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

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


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-06-25--Swamp poll: Trump gets more blame from 'DC Elites' than China on coronavirus

Even more than China , Washington ’ s “ elite ” believe that the Trump administration should have “ done more ” to stop the spread of the coronavirus , according to a new poll of the so-called “ swamp.
” Some 84 % of 156 Washington influencers dubbed “ D.C .
's Elite ” in the latest YouGov poll said Team Trump should have done more .
Some 81 % said China should have done more , and 82 % said the federal government should have done more .
Those elites are also down on the president ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not believe he will be able to get employment back to pre-virus numbers before Election Day .
Washington ’ s “ elite ” have never been fans of the president , who promised in his 2016 campaign to “ drain the swamp ” if elected .
This week , Vice President Mike Pence in a Wisconsin campaign stop said , “ It ’ s going to take at least four more years to drain that swamp.
” The poll suggested that little has changed .
For example , 60 % of elites believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and it will be worse than the first , countering the administration ’ s claims .
In a slap at Trump , “ 61 % of D.C. elites believe the federal government ’ s response to the virus has been too focused on the U.S. economy , ” found the poll .
And despite the stimulus packages pushed by the White House , `` two-thirds ( 67 % ) say too little has been done by the federal government to support small businesses , and a similar number ( 63 % ) feel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individual citizens .
By contrast , two in five ( 42 % ) say too much has been done to help large corporations .
61 % think the support given to financial markets was about right , '' read the polling analysis .
As for who the “ elites ” are , YouGov explained :

Even more than China, Washington’s “elite” believe that the Trump administration should have “done more” to stop the spread of the coronavirus, according to a new poll of the so-called “swamp.”
Some 84% of 156 Washington influencers dubbed “D.C.'s Elite” in the latest YouGov poll said Team Trump should have done more. Some 81% said China should have done more, and 82% said the federal government should have done more.
Those elites are also down on the president’s effort to reopen the economy and do not believe he will be able to get employment back to pre-virus numbers before Election Day.
Washington’s “elite” have never been fans of the president, who promised in his 2016 campaign to “drain the swamp” if elected. This week, Vice President Mike Pence in a Wisconsin campaign stop said, “It’s going to take at least four more years to drain that swamp.”
The poll suggested that little has changed.
For example, 60% of elites believe there will be a second wave, and it will be worse than the first, countering the administration’s claims.
In a slap at Trump, the poll found that “61% of D.C. elites believe the federal government’s response to the virus has been too focused on the U.S. economy."
And despite the stimulus packages pushed by the White House, "two-thirds (67%) say too little has been done by the federal government to support small businesses, and a similar number (63%) feel too little has been done to help individual citizens. By contrast, two in five (42%) say too much has been done to help large corporations. 61% think the support given to financial markets was about right," read the polling analysis.
As for who the “elites” are, YouGov explained:


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-06-25--Dozens of Secret Service agents quarantined after possible exposure to coronavirus at Tulsa rally

Dozens of Secret Service agents have reportedly been asked to quarantine as a coronavirus precaution after President Trump 's recent campaign rally in Tulsa , Oklahoma .
Sources from within the Secret Service told several different outlets that agents who were on site for the Saturday rally had to be pulled from duty to self-quarantine .
One source told CNN that the total number of agents who were quarantined was in the `` low '' dozens .
The order for the agents to quarantine was given after at least six members of Trump 's campaign team tested positive for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set to begin , according to the Washington Post .
Two of those infected included Secret Service agents who worked the event , and two other staffers also tested positive following the rally .
A Secret Service field office tested its local agents on Tuesday to confirm whether any had been infected during the event .
Catherine Milhoan , a spokeswoman for the Secret Service , did not say how many agents were ordered to quarantine , but she did say that the agency remains committed to protecting the president no matter the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remains prepared and staffed to fulfill all of the various duties as required , ” she said .
“ To protect the privacy of our employees ’ health information and for operational security , the Secret Service is not releasing how many of its employees have tested positive for COVID-19 , nor how many of its employees were , or currently are , quarantined . ''
White House spokesman Judd Deere said that Trump values the safety of the Secret Service and noted that the trip had been planned along with guidance from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president takes the health and safety of everyone traveling in support of himself and all White House operations very seriously , ” Deere said .
“ When preparing for and carrying out any travel , White House Operations collaborates with the physician to the president and the White House Military Office , to ensure plans incorporate current CDC guidance and best practices for limiting COVID-19 exposure to the greatest extent possible.
” Trump was criticized for moving forward with the rally despite Oklahoma being one of 22 states with a growing number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drew 6,200 guests , many of whom did not wear masks .

Dozens of Secret Service agents have reportedly been asked to quarantine as a coronavirus precaution after President Trump's recent campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Sources from within the Secret Service told several different outlets that agents who were on site for the Saturday rally had to be pulled from duty to self-quarantine. One source told CNN that the total number of agents who were quarantined was in the "low" dozens.
The order for the agents to quarantine was given after at least six members of Trump's campaign team tested positive for the virus just hours before the rally was set to begin, according to the Washington Post. Two of those infected included Secret Service agents who worked the event, and two other staffers also tested positive following the rally.
A Secret Service field office tested its local agents on Tuesday to confirm whether any had been infected during the event.
Catherine Milhoan, a spokeswoman for the Secret Service, did not say how many agents were ordered to quarantine, but she did say that the agency remains committed to protecting the president no matter the conditions.
"The U.S. Secret Service remains prepared and staffed to fulfill all of the various duties as required,” she said. “To protect the privacy of our employees’ health information and for operational security, the Secret Service is not releasing how many of its employees have tested positive for COVID-19, nor how many of its employees were, or currently are, quarantined."
White House spokesman Judd Deere said that Trump values the safety of the Secret Service and noted that the trip had been planned along with guidance from the White House physician.
"The president takes the health and safety of everyone traveling in support of himself and all White House operations very seriously,” Deere said. “When preparing for and carrying out any travel, White House Operations collaborates with the physician to the president and the White House Military Office, to ensure plans incorporate current CDC guidance and best practices for limiting COVID-19 exposure to the greatest extent possible.”
Trump was criticized for moving forward with the rally despite Oklahoma being one of 22 states with a growing number of coronavirus cases. The rally in Tulsa drew 6,200 guests, many of whom did not wear masks.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-06-25--Trump sway over base in question as three favored GOP candidates go down

After a string of successful endorsements in Republican primaries and special elections , President Trump has hit a rough patch .
Two candidates Trump opposed in GOP primaries won on Tuesday night , not long after an incumbent the president endorsed was ousted at a Virginia state party convention .
The results have some questioning whether Trump ’ s anemic national poll numbers — he now trails presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden by 10.1 points in the RealClearPolitics average — have finally taken a toll on his over the party , or at least his sway with rank-and-file Republican voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relied on a base-first strategy at all costs , hoping to win reelection without courting new voters , even the slightest slippage among rock-solid Republicans is alarming , ” National Journal ’ s Josh Kraushaar , who tweeted after Tuesday ’ s election results that “ Trump 's Midas touch with Republicans not looking as strong these days.
” Rep. Denver Riggleman of Virginia was booted at the state ’ s drive-thru GOP convention earlier this month despite Trump ’ s endorsement .
Riggleman took just 42 % of the vote to challenger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Social conservatives had raised eyebrows over the incumbent officiating a same-sex wedding , though it ’ s not clear that was the decisive issue in his defeat .
More strikingly , Trump backed the handpicked successor to his new White House chief of staff , former North Carolina Rep. Mark Meadows , in the Republican primary in the state ’ s 11th District .
But the Trump-endorsed candidate , Lynda Bennett , lost to 24-year-old newcomer Madison Cawthorn by a decisive 65.8 % to a 34.2 % margin .
While Trump never actually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Massie , he did call on Republicans to “ throw Massie out of the Republican Party !
” Instead , the Kentucky lawmaker won renomination in a landslide , taking over 87 % of the vote and holding his opponent to less than 2,000 votes total .
Massie told the Washington Examiner in March that running afoul of Trump on the coronavirus economic rescue package “ might cost me my reelection.
” At the beginning of June , the Republican National Committee boasted , “ President Trump has an undefeated record of candidate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 64-0 record in primaries and special elections in 2020 .
Recent votes put only a tiny dent in that total , and caveats apply to each of them .
None of the recent Republican primary winners opposed Trump .
“ They probably should be more discerning in who they publicly support , ” said Republican strategist John Feehery .
“ It ’ s always better to back the candidate who is going to win .
Good was a better fit for the district .
Massie was never going to lose to his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal story and is a strong supporter of the president .
So I don ’ t think it is a rejection of the president .
It ’ s more of an ‘ all politics are local ’ kind of thing.
” Massie also ran as a supporter of the president , who had stopped tweeting about him long in advance of the primary , to “ fight with you and President Trump against the extremist Democratic party.
” Rep. Liz Cheney had money to Massie challenger Todd McMurtry only to have to backtrack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump never mentioned his name .
But the latest developments do shine a bright spotlight on July ’ s looming Alabama GOP Senate runoff between former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville and former Attorney General Jeff Sessions .
The seat is a top Republican pickup opportunity .
Trump , still steamed with Sessions over his recusal from the Russia investigation , has endorsed Tuberville and actually spent some political capital on the race .
Some Trump supporters wish he stuck with Sessions , a leading immigration hawk , while others share the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ required oversight from the attorney general in light of recent revelations about flawed FISA applications .
“ The problem with Trump ’ s political office is the same as with most of his presidency , ” said Ryan Girdusky , co-author of They 're Not Listening : How the Elites Created the Nationalist Populist Revolution .
“ The people running it are fairly conventional , so they haven ’ t endorsed candidates who share any real national populist values .
That ’ s problematic and shows that voters sometimes have cared more often @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president .
”

