thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-28--Trump's attacks on Jeff Sessions anger immigration hawks

President Trump has that he doesn ’ t want Jeff Sessions returned to the Alabama Senate seat he held for 20 years , but the president ’ s Twitter tirades against his former attorney general could reverberate beyond the Yellowhammer State to produce a backlash among Trump voters concerned about immigration .
Conservative columnist Ann Coulter , once an immigration-centric supporter of the president and author of the book In Trump We Trust , has Trump a “ blithering idiot , ” “ complete moron , ” “ lout , ” and the “ most disloyal actual retard that has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” for attacking Sessions , the “ ONE PERSON in Trump administration who did anything about immigration.
” Fox News host Tucker Carlson has an Alabama radio host that “ Sessions was Trump long before Trump ” and had been “ the single most impressive member of the Senate.
” Sessions announced his comeback candidacy last year on Carlson ’ s show .
Sessions was the first senator to endorse Trump for president in early 2016 , having been persuaded that the businessman and reality TV star was the best vehicle for his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heavily from Sessions ’ s immigration policy handbook during the campaign and plucked top adviser Stephen Miller from the 73-year-old Alabamian ’ s Senate staff .
But as Attorney General Sessions recused himself in the Trump-Russia investigation , paving the way for the appointment of special counsel Robert Mueller , he was forced out of the Justice Department over a year later .
Trump hasn ’ t forgiven Sessions .
He has not only endorsed his Republican primary opponent , former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville , he has railed against Sessions on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who had his chance but blew it .
“ Alabama , do not trust Jeff Sessions , ” Trump posted .
“ He let our Country down.
” Tuberville edged out Sessions in the first round of voting thanks to Trump ’ s endorsement .
The two will face each other in a July runoff .
What impact Trump will have on that race is unclear , but immigration hawks nationwide are outraged .
`` I refuse to believe what ’ s happening to Jeff Sessions right now is entirely due to recusal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relations director at the Federation for American Immigration Reform .
“ It may be a factor , but don ’ t forget that those aligned with big business and the GOP establishment have taken hold of President Trump ’ s policy agenda and campaign strategy .
So , no surprise that the man who has long fought for an immigration system that puts the American people first is being thrown under the bus . ''
Hardliners speculate that son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner , who sparred with the former attorney general over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , played a role in Sessions ’ s demise .
Now , Trump ’ s choice , Tuberville , is not well-liked by immigration hawks .
“ Even voters attracted to Trump because of his ostensible hawkishness on immigration , but who do n't closely follow immigration politics and policy , are likely to be influenced by Trump 's ravings , ” said Mark Krikorian , executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies .
“ But for those who know the issue , the vendetta against Sessions is just one more indication @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I do n't mean that he 's lying about supporting the wall , etc .
— I think that genuinely comes from his gut — but when it comes to the level of legal immigration and guestworker admissions , he 's more in tune with Obama and Jeb and Pelosi and Schumer than with Sessions.
” Many MAGA activists are taking the president ’ s side in the argument , however .
Sessions ’ s replacement , Attorney General Bill Barr , has the Trump-Russia investigation and the president ’ s prerogatives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warrants to surveil Trump campaign associates to the case against former national security adviser Michael Flynn , have since been revealed to be flawed .
The Mueller report found no collusion between Trump and Russia to swing the 2016 election .
The normally mild-mannered Sessions has surprisingly hit back at Trump and defended his recusal as required by law and resulting in the president ’ s exoneration .
Trump ’ s interventions in Alabama politics have failed before .
He endorsed interim Sen. Luther Strange in the last Republican primary for this seat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moore instead .
Almost alone among national GOP leaders , Trump backed Moore in the special election , but he lost to Democrat Doug Jones .
Sessions didn ’ t have a Democratic challenger last time he ran for reelection and won 97.5 % of the vote .
Coulter has accused Trump of risking “ another Roy Moore fiasco ” in the state , but local insiders think Trump could fall on deaf ears again .
“ Twitter is an echo chamber , and there are zero undecided voters on the platform , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It changes nothing in the Alabama Senate runoff . ''
Either Sessions or Tuberville should be heavily favored over Jones later this year , with Trump at the top of the ticket .
It 's a rare GOP pickup opportunity as the party defends Senate seats in Arizona , Colorado , North Carolina and Maine .
“ Trump 's attacks hurt both Sessions and himself , but the question is what 's the net effect , and with whom , ” said Krikorian .
“ In Alabama , specifically , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though I still do n't think they guarantee a win by , ” a residency-related nickname for Tuberville .

President Trump has made it clear that he doesn’t want Jeff Sessions returned to the Alabama Senate seat he held for 20 years, but the president’s Twitter tirades against his former attorney general could reverberate beyond the Yellowhammer State to produce a backlash among Trump voters concerned about immigration.
Conservative columnist Ann Coulter, once an immigration-centric supporter of the president and author of the book In Trump We Trust, has called Trump a “blithering idiot,” “complete moron,” “lout,” and the “most disloyal actual retard that has ever set foot in the Oval Office” for attacking Sessions, the “ONE PERSON in Trump administration who did anything about immigration.” Fox News host Tucker Carlson has told an Alabama radio host that “Sessions was Trump long before Trump” and had been “the single most impressive member of the Senate.” Sessions announced his comeback candidacy last year on Carlson’s show.
Sessions was the first senator to endorse Trump for president in early 2016, having been persuaded that the businessman and reality TV star was the best vehicle for his populist brand of conservatism. Trump borrowed heavily from Sessions’s immigration policy handbook during the campaign and plucked top adviser Stephen Miller from the 73-year-old Alabamian’s Senate staff. But as Attorney General Sessions recused himself in the Trump-Russia investigation, paving the way for the appointment of special counsel Robert Mueller, he was forced out of the Justice Department over a year later.
Trump hasn’t forgiven Sessions. He has not only endorsed his Republican primary opponent, former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville, he has railed against Sessions on Twitter, calling him “slime” who had his chance but blew it. “Alabama, do not trust Jeff Sessions,” Trump posted. “He let our Country down.” Tuberville edged out Sessions in the first round of voting thanks to Trump’s endorsement. The two will face each other in a July runoff.
What impact Trump will have on that race is unclear, but immigration hawks nationwide are outraged. "I refuse to believe what’s happening to Jeff Sessions right now is entirely due to recusal,” said RJ Hauman, government relations director at the Federation for American Immigration Reform. “It may be a factor, but don’t forget that those aligned with big business and the GOP establishment have taken hold of President Trump’s policy agenda and campaign strategy. So, no surprise that the man who has long fought for an immigration system that puts the American people first is being thrown under the bus."
Hardliners speculate that son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner, who sparred with the former attorney general over criminal justice reform as well as immigration, played a role in Sessions’s demise. Now, Trump’s choice, Tuberville, is not well-liked by immigration hawks.
“Even voters attracted to Trump because of his ostensible hawkishness on immigration, but who don't closely follow immigration politics and policy, are likely to be influenced by Trump's ravings,” said Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies. “But for those who know the issue, the vendetta against Sessions is just one more indication that Trump isn't actually a restrictionist. I don't mean that he's lying about supporting the wall, etc. — I think that genuinely comes from his gut — but when it comes to the level of legal immigration and guestworker admissions, he's more in tune with Obama and Jeb and Pelosi and Schumer than with Sessions.”
Many MAGA activists are taking the president’s side in the argument, however. Sessions’s replacement, Attorney General Bill Barr, has forcefully unraveled the Trump-Russia investigation and defended the president’s prerogatives. Aspects of the investigation, from warrants to surveil Trump campaign associates to the case against former national security adviser Michael Flynn, have since been revealed to be flawed. The Mueller report found no collusion between Trump and Russia to swing the 2016 election.
The normally mild-mannered Sessions has surprisingly hit back at Trump and defended his recusal as required by law and resulting in the president’s exoneration. Trump’s interventions in Alabama politics have failed before. He endorsed interim Sen. Luther Strange in the last Republican primary for this seat, but voters chose the controversial Roy Moore instead. Almost alone among national GOP leaders, Trump backed Moore in the special election, but he lost to Democrat Doug Jones.
Sessions didn’t have a Democratic challenger last time he ran for reelection and won 97.5% of the vote. Coulter has accused Trump of risking “another Roy Moore fiasco” in the state, but local insiders think Trump could fall on deaf ears again.
“Twitter is an echo chamber, and there are zero undecided voters on the platform,” said Alabama-based Republican strategist Brent Buchanan. "It changes nothing in the Alabama Senate runoff." Either Sessions or Tuberville should be heavily favored over Jones later this year, with Trump at the top of the ticket. It's a rare GOP pickup opportunity as the party defends Senate seats in Arizona, Colorado, North Carolina and Maine.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-28--Republicans more likely than Democrats to view stay-at-home orders as unconstitutional: Poll

Public opinion over stay-at-home orders by governors to slow the spread of the coronavirus is now a partisan issue , according to a new poll .
Governors of both parties used executive orders to enforce stay-at-home regulations at the outset of the pandemic as a means to reduce COVID-19 infections in their states and keep hospitals from getting overwhelmed , with voters across the political spectrum complying .
But with states now transitioning back to a normal economic footing and lifting mandated business closures , a fresh YouGov poll for the Economist showed 44 % of Republicans now view stay-at-home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Democrats feel similarly .
A full 88 % of self-identified Democrats and 63 % of independent voters , said in the survey that stay-at-home orders are legal under the United States Constitution .
Just 43 % of Republicans feel the same .
President Trump , who initially supported the stay-at-home measures , is now pushing for reopening , saying states should focus on reviving an economy that has shed 40 million jobs because of the business closures implemented to curtail the spread of the coronavirus .
When the poll measured the question @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to find stay-at-home orders unconstitutional ( 45 % ) .
At 18 % and 8 % , respectively , self-described moderates and liberals were much less likely to view government-enforced stay-at-home orders as an infringement of their constitutional rights .
The YouGov poll of 1,157 registered voters was conducted May 23–26 and had a margin of error of 3.4 percentage points .

