thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-26--'Naked ballots' could strip Biden of Pennsylvania votes

Democratic nominee Joe Biden faces fresh challenges in Pennsylvania after the state Supreme Court ordered county elections officials to throw out mail-in ballots that are not submitted inside sealed “ secrecy ” envelopes .
High percentages of Pennsylvania Democrats are expected to vote by mail to avoid the risk of contracting the coronavirus , and party officials worry the high court ’ s ruling excluding “ naked ” ballots not submitted in the secrecy envelope could cost Biden thousands of votes .
With this decision , voting by mail in Pennsylvania is a multistep process .
The secrecy envelope must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mailing or drop-off .
Republicans are more likely to pull the lever in person , putting President Trump at less risk of having his votes tossed because of incorrectly mailed ballots .
If the race for Pennsylvania ’ s 20 Electoral College votes ends in a photo finish , this dynamic could lend Trump a key advantage over Biden in a state that could decide the winner of the presidential contest .
Four years ago , Trump won there by a slim 0.7 percentage points .
“ I ’ ve got concerns that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that will utilize the mail-in ballot in a higher frequency , that obviously concerns me because people may skip that step , ” said Sen. Bob Casey , a Pennsylvania Democrat and Biden campaign lieutenant in the state .
“ It will require a lot of education and a lot of reminders.
” During Pennsylvania ’ s June primary , some counties counted “ naked ” ballots , while some did not .
The Pennsylvania Democratic Party sued to force all counties to tally mail-in ballots submitted without the secrecy envelope , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Republicans .
However , the high court sided with the Democrats on two other issues they brought before the bench relating to the Nov. 3 elections : allowing ballot drop boxes and extending until Nov. 6 the deadline for mail-in votes to be counted if postmarked by Election Day .
To avoid squandering votes , the Biden campaign and the Democratic National Committee have embarked on a major voter education effort .
On Thursday , the DNC launched a digital advertising campaign in Pennsylvania with a step-by-step , 30-second video explaining how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party and the Biden campaign also plan several voter-education seminars .
Democratic operatives are optimistic the effort will succeed .
Democratic voters are paying attention , said Larry Ceisler , a party strategist in Pennsylvania .
“ There is a focus on getting it right.
” Even as Democrats fret about worst-case scenarios with naked ballots , Republican operatives in Pennsylvania are treating the issue cautiously .
Some Republicans say that it is possible more Democrats might vote in person than originally thought , citing an increase in people venturing out in public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and lockdown because of the pandemic .
“ It may be true that this could impact Democrats more than Republicans because more Democrats will vote by mail , ” said Charlie Gerow , a GOP operative in Pennsylvania .
“ But both Republicans and Democrats will have to deal with the same requirement , which happens to be a very important one.
” Biden leads Trump by an average of 4.3 points in the state in recent polling , a margin that leaves the president within striking distance .

Democratic nominee Joe Biden faces fresh challenges in Pennsylvania after the state Supreme Court ordered county elections officials to throw out mail-in ballots that are not submitted inside sealed “secrecy” envelopes.
High percentages of Pennsylvania Democrats are expected to vote by mail to avoid the risk of contracting the coronavirus, and party officials worry the high court’s ruling excluding “naked” ballots not submitted in the secrecy envelope could cost Biden thousands of votes. With this decision, voting by mail in Pennsylvania is a multistep process. The secrecy envelope must be sealed inside an outer envelope for mailing or drop-off.
Republicans are more likely to pull the lever in person, putting President Trump at less risk of having his votes tossed because of incorrectly mailed ballots.
If the race for Pennsylvania’s 20 Electoral College votes ends in a photo finish, this dynamic could lend Trump a key advantage over Biden in a state that could decide the winner of the presidential contest. Four years ago, Trump won there by a slim 0.7 percentage points.
“I’ve got concerns that if you’ve got one side that will utilize the mail-in ballot in a higher frequency, that obviously concerns me because people may skip that step,” said Sen. Bob Casey, a Pennsylvania Democrat and Biden campaign lieutenant in the state. “It will require a lot of education and a lot of reminders.”
During Pennsylvania’s June primary, some counties counted “naked” ballots, while some did not.
The Pennsylvania Democratic Party sued to force all counties to tally mail-in ballots submitted without the secrecy envelope, but the majority-liberal state Supreme Court ruled for the Republicans. However, the high court sided with the Democrats on two other issues they brought before the bench relating to the Nov. 3 elections: allowing ballot drop boxes and extending until Nov. 6 the deadline for mail-in votes to be counted if postmarked by Election Day.
To avoid squandering votes, the Biden campaign and the Democratic National Committee have embarked on a major voter education effort. On Thursday, the DNC launched a digital advertising campaign in Pennsylvania with a step-by-step, 30-second video explaining how to avoid naked ballots. The national party and the Biden campaign also plan several voter-education seminars. Democratic operatives are optimistic the effort will succeed.
Democratic voters are paying attention, said Larry Ceisler, a party strategist in Pennsylvania. “There is a focus on getting it right.”
Even as Democrats fret about worst-case scenarios with naked ballots, Republican operatives in Pennsylvania are treating the issue cautiously.
Some Republicans say that it is possible more Democrats might vote in person than originally thought, citing an increase in people venturing out in public in recent weeks after months of isolation and lockdown because of the pandemic.
“It may be true that this could impact Democrats more than Republicans because more Democrats will vote by mail,” said Charlie Gerow, a GOP operative in Pennsylvania. “But both Republicans and Democrats will have to deal with the same requirement, which happens to be a very important one.”
Biden leads Trump by an average of 4.3 points in the state in recent polling, a margin that leaves the president within striking distance.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-26--Amy Coney Barrett will energize Trump base, annoy liberals: 'He loves that Democrats are furious'

There was only ever one name in it .
Although President Trump claimed publicly that he had a shortlist of five women for the Supreme Court , insiders said his mind was made up from day one : He wanted Amy Coney Barrett .
Her high-profile anti-abortion stance riled liberals .
And with an election approaching in a little over a month , Trump wanted the energy that her conservative , Catholic credentials would bring to his coalition of white and evangelical Christian culture warriors , according to a figure familiar with his thinking .
“ Plus , he loves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said the source .
The other four names , all respected legal heavyweights in their own right , were part of the Trump theater , designed to keep his audience guessing and the drama turned up to 10 .
And although any of the five would have been welcomed by Trump supporters , Barrett ’ s very public record as a conservative is already being picked over by allies for use in the reelection campaign .
David Bossie , who served as deputy Trump campaign manager in 2016 , said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can not plan on can be pivotal .
This nominee will absolutely excite an already excited base to turn out to vote to reelect Donald Trump .
“ Putting justices on the court helped get this president elected in 2016 , and it will help him get reelected in 2020.
” That push fits with a reelection strategy that was already aimed at revving up the base , according to John Fredericks , a radio host and member of the Trump/Pence 2020 advisory board .
“ This election is about mobilization , not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We ’ ve got to get our people out on Election Day .
Amy Coney Barrett motivates a huge election day turnout for us.
” Her public anti-abortion stance is already well known .
But she has also staked out positions against immigration , gun control , and the Affordable Care Act .
Outside groups are already mobilizing around what is certain to be a contentious nomination .
America First Policies has just completed polling in the battleground state of Pennsylvania .
When asked whether they thought Trump should nominate a replacement and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the election , 51 % of voters said the president should move forward , including 66 % of independents .
And when asked how important the issue of a Supreme Court vacancy would be in deciding their vote for president , 66 % said it was important , 72 % of Republicans , 62 % of Democrats , 68 % of independents , and 70 % of Catholics .
The group is ready to go with $ 5 million in national television , digital , and mail advertising to promote the nomination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ad time during the first presidential debate .
We will be adding to this spend , as the nomination advances , ” said Kelly Sadler , the communications director of America First Policies .
“ Right now , we 're looking to introduce Judge Barrett to the American people .
To lay out her incredible credentials : an accomplished lawyer and impeccable jurist , a loving mom and a woman of faith .
We have the votes .
We now need to win the argument.
” The Republican National Committee also announced a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a get-out-the-vote effort in target states , and a rapid response operation to amplify Barrett ’ s qualifications .
RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said , “ With a full-throttled effort from now until President Trump ’ s nominee is confirmed , our teams will expose Democrats ’ partisanship , aggressively promote the qualifications of Judge Barrett , and use this issue to galvanize voters to the polls in November.
” The calculus is that although she could energize Trump ’ s opponents — the rush to replace Ginsburg spurred a flood of donations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2018 midterm elections suggest that Democrats are not lacking in energy anyway .
Instead , they could be tempted into overreach , attacking Barrett ’ s Catholicism , alienating millions of voters and bringing accusations of hypocrisy , when Biden talks openly of his own faith .
Michael Steele , a former chairman of the Republican National Committee , said there was no doubt the pick could improve Trump ’ s chances of reelection .
“ This pick helps , ” he told MSNBC .
“ I think the Biden campaign and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how they approach this nominee.
” Fredericks said going after her faith or her family , which includes two adopted children from Haiti , would be a losing strategy .
“ She ’ s going to be very difficult for Democrats to tear down in the way they did to Kavanaugh and others , '' he said .

