thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-07--Candace Owens calls rapper Cardi B 'illiterate' and says she's an unwitting tool for Biden

Conservative commentator Candace Owens was a top-trending search result on Twitter on Sunday night following a high-profile back-and-forth with rapper Cardi B .
The argument began when Owens posted her appearance on The Ben Shapiro Show : Sunday Special in which she accused the Grammy Award-winning artist of being an unknowing tool in the election campaign of Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden .
`` It is one of the biggest insults .
If black Americans are not insulted by the fact that Joe Biden , who has been hiding in his basement , you know , for the entire year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because he was going do an interview with Cardi B .
Do we have nothing better to offer ? ''
Owens asked .
`` [ Joe Biden ] , you are pandering .
You look at Cardi B 's Instagram , and you see she has millions of followers , and you think , 'OK , this is an illiterate person , and if I appeal to this illiterate person ' ... 'They think she 's cool .
She 's hip just by sitting here and taking this interview .
Black people will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ basically saying , 'Black people , you are stupid , you are dumb , and you are so foolish . '
'' Cardi B was given one of the only sit-down interviews with Biden during the 2020 campaign cycle on Aug. 17 , and some observers suggested the conversation was disingenuous and done only to help the former vice president shore up support in the black community .
Cardi B shot back at Owens , saying that Biden sat down with the `` WAP '' singer in August because she has experienced racial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attached a video of her sister getting into a verbal altercation this summer with Trump supporters on a beach in the Hamptons as evidence of the racial injustice her family has encountered .
`` You wan na know why joe got ta talk to me Candice cause I have the # 1 song & yet my sister can ’ t go to the beach in the Hampton ’ s wit out trump supporters harassing cause they were by themselves , '' Cardi B tweeted .
The two briefly argued about tax policy before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , accusing Owens of being sexually dysfunctional because she is six-months pregnant .
`` Your baby singing wap wap wap this some dry ass p -- -- , '' Cardi B wrote .
Owens 's final reply came in the form of a Malcolm X video in which the activist argued that the Democratic Party uses black entertainers as `` puppets and clowns '' to distribute a message that is not in the best interests of black people .
`` Malcolm X warned us years ago about the puppetry of interviews like Cardi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweeted .
`` He always spoke out against the white liberal game of using entertainers as pawns .
This isn ’ t really about you , @ iamcardib .
This is about black America waking up to Democrat racism . ''

Conservative commentator Candace Owens was a top-trending search result on Twitter on Sunday night following a high-profile back-and-forth with rapper Cardi B.
The argument began when Owens posted her appearance on The Ben Shapiro Show: Sunday Special in which she accused the Grammy Award-winning artist of being an unknowing tool in the election campaign of Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.
"It is one of the biggest insults. If black Americans are not insulted by the fact that Joe Biden, who has been hiding in his basement, you know, for the entire year, made an appearance to come out because he was going do an interview with Cardi B. Do we have nothing better to offer?" Owens asked.
Since most black people didn’t have the spine to admit that @benshapiro was 100% correct about @iamcardib and how her music and platform contributes to the disintegration of black culture and values...here you go. #WAP #SundaySpecial pic.twitter.com/q5QxxX9G4e — Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) September 6, 2020
"[Joe Biden], you are pandering. You look at Cardi B's Instagram, and you see she has millions of followers, and you think, 'OK, this is an illiterate person, and if I appeal to this illiterate person' ... 'They think she's cool. She's hip just by sitting here and taking this interview. Black people will vote for me.' It's basically saying, 'Black people, you are stupid, you are dumb, and you are so foolish.'"
Cardi B was given one of the only sit-down interviews with Biden during the 2020 campaign cycle on Aug. 17, and some observers suggested the conversation was disingenuous and done only to help the former vice president shore up support in the black community.
Cardi B shot back at Owens, saying that Biden sat down with the "WAP" singer in August because she has experienced racial injustice in her life. Cardi B attached a video of her sister getting into a verbal altercation this summer with Trump supporters on a beach in the Hamptons as evidence of the racial injustice her family has encountered.
"You wanna know why joe gotta talk to me Candice cause I have the #1 song & yet my sister can’t go to the beach in the Hampton’s wit out trump supporters harassing cause they were by themselves," Cardi B tweeted.
The two briefly argued about tax policy before Cardi B stooped to a crude attack, accusing Owens of being sexually dysfunctional because she is six-months pregnant.
"Your baby singing wap wap wap this some dry ass p----," Cardi B wrote.
Owens's final reply came in the form of a Malcolm X video in which the activist argued that the Democratic Party uses black entertainers as "puppets and clowns" to distribute a message that is not in the best interests of black people.
"Malcolm X warned us years ago about the puppetry of interviews like Cardi B and Joe Biden," Owens tweeted. "He always spoke out against the white liberal game of using entertainers as pawns. This isn’t really about you, @iamcardib. This is about black America waking up to Democrat racism."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-07--Missouri Democrats see chance to win governorship despite Trump edge in state

Contests for the 12 governor 's offices up in November are mostly snoozers , with incumbents or members of the same party now in office strongly favored to win .
But the fight over the Missouri governorship is looking like a real race .
Republican Gov .
Mike Parson , 64 , will face State Auditor Nicole Galloway in his bid for a full term in the office he inherited on June 1 , 2018 , when his Republican predecessor , Eric Greitens , resigned amid a sex scandal .
Galloway , 38 , is the sole Democrat and woman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jefferson City .
She has been state auditor since 2015 and previously was treasurer for Boone County , home to the University of Missouri .
Missouri is likely to favor President Trump over Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
Once a pivotal swing state in presidential politics , from 2004 on , it 's been a reliably GOP Electoral College win .
Parson has been a longtime player in Missouri politics , serving as the 12-year sheriff for the conservative Polk County , which Trump won by a nearly 57-point margin .
He was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Representatives , followed by the state Senate .
The race is projected by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report to be “ likely Republican ” in favor of Parson .
The rating indicates that the race is not currently competitive but could have the potential to become more engaged .
Parson ’ s handling of the coronavirus pandemic has faced criticism by Democrats , including Galloway .
Parson also garnered national attention when he made a controversial statement saying that children returning to school in the fall will get the coronavirus .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he would most likely pardon Mark and Patricia McCloskey if they face criminal charges .
The St. Louis couple made headlines after they were caught on video pointing guns at protesters marching outside their home in a gated community shared with the city ’ s mayor .
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch cited Parson ’ s record as one of emphasizing on improving education and infrastructure .
He is someone who typically stays away from vocal partisan attacks , the paper said .
Galloway is framing herself as a “ Missouri Democrat ” with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has advocated for “ commonsense ” gun control reforms , including enhanced background checks and permits .
The Democrat also unveiled a response plan to the coronavirus pandemic that includes a statewide mask mandate and investments in local health facilities .
Missouri is one of the hardest-hit states experiencing spikes in COVID-19 cases .
It is also one cautioned by Dr. Anthony Fauci to try to keep cases at bay , especially around holidays .
Galloway also sparred with Sen. Josh Hawley over an audit she spearheaded regarding his travel expenses when he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Hawley dismissed the report and accused Galloway of violating basic auditing standards to make the audit more critical for the attorney general ’ s office .

Contests for the 12 governor's offices up in November are mostly snoozers, with incumbents or members of the same party now in office strongly favored to win.
But the fight over the Missouri governorship is looking like a real race. Republican Gov. Mike Parson, 64, will face State Auditor Nicole Galloway in his bid for a full term in the office he inherited on June 1, 2018, when his Republican predecessor, Eric Greitens, resigned amid a sex scandal.
Galloway, 38, is the sole Democrat and woman among the six elected statewide officeholders in Jefferson City. She has been state auditor since 2015 and previously was treasurer for Boone County, home to the University of Missouri.
Missouri is likely to favor President Trump over Democratic nominee Joe Biden. Once a pivotal swing state in presidential politics, from 2004 on, it's been a reliably GOP Electoral College win.
Parson has been a longtime player in Missouri politics, serving as the 12-year sheriff for the conservative Polk County, which Trump won by a nearly 57-point margin. He was later a member of the Missouri House of Representatives, followed by the state Senate.
The race is projected by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report to be “likely Republican” in favor of Parson. The rating indicates that the race is not currently competitive but could have the potential to become more engaged.
Parson’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic has faced criticism by Democrats, including Galloway. Parson also garnered national attention when he made a controversial statement saying that children returning to school in the fall will get the coronavirus.
In the same interview, Parson further said he would most likely pardon Mark and Patricia McCloskey if they face criminal charges. The St. Louis couple made headlines after they were caught on video pointing guns at protesters marching outside their home in a gated community shared with the city’s mayor.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch cited Parson’s record as one of emphasizing on improving education and infrastructure. He is someone who typically stays away from vocal partisan attacks, the paper said.
Galloway is framing herself as a “Missouri Democrat” with a focus on good government. She has advocated for “commonsense” gun control reforms, including enhanced background checks and permits.
The Democrat also unveiled a response plan to the coronavirus pandemic that includes a statewide mask mandate and investments in local health facilities. Missouri is one of the hardest-hit states experiencing spikes in COVID-19 cases. It is also one cautioned by Dr. Anthony Fauci to try to keep cases at bay, especially around holidays.
Galloway also sparred with Sen. Josh Hawley over an audit she spearheaded regarding his travel expenses when he served as Missouri’s attorney general. Hawley dismissed the report and accused Galloway of violating basic auditing standards to make the audit more critical for the attorney general’s office.


