thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-16--Joe Biden embraces AOC's radicalism

Joe Biden embraces AOC's radicalism

Joe Biden seems to be riding high in the polls .
So , why is he moving so far to the left ?
Is he trying to lose Pennsylvania , Colorado , Michigan , Ohio , and other energy-producing states ?
This is how we interpret his decision to enlist the aid of Sen. Bernie Sanders and to pick fanatic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to become the co-chairwoman of the panel setting his climate change agenda .
Ocasio-Cortez is best known for her Green New Deal proposal , which is estimated to cost $ 93 trillion .
Sanders , of course @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is premised on the ludicrous idea that one can not only abolish fossil fuels without harming the economy , but that one can also do so while dismantling the nation ’ s nuclear power capacity — the only reliable carbon-free source of electricity in the world today , thanks to the intermittency of wind and solar .
Most recently , the New York City-based congresswoman was seen asserting that her plan would be without any cost whatsoever because it 's a resolution .
This laughable claim is typical of Ocasio-Cortez , whose depth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can not be overstated .
When the price of oil plummeted recently due to the coronavirus , she took to social media to celebrate a new , green era .
The former Boston University economics major apparently did not understand supply and demand well enough to see how this lower price can only extend the era of cheap , abundant fossil fuels for consumers all around the world .
If anything , it represents a grave setback for more expensive , less reliable renewable sources of energy .
This might be why .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ project a blue-collar image .
In one famous speech that he plagiarized from a British politician , he claimed to come from a line of coal miners , which wasn ’ t even true .
But more recently , in an effort to court environmental extremists , Biden has shifted all the way to the other extreme .
He promised during a presidential debate to end all fracking .
To be sure , he only said he would end all “ new ” fracking , but that ’ s the same thing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ couple of days .
Biden ’ s campaign defended him , claiming that he had misspoken once again while making an unequivocal and important statement about a key matter of policy .
But this only raises further concerns .
Even Biden ’ s own campaign , in defending him , keeps calling into question his mental acuity .
This should make voters wonder who will be setting policy if he enters the White House .
Perhaps President Trump was too unkind when he suggested that as president , Biden would be wheeled into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the policy on his behalf .
But then , Biden is the one who has chosen to put radicals such as Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez into prominent roles in his campaign .
By elevating Ocasio-Cortez , he , or whoever pulls the strings of his campaign , is endorsing her radicalism .
Is Biden trying to scare away reasonable people — people who understand the basics of economics ?
Who drive cars ?
Who hold down real-world jobs and can ’ t afford even more economic damage from radical anti-energy “ green ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is to scare voters in key states , he ’ s on the right track .

Joe Biden seems to be riding high in the polls. So, why is he moving so far to the left? Is he trying to lose Pennsylvania, Colorado, Michigan, Ohio, and other energy-producing states?
This is how we interpret his decision to enlist the aid of Sen. Bernie Sanders and to pick fanatic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to become the co-chairwoman of the panel setting his climate change agenda.
Ocasio-Cortez is best known for her Green New Deal proposal, which is estimated to cost $93 trillion. Sanders, of course, has backed that proposal. It is premised on the ludicrous idea that one can not only abolish fossil fuels without harming the economy, but that one can also do so while dismantling the nation’s nuclear power capacity — the only reliable carbon-free source of electricity in the world today, thanks to the intermittency of wind and solar.
Most recently, the New York City-based congresswoman was seen asserting that her plan would be without any cost whatsoever because it's a resolution.
This laughable claim is typical of Ocasio-Cortez, whose depth of ignorance in matters related to energy cannot be overstated. When the price of oil plummeted recently due to the coronavirus, she took to social media to celebrate a new, green era. The former Boston University economics major apparently did not understand supply and demand well enough to see how this lower price can only extend the era of cheap, abundant fossil fuels for consumers all around the world. If anything, it represents a grave setback for more expensive, less reliable renewable sources of energy. This might be why she deleted that painfully ignorant tweet .
Biden has tried in the past to project a blue-collar image. In one famous speech that he plagiarized from a British politician, he claimed to come from a line of coal miners, which wasn’t even true.
But more recently, in an effort to court environmental extremists, Biden has shifted all the way to the other extreme. He promised during a presidential debate to end all fracking. To be sure, he only said he would end all “new” fracking, but that’s the same thing, since the fracking process takes only a couple of days.
Biden’s campaign defended him, claiming that he had misspoken once again while making an unequivocal and important statement about a key matter of policy. But this only raises further concerns. Even Biden’s own campaign, in defending him, keeps calling into question his mental acuity. This should make voters wonder who will be setting policy if he enters the White House.
Perhaps President Trump was too unkind when he suggested that as president, Biden would be wheeled into a nursing home while young radicals make all the policy on his behalf. But then, Biden is the one who has chosen to put radicals such as Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez into prominent roles in his campaign. By elevating Ocasio-Cortez, he, or whoever pulls the strings of his campaign, is endorsing her radicalism.
Is Biden trying to scare away reasonable people — people who understand the basics of economics? Who drive cars? Who hold down real-world jobs and can’t afford even more economic damage from radical anti-energy “green” policies?
If Biden’s goal is to scare voters in key states, he’s on the right track.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-17--Eric Trump: Democrats leveraging coronavirus to rob president of campaign rallies

Eric Trump said Democrats are thrilled the coronavirus pandemic stopped his father , President Trump , from holding campaign rallies .
By comparison , Trump claimed the team for Joe Biden , the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee , is reveling at keeping the 77-year-old at home to limit the number of gaffes he makes and avoid low-turnout at his events .
`` Listen , Biden loves this .
Biden can ’ t go on stage without making a horrible blunder .
I mean even from his basement he 's awful gaffes every single day .
So his campaign is thrilled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Trump told Fox News host Jeanine Pirro on Saturday .
`` They think they are taking away Donald Trump ’ s greatest tool which is to go into an arena with 50,000 people every single time , '' he added .
When it comes to the restrictions meant to curb the spread of the coronavirus , Trump said Democrats will `` milk it every single day '' until Election Day .
`` And guess what ?
After Nov. 3 coronavirus will magically all of a sudden go away and disappear and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .
The president last held a rally in March .
Campaign officials recently told CNN there are no set plans for him to return to in-person campaigning , but they are mulling alternatives , including a virtual rally .
President Trump told the Washington Examiner 's Salena Zito last week that Democratic governors are `` playing politics '' with state restrictions meant to curb the spread of the coronavirus .
`` They think it 's a bad thing for me if they delay the opening .
I think it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protesting outside , and those people like Trump , '' the president said of the anti-lockdown protesters .
The president also said he has heard a `` rumor '' that the Democratic Party wants to use the coronavirus as an excuse to not have Biden debate him .
Biden said in an interview with radio host Enrique Santos that he is `` ready to debate President Trump on Zoom or Skype anytime he wants . ''
Trump 's reelection campaign has warned that the president could skip the debates in the fall if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ selected by the Commission on Presidential Debates , are not `` fair . ''
Eric Trump spoke hours after his older brother , Donald Trump Jr. , stirred controversy by posting to social media a message that suggested Biden was a pedophile .

Eric Trump said Democrats are thrilled the coronavirus pandemic stopped his father, President Trump, from holding campaign rallies.
By comparison, Trump claimed the team for Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, is reveling at keeping the 77-year-old at home to limit the number of gaffes he makes and avoid low-turnout at his events.
"Listen, Biden loves this. Biden can’t go onstage without making a horrible blunder. I mean, even from his basement, he's making awful gaffes every single day. So his campaign's thrilled he’s not going out there," Trump told Fox News host Jeanine Pirro on Saturday.
"They think they are taking away Donald Trump’s greatest tool, which is to go into an arena with 50,000 people every single time," he added.
When it comes to the restrictions meant to curb the spread of the coronavirus, Trump said Democrats will "milk it every single day" until Election Day.
"And guess what? After Nov. 3, coronavirus will magically all of a sudden go away and disappear, and everybody will be able to reopen," he said.
Executive Vice President of the Trump Organization and the son of the president @EricTrump Trump joins “JUSTICE” tonight to react to my opening monologue and much more. Take a look. pic.twitter.com/bnn6QF2y4j — Jeanine Pirro (@JudgeJeanine) May 17, 2020
The president last held a rally in March. Campaign officials recently told CNN there are no set plans for him to return to in-person campaigning, but they are mulling alternatives, including a virtual rally.
President Trump told the Washington Examiner's Salena Zito last week that Democratic governors are "playing politics" with state restrictions meant to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
"They think it's a bad thing for me if they delay the opening. I think it's bad for them. You have people protesting outside, and those people like Trump," the president said of the anti-lockdown protesters.
The president also said he has heard a "rumor" that the Democratic Party wants to use the coronavirus as an excuse not to have Biden debate him.
Biden said in an interview with radio host Enrique Santos that he is "ready to debate President Trump on Zoom or Skype anytime he wants."
Trump's reelection campaign has warned that the president could skip the debates in the fall if he feels the moderators, who are selected by the Commission on Presidential Debates, are not "fair."
Eric Trump spoke hours after his older brother, Donald Trump Jr., stirred controversy by posting to social media a message that suggested Biden was a pedophile.
Biden is leading President Trump in general election polling by 4.5 percentage points.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-18--Can Joe Biden put Ohio back in play for Democrats?