After a string of successful endorsements in Republican primaries and special elections, President Trump has hit a rough patch. Two candidates Trump opposed in GOP primaries won on Tuesday night, not long after an incumbent the president endorsed was ousted at a Virginia state party convention.
The results have some questioning whether Trump’s anemic national poll numbers — he now trails presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden by 10.1 points in the RealClearPolitics average — have finally taken a toll on his stranglehold over the party, or at least his sway with rank-and-file Republican voters.
“For a president who has relied on a base-first strategy at all costs, hoping to win reelection without courting new voters, even the slightest slippage among rock-solid Republicans is alarming,” writes National Journal’s Josh Kraushaar, who tweeted after Tuesday’s election results that “Trump's Midas touch with Republicans not looking as strong these days.”
Rep. Denver Riggleman of Virginia was booted at the state’s drive-thru GOP convention earlier this month despite Trump’s endorsement. Riggleman took just 42% of the vote to challenger Bob Good’s 58%. Social conservatives had raised eyebrows over the incumbent officiating a same-sex wedding, though it’s not clear that was the decisive issue in his defeat.
More strikingly, Trump backed the handpicked successor to his new White House chief of staff, former North Carolina Rep. Mark Meadows, in the Republican primary in the state’s 11th District. But the Trump-endorsed candidate, Lynda Bennett, lost to 24-year-old newcomer Madison Cawthorn by a decisive 65.8% to a 34.2% margin.
While Trump never actually endorsed the primary challenger to Rep. Thomas Massie, he did call on Republicans to “throw Massie out of the Republican Party!” Instead, the Kentucky lawmaker won renomination in a landslide, taking over 87% of the vote and holding his opponent to less than 2,000 votes total. Massie told the Washington Examiner in March that running afoul of Trump on the coronavirus economic rescue package “might cost me my reelection.”
At the beginning of June, the Republican National Committee boasted, “President Trump has an undefeated record of candidate endorsements this cycle,” pointing to a 64-0 record in primaries and special elections in 2020. Recent votes put only a tiny dent in that total, and caveats apply to each of them.
None of the recent Republican primary winners opposed Trump.
“They probably should be more discerning in who they publicly support,” said Republican strategist John Feehery. “It’s always better to back the candidate who is going to win. Good was a better fit for the district. Massie was never going to lose to his opponent. And Cawthorn has a compelling personal story and is a strong supporter of the president. So I don’t think it is a rejection of the president. It’s more of an ‘all politics are local’ kind of thing.”
Massie also ran as a supporter of the president, who had stopped tweeting about him long in advance of the primary, vowing to “fight with you and President Trump against the extremist Democratic party.” Rep. Liz Cheney had donated money to Massie challenger Todd McMurtry only to have to backtrack when press reports uncovered controversial comments. Trump never mentioned his name.
But the latest developments do shine a bright spotlight on July’s looming Alabama GOP Senate runoff between former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville and former Attorney General Jeff Sessions. The seat is a top Republican pickup opportunity. Trump, still steamed with Sessions over his recusal from the Russia investigation, has endorsed Tuberville and actually spent some political capital on the race. Some Trump supporters wish he stuck with Sessions, a leading immigration hawk, while others share the president’s view that the Russia inquiry required oversight from the attorney general in light of recent revelations about flawed FISA applications.
“The problem with Trump’s political office is the same as with most of his presidency,” said Ryan Girdusky, co-author of They're Not Listening: How the Elites Created the Nationalist Populist Revolution. “The people running it are fairly conventional, so they haven’t endorsed candidates who share any real national populist values. That’s problematic and shows that voters sometimes have cared more often about the issues than the endorsement of the president.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-06-25--Marco Rubio bolsters 2024 profile with sympathetic approach to racial 'inequities'

In 2016 , Florida voters in a predominantly black Jacksonville precinct rewarded Sen. Marco Rubio for championing their concerns about a mismanaged public housing project by supporting the Republican for reelection by a healthy 4 percentage points .
“ Not only was his mind in it — but his heart was also in it , ” said Pastor Mark Griffin , who worked with Rubio to improve living conditions at the Valencia Way apartment complex situated near his Wayman Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church in Jacksonville .
“ The election results were that people can always tell when an elected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s what people saw in Sen. Rubio.
” As Rubio , who is Cuban American , mulls a second presidential bid in 2024 , he is taking steps to burnish his image as a Republican positioned to win the White House in an era of profound demographic and social change .
“ We have a significant percentage of our population who believe that their lives matter less and their problems receive less attention , ” Rubio , 49 , said in an interview with the Washington Examiner , during which he embraced Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ careful to distance himself from left-wing groups that have adopted the slogan .
“ No nation can prosper when you have a significant percentage of your population that feels that way.
” White voters are shrinking as a percentage of the electorate .
Simultaneously , they are embracing more liberal views of race relations .
Two polls released Wednesday are revealing .
Nationally , 60 % of white people believe the police treat African Americans unfairly .
In battleground Wisconsin , 57 % of white people approve of the Black Lives Matter movement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a police reform package proposed by Sen. Tim Scott , a black Republican from South Carolina .
The legislation is stalled in Congress because of Democratic opposition , with liberals complaining it is an insufficient fix for the problems plaguing local law enforcement in the wake of the death of George Floyd , who is black , at the hands of Minneapolis police officers .
But Rubio ’ s contribution to the bill is part of a record of addressing minority issues dating to his tenure in the Florida Legislature .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are statistically impossible to ignore , ” Rubio said .
“ Oftentimes , people who are in positions of power and influence are either oblivious to , or simply not deeply aware of the unique challenges and obstacles facing African American and other minority communities in this country .
And , as a result , those unique challenges are often left unaddressed.
” Over the years , Rubio ’ s attentiveness to black and Hispanic priorities has generated praise from the Democrats who have collaborated with him .
In interviews , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ action-oriented — even as they acknowledge ideological differences .
Four years ago , Rubio 's approach also produced results at the ballot box that propelled him to a second Senate term after his presidential campaign flamed out .
The senator received 17 % of the black vote in that contest , 9 points better than President Trump , who is hoping to achieve Rubio-levels of black support this November .
Rep. Frederica Wilson , a black Florida Democrat , has been friends with Rubio since each served in Tallahassee and cooperated on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” a mentoring program for young black men in Miami that she founded and that he is still involved in .
“ He very early on let me know by his actions with the 5,000 [ role models program ] how sensitive he was to issues in the inner city as it relates to poor people of color — poor black people , and how they needed a hand up and how they needed to be given some kind of hope , ” Wilson said .
“ This isn ’ t something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s been in Congress.
” Rubio has plenty of critics .
Democrats accuse Rubio of , in general , placating Trump and maintaining viability with a GOP base that has embraced the president ’ s populist agenda .
Some Republicans mock the senator with claims that he perpetually chases the shiny political object .
This month , that would be police reform and race relations .
But Rubio supporters point out the senator ’ s focus on racial injustice is not new to his political career — nor is his support for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reform bill .
The legislation includes a Rubio proposal to create the “ Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys '' — a federal version of a program he worked on in Florida to study racial disparities affecting black males and develop ways to assist them .
Other items in the package are co-sponsored by Rubio , among them measures to deter lynching and form a national commission on criminal justice .
But Rubio rejects the notion that the United States and major institutions are infected with systemic racism .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ very imperfect people , but whose founding principles are so powerful that if you look at every great cause in American history — the end of slavery , the Civil Rights movement , the right to vote , women ’ s suffrage — all of these great advances were an appeal to our founding principles , ” he said .
“ They were not a demand that we overthrow our founding principles .
”