Public opinion over stay-at-home orders by governors to slow the spread of the coronavirus is now a partisan issue, according to a new poll.
Governors of both parties used executive orders to enforce stay-at-home regulations at the outset of the pandemic as a means to reduce COVID-19 infections in their states and keep hospitals from getting overwhelmed, with voters across the political spectrum complying. But with states now transitioning back to a normal economic footing and lifting mandated business closures, a fresh YouGov poll for the Economist showed 44% of Republicans now view stay-at-home orders as unconstitutional. Only 6% of Democrats feel similarly.
A full 88% of self-identified Democrats and 63% of independent voters, said in the survey that stay-at-home orders are legal under the United States Constitution. Just 43% of Republicans feel the same. President Trump, who initially supported the stay-at-home measures, is now pushing for reopening, saying states should focus on reviving an economy that has shed 40 million jobs because of the business closures implemented to curtail the spread of the coronavirus.
When the poll measured the question by ideology, conservatives were most inclined to find stay-at-home orders unconstitutional (45%). At 18% and 8%, respectively, self-described moderates and liberals were much less likely to view government-enforced stay-at-home orders as an infringement of their constitutional rights.
The YouGov poll of 1,157 registered voters was conducted May 23–26 and had a margin of error of 3.4 percentage points.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-28--Catherine Cortez Masto withdraws from Biden VP consideration

Nevada Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto withdrew her name from consideration as Joe Biden 's vice presidential pick for the Democratic ticket .
“ I support Joe Biden 100 % and will work tirelessly to help get him elected this November .
It is an honor to be considered as a potential running mate , but I have decided to withdraw my name from consideration , ” Cortez Masto said in a statement on Thursday .
Cortez Masto , 56 and the first Latina elected to the Senate , was considered a dark horse contender for the vice presidential pick who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote in November .
The move is a blow to former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada , Cortez Masto 's predecessor and a force within the Democratic party who had publicly voiced his support for Biden picking her .
She cited the coronavirus pandemic as a reason for declining to move forward in the vetting process .
“ Nevada 's economy is one of the hardest hit by the current crisis , and I will continue to focus on getting Nevadans the support they need to get on back on their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elected to the Senate in 2016 after eight years as Nevada 's attorney general .
This is the second potential running mate to decline to move forward in the vetting process .
New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen also dropped out of the running last week .
New Mexico Gov .
Michelle Lujan Grisham , Florida Rep. Val Demings , and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar are among the women who have been asked to start the vetting process .
Biden said at a fundraiser Wednesday that he hopes to announce his running mate around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the process of deciding the basic cut about whether or not they really want it .
Are they comfortable ?
They 've asked a lot of questions , '' Biden said .
`` I want to make sure that wherever I speak to , whoever I have , has some qualities that I do n't possess , as well as is willing to , in fact , tell me the truth , but also do it in a way that is between the two of us between her and me so that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candid with me because I want to have people around me that have strengths and capacities I do n't . ''

Nevada Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto withdrew her name from consideration as Joe Biden's vice presidential pick for the Democratic ticket.
“I support Joe Biden 100% and will work tirelessly to help get him elected this November. It is an honor to be considered as a potential running mate, but I have decided to withdraw my name from consideration,” Cortez Masto said in a statement on Thursday.
Cortez Masto, 56 and the first Latina elected to the Senate, was considered a dark horse contender for the vice presidential pick who could help him shore up the Latino vote in November.
The move is a blow to former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, Cortez Masto's predecessor and a force within the Democratic party who had publicly voiced his support for Biden picking her.
She cited the coronavirus pandemic as a reason for declining to move forward in the vetting process.
“Nevada's economy is one of the hardest hit by the current crisis, and I will continue to focus on getting Nevadans the support they need to get on back on their feet," said Cortez Maso, elected to the Senate in 2016 after eight years as Nevada's attorney general.
This is the second potential running mate to decline to move forward in the vetting process. New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen also dropped out of the running last week.
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, Florida Rep. Val Demings, and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar are among the women who have been asked to start the vetting process.
Biden said at a fundraiser Wednesday that he hopes to announce his running mate around Aug. 1.
“We're in the process of deciding the basic cut about whether or not they really want it. Are they comfortable? They've asked a lot of questions," Biden said.
"I want to make sure that wherever I speak to, whoever I have, has some qualities that I don't possess, as well as is willing to, in fact, tell me the truth, but also do it in a way that is between the two of us between her and me so that they can, in fact, be completely candid with me because I want to have people around me that have strengths and capacities I don't."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-28--Trump Facebook ads mock Biden mask-wearing and put him next to Chinese flag

Not only is President Trump on Twitter making fun of Joe Biden wearing a mask , but his team is mocking his opponent in digital advertisements that also suggest allegiance to China .
A pair of Facebook advertisements that started running on Thursday juxtaposes the president and the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee .
In both ads , Trump is placed in front of an American flag , while Biden is next to him in front of a Chinese flag and wearing a face mask .
In one of the ads , Biden , labeled `` Sleepy Joe , '' appears @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eyes with holes cut out rather than over his nose and mouth in order to protect himself from the coronavirus .
The Trump Make America Great Again Committee , a joint fundraising committee for the Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee , paid for the ads .
The coronavirus pandemic has turned mask-wearing into a political issue and brought policy toward China to the forefront of the presidential election .
Trump has mocked Biden for wearing a mask in public , commenting on a photo that showed the former vice president in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Day : `` He looks better ! ''
Biden said in an interview this week that Trump was an `` absolute fool '' for refusing to wear a mask in public .
In a scripted Washington Post TikTok video posted on Thursday , Biden chided a man about wearing a face mask outside while walking a dog .
The two candidates are also sparring on who is stronger on China .
`` China is DREAMING that Joe gets elected in November , '' read an email from the Trump campaign earlier this month @

Not only is President Trump on Twitter making fun of Joe Biden wearing a mask, but his team is mocking his opponent in digital advertisements that also suggest allegiance to China.
A pair of Facebook advertisements that started running on Thursday juxtaposes the president and the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee. In both ads, Trump is placed in front of an American flag, while Biden is next to him in front of a Chinese flag and wearing a face mask.
In one of the ads, Biden, labeled "Sleepy Joe," appears to be wearing a mask over his eyes with holes cut out rather than over his nose and mouth in order to protect himself from the coronavirus.
President Trump has released two Facebook ads against the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, Joe Biden. (Screenshot via Facebook / Donald J. Trump)
The Trump Make America Great Again Committee, a joint fundraising committee for the Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee, paid for the ads.
The coronavirus pandemic has turned mask-wearing into a political issue and brought policy toward China to the forefront of the presidential election.
Trump has mocked Biden for wearing a mask in public, commenting on a photo that showed the former vice president in sunglasses and a black mask on Memorial Day: "He looks better!"
Biden said in an interview this week that Trump was an "absolute fool" for refusing to wear a mask in public. In a scripted Washington Post TikTok video posted on Thursday, Biden chided a man about wearing a face mask outside while walking a dog.
The two candidates are also sparring on who is stronger on China. "China is DREAMING that Joe gets elected in November," read an email from the Trump campaign earlier this month.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-28--New polling buoys Trump campaign hopes with seniors despite pandemic fallout

Senior voters in battleground states say they approve of steps taken by President Trump ’ s to battle the coronavirus pandemic , according to a new poll , despite national surveys indicating older people were abandoning the president to support Joe Biden .
The age group was a vital part of the coalition that elected President Trump in 2016 .
But with senior voters among the worst hit by the deadly effects of COVID-19 , a string of reports suggested the president ’ s reelection hopes had been dashed by the rising death toll .
Yet , figures close to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holding up where it matters most , claims backed by a new policy poll published by the Trump-aligned America First Policies nonprofit organization .
A breakdown of age data obtained exclusively by the Washington Examiner reveals that about three-quarters of over-65 voters in battleground states approved of the way Trump had restricted travel to and from China , and almost two-thirds supported the way he had helped small businesses weather the pandemic .
When asked who would better stand up to China or fight for better trade deals , Trump held leads of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Adam Geller , who conducted the poll and whose internal 2016 surveys correctly pointed to Michigan as a Trump pickup , said policy polls could be more instructive than asking which candidate a voter preferred .
“ What we generally see is that seniors , in many ways , are more supportive than the electorate as a whole when it comes to these policies , ” he said .
The poll was conducted in Arizona , Florida , Georgia , Iowa , Michigan , North Carolina , Ohio , Pennsylvania , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the presidential election .
It concluded that seniors were still backing key Trump policies .
“ These are battleground seniors , they live in the battleground states , and I think this is what a lot of the media misses when they just want to summarize national data and they are just looking at all this other stuff that oversamples the Californias and the New Yorks of the world , ” said Geller .
“ That ’ s not how the election is decided.
” That will come as good news for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the forefront of his mind on Tuesday when he hosted healthcare executives and patient groups at the White House to announce that many Medicare recipients would be able to pay less for insulin .
“ I hope the seniors are going to remember it because Biden is the one that put us into the jam because they did n't know what they were doing , ” he said in the Rose Garden .
“ They were incompetent.
” The pivot to needling his election rival comes amid multiples warnings that his 2016 coalition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump beat Hillary Clinton among those over the age of 65 by a margin of 53-44 , according to an analysis by the Pew Research Center .
In contrast , an Associated Press-NORC poll released recently found that 54 % of the over-60s said they disapproved of how Trump is performing as president .
And a Quinnipiac University poll published last week found Biden held a 22-point lead over Trump among female voters over the age of 65 , which translates to a 10-point lead among all voters in that age group .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's strategy shrugged off the numbers , saying Trump ’ s overall approval rating remained steady .
“ I don ’ t think anyone is overly concerned about the poll numbers today , ” he said .
“ Forty million Americans have lost their jobs in the past three months , and it is frankly amazing that Trump ‘ s numbers have held up as they have in this environment.
” The latest Gallup figure puts the president ’ s approval rating at 49 % , level with his highest rating .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Trump 2020 communications director Tim Murtaugh said , “ Just like anyone else , senior citizens see President Trump leading the nation during the coronavirus response and working to reopen the economy .
“ Seniors also care about who can restore the economy to greatness , who will stand up to China , and who will put America first in every decision .
They care about a strong military , looking after veterans , and protecting Social Security and Medicare , '' he told the Washington Examiner .
“ President Trump wins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden ’ s record is abysmal , '' he said .

Senior voters in battleground states say they approve of steps taken by President Trump’s to battle the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new poll, despite national surveys indicating older people were abandoning the president to support Joe Biden.
The age group was a vital part of the coalition that elected President Trump in 2016. But with senior voters among the worst hit by the deadly effects of COVID-19, a string of reports suggested the president’s reelection hopes had been dashed by the rising death toll.
Yet, figures close to his campaign say they believe support is holding up where it matters most, claims backed by a new policy poll published by the Trump-aligned America First Policies nonprofit organization.
A breakdown of age data obtained exclusively by the Washington Examiner reveals that about three-quarters of over-65 voters in battleground states approved of the way Trump had restricted travel to and from China, and almost two-thirds supported the way he had helped small businesses weather the pandemic.
When asked who would better stand up to China or fight for better trade deals, Trump held leads of 20 points and 16 points over Biden.
Adam Geller, who conducted the poll and whose internal 2016 surveys correctly pointed to Michigan as a Trump pickup, said policy polls could be more instructive than asking which candidate a voter preferred.
“What we generally see is that seniors, in many ways, are more supportive than the electorate as a whole when it comes to these policies,” he said.
The poll was conducted in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin — the states likely to decide the presidential election.
It concluded that seniors were still backing key Trump policies.
“These are battleground seniors, they live in the battleground states, and I think this is what a lot of the media misses when they just want to summarize national data and they are just looking at all this other stuff that oversamples the Californias and the New Yorks of the world,” said Geller. “That’s not how the election is decided.”
That will come as good news for the president.
The age group was at the forefront of his mind on Tuesday when he hosted healthcare executives and patient groups at the White House to announce that many Medicare recipients would be able to pay less for insulin.
“I hope the seniors are going to remember it because Biden is the one that put us into the jam because they didn't know what they were doing,” he said in the Rose Garden. “They were incompetent.”
The pivot to needling his election rival comes amid multiples warnings that his 2016 coalition may be fragmenting.
Last time, Trump beat Hillary Clinton among those over the age of 65 by a margin of 53-44, according to an analysis by the Pew Research Center.
In contrast, an Associated Press-NORC poll released recently found that 54% of the over-60s said they disapproved of how Trump is performing as president.
And a Quinnipiac University poll published last week found Biden held a 22-point lead over Trump among female voters over the age of 65, which translates to a 10-point lead among all voters in that age group.
An individual with knowledge of the campaign's strategy shrugged off the numbers, saying Trump’s overall approval rating remained steady.
“I don’t think anyone is overly concerned about the poll numbers today,” he said. “Forty million Americans have lost their jobs in the past three months, and it is frankly amazing that Trump‘s numbers have held up as they have in this environment.”
The latest Gallup figure puts the president’s approval rating at 49%, level with his highest rating.
That leaves campaign officials bullish on senior votes.
Trump 2020 communications director Tim Murtaugh said, “Just like anyone else, senior citizens see President Trump leading the nation during the coronavirus response and working to reopen the economy.
“Seniors also care about who can restore the economy to greatness, who will stand up to China, and who will put America first in every decision. They care about a strong military, looking after veterans, and protecting Social Security and Medicare," he told the Washington Examiner.
“President Trump wins on all those issues, and Joe Biden’s record is abysmal," he said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-28--'She's tough': Lindsey Graham says Kamala Harris is likely Biden's vice presidential pick

Sen. Lindsey Graham thinks presidential candidate Joe Biden is likely to choose Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate .
While appearing on Hugh Hewitt 's radio show on Thursday , Graham said Biden could be a formidable foe against President Trump in the upcoming general election but noted that the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee may not have control over his pick for vice president .
`` Has former Vice President Biden lost his step , or a lap , or even the energy necessary to run for president ? ''
Hewitt asked .
`` You know , ask me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well in his basement , '' the South Carolina Republican quipped before cautioning Republicans not to underestimate Biden 's appeal to voters .
`` He 's nicer than Hillary Clinton .
And he 's not as wild as Bernie Sanders on policy .
He will be appealing at first glance , but what we have to do is associate him with an agenda that 's not appealing .
He 's the front guy of a very dangerous agenda . ''
Graham said that Biden has `` put himself in a box '' on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sentiment heard from Democrats that not choosing a minority woman would alienate progressive voters .
`` That means your committee member Kamala Harris , does n't it ? ''
Hewitt asked .
`` I think she 's the leading candidate .
I know her .
I did n't like what she did in Kavanaugh by any stretch of the imagination .
But she 's hard-nosed .
She 's smart .
She 's tough , '' Graham said , remarking on how the California Democrat could be an asset to Biden 's campaign .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sen. Bernie Sanders in mid-March , Biden pledged to choose a woman as his running mate .
`` There are a number of women who are qualified to be president tomorrow .
I would pick a woman to be vice president , '' he said at the time .
Reports have also indicated that Biden is asking Democratic Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar to undergo a vetting process for the position , a decision chided by black commentators such as radio host Charlamagne tha God .
Others have also said they 're being considered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gov .
Michelle Lujan Grisham and Florida Rep. Val Demings .
Additional potential candidates for Biden 's pick reportedly include Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer and Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams .
Biden has a 5.3-point lead ahead of Trump nationally , according to the RealClearPolitics average .
Still , recent polls have showed Trump leading in every battleground state , giving him the Electoral College advantage .

Sen. Lindsey Graham thinks presidential candidate Joe Biden is likely to choose Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate.
While appearing on Hugh Hewitt's radio show on Thursday, Graham said Biden could be a formidable foe against President Trump in the upcoming general election but noted that the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee may not have control over his pick for vice president.
"Has former Vice President Biden lost his step, or a lap, or even the energy necessary to run for president?" Hewitt asked.
"You know, ask me that in October. He's doing well in his basement," the South Carolina Republican quipped before cautioning Republicans not to underestimate Biden's appeal to voters. "He's nicer than Hillary Clinton. And he's not as wild as Bernie Sanders on policy. He will be appealing at first glance, but what we have to do is associate him with an agenda that's not appealing. He's the front guy of a very dangerous agenda."
Graham said that Biden has "put himself in a box" on his vice presidential pick, echoing a sentiment heard from Democrats that not choosing a minority woman would alienate progressive voters.
"That means your committee member Kamala Harris, doesn't it?" Hewitt asked.
"I think she's the leading candidate. I know her. I didn't like what she did in Kavanaugh by any stretch of the imagination. But she's hard-nosed. She's smart. She's tough," Graham said, remarking on how the California Democrat could be an asset to Biden's campaign.
During a Democratic debate with independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in mid-March, Biden pledged to choose a woman as his running mate.
"There are a number of women who are qualified to be president tomorrow. I would pick a woman to be vice president," he said at the time.
Reports have also indicated that Biden is asking Democratic Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar to undergo a vetting process for the position, a decision chided by black commentators such as radio host Charlamagne tha God.
Others have also said they're being considered for the position, including New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Florida Rep. Val Demings. Additional potential candidates for Biden's pick reportedly include Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams.
Biden has a 5.3-point lead ahead of Trump nationally, according to the RealClearPolitics average. Still, recent polls have showed Trump leading in every battleground state, giving him the Electoral College advantage.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-28--As Biden running mate decision nears, negative stories on candidates increase

