thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-10--'Service before self': Cindy McCain appears in ad to support Biden

Cindy McCain , the widow of former Republican nominee for president John McCain , appeared in an ad for Joe Biden that touted his relationship with her husband and his support for the military .
“ My husband knew Joe Biden a long time , ” McCain began the 60-second ad .
“ They ’ ve traveled thousands of miles together visiting troops overseas .
And they developed the kind of friendship you don ’ t see too often.
” Biden and McCain served together in the Senate for years , representing the states of Delaware and Arizona , respectively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Senate , the two men “ disagreed on almost everything ” and would “ fight like hell on the floor.
” “ And then , they ’ d go eat lunch together , ” she added .
“ Because they always put their friendship and their country first .
Now , more than ever , we need a president who will put service before self .
A president who will lead with courage and compassion — not ego.
” McCain said Biden respects “ the sacrifices made by our service members and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs a president who “ will honor our fallen heroes , ” which appeared to be a dig at President Trump , who was accused of calling dead soldiers “ losers ” and “ suckers.
” The White House has denied that report .
“ Joe Biden 's dedicated his life to this country and working across the aisle to get things done .
Joe will always fight for the American people , just like John did , ” she said at the close of the ad , which was titled Like John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former prisoner of war , both prior to and after McCain ’ s 2018 death from cancer , and was not invited to McCain ’ s funeral , where Biden served as a pallbearer .
Republican Sen. Martha McSally of Arizona recently drew headlines when she said that it “ pisses ” her off when Trump bashes McCain .

Cindy McCain, the widow of former Republican nominee for president John McCain, appeared in an ad for Joe Biden that touted his relationship with her husband and his support for the military.
“My husband knew Joe Biden a long time,” McCain began the 60-second ad. “They’ve traveled thousands of miles together visiting troops overseas. And they developed the kind of friendship you don’t see too often.”
Biden and McCain served together in the Senate for years, representing the states of Delaware and Arizona, respectively. Cindy McCain said that while in the Senate, the two men “disagreed on almost everything” and would “fight like hell on the floor.”
“And then, they’d go eat lunch together,” she added. “Because they always put their friendship and their country first. Now, more than ever, we need a president who will put service before self. A president who will lead with courage and compassion — not ego.”
In this Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2016, file photo, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., right, pauses as his wife, Cindy McCain, looks at him on stage after giving his victory speech as he announces his win over Democratic challenger Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, in Phoenix. (Ross D. Franklin/AP)
McCain said Biden respects “the sacrifices made by our service members and their families” and that the country needs a president who “will honor our fallen heroes,” which appeared to be a dig at President Trump, who was accused of calling dead soldiers “losers” and “suckers.” The White House has denied that report.
“Joe Biden's dedicated his life to this country and working across the aisle to get things done. Joe will always fight for the American people, just like John did,” she said at the close of the ad, which was titled Like John Did.
Trump criticized McCain, a former prisoner of war, both prior to and after McCain’s 2018 death from cancer, and was not invited to McCain’s funeral, where Biden served as a pallbearer. Republican Sen. Martha McSally of Arizona recently drew headlines when she said that it “pisses” her off when Trump bashes McCain.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-10--Michigan focus group voters say Biden won't 'make it four years' and Harris makes them want to vote

Michigan focus group voters say Biden won't 'make it four years' and Harris makes them want to vote for Trump

Michigan voters taking part in a focus group following Wednesday night ’ s vice presidential debate said they don ’ t believe Joe Biden will “ make it four years ” and that Kamala Harris being president makes them want to vote for Trump .
“ Biden ’ s not going to make it four years , so Kamala Harris is going to be president .
And I have zero trust she can be president , so I ’ m just picking the lesser of two evils at this point , ” a woman identified as Shelley D. Axios .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” according to the news outlet .
Former White House adviser Kellyanne Conway took notice of the focus group ’ s response , tweeting about it using all capital letters to emphasize that everyone agreed with Shelley ’ s point .
The group of 13 voters , all of which voted for Obama in 2012 but switched to Trump in 2016 , expressed the belief that Harris performed better than Pence at the debate — which “ scared ” some of them because they feared it could have boosted Biden ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m fearful of this woman because she knows how to strike chords with the people of America , ” a man named Matt T. said .
“ She ’ s basically utilizing everything that has happened this year to attack the Trump campaign , and she does it in such a way that she ’ s making really strong points , but I don ’ t think they ’ re true .
So , she ’ s coming across very powerful.
” The RealClearPolitics shows Biden leading Trump in the critical swing state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defeated Hillary Clinton in the state in 2016 by a margin of 0.3 % .

Michigan voters taking part in a focus group following Wednesday night’s vice presidential debate said they don’t believe Joe Biden will “make it four years” and that Kamala Harris being president makes them want to vote for Trump.
“Biden’s not going to make it four years, so Kamala Harris is going to be president. And I have zero trust she can be president, so I’m just picking the lesser of two evils at this point,” a woman identified as Shelley D. told an Axios focus group after the debate . “Everyone else in the group agreed,” according to the news outlet.
Former White House adviser Kellyanne Conway took notice of the focus group’s response, tweeting about it using all capital letters to emphasize that everyone agreed with Shelley’s point.
Focus Group of Michigan swing voters: Harris is why I'll vote for Trump. “Biden’s not going to make it 4 years, so Kamala Harris is going to be president & I have zero trust she can be president," Shelley D. From @axios: "EVERYONE ELSE IN THE GROUP AGREED" https://t.co/A7s8uqlhZ5 — Kellyanne Conway (@KellyannePolls) October 9, 2020
The group of 13 voters, all of which voted for Obama in 2012 but switched to Trump in 2016, expressed the belief that Harris performed better than Pence at the debate — which “scared” some of them because they feared it could have boosted Biden’s chance at winning.
“I’m fearful of this woman because she knows how to strike chords with the people of America,” a man named Matt T. said. “She’s basically utilizing everything that has happened this year to attack the Trump campaign, and she does it in such a way that she’s making really strong points, but I don’t think they’re true. So, she’s coming across very powerful.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-10--'No, they don't': Biden says voters do not deserve to know court-packing stance

Joe Biden not only refuses to answer whether he supports expanding the Supreme Court , but he also said that voters do not deserve to know what his position on the matter is before the election .
`` I 've got to ask you about packing the courts .
And I know you that said yesterday you are n't going to answer the question until after the election .
But this is the No .
1 thing I 've been asked about from viewers in the past couple of days , '' said Las Vegas 's KTNV anchor Ross DiMattei @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nominee on Friday .
`` Well , you 've been asked by the viewers who are probably Republicans who do n't want me continuing to talk about what they 're doing to the court right now , '' Biden responded .
`` Well , sir , do n't the voters deserve to know ? ''
DiMattei asked before Biden cut him off .
`` No , they do n't , '' Biden said .
`` I 'm not going to play his game .
He 'd love me to talk about — and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on pack the court .
But he 'd love that to be the discussion . ''
Biden , his running mate California Sen. Kamala Harris , and top campaign aides have repeatedly refused to say whether they support expanding the number of justices on the Supreme Court , prompting attacks from President Trump 's campaign and potentially creating an opening for them to woo swing voters based on the possibility of court-packing .
Republican moves to fill the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg ’ s seat , despite early voting for the Nov. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from those in the left wing of the Democratic Party .
Assuming Democrats win control of both the Senate and the White House , they want to increase the number of justices on the Supreme Court up from nine and fill the new seats with Democrats ’ choice of liberal-leaning justices — swaying the jurisprudence of the court for years .
Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey on Democrats to do just that in a tweet following Ginsburg ’ s death , as did House Judiciary Committee Chairman of New York and former Attorney General @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee previously expressed firm opposition to packing the court .
The number of justices has not since 1869 , with the last serious attempt of expansion coming from President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1930s .
“ No , I ’ m not prepared to go on and try to pack the court because we ’ ll live to rue that day , ” Iowa Starting Line in July 2019 .
He again rejected the idea in an .
“ I would not get into court-packing .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we lose control , they add three justices .
We begin to lose any credibility the court has at all.
” But since Ginsburg 's death , Biden has refused to reiterate that position .
`` You 'll know my opinion on court-packing when the election is over , ” in Arizona on Thursday .
`` I do n't blame you for asking it , but you know , the moment I answer that question , the headline in every one of your papers will be about that other than focusing on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has begun .
There 's never been a court appointment once an election has begun . ''

Joe Biden not only refuses to answer whether he supports expanding the Supreme Court, but he also said that voters do not deserve to know what his position on the matter is before the election.
"I've got to ask you about packing the courts. And I know you that said yesterday you aren't going to answer the question until after the election. But this is the No. 1 thing I've been asked about from viewers in the past couple of days," said Las Vegas's KTNV anchor Ross DiMattei in an interview with the Democratic presidential nominee on Friday.
"Well, you've been asked by the viewers who are probably Republicans who don't want me continuing to talk about what they're doing to the court right now," Biden responded.
"Well, sir, don't the voters deserve to know?" DiMattei asked before Biden cut him off.
"No, they don't," Biden said. "I'm not going to play his game. He'd love me to talk about — and, and I've already said something on pack the court. But he'd love that to be the discussion."
Asked if voters deserve to know if he’d pack the Supreme Court, Joe Biden says, “no, they don't”https://t.co/mwfDeNXVna pic.twitter.com/D1qCjAUm3g — RNC Research (@RNCResearch) October 10, 2020
Biden, his running mate California Sen. Kamala Harris, and top campaign aides have repeatedly refused to say whether they support expanding the number of justices on the Supreme Court, prompting attacks from President Trump's campaign and potentially creating an opening for them to woo swing voters based on the possibility of court-packing.
Republican moves to fill the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s seat, despite early voting for the Nov. 3 election being underway, prompted calls from those in the left wing of the Democratic Party. Assuming Democrats win control of both the Senate and the White House, they want to increase the number of justices on the Supreme Court up from nine and fill the new seats with Democrats’ choice of liberal-leaning justices — swaying the jurisprudence of the court for years.
Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey called on Democrats to do just that in a tweet following Ginsburg’s death, as did House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler of New York and former Attorney General Eric Holder .
The 36-year Delaware senator and former chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee previously expressed firm opposition to packing the court. The number of justices has not changed since 1869, with the last serious attempt of expansion coming from President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1930s.
“No, I’m not prepared to go on and try to pack the court because we’ll live to rue that day,” Biden told Iowa Starting Line in July 2019.
He again rejected the idea in an October 2019 debate .
“I would not get into court-packing. We had three justices. Next time around, we lose control, they add three justices. We begin to lose any credibility the court has at all.”
But since Ginsburg's death, Biden has refused to reiterate that position.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-10--'Get organized and get everyone to vote': Greta Thunberg endorses Biden

Teenage climate change activist Greta Thunberg has thrown her support behind Joe Biden .
Thunberg , 17 , made the presidential endorsement on Saturday morning .
She said that while she doesn ’ t like to get involved in party politics , Biden is the best choice to protect the climate .
“ I never engage in party politics .
But the upcoming US elections is above and beyond all that .
From a climate perspective it ’ s very far from enough and many of you of course supported other candidates .
But , I mean…you know…damn !
Just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ # Biden , ” the Swedish environmentalist said .
She made the endorsement by quote-tweeting an article by the Scientific American , which broke 175 years of tradition by endorsing a presidential candidate , Biden , for the first time .
“ We do not do this lightly , ” the editors of the magazine wrote .
“ The evidence and the science show that Donald Trump has badly damaged the U.S. and its people — because he rejects evidence and science.
” Thunberg grew to international prominence after skipping school to protest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also sat outside the Swedish Parliament to further demonstrate for her cause .
Thunberg became the youngest person to be named Time magazine 's Person of the Year .
A video that caught Thunberg glaring at President Trump at the United Nations headquarters went viral in 2019 .
With 24 days until the election , Biden is polling ahead of Trump nationally and in key battleground states .
A RealClearPolitics average of national polls has the former vice president ahead by a 9.6-point margin .

Teenage climate change activist Greta Thunberg has thrown her support behind Joe Biden.
Thunberg, 17, made the presidential endorsement on Saturday morning. She said that while she doesn’t like to get involved in party politics, Biden is the best choice to protect the climate.
“I never engage in party politics. But the upcoming US elections is above and beyond all that. From a climate perspective it’s very far from enough and many of you of course supported other candidates. But, I mean…you know…damn! Just get organized and get everyone to vote #Biden,” the Swedish environmentalist said.
I never engage in party politics. But the upcoming US elections is above and beyond all that.
From a climate perspective it’s very far from enough and many of you of course supported other candidates. But, I mean…you know…damn!
Just get organized and get everyone to vote #Biden https://t.co/gFttFBZK5O — Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) October 10, 2020
She made the endorsement by quote-tweeting an article by the Scientific American, which broke 175 years of tradition by endorsing a presidential candidate, Biden, for the first time.
“We do not do this lightly,” the editors of the magazine wrote. “The evidence and the science show that Donald Trump has badly damaged the U.S. and its people — because he rejects evidence and science.”
Thunberg grew to international prominence after skipping school to protest the effects of climate change. She also sat outside the Swedish Parliament to further demonstrate for her cause. Thunberg became the youngest person to be named Time magazine's Person of the Year. A video that caught Thunberg glaring at President Trump at the United Nations headquarters went viral in 2019.
With 24 days until the election, Biden is polling ahead of Trump nationally and in key battleground states. A RealClearPolitics average of national polls has the former vice president ahead by a 9.6-point margin.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-11--Republicans fear a Senate wipeout

Republicans fear a Senate wipeout

President Trump ’ s slide in the polls since he tested positive for the coronavirus has Republicans newly worried about their control of the Senate , as even some races in what are supposed to be safe red states are beginning to appear competitive .
Incumbent GOP Sens .
Martha McSally of Arizona , Susan Collins of Maine , Cory Gardner of Colorado , Thom Tillis of North Carolina , Joni Ernst of Iowa , and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina are all considered vulnerable .
If Joe Biden wins the presidency , only three of those seats would need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate , factoring in what would then be Kamala Harris ’ s tie-breaking vote as vice president .
Democrats are hopeful they can expand the map where they are playing offense to include several historically red states .
Among their targets are Georgia , where they seek to topple Sen. David Perdue , and where some Republicans now believe Trump is trailing ; Montana , where popular Democratic Gov .
Steve Bullock is challenging Republican Sen. Steve Daines ; Kansas , where Democrat Barbara Bollier led Republican Roger Marshall in a new poll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of an effort to oust GOP Sen. Dan Sullivan .
This follows a wave of discouraging public poll numbers for Trump , still reeling from a coronavirus diagnosis that led to a brief hospitalization and a widely panned first debate performance .
In eight of the last nine national polls included in the RealClearPolitics average , Biden breaks 50 % of the vote , while Trump gets no more than 43 % .
The polling varies in the battleground states , where the Trump campaign maintains its numbers show the president remains ahead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ polling averages show Trump trailing Biden in North Carolina , Florida , Pennsylvania , Wisconsin , Arizona , Ohio , Michigan , Iowa , and Nevada .
Trump is tied in Georgia and leads by 0.2 points in Maine ’ s 2nd Congressional District , good for one electoral vote , and by less than 5 points in Texas .
“ Personally , at this point , I do n't really see a Trump victory in Michigan , ” said Dennis Darnoi , a Republican strategist in the state .
“ For him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see a massive increase in voters who did not vote in '16 and who also support him.
” All this has Democrats gleeful about their Senate prospects .
“ If Lindsey Graham loses , I think we win the Senate , ” said Moe Vela , a former top aide to Biden .
Some of the embattled GOP incumbents are even running behind Trump in their states .
Republican pickup opportunities are largely limited to Alabama , where Democratic Sen. Doug Jones barely beat Roy Moore in a late 2017 special election , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic Sen. Gary Peters with an underwhelming lead .
While Emerson College ’ s latest survey had Peters up by 10 , in the RealClearPolitics average , the incumbent only leads by 5.1 points .
Peters 's Republican challenger , John James , `` is in a more competitive position , ” Darnoi said .
“ He retains the support of those moderate Republicans and independents who are not supporting Trump .
Obviously , he has locked down Republican support.
” The most recent Alabama Senate poll , conducted by Auburn University , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12 points .
Democrats have hinted they may eliminate the legislative filibuster and expand the Supreme Court if they win the Senate , although Biden has not taken a firm position on the former and flatly refuses to answer questions about the latter .
Abandoning Trump by arguing Democrats should not be handed a “ blank check , ” as congressional Republicans did to Bob Dole in 1996 , is not a viable option .
Trump is too combative to go along with such a strategy and may yet close the gap in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president to at least get close to hold the Senate , ” said a Republican strategist in a swing state .
“ The toughest seats to hold are Colorado , Arizona , and Maine , ” said Republican consultant Matt Mackowiak .
“ Republicans can hold the majority , but it 's going to be very close .
Cal Cunningham 's implosion in North Carolina helps.
” Cunningham , who is Tillis ’ s Democratic challenger , has been enmeshed in a sexting scandal that has led to further allegations of marital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ focus on confirming Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court .
Instead , the headlines are dominated by stalled stimulus negotiations , Trump ’ s COVID-19 status and the federal response to the pandemic , and ever-shifting news about the status of the next presidential debate .
Republicans believe that even with the election less than a month away and early voting already underway , Trump and several of their endangered Senate incumbents still have time to recover .
But they are also bracing for the worst-case scenario .
“ Total Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