In 2016, Florida voters in a predominantly black Jacksonville precinct rewarded Sen. Marco Rubio for championing their concerns about a mismanaged public housing project by supporting the Republican for reelection by a healthy 4 percentage points.
“Not only was his mind in it — but his heart was also in it,” said Pastor Mark Griffin, who worked with Rubio to improve living conditions at the Valencia Way apartment complex situated near his Wayman Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church in Jacksonville. “The election results were that people can always tell when an elected official is genuine — and that’s what people saw in Sen. Rubio.”
As Rubio, who is Cuban American, mulls a second presidential bid in 2024, he is taking steps to burnish his image as a Republican positioned to win the White House in an era of profound demographic and social change.
“We have a significant percentage of our population who believe that their lives matter less and their problems receive less attention,” Rubio, 49, said in an interview with the Washington Examiner, during which he embraced Black Lives Matter as a philosophy but was careful to distance himself from left-wing groups that have adopted the slogan. “No nation can prosper when you have a significant percentage of your population that feels that way.”
White voters are shrinking as a percentage of the electorate. Simultaneously, they are embracing more liberal views of race relations. Two polls released Wednesday are revealing. Nationally, 60% of white people believe the police treat African Americans unfairly. In battleground Wisconsin, 57% of white people approve of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Rubio is sponsoring key elements of a police reform package proposed by Sen. Tim Scott, a black Republican from South Carolina. The legislation is stalled in Congress because of Democratic opposition, with liberals complaining it is an insufficient fix for the problems plaguing local law enforcement in the wake of the death of George Floyd, who is black, at the hands of Minneapolis police officers. But Rubio’s contribution to the bill is part of a record of addressing minority issues dating to his tenure in the Florida Legislature.
“I believe there are inequities in America; they are statistically impossible to ignore,” Rubio said. “Oftentimes, people who are in positions of power and influence are either oblivious to, or simply not deeply aware of the unique challenges and obstacles facing African American and other minority communities in this country. And, as a result, those unique challenges are often left unaddressed.”
Over the years, Rubio’s attentiveness to black and Hispanic priorities has generated praise from the Democrats who have collaborated with him. In interviews, they describe the senator as authentically interested and action-oriented — even as they acknowledge ideological differences. Four years ago, Rubio's approach also produced results at the ballot box that propelled him to a second Senate term after his presidential campaign flamed out.
The senator received 17% of the black vote in that contest, 9 points better than President Trump, who is hoping to achieve Rubio-levels of black support this November.
Rep. Frederica Wilson, a black Florida Democrat, has been friends with Rubio since each served in Tallahassee and cooperated on the “5,000 Role Models of Excellence Project,” a mentoring program for young black men in Miami that she founded and that he is still involved in.
“He very early on let me know by his actions with the 5,000 [role models program] how sensitive he was to issues in the inner city as it relates to poor people of color — poor black people, and how they needed a hand up and how they needed to be given some kind of hope,” Wilson said. “This isn’t something he just came up with since he’s been in Congress.”
Rubio has plenty of critics. Democrats accuse Rubio of, in general, placating Trump and maintaining viability with a GOP base that has embraced the president’s populist agenda. Some Republicans mock the senator with claims that he perpetually chases the shiny political object. This month, that would be police reform and race relations.
But Rubio supporters point out the senator’s focus on racial injustice is not new to his political career — nor is his support for various provisions of Scott’s police reform bill.
The legislation includes a Rubio proposal to create the “Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys" — a federal version of a program he worked on in Florida to study racial disparities affecting black males and develop ways to assist them. Other items in the package are co-sponsored by Rubio, among them measures to deter lynching and form a national commission on criminal justice.
But Rubio rejects the notion that the United States and major institutions are infected with systemic racism.
“The nation that was founded by very imperfect people, but whose founding principles are so powerful that if you look at every great cause in American history — the end of slavery, the Civil Rights movement, the right to vote, women’s suffrage — all of these great advances were an appeal to our founding principles,” he said. “They were not a demand that we overthrow our founding principles.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-06-26--Tucker Carlson: Trump may lose this election

Fox News host Tucker Carlson warned conservatives that President Trump may lose the election .
During Thursday ’ s airing of Tucker Carlson Tonight , the host , a supporter of Trump , said that it may be “ tough ” for Trump to win reelection if he does not adequately respond to civil unrest in the country .
“ Not many people are saying it out loud on the Right .
But the fact is that President Trump could well lose this election .
In fact , unless fundamental facts change soon , it could be tough for him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his opening monologue .
He said if former Vice President Joe Biden wins in November , the White House will be controlled by `` radicals '' who will `` remake the country . ''
`` We 're fully aware that virtually nobody watching this show tonight wants to hear that , but it 's true , and key people around the president know that it 's true .
They 've seen the numbers , '' he added .
All the while , the chyron banner that appeared on the bottom of screen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Trump may lose this election . ''
Carlson asserted that social cohesion in the country is eroding after nationwide protests have occurred following the Memorial Day death of George Floyd , a 46-year-old black man , in Minneapolis , Minnesota .
“ An awful lot of people voted for Donald Trump precisely to avoid a moment like the one we ’ re now in , ” Carlson said , stating that Trump ’ s instincts were on the side of order , tradition , and stability , but Carlson later remarked that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little ” and “ did less.
” Attorney General William Barr has referred to a “ witch ’ s brew ” of extremist groups involved in the protests .
Among the people recently arrested are alleged members of the right-wing extremist `` boogaloo '' movement .
Activists have claimed Confederate statues , which pay tribute to Confederate leaders such as Jefferson Davis and Robert E. Lee , ought to be torn down .
Demonstrators , however , have also attempted to tear down or petition local governments to decommission statues of historical figures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abraham Lincoln , and Ulysses S. Grant .
During a Wednesday press conference with Polish President Andrzej Duda in the Rose Garden , Trump said he would n't tolerate the destruction of statues depicting Jesus Christ , the Founding Fathers , and others as long as he was in office .
On Thursday 's episode of Texas Sen. Ted Cruz 's podcast , Verdict , Barr said his agency was using 35 joint terrorist task forces across the country to investigate criminal activity , saying over 500 investigations are currently underway .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They are different than many traditional groups , and frequently , the signs of coordination and activity are very close to the event itself , '' the attorney general said , describing those people behind the violence and the vandalizing of monuments .

Fox News host Tucker Carlson warned conservatives that President Trump may lose the election.
During Thursday’s airing of Tucker Carlson Tonight, the host, a supporter of Trump, said that it may be “tough” for Trump to win reelection if he does not adequately respond to civil unrest in the country.
“Not many people are saying it out loud on the Right. But the fact is that President Trump could well lose this election. In fact, unless fundamental facts change soon, it could be tough for him to be reelected,” Carlson said in his opening monologue. He said if former Vice President Joe Biden wins in November, the White House will be controlled by "radicals" who will "remake the country."
"We're fully aware that virtually nobody watching this show tonight wants to hear that, but it's true, and key people around the president know that it's true. They've seen the numbers," he added. All the while, the chyron banner that appeared on the bottom of screen blared in all capital letters: "President Trump may lose this election."
Carlson asserted that social cohesion in the country is eroding after nationwide protests have occurred following the Memorial Day death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
“An awful lot of people voted for Donald Trump precisely to avoid a moment like the one we’re now in,” Carlson said, stating that Trump’s instincts were on the side of order, tradition, and stability, but Carlson later remarked that during the rioting, Trump “said little” and “did less.”
Attorney General William Barr has referred to a “witch’s brew” of extremist groups involved in the protests. Among the people recently arrested are alleged members of the right-wing extremist "boogaloo" movement.
Activists have claimed Confederate statues, which pay tribute to Confederate leaders such as Jefferson Davis and Robert E. Lee, ought to be torn down. Demonstrators, however, have also attempted to tear down or petition local governments to decommission statues of historical figures such as former Presidents George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Ulysses S. Grant.
During a Wednesday press conference with Polish President Andrzej Duda in the Rose Garden, Trump said he wouldn't tolerate the destruction of statues depicting Jesus Christ, the Founding Fathers, and others as long as he was in office.
On Thursday's episode of Texas Sen. Ted Cruz's podcast, Verdict, Barr said his agency was using 35 joint terrorist task forces across the country to investigate criminal activity, saying over 500 investigations are currently underway.
"They want to tear down the country. They are different than many traditional groups, and frequently, the signs of coordination and activity are very close to the event itself," the attorney general said, describing those people behind the violence and the vandalizing of monuments.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-06-26--Biden leads Trump in Texas and Georgia: Fox News poll

Joe Biden leads President Trump in a pair of states that have n't backed a Democratic presidential candidate in decades , a Fox News poll shows .
According to a survey released Thursday , Biden leads Trump by 45 % -44 % in Texas and 47 % -45 % in Georgia .
Texas last backed a Democratic presidential nominee in 1976 and Georgia in 1992 .
Both states are within the poll 's 3-percentage point margin of error .
But the fact that they 're even competitive shows the challenges Trump faces as he seeks reelection in November amid the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fox News poll , conducted from June 20-23 , also found Biden leading Trump in Florida by 9 points and North Carolina by 2 points .
Biden , the presumptive Democratic nominee , holds similar leads in other polls taken over the past week .
In Texas , a reliably Republican state since 1980 and one Trump won by 9 points in the 2016 election , voters believe Biden would better handle race relations and the coronavirus pandemic by 10 points and 3 points , respectively .
However , the survey found that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the economy and immigration by 14 and 3 points , respectively .
The poll surveyed 1,001 Texas voters through landlines and cellphones .
In Florida , a state Trump in 2016 won by 1 point , 58 % of Biden voters say their motivation behind their decision is out of fear of Trump 's reelection rather than enthusiasm for the Democratic candidate .
Meanwhile , enthusiasm for Trump 's election motivates 69 % of his Florida supporters .
Biden 's lead in the state comes primarily from Hispanics , women , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won previously by approximately 5 points , Biden was the overwhelmingly preferred candidate among black voters , millennials , and suburban voters , leading the president by 76 points , 34 points , and 20 points , respectively .
Trump 's approval rating in the state declined by 4 points , with 47 % approval and 51 % disapproving , and his support among men also declined slightly .
None of the four states surveyed are crucial in piecing together an Electoral College majority of 270 for Biden , vice president for two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that , a 36-year Delaware senator .
But a loss in any one of them would likely spell electoral doom for Trump .