A pair of unflattering stories about prospective running mates for Joe Biden suggests more are coming .
Whether or not they 're the product of opposition research by political rivals is an open question .
Two female governors , Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan and Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico , face scrutiny over their handling of the coronavirus pandemic .
The new criticisms happened almost simultaneously , with both women seemingly violating their state 's lockdown rules for personal benefit .
In April , Lujan Grisham reportedly purchased jewelry from a close friend who runs a store in Albuquerque @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , asking that New Mexicans only leave home for food and medical supplies .
“ We are in really tough financial times as a state .
It mirrors the incredible , personal sacrifices that happen every single day because people have limited their ability to work , telecommuting , and many people , in fact , have lost their jobs , ” she said on April 3 .
Lujan Grisham 's office maintains that she did not violate the order because the transaction was `` entirely contact-free , '' as Lujan Grisham had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of jewelry at the owner 's home .
Republicans in the state noted that curbside pickup from stores was n't allowed until May 1 , weeks after Lujan Grisham bought the jewelry .
`` Our Governor is the latest Democrat to decide that the rules they impose on their citizens to address the COVID-19 pandemic don ’ t apply to her , '' the New Mexico Republican Party tweeted Wednesday .
`` A bombshell report reveals that the governor violated her own stay-at-home order to stock up on some high-end jewelry . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ forced to address reports that her husband had used her name at a dock to help get their boat placed in the water faster ahead of the Memorial Day weekend .
“ My husband made a failed attempt at humor last week when checking in with a small business that helps with our boat and dock up north , '' Whitmer said during a press conference Tuesday .
“ Knowing it wouldn ’ t make a difference , he jokingly asked if being married to me might move him up in the queue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prohibition in our early days of COVID-19 , he thought it might get a laugh .
It didn ’ t. ” For weeks , Michiganders have been restricted from engaging in recreational activities such as boating or fishing .
Those regulations were recently loosened for the holiday .
The timing of the reports is indicative of the hyperscrutiny the two women face now that Biden has signaled his campaign is looking into them as potential vice presidents .
Although there is no evidence that these stories came as a result of opposition research @ @ @ @ @ @ @ red flags that can make it into the Biden campaign 's background file of the candidate .
During a Wednesday evening fundraiser , Biden told donors that he expects to announce his vice presidential pick around Aug. 1 and said his team was in the process of making `` basic cuts '' of candidates .
`` I want to make sure that wherever I speak to , whoever I have , has some qualities that I do n't possess , as well as is willing to , in fact , tell me the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a way that is between the two of us between her and me so that they can , in fact , be completely candid with me because I want to have people around me that have strengths and capacities I do n't , ” Biden said .

A pair of unflattering stories about prospective running mates for Joe Biden suggests more are coming. Whether or not they're the product of opposition research by political rivals is an open question.
Two female governors, Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan and Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico, face scrutiny over their handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
The new criticisms happened almost simultaneously, with both women seemingly violating their state's lockdown rules for personal benefit.
In April, Lujan Grisham reportedly purchased jewelry from a close friend who runs a store in Albuquerque despite issuing an order just days before, asking that New Mexicans only leave home for food and medical supplies.
“We are in really tough financial times as a state. It mirrors the incredible, personal sacrifices that happen every single day because people have limited their ability to work, telecommuting, and many people, in fact, have lost their jobs,” she said on April 3.
Lujan Grisham's office maintains that she did not violate the order because the transaction was "entirely contact-free," as Lujan Grisham had a friend pick up the purchased piece of jewelry at the owner's home. Republicans in the state noted that curbside pickup from stores wasn't allowed until May 1, weeks after Lujan Grisham bought the jewelry.
"Our Governor is the latest Democrat to decide that the rules they impose on their citizens to address the COVID-19 pandemic don’t apply to her," the New Mexico Republican Party tweeted Wednesday. "A bombshell report reveals that the governor violated her own stay-at-home order to stock up on some high-end jewelry."
Just a day before, Whitmer was forced to address reports that her husband had used her name at a dock to help get their boat placed in the water faster ahead of the Memorial Day weekend.
“My husband made a failed attempt at humor last week when checking in with a small business that helps with our boat and dock up north," Whitmer said during a press conference Tuesday. “Knowing it wouldn’t make a difference, he jokingly asked if being married to me might move him up in the queue. Obviously, with the motorized boating prohibition in our early days of COVID-19, he thought it might get a laugh. It didn’t.”
For weeks, Michiganders have been restricted from engaging in recreational activities such as boating or fishing. Those regulations were recently loosened for the holiday.
The timing of the reports is indicative of the hyperscrutiny the two women face now that Biden has signaled his campaign is looking into them as potential vice presidents. Although there is no evidence that these stories came as a result of opposition research, they are the kind of potential red flags that can make it into the Biden campaign's background file of the candidate.
During a Wednesday evening fundraiser, Biden told donors that he expects to announce his vice presidential pick around Aug. 1 and said his team was in the process of making "basic cuts" of candidates.
"I want to make sure that wherever I speak to, whoever I have, has some qualities that I don't possess, as well as is willing to, in fact, tell me the truth, but also do it in a way that is between the two of us between her and me so that they can, in fact, be completely candid with me because I want to have people around me that have strengths and capacities I don't,” Biden said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-29--George Floyd killing controversy may end Amy Klobuchar’s veep chances

Outrage over the Minneapolis police killing of black man George Floyd is sinking Amy Klobuchar ’ s stock as a potential vice presidential pick for Joe Biden .
The Minnesota senator , who has the vetting process to be Biden ’ s vice president , is making missteps in public statements about the incident and facing renewed scrutiny about her .
Klobuchar quickly released a statement on Tuesday about the incident that happened in her home state .
`` We heard his repeated cries for help .
We heard him say over and over again that he could not breathe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another horrifying and gutwrenching instance of an African American man dying , '' Klobuchar said in part of the statement .
`` Every single person in every single community in this country deserves to feel safe .
As the Mayor of Minneapolis noted , this tragic loss of life calls for immediate action.
” Lawyer and CNN commentator Bakari Sellers that it was a “ good statement.
” But other activists were outraged that Klobuchar did not specifically mention Floyd ’ s name .
“ How did @ amyklobuchar @ SenAmyKlobuchar and her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bother to mention the name # GeorgeFloyd ?
A number of folks have hit me today about this , ” commentator Roland Martin .
Other users Klobuchar for failing to mention that police officers were responsible for Floyd ’ s death .
“ Yeah ... .
this is why you shouldn ’ t be @ JoeBiden ’ s VP , ” diversity and inclusion activist April Reign , founder of the # OscarsSoWhite hashtag that brought attention to the lack of minority nominees during the 2015 Academy Awards .
Many people pointed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that she helped create an environment that allowed the police killing to happen .
The Washington Post in March 2019 that when she was the Hennepin County attorney , Klobuchar “ declined to bring charges in more than two dozen cases in which people were killed in encounters with police ” but “ aggressively prosecuted smaller offenses ” that are “ done with the aim of curbing more serious crimes ” — sometimes called the broken window theory of policing — but “ have had mixed results and have been criticized for their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Earlier this year , an Associated Press investigation raised questions about of a 17-year-old case in which a black teenager was sent to prison for life for firing a stray bullet that killed an 11-year-old girl , suggesting he could be innocent .
The controversy put a dent in her presidential bid momentum .
Some of Klobuchar ’ s harshest critics engage in messy criticism by saying that when she was the Hennepin County attorney , she one of the now-fired officers involved in the Floyd killing , Derick Chauvin , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police shooting .
A Klobuchar spokeswoman that the indecent occurred near the end of her term , just before she joined the Senate in 2007 .
In 2008 , a grand jury declined to charge the officers involved with wrongdoing .
called for Klobuchar to remove herself , or for Biden to remover her , from being considered as Biden ’ s vice presidential pick .
The timing of Floyd ’ s death came at an already-uncomfortable moment for Biden as he faces for telling radio host Charlamagne tha God last week that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for him or President Trump “ ain ’ t black.
” While Biden for the comment , the controversy brought to light his struggles with appealing to younger black voters as Trump ’ s campaign attempts to siphon off just enough traditionally Democratic black voters in swing states to gain an electoral edge .
The former vice president and his circle are cognizant of black voters who feel they are owed for delivering Biden a win in South Carolina that cemented his path to the Democratic presidential nomination .
And right now , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among that group .
Charlamagne tha God expressed contempt for Klobuchar as a running mate pick even before the Minneapolis controversy , exposing risks she would bring to the ticket .
`` I think that would be suicide for Joe Biden 's campaign , '' he .
`` If he did that , especially at this moment , after the comments that he made ...
He would be a fool not to put a black woman as his running mate . ''

