitously. In August, the group saw a 13% drop in support among Wisconsin residents, with just 48% backing Black Lives Matter-led protests in the state.
Those kinds of secret revisions also took place at the New York Times, which has faced criticism from both the Left and the Right over the 1619 Project, an editorially driven series reexamining the role of slavery in society. The central claim of 1619 Project author Nikole Hannah-Jones initially was that the "true founding" of the United States was when the first African slaves arrived on North American shores.
Hannah-Jones has argued slavery is inherently intertwined with Western capitalism and that the Revolutionary War was fought to preserve the institution of slavery rather than gaining independence from Britain. Historians, including a number of Marxists, have criticized her premise.
Neither the New York Times nor Hannah-Jones now claims that 1619 represented the country's "true founding." The newspaper went as far as quietly deleting language from the online version of the essays. No editor's note was given, nor has the paper commented on the substantial revision. Hannah-Jones now says the series of essays "never pretended to be history" despite the fact that she and the New York Times repeatedly described the project as such and is in the process of reaching a deal with textbook companies to distribute a version of the essay to public school students.
The changes came after Trump announced that the Department of Education will consider cutting funding to any schools using Hannah-Jones's work in the curriculum. Earlier this month, the president also issued an executive order establishing the "1776 Commission" that would help bolster "patriotic education" in public schools.
And as progressive activists have called for the toppling of virtually any statues honoring the country's founders, elected Democratic officials have taken a significantly stronger tone against rioting.
"We support peaceful demonstrations. We participate in them. They are part of the essence of our democracy. That does not include looting, starting fires, or rioting," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Sept. 17. "They should be prosecuted. That is lawlessness."
Pelosi's words mirror those of the former vice president, who began calling for peace after billions of dollars of damage was dealt to businesses and public property in cities ranging from Los Angeles to Minneapolis.
"Yes, I do [condemn] violence, no matter who it is," Biden said on Sept. 7 after being asked if he disavowed the far-left group antifa.
The pleading from Democrats, including Pelosi and Biden, seems to have caught the ears of some English department faculty members at the University of Chicago, which removed a statement from its homepage pledging to admit only graduate students who are interested in "working in and with Black studies."
“English as a discipline has a long history of providing aesthetic rationalizations for colonization, exploitation, extraction, and anti-Blackness," the statement read. "Our discipline is responsible for developing hierarchies of cultural production that have contributed directly to social and systemic determinations of whose lives matter and why."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-22--Topics announced for first debate between Trump and Biden

The Commission on Presidential Debates revealed the topics for the first presidential debate between President Trump and Joe Biden on Tuesday .
The six topics , chosen by debate moderator Chris Wallace , are : The Trump and Biden records .
The Supreme Court .
COVID-19 .
The economy .
Race and violence in our cities .
The integrity of the election .
The topics are subject to possible changes due to developing news and will not necessarily be brought up in the above order .
Topics for each debate are to be announced at least a week in advance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the leading issues facing the country , '' according to the commission .
Wallace will moderate six segments of approximately 15 minutes each on the topics .
He will open each segment with a question , and the president and the Democratic presidential nominee will each have two minutes to respond .
After that , Trump and Biden can respond to each other , while Wallace will balance time between the two for the remaining discussion time about the topic .
The first debate takes place on Tuesday , Sept. 29 from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland , Ohio .
More on what to know about the presidential debates is available here .

The Commission on Presidential Debates revealed the topics for the first presidential debate between President Trump and Joe Biden on Tuesday.
The six topics, chosen by debate moderator Chris Wallace, are:
The Trump and Biden records.
The Supreme Court.
COVID-19.
The economy.
Race and violence in our cities.
The integrity of the election.
The topics are subject to possible changes due to developing news and will not necessarily be brought up in the above order. Topics for each debate are to be announced at least a week in advance in order to "encourage deep discussion of the leading issues facing the country," according to the commission.
Wallace will moderate six segments of approximately 15 minutes each on the topics. He will open each segment with a question, and the president and the Democratic presidential nominee will each have two minutes to respond. After that, Trump and Biden can respond to each other, while Wallace will balance time between the two for the remaining discussion time about the topic.
The first debate takes place on Tuesday, Sept. 29 from 9 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio.
More on what to know about the presidential debates is available here.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-22--Multiple 'undecided' voters at ABC town hall had history of anti-Trump social media posts

“ Undecided ” voters selected by ABC to participate in a town hall with President Trump may not have been undecided after all .
Kutztown University professor Ellesia Blaque and Pastor Carl Day both made multiple anti-Trump posts before ABC ’ s “ undecided voter ” town hall .
Blaque referred to Trump as a `` f -- -ing moron , '' a “ swine , ” and a “ pig , ” adding that she felt “ so sorry ” for first lady Melania Trump , according to social media posts obtained by the Washington Free Beacon .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a post commenting on the crowdfunding campaign for a wall on the U.S. border with Mexico .
Blacque describes herself as a “ liberal Democrat ” on her Facebook profile .
After Sen. Kamala Harris announced she was running for president in January , Blaque said she would volunteer for Harris in Pennsylvania and was “ so excited ” about the California Democrat ’ s campaign .
In an interview with MSNBC after the town hall , Blaque said that “ it was never a question of will I vote for Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she “ did n't know if I was going to vote or not.
” Blaque told Joy Reid that she watches Reid ’ s show “ every night ” and had a photo of Michelle Obama behind her during her appearance on the network .
The English professor wrote an opinion piece for CNN after the town hall , arguing that the president saw her as a “ fat Black woman.
” Only a month before ABC ’ s town hall , Day tweeted that he `` never once supported trump and wo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Make America Great Again ” refers to a period in U.S. history when “ n -- -- -- did what they were told.
” A spokesperson told the Free Beacon that the voters identified themselves to ABC as “ uncommitted.
” At the time of publication , ABC had not responded to the Washington Examiner ’ s request for comment .

“Undecided” voters selected by ABC to participate in a town hall with President Trump may not have been undecided after all.
Kutztown University professor Ellesia Blaque and Pastor Carl Day both made multiple anti-Trump posts before ABC’s “undecided voter” town hall.
Blaque referred to Trump as a "f---ing moron," a “swine,” and a “pig,” adding that she felt “so sorry” for first lady Melania Trump, according to social media posts obtained by the Washington Free Beacon. She also called Trump voters “LOOSERS” in a post commenting on the crowdfunding campaign for a wall on the U.S. border with Mexico.
Blacque describes herself as a “liberal Democrat” on her Facebook profile.
After Sen. Kamala Harris announced she was running for president in January, Blaque said she would volunteer for Harris in Pennsylvania and was “so excited” about the California Democrat’s campaign.
In an interview with MSNBC after the town hall, Blaque said that “it was never a question of will I vote for Trump or Biden," but rather that she “didn't know if I was going to vote or not.” Blaque told Joy Reid that she watches Reid’s show “every night” and had a photo of Michelle Obama behind her during her appearance on the network. The English professor wrote an opinion piece for CNN after the town hall, arguing that the president saw her as a “fat Black woman.”
Only a month before ABC’s town hall, Day tweeted that he "never once supported trump and won't now” and argued the slogan “Make America Great Again” refers to a period in U.S. history when “n------ did what they were told.”
A spokesperson told the Free Beacon that the voters identified themselves to ABC as “uncommitted.” At the time of publication, ABC had not responded to the Washington Examiner’s request for comment.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-22--Trump campaign says it doesn't need to win Florida — but will win Florida

