thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-19--Liberals propose expanding the size of the Supreme Court if they win in November

President Trump has indicated that he will shortly nominate a replacement for Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , prompting some liberals to propose expanding the size of the court in return .
After it was announced on Friday that Ginsburg had died , the political fights began instantaneously .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell released a statement in short order , informing the public that the Senate would hold a vote on the president 's pick , should he decide to nominate one .
Democrats responded in outrage , with many on the Left saying they would support expanding the size @ @ @ @ @ @ @ November .
This is a process known colloquially as `` court packing . ''
Sen. Ed Markey said on Twitter , `` Mitch McConnell set the precedent .
No Supreme Court vacancies filled in an election year .
If he violates it , when Democrats control the Senate in the next Congress , we must abolish the filibuster and expand the Supreme Court . ''
That tweet has received over 42,000 retweets and 170,000 likes .
Mondaire Jones , who is running to represent New York 's 17th Congressional District , tweeted , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Under no circumstance should Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell replace RBG with a partisan right-wing Justice .
But if they do , the next Congress absolutely must expand the Supreme Court . ''
Commentator John W. Dean , in a tweet that 's received over 25,000 likes , wrote , `` @ JoeBiden must announce that if the GOP rushes to pack the Court , the Dems will expand the SCOTUS to 11 justices , and expand the lower federal courts by 70 to 100 new judgeships , which have long been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ depoliticize the federal judiciary ! ''
Zac Petkanas , a former senior adviser to Hillary Clinton , tweeted , `` If McConnell breaks his own rule and packs the Supreme Court for the second time , we must remove those justices and/or expand the court .
It has to be that simple .
Enough . ''
In a leaked letter to his colleagues , McConnell warned Republicans who might be unsure of whether to vote on a nominee or were perhaps leaning toward not doing so to keep their `` powder dry .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to prematurely lock yourselves into a position you may later regret , '' he said .
In 2016 , Republicans refused to vote on whether to confirm Judge Merrick Garland , then-President Barack Obama 's pick to replace Justice Antonin Scalia , to the Supreme Court .
They argued that it was improper to do so in an election year , particularly one where Republicans were in control of the Senate and Democrats in control of the White House .

President Trump has indicated that he will shortly nominate a replacement for Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, prompting some liberals to propose expanding the size of the court in return.
After it was announced on Friday that Ginsburg had died, the political fights began instantaneously.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell released a statement in short order, informing the public that the Senate would hold a vote on the president's pick, should he decide to nominate one.
Democrats responded in outrage, with many on the Left saying they would support expanding the size of the court should they win in November. This is a process known colloquially as "court packing."
Sen. Ed Markey said on Twitter, "Mitch McConnell set the precedent. No Supreme Court vacancies filled in an election year. If he violates it, when Democrats control the Senate in the next Congress, we must abolish the filibuster and expand the Supreme Court."
Mitch McConnell set the precedent. No Supreme Court vacancies filled in an election year. If he violates it, when Democrats control the Senate in the next Congress, we must abolish the filibuster and expand the Supreme Court. — Ed Markey (@EdMarkey) September 19, 2020
That tweet has received over 42,000 retweets and 170,000 likes.
Mondaire Jones, who is running to represent New York's 17th Congressional District, tweeted, "Let’s not mince words. Under no circumstance should Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell replace RBG with a partisan right-wing Justice. But if they do, the next Congress absolutely must expand the Supreme Court."
Let’s not mince words.
Under no circumstance should Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell replace RBG with a partisan right-wing Justice.
But if they do, the next Congress absolutely must expand the Supreme Court.
My latest for @DataProgress: https://t.co/UyLpcIqY29 — Mondaire Jones (@MondaireJones) September 19, 2020
Commentator John W. Dean, in a tweet that's received over 25,000 likes, wrote, "@JoeBiden must announce that if the GOP rushes to pack the Court, the Dems will expand the SCOTUS to 11 justices, and expand the lower federal courts by 70 to 100 new judgeships, which have long been needed. In short, he will depoliticize the federal judiciary!"
.@JoeBiden must announce that if the GOP rushes to pack the Court, the Dems will expand the SCOTUS to 11 justices, and expand the lower federal courts by 70 to 100 new judgeships, which have long been needed. In short, he will depoliticize the federal judiciary! — John W. Dean (@JohnWDean) September 19, 2020
Zac Petkanas, a former senior adviser to Hillary Clinton, tweeted, "If McConnell breaks his own rule and packs the Supreme Court for the second time, we must remove those justices and/or expand the court. It has to be that simple. Enough."
If McConnell breaks his own rule and packs the Supreme Court for the second time, we must remove those justices and/or expand the court.
It has to be that simple.
Enough. — Zac Petkanas (@Zac_Petkanas) September 18, 2020
In a leaked letter to his colleagues, McConnell warned Republicans who might be unsure of whether to vote on a nominee or were perhaps leaning toward not doing so to keep their "powder dry."
"This is not the time to prematurely lock yourselves into a position you may later regret," he said.
In 2016, Republicans refused to vote on whether to confirm Judge Merrick Garland, then-President Barack Obama's pick to replace Justice Antonin Scalia, to the Supreme Court. They argued that it was improper to do so in an election year, particularly one where Republicans were in control of the Senate and Democrats in control of the White House.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-20--Democrats nervous lukewarm Biden reception in Minnesota bodes well for Trump

HERMANTOWN , Minnesota — Democrats are concerned that a groundswell of support for President Trump outside of Minnesota 's Twin Cities may be enough to win him the state over 2020 Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden .
Biden , the former two-term vice president and 36-year Delaware senator , visited carpenter apprentices and other union workers near Duluth on Friday , his first trip to Minnesota in more than 1,000 days , according to the Trump campaign .
Yet , despite his team releasing scant details about his itinerary , even to the local press , Republicans outnumbered Democrats at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , worrying those who are opposed to Trump clinching a second term on Nov. 3 .
The Republican National Committee and the Minnesota GOP organized roughly 300 people to line Miller Trunk Highway for Biden 's stop .
Democrats had less than half that number and told the Washington Examiner they did n't know one another .
Some , though , had traveled more than two hours from Minneapolis to see their party 's standard-bearer .
Tommy Moe , a retired miner from Virginia , Minnesota , predicted that the presidential race in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton defeated Trump by only 1.5 percentage points ( or 45,000 ballots ) .
Moe , 65 , based his prediction on the number of union workers he knew who felt `` an affinity '' for Trump because of the China trade deal and his unorthodox approach to politics .
`` We did n't have a very good turnout , '' he said .
`` If the Democrats do n't get their act together and start getting as fired up as the Republican side is ... we need a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out . ''
Lynn Welshinger , 72 , agreed that the lack of organization Friday , six weeks before Election Day , was foreboding , noting some attendees did n't even have signs when they arrived at the event .
`` But I know Biden wants to keep everybody safe .
That 's why he 's doing this kind of thing and not having big venues , '' the Duluth retiree said .
`` We 're just hoping that Biden will beat him .
Who knows ?
People are n't going to believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they 're going to take to the street with their guns if Trump loses , '' she added .
`` He does n't care if we go into a civil war .
It 's scary . ''
Northern Minnesota has become increasingly conservative , yet much of the Iron Range still backed Clinton in 2016 .
Four years later , Biden is hoping to outperform Clinton in the region so he can put distance between himself and Trump in their contest for the state 's 10 electoral votes .
Eric Ostermeier , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and writes the Smart Politics blog , laid out how Duluth and Hermantown 's St. Louis County was critical to the state ’ s Democratic vote .
“ It is the sixth most populous county , and Trump won only 39.7 % of the vote there in 2016 — his fourth-worst showing among the state ’ s 87 counties , ” Ostermeier told the Washington Examiner .
But St. Louis County only had 70.8 % turnout in 2016 , compared to 81.1 % in Minneapolis ’ s Hennepin County and 75 % in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ So , Biden will be looking to create more enthusiasm in St. Louis County , and this northern region where there are perhaps more votes to be found than some of the metro area counties where turnout was exceedingly high , ” Ostermeier said .
Although the Trump camp vowed to spend more than $ 14 million in Minnesota so the president could become the first Republican to carry the state since Richard Nixon in 1972 , Biden has a mathematical advantage .
Bemidji ’ s Beltrami County , where Trump held @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to less than a quarter of St. Louis County ’ s population .
Trump , who also dropped into Minnesota last month , narrowly claimed the county in 2016 with 50 % of the vote and 64.8 % turnout .
“ In short , part of Trump ’ s strategy is to cobble together enough votes by boosting turnout in a lot of these more rural counties in Greater Minnesota , ” Ostermeier said .
“ This is a bit of a long-shot strategy , however , as Biden likely has greater appeal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least blunt the decline in support Democrats have endured there , if not reverse it in some areas.
” This week , Biden 's campaign debuted two new ads in Minnesota , one focusing on a former Trump voter from Pennsylvania and another on a Texas child with leukemia .
They unveiled endorsements from Iron Range unions , from United Steelworkers to the AFL-CIO , as well .
`` Despite the economic recovery set in motion by the Obama-Biden Administration across the Iron Range , under President Trump , demand for Iron @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement .
`` My Build Back Better plan creates millions of high-paying union jobs manufacturing and building new autos , bridges , water systems , transportation options , and more . ''
Not to be outdone , the Trump team launched a new ad in Minnesota Friday about Biden 's proposal to “ increase refugee intake by 700 % '' and touted endorsements from the Democratic mayors of Hoyt Lakes , McKinley , and Winton .
Nick Trainer , Trump 2020 battleground strategy director , praised his side 's `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in play .
`` Joe Biden , who finally decided to visit the state after over 1,000 days , is leading the charge with promises of a $ 4 trillion tax hike and his own job-killing 'Green New Deal , ' '' he said .
`` Minnesotans are looking for a leader who will protect their jobs , rebuild our economy , and deliver the Great American Comeback — that ’ s President Trump . ''
Biden is pulling away from Trump after a handful of tighter public opinion polls were conducted this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the incumbent by an average of 10.2 points , by RealClearPolitics ’ s count .

HERMANTOWN, Minnesota — Democrats are concerned that a groundswell of support for President Trump outside of Minnesota's Twin Cities may be enough to win him the state over 2020 Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.
Biden, the former two-term vice president and 36-year Delaware senator, visited carpenter apprentices and other union workers near Duluth on Friday, his first trip to Minnesota in more than 1,000 days, according to the Trump campaign.
Yet, despite his team releasing scant details about his itinerary, even to the local press, Republicans outnumbered Democrats at Hermantown's Jerry Alander Carpenter Training Center, worrying those who are opposed to Trump clinching a second term on Nov. 3.
The Republican National Committee and the Minnesota GOP organized roughly 300 people to line Miller Trunk Highway for Biden's stop. Democrats had less than half that number and told the Washington Examiner they didn't know one another. Some, though, had traveled more than two hours from Minneapolis to see their party's standard-bearer.
Tommy Moe, a retired miner from Virginia, Minnesota, predicted that the presidential race in his state would be close again after 2016 Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton defeated Trump by only 1.5 percentage points (or 45,000 ballots). Moe, 65, based his prediction on the number of union workers he knew who felt "an affinity" for Trump because of the China trade deal and his unorthodox approach to politics.
"We didn't have a very good turnout," he said. "If the Democrats don't get their act together and start getting as fired up as the Republican side is ... we need a turnout. Democrats win if they turn out."
Lynn Welshinger, 72, agreed that the lack of organization Friday, six weeks before Election Day, was foreboding, noting some attendees didn't even have signs when they arrived at the event.
"But I know Biden wants to keep everybody safe. That's why he's doing this kind of thing and not having big venues," the Duluth retiree said.
"We're just hoping that Biden will beat him. Who knows? People aren't going to believe it if he does, and then, they're going to take to the street with their guns if Trump loses," she added. "He doesn't care if we go into a civil war. It's scary."
Northern Minnesota has become increasingly conservative, yet much of the Iron Range still backed Clinton in 2016. Four years later, Biden is hoping to outperform Clinton in the region so he can put distance between himself and Trump in their contest for the state's 10 electoral votes.
Eric Ostermeier, who curates the Minnesota Historical Election Archive and writes the Smart Politics blog, laid out how Duluth and Hermantown's St. Louis County was critical to the state’s Democratic vote.
“It is the sixth most populous county, and Trump won only 39.7% of the vote there in 2016 — his fourth-worst showing among the state’s 87 counties,” Ostermeier told the Washington Examiner.
But St. Louis County only had 70.8% turnout in 2016, compared to 81.1% in Minneapolis’s Hennepin County and 75% in St. Paul’s Ramsey County.
“So, Biden will be looking to create more enthusiasm in St. Louis County, and this northern region where there are perhaps more votes to be found than some of the metro area counties where turnout was exceedingly high,” Ostermeier said.
Although the Trump camp vowed to spend more than $14 million in Minnesota so the president could become the first Republican to carry the state since Richard Nixon in 1972, Biden has a mathematical advantage.
Bemidji’s Beltrami County, where Trump held another airport rally Friday, is home to less than a quarter of St. Louis County’s population. Trump, who also dropped into Minnesota last month, narrowly claimed the county in 2016 with 50% of the vote and 64.8% turnout.
“In short, part of Trump’s strategy is to cobble together enough votes by boosting turnout in a lot of these more rural counties in Greater Minnesota,” Ostermeier said. “This is a bit of a long-shot strategy, however, as Biden likely has greater appeal in these regions than Clinton and can at least blunt the decline in support Democrats have endured there, if not reverse it in some areas.”
This week, Biden's campaign debuted two new ads in Minnesota, one focusing on a former Trump voter from Pennsylvania and another on a Texas child with leukemia. They unveiled endorsements from Iron Range unions, from United Steelworkers to the AFL-CIO, as well.
"Despite the economic recovery set in motion by the Obama-Biden Administration across the Iron Range, under President Trump, demand for Iron Range products has suffered," Biden said in a statement. "My Build Back Better plan creates millions of high-paying union jobs manufacturing and building new autos, bridges, water systems, transportation options, and more."
Not to be outdone, the Trump team launched a new ad in Minnesota Friday about Biden's proposal to “increase refugee intake by 700%" and touted endorsements from the Democratic mayors of Hoyt Lakes, McKinley, and Winton.
Nick Trainer, Trump 2020 battleground strategy director, praised his side's "unprecedented ground game" for putting Minnesota in play.
"Joe Biden, who finally decided to visit the state after over 1,000 days, is leading the charge with promises of a $4 trillion tax hike and his own job-killing 'Green New Deal,'" he said. "Minnesotans are looking for a leader who will protect their jobs, rebuild our economy, and deliver the Great American Comeback — that’s President Trump."
Biden is pulling away from Trump after a handful of tighter public opinion polls were conducted this summer. The challenger is ahead of the incumbent by an average of 10.2 points, by RealClearPolitics’s count.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-21--Would institutionalist Biden cave to court-packing calls?

Democrats are threatening to expand the Supreme Court if President Trump ’ s nominee is confirmed , but whether the threats have any legs comes down to the position of Washington institutionalist Joe Biden .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ’ s intention to proceed with filling the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg ’ s seat , despite early voting for the Nov. 3 election being underway , has prompted calls from those in the left wing for a no-holds-barred retaliation in the event that he succeeds in confirming a Trump nominee .
Assuming Democrats win control of both the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to increase the number of justices on the Supreme Court up from nine and fill the new seats with Democrats ’ choice of liberal-leaning justices — swaying the jurisprudence of the court for years .
Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey on Democrats to do just that in a tweet on Saturday following Ginsburg ’ s death , as did House Judiciary Committee Chairman of New York and former Attorney General .
Biden , though , could stand in the way of that plan .
If Democrats do win the Senate , they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ majority needed in both the House and the Senate to add judicial seats without approval from the president .
The 36-year Delaware senator and former chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee has expressed firm opposition to expanding the court — sometimes called court-packing .
The number of justices has not since 1869 , with the last serious attempt of expansion coming from President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1930s .
“ No , I ’ m not prepared to go on and try to pack the court because we ’ ll live to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Line in July 2019 .
He again rejected the idea in an .
“ I would not get into court-packing .
We had three justices .
Next time around , we lose control , they add three justices .
We begin to lose any credibility the court has at all.
” But that was nearly a year ago , and the political will of Democrats is changing .
Even before Ginsburg ’ s death , a number of Democrats expressed openness to expanding the number of justices on the Supreme Court in response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nominee Judge Merrick Garland in 2016 following the death of Justice Antonin Scalia .
McConnell argued then that voters should have a say in choosing the next justice .
“ Biden blows with the political winds and always has his whole career , ” University of Chicago law professor Brian Leiter told the Washington Examiner .
“ Right now , Democratic anger about Republican court-packing — first by stealing a seat from the Democrats ( Garland ) , and now , turning around and stealing another one that should go to the Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wins ) — is going through the roof.
” Last year , a number of Democratic , including Sens .
Cory Booker of New Jersey , Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota , and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York , expressed openness to expanding the court or otherwise reforming it .
Former South Bend , Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg in February 2019 called the idea of expanding the number of justices “ no more a shattering of norms than what ’ s already been done to get the judiciary to where it is today.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the threat of expanding the court , refusing to rule out any major structural changes .
“ Nothing is off the table , ” Senate Minority Leader with Democrats on Saturday .
“ We have our options .
We have arrows in our quiver that I ’ m not about to discuss right now , ” House Speaker said Sunday on ABC ’ s This Week .
Biden has already adjusted his position on another major institutional tool : the Senate filibuster , which prevents the chamber from passing legislation without support from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Despite telling the New York Times editorial board in January that he ending the filibuster , in July , he expressed openness to getting rid of it , paving the way for sweeping legislation to reach his desk even with just a narrow majority of support .
The Biden campaign did not respond to a request for comment on whether he still opposes expanding the number of justices on the Supreme Court , but the Washington Post that those on his team are annoyed with Democrats such as Markey calling for court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party shouldn ’ t cause you problems 44 days out , ” one anonymous adviser told the Washington Post .
The question of Biden ’ s position is an urgent one for centrist Republicans in tough reelection races this year weighing whether to support a Trump nominee .
The risk of confirming a Trump nominee , court-packing backlash that could halt conservative power for years , is less potent if Biden will not allow it .
Leiter , the University of Chicago law professor , noted that court expansion is not the only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court .
“ If the Democrats don ’ t add seats to the court , then I expect they will strip it of jurisdiction , as one of my colleagues and a professor at Yale have proposed , ” he said , citing an from this summer .
“ It ’ s worth keeping in mind , too , that the Constitution does not grant to the Supreme Court the right to say what the Constitution means .
The Supreme Court has long claimed that authority , and since the late 1950s , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that .
But that could change if the Republican court-packing succeeds and the Democrats control the other branches .
”

Democrats are threatening to expand the Supreme Court if President Trump’s nominee is confirmed, but whether the threats have any legs comes down to the position of Washington institutionalist Joe Biden.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s intention to proceed with filling the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s seat, despite early voting for the Nov. 3 election being underway, has prompted calls from those in the left wing for a no-holds-barred retaliation in the event that he succeeds in confirming a Trump nominee. Assuming Democrats win control of both the Senate and the White House, they want to increase the number of justices on the Supreme Court up from nine and fill the new seats with Democrats’ choice of liberal-leaning justices — swaying the jurisprudence of the court for years.
Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey called on Democrats to do just that in a tweet on Saturday following Ginsburg’s death, as did House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler of New York and former Attorney General Eric Holder .
Biden, though, could stand in the way of that plan. If Democrats do win the Senate, they are likely to be far below the two-thirds majority needed in both the House and the Senate to add judicial seats without approval from the president.
The 36-year Delaware senator and former chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee has expressed firm opposition to expanding the court — sometimes called court-packing. The number of justices has not changed since 1869, with the last serious attempt of expansion coming from President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1930s.
“No, I’m not prepared to go on and try to pack the court because we’ll live to rue that day,” Biden told Iowa Starting Line in July 2019. He again rejected the idea in an October 2019 debate . “I would not get into court-packing. We had three justices. Next time around, we lose control, they add three justices. We begin to lose any credibility the court has at all.”
But that was nearly a year ago, and the political will of Democrats is changing.
Even before Ginsburg’s death, a number of Democrats expressed openness to expanding the number of justices on the Supreme Court in response to McConnell blocking the nomination of Obama nominee Judge Merrick Garland in 2016 following the death of Justice Antonin Scalia. McConnell argued then that voters should have a say in choosing the next justice.
“Biden blows with the political winds and always has his whole career,” University of Chicago law professor Brian Leiter told the Washington Examiner. “Right now, Democratic anger about Republican court-packing — first by stealing a seat from the Democrats (Garland), and now, turning around and stealing another one that should go to the Democrats given the Garland precedent (assuming Biden wins) — is going through the roof.”
Last year, a number of Democratic presidential candidates , including Sens. Cory Booker of New Jersey, Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, expressed openness to expanding the court or otherwise reforming it. Former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg in February 2019 called the idea of expanding the number of justices “no more a shattering of norms than what’s already been done to get the judiciary to where it is today.”
And Democratic congressional leadership is leaving open the threat of expanding the court, refusing to rule out any major structural changes.
“Nothing is off the table,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a conference call with Democrats on Saturday.
“We have our options. We have arrows in our quiver that I’m not about to discuss right now,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Sunday on ABC’s This Week.
Biden has already adjusted his position on another major institutional tool: the Senate filibuster, which prevents the chamber from passing legislation without support from at least 60 of the 100 members. Despite telling the New York Times editorial board in January that he opposed ending the filibuster, in July, he expressed openness to getting rid of it , paving the way for sweeping legislation to reach his desk even with just a narrow majority of support.
The Biden campaign did not respond to a request for comment on whether he still opposes expanding the number of justices on the Supreme Court, but the Washington Post reported that those on his team are annoyed with Democrats such as Markey calling for court expansion.
“People in your own party shouldn’t cause you problems 44 days out,” one anonymous adviser told the Washington Post.
The question of Biden’s position is an urgent one for centrist Republicans in tough reelection races this year weighing whether to support a Trump nominee. The risk of confirming a Trump nominee, court-packing backlash that could halt conservative power for years, is less potent if Biden will not allow it.
Leiter, the University of Chicago law professor, noted that court expansion is not the only way that Democratic politicians could reshape the court.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-21--Judicial Crisis Network launches $2.2M ad buy backing Trump Supreme Court pick

A prominent conservative judicial group launched a $ 2.2 million ad buy to back President Trump 's soon-to-be-announced Supreme Court nominee to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg .
The Judicial Crisis Network , run by Carrie Severino , will begin its ad blitz with a video titled `` Follow Precedent , '' which highlights the swift confirmation process of several Supreme Court Justices , including Ginsburg , in summer 1993 .
The ad will appear on TV and digital airing nationally on cable and in key states , including Colorado , Iowa , Maine , North Carolina , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Trump will soon pick a strong nominee , and the Senate should act quickly to confirm her , '' the network said in a statement .
`` There is no reason Judge Amy Coney Barrett or Judge Barbara Lagoa could not be confirmed before the election . ''
Trump said he would announce a nominee later this week after the memorial arrangements for Ginsburg have passed .
Among the front-runners of Trump 's potential picks are Amy Coney Barrett , a federal appellate court judge , and Barbara Lagoa , a judge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Eleventh Circuit based in Georgia .
Barrett was also a contender to replace Justice Anthony Kennedy in 2018 , a seat that ultimately was filled by Justice Brett Kavanaugh .
Lagoa , of Florida , was the first Latina to serve on Florida 's high court and could help potentially boost Trump 's reelection chances in the crucial state heading into November .
Severino , a onetime law clerk for Justice Clarence Thomas , told CNBC the network is set to `` match '' and `` surpass '' the ad spending of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said they would invest $ 10 million in ads against filling Ginsburg 's seat until after the election .
“ We are going to have a state of the art campaign , using whatever we need to win this fight , ” Severino said .
The network has been influential in backing Trump 's other two nominees to the court , Kavanaugh and Justice Neil Gorsuch .
The group spent $ 10 million in support of Kavanaugh , who was confirmed by the Senate with a 50-48 vote .
The network spent a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2017 , who was confirmed 54-45 by the Senate .
Senate Democrats say pushing through a Supreme Court nominee weeks before Election Day is an act of rank hypocrisy by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and his Republican colleagues , since then-President Barack Obama 's nominee , Merrick Garland , never received consideration in 2016 , much further out from voting .

A prominent conservative judicial group launched a $2.2 million ad buy to back President Trump's soon-to-be-announced Supreme Court nominee to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
The Judicial Crisis Network, run by Carrie Severino, will begin its ad blitz with a video titled "Follow Precedent," which highlights the swift confirmation process of several Supreme Court Justices, including Ginsburg, in summer 1993.
The ad will appear on TV and digital airing nationally on cable and in key states, including Colorado, Iowa, Maine, North Carolina, Utah, and Washington, D.C.
"President Trump will soon pick a strong nominee, and the Senate should act quickly to confirm her," the network said in a statement. "There is no reason Judge Amy Coney Barrett or Judge Barbara Lagoa could not be confirmed before the election."
Trump said he would announce a nominee later this week after the memorial arrangements for Ginsburg have passed. Among the front-runners of Trump's potential picks are Amy Coney Barrett, a federal appellate court judge, and Barbara Lagoa, a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit based in Georgia.
Barrett was also a contender to replace Justice Anthony Kennedy in 2018, a seat that ultimately was filled by Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
Lagoa, of Florida, was the first Latina to serve on Florida's high court and could help potentially boost Trump's reelection chances in the crucial state heading into November.
Severino, a onetime law clerk for Justice Clarence Thomas, told CNBC the network is set to "match" and "surpass" the ad spending of their progressive rival Demand Justice, who said they would invest $10 million in ads against filling Ginsburg's seat until after the election.
“We are going to have a state of the art campaign, using whatever we need to win this fight,” Severino said.
The network has been influential in backing Trump's other two nominees to the court, Kavanaugh and Justice Neil Gorsuch.
The group spent $10 million in support of Kavanaugh, who was confirmed by the Senate with a 50-48 vote. The network spent a similar amount in support of Gorsuch in 2017, who was confirmed 54-45 by the Senate.
Senate Democrats say pushing through a Supreme Court nominee weeks before Election Day is an act of rank hypocrisy by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and his Republican colleagues, since then-President Barack Obama's nominee, Merrick Garland, never received consideration in 2016, much further out from voting.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-21--Trump campaign leaves immigration hawks wanting more

Four years after “ Build the wall ” was his signature phrase , immigration has taken a back seat to other issues in President Trump ’ s reelection campaign .
The country is attempting to dig its way out of a pandemic and the economic damage left in its wake .
Civil unrest has gripped the streets of major cities following the death of George Floyd in police custody .
Some cities have seen an uptick in violent crime .
“ I think he needs to focus completely on rebuilding the economy , not building the wall , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID struck , illegal immigration is n't the issue top of mind for most voters .
It 's finding a job .
Trump is good at creating a vibrant economy where jobs are plentiful .
Biden ?
Not so much.
” An August Pew Research Center found that 52 % registered voters considered immigration “ very important ” to their vote in November .
That ’ s a higher percentage than said the same about economic inequality , climate change , or abortion .
But it still ranked eighth , tied with racial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ importance to voters .
The economy , healthcare , the coronavirus outbreak , crime , even Supreme Court appointments all came in higher .
Trump and his campaign haven ’ t ignored immigration either , touting his record and assailing the Democrats as lax on border security .
“ Perhaps no issue have our opponents more thoroughly betrayed working families of all backgrounds than on the subject of immigration , ” Trump said at a rally in Mosinee , Wisconsin , on Thursday .
“ Under my administration , we ’ ve achieved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ As President Trump said in his speech last night , he is keeping his promises to secure our borders and end illegal immigration by building a strong border wall , deporting violent gang members , and closing dangerous loopholes like the harmful catch and release policy , ” said campaign spokeswoman Courtney Parella .
“ While Joe Biden and Kamala Harris push their out-of-touch agenda for open borders , sanctuary cities , amnesty to 11 million illegal immigrants , and taxpayer-funded healthcare and work permits to illegal immigrants , President Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protecting the American worker , rebuilding our economy , and delivering the Great American Comeback.
” Still , immigration hawks who support Trump would like to hear more .
“ Immigration has been a big part of the good news labor story ” before the coronavirus kicked in , said Dan Stein , president of the restrictionist Federation for American Immigration Reform , referring to wage growth helped along by tight labor markets .
“ I certainly hope that the president can reflect on what he 's accomplished in this area over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immigration ” only appeared twice in Trump ’ s acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention , delivered from the White House lawn .
“ In perhaps no area did the Washington special interests try harder to stop us than on my policy of pro-American immigration , ” he said .
“ But I refused to back down , and today , America ’ s borders are more secure than ever before.
” With that , Trump began a sustained defense of his record on immigration and border security , including talking about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wall .
But no mention was made of his coronavirus moratorium on most new immigration into the United States as the job market recovers .
And in a campaign where Hillary Clinton is no longer his opponent , cries of “ Lock her up !
” still break out at rallies nearly as often as wall-related chants .
“ The minute he talked about the wall , the place exploded , ” Stein said , recalling the 2016 rallies .
Some immigration-centric Trump supporters , such as conservative columnist Ann Coulter , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made significant inroads with Hispanic voters , polling as high as 41 % nationally among this demographic and actually running ahead of Biden with Florida Latinos in some surveys .
The Trump campaign believes it has opportunities with black and Hispanic men this fall .
Democrats thought Trump ’ s rhetoric about the border and the family separations that occurred at the border during his presidency would permanently alienate a large majority of Hispanics , much like the GOP share of the black vote never recovered from nominating Barry Goldwater in 1964 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Hispanic voters doesn ’ t require sidelining immigration .
“ The real issue is , has he properly highlighted the magnitude of the completely screwball policies coming out of the unity platform ?
” Stein said , referring to the Democratic agenda crafted in conjunction with Bernie Sanders supporters .
“ He has been handed on a silver platter some of the most outrageous proposals from a mainstream presidential campaign .
”

