thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-23--NAACP president warns Biden: 'You cannot take the African American vote for granted'

Former Vice President Joe Biden ca n't take the black community `` for granted , '' said NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson .
Though he commands strong support within the black community , the presumptive Democratic nominee put that firewall to the test Friday when he said to Charlamagne tha God on The Breakfast Club : `` If you have a problem figuring out whether you 're for me or Trump , then you ai n't black . ''
Backlash and an apology ensued , and during that turbulent news cycle , Johnson reminded viewers on CBSN that Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will support him and must earn their votes .
`` You can not take the African American vote for granted , '' Johnson told CBSN 's Reena Ninan .
`` You either win or lose with the support of the African American community . ''
Johnson urged the Biden campaign to use this as a `` lesson '' moving forward .
`` In order for his campaign to win , he must garner more support from the African American community , and those comments take away from that , '' he added .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ after a senior adviser on Biden 's campaign claimed his comment was made `` in jest . ''
`` I was much too cavalier .
I know that the comments have come off like I was taking the African American vote for granted , but nothing could be further from the truth , '' Biden said .
`` I 've never , never , ever taken the African American community for granted . ''
`` No one should have to vote for any party , based on their race , their religion , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who think that Trump was worth voting for .
I do n't think so , '' he added .
`` I 'm prepared to put my record against his .
That was the bottom line , and it was really unfortunate .
I should n't have been so cavalier . ''
In a subsequent interview , Charlamagne tha God called out Biden 's political track record on race and mass incarceration , arguing that `` if you created legislation that hurt [ the black community ] , then you have to create legislation @ @ @ @

Former Vice President Joe Biden can't take the black community "for granted," said NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson.
Though he commands strong support within the black community, the presumptive Democratic nominee put that firewall to the test Friday when he said to Charlamagne tha God on The Breakfast Club: "If you have a problem figuring out whether you're for me or Trump, then you ain't black."
Backlash and an apology ensued, and during that turbulent news cycle, Johnson reminded viewers on CBSN that Biden can't just assume most black people will support him and must earn their votes.
"You cannot take the African American vote for granted," Johnson told CBSN's Reena Ninan. "You either win or lose with the support of the African American community."
Johnson urged the Biden campaign to use this as a "lesson" moving forward.
"In order for his campaign to win, he must garner more support from the African American community, and those comments take away from that," he added.
Biden issued an apology for the comment after a senior adviser on Biden's campaign claimed his comment was made "in jest."
"I was much too cavalier. I know that the comments have come off like I was taking the African American vote for granted, but nothing could be further from the truth," Biden said. "I've never, never, ever taken the African American community for granted."
"No one should have to vote for any party, based on their race, their religion, their background. There are African Americans who think that Trump was worth voting for. I don't think so," he added. "I'm prepared to put my record against his. That was the bottom line, and it was really unfortunate. I shouldn't have been so cavalier."
In a subsequent interview, Charlamagne tha God called out Biden's political track record on race and mass incarceration, arguing that "if you created legislation that hurt [the black community], then you have to create legislation that helps."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-23--Pollster: 50-point swing from 2016 in Biden's favor among voters who hate both candidates

Dislike of both major candidates worked out for President Trump in 2016 .
It does n't look like it will pan out in his favor in 2020 .
Charlie Cook , editor of the popular politics blog Cook Political Report , said Quinnipiac University crunched the numbers , and they show that voters who dislike both Joe Biden and Trump will vote for Biden by a larger margin than they jilted Hillary Clinton four years ago — a swing of about 50 points .
`` I asked the Quinnipiac people — they 're terrific , by the way — I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something to see : OK , of the people that have an unfavorable view of both Donald Trump and Joe Biden , how do they break on the trial heat ?
And Biden is ahead 49-18 among the people that dislike both of them , while they cut by a 20-point margin against Hillary Clinton , '' he said last week on MSNBC .
`` So , this is something , it 's very , very — to me , it 's really interesting , '' he continued as host Lawrence O'Donnell said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's not just that President Trump 's unfavorables are sky high but that they look like they 're going to bite him in the — Biden is just not in the same place that Hillary Clinton was at this point .
And you know , we 'll see about November , '' Cook said .
This interview happened before Biden , the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee , was rocked by a controversy Friday that began with him saying that black voters who are undecided between him and Trump `` ai n't black .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ over Trump in general election polls , but polling data also show Trump ahead in every battleground state , giving him the Electoral College advantage .
In late May 2016 , according to the RealClearPolitics general election tracker , Trump and Clinton were neck and neck , though generally throughout the contest , Clinton had stronger polling numbers before her defeat .
One major factor this time around will be the economy , a strength Trump had loudly touted before the COVID-19 pandemic .
Cook noted that with the strong economy suddenly turned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meant to curb the spread of the coronavirus , `` I think a lot of the doubts , the reservations that people have about him as a person will start rising up . ''

Dislike of both major candidates worked out for President Trump in 2016. It doesn't look like it will pan out in his favor in 2020.
Charlie Cook, editor of the popular politics blog Cook Political Report, said Quinnipiac University crunched the numbers, and they show that voters who dislike both Joe Biden and Trump will vote for Biden by a larger margin than they jilted Hillary Clinton four years ago — a swing of about 50 points.
"I asked the Quinnipiac people — they're terrific, by the way — I asked them today if they could run something to see: OK, of the people that have an unfavorable view of both Donald Trump and Joe Biden, how do they break on the trial heat? And Biden is ahead 49-18 among the people that dislike both of them, while they cut by a 20-point margin against Hillary Clinton," he said last week on MSNBC.
"So, this is something, it's very, very — to me, it's really interesting," he continued as host Lawrence O'Donnell said, "Wow."
"It's not just that President Trump's unfavorables are sky high but that they look like they're going to bite him in the — Biden is just not in the same place that Hillary Clinton was at this point. And you know, we'll see about November," Cook said.
This interview happened before Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, was rocked by a controversy Friday that began with him saying that black voters who are undecided between him and Trump "ain't black."
Biden commands a strong 5.5-point lead over Trump in general election polls, but polling data also show Trump ahead in every battleground state, giving him the Electoral College advantage. In late May 2016, according to the RealClearPolitics general election tracker, Trump and Clinton were neck and neck, though generally throughout the contest, Clinton had stronger polling numbers before her defeat.
One major factor this time around will be the economy, a strength Trump had loudly touted before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cook noted that with the strong economy suddenly turned upside down, stricken by widespread shutdowns meant to curb the spread of the coronavirus, "I think a lot of the doubts, the reservations that people have about him as a person will start rising up."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-23--Slavoj Zizek: Biden is 'far from ideal' but 'better than Trump'

The eccentric communist thinker , who backed Trump in 2016 and has made a career out of cutting against popular opinion , begrudgingly endorsed Biden 's candidacy , saying he is `` far from ideal . ''
`` I think that , difficult as it is for me to say this , but now I would say , Biden better than Trump , '' Zizek said .
`` He is far from ideal , far from ideal , but you know , now , we do n't have time to dream about this .
Now , I think , again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ changing . ''
Zizek , who has been called `` the most dangerous philosopher in the West , '' said the coronavirus pandemic demands a more `` rational politics '' and that Trump 's response has not given him hope that the president can lead the United States out of the crisis .
`` Now with coronavirus , no , no Trump , '' Zizek said .
`` The only thing that gives me some hope is that it seems to me — do n't you have this impression ?
— that other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nonetheless , pursue a more rational politics , and I 'm not quite sure , but up to a point , Trump is getting irrelevant , up to a point . ''

Slovenian philosopher Slavoj Zizek endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden.
The eccentric communist thinker, who backed Trump in 2016 and has made a career out of cutting against popular opinion, begrudgingly endorsed Biden's candidacy, saying he is "far from ideal."
"I think that, difficult as it is for me to say this, but now I would say, Biden better than Trump," Zizek said. "He is far from ideal, far from ideal, but you know, now, we don't have time to dream about this. Now, I think, again, our whole way of life is changing."
Zizek, who has been called "the most dangerous philosopher in the West," said the coronavirus pandemic demands a more "rational politics" and that Trump's response has not given him hope that the president can lead the United States out of the crisis.
"Now with coronavirus, no, no Trump," Zizek said. "The only thing that gives me some hope is that it seems to me — don't you have this impression? — that other people about Trump in the administration, nonetheless, pursue a more rational politics, and I'm not quite sure, but up to a point, Trump is getting irrelevant, up to a point."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-23--Charlamagne tha God: Klobuchar as vice president 'would be suicide' for Biden campaign

A top morning show host warned against adding Democratic Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar to former Vice President Joe Biden 's ticket .
The Breakfast Show host Charlamagne tha God , whose real name is Lenard Larry McKelvey , said elevating Klobuchar onto the Democratic presidential ticket would be akin to committing political `` suicide . ''
McKelvey found himself in the middle of a viral moment yesterday when Biden told him that black people `` ai n't black '' if they vote for Trump .
`` I think that would be suicide for Joe Biden 's campaign , '' McKelvey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he did that , especially at this moment , after the comments that he made ...
He would be a fool not to put a black woman as his running mate . ''
Klobuchar , who is considered a top contender in the race to join Biden on the 2020 ticket , is currently being vetted by Biden 's campaign team along with several other high-profile female Democrats .
After a Friday appearance on The Breakfast Club , Biden was criticized for his comments about race , with some outlets saying Biden had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters .

A top morning show host warned against adding Democratic Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar to former Vice President Joe Biden's ticket.
The Breakfast Show host Charlamagne tha God, whose real name is Lenard Larry McKelvey, said elevating Klobuchar onto the Democratic presidential ticket would be akin to committing political "suicide." McKelvey found himself in the middle of a viral moment yesterday when Biden told him that black people "ain't black" if they vote for Trump.
"I think that would be suicide for Joe Biden's campaign," McKelvey told the Washington Post. "If he did that, especially at this moment, after the comments that he made ... He would be a fool not to put a black woman as his running mate."
Klobuchar, who is considered a top contender in the race to join Biden on the 2020 ticket, is currently being vetted by Biden's campaign team along with several other high-profile female Democrats.
After a Friday appearance on The Breakfast Club, Biden was criticized for his comments about race, with some outlets saying Biden had changed his accent to appeal to black voters.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-23--Biden no tax increase pledge contradicts campaign plan

Joe Biden 's vow Friday not to increase taxes on anyone earning less than $ 400,000 a year conflicts with his platform , according to outside tax experts .
“ The tax policy proposals that he has already put forth would violate that promise because he is already proposing to raise taxes on households that earn less than $ 400,000 , ” said Kyle Pomerleau , a resident fellow at the right-leaning American Enterprise Institute .
Biden told CNBC on Friday that “ nobody making under $ 400,000 would have their taxes raised .
Period.
” But the Biden plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earning much less .
Pomerleau said the plan Biden released late last year includes tax increases that kick-in at roughly $ 160,000 since it caps itemized deductions at 28 % for all taxpayers .
That provision means filers in higher tax brackets suffer a tax increase .
For example , under Biden ’ s proposal , single filers earning more than $ 163,300 in 2020 could only deduct 28 % for itemized expenses even though they are in a 32 % tax bracket .
This equates to a 4 % tax increase because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken a 32 % deduction .
“ That [ $ 163,000 ] income level is far below the $ 400,000 threshold he ’ s talking about , ” Pomerleau said .
Biden 's proposed corporate tax hike to 28 % , from 21 % , would also lower take-home pay for households , according to Erica York , an economist with the Tax Foundation think tank .
The proposal would n't be a direct tax on households , though .
Instead , higher corporate taxes are generally thought to translate into lower wages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ All levels of income would be likely be affected , with the lowest 20 % of earners receiving a 0.5 % reduction in take-home pay in 2021 , in the Tax Foundation 's projections .
`` The pledge to not raise taxes on anyone making less than $ 400,000 doesn ’ t square with many of the ideas Biden has proposed on the campaign trail already , '' York said via email .
An increase in the corporate tax rate could also negatively affect portfolios , such as 401 ( k ) plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and likely hurt stock prices .
“ If you are a part owner of a corporation , and to the extent that corporations pay more tax , you are going to pay more tax , ” Pomerleau said .

Joe Biden's vow Friday not to increase taxes on anyone earning less than $400,000 a year conflicts with his platform, according to outside tax experts.
“The tax policy proposals that he has already put forth would violate that promise because he is already proposing to raise taxes on households that earn less than $400,000,” said Kyle Pomerleau, a resident fellow at the right-leaning American Enterprise Institute.
Biden told CNBC on Friday that “nobody making under $400,000 would have their taxes raised. Period.”
But the Biden plan would, in fact, hit taxpayers earning much less.
Pomerleau said the plan Biden released late last year includes tax increases that kick-in at roughly $160,000 since it caps itemized deductions at 28% for all taxpayers. That provision means filers in higher tax brackets suffer a tax increase.
For example, under Biden’s proposal, single filers earning more than $163,300 in 2020 could only deduct 28% for itemized expenses even though they are in a 32% tax bracket. This equates to a 4% tax increase because without the limitation, they could have taken a 32% deduction.
“That [$163,000] income level is far below the $400,000 threshold he’s talking about,” Pomerleau said.
Biden's proposed corporate tax hike to 28%, from 21%, would also lower take-home pay for households, according to Erica York, an economist with the Tax Foundation think tank. The proposal wouldn't be a direct tax on households, though. Instead, higher corporate taxes are generally thought to translate into lower wages for workers, to some extent.
All levels of income would be likely be affected, with the lowest 20% of earners receiving a 0.5% reduction in take-home pay in 2021, in the Tax Foundation's projections.
"The pledge to not raise taxes on anyone making less than $400,000 doesn’t square with many of the ideas Biden has proposed on the campaign trail already," York said via email.
An increase in the corporate tax rate could also negatively affect portfolios, such as 401(k) plans, since after-tax incomes would be lower and likely hurt stock prices.
“If you are a part owner of a corporation, and to the extent that corporations pay more tax, you are going to pay more tax,” Pomerleau said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-24--ANALYSIS: Without GOP defector leading ticket, Libertarians unlikely to 'spoil' Trump-Biden race

For the first time since 2004 , the Libertarian Party presidential candidate will not be a prominent Republican defector , reducing the third party ’ s chances of spoiling the race between GOP incumbent President Trump and presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
Libertarians nominated Jo Jorgensen , their 1996 vice presidential nominee , at a virtual national convention on Saturday .
Supporters point out that she is a businesswoman and professor with both an MBA and a Ph.D .
But she is not a big name likely to garner much media attention in a race dominated by Trump and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States .
This comes after two straight elections in which the Libertarian Party ticket crossed the 1 million vote threshold and finished third nationally .
Unless those contests conditioned disaffected voters to view the party as a default third choice , Libertarians could fall back to their normal 300,000-500,000-vote range without an established nominee .
The absence of a notable third-party candidate could be significant , given that Trump ’ s job approval rating generally peaks below 50 % .
Biden is trying to monopolize voters who disapprove of Trump .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2004 nominee Michael Badnarik , received 397,265 votes and was a nonfactor in the competitive race between President George W. Bush and Democratic challenger John Kerry , despite appearing on the ballot in 48 states and the District of Columbia .
Bush and Kerry together won 99 % of the vote , compared to 94.27 % for Trump and Hillary Clinton .
Libertarians then began nominating well-known former Republican-elected officials for president .
Former Georgia Rep. Bob Barr , a longtime nemesis of President Bill Clinton , was the choice in 2008 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were disenchanted with Republican nominee John McCain .
Barr ’ s running mate was talk show host Wayne Allyn Root , who later rejoined the GOP .
The Barr-Root ticket only modestly improved to 523,713 votes , which was still at the time the party ’ s second-highest raw total , though the 0.4 % vote share was still within the normal Libertarian range .
Former Republican New Mexico Gov .
Gary Johnson made bigger inroads .
In 2012 , with Judge Jim Gray as his running mate , he received 1,275,923 votes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s best popular vote total in history and nearly tied its best vote share at 1 % .
With former Republican Massachusetts Gov .
William Weld as his running mate and two unpopular major-party nominees , Johnson smashed both records with 4,489,233 votes or 3.3 % of the total cast .
Although Johnson won more votes than the number separating Trump from Clinton , both nationally and in several states , he received less blame for the 2016 outcome than fourth-place Green Party nominee Jill Stein .
Green Party candidates , such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as mostly siphoning votes from Democrats , while Libertarians are thought to draw them from Republicans .
Still , some Libertarians were disappointed with their ex-Republican nominees .
They had expected Barr to do about as well as Johnson ended up doing in 2012 , for Johnson in 2012 to do roughly as well as wound up running in 2016 , and then Johnson 2016 to turn in a performance somewhere between independents John Anderson in 1980 ( 7 % of the vote ) and Ross Perot ( 19 % ) .
Weld @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump this year .
Some Libertarians were nevertheless heartened they could keep the momentum going when Michigan Rep. Justin Amash , a six-term Republican-turned-independent , a Libertarian presidential exploratory committee .
Amash participated in one presidential debate and then , tweeting that it wasn ’ t a good climate for a third-party run .
There had been considerable debate over whether Amash would hurt Trump or Biden more .
Lincoln Chafee , a former senator and governor of Rhode Island who had previously been a Republican , an independent , and a Democrat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get off the ground .
Before Johnson , the previous record for a Libertarian presidential ticket was the 921,128 votes Ed Clark won in 1980 with David Koch of the billionaire Koch brothers as his running mate .
They polled 1.1 % of the popular vote .
Harry Browne won 485,759 votes , or 0.5 % of the total , with Jorgensen as his running mate in 1996 .
Former and future Texas Republican Rep. Ron Paul did about the same as the Libertarian nominee in 1988 .
Jorgensen was backed by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which has tended to support the ex-Republicans who have sought its nomination .
It ’ s possible that Johnson ’ s campaigns set her up to also do better than a typical Libertarian nominee .
So does the electorate ’ s theoretical openness to third-party candidates , repeatedly expressed to pollsters if rarely demonstrated at the ballot box .
An Emerson College found that 51 % of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders voters were willing to consider a minor party .
Yet with Amash , Chafee , and former Minnesota Gov .
Jesse Ventura @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Green Party run earlier this year , on the sidelines , it looks like Trump and Biden will have the 2020 election to themselves .