The Trump campaign sees a path to winning reelection — even if it loses Florida .
Having redrawn the electoral map in 2016 , the argument runs that he can get away with losing both Arizona or Florida and still clinch 270 Electoral College votes .
“ Now , by no means do we think the president is not going to carry Florida , in fact , ” said Nick Trainer , the director of battleground strategy , cutting off his own train of thought during a recent briefing with journalists — before he , in turn , was cut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Let me say it again : The president will win Florida , ” said Stepien .
So , the president does not have to win Florida .
He can get by with expanding his map in the Midwest .
But he will win Florida .
Get it ?
Either way , the perennial swing state is once again one of the most critical battlegrounds in the presidential election .
And polls suggest a tightening race as both candidates pour time and money into the state .
Last week , Democratic presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visit to Florida , spending a day along the Interstate 4 corridor , where elections can be won or lost .
The same math has played out for decades .
Republicans can bank on votes in conservative northern and southwestern Florida , while Democrats win big numbers in the big population centers of southern Florida .
That leaves both sides battling it out for swing votes in the urban and suburban purple areas running from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean along Interstate 4 .
This is why Biden visited Tampa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , for a Hispanic Heritage Month event .
Ivanka Trump was in the area last week too .
The stakes are huge .
Florida has backed the winning candidate in every election for the past five decades , with the exception of 1992 .
And while Democrats believe Biden has multiple paths to the presidency , with or without the Sunshine State , they see Florida as a place where they can halt Trump in his tracks .
“ There is no realistic path to a second Trump term without Florida , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firm GQR for Unite The Country , a pro-Biden super PAC .
Success lies in “ holding college-educated whites , increasing his support among non-Cuban Hispanics to Clinton levels and turning out African Americans ( currently 85 percent Biden ) , ” it concluded .
That hints at a growing concern in the Biden camp that his support is not where it needs to be among Hispanic voters — who , in any case , lean more Republican than Hispanic voters elsewhere because of Florida ’ s Cuban American population .
Trump is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who was part of an administration that built diplomatic links and trade ties with the island nation .
And in recent days , the president has narrowed the overall deficit .
A CBS News poll suggested that Biden leads Trump 48 % to 46 % among likely voters , a change from a string of results in August and July that saw the Democratic challenger with an advantage of 6 points or more .
Both sides still have wild cards up their sleeve .
A Florida judge is among the candidates being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Supreme Court seat .
Barbara Lagoa would become only the second Latina appointed to the highest court in the land .
And Biden ’ s team is getting a $ 100 million cash injection from billionaire Mike Bloomberg — on the condition that every dollar is spent in Florida .
The fight for Florida ’ s 29 Electoral College votes is a long way from done .

The Trump campaign sees a path to winning reelection — even if it loses Florida.
Having redrawn the electoral map in 2016, the argument runs that he can get away with losing both Arizona or Florida and still clinch 270 Electoral College votes.
“Now, by no means do we think the president is not going to carry Florida, in fact,” said Nick Trainer, the director of battleground strategy, cutting off his own train of thought during a recent briefing with journalists — before he, in turn, was cut off mid-sentence by campaign manager Bill Stepien.
“Let me say it again: The president will win Florida,” said Stepien.
So, the president does not have to win Florida. He can get by with expanding his map in the Midwest. But he will win Florida. Get it?
Either way, the perennial swing state is once again one of the most critical battlegrounds in the presidential election. And polls suggest a tightening race as both candidates pour time and money into the state.
Last week, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden made his first campaign visit to Florida, spending a day along the Interstate 4 corridor, where elections can be won or lost.
The same math has played out for decades. Republicans can bank on votes in conservative northern and southwestern Florida, while Democrats win big numbers in the big population centers of southern Florida.
That leaves both sides battling it out for swing votes in the urban and suburban purple areas running from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean along Interstate 4.
This is why Biden visited Tampa Bay and then Kissimmee, near Orlando, for a Hispanic Heritage Month event. Ivanka Trump was in the area last week too.
The stakes are huge. Florida has backed the winning candidate in every election for the past five decades, with the exception of 1992.
And while Democrats believe Biden has multiple paths to the presidency, with or without the Sunshine State, they see Florida as a place where they can halt Trump in his tracks.
“There is no realistic path to a second Trump term without Florida,” said a recently published memo by polling firm GQR for Unite The Country, a pro-Biden super PAC.
Success lies in “holding college-educated whites, increasing his support among non-Cuban Hispanics to Clinton levels and turning out African Americans (currently 85 percent Biden),” it concluded.
That hints at a growing concern in the Biden camp that his support is not where it needs to be among Hispanic voters — who, in any case, lean more Republican than Hispanic voters elsewhere because of Florida’s Cuban American population. Trump is seen as tougher on Cuba than Biden, who was part of an administration that built diplomatic links and trade ties with the island nation.
And in recent days, the president has narrowed the overall deficit. A CBS News poll suggested that Biden leads Trump 48% to 46% among likely voters, a change from a string of results in August and July that saw the Democratic challenger with an advantage of 6 points or more.
Both sides still have wild cards up their sleeve.
A Florida judge is among the candidates being considered by Trump for Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Supreme Court seat. Barbara Lagoa would become only the second Latina appointed to the highest court in the land.
And Biden’s team is getting a $100 million cash injection from billionaire Mike Bloomberg — on the condition that every dollar is spent in Florida.
The fight for Florida’s 29 Electoral College votes is a long way from done.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-22--House Democratic campaign committee finishes August with major financial edge over GOP

Republicans are going to have to find a way to compensate for a major disadvantage in resources if they hope to put a dent in the Democratic majority in the House after Democrats entered September with $ 36 million more to spend on the fall campaign than the GOP .
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee raised $ 22.6 million in August and closed the month with a $ 104.7 million war chest .
Comparatively , the National Republican Congressional Committee raised $ 17.4 million to finish the period with $ 68.9 million in cash on hand .
The DCCC has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , positioning House Democrats to hold their 16-seat majority unless the political environment takes a turn in the GOP ’ s favor .
Republicans flipped control of the House in 2010 despite the fact that the NRCC was significantly out-raised by the DCCC over the two-year cycle .
But generic-ballot polls show that voters prefer Democrats in charge of Congress by a margin of 6 percentage points , and Democratic incumbents in competitive races have generally out-raised Republican challengers last year and this year .
Those two data points suggest Democrats will keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But with six weeks to go until Election Day , there is still a bit of time for Republicans to turn things around , depending on the outcome of the race for the White House , in which President Trump is behind but within striking distance of Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
Meanwhile , the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee , the party ’ s Senate campaign arm , raised $ 26.9 million in August , besting the National Republican Senatorial Committee , though the NRSC 's $ 19.1 million haul bested all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election .
The DSCC reported a staggering $ 41 million in cash on hand at the end of August , compared with just $ 13.6 million for the NRSC .
The battle for Senate control , a three-seat race , was roiled over the weekend after Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died at the age of 87 and after Trump and Senate Republicans pledged to confirm her successor despite the opening coming so close to Election Day .
The issue could thwart Democratic prospects of winning back the Senate by shoring up support for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , the issue has sent fundraising by individual Democratic challengers skyrocketing since Friday night , providing them with more ammunition to use against GOP incumbents .

Republicans are going to have to find a way to compensate for a major disadvantage in resources if they hope to put a dent in the Democratic majority in the House after Democrats entered September with $36 million more to spend on the fall campaign than the GOP.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee raised $22.6 million in August and closed the month with a $104.7 million war chest. Comparatively, the National Republican Congressional Committee raised $17.4 million to finish the period with $68.9 million in cash on hand. The DCCC has consistently out-raised the NRCC this election cycle, positioning House Democrats to hold their 16-seat majority unless the political environment takes a turn in the GOP’s favor.
Republicans flipped control of the House in 2010 despite the fact that the NRCC was significantly out-raised by the DCCC over the two-year cycle. But generic-ballot polls show that voters prefer Democrats in charge of Congress by a margin of 6 percentage points, and Democratic incumbents in competitive races have generally out-raised Republican challengers last year and this year.
Those two data points suggest Democrats will keep control of the speaker’s gavel. But with six weeks to go until Election Day, there is still a bit of time for Republicans to turn things around, depending on the outcome of the race for the White House, in which President Trump is behind but within striking distance of Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, the party’s Senate campaign arm, raised $26.9 million in August, besting the National Republican Senatorial Committee, though the NRSC's $19.1 million haul bested all previous Augusts in a midterm or presidential election. The DSCC reported a staggering $41 million in cash on hand at the end of August, compared with just $13.6 million for the NRSC.
The battle for Senate control, a three-seat race, was roiled over the weekend after Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died at the age of 87 and after Trump and Senate Republicans pledged to confirm her successor despite the opening coming so close to Election Day.
The issue could thwart Democratic prospects of winning back the Senate by shoring up support for vulnerable Republicans in traditionally red states. However, the issue has sent fundraising by individual Democratic challengers skyrocketing since Friday night, providing them with more ammunition to use against GOP incumbents.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-22--Supreme Court fight shifts presidential race away from Trump and the coronavirus

