thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-29--'I’m furious': Biden condemns Trump 'calling for violence' and CNN arrest while officer in Floyd dea

'I’m furious': Biden condemns Trump 'calling for violence' and CNN arrest while officer in Floyd death remains free

Joe Biden railed against the arrest of a CNN correspondent in Minneapolis , the handling of the officers involved in the death of Minneapolis man George Floyd , and President Trump 's reaction to the violent riots in the city .
The former vice president and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee started a four-tweet thread with a one-word tweet : `` Enough . ''
`` This is not abstract : a black reporter was arrested while doing his job this morning , while the white police officer who killed George Floyd remains free , '' Biden tweeted .
`` I am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this , to me , says everything . ''
CNN correspondent Omar Jimenez and his crew were arrested by state police in Minneapolis on Friday morning and released after about an hour .
Biden then indirectly referenced a tweet from Trump that condemned the riots in Minneapolis , which prompted Twitter to hide the content due to breaking its rules about `` glorifying violence '' : `` When the looting starts , the shooting starts , '' Trump said .
`` I will not lift the President ’ s tweet .
I will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he is calling for violence against American citizens during a moment of pain for so many .
I ’ m furious , and you should be too , '' Biden tweeted .
Earlier this week , Biden said that the firing of the officers involved in the death of Floyd was `` not enough '' and voiced support for investigations by the Department of Justice and the FBI into the incident .
`` They have to be held more fully accountable , '' Biden said .
`` We have to ensure that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entitled to.
” During a virtual fundraiser on Thursday evening , Biden subtly called for an end to the violence and looting in Minneapolis .
`` Tonight , the National Guard has been called out of Minneapolis , and I urge the protesters to exercise their rights peacefully and safely , '' Biden said , according to a pool report .
`` But people all across this country are enraged and rightly so .
Everyday , African Americans go about their lives with constant anxiety and trauma of wondering , ‘ Will I @ @ @ @ @

Joe Biden railed against the arrest of a CNN correspondent in Minneapolis, the handling of the officers involved in the death of Minneapolis man George Floyd, and President Trump's reaction to the violent riots in the city.
The former vice president and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee started a four-tweet thread with a one-word tweet: "Enough."
"This is not abstract: a black reporter was arrested while doing his job this morning, while the white police officer who killed George Floyd remains free," Biden tweeted. "I am glad swift action was taken, but this, to me, says everything."
CNN correspondent Omar Jimenez and his crew were arrested by state police in Minneapolis on Friday morning and released after about an hour.
Biden then indirectly referenced a tweet from Trump that condemned the riots in Minneapolis, which prompted Twitter to hide the content due to breaking its rules about "glorifying violence": "When the looting starts, the shooting starts," Trump said.
"I will not lift the President’s tweet. I will not give him that amplification. But he is calling for violence against American citizens during a moment of pain for so many. I’m furious, and you should be too," Biden tweeted.
This is not abstract: a black reporter was arrested while doing his job this morning, while the white police officer who killed George Floyd remains free. I am glad swift action was taken, but this, to me, says everything. — Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) May 29, 2020
I will be speaking more about the events in Minnesota later today. — Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) May 29, 2020
Earlier this week, Biden said that the firing of the officers involved in the death of Floyd was "not enough" and voiced support for investigations by the Department of Justice and the FBI into the incident.
"They have to be held more fully accountable," Biden said. "We have to ensure that the Floyd family receives the justice they are entitled to.”
During a virtual fundraiser on Thursday evening, Biden subtly called for an end to the violence and looting in Minneapolis.
"Tonight, the National Guard has been called out of Minneapolis, and I urge the protesters to exercise their rights peacefully and safely," Biden said, according to a pool report. "But people all across this country are enraged and rightly so. Everyday, African Americans go about their lives with constant anxiety and trauma of wondering, ‘Will I be next?’"


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-29--Taylor Swift tells Trump 'we will vote you out' after 'threatening violence' in Minneapolis

Singer Taylor Swift warned President Trump that he will be voted out of office after he stoked controversy with his tweets condemning the protesters in Minneapolis who are demonstrating over the death of George Floyd .
`` After stoking the fires of white supremacy and racism your entire presidency , you have the nerve to feign moral superiority before threatening violence ?
‘ When the looting starts the shooting starts ’ ?
?
?
We will vote you out in November , '' the 30-year-old tweeted to her 86 million followers on Friday .
In a tweet that appeared to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` THUGS '' who were `` dishonoring the memory of '' Floyd .
“ These THUGS are dishonoring the memory of George Floyd , and I won ’ t let that happen , '' the tweet said .
`` Just spoke to Governor Tim Walz and told him that the Military is with him all the way .
Any difficulty and we will assume control but , when the looting starts , the shooting starts .
Thank you !
” Twitter ruled that the tweet was `` glorifying violence '' and hid it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing happened with the White House Twitter account .
Protests in the city of Minneapolis began Tuesday after footage showed a police officer kneeling on the neck of Floyd , a 46-year-old black man , for approximately eight minutes until he became unresponsive .
Floyd was pronounced dead at a hospital .

Singer Taylor Swift warned President Trump that he will be voted out of office after he stoked controversy with his tweets condemning the protesters in Minneapolis who are demonstrating over the death of George Floyd.
"After stoking the fires of white supremacy and racism your entire presidency, you have the nerve to feign moral superiority before threatening violence? ‘When the looting starts the shooting starts’??? We will vote you out in November," the 30-year-old tweeted to her 86 million followers on Friday.
After stoking the fires of white supremacy and racism your entire presidency, you have the nerve to feign moral superiority before threatening violence? ‘When the looting starts the shooting starts’??? We will vote you out in November. @realdonaldtrump — Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) May 29, 2020
In a tweet that appeared to threaten violence, Trump called the protesters "THUGS" who were "dishonoring the memory of" Floyd.
“These THUGS are dishonoring the memory of George Floyd, and I won’t let that happen," the tweet said. "Just spoke to Governor Tim Walz and told him that the Military is with him all the way. Any difficulty and we will assume control but, when the looting starts, the shooting starts. Thank you!”
Twitter ruled that the tweet was "glorifying violence" and hid it under a warning label. The same thing happened with the White House Twitter account.
Protests in the city of Minneapolis began Tuesday after footage showed a police officer kneeling on the neck of Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, for approximately eight minutes until he became unresponsive. Floyd was pronounced dead at a hospital.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-29--Biden cancels fundraiser with top Mueller team prosecutor

Joe Biden 's campaign canceled a fundraiser that it had scheduled with a top lawyer from special counsel Robert Mueller 's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election .
Andrew Weissmann , a former Department of Justice lawyer who had the second-most senior position on the Mueller team , was scheduled to host a `` fireside chat '' for a June 2 event benefiting the former vice president and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee .
But according to the Wall Street Journal , the event was canceled shortly after it was planned .
After the planned event was revealed last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the attack , arguing that this was further evidence that the investigation was politically motivated .
“ It ’ s no surprise that a guy who tried to take down the president through the sham impeachment would also help Joe Biden ’ s campaign , '' Tim Murtaugh , the Trump campaign 's communications director , told the Washington Examiner .
`` It doesn ’ t get any swampier than this : trying to stage a partisan coup against the president and then raising money for his political opponent . ''
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fundraiser 's cancellation .
Weissmann was known as Mueller 's `` pit bull '' during the Russia investigation .
After leaving the DOJ , he became a legal analyst for MSNBC .

Joe Biden's campaign canceled a fundraiser that it had scheduled with a top lawyer from special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Andrew Weissmann, a former Department of Justice lawyer who had the second-most senior position on the Mueller team, was scheduled to host a "fireside chat" for a June 2 event benefiting the former vice president and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee. But according to the Wall Street Journal, the event was canceled shortly after it was planned.
After the planned event was revealed last week, President Trump's campaign went on the attack, arguing that this was further evidence that the investigation was politically motivated.
“It’s no surprise that a guy who tried to take down the president through the sham impeachment would also help Joe Biden’s campaign," Tim Murtaugh, the Trump campaign's communications director, told the Washington Examiner. "It doesn’t get any swampier than this: trying to stage a partisan coup against the president and then raising money for his political opponent."
The Biden campaign has not publicly commented on the fundraiser's cancellation.
Weissmann was known as Mueller's "pit bull" during the Russia investigation. After leaving the DOJ, he became a legal analyst for MSNBC.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-29--Trump super PAC targets Biden on economy in Midwest battlegrounds

President Trump 's designated super PAC is unloading a $ 7.5 million advertising buy that targets presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden on the economy as polls show voters are more concerned about jobs than any other issue .
The ad blast from America First Action is set to begin in Michigan , Pennsylvania , and Wisconsin on Thursday and will be spread across cable and broadcast television and include direct-mail and digital components .
The new spots will criticize Biden 's economic policies as the number of people who have lost their jobs because of the coronavirus pandemic surpasses 40 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s failed proposals , everything from granting China permanent trade relations to voting for NAFTA , left the industrial Midwest devastated economically , '' said Brian Walsh , president of America First Action .
`` Voters in these states are coming to realize after 47 years in Washington , Joe Biden just doesn ’ t make sense.
” Biden has led Trump in most national polls , with the former vice president also holding his own against Trump in Midwestern battlegrounds that could decide the race .
In a sign that Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , America First Action is focusing on media markets in Michigan , Pennsylvania , and Wisconsin that are critical to the president 's prospects as he seeks to undermine Biden 's strength in the suburbs and urban centers .