Joe Biden leads President Trump in a pair of states that haven't backed a Democratic presidential candidate in decades, a Fox News poll shows.
According to a survey released Thursday, Biden leads Trump by 45%-44% in Texas and 47%-45% in Georgia. Texas last backed a Democratic presidential nominee in 1976 and Georgia in 1992.
Both states are within the poll's 3-percentage point margin of error. But the fact that they're even competitive shows the challenges Trump faces as he seeks reelection in November amid the coronavirus pandemic and double-digit unemployment.
The Fox News poll, conducted from June 20-23, also found Biden leading Trump in Florida by 9 points and North Carolina by 2 points. Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee, holds similar leads in other polls taken over the past week.
In Texas, a reliably Republican state since 1980 and one Trump won by 9 points in the 2016 election, voters believe Biden would better handle race relations and the coronavirus pandemic by 10 points and 3 points, respectively.
However, the survey found that voters place greater trust in the president on the economy and immigration by 14 and 3 points, respectively.
The poll surveyed 1,001 Texas voters through landlines and cellphones.
In Florida, a state Trump in 2016 won by 1 point, 58% of Biden voters say their motivation behind their decision is out of fear of Trump's reelection rather than enthusiasm for the Democratic candidate. Meanwhile, enthusiasm for Trump's election motivates 69% of his Florida supporters.
Biden's lead in the state comes primarily from Hispanics, women, and millennials.
In Georgia, which Trump won previously by approximately 5 points, Biden was the overwhelmingly preferred candidate among black voters, millennials, and suburban voters, leading the president by 76 points, 34 points, and 20 points, respectively.
Trump's approval rating in the state declined by 4 points, with 47% approval and 51% disapproving, and his support among men also declined slightly.
None of the four states surveyed are crucial in piecing together an Electoral College majority of 270 for Biden, vice president for two terms under President Barack Obama and before that, a 36-year Delaware senator. But a loss in any one of them would likely spell electoral doom for Trump.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-06-25--Tim Scott uses 'token' comment by top Democrat to raise money

Black Republican Sen. Tim Scott is suggesting that a leading Democrat referred to him as a `` token '' and is using the incident to raise money for his 2022 reelection campaign in South Carolina .
In a campaign fundraising email that circulated Thursday , Scott criticized Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin for calling his bid to overhaul police practices in the wake of George Floyd 's death a `` token process . ''
The Illinois Democrat later apologized , but Scott said the comments `` hurt me to my core . ''
He accused Democrats of being more interested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Senate in November than reforming local law enforcement .
`` As the only African American Republican U.S. senator , this is not the first time I have faced vicious attacks from Democrats , '' Scott wrote in the money appeal .
`` I know the struggle and heartache that impacts communities of color all across the country . ''
`` Democrats like Sen. Durbin are more interested in scoring political points and getting soundbites on CNN or MSNBC , '' Scott added .
`` They care more about the next election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Scott wrote in the email money appeal .
`` We can not allow Sen. Durbin 's partisanship and offensive words to go unanswered . ''
Scott has been leading Republican efforts in Congress to pass police reform legislation that aims to prevent more deaths like Floyd 's .
Floyd died on May 25 after a white Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes .
The incident led to a national outcry and demands for a law enforcement overhaul .
On Wednesday , Senate Democrats filibustered his bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to debate and amend the package while claiming that it does not sufficiently address the problems plaguing local law enforcement agencies .
In his Senate floor remarks , Scott charged that Democrats were blocking the bill because they feared its passage might help Trump and diminish their prospects for winning control of the Senate this fall .
Scott had previously announced that his 2022 Senate campaign would be his last .

Black Republican Sen. Tim Scott is suggesting that a leading Democrat referred to him as a "token" and is using the incident to raise money for his 2022 reelection campaign in South Carolina.
In a campaign fundraising email that circulated Thursday, Scott criticized Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin for calling his bid to overhaul police practices in the wake of George Floyd's death a "token process." The Illinois Democrat later apologized, but Scott said the comments "hurt me to my core." He accused Democrats of being more interested in defeating President Trump and winning control of the Senate in November than reforming local law enforcement.
"As the only African American Republican U.S. senator, this is not the first time I have faced vicious attacks from Democrats," Scott wrote in the money appeal. "I know the struggle and heartache that impacts communities of color all across the country."
"Democrats like Sen. Durbin are more interested in scoring political points and getting soundbites on CNN or MSNBC," Scott added. "They care more about the next election than making real progress toward policing reforms," Scott wrote in the email money appeal. "We cannot allow Sen. Durbin's partisanship and offensive words to go unanswered."
Scott has been leading Republican efforts in Congress to pass police reform legislation that aims to prevent more deaths like Floyd's. Floyd died on May 25 after a white Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes. The incident led to a national outcry and demands for a law enforcement overhaul.
On Wednesday, Senate Democrats filibustered his bill — refusing even to allow the chamber to debate and amend the package while claiming that it does not sufficiently address the problems plaguing local law enforcement agencies. In his Senate floor remarks, Scott charged that Democrats were blocking the bill because they feared its passage might help Trump and diminish their prospects for winning control of the Senate this fall.
Scott had previously announced that his 2022 Senate campaign would be his last.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-06-25--Biden ventures out of basement for first time in over a week

In order to maintain sanity during the coronavirus lockdowns , many people take daily walks or get in some exercise outside .
For Joe Biden , his first trip beyond his Delaware home 's property line in eight days was in Pennsylvania for some light campaigning .
The 75-minute drive from the former vice president 's home in Wilmington , Delaware , to Lancaster , Pennsylvania , marked his second trip to the state this month .
Although the location of his campaign event , a heavily pro-Trump congressional district in a state the president won in 2016 , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conversations with local voters contrasts with President Trump 's desire to continue holding large rallies .
The reason for Biden 's cautious approach to the campaign trail is officially out of concern for his health and that of his staff .
And although many public health experts have been critical of Trump 's insistence on holding large indoor gatherings , a primary motivator is likely the obvious : staying in his basement is working just fine for Biden .
Since the coronavirus outbreak and the death of George Floyd , Biden has extended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Although the race remains tighter in swing states , some national surveys of voters have Biden ahead of Trump by as much as 10 points or more .
A new poll from the New York Times and Siena College released Wednesday found 36 % of voters say they currently back Trump , with 50 % saying they 'll vote for Biden .
His remarks on Thursday , delivered to just a handful of masked and socially-distanced staffers and reporters , felt less like a campaign rally and more like an address to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for applause nor a sea of sign-waving supporters .
Instead , Biden addressed a mostly empty room as he tore into the Trump administration 's plans to overturn Obamacare in court .
`` If he succeeds , more than 23 million Americans will lose their coverage overnight , including over a million Pennsylvanians , '' Biden said .
`` Insurers could once again discriminate or deny services or drop coverage from people living with pre-existing conditions like asthma , diabetes , or cancer . ''
Biden , President Barack Obama 's vice president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Delaware senator , then previewed a likely message for the fall campaign .
`` They would live their lives caught in a vise between Donald Trump ’ s twin legacies : his failure to protect the American people from the coronavirus , and his heartless crusade to take health care protections away from American families , '' Biden said .
Though there was no crowd , Biden 's remarks on Thursday engaged more with voters than the typical digital campaign stops Biden has made as of late .
Biden spoke of Pennsylvanians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of his more policy-oriented speeches since he became the presumptive Democratic nominee .
He also touted his healthcare plan and said his team would be releasing a specific outline for transitioning the current system to one with a public option .
`` To fix the economy , we have to get control over the virus , '' Biden said .
`` He ’ s like a child who can ’ t believe this has happened to him , all his whining and self-pity.
” Biden also called on Americans to wear masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public ca n't rely on the White House 's advice to end the pandemic .
`` The president wants us to believe there 's a choice between the economy and public health .
Amazingly , he still has n't grasped the most basic fact of this crisis : To fix the economy , we have to get control over the virus , '' he said .
`` He ’ s like a child who can ’ t believe this has happened to him , all his whining and self-pity .
This pandemic did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to all of us , and his job is n't to whine about it , but his job is to do something about it — to lead . ''

In order to maintain sanity during the coronavirus lockdowns, many people take daily walks or get in some exercise outside. For Joe Biden, his first trip beyond his Delaware home's property line in eight days was in Pennsylvania for some light campaigning.
The 75-minute drive from the former vice president's home in Wilmington, Delaware, to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, marked his second trip to the state this month. Although the location of his campaign event, a heavily pro-Trump congressional district in a state the president won in 2016, was surely deliberate, the focus on intimate conversations with local voters contrasts with President Trump's desire to continue holding large rallies.
The reason for Biden's cautious approach to the campaign trail is officially out of concern for his health and that of his staff. And although many public health experts have been critical of Trump's insistence on holding large indoor gatherings, a primary motivator is likely the obvious: staying in his basement is working just fine for Biden.
Since the coronavirus outbreak and the death of George Floyd, Biden has extended his lead over Trump in numerous polls. Although the race remains tighter in swing states, some national surveys of voters have Biden ahead of Trump by as much as 10 points or more.
A new poll from the New York Times and Siena College released Wednesday found 36% of voters say they currently back Trump, with 50% saying they'll vote for Biden.
His remarks on Thursday, delivered to just a handful of masked and socially-distanced staffers and reporters, felt less like a campaign rally and more like an address to the country. There were no pauses for applause nor a sea of sign-waving supporters. Instead, Biden addressed a mostly empty room as he tore into the Trump administration's plans to overturn Obamacare in court.
"If he succeeds, more than 23 million Americans will lose their coverage overnight, including over a million Pennsylvanians," Biden said. "Insurers could once again discriminate or deny services or drop coverage from people living with pre-existing conditions like asthma, diabetes, or cancer."
Biden, President Barack Obama's vice president for two terms after 36 years as a Delaware senator, then previewed a likely message for the fall campaign.
"They would live their lives caught in a vise between Donald Trump’s twin legacies: his failure to protect the American people from the coronavirus, and his heartless crusade to take health care protections away from American families," Biden said.
Though there was no crowd, Biden's remarks on Thursday engaged more with voters than the typical digital campaign stops Biden has made as of late. Biden spoke of Pennsylvanians who benefited from Obamacare in what was one of his more policy-oriented speeches since he became the presumptive Democratic nominee. He also touted his healthcare plan and said his team would be releasing a specific outline for transitioning the current system to one with a public option.
"To fix the economy, we have to get control over the virus," Biden said. "He’s like a child who can’t believe this has happened to him, all his whining and self-pity.”
Biden also called on Americans to wear masks and maintain social distancing, saying the public can't rely on the White House's advice to end the pandemic.
"The president wants us to believe there's a choice between the economy and public health. Amazingly, he still hasn't grasped the most basic fact of this crisis: To fix the economy, we have to get control over the virus," he said. "He’s like a child who can’t believe this has happened to him, all his whining and self-pity. This pandemic didn't happen to him, it happened to all of us, and his job isn't to whine about it, but his job is to do something about it — to lead."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-06-25--Strong plurality of voters oppose resumption of campaign rallies