There was only ever one name in it.
Although President Trump claimed publicly that he had a shortlist of five women for the Supreme Court, insiders said his mind was made up from day one: He wanted Amy Coney Barrett.
Her high-profile anti-abortion stance riled liberals. And with an election approaching in a little over a month, Trump wanted the energy that her conservative, Catholic credentials would bring to his coalition of white and evangelical Christian culture warriors, according to a figure familiar with his thinking.
“Plus, he loves that Democrats are furious with her already,” said the source.
The other four names, all respected legal heavyweights in their own right, were part of the Trump theater, designed to keep his audience guessing and the drama turned up to 10.
And although any of the five would have been welcomed by Trump supporters, Barrett’s very public record as a conservative is already being picked over by allies for use in the reelection campaign.
David Bossie, who served as deputy Trump campaign manager in 2016, said, “These types of events that you cannot plan on can be pivotal. This nominee will absolutely excite an already excited base to turn out to vote to reelect Donald Trump.
“Putting justices on the court helped get this president elected in 2016, and it will help him get reelected in 2020.”
President Donald Trump speaks as he announces Judge Amy Coney Barrett as his nominee to the Supreme Court, in the Rose Garden at the White House, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Alex Brandon/AP
That push fits with a reelection strategy that was already aimed at revving up the base, according to John Fredericks, a radio host and member of the Trump/Pence 2020 advisory board.
“This election is about mobilization, not persuasion," he said. "We’ve got to get our people out on Election Day. Amy Coney Barrett motivates a huge election day turnout for us.”
Her public anti-abortion stance is already well known. But she has also staked out positions against immigration, gun control, and the Affordable Care Act.
Outside groups are already mobilizing around what is certain to be a contentious nomination.
America First Policies has just completed polling in the battleground state of Pennsylvania. When asked whether they thought Trump should nominate a replacement and the Senate should hold a confirmation vote before the election, 51% of voters said the president should move forward, including 66% of independents.
And when asked how important the issue of a Supreme Court vacancy would be in deciding their vote for president, 66% said it was important, 72% of Republicans, 62% of Democrats, 68% of independents, and 70% of Catholics.
U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett smiles at the end of a talk at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Foundation in Simi Valley, Calif., Monday, April 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes) Damian Dovarganes/AP
The group is ready to go with $5 million in national television, digital, and mail advertising to promote the nomination of Barrett.
“We have reserved ad time during the first presidential debate. We will be adding to this spend, as the nomination advances,” said Kelly Sadler, the communications director of America First Policies.
“Right now, we're looking to introduce Judge Barrett to the American people. To lay out her incredible credentials: an accomplished lawyer and impeccable jurist, a loving mom and a woman of faith. We have the votes. We now need to win the argument.”
The Republican National Committee also announced a $10 million digital ad campaign, a get-out-the-vote effort in target states, and a rapid response operation to amplify Barrett’s qualifications.
RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said, “With a full-throttled effort from now until President Trump’s nominee is confirmed, our teams will expose Democrats’ partisanship, aggressively promote the qualifications of Judge Barrett, and use this issue to galvanize voters to the polls in November.”
The calculus is that although she could energize Trump’s opponents — the rush to replace Ginsburg spurred a flood of donations to progressive groups, for example — the 2018 midterm elections suggest that Democrats are not lacking in energy anyway. Instead, they could be tempted into overreach, attacking Barrett’s Catholicism, alienating millions of voters and bringing accusations of hypocrisy, when Biden talks openly of his own faith.
Michael Steele, a former chairman of the Republican National Committee, said there was no doubt the pick could improve Trump’s chances of reelection.
“This pick helps,” he told MSNBC. “I think the Biden campaign and the Democrats need to be smart about how they approach this nominee.”
Fredericks said going after her faith or her family, which includes two adopted children from Haiti, would be a losing strategy.
“She’s going to be very difficult for Democrats to tear down in the way they did to Kavanaugh and others," he said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-26--John Legend says people will have to leave US for a 'true democracy' if Trump is reelected

Singer John Legend said people may need to leave the United States if President Trump is reelected .
`` At some point , if that project [ to destroy democracy ] was to be in any way successful , you ’ d have to think about going somewhere that is a true democracy , that has respect for the rule of law and human rights , '' the singer told Cosmopolitan UK in an interview published Friday , adding that if the U.S. starts to “ be that place , then people will have to start thinking about going somewhere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while , you think about it , '' Legend said .
`` We were born and raised here , all of our families are here .
It would be hard to leave .
But I don ’ t know what one ’ s supposed to do when you have a leader who is trying to destroy democracy . ''
Trump and Legend have had a contentious relationship .
The president called Legend “ boring ” for not giving Republicans credit for passing criminal justice reform and referred to his wife , Chrissy Teigen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told the outlet that he believes voters will choose Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in November and that the public is ready for “ sane leadership , ” which he believes Biden can bring , warning that Trump 's reelection may mean the end of democracy in the U.S. '' As Michelle Obama said , we have to vote like our lives depend on it .
I honestly think the American people will do it .
I truly don ’ t know if we would be a democracy when we were done if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .

Singer John Legend said people may need to leave the United States if President Trump is reelected.
"At some point, if that project [to destroy democracy] was to be in any way successful, you’d have to think about going somewhere that is a true democracy, that has respect for the rule of law and human rights," the singer told Cosmopolitan UK in an interview published Friday, adding that if the U.S. starts to “be that place, then people will have to start thinking about going somewhere else.”
"Every once in a while, you think about it," Legend said. "We were born and raised here, all of our families are here. It would be hard to leave. But I don’t know what one’s supposed to do when you have a leader who is trying to destroy democracy."
Trump and Legend have had a contentious relationship. The president called Legend “boring” for not giving Republicans credit for passing criminal justice reform and referred to his wife, Chrissy Teigen, as “filthy mouthed.”
....musician @johnlegend, and his filthy mouthed wife, are talking now about how great it is - but I didn’t see them around when we needed help getting it passed. “Anchor”@LesterHoltNBC doesn’t even bring up the subject of President Trump or the Republicans when talking about.... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 9, 2019
In response, Teigen called the president a “pussy ass bitch.”
lol what a pussy ass bitch. tagged everyone but me. an honor, mister president. — chrissy teigen (@chrissyteigen) September 9, 2019
Legend told the outlet that he believes voters will choose Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in November and that the public is ready for “sane leadership,” which he believes Biden can bring, warning that Trump's reelection may mean the end of democracy in the U.S.
"As Michelle Obama said, we have to vote like our lives depend on it. I honestly think the American people will do it. I truly don’t know if we would be a democracy when we were done if we went another four years," he said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-26--Biden agrees Pelosi has a point on call to not debate Trump but swipes: 'He's not that smart'

Joe Biden agreed that Nancy Pelosi had a point when she asserted that she did not think the Democratic presidential candidate and former vice president should debate President Trump .
But while he recognized arguments about Trump being dishonest , he projected confidence and took a swipe at Trump .
`` He does n't know how to debate the facts because he 's not that smart .
He does n't know that many facts , '' Biden said .
Speaking to MSNBC 's Stephanie Ruhle in an interview that aired Saturday , Biden addressed arguments from some prominent Democrats and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debating Trump .
The first presidential debate is set for Tuesday .
“ I don ’ t think that there should be any debates , ” the Democratic House speaker told reporters in August .
“ I do not think that the president of the United States has comported himself in a way that anybody has any association with truth , evidence , data , and facts.
” “ I wouldn ’ t legitimize a conversation with him nor a debate in terms of the presidency of the United States , ” she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Does she have a point ? ''
`` Well , she does , '' Biden said .
He mentioned that some leading columnists have also said that Biden should not debate Trump .
New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman argued in July that Biden should not debate Trump unless the president agrees to terms such as live fact-checking .
Clinton administration press secretary Joe Lockhart said in August that Biden should skip the debates because of Trump 's lies .
Days later , journalist Elizabeth Drew wrote in the New York Times that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The opinion pieces fueled theories among right-wing commentators that Biden was being primed to skip a debate against Trump , even as his campaign deemed it an `` imaginary controversy '' and Biden repeatedly said that he could `` hardly wait '' to debate Trump .
`` Look , the people know the president 's a liar .
I mean , they know that , '' Biden said in the interview Saturday .
`` It 's going to come as a surprise .
And so , I 'm prepared to go out and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think he has failed and why I think the answers I have to proceed will help the American people and the American economy and make us safer internationally . ''
Biden then gave a preview of what he expects from Trump in the debate while taking a swipe at the president 's intellect .
`` My guess is , it 's going to be just straight attack .
They 're going to be mostly personal .
That 's the only thing he knows how to do .
He does n't know how to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that smart .
He does n't know that many facts , '' Biden said .
`` He does n't know much about foreign policy or domestic policy .
He does n't know much about the detail . ''