2020 Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden could be in trouble now that the general elections , only six weeks away , have become less of a referendum on President Trump and more about the Supreme Court .
The White House contest between Biden and Trump to date has largely relitigated the president 's character and record managing the coronavirus pandemic .
Yet even as COVID-19 cases tick up as the weather cools down , candidates and voters have been energized by the prospect of an open Supreme Court seat .
Political maneuvering over the seat vacated by the late Justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reshaping the country 's highest court with a 6-3 conservative majority could help Republicans , according to GOP strategist Brad Todd .
`` Democrats were already at max turnout , '' he told the Washington Examiner .
Anti-Trump sentiment has incentivized Democrats to wait in long lines so they can cast their ballot in early-voting states such as Virginia .
`` This may make a difference in Republican enthusiasm , '' Todd said .
For GOP strategist Duf Sundheim , another Supreme Court justice could rally Catholic and evangelical voters around Trump , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a woman , `` showing respect '' to Ginsburg .
Although the Supreme Court could boost Biden among suburban women who have been put off by his disregard for their public safety concerns , the preoccupation with the outbreak had aided the two-term vice president because `` it goes to core competence , '' Sundheim explained .
Any Biden bounce with women may be short-lived , though .
While the Supreme Court has dominated national news headlines , Sundheim said voters were likely to be persuaded by developments closer to the elections and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too , were desensitized to Supreme Court politics given the current maelstrom of the pandemic , the related economic downturn , and the police brutality and racial injustice protests .
`` This is the issue of the day .
Yes , it shakes things up a little bit , but to me , it 's going to be events , and it 's going to be the debates , '' he said of the election outcomes .
Sundheim , referring to Supreme Court Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh , added , `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mishandled Kavanaugh .
I mean , why is this going to be any different ? ''
As Nov. 3 nears , the race is reminiscent of the 2016 and 2018 cycles when centrist Republicans looked beyond Trump 's rhetoric and behavior to vote for him because he promised to stack the federal benches with conservative judges .
Yet with ballots already cast , there are complicated political calculations .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell prevented former President Barack Obama from appointing Judge Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court in 2016 because it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 can be differentiated because the White House and the Senate are held by the same party .
McConnell could schedule confirmation hearings and votes before the elections , potentially angering the public and risking the Senate .
He could also wait until the lame-duck session or defer the process until after the inauguration , yet Trump could be booted from office by then .
Democratic strategist Jon Reinish predicted the Supreme Court could exacerbate what he described as Trump and McConnell 's drag on some tickets .
`` It has an effect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the presidential , has an effect on the center , I think , the very most in Senate races , '' Reinish said .
He continued , `` For someone whose vote is in play , who really values the idea of fairness , the idea that Mitch McConnell and many of his cohorts in the Republican conference are breaking their own rule and doing so with no explanation aside from partisanship , really , really turns people off . ''
In terms of the White House , Reinish said the Supreme Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters , diverse voters , maybe even supporters of Bernie Sanders '' because top pick Judge Amy Coney Barrett is only 48 and could make decisions relevant to their lives for years to come .
Reinish 's comments come after Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and liberal firebrand New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Sunday night called a joint press conference .
He encouraged Biden to keep talking about the Obamacare case due to be heard by the Supreme Court on Nov. 10 and how election results could wind up in front of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the run-up to this election puts the issues , including many of the ones that Democratic voters care about the most , right on the front burner , '' he said .
`` It really crystallizes the full picture of this presidential election so it 's not just the fact that Trump is going to very likely try to replace Ruth Bader Ginsburg with her polar opposite , it also puts front and center why a Democratic Senate is so absolutely critical . ''

2020 Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden could be in trouble now that the general elections, only six weeks away, have become less of a referendum on President Trump and more about the Supreme Court.
The White House contest between Biden and Trump to date has largely relitigated the president's character and record managing the coronavirus pandemic. Yet even as COVID-19 cases tick up as the weather cools down, candidates and voters have been energized by the prospect of an open Supreme Court seat.
Political maneuvering over the seat vacated by the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in the hope of reshaping the country's highest court with a 6-3 conservative majority could help Republicans, according to GOP strategist Brad Todd.
"Democrats were already at max turnout," he told the Washington Examiner.
Anti-Trump sentiment has incentivized Democrats to wait in long lines so they can cast their ballot in early-voting states such as Virginia.
"This may make a difference in Republican enthusiasm," Todd said.
For GOP strategist Duf Sundheim, another Supreme Court justice could rally Catholic and evangelical voters around Trump, particularly since he's committed to choosing a woman, "showing respect" to Ginsburg.
Although the Supreme Court could boost Biden among suburban women who have been put off by his disregard for their public safety concerns, the preoccupation with the outbreak had aided the two-term vice president because "it goes to core competence," Sundheim explained.
Any Biden bounce with women may be short-lived, though.
While the Supreme Court has dominated national news headlines, Sundheim said voters were likely to be persuaded by developments closer to the elections and the debates. Sundheim thought voters, too, were desensitized to Supreme Court politics given the current maelstrom of the pandemic, the related economic downturn, and the police brutality and racial injustice protests.
"This is the issue of the day. Yes, it shakes things up a little bit, but to me, it's going to be events, and it's going to be the debates," he said of the election outcomes.
Sundheim, referring to Supreme Court Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, added, "The Democrats so mishandled Gorsuch, so mishandled Kavanaugh. I mean, why is this going to be any different?"
As Nov. 3 nears, the race is reminiscent of the 2016 and 2018 cycles when centrist Republicans looked beyond Trump's rhetoric and behavior to vote for him because he promised to stack the federal benches with conservative judges.
Yet with ballots already cast, there are complicated political calculations.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell prevented former President Barack Obama from appointing Judge Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court in 2016 because it was an election year. But he argues 2020 can be differentiated because the White House and the Senate are held by the same party.
McConnell could schedule confirmation hearings and votes before the elections, potentially angering the public and risking the Senate. He could also wait until the lame-duck session or defer the process until after the inauguration, yet Trump could be booted from office by then.
Democratic strategist Jon Reinish predicted the Supreme Court could exacerbate what he described as Trump and McConnell's drag on some tickets.
"It has an effect on the bases of each party for the presidential, has an effect on the center, I think, the very most in Senate races," Reinish said.
He continued, "For someone whose vote is in play, who really values the idea of fairness, the idea that Mitch McConnell and many of his cohorts in the Republican conference are breaking their own rule and doing so with no explanation aside from partisanship, really, really turns people off."
In terms of the White House, Reinish said the Supreme Court could motivate "younger voters, progressive voters, diverse voters, maybe even supporters of Bernie Sanders" because top pick Judge Amy Coney Barrett is only 48 and could make decisions relevant to their lives for years to come. Reinish's comments come after Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and liberal firebrand New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Sunday night called a joint press conference.
He encouraged Biden to keep talking about the Obamacare case due to be heard by the Supreme Court on Nov. 10 and how election results could wind up in front of the justices.
"This taking place in the run-up to this election puts the issues, including many of the ones that Democratic voters care about the most, right on the front burner," he said. "It really crystallizes the full picture of this presidential election so it's not just the fact that Trump is going to very likely try to replace Ruth Bader Ginsburg with her polar opposite, it also puts front and center why a Democratic Senate is so absolutely critical."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-23--'It tees her up': White House attorney Kate Todd in running for Trump's Supreme Court pick

Among the candidates for President Trump 's potential Supreme Court pick to succeed Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a little-known Washington attorney who joined the White House to handle judicial nominations and has advised on a broad swathe of legal and constitutional issues .
Like Ginsburg , Kate Comerford Todd , 45 , is a graduate of Cornell University .
She is the only attorney on Trump 's potential shortlist who has never served as a judge .
`` She 's a lovely lady , '' one former White House official told the Washington Examiner , who said that Todd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clarence Thomas who has twice counseled the White House , was a typically well-credentialed Washington attorney .
Todd 's addition to Trump 's Supreme Court shortlist two weeks ago came in an announcement that also featured Republican Sens .
Marco Rubio of Florida , Tom Cotton of Arkansas , Ted Cruz of Texas , and one presumed front-runner , Barbara Lagoa .
“ She is absolutely brilliant , ” attorney Helgi Walker , who , like Todd , served as a Thomas law clerk and as an associate White House counsel to George @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ She is thoughtful , caring , considerate .
She always tries to get it right , no matter what she 's doing.
” Conservative legal activist Adam Mortara , who also clerked for Thomas and has known Todd for more than 20 years , said Todd seemed to heed Thomas 's rebuke that withdrawing from an issue of principle was a “ pathway to personal destruction.
” “ I think the first person that I ever met , other than Justice Thomas , who I realized fully embodied that principle is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Press .
“ I 've never seen her back down on an issue of principle .
I 've never seen her compromise her principles.
” Mortara added , “ On issues of right or wrong , or on issues of what the law is or is n't , there is no moving her.
” Todd joined the Trump administration in early 2019 as deputy to White House counsel Pat Cipollone , one year before Cipollone led Trump 's impeachment defense in the Senate .
Cipollone is not expecting Todd to be chosen , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , calling it simply `` a nice thing for him to do for his employee . ''
`` It tees her up , '' this source said , suggesting that Todd 's inclusion among the candidates would bolster her professional standing .
Prior to this , Todd was a senior attorney at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce 's litigation center and was floated as a potential candidate for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C .
Circuit in 2017 to replace Judge Janice Rogers Brown .
Trump has said he 'll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brilliant woman '' and will announce his pick at 5 p.m. EDT on Saturday .
`` Momentum is on the side of Republicans to fill that seat , '' White House communications director Alyssa Farah told Fox News on Monday .
`` Our priority is filling the seat with a highly qualified judge who meets the president 's intent for what he 'd like to see on the Supreme Court . ''
Presumed front-runners for the president 's nomination are federal appeals court Judges Amy Coney Barrett and Barbara Lagoa .
Trump met @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday .
He is expected to meet later this week with Lagoa , a Florida native and daughter of Cuban exiles whom supporters view as a potential asset in the must-win battleground .
This will be Trump 's third Supreme Court justice pick .

