thewashingtonexaminer--2020-06-23--Conservative frustration: In ‘cultural civil war,’ Trump and GOP on the sidelines

Four years ago , President Trump made an unprecedented splash in American politics by rejecting political correctness , pledging to stand up to the left-wing mob , and running on upending the Washington , D.C. , “ swamp ” political culture , all in brash style .
But as civil unrest sweeps the country , some conservatives are frustrated .
Trump is not doing enough to counter the cultural revolution that took root over the last few weeks , they say , and neither are other Republicans and groups on the Right .
“ Black Lives Matter has declared this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a political war .
And Republicans are still sitting there like deer-in-the-headlights wondering what 's happening , ” John Cardillo , a television host and former officer in the New York Police Department who supports Trump , told the Washington Examiner .
“ Unless they adopt a wartime mentality , political wartime mentality , cultural wartime mentality , I think they 're in a lot of trouble.
” What started as protests about race relations and policing , sparked by the death of George Floyd , a black man , after being held @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police officer , has evolved into a much larger , if loosely organized , movement .
Those on the far Left call to defund or abolish police departments .
Anything deemed symbol of racism or oppression is rejected , and those who make insensitive comments or , sometimes years ago , are and sometimes pressured to from their jobs .
Confederate monuments started being torn down — a move that many conservatives approved of and applauded .
But protesters also toppled statues falling far outside the Confederate spectrum : Presidents , , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; and Catholic missionary .
The underlying principle of the protests has “ nothing to do with police brutality , very little to do with George Floyd , ” Inez Stepman , a senior policy analyst at the Independent Women 's Forum , told the Washington Examiner .
“ This is clearly a pivotal point in our country 's history where we 're seeing the mainstreaming of the idea that America was never great , ” Stepman said , as well as the idea “ that slavery — not liberty and not 1776 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equal , ’ but slavery — is the cornerstone of our republic.
” Because Trump is president , she said , he is in the best position to counter that argument directly .
She suggested he make a speech defending Western civilization on Independence Day in front of Mount Rushmore or the Lincoln Memorial .
Trump hasn ’ t completely ignored the social upheaval .
He called on armed forces to break up protests outside the White House and threatened , but refuses , to nationalize the National Guard to do the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Right now , I think it ’ s great sitting back and watching this catastrophe , ” Trump told the Daily Caller when asked why he has n't sent the National Guard to Seattle to stop its anarchist , police-abandoned `` Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone . ''
Trump said , `` When I watch , it ’ s showing how bad that city 's system of government is because they ’ re all leftist Democrats running all these places that have these problems.
” He revived his call to make burning the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that would require amending free speech protections in the Constitution .
During a Saturday campaign rally in Tulsa , his first since the coronavirus lockdowns started in mid-March , Trump spent roughly 18 minutes combined throughout his Tulsa rally , in bits and pieces , addressing cultural issues such as the protests and rioting , statue-toppling , his Democratic presidential opponent Joe Biden supporting rioters , restoring law and order , and respecting American traditions .
“ The unhinged left-wing mob is trying to vandalize our history , desecrate our monuments — our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and punish , cancel and persecute anyone who does not conform to their demands for absolute and total control .
We ’ re not conforming , ” he said at one point .
But much of his remarks on the cultural unrest appeared to be written for him and read from a teleprompter .
The president spent just as much or more time during his one-hour , 40-minute rally extemporaneously responding to those who criticized him last weekend for drinking water with both hands and walking slowly down a ramp after a speech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he got a better deal on new Air Force One planes ( 14-minute and 6-minute stretches , respectively ) .
The vague threats and disjointed statements are not enough to satisfy some conservatives .
“ Trump has done nothing in response to the anarchy all over the country , ” conservative blogger Matt Walsh Monday .
“ The desperate rationalization offered for this is that Trump is respecting state 's rights .
The problem is that he 's said many times that he can and will get involved any minute now .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has talked to the game when it comes to Black Lives Matter and antifa .
But when it came time to actually act , I only saw an executive order on monitoring police , ” Cardillo said , referring to an aimed at encouraging police reforms .
Arguing against the “ emotion-driven ” executive order on police reforms , Cardillo argued that police are already “ incredibly restrained ” from acting improperly and that the order is based on a false premise .
Statistics on show that in 2019 , more unarmed white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by police .
“ Where 's my executive order for declaring antifa and Black Lives Matter domestic terror organizations ?
” he said .
“ He verbally addressed it well , but I want to see action .
I 'd like to see an executive order banning the ability to pull down statues of American presidents.
” Asked about the criticism , Trump campaign deputy press secretary Ken Farnaso pushed back .
“ Any honest voter can see that whether it be the 200+ conservative court judges confirmed across the bench , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deregulation , lower taxes , or staunch pro-life principles , President Trump ’ s track record has proved that his policies are right for America , '' Farnaso said .
`` Not only is President Trump the jobs president , he ’ s the law and order president protecting our nation from radical left-wing Democrats .
Against all odds , President Trump has reshaped and solidified a conservative firewall to protect this country against the socialist policies that have come to define the Democrat Party , ” he said .

Four years ago, President Trump made an unprecedented splash in American politics by rejecting political correctness, pledging to stand up to the left-wing mob, and running on upending the Washington, D.C., “swamp” political culture, all in brash style.
But as civil unrest sweeps the country, some conservatives are frustrated. Trump is not doing enough to counter the cultural revolution that took root over the last few weeks, they say, and neither are other Republicans and groups on the Right.
“Black Lives Matter has declared this cultural civil war. Democrats have declared a political war. And Republicans are still sitting there like deer-in-the-headlights wondering what's happening,” John Cardillo, a television host and former officer in the New York Police Department who supports Trump, told the Washington Examiner. “Unless they adopt a wartime mentality, political wartime mentality, cultural wartime mentality, I think they're in a lot of trouble.”
What started as protests about race relations and policing, sparked by the death of George Floyd, a black man, after being held under the knee of a white Minneapolis police officer, has evolved into a much larger, if loosely organized, movement.
Those on the far Left call to defund or abolish police departments. Anything deemed symbol of racism or oppression is rejected, and those who make insensitive comments or acted improperly , sometimes years ago, are publicly exposed and sometimes pressured to resign from their jobs.
Confederate monuments started being torn down — a move that many conservatives approved of and applauded. But protesters also toppled statues falling far outside the Confederate spectrum: Presidents George Washington , Thomas Jefferson , and Ulysses S. Grant ; national anthem lyricist Francis Scott Key; and Catholic missionary Junipero Serra .
The underlying principle of the protests has “nothing to do with police brutality, very little to do with George Floyd,” Inez Stepman, a senior policy analyst at the Independent Women's Forum, told the Washington Examiner.
“This is clearly a pivotal point in our country's history where we're seeing the mainstreaming of the idea that America was never great,” Stepman said, as well as the idea “that slavery — not liberty and not 1776, not ‘all men are created equal,’ but slavery — is the cornerstone of our republic.”
Because Trump is president, she said, he is in the best position to counter that argument directly. She suggested he make a speech defending Western civilization on Independence Day in front of Mount Rushmore or the Lincoln Memorial.
Trump hasn’t completely ignored the social upheaval. He called on armed forces to break up protests outside the White House and threatened, but refuses, to nationalize the National Guard to do the same in other cities facing violent demonstrations.
"Right now, I think it’s great sitting back and watching this catastrophe,” Trump told the Daily Caller when asked why he hasn't sent the National Guard to Seattle to stop its anarchist, police-abandoned "Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone." Trump said, "When I watch, it’s showing how bad that city's system of government is because they’re all leftist Democrats running all these places that have these problems.”
He revived his call to make burning the American flag a crime — a move that would require amending free speech protections in the Constitution.
During a Saturday campaign rally in Tulsa, his first since the coronavirus lockdowns started in mid-March, Trump spent roughly 18 minutes combined throughout his Tulsa rally, in bits and pieces, addressing cultural issues such as the protests and rioting, statue-toppling, his Democratic presidential opponent Joe Biden supporting rioters, restoring law and order, and respecting American traditions.
“The unhinged left-wing mob is trying to vandalize our history, desecrate our monuments — our beautiful monuments — tear down our statues and punish, cancel and persecute anyone who does not conform to their demands for absolute and total control. We’re not conforming,” he said at one point.
But much of his remarks on the cultural unrest appeared to be written for him and read from a teleprompter.
The president spent just as much or more time during his one-hour, 40-minute rally extemporaneously responding to those who criticized him last weekend for drinking water with both hands and walking slowly down a ramp after a speech to West Point graduates and explaining how he got a better deal on new Air Force One planes (14-minute and 6-minute stretches, respectively).
The vague threats and disjointed statements are not enough to satisfy some conservatives.
“Trump has done nothing in response to the anarchy all over the country,” conservative blogger Matt Walsh tweeted Monday. “The desperate rationalization offered for this is that Trump is respecting state's rights. The problem is that he's said many times that he can and will get involved any minute now. But then does nothing.”
“This administration has talked to the game when it comes to Black Lives Matter and antifa. But when it came time to actually act, I only saw an executive order on monitoring police,” Cardillo said, referring to an order Trump signed last week aimed at encouraging police reforms.
Arguing against the “emotion-driven” executive order on police reforms, Cardillo argued that police are already “incredibly restrained” from acting improperly and that the order is based on a false premise. Statistics on police shootings show that in 2019, more unarmed white people than black people were fatally shot by police.
“Where's my executive order for declaring antifa and Black Lives Matter domestic terror organizations?” he said. “He verbally addressed it well, but I want to see action. I'd like to see an executive order banning the ability to pull down statues of American presidents.”
Asked about the criticism, Trump campaign deputy press secretary Ken Farnaso pushed back.
“Any honest voter can see that whether it be the 200+ conservative court judges confirmed across the bench, the two conservative Supreme Court confirmations, massive deregulation, lower taxes, or staunch pro-life principles, President Trump’s track record has proved that his policies are right for America," Farnaso said.
"Not only is President Trump the jobs president, he’s the law and order president protecting our nation from radical left-wing Democrats. Against all odds, President Trump has reshaped and solidified a conservative firewall to protect this country against the socialist policies that have come to define the Democrat Party,” he said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-06-23--Republicans see Left alienating nation by toppling Roosevelt and Grant memorials

