thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-25--The big Trump rallies you don't see

The big Trump rallies you don't see

WASHINGTON , Pennsylvania — `` I ca n't believe there are n't any newspeople here , '' said Linda of Greene County , Pennsylvania , as she stood among hundreds of cars and pickup trucks idling in long parallel lines in a vast big-box-store parking lot Saturday , waiting to join the Interstate 70 Trump Train .
Indeed , although there were carloads of Trump supporters as far as one could see , and many more on the way from Ohio and West Virginia , and this enormous political event was happening less than two weeks before the presidential election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I was the only newsperson there .
It was the biggest political rally no one saw .
And gatherings like it have been happening for months in some of the places President Trump needs most to win if he is to be reelected .
And , remarkably , the rallies are not the work of the Trump campaign .
The road rally in Washington , Pennsylvania , was organized and staged by local Trump supporters , linked together largely by Facebook , who want to show that enthusiasm for the president in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just strong but stronger than it was when Trump eked out a victory in Pennsylvania in 2016 .
If Trump wins this critical state , it will owe in significant part to this organic movement and the energetic organizers who have nothing to do with his campaign .
Saturday 's rally started in St. Clairsville , Ohio , in the parking lot of a store called Oil & Gas Safety Supply .
After hundreds of cars , probably the majority were pickup trucks , lined up there , they became a rolling rally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ West Virginia , about 12 miles away .
There , hundreds more cars were waiting to join , and the much bigger rally returned to the freeway for the 30-mile drive to Washington .
That 's where Linda and several hundred more people were waiting in the parking lot of the other branch of Oil & Gas Safety Supply .
The cars from Ohio and West Virginia exited off the interstate , rolled past the Home Depot , then past Oil & Gas , and then , when the last car had passed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making one massive line of vehicles heading back to St. Clairsville .
There were so many cars — organizers estimated the number to be 2,000 , many of them with whole families inside — that it took a very long time to pass through the lot .
As that happened , people honked and waved American flags , and Trump flags , too , and talked about why they think it is critical for the president to be reelected .
`` We 're here because we believe he is the only way we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the future , '' said Sherri from Claysville .
`` You can have a pandemic and distance and be safe and not shut the economy down . ''
The car rallies themselves are an answer to the problem of campaigning amid a coronavirus pandemic — what could be safer than thousands of people gathered , but all inside their cars ?
Maria , from Washington , described herself as a lifelong Democrat who turned Republican when Trump ran in 2016 .
She and a lot of her family members voted for Barack Obama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looking around , she marveled that `` the enthusiasm for Trump is unreal . ''
But one person was n't there — Maria 's husband , who was at work in a coal mine in Waynesburg , where he has been a miner for 20 years .
It was no surprise that a crowd in Washington , located in the massive Marcellus Shale oil and gas range , would include a lot of people involved in the energy industry .
`` We 're a big oil and gas family , '' said Kristie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the American dream because of the oil and gas industry . ''
`` Born and raised in it , '' added her husband Zane , whose ancestors had drilled some of the first oil wells in McKean County , Pennsylvania .
Now , Kristie added , `` We 're all about fracking . ''
`` Check out my license plate , '' said one man out his window as I walked by .
I looked at the back of his car , and the plate said FRAC-IT .
`` All in , buddy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people said they either worked directly in the energy industry or one of the many businesses that support and benefit from it .
When I asked if people were connected to the energy industry , my favorite answer came from Dan from Greene County , who said , `` Yes , I am connected to the energy industry , because I 've got electricity and gas in my house . ''
Point made .
We all have a connection to the energy industry .
It 's just more obvious to the people living @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strongly about Trump because they know he has supported their industry while Obama and his vice president , Joe Biden , wanted to cripple and ultimately eliminate it .
They know Trump has not miraculously saved the energy industry in Pennsylvania .
They did n't expect that he would .
Their calculus was much more basic : In 2016 , they voted for the candidate who would stop trying to kill the industry that supports 322,000 jobs in Pennsylvania , according to an energy industry estimate .
Now , they know a President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to destroy the oil and gas business .
On Saturday , they were all very aware that just a few days before , in the last presidential debate , Biden had vowed to `` transition '' the United States away from oil and gas .
`` Would you close down the oil industry ? ''
asked Trump .
`` I would transition from the oil industry , yes , '' Biden answered .
`` Basically what he 's saying is he 's going to destroy the oil industry , '' Trump said a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Texas ?
Will you remember that Pennsylvania ?
Oklahoma ?
Ohio ? ''
There 's no bigger supporter of the industry , or of Trump , than Amy Savage , founder and owner of Oil & Gas Safety Supply .
The company 's name is a reminder that working in the oil and gas industry can be dangerous .
It sells hard hats and flashlights and gas monitors and eye protection and all sorts of flame-resistant clothing .
Most Americans do n't have to worry about donning flame-resistant wear for work , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , West Virginia , and Pennsylvania , it 's a real concern .
It shows that the energy Americans enjoy comes at a cost that goes beyond dollars .
Originally from Michigan , Savage saw the fracking boom in the area and moved to Washington in 2012 .
She was working in the safety field and noticed that it sometimes took workers weeks to get the proper protective clothing .
That made it hard for a company to hire a worker and put him to work quickly .
Savage 's idea was to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she designs it herself and has it manufactured in China — and available immediately .
The idea caught on ; by 2018 , Oil & Gas Safety Supply , operating two stores , one in Washington and the other in St. Clairsville , was doing $ 12 million in annual business .
Savage saw a striking change when Trump was elected .
`` Immediately , the oil fields in Pennsylvania were getting back to work , '' she told me .
`` They were drilling , drilling , drilling , and fracking , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oil and gas workers , more truck drivers , more hotels , more restaurants , more shopping centers .
This area has exploded in the last three years with this influx of people .
It was an economic explosion because you had a president standing behind the oil and gas industry in these three states , saying we need to be energy independent . ''
`` And now , Joe Biden is going to put an end to it , '' Savage continued .
`` Anybody who watched the debate heard those words @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I heard it , it sent chills down my spine .
He 's going to pull the rug out from under these three states . ''
Coronavirus hit Oil & Gas Safety Supply hard , as it did so many other businesses across the country .
The two stores shut down completely for 45 days .
Savage , straining to make $ 30,000 in monthly rent payments , laid off all her employees .
She got a PPP loan in May , but that quickly ran out .
She estimates business will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which she blames the virus and industry hesitation at the possibility of a Biden presidency .
Now , Savage is making back a little money selling Trump gear — flags , stickers , clothing , everything .
What started with a shelf or two of Trump stuff has now turned into a 10,000 square foot section of her store in St. Clairsville .
It does n't make her nearly as much money as selling protective equipment does , but it 's something .
Savage has also turned into a major pro-Trump organizer in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tri-state rally in a matter of days , using her store 's parking areas — it takes a lot of empty asphalt to stage one of these things — and using social media to spread the word as far as she could .
She hoped to be able to get 5,000 people to attend — about three to each car — and it appears she succeeded .
Other than an appearance from the president himself , it 's probably the most effective Trump campaigning going on in Pennsylvania , and it has nothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
When I asked if the Trump campaign offered her any help or worked with her , Savage answered , `` We do n't have that kind of clout .
We 're hard-working oil-field people , and we do n't have those kind of connections . ''
Savage , by the way , has never met Trump .
The next time he is in the area , he ought to look her up and thank her .
In any event , the campaign is happy for the help .
`` Whether it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enthusiasm behind President Trump 's reelection is obvious and enormous , '' campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh said in an email exchange .
`` People are finding their own ways of showing their support .
Democrats and the media can scoff if they want , but they ca n't point to any examples of similar grassroots excitement for Joe Biden because there is n't any . ''
Speaking of Biden , he , too , held a car rally Saturday , in Luzerne County , Pennsylvania , right next door to his hometown of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and rock star Jon Bon Jovi were all there .
By the end of it , pool reporter Eli Stokols , of the Los Angeles Times , tweeted : `` Today 's attendance : 232 vehicles . ''
In Washington , there was no Trump , no first lady , no rock stars , no speakers at all , and they had many times the number of vehicles that Biden had .
Still , the polls say Biden has a significant lead in Pennsylvania .
The RealClearPolitics average of polls shows Biden ahead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state .
At this time in 2016 , Hillary Clinton 's lead was almost exactly the same — 5.2 points .
Then it disappeared , if it ever really was that big .
Trump won by seven-tenths of a point .
The size of the Trump rally turnout in Pennsylvania gave a lot of people confidence that that can happen again ; most of the people I spoke to expressed optimism that the president will win .
I asked everyone I spoke to whether they thought things looked a little iffy for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We like to think not , '' said Lisa from Greene County .
`` We like to think God 's got this . ''
`` I think there 's a lot of people who are shy supporters , '' said Ron from Butler .
`` I know people in their 50s who have n't voted in their entire lives , and they 're going to vote for Trump , '' said Patrick from Beaver County .
And many marveled at , and perhaps resented , the fact that it was going on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As he watched the endless line of cars and trucks pass by , Mark Hrutkay , chairman of the Washington County Republican Party , said , `` We 've had nine weekend roadside rallies all over the county , and there was no coverage . ''
A moment later , he corrected himself — the BBC covered one , he said .
But that was it .
Political strategists often refer to the ground game , the work that campaigns do to knock on doors and make personal contact with voters .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot of that .
But if the president wins Pennsylvania , and that would mean he 'd have a good chance at winning a second term , he might well owe his victory to his grassroots supporters ' work on the road .
Jumping in their cars and trucks and inviting others to come along has heightened the enthusiasm in oil and gas country .
Look for them to keep driving all the way to Election Day .

