thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-06--Kris Kobach loss continues a bad election cycle for Trump-style populists

The defeat of former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach in the state ’ s Republican Senate primary on Tuesday night continued a bad election cycle for populist , nationalist conservatives in the mold of President Trump .
While many Republicans celebrated Kobach ’ s loss to Rep. Roger Marshall , believing Marshall is much likelier to win the seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Pat Roberts and will require fewer party resources to do so , the immigration hard-liner ’ s defeat raises questions about how much Trump has transformed the GOP into his own image — and how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 appeal in the first place .
Already in this election cycle , Rep. Steve King lost a Republican primary in Iowa , and former Attorney General Jeff Sessions was defeated in a primary to reclaim the Alabama Senate seat he held for 20 years .
Former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio also narrowly lost a primary to win back his old office on Tuesday night .
All are immigration restrictionists with ideological and stylistic similarities to Trump .
Sessions and Arpaio were Trump endorsers in the Republican primaries four years ago .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t changed the party as much as we thought , ” said a Republican strategist who requested anonymity to speak candidly .
“ But that might not be decided until November.
” Kobach didn ’ t even come particularly close , winning just 26.3 % of the vote to Marshall ’ s 40.3 % .
Several other candidates split the rest .
Sessions was competitive in the first round of balloting but took just 39.3 % in the runoff last month .
Former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville received 60.7 % .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ populists ’ cupboard bare .
Only a handful of GOP lawmakers , led by Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri and Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida , can plausibly claim the mantle .
A few others — Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida — have clearly been influenced by some of their attempts to rethink Republican economic orthodoxy .
But the number of full-spectrum nationalists who share both Trump ’ s skepticism of immigration and foreign wars for regime change is smaller still .
Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of conservatism post-Trump would be both populist and libertarian .
`` I think properly understood , those concepts are complementary , and they 're not antagonistic .
So I am a conservative , an unabashed conservative .
I 'm also a populist .
I am deeply a populist , '' he said .
`` And I also have deep libertarian principles.
” Cruz , like Rubio and Hawley , is widely seen as a possible candidate for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination and is well versed in popular conservative sentiment .
But the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Things magazine decry the Reaganite “ dead consensus ” and the rise of pundits from the Hill ’ s Saagar Enjeti to the New York Post ’ s Sohrab Ahmari hasn ’ t yet translated into the same success at the ballot box , with the significant exception of the president himself .
Five years after the “ libertarian moment , ” there are still more libertarian-leaning GOP members of Congress , even after Justin Amash ’ s departure from the party , than unabashed nationalists .
“ Part of the problem is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ endorse totally conventional candidates , ” said a second Republican strategist who has advised populist candidates .
Trump ’ s endorsement of Tuberville over Sessions , with whom he had a major break over the latter ’ s recusal from the Russia investigation while serving as attorney general , had a major impact on that race .
King , who was increasingly accused of racism , was a Cruz supporter in 2016 .
While Trump has considered Kobach for several federal posts , he did not get involved in the Kansas primary .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ many Republicans considered a winnable gubernatorial race in 2018 .
But Republicans closely identified with the party ’ s pre-Trump brand , such as Vice President Mike Pence and former U.S .
Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley , are better positioned to succeed the president in 2024 than the Steve Bannon wing of the Trump movement .
If Trump loses in November , especially if it is by a decisive margin , there will be a push to move away from his image and policies .
Trump is currently trailing presumptive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the RealClearPolitics national polling average .
Republicans are hopeful that Kobach ’ s defeat means that Kansas will not be among the states the party has to defend in the fall as they seek to protect their 53-47 Senate majority .
Democrats are currently favored in several competitive Senate races .