For the first time since 2004, the Libertarian Party presidential candidate will not be a prominent Republican defector, reducing the third party’s chances of spoiling the race between GOP incumbent President Trump and presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
Libertarians nominated Jo Jorgensen, their 1996 vice presidential nominee, at a virtual national convention on Saturday. Supporters point out that she is a businesswoman and professor with both an MBA and a Ph.D. But she is not a big name likely to garner much media attention in a race dominated by Trump and Biden, the former vice president of the United States.
This comes after two straight elections in which the Libertarian Party ticket crossed the 1 million vote threshold and finished third nationally. Unless those contests conditioned disaffected voters to view the party as a default third choice, Libertarians could fall back to their normal 300,000-500,000-vote range without an established nominee.
The absence of a notable third-party candidate could be significant, given that Trump’s job approval rating generally peaks below 50%. Biden is trying to monopolize voters who disapprove of Trump.
The last obscure Libertarian presidential pick, 2004 nominee Michael Badnarik, received 397,265 votes and was a nonfactor in the competitive race between President George W. Bush and Democratic challenger John Kerry, despite appearing on the ballot in 48 states and the District of Columbia. Bush and Kerry together won 99% of the vote, compared to 94.27% for Trump and Hillary Clinton.
Libertarians then began nominating well-known former Republican-elected officials for president. Former Georgia Rep. Bob Barr, a longtime nemesis of President Bill Clinton, was the choice in 2008 in a bid to win over conservatives who were disenchanted with Republican nominee John McCain. Barr’s running mate was talk show host Wayne Allyn Root, who later rejoined the GOP. The Barr-Root ticket only modestly improved to 523,713 votes, which was still at the time the party’s second-highest raw total, though the 0.4% vote share was still within the normal Libertarian range.
Former Republican New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson made bigger inroads. In 2012, with Judge Jim Gray as his running mate, he received 1,275,923 votes. That was the Libertarian Party’s best popular vote total in history and nearly tied its best vote share at 1%. With former Republican Massachusetts Gov. William Weld as his running mate and two unpopular major-party nominees, Johnson smashed both records with 4,489,233 votes or 3.3% of the total cast.
Although Johnson won more votes than the number separating Trump from Clinton, both nationally and in several states, he received less blame for the 2016 outcome than fourth-place Green Party nominee Jill Stein. Green Party candidates, such as Ralph Nader in 2000, are seen as mostly siphoning votes from Democrats, while Libertarians are thought to draw them from Republicans.
Still, some Libertarians were disappointed with their ex-Republican nominees. They had expected Barr to do about as well as Johnson ended up doing in 2012, for Johnson in 2012 to do roughly as well as wound up running in 2016, and then Johnson 2016 to turn in a performance somewhere between independents John Anderson in 1980 (7% of the vote) and Ross Perot (19%). Weld ran an unsuccessful GOP primary campaign against Trump this year.
Some Libertarians were nevertheless heartened they could keep the momentum going when Michigan Rep. Justin Amash, a six-term Republican-turned-independent, announced a Libertarian presidential exploratory committee. Amash participated in one presidential debate and then bowed out , tweeting that it wasn’t a good climate for a third-party run. There had been considerable debate over whether Amash would hurt Trump or Biden more. Lincoln Chafee, a former senator and governor of Rhode Island who had previously been a Republican, an independent, and a Democrat, never saw his 2020 Libertarian candidacy get off the ground.
Before Johnson, the previous record for a Libertarian presidential ticket was the 921,128 votes Ed Clark won in 1980 with David Koch of the billionaire Koch brothers as his running mate. They polled 1.1% of the popular vote. Harry Browne won 485,759 votes, or 0.5% of the total, with Jorgensen as his running mate in 1996. Former and future Texas Republican Rep. Ron Paul did about the same as the Libertarian nominee in 1988.
Jorgensen was backed by the pragmatic wing of the Libertarian Party, which has tended to support the ex-Republicans who have sought its nomination. It’s possible that Johnson’s campaigns set her up to also do better than a typical Libertarian nominee. So does the electorate’s theoretical openness to third-party candidates, repeatedly expressed to pollsters if rarely demonstrated at the ballot box. An Emerson College poll found that 51% of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders voters were willing to consider a minor party.
Yet with Amash, Chafee, and former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura, who had briefly toyed with a Green Party run earlier this year, on the sidelines, it looks like Trump and Biden will have the 2020 election to themselves.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-25--Warren to host big-dollar fundraiser for Biden after swearing off such events during primary

Sen. Elizabeth Warren will host a high-dollar fundraiser for presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden despite distancing herself from such events while she ran for president .
The online fundraiser is scheduled for June 15 , according to the New York Times .
Warren vowed not to attend private fundraisers or seek contributions from wealthy donors while she was still competing for the Democratic nomination .
“ That means no fancy receptions or big money fundraisers only with people who can write the big checks , ” she said in an email to supporters at the time .
“ It means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to purchase better seats or one-on-one time with me at our events .
And it means I won ’ t be doing ‘ call time , ’ which is when candidates take hours to call wealthy donors to ask for their support.
” Her fundraising took off after the pledge , and she raised nearly $ 116 million during her campaign , more than half of which came from donors who gave less than $ 200 .
She then criticized her Democratic rivals , including Biden , for attending the swanky events @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the race in March and endorsed Biden in April .

Sen. Elizabeth Warren will host a high-dollar fundraiser for presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden despite distancing herself from such events while she ran for president.
The online fundraiser is scheduled for June 15, according to the New York Times.
Warren vowed not to attend private fundraisers or seek contributions from wealthy donors while she was still competing for the Democratic nomination.
“That means no fancy receptions or big money fundraisers only with people who can write the big checks,” she said in an email to supporters at the time. “It means that wealthy donors won’t be able to purchase better seats or one-on-one time with me at our events. And it means I won’t be doing ‘call time,’ which is when candidates take hours to call wealthy donors to ask for their support.”
Her fundraising took off after the pledge, and she raised nearly $116 million during her campaign, more than half of which came from donors who gave less than $200.
She then criticized her Democratic rivals, including Biden, for attending the swanky events.
The Massachusetts Democrat dropped out of the race in March and endorsed Biden in April.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-25--Biden makes first public appearance in two months for Memorial Day wreath-laying

Joe Biden is out of his basement .
The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee made an unannounced visit to the Veterans Memorial Park in New Castle , Delaware , on Monday .
It was the first time Biden has appeared in public , other than interviews from his home studio , in more than two months because of the coronavirus pandemic .
“ It feels good to be out of my house , ” Biden said .
Biden wore a black face mask and was accompanied by his wife , Jill , and Secret Service detail to lay a wreath of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wilmington home .
Jill Biden and the Secret Service agents also wore face masks .
The Bidens paused briefly at the site and then walked back to their motorcade .
“ Never forget the sacrifices that these men and women made .
Never , ever , forget , ” Biden told reporters .
Biden halted in-person campaigning in mid-March as coronavirus infections skyrocketed .
His last events on the campaign trail were in Ohio and Pennsylvania on March 10 .
He gave remarks on the pandemic during a March 12 appearance at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home .
Biden said he and his wife have gone on walks and bike rides in their neighborhood but have mostly remained on their own property .
President Trump has teased Biden about spending so much time in his home during the pandemic .
He offered to give Biden ’ s campaign a coronavirus testing device so that his rival could “ get out of the basement so he can speak.
” Trump and first lady Melania Trump also participated in a wreath-laying ceremony on Memorial Day at the Tomb of the Unknown @ @ @ @ @ @

Joe Biden is out of his basement.
The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee made an unannounced visit to the Veterans Memorial Park in New Castle, Delaware, on Monday.
It was the first time Biden has appeared in public, other than interviews from his home studio, in more than two months because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“It feels good to be out of my house,” Biden said.
Biden wore a black face mask and was accompanied by his wife, Jill, and Secret Service detail to lay a wreath of white flowers at the memorial near his Wilmington home. Jill Biden and the Secret Service agents also wore face masks.
The Bidens paused briefly at the site and then walked back to their motorcade.
“Never forget the sacrifices that these men and women made. Never, ever, forget,” Biden told reporters.
Biden halted in-person campaigning in mid-March as coronavirus infections skyrocketed. His last events on the campaign trail were in Ohio and Pennsylvania on March 10. He gave remarks on the pandemic during a March 12 appearance at a hotel in his hometown before sheltering at home.
Biden said he and his wife have gone on walks and bike rides in their neighborhood but have mostly remained on their own property.
President Trump has teased Biden about spending so much time in his home during the pandemic. He offered to give Biden’s campaign a coronavirus testing device so that his rival could “get out of the basement so he can speak.”
Trump and first lady Melania Trump also participated in a wreath-laying ceremony on Memorial Day at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-25--North Carolina governor responds to Trump threat by saying 'data and science' will guide reopening