Outrage over the death of George Floyd, a black man, in the custody of Minneapolis police is sinking Amy Klobuchar’s stock as a potential vice presidential pick for Joe Biden.
The Minnesota senator, who has started the vetting process to be Biden’s vice president, is making missteps in public statements about the incident and faces renewed scrutiny about her prosecutorial record.
Klobuchar quickly released a statement Tuesday about the incident that happened in her home state.
"We heard his repeated cries for help. We heard him say over and over again that he could not breathe. And now we have seen yet another horrifying and gutwrenching instance of an African American man dying," Klobuchar said in part of the statement. "Every single person in every single community in this country deserves to feel safe. As the Mayor of Minneapolis noted, this tragic loss of life calls for immediate action.”
Lawyer and CNN commentator Bakari Sellers said that it was a “good statement.” But other activists were outraged that Klobuchar did not specifically mention Floyd’s name.
“How did @amyklobuchar @SenAmyKlobuchar and her team write this statement and not even bother to mention the name #GeorgeFloyd? A number of folks have hit me today about this,” tweeted commentator Roland Martin.
Other users slammed Klobuchar for failing to mention that police officers were responsible for Floyd’s death.
“Yeah.... this is why you shouldn’t be @JoeBiden ’s VP,” tweeted diversity and inclusion activist April Reign, founder of the #OscarsSoWhite hashtag, which brought attention to the lack of minority nominees during the 2015 Academy Awards.
My statement on the officer-involved death in Minneapolis: pic.twitter.com/HUoGfXEj7R — Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) May 26, 2020
Many people pointed to Klobuchar’s prosecutorial record, claiming that she helped create an environment that allowed the death to happen.
The Washington Post reported in March 2019 that when she was the Hennepin County attorney, Klobuchar “declined to bring charges in more than two dozen cases in which people were killed in encounters with police” but “aggressively prosecuted smaller offenses” that are “done with the aim of curbing more serious crimes,” sometimes called the broken window theory of policing. Critics say the method has "had mixed results and ha[s] been criticized for [its] disproportionate effect on poor and minority communities.”
Earlier this year, an Associated Press investigation raised questions about Klobuchar's handling of a 17-year-old case in which a black teenager was sent to prison for life for firing a stray bullet that killed an 11-year-old girl, suggesting he could be innocent. The controversy put a dent in her presidential bid momentum.
Some of Klobuchar’s harshest critics engage in messy criticism by saying that when she was the Hennepin County attorney, she did not prosecute one of the now-fired officers involved in the Floyd death, Derek Chauvin, when he was involved in an October 2006 police shooting. A Klobuchar spokeswoman noted that the indecent occurred near the end of her term, just before she joined the Senate in 2007. In 2008, a grand jury declined to charge the officers involved with wrongdoing.
Many others called for Klobuchar to remove herself, or for Biden to remover her, from being considered as Biden’s vice presidential pick.
The timing of Floyd’s death came at an already uncomfortable moment for Biden as he faces backlash for telling radio host Charlamagne Tha God last week that those having trouble deciding whether to vote for him or President Trump “ain’t black.”
While Biden apologized for the comment, the controversy brought to light his struggles with appealing to younger black voters as Trump’s campaign attempts to siphon off just enough traditionally Democratic black voters in swing states to gain an electoral edge.
The former vice president and his circle are cognizant of black voters who feel they are owed for delivering Biden a win in South Carolina, which cemented his path to the Democratic presidential nomination. And right now, Klobuchar is seen as a toxic figure among that group.
Charlamagne Tha God expressed contempt for Klobuchar as a running mate pick even before the Minneapolis controversy, exposing risks she would bring to the ticket.
"I think that would be suicide for Joe Biden's campaign," he said. "If he did that, especially at this moment, after the comments that he made ... he would be a fool not to put a black woman as his running mate."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-29--'They wanted to like her': Sen. Martha McSally in worse shape in Arizona than Trump

The growing political threat to Sen. Martha McSally was magnified by a focus group of women voters who expressed visceral opposition to supporting the Arizona Republican in November , even as some were open to backing President Trump .
Details of the mid-May session , conducted virtually with a half-dozen college-educated Arizona women under the age of 65 , were shared this week with the Washington Examiner .
All voted for Trump in 2016 but were split down the middle on his reelection , with three undecided and three flatly opposed .
But when the discussion turned to McSally , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to back the senator this fall in her race against Democratic challenger Mark Kelly .
“ What they ’ re so disappointed in with Martha McSally is that they wanted to like her , ” said Sarah Longwell , a Republican operative who conducted the focus group via video conference from Washington .
Longwell , who opposes the president and is active in Never Trump circles , helped launch the new group , Republican Voters Against Trump , an effort to boost presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
The McSally campaign declined to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ race said the senator is fighting headwinds whipped up by voter frustration with Trump , particularly in the heavily populated suburbs of Maricopa County adjacent to Phoenix .
The president is in a close-quarters battle with Biden for Arizona ’ s 11 Electoral College votes .
Nevertheless , Republican operatives working the race have confidence McSally will hold on .
The National Republican Senatorial Committee is spotlighting Kelly ’ s business dealings in China .
Public polling shows voters across the political spectrum are angry with Beijing , believing the communist government ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus outbreak cost American lives and economic prosperity .
Republicans are convinced Kelly ’ s numbers will tumble by the time the GOP ad machine is finished educating voters about his ties to China .
Republicans also predict voters will recoil at the amount of money Kelly , a former astronaut , has earned via lucrative paid speeches .
Longwell has been holding focus groups with Trump voters for the past couple of years to gather data on motivations for supporting the president and develop political messaging that might drive a wedge between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2016 but are hesitant to do so again .
In the Arizona focus group , conducted primarily to gather feedback on Trump , Longwell was struck by the sharp criticism of McSally .
The women revealed deep frustration with Trump , an assessment reaffirmed by his handling of the coronavirus pandemic .
But Longwell explained that “ their anger level was much higher at McSally.
” Longwell said there were few , if any , complaints about McSally ’ s voting record in the Senate or positions on key issues .
Instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the senator was almost exclusively image related .
Longwell said the women were impressed with McSally ’ s resume and military background , offering that they would take satisfaction in supporting a “ strong woman ” in the Senate race .
But Longwell said they saw the senator as a transparently divisive caricature of Trump who was placing loyalty to the president to curry favor with his supporters above the best interests of Arizona .
At least the president ’ s unsavory behavior is authentic , the women said .
Longwell said she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other focus groups .
“ Voters hold other politicians to a different standard than they hold Trump , ” she said .
McSally entered Congress in 2015 , winning a swing district in southern Arizona the previous November after a hard-fought campaign .
In 2018 , she ran for an open Senate seat , losing narrowly to Democrat Kyrsten Sinema .
A few months later , Republican Gov .
Doug Ducey appointed McSally to the Senate to fill a vacancy .
Democrats quickly recruited Kelly , the husband of beloved former Rep. Gabrielle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Propelled by Arizona ’ s status as an emerging presidential swing state and opposition to Trump by suburban voters , Kelly quickly opened up a lead concerning Republicans insiders .
In the RealClearPolitics average , Kelly leads McSally 49 % to 40 % .
Less than six months before Election Day , Republicans worry the Democrats are poised to flip a seat that has been in GOP hands since 1969 and was long-held by John McCain , who died in office in 2018 .
“ It is looking exceedingly bad for McSally , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

The growing political threat to Sen. Martha McSally was magnified by a focus group of women voters who expressed visceral opposition to supporting the Arizona Republican in November, even as some were open to backing President Trump.
Details of the mid-May session, conducted virtually with a half-dozen college-educated Arizona women under the age of 65, were shared this week with the Washington Examiner. All voted for Trump in 2016 but were split down the middle on his reelection, with three undecided and three flatly opposed. But when the discussion turned to McSally, the women were unanimous: None intend to back the senator this fall in her race against Democratic challenger Mark Kelly.
“What they’re so disappointed in with Martha McSally is that they wanted to like her,” said Sarah Longwell, a Republican operative who conducted the focus group via video conference from Washington. Longwell, who opposes the president and is active in Never Trump circles, helped launch the new group, Republican Voters Against Trump, an effort to boost presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
The McSally campaign declined to comment. But Republican insiders monitoring the race said the senator is fighting headwinds whipped up by voter frustration with Trump, particularly in the heavily populated suburbs of Maricopa County adjacent to Phoenix. The president is in a close-quarters battle with Biden for Arizona’s 11 Electoral College votes. Nevertheless, Republican operatives working the race have confidence McSally will hold on.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee is spotlighting Kelly’s business dealings in China. Public polling shows voters across the political spectrum are angry with Beijing, believing the communist government’s decision to hide information about the coronavirus outbreak cost American lives and economic prosperity. Republicans are convinced Kelly’s numbers will tumble by the time the GOP ad machine is finished educating voters about his ties to China.
Republicans also predict voters will recoil at the amount of money Kelly, a former astronaut, has earned via lucrative paid speeches.
Longwell has been holding focus groups with Trump voters for the past couple of years to gather data on motivations for supporting the president and develop political messaging that might drive a wedge between him and Republicans who voted for him in 2016 but are hesitant to do so again. In the Arizona focus group, conducted primarily to gather feedback on Trump, Longwell was struck by the sharp criticism of McSally.
The women revealed deep frustration with Trump, an assessment reaffirmed by his handling of the coronavirus pandemic. But Longwell explained that “their anger level was much higher at McSally.” Longwell said there were few, if any, complaints about McSally’s voting record in the Senate or positions on key issues. Instead, the group’s disenchantment with the senator was almost exclusively image related.
Longwell said the women were impressed with McSally’s resume and military background, offering that they would take satisfaction in supporting a “strong woman” in the Senate race. But Longwell said they saw the senator as a transparently divisive caricature of Trump who was placing loyalty to the president to curry favor with his supporters above the best interests of Arizona. At least the president’s unsavory behavior is authentic, the women said.
Longwell said she has seen this double standard before in other focus groups. “Voters hold other politicians to a different standard than they hold Trump,” she said.
McSally entered Congress in 2015, winning a swing district in southern Arizona the previous November after a hard-fought campaign. In 2018, she ran for an open Senate seat, losing narrowly to Democrat Kyrsten Sinema. A few months later, Republican Gov. Doug Ducey appointed McSally to the Senate to fill a vacancy. Democrats quickly recruited Kelly, the husband of beloved former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, to run against McSally.
Propelled by Arizona’s status as an emerging presidential swing state and opposition to Trump by suburban voters, Kelly quickly opened up a lead concerning Republicans insiders. In the RealClearPolitics average, Kelly leads McSally 49% to 40%. Less than six months before Election Day, Republicans worry the Democrats are poised to flip a seat that has been in GOP hands since 1969 and was long-held by John McCain, who died in office in 2018.
“It is looking exceedingly bad for McSally,” a GOP operative in Arizona conceded.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-29--Trump's 2020 challenge: Biden is his first opponent voters actually like