President Trump's designated super PAC is unloading a $7.5 million advertising buy that targets presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden on the economy as polls show voters are more concerned about jobs than any other issue.
The ad blast from America First Action is set to begin in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin on Thursday and will be spread across cable and broadcast television and include direct-mail and digital components. The new spots will criticize Biden's economic policies as the number of people who have lost their jobs because of the coronavirus pandemic surpasses 40 million since mid-March.
"Joe Biden’s failed proposals, everything from granting China permanent trade relations to voting for NAFTA, left the industrial Midwest devastated economically," said Brian Walsh, president of America First Action. "Voters in these states are coming to realize after 47 years in Washington, Joe Biden just doesn’t make sense.”
Biden has led Trump in most national polls, with the former vice president also holding his own against Trump in Midwestern battlegrounds that could decide the race. In a sign that Trump's allies recognize the president's vulnerability, America First Action is focusing on media markets in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin that are critical to the president's prospects as he seeks to undermine Biden's strength in the suburbs and urban centers.
Those targeted media markets include:


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-29--'Closer than we would like': Steve King faces tough primary challenge backed by GOP leaders

Iowa Republican Rep. Steve King will face off against four other primary candidates Tuesday night , and the embattled congressman confirms the poll numbers between him and his closest challenger are tight .
“ Well , it 's closer than we would like .
But we 've been on top in every legitimate number , and in absolutely every published poll , so that tells me that the voters are gon na make their decision , ” he told the Washington Examiner on Thursday .
“ But one thing is that none of my opponents have criticized a single vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in this Congress , '' said King , first elected to the House in 2002 .
`` I do n't have a single personal accuser of anything .
It 's all left-wing press .
So , I always do n't believe the left-wing press .
We polled that , so I should be in pretty good shape , but we shall see.
” The Iowa congressman won his last reelection by 3 % and has just over $ 32,000 cash on hand as he heads into the final days of his primary campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In a recent poll , King held a narrow lead over his nearest Republican primary opponent , state Sen. Randy Feenstra .
It is not necessary for King to win completely in order to earn the Republican nomination , as the contest goes to a convention if no candidate receives over 35 % of the total primary vote .
However , King or Feenstra , or both , are likely to meet that ceiling .
King , 71 , was removed from his committee assignments by the House Republican Steering Committee early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ white supremacy during an interview with the New York Times .
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy told reporters there is no guarantee King will be reassigned to his committee seats should he be reelected .
Several House GOP leaders have contributed money to Feenstra 's primary bid against King .

Iowa Republican Rep. Steve King will face off against four other primary candidates Tuesday night, and the embattled congressman confirms the poll numbers between him and his closest challenger are tight.
“Well, it's closer than we would like. But we've been on top in every legitimate number, and in absolutely every published poll, so that tells me that the voters are gonna make their decision,” he told the Washington Examiner on Thursday.
“But one thing is that none of my opponents have criticized a single vote that I put up in 18 years in this Congress," said King, first elected to the House in 2002. "I don't have a single personal accuser of anything. It's all left-wing press. So, Iowans don't believe the left-wing press. We polled that, so I should be in pretty good shape, but we shall see.”
The Iowa congressman won his last reelection by 3% and has just over $32,000 cash on hand as he heads into the final days of his primary campaign in an R+11 Cook Political Report-rated district.
In a recent poll, King held a narrow lead over his nearest Republican primary opponent, state Sen. Randy Feenstra.
It is not necessary for King to win completely in order to earn the Republican nomination, as the contest goes to a convention if no candidate receives over 35% of the total primary vote. However, King or Feenstra, or both, are likely to meet that ceiling.
King, 71, was removed from his committee assignments by the House Republican Steering Committee early last year after making controversial comments about white supremacy during an interview with the New York Times.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy told reporters there is no guarantee King will be reassigned to his committee seats should he be reelected.
Several House GOP leaders have contributed money to Feenstra's primary bid against King.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-29--George Floyd controversy may end Amy Klobuchar’s veep chances

Outrage over the death of George Floyd , a black man , in the custody of Minneapolis police is sinking Amy Klobuchar ’ s stock as a potential vice presidential pick for Joe Biden .
The Minnesota senator , who has started the vetting process to be Biden ’ s vice president , is making missteps in public statements about the incident and faces renewed scrutiny about her prosecutorial record .
Klobuchar quickly released a statement Tuesday about the incident that happened in her home state .
`` We heard his repeated cries for help .
We heard him say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not breathe .
And now we have seen yet another horrifying and gutwrenching instance of an African American man dying , '' Klobuchar said in part of the statement .
`` Every single person in every single community in this country deserves to feel safe .
As the Mayor of Minneapolis noted , this tragic loss of life calls for immediate action.
” Lawyer and CNN commentator Bakari Sellers said that it was a “ good statement.
” But other activists were outraged that Klobuchar did not specifically mention Floyd ’ s name @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SenAmyKlobuchar and her team write this statement and not even bother to mention the name # GeorgeFloyd ?
A number of folks have hit me today about this , ” tweeted commentator Roland Martin .
Other users slammed Klobuchar for failing to mention that police officers were responsible for Floyd ’ s death .
“ Yeah ... .
this is why you shouldn ’ t be @ JoeBiden ’ s VP , ” tweeted diversity and inclusion activist April Reign , founder of the # OscarsSoWhite hashtag , which brought attention to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Academy Awards .
Many people pointed to Klobuchar ’ s prosecutorial record , claiming that she helped create an environment that allowed the death to happen .
The Washington Post reported in March 2019 that when she was the Hennepin County attorney , Klobuchar “ declined to bring charges in more than two dozen cases in which people were killed in encounters with police ” but “ aggressively prosecuted smaller offenses ” that are “ done with the aim of curbing more serious crimes , ” sometimes called the broken window theory of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` had mixed results and ha [ s ] been criticized for [ its ] disproportionate effect on poor and minority communities.
” Earlier this year , an Associated Press investigation raised questions about Klobuchar 's handling of a 17-year-old case in which a black teenager was sent to prison for life for firing a stray bullet that killed an 11-year-old girl , suggesting he could be innocent .
The controversy put a dent in her presidential bid momentum .
Some of Klobuchar ’ s harshest critics engage in messy criticism by saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attorney , she did not prosecute one of the now-fired officers involved in the Floyd death , Derek Chauvin , when he was involved in an October 2006 police shooting .
A Klobuchar spokeswoman noted that the indecent occurred near the end of her term , just before she joined the Senate in 2007 .
In 2008 , a grand jury declined to charge the officers involved with wrongdoing .
Many others called for Klobuchar to remove herself , or for Biden to remover her , from being considered as Biden ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Floyd ’ s death came at an already uncomfortable moment for Biden as he faces backlash for telling radio host Charlamagne Tha God last week that those having trouble deciding whether to vote for him or President Trump “ ain ’ t black.
” While Biden apologized for the comment , the controversy brought to light his struggles with appealing to younger black voters as Trump ’ s campaign attempts to siphon off just enough traditionally Democratic black voters in swing states to gain an electoral edge .
The former vice president and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who feel they are owed for delivering Biden a win in South Carolina , which cemented his path to the Democratic presidential nomination .
And right now , Klobuchar is seen as a toxic figure among that group .
Charlamagne Tha God expressed contempt for Klobuchar as a running mate pick even before the Minneapolis controversy , exposing risks she would bring to the ticket .
`` I think that would be suicide for Joe Biden 's campaign , '' he said .
`` If he did that , especially at this moment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ... he would be a fool not to put a black woman as his running mate . ''

