thewashingtonexaminer--2020-07-19--GOP gallery of nightmares: 10 policies Biden and Democrats would ram through after axing filibuster

Presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden put Republicans on notice this week : If you use the filibuster to stymie his agenda , you ’ ll lose it .
“ It 's going to depend on how obstreperous they become , ” Biden said of eliminating the 60-vote threshold to end debate .
The former vice president previously resisted getting rid of the filibuster but now says , “ you ’ re just going to have to take a look at it.
” If Biden wins and Democrats capture the Senate , this would enable them to pass legislation with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stop them .
Here are 10 liberal policies that Biden and the Democrats could enact without the filibuster that would be difficult to get through if it remained in effect : 1 .
Gun control : After largely abandoning the issue following election losses in the 1990s , a series of high-profile mass shootings have increased Democratic support for passing what they now describe as “ commonsense gun safety legislation.
” The details of the exact proposals have varied , but universal background checks and reinstating the so-called assault weapons ban , originally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1994 crime bill , would seem to be priorities if Democrats win in November .
The Biden “ plan to end our gun violence epidemic ” would make gun manufacturers liable for crimes committed using their products and ban high-capacity magazines .
Republicans , and a few Democrats from states with a high number of legal gun owners , would resist such efforts .
Junking the filibuster would take away a tool for doing so .
2 .
Amnesty for illegal immigrants : There was filibuster-proof support for comprehensive immigration reform that would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unauthorized immigrants currently residing in the United States under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama , but Republican opposition stiffened after the collapse of the Gang of Eight in 2013 and the election of Donald Trump in 2016 .
The DREAM Act , a legislative precursor to Obama ’ s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program , was stopped by a filibuster in 2012 .
Biden has proposed a “ roadmap to citizenship for the nearly 11 million people who have been living in and strengthening our country for years , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ These are our mothers , fathers , brothers , and sisters , ” says Biden ’ s campaign website .
“ They are our neighbors , co-workers , and members of our congregations and Little League teams.
” Such a plan might pass simply in response to a Trump defeat .
It would definitely get through the Senate without a filibuster .
3 .
Taxpayer funding of abortion : Facing liberal pressure , Biden has abandoned his support for the Hyde Amendment , which bans most federal funding of abortion .
Democrats frequently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not made a serious attempt to do so since 1993 because the Senate votes have not been there even when they have been in the majority .
But with fewer anti-abortion Democrats in Congress than ever before and no filibuster , it would be easier to pass such legislation and restore Medicaid-funded abortions for the first time since 1976 .
4 .
Tax increases : While most tax and spending legislation can already avoid the filibuster ’ s supermajority requirement through the reconciliation process , some provisions can still be blocked by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tried to improve their prospects for repealing the Bush tax cuts with legislation separating the middle-class reductions from those for upper-income earners .
Both pieces of legislation were stopped by filibuster , and most of the tax cuts were extended in 2013 .
Democrats are likely to try something similar with the Trump tax cuts , and without the filibuster , they could .
The Buffet rule , which imposed a 30 % minimum tax on the wealthy , was also blocked by filibuster .
So was a Democratic resolution stating , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should require that those earning $ 1,000,000 or more per year make a more meaningful contribution to the deficit reduction effort.
” 5 .
Ending the secret ballot for unionization : Called “ card check , ” Democrats were unable to pass this when they held nearly 60 seats in the Senate .
The policy would make it easier to unionize a workplace because it would replace most secret-ballot elections with a petition signed by a bare majority of eligible employees .
It is a major priority for organized labor , as it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ red-state Democrats have balked in the past .
Its chances would improve without the filibuster .
6 .
D.C. statehood : Democrats want to make Washington , D.C. , a state .
This would guarantee the Democrats an additional member of the House of Representatives and two more senators in perpetuity .
Unlike even Massachusetts , the district has never voted for a Republican presidential candidate .
The House recently passed a Washington , D.C. , statehood measure along party lines .
Without the filibuster , the same could happen in the Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a constitutional amendment is likely unconstitutional , but that brings us to the next item on the list ... 7 .
Court-packing : Liberal activists have increasingly been clamoring for an expansion of the Supreme Court by Congress to undercut its current narrow conservative majority .
A Democratic Senate would then be able to confirm new liberal nominees quickly who are already no longer subject to filibuster .
Biden still opposes court-packing , but a few controversial conservative decisions , especially rulings against his administration , could force his hand .
The mere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have persuaded the Supreme Court to uphold more of Franklin D. Roosevelt ’ s New Deal .
8 .
The public option — and maybe Medicare for All : Biden opposes expanding Medicare to cover all people and would prefer to instead create a government-run public option within Obamacare .
This would also increase the federal government ’ s role in healthcare and make it difficult for private insurers to compete .
The public option would already be part of Obamacare , but some centrist and insurance-state Democrats opposed the idea and denied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the filibuster would make all Democratic attempts to grow the federal role in healthcare easier , as the writing of Obamacare was hampered by having to follow the reconciliation process to get around the possibility of a filibuster .
If enough Democrats decided to do so , they could even decide to go all the way with Medicare for All or another government-run , single-payer plan .
Would Biden really veto it ?
He has succumbed to liberal pressure before — such as on the filibuster .
9 .
Oil company crackdowns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advanced legislation to disqualify oil companies from manufacturing tax credits .
It was blocked by filibuster .
Further reaching legislative efforts are sure to be revived if Democrats control a filibuster office while Biden is on the opposite end of Pennsylvania Avenue .
10 .
The Green New Deal : Advertised as an ambitious environmental plan by supporters of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , it is a grab bag of liberal policy proposals with a price tag that has been estimated at anywhere from $ 50 trillion to $ 93 trillion over 10 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gas emissions , it would “ create millions of good , high-paying jobs ” and stop , prevent , and repair “ oppression.
” The only way it could ever pass is without the filibuster .

Presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden put Republicans on notice this week: If you use the filibuster to stymie his agenda, you’ll lose it.
“It's going to depend on how obstreperous they become,” Biden said of eliminating the 60-vote threshold to end debate. The former vice president previously resisted getting rid of the filibuster but now says, “you’re just going to have to take a look at it.” If Biden wins and Democrats capture the Senate, this would enable them to pass legislation with a simple majority, leaving Republicans powerless to stop them.
Here are 10 liberal policies that Biden and the Democrats could enact without the filibuster that would be difficult to get through if it remained in effect:
1. Gun control: After largely abandoning the issue following election losses in the 1990s, a series of high-profile mass shootings have increased Democratic support for passing what they now describe as “commonsense gun safety legislation.” The details of the exact proposals have varied, but universal background checks and reinstating the so-called assault weapons ban, originally passed as part of Biden’s 1994 crime bill, would seem to be priorities if Democrats win in November. The Biden “plan to end our gun violence epidemic” would make gun manufacturers liable for crimes committed using their products and ban high-capacity magazines. Republicans, and a few Democrats from states with a high number of legal gun owners, would resist such efforts. Junking the filibuster would take away a tool for doing so.
2. Amnesty for illegal immigrants: There was filibuster-proof support for comprehensive immigration reform that would have legalized a large majority of the unauthorized immigrants currently residing in the United States under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, but Republican opposition stiffened after the collapse of the Gang of Eight in 2013 and the election of Donald Trump in 2016. The DREAM Act, a legislative precursor to Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, was stopped by a filibuster in 2012.
Biden has proposed a “roadmap to citizenship for the nearly 11 million people who have been living in and strengthening our country for years,” a reference to undocumented immigrants. “These are our mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters,” says Biden’s campaign website. “They are our neighbors, co-workers, and members of our congregations and Little League teams.” Such a plan might pass simply in response to a Trump defeat. It would definitely get through the Senate without a filibuster.
3. Taxpayer funding of abortion: Facing liberal pressure, Biden has abandoned his support for the Hyde Amendment, which bans most federal funding of abortion. Democrats frequently campaign on Hyde Amendment repeal but have not made a serious attempt to do so since 1993 because the Senate votes have not been there even when they have been in the majority. But with fewer anti-abortion Democrats in Congress than ever before and no filibuster, it would be easier to pass such legislation and restore Medicaid-funded abortions for the first time since 1976.
4. Tax increases: While most tax and spending legislation can already avoid the filibuster’s supermajority requirement through the reconciliation process, some provisions can still be blocked by the minority. Under Obama, Senate Democrats tried to improve their prospects for repealing the Bush tax cuts with legislation separating the middle-class reductions from those for upper-income earners. Both pieces of legislation were stopped by filibuster, and most of the tax cuts were extended in 2013. Democrats are likely to try something similar with the Trump tax cuts, and without the filibuster, they could. The Buffet rule, which imposed a 30% minimum tax on the wealthy, was also blocked by filibuster. So was a Democratic resolution stating, “any agreement to reduce the budget deficit should require that those earning $1,000,000 or more per year make a more meaningful contribution to the deficit reduction effort.”
5. Ending the secret ballot for unionization: Called “card check,” Democrats were unable to pass this when they held nearly 60 seats in the Senate. The policy would make it easier to unionize a workplace because it would replace most secret-ballot elections with a petition signed by a bare majority of eligible employees. It is a major priority for organized labor, as it would increase membership, but even some red-state Democrats have balked in the past. Its chances would improve without the filibuster.
6. D.C. statehood: Democrats want to make Washington, D.C., a state. This would guarantee the Democrats an additional member of the House of Representatives and two more senators in perpetuity. Unlike even Massachusetts, the district has never voted for a Republican presidential candidate. The House recently passed a Washington, D.C., statehood measure along party lines. Without the filibuster, the same could happen in the Senate. Doing this through legislation rather than a constitutional amendment is likely unconstitutional, but that brings us to the next item on the list...
7. Court-packing: Liberal activists have increasingly been clamoring for an expansion of the Supreme Court by Congress to undercut its current narrow conservative majority. A Democratic Senate would then be able to confirm new liberal nominees quickly who are already no longer subject to filibuster. Biden still opposes court-packing, but a few controversial conservative decisions, especially rulings against his administration, could force his hand. The mere threat of court-packing is widely believed to have persuaded the Supreme Court to uphold more of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal.
8. The public option — and maybe Medicare for All: Biden opposes expanding Medicare to cover all people and would prefer to instead create a government-run public option within Obamacare. This would also increase the federal government’s role in healthcare and make it difficult for private insurers to compete. The public option would already be part of Obamacare, but some centrist and insurance-state Democrats opposed the idea and denied it a filibuster-proof majority. Getting rid of the filibuster would make all Democratic attempts to grow the federal role in healthcare easier, as the writing of Obamacare was hampered by having to follow the reconciliation process to get around the possibility of a filibuster. If enough Democrats decided to do so, they could even decide to go all the way with Medicare for All or another government-run, single-payer plan. Would Biden really veto it? He has succumbed to liberal pressure before — such as on the filibuster.
9. Oil company crackdowns: During the Obama administration, Democrats advanced legislation to disqualify oil companies from manufacturing tax credits. It was blocked by filibuster. Further reaching legislative efforts are sure to be revived if Democrats control a filibuster office while Biden is on the opposite end of Pennsylvania Avenue.
10. The Green New Deal: Advertised as an ambitious environmental plan by supporters of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, it is a grab bag of liberal policy proposals with a price tag that has been estimated at anywhere from $50 trillion to $93 trillion over 10 years. In addition to zeroing out greenhouse gas emissions, it would “create millions of good, high-paying jobs” and stop, prevent, and repair “oppression.” The only way it could ever pass is without the filibuster.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-07-19--Virus, what virus? GOP delegates raring to go to Trump's convention