Among the candidates for President Trump's potential Supreme Court pick to succeed Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a little-known Washington attorney who joined the White House to handle judicial nominations and has advised on a broad swathe of legal and constitutional issues.
Like Ginsburg, Kate Comerford Todd, 45, is a graduate of Cornell University. She is the only attorney on Trump's shortlist who has never served as a judge.
"She's a lovely lady," one former White House official told the Washington Examiner, who said that Todd, a former law clerk to Justice Clarence Thomas who has twice counseled the White House, was a typically well-credentialed Washington attorney.
Todd's addition to Trump's Supreme Court shortlist two weeks ago came in an announcement that also featured Republican Sens. Marco Rubio of Florida, Tom Cotton of Arkansas, Ted Cruz of Texas, and one presumed front-runner, Barbara Lagoa.
“She is absolutely brilliant,” attorney Helgi Walker, who, like Todd, served as a Thomas law clerk and as an associate White House counsel to George W. Bush, told the Associated Press. “She is thoughtful, caring, considerate. She always tries to get it right, no matter what she's doing.”
Conservative legal activist Adam Mortara, who also clerked for Thomas and has known Todd for more than 20 years, said Todd seemed to heed Thomas's rebuke that withdrawing from an issue of principle was a “pathway to personal destruction.”
“I think the first person that I ever met, other than Justice Thomas, who I realized fully embodied that principle is Kate,” he told the Associated Press. “I've never seen her back down on an issue of principle. I've never seen her compromise her principles.”
Mortara added, “On issues of right or wrong, or on issues of what the law is or isn't, there is no moving her.”
Todd joined the Trump administration in early 2019 as deputy to White House counsel Pat Cipollone, one year before Cipollone led Trump's impeachment defense in the Senate.
Cipollone is not expecting Todd to be chosen, a source close to the White House said, calling it simply "a nice thing for him to do for his employee."
"It tees her up," this source said, suggesting that Todd's inclusion among the candidates would bolster her professional standing.
Prior to this, Todd was a senior attorney at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's litigation center and was floated as a potential candidate for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit in 2017 to replace Judge Janice Rogers Brown.
Trump has said he'll choose “a very talented, very brilliant woman" and will announce his pick at 5 p.m. EDT on Saturday.
"Momentum is on the side of Republicans to fill that seat," White House communications director Alyssa Farah told Fox News on Monday. "Our priority is filling the seat with a highly qualified judge who meets the president's intent for what he'd like to see on the Supreme Court."
Presumed front-runners for the president's nomination are federal appeals court Judges Amy Coney Barrett and Barbara Lagoa. Trump met with Barrett at the White House on Monday.
He is expected to meet later this week with Lagoa, a Florida native and daughter of Cuban exiles whom supporters view as a potential asset in the must-win battleground.
This will be Trump's third Supreme Court justice pick.
The White House declined to comment.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-23--Biden would rather not talk about the open Supreme Court seat

Joe Biden would really rather not talk about the fight over the open Supreme Court seat .
The former vice president and Democratic presidential nominee made obligatory statements addressing Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg ’ s death but is leaning away from the focus of the election that is shifting to a process that he is powerless to stop : President Trump ’ s move to push through a replacement for Ginsburg as soon as possible , dramatically changing the ideological bend of the Supreme Court .
But that ’ s not what Biden focused on in a Monday speech from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States passing 200,000 confirmed .
In fact , he did not mention the passing of Ginsburg or the Supreme Court at all .
On Tuesday , he made no public appearances .
The high-stakes environment , in theory , provides an opportunity for Biden to harness the energy of outraged voters and donors .
“ The situation , as it stands now , will fire up the Democratic base significantly because they can argue that Sen. [ Mitch ] McConnell went against what he did and said in 2016 when President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Garland to fill the vacancy left after [ Justice Antonin ] Scalia passed away , ” said Chad Kinsella , a political science professor at Ball State University .
“ Recent fundraising by Democrats would show that all of this has pushed their base to be more active , as many have made significant donations to Democrats and their candidates in the last couple of days since Ginsburg ’ s passing.
” Donors set a record for number of dollars raised through ActBlue , a company that processes donations for Democratic candidates and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news of Ginsburg ’ s death : .
“ Biden can use the current situation to his advantage by pointing out hypocrisy by Republicans , particularly Sen. McConnell , and by keeping with attack the President Trump plays by his own set of rules regardless of what the ‘ the people ’ want , ” Kinsella said .
However , the former vice president is unwilling to lean into the controversy .
News of Ginsburg ’ s death broke Friday evening when Biden was on a flight from a campaign stop in Minnesota @ @ @ @ @ @ @ landing , he and called for Ginsburg ’ s replacement to be nominated by the winner of the Nov. 3 election .
The next day , his campaign called a lid , indicating that he would make no public appearances for the rest of the day , before 9 a.m. , surprising who thought that he might take an opportunity to join those mourning Ginsburg outside the Supreme Court that day in a gesture that could please Democrats .
He addressed the issue of the open seat in a Sunday speech , urging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ process while there is an election underway .
But despite calls from some Democrats to release a list of potential Supreme Court picks as Trump has , which could potentially energize voters , Biden said he would not do so .
And he is staying away from fiery calls from some Democrats to expand and pack the Supreme Court next year if Republicans quickly push through a Trump nominee before the election .
Biden said last year he opposed court expansion .
He refused to clarify his court-packing stance in a Monday interview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ focus .
That ’ s what [ Trump ] wants , '' Biden said .
Biden ’ s strategy , though , could serve to both keep his persona as a stable alternative to Trump and prevent fueling Republican enthusiasm on the Supreme Court issue .
“ I do not think Biden will take a clear stance on this before the election as it may fire up the Republican base or alienate those who are leery about too much infringement upon the courts , ” Kinsella said , referring to court expansion .