Biden condemns antifa

Joe Biden countered criticism that he 's been soft on aggressive protesters , arguing he 's disavowed antifa while President Trump has n't distanced himself for its far-right counterparts .
The 2020 Democratic presidential nominee and two-term vice president was asked whether he denounced antifa , a left-wing protest movement that says it opposes fascism but that critics say is actually an effort to foment violence .
`` Yes , I do — violence , no matter who it is , '' he told Lancaster , Pennsylvania-based NBC affiliate WGAL on Sunday .
Earlier in the interview , Biden said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far-fight folks coming out and protesting and using violence . ''
Biden 's rhetoric regarding riots , arson , and looting has received scrutiny as protests continue to cause disruptions around the country following George Floyd 's death on Memorial Day .
He has repeatedly said people have the right to demonstrate against racial injustice , police brutality , and other issues but that he does n't support unnecessary violence .
Antifa , a collection of groups , networks , and individuals , regained national prominence after the deadly 2017 Charlottesville unrest , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and right-wing extremists , according to the Anti-Defamation League .
Antifa , which has been linked to anarchist movements since it emerged in the 1970s , now regularly seeks out confrontations with Trump voters in person and online .
Biden 's comments were made in a local media interview after a Labor Day event at the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO 's headquarters in Harrisburg and a conversation with labor leaders in Lancaster .
`` You can be sure you 'll be hearing that word , 'union , ' plenty of times if I 'm in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka .

Joe Biden countered criticism that he's been soft on aggressive protesters, arguing he's disavowed antifa while President Trump hasn't distanced himself for its far-right counterparts.
The 2020 Democratic presidential nominee and two-term vice president was asked whether he denounced antifa, a left-wing protest movement that says it opposes fascism but that critics say is actually an effort to foment violence.
"Yes, I do — violence, no matter who it is," he told Lancaster, Pennsylvania-based NBC affiliate WGAL on Sunday.
New in @WGAL interview
Q: Do you condemn Antifa?
BIDEN: Yes, I do -- violence, no matter who it is. pic.twitter.com/dkhlwQn62K — Johnny Verhovek (@JTHVerhovek) September 7, 2020
Earlier in the interview, Biden said Trump "still hasn't condemned the far-fight folks coming out and protesting and using violence."
Biden's rhetoric regarding riots, arson, and looting has received scrutiny as protests continue to cause disruptions around the country following George Floyd's death on Memorial Day. He has repeatedly said people have the right to demonstrate against racial injustice, police brutality, and other issues but that he doesn't support unnecessary violence.
Antifa, a collection of groups, networks, and individuals, regained national prominence after the deadly 2017 Charlottesville unrest, in which activists clashed with white supremacists and right-wing extremists, according to the Anti-Defamation League.
Antifa, which has been linked to anarchist movements since it emerged in the 1970s, now regularly seeks out confrontations with Trump voters in person and online.
Biden's comments were made in a local media interview after a Labor Day event at the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO's headquarters in Harrisburg and a conversation with labor leaders in Lancaster.
"You can be sure you'll be hearing that word, 'union,' plenty of times if I'm in the White House," Biden told AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-08--Influx of liberal-leaning Californians helping Biden's Arizona chances

Arizona could go blue on Election Day , while Wisconsin stays red .
Demographics in the Grand Canyon State are becoming more favorable to Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden .
Meanwhile , Wisconsin , which , along with Michigan and Pennsylvania in 2016 , put President Trump in the White House with a combined vote total of about 80,000 , is still very much in the toss-up category .
Biden winning Arizona depends , in large part , on the state 's changing demographics being reflected in actual ballots cast .
Arizona is full of former Californians and other college-educated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still warm weather and those who are bringing their more liberal brand of politics across the state line .
Trump won Arizona in 2016 with 48.7 % of the vote , compared to Democratic rival Hillary Clinton 's 45.1 % .
The remainder went to third-party candidates such as Libertarian Gary Johnson and Green Party nominee Jill Stein .
That total was down considerably from previous presidential elections .
And the lack of majority support for Trump , plus Democrat Kyrsten Sinema 's Senate victory in 2018 , means the state is ripe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough in Maricopa County , where Phoenix and its surrounding suburbs are located .
Those Maricopa County suburbs , which have traditionally supported Republicans , voted for Sinema in 2018 .
And in 2016 , despite Trump narrowly winning the district , voters there elected Democrat Sean Bowie to the state Senate over a Republican .
Additionally , since the 2018 elections , Democrats have had an edge in Arizona 's House delegation , 5-4 over Republicans , the first time that 's happened in decades .
Current polling in the state finds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an increasing number moving in from California , by 22 points , a demographic Trump won by 6 in 2016 .
A RealClearPolitics average of polls has Biden leading by an average of 5 points , with a Fox News survey released in early September showing the former vice president winning 49 % of the vote , compared to Trump 's 40 % .
A CNBC poll released at the end of August saw Biden 's lead much smaller , at 2 points , with neither candidate earning over 50 % of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from college-educated white people in Arizona mirrors his campaign challenges nationwide .
And as the Trump campaign believes that in Wisconsin it can make up bleeding in the Milwaukee suburbs with non-college-educated white people elsewhere in the state , it 's eyeing rural Arizonans to make up the difference .
But Trump 's current strategy has befuddled some who work in Arizona politics .
Earlier this month , his campaign canceled a six-figure television ad buy set to air after Labor Day in the Phoenix market .
`` With a permanent presence in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heard from the Trump campaign for years and know about the wins President Trump 's America First agenda has delivered for them in just one term , '' said campaign spokeswoman Samantha Zager .
Meanwhile , Team Biden is moving ahead aggressively in Arizona .
The 36-year Delaware senator 's presidential campaign is spending millions of dollars in the state on ads focused on the Trump administration 's response to the coronavirus epidemic .
`` With early voting 30 days away in Arizona , the race is on to target swing voters , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ independent voter participation in the August primary elections a little over a month ago , '' said Arizona-based Republican strategist Paul Bentz .
`` While Trump ’ s campaign has made the curious decision of going dark and pulling a half-million ad buy this week , his backers are actively targeting independent and unaffiliated voters with a sizable mail blitz . ''
Other Republican operatives in the state told the Washington Examiner that Trump 's rural outreach program is a hidden strength and that national polls simply do not reach these voters .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ you go outside the suburbs , there are still a lot of people here who will go to the polls , '' said one individual .
`` Trump can afford to lose Maricopa if he does well in rural portions of the state . ''

Arizona could go blue on Election Day, while Wisconsin stays red.
Demographics in the Grand Canyon State are becoming more favorable to Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden. Meanwhile, Wisconsin, which, along with Michigan and Pennsylvania in 2016, put President Trump in the White House with a combined vote total of about 80,000, is still very much in the toss-up category.
Biden winning Arizona depends, in large part, on the state's changing demographics being reflected in actual ballots cast. Arizona is full of former Californians and other college-educated transplants attracted by lower housing costs and still warm weather and those who are bringing their more liberal brand of politics across the state line.
Trump won Arizona in 2016 with 48.7% of the vote, compared to Democratic rival Hillary Clinton's 45.1%. The remainder went to third-party candidates such as Libertarian Gary Johnson and Green Party nominee Jill Stein.
That total was down considerably from previous presidential elections. And the lack of majority support for Trump, plus Democrat Kyrsten Sinema's Senate victory in 2018, means the state is ripe for a flip should Biden perform well enough in Maricopa County, where Phoenix and its surrounding suburbs are located.
Those Maricopa County suburbs, which have traditionally supported Republicans, voted for Sinema in 2018. And in 2016, despite Trump narrowly winning the district, voters there elected Democrat Sean Bowie to the state Senate over a Republican. Additionally, since the 2018 elections, Democrats have had an edge in Arizona's House delegation, 5-4 over Republicans, the first time that's happened in decades.
Current polling in the state finds Biden leading with white college-educated voters, an increasing number moving in from California, by 22 points, a demographic Trump won by 6 in 2016. A RealClearPolitics average of polls has Biden leading by an average of 5 points, with a Fox News survey released in early September showing the former vice president winning 49% of the vote, compared to Trump's 40%.
A CNBC poll released at the end of August saw Biden's lead much smaller, at 2 points, with neither candidate earning over 50% of the vote.
Trump's loss of support from college-educated white people in Arizona mirrors his campaign challenges nationwide. And as the Trump campaign believes that in Wisconsin it can make up bleeding in the Milwaukee suburbs with non-college-educated white people elsewhere in the state, it's eyeing rural Arizonans to make up the difference.
But Trump's current strategy has befuddled some who work in Arizona politics. Earlier this month, his campaign canceled a six-figure television ad buy set to air after Labor Day in the Phoenix market.
"With a permanent presence in the state since 2016, Arizonans have heard from the Trump campaign for years and know about the wins President Trump's America First agenda has delivered for them in just one term," said campaign spokeswoman Samantha Zager.
Meanwhile, Team Biden is moving ahead aggressively in Arizona. The 36-year Delaware senator's presidential campaign is spending millions of dollars in the state on ads focused on the Trump administration's response to the coronavirus epidemic.
"With early voting 30 days away in Arizona, the race is on to target swing voters, following a massive surge in Democrat and independent voter participation in the August primary elections a little over a month ago," said Arizona-based Republican strategist Paul Bentz. "While Trump’s campaign has made the curious decision of going dark and pulling a half-million ad buy this week, his backers are actively targeting independent and unaffiliated voters with a sizable mail blitz."
Other Republican operatives in the state told the Washington Examiner that Trump's rural outreach program is a hidden strength and that national polls simply do not reach these voters.
"Democrats don't understand that once you go outside the suburbs, there are still a lot of people here who will go to the polls," said one individual. "Trump can afford to lose Maricopa if he does well in rural portions of the state."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-08--'PROUD of him?': Megyn Kelly slams Kamala Harris after meeting with Jacob Blake