As the outrage surrounding the death of George Floyd extends beyond calls for police reform and moves into the destruction of public statues , some Republicans believe an electoral opportunity for President Trump is presenting itself .
For weeks , news reports from around the country have detailed left-wing activists removing and defacing a number of monuments to historical figures .
Initially , the rage of activists was directed at Civil War Confederate figures , such as Gen. Robert E. Lee , but has progressively moved to individuals with any ties to slavery .
On Sunday , the American Museum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city for permission to remove a large statue of three figures — Theodore Roosevelt , the 26th president and famed naturalist ; a Native American man ; and an African American man — from its premises , citing its allegedly insensitive nature .
“ At the same time , the statue itself communicates a racial hierarchy that the museum and members of the public have long found disturbing , ” the museum said online .
Trump quickly condemned the decision , tweeting , `` Ridiculous , do n't do it ! ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ what conservatives view as overreach by those legitimately protesting police violence and is wildly out of step with the majority of voters in the upcoming race between Trump and presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
Although a majority of people now say they support Black Lives Matter , many on the Right contend that does n't mean the public supports erasing the country 's history .
`` Democratic radicalism will not only inspire the Trump base to come out in bigger numbers ( you can already see that they are much more energized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but it will dampen enthusiasm among more moderate Democrats and independent voters , '' said Republican strategist John Feehery .
The statue controversy comes as the Trump campaign desperately looks for an issue to improve its rapidly declining poll numbers against Biden , the former vice president and 36-year senator .
Recent surveys of voters have shown Trump trailing Biden by as many as 12 points , with a Fox News poll showing that just 38 % of voters currently back Trump .
In the Electoral College , things are n't looking much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as Arizona are slowly inching in Biden 's favor .
The Trump campaign , which once hoped to flip states such as Minnesota and New Hampshire for the GOP , is now forced to play defense in places such as Arizona and potentially Florida and North Carolina .
The Trump campaign is currently reeling from its failed restart on Saturday in Tulsa , Oklahoma , where , after saying it received more than 1 million RSVPs for the rally , just 6,500 supporters turned up and filled just a third of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , despite garnering millions of views on television and online , raised questions about whether even members of the president 's base were losing confidence in him as the November election looms closer .
But with members of the Left destroying statues of Civil War figures such as Gen. Ulysses S. Grant , later a two-term president , and U.S. national anthem author Francis Scott Key , the Trump campaign 's strategy of tying Biden to the more radical members of his party may find new life .
Suburban voters outside the more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toppled since Floyd 's death may reconsider abandoning the GOP , some Republicans say .
`` [ These radical leftists ] are misguided , ignorant of history , and trying to impose a Jacobin tyranny on regular Americans who revere their history , '' said Republican strategist Brendan Steinhauser .
`` I think these acts of vandalism , theft , and mob violence will only help candidates who vigorously oppose such radical acts , including President Trump . ''
Supporters of the president also say his warnings about the vandalism of statues in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it ’ s Robert E. Lee .
I noticed that Stonewall Jackson is coming down .
I wonder , is George Washington next week , and is it Thomas Jefferson the week after ?
... You really do have to ask yourself , 'Where does it stop ? '
'' Trump said at a press conference that year .

As the outrage surrounding the death of George Floyd extends beyond calls for police reform and moves into the destruction of public statues, some Republicans believe an electoral opportunity for President Trump is presenting itself.
For weeks, news reports from around the country have detailed left-wing activists removing and defacing a number of monuments to historical figures. Initially, the rage of activists was directed at Civil War Confederate figures, such as Gen. Robert E. Lee, but has progressively moved to individuals with any ties to slavery.
On Sunday, the American Museum of Natural History in New York asked the city for permission to remove a large statue of three figures — Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president and famed naturalist; a Native American man; and an African American man — from its premises, citing its allegedly insensitive nature.
“At the same time, the statue itself communicates a racial hierarchy that the museum and members of the public have long found disturbing,” the museum said online.
Trump quickly condemned the decision, tweeting, "Ridiculous, don't do it!"
The move was the latest example of what conservatives view as overreach by those legitimately protesting police violence and is wildly out of step with the majority of voters in the upcoming race between Trump and presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden. Although a majority of people now say they support Black Lives Matter, many on the Right contend that doesn't mean the public supports erasing the country's history.
"Democratic radicalism will not only inspire the Trump base to come out in bigger numbers (you can already see that they are much more energized to vote than Biden voters), but it will dampen enthusiasm among more moderate Democrats and independent voters," said Republican strategist John Feehery.
The statue controversy comes as the Trump campaign desperately looks for an issue to improve its rapidly declining poll numbers against Biden, the former vice president and 36-year senator. Recent surveys of voters have shown Trump trailing Biden by as many as 12 points, with a Fox News poll showing that just 38% of voters currently back Trump.
In the Electoral College, things aren't looking much better for Trump. Formally solid-red states such as Arizona are slowly inching in Biden's favor. The Trump campaign, which once hoped to flip states such as Minnesota and New Hampshire for the GOP, is now forced to play defense in places such as Arizona and potentially Florida and North Carolina.
The Trump campaign is currently reeling from its failed restart on Saturday in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where, after saying it received more than 1 million RSVPs for the rally, just 6,500 supporters turned up and filled just a third of the stadium. The optics of that event, despite garnering millions of views on television and online, raised questions about whether even members of the president's base were losing confidence in him as the November election looms closer.
But with members of the Left destroying statues of Civil War figures such as Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, later a two-term president, and U.S. national anthem author Francis Scott Key, the Trump campaign's strategy of tying Biden to the more radical members of his party may find new life. Suburban voters outside the more than 20 cities that have seen statues toppled since Floyd's death may reconsider abandoning the GOP, some Republicans say.
"[These radical leftists] are misguided, ignorant of history, and trying to impose a Jacobin tyranny on regular Americans who revere their history," said Republican strategist Brendan Steinhauser. "I think these acts of vandalism, theft, and mob violence will only help candidates who vigorously oppose such radical acts, including President Trump."
Supporters of the president also say his warnings about the vandalism of statues in 2017 seem vindicated.
"This week, it’s Robert E. Lee. I noticed that Stonewall Jackson is coming down. I wonder, is George Washington next week, and is it Thomas Jefferson the week after? ... You really do have to ask yourself, 'Where does it stop?'" Trump said at a press conference that year.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-06-23--'We need economic justice': Green Party presidential candidate pitches platform

The presidential candidate for the Green Party is hoping to win over disenfranchised Democrats unhappy with the party 's nominee @ @ @ @ @ Rising on Tuesday , candidate Howie Hawkins decried a lack of legislative action by Democrats @ @ @ @ @ Office and two houses of Congress .
“ The Democrats have had a president with @ @ @ @ @ and they ’ ve secured none of these rights , '' Hawkins said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ Hawkins 's platform includes a call for a 75 % reduction in military funding and @ @ @ @ @ told Rising host Krystal Ball that progressives voting for Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden were @ @ @ @ @ You vote for Biden , you basically disappeared yourself politically , ” Hawkins argued .
@ @ @ @ @ Green Party in the 2018 New York gubernatorial race , said the upcoming presidential election @ @ @ @ @ issue , noting the declining life expectancy among working-class voters .

The presidential candidate for the Green Party is hoping to win over disenfranchised Democrats unhappy with the party's nominee.
Speaking with Hill.TV's Rising on Tuesday, candidate Howie Hawkins decried a lack of legislative action by Democrats when they occupied the Oval Office and two houses of Congress.
“The Democrats have had a president with both houses of Congress, and they’ve secured none of these rights," Hawkins said. "We need economic justice.”
Hawkins's platform includes a call for a 75% reduction in military funding and Medicare For All. Hawkins told Rising host Krystal Ball that progressives voting for Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden were disowning themselves politically.
“You vote for Biden, you basically disappeared yourself politically,” Hawkins argued.
Hawkins, who represented the Green Party in the 2018 New York gubernatorial race, said the upcoming presidential election is a "life-or-death" issue, noting the declining life expectancy among working-class voters.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-06-23--Obama unloads on Fox News and Rush Limbaugh

Barack Obama had harsh words for Fox News , radio host Rush Limbaugh , and conservative media during a virtual fundraiser in support of Joe Biden 's presidential campaign .
The former president began with soft references to media and commentators friendly to President Trump , saying that there is `` a media structure '' that supports the Trump White House .
`` We have seen over the last couple of years is a White House enabled by Republicans in Congress and a media structure that supports them and has not just differed in terms of policy , but has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are and who we should be , '' Obama said .
Later , Obama said that Trump `` exploits divisions '' among people , particularly by feeding anxieties about economic uncertainty , what Obama thinks is a main driver of backlash to social movements such as Black Lives Matter and gay and transgender rights .
`` And it 's amplified — there 's a whole megaphone of conservative media that has ramped that up , '' Obama said .
He told the roughly 175,000 grassroots donors on the call that they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minds of friends and family members who consume conservative media .
`` If you 've got an uncle , or a grandmother , who is watching Fox News and listening to Rush Limbaugh — if I say something to her or him , they 're not gon na be paying much attention , '' Obama said .
`` In fact , I ca n't reach them .
But you can . ''
Obama 's comments on Tuesday built on his criticism from earlier this year that appeared to reference Fox News .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this election .
And it won ’ t be easy .
The other side has a massive war chest .
The other side has a propaganda network with little regard for the truth , '' Obama said in a video endorsing Biden .

Barack Obama had harsh words for Fox News, radio host Rush Limbaugh, and conservative media during a virtual fundraiser in support of Joe Biden's presidential campaign.
The former president began with soft references to media and commentators friendly to President Trump, saying that there is "a media structure" that supports the Trump White House.
"What we have seen over the last couple of years is a White House enabled by Republicans in Congress and a media structure that supports them and has not just differed in terms of policy, but has gone to the very foundations of who we are and who we should be," Obama said.
Later, Obama said that Trump "exploits divisions" among people, particularly by feeding anxieties about economic uncertainty, what Obama thinks is a main driver of backlash to social movements such as Black Lives Matter and gay and transgender rights.
"And it's amplified — there's a whole megaphone of conservative media that has ramped that up," Obama said.
He told the roughly 175,000 grassroots donors on the call that they are more likely than him to change the minds of friends and family members who consume conservative media.
"If you've got an uncle, or a grandmother, who is watching Fox News and listening to Rush Limbaugh — if I say something to her or him, they're not gonna be paying much attention," Obama said. "In fact, I can't reach them. But you can."
Obama's comments on Tuesday built on his criticism from earlier this year that appeared to reference Fox News.
"Our country’s future hangs on this election. And it won’t be easy. The other side has a massive war chest. The other side has a propaganda network with little regard for the truth," Obama said in a video endorsing Biden.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-06-23--Low-profile VP contender Karen Bass could boost Biden cred on police reform

Karen Bass , the latest name on Joe Biden ’ s list of rumored running-mate candidates , would bring expertise in key policy areas pushed to the forefront of national politics : race issues , policing matters , and healthcare .
Although she was previously not on the radar of many campaign watchers theorizing who may join the former vice president on the Democratic ticket , Tuesday that Bass is undergoing the vetting process , citing unnamed individuals familiar with the vetting .
The 66-year-old congresswoman is the head of the Congressional Black Caucus and is in her fifth term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prior to joining Congress , she was the first black female speaker of the California State Assembly .
She subtly confirmed that she is being considered on Tuesday .
“ Out of respect for the campaign , if there ’ s any questions in that regard , I think they should be directed there , ” she said when asked on MSNBC Tuesday morning about whether she would accept becoming the running mate if offered , adding that her “ sole focus is on the next 48 hours ” and advancing police reform @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attention and focus directed at race relations and policing in the wake of George Floyd , a black man , dying in Minneapolis after being held under the knee of a white officer , Bass has been a leader in crafting House Democrats ’ sweeping .
The House bill would ban the use of chokeholds and the use of no-knock warrants , make it easier to prosecute police officers for misconduct , and mandate policies to end racial profiling .
A Republican-backed Senate police reform bill doesn ’ t include such measures .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ envelope as far as we can because we have a moment now , '' Bass said about the proposals on a recent CBS .
But despite backing such sweeping changes , Bass is unlikely to offend Biden ’ s left-of-center sensibilities .
She calls from the far Left to defund or eliminate police departments and direct government resources to other services .
`` I think it can be used as a distraction , and that 's my concern , '' Bass said earlier this month about calls to defund police , adding that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to address the root causes of crime.
” Her legislatively focused leadership could appeal to Biden , who often fondly recalls being able to work across the aisle to pass major legislation during his 36 years in the Senate , representing Delaware .
Bass also has some experience relevant to giving the Biden ticket credibility amid the coronavirus pandemic .
She is a former nurse and physician assistant , and she was a clinical instructor at the University of Southern California 's Keck School of Medicine .
And Bass ’ s continued electoral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appealing to Biden , who struggles with capturing enough Latino support .
to her office , the district she represents is 39 % Latino , 25 % black , 25 % white , and 8 % Asian .
She was previously not on the radar of many campaign watchers , but Bass had been mentioned by House Majority Whip James Clyburn in various , along with other black female politicians who he thought would make good picks : Florida Rep. Val Demings , Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms , California Sen. Kamala Harris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abrams .
`` Karen Bass would be a big plus , ” Clyburn told CNN earlier this month .
“ She is a great person in my mind .
I work with her every day . ''
Clyburn ’ s endorsement of the former vice president just days before the South Carolina Democratic primary is often credited with pushing Biden to a blowout victory in the state and cementing his path to the nomination despite badly losing the first two contests in Iowa and New Hampshire .
His very public preference that Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ running mate , and that he suggested Bass , could have contributed to Biden ’ s team vetting her .
While Bass has experience and credibility in two major areas relevant in the 2020 political cycle , one drawback is that Bass does not have a major national profile .
Biden has said that he prefers a running mate who has already been tested on the national stage .
And having only represented a House district could prompt questions about whether she has the experience needed to be president on “ Day One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some of Bass ’ s sound bites could also draw incessant criticism from Republicans .
She said that she is open to impeaching President Trump again should enough information arise .
“ Even though we are impeaching him now , there 's still a number of court cases .
There 's a ton of information that could come forward .
For example , we could get his bank records and find out that he 's owned 100 % by the Russians , '' Bass in December .

Karen Bass, the latest name on Joe Biden’s list of rumored running-mate candidates, would bring expertise in key policy areas pushed to the forefront of national politics: race issues, policing matters, and healthcare.
Although she was previously not on the radar of many campaign watchers theorizing who may join the former vice president on the Democratic ticket, CBS reported Tuesday that Bass is undergoing the vetting process, citing unnamed individuals familiar with the vetting.
The 66-year-old congresswoman is the head of the Congressional Black Caucus and is in her fifth term representing a district in Los Angeles. Prior to joining Congress, she was the first black female speaker of the California State Assembly.
She subtly confirmed that she is being considered on Tuesday.
“Out of respect for the campaign, if there’s any questions in that regard, I think they should be directed there,” she said when asked on MSNBC Tuesday morning about whether she would accept becoming the running mate if offered, adding that her “sole focus is on the next 48 hours” and advancing police reform legislation through Congress.
With national political attention and focus directed at race relations and policing in the wake of George Floyd, a black man, dying in Minneapolis after being held under the knee of a white officer, Bass has been a leader in crafting House Democrats’ sweeping police reform legislation .
The House bill would ban the use of chokeholds and the use of no-knock warrants , make it easier to prosecute police officers for misconduct, and mandate policies to end racial profiling. A Republican-backed Senate police reform bill doesn’t include such measures.
"I'm inclined to push the envelope as far as we can because we have a moment now," Bass said about the proposals on a recent CBS podcast .
But despite backing such sweeping changes, Bass is unlikely to offend Biden’s left-of-center sensibilities. She brushed off calls from the far Left to defund or eliminate police departments and direct government resources to other services.
"I think it can be used as a distraction, and that's my concern," Bass said earlier this month about calls to defund police, adding that the intent of the catchphrase “is to address the root causes of crime.”
Her legislatively focused leadership could appeal to Biden, who often fondly recalls being able to work across the aisle to pass major legislation during his 36 years in the Senate, representing Delaware.
Bass also has some experience relevant to giving the Biden ticket credibility amid the coronavirus pandemic. She is a former nurse and physician assistant, and she was a clinical instructor at the University of Southern California's Keck School of Medicine.
And Bass’s continued electoral victories in a diverse district could prove appealing to Biden, who struggles with capturing enough Latino support. According to her office, the district she represents is 39% Latino, 25% black, 25% white, and 8% Asian.
She was previously not on the radar of many campaign watchers, but Bass had been mentioned by House Majority Whip James Clyburn in various interviews , along with other black female politicians who he thought would make good picks: Florida Rep. Val Demings, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, California Sen. Kamala Harris, or former Georgia state Rep. Stacey Abrams.
"Karen Bass would be a big plus,” Clyburn told CNN earlier this month. “She is a great person in my mind. I work with her every day."
Clyburn’s endorsement of the former vice president just days before the South Carolina Democratic primary is often credited with pushing Biden to a blowout victory in the state and cementing his path to the nomination despite badly losing the first two contests in Iowa and New Hampshire. His very public preference that Biden choose a black woman to be his running mate, and that he suggested Bass, could have contributed to Biden’s team vetting her.
While Bass has experience and credibility in two major areas relevant in the 2020 political cycle, one drawback is that Bass does not have a major national profile. Biden has said that he prefers a running mate who has already been tested on the national stage. And having only represented a House district could prompt questions about whether she has the experience needed to be president on “Day One,” as Biden has said.
Some of Bass’s sound bites could also draw incessant criticism from Republicans. She said that she is open to impeaching President Trump again should enough information arise.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-06-24--Black Michigan Republican John James running to be senator, not GOP spokesman on race

