thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-31--Biden walks out after Pittsburgh speech without taking questions

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden dodged questions from the press on Monday after addressing civil unrest publicly for the first time , providing ammunition for supporters of President Trump to claim he is going out of his way to avoid the media .
Roughly 63 days out from Election Day , Biden delivered a speech in Pittsburgh in which he accused Trump of being incapable of preventing the violence that 's sprouted across multiple cities this summer .
Upon concluding his speech , the former vice president declined questions from reporters in the room , but he did acknowledge their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's not a single thing beyond our capacity when we decide to do it together .
So let 's get together .
I want to thank you all .
May God bless you , and may God protect our troops , '' Biden said in closing his address before walking out .
Although Biden has participated in some interviews , he has not taken questions in a news conference in at least a month , predating his decision to pick Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate and his acceptance of the party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personalities were quick to chide Biden for missing the opportunity to take questions .
They also compared how many questions he 's taken in recent weeks to the number Trump has answered .
Biden 's surrogates have largely been those present in media during the presidential campaign this summer .
At the end of July , the former vice president delivered a speech on his proposed economic plans should he be elected come this November .
In late June , Biden took 15 questions during an event in Wilmington , Delaware , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ press conference in months .
`` Guys , I really do have to go .
I apologize .
I 'm gon na get in real trouble .
I 'm probably already in trouble , '' Biden said at the event in June before taking two final questions about statues of historical figures and concerns he may be in a state of cognitive decline .
In mid-August , Biden held a press conference with Harris to debut the two as the 2020 Democratic ticket .
Both Harris and Biden gave prepared speeches but shied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held a press event to sign papers for the Democratic Party 's presidential and vice presidential nominations , but campaign staffers pushed reporters out of the room to prevent any questions .
Trump then criticized the 77-year-old politician for his lack of interaction with reporters .
`` Very strange .
Sleepy Joe never takes questions , '' Trump tweeted .
`` Also , his reporters have zero drive .
Why can ’ t my reporters behave like that ?
Something is going on ! ''

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden dodged questions from the press on Monday after addressing civil unrest publicly for the first time, providing ammunition for supporters of President Trump to claim he is going out of his way to avoid the media.
Roughly 63 days out from Election Day, Biden delivered a speech in Pittsburgh in which he accused Trump of being incapable of preventing the violence that's sprouted across multiple cities this summer. Upon concluding his speech, the former vice president declined questions from reporters in the room, but he did acknowledge their presence at one point.
"There's not a single thing beyond our capacity when we decide to do it together. So let's get together. I want to thank you all. May God bless you, and may God protect our troops," Biden said in closing his address before walking out.
Although Biden has participated in some interviews, he has not taken questions in a news conference in at least a month, predating his decision to pick Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate and his acceptance of the party's nomination.
Trump supporters and conservative personalities were quick to chide Biden for missing the opportunity to take questions. They also compared how many questions he's taken in recent weeks to the number Trump has answered.
Since July 19, Joe Biden has answered 131 questions from the press. President Trump has answered 838 questions.
Joe Biden hasn't taken questions at a press conference since July 28. He went 32 of those days without taking a single question. https://t.co/qx9TvL1FJX — Jake Schneider (@jacobkschneider) August 31, 2020
The fact that Joe Biden still cannot take questions from the press is very telling. — Carmine Sabia (@CarmineSabia) August 31, 2020
Joe Biden’s speech is done.
No press questions.
Back to bed for Sleepy Joe! — Buzz Patterson for Congress (CA-7) (@BuzzPatterson) August 31, 2020
Joe Biden didn't take any questions... again. Here is one I was curious about: Does he have an updated comment on the fact 13 of his campaign staff members made donations to the Minnesota Freedom Fund, a group that paid bail in riot-torn Minneapolis?https://t.co/C0bD3KdOIO — Michele Perez Exner (@michelepexner) August 31, 2020
Biden's surrogates have largely been those present in media during the presidential campaign this summer. At the end of July, the former vice president delivered a speech on his proposed economic plans should he be elected come this November. In late June, Biden took 15 questions during an event in Wilmington, Delaware, the first time he took questions at a press conference in months.
"Guys, I really do have to go. I apologize. I'm gonna get in real trouble. I'm probably already in trouble," Biden said at the event in June before taking two final questions about statues of historical figures and concerns he may be in a state of cognitive decline.
In mid-August, Biden held a press conference with Harris to debut the two as the 2020 Democratic ticket. Both Harris and Biden gave prepared speeches but shied away from questions. The two also held a press event to sign papers for the Democratic Party's presidential and vice presidential nominations, but campaign staffers pushed reporters out of the room to prevent any questions.
Trump then criticized the 77-year-old politician for his lack of interaction with reporters. "Very strange. Sleepy Joe never takes questions," Trump tweeted. "Also, his reporters have zero drive. Why can’t my reporters behave like that? Something is going on!"


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-31--‘Determined to instill fear’: Biden reverses Trump's law-and-order argument

Joe Biden issued his firmest rebuttal yet to President Trump 's argument that nationwide unrest would increase under the Democratic presidential nominee , calling Trump a `` selfish , angry , dark , and divisive '' president who is `` determined to instill fear in America . ''
The president , Biden said , is making the United States less safe .
Speaking from Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania , the former vice president offered an explanation for recent violent clashes in Kenosha , Wisconsin , and Portland , Oregon .
`` It 's getting worse , and you know why : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Because he refused to even acknowledge that there is a racial justice problem in America .
Because he wo n't stand up to any form of violence , '' Biden said .
He reiterated his condemnation of the rioting , looting , and arson that have sprung out of the protests across the country .
`` I 'll be very clear about all this : Rioting is not protesting .
Looting is not protesting .
Setting fires is not protesting .
None of this is protesting , '' Biden said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pro-Trump demonstrator in Portland , Oregon , on Saturday , as well as riots and fires in Kenosha following the police shooting of a black man , Jacob Blake , and the arrest of Illinois 17-year-old pro-Trump vigilante Kyle Rittenhouse , who traveled to Kenosha and allegedly killed two people last week .
Earlier on Monday , White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said that Trump will not comment on Rittenhouse .
Biden 's new focus on addressing the nationwide violence is a response to arguments from Trump and Republicans that riots and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supporters '' in cities controlled by Democrats and that they would escalate if Biden is elected .
`` Trump and Pence are running on this .
I find it fascinating : 'Oh , you wo n't be safe in Joe Biden 's America . '
And what 's their proof ?
The violence we 're seeing and Donald Trump 's America , '' Biden said .
`` Frankly , I believe if I were president today , the country would be safer , and we 'd see a lot less violence . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ like a radical socialist with a soft spot for rioters ?
Really ? ''
Biden said .
The former vice president Biden accused Trump of being incapable of quelling violence across the country , including when it takes the form of `` unwarranted police shooting [ and ] excessive force . ''
He said the scope of the president 's responsibility to ensure safety goes beyond curbing riots and violent protests .
Biden said that when he was vice president , violent crime fell 15 % , whereas the murder rate this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Trump 's handling of the coronavirus pandemic has made the U.S. less safe , pointing to more than 180,000 confirmed coronavirus deaths in the country .
He also referenced Trump 's statement that he would eliminate the payroll tax , which funds Social Security , and reports that Russia paid bounties for murdering U.S. soldiers .
He accused Trump of being `` desperate to do anything to hold on to power . ''
`` Donald Trump looks at this violence , and he sees a political lifeline , '' Biden said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying that the more violence erupts , the better it is for Trump .
`` The simple truth is Donald Trump failed to protect America .
So now he 's trying to scare America . ''
Trump 's campaign responded to the speech by saying that Biden did not specifically condemn far-left groups in his speech despite the former vice president 's condemnation of all violence .
`` He failed to condemn antifa .
He failed to condemn people who called the police a ‘ cancer ’ or people on his campaign staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failed to apologize for his campaign staff donating to a fund which bailed violent criminals out of jail in Minneapolis .
He failed to urge Democrat governors to call in the National Guard .
He failed to urge Democrat mayors to allow the federal government to help , '' Tim Murtaugh , the Trump campaign 's communications director , said in a statement .

Joe Biden issued his firmest rebuttal yet to President Trump's argument that nationwide unrest would increase under the Democratic presidential nominee, calling Trump a "selfish, angry, dark, and divisive" president who is "determined to instill fear in America." The president, Biden said, is making the United States less safe.
Speaking from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the former vice president offered an explanation for recent violent clashes in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and Portland, Oregon.
"It's getting worse, and you know why: because Donald Trump has fueled every fire. Because he refused to even acknowledge that there is a racial justice problem in America. Because he won't stand up to any form of violence," Biden said.
He reiterated his condemnation of the rioting, looting, and arson that have sprung out of the protests across the country.
"I'll be very clear about all this: Rioting is not protesting. Looting is not protesting. Setting fires is not protesting. None of this is protesting," Biden said.
The speech followed the killing of an apparent pro-Trump demonstrator in Portland, Oregon, on Saturday, as well as riots and fires in Kenosha following the police shooting of a black man, Jacob Blake, and the arrest of Illinois 17-year-old pro-Trump vigilante Kyle Rittenhouse, who traveled to Kenosha and allegedly killed two people last week.
Earlier on Monday, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said that Trump will not comment on Rittenhouse.
Biden's new focus on addressing the nationwide violence is a response to arguments from Trump and Republicans that riots and destruction are being perpetrated by "Biden supporters" in cities controlled by Democrats and that they would escalate if Biden is elected.
He directly addressed that augment.
"Trump and Pence are running on this. I find it fascinating: 'Oh, you won't be safe in Joe Biden's America.' And what's their proof? The violence we're seeing and Donald Trump's America," Biden said. "Frankly, I believe if I were president today, the country would be safer, and we'd see a lot less violence."
"Ask yourself, do I look like a radical socialist with a soft spot for rioters? Really?" Biden said.
The former vice president Biden accused Trump of being incapable of quelling violence across the country, including when it takes the form of "unwarranted police shooting [and] excessive force." He said the scope of the president's responsibility to ensure safety goes beyond curbing riots and violent protests.
Biden said that when he was vice president, violent crime fell 15%, whereas the murder rate this year is up 26%. He argued that Trump's handling of the coronavirus pandemic has made the U.S. less safe, pointing to more than 180,000 confirmed coronavirus deaths in the country. He also referenced Trump's statement that he would eliminate the payroll tax, which funds Social Security, and reports that Russia paid bounties for murdering U.S. soldiers.
He accused Trump of being "desperate to do anything to hold on to power."
"Donald Trump looks at this violence, and he sees a political lifeline," Biden said, referencing former White House counselor Kellyanne Conway saying that the more violence erupts, the better it is for Trump. "The simple truth is Donald Trump failed to protect America. So now he's trying to scare America."
Trump's campaign responded to the speech by saying that Biden did not specifically condemn far-left groups in his speech despite the former vice president's condemnation of all violence.
"He failed to condemn antifa. He failed to condemn people who called the police a ‘cancer’ or people on his campaign staff who called them ‘pigs.’ He failed to apologize for his campaign staff donating to a fund which bailed violent criminals out of jail in Minneapolis. He failed to urge Democrat governors to call in the National Guard. He failed to urge Democrat mayors to allow the federal government to help," Tim Murtaugh, the Trump campaign's communications director, said in a statement.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-31--Kamala Harris ripped for flip-flopping on rioters after she asked for donations to bail them out of