The coronavirus spike in Florida is not scaring Republican delegates from going to Jacksonville to celebrate President Trump ’ s renomination .
In interviews , delegates and party activists said the summer coronavirus surge in Florida and other states has not dampened their excitement for the convention .
But with key activities restricted to RNC delegates and other events curtailed as part of the RNC strategy to mitigate health risks and prevent an outbreak , family members and even some alternate delegates who traditionally participate in convention festivities might stay home .
“ There is no shortage of people that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Scott Golden said Friday .
“ The big question as a party person is : What does that look like for the alternates and their guests ?
” Delegate Terry Lathan , chairwoman of the Alabama GOP , said Republican activists in her state are clamoring to attend the Aug. 24–27 gathering .
“ None of my 50 delegates are signaling to us that they ’ re not going , ” she said .
“ In fact , it ’ s the opposite.
” More than eight weeks ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in decline , Republican delegates told the Washington Examiner they were enthusiastic about the convention — then scheduled for Charlotte , North Carolina — and had no plans to skip because of the coronavirus .
The proliferation of the virus , especially in Sun Belt states like Florida that initially were spared from heavy infection rates , has not changed minds .
Charlie Gerow , a Pennsylvania at-large delegate , said in late May he had “ no concerns '' about the convention .
This week , Gerow expressed similar confidence , saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump campaign are taking every precaution imaginable , and so I have no qualms whatsoever.
” Texas delegate Robin Armstrong , an RNC committeeman and physician who has treated COVID-19 patients , was equally unmoved by the spread of the virus .
“ I ’ m very comfortable with it , ” Armstrong said .
Jacksonville in recent weeks has experienced a steep rise in coronavirus cases .
Some convention proceedings will still be held in Charlotte .
Consequently , the RNC was forced to rethink the convention and accept that its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was dead .
In a memorandum issued Thursday morning to RNC members , RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel revealed some of the changes .
Some activities are moving outdoors , and during the first three days of the convention , only delegates , no alternates or family members , are permitted in the hall .
Delegates are disappointed that the pandemic is forcing the party to scale back , which is exactly what Trump tried to avoid .
But party activists are endorsing the changes announced by McDaniel , saying they do not expect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ convention experience .
“ It ’ s unfortunate , but tough decisions had to be made , ” said delegate Morton Blackwell , 80 , an RNC committeeman from Virginia .
“ I ’ m comfortable with the protocols they ’ ve set up for us in Jacksonville and Charlotte , ” added delegate Bruce Ash , an RNC committeeman from Arizona , referring to RNC plans to administer regular temperature checks and COVID-19 tests to conventiongoers .
“ I hate to wear the face coverings — they make me itchy and nervous.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ delegates and activists , all said they planned to attend and were hearing the same from Republicans in their circles — except for RNC committeeman Bill Palatucci of New Jersey .
Palatucci said he has a family conflict and was not avoiding the convention for health reasons or out of fear of contracting the coronavirus .
“ Folks should feel confident about attending , ” he said .
Meanwhile , Democrats are continuing to reduce their convention footprint in Milwaukee .
Democratic lawmakers and convention delegates are being told to stay home , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surrounding the nomination of former Vice President Joe Biden to a virtual footing .
Not so with the Republicans .
A few congressional Republicans are avoiding Jacksonville , citing health risks posed by the coronavirus .
But many are still planning to be there and participate in social gatherings and party business .
In a conference call with RNC members Thursday evening to discuss her memo , McDaniel said convention organizers would do their best to include alternate delegates , family members , and activists in as many activities as possible .
Presently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speech will be available for mass attendance .
Republicans are holding out hope that the convention will not be further burdened by the pandemic .
“ My wife and I still plan on going , both to Charlotte and to Jacksonville — looking for a strong , good time , ” said delegate Steve Pearce , chairman of the New Mexico GOP .
Added delegate Jeff Kaufmann , Iowa GOP chairman : “ I can assure you , we are excited and looking forward to attending these convention events .
”

The coronavirus spike in Florida is not scaring Republican delegates from going to Jacksonville to celebrate President Trump’s renomination.
In interviews, delegates and party activists said the summer coronavirus surge in Florida and other states has not dampened their excitement for the convention. But with key activities restricted to RNC delegates and other events curtailed as part of the RNC strategy to mitigate health risks and prevent an outbreak, family members and even some alternate delegates who traditionally participate in convention festivities might stay home.
“There is no shortage of people that want to go,” delegate and Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Scott Golden said Friday. “The big question as a party person is: What does that look like for the alternates and their guests?”
Delegate Terry Lathan, chairwoman of the Alabama GOP, said Republican activists in her state are clamoring to attend the Aug. 24–27 gathering. “None of my 50 delegates are signaling to us that they’re not going,” she said. “In fact, it’s the opposite.”
More than eight weeks ago, as the pandemic appeared to be in decline, Republican delegates told the Washington Examiner they were enthusiastic about the convention — then scheduled for Charlotte, North Carolina — and had no plans to skip because of the coronavirus. The proliferation of the virus, especially in Sun Belt states like Florida that initially were spared from heavy infection rates, has not changed minds.
Charlie Gerow, a Pennsylvania at-large delegate, said in late May he had “no concerns" about the convention. This week, Gerow expressed similar confidence, saying: “I think the RNC and the Trump campaign are taking every precaution imaginable, and so I have no qualms whatsoever.” Texas delegate Robin Armstrong, an RNC committeeman and physician who has treated COVID-19 patients, was equally unmoved by the spread of the virus.
“I’m very comfortable with it,” Armstrong said.
Jacksonville in recent weeks has experienced a steep rise in coronavirus cases. Some convention proceedings will still be held in Charlotte.
Consequently, the RNC was forced to rethink the convention and accept that its plan to hold a traditional nominating celebration was dead. In a memorandum issued Thursday morning to RNC members, RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel revealed some of the changes. Some activities are moving outdoors, and during the first three days of the convention, only delegates, no alternates or family members, are permitted in the hall.
Delegates are disappointed that the pandemic is forcing the party to scale back, which is exactly what Trump tried to avoid. But party activists are endorsing the changes announced by McDaniel, saying they do not expect the new restrictions to severely hinder their convention experience.
“It’s unfortunate, but tough decisions had to be made,” said delegate Morton Blackwell, 80, an RNC committeeman from Virginia.
“I’m comfortable with the protocols they’ve set up for us in Jacksonville and Charlotte,” added delegate Bruce Ash, an RNC committeeman from Arizona, referring to RNC plans to administer regular temperature checks and COVID-19 tests to conventiongoers. “I hate to wear the face coverings — they make me itchy and nervous.”
In interviews with about a dozen delegates and activists, all said they planned to attend and were hearing the same from Republicans in their circles — except for RNC committeeman Bill Palatucci of New Jersey. Palatucci said he has a family conflict and was not avoiding the convention for health reasons or out of fear of contracting the coronavirus. “Folks should feel confident about attending,” he said.
Meanwhile, Democrats are continuing to reduce their convention footprint in Milwaukee. Democratic lawmakers and convention delegates are being told to stay home, with the party shifting nearly all activities surrounding the nomination of former Vice President Joe Biden to a virtual footing. Not so with the Republicans.
A few congressional Republicans are avoiding Jacksonville, citing health risks posed by the coronavirus. But many are still planning to be there and participate in social gatherings and party business. In a conference call with RNC members Thursday evening to discuss her memo, McDaniel said convention organizers would do their best to include alternate delegates, family members, and activists in as many activities as possible.
Presently, only Trump’s nomination acceptance speech will be available for mass attendance. Republicans are holding out hope that the convention will not be further burdened by the pandemic.
“My wife and I still plan on going, both to Charlotte and to Jacksonville — looking for a strong, good time,” said delegate Steve Pearce, chairman of the New Mexico GOP. Added delegate Jeff Kaufmann, Iowa GOP chairman: “I can assure you, we are excited and looking forward to attending these convention events.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-07-19--Title II 'net neutrality' was a bad idea and should not be brought back