WASHINGTON, Pennsylvania — "I can't believe there aren't any newspeople here," said Linda of Greene County, Pennsylvania, as she stood among hundreds of cars and pickup trucks idling in long parallel lines in a vast big-box-store parking lot Saturday, waiting to join the Interstate 70 Trump Train. Indeed, although there were carloads of Trump supporters as far as one could see, and many more on the way from Ohio and West Virginia, and this enormous political event was happening less than two weeks before the presidential election, as far as I could tell, I was the only newsperson there.
It was the biggest political rally no one saw. And gatherings like it have been happening for months in some of the places President Trump needs most to win if he is to be reelected. And, remarkably, the rallies are not the work of the Trump campaign. The road rally in Washington, Pennsylvania, was organized and staged by local Trump supporters, linked together largely by Facebook, who want to show that enthusiasm for the president in western Pennsylvania and surrounding areas is not just strong but stronger than it was when Trump eked out a victory in Pennsylvania in 2016. If Trump wins this critical state, it will owe in significant part to this organic movement and the energetic organizers who have nothing to do with his campaign.
Saturday's rally started in St. Clairsville, Ohio, in the parking lot of a store called Oil & Gas Safety Supply. After hundreds of cars, probably the majority were pickup trucks, lined up there, they became a rolling rally headed east on I-70 to Wheeling, West Virginia, about 12 miles away. There, hundreds more cars were waiting to join, and the much bigger rally returned to the freeway for the 30-mile drive to Washington. That's where Linda and several hundred more people were waiting in the parking lot of the other branch of Oil & Gas Safety Supply. The cars from Ohio and West Virginia exited off the interstate, rolled past the Home Depot, then past Oil & Gas, and then, when the last car had passed, the Washington cars joined it, making one massive line of vehicles heading back to St. Clairsville.
Photo courtesy of Amy Savage
There were so many cars — organizers estimated the number to be 2,000, many of them with whole families inside — that it took a very long time to pass through the lot. As that happened, people honked and waved American flags, and Trump flags, too, and talked about why they think it is critical for the president to be reelected.
"We're here because we believe he is the only way we're going to have an economy in the future," said Sherri from Claysville. "You can have a pandemic and distance and be safe and not shut the economy down." The car rallies themselves are an answer to the problem of campaigning amid a coronavirus pandemic — what could be safer than thousands of people gathered, but all inside their cars?
Maria, from Washington, described herself as a lifelong Democrat who turned Republican when Trump ran in 2016. She and a lot of her family members voted for Barack Obama twice, she said. Now, looking around, she marveled that "the enthusiasm for Trump is unreal." But one person wasn't there — Maria's husband, who was at work in a coal mine in Waynesburg, where he has been a miner for 20 years.
It was no surprise that a crowd in Washington, located in the massive Marcellus Shale oil and gas range, would include a lot of people involved in the energy industry. "We're a big oil and gas family," said Kristie from Washington. "We're living the American dream because of the oil and gas industry." "Born and raised in it," added her husband Zane, whose ancestors had drilled some of the first oil wells in McKean County, Pennsylvania. Now, Kristie added, "We're all about fracking."
"Check out my license plate," said one man out his window as I walked by. I looked at the back of his car, and the plate said FRAC-IT. "All in, buddy," he shouted.
Several other people said they either worked directly in the energy industry or one of the many businesses that support and benefit from it. When I asked if people were connected to the energy industry, my favorite answer came from Dan from Greene County, who said, "Yes, I am connected to the energy industry, because I've got electricity and gas in my house." Point made. We all have a connection to the energy industry. It's just more obvious to the people living in western Pennsylvania.
They feel so strongly about Trump because they know he has supported their industry while Obama and his vice president, Joe Biden, wanted to cripple and ultimately eliminate it. They know Trump has not miraculously saved the energy industry in Pennsylvania. They didn't expect that he would. Their calculus was much more basic: In 2016, they voted for the candidate who would stop trying to kill the industry that supports 322,000 jobs in Pennsylvania, according to an energy industry estimate.
Now, they know a President Joe Biden would resume the green crusade to destroy the oil and gas business. On Saturday, they were all very aware that just a few days before, in the last presidential debate, Biden had vowed to "transition" the United States away from oil and gas.
"Would you close down the oil industry?" asked Trump.
"I would transition from the oil industry, yes," Biden answered.
"Basically, what he's saying is he's going to destroy the oil industry," Trump said a moment later. "Will you remember that Texas? Will you remember that Pennsylvania? Oklahoma? Ohio?"
They do.
There's no bigger supporter of the industry, or of Trump, than Amy Savage, founder and owner of Oil & Gas Safety Supply. The company's name is a reminder that working in the oil and gas industry can be dangerous. It sells hard hats and flashlights and gas monitors and eye protection and all sorts of flame-resistant clothing. Most Americans don't have to worry about donning flame-resistant wear for work, but in the energy-producing areas of Ohio, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania, it's a real concern. It shows that the energy Americans enjoy comes at a cost that goes beyond dollars.
Originally from Michigan, Savage saw the fracking boom in the area and moved to Washington in 2012. She was working in the safety field and noticed that it sometimes took workers weeks to get the proper protective clothing. That made it hard for a company to hire a worker and put him to work quickly. Savage's idea was to provide clothing at a lower price — she designs it herself and has it manufactured in China — and available immediately. The idea caught on; by 2018, Oil & Gas Safety Supply, operating two stores, one in Washington and the other in St. Clairsville, was doing $12 million in annual business.
Savage saw a striking change when Trump was elected. "Immediately, the oil fields in Pennsylvania were getting back to work," she told me. "They were drilling, drilling, drilling, and fracking, fracking, fracking. There were more oil and gas workers, more truck drivers, more hotels, more restaurants, more shopping centers. This area has exploded in the last three years with this influx of people. It was an economic explosion because you had a president standing behind the oil and gas industry in these three states, saying we need to be energy independent."
"And now, Joe Biden is going to put an end to it," Savage continued. "Anybody who watched the debate heard those words come out of his mouth. When I heard it, it sent chills down my spine. He's going to pull the rug out from under these three states."
The coronavirus hit Oil & Gas Safety Supply hard, as it did so many other businesses across the country. The two stores shut down completely for 45 days. Savage, straining to make $30,000 in monthly rent payments, laid off all her employees. She got a PPP loan in May, but that quickly ran out. She estimates business will be down 75% this year, for which she blames the virus and industry hesitation at the possibility of a Biden presidency.
Byron York
Now, Savage is making back a little money selling Trump gear — flags, stickers, clothing, everything. What started with a shelf or two of Trump stuff has now turned into a 10,000 square foot section of her store in St. Clairsville. It doesn't make her nearly as much money as selling protective equipment does, but it's something.
Savage has also turned into a major pro-Trump organizer in the region. She put together the tri-state rally in a matter of days, using her store's parking areas — it takes a lot of empty asphalt to stage one of these things — and using social media to spread the word as far as she could. She hoped to be able to get 5,000 people to attend — about three to each car — and it appears she succeeded.
Other than an appearance from the president himself, it's probably the most effective Trump campaigning going on in Pennsylvania, and it has nothing to do with the official Trump campaign. When I asked if the Trump campaign offered her any help or worked with her, Savage answered, "We don't have that kind of clout. We're hard-working oil-field people, and we don't have those kind of connections." Savage, by the way, has never met Trump. The next time he is in the area, he ought to look her up and thank her.
In any event, the campaign is happy for the help. "Whether it's road rallies or boat parades, the enthusiasm behind President Trump's reelection is obvious and enormous," campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh said in an email exchange. "People are finding their own ways of showing their support. Democrats and the media can scoff if they want, but they can't point to any examples of similar grassroots excitement for Joe Biden because there isn't any."
Speaking of Biden, he, too, held a car rally Saturday, in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, right next door to his hometown of Scranton. Biden, wife Jill, and rock star Jon Bon Jovi were all there. By the end of it, pool reporter Eli Stokols, of the Los Angeles Times, tweeted: "Today's attendance: 232 vehicles." In Washington, there was no Trump, no first lady, no rock stars, no speakers at all, and they had many times the number of vehicles that Biden had.
Still, the polls say Biden has a significant lead in Pennsylvania. The RealClearPolitics average of polls shows Biden ahead of Trump by 5.1 percentage points in the state. At this time in 2016, Hillary Clinton's lead was almost exactly the same — 5.2 points. Then it disappeared, if it ever really was that big. Trump won by seven-tenths of a point.
The size of the Trump rally turnout in Pennsylvania gave a lot of people confidence that that can happen again; most of the people I spoke to expressed optimism that the president will win. I asked everyone I spoke to whether they thought things looked a little iffy for Trump, and most said no. "We like to think not," said Lisa from Greene County. "We like to think God's got this."
"I think there's a lot of people who are shy supporters," said Ron from Butler.
"I know people in their 50s who haven't voted in their entire lives, and they're going to vote for Trump," said Patrick from Beaver County.
And many marveled at, and perhaps resented, the fact that it was going on below the radar of the national media. As he watched the endless line of cars and trucks pass by, Mark Hrutkay, chairman of the Washington County Republican Party, said, "We've had nine weekend roadside rallies all over the county, and there was no coverage." A moment later, he corrected himself — the BBC covered one, he said. But that was it.
Political strategists often refer to the ground game, the work that campaigns do to knock on doors and make personal contact with voters. Certainly, the Trump campaign is doing a lot of that. But if the president wins Pennsylvania, and that would mean he'd have a good chance at winning a second term, he might well owe his victory to his grassroots supporters' work on the road. Jumping in their cars and trucks and inviting others to come along has heightened the enthusiasm in oil and gas country. Look for them to keep driving all the way to Election Day.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-25--Hot mic catches Kamala Harris asking what city she's in before addressing crowd

Vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris was captured in a hot mic moment asking someone nearby what city she was in @ @ @ @ @ “ Are we in Cleveland ?
” Harris asks someone next to her .
“ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Kamala !
” The video was posted by a Twitter account belonging to @ @ @ @ @ .
Harris was in Cleveland delivering a speech at Cuyahoga Community College at an event @ @ @ @ @ are going to make the difference , ” Harris told the crowd encouraging them to @ @ @ @ @ are going to make the decision about your future , about your family ’ s @ @ @ @ @ the voice of your vote , and you have the power.
” The Biden campaign @ @ @ @ @ request for comment from the Washington Examiner .

Vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris was captured in a hot mic moment asking someone nearby what city she was in before addressing a crowd.
“Are we in Cleveland?” Harris asks someone next to her. “Hey, Cleveland! It’s Kamala!”
The video was posted by a Twitter account belonging to the Trump campaign on Saturday.
A hot mic caught Kamala Harris asking staff "are we in Cleveland?" before she spoke. pic.twitter.com/Fni0u5Xwgc — Trump War Room - Text TRUMP to 88022 (@TrumpWarRoom) October 24, 2020
Harris was in Cleveland delivering a speech at Cuyahoga Community College at an event that reportedly sent out roughly 75 invitations .
“You are going to make the difference,” Harris told the crowd encouraging them to vote early. “You are going to make the decision about your future, about your family’s future. It is through the voice of your vote, and you have the power.”
The Biden campaign did not immediately return a request for comment from the Washington Examiner.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-26--Kamala Harris: 'Yes, I do' think Trump is racist

Kamala Harris said without hesitation that she thinks that President Trump is racist .
In an interview for CBS 's 60 Minutes that aired Sunday , anchor Norah O'Donnell brought up Trump calling the California senator and Democratic vice presidential nominee `` nasty '' and a `` monster . ''
`` This is not the first time in my life I 've been called names , '' Harris said .
`` It was predictable , sadly . ''
`` Do you think the president is racist ? ''
O'Donnell asked .
`` Yes , I do , '' Harris responded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so .
`` You can look at a pattern that goes back to him questioning the identity of the first black president of the United States .
You can look at Charlottesville , when there were peaceful protesters , and on the other side , neo-Nazis , and he talks about fine people on either side .
Calling Mexicans 'rapists ' and 'criminals . '
His first order of business was to institute a Muslim ban .
It all speaks for itself , '' Harris said .
Trump has repeatedly denounced white supremacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump called himself the `` least racist person in this room . ''

Kamala Harris said without hesitation that she thinks that President Trump is racist.
In an interview for CBS's 60 Minutes that aired Sunday, anchor Norah O'Donnell brought up Trump calling the California senator and Democratic vice presidential nominee "nasty" and a "monster."
"This is not the first time in my life I've been called names," Harris said. "It was predictable, sadly."
"Do you think the president is racist?" O'Donnell asked.
"Yes, I do," Harris responded and provided evidence for why she thinks so.
"You can look at a pattern that goes back to him questioning the identity of the first black president of the United States. You can look at Charlottesville, when there were peaceful protesters, and on the other side, neo-Nazis, and he talks about fine people on either side. Calling Mexicans 'rapists' and 'criminals.' His first order of business was to institute a Muslim ban. It all speaks for itself," Harris said.
Trump has repeatedly denounced white supremacy. During Thursday's presidential debate, Trump called himself the "least racist person in this room."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-26--After court-packing fracas, Biden says he doesn't support SCOTUS term limits

After equivocating over court-packing , Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden was quick to distance himself from speculation he supported Supreme Court term limits .
`` It 's a lifetime appointment .
I 'm not going to attempt to change that at all , '' Biden told reporters Monday in Chester , Pennsylvania .
If elected to the White House next week , the two-term vice president and 36-year Delaware senator has promised to set up a commission to study possible Supreme Court reforms .
The group will have 180 days to provide him with recommendations .
`` There 's some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of going from one court to another court , not just always staying the whole time on the Supreme Court .
But I have made no judgment , my word , '' he said after a quick visit to a voter center in the critical battleground state .
To the delight of President Trump 's campaign and Republican operatives , Biden frustrated liberal activists and down-ballot Democratic candidates last month when he refused to address a push to expand the Supreme Court after the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and nomination of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Biden finally said he was n't `` a fan '' of court-packing , before last week proposing the commission .
With a stable average national polling lead over Trump eight days before the Nov. 3 election , Biden also countered criticism Monday he was being complacent with his light campaign schedule .
“ I ’ m going to be going to Iowa , I ’ m going to Wisconsin , I ’ m going to Georgia , I ’ m going to Florida , and maybe other places as well , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to confirm Barrett to the Supreme Court Monday night .

After equivocating over court-packing, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden was quick to distance himself from speculation he supported Supreme Court term limits.
"It's a lifetime appointment. I'm not going to attempt to change that at all," Biden told reporters Monday in Chester, Pennsylvania.
If elected to the White House next week, the two-term vice president and 36-year Delaware senator has promised to set up a commission to study possible Supreme Court reforms. The group will have 180 days to provide him with recommendations.
"There's some literature among constitutional scholars about the possibility of going from one court to another court, not just always staying the whole time on the Supreme Court. But I have made no judgment, my word," he said after a quick visit to a voter center in the critical battleground state.
To the delight of President Trump's campaign and Republican operatives, Biden frustrated liberal activists and down-ballot Democratic candidates last month when he refused to address a push to expand the Supreme Court after the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to replace her. Biden finally said he wasn't "a fan" of court-packing, before last week proposing the commission.
With a stable average national polling lead over Trump eight days before the Nov. 3 election, Biden also countered criticism Monday he was being complacent with his light campaign schedule.
“I’m going to be going to Iowa, I’m going to Wisconsin, I’m going to Georgia, I’m going to Florida, and maybe other places as well,” Biden said.
The Senate is expected to confirm Barrett to the Supreme Court Monday night.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-26--Pence skirts Minnesota rally limits by calling it a 'peaceful protest'

Vice President Mike Pence drew approximately 650 people to a campaign rally in northern Minnesota , a crowd size that runs afoul of state regulations limiting gatherings to 250 people to prevent the spread of the coronavirus .
State and local governments that have responded to the pandemic by limiting crowd size have tended not to enforce them on people who have gathered to protest racial injustice and police brutality .
President Trump 's campaign has used this reasoning to skirt local limitations on crowd size , and did so again on Monday , describing its rally with Pence in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iron Range , as a `` peaceful protest . ''
`` Hibbing police confirmed more than 650 people in attendance , exceeding Minnesota health guidelines to restrict crowds to 250 people , '' Meredith Lee of PBS 's NewsHour reported in a tweet .
The `` campaign says rallies are 'peaceful protests . '
'' In the past few days , four of Pence 's close aides have tested positive for the coronavirus .
But Pence and his wife , second lady Karen Pence , have tested negative and have kept up their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States are on the rise after a bit of a lull in late summer and early fall .

Vice President Mike Pence drew approximately 650 people to a campaign rally in northern Minnesota, a crowd size that runs afoul of state regulations limiting gatherings to 250 people to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
State and local governments that have responded to the pandemic by limiting crowd size have tended not to enforce them on people who have gathered to protest racial injustice and police brutality. President Trump's campaign has used this reasoning to skirt local limitations on crowd size, and did so again on Monday, describing its rally with Pence in Hibbing, a community in Minnesota's Iron Range, as a "peaceful protest."
"Hibbing police confirmed more than 650 people in attendance, exceeding Minnesota health guidelines to restrict crowds to 250 people," Meredith Lee of PBS's NewsHour reported in a tweet. The "campaign says rallies are 'peaceful protests.'"
Per pool w/ Pence in Minnesota today, VP's event is violating current state covid rules:
"Hibbing police confirmed more than 650 people in attendance, exceeding Minnesota health guidelines to restrict crowds to 250 people."
campaign says rallies are "peaceful protests" — Meredith Lee (@meredithllee) October 26, 2020
In the past few days, four of Pence's close aides have tested positive for the coronavirus. But Pence and his wife, second lady Karen Pence, have tested negative and have kept up their aggressive campaign schedule. Infection rates in the United States are on the rise after a bit of a lull in late summer and early fall.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-26--Ohio Democrats and Republicans skeptical of Biden's unity closing argument