Kamala Harris ripped for flip-flopping on rioters after she asked for donations to bail them out of jail

Vice Presidential nominee Kamala Harris asked supporters in June to donate to Minnesota rioters who were arrested , in a tweet now earning her criticism after condemning rioters ’ violence this weekend .
“ If you ’ re able to , chip in now to the @ MNFreedomFund to help post bail for those protesting on the ground in Minnesota , ” Harris tweeted on June 1 , just days after the Memorial Day death of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
Over the weekend , Harris and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden condemned the violence seen in recent days , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one person was shot dead Saturday night .
“ I join @ JoeBiden in condemning this violence .
This can not — and must not — be who we are .
Americans deserve a president who will heal our country and bring people together — not fan the flames of hate and division , ” she tweeted Sunday .
Republican Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton resurrected Harris ’ s June tweet Sunday , slamming it as a flip-flop on her support of rioters who have caused destruction in multiple major cities across the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Minnesota get out of jail to do more damage , ” Cotton tweeted .
“ Do n't believe her when she says she ‘ condemns the violence ’ — look at her record , not her words.
” Donald Trump Jr. also took issue with her June tweet .
“ Remember : Joe Biden called them ‘ peaceful protesters.
’ Kamala Harris raised money to bail violent rioters out of jail .
And they both continue to oppose @ realDonaldTrump 's plan to send in the National Guard to finally end these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Trump Jr. tweeted Monday morning .
`` As vice president , Joe Biden oversaw cuts to police funding , and now as a candidate , he says he wants to redirect funding away from police .
His staff mocked police as worse than ‘ pigs , ’ called for defunding the police , and now , we know his campaign and Kamala Harris helped bail out violent criminals , rapists , and would-be cop killers .
Biden is incapable of bringing our country together because he has been taken over by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actively putting Americans ’ lives at risk by making our streets more dangerous , cops ’ jobs more difficult , and families less safe , '' Trump campaign Communications Director Tim Murtaugh said in a statement to the Washington Examiner .
Others have also echoed the sentiments of Cotton and Trump Jr. Support for Black Lives Matter protests has been slipping in recent months , according to a poll out of Wisconsin .
Forty-eight percent of Wisconsin residents support Black Lives Matter protests and 48 % disapprove , according to a Marquette Law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aug. 9 .
Earlier this summer , Marquette found 61 % of residents approved of the movement 's protests from June 14 to June 18 , with 36 % disapproving .
Biden ’ s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment .

Vice Presidential nominee Kamala Harris asked supporters in June to donate to Minnesota rioters who were arrested, in a tweet now earning her criticism after condemning rioters’ violence this weekend.
“If you’re able to, chip in now to the @MNFreedomFund to help post bail for those protesting on the ground in Minnesota,” Harris tweeted on June 1, just days after the Memorial Day death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Over the weekend, Harris and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden condemned the violence seen in recent days, specifically in Portland, Oregon, where one person was shot dead Saturday night.
“I join @JoeBiden in condemning this violence. This can not — and must not — be who we are. Americans deserve a president who will heal our country and bring people together — not fan the flames of hate and division,” she tweeted Sunday.
I join @JoeBiden in condemning this violence. This can not—and must not—be who we are. Americans deserve a president who will heal our country and bring people together—not fan the flames of hate and division. https://t.co/21h00uFFR7 — Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) August 30, 2020
Republican Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton resurrected Harris’s June tweet Sunday, slamming it as a flip-flop on her support of rioters who have caused destruction in multiple major cities across the country.
“Kamala Harris helped violent rioters in Minnesota get out of jail to do more damage,” Cotton tweeted. “Don't believe her when she says she ‘condemns the violence’ — look at her record, not her words.”
Kamala Harris helped violent rioters in Minnesota get out of jail to do more damage.
Don't believe her when she says she "condemns the violence"—look at her record, not her words. https://t.co/lL2aYjxPZA — Tom Cotton (@TomCottonAR) August 31, 2020
Donald Trump Jr. also took issue with her June tweet.
“Remember: Joe Biden called them ‘peaceful protesters.’ Kamala Harris raised money to bail violent rioters out of jail. And they both continue to oppose @realDonaldTrump's plan to send in the National Guard to finally end these violent riots once and for all,” Trump Jr. tweeted Monday morning.
Remember:
Joe Biden called them "peaceful protesters."
Kamala Harris raised money to bail violent rioters out of jail.
And they both continue to oppose @realDonaldTrump's plan to send in the National Guard to finally end these violent riots once and for all. #BidenRiots — Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) August 31, 2020
"As vice president, Joe Biden oversaw cuts to police funding, and now as a candidate, he says he wants to redirect funding away from police. His staff mocked police as worse than ‘pigs,’ called for defunding the police, and now, we know his campaign and Kamala Harris helped bail out violent criminals, rapists, and would-be cop killers. Biden is incapable of bringing our country together because he has been taken over by the radical Left. Biden and Harris are actively putting Americans’ lives at risk by making our streets more dangerous, cops’ jobs more difficult, and families less safe," Trump campaign Communications Director Tim Murtaugh said in a statement to the Washington Examiner.
Others have also echoed the sentiments of Cotton and Trump Jr.
Shameless — Ron Fournier (@ron_fournier) August 31, 2020
Tom Cotton points out that Kamala Harris helped rioters get out of jail in Minneapolis!https://t.co/1Kve3wfGlA — Mark R. Levin (@marklevinshow) August 31, 2020
Kamala Harris doesn't just support rioters... she wants to help them get out of jail free. https://t.co/z4n555P0w7 — Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) August 31, 2020
So, @KamalaHarris: (1) tells @StephenAtHome w/a smile that #BidenRiots should keep going even after the election; and (2) promotes rioters get out of jail free card, and it is @realDonaldTrump fanning the flames?!? Poppycock. — Howard Steele (@HowardSteele5) August 31, 2020
David Dorn was found shot to death outside of a pawn shop in St. Louis. He was shot while Lee’s Pawn and Jewelry was looted after a night of unrest in the city
￼
The day before he was murdered Kamala Harris was raising money for rioters to be bailed out of jail. Sickening. https://t.co/WZXuvqnw75 — Kambree (@KamVTV) August 24, 2020
Support for Black Lives Matter protests has been slipping in recent months, according to a poll out of Wisconsin.
Forty-eight percent of Wisconsin residents support Black Lives Matter protests and 48% disapprove, according to a Marquette Law School poll conducted between Aug. 8 and Aug. 9. Earlier this summer, Marquette found 61% of residents approved of the movement's protests from June 14 to June 18, with 36% disapproving.
Biden’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-31--Biden to accuse Trump of being incapable of stopping violence

Joe Biden will argue that President Trump is unable to stop violence and destruction sweeping the country in a speech that will address riots and clashes between Black Lives Matter protests and pro-Trump demonstrators .
`` This president long ago forfeited any moral leadership in this country .
He can ’ t stop the violence — because for years , he has fomented it , '' Biden is expected to say in Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania , on Monday , according to an excerpt of prepared remarks provided by the campaign .
`` He may believe mouthing the words 'law and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his failure to call on his own supporters to stop acting as an armed militia in this country shows you how weak he is .
Does anyone believe there will be less violence in America if Donald Trump is reelected ? ''
the Biden speech excepts say .
Biden 's speech follows the killing of an apparent pro-Trump demonstrator in Portland , Oregon , on Monday , riots and fires in Kenosha , Wisconsin , following the police shooting of a black man , Jacob Blake , and the arrest of Illinois 17-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who traveled to Kenosha in order to protect private property and allegedly killed two people last week .
The former vice president and Democratic presidential nominee 's speech , and new focus on addressing the nationwide violence , is a response to arguments from Trump and Republicans that nationwide violence and destruction is being perpetrated by `` Biden supporters '' in cities controlled by Democrats , and that the violence would escalate if Biden is elected .
Some of Biden 's speech will echo a statement his campaign released last week that accused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ white supremacists '' of being `` often the source of the biggest trouble . ''
`` We need justice in America .
And we need safety in America , '' Biden will say .
`` We are facing multiple crises — crises that , under Donald Trump , keep multiplying .
COVID .
Economic devastation .
Unwarranted police violence .
Emboldened white nationalists .
A reckoning on race .
Declining faith in a bright American future . ''
`` The common thread ?
An incumbent president who makes things worse , not better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rather than providing order , '' the speech excerpts say .

Joe Biden will argue that President Trump is unable to stop violence and destruction sweeping the country in a speech that will address riots and clashes between Black Lives Matter protests and pro-Trump demonstrators.
"This president long ago forfeited any moral leadership in this country. He can’t stop the violence — because for years, he has fomented it," Biden is expected to say in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Monday, according to an excerpt of prepared remarks provided by the campaign.
"He may believe mouthing the words 'law and order' makes him strong, but his failure to call on his own supporters to stop acting as an armed militia in this country shows you how weak he is. Does anyone believe there will be less violence in America if Donald Trump is reelected?" the Biden speech excepts say.
Biden's speech follows the killing of an apparent pro-Trump demonstrator in Portland, Oregon, on Monday, riots and fires in Kenosha, Wisconsin, following the police shooting of a black man, Jacob Blake, and the arrest of Illinois 17-year-old vigilante and Trump fan Kyle Rittenhouse, who traveled to Kenosha in order to protect private property and allegedly killed two people last week.
The former vice president and Democratic presidential nominee's speech, and new focus on addressing the nationwide violence, is a response to arguments from Trump and Republicans that nationwide violence and destruction is being perpetrated by "Biden supporters" in cities controlled by Democrats, and that the violence would escalate if Biden is elected.
Some of Biden's speech will echo a statement his campaign released last week that accused right-wing militias that are "aligned with white supremacists" of being "often the source of the biggest trouble."
"We need justice in America. And we need safety in America," Biden will say. "We are facing multiple crises — crises that, under Donald Trump, keep multiplying. COVID. Economic devastation. Unwarranted police violence. Emboldened white nationalists. A reckoning on race. Declining faith in a bright American future."
"The common thread? An incumbent president who makes things worse, not better. An incumbent president who sows chaos rather than providing order," the speech excerpts say.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-01--Biden’s timeline in violence

Biden’s timeline in violence

In light of Joe Biden condemning recent violence in Kenosha , Wisconsin , and Portland , Oregon , some leaders and commentators falsely claimed that Biden had not previously criticized arsonists , looters , or violent agitators that stemmed from Black Lives Matter protests across the country .
“ Too little too late .
The left wing militants have been at war in America ’ s cities for MONTHS and you ’ re only commenting now because the polling told you to , ” Republican Rep. Dan Crenshaw of Texas .
“ Amazing that after 90 days of silence ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) on the looting and rioting in the # BidenRiots , Biden finally says something after CNN says it ’ s hurting him in the polls .
Weak !
” Donald Trump Jr .
In a Saturday Breitbart piece , commentator John Nolte that “ violence raged for 88 days before Joe Biden finally emerged from his Delaware bunker and said it was wrong.
” Biden ’ s statements explicitly condemning looting , arson , destruction of property , and violence include a written statement on May 31 , a speech on June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a video on Wednesday , a written statement on Sunday , and a speech on Monday .
Biden , however , did not forcefully address daily violence and vandalism that took place in Seattle , Washington , and Portland for much of June and July , instead focusing criticism on federal law enforcement officers for harming “ peaceful protesters.
” At the end of July , Biden again started to criticize arsonists , looters , and other violent demonstrators explicitly .
The former vice president and Democratic presidential nominee has condemned violence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but has focused more attention on violence stemming from right-wing groups , white supremacists , and law enforcement than from “ anti-fascist ” factions .
Below is a timeline of some violent events stemming from protests over police brutality and racism across the country and key Biden statements about the protests and violence .
Monday , May 25 , 2020 : George Floyd , a black Minneapolis man , dies after being held by his neck under a white police offer ’ s knee for nearly nine minutes .
Tuesday , May 26 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an FBI investigation into the officers involved in Floyd ’ s death .
Protests in Minneapolis began , resulting in between those protesting Floyd ’ s death and police , including the use of tear gas .
Some police vehicles were vandalized .
Wednesday , May 27 , 2020 : During a virtual town hall event , Biden for a Department of Justice investigation into Floyd ’ s death .
`` George Floyd 's life mattered .
It mattered as much as mine .
It mattered as much as anyone 's in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it should have , '' Biden said .
in Minneapolis , with viral images showing a Target near the 3rd Police Precinct being ransacked .
An AutoZone near the precinct was .
Protests and riots began to nationwide .
By June 1 , at least 140 cities across the country had Black Lives Matter protests , and the National Guard was activated in 21 states .
Thursday , May 28 , 2020 : Biden , in a virtual fundraiser , addressed Floyd and made a passing reference to violence and riots .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called out of Minneapolis , and I urge the protesters to exercise their rights peacefully and safely .
But people all across this country are enraged and rightly so , ” Biden said , according to a .
Democratic Minnesota Gov .
Tim Walz the state ’ s National Guard to help quell protests earlier that day .
Late that night , fires started at other area stores and at the Minneapolis 3rd Police Precinct .
Friday , May 29 , 2020 : Biden delivered a from his home studio on “ the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s death .
He revealed that he had spoken to Floyd ’ s family .
He did not directly condemn the riots and looting in Minnesota during the speech , but he did reference a that said , “ When the looting starts , the shooting starts.
” '' This is no time for incendiary tweets .
It 's no time to encourage violence , '' Biden said .
Overnight , protesters in blocked off an interstate for almost three hours , set a fire in the road , and broke into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ truck .
One man died after getting caught in between two FedEx truck trailers , and the truck drove away .
A 21-year-old was in Detroit , Michigan , after shots were fired into a crowd of protesters , police said .
Saturday , May 30 , 2020 : Reuters that at least 13 Biden campaign staff members posted that they had donated to the Minnesota Freedom Fund , which used donations to pay bail fees for those arrested in the Minneapolis protests .
Democratic Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey implored residents to stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What started as largely peaceful protests for George Floyd have turned to outright looting and domestic terrorism in our region.
” Overnight in Indianapolis , Indiana , , and one was killed amid the riots .
In , six people were shot , one fatally , amid protests and looting downtown .
Sunday , May 31 , 2020 : In a written statement sent early in the morning just after midnight , Biden addressed the violence happening across the country .
He said that while protesting brutality in the wake of Floyd 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and an “ utterly American response , ” violence and looting “ is not.
” The statement said , in part : Later in the day , Biden the site of protests that happened in Wilmington , Delaware .
`` The only way to bear this pain is to turn all that anguish to purpose .
And as President , I will help lead this conversation — and more importantly , I will listen , just as I did today visiting the site of last night 's protests in Wilmington , '' Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Louisville , Kentucky , police “ returned fire ” into a crowd while trying to clear protesters and one man .
Tuesday , June 2 , 2020 : In a live speech from Philadelphia City Hall , Biden again expressed disapproval of violence : He also Trump for dispersing a protest crowd outside the White House with crowd control gas before the president , which had been set on fire amid the protests .
“ And [ we ] have to be vigilant about the violence that ’ s being done by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the pursuit of justice ...
When peaceful protesters are dispersed by the order of the president from the doorstep of the people 's house , the White House , using tear gas and flash grenades , in order to stage a photo-op at a noble church , we can be forgiven for believing that the president is more interested in power than in principle .
More interested in serving the passions of his base than the needs of the people in his care .
For that 's what the presidency is : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for all of us . ''
Tuesday , June 9 , 2020 : Demonstrators in Seattle a portion of the city a police-free “ autonomous zone , ” known as CHAZ/CHOP .
Saturday , June 20 , 2020 : A 19-year-old man in the Seattle CHOP area is shot .
Sunday , June 21 , 2020 : A 17-year-old boy in the Seattle CHOP area is shot .
Tuesday , July 21 , 2020 : In a written statement , Biden criticized the presence of Department of Homeland Security law enforcement officers in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peaceful protesters ” without recognizing the violent and destructive protesters .
Monday , June 29 , 2020 : Two teenagers were shot , one fatally , in the CHOP zone .
Wednesday , July 1 , 2020 : Police the Seattle CHOP area and restore their presence there .
Tuesday , July 28 , 2020 : Biden , in a speech from Wilmington , Delaware , called for arsonists and anarchists to be prosecuted by local police while criticizing Trump for using federal law enforcement from the Department of Homeland Security in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July 29 , 2020 : The Department of Homeland Security and Oregon to leave Portland .
Thursday , July 30 , 2020 : Portland police that after over two months of protests downtown , there were 125 reported shootings , a spike from a total of 59 shootings during the same time period in 2019 .
Monday-Thursday , Aug. 17-20 , 2020 : Democrats held a virtual national convention in which some speakers praised peaceful protesters , but arson , looting , and property damage are largely ignored .
Sunday , Aug. 23 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man is shot seven times in the back by a police officer .
Monday-Thursday , Aug. 24-27 , 2020 : Republicans held a mostly virtual national convention in which many speakers argued that violence taking place in Democratic-controlled cities will spread if Biden is elected .
Monday , Aug. 24 , 2020 : Riots and fires in Kenosha blocks of business .
Tuesday , Aug. 25 , 2020 : Kyle Rittenhouse , a 17-year-old Trump and law enforcement supporter who came to Kenosha from just over the border in Illinois with the intent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allegedly shot and killed someone while injuring another in a shooting .
Wednesday , Aug. 26 , 2020 : Speaking to a camera in a video addressing the police shooting of Blake in Kenosha and subsequent protests and riots , .
`` As I said after George Floyd 's murder , protesting brutality is a right and absolutely necessary .
But burning down communities is not protest .
It 's needless violence .
Violence that endangers lives , violence that guts businesses , and shutters businesses , that shutters communities .
That 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the damage done in her community , and she said this : 'This does n't reflect my son or my family . '
So , let 's unite and heal , do justice , end the violence , and end systemic racism in this country now , '' Biden said .
Thursday , Aug. 27 , 2020 : Biden condemned the violence and supported by white supremacists are the source of much of the problems on the streets .
Friday , Aug. 28 , 2020 : In a joint written statement with his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , on the 57th Anniversary of the March on Washington , Biden condemned violence : “ That is where we are today .
The murder and violence toward Black Americans of the 1960s is happening today in broad daylight for the world to witness .
A pandemic and economic crisis lays bare the systemic racism that still plagues our way of life .
And instead of seeking to heal and unite , too many in our nation seek to inflame and divide .
We ’ re in an ongoing battle for the soul @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violence .
We can not afford our cities and the bonds between us to be burned , broken , and scarred any further .
We have to root out the racism , hate , and the vengeance.
” Saturday , Aug. 29 , 2020 : In Portland , at around 8:45 p.m. local time , a man was shot and killed when a pro-Trump car caravan clashed with anti-Trump demonstrators .
The man who died wore a thin blue line patch , signaling support for law enforcement , and a hat with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Sunday , Aug. 30 , 2020 : Biden condemned violence in a written statement in response to the killing of an apparent Trump supporter in Portland .
Monday , Aug. 31 , 2020 : Biden reiterated his opposition to rioting and looting in a speech from Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania , that argued Trump is making the United States less safe .