Argumentation and reason are timeless , but propaganda never ages well .
This is certainly the case when it comes to the battle fought a few years ago over the now-repealed Title II regulations for what is commonly known as net neutrality .
One of Joe Biden ’ s campaign working groups has endorsed a return to the heavy internet regulation that was briefly attempted during the Obama era .
So , it is worth going back to look at the hysterical , unhinged , and utterly false predictions that came thick and fast in 2017 , when Title II @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the old , lightly regulated system that has characterized the internet for nearly all of its history .
In 2015 , the Obama Federal Communications Commission imposed upon the internet the rules that had been developed to regulate landline telephones in 1934 .
If that sounds a bit incongruous or anachronistic , it ’ s because it always was .
Prior to this rule , the internet had grown and thrived for more than 20 years under the oversight of the Federal Trade Commission as a lightly regulated “ information service.
” It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that consumers enjoy today .
The era of websites and blogs and e-commerce moved forward into social media , streaming , and the internet of things .
There was never any indication that the internet was broken , but the do-gooders came to fix it anyway .
When the Trump administration moved to undo their handiwork in 2017 , a coalition of hysterical , shrieking activists convinced large segments of the population to panic .
Their rhetoric was reminiscent of Y2K .
And it was lost on most of them , including some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the argument for Title II regulation was being driven by a handful of powerful corporations such as Netflix , Google , and Amazon seeking a free ride on networks paid for and maintained by others .
The activists loudly claimed that service providers would react to the repeal of Title II by raising prices and slowing down service .
One of the dumbest claims of all came from the American Civil Liberties Union , which told people they may soon be unable to order Domino ’ s online because Pizza Hut could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevent it .
Did that actually happen ?
Of course not .
Even if service providers are evil , they 're not stupid .
ISPs are now luring customers with cheap , unlimited 5G data plans that are faster than ever .
Thanks to advances in technology , cable and fiber companies must now compete with cheap cellphone plans that allow for practically unlimited tethering and free subscriptions to Hulu , Amazon , and other streaming services .
The truth is that internet providers would be shooting themselves in the head were they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neutrality in a way that actually harmed consumers — which is why it has never really happened .
It is telling that , whenever the scaremongers try to illustrate that the threat is real , they either have to explain why it 's bad that you have unlimited data to watch Hulu on your phone or else they describe obscure , ancient incidents that are highly unlikely to recur .
For example , yes , there was an incident in 2007 when Verizon briefly blocked a pro-abortion group from using its text message @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , born of a dumb corporate policy of avoiding controversial topics , was reversed almost instantly once it became clear that it was backfiring , forcing the company into an abortion controversy .
So much for net neutrality — problem solved .
What 's more , if service providers were to start throttling certain services in the way the fearmongers suggest , Congress could pass a new law that actually made sense for the internet , not for Ma Bell in the Depression Era .
A lot of people said a lot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regulation was being repealed .
They cried out that the sky was falling , and it was n't .
Under normal circumstances , they would be apologizing now , explaining that they were wrong to spread hysterical propaganda about a subject they knew much less about than they let on .
They would acknowledge that the repeal of Title II internet regulation hasn ’ t hurt anyone — to the contrary , it has made possible immense investments in the internet that are improving its performance and utility .
Biden , who is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expect , now wants to restore the harmful and restrictive Title II regulation of the internet .
It ’ s a terrible idea that will hinder the expansion of tomorrow 's better , faster internet .
The Title II version of net neutrality is simply the wrong way .
It is a solution in search of a problem that never was and never will be .

Argumentation and reason are timeless, but propaganda never ages well. This is certainly the case when it comes to the battle fought a few years ago over the now-repealed Title II regulations for what is commonly known as net neutrality.
One of Joe Biden’s campaign working groups has endorsed a return to the heavy internet regulation that was briefly attempted during the Obama era. So, it is worth going back to look at the hysterical, unhinged, and utterly false predictions that came thick and fast in 2017, when Title II net neutrality was abolished in favor of the old, lightly regulated system that has characterized the internet for nearly all of its history.
In 2015, the Obama Federal Communications Commission imposed upon the internet the rules that had been developed to regulate landline telephones in 1934. If that sounds a bit incongruous or anachronistic, it’s because it always was.
Prior to this rule, the internet had grown and thrived for more than 20 years under the oversight of the Federal Trade Commission as a lightly regulated “information service.” It developed with all the freedom and functionality that consumers enjoy today. The era of websites and blogs and e-commerce moved forward into social media, streaming, and the internet of things. There was never any indication that the internet was broken, but the do-gooders came to fix it anyway.
When the Trump administration moved to undo their handiwork in 2017, a coalition of hysterical, shrieking activists convinced large segments of the population to panic. Their rhetoric was reminiscent of Y2K. And it was lost on most of them, including some of the most computer-savvy tech YouTubers, that the argument for Title II regulation was being driven by a handful of powerful corporations such as Netflix, Google, and Amazon seeking a free ride on networks paid for and maintained by others.
The activists loudly claimed that service providers would react to the repeal of Title II by raising prices and slowing down service. One of the dumbest claims of all came from the American Civil Liberties Union, which told people they may soon be unable to order Domino’s online because Pizza Hut could just pay their internet service provider to prevent it.
Did that actually happen? Of course not. Even if service providers are evil, they're not stupid. ISPs are now luring customers with cheap, unlimited 5G data plans that are faster than ever. Thanks to advances in technology, cable and fiber companies must now compete with cheap cellphone plans that allow for practically unlimited tethering and free subscriptions to Hulu, Amazon, and other streaming services.
The truth is that internet providers would be shooting themselves in the head were they ever to throttle traffic or violate net neutrality in a way that actually harmed consumers — which is why it has never really happened. It is telling that, whenever the scaremongers try to illustrate that the threat is real, they either have to explain why it's bad that you have unlimited data to watch Hulu on your phone or else they describe obscure, ancient incidents that are highly unlikely to recur.
For example, yes, there was an incident in 2007 when Verizon briefly blocked a pro-abortion group from using its text message service to spam supporters. The decision, born of a dumb corporate policy of avoiding controversial topics, was reversed almost instantly once it became clear that it was backfiring, forcing the company into an abortion controversy. So much for net neutrality — problem solved.
What's more, if service providers were to start throttling certain services in the way the fearmongers suggest, Congress could pass a new law that actually made sense for the internet, not for Ma Bell in the Depression Era.
A lot of people said a lot of dumb things back when Title II internet regulation was being repealed. They cried out that the sky was falling, and it wasn't. Under normal circumstances, they would be apologizing now, explaining that they were wrong to spread hysterical propaganda about a subject they knew much less about than they let on. They would acknowledge that the repeal of Title II internet regulation hasn’t hurt anyone — to the contrary, it has made possible immense investments in the internet that are improving its performance and utility.
Biden, who is about as tech-savvy as you’d expect, now wants to restore the harmful and restrictive Title II regulation of the internet. It’s a terrible idea that will hinder the expansion of tomorrow's better, faster internet. The Title II version of net neutrality is simply the wrong way. It is a solution in search of a problem that never was and never will be.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-07-20--Oh yeah, there’s an election: Presidential campaign overshadowed as world explodes

For those outside the Washington , D.C. , Beltway and not consumed with political news , it ’ s easy to forget that there ’ s a presidential election this year .
While society-changing , earth-shattering events such as the coronavirus pandemic , mass unemployment , and violent protests have taken center stage , the 2020 election itself is a bit of a snooze .
President Trump and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden certainly respond to the catastrophic events as they try to sustain their campaigns .
But the election itself is not driving the news , a dramatic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pew Research Center survey found that 52 % of people in the United States were paying close or fairly close attention to news about presidential candidates , significantly down from the same point in the 2016 cycle when 69 % said they were paying close or very close attention to the presidential candidates .
Meanwhile , 87 % in the April survey said that they are paying close or very close attention to the coronavirus pandemic .
A former D.C. political digital operative now based on the Pacific Northwest put it bluntly : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thinking about the election when the pandemic is happening and it feels like society is ripping apart at the seams ?
” To some political observers , dynamics in the election are downright dull compared to the rest of current events .
Shutdowns starting in March prevent the candidates from having organic , headline-grabbing interactions with voters , and events for gaffe-prone Biden are particularly staged and sanitized .
Biden , who has spent most of the coronavirus pandemic at his home in Wilmington , Delaware , has a hefty 8.6 % lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national polls .
Unlike the 2016 election cycle , there are no leaks or internal emails to drive attention back to the campaigns themselves .
Politically incorrect statements from Trump no longer shock as they did in 2016 .
Even seasoned political operatives and activists confess that the Trump-Biden contest slipped their minds .
Caroline David , a conservative activist in North Carolina who volunteered on presidential campaigns in 2012 and 2016 , fired off a tweet at the end of May : “ Yeah I forgot about the presidential election.
” While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told the Washington Examiner that the election was “ definitely in the back of my mind.
” “ I 've definitely been paying more attention to the news on COVID-19 as well as watching the fallout of George Floyd 's death , ” she said .
“ And recently , Ghislaine Maxwell 's arrest has captured a lot of my attention.
” Aside from mass catastrophic events overshadowing electoral politics , the personalities of this year ’ s candidates could be part of why the election does not have a prominent place in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a sense of outrage exhaustion when it comes to Trump , ” said the former digital operative , who was granted anonymity to speak candidly .
But when it comes to Democratic nominee , “ Biden , when put on center stage , falls apart.
” “ That ’ s what makes it boring , ” the person added about the election .
With just over 100 days until the November election , there is time for the focus to shift back to the 2020 campaign .
Biden is expected to announce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and both parties have their national conventions in August , though in significantly scaled-down confabs .
But for now , the presidential election is simmering on the back burner while the national news oven is on fire .