Joe Biden agreed that Nancy Pelosi had a point when she asserted that she did not think the Democratic presidential candidate and former vice president should debate President Trump.
But while he recognized arguments about Trump being dishonest, he projected confidence and took a swipe at Trump.
"He doesn't know how to debate the facts because he's not that smart. He doesn't know that many facts," Biden said.
Speaking to MSNBC's Stephanie Ruhle in an interview that aired Saturday, Biden addressed arguments from some prominent Democrats and liberals that he should bow out of debating Trump. The first presidential debate is set for Tuesday.
“I don’t think that there should be any debates,” the Democratic House speaker told reporters in August. “I do not think that the president of the United States has comported himself in a way that anybody has any association with truth, evidence, data, and facts.”
“I wouldn’t legitimize a conversation with him nor a debate in terms of the presidency of the United States,” she added.
Ruhle asked Biden, "Does she have a point?"
"Well, she does," Biden said.
He mentioned that some leading columnists have also said that Biden should not debate Trump.
New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman argued in July that Biden should not debate Trump unless the president agrees to terms such as live fact-checking. Clinton administration press secretary Joe Lockhart said in August that Biden should skip the debates because of Trump's lies. Days later, journalist Elizabeth Drew wrote in the New York Times that the debates should be scrapped altogether.
The opinion pieces fueled theories among right-wing commentators that Biden was being primed to skip a debate against Trump, even as his campaign deemed it an "imaginary controversy" and Biden repeatedly said that he could "hardly wait" to debate Trump.
"Look, the people know the president's a liar. I mean, they know that," Biden said in the interview Saturday. "It's going to come as a surprise. And so, I'm prepared to go out and make my case as to why I think he has failed and why I think the answers I have to proceed will help the American people and the American economy and make us safer internationally."
Biden then gave a preview of what he expects from Trump in the debate while taking a swipe at the president's intellect.
"My guess is, it's going to be just straight attack. They're going to be mostly personal. That's the only thing he knows how to do. He doesn't know how to debate the facts because he's not that smart. He doesn't know that many facts," Biden said. "He doesn't know much about foreign policy or domestic policy. He doesn't know much about the detail."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-26--Biden: Trump won't have the support to stay in the White House if he loses in November

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden tried a different approach when asked what would happen if President Trump refused to accept losing the Nov. 3 general election .
`` Every vote in this country is going to be heard , and they 'll not be stopped , '' Biden told MSNBC in a pre-taped interview that aired Saturday .
He added , `` I 'm confident all the irresponsible , outrageous attacks on voting , we 'll have an election in this country as we always have had .
And he 'll leave . ''
Biden was criticized this week by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adviser H.R .
McMaster for suggesting the military could intervene during a transition if the president did n't vacate the White House .
McMaster 's comments follow the president declining to commit to a peaceful transfer of power if he is defeated this fall .
`` The power of the Oval Office depends on those in authority to enforce what he says , '' the two-term vice president and 36-year Delaware senator told the outlet .
`` He already had six members of his administration who were four-star generals and major positions in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that this guy 's not fit to be president , '' he continued .
`` I do n't think he 's going to get the FBI to follow him , get anybody else to enforce something that 's not real . ''
Biden did concede he was concerned about the possibility of unrest if Trump were to complain about ballots or polling stations on Election Day , especially if the outcome is close and early results indicate that he is in the lead .
`` The last thing we need is , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This is not who we are .
No one 's gon na back you if that occurs , '' he said .
Biden this week appeared gobsmacked by Trump 's refusal to guarantee a peaceful transition , later claiming it was a distraction from the real issues at stake in their contest .
`` What country are we in ?
I 'm being facetious .
I said , what country are we in ?
Look , he says the most irrational things .
I do n't know what to say , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden tried a different approach when asked what would happen if President Trump refused to accept losing the Nov. 3 general election.
"Every vote in this country is going to be heard, and they'll not be stopped," Biden told MSNBC in a pre-taped interview that aired Saturday.
He added, "I'm confident all the irresponsible, outrageous attacks on voting, we'll have an election in this country as we always have had. And he'll leave."
Biden was criticized this week by the likes of former Trump national security adviser H.R. McMaster for suggesting the military could intervene during a transition if the president didn't vacate the White House. McMaster's comments follow the president declining to commit to a peaceful transfer of power if he is defeated this fall.
"The power of the Oval Office depends on those in authority to enforce what he says," the two-term vice president and 36-year Delaware senator told the outlet.
"He already had six members of his administration who were four-star generals and major positions in Homeland Security and the like who said that this guy's not fit to be president," he continued. "I don't think he's going to get the FBI to follow him, get anybody else to enforce something that's not real."
Biden did concede he was concerned about the possibility of unrest if Trump were to complain about ballots or polling stations on Election Day, especially if the outcome is close and early results indicate that he is in the lead.
"The last thing we need is, you know, the equivalent of a coup. This is not who we are. No one's gonna back you if that occurs," he said.
Biden this week appeared gobsmacked by Trump's refusal to guarantee a peaceful transition, later claiming it was a distraction from the real issues at stake in their contest.
"What country are we in? I'm being facetious. I said, what country are we in? Look, he says the most irrational things. I don't know what to say," Biden told reporters in Delaware on Wednesday.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-26--Kamala Harris says Tupac is 'best rapper alive'

Kamala Harris named Tupac Shakur as the `` best rapper alive '' before quickly correcting herself and declining to name another rapper .
The answer from the California senator and Democratic vice presidential nominee came during a rapid-fire question-and-answer session at an NAACP Conference on Friday with CNN commentator Angela Rye .
Shakur , who was killed in 1996 , has been the subject of numerous conspiracy theories pushed by fans who think that the rapper either faked his own death or has been in hiding for the past 24 years .
`` Listen , West Coast girls think Tupac @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you , '' Rye said as Harris laughed .
`` Not alive , I know , I keep doing that , '' Harris said .
She then tried to think of another living rapper that she deemed the best .
`` I mean , there 's so many , '' Harris said , before taking an apparent swipe at some unnamed rappers : “ There are some that I — I would not mention right now because they should stay in their lane . ''
In a February 2019 interview on the Breakfast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to smoking marijuana and said that she listened to Tupac and Snoop Dog .
Harris , in the same interview on Friday , was asked who `` threw the best shade '' at the Democratic presidential primary debates. ''
Besides myself ? ''
she responded .

Kamala Harris named Tupac Shakur as the "best rapper alive" before quickly correcting herself and declining to name another rapper.
The answer from the California senator and Democratic vice presidential nominee came during a rapid-fire question-and-answer session at an NAACP Conference on Friday with CNN commentator Angela Rye.
Shakur, who was killed in 1996, has been the subject of numerous conspiracy theories pushed by fans who think that the rapper either faked his own death or has been in hiding for the past 24 years.
"Listen, West Coast girls think Tupac lives on — I’m with you," Rye said as Harris laughed.
"Not alive, I know, I keep doing that," Harris said.
She then tried to think of another living rapper that she deemed the best.
"I mean, there's so many," Harris said, before taking an apparent swipe at some unnamed rappers: “There are some that I — I would not mention right now because they should stay in their lane."
Kamala Harris asked, who’s the best rapper alive?
She answers @2PAC
Then says “Not alive, I know, I keep doing that.”
Tries to think of another living rapper. “There’s some I would not mention right now because they should stay in their lane.” pic.twitter.com/MZJ5FZC4qP — Emily Larsen (@emilyelarsen) September 25, 2020
In a February 2019 interview on the Breakfast Club morning radio show, Harris admitted to smoking marijuana and said that she listened to Tupac and Snoop Dog.
Harris, in the same interview on Friday, was asked who "threw the best shade" at the Democratic presidential primary debates.
"Besides myself?" she responded.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-26--Top Republican in Pennsylvania Senate shoots down 'false' theory that legislature would rig Electora

Top Republican in Pennsylvania Senate shoots down 'false' theory that legislature would rig Electoral College for Trump

This week , a lengthy article appearing in The Atlantic insinuated that President Trump 's campaign was working with Republican legislators and state parties in battleground states to have the legislature step in and appoint pro-Trump electors to the Electoral College after claims of chaos and fraud .
The story quickly made the rounds with the blue-check chattering class on social media and became a hot topic on cable news channels .
Yet one of the interviewees in the story , Pennsylvania Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman , says the hypothetical scenario presented in the story is false .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Corman in an interview with the Washington Examiner , clearly frustrated by the hornet 's nest the story stirred up .
“ The story insinuates the Trump campaign is working with Republican legislators and Republican state parties to have the legislature step in and appoint electors to the Electoral College if things drag on and they 're disputed ...
The genesis of the story is that , despite Pennsylvania voting one way with the voters , that the legislature could step in and thwart that and appoint their own electors .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when he spoke to author Barton Gellman in early August , they went through many electoral code type of issues , “ and then , he ventured into hypotheticals — well , I stay away from hypotheticals for this very reason . ''
Corman , who has represented the 34th Senatorial District for 20 years that spans the rural central Pennsylvania counties of Centre , Mifflin , and Juniata and part of Huntingdon County , said the moment the story hit , his phone lit up ; three days later , the inquiries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ editor ’ s note , the magazine said it published the story early on its website because of its urgency .
“ I said on numerous occasions , our goal is to not be Florida of 2000 , '' he said .
`` Our goal is to have a electoral process where everyone has the opportunity to vote , that everyone is comfortable with the security of that vote and that we have a result tabulated in a reasonable time frame .
And I was focusing on that.
” He continued , `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I said , ‘ Look , if things get into challenges and problems and all that , we 'll follow the law , that 's our job [ as ] legislators , to follow the law.
’ ” Corman said that in Pennsylvania , everything is determined by the election code , which shows the federal government gives the states the right to run the election and how they appoint electors .
“ In Pennsylvania , the election code is very clear on how we appoint electors , '' he explained .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the individual parties both submit electors to the Department of State .
And then , once the Department of State finalizes , certifies a winner , they then appoint those electors to the Electoral College . ''
Corman went on to say , “ The legislature does not have a role in this .
And even if the election is up for challenge , as it could be , who knows , the courts will figure that out , not the legislature . ''
He asserted , “ To the best of my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there is not a role for the legislature in this .
And so , the premise of the story is false .
I think it was done to inflame individuals , which certainly has spurred a lot of phone calls to my office .
So , I guess the writer 's intention was successful , but it 's not accurate.
” Corman said his office has researched this , and he repeated there 's no role for the legislature .
“ And I have had zero conversation with the Trump campaign and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ figure out how to appoint electors , '' he said .
`` The only conversation I have had is with the state Republican Party is how to avoid getting to these sort of problems and figuring out ways to make sure we have a winner in a timely fashion .
No matter who the winner is . ''
Corman said , “ I represent Republicans and Democrats and independents alike .
My job is to make sure , as our legislator , the process is fair , transparent , and , again , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And then , my job ends .
And then , it 's up to the parties and the people to vote . ''
He said point-blank , “ I 've had zero conversations about trying to figure out ways to change how Pennsylvania appoints its electors .
It 's by the popular vote in the state of Pennsylvania , that 's clearly dictated in the election code .
And once the Department of State certifies it , and then there 's no challenges out there , whoever gets the most votes in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ electors .
”