Outrage over the death of George Floyd, a black man, in the custody of Minneapolis police is sinking Amy Klobuchar’s stock as a potential vice presidential pick for Joe Biden.
The Minnesota senator, who has started the vetting process to be Biden’s vice president, is making missteps in public statements about the incident and faces renewed scrutiny about her prosecutorial record.
Klobuchar quickly released a statement Tuesday about the incident that happened in her home state.
"We heard his repeated cries for help. We heard him say over and over again that he could not breathe. And now we have seen yet another horrifying and gutwrenching instance of an African American man dying," Klobuchar said in part of the statement. "Every single person in every single community in this country deserves to feel safe. As the Mayor of Minneapolis noted, this tragic loss of life calls for immediate action.”
Lawyer and CNN commentator Bakari Sellers said that it was a “good statement.” But other activists were outraged that Klobuchar did not specifically mention Floyd’s name.
“How did @amyklobuchar @SenAmyKlobuchar and her team write this statement and not even bother to mention the name #GeorgeFloyd? A number of folks have hit me today about this,” tweeted commentator Roland Martin.
Other users slammed Klobuchar for failing to mention that police officers were responsible for Floyd’s death.
“Yeah.... this is why you shouldn’t be @JoeBiden ’s VP,” tweeted diversity and inclusion activist April Reign, founder of the #OscarsSoWhite hashtag, which brought attention to the lack of minority nominees during the 2015 Academy Awards.
My statement on the officer-involved death in Minneapolis: pic.twitter.com/HUoGfXEj7R — Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) May 26, 2020
Many people pointed to Klobuchar’s prosecutorial record, claiming that she helped create an environment that allowed the death to happen.
The Washington Post reported in March 2019 that when she was the Hennepin County attorney, Klobuchar “declined to bring charges in more than two dozen cases in which people were killed in encounters with police” but “aggressively prosecuted smaller offenses” that are “done with the aim of curbing more serious crimes,” sometimes called the broken window theory of policing. Critics say the method has "had mixed results and ha[s] been criticized for [its] disproportionate effect on poor and minority communities.”
Earlier this year, an Associated Press investigation raised questions about Klobuchar's handling of a 17-year-old case in which a black teenager was sent to prison for life for firing a stray bullet that killed an 11-year-old girl, suggesting he could be innocent. The controversy put a dent in her presidential bid momentum.
Some of Klobuchar’s harshest critics engage in messy criticism by saying that when she was the Hennepin County attorney, she did not prosecute one of the now-fired officers involved in the Floyd death, Derek Chauvin, when he was involved in an October 2006 police shooting. A Klobuchar spokeswoman noted that the indecent occurred near the end of her term, just before she joined the Senate in 2007. In 2008, a grand jury declined to charge the officers involved with wrongdoing.
Many others called for Klobuchar to remove herself, or for Biden to remover her, from being considered as Biden’s vice presidential pick.
The timing of Floyd’s death came at an already uncomfortable moment for Biden as he faces backlash for telling radio host Charlamagne Tha God last week that those having trouble deciding whether to vote for him or President Trump “ain’t black.”
While Biden apologized for the comment, the controversy brought to light his struggles with appealing to younger black voters as Trump’s campaign attempts to siphon off just enough traditionally Democratic black voters in swing states to gain an electoral edge.
The former vice president and his circle are cognizant of black voters who feel they are owed for delivering Biden a win in South Carolina, which cemented his path to the Democratic presidential nomination. And right now, Klobuchar is seen as a toxic figure among that group.
Charlamagne Tha God expressed contempt for Klobuchar as a running mate pick even before the Minneapolis controversy, exposing risks she would bring to the ticket.
"I think that would be suicide for Joe Biden's campaign," he said. "If he did that, especially at this moment, after the comments that he made ... he would be a fool not to put a black woman as his running mate."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-30--Trump's Minneapolis balancing act: For George Floyd, against rioting

As the unrest in Minneapolis in response to a black man being killed in police custody spreads to other cities , President Trump tried to walk a fine line : for law and order in the face of rioting and looting , against the circumstances that led to George Floyd ’ s death .
Attorney General William Barr announced a federal civil rights investigation into Floyd ’ s death on Friday , describing the video showing a since-arrested Minneapolis police officer kneeling on the handcuffed man ’ s neck as he pleaded for his life as “ harrowing to watch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ action in a statement after Floyd died , saying , “ I have asked for this investigation to be expedited and greatly appreciate all of the work done by law enforcement.
” “ He was very upset when he saw that video , ” White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said of the president on Thursday .
“ I was on Air Force One .
I do n't know if it was the first time he saw it , but he certainly saw it again on Air Force One .
He was very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incident “ egregious , appalling , tragic.
” But as expected , Trump also took a hard line against the rioting and looting that broke out following the Floyd news .
That balancing act , and its potential political pitfalls , was illustrated in a Thursday night tweet : “ These THUGS are dishonoring the memory of George Floyd , and I won ’ t let that happen .
Just spoke to Governor Tim Walz and told him that the Military is with him all the way .
Any difficulty and we will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ starts , the shooting starts .
Thank you !
” The post was flagged by Twitter as violating its policy against “ glorifying violence.
” Trump did not mention the incident or the Floyd case during a Friday afternoon press conference at which he took no questions , but he opened a White House event on reopening the economy with the following remarks : `` I want to express our nation 's deepest condolences and most heartfelt sympathies to the family of George Floyd ... we 're determined that justice be served ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pain . ''
“ We also have to make the statement , and it ’ s very important that we have peaceful protesters and support the rights of peaceful protesters , ” he added .
“ We can not allow a situation like happened in Minneapolis to descend further into lawless anarchy and chaos.
” Trump tweeted that the National Guard was ready to stop the rioting and that Floyd ’ s death would not be in vain .
“ The president can ’ t be on the side of what ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minneapolis , but it ’ s a tough issue for him , ” said a political operative close to the White House .
“ His comments are going to be carefully parsed.
” Vice President Mike Pence struck a similar chord in his own remarks , absent rhyming looting and shooting .
“ Our prayers are with the family of George Floyd and our prayers are also with the family of Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia , ” he tweeted on Friday .
“ We have no tolerance for racism in America.
” But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying , “ We condemn violence against property or persons.
” “ This is no time for incendiary tweets , ” presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden Friday .
He called it a “ national crisis , ” adding , “ We need real leadership.
” Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale shot back that Biden “ misrepresented ” the president ’ s tweet and that Democrats and the media “ see only a political opportunity.
” Politics does come into play , however .
Minnesota is a state Trump only narrowly lost in 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He has run against “ American Carnage , ” the kind of lawlessness occurring in major cities right now .
But he would also like to with black voters this year .
Trump has positioned himself as tough on crime but also signed into law major criminal justice reforms .
The Democratic bent of Minnesota ’ s elected officials , as well as the tone of Trump ’ s tweets ( he went after Minneapolis ’ s “ very weak Radical Left Mayor , Jacob Frey , ” telling him to “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has prevented leaders from presenting a united front .
As other cities became engulfed , Trump emerged as a symbol of the protesters ’ grievances .
“ F -- - Trump ” banners were spotted in Washington , D.C. , and elsewhere .
Republican Maryland Gov .
Spiro Agnew , elected as a civil rights supporter , rode a strong response to 1960s rioting to the ticket with Richard Nixon in 1968 .
At the same time , being seen as ineffectual or losing control of urban areas in an election year could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was on lockdown Friday evening as protesters pushed against the barricades .
Biden faces political risks too .
He can ’ t be seen as insufficiently supportive of the protesters but also can ’ t be perceived as tolerant of rioting .
He is battling Trump for Rust Belt swing voters and senior citizens but also needs to shore up the African American vote .
Biden may face additional pressure to consider a person of color as his running mate — and perhaps to rule out Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar , who declined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the whole controversy .
One Republican strategist said the unfolding events defied political analysis : “ I just think it ’ s all very sad .
”

As the unrest in Minneapolis in response to a black man being killed in police custody spreads to other cities, President Trump tried to walk a fine line: for law and order in the face of rioting and looting, against the circumstances that led to George Floyd’s death.
Attorney General William Barr announced a federal civil rights investigation into Floyd’s death on Friday, describing the video showing a since-arrested Minneapolis police officer kneeling on the handcuffed man’s neck as he pleaded for his life as “harrowing to watch and deeply disturbing.” Trump requested this action in a statement after Floyd died, saying, “I have asked for this investigation to be expedited and greatly appreciate all of the work done by law enforcement.”
“He was very upset when he saw that video,” White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said of the president on Thursday. “I was on Air Force One. I don't know if it was the first time he saw it, but he certainly saw it again on Air Force One. He was very upset by it.” She called the incident “egregious, appalling, tragic.”
But as expected, Trump also took a hard line against the rioting and looting that broke out following the Floyd news. That balancing act, and its potential political pitfalls, was illustrated in a Thursday night tweet: “These THUGS are dishonoring the memory of George Floyd, and I won’t let that happen. Just spoke to Governor Tim Walz and told him that the Military is with him all the way. Any difficulty and we will assume control but, when the looting starts, the shooting starts. Thank you!” The post was flagged by Twitter as violating its policy against “glorifying violence.”
Trump did not mention the incident or the Floyd case during a Friday afternoon press conference at which he took no questions, but he opened a White House event on reopening the economy with the following remarks: "I want to express our nation's deepest condolences and most heartfelt sympathies to the family of George Floyd ... we're determined that justice be served ... I understand the hurt. I understand the pain."
“We also have to make the statement, and it’s very important that we have peaceful protesters and support the rights of peaceful protesters,” he added. “We cannot allow a situation like happened in Minneapolis to descend further into lawless anarchy and chaos.” Trump tweeted that the National Guard was ready to stop the rioting and that Floyd’s death would not be in vain.
“The president can’t be on the side of what’s going on in the streets in Minneapolis, but it’s a tough issue for him,” said a political operative close to the White House. “His comments are going to be carefully parsed.”
Vice President Mike Pence struck a similar chord in his own remarks, absent rhyming looting and shooting. “Our prayers are with the family of George Floyd and our prayers are also with the family of Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia,” he tweeted on Friday. “We have no tolerance for racism in America.” But Pence also invoked law and order, saying, “We condemn violence against property or persons.”
“This is no time for incendiary tweets,” presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden said Friday. He called it a “national crisis,” adding, “We need real leadership.” Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale shot back that Biden “misrepresented” the president’s tweet and that Democrats and the media “see only a political opportunity.”
Politics does come into play, however. Minnesota is a state Trump only narrowly lost in 2016 and would like to carry in November. He has run against “American Carnage,” the kind of lawlessness occurring in major cities right now. But he would also like to make inroads with black voters this year. Trump has positioned himself as tough on crime but also signed into law major criminal justice reforms.
The Democratic bent of Minnesota’s elected officials, as well as the tone of Trump’s tweets (he went after Minneapolis’s “very weak Radical Left Mayor, Jacob Frey,” telling him to “get his act together”), has prevented leaders from presenting a united front. As other cities became engulfed, Trump emerged as a symbol of the protesters’ grievances. “F--- Trump” banners were spotted in Washington, D.C., and elsewhere.
Republican Maryland Gov. Spiro Agnew, elected as a civil rights supporter, rode a strong response to 1960s rioting to the ticket with Richard Nixon in 1968. At the same time, being seen as ineffectual or losing control of urban areas in an election year could also be damaging. The White House was on lockdown Friday evening as protesters pushed against the barricades.
Biden faces political risks too. He can’t be seen as insufficiently supportive of the protesters but also can’t be perceived as tolerant of rioting. He is battling Trump for Rust Belt swing voters and senior citizens but also needs to shore up the African American vote. Biden may face additional pressure to consider a person of color as his running mate — and perhaps to rule out Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who declined to prosecute the office at the center of the whole controversy.
One Republican strategist said the unfolding events defied political analysis: “I just think it’s all very sad.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-31--Joe Biden veteran outreach aims to correct Hillary Clinton campaign errors

Joe Biden 's campaign is seeking to reverse , or at least make inroads , into President Trump 's strong advantage among veterans in his successful 2016 campaign .
That means going beyond the strategy that year employed by the Democratic nominee , Hillary Clinton .
Starting at the Democratic convention that summer , the Clinton campaign featured the Gold Star family of the dead Army Capt .
Humayuh Khan , to which Trump repeatedly counter-punched — effectively , it turned out .
Despite the Khan issue , and having dismissed the military services of the late Sen. John McCain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prisoner-of-war in Vietnam for five-and-a-half years , Trump won the votes of veterans by a nearly 2 to 1 margin .
Trump held a wide 60 % -34 % advantage over Hillary Clinton among veterans , according to the national exit poll conducted by Edison Research for the National Election Pool as reported by CNN .
Eight years earlier , veterans backed John McCain over Barack Obama by 54 % to 44 % .
In swing state districts home to some of the country 's largest military bases , like Ohio 's Montgomery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flip a number of suburban areas that voted for Obama in 2008 and 2012 .
Trump won Ohio by eight points in 2016 .
Trump outperformed both Mitt Romney and John McCain in Florida 's Panhandle , home of several military bases and where a double-digit number of voters in some counties are veterans .
In North Carolina , Trump 's performance in Onslow County , home of the Marine Corps ' Camp Lejeune , was key to winning the state .
But Democrats this time around believe they have a playbook to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ column , citing the coronavirus pandemic and general voter fatigue with Trump .
During the Democratic primary , candidates released an unprecedented level of policy proposals aimed at helping veterans .
On the trail , Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren released a proposal to invest millions of dollars into veteran mental health care , with the intention of halving the suicide rate in four years , while also injecting new funding into Veteran Administration hospitals .
Both former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders vowed expanded services for veterans .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ sparse , but what surveys do exist point to an encouraging picture for Democrats .
In December 2019 , Trump 's approval among active duty members of the military hit a new low at 42 % .
According to that poll , 50 % of troops said they had an unfavorable view of him compared to just 37 % who said that immediately following his election in 2016 .
Former Vice President Joe Biden , the presumptive Democratic nominee , has a proposal to give military spouses micro-grants to help them start their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ G.I .
Bill to military family members .
`` In many ways , this election is about the simple , but profound truth that the American Dream means nothing if it 's not for all Americans , '' his wife , Jill Biden , said at a virtual meeting with veterans in March .
`` And that especially includes those who have sacrificed for our nation , those who wear the uniform , as well as the families who stand beside them . ''
The Biden campaign has been in close contact with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mobilize disaffected veterans for the November race .
VoteVets , founded in 2006 by men and women who served in Iraq and Afghanistan , boasts a membership of 700,000 veterans .
It endorsed fellow veteran Buttigieg during the primary but has swung its support behind Biden .
`` One thing we ’ ve learned is that the purple swing districts really do listen to veterans , and veterans are really key for Democrats to open up doors not just to other vets , but to a lot of voters who hold those who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chairman Jon Soltz told the Washington Examiner .
The group is pushing Biden to select as his running mate Illnois Sen. Tammy Duckworth , a combat veteran of the Iraq War .
As an Army helicopter pilot , Duckworth severed severe combat wounds , which caused her to lse both of her legs and some mobility in her right arm .
`` We ’ ve asked Vice President Biden to consider naming a combat veteran as his running mate , and hope he will consider one .
In particular , we think Tammy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ticket , and we know our own base of supporters are very enthusiastic for the senator.
” Many liberal veteran groups point to the successes of Democrats in 2018 as evidence that running those with military experience helps win over moderate suburban voters to the Democratic column .
During that election cycle where Democrats retake the House , 200 veterans ran in races for Congress and Senate .
Winning Democratic veterans included now-Reps. Elaine Luria of Virginia and Max Rose of New York , who both unseated Republican incumbents .
Other Democratic veterans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , were able to win their races despite competing in districts won by Trump in 2016 .
Although Biden has no military service himself , he regularly invokes the memory of his dead son Beau Biden who served as a Major in the Delaware Army National Guard on the campaign trail .
Biden ends nearly every single one of his speeches with `` May God protect our troops . ''
“ Never forget the sacrifices that these men and women made , ” Mr. Biden said on Monday , after laying a wreath @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Never , ever forget .
”

Joe Biden's campaign is seeking to reverse, or at least make inroads, into President Trump's strong advantage among veterans in his successful 2016 campaign.
That means going beyond the strategy employed by the 2016 Democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton. Starting at the Democratic National Convention that summer, the Clinton campaign featured the Gold Star family of the dead Army Capt. Humayuh Khan, to which Trump repeatedly counterpunched — effectively, it turned out.
Despite the Khan issue, and having dismissed the military services of the late Sen. John McCain, the Arizona Republican who was a prisoner-of-war in Vietnam for five and a half years, Trump won the votes of veterans by a nearly 2 to 1 margin. Trump held a wide 60%-34% advantage over Clinton among veterans, according to the national exit poll conducted by Edison Research for the National Election Pool as reported by CNN. Eight years earlier, veterans backed McCain over Barack Obama by 54% to 44%.
In swing state districts home to some of the country's largest military bases, such as Ohio's Montgomery County, the veteran vote helped Trump flip a number of suburban areas that voted for Obama in 2008 and 2012. Trump won Ohio by 8 points in 2016.
Trump outperformed both Mitt Romney and McCain in Florida's Panhandle, home of several military bases and where a double-digit number of voters in some counties are veterans. In North Carolina, Trump's performance in Onslow County, home of the Marine Corps' Camp Lejeune, was key to winning the state.
But Democrats this time around believe they have a playbook to help push veterans back in the Democratic column, citing the coronavirus pandemic and general voter fatigue with Trump. During the Democratic primary, candidates released an unprecedented level of policy proposals aimed at helping veterans.
On the trail, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren released a proposal to invest millions of dollars into veteran mental healthcare, with the intention of halving the suicide rate in four years, while also injecting new funding into Veteran Administration hospitals. Both former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders vowed expanded services for veterans.
Polling of veterans' political habits is sparse, but what surveys do exist point to an encouraging picture for Democrats. In December 2019, Trump's approval among active-duty members of the military hit a new low at 42%. According to that poll, 50% of troops said they had an unfavorable view of him, compared to just 37% who said that immediately following his election in 2016.
Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee, has a proposal to give military spouses micro-grants to help them start their own small business and proposes expanding the G.I. Bill to military family members.
"In many ways, this election is about the simple, but profound truth that the American Dream means nothing if it's not for all Americans," his wife, Jill Biden, said at a virtual meeting with veterans in March. "And that especially includes those who have sacrificed for our nation, those who wear the uniform, as well as the families who stand beside them."
The Biden campaign has been in close contact with a number of advocacy groups to help mobilize disaffected veterans for the November race. VoteVets, founded in 2006 by men and women who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, boasts a membership of 700,000 veterans. It endorsed fellow veteran Buttigieg during the primary but has swung its support behind Biden.
"One thing we’ve learned is that the purple swing districts really do listen to veterans, and veterans are really key for Democrats to open up doors not just to other vets, but to a lot of voters who hold those who served in high regard," VoteVets Chairman Jon Soltz told the Washington Examiner.
The group is pushing Biden to select as his running mate Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth, a combat veteran of the Iraq War. As an Army helicopter pilot, Duckworth severed severe combat wounds, which caused her to lose both of her legs and some mobility in her right arm.
"We’ve asked Vice President Biden to consider naming a combat veteran as his running mate, and hope he will consider one. In particular, we think Tammy Duckworth would add a lot to his ticket, and we know our own base of supporters are very enthusiastic for the senator,” Soltz said.
Many liberal veteran groups point to the successes of Democrats in 2018 as evidence that running those with military experience helps win over moderate suburban voters to the Democratic column. During that election cycle where Democrats retake the House, 200 veterans ran in races for Congress and Senate. Winning Democratic veterans included now-Reps. Elaine Luria of Virginia and Max Rose of New York, who both unseated Republican incumbents.
Other Democratic veterans, such as Rep. Conor Lamb of Pennyslvania, were able to win their races despite competing in districts won by Trump in 2016.
Although Biden has no military service himself, he regularly invokes the memory of his dead son Beau Biden who served as a major in the Delaware Army National Guard on the campaign trail. Biden ends nearly every single one of his speeches with, "May God protect our troops."
“Never forget the sacrifices that these men and women made,” Biden said on Monday, after laying a wreath at Delaware's Veterans Memorial Park. “Never, ever forget.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-31--Protesting is 'necessary' but 'needless destruction is not': Biden condemns violence around country