The pandemic isn ’ t the only unprecedented challenge President Trump is facing as he seeks reelection .
In presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden , Trump , for the first time , has an opponent people like .
Trump won in 2016 despite a 60 % unfavorable rating on Election Day because Hillary Clinton was herself deeply unpopular .
His main opponent in the Republican primaries was Texas Sen. Ted Cruz , who has also .
The bear-hugging former vice president of the United States Democrats are poised to run against Trump does not possess these same liabilities , despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ This is a challenge for the Trump campaign .
Unlike in 2016 , this is not currently a race between two candidates with negative favorability , ” said Republican strategist Christian Ferry .
“ Trump ’ s favorability in 2016 , and today in 2020 , is upside-down .
In nearly all polling leading up to the 2016 election , Hillary Clinton had overwhelmingly negative favorability ratings .
But today , Biden ’ s favorability numbers are nearly all net positive .
And the Trump campaign has not yet found an effective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ truly distinguishes the president from Biden in a race that is a binary choice.
” The Trump campaign has had some success denting Biden ’ s persona as Barack Obama ’ s grandfatherly image and a character straight out of The West Wing .
They have hammered the former vice president as a corrupt district insider beholden to Beijing .
The Tara Reade sexual assault allegations have also had an impact .
The RealClearPolitics polling average actually shows Biden with a minus 2.5 % favorable rating over the last month , with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unfavorable rating .
But even these diminished numbers are better than Trump ’ s .
The president is viewed favorably by 42.6 % and unfavorably by 54.3 % in the RealClearPolitics polling average over the same period of time .
Four out of five polls taken on this question over the past month have Trump underwater by double digits .
Economist/YouGov gives Trump a 54 % unfavorable rating .
Republican insiders worry the Trump campaign hasn ’ t moved decisively enough to define Biden for the electorate ahead of the fall race .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ messaging to break through during the coronavirus , and the temperamental Trump has been known to step on his own campaign ’ s plans with Twitter distractions and confrontations with the press .
“ You can talk all you want about issues , but when push comes to shove , people , especially swing voters , vote for people , not policies , ” said Democratic strategist Brad Bannon .
“ Ronald Reagan was the perfect example .
Americans disagreed with Reagan on many issues but supported him because he had a winning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweeting about a conspiracy theory involving MSNBC host Joe Scarborough and an intern who died in his congressional office nearly two decades ago , even after the widower left behind asked him to stop , as the coronavirus death toll passes 100,000 , risks reinforcing the perception he is mean .
Trump ’ s own supporters are split between people who like his confrontational style and those who favor his policies but wish he would put down his phone and quit tweeting .
Biden ’ s dates back to the Democratic primaries , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to sexism against the women he was running against , especially Elizabeth Warren and Kamala Harris .
Like Bill Clinton , he is especially strong with empathy , a major plus during the coronavirus .
This springs from his own extensive history with personal loss , most recently with the death of his son Beau from brain cancer .
“ Joe Biden 's empathy is the biggest advantage he has over Donald Trump , ” said Bannon .
“ Biden knows how to comfort people , which is a big asset during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans .
Biden soothes wounds , while Trump opens them .
Trump can divide and conquer , which served him well in 2016 .
But Biden can heal divisions and provide solace to a grieving nation.
” Biden does have one potential likability problem for the Trump campaign to exploit : his tendency to get nasty with voters who challenge him .
This has manifested itself most recently with his “ you ain ’ t black ” to an African American interviewer who pressed him on what he had done for the black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Thursday circulated a message titled “ Joe Biden : bigoted liar.
” Earlier this year , Biden got in a Michigan during an argument over gun control .
“ You ’ re full of shit !
” Biden , saying he would “ slap him.
” Biden called another voter who asked him a mildly negative question a “ lying dog-faced pony soldier.
” In an exchange over son Hunter Biden ’ s business dealings in Ukraine , he shouted at an Iowa voter , “ You ’ re a damn liar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the man ’ s weight .
Nor is this a recent problem for the 77-year-old Democrat .
His lies about his academic credentials during a confrontation with a New Hampshire voter — “ I think I probably have a much higher IQ than you do , I suspect , ” Biden told the man — derailed his 1988 presidential campaign .
Still , Biden ’ s reputation is not as ingrained on this front as past Trump foes .
Clinton ’ s likability issues were even a punchline in the 2008 Democratic primaries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Hillary , ” Obama jokingly assured her in a debate .

The pandemic isn’t the only unprecedented challenge President Trump is facing as he seeks reelection. In presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden, Trump, for the first time, has an opponent people like.
Trump won in 2016 despite a 60% unfavorable rating on Election Day because Hillary Clinton was herself deeply unpopular. His main opponent in the Republican primaries was Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who has also struggled with likability . The bear-hugging former vice president of the United States Democrats are poised to run against Trump does not possess these same liabilities, despite high-profile examples of testiness with voters.
“This is a challenge for the Trump campaign. Unlike in 2016, this is not currently a race between two candidates with negative favorability,” said Republican strategist Christian Ferry. “Trump’s favorability in 2016, and today in 2020, is upside-down. In nearly all polling leading up to the 2016 election, Hillary Clinton had overwhelmingly negative favorability ratings. But today, Biden’s favorability numbers are nearly all net positive. And the Trump campaign has not yet found an effective push against Biden’s favorability that truly distinguishes the president from Biden in a race that is a binary choice.”
The Trump campaign has had some success denting Biden’s persona as Barack Obama’s grandfatherly sidekick and a character straight out of The West Wing. They have hammered the former vice president as a corrupt district insider beholden to Beijing. The Tara Reade sexual assault allegations have also had an impact. The RealClearPolitics polling average actually shows Biden with a minus 2.5% favorable rating over the last month, with a new Economist/YouGov poll showing a 51% unfavorable rating.
But even these diminished numbers are better than Trump’s. The president is viewed favorably by 42.6% and unfavorably by 54.3% in the RealClearPolitics polling average over the same period of time. Four out of five polls taken on this question over the past month have Trump underwater by double digits. Economist/YouGov gives Trump a 54% unfavorable rating.
Republican insiders worry the Trump campaign hasn’t moved decisively enough to define Biden for the electorate ahead of the fall race. But it is difficult for any such messaging to break through during the coronavirus, and the temperamental Trump has been known to step on his own campaign’s plans with Twitter distractions and confrontations with the press.
“You can talk all you want about issues, but when push comes to shove, people, especially swing voters, vote for people, not policies,” said Democratic strategist Brad Bannon. “Ronald Reagan was the perfect example. Americans disagreed with Reagan on many issues but supported him because he had a winning personality.”
Trump’s insistence on tweeting about a conspiracy theory involving MSNBC host Joe Scarborough and an intern who died in his congressional office nearly two decades ago, even after the widower left behind asked him to stop, as the coronavirus death toll passes 100,000, risks reinforcing the perception he is mean. Trump’s own supporters are split between people who like his confrontational style and those who favor his policies but wish he would put down his phone and quit tweeting.
Biden’s likability edge dates back to the Democratic primaries, though liberals complained some of it was due to sexism against the women he was running against, especially Elizabeth Warren and Kamala Harris. Like Bill Clinton, he is especially strong with empathy, a major plus during the coronavirus. This springs from his own extensive history with personal loss, most recently with the death of his son Beau from brain cancer.
“Joe Biden's empathy is the biggest advantage he has over Donald Trump,” said Bannon. “Biden knows how to comfort people, which is a big asset during the pandemic which has killed more than 100,000 Americans. Biden soothes wounds, while Trump opens them. Trump can divide and conquer, which served him well in 2016. But Biden can heal divisions and provide solace to a grieving nation.”
Biden does have one potential likability problem for the Trump campaign to exploit: his tendency to get nasty with voters who challenge him. This has manifested itself most recently with his “you ain’t black” comment to an African American interviewer who pressed him on what he had done for the black community. The Trump rapid response team on Thursday circulated a message titled “Joe Biden: bigoted liar.”
Earlier this year, Biden got in a Michigan construction worker’s face during an argument over gun control. “You’re full of shit!” Biden yelled , saying he would “slap him.” Biden called another voter who asked him a mildly negative question a “lying dog-faced pony soldier.” In an exchange over son Hunter Biden’s business dealings in Ukraine, he shouted at an Iowa voter, “You’re a damn liar!” and made a comment about the man’s weight.
Nor is this a recent problem for the 77-year-old Democrat. His lies about his academic credentials during a confrontation with a New Hampshire voter — “I think I probably have a much higher IQ than you do, I suspect,” Biden told the man — derailed his 1988 presidential campaign.
Still, Biden’s reputation is not as ingrained on this front as past Trump foes. Clinton’s likability issues were even a punchline in the 2008 Democratic primaries. “You’re likable enough, Hillary,” Obama jokingly assured her in a debate.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-29--Biden resists pressure to commit to woman of color VP pick or rule out Klobuchar amid George Floyd f

Biden resists pressure to commit to woman of color VP pick or rule out Klobuchar amid George Floyd fallout

Joe Biden refused to address calls for him to pick a woman of color to be his vice president , or to rule out Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar , in the wake of civil unrest due to the police-involved killing of black man George Floyd in Minneapolis this week .
`` Look , what we 're talking about today has nothing to do with my running for president or who I 'd pick as a vice president , '' the former vice president and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee said on MSNBC Friday when asked if renewed scrutiny of Klobuchar 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ running mate .
Liberal activists said this week that under the circumstances , the Minnesota senator should be disqualified from being Biden 's running mate .
Some criticized her statement on Floyd 's killing because it did not mention his name or that police officers were responsible .
Others pointed to her prosecutorial record as Hennepin County attorney when she declined to bring charges in other police-involved killings .
House Majority Whip James Clyburn of South Carolina , who has voiced support for Biden picking a black woman to be his running mate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tough timing '' for Klobuchar .
Biden also dodged questions about Democrats ' concerns that he build a racially balanced ticket by picking a woman of color to be his running mate in light of the unrest sparked by Floyd .
`` I ’ ve already said I ’ m going to pick a Supreme Court justice who is a woman of color , '' Biden said .
`` I ’ ve already said my cabinet will be full of people of women of color .
Men and women of color .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of color under consideration .
That is not the only criteria to determine who will be the vice president of the United States of America that I ’ ll choose as a running mate .
It is just beginning the process .
I guarantee you , there are more — there ’ s more than one African American woman being considered for vice president .
I promise you that . ''
He added that he does not want the women under consideration to be `` in the position where I acknowledge that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are the ones that don ’ t get picked , they wonder how that will impact them . ''
Biden recalled being considered to be Obama 's vice presidential pick .
`` It ’ s not all positive in terms of your being considered because you ’ re qualified , and you don ’ t get picked , why ? ''
he said .

Joe Biden refused to address calls for him to pick a woman of color to be his vice president, or to rule out Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, in the wake of civil unrest due to the police-involved killing of black man George Floyd in Minneapolis this week.
"Look, what we're talking about today has nothing to do with my running for president or who I'd pick as a vice president," the former vice president and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee said on MSNBC Friday when asked if renewed scrutiny of Klobuchar's record has disqualified her from being his running mate.
Liberal activists said this week that under the circumstances, the Minnesota senator should be disqualified from being Biden's running mate. Some criticized her statement on Floyd's killing because it did not mention his name or that police officers were responsible. Others pointed to her prosecutorial record as Hennepin County attorney when she declined to bring charges in other police-involved killings.
House Majority Whip James Clyburn of South Carolina, who has voiced support for Biden picking a black woman to be his running mate, said Friday that it was "tough timing" for Klobuchar.
Biden also dodged questions about Democrats' concerns that he build a racially balanced ticket by picking a woman of color to be his running mate in light of the unrest sparked by Floyd.
"I’ve already said I’m going to pick a Supreme Court justice who is a woman of color," Biden said. "I’ve already said my cabinet will be full of people of women of color. Men and women of color. I also already said that there are women of color under consideration. That is not the only criteria to determine who will be the vice president of the United States of America that I’ll choose as a running mate. It is just beginning the process. I guarantee you, there are more — there’s more than one African American woman being considered for vice president. I promise you that."
He added that he does not want the women under consideration to be "in the position where I acknowledge that they are under consideration, and then if they are the ones that don’t get picked, they wonder how that will impact them."
Biden recalled being considered to be Obama's vice presidential pick. "It’s not all positive in terms of your being considered because you’re qualified, and you don’t get picked, why?" he said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-29--Roy Cooper and RNC remain at odds over convention as whispers about move to Tampa begin

A standoff over the Republican convention deepened after North Carolina Gov .
Roy Cooper ignored a GOP ultimatum to greenlight the gathering and demanded the party provide more details for its plan to mitigate health risks posed by the coronavirus .
The Republican National Committee and Cooper , a Democrat , are at odds over social distancing protocols for a late August convention to renominate President Trump that is expected to draw thousands of people from all over the country to the Spectrum Center arena in Charlotte .
The RNC has presented a blueprint for a crowded , traditional style @ @ @ @ @ @ @ designed to prevent any infected attendees from sparking a coronavirus outbreak , telling Cooper in a letter he has until June 3 to approve , or the party will take the gathering elsewhere .
The governor was unmoved .
North Carolina ’ s top health official told the RNC it needs more assurances that the convention will be safe .
In a letter , the Cooper administration asked the RNC to provide more information and a broader strategy for addressing the multiple pandemic scenarios that might exist when the four-day event begins on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North Carolina worries the party and Cooper are headed for an impasse .
This far out , it could be difficult to guarantee Trump ’ s desire for a convention that packs an arena with delegates and does not require attendees to wear face coverings and maintain distance from others .
“ If Cooper doesn ’ t give Trump what he wants , they have a backup plan to move the convention to Tampa , ” this North Carolina GOP operative told the Washington Examiner .
“ They ’ re definitely making plans.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ an acceptable compromise is on Cooper .
“ We had hoped to receive from Gov .
Cooper concrete details on how to plan for our Convention in Charlotte .
After all , if public schools can be opened early on August 17th , we should know how to proceed with an event on August 24th , ” RNC spokesman Mike Reed said .
“ Instead we do not have a commitment that provides clarity or guidance .
Like the rest of the state , we will be ready and waiting for North Carolina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we should safely plan for the type of convention for which we originally contracted.
” A Democratic source familiar with the negotiations between the Cooper administration and the RNC said the governor is doing his best to keep the convention in Charlotte .
“ We need to see more from them , ” this Democrat said .
“ There ’ s a way to get to a workable position.
” Cooper is up for reelection .
But his approval ratings are higher than Trump ’ s , so it is unclear whether the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ convention will facilitate a deal .
Republicans in other states that might attract the convention are quietly preparing to make their pitch , not wanting to appear as though they are trying to steal the quadrennial celebration from their colleagues in North Carolina .
Last weekend , after Trump first threatened to move the convention , Texas Republican Party Chairman James Dickey said he heard , unsolicited , from elected officials and executives that manage convention facilities who told him they were prepared to host the gathering on short notice .
Republicans states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been at the forefront of rescinding coronavirus lockdowns are eyeing the convention as a chance to revive economies devastated by business closures implemented because of the pandemic .
“ They let us know that they would be willing to make [ the convention ] happen if the opportunity arose , ” Dickey said .
“ Yes , it would be a massive undertaking , and the people of Texas have always been for massive undertakings.
” In what amounts to a test run for the national GOP convention in August , thousands of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their state party convention in Houston in mid-July .

A standoff over the Republican convention deepened after North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper ignored a GOP ultimatum to greenlight the gathering and demanded the party provide more details for its plan to mitigate health risks posed by the coronavirus.
The Republican National Committee and Cooper, a Democrat, are at odds over social distancing protocols for a late August convention to renominate President Trump that is expected to draw thousands of people from all over the country to the Spectrum Center arena in Charlotte.
The RNC has presented a blueprint for a crowded, traditional style convention that includes a series of steps designed to prevent any infected attendees from sparking a coronavirus outbreak, telling Cooper in a letter he has until June 3 to approve, or the party will take the gathering elsewhere. The governor was unmoved.
North Carolina’s top health official told the RNC it needs more assurances that the convention will be safe. In a letter, the Cooper administration asked the RNC to provide more information and a broader strategy for addressing the multiple pandemic scenarios that might exist when the four-day event begins on Aug. 24.
A Republican operative in North Carolina worries the party and Cooper are headed for an impasse. This far out, it could be difficult to guarantee Trump’s desire for a convention that packs an arena with delegates and does not require attendees to wear face coverings and maintain distance from others.
“If Cooper doesn’t give Trump what he wants, they have a backup plan to move the convention to Tampa,” this North Carolina GOP operative told the Washington Examiner. “They’re definitely making plans.”
The RNC said the onus for an acceptable compromise is on Cooper.
“We had hoped to receive from Gov. Cooper concrete details on how to plan for our Convention in Charlotte. After all, if public schools can be opened early on August 17th, we should know how to proceed with an event on August 24th,” RNC spokesman Mike Reed said. “Instead we do not have a commitment that provides clarity or guidance. Like the rest of the state, we will be ready and waiting for North Carolina leadership to offer clear guidance on how we should safely plan for the type of convention for which we originally contracted.”
A Democratic source familiar with the negotiations between the Cooper administration and the RNC said the governor is doing his best to keep the convention in Charlotte. “We need to see more from them,” this Democrat said. “There’s a way to get to a workable position.” Cooper is up for reelection. But his approval ratings are higher than Trump’s, so it is unclear whether the RNC’s threat to yank the convention will facilitate a deal.
Republicans in other states that might attract the convention are quietly preparing to make their pitch, not wanting to appear as though they are trying to steal the quadrennial celebration from their colleagues in North Carolina.
Last weekend, after Trump first threatened to move the convention, Texas Republican Party Chairman James Dickey said he heard, unsolicited, from elected officials and executives that manage convention facilities who told him they were prepared to host the gathering on short notice. Republicans states, such as Texas, that have been at the forefront of rescinding coronavirus lockdowns are eyeing the convention as a chance to revive economies devastated by business closures implemented because of the pandemic.
“They let us know that they would be willing to make [the convention] happen if the opportunity arose,” Dickey said. “Yes, it would be a massive undertaking, and the people of Texas have always been for massive undertakings.”
In what amounts to a test run for the national GOP convention in August, thousands of Texas Republicans are set to convene for their state party convention in Houston in mid-July.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-29--Biden fails to condemn rioting in remarks on Minneapolis