A strong plurality of voters is opposed to 2020 candidates resuming live , in-person political events and campaign rallies , a new national poll found .
In the YouGov survey , conducted for The Economist , 48 % of registered voters overall said candidates on the November ballot should refrain from holding in-person events or campaign rallies .
Pluralities , and in some cases , majorities , of voters across over two dozen key demographics were among those opposed to a resumption of live campaigning , including 46 % of independents , 52 % of moderates , 67 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 51 % of women , and 57 % of both blacks and Hispanics .
President Trump and Republicans generally have criticized Biden for holding few live campaign events and interacting with voters mostly through virtual events from his basement studio at his home in Delaware .
With the coronavirus spreading again in some states , the findings in the YouGov poll suggest many voters are n't looking for Biden to do it .
There were only three cohorts of voters that exhibited more support for returning to “ regular ” in-person campaigning than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who described themselves as Republicans ( 52 % ) , conservatives ( 59 % ) , and as those planning to support Trump this fall ( 64 % ) .
Most campaigns shifted to a virtual footing in mid-March because of the health risks posed by the coronavirus .
After the rate of COVID-19 infections began dropping , Trump and the Republican National Committee resumed in-person voter engagement .
Last Saturday , Trump hosted his first campaign rally since March in Tulsa , Oklahoma .
In the YouGov poll , conducted between Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said they are supportive of these activities , with 21 % saying they are not sure .
The poll asked , “ Do you think political candidates should or should not resume holding regular , in-person campaign events and rallies ?
” The poll had a margin of error of 3.3 percentage points .

A strong plurality of voters is opposed to 2020 candidates resuming live, in-person political events and campaign rallies, a new national poll found.
In the YouGov survey, conducted for The Economist, 48% of registered voters overall said candidates on the November ballot should refrain from holding in-person events or campaign rallies. Pluralities, and in some cases, majorities, of voters across over two dozen key demographics were among those opposed to a resumption of live campaigning, including 46% of independents, 52% of moderates, 67% of Democrats, 44% of seniors, 51% of women, and 57% of both blacks and Hispanics.
President Trump and Republicans generally have criticized Biden for holding few live campaign events and interacting with voters mostly through virtual events from his basement studio at his home in Delaware. With the coronavirus spreading again in some states, the findings in the YouGov poll suggest many voters aren't looking for Biden to do it.
There were only three cohorts of voters that exhibited more support for returning to “regular” in-person campaigning than for holding off. They included voters who described themselves as Republicans (52%), conservatives (59%), and as those planning to support Trump this fall (64%).
Most campaigns shifted to a virtual footing in mid-March because of the health risks posed by the coronavirus. After the rate of COVID-19 infections began dropping, Trump and the Republican National Committee resumed in-person voter engagement. Last Saturday, Trump hosted his first campaign rally since March in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In the YouGov poll, conducted between Sunday and Wednesday, 31% of voters said they are supportive of these activities, with 21% saying they are not sure.
The poll asked, “Do you think political candidates should or should not resume holding regular, in-person campaign events and rallies?”
The poll had a margin of error of 3.3 percentage points.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-06-25--Trump volunteers go door to door in Wisconsin as campaign steps up in-person 'action'

Volunteers and organizers for President Trump 's reelection are knocking on doors in Wisconsin , waving off concerns about the coronavirus even as Democrats continue to keep their distance from voters .
“ When you ’ re out knocking doors and you keep a safe distance from the person at the door , we just don ’ t see a problem , and we ’ re finding most of the voters don ’ t either , ” Wisconsin Republican Party Chairman Mark Jefferson told the Chicago Tribune .
“ We ’ ve heard the 6-foot rule now for weeks and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Some people choose to use a mask .
Some people prefer not to use a mask .
Fair enough .
You have to make your own decisions as to whether you want to spend less time in the office if people aren ’ t wearing masks .
Those are individual choices.
” Trump 's reelection campaign has relaunched in-person events this month with a “ national weekend of action '' in celebration of the president 's birthday .
Working in partnership with the state party 's field organizers , more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including door-to-door canvasses .
Jefferson said efforts targeting swing voters in the Milwaukee suburbs have been well received so far .
“ The suburban areas were very good , and the rural communities really were no problem at all .
People are really eager to get out and talk to people.
” By contrast , Democrats are still on a de facto lockdown .
“ We ’ re not going to risk becoming a public health menace , ” said Wisconsin Democratic Party Chairman Ben Wikler .
Twenty-nine Wisconsin counties have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , categorized according to a county 's number of cases per 100,000 residents over the previous two weeks and the extent to which the case rate is increasing , according to the state 's health department .
The state has 4,881 active cases , including 432 filed Wednesday .
Both the president and vice president are visiting Wisconsin this week , putting the battleground in the spotlight .
Trump is slated to tour the Fincantieri Marinette Marine shipyard on Thursday , which was recently awarded an $ 800 million U.S. Navy contract to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presumptive Democratic presidential nominee , Joe Biden , holds an 8-point lead over the president in Wisconsin , according to the RealClearPolitics polling average — down 3 points from the lead former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton held at this point in 2016 before she lost the state to Trump by a single point .
Over Trump 's birthday weekend outside Milwaukee , none of the volunteers or campaign workers wore masks or practiced social distancing from each other .
“ Most of us have been around each other a lot anyway , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Craig Black , a volunteer and 73-year-old former nurse , said he thought Democrats had exaggerated the risks and aired gripes he 'd heard from neighbors about Democratic Gov .
Tony Evers 's now-dissolved stay-at-home order .
“ This is a crucial election .
It ’ s about our freedoms and our liberties , and that ’ s why I ’ m volunteering any spare time I get , ” said Black .
One 15-year-old volunteer said she found in-person canvassing more effective than text or cellphone outreach .
“ There ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eyes and showing them I ’ m here to help my country , ” she said .
“ I ’ m not just someone behind the screen .
I ’ m a human being that ’ s coming to tell you what I think is right .
”

Volunteers and organizers for President Trump's reelection are knocking on doors in Wisconsin, waving off concerns about the coronavirus even as Democrats continue to keep their distance from voters.
“When you’re out knocking doors and you keep a safe distance from the person at the door, we just don’t see a problem, and we’re finding most of the voters don’t either,” Wisconsin Republican Party Chairman Mark Jefferson told the Chicago Tribune.
“We’ve heard the 6-foot rule now for weeks and weeks and weeks," he said. "Some people choose to use a mask. Some people prefer not to use a mask. Fair enough. You have to make your own decisions as to whether you want to spend less time in the office if people aren’t wearing masks. Those are individual choices.”
Trump's reelection campaign has relaunched in-person events this month with a “national weekend of action" in celebration of the president's birthday. Working in partnership with the state party's field organizers, more than 30 in-person events were planned in Wisconsin, including door-to-door canvasses.
Jefferson said efforts targeting swing voters in the Milwaukee suburbs have been well received so far. “The suburban areas were very good, and the rural communities really were no problem at all. People are really eager to get out and talk to people.”
By contrast, Democrats are still on a de facto lockdown. “We’re not going to risk becoming a public health menace,” said Wisconsin Democratic Party Chairman Ben Wikler.
Twenty-nine Wisconsin counties have a "high" coronavirus case activity level, categorized according to a county's number of cases per 100,000 residents over the previous two weeks and the extent to which the case rate is increasing, according to the state's health department. The state has 4,881 active cases, including 432 filed Wednesday.
Both the president and vice president are visiting Wisconsin this week, putting the battleground in the spotlight. Trump is slated to tour the Fincantieri Marinette Marine shipyard on Thursday, which was recently awarded an $800 million U.S. Navy contract to develop a new missile frigate.
The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, Joe Biden, holds an 8-point lead over the president in Wisconsin, according to the RealClearPolitics polling average — down 3 points from the lead former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton held at this point in 2016 before she lost the state to Trump by a single point.
Over Trump's birthday weekend outside Milwaukee, none of the volunteers or campaign workers wore masks or practiced social distancing from each other. “Most of us have been around each other a lot anyway,” a field organizer told the Tribune.
Craig Black, a volunteer and 73-year-old former nurse, said he thought Democrats had exaggerated the risks and aired gripes he'd heard from neighbors about Democratic Gov. Tony Evers's now-dissolved stay-at-home order.
“This is a crucial election. It’s about our freedoms and our liberties, and that’s why I’m volunteering any spare time I get,” said Black.
One 15-year-old volunteer said she found in-person canvassing more effective than text or cellphone outreach. “There’s something about looking somebody in the eyes and showing them I’m here to help my country,” she said. “I’m not just someone behind the screen. I’m a human being that’s coming to tell you what I think is right.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-06-26--Biden embraces climate radicalism

