thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-19--GOP congressional candidate ends bid and vows to donate portion of campaign funds to coronavirus rel

GOP congressional candidate ends bid and vows to donate portion of campaign funds to coronavirus relief

A Republican congressional candidate is dropping out of his Florida race and plans to donate a part of his campaign funds to coronavirus relief efforts .
Ford O'Connell , previously a surrogate for President Trump 's 2020 reelection bid , announced the end of his campaign for Florida 's 19th District House seat on Thursday .
`` We are in the midst of a global pandemic , '' a statement from the now-former candidate read .
`` Lives are at stake .
The time for action is now . ''
He continued , `` As a result of the Chinese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the type of campaign we wanted to run ; one where we go to local events and meetings , schools and libraries , museums and restaurants , and speak to voters and hear about the issues that matter to them , where we get our message out face-to-face with citizens at the grassroots level through an exchange of ideas . ''
Additionally , the businessman and lawyer pledged to donate a portion of his remaining campaign funds to the Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida and the American Red Cross .
While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ completing final invoices , O'Connell told the Washington Examiner that at least $ 10,000 will go to the food bank , while at least $ 2,500 will go to the Red Cross .
O'Connell was one of nine declared Republican candidates vying to replace GOP Rep. Francis Rooney , who has announced his plans to retire .
Florida has faced a difficult challenge in combating the spread of the coronavirus .
Thousands of college students descended upon the state , which has a large elderly population , for spring break .
Nineteen long-term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 as of Wednesday , Politico reported .
In total , there were more than 9,400 confirmed coronavirus cases in the United States as of Thursday morning , which has led to approximately 150 deaths .
More than 100 people in the U.S. have recovered from the virus , according to Johns Hopkins University .

A Republican congressional candidate is dropping out of his Florida race and plans to donate a part of his campaign funds to coronavirus relief efforts.
Ford O'Connell, previously a surrogate for President Trump's 2020 reelection bid, announced the end of his campaign for Florida's 19th District House seat on Thursday.
"We are in the midst of a global pandemic," a statement from the now-former candidate read. "Lives are at stake. The time for action is now."
He continued, "As a result of the Chinese coronavirus outbreak, we cannot run the type of campaign we wanted to run; one where we go to local events and meetings, schools and libraries, museums and restaurants, and speak to voters and hear about the issues that matter to them, where we get our message out face-to-face with citizens at the grassroots level through an exchange of ideas."
Additionally, the businessman and lawyer pledged to donate a portion of his remaining campaign funds to the Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida and the American Red Cross. While the campaign is still paying staffers and completing final invoices, O'Connell told the Washington Examiner that at least $10,000 will go to the food bank, while at least $2,500 will go to the Red Cross.
O'Connell was one of nine declared Republican candidates vying to replace GOP Rep. Francis Rooney, who has announced his plans to retire.
Florida has faced a difficult challenge in combating the spread of the coronavirus. Thousands of college students descended upon the state, which has a large elderly population, for spring break. Nineteen long-term elderly facilities in the state have either a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 as of Wednesday, Politico reported.
In total, there were more than 9,400 confirmed coronavirus cases in the United States as of Thursday morning, which has led to approximately 150 deaths. More than 100 people in the U.S. have recovered from the virus, according to Johns Hopkins University.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-19--'Landslide' defeat: Second quarter recession will doom Trump, warns forecaster whose model always wo

'Landslide' defeat: Second quarter recession will doom Trump, warns forecaster whose model always works

A sudden economic downturn in the second quarter of the year could doom President Trump ’ s chances of reelection in the fall , according to a new election forecast that factors in the impact of the coronavirus crisis .
White House officials are warning of a steep economic shock , with unemployment even hitting 20 % , as COVID-19 cuts through the workforce and employees stay at home .
Trump aides are briefing that the economy can bounce back before November , but many economists believe second-quarter GDP growth is the factor most closely correlated with an incumbent president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new forecast , Alan Abramowitz , professor of political science at Emory University , writes that Trump could be heading for a defeat of “ landslide proportions.
” He cites projections suggesting a 5 % contraction in the American economy during the next three months .
“ That ’ s significant because , in many election forecasting models , including my own ‘ time for change ’ model , economic growth in the second quarter is a key predictor of the election results , ” he writes for Sabato ’ s Crystal Ball @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University of Virginia .
“ Models like mine use second-quarter GDP growth to measure the state of the economy because GDP is a broad measure of economic activity and the performance of the economy in the second quarter seems to shape opinions of the economy in the fall.
” His model correctly correlates with the winner of the past 11 elections .
However , he added that voters may not hold the president responsible for an emerging pathogen and that partisan polarization may insulate Trump more than previous incumbents .
The forecast was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agency adjusted their own predictions to suggest that Joe Biden , the likely Democratic nominee , is running at least neck and neck with Trump .
White House officials have begun preparing the public for a tough economic ride .
“ There ’ s a lot we don ’ t know , ” Larry Kudlow , Trump ’ s chief economic adviser , told reporters on Monday .
“ The first quarter ’ s going to be fine .
It ’ s the second quarter — I understand that — it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” And this week , Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin warned Republican senators that unemployment could hit 20 % without urgent action to pass a trillion-dollar stimulus package .
A Trump campaign adviser said he hoped the pain would be short-lived , echoing Trump ’ s message that the economy would rebound due to “ pent up demand.
” “ By the time we get to the election , then we think things could look a lot brighter , ” he said , “ as voters book holidays they postponed and get back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the historical precedents bode poorly for the president .
Since World War II , only two presidents have run for reelection in the same year as a recession .
Jimmy Carter lost in 1980 , after a six-month recession began that January , while Harry Truman won in 1948 , during the same month the recession began .
But the best case study may be George H.W .
Bush , who lost in 1992 .
The country had emerged from recession but not soon enough for voters to feel the benefits , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Virginia ’ s Center for Politics .
“ Even if things start to improve in the third quarter before an election , people may not recognize that until it is already happening .
People ’ s feelings about the economy can be baked in several months in advance , ” he said .
“ The danger for this president is that the public ’ s perception has been of a pretty strong economy , and arguably , this disruption is happening at a pretty bad time politically for him .
”

A sudden economic downturn in the second quarter of the year could doom President Trump’s chances of reelection in the fall, according to a new election forecast that factors in the impact of the coronavirus crisis.
White House officials are warning of a steep economic shock, with unemployment even hitting 20%, as COVID-19 cuts through the workforce and employees stay at home.
Trump aides are briefing that the economy can bounce back before November, but many economists believe second-quarter GDP growth is the factor most closely correlated with an incumbent president’s reelection hopes.
In a new forecast, Alan Abramowitz, professor of political science at Emory University, writes that Trump could be heading for a defeat of “landslide proportions.”
He cites projections suggesting a 5% contraction in the American economy during the next three months.
“That’s significant because, in many election forecasting models, including my own ‘time for change’ model, economic growth in the second quarter is a key predictor of the election results,” he writes for Sabato’s Crystal Ball, a nonpartisan election forecaster at the University of Virginia.
“Models like mine use second-quarter GDP growth to measure the state of the economy because GDP is a broad measure of economic activity and the performance of the economy in the second quarter seems to shape opinions of the economy in the fall.”
His model correctly correlates with the winner of the past 11 elections.
However, he added that voters may not hold the president responsible for an emerging pathogen and that partisan polarization may insulate Trump more than previous incumbents.
The forecast was published soon after bookmakers and a ratings agency adjusted their own predictions to suggest that Joe Biden, the likely Democratic nominee, is running at least neck and neck with Trump.
White House officials have begun preparing the public for a tough economic ride.
“There’s a lot we don’t know,” Larry Kudlow, Trump’s chief economic adviser, told reporters on Monday. “The first quarter’s going to be fine. It’s the second quarter — I understand that — it’s going to be a very difficult quarter.”
And this week, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin warned Republican senators that unemployment could hit 20% without urgent action to pass a trillion-dollar stimulus package.
A Trump campaign adviser said he hoped the pain would be short-lived, echoing Trump’s message that the economy would rebound due to “pent up demand.”
“By the time we get to the election, then we think things could look a lot brighter,” he said, “as voters book holidays they postponed and get back to spending money.”
However, economists say the historical precedents bode poorly for the president.
Since World War II, only two presidents have run for reelection in the same year as a recession. Jimmy Carter lost in 1980, after a six-month recession began that January, while Harry Truman won in 1948, during the same month the recession began.
But the best case study may be George H.W. Bush, who lost in 1992. The country had emerged from recession but not soon enough for voters to feel the benefits, said political analyst Kyle Kondik of the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics.
“Even if things start to improve in the third quarter before an election, people may not recognize that until it is already happening. People’s feelings about the economy can be baked in several months in advance,” he said.
“The danger for this president is that the public’s perception has been of a pretty strong economy, and arguably, this disruption is happening at a pretty bad time politically for him.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-19--Tulsi Gabbard ends 2020 presidential bid and endorses Joe Biden