North Carolina ’ s governor refused to bow to President Trump ’ s demand to give an immediate answer on @ @ @ @ @ could move ahead with “ full attendance ” in August .
Trump threatened to move @ @ @ @ @ state if Gov .
Roy Cooper , a Democrat , was unable to guarantee the @ @ @ @ @ on attendance because of the coronavirus pandemic .
A spokesperson for Cooper said state health @ @ @ @ @ Republican National Committee but did not say whether restrictions would be in place .
“ @ @ @ @ @ data and science to protect our state ’ s public health and safety , ” @ @ @ @ @ statement Monday .
North Carolina is in its second phase of reopening , and gatherings @ @ @ @ @ people .
The convention is set for Aug. 24-27 in Charlotte , and at least @ @ @ @ @

North Carolina’s governor refused to bow to President Trump’s demand to give an immediate answer on whether the Republican National Convention could move ahead with “full attendance” in August.
Trump threatened to move the convention out of the state if Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, was unable to guarantee the gathering would not have limits on attendance because of the coronavirus pandemic.
A spokesperson for Cooper said state health officials were working with the Republican National Committee but did not say whether restrictions would be in place.
“North Carolina is relying on data and science to protect our state’s public health and safety,” the spokesperson said in a statement Monday.
North Carolina is in its second phase of reopening, and gatherings are still limited to 10 people.
The convention is set for Aug. 24-27 in Charlotte, and at least 50,000 attendees are expected.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-25--Biden grasps onto small Minnesota lead over Trump with pool of undecided voters still at play

Joe Biden has a slim lead over President Trump in Minnesota , a potential battleground state in the 2020 presidential election .
A Star Tribune/MPR News/KARE 11 poll released Monday found Biden ahead of Trump by 49 % to 44 % among registered voters in the state .
Seven percent of Minnesotans said they were still undecided .
Trump ’ s campaign is seeking to turn Minnesota red after he narrowly lost the state to Hillary Clinton in 2016 .
Richard Nixon was the last Republican presidential candidate to win the state in 1972 .
Biden has a commanding lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 18-55 , and in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area .
But Trump leads his Democratic rival in the southern and northern parts of the state and among male voters .
The two were neck-and-neck among independent voters .
Biden holds a comfortable lead in national polling , but a recent CNN survey showed Trump had the edge in critical battleground states , including Arizona , Colorado , Florida , Georgia , Maine , Michigan , Minnesota , Nevada , New Hampshire , New Mexico , North Carolina , Ohio , Pennsylvania , Virginia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surveyed 800 registered voters between Monday and Wednesday and had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points .

Joe Biden has a slim lead over President Trump in Minnesota, a potential battleground state in the 2020 presidential election.
A Star Tribune/MPR News/KARE 11 poll released Monday found Biden ahead of Trump by 49% to 44% among registered voters in the state. Seven percent of Minnesotans said they were still undecided.
Trump’s campaign is seeking to turn Minnesota red after he narrowly lost the state to Hillary Clinton in 2016. Richard Nixon was the last Republican presidential candidate to win the state in 1972.
Biden has a commanding lead over Trump with women, voters ages 18-55, and in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. But Trump leads his Democratic rival in the southern and northern parts of the state and among male voters. The two were neck-and-neck among independent voters.
Biden holds a comfortable lead in national polling, but a recent CNN survey showed Trump had the edge in critical battleground states, including Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
The Minnesota poll surveyed 800 registered voters between Monday and Wednesday and had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-25--Trump defends golf outings as US coronavirus death toll nears 100,000

President Trump vented over being criticized for playing golf over Memorial Day weekend as the coronavirus death toll nears 100,000 in the United States .
After his Democratic rival Joe Biden ’ s campaign released an ad juxtaposing Trump at his golf club in Sterling , Virginia , and the death toll numbers , the president turned his ire to the previous administration .
“ Biden was constantly vacationing , relaxing & making shady deals with other countries , & that Barack was always playing golf , doing much of his traveling in a fume spewing 747 to play golf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday .
Trump also attacked former President Barack Obama for golfing in 2014 after journalist James Foley was beheaded by the Islamic State .
Obama later admitted that it was bad optics to golf immediately after he condemned the brutal killing .
Trump , noting he had not been golfing in months because of the pandemic , lashed out at the media on Monday for its coverage of his outings on Saturday and Sunday .
“ The Fake & Totally Corrupt News makes it sound like a mortal sin - I knew this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ They are truly deranged !
” Trump again mentioned Obama ’ s golf outings , which he frequently criticized when Obama was in the White House .

President Trump vented over being criticized for playing golf over Memorial Day weekend as the coronavirus death toll nears 100,000 in the United States.
After his Democratic rival Joe Biden’s campaign released an ad juxtaposing Trump at his golf club in Sterling, Virginia, and the death toll numbers, the president turned his ire to the previous administration.
Nearly 100,000 lives have been lost, and tens of millions are out of work.
Meanwhile, the president spent his day golfing. pic.twitter.com/H1BVNtgVjA — Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) May 24, 2020
The presidency is about a lot more than tweeting from your golf cart. It requires taking on the ultimate responsibility for the biggest decisions in the world. Donald Trump simply wasn’t prepared for that. I promise you I will be. — Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) May 24, 2020
“Biden was constantly vacationing, relaxing & making shady deals with other countries, & that Barack was always playing golf, doing much of his traveling in a fume spewing 747 to play golf in Hawaii,” Trump tweeted late Sunday.
Trump also attacked former President Barack Obama for golfing in 2014 after journalist James Foley was beheaded by the Islamic State. Obama later admitted that it was bad optics to golf immediately after he condemned the brutal killing.
...vacationing, relaxing & making shady deals with other countries, & that Barack was always playing golf, doing much of his traveling in a fume spewing 747 to play golf in Hawaii - Once even teeing off immediately after announcing the gruesome death of a great young man by ISIS! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 25, 2020
Trump, noting he had not been golfing in months because of the pandemic, lashed out at the media on Monday for its coverage of his outings on Saturday and Sunday.
“The Fake & Totally Corrupt News makes it sound like a mortal sin - I knew this would happen!” he tweeted. “They are truly deranged!”
Trump again mentioned Obama’s golf outings, which he frequently criticized when Obama was in the White House.
“Totally inappropriate,” he wrote.
Some stories about the fact that in order to get outside and perhaps, even a little exercise, I played golf over the weekend. The Fake & Totally Corrupt News makes it sound like a mortal sin - I knew this would happen! What they don’t say is that it was my first golf in almost... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 25, 2020


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-25--Trump threatens to move GOP convention out of North Carolina

President Trump warned the Republican National Convention will be moved out of North Carolina if the swing state can not guarantee the August event can be `` fully occupied . ''
A salvo of tweets Monday morning called on the `` Democratic Governor , '' Roy Cooper , to give the Republican National Committee an immediate answer as the state loosens restrictions meant to curb the coronavirus , but perhaps not fast enough .
`` I love the Great State of North Carolina , so much so that I insisted on having the Republican National Convention in Charlotte at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Unfortunately , Democrat Governor , @ RoyCooperNC is still in Shutdown mood & unable to guarantee that by August we will be allowed full attendance in the Arena .
In other words , we would be spending millions of dollars building the Arena to a very high standard without even knowing if the Democrat Governor would allow the Republican Party to fully occupy the space . ''
`` Plans are being made by many thousands of enthusiastic Republicans , and others , to head to beautiful North Carolina in August , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be immediately given an answer by the Governor as to whether or not the space will be allowed to be fully occupied .
If not , we will be reluctantly forced to find , with all of the jobs and economic development it brings , another Republican National Convention site .
This is not something I want to do .
Thank you , and I LOVE the people of North Carolina ! ''
The message to North Carolina is yet another indication that the president is getting impatient with the widespread shutdowns that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday night that schools around the country should reopen `` ASAP . ''
A spokesperson for Cooper said state health officials were working with the Republican National Committee , but did not say whether restrictions would be in place .
“ North Carolina is relying on data and science to protect our state ’ s public health and safety , ” the spokesperson said after Trump 's tweets made headlines .
North Carolina entered `` Phase 2 '' of its three-part reopening plan this weekend , allowing breweries , restaurants , and salons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is set to expire on June 24 .
The timing of the entry into the next phase will be critical .
The governor said that under this phase , RNC delegates would be akin to `` spectators '' at a sporting event , which would allow only 10 of them in the arena .
Vice President Mike Pence echoed Trump , telling Fox News on Monday they look forward to seeing a `` swift response '' from Cooper .
He said Republicans may look to other states that are `` further along '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the convention .
Pence noted that Florida and Georgia , both of which are led by Republican governors , have made `` tremendous progress . ''
The multiday GOP convention is set to begin on Aug. 24 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte , and RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said earlier this month the party still plans to hold the event in Charlotte , noting that by the end of June , they will start making some `` critical decisions if we do have to make adjustments . ''
At the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50,000 attendees at the convention .
Still , the state 's top health official , Mandy Cohen , said last week that the RNC should `` hope for the best , but plan for the worst . ''
More than 23,000 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in North Carolina , with hundreds more reported over Memorial Day weekend .
The Democrats moved their convention in Milwaukee back from mid-July to the week of Aug. 17 and are also taking precautionary steps to have delegates vote virtually .