Biden embraces climate radicalism

Our mother taught us to judge a person by the company he keeps .
In the case of Joe Biden , his choice of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as the co-chairwoman of his climate task force tells us an awful lot about the growing dangers of a Biden presidency .
Ocasio-Cortez is best-known as the House sponsor of the Green New Deal .
This measure aims to commandeer energy production , bankrupt productive oil and gas companies , and generally run our economy into the ground at an estimated cost of $ 93 trillion over 10 years .
As the choice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ task force is not interested in sensible energy and climate policy .
Instead , the task force will be singularly obsessed on dismantling the successful state of the American energy , transportation , and manufacturing sectors .
Because if you destroy those , in their place the bureaucrat is free to dictate where and how you live and what you may or may not do .
Forty years ago , Biden might have been in touch with working America .
But those days are long gone .
The construction of his task force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ignorant of how things get done in the real world as any run-of-the-mill leftist .
The task force , Ocasio-Cortez , and Biden ’ s puppet masters are not interested in climate other than as an excuse to eradicate individual freedom of choice .
Entrepreneurism , innovation , disruptive technology , and the free market have combined with the world-class American work ethic to unleash unprecedented social , economic , and geopolitical shifts .
American shale presents a proven path to unleash the mighty carbon atom at prolific rates , a historically low @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intensity level than renewables .
Our shale fields drove unemployment to historically low levels , repopulated the middle class , resurrected manufacturing sectors left for dead , spawned a revival of the petrochemical industry , incubated massive trade benefits through liquefied natural gas exports , lowered electricity and gas costs for families and businesses , and increased tax revenue for governments from sea to shining sea .
The benefits realized from American shale natural gas extend far beyond our shores .
The planet will drastically decarbonize as it shifts to this clean-burning fuel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ environmental footprint of inefficient renewables .
The poor in Africa , Asia , and Latin America will gain access to affordable and reliable electricity much sooner , which will increase life expectancy , lower infant mortality , and boost individual rights of historically oppressed demographics .
Just like video killed the radio star , American shale killed OPEC .
No more war without end in the Middle East .
Better yet , the U.S. shift from net energy importer to exporter provides a strategic lever to reward our allies and protect against our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of geopolitical `` soft power . ''
In his post-Obama haze , Biden seems to have missed all of that .
Clearly , American shale ’ s disruptive ability to supply the carbon atom has manifested epic success — which is exactly why the extremists such as Ocasio-Cortez and Biden ’ s climate task force have no interest in solving anything but instead intend to destroy .
You see , all this success is the wrong type for leftist elites such as Ocasio-Cortez : market capitalism turning loose free enterprise , individual entrepreneurship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s puppet masters ( the Green New Dealers , Ocasio-Cortez , John Kerry , and government bureaucrats ) hate that .
The success was achieved despite government , not because of it , so it must perish .
In its place , these power-hungry elites wish to impose their 180-degree opposite vision on all of us : a command-and-control economy that is government-imposed , taxpayer-subsidy-seeking , and collectivist .
Their government-controlled economy solution is in desperate need of a justification , which comes in the form of a climate apocalypse problem .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the elite 's disdain for American values .
Ocasio-Cortez signaled that she would support Biden 's presidential bid but that uniting behind his campaign should be `` uncomfortable for everyone involved . ''
Placing trust in Ocasio-Cortez to serve up climate policy will surely be excruciatingly uncomfortable for the middle class , American energy independence , individual rights , U.S. geopolitical power , and the destitute in the developing world .
Pal around with political hacks and blabber on as you emerge from your basement all you want .
But Biden , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the real world .
Nick Deluliis is the CEO of CNX Resources Corporation , one of the largest independent natural gas exploration , development , and production companies .
Learn more at www.cnx.com .

Our mothers taught us to judge a person by the company he keeps. In the case of Joe Biden, his choice of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as the co-chairwoman of his climate task force tells us an awful lot about the growing dangers of a Biden presidency.
Ocasio-Cortez is best-known as the House sponsor of the Green New Deal. This measure aims to commandeer energy production, bankrupt productive oil and gas companies, and generally run our economy into the ground at an estimated cost of $93 trillion over 10 years.
As the choice of Ocasio-Cortez indicates, Biden’s task force is not interested in sensible energy and climate policy. Instead, the task force will be singularly obsessed on dismantling the successful state of the American energy, transportation, and manufacturing sectors. Because if you destroy those, in their place the bureaucrat is free to dictate where and how you live and what you may or may not do.
Forty years ago, Biden might have been in touch with working America. But those days are long gone. The construction of his task force shows that he’s now as ignorant of how things get done in the real world as any run-of-the-mill leftist.
The task force, Ocasio-Cortez, and Biden’s puppet masters are not interested in climate other than as an excuse to eradicate individual freedom of choice.
Entrepreneurism, innovation, disruptive technology, and the free market have combined with the world-class American work ethic to unleash unprecedented social, economic, and geopolitical shifts. American shale presents a proven path to unleash the mighty carbon atom at prolific rates, a historically low cost, and at a lower carbon intensity level than renewables.
Our shale fields drove unemployment to historically low levels, repopulated the middle class, resurrected manufacturing sectors left for dead, spawned a revival of the petrochemical industry, incubated massive trade benefits through liquefied natural gas exports, lowered electricity and gas costs for families and businesses, and increased tax revenue for governments from sea to shining sea.
The benefits realized from American shale natural gas extend far beyond our shores. The planet will drastically decarbonize as it shifts to this clean-burning fuel that has only a fraction of the environmental footprint of inefficient renewables. The poor in Africa, Asia, and Latin America will gain access to affordable and reliable electricity much sooner, which will increase life expectancy, lower infant mortality, and boost individual rights of historically oppressed demographics.
Just like video killed the radio star, American shale killed OPEC. No more war without end in the Middle East. Better yet, the U.S. shift from net energy importer to exporter provides a strategic lever to reward our allies and protect against our enemies; energy is the ultimate projection of geopolitical "soft power."
In his post-Obama haze, Biden seems to have missed all of that.
Clearly, American shale’s disruptive ability to supply the carbon atom has manifested epic success — which is exactly why the extremists such as Ocasio-Cortez and Biden’s climate task force have no interest in solving anything but instead intend to destroy. You see, all this success is the wrong type for leftist elites such as Ocasio-Cortez: market capitalism turning loose free enterprise, individual entrepreneurship, and disruptive technology.
Biden’s puppet masters (the Green New Dealers, Ocasio-Cortez, John Kerry, and government bureaucrats) hate that. The success was achieved despite government, not because of it, so it must perish.
In its place, these power-hungry elites wish to impose their 180-degree opposite vision on all of us: a command-and-control economy that is government-imposed, taxpayer-subsidy-seeking, and collectivist. Their government-controlled economy solution is in desperate need of a justification, which comes in the form of a climate apocalypse problem.
The not-so-sage climate task force is the manifestation of the elite's disdain for American values. Ocasio-Cortez signaled that she would support Biden's presidential bid but that uniting behind his campaign should be "uncomfortable for everyone involved." Placing trust in Ocasio-Cortez to serve up climate policy will surely be excruciatingly uncomfortable for the middle class, American energy independence, individual rights, U.S. geopolitical power, and the destitute in the developing world.
Pal around with political hacks and blabber on as you emerge from your basement all you want. But Biden, don't undo the progress being made in the real world.
Nick Deluliis is the CEO of CNX Resources Corporation, one of the largest independent natural gas exploration, development, and production companies. Learn more at www.cnx.com.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-06-26--Republican nightmare: Trump vote-by-mail demonizing driving down GOP participation