The defeat of former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach in the state’s Republican Senate primary on Tuesday night continued a bad election cycle for populist, nationalist conservatives in the mold of President Trump.
While many Republicans celebrated Kobach’s loss to Rep. Roger Marshall, believing Marshall is much likelier to win the seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Pat Roberts and will require fewer party resources to do so, the immigration hard-liner’s defeat raises questions about how much Trump has transformed the GOP into his own image — and how important populism and nationalism were to his 2016 appeal in the first place.
Already in this election cycle, Rep. Steve King lost a Republican primary in Iowa, and former Attorney General Jeff Sessions was defeated in a primary to reclaim the Alabama Senate seat he held for 20 years. Former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio also narrowly lost a primary to win back his old office on Tuesday night. All are immigration restrictionists with ideological and stylistic similarities to Trump. Sessions and Arpaio were Trump endorsers in the Republican primaries four years ago.
“We may learn that Trump hasn’t changed the party as much as we thought,” said a Republican strategist who requested anonymity to speak candidly. “But that might not be decided until November.”
Kobach didn’t even come particularly close, winning just 26.3% of the vote to Marshall’s 40.3%. Several other candidates split the rest. Sessions was competitive in the first round of balloting but took just 39.3% in the runoff last month. Former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville received 60.7%.
The failure of these candidates leaves the populists’ cupboard bare. Only a handful of GOP lawmakers, led by Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri and Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, can plausibly claim the mantle. A few others — Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida — have clearly been influenced by some of their attempts to rethink Republican economic orthodoxy. But the number of full-spectrum nationalists who share both Trump’s skepticism of immigration and foreign wars for regime change is smaller still.
Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas recently told the Washington Examiner that the future of conservatism post-Trump would be both populist and libertarian. "I think properly understood, those concepts are complementary, and they're not antagonistic. So I am a conservative, an unabashed conservative. I'm also a populist. I am deeply a populist," he said. "And I also have deep libertarian principles.” Cruz, like Rubio and Hawley, is widely seen as a possible candidate for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination and is well versed in popular conservative sentiment.
But the post-Trump intellectual ferment that has seen First Things magazine decry the Reaganite “dead consensus” and the rise of pundits from the Hill’s Saagar Enjeti to the New York Post’s Sohrab Ahmari hasn’t yet translated into the same success at the ballot box, with the significant exception of the president himself. Five years after the “libertarian moment,” there are still more libertarian-leaning GOP members of Congress, even after Justin Amash’s departure from the party, than unabashed nationalists.
“Part of the problem is the White House gets the president to endorse totally conventional candidates,” said a second Republican strategist who has advised populist candidates. Trump’s endorsement of Tuberville over Sessions, with whom he had a major break over the latter’s recusal from the Russia investigation while serving as attorney general, had a major impact on that race. King, who was increasingly accused of racism, was a Cruz supporter in 2016. While Trump has considered Kobach for several federal posts, he did not get involved in the Kansas primary. Kobach was also weakened by losing what many Republicans considered a winnable gubernatorial race in 2018.
But Republicans closely identified with the party’s pre-Trump brand, such as Vice President Mike Pence and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, are better positioned to succeed the president in 2024 than the Steve Bannon wing of the Trump movement. If Trump loses in November, especially if it is by a decisive margin, there will be a push to move away from his image and policies. Trump is currently trailing presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden by 7 points in the RealClearPolitics national polling average.
Republicans are hopeful that Kobach’s defeat means that Kansas will not be among the states the party has to defend in the fall as they seek to protect their 53-47 Senate majority. Democrats are currently favored in several competitive Senate races.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-06--Mike Pence calls Chief Justice John Roberts a 'disappointment to conservatives'

In an interview with the Christian Broadcasting Network to be released Thursday , Pence rebuked Roberts , a nominee of President George W. Bush , for a wide range of decisions he feels is n't reflective of conservative jurisprudence .
`` We have great respect for the institution of the Supreme Court of the United States , but Chief Justice Roberts has been a disappointment to conservatives , '' Pence said to the network 's David Brody .
`` Whether it be the Obamacare decision or whether it be a spate of recent decisions all the way through Calvary Chapel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and again , a narrow Supreme Court decision striking down a Louisiana pro-life law that only said that doctors working in abortion clinics would have to have admitting privileges at local hospitals .
That 's a very modest restriction on abortion providers , '' Pence said of the high court 's narrow ruling in June Medical Services v. Russo , which was possible in part because of Roberts 's concurring opinion with the liberal minority .
The vice president said Roberts 's behavior was a `` wake-up call '' for anti-abortion advocates , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supreme Court is on the ballot in 2020 . ''
Pence said that if President Trump is reelected , he would fill Supreme Court vacancies with conservative jurists .
In Trump 's first term , the Senate has confirmed two of the president 's Supreme Court nominees , Neil Gorsuch , who replaced the late Justice Antonin Scalia in 2017 , and Brett Kavanaugh , who succeeded Justice Anthony Kennedy in 2018 .

Vice President Mike Pence issued rare public criticism for Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts.
In an interview with the Christian Broadcasting Network to be released Thursday, Pence rebuked Roberts, a nominee of President George W. Bush, for a wide range of decisions he feels isn't reflective of conservative jurisprudence.
"We have great respect for the institution of the Supