thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-04--Catherine Cortez Masto could help Biden shore up Latino vote in November

Joe Biden 's shortlist for the Democratic vice presidential nomination includes a former two-term attorney general from a western state who was elected to the Senate in 2016 .
Not Kamala Harris , the California senator and former 2020 rival of the presumptive Democratic nominee , but Nevada Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto , whose name is getting mentioned increasingly as a potential running mate for Biden , particularly by her political mentor , former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada , whom she succeeded in the chamber in early 2017 .
Among her political attributes , Cortez Masto could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a crucial voting bloc for Biden as he attempts to topple President Trump in November .
Cortez Masto is one of only two Democratic senators with direct Latin heritage , along with Bob Menendez of New Jersey .
Her father is of Mexican descent , while her mother has Italian lineage .
`` As a Latino senator from the battleground state of Nevada , picking her would be a further acknowledgment of the increasing clout of Hispanic voters within the Democratic Party , '' said Jim Manley , a former longtime aide to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But Cortez Masto , having endorsed Biden last week , has n't offered the same full-throated support for the former vice president and 36-year Delaware senator as other potential running mates regarding his denials surrounding the allegation that he sexual assaulted Tara Reade , a former aide in his Senate office , in 1993 .
Repeated questions for comment have gone unanswered from her office , while Sen. Amy Klobuchar , Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer , and former Georgia state Rep. Stacey Abrams have all said they believe Biden in numerous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement backing Biden for president , Cortez Masto , 56 , cited his experience leading the Obama administration 's stimulus program during the nation 's economic recovery from the Great Recession a decade ago and his ability to handle the coronavirus outbreak based on his long government service .
Shortly thereafter , she sent out a fundraising plea on Biden 's behalf .
In an email last week , Cortez Masto said she has known Biden for nearly a decade and was Nevada attorney general while his late son , Beau Biden , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was then when I saw his love for Nevada .
I always say , and I might be biased , that Nevada is the perfect microcosm of America , '' she wrote about Biden .
`` Our diversity is our strength .
From our strong Latino , Asian American & Pacific Islander and African American communities to our rich mining , gaming and framing history , Nevada is the perfect melting pot of America .
And Joe Biden knows that as well as anyone . ''
Winning the Latino vote , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rates compared to black or white voters , is of special concern during this election .
Trump 's reelection campaign has focused on increasing his share of the minority vote this cycle , launching Latino outreach .
In 2016 , Trump won 28 % of the Latino vote , one of the best performances for a Republican candidate since George W. Bush .
A Pew Research Center survey in February found his support from Hispanics reaching 30 % .
Many within the Trump reelection campaign believe Trump can win 35 % -40 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She checks the boxes .
Her grandparents were Mexican immigrants .
She 's a great success story , '' said University of Nevada , Las Vegas , professor Michael Green .
`` She was Harry Reid 's choice to succeed him , '' he said , adding that Cortez Masto enjoys support from the state 's unions , a potent political force there .
Although much media coverage surrounding Biden 's running mate choice has focused on whether he will pick an African American running mate , little evidence exists he will need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primaries , Biden overwhelming won the black vote in nearly every state .
In some state districts , such as in Virginia , Biden won more votes from black voters than Obama did in the 2008 primary .
Sen. Bernie Sanders may have had a poor performance on Super Tuesday , but one of the key strengths he demonstrated in his performance was his ability to win support among Hispanic voters .
In Texas , for example , exit polls showed him winning 41 % of Hispanic voters in the state .
Nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his bid as well .
Support by Latinos is also credited for Sanders 's overwhelming victory in Nevada despite heavy resistance from the unions in Las Vegas .
Those results set off red flags for the Biden campaign , which is currently debating whether to focus outreach on the white working class by selecting a running mate such as Klobuchar , push for record turnout with black voters with Kamala Harris , or try to win back Latinos with a vice presidential nominee such as Cortez Masto .
`` The question remains of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or not there 's a Latino if they do n't choose Masto , '' Green said .

Joe Biden's shortlist for the Democratic vice presidential nomination includes a former two-term attorney general from a western state who was elected to the Senate in 2016.
Not Kamala Harris, the California senator and former 2020 rival of the presumptive Democratic nominee, but Nevada Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, whose name is getting mentioned increasingly as a potential running mate for Biden, particularly by her political mentor, former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, whom she succeeded in the chamber in early 2017.
Among her political attributes, Cortez Masto could help build support among Latino voters, a crucial voting bloc for Biden as he attempts to topple President Trump in November.
Cortez Masto is one of only two Democratic senators with direct Latin heritage, along with Bob Menendez of New Jersey. Her father is of Mexican descent, while her mother has Italian lineage.
"As a Latino senator from the battleground state of Nevada, picking her would be a further acknowledgment of the increasing clout of Hispanic voters within the Democratic Party," said Jim Manley, a former longtime aide to Reid when he was Senate Democratic leader.
But Cortez Masto, having endorsed Biden last week, hasn't offered the same full-throated support for the former vice president and 36-year Delaware senator as other potential running mates regarding his denials surrounding the allegation that he sexual assaulted Tara Reade, a former aide in his Senate office, in 1993. Repeated questions for comment have gone unanswered from her office, while Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, and former Georgia state Rep. Stacey Abrams have all said they believe Biden in numerous public statements and interviews.
In a statement backing Biden for president, Cortez Masto, 56, cited his experience leading the Obama administration's stimulus program during the nation's economic recovery from the Great Recession a decade ago and his ability to handle the coronavirus outbreak based on his long government service.
Shortly thereafter, she sent out a fundraising plea on Biden's behalf. In an email last week, Cortez Masto said she has known Biden for nearly a decade and was Nevada attorney general while his late son, Beau Biden, was attorney general of Delaware.
"It was then when I saw his love for Nevada. I always say, and I might be biased, that Nevada is the perfect microcosm of America," she wrote about Biden. "Our diversity is our strength. From our strong Latino, Asian American & Pacific Islander and African American communities to our rich mining, gaming and framing history, Nevada is the perfect melting pot of America. And Joe Biden knows that as well as anyone."
Winning the Latino vote, a group that tends to vote at lower rates compared to black or white voters, is of special concern during this election. Trump's reelection campaign has focused on increasing his share of the minority vote this cycle, launching Latino outreach.
In 2016, Trump won 28% of the Latino vote, one of the best performances for a Republican candidate since George W. Bush. A Pew Research Center survey in February found his support from Hispanics reaching 30%. Many within the Trump reelection campaign believe Trump can win 35%-40%, particularly among Hispanic men.
"She checks the boxes. Her grandparents were Mexican immigrants. She's a great success story," said University of Nevada, Las Vegas, professor Michael Green. "She was Harry Reid's choice to succeed him," he said, adding that Cortez Masto enjoys support from the state's unions, a potent political force there.
Although much media coverage surrounding Biden's running mate choice has focused on whether he will pick an African American running mate, little evidence exists he will need help generating their turnout. During the primaries, Biden overwhelming won the black vote in nearly every state. In some state districts, such as in Virginia, Biden won more votes from black voters than Obama did in the 2008 primary.
Sen. Bernie Sanders may have had a poor performance on Super Tuesday, but one of the key strengths he demonstrated in his performance was his ability to win support among Hispanic voters. In Texas, for example, exit polls showed him winning 41% of Hispanic voters in the state. Nearly 49% of Latinos in California backed his bid as well.
Support by Latinos is also credited for Sanders's overwhelming victory in Nevada despite heavy resistance from the unions in Las Vegas.
Those results set off red flags for the Biden campaign, which is currently debating whether to focus outreach on the white working class by selecting a running mate such as Klobuchar, push for record turnout with black voters with Kamala Harris, or try to win back Latinos with a vice presidential nominee such as Cortez Masto.
"The question remains of whether those votes will turn out whether or not there's a Latino if they don't choose Masto," Green said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-04--The bear is loose: Biden breaks out of the basement for virtual campaign event

Joe Biden , himself , has joked about being trapped in his basement as President Trump commands the world 's attention from the White House press briefing room and Rose Garden .
But during a virtual town hall with the League of United Latin American Citizens on Monday afternoon , the presumptive 2020 Democratic presidential nominee debuted an outdoor backdrop to his digital campaign as the 2020 race continues to adapt to the novel coronavirus pandemic .
The COVID-19 outbreak upended the tail end of the Democratic primary , forcing Biden and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders , his last remaining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ online events and television interviews conducted remotely from their homes as part of social distancing precautions .
Biden 's team created a studio in the basement of his Delaware property to give his appearances a more presidential feel .
“ I 'm locked in a basement , ” he told the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO ’ s virtual convention last month .
As Biden prepares for the fall fight against President Trump , however , campaign alumni from former President Barack Obama 's two successful bids have warned the two-term vice president and Delaware 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ante if he stands any chance of unseating the incumbent in November .
“ Online speeches from his basement won ’ t cut it .
...
While television remains a potent force , YouTube , Facebook , Twitter , Instagram , Snapchat and TikTok are all essential in a Covid-19 world in which candidate travel and voter contact will be severely limited .
In many respects , they are the campaign , not an important part of it , ” David Axelrod , Obama ’ s senior strategist , and David Plouffe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , wrote in an op-ed for the New York Times on Monday .
Biden 's change of location coincides with technical difficulties during a fundraiser on the weekend .
The lights went out in his basement because of strong winds , leaving him momentarily in the dark before his generator kicked in .
Obama 's 2008 campaign aides used to joke that `` the bear is loose '' whenever their former boss would defy the team 's schedule .
The phrase carried over to the administration and was applied whenever the commander in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outings .