The rare black Republican , John James , is addressing racial inequality in his bid to oust Democratic Sen. Gary Peters in Michigan but resisting anointment as a national celebrity by a GOP desperate to grow its share of nonwhite voters .
Ten days after George Floyd ’ s death at the hands of a white police officer , James broadcast a television advertisement calling the incident a “ cowardly act of evil which demands justice.
” James regularly discussing the discrimination his father faced growing up in Jim Crow Mississippi and his swift response to civil unrest sweeping the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criticizes political leaders in Lansing and Washington for ignoring the plight of impoverished , urban black people .
But on Monday , James was touring a dairy farm in Jackson County , a mostly white , rural enclave in south-central Michigan .
James ’ s top advisers are convinced Peters is vulnerable and can be defeated even if President Trump falls short against presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden , claiming Peters has been an absent senator who has spent his first term ignoring vital issues .
So , they are determined to keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attempts by leading Republicans to turn the telegenic , charismatic challenger into the party ’ s national spokesman on race .
“ We ’ re just a candidate in Michigan trying to win a Senate race , ” said Curt Anderson , a Republican strategist advising James .
Michigan Democrats reject the Republican attacks on Peters and argue that James is trapped by Trump .
The Republican trails the senator , who is enjoying an average lead of 9.5 percentage points in recent polls tracked by RealClearPolitics .
This puts him in even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was statistically tied with Biden in two recent surveys .
“ There is a real choice in this race : Gary , who has a strong record of actually getting things done for Michigan , and John James , a failed politician who has spent most of the last year fundraising out-of-state instead of hearing from Michiganders , ” said Elena Kuhn , spokeswoman for the Michigan Democratic Party .
In the wake of Floyd 's death , GOP leaders have tapped the relatively few prominent black Republicans active in national politics to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party take black concerns seriously and to rebut Democratic claims of Republican racial insensitivity and even , racism .
On Capitol Hill , South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott , who is black , led Republican efforts to write a police reform bill , urging his party to take seriously complaints by many black people that they are not treated fairly by the police .
In the administration , Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson has vouched for Trump , who has touted his economic record pre-coronavirus as benefiting all races — particularly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , James decided to run a television spot that aimed to unify voters behind a denunciation of Floyd ’ s killing and pointedly criticized the riots .
“ Everyone using Floyd ’ s death as an excuse to loot and burn is criminal , ” said the U.S. Military Academy graduate and military combat veteran in remarks made straight-to-camera .
James often discusses the issues plaguing disadvantaged communities , both white and black .
But the Republican Party has a habit of recruiting its few minority standard-bearers to take prime speaking slots at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major events .
Being so unique , black Republicans are often in demand by bookers at cable television news networks .
That ’ s what the James campaign is trying to avoid , seeing a hyper-focus on Michigan and kitchen table issues as a recipe for victory .
“ Peters has been in office for 30 years , and he ’ s accomplished very little , ” said Stu Sandler , a Republican consultant in Michigan advising James .
“ This race is about John James right now because of all of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Peters and his lack of accomplishments .
”

John James, a rare black Republican, is addressing racial inequality in his bid to oust Democratic Sen. Gary Peters in Michigan but resisting anointment as a national celebrity by a GOP desperate to grow its share of nonwhite voters.
Ten days after George Floyd’s death at the hands of a white police officer, James broadcast a television advertisement calling the incident a “cowardly act of evil which demands justice.” James regularly discussing the discrimination his father faced growing up in Jim Crow Mississippi and his swift response to civil unrest sweeping the country fit with a campaign that consistently criticizes political leaders in Lansing and Washington for ignoring the plight of impoverished, urban black people.
But on Monday, James was touring a dairy farm in Jackson County, a mostly white, rural enclave in south-central Michigan.
James’s top advisers are convinced Peters is vulnerable and can be defeated even if President Trump falls short against presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden, claiming Peters has been an absent senator who has spent his first term ignoring vital issues. So, they are determined to keep James focused on Michigan and avoid any attempts by leading Republicans to turn the telegenic, charismatic challenger into the party’s national spokesman on race.
“We’re just a candidate in Michigan trying to win a Senate race,” said Curt Anderson, a Republican strategist advising James.
Michigan Democrats reject the Republican attacks on Peters and argue that James is trapped by Trump. The Republican trails the senator, who is enjoying an average lead of 9.5 percentage points in recent polls tracked by RealClearPolitics. This puts him in even worse shape than the president, who was statistically tied with Biden in two recent surveys.
“There is a real choice in this race: Gary, who has a strong record of actually getting things done for Michigan, and John James, a failed politician who has spent most of the last year fundraising out-of-state instead of hearing from Michiganders,” said Elena Kuhn, spokeswoman for the Michigan Democratic Party.
In the wake of Floyd's death, GOP leaders have tapped the relatively few prominent black Republicans active in national politics to make the case that Trump and the party take black concerns seriously and to rebut Democratic claims of Republican racial insensitivity and even, racism.
On Capitol Hill, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, who is black, led Republican efforts to write a police reform bill, urging his party to take seriously complaints by many black people that they are not treated fairly by the police. In the administration, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson has vouched for Trump, who has touted his economic record pre-coronavirus as benefiting all races — particularly African Americans.
On the campaign trail, James decided to run a television spot that aimed to unify voters behind a denunciation of Floyd’s killing and pointedly criticized the riots. “Everyone using Floyd’s death as an excuse to loot and burn is criminal,” said the U.S. Military Academy graduate and military combat veteran in remarks made straight-to-camera. James often discusses the issues plaguing disadvantaged communities, both white and black.
But the Republican Party has a habit of recruiting its few minority standard-bearers to take prime speaking slots at the national presidential nominating convention and other major events. Being so unique, black Republicans are often in demand by bookers at cable television news networks. That’s what the James campaign is trying to avoid, seeing a hyper-focus on Michigan and kitchen table issues as a recipe for victory.
“Peters has been in office for 30 years, and he’s accomplished very little,” said Stu Sandler, a Republican consultant in Michigan advising James. “This race is about John James right now because of all of his accomplishments. There’s no examination of Peters and his lack of accomplishments.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-06-24--Trump's Biden problem: People don’t hate him like they did Hillary

Presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden may not be moving much , but he ’ s proving a tougher target for President Trump than his past political opponents .
Less than five months from the election , the Trump campaign team is still trying to find the right message to defeat Biden .
The president has stuck with the “ Sleepy Joe ” nickname , though his campaign is as likely to go with “ Hidin ’ Biden , ” to mock his low-key approach to the trail , or “ Beijing Biden , ” to paint the Democrat as soft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have defined the former vice president as effectively as “ Crooked Hillary ” Clinton , “ Lyin ’ Ted ” Cruz , “ Little Marco ” Rubio , or “ Low Energy Jeb ” Bush , in part because Biden is better liked than most of these previous Trump foes .
A recent Fox News poll found that 53 % of registered voters have a favorable impression of Biden , compared to 44 % unfavorable .
Other polls show higher unfavorable numbers for Biden , suggesting Trump campaign attacks are beginning to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ average still has his net favorability at -1.6 % , while Trump ’ s stands at -14.3 % .
Biden ’ s numbers are also noticeably better than top congressional leaders of both parties , including Nancy Pelosi , Mitch McConnell , and Chuck Schumer .
“ Trump needs to reframe this election as a choice , ” said Republican strategist Alex Conant .
“ In 2016 , Trump was fortunate to run against a very unpopular and divisive nominee , which helped offset many of his own negatives .
If he wants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no choice but to drive up Biden 's negative ratings.
” The Trump campaign is starting to settle on Biden as a doddering bystander looking on as radical leftists take over the Democratic Party .
The campaign debuted two new ads on Friday , one that suggested Biden ’ s embrace of increasingly liberal economic policies would jeopardize the post-lockdown recovery and another that questioned Biden ’ s mental acuity .
The second spot shows images of Biden stammering and fumbling inside an old television set with rabbit ears .
`` In his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it is clear that Joe Biden 's mental state is diminishing , leaving him unfit to serve as Commander in Chief , '' said Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale in a statement announcing the ad .
`` Democrat Party handlers are trying to keep Biden hidden away from the public , but the American people deserve to see the truth : Joe Biden simply does not have the fortitude to serve as President . ''
To drive the point home , the ad is titled “ Fortitude.
” Trump tied the two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Saying Biden “ remains silent in his basement in the face of this brutal assault on our nation , ” referring to the statue-toppling and civil unrest gripping parts of the country , he implied his opponent was a figurehead .
“ Joe Biden has surrendered to his party and to the left-wing mob , ” Trump said .
“ He has no control .
Does anybody honestly think he controls these radial maniacs ?
” Trump added , “ You know what he says to his wife when he ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ Get me the hell out of there .
These people are crazy.
’ ” The president previewed this line of attack in his Conservative Political Action Conference speech in early March as he handicapped the Democratic race between Biden and Bernie Sanders .
“ With Joe , he ’ s sort of down the middle , ” Trump conceded .
“ You know , the difference is Joe is not going to be running the government , he ’ s just going to be sitting in a home someplace , and people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him , and they will be radical-left socialists.
” “ It ’ s a waste of time to attempt to turn Joe Biden into as disliked a politician as Hillary Clinton , ” said veteran Republican strategist Curt Anderson .
“ Will never happen , he does not lend himself to that , and it is pointless to try .
But fortunately , it is not necessary .
We do not need a popularity contest , we need an argument about the direction of this country — are we going to embrace socialism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ embrace lawlessness or law enforcement ?
Are we going to coddle China or get aggressive with them ?
” “ Finally , ” Anderson added , “ while Biden is not as unlikeable as Secretary Clinton , it is obviously fair to question whether he is competent to stand trial.
” One risk is that Trump will come across as mean-spirited if voters simply like Biden better .
Biden is currently leading among those who dislike both major party candidates , a group Trump won in 2016 .
Another is Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much of a moving target .
“ Trump 's speech in Tulsa had some good lines about Biden , but they did n't break through at all , ” said Conant .
“ He needs to settle on a line of attack and then drive it relentlessly , like he did with Clinton .
Trump is really good at branding , but so far , he has n't succeeded with Biden .
”

Presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden may not be moving much, but he’s proving a tougher target for President Trump than his past political opponents.
Less than five months from the election, the Trump campaign team is still trying to find the right message to defeat Biden. The president has stuck with the “Sleepy Joe” nickname, though his campaign is as likely to go with “Hidin’ Biden” to mock his low-key approach to the trail or “Beijing Biden” to paint the Democrat as soft on China. But none of these have defined the former vice president as effectively as “Crooked Hillary” Clinton, “Lyin’ Ted” Cruz, “Little Marco” Rubio, or “Low Energy Jeb” Bush, in part because Biden is better liked than most of these previous Trump foes.
A recent Fox News poll found that 53% of registered voters have a favorable impression of Biden, compared to 44% unfavorable. Other polls show higher unfavorable numbers for Biden, suggesting Trump campaign attacks are beginning to take their toll. But the RealClearPolitics national average still has his net favorability at -1.6%, while Trump’s stands at -14.3%. Biden’s numbers are also noticeably better than top congressional leaders of both parties, including Nancy Pelosi, Mitch McConnell, and Chuck Schumer.
“Trump needs to reframe this election as a choice,” said Republican strategist Alex Conant. “In 2016, Trump was fortunate to run against a very unpopular and divisive nominee, which helped offset many of his own negatives. If he wants to win in 2020, he has no choice but to drive up Biden's negative ratings.”
The Trump campaign is starting to settle on Biden as a doddering bystander looking on as radical leftists take over the Democratic Party. The campaign debuted two new ads on Friday, one that suggested Biden’s embrace of increasingly liberal economic policies would jeopardize the post-lockdown recovery and another that questioned Biden’s mental acuity. The second spot shows images of Biden stammering and fumbling inside an old television set with rabbit ears.
"In his third presidential run at 77 years old, it is clear that Joe Biden's mental state is diminishing, leaving him unfit to serve as Commander in Chief," said Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale in a statement announcing the ad. "Democrat Party handlers are trying to keep Biden hidden away from the public, but the American people deserve to see the truth: Joe Biden simply does not have the fortitude to serve as President." To drive the point home, the ad is titled “Fortitude.”
Trump tied the two messages together in his Tulsa rally speech. Saying Biden “remains silent in his basement in the face of this brutal assault on our nation,” referring to the statue-toppling and civil unrest gripping parts of the country, he implied his opponent was a figurehead. “Joe Biden has surrendered to his party and to the left-wing mob,” Trump said. “He has no control. Does anybody honestly think he controls these radial maniacs?” Trump added, “You know what he says to his wife when he’s not confusing her with his sister? ‘Get me the hell out of there. These people are crazy.’”
The president previewed this line of attack in his Conservative Political Action Conference speech in early March as he handicapped the Democratic race between Biden and Bernie Sanders. “With Joe, he’s sort of down the middle,” Trump conceded. “You know, the difference is Joe is not going to be running the government, he’s just going to be sitting in a home someplace, and people are going to be running it for him, and they will be radical-left socialists.”
“It’s a waste of time to attempt to turn Joe Biden into as disliked a politician as Hillary Clinton,” said veteran Republican strategist Curt Anderson. “Will never happen, he does not lend himself to that, and it is pointless to try. But fortunately, it is not necessary. We do not need a popularity contest, we need an argument about the direction of this country — are we going to embrace socialism or capitalism? Are we going to embrace lawlessness or law enforcement? Are we going to coddle China or get aggressive with them?”
“Finally,” Anderson added, “while Biden is not as unlikeable as Secretary Clinton, it is obviously fair to question whether he is competent to stand trial.”
One risk is that Trump will come across as mean-spirited if voters simply like Biden better. Biden is currently leading among those who dislike both major party candidates, a group Trump won in 2016. Another is Trump’s case against Biden may itself be too much of a moving target.
“Trump's speech in Tulsa had some good lines about Biden, but they didn't break through at all,” said Conant. “He needs to settle on a line of attack and then drive it relentlessly, like he did with Clinton. Trump is really good at branding, but so far, he hasn't succeeded with Biden.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-06-24--Biden outmaneuvers Trump campaign with Obama fundraiser numbers

Joe Biden appears to have pulled a fast one on the Trump reelection campaign with his fundraising event Tuesday evening with former President Barack Obama .
The Trump team quickly took to mocking Biden after the vice president said he raised a `` remarkable '' $ 7.6 million in the virtual fundraiser , noting that the Republican cause hauled in $ 10 million over the weekend of President Trump 's rally in Tulsa , Oklahoma .
`` The fact that he touted this fundraising event so grandly , and then hid it from view , is just more proof that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scrutiny of the American people as he runs for president , '' Tim Murtaugh , Trump 2020 communications director , said in a triumphant press release , referring to reports of limited press access .
But Biden 's campaign later revised that figure , saying the fundraiser pulled in $ 11 million in total .
`` By far the most lucrative fundraising event for Biden this cycle ( by more than $ 5 million ) , '' tweeted John Verhovek , a political reporter for ABC News .
Andrew Clark , a spokesman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden camp was outraised .
`` The Biden campaign added a $ 4 million amendment to their initial number after the number the Trump campaign released was higher than theirs .
Sad ! ''
he said in a tweet .
`` Biden campaign was out-raised , and unless they 're going to magically invent another 11,880,000 people , they were out-watched . ''
Still , the Biden team 's maneuver was not lost on the press corp. '' Updated fundraising total : Obama and Biden 's reunion tonight raised more than $ 11 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grassroots donors .
Trump campaign had tried to dunk on Biden camp , touting the $ 10m it raised over the weekend around the Tulsa rally , '' tweeted Bloomberg News 's Jennifer Epstein .
`` Well this is awkward , '' said ABC News 's Will Steakin .
`` The Biden campaign appears to have gamed the Trump campaign by releasing an early fundraising number for the Obama event today , getting the Trump campaign to claim Trump 'eclipsed ' Obama on recent fundraising , and then releasing a full and bigger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the Atlantic 's Edward-Isaac Dovere .
`` It ’ s a very common trick in all kinds of fundraising not to release the final numbers before the very end , and to say they ’ re low , in the hopes of goading people to give more .
The psychology usually works on donors , but in a campaign , it can be deployed for political purposes . ''
Biden campaign officials seized on these tweets .
`` Welcome to the NFL , @ parscale , '' tweeted national press secretary TJ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Parscale .
It was yet another spot of bad press for the Trump campaign , which this past weekend vastly overestimated the number of people who would attend the president 's first in-person campaign event since the coronavirus pandemic led to widespread shutdowns across the country .
The Tulsa Fire Department said there were approximately 6,200 people Saturday evening in the BOK Center in Tulsa , which is about one-third of the arena 's capacity .
That was a far cry from the more than 1 million people Trump and his campaign boasted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign even canceled events that were planned outside for an overflow crowd that never materialized .
`` We expect to have a record-setting crowd .
We ’ ve never had an empty seat , and we certainly won ’ t in Oklahoma , '' Trump said before the event .
TikTok users and fans of K-pop music groups claimed they pulled a prank on the campaign by making hundreds of thousands of fake requests , but the Trump campaign blamed the coronavirus , the media , and protesters as the driving forces behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is that a week ’ s worth of the fake news media warning people away from the rally because of COVID and protesters , coupled with recent images of American cities on fire , had a real impact on people bringing their families and children to the rally , '' Parscale said in a statement on Sunday .
Instead , the Trump team has focused on touting virtual viewership , claiming nearly 20 million people tuned into the rally .
Biden 's first appearance , albeit a virtual one , with his former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those , 65,000 were new , and 10,000 signed up to volunteer for the campaign , according to NBC News 's Marianna Sotomayor .
During the event , Obama implored Democrats not to be `` smug '' about Trump .
Biden leads Trump in national polling , and poling guru Nate Silver even predicted that there could be a `` landslide '' victory for the former vice president come November .