For those outside the Beltway and not consumed with political news, it’s easy to forget that there’s a presidential election this year. While society-changing, earth-shattering events such as the coronavirus pandemic, mass unemployment, and violent protests have taken center stage, the 2020 election itself is a bit of a snooze.
President Trump and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden certainly respond to the catastrophic events as they try to sustain their campaigns. But the election itself is not driving the news, a dramatic change from previous years.
An April Pew Research Center survey found that 52% of people in the United States were paying close or fairly close attention to news about presidential candidates, significantly down from the same point in the 2016 cycle when 69% said they were paying close or very close attention to the presidential candidates. Meanwhile, 87% in the April survey said that they are paying close or very close attention to the coronavirus pandemic.
A former D.C. political digital operative now based on the Pacific Northwest put it bluntly: “Truly, who can really be thinking about the election when the pandemic is happening and it feels like society is ripping apart at the seams?”
To some political observers, dynamics in the election are downright dull compared to the rest of current events.
Shutdowns starting in March prevent the candidates from having organic, headline-grabbing interactions with voters, and events for gaffe-prone Biden are particularly staged and sanitized. Biden, who has spent most of the coronavirus pandemic at his home in Wilmington, Delaware, has a hefty 8.6% lead over Trump in the RealClearPolitics average of national polls.
Unlike the 2016 election cycle, there are no leaks or internal emails to drive attention back to the campaigns themselves. Politically incorrect statements from Trump no longer shock as they did in 2016.
Even seasoned political operatives and activists confess that the Trump-Biden contest slipped their minds.
Caroline David, a conservative activist in North Carolina who volunteered on presidential campaigns in 2012 and 2016, fired off a tweet at the end of May: “Yeah I forgot about the presidential election.”
While the tweet was partly facetious, David told the Washington Examiner that the election was “definitely in the back of my mind.”
“I've definitely been paying more attention to the news on COVID-19 as well as watching the fallout of George Floyd's death,” she said. “And recently, Ghislaine Maxwell's arrest has captured a lot of my attention.”
Aside from mass catastrophic events overshadowing electoral politics, the personalities of this year’s candidates could be part of why the election does not have a prominent place in the public psyche.
“There’s a sense of outrage exhaustion when it comes to Trump,” said the former digital operative, who was granted anonymity to speak candidly. But when it comes to Democratic nominee, “Biden, when put on center stage, falls apart.”
“That’s what makes it boring,” the person added about the election.
With just over 100 days until the November election, there is time for the focus to shift back to the 2020 campaign. Biden is expected to announce his running mate in the coming weeks, and both parties have their national conventions in August, though in significantly scaled-down confabs.
But for now, the presidential election is simmering on the back burner while the national news oven is on fire.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-07-20--Republican indicted for voter fraud gives Democrats another chance for win

House Democrats in November may have a chance to expand their majority in an unexpected place , a sprawling area in eastern Kansas that usually favors Republicans .
The Kansas 2nd Congressional District backed President Trump by double-digits in 2016 .
But this year , first-term Rep. Steve Watkins faces a spirited Republican primary challenge , in a race centering around his indictment last week on state voter fraud charges .
That has some Democrats eyeing the seat as a surprise opportunity as the party seeks to expand the House majority it won in 2018 .
On Tuesday , Watkins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ felony counts of voter fraud , including `` interference with a law enforcement officer , falsely report a felony intending to obstruct , voting without being qualified , and knowingly mark/transmit more than one advance ballot , ” according to county records .
The charges were announced just before a scheduled debate against former Kansas State Treasurer Jake LaTurner , who is primarying Watkins for the seat .
Voters will head to the polls Aug. 4 to decide which man will face off against the likely Democratic nominee , Topeka Mayor Michelle De @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put our best foot forward .
Clearly our current congressman , with three felony charges and a misdemeanor charge , is not the person to do that , '' LaTurner said that night .
Although Trump won the district by 19 points in the last presidential cycle , Democrats believe the GOP is vulnerable .
In 2018 , Watkins won the seat by under a percentage point and less than 3,000 votes .
His tenure has been marred by controversy , with accusations of sexual misconduct and questions surrounding campaign finance irregularities .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ primary , with 26.5 % of the vote , defeating six challengers .
Much of his campaign was financed by his father , who said in March the Federal Election Commission opened an investigation into potential campaign finance law violations .
`` I can ’ t think of anyone in Congress who has done more to inflict wounds on himself than him , '' said University of Kansas political science professor Patrick Miller .
`` Up front the biggest frustration for me is that there ’ s been zero public polling here .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ primary and the general election .
I think we have people making assumptions on who the stronger candidate is , but it ’ s backed by zero data , '' referring to some locals saying LaChance has a better shot at holding the seat for Republicans .
Despite a strong majority of voters in the district supporting Republicans on the national level for decades , many seem far more pragmatic in local and statewide races .
Voters in Kansas 's 2nd Congressional District backed Democrat Nancy Boyda for one cycle in the 2006 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supported Democratic Gov .
Laura Kelly in 2018 over GOP challenger Kris Kobach .
`` Democrats have a shot , but it would be a very tough district to flip .
Barack Obama got 44 % here in 2008 then 42 % .
There is a solid Democratic base here , '' said Miller .
`` Donald Trump carried this by about 20 points , but the district voted for the Democrat in the last two gubernatorial races .
If Democrats are sensing a good environment nationally , then they should be bullish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , all eyes are on Watkins , 43 , a West Point graduate who spent five years on active duty with the U.S. Army .
On Friday , he stepped down from his House committee assignments , following the felony indictments , as required by Republican Conference rules .
A number of conservative groups in the state , including Kansas For Life , withdrew its endorsement of Watkins .
“ Throughout my entire career , I have put service above myself , and this instance is not different , ” Watkins said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Foreign Affairs , Veterans ’ Affairs and Education and Labor committees .
“ That ’ s why I ’ ve chosen to temporarily and voluntarily step aside from my committees , allow the committees to continue their critical work and fight these bogus charges .
”

House Democrats in November may have a chance to expand their majority in an unexpected place — a sprawling area in eastern Kansas that usually favors Republicans.
The Kansas 2nd Congressional District backed President Trump by double digits in 2016. But this year, first-term Rep. Steve Watkins faces a spirited Republican primary challenge in a race centering on state voter fraud charges. That has some Democrats eyeing the seat as a surprise opportunity as the party seeks to expand the House majority it won in 2018.
On Tuesday, Watkins was charged by state officials on three felony counts of voter fraud, including "interference with a law enforcement officer, falsely report a felony intending to obstruct, voting without being qualified, and knowingly mark/transmit more than one advance ballot,” according to county records.
The charges were announced just before a scheduled debate against former Kansas State Treasurer Jake LaTurner, who is primarying Watkins for the seat. Voters will head to the polls Aug. 4 to decide which man will face off against the likely Democratic nominee, Topeka Mayor Michelle De La Isla.
"We need to put our best foot forward. Clearly our current congressman, with three felony charges and a misdemeanor charge, is not the person to do that," LaTurner said that night.
Although Trump won the district by 19 points in the last presidential cycle, Democrats believe the GOP is vulnerable. In 2018, Watkins won the seat by under a percentage point and less than 3,000 votes. His tenure has been marred by controversy, with accusations of sexual misconduct and questions surrounding campaign finance irregularities.
Watkins narrowly won his 2018 House Republican primary, with 26.5% of the vote, defeating six challengers. Much of his campaign was financed by his father, who said in March the Federal Election Commission opened an investigation into potential campaign finance law violations.
"I can’t think of anyone in Congress who has done more to inflict wounds on himself than him," said University of Kansas political science professor Patrick Miller. "Up front the biggest frustration for me is that there’s been zero public polling here. We have zero polling for the Republican primary and the general election. I think we have people making assumptions on who the stronger candidate is, but it’s backed by zero data," referring to some locals saying LaChance has a better shot at holding the seat for Republicans.
Despite a strong majority of voters in the district supporting Republicans on the national level for decades, many seem far more pragmatic in local and statewide races. Voters in Kansas's 2nd Congressional District backed Democrat Nancy Boyda for one cycle in the 2006 midterms, and a majority of voters supported Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly in 2018 over GOP challenger Kris Kobach.
"Democrats have a shot, but it would be a very tough district to flip. Barack Obama got 44% here in 2008 then 42%. There is a solid Democratic base here," said Miller. "Donald Trump carried this by about 20 points, but the district voted for the Democrat in the last two gubernatorial races. If Democrats are sensing a good environment nationally, then they should be bullish on races here."
For now, all eyes are on Watkins, 43, a West Point graduate who spent five years on active duty with the U.S. Army. On Friday, he stepped down from his House committee assignments, following the felony indictments, as required by Republican Conference rules. A number of conservative groups in the state, including Kansas For Life, withdrew its endorsement of Watkins.
“Throughout my entire career, I have put service above myself, and this instance is not different,” Watkins said in a statement Friday about his departure from the Foreign Affairs, Veterans’ Affairs and Education and Labor committees. “That’s why I’ve chosen to temporarily and voluntarily step aside from my committees, allow the committees to continue their critical work and fight these bogus charges.”
Editor's note: This article has been updated to make clear that Rep. Steve Watkins has been charged with voter fraud, not indicted by a grand jury.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-07-21--Biden puts Kremlin 'on notice' as Schiff demands FBI briefing on 'foreign interference campaign'