Megyn Kelly slammed Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris for saying she was `` proud '' of Jacob Blake , a black man who was shot seven times during an arrest for violating a restraining order in Kenosha , Wisconsin , on Aug. 23 .
The former Fox News host asked if Harris was willing to speak out for Blake 's alleged victim , who filed a criminal complaint accusing Blake of breaking into her house and sexually assaulting her on May 3 .
Blake , 29 , has pleaded not guilty to the charges .
`` PROUD of him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` He ’ s accused of breaking into a sleeping woman ’ s house , sexually assaulting her , humiliating her & later returning to harass her .
Then the cops she called for help say he resisted arrest , assaulted them & went for his knife .
How about a word for his victim , Senator ? ''
Kelly was responding to a statement published by Blake 's lawyer , Ben Crump , that detailed Harris 's `` inspirational and uplifting one-hour visit '' with Blake and his family .
“ In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] Jr. told Sen. Harris that he was proud of her , and the senator told Jacob that she was also proud of him and how he is working through his pain , '' read the statement .
The shooting of Blake was caught on camera and sparked several nights of demonstrations that turned violent .
Blake 's alleged criminal past has been seized on by conservatives , who believe Harris 's comments and actions regarding Blake are hypocritical only a few years after the # MeToo movement swept across the nation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Blake 's family during a visit to Kenosha last week .

Megyn Kelly slammed Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris for saying she was "proud" of Jacob Blake, a black man who was shot seven times during an arrest for violating a restraining order in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Aug. 23.
The former Fox News host asked if Harris was willing to speak out for Blake's alleged victim, who filed a criminal complaint accusing Blake of breaking into her house and sexually assaulting her on May 3. Blake, 29, has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
"PROUD of him?" Kelly asked on Twitter. "He’s accused of breaking into a sleeping woman’s house, sexually assaulting her, humiliating her & later returning to harass her. Then the cops she called for help say he resisted arrest, assaulted them & went for his knife. How about a word for his victim, Senator?"
PROUD of him? He’s accused of breaking into a sleeping woman’s house, sexually assaulting her, humiliating her & later returning to harass her. Then the cops she called for help say he resisted arrest, assaulted them & went for his knife. How about a word for his victim, Senator? https://t.co/IryYbPAuf6 — Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) September 8, 2020
Kelly was responding to a statement published by Blake's lawyer, Ben Crump, that detailed Harris's "inspirational and uplifting one-hour visit" with Blake and his family.
“In a moving moment, Jacob [Blake] Jr. told Sen. Harris that he was proud of her, and the senator told Jacob that she was also proud of him and how he is working through his pain," read the statement.
The shooting of Blake was caught on camera and sparked several nights of demonstrations that turned violent. Blake's alleged criminal past has been seized on by conservatives, who believe Harris's comments and actions regarding Blake are hypocritical only a few years after the #MeToo movement swept across the nation.
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden met with Blake's family during a visit to Kenosha last week.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-08--One thousand people caught double voting in primary may face charges, says Georgia secretary of stat

One thousand people caught double voting in primary may face charges, says Georgia secretary of state

The 1,000 residents of Georgia who were caught double voting may face prosecution , according to a top state official .
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger announced on Tuesday that his office and local prosecutions would investigate and , if appropriate , against those who voted twice during the primary election in June .
Those people cast their votes with an absentee ballot and then voted in person on the day of the election .
`` A double voter knows exactly what they ’ re doing , diluting the votes of each and every voter that follows the law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ press conference .
“ Those that make the choice to game the system are breaking the law .
And as secretary of state , I will not tolerate it.
” Raffensperger , a Republican , noted that there were not enough double votes cast to sway any of the state elections .
If voters are found guilty of double voting , a felony in the state , they face a fine of up to $ 100,000 and 10 years in prison .
President Trump and some other Republicans have been as more people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ upcoming elections because of the coronavirus pandemic .
While 1,000 people were caught casting two votes in the primary , Scott Hogan , the executive director of the Democratic Party of Georgia , told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he believes voter fraud is rare and accused Raffensperger of wasting the taxpayer 's time .
`` It is clear that rather than do his job of promoting the safety and security of our voting process , the secretary of state is instead pushing the GOP ’ s voting conspiracy theories and disinformation , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Georgia showed up to the polls in person after registering to vote via mail .
Most of those who showed up to vote in person had not received their ballots in time to vote absentee .

The 1,000 residents of Georgia who were caught double voting may face prosecution, according to a top state official.
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger announced on Tuesday that his office and local prosecutions would investigate and, if appropriate, bring charges against those who voted twice during the primary election in June. Those people cast their votes with an absentee ballot and then voted in person on the day of the election.
"A double voter knows exactly what they’re doing, diluting the votes of each and every voter that follows the law,” Raffensperger told reporters during a press conference. “Those that make the choice to game the system are breaking the law. And as secretary of state, I will not tolerate it.”
Raffensperger, a Republican, noted that there were not enough double votes cast to sway any of the state elections. If voters are found guilty of double voting, a felony in the state, they face a fine of up to $100,000 and 10 years in prison.
President Trump and some other Republicans have been sounding the alarm about voter fraud as more people plan to vote by mail in the upcoming elections because of the coronavirus pandemic. While 1,000 people were caught casting two votes in the primary, Scott Hogan, the executive director of the Democratic Party of Georgia, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he believes voter fraud is rare and accused Raffensperger of wasting the taxpayer's time.
"It is clear that rather than do his job of promoting the safety and security of our voting process, the secretary of state is instead pushing the GOP’s voting conspiracy theories and disinformation," Hogan said.
Roughly 150,000 voters in Georgia showed up to the polls in person after registering to vote via mail. Most of those who showed up to vote in person had not received their ballots in time to vote absentee.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-08--Biden solidifies lead on Trump in Wisconsin: Tracking polls

Joe Biden has a stable , single-digit lead on President Trump in the pivotal battleground state of Wisconsin .
Biden was an average of 8 percentage points ahead of Trump on Sunday in Wisconsin , a state the president clinched from 2016 Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton by almost 23,000 votes , according to Morning Consult tracking polling .
Biden , the 2020 Democratic presidential nominee and two-term vice president , was in front on Sept. 6 , 51 % to 43 % , in the 10-day moving average .
Morning Consult released its daily Wisconsin presidential head-to-head numbers following civil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a black man , was shot seven times in the back by a white police officer in Kenosha during an arrest on Aug. 23 .
Morning Consult 's data , collected since April 26 , showed Biden was ahead by an average of low single-digits until late June when he widened that margin to double-digits .
The race tightened in July before Biden extended his lead again toward the end of the month .
He 's been in front by a high single-digit berth since then , though he reached double-digits in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2020 election was highlighted this past week when both Biden and California Sen. Kamala Harris , his running mate , visited the state as part of their first major campaign events after travel was curbed by the coronavirus pandemic .
Harris also met with Blake 's family on Labor Day .
“ They ’ re an incredible family , and what they ’ ve endured , and they do it with such dignity and grace .
And you know , they 're carrying the weight of a lot of voices on their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discussion .
She added that she visited `` to express concern for their well-being and , of course , for their brother and their son 's well-being and to let them know that they have support.
” Morning Consult 's figures mirror Biden 's average 7.5 point lead in FiveThirtyEight 's Wisconsin polling data and 7.1 point lead from RealClearPolitics 's data .
Morning Consult 's Sept. 6 finding was based on responses collected from an average of 797 likely Wisconsin voters between Aug. 28 and Sept. 6 .
The firm 's results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ percentage points .