Joe Biden, himself, has joked about being trapped in his basement as President Trump commands the world's attention from the White House press briefing room and Rose Garden.
But during a virtual town hall with the League of United Latin American Citizens on Monday afternoon, the presumptive 2020 Democratic presidential nominee debuted an outdoor backdrop to his digital campaign as the 2020 race continues to adapt to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The COVID-19 outbreak upended the tail end of the Democratic primary, forcing Biden and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, his last remaining rival, to push their messages through online events and television interviews conducted remotely from their homes as part of social distancing precautions. Biden's team created a studio in the basement of his Delaware property to give his appearances a more presidential feel.
“I'm locked in a basement,” he told the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO’s virtual convention last month.
As Biden prepares for the fall fight against President Trump, however, campaign alumni from former President Barack Obama's two successful bids have warned the two-term vice president and Delaware's 36-year senator that he needs to up the ante if he stands any chance of unseating the incumbent in November.
“Online speeches from his basement won’t cut it. ... While television remains a potent force, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok are all essential in a Covid-19 world in which candidate travel and voter contact will be severely limited. In many respects, they are the campaign, not an important part of it,” David Axelrod, Obama’s senior strategist, and David Plouffe, Obama’s 2008 campaign manager, wrote in an op-ed for the New York Times on Monday.
Joe Biden holds virtual town hall with LULAC on protecting essential workers during the COVID-19 outbreak. (Screenshot/PBS/YouTube)
Biden's change of location coincides with technical difficulties during a fundraiser on the weekend. The lights went out in his basement because of strong winds, leaving him momentarily in the dark before his generator kicked in.
Obama's 2008 campaign aides used to joke that "the bear is loose" whenever their former boss would defy the team's schedule. The phrase carried over to the administration and was applied whenever the commander in chief left the executive mansion for spontaneous outings.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-04--#MAGA is back: Coronavirus devastation forces Trump to revive ‘Make America Great Again’ slogan

President Trump is bringing back `` Make America Great Again '' as a campaign rallying cry as the coronavirus upends plans to run for reelection on the strength of a roaring economy .
The Trump campaign is investing “ mid-seven figures ” to run a new television advertisement on broadcast and cable television networks across the country .
The ad touts video clips and Trump ’ s words to promote his management of the pandemic and qualifications for directing the recovery of the economy .
The one-minute spot never mentions `` Keep America Great , '' the reelection slogan Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June in Orlando .
“ I ’ m fighting for you , and I love doing it , ” Trump says during the ad , a compilation of audio and video clips spliced together from various speeches and television clips .
“ With the grace of God , we will win this war , and we will win this war quickly ; and we will make America great again.
” The advertisement first aired on Sunday , six months before Election Day , amid mounting deaths and job losses caused by the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promises an `` American comeback . ''
For the Trump campaign , the ad appeared to mark an official return to the slogan the president used during his first campaign : “ Make America Great Again ” or “ # MAGA.
” At the outset of Trump ’ s reelection bid , the president shifted to “ Keep America Great.
” With the booming economy , Trump made the case for a second term on the grounds that he had revived a country in distress and that people should vote for him to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Even the president ’ s rallies were rebranded “ # KAG rallies.
” But after more than 30 million people lost their jobs in just the last six weeks and the economy contracted by nearly 5 % , Trump 's new campaign strategy has become to sell himself as the person who made the economy great once and can , therefore , do it again .
“ Under President Trump ’ s leadership , the United States is writing the greatest comeback story in history , ” Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale said @ @ @ @ @

President Trump is bringing back "Make America Great Again" as a campaign rallying cry as the coronavirus upends plans to run for reelection on the strength of a roaring economy.
The Trump campaign is investing “mid-seven figures” to run a new television advertisement on broadcast and cable television networks across the country. The ad touts video clips and Trump’s words to promote his management of the pandemic and qualifications for directing the recovery of the economy. The one-minute spot never mentions "Keep America Great," the reelection slogan Trump unveiled during his campaign kickoff rally last June in Orlando.
“I’m fighting for you, and I love doing it,” Trump says during the ad, a compilation of audio and video clips spliced together from various speeches and television clips. “With the grace of God, we will win this war, and we will win this war quickly; and we will make America great again.”
The advertisement first aired on Sunday, six months before Election Day, amid mounting deaths and job losses caused by the coronavirus. In the spot, the president promises an "American comeback." For the Trump campaign, the ad appeared to mark an official return to the slogan the president used during his first campaign: “Make America Great Again” or “#MAGA.”
At the outset of Trump’s reelection bid, the president shifted to “Keep America Great.” With the booming economy, Trump made the case for a second term on the grounds that he had revived a country in distress and that people should vote for him to guard against a backslide into mediocrity. Even the president’s rallies were rebranded “#KAG rallies.”
But after more than 30 million people lost their jobs in just the last six weeks and the economy contracted by nearly 5%, Trump's new campaign strategy has become to sell himself as the person who made the economy great once and can, therefore, do it again.
“Under President Trump’s leadership, the United States is writing the greatest comeback story in history,” Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale said Monday in a statement.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-04--Who's afraid of Justin Amash?

Who's afraid of Justin Amash?

Although Justin Amash 's Tea Party convictions and public breakup with the Republican Party has given him a higher profile than the usual 40-year-old congressman , even he seems to know that his Libertarian Party bid for president is a longshot .
But Amash is differentiated by factors that stand out in 2020 : he 's a fiscally conservative , pro-life libertarian without a single whiff of a sexual assault or financial scandal in his midst .
For Republicans disgusted by President Trump 's multitrillion-dollar deficits and slew of groping allegations , Amash should provide an obvious protest vote against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most livid at Amash are n't Trump 's allies or even overt Democrats .
It 's the sad and strange subset of Never Trumpers who spend most of their time attacking conservative Trump critics and bolstering Joe Biden .
Just last year , George Conway claimed that Amash stepping up for a presidential bid would constitute a `` supreme act of patriotism . ''
But now , he calls it a `` terrible idea . ''
Fellow supposedly Never Trump conservatives have followed suit , with Tom Nichols smearing Amash as this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , `` If you don ’ t back Biden , you ’ re backing Trump . ''
Rick Wilson , the former Republican `` political strategist '' who now spends his days on CNN laughing about how Trump supporters are so dumb that they ca n't read maps , was so enthusiastic about Amash just five months ago that he launched a super PAC to aid his congressional reelection .
Now that Amash has thrown his hat in the ring as an actual conservative alternative to Trump , Wilson has soured on him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the racist birther who launched a bid of his own to primary Trump last year , that Amash will only help Trump win .
Jennifer Rubin , who once lauded Amash for having `` already outdone every single Republican in the House and Senate , '' excoriated the Michiganer 's presidential foray as a `` vanity campaign , '' likening it to the `` putrid reception '' of former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz 's independent bid flirtation .
So why the radical reversal among the most sanctimonious of the Never Trumpers ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ rage ?
From a purely pragmatic perspective , it makes no sense .
If their definition of `` Never Trump '' is to maximize the odds that Trump loses , Amash entering the fray seems like a good way to do that .
On nearly every economic and regulatory issue , Amash is radically to the right of Trump , and his noninterventionist foreign policy could appeal to Trump 's disaffected paleoconservative followers .
He 's devoutly pro-life , a nonstarter for more than two-thirds of Democratic voters .
If you 're a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's embrace of reckless spending and dismissal of credible sexual assault allegations , especially if you 're not in a swing state , voting for Amash is a plausible option .
Outside of a few fringe Bernie bros favorable to Amash 's foreign policy , it 's hard to see how the conservative Christian guy who wants to slash spending will take votes away from the big-government Democrat who loves bombing random countries in violation of international law .
All of which gives the lie to the notion of Never Trumperism in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about saving the Republican Party or the conservative movement more generally .
It 's not about empowering conservatives to vote for a moral man who still stands for their principles .
It 's about letting Trump tank the Republican Party and shaming conservatives amenable to a President Amash out of voting their conscience .

Although Justin Amash's Tea Party convictions and public breakup with the Republican Party has given him a higher profile than the usual 40-year-old congressman, even he seems to know that his Libertarian Party bid for president is a longshot.
But Amash is differentiated by factors that stand out in 2020: he's a fiscally conservative, pro-life libertarian without a single whiff of a sexual assault or financial scandal in his midst. For Republicans disgusted by President Trump's multitrillion-dollar deficits and slew of groping allegations, Amash should provide an obvious protest vote against the Republican Party.
Yet the ones most livid at Amash aren't Trump's allies or even overt Democrats. It's the sad and strange subset of Never Trumpers who spend most of their time attacking conservative Trump critics and bolstering Joe Biden.
Just last year, George Conway claimed that Amash stepping up for a presidential bid would constitute a "supreme act of patriotism." But now, he calls it a "terrible idea." Fellow supposedly Never Trump conservatives have followed suit, with Tom Nichols smearing Amash as this year's Ralph Nader and Max Boot declaring, "If you don’t back Biden, you’re backing Trump."
Rick Wilson, the former Republican "political strategist" who now spends his days on CNN laughing about how Trump supporters are so dumb that they can't read maps, was so enthusiastic about Amash just five months ago that he launched a super PAC to aid his congressional reelection. Now that Amash has thrown his hat in the ring as an actual conservative alternative to Trump, Wilson has soured on him, endorsing the view of Joe Walsh, the racist birther who launched a bid of his own to primary Trump last year, that Amash will only help Trump win.
Jennifer Rubin, who once lauded Amash for having "already outdone every single Republican in the House and Senate," excoriated the Michiganer's presidential foray as a "vanity campaign," likening it to the "putrid reception" of former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz's independent bid flirtation.
So why the radical reversal among the most sanctimonious of the Never Trumpers? But even more importantly, the unfettered rage?
From a purely pragmatic perspective, it makes no sense. If their definition of "Never Trump" is to maximize the odds that Trump loses, Amash entering the fray seems like a good way to do that. On nearly every economic and regulatory issue, Amash is radically to the right of Trump, and his noninterventionist foreign policy could appeal to Trump's disaffected paleoconservative followers. He's devoutly pro-life, a nonstarter for more than two-thirds of Democratic voters.
If you're a religious conservative disgusted by the Republican Party's embrace of reckless spending and dismissal of credible sexual assault allegations, especially if you're not in a swing state, voting for Amash is a plausible option. Outside of a few fringe Bernie bros favorable to Amash's foreign policy, it's hard to see how the conservative Christian guy who wants to slash spending will take votes away from the big-government Democrat who loves bombing random countries in violation of international law.
All of which gives the lie to the notion of Never Trumperism in this specific bastardized form. It's not about saving the Republican Party or the conservative movement more generally. It's not about empowering conservatives to vote for a moral man who still stands for their principles. It's about letting Trump tank the Republican Party and shaming conservatives amenable to a President Amash out of voting their conscience.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-04--John Oliver first late-night TV host to speak in support of Biden accuser Tara Reade