Joe Biden condemned violence taking place in cities across the country .
`` Protesting such brutality is right and necessary .
It ’ s an utterly American response .
But burning down communities and needless destruction is not .
Violence that endangers lives is not .
Violence that guts and shutters businesses that serve the community is not , '' the former vice president and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee said in a statement just after midnight Eastern Time on Sunday morning .
The remarks are mark Biden 's most forceful condemnation of violence during the demonstrations across the country yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , looting , and arson in major cities across the country after 46-year-old George Floyd died in the custody of Minneapolis police on Monday .
In an special address to the nation about the Floyd killing on Friday , a mention of the violence were conspicuously absent .
Biden previously said in a fundraiser , `` I urge the protesters to exercise their rights peacefully and safely , '' and later noted in a CNN interview that `` more violence hurting more people is n't going to answer the question . ''
President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to `` get MUCH tougher or the Federal Government will step in and do what has to be done , and that includes using the unlimited power of our Military and many arrests . ''
At least 12 cities were under a curfew Saturday evening and the National Guard has been deployed in multiple states .
`` The act of protesting should never be allowed to overshadow the reason we protest , '' Biden said in the Sunday statement .
`` It should not drive people away from the just cause that protest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last few days have laid bare that we are a nation furious at injustice .
Every person of conscience can understand the rawness of the trauma people of color experience in this country , from the daily indignities to the extreme violence , like the horrific killing of George Floyd .
Protesting such brutality is right and necessary .
It ’ s an utterly American response .
But burning down communities and needless destruction is not .
Violence that endangers lives is not .
Violence that guts and shutters businesses that serve the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protesting should never be allowed to overshadow the reason we protest .
It should not drive people away from the just cause that protest is meant to advance .
I know that there are people all across this country who are suffering tonight .
Suffering the loss of a loved one to intolerable circumstances , like the Floyd family , or to the virus that is still gripping our nation .
Suffering economic hardships , whether due to COVID-19 or entrenched inequalities in our system .
And I know that a grief that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too heavy to bear .
I know .
And I also know that the only way to bear it is to turn all that anguish to purpose .
So tonight , I ask all of America to join me — not in denying our pain or covering it over — but using it to compel our nation across this turbulent threshold into the next phase of progress , inclusion , and opportunity for our great democracy .
We are a nation in pain , but we must not allow this pain to destroy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but we can not allow our rage to consume us .
We are a nation exhausted , but we will not allow our exhaustion to defeat us .
As President , I will help lead this conversation — and more importantly , I will listen .
I will keep the commitment I made to George ’ s brother , Philonise , that George will not just be a hashtag .
We must and will get to a place where everyone , regardless of race , believes that `` to protect and serve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Only by standing together will we rise stronger than before .
More equal , more just , more hopeful — and that much closer to our more perfect union .
Please stay safe .
Please take care of each other .

Joe Biden condemned violence taking place in cities across the country.
"Protesting such brutality is right and necessary. It’s an utterly American response. But burning down communities and needless destruction is not. Violence that endangers lives is not. Violence that guts and shutters businesses that serve the community is not," the former vice president and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee said in a statement just after midnight Eastern Time on Sunday morning.
The remarks are Biden's most forceful condemnation of violence during the demonstrations across the country yet.
Protests have given way to violence, looting, and arson in major cities across the country after 46-year-old George Floyd died in the custody of Minneapolis police on Monday.
In a special address to the nation about the Floyd killing on Friday, a mention of the violence was conspicuously absent. Biden previously said in a fundraiser, "I urge the protesters to exercise their rights peacefully and safely," and later noted in a CNN interview that "more violence hurting more people isn't going to answer the question."
President Trump has urged state and local officials to "get MUCH tougher or the Federal Government will step in and do what has to be done, and that includes using the unlimited power of our Military and many arrests."
At least 12 cities were under a curfew Saturday evening, and the National Guard has been deployed in multiple states.
"The act of protesting should never be allowed to overshadow the reason we protest," Biden said in the Sunday statement. "It should not drive people away from the just cause that protest is meant to advance."
Biden's full statement is below:


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-06-01--Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms's vice presidential prospects improve amid Floyd unrest

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms ’ s national profile is rising amid violent demonstrations sparked by the police-involved death of George Floyd , causing buzz that is raising her stock in a possible vice presidential pick by Joe Biden .
Her came on Friday with an impassioned speech during a press conference , following live coverage of protesters vandalizing CNN headquarters .
“ You are disgracing our city .
You are disgracing the life of George Floyd and every other person who has been killed in this country , ” she said .
“ You have defaced the CNN building @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and you are disgracing their building.
” She described the unease she felt seeing news of Floyd ’ s death as the mother of black sons , comparing her pleas to her son to stay home because she could not protect him to how she feels about being unable to protect those in the streets .
“ This is not the legacy of civil rights in America .
This is chaos , ” Bottoms ended .
“ Go home.
” Bottoms , 50 , had sometimes been mentioned as a potential vice presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ viral moment many political observers to give the 50-year-old first-term city executive a second look .
Some of the praise came from Biden himself and those on his campaign .
On Monday , Biden held a virtual roundtable with four mayors facing unrest , including Bottoms .
The former vice president and 36-year Delaware senator turned first to the Atlanta mayor , offering high praise .
`` You have been incredible , '' Biden .
`` I 've watched you like millions and millions of Americans have on television as of late .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ balance has been really incredible.
” Biden ’ s national press secretary tweeted that he was “ in awe ” of the mayor ’ s speech .
Not only did Bottoms capture attention with her passionate plea , but she followed it up with action praised by criminal justice reform activists when she announced Sunday that two police officers were fired and three others assigned to desk duty after using excessive use of force during protests in Atlanta .
Her forceful-yet-sympathetic message to the demonstrators aligns with Biden ’ s statements on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ condemnations of the violence while making clear that he does not embrace it , working to shift his message to issues revolving around criminal justice , policing , and racism .
The mayor also tried out an attack dog role on Meet the Press Sunday , criticizing President Trump in a manner many analysts think will be necessary in a Biden running mate .
`` He should just stop talking .
This is like Charlottesville all over again .
He speaks , and he makes it worse , '' she said .
Bottoms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s shortlist carry .
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar was widely by activists for her statement on Floyd , and the killing in her home state highlighted her record as county prosecutor during which time she declined to bring charges in dozens of cases where people died after encounters with police .
The protests have renewed calls for Biden to pick a black woman to be his running mate , but the nationwide discontent with police makes the criminal justice backgrounds of two of the highest-profile black women on Biden ’ s list @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has faced criticism for measures when she was her state ’ s attorney general .
Florida Rep. Val Demings , former police chief in Orlando , led a department also criticized for using .
House Majority Whip James Clyburn of South Carolina , credited with helping to seal the South Carolina primary for Biden with his endorsement and leading to Biden sweeping primaries to seal the nomination , is one of the most vocal Biden loyalists pushing for a black woman to be his running mate and has Bottoms as a possible pick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ black vice presidential pick : Stacey Abrams , the outspoken voting rights activist , 2018 gubernatorial candidate , and former state House minority leader in Georgia .
But amid civil unrest , Bottoms may have an edge and authority to push herself up in the running mate search in a way that Abrams does not .