In light of Joe Biden condemning recent violence in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and Portland, Oregon, some leaders and commentators falsely claimed that Biden had not previously criticized arsonists, looters, or violent agitators that stemmed from Black Lives Matter protests across the country.
“Too little too late. The left wing militants have been at war in America’s cities for MONTHS and you’re only commenting now because the polling told you to,” Republican Rep. Dan Crenshaw of Texas tweeted .
“Amazing that after 90 days of silence (and not one mention at the DNC) on the looting and rioting in the #BidenRiots, Biden finally says something after CNN says it’s hurting him in the polls. Weak!” tweeted Donald Trump Jr.
In a Saturday Breitbart piece, commentator John Nolte claimed that “violence raged for 88 days before Joe Biden finally emerged from his Delaware bunker and said it was wrong.”
Biden’s statements explicitly condemning looting, arson, destruction of property, and violence include a written statement on May 31, a speech on June 2, a speech on July 28, a video on Wednesday, a written statement on Sunday, and a speech on Monday.
Biden, however, did not forcefully address daily violence and vandalism that took place in Seattle, Washington, and Portland for much of June and July, instead focusing criticism on federal law enforcement officers for harming “peaceful protesters.” At the end of July, Biden again started to criticize arsonists, looters, and other violent demonstrators explicitly.
The former vice president and Democratic presidential nominee has condemned violence on all sides and called out anarchists but has focused more attention on violence stemming from right-wing groups, white supremacists, and law enforcement than from “anti-fascist” factions.
Below is a timeline of some violent events stemming from protests over police brutality and racism across the country and key Biden statements about the protests and violence.
Monday, May 25, 2020: George Floyd, a black Minneapolis man, dies after being held by his neck under a white police offer’s knee for nearly nine minutes.
Tuesday, May 26, 2020: Biden tweeted a call for an FBI investigation into the officers involved in Floyd’s death.
Protests in Minneapolis began, resulting in clashes between those protesting Floyd’s death and police, including the use of tear gas. Some police vehicles were vandalized.
Wednesday, May 27, 2020: During a virtual town hall event, Biden called for a Department of Justice investigation into Floyd’s death. "George Floyd's life mattered. It mattered as much as mine. It mattered as much as anyone's in this country. Or, at least, it should have," Biden said.
Looting erupted in Minneapolis, with viral images showing a Target near the 3rd Police Precinct being ransacked. An AutoZone near the precinct was set on fire .
Protests and riots began to spread nationwide. By June 1, at least 140 cities across the country had Black Lives Matter protests, and the National Guard was activated in 21 states.
Thursday, May 28, 2020: Biden, in a virtual fundraiser, addressed Floyd and made a passing reference to violence and riots.
“Tonight, the National Guard has been called out of Minneapolis, and I urge the protesters to exercise their rights peacefully and safely. But people all across this country are enraged and rightly so,” Biden said, according to a pool report .
Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz mobilized the state’s National Guard to help quell protests earlier that day. Late that night, fires started at other area stores and at the Minneapolis 3rd Police Precinct .
Friday, May 29, 2020: Biden delivered a brief address from his home studio on “the unfolding situation in Minnesota” and Floyd’s death. He revealed that he had spoken to Floyd’s family.
He did not directly condemn the riots and looting in Minnesota during the speech, but he did reference a tweet from President Trump that said, “When the looting starts, the shooting starts.”
"This is no time for incendiary tweets. It's no time to encourage violence," Biden said.
Overnight, protesters in St. Louis, Missouri, blocked off an interstate for almost three hours, set a fire in the road, and broke into an Amazon Prime truck and a FedEx truck. One man died after getting caught in between two FedEx truck trailers, and the truck drove away.
A 21-year-old was killed in Detroit, Michigan, after shots were fired into a crowd of protesters, police said.
Rioters and vandals swarmed CNN headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia.
Saturday, May 30, 2020: Reuters reports that at least 13 Biden campaign staff members posted that they had donated to the Minnesota Freedom Fund, which used donations to pay bail fees for those arrested in the Minneapolis protests.
Democratic Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey implored residents to stay home, saying in a tweet , “What started as largely peaceful protests for George Floyd have turned to outright looting and domestic terrorism in our region.”
Overnight in Indianapolis, Indiana, three people were shot , and one was killed amid the riots.
In Chicago , six people were shot, one fatally, amid protests and looting downtown.
Sunday, May 31, 2020: In a written statement sent early in the morning just after midnight, Biden addressed the violence happening across the country . He said that while protesting brutality in the wake of Floyd's death is “right and necessary” and an “utterly American response,” violence and looting “is not.”
The statement said, in part:
These last few days have laid bare that we are a nation furious at injustice. Every person of conscience can understand the rawness of the trauma people of color experience in this country, from the daily indignities to the extreme violence, like the horrific killing of George Floyd.
Protesting such brutality is right and necessary. It’s an utterly American response. But burning down communities and needless destruction is not. Violence that endangers lives is not. Violence that guts and shutters businesses that serve the community is not.
Later in the day, Biden visited the site of protests that happened in Wilmington, Delaware. "The only way to bear this pain is to turn all that anguish to purpose. And as President, I will help lead this conversation — and more importantly, I will listen, just as I did today visiting the site of last night's protests in Wilmington," Biden said in an Instagram caption.
Overnight in Louisville, Kentucky, police “returned fire” into a crowd while trying to clear protesters and killed one man.
Tuesday, June 2, 2020: In a live speech from Philadelphia City Hall, Biden again expressed disapproval of violence:
The country is crying out for leadership. Leadership that can unite us. Leadership that can bring us together. Leadership that can recognize pain and deep grief of communities that have had a knee on their neck for a long.
There’s no place for violence. No place for looting or destroying property or burning churches, or destroying businesses — many of them built by the very people of color who, for the first time, were beginning to realize their dreams and build wealth for their families.
Nor is it acceptable for our police, sworn to protect and serve all people, to escalate tension, resort to excessive violence. We need to distinguish between legitimate peaceful protest and opportunistic violent destruction.
He also criticized Trump for dispersing a protest crowd outside the White House with crowd control gas before the president walked to St. John’s Church , which had been set on fire amid the protests.
“And [we] have to be vigilant about the violence that’s being done by the incumbent president to our democracy and to the pursuit of justice ... When peaceful protesters are dispersed by the order of the president from the doorstep of the people's house, the White House, using tear gas and flash grenades, in order to stage a photo-op at a noble church, we can be forgiven for believing that the president is more interested in power than in principle. More interested in serving the passions of his base than the needs of the people in his care. For that's what the presidency is: the duty to care — to care for all of us."
Tuesday, June 9, 2020: Demonstrators in Seattle declare a portion of the city a police-free “autonomous zone,” known as CHAZ/CHOP.
Saturday, June 20, 2020: A 19-year-old man in the Seattle CHOP area is shot.
Sunday, June 21, 2020: A 17-year-old boy in the Seattle CHOP area is shot.
Tuesday, July 21, 2020: In a written statement, Biden criticized the presence of Department of Homeland Security law enforcement officers in Portland, saying that they attacked “peaceful protesters” without recognizing the violent and destructive protesters.
We have a president who is determined to sow chaos and division. To make matters worse instead of better. We all remember the appalling scenes in front of the White House, when peaceful protestors were gassed to make way for a Trump photo op. Now Homeland Security agents — without a clearly defined mandate or authority — are ranging far from federal property, stripped of badges and insignia and identifying markings, to detain people. They are brutally attacking peaceful protestors, including a U.S. Navy veteran. Of course the U.S. government has the right and duty to protect federal property. The Obama-Biden administration protected federal property across the country without resorting to these egregious tactics — and without trying to stoke the fires of division in this country. We need a president who will bring us together instead of tear us apart, calm instead of inflame, and enforce the law faithfully rather than put his political interests first.
Monday, June 29, 2020: Two teenagers were shot, one fatally, in the Seattle CHOP zone.
Wednesday, July 1, 2020: Police clear the Seattle CHOP area and restore their presence there.
Tuesday, July 28, 2020: Biden, in a speech from Wilmington, Delaware, called for arsonists and anarchists to be prosecuted by local police while criticizing Trump for using federal law enforcement from the Department of Homeland Security in an attempt to quell protests.
And he [Trump] is — horrifyingly, but not surprisingly — intentionally stoking the flames of division and racism in this country.
I've said from the outset of the recent protests that there’s no place for violence or destruction of property. Peaceful protesters should be protected, but arsonists and anarchists should be prosecuted, and local law enforcement can do that.
When President Obama and I were in office we protected federal property, and we were able to do it without turning DHS into a private militia.
Wednesday, July 29, 2020: The Department of Homeland Security and Oregon reached a deal to leave Portland.
Thursday, July 30, 2020: Portland police reported that after over two months of protests downtown, there were 125 reported shootings, a spike from a total of 59 shootings during the same time period in 2019.
Monday-Thursday, Aug. 17-20, 2020: Democrats held a virtual national convention in which some speakers praised peaceful protesters, but arson, looting, and property damage are largely ignored.
Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020: Kenosha, Wisconsin, man Jacob Blake is shot seven times in the back by a police officer.
Monday-Thursday, Aug. 24-27, 2020: Republicans held a mostly virtual national convention in which many speakers argued that violence taking place in Democratic-controlled cities will spread if Biden is elected.
Monday, Aug. 24, 2020: Riots and fires in Kenosha destroyed blocks of business.
Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020: Kyle Rittenhouse, a 17-year-old Trump and law enforcement supporter who came to Kenosha from just over the border in Illinois with the intent of protecting businesses alongside other vigilantes, allegedly shot and killed someone while injuring another in a shooting.
Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020: Speaking to a camera in a video addressing the police shooting of Blake in Kenosha and subsequent protests and riots, Biden condemned violence .
"As I said after George Floyd's murder, protesting brutality is a right and absolutely necessary. But burning down communities is not protest. It's needless violence. Violence that endangers lives, violence that guts businesses, and shutters businesses, that shutters communities. That's wrong."
He quoted Blake's mother, Julia Jackson.
"She looked at the damage done in her community, and she said this: 'This doesn't reflect my son or my family.' So, let's unite and heal, do justice, end the violence, and end systemic racism in this country now," Biden said.
Once again, a Black man — Jacob Blake — was shot by the police. In front of his children. It makes me sick.
Is this the country we want to be?
Needless violence won’t heal us. We need to end the violence — and peacefully come together to demand justice. pic.twitter.com/WdNqrxA3PK — Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) August 26, 2020
Police arrested Rittenhouse.
Thursday, Aug. 27, 2020: Biden condemned the violence and claimed that right-wing militias supported by white supremacists are the source of much of the problems on the streets.
I have made it clear. There is no place for violence, looting, or burning. None. Zero.
All it does it hurt the communities reeling from injustice – and it destroys the businesses that serve them – many of them run by people of color who for the first time in their lives have begun to build wealth for their family.
But while I have condemned all forms of violence – police violence, lawless violence and violence perpetrated by extreme, right-wing militia groups – like the groups the 17-year-old just arrested in Illinois for murdering two people in Wisconsin is reputed to have been aligned with. Trump doesn’t speak out against these extreme right-wing groups. Instead – as he did about Charlottesville – he embraces them.
If you’re worried about the violence you’re witnessing, you better be worried about the armed militias – often aligned with white supremacists and white nationalists and Neo-Nazis and the KKK – who are often the source of the biggest trouble.
Friday, Aug. 28, 2020: In a joint written statement with his running mate, California Sen. Kamala Harris, on the 57th Anniversary of the March on Washington, Biden condemned violence:
“That is where we are today. The murder and violence toward Black Americans of the 1960s is happening today in broad daylight for the world to witness. A pandemic and economic crisis lays bare the systemic racism that still plagues our way of life. And instead of seeking to heal and unite, too many in our nation seek to inflame and divide. We’re in an ongoing battle for the soul of our nation. We condemn the violence. We cannot afford our cities and the bonds between us to be burned, broken, and scarred any further. We have to root out the racism, hate, and the vengeance.”
Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020: In Portland, at around 8:45 p.m. local time, a man was shot and killed when a pro-Trump car caravan clashed with anti-Trump demonstrators . The man who died wore a thin blue line patch, signaling support for law enforcement, and a hat with a logo for the far-right group Patriot Prayer.
Sunday, Aug. 30, 2020: Biden condemned violence in a written statement in response to the killing of an apparent Trump supporter in Portland.
The deadly violence we saw overnight in Portland is unacceptable. Shooting in the streets of a great American city is unacceptable. I condemn this violence unequivocally. I condemn violence of every kind by anyone, whether on the left or the right. And I challenge Donald Trump to do the same. It does not matter if you find the political views of your opponents abhorrent, any loss of life is a tragedy. Today there is another family grieving in America, and Jill and I offer our deepest condolences.
We must not become a country at war with ourselves. A country that accepts the killing of fellow Americans who do not agree with you. A country that vows vengeance toward one another. But that is the America that President Trump wants us to be, the America he believes we are.
As a country, we must condemn the incitement of hate and resentment that led to this deadly clash. It is not a peaceful protest when you go out spoiling for a fight. What does President Trump think will happen when he continues to insist on fanning the flames of hate and division in our society and using the politics of fear to whip up his supporters? He is recklessly encouraging violence. He may believe tweeting about law and order makes him strong – but his failure to call on his supporters to stop seeking conflict shows just how weak he is. He may think that war in our streets is good for his reelection chances, but that is not presidential leadership – or even basic human compassion.
Monday, Aug. 31, 2020: Biden reiterated his opposition to rioting and looting in a speech from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, that argued Trump is making the United States less safe .


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-01--Republicans fear Kenosha violence won’t help Trump best Biden in Wisconsin

Absentee ballots begin hitting Wisconsin mailboxes in 16 days , just in time for President Trump to capitalize on civil unrest roiling Kenosha and engineer a comeback in this key Midwestern swing state .
That is what Republicans are hoping for , at least , ahead of Trump ’ s scheduled Tuesday visit to Kenosha , a modest city of 100,000 situated along Lake Michigan in southeastern Wisconsin .
But they are not yet certain it will secure a repeat of his 2016 win in the state .
Trump spent a summer of rising coronavirus infections on defense against Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kenosha late last month after a black man was shot by a white police officer shifted attention from Trump ’ s unpopular pandemic leadership to public safety .
Although the violence occurred on the president ’ s watch , Republicans are confident the issue is more favorable terrain from which to fight for the suburban swing voters that will decide who wins Wisconsin .
“ This is a highly volatile situation that currently plays in Trump ’ s favor if he can avoid snatching defeat from the jaws of victory , ” a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Wisconsin credit Democratic Gov .
Tony Evers with creating an opening for Trump .
Evers initially refused Trump ’ s offer for federal assistance , as upheaval in the aftermath of the police shooting of Jacob Blake set downtown Kenosha ablaze , destroying businesses and leading to bloodshed .
That decision , Republicans claim , allowed Trump and his allies to make headway with the argument that local Democrats are responsible for the rioting , even though it has been happening under a GOP administration in Washington .
“ President Trump needs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in federal help , ” Sheriff Michael Slupe , of Butler County , Pennsylvania , said during a Trump campaign conference call .
“ He is telling these governors : ‘ Do your job.
’ ” Trump remains in great shape with rural and exurban voters in Wisconsin .
It ’ s the suburbs surrounding Milwaukee — the “ WOW ” counties of Waukesha , Ozaukee , and Washington , plus the Fox Valley adjacent to Lake Winnebago , where the president needs to make up ground .
Both regions are stocked with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been drifting from the GOP because of dissatisfaction with the president ’ s pugilistic style and provocative tweets .
Democrats contend Trump 's message will fail because the turmoil has unfolded on his watch and too many Wisconsin voters view the president as part of the problem .
Additionally , Democrats say , voters are sour on Trump ’ s handling of the racial justice issues behind many of the initial protests , and they see him as a disruptor incapable of diffusing tensions .
“ These are images of Donald Trump 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if only he was president , it would n't happen , ” Biden said Monday during a speech in Pittsburgh , where he traveled as part of a new focus on in-person campaigning .
“ The simple truth is , Donald Trump failed to protect America , so now , he 's trying to scare America . ''
Party strategists say the perception that Trump is not sympathetic to the injustices black Americans face is a vulnerability .
Suburban voters care about keeping their communities safe but have sided with Democrats on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as long as they are peaceful .
Trump also runs the danger of being seen as a spark behind the violence , say Republicans , who concede the president is walking a political tightrope in trying to convince voters only he can stop the civil unrest despite that it is happening under his leadership .
“ Chaos has always been his enemy and strength his friend , ” a Republican operative with experience advising in Wisconsin said .
“ If Kenosha keeps unraveling , voters may think the chaos is a both-sides problem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
”

Absentee ballots begin hitting Wisconsin mailboxes in 16 days, just in time for President Trump to capitalize on civil unrest roiling Kenosha and engineer a comeback in this key Midwestern swing state.
That is what Republicans are hoping for, at least, ahead of Trump’s scheduled Tuesday visit to Kenosha, a modest city of 100,000 situated along Lake Michigan in southeastern Wisconsin. But they are not yet certain it will secure a repeat of his 2016 win in the state.
Trump spent a summer of rising coronavirus infections on defense against Democratic nominee Joe Biden. But rioting in Kenosha late last month after a black man was shot by a white police officer shifted attention from Trump’s unpopular pandemic leadership to public safety. Although the violence occurred on the president’s watch, Republicans are confident the issue is more favorable terrain from which to fight for the suburban swing voters that will decide who wins Wisconsin.
“This is a highly volatile situation that currently plays in Trump’s favor if he can avoid snatching defeat from the jaws of victory,” a Wisconsin Republican operative said Monday.
Republicans in Wisconsin credit Democratic Gov. Tony Evers with creating an opening for Trump.
Evers initially refused Trump’s offer for federal assistance, as upheaval in the aftermath of the police shooting of Jacob Blake set downtown Kenosha ablaze, destroying businesses and leading to bloodshed. That decision, Republicans claim, allowed Trump and his allies to make headway with the argument that local Democrats are responsible for the rioting, even though it has been happening under a GOP administration in Washington.
“President Trump needs to get reelected because he is sending in federal help,” Sheriff Michael Slupe, of Butler County, Pennsylvania, said during a Trump campaign conference call. “He is telling these governors: ‘Do your job.’”
Trump remains in great shape with rural and exurban voters in Wisconsin. It’s the suburbs surrounding Milwaukee — the “WOW” counties of Waukesha, Ozaukee, and Washington, plus the Fox Valley adjacent to Lake Winnebago, where the president needs to make up ground. Both regions are stocked with voters that often vote Republican but have been drifting from the GOP because of dissatisfaction with the president’s pugilistic style and provocative tweets.
Democrats contend Trump's message will fail because the turmoil has unfolded on his watch and too many Wisconsin voters view the president as part of the problem. Additionally, Democrats say, voters are sour on Trump’s handling of the racial justice issues behind many of the initial protests, and they see him as a disruptor incapable of diffusing tensions.
“These are images of Donald Trump's America today. He keeps telling you if only he was president, it wouldn't happen,” Biden said Monday during a speech in Pittsburgh, where he traveled as part of a new focus on in-person campaigning. “The simple truth is, Donald Trump failed to protect America, so now, he's trying to scare America."
Party strategists say the perception that Trump is not sympathetic to the injustices black Americans face is a vulnerability. Suburban voters care about keeping their communities safe but have sided with Democrats on the issue of racial justice and supported protests as long as they are peaceful.
Trump also runs the danger of being seen as a spark behind the violence, say Republicans, who concede the president is walking a political tightrope in trying to convince voters only he can stop the civil unrest despite that it is happening under his leadership.
“Chaos has always been his enemy and strength his friend,” a Republican operative with experience advising in Wisconsin said. “If Kenosha keeps unraveling, voters may think the chaos is a both-sides problem, and that will not help him.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-01--After 47 years in the House, is Don Young vulnerable?