President Trump’s slide in the polls since he tested positive for the coronavirus has Republicans newly worried about their control of the Senate, as even some races in what are supposed to be safe red states are beginning to appear competitive.
Incumbent GOP Sens. Martha McSally of Arizona, Susan Collins of Maine, Cory Gardner of Colorado, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Joni Ernst of Iowa, and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina are all considered vulnerable. If Joe Biden wins the presidency, only three of those seats would need to flip for Democrats to capture the Senate, factoring in what would then be Kamala Harris’s tie-breaking vote as vice president.
Democrats are hopeful they can expand the map where they are playing offense to include several historically red states. Among their targets are Georgia, where they seek to topple Sen. David Perdue, and where some Republicans now believe Trump is trailing; Montana, where popular Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock is challenging Republican Sen. Steve Daines; Kansas, where Democrat Barbara Bollier led Republican Roger Marshall in a new poll; and Alaska, where liberal money is pouring in as part of an effort to oust GOP Sen. Dan Sullivan.
This follows a wave of discouraging public poll numbers for Trump, still reeling from a coronavirus diagnosis that led to a brief hospitalization and a widely panned first debate performance. In eight of the last nine national polls included in the RealClearPolitics average, Biden breaks 50% of the vote, while Trump gets no more than 43%.
The polling varies in the battleground states, where the Trump campaign maintains its numbers show the president remains ahead or competitive. But the same public polling averages show Trump trailing Biden in North Carolina, Florida, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Arizona, Ohio, Michigan, Iowa, and Nevada. Trump is tied in Georgia and leads by 0.2 points in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District, good for one electoral vote, and by less than 5 points in Texas.
“Personally, at this point, I don't really see a Trump victory in Michigan,” said Dennis Darnoi, a Republican strategist in the state. “For him to win, he would need to see a massive increase in voters who did not vote in '16 and who also support him.”
All this has Democrats gleeful about their Senate prospects. “If Lindsey Graham loses, I think we win the Senate,” said Moe Vela, a former top aide to Biden. Some of the embattled GOP incumbents are even running behind Trump in their states.
Republican pickup opportunities are largely limited to Alabama, where Democratic Sen. Doug Jones barely beat Roy Moore in a late 2017 special election, and Michigan, where polls periodically show Democratic Sen. Gary Peters with an underwhelming lead. While Emerson College’s latest survey had Peters up by 10, in the RealClearPolitics average, the incumbent only leads by 5.1 points.
Peters's Republican challenger, John James, "is in a more competitive position,” Darnoi said. “He retains the support of those moderate Republicans and independents who are not supporting Trump. Obviously, he has locked down Republican support.” The most recent Alabama Senate poll, conducted by Auburn University, has Republican Tommy Tuberville leading Jones by 12 points.
Democrats have hinted they may eliminate the legislative filibuster and expand the Supreme Court if they win the Senate, although Biden has not taken a firm position on the former and flatly refuses to answer questions about the latter. Abandoning Trump by arguing Democrats should not be handed a “blank check,” as congressional Republicans did to Bob Dole in 1996, is not a viable option. Trump is too combative to go along with such a strategy and may yet close the gap in the Electoral College. “We need the president to at least get close to hold the Senate,” said a Republican strategist in a swing state.
“The toughest seats to hold are Colorado, Arizona, and Maine,” said Republican consultant Matt Mackowiak. “Republicans can hold the majority, but it's going to be very close. Cal Cunningham's implosion in North Carolina helps.” Cunningham, who is Tillis’s Democratic challenger, has been enmeshed in a sexting scandal that has led to further allegations of marital infidelity.
Senate Republicans had hoped to focus on confirming Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. Instead, the headlines are dominated by stalled stimulus negotiations, Trump’s COVID-19 status and the federal response to the pandemic, and ever-shifting news about the status of the next presidential debate.
Republicans believe that even with the election less than a month away and early voting already underway, Trump and several of their endangered Senate incumbents still have time to recover. But they are also bracing for the worst-case scenario. “Total Democratic control,” predicted one GOP operative.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-11--Will Karen Handel take back the House seat she won in 2017 and lost in 2018?

Georgia 's 6th Congressional District has seen one of the hardest turns left of any House seat during Donald Trump 's presidency .
Longtime GOP Rep. Tom Price easily won reelection in 2016 before being plucked as Trump 's Health and Human Services secretary in what turned out to be a short-term gig .
A June 2017 special election to replace Price ended in victory for Republican Karen Handel , a businesswoman who was once the deputy chief of staff to second lady Marilyn Quayle .
But Handel 's House tenure was short .
She lost 18 months later to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McBath , the mother of Jordan Davis , who at 17 was shot and killed following an argument at a gas station in Florida about loud music .
Now , Handel is seeking a rematch in a district that includes many of Atlanta 's affluent northern suburbs , once a GOP stronghold .
The area was once represented by House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Rep. Johnny Isakson , who later became a senator .
But like the state of Georgia , the district is now much more mixed politically , with an influx @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retirees from the Northeast and elsewhere who once flocked to Florida .
The campaign of Joe Biden , the Democratic presidential nominee , is heavily targeting the district , as are two Democratic Senate candidates in search of swing voters .
That 's all likely to help McBath as she tries to prove she 's not a one-term wonder in Congress .
Officials with the House Republicans ' campaign arm are n't particularly enthusiastic about Handel 's comeback bid , but they 're backing her as the GOP nominee .
Handel 's views @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the district .
However , she does have name recognition , having been Georgia 's secretary of state from 2007 to 2010 before pursuing a gubernatorial bid , which she lost .

Georgia's 6th Congressional District has seen one of the hardest turns left of any House seat during Donald Trump's presidency.
Longtime GOP Rep. Tom Price easily won reelection in 2016 before being plucked as Trump's Health and Human Services secretary in what turned out to be a short-term gig. A June 2017 special election to replace Price ended in victory for Republican Karen Handel, a businesswoman who was once the deputy chief of staff to second lady Marilyn Quayle.
But Handel's House tenure was short. She lost 18 months later to Democratic challenger and gun control activist Lucy McBath, the mother of Jordan Davis, who at 17 was shot and killed following an argument at a gas station in Florida about loud music.
Now, Handel is seeking a rematch in a district that includes many of Atlanta's affluent northern suburbs, once a GOP stronghold. The area was once represented by House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Rep. Johnny Isakson, who later became a senator. But like the state of Georgia, the district is now much more mixed politically, with an influx of professional-class workers, immigrants, and retirees from the Northeast and elsewhere who once flocked to Florida.
The campaign of Joe Biden, the Democratic presidential nominee, is heavily targeting the district, as are two Democratic Senate candidates in search of swing voters. That's all likely to help McBath as she tries to prove she's not a one-term wonder in Congress.
Officials with the House Republicans' campaign arm aren't particularly enthusiastic about Handel's comeback bid, but they're backing her as the GOP nominee. Handel's views on social issues are deemed too conservative for the district. However, she does have name recognition, having been Georgia's secretary of state from 2007 to 2010 before pursuing a gubernatorial bid, which she lost.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-11--Greedy for power, Democrats are eating our institutions

Whatever happened to impeachment ?
You sure don ’ t hear much about that nowadays , do you ?
President Trump ’ s supposed “ abuse of power ” was going to be at the center of Democrats ’ efforts to run him out of town on a rail .
Instead , they clearly want to forget the whole sorry episode .
It has become an embarrassment for them , as it always should have been .
Vice President Mike Pence is so far the only person to bring up impeachment in a debate , and he did so because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Addressing his debate opponent , Kamala Harris , Pence said , “ Your party has spent the last three and a half years trying to overturn the results of the last election .
... We ’ ve all seen the avalanche — what you put the country through for the better part of three years , until it was found that there was no obstruction , no collusion , case closed .
And then , Sen. Harris , you and your colleagues in the Congress tried to impeach the president of the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus seems to be doing all the work for the Democratic Party ’ s campaign effort .
They 'd really be in a bind without it .
Everything they had raised against Trump during the first three years of his presidency has been forgotten .
Fracking ?
The Biden-Harris ticket can ’ t give a straight answer , even though this undercuts all arguments for resuming the Paris climate accord .
Biden and Harris pointedly refuse to give any answer at all when it comes to the judiciary and specifically their intention to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ theories they were peddling for the first three years of the Trump presidency have been promptly forgotten .
They used to claim that , with his embrace of Israel and the abandonment of the Iran nuclear deal , Trump was hurtling the U.S. into a Middle Eastern war .
They became even more shrill when Trump ( with the sort of calculated risk in the national interest for which leaders are chosen ) killed Iran ’ s terrorist mastermind , Qassem Soleimani , when he was in Iraq waging war against U.S. personnel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ historic peace deal between Israel and key Sunni Muslim states , and nobody wants to talk about Iran anymore .
Whatever happened to Trump ’ s tax reform bill , which Democrats angrily and persistently derided as a “ scam ” ?
It appears that insult has been missing from the debate for about eight months now .
Go figure .
As for the economy , Democrats ' only idea for it at this point is to go back into a national lockdown and damage it still further .
This is an attempt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only complicit media coverage is allowing it to work .
Note how , in last week 's vice presidential debate , Harris repeatedly referenced the current economic downturn as if Trump had somehow caused it with tariffs or bad tax policy .
Virus ?
What virus ?
It would be easy to forget about all of the issues where Democrats tried and failed to crush Trump .
It would be especially easy and pleasant to forget about the impeachment that they put the country through for no good reason .
But please do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the impeachment process against a president they love to hate , just to excite their far-left voter base and raise more money for the 2020 election .
They are now determined to impose simple-majority rules in the Senate , which they doggedly opposed when it served their purposes .
They also intend to pack the Supreme Court .
There is no constitutional institution that they respect .
Today 's Democrats are power-hungry people , which is something to keep in mind before giving them any more power .

Whatever happened to impeachment? You sure don’t hear much about that nowadays, do you?
President Trump’s supposed “abuse of power” was going to be at the center of Democrats’ efforts to run him out of town on a rail. Instead, they clearly want to forget the whole sorry episode. It has become an embarrassment for them, as it always should have been.
Vice President Mike Pence is so far the only person to bring up impeachment in a debate, and he did so because the issue works in his favor. Addressing his debate opponent, Kamala Harris, Pence said, “Your party has spent the last three and a half years trying to overturn the results of the last election. ... We’ve all seen the avalanche — what you put the country through for the better part of three years, until it was found that there was no obstruction, no collusion, case closed. And then, Sen. Harris, you and your colleagues in the Congress tried to impeach the president of the United States over a phone call.”
The coronavirus seems to be doing all the work for the Democratic Party’s campaign effort. They'd really be in a bind without it.
Everything they had raised against Trump during the first three years of his presidency has been forgotten. Fracking? The Biden-Harris ticket can’t give a straight answer, even though this undercuts all arguments for resuming the Paris climate accord. Biden and Harris pointedly refuse to give any answer at all when it comes to the judiciary and specifically their intention to pack the courts. The Russian conspiracy theories they were peddling for the first three years of the Trump presidency have been promptly forgotten.
They used to claim that, with his embrace of Israel and the abandonment of the Iran nuclear deal, Trump was hurtling the U.S. into a Middle Eastern war. They became even more shrill when Trump (with the sort of calculated risk in the national interest for which leaders are chosen) killed Iran’s terrorist mastermind, Qassem Soleimani, when he was in Iraq waging war against U.S. personnel. Instead, Trump has brokered a historic peace deal between Israel and key Sunni Muslim states, and nobody wants to talk about Iran anymore.
Whatever happened to Trump’s tax reform bill, which Democrats angrily and persistently derided as a “scam”? It appears that insult has been missing from the debate for about eight months now. Go figure.
As for the economy, Democrats' only idea for it at this point is to go back into a national lockdown and damage it still further. This is an attempt to have things both ways, and only complicit media coverage is allowing it to work. Note how, in last week's vice presidential debate, Harris repeatedly referenced the current economic downturn as if Trump had somehow caused it with tariffs or bad tax policy. Virus? What virus?
It would be easy to forget about all of the issues where Democrats tried and failed to crush Trump. It would be especially easy and pleasant to forget about the impeachment that they put the country through for no good reason. But please don't forget.
Remember that Democrats abused the impeachment process against a president they love to hate, just to excite their far-left voter base and raise more money for the 2020 election. They are now determined to impose simple-majority rules in the Senate, which they doggedly opposed when it served their purposes. They also intend to pack the Supreme Court. There is no constitutional institution that they respect.
Today's Democrats are power-hungry people, which is something to keep in mind before giving them any more power.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-11--Fauci disapproves of Trump campaign using his words out of context in political ad

Dr. Anthony Fauci said he did not approve of being used in a new ad put out by the Trump campaign that edits comments he made about the efforts of federal health officials to make it sound like he was praising President Trump .
The ad , which was released on Saturday , touts Trump 's handling of the coronavirus pandemic , with Fauci being quoted saying , `` I ca n't imagine that ... anybody could be doing any more . ''
Fauci , a member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force and a national expert in infectious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ edited and used without his permission .
`` In my nearly five decades of public service , I have never publicly endorsed any political candidate , '' Fauci said .
`` The comments attributed to me without my permission in the GOP campaign ad were taken out of context from a broad statement I made months ago about the efforts of federal public health officials . ''
Trump 's ad aired shortly after the president announced he and first lady Melania Trump had tested positive for COVID-19 last week , which was noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is recovering from the coronavirus , and so is America , '' the ad 's narrator says .
`` Together , we rose to meet the challenge , protecting our seniors , getting them lifesaving drugs in record time , sparing no expense . ''
Fauci 's original comment spoke broadly about the overall efforts of the coordinated response of federal health officials , rather than a single individual , but Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh told Axios he did n't believe they were inaccurate .
`` The video is from a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fauci was praising the work of the Trump administration , '' Murtaugh said .
`` The words spoken are accurate , and directly from Dr. Fauci ’ s mouth . ''
Since he contracted the virus , the president expressed feeling in good health in recent days , claiming on Sunday that he may even be `` immune '' from COVID-19 , though that has not been confirmed by any medical experts .

Dr. Anthony Fauci said he did not approve of being used in a new ad put out by the Trump campaign that edits comments he made about the efforts of federal health officials to make it sound like he was praising President Trump.
The ad, which was released on Saturday, touts Trump's handling of the coronavirus pandemic, with Fauci being quoted saying, "I can't imagine that ... anybody could be doing any more."
Fauci, a member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force and a national expert in infectious diseases, told CNN his comments were edited and used without his permission.
"In my nearly five decades of public service, I have never publicly endorsed any political candidate," Fauci said. "The comments attributed to me without my permission in the GOP campaign ad were taken out of context from a broad statement I made months ago about the efforts of federal public health officials."
Trump's ad aired shortly after the president announced he and first lady Melania Trump had tested positive for COVID-19 last week, which was noted by the narrator.
"President Trump is recovering from the coronavirus, and so is America," the ad's narrator says. "Together, we rose to meet the challenge, protecting our seniors, getting them lifesaving drugs in record time, sparing no expense."
Fauci's original comment spoke broadly about the overall efforts of the coordinated response of federal health officials, rather than a single individual, but Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh told Axios he didn't believe they were inaccurate.
"The video is from a nationally broadcast television interview in which Dr. Fauci was praising the work of the Trump administration," Murtaugh said. "The words spoken are accurate, and directly from Dr. Fauci’s mouth."
Since he contracted the virus, the president expressed feeling in good health in recent days, claiming on Sunday that he may even be "immune" from COVID-19, though that has not been confirmed by any medical experts.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-13--Cal Cunningham doing better in North Carolina Senate race after cheating scandal: Poll

North Carolina Democratic senatorial candidate Cal Cunningham is leading his challenger , Sen. Thom Tillis , even after a cheating scandal that brought him national news attention , according to a poll released Monday .
A SurveyUSA poll put Cunningham 10 percentage points ahead of Tillis .
Forty-nine percent of respondents said they would vote for Cunningham , 39 % said they would vote for Tillis , 3 % said they would vote for someone else , and 8 % said they were undecided .
The question carried with it , however , a significant margin of error at plus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was conducted among 669 likely voters in the state from Thursday to Sunday .
For months , Cunningham has been polling steadily ahead of his Republican opponent .
On Oct. 2 , Cunningham admitted to sending texts of a sexual nature to a woman who was not his wife .
That woman said their relationship was physical on at least one occasion .
Reporting indicates that the Democrat might have had an affair with a second woman as well .
He has avoided answering further questions on the matter .
In an East @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4 , Tillis was polling 1 point ahead of Cunningham , leaving some to speculate whether Tillis was making a comeback amid the scandal .
With the SurveyUSA poll , as well as a Public Policy Polling survey concluding on Oct. 5 that put Cunningham 5 points ahead , it appears that is less likely to be the case .
Cunningham last polled in the double digits in a CBS News/YouGov survey , which concluded on Sept. 24 and showed him leading Tillis by 10 points .

North Carolina Democratic senatorial candidate Cal Cunningham is leading his challenger, Sen. Thom Tillis, even after a cheating scandal that brought him national news attention, according to a poll released Monday.
A SurveyUSA poll put Cunningham 10 percentage points ahead of Tillis. Forty-nine percent of respondents said they would vote for Cunningham, 39% said they would vote for Tillis, 3% said they would vote for someone else, and 8% said they were undecided. The question carried with it, however, a significant margin of error at plus or minus 4.8 points.
The poll was conducted among 669 likely voters in the state from Thursday to Sunday.
For months, Cunningham has been polling steadily ahead of his Republican opponent.
On Oct. 2, Cunningham admitted to sending texts of a sexual nature to a woman who was not his wife. That woman said their relationship was physical on at least one occasion. Reporting indicates that the Democrat might have had an affair with a second woman as well. He has avoided answering further questions on the matter.
In an East Carolina University poll that concluded on Oct. 4, Tillis was polling 1 point ahead of Cunningham, leaving some to speculate whether Tillis was making a comeback amid the scandal.
With the SurveyUSA poll, as well as a Public Policy Polling survey concluding on Oct. 5 that put Cunningham 5 points ahead, it appears that is less likely to be the case.
Cunningham last polled in the double digits in a CBS News/YouGov survey, which concluded on Sept. 24 and showed him leading Tillis by 10 points.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-13--Trump promises kisses and victory as he returns to the campaign trail

SANFORD , Florida — A week after leaving the hospital , President Trump returned to the campaign trail , telling a raucous rally crowd that he was immune to the virus that laid him low and joked about wading into the audience to deliver “ big , fat ” kisses .
He hurled face masks into the crowd as he arrived and danced to the Village People ’ s disco track `` Y.M.C.A . ''
as he left in a display of rhythmic vigor .
`` It 's great to be back in my home state , Florida , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trail , '' he declared in front of thousands of mostly maskless supporters standing shoulder to shoulder .
`` I am so energized by your prayers and humbled by your support.
” The return to form comes at the start of a busy week with trips to Pennsylvania , Iowa , North Carolina , and Wisconsin .
And aides said it is just the beginning , with plans to increase the number of campaign events to two or three a day .
The schedule is a reminder that Trump , 74 , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the opinion polls , and his absence proved to be a headache for a campaign that relies heavily on his barnstorming public appearances for headlines , momentum , and a trove of supporter data .
His supporters at Sanford airport said they wanted to be present for such a pivotal moment .
“ It ’ s important for people to see that this disease is not scary , ” said James Carter , 58 , an assistant state attorney .
“ Lots of people make it out to be a bigger thing than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to bounce back like this , for him to get back to business is really important.
” The one-hour speech hit all Trump ’ s usual targets : China , “ fake news , ” Hunter Biden , international trade deals , and an election opponent who he said was in the grip of Marxists , socialists , and communists .
But in his first appearance since being flown to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center , it was not the content but the performance that mattered .
And he did not disappoint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a sight of Air Force One making its final approach just as the sun began to set .
“ The nice part , I went through it , now they say I ’ m immune , ” he said to roars of approval , before threatening to kiss his audience .
“ I ’ ll kiss the guys and the beautiful women [ … ] every mouth [ … ] give you a big , fat kiss , ” said the famously germophobic president .
Trump ’ s doctor released a memo as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he had tested negative for COVID-19 on consecutive days and was not infectious to others .
Navy Cmdr .
Sean Conley said that the data “ indicate a lack of detectable viral replication.
” However , infectious disease specialists have been reluctant to say that survivors are immune from the disease without further study , and his return to the campaign trail drew expressions of concern from other doctors .
`` President Trump comes to Sanford today bringing nothing but reckless behavior , divisive rhetoric , and fearmongering , '' he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the day that he revealed his positive test .
It stands just outside Orlando in a region where rapid demographic changes and a growing suburban population threaten to help tilt Florida beyond his grasp .
In his absence , the campaign ’ s top names fanned out across the state .
Vice President Mike Pence and Karen Pence , as well as Trump 's sons Don and Eric , all made appearances .
The president delivered lines familiar from his standard stump speech , but he also made a clear pitch for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He claimed that Biden ’ s free trade deals had destroyed Puerto Rico ’ s pharmaceutical industry and attacked his rival ’ s plans for the country .
“ They want to turn America into communist Cuba or socialist Venezuela and ruin the lives of Hispanic Americans and all Americans , ” he said .
Earlier , aides said the president had been itching to get back on the road .
In a call with journalists , senior adviser Jason Miller said , “ The president even this morning , in our morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for not enough rallies and public events scheduled .
So , he ’ s ready to go.
” He added that the president would soon be appearing at two or three events a day before ramping up even further as Election Day approached .
His supporters said they had no fears for the president ’ s health .
Nor their own .
“ Walmart hasn ’ t killed us yet , so this won ’ t , ” said Carolyn Anderson , 55 , who works as a hospital case manager .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ store every day , so what difference does this make ?
” Linda Bowen , 66 , a retired travel agent , said Trump had been cleared by his doctor as healthy enough to get back to work .
“ I ’ m not worried , ” she said .
“ It ’ s like the flu .
I mean , I don ’ t want to get the flu , but you have that risk every year .
”

SANFORD, Florida — A week after leaving the hospital, President Trump returned to the campaign trail, telling a raucous rally crowd that he was immune to the virus that laid him low and joked about wading into the audience to deliver “big, fat” kisses.
He hurled face masks into the crowd as he arrived and danced to the Village People’s disco track "Y.M.C.A." as he left in a display of rhythmic vigor.
"It's great to be back in my home state, Florida, to make my official return to the campaign trail," he declared in front of thousands of mostly maskless supporters standing shoulder to shoulder.
"I am so energized by your prayers and humbled by your support.”
The return to form comes at the start of a busy week with trips to Pennsylvania, Iowa, North Carolina, and Wisconsin. And aides said it is just the beginning, with plans to increase the number of campaign events to two or three a day.
The schedule is a reminder that Trump, 74, has work to do. He lags in the opinion polls, and his absence proved to be a headache for a campaign that relies heavily on his barnstorming public appearances for headlines, momentum, and a trove of supporter data.
His supporters at Sanford airport said they wanted to be present for such a pivotal moment.
“It’s important for people to see that this disease is not scary,” said James Carter, 58, an assistant state attorney.
“Lots of people make it out to be a bigger thing than it is, so for the president to bounce back like this, for him to get back to business is really important.”
The one-hour speech hit all Trump’s usual targets: China, “fake news,” Hunter Biden, international trade deals, and an election opponent who he said was in the grip of Marxists, socialists, and communists. But in his first appearance since being flown to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, it was not the content but the performance that mattered.
And he did not disappoint the faithful, who waited hours for a sight of Air Force One making its final approach just as the sun began to set.
“The nice part, I went through it, now they say I’m immune,” he said to roars of approval, before threatening to kiss his audience. “I’ll kiss the guys and the beautiful women […] every mouth […] give you a big, fat kiss,” said the famously germophobic president.
Trump’s doctor released a memo as the president flew south, announcing that he had tested negative for COVID-19 on consecutive days and was not infectious to others. Navy Cmdr. Sean Conley said that the data “indicate a lack of detectable viral replication.”
However, infectious disease specialists have been reluctant to say that survivors are immune from the disease without further study, and his return to the campaign trail drew expressions of concern from other doctors.
Democratic nominee Joe Biden condemned his behavior as “dangerous.”
"President Trump comes to Sanford today bringing nothing but reckless behavior, divisive rhetoric, and fearmongering," he said.
Trump was scheduled to visit Sanford on the day that he revealed his positive test. It stands just outside Orlando in a region where rapid demographic changes and a growing suburban population threaten to help tilt Florida beyond his grasp.
In his absence, the campaign’s top names fanned out across the state. Vice President Mike Pence and Karen Pence, as well as Trump's sons Don and Eric, all made appearances.
The president delivered lines familiar from his standard stump speech, but he also made a clear pitch for the state’s critical Hispanic voters. He claimed that Biden’s free trade deals had destroyed Puerto Rico’s pharmaceutical industry and attacked his rival’s plans for the country.
“They want to turn America into communist Cuba or socialist Venezuela and ruin the lives of Hispanic Americans and all Americans,” he said.
Earlier, aides said the president had been itching to get back on the road.
In a call with journalists, senior adviser Jason Miller said, “The president even this morning, in our morning conversation, was getting on my case for not enough rallies and public events scheduled. So, he’s ready to go.”
He added that the president would soon be appearing at two or three events a day before ramping up even further as Election Day approached.
His supporters said they had no fears for the president’s health. Nor their own.
“Walmart hasn’t killed us yet, so this won’t,” said Carolyn Anderson, 55, who works as a hospital case manager. “We all have to go to the store every day, so what difference does this make?”
Linda Bowen, 66, a retired travel agent, said Trump had been cleared by his doctor as healthy enough to get back to work.
“I’m not worried,” she said. “It’s like the flu. I mean, I don’t want to get the flu, but you have that risk every year.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-12--WATCH LIVE: Trump holds Florida campaign rally

President Trump will hold his first rally in Florida after testing positive for COVID-19 earlier this month .
The Monday @ @ @ @ @ at Orlando Sanford International Airport and will kick off at 7 p.m. EDT .
White @ @ @ @ @ said on Monday that the Trump campaign will have the same coronavirus restrictions in place @ @ @ @ @ has had at previous rallies , including Monday 's Florida rally .
`` The campaign @ @ @ @ @ , encouraged people to wear them , provided hand sanitizer , '' she said .
@ @ @ @ @ a right in this country to show up and express your political viewpoint . ''

President Trump will hold his first rally in Florida after testing positive for COVID-19 earlier this month.
The Monday evening rally is being held at Orlando Sanford International Airport and will kick off at 7 p.m. EDT. White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said on Monday that the Trump campaign will have the same coronavirus restrictions in place at future rallies as it has had at previous rallies, including Monday's Florida rally.
"The campaign has always handed out masks, encouraged people to wear them, provided hand sanitizer," she said. "Ultimately, you have a right in this country to show up and express your political viewpoint."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-12--'Unforced error': Biden campaign's message discipline is slipping

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden 's misstep claiming Senate Republicans ' push to confirm President Trump 's Supreme Court pick Amy Coney Barrett is unconstitutional reveals cracks in his campaign 's message discipline .
For a candidate with a well-earned reputation for putting his foot in his mouth , Biden has been remarkably disciplined most of the 2020 general election season — helped in part because he 's spent most of it at home in Delaware amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Save for his charged exchange with Breakfast Club radio show host Charlamagne Tha God , in which he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Trump `` ai n't black , '' Barack Obama 's two-term vice president and Delaware 's 36-year senator has made it to the closing three weeks of his bid without any other major mishaps .
That is , until this weekend .
Biden has been hounded since Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg 's death regarding whether he supports expanding or `` packing '' the bench to counteract the 6-3 conservative bent that will result after Barrett 's likely confirmation .
He has repeatedly described the line of inquiry as a distraction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to elevate Barrett before the Nov. 3 election despite denying Obama the same opportunity in 2016 .
His frustrations were evident during a KTNV interview Friday , telling the Las Vegas ABC-affiliate TV station that the public did n't deserve to know his position on the issue before Election Day .
`` No , they do n't , '' Biden said of voters before pivoting to Trump .
`` I 'm not going to play his game .
He 'd love me to talk about — and , and I 've already said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he 'd love that to be the discussion . ''
Then , on Saturday , he falsely called the Senate Republicans ' process for Barrett unconstitutional .
`` The only court-packing is going on right now .
It ’ s going on with the Republicans , '' Biden said .
`` It ’ s not constitutional what they ’ re doing .
We should be focused on what ’ s happening right now . ''
And Biden campaign spokeswoman Kate Bedingfield struggled to defend Biden 's offhand comments on CNN Sunday .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an opportunity to weigh in on this constitutional process through their vote .
And we are now in the midst of the election .
Millions of people have already cast their votes , '' she said .
Republican strategist Duf Sundheim did n't think Biden 's court-packing statements were due to a lack of discipline .
Instead , he believed it was a Democratic blind spot .
`` We get so caught up in , 'What does it mean for the campaign ? '
I 'm really deeply concerned what it means for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .
`` The lines are getting blurred between the different branches . ''
Sundheim was unsure whether Biden could keep avoiding the issue because it will continue to have currency as long as Barrett 's hearings and votes , as well as the Nov. 10 start date for a Supreme Court case questioning Obamacare 's constitutionality , are in news headlines .
`` I think it 's their greatest vulnerability , and to be saying that it 's unconstitutional , it 's just over the top , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that makes it go away .
It 's just such an unforced error , and I think to so many people it really matters . ''
The Biden campaign has handled the court-packing issue `` poorly , '' but it was more important to conservatives like Sundheim rather than liberals , according to Rutgers University history and journalism professor David Greenberg .
`` There ’ s little evidence that it ’ s going to matter much to most swing voters , '' he said .
`` The real question for Biden , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the last three weeks to make people more aware of his economic agenda . ''
For Greenberg , Biden ought to concentrate on the economy since it was rare for a challenger `` to win the presidency simply on opposition to the incumbent . ''
`` The last time it happened was in 1980 , '' he said .
`` If Biden wants to win the remaining undecided voters , he needs to make sure his economic message gets heard . ''
Former California Democratic Party adviser Bob Mulholland agreed , suggesting Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus outbreak too .
`` Biden is sticking to a political rule — stick to the issue that adds votes — COVID-19 , which reminds Americans of Trump 's incompetence , '' he said .
`` When driving on a major highway , do not take the wrong exit , like 'Packing the Court — Exit 13 , one mile . '
'' Biden and Trump were to meet for their second debate , a town hall-style event , on Thursday .
But Trump 's coronavirus diagnosis and refusal to take part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a reason to pull out of a head-to-head matchup , opting instead to participate in a town hall convened by ABC .

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden's misstep claiming Senate Republicans' push to confirm President Trump's Supreme Court pick Amy Coney Barrett is unconstitutional reveals cracks in his campaign's message discipline.
For a candidate with a well-earned reputation for putting his foot in his mouth, Biden has been remarkably disciplined most of the 2020 general election season — helped in part because he's spent most of it at home in Delaware amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Save for his charged exchange with Breakfast Club radio show host Charlamagne Tha God, in which he said African American voters considering casting a ballot for Trump "ain't black," Barack Obama's two-term vice president and Delaware's 36-year senator has made it to the closing three weeks of his bid without any other major mishaps.
That is, until this weekend.
Biden has been hounded since Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death regarding whether he supports expanding or "packing" the bench to counteract the 6-3 conservative bent that will result after Barrett's likely confirmation. He has repeatedly described the line of inquiry as a distraction from the Senate Republicans' rushed effort to elevate Barrett before the Nov. 3 election despite denying Obama the same opportunity in 2016.
His frustrations were evident during a KTNV interview Friday, telling the Las Vegas ABC-affiliate TV station that the public didn't deserve to know his position on the issue before Election Day.
"No, they don't," Biden said of voters before pivoting to Trump. "I'm not going to play his game. He'd love me to talk about — and, and I've already said something on packing the court. But he'd love that to be the discussion."
Then, on Saturday, he falsely called the Senate Republicans' process for Barrett unconstitutional.
"The only court-packing is going on right now. It’s going on with the Republicans," Biden said. "It’s not constitutional what they’re doing. We should be focused on what’s happening right now."
And Biden campaign spokeswoman Kate Bedingfield struggled to defend Biden's offhand comments on CNN Sunday.
"His point is that the people have an opportunity to weigh in on this constitutional process through their vote. And we are now in the midst of the election. Millions of people have already cast their votes," she said.
Republican strategist Duf Sundheim didn't think Biden's court-packing statements were due to a lack of discipline. Instead, he believed it was a Democratic blind spot.
"We get so caught up in, 'What does it mean for the campaign?' I'm really deeply concerned what it means for our country and for the Constitution," he said. "The lines are getting blurred between the different branches."
Sundheim was unsure whether Biden could keep avoiding the issue because it will continue to have currency as long as Barrett's hearings and votes, as well as the Nov. 10 start date for a Supreme Court case questioning Obamacare's constitutionality, are in news headlines.
"I think it's their greatest vulnerability, and to be saying that it's unconstitutional, it's just over the top," he said. "Just give a generic answer that makes it go away. It's just such an unforced error, and I think to so many people it really matters."
The Biden campaign has handled the court-packing issue "poorly," but it was more important to conservatives like Sundheim rather than liberals, according to Rutgers University history and journalism professor David Greenberg.
"There’s little evidence that it’s going to matter much to most swing voters," he said. "The real question for Biden, I think, is whether he can use the last three weeks to make people more aware of his economic agenda."
For Greenberg, Biden ought to concentrate on the economy since it was rare for a challenger "to win the presidency simply on opposition to the incumbent."
"The last time it happened was in 1980," he said. "If Biden wants to win the remaining undecided voters, he needs to make sure his economic message gets heard."
Former California Democratic Party adviser Bob Mulholland agreed, suggesting Biden should bring up Trump's mismanagement of the coronavirus outbreak too.
"Biden is sticking to a political rule — stick to the issue that adds votes — COVID-19, which reminds Americans of Trump's incompetence," he said. "When driving on a major highway, do not take the wrong exit, like 'Packing the Court — Exit 13, one mile.'"
Biden and Trump were to meet for their second debate, a town hall-style event, on Thursday. But Trump's coronavirus diagnosis and refusal to take part in a virtual format provided Biden with a reason to pull out of a head-to-head matchup, opting instead to participate in a town hall convened by ABC.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-12--Fauci says he won't quit, even though Trump campaign is ‘harassing’ him

Dr. Anthony Fauci , the government ’ s top infectious disease expert , pledged to remain on the coronavirus task force while demanding that the Trump campaign stop “ harassing ” him .
After a campaign ad took Fauci ’ s comments on President Trump ’ s coronavirus response Fauci said that if he was featured in another commercial , it could “ come back to backfire ” on Trump ’ s campaign .
Fauci then to the Daily Beast that not in his “ wildest freakin dreams ” would he consider quitting the task force charged with ending the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against my will , they are in effect harassing me , ” Fauci said .
“ Since campaign ads are about getting votes , their harassment of me might have the opposite effect of turning some voters off . ''
Fauci , who has tried to remain apolitical , has clashed with Trump on coronavirus safety guidance and vaccine timelines in the past .
After the ad debuted , Fauci said the GOP did not ask his permission before including him in the ad .
`` In my nearly five decades of public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any political candidate , '' Fauci said .
`` The comments attributed to me without my permission in the GOP campaign ad were taken out of context from a broad statement I made months ago about the efforts of federal public health officials . ''

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the government’s top infectious disease expert, pledged to remain on the coronavirus task force while demanding that the Trump campaign stop “harassing” him.
After a campaign ad took Fauci’s comments on President Trump’s coronavirus response “out of context,” Fauci said that if he was featured in another commercial, it could “come back to backfire” on Trump’s campaign. Fauci then clarified to the Daily Beast that not in his “wildest freakin dreams” would he consider quitting the task force charged with ending the coronavirus outbreak.
"By doing this against my will, they are in effect harassing me,” Fauci said. “Since campaign ads are about getting votes, their harassment of me might have the opposite effect of turning some voters off."
Fauci, who has tried to remain apolitical, has clashed with Trump on coronavirus safety guidance and vaccine timelines in the past. After the ad debuted, Fauci said the GOP did not ask his permission before including him in the ad.
"In my nearly five decades of public service, I have never publicly endorsed any political candidate," Fauci said. "The comments attributed to me without my permission in the GOP campaign ad were taken out of context from a broad statement I made months ago about the efforts of federal public health officials."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-12--Pence laughs off post-debate buzz, says his children pointed out he had bug on his head

Vice President Mike Pence said he had a good laugh after finding out about the uninvited guest at his debate with Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris .
The insect landed on the vice president ’ s head during the latter half of Wednesday 's debate and remained there for nearly two minutes , setting off a flurry of memes , jokes , and other reactions across social media .
“ I didn ’ t know he was there , ” Pence told Fox News host Dana Perino through laughter on Monday .
“ I love my kids .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to get married next year .
I got a Navy wife who ’ s a published author and an incredible gal .
My daughter actually helped me with debate prep , and my Marine Corps son and his wife were there as well .
They all told me , ‘ Dad , you did OK , ’ but they did tell me about the fly , ” Pence said .
“ It was a good laugh for all of us , ” he added .
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ viral moment , which was featured in the opening skit of a Saturday Night Live episode .
“ Pitch in $ 5 to help this campaign fly , ” Biden tweeted after the debate , along with a photo of him holding a large fly swatter .
His website also features $ 10 fly swatters that read , “ Truth over flies , ” although they were sold out as of Monday evening .

Vice President Mike Pence said he had a good laugh after finding out about the uninvited guest at his debate with Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris.
The insect landed on the vice president’s head during the latter half of Wednesday's debate and remained there for nearly two minutes, setting off a flurry of memes, jokes, and other reactions across social media.
“I didn’t know he was there,” Pence told Fox News host Dana Perino through laughter on Monday.
“I love my kids. I got a law school grad who is going to get married next year. I got a Navy wife who’s a published author and an incredible gal. My daughter actually helped me with debate prep, and my Marine Corps son and his wife were there as well. They all told me, ‘Dad, you did OK,’ but they did tell me about the fly,” Pence said.
“It was a good laugh for all of us,” he added.
Total time a fly sat on Mike Pence's head: two minutes pic.twitter.com/PtI0rKSi5I — Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) October 8, 2020
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden’s campaign was quick to seize on the viral moment, which was featured in the opening skit of a Saturday Night Live episode.
“Pitch in $5 to help this campaign fly,” Biden tweeted after the debate, along with a photo of him holding a large fly swatter. His website also features $10 fly swatters that read, “Truth over flies,” although they were sold out as of Monday evening.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-12--GOP's WinRed processes $623.5M in donations in third quarter

The Republican digital platform WinRed processed $ 623.5 million in online contributions for GOP candidates in the third quarter , pushing the GOP ’ s competitor to the Democrats ' ActBlue past $ 1 billion raised less than two years after launch .
President Trump and the major Republican committees approved the creation of WinRed last year after Democratic fundraising aggregator , ActBlue , left the GOP massively outgunned in the 2018 midterm elections .
After getting off to a slow start with $ 30 million raised in the third quarter of 2019 , WinRed has basically doubled the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every quarter through the three-month period ending Sept. 30 of this year .
WinRed is a central online platform that processes and distributes small donations from grassroots contributors to Republican candidates and party committees .
“ The rapid success of WinRed is testament to unprecedented party unity behind the need to take on ActBlue — quickly and aggressively , ” WinRed President Gerrit Lansing said in a press release .
Democrats have used the ActBlue platform since 2004 , the early days of small-dollar online fundraising .
The money collected and distributed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years .
But it has accelerated with Trump in the White House as grassroots liberals look for ways to blunt his agenda and win back seats in Congress lost under former President Barack Obama .
Although ActBlue ’ s third-quarter numbers were not yet available , the platform processed more than $ 485 million in August from 4 million donors who funneled more than 10.6 million separate contributions to Democratic candidates and committees .
That kind of firepower motivated Trump ’ s campaign , the Republican National Committee , the National Republican Congressional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Committee , to greenlight WinRed .
The $ 623.5 million the platform processed in the third quarter came from more than 11.6 million donations that averaged $ 53 each .
In addition to being a central clearinghouse for grassroots conservative donors , WinRed shares digital best practices with Republican campaigns and committees for increasing contributions .
It says that among the more motivating messages with the grassroots are “ donation pages that included the word ‘ impeach ’ or ‘ impeachment ’ '' and pages that included the word `` Trump . ''