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms’s national profile is rising amid violent demonstrations sparked by the police-involved death of George Floyd, causing buzz that is raising her stock in a possible vice presidential pick by Joe Biden.
Her big moment came on Friday with an impassioned speech during a press conference, following live coverage of protesters vandalizing CNN headquarters.
“You are disgracing our city. You are disgracing the life of George Floyd and every other person who has been killed in this country,” she said. “You have defaced the CNN building ... They are telling our stories, and you are disgracing their building.”
She described the unease she felt seeing news of Floyd’s death as the mother of black sons, comparing her pleas to her son to stay home because she could not protect him to how she feels about being unable to protect those in the streets.
“This is not the legacy of civil rights in America. This is chaos,” Bottoms ended. “Go home.”
Bottoms, 50, had sometimes been mentioned as a potential vice presidential pick before the incident. But the viral moment prompted many political observers to give the 50-year-old first-term city executive a second look.
Some of the praise came from Biden himself and those on his campaign.
On Monday, Biden held a virtual roundtable with four mayors facing unrest, including Bottoms. The former vice president and 36-year Delaware senator turned first to the Atlanta mayor, offering high praise.
"You have been incredible," Biden said . "I've watched you like millions and millions of Americans have on television as of late. Your passion, your composure, your balance has been really incredible.”
Biden’s national press secretary tweeted that he was “in awe” of the mayor’s speech.
Every word of this.
In awe of @KeishaBottoms’s leadership for the city of Atlanta.
pic.twitter.com/9rM2gVvRkr — TJ Ducklo (@TDucklo) May 30, 2020
Not only did Bottoms capture attention with her passionate plea, but she followed it up with action praised by criminal justice reform activists when she announced Sunday that two police officers were fired and three others assigned to desk duty after using excessive use of force during protests in Atlanta.
Her forceful-yet-sympathetic message to the demonstrators aligns with Biden’s statements on the matter. He has carefully avoided strong condemnations of the violence while making clear that he does not embrace it, working to shift his message to issues revolving around criminal justice, policing, and racism.
The mayor also tried out an attack dog role on Meet the Press Sunday, criticizing President Trump in a manner many analysts think will be necessary in a Biden running mate.
"He should just stop talking. This is like Charlottesville all over again. He speaks, and he makes it worse," she said.
Bottoms also lacks baggage that others on Biden’s shortlist carry.
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar was widely criticized by activists for her statement on Floyd, and the killing in her home state highlighted her record as county prosecutor during which time she declined to bring charges in dozens of cases where people died after encounters with police.
The protests have renewed calls for Biden to pick a black woman to be his running mate, but the nationwide discontent with police makes the criminal justice backgrounds of two of the highest-profile black women on Biden’s list a liability.
California Sen. Kamala Harris has faced criticism for failing to embrace criminal justice reform measures when she was her state’s attorney general. Florida Rep. Val Demings, former police chief in Orlando, led a department also criticized for using excessive force .
House Majority Whip James Clyburn of South Carolina, credited with helping to seal the South Carolina primary for Biden with his endorsement and leading to Biden sweeping primaries to seal the nomination, is one of the most vocal Biden loyalists pushing for a black woman to be his running mate and has mentioned Bottoms as a possible pick.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-06-02--'The problem is Trump': Republicans worry president will blow opportunity to calm nation amid unrest

Republican insiders say the wave of civil unrest roiling American cities could boost President Trump in his reelection bid against presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden if he can meet the moment with consistent leadership that is measured and reassuring .
They doubt he can .
In interviews Monday , more than a half-dozen veteran Republican strategists told the Washington Examiner that the bloody , destructive riots that erupted from coast to coast over the weekend could push voters into Trump 's arms .
He has cultivated a law-and-order image since the earliest days of his first campaign , and suburban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a deep dissatisfaction with the president ’ s provocative style could reconsider amid fresh concerns about domestic security .
But in responding to the social conflagration primarily with a staccato of politically charged tweets , while picking fights with Democratic governors and mayors on the front lines of the mayhem , Republicans fear Trump has reinforced the long-held notion among persuadable voters in the suburbs that he is part of the problem .
In so doing , they say , the president is on the verge of squandering a major opportunity to outflank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If you look at the suburban coalition , they ’ re not exactly fond of the cities getting torched .
The problem , of course , is Trump , ” said a Republican lobbyist , who requested anonymity in order to speak candidly about the president .
Although Trump discussed the crisis Saturday while traveling in Florida , he did not formally discuss the matter until Monday evening .
In a speech to the nation from the Rose Garden , the president vowed overwhelming federal action to crack down on the rioters and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ George Floyd , whose death at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer sparked the nationwide protests .
`` I am your president of law and order and an ally of all peaceful protesters , '' Trump said .
Last week , thousands of demonstrators marched in communities across the country to protest the killing of Floyd , who was black , by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin , who is white and has been charged with third-degree murder .
The protests turned violent , with criminal agitators using anguish over Floyd ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforcement , destroy property , and steal from retail stores that have been shut down for months because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Biden and other top Democrats , including former President Barack Obama , have unequivocally condemned the riots and called for an end to illegal activity , lamenting that the lawbreakers are obscuring what happened to Floyd .
But Democrats and their voting coalition are more apt than Republicans to sympathize with the apparent rage driving the protests and view the violence as an understandable reaction to what they believe has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ argue this is going to put pressure on Biden to downplay criticism of the rioters , rankling suburban voters whose anxiety is on the rise as they watch this threat to public safety play out on television .
Republicans say the former vice president ’ s proposal to abolish cash bail and mandatory minimum sentences could be a problem if the unrest causes voters to place a higher priority on law and order .
“ Biden , who used to be in mainstream or better on crime issues , has gotten himself stuck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Charlie Black , a GOP lobbyist who has advised presidential candidates .
Trump , who in late 2018 signed a bipartisan criminal justice reform bill , was quick to condemn Floyd ’ s killing and immediately ordered the Justice Department to investigate .
The president has made improving his support among black people a top goal of his 2020 campaign .
No matter , say Republican insiders , Trump undermined any goodwill all of this might have purchased , with minorities and suburban white people , with highly provocative and political tweets .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ suburban voters what they do not like about the president and fortifying their belief that he is whipping societal divisions .
In one tweet , Trump said : “ These THUGS are dishonoring the memory of George Floyd , and I won ’ t let that happen .
Just spoke to [ Minnesota ] Governor Tim Walz and told him that the Military is with him all the way .
Any difficulty and we will assume control but , when the looting starts , the shooting starts .
Thank you !
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the looting starts the shooting starts ” carries racial connotations from the civil rights era of the 1960s .
Trump later walked back the tweet , but it was followed by a string of similarly controversial Twitter posts .
Compounding the political challenge Trump is creating for himself on social media is that , until Monday , his tweets did not have the benefit of being counterbalanced by a speech to the nation that might calm tensions and provide leadership that is publicly visible .
Also Monday , the president in a conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same Democratic chief executives who , at the moment , have higher approval ratings in their states for their management of the coronavirus than does Trump , who is now navigating twin crises five months before Election Day .
“ Folks want to be safe and protected , they want to feel that the national leaders understand the issues and are having a positive influence , ” said David Carney , a Republican strategist in New Hampshire .
“ Law and order are needed , but the tone is what will drive the @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Republican insiders say the wave of civil unrest roiling American cities could boost President Trump in his reelection bid against presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden if he can meet the moment with consistent leadership that is measured and reassuring. They doubt he can.
In interviews Monday, more than a half-dozen veteran Republican strategists told the Washington Examiner that the bloody, destructive riots that erupted from coast to coast over the weekend could push voters into Trump's arms. He has cultivated a law-and-order image since the earliest days of his first campaign, and suburban voters who fled the GOP because of a deep dissatisfaction with the president’s provocative style could reconsider amid fresh concerns about domestic security.
But in responding to the social conflagration primarily with a staccato of politically charged tweets, while picking fights with Democratic governors and mayors on the front lines of the mayhem, Republicans fear Trump has reinforced the long-held notion among persuadable voters in the suburbs that he is part of the problem. In so doing, they say, the president is on the verge of squandering a major opportunity to outflank Biden on a key issue.
“If you look at the suburban coalition, they’re not exactly fond of the cities getting torched. The problem, of course, is Trump,” said a Republican lobbyist, who requested anonymity in order to speak candidly about the president.
Although Trump discussed the crisis Saturday while traveling in Florida, he did not formally discuss the matter until Monday evening. In a speech to the nation from the Rose Garden, the president vowed overwhelming federal action to crack down on the rioters and end the violence while promising justice for George Floyd, whose death at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer sparked the nationwide protests.
"I am your president of law and order and an ally of all peaceful protesters," Trump said.
Last week, thousands of demonstrators marched in communities across the country to protest the killing of Floyd, who was black, by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who is white and has been charged with third-degree murder. The protests turned violent, with criminal agitators using anguish over Floyd’s death to instigate clashes with law enforcement, destroy property, and steal from retail stores that have been shut down for months because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Biden and other top Democrats, including former President Barack Obama, have unequivocally condemned the riots and called for an end to illegal activity, lamenting that the lawbreakers are obscuring what happened to Floyd. But Democrats and their voting coalition are more apt than Republicans to sympathize with the apparent rage driving the protests and view the violence as an understandable reaction to what they believe has been decades of systemic racism.
Republicans argue this is going to put pressure on Biden to downplay criticism of the rioters, rankling suburban voters whose anxiety is on the rise as they watch this threat to public safety play out on television. Republicans say the former vice president’s proposal to abolish cash bail and mandatory minimum sentences could be a problem if the unrest causes voters to place a higher priority on law and order.
“Biden, who used to be in the mainstream or better on crime issues, has gotten himself stuck off to the left,” said Charlie Black, a GOP lobbyist who has advised presidential candidates.
Trump, who in late 2018 signed a bipartisan criminal justice reform bill, was quick to condemn Floyd’s killing and immediately ordered the Justice Department to investigate. The president has made improving his support among black people a top goal of his 2020 campaign.
No matter, say Republican insiders, Trump undermined any goodwill all of this might have purchased, with minorities and suburban white people, with highly provocative and political tweets. In particular, those tweets are reminding suburban voters what they do not like about the president and fortifying their belief that he is whipping societal divisions.
In one tweet, Trump said: “These THUGS are dishonoring the memory of George Floyd, and I won’t let that happen. Just spoke to [Minnesota] Governor Tim Walz and told him that the Military is with him all the way. Any difficulty and we will assume control but, when the looting starts, the shooting starts. Thank you!” The problem was that the phrase “when the looting starts the shooting starts” carries racial connotations from the civil rights era of the 1960s.
Trump later walked back the tweet, but it was followed by a string of similarly controversial Twitter posts. Compounding the political challenge Trump is creating for himself on social media is that, until Monday, his tweets did not have the benefit of being counterbalanced by a speech to the nation that might calm tensions and provide leadership that is publicly visible.
Also Monday, the president in a conference call with governors attacked many of the same Democratic chief executives who, at the moment, have higher approval ratings in their states for their management of the coronavirus than does Trump, who is now navigating twin crises five months before Election Day.
“Folks want to be safe and protected, they want to feel that the national leaders understand the issues and are having a positive influence,” said David Carney, a Republican strategist in New Hampshire. “Law and order are needed, but the tone is what will drive the narrative on the political consequences.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-06-02--The perils of the riots for Joe Biden