Joe Biden has a stable, single-digit lead on President Trump in the pivotal battleground state of Wisconsin.
Biden was an average of 8 percentage points ahead of Trump on Sunday in Wisconsin, a state the president clinched from 2016 Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton by almost 23,000 votes, according to Morning Consult tracking polling. Biden, the 2020 Democratic presidential nominee and two-term vice president, was in front on Sept. 6, 51% to 43%, in the 10-day moving average.
Morning Consult released its daily Wisconsin presidential head-to-head numbers following civil unrest in the state after Jacob Blake, a black man, was shot seven times in the back by a white police officer in Kenosha during an arrest on Aug. 23.
Morning Consult's data, collected since April 26, showed Biden was ahead by an average of low single-digits until late June when he widened that margin to double-digits. The race tightened in July before Biden extended his lead again toward the end of the month. He's been in front by a high single-digit berth since then, though he reached double-digits in late August.
Wisconsin's importance to the 2020 election was highlighted this past week when both Biden and California Sen. Kamala Harris, his running mate, visited the state as part of their first major campaign events after travel was curbed by the coronavirus pandemic. Harris also met with Blake's family on Labor Day.
“They’re an incredible family, and what they’ve endured, and they do it with such dignity and grace. And you know, they're carrying the weight of a lot of voices on their shoulders," Harris said of their discussion.
She added that she visited "to express concern for their well-being and, of course, for their brother and their son's well-being and to let them know that they have support.”
Morning Consult's figures mirror Biden's average 7.5 point lead in FiveThirtyEight's Wisconsin polling data and 7.1 point lead from RealClearPolitics's data. Morning Consult's Sept. 6 finding was based on responses collected from an average of 797 likely Wisconsin voters between Aug. 28 and Sept. 6. The firm's results have a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-09--Biden puts financial windfall to work with new ad campaign that outpaces Trump

Joe Biden flexed his newfound financial advantage over President Trump with a $ 15.4 million television and radio advertising campaign targeting at least nine states , an investment that puts the Democratic nominee on track to outspend the Republican incumbent by $ 1.4 million over the next seven days .
The former vice president is on offense in Arizona , Florida , Michigan , North Carolina , Pennsylvania , and Wisconsin , with advertising expenditures that are outpacing Trump in each of these critical battlegrounds .
Additionally , the president is defending Georgia , Iowa , and Ohio , states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago , with sizable ad buys that are going virtually unchallenged on the airwaves by his Democratic opponent .
To mark the first week of the fall sprint to Election Day , the Biden campaign infused his advertising campaign with two new television spots .
The first , a mostly positive , 60-second ad lays out the nominee ’ s domestic agenda .
The other , a 30-second spot , hits Trump over Social Security , claiming his proposal to defer or eliminate the payroll tax would push the popular entitlement program into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he 's targeting , Trump has been badly outspent on the airwaves , ” Biden campaign spokesman Michael Gwin said .
“ Even then , the Biden-Harris campaign — powered by enormous grassroots support — has rapidly erased Trump 's cash-on-hand advantage as his team spends money like drunken sailors.
” Trump is aggressively contesting Minnesota , Nevada , and New Hampshire , states he lost narrowly in 2016 .
Flipping just one of those battlegrounds could deliver the president an Electoral College victory and shield him from what is sure to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In Minnesota and New Hampshire , the Trump campaign was on pace to outspend the Biden campaign during the period beginning Tuesday and running through Monday .
After the Biden campaign raised a record $ 364.5 million in August , some Republicans worried that the Trump campaign , previously flush with cash , would have a hard time keeping up .
On Tuesday , Trump even acknowledged weighing whether to write a personal check to his campaign for up to tens of millions of dollars .
But in a subsequent conference call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president might lack resources down the stretch .
“ From this day forward to Election Day , we will have more resources to spend than we did in 2016 , and it won ’ t be close , ” Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien told reporters , as he announced urban radio ads targeting black voters set to run in more than a dozen media markets to go along with a new television spot aimed at battleground voters that promises an economic recovery and coronavirus vaccine and warns Biden would undermine progress .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Stepien added , “ that early investments that the campaign and the [ Republican National Committee ] made in the field will not only pay dividends , starting now during periods of absentee and early voting and , of course , on Election Day — but it ’ s also too late to be adding staff , as I see Joe Biden doing in certain states around the country.
” Biden ’ s overall edge in ad spending over the next week is apparent in Arizona , where he is outspending Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Florida , where the Democrat is outpacing the president $ 4 million to $ 3.7 million ; in Michigan and Pennsylvania , where in each state , the former vice president is spending $ 1.8 million , compared to the incumbent ’ s $ 1.5 million ; in North Carolina , where Biden is investing $ 2.5 million , compared to Trump ’ s $ 1.4 million ; and in Wisconsin , where the challenger is airing $ 1.4 million in advertising , compared to the president ’ s $ 1.2 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( $ 1.2 million ) is ahead of Biden ( $ 804,000 ) ; as he is in New Hampshire , spending $ 563,000 to Biden ’ s $ 286,000 .
In Ohio , Trump is investing $ 790,000 for a statewide buy , while Biden is on the air in just two markets : Toledo ( $ 101,000 ) and Youngstown ( $ 65,000 ) .
The president also is spending $ 1.2 million in Georgia and $ 230,000 in Iowa , two states where Biden has yet to go on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fall .

Joe Biden flexed his newfound financial advantage over President Trump with a $15.4 million television and radio advertising campaign targeting at least nine states, an investment that puts the Democratic nominee on track to outspend the Republican incumbent by $1.4 million over the next seven days.
The former vice president is on offense in Arizona, Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, with advertising expenditures that are outpacing Trump in each of these critical battlegrounds. Additionally, the president is defending Georgia, Iowa, and Ohio, states he won with relative ease four years ago, with sizable ad buys that are going virtually unchallenged on the airwaves by his Democratic opponent.
To mark the first week of the fall sprint to Election Day, the Biden campaign infused his advertising campaign with two new television spots. The first, a mostly positive, 60-second ad lays out the nominee’s domestic agenda. The other, a 30-second spot, hits Trump over Social Security, claiming his proposal to defer or eliminate the payroll tax would push the popular entitlement program into insolvency.
"In the few states he's targeting, Trump has been badly outspent on the airwaves,” Biden campaign spokesman Michael Gwin said. “Even then, the Biden-Harris campaign — powered by enormous grassroots support — has rapidly erased Trump's cash-on-hand advantage as his team spends money like drunken sailors.”
Trump is aggressively contesting Minnesota, Nevada, and New Hampshire, states he lost narrowly in 2016. Flipping just one of those battlegrounds could deliver the president an Electoral College victory and shield him from what is sure to be a deficit in the national popular vote. In Minnesota and New Hampshire, the Trump campaign was on pace to outspend the Biden campaign during the period beginning Tuesday and running through Monday.
After the Biden campaign raised a record $364.5 million in August, some Republicans worried that the Trump campaign, previously flush with cash, would have a hard time keeping up. On Tuesday, Trump even acknowledged weighing whether to write a personal check to his campaign for up to tens of millions of dollars. But in a subsequent conference call, Trump campaign officials dismissed suggestions the president might lack resources down the stretch.
“From this day forward to Election Day, we will have more resources to spend than we did in 2016, and it won’t be close,” Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien told reporters, as he announced urban radio ads targeting black voters set to run in more than a dozen media markets to go along with a new television spot aimed at battleground voters that promises an economic recovery and coronavirus vaccine and warns Biden would undermine progress.
“I’d also note,” Stepien added, “that early investments that the campaign and the [Republican National Committee] made in the field will not only pay dividends, starting now during periods of absentee and early voting and, of course, on Election Day — but it’s also too late to be adding staff, as I see Joe Biden doing in certain states around the country.”
Biden’s overall edge in ad spending over the next week is apparent in Arizona, where he is outspending Trump $2.1 million to $380,000; in Florida, where the Democrat is outpacing the president $4 million to $3.7 million; in Michigan and Pennsylvania, where in each state, the former vice president is spending $1.8 million, compared to the incumbent’s $1.5 million; in North Carolina, where Biden is investing $2.5 million, compared to Trump’s $1.4 million; and in Wisconsin, where the challenger is airing $1.4 million in advertising, compared to the president’s $1.2 million.
Meanwhile, in Minnesota, Trump ($1.2 million) is ahead of Biden ($804,000); as he is in New Hampshire, spending $563,000 to Biden’s $286,000. In Ohio, Trump is investing $790,000 for a statewide buy, while Biden is on the air in just two markets: Toledo ($101,000) and Youngstown ($65,000). The president also is spending $1.2 million in Georgia and $230,000 in Iowa, two states where Biden has yet to go on the air but could do so later this fall.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-09--Trump battles Pentagon brass while presenting himself as champion of military

President Trump has escalated his criticism of Pentagon leaders , warning of the power of the military-industrial complex , at the same time the White House reports claiming he disparaged American war dead while on an overseas trip .
For Trump , it is part of a wider pattern of railing against established bureaucratic interests ranging from the “ deep state ” to the “ administrative state , ” often clashing with his own party , as well as a campaign to end what he calls “ endless wars.
” But it is risky to alienate potential military and veteran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected to be in Trump ’ s camp in November — especially as the president has positioned himself as a steadfast supporter of the troops whose administration has rebuilt the U.S. military .
In a Labor Day press conference , Trump argued Democratic challenger Joe Biden “ shipped away our jobs , threw open our borders , and sent our youth to fight in these crazy , endless wars.
” Trump said his opposition to those wars has earned him the enmity of some current and former high-ranking people in the armed forces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the reasons the military — I ’ m not saying the military is in love with me ; the soldiers are , ” the president added .
“ The top people in the Pentagon probably aren ’ t because they want to do nothing but fight wars so that all of those wonderful companies that make the bombs and make the planes and make everything else stay happy.
” “ If you want to end the endless wars immediately put a permanent moratorium on retired General ’ s serving on the boards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jr. tweeted on Monday .
“ We would be out of Afghanistan by Wednesday.
” “ It 's fairly counterintuitive to criticize the military while , at the same time , claiming to have rebuilt it , ” warned one Washington , D.C.-based Republican operative who requested anonymity to speak candidly about the president .
“ I would counsel him to say that the Atlantic article is a bunch of lies and move on .
But he just does n't seem to have the ability to do that .
And apparently , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off script , it hurts his reelection prospects , especially when he starts the insults and name-calling.
” Trump ’ s supporters don ’ t see any discrepancy between supporting the military and inveighing against the so-called military-industrial complex they frequently note President Dwight Eisenhower referred to in his farewell speech .
“ From day one , the neocons and the folks who have profited off of American foreign adventurism have opposed Trump , ” said conservative strategist Chris Barron .
“ Trump ’ s loudest detractors read like a who ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kristol , Max Boot , David Frum , Jen Rubin , the list goes on and on.
” “ Trump ’ s support among the military , like his support in the rest of the country , is rooted in his popularity among blue-collar , working-class , and rural voters , ” Barron said .
“ Former generals who have cashed in and have a financial interest in a reckless foreign policy that puts American lives at risk aren ’ t going to be Trump ’ s base , and Trump criticizing these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among average veterans and active-duty soldiers — no matter how much wish-casting is done by CNN and the rest of the mainstream media.
” Trump denounced the Iraq War , calling it a “ big , fat mistake ” on the debate stage in South Carolina during the 2016 Republican primaries .
But instead of sinking his candidacy , Trump won the primary in that military-heavy state , ending Jeb Bush ’ s campaign instead .
Trump carried the Palmetto State a second time in the general election and is favored to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has even many veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan now question the wisdom of those wars .
In the beginning of his administration , Trump on generals in Cabinet and White House staff roles .
Rep. Barbara Lee , a California Democrat , tweeted that Trump was “ militarizing the White House.
” But he later clashed with James Mattis , the general he tapped as his initial secretary of defense , and John Kelly , who first ran the Department of Homeland Security and then became Trump ’ s chief of staff .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump publicly afterward .
Generals Michael Flynn and H.R .
McMaster did not last very long as national security adviser .
A Military Times poll of 1,018 active-duty troops taken before the parties ’ national conventions found 49.9 % had an unfavorable view of Trump , compared to 38 % who viewed the president favorably , despite the military members leaning 40 % Republican to just 16 % Democratic .
The survey said the troops would narrowly prefer Biden to Trump , 41.3 % to 37.4 % , with nearly 13 % opting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barack Obama received even worse marks in a January 2017 Military Times poll : 36 % favorable , 52 % unfavorable .
“ I think he read a poll that officers don ’ t support him , and he got butt hurt , ” said Rick Tyler , a Republican strategist who has become a frequent Trump critic .
There have been nearly two dozen on-the-record denials of last week ’ s Atlantic story claiming Trump called dead U.S. soldiers “ losers ” and fallen Marines “ suckers ” while refusing to visit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2018 , though other outlets have attributed similar charges to anonymous sources .

President Trump has escalated his criticism of Pentagon leaders, warning of the power of the military-industrial complex, at the same time the White House worked to refute reports claiming he disparaged American war dead while on an overseas trip.
For Trump, it is part of a wider pattern of railing against established bureaucratic interests ranging from the “deep state” to the “administrative state,” often clashing with his own party, as well as a campaign to end what he calls “endless wars.” But it is risky to alienate potential military and veteran voters, many of whom could be expected to be in Trump’s camp in November — especially as the president has positioned himself as a steadfast supporter of the troops whose administration has rebuilt the U.S. military.
In a Labor Day press conference, Trump argued Democratic challenger Joe Biden “shipped away our jobs, threw open our borders, and sent our youth to fight in these crazy, endless wars.” Trump said his opposition to those wars has earned him the enmity of some current and former high-ranking people in the armed forces.
“And it’s one of the reasons the military — I’m not saying the military is in love with me; the soldiers are,” the president added. “The top people in the Pentagon probably aren’t because they want to do nothing but fight wars so that all of those wonderful companies that make the bombs and make the planes and make everything else stay happy.”
“If you want to end the endless wars immediately put a permanent moratorium on retired General’s serving on the boards of defense contractors,” Donald Trump Jr. tweeted on Monday. “We would be out of Afghanistan by Wednesday.”
“It's fairly counterintuitive to criticize the military while, at the same time, claiming to have rebuilt it,” warned one Washington, D.C.-based Republican operative who requested anonymity to speak candidly about the president. “I would counsel him to say that the Atlantic article is a bunch of lies and move on. But he just doesn't seem to have the ability to do that. And apparently, he doesn't understand that when he goes off script, it hurts his reelection prospects, especially when he starts the insults and name-calling.”
Trump’s supporters don’t see any discrepancy between supporting the military and inveighing against the so-called military-industrial complex they frequently note President Dwight Eisenhower referred to in his farewell speech. “From day one, the neocons and the folks who have profited off of American foreign adventurism have opposed Trump,” said conservative strategist Chris Barron. “Trump’s loudest detractors read like a who’s who of failed foreign policy: Bill Kristol, Max Boot, David Frum, Jen Rubin, the list goes on and on.”
“Trump’s support among the military, like his support in the rest of the country, is rooted in his popularity among blue-collar, working-class, and rural voters,” Barron said. “Former generals who have cashed in and have a financial interest in a reckless foreign policy that puts American lives at risk aren’t going to be Trump’s base, and Trump criticizing these folks won’t hurt his standing among average veterans and active-duty soldiers — no matter how much wish-casting is done by CNN and the rest of the mainstream media.”
Trump denounced the Iraq War, calling it a “big, fat mistake” on the debate stage in South Carolina during the 2016 Republican primaries. But instead of sinking his candidacy, Trump won the primary in that military-heavy state, ending Jeb Bush’s campaign instead. Trump carried the Palmetto State a second time in the general election and is favored to do so again in November. Recent polling has shown even many veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan now question the wisdom of those wars.
In the beginning of his administration, Trump relied heavily on generals in Cabinet and White House staff roles. Rep. Barbara Lee, a California Democrat, tweeted that Trump was “militarizing the White House.” But he later clashed with James Mattis, the general he tapped as his initial secretary of defense, and John Kelly, who first ran the Department of Homeland Security and then became Trump’s chief of staff. They both subsequently departed and have criticized Trump publicly afterward. Generals Michael Flynn and H.R. McMaster did not last very long as national security adviser.
A Military Times poll of 1,018 active-duty troops taken before the parties’ national conventions found 49.9% had an unfavorable view of Trump, compared to 38% who viewed the president favorably, despite the military members leaning 40% Republican to just 16% Democratic. The survey said the troops would narrowly prefer Biden to Trump, 41.3% to 37.4%, with nearly 13% opting for a third party. Former President Barack Obama received even worse marks in a January 2017 Military Times poll: 36% favorable, 52% unfavorable.
“I think he read a poll that officers don’t support him, and he got butt hurt,” said Rick Tyler, a Republican strategist who has become a frequent Trump critic.
There have been nearly two dozen on-the-record denials of last week’s Atlantic story claiming Trump called dead U.S. soldiers “losers” and fallen Marines “suckers” while refusing to visit a World War I memorial in France in 2018, though other outlets have attributed similar charges to anonymous sources.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-10--Nasty exchanges outside Biden speech as Trump supporters counter ‘Made in America’ pitch

WARREN , Michigan — A group of supporters of President Trump clashed with a handful of Joe Biden supporters while attempting to contradict the Democratic presidential nominee 's speech about his plan to encourage buying American in a scene that was the personification of nasty political battles that take place online .
The event outside the United Auto Workers headquarters in Warren had limited attendance permitted due to precautions taken to avoid spreading the coronavirus .
Still , a Biden supporter holding a sign that had `` Black Lives Matter '' printed on one side and a Biden-Harris logo on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Examiner his name but held up his sign and exchanged some heated words with the group of Biden supporters .
`` Joe Biden needs to pay his kid 's child support because Hunter wo n't pay child support !
You got him cocaine from China ! ''
Alex Roncelli of Romeo , Michigan , yelled at the few Biden supporters across the driveway .
`` Is that who you vote for ?
That 's who you vote for ?
Good ! ''
Roncelli said that the event was organized by Brian Pannebecker of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was not able to attend .
Several paid Republican field organizers were in attendance , attempting to corral the most animated of the Trump supporters in attendance .
Jerry Wayne , the Detroit automobile worker who Biden cursed at in March after Wayne challenged Biden on his gun control positions , was also in attendance .
He accused Biden of empowering China by embracing lockdowns and argued that the unions that have endorsed Biden are not adequately representing the views of its members .
A few truck drivers that passed by honked in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and signs .
Later , Biden supporter Susan Stephenson whipped out her phone to film a Trump supporter who was yelling at her about politics , with the two standing about 10 feet apart .
`` That guy just , like , all of a sudden , began telling us that Democrats are crooks , Democrats are socialists , '' said Stephenson , a retired teacher who lives in Slippery Rock , Pennsylvania , and was in the Detroit area for a funeral .
`` This rally here , it is that conservative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on ugliness .
And President Trump urges ugliness , '' she said , adding that she is `` terrified '' about the state of the country .
During his speech , Biden announced a `` Made in America '' tax credit of 10 % for companies that invest in U.S. business .
`` Even before President Trump ’ s failed response to COVID-19 crashed our economy , his reckless and chaotic trade policy had thrown American manufacturing into recession — it was already contracting in 2019 , '' Biden said Wednesday .
Roncelli @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unions are backing Biden .
`` We repealed NAFTA , we put in a really great , new trade deal that benefits every American in this country , and so , I do n't know know what the UAW is pushing , '' he told the Washington Examiner .
`` Everybody thinks that Republicans hate BLM , and that 's simply not the case , '' Roncelli said .
`` We 're trying to put minorities in office , so we can kind of escape that mantra that we 're not minority-friendly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That 's not the case , we are . ''
Retiree Freddie Wilson , 58 , said Biden is pushing a `` false narrative , '' citing two main Trump administration accomplishments : `` No .
1 , getting tough with China and starting to have fair international trade .
And No .
2 , tightening up our borders so we just do n't have all these cheap illegal aliens labor coming in , '' he said .
Meghan Sotelo , who attended the rally with her three children and a Biden-Harris campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some grace .
`` They 're just trying to show their support for their candidates just like we 're out there trying to show support for our candidate , but I think that they take it to the next level , '' said Sotelo , who owns a landscape company .