President Trump warned the Republican National Convention will be moved out of North Carolina if the swing state cannot guarantee the August event can be "fully occupied."
A salvo of tweets Monday morning called on the "Democratic Governor," Roy Cooper, to give the Republican National Committee an immediate answer as the state loosens restrictions meant to curb the coronavirus, but perhaps not fast enough.
"I love the Great State of North Carolina, so much so that I insisted on having the Republican National Convention in Charlotte at the end of August," Trump said. "Unfortunately, Democrat Governor, @RoyCooperNC is still in Shutdown mood & unable to guarantee that by August we will be allowed full attendance in the Arena. In other words, we would be spending millions of dollars building the Arena to a very high standard without even knowing if the Democrat Governor would allow the Republican Party to fully occupy the space."
"Plans are being made by many thousands of enthusiastic Republicans, and others, to head to beautiful North Carolina in August," he said. "They must be immediately given an answer by the Governor as to whether or not the space will be allowed to be fully occupied. If not, we will be reluctantly forced to find, with all of the jobs and economic development it brings, another Republican National Convention site. This is not something I want to do. Thank you, and I LOVE the people of North Carolina!"
The message to North Carolina is yet another indication that the president is getting impatient with the widespread shutdowns that have strangled the economy. He tweeted Sunday night that schools around the country should reopen "ASAP."
A spokesperson for Cooper said state health officials were working with the Republican National Committee but did not say whether restrictions would be in place.
“North Carolina is relying on data and science to protect our state’s public health and safety,” the spokesperson said after Trump's tweets made headlines.
North Carolina entered "Phase 2" of its three-part reopening plan this weekend, allowing breweries, restaurants, and salons to reopen at limited capacity, which is set to expire on June 24. The timing of the entry into the next phase will be critical. The governor said that under this phase, RNC delegates would be akin to "spectators" at a sporting event, which would allow only 10 of them in the arena.
Vice President Mike Pence echoed Trump, telling Fox News on Monday they look forward to seeing a "swift response" from Cooper. He said Republicans may look to other states that are "further along" in reopening their economies as alternative locations for the convention. Pence noted that Florida and Georgia, both of which are led by Republican governors, have made "tremendous progress."
The multiday GOP convention is set to begin on Aug. 24 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, and RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said earlier this month the party still plans to hold the event in Charlotte, noting that by the end of June, they will start making some "critical decisions if we do have to make adjustments." At the time, the RNC said it was expecting 50,000 attendees at the convention.
Still, the state's top health official, Mandy Cohen, said last week that the RNC should "hope for the best, but plan for the worst." More than 23,000 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in North Carolina, with hundreds more reported over Memorial Day weekend.
The Democrats moved their convention in Milwaukee back from mid-July to the week of Aug. 17 and are also taking precautionary steps to have delegates vote virtually.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-26--Believe her or not

Believe her or not

Believe it or not , what really counts in our gender-based battles is not the deeply fraught matter of `` believing the woman , '' but exactly how far each political party will go in defense of its own man .
In all of these contests , the answer is `` very , '' and all of these battles are fierce .
In 1991 , there was no chance in hell the Republican Party would give up Clarence Thomas , whose choice to replace civil rights legend Thurgood Marshall as the Supreme Court ’ s black justice had driven the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when Barry Goldwater voted against the civil rights bills of that era , the Republican , black voter had been a rare species , and the party had labored under the labels of racism or insensitivity as segregationists Democrats fled their own party and Lyndon B. Johnson for the welcoming arms of the Right .
Thomas ’ s nomination by President George H.W .
Bush was the party ’ s first move to contest this impression , just as the Democrats ’ defense of his accuser was their bid to assure it hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Democrats by their claim of believing in women .
Political activists had discovered a new kind of weapon , and we had a new kind of war .
In 1998 , Bill Clinton had been reelected , and his second term was half-gone ; Al Gore , his vice president , was groomed to succeed him .
His wife and first lady was an icon in her own right .
There was no chance that Democrats would give up on Clinton , who in 1992 had broken 12 dire years of Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This time , it was the Republicans who `` believed the woman , '' the Democrats who dismissed the accusers as nuts , sluts , and liars .
Clinton , impeached in the House by its Republican members , was saved in the Senate on a party-line vote .
Both sides , it seemed , `` believed in the women '' only when she said things they found helpful .
That theme was destined to recur .
In 2016 , Hillary Clinton ran for president against Donald Trump , a Clintonian lecher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Flawed as he was , there was no chance the Republican Party would turn on the one man who stood between them and the woman they had fought with and hated for years .
Trump won and , in 2018 , nominated to the Supreme Court Brett Kavanaugh — an altar boy , jock , and beer drinker .
There was no chance in hell that the Left wouldn ’ t go to the ends of the earth to destroy him and the Right not move heaven and earth in defense .
Christine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time or the place of the attack that she swore had happened , but that hardly mattered to the accuser ’ s supporters .
They sent death threats to the judge ’ s defenders , filled the halls of Congress with unruly supporters , and made it unsafe for Republicans who would vote on the matter even to appear in the street .
This year , Tara Reade has arrived .
The ex-Biden staffer says that the presumed nominee sexually assaulted her in his Senate office in 1993 .
As in most cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But this time , it was different .
A fairly large number of feminists said they believed her , but they would support the man they believed to be her attacker because he was their choice against Trump .
It turns out that no one had ever `` believed in the woman '' when it was not convenient .
But no one ever said it out loud until now .

Believe it or not, what really counts in our gender-based battles is not the deeply fraught matter of "believing the woman," but exactly how far each political party will go in defense of its own man.
In all of these contests, the answer is "very," and all of these battles are fierce. In 1991, there was no chance in hell the Republican Party would give up Clarence Thomas, whose choice to replace civil rights legend Thurgood Marshall as the Supreme Court’s black justice had driven the left wing insane.
Since 1964, when Barry Goldwater voted against the civil rights bills of that era, the Republican, black voter had been a rare species, and the party had labored under the labels of racism or insensitivity as segregationists Democrats fled their own party and Lyndon B. Johnson for the welcoming arms of the Right.
Thomas’s nomination by President George H.W. Bush was the party’s first move to contest this impression, just as the Democrats’ defense of his accuser was their bid to assure it hit home. Republicans stood by their man, Democrats by their claim of believing in women. Political activists had discovered a new kind of weapon, and we had a new kind of war.
In 1998, Bill Clinton had been reelected, and his second term was half-gone; Al Gore, his vice president, was groomed to succeed him. His wife and first lady was an icon in her own right. There was no chance that Democrats would give up on Clinton, who in 1992 had broken 12 dire years of Republican dominance and returned them to power again.
This time, it was the Republicans who "believed the woman," the Democrats who dismissed the accusers as nuts, sluts, and liars. Clinton, impeached in the House by its Republican members, was saved in the Senate on a party-line vote. Both sides, it seemed, "believed in the women" only when she said things they found helpful. That theme was destined to recur.
In 2016, Hillary Clinton ran for president against Donald Trump, a Clintonian lecher, if ever there was one. Flawed as he was, there was no chance the Republican Party would turn on the one man who stood between them and the woman they had fought with and hated for years.
Trump won and, in 2018, nominated to the Supreme Court Brett Kavanaugh — an altar boy, jock, and beer drinker. There was no chance in hell that the Left wouldn’t go to the ends of the earth to destroy him and the Right not move heaven and earth in defense.
Christine Blasey Ford couldn’t remember the time or the place of the attack that she swore had happened, but that hardly mattered to the accuser’s supporters. They sent death threats to the judge’s defenders, filled the halls of Congress with unruly supporters, and made it unsafe for Republicans who would vote on the matter even to appear in the street.
This year, Tara Reade has arrived. The ex-Biden staffer says that the presumed nominee sexually assaulted her in his Senate office in 1993. As in most cases, it was his word and hers. But this time, it was different. A fairly large number of feminists said they believed her, but they would support the man they believed to be her attacker because he was their choice against Trump.
It turns out that no one had ever "believed in the woman" when it was not convenient. But no one ever said it out loud until now.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-26--Trump wins the lockdown wars