CLEVELAND — Roughly 18 months after embarking on his third White House bid , the closing argument for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden 's 2020 campaign is a message of unity .
But while some Ohio Democrats are nostalgic for a more bipartisan past , others are skeptical the two-term vice president and Delaware ’ s 36-year senator can reintroduce civility to the political discourse .
For Sandy Arancibia , half-huddled in her car after California Sen. Kamala Harris ’ s event at Cleveland 's Cuyahoga County Community College on Saturday , the outcome of next week 's election between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who our country really is and what our values are . ''
The Rocky River teacher , 57 , said Trump 's divisiveness had repelled friends and neighbors in her conservative lakeside community , which is west of Cleveland .
“ I know people that traditionally are Republicans that will not vote for him just because he's… mean , is the word they use , mean , ” Arancibia said .
She believed “ more middle of the road people ” were “ just done with him ” because of the `` animosity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to coax them to his side .
“ In the countryside , if Biden could reach those people more , '' she said .
`` He hasn ’ t done a lot to reach out to the Latino population either , but I feel like all of those groups are people that like to think that they 're compassionate .
If you think of Christians traditionally , they 're supposed to be : ‘ What would with Jesus do ?
’ '' Samantha Candela , 60 , was braving a chilly breeze outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Biden 's running mate as her security detail whisked her away .
Candela , who had nicknamed Trump “ Dumpster ” and refused to acknowledge him as president , said that `` the hatred , the nastiness , the backbiting , the undercutting government '' that she saw was made worse by voter fragmentation .
“ That 's what scares me .
Are we just selective hearing in this country to what we want to hear instead of the truth ?
” the Cleveland embroidery shop supervisor asked .
Cuyahoga County is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Democratic stronghold can cancel out Republican votes in Ohio 's more rural areas .
But Cuyahoga County Republicans are determined to show them up .
Ralph King , a member of the Republican Party Cuyahoga County central and policy committees , scoffed at the idea of `` lifelong politician '' Biden heralding a shiny new era of unity .
King told the Washington Examiner on the phone from Bedford , south of Cleveland , that so-called silent Trump supporters have gone dark because they are `` afraid of being targeted '' by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put up opposing yard signs because people spreading your message of unity are attacking them , '' King said of Biden .
`` [ Biden 's ] message of unity is breaking windows , catching crap on fire , beating people up .
How is that unity ? ''
The Main Street Patriots co-founder stressed that unity is a message most people could get behind , but there is disagreement over the definition .
“ And the other reason is , ‘ I 'm going to put American workers first , ’ and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to citizenship for illegal immigrants .
Back to the union workers that I was talking about , that ’ s competition , that 's taking their jobs , that ’ s lowering their wages , ” he said .
“ He can put whipped cream on it and try to make it pretty , but I do n't know if people necessarily believe that that unity is an American unity.
” In a two-hour voting line that wrapped the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections building , Wendy Horn , 42 , conceded that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hyperpartisanship .
She used Biden and Trump 's `` immature '' squabbling during the opening debate as an example .
The Cleveland child welfare supervisor agreed that the word `` unity '' was vulnerable to interpretation .
“ I 'm voting for a lot of different reasons , but I feel like the state that the country is in , we have become very divisive with our current leader right now , and I feel like there are a lot of different agendas that are being pushed that are not supportive of all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in blue like her sorority sisters , who broke out in dance to music being blasted by a Black Lives Matter van parked across the street , Horn said Biden 's stump speech line about being `` the president of the United States for all Americans '' resonated with her .
`` And when you have a president and people who are following him who also do n't support that , that 's a problem for the American people , ” she explained .
Alana Garrett-Ferguson , 28 , sat down with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after casting her ballot .
She was n't sure the post-Nov. 3 political landscape will be as smooth-sailing as Biden hopes .
“ If he was to win , I think that he probably has all intents and purposes of wanting to be that person who is able to unify , '' the Cleveland community activist said .
`` I do n't necessarily think that he will , unfortunately , because you do have so many things that have happened , especially when we look at the racial uprisings of this summer .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ has polarized people . ''
Garrett-Ferguson was also dubious since she predicted Democratic primary fissures , papered over for the general election , would reemerge during a Biden administration .
“ We have n't listened to people at the margins .
Joe Biden being picked and not listening to a lot of the youth vote and not listening to a lot of the LGBT or people of color vote .
All of those people were left out , ” she said .
“ But I think if he was to win , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be able to continue to advocate for themselves and for their interests without worrying about being under a tyrant or a dictator.
” Ceciley Jones , 53 , distilled her and other Democrats ' reaction in a sentence .
The quiet Cleveland bus operator beckoned the Washington Examiner over to her place in the long queue .
“ Unity ?
There probably should be more of it , but I ’ m not sure that there ever will be , unfortunately , ” she said .
Trump leads Biden in Ohio on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to RealClearPolitics .
Ohio offers the nominees 18 Electoral College votes , and no Republican has won the White House without the state .

CLEVELAND — Roughly 18 months after embarking on his third White House bid, the closing argument for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden's 2020 campaign is a message of unity.
But while some Ohio Democrats are nostalgic for a more bipartisan past, others are skeptical the two-term vice president and Delaware’s 36-year senator can reintroduce civility to the political discourse.
For Sandy Arancibia, half-huddled in her car after California Sen. Kamala Harris’s event at Cleveland's Cuyahoga County Community College on Saturday, the outcome of next week's election between President Trump and Biden would expose "who our country really is and what our values are."
The Rocky River teacher, 57, said Trump's divisiveness had repelled friends and neighbors in her conservative lakeside community, which is west of Cleveland.
“I know people that traditionally are Republicans that will not vote for him just because he's… mean, is the word they use, mean,” Arancibia said.
She believed “more middle of the road people” were “just done with him” because of the "animosity,” providing Biden with an opportunity to coax them to his side.
“In the countryside, if Biden could reach those people more," she said. "He hasn’t done a lot to reach out to the Latino population either, but I feel like all of those groups are people that like to think that they're compassionate. If you think of Christians traditionally, they're supposed to be: ‘What would with Jesus do?’"
Samantha Candela, 60, was braving a chilly breeze outside the college's garage for a glimpse of Biden's running mate as her security detail whisked her away. Candela, who had nicknamed Trump “Dumpster” and refused to acknowledge him as president, said that "the hatred, the nastiness, the backbiting, the undercutting government" that she saw was made worse by voter fragmentation.
“That's what scares me. Are we just selective hearing in this country to what we want to hear instead of the truth?” the Cleveland embroidery shop supervisor asked.
Cuyahoga County is important for Democrats. High turnout in the Democratic stronghold can cancel out Republican votes in Ohio's more rural areas. But Cuyahoga County Republicans are determined to show them up.
Ralph King, a member of the Republican Party Cuyahoga County central and policy committees, scoffed at the idea of "lifelong politician" Biden heralding a shiny new era of unity. King told the Washington Examiner on the phone from Bedford, south of Cleveland, that so-called silent Trump supporters have gone dark because they are "afraid of being targeted" by Democrats.
“People are afraid to put up opposing yard signs because people spreading your message of unity are attacking them," King said of Biden. "[Biden's] message of unity is breaking windows, catching crap on fire, beating people up. How is that unity?"
The Main Street Patriots co-founder stressed that unity is a message most people could get behind, but there is disagreement over the definition.
“And the other reason is, ‘I'm going to put American workers first,’ and he's already talking about a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants. Back to the union workers that I was talking about, that’s competition, that's taking their jobs, that’s lowering their wages,” he said. “He can put whipped cream on it and try to make it pretty, but I don't know if people necessarily believe that that unity is an American unity.”
In a two-hour voting line that wrapped the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections building, Wendy Horn, 42, conceded that both sides had damaged political institutions with hyperpartisanship. She used Biden and Trump's "immature" squabbling during the opening debate as an example.
The Cleveland child welfare supervisor agreed that the word "unity" was vulnerable to interpretation.
“I'm voting for a lot of different reasons, but I feel like the state that the country is in, we have become very divisive with our current leader right now, and I feel like there are a lot of different agendas that are being pushed that are not supportive of all Americans,” she said.
Clad in blue like her sorority sisters, who broke out in dance to music being blasted by a Black Lives Matter van parked across the street, Horn said Biden's stump speech line about being "the president of the United States for all Americans" resonated with her.
"And when you have a president and people who are following him who also don't support that, that's a problem for the American people,” she explained.
Alana Garrett-Ferguson, 28, sat down with the Washington Examiner at a nearby bus stop after casting her ballot. She wasn't sure the post-Nov. 3 political landscape will be as smooth-sailing as Biden hopes.
“If he was to win, I think that he probably has all intents and purposes of wanting to be that person who is able to unify," the Cleveland community activist said. "I don't necessarily think that he will, unfortunately, because you do have so many things that have happened, especially when we look at the racial uprisings of this summer. We look at COVID-19, and that has polarized people."
Garrett-Ferguson was also dubious since she predicted Democratic primary fissures, papered over for the general election, would reemerge during a Biden administration.
“We haven't listened to people at the margins. Joe Biden being picked and not listening to a lot of the youth vote and not listening to a lot of the LGBT or people of color vote. All of those people were left out,” she said. “But I think if he was to win, it would lay a foundation that every group would be able to continue to advocate for themselves and for their interests without worrying about being under a tyrant or a dictator.”
Ceciley Jones, 53, distilled her and other Democrats' reaction in a sentence. The quiet Cleveland bus operator beckoned the Washington Examiner over to her place in the long queue.
“Unity? There probably should be more of it, but I’m not sure that there ever will be, unfortunately,” she said.
Trump leads Biden in Ohio on average by less than 1 percentage point, according to RealClearPolitics. Ohio offers the nominees 18 Electoral College votes, and no Republican has won the White House without the state.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-26--Biden appears to confuse Trump with Bush while on campaign trail

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden appeared to confuse President Trump with former President George W. Bush .
`` Not because I 'm running but because who I 'm running against , this is the most consequential election in a long , long , long time , '' Biden said to comedian George Lopez and CNN 's Ana Navarro on Sunday during an `` I Will Vote Concert '' virtual campaign event .
`` And the character of the country in my view is literally on the ballot .
What kind of country are we going to be ?
Four more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we 're ] gon na find ourselves in a position where if Trump gets elected , we 're going to be in a different world . ''
Trump also noted the stumble , saying the media will “ cover it up.
” “ Joe Biden called me George yesterday .
Couldn ’ t remember my name .
Got some help from the anchor to get him through the interview .
The Fake News Cartel is working overtime to cover it up !
” he tweeted Monday .
Biden has landed in hot water @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , most notably earlier this year when he joined the radio show The Breakfast Club .
`` If you have a problem figuring out whether you 're for me or Trump , then you ai n't black , '' Biden said in May of black voters .
The former vice president apologized for the comment after the interview , saying he wasn ’ t taking black voters for granted .
Another video of Biden resurfaced this year in which he jokingly called U.S. troops `` stupid bastards . ''
“ I have incredibly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the video .
“ One , I married Jill , and two , I appointed Johnson to the academy .
I just want you to know that .
Clap for that , you stupid bastards . ''
Another video also surfaced of Biden on the campaign trail attributing people 's ability to stay home during the pandemic to “ some black woman ” stocking grocery store shelves .
“ The American public , the blinders have been taken off .
They 've all of a sudden seen a hell of a lot clearer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ event with veterans on Sept. 15 in Tampa , Florida .
“ They ’ ve seen , 'Geez , the reason I was able to stay sequestered in my home is because some black woman was able to stock the grocery shelf.
’ ” “ Or ' A young Hispanic is out there , these DREAMers are out there , 60,000 of them , acting as first responders and nurses and docs , ' '' he said .
`` Or , all of a sudden , people are realizing , ‘ My Lord @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , not just black , white , across the board , have done so much for me .
We can do this .
We can get things done . '
”

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden appeared to confuse President Trump with former President George W. Bush.
"Not because I'm running but because who I'm running against, this is the most consequential election in a long, long, long time," Biden said to comedian George Lopez and CNN's Ana Navarro on Sunday during an "I Will Vote Concert" virtual campaign event. "And the character of the country in my view is literally on the ballot. What kind of country are we going to be? Four more years of George, George, [we're] gonna find ourselves in a position where if Trump gets elected, we're going to be in a different world."
Trump also noted the stumble, saying the media will “cover it up.”
“Joe Biden called me George yesterday. Couldn’t remember my name. Got some help from the anchor to get him through the interview. The Fake News Cartel is working overtime to cover it up!” he tweeted Monday.
Joe Biden called me George yesterday. Couldn’t remember my name. Got some help from the anchor to get him through the interview. The Fake News Cartel is working overtime to cover it up! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 26, 2020
Biden has landed in hot water before when making off-the-cuff comments or slip-ups, most notably earlier this year when he joined the radio show The Breakfast Club.
"If you have a problem figuring out whether you're for me or Trump, then you ain't black," Biden said in May of black voters.
The former vice president apologized for the comment after the interview, saying he wasn’t taking black voters for granted.
Another video of Biden resurfaced this year in which he jokingly called U.S. troops "stupid bastards."
“I have incredibly good judgment,” Biden said in the video. “One, I married Jill, and two, I appointed Johnson to the academy. I just want you to know that. Clap for that, you stupid bastards."
Another video also surfaced of Biden on the campaign trail attributing people's ability to stay home during the pandemic to “some black woman” stocking grocery store shelves.
“The American public, the blinders have been taken off. They've all of a sudden seen a hell of a lot clearer,” Biden said at a campaign event with veterans on Sept. 15 in Tampa, Florida. “They’ve seen, 'Geez, the reason I was able to stay sequestered in my home is because some black woman was able to stock the grocery shelf.’”
“Or 'A young Hispanic is out there, these DREAMers are out there, 60,000 of them, acting as first responders and nurses and docs,'" he said. "Or, all of a sudden, people are realizing, ‘My Lord, these people have done so much, not just black, white, across the board, have done so much for me. We can do this. We can get things done.'”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-27--Trump outpacing Biden in travel and events during final weeks of election

The numbers back it up : President Trump is beating Joe Biden in number of events and campaign schedule pace during the critical final weeks of the election .
A Washington Examiner analysis found that from Sept. 1 through Oct. 26 , Trump led Biden in number of days traveling ( 35 to 27 ) , number of visits to cities or metropolitan areas ( 49 to 34 ) , and number of battleground states visited ( 13 to 9 ) — even though Trump was not on the campaign trail for a week and a half due to his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reason for the Democratic presidential nominee and former vice president is not traveling to campaign as much as Trump is to demonstrate concern for the coronavirus pandemic and model appropriate COVID behavior .
That ’ s a contrast from Trump , whose campaign rallies often feature large numbers of attendees not wearing face masks .
And since Biden leads in most state and national polls , there is little incentive for the 77-year-old to ramp up his pace .
But Biden ’ s has raised eyebrows among the press and political analysts .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump on “ Sleepy Joe.
” Even when taking the constraints of the coronavirus pandemic into consideration , Biden ’ s light travel schedule would likely garner criticism if he loses the election .
A major criticism of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton ’ s presidential campaign in 2016 was that she did not hold enough campaign events or travel to enough key states in the last critical weeks of the campaign season .
Most notably , she never traveled to Wisconsin .
According to , in the last 10 weeks of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign stops while Trump made 106 stops .
The total number of travel events that Biden and Trump have held since Sept. 1 first is not too far apart — 51 White House and campaign events for Trump versus 40 for Biden .
But Biden ’ s events are much smaller and less-advertised than Trump ’ s .
Many of Biden ’ s events are small events with local leaders , while Trump favors holding large rallies in spite of social distancing recommendations to combat the coronavirus pandemic .
Biden also uses local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with local media outlets .
Trump has visited 13 battleground states while Biden has visited nine battleground states .
Especially in the recent last few weeks of the election , Trump is much more likely to visit multiple battleground states on the same day .
Biden tends to focus on one state per day or make multiple stops in the same metropolitan area .
Pennsylvania is Biden ’ s favorite campaign stop destination .
Since it neighbors Delaware , Biden can easily make quick campaign speeches in Philadelphia or other southeastern areas of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two candidates ’ travel styles is more noticeable in the last half of October .
In the 12 days from Oct. 15 to Oct. 26 , Trump traveled every single day , while Biden traveled on only six of those days .
Many commentators and analysts often note Biden ’ s early “ lids ” on in-person events — a press industry term that means there are no more in-person movements expected from Biden for the remainder of the day .
Biden ’ s campaign called a “ lid ” on in-person events @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days in September and October so far .
Some days had a “ lid ” called slightly after noon due to Biden attending church on a Sunday .
On many days when an early “ lid ” was called , Biden still held virtual events , appeared in virtual fundraisers , or recorded media interviews .
Below are campaign travel figures from the Washington Examiner ’ s analysis of candidate schedules and pool reports .
In the 56 days from Sept. 1 to Oct. 26 : Trump appeared in or held in-person open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days he held events at the White House ) , 35 of which he was traveling .
• Held nine White House events ( such as traveling to Florida to deliver remarks on seniors ) and 42 campaign events ( such as rallies or roundtables ) • Participated in two televised town halls ( ABC and NBC ) • Traveled to one 9/11 remembrance ceremony in Shanksville , Pennsylvania During the travel days , Trump made 49 visits to particular towns or metropolitan areas .
Additionally , Trump held six virtual events , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that also included in-person travel and five of which took place on four days when he did not travel .
He also held a Sinclair town hall event at the White House .
Days in battleground states : North Carolina — seven Pennsylvania — seven ( once for 9/11 memorial ) Florida — seven Wisconsin — four Nevada — three Ohio — three ( once for debate ) Minnesota — two Michigan — one Arizona — one Georgia — two Iowa — one New Hampshire — one California — one Virginia — one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This count does not include fundraisers or other closed-press events , or other press interviews .
Trump ’ s longest streak without travel during this time is 10 days , from Oct. 2-11 , due to his coronavirus diagnosis .
Meanwhile , in the same 56 days from Sept. 1 to Oct. 26 : Biden appeared in or held in-person open press events on 32 days ( including days he held events in Wilmington , Delaware ) , 27 of which he was traveling .
• Held 40 campaign events ( such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or taking a tour of a local area ) • Traveled to two 9/11 remembrance ceremonies in New York City and Shanksville , Pennsylvania , and to Washington , D.C. , to see Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg lying in state During the travel days , Biden made 34 visits to particular towns or metropolitan areas .
Additionally , Biden participated in 10 virtual events , four of which took place on days that also included in-person travel and six that took place on six separate days when he did not travel .
Pennsylvania @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , twice for town halls ) Michigan — three Florida — three Ohio — three ( once for debate ) Wisconsin — two North Carolina — two Minnesota — one Arizona — one Nevada — one New York — one ( for 9/11 memorial ) Tennessee — one ( for debate ) D.C. — one ( to attend a ceremony for Ginsburg lying in state at the U.S. Capitol ) This count does not include fundraisers or other closed-press events , or press interviews .
Biden ’ s longest streak without travel during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ September and October , there were four times that Biden did not travel for three days : Sept. 4-6 , Sept. 12-14 , Sept. 26-28 , and Oct. 19-21 .
Biden 's busiest campaign stop day was Sept. 30 , when he made seven campaign stops on a `` train tour '' through Ohio and Pennsylvania on the day after the first Democratic presidential debate .