Joe Biden appears to have pulled a fast one on the Trump reelection campaign with his fundraising event Tuesday evening with former President Barack Obama.
The Trump team quickly took to mocking Biden after the vice president said he raised a "remarkable" $7.6 million in the virtual fundraiser, noting that the Republican cause hauled in $10 million over the weekend of President Trump's rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
"The fact that he touted this fundraising event so grandly, and then hid it from view, is just more proof that Joe Biden can’t withstand the scrutiny of the American people as he runs for president," Tim Murtaugh, Trump 2020 communications director, said in a triumphant press release, referring to reports of limited press access.
But Biden's campaign later revised that figure, saying the fundraiser pulled in $11 million in total.
"By far the most lucrative fundraising event for Biden this cycle (by more than $5 million)," tweeted John Verhovek, a political reporter for ABC News.
Andrew Clark, a spokesman for the Trump campaign, insisted the Biden camp was outraised.
"The Biden campaign added a $4 million amendment to their initial number after the number the Trump campaign released was higher than theirs. Sad!" he said in a tweet. "Biden campaign was out-raised, and unless they're going to magically invent another 11,880,000 people, they were out-watched."
Still, the Biden team's maneuver was not lost on the press corp.
"Updated fundraising total: Obama and Biden's reunion tonight raised more than $11 million, including $7.6m from 175,000 grassroots donors. Trump campaign had tried to dunk on Biden camp, touting the $10m it raised over the weekend around the Tulsa rally," tweeted Bloomberg News's Jennifer Epstein.
"Well this is awkward," said ABC News's Will Steakin.
"The Biden campaign appears to have gamed the Trump campaign by releasing an early fundraising number for the Obama event today, getting the Trump campaign to claim Trump 'eclipsed' Obama on recent fundraising, and then releasing a full and bigger number for Obama’s," said the Atlantic's Edward-Isaac Dovere. "It’s a very common trick in all kinds of fundraising not to release the final numbers before the very end, and to say they’re low, in the hopes of goading people to give more. The psychology usually works on donors, but in a campaign, it can be deployed for political purposes."
Biden campaign officials seized on these tweets.
"Welcome to the NFL, @parscale," tweeted national press secretary TJ Ducklo, tagging Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale.
It was yet another spot of bad press for the Trump campaign, which this past weekend vastly overestimated the number of people who would attend the president's first in-person campaign event since the coronavirus pandemic led to widespread shutdowns across the country.
The Tulsa Fire Department said there were approximately 6,200 people Saturday evening in the BOK Center in Tulsa, which is about one-third of the arena's capacity. That was a far cry from the more than 1 million people Trump and his campaign boasted had signed up to attend. The campaign even canceled events that were planned outside for an overflow crowd that never materialized.
"We expect to have a record-setting crowd. We’ve never had an empty seat, and we certainly won’t in Oklahoma," Trump said before the event.
TikTok users and fans of K-pop music groups claimed they pulled a prank on the campaign by making hundreds of thousands of fake requests, but the Trump campaign blamed the coronavirus, the media, and protesters as the driving forces behind the lower-than-expected attendance.
"The fact is that a week’s worth of the fake news media warning people away from the rally because of COVID and protesters, coupled with recent images of American cities on fire, had a real impact on people bringing their families and children to the rally," Parscale said in a statement on Sunday.
Instead, the Trump team has focused on touting virtual viewership, claiming nearly 20 million people tuned into the rally.
Biden's first appearance, albeit a virtual one, with his former boss attracted 175,000 small donors. Of those, 65,000 were new, and 10,000 signed up to volunteer for the campaign, according to NBC News's Marianna Sotomayor. During the event, Obama implored Democrats not to be "smug" about Trump.
Biden leads Trump in national polling, and poling guru Nate Silver even predicted that there could be a "landslide" victory for the former vice president come November.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-06-24--Trump's electoral problem: Too many people hate him

Political polarization existed long before President Trump 's election in 2016 , but his current electoral problems are due to a growing agreement among a majority of people over one thing : They really do n't like him .
A new poll from the New York Times and Siena College released Wednesday found 36 % of voters say they currently back Trump , with 50 % saying they 'll vote for Joe Biden , the former vice president and presumptive 2020 Democratic presidential nominee .
Fifty-six percent of voters either somewhat or strongly disapprove of his performance as president , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Much of Trump 's problems come from voters seeing Trump as unprepared to handle issues where people need comfort , not necessarily good policy .
He faces extraordinarily low marks on race relations , with 70 % of white voters under the age of 45 saying they think George Floyd 's death had to do with systemic racism in law enforcement .
His lowest marks come in his handling of race relations and the protests after the death of Floyd .
Sixty-one percent of voters disapprove of his job trying to heal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same when it comes to Floyd .
Despite his effort at touting the GOP 's First Step Act , 53 % of voters disapprove of his handling of criminal justice issues .
Meanwhile , just 38 % approve of Trump 's handling of the coronavirus , with 58 % saying otherwise .
Aside from the more than 100,000 deaths due to the pandemic , the economic toll it has taken means more people are on public assistance than ever before .
But voters still say they believe Biden is better equipped to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as 50 % trust Trump more to handle the economy , compared to 45 % who say the same about Biden .
The poll interviewed 1,337 registered voters from June 17-22 and carried a margin of error of 3 points .
But beneath those troubling numbers for the Trump White House lies the president 's chief problem in turning the polls around in his favor : the intensity in which people oppose him .
Voters who say they prefer Biden are passionately against Trump , suggesting they are not malleable .
Among all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York Times , 50 % say they `` very unfavorably '' disapprove of Trump .
Over half of voters , 27 % , say they view Trump `` very favorably . ''
Compared to Biden , 27 % of voters say they have a `` very unfavorable '' opinion of him , and 26 % say they view him as `` very favorable . ''
In total , 52 % have a `` very favorable '' or `` somewhat favorable '' opinion of Biden , 12 points higher than Trump .
For months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , his campaign regularly responds with the fact that Biden suffers from an enthusiasm gap .
In other words , voters may wish to see Trump replaced , but they may not go to the voting booths to make it happen .
But the New York Times/Siena poll suggests that Biden is on his way to significantly closing that gap , as intensity around removing Trump increases during the biggest series of tests of his presidency .
None of that is to say that voters necessarily view Biden as a stronger candidate than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feel a new sense of urgency in electing a Democrat .
This new poll is n't necessarily news to Trump or his team either .
Reports have recently surfaced of Trump 's growing frustration toward his campaign manager Brad Parscale , particularly in the wake of the lackluster showing at his campaign reset rally in Tulsa last week .
For the time being , campaign sources told the Washington Examiner , his job appears safe .
“ Parscale surprised everyone in 2016 when digital turned out to be so important , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But he ’ s something of a political novice , and the messaging and strategy are all over the place.
” Publicly , Trump 's staff has also dismissed speculation that Parscale 's job is in jeopardy .
During an appearance on Fox News that same day , White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said the rally was `` a huge success '' and said the president is excited to hold more rallies in the future .
But the location of those rallies highlights the campaign 's defensive posture .
On Tuesday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arizona , a state he carried by 4 points in 2016 .
Recent polls there show him falling behind Biden by 2 points .
At the beginning of the year , Trump 's campaign spoke of potentially flipping states such as Minnesota and New Hampshire .
Now , however , the campaign is spending millions of dollars in states such as Iowa , which he won in 2016 by over 9 points .
Nor does it seem like Trump is planning trips to any blue states any time soon .
In the next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ red states such as Texas , Florida , and North Carolina .

Political polarization existed long before President Trump's election in 2016, but his current electoral problems are due to a growing agreement among a majority of people over one thing: They really don't like him.
A new poll from the New York Times and Siena College released Wednesday found 36% of voters say they currently back Trump, with 50% saying they'll vote for Joe Biden, the former vice president and presumptive 2020 Democratic presidential nominee. Fifty-six percent of voters either somewhat or strongly disapprove of his performance as president, with 47% answering "strongly."
Much of Trump's problems come from voters seeing Trump as unprepared to handle issues where people need comfort, not necessarily good policy. He faces extraordinarily low marks on race relations, with 70% of white voters under the age of 45 saying they think George Floyd's death had to do with systemic racism in law enforcement.
His lowest marks come in his handling of race relations and the protests after the death of Floyd. Sixty-one percent of voters disapprove of his job trying to heal the country, and 62% say the same when it comes to Floyd. Despite his effort at touting the GOP's First Step Act, 53% of voters disapprove of his handling of criminal justice issues.
Meanwhile, just 38% approve of Trump's handling of the coronavirus, with 58% saying otherwise. Aside from the more than 100,000 deaths due to the pandemic, the economic toll it has taken means more people are on public assistance than ever before. But voters still say they believe Biden is better equipped to handle the government's response, even as 50% trust Trump more to handle the economy, compared to 45% who say the same about Biden.
The poll interviewed 1,337 registered voters from June 17-22 and carried a margin of error of 3 points.
But beneath those troubling numbers for the Trump White House lies the president's chief problem in turning the polls around in his favor: the intensity in which people oppose him. Voters who say they prefer Biden are passionately against Trump, suggesting they are not malleable.
Among all registered voters, according to the New York Times, 50% say they "very unfavorably" disapprove of Trump. Over half of voters, 27%, say they view Trump "very favorably."
Compared to Biden, 27% of voters say they have a "very unfavorable" opinion of him, and 26% say they view him as "very favorable." In total, 52% have a "very favorable" or "somewhat favorable" opinion of Biden, 12 points higher than Trump.
For months as Trump has faced continuously poor polling, his campaign regularly responds with the fact that Biden suffers from an enthusiasm gap. In other words, voters may wish to see Trump replaced, but they may not go to the voting booths to make it happen.
But the New York Times/Siena poll suggests that Biden is on his way to significantly closing that gap, as intensity around removing Trump increases during the biggest series of tests of his presidency. None of that is to say that voters necessarily view Biden as a stronger candidate than they did months ago, but many feel a new sense of urgency in electing a Democrat.
This new poll isn't necessarily news to Trump or his team either. Reports have recently surfaced of Trump's growing frustration toward his campaign manager Brad Parscale, particularly in the wake of the lackluster showing at his campaign reset rally in Tulsa last week. For the time being, campaign sources told the Washington Examiner, his job appears safe.
“Parscale surprised everyone in 2016 when digital turned out to be so important,” said one campaign adviser on Monday. “But he’s something of a political novice, and the messaging and strategy are all over the place.”
Publicly, Trump's staff has also dismissed speculation that Parscale's job is in jeopardy. During an appearance on Fox News that same day, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said the rally was "a huge success" and said the president is excited to hold more rallies in the future.
But the location of those rallies highlights the campaign's defensive posture. On Tuesday, Trump gave a speech in Phoenix, Arizona, a state he carried by 4 points in 2016. Recent polls there show him falling behind Biden by 2 points.
At the beginning of the year, Trump's campaign spoke of potentially flipping states such as Minnesota and New Hampshire. Now, however, the campaign is spending millions of dollars in states such as Iowa, which he won in 2016 by over 9 points.
Nor does it seem like Trump is planning trips to any blue states any time soon. In the next few weeks, Trump's schedule includes red states such as Texas, Florida, and North Carolina.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-06-24--Joe Biden isn't the shoo-in candidate Democrats hoped for