Four years after “Build the wall” was his signature phrase, immigration has taken a back seat to other issues in President Trump’s reelection campaign.
The country is attempting to dig its way out of a pandemic and the economic damage left in its wake. Civil unrest has gripped the streets of major cities following the death of George Floyd in police custody. Some cities have seen an uptick in violent crime.
“I think he needs to focus completely on rebuilding the economy, not building the wall,” said Republican strategist John Feehery. “Since COVID struck, illegal immigration isn't the issue top of mind for most voters. It's finding a job. Trump is good at creating a vibrant economy where jobs are plentiful. Biden? Not so much.”
An August Pew Research Center poll found that 52% registered voters considered immigration “very important” to their vote in November. That’s a higher percentage than said the same about economic inequality, climate change, or abortion. But it still ranked eighth, tied with racial and ethnic inequality, among issues of importance to voters. The economy, healthcare, the coronavirus outbreak, crime, even Supreme Court appointments all came in higher.
Trump and his campaign haven’t ignored immigration either, touting his record and assailing the Democrats as lax on border security. “Perhaps no issue have our opponents more thoroughly betrayed working families of all backgrounds than on the subject of immigration,” Trump said at a rally in Mosinee, Wisconsin, on Thursday. “Under my administration, we’ve achieved the most secure border in American history.”
“As President Trump said in his speech last night, he is keeping his promises to secure our borders and end illegal immigration by building a strong border wall, deporting violent gang members, and closing dangerous loopholes like the harmful catch and release policy,” said campaign spokeswoman Courtney Parella. “While Joe Biden and Kamala Harris push their out-of-touch agenda for open borders, sanctuary cities, amnesty to 11 million illegal immigrants, and taxpayer-funded healthcare and work permits to illegal immigrants, President Trump will continue to encourage legal immigration while protecting the American worker, rebuilding our economy, and delivering the Great American Comeback.”
Still, immigration hawks who support Trump would like to hear more. “Immigration has been a big part of the good news labor story” before the coronavirus kicked in, said Dan Stein, president of the restrictionist Federation for American Immigration Reform, referring to wage growth helped along by tight labor markets. “I certainly hope that the president can reflect on what he's accomplished in this area over the past four years.”
The word “immigration” only appeared twice in Trump’s acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention, delivered from the White House lawn. “In perhaps no area did the Washington special interests try harder to stop us than on my policy of pro-American immigration,” he said. “But I refused to back down, and today, America’s borders are more secure than ever before.”
With that, Trump began a sustained defense of his record on immigration and border security, including talking about the progress his administration has made on the wall. But no mention was made of his coronavirus moratorium on most new immigration into the United States as the job market recovers. And in a campaign where Hillary Clinton is no longer his opponent, cries of “Lock her up!” still break out at rallies nearly as often as wall-related chants.
“The minute he talked about the wall, the place exploded,” Stein said, recalling the 2016 rallies. Some immigration-centric Trump supporters, such as conservative columnist Ann Coulter, have become critics.
Trump has since made significant inroads with Hispanic voters, polling as high as 41% nationally among this demographic and actually running ahead of Biden with Florida Latinos in some surveys. The Trump campaign believes it has opportunities with black and Hispanic men this fall. Democrats thought Trump’s rhetoric about the border and the family separations that occurred at the border during his presidency would permanently alienate a large majority of Hispanics, much like the GOP share of the black vote never recovered from nominating Barry Goldwater in 1964.
But supporters say that outreach to black and Hispanic voters doesn’t require sidelining immigration. “The real issue is, has he properly highlighted the magnitude of the completely screwball policies coming out of the unity platform?” Stein said, referring to the Democratic agenda crafted in conjunction with Bernie Sanders supporters. “He has been handed on a silver platter some of the most outrageous proposals from a mainstream presidential campaign.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-20--Biden explains why he won’t release list of Supreme Court nominees like Trump

Joe Biden said that he would not release a list of potential Supreme Court nominees like President Trump has , arguing the rejection of nomination norms could politicize the court and subject those on the list to unnecessary attacks .
`` We ca n't ignore the cherished system of checks and balances .
That includes this whole business of releasing a list of potential nominees that I would put forward , '' the former vice president and Democratic presidential nominee said in a speech from Philadelphia addressing Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg 's death and Trump 's push to nominate a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
During his 2016 presidential campaign , during which time there was a vacant Supreme Court seat due to Justice Antonin Scalia dying that February , Trump released a list of individuals whom he would pick from for Supreme Court nominations , the first time a candidate or president singled out individuals in that way .
He added to the list earlier this month .
`` It 's no wonder they ask that I release the list only after she passed away .
It is a game for them .
It is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There 's a reason why no other candidate than President Trump has ever done such a thing , '' Biden said .
Contrary to Biden 's claim , Trump 's campaign did criticize him for not releasing a list of potential Supreme Court justices before Ginsburg 's death on Friday .
Biden laid out three reasons why he would not release a list .
`` First , putting a judge 's name on a list like that could influence that person 's decision making as a judge , and that would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perception it would influence , '' Biden said .
`` Second , anyone put on a list like that under these circumstances will be subject to unrelenting political attacks , because any nominee I select would not get a hearing until 2021 at the earliest .
She would endure those attacks for months on errand without being able to defend herself . ''
Biden continued : `` Thirdly and finally , perhaps most importantly , if I win , I 'll make my choice for the Supreme Court not based on a partisan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidents have done , Republican and Democrats , and I have served with them .
Only after consulting Republicans and Democrats in the United States Senate , and seeking their advice and asking for their consent — it says 'advise and consent the Senate . '
'' Biden has pledged to nominate a black woman to the Court .
In June , Biden appeared to indicate that he may release a list of potential picks .
“ We are putting together a list of a group of African American women who are qualified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the court , ” Biden told reporters .
“ I am not going to release that until we go further down the line in vetting them , as well . ''

Joe Biden said that he would not release a list of potential Supreme Court nominees like President Trump has, arguing the rejection of nomination norms could politicize the court and subject those on the list to unnecessary attacks.
"We can't ignore the cherished system of checks and balances. That includes this whole business of releasing a list of potential nominees that I would put forward," the former vice president and Democratic presidential nominee said in a speech from Philadelphia addressing Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death and Trump's push to nominate a replacement Supreme Court justice before the election.
During his 2016 presidential campaign, during which time there was a vacant Supreme Court seat due to Justice Antonin Scalia dying that February, Trump released a list of individuals whom he would pick from for Supreme Court nominations, the first time a candidate or president singled out individuals in that way. He added to the list earlier this month.
"It's no wonder they ask that I release the list only after she passed away. It is a game for them. It is a play to gin up emotions and anger. There's a reason why no other candidate than President Trump has ever done such a thing," Biden said.
Contrary to Biden's claim, Trump's campaign did criticize him for not releasing a list of potential Supreme Court justices before Ginsburg's death on Friday.
Biden laid out three reasons why he would not release a list.
"First, putting a judge's name on a list like that could influence that person's decision making as a judge, and that would be wrong — or at least create the perception it would influence," Biden said. "Second, anyone put on a list like that under these circumstances will be subject to unrelenting political attacks, because any nominee I select would not get a hearing until 2021 at the earliest. She would endure those attacks for months on errand without being able to defend herself."
Biden continued: "Thirdly and finally, perhaps most importantly, if I win, I'll make my choice for the Supreme Court not based on a partisan election campaign, but on what prior presidents have done, Republican and Democrats, and I have served with them. Only after consulting Republicans and Democrats in the United States Senate, and seeking their advice and asking for their consent — it says 'advise and consent the Senate.'"
Biden has pledged to nominate a black woman to the Court.
In June, Biden appeared to indicate that he may release a list of potential picks.
“We are putting together a list of a group of African American women who are qualified and have the experience to be on the court,” Biden told reporters. “I am not going to release that until we go further down the line in vetting them, as well."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-20--'There's so much at stake': Biden reframes general election as Supreme Court fight