Last Week Tonight host John Oliver said Joe Biden ’ s accuser Tara Reade “ deserves to be heard.
” Oliver is the first late-night television host to speak out in support of Reade .
“ Now , he ’ s denied that claim , but there are clearly big questions still to be answered here , and Tara Reade obviously deserves to be heard the way that anyone does when they make the difficult choice to come forward with allegations of this kind — allegations which should , of course , be fully investigated .
And I am sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the story unfolds , ” he said Sunday on his HBO show .
Reade , 56 , says that she was sexually harassed and assaulted by Biden when she worked as a staff assistant in his Senate office in 1993 .
Biden , who is the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee , has vehemently denied the allegation .
Oliver ’ s HBO colleague Bill Maher was not as supportive during his show Friday .
Maher called Reade ’ s claim “ ridiculous , ” betting that “ no one would pay attention to @ @ @

Last Week Tonight host John Oliver said Joe Biden’s accuser Tara Reade “deserves to be heard.”
Oliver is the first late-night television host to speak out in support of Reade.
“Now, he’s denied that claim, but there are clearly big questions still to be answered here, and Tara Reade obviously deserves to be heard the way that anyone does when they make the difficult choice to come forward with allegations of this kind — allegations which should, of course, be fully investigated. And I am sure that we will talk more about this as the story unfolds,” he said Sunday on his HBO show.
Reade, 56, says that she was sexually harassed and assaulted by Biden when she worked as a staff assistant in his Senate office in 1993. Biden, who is the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, has vehemently denied the allegation.
Oliver’s HBO colleague Bill Maher was not as supportive during his show Friday. Maher called Reade’s claim “ridiculous,” betting that “no one would pay attention to it.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-04--FEC: ‘Committee to Draft Michelle Obama’ for vice president formed

A committee to draft Michelle Obama as Joe Biden ’ s running mate has formed and is already pushing attention to the former first lady in hopes she gets the spot .
Records at the Federal Election Committee said the “ Committee to Draft Michelle Obama ” filed late last month .
A memo to the media today said that the goal of the group is to encourage Biden , the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee , to pick Obama .
Biden recently said that he would pick her “ in a heartbeat , ” though she has expressed no interest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Biden said that he is considering “ significantly more than one black woman ” for his vice presidential pick .
Others thought to be under consideration are California Sen. Kamala Harris and former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams .
“ The aim of this campaign is to build on the substantial grassroots support for a potential Michelle Obama candidacy and help garner media attention for a vice presidential nominee who has the power to beat Donald Trump , ” said the memo from the draft group .
“ The Committee to Draft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will not only benefit the Democratic ticket this November but also help lead this country to be more just and caring , ” it added .
Obama is the most popular woman in politics , according to a recent poll .
She is also popular in vice presidential polls , and political betting sites have her odds surging .
Michelle Obama and former President Barack Obama were in office from 2009-2017 .
The press release was not signed , but the FEC filing gives a Chicago area and Nyack , New York , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in pushing for Obama .
“ The coronavirus pandemic has reminded the American people of the importance of electing individuals that care about everyday Americans .
We believe that Ms. Obama ’ s perspective will go a long way towards building an honest , people-centered campaign this year as well as positively informing policy in the White House in years to come , ” said the group .
It also pledged to swing its support to whomever Biden picks , even if it isn ’ t Obama .

A committee to draft Michelle Obama as Joe Biden’s running mate has formed and is already pushing attention to the former first lady in hopes she gets the spot.
Records at the Federal Election Committee said the “Committee to Draft Michelle Obama” filed late last month.
Logo from the new group.
A memo to the media today said that the goal of the group is to encourage Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, to pick Obama. Biden recently said that he would pick her “in a heartbeat,” though she has expressed no interest in the position.
Over the weekend, Biden said that he is considering “significantly more than one black woman” for his vice presidential pick. Others thought to be under consideration are California Sen. Kamala Harris and former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams.
“The aim of this campaign is to build on the substantial grassroots support for a potential Michelle Obama candidacy and help garner media attention for a vice presidential nominee who has the power to beat Donald Trump,” said the memo from the draft group.
“The Committee to Draft Michelle Obama firmly believes that Ms. Obama will not only benefit the Democratic ticket this November but also help lead this country to be more just and caring,” it added.
Obama is the most popular woman in politics, according to a recent poll. She is also popular in vice presidential polls, and political betting sites have her odds surging. Michelle Obama and former President Barack Obama were in office from 2009-2017.
The press release was not signed, but the FEC filing gives a Chicago area and Nyack, New York, address.
The group cited the coronavirus in pushing for Obama. “The coronavirus pandemic has reminded the American people of the importance of electing individuals that care about everyday Americans. We believe that Ms. Obama’s perspective will go a long way towards building an honest, people-centered campaign this year as well as positively informing policy in the White House in years to come,” said the group.
It also pledged to swing its support to whomever Biden picks, even if it isn’t Obama.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-06--Barbara Boxer deletes tweet criticizing former Navy fighter pilot running as Republican in Californi

Barbara Boxer deletes tweet criticizing former Navy fighter pilot running as Republican in California

Former California Sen. Barbara Boxer deleted a tweet taking a jab at Republican candidate Mike Garcia , who is running for the state ’ s 25th Congressional District special election .
Boxer , 79 , a supporter of Garcia ’ s opponent , California Democratic Assemblywoman Christy Smith , took aim Tuesday at Garcia , 46 , a former Navy fighter pilot and 10-year Raytheon executive , for his opposition to the Affordable Care Act .
`` .
@ ChristyforCA25 ’ s opponent @ MikeGarcia2020 will tell you at length about being a fighter pilot .
What he is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to end healthcare for millions of Americans & coverage for preexisting conditions for all of us .
Vote today , '' Boxer said in the now-deleted missive .
Smith , 50 , previously criticized Garcia over how he campaigned on his military background last week during an online call with her supporters , saying , “ I texted my team , and I 'm like , ‘ OK , he ’ s got pictures of planes behind him .
I ’ ve got constitutional law books ' — the irony.
” Smith later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ account .
The special election between Smith and Garcia to fill the seat vacated by former Democratic Rep. Katie Hill is scheduled for May 12 .

Former California Sen. Barbara Boxer deleted a tweet taking a jab at Republican candidate Mike Garcia, who is running for the state’s 25th Congressional District special election.
Boxer, 79, a supporter of Garcia’s opponent, California Democratic Assemblywoman Christy Smith, took aim Tuesday at Garcia, 46, a former Navy fighter pilot and 10-year Raytheon executive, for his opposition to the Affordable Care Act.
".@ChristyforCA25’s opponent @MikeGarcia2020 will tell you at length about being a fighter pilot. What he is not telling you is that he will vote to end healthcare for millions of Americans & coverage for preexisting conditions for all of us. Vote today," Boxer said in the now-deleted missive.
Former California Sen. Barbara Boxer tweets criticism of GOP candidate for congress
Smith, 50, previously criticized Garcia over how he campaigned on his military background last week during an online call with her supporters, saying, “I texted my team, and I'm like, ‘OK, he’s got pictures of planes behind him. I’ve got constitutional law books' — the irony.”
Smith later apologized for the remarks on her Twitter account. The special election between Smith and Garcia to fill the seat vacated by former Democratic Rep. Katie Hill is scheduled for May 12.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-05--Biden won the nomination with subpar organizing. That won’t help him against Trump