President Trump 's 2016 victory in Ohio represented one of the largest Democratic-to-Republican swings in recent political history — but Joe Biden thinks he can win it back .
During a closed press meeting on Friday , Biden campaign officials offered an Electoral College prediction , confidently declaring that the former vice president and now presumptive 2020 Democratic nominee could win 318 votes on Election Day .
That would give the 36-year Delaware senator a comfortable win over Trump , well above the 270 needed to earn the White House keys .
`` The single biggest driver in terms of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be the percentage of people who have very favorable , very unfavorable opinion of Donald Trump , '' said Biden senior strategist Mike Donilon .
The campaign also announced that it was hiring an additional 600 staffers in battleground states to help with organizing and get-out-the-vote efforts , despite questions about how the coronavirus epidemic will impact traditional campaigning .
Ohio , with its 18 electoral votes , has long been a key prize in presidential politics .
The Buckeye State effectively gave President George W. Bush his reelection win in 2004 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 2012 before it backed Trump in 2016 by more than 8 points .
No Democrat had won the state with more than 50 % of the vote since Jimmy Carter in 1976 .
But the Biden campaign believes Trump 's low favorability ratings nationwide could put the state back in the blue column , particularly as it tries to make the November election a `` referendum '' on his handling of the coronavirus .
`` My best guess is that if the election was today , Trump would win Ohio but by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have some room to grow in some suburban places , and turnout could also get better for them , '' said University of Virginia elections analyst Kyle Kondik .
`` On the other hand , Trump may have room to grow in the small town/rural areas where he performed so well last time , '' said Kondik , author of The Bellwether : Why Ohio Picks the President .
`` A key for Democrats is to hold down Trump ’ s rural margins better than Clinton did . ''
An Emerson College poll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this month found Trump with a lead of three points over Biden at 46 % .
Eleven percent of voters in the state remained undecided or do n't plan on supporting either candidate .
Trump won Ohio in 2016 , with 51.69 % of the vote .
That same poll found Biden suffering from the same enthusiasm gap that he sees in a number of swing states , with 70 % of Trump supporters saying they 're excited to vote for him in November and only 39 % of Biden supporters saying the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March or last fall and summer , had Biden leading anywhere from 4 to 8 points , with Trump 's support as low as 42 % .
`` Donald Trump has visited Ohio several times as president .
He ’ s not coming here to vacation .
The Trump campaign understands Ohio is a must-win state for Trump , '' said University of Akron political scientist David Cohen .
`` If he loses Ohio , the electoral math falls apart , and there is really not a path for him to win , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cohen pointed to Sen. Sherrod Brown 's reelection in 2018 , when he won 53.4 % of the vote over his Republican challenger , then-Rep. Jim Renacci .
Brown endorsed Biden in April after Biden had sewn up the Democratic nomination .
Republicans , however , believe Trump 's populist message is expected to resonate once again with Rust Belt voters .
Unlike Brown , whose working-class bona fides are rarely questioned , even by Republicans , the GOP believes it can paint Biden as a member of the Washington establishment .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and organizing voters in Ohio for four straight years , building up an army of volunteers to win on Election Day , '' said Trump Victory spokesman Rick Gorka .
`` Joe Biden is delusional if he has the chance and message to flip Ohio , from his record on China to his position on fossil fuels .
We 're going to beat him like a drum , just like we beat Hillary in 2016 . ''

President Trump's 2016 victory in Ohio represented one of the largest Democratic-to-Republican swings in recent political history — but Joe Biden thinks he can win it back.
During a closed press meeting on Friday, Biden campaign officials offered an Electoral College prediction, confidently declaring that the former vice president and now presumptive 2020 Democratic nominee could win 318 votes on Election Day. That would give the 36-year Delaware senator a comfortable win over Trump, well above the 270 needed to earn the White House keys.
"The single biggest driver in terms of turnout and enthusiasm is actually going to be the percentage of people who have very favorable, very unfavorable opinion of Donald Trump," said Biden senior strategist Mike Donilon.
The campaign also announced that it was hiring an additional 600 staffers in battleground states to help with organizing and get-out-the-vote efforts, despite questions about how the coronavirus epidemic will impact traditional campaigning.
Ohio, with its 18 electoral votes, has long been a key prize in presidential politics. The Buckeye State effectively gave President George W. Bush his reelection win in 2004. President Barack Obama won Ohio in 2008 and 2012 before it backed Trump in 2016 by more than 8 points. No Democrat had won the state with more than 50% of the vote since Jimmy Carter in 1976.
But the Biden campaign believes Trump's low favorability ratings nationwide could put the state back in the blue column, particularly as it tries to make the November election a "referendum" on his handling of the coronavirus.
"My best guess is that if the election was today, Trump would win Ohio but by less than last time. The Democrats have some room to grow in some suburban places, and turnout could also get better for them," said University of Virginia elections analyst Kyle Kondik.
"On the other hand, Trump may have room to grow in the small town/rural areas where he performed so well last time," said Kondik, author of The Bellwether: Why Ohio Picks the President. "A key for Democrats is to hold down Trump’s rural margins better than Clinton did."
An Emerson College poll of voters in the state taken earlier this month found Trump with a lead of three points over Biden at 46%. Eleven percent of voters in the state remained undecided or don't plan on supporting either candidate. Trump won Ohio in 2016, with 51.69% of the vote.
That same poll found Biden suffering from the same enthusiasm gap that he sees in a number of swing states, with 70% of Trump supporters saying they're excited to vote for him in November and only 39% of Biden supporters saying the same.
Other polls, taken in March or last fall and summer, had Biden leading anywhere from 4 to 8 points, with Trump's support as low as 42%.
"Donald Trump has visited Ohio several times as president. He’s not coming here to vacation. The Trump campaign understands Ohio is a must-win state for Trump," said University of Akron political scientist David Cohen.
"If he loses Ohio, the electoral math falls apart, and there is really not a path for him to win," Cohen told the Washington Examiner.
Cohen pointed to Sen. Sherrod Brown's reelection in 2018, when he won 53.4% of the vote over his Republican challenger, then-Rep. Jim Renacci. Brown endorsed Biden in April after Biden had sewn up the Democratic nomination.
Republicans, however, believe Trump's populist message is expected to resonate once again with Rust Belt voters. Unlike Brown, whose working-class bona fides are rarely questioned, even by Republicans, the GOP believes it can paint Biden as a member of the Washington establishment.
"Donald Trump's campaign has been contacting and organizing voters in Ohio for four straight years, building up an army of volunteers to win on Election Day," said Trump Victory spokesman Rick Gorka. "Joe Biden is delusional if he has the chance and message to flip Ohio, from his record on China to his position on fossil fuels. We're going to beat him like a drum, just like we beat Hillary in 2016."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-18--Trump 'Truth over Facts' website parodies Biden blunders, but media miss the joke

Joe Biden is a living and breathing verbal slip-up machine .
Even he has admitted as much .
And his frequent misstatements and verbal blunders have become fodder for President Trump ’ s reelection campaign , which recently launched a website dedicated to Biden ’ s many misstatements .
The website , called Truth Over Facts , is absurd , though Biden ’ s blunders are certainly fair game .
But it has received undue criticism from Very Online pundits who are either unaware of the site ’ s context or are too eager to accuse Trump of wrongdoing — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ context : In August of last year , Biden was giving a campaign speech at the Iowa state fair when he mixed up his stump slogans .
“ Everybody knows who Donald Trump is .
Even his supporters know who he is , ” Biden declared .
“ We got to let him know who we are .
We choose unity over division .
We choose science over fiction .
We choose truth over facts.
” Biden was supposed to say “ truth over lies , ” as he has during other speeches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facts ” rolled off his tongue .
The Trump campaign mocked Biden ’ s mix-up and used it as part of its larger effort to question Biden ’ s mental acuity .
This new website is simply a continuation of that effort .
Several pundits , however , accused Trump of intentionally suppressing “ facts ” in order to advance a particular agenda — hence the phrase “ truth over facts.
” Here , Vox 's Ezra Klein claims the website is like something out of a poorly written satire .
The website @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what Klein meant : And then , there 's this : And the most frequently made comparison : Trump ’ s campaign tactics are certainly fair game for criticism .
But the Truth Over Facts website isn ’ t “ Orwellian , ” nor is it a mimicry of the Chinese Communist Party .
It ’ s parody .
Even so , few of the pundits who are eager to find an authoritative impulse in everything the president does have admitted to mischaracterizing the campaign ’ s website .
And they likely never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who rail against Trump ’ s dishonesty are the very same people who have no trouble spreading it if it serves their agenda .
I find the Trump campaign 's approach over-the-top — if not ridiculous .
Authoritarian ?
Not so much .
But that word seems to be thrown around a lot nowadays , though it 's very rarely backed by a substantive claim .
This is just the latest , and probably the least consequential , example .
And it wo n't be the last — because much of the media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ despot , even if they have to misrepresent him to do so .
This might not seem like a minor misunderstanding , but the fact is that these things add up .
Our words have meaning .
And every time the media push a baseless accusation , we lose a piece of the fairness and open-mindedness that should govern our discourse .
In other words , Trump is n't the only problem .
But good luck convincing the media of that .

Joe Biden is a living and breathing verbal slip-up machine. Even he has admitted as much. And his frequent misstatements and verbal blunders have become fodder for President Trump’s reelection campaign, which recently launched a website dedicated to Biden’s many misstatements.
The website, called Truth Over Facts, is absurd, though Biden’s blunders are certainly fair game. But it has received undue criticism from Very Online pundits who are either unaware of the site’s context or are too eager to accuse Trump of wrongdoing — or both.
Here’s the context: In August of last year, Biden was giving a campaign speech at the Iowa state fair when he mixed up his stump slogans.
“Everybody knows who Donald Trump is. Even his supporters know who he is,” Biden declared. “We got to let him know who we are. We choose unity over division. We choose science over fiction. We choose truth over facts.”
Biden was supposed to say “truth over lies,” as he has during other speeches. But instead, “truth over facts” rolled off his tongue.
The Trump campaign mocked Biden’s mix-up and used it as part of its larger effort to question Biden’s mental acuity. This new website is simply a continuation of that effort. Several pundits, however, accused Trump of intentionally suppressing “facts” in order to advance a particular agenda — hence the phrase “truth over facts.”
Inbox: Trump Campaign Announces Launch of 'Truth Over Facts' Investigative Website
So I guess the war on facts has a name now. pic.twitter.com/GQBMx7Q1O5 — Christina Wilkie (@christinawilkie) May 18, 2020
Here, Vox's Ezra Klein claims the website is like something out of a poorly written satire. The website is satirical, but that's not what Klein meant:
If you'd written a satire of the Trump administration where they launched a campaign called "Truth Over Facts" it would've been dismissed as heavyhanded and unfair. — Ezra Klein (@ezraklein) May 18, 2020
And then, there's this:
This is remarkably similar in name to a leading Chinese Communist Party slogan, 'Seeking Truth From Facts.' https://t.co/pd79z3Qzod — Isaac Stone Fish (@isaacstonefish) May 18, 2020
And the most frequently made comparison:
Trump’s campaign tactics are certainly fair game for criticism. But the Truth Over Facts website isn’t “Orwellian,” nor is it a mimicry of the Chinese Communist Party. It’s parody.
Even so, few of the pundits who are eager to find an authoritative impulse in everything the president does have admitted to mischaracterizing the campaign’s website. And they likely never will — because oftentimes, the people who rail against Trump’s dishonesty are the very same people who have no trouble spreading it if it serves their agenda.
I find the Trump campaign's approach over-the-top — if not ridiculous. Authoritarian? Not so much. But that word seems to be thrown around a lot nowadays, though it's very rarely backed by a substantive claim. This is just the latest, and probably the least consequential, example. And it won't be the last — because much of the media seem dedicated to outing Trump as a despot, even if they have to misrepresent him to do so.
This might not seem like a minor misunderstanding, but the fact is that these things add up. Our words have meaning. And every time the media push a baseless accusation, we lose a piece of the fairness and open-mindedness that should govern our discourse. In other words, Trump isn't the only problem.
But good luck convincing the media of that.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-18--Journalists and pundits stumble over Trump campaign parody of Biden gaffes