Anti-interventionist Democrat Tulsi Gabbard is ending her 2020 presidential campaign .
“ After Tuesday ’ s election , it is clear that Democratic Primary voters have chosen Vice President Joe Biden to be the person who will take on President Trump in the general election , ” Gabbard said Thursday .
“ Today , I ’ m suspending my presidential campaign and offering my full support to Vice President Joe Biden in his quest to bring our country together.
” Gabbard , 38 , a Hawaiian congresswoman and Iraq veteran , centered her campaign on combating a `` new Cold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Afghanistan , Iraq , and elsewhere .
A member of the Hawaii Army National Guard , she took a break from campaigning for two weeks in August for active-duty training .
She indicated that the coronavirus pandemic contributed to her decision to end her campaign .
“ The best way I can be of service at this time is to continue to work for the health and well-being of the people of Hawaii and our country in Congress and to stand ready to serve in uniform should the Hawaii National Guard be activated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the race comes after Tuesday primaries left Gabbard with no mathematical way to secure the 1,991 nominating delegates needed to win the Democratic presidential nomination on the first ballot in July 's Democratic national convention .
She won only two delegates from American Samoa , where she was born .
Gabbard previously said that she would take her campaign to the convention no matter what .
Gabbard made a splash in Democratic presidential debates .
In the first round , she criticized competitor Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan for arguing in favor of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corrected him for saying that the Taliban attacked the United States on 9/11 .
On the stage in July 2019 , Gabbard took aim at California Sen. Kamala Harris ’ s record as a prosecutor .
“ She put over 1,500 people in jail for marijuana violations and laughed about it when she was asked if she ever smoked marijuana , ” Gabbard said of Harris .
Critics railed against Gabbard for her stance on Syrian dictator Bashar al Assad .
Harris called her an “ Assad apologist.
” In 2017 , Gabbard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he had ordered a chemical weapons attack on Syrian civilians .
She has since called Assad a `` brutal dictator . ''
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in October suggested that Gabbard was being `` groomed '' by Russia or the Republicans to run as a third-party spoiler candidate and appeared to suggest that Gabbard was a `` Russian asset . ''
Gabbard responded to Clinton in part by calling her `` the queen of warmongers , embodiment of corruption , and personification of the rot that has sickened the Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who repeatedly said she would not run as a third-party candidate and would endorse the Democratic presidential nominee , in January filed a $ 50 million defamation lawsuit against Clinton .
The Hawaii representative also sued Google for allegedly temporarily suspending her ability to buy online ads .
A federal judge dismissed that lawsuit in early March .
Gabbard announced in October that she would not seek reelection to her House seat in 2020 .
She faced a primary challenge from Democratic Hawaii state Sen. Kai Kahele , who has criticized her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her district .

Anti-interventionist Democrat Tulsi Gabbard is ending her 2020 presidential campaign.
“After Tuesday’s election, it's clear that Democratic primary voters have chosen Vice President Joe Biden to be the person who will take on President Trump in the general election,” Gabbard said Thursday. “Today, I’m suspending my presidential campaign and offering my full support to Vice President Joe Biden in his quest to bring our country together.”
Gabbard, 38, a Hawaiian congresswoman and Iraq War veteran, centered her campaign on combating a "new Cold War" and U.S. military presence in Afghanistan, Iraq, and elsewhere. A member of the Hawaii Army National Guard, she took a break from campaigning for two weeks in August for active-duty training.
She indicated that the coronavirus pandemic contributed to her decision to end her campaign. “The best way I can be of service at this time is to continue to work for the health and well-being of the people of Hawaii and our country in Congress and to stand ready to serve in uniform should the Hawaii National Guard be activated,” Gabbard said.
The exit from the race comes after Tuesday primaries left Gabbard with no mathematical way to secure the 1,991 nominating delegates needed to win the Democratic presidential nomination on the first ballot in July's Democratic National Convention. She won only two delegates from American Samoa, where she was born. Gabbard previously said that she would take her campaign to the convention no matter what.
Gabbard made a splash in Democratic presidential debates. In the first round, she criticized competitor Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan for arguing in favor of keeping a U.S. presence in Afghanistan and corrected him for saying that the Taliban attacked the United States on 9/11. On the stage in July 2019, Gabbard took aim at California Sen. Kamala Harris’s record as a prosecutor.
“She put over 1,500 people in jail for marijuana violations and laughed about it when she was asked if she ever smoked marijuana,” Gabbard said of Harris.
Critics railed against Gabbard for her stance on Syrian dictator Bashar Assad. Harris called her an “Assad apologist.” In 2017, Gabbard met with Assad and later expressed skepticism that he had ordered a chemical weapons attack on Syrian civilians. She has since called Assad a "brutal dictator."
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in October suggested that Gabbard was being "groomed" by Russia or the Republicans to run as a third-party spoiler candidate and appeared to suggest that Gabbard was a "Russian asset." Gabbard responded to Clinton in part by calling her "the queen of warmongers, embodiment of corruption, and personification of the rot that has sickened the Democratic Party for so long."
Gabbard, who repeatedly said she would not run as a third-party candidate and would endorse the Democratic presidential nominee, in January filed a $50 million defamation lawsuit against Clinton.
The Hawaii representative also sued Google for allegedly temporarily suspending her ability to buy online ads. A federal judge dismissed that lawsuit in early March.
Gabbard announced in October that she would not seek reelection to her House seat in 2020. She faced a primary challenge from Democratic Hawaii state Sen. Kai Kahele, who has criticized her for focusing on national politics rather than her district.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-19--Biden lurch to left shows Sanders lost presidential race but won ideological war

Joe Biden will almost certainly be the Democratic presidential nominee , but Bernie Sanders and his far-left allies could be the biggest winners as the former vice president adopts positions that seemed fringe and radical just four years ago .
That Biden is described as a “ centrist ” or a “ moderate ” candidate relative to the current and former Democratic rivals shows how far left the party lurched in just four years in large part due to the Vermont senator ’ s rise in national prominence .
Biden campaigns on increasing taxes , a public option for health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wage , among other initiatives .
Biden has not only evolved his positions to fit into a new baseline Democratic Party ideological standard , but he has dramatically shifted key positions over the course of his campaign , further demonstrating Democrats ' race to the left .
On Sunday , hours before his first one-on-one debate against Sanders , Biden adopted two policy proposals championed by his far-left rivals .
`` Today , Biden is adding to his agenda by adopting Sen. Sanders 's proposal to make public colleges and universities tuition-free for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 125,000 , '' the campaign said .
Previously , Biden advocated making only a two-year community college education tuition-free .
He also adopted Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren ’ s proposal to reform the bankruptcy system , a stunning change and acceptance of Warren ’ s views after a decade and a half of standing on the opposite side of a 2005 bankruptcy reform bill that he helped shape in the Senate , representing Delaware , home to the nation 's largest credit card companies .
Meanwhile , Warren , then a Harvard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , strongly opposed the proposal , which eventually became law .
Biden ’ s campaign tried to downplay his role in the bill that made it more difficult to file for bankruptcy .
“ Biden worked hard to add progressive reforms to a bankruptcy bill that was going to be passed with or without him , ” it said .
“ Today , he agrees firmly with Sen. Warren that we need to fundamentally reshape our bankruptcy system.
” The most recent shift in positions could be part of a Biden strategy to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party as Biden takes his role as the Democrats ' presumptive nominee , but this is far from the first time Biden obviously adjusted his policy platform and veered left .
Biden ’ s leftward lurch started in the early months of his campaign with a flip-flop-flip on the Hyde Amendment , which prevents government funds from being used on abortion .
Biden , a practicing Catholic , long held that abortion should be legal but that the federal government should not fund it .
He touted his consistency on the issue in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I 've stuck to my middle-of-the-road position on abortion for more than 30 years , ” Biden wrote .
“ Those of us who are opposed to abortion should not be compelled to pay for them.
” But , in May 2019 , just weeks after launching his presidential bid , Biden told an ACLU volunteer that he supported repealing the Hyde Amendment .
Weeks later , his aides said the opposite .
The former vice president resolved the debacle by denouncing the amendment at a campaign event in Atlanta .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been working through the final details of my healthcare plan like others in this race , and I ’ ve been struggling with the problems that Hyde now presents , ” Biden said .
Biden last summer also reversed his decadeslong support for the federal death penalty , joining nearly every one of his competitors in opposing it .
The pressure to showcase a leftist liberal position appears to have led the former vice president to say falsely that , while he voted for the Iraq War in 2002 , he opposed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S.-led invasion started .
“ I voted to go into Iraq , and I 'd vote to do it again , ” Biden said in a Senate floor speech that July .
Biden was unable to stick with one key new leftist standard .
Despite initially disavowing support from outside super PACs , the former vice president accepted help from one starting in October once his campaign struggled to raise as much money as his competitors .
The former vice president , however , was not the only candidate unable to banish super @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also reversed course on super PAC help in the last weeks of her campaign .
While Biden does not support a dramatic `` Green New Deal '' or go as far as abolishing private health insurance in favor of a single-payer `` Medicare for all '' healthcare system , the Democratic field 's `` moderate '' establishment candidate will be the most liberal nominee in modern history due to pressure from far-left candidates and activists creating a new standard of normal .
Though Sanders and Warren lost the Democratic presidential race , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ war .