Joe Biden slid through a crowded Democratic primary with lackluster organizing and fundraising .
It made for an engaging political comeback story , but it set him up at a disadvantage as he transitions to a general election fight against President Trump .
When Biden had humiliating fourth- and fifth-place finishes in the first nominating contests in Iowa and New Hampshire , the campaign was forced to confront criticisms about its operation that it had brushed off for months .
The campaign had than his competitors in early states , attracted smaller crowds , was not known for outreach innovation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in .
No candidate had ever performed so poorly in the first two primary and caucus states and gone on to win the primary , but the former vice president prevailed as the presumptive Democratic nominee due in part to name recognition , his experience as Obama ’ s vice president , and South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn ’ s endorsement that helped him win the state in a blowout .
But in swing states where crucial electoral votes could be decided by razor-thin margins , organizing capacity could be the difference between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ running behind .
“ When you look at the numbers , Team Trump is winning by every metric .
From fundraising to voter enthusiasm to volunteer recruitment , the Trump campaign is dominating the Biden campaign , ” Sarah Matthews , deputy press secretary for the Trump campaign , told the Washington Examiner .
The Trump campaign says that it made more than 5 million last week , a large number considering that it did not hit 5 million in 2018 , a midterm year , until the week before Election Day .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1.1 million trained volunteers and had made 21 million contacts with voters .
With the coronavirus pandemic keeping Trump and Biden from the campaign trail , Biden ’ s smaller infrastructure is more apparent .
Not only is the candidate himself known to be technologically challenged , telling people during one debate to “ go to Joe 30330 ” rather than text the number , but his campaign staff is also lagging behind Trump in the digital sphere .
Trump has 15 times the number of likes and followers that Biden has on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far outpacing Biden on YouTube as well .
While Trump ’ s digital team has over 100 people — and Hillary Clinton ’ s digital team had nearly 100 people at this point in 2016 , Politico — Biden has only about 25 .
Biden , though , stays positive when talking about his digital organization .
At a virtual fundraiser last Wednesday , Biden said that his staff told him it had “ 63 million-plus views ” on campaign videos on all platforms in the last month .
And Biden may have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : support from better-organized allied groups hoping to defeat Trump .
“ The Biden primary election was a relatively lackluster effort in terms of campaign outreach , and it may be that , as Kerry did in 2004 , the ground campaign ( or its COVID-19 equivalent ) will be left to allied organizations , ” Donald Green , a political science professor at Columbia University , told the Washington Examiner .
Green added that “ the Trump campaign in 2020 seems to be emphasizing traditional political outreach far more than in 2016.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that his messaging style in the time of the coronavirus leaves voters with a more positive impression of the former vice president .
Trump ’ s aggressive , confrontational style is more likely to go viral on the internet , but Biden ’ s campaign wants to provide a positive alternative and connect with voters on a more personal level .
“ Door-knocking , which is the gold standard of organizing , is about having the conversation and making the case , but it ’ s as much about showing up and caring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign manager Jen O ’ Malley Dillon the New York Times Magazine .
“ So now that we can ’ t have door-knocking , how do we get the essence of that ?
We do it by showing up for people , checking in on them , seeing how they ’ re doing , building the relationship .
We ’ re not calling to ask for something from you .
We ’ re calling you because we want to make sure you ’ re OK. People are going to remember that.
” While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on its organizing efforts , his campaign looks like a bigger uphill battle when considering fundraising and polling .
Biden and the Democratic National Committee are about behind Trump and the Republican National Committee .
An national poll conducted April 26-28 found an enthusiasm gap between Trump and Biden supporters : 64 % of Trump supporters said that they were very or extremely excited to vote for him , compared to 45 % for Biden .
That leaves Biden ’ s campaign is in much of the same position as it was in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ low on cash , inspiring less voter enthusiasm , and behind the curve on organizing efforts .
The question is whether he can start from behind and pull off a win in the general election as he did in the primary .

Joe Biden slid through a crowded Democratic primary with lackluster organizing and fundraising. It made for an engaging political comeback story, but it set him up at a disadvantage as he transitions to a general election fight against President Trump.
When Biden had humiliating fourth- and fifth-place finishes in the first nominating contests in Iowa and New Hampshire, the campaign was forced to confront criticisms about its operation that it had brushed off for months. The campaign had fewer campaign operatives than his competitors in early states, attracted smaller crowds, was not known for outreach innovation, and badly lagged behind his competitors in fundraising .
No candidate had ever performed so poorly in the first two primary and caucus states and gone on to win the primary, but the former vice president prevailed as the presumptive Democratic nominee due in part to name recognition, his experience as Obama’s vice president, and South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn’s endorsement that helped him win the state in a blowout.
But in swing states where crucial electoral votes could be decided by razor-thin margins, organizing capacity could be the difference between winning and losing. And Biden is running behind.
“When you look at the numbers, Team Trump is winning by every metric. From fundraising to voter enthusiasm to volunteer recruitment, the Trump campaign is dominating the Biden campaign,” Sarah Matthews, deputy press secretary for the Trump campaign, told the Washington Examiner.
The Trump campaign says that it made more than 5 million phone calls last week, a large number considering that it did not hit 5 million in 2018, a midterm year, until the week before Election Day. As of March 13, it had 1.1 million trained volunteers and had made 21 million contacts with voters.
With the coronavirus pandemic keeping Trump and Biden from the campaign trail, Biden’s smaller digital infrastructure is more apparent. Not only is the candidate himself known to be technologically challenged, telling people during one debate to “go to Joe 30330” rather than text the number, but his campaign staff is also lagging behind Trump in the digital sphere.
Trump has 15 times the number of likes and followers that Biden has on Facebook and Twitter, and he is far outpacing Biden on YouTube as well. While Trump’s digital team has over 100 people — and Hillary Clinton’s digital team had nearly 100 people at this point in 2016, according to Politico — Biden has only about 25.
Biden, though, stays positive when talking about his digital organization. At a virtual fundraiser last Wednesday, Biden said that his staff told him it had “63 million-plus views” on campaign videos on all platforms in the last month.
And Biden may have an advantage that the president does not: support from better-organized allied groups hoping to defeat Trump.
“The Biden primary election was a relatively lackluster effort in terms of campaign outreach, and it may be that, as Kerry did in 2004, the ground campaign (or its COVID-19 equivalent) will be left to allied organizations,” Donald Green, a political science professor at Columbia University, told the Washington Examiner.
Green added that “the Trump campaign in 2020 seems to be emphasizing traditional political outreach far more than in 2016.”
Biden’s campaign also hopes that his messaging style in the time of the coronavirus leaves voters with a more positive impression of the former vice president. Trump’s aggressive, confrontational style is more likely to go viral on the internet, but Biden’s campaign wants to provide a positive alternative and connect with voters on a more personal level.
“Door-knocking, which is the gold standard of organizing, is about having the conversation and making the case, but it’s as much about showing up and caring enough about that person,” Biden campaign manager Jen O’Malley Dillon told the New York Times Magazine. “So now that we can’t have door-knocking, how do we get the essence of that? We do it by showing up for people, checking in on them, seeing how they’re doing, building the relationship. We’re not calling to ask for something from you. We’re calling you because we want to make sure you’re OK. People are going to remember that.”
While the Biden campaign puts a positive spin on its organizing efforts, his campaign looks like a bigger uphill battle when considering fundraising and polling. Biden and the Democratic National Committee are about $187 million behind Trump and the Republican National Committee. An Emerson College national poll conducted April 26-28 found an enthusiasm gap between Trump and Biden supporters: 64% of Trump supporters said that they were very or extremely excited to vote for him, compared to 45% for Biden.
That leaves Biden’s campaign is in much of the same position as it was in just before the Democratic presidential primaries: low on cash, inspiring less voter enthusiasm, and behind the curve on organizing efforts. The question is whether he can start from behind and pull off a win in the general election as he did in the primary.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-05--New Mexico GOP House race gets heated after candidate accuses opponent of spreading 'despicable, unt

New Mexico GOP House race gets heated after candidate accuses opponent of spreading 'despicable, untrue' infidelity rumors

A Republican primary in New Mexico is heating up after one candidate accused another of spreading rumors about marital infidelity .
New Mexico oil executive Claire Chase called on her primary opponent Yvette Herrell , a former GOP state lawmaker , to depart the congressional race on Monday after accusing her of spreading rumors that she was unfaithful in her first marriage .
“ This despicable , untrue , and deeply personal attack reveals who Yvette Herrell is as a person , and it isn ’ t pretty , ” Chase said in a statement .
“ Yvette ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should drop out of this race for the good of the Republican Party.
” Retired U.S. Marine Jared Richardson , who made public his endorsement of Chase on social media , told the Associated Press that Herrell called him last month and claimed Chase cheated on her first husband while he was deployed in Afghanistan .
“ She called on two different occasions to spread these [ expletive ] rumors .
Really ?
” said Richardson , a former citizen of Socorro , New Mexico , who now resides in Panama City , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Who cares ?
Stick to the issues.
” Herrell has denied Richardson 's claims , saying , `` His allegation is 100 % false . ''
“ I have never attempted to use personal rumors about Claire in this race , and will never do so .
Neither has my campaign .
I will take any legal steps necessary to protect myself against libel , '' she said .
Herrell added that she is refusing to drop out of the congressional race , calling Chase 's accusations `` blatant lies '' and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' “ This is yet another disgraceful and false attack on my character , and we know New Mexico voters will see through these blatant lies , ” she explained .
“ The people of our district deserve a race focused on the issues that matter , not sensationalist tabloid media stories.
” Ben Gray , Chase 's first husband , weighed in on the situation to say he was dismayed by Herrell 's alleged tactics during the primary campaign .
“ I can ’ t believe Yvette Herrell would try to use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
What kind of person would smear a Veteran to win a political campaign ?
” Gray said .
Additionally , Chase has said she did not meet her current husband , Chance Chase , until after her divorce from Gray was finalized and two years after his return from deployment .
According to text messages obtained by the Associated Press , Herrell was in communication with conservative cartoonist Roger Rael , who requested copywriting changes to illustrations he was designing about Chase 's first marriage .
Herrell provided feedback suggestions on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with her now-husband as Gray looked at them with a puzzled look .
“ The second Claire is spelled wrong , ” Herrell texted Rael .
“ It should say gold digging , not good digging.
” “ Let me send them in the morning .
There are a couple of more , '' she also messaged .
Herrell 's campaign representative confirmed the existence of text messages but asserted the GOP congressional candidate was only responding to Rael 's pestering .
Chase , Herrell , and businessman Chris Mathys are all seeking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2nd Congressional District , an area won by President Trump in the 2016 election .
The seat has traditionally been held by a Republican but is currently occupied by Democratic Rep. Xochitl Torres Small , who defeated Herrell in the 2018 midterm elections .