Joe Biden said he is putting Russia “ on notice ” about election meddling on Monday as Democrats in the House and Senate revealed that they had asked the FBI for a full congressional briefing on an alleged “ foreign interference campaign ” targeting Congress .
Biden , the former vice president and presumptive 2020 Democratic nominee , released a lengthy statement proclaiming that “ foreign interference in the U.S. electoral process represents an assault on the American people and their constitutional right to vote.
” This followed comments by the candidate on Friday when Biden said he had started @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ are still engaged in trying to delegitimize our electoral process ” and China “ and others ” are “ engaged as well in activities that are designed for us to lose confidence in the outcome.
” “ Today , I am putting the Kremlin and other foreign governments on notice .
If elected president , I will treat foreign interference in our election as an adversarial act that significantly affects the relationship between the United States and the interfering nation ’ s government , ” Biden said on Monday , adding , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actor seeking to interfere in our democracy .
Increasingly , other states have shown an interest in copying Russia ’ s tactics.
” Hours earlier , congressional Democrats revealed that on July 13 House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California , Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York , House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff of California , and Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chairman Mark Warner of Virginia sent a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray requesting that the FBI “ provide a defensive counterintelligence briefing to all Members of the House of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to interfere in the 2020 U.S. presidential election.
” The Democrats claimed , “ Congress appears to be the target of a concerted foreign interference campaign ” related to the 2020 election .
“ Gang of Eight ( and others impacted ) were already briefed .
Weeks ago .
This request is a CYA , '' tweeted Richard Grenell , the former acting director of national intelligence .
Last week , Republican Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham of South Carolina released freshly declassified documents that cast doubt on the veracity of British @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undercut the Russian collusion narrative pushed by Democrats such as Schiff .
DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz ’ s lengthy December report criticized the DOJ and the FBI for at least 17 “ significant errors and omissions ” related to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act warrants against Trump campaign associate Carter Page and for the bureau 's reliance on Steele ’ s unverified dossier .
Steele put his research together at the behest of the opposition research firm Fusion GPS , funded by Hillary Clinton 's presidential campaign and the Democratic National Committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Declassified footnotes now show that the FBI was aware that Steele ’ s dossier might have been compromised by Russian disinformation .
Biden said on Monday that “ in spite of President Trump ’ s failure to act , America ’ s adversaries must not misjudge the resolve of the American people to counter every effort by a foreign power to interfere in our democracy.
” Trump ’ s critics claim he has been reluctant to proclaim that Russia interfered in 2016 , including during a July 2018 summit in Helsinki with Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration has repeatedly sanctioned Russia and Russian officials for election meddling and other malign activities , as well as provided large amounts of offensive weaponry to Ukraine as it deals with incursions by Russian forces .
Trump signed an executive order in September 2018 that called for the imposition of sanctions in the event of foreign interference in elections .
Trump confirmed to the Washington Post earlier this month that he had ordered a cyberattack against troll farms operated by Russia ’ s Internet Research Agency , the group which special counsel Robert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign during the 2016 election .
Trump criticized former President Barack Obama ’ s own inaction , saying , “ He knew before the election that Russia was playing around … And he said nothing .
And the reason he said nothing was that he didn ’ t want to touch it because he thought [ Hillary Clinton ] was winning.
” The Senate Intelligence Committee released a bipartisan report in February criticizing the Obama administration for fumbling the response to Russian meddling , finding that “ the U.S. government was not well-postured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a full range of readily-available policy options.
” The book Russian Roulette , written by journalists Michael Isikoff and David Corn , said Obama ’ s national security adviser Susan Rice told Obama ’ s cybersecurity team to “ stand down ” and not carry out an offensive cyber response against Russia , and Obama cybersecurity coordinator Michael Daniel testified to the Senate in June 2018 that “ those actions were put on the back burner , yes . ''
Obama , Biden , and the Democratic Party harshly criticized then-candidate Mitt Romney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2012 , but Democrats blamed the Kremlin as one of the culprits for Trump ’ s victory four years later .
Obama made headlines when he criticized Romney over Russia in an October 2012 debate , saying , “ Gov .
Romney , I ’ m glad you recognize that al Qaeda is a threat , because a couple of months ago when you were asked what ’ s the biggest geopolitical threat facing America , you said Russia .
And the 1980s are now calling to ask for their foreign policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senator representing Utah , held his ground .
“ Russia , I indicated , is a geopolitical foe .
And I said in the same paragraph that Iran is the greatest national security threat that we face , '' he said .
“ I have clear eyes on this .
I ’ m not going to wear rose-colored glasses when it comes to Russia or Mr. Putin.
” Biden also derided Romney during the campaign , claiming he was “ mired in a Cold War mindset ” and calling him a `` Cold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ determination to take U.S.-Russian relations back to the 1950s.
” After Obama and Biden defeated Romney and won a second term in 2012 , Putin ’ s Russia annexed Crimea and made military incursions into eastern Ukraine , among other malign actions .
In March , officials from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence told lawmakers rejected a stream of media reports based upon classified briefings on election security .
“ The IC has not concluded that the Kremlin is directly aiding any candidate ’ s reelection or any other candidates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the Russians will definitely choose to try to do so in 2020 , ” the ODNI ’ s declassified fact sheet read .
“ This is not a Russia-only problem .
China , Iran , other countries like North Korea and Cuba , and non-state actors all have the opportunity , means , and potential motive to interfere in the 2020 elections.
” Last week , the United States , United Kingdom , and Canada jointly accused Russian intelligence of likely attempting to hack into groups conducting COVID-19 vaccine development in all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their research .
Mueller ’ s two-year investigation concluded , “ the Russian government interfered in the 2016 presidential election in sweeping and systematic fashion ” but “ did not establish ” any criminal conspiracy between Trump and Russia .

Joe Biden said he is putting Russia “on notice” about election meddling on Monday as Democrats in the House and Senate revealed that they had asked the FBI for a full congressional briefing on an alleged “foreign interference campaign” targeting Congress.
Biden, the former vice president and presumptive 2020 Democratic nominee, released a lengthy statement proclaiming that “foreign interference in the U.S. electoral process represents an assault on the American people and their constitutional right to vote.” This followed comments by the candidate on Friday when Biden said he had started getting intelligence briefings and asserted the Russians “are still engaged in trying to delegitimize our electoral process” and China “and others” are “engaged as well in activities that are designed for us to lose confidence in the outcome.”
“Today, I am putting the Kremlin and other foreign governments on notice. If elected president, I will treat foreign interference in our election as an adversarial act that significantly affects the relationship between the United States and the interfering nation’s government,” Biden said on Monday, adding, “Russia is not the only foreign actor seeking to interfere in our democracy. Increasingly, other states have shown an interest in copying Russia’s tactics.”
Hours earlier, congressional Democrats revealed that on July 13 House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff of California, and Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chairman Mark Warner of Virginia sent a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray requesting that the FBI “provide a defensive counterintelligence briefing to all Members of the House of Representatives and the Senate regarding foreign efforts to interfere in the 2020 U.S. presidential election.” The Democrats claimed, “Congress appears to be the target of a concerted foreign interference campaign” related to the 2020 election.
“Gang of Eight (and others impacted) were already briefed. Weeks ago. This request is a CYA," tweeted Richard Grenell, the former acting director of national intelligence.
Last week, Republican Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham of South Carolina released freshly declassified documents that cast doubt on the veracity of British ex-spy Christopher Steele’s dossier and undercut the Russian collusion narrative pushed by Democrats such as Schiff.
DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz’s lengthy December report criticized the DOJ and the FBI for at least 17 “significant errors and omissions” related to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act warrants against Trump campaign associate Carter Page and for the bureau's reliance on Steele’s unverified dossier. Steele put his research together at the behest of the opposition research firm Fusion GPS, funded by Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign and the Democratic National Committee through the Perkins Coie law firm. Declassified footnotes now show that the FBI was aware that Steele’s dossier might have been compromised by Russian disinformation.
Biden said on Monday that “in spite of President Trump’s failure to act, America’s adversaries must not misjudge the resolve of the American people to counter every effort by a foreign power to interfere in our democracy.”
Trump’s critics claim he has been reluctant to proclaim that Russia interfered in 2016, including during a July 2018 summit in Helsinki with Russian President Vladimir Putin. But the Trump administration has repeatedly sanctioned Russia and Russian officials for election meddling and other malign activities, as well as provided large amounts of offensive weaponry to Ukraine as it deals with incursions by Russian forces. Trump signed an executive order in September 2018 that called for the imposition of sanctions in the event of foreign interference in elections.
Trump confirmed to the Washington Post earlier this month that he had ordered a cyberattack against troll farms operated by Russia’s Internet Research Agency, the group which special counsel Robert Mueller concluded conducted a social media disinformation campaign during the 2016 election. Trump criticized former President Barack Obama’s own inaction, saying, “He knew before the election that Russia was playing around … And he said nothing. And the reason he said nothing was that he didn’t want to touch it because he thought [Hillary Clinton] was winning.”
The Senate Intelligence Committee released a bipartisan report in February criticizing the Obama administration for fumbling the response to Russian meddling, finding that “the U.S. government was not well-postured to counter Russian election interference activity with a full range of readily-available policy options.”
The book Russian Roulette, written by journalists Michael Isikoff and David Corn, said Obama’s national security adviser Susan Rice told Obama’s cybersecurity team to “stand down” and not carry out an offensive cyber response against Russia, and Obama cybersecurity coordinator Michael Daniel testified to the Senate in June 2018 that “those actions were put on the back burner, yes."
Obama, Biden, and the Democratic Party harshly criticized then-candidate Mitt Romney for his warnings about Russia and Putin in 2012, but Democrats blamed the Kremlin as one of the culprits for Trump’s victory four years later.
Obama made headlines when he criticized Romney over Russia in an October 2012 debate, saying, “Gov. Romney, I’m glad you recognize that al Qaeda is a threat, because a couple of months ago when you were asked what’s the biggest geopolitical threat facing America, you said Russia. And the 1980s are now calling to ask for their foreign policy back.”
Romney, now a junior senator representing Utah, held his ground. “Russia, I indicated, is a geopolitical foe. And I said in the same paragraph that Iran is the greatest national security threat that we face," he said. “I have clear eyes on this. I’m not going to wear rose-colored glasses when it comes to Russia or Mr. Putin.”
Biden also derided Romney during the campaign, claiming he was “mired in a Cold War mindset” and calling him a "Cold War holdover" with an “apparent determination to take U.S.-Russian relations back to the 1950s.”
After Obama and Biden defeated Romney and won a second term in 2012, Putin’s Russia annexed Crimea and made military incursions into eastern Ukraine, among other malign actions.
In March, officials from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence told lawmakers rejected a stream of media reports based upon classified briefings on election security.
“The IC has not concluded that the Kremlin is directly aiding any candidate’s reelection or any other candidates’ election. Nor have we concluded that the Russians will definitely choose to try to do so in 2020,” the ODNI’s declassified fact sheet read. “This is not a Russia-only problem. China, Iran, other countries like North Korea and Cuba, and non-state actors all have the opportunity, means, and potential motive to interfere in the 2020 elections.”
Last week, the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada jointly accused Russian intelligence of likely attempting to hack into groups conducting COVID-19 vaccine development in all three countries in an effort to steal their research.
Mueller’s two-year investigation concluded, “the Russian government interfered in the 2016 presidential election in sweeping and systematic fashion” but “did not establish” any criminal conspiracy between Trump and Russia.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-07-20--Biden media strategy: Keep it friendly