President Trump ’ s extreme opposition to mail-in ballots is more likely hurting him and down-ballot Republicans than it is helping him .
Mounting evidence in voter registration data , a survey , and organizer anecdotes shows that instead of preventing the voting method from being a major factor in the November election , his stance is turning Republican voters off from using the method entirely , which could have the effect of depressing Republican votes .
The president ’ s rampant alarmism on mail-in voting — most recently claiming that foreign governments will rig the election by printing millions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elections officials — frustrates those trying to push state election officials and Congress to provide in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic .
They point out that many analyses find that mail-in voter fraud is small and .
“ The ultimate choice for American citizens should not be 'jeopardize my health , or vote ? '
” Tom Ridge , who was the first secretary of Homeland Security and former Republican governor of Pennsylvania , told the Washington Examiner .
He now co-chairs voting rights-amid-a-pandemic organization with former Democratic Michigan Gov .
Jennifer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mail-in voting worry that states do not have the infrastructure to make a quick switch to mail-in systems by November and that some states create an environment ripe for fraud when they allow people to request and return others ’ votes with “ ballot harvesting ” or automatically send every voter a ballot , among other issues .
Trump ’ s amplification and distortion of those gripes , however , creates a different problem : As he blacklists mail-in voting , he discourages Republicans from using the method as Democrats organize around it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican incumbents and your Republican challengers in both the House and the Senate are going to do everything they can to maximize use of the absentee ballots to ensure their either election or reelection , ” Ridge said .
“ It 's counter-intuitive , counterproductive.
” Emerging state figures on those who have requested mail-in or absentee ballots show a Democratic advantage .
Pennsylvania , which passed a law last year to allow voters to vote by mail for any reason , shows a similar trend .
As of June 1 , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and 71 % of those voters are Democrats .
The Florida Democratic Party is flaunting that the party ’ s mail-in voter registration advantage is “ cause for alarm at the Florida GOP headquarters.
” A Tuesday memo from the party about state vote-by-mail enrollment data said since March 17 , 350,000 Democratic voters enrolled in the program , compared to 160,000 for Republicans .
That gives Democrats a lead of 302,000 vote-by-mail enrollments .
Some of the most striking evidence yet that Trump is impacting Republican voters ’ vote-by-mail attitudes rests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Washington Examiner , of 1,002 registered voters in Harris County , Texas — the most populous county in the state that has a larger portion .
The survey found that 68 % of Democrats said they would be very likely to want to vote by mail , but only 42 % of Republicans said the same .
About 38 % of Republicans said they would be very unlikely to vote with a mail-in ballot , compared to 14 % of Democrats .
Bob Stein , a political science professor at Rice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he noticed a difference between Republicans who answered earlier in the survey , which started on March 27 , and the final result , which included all the answers through May 4 .
Before Trump started vigorously attacking vote-by-mail , particularly in a notable White House briefing room press conference , about 46 % or 47 % of Republicans said that they would be very likely to vote by mail .
`` So , it dropped 4 , 5 points , '' Stein told the Washington Examiner .
“ It was very clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but it got worse.
” Of the 38 % of Republicans in the survey who said they were very unlikely to vote by mail , almost half had voted by mail in a past election .
Their average age was 67 : Old enough to be in the most at-risk group when it comes to the coronavirus pandemic and the age bracket that Republicans are counting on to vote .
“ The president is doing something that is counter to what he wants to achieve , ” Stein said regarding Trump 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ message they 're sending is , 'do n't vote by mail , it 's unsavory , it 's associated with Democrats , ' '' even if that is not necessarily the intent .
The individuals in the survey could end up voting by mail anyway , or they could all end up voting in person at polling places .
And the survey covered only a single county , not the whole state of Texas or the whole country .
But some voters are explicitly saying that they refuse to consider voting absentee because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We ’ re kind of listening to Trump on this , ” Lee Snover , chairwoman of the Northampton County GOP in Pennsylvania , told the last month .
“ He ’ s spoken about it .
He ’ s tweeted about it .
He doesn ’ t want us to do it , ” she said , adding that multiple people have told her that “ Trump doesn ’ t want us mailing in , [ so ] I ’ m not mailing it in.
” The risk for Republicans is what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hindered on Election Day , such as when mass numbers of polling places were closed this year in Georgia , Wisconsin , and Kentucky , causing some voters to leave .
Or , if there is a resurgence of the virus , the voters who declined to obtain a mail-in ballot may decide not to vote in person and risk contracting the coronavirus .
“ A lot of [ Trump ’ s ] loyal followers , I would dare say , for whatever reasons — disability , inconvenience , et cetera — [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ absentee , ” Ridge said .
“ To discourage potential supporters from expressing their point of view , expressing their preference , it 's just , it 's contradictory to the outcome he wants to take.
” Sudden opposition to voting by mail marks a stark change for Republicans in states where voters are used to mail-in ballots .
After Florida started allowing no-fault absentee voting following the messy 2000 election , Republicans embraced mail-in voting and in order to win elections .
In Arizona , about receive ballots by mail because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early voting list .
`` Republicans have done a really good job over the last 10 years in encouraging early voting , in voters to the permanent early vote list , '' said Jon Seaton , a Republican strategist at the Phoenix-based Camelback Strategy Group .
In 2018 and 2016 , he said , `` We did really well with people who cast their ballots early . ''
Trump ’ s public lashing out against mail-in voting may come too late .
All of the six most important swing states have some form @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump , some state Republicans are doing what they can to organize mail-in votes .
The Florida Republican Party sent an in May to its supporters , reminding voters to request a vote-by-mail ballot .
Pennsylvania ’ s GOP includes instructions on how to vote absentee .

President Trump’s extreme opposition to mail-in ballots is more likely hurting him and down-ballot Republicans than it is helping him.
Mounting evidence in voter registration data, a survey, and organizer anecdotes shows that instead of preventing the voting method from being a major factor in the November election, his stance is turning Republican voters off from using the method entirely, which could have the effect of depressing Republican votes.
The president’s rampant alarmism on mail-in voting — most recently claiming that foreign governments will rig the election by printing millions of mail-in ballots , an idea rebuked by elections officials — frustrates those trying to push state election officials and Congress to provide ample absentee voting and in-person voting options and resources in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. They point out that many analyses find that mail-in voter fraud is small and often prosecuted .
“The ultimate choice for American citizens should not be 'jeopardize my health, or vote?'” Tom Ridge, who was the first secretary of Homeland Security and former Republican governor of Pennsylvania, told the Washington Examiner. He now co-chairs voting rights-amid-a-pandemic organization VoteSafe with former Democratic Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm.
Republicans waging legal battles on mail-in voting worry that states do not have the infrastructure to make a quick switch to mail-in systems by November and that some states create an environment ripe for fraud when they allow people to request and return others’ votes with “ballot harvesting” or automatically send every voter a ballot, among other issues.
Trump’s amplification and distortion of those gripes, however, creates a different problem: As he blacklists mail-in voting, he discourages Republicans from using the method as Democrats organize around it.
“Mr. President: Your Republican incumbents and your Republican challengers in both the House and the Senate are going to do everything they can to maximize use of the absentee ballots to ensure their either election or reelection,” Ridge said. “It's counter-intuitive, counterproductive.”
Emerging state figures on those who have requested mail-in or absentee ballots show a Democratic advantage.
Pennsylvania, which passed a law last year to allow voters to vote by mail for any reason, shows a similar trend. As of June 1, 1.9 million voters in the state requested mail-in ballots this year, and 71% of those voters are Democrats.
The Florida Democratic Party is flaunting that the party’s mail-in voter registration advantage is “cause for alarm at the Florida GOP headquarters.” A Tuesday memo from the party about state vote-by-mail enrollment data said since March 17, 350,000 Democratic voters enrolled in the program, compared to 160,000 for Republicans. That gives Democrats a lead of 302,000 vote-by-mail enrollments.
Some of the most striking evidence yet that Trump is impacting Republican voters’ vote-by-mail attitudes rests in a Rice University survey, obtained by the Washington Examiner, of 1,002 registered voters in Harris County, Texas — the most populous county in the state that has a larger portion.
The survey found that 68% of Democrats said they would be very likely to want to vote by mail, but only 42% of Republicans said the same. About 38% of Republicans said they would be very unlikely to vote with a mail-in ballot, compared to 14% of Democrats.
Bob Stein, a political science professor at Rice who conducted the survey, said that he noticed a difference between Republicans who answered earlier in the survey, which started on March 27, and the final result, which included all the answers through May 4.
Before Trump started vigorously attacking vote-by-mail, particularly in a notable White House briefing room press conference, about 46% or 47% of Republicans said that they would be very likely to vote by mail.
"So, it dropped 4, 5 points," Stein told the Washington Examiner. “It was very clear to us that the polarization was great, but it got worse.”
Of the 38% of Republicans in the survey who said they were very unlikely to vote by mail, almost half had voted by mail in a past election. Their average age was 67: Old enough to be in the most at-risk group when it comes to the coronavirus pandemic and the age bracket that Republicans are counting on to vote.
“The president is doing something that is counter to what he wants to achieve,” Stein said regarding Trump's complaints about mail-in voting. "The message they're sending is, 'don't vote by mail, it's unsavory, it's associated with Democrats,'" even if that is not necessarily the intent.
The individuals in the survey could end up voting by mail anyway, or they could all end up voting in person at polling places. And the survey covered only a single county, not the whole state of Texas or the whole country.
But some voters are explicitly saying that they refuse to consider voting absentee because of Trump’s statements.
“We’re kind of listening to Trump on this,” Lee Snover, chairwoman of the Northampton County GOP in Pennsylvania, told the Philadelphia Inquirer last month. “He’s spoken about it. He’s tweeted about it. He doesn’t want us to do it,” she said, adding that multiple people have told her that “Trump doesn’t want us mailing in, [so] I’m not mailing it in.”
The risk for Republicans is what happens if in-person voting is complicated or hindered on Election Day, such as when mass numbers of polling places were closed this year in Georgia, Wisconsin, and Kentucky, causing some voters to leave. Or, if there is a resurgence of the virus, the voters who declined to obtain a mail-in ballot may decide not to vote in person and risk contracting the coronavirus.
“A lot of [Trump’s] loyal followers, I would dare say, for whatever reasons — disability, inconvenience, et cetera — [are] going to need to vote absentee,” Ridge said. “To discourage potential supporters from expressing their point of view, expressing their preference, it's just, it's contradictory to the outcome he wants to take.”
Sudden opposition to voting by mail marks a stark change for Republicans in states where voters are used to mail-in ballots.
After Florida started allowing no-fault absentee voting following the messy 2000 election, Republicans embraced mail-in voting and organized around it in order to win elections.
In Arizona, about 80% of voters receive ballots by mail because of being on the state’s permanent early voting list.
"Republicans have done a really good job over the last 10 years in encouraging early voting, in voters to the permanent early vote list," said Jon Seaton, a Republican strategist at the Phoenix-based Camelback Strategy Group. In 2018 and 2016, he said, "We did really well with people who cast their ballots early."
Trump’s public lashing out against mail-in voting may come too late. All of the six most important swing states have some form of mail-in or absentee voting .