Joe Biden would really rather not talk about the fight over the open Supreme Court seat.
The former vice president and Democratic presidential nominee made obligatory statements addressing Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death but is leaning away from the focus of the election that is shifting to a process that he is powerless to stop: President Trump’s move to push through a replacement for Ginsburg as soon as possible, dramatically changing the ideological bend of the Supreme Court.
But that’s not what Biden focused on in a Monday speech from Wisconsin, during which he talked about the United States passing 200,000 confirmed coronavirus deaths . In fact, he did not mention the passing of Ginsburg or the Supreme Court at all. On Tuesday, he made no public appearances.
The high-stakes environment, in theory, provides an opportunity for Biden to harness the energy of outraged voters and donors.
“The situation, as it stands now, will fire up the Democratic base significantly because they can argue that Sen. [Mitch] McConnell went against what he did and said in 2016 when President Obama attempted to appoint [Merrick] Garland to fill the vacancy left after [Justice Antonin] Scalia passed away,” said Chad Kinsella, a political science professor at Ball State University. “Recent fundraising by Democrats would show that all of this has pushed their base to be more active, as many have made significant donations to Democrats and their candidates in the last couple of days since Ginsburg’s passing.”
Donors set a record for number of dollars raised through ActBlue, a company that processes donations for Democratic candidates and causes, in the 24 hours following news of Ginsburg’s death: $91 million .
“Biden can use the current situation to his advantage by pointing out hypocrisy by Republicans, particularly Sen. McConnell, and by keeping with attack the President Trump plays by his own set of rules regardless of what the ‘the people’ want,” Kinsella said.
However, the former vice president is unwilling to lean into the controversy.
News of Ginsburg’s death broke Friday evening when Biden was on a flight from a campaign stop in Minnesota to his home in Delaware. After landing, he delivered brief remarks and called for Ginsburg’s replacement to be nominated by the winner of the Nov. 3 election.
The next day, his campaign called a lid, indicating that he would make no public appearances for the rest of the day, before 9 a.m., surprising some observers who thought that he might take an opportunity to join those mourning Ginsburg outside the Supreme Court that day in a gesture that could please Democrats.
He addressed the issue of the open seat in a Sunday speech, urging moderate Republican Senators to not support the process while there is an election underway.
But despite calls from some Democrats to release a list of potential Supreme Court picks as Trump has, which could potentially energize voters, Biden said he would not do so.
And he is staying away from fiery calls from some Democrats to expand and pack the Supreme Court next year if Republicans quickly push through a Trump nominee before the election. Biden said last year he opposed court expansion. He refused to clarify his court-packing stance in a Monday interview. “It will shift all the focus. That’s what [Trump] wants," Biden said.
Biden’s strategy, though, could serve to both keep his persona as a stable alternative to Trump and prevent fueling Republican enthusiasm on the Supreme Court issue.
“I do not think Biden will take a clear stance on this before the election as it may fire up the Republican base or alienate those who are leery about too much infringement upon the courts,” Kinsella said, referring to court expansion.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-23--Grudge match: Supreme Court nomination fight to take place in the shadow of Kavanaugh, Ginsburg, and

Grudge match: Supreme Court nomination fight to take place in the shadow of Kavanaugh, Ginsburg, and Garland

The looming battle over President Trump ’ s third Supreme Court nominee will be colored by lingering bad blood over past confirmation fights , as both Democrats and Republicans have been radicalized by perceived slights to previous nominees .
Republicans and conservative activists are incensed by the treatment of Justice Brett Kavanaugh , who they believe was falsely smeared as a rapist and dealt with unfairly by Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats .
Sen. Lindsey Graham , the South Carolina Republican who currently chairs the panel , has specifically invoked the Kavanaugh hearings in explaining why he has abandoned his reluctance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an election year .
“ Lastly , after the treatment of Justice Kavanaugh I now have a different view of the judicial-confirmation process , ” Graham wrote in a letter to committee Democrats , after first noting there was precedent for the Senate failing to confirm an opposite party ’ s high-court nominee in an election year .
“ Compare the treatment of Robert Bork , Clarence Thomas , Samuel Alito , and Brett Kavanaugh to that of Ruth Bader Ginsburg , Sonia Sotomayor , and Elena Kagan , and it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of rules for a Republican president and one set of rules for a Democrat president.
” Graham was among the last Republicans to support Democratic Supreme Court picks , having voted to confirm President Barack Obama ’ s nominees Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor .
Democrats counter that Kavanaugh got a seat on the Supreme Court , while Merrick Garland , the federal judge who was Obama ’ s choice to fill the vacancy created by Justice Antonin Scalia ’ s death , did not even get a hearing .
In addition to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defend Ginsburg ’ s seat and iconic status .
If a Trump nominee to succeed her is confirmed , they will view both that seat and the one held by Justice Neil Gorsuch as stolen .
Ginsburg died on Friday at 87 after a lengthy battle with cancer , saying a few days earlier , “ My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed.
” “ We all remember Mitch McConnell 's blockade of President Obama 's nomination of Merrick Garland 237 days before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a statement .
“ The 2020 election has already started—with voting already underway in many states — and it would be a truly inexcusable act of hypocrisy and injustice for Trump and Senate Republicans to move any nomination forward.
” The left-wing group also noted Ginsburg ’ s reported dying wish .
“ We must honor Ruth Bader Ginsburg 's legacy and hold every politician accountable to the most basic standards of fairness by demanding they not move any new nomination forward for a lifetime appointment to the highest court in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the inauguration is complete , ” the statement continued .
For grassroots Democrats , Ginsburg is most important .
“ Merrick Garland does n't matter much to Democratic voters , but the legacy of Ruth Bader Ginsburg , equal rights , and choice for women , means a great deal , ” said Democratic strategist Brad Bannon .
“ The fight over the SCOTUS vacancy will cement progressive support for Joe Biden.
” Trump 's Ginsburg replacement would also shift a seat from the liberal bloc to the conservative side , while Kavanaugh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Up until now , GOP voters have had a stronger commitment to the president than Democrats had to Biden , ” Bannon added .
“ Fear is a powerful motivating force in campaigns , and the fear factor over ending Roe v. Wade and the Affordable Care Act will close the enthusiasm gap and drive Democratic voters to the polls.
” Some Republicans agree that Trump is the Democrats ’ motivator .
“ I don ’ t think the average Democrat senator could pick Merrick Garland out of a lineup .
Rank-and-file @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who Garland is , ” said conservative strategist Chris Barron .
“ They aren ’ t mad about Garland or Ginsburg ’ s passing or losing control of the court .
Their anger starts and ends at Trump ’ s election.
” Past election results have been mixed .
Trump beat Hillary Clinton among voters who listed the Supreme Court as their top issue even after Senate Republicans held up Garland for almost a year .
The Kavanaugh fight helped Republicans running in red states , allowing the GOP to expand its Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suburban swing congressional districts , which is where the party lost the House .
A poll released in August by the Pew Research Center found that registered voters ranked Supreme Court appointments third among issues they care about , 2 percentage points ahead of the coronavirus outbreak .
Trump has said he will announce his nominee on Saturday , while his Democratic challenger , Biden , has kept mum about who he would elevate to the court .

The looming battle over President Trump’s third Supreme Court nominee will be colored by lingering bad blood over past confirmation fights, as both Democrats and Republicans have been radicalized by perceived slights to previous nominees.
Republicans and conservative activists are incensed by the treatment of Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who they believe was falsely smeared as a rapist and dealt with unfairly by Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats. Sen. Lindsey Graham, the South Carolina Republican who currently chairs the panel, has specifically invoked the Kavanaugh hearings in explaining why he has abandoned his reluctance to confirm a Supreme Court nominee during an election year.
“Lastly, after the treatment of Justice Kavanaugh I now have a different view of the judicial-confirmation process,” Graham wrote in a letter to committee Democrats, after first noting there was precedent for the Senate failing to confirm an opposite party’s high-court nominee in an election year. “Compare the treatment of Robert Bork, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Brett Kavanaugh to that of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sonia Sotomayor, and Elena Kagan, and it’s clear that there already is one set of rules for a Republican president and one set of rules for a Democrat president.”
Graham was among the last Republicans to support Democratic Supreme Court picks, having voted to confirm President Barack Obama’s nominees Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor.
Democrats counter that Kavanaugh got a seat on the Supreme Court, while Merrick Garland, the federal judge who was Obama’s choice to fill the vacancy created by Justice Antonin Scalia’s death, did not even get a hearing. In addition to avenging Garland, Democrats desperately want to defend Ginsburg’s seat and iconic status. If a Trump nominee to succeed her is confirmed, they will view both that seat and the one held by Justice Neil Gorsuch as stolen. Ginsburg died on Friday at 87 after a lengthy battle with cancer, saying a few days earlier, “My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed.”
“We all remember Mitch McConnell's blockade of President Obama's nomination of Merrick Garland 237 days before the 2016 election,” said MoveOn.org in a statement. “The 2020 election has already started—with voting already underway in many states — and it would be a truly inexcusable act of hypocrisy and injustice for Trump and Senate Republicans to move any nomination forward.”
The left-wing group also noted Ginsburg’s reported dying wish. “We must honor Ruth Bader Ginsburg's legacy and hold every politician accountable to the most basic standards of fairness by demanding they not move any new nomination forward for a lifetime appointment to the highest court in the nation until every vote is counted and the inauguration is complete,” the statement continued.
For grassroots Democrats, Ginsburg is most important. “Merrick Garland doesn't matter much to Democratic voters, but the legacy of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, equal rights, and choice for women, means a great deal,” said Democratic strategist Brad Bannon. “The fight over the SCOTUS vacancy will cement progressive support for Joe Biden.”
Trump's Ginsburg replacement would also shift a seat from the liberal bloc to the conservative side, while Kavanaugh and Gorsuch both succeeded Republican appointees. “Up until now, GOP voters have had a stronger commitment to the president than Democrats had to Biden,” Bannon added. “Fear is a powerful motivating force in campaigns, and the fear factor over ending Roe v. Wade and the Affordable Care Act will close the enthusiasm gap and drive Democratic voters to the polls.”
Some Republicans agree that Trump is the Democrats’ motivator. “I don’t think the average Democrat senator could pick Merrick Garland out of a lineup. Rank-and-file Democratic voters don’t even know who Garland is,” said conservative strategist Chris Barron. “They aren’t mad about Garland or Ginsburg’s passing or losing control of the court. Their anger starts and ends at Trump’s election.”
Past election results have been mixed. Trump beat Hillary Clinton among voters who listed the Supreme Court as their top issue even after Senate Republicans held up Garland for almost a year. The Kavanaugh fight helped Republicans running in red states, allowing the GOP to expand its Senate majority in 2018 while hurting them in suburban swing congressional districts, which is where the party lost the House.
A poll released in August by the Pew Research Center found that registered voters ranked Supreme Court appointments third among issues they care about, 2 percentage points ahead of the coronavirus outbreak. Trump has said he will announce his nominee on Saturday, while his Democratic challenger, Biden, has kept mum about who he would elevate to the court.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-23--What the Democrats' Ginsburg windfall means and where it matters

Mississippi Democrat Mike Espy raised $ 1.4 million during the first 18 months of his long shot bid to unseat incumbent Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith .
In the three days since Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died , Espy raised $ 1 million .
Fundraising for Democratic Senate candidates has exploded since Ginsburg , a beloved liberal icon , died on Friday .
That evening through Tuesday afternoon , online donation platform ActBlue processed $ 170 million in contributions overall to Democratic candidates and groups .
Some of that cash is flowing to Democratic challengers running in red states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regardless of how much money they rake in .
Espy is one .
Amy McGrath is another .
The Kentucky Democrat is raising tens of millions of dollars for her underdog campaign to oust Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell despite having little chance of success .
But Democrats are pressing Republican incumbents in at least seven states where the terrain is more favorable and the Senate races are legitimately competitive .
It is in these contests that a flood of fresh money could tip the scales .
“ Money is n't the only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certainly important .
The candidate or party spending the most money on ads has the opportunity to shape the conversation in a way that helps their cause , ” said Nathan Gonzales , a nonpartisan political handicapper who publishes Inside Elections .
“ It 's harder for Republicans to shape their own Senate race when Democrats are driving their own messaging and spending more doing it.
” The battle for the Senate has come into focus in the wake of Ginsburg ’ s death because of the chamber ’ s role in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Trump plans on Saturday to nominate a conservative woman to succeed Ginsburg , and McConnell has promised the Senate would consider the president ’ s pick and hold a floor vote on her confirmation despite the close proximity to the election .
Grassroots liberals are outraged , claiming Republicans are being brazenly hypocritical given that McConnell blocked President Barack Obama ’ s nominee to succeed conservative Justice Antonin Scalia after he died in February 2016 , saying then that Supreme Court confirmations should cease in election years when the Senate and White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic voters are channeling their outrage by giving millions of dollars to Democratic Senate candidates .
This late September largess is in addition to the stellar fundraising Democratic Senate candidates have enjoyed since the beginning of the 2020 election cycle .
With recent polls showing Trump trailing Democratic nominee Joe Biden and surveys showing Democratic challengers leading in Senate races in Arizona , Colorado , Iowa , Maine , and North Carolina , this fresh influx of campaign cash could prove too much for Republican incumbents to overcome .
Even Republicans in traditionally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sen. Lindsey Graham , who happens to be chairman of the Judiciary Committee that will process Trump ’ s Supreme Court nomination , and Georgia Sen. David Perdue are weathering a tsunami of Democratic money that have helped turned their campaigns into margins-of-error contests .
Other presidential-year red states where Democrats are running strong in Senate races include Alaska , Kansas , and Montana .
“ Those who believe that this nomination fight is going to be a good thing for the Trump and congressional Republicans are significantly underestimating the impact it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Democrat base , ” a veteran GOP strategist said .
“ It ’ s entirely possible we will see a replacement confirmed to the Supreme Court , while President Trump loses his reelection and we lose control of the Senate.
” Democrats are delighted by the financial windfall .
But quietly , party operatives are resisting overexuberance .
In 2018 , after North Dakota Democrat Heidi Heitkamp voted against confirming Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court , she raised $ 12 million from liberal activists in two weeks , a gargantuan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small , sparsely populated state .
No matter , voters in heavily Republican North Dakota ousted her from the Senate ; it was not even close .
Republicans like to recall this race when asked about Democratic fundraising .
But Democrats recall it , too .
Yet in several other races , the fundraising frenzy is providing Democratic challengers with , in some instances , more resources than they could possibly spend by Nov. 3 .
This dynamic could create crucial advantages that push them over the top against Republican incumbents .
Down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ often have to limit funds and decide whether to prioritize voter turnout activities , television advertising , or digital outreach .
Many Democratic challengers in close Senate contests will not have to make any of those tough choices between now and Election Day , and that could put their party in control of the chamber come January .
“ Holy God , those ActBlue numbers , ” a Democratic strategist said .
“ It 's not everything , of course — ask Heidi .
But nobody 's going to have a budget gap @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
”

Mississippi Democrat Mike Espy raised $1.4 million during the first 18 months of his long-shot bid to unseat incumbent Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith. In the three days since Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died, Espy raised $1 million.
Fundraising for Democratic Senate candidates has exploded since Ginsburg, a beloved liberal icon, died on Friday. That evening through Tuesday afternoon, online donation platform ActBlue processed $170 million in contributions overall to Democratic candidates and groups. Some of that cash is flowing to Democratic challengers running in red states whose path to victory is virtually nonexistent regardless of how much money they rake in. Espy is one.
Amy McGrath is another. The Kentucky Democrat is raising tens of millions of dollars for her underdog campaign to oust Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell despite having little chance of success. But Democrats are pressing Republican incumbents in at least seven states where the terrain is more favorable and the Senate races are legitimately competitive. It is in these contests that a flood of fresh money could tip the scales.
“Money isn't the only factor in elections, but it's certainly important. The candidate or party spending the most money on ads has the opportunity to shape the conversation in a way that helps their cause,” said Nathan Gonzales, a nonpartisan political handicapper who publishes Inside Elections. “It's harder for Republicans to shape their own Senate race when Democrats are driving their own messaging and spending more doing it.”
The battle for the Senate has come into focus in the wake of Ginsburg’s death because of the chamber’s role in the confirmation of a new associate justice. President Trump plans on Saturday to nominate a conservative woman to succeed Ginsburg, and McConnell has promised the Senate would consider the president’s pick and hold a floor vote on her confirmation despite the close proximity to the election.
Grassroots liberals are outraged, claiming Republicans are being brazenly hypocritical given that McConnell blocked President Barack Obama’s nominee to succeed conservative Justice Antonin Scalia after he died in February 2016, saying then that Supreme Court confirmations should cease in election years when the Senate and White House are controlled by opposing parties. Democratic voters are channeling their outrage by giving millions of dollars to Democratic Senate candidates.
This late September largess is in addition to the stellar fundraising Democratic Senate candidates have enjoyed since the beginning of the 2020 election cycle. With recent polls showing Trump trailing Democratic nominee Joe Biden and surveys showing Democratic challengers leading in Senate races in Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Maine, and North Carolina, this fresh influx of campaign cash could prove too much for Republican incumbents to overcome.
Even Republicans in traditionally solid red states such as South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, who happens to be chairman of the Judiciary Committee that will process Trump’s Supreme Court nomination, and Georgia Sen. David Perdue are weathering a tsunami of Democratic money that have helped turned their campaigns into margins-of-error contests. Other presidential-year red states where Democrats are running strong in Senate races include Alaska, Kansas, and Montana.
“Those who believe that this nomination fight is going to be a good thing for the Trump and congressional Republicans are significantly underestimating the impact it’s going to have with the progressives and the Democrat base,” a veteran GOP strategist said. “It’s entirely possible we will see a replacement confirmed to the Supreme Court, while President Trump loses his reelection and we lose control of the Senate.”
Democrats are delighted by the financial windfall. But quietly, party operatives are resisting overexuberance.
In 2018, after North Dakota Democrat Heidi Heitkamp voted against confirming Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, she raised $12 million from liberal activists in two weeks, a gargantuan sum, especially to spend in a small, sparsely populated state. No matter, voters in heavily Republican North Dakota ousted her from the Senate; it was not even close. Republicans like to recall this race when asked about Democratic fundraising. But Democrats recall it, too.
Yet in several other races, the fundraising frenzy is providing Democratic challengers with, in some instances, more resources than they could possibly spend by Nov. 3. This dynamic could create crucial advantages that push them over the top against Republican incumbents.
Down the stretch of a campaign, candidates often have to limit funds and decide whether to prioritize voter turnout activities, television advertising, or digital outreach. Many Democratic challengers in close Senate contests will not have to make any of those tough choices between now and Election Day, and that could put their party in control of the chamber come January.
“Holy God, those ActBlue numbers,” a Democratic strategist said. “It's not everything, of course — ask Heidi. But nobody's going to have a budget gap this year, that's for sure.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-23--Naomi Biden defends father Hunter on Twitter following 'cruel' Senate GOP report on his dealings