The perils of the riots for Joe Biden

While President Trump will be judged by his response to the violence engulfing cities across the country , the riots also pose political risks for presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
Biden needs to express unequivocal support for the protests against police treatment of African Americans without appearing to endorse the increasingly violent tenor of these demonstrations , a challenging feat for any politician much less one who is widely regarded as no longer at the top of his rhetorical game .
He also can not hug law enforcement too tightly , while some in the White House are Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he expresses sympathy for George Floyd , an unarmed black man who died in custody .
Black voters are a crucial part of Biden ’ s electoral coalition .
They helped rescue him from the political dead , starting in South Carolina , and delivered him the Democratic nomination .
He also needs strong black turnout in the general election , something that eluded Hillary Clinton despite her strong showing with African Americans in the 2016 primaries , and to prevent Trump from making planned inroads with black men .
These voters largely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a larger pattern of systemic racism and police brutality against their communities , and Biden has he can not take them for granted .
The former vice president can point to comments he has made “ needless destruction ” and encouraging peaceful protest , but it took him until Sunday morning to do so .
Biden the rioting in his initial statement .
“ We need real leadership right now , ” he said .
“ Leadership that will bring everyone to the table , so we can take measures to root @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out “ professional anarchists , violent mobs , arsonists , looters , criminals , rioters , antifa , and others ” who have turned the protests violent .
Biden has already appeared at a demonstration , while Trump to a historic district church that was burned during the unrest and posed outside with a Bible .
Law and order has traditionally been a Republican campaign issue , dating back to Richard Nixon ’ s defeat of Hubert Humphrey in 1968 .
Unlike Nixon , Trump is an incumbent , and the rioting is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may also lack confidence in Biden and the Democrats to take a strong stand against the unrest , especially as many liberals characterized Trump ’ s vow to quell the violence as an imposition of “ martial law , ” and some activists on the Left have added “ ” to a repertoire that already includes “ abolish ICE.
” “ President Trump expressed horror at the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis and swiftly launched a Department of Justice civil rights investigation , ” said reelection campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the entire nation about his outrage over the death and also strongly condemned the violence across the country that endangers lives , businesses , and livelihoods .
“ Joe Biden , by contrast , took days to say anything about the violence and then did so only in passing , ” Murtaugh continued .
“ To make it worse , at least 13 of his campaign staffers bragged about donating to a fund that posts bail for people arrested for rioting in Minneapolis .
The Biden team , then , is effectively funding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ground .
That ’ s egregious.
” The riots have spread from Minneapolis , where Floyd was killed , to over two dozen cities , including New York City and Washington , D.C. Democratic strategists point to Biden ’ s empathy and ability to project calm in contrast with Trump ’ s inflammatory tweets .
Yet , however incendiary Trump ’ s rhetoric may be , it leaves little doubt where he stands on looting , smashing windows , and assaulting store owners .
“ The biggest victims of the rioting are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and as their president , I will fight to keep them safe , ” he declared Monday evening .
“ There is political risk on both sides , ” said Republican consultant Matt Mackowiak .
“ Biden waited four days to say anything , and he will be under pressure not to criticize the rioters .
President Trump faces an urgent need to unify and calm the country while helping governors and mayors restore order .
This is a very fluid situation .
While most people sympathize with the outrageous injustice done to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters are horrified of the criminal looting and rioting through major American cities.
” Biden was mocked for telling black community leaders Monday that police officers should be trained to shoot unarmed assailants in the leg .
“ Instead of standing there and teaching a cop when there ’ s an unarmed person coming at ‘ em with a knife or something , shoot ‘ em in the leg instead of in the heart , ” he said in Wilmington , Delaware .
“ There are a lot of things that can change.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ polls taken before the riots broke out .

While President Trump will be judged by his response to the violence engulfing cities across the country, the riots also pose political risks for presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
Biden needs to express unequivocal support for the protests against police treatment of African Americans without appearing to endorse the increasingly violent tenor of these demonstrations, a challenging feat for any politician much less one who is widely regarded as no longer at the top of his rhetorical game. He also cannot hug law enforcement too tightly, while some in the White House are encouraging Trump to make a pro-police statement even as he expresses sympathy for George Floyd, an unarmed black man who died in custody.
Black voters are a crucial part of Biden’s electoral coalition. They helped rescue him from the political dead, starting in South Carolina, and delivered him the Democratic nomination. He also needs strong black turnout in the general election, something that eluded Hillary Clinton despite her strong showing with African Americans in the 2016 primaries, and to prevent Trump from making planned inroads with black men. These voters largely see Floyd’s death as part of a larger pattern of systemic racism and police brutality against their communities, and Biden has acknowledged he cannot take them for granted.
The former vice president can point to comments he has made criticizing “needless destruction” and encouraging peaceful protest, but it took him until Sunday morning to do so. Biden failed to condemn the rioting in his initial statement. “We need real leadership right now,” he said. “Leadership that will bring everyone to the table, so we can take measures to root out systemic racism.” Trump has singled out “professional anarchists, violent mobs, arsonists, looters, criminals, rioters, antifa, and others” who have turned the protests violent. Biden has already appeared at a demonstration, while Trump walked over to a historic district church that was burned during the unrest and posed outside with a Bible.
Law and order has traditionally been a Republican campaign issue, dating back to Richard Nixon’s defeat of Hubert Humphrey in 1968. Unlike Nixon, Trump is an incumbent, and the rioting is happening under his watch. But voters may also lack confidence in Biden and the Democrats to take a strong stand against the unrest, especially as many liberals characterized Trump’s vow to quell the violence as an imposition of “martial law,” and some activists on the Left have added “ defund the police ” to a repertoire that already includes “abolish ICE.”
“President Trump expressed horror at the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis and swiftly launched a Department of Justice civil rights investigation,” said reelection campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh. “On Saturday, he spoke to the entire nation about his outrage over the death and also strongly condemned the violence across the country that endangers lives, businesses, and livelihoods.
“Joe Biden, by contrast, took days to say anything about the violence and then did so only in passing,” Murtaugh continued. “To make it worse, at least 13 of his campaign staffers bragged about donating to a fund that posts bail for people arrested for rioting in Minneapolis. The Biden team, then, is effectively funding the rioters who are burning Minneapolis to the ground. That’s egregious.”
The riots have spread from Minneapolis, where Floyd was killed, to over two dozen cities, including New York City and Washington, D.C. Democratic strategists point to Biden’s empathy and ability to project calm in contrast with Trump’s inflammatory tweets. Yet, however incendiary Trump’s rhetoric may be, it leaves little doubt where he stands on looting, smashing windows, and assaulting store owners. “The biggest victims of the rioting are peace-loving citizens in our poorest communities, and as their president, I will fight to keep them safe,” he declared Monday evening.
“There is political risk on both sides,” said Republican consultant Matt Mackowiak. “Biden waited four days to say anything, and he will be under pressure not to criticize the rioters. President Trump faces an urgent need to unify and calm the country while helping governors and mayors restore order. This is a very fluid situation. While most people sympathize with the outrageous injustice done to George Floyd, an overwhelming percentage of voters are horrified of the criminal looting and rioting through major American cities.”
Biden was mocked for telling black community leaders Monday that police officers should be trained to shoot unarmed assailants in the leg. “Instead of standing there and teaching a cop when there’s an unarmed person coming at ‘em with a knife or something, shoot ‘em in the leg instead of in the heart,” he said in Wilmington, Delaware. “There are a lot of things that can change.”
Biden was leading Trump in national polls taken before the riots broke out.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-06-02--‘Law and order’ vs. ‘Time to listen’: Trump and Biden refine battle messages after messy weekend