A Republican primary in New Mexico is heating up after one candidate accused another of spreading rumors about marital infidelity.
New Mexico oil executive Claire Chase called on her primary opponent Yvette Herrell, a former GOP state lawmaker, to depart the congressional race on Monday after accusing her of spreading rumors that she was unfaithful in her first marriage.
“This despicable, untrue, and deeply personal attack reveals who Yvette Herrell is as a person, and it isn’t pretty,” Chase said in a statement. “Yvette’s candidacy is no longer viable and she should drop out of this race for the good of the Republican Party.”
Republican U.S. House candidate Claire Chase campaigns in Los Lunas, N.M. and talks about her plans to support President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Russell Contreras, File)
Retired U.S. Marine Jared Richardson, who made public his endorsement of Chase on social media, told the Associated Press that Herrell called him last month and claimed Chase cheated on her first husband while he was deployed in Afghanistan.
“She called on two different occasions to spread these [expletive] rumors. Really?” said Richardson, a former citizen of Socorro, New Mexico, who now resides in Panama City, Florida. “I found that dirty. Who cares? Stick to the issues.”
Herrell has denied Richardson's claims, saying, "His allegation is 100% false."
“I have never attempted to use personal rumors about Claire in this race, and will never do so. Neither has my campaign. I will take any legal steps necessary to protect myself against libel," she said.
Herrell added that she is refusing to drop out of the congressional race, calling Chase's accusations "blatant lies" and an "attack on my character."
“This is yet another disgraceful and false attack on my character, and we know New Mexico voters will see through these blatant lies,” she explained. “The people of our district deserve a race focused on the issues that matter, not sensationalist tabloid media stories.”
Ben Gray, Chase's first husband, weighed in on the situation to say he was dismayed by Herrell's alleged tactics during the primary campaign.
“I can’t believe Yvette Herrell would try to use me in this false, disgusting attack. What kind of person would smear a Veteran to win a political campaign?” Gray said.
Additionally, Chase has said she did not meet her current husband, Chance Chase, until after her divorce from Gray was finalized and two years after his return from deployment.
According to text messages obtained by the Associated Press, Herrell was in communication with conservative cartoonist Roger Rael, who requested copywriting changes to illustrations he was designing about Chase's first marriage. Herrell provided feedback suggestions on a meme Rael created, which showed Chase with her now-husband as Gray looked at them with a puzzled look.
“The second Claire is spelled wrong,” Herrell texted Rael. “It should say gold digging, not good digging.”
“Let me send them in the morning. There are a couple of more," she also messaged.
Herrell's campaign representative confirmed the existence of text messages but asserted the GOP congressional candidate was only responding to Rael's pestering.
Chase, Herrell, and businessman Chris Mathys are all seeking the Republican nomination for New Mexico's 2nd Congressional District, an area won by President Trump in the 2016 election. The seat has traditionally been held by a Republican but is currently occupied by Democratic Rep. Xochitl Torres Small, who defeated Herrell in the 2018 midterm elections.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-05--Biden touts 2009 stimulus leadership as coronavirus economic damage deepens

The winner of the 2020 presidential election is sure to face a faltering economy due to the coronavirus pandemic , possibly worse than President Barack Obama did when he entered office in January 2009 amid the Great Recession .
Joe Biden is looking to turn that experience into a political asset .
Biden , the presumptive 2020 Democratic nominee , spent his first year as Obama 's vice president quarterbacking the Economic Recovery and Investment Act into reality .
The $ 787 billion economic stimulus package , enacted by Democratic majorities in the House and Senate and President Obama , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since the Great Depression , triggered by a spate of bank failures the prior year and deep dips in the stock market .
Biden 's experience overseeing the law is now key to his campaign message as he seeks to unseat President Trump .
Even with coronavirus curves flattening and states tentatively reopening their economies , the pandemic 's assault on the U.S. economy is sure to remain in effect on Inauguration Day , Jan. 20 , 2021 .
Since the early days of the primary season , Biden has regularly boasted about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vice president was overseeing the stimulus law .
Obama , facing one of the first tests in office , named Biden in charge of overseeing the bill 's implementation .
The new president sought to leverage Biden 's deep contacts and relationships on Capitol Hill , after 36 years of representing Delaware in the Senate .
The effectiveness of the stimulus remains hotly debated to this day , with liberal economists saying it was too small to grow the economy properly and conservatives contending the money was wasted on state bailouts and unions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Recession was the slowest since World War II , but Biden has found a way to spin it in his favor .
`` Know what I was most proud of ?
For eight years , there was n't one single hint of a scandal or a lie , '' Biden said at a campaign stop in June , referring to his oversight of the stimulus money .
In donor meetings , he credits the stimulus package for `` help [ ing ] save this nation from economic ruin '' while claiming no money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went out , unemployment benefits went out any longer than they did in history , boosting people ’ s purchasing power , '' said Brookings Institution economist Gary Burtless .
`` The postmortem of its impact [ is ] that strikingly in the year or two after the recession , incomes in the bottom of the income distribution actually went up . ''
Biden is now calling for an expanded stimulus package , with over $ 6 trillion for extended unemployment benefits and infrastructure jobs `` that can be implemented really rapidly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ environmental things that create good-paying jobs.
” But there is no consensus about the effectiveness of the 2009 stimulus law or the argument it was scandal-free .
At the time , government watchdogs and reporters logged a number of questionable programs funded by the stimulus package , which included millions in public affairs consultancy fees and highway signs to promote local projects .
In 2010 , a CNN survey found nearly three-quarters of people in the United States thought much of the stimulus package was wasted , with 56 % opposing the program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Solyndra ( a solar panel company that received upwards of $ 840 million that went bankrupt just four years after it received government-backed loans ) fed into public concerns that the average person was n't seeing much of the money from the stimulus package .
Conservatives and free-market economists point to economic models provided by the Congressional Budget Office and the Obama administration 's projections about the impact of the stimulus package .
`` On the macroeconomics , the 2009 stimulus was a fiasco .
It missed every economic target set not only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House itself , '' said Manhattan Institute scholar Brian Riedl .
`` The economy performed worse than their own 0 % stimulus model .
It was worse than no stimulus , according to their own projects.
” In 2009 , Christina Romer , chairwoman of Obama 's Council of Economic Advisers , said that the stimulus package would avert 8 % unemployment .
The number of people nationwide without work eventually soared to 10 % and did n't reach 2006 levels until December 2016 .
`` Overall , the stimulus was notorious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years , following the stimulus bill , newspapers were filled with [ stories of ] fraud .
Payments to dead people , money for a turtle bridge , I remember , was one of the examples , '' Riedl said .
`` The idea that there was no waste is comical .
All it takes is a newspaper archive search . ''

The winner of the 2020 presidential election is sure to face a faltering economy due to the coronavirus pandemic, possibly worse than President Barack Obama did when he entered office in January 2009 amid the Great Recession. Joe Biden is looking to turn that experience into a political asset.
Biden, the presumptive 2020 Democratic nominee, spent his first year as Obama's vice president quarterbacking the Economic Recovery and Investment Act into reality. The $787 billion economic stimulus package, enacted by Democratic majorities in the House and Senate and President Obama, aimed to reverse the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, triggered by a spate of bank failures the prior year and deep dips in the stock market.
Biden's experience overseeing the law is now key to his campaign message as he seeks to unseat President Trump. Even with coronavirus curves flattening and states tentatively reopening their economies, the pandemic's assault on the U.S. economy is sure to remain in effect on Inauguration Day, Jan. 20, 2021.
Since the early days of the primary season, Biden has regularly boasted about how one of his chief accomplishments as vice president was overseeing the stimulus law. Obama, facing one of the first tests in office, named Biden in charge of overseeing the bill's implementation. The new president sought to leverage Biden's deep contacts and relationships on Capitol Hill, after 36 years of representing Delaware in the Senate.
The effectiveness of the stimulus remains hotly debated to this day, with liberal economists saying it was too small to grow the economy properly and conservatives contending the money was wasted on state bailouts and unions. The economic recovery from the Great Recession was the slowest since World War II, but Biden has found a way to spin it in his favor.
"Know what I was most proud of? For eight years, there wasn't one single hint of a scandal or a lie," Biden said at a campaign stop in June, referring to his oversight of the stimulus money.
In donor meetings, he credits the stimulus package for "help[ing] save this nation from economic ruin" while claiming no money was wasted.
"The money immediately went out, unemployment benefits went out any longer than they did in history, boosting people’s purchasing power," said Brookings Institution economist Gary Burtless. "The postmortem of its impact [is] that strikingly in the year or two after the recession, incomes in the bottom of the income distribution actually went up."
Biden is now calling for an expanded stimulus package, with over $6 trillion for extended unemployment benefits and infrastructure jobs "that can be implemented really rapidly,” as well as “dealing with environmental things that create good-paying jobs.”
But there is no consensus about the effectiveness of the 2009 stimulus law or the argument it was scandal-free.
At the time, government watchdogs and reporters logged a number of questionable programs funded by the stimulus package, which included millions in public affairs consultancy fees and highway signs to promote local projects.
In 2010, a CNN survey found nearly three-quarters of people in the United States thought much of the stimulus package was wasted, with 56% opposing the program altogether.
Headlines about the case of Solyndra (a solar panel company that received upwards of $840 million that went bankrupt just four years after it received government-backed loans) fed into public concerns that the average person wasn't seeing much of the money from the stimulus package.
Conservatives and free-market economists point to economic models provided by the Congressional Budget Office and the Obama administration's projections about the impact of the stimulus package.
"On the macroeconomics, the 2009 stimulus was a fiasco. It missed every economic target set not only by the CBO but by the Obama White House itself," said Manhattan Institute scholar Brian Riedl. "The economy performed worse than their own 0% stimulus model. It was worse than no stimulus, according to their own projects.”
In 2009, Christina Romer, chairwoman of Obama's Council of Economic Advisers, said that the stimulus package would avert 8% unemployment. The number of people nationwide without work eventually soared to 10% and didn't reach 2006 levels until December 2016.
"Overall, the stimulus was notorious for waste and mismanagement. For two years, following the stimulus bill, newspapers were filled with [stories of] fraud. Payments to dead people, money for a turtle bridge, I remember, was one of the examples," Riedl said. "The idea that there was no waste is comical. All it takes is a newspaper archive search."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-05--'I'm not willing to sell my soul for anyone': Carly Fiorina says she won't vote for Trump in 2020

One of President Trump 's former presidential primary opponents wo n't be voting for him in November .
During a podcast interview with the Bulwark 's Charlie Sykes , former CEO of Hewlett-Packard Carly Fiorina , who competed against Trump for the Republican nomination for president in 2016 , sounded off on the president for his lack of `` leadership '' during the coronavirus pandemic , asserting she 's not confident she can vote for the incumbent in the general election .
`` I can not vote for Donald Trump in 2020 , '' Fiorina told Sykes , later saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former Vice President Joe Biden .
`` Depending on how he conducts himself , for the first time in my life , it 's possible I will not vote , but I will not vote for President Trump . ''
Fiorina earlier noted how she voted for Trump in 2016 but has since been disappointed by his leadership , while also chiding him for asserting he 's faced a more hostile press than President Abraham Lincoln during a recent Fox News town hall .
But the former Republican presidential candidate , who was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pick in 2016 , said she ca n't commit to supporting Trump because of her own principles .
`` If you sell your soul , no one will ever pay you back .
A job wo n't , press wo n't , and fame wo n't , '' Fiorina said .
`` When one abandons one 's principles and says things that one does n't believe , one has sold one 's soul .
And I 'm not willing to sell my soul for anyone . ''
`` Did you think at all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ? ''
Sykes asked , to which Fiorina replied in the negative .
Fiorina also noted in the podcast how she supported Trump 's impeachment over his communications with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky but stopped short of saying he should have been removed from office .
She explained , `` The act of holding him accountable by impeaching him to demonstrate that this is not acceptable behavior by a president of the United States .
That , I believed , was vital . ''
The House voted in favor of two articles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with no Republicans voting in support of the charges of obstruction of Congress and abuse of power .
Trump was later acquitted of all charges in his U.S. Senate trial .