A Trump campaign parody website that mocked one of Joe Biden 's verbal stumbles caused confusion among journalists and commentators who did not understand the reference .
The website and first video revealed Monday is titled `` Truth over Facts , '' which a press release described as `` an investigative website aimed at uncovering the truth behind Joe Biden ’ s never-ending , seemingly incomprehensible statements during his third , plodding campaign for president . ''
`` The website takes a closer look at Biden ’ s words and phrasing and brings in 'experts ' to discern if there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that most normal people would miss , '' it said .
The title of the project is a reference to when the former vice president misstated a line in a campaign speech at the Iowa State Fair in August 2019 .
`` Everybody knows who Donald Trump is .
Even his supporters know who he is .
We got to let him know who we are .
We choose unity over division .
We choose science over fiction .
We choose truth over facts , '' Biden said .
In other campaign speeches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as `` truth over lies , '' and his campaign also promotes the string of phrases .
As with his other verbal stumbles , Republicans and the Trump campaign vigorously mocked Biden 's mix-up , using it as part of a wider attack on Biden that doubts his mental capacity .
Some journalists and commentators , though , appeared to not get the reference , mistaking it to be a literal extension of President Trump 's attacks on reporters and news outlets or a rejection of facts .
`` I guess the war @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' CNBC White House reporter Christina Wilkie tweeted .
She later clarified : `` The site itself is a satirical sort of X-Files type show , and it 's Biden , not Trump who says the words 'truth over facts . '
Maybe it aims to project onto Biden the criticism of Trump for embracing conspiracies and rejecting facts , then make all that critique seem silly .
Unclear . ''
Dan Pfeiffer , a former adviser to President Barack Obama and a host of liberal podcast `` Pod Save America , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this is funny : The Trump campaign is too stupid to name a propaganda site without embarrassing themselves .
On the other hand , the propaganda is so blatant that Trump has declared war on facts ( a very visible enemy ) . ''
`` If you 'd written a satire of the Trump administration where they launched a campaign called 'Truth Over Facts ' it would 've been dismissed as heavyhanded and unfair , '' said Ezra Klein , founder of Vox .
Several people commented that the name of the site @ @ @ @ @ @ @ author of the classic dystopian novel Nineteen Eighty-Four .
A video posted on the website makes clear that it is not a true news operation , but a way to poke fun at Biden .
An introduction sequence shows a compilation of Biden 's verbal mix-ups , including the `` truth over facts '' comment .
Later in the video , Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh `` investigates '' another Biden stumble , when he froze up while quoting the Declaration of Independence in March .
“ We hold these truths to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ created by — you know , you know , the thing , ” Biden said .
Murtaugh looks for the `` thing '' Biden referenced , suggesting that Biden , who served as vice president , could be privy to secret information .
The parody sequence goes on to reference the 2004 Nicolas Cage hit film National Treasure and searches for a `` second Declaration of Independence '' that Biden may have referenced .

A Trump campaign parody website that mocked one of Joe Biden's verbal stumbles caused confusion among journalists and commentators who did not understand the reference.
The website and first video revealed Monday is titled "Truth over Facts," which a press release described as "an investigative website aimed at uncovering the truth behind Joe Biden’s never-ending, seemingly incomprehensible statements during his third, plodding campaign for president."
"The website takes a closer look at Biden’s words and phrasing and brings in 'experts' to discern if there is hidden meaning behind the muddled declarations that most normal people would miss," it said.
The title of the project is a reference to when the former vice president misstated a line in a campaign speech at the Iowa State Fair in August 2019.
"Everybody knows who Donald Trump is. Even his supporters know who he is. We got to let him know who we are. We choose unity over division. We choose science over fiction. We choose truth over facts," Biden said.
In other campaign speeches, Biden has delivered the line correctly as "truth over lies," and his campaign also promotes the string of phrases.
As with his other verbal stumbles, Republicans and the Trump campaign vigorously mocked Biden's mix-up, using it as part of a wider attack on Biden that doubts his mental capacity.
Some journalists and commentators, though, appeared to not get the reference, mistaking it to be a literal extension of President Trump's attacks on reporters and news outlets or a rejection of facts.
"I guess the war on facts has a name now," CNBC White House reporter Christina Wilkie tweeted. She later clarified: "The site itself is a satirical sort of X-Files type show, and it's Biden, not Trump who says the words 'truth over facts.' Maybe it aims to project onto Biden the criticism of Trump for embracing conspiracies and rejecting facts, then make all that critique seem silly. Unclear."
Inbox: Trump Campaign Announces Launch of 'Truth Over Facts' Investigative Website
So I guess the war on facts has a name now. pic.twitter.com/GQBMx7Q1O5 — Christina Wilkie (@christinawilkie) May 18, 2020
Dan Pfeiffer, a former adviser to President Barack Obama and a host of liberal podcast "Pod Save America," said: "On one hand, this is funny: The Trump campaign is too stupid to name a propaganda site without embarrassing themselves. On the other hand, the propaganda is so blatant that Trump has declared war on facts (a very visible enemy)."
On one hand, this is funny: The Trump campaign is too stupid to name a propaganda site without embarrassing themselves.
On the other hand, the propaganda is so blatant that Trump has declared war on facts (a very visible enemy). https://t.co/sxV7I2s3by — Dan Pfeiffer (@danpfeiffer) May 18, 2020
"If you'd written a satire of the Trump administration where they launched a campaign called 'Truth Over Facts' it would've been dismissed as heavyhanded and unfair," said Ezra Klein, founder of Vox.
If you'd written a satire of the Trump administration where they launched a campaign called "Truth Over Facts" it would've been dismissed as heavyhanded and unfair. — Ezra Klein (@ezraklein) May 18, 2020
Several people commented that the name of the site was "Orwellian," referencing the author of the classic dystopian novel Nineteen Eighty-Four.
Orwell: “The title of my next book is gonna be ‘Truth Over Facts.’”
Publisher: “A little on the nose dontcha think?” pic.twitter.com/zuyS0y6ivG — Jesse Lee (@JesseCharlesLee) May 18, 2020
File under Crazy Trump Stuff You Can't Make Up #3,124: pic.twitter.com/vGXQc0WQQw — David Cay Johnston (@DavidCayJ) May 18, 2020
A video posted on the website makes clear that it is not a true news operation, but a way to poke fun at Biden. An introduction sequence shows a compilation of Biden's verbal mix-ups, including the "truth over facts" comment.
Later in the video, Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh "investigates" another Biden stumble, when he froze up while quoting the Declaration of Independence in March.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident. All men and women created by — you know, you know, the thing,” Biden said.
Murtaugh looks for the "thing" Biden referenced, suggesting that Biden, who served as vice president, could be privy to secret information. The parody sequence goes on to reference the 2004 Nicolas Cage hit film National Treasure and searches for a "second Declaration of Independence" that Biden may have referenced.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-18--'Weinstein defense playbook': Tara Reade lawyer rips Politico 'hit piece'

Tara Reade 's lawyer blasted a report released last week by Politico that detailed his client 's history with landlords and others .
Douglas Wigdor , the attorney for Reade , who has accused Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden of sexually harassing and assaulting her while she was an aide in his Senate office in the early 1990s , reacted to the article , which compiled on-the-record statements from people with whom Reade interacted in the past , with some surmising she was `` manipulative '' and a `` liar . ''
`` The Politico hit piece ( and others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ double standard .
Relying on rape myths that have been debunked will only deter other survivors from coming forward for fear of smear pieces such as these .
There is no probative value to the vast majority of the information contained within these articles even if the information were true , '' Wigdor wrote to the Washington Examiner .
`` It seems that the Biden camp along with many in the mainstream media have adopted the Weinstein defense playbook . ''
Wigdor represented six people who accused disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Wigdor discussed how it was common behavior for victims of sexual abuse to interact or maintain contact with those accused of committing the act .
Critics have cited Reade 's praise of Biden on social media in recent years while raising questions about the trustworthiness of her allegations .
In an interview with journalist Megyn Kelly this month , Reade said she would be willing to testify under oath about her claims , challenging Biden to take a polygraph test .
Biden has vehemently denied the allegations .
`` While Weinstein ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this sort of victim shaming , when it comes to Tara Reade , a different standard applies .
What ’ s amazing , is that Ms. Reade has undergone several interviews and answered all of the questions put to her while Biden seems to get a pass with his blanket denial of 'it never happened , ' '' Wigdor told the Washington Examiner .
According to Reade , Biden forced himself on her in the spring of 1993 , kissing her and penetrating her with his fingers without her consent .
Dozens of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ witnessed sexual misconduct by Biden nor heard any allegations before Reade came forward .
They told PBS that she still deserves to be heard .
The Washington Examiner reached out to Politico for comment but did not receive a response for publication .
Politico included comments from Wigdor in response to the premise of its article .
“ If the assertion is that someone who has lied to their landlord because they don ’ t have the money to pay rent so then they lied about a sexual assault , I don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Wigdor told Politico .
Reade also denied the version of events described by Lynn Hummer , one of the article 's sources and an owner of a horse sanctuary where Reade volunteered , on social media in late April .
Reade threatened legal action for defamation in response , writing , `` You may not continue to spread false information regarding my life . ''
Reade reportedly canceled a TV interview on Fox News Sunday in May because of a growing number of death threats she and her daughter were facing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ potential of Republicans using her story to politicize the issue of sexual assault .
“ What I would say about Republicans using this story is please do n't politicize it , ” Reade told the Washington Examiner in an interview last month .
“ There are many people who identify with Republican politics that have that are also survivors and have also been silenced.
” “ If they want to talk about sexual assault , sexual harassment in a general way , then this would be the time to have a general conversation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being Democrat or Republican , but just to empower women to be safer in their workplaces and safer in general , '' Reade added .
Reade , who identified as a lifelong Democrat , said she has never been a supporter of President Trump but that she is no longer a Democrat .