WARREN, Michigan — A group of supporters of President Trump clashed with a handful of Joe Biden supporters while attempting to contradict the Democratic presidential nominee's speech about his plan to encourage buying American, in a scene that was the personification of nasty political battles that take place online.
The event, outside the United Auto Workers headquarters in Warren, had limited attendance permitted due to precautions taken to avoid spreading the coronavirus. Still, a Biden supporter holding a sign that had "Black Lives Matter" printed on one side and a Biden-Harris logo on the other refused to give the Washington Examiner his name but held up his sign and exchanged some heated words with the group of Trump supporters.
"Joe Biden needs to pay his kid's child support because Hunter won't pay child support! Ill-gotten cocaine from China!" Alex Roncelli of Romeo, Michigan, yelled at the few Biden supporters across the driveway. "Is that who you vote for? That's who you vote for? Good!"
Several paid Republican field organizers were in attendance, attempting to corral the most animated of the Trump supporters in attendance.
Jerry Wayne, the Detroit automobile worker who Biden cursed at in March after Wayne challenged Biden on his gun control positions, was also in attendance. He accused Biden of empowering China by embracing lockdowns and argued that the unions that have endorsed Biden are not adequately representing the views of its members.
A few truck drivers that passed by honked in support of the group with Trump flags and signs.
Later, Biden supporter Susan Stephenson whipped out her phone to film a Trump supporter who was yelling at her about politics, with the two standing about 10 feet apart.
"That guy just, like, all of a sudden, began telling us that Democrats are crooks, Democrats are socialists," said Stephenson, a retired teacher who lives in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, and was in the Detroit area for a funeral. "This rally here, it is that conservative part that's, like, egging on ugliness. And President Trump urges ugliness," she said, adding that she is "terrified" about the state of the country.
(Emily Larsen/Washington Examiner)
During his speech, Biden announced a "Made in America" tax credit of 10% for companies that invest in U.S. business.
"Even before President Trump’s failed response to COVID-19 crashed our economy, his reckless and chaotic trade policy had thrown American manufacturing into recession — it was already contracting in 2019," Biden said Wednesday.
Roncelli said that he doesn't understand why unions are backing Biden. "We repealed NAFTA, we put in a really great, new trade deal that benefits every American in this country, and so, I don't know know what the UAW is pushing," he told the Washington Examiner.
"Everybody thinks that Republicans hate BLM, and that's simply not the case," Roncelli said. "We're trying to put minorities in office, so we can kind of escape that mantra that we're not minority-friendly, we're not social issue friendly. That's not the case, we are."
Retiree Freddie Wilson, 58, said Biden is pushing a "false narrative," citing two main Trump administration accomplishments: "No. 1, getting tough with China and starting to have fair international trade. And No. 2, tightening up our borders so we just don't have all these cheap illegal aliens labor coming in," he said.
Meghan Sotelo, who attended the rally with her three children and a Biden-Harris campaign logo flag, granted the Trump supporters some grace.
"They're just trying to show their support for their candidates just like we're out there trying to show support for our candidate, but I think that they take it to the next level," said Sotelo, who owns a landscape company.
Update: Following publication of this article, Roncelli said Darlene Doetzel rather than Brian Pannebecker of Auto Workers for Trump organized the pro-Trump rally. Additionally, Roncelli yelled "ill-gotten cocaine" rather than "you got him cocaine." The article has been updated.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-09--New York Democrat calls NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio 'worst mayor' in history

Democratic Rep. Max Rose is holding nothing back in a bare-knuckle ad aimed squarely at New York City Mayor Bill @ @ @ @ @ six-second spot , Rose , who is running for reelection in New York 's tightly @ @ @ @ @ called de Blasio the `` worst '' mayor in city history before chuckling and admitting @ @ @ @ @ to say .
“ Bill de Blasio is the worst mayor in the history of @ @ @ @ @ Rose said .
“ That ’ s the whole ad.
” Rose , who deployed @ @ @ @ @ March to assist with the coronavirus pandemic , is facing a tough bid from Nicole @ @ @ @ @ the state assembly .
The short and concise ad from Rose appears to be in @ @ @ @ @ , which has run ads alleging that Rose is close with de Blasio and is @ @ @ @ @ crime and anti-police sentiment in the city .

Democratic Rep. Max Rose is holding nothing back in a bare-knuckle ad aimed squarely at New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio.
In the six-second spot, Rose, who is running for reelection in New York's tightly contested 11th Congressional District, called de Blasio the "worst" mayor in city history before chuckling and admitting that's all he wanted to say.
“Bill de Blasio is the worst mayor in the history of New York City,” Rose said. “That’s the whole ad.”
Rep. Max Rose, a Democrat running for reelection in Staten Island, with a digital ad: “Bill de Blasio is the worst mayor in the history of New York City. That’s the whole ad.” pic.twitter.com/mZrR5XW0BE — Alex Thompson (@AlxThomp) September 9, 2020
Rose, who deployed with the National Guard in March to assist with the coronavirus pandemic, is facing a tough bid from Nicole Malliotakis, a Republican in the state assembly.
The short and concise ad from Rose appears to be in response to Malliotakis's campaign, which has run ads alleging that Rose is close with de Blasio and is therefore at fault for surging crime and anti-police sentiment in the city.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-09--Autoworker Biden cursed at protests him in return Michigan visit

WARREN , Michigan — The Detroit automobile worker who Joe Biden cursed at earlier this year protested the former vice president 's campaign appearance in a Detroit suburb on Wednesday and warned that many union workers do not agree with the union decisions to endorse him .
Jerry Wayne , who works at the Fiat-Chrysler auto plant in Detroit , first encountered Biden when the Democratic presidential candidate toured the automobile plant in March .
When Wayne accused Biden of trying to take away guns , the former vice president snapped at him : `` You 're full of shit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' `` He kind of jumped off the deep end there , '' Wayne told the Washington Examiner about that confrontation , saying that he had asked Biden another question that he ignored that day , which was about how Biden would ensure that union members keep working .
On Wednesday , Wayne joined a few dozen supporters of President Trump outside the United Auto Workers headquarters in Warren , Michigan , as Biden gave a speech about his plan to `` ensure the future is made in America . ''
`` He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fact that we need to have work , '' Wayne said .
`` We 're in a pandemic right now , and our unions are working full time .
We 're doing really well even though there is a pandemic .
Yet he wants to come out here and close down the economy again , and people are going to be losing our jobs , and that 's our livelihood .
We 're here to keep America running ; he wants to stop . ''
Biden last month said that he would shut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it in order to stop the spread of the coronavirus but has not said that new shutdowns are necessary .
`` We need to help this economy out .
By shutting the economy down , it 's going to give a lot of power to China rather than to American civilians , '' Wayne said .
Wayne said that `` many , many '' union workers such as those in the United Auto Workers do not stand by their organizations ' decisions to endorse Biden and run ads against Trump .
`` These @ @ @ @ @ @ @ representatives are not truly representing the people , '' Wayne said .
`` They 're taking advantage of people who are working so diligently right now .
We 're working a lot of overtime , and not a lot of people have the ability to look into politics . ''
He suggested that Biden is leading a radical party .
`` The Democratic views , they 're very hostile right now , '' he added .
`` These cities are burning , and yet they want to raise our taxes and send our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Wednesday , Biden announced a `` Made in America '' tax credit of 10 % for companies that invest in U.S. business .
Wayne also dinged Biden for restricting access to his event in Warren due to the coronavirus pandemic .
`` COVID was going on last time we spoke .
He was n't wearing a mask or gloves .
We were face to face , '' Wayne said .