2020 Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden dropped his usual pitch for bipartisanship , ripping top Senate Republicans for their perceived hypocrisy regarding Supreme Court appointments in election years .
Biden , the two-term vice president and 36-year Delaware senator , on Sunday hit President Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell over their decision to fill the Supreme Court seat vacated by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg 's death Friday `` without delay '' before the Nov. 3 general election .
`` To jam this nomination through the Senate is just an exercise in raw political power , and I do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will stand for it , '' Biden told reporters Sunday in Philadelphia .
`` If President Trump wants to put forward a name now , the Senate should not act until after the American people select their next president , their next Congress , their next Senate , `` he added .
`` If I win this election , President Trump 's nominee should be withdrawn .
And as the new president , I should be the one who nominates Justice Ginsburg 's successor . ''
Biden slammed Republican machinations after McConnell thwarted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Judge Merrick Garland in 2016 , reframing it as the `` McConnell Rule . ''
At the time , McConnell referenced comments Biden made when he was Senate Judiciary Committee chairman , calling it the `` Biden Rule . ''
`` I appeal to those few Senate Republicans , the handful who really will decide what happens .
Please , follow your conscience .
Do n't vote to confirm anyone nominated under the circumstances President Trump and Senator McConnell have created , '' Biden said Sunday .
He continued , `` Uphold your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the people speak .
Cool the flames that have been engulfing our country .
We ca n't keep rewriting history , scrambling norms , ignoring our cherished system of checks and balances . ''
During his speech , Biden reiterated his desire to elevate a black woman to the country 's highest bench but would n't release possible judicial candidates amid the fall fight .
He revealed Sunday he had spoken to Ginsburg 's daughter and granddaughter Saturday night to express his family 's `` sorrow '' at her death , noting she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Rosh Hashanah and describing her as a `` righteous soul . ''
`` The nation lost a heroine , an icon , and they also lost a mother , a grandmother , and a matriarch , '' Biden said .
Biden 's remarks at Philadelphia 's Constitution Center , which recently hosted former President Barack Obama 's Democratic convention speech , addressed a critical moment in ahead of the general election .
The contest between Biden and Trump has largely been a referendum on the incumbent 's handling of the coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the opportunity to name a third Supreme Court justice could remind previously undecided voters what else is on the line on Nov. 3 .
Biden on Sunday tried to do the same , despite McConnell most likely having the votes to proceed .
`` There 's so much at stake .
The right to healthcare , clean air , clean water , the environment , equal pay for equal work , the rights of voters , immigrants , women , workers .
And right now , our country faces a choice , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the brink , '' he said .

2020 Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden dropped his usual pitch for bipartisanship, ripping top Senate Republicans for their perceived hypocrisy regarding Supreme Court appointments in election years.
Biden, the two-term vice president and 36-year Delaware senator, on Sunday hit President Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell over their decision to fill the Supreme Court seat vacated by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death Friday "without delay" before the Nov. 3 general election.
"To jam this nomination through the Senate is just an exercise in raw political power, and I don't believe the people of this nation will stand for it," Biden told reporters Sunday in Philadelphia.
"If President Trump wants to put forward a name now, the Senate should not act until after the American people select their next president, their next Congress, their next Senate, " he added. "If I win this election, President Trump's nominee should be withdrawn. And as the new president, I should be the one who nominates Justice Ginsburg's successor."
Biden slammed Republican machinations after McConnell thwarted former President Barack Obama's appointment of Judge Merrick Garland in 2016, reframing it as the "McConnell Rule." At the time, McConnell referenced comments Biden made when he was Senate Judiciary Committee chairman, calling it the "Biden Rule."
"I appeal to those few Senate Republicans, the handful who really will decide what happens. Please, follow your conscience. Don't vote to confirm anyone nominated under the circumstances President Trump and Senator McConnell have created," Biden said Sunday.
He continued, "Uphold your constitutional duty, your conscience, let the people speak. Cool the flames that have been engulfing our country. We can't keep rewriting history, scrambling norms, ignoring our cherished system of checks and balances."
During his speech, Biden reiterated his desire to elevate a black woman to the country's highest bench but wouldn't release possible judicial candidates amid the fall fight.
He revealed Sunday he had spoken to Ginsburg's daughter and granddaughter Saturday night to express his family's "sorrow" at her death, noting she passed on the Jewish high holy day of Rosh Hashanah and describing her as a "righteous soul."
"The nation lost a heroine, an icon, and they also lost a mother, a grandmother, and a matriarch," Biden said.
Biden's remarks at Philadelphia's Constitution Center, which recently hosted former President Barack Obama's Democratic convention speech, addressed a critical moment in ahead of the general election.
The contest between Biden and Trump has largely been a referendum on the incumbent's handling of the coronavirus pandemic. But Ginsburg's death handing Trump the opportunity to name a third Supreme Court justice could remind previously undecided voters what else is on the line on Nov. 3.
Biden on Sunday tried to do the same, despite McConnell most likely having the votes to proceed.
"There's so much at stake. The right to healthcare, clean air, clean water, the environment, equal pay for equal work, the rights of voters, immigrants, women, workers. And right now, our country faces a choice, a choice about whether we will come back from the brink," he said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-20--Biden holds 8-point lead over Trump in new poll conducted before Ginsburg's death

Democratic nominee Joe Biden maintains a strong national lead over President Trump , according to a new poll conducted before the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg .
At the end of a tumultuous summer , defined by climbing coronavirus numbers , civil unrest across the country , and calls for racial justice , Biden came out ahead by 8 points among registered voters , leading 51 % to Trump 's 43 % , in the NBC News/Wall Street Journal survey released on Sunday .
The poll also found more than 50 % of voters disapprove of Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have an advantage over Biden on issues related to the economy , while Biden led on the coronavirus pandemic .
“ So far , despite major upheavals in the country , little has changed , ” said Democratic pollster Jeff Horwitt , whose firm conducted the survey with Republican pollster Bill McInturff .
The poll also found 11 % of voters are undecided , a greater number than Biden 's lead over Trump .
Those whose votes are up for grabs have mostly negative views of both Trump and Biden .
Of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Trump is their preference compared to 20 % who prefer Biden .
An additional 27 % said they would prefer neither , and 24 % said they were n't sure .
`` This does not look like a group that Trump can run the table with , which he needs to do in order to change the race , '' Horwitt said .
Approval ratings for both Trump and Biden , overall , also improved .
Forty-five percent of voters approved of Trump 's job performance , which jumped from 42 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Biden 's favorability also increased from 39 % positive to 43 % positive .
The poll was conducted Sept. 13-16 of 1,000 registered voters , before Ginsburg died at the age of 87 on Friday , which opened up a new front in the election fight related to filling the vacancy on the high court .
Of those who participated in the survey , more than half were contacted by cell phone .
The overall margin of error is plus or minus 3.1 percentage points .

Democratic nominee Joe Biden maintains a strong national lead over President Trump, according to a new poll conducted before the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
At the end of a tumultuous summer, defined by climbing coronavirus numbers, civil unrest across the country, and calls for racial justice, Biden came out ahead by 8 points among registered voters, leading 51% to Trump's 43%, in the NBC News/Wall Street Journal survey released on Sunday.
The poll also found more than 50% of voters disapprove of Trump's job performance. The president did have an advantage over Biden on issues related to the economy, while Biden led on the coronavirus pandemic.
“So far, despite major upheavals in the country, little has changed,” said Democratic pollster Jeff Horwitt, whose firm conducted the survey with Republican pollster Bill McInturff.
The poll also found 11% of voters are undecided, a greater number than Biden's lead over Trump.
Those whose votes are up for grabs have mostly negative views of both Trump and Biden. Of the 11% of voters, 27% said Trump is their preference compared to 20% who prefer Biden. An additional 27% said they would prefer neither, and 24% said they weren't sure.
"This does not look like a group that Trump can run the table with, which he needs to do in order to change the race," Horwitt said.
Approval ratings for both Trump and Biden, overall, also improved.
Forty-five percent of voters approved of Trump's job performance, which jumped from 42% in July and 44% in August. Biden's favorability also increased from 39% positive to 43% positive.
The poll was conducted Sept. 13-16 of 1,000 registered voters, before Ginsburg died at the age of 87 on Friday, which opened up a new front in the election fight related to filling the vacancy on the high court. Of those who participated in the survey, more than half were contacted by cell phone. The overall margin of error is plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-22--Biden refuses to answer whether he'd expand Supreme Court despite previously opposing idea