The numbers back it up: President Trump is beating Joe Biden in the number of events and campaign schedule pace during the critical final weeks of the election.
A Washington Examiner analysis found that from Sept. 1 through Oct. 26, Trump led Biden in number of days traveling (35 to 27), number of visits to cities or metropolitan areas (49 to 34), and number of battleground states visited (13 to 9) — even though Trump was not on the campaign trail for a week and a half due to his coronavirus diagnosis in early October.
Part of the reason for the Democratic presidential nominee and former vice president is not traveling to campaign as much as Trump is to demonstrate concern for the coronavirus pandemic and model appropriate COVID behavior. That’s a contrast from Trump, whose campaign rallies often feature large numbers of attendees not wearing face masks. And since Biden leads in most state and national polls, there is little incentive for the 77-year-old to ramp up his pace.
(Emily Larsen/Washington Examiner/Google Sheets)
But Biden’s leisurely campaign schedule has raised eyebrows among the press and political analysts. It’s also become a line of attack for Trump on “Sleepy Joe.” Even when taking the constraints of the coronavirus pandemic into consideration, Biden’s light travel schedule would likely garner criticism if he loses the election.
A major criticism of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign in 2016 was that she did not hold enough campaign events or travel to enough key states in the last critical weeks of the campaign season. Most notably, she never traveled to Wisconsin.
According to FiveThirtyEight , in the last 10 weeks of the 2016 campaign, Clinton made 71 campaign stops while Trump made 106 stops.
The total number of travel events that Biden and Trump have held since Sept. 1 first is not too far apart — 51 White House and campaign events for Trump versus 40 for Biden. But Biden’s events are much smaller and less-advertised than Trump’s.
Many of Biden’s events are small events with local leaders, while Trump favors holding large rallies in spite of social distancing recommendations to combat the coronavirus pandemic. Biden also uses local stops as a reason to schedule interviews with local media outlets.
Trump has visited 13 battleground states while Biden has visited nine battleground states. Especially in the recent last few weeks of the election, Trump is much more likely to visit multiple battleground states on the same day. Biden tends to focus on one state per day or make multiple stops in the same metropolitan area.
(Emily Larsen/Washington Examiner/Google Sheets)
Pennsylvania is Biden’s favorite campaign stop destination. Since it neighbors Delaware, Biden can easily make quick campaign speeches in Philadelphia or other southeastern areas of the state.
The break between the two candidates’ travel styles is more noticeable in the last half of October. In the 12 days from Oct. 15 to Oct. 26, Trump traveled every single day, while Biden traveled on only six of those days.
Many commentators and analysts often note Biden’s early “lids” on in-person events — a press industry term that means there are no more in-person movements expected from Biden for the remainder of the day.
Biden’s campaign called a “lid” on in-person events before noon on 16 of the 56 days in September and October so far. Some days had a “lid” called slightly after noon due to Biden attending church on a Sunday. On many days when an early “lid” was called, Biden still held virtual events, appeared in virtual fundraisers, or recorded media interviews.
(Emily Larsen/Washington Examiner/Created with Google Sheets)
Below are campaign travel figures from the Washington Examiner’s analysis of candidate schedules and pool reports.
In the 56 days from Sept. 1 to Oct. 26:
Trump appeared in or held in-person open press events on 43 days (including days he held events at the White House), 35 of which he was traveling.
While traveling for in-person open events, Trump:
Held nine White House events (such as traveling to Florida to deliver remarks on seniors) and 42 campaign events (such as rallies or roundtables)
Participated in two televised town halls (ABC and NBC)
Participated in two debates
Traveled to one 9/11 remembrance ceremony in Shanksville, Pennsylvania
During the travel days, Trump made 49 visits to particular towns or metropolitan areas.
Additionally, Trump held six virtual events, three of which took place on days that also included in-person travel and five of which took place on four days when he did not travel. He also held a Sinclair town hall event at the White House.
Days in battleground states:
North Carolina — seven
Pennsylvania — seven (once for 9/11 memorial)
Florida — seven
Wisconsin — four
Nevada — three
Ohio — three (once for debate)
Minnesota — two
Michigan — one
Arizona — one
Georgia — two
Iowa — one
New Hampshire — one
Days in other states:
California — one
Virginia — one
Tennessee — one (for debate)
This count does not include fundraisers or other closed-press events, or other press interviews.
Trump’s longest streak without travel during this time is 10 days, from Oct. 2-11, due to his coronavirus diagnosis.
Meanwhile, in the same 56 days from Sept. 1 to Oct. 26:
Biden appeared in or held in-person open press events on 32 days (including days he held events in Wilmington, Delaware), 27 of which he was traveling.
While traveling for in-person open events, Biden:
Held 40 campaign events (such as delivering remarks, holding a roundtable, or taking a tour of a local area)
Participated in three televised town halls
Participated in two debates
Traveled to two 9/11 remembrance ceremonies in New York City and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and to Washington, D.C., to see Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg lying in state
During the travel days, Biden made 34 visits to particular towns or metropolitan areas.
Additionally, Biden participated in 10 virtual events, four of which took place on days that also included in-person travel and six that took place on six separate days when he did not travel.
Days in battleground states:
Pennsylvania — 10 (once for 9/11 memorial, twice for town halls)
Michigan — three
Florida — three
Ohio — three (once for debate)
Wisconsin — two
North Carolina — two
Minnesota — one
Arizona — one
Nevada — one
Days in other states:
New York — one (for 9/11 memorial)
Tennessee — one (for debate)
D.C. — one (to attend a ceremony for Ginsburg lying in state at the U.S. Capitol)
This count does not include fundraisers or other closed-press events, or press interviews.
Biden’s longest streak without travel during this time is three days. In September and October, there were four times that Biden did not travel for three days: Sept. 4-6, Sept. 12-14, Sept. 26-28, and Oct. 19-21.
Biden's busiest campaign stop day was Sept. 30, when he made seven campaign stops on a "train tour" through Ohio and Pennsylvania on the day after the first Democratic presidential debate.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-27--Republicans hope massive economic growth number coming Thursday lifts Trump

Republicans hope a report expected to show stellar economic growth in the third quarter will push President Trump past Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden — if the incumbent can muster more message discipline heading into Election Day .
The Commerce Department ’ s report on the GDP in July , August , and September , which will likely be released Thursday , just five days before Election Day , is expected to show skyrocketing growth of 30 % or more .
That ’ s a big rebound from the second quarter , when economic output shrank 31.4 % amid downward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say the new GDP numbers could not be better timed for Trump .
The president trails Biden nationally and in several key battleground states .
News suggesting the economy is in the midst of a comeback offers Trump an opportunity to frame the final five days of the campaign on more favorable terms .
Whether Trump takes advantage of his good fortune is another matter , according to some GOP strategists .
“ The president should make the most of the news of a strong third-quarter report , ” Republican consultant Brad Todd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for him to not try too hard to get rewarded for the third quarter but to use it to remind remaining undecided voters that Biden ’ s election could hurt the economy.
” The political environment is challenging for Trump .
Coronavirus infections in the United States are on the rise , and the death toll from the coronavirus continues to grow .
The economic recovery , meanwhile , is uneven .
On Monday , the stock market dropped more than 2 % , a reaction to the pandemic and fading prospects for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , after it had been rising for weeks .
Additionally , a survey of economists conducted for the National Association for Business Economics , a professional association for business economists , suggested hiring could slow in the fourth quarter .
But the economy is Trump ’ s best issue .
Voters are dissatisfied with Trump over his handling of the pandemic , a sentiment that has contributed significantly to Biden ’ s lead in the polls .
In those same polls , however , voters give the president positive marks for his management @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the issue than they do the former vice president .
A fresh national poll conducted for Reuters by Ipsos tells the tale .
Biden led Trump in the horse race , 51 % to 43 % .
He topped the president on leading a “ national recovery from the coronavirus , ” 44 % to 35 % .
But Trump outpaced Biden , 45 % to 39 % , on “ job creation and the economy.
” Republicans are excited about the new GDP report because it gives Trump a chance to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an issue that matters to voters outside of his loyal base .
“ The strongest argument for President Trump ’ s reelection is his stewardship of the economy , ” Republican strategist Josh Holmes said .
“ Good economic numbers credibly make the case that , despite the pandemic , his administration is a better steward of economic growth and better-paying jobs.
” Democrats are cautiously optimistic about Biden ’ s position and hopeful there is little that may change the trajectory of the race .
However , a nervous Trump might mount @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off in 2016 , and they are not dismissing the impact good headlines regarding the economy could have this close to the election .
What reassures Democrats is that Trump has been downplaying the seriousness of the coronavirus and often chooses to discuss topics other than what might help him the most with swing-state voters and those who are still undecided .
“ He 's not a consistent enough messenger to take advantage ” of positive economic news , a Democratic strategist said .

Republicans hope a report expected to show stellar economic growth in the third quarter will push President Trump past Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden — if the incumbent can muster more message discipline heading into Election Day.
The Commerce Department’s report on the GDP in July, August, and September, which will likely be released Thursday, just five days before Election Day, is expected to show skyrocketing growth of 30% or more. That’s a big rebound from the second quarter, when economic output shrank 31.4% amid downward pressure from the coronavirus pandemic. Republicans say the new GDP numbers could not be better timed for Trump.
The president trails Biden nationally and in several key battleground states. News suggesting the economy is in the midst of a comeback offers Trump an opportunity to frame the final five days of the campaign on more favorable terms. Whether Trump takes advantage of his good fortune is another matter, according to some GOP strategists.
“The president should make the most of the news of a strong third-quarter report,” Republican consultant Brad Todd said. “The key will be for him to not try too hard to get rewarded for the third quarter but to use it to remind remaining undecided voters that Biden’s election could hurt the economy.”
The political environment is challenging for Trump.
Coronavirus infections in the United States are on the rise, and the death toll from the coronavirus continues to grow. The economic recovery, meanwhile, is uneven. On Monday, the stock market dropped more than 2%, a reaction to the pandemic and fading prospects for a coronavirus relief package before Election Day, after it had been rising for weeks. Additionally, a survey of economists conducted for the National Association for Business Economics, a professional association for business economists, suggested hiring could slow in the fourth quarter.
But the economy is Trump’s best issue. Voters are dissatisfied with Trump over his handling of the pandemic, a sentiment that has contributed significantly to Biden’s lead in the polls. In those same polls, however, voters give the president positive marks for his management of the economy and rate him higher on the issue than they do the former vice president. A fresh national poll conducted for Reuters by Ipsos tells the tale.
Biden led Trump in the horse race, 51% to 43%. He topped the president on leading a “national recovery from the coronavirus,” 44% to 35%. But Trump outpaced Biden, 45% to 39%, on “job creation and the economy.” Republicans are excited about the new GDP report because it gives Trump a chance to contrast his record with Biden's on an issue that matters to voters outside of his loyal base.
“The strongest argument for President Trump’s reelection is his stewardship of the economy,” Republican strategist Josh Holmes said. “Good economic numbers credibly make the case that, despite the pandemic, his administration is a better steward of economic growth and better-paying jobs.”
Democrats are cautiously optimistic about Biden’s position and hopeful there is little that may change the trajectory of the race.
However, a nervous Trump might mount a comeback similar to what he pulled off in 2016, and they are not dismissing the impact good headlines regarding the economy could have this close to the election. What reassures Democrats is that Trump has been downplaying the seriousness of the coronavirus and often chooses to discuss topics other than what might help him the most with swing-state voters and those who are still undecided.
“He's not a consistent enough messenger to take advantage” of positive economic news, a Democratic strategist said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-27--Trump banks on nonstop campaigning to pull a 2016 repeat

President Trump is campaigning across the country in the final week of the race for the White House with all the trappings of incumbency and all the urgency of an underdog .
Democrats are confident that they have already banked enough of an early vote lead to withstand a late surge of in-person Trump voters on Election Day and that their nominee , Joe Biden , will finish the job Hillary Clinton couldn ’ t .
The former vice president is ahead by 7.8 points in the RealClearPolitics national polling average and by 3.9 points in top battleground states .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of those individual states , Republicans see shades of Trump ’ s poll-defying , come-from-behind victory four years ago .
“ The final week of 2020 is eerily similar to 2016 .
Roughly 2 points in six states is the difference between President Trump being reelected and a Biden Electoral College blowout , ” said Republican strategist Ford O ’ Connell .
“ It is all about turnout now.
” Biden ’ s polling advantage has been steadier and more durable than Clinton ’ s , as the former secretary of state fell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign , while the 2020 race has looked the same since the end of the Democratic primaries .
But Trump team polling guru Sam Mims pointed out in an Oct. 10 Twitter thread on the polling averages in several of the states that decided the last election that the numbers aren ’ t that different .
In many cases , Clinton held a bigger lead and still lost them to Trump .
The most dramatic example was Ohio , where Clinton led by 2.4 points , and Trump won by 8.3 .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and ridiculed Trump supporters for four years , ” tweeted Newsmax reporter Emerald Robinson .
“ They drove those voters to hide their opinions in public .
That ’ s why all the public opinion polls are wrong.
” Trump 's frenetic pace is a whole different strategy than that of Biden , who has had a limited public schedule dominated by sparsely attended events .
“ While Biden largely sits on his keister in Delaware , Trump is wisely barnstorming the states and counties that will decide this election , '' O'Connell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a more stark contrast in how the two candidates are spending their time in the homestretch.
” That is the main thing hopeful Republicans and nervous Democrats are watching for : Will Biden ’ s lighter crowds , early lids ( cessation of campaign activities for the day ) , and a less aggressive ground game end up being a miscalculation similar to the laments about Clinton ’ s failure to visit Wisconsin ?
Or does four years of Trump , and Biden ’ s massive cash advantage , close the gap @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all about the battlegrounds , ” said a Republican strategist in New York .
“ Fracking is a big issue .
The Paris climate accord is a huge issue .
The fact that they 've politicized a nonpolitical contagion is disgusting.
” The pandemic also injects another layer of uncertainty into polling , though pollsters believe they have corrected their 2016 errors , and with the significant exceptions of the Florida and Ohio gubernatorial elections , were largely correct in predicting Democratic victories in the 2018 midterm elections .
Republican pollster Frank Luntz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done ” if Trump wins again .
“ The Democratic Party has moved so far to the left that it scares people , ” said one longtime Virginia Republican strategist in predicting a Trump win nationally .
In addition to Trump , Vice President Mike Pence is going to be active on the campaign trail through Election Day , despite a COVID outbreak among his staff .
Trump ’ s children , Don Jr. , Eric , and Ivanka , will also be making appearances .
Trump is hitting the close states from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like Pennsylvania , and also states he lost , such as New Hampshire .
Pence was in Minnesota , another state Clinton took , on Monday .
Trump has exuded confidence on the trail , often dancing to the Village People to the crowd ’ s delight .
At one stop , supporters air drummed along to Phil Collins ’ s solo in his classic song “ In the Air Tonight.
” But even some Republicans believe this will be too heavy a lift .
“ I just do n't see a path @ @ @ @ @ @ @ veteran GOP operative in Washington , D.C. “ It may tighten a bit , but he started the last few weeks so far behind with suburban women and his hemorrhaging with seniors , I do n't see him overcoming that.
” “ Biden could still lose this , especially if he continues with gaffes like the energy comment last week , but if he stays in the basement , he will probably still beat him , ” the operative said .
Trump Tuesday is scheduled to hit Nebraska , where he leads statewide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play , as well as Michigan and Wisconsin .

President Trump is campaigning across the country in the final week of the race for the White House with all the trappings of incumbency and all the urgency of an underdog.
Democrats are confident that they have already banked enough of an early vote lead to withstand a late surge of in-person Trump voters on Election Day and that their nominee, Joe Biden, will finish the job Hillary Clinton couldn’t. The former vice president is ahead by 7.8 points in the RealClearPolitics national polling average and by 3.9 points in top battleground states.
But looking at the numbers in some of those individual states, Republicans see shades of Trump’s poll-defying, come-from-behind victory four years ago.
“The final week of 2020 is eerily similar to 2016. Roughly 2 points in six states is the difference between President Trump being reelected and a Biden Electoral College blowout,” said Republican strategist Ford O’Connell. “It is all about turnout now.”
Biden’s polling advantage has been steadier and more durable than Clinton’s, as the former secretary of state fell behind Trump a couple times during the campaign, while the 2020 race has looked the same since the end of the Democratic primaries. But Trump team polling guru Sam Mims pointed out in an Oct. 10 Twitter thread on the polling averages in several of the states that decided the last election that the numbers aren’t that different. In many cases, Clinton held a bigger lead and still lost them to Trump. The most dramatic example was Ohio, where Clinton led by 2.4 points, and Trump won by 8.3.
“The corporate media & social media harassed and ridiculed Trump supporters for four years,” tweeted Newsmax reporter Emerald Robinson. “They drove those voters to hide their opinions in public. That’s why all the public opinion polls are wrong.”
Trump's frenetic pace is a whole different strategy than that of Biden, who has had a limited public schedule dominated by sparsely attended events. “While Biden largely sits on his keister in Delaware, Trump is wisely barnstorming the states and counties that will decide this election," O'Connell said. "You couldn’t have a more stark contrast in how the two candidates are spending their time in the homestretch.”
That is the main thing hopeful Republicans and nervous Democrats are watching for: Will Biden’s lighter crowds, early lids (cessation of campaign activities for the day), and a less aggressive ground game end up being a miscalculation similar to the laments about Clinton’s failure to visit Wisconsin? Or does four years of Trump, and Biden’s massive cash advantage, close the gap this time around?
“It's all about the battlegrounds,” said a Republican strategist in New York. “Fracking is a big issue. The Paris climate accord is a huge issue. The fact that they've politicized a nonpolitical contagion is disgusting.”
The pandemic also injects another layer of uncertainty into polling, though pollsters believe they have corrected their 2016 errors, and with the significant exceptions of the Florida and Ohio gubernatorial elections, were largely correct in predicting Democratic victories in the 2018 midterm elections. Republican pollster Frank Luntz has said, “My profession is done” if Trump wins again.
“The Democratic Party has moved so far to the left that it scares people,” said one longtime Virginia Republican strategist in predicting a Trump win nationally.
In addition to Trump, Vice President Mike Pence is going to be active on the campaign trail through Election Day, despite a COVID outbreak among his staff. Trump’s children, Don Jr., Eric, and Ivanka, will also be making appearances. Trump is hitting the close states from 2016, including places he won, like Pennsylvania, and also states he lost, such as New Hampshire. Pence was in Minnesota, another state Clinton took, on Monday.
Trump has exuded confidence on the trail, often dancing to the Village People to the crowd’s delight. At one stop, supporters air drummed along to Phil Collins’s solo in his classic song “In the Air Tonight.”
But even some Republicans believe this will be too heavy a lift. “I just don't see a path to Trump winning,” said a veteran GOP operative in Washington, D.C. “It may tighten a bit, but he started the last few weeks so far behind with suburban women and his hemorrhaging with seniors, I don't see him overcoming that.”
“Biden could still lose this, especially if he continues with gaffes like the energy comment last week, but if he stays in the basement, he will probably still beat him,” the operative said.
Trump Tuesday is scheduled to hit Nebraska, where he leads statewide, but one electoral vote is in play, as well as Michigan and Wisconsin.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-27--Hunter Biden's former business partner tried striking deals with politicians for years

Documents , texts , and emails released by Tony Bobulinski reveal efforts to lure in a number of politically-connected officials beyond the Biden family into business partnerships .
Jim Biden , brother of Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and a former business partner of Bobulinski , listed a host of “ key domestic contacts for phase one target projects ” for the U.S.-China joint venture in a May 15 , 2017 email sent to Hunter Biden , Bobulinski , James Gilliar , and Rob Walker .
The email suggested they mainly aim at high-profile Democratic politicians , beginning with New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the former vice president ’ s brother noted was “ moving forward with major infrastructure projects such as the long-stalled Tappan Zee Bridge replacement and the much-needed redevelopment of LaGuardia Airport ” and had “ invested nearly $ 4 billion through the Regional Council and Upstate Revitalization initiatives.
” Jim Biden also said their group should target New York Department of Economic Development Howard Zemsky , New York Sens .
Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand , New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio , and New York City Economic Development Corporation President Maria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also suggested contacting a host of Democratic politicians in California , including then-Governor Jerry Brown ( who he called a “ long time friend from his first term as governor ” ) , current Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. Kamala Harris , Sen. Dianne Feinstein , San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom ( who he called “ Hunter ’ s friend ” ) , Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti , and San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer .
In subsequent emails , he also suggested reaching out to longtime Clinton ally and then-Virginia Governor Terry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former Sen. Al Franken , Sen. Amy Klobuchar , and Republican Florida Gov .
Rick Scott .
Jim Biden sent a separate email the same day also listing proposed “ foreign contacts for development projects ( mainly phase two ) ” for the U.S.-Chinese joint venture , which included reaching out to Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos , Argentinian President Mauricio Macri , Ireland ’ s Taoiseach Enda Kenny ( saying he had “ visited him last year , very friendly ” ) , wealthy Indian businessman Mukesh Ambani ( whom he described @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and a “ close friend of a friend ” ) , Mexican tycoon Carlos Slim ( who he called “ arguably the richest man in the world ” while saying he was “ mentioning Slim now because he is big into racing and has a Formula I racing team and I know you are headed to the Grand Prix ” ) , and “ the European Union in general.
” Days before that , on May 11 , 2017 , Gilliar texted Bobulinski about potential meetings with former Clinton CIA Director James @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Energy David Sandalow at the same time that Gilliar , Bobulinski , and Hunter Biden were trying to meet with Ye Jianming , the founder of the Chinese Communist Party-linked energy company CEFC China Energy .
Starting in 2015 , both Bobulinski and Gilliar exchanged messages discussing various schemes to entice former senior federal government officials , signaling that leveraging political influence was central to their business strategy .
“ There will be a deal between one of the most prominent families from the U.S. and them constructed by me .
I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their portfolios as it will give them a profile base in NYC then LA etc , ” Gilliar wrote to Bobulinski on December 24 , 2015 .
“ For me it ’ s a no-brainer but culturally they are different , but smart so let ’ s see … Any entry ticket is small for them .
Easier and better demographic than Arabs who are a little anti-U.S. after Trump.
” In March of the following year , Gilliar wrote to Bobulinski discussing a meeting he had with former Acting ICE Director for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection David Aguilar .
No records show either Sandweg or Aguilar went into business with the men .
“ Meeting Louis Freeh ( former FBI Director ) .
We have some programs with him , ” Gilliar wrote to Bobulinski on Oct. 3 , 2016 .
“ Then Jordan introduced me to some oil and gas guys from Colombia .
Not sure about that but god loves a trier.
” Not until either man met Hunter Biden did their attempts to court high-profile names seem to lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 election , and President Trump ’ s surprise victory , Gilliar seemed prepared to exit the U.S. market entirely .
“ Mate I never underestimate the stupidity of the masses , ” Gilliar wrote to Bobulinski on Nov. 8 , 2016 .
“ I traded out of the dollar last night .
The FBI thing killed her.
” However , a December party hosted by Vice President Joe Biden signaled a reversal of fortunes for Gilliar .
Two months later , he texted Bobulinski about meeting his new business partner .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked , to which Gilliar responded , “ Hunter Biden.
” Newly released texts from Bobulinski suggest that Joe Biden met with Bobulinski , Hunter Biden , and his brother James Biden in 2017 .
At the time , Hunter Biden and his associates were pursuing a potentially lucrative deal with a Chinese tycoon , complicating claims from the former vice president that he never discussed business dealings with his son .
Bobulinski spoke at a surprise press conference just over an hour before the final presidential debate last week , when he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phones to the FBI on Friday .
“ On May 2 , 2017 , the night before Joe Biden was to appear at the Milken conference , I was introduced to Joe Biden by Jim Biden and Hunter Biden .
At my approximately hourlong meeting with Joe that night , we discussed the Bidens 's history and the Biden family ’ s business plans with the Chinese , with which he was plainly familiar , at least at a high level , '' Bobulinski said , adding , “ On numerous occasions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe Biden ’ s involvement was not to be mentioned in writing but only face to face .
In fact , I was advised by Gilliar and [ Rob ] Walker that Hunter and Jim Biden were paranoid about keeping Joe Biden ’ s involvement secret.
” '' Joe Biden has never even considered being involved in business with his family nor in any overseas business whatsoever , '' Biden campaign spokesman Andrew Bates told the Washington Examiner .
`` He has never held stock in any such business arrangements nor has any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ever held stock for him . ''