WARREN, Michigan — The Detroit automobile worker who Joe Biden cursed at earlier this year protested the former vice president's campaign appearance in a Detroit suburb on Wednesday and warned that many union workers do not agree with the union decisions to endorse him.
Jerry Wayne, who works at the Fiat-Chrysler auto plant in Detroit, first encountered Biden when the Democratic presidential candidate toured the automobile plant in March. When Wayne accused Biden of trying to take away guns, the former vice president snapped at him: "You're full of shit. I support the Second Amendment."
"He kind of jumped off the deep end there," Wayne told the Washington Examiner about that confrontation, saying that he had asked Biden another question that he ignored that day, which was about how Biden would ensure that union members keep working.
On Wednesday, Wayne joined a few dozen supporters of President Trump outside the United Auto Workers headquarters in Warren, Michigan, as Biden gave a speech about his plan to "ensure the future is made in America."
"He didn't care too much about the fact that we need to have work," Wayne said. "We're in a pandemic right now, and our unions are working full time. We're doing really well even though there is a pandemic. Yet he wants to come out here and close down the economy again, and people are going to be losing our jobs, and that's our livelihood. We're here to keep America running; he wants to stop."
Biden last month said that he would shut down the economy again if scientists recommended it in order to stop the spread of the coronavirus but has not said that new shutdowns are necessary.
"We need to help this economy out. By shutting the economy down, it's going to give a lot of power to China rather than to American civilians," Wayne said.
WATCH: "You’re full of sh*t," @JoeBiden tells a man who accused him of "actively trying to end our Second Amendment right."
"I support the Second Amendment," Biden adds while vising under-construction auto plant in Detroit. @CBSNews pic.twitter.com/sueOSBaY9P — Bo Erickson CBS (@BoKnowsNews) March 10, 2020
Wayne said that "many, many" union workers such as those in the United Auto Workers do not stand by their organizations' decisions to endorse Biden and run ads against Trump.
"These representatives are backing Biden, but these representatives are not truly representing the people," Wayne said. "They're taking advantage of people who are working so diligently right now. We're working a lot of overtime, and not a lot of people have the ability to look into politics."
He suggested that Biden is leading a radical party.
"The Democratic views, they're very hostile right now," he added. "These cities are burning, and yet they want to raise our taxes and send our work overseas."
During his speech on Wednesday, Biden announced a "Made in America" tax credit of 10% for companies that invest in U.S. business.
Wayne also dinged Biden for restricting access to his event in Warren due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"COVID was going on last time we spoke. He wasn't wearing a mask or gloves. We were face to face," Wayne said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-09--Kamala Harris's embrace of Jacob Blake is the latest blow to #MeToo

It 's been quite a week for Kamala Harris .
In addition to promulgating anti-vaccination conspiracy theories about any coronavirus vaccine released during the Trump presidency , she met with the family of Jacob Blake , a man famous for fleeing from the police with his children in tow when he violated an existing restraining order after being charged with sexual assault .
Blake has been famously lionized by the Left after being shot by the police when officers tried to arrest him as he reached in his car ( telling them after the shooting that he had a knife @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Unlike the deaths of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd , both of whom did not pose a semblance of deadly threats to officers and were preventable , it 's unclear if any feasible policy change would have prevented Blake 's shooting .
After all , Blake subverted multiple nonlethal attempts to subdue him , and by all available evidence , the police in question only resorted to shooting him when the officers had reasonable suspicion that he was reaching for a knife .
Yet , it 's not just the radical Left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to wade into the active criminal investigation and take the side of a man charged with sexual assault and domestic violence .
`` I mean , they 're an incredible family , '' said Harris after meeting with his family while Blake called in .
`` And what they 've endured , and they just do it with such dignity and grace .
And you know , they 're carrying the weight of a lot of voices on their shoulders . ''
To recap , Blake broke into the home of his ex-girlfriend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while one of their children slept in bed beside her , and stole her car keys and debit card prior to fleeing the scene of the crime .
Wisconsin issued both an open warrant for Blake 's arrest for third-degree sexual assault and a restraining order for the victim .
Blake violated the restraining order , triggering the police encounter in question .
So , one has to ask Harris , really ?
An incredible family ?
Not just the man who knowingly endangered his children by evading arrest for sexually assaulting their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jacob Blake Sr. , who has spewed the sort of anti-Semitism that would n't be out of place on the Daily Stormer ?
If 2016 , characterized by visceral loathing from both sides of President Trump 's and Bill Clinton 's sexual malfeasance , was the election that paved the way for # MeToo , 2020 is proving to be sort of the opposite .
The multiple allegations against Trump have become an afterthought to a media more obsessed with Russia and social justice , and Joe Biden and Harris have proven willing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instead turning him into a hero .
The 2016 election offered Democrats to wipe their hands clean of the Clintons , start anew , and live up to their standards positing principled opposition to Trump .
Since then , they 've weaponized a baseless sexual assault allegation against Brett Kavanaugh , then discarded their facade of care for the # MeToo movement with their attempted rehabilitation of Clinton and now the celebration of Jacob Blake .
And thus , the death of the # MeToo movement continues apace .

It's been quite a week for Kamala Harris. In addition to promulgating anti-vaccination conspiracy theories about any coronavirus vaccine released during the Trump presidency, she met with the family of Jacob Blake, a man famous for fleeing from the police with his children in tow when he violated an existing restraining order after being charged with sexual assault.
Blake has been famously lionized by the Left after being shot by the police when officers tried to arrest him as he reached in his car (telling them after the shooting that he had a knife, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel). Unlike the deaths of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, both of whom did not pose a semblance of deadly threats to officers and were preventable, it's unclear if any feasible policy change would have prevented Blake's shooting. After all, Blake subverted multiple nonlethal attempts to subdue him, and by all available evidence, the police in question only resorted to shooting him when the officers had reasonable suspicion that he was reaching for a knife.
Yet, it's not just the radical Left that has embraced Blake. Harris decided to wade into the active criminal investigation and take the side of a man charged with sexual assault and domestic violence.
"I mean, they're an incredible family," said Harris after meeting with his family while Blake called in. "And what they've endured, and they just do it with such dignity and grace. And you know, they're carrying the weight of a lot of voices on their shoulders."
To recap, Blake broke into the home of his ex-girlfriend back in May, digitally raped her while one of their children slept in bed beside her, and stole her car keys and debit card prior to fleeing the scene of the crime. Wisconsin issued both an open warrant for Blake's arrest for third-degree sexual assault and a restraining order for the victim. Blake violated the restraining order, triggering the police encounter in question.
So, one has to ask Harris, really? An incredible family? Not just the man who knowingly endangered his children by evading arrest for sexually assaulting their mother, but also his father, Jacob Blake Sr., who has spewed the sort of anti-Semitism that wouldn't be out of place on the Daily Stormer?
Some FB posts by Jacob Blake, the guy @JoeBiden is planning to meet with.
He’s a vicious antisemite.
If the investigation finds that his son’s shooting was unjustified those responsible should be held accountable, but there is no excuse for Biden to meet with a Jew hater. pic.twitter.com/5aoRZuftqc — Reagan Battalion (@ReaganBattalion) September 2, 2020
If 2016, characterized by visceral loathing from both sides of President Trump's and Bill Clinton's sexual malfeasance, was the election that paved the way for #MeToo, 2020 is proving to be sort of the opposite. The multiple allegations against Trump have become an afterthought to a media more obsessed with Russia and social justice, and Joe Biden and Harris have proven willing to ignore Blake's victim entirely, instead turning him into a hero.
The 2016 election offered Democrats to wipe their hands clean of the Clintons, start anew, and live up to their standards positing principled opposition to Trump. Since then, they've weaponized a baseless sexual assault allegation against Brett Kavanaugh, then discarded their facade of care for the #MeToo movement with their attempted rehabilitation of Clinton and now the celebration of Jacob Blake. And thus, the death of the #MeToo movement continues apace.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-09--Inconsistent Pennsylvania polling paints uneven picture of race

Depending on which polling firm you look at , Joe Biden is on a path to win Pennsylvania easily in November — or Democrats are setting themselves up for a 2016 repeat of disappointment .
Pennsylvania is again likely to be a crucial state in deciding the presidential race .
In 2016 , the Keystone State , combined with Wisconsin and Michigan , handed President Trump the keys to the White House , with a combined vote total of under 80,000 .
An NBC/Marist survey released on Wednesday found Biden with a 9-point lead over President Trump in the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , of voters there saying they plan on backing him this fall .
Those numbers are largely a result of suburban voters backing the former vice president , with many citing Trump 's poor handling of the coronavirus pandemic .
Trump 's favorability rating in the state is underwater as well , according to NBC/Marist .
Fifty-two percent of voters there disapprove of his job performance , while 45 % approve .
`` With Trump 's job approval rating and favorability upside down , he needs to reshuffle the deck to close the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Public Opinion 's Lee M. Miringoff .
`` Trump 's best bet is on the economy to do just that . ''
In 2016 , Trump beat Hillary Clinton in the state by less than 1 percentage point .
But the current state of the race in Pennsylvania remains unclear , with a Monmouth University poll released on Sept. 2 showing Biden leading with likely voters by just 1 to 3 points , a statistical tie .
“ This is really a game of inches .
The Trump campaign is looking to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support here and a little bit there , '' said Monmouth University Polling Institute Director Patrick Murray .
`` It may be working , despite the fact that Pennsylvania voters personally like the Democrat more , although this gap has narrowed . ''
That new poll constituted an 8-point shift in the race , fueled by older white men and minorities in the state now backing the president .
Both candidates are committing significant resources to the state , with Pennsylvania being one of the few states Biden has traveled to since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday , Vice President Mike Pence arrived at the PennEnergy Resources Natural Gas Producing Well in Freedom , Pennsylvania .
`` Joe Biden has spent forty-seven years shipping American jobs overseas and now proposes policies that would further damage Pennsylvania workers and businesses , including a ban on fracking , '' the Trump campaign said in a statement .
`` Only President Trump and Vice President Pence will stand up for our energy industry and defend jobs in the Keystone State . ''

