thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-03--'They'll shoot me': Biden makes awkward joke at Kenosha community meeting

Joe Biden perpetuated his reputation for making verbal missteps on the campaign trail during his trip to Kenosha , Wisconsin .
The 2020 Democratic presidential nominee and two-term vice president joked that the community leaders gathered at Kenosha 's Grace Lutheran Church Thursday to discuss racial injustice and police brutality would shoot him if he prattled on about his tax plan .
“ If you make less than $ 400,000 , you ’ re not going to get a penny tax , and you ’ re going to get a tax cut if you make under $ 125,000 , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not going lay it out for you .
I wo n't now because they 'll shoot me . ''
Biden mentioned his tax plan in response to residents ' concerns , listing some of his policy prescriptions aimed at mitigating perceived inequality and discrimination .
The candidate , who often references how long he 's been speaking during his remarks , had earlier said he 'd been talking for an extended period of time .
He also quipped to the moderator , `` You 're getting too antsy .
Sit down . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ private meeting with Jacob Blake 's family .
During the listening session , Biden told the crowd he spoke to the 29-year-old black man , who was shot seven times in the back by a white police officer during an Aug. 23 arrest , via the phone for about 15 minutes .
`` He talked about how nothing was going to defeat him .
How whether he walked again or not , he was not going to give up , '' Biden said .

Joe Biden perpetuated his reputation for making verbal missteps on the campaign trail during his trip to Kenosha, Wisconsin.
The 2020 Democratic presidential nominee and two-term vice president joked that the community leaders gathered at Kenosha's Grace Lutheran Church Thursday to discuss racial injustice and police brutality would shoot him if he prattled on about his tax plan.
“If you make less than $400,000, you’re not going to get a penny tax, and you’re going to get a tax cut if you make under $125,000," he started saying. "I'm not going lay it out for you. I won't now because they'll shoot me."
Biden mentioned his tax plan in response to residents' concerns, listing some of his policy prescriptions aimed at mitigating perceived inequality and discrimination. The candidate, who often references how long he's been speaking during his remarks, had earlier said he'd been talking for an extended period of time.
He also quipped to the moderator, "You're getting too antsy. Sit down."
The semipublic campaign event followed Biden's private meeting with Jacob Blake's family. During the listening session, Biden told the crowd he spoke to the 29-year-old black man, who was shot seven times in the back by a white police officer during an Aug. 23 arrest, via the phone for about 15 minutes.
"He talked about how nothing was going to defeat him. How whether he walked again or not, he was not going to give up," Biden said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-03--'A publicity stunt': Kenosha locals give lukewarm reception to Biden

KENOSHA , Wisconsin — Joe Biden 's visit was met with a collective shrug by many residents , who say they 're far more concerned with getting their lives back together following nights of rioting .
The former vice president 's trip to the town , the first time a Democratic presidential candidate has visited Wisconsin since 2012 , came with the eerie backdrop of dozens of businesses vandalized or outright destroyed .
Few residents walked the city streets , a stark contrast to similar towns in the state , such as Neenah , or those that have seen their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the coronavirus pandemic .
The Democratic nominee , formerly a 36-year Delaware senator , visited Kenosha days after President Trump surveyed the damage amid inflamed racial tensions following the police shooting of Jacob Blake , a black man .
The shooting was followed by protests , which included rallies , marches , property damage , arson , and clashes with police .
Two protesters were fatally shot in a confrontation with an armed civilian .
`` It was all mom and pop stores that got destroyed down here .
It 's really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're trying to find justice , and we all know that the people here are on the right side of the issue , '' said Jack Jay , a 28-year-old bartender in town who supported Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in the 2020 Democratic primary .
`` And then to have Trump come in here and be like , 'OK , I 'm here .
You can all thank me , ' is one thing .
But Biden is just a joke to me .
What are you going to do for us ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ plywood over windows and doors on Thursday afternoon , with many remaining closed — a consequence of local unrest and coronavirus lockdown policies .
Although a few dozen supporters appeared outside Biden 's local stop at Grace Lutheran Church in town , his trip felt disconnected from the most immediate concerns facing residents .
`` It just seems like a publicity stunt .
You know , I voted for Obama , but what Biden 's doing just seems to be what the Democratic Party is all about nowadays , '' said Jack Chelski @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kenosha .
`` Just because you 're not Trump does n't mean you can just blame everything on him .
You know , this restaurant donated a bunch of stuff to the protesters .
We 're all on the same side .
You can get mad at Trump for coming here , but at least he promised money .
I wan na see that money , but still . ''
Many locals seemed unaware Biden was even in town , likely because his trip was planned at the last minute and focused on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's small , black community .
`` The first point I want to make to you all is I 'm not pessimistic .
I 'm optimistic about the opportunity if we seize it , '' Biden said Thursday afternoon .
“ Regardless of how angry you are , if you loot or you burn , you ought to be held accountable .
Period .
It just can not be tolerated across the board.
” Trump , in contrast , made a point to tour the numerous burned-down and vandalized buildings during his stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visit , Wisconsin Gov .
Tony Evers , a Democrat , asked the president not to visit the city , saying it would interfere with the `` healing '' of residents .
But that did n't stop the president , who knows winning Wisconsin again in November is key to his electoral success .
Polling shows Biden holding a lead over Trump , although that gap has narrowed following the unrest in the state .
`` We should talk about the kind of violence we 've seen in Portland and here and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business roundtable in downtown Kenosha .
`` The fact is that we 've seen tremendous violence , and we will put it out very , very quickly if given the chance . ''
Residents in Kenosha are keenly aware that the two candidates are desperately courting their votes , although many appeared more concerned with what each man pledged to do in the immediate term to help rebuild the businesses that were destroyed .
`` I 'm definitely more liberal .
But it seemed like Biden pulled the race card a little bit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Evers , 65 , who watched Biden address Grace Lutheran Church on the local news at a nearby restaurant .
`` That was really too bad .
I was excited to see him speak , but I think other stuff he said was good .
We 're all just trying to get back to normal here , and I want to know what Biden is going to do about that . ''

KENOSHA, Wisconsin — Joe Biden's visit was met with a collective shrug by many residents, who say they're far more concerned with getting their lives back together following nights of rioting.
The former vice president's trip to the town, the first time a Democratic presidential candidate has visited Wisconsin since 2012, came with the eerie backdrop of dozens of businesses vandalized or outright destroyed. Few residents walked the city streets, a stark contrast to similar towns in the state, such as Neenah, or those that have seen their economic life slowly picking up steam again during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Democratic nominee, formerly a 36-year Delaware senator, visited Kenosha days after President Trump surveyed the damage amid inflamed racial tensions following the police shooting of Jacob Blake, a black man. The shooting was followed by protests, which included rallies, marches, property damage, arson, and clashes with police. Two protesters were fatally shot in a confrontation with an armed civilian.
"It was all mom and pop stores that got destroyed down here. It's really sad. It's heartbreaking. We're trying to find justice, and we all know that the people here are on the right side of the issue," said Jack Jay, a 28-year-old bartender in town who supported Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in the 2020 Democratic primary. "And then to have Trump come in here and be like, 'OK, I'm here. You can all thank me,' is one thing. But Biden is just a joke to me. What are you going to do for us?"
Virtually every building in Kenosha had plywood over windows and doors on Thursday afternoon, with many remaining closed — a consequence of local unrest and coronavirus lockdown policies. Although a few dozen supporters appeared outside Biden's local stop at Grace Lutheran Church in town, his trip felt disconnected from the most immediate concerns facing residents.
"It just seems like a publicity stunt. You know, I voted for Obama, but what Biden's doing just seems to be what the Democratic Party is all about nowadays," said Jack Chelski, a 30-year-old restaurant employee in downtown Kenosha. "Just because you're not Trump doesn't mean you can just blame everything on him. You know, this restaurant donated a bunch of stuff to the protesters. We're all on the same side. You can get mad at Trump for coming here, but at least he promised money. I wanna see that money, but still."
Many locals seemed unaware Biden was even in town, likely because his trip was planned at the last minute and focused on the family of Blake and the town's small, black community.
"The first point I want to make to you all is I'm not pessimistic. I'm optimistic about the opportunity if we seize it," Biden said Thursday afternoon. “Regardless of how angry you are, if you loot or you burn, you ought to be held accountable. Period. It just cannot be tolerated across the board.”
Trump, in contrast, made a point to tour the numerous burned-down and vandalized buildings during his stop in Kenosha on Tuesday. Before his visit, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, asked the president not to visit the city, saying it would interfere with the "healing" of residents.
But that didn't stop the president, who knows winning Wisconsin again in November is key to his electoral success. Polling shows Biden holding a lead over Trump, although that gap has narrowed following the unrest in the state.
"We should talk about the kind of violence we've seen in Portland and here and other places," Trump said at a business roundtable in downtown Kenosha. "The fact is that we've seen tremendous violence, and we will put it out very, very quickly if given the chance."
Residents in Kenosha are keenly aware that the two candidates are desperately courting their votes, although many appeared more concerned with what each man pledged to do in the immediate term to help rebuild the businesses that were destroyed.
"I'm definitely more liberal. But it seemed like Biden pulled the race card a little bit during his speech," said Cindy Evers, 65, who watched Biden address Grace Lutheran Church on the local news at a nearby restaurant. "That was really too bad. I was excited to see him speak, but I think other stuff he said was good. We're all just trying to get back to normal here, and I want to know what Biden is going to do about that."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-03--'An effort to deny an African-American': Kanye West lawyer seeks to remove Virginia attorney general

'An effort to deny an African-American': Kanye West lawyer seeks to remove Virginia attorney general from legal fight over presidential ballot

A lawyer representing Kanye West 's presidential campaign is attempting to have Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring recused from a case that could push the rapper-turned-presidential candidate off the state 's ballot this November .
Christopher Kowalczuk filed the motion ahead of a Thursday afternoon hearing with the Richmond Circuit Court regarding West 's inclusion on the state ballot .
Kowalczuk argued that statements by Herring , a Democrat , make him incapable of fairly representing the Virginia State Board of Elections .
“ Given Mark Herring ’ s public statements indicating that he will side with his party ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Virginia , to deny Mr. West ballot access , he should immediately recuse himself from this case , '' he said .
West 's campaign filed more than 5,000 signatures to the Virginia board of elections in a bid to get on the presidential ballot as an independent candidate .
But two Virginians who appeared as electors argue they were misled by campaign volunteers for West during the signature-gathering process , and a prominent lawyer for Democrats , Marc Elias , filed a lawsuit on their behalf .
Kowalczuk accused Herring , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assess West 's ballot status , of attempting to keep a black man off the presidential ballot in an effort to `` limit '' the choice of voters .
`` It is striking and ironic that Mark Herring would involve himself in an effort to deny an African-American a place on the ballot in Virginia given the current national conversation surrounding the disparate treatment of African-Americans in American society .
This effort to limit voters ’ choices in their presidential candidates is an anathema to the Republic and the Commonwealth of Virginia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to appear on the ballots of Oklahoma , Utah , Colorado , and several other states ahead of the November election .
He received 2 % support in a presidential poll conducted by Politico/Morning Consult in early August .