This week, a lengthy article appearing in The Atlantic insinuated that President Trump's campaign was working with Republican legislators and state parties in battleground states to have the legislature step in and appoint pro-Trump electors to the Electoral College after claims of chaos and fraud.
The story quickly made the rounds with the blue-check chattering class on social media and became a hot topic on cable news channels. Yet one of the interviewees in the story, Pennsylvania Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman, says the hypothetical scenario presented in the story is false.
“The story is pure conjecture,” said Corman in an interview with the Washington Examiner, clearly frustrated by the hornet's nest the story stirred up.
“The story insinuates the Trump campaign is working with Republican legislators and Republican state parties to have the legislature step in and appoint electors to the Electoral College if things drag on and they're disputed ... The genesis of the story is that, despite Pennsylvania voting one way with the voters, that the legislature could step in and thwart that and appoint their own electors. I never said that."
Corman said when he spoke to author Barton Gellman in early August, they went through many electoral code type of issues, “and then, he ventured into hypotheticals — well, I stay away from hypotheticals for this very reason."
Corman, who has represented the 34th Senatorial District for 20 years that spans the rural central Pennsylvania counties of Centre, Mifflin, and Juniata and part of Huntingdon County, said the moment the story hit, his phone lit up; three days later, the inquiries haven’t stopped.
In an editor’s note, the magazine said it published the story early on its website because of its urgency.
“I said on numerous occasions, our goal is to not be Florida of 2000," he said. "Our goal is to have a electoral process where everyone has the opportunity to vote, that everyone is comfortable with the security of that vote and that we have a result tabulated in a reasonable time frame. And I was focusing on that.”
He continued, "And as he kept pushing the hypothetical, I said, ‘Look, if things get into challenges and problems and all that, we'll follow the law, that's our job [as] legislators, to follow the law.’”
Corman said that in Pennsylvania, everything is determined by the election code, which shows the federal government gives the states the right to run the election and how they appoint electors.
“In Pennsylvania, the election code is very clear on how we appoint electors," he explained. "And ahead of Election Day, the individual parties both submit electors to the Department of State. And then, once the Department of State finalizes, certifies a winner, they then appoint those electors to the Electoral College."
Corman went on to say, “The legislature does not have a role in this. And even if the election is up for challenge, as it could be, who knows, the courts will figure that out, not the legislature."
He asserted, “To the best of my knowledge, looking through election code law, there is not a role for the legislature in this. And so, the premise of the story is false. I think it was done to inflame individuals, which certainly has spurred a lot of phone calls to my office. So, I guess the writer's intention was successful, but it's not accurate.”
Corman said his office has researched this, and he repeated there's no role for the legislature.
“And I have had zero conversation with the Trump campaign and top administration or anyone about trying to figure out how to appoint electors," he said. "The only conversation I have had is with the state Republican Party is how to avoid getting to these sort of problems and figuring out ways to make sure we have a winner in a timely fashion. No matter who the winner is."
Corman said, “I represent Republicans and Democrats and independents alike. My job is to make sure, as our legislator, the process is fair, transparent, and, again, hopefully, tabulated in a timely fashion. And then, my job ends. And then, it's up to the parties and the people to vote."
He said point-blank, “I've had zero conversations about trying to figure out ways to change how Pennsylvania appoints its electors. It's by the popular vote in the state of Pennsylvania, that's clearly dictated in the election code. And once the Department of State certifies it, and then there's no challenges out there, whoever gets the most votes in Pennsylvania, that party will appoint the electors.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-27--'Save Texas': Dan Crenshaw stars in Avengers-style campaign ad

Texas Rep. Dan Crenshaw and a group of fellow Republicans star in a campaign advertisement that looks like a scene out of Marvel 's Avengers .
The advertisement , which since its release on Thursday , features Crenshaw jumping out of an airplane to recruit other Texas Republicans to join him in Congress to `` save Texas . ''
Among those enlisted by Crenshaw in the video are August Pfluger , Wesley Hunt , Tony Gonzales , Beth Van Duyne , and Genevieve Collins .
Pfluger , Hunt , and Gonzales , like Crenshaw , are military veterans .
Crenshaw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it , `` Mission Impossible meets the Avengers . ''
`` Who says campaign ads have to suck ? ''
Crenshaw wrote .
Rob Costello , a spokesman for Collins , did n't disclose the production costs for the advertisement , but he noted that the video had already paid for itself .
More than 1 million people have viewed the advertisement across all social media platforms .
The money will be distributed between the candidates featured in the video , all of whom are running in tight races that could be pickup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only is this ad campaign helping with outreach and engaging voters in a way you don ’ t typically see in politics but it is inspiring donors from all over the country to get involved with and support these important races , '' Van Duyne told the Dallas News .

Texas Rep. Dan Crenshaw and a group of fellow Republicans star in a campaign advertisement that looks like a scene out of Marvel's Avengers.
The advertisement, which has raised $218,000 since its release on Thursday, features Crenshaw jumping out of an airplane to recruit other Texas Republicans to join him in Congress to "save Texas."
Among those enlisted by Crenshaw in the video are August Pfluger, Wesley Hunt, Tony Gonzales, Beth Van Duyne, and Genevieve Collins. Pfluger, Hunt, and Gonzales, like Crenshaw, are military veterans. Crenshaw touted the advertisement on Twitter, calling it, "Mission Impossible meets the Avengers."
"Who says campaign ads have to suck?" Crenshaw wrote.
Rob Costello, a spokesman for Collins, didn't disclose the production costs for the advertisement, but he noted that the video had already paid for itself. More than 1 million people have viewed the advertisement across all social media platforms. The money will be distributed between the candidates featured in the video, all of whom are running in tight races that could be pickup opportunities for House Republicans.
"Not only is this ad campaign helping with outreach and engaging voters in a way you don’t typically see in politics but it is inspiring donors from all over the country to get involved with and support these important races," Van Duyne told the Dallas News.
Election Day is roughly 37 days away.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-27--Former Republican governor of Pennsylvania Tom Ridge endorses Joe Biden

Former Pennsylvania Gov .
Tom Ridge broke with the Republican Party to endorse Joe Biden for president .
In an op-ed for the Philadelphia Inquirer on Sunday , Ridge said he is proud to have opposed President Trump in 2016 and declared his intent to vote for Biden in 2020 , which will be the first time he has voted for a Democratic presidential nominee .
`` I will cast my vote for Joe Biden on Nov. 3 .
It will be my first vote for a Democratic candidate for president of the United States .
But it is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' to Donald Trump .
I urge my fellow Pennsylvanians to join me , '' Ridge wrote .
`` I actually consider it a point of personal pride that I ’ m recognized for being among the first Republicans to reject Donald Trump .
It was way back in December 2015 .
I told NBC ’ s Chuck Todd that day that I could never support Trump .
I said then that he was an embarrassment to the Republican Party and our country , '' he added .
Ridge , who served as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under President George W. Bush after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks , criticized Trump 's response to the coronavirus pandemic .
He said that Trump talking about downplaying the virus to Watergate journalist Bob Woodward proves he is `` incapable of such leadership '' needed to navigate the pandemic or other difficult situations .
Ridge said he would return to criticizing Biden 's liberal policies if he wins in November but maintained that the Democrat `` absolutely must be America ’ s next president . ''
He acknowledged the important role that Pennsylvania @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will play as swing states in 2020 and urged voters in those states to choose Biden .
`` Pennsylvania voters , along with voters in Michigan , Wisconsin , and Florida , are likely to ultimately determine the next president .
So much is at stake .
For me , voting is not just a privilege , but a responsibility , '' he wrote .
`` And this year , I believe the responsible vote is for Joe Biden .
It ’ s a vote for decency .
A vote for the rule @ @ @ @ @ @ @ honest and earnest leadership .
It ’ s time to put country over party .
It ’ s time to dismiss Donald Trump . ''