Trump wins the lockdown wars

President Trump has won the lockdown wars as coronavirus-related restrictions on businesses are eased across the country , so far with few signs of for the population .
Just weeks ago , the question was whether to reopen , with the first states to press ahead accused of engaging in and their residents to appease the “ .
” New York Times columnist Paul Krugman “ How many will die for the Dow ?
” as recently as Thursday .
Now , the debate is primarily over how quickly and completely reopening should take place , with the stragglers mainly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by many the public face of stay-at-home policies , now says the country ca n't stay locked down forever .
When Trump ’ s Easter target date was deemed unrealistic , Memorial Day weekend was as another possibility — and the grand opening is beginning .
Whether Trump wins reelection now depends substantially on how the reopening is perceived .
Voters are still nervous about returning to normal too quickly , including key Trump demographics such as senior citizens , who have been during the pandemic , and religious voters , among whom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But a Harvard/Politico found that 60 % of Republicans now want nonessential businesses to open up in their states , following the president ’ s lead .
Trump is betting heavily that reopening will lead to an economic rebound without deepening the public health crisis .
Trump economic adviser Kevin Hassett predicted “ a very strong second half of the year ” on Friday .
“ We expect ... the third quarter will be the highest growth quarter in U.S. history , ” Hassett told reporters at the White House .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recover relatively quickly ... employment lags that a little bit.
” This tracks with Trump , who has repeatedly said the third quarter will be a “ transition ” to a robust end to the year ’ s growth .
“ This is a country that ’ s meant to be open , not closed , ” Trump said at a Ford plant in Ypsilanti , Michigan .
He defended the decision to engage in the initial lockdowns to avoid overwhelming the healthcare system but said the time had come to end them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ And if there ’ s a fire , an ember , a flame someplace , we put it out.
” In addition to the and over 90,000 deaths nationwide , nearly 40 million people in the United States are out of work .
This has combined to put Trump in a hole in recent polling against presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden , with the president trailing 48 % -40 % , according to Fox News , 47 % -42 % , according to Economist/YouGov , and 50 % -39 % , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show Trump trailing in three of four major battleground states , except for North Carolina , where he is up by 1 .
The question is how much the economy and public morale will need to improve , without any deterioration in coronavirus containment , to lift Trump ’ s standing .
It could require a combination of better numbers and shifting expectations .
“ Once the resistance crumbles , every voter will know that the president was pushing to reopen the economy , while the Democrats were pushing to keep everything , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican strategist John Feehery .
“ Joe Biden ’ s basement bravado is both comical and tragic .
The American people prefer strong leadership in a crisis , not whatever Joe is offering.
” Trump is also pressing states to reopen churches and other houses of worship , frequently still prevented from offering regular services due to social distancing requirements .
“ Some governors have deemed liquor stores and abortion clinics as essential but have left out churches and other houses of worship , ” he said at the White House on Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So , I ’ m correcting this injustice and calling houses of worship 'essential . '
” It ’ s not clear what authority he would invoke , although the Justice Department has indicated it will intervene when it sees religious liberty violations .
The president ’ s supporters are confident he will be rewarded by a public that was increasingly chafing at the restrictions as summer approaches , even if the polling continues to reflect high levels of popular anxiety about the coronavirus .
“ Democrats forgot that polls were a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went all-in on endless lockdowns because they believed it would be a political winner , ” said conservative strategist Chris Barron .
“ Early on , when Americans were crippled with fear , Democrats looked smart . ''
“ Now , every single opinion poll shows the momentum turning against them , ” he continued .
“ President Trump smartly listened to the medical experts but balanced that with an understanding of the economic realities for working Americans .
Come November , if Democrats allow this to be a referendum on endless lockdowns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
”

President Trump has won the lockdown wars as coronavirus-related restrictions on businesses are eased across the country, so far with few signs of dire health consequences for the population.
Just weeks ago, the question was whether to reopen, with the first states to press ahead accused of engaging in human sacrifice and killing their residents to appease the “ Trump death cult .” New York Times columnist Paul Krugman asked, “How many will die for the Dow?” as recently as Thursday.
Now, the debate is primarily over how quickly and to what extent reopening should take place, with the stragglers mainly blue states. Anthony Fauci, considered by many the public face of stay-at-home policies, now says the country can't stay locked down forever. When Trump’s Easter target date was deemed unrealistic, Memorial Day weekend was floated as another possibility — and the grand opening is beginning.
Whether Trump wins reelection now depends substantially on how the reopening is perceived. Voters are still nervous about returning to normal too quickly, including key Trump demographics such as senior citizens, who have been trending Democratic during the pandemic, and religious voters, among whom there has been some slippage in favorability for Trump. But a Harvard/Politico poll found that 60% of Republicans now want nonessential businesses to open up in their states, following the president’s lead. Trump is betting heavily that reopening will lead to an economic rebound without deepening the public health crisis.
Trump economic adviser Kevin Hassett predicted “a very strong second half of the year” on Friday. “We expect ... the third quarter will be the highest growth quarter in U.S. history,” Hassett told reporters at the White House. “We expect that output is going to recover relatively quickly ... Employment lags that a little bit.” This tracks with Trump, who has repeatedly said the third quarter will be a “transition” to a robust end to the year’s growth.
“This is a country that’s meant to be open, not closed,” Trump said at a Ford plant in Ypsilanti, Michigan. He defended the decision to engage in the initial lockdowns to avoid overwhelming the healthcare system but said the time had come to end them, adding of the COVID-19 outbreak, “And if there’s a fire, an ember, a flame someplace, we put it out.”
In addition to the virus fears and over 90,000 deaths nationwide, nearly 40 million people in the United States are out of work. This has combined to put Trump in a hole in recent polling against presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden, with the president trailing 48%-40%, according to Fox News, 47%-42%, according to the Economist/YouGov, and 50%-39%, according to Quinnipiac. The RealClearPolitics polling averages show Trump trailing in three of four major battleground states, except for North Carolina, where he is up by 1.
The question is how much the economy and public morale will need to improve, without any deterioration in coronavirus containment, to lift Trump’s standing. It could require a combination of better numbers and shifting expectations.
“Once the resistance crumbles, every voter will know that the president was pushing to reopen the economy, while the Democrats were pushing to keep everything, especially schools, closed,” said Republican strategist John Feehery. “Joe Biden’s basement bravado is both comical and tragic. The American people prefer strong leadership in a crisis, not whatever Joe is offering.”
Trump is also pressing states to reopen churches and other houses of worship, frequently still prevented from offering regular services due to social distancing requirements. “Some governors have deemed liquor stores and abortion clinics as essential but have left out churches and other houses of worship,” he said at the White House on Friday. “It’s not right. So, I’m correcting this injustice and calling houses of worship 'essential.'” It’s not clear what authority he would invoke, although the Justice Department has indicated it will intervene when it sees religious liberty violations.
The president’s supporters are confident he will be rewarded by a public that is increasingly chafing at the restrictions as summer approaches, even if the polling continues to reflect high levels of popular anxiety about the coronavirus.
“Democrats forgot that polls were a snapshot of a specific moment. They went all-in on endless lockdowns because they believed it would be a political winner,” said conservative strategist Chris Barron. “Early on, when Americans were crippled with fear, Democrats looked smart."
“Now, every single opinion poll shows the momentum turning against them,” he continued. “President Trump smartly listened to the medical experts but balanced that with an understanding of the economic realities for working Americans. Come November, if Democrats allow this to be a referendum on endless lockdowns, Trump will win in a landslide.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-26--Jeff Sessions, a wild Senate race, and President Trump's 'personal feelings'

Jeff Sessions is in a surreal place .
He spent 20 years as a senator from Alabama , followed by 21 months as U.S. attorney general , and now , he is in a tightly competitive race to win back his old Senate seat .
He was the first important national figure in government to endorse candidate Donald Trump back in early 2016 .
That endorsement was an important boost for Trump , whom some important Republicans were dismissing at the time .
The newly elected Trump picked Sessions for attorney general .
At the Justice Department , Sessions worked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on issues such as immigration and crime .
But as far as relations with Trump were concerned , it all went to hell in early March 2017 , when Sessions , who had been on the job all of 21 days , recused himself from supervising the Trump-Russia investigation .
Driven by Democrats and their allies in the press , the Russia issue picked up steam in Trump 's early months .
But it truly exploded on May 9 , 2017 , when Trump fired FBI Director James Comey .
The resulting firestorm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Robert Mueller — an appointment made by Sessions 's second-in-command , Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein , who was in charge of the Russia matter after Sessions recused himself .
Trump blamed it all , or nearly all , on Sessions , and he never forgave him .
Sessions remained in the job until November 2018 , but Trump clearly could not stand the man he chose to head the Justice Department .
Fast forward to today .
Deep-red Alabama has a Democratic senator , Doug Jones — that 's another , equally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for reelection .
There was a primary to pick the Republican candidate who will almost certainly defeat Jones in November .
Sessions finished a close second to former Auburn University football coach Tommy Tuberville , who won by a little less than two percentage points .
A runoff is scheduled for July 14 .
Trump not only supports Tuberville , but he has been bashing Sessions left and right .
First , Trump said Sessions begged him on four separate occasions for the job of attorney general .
`` I never begged for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four times , not one time , not ever , '' Sessions said .
Sessions also released an `` Open Letter to the People of Alabama '' in which he explained in detail why he believed then , and believes now , that his recusal was required by law and was the only course he could take .
That did n't assuage Trump one bit .
A few days ago , the president tweeted , `` 3 years ago , after Jeff Sessions recused himself , the Fraudulent Mueller Scam began .
Alabama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He let our country down .
That 's why I endorsed Coach Tommy Tuberville . ''
That was finally it for Sessions , who responded with obvious irritation .
`` Look , I know your anger , '' he tweeted to the president , `` but recusal was required by law .
I did my duty & you 're damn fortunate I did .
It protected the rule of law & resulted in your exoneration .
Your personal feelings do n't dictate who Alabama picks as their senator , the people of Alabama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collective response was : Whoa !
Now , this is getting interesting .
Then , Trump upped the ante again .
`` Jeff , you had your chance & you blew it , '' he tweeted .
`` Recused yourself ON DAY ONE ( you never told me of a problem ) , and ran for the hills .
You had no courage , & ruined many lives ... '' '' Mr. President , Alabama can and does trust me , as do conservatives across the country , '' Sessions responded .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knows where it could go next ?
On Monday , I asked Sessions if he is surprised by the degree to which Trump seems to hold the entire Russia investigation against him .
`` Yes , I am surprised about that , '' he said .
`` But his frustration is not all unjustified .
It 's becoming more and more clear that there were problems with this investigation .
There may have been political bias .
Barr is exactly right that we need to know whether commencing an investigation of a campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Sessions that Trump 's last interventions in an Alabama Senate race , when he first backed losing Republican primary candidate Luther Strange and then losing Republican general election candidate Roy Moore , resulted in the election of the current Democratic Sen. Doug Jones .
`` He did make two recommendations , both of which the voters did not follow , '' Sessions said .
`` I would just say that indicates Alabamians do make their own decisions . ''
`` In this instance , '' he continued , `` the president 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people of Alabama basically to effectuate his personal feelings about this issue .
I 'm asking them to send a senator who can best advance Alabama values , Trump values , Sessions values , to make a decision based on what 's best for Alabama . ''
How many times does a top Republican Senate candidate refer to the Republican president 's `` personal feelings '' ?
Sessions finds himself in an unprecedented situation only partially of his own making .
But he is convinced he was correct in recusing himself from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ losing .
`` My conscience is clear , '' Sessions said .
`` Doing the right thing is more important to me than even my own political career . ''

Jeff Sessions is in a surreal place. He spent 20 years as a senator from Alabama followed by 21 months as U.S. attorney general, and now, he is in a tightly competitive race to win back his old Senate seat. He was the first important national figure in government to endorse candidate Donald Trump back in early 2016. That endorsement was an important boost for Trump, whom some important Republicans dismissed at the time. The newly elected Trump picked Sessions for attorney general.
At the Justice Department, Sessions worked hard to implement the president's agenda on issues such as immigration and crime. But as far as relations with Trump were concerned, it all went to hell in early March 2017, when Sessions, who had been on the job all of 21 days, recused himself from supervising the Trump-Russia investigation.
Driven by Democrats and their allies in the press, the Russia issue picked up steam in Trump's early months as president. But it truly exploded on May 9, 2017, when Trump fired FBI Director James Comey. The resulting firestorm led to the appointment of special counsel Robert Mueller — an appointment made by Sessions's second-in-command, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who was in charge of the Russia matter after Sessions recused himself.
Trump blamed it all, or nearly all, on Sessions, and he never forgave him. Sessions remained in the job until November 2018, but Trump clearly could not stand the man he chose to head the Justice Department.
Fast forward to today. Deep-red Alabama has a Democratic senator, Doug Jones — that's another equally odd story — who is now up for reelection. There was a primary to pick the Republican candidate who will almost certainly defeat Jones in November. Sessions finished a close second to former Auburn University football coach Tommy Tuberville, who won by a little less than 2 percentage points. A runoff is scheduled for July 14.
Trump not only supports Tuberville, but he has been bashing Sessions left and right. First, Trump said Sessions begged him on four separate occasions for the job of attorney general. "I never begged for the job of attorney general, not four times, not one time, not ever," Sessions said.
Sessions also released an "Open Letter to the People of Alabama" in which he explained in detail why he believed then, and believes now, that his recusal was required by law and was the only course he could take.
That didn't assuage Trump one bit. A few days ago, the president tweeted, "3 years ago, after Jeff Sessions recused himself, the Fraudulent Mueller Scam began. Alabama, do not trust Jeff Sessions. He let our country down. That's why I endorsed Coach Tommy Tuberville."
That was finally it for Sessions, who responded with obvious irritation. "Look, I know your anger," he tweeted to the president, "but recusal was required by law. I did my duty & you're damn fortunate I did. It protected the rule of law & resulted in your exoneration. Your personal feelings don't dictate who Alabama picks as their senator, the people of Alabama do."
The political world's collective response was: Whoa! Now, this is getting interesting.
Then, Trump upped the ante again. "Jeff, you had your chance & you blew it," he tweeted. "Recused yourself ON DAY ONE (you never told me of a problem), and ran for the hills. You had no courage, & ruined many lives."
"Mr. President, Alabama can and does trust me, as do conservatives across the country," Sessions responded. "Perhaps you've forgotten."
Who knows where it could go next? On Monday, I asked Sessions if he was surprised by the degree to which Trump seems to hold the entire Russia investigation against him. "Yes, I am surprised about that," he said. "But his frustration is not all unjustified. It's becoming more and more clear that there were problems with this investigation. There may have been political bias. Barr is exactly right that we need to know whether commencing an investigation of a campaign had sufficient predicate."
I mentioned to Sessions that Trump's last interventions in an Alabama Senate race, when he first backed losing Republican primary candidate Luther Strange and then losing Republican general election candidate Roy Moore, resulted in the election of the current Democratic Sen. Doug Jones.
"He did make two recommendations, both of which the voters did not follow," Sessions said. "I would just say that indicates Alabamians do make their own decisions."
"In this instance," he continued, "the president's personal frustrations — he's asking the people of Alabama basically to effectuate his personal feelings about this issue. I'm asking them to send a senator who can best advance Alabama values, Trump values, Sessions values, to make a decision based on what's best for Alabama."
How many times does a top Republican Senate candidate refer to the Republican president's "personal feelings"? Sessions finds himself in an unprecedented situation only partially of his own making. But he is convinced he was correct in recusing himself from the Russia investigation, even if it means losing.
"My conscience is clear," Sessions said. "Doing the right thing is more important to me than even my own political career."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-26--Biden says 'hidin' in his home works in campaign against Trump

Joe Biden criticized President Trump 's allies for suggesting that he is hiding in his Delaware home due to coronavirus pandemic lockdowns while , at the same time , saying that staying off the campaign trail is working for him .
`` What worries me is all the stuff about ‘ Biden 's hidin ' , ’ '' the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee and former vice president said in a CNN interview on Tuesday .
`` Well , you know , the fact of the matter is , it 's working pretty well so far , doing the rules .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ — every state .
Doesn ’ t mean it ’ s going to be that way come November . ''
`` He seems to get more erratic the more he feels like he ’ s behind the curve , '' Biden added .
While Biden has stayed in his Delaware home to follow social distancing guidelines , unable to hold traditional in-person rallies and events , Trump 's campaign has accused him of intentionally keeping away from the public .
`` Have you seen Joe Biden ?
We can ’ t find him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ email to supporters titled `` Where is Hiden Biden . ''
Biden has given many interviews to news outlets and held virtual campaign events through a studio built in his home .
Many recent polls show Biden ahead of Trump in key swing states .
Of the six main 2020 Electoral College swing states , North Carolina is the only one where the RealClearPolitics average of polls shows Trump holding a lead over Biden .
Yet , the Trump campaign is leading in fundraising , digital media reach , and number of staff @ @ @ @ @

Joe Biden criticized President Trump's allies for suggesting that he is hiding in his Delaware home due to coronavirus pandemic lockdowns while, at the same time, saying that staying off the campaign trail is working for him.
"What worries me is all the stuff about ‘Biden's hidin',’" the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee and former vice president said in a CNN interview on Tuesday. "Well, you know, the fact of the matter is, it's working pretty well so far, doing the rules. He’s behind in almost every — every state. Doesn’t mean it’s going to be that way come November."
"He seems to get more erratic the more he feels like he’s behind the curve," Biden added.
While Biden has stayed in his Delaware home to follow social distancing guidelines, unable to hold traditional in-person rallies and events, Trump's campaign has accused him of intentionally keeping away from the public.
"Have you seen Joe Biden? We can’t find him anywhere," read a May 16 email to supporters titled "Where is Hiden Biden."
Biden has given many interviews to news outlets and held virtual campaign events through a studio built in his home.
Many recent polls show Biden ahead of Trump in key swing states. Of the six main 2020 Electoral College swing states, North Carolina is the only one where the RealClearPolitics average of polls shows Trump holding a lead over Biden.
Yet, the Trump campaign is leading in fundraising, digital media reach, and number of staff, among other measures.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-26--Trump gives Democratic North Carolina governor one week to make up mind on GOP convention

President Trump gave the Democratic governor of North Carolina an ultimatum on whether his state will host this summer 's Republican National Convention .
“ We need a fast decision from the governor , ” the president told reporters at the White House on Tuesday .
“ He ’ s been acting very , very slowly and very suspiciously , but we ’ ll find out .
We ’ re talking about a very short period of time ...
I would say within a week that certainly we have to know .
If he can ’ t do it , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to do it , all he has to do is tell us .
And then , we ’ ll have to pick another location .
And , I tell you , a lot of locations want it.
” The remarks represented the latest tit for tat between the two men , with Gov .
Roy Cooper repeatedly stressing that health and safety would ultimately determine if his state would let the convention proceed as planned .
On Monday , Trump first issued his threat to Cooper over Twitter , saying the convention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if the event space can not be `` fully occupied . ''
`` I love the Great State of North Carolina , so much so that I insisted on having the Republican National Convention in Charlotte at the end of August , '' Trump said .
`` Unfortunately , Democrat Governor , @ RoyCooperNC is still in Shutdown mood & unable to guarantee that by August we will be allowed full attendance in the Arena .
In other words , we would be spending millions of dollars building the Arena to a very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrat Governor would allow the Republican Party to fully occupy the space . ''
A spokesperson for Cooper responded that the governor plans to `` rely on data and science to protect our state 's public health and safety . ''
Trump ultimately has no power to compel Cooper to make a decision soon .
The four-day convention is currently slated to begin on Aug. 24 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte .
The Republican Party has repeatedly said that it plans on holding an in-person convention , with officials from the Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proceed with their own event on Aug. 17 in Milwaukee , Wisconsin .