Joe Biden declined to answer whether he supports adding seats to the Supreme Court in the event that Republicans confirm President 's Trump nominee to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , despite opposing the idea in the past .
The Democratic presidential nominee and former vice president was asked about whether he would support the move , pushed by Democrats such as Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler of New York , in an interview with local Green Bay , Wisconsin , station WBAY on Monday .
“ It ’ s a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you why I ’ m not going to answer that question .
Because it will shift all the focus , that ’ s what he wants , '' Biden said , referring to President Trump .
`` He never wants to talk about the issue at hand , and he always tries to change the subject . ''
Biden explained why he dodged the question , despite previously opposing court-packing and court expansion .
`` Let ’ s say I answer that question .
Then the whole debate 's going to be about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say , Biden said he would or wouldn ’ t , '' he said .
`` The discussion should be about why he is moving in a direction that ’ s totally inconsistent with what the founders wanted .
The Constitution says — voters get to pick a president who gets to make the pick , and the Senate gets to decide .
We ’ re in the middle of the election right now .
You know people are voting now .
By the time this Supreme Court hearing would be held , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s estimated 30 % to 40 % of the American people already have voted .
It is a fundamental breach of constitutional principle .
It must stay on that , and it shouldn ’ t happen.
” The 36-year Delaware senator and former chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee last year expressed firm opposition to expanding the court — sometimes called court-packing .
The number of justices has not changed since 1869 , with the last serious attempt of expansion coming from President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1930s .
“ No , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on and try to pack the court because we ’ ll live to rue that day , ” Biden told Iowa Starting Line in July 2019 .
He again rejected the idea in an October 2019 debate .
“ I would not get into court-packing .
We had three justices .
Next time around , we lose control , they add three justices .
We begin to lose any credibility the court has at all.
” But with rising enthusiasm to retaliate against Republicans for their court picks , Biden may face pressure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Biden blows with the political winds and always has his whole career , ” University of Chicago law professor Brian Leiter told the Washington Examiner .
“ Right now , Democratic anger about Republican court-packing — first by stealing a seat from the Democrats ( Garland ) , and now , turning around and stealing another one that should go to the Democrats given the Garland precedent ( assuming Biden wins ) — is going through the roof.
” Last year , a number of Democratic presidential candidates , including Sens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota , and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York , expressed openness to expanding the court or otherwise reforming it .
Former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg in February 2019 called the idea of expanding the number of justices “ no more a shattering of norms than what ’ s already been done to get the judiciary to where it is today .
”

Joe Biden declined to answer whether he supports adding seats to the Supreme Court in the event that Republicans confirm President's Trump nominee to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, despite opposing the idea in the past.
The Democratic presidential nominee and former vice president was asked about whether he would support the move, pushed by Democrats such as Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler of New York, in an interview with local Green Bay, Wisconsin, station WBAY on Monday.
“It’s a legitimate question, but let me tell you why I’m not going to answer that question. Because it will shift all the focus, that’s what he wants," Biden said, referring to President Trump. "He never wants to talk about the issue at hand, and he always tries to change the subject."
Biden explained why he dodged the question, despite previously opposing court-packing and court expansion.
"Let’s say I answer that question. Then the whole debate's going to be about what Biden said or didn’t say, Biden said he would or wouldn’t," he said. "The discussion should be about why he is moving in a direction that’s totally inconsistent with what the founders wanted. The Constitution says — voters get to pick a president who gets to make the pick, and the Senate gets to decide. We’re in the middle of the election right now. You know people are voting now. By the time this Supreme Court hearing would be held, if they hold one, it’s estimated 30% to 40% of the American people already have voted. It is a fundamental breach of constitutional principle. It must stay on that, and it shouldn’t happen.”
Biden to @WBAY declines to answer q on adding seats to SCOTUS if GOP replaces RBG
"It’s a legitimate question, but let me tell you why I’m not going answer...it will shift the focus."
"Let’s say I answer...then the whole debate's gonna be about what Biden said or didn’t say.” pic.twitter.com/gvP6TCDPS8 — Johnny Verhovek (@JTHVerhovek) September 22, 2020
The 36-year Delaware senator and former chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee last year expressed firm opposition to expanding the court — sometimes called court-packing. The number of justices has not changed since 1869, with the last serious attempt of expansion coming from President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1930s.
“No, I’m not prepared to go on and try to pack the court because we’ll live to rue that day,” Biden told Iowa Starting Line in July 2019.
He again rejected the idea in an October 2019 debate.
“I would not get into court-packing. We had three justices. Next time around, we lose control, they add three justices. We begin to lose any credibility the court has at all.”
But with rising enthusiasm to retaliate against Republicans for their court picks, Biden may face pressure to turn back on his institutionalist tendencies.
“Biden blows with the political winds and always has his whole career,” University of Chicago law professor Brian Leiter told the Washington Examiner. “Right now, Democratic anger about Republican court-packing — first by stealing a seat from the Democrats (Garland), and now, turning around and stealing another one that should go to the Democrats given the Garland precedent (assuming Biden wins) — is going through the roof.”
Last year, a number of Democratic presidential candidates, including Sens. Cory Booker of New Jersey, Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, expressed openness to expanding the court or otherwise reforming it. Former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg in February 2019 called the idea of expanding the number of justices “no more a shattering of norms than what’s already been done to get the judiciary to where it is today.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-22--GOP guardedly optimistic Supreme Court fight will help hold the Senate

Republicans are cautiously optimistic the battle over a vacant Supreme Court seat will save the party ’ s Senate majority , hopeful the issue will convince disaffected , swing-state conservatives to reelect vulnerable GOP incumbents despite reservations about President Trump .
Senate Republicans have their backs against the wall in competitive battlegrounds — Arizona , Colorado , Iowa , and Maine — and states that typically vote GOP for president : Alaska , Georgia , Montana , North Carolina , and South Carolina .
An open seat the party holds in Kansas is also in some peril .
Losing just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the chamber beginning in January .
But Republican strategists are comparing the unexpected Supreme Court confirmation fight to catastrophic insurance .
Despite some downside risks , Republicans are expressing confidence that , especially in traditionally red states , the issue will be a net gain for the party .
With some conservative voters tempted to support Democratic challengers , either to rebuke Trump or because of disillusionment with the incumbent , the Supreme Court ’ s injection into the campaign could lure them back into the GOP fold by reminding them why Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encouraged because Trump vowed to nominate a woman to succeed iconic liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg .
The president is expected to put forward a nominee by week ’ s end .
“ Once there is a qualified nominee , Democrats attack her at their own peril , ” said Brad Todd , a Republican strategist whose firm , On Message , is advising Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner and North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis , among others .
“ In the current alignment , Democratic candidates are counting on a lot of conservative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a protest against Trump .
This may cause a backlash that hurts them.
” The explosive row over the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh late in the 2018 midterm election season helped Republicans sink three red-state Democrats and grow their Senate majority .
But Democrats warn this is a different campaign playing out on different turf .
Senate Democrats , and their party ’ s presidential nominee , Joe Biden , are framing the tussle around healthcare , a strategy they expect will lead voters to side with their position that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to nominate Ginsburg ’ s successor — and leave it to Biden if he loses .
The Trump administration is suing in federal court to invalidate Obamacare .
The law is popular , and voters trust Democrats more than Republicans on the issue of healthcare .
So Democrats are telling voters that if Trump and Senate Republicans get to choose Ginsburg ’ s successor , the court ’ s expanded conservative majority would throw out the healthcare law , costing voters prized benefits such as guarantees that insurance must cover preexisting medical conditions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all cycle by their records of refusing to stand up to the president for what ’ s right and voting to gut healthcare protections for preexisting conditions , ” said Lauren Passalacqua , spokeswoman for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee .
“ The question of filling this vacancy shines an even brighter spotlight on these vulnerabilities . ''
Ginsburg died Friday at the age of 87 after a bout with pancreatic cancer , sparking a brawl over the high court in an already volatile campaign less than seven weeks until Election Day and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operatives in both parties concede the issue is an unpredictable political hand grenade .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell immediately pledged Trump ’ s pick would receive a confirmation vote , and the president urged Republicans to process the nomination swiftly .
Democrats cried foul , claiming Republicans are being brazenly hypocritical after blocking Barack Obama ’ s nominee to succeed conservative Justice Antonin Scalia after he died in February 2016 , saying then that confirmations to the high court should cease in election years when the Senate and White House are controlled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic continues to be a political anchor on the party ’ s November prospects .
The GOP is now staking the election on the notion that Democrats will overreach in their opposition to Trump ’ s third Supreme Court nominee , bringing the issue of civil unrest back to the fore of the campaign .
But Republicans acknowledge the issue could be a double-edged sword .
In North Carolina , a debate over the ideological makeup of the Supreme Court could elevate Tillis , who has consistently underperformed Trump in public opinion polls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as gun rights and abortion that motivate culturally conservative voters .
But in Colorado , a practically blue state , the debate could squeeze Gardner , who trails but is overperforming the president , by galvanizing women to vote for his Democratic challenger to preserve abortion rights .