Former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge broke with the Republican Party to endorse Joe Biden for president.
In an op-ed for the Philadelphia Inquirer on Sunday, Ridge said he is proud to have opposed President Trump in 2016 and declared his intent to vote for Biden in 2020, which will be the first time he has voted for a Democratic presidential nominee.
"I will cast my vote for Joe Biden on Nov. 3. It will be my first vote for a Democratic candidate for president of the United States. But it is not the first time I have said 'no' to Donald Trump. I urge my fellow Pennsylvanians to join me," Ridge wrote.
"I actually consider it a point of personal pride that I’m recognized for being among the first Republicans to reject Donald Trump. It was way back in December 2015. I told NBC’s Chuck Todd that day that I could never support Trump. I said then that he was an embarrassment to the Republican Party and our country," he added.
Ridge, who served as the country's first homeland security secretary under President George W. Bush after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, criticized Trump's response to the coronavirus pandemic. He said that Trump talking about downplaying the virus to Watergate journalist Bob Woodward proves he is "incapable of such leadership" needed to navigate the pandemic or other difficult situations.
Ridge said he would return to criticizing Biden's liberal policies if he wins in November but maintained that the Democrat "absolutely must be America’s next president." He acknowledged the important role that Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Florida will play as swing states in 2020 and urged voters in those states to choose Biden.
"Pennsylvania voters, along with voters in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Florida, are likely to ultimately determine the next president. So much is at stake. For me, voting is not just a privilege, but a responsibility," he wrote. "And this year, I believe the responsible vote is for Joe Biden. It’s a vote for decency. A vote for the rule of law. And a vote for honest and earnest leadership. It’s time to put country over party. It’s time to dismiss Donald Trump."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-28--Two Republican women could be only GOP votes against Amy Coney Barrett

Despite Senate Republicans uniting behind Judge Amy Coney Barrett as the next Supreme Court justice , the only two GOP senators who may vote against her confirmation will be two women .
Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Maine Sen. Susan Collins previously declared they would oppose any nomination by President Trump to fill the seat once occupied by the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg if the confirmation vote happened before the election .
Murkowski has since indicated she would at least be willing to meet with Barrett .
“ For weeks I have stated that I do not support taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close to an election , '' Collins said in her statement after Barrett ’ s nomination was announced .
`` But today the President exercised his constitutional authority to nominate an individual to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court left by the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg .
I welcome the opportunity to meet with the Supreme Court nominee , just as I did in 2016.
” “ In the interest of both fairness to the American people and consistency in following the practice established four years ago , there should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court nominee prior to the election , ” Collins continued .
“ As I stated even before Justice Ginsburg ’ s death , should a nominee for the Supreme Court be brought to the Senate floor before the election , I will vote no.
” Supporters of Collins will argue that it is not about the nominee herself but about the process .
While neither senator 's votes are necessary for Barrett ’ s confirmation , withholding support for a woman who could potentially be on the court for the rest of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There are presently nine Republican female senators , compared to 17 female Democratic senators in the upper chamber .
If Barrett is confirmed to the high court , she will be one of three female justices but the only one of the three nominated by a Republican president .
Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O ’ Connor , appointed by President Ronald Reagan , was the first woman nominated to the Supreme Court .
If confirmed , Barrett will be the second Republican nominee to sit on the court .
Murkowski voted against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sotomayor , but Collins voted in favor of the confirmations for both justices , who were appointed by President Barack Obama .
Nevertheless , Collins is in a difficult reelection campaign and spent a lot of political capital to support Justice Brett Kavanaugh ’ s confirmation .
While voting against Barrett could hurt her with the base of the party in Maine , independents and centrists in her state support waiting to fill the seat until after the election .

Despite Senate Republicans uniting behind Judge Amy Coney Barrett as the next Supreme Court justice, the only two GOP senators who may vote against her confirmation will be two women.
Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Maine Sen. Susan Collins previously declared they would oppose any nomination by President Trump to fill the seat once occupied by the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg if the confirmation vote happened before the election. Murkowski has since indicated she would at least be willing to meet with Barrett.
“For weeks I have stated that I do not support taking up a potential Supreme Court vacancy this close to an election," Murkowski said in her statement after Barrett’s nomination was announced. "But today the President exercised his constitutional authority to nominate an individual to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court left by the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. I welcome the opportunity to meet with the Supreme Court nominee, just as I did in 2016.”
Supporters of Collins will argue that it is not about the nominee herself but about the process, as she said in her statement.
“In the interest of both fairness to the American people and consistency in following the practice established four years ago, there should not be a vote on a Supreme Court nominee prior to the election,” Collins said. “As I stated even before Justice Ginsburg’s death, should a nominee for the Supreme Court be brought to the Senate floor before the election, I will vote no.”
While neither senator's votes are necessary for Barrett’s confirmation, withholding support for a woman who could potentially be on the court for the rest of their lives could be a reputational gamble.
There are presently nine Republican female senators, compared to 17 female Democratic senators in the upper chamber. If Barrett is confirmed to the high court, she will be one of three female justices but the only one of the three nominated by a Republican president.
Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, appointed by President Ronald Reagan, was the first woman nominated to the Supreme Court. If confirmed, Barrett will be the second Republican nominee to sit on the court.
Murkowski voted against the confirmations of Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor, but Collins voted in favor of the confirmations for both justices, who were appointed by President Barack Obama.
Nevertheless, Collins is in a difficult reelection campaign and spent a lot of political capital to support Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation. While voting against Barrett could hurt her with the base of the party in Maine, independents and centrists in her state support waiting to fill the seat until after the election.
Editor's Note: This article has been updated to clarify Murkowski's and Collins's statements.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-28--Kamala Harris: We'll fight to prevent Trump 'infection' from spreading to Supreme Court

Senate Republicans likely have the numbers to confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court , but Sen. Kamala Harris urged Democrats to wage political war over the nomination .
`` They want you to feel tired .
They want you to feel like your fight does n't matter .
But we will not give up , and we will not give in , '' Harris said Monday .
She added , `` We will not let the infection that President Trump has injected into the presidency and into Congress , that has paralyzed our politics and pitted Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States Supreme Court . ''
The California Democrat delivered her remarks at Shaw University , a historically black college in Raleigh , North Carolina , where the civil rights group the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee , or SNCC , was founded .
Though a Senate Judiciary Committee member , she spoke in her capacity as the Democratic vice presidential nominee .
Harris framed Trump and Senate Republican efforts to elevate Barrett to the country 's highest court as an assault on healthcare , voting rights , and “ our ability to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ families , and dismantle systemic racism . ''
Barrett would reshape the bench with a 6-3 conservative bent .
However , she claimed Trump and the Senate Republicans were pushing through her nomination just 40 days before Election Day because they know the president is `` weak '' and faces defeat if Democrats turn out and vote .
`` President Trump and his party are about to learn something .
They may think that it is they who have the power in this country , but they do n't .
The American people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' she said .
Barrett 's confirmation hearings are set to start on Oct. 12 and are expected to last four days .
Harris released a statement Saturday shortly after Trump unveiled Barrett as his choice .
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden , the former two-term vice president , followed up his statement with an address Sunday .
“ Never before in our nation ’ s history has a Supreme Court Justice been nominated and installed while a presidential election is already underway , '' he said .
“ It defies every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where the people , the people , are sovereign and the rule of law reigns . ''

Senate Republicans likely have the numbers to confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court, but Sen. Kamala Harris urged Democrats to wage political war over the nomination.
"They want you to feel tired. They want you to feel like your fight doesn't matter. But we will not give up, and we will not give in," Harris said Monday.
She added, "We will not let the infection that President Trump has injected into the presidency and into Congress, that has paralyzed our politics and pitted Americans against each other, spread to the United States Supreme Court."
The California Democrat delivered her remarks at Shaw University, a historically black college in Raleigh, North Carolina, where the civil rights group the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee, or SNCC, was founded. Though a Senate Judiciary Committee member, she spoke in her capacity as the Democratic vice presidential nominee.
Harris framed Trump and Senate Republican efforts to elevate Barrett to the country's highest court as an assault on healthcare, voting rights, and “our ability to make a living, take care of our families, and dismantle systemic racism." Barrett would reshape the bench with a 6-3 conservative bent.
However, she claimed Trump and the Senate Republicans were pushing through her nomination just 40 days before Election Day because they know the president is "weak" and faces defeat if Democrats turn out and vote.
"President Trump and his party are about to learn something. They may think that it is they who have the power in this country, but they don't. The American people are the ones who have the power," she said.
Barrett's confirmation hearings are set to start on Oct. 12 and are expected to last four days.
Harris released a statement Saturday shortly after Trump unveiled Barrett as his choice. Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, the former two-term vice president, followed up his statement with an address Sunday.
“Never before in our nation’s history has a Supreme Court Justice been nominated and installed while a presidential election is already underway," he said. “It defies every precedent, every expectation in a nation where the people, the people, are sovereign and the rule of law reigns."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-28--Ex-White House staffer launches ads to get moms out to vote for Trump

A former White House aide is working to boost President Trump 's support from mothers across the country by investing $ 3 million into an ad campaign targeting suburban moms .
Jessica Anderson , executive director of Heritage Action for America , recently launched Moms for Safe Neighborhoods , which will air a 30-second spot on networks and shows that appeal to suburban women such as NBC 's the Today show , A & E , Lifetime , and select shows on Fox News .
`` Moms across the country are seeing violence from protests spill into their community , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Anderson said in a statement .
( MOMS ) is a group of mothers horrified at violence and see President Trump as the only candidate who can keep their families safe . ''
This week , the ads will be focused in North Carolina , Wisconsin , and Pennsylvania , all of which are critical must-wins for Trump heading into November .
The ad focuses on a mother turning out the light in her child 's bedroom , then watching video footage of rioters in the United States .
She is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ driving in her car with her child and later wakes up from what appeared to be a dream .
`` Do n't let this nightmare come true , '' the ads says , highlighting the words , `` Vote against Biden Harris .
You 're not safe with them . ''
Beginning on Oct. 1 , the group will also launch a grassroots get out the vote initiative again in North Carolina , Wisconsin , and Pennsylvania .
Anderson previously worked for the Trump White House as associate director for intergovernmental affairs and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Budget , according to Politico .