Joe Biden will almost certainly be the Democratic presidential nominee, but Bernie Sanders and his far-left allies could be the biggest winners as the former vice president adopts positions that seemed fringe and radical just four years ago.
That Biden is described as a “centrist” or a “moderate” candidate relative to the current and former Democratic rivals shows how far left the party lurched in just four years in large part due to the Vermont senator’s rise in national prominence. Biden campaigns on increasing taxes, a public option for health insurance, and a $15-per-hour minimum wage, among other initiatives.
Biden has not only evolved his positions to fit into a new baseline Democratic Party ideological standard, but he has dramatically shifted key positions over the course of his campaign, further demonstrating Democrats' race to the left.
On Sunday, hours before his first one-on-one debate against Sanders, Biden adopted two policy proposals championed by his far-left rivals.
"Today, Biden is adding to his agenda by adopting Sen. Sanders's proposal to make public colleges and universities tuition-free for all students whose family incomes are below $125,000," the campaign said. Previously, Biden advocated making only a two-year community college education tuition-free.
He also adopted Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s proposal to reform the bankruptcy system, a stunning change and acceptance of Warren’s views after a decade and a half of standing on the opposite side of a 2005 bankruptcy reform bill that he helped shape in the Senate, representing Delaware, home to the nation's largest credit card companies. Meanwhile, Warren, then a Harvard Law School professor and a bankruptcy expert, strongly opposed the proposal, which eventually became law.
Biden’s campaign tried to downplay his role in the bill that made it more difficult to file for bankruptcy. “Biden worked hard to add progressive reforms to a bankruptcy bill that was going to be passed with or without him,” it said. “Today, he agrees firmly with Sen. Warren that we need to fundamentally reshape our bankruptcy system.”
The most recent shift in positions could be part of a Biden strategy to try and unite far-left factions of the party as Biden takes his role as the Democrats' presumptive nominee, but this is far from the first time Biden obviously adjusted his policy platform and veered left.
Biden’s leftward lurch started in the early months of his campaign with a flip-flop-flip on the Hyde Amendment, which prevents government funds from being used on abortion.
Biden, a practicing Catholic, long held that abortion should be legal but that the federal government should not fund it. He touted his consistency on the issue in his 2007 book Promises to Keep: “I've stuck to my middle-of-the-road position on abortion for more than 30 years,” Biden wrote. “Those of us who are opposed to abortion should not be compelled to pay for them.”
But, in May 2019, just weeks after launching his presidential bid, Biden told an ACLU volunteer that he supported repealing the Hyde Amendment. Weeks later, his aides said the opposite.
The former vice president resolved the debacle by denouncing the amendment at a campaign event in Atlanta.
“Circumstances have changed. I’ve been working through the final details of my healthcare plan like others in this race, and I’ve been struggling with the problems that Hyde now presents,” Biden said.
Biden last summer also reversed his decadeslong support for the federal death penalty, joining nearly every one of his competitors in opposing it.
The pressure to showcase a leftist liberal position appears to have led the former vice president to say falsely that, while he voted for the Iraq War in 2002, he opposed the effort from the moment the March 2003 U.S.-led invasion started. “I voted to go into Iraq, and I'd vote to do it again,” Biden said in a Senate floor speech that July.
Biden was unable to stick with one key new leftist standard. Despite initially disavowing support from outside super PACs, the former vice president accepted help from one starting in October once his campaign struggled to raise as much money as his competitors.
The former vice president, however, was not the only candidate unable to banish super PACs for his whole campaign. Warren also reversed course on super PAC help in the last weeks of her campaign.
While Biden does not support a dramatic "Green New Deal" or go as far as abolishing private health insurance in favor of a single-payer "Medicare for all" healthcare system, the Democratic field's "moderate" establishment candidate will be the most liberal nominee in modern history due to pressure from far-left candidates and activists creating a new standard of normal.
Though Sanders and Warren lost the Democratic presidential race, they may have won the party's ideological war.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-19--Trump backers prepare to attack Biden for playing the 'Catholic card'

Trump backers are preparing to push back against Joe Biden ’ s outreach to Catholics as the former vice president emerges as the near-certain Democratic presidential nominee .
Biden has long faced criticism from Republicans for touting his Catholic faith , the teachings of which often conflict with his political positions , particularly on abortion .
“ Catholic voters in particular are not simply voting for the name , a person who claims to be Catholic , but whether their record and vision for the country coincides with their values , ” said Brian Burch , president of CatholicVote.org , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with nonpracticing Catholics , abortion is often an uncrossable line for those who consider themselves active members of the church .
Catholic bishops and priests have also criticized Biden on abortion .
During Biden ’ s 2008 presidential bid , Scranton Bishop Joseph Martino denounced Biden ’ s position on abortion and said that he would deny the then-senator communion .
In 2019 , Robert Morey , a priest in South Carolina , did refuse Biden communion and later said that he did so because “ any public figure who advocates for abortion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teaching.
” Biden responded in an MSNBC interview by saying that the incident was off-limits for discussion because it is his “ personal life.
” But as the campaign for the general election begins , affiliates of the Trump campaign coalition Catholics for Trump , which , if not for the coronavirus would have launched this week , said that the accusations that Biden is unfit to receive communion because of his positions on abortion will likely only increase .
“ The nuns taught him when he was still in grade school , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show in his votes on that end , ” said former Republican Rep. Tim Huelskamp , who is involved in the campaign coalition .
Huelskamp added that , while Biden appeals to the “ Kennedy Catholics ” who vote Democratic out of historical loyalty to the party , the former vice president ’ s record has provided ammo to the Trump campaign .
Biden ’ s flip-flops on issues such as the Hyde Amendment , which bars federally funded abortions , as well as his involvement in an Obama-era mandate that triggered a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Poor to the Supreme Court have already given Trump opportunities to jab at Biden .
During his 2020 speech at the March for Life in D.C. , Trump touted his administration ’ s defense of the Little Sisters of the Poor while excoriating Democrats for taking the most “ radical and extreme positions ” on the issue .
As campaigning intensifies on both sides , Trump ’ s needling in these areas won ’ t stop , Huelskamp said .
“ He can have Joe Biden and the Democratic Party hating the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
“ That is just not a good position to be in for the Democratic Party.
” Trump campaign spokeswoman Mercedes Schlapp said that Biden 's past positions , especially on abortion , religious liberty , and the Supreme Court , create an opportunity for the campaign to contrast him with Trump 's own positions on these issues .
`` The idea that Biden is trying to reach out to Catholic voters when his policies are so out of touch with Catholic voters , especially on the pro-life issues where he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late-term abortions , and will do nothing to protect the unborn and also push forward and support judges who would not be strict constitutionalists in any way , I think that creates a huge problem for Joe Biden , '' she said .
The Biden campaign has largely ignored abortion and religious freedom in its efforts to reach Catholic voters , focusing instead on economic issues .
His campaign released a video in February entitled “ Faith , ” which shows Biden talking about how “ going to Mass ” and “ saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solace ” in hard times .
The section of Biden ’ s campaign website devoted to Catholics focuses on healthcare , immigration , and environmental protections .
In the final section , the campaign says that Biden ’ s support for “ stewardship ” is informed by Pope Francis ’ s 2015 encyclical , Laudato Si ' , which called upon global leaders to care for their people by caring for the Earth .
In the early primary states , Biden sent out surrogates to vouch for his Catholicity , including former Ambassador @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the candidate ’ s sister , Valerie Biden Owens .
Biden also enlisted the aid of the Sisters of St. Francis in Dubuque to help him win Iowa ’ s Catholic vote , posing with them in a campaign video posted to his Instagram account .
Biden came in fourth in the Iowa caucuses , behind Pete Buttigieg , Bernie Sanders , and Elizabeth Warren .
Buttigieg , Iowa ’ s winner , also faced sharp criticism among many religious people for his public profession of Christianity matched against his stances on abortion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in late January , Buttigieg told an anti-abortion Democrat that he was not “ going to try to earn your vote by tricking you ” and said that he did not think the Democratic Party should shift its defense of abortion rights to accommodate voters who disagree with that position .
Abortion and Catholicism were last a major issue in presidential politics during the 2004 cycle for Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry , a professed Catholic .
The conservative Cardinal Raymond Burke said he would refuse communion to Kerry on the grounds that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person `` who knows that he or she is unworthy and yet presumes to come forward and to take the Holy Eucharist . ''
Kerry responded in an NBC interview that he didn ’ t think his positions on abortion and his eligibility to receive communion conflicted because of a “ separation of church and state.
” When the issue arose during a 2012 vice presidential debate between Biden and then-Rep. Paul Ryan , another Catholic , the vice president characterized his positions in a similar manner to Kerry .
`` With regard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s position on abortion , '' Biden said .
`` Life begins at conception in the church ’ s judgment .
I accept it in my personal life .
But I refuse to impose it on equally devout Christians and Muslims and Jews .
I do not believe that we have a right to tell other people that — women — they can ’ t control their body . ''
The Trump campaign plans to push Biden harder on the issue .
With Catholics for Trump , it plans to organize a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the country , detailing Trump 's achievements on abortion , judicial appointments , and religious freedom , according to the campaign .
Already , the president has made abortion one of his recurrent criticisms of Democrats after the issue won Trump votes from many initially hesitant Catholics in 2016 , said Frank Pavone , the controversial director of Priests for Life who is also set to work on Catholics for Trump .
“ If I were Biden ’ s campaign , I would strongly advise him , at this point , not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pavone said .