Republicans are cautiously optimistic the battle over a vacant Supreme Court seat will save the party’s Senate majority, hopeful the issue will convince disaffected, swing-state conservatives to reelect vulnerable GOP incumbents despite reservations about President Trump.
Senate Republicans have their backs against the wall in competitive battlegrounds — Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, and Maine — and states that typically vote GOP for president: Alaska, Georgia, Montana, North Carolina, and South Carolina. An open seat the party holds in Kansas is also in some peril. Losing just three could put Democrats in charge of the chamber beginning in January. But Republican strategists are comparing the unexpected Supreme Court confirmation fight to catastrophic insurance.
Despite some downside risks, Republicans are expressing confidence that, especially in traditionally red states, the issue will be a net gain for the party. With some conservative voters tempted to support Democratic challengers, either to rebuke Trump or because of disillusionment with the incumbent, the Supreme Court’s injection into the campaign could lure them back into the GOP fold by reminding them why Senate control matters.
Republican insiders are particularly encouraged because Trump vowed to nominate a woman to succeed iconic liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The president is expected to put forward a nominee by week’s end.
“Once there is a qualified nominee, Democrats attack her at their own peril,” said Brad Todd, a Republican strategist whose firm, On Message, is advising Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner and North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis, among others. “In the current alignment, Democratic candidates are counting on a lot of conservative suburban women to vote for them as a protest against Trump. This may cause a backlash that hurts them.”
The explosive row over the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh late in the 2018 midterm election season helped Republicans sink three red-state Democrats and grow their Senate majority.
But Democrats warn this is a different campaign playing out on different turf. Senate Democrats, and their party’s presidential nominee, Joe Biden, are framing the tussle around healthcare, a strategy they expect will lead voters to side with their position that Trump should wait until after Election Day to nominate Ginsburg’s successor — and leave it to Biden if he loses.
The Trump administration is suing in federal court to invalidate Obamacare. The law is popular, and voters trust Democrats more than Republicans on the issue of healthcare. So Democrats are telling voters that if Trump and Senate Republicans get to choose Ginsburg’s successor, the court’s expanded conservative majority would throw out the healthcare law, costing voters prized benefits such as guarantees that insurance must cover preexisting medical conditions.
“Republicans have been dragged down all cycle by their records of refusing to stand up to the president for what’s right and voting to gut healthcare protections for preexisting conditions,” said Lauren Passalacqua, spokeswoman for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. “The question of filling this vacancy shines an even brighter spotlight on these vulnerabilities."
Ginsburg died Friday at the age of 87 after a bout with pancreatic cancer, sparking a brawl over the high court in an already volatile campaign less than seven weeks until Election Day and with early voting underway. Privately, operatives in both parties concede the issue is an unpredictable political hand grenade.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell immediately pledged Trump’s pick would receive a confirmation vote, and the president urged Republicans to process the nomination swiftly. Democrats cried foul, claiming Republicans are being brazenly hypocritical after blocking Barack Obama’s nominee to succeed conservative Justice Antonin Scalia after he died in February 2016, saying then that confirmations to the high court should cease in election years when the Senate and White House are controlled by opposing parties.
The ongoing coronavirus pandemic continues to be a political anchor on the party’s November prospects. The GOP is now staking the election on the notion that Democrats will overreach in their opposition to Trump’s third Supreme Court nominee, bringing the issue of civil unrest back to the fore of the campaign. But Republicans acknowledge the issue could be a double-edged sword.
In North Carolina, a debate over the ideological makeup of the Supreme Court could elevate Tillis, who has consistently underperformed Trump in public opinion polls, by raising the profile of issues such as gun rights and abortion that motivate culturally conservative voters. But in Colorado, a practically blue state, the debate could squeeze Gardner, who trails but is overperforming the president, by galvanizing women to vote for his Democratic challenger to preserve abortion rights.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-22--Republicans confident Supreme Court battle will bolster Trump

Republicans are cautiously optimistic that the to fill the Supreme Court vacancy created by Ruth Bader Ginsburg ’ s death will benefit President Trump ’ s reelection chances .
Trump is expected to nominate Ginsburg ’ s successor later this week , and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , a Kentucky Republican , has vowed to press forward with a vote despite furious Democratic opposition .
Trump has publicly indicated that five women are under consideration .
“ It 's hard to see how this does n't help Republicans politically .
The Supreme Court fight reframes the election in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said GOP strategist Alex Conant .
“ Rather than focusing on his tweets and handling of COVID , many voters will now focus on the Supreme Court.
” A Pew poll released the month before Ginsburg ’ s death that Supreme Court appointments were a top-three issue for registered voters nationally , just ahead of the coronavirus .
Four years ago , the vacancy created by the death of Antonin Scalia was a winning issue for Trump .
Exit polls from 2016 showed that most voters who listed the Supreme Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
His vow to replace Scalia with a proven conservative , complete with a list of potential nominees to back it up , helped consolidate his support among key Republican voting blocs .
This includes white evangelicals , who gave Trump 81 % of their votes .
The Brett Kavanaugh nomination fight helped red-state Republican Senate candidates in the 2018 midterm elections , expanding the GOP ’ s majority in the upper chamber .
Trump has once again released a list of prospective Supreme Court justices , though he has far greater credibility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ran .
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has said he will not tip his hand as to whom he would nominate to fill Ginsburg ’ s seat or any other vacancy that might arise if he is elected .
“ Trump is having some problems with white seniors and evangelicals , and this gives him the opportunity to play to those voters .
Keep in mind that 25 % of Trump 's voters in 2016 said the court was their major reason for voting for him , ” said Republican strategist Jim Dornan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all of the air out of the room between now and Election Day , it will be first and foremost on the minds of those voters who care the most about this issue.
” “ The Left , on the other hand , was already fired up to beat Trump , but enthusiasm for Biden has n't been all that great , ” Dornan continued .
“ Without any guidance from Biden 's campaign on who he would pick or what 's at stake , there 's not a lot of reason that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change if the Biden campaign can turn on a dime , but I really have n't seen them be able do that to this point.
” Conservatives are gearing up for a fight , with the Judicial Crisis Network already launching a $ 2.2 million ad blitz to support Trump ’ s decision to put forward a nominee .
“ President Trump will soon pick a strong nominee , and the Senate should act quickly to confirm her , ” said Carrie Severino , the group ’ s president , in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 42 days .
Justice O'Connor in 33 .
They both received overwhelming bipartisan support .
There is no reason Judge Amy Coney Barrett or Judge Barbara Lagoa could not be confirmed before the election.
” Democrats are outraged that Trump will try to nominate a Ginsburg replacement so close to the election after Senate Republicans blocked Merrick Garland , Barack Obama ’ s nominee to replace Scalia , for almost a year .
They believe their voters will be motivated to see a liberal succeed Ginsburg , whom they revered as a feminist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that passion could work to Trump ’ s benefit if Democrats champion court-packing legislation or a new impeachment inquiry to derail a conservative court majority .
Some rank-and-file liberals may even engage in civil unrest .
“ The fact that Trump is going to introduce the nominee at a later time allows the country to focus on mourning Justice Ginsburg appropriately and also gives him the opportunity to create and prolong the momentum of news coverage over who that person will be going forward , ” said Republican strategist Ron Bonjean .

Republicans are cautiously optimistic that the looming fight to fill the Supreme Court vacancy created by Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death will benefit President Trump’s reelection chances.
Trump is expected to nominate Ginsburg’s successor later this week, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, has vowed to press forward with a vote despite furious Democratic opposition. Trump has publicly indicated that five women are under consideration.
“It's hard to see how this doesn't help Republicans politically. The Supreme Court fight reframes the election in a way that's helpful for President Trump,” said GOP strategist Alex Conant. “Rather than focusing on his tweets and handling of COVID, many voters will now focus on the Supreme Court.”
A Pew poll released the month before Ginsburg’s death found that Supreme Court appointments were a top-three issue for registered voters nationally, just ahead of the coronavirus. Four years ago, the vacancy created by the death of Antonin Scalia was a winning issue for Trump.
Exit polls from 2016 showed that most voters who listed the Supreme Court as a top concern went for Trump. His vow to replace Scalia with a proven conservative, complete with a list of potential nominees to back it up, helped consolidate his support among key Republican voting blocs. This includes white evangelicals, who gave Trump 81% of their votes. The Brett Kavanaugh nomination fight helped red-state Republican Senate candidates in the 2018 midterm elections, expanding the GOP’s majority in the upper chamber.
Trump has once again released a list of prospective Supreme Court justices, though he has far greater credibility among social conservatives than when he first ran. Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has said he will not tip his hand as to whom he would nominate to fill Ginsburg’s seat or any other vacancy that might arise if he is elected.
“Trump is having some problems with white seniors and evangelicals, and this gives him the opportunity to play to those voters. Keep in mind that 25% of Trump's voters in 2016 said the court was their major reason for voting for him,” said Republican strategist Jim Dornan. “And with this issue sucking all of the air out of the room between now and Election Day, it will be first and foremost on the minds of those voters who care the most about this issue.”
“The Left, on the other hand, was already fired up to beat Trump, but enthusiasm for Biden hasn't been all that great,” Dornan continued. “Without any guidance from Biden's campaign on who he would pick or what's at stake, there's not a lot of reason that that enthusiasm would increase. This could change if the Biden campaign can turn on a dime, but I really haven't seen them be able do that to this point.”
Conservatives are gearing up for a fight, with the Judicial Crisis Network already launching a $2.2 million ad blitz to support Trump’s decision to put forward a nominee. “President Trump will soon pick a strong nominee, and the Senate should act quickly to confirm her,” said Carrie Severino, the group’s president, in a statement. “Justice Ginsburg was confirmed in 42 days. Justice O'Connor in 33. They both received overwhelming bipartisan support. There is no reason Judge Amy Coney Barrett or Judge Barbara Lagoa could not be confirmed before the election.”
Democrats are outraged that Trump will try to nominate a Ginsburg replacement so close to the election after Senate Republicans blocked Merrick Garland, Barack Obama’s nominee to replace Scalia, for almost a year. They believe their voters will be motivated to see a liberal succeed Ginsburg, whom they revered as a feminist icon. But Republican operatives believe even that passion could work to Trump’s benefit if Democrats champion court-packing legislation or a new impeachment inquiry to derail a conservative court majority. Some rank-and-file liberals may even engage in civil unrest.
“The fact that Trump is going to introduce the nominee at a later time allows the country to focus on mourning Justice Ginsburg appropriately and also gives him the opportunity to create and prolong the momentum of news coverage over who that person will be going forward,” said Republican strategist Ron Bonjean.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-22--Cindy McCain to endorse Joe Biden formally