A former White House aide is working to boost President Trump's support from mothers across the country by investing $3 million into an ad campaign targeting suburban moms.
Jessica Anderson, executive director of Heritage Action for America, recently launched Moms for Safe Neighborhoods, which will air a 30-second spot on networks and shows that appeal to suburban women such as NBC's the Today show, A&E, Lifetime, and select shows on Fox News.
"Moms across the country are seeing violence from protests spill into their community, putting their children and neighbors at risk," Anderson said in a statement. (MOMS) is a group of mothers horrified at violence and see President Trump as the only candidate who can keep their families safe."
This week, the ads will be focused in North Carolina, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania, all of which are critical must-wins for Trump heading into November.
The ad focuses on a mother turning out the light in her child's bedroom, then watching video footage of rioters in the United States. She is later confronted by rioters when she is driving in her car with her child and later wakes up from what appeared to be a dream.
"Don't let this nightmare come true," the ads says, highlighting the words, "Vote against Biden Harris. You're not safe with them."
Beginning on Oct. 1, the group will also launch a grassroots get out the vote initiative again in North Carolina, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania.
Anderson previously worked for the Trump White House as associate director for intergovernmental affairs and strategic initiatives at the Office of Management and Budget, according to Politico.
[Washington Secrets: Melania's class boosts female support for Trump: Survey]


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-28--Washington Post editorial board endorses Biden for president

The editorial board for the Washington Post has endorsed Joe Biden , marking the eighth time the outlet has backed a Democrat candidate since 1992 .
The that President Trump lacks the character needed to lead the country .
They called Trump the `` worst president of modern times '' and said that Biden is the choice for voters who do not want to `` lower their standards . ''
`` The Democratic nominee , former vice president Joe Biden , is exceptionally well-qualified , by character and experience , to meet the daunting challenges that the nation will face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the board wrote in the endorsement , which was published on Monday morning .
The board praised Biden 's empathy and ability to `` find common ground '' with his political opponents .
They noted that Biden had a long friendship with the late Sen. John McCain , who ran against President Barack Obama in 2008 .
The board also detailed Biden 's experience and argued that he has the right background for the job of president .
`` Democracy is at risk , at home and around the world .
The nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its public servants ; stand up for the rule of law ; acknowledge Congress ’ s constitutional role ; and work for the public good , not his private benefit , '' the board wrote .
`` Just as desperately , it needs a president with the know-how and experience to show that values and results can go together , '' they added .
`` It is fortunate to have , in Joe Biden , a candidate who can lead an administration that is both honorable and successful . ''
Trump has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ throughout his presidency .
The Washington Post has a lengthy history of endorsing Democratic candidates .
It has backed the Democratic presidential nominee in with the exception of the election in 1988 when it did not make an endorsement .

The editorial board for the Washington Post has endorsed Joe Biden, marking the eighth time the outlet has backed a Democrat candidate since 1992.
The editorial board argued that President Trump lacks the character needed to lead the country. They called Trump the "worst president of modern times" and said that Biden is the choice for voters who do not want to "lower their standards."
"The Democratic nominee, former vice president Joe Biden, is exceptionally well-qualified, by character and experience, to meet the daunting challenges that the nation will face over the coming four years," the board wrote in the endorsement, which was published on Monday morning.
The board praised Biden's empathy and ability to "find common ground" with his political opponents. They noted that Biden had a long friendship with the late Sen. John McCain, who ran against President Barack Obama in 2008. The board also detailed Biden's experience and argued that he has the right background for the job of president.
"Democracy is at risk, at home and around the world. The nation desperately needs a president who will respect its public servants; stand up for the rule of law; acknowledge Congress’s constitutional role; and work for the public good, not his private benefit," the board wrote.
"Just as desperately, it needs a president with the know-how and experience to show that values and results can go together," they added. "It is fortunate to have, in Joe Biden, a candidate who can lead an administration that is both honorable and successful."
Trump has been very critical of the Washington Post and other newsrooms throughout his presidency.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-29--Open House seat pits 'new' Texas against 'old'

House Democrats think their Texas turnaround begins in places such as the 22nd Congressional District , which takes in a series of leafy Houston suburbs .
Republican Rep. Pete Olson is retiring from the House after 12 years .
The race to succeed him reflects changing demographics and voter attitudes in Texas that give Democrats hopes of breaking the longtime GOP political hammerlock on the Lone Star State .
The Democratic nominee , Sri Preston Kulkarni , represents the sort of professional-class resident increasingly common in the 22nd Congressional District , which was once a bastion of oil wealth .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harvard University 's Kennedy School of Government and was a foreign service officer in the State Department for 14 years .
Assignments took Kulkarni , 41 , to Israel , Jamaica , Iraq , Russia , and Taiwan .
His Republican rival , Troy Nehls , has a more traditional background for a Texas politician .
The Liberty University graduate , 52 , is sheriff of Fort Bend County .
Nehls enlisted in the Army Reserve at age 20 , seeing tours of duty in Afghanistan , Bosnia , and Iraq — and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Back home , Nehls joined the police department in Richmond , Texas , and earned a master 's degree in criminal justice from the University of Houston-Downtown .
The district is ancestrally Republican , previously represented by libertarian icon Ron Paul , as well as Tom DeLay , who led House Republicans with an iron fist in the late 1990s and early 2000s .
In 2012 , voters there backed Mitt Romney over President Barack Obama 62 % -37 % .
But in 2016 , President Trump beat Hillary Clinton by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This is Kulkarni 's second try for the seat .
He ran against Olson in 2018 and lost with 46.5 % of the vote in the district 's closest race since Olson was first elected .

House Democrats think their Texas turnaround begins in places such as the 22nd Congressional District, which takes in a series of leafy Houston suburbs.
Republican Rep. Pete Olson is retiring from the House after 12 years. The race to succeed him reflects changing demographics and voter attitudes in Texas that give Democrats hopes of breaking the longtime GOP political hammerlock on the Lone Star State.
The Democratic nominee, Sri Preston Kulkarni, represents the sort of professional-class resident increasingly common in the 22nd Congressional District, which was once a bastion of oil wealth. Kulkarni earned a master's degree from Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government and was a foreign service officer in the State Department for 14 years. Assignments took Kulkarni, 41, to Israel, Jamaica, Iraq, Russia, and Taiwan.
His Republican rival, Troy Nehls, has a more traditional background for a Texas politician. The Liberty University graduate, 52, is sheriff of Fort Bend County. Nehls enlisted in the Army Reserve at age 20, seeing tours of duty in Afghanistan, Bosnia, and Iraq — and earning two Bronze Stars along the way. Back home, Nehls joined the police department in Richmond, Texas, and earned a master's degree in criminal justice from the University of Houston-Downtown.
The district is ancestrally Republican, previously represented by libertarian icon Ron Paul, as well as Tom DeLay, who led House Republicans with an iron fist in the late 1990s and early 2000s. In 2012, voters there backed Mitt Romney over President Barack Obama 62%-37%. But in 2016, President Trump beat Hillary Clinton by a narrower margin, 52%-44%.
This is Kulkarni's second try for the seat. He ran against Olson in 2018 and lost with 46.5% of the vote in the district's closest race since Olson was first elected.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-29--Democrats hope the first debate will be Biden’s to lose. But can he keep his cool?