A lawyer representing Kanye West's presidential campaign is attempting to have Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring recused from a case that could push the rapper-turned-presidential candidate off the state's ballot this November.
Christopher Kowalczuk filed the motion ahead of a Thursday afternoon hearing with the Richmond Circuit Court regarding West's inclusion on the state ballot. Kowalczuk argued that statements by Herring, a Democrat, make him incapable of fairly representing the Virginia State Board of Elections.
“Given Mark Herring’s public statements indicating that he will side with his party’s efforts, and against the voters of Virginia, to deny Mr. West ballot access, he should immediately recuse himself from this case," he said.
West's campaign filed more than 5,000 signatures to the Virginia board of elections in a bid to get on the presidential ballot as an independent candidate. But two Virginians who appeared as electors argue they were misled by campaign volunteers for West during the signature-gathering process, and a prominent lawyer for Democrats, Marc Elias, filed a lawsuit on their behalf.
Kowalczuk accused Herring, who called for an emergency hearing to assess West's ballot status, of attempting to keep a black man off the presidential ballot in an effort to "limit" the choice of voters.
"It is striking and ironic that Mark Herring would involve himself in an effort to deny an African-American a place on the ballot in Virginia given the current national conversation surrounding the disparate treatment of African-Americans in American society. This effort to limit voters’ choices in their presidential candidates is an anathema to the Republic and the Commonwealth of Virginia," he said.
West has qualified to appear on the ballots of Oklahoma, Utah, Colorado, and several other states ahead of the November election. He received 2% support in a presidential poll conducted by Politico/Morning Consult in early August.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-03--Biden meets with Jacob Blake's family

Biden meets with Jacob Blake's family

Joe Biden has met with the family of Jacob Blake , the black man shot seven times in the back by a white police officer during an arrest in Kenosha , Wisconsin .
The 2020 Democratic presidential nominee and wife Jill Biden spoke privately with the 29-year-old 's family and his legal team in an airport hangar shortly after arriving in the crucial battleground state .
They had previously talked over the phone .
The Bidens will also host a community meeting to discuss racial injustice and police brutality and visit local businesses as part of the campaign swing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visited Wisconsin since President Barack Obama did in November 2012 .
The former vice president defended the trip Wednesday after criticizing President Trump for making the same journey Tuesday .
A meeting with Blake 's family was n't on Trump 's schedule because he did n't want to talk to them with their lawyers present .
“ There 's been overwhelming requests that I do come , ” Biden told reporters .
`` Because what we want to do is we 've got to heal , we 've got to put things together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in going is to do just that , to be a positive influence . ''
Biden 's visit to Kenosha coincides with the release of a new 60-second digital ad called “ We ’ re Listening . ''
The spot , part of a $ 45 million spend this week , will air on national cable news networks and in local Michigan , North Carolina , Pennsylvania , and Wisconsin media markets in the coming days .
“ We can ’ t turn away .
Now is the time for racial justice , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Blake remains hospitalized , paralyzed from the waist down , after the Aug. 23 shooting .
Civil unrest turned deadly between protesters and counterprotesters after the incident , but tensions have since eased .

Joe Biden has met with the family of Jacob Blake, the black man shot seven times in the back by a white police officer during an arrest in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
The 2020 Democratic presidential nominee and wife Jill Biden spoke privately with the 29-year-old's family and his legal team in an airport hangar shortly after arriving in the crucial battleground state. They had previously talked over the phone.
The Bidens will also host a community meeting to discuss racial injustice and police brutality and schools reopening roundtable as part of the campaign swing, the first time a Democratic standard-bearer has visited Wisconsin since President Barack Obama did in November 2012.
The former vice president defended the trip Wednesday after criticizing President Trump for making the same journey Tuesday. A meeting with Blake's family wasn't on Trump's schedule because he didn't want to talk to them with their lawyers present.
“There's been overwhelming requests that I do come,” Biden told reporters. "Because what we want to do is we've got to heal, we've got to put things together, bring people together. My purpose in going is to do just that, to be a positive influence."
Biden's visit to Kenosha coincides with the release of a new 60-second digital ad called “We’re Listening." The spot, part of a $45 million spend this week, will air on national cable news networks and in local Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin media markets in the coming days.
“We can’t turn away. Now is the time for racial justice,” the candidate says in the ad.
Blake remains hospitalized, paralyzed from the waist down, after the Aug. 23 shooting. Civil unrest turned deadly between protesters and counterprotesters after the incident, but tensions have since eased.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-03--The recovering economy will get even better if Trump is reelected

Our economy is roaring back to life .
Over 1.7 million business applications have been filed , and some 1 million seek to open a business that will hire workers .
States such as South Dakota have recovered up to 80 % of the jobs lost to layoffs .
New unemployment claims are plummeting .
Month after month , we ’ re seeing improving economic numbers .
It ’ s a good feeling , and one we ’ ve grown accustomed to during President Trump ’ s first term .
It ’ s a feeling people need to experience for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s pro-growth , pro-worker reforms , the economy was firing on all cylinders before the COVID-19 pandemic .
We had low unemployment , the stock market reaching new heights , and wages were growing .
The Trump economy was one worthy of pride .
For more than a year , we had more jobs than available workers to fill them , a good problem to have .
This economic boom was temporarily blocked by the pandemic , and a large part of that was due to financial disincentives to work .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ implemented a boost in unemployment insurance , some 70 % of workers were receiving more money on unemployment than they could have received from their jobs .
The result , predictably , was workers refusing to return to work in order to continue receiving unemployment .
Refusal to return to work has led to a flurry of economic disasters across the nation .
Without employees , small businesses struggled to reopen or have closed permanently .
This loss of income and revenue has further strained government assistance programs and their ability to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unemployment boost expired July 31 and was not fully renewed .
As the lockdowns lift and people start going back to work and school , we ’ re seeing a glimpse of what once was and what is attainable once again .
Getting back to a strong economy will require continued strong leadership in Washington .
Fortunately , leading up to the Republican National Convention , Trump unveiled an aggressive and forward-thinking agenda for his second term that should instill confidence in workers and their families .
The agenda covers everything from small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an emphasis on freeing people to make the best choices for themselves and their families .
It ’ s an agenda for a strong future for our country .
In the president ’ s acceptance speech at the convention , he promised to “ again build the greatest economy in history , quickly returning to full employment , soaring incomes , and record prosperity . ''
One of the best ways to go about accomplishing the president ’ s goals of strengthening the economy is to ensure that people are never again paid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Refusing suitable work to continue collecting unemployment is fraud , and it harms our communities .
Congress must stand with small businesses and towns across the nation by not giving in to pressure from the Left to renew any boost in unemployment payments .
The good economic news of recent months is the sign we needed to remind us that Congress should not extend any unemployment bonuses , nor do states need a financial bailout .
South Dakota Gov .
Kristi Noem ’ s rejection of any new unemployment boosts and success @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis is further proof of that .
The best bailout for states comes from people going back to work and getting our economic engine running at full speed .
We ’ re already seeing improvement since the $ 600 unemployment boost expired .
Between July 25 and August 15 , new unemployment claims dropped by nearly a third and in some states by nearly 70 % .
Nearly 2 million people left the unemployment program during this time , as well .
If this trend continues , new unemployment claims could reach pre-COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The good news isn ’ t all in unemployment numbers .
The new business growth is 64 % higher this year than during the same period last year .
It ’ s also the highest level ever recorded .
Online job numbers are up nearly 16 % , similar to 2017 levels .
The Atlanta Federal Reserve ’ s real-time GDP growth estimate has more than doubled since July 31 .
Residential construction dramatically outperformed expectations , skyrocketing to nearly 23 % , higher than during this time last year .
Retail and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and manufacturing is at an 18-month high .
A full recovery is underway .
With all this good news to bolster the national mood , it ’ s fitting that the Republican National Convention was centered on this land of heroes , of promise , of opportunity , and of greatness .
Momentum is on the side of families as we continue the work to restore the country ’ s economy .
Nick Stehle is the vice president of communications at the Foundation for Government Accountability .