Joe Biden 's granddaughter , Naomi Biden , published a statement on Twitter defending her father , Hunter Biden , following a report from Senate Republicans about his business dealings and their impact on U.S. policy .
The 26-year-old Columbia Law student , who appeared in a video introducing the former vice president during the Democratic National Convention , tweeted , `` Despite the best efforts of an cruel few to destroy a private man , he is sober , happy , and as at peace as ever today because as long his family needs him , he has not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her father as a man who `` never sought the spotlight '' and said , `` He found his purpose in doing everything in his power to help Beau , '' Joe Biden 's other son , who was Delaware 's attorney general and died in 2015 from brain cancer , `` achieve his dream . ''
Hunter Biden , she said , was able to transfer from Georgetown Law to Yale Law because of a poem he wrote as his personal statement .
Writing a poem as a personal statement is `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' she said , but `` the poem , unlike anything else they had ever received , earned him a spot at Yale Law . ''
She wrote that her dad supported she and her mom as he went through law school in a modest living situation with student loans and summer jobs .
Eventually , Hunter Biden was able to pay off not only his own loans , but Beau Biden 's loans , she said .
Senate Republicans released an 87-page report on Wednesday that said the Obama administration ignored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden 's board position on Ukrainian energy company Burisma and said that he and his business partner `` received millions of dollars from foreign nationals with questionable backgrounds . ''
Naomi Biden , taking an apparent swipe at Republicans for spending public time and resources to create the report , offered her thoughts about her father `` free of charge to the taxpayers and free of the corrosive influence of power-at-all-costs politics . ''
Republican interest in Hunter Biden 's business dealings and the potential to use them as a political attack against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ center of a phone call between President Trump and Ukraine 's president that sparked impeachment proceedings against Trump .
Trump asked the Ukrainian president to investigate the Bidens , which Democrats argue Trump did for personal political interests rather than legitimate policy reasons .
Trump and his allies suggest that Joe Biden acted in Hunter Biden 's interest when he conditioned $ 1 billion in aid to Ukraine on firing an official who was investing Burisma , but international organizations at the time wanted the prosecutor removed for other reasons , and there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the intention of helping his son .
Hunter Biden 's personal life and past history with drug abuse has also been a potential liability for his father 's presidential campaign .
A police report showed that a cocaine pipe and a `` white powdery substance '' was found in his rental car in 2016 .
Earlier this year , he was involved in a paternity and child support legal battle over a child he fathered with an Arkansas woman .
Hunter Biden has since openly talked about his struggles with addiction and recovery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second wife , Melissa Cohen , earlier this year .

Joe Biden's granddaughter, Naomi Biden, published a statement on Twitter defending her father, Hunter Biden, following a report from Senate Republicans about his business dealings and their impact on U.S. policy.
The 26-year-old Columbia Law student, who appeared in a video introducing the former vice president during the Democratic National Convention, tweeted, "Despite the best efforts of an cruel few to destroy a private man, he is sober, happy, and as at peace as ever today because as long his family needs him, he has not lost his purpose."
She described her father as a man who "never sought the spotlight" and said, "He found his purpose in doing everything in his power to help Beau," Joe Biden's other son, who was Delaware's attorney general and died in 2015 from brain cancer, "achieve his dream."
Hunter Biden, she said, was able to transfer from Georgetown Law to Yale Law because of a poem he wrote as his personal statement. Writing a poem as a personal statement is "something they encourage you strongly against doing," she said, but "the poem, unlike anything else they had ever received, earned him a spot at Yale Law."
She wrote that her dad supported she and her mom as he went through law school in a modest living situation with student loans and summer jobs. Eventually, Hunter Biden was able to pay off not only his own loans, but Beau Biden's loans, she said.
Senate Republicans released an 87-page report on Wednesday that said the Obama administration ignored "glaring warning signs" about Hunter Biden's board position on Ukrainian energy company Burisma and said that he and his business partner "received millions of dollars from foreign nationals with questionable backgrounds."
Naomi Biden, taking an apparent swipe at Republicans for spending public time and resources to create the report, offered her thoughts about her father "free of charge to the taxpayers and free of the corrosive influence of power-at-all-costs politics."
Though the whole world knows his name, no one knows who he is.
Here's a thread on my dad, Hunter Biden - free of charge to the taxpayers and free of the corrosive influence of power-at-all-costs politics. The truth of a man filled with love, integrity, and human struggles: pic.twitter.com/GGeOexmtTV — Naomi Biden (@NaomiBiden) September 23, 2020
He and Beau were one. One heart, one soul, one mind.
They grew up with the weight of knowing that each day they lived was a day that their sister, my namesake, and their mother lost. But they had each other and that would be enough. They would make sure it was enough. — Naomi Biden (@NaomiBiden) September 23, 2020
He received a letter from Yale saying that the dedication and hard work he had devoted to his study of the law at Georgetown made him more than qualified, but that the poem, unlike anything else they had ever received, earned him a spot at Yale Law. — Naomi Biden (@NaomiBiden) September 23, 2020
After graduation, he put his dreams on hold to take a job that would ensure that anything was possible for me and my sisters. He used that money to pay off not only his own student loans, but my uncle Beau’s college and law school loans so that he could pursue his dreams too. — Naomi Biden (@NaomiBiden) September 23, 2020
The pain he has endured would be enough to make a lesser man give up on life all together. But despite the best efforts of an cruel few to destroy a private man, he is sober, happy, and as at peace as ever today because as long his family needs him, he has not lost his purpose. — Naomi Biden (@NaomiBiden) September 23, 2020
Republican interest in Hunter Biden's business dealings and the potential to use them as a political attack against the Democratic presidential nominee were at the center of a phone call between President Trump and Ukraine's president that sparked impeachment proceedings against Trump.
Trump asked the Ukrainian president to investigate the Bidens, which Democrats argue Trump did for personal political interests rather than legitimate policy reasons. Trump and his allies suggest that Joe Biden acted in Hunter Biden's interest when he conditioned $1 billion in aid to Ukraine on firing an official who was investing Burisma, but international organizations at the time wanted the prosecutor removed for other reasons, and there is no evidence that Biden acted with the intention of helping his son.
Hunter Biden's personal life and past history with drug abuse has also been a potential liability for his father's presidential campaign. A police report showed that a cocaine pipe and a "white powdery substance" was found in his rental car in 2016. Earlier this year, he was involved in a paternity and child support legal battle over a child he fathered with an Arkansas woman.
Hunter Biden has since openly talked about his struggles with addiction and recovery. He welcomed another child with his second wife, Melissa Cohen, earlier this year.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-23--'Protesting makes a lot of sense': Biden reacts to Breonna Taylor grand jury decision

Joe Biden urged peaceful protests in responding to a Kentucky grand jury decision that declined to indict two of the three police officers involved in charges relating to the death of Breonna Taylor .
`` One thing I want to make clear : Protesting makes a lot of sense .
It is clear people should be able to speak .
But no violence , no violence , '' Biden told North Carolina station WSOC on Wednesday .
`` My heart goes out to Breonna Taylor 's mom .
The last thing she needs to see is violence in the streets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 Democratic presidential candidate said that while he wants to hear more details about the decision , `` it is important that justice be served.
” Taylor , a 26-year-old black woman in Louisville , Kentucky , was killed in her home in March after police carrying out a warrant entered her apartment .
Her boyfriend ( who said that he did not hear police announce themselves before they entered , while the officers say that they did ) shot an officer in the thigh when they entered , saying that he thought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fire , killing Taylor as a result .
Her death , along with that of George Floyd ( a black man from Minneapolis ) in May , sparked nationwide Black Lives Matter protests and riots over policing and race relations .
A Kentucky grand jury on Wednesday ruled there was probable cause to indict detective Brett Hankison with three counts of wanton endangerment — but not because of actions that led to Taylor 's death .
He had blindly fired 10 shots that put Taylor 's neighbors in danger .
The grand jury @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involved in carrying out the warrant and Taylor 's death .
Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris also reacted to the news soon after the decision .
`` I haven ’ t read it fully yet , but there 's no question that Breonna Taylor and her family deserve justice yesterday , today and tomorrow , '' the California senator told reporters .
The mayor of Louisville declared a state of emergency on Wednesday before the decision was announced , in expectation of protests relating to the decision .