Between President Trump setting low expectations for Joe Biden ’ s debate performance and historical precedent of incumbent presidents not performing well in the first presidential debate , Democrats are optimistic that the first encounter between the major-party candidates will be Biden ’ s to lose .
The challenge , though , is that Trump could ignite the Democratic presidential nominee ’ s short temper with criticisms of his family or on matters of personal pride .
What the Biden campaign doesn ’ t want is a debate-stage version of when Biden told a Michigan that challenged him on guns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- - , ” or when he said that an Iowa voter who questioned his mental fitness and son Hunter Biden ’ s connections to a Ukrainian gas company was a “ damn liar ” and challenged him to an IQ test and pushup contest .
Trump has suggested that Biden ’ s good performance in the last Democratic presidential debate against Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders this year was due to performance-enhancing shots and called on Biden to take a drug test before the debate — a request that the Biden campaign denied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the coronavirus pandemic .
Some Democrats think that Trump ’ s move to characterize Biden as “ Sleepy Joe ” and his campaign ’ s constant flaunting of his misstatements and gaffes will backfire on the president .
“ Will Biden have some verbal stumbles ?
Of course , he will .
But because the Trump campaign has talked about it so much , people are expecting it , ” Democratic strategist Michael Starr Hopkins told the Washington Examiner .
“ Biden stumbles over his words and may accidentally say something that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a weird way .
But Trump has a history of just saying offensive , lewd , and irresponsible things , and he 's the president , ” he added .
Trump ’ s campaign , in an apparent recognition of the risk of lowering the expectations for Biden too much , sent to Republican allies on Monday that warned in bold red type : `` Yes , Biden 's alertness may be suspect but DO NOT underestimate his abilities in a debate . ''
Aaron Kall , director of debate at the University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that could play to Biden ’ s favor .
`` What we 've seen historically is that incumbent presidents perform poorly , especially in their first debate , because they have n't had primary debates , they have n't debated in around four years , '' he told the Washington Examiner .
`` Because they 're president , people that work for them do n't challenge them , and then , all of a sudden , they get on a stage , and you 're really kind of challenged in a way that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the power dynamic and relationship . ''
Hopkins also said that Biden , who frequently got talked over during the crowded Democratic primary debates , would benefit from the format .
“ He does much better one-on-one.
” That gives Biden a fine foundation , but Trump is known for breaking norms of civility that Biden reveres .
The Biden campaign reportedly Trump not only to bring up overseas dealings and controversy surrounding his son Hunter Biden but that of the former vice president ’ s brothers , Jim and Frank .
Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal attacks from the president .
`` My guess is , it 's going to be just straight attack .
They 're going to be mostly personal , ” Biden said .
“ That 's the only thing he knows how to do .
He does n't know how to debate the facts because he 's not that smart .
He does n't know that many facts.
” But Trump , who held a press conference before one 2016 debate against Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton with women who accused former President Bill Clinton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surprise .
“ I could see a world where if Trump gets really desperate , he goes after Beau , ” Hopkins said , referring to Biden ’ s son who was the attorney general of Delaware and died from brain cancer in 2015 , “ and make some kind of irresponsible comment just to try to get Biden flustered .
”

Between President Trump setting low expectations for Joe Biden’s debate performance and historical precedent of incumbent presidents not performing well in the first presidential debate, Democrats are optimistic that the first encounter between the major-party candidates will be Biden’s to lose.
The challenge, though, is that Trump could ignite the Democratic presidential nominee’s short temper with criticisms of his family or on matters of personal pride.
What the Biden campaign doesn’t want is a debate-stage version of when Biden told a Michigan autoworker that challenged him on guns that he is “full of s---,” or when he said that an Iowa voter who questioned his mental fitness and son Hunter Biden’s connections to a Ukrainian gas company was a “damn liar” and challenged him to an IQ test and pushup contest .
Trump has suggested that Biden’s good performance in the last Democratic presidential debate against Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders this year was due to performance-enhancing shots and called on Biden to take a drug test before the debate — a request that the Biden campaign denied with a urine joke about Trump’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
Some Democrats think that Trump’s move to characterize Biden as “Sleepy Joe” and his campaign’s constant flaunting of his misstatements and gaffes will backfire on the president.
“Will Biden have some verbal stumbles? Of course, he will. But because the Trump campaign has talked about it so much, people are expecting it,” Democratic strategist Michael Starr Hopkins told the Washington Examiner.
“Biden stumbles over his words and may accidentally say something that comes off, you know, in a weird way. But Trump has a history of just saying offensive, lewd, and irresponsible things, and he's the president,” he added.
Trump’s campaign, in an apparent recognition of the risk of lowering the expectations for Biden too much, sent talking points to Republican allies on Monday that warned in bold red type: "Yes, Biden's alertness may be suspect but DO NOT underestimate his abilities in a debate."
Aaron Kall, director of debate at the University of Michigan, noted a historical trend that could play to Biden’s favor.
"What we've seen historically is that incumbent presidents perform poorly, especially in their first debate, because they haven't had primary debates, they haven't debated in around four years," he told the Washington Examiner. "Because they're president, people that work for them don't challenge them, and then, all of a sudden, they get on a stage, and you're really kind of challenged in a way that you're not as president because of the power dynamic and relationship."
Hopkins also said that Biden, who frequently got talked over during the crowded Democratic primary debates, would benefit from the format. “He does much better one-on-one.”
That gives Biden a fine foundation, but Trump is known for breaking norms of civility that Biden reveres.
The Biden campaign reportedly expects Trump not only to bring up overseas dealings and controversy surrounding his son Hunter Biden but that of the former vice president’s brothers, Jim and Frank.
Biden himself said on MSNBC Sunday that he expects personal attacks from the president.
"My guess is, it's going to be just straight attack. They're going to be mostly personal,” Biden said. “That's the only thing he knows how to do. He doesn't know how to debate the facts because he's not that smart. He doesn't know that many facts.”
But Trump, who held a press conference before one 2016 debate against Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton with women who accused former President Bill Clinton of sexual misconduct, is poised to surprise.
“I could see a world where if Trump gets really desperate, he goes after Beau,” Hopkins said, referring to Biden’s son who was the attorney general of Delaware and died from brain cancer in 2015, “and make some kind of irresponsible comment just to try to get Biden flustered.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-29--These Republican senators may need to ride Trump's coattails to reelection

President Trump 's coattails may be the best hope a number of Senate GOP incumbents have of keeping their seats .
In Arizona , Trump is running far ahead of GOP incumbent Sen. Martha McSally .
In that race , McSally is averaging 44.8 % of the vote compared to her challenger , former astronaut Democrat Mark Kelly , who earns 50 % support , according to a RealClearPolitics poll .
The president still trails Democratic challenger Joe Biden there but by 3.4 percentage points instead of over 5 .
An ABC News/ Washington Post poll released earlier this month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by 1 point .
In North Carolina , the presidential race is almost tied .
Biden has a 0.8-point lead in the polling average , but most recent surveys have both candidates within the margin of error .
Sen. Thom Tillis , however , trails Democratic challenger Cal Cunningham by 6 points .
Iowa 's Sen. Joni Ernst also faces an uphill battle against Democrat Theresa Greenfield , who leads the GOP lawmaker by an average of 2.6 points .
Trump , meanwhile , is tied with Biden in RealClearPolitics 's average .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ had Trump leading by 3 points .
Arizona , North Carolina , and Iowa are three states where Trump enjoyed a comfortable margin of victory against former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in 2016 .
Barring historically high ticket-splitting from voters , Trump 's relative popularity in those states compared to the GOP senators could be enough to drag them over the finish line .
The 2016 election saw the lowest rate for ticket-splitting in a century .
That means if voters like who is at the top of the ticket , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members of the same party .
Trump losing Iowa would constitute a 9.5-point reversal from his 2016 victory .
In 2014 , Ernst won her seat with an 8.5-point margin of victory .
North Carolina was far narrower , although Trump 's 3.7-point margin of victory was an improvement over Mitt Romney 's 2-point win in 2012 .
Tillis , meanwhile , won his seat in 2014 by 1.7 points .
McSally , who has never won a Senate race in the state and instead enjoys her spot thanks to a gubernatorial appointment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ awkward dance to perform .
On the one hand , Trump remains more popular than her in the state , but the Arizona Democratic Party 's playbook of running centrists like Sen. Kyrsten Sinema means ticket-splitting may be more expected .
Trump 's numbers in states such as Maine and Georgia suggests he may be more of a liability for Republican senators there looking for another term .
In Maine , Susan Collins trails Democratic challenger Sara Gideon by an average of 6.5 points , while Biden leads by an average of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Georgia facing Democratic challengers enjoy 2-to-3-point leads over their opponents , with Trump besting Biden by an average of 1.3 points .
In 2016 , the president won the state with a 5.1-point margin of victory .
In 2016 , a number of GOP Senate candidates ultimately performed better than Trump in swing-state races .
This time around , the reverse seems true as Republicans try to cling to their Senate majority .

President Trump's coattails may be the best hope a number of Senate GOP incumbents have of keeping their seats.
In Arizona, Trump is running far ahead of GOP incumbent Sen. Martha McSally. In that race, McSally is averaging 44.8% of the vote compared to her challenger, former astronaut Democrat Mark Kelly, who earns 50% support, according to a RealClearPolitics poll.
The president still trails Democratic challenger Joe Biden there but by 3.4 percentage points instead of over 5. An ABC News/Washington Post poll released earlier this month had Trump leading the former vice president by 1 point.
In North Carolina, the presidential race is almost tied. Biden has a 0.8-point lead in the polling average, but most recent surveys have both candidates within the margin of error. Sen. Thom Tillis, however, trails Democratic challenger Cal Cunningham by 6 points.
Iowa's Sen. Joni Ernst also faces an uphill battle against Democrat Theresa Greenfield, who leads the GOP lawmaker by an average of 2.6 points. Trump, meanwhile, is tied with Biden in RealClearPolitics's average. A Monmouth poll released earlier this month had Trump leading by 3 points.
Arizona, North Carolina, and Iowa are three states where Trump enjoyed a comfortable margin of victory against former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in 2016. Barring historically high ticket-splitting from voters, Trump's relative popularity in those states compared to the GOP senators could be enough to drag them over the finish line. The 2016 election saw the lowest rate for ticket-splitting in a century. That means if voters like who is at the top of the ticket, they'll probably hold their nose for down-ballot members of the same party.
Trump losing Iowa would constitute a 9.5-point reversal from his 2016 victory. In 2014, Ernst won her seat with an 8.5-point margin of victory.
North Carolina was far narrower, although Trump's 3.7-point margin of victory was an improvement over Mitt Romney's 2-point win in 2012. Tillis, meanwhile, won his seat in 2014 by 1.7 points.
McSally, who has never won a Senate race in the state and instead enjoys her spot thanks to a gubernatorial appointment, has a bit more of an awkward dance to perform. On the one hand, Trump remains more popular than her in the state, but the Arizona Democratic Party's playbook of running centrists like Sen. Kyrsten Sinema means ticket-splitting may be more expected.
Trump's numbers in states such as Maine and Georgia suggests he may be more of a liability for Republican senators there looking for another term. In Maine, Susan Collins trails Democratic challenger Sara Gideon by an average of 6.5 points, while Biden leads by an average of a whopping 15.3 points.
Both Republicans in Georgia facing Democratic challengers enjoy 2-to-3-point leads over their opponents, with Trump besting Biden by an average of 1.3 points. In 2016, the president won the state with a 5.1-point margin of victory.
In 2016, a number of GOP Senate candidates ultimately performed better than Trump in swing-state races. This time around, the reverse seems true as Republicans try to cling to their Senate majority.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-29--'A Bush v. Gore situation': Republican elections attorney warns of contested 2020 race