The Republican digital platform WinRed processed $623.5 million in online contributions for GOP candidates in the third quarter, pushing the GOP’s competitor to the Democrats' ActBlue past $1 billion raised less than two years after launch.
President Trump and the major Republican committees approved the creation of WinRed last year after Democratic fundraising aggregator, ActBlue, left the GOP massively outgunned in the 2018 midterm elections. After getting off to a slow start with $30 million raised in the third quarter of 2019, WinRed has basically doubled the number of donations processed for candidates and committees every quarter through the three-month period ending Sept. 30 of this year.
WinRed is a central online platform that processes and distributes small donations from grassroots contributors to Republican candidates and party committees.
“The rapid success of WinRed is testament to unprecedented party unity behind the need to take on ActBlue — quickly and aggressively,” WinRed President Gerrit Lansing said in a press release.
Democrats have used the ActBlue platform since 2004, the early days of small-dollar online fundraising. The money collected and distributed by the website has steadily increased over the years. But it has accelerated with Trump in the White House as grassroots liberals look for ways to blunt his agenda and win back seats in Congress lost under former President Barack Obama.
Although ActBlue’s third-quarter numbers were not yet available, the platform processed more than $485 million in August from 4 million donors who funneled more than 10.6 million separate contributions to Democratic candidates and committees.
That kind of firepower motivated Trump’s campaign, the Republican National Committee, the National Republican Congressional Committee, and the National Republican Senatorial Committee, to greenlight WinRed. The $623.5 million the platform processed in the third quarter came from more than 11.6 million donations that averaged $53 each.
In addition to being a central clearinghouse for grassroots conservative donors, WinRed shares digital best practices with Republican campaigns and committees for increasing contributions. It says that among the more motivating messages with the grassroots are “donation pages that included the word ‘impeach’ or ‘impeachment’" and pages that included the word "Trump."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-12--Montana Senate seat still seems a tough reach for Democrats despite popular candidate

A poll released Monday shows Democratic Gov .
Steve Bullock tied with the Republican senator he 's trying to beat , Steve Daines .
But a broader look at the race suggests Bullock is an uphill fight .
Although the Democratic firm Public Policy Polling survey shows both candidates earning 48 % of the vote , after interviewing 797 Montana voters , it carries a margin of error of 3.5 % and appears to be an outlier .
On Sunday , Emerson College released its own poll showing Daines leading by nine points , earning 52 % of the vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as it did at this time in the 2016 race , we will be looking to see if there is a late break in the state which last time went for Trump giving him a 20 point win , '' Emerson College Polling Director Spencer Kimball wrote .
And the RealClearPolitics average shows Daines leading Bullock by 3.3 points .
Coattails from President Trump 's reelection bid in this Republican-leaning state are likely to give Daines a further boost on Election Day , particularly as split-ticket voting is expected to reach historic lows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Bill Clinton remains the only member of his party to win the state of Montana in a presidential race .
In 2014 , Daines won his seat by nearly 18 points against Democratic opponent Amanda Curtis .
Both candidates are facing a barrage of attacks , the likes of which Montana has never seen before .
According to The Wesleyan Media Project , the Montana Senate race is the most expensive in the state 's history and voters there are currently subjected to more television ads there than any other state in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sept. 27 , Montana television channels aired roughly 44,300 commercials between either candidate .
Montana 's population hovers just over 1 million , but outside groups have spent over $ 50 million on advertising since the race began .
The campaigns of both Daines and Bullock have spent nearly $ 30 million from their own coffers , dwarfing the estimated $ 75 million spent in the 2018 Montana Senate race between Democratic Sen. Jon Tester and Republican challenger Matt Rosendale by the end of that race .
That money spent reflects how high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with control of the Senate partially hinging on which party wins the race .
Democrats need to win four to five Senate seats to win back control of the chamber .
Despite governing as a moderate Democrat , Republicans are attempting to tie Bullock to the mainstream Democratic Party , which conservatives say has moved significantly to the left since 2016 .
Those attacks have seemed to stick , making Bullock significantly less popular as a governor than he is as a Senate candidate .
According to a MorningConsult ranking of the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ considered one of the most popular in the country with a 52 % approval rating and 31 % disapproving .

A poll released Monday shows Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock tied with the Republican senator he's trying to beat, Steve Daines. But a broader look at the race suggests Bullock is an uphill fight.
Although the Democratic firm Public Policy Polling survey shows both candidates earning 48% of the vote, after interviewing 797 Montana voters, it carries a margin of error of 3.5% and appears to be an outlier.
On Sunday, Emerson College released its own poll showing Daines leading by nine points, earning 52% of the vote.
“Montana looks about the same as it did at this time in the 2016 race, we will be looking to see if there is a late break in the state which last time went for Trump giving him a 20 point win," Emerson College Polling Director Spencer Kimball wrote.
And the RealClearPolitics average shows Daines leading Bullock by 3.3 points.
Coattails from President Trump's reelection bid in this Republican-leaning state are likely to give Daines a further boost on Election Day, particularly as split-ticket voting is expected to reach historic lows. Of the last 12 Democratic nominees, Bill Clinton remains the only member of his party to win the state of Montana in a presidential race. In 2014, Daines won his seat by nearly 18 points against Democratic opponent Amanda Curtis.
Both candidates are facing a barrage of attacks, the likes of which Montana has never seen before. According to The Wesleyan Media Project, the Montana Senate race is the most expensive in the state's history and voters there are currently subjected to more television ads there than any other state in the country. Between Sept. 5 and Sept. 27, Montana television channels aired roughly 44,300 commercials between either candidate.
Montana's population hovers just over 1 million, but outside groups have spent over $50 million on advertising since the race began. The campaigns of both Daines and Bullock have spent nearly $30 million from their own coffers, dwarfing the estimated $75 million spent in the 2018 Montana Senate race between Democratic Sen. Jon Tester and Republican challenger Matt Rosendale by the end of that race.
That money spent reflects how high the stakes are for both parties, with control of the Senate partially hinging on which party wins the race. Democrats need to win four to five Senate seats to win back control of the chamber.
Despite governing as a moderate Democrat, Republicans are attempting to tie Bullock to the mainstream Democratic Party, which conservatives say has moved significantly to the left since 2016. Those attacks have seemed to stick, making Bullock significantly less popular as a governor than he is as a Senate candidate. According to a MorningConsult ranking of the country's most popular governors, Bullock was considered one of the most popular in the country with a 52% approval rating and 31% disapproving.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-12--Trump supporters pour out for Biden event while chanting, 'Four more years!'

Supporters of President Trump were recorded chanting , “ Four more years , ” while the Democratic presidential nominee held a campaign event in Toledo , Ohio .
“ Dozens of Trump supporters were loudly chanting a mix of ‘ Four more years , ’ ‘ Trump ’ and ‘ USA ’ throughout the event , growing louder anytime @ JoeBiden mentioned the president , ” NBC News Marianna Sotomayor tweeted , accompanied by footage of the event .
Biden ’ s campaign stop in Toledo focused on the economy , with him touting the slogan , “ Build Back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ reckless.
” “ The longer Donald Trump is president , the more reckless he seems to get , ” Biden said outside of the United Auto Workers hall .
`` Trump panicked .
His reckless personal conduct since his diagnosis has been unconscionable . ''
The Trump campaign responded to news of Biden ’ s trip to Ohio by saying the team was “ happy to see Joe Biden wasting a valuable day on the campaign trail in a state that he wo n't win.
” '' Joe Biden , speaking of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ohio today speaking to literally several people on the ground — a state the president won in 2016 and is going to win again in November , '' Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien said .
`` We are quite happy to see Joe Biden wasting a valuable day on the campaign trail in a state that he wo n't win in three weeks . ''
Polling out of the battleground state shows a tight race between the candidates , with average polling showing Biden ahead by 0.6 % , according to RealClearPolitics .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ earning 51.3 % of the vote , with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton garnering 43.2 % .

Supporters of President Trump were recorded chanting, “Four more years,” while the Democratic presidential nominee held a campaign event in Toledo, Ohio.
“Dozens of Trump supporters were loudly chanting a mix of ‘Four more years,’ ‘Trump’ and ‘USA’ throughout the event, growing louder anytime @JoeBiden mentioned the president,” NBC News Marianna Sotomayor tweeted, accompanied by footage of the event.
Dozens of Trump supporters were loudly chanting a mix of “Four more years,” “Trump” and “USA” throughout the event, growing louder anytime @JoeBiden mentioned the president. pic.twitter.com/7M0iZWdmRf — Marianna Sotomayor (@MariannaNBCNews) October 12, 2020
Biden’s campaign stop in Toledo focused on the economy, with him touting the slogan, “Build Back Better,” while slamming Trump as “reckless.”
“The longer Donald Trump is president, the more reckless he seems to get,” Biden said outside of the United Auto Workers hall. "Trump panicked. His reckless personal conduct since his diagnosis has been unconscionable."
The Trump campaign responded to news of Biden’s trip to Ohio by saying the team was “happy to see Joe Biden wasting a valuable day on the campaign trail in a state that he won't win.”
"Joe Biden, speaking of travel, is going to be in Ohio today speaking to literally several people on the ground — a state the president won in 2016 and is going to win again in November," Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien said. "We are quite happy to see Joe Biden wasting a valuable day on the campaign trail in a state that he won't win in three weeks."
Polling out of the battleground state shows a tight race between the candidates, with average polling showing Biden ahead by 0.6%, according to RealClearPolitics.
Trump won the state in 2016, earning 51.3% of the vote, with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton garnering 43.2%.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-12--Biden falsely claims Amy Coney Barrett 'said she wants to get rid of the Affordable Care Act'