The list of Rep. Don Young 's politically incorrect utterances over his 47-year House career is too long to recount .
Eyeing November , Democrats think the Alaska Republican 's off-the-cuff approach will catch up with him just as swing-state polls show voters getting weary of President Trump 's incendiary style .
The House Democrats ' campaign arm is once again arguing that Young is vulnerable .
It 's something it 's been trying since Young , now 87 , first won Alaska 's lone House seat in a March 1973 special election .
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who is running as an independent along Democratic lines , emphasizing the former , since Alaska remains a Republican-leaning state .
Democrats point to the epic list of Young 's controversial statements .
In 2010 , Young described the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico as `` not an environmental disaster '' but a `` natural '' phenomenon .
And in 2014 , the former tugboat captain told a group of high school students who were mourning the suicide of a classmate that suicides could be blamed on a `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friends .
That 's just a sampling of old statements that Democrats are dredging up , implicitly linking the most senior House member , known as its dean , to Trump .
This plays to the argument that Alaskans are tired of being embarrassed by their leaders in Washington .
There 's some reason to think this is having an effect .
That same Public Policy Polling survey shows Trump leading Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in Alaska , 48 % to 45 % , which would make for the closest Republican win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Young does n't seem to be sweating it and is confident of reelection .
Young 's campaign website says he is `` fortunate to have been named among the top 10 most effective lawmakers in Congress , crediting a laser-like focus on Alaska policy issues and the ability to move bills through the legislative process . ''

The list of Rep. Don Young's politically incorrect utterances over his 47-year House career is too long to recount. Eyeing November, Democrats think the Alaska Republican's off-the-cuff approach will catch up with him just as swing-state polls show voters getting weary of President Trump's incendiary style.
The House Democrats' campaign arm is once again arguing that Young is vulnerable. It's something it's been trying since Young, now 87, first won Alaska's lone House seat in a March 1973 special election.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is talking up the chances of Alyse Galvin, who is running as an independent along Democratic lines, emphasizing the former, since Alaska remains a Republican-leaning state.
A Public Policy Polling survey released July 10 shows Galvin, a professional educator, leading Young, 43% to 41%.
Democrats point to the epic list of Young's controversial statements. In 2010, Young described the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico as "not an environmental disaster" but a "natural" phenomenon. And in 2014, the former tugboat captain told a group of high school students who were mourning the suicide of a classmate that suicides could be blamed on a "lack of support" from family and friends.
That's just a sampling of old statements that Democrats are dredging up, implicitly linking the most senior House member, known as its dean, to Trump. This plays to the argument that Alaskans are tired of being embarrassed by their leaders in Washington.
There's some reason to think this is having an effect. That same Public Policy Polling survey shows Trump leading Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in Alaska, 48% to 45%, which would make for the closest Republican win in the state since 1960.
But Young doesn't seem to be sweating it and is confident of reelection. Young's campaign website says he is "fortunate to have been named among the top 10 most effective lawmakers in Congress, crediting a laser-like focus on Alaska policy issues and the ability to move bills through the legislative process."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-01--Freshman Texas Republican Chip Roy tries to hold House seat against Democrat Wendy Davis

Rep. Chip Roy is betting that the Texas electorate has n't changed that much .
Democrats contend that shifting demographics in the Lone Star State and a favorable political environment nationally can help them beat up to seven House Republicans in Texas .
That 's including Roy , 48 , who was first elected in 2018 to a district running from north of San Antonio to the state capital of Austin .
Roy faces former state Sen. Wendy Davis , a one-time doyenne of the Left in Texas whose political stock dropped considerably after losing the 2014 governor 's race @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a political comeback against Roy , as the campaign of Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is running competitively in Texas and GOP Sen. John Cornyn faces a tougher-than-expected race against Afghanistan War veteran M.J. Hegar .
Roy is fighting for reelection in the mold of his former boss , Texas Sen. Ted Cruz , the runner-up to President Trump in the 2016 GOP primaries .
Like Cruz , for whom Roy was chief of staff and then backed in the presidential race through an outside group , Roy is unafraid to offend colleagues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pursuing principles of fiscal discipline and other conservative goals .
In 2013 , Cruz forced a partial government shutdown by filibustering a Senate bill to fund Obamacare , and in May 2019 , Roy was the only House member to raise procedural objections delaying passage of a request for unanimous consent for a $ 19.1 billion disaster aid package for damage caused by Hurricane Harvey .
That stalled the bill 's consideration for 11 days before it passed 354-58 , with Roy voting against it .

Rep. Chip Roy is betting that the Texas electorate hasn't changed that much.
Democrats contend that shifting demographics in the Lone Star State and a favorable political environment nationally can help them beat up to seven House Republicans in Texas. That's including Roy, 48, who was first elected in 2018 to a district running from north of San Antonio to the state capital of Austin.
Roy faces former state Sen. Wendy Davis, a one-time doyenne of the Left in Texas whose political stock dropped considerably after losing the 2014 governor's race in a landslide. Davis is seeking a political comeback against Roy, as the campaign of Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is running competitively in Texas and GOP Sen. John Cornyn faces a tougher-than-expected race against Afghanistan War veteran M.J. Hegar.
Roy is fighting for reelection in the mold of his former boss, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, the runner-up to President Trump in the 2016 GOP primaries. Like Cruz, for whom Roy was chief of staff and then backed in the presidential race through an outside group, Roy is unafraid to offend colleagues on either side of the aisle in pursuing principles of fiscal discipline and other conservative goals.
In 2013, Cruz forced a partial government shutdown by filibustering a Senate bill to fund Obamacare, and in May 2019, Roy was the only House member to raise procedural objections delaying passage of a request for unanimous consent for a $19.1 billion disaster aid package for damage caused by Hurricane Harvey. That stalled the bill's consideration for 11 days before it passed 354-58, with Roy voting against it.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-01--'Trump's America': New Biden TV ad blames president for riots

Joe Biden is escalating claims that President Trump is stoking civil unrest , running with a vivid television advertisement that features scenes of rioting in cities .
The new spot from the Democratic presidential nominee is running in Wisconsin to coincide with the president ’ s visit on Tuesday to Kenosha .
Produced in coordination with the Democratic National Committee , it includes video footage from Kenosha , where violence erupted after the controversial shooting of a black man by a white police officer .
In the ad , which is also running in other key battleground states and on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Biden campaign describes the mayhem as unfolding in “ Trump ’ s America.
” “ He won ’ t bring us together .
He doesn ’ t want to and never will , ” the voice-over says as the 30-second spot opens .
“ He only divides , inflames , infuriates , and tears people apart , always making things worse.
” The advertisement was inserted into the Biden campaign advertising rotation on Tuesday , less than 24 hours after the former vice president delivered a similar message during prepared remarks in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attack through a television spot targeting swing-state voters , the Biden campaign is signaling a willingness to engage with Trump on the issue of public safety as part of a strategy to turn the president ’ s “ law and order ” pitch against him .
“ Trump has made our country less safe and now he denies responsibility for the chaos happening under his watch ?
It ’ s unhinged , ” DNC spokeswoman Lily Adams said in a statement .
Biden ’ s move comes after last week ’ s Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allies spent the four-day gathering warning voters that Biden was aligned with violent leftists and would stand idly by as rioting proliferated in communities across the country .
The president has been making similar accusations since civil unrest broke out in cities across the United States in late May after George Floyd , a black man , died at the hands of a white Minneapolis police officer .
But Trump appeared to make more headway with the charge when riots exploded in Kenosha after Jacob Blake , who is black , was shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Some Republican insiders say the issue could be the answer to Trump ’ s woes with disaffected Republicans , especially in the suburbs — and even more so in Wisconsin , a must-win state for the president .
To drive the message home , Trump headed to Kenosha to tour the damage from the riots and show voters that he was committed to stopping the violence .
“ A lot of people are looking at what ’ s happening to these Democrat-run cities , and they ’ re disgusted , ” Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ They see what ’ s going on , and they can ’ t believe this is taking place in our country .
I can ’ t believe it either.
” So far , Biden ’ s counterpunch at Trump has received praise from Democratic insiders and grassroots liberals .
Party stalwarts were concerned that the president was gaining traction with the issue .
Left-wing activists had hungered for the nominee to confront the incumbent more aggressively , but some Democrats believe Biden has more work to do .
Basil Smikle , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said the former vice president has to pair attacks on Trump with a practical blueprint laying out how a Biden administration would diffuse tensions and reconcile societal divisions .
“ Amplifying the president ’ s shortcomings and more chaotic approach to governance helps voters understand the difference between Biden and Trump , ” Smikle said .
“ But they still need to fill the void by providing information about what Democrats are going to do going forward .
Why are we better ?
We can ’ t be better just because we @ @ @ @ @ @