Biden media strategy: Keep it friendly

Joe Biden is n't exactly making himself accessible to the general public these days .
Three and a half months before voters decide whether the former vice president or President Trump should occupy the White House , the Biden campaign seems fine avoiding any grueling interviewers .
On Monday , the Biden campaign announced he would appear on the premiere of Joy Reid 's new program on MSNBC , The ReidOut .
Biden has largely avoided national media , sticking to local outlets such as NBC News 12 in Arizona earlier this month , where he faced questions about school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeared several times on late-night shows such as The Daily Show with Trevor Noah , joking about Trump and actions he would take to remove the president from office if he refused to concede a loss in November .
The few times Biden has faced tough questioning have led to mini media cycles about his propensity for misstatements that only reinforces his campaign 's strategy of largely staying in Delaware .
In May , Biden spoke with liberal talk show host Charlamagne Tha God and said , `` If you have a problem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or Trump , then you ai n't black . ''
When speaking with the left-wing internet media outlet NowThis earlier this month , the Trump campaign latched onto his comments on the `` defund the police '' movement .
`` Surplus military equipment for law enforcement , they do n't need that !
The last thing you need is an up-armored Humvee coming into a neighborhood .
It 's like the military invading , '' the former vice president said .
`` They do n't know anybody .
They become the enemy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ people . ''
He later said , `` Yes , absolutely , '' when asked if he 'd be open to redirecting some funding away from police departments into other services .
The few times Biden ventures out of his home to local stops in Wilmington , Delaware , or neighboring Pennsylvania , only pre-screened members of his traveling pool are allowed to attend .
When giving press conferences , Biden typically reads from a list of reporters .
The strategy marks a significant departure from the Democratic primary , in which virtually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his campaign events and ask questions .
Only when a Fox News reporter barked questions at Biden as he was exiting an event in Wilmington last month did he face a question about his supposed cognitive decline .
`` I 've been testing , and I 'm constantly testing .
Look , all you got to do is watch me , '' Biden said .
`` And I can hardly wait to compare my cognitive capability to the cognitive capability of the man I 'm running against . ''
Critics of the media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ length of time it took for any reporter to ask him about sexual harassment allegations by Tara Reade , a former Senate staffer of his in the 1990s .
Weeks and several interviews went by before he was confronted with the allegations by MSNBC 's Mika Brzezinski .
Biden has repeatedly flatly denied any improper behavior took place between the two .
Republican strategists and allies of Trump said they expect Biden 's sizable lead over the president to shrink following more exposure to the press .
For the time being , Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change its strategy .
“ Let Biden sit through an interview like this , '' Trump said Monday , referring to his interview with Fox News host Chris Wallace .
`` He ’ ll be on the ground crying for mommy .
He ’ ll say , ‘ Mommy , mommy , please , take me home . '
” Despite the uneven scheduling of the White House press briefings , Trump remains by most accounts one of the most accessible presidents in modern history , often taking questions from the press on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or following the end of cabinet meetings .
On Sunday , Fox News released its interview with Trump and network anchor Chris Wallace , which featured heated exchanges between the two on topics related to the coronavirus and police reform .
But despite supporters of the president regularly attacking some Fox News hosts for alleged bias against the president , Wallace expressed disappointment on Biden 's reluctance to engage with the press more often .
`` The president is out there .
He 's out there in this broiling heat with me for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
You can like his answers or dislike them , but he had answers , '' Wallace said , adding that Biden is `` going to have to be more exposed '' and learn to `` take questions just as tough as the ones I asked this president . ''

Joe Biden isn't exactly making himself accessible to the general public these days.
Three and a half months before voters decide whether the former vice president or President Trump should occupy the White House, the Biden campaign seems fine avoiding any grueling interviewers. On Monday, the Biden campaign announced he would appear on the premiere of Joy Reid's new program on MSNBC, The ReidOut.
Biden has largely avoided national media, sticking to local outlets such as NBC News 12 in Arizona earlier this month, where he faced questions about school openings and the coronavirus. He has appeared several times on late-night shows such as The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, joking about Trump and actions he would take to remove the president from office if he refused to concede a loss in November.
The few times Biden has faced tough questioning have led to mini media cycles about his propensity for misstatements that only reinforces his campaign's strategy of largely staying in Delaware. In May, Biden spoke with liberal talk show host Charlamagne Tha God and said, "If you have a problem figuring out whether you're for me or Trump, then you ain't black."
When speaking with the left-wing internet media outlet NowThis earlier this month, the Trump campaign latched onto his comments on the "defund the police" movement.
"Surplus military equipment for law enforcement, they don't need that! The last thing you need is an up-armored Humvee coming into a neighborhood. It's like the military invading," the former vice president said. "They don't know anybody. They become the enemy. They're supposed to be protecting these people." He later said, "Yes, absolutely," when asked if he'd be open to redirecting some funding away from police departments into other services.
The few times Biden ventures out of his home to local stops in Wilmington, Delaware, or neighboring Pennsylvania, only pre-screened members of his traveling pool are allowed to attend. When giving press conferences, Biden typically reads from a list of reporters. The strategy marks a significant departure from the Democratic primary, in which virtually any credible outlet was permitted to attend his campaign events and ask questions.
Only when a Fox News reporter barked questions at Biden as he was exiting an event in Wilmington last month did he face a question about his supposed cognitive decline.
"I've been testing, and I'm constantly testing. Look, all you got to do is watch me," Biden said. "And I can hardly wait to compare my cognitive capability to the cognitive capability of the man I'm running against."
Critics of the media's treatment of Biden pointed to the length of time it took for any reporter to ask him about sexual harassment allegations by Tara Reade, a former Senate staffer of his in the 1990s. Weeks and several interviews went by before he was confronted with the allegations by MSNBC's Mika Brzezinski. Biden has repeatedly flatly denied any improper behavior took place between the two.
Republican strategists and allies of Trump said they expect Biden's sizable lead over the president to shrink following more exposure to the press. For the time being, Biden's campaign has shown no willingness to change its strategy.
“Let Biden sit through an interview like this," Trump said Monday, referring to his interview with Fox News host Chris Wallace. "He’ll be on the ground crying for mommy. He’ll say, ‘Mommy, mommy, please, take me home.'”
Despite the uneven scheduling of the White House press briefings, Trump remains by most accounts one of the most accessible presidents in modern history, often taking questions from the press on his way to various modes of transportation or following the end of cabinet meetings.
On Sunday, Fox News released its interview with Trump and network anchor Chris Wallace, which featured heated exchanges between the two on topics related to the coronavirus and police reform. But despite supporters of the president regularly attacking some Fox News hosts for alleged bias against the president, Wallace expressed disappointment on Biden's reluctance to engage with the press more often.
"The president is out there. He's out there in this broiling heat with me for an hour, took all the questions. You can like his answers or dislike them, but he had answers," Wallace said, adding that Biden is "going to have to be more exposed" and learn to "take questions just as tough as the ones I asked this president."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-07-20--Late registration: Kanye West misses petition deadline for spot on South Carolina presidential ballo

Late registration: Kanye West misses petition deadline for spot on South Carolina presidential ballot

Kanye West missed a Monday afternoon deadline to submit the 10,000 signatures necessary to appear on South Carolina ’ s presidential ballot in November , effectively ending his chances to be a third-party upstart in the Palmetto State , according to the Post and Courier .
The Late Registration rapper held a unique rally in Charleston on Sunday , sporting a bulletproof vest with pepper spray attached to it and “ 2020 ” shaved into his head , in order to boost the sign-up effort .
During the event , West made headlines for saying that abolitionist Harriet Tubman “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rather “ just had the slaves go work for other white people.
” Although he didn ’ t meet the signature deadline to get on South Carolina ’ s ballot , he could appear on the ballot in November if he is nominated by one of the state ’ s 10 certified political parties , although it is unclear if he would make such an attempt .
West , who is married to reality TV star Kim Kardashian , did receive a spot on the ballot in Oklahoma as an independent after filling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 35,000 filing fee .

Ye it ain’t so.
Kanye West missed a Monday afternoon deadline to submit the 10,000 signatures necessary to appear on South Carolina’s presidential ballot in November, effectively ending his chances to be a third-party upstart in the Palmetto State, according to the Post and Courier.
The Late Registration rapper held a unique rally in Charleston on Sunday, sporting a bulletproof vest with pepper spray attached to it and “2020” shaved into his head, in order to boost the sign-up effort. During the event, West made headlines for saying that abolitionist Harriet Tubman “never actually freed the slaves” but rather “just had the slaves go work for other white people.”
Kanye West. (Lauren Petracca Ipetracca/The Post And Courier/AP)
Although he didn’t meet the signature deadline to get on South Carolina’s ballot, he could appear on the ballot in November if he is nominated by one of the state’s 10 certified political parties, although it is unclear if he would make such an attempt.
West, who is married to reality TV star Kim Kardashian, did receive a spot on the ballot in Oklahoma as an independent after filling out the paperwork and paying a $35,000 filing fee.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-07-20--'More exposed': After Trump interview, Fox News anchor Chris Wallace says Biden is due for grilling

Fox News anchor Chris Wallace urged Joe Biden to go through a rigorous interview similar to the one he conducted with President Trump .
The journalist and host of Fox News Sunday said on Monday that Biden , a former vice president , is `` going to have to be more exposed '' than he has been so far in the 2020 presidential contest and `` take questions just as tough as the ones I asked this president . ''
During an appearance on Fox News 's America 's Newsroom , Wallace also noted that Biden has done `` a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` pretty selective '' and often times was just the candidate `` reading from a teleprompter . ''
`` The president is out there .
He 's out there in this broiling heat with me for an hour , took all the questions .
You can like his answers or dislike them , but he had answers , '' Wallace added , referring to the Trump interview .
Wallace 's interview with Trump , which aired Sunday , turned contentious at times , including when the journalist fact-checked Trump on comments he made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country 's coronavirus mortality rate .
Trump also encouraged Biden to do a similar interview and predicted that the former vice president would not fair very well .
“ Let Biden sit through an interview like this , '' Trump said .
`` He ’ ll be on the ground crying for mommy .
He ’ ll say , ‘ Mommy , mommy , please , take me home . '
”

Fox News anchor Chris Wallace urged Joe Biden to go through a rigorous interview similar to the one he conducted with President Trump.
The journalist and host of Fox News Sunday said on Monday that Biden, a former vice president, is "going to have to be more exposed" than he has been so far in the 2020 presidential contest and "take questions just as tough as the ones I asked this president."
During an appearance on Fox News's America's Newsroom, Wallace also noted that Biden has done "a few events" that he said were "pretty selective" and often times was just the candidate "reading from a teleprompter."
"The president is out there. He's out there in this broiling heat with me for an hour, took all the questions. You can like his answers or dislike them, but he had answers," Wallace added, referring to the Trump interview.
Wallace's interview with Trump, which aired Sunday, turned contentious at times, including when the journalist fact-checked Trump on comments he made about Biden's stance toward police and the country's coronavirus mortality rate.
Trump also encouraged Biden to do a similar interview and predicted that the former vice president would not fair very well.
“Let Biden sit through an interview like this," Trump said. "He’ll be on the ground crying for mommy. He’ll say, ‘Mommy, mommy, please, take me home.'”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-07-20--Record haul: GOP groups tasked with holding Senate rake in big bucks in June

Republican political groups dedicated to preserving the party 's Senate majority had a banner fundraising month in June , with the National Republican Senatorial Committee collecting $ 14 million and the Senate Leadership Fund raking in $ 30.2 million .
The fundraising totals for the NRSC , the Senate GOP campaign arm , and the SLF , a super PAC linked to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , have to be encouraging for Republicans .
A tsunami of campaign cash flooded into the coffers of Democratic Senate candidates in the second quarter , especially those challenging vulnerable Republican incumbents , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time that their three-seat majority could fall in November .
For the NRSC , the $ 14 million the committee raised in June brought its total raised for the April 1 through June 30 period to $ 35.6 million , the Hill reported Monday .
Both figures were NRSC records and left the group with $ 30.5 million in the bank to spend on the fall campaign .
Although the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee had more cash on hand , $ 37.7 million , the NRSC outraised the DSCC slightly in both June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the SLF 's $ 30.2 million June , first reported by Politico , pushed the super PAC 's war chest to $ 97.3 million .
The fast fundraising pace occurred even as the economy remains mired in a coronavirus-induced recession .
The group plans to spend at least $ 90 million of that on advertising defending the GOP majority in the Senate .
As President Trump has found himself trailing presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden in most national polls and surveys of key battleground states , GOP Senate incumbents are either trailing or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Colorado , Georgia , Iowa , Maine , Montana , and North Carolina .
Republicans are on offense in only two states : Alabama and Michigan .

Republican political groups dedicated to preserving the party's Senate majority had a banner fundraising month in June, with the National Republican Senatorial Committee collecting $14 million and the Senate Leadership Fund raking in $30.2 million.
The fundraising totals for the NRSC, the Senate GOP campaign arm, and the SLF, a super PAC linked to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, have to be encouraging for Republicans. A tsunami of campaign cash flooded into the coffers of Democratic Senate candidates in the second quarter, especially those challenging vulnerable Republican incumbents, leaving GOP officials worried for the first time that their three-seat majority could fall in November.
For the NRSC, the $14 million the committee raised in June brought its total raised for the April 1 through June 30 period to $35.6 million, the Hill reported Monday. Both figures were NRSC records and left the group with $30.5 million in the bank to spend on the fall campaign. Although the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee had more cash on hand, $37.7 million, the NRSC outraised the DSCC slightly in both June and for the quarter.
Meanwhile, the SLF's $30.2 million June, first reported by Politico, pushed the super PAC's war chest to $97.3 million. The fast fundraising pace occurred even as the economy remains mired in a coronavirus-induced recession. The group plans to spend at least $90 million of that on advertising defending the GOP majority in the Senate.
As President Trump has found himself trailing presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden in most national polls and surveys of key battleground states, GOP Senate incumbents are either trailing or mired in tough races in Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Maine, Montana, and North Carolina. Republicans are on offense in only two states: Alabama and Michigan.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-07-20--John Kasich in talks to speak at Democratic National Convention: Report

John Kasich is reportedly in talks to speak at the Democratic National Convention in support of Joe Biden .
The former Ohio governor , one of a number of high-profile Republicans critical of President Trump who are likely to campaign for Biden in the fall , was approached about speaking at next month 's convention and is expected to do so , according to a source familiar with the plans who spoke to the Associated Press .
Biden 's campaign did not confirm the negotiation with Kasich , saying only that it had started to court Republicans to campaign for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terms of Republican supporters , I think it speaks to a career of being able to work across the aisle , of being able to actually get things done , ” Biden 's deputy campaign manager Kate Bedingfield told the Associated Press .
“ We welcome the support of anybody who ’ d rather see Joe Biden be president than Donald Trump.
” Kasich , a House member representing the Columbus area from 1983-2001 and House Budget Committee chairman during the final six years of his tenure , ran against Trump in 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Kasich stayed in the race longer than any of the others in the crowded primary field as a protest against Trump , despite it being mathematically impossible for him to gather enough delegates to win the Republican presidential nomination .
He dropped out of the race in May 2016 only after Trump had won enough delegates to become the presumptive Republican presidential nominee .
A few other politicians who were technically a part of the opposite party , or independents , have spoken at the major party national conventions in recent years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former GOP governor , flipped from a Republican to an independent in 2010 and spoke at the 2012 Democratic National Convention , before joining the Democratic party in 2012 .
A former Georgia governor and senator , Zell Miller , a Democrat , was the keynote speaker at the 2004 Republican National Convention .

John Kasich is reportedly in talks to speak at the Democratic National Convention in support of Joe Biden.
The former Ohio governor, one of a number of high-profile Republicans critical of President Trump who are likely to campaign for Biden in the fall, was approached about speaking at next month's convention and is expected to do so, according to a source familiar with the plans who spoke to the Associated Press.
Biden's campaign did not confirm the negotiation with Kasich, saying only that it had started to court Republicans to campaign for Biden and against Trump.
“In terms of Republican supporters, I think it speaks to a career of being able to work across the aisle, of being able to actually get things done,” Biden's deputy campaign manager Kate Bedingfield told the Associated Press. “We welcome the support of anybody who’d rather see Joe Biden be president than Donald Trump.”
Kasich, a House member representing the Columbus area from 1983-2001 and House Budget Committee chairman during the final six years of his tenure, ran against Trump in 2016 when he sought the Republican presidential nomination. Kasich stayed in the race longer than any of the others in the crowded primary field as a protest against Trump, despite it being mathematically impossible for him to gather enough delegates to win the Republican presidential nomination. He dropped out of the race in May 2016 only after Trump had won enough delegates to become the presumptive Republican presidential nominee.
A few other politicians who were technically a part of the opposite party, or independents, have spoken at the major party national conventions in recent years. Florida Rep. Charlie Crist, a former GOP governor, flipped from a Republican to an independent in 2010 and spoke at the 2012 Democratic National Convention, before joining the Democratic party in 2012. A former Georgia governor and senator, Zell Miller, a Democrat, was the keynote speaker at the 2004 Republican National Convention.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-07-20--Republican charged with voter fraud gives Democrats another chance for win