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-06-26--Trump supporters say they're not concerned about coronavirus at rallies

Trump supporters are excited to go to his rallies and have little concern about getting the coronavirus from the large gatherings .
“ If I could get to go and get in , I would go .
I have been to one of his rallies , and it is infectious ( now literally and figuratively ) , ” Bernadette , a 65-year-old Trump supporter living in Tennessee , told the Washington Examiner .
“ Absolutely , ” Debbra Hunt , a 51-year-old Trump supporter from California , said when asked if she would attend a rally with the coronavirus still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests , she believes , people can go to Trump rallies .
President Trump ’ s rally in Tulsa was considered a disappointment after Trump bragged about 1 million people registering for tickets , but only 6,200 people showed up .
Some have suggested that this disappointment was the result of people 's fear of the coronavirus .
However , some supporters are not only willing to go to a rally but are waiting for the Trump campaign to announce when there will be a rally in their state .
“ I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in NC [ North Carolina ] he will be having a rally and I ’ m going , ” 22-year-old Nico Parisi said .
Despite the eagerness of some to get to a Trump rally , 66 % of those polled would not be comfortable attending an event with many people , an NBC News/Wall Street Journal analysis found .
Only 17 % of people feel “ very comfortable ” in large crowds .
Some supporters are not concerned about the virus but are worried about protesters .
“ I think a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think there is a huge number of supporters who can ’ t or aren ’ t willing to go into the cities where they will come in contact with protestors/rioters , ” said Tonya , a 36-year-old from Georgia .
Tim Murtaugh , one of Trump ’ s campaign spokesmen , blamed the low turnout at the Tulsa rally on “ radical protesters ” and the media .
“ Sadly , protesters interfered with supporters , even blocking access to the metal detectors , which prevented people from entering the rally .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ onslaught from the media , attempted to frighten off the president ’ s supporters .
We are proud of the thousands who stuck it out , ” Murtaugh said .
`` Not everyone there was for Trump , though .
Some looked like they were waiting to protest , wearing masks and dark and warm clothing even though it was over 90 degrees , '' Christine told the Washington Examiner .
She tried to go into the arena for the Tulsa rally , `` but with all the chaos , I could n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t see many older people there , but more middle-aged people between their 40s and 60s .
None of her friends were concerned about the virus who wanted to go .
“ I had two friends that requested tickets and a couple family members who wanted to go and backed out , concerned about press and safety , not COVID , '' she said .
Supporters had mixed reactions when asked what type of precautions the Trump campaign should take at the rally for the virus , such as holding the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying to distance people from each other .
There is no more of a concern about getting the virus at a grocery store or work then at a Trump rally , Tonya told the Washington Examiner .
“ I don ’ t think outside or inside makes a difference .
I also believe it ’ s up to the elderly and everyone else if they want to be there with or without a mask.
” Everyone knows the risk of entering a large crowd .
Still , it would be wise to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rally , Tonya said .
If mayors and governors allowed protests without masks or keeping people 6 feet apart , they shouldn ’ t make a big deal about masks and social distancing for rallies .
The virus should n't be a concern when considering going to a rally , and more at-risk people for the virus should n't be told not to go , Hunt said .
“ I would say , hey , if you ’ re sick , stay home , but I would say that no matter the illness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they want to go , then go.
” “ I ’ m 22 years old , so I have no fear whatsoever , ” said Parisi .
“ I don ’ t mind if I get it because then I ’ ll have antibodies .
I ’ m not going to die from it , statistically speaking , so I ’ m not worried.
” Parisi would recommend that at-risk people and the elderly not go to a rally .
“ I would not worry about a mask or social distance if you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If you plan on coming into contact with elderly people , it would be better to wear a mask , '' he said .
Older people , who make up a significant portion of Trump 's base , are more at risk for severe illness from the coronavirus .
Others in danger of more severe health consequences from the virus are those with lung problems , heart disease , diabetes , obesity , weakened immune systems , and chronic kidney or liver disease .
“ I would wear a mask and take the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she believes people at serious risk of getting ill from the virus should stay home , prefer if the rallies were held outside , and believe that masks should be mandatory in such a large gathering .
“ It ’ s best for people to decide for themselves ” if they want to go to a rally , said Hannah , a 38-year-old from Texas .
“ A Trump rally is safer than any protest or riot or march that I ’ ve seen .
”

Trump supporters are excited to go to his rallies and have little concern about getting the coronavirus from the large gatherings.
“If I could get to go and get in, I would go. I have been to one of his rallies, and it is infectious (now literally and figuratively),” Bernadette, a 65-year-old Trump supporter living in Tennessee, told the Washington Examiner.
“Absolutely,” Debbra Hunt, a 51-year-old Trump supporter from California, said when asked if she would attend a rally with the coronavirus still around. If people can go to protests, she believes, people can go to Trump rallies.
President Trump’s rally in Tulsa was considered a disappointment after Trump bragged about 1 million people registering for tickets, but only 6,200 people showed up. Some have suggested that this disappointment was the result of people's fear of the coronavirus.
However, some supporters are not only willing to go to a rally but are waiting for the Trump campaign to announce when there will be a rally in their state. “I’m waiting for him to announce where in NC [North Carolina] he will be having a rally and I’m going,” 22-year-old Nico Parisi said.
Despite the eagerness of some to get to a Trump rally, 66% of those polled would not be comfortable attending an event with many people, an NBC News/Wall Street Journal analysis found. Only 17% of people feel “very comfortable” in large crowds.
Some supporters are not concerned about the virus but are worried about protesters. “I think a lot are willing to go. However, I think there is a huge number of supporters who can’t or aren’t willing to go into the cities where they will come in contact with protestors/rioters,” said Tonya, a 36-year-old from Georgia.
Tim Murtaugh, one of Trump’s campaign spokesmen, blamed the low turnout at the Tulsa rally on “radical protesters” and the media. “Sadly, protesters interfered with supporters, even blocking access to the metal detectors, which prevented people from entering the rally. Radical protesters, coupled with a relentless onslaught from the media, attempted to frighten off the president’s supporters. We are proud of the thousands who stuck it out,” Murtaugh said.
"Not everyone there was for Trump, though. Some looked like they were waiting to protest, wearing masks and dark and warm clothing even though it was over 90 degrees," Christine told the Washington Examiner. She tried to go into the arena for the Tulsa rally, "but with all the chaos, I couldn't get in."
Christine said she didn’t see many older people there, but more middle-aged people between their 40s and 60s. None of her friends were concerned about the virus who wanted to go. “I had two friends that requested tickets and a couple family members who wanted to go and backed out, concerned about press and safety, not COVID," she said.
Supporters had mixed reactions when asked what type of precautions the Trump campaign should take at the rally for the virus, such as holding the rallies outside, requiring masks, or trying to distance people from each other.
There is no more of a concern about getting the virus at a grocery store or work then at a Trump rally, Tonya told the Washington Examiner. “I don’t think outside or inside makes a difference. I also believe it’s up to the elderly and everyone else if they want to be there with or without a mask.”
Everyone knows the risk of entering a large crowd. Still, it would be wise to take everyone’s temperature before entering the rally, Tonya said. If mayors and governors allowed protests without masks or keeping people 6 feet apart, they shouldn’t make a big deal about masks and social distancing for rallies.
The virus shouldn't be a concern when considering going to a rally, and more at-risk people for the virus shouldn't be told not to go, Hunt said. “I would say, hey, if you’re sick, stay home, but I would say that no matter the illness. Adults know the risk. If they want to go, then go.”
“I’m 22 years old, so I have no fear whatsoever,” said Parisi. “I don’t mind if I get it because then I’ll have antibodies. I’m not going to die from it, statistically speaking, so I’m not worried.”
Parisi would recommend that at-risk people and the elderly not go to a rally. “I would not worry about a mask or social distance if you are a young, healthy individual. If you plan on coming into contact with elderly people, it would be better to wear a mask," he said.
Older people, who make up a significant portion of Trump's base, are more at risk for severe illness from the coronavirus. Others in danger of more severe health consequences from the virus are those with lung problems, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, weakened immune systems, and chronic kidney or liver disease.
“I would wear a mask and take the risk,” Bernadette said. However, she believes people at serious risk of getting ill from the virus should stay home, prefer if the rallies were held outside, and believe that masks should be mandatory in such a large gathering.
“It’s best for people to decide for themselves” if they want to go to a rally, said Hannah, a 38-year-old from Texas. “A Trump rally is safer than any protest or riot or march that I’ve seen.”