Trump backers are preparing to push back against Joe Biden’s outreach to Catholics as the former vice president emerges as the near-certain Democratic presidential nominee.
Biden has long faced criticism from Republicans for touting his Catholic faith, the teachings of which often conflict with his political positions, particularly on abortion.
“Catholic voters in particular are not simply voting for the name, a person who claims to be Catholic, but whether their record and vision for the country coincides with their values,” said Brian Burch, president of CatholicVote.org, pointing out that while Biden polls well with nonpracticing Catholics, abortion is often an uncrossable line for those who consider themselves active members of the church.
Catholic bishops and priests have also criticized Biden on abortion. During Biden’s 2008 presidential bid, Scranton Bishop Joseph Martino denounced Biden’s position on abortion and said that he would deny the then-senator communion. In 2019, Robert Morey, a priest in South Carolina, did refuse Biden communion and later said that he did so because “any public figure who advocates for abortion places himself or herself outside of Church teaching.”
Biden responded in an MSNBC interview by saying that the incident was off-limits for discussion because it is his “personal life.”
But as the campaign for the general election begins, affiliates of the Trump campaign coalition Catholics for Trump, which, if not for the coronavirus would have launched this week, said that the accusations that Biden is unfit to receive communion because of his positions on abortion will likely only increase.
“The nuns taught him when he was still in grade school, but it doesn’t seem to show in his votes on that end,” said former Republican Rep. Tim Huelskamp, who is involved in the campaign coalition.
Huelskamp added that, while Biden appeals to the “Kennedy Catholics” who vote Democratic out of historical loyalty to the party, the former vice president’s record has provided ammo to the Trump campaign. Biden’s flip-flops on issues such as the Hyde Amendment, which bars federally funded abortions, as well as his involvement in an Obama-era mandate that triggered a lawsuit that sent the Little Sisters of the Poor to the Supreme Court have already given Trump opportunities to jab at Biden.
During his 2020 speech at the March for Life in D.C., Trump touted his administration’s defense of the Little Sisters of the Poor while excoriating Democrats for taking the most “radical and extreme positions” on the issue.
As campaigning intensifies on both sides, Trump’s needling in these areas won’t stop, Huelskamp said.
“He can have Joe Biden and the Democratic Party hating the Little Sisters of the Poor,” he said. “That is just not a good position to be in for the Democratic Party.”
Trump campaign spokeswoman Mercedes Schlapp said that Biden's past positions, especially on abortion, religious liberty, and the Supreme Court, create an opportunity for the campaign to contrast him with Trump's own positions on these issues.
"The idea that Biden is trying to reach out to Catholic voters when his policies are so out of touch with Catholic voters, especially on the pro-life issues where he supports taxpayer-funded abortion, where he supports late-term abortions, and will do nothing to protect the unborn and also push forward and support judges who would not be strict constitutionalists in any way, I think that creates a huge problem for Joe Biden," she said.
The Biden campaign has largely ignored abortion and religious freedom in its efforts to reach Catholic voters, focusing instead on economic issues. His campaign released a video in February entitled “Faith,” which shows Biden talking about how “going to Mass” and “saying the rosary” has given him “solace” in hard times.
The section of Biden’s campaign website devoted to Catholics focuses on healthcare, immigration, and environmental protections. In the final section, the campaign says that Biden’s support for “stewardship” is informed by Pope Francis’s 2015 encyclical, Laudato Si', which called upon global leaders to care for their people by caring for the Earth.
In the early primary states, Biden sent out surrogates to vouch for his Catholicity, including former Ambassador to Ireland Kevin O’Malley and the candidate’s sister, Valerie Biden Owens. Biden also enlisted the aid of the Sisters of St. Francis in Dubuque to help him win Iowa’s Catholic vote, posing with them in a campaign video posted to his Instagram account. Biden came in fourth in the Iowa caucuses, behind Pete Buttigieg, Bernie Sanders, and Elizabeth Warren.
Buttigieg, Iowa’s winner, also faced sharp criticism among many religious people for his public profession of Christianity matched against his stances on abortion. During a Fox News town hall in late January, Buttigieg told an anti-abortion Democrat that he was not “going to try to earn your vote by tricking you” and said that he did not think the Democratic Party should shift its defense of abortion rights to accommodate voters who disagree with that position.
Abortion and Catholicism were last a major issue in presidential politics during the 2004 cycle for Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry, a professed Catholic. The conservative Cardinal Raymond Burke said he would refuse communion to Kerry on the grounds that the Eucharist must be protected from a person "who knows that he or she is unworthy and yet presumes to come forward and to take the Holy Eucharist."
Kerry responded in an NBC interview that he didn’t think his positions on abortion and his eligibility to receive communion conflicted because of a “separation of church and state.”
When the issue arose during a 2012 vice presidential debate between Biden and then-Rep. Paul Ryan, another Catholic, the vice president characterized his positions in a similar manner to Kerry.
"With regard to abortion, I accept my church’s position on abortion," Biden said. "Life begins at conception in the church’s judgment. I accept it in my personal life. But I refuse to impose it on equally devout Christians and Muslims and Jews. I do not believe that we have a right to tell other people that — women — they can’t control their body."
The Trump campaign plans to push Biden harder on the issue. With Catholics for Trump, it plans to organize a "very aggressive outreach" to Catholics across the country, detailing Trump's achievements on abortion, judicial appointments, and religious freedom, according to the campaign.
Already, the president has made abortion one of his recurrent criticisms of Democrats after the issue won Trump votes from many initially hesitant Catholics in 2016, said Frank Pavone, the controversial director of Priests for Life who is also set to work on Catholics for Trump.
“If I were Biden’s campaign, I would strongly advise him, at this point, not to play the Catholic card,” Pavone said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-20--GOP hopes Trump can stick to new persona as crisis unfolds

Republicans are pleased President Trump has stepped up to the role of `` wartime '' leader but say he 'll succeed only if he keeps delegating authority and trusting experts .
Trump runs the White House like a family business , hoarding decision-making while relying on a few loyal confidants for counsel .
The coronavirus crisis is forcing him to adjust .
After initial resistance , Trump has embraced the role of wartime president and turned to experts with whom he was previously unfamiliar from the government and the private sector to shape and execute a strategy .
For hopeful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has the discipline to stick to this new approach .
“ The Trump White House , more than any other White House , has been focused on Trump .
That won ’ t work here , ” said Ari Fleischer , an often-supportive Republican operative who , as press secretary to George W. Bush on Sept. 11 , 2001 , experienced a White House thrust into war .
“ The president ’ s got to be seen as the head coach ; the experts are the players on the field that are going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in January , the first Americans were afflicted with COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus , Trump dismissed it as minor and said it would n't upend life in the United States as it had in China , where it started , and in other countries to which it spread .
Trump created a White House task force led by Vice President Mike Pence but said the threat would quickly fade .
That changed dramatically this week .
Trump conceded that drastic measures were necessary to prevent months of turmoil .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a wartime president , willingly sharing the spotlight with technocrats .
The president built his political brand dismissing elites .
Now , he is leaning on their judgment to defeat the coronavirus .
Jason Miller , an ally and former adviser , said the president ’ s preference for bold action made him the perfect leader to turn the experts ’ recommendations into action quickly .
Miller , co-host with former White House counselor Steve Bannon of a podcast that has focused on the coronavirus since it was first reported in Wuhan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump as a wartime president since January .
“ It ’ s going to take an unconventional , unorthodox leader to cut through red tape to get things done , ” Miller said , referring to the urgent need for a vaccine , medical equipment , and massive economic stimulus to save an American economy that has nearly ground to a halt from a depression .
“ President Trump wasn ’ t elected to be a hand-holder ; he was elected to be an action-oriented , results-driven leader.
” Nevertheless , it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executive who relishes campaigning and is more comfortable on the political attack .
Although his signature stadium rallies , often laden with invective , are on hold , Trump has been typically aggressive on social media , offering cutting commentary about congressional Democrats , likely Democratic challenger Joe Biden , and the news media .
And in a news conference Thursday , Trump appeared to revert to his usual , politically centered rhetoric .
Republicans say Trump should not be expected to stand too far down even while managing the government ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him to understand that his usually effective political attacks will be useless if voters decide he mishandled the pandemic and its economic aftershocks .
Government mandates for a range of industries to cease operations to stop the spread of the coronavirus are poised to spike unemployment and push the U.S. into a deep recession .
To win in November , even if these conditions recede , Trump has to win in March , April , and May , with a strategy that offers people confidence that the government has a plan to revitalize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The only way for him to get reelected is absolutely nail the response , ” said Scott Jennings , a Republican strategist in Louisville , Kentucky .
“ The American people won ’ t blame him for the virus occurring , but what they are looking for is : How quickly can we get back to some semblance of normalcy , and did we fully and efficiently mobilize the power of the federal government to do that ?
”