Our economy is roaring back to life. Over 1.7 million business applications have been filed, and some 1 million seek to open a business that will hire workers.
States such as South Dakota have recovered up to 80% of the jobs lost to layoffs. New unemployment claims are plummeting. Month after month, we’re seeing improving economic numbers.
It’s a good feeling, and one we’ve grown accustomed to during President Trump’s first term. It’s a feeling people need to experience for the next four years.
Thanks to Trump’s pro-growth, pro-worker reforms, the economy was firing on all cylinders before the COVID-19 pandemic. We had low unemployment, the stock market reaching new heights, and wages were growing. The Trump economy was one worthy of pride. For more than a year, we had more jobs than available workers to fill them, a good problem to have.
This economic boom was temporarily blocked by the pandemic, and a large part of that was due to financial disincentives to work. After Congress passed the CARES Act and implemented a boost in unemployment insurance, some 70% of workers were receiving more money on unemployment than they could have received from their jobs. The result, predictably, was workers refusing to return to work in order to continue receiving unemployment.
Refusal to return to work has led to a flurry of economic disasters across the nation. Without employees, small businesses struggled to reopen or have closed permanently. This loss of income and revenue has further strained government assistance programs and their ability to help the truly needy.
The CARES Act unemployment boost expired July 31 and was not fully renewed. As the lockdowns lift and people start going back to work and school, we’re seeing a glimpse of what once was and what is attainable once again. Getting back to a strong economy will require continued strong leadership in Washington.
Fortunately, leading up to the Republican National Convention, Trump unveiled an aggressive and forward-thinking agenda for his second term that should instill confidence in workers and their families. The agenda covers everything from small business growth to affordable healthcare, with an emphasis on freeing people to make the best choices for themselves and their families. It’s an agenda for a strong future for our country.
In the president’s acceptance speech at the convention, he promised to “again build the greatest economy in history, quickly returning to full employment, soaring incomes, and record prosperity."
One of the best ways to go about accomplishing the president’s goals of strengthening the economy is to ensure that people are never again paid to stay at home rather than work. Refusing suitable work to continue collecting unemployment is fraud, and it harms our communities. Congress must stand with small businesses and towns across the nation by not giving in to pressure from the Left to renew any boost in unemployment payments.
The good economic news of recent months is the sign we needed to remind us that Congress should not extend any unemployment bonuses, nor do states need a financial bailout. South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem’s rejection of any new unemployment boosts and success in leading her state through the health crisis is further proof of that. The best bailout for states comes from people going back to work and getting our economic engine running at full speed.
We’re already seeing improvement since the $600 unemployment boost expired. Between July 25 and August 15, new unemployment claims dropped by nearly a third and in some states by nearly 70%. Nearly 2 million people left the unemployment program during this time, as well. If this trend continues, new unemployment claims could reach pre-COVID-19 levels by the end of September.
The good news isn’t all in unemployment numbers. The new business growth is 64% higher this year than during the same period last year. It’s also the highest level ever recorded. Online job numbers are up nearly 16%, similar to 2017 levels. The Atlanta Federal Reserve’s real-time GDP growth estimate has more than doubled since July 31. Residential construction dramatically outperformed expectations, skyrocketing to nearly 23%, higher than during this time last year. Retail and food services are posting higher sales, and manufacturing is at an 18-month high. A full recovery is underway.
With all this good news to bolster the national mood, it’s fitting that the Republican National Convention was centered on this land of heroes, of promise, of opportunity, and of greatness. Momentum is on the side of families as we continue the work to restore the country’s economy.
Nick Stehle is the vice president of communications at the Foundation for Government Accountability.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-03--'Jobs, not mobs!': Can Trump and Republicans finally win in Minnesota?

Might Minnesota have a competitive Senate race on its hands ?
Republican Jason Lewis 's campaign certainly wants you to think so , and there are a few reasons why perhaps you should .
It has released an internal survey showing him trailing by just 2 points , and , more importantly , showing incumbent Sen. Tina Smith at only 43 % support .
There 's also a result for the presidential race , which will surely have a huge effect down-ticket .
Needless to say , this is Lewis 's own survey , so take it with a few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two things to consider .
First , this is n't even supposed to be a race .
In 2018 , Smith easily won her current partial term , by 11 points , after being appointed to her seat to replace Al Franken in 2017 .
This time , she is facing Lewis , a former Republican congressman and radio host who represented Minneapolis 's southern suburbs for one term before losing in 2018 .
Minnesota has been quite an interesting state for election-watchers , given its pronounced shift in recent years .
Its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ divided between Left and Right , even though Republicans have had no success there on the presidential level since Richard Nixon 's resounding win in 1972 .
But in recent years , the state 's formerly Republican suburban areas have turned bluer , whereas its once-staunchly Democratic rural and labor-dominated areas have been rapidly turning red .
Minnesota is a natural candidate for President Trump 's attention , given that he came within 45,000 votes of carrying it in 2016 .
Add in the destruction that leftist rioters caused in Minneapolis specifically , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign has launched this particular `` jobs , not mobs '' appeal to the electorate : Minnesota bears some demographic and economic similarity to Michigan and Wisconsin , two other states Trump managed to pull out of the Democrats ' so-called `` blue wall . ''
Considering the trouble Trump is having in Arizona ( 11 electoral votes ) , long a state Republicans have relied on in the Electoral College , Minnesota ( 10 electoral votes ) is a much Trumpier state in terms of its voter profile , and it provides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the increasingly competitive nature of races in Georgia and Texas , and you can imagine quite a different electoral map hitting the scene by 2028 .

Might Minnesota have a competitive Senate race on its hands? Republican Jason Lewis's campaign certainly wants you to think so, and there are a few reasons why perhaps you should. It has released an internal survey showing him trailing by just 2 points, and, more importantly, showing incumbent Sen. Tina Smith at only 43% support. There's also a result for the presidential race, which will surely have a huge effect down-ticket.
The survey, fielded Sunday through Tuesday, showed Lewis trailing incumbent Democratic Sen. Tina Smith 43% to 41%, well inside the poll’s margin of error of 4.38 percentage points. In the same survey, Joe Biden narrowly led President Trump 48% to 45%, data that pointed to the reasoning behind Democratic nominee’s decision to launch a television advertising campaign in Minnesota at the beginning of the week.
Needless to say, this is Lewis's own survey, so take it with a few grains of salt. But there are two things to consider. First, this isn't even supposed to be a race. In 2018, Smith easily won her current partial term, by 11 points, after being appointed to her seat to replace Al Franken in 2017. This time, she is facing Lewis, a former Republican congressman and radio host who represented Minneapolis's southern suburbs for one term before losing in 2018.
Minnesota has been quite an interesting state for election-watchers, given its pronounced shift in recent years. Its local politics are characteristically polite yet sharply divided between Left and Right, even though Republicans have had no success there on the presidential level since Richard Nixon's resounding win in 1972. But in recent years, the state's formerly Republican suburban areas have turned bluer, whereas its once-staunchly Democratic rural and labor-dominated areas have been rapidly turning red. Minnesota is a natural candidate for President Trump's attention, given that he came within 45,000 votes of carrying it in 2016.
Add in the destruction that leftist rioters caused in Minneapolis specifically, and you can see why Trump's campaign has launched this particular "jobs, not mobs" appeal to the electorate:
Minnesota bears some demographic and economic similarity to Michigan and Wisconsin, two other states Trump managed to pull out of the Democrats' so-called "blue wall." Considering the trouble Trump is having in Arizona (11 electoral votes), long a state Republicans have relied on in the Electoral College, Minnesota (10 electoral votes) is a much Trumpier state in terms of its voter profile, and it provides a potential counterweight.
Combine that with the increasingly competitive nature of races in Georgia and Texas, and you can imagine quite a different electoral map hitting the scene by 2028.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-03--Georgia Senate race could decide which party holds majority in 2021

Georgia Republican Sen. David Perdue is fighting to win his second term , facing Democratic filmmaker Jon Ossoff in November .
The contest offers a chance of political redemption for Ossoff , who mounted a failed bid for Congress in 2017 during a special election in Georgia 's 6th District .
Early in President Trump 's tenure , Ossoff became a resistance hero of sorts , attracting national attention and money .
The race for the suburban Atlanta seat turned into one of the most expensive House races ever , with both Ossoff and Republican Karen Handel raising over $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that race by over 2.5 points , he has remained a rising star in both the Georgia and national Democratic Party .
Ossoff easily secured the Democratic nomination for Senate in June , winning over 52 % of the vote .
And his contest against Perdue , a former Reebok executive , is important to both parties as they jockey for a Senate majority after the 2020 election .
Republicans currently hold an edge in the chamber , with 53 seats .
Democrats have n't won a Georgia Senate seat in over 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ losing his reelection race to former Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss in 2002 .
Perdue won the Senate seat in 2014 after defeating three sitting House members in the Republican primary .
He is a staunch supporter of Trump 's agenda , particularly immigration restrictions .
The race remains the GOP 's to lose , with most election analysts saying the seat leans Republican .
But unpredictable national electoral trends indicate the Republicans will continue pouring tremendous resources into keeping Perdue 's seat .
More likely than not , whether Trump or Democratic presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ November should bring enough coattails to drag their Senate candidate over the finish line .
Along with Georgia , other key Senate battlegrounds include Arizona , Iowa , Maine , and Michigan .