One of President Trump's former presidential primary opponents won't be voting for him in November.
During a podcast interview with the Bulwark's Charlie Sykes, former CEO of Hewlett-Packard Carly Fiorina, who competed against Trump for the Republican nomination for president in 2016, sounded off on the president for his lack of "leadership" during the coronavirus pandemic, asserting she's not confident she can vote for the incumbent in the general election.
"I cannot vote for Donald Trump in 2020," Fiorina told Sykes, later saying she is considering casting her ballot for former Vice President Joe Biden. "Depending on how he conducts himself, for the first time in my life, it's possible I will not vote, but I will not vote for President Trump."
Fiorina earlier noted how she voted for Trump in 2016 but has since been disappointed by his leadership, while also chiding him for asserting he's faced a more hostile press than President Abraham Lincoln during a recent Fox News town hall. But the former Republican presidential candidate, who was also Texas Sen. Ted Cruz's vice-presidential pick in 2016, said she can't commit to supporting Trump because of her own principles.
"If you sell your soul, no one will ever pay you back. A job won't, press won't, and fame won't," Fiorina said. "When one abandons one's principles and says things that one doesn't believe, one has sold one's soul. And I'm not willing to sell my soul for anyone."
"Did you think at all of running in the primary against Donald Trump?" Sykes asked, to which Fiorina replied in the negative.
Fiorina also noted in the podcast how she supported Trump's impeachment over his communications with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky but stopped short of saying he should have been removed from office. She explained, "The act of holding him accountable by impeaching him to demonstrate that this is not acceptable behavior by a president of the United States. That, I believed, was vital."
The House voted in favor of two articles of impeachment against Trump late last year, with no Republicans voting in support of the charges of obstruction of Congress and abuse of power. Trump was later acquitted of all charges in his U.S. Senate trial.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-05--Biden campaign reaches union agreement with field organizers

Joe Biden 's campaign field organizers are the first in presidential history to be covered by a union agreement as they work to elect a major party 's presumptive nominee in a general election .
Teamsters Local 238 , which represents the organizers , announced the deal had been ratified effective Friday , covering about 100 organizers employed by the Democratic Party 's apparent standard-bearer .
“ For the first time in history , the campaign staff for a presumptive nominee of a major political party will be covered under a union agreement that includes overtime pay for all hours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100 % employer-paid health insurance , a six-day work week , a union grievance procedure , and other protections afforded by a union contract , ” Teamsters Local 238 Secretary-Treasurer Jesse Case wrote in a statement Monday night .
The pact continues a trend away from how campaigns have operated in the past .
They typically have fluid , underresourced structures , similar to startup companies , with a high turnover rate for staff , who work long hours for low wages as they adapt to rapidly changing situations and conditions .
Maju @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operating officer , said the arrangement was aligned with the values of the two-term vice president and 36-year senator from Delaware .
`` His plan to grow a stronger , more inclusive middle class — the backbone of the American economy — demands that we strengthen public and private-sector unions and help all workers bargain successfully for what they deserve , '' Varghese wrote .
`` Our hardworking field organizers are no exception , and their efforts are critical to our success at the ballot box this fall . ''
Though organizers will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for an average increase of $ 1,900 in annual wages ) under Biden 's framework , its terms are n't as generous as that for aides of former 2020 White House hopeful Bernie Sanders .
The Vermont senator had agreed to allow staff to take up to 57 days of paid leave each calendar year , as well as generous termination provisions , before he ended his bid last month .

Joe Biden's campaign field organizers are the first in presidential history to be covered by a union agreement as they work to elect a major party's presumptive nominee in a general election.
Teamsters Local 238, which represents the organizers, announced the deal had been ratified effective Friday, covering about 100 organizers employed by the Democratic Party's apparent standard-bearer.
“For the first time in history, the campaign staff for a presumptive nominee of a major political party will be covered under a union agreement that includes overtime pay for all hours worked after 40 in a week, 100% employer-paid health insurance, a six-day work week, a union grievance procedure, and other protections afforded by a union contract,” Teamsters Local 238 Secretary-Treasurer Jesse Case wrote in a statement Monday night.
The pact continues a trend away from how campaigns have operated in the past. They typically have fluid, underresourced structures, similar to startup companies, with a high turnover rate for staff, who work long hours for low wages as they adapt to rapidly changing situations and conditions.
Maju Varghese, Biden for President's chief operating officer, said the arrangement was aligned with the values of the two-term vice president and 36-year senator from Delaware.
"His plan to grow a stronger, more inclusive middle class — the backbone of the American economy — demands that we strengthen public and private-sector unions and help all workers bargain successfully for what they deserve," Varghese wrote. "Our hardworking field organizers are no exception, and their efforts are critical to our success at the ballot box this fall."
Though organizers will be paid $15 an hour (for an average increase of $1,900 in annual wages) under Biden's framework, its terms aren't as generous as that for aides of former 2020 White House hopeful Bernie Sanders. The Vermont senator had agreed to allow staff to take up to 57 days of paid leave each calendar year, as well as generous termination provisions, before he ended his bid last month.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-05--Anti-Trump 'Mourning in America' flops because its only intended audience is Trump himself

President Trump went off on a Twitter tirade after an advertisement from the anti-Trump Lincoln Project aired during Tucker Carlson Tonight , sophomorically smearing the PAC 's backers George Conway as `` Moonface '' and Rick Wilson as `` crazed . ''
Trump 's fulmination was n't just unbecoming of the Oval Office , but also dumb because , in all honesty , the Lincoln Project ad simply was n't good .
From a purely cinematic perspective , the `` Mourning in America '' spot takes the potentially riveting conceit of a nation strangled by the coronavirus and illustrates it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of dilapidated buildings and hackneyed criticisms of Trump bailing out `` Wall Street but not Main Street '' fall flat .
But the ad 's true error is its narrative reliance on an unavoidable global shutdown and not Trump 's own words and personal failings .
`` Mourning in America '' seems to indulge in an ugly portrayal of America overall , insinuating that the nation 's been embroiled in economic collapse for years rather than an intentional shutdown after a year of hovering around a half-century low of unemployment and record confidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we know that the federal government wasted the crucial month after closing most travel from China , and as the leader of the executive branch , the buck stops with Trump , so he gets the blame .
But consider , nearly every other nation has had to enact economically destructive shutdowns , and not only did the United States maintain the advantage of a much stronger economy going into the shutdown than most of our allies , but we 're also keeping our per capita death rate as a result of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as Belgium , France , and the United Kingdom .
More importantly , polling provides Trump 's opponents a clear pathway for how to best highlight his flaws .
Although Trump 's approval rating remains underwater and he trails Joe Biden in head-to-head matchups , voters still tend to trust Trump far more than the de facto Democratic nominee on handling the economy .
Making our current economic situation the focal point of any Trump critique is just bad strategy .
Trump-haters would be better off focusing on his press conference faux @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Kim Jong Un .
As a matter of content , `` Mourning in America '' is a flop .
But it clearly got a rise out of Trump , who may have been the Lincoln Project 's only intended audience .