Joe Biden urged peaceful protests in responding to a Kentucky grand jury decision that declined to indict two of the three police officers involved in charges relating to the death of Breonna Taylor.
"One thing I want to make clear: Protesting makes a lot of sense. It is clear people should be able to speak. But no violence, no violence," Biden told North Carolina station WSOC on Wednesday. "My heart goes out to Breonna Taylor's mom. The last thing she needs to see is violence in the streets."
The former vice president and 2020 Democratic presidential candidate said that while he wants to hear more details about the decision, "it is important that justice be served.”
Taylor, a 26-year-old black woman in Louisville, Kentucky, was killed in her home in March after police carrying out a warrant entered her apartment. Her boyfriend (who said that he did not hear police announce themselves before they entered, while the officers say that they did ) shot an officer in the thigh when they entered, saying that he thought they were other intruders. Officers returned fire, killing Taylor as a result.
Her death, along with that of George Floyd (a black man from Minneapolis) in May, sparked nationwide Black Lives Matter protests and riots over policing and race relations.
A Kentucky grand jury on Wednesday ruled there was probable cause to indict detective Brett Hankison with three counts of wanton endangerment — but not because of actions that led to Taylor's death. He had blindly fired 10 shots that put Taylor's neighbors in danger.
The grand jury declined to indict the other two officers involved in carrying out the warrant and Taylor's death.
Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris also reacted to the news soon after the decision.
"I haven’t read it fully yet, but there's no question that Breonna Taylor and her family deserve justice yesterday, today and tomorrow," the California senator told reporters.
The mayor of Louisville declared a state of emergency on Wednesday before the decision was announced, in expectation of protests relating to the decision.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-23--Trays of mail, including absentee ballots, found in a ditch in Wisconsin

Police in Greenville , Wisconsin , found three trays of mail , including absentee ballots , in a ditch .
The Outagamie County Sheriff 's Office discovered the trays in a ditch on Tuesday morning , near Appleton International Airport , according to WLUK .
The mail was returned to the U.S .
Postal Service , and an investigation is underway .
`` The United States Postal Inspection Service immediately began investigating , and we reserve further comment on this matter until that is complete , '' USPS spokesman Bob Sheehan told WLUK .
At the time of publication , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington Examiner 's request for comment .
The Outagamie County Sheriff 's Office told the Washington Examiner that the mail discovered was `` mail going to the post office . ''
Amid the coronavirus pandemic , states have expanded eligibility for mail-in balloting .
Thousands of ballots went uncounted during Wisconsin 's primary because they were discovered on the day after the election .
A federal judge ordered the Postal Service to prioritize election mail on Monday .
`` The right to vote is too vital a value in our democracy to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the minds of voters weeks before a presidential election , raising doubts as to whether their votes will ultimately be counted , '' U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero said .
`` Conflicting , vague , and ambivalent managerial signals could also sow substantial doubt about whether the USPS is up to the task , whether it possesses the institutional will power and commitment to its historical mission , and so to handle the exceptional burden associated with a profoundly critical task in our democratic system , that of collecting and delivering election mail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he added .
Wisconsin is a crucial battleground state in the 2020 race .
A poll conducted by Ipsos that was released on Monday showed President Trump 5 points behind former Vice President Joe Biden .
The credibility interval of the poll was plus or minus 3.5 points and surveyed 609 likely Wisconsin voters .

Police in Greenville, Wisconsin, found three trays of mail, including absentee ballots, in a ditch.
The Outagamie County Sheriff's Office discovered the trays in a ditch on Tuesday morning, near Appleton International Airport, according to WLUK. The mail was returned to the U.S. Postal Service, and an investigation is underway.
"The United States Postal Inspection Service immediately began investigating, and we reserve further comment on this matter until that is complete," USPS spokesman Bob Sheehan told WLUK.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service told the Washington Examiner that it is aware of the mail, including absentee ballots, found in a ditch and is investigating the incident. The department declined to comment further.
The Outagamie County Sheriff's Office told the Washington Examiner that the mail discovered was "mail going to the post office."
Amid the coronavirus pandemic, states have expanded eligibility for mail-in balloting. Thousands of ballots went uncounted during Wisconsin's primary because they were discovered on the day after the election.
A federal judge ordered the Postal Service to prioritize election mail on Monday.
"The right to vote is too vital a value in our democracy to be left in a state of suspense in the minds of voters weeks before a presidential election, raising doubts as to whether their votes will ultimately be counted," U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero said.
"Conflicting, vague, and ambivalent managerial signals could also sow substantial doubt about whether the USPS is up to the task, whether it possesses the institutional will power and commitment to its historical mission, and so to handle the exceptional burden associated with a profoundly critical task in our democratic system, that of collecting and delivering election mail a few weeks from now," he added.
Wisconsin is a crucial battleground state in the 2020 race. A poll conducted by Ipsos that was released on Monday showed President Trump 5 points behind former Vice President Joe Biden. The credibility interval of the poll was plus or minus 3.5 points and surveyed 609 likely Wisconsin voters.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-23--McConnell PAC's strong $37M August take powered by $25M from Sheldon Adelson and wife

The super PAC aligned with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell raised $ 37.4 million in August and entered September with $ 126.2 million to spend defending Republicans in the fall elections .
Senate Leadership Fund ’ s August haul was dominated by $ 25 million in contributions from Republican megadonors Sheldon and Miriam Adelson and $ 4 million from Steve Wynn , the wealthy Las Vegas casino magnate and former finance chairman of the Republican National Committee , according to Federal Election Commission filings .
SLF is investing its money in television advertising and digital outreach to protect the Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate incumbents are under fire from well-funded Democratic challengers in at least seven states .
Democratic candidates have raised unusually large sums of campaign cash , putting Senate contests in play in traditionally red states such as Alaska , Georgia , and South Carolina , among others .
And , that was before Friday ’ s death of beloved liberal Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg .
Ginsburg ’ s passing sparked another wave of donations to Democratic candidates from grassroots liberals .
Republicans are keeping an eye on this development even though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Senate confirm Ginsburg ’ s successor will help their party hold the majority .
President Trump is expected to announce Saturday his nominee to replace Ginsburg .
Meanwhile , SLF ’ s Democratic counterpart , Senate Majority PAC , raised a workmanlike $ 17.2 million in August .
The group , aligned with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , began September with an $ 84.9 million war chest funded to a significant degree by small contributions from grassroots donors .

The super PAC aligned with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell raised $37.4 million in August and entered September with $126.2 million to spend defending Republicans in the fall elections.
Senate Leadership Fund’s August haul was dominated by $25 million in contributions from Republican megadonors Sheldon and Miriam Adelson and $4 million from Steve Wynn, the wealthy Las Vegas casino magnate and former finance chairman of the Republican National Committee, according to Federal Election Commission filings. SLF is investing its money in television advertising and digital outreach to protect the Republican Party’s three-seat majority.
Republican Senate incumbents are under fire from well-funded Democratic challengers in at least seven states. Democratic candidates have raised unusually large sums of campaign cash, putting Senate contests in play in traditionally red states such as Alaska, Georgia, and South Carolina, among others. And, that was before Friday’s death of beloved liberal Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Ginsburg’s passing sparked another wave of donations to Democratic candidates from grassroots liberals. Republicans are keeping an eye on this development even though many GOP operatives believe the fight to in the Senate confirm Ginsburg’s successor will help their party hold the majority. President Trump is expected to announce Saturday his nominee to replace Ginsburg.
Meanwhile, SLF’s Democratic counterpart, Senate Majority PAC, raised a workmanlike $17.2 million in August. The group, aligned with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, began September with an $84.9 million war chest funded to a significant degree by small contributions from grassroots donors.