Georgia Republican Sen. David Perdue is fighting to win his second term, facing Democratic filmmaker Jon Ossoff in November.
The contest offers a chance of political redemption for Ossoff, who mounted a failed bid for Congress in 2017 during a special election in Georgia's 6th District. Early in President Trump's tenure, Ossoff became a resistance hero of sorts, attracting national attention and money. The race for the suburban Atlanta seat turned into one of the most expensive House races ever, with both Ossoff and Republican Karen Handel raising over $55 million combined.
Although Ossoff lost that race by over 2.5 points, he has remained a rising star in both the Georgia and national Democratic Party. Ossoff easily secured the Democratic nomination for Senate in June, winning over 52% of the vote.
And his contest against Perdue, a former Reebok executive, is important to both parties as they jockey for a Senate majority after the 2020 election. Republicans currently hold an edge in the chamber, with 53 seats.
Democrats haven't won a Georgia Senate seat in over 20 years, with former Sen. Max Cleland losing his reelection race to former Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss in 2002.
Perdue won the Senate seat in 2014 after defeating three sitting House members in the Republican primary. He is a staunch supporter of Trump's agenda, particularly immigration restrictions.
The race remains the GOP's to lose, with most election analysts saying the seat leans Republican. But unpredictable national electoral trends indicate the Republicans will continue pouring tremendous resources into keeping Perdue's seat. More likely than not, whether Trump or Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden wins the state in November should bring enough coattails to drag their Senate candidate over the finish line.
Along with Georgia, other key Senate battlegrounds include Arizona, Iowa, Maine, and Michigan.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-03--Nate Silver: Electoral College for Biden not 'safe' unless he wins popular vote by 5-plus points

Polling guru Nate Silver predicted that President Trump has a good shot at winning the Electoral College so long as he does n't lose the popular vote by a large margin .
If Biden does not win the popular vote by more than 5 % , Trump may still be able to secure a reelection victory , the FiveThirtyEight editor-in-chief said in tweets on Wednesday , two months out from Election Day .
`` You 'll sometimes see people say stuff like 'Biden MUST with the popular vote by 3 points or he 's toast . '
'' Silver tweeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ points , the Electoral College is a tossup , not necessarily a Trump win .
( On the other hand , ) the Electoral College is not really *safe* for Biden unless he wins by 5+ . ''
Silver predicted Democratic nominee Joe Biden has a 6 % chance of winning the Electoral College if he wins the popular vote by 1 point .
If he wins somewhere between 1-2 points , his chance goes up to 22 % , and that increases to 46 % if he wins by 2-3 points .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , even though he lost the popular vote to his Democratic challenger , Hillary Clinton , who won 48.2 % of the popular vote , 2 points more than Trump , who got 46.1 % .
Overall , Clinton received nearly 3 million more votes than Trump on a national scale .
In the Electoral College , Trump received 304 votes , compared to 227 received by Clinton .
A candidate must receive at least 270 votes in the Electoral College to be elected .
An analysis by FiveThirtyEight shows Biden is polling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same stage of the election cycle in 2016 .
Clinton hit her peak on Aug. 7 , 2016 , after the Democratic National Convention , when she hit a 7.5-point lead over Trump .
At the same point in time this year , Biden was ahead of that number .
Nationally , Biden also has a better average support level than that earned by Clinton .
Biden has been hovering around 50 % , which is a bump up from Clinton 's low-to-mid-40s polling .
Last year , speaking of her election loss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its ability to toss a candidate out of the race , even if they win the popular vote .
`` You can run the best campaign .
You can have the best plans .
You can get the nomination .
You can win the popular vote .
And you can lose the Electoral College and therefore the election , '' Clinton said .

Polling guru Nate Silver predicted that President Trump has a good shot at winning the Electoral College so long as he doesn't lose the popular vote by a large margin.
If Biden does not win the popular vote by more than 5%, Trump may still be able to secure a reelection victory, the FiveThirtyEight editor-in-chief said in tweets on Wednesday, two months out from Election Day.
"You'll sometimes see people say stuff like 'Biden MUST with the popular vote by 3 points or he's toast.'" Silver tweeted. "Not true; at 2-3 points, the Electoral College is a tossup, not necessarily a Trump win. (On the other hand,) the Electoral College is not really *safe* for Biden unless he wins by 5+."
Chance of a Biden Electoral college win if he wins the popular vote by X points:
0-1 points: just 6%!
1-2 points: 22%
2-3 points: 46%
3-4 points: 74%
4-5 points: 89%
5-6 points: 98%
6-7 points: 99% — Nate Silver (@NateSilver538) September 2, 2020
Silver predicted Democratic nominee Joe Biden has a 6% chance of winning the Electoral College if he wins the popular vote by 1 point. If he wins somewhere between 1-2 points, his chance goes up to 22%, and that increases to 46% if he wins by 2-3 points.
Trump won the presidential election in 2016, even though he lost the popular vote to his Democratic challenger, Hillary Clinton, who won 48.2% of the popular vote, 2 points more than Trump, who got 46.1%. Overall, Clinton received nearly 3 million more votes than Trump on a national scale.
In the Electoral College, Trump received 304 votes, compared to 227 received by Clinton. A candidate must receive at least 270 votes in the Electoral College to be elected.
An analysis by FiveThirtyEight shows Biden is polling better nationally than Clinton was at the same stage of the election cycle in 2016.
Clinton hit her peak on Aug. 7, 2016, after the Democratic National Convention, when she hit a 7.5-point lead over Trump. At the same point in time this year, Biden was ahead of that number.
Nationally, Biden also has a better average support level than that earned by Clinton. Biden has been hovering around 50%, which is a bump up from Clinton's low-to-mid-40s polling.
Last year, speaking of her election loss, Clinton criticized the Electoral College and its ability to toss a candidate out of the race, even if they win the popular vote.
"You can run the best campaign. You can have the best plans. You can get the nomination. You can win the popular vote. And you can lose the Electoral College and therefore the election," Clinton said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-04--Republicans credit Trump's intense outreach for growing Latino support

Republicans say President Trump ’ s decision to make Hispanic voters a priority is boosting his support with this critical bloc in public opinion polls and threatening Democratic nominee Joe Biden ’ s prospects in key battleground states .
Trump received 28 % of the Hispanic vote four years ago .
But a fresh national poll from Quinnipiac University pegged the president ’ s support with this demographic at 36 % — despite trailing Biden by 10 percentage points overall , progress reflected in other surveys conducted over the summer .
In swing states that will determine the outcome of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hispanic support could push Trump over the top in a close race .
Republicans credit Trump ’ s management of the economy , at least before the advent of the coronavirus , for his improving performance with Hispanics .
But more significant , they say , has been the Trump campaign ’ s sustained presence in Hispanic communities and outreach to Hispanic voters since the end of the president ’ s first campaign at the same time that Democratic insiders have expressed concern that the Biden campaign has not targeted this segment of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ There ’ s a saying in Spanish that goes … tell me what you give your attention to , and I ’ ll tell you who you are , ” said Daniel Garza , president of the Libre Initiative , a conservative group that advocates for conservative issues in the Hispanic community .
“ I think , in a real way , the party ... and the campaign , Latinos for Trump , has really stepped up , and you can see it.
” In 2008 , Republican nominee John McCain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Four years later , GOP candidate Mitt Romney , now a Utah senator , received 27 % of the Hispanic vote after a campaign during which he proposed cracking down on illegal immigration .
Despite Trump condemning illegal immigrants more stridently than Romney ever did and initiating construction of a southern border wall , the president ’ s campaign is predicting the president will receive 40 % of the Hispanic vote on Nov. 3 .
No Republican presidential candidate has come close to that since George W. Bush was reelected in 2004 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote .
But the Trump campaign is unbowed , convinced its voter turnout operation is outworking Biden ’ s team in terms of Hispanic outreach — and poised to deliver .
“ Joe Biden struggled to connect with Latino voters throughout the Democratic primary , and despite being in office for nearly 50 years , he has no record of achievement to point to when it comes to helping Hispanic communities , ” spokeswoman Ali Pardo said .
Eight years ago , President Barack Obama received 71 % of the Hispanic vote .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ nominee Hillary Clinton won 66 % of the votes cast by this demographic .
In the Quinnipiac survey conducted Aug. 28–31 , Biden ’ s share of the Hispanic vote was stuck at 56 % .
Some Democratic operatives acknowledge the disparity but express confidence that by the time all the votes are tallied in November , Biden ’ s Hispanic support will be in the range of what Obama and Clinton achieved .
“ Biden ’ s 20-point lead shows strong support , ” said Ed Espinoza , a Democratic operative in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be stronger — and I expect it will be.
” To get it there , the Biden campaign is running Spanish-language advertising on television , radio , and digital platforms tailored to specific Hispanic constituencies ; for example , Cubans and Puerto Ricans in Florida and Mexican immigrants in the Southwest .
The spots , running in Arizona , Florida , Minnesota , Nevada , North Carolina , Pennsylvania , and Texas , are accompanied by regular Spanish-language phone banks looking to lock down Hispanic votes in those states .
Additionally , this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign ’ s designated super PAC , announced a new round of advertising on Spanish language in Arizona and Florida , with the spots focused on the former vice president ’ s personal background and policy record .
In an interview , the super PAC ’ s director of polling , Katie Drapcho , said Biden ’ s support among Hispanics is “ tracking closer ” to what Clinton did in 2016 than what recent surveys suggest .

Republicans say President Trump’s decision to make Hispanic voters a priority is boosting his support with this critical bloc in public opinion polls and threatening Democratic nominee Joe Biden’s prospects in key battleground states.
Trump received 28% of the Hispanic vote four years ago. But a fresh national poll from Quinnipiac University pegged the president’s support with this demographic at 36% — despite trailing Biden by 10 percentage points overall, progress reflected in other surveys conducted over the summer. In swing states that will determine the outcome of the presidential race, that level of Hispanic support could push Trump over the top in a close race.
Republicans credit Trump’s management of the economy, at least before the advent of the coronavirus, for his improving performance with Hispanics. But more significant, they say, has been the Trump campaign’s sustained presence in Hispanic communities and outreach to Hispanic voters since the end of the president’s first campaign at the same time that Democratic insiders have expressed concern that the Biden campaign has not targeted this segment of the electorate as aggressively as it should.
“There’s a saying in Spanish that goes … tell me what you give your attention to, and I’ll tell you who you are,” said Daniel Garza, president of the Libre Initiative, a conservative group that advocates for conservative issues in the Hispanic community. “I think, in a real way, the party ... and the campaign, Latinos for Trump, has really stepped up, and you can see it.”
In 2008, Republican nominee John McCain received 31% of the Hispanic vote. Four years later, GOP candidate Mitt Romney, now a Utah senator, received 27% of the Hispanic vote after a campaign during which he proposed cracking down on illegal immigration. Despite Trump condemning illegal immigrants more stridently than Romney ever did and initiating construction of a southern border wall, the president’s campaign is predicting the president will receive 40% of the Hispanic vote on Nov. 3.
No Republican presidential candidate has come close to that since George W. Bush was reelected in 2004, with 40% of the Hispanic vote. But the Trump campaign is unbowed, convinced its voter turnout operation is outworking Biden’s team in terms of Hispanic outreach — and poised to deliver.
“Joe Biden struggled to connect with Latino voters throughout the Democratic primary, and despite being in office for nearly 50 years, he has no record of achievement to point to when it comes to helping Hispanic communities,” spokeswoman Ali Pardo said.
Eight years ago, President Barack Obama received 71% of the Hispanic vote. Against Trump four years later, Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton won 66% of the votes cast by this demographic. In the Quinnipiac survey conducted Aug. 28–31, Biden’s share of the Hispanic vote was stuck at 56%.
Some Democratic operatives acknowledge the disparity but express confidence that by the time all the votes are tallied in November, Biden’s Hispanic support will be in the range of what Obama and Clinton achieved.
“Biden’s 20-point lead shows strong support,” said Ed Espinoza, a Democratic operative in Texas. “Sure, it could be stronger — and I expect it will be.”
To get it there, the Biden campaign is running Spanish-language advertising on television, radio, and digital platforms tailored to specific Hispanic constituencies; for example, Cubans and Puerto Ricans in Florida and Mexican immigrants in the Southwest. The spots, running in Arizona, Florida, Minnesota, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Texas, are accompanied by regular Spanish-language phone banks looking to lock down Hispanic votes in those states.
Additionally, this week, Priorities USA, the Biden campaign’s designated super PAC, announced a new round of advertising on Spanish language in Arizona and Florida, with the spots focused on the former vice president’s personal background and policy record. In an interview, the super PAC’s director of polling, Katie Drapcho, said Biden’s support among Hispanics is “tracking closer” to what Clinton did in 2016 than what recent surveys suggest.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-04--Growing public concern about riots isn't tipping the election toward Trump — yet

Public polling shows voters growing concerned about the violent demonstrations in many cities and beginning to take a less favorable view of the protests themselves , but protests and the violence have yet to alter the trajectory of the presidential race .
The latest poll to show a drop in support for Black Lives Matter is Politico/Morning Consult , showing a 9-point decline in favorability from 61 % in June to 52 % this month .
This follows a Marquette University Law School poll that saw a decrease in favorability for the social cause from 61 % to 48 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same percentage of respondents viewing it unfavorably .
Civiqs found a more modest fall of 4 points since June .
“ What is clear is that opposition to BLM has more than doubled in its increase compared to the decrease in support , ” reported veteran Republican pollster Chris Wilson .
“ This increase in opposition is directly linked to the riots.
” President Trump hasn ’ t reaped an electoral windfall from this turn in public opinion yet , though some Democrats blame him for turning Republicans against Black Lives Matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenger Joe Biden beating Trump on public safety by 47 % to 39 % .
The former vice president is also favored on race relations by a 19-point margin .
Biden remains ahead by 7.2 points in the RealClearPolitics national polling average .
But Trump sees the opportunity , hammering the Democrats on “ law and order ” and warning that Biden ’ s election will cause more of the country to resemble Portland .
Biden also clearly senses the danger , following Trump to Kenosha and stepping up condemnations of looting and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ focused on peaceful protests .
The former vice president is trying to that Trump and various right-wing extremists are fanning the flames .
“ I don ’ t think we ’ re guaranteed to put points on the board here , ” said a Republican strategist .
“ But I do think the president ’ s campaign is right to try to make this a major issue.
” A Heritage Action Battleground survey asked voters in the swing states of Arizona , Florida , Pennsylvania , and Wisconsin which sentiment they agreed with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ result of years of injustice and inequality suffered by Americans who are minorities as a result of systemic racism in our police departments and government in general ” ; or “ These protests have stopped being about racial injustice and have become violent riots by people who hate America and want to tear down our government and radically change American culture.
” In the four must-win states , 49 % chose the second , “ violent riots ” option , and 42 % opted for the first , “ racial justice '' response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the argument Trump is making on the campaign trail .
“ The violence we ’ ve seen since early summer is absolutely tipping the electoral scales toward Republican candidates , ” Wilson concluded .
“ Democrats and their friends in the MSM fail to speak out on these riots — or worse , call them ‘ peaceful protests ’ ; see : Cillizza , Chris — at their own peril.
” Following the death of George Floyd in police custody in May , the country was united across party lines in wanting to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from dying in encounters with law enforcement .
Trump ’ s poll numbers initially fell as he was not seen as rising to the moment .
Now , multiple otherwise sympathetic observers have worried the protests have gone too far .
“ The rioting has to stop , ” CNN commentator Don Lemon said in a broadcast last month .
“ It ’ s showing up in the polling .
It ’ s showing up in focus groups .
It is the only thing right now that is sticking.
” “ There ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into Trump ’ s hands , ” warned Democratic Madison Mayor Paul Soglin two days later .
`` There ’ s a significant number of undecided voters who are not ideological , and they can move very easily from Republican to the Democratic column and back again.
” The Biden campaign has tried to stem the tide by getting out in front of the issue , with the Democratic nominee delivering a speech on the violence in Pittsburgh on Monday .
“ I want to make it absolutely clear , so I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all of this , rioting is not protesting , ” he said .
“ Looting is not protesting .
Setting fires is not protesting .
None of this is protesting .
It ’ s lawlessness , plain and simple .
And those who do it should be prosecuted.
” Trump has argued that the violence is most pronounced in cities governed by Democrats , with liberal mayors and governors resisting his offers of federal intervention to quell the rioting .
Buttressed by multiple other Republican convention speakers , Trump has portrayed Biden as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
”

Public polling shows voters growing concerned about the violent demonstrations in many cities and beginning to take a less favorable view of the protests themselves, but protests and the violence have yet to alter the trajectory of the presidential race.
The latest poll to show a drop in support for Black Lives Matter is Politico/Morning Consult, showing a 9-point decline in favorability from 61% in June to 52% this month. This follows a Marquette University Law School poll that saw a decrease in favorability for the social cause from 61% to 48% over the same time period, with the same percentage of respondents viewing it unfavorably. Civiqs found a more modest fall of 4 points since June.
“What is clear is that opposition to BLM has more than doubled in its increase compared to the decrease in support,” reported veteran Republican pollster Chris Wilson. “This increase in opposition is directly linked to the riots.”
President Trump hasn’t reaped an electoral windfall from this turn in public opinion yet, though some Democrats blame him for turning Republicans against Black Lives Matter. The Politico/Morning Consult poll shows Democratic challenger Joe Biden beating Trump on public safety by 47% to 39%. The former vice president is also favored on race relations by a 19-point margin. Biden remains ahead by 7.2 points in the RealClearPolitics national polling average.
But Trump sees the opportunity, hammering the Democrats on “law and order” and warning that Biden’s election will cause more of the country to resemble Portland. Biden also clearly senses the danger, following Trump to Kenosha and stepping up condemnations of looting and rioting after a Democratic convention that largely focused on peaceful protests. The former vice president is trying to make the case that Trump and various right-wing extremists are fanning the flames.
“I don’t think we’re guaranteed to put points on the board here,” said a Republican strategist. “But I do think the president’s campaign is right to try to make this a major issue.”
A Heritage Action Battleground survey asked voters in the swing states of Arizona, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin which sentiment they agreed with more: “These protests are a result of years of injustice and inequality suffered by Americans who are minorities as a result of systemic racism in our police departments and government in general”; or “These protests have stopped being about racial injustice and have become violent riots by people who hate America and want to tear down our government and radically change American culture.”
In the four must-win states, 49% chose the second, “violent riots” option, and 42% opted for the first, “racial justice" response. The winning position was closer to the argument Trump is making on the campaign trail.
“The violence we’ve seen since early summer is absolutely tipping the electoral scales toward Republican candidates,” Wilson concluded. “Democrats and their friends in the MSM fail to speak out on these riots — or worse, call them ‘peaceful protests’; see: Cillizza, Chris — at their own peril.”
Following the death of George Floyd in police custody in May, the country was united across party lines in wanting to see changes to prevent other black men from dying in encounters with law enforcement. Trump’s poll numbers initially fell as he was not seen as rising to the moment. Now, multiple otherwise sympathetic observers have worried the protests have gone too far.
“The rioting has to stop,” CNN commentator Don Lemon said in a broadcast last month. “It’s showing up in the polling. It’s showing up in focus groups. It is the only thing right now that is sticking.”
“There’s no doubt it’s playing into Trump’s hands,” warned Democratic Madison Mayor Paul Soglin two days later. "There’s a significant number of undecided voters who are not ideological, and they can move very easily from Republican to the Democratic column and back again.”
The Biden campaign has tried to stem the tide by getting out in front of the issue, with the Democratic nominee delivering a speech on the violence in Pittsburgh on Monday. “I want to make it absolutely clear, so I’m going to be very clear about all of this, rioting is not protesting,” he said. “Looting is not protesting. Setting fires is not protesting. None of this is protesting. It’s lawlessness, plain and simple. And those who do it should be prosecuted.”
Trump has argued that the violence is most pronounced in cities governed by Democrats, with liberal mayors and governors resisting his offers of federal intervention to quell the rioting. Buttressed by multiple other Republican convention speakers, Trump has portrayed Biden as a captive of “the left-wing mob.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-04--Trump will win by 'giving them hell'

Trump will win by 'giving them hell'