House Democrats in November may have a chance to expand their majority in an unexpected place — a sprawling area in eastern Kansas that usually favors Republicans .
The Kansas 2nd Congressional District backed President Trump by double digits in 2016 .
But this year , first-term Rep. Steve Watkins faces a spirited Republican primary challenge in a race centering on state voter fraud charges .
That has some Democrats eyeing the seat as a surprise opportunity as the party seeks to expand the House majority it won in 2018 .
On Tuesday , Watkins was charged by state officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including `` interference with a law enforcement officer , falsely report a felony intending to obstruct , voting without being qualified , and knowingly mark/transmit more than one advance ballot , ” according to county records .
The charges were announced just before a scheduled debate against former Kansas State Treasurer Jake LaTurner , who is primarying Watkins for the seat .
Voters will head to the polls Aug. 4 to decide which man will face off against the likely Democratic nominee , Topeka Mayor Michelle De La Isla .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Clearly our current congressman , with three felony charges and a misdemeanor charge , is not the person to do that , '' LaTurner said that night .
Although Trump won the district by 19 points in the last presidential cycle , Democrats believe the GOP is vulnerable .
In 2018 , Watkins won the seat by under a percentage point and less than 3,000 votes .
His tenure has been marred by controversy , with accusations of sexual misconduct and questions surrounding campaign finance irregularities .
Watkins narrowly won his 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the vote , defeating six challengers .
Much of his campaign was financed by his father , who said in March the Federal Election Commission opened an investigation into potential campaign finance law violations .
`` I can ’ t think of anyone in Congress who has done more to inflict wounds on himself than him , '' said University of Kansas political science professor Patrick Miller .
`` Up front the biggest frustration for me is that there ’ s been zero public polling here .
We have zero polling for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I think we have people making assumptions on who the stronger candidate is , but it ’ s backed by zero data , '' referring to some locals saying LaChance has a better shot at holding the seat for Republicans .
Despite a strong majority of voters in the district supporting Republicans on the national level for decades , many seem far more pragmatic in local and statewide races .
Voters in Kansas 's 2nd Congressional District backed Democrat Nancy Boyda for one cycle in the 2006 midterms , and a majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kelly in 2018 over GOP challenger Kris Kobach .
`` Democrats have a shot , but it would be a very tough district to flip .
Barack Obama got 44 % here in 2008 then 42 % .
There is a solid Democratic base here , '' said Miller .
`` Donald Trump carried this by about 20 points , but the district voted for the Democrat in the last two gubernatorial races .
If Democrats are sensing a good environment nationally , then they should be bullish on races here . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Watkins , 43 , a West Point graduate who spent five years on active duty with the U.S. Army .
On Friday , he stepped down from his House committee assignments , following the felony indictments , as required by Republican Conference rules .
A number of conservative groups in the state , including Kansas For Life , withdrew its endorsement of Watkins .
“ Throughout my entire career , I have put service above myself , and this instance is not different , ” Watkins said in a statement Friday about his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Affairs and Education and Labor committees .
“ That ’ s why I ’ ve chosen to temporarily and voluntarily step aside from my committees , allow the committees to continue their critical work and fight these bogus charges.
” Editor 's note : This article has been updated to make clear that Rep. Steve Watkins has been charged with voter fraud , not indicted by a grand jury .


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-07-21--Trump has been turning the page on the coronavirus, but voters have not

President Trump has been trying to move on from the coronavirus to the economic recovery , but the electorate remains deeply concerned about the pandemic , especially as some states experience a resurgence of the virus .
This difference in priorities may explain why Trump appears to be falling further behind Democratic challenger Joe Biden nationally and in the battleground states .
A plurality of voters picked the coronavirus as their top issue , according to a Fox News poll , beating the economy 29 % to 15 % .
An ABC News/Washington Post poll that showed Trump trailing Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the president ’ s support came in states that have averaged 30 coronavirus cases a day per 100,000 residents , including key battlegrounds Florida , Texas , Arizona , and Georgia .
The same poll found Trump ’ s approval rating on managing the outbreak was down 28 points since March and a key predictor of who people plan to vote for in November .
According to the poll , 93 % of voters who approve of Trump ’ s handling of the coronavirus say they will pull the lever for him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do not are supporting Biden .
Biden is favored over Trump on the issue by 20 points .
The Trump administration ’ s plans to reopen the schools on time in the fall have faced similar headwinds .
A Politico/Morning Consult poll found that 54 % were very or somewhat uncomfortable with reopening K-12 schools , and 58 % had similar concerns about reopening day care .
They were split 48 % comfortable to 43 % uncomfortable on reopening colleges and universities .
A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted in mid-July concluded that just 26 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe to return to school , compared to 55 % who did not and 19 % who were not sure .
Trump made some moves on Monday to try to get ahead of this trend .
He the return of daily coronavirus briefings , effective Tuesday evening .
He tweeted an image of himself wearing a protective face mask .
“ We are United in our effort to defeat the Invisible China Virus , and many people say that it is Patriotic to wear a face mask when you can ’ t socially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There is nobody more Patriotic than me , your favorite President !
” But Trump ’ s public clashes with medical advisers such as Anthony Fauci , his complaints about new funding for coronavirus testing , the increase in cases in places such as Florida , and a rising death toll have sapped public confidence in his pandemic response .
Trump has on reopening , and while the early economic results were , it has yet to rebound to his political benefit as the virus has spread .
Reopening continues to be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The Democrats are saying , 'We have to shut down our country forever , ' ” said Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel on Fox News .
Trump supporters protested the lockdowns , and some fear their partial return , particularly in Democratic states , is intended to undermine his reelection bid .
But some of these steps are being taken by Republican governors in typically red states , and the concern among voters seems genuine .
“ Trump has an uncanny ability to dictate to his base what their level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican strategist Christian Ferry .
“ The problem is that his base was barely large enough to win in 2016 against an unfavorably viewed Democrat , and today , it is shrinking against Joe Biden , who does not carry the same negatives as Hillary Clinton.
” Throughout the pandemic , Trump has pushed for a return to normal as quickly as possible , with people getting back to work , worship , restaurants , school , and professional sports .
“ ‘ Make America normal again ’ could be a great campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second Republican strategist .
This , combined with about the trajectory of the virus , has resonated with the base but led to concerns from most other voters that he wasn ’ t taking the numbers of cases and deaths seriously enough .
“ His historic COVID response speaks for itself with delivering on ventilators and testing , leading the world in the amount of testing we 've provided ; therapeutics ; the 13 vaccine candidates — the Moderna example that I pointed out to you , ” White House press secretary Kayleigh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This president ’ s response has been historic , and we believe his support in this country reflects that .
”

President Trump has been trying to move on from the coronavirus to the economic recovery, but the electorate remains deeply concerned about the pandemic, especially as some states experience a resurgence of the virus.
This difference in priorities may explain why Trump appears to be falling further behind Democratic challenger Joe Biden nationally and in the battleground states. A plurality of voters picked the coronavirus as their top issue, according to a Fox News poll, beating the economy 29% to 15%.
An ABC News/Washington Post poll that showed Trump trailing Biden by 15 points found the biggest drop in the president’s support came in states that have averaged 30 coronavirus cases a day per 100,000 residents, including key battlegrounds Florida, Texas, Arizona, and Georgia. The same poll found Trump’s approval rating on managing the outbreak was down 28 points since March and a key predictor of who people plan to vote for in November. According to the poll, 93% of voters who approve of Trump’s handling of the coronavirus say they will pull the lever for him, while 89% of those who do not are supporting Biden. Biden is favored over Trump on the issue by 20 points.
The Trump administration’s plans to reopen the schools on time in the fall have faced similar headwinds. A Politico/Morning Consult poll found that 54% were very or somewhat uncomfortable with reopening K-12 schools, and 58% had similar concerns about reopening day care. They were split 48% comfortable to 43% uncomfortable on reopening colleges and universities.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted in mid-July concluded that just 26% of U.S. adults believed it was safe to return to school, compared to 55% who did not and 19% who were not sure.
Trump made some moves on Monday to try to get ahead of this trend. He announced the return of daily coronavirus briefings, effective Tuesday evening. He tweeted an image of himself wearing a protective face mask. “We are United in our effort to defeat the Invisible China Virus, and many people say that it is Patriotic to wear a face mask when you can’t socially distance,” he wrote. “There is nobody more Patriotic than me, your favorite President!”
But Trump’s public clashes with medical advisers such as Anthony Fauci, his complaints about new funding for coronavirus testing, the increase in cases in places such as Florida, and a rising death toll have sapped public confidence in his pandemic response. Trump has staked his reelection on reopening, and while the early economic results were encouraging , it has yet to rebound to his political benefit as the virus has spread.
Reopening continues to be a major part of the GOP campaign pitch. “The Democrats are saying, 'We have to shut down our country forever,'” said Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel on Fox News.
Trump supporters protested the lockdowns, and some fear their partial return, particularly in Democratic states, is intended to undermine his reelection bid. But some of these steps are being taken by Republican governors in typically red states, and the concern among voters seems genuine.
“Trump has an uncanny ability to dictate to his base what their level of concern should be,” said Republican strategist Christian Ferry. “The problem is that his base was barely large enough to win in 2016 against an unfavorably viewed Democrat, and today, it is shrinking against Joe Biden, who does not carry the same negatives as Hillary Clinton.”
Throughout the pandemic, Trump has pushed for a return to normal as quickly as possible, with people getting back to work, worship, restaurants, school, and professional sports. “‘Make America normal again’ could be a great campaign theme for him,” said a second Republican strategist. This, combined with persistent optimism about the trajectory of the virus, has resonated with the base but led to concerns from most other voters that he wasn’t taking the numbers of cases and deaths seriously enough.
The White House continues to tout Trump's response.
“His historic COVID response speaks for itself with delivering on ventilators and testing, leading the world in the amount of testing we've provided; therapeutics; the 13 vaccine candidates — the Moderna example that I pointed out to you,” White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany told reporters last week. “This president’s response has been historic, and we believe his support in this country reflects that.”