Tara Reade's lawyer blasted a report released last week by Politico that detailed his client's history with landlords and others.
Douglas Wigdor, the attorney for Reade, who has accused Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden of sexually harassing and assaulting her while she was an aide in his Senate office in the early 1990s, reacted to the article, which compiled on-the-record statements from people with whom Reade interacted in the past, with some surmising she was "manipulative" and a "liar."
"The Politico hit piece (and others like it) demonstrate the hypocrisy and double standard. Relying on rape myths that have been debunked will only deter other survivors from coming forward for fear of smear pieces such as these. There is no probative value to the vast majority of the information contained within these articles even if the information were true," Wigdor wrote to the Washington Examiner. "It seems that the Biden camp along with many in the mainstream media have adopted the Weinstein defense playbook."
Wigdor represented six people who accused disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein of sexually abusing them. In public interviews, Wigdor discussed how it was common behavior for victims of sexual abuse to interact or maintain contact with those accused of committing the act.
Critics have cited Reade's praise of Biden on social media in recent years while raising questions about the trustworthiness of her allegations. In an interview with journalist Megyn Kelly this month, Reade said she would be willing to testify under oath about her claims, challenging Biden to take a polygraph test. Biden has vehemently denied the allegations.
"While Weinstein’s defense team were widely criticized for this sort of victim shaming, when it comes to Tara Reade, a different standard applies. What’s amazing, is that Ms. Reade has undergone several interviews and answered all of the questions put to her while Biden seems to get a pass with his blanket denial of 'it never happened,'" Wigdor told the Washington Examiner.
According to Reade, Biden forced himself on her in the spring of 1993, kissing her and penetrating her with his fingers without her consent. Dozens of former Biden staffers have said they never witnessed sexual misconduct by Biden nor heard any allegations before Reade came forward. They told PBS that she still deserves to be heard.
The Washington Examiner reached out to Politico for comment but did not receive a response for publication.
Politico included comments from Wigdor in response to the premise of its article. “If the assertion is that someone who has lied to their landlord because they don’t have the money to pay rent so then they lied about a sexual assault, I don’t think that is fair journalism,” Wigdor told Politico.
Reade also denied the version of events described by Lynn Hummer, one of the article's sources and an owner of a horse sanctuary where Reade volunteered, on social media in late April. Reade threatened legal action for defamation in response, writing, "You may not continue to spread false information regarding my life."
You will stop Lynn Hummer. You have been reported for animal neglect to Santa Cruz county. Stop soliciting funds using my sexual assault story as leverage. A lawyer will be in contact with you for defaming me. You may not continue to spread false information regarding my life. — taratweets ( Alexandra Tara Reade) (@ReadeAlexandra) April 20, 2020
Reade reportedly canceled a TV interview on Fox News Sunday in May because of a growing number of death threats she and her daughter were facing.
She has also voiced concerns about the potential of Republicans using her story to politicize the issue of sexual assault. “What I would say about Republicans using this story is please don't politicize it,” Reade told the Washington Examiner in an interview last month. “There are many people who identify with Republican politics that have that are also survivors and have also been silenced.”
“If they want to talk about sexual assault, sexual harassment in a general way, then this would be the time to have a general conversation. That has nothing to do with being Democrat or Republican, but just to empower women to be safer in their workplaces and safer in general," Reade added.
Reade, who identified as a lifelong Democrat, said she has never been a supporter of President Trump but that she is no longer a Democrat.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-18--McConnell-aligned PAC to spend $10M in Montana as danger to Senate majority grows

The super PAC aligned with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is investing a sizable $ 10.1 million in Montana as Republicans move to rebuff the expanding Democratic threat to GOP control of the Senate .
The Senate Leadership Fund is reserving television advertising to air across Montana beginning Sept. 8 that will run for the balance of the fall campaign , an official with the super PAC told the Washington Examiner on Monday .
The large investment comes on the heels of public opinion polling showing popular Gov .
Steve Bullock , a Democrat , with a big lead over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months ahead of Election Day .
With President Trump ’ s prospects uncertain , Senate Republicans are girding for an increasingly difficult battle to defend their three-seat majority .
The GOP is on the defensive in Arizona , Colorado , Maine , and North Carolina , with seats in Iowa and Georgia also on the party ’ s watchlist .
Republicans are only on offense in Alabama and Michigan .
Bullock ’ s decision to run for the Senate after a failed presidential bid immediately put Montana on the map .
In a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 46 % to 39 % .
Montana is a red state , and Trump is expected to defeat presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden there with relative ease .
But Democrats are still competitive locally .
Sen. Jon Tester won a third term in 2018 , even as Republicans that year flipped control of other Senate seats in red states where Trump tends to be popular .
Accordingly , both parties plan to spend big there .
The National Republican Senatorial Committee has reserved $ 2.8 million in television advertising time .
The Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 5.2 million .
Senate Majority PAC , the super PAC aligned with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , could invest in fall advertising in Montana as well but has not made any announcements .
The group is currently up on Montana television with a hard-hitting spot attacking Daines for his voting record on coronavirus-related legislation .

The super PAC aligned with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is investing a sizable $10.1 million in Montana as Republicans move to rebuff the expanding Democratic threat to GOP control of the Senate.
The Senate Leadership Fund is reserving television advertising to air across Montana beginning Sept. 8 that will run for the balance of the fall campaign, an official with the super PAC told the Washington Examiner on Monday. The large investment comes on the heels of public opinion polling showing popular Gov. Steve Bullock, a Democrat, with a big lead over Republican Sen. Steve Daines less than six months ahead of Election Day.
With President Trump’s prospects uncertain, Senate Republicans are girding for an increasingly difficult battle to defend their three-seat majority.
The GOP is on the defensive in Arizona, Colorado, Maine, and North Carolina, with seats in Iowa and Georgia also on the party’s watchlist. Republicans are only on offense in Alabama and Michigan. Bullock’s decision to run for the Senate after a failed presidential bid immediately put Montana on the map. In a recent poll, the governor led Daines 46% to 39%.
Montana is a red state, and Trump is expected to defeat presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden there with relative ease. But Democrats are still competitive locally. Sen. Jon Tester won a third term in 2018, even as Republicans that year flipped control of other Senate seats in red states where Trump tends to be popular. Accordingly, both parties plan to spend big there.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee has reserved $2.8 million in television advertising time. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is planning to spend $5.2 million.
Senate Majority PAC, the super PAC aligned with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, could invest in fall advertising in Montana as well but has not made any announcements. The group is currently up on Montana television with a hard-hitting spot attacking Daines for his voting record on coronavirus-related legislation.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-18--'Can’t imagine most parents would be comfortable': Trump sons push '#CreepyJoeBiden' in new line of

'Can’t imagine most parents would be comfortable': Trump sons push '#CreepyJoeBiden' in new line of attack

President Trump 's two sons , Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump , are trying a new line of attack against their father 's likely 2020 opponent , posting on social media suggestions that former Vice President Joe Biden is `` creepy '' around children .
The latest barbs represent an escalation of an already heated presidential campaign cycle in which the president 's team has gone after the former vice president 's son Hunter Biden for his business dealings overseas .
In their recent social media posts , Trump 's sons called attention to how a number of women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the former vice president not respecting their personal space .
It began with Trump Jr. posting a meme on Instagram over the weekend that implied Biden was `` a pedophile . ''
`` There ’ s definitely way too many Creepy Joe videos out there ! ''
he said in the caption .
After condemnation from a New York Times reporter , Trump Jr. tweeted , `` 1 .
The 3 emojis in the caption should indicate to anyone with a scintilla of common sense that I ’ m joking around .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ t want people mocking & making jokes about how creepy Joe is , then maybe he should stop the unwanted touching & keep his hands to himself ? ''
The Trump children also highlighted clips and photos from Biden 's time as vice president in which he was posing for photos with families of members of Congress as they were being sworn into office .
Trump Jr. issued a mock apology to a CNN reporter who argued that Trump and his team were launching an `` unprecedented smear campaign against rivals , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affection to the children of lawmakers while posing for their official photographs .
`` Jake , I ’ m sorry that you ’ re more upset ( Triggered ! )
about a joke meme than you are @ JoeBiden ’ s gross habit of touching & sniffing young girls , '' Trump Jr. said .
`` I can ’ t imagine most parents would be comfortable with Biden touching their daughters in the manner seen below…I know I wouldn ’ t be ! ''
Trump Jr. posted the compilation video multiple times and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the caption : `` The @ nytimes is right .
There ’ s NOTHING CREEPY at all about how @ JoeBiden interacts with the kids in this 4+ min long video .
All the touching & hair sniffing is TOTALLY APPROPRIATE & 100 % NORMAL .
Everyone does it !
I 'm a bad person for mocking him & thinking it 's disgusting !
!
! ''
Eric Trump joined in on Sunday , tweeting the same montage and saying `` not a parent in America '' would `` find this behavior , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hashtag `` # CreepyJoeBiden . ''
He continued Monday when he posted a poll on Twitter asking users to answer `` yes '' or `` no '' to the question of whether they would `` trust Joe Biden to drive your child to school ? ''
The tweet was later deleted , but some users captured it in screenshots .
A Biden campaign spokesperson responded to the comments in a statement reported by the Guardian .
“ No repulsive , manipulative tactic will change the subject from how almost 90,000 Americans have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ negligence with their lives and how the booming economy he inherited from the Obama-Biden administration is now suffering from depression-level job losses , '' Andrew Bates said .
A spokesman for Trump Jr. declined to comment on the record for this story .
Last year , Biden issued a statement after women accused him of not respecting their personal space , attributing the apparent miscommunication to changing `` social norms . ''
`` Social norms are changing .
I understand that , and I ’ ve heard what these women are saying .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ making connections , but I will be more mindful about respecting personal space in the future .
That ’ s my responsibility and I will meet it , '' he said on Twitter in April 2019 .
Tara Reade , a former Biden staffer , accused the candidate of sexual harassment and sexual assault .
The former vice president has vehemently denied the allegations .