The polls are damning : Almost every one has Joe Biden up ahead of President Trump by a significant margin — not because Biden is the ideal candidate , but because Trump is not .
A new New York Times-Siena College poll released Wednesday shows Biden leading Trump by 14 points , 50 % to 36 % , among registered voters .
Numbers such as these have created a fresh wave of confidence among Democrats , who lost to Trump once and refuse to be beaten again .
“ We ’ re going to beat him in November , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even beat him in Ohio , ” said Sen. Sherrod Brown , a Democrat from Ohio .
“ And Ohio will mean an Electoral College landslide.
” But some Democrats are urging caution .
This was , after all , the mistake the party made in 2016 — they bet it all on Hillary Clinton and put too much confidence in numbers that were too good to be true .
Some aren ’ t willing to face that same disappointment again .
And they ’ re right — because Biden isn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be .
On the issues of the day ( namely , criminal justice reform and racial tensions ) , he ’ s had a poor record .
And though his numbers among black voters have held strong throughout the primary , there are some in the African American community who are tired of playing along with the political games Biden helped create .
“ We look at Joe Biden and see more of the same .
It ’ s about the era he came up .
It ’ s about his identity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ old white man .
What are his credentials to us , other than Obama picking him ?
” Tonya Griffith , an African American woman from Detroit , said to Politico .
“ It ’ s nice that he worked with Obama .
But let ’ s keep it real : That was a political calculation .
Obama thought he needed a white man to get elected , just like Biden thinks he needs a Black woman to get elected .
We can see through that.
” Griffith isn ’ t the only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Debbie Dingell , a Michigan Democrat , confirmed that many in her district have said they ’ re voting for Trump .
“ Everyone will roll their eyes and say , ‘ That ’ s Debbie.
’ But I was right in 2016 , ” she told Politico .
But voters ’ indifference toward Biden might be what saves him .
Trump won in part because Clinton was so unpopular and divisive .
Many voters saw him as the lesser of two evils and voted accordingly — or they didn ’ t vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the guy that could be better , but also much worse .
Still , if there ’ s one thing we learned from 2016 , it is to remain wary of big numbers that don ’ t necessarily reflect public opinion .
Democratic officials ’ failure to contain the lawlessness of the protesters creating their own autonomous zones will not sit well with rural voters .
And the GOP ’ s efforts to ramp up coronavirus relief might convince swing-state voters that the Trump economy is worth their bet .
Recent events could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But Biden isn ’ t giving voters much to work with from his Delaware basement .
Democrats would be wise not to take victory for granted .

The polls are damning: Almost every one has Joe Biden up ahead of President Trump by a significant margin — not because Biden is the ideal candidate, but because Trump is not.
A new New York Times-Siena College poll released Wednesday shows Biden leading Trump by 14 points, 50% to 36%, among registered voters. Numbers such as these have created a fresh wave of confidence among Democrats, who lost to Trump once and refuse to be beaten again.
“We’re going to beat him in November, and I think we’re going to even beat him in Ohio,” said Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Democrat from Ohio. “And Ohio will mean an Electoral College landslide.”
But some Democrats are urging caution. This was, after all, the mistake the party made in 2016 — they bet it all on Hillary Clinton and put too much confidence in numbers that were too good to be true. Some aren’t willing to face that same disappointment again.
And they’re right — because Biden isn’t the shoo-in candidate Democrats would like him to be. On the issues of the day (namely, criminal justice reform and racial tensions), he’s had a poor record. And though his numbers among black voters have held strong throughout the primary, there are some in the African American community who are tired of playing along with the political games Biden helped create.
“We look at Joe Biden and see more of the same. It’s about the era he came up. It’s about his identity — he’s a rich, old white man. What are his credentials to us, other than Obama picking him?” Tonya Griffith, an African American woman from Detroit, said to Politico. “It’s nice that he worked with Obama. But let’s keep it real: That was a political calculation. Obama thought he needed a white man to get elected, just like Biden thinks he needs a Black woman to get elected. We can see through that.”
Griffith isn’t the only one who feels this way. Rep. Debbie Dingell, a Michigan Democrat, confirmed that many in her district have said they’re voting for Trump.
“Everyone will roll their eyes and say, ‘That’s Debbie.’ But I was right in 2016,” she told Politico.
But voters’ indifference toward Biden might be what saves him. Trump won in part because Clinton was so unpopular and divisive. Many voters saw him as the lesser of two evils and voted accordingly — or they didn’t vote at all. Now, Biden is the guy that could be better, but also much worse.
Still, if there’s one thing we learned from 2016, it is to remain wary of big numbers that don’t necessarily reflect public opinion. Democratic officials’ failure to contain the lawlessness of the protesters creating their own autonomous zones will not sit well with rural voters. And the GOP’s efforts to ramp up coronavirus relief might convince swing-state voters that the Trump economy is worth their bet.
Recent events could just as well work against Trump. But Biden isn’t giving voters much to work with from his Delaware basement. Democrats would be wise not to take victory for granted.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-06-24--Trump gets poor marks for handling of protests as Biden widens lead in Wisconsin

Joe Biden increased his polling advantage over President Trump in the swing state of Wisconsin as nationwide protests over policing and race relations swept the country .
A Marquette Law School poll of registered voters conducted June 14-18 found 49 % support for the former vice president and 41 % support for Trump .
The 8-point advantage is a 5-point increase for Biden since the last Marquette Law School poll was conducted in early May , which found Biden at 46 % support and Trump at 43 % support .
The poll contacted 802 registered voters by cellphone and landline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plus or minus 4.5 percentage points .
Its findings are on par with the RealClearPolitics average of Wisconsin polls , which finds the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee with a 7-point lead over Trump .
Wisconsin , with its 10 Electoral College votes , is a key prize for both campaigns as they try to cobble together a majority of 270 .
Trump won the state narrowly in 2016 over Democratic rival Hillary Clinton , the first time a Republican nominee came out on top in the Badger State since 1984 .
Voters were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the president 's handling of various issues .
Trump received the worst marks on his handling of protests sparked by the death of black Minneapolis man George Floyd , who died after a white police officer knelt his neck for nearly nine minutes : Thirty percent approve , and 58 % disapprove .
There was a much sharper dislike of Trump 's handling of the protests from independents and Democrats than there was approval from Republicans .
For those who identify as or lean Republican , 34 % strongly approved of Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 26 % somewhat approved , while 22 % disapproved .
Among independents , 18 % approved , 19 % somewhat disapproved , and 44 % strongly disapproved .
For Democrats , 6 % somewhat disapproved , and 88 % strongly disapproved .
Trump received 44 % approval and 52 % disapproval on his handling of the coronavirus pandemic , on par with the May survey .
He received the highest approval for his handling of the economy , with 50 % approval and 46 % disapproval , but that is down from 54 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May .

Joe Biden increased his polling advantage over President Trump in the swing state of Wisconsin as nationwide protests over policing and race relations swept the country.
A Marquette Law School poll of registered voters conducted June 14-18 found 49% support for the former vice president and 41% support for Trump. The 8-point advantage is a 5-point increase for Biden since the last Marquette Law School poll was conducted in early May, which found Biden at 46% support and Trump at 43% support.
The poll contacted 802 registered voters by cellphone and landline and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.5 percentage points. Its findings are on par with the RealClearPolitics average of Wisconsin polls, which finds the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee with a 7-point lead over Trump.
Wisconsin, with its 10 Electoral College votes, is a key prize for both campaigns as they try to cobble together a majority of 270. Trump won the state narrowly in 2016 over Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, the first time a Republican nominee came out on top in the Badger State since 1984.
Voters were asked about whether they approve or disapprove of the president's handling of various issues.
Trump received the worst marks on his handling of protests sparked by the death of black Minneapolis man George Floyd, who died after a white police officer knelt his neck for nearly nine minutes: Thirty percent approve, and 58% disapprove.
There was a much sharper dislike of Trump's handling of the protests from independents and Democrats than there was approval from Republicans.
For those who identify as or lean Republican, 34% strongly approved of Trump's handling of the protests, and 26% somewhat approved, while 22% disapproved. Among independents, 18% approved, 19% somewhat disapproved, and 44% strongly disapproved. For Democrats, 6% somewhat disapproved, and 88% strongly disapproved.
Trump received 44% approval and 52% disapproval on his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, on par with the May survey. He received the highest approval for his handling of the economy, with 50% approval and 46% disapproval, but that is down from 54% approval and 40% disapproval in May.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-06-24--Joe Biden loses 3 in 10 New York and Kentucky primary Democrats

In the latest sign of a potential enthusiasm gap for the likely Democratic presidential nominee , voters in Tuesday ’ s two primaries showed a reluctance to unify around Joe Biden .
In New York , for example , the latest results show that the former vice president won 67.4 % of the vote .
Sen. Bernie Sanders took 19.1 % of the vote , even though he dropped out 77 days ago , and Sen. Elizabeth Warren was third with 4.4 % , even though she withdrew 111 days ago .
In Kentucky last night , Biden did even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he has already wrapped up enough delegates for the nomination .
In that contest , Sanders won 12 % in a protest vote and Warren 4.4 % .
Warren ’ s results might help her chances of becoming Biden ’ s running mate .
President Trump , meanwhile , has won much bigger percentages , though he had little or no competition .
Party officials have , however , played up his vote totals versus Biden ’ s to suggest that enthusiasm for the president is greater .
For example , in Iowa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the vote and set a turnout record for an incumbent president .
In New Hampshire , he received nearly 130,000 votes , more than doubling the totals of former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush in their reelection campaigns .
And in Texas , Trump received nearly 1.9 million votes , more than tripling what Obama received in 2012 .
A recent Zogby Poll found that while many voter surveys show a Biden edge , when asked who they thought would win , it 's Trump over Biden , 51 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also highlighted the president ’ s interest in the special election in New York 's 27th Congressional District won by Republican Chris Jacobs .
The president endorsed early , and the RNC and New York Republican Party invested more than half a million dollars in the race .
“ Once again , President Trump ’ s support reigns supreme when it comes to special elections .
This is a huge win for Chris Jacobs and demonstrates the momentum and energy that Republican voters have for President Trump and Republican candidates up and down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to victory in November , ” said RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel .

C’mon man.
In the latest sign of a potential enthusiasm gap for the likely Democratic presidential nominee, voters in Tuesday’s two primaries showed a reluctance to unify around Joe Biden.
In New York, for example, the latest results show that the former vice president won 67.4% of the vote. Sen. Bernie Sanders took 19.1% of the vote, even though he dropped out 77 days ago, and Sen. Elizabeth Warren was third with 4.4%, even though she withdrew 111 days ago.
In Kentucky last night, Biden did even worse, winning 57.2% even though he has already wrapped up enough delegates for the nomination.
In that contest, Sanders won 12% in a protest vote and Warren 4.4%.
Warren’s results might help her chances of becoming Biden’s running mate.
President Trump, meanwhile, has won much bigger percentages, though he had little or no competition. Party officials have, however, played up his vote totals versus Biden’s to suggest that enthusiasm for the president is greater.
Joe Biden has a big enthusiasm problem, and the AP results in both Democrat primaries prove it.
In NY, he's only getting 66% of the vote.
In KY, he’s only getting 57% – with 20% preferring “Uncommitted” over Biden.
Meanwhile, Republicans are united behind @realDonaldTrump! — Ronna McDaniel (@GOPChairwoman) June 24, 2020
For example, in Iowa, Trump won with over 97% of the vote and set a turnout record for an incumbent president. In New Hampshire, he received nearly 130,000 votes, more than doubling the totals of former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush in their reelection campaigns. And in Texas, Trump received nearly 1.9 million votes, more than tripling what Obama received in 2012.
A recent Zogby Poll found that while many voter surveys show a Biden edge, when asked who they thought would win, it's Trump over Biden, 51%-43%.
The Republican National Committee also highlighted the president’s interest in the special election in New York's 27th Congressional District won by Republican Chris Jacobs. The president endorsed early, and the RNC and New York Republican Party invested more than half a million dollars in the race.
“Once again, President Trump’s support reigns supreme when it comes to special elections. This is a huge win for Chris Jacobs and demonstrates the momentum and energy that Republican voters have for President Trump and Republican candidates up and down the ballot that will carry us forward to victory in November,” said RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-06-24--Trump campaign dismisses criticism that he is losing touch with voters

The Trump campaign says the president remains laser-focused on the everyday concerns of people in the United States as officials hit back at Republican strategists who say he is in danger of forgetting the lessons that propelled him to power .
A poll published on Wednesday will add to concerns about a misfiring campaign .
The survey by the New York Times and Siena College found that President Trump is trailing presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden by 14 points nationwide .
The campaign has shrugged off poor polling numbers as failing to reflect a hidden majority of Trump supporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worry that the president ’ s public speeches and social media posts have been dominated by personal grievances rather than reflecting voters ’ concerns about jobs and the coronavirus .
The campaign ’ s deputy press secretary , Ken Farnaso , said Trump ’ s agenda reflected the priorities of the American public .
“ President Trump is laser-focused on the concerns of everyday Americans .
Whether it be restoring law and order , providing accessible COVID tests , rebuilding the economic renaissance we saw before coronavirus , or creating opportunity for minority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Trump has taken bold actions to usher in real change , ” he said .
A day earlier , strategists told the Washington Examiner that the president had time to overturn the disappointing numbers .
Protesters trying to topple statues and take over city centers would alarm the white suburban female voters that proved crucial in 2016 , for example .
But they said his campaign was still grappling with how to manage a famously unmanageable candidate and ensure that he drove home his message without distraction .
Several said that Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oklahoma , which included a 14-minute defense of his halting walk down a ramp at West Point earlier this month , missed its mark .
“ In 2016 , he was able to tap into the undercurrent that was coursing through the majority of this country , especially in the heartlands , as they call it , ” said one strategist with experience of multiple congressional campaigns .
“ They felt forgotten .
The Republican Party and the Democratic Party had become the same versions of a different side of a coin — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to tap into that .
“ What I watched on Saturday night , I don ’ t know who the hell that taps into .
”

The Trump campaign says the president remains laser-focused on the everyday concerns of people in the United States as officials hit back at Republican strategists who say he is in danger of forgetting the lessons that propelled him to power.
A poll published on Wednesday will add to concerns about a misfiring campaign. The survey by the New York Times and Siena College found that President Trump is trailing presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden by 14 points nationwide.
The campaign has shrugged off poor polling numbers as failing to reflect a hidden majority of Trump supporters.
But critics within his own party worry that the president’s public speeches and social media posts have been dominated by personal grievances rather than reflecting voters’ concerns about jobs and the coronavirus.
The campaign’s deputy press secretary, Ken Farnaso, said Trump’s agenda reflected the priorities of the American public.
“President Trump is laser-focused on the concerns of everyday Americans. Whether it be restoring law and order, providing accessible COVID tests, rebuilding the economic renaissance we saw before coronavirus, or creating opportunity for minority communities to rise out of poverty, President Trump has taken bold actions to usher in real change,” he said.
A day earlier, strategists told the Washington Examiner that the president had time to overturn the disappointing numbers. Protesters trying to topple statues and take over city centers would alarm the white suburban female voters that proved crucial in 2016, for example.
But they said his campaign was still grappling with how to manage a famously unmanageable candidate and ensure that he drove home his message without distraction.
Several said that Saturday’s rally speech in Tulsa, Oklahoma, which included a 14-minute defense of his halting walk down a ramp at West Point earlier this month, missed its mark.
“In 2016, he was able to tap into the undercurrent that was coursing through the majority of this country, especially in the heartlands, as they call it,” said one strategist with experience of multiple congressional campaigns.
“They felt forgotten. The Republican Party and the Democratic Party had become the same versions of a different side of a coin — both very elite. Trump was able to tap into that.
“What I watched on Saturday night, I don’t know who the hell that taps into.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-06-24--Mark Cuban says Biden '100%' has 'stamina' to be president during endorsement

Billionaire Mark Cuban has no doubts that former Vice President Joe Biden has the mental fortitude to be the president .
During a heated interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity on Tuesday night , the two debated whether President Trump or Biden , the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee , was more capable of being a president , to which Cuban said Trump has no interest in running the country .
`` One hundred percent .
Absolutely .
No question about it .
Donald Trump does n't want to run a country .
He wants to run a campaign .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ country , '' Cuban said when asked if Biden has the `` stamina '' to be president .
`` OK , you give me a bumper sticker , '' Hannity said in response to the entrepreneur , host of ABC 's investment show Shark Tank and owner of the NBA 's Dallas Mavericks .
`` Joe 's been in office 50 years .
He was vice president for eight years , '' he said , citing Trump signing the First Step Act and an executive order on police reform .
`` Tell me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proud of that qualifies him to be president after 50 years . ''
`` He was a big part of Obamacare , the ACA , '' Cuban said of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act , which was signed into law by President Barack Obama in 2010 .
Cuban also said Biden had a hand in `` solving '' the Great Recession that occurred beginning in 2007 .
`` We just had two and a half million new jobs and a record retail sales in the history of the country .
Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the basement , '' Hannity said .
`` Sean , it 's like I explained to my kids : When your bank account goes from $ 10 to $ 1 , and then , all the sudden it goes to $ 2 , you can say you doubled your bank account , but you 're still down 80 % , '' Cuban responded , criticizing Trump 's handling of the economy amid the coronavirus pandemic .

Billionaire Mark Cuban has no doubts that former Vice President Joe Biden has the mental fortitude to be the president.
During a heated interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity on Tuesday night, the two debated whether President Trump or Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, was more capable of being a president, to which Cuban said Trump has no interest in running the country.
"One hundred percent. Absolutely. No question about it. Donald Trump doesn't want to run a country. He wants to run a campaign. Joe Biden actually wants to run a country," Cuban said when asked if Biden has the "stamina" to be president.
"OK, you give me a bumper sticker," Hannity said in response to the entrepreneur, host of ABC's investment show Shark Tank and owner of the NBA's Dallas Mavericks.
"Joe's been in office 50 years. He was vice president for eight years," he said, citing Trump signing the First Step Act and an executive order on police reform. "Tell me what Joe has done that you're proud of that qualifies him to be president after 50 years."
"He was a big part of Obamacare, the ACA," Cuban said of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which was signed into law by President Barack Obama in 2010. Cuban also said Biden had a hand in "solving" the Great Recession that occurred beginning in 2007.
"We just had two and a half million new jobs and a record retail sales in the history of the country. Donald Trump did that, not Biden in the basement," Hannity said.
"Sean, it's like I explained to my kids: When your bank account goes from $10 to $1, and then, all the sudden it goes to $2, you can say you doubled your bank account, but you're still down 80%," Cuban responded, criticizing Trump's handling of the economy amid the coronavirus pandemic.