In his public statements about George Floyd 's death in police custody , Joe Biden conspicuously left out any mention of the rampant civil unrest and mob violence plaguing Minneapolis and other cities across the country .
During a Friday , the former vice president condemned “ systemic ” injustice and attacked President Trump for his incendiary tweets late Thursday night , in which the president wrote that “ when the looting starts , the shooting starts.
” '' This is a national crisis , '' Biden said .
`` We need real leadership right now .
Leadership that will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can take measures to root out systemic racism . ''
Rioting in Minneapolis and St. Paul has led to the damage or destruction of dozens of businesses .
On Thursday night , a crowd stormed into and subsequently burned down a Minneapolis Police Department precinct house .
Early Friday morning , Minnesota Gov .
Tim Walz deployed National Guard troops to help restore order in the state .
“ That was the turning point , where we were prepared , and that 's where we moved in , '' said Walz , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ destruction of the police precinct house .
The closest Biden , the presumptive Democratic Party nominee for president , came to condemning the violence in Minneapolis was during a star-studded Thursday night digital concert fundraiser with musicians including Sheryl Crow , Jimmy Buffet , and Joe Walsh of the Eagles .
“ Tonight , the National Guard has been called out of Minneapolis , and I urge the protesters to exercise their rights peacefully and safely , ” Biden said .
“ But people all across this country are enraged and rightly so.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ use of the word “ riot ” to describe the looting , arson , and property damage that took place on Thursday and Friday , arguing that the actions were an inevitable response to structural inequities and racism .
the Martin Luther King Jr. quote , `` A riot is the language of the unheard , ” they argue that peaceful protests , such as former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick kneeling during the U.S. national anthem in response to perceived police brutality , are ineffective at instigating political change .
During a press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and former deputy chairman of the Democratic National Committee Keith Ellison opened his remarks by saying a “ riot is the way the unheard get heard.
” Biden ’ s choice of words is indicative of the struggles he faces trying to unite the Democratic Party heading into the general election : hoping to stay palatable to Midwestern moderate swing-state voters without alienating those on the Left .
His campaign remains concerned that supporters of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders are unconvinced of his candidacy and may not ultimately vote for him in November @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rating among younger minorities remains historically low for a Democrat as Trump ’ s campaign launches an to urban voters .
Leftist activists Biden ’ s statements on the Floyd killing this week , pointing out that he was vice president during similar civil unrest following the police-involved deaths of Michael Brown in Ferguson , Missouri , in 2014 and of Freddie Gray in Baltimore in 2015 .
President Barack Obama took a noticeably different tone in 2015 , that there was “ no excuse ” for the Baltimore violence and that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be treated like criminals , ” prompting criticism from those on the Left .
Others suggested that as the of a 1994 crime bill that increased the incarceration of minorities , Biden had a hand in creating an environment for the police violence that prompted the protest .
Just last week , Biden found himself in when he told radio host Charlamagne tha God that those having trouble deciding whether to vote for him or Trump “ ain ’ t black.
” Biden for the comment , coming into a week of racially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrong thing could set off a storm of controversy .

In his public statements about George Floyd's death in police custody, Joe Biden conspicuously left out any mention of the rampant civil unrest and mob violence plaguing Minneapolis and other cities across the country.
During a Friday address , the former vice president condemned “systemic” injustice and attacked President Trump for his incendiary tweets late Thursday night, in which the president wrote that “when the looting starts, the shooting starts.”
"This is a national crisis," Biden said. "We need real leadership right now. Leadership that will bring everyone to the table so we can take measures to root out systemic racism."
Rioting in Minneapolis and St. Paul has led to the damage or destruction of dozens of businesses. On Thursday night, a crowd stormed into and subsequently burned down a Minneapolis Police Department precinct house.
Early Friday morning, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz deployed National Guard troops to help restore order in the state.
“That was the turning point, where we were prepared, and that's where we moved in," said Walz, a Democrat, referring to the looting and destruction of the police precinct house.
The closest Biden, the presumptive Democratic Party nominee for president, came to condemning the violence in Minneapolis was during a star-studded Thursday night digital concert fundraiser with musicians including Sheryl Crow, Jimmy Buffet, and Joe Walsh of the Eagles.
“Tonight, the National Guard has been called out of Minneapolis, and I urge the protesters to exercise their rights peacefully and safely,” Biden said. “But people all across this country are enraged and rightly so.”
Many on the Left criticized the use of the word “riot” to describe the looting, arson, and property damage that took place on Thursday and Friday, arguing that the actions were an inevitable response to structural inequities and racism. Citing the Martin Luther King Jr. quote, "A riot is the language of the unheard,” they argue that peaceful protests, such as former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick kneeling during the U.S. national anthem in response to perceived police brutality, are ineffective at instigating political change.
During a press conference on Friday, Minnesota attorney general and former deputy chairman of the Democratic National Committee Keith Ellison opened his remarks by saying a “riot is the way the unheard get heard.”
Biden’s choice of words is indicative of the struggles he faces trying to unite the Democratic Party heading into the general election: hoping to stay palatable to Midwestern moderate swing-state voters without alienating those on the Left.
His campaign remains concerned that supporters of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders are unconvinced of his candidacy and may not ultimately vote for him in November. Meanwhile, Biden’s enthusiasm rating among younger minorities remains historically low for a Democrat as Trump’s campaign launches an aggressive electoral pitch to urban voters.
Leftist activists snubbed Biden’s statements on the Floyd killing this week, pointing out that he was vice president during similar civil unrest following the police-involved deaths of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, in 2014 and of Freddie Gray in Baltimore in 2015.
President Barack Obama took a noticeably different tone in 2015, saying that there was “no excuse” for the Baltimore violence and that the “thugs” involved “need to be treated like criminals,” prompting criticism from those on the Left.
Others suggested that as the architect of a 1994 crime bill that increased the incarceration of minorities, Biden had a hand in creating an environment for the police violence that prompted the protest.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-29--'We need real leadership right now': Biden plays voice of reason in address on George Floyd killing

Joe Biden got a golden opportunity to make his pitch as a calm , rational alternative to President Trump , and he took it .
In a Friday address coming on the heels of looting and riots in Minnesota , Biden assumed the role of voice-of-reason while talking about the death of black man George Floyd by white police officers .
`` This is no time for incendiary tweets , '' the former vice president and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee said .
`` It 's no time to encourage violence . ''
It was an indirect reference to a tweet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minneapolis , which prompted Twitter to hide the content due to breaking its rules about `` glorifying violence '' : `` When the looting starts , the shooting starts . ''
`` This is a national crisis , '' Biden said in the Friday address .
`` We need real leadership right now .
Leadership that will bring everyone to the table so we can take measures to root out systemic racism . ''
Biden said that he talked to the family members of George Floyd on Friday and said that they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , loving one another . ''
He turned his attention to the legacy of slavery and racism in the country .
`` The original sin of your country still stains our nation today , '' Biden said .
`` Sometimes , we manage to overlook it .
We just push forward with 1,000 other tasks in our daily life , but it 's always there . ''
The message from Biden on Friday was a continuation of the one he launched his campaign with on April 2019 : to `` restore the soul @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the president 's comment that there were `` very fine people '' of `` both sides '' of the Charlottesville , Virginia , `` Unite the Right '' protest that drew white supremacists and ended in the death of a liberal counterprotester .
`` I believe it 's the duty of every American to grapple with it and to grapple with it now .
With our complacency , our silence , we are complicit in perpetuating these cycles of violence , '' Biden said .
`` The very soul of America is @ @ @ @

Joe Biden got a golden opportunity to make his pitch as a calm, rational alternative to President Trump, and he took it.
In a Friday address coming on the heels of looting and riots in Minnesota, Biden assumed the role of voice-of-reason while talking about the death of black man George Floyd by white police officers.
"This is no time for incendiary tweets," the former vice president and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee said. "It's no time to encourage violence."
It was an indirect reference to a tweet from Trump that condemned the riots in Minneapolis, which prompted Twitter to hide the content due to breaking its rules about "glorifying violence": "When the looting starts, the shooting starts."
"This is a national crisis," Biden said in the Friday address. "We need real leadership right now. Leadership that will bring everyone to the table so we can take measures to root out systemic racism."
Biden said that he talked to the family members of George Floyd on Friday and said that they are a "close, decent honorable family, loving one another."
He turned his attention to the legacy of slavery and racism in the country.
"The original sin of your country still stains our nation today," Biden said. "Sometimes, we manage to overlook it. We just push forward with 1,000 other tasks in our daily life, but it's always there."
The message from Biden on Friday was a continuation of the one he launched his campaign with on April 2019: to "restore the soul" of America after Trump, pointing to the president's comment that there were "very fine people" of "both sides" of the Charlottesville, Virginia, "Unite the Right" protest that drew white supremacists and ended in the death of a liberal counterprotester.
"I believe it's the duty of every American to grapple with it and to grapple with it now. With our complacency, our silence, we are complicit in perpetuating these cycles of violence," Biden said. "The very soul of America is at stake."