Joe Biden is escalating claims that President Trump is stoking civil unrest, running with a vivid television advertisement that features scenes of rioting in cities.
The new spot from the Democratic presidential nominee is running in Wisconsin to coincide with the president’s visit on Tuesday to Kenosha. Produced in coordination with the Democratic National Committee, it includes video footage from Kenosha, where violence erupted after the controversial shooting of a black man by a white police officer. In the ad, which is also running in other key battleground states and on cable television in Washington, D.C., the Biden campaign describes the mayhem as unfolding in “Trump’s America.”
“He won’t bring us together. He doesn’t want to and never will,” the voice-over says as the 30-second spot opens. “He only divides, inflames, infuriates, and tears people apart, always making things worse.”
The advertisement was inserted into the Biden campaign advertising rotation on Tuesday, less than 24 hours after the former vice president delivered a similar message during prepared remarks in Pittsburgh. In choosing to amplify the attack through a television spot targeting swing-state voters, the Biden campaign is signaling a willingness to engage with Trump on the issue of public safety as part of a strategy to turn the president’s “law and order” pitch against him.
“Trump has made our country less safe and now he denies responsibility for the chaos happening under his watch? It’s unhinged,” DNC spokeswoman Lily Adams said in a statement.
Biden’s move comes after last week’s Republican National Convention in which Trump and his allies spent the four-day gathering warning voters that Biden was aligned with violent leftists and would stand idly by as rioting proliferated in communities across the country.
The president has been making similar accusations since civil unrest broke out in cities across the United States in late May after George Floyd, a black man, died at the hands of a white Minneapolis police officer. But Trump appeared to make more headway with the charge when riots exploded in Kenosha after Jacob Blake, who is black, was shot seven times in the back by police.
Some Republican insiders say the issue could be the answer to Trump’s woes with disaffected Republicans, especially in the suburbs — and even more so in Wisconsin, a must-win state for the president. To drive the message home, Trump headed to Kenosha to tour the damage from the riots and show voters that he was committed to stopping the violence.
“A lot of people are looking at what’s happening to these Democrat-run cities, and they’re disgusted,” Trump told reporters as he departed for Wisconsin. “They see what’s going on, and they can’t believe this is taking place in our country. I can’t believe it either.”
So far, Biden’s counterpunch at Trump has received praise from Democratic insiders and grassroots liberals. Party stalwarts were concerned that the president was gaining traction with the issue. Left-wing activists had hungered for the nominee to confront the incumbent more aggressively, but some Democrats believe Biden has more work to do.
Basil Smikle, a Democratic operative in New York City, said the former vice president has to pair attacks on Trump with a practical blueprint laying out how a Biden administration would diffuse tensions and reconcile societal divisions.
“Amplifying the president’s shortcomings and more chaotic approach to governance helps voters understand the difference between Biden and Trump,” Smikle said. “But they still need to fill the void by providing information about what Democrats are going to do going forward. Why are we better? We can’t be better just because we’re not him.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-01--Kamala Harris wants to let dangerous rioters back onto our streets

Vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris ’ s radicalism is evident in her support for a fund aimed at bailing out people arrested for criminal activity during protests in Minnesota .
Unfortunately , after George Floyd 's death in police custody , some of the protests gave way to criminal behavior .
Property damage , looting , arson , and violence are not made morally justifiable by the supposedly moral cause of objecting to an injustice .
Two wrongs , of course , do not make a right , and mobs are never right to victimize innocents ( bystanders , shop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police officers just doing their jobs ) in the course of the protesters ’ temper tantrums .
The Minnesota Freedom Fund is an organization that since 2016 has raised money to provide bail for arrestees awaiting trial .
It boasts about making its bailout aid dependent only on the accused person ’ s ability to pay , without regard to how serious an offense was involved in the “ pre-trial charge.
” Thus , MFF makes it possible for even dangerous people to be released back onto the streets .
Indeed , MFF @ @ @ @ @ @ @ release even for those booked for sex crimes , violent felonies , and even murder .
MFF ’ s own website makes it clearly identifiable as an organization with a radical outlook , dedicated to radical action .
It accuses the entire criminal justice system of being deliberately “ designed to maintain and uphold white supremacy.
” It wants to “ dismantle ” that system and work for “ wide-scale decarceration , ” which means releasing most criminals back onto our streets .
And with specific reference to the Floyd protests , MFF @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ an uprising ” which will last for “ weeks and months to come.
” If someone is “ detained while fighting for justice , ” MFF prioritizes that person ’ s release — suggesting that the “ end ” of justice as defined by these radicals justifies almost any criminal means used to “ fight ” for it .
This is dangerous stuff , antithetical to the moral American tradition of justice under a system of representative law , rather than justice secured by deliberately undermining the duly enacted laws .
Yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for which Harris energetically raised money .
Worse , there ’ s something especially wrong with Harris ’ s impulse to want bail provided in blanket fashion for those arrested during protests that immediately devolved into riots , with rampant looting and arson .
Mob rule destroys civil society .
And while it is possible in the midst of chaos for police to make mistaken arrests , and while some harsh police responses can be quite obviously unwarranted , the simple reality is that most of those actually arrested during riots are surely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amid chaos , far more people get away with blatantly unlawful acts than the number that police can possibly detain .
Police are not likely to waste time on any except those they witness committing the most serious offenses , nor are jail authorities likely to require bail for less serious violations .
The odds are that most people for whom bail was required are accused of committing openly violent acts .
Yet , Harris advocated not some sort of targeted relief for people who were wrongly arrested or for people whose individual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Instead , she touted a blanket bail-relief program for “ those protesting on the ground in Minnesota , ” as if simple , peaceful protesters , not rioters , were being arrested and held for exorbitant bail .
This sanctification of “ protesters , ” to the detriment of a community ’ s safety , is an egregiously warped attitude .
Those who hold it should not be even within protesting distance of the Oval Office .

Vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris’s radicalism is evident in her support for a fund aimed at bailing out people arrested for criminal activity during protests in Minnesota.
Unfortunately, after George Floyd's death in police custody, some of the protests gave way to criminal behavior. Property damage, looting, arson, and violence are not made morally justifiable by the supposedly moral cause of objecting to an injustice. Two wrongs, of course, do not make a right, and mobs are never right to victimize innocents (bystanders, shop owners, neighborhood residents, or honest police officers just doing their jobs) in the course of the protesters’ temper tantrums.
Yet, that’s what Harris effectively encouraged.
The Minnesota Freedom Fund is an organization that since 2016 has raised money to provide bail for arrestees awaiting trial. It boasts about making its bailout aid dependent only on the accused person’s ability to pay, without regard to how serious an offense was involved in the “pre-trial charge.” Thus, MFF makes it possible for even dangerous people to be released back onto the streets. Indeed, MFF money has been used to secure pretrial release even for those booked for sex crimes, violent felonies, and even murder.
MFF’s own website makes it clearly identifiable as an organization with a radical outlook, dedicated to radical action. It accuses the entire criminal justice system of being deliberately “designed to maintain and uphold white supremacy.” It wants to “dismantle” that system and work for “wide-scale decarceration,” which means releasing most criminals back onto our streets.
And with specific reference to the Floyd protests, MFF repeatedly refers to the street action as “an uprising” which will last for “weeks and months to come.” If someone is “detained while fighting for justice,” MFF prioritizes that person’s release — suggesting that the “end” of justice as defined by these radicals justifies almost any criminal means used to “fight” for it.
This is dangerous stuff, antithetical to the moral American tradition of justice under a system of representative law, rather than justice secured by deliberately undermining the duly enacted laws. Yet, this is the sort of organization for which Harris energetically raised money.
Worse, there’s something especially wrong with Harris’s impulse to want bail provided in blanket fashion for those arrested during protests that immediately devolved into riots, with rampant looting and arson. Mob rule destroys civil society. And while it is possible in the midst of chaos for police to make mistaken arrests, and while some harsh police responses can be quite obviously unwarranted, the simple reality is that most of those actually arrested during riots are surely among the most heinous of offenders.
Amid chaos, far more people get away with blatantly unlawful acts than the number that police can possibly detain. Police are not likely to waste time on any except those they witness committing the most serious offenses, nor are jail authorities likely to require bail for less serious violations. The odds are that most people for whom bail was required are accused of committing openly violent acts.
Yet, Harris advocated not some sort of targeted relief for people who were wrongly arrested or for people whose individual cases made bail requirements particularly unreasonable. Instead, she touted a blanket bail-relief program for “those protesting on the ground in Minnesota,” as if simple, peaceful protesters, not rioters, were being arrested and held for exorbitant bail.
This sanctification of “protesters,” to the detriment of a community’s safety, is an egregiously warped attitude. Those who hold it should not be even within protesting distance of the Oval Office.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-01--Biden poised to report more than $300M raised in August: Report

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is expected to announce that his campaign and the shared committees with the Democratic Party raised more than $ 300 million during the month of August .
The Biden campaign benefited from both selecting California Sen. Kamala Harris as the party 's vice presidential nominee and from the Democratic National Committee , which allowed it to raise at least $ 300 million , according to the New York Times .
It 's unclear how much more his final fundraising numbers will be for the month that just ended Monday .
The former vice president 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dollars an hour for the first two days after choosing Harris as his running mate , and it also raised $ 70 million during the four-day Democratic National Convention in late August .
ActBlue , the main site that processes donations to the Democratic Party , said that it has received at least $ 11 million every day since Harris was selected in mid-August .
In the 41 days prior to her being picked , the site had only achieved that mark twice .
The site also reported its second-largest fundraising day in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 35 million in donations on Monday .
Biden 's anticipated August numbers would shatter records and will be more than twice what he raised in July , which was $ 140 million .
The former vice president was out-raised by President Trump 's reelection campaign and the Republican National Committee , who raised $ 165 million last month .
Biden out-raised Trump in May and June .
The Trump campaign has not released its August fundraising numbers , but it has said it raised $ 76 million during the Republican National Convention last @ @