Republicans are pleased President Trump has stepped up to the role of "wartime" leader but say he'll succeed only if he keeps delegating authority and trusting experts.
Trump runs the White House like a family business, hoarding decision-making while relying on a few loyal confidants for counsel. The coronavirus crisis is forcing him to adjust. After initial resistance, Trump has embraced the role of wartime president and turned to experts with whom he was previously unfamiliar from the government and the private sector to shape and execute a strategy.
For hopeful Republicans, the question is whether Trump has the discipline to stick to this new approach.
“The Trump White House, more than any other White House, has been focused on Trump. That won’t work here,” said Ari Fleischer, an often-supportive Republican operative who, as press secretary to George W. Bush on Sept. 11, 2001, experienced a White House thrust into war. “The president’s got to be seen as the head coach; the experts are the players on the field that are going to win this fight.”
When, in January, the first Americans were afflicted with COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, Trump dismissed it as minor and said it wouldn't upend life in the United States as it had in China, where it started, and in other countries to which it spread. Trump created a White House task force led by Vice President Mike Pence but said the threat would quickly fade.
That changed dramatically this week. Trump conceded that drastic measures were necessary to prevent months of turmoil. In doing so, he described himself as a wartime president, willingly sharing the spotlight with technocrats. The president built his political brand dismissing elites. Now, he is leaning on their judgment to defeat the coronavirus.
Jason Miller, an ally and former adviser, said the president’s preference for bold action made him the perfect leader to turn the experts’ recommendations into action quickly. Miller, co-host with former White House counselor Steve Bannon of a podcast that has focused on the coronavirus since it was first reported in Wuhan, China, has been referring to Trump as a wartime president since January.
“It’s going to take an unconventional, unorthodox leader to cut through red tape to get things done,” Miller said, referring to the urgent need for a vaccine, medical equipment, and massive economic stimulus to save an American economy that has nearly ground to a halt from a depression. “President Trump wasn’t elected to be a hand-holder; he was elected to be an action-oriented, results-driven leader.”
Nevertheless, it is a potentially rocky transformation for a chief executive who relishes campaigning and is more comfortable on the political attack.
Although his signature stadium rallies, often laden with invective, are on hold, Trump has been typically aggressive on social media, offering cutting commentary about congressional Democrats, likely Democratic challenger Joe Biden, and the news media. And in a news conference Thursday, Trump appeared to revert to his usual, politically centered rhetoric. Republicans say Trump should not be expected to stand too far down even while managing the government’s crisis response.
But party insiders want him to understand that his usually effective political attacks will be useless if voters decide he mishandled the pandemic and its economic aftershocks.
Government mandates for a range of industries to cease operations to stop the spread of the coronavirus are poised to spike unemployment and push the U.S. into a deep recession. To win in November, even if these conditions recede, Trump has to win in March, April, and May, with a strategy that offers people confidence that the government has a plan to revitalize society, Republican strategists say.
“The only way for him to get reelected is absolutely nail the response,” said Scott Jennings, a Republican strategist in Louisville, Kentucky. “The American people won’t blame him for the virus occurring, but what they are looking for is: How quickly can we get back to some semblance of normalcy, and did we fully and efficiently mobilize the power of the federal government to do that?”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-20--GOP governor group pauses political attacks amid coronavirus while Democrats continue

The Republican Governors Association is halting 2020 campaign activities in response to the coronavirus , ceasing fundraising and political attacks on Democrats until the pandemic is brought under control .
Governors are on the front lines , charged with making key decisions to stem the spread of the coronavirus .
That has included , in some cases , ordering all but nonessential businesses to close , throwing millions of people out of work — a move that could open governors up to criticism down the line .
The RGA is betting that voters will reward Republican candidates this November for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down and avoid criticizing Democratic incumbents and challengers .
“ The RGA is not engaging in any digital or email fundraising or any negative political communications at this time , ” RGA spokeswoman Amelia Chasse Alcivar confirmed Friday .
“ We are not using the COVID-19 crisis to attack our opponents.
” The Democratic Governors Association , which has continued to raise money and drop attacks on GOP governors amid the escalation of the coronavirus pandemic , has no immediate plans to cease politicking , a spokesman told the Washington Examiner .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsible for defending and expanding their party 's hold on governors ' mansions and acquiring new ones .
This fall , Democrats and Republicans are targeting a handful of gubernatorial contests , with Democrats eyeing Indiana , Missouri , New Hampshire , and Vermont and Republicans looking to flip Montana and North Carolina .
Recent DGA missives have included internet-fundraising appeals for races against Republican incumbents in Missouri and New Hampshire plus a series of Twitter posts using the coronavirus to undermine support for GOP gubernatorial candidates .
“ Indiana is lagging behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It is clear that [ Gov .
Eric Holcomb ] is not equipped to take on this challenge .
Hoosiers deserve a governor with the public health expertise necessary to take on this crisis , ” the DGA tweeted .
“ Ninety-five percent of our communications is about what Democratic governors are doing , ” DGA spokesman David Turner said .
“ Quite a few reporters would say the information we ’ re delivering is helpful to understanding the broader response to this crisis .
”

The Republican Governors Association is halting 2020 campaign activities in response to the coronavirus, ceasing fundraising and political attacks on Democrats until the pandemic is brought under control.
Governors are on the front lines, charged with making key decisions to stem the spread of the coronavirus. That has included, in some cases, ordering all but nonessential businesses to close, throwing millions of people out of work — a move that could open governors up to criticism down the line. The RGA is betting that voters will reward Republican candidates this November for the group’s decision to stand down and avoid criticizing Democratic incumbents and challengers.
“The RGA is not engaging in any digital or email fundraising or any negative political communications at this time,” RGA spokeswoman Amelia Chasse Alcivar confirmed Friday. “We are not using the COVID-19 crisis to attack our opponents.”
The Democratic Governors Association, which has continued to raise money and drop attacks on GOP governors amid the escalation of the coronavirus pandemic, has no immediate plans to cease politicking, a spokesman told the Washington Examiner.
The RGA and DGA are the political committees responsible for defending and expanding their party's hold on governors' mansions and acquiring new ones. This fall, Democrats and Republicans are targeting a handful of gubernatorial contests, with Democrats eyeing Indiana, Missouri, New Hampshire, and Vermont and Republicans looking to flip Montana and North Carolina.
Recent DGA missives have included internet-fundraising appeals for races against Republican incumbents in Missouri and New Hampshire plus a series of Twitter posts using the coronavirus to undermine support for GOP gubernatorial candidates. “Indiana is lagging behind other states in their #COVID19 response. It is clear that [Gov. Eric Holcomb] is not equipped to take on this challenge. Hoosiers deserve a governor with the public health expertise necessary to take on this crisis,” the DGA tweeted.
“Ninety-five percent of our communications is about what Democratic governors are doing,” DGA spokesman David Turner said. “Quite a few reporters would say the information we’re delivering is helpful to understanding the broader response to this crisis.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-20--Bloomberg gave nearly $1B to his campaign and spent more in three months than Clinton did on 2016 bi

Bloomberg gave nearly $1B to his campaign and spent more in three months than Clinton did on 2016 bid

Michael Bloomberg gave nearly $ 1 billion of his own fortune to his failed Democratic presidential campaign .
A Federal Election Commission filing on Friday showed that the former New York Mayor gave his campaign committee $ 935,360,675.56 .
He launched his campaign in late November and ended it on March 4 following a lackluster showing in Super Tuesday contests .
Bloomberg made his estimated $ 45.1 billion fortune by founding the financial services company Bloomberg LP .
He declined to accept outside campaign contributions because he could fund his bid himself .
His campaign spent more than $ 875 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than $ 500 million on broadcast and digital ads .
Bloomberg spent an unprecedented amount on his failed primary bid .
According to the Center for Responsive Politics , Hillary Clinton 's campaign and other outside groups that supported her spent nearly $ 769 million for her 2016 bid , while President Trump 's campaign and other groups spend $ 440 million to support his 2016 candidacy .
On Friday , Bloomberg announced that he gave $ 18 million in leftover campaign funds to the Democratic National Committee , circumventing campaign finance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give around only $ 850,000 directly .