Donald Trump is n't the first incumbent president to run for reelection facing a deficit in the late summer polls .
At this stage of the election cycle in 1948 , as he sank in the polls , no one thought Democrat Harry S. Truman had a prayer of winning .
Newsweek magazine likened the Truman campaign in the month before the election to a `` ship beating itself to pieces against a rocky shore . ''
Then , as now , Truman faced a revolt inside the Democratic Party as Franklin D. Roosevelt 's former vice president , Henry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Party that would surely drain votes from the Democrats .
The `` Never Trumans '' were not much different from the GOP 's Never Trumpers , a group of neocons that Trumpism thrust into irrelevancy .
Southern Democrats rallied around Dixiecrat and South Carolina Gov .
Strom Thurmond .
So , how did Truman pull off the `` Miracle of '48 '' ?
In the last three months of the campaign , he adopted an ingenious strategy of running against the `` do-nothing Republican Congress . ''
He fled Washington by train on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the heartland .
He pitted the social and financial concerns of blue-collar workers , farmers , and faith-based voters against the moneyed interests and deep-pocketed lobbyists on the East Coast .
Of course , this led to the populist `` Give 'em hell , Harry '' rallying cry of Middle America .
He warned voters that if they `` stayed at home '' on Election Day , they would only `` keep these reactionaries in power '' and that `` you will deserve every blow you get . ''
That brings us to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Truman .
There is no economic or political gain from swimming in the swamp and negotiating a larded-up `` fiscal stimulus '' bill with the Democrats focused on special-interest spending .
He should campaign against the $ 3 trillion Pelosi monstrosity of a `` stimulus '' bill containing goody bags paid by taxpayers to every imaginable liberal special-interest group .
That bill stimulates nothing but Nancy Pelosi 's contributor list , from teachers unions to green lobbyists , trial lawyers , and government workers .
The public is disgusted by the opportunism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a public health crisis to fund union pension funds , the national symphony orchestra , and environmental justice grants , whatever those are .
Trump is the prototypical modern-day Truman against a lifetime politician and his running mate , another lifetime politician , neither of whom have any business or job-creating experience .
Putting America First with good-paying jobs is what the public wants .
Trump could barnstorm around the country , denouncing Democratic tax hikes and their obsession with climate change issues that would require strangling our energy industry .
It would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Still , it would hobble America 's Midwestern industrial base and put millions of miners , drillers , truckers , construction workers , and other hard hats in unemployment lines .
The Democrats have been apologists , even cheerleaders , for the rioters , gangs , looters , and anarchists who have burned down inner-city neighborhoods , harming the very minorities they say they want to help .
Kamala Harris even referred to the marchers and statue terrorists who have trashed our great heroes from George Washington to Thomas Jefferson to Booker T. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Trump could win the election as the candidate of `` public safety '' alone .
The most populist issue is to open the economy safely and effectively to reduce unemployment and get families a paycheck .
Democrats have defined themselves as the lockdown party even in Midwestern and mountain states with few health risks .
Biden has even said he might support another nationwide shutdown of schools , churches , stores , small businesses , and factories .
Somehow , they say by flattening the economy to rubble , they will help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , `` I did n't give them hell .
I just told the truth , and they thought it was hell . ''
Trump 's particular challenge is that unlike Truman , he is n't just up against a corrupt East Coast elite core of deep staters , deep-pocketed lobbyists , and wealthy social snobs who view Middle America as flyover country .
He also must combat the bleed-blue media .
Given how unpopular the media is today , he can even turn their bias and blinding hatred at places such as CNN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again running against the fake news industrial complex .
All of this is to say that voters need to be reminded daily that the Left does n't just disdain Trump but also the values and pro-America principles of Trump voters , too .
Time to rile up the `` deplorables '' again , circa 1948 and 2016 .

Donald Trump isn't the first incumbent president to run for reelection facing a deficit in the late summer polls. At this stage of the election cycle in 1948, as he sank in the polls, no one thought Democrat Harry S. Truman had a prayer of winning.
Newsweek magazine likened the Truman campaign in the month before the election to a "ship beating itself to pieces against a rocky shore."
Then, as now, Truman faced a revolt inside the Democratic Party as Franklin D. Roosevelt's former vice president, Henry Wallace, bolted and organized the Progressive Party that would surely drain votes from the Democrats. The "Never Trumans" were not much different from the GOP's Never Trumpers, a group of neocons that Trumpism thrust into irrelevancy. Southern Democrats rallied around Dixiecrat and South Carolina Gov. Strom Thurmond.
So, how did Truman pull off the "Miracle of '48"?
In the last three months of the campaign, he adopted an ingenious strategy of running against the "do-nothing Republican Congress." He fled Washington by train on his "whistle blow" tour through the heartland. He pitted the social and financial concerns of blue-collar workers, farmers, and faith-based voters against the moneyed interests and deep-pocketed lobbyists on the East Coast. Of course, this led to the populist "Give 'em hell, Harry" rallying cry of Middle America.
He warned voters that if they "stayed at home" on Election Day, they would only "keep these reactionaries in power" and that "you will deserve every blow you get."
That brings us to Trump. He should borrow this strategy from Truman. There is no economic or political gain from swimming in the swamp and negotiating a larded-up "fiscal stimulus" bill with the Democrats focused on special-interest spending.
He should campaign against the $3 trillion Pelosi monstrosity of a "stimulus" bill containing goody bags paid by taxpayers to every imaginable liberal special-interest group. That bill stimulates nothing but Nancy Pelosi's contributor list, from teachers unions to green lobbyists, trial lawyers, and government workers. The public is disgusted by the opportunism of Democrats that they would dare use a public health crisis to fund union pension funds, the national symphony orchestra, and environmental justice grants, whatever those are.
Trump is the prototypical modern-day Truman against a lifetime politician and his running mate, another lifetime politician, neither of whom have any business or job-creating experience. Putting America First with good-paying jobs is what the public wants. Trump could barnstorm around the country, denouncing Democratic tax hikes and their obsession with climate change issues that would require strangling our energy industry. It would get cheered in China and Europe. Still, it would hobble America's Midwestern industrial base and put millions of miners, drillers, truckers, construction workers, and other hard hats in unemployment lines.
The Democrats have been apologists, even cheerleaders, for the rioters, gangs, looters, and anarchists who have burned down inner-city neighborhoods, harming the very minorities they say they want to help. Kamala Harris even referred to the marchers and statue terrorists who have trashed our great heroes from George Washington to Thomas Jefferson to Booker T. Washington as "social justice warriors." Trump could win the election as the candidate of "public safety" alone.
The most populist issue is to open the economy safely and effectively to reduce unemployment and get families a paycheck. Democrats have defined themselves as the lockdown party even in Midwestern and mountain states with few health risks. Biden has even said he might support another nationwide shutdown of schools, churches, stores, small businesses, and factories. Somehow, they say by flattening the economy to rubble, they will help rebuild it.
Truman used to say, "I didn't give them hell. I just told the truth, and they thought it was hell." Trump's particular challenge is that unlike Truman, he isn't just up against a corrupt East Coast elite core of deep staters, deep-pocketed lobbyists, and wealthy social snobs who view Middle America as flyover country. He also must combat the bleed-blue media.
Given how unpopular the media is today, he can even turn their bias and blinding hatred at places such as CNN from a liability into an asset by again running against the fake news industrial complex. All of this is to say that voters need to be reminded daily that the Left doesn't just disdain Trump but also the values and pro-America principles of Trump voters, too. Time to rile up the "deplorables" again, circa 1948 and 2016.


Poll-arization

People learned in 2016 that the polls aren ’ t always accurate — in part because many aren ’ t honest with pollsters .
The same trend is playing out ahead of the 2020 presidential election .
A recent study found that Republican and independent voters are twice as likely as Democrats to conceal their true political opinions from pollsters .
Nearly 11.7 % of Republicans and 10.5 % of independents said they wouldn ’ t reveal their preferred presidential candidate , while 5.4 % of Democrats said they ’ d be reluctant to share who they plan to vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the survey found that 10.1 % of Trump supporters were “ likely to be untruthful on phone surveys ” when asked about who they would support .
Only 5.1 % of Biden supporters said the same .
When asked why they would rather keep their political preferences a secret or outright lie about them , some respondents cited a distrust of pollsters and a fear that their answers would not be kept confidential .
“ I don ’ t believe the information would be confidential , and I think it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the current liberal viewpoint , ” one respondent said , according to CloudResearch .
Another said , “ Because most polls released to the public are slanted and aren ’ t scientifically based .
So , they are messing with the results of the survey from the beginning by knocking down one party or the other .
I ’ m just trying to right the ship.
” And yet another put it this way : “ Well , I probably wouldn ’ t give my opinion period , but if pushed , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fear of reprisal if someone found out.
” The last response sums up a fear that much of the public shares : the fear of cancel culture .
Republicans and independents are hesitant to admit their support of Trump openly because there could be real and lasting consequences for doing so .
They could lose friendships and/or opportunities and end up feeling ostracized .
They could face accusations of racism , and their morals could be called into question .
This doesn ’ t always happen , but it ’ s happened enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have become a legitimate concern .
As a result , many people try to keep politics out of their personal lives .
Can you blame them ?

People learned in 2016 that the polls aren’t always accurate — in part because many aren’t honest with pollsters.
The same trend is playing out ahead of the 2020 presidential election. A recent study found that Republican and independent voters are twice as likely as Democrats to conceal their true political opinions from pollsters. Nearly 11.7% of Republicans and 10.5% of independents said they wouldn’t reveal their preferred presidential candidate, while 5.4% of Democrats said they’d be reluctant to share who they plan to vote for, according to CloudResearch.
Additionally, the survey found that 10.1% of Trump supporters were “likely to be untruthful on phone surveys” when asked about who they would support. Only 5.1% of Biden supporters said the same.
When asked why they would rather keep their political preferences a secret or outright lie about them, some respondents cited a distrust of pollsters and a fear that their answers would not be kept confidential.
“I don’t believe the information would be confidential, and I think it’s dangerous to express an opinion outside of the current liberal viewpoint,” one respondent said, according to CloudResearch.
Another said, “Because most polls released to the public are slanted and aren’t scientifically based. So, they are messing with the results of the survey from the beginning by knocking down one party or the other. I’m just trying to right the ship.”
And yet another put it this way: “Well, I probably wouldn’t give my opinion period, but if pushed, I would not give my real opinion for fear of reprisal if someone found out.”
The last response sums up a fear that much of the public shares: the fear of cancel culture. Republicans and independents are hesitant to admit their support of Trump openly because there could be real and lasting consequences for doing so. They could lose friendships and/or opportunities and end up feeling ostracized. They could face accusations of racism, and their morals could be called into question.
This doesn’t always happen, but it’s happened enough that the reactions of friends and family have become a legitimate concern. As a result, many people try to keep politics out of their personal lives. Can you blame them?


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-04--Trump doesn't get convention bounce; Biden visits Kenosha, Wisconsin

The Trump campaign was buoyed by initial polling showing a modest convention bounce after the president and Vice President Mike Pence accepted renomination , especially heartened by signs that the race may be tightening in Pennsylvania .
But as the Republican National Convention faded into the rearview mirror , national surveys by Quinnipiac University and USA Today/Suffolk University continued to show solid leads for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden .
Still , Trump 's supporters believe that Republicans put their best foot forward at the convention , which featured former U.S .
Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first lady Melania Trump , and a variety of GOP heavy hitters .
They have also settled on a message : Trump gets things done even if the process sometimes looks messy , and Biden will unleash the radical Left on the country .
It ’ s an argument they ’ re particularly trying to hone as racial justice demonstrations turn violent in cities such as Portland , Oregon , and Kenosha , Wisconsin , forcing the Biden campaign to spend time and political capital distancing itself from the rioting .
“ When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record , they will talk about things like a booming economy , standing up to China and other countries that try to take advantage of the United States , reducing the flow of illegal immigration while creating conditions that disincentivize those who would consider coming here illegally , and putting the interests of America before global harmony , ” said Dennis Darnoi , a Republican strategist in Michigan .
“ If you talk to someone who does not support Trump , they will take the same issues listed above and come to far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using his official position for personal , self-serving reasons .
They see someone who fans the flames of racism and xenophobia as a means to political preservation and as reflective of a personal belief.
” It 's a battle over a shrinking number of undecided voters .
“ God bless the pollster who can find a voter who is still uncertain on where they stand [ two months ] out from the election , ” Darnoi said .
- by W. James Antle III Biden campaign tries to flip the script Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ riots and violent clashes at protests in an attempt to flip President Trump ’ s argument about safety and destruction back onto him .
But Republicans aren ’ t backing down from their arguments , and Biden ’ s continued focus on Kenosha , Wisconsin , indicates that he doesn ’ t think he put the issue to rest .
Biden long ago condemned looting , arson , and violence that sprung out of “ Black Lives Matter ” protests , but he largely focused on supporting police reform .
He brushed off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrat-controlled cities would spread with Biden in the White House .
Riots that erupted in Kenosha following the police shooting of Jacob Blake , amplified by Republicans at their televised convention , made Democrats nervous that Trump ’ s message would catch on .
In one of his firmest speeches yet , Biden , speaking from Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania , on Monday , painted Republicans as ridiculous .
“ Do I look like a radical socialist with a soft spot for rioters ?
Really ?
” he said .
And he argued that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prompted 17-year-old vigilante Kyle Rittenhouse to take up arms late at night on the streets of Kenosha last week , where police say he shot two people dead .
“ Does anyone believe there 'd be less violence in America if Donald Trump is reelected ?
” Biden asked .
Subsequent Biden campaign moves indicate that public safety issues will stay at the forefront of the election .
Democrats and Republicans released dueling ads showing fiery destruction , each accusing the other side of creating an environment where violence thrives : “ This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republicans pushing voters to “ extinguish the fire ” that Democrats started .
After days of speculation about whether Biden should visit Kenosha and his declining to do so earlier in the week , he traveled there on Thursday , hoping to contrast Trump ’ s Tuesday visit and tour of the destruction there .
Biden met with Blake ’ s family and recalled his mother saying that she was praying not only for her son but `` praying for the policemen , as well . ''
- by Emily Larsen Rep. David @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forgiving his suburban Phoenix constituents are over an admission he misused campaign funds .
The House on July 31 reprimanded the Arizona Republican after an investigation found a series of campaign finance irregularities .
Schweikert , first elected to the House in 2010 , admitted to 11 rules violations and agreed to pay a $ 50,000 fine .
Now , Schweikert , 58 , is two months off from facing voters in Arizona 's 6th District , which includes most of northern Phoenix , as well as Scottsdale , Paradise Valley , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ swaths of voters who have voted Republican for decades , some going back to the Barry Goldwater days .
The Cook Political Report gives it a plus-9 Republican lean , and President Trump beat Hillary Clinton there in 2016 , 52 % to 42 % .
But like much of Arizona , demographics are shifting , reflected in the attention Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden 's campaign is giving the Grand Canyon State .
And many local Republicans have voiced concerns about Trump 's temperament and behavior .
All of which , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have created an opening for his Democratic opponent , physician Hiral Tipirneni .
The campaign arm for House Democrats claimed in early August that Tipirneni was only 3 points behind the incumbent .
And , not surprisingly , she 's hitting Schweikert hard over his campaign finance foibles .
But Tiperneni does n't exactly have a stellar political track record .
In 2018 , Tipirneni ran twice for the 8th District House seat , which takes in many of the suburbs north and west of Phoenix , in Maricopa County .
She lost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in a special election for a vacancy and the general election .
- by David Mark Senate : In Iowa , Republican Joni Ernst and Democrat Theresa Greenfield have plenty of money to spend Swing state Iowa has returned with a vengeance after voting in a landslide for President Trump four years ago , with Republican Sen. Joni Ernst finding herself in a toss-up battle for reelection against Democratic challenger Theresa Greenfield .
Greenfield , who ran for Congress in 2018 , entered the summer with $ 5.7 million to spend against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same period with an impressive $ 9.1 million in cash on hand .
But with so much money pouring into the Iowa Senate race from third-party groups aligned with Greenfield and Ernst , both candidates should have the resources they need to be competitive by the time voters begin mailing in absentee ballots next month .
Just before Labor Day , Ernst was forced to backtrack after speculating that the U.S. coronavirus death count is significantly less than the 180,000 figure widely accepted by government and health officials , issuing a statement in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numbers .
Meanwhile , Greenfield has avoided taking questions from the press and shunned offers to debate Ernst , while at times looking wholly unprepared to discuss major issues she might have to address as a senator .
Ernst and Greenfield are tracking with the top of the ticket , where Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden are in a pick ‘ em race for Iowa ’ s six Electoral College votes .
- by David M. Drucker

Trump campaign works without a bounce
The Trump campaign was buoyed by initial polling showing a modest convention bounce after the president and Vice President Mike Pence accepted renomination, especially heartened by signs that the race may be tightening in Pennsylvania. But as the Republican National Convention faded into the rearview mirror, national surveys by Quinnipiac University and USA Today/Suffolk University continued to show solid leads for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.
Still, Trump's supporters believe that Republicans put their best foot forward at the convention, which featured former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, first lady Melania Trump, and a variety of GOP heavy hitters. They have also settled on a message: Trump gets things done even if the process sometimes looks messy, and Biden will unleash the radical Left on the country. It’s an argument they’re particularly trying to hone as racial justice demonstrations turn violent in cities such as Portland, Oregon, and Kenosha, Wisconsin, forcing the Biden campaign to spend time and political capital distancing itself from the rioting.
“When you talk to Trump supporters about his record, they will talk about things like a booming economy, standing up to China and other countries that try to take advantage of the United States, reducing the flow of illegal immigration while creating conditions that disincentivize those who would consider coming here illegally, and putting the interests of America before global harmony,” said Dennis Darnoi, a Republican strategist in Michigan. “If you talk to someone who does not support Trump, they will take the same issues listed above and come to far different conclusions. They see Trump as using his official position for personal, self-serving reasons. They see someone who fans the flames of racism and xenophobia as a means to political preservation and as reflective of a personal belief.”
It's a battle over a shrinking number of undecided voters. “God bless the pollster who can find a voter who is still uncertain on where they stand [two months] out from the election,” Darnoi said. - by W. James Antle III
Biden campaign tries to flip the script
Joe Biden mounted a major shift in tone on riots and violent clashes at protests in an attempt to flip President Trump’s argument about safety and destruction back onto him.
But Republicans aren’t backing down from their arguments, and Biden’s continued focus on Kenosha, Wisconsin, indicates that he doesn’t think he put the issue to rest.
Biden long ago condemned looting, arson, and violence that sprung out of “Black Lives Matter” protests, but he largely focused on supporting police reform. He brushed off Trump’s argument that unrest in Democrat-controlled cities would spread with Biden in the White House.
Riots that erupted in Kenosha following the police shooting of Jacob Blake, amplified by Republicans at their televised convention, made Democrats nervous that Trump’s message would catch on.
In one of his firmest speeches yet, Biden, speaking from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Monday, painted Republicans as ridiculous. “Do I look like a radical socialist with a soft spot for rioters? Really?” he said. And he argued that it is Trump’s rhetoric that prompted 17-year-old vigilante Kyle Rittenhouse to take up arms late at night on the streets of Kenosha last week, where police say he shot two people dead.
“Does anyone believe there'd be less violence in America if Donald Trump is reelected?” Biden asked.
Subsequent Biden campaign moves indicate that public safety issues will stay at the forefront of the election.
Democrats and Republicans released dueling ads showing fiery destruction, each accusing the other side of creating an environment where violence thrives: “This is Trump’s America” versus Republicans pushing voters to “extinguish the fire” that Democrats started.
After days of speculation about whether Biden should visit Kenosha and his declining to do so earlier in the week, he traveled there on Thursday, hoping to contrast Trump’s Tuesday visit and tour of the destruction there. Biden met with Blake’s family and recalled his mother saying that she was praying not only for her son but "praying for the policemen, as well." - by Emily Larsen
House of Representatives: Will voters overlook David Schweikert's ethical issues?
Rep. David Schweikert is about to find out how forgiving his suburban Phoenix constituents are over an admission he misused campaign funds.
The House on July 31 reprimanded the Arizona Republican after an investigation found a series of campaign finance irregularities. Schweikert, first elected to the House in 2010, admitted to 11 rules violations and agreed to pay a $50,000 fine.
Now, Schweikert, 58, is two months off from facing voters in Arizona's 6th District, which includes most of northern Phoenix, as well as Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, and the Cave Creek. The district includes swaths of voters who have voted Republican for decades, some going back to the Barry Goldwater days. The Cook Political Report gives it a plus-9 Republican lean, and President Trump beat Hillary Clinton there in 2016, 52% to 42%.
But like much of Arizona, demographics are shifting, reflected in the attention Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden's campaign is giving the Grand Canyon State. And many local Republicans have voiced concerns about Trump's temperament and behavior. All of which, when combined with Schweikert's ethics troubles, have created an opening for his Democratic opponent, physician Hiral Tipirneni.
The campaign arm for House Democrats claimed in early August that Tipirneni was only 3 points behind the incumbent. And, not surprisingly, she's hitting Schweikert hard over his campaign finance foibles.
But Tiperneni doesn't exactly have a stellar political track record. In 2018, Tipirneni ran twice for the 8th District House seat, which takes in many of the suburbs north and west of Phoenix, in Maricopa County. She lost to now-Rep. Debbie Lesko, a Republican, in a special election for a vacancy and the general election. - by David Mark
Senate: In Iowa, Republican Joni Ernst and Democrat Theresa Greenfield have plenty of money to spend
Swing state Iowa has returned with a vengeance after voting in a landslide for President Trump four years ago, with Republican Sen. Joni Ernst finding herself in a toss-up battle for reelection against Democratic challenger Theresa Greenfield.
Greenfield, who ran for Congress in 2018, entered the summer with $5.7 million to spend against Ernst. The Republican incumbent began the same period with an impressive $9.1 million in cash on hand. But with so much money pouring into the Iowa Senate race from third-party groups aligned with Greenfield and Ernst, both candidates should have the resources they need to be competitive by the time voters begin mailing in absentee ballots next month.
Just before Labor Day, Ernst was forced to backtrack after speculating that the U.S. coronavirus death count is significantly less than the 180,000 figure widely accepted by government and health officials, issuing a statement in which she reaffirmed her agreement with those numbers. Meanwhile, Greenfield has avoided taking questions from the press and shunned offers to debate Ernst, while at times looking wholly unprepared to discuss major issues she might have to address as a senator.
Ernst and Greenfield are tracking with the top of the ticket, where Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden are in a pick ‘em race for Iowa’s six Electoral College votes. - by David M. Drucker


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-04--Little evidence of Trump law-and-order message moving polls in his favor

President Trump 's campaign message on law-and-order does not appear to be pushing him ahead of Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden despite a wide assumption among analysts in Washington that he would have an electoral edge due to the issue .
Fox News polls of battleground states conducted between Saturday and Tuesday found that more voters in Wisconsin and Arizona thought Biden would be a better leader on policing and criminal justice than Trump , leading 47 % -42 % and 47 % -42 % , respectively .
Trump did have a slight edge on the issue in North Carolina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After riots in Kenosha , Wisconsin , that followed the police shooting of Jacob Blake , a flurry of analysis from Democrats warned that Trump could get a boost from his law-and-order message if Biden did not place a bigger focus on the destruction .
His previous condemnations of violence were not enough when the Trump campaign continued to hammer the argument that the rioters are `` Biden supporters '' and that the violence in Democratic-controlled cities would spread to other areas if the Democratic presidential nominee is elected , they worried .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ anti-riot rhetoric could be effective : Marquette Law School polls of Wisconsin voters showed that support for the Black Lives Matter protests were high in June , with 61 % in support and 36 % who disapproved .
By early August , that fell to 48 % approve and 48 % who disapproved .
Internal polling from America First Policies , a nonprofit 501 ( c ) 4 organization that supports Trump 's reelection effort , had another data point that may have given the Trump campaign hope that he could make inroads @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the unrest .
The poll found that among suburban voters ( a group that will be critical to deciding the outcome of the election ) , 45 % blamed Democratic-run cities for civil unrest , compared to 41 % who blamed Republicans for the lack of social services funding .
The poll was conducted the week of the Democratic convention , Aug. 17-20 , and before the riots in Kenosha .
However , just 3 % of likely voters said that “ Upholding Law and Order '' was the most important issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the consequences from them , could very well affect the election results .
A Pew Research Center survey released earlier this August found that violent crime was the fifth most important issue to voters in 2020 , with 59 % saying that it is `` very important , '' just behind the coronavirus outbreak at 62 % .
But there is little evidence that Trump 's connecting the issue to Biden is pushing swing voters in Trump 's favor , and now that Biden has focused move heavily on the destruction and rebuked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign has more trouble making the argument that Biden is ignoring the issue .
One area where Trump does have an edge over Biden ?
Trust in handling the economy .
The Fox polls found that in North Carolina , 51 % of likely voters trusted Trump on the economy to Biden 's 43 % , 45 % to 44 % in Arizona , and tied 45 % -45 % in Wisconsin .

President Trump's campaign message on law-and-order does not appear to be pushing him ahead of Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden despite a wide assumption among analysts in Washington that he would have an electoral edge due to the issue.
Fox News polls of battleground states conducted between Saturday and Tuesday found that more voters in Wisconsin and Arizona thought Biden would be a better leader on policing and criminal justice than Trump, leading 47%-42% and 47%-42%, respectively. Trump did have a slight edge on the issue in North Carolina, 47% to 46%.
After riots in Kenosha, Wisconsin, that followed the police shooting of Jacob Blake, a flurry of analysis from Democrats warned that Trump could get a boost from his law-and-order message if Biden did not place a bigger focus on the destruction. His previous condemnations of violence were not enough when the Trump campaign continued to hammer the argument that the rioters are "Biden supporters" and that the violence in Democratic-controlled cities would spread to other areas if the Democratic presidential nominee is elected, they worried.
One data point they cited that suggested anti-riot rhetoric could be effective: Marquette Law School polls of Wisconsin voters showed that support for the Black Lives Matter protests were high in June, with 61% in support and 36% who disapproved. By early August, that fell to 48% approve and 48% who disapproved.
Internal polling from America First Policies, a nonprofit 501(c)4 organization that supports Trump's reelection effort, had another data point that may have given the Trump campaign hope that he could make inroads hammering his law-and-order message and blaming Democrats for the unrest. The poll found that among suburban voters (a group that will be critical to deciding the outcome of the election), 45% blamed Democratic-run cities for civil unrest, compared to 41% who blamed Republicans for the lack of social services funding. The poll was conducted the week of the Democratic convention, Aug. 17-20, and before the riots in Kenosha.
However, just 3% of likely voters said that “Upholding Law and Order" was the most important issue to them.
The protests, and the consequences from them, could very well affect the election results. A Pew Research Center survey released earlier this August found that violent crime was the fifth most important issue to voters in 2020, with 59% saying that it is "very important," just behind the coronavirus outbreak at 62%.
But there is little evidence that Trump's connecting the issue to Biden is pushing swing voters in Trump's favor, and now that Biden has focused move heavily on the destruction and rebuked Trump's arguments, the president's campaign has more trouble making the argument that Biden is ignoring the issue.
One area where Trump does have an edge over Biden? Trust in handling the economy. The Fox polls found that in North Carolina, 51% of likely voters trusted Trump on the economy to Biden's 43%, 45% to 44% in Arizona, and tied 45%-45% in Wisconsin.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-04--Former GOP attorney general of Indiana, a Pence ally, backs Biden for president

A onetime political ally of Vice President Mike Pence , former Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller , is shunning his old friend as he seeks reelection with President Trump .
Instead , Zoeller is backing the Democratic ticket of presidential nominee Joe Biden and his running mate , Kamala Harris .
Zoeller is among 107 former state attorneys general supporting the former vice president and 36-year Delaware senator listed in a Biden news release on Friday .
Zoeller was Indiana 's attorney general from 2009 to 2017 , with his second term overlapping with Pence 's four years as governor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ term as Indiana governor to run on President Trump 's ticket in 2016 — a good bet , it turned out .
Zoeller was generally seen as a political ally of Pence in Indianapolis .
In December 2016 , in one of his last acts as governor , Pence , then vice president-elect , bestowed the honorary title of Sagamore of the Wabash to Zoeller for his eight years as Indiana ’ s chief legal officer .
Zoeller has strong GOP credentials .
He spent 10 years as an executive assistant to Dan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate office in the 1980s , and then in the Office of the Vice President of the United States .
In 2016 , Zoeller sought the Republican nomination in Indiana 's 9th Congressional District , but he came in third in a race won by now-Rep. Trey Hollingsworth .
Zoeller is n't the only former Republican state attorney general backing Biden and Harris , herself a former California attorney general and now a senator from that state : There 's also Mark Shurtleff , the attorney general of Utah from 2001 to 2013 @

A onetime political ally of Vice President Mike Pence, former Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller, is shunning his old friend as he seeks reelection with President Trump.
Instead, Zoeller is backing the Democratic ticket of presidential nominee Joe Biden and his running mate, Kamala Harris. Zoeller is among 107 former state attorneys general supporting the former vice president and 36-year Delaware senator listed in a Biden news release on Friday.
Zoeller was Indiana's attorney general from 2009 to 2017, with his second term overlapping with Pence's four years as governor. Pence decided to forgo a second term as Indiana governor to run on President Trump's ticket in 2016 — a good bet, it turned out.
Zoeller was generally seen as a political ally of Pence in Indianapolis. In December 2016, in one of his last acts as governor, Pence, then vice president-elect, bestowed the honorary title of Sagamore of the Wabash to Zoeller for his eight years as Indiana’s chief legal officer.
Zoeller has strong GOP credentials. He spent 10 years as an executive assistant to Dan Quayle — first in Quayle's U.S. Senate office in the 1980s, and then in the Office of the Vice President of the United States.
In 2016, Zoeller sought the Republican nomination in Indiana's 9th Congressional District, but he came in third in a race won by now-Rep. Trey Hollingsworth.
Zoeller isn't the only former Republican state attorney general backing Biden and Harris, herself a former California attorney general and now a senator from that state: There's also Mark Shurtleff, the attorney general of Utah from 2001 to 2013.