President Trump's two sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, are trying a new line of attack against their father's likely 2020 opponent, posting on social media suggestions that former Vice President Joe Biden is "creepy" around children.
The latest barbs represent an escalation of an already heated presidential campaign cycle in which the president's team has gone after the former vice president's son Hunter Biden for his business dealings overseas.
In their recent social media posts, Trump's sons called attention to how a number of women came forward last year to share stories of the former vice president not respecting their personal space.
It began with Trump Jr. posting a meme on Instagram over the weekend that implied Biden was "a pedophile." "There’s definitely way too many Creepy Joe videos out there!" he said in the caption.
After condemnation from a New York Times reporter, Trump Jr. tweeted, "1. The 3 emojis in the caption should indicate to anyone with a scintilla of common sense that I’m joking around. 2. If the media doesn’t want people mocking & making jokes about how creepy Joe is, then maybe he should stop the unwanted touching & keep his hands to himself?"
The Trump children also highlighted clips and photos from Biden's time as vice president in which he was posing for photos with families of members of Congress as they were being sworn into office.
Trump Jr. issued a mock apology to a CNN reporter who argued that Trump and his team were launching an "unprecedented smear campaign against rivals," which included a montage of Biden showing affection to the children of lawmakers while posing for their official photographs.
"Jake, I’m sorry that you’re more upset (Triggered!) about a joke meme than you are @JoeBiden’s gross habit of touching & sniffing young girls," Trump Jr. said. "I can’t imagine most parents would be comfortable with Biden touching their daughters in the manner seen below…I know I wouldn’t be!"
The @nytimes is right. There’s NOTHING CREEPY at all about how @JoeBiden interacts with the kids in this 4+ min long video.
All the touching & hair sniffing is TOTALLY APPROPRIATE & 100% NORMAL. Everyone does it!
I'm a bad person for mocking him & thinking it's disgusting!!!🙄 pic.twitter.com/DgQOnaK8q6 — Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) May 16, 2020
Trump Jr. posted the compilation video multiple times and pinned it atop his personal Twitter with the caption: "The @nytimes is right. There’s NOTHING CREEPY at all about how @JoeBiden interacts with the kids in this 4+ min long video. All the touching & hair sniffing is TOTALLY APPROPRIATE & 100% NORMAL. Everyone does it! I'm a bad person for mocking him & thinking it's disgusting!!!"
Eric Trump joined in on Sunday, tweeting the same montage and saying "not a parent in America" would "find this behavior, toward their child, acceptable" with the hashtag "#CreepyJoeBiden."
He continued Monday when he posted a poll on Twitter asking users to answer "yes" or "no" to the question of whether they would "trust Joe Biden to drive your child to school?" The tweet was later deleted, but some users captured it in screenshots.
A Biden campaign spokesperson responded to the comments in a statement reported by the Guardian.
“No repulsive, manipulative tactic will change the subject from how almost 90,000 Americans have paid for Donald Trump’s coronavirus negligence with their lives and how the booming economy he inherited from the Obama-Biden administration is now suffering from depression-level job losses," Andrew Bates said.
A spokesman for Trump Jr. declined to comment on the record for this story.
Last year, Biden issued a statement after women accused him of not respecting their personal space, attributing the apparent miscommunication to changing "social norms."
"Social norms are changing. I understand that, and I’ve heard what these women are saying. Politics to me has always been about making connections, but I will be more mindful about respecting personal space in the future. That’s my responsibility and I will meet it," he said on Twitter in April 2019.
Tara Reade, a former Biden staffer, accused the candidate of sexual harassment and sexual assault. The former vice president has vehemently denied the allegations.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-18--Jake Tapper: Trump team running 'deranged and indecent' smear campaign against political rivals

CNN anchor Jake Tapper rebuked President Trump and his team for using campaign tactics that he said are designed to distract from the coronavirus pandemic .
He posted the criticism on Sunday after Trump 's eldest son , Donald Trump Jr. , shared an Instagram post that insinuated Joe Biden , the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee , engaged in pedophilia .
`` President Trump and his team are launching an unprecedented smear campaign against rivals , leveling wild and false allegations against critics in the media and politics , ranging from bizarre conspiracy theories to spreading lies about pedophilia and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` These smear campaigns are unmoored from reality .
They 're deranged and indecent and seem designed at least in part to distract us from the horrific death , health , and economic crisis caused by the pandemic .
The pandemic , which impacts you , is what we will continue to focus on , '' he added .
Trump addressed the Instagram post after New York Times political correspondent Jonathan Martin posted about it on Twitter .
`` 1 .
The 3 emojis in the caption should indicate to anyone with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m joking around .
2 .
If the media doesn ’ t want people mocking & making jokes about how creepy Joe is , then maybe he should stop the unwanted touching & keep his hands to himself ? ''
he tweeted .
On Monday , Eric Trump , the executive vice president of his father 's former company , tweeted an online poll to ask users if they would trust Biden with their children .

CNN anchor Jake Tapper rebuked President Trump and his team for using campaign tactics that he said are designed to distract from the coronavirus pandemic.
He posted the criticism on Sunday after Trump's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., shared an Instagram post that insinuated Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, engaged in pedophilia.
"President Trump and his team are launching an unprecedented smear campaign against rivals, leveling wild and false allegations against critics in the media and politics, ranging from bizarre conspiracy theories to spreading lies about pedophilia and even murder," Tapper wrote.
"These smear campaigns are unmoored from reality. They're deranged and indecent and seem designed at least in part to distract us from the horrific death, health, and economic crisis caused by the pandemic. The pandemic, which impacts you, is what we will continue to focus on," he added.
2/ These smear campaigns are unmoored from reality. They're deranged and indecent and seem designed at least in part to distract us from the horrific death, health, and economic crisis caused by the pandemic. The pandemic, which impacts you, is what we will continue to focus on. — Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) May 17, 2020
Trump addressed the Instagram post after New York Times political correspondent Jonathan Martin posted about it on Twitter.
"1. The 3 emojis in the caption should indicate to anyone with a scintilla of common sense that I’m joking around. 2. If the media doesn’t want people mocking & making jokes about how creepy Joe is, then maybe he should stop the unwanted touching & keep his hands to himself?" he tweeted.
1. The 3 🤣 emojis in the caption should indicate to anyone with a scintilla of common sense that I’m joking around.
2. If the media doesn’t want people mocking & making jokes about how creepy Joe is, then maybe he should stop the unwanted touching & keep his hands to himself? https://t.co/Jy98aq6yWD pic.twitter.com/Kcr9jdPSbC — Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) May 16, 2020
On Monday, Eric Trump, the executive vice president of his father's former company, tweeted an online poll to ask users if they would trust Biden with their children.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-18--It's the future economy, stupid: Trump bets his reelection on better times ahead

At the center of President Trump ’ s reelection campaign is a simple message : America is back and ready to turn the page on the coronavirus and its economic fallout .
“ Vaccine or no vaccine , we ’ re back , ” Trump declared at a White House event on Friday .
This is usually the argument an incumbent president makes during an economic boom or a victory over a great national challenge .
Ronald Reagan ’ s “ Morning in America ” reelection theme came after stagflation was whipped and the economy was growing at 6.8 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus still rages , and , as he acknowledged , there is no vaccine .
Some 36 million people in the United States are out of work .
Trump is appealing to his , promising that things are going to be better in the near future and that he is the man who can make it happen .
It ’ s an approach that in business as he battled through bankruptcies and setbacks , but it is a risky reelection strategy .
Nevertheless , it could work .
Trump is down but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ steady , ranging from a high of 51 % in a recent Hill/Harris poll to a low of 42 % in one from Politico/Morning Consult .
Trump is currently tying his previous high of 49 % in Gallup and is averaging 46.2 % nationally , even with the country facing serious problems .
He ’ s where Barack Obama was at a similar point in his own reelection race in 2012 .
A CNN found Trump down 51 % -46 % to former Vice President Joe Biden nationally but leading him 52 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump also edged Biden 50 % -46 % among independents .
Usual caveats about margins of error and sample sizes apply , but these are not terrible numbers amid a pandemic and high unemployment .
`` As of now , the race could go either way .
I think Biden has gained in the past month as Trump 's job approval has come down a bit , ” said Republican consultant Matt Mackowiak .
“ However , huge questions remain about Biden 's capacity , about the Tara Reade allegations , and about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his strength as the economy reopens .
This race wo n't really settle until Labor Day .
The key for Trump is to make this a choice election for who can lead us back to a strong American economy .
This election will be decided by Wisconsin , Pennsylvania , and Michigan . ''
Trump hasn ’ t succeeded in rallying the country around his coronavirus leadership , which is why he is currently trailing , but he has held his base , which has kept him in striking distance of Biden .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ mortality numbers and the skyrocketing unemployment rate have not impacted President Trump ’ s standing with his base of core supporters , ” said Republican strategist Ron Bonjean .
“ Many Americans haven ’ t heard or seen Joe Biden since the crisis began and think that Trump is really trying to solve this unforeseen crisis .
If anyone does see Biden , he does not deliver concise messaging that penetrates through the noise of the pandemic coverage to Americans stuck at home .
The trend is moving in Trump ’ s direction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people are feeling in October.
” Trump hopes that by then , people will be feeling optimistic .
“ The transition is the third quarter , ” Trump said at an economic reopening event in Pennsylvania on Thursday .
“ The fourth quarter is going to do very well .
And next year is going to be through the roof.
” He better be right .
Biden , the presumptive Democratic nominee , has opened up a 4.5-point lead nationally , according to the RealClearPolitics polling average , without venturing outside his basement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ polls taken in the swing states that will determine who wins the Electoral College , threatening to turn the Rust Belt , crucial to Trump ’ s 2016 upset victory , blue again .
“ We are pulling ahead in Florida , in Pennsylvania , in Michigan , in Wisconsin , and in Arizona , ” Biden campaign manager Jen O'Malley Dillon reporters .
“ If we kept these numbers , and we kept them through November , that would put us at 318 electoral votes . ''
Biden and the Democrats hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s tweets , temperament , coronavirus management , and the current state of the economy .
That puts the onus on Trump to make Biden ’ s record a factor in voters ’ choices and make his own economic pitch for the future .