President Trump went off on a Twitter tirade after an advertisement from the anti-Trump Lincoln Project aired during Tucker Carlson Tonight, sophomorically smearing the PAC's backers George Conway as "Moonface" and Rick Wilson as "crazed." Trump's fulmination wasn't just unbecoming of the Oval Office, but also dumb because, in all honesty, the Lincoln Project ad simply wasn't good.
📺 Mourning In America pic.twitter.com/djkH0ySCqo — The Lincoln Project (@ProjectLincoln) May 4, 2020
From a purely cinematic perspective, the "Mourning in America" spot takes the potentially riveting conceit of a nation strangled by the coronavirus and illustrates it as banally as possible. Generic shots of dilapidated buildings and hackneyed criticisms of Trump bailing out "Wall Street but not Main Street" fall flat. But the ad's true error is its narrative reliance on an unavoidable global shutdown and not Trump's own words and personal failings.
"Mourning in America" seems to indulge in an ugly portrayal of America overall, insinuating that the nation's been embroiled in economic collapse for years rather than an intentional shutdown after a year of hovering around a half-century low of unemployment and record confidence in personal financial prospects. Sure, we know that the federal government wasted the crucial month after closing most travel from China, and as the leader of the executive branch, the buck stops with Trump, so he gets the blame. But consider, nearly every other nation has had to enact economically destructive shutdowns, and not only did the United States maintain the advantage of a much stronger economy going into the shutdown than most of our allies, but we're also keeping our per capita death rate as a result of the pandemic much lower than other OECD nations such as Belgium, France, and the United Kingdom.
More importantly, polling provides Trump's opponents a clear pathway for how to best highlight his flaws. Although Trump's approval rating remains underwater and he trails Joe Biden in head-to-head matchups, voters still tend to trust Trump far more than the de facto Democratic nominee on handling the economy. Making our current economic situation the focal point of any Trump critique is just bad strategy. Trump-haters would be better off focusing on his press conference faux pas and persistent flattery of Xi Jinping and Kim Jong Un.
As a matter of content, "Mourning in America" is a flop. But it clearly got a rise out of Trump, who may have been the Lincoln Project's only intended audience.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-05--Coming demographic shifts will devastate GOP without reform

The never-ending partisan battle between those seeking to preserve the past and those who would like to change it is on full display as American demographics change in unprecedented ways .
The drastic nature of coming ethnic changes to the electorate will alter the electoral map as we know it , realigning the importance of certain states in presidential elections and reallocating congressional representation to boot .
It may be difficult to envision this new America for some , and to others , it may even seem unlikely because of President Trump ’ s shock victory over Hillary Clinton in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ win because he had a robust , diverse coalition of support ( although he did fare with African American and Hispanic voters than Mitt Romney in 2012 or John McCain in 2008 ) but because Trump was able to maximize turnout effectively among a steadily declining , yet eager and reliable white electorate .
Trump benefited despite demographic shifts , making his victory a true political phenomenon .
While Trump ’ s 2016 victory was impressive because it was so unexpected , it can not become the standard for how the GOP approaches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an outlier : the exception , not a new rule .
The GOP ’ s reliance on a shrinking base of voters puts the party at a significant disadvantage going forward .
Despite his high approval ratings among registered Republicans , Trump ’ s brand of politics has alienated suburban voters , once a GOP stronghold , as well as Hispanics , African Americans , and Asian Americans — all groups the GOP needs to be competitive with .
This was made clear in the 2018 midterm election .
According to the , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over Republican , as well as 69 % of Hispanics and 77 % of Asians .
According to the same study , college-educated women favored Democrats by 59 % , with just 39 % voting Republican .
Meanwhile , 67 % of voters ages 18 to 29 favored Democrats , and 58 % of 30-to-44-year-olds also voted blue .
Nearly half of post-millennials , also known as Generation Z , are racial or ethnic minorities .
Data from the and the show that Generation Z is the most diverse generation in American history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trend bodes well for the GOP .
Based on the 2018 midterm data , we can project that Generation Z is likely to reject the Republican Party at even higher numbers .
Their views on race , the role of government , and climate change are far removed from the Republican Party 's agenda .
There ’ s little indication the GOP even realizes just how far apart it is on certain issues from voters beyond its base .
Even if President Trump wins reelection in November , the demographic shifts point to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for relevance , influence , and power in an America that is increasingly rejecting its positions .
The impact this will have on the electoral landscape will make the mostly white states in the Northeast and Midwest less relevant and shift the electoral focus to the South and West .
This will put into play former red states such as Georgia , where Democratic gubernatorial nominee Stacey Abrams only lost the state by 55,00 votes in 2018 .
It also puts into play other once reliably red states such as Texas , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his Senate race against Republican Sen. Ted Cruz by 2.6 % of the vote .
The future of America suggests a real possibility of a new and emerging Democratic majority .
The diversity and views of younger millennials , merged with Generation Z , will restructure the electoral map in ways that put the Republican Party at a great disadvantage .
Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale once said , “ The Trumps will be a dynasty that will last for decades , propelling the Republican Party into a new party.
” Parscale may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if he is , it will cripple the Republican Party ’ s ability to appeal to much-needed youth and minority voters .
Voters need choices among both political parties , but in order for the GOP to be a legitimate choice for many minorities , it has to transform itself into a legitimate alternative .
The jury is still out on whether or not it can .
Shermichael Singleton ( @ Shermichael_ ) is a contributor to the Washington Examiner 's Beltway Confidential blog .
He is a Republican strategist and political analyst @ @ @ @ @

The never-ending partisan battle between those seeking to preserve the past and those who would like to change it is on full display as American demographics change in unprecedented ways.
The drastic nature of coming ethnic changes to the electorate will alter the electoral map as we know it, realigning the importance of certain states in presidential elections and reallocating congressional representation to boot.
It may be difficult to envision this new America for some, and to others, it may even seem unlikely because of President Trump’s shock victory over Hillary Clinton in 2016. However, Trump did not win because he had a robust, diverse coalition of support (although he did fare better with African American and Hispanic voters than Mitt Romney in 2012 or John McCain in 2008) but because Trump was able to maximize turnout effectively among a steadily declining, yet eager and reliable white electorate. Trump benefited despite demographic shifts, making his victory a true political phenomenon.
While Trump’s 2016 victory was impressive because it was so unexpected, it cannot become the standard for how the GOP approaches future elections as it was almost certainly an outlier: the exception, not a new rule.
The GOP’s reliance on a shrinking base of voters puts the party at a significant disadvantage going forward. Despite his high approval ratings among registered Republicans, Trump’s brand of politics has alienated suburban voters, once a GOP stronghold, as well as Hispanics, African Americans, and Asian Americans — all groups the GOP needs to be competitive with.
This was made clear in the 2018 midterm election.
According to the Pew Research Center , 90% of African Americans voted Democratic over Republican, as well as 69% of Hispanics and 77% of Asians. According to the same study, college-educated women favored Democrats by 59%, with just 39% voting Republican. Meanwhile, 67% of voters ages 18 to 29 favored Democrats, and 58% of 30-to-44-year-olds also voted blue.
Nearly half of post-millennials, also known as Generation Z, are racial or ethnic minorities. Data from the Pew Research Center and the Census Bureau show that Generation Z is the most diverse generation in American history and also the most educated.
Neither trend bodes well for the GOP.
Based on the 2018 midterm data, we can project that Generation Z is likely to reject the Republican Party at even higher numbers. Their views on race, the role of government, and climate change are far removed from the Republican Party's agenda. There’s little indication the GOP even realizes just how far apart it is on certain issues from voters beyond its base. Even if President Trump wins reelection in November, the demographic shifts point to a future where the GOP will struggle for relevance, influence, and power in an America that is increasingly rejecting its positions.
The impact this will have on the electoral landscape will make the mostly white states in the Northeast and Midwest less relevant and shift the electoral focus to the South and West. This will put into play former red states such as Georgia, where Democratic gubernatorial nominee Stacey Abrams only lost the state by 55,00 votes in 2018. It also puts into play other once reliably red states such as Texas, where Democrat Beto O’Rourke only lost his Senate race against Republican Sen. Ted Cruz by 2.6% of the vote.
The future of America suggests a real possibility of a new and emerging Democratic majority. The diversity and views of younger millennials, merged with Generation Z, will restructure the electoral map in ways that put the Republican Party at a great disadvantage.
Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale once said, “The Trumps will be a dynasty that will last for decades, propelling the Republican Party into a new party.” Parscale may be correct in his prediction, but if he is, it will cripple the Republican Party’s ability to appeal to much-needed youth and minority voters.
Voters need choices among both political parties, but in order for the GOP to be a legitimate choice for many minorities, it has to transform itself into a legitimate alternative. The jury is still out on whether or not it can.
Shermichael Singleton (@Shermichael_) is a contributor to the Washington Examiner's Beltway Confidential blog. He is a Republican strategist and political analyst regularly appearing on MSNBC.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-05--'Something’s gonna happen': Limbaugh predicts Biden will disappear from Democratic ticket

Conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh predicted that presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden will essentially disappear from November ’ s election ticket .
“ Biden is somebody that ’ s not gon na be on the ticket anyway , ” Limbaugh said on his show Monday .
“ Something ’ s gon na happen .
They can ’ t possibly , they can ’ t possibly go into the race with the guy on the ticket .
He couldn ’ t withstand one debate with Trump if there were any debates.
” He continued , “ I mean , this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Democrats are all tied in knots and pretzels here because of the # MeToo movement , and it ’ s fascinating to watch the media wring their hands about it.
” Limbaugh 's comments followed accusations from Tara Reade that Biden pushed her against a wall and penetrated her with his fingers in 1993 , when she was his Senate aide .
Biden has denied the allegations , saying , `` I do n't remember any type of complaint she may have made .
It was 27 years ago .
...
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ else that I 'm aware of . ''
“ They ’ ve gotten caught on [ # MeToo hypocrisy ] , '' Limbaugh continued .
“ Now , they ’ ve got the exact kind of allegation that [ Supreme Court Justice Brett ] Kavanaugh was hit with , except this one is even more believable .
… So , they ’ re faced with a hard , cold reality on the Democrat side , and that is , they have to find a way to get him off the ticket .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So , how do they do this ? ''
“ They know .
At the highest levels of the Democrat National Committee , they know that Joe Biden has got to go .
Nonstarter , ” he added .
“ It ’ s a major , major problem.
” Limbaugh announced in February that he is battling advanced lung cancer and has been undergoing treatment .
“ Ladies and gentlemen , this day has been one of the most difficult days in recent memory for me because I ’ ve known this moment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Limbaugh said at the beginning of February .
“ I ’ m sure you all know by now , I really don ’ t like talking about myself , and I don ’ t like making things about me other than in the usual satirical , joking way . ''
“ So , I have to tell you something today that I wish I didn ’ t have to tell you , ” he continued .
“ And it ’ s , it ’ s a struggle for me because I , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today .
...
I have been diagnosed with advanced lung cancer . ''

Conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh predicted that presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden will essentially disappear from November’s election ticket.
“Biden is somebody that’s not gonna be on the ticket anyway,” Limbaugh said on his show Monday. “Something’s gonna happen. They can’t possibly, they can’t possibly go into the race with the guy on the ticket. He couldn’t withstand one debate with Trump if there were any debates.”
He continued, “I mean, this is my instinctive feeling about it, but the Democrats are all tied in knots and pretzels here because of the #MeToo movement, and it’s fascinating to watch the media wring their hands about it.”
Limbaugh's comments followed accusations from Tara Reade that Biden pushed her against a wall and penetrated her with his fingers in 1993, when she was his Senate aide. Biden has denied the allegations, saying, "I don't remember any type of complaint she may have made. It was 27 years ago. ... I don't remember, nor does anyone else that I'm aware of."
“They’ve gotten caught on [#MeToo hypocrisy]," Limbaugh continued. “Now, they’ve got the exact kind of allegation that [Supreme Court Justice Brett] Kavanaugh was hit with, except this one is even more believable. … So, they’re faced with a hard, cold reality on the Democrat side, and that is, they have to find a way to get him off the ticket. But he’s got the delegates. So, how do they do this?"
“They know. At the highest levels of the Democrat National Committee, they know that Joe Biden has got to go. Nonstarter,” he added. “It’s a major, major problem.”
Limbaugh announced in February that he is battling advanced lung cancer and has been undergoing treatment.
“Ladies and gentlemen, this day has been one of the most difficult days in recent memory for me because I’ve known this moment was coming in the program today,” Limbaugh said at the beginning of February. “I’m sure you all know by now, I really don’t like talking about myself, and I don’t like making things about me other than in the usual satirical, joking way."
“So, I have to tell you something today that I wish I didn’t have to tell you,” he continued. “And it’s, it’s a struggle for me because I, I had to inform my staff earlier today. ... I have been diagnosed with advanced lung cancer."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-05--Libertarian hopeful Justin Amash latest GOP Trump critic to get run out of Congress, or run himself

Libertarian hopeful Justin Amash latest GOP Trump critic to get run out of Congress, or run himself out

Whatever happens with Michigan Rep. Justin Amash ’ s bid for the Libertarian Party presidential nomination , there will be one fewer right-leaning critic of President Trump in Congress next year .
Amash had last year , but his switch from to the Libertarian presidential contest continues a pattern of outspoken GOP Trump critics either surrendering their seats on Capitol Hill or their confrontational stance toward the president .
“ It is my personal belief that this movie ends badly , ” former Rep. Mark Sanford said of his party ’ s full-throated embrace of Trump .
The South Carolinian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Trump ’ s last-minute Twitter endorsement of his challenger , who , in turn , went on to lose to a Democrat in November .
`` Mark Sanford has been very unhelpful to me in my campaign to MAGA , '' Trump posted .
Sanford explored a 2020 primary challenge against Trump but dropped out before the first ballots were cast .
“ It was a waste of time , ” he said .
“ But the buddies of mine who encouraged it said , ‘ You ’ ve already invested 25 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] , what ’ s a couple more months ?
’ ” Most Republicans who have crossed swords with Trump did not even make it to the primary .
Sen. Bob Corker , a Tennessee Republican , fretted that Trump would start “ World War III ” with his “ reckless threats , ” temperament , and tweets .
“ He concerns me , ” Corker the New York Times in 2017 .
“ He would have to concern anyone who cares about our nation.
” He retired and was succeeded by Sen. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Sen. Jeff Flake wrote an anti-Trump book that borrowed its title , Conscience of a Conservative , from the bestseller from iconic fellow Arizona Republican Barry Goldwater .
He delivered a Senate floor speech denouncing the president — in which he also rather than defend these views in a GOP primary .
He was succeeded by Democratic Sen. Kyrsten Sinema .
Flake recently said he would not vote for Trump in November and that it would have been “ ” to deny the president Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh ’ s confirmation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kavanaugh .
Amash ’ s decision to become an independent last year would have allowed him to run for reelection without facing Republican primary voters after coming out for Trump ’ s impeachment in response to special counsel Robert Mueller ’ s report — which House Democrats ultimately did not use as their basis for impeaching the president .
Amash will now instead compete for the presidential nomination at the Libertarians ’ national convention .
Trump has become an obstacle to the political resurrection of Jeff Sessions , his original attorney general and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential campaign .
He endorsed Sessions 's primary opponent ahead of a July runoff .
Trump also put a scare into Rep. Thomas Massie when the Kentucky Republican tried to force a roll-call vote on the coronavirus rescue package .
Both candidates have tried to position themselves as pro-Trump .
Other erstwhile GOP Trump detractors have either embraced the president ( Sens .
Rand Paul , Lindsey Graham , and Marco Rubio ) or become quiet ( Sen. Ben Sasse ) .
The most significant remaining exceptions are Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Never Trump independent Evan McMullin won 21.5 % there in 2016 and held Trump below 50 % — and blue state Republican governors such as Maryland ’ s Larry Hogan and Massachusetts ’ s Charlie Baker .
Romney was the only Republican in Congress to back an article of impeachment against Trump .
What kind of effect Amash would have on Trump in a general election is .
“ There isn ’ t a hint of a glimmer of a ghost of a chance that Amash has a chance to win any state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Jeff Timmer , a Republican strategist and Trump critic .
“ Amash running only benefits Trump in Michigan , and I think , or at least hope , he eventually comes to that realization.
” Others disagree .
“ He will get the traditional Libertarian Party votes and maybe a place anti-Trump votes could go , but those are all votes Trump already didn ’ t have , ” said former Michigan Republican Party Chairman Saul Anuzis .
“ I see him having very little if any effect on Michigan or the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is such a purple state , it absolutely could have an impact , ” said John Truscott , a consultant and longtime press secretary to former Gov .
John Engler .
“ If he can get 2 % of the vote in Michigan , it could be enough to put the state in the Democrat column . ''
Even conservative Trump skeptics recognize his staying power with Republican voters .
`` Trump 's base is hardcore , '' Sanford said .
`` They are not going to turn on him easily . ''

Whatever happens with Michigan Rep. Justin Amash’s bid for the Libertarian Party presidential nomination, there will be one fewer right-leaning critic of President Trump in Congress next year.
Amash had already left the Republican Party last year, but his switch from seeking a sixth House term to the Libertarian presidential contest continues a pattern of outspoken GOP Trump critics either surrendering their seats on Capitol Hill or their confrontational stance toward the president.
“It is my personal belief that this movie ends badly,” former Rep. Mark Sanford said of his party’s full-throated embrace of Trump. The South Carolinian lost a Republican primary in 2018 thanks to Trump’s last-minute Twitter endorsement of his challenger, who, in turn, went on to lose to a Democrat in November. "Mark Sanford has been very unhelpful to me in my campaign to MAGA," Trump posted.
Sanford explored a 2020 primary challenge against Trump but dropped out before the first ballots were cast. “It was a waste of time,” he said. “But the buddies of mine who encouraged it said, ‘You’ve already invested 25 years of your life [in politics], what’s a couple more months?’”
Most Republicans who have crossed swords with Trump did not even make it to the primary. Sen. Bob Corker, a Tennessee Republican, fretted that Trump would start “World War III” with his “reckless threats,” temperament, and tweets. “He concerns me,” Corker told the New York Times in 2017. “He would have to concern anyone who cares about our nation.” He retired and was succeeded by Sen. Marsha Blackburn, a Republican Trump loyalist.
Sen. Jeff Flake wrote an anti-Trump book that borrowed its title, Conscience of a Conservative, from the bestseller from iconic fellow Arizona Republican Barry Goldwater. He delivered a Senate floor speech denouncing the president — in which he also announced his retirement rather than defend these views in a GOP primary. He was succeeded by Democratic Sen. Kyrsten Sinema. Flake recently said he would not vote for Trump in November and that it would have been “ immensely satisfying ” to deny the president Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation, even though Flake voted to confirm Kavanaugh.
Amash’s decision to become an independent last year would have allowed him to run for reelection without facing Republican primary voters after coming out for Trump’s impeachment in response to special counsel Robert Mueller’s report — which House Democrats ultimately did not use as their basis for impeaching the president. Amash will now instead compete for the presidential nomination at the Libertarians’ national convention.
Trump has become an obstacle to the political resurrection of Jeff Sessions, his original attorney general and the first senator to endorse his 2016 presidential campaign. He endorsed Sessions's primary opponent ahead of a July runoff. Trump also put a scare into Rep. Thomas Massie when the Kentucky Republican tried to force a roll-call vote on the coronavirus rescue package. Both candidates have tried to position themselves as pro-Trump.
Other erstwhile GOP Trump detractors have either embraced the president (Sens. Rand Paul, Lindsey Graham, and Marco Rubio) or become quiet (Sen. Ben Sasse). The most significant remaining exceptions are Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah, the least pro-Trump red state — Never Trump independent Evan McMullin won 21.5% there in 2016 and held Trump below 50% — and blue state Republican governors such as Maryland’s Larry Hogan and Massachusetts’s Charlie Baker. Romney was the only Republican in Congress to back an article of impeachment against Trump.
What kind of effect Amash would have on Trump in a general election is open for debate . “There isn’t a hint of a glimmer of a ghost of a chance that Amash has a chance to win any state, let alone the presidency,” said Jeff Timmer, a Republican strategist and Trump critic. “Amash running only benefits Trump in Michigan, and I think, or at least hope, he eventually comes to that realization.”
Others disagree. “He will get the traditional Libertarian Party votes and maybe a place anti-Trump votes could go, but those are all votes Trump already didn’t have,” said former Michigan Republican Party Chairman Saul Anuzis. “I see him having very little if any effect on Michigan or the race as a whole.”
“Michigan is such a purple state, it absolutely could have an impact,” said John Truscott, a consultant and longtime press secretary to former Gov. John Engler. “If he can get 2% of the vote in Michigan, it could be enough to put the state in the Democrat column."
Even conservative Trump skeptics recognize his staying power with Republican voters. "Trump's base is hardcore," Sanford said. "They are not going to turn on him easily."