Documents, texts, and emails released by Tony Bobulinski reveal efforts to lure in a number of politically-connected officials beyond the Biden family into business partnerships.
Jim Biden, brother of Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and a former business partner of Bobulinski, is listed as one of a host of “key domestic contacts for phase one target projects” for the U.S.-China joint venture in a May 15, 2017 email sent to Hunter Biden, Bobulinski, James Gilliar, and Rob Walker. The email suggested they mainly aim at high-profile Democratic politicians, beginning with New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, whom the former vice president’s brother noted was “moving forward with major infrastructure projects such as the long-stalled Tappan Zee Bridge replacement and the much-needed redevelopment of LaGuardia Airport” and had “invested nearly $4 billion through the Regional Council and Upstate Revitalization initiatives.”
Jim Biden also said their group should target New York Department of Economic Development Howard Zemsky, New York Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, and New York City Economic Development Corporation President Maria Torres-Springer.
Hunter Biden’s uncle also suggested contacting a host of Democratic politicians in California, including then-Governor Jerry Brown (who he called a “long time friend from his first term as governor”), current Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. Kamala Harris, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom (who he called “Hunter’s friend”), Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, and San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer. In subsequent emails, he also suggested reaching out to longtime Clinton ally and then-Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe, Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton, former Sen. Al Franken, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, and Republican Florida Gov. Rick Scott.
Jim Biden sent a separate email the same day also listing proposed “foreign contacts for development projects (mainly phase two)” for the U.S.-Chinese joint venture, which included reaching out to Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, Argentinian President Mauricio Macri, Ireland’s Taoiseach Enda Kenny (saying he had “visited him last year, very friendly”), wealthy Indian businessman Mukesh Ambani (whom he described as the “richest man in India” and a “close friend of a friend”), Mexican tycoon Carlos Slim (who he called “arguably the richest man in the world” while saying he was “mentioning Slim now because he is big into racing and has a Formula I racing team and I know you are headed to the Grand Prix”), and “the European Union in general.”
Days before that, on May 11, 2017, Gilliar texted Bobulinski about potential meetings with former Clinton CIA Director James Woolsey and former Obama Under Secretary of Energy David Sandalow at the same time that Gilliar, Bobulinski, and Hunter Biden were trying to meet with Ye Jianming, the founder of the Chinese Communist Party-linked energy company CEFC China Energy.
Starting in 2015, both Bobulinski and Gilliar exchanged messages discussing various schemes to entice former senior federal government officials, signaling that leveraging political influence was central to their business strategy.
“There will be a deal between one of the most prominent families from the U.S. and them constructed by me. I think this will be a great addition to their portfolios as it will give them a profile base in NYC then LA etc,” Gilliar wrote to Bobulinski on December 24, 2015. “For me it’s a no-brainer but culturally they are different, but smart so let’s see … Any entry ticket is small for them. Easier and better demographic than Arabs who are a little anti-U.S. after Trump.”
In March of the following year, Gilliar wrote to Bobulinski discussing a meeting he had with former Acting ICE Director for President Obama John Sandweg and former Deputy Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection David Aguilar. No records show either Sandweg or Aguilar went into business with the men.
“Meeting Louis Freeh (former FBI Director). We have some programs with him,” Gilliar wrote to Bobulinski on Oct. 3, 2016. “Then Jordan introduced me to some oil and gas guys from Colombia. Not sure about that but god loves a trier.”
Not until either man met Hunter Biden did their attempts to court high-profile names seem to lead to any productive meetings. By the 2016 election, and President Trump’s surprise victory, Gilliar seemed prepared to exit the U.S. market entirely.
“Mate I never underestimate the stupidity of the masses,” Gilliar wrote to Bobulinski on Nov. 8, 2016. “I traded out of the dollar last night. The FBI thing killed her.”
However, a December party hosted by Vice President Joe Biden signaled a reversal of fortunes for Gilliar. Two months later, he texted Bobulinski about meeting his new business partner.
“Who is your partner?” Bobulinski asked, to which Gilliar responded, “Hunter Biden.”
Newly released texts from Bobulinski suggest that Joe Biden met with Bobulinski, Hunter Biden, and his brother James Biden in 2017. At the time, Hunter Biden and his associates were pursuing a potentially lucrative deal with a Chinese tycoon, complicating claims from the former vice president that he never discussed business dealings with his son.
Bobulinski spoke at a surprise press conference just over an hour before the final presidential debate last week, when he said he would be handing over three phones to the FBI on Friday.
“On May 2, 2017, the night before Joe Biden was to appear at the Milken conference, I was introduced to Joe Biden by Jim Biden and Hunter Biden. At my approximately hourlong meeting with Joe that night, we discussed the Bidens's history and the Biden family’s business plans with the Chinese, with which he was plainly familiar, at least at a high level," Bobulinski said, adding, “On numerous occasions, it was made clear to me that Joe Biden’s involvement was not to be mentioned in writing but only face to face. In fact, I was advised by Gilliar and [Rob] Walker that Hunter and Jim Biden were paranoid about keeping Joe Biden’s involvement secret.”
"Joe Biden has never even considered being involved in business with his family nor in any overseas business whatsoever," Biden campaign spokesman Andrew Bates told the Washington Examiner. "He has never held stock in any such business arrangements nor has any family member, or any other person ever held stock for him."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-28--Trump campaign website briefly hacked

Trump campaign website briefly hacked

President Trump 's campaign website is back online after it was partially hacked on Tuesday evening .
Around 7 p.m. EDT , hackers attempting to steal cryptocurrency from gullible individuals digitally commandeered the “ About ” section of Trump 's campaign website and posted an image that made it appear as if the FBI had seized the site .
“ The world has had enough of the fake-news spreaded daily by president donald j trump , ” read part of the message posted to the site , “ it is time to allow the world to know truth.
” Two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were included with text that instructed people to send Monero if they wanted “ full access to trump and relatives.
” Monero is one of the most valuable cryptocurrency blockchains in existence , and its focus on privacy , obfusucating transactions between individuals , marks a shift from hacks in the past that have relied on Bitcoin , which is a public ledger and lends itself to be more easily tracked .
Tim Murtaugh , the communications director of Trump 's campaign , released a statement Tuesday evening that said the campaign 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the campaign already contacted law enforcement `` to investigate the source of the attack . ''
Murtaugh added that the website 's functionality had been restored and that no sensitive data had been exposed during the attack .
The hack took place one week before Election Day .
Trump is facing off against former Vice President Joe Biden .

President Trump's campaign website is back online after it was partially hacked on Tuesday evening.
Around 7 p.m. EDT, hackers attempting to steal cryptocurrency from gullible individuals digitally commandeered the “About” section of Trump's campaign website and posted an image that made it appear as if the FBI had seized the site.
“The world has had enough of the fake-news spreaded daily by president donald j trump,” read part of the message posted to the site, “it is time to allow the world to know truth.”
Two cryptocurrency addresses utilizing the ultra-private Monero blockchain were included with text that instructed people to send Monero if they wanted “full access to trump and relatives.”
Monero is one of the most valuable cryptocurrency blockchains in existence, and its focus on privacy, obfusucating transactions between individuals, marks a shift from hacks in the past that have relied on Bitcoin, which is a public ledger and lends itself to be more easily tracked.
Tim Murtaugh, the communications director of Trump's campaign, released a statement Tuesday evening that said the campaign's website was "defaced" and that the campaign already contacted law enforcement "to investigate the source of the attack."
Murtaugh added that the website's functionality had been restored and that no sensitive data had been exposed during the attack.
The hack took place one week before Election Day. Trump is facing off against former Vice President Joe Biden.