At the center of President Trump’s reelection campaign is a simple message: America is back and ready to turn the page on the coronavirus and its economic fallout.
“Vaccine or no vaccine, we’re back,” Trump declared at a White House event on Friday. This is usually the argument an incumbent president makes during an economic boom or a victory over a great national challenge. Ronald Reagan’s “Morning in America” reelection theme came after stagflation was whipped and the economy was growing at 6.8%.
Trump is making this argument while the coronavirus still rages, and, as he acknowledged, there is no vaccine. Some 36 million people in the United States are out of work. Trump is appealing to his past economic success , promising that things are going to be better in the near future and that he is the man who can make it happen.
It’s an approach that served Trump well in business as he battled through bankruptcies and setbacks, but it is a risky reelection strategy. Nevertheless, it could work.
Trump is down but not out. His approval ratings remain steady, ranging from a high of 51% in a recent Hill/Harris poll to a low of 42% in one from Politico/Morning Consult. Trump is currently tying his previous high of 49% in Gallup and is averaging 46.2% nationally, even with the country facing serious problems. He’s barely behind where Barack Obama was at a similar point in his own reelection race in 2012.
A CNN poll found Trump down 51%-46% to former Vice President Joe Biden nationally but leading him 52%-45% in the battleground states. Trump also edged Biden 50%-46% among independents. Usual caveats about margins of error and sample sizes apply, but these are not terrible numbers amid a pandemic and high unemployment.
"As of now, the race could go either way. I think Biden has gained in the past month as Trump's job approval has come down a bit,” said Republican consultant Matt Mackowiak. “However, huge questions remain about Biden's capacity, about the Tara Reade allegations, and about the enthusiasm deficit. Trump will regain his strength as the economy reopens. This race won't really settle until Labor Day. The key for Trump is to make this a choice election for who can lead us back to a strong American economy. This election will be decided by Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Michigan."
Trump hasn’t succeeded in rallying the country around his coronavirus leadership, which is why he is currently trailing, but he has held his base, which has kept him in striking distance of Biden.
“The massive negative impact on the mortality numbers and the skyrocketing unemployment rate have not impacted President Trump’s standing with his base of core supporters,” said Republican strategist Ron Bonjean. “Many Americans haven’t heard or seen Joe Biden since the crisis began and think that Trump is really trying to solve this unforeseen crisis. If anyone does see Biden, he does not deliver concise messaging that penetrates through the noise of the pandemic coverage to Americans stuck at home. The trend is moving in Trump’s direction, but what really matters is how people are feeling in October.”
Trump hopes that by then, people will be feeling optimistic. “The transition is the third quarter,” Trump said at an economic reopening event in Pennsylvania on Thursday. “The fourth quarter is going to do very well. And next year is going to be through the roof.”
He better be right. Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee, has opened up a 4.5-point lead nationally, according to the RealClearPolitics polling average, without venturing outside his basement. Biden is also performing well in polls taken in the swing states that will determine who wins the Electoral College, threatening to turn the Rust Belt, crucial to Trump’s 2016 upset victory, blue again.
“We are pulling ahead in Florida, in Pennsylvania, in Michigan, in Wisconsin, and in Arizona,” Biden campaign manager Jen O'Malley Dillon told reporters. “If we kept these numbers, and we kept them through November, that would put us at 318 electoral votes."
Biden and the Democrats hope to make this election a referendum on Trump’s tweets, temperament, coronavirus management, and the current state of the economy. That puts the onus on Trump to make Biden’s record a factor in voters’ choices and make his own economic pitch for the future.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-18--Republicans launch drive to cast Democrats as China appeasers

Republicans are accusing Democrats of appeasing China as part of an accelerating advertising campaign to hold the White House and win seats in Congress this November .
Rep. Jeff Fortenberry launched the latest salvo in this expanding offensive .
After state lawmaker Kate Bolz won the Democratic nomination in Nebraska ’ s 1st Congressional District , Fortenberry targeted his challenger with digital and radio advertising that suggested she is defending China despite mounting evidence that Beijing covered up the coronavirus outbreak and caused needless deaths and economic devastation in the United States .
Senior Republican strategists expect this message to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Support for holding China accountable for the coronavirus cuts across party lines , and Republican consultants emphasized that the issue offers the rare , potent combination of having “ immediate relevancy ” to voters and being in the news every day .
With President Trump and the GOP threatened by the pandemic and skyrocketing unemployment , Republican insiders are confident that focusing on China can shield the party from blame and put Democrats on the defensive .
“ People are angry , ” said Corry Bliss , a GOP strategist advising Fortenberry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Any candidate running for office that is going to defend China or say we have lessons to learn from China should be investigated for point-shaving.
” Democratic insiders acknowledged that people are frustrated with China and have an increasingly negative opinion of the country .
But they argue that the Republican attacks will fall flat , whether directed against House and Senate candidates or presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
The GOP hardly has clean hands when it comes to getting tough with China over the years , and Democrats are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a key issue on which Trump and the Republicans are vulnerable .
Should confronting China become the bigger priority , Democrats contend voters will see the Republican strategy as an attempt to shift responsibility for Trump ’ s coronavirus incompetence .
“ A Washington play of distraction ” is how Bolz campaign spokesman Tyler Redenbaugh described the Republican Party ’ s China playbook .
Robyn Patterson , spokeswoman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee , said , “ Washington Republicans have failed the American people.
” She added that “ it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distract from their flat-footed response to this crisis.
” Trump capitalized on voter frustration with China in 2016 , winning key Midwestern battlegrounds on the strength of promises to crack down on Beijing ’ s unfair trade practices .
Since Trump assumed office , support for his trade policies and negotiations instigated with Beijing to secure more favorable trading terms have been mixed .
Blue-collar voters and grassroots conservatives are supportive .
So are most farmers , despite feeling the brunt of the trade war .
Suburban Democrats , business-oriented and centrist Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traders and are opposed .
But amid a pandemic that has cost more than 87,000 lives and more than 36 million jobs , Republicans across ideological factions have overwhelmingly concluded that China is a bad actor that should be confronted .
A majority of independents agree .
Sensing an opportunity , Senate Republicans mired in touchy reelection campaigns are burnishing their anti-China bona fides and moving to tar Democrats as too cozy with the Chinese Communist Party .
In Arizona , Republicans are accusing Democratic challenger Mark Kelly of being a Beijing sympathizer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in China and noting that a Chinese company invested in a firm he co-founded .
Kelly has led Republican Sen. Martha McSally in most polls .
The Trump campaign and America First Action , the president ’ s designated super PAC , added a China component to their twin campaigns against Biden weeks ago .
America First Action unveiled three new spots Friday titled `` Beijing Biden '' to run in Michigan , Pennsylvania , and Wisconsin .
The Trump campaign is highlighting complimentary statements about China the former vice president issued over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Biden ’ s initial criticism of the president ’ s decision to halt flights between the U.S. and China to slow the spread of the coronavirus also has become fodder for Trump campaign attacks on the Democratic White House hopeful .
“ Biden called the president ’ s life-saving travel restrictions on China ‘ xenophobic ’ and ‘ fearmongering ’ and objected to identifying China as the place of origin of the virus , ” Trump campaign spokeswoman Sarah Matthews said .
“ President Trump will always hold China accountable .
”