An attorney who testified before the Supreme Court in the Bush v. Gore Florida recount in 2000 is predicting litigation ahead in a 2020 election battle that could stretch well past Election Day in battleground states or those states with divided government .
`` Every day , we seem to have another federal judge that changes the election laws at the last minute in a way in which the guardrails are taken down on the vote-by-mail ballot , '' said Tom Spencer , a Republican elections attorney , speaking to the Washington Examiner .
Spencer , who served as co-counsel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's presidential ticket in the Florida recount of 2000 , pointed to Pennsylvania and North Carolina as two states to watch as ballots are counted .
`` You have sort of a perfect storm , '' Spencer said .
`` For example , in Pennsylvania , you 've got a Democratic governor , a Republican legislature .
North Carolina , same thing .
When you look at the polling and the statistics , you have that very , very close divide of votes .
Both those states look very close to a Bush @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , `` Could be Michigan , Minnesota . ''
Bush v. Gore was the Supreme Court decision that halted vote-counting in Florida during the 2000 election , which Bush won narrowly .
But this year , the election could be contested in multiple states .
Cases are currently being decided across the country .
On Saturday , President Trump 's reelection campaign and the Republican National Committee sued to stop election officials in North Carolina from enacting rule changes that could increase the number of ballots counted in the key state .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Elections system would allow absentee ballots to be cast late and without adequate witness verification , “ which invites fraud , coercion , theft , and otherwise illegitimate voting.
” The new rule would allow ballots that lack information to be amended solely by affidavit and without the need for the voter to complete an entirely new ballot .
An Iowa district court ruling published on Sunday denied a request to stop legislative enforcement that bars Iowa county election auditors from guessing and completing incorrect details on absentee ballot request forms .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday denied a challenge to a signature-matching requirement on absentee ballots that would have suspended it .
In a statement , RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel called the rulings `` a win for voters , a win for election security , and a win for maintaining confidence in the electoral process '' and charged that Democrats ' efforts to alter election procedures ahead of Nov. 3 was `` opening the door to chaos and confusion . ''
`` These rulings are victories for Iowa and Ohio voters , '' said Trump 2020 general counsel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constant attempts to tear down election safeguards and steal this election for Joe Biden . ''
Spencer pointed to an election in Fort Lauderdale in South Florida , `` in which the Supervisor of Elections was completely unglued , and there were thousands of ballots that came in , and some of them were never counted . ''
`` They came in two months later because they were lost somewhere .
Those are the kinds of things that would cause a lot of concern when somebody is running for president of the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pennsylvania , Spencer said , `` tremendous numbers '' of ballots are rejected and thrown out because voters fail to put the ballot in the secrecy envelope .
In North Carolina , there 's a witness requirement , which , he said , many voters fail to comply with , calling it a `` huge problem '' and noting that the issue occurred more frequently among black voters than in either Hispanic or white communities .
Of about 1 million ballots requested in the state , 250,000 have been returned thus far , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballots have already been rejected for reasons such as witness requirement , or the voter did n't sign the envelope , addresses are left off , '' and other voter errors , he said .
`` That does n't happen when you go to the polls . ''
He pointed to Democrats ' efforts to broaden the date range for acceptance of ballots after Election Day , including in North Carolina , which pushed back the date nine days from Nov. 3 , provided they were postmarked by that date .
Spencer said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all ballots , however .
`` In Bush v. Gore , it was 537 votes that determined the presidency , '' he said , stressing the importance of just a few hundred ballots to determine the election results .
`` Look at Minnesota , where 235 votes determined who the senator from Minnesota was going to be . ''
Former Sen. Al Franken won his 2008 Senate race recount by a final tally of 312 votes .
While there are systems in place to address the usual ballot errors , Spencer told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to process a `` fire hose of ballots . ''
`` It 's going to take a tremendous amount of time and effort to make sure that those ballots cast are properly analyzed , looked at , and then voted , '' he said .
As for a recount , Spencer said that both sides were prepared .
`` Biden has got an army of lawyers ready , and I know that the Republican side has an army of lawyers .
I 'm one of them , '' he said .
`` And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do what we have to do .
If there 's a recount , then we have to do it . ''

An attorney who testified before the Supreme Court in the Bush v. Gore Florida recount in 2000 is predicting litigation ahead in a 2020 election battle that could stretch well past Election Day in battleground states or those states with divided government.
"Every day, we seem to have another federal judge that changes the election laws at the last minute in a way in which the guardrails are taken down on the vote-by-mail ballot," said Tom Spencer, a Republican elections attorney, speaking to the Washington Examiner.
Spencer, who served as co-counsel for George W. Bush and Dick Cheney's presidential ticket in the Florida recount of 2000, pointed to Pennsylvania and North Carolina as two states to watch as ballots are counted.
"You have sort of a perfect storm," Spencer said. "For example, in Pennsylvania, you've got a Democratic governor, a Republican legislature. North Carolina, same thing. When you look at the polling and the statistics, you have that very, very close divide of votes. Both those states look very close to a Bush v. Gore situation." He added, "Could be Michigan, Minnesota."
Bush v. Gore was the Supreme Court decision that halted vote-counting in Florida during the 2000 election, which Bush won narrowly. But this year, the election could be contested in multiple states.
Cases are currently being decided across the country.
On Saturday, President Trump's reelection campaign and the Republican National Committee sued to stop election officials in North Carolina from enacting rule changes that could increase the number of ballots counted in the key state. The lawsuit says that a new State Board of Elections system would allow absentee ballots to be cast late and without adequate witness verification, “which invites fraud, coercion, theft, and otherwise illegitimate voting.” The new rule would allow ballots that lack information to be amended solely by affidavit and without the need for the voter to complete an entirely new ballot.
An Iowa district court ruling published on Sunday denied a request to stop legislative enforcement that bars Iowa county election auditors from guessing and completing incorrect details on absentee ballot request forms.
In Ohio, a federal judge on Friday denied a challenge to a signature-matching requirement on absentee ballots that would have suspended it.
In a statement, RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel called the rulings "a win for voters, a win for election security, and a win for maintaining confidence in the electoral process" and charged that Democrats' efforts to alter election procedures ahead of Nov. 3 was "opening the door to chaos and confusion."
"These rulings are victories for Iowa and Ohio voters," said Trump 2020 general counsel Matthew Morgan, accusing Democrats of "constant attempts to tear down election safeguards and steal this election for Joe Biden."
Spencer pointed to an election in Fort Lauderdale in South Florida, "in which the Supervisor of Elections was completely unglued, and there were thousands of ballots that came in, and some of them were never counted."
"They came in two months later because they were lost somewhere. Those are the kinds of things that would cause a lot of concern when somebody is running for president of the United States," he said.
In Pennsylvania, Spencer said, "tremendous numbers" of ballots are rejected and thrown out because voters fail to put the ballot in the secrecy envelope. In North Carolina, there's a witness requirement, which, he said, many voters fail to comply with, calling it a "huge problem" and noting that the issue occurred more frequently among black voters than in either Hispanic or white communities.
Of about 1 million ballots requested in the state, 250,000 have been returned thus far, "and 1.8% of the returned ballots have already been rejected for reasons such as witness requirement, or the voter didn't sign the envelope, addresses are left off," and other voter errors, he said. "That doesn't happen when you go to the polls."
He pointed to Democrats' efforts to broaden the date range for acceptance of ballots after Election Day, including in North Carolina, which pushed back the date nine days from Nov. 3, provided they were postmarked by that date. Spencer said that the Postal Service does not postmark all ballots, however.
"In Bush v. Gore, it was 537 votes that determined the presidency," he said, stressing the importance of just a few hundred ballots to determine the election results. "Look at Minnesota, where 235 votes determined who the senator from Minnesota was going to be." Former Sen. Al Franken won his 2008 Senate race recount by a final tally of 312 votes.
While there are systems in place to address the usual ballot errors, Spencer told the Washington Examiner that officials should be prepared to process a "fire hose of ballots."
"It's going to take a tremendous amount of time and effort to make sure that those ballots cast are properly analyzed, looked at, and then voted," he said.
As for a recount, Spencer said that both sides were prepared.
"Biden has got an army of lawyers ready, and I know that the Republican side has an army of lawyers. I'm one of them," he said. "And so, you know, we have to do what we have to do. If there's a recount, then we have to do it."