Michael Bloomberg gave nearly $1 billion of his own fortune to his failed Democratic presidential campaign.
A Federal Election Commission filing on Friday showed that the former New York Mayor gave his campaign committee $935,360,675.56. He launched his campaign in late November and ended it on March 4 following a lackluster showing in Super Tuesday contests.
Bloomberg made his estimated $45.1 billion fortune by founding the financial services company Bloomberg LP. He declined to accept outside campaign contributions because he could fund his bid himself.
His campaign spent more than $875 million during his three-month bid, including more than $500 million on broadcast and digital ads.
Bloomberg spent an unprecedented amount on his failed primary bid. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Hillary Clinton's campaign and other outside groups that supported her spent nearly $769 million for her 2016 bid, while President Trump's campaign and other groups spend $440 million to support his 2016 candidacy.
On Friday, Bloomberg announced that he gave $18 million in leftover campaign funds to the Democratic National Committee, circumventing campaign finance rules that would otherwise allow him to give around only $850,000 directly.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-20--Biden learning of 'ways we can do teleconferencing' to get message out during coronavirus pandemic

Joe Biden said that he is learning about ways to communicate with the masses , such as teleconferencing , while he self-isolates to combat the spread of the coronavirus pandemic .
When asked why he is not streaming daily counterprogramming to President Trump 's White House briefings , Biden , 77 , told reporters on a press call that his campaign is `` in the process of setting up the mechanisms by which we can do that , '' adding that is `` above my paygrade . ''
`` They tell me there ’ s ways we can do teleconferencing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' the former vice president and likely Democratic presidential nominee said .
Biden 's campaign has struggled to stay relevant and implement new technology to talk to voters during the coronavirus pandemic .
In his first `` virtual town hall '' last week , the feed of his speech was sometimes garbled or showed a black screen .
Another virtual fundraiser scheduled for Thursday was postponed to next week , and , after a live-streamed address to the nation following primary victories on Tuesday , CNN commentators said that he needs better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be in daily or at least significant contact with the American people and communicate what I would be doing and what I think we should be doing , '' said Biden , a 36-year Delaware senator and a two-term vice president under President Barack Obama .
“ Everything from providing access to where I physically live and being able to broadcast from there , as well as our HQ , is underway .
We ’ ve hired a professional team . ''
“ Hopefully , by Monday , we ’ re going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terms of being able to be in communication with all of you , ” Biden said .
“ I promise you ’ re going to be hearing more of me than you want , probably.
” [ Related : Biden staff wearing masks and gloves around him ]

Joe Biden said that he is learning about ways to communicate with the masses, such as teleconferencing, while he self-isolates to combat the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
When asked why he is not streaming daily counterprogramming to President Trump's White House briefings, Biden, 77, told reporters on a press call that his campaign is "in the process of setting up the mechanisms by which we can do that," adding that is "above my paygrade."
"They tell me there’s ways we can do teleconferencing via us all being in different locations," the former vice president and likely Democratic presidential nominee said.
Biden's campaign has struggled to stay relevant and implement new technology to talk to voters during the coronavirus pandemic. In his first "virtual town hall" last week, the feed of his speech was sometimes garbled or showed a black screen. Another virtual fundraiser scheduled for Thursday was postponed to next week, and, after a live-streamed address to the nation following primary victories on Tuesday, CNN commentators said that he needs better production values.
"I want to be in daily or at least significant contact with the American people and communicate what I would be doing and what I think we should be doing," said Biden, a 36-year Delaware senator and a two-term vice president under President Barack Obama. “Everything from providing access to where I physically live and being able to broadcast from there, as well as our HQ, is underway. We’ve hired a professional team."
“Hopefully, by Monday, we’re going to be in a very different place in terms of being able to be in communication with all of you,” Biden said. “I promise you’re going to be hearing more of me than you want, probably.”
[Related: Biden staff wearing masks and gloves around him]


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-20--Biden at fundraising disadvantage against Trump

Joe Biden effectively wrapped up the Democratic presidential nomination much faster than expected , beating 2020 rival Bernie Sanders decisively in a string of primaries .
But with it comes drawbacks that could make it difficult to remain competitive financially with President Trump 's reelection effort .
The coronavirus outbreak has led to uncertainty over when many states will hold their primary contests .
The former vice president 's campaign appears to be stuck in limbo , with a moratorium on all in-person campaign stops and fundraisers .
In their place are `` virtual '' events , which feature video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fielding questions .
Holding such regular events are without any precedent in a modern campaign .
Already , Biden 's campaign has had issues with its tech operation .
Earlier this week , he had to postpone a virtual fundraiser scheduled for Thursday but gave no explanation why .
“ We are really looking forward to convening with you virtually .
As we are adjusting to all of the changes and still in transition , we would like to postpone our virtual event until next week .
We will follow up shortly with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign said in an email to donors on Wednesday .
Those issues follow the cancellation of in-person events in Chicago , Miami , and New York , which could have potentially brought millions of dollars into his campaign coffers .
Biden 's attempts at holding `` virtual town halls '' earlier this month were regularly interrupted by technical difficulties such as blank screens and garbled audio .
Already , Trump 's war chest has stretched into the eight figures , with no evidence his fundraising is slowing down .
But Biden , 77 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was nearly `` broke , '' before his surprising Super Tuesday wins , is behind the eight ball when it comes to building out for a general election , despite raising likely tens of millions of dollars since then .
According to the Federal Election Commissions ' regulations , candidates may not start raising money for their general election campaign until after they become the official nominee .
The FEC counts the primary and the general election as two separate elections , meaning a candidate can raise $ 2,800 from the same donor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new donors or those who have n't maxed out until then but is already struggling generating media attention to his campaign .
As Trump appears on television almost daily to provide updates to the country over his administration 's response to the pandemic , Biden has been forced to respond via press release .
Some members of the press have access to phone calls with him as well .
During a press call Friday , Biden signaled that his team had yet to figure out how to stream from his campaign headquarters but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Everything from providing access to where I physically live and being able to broadcast from there , as well as our HQ , is underway , '' he said .
`` We ’ ve hired a professional team . ''

Joe Biden effectively wrapped up the Democratic presidential nomination much faster than expected, beating 2020 rival Bernie Sanders decisively in a string of primaries. But with it comes drawbacks that could make it difficult to remain competitive financially with President Trump's reelection effort.
The coronavirus outbreak has led to uncertainty over when many states will hold their primary contests. The former vice president's campaign appears to be stuck in limbo, with a moratorium on all in-person campaign stops and fundraisers. In their place are "virtual" events, which feature video conference calls with Biden addressing donors and fielding questions.
Holding such regular events are without any precedent in a modern campaign. Already, Biden's campaign has had issues with its tech operation. Earlier this week, he had to postpone a virtual fundraiser scheduled for Thursday but gave no explanation why.
“We are really looking forward to convening with you virtually. As we are adjusting to all of the changes and still in transition, we would like to postpone our virtual event until next week. We will follow up shortly with the new date,” the Biden campaign said in an email to donors on Wednesday.
Those issues follow the cancellation of in-person events in Chicago, Miami, and New York, which could have potentially brought millions of dollars into his campaign coffers.
Biden's attempts at holding "virtual town halls" earlier this month were regularly interrupted by technical difficulties such as blank screens and garbled audio.
Already, Trump's war chest has stretched into the eight figures, with no evidence his fundraising is slowing down.
But Biden, 77, who has boasted about how he was nearly "broke," before his surprising Super Tuesday wins, is behind the eight ball when it comes to building out for a general election, despite raising likely tens of millions of dollars since then.
According to the Federal Election Commissions' regulations, candidates may not start raising money for their general election campaign until after they become the official nominee. The FEC counts the primary and the general election as two separate elections, meaning a candidate can raise $2,800 from the same donor twice.
Biden can still fundraise from new donors or those who haven't maxed out until then but is already struggling generating media attention to his campaign.
As Trump appears on television almost daily to provide updates to the country over his administration's response to the pandemic, Biden has been forced to respond via press release. Some members of the press have access to phone calls with him as well.
During a press call Friday, Biden signaled that his team had yet to figure out how to stream from his campaign headquarters but should have it worked out by Monday.
“Everything from providing access to where I physically live and being able to broadcast from there, as well as our HQ, is underway," he said. "We’ve hired a professional team."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-20--Biden staff wearing masks and gloves around him

Joe Biden revealed that his campaign staff and other visitors wear masks and gloves around him to combat the spread of the coronavirus .
Most Biden campaign staff are working from home , but , when people meet with him in person , Biden said on a press call Friday , `` We ’ re following CDC guidelines .
People are coming in with masks on , wearing gloves . ''
`` I 'm having constant telephone conferences , ” the former vice president and likely Democratic presidential nominee said , adding that he is on the phone `` probably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' At 77 , Biden is part of the age group that is considered at a higher risk of death should he contract the coronavirus .
Medical records released for the former vice president reveal that he receives treatment for an irregular heartbeat and high cholesterol .
The records also said that he deals with acid reflux and seasonal allergies .
Decades ago , Biden suffered two life-threatening brain aneurysms .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not recommend the general public wear face masks or respirators .
`` Instead , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as washing your hands , covering your cough , and staying home when you are sick , '' the agency said .
Most loose-fitting masks `` do not effectively filter small particles from the air and do not prevent leakage around the edge of the mask when the user inhales , '' the CDC said , adding that the special N95 filtering respirator design can filter out 95 % of very small bacterial and viral particles .
Hospitals and medical professionals are facing a shortage of N95 masks , and the CDC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or scarves as a last resort .
Earlier in the call , Biden called on President Trump to invoke the Defense Production Act but could not answer which industries or businesses he would put to work if he was in the same position .
In a tweet on Thursday , Biden called for the use of the Defense Production Act to create more medical equipment such as face masks .