Cindy McCain , wife of the late Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain , will endorse Joe Biden over President Trump in the 2020 election , according to the Democratic presidential nominee .
McCain narrated a video about her husband 's bipartisan friendship with Biden and the strong ties between their two families during the Democratic convention but declined to support him directly and publicly .
Biden told donors Tuesday she had changed her mind after Trump reportedly called dead soldiers `` losers '' and fallen Marines `` suckers '' in 2018 , claims the two-term vice president has folded into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Maybe I shouldn ’ t say it , but I 'm about to go on one of these Zooms with John McCain 's wife , who is first-time ever is endorsing me because of what he talks about with my son and John ’ s , who are heroes , who served their country , you know , he said , 'They ’ re losers , they ’ re suckers , ' '' Biden said during the digital fundraiser .
Cindy McCain promoted the video before it aired during the convention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would n't get involved in presidential politics .
`` My husband and Vice President Biden enjoyed a 30+ year friendship dating back to before their years serving together in the Senate , so I was honored to accept the invitation from the Biden campaign to participate in a video celebrating their relationship , '' McCain tweeted last month .
Beau Biden , Delaware 's former attorney general , died in 2015 at the age of 46 from brain cancer .
He joined the military in 2003 , rising to the rank of major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as part of Delaware 's 261st Signal Brigade .
John McCain died in 2018 at the age of 81 from glioblastoma , the same aggressive form of brain cancer .
McCain , a naval aviator , was held as a Vietnam prisoner of war for five years after his plane was shot down in 1967 , declining an opportunity for early release offered because of his father .
The McCains have clashed with Trump numerous times following the president saying the senator was n't a war hero because he was captured .
Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was elected to represent Delaware in the U.S. Senate and McCain was acting as a congressional military attache .
The two friends later became political opponents when Barack Obama picked Biden as his running mate and McCain was nominated as the 2008 Republican standard-bearer .
The Atlantic reported this month that Trump did n't want to visit the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery near Paris two years ago because it was `` filled with losers . ''
The outlet also wrote that the president referred to the more than 1,800 Marines who were killed during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''

Cindy McCain, wife of the late Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain, will endorse Joe Biden over President Trump in the 2020 election, according to the Democratic presidential nominee.
McCain narrated a video about her husband's bipartisan friendship with Biden and the strong ties between their two families during the Democratic convention but declined to support him directly and publicly.
Biden told donors Tuesday she had changed her mind after Trump reportedly called dead soldiers "losers" and fallen Marines "suckers" in 2018, claims the two-term vice president has folded into his stump speech on the campaign trail.
“Maybe I shouldn’t say it, but I'm about to go on one of these Zooms with John McCain's wife, who is first-time ever is endorsing me because of what he talks about with my son and John’s, who are heroes, who served their country, you know, he said, 'They’re losers, they’re suckers,'" Biden said during the digital fundraiser.
Cindy McCain promoted the video before it aired during the convention, despite insisting a year earlier she wouldn't get involved in presidential politics.
"My husband and Vice President Biden enjoyed a 30+ year friendship dating back to before their years serving together in the Senate, so I was honored to accept the invitation from the Biden campaign to participate in a video celebrating their relationship," McCain tweeted last month.
Beau Biden, Delaware's former attorney general, died in 2015 at the age of 46 from brain cancer. He joined the military in 2003, rising to the rank of major in the Judge Advocate General's Corps as part of Delaware's 261st Signal Brigade.
John McCain died in 2018 at the age of 81 from glioblastoma, the same aggressive form of brain cancer. McCain, a naval aviator, was held as a Vietnam prisoner of war for five years after his plane was shot down in 1967, declining an opportunity for early release offered because of his father. The McCains have clashed with Trump numerous times following the president saying the senator wasn't a war hero because he was captured.
Biden met McCain in the 1970s after he was elected to represent Delaware in the U.S. Senate and McCain was acting as a congressional military attache. The two friends later became political opponents when Barack Obama picked Biden as his running mate and McCain was nominated as the 2008 Republican standard-bearer.
The Atlantic reported this month that Trump didn't want to visit the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery near Paris two years ago because it was "filled with losers." The outlet also wrote that the president referred to the more than 1,800 Marines who were killed during the1918 Battle of Belleau as "suckers."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-22--Biden tries to assure us he is not a left-wing Trojan horse for socialism

Democratic nominee Joe Biden responded forcefully this week to the notion that his candidacy is a Trojan horse for a socialist agenda , claiming that his defeat of an actual socialist in the 2020 Democratic primary should be proof of where he stands politically .
The problem here for Biden is that by fighting off one line of attack , he may have opened himself to another .
The way in which the former vice president disavowed the socialist line could create friction between his campaign and the wing of the Democratic Party that is still loyal to independent Sen. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a reporter for a Fox affiliate in Wisconsin asked Biden , “ If you could address our camera directly , talk to the voters that are worried about socialism and you raising taxes.
” The Democratic nominee responded , saying , “ First of all , I guarantee , a promise , I ’ ve never broken my word , anyone making less than $ 400,000 will not see one single penny in their tax raised.
” “ No .
2 , ” the Democratic nominee added , “ I beat the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got elected .
That ’ s how I got the nomination .
Do I look like a socialist ?
Look at my career , my whole career .
I ’ m not a socialist.
” On Monday , during his interview in Wisconsin , Biden expanded on the tax question .
“ I ’ m not trying to punish to anybody , but the idea that 19 corporations making billions of dollars pay zero in taxes ?
” the Democratic nominee asked .
“ The idea you can be making a billion dollars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did and acknowledge when he opened up a casino in New Jersey , they had to show us tax returns — he paid zero taxes.
” Biden added , “ And what did he say ?
When they asked him how did you feel about it , he said it just proves I ’ m smarter than everybody else .
He knows these guys know how to game the system .
The gaming is going to be over when I ’ m elected.
” On the one hand , Biden is smart to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ centrist appeal is really a sham to give cover for a socialist power grab .
It seems especially smart for Biden to do this publicly in a place such as Wisconsin , where voters overwhelmingly support capitalism over socialism .
But on the other hand , it seems risky for Biden to give the appearance that he is spiking the football .
It seems risky to sort of dismiss Sanders offhandedly , who came pretty close to becoming the Democratic nominee in back-to-back presidential election cycles .
Biden boasting that he beat “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wounds or even inspire new grievances , especially from the leftist Democratic wing haunted by the likes of Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Ilhan Omar of Minnesota .
Then again , anti-Trumpism runs so deep on the Left that it seems more likely that even an intraparty conflict between the establishment and socialist wings of the Democratic Party will be put on hold until after the 2020 election .
At any rate , though , it seems the “ Biden is giving cover to the socialists ” line is an especially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He can disavow , reassuring the electorate that he has not gone completely off the rails .
But that means Biden may then have to deal with blowback from the part of the Democratic base where Sanders ’ s message of democratic socialism found enough support as to make the Vermont senator a legitimate contender for the party ’ s nomination not once , but twice .

Democratic nominee Joe Biden responded forcefully this week to the notion that his candidacy is a Trojan horse for a socialist agenda, claiming that his defeat of an actual socialist in the 2020 Democratic primary should be proof of where he stands politically.
The problem here for Biden is that by fighting off one line of attack, he may have opened himself to another. The way in which the former vice president disavowed the socialist line could create friction between his campaign and the wing of the Democratic Party that is still loyal to independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont.
On Monday, a reporter for a Fox affiliate in Wisconsin asked Biden, “If you could address our camera directly, talk to the voters that are worried about socialism and you raising taxes.”
The Democratic nominee responded, saying, “First of all, I guarantee, a promise, I’ve never broken my word, anyone making less than $400,000 will not see one single penny in their tax raised.”
“No. 2,” the Democratic nominee added, “I beat the socialist. That’s how I got elected. That’s how I got the nomination. Do I look like a socialist? Look at my career, my whole career. I’m not a socialist.”
Biden tells @fox11news: "I beat the socialist, that's how I got elected, that's how I got the nomination. Do I look like a socialist? Look at my career, my whole career. I am not a socialist."https://t.co/uE9VjrfrJB pic.twitter.com/AeYLpNB0Fy — Johnny Verhovek (@JTHVerhovek) September 22, 2020
On Monday, during his interview in Wisconsin, Biden expanded on the tax question.
“I’m not trying to punish to anybody, but the idea that 19 corporations making billions of dollars pay zero in taxes?” the Democratic nominee asked. “The idea you can be making a billion dollars or millions of dollars like Donald Trump did and acknowledge when he opened up a casino in New Jersey, they had to show us tax returns — he paid zero taxes.”
Biden added, “And what did he say? When they asked him how did you feel about it, he said it just proves I’m smarter than everybody else. He knows these guys know how to game the system. The gaming is going to be over when I’m elected.”
On the one hand, Biden is smart to reject outright the notion that his supposed centrist appeal is really a sham to give cover for a socialist power grab. It seems especially smart for Biden to do this publicly in a place such as Wisconsin, where voters overwhelmingly support capitalism over socialism. But on the other hand, it seems risky for Biden to give the appearance that he is spiking the football. It seems risky to sort of dismiss Sanders offhandedly, who came pretty close to becoming the Democratic nominee in back-to-back presidential election cycles. Biden boasting that he beat “the socialist” could reopen some old wounds or even inspire new grievances, especially from the leftist Democratic wing haunted by the likes of Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Ilhan Omar of Minnesota.
Then again, anti-Trumpism runs so deep on the Left that it seems more likely that even an intraparty conflict between the establishment and socialist wings of the Democratic Party will be put on hold until after the 2020 election.
At any rate, though, it seems the “Biden is giving cover to the socialists” line is an especially tricky one for the Democratic nominee. He can disavow, reassuring the electorate that he has not gone completely off the rails. But that means Biden may then have to deal with blowback from the part of the Democratic base where Sanders’s message of democratic socialism found enough support as to make the Vermont senator a legitimate contender for the party’s nomination not once, but twice.