Republicans are accusing Democrats of appeasing China as part of an accelerating advertising campaign to hold the White House and win seats in Congress this November.
Rep. Jeff Fortenberry launched the latest salvo in this expanding offensive. After state lawmaker Kate Bolz won the Democratic nomination in Nebraska’s 1st Congressional District, Fortenberry targeted his challenger with digital and radio advertising that suggested she is defending China despite mounting evidence that Beijing covered up the coronavirus outbreak and caused needless deaths and economic devastation in the United States. Senior Republican strategists expect this message to dominate the fall campaign at all levels.
Support for holding China accountable for the coronavirus cuts across party lines, and Republican consultants emphasized that the issue offers the rare, potent combination of having “immediate relevancy” to voters and being in the news every day. With President Trump and the GOP threatened by the pandemic and skyrocketing unemployment, Republican insiders are confident that focusing on China can shield the party from blame and put Democrats on the defensive.
“People are angry,” said Corry Bliss, a GOP strategist advising Fortenberry and other Republicans on the fall ballot. “Any candidate running for office that is going to defend China or say we have lessons to learn from China should be investigated for point-shaving.”
Democratic insiders acknowledged that people are frustrated with China and have an increasingly negative opinion of the country. But they argue that the Republican attacks will fall flat, whether directed against House and Senate candidates or presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
The GOP hardly has clean hands when it comes to getting tough with China over the years, and Democrats are betting the public cares more about healthcare, a key issue on which Trump and the Republicans are vulnerable. Should confronting China become the bigger priority, Democrats contend voters will see the Republican strategy as an attempt to shift responsibility for Trump’s coronavirus incompetence.
“A Washington play of distraction” is how Bolz campaign spokesman Tyler Redenbaugh described the Republican Party’s China playbook. Robyn Patterson, spokeswoman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said, “Washington Republicans have failed the American people.” She added that “it’s no surprise they are desperate to distract from their flat-footed response to this crisis.”
Trump capitalized on voter frustration with China in 2016, winning key Midwestern battlegrounds on the strength of promises to crack down on Beijing’s unfair trade practices. Since Trump assumed office, support for his trade policies and negotiations instigated with Beijing to secure more favorable trading terms have been mixed.
Blue-collar voters and grassroots conservatives are supportive. So are most farmers, despite feeling the brunt of the trade war. Suburban Democrats, business-oriented and centrist Republicans, and many independents consider themselves free traders and are opposed. But amid a pandemic that has cost more than 87,000 lives and more than 36 million jobs, Republicans across ideological factions have overwhelmingly concluded that China is a bad actor that should be confronted. A majority of independents agree.
Sensing an opportunity, Senate Republicans mired in touchy reelection campaigns are burnishing their anti-China bona fides and moving to tar Democrats as too cozy with the Chinese Communist Party. In Arizona, Republicans are accusing Democratic challenger Mark Kelly of being a Beijing sympathizer, citing paid corporate speeches he gave in China and noting that a Chinese company invested in a firm he co-founded. Kelly has led Republican Sen. Martha McSally in most polls.
The Trump campaign and America First Action, the president’s designated super PAC, added a China component to their twin campaigns against Biden weeks ago.
America First Action unveiled three new spots Friday titled "Beijing Biden" to run in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. The Trump campaign is highlighting complimentary statements about China the former vice president issued over the course of a decadeslong political career. Biden’s initial criticism of the president’s decision to halt flights between the U.S. and China to slow the spread of the coronavirus also has become fodder for Trump campaign attacks on the Democratic White House hopeful.
“Biden called the president’s life-saving travel restrictions on China ‘xenophobic’ and ‘fearmongering’ and objected to identifying China as the place of origin of the virus,” Trump campaign spokeswoman Sarah Matthews said. “President Trump will always hold China accountable.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-17--Political ad spending expected to set records in 2020 cycle despite falling economy

The coronavirus pandemic has left much of the economy in peril , but political ads remain bullish and are expected to explode in the coming months .
A joint report this month from ad tracking firm Advertising Analytics and analytics company Cross Screen Media said 2020 political spending is on track to shatter records and reach a total of $ 6.7 billion this election cycle , which is up 12 % from an initial prediction of $ 6 billion .
Part of the high is due to historic levels of primary spending , record-breaking fundraising , more digital video spending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activity amid the pandemic that can free up budgets to spend more on paid media .
So far , $ 2.19 billion has been spent during the 2020 cycle , more than $ 1 billion from this point in time seen in the 2016 and 2018 election cycles .
In preparation for November , $ 443 million has already been reserved for the fall of 2020 .
`` In terms of political spend , ( the coronavirus ) has not impacted it negatively , ” Kyle Roberts , president and CEO of Advertising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dollars can ’ t be allocated to the ground game right now .
That does open up more dollars … that are getting appropriated to the air war.
” Fourteen markets across the country are expected to exceed $ 100 million in ad revenue .
The report projected Florida and North Carolina to each have two markets exceeding $ 100 million while Phoenix , Philadelphia , and Atlanta are predicted to hit more than $ 150 million .
All three latter markets are expected to be battlegrounds for the presidential race .

The coronavirus pandemic has left much of the economy in peril, but political ads remain bullish and are expected to explode in the coming months.
A joint report this month from ad tracking firm Advertising Analytics and analytics company Cross Screen Media said 2020 political spending is on track to shatter records and reach a total of $6.7 billion this election cycle, which is up 12% from an initial prediction of $6 billion.
Part of the high is due to historic levels of primary spending, record-breaking fundraising, more digital video spending, and a lack of face-to-face campaign activity amid the pandemic that can free up budgets to spend more on paid media.
So far, $2.19 billion has been spent during the 2020 cycle, more than $1 billion from this point in time seen in the 2016 and 2018 election cycles.
In preparation for November, $443 million has already been reserved for the fall of 2020.
"In terms of political spend, (the coronavirus) has not impacted it negatively,” Kyle Roberts, president and CEO of Advertising Analytics, told Politico. “These dollars can’t be allocated to the ground game right now. That does open up more dollars … that are getting appropriated to the air war.”
Fourteen markets across the country are expected to exceed $100 million in ad revenue. The report projected Florida and North Carolina to each have two markets exceeding $100 million while Phoenix, Philadelphia, and Atlanta are predicted to hit more than $150 million. All three latter markets are expected to be battlegrounds for the presidential race.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-19--'Preternatural calm': Democrats think Obama helps Biden draw a contrast with raging Trump

Barack Obama has entered the fray of the 2020 presidential campaign with a series of thinly veiled criticisms of his successor as he prepares to help his former vice president , Joe Biden , win back the White House for the Democrats in November .
President Trump has responded by stepping up his own criticism of Obama , which has been plentiful over the past four years .
Biden has , by contrast , hugged Obama tightly since entering the race , making his service under the 44th president a key part of his argument to Democratic primary voters — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 77-year-old revived his and became his party ’ s presumptive nominee .
All this combines to set up the 2020 race as a Trump-Obama proxy war , a fight Democrats are confident they can win .
“ Obama is nothing but an asset to Biden , ” said Democratic strategist Tracy Sefl .
“ His preternatural calm is a welcome sight in a time of turmoil and uncertainty.
” “ This pandemic has fully , finally , torn back the curtain on the idea that so many of the folks in charge know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obama said in a virtual commencement address to historically black colleges and universities on Saturday .
The remarks were widely interpreted as a rebuke of the Trump team .
Previously , in a call with 3,000 alumni of his own administration , Obama left no room for interpretation as he called the Trump White House coronavirus response politically self-interested and “ an absolute chaotic disaster.
” Pressed by reporters , Trump responded : “ Look , he was an incompetent president .
That ’ s all I can say .
Grossly incompetent.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been a common Trump refrain since he became active in politics .
“ This is a good example of Trump 's personal grudges interfering with his political judgment , ” said Democratic strategist Brad Bannon .
“ Obama is a popular former president and Trump , an unpopular incumbent .
Trump is helping Biden make the comparison between a successful presidency and a failed administration.
” Obama remains a beloved figure among the Democratic base , and he managed to turn out younger and minority voters at a rate that eluded Hillary Clinton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ factor in why he won twice but was succeeded by Trump , with Rust Belt voters who switched from Obama to Trump especially important to the outcome .
At the same time , many progressives view Trump ’ s election as backlash against the first black president .
`` Anything that reminds voters of eight years of stability , competence , and a general respect for science , data , and human beings is a good thing for Biden , '' said Democratic strategist Stefan Hankin .
`` You can probably count on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have voted for Biden but now wo n't because Obama is in the news . ''
Obama had hesitated to get involved in the presidential contest until after Biden became the presumptive nominee .
Some Republicans are hopeful that Obama ’ s interventions will have little impact on the race , pointing to his failure to pull Clinton across the finish line four years ago and the problems down-ballot Democrats faced throughout his presidency .
There is also the risk that Obama will upstage the older , rhetorically less gifted Biden — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Trump is latching onto this latest mishmash of evidence-free accusations to change the subject away from his catastrophic mismanagement of the public health crisis , ” said Sefl .
“ We can expect him to just keep tweet-shouting in all caps because that is his sad and reckless comfort zone.
” Trump has devoted much of his administration to rolling back Obama initiatives , such as withdrawing from the Paris climate accord and the Iranian nuclear deal .
He has had mixed results with Obamacare , curtailing parts of his predecessor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notably , the unpopular individual mandate — but failing to repeal and replace the healthcare law in its entirety .
Obamacare , otherwise known as the Affordable Care Act , gained in popularity after Trump and congressional Republicans tried to rescind it in 2017 .
Obama and Trump have never run against each other in a head-to-head race , but they remain inextricably linked .
Trump promoted `` birtherism , '' which held that Obama was born in Kenya , as he began to make an appeal to Republican voters in the early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lady Michelle Obama she would never forgive him .
It has been speculated that Obama ’ s ridicule of Trump , especially at the 2011 White House Correspondents ' Association Dinner , prompted the businessman and reality TV star to run for president .
Many Republicans think John McCain and Mitt Romney went too easy on Obama in their losing presidential campaigns , which drew them to Trump ’ s more combative style .
Trump has most recently argued that Obama and his deputies were behind an effort to spy on his 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has gained traction with new revelations about the unmasking of former national security adviser Michael Flynn and flaws in the investigation into alleged collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia .
Trump has also repeatedly said Obama left the federal government unprepared to deal with a crisis like the coronavirus .