After days of rampant civil unrest plaguing cities around the country , Joe Biden and Donald Trump are refining their messages on how to best restore peace .
While the president returns to his “ law and order ” pitch from 2016 , despite cities burning under his watch , his challenger is currently playing the role of listener who can help restore race relations .
“ I am your president of law and order , ” Trump said in a Monday night address as law enforcement officers dispersed protesters outside the White House , to cities around the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and violence .
The next morning , Biden delivered a softer , somber message in an address from Philadelphia ’ s City Hall focused largely on the emotional reasons for the uprising : the death of black Minneapolis man George Floyd after a white police officer held a knee on Floyd ’ s neck .
“ It 's time to listen to those words , ” Biden said of Floyd ’ s dying words , “ I can ’ t breathe.
” “ To try to understand them .
To respond to them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only happened after the two candidates took days to settle on those messages .
As storefront windows were smashed , Trump was reluctant to come out against the carnage forcefully , only mentioning it in tweets and during a speech at the site of a Saturday NASA space shuttle launch .
Much of the indecision surrounding his response comes from conflicting advice offered by senior aides to the president , according to individuals familiar with the matter .
Within his reelection campaign , some advisers , namely Jared Kushner , believe the GOP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its share of the black vote .
A hard line against the protesters , his thinking goes , could alienate a constituency key to winning a second term in the White House , particularly as Trump sees his poll numbers slip in swing states .
Other advisers saw Trump ’ s silence as a betrayal of his core supporters and potentially catastrophically damaging to his hopes of winning white suburban voters , who generally favor a strong police response to civic disorder .
Traditionally , the “ law and order ” narrative favors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats and President Lyndon Johnson for skyrocketing crime rates and political instability in the late 1960s .
In 1980 , Ronald Reagan railed against abuses in welfare programs and “ strapping young bucks ” buying steaks with taxpayer-funded food stamps .
But in this November election , the incumbent is a Republican who centered his first and only election on beating back the “ American carnage ” that engulfed the country ’ s urban core .
“ For too many of our citizens , a different reality exists : Mothers and children trapped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rusted-out factories scattered like tombstones across the landscape of our nation ; an education system , flush with cash , but which leaves our young and beautiful students deprived of knowledge , ” Trump said in his inaugural address .
“ And the crime and gangs and drugs that have stolen too many lives and robbed our country of so much unrealized potential.
” Throughout President Barack Obama ’ s tenure , Trump routinely mocked his predecessor ’ s supposed fecklessness in stopping the riots in Ferguson , Missouri , and Baltimore , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as China were delighted by our dysfunction .
Trump ’ s delay in forming a cohesive message presented an opportunity for Biden to pitch himself as the candidate who can help restore peace .
“ He has a leadership opportunity right now , ” Simon Rosenberg , a Democratic strategist and founder of the New Democrat Network , said of Biden .
`` Joe Biden should be imagining himself not just as a presidential candidate , but the leader of an opposition . ''
Biden ’ s appeals differ from those previously offered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has shown gentle disapproval of the riots and property damage , he directs moral indignation at `` systemic racism '' and accuses Trump of fanning “ the flames of hate.
” “ The truth is what 's needed now is deescalation , ” Rosenberg said , referring to Biden ’ s difficult balancing act for reassuring voters he can stop the rioting without reverting to harsh crackdowns .
“ The police caused this problem .
The police are responsible for having created the unrest.
” A written statement from Biden released just after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ room to claim Biden was ignoring the destruction .
“ Protesting such brutality is right and necessary .
It ’ s an utterly American response .
But burning down communities and needless destruction is not .
Violence that endangers lives is not , ” he said .
On Monday , Biden made clear that his message was about listening and growing .
In his first in-person campaign event since coronavirus lockdowns started in mid-March , Biden held a roundtable with community leaders in a predominantly black AME church in Wilmington , Delaware .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ four mayors , including running mate contender Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms , to talk about the civil unrest and police relationships .
“ It is my commitment to all of you to lead on these issues — to listen , ” Biden said Tuesday .
The question for Biden is whether a challenger ’ s message of sympathy and listening rather than law and order will appeal to voters .
A Morning Consult released Tuesday shows voters giving mixed signals , making the answer unclear : While 57 % strongly or somewhat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of voters support calling in the military to supplement police forces .

After days of rampant civil unrest plaguing cities around the country, Joe Biden and Donald Trump are refining their messages on how to best restore peace. While the president returns to his “law and order” pitch from 2016, despite cities burning under his watch, his challenger is currently playing the role of listener who can help restore race relations.
“I am your president of law and order,” Trump said in a Monday night address as law enforcement officers dispersed protesters outside the White House, threatening to send military forces to cities around the country to end nationwide looting, vandalism, and violence.
The next morning, Biden delivered a softer, somber message in an address from Philadelphia’s City Hall focused largely on the emotional reasons for the uprising: the death of black Minneapolis man George Floyd after a white police officer held a knee on Floyd’s neck.
“It's time to listen to those words,” Biden said of Floyd’s dying words, “I can’t breathe.” “To try to understand them. To respond to them, respond with action.”
That contrast only happened after the two candidates took days to settle on those messages.
As storefront windows were smashed, Trump was reluctant to come out against the carnage forcefully, only mentioning it in tweets and during a speech at the site of a Saturday NASA space shuttle launch. Much of the indecision surrounding his response comes from conflicting advice offered by senior aides to the president, according to individuals familiar with the matter.
Within his reelection campaign, some advisers, namely Jared Kushner, believe the GOP has a real opportunity in dramatically increasing its share of the black vote. A hard line against the protesters, his thinking goes, could alienate a constituency key to winning a second term in the White House, particularly as Trump sees his poll numbers slip in swing states.
Other advisers saw Trump’s silence as a betrayal of his core supporters and potentially catastrophically damaging to his hopes of winning white suburban voters, who generally favor a strong police response to civic disorder.
Traditionally, the “law and order” narrative favors Republican challengers. Richard Nixon famously attacked Democrats and President Lyndon Johnson for skyrocketing crime rates and political instability in the late 1960s. In 1980, Ronald Reagan railed against abuses in welfare programs and “strapping young bucks” buying steaks with taxpayer-funded food stamps.
But in this November election, the incumbent is a Republican who centered his first and only election on beating back the “American carnage” that engulfed the country’s urban core.
“For too many of our citizens, a different reality exists: Mothers and children trapped in poverty in our inner cities; rusted-out factories scattered like tombstones across the landscape of our nation; an education system, flush with cash, but which leaves our young and beautiful students deprived of knowledge,” Trump said in his inaugural address. “And the crime and gangs and drugs that have stolen too many lives and robbed our country of so much unrealized potential.”
Throughout President Barack Obama’s tenure, Trump routinely mocked his predecessor’s supposed fecklessness in stopping the riots in Ferguson, Missouri, and Baltimore, Maryland, while claiming that countries such as China were delighted by our dysfunction.
Trump’s delay in forming a cohesive message presented an opportunity for Biden to pitch himself as the candidate who can help restore peace.
“He has a leadership opportunity right now,” Simon Rosenberg, a Democratic strategist and founder of the New Democrat Network, said of Biden. "Joe Biden should be imagining himself not just as a presidential candidate, but the leader of an opposition."
Biden’s appeals differ from those previously offered by Nixon or Reagan. Although he has shown gentle disapproval of the riots and property damage, he directs moral indignation at "systemic racism" and accuses Trump of fanning “the flames of hate.”
“The truth is what's needed now is deescalation,” Rosenberg said, referring to Biden’s difficult balancing act for reassuring voters he can stop the rioting without reverting to harsh crackdowns. “The police caused this problem. The police are responsible for having created the unrest.”
A written statement from Biden released just after midnight on Sunday lightly condemned violence in the demonstrations , leaving critics little room to claim Biden was ignoring the destruction.
“Protesting such brutality is right and necessary. It’s an utterly American response. But burning down communities and needless destruction is not. Violence that endangers lives is not,” he said.
On Monday, Biden made clear that his message was about listening and growing. In his first in-person campaign event since coronavirus lockdowns started in mid-March, Biden held a roundtable with community leaders in a predominantly black AME church in Wilmington, Delaware. Later in the day, he gathered four mayors, including running mate contender Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, to talk about the civil unrest and police relationships.
“It is my commitment to all of you to lead on these issues — to listen,” Biden said Tuesday.