Depending on which polling firm you look at, Joe Biden is on a path to win Pennsylvania easily in November — or Democrats are setting themselves up for a 2016 repeat of disappointment.
Pennsylvania is again likely to be a crucial state in deciding the presidential race. In 2016, the Keystone State, combined with Wisconsin and Michigan, handed President Trump the keys to the White House, with a combined vote total of under 80,000.
An NBC/Marist survey released on Wednesday found Biden with a 9-point lead over President Trump in the state, with over half, 53%, of voters there saying they plan on backing him this fall. Those numbers are largely a result of suburban voters backing the former vice president, with many citing Trump's poor handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
Trump's favorability rating in the state is underwater as well, according to NBC/Marist. Fifty-two percent of voters there disapprove of his job performance, while 45% approve.
"With Trump's job approval rating and favorability upside down, he needs to reshuffle the deck to close the gap," said Marist College Institute for Public Opinion's Lee M. Miringoff. "Trump's best bet is on the economy to do just that."
In 2016, Trump beat Hillary Clinton in the state by less than 1 percentage point.
But the current state of the race in Pennsylvania remains unclear, with a Monmouth University poll released on Sept. 2 showing Biden leading with likely voters by just 1 to 3 points, a statistical tie.
“This is really a game of inches. The Trump campaign is looking to peel off a little bit of Biden support here and a little bit there," said Monmouth University Polling Institute Director Patrick Murray. "It may be working, despite the fact that Pennsylvania voters personally like the Democrat more, although this gap has narrowed."
That new poll constituted an 8-point shift in the race, fueled by older white men and minorities in the state now backing the president.
Both candidates are committing significant resources to the state, with Pennsylvania being one of the few states Biden has traveled to since the beginning of the general election. On Wednesday, Vice President Mike Pence arrived at the PennEnergy Resources Natural Gas Producing Well in Freedom, Pennsylvania.
"Joe Biden has spent forty-seven years shipping American jobs overseas and now proposes policies that would further damage Pennsylvania workers and businesses, including a ban on fracking," the Trump campaign said in a statement. "Only President Trump and Vice President Pence will stand up for our energy industry and defend jobs in the Keystone State."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-09--Kelly Loeffler accepts thousands from Google donors after swearing off Big Tech money

Georgia GOP Sen. Kelly Loeffler accepted thousands of dollars from Google donors despite saying she would n't take Big Tech money .
Loeffler , the front-runner in Georgia 's U.S. Senate special election , received just under $ 10,000 from Google 's NetPAC and some of the tech company 's current and former key federal lobbyists .
NetPAC , a federal political action committee founded in 2006 for Google staff to pool their personal resources for candidates and organizations that share the company 's `` common values , '' gave $ 5,000 to Loeffler last December .
Nick Pearson , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , donated $ 2,000 to Loeffler last winter .
Lee Dunn also contributed $ 2,800 in March .
Dunn was Google 's long-term head of outreach , but she gave to the senator when she was the company 's director of cloud policy .
Loeffler 's Google-linked donations are legal and a pittance compared to the monster $ 17.6 million she raised by June 30 for her multiparty , free-for-all election to stay in the Senate .
Her closest fundraising competitor , Democratic Ebenezer Baptist Church senior pastor Raphael Warnock , brought in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ period .
Yet the contributions are jarring compared with Loeffler 's rhetoric on Big Tech .
Like many members of her party , Loeffler , a former CEO of Bakkt , which offers a federally regulated Bitcoin market , touted how she 's fought `` to stop tech monopolies from silencing conservatives '' in ads .
She 's criticized her opponents , too , for adopting a `` dangerous '' stance by `` taking the side of Big Tech '' on the campaign trail .
But Loeffler has n't just been talk .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Act in June , which would lift the liability shield protecting companies that restrict constitutionally protected speech .
She co-sponsored Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley 's Limiting Section 230 Immunity to Good Samaritans Act as well .
That bill would allow people in the United States to sue firms that censor political speech in bad faith .
`` I will never be silenced by the swamp and the fake news that want to attack conservative speech , '' she told voters last month .
`` I do n't take money from Big Tech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Loeffler is n't the only lawmaker tech companies have invested in .
Rep. Doug Collins , the ex-top House Judiciary Republican , has accepted more than $ 222,000 from similar company PACs and employees since 2011 , though he has n't taken a specific anti-Big Tech pledge .
He 's simply promised not to be beholden to the industry .
A spokesman for Loeffler seized on Collins 's record when asked about Loeffler 's .
`` While Kelly Loeffler has been the leading voice in the U.S. Senate to hold Big Tech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of thousands of dollars from Big Tech and slow-walked investigations into their silencing of conservative voices , '' he told the Washington Examiner .
`` Doug Collins is Big Tech 's puppet , and it 's exactly what you would expect from a lobbyist-loving career politician . ''
Loeffler was appointed to the Senate in January by GOP Gov .
Brian Kemp after then-Sen. Johnny Isakson announced his departure from the seat two years before his term was up due to health concerns .
She has an average lead of 4.3 percentage points @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election prognosticator RealClearPolitics .
If no candidate receives a majority of the vote on Nov. 3 , the first- and second-place finishers will contest a Jan. 5 runoff .
Collins routinely trails Loeffler in polls while remaining ahead of his Democratic rivals .

Georgia GOP Sen. Kelly Loeffler accepted thousands of dollars from Google donors despite saying she wouldn't take Big Tech money.
Loeffler, the front-runner in Georgia's U.S. Senate special election, received just under $10,000 from Google's NetPAC and some of the tech company's current and former key federal lobbyists.
NetPAC, a federal political action committee founded in 2006 for Google staff to pool their personal resources for candidates and organizations that share the company's "common values," gave $5,000 to Loeffler last December.
Nick Pearson, Google's senior manager of government affairs, donated $2,000 to Loeffler last winter. Lee Dunn also contributed $2,800 in March. Dunn was Google's long-term head of outreach, but she gave to the senator when she was the company's director of cloud policy.
Loeffler's Google-linked donations are legal and a pittance compared to the monster $17.6 million the partial self-funder raised by June 30 for her multiparty, free-for-all election to stay in the Senate. Her closest fundraising competitor, Democratic Ebenezer Baptist Church senior pastor Raphael Warnock, brought in $4.3 million during the same time period.
Yet the contributions are jarring compared with Loeffler's rhetoric on Big Tech.
Like many members of her party, Loeffler, a former CEO of Bakkt, which offers a federally regulated Bitcoin market, touted how she's fought "to stop tech monopolies from silencing conservatives" in ads. She's criticized her opponents, too, for adopting a "dangerous" stance by "taking the side of Big Tech" on the campaign trail.
But Loeffler hasn't just been talk. She introduced the Stopping Big Tech Censorship Act in June, which would lift the liability shield protecting companies that restrict constitutionally protected speech. She co-sponsored Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley's Limiting Section 230 Immunity to Good Samaritans Act as well. That bill would allow people in the United States to sue firms that censor political speech in bad faith.
"I will never be silenced by the swamp and the fake news that want to attack conservative speech," she told voters last month. "I don't take money from Big Tech. I speak out against it."
Loeffler isn't the only lawmaker tech companies have invested in. Rep. Doug Collins, the ex-top House Judiciary Republican, has accepted more than $222,000 from similar company PACs and employees since 2011, though he hasn't taken a specific anti-Big Tech pledge. He's simply promised not to be beholden to the industry.
A spokesman for Loeffler seized on Collins's record when asked about Loeffler's.
"While Kelly Loeffler has been the leading voice in the U.S. Senate to hold Big Tech accountable, Doug Collins has taken hundreds of thousands of dollars from Big Tech and slow-walked investigations into their silencing of conservative voices," he told the Washington Examiner. "Doug Collins is Big Tech's puppet, and it's exactly what you would expect from a lobbyist-loving career politician."
Collin's spokesman pushed back on Loeffler's team's assertion.
“Doug has not received a dime from the industry in this campaign. She took $5,000 from Google before she was even sworn in. Big Tech has found their queen, and her name is Kelly Loeffler," he said.
Loeffler was appointed to the Senate in January by GOP Gov. Brian Kemp after then-Sen. Johnny Isakson announced his departure from the seat two years before his term was up due to health concerns. She has an average lead of 4.3 percentage points in her 21-person field, according to election prognosticator RealClearPolitics.
If no candidate receives a majority of the vote on Nov. 3, the first- and second-place finishers will contest a Jan. 5 runoff. Collins routinely trails Loeffler in polls while remaining ahead of his Democratic rivals.