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden announced his campaign and the shared committees with the Democratic Party raised more than $350 million during the month of August.
Biden benefited from both selecting California Sen. Kamala Harris as the party's vice presidential nominee and from the Democratic National Committee, which lifted Democrats to a $364.5 million haul, the Biden campaign announced on Wednesday. The massive draw includes more than $205 million, or 57%, from online, small-dollar donations, and more than 1.5 million people contributed their first contribution to the campaign last month.
“In August, together, we raised $364.5 million. That figure blows me away. And we raised it the right way, from people across the country stepping up to own a piece of this campaign, investing in the future we want to see for our kids and grandkids,” Biden said in a statement after the campaign announced the August numbers.
“But we’re not done yet, there is still much work to do in the 9 weeks ahead," the former vice president added. "Trump’s money machine remains and it’s bolstered by outside, dark money — not grassroots donors like all of you. And you better believe they will pour it all into attacks and smears against me, against Kamala, and against our campaign. Just this week a new Trump Super PAC launched $30 million in new ads full of lies. So we have to keep pushing the limits of what we thought was possible. We have to keep breaking records if we want to ensure a fighting chance at winning this thing.”
The former vice president's campaign previously said it raised a million dollars an hour for the first two days after choosing Harris as his running mate, and it also raised $70 million during the four-day Democratic National Convention in late August.
ActBlue, the main site that processes donations to the Democratic Party, said that it has received at least $11 million every day since Harris was selected in mid-August. In the 41 days prior to her being picked, the site had only achieved that mark twice. The site also reported its second-largest fundraising day in history when it accumulated more than $35 million in donations on Monday.
Biden's anticipated August numbers would shatter records and will be more than twice what he raised in July, which was $140 million. The former vice president was out-raised by President Trump's reelection campaign and the Republican National Committee, who raised $165 million last month. Biden out-raised Trump in May and June.
The Trump campaign has not released its August fundraising numbers, but it has said it raised $76 million during the Republican National Convention last week.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-01--Joe Biden yard signs now available in Animal Crossing game

For those who play Animal Crossing : New Horizons , Joe Biden yard signs can now be used to decorate islands .
Four new signs for the Democratic presidential nominee 's campaign were made available to players on Sept. 1 .
The designs can be accessed by scanning special QR codes through the Nintendo Switch Online app .
They are free to download .
Christian Tom , the Biden campaign 's director of digital partnerships , said in a statement to the Washington Examiner , `` Animal Crossing is a dynamic , diverse , and powerful platform that brings communities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is an exciting new opportunity for our campaign to engage and connect Biden-Harris supporters as they build and decorate their islands . ''
He added , `` This is just the start of how we plan to engage players ahead of November as we ’ re already looking forward to rolling out more digital swag , voter education tools , and organizing efforts on Animal Crossing and other platforms . ''
Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic , campaigns have had to get creative with how they approach voter outreach .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ latest in a series of less than typical tactics used in this election cycle .

For those who play Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Joe Biden yard signs can now be used to decorate islands.
Four new signs for the Democratic presidential nominee's campaign were made available to players on Sept. 1. The designs can be accessed by scanning special QR codes through the Nintendo Switch Online app. They are free to download.
Christian Tom, the Biden campaign's director of digital partnerships, said in a statement to the Washington Examiner, "Animal Crossing is a dynamic, diverse, and powerful platform that brings communities together from across the world. It is an exciting new opportunity for our campaign to engage and connect Biden-Harris supporters as they build and decorate their islands."
He added, "This is just the start of how we plan to engage players ahead of November as we’re already looking forward to rolling out more digital swag, voter education tools, and organizing efforts on Animal Crossing and other platforms."
Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, campaigns have had to get creative with how they approach voter outreach. The Biden campaign's announcement is just the latest in a series of less than typical tactics used in this election cycle.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-01--New Jersey congressman goes to court over suspended driver's license ticket

Rep. Tom Malinowski is set to face a New Jersey judge Tuesday after being ticketed last month for driving on a suspended license .
Malinowski , a freshman Democrat from the Garden State , was pulled over for speeding on Aug. 1 in Hopewell Township , New Jersey , court records show .
According to a video of the incident posted online , the law enforcement officer informs Malinowski , “ You were doing 64 miles an hour .
It ’ s a 45 mile per hour zone.
” “ I was going along with the traffic , I guess @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to open the glove compartment in his car .
“ There was nobody in front of you or behind you , ” the officer responded .
Malinowski , however , had not paid off a minor $ 30 traffic violation stemming from a December 2019 incident that led to his driver ’ s license suspension .
Malinowski ’ s 2019 traffic fine ( along with the $ 34 additional late fee assessments ) has since been paid .
The New Jersey Democrat is not the only member of Congress from the 7th Congressional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a suspended license .
According to the New Jersey Globe , former Republican Reps. Bob Franks and Mike Ferguson were both ticketed for driving with a suspended license .

Rep. Tom Malinowski is set to face a New Jersey judge Tuesday after being ticketed last month for driving on a suspended license.
Malinowski, a freshman Democrat from the Garden State, was pulled over for speeding on Aug. 1 in Hopewell Township, New Jersey, court records show.
According to a video of the incident posted online, the law enforcement officer informs Malinowski, “You were doing 64 miles an hour. It’s a 45 mile per hour zone.”
“I was going along with the traffic, I guess,” Malinowski replied as he reached to open the glove compartment in his car.
“There was nobody in front of you or behind you,” the officer responded.
Tomorrow @Malinowski faces a judge for driving on a suspended license.
Here’s a clip from the stop. The officer is right on. Malinowski and his 97% voting record w @SpeakerPelosi aren’t in between anyone. He’s all the way to the left. pic.twitter.com/zSUqBtucNz — Harrison Neely (@HarrisonNeely) September 1, 2020
Malinowski, however, had not paid off a minor $30 traffic violation stemming from a December 2019 incident that led to his driver’s license suspension. Malinowski’s 2019 traffic fine (along with the $34 additional late fee assessments) has since been paid.
The New Jersey Democrat is not the only member of Congress from the 7th Congressional District to be ticketed for driving with a suspended license. According to the New Jersey Globe, former Republican Reps. Bob Franks and Mike Ferguson were both ticketed for driving with a suspended license.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-09-01--'Red mirage': Democrat firm warns mail-in ballots may create false Trump landslide illusion on elect

'Red mirage': Democrat firm warns mail-in ballots may create false Trump landslide illusion on election night

A top Democratic data firm is warning that a huge increase in mail-in ballots in 2020 may have the election night effect of making President Trump appear to have a landslide lead , even though he may lose once all the mail-in votes are counted .
Hawkfish , a Democratic data firm funded by billionaire former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg , expects far more Democrats to vote by mail than Republicans .
That expectation is based on a July 1-Aug. 16 survey of 17,263 registered voters nationwide , which measured how people intend to vote and who they intend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take days or weeks to tally the mail-in ballots , that could create the effect of making Trump look like he is in the lead on election night .
`` We are sounding an alarm and saying that this is a very real possibility , that the data is going to show on election night an incredible victory for Donald Trump , '' Hawkfish CEO Josh Mendelsohn told Axios , calling the effect a `` red mirage . ''
In one scenario , if only 15 % of mail-in ballots are counted on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look on pace to get a 408-130 Electoral College vote lead .
But by four days later , if 75 % of mail-in ballots are counted , then Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden could show a lead .
`` When every legitimate vote is tallied and we get to that final day , which will be some day after Election Day , it will in fact show that what happened on election night was exactly that , a mirage , '' Mendelsohn said .
`` It looked like Donald Trump was in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when every ballot gets counted . ''
The project is a warning to news outlets and voters on what to expect during election night .
Part of that `` mirage '' scenario assumes that those who project election winners like the Associated Press will not make adjustments in how they portray results on election night due to the rise in mail-in votes — but many newsrooms are preparing for a different pace and method of election results reporting due to mail-in ballots , in order to prevent the scenario that Hawkfish describes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ president has said that he thinks that the results of the election should be announced on election night .
Election analysts have warned for months that due to the expected large increase in mail-in and absentee voting , it may take days or weeks to know the final results from the Nov. 3 election .

A top Democratic data firm is warning that a huge increase in mail-in ballots in 2020 may have the election night effect of making President Trump appear to have a landslide lead, even though he may lose once all the mail-in votes are counted.
Hawkfish, a Democratic data firm funded by billionaire former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, expects far more Democrats to vote by mail than Republicans. That expectation is based on a July 1-Aug. 16 survey of 17,263 registered voters nationwide, which measured how people intend to vote and who they intend to vote for.
Because it could take days or weeks to tally the mail-in ballots, that could create the effect of making Trump look like he is in the lead on election night.
"We are sounding an alarm and saying that this is a very real possibility, that the data is going to show on election night an incredible victory for Donald Trump," Hawkfish CEO Josh Mendelsohn told Axios, calling the effect a "red mirage."
In one scenario, if only 15% of mail-in ballots are counted on election night, that could make Trump look on pace to get a 408-130 Electoral College vote lead. But by four days later, if 75% of mail-in ballots are counted, then Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden could show a lead.
"When every legitimate vote is tallied and we get to that final day, which will be some day after Election Day, it will in fact show that what happened on election night was exactly that, a mirage," Mendelsohn said. "It looked like Donald Trump was in the lead, and he fundamentally was not when every ballot gets counted."
The project is a warning to news outlets and voters on what to expect during election night. Part of that "mirage" scenario assumes that those who project election winners like the Associated Press will not make adjustments in how they portray results on election night due to the rise in mail-in votes — but many newsrooms are preparing for a different pace and method of election results reporting due to mail-in ballots, in order to prevent the scenario that Hawkfish describes.
Trump could further complicate matters. The president has said that he thinks that the results of the election should be announced on election night.
Election analysts have warned for months that due to the expected large increase in mail-in and absentee voting, it may take days or weeks to know the final results from the Nov. 3 election.