President Trump gave the Democratic governor of North Carolina an ultimatum on whether his state will host this summer's Republican National Convention.
“We need a fast decision from the governor,” the president told reporters at the White House on Tuesday. “He’s been acting very, very slowly and very suspiciously, but we’ll find out. We’re talking about a very short period of time ... I would say within a week that certainly we have to know. If he can’t do it, if he feels he’s not going to do it, all he has to do is tell us. And then, we’ll have to pick another location. And, I tell you, a lot of locations want it.”
The remarks represented the latest tit for tat between the two men, with Gov. Roy Cooper repeatedly stressing that health and safety would ultimately determine if his state would let the convention proceed as planned.
On Monday, Trump first issued his threat to Cooper over Twitter, saying the convention will be moved out of the state if the event space cannot be "fully occupied."
"I love the Great State of North Carolina, so much so that I insisted on having the Republican National Convention in Charlotte at the end of August," Trump said. "Unfortunately, Democrat Governor, @RoyCooperNC is still in Shutdown mood & unable to guarantee that by August we will be allowed full attendance in the Arena. In other words, we would be spending millions of dollars building the Arena to a very high standard without even knowing if the Democrat Governor would allow the Republican Party to fully occupy the space."
A spokesperson for Cooper responded that the governor plans to "rely on data and science to protect our state's public health and safety."
Trump ultimately has no power to compel Cooper to make a decision soon.
The four-day convention is currently slated to begin on Aug. 24 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte. The Republican Party has repeatedly said that it plans on holding an in-person convention, with officials from the Democratic Party remaining less certain that they will proceed with their own event on Aug. 17 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-26--Biden says Charlamagne Tha God was being a 'wise guy' when he made 'ain't black' comment

Presidential candidate Joe Biden said Lenard McKelvey , known as Charlamagne Tha God , had an attitude when he stirred controversy by saying black voters who consider supporting President Trump `` ai n't black . ''
During a CNN interview with network host Dana Bash , Biden said Charlamagne , who is black , was being a `` wise guy '' during their Breakfast Club discussion last week , which he said explained his behavior at the time .
`` It was a mistake , number one .
And I was smiling when he asked me the question .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guy with him .
He was being a wise guy , and I responded in kind .
I should n't have done that .
It was a mistake , '' Biden said , later asserting he has never taken black voters for granted .
While appearing on the radio program The Breakfast Club last week , Biden took issue with Charlamagne 's request that the presumptive Democratic nominee come into the radio 's New York City studio for another interview , saying his co-hosts had more questions for him about his policy positions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Charlamagne said to Biden .
`` You 've got more questions ?
Well I tell you what , if you have a problem figuring out whether you 're for me or Trump , then you ai n't black , '' to which Charlamagne tha God said : `` It don ’ t have nothing to do with Trump .
It has to do with the fact I want something for my community.
” Symone Sanders , a Biden spokeswoman , downplayed the remarks on social media after the former vice president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the end of the Breakfast Club interview were in jest , but let ’ s be clear about what the VP was saying : he was making the distinction that he would put his record with the African American community up against Trump ’ s any day .
Period , '' she tweeted .
Biden said he should not have been so `` cavalier '' in his language , but that has not stopped Charlamagne from tearing into the former vice president 's record on race .
In a Friday interview with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blame to Biden for his role in passing drug and jail sentencing legislation in the 1990s during his time in the U.S. Senate .
`` If you created legislation that hurt [ the black community ] , then you have to create legislation that helps .
It 's just that simple .
Like , the whole system needs to be dismantled and rebuilt , '' Charlamagne said .
`` He ’ s been a very intricate part of that system , whether you 're talking about in '84 with mandatory minimum sentences for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about '86 with crack laws that gave you more time for crack cocaine than powder cocaine , or you 're talking about the '94 crime bill , like he really was one of those people on the front line when it came to the war on drugs and mass incarceration . ''
Charlamagne said Biden would be a `` fool '' not to have a black woman as his vice presidential pick , saying it would be `` suicide '' for his campaign to consider Democratic Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar , who is @ @

Presidential candidate Joe Biden said Lenard McKelvey, known as Charlamagne Tha God, had an attitude when he stirred controversy by saying black voters who consider supporting President Trump "ain't black."
During a CNN interview with network host Dana Bash, Biden said Charlamagne, who is black, was being a "wise guy" during their Breakfast Club discussion last week, which he said explained his behavior at the time.
"It was a mistake, No. 1. And I was smiling when he asked me the question. I shouldn't have been such a wise guy with him. He was being a wise guy, and I responded in kind. I shouldn't have done that. It was a mistake," Biden said, later asserting he has never taken black voters for granted.
While appearing on the radio program The Breakfast Club last week, Biden took issue with Charlamagne's request that the presumptive Democratic nominee come into the radio's New York City studio for another interview, saying his co-hosts had more questions for him about his policy positions.
"We've got more questions," Charlamagne said to Biden.
"You've got more questions? Well I tell you what, if you have a problem figuring out whether you're for me or Trump, then you ain't black," to which Charlamagne tha God said: "It don’t have nothing to do with Trump. It has to do with the fact I want something for my community.”
Symone Sanders, a Biden spokeswoman, downplayed the remarks on social media after the former vice president's appearance.
"The comments made at the end of the Breakfast Club interview were in jest, but let’s be clear about what the VP was saying: he was making the distinction that he would put his record with the African American community up against Trump’s any day. Period," she tweeted.
Biden said he should not have been so "cavalier" in his language, but that has not stopped Charlamagne from tearing into the former vice president's record on race.
In a Friday interview with CNN's Erin Burnett, Charlamagne assigned blame to Biden for his role in passing drug and jail sentencing legislation in the 1990s during his time in the U.S. Senate.
"If you created legislation that hurt [the black community], then you have to create legislation that helps. It's just that simple. Like, the whole system needs to be dismantled and rebuilt," Charlamagne said. "He’s been a very intricate part of that system, whether you're talking about in '84 with mandatory minimum sentences for drug dealers, or you're talking about '86 with crack laws that gave you more time for crack cocaine than powder cocaine, or you're talking about the '94 crime bill, like he really was one of those people on the front line when it came to the war on drugs and mass incarceration."
Charlamagne said Biden would be a "fool" not to have a black woman as his vice presidential pick, saying it would be "suicide" for his campaign to consider Democratic Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who is white.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-26--AOC Republican challenger drops out of race, says Cuomo lockdown 'overthrew' electoral process

A Republican woman challenging Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for her seat in Congress has dropped out of the race .
“ Governor Cuomo ’ s undemocratic Executive Orders overthrew New York ’ s electoral process .
The right to access the ballot , freedom of association as a member of a political party , the exchange of ideas and free speech are so sacred that the Founding Fathers made it the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States , ” said Scherie Murray , a Jamaican immigrant who ran against Ocasio-Cortez from the Right .
“ Notwithstanding , during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Executive Orders have gone unchecked , affirming the ability to silence Murray ’ s First Amendment rights , ” she said in a statement .
Both Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio have faced intense backlash over a lockdown that was extended to June 13 in mid-May .
New York is slated to hold its primary elections on June 23 .
Ocasio-Cortez still has several primary challengers , including former television journalist Michelle Caruso-Cabrera .
A member of the so-called liberal `` Squad '' in Congress , Ocasio-Cortez won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrat Joe Crowley .

A Republican woman challenging Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for her seat in Congress has dropped out of the race.
“Governor Cuomo’s undemocratic Executive Orders overthrew New York’s electoral process. The right to access the ballot, freedom of association as a member of a political party, the exchange of ideas and free speech are so sacred that the Founding Fathers made it the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States,” said Scherie Murray, a Jamaican immigrant who ran against Ocasio-Cortez from the Right.
“Notwithstanding, during the coronavirus pandemic, Governor Cuomo’s Executive Orders have gone unchecked, affirming the ability to silence Murray’s First Amendment rights,” she said in a statement.
BREAKING NEWS: Did you hear about this? “America, I promise you more and I will continue to #unitethefight for a prosperous and better future. Thank you so much for believing in me, a legal migrant from Jamaica, W.I. who came to America for a better life.” —Scherie Murray. ⬇ pic.twitter.com/aOsaG6Upe7 — Scherie Murray (@ScherieMurray) May 26, 2020
Both Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio have faced intense backlash over a lockdown that was extended to June 13 in mid-May.
New York is slated to hold its primary elections on June 23.
Ocasio-Cortez still has several primary challengers, including former television journalist Michelle Caruso-Cabrera.
A member of the so-called liberal "Squad" in Congress, Ocasio-Cortez won her election in 2018 by unseating longtime Democrat Joe Crowley.