Barack Obama has entered the fray of the 2020 presidential campaign with a series of thinly veiled criticisms of his successor as he prepares to help his former vice president, Joe Biden, win back the White House for the Democrats in November.
President Trump has responded by stepping up his own criticism of Obama, which has been plentiful over the past four years. Biden has, by contrast, hugged Obama tightly since entering the race, making his service under the 44th president a key part of his argument to Democratic primary voters — a strategy that paid dividends as the 77-year-old revived his once-moribund campaign and became his party’s presumptive nominee.
All this combines to set up the 2020 race as a Trump-Obama proxy war, a fight Democrats are confident they can win. “Obama is nothing but an asset to Biden,” said Democratic strategist Tracy Sefl. “His preternatural calm is a welcome sight in a time of turmoil and uncertainty.”
“This pandemic has fully, finally, torn back the curtain on the idea that so many of the folks in charge know what they’re doing,” Obama said in a virtual commencement address to historically black colleges and universities on Saturday. The remarks were widely interpreted as a rebuke of the Trump team. Previously, in a call with 3,000 alumni of his own administration, Obama left no room for interpretation as he called the Trump White House coronavirus response politically self-interested and “an absolute chaotic disaster.”
Pressed by reporters, Trump responded: “Look, he was an incompetent president. That’s all I can say. Grossly incompetent.” Jibes about Obama’s competence have been a common Trump refrain since he became active in politics.
“This is a good example of Trump's personal grudges interfering with his political judgment,” said Democratic strategist Brad Bannon. “Obama is a popular former president and Trump, an unpopular incumbent. Trump is helping Biden make the comparison between a successful presidency and a failed administration.”
Obama remains a beloved figure among the Democratic base, and he managed to turn out younger and minority voters at a rate that eluded Hillary Clinton in 2016. That was a major factor in why he won twice but was succeeded by Trump, with Rust Belt voters who switched from Obama to Trump especially important to the outcome. At the same time, many progressives view Trump’s election as backlash against the first black president.
"Anything that reminds voters of eight years of stability, competence, and a general respect for science, data, and human beings is a good thing for Biden," said Democratic strategist Stefan Hankin. "You can probably count on one hand the number of voters who would have voted for Biden but now won't because Obama is in the news."
Obama had hesitated to get involved in the presidential contest until after Biden became the presumptive nominee. Some Republicans are hopeful that Obama’s interventions will have little impact on the race, pointing to his failure to pull Clinton across the finish line four years ago and the problems down-ballot Democrats faced throughout his presidency. There is also the risk that Obama will upstage the older, rhetorically less gifted Biden — a gamble Democrats are happy to make.
“Trump is latching on to this latest mishmash of evidence-free accusations to change the subject away from his catastrophic mismanagement of the public health crisis,” said Sefl. “We can expect him to just keep tweet-shouting in all caps because that is his sad and reckless comfort zone.”
Trump has devoted much of his administration to rolling back Obama initiatives, such as withdrawing from the Paris climate accord and the Iranian nuclear deal. He has had mixed results with Obamacare, curtailing parts of his predecessor’s biggest legislative success — most notably, the unpopular individual mandate — but failing to repeal and replace the healthcare law in its entirety. Obamacare, otherwise known as the Affordable Care Act, gained in popularity after Trump and congressional Republicans tried to rescind it in 2017.
Obama and Trump have never run against each other in a head-to-head race, but they remain inextricably linked. Trump promoted "birtherism," which held that Obama was born in Kenya, as he began to make an appeal to Republican voters in the early 2010s, something for which former first lady Michelle Obama wrote she would never forgive him. It has been speculated that Obama’s ridicule of Trump, especially at the 2011 White House Correspondents' Association Dinner, prompted the businessman and reality TV star to run for president. Many Republicans think John McCain and Mitt Romney went too easy on Obama in their losing presidential campaigns, which drew them to Trump’s more combative style.
Trump has most recently argued that Obama and his deputies were behind an effort to spy on his 2016 presidential campaign. This so-called Obamagate controversy has gained traction with new revelations about the unmasking of former national security adviser Michael Flynn and flaws in the investigation into alleged collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. Trump has also repeatedly said Obama left the federal government unprepared to deal with a crisis like the coronavirus.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-19--Why are older voters abandoning Trump for Biden? It's more than coronavirus

Swing-state general election polls show a troubling trend for President Trump : prefer Joe Biden over the president , a stark reversal from 2016 that , if the trend holds , could give Biden an edge in November An April Quinnipiac of registered Florida voters found that of those age 65 and older , Biden had support from 52 % and Trump had support from 42 % , while Biden leads Trump among all age groups by 4 points .
In 2016 , found Trump won the age group in Florida by 17 points .
In Wisconsin , a Marquette @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden ahead of Trump by 3 points among all age groups , and 18 points ahead of Trump among voters aged 60 and up .
Trump won Wisconsin voters age 65 and up by 1 point and voters ave 45 to 64 by 15 points , found .
A pair of April Fox News polls were less specific with age groups but similarly found that Biden led with Baby Boomers in by 7 points and in by 18 points while Biden led among all voters in the states by 8 % and 8 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ older voters are turning away from the president , though , is up for debate .
Some argue that the coronavirus crisis has damaged Trump .
“ Trump has suffered a double whammy with seniors from the coronavirus crisis , both in terms of a dislike for his personal demeanor and disapproval of his policy priorities , ” Democratic strategist Geoff Garin the New York Times .
“ If there ’ s a durable change with older voters , it could well cost Trump the election.
” National polls from the Economist/YouGov found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for his handling of the coronavirus crisis ( the percentage who approved minus the percentage who disapproved ) among voters aged 65 and up was plus-9 % in , fell to plus-4 % in .
A Morning Consult national showed a similar trend .
Trump ’ s net approval of handling the coronavirus crisis among seniors peaked at plus-19 % on March 29 .
On April 19 , it was 1 point below zero .
Several swing state polls find higher rates of disapproval in Trump ’ s coronavirus response in older age @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But other data points paint a more complicated picture .
In the March and May Economist/YouGov polls , head-to-head matchup questions showed Trump 4 % behind Biden among all voters in both polls , but that he increased his lead among seniors from 1 % to 9 % , refuting the idea that Trump is losing support in matchups against Biden due seniors losing confidence in his handling of the coronavirus crisis .
Republican pollster Kristen Soltis Anderson noted that Trump 's approval rating among seniors was in trouble before the coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national Quinnipiac poll found that 42 % seniors 65 and up approved of Trump 's job performance while 54 % disapproved .
A FiveThirtyEight cautioned that poll data on different age groups have smaller sample sizes and larger margins of error , and that because the polls are measuring registered voters rather than likely voters , Democrats are likely to poll better .
Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale the idea that Trump is struggling with a “ false narrative being pushed by the left , ” arguing that campaign polls show support from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can restore the economy , who will stand up to China , who will put America first in every decision .
They care about looking after veterans and protecting Social Security and Medicare.
” While Trump ’ s campaign projects confidence in his appeal with older voters , some moves from the White House suggest that he is worried about the demographic .
In an executive order , he the month of May “ Older Americans Month.
” The Biden campaign has celebrated and its edge in recent matchup polls .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vice president running 15 percentage points better with seniors than Democrats did in 2016 , ” Biden campaign manager Jen O ’ Malley Dillon said in a Friday presentation to reporters .
But the polls show some worries for Biden among that demographic , too .
In the May Economist/YouGov poll , 57 % of 65+ voters said that they were `` uneasy '' about rather than `` confident '' in Biden 's ability to deal wisely with the coronavirus outbreak , and 56 % said that they were uneasy about him handling @ @ @ @

Swing-state general election polls show a troubling trend for President Trump: Older Americans prefer Joe Biden over the president, a stark reversal from 2016 that, if the trend holds, could give Biden an edge in November.
An April Quinnipiac poll of registered Florida voters found that of those age 65 and older, Biden had support from 52% and Trump had support from 42%, while Biden leads Trump among all age groups by 4 points. In 2016, exit polls found Trump won the age group in Florida by 17 points.
In Wisconsin, a Marquette University Law School poll from early May found Biden ahead of Trump by 3 points among all age groups and 18 points ahead of Trump among voters aged 60 and up. Trump won Wisconsin voters age 65 and up by 1 point and voters ages 45 to 64 by 15 points, exit polls found.
A pair of April Fox News polls was less specific with age groups but similarly found that Biden led with baby boomers in Pennsylvania by 7 points and in Michigan by 18 points, while Biden led among all voters in the states by 8% in each state.
The reasons why older voters are turning away from the president, though, is up for debate.
Some argue that the coronavirus crisis has damaged Trump.
“Trump has suffered a double whammy with seniors from the coronavirus crisis, both in terms of a dislike for his personal demeanor and disapproval of his policy priorities,” Democratic strategist Geoff Garin told the New York Times. “If there’s a durable change with older voters, it could well cost Trump the election.”
Several data points boost that argument.
National polls from the Economist/YouGov found that Trump’s net approval rating for his handling of the coronavirus crisis (the percentage who approved minus the percentage who disapproved) among voters aged 65 and up was plus-9% in March but fell to plus-4% in May .
A Morning Consult national tracking poll showed a similar trend. Trump’s net approval for his handling of the coronavirus crisis among seniors peaked at plus-19% on March 29. On April 19, it was 1 point below zero.
Several swing-state polls find higher rates of disapproval in Trump’s coronavirus response in older age groups than in younger age groups.
But other data points paint a more complicated picture. In the March and May Economist/YouGov polls, head-to-head matchup questions showed Trump 4 percentage points behind Biden among all voters in both polls, but that he increased his lead among seniors from 1 percentage point to 9 percentage points, refuting the idea that Trump is losing support in matchups against Biden due to seniors losing confidence in his handling of the coronavirus crisis.
Republican pollster Kristen Soltis Anderson noted that Trump's approval rating among seniors was in trouble before the coronavirus pandemic drastically changed society. A February national Quinnipiac poll found that 42% of seniors 65 and up approved of Trump's job performance, while 54% disapproved.
A FiveThirtyEight analysis cautioned that poll data on different age groups have smaller sample sizes and larger margins of error and that because the polls are measuring registered voters rather than likely voters, Democrats are likely to poll better.
Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale called the idea that Trump is struggling a “false narrative being pushed by the Left,” arguing that campaign polls show support from seniors because they “care about who can restore the economy, who will stand up to China, who will put America first in every decision. They care about looking after veterans and protecting Social Security and Medicare.”
While Trump’s campaign projects confidence in his appeal with older voters, some moves from the White House suggest that he is worried about the demographic. In an executive order, he declared the month of May “Older Americans Month.”
The Biden campaign has celebrated and flaunted its edge in recent matchup polls.
“We have seen recent polling that has the vice president running 15 percentage points better with seniors than Democrats did in 2016,” Biden campaign manager Jen O’Malley Dillon said in a Friday presentation to reporters.
But the polls show some worries for Biden among that demographic, too. In the May Economist/YouGov poll, 57% of 65+ voters said that they were "uneasy" rather than "confident" in Biden's ability to deal with the coronavirus outbreak wisely, and 56% said that they were uneasy about him handling an economic recession.