Joe Biden falsely claimed that President Trump 's Supreme Court nominee , Judge Amy Coney Barrett , wants to eliminate the Affordable Care Act .
As the Senate Judiciary Committee began a hearing on Barrett 's confirmation , the former vice president and Democratic presidential nominee turned a question about the Supreme Court nominee to the issue of how her presence on the court could affect President Barack Obama 's landmark healthcare law .
Supreme Court arguments in a case challenging Obamacare are set to begin on Nov. 10 , and Democrats assume that Barrett will vote to strike down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic opposition to her nomination .
Biden , a former chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee who is familiar with Supreme Court confirmation battles , misrepresented Barrett 's previous statements on the matter .
“ This nominee has said she wants to get rid of the Affordable Care Act — this president wants to get rid of the Affordable Care Act .
Let ’ s keep our eye on the ball .
This is about less than one month [ in which ] Americans are going to lose their health insurance , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Monday .
Barrett , formerly a law professor at the University of Notre Dame who was a law clerk for the late Justice Antonin Scalia , has criticized Supreme Court decisions that upheld the healthcare law , but she has not said that she wants to eliminate it .
In a 2017 law review essay , Barrett critiqued Chief Justice John Roberts 's opinion that upheld the Affordable Care Act on the basis of treating the penalty for not complying with the individual mandate as a tax .
`` Chief Justice Roberts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plausible meaning to save the statute .
He construed the penalty imposed on those without health insurance as a tax , which permitted him to sustain the statute as a valid exercise of the taxing power , '' Barrett wrote .
`` Had he treated the payment as the statute did — as a penalty — he would have had to invalidate the statute as lying beyond Congress 's commerce power . ''
The individual mandate penalty for those who do not buy health insurance was eliminated as part of the 2017 Tax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Barrett also criticized the decision in another challenge to Obamacare , King v. Burwell , in which the court upheld the legality of the program 's tax subsidies .
Barrett told NPR that while “ it ’ s clearly a good result that these millions of Americans won ’ t lose their tax subsidies , ” she asserted , “ The dissent has the better of the legal argument.
” Barrett is known for her originalist view of the law .
`` It was the content of Justice Scalia ’ s reasoning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was straightforward : A judge must apply the law as written , not as the judge wishes it were .
Sometimes , that approach meant reaching results that he did not like .
But as he put it in one of his best-known opinions , that is what it means to say we have a government of laws , not of men , '' Barrett is expected to say in her opening statement .
Contrary to Biden 's assertion , Barrett has said that she does not go into legal decisions with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy decisions and value judgments of government must be made by the political branches elected by and accountable to the people .
The public should not expect courts to do so , and courts should not try , '' her opening remarks say .

Joe Biden falsely claimed that President Trump's Supreme Court nominee, Judge Amy Coney Barrett, wants to eliminate the Affordable Care Act.
As the Senate Judiciary Committee began a hearing on Barrett's confirmation, the former vice president and Democratic presidential nominee turned a question about the Supreme Court nominee to the issue of how her presence on the court could affect President Barack Obama's landmark healthcare law.
Supreme Court arguments in a case challenging Obamacare are set to begin on Nov. 10, and Democrats assume that Barrett will vote to strike down the law, forming the core of Democratic opposition to her nomination.
Biden, a former chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee who is familiar with Supreme Court confirmation battles, misrepresented Barrett's previous statements on the matter.
“This nominee has said she wants to get rid of the Affordable Care Act — this president wants to get rid of the Affordable Care Act. Let’s keep our eye on the ball. This is about less than one month [in which] Americans are going to lose their health insurance," Biden told reporters before flying to Ohio on Monday.
Barrett, formerly a law professor at the University of Notre Dame who was a law clerk for the late Justice Antonin Scalia, has criticized Supreme Court decisions that upheld the healthcare law, but she has not said that she wants to eliminate it.
In a 2017 law review essay, Barrett critiqued Chief Justice John Roberts's opinion that upheld the Affordable Care Act on the basis of treating the penalty for not complying with the individual mandate as a tax.
"Chief Justice Roberts pushed the Affordable Care Act beyond its plausible meaning to save the statute. He construed the penalty imposed on those without health insurance as a tax, which permitted him to sustain the statute as a valid exercise of the taxing power," Barrett wrote. "Had he treated the payment as the statute did — as a penalty — he would have had to invalidate the statute as lying beyond Congress's commerce power."
The individual mandate penalty for those who do not buy health insurance was eliminated as part of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
In 2015, Barrett also criticized the decision in another challenge to Obamacare, King v. Burwell, in which the court upheld the legality of the program's tax subsidies.
Barrett told NPR that while “it’s clearly a good result that these millions of Americans won’t lose their tax subsidies,” she asserted, “The dissent has the better of the legal argument.”
Barrett is known for her originalist view of the law.
"It was the content of Justice Scalia’s reasoning that shaped me. His judicial philosophy was straightforward: A judge must apply the law as written, not as the judge wishes it were. Sometimes, that approach meant reaching results that he did not like. But as he put it in one of his best-known opinions, that is what it means to say we have a government of laws, not of men," Barrett is expected to say in her opening statement.
Contrary to Biden's assertion, Barrett has said that she does not go into legal decisions with the intent of making policy.
"The policy decisions and value judgments of government must be made by the political branches elected by and accountable to the people. The public should not expect courts to do so, and courts should not try," her opening remarks say.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-13--Biden finally says he is 'not a fan of court-packing' — but which definition is he using?

After repeatedly dodging questions about whether he supports calls to expand the Supreme Court , Joe Biden finally indicated that he is opposed to such drastic court reform .
Or did he ?
In an interview with local Ohio news outlet Local 12 on Monday , Biden was asked about his position on adding justices to the Supreme Court .
`` I 'm not a fan of court-packing , '' Biden said , a possible hint that his longtime opposition to court expansion has not changed .
But earlier in his answer , the former vice president and Democratic presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a Democratic redefinition of the term that does not mean adding justices to the Supreme Court .
They dubiously argue that court-packing can simply mean appointing ideologically friendly justices , ignoring the longstanding definition made famous by President Franklin D. Roosevelt 's attempt to add six justices to the Supreme Court in 1937 in an attempt to secure friendly rulings on his policies .
“ I respectfully suggest is what , packing , court-packing is going on now .
Never before an election has already begun and millions of votes already cast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court nominee was put forward .
Had never happened before , '' Biden said on Monday .
`` And one of the reasons is , the Constitution implies that the only shot the American people get to determine who will be on a lifetime employment of the Supreme Court , or federal courts , is when they pick their senator and their president , because the president names , and the Senate advises and consents .
That ’ s the focus . ''
He continued : `` I ’ ve already spoken on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of court-packing , but I ’ m not — I don ’ t want to get off on that whole issue .
I want to keep focused .
The president would love nothing better than to fight about whether or not I would , in fact , pack the court or not pack the court , et cetera .
The focus is , why is he doing what he ’ s doing now ?
” Republican moves to fill the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg ’ s seat , despite early voting for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have prompted calls from those in the left wing of the Democratic Party to pack the court with liberal-leaning justices they favor .
Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey on Democrats to do just that in a tweet following Ginsburg ’ s death , as did House Judiciary Committee Chairman of New York and former Attorney General .
Biden , his running mate California Sen. Kamala Harris , and others on his campaign have gone to great lengths to avoid answering whether Biden would support adding justices , arguing that the issue is nothing more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Asked Friday whether voters deserve to know his stance , Biden said : `` No , they do n't . ''
On Saturday , Biden falsely accused Republicans of unconstitutionally moving forward with Justice Amy Coney Barrett 's nomination .

After repeatedly dodging questions about whether he supports calls to expand the Supreme Court, Joe Biden finally indicated that he is opposed to such drastic court reform.
Or did he?
In an interview with local Ohio news outlet Local 12 on Monday, Biden was asked about his position on adding justices to the Supreme Court.
"I'm not a fan of court-packing," Biden said, a possible hint that his longtime opposition to court expansion has not changed.
But earlier in his answer, the former vice president and Democratic presidential nominee was talking about court-packing in terms of a Democratic redefinition of the term that does not mean adding justices to the Supreme Court. They dubiously argue that court-packing can simply mean appointing ideologically friendly justices, ignoring the longstanding definition made famous by President Franklin D. Roosevelt's attempt to add six justices to the Supreme Court in 1937 in an attempt to secure friendly rulings on his policies.
“I respectfully suggest is what, packing, court-packing is going on now. Never before an election has already begun and millions of votes already cast has it ever been that a Supreme Court nominee was put forward. Had never happened before," Biden said on Monday. "And one of the reasons is, the Constitution implies that the only shot the American people get to determine who will be on a lifetime employment of the Supreme Court, or federal courts, is when they pick their senator and their president, because the president names, and the Senate advises and consents. That’s the focus."
He continued: "I’ve already spoken on — I’m not a fan of court-packing, but I’m not — I don’t want to get off on that whole issue. I want to keep focused. The president would love nothing better than to fight about whether or not I would, in fact, pack the court or not pack the court, et cetera. The focus is, why is he doing what he’s doing now?”
Republican moves to fill the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s seat, despite early voting for the Nov. 3 election being underway, have prompted calls from those in the left wing of the Democratic Party to pack the court with liberal-leaning justices they favor.
Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey called on Democrats to do just that in a tweet following Ginsburg’s death, as did House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler of New York and former Attorney General Eric Holder .
Biden, his running mate California Sen. Kamala Harris, and others on his campaign have gone to great lengths to avoid answering whether Biden would support adding justices, arguing that the issue is nothing more than a fear-mongering tactic by President Trump.
Asked Friday whether voters deserve to know his stance, Biden said: "No, they don't."
On Saturday, Biden falsely accused Republicans of unconstitutionally moving forward with Justice Amy Coney Barrett's nomination.