Joe Biden revealed that his campaign staff and other visitors wear masks and gloves around him to combat the spread of the coronavirus.
Most Biden campaign staff are working from home, but, when people meet with him in person, Biden said on a press call Friday, "We’re following CDC guidelines. People are coming in with masks on, wearing gloves."
"I'm having constant telephone conferences,” the former vice president and likely Democratic presidential nominee said, adding that he is on the phone "probably an average seven hours a day."
At 77, Biden is part of the age group that is considered at a higher risk of death should he contract the coronavirus. Medical records released for the former vice president reveal that he receives treatment for an irregular heartbeat and high cholesterol. The records also said that he deals with acid reflux and seasonal allergies. Decades ago, Biden suffered two life-threatening brain aneurysms.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not recommend the general public wear face masks or respirators. "Instead, CDC recommends following everyday preventive actions, such as washing your hands, covering your cough, and staying home when you are sick," the agency said.
Most loose-fitting masks "do not effectively filter small particles from the air and do not prevent leakage around the edge of the mask when the user inhales," the CDC said, adding that the special N95 filtering respirator design can filter out 95% of very small bacterial and viral particles.
Hospitals and medical professionals are facing a shortage of N95 masks, and the CDC has recommended that medical professionals substitute bandannas or scarves as a last resort.
Earlier in the call, Biden called on President Trump to invoke the Defense Production Act but could not answer which industries or businesses he would put to work if he was in the same position.
In a tweet on Thursday, Biden called for the use of the Defense Production Act to create more medical equipment such as face masks.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-20--Trump will have to continue confronting Biden in 2020 despite the coronavirus pandemic

President Trump has probably been advised to tread lightly when discussing the 2020 race .
But it would be a big mistake to believe in any way that the campaign has stopped or that the president should behave as though he has to shy away from confronting Joe Biden , his likely rival .
Neither Trump nor Biden can host public events , which works to Biden ’ s benefit .
The less he ’ s seen in public , the fewer chances he has to stutter , stumble , and slight this or that identity group .
But though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of his strongest assets , his other strength is accessibility .
He talks to more reporters on and off the record than any president before him , and it helps him drive his message .
He would help himself by agreeing to more sit-down interviews , especially on TV and outside of Fox News , though speaking with the national papers , as much as I hate them all , would also stand to benefit his campaign .
Biden doesn ’ t like be in public at all because then he says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got hairy legs that turn blonde in the sun , and the kids used to come up and reach into the pool and rub my leg down so it was straight and then watch the hair come back up again.
” As Trump knows , it ’ s very easy and very effective to use a crisis as a way to contrast leadership style .
But where he has another disadvantage is that his administration has to manage the current health scare over the coronavirus , and Biden does not .
Trump has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spread of the virus and save more lives — there continue to be shortages of test kits two months later — and maybe Biden couldn ’ t have done any better in his place .
But it ’ s up to Trump to produce results and convince the country that he did everything possible under the circumstances .
Democrats and Republicans alike , including Trump , are disingenuously pleading that the response to the virus spread not be made political .
That ’ s impossible .
It ’ s an election year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to decide whether they think Trump is competent enough for another term or if he needs to be replaced .
The president will have to stay focused on managing the health scare , but he ’ ll simultaneously have to continue campaigning for reelection .
That ’ s entirely appropriate , but if he doesn ’ t , he ’ s going to give the stage over to Biden , and that may hurt his presidency more than getting political .

President Trump has probably been advised to tread lightly when discussing the 2020 race. But it would be a big mistake to believe in any way that the campaign has stopped or that the president should behave as though he has to shy away from confronting Joe Biden, his likely rival.
Neither Trump nor Biden can host public events, which works to Biden’s benefit. The less he’s seen in public, the fewer chances he has to stutter, stumble, and slight this or that identity group.
But though the president’s trademark megarallies are one of his strongest assets, his other strength is accessibility. He talks to more reporters on and off the record than any president before him, and it helps him drive his message. He would help himself by agreeing to more sit-down interviews, especially on TV and outside of Fox News, though speaking with the national papers, as much as I hate them all, would also stand to benefit his campaign.
Biden doesn’t like be in public at all because then he says things like, “I’ve got hairy legs that turn blonde in the sun, and the kids used to come up and reach into the pool and rub my leg down so it was straight and then watch the hair come back up again.”
As Trump knows, it’s very easy and very effective to use a crisis as a way to contrast leadership style. But where he has another disadvantage is that his administration has to manage the current health scare over the coronavirus, and Biden does not. Trump has not done a stellar job to stop the spread of the virus and save more lives — there continue to be shortages of test kits two months later — and maybe Biden couldn’t have done any better in his place. But it’s up to Trump to produce results and convince the country that he did everything possible under the circumstances.
Democrats and Republicans alike, including Trump, are disingenuously pleading that the response to the virus spread not be made political. That’s impossible. It’s an election year, and voters are going to have to decide whether they think Trump is competent enough for another term or if he needs to be replaced.
The president will have to stay focused on managing the health scare, but he’ll simultaneously have to continue campaigning for reelection. That’s entirely appropriate, but if he doesn’t, he’s going to give the stage over to Biden, and that may hurt his presidency more than getting political.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-20--'Profiting off their pain': Doug Collins 'sickened' by 2020 rival Kelly Loeffler stock sell-off

Rep. Doug Collins took the opportunity to criticize Sen. Kelly Loeffler , whom he is trying to unseat this year , after news broke that she offloaded millions of dollars in stocks before the coronavirus crisis caused markets to crash .
`` People are losing their jobs , their businesses , their retirements , and even their lives and Kelly Loeffler is profiting off their pain ? ''
the George congressman said Friday on Twitter .
`` I 'm sickened just thinking about it . ''
Loeffler , a Republican , started her stock sale on Jan. 24 , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Trump administration , including virologist expert Anthony Fauci , according to the Daily Beast on Thursday .
The first stocks she sold were worth between $ 50,000 and $ 100,000 from the company Resideo , which has now lost more than 50 % of its value .
Before that transaction , Loeffler had not reported a single stock transaction since her Jan. 6 appointment to the Senate .
Since then , she 's reported 29 stock transactions and has dumped between $ 1,275,000 and $ 3,100,000 in stocks .
She has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a company that offers teleworking services , which has seen its stock go up since the market crash .
Loeffler defended herself late Thursday , claiming she had no say in the decisions made for her stock portfolio .
`` I want to set the record straight : This is a ridiculous & baseless attack .
I don ’ t make investment decisions for my portfolio , '' Loeffler wrote in a pair of tweets .
`` Investment decisions are made by multiple third-party advisors without my or my husband 's knowledge or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transaction report to Senate Ethics , I was informed of these purchases and sales on 02/16/2020 — three weeks after they were made . ''
Collins , a vocal Trump defender , is part of a crowded field challenging Loeffler for her Senate seat .
Loeffler was selected by Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemp in December to take over the seat after Sen. Johnny Isakson announced his intention to resign over health issues .
She has held the seat since early January .

Rep. Doug Collins took the opportunity to criticize Sen. Kelly Loeffler, whom he is trying to unseat this year, after news broke that she offloaded millions of dollars in stocks before the coronavirus crisis caused markets to crash.
"People are losing their jobs, their businesses, their retirements, and even their lives and Kelly Loeffler is profiting off their pain?" the George congressman said Friday on Twitter. "I'm sickened just thinking about it."
People are losing their jobs, their businesses, their retirements, and even their lives and Kelly Loeffler is profiting off their pain? I'm sickened just thinking about it. — Doug Collins (@CollinsforGA) March 20, 2020
Loeffler, a Republican, started her stock sale on Jan. 24, the same day she was briefed by members of the Trump administration, including virologist expert Anthony Fauci, according to the Daily Beast on Thursday.
The first stocks she sold were worth between $50,000 and $100,000 from the company Resideo, which has now lost more than 50% of its value. Before that transaction, Loeffler had not reported a single stock transaction since her Jan. 6 appointment to the Senate.
Since then, she's reported 29 stock transactions and has dumped between $1,275,000 and $3,100,000 in stocks. She has also invested in that time period in a company that offers teleworking services, which has seen its stock go up since the market crash.
Loeffler defended herself late Thursday, claiming she had no say in the decisions made for her stock portfolio.
"I want to set the record straight: This is a ridiculous & baseless attack. I don’t make investment decisions for my portfolio," Loeffler wrote in a pair of tweets. "Investment decisions are made by multiple third-party advisors without my or my husband's knowledge or involvement. As confirmed in the periodic transaction report to Senate Ethics, I was informed of these purchases and sales on 02/16/2020 — three weeks after they were made."
As confirmed in the periodic transaction report to Senate Ethics, I was informed of these purchases and sales on 02/16/2020 – three weeks after they were made. — Kelly Loeffler (@KLoeffler) March 20, 2020
Collins, a vocal Trump defender, is part of a crowded field challenging Loeffler for her Senate seat. Loeffler was selected by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp in December to take over the seat after Sen. Johnny Isakson announced his intention to resign over health issues. She has held the seat since early January.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-21--Biden missing in video as Obama's Ebola czar rips White House coronavirus response

In his first video to address the White House 's coronavirus response , former Vice President Joe Biden was nowhere to be found .
On Saturday , Joe Biden 's campaign released the first of a planned series of video recordings to address President Trump 's response to the coronavirus outbreak .
But instead of Biden explaining the details of his hypothetical plans to slow the spread of the coronavirus , former Obama-era Ebola response coordinator Ron Klain took viewers through the candidate 's proposal .
`` First , Joe Biden would fix the testing fiasco , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the FEMA or the U.S. military to set up emergency hospitals , 500-bed units that could be dropped on the parking lot , wherever they 're needed . ''
`` Third , he would give the doctors and nurses the help that they need .
That means protective gear so they can be safe as they treat coronavirus patients , and it means accelerating our work on cures and vaccines , '' Klain said .
`` And finally , because the coronavirus crisis is going to have huge impacts on our economy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe Biden would make sure those people get the help they need to deal with their bills . ''
Klain also accused Trump of initially downplaying the seriousness of the virus , even though Trump halted all travel to and from China on Jan. 31 .
`` Anyone who raised a red alarm about this or a red flag was silenced , '' he said before playing recordings of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Dr. Nancy Messonnier warning about the coronavirus outbreak on Feb. 25 .
Klain noted that Messonnier has not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Biden has been criticized by some for failing to appear during the past few days as the coronavirus pandemic reaches American shores .
A top staff member of the Republican Party shared the Biden-less video , asking simply : `` Where is Joe ? ''
Biden has spent much of this last week speaking with health officials by phone , and his campaign staff is wearing gloves and face masks around the septuagenarian candidate to keep him from possibly being infected .
Biden 's last appearance on video ended awkwardly , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by his wife Jill after his speech ended .

In his first video to address the White House's coronavirus response, former Vice President Joe Biden was nowhere to be found.
On Saturday, Joe Biden's campaign released the first of a planned series of video recordings to address President Trump's response to the coronavirus outbreak. But instead of Biden explaining the details of his hypothetical plans to slow the spread of the coronavirus, former Obama-era Ebola response coordinator Ron Klain took viewers through the candidate's proposal.
Everyone knows that we're facing a real crisis from the coronavirus. But do you know how we got here and what we need to do next? Ron Klain, former White House Ebola Response Coordinator, breaks it down for us: pic.twitter.com/XRkIw2EzM4 — Joe Biden (Text Join to 30330) (@JoeBiden) March 21, 2020
"First, Joe Biden would fix the testing fiasco," he said. "Second, he would direct the FEMA or the U.S. military to set up emergency hospitals, 500-bed units that could be dropped on the parking lot, wherever they're needed."
"Third, he would give the doctors and nurses the help that they need. That means protective gear so they can be safe as they treat coronavirus patients, and it means accelerating our work on cures and vaccines," Klain said. "And finally, because the coronavirus crisis is going to have huge impacts on our economy, people are going to need help. Joe Biden would make sure those people get the help they need to deal with their bills."
Klain also accused Trump of initially downplaying the seriousness of the virus, even though Trump halted all travel to and from China on Jan. 31.
"Anyone who raised a red alarm about this or a red flag was silenced," he said before playing recordings of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Dr. Nancy Messonnier warning about the coronavirus outbreak on Feb. 25. Klain noted that Messonnier has not appeared at public briefings since that date.
Biden has been criticized by some for failing to appear during the past few days as the coronavirus pandemic reaches American shores. A top staff member of the Republican Party shared the Biden-less video, asking simply: "Where is Joe?"
Biden has spent much of this last week speaking with health officials by phone, and his campaign staff is wearing gloves and face masks around the septuagenarian candidate to keep him from possibly being infected. Biden's last appearance on video ended awkwardly, with Biden being told to leave the podium by his wife Jill after his speech ended.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-22--Trump and Biden campaigns slug it out over coronavirus in fall fight preview

President Trump 's and Joe Biden 's campaigns engaged in a bitter back-and-forth over the administration 's coronavirus crisis response , the latest harsh exchange between the incumbent commander-in-chief and the former vice president seeking to unseat him .
The Biden campaign lobbed the opening salvo Saturday after Trump was grilled during the White House 's daily press conference on reports he and his administration dismissed warnings from public health and intelligence experts about the risks posed by the novel respiratory illness .
Biden spokeswoman Kate Bedingfield also hit the president for praising China 's handling of the outbreak despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a complete picture of its internal problem .
“ In a moment of crisis like this , Americans need strong , steadfast leadership and a president who levels with the American people about the challenges we face and the path forward , ” Bedingfield wrote in a statement .
“ But instead of taking charge and taking responsibility , Trump has passed the buck and failed to lead , making us more vulnerable at a precarious moment when we most need a president who will be honest with the American people and focus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump campaign blasted Biden , criticizing Delaware 's 36-year senator for giving COVID-19 `` shadow briefings '' and undermining the former real estate mogul 's `` message of hope . ''
Trump spokesman Andrew Clark complained Biden was plagiarizing Trump 's plan and ripped him for dismissing the administration 's Chinese travel ban , where the first cases of the disease were reported in early December .
`` In his rush to politicize the pandemic , Biden is recklessly spreading false information and sowing fear , '' Clark said .
Biden , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a teleconference Friday afternoon from his home in Wilmington , Delaware , as he , his campaign , and the rest of the country hunker down to try to stop the spread of the coronavirus .
He used the platform to underscore what he called untruths from the Oval Office , including how close scientists were to a vaccine , the readiness of two Navy hospital ships being deployed to assist mainland health professionals , and access to respirator masks .
“ President Trump , stop saying false things , will ya ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ worried — they are really frightened when these things do n't come through .
He just exacerbates their concern .
Stop saying false things you think make you sound like a hero and start putting the full weight of the federal government behind finding fast , safe , and effective treatments.
” The two camps have previously squabbled over the National Security Council 's focus on pandemics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 's funding .
They 've also clashed over Trump describing Democratic scrutiny of his COVID-19 response as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether the administration rejected World Health Organization testing kits , and if the president told state and county officials not to rely on the federal government .
Biden 's efforts to reinsert himself in the national conversation come as the outbreak transforms the way he , his remaining 2020 Democratic presidential nominee rival Bernie Sanders , and Trump campaign in the waning days of the primary contest and ahead of the general election .
Social distancing recommendations mean large swaths of the country have been advised to avoid large crowds or have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place .
Trump 's approval rating amid the crisis is also climbing .
He 's averaging 47.6 % approval , 46.6 % disapproval , according to RealClearPolitics data .
However , public opinion is n't entirely in his favor .
He trails Biden in national head-to-head polls , 43.8 % to 51.2 % , giving the two-term vice president an advantage of 7.4 percentage points ahead of November .

President Trump's and Joe Biden's campaigns engaged in a bitter back-and-forth over the administration's coronavirus crisis response, the latest harsh exchange between the incumbent commander-in-chief and the former vice president seeking to unseat him.
The Biden campaign lobbed the opening salvo Saturday after Trump was grilled during the White House's daily press conference on reports he and his administration dismissed warnings from public health and intelligence experts about the risks posed by the novel respiratory illness. Biden spokeswoman Kate Bedingfield also hit the president for praising China's handling of the outbreak despite concerns the regime may not be providing a complete picture of its internal problem.
“In a moment of crisis like this, Americans need strong, steadfast leadership and a president who levels with the American people about the challenges we face and the path forward,” Bedingfield wrote in a statement. “But instead of taking charge and taking responsibility, Trump has passed the buck and failed to lead, making us more vulnerable at a precarious moment when we most need a president who will be honest with the American people and focus on actual results.”
In response, the Trump campaign blasted Biden, criticizing Delaware's 36-year senator for giving COVID-19 "shadow briefings" and undermining the former real estate mogul's "message of hope." Trump spokesman Andrew Clark complained Biden was plagiarizing Trump's plan and ripped him for dismissing the administration's Chinese travel ban, where the first cases of the disease were reported in early December.
"In his rush to politicize the pandemic, Biden is recklessly spreading false information and sowing fear," Clark said.
Biden, 77, announced his shadow briefings during a teleconference Friday afternoon from his home in Wilmington, Delaware, as he, his campaign, and the rest of the country hunker down to try to stop the spread of the coronavirus. He used the platform to underscore what he called untruths from the Oval Office, including how close scientists were to a vaccine, the readiness of two Navy hospital ships being deployed to assist mainland health professionals, and access to respirator masks.
“President Trump, stop saying false things, will ya?” Biden said. “People are worried — they are really frightened when these things don't come through. He just exacerbates their concern. Stop saying false things you think make you sound like a hero and start putting the full weight of the federal government behind finding fast, safe, and effective treatments.”
The two camps have previously squabbled over the National Security Council's focus on pandemics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's funding. They've also clashed over Trump describing Democratic scrutiny of his COVID-19 response as the party's "new hoax," whether the administration rejected World Health Organization testing kits, and if the president told state and county officials not to rely on the federal government.
Biden's efforts to reinsert himself in the national conversation come as the outbreak transforms the way he, his remaining 2020 Democratic presidential nominee rival Bernie Sanders, and Trump campaign in the waning days of the primary contest and ahead of the general election. Social distancing recommendations mean large swaths of the country have been advised to avoid large crowds or have been ordered to stay home or shelter in place.
Trump's approval rating amid the crisis is also climbing. He's averaging 47.6% approval, 46.6% disapproval, according to RealClearPolitics data. However, public opinion isn't entirely in his favor. He trails Biden in national head-to-head polls, 43.8% to 51.2%, giving the two-term vice president an advantage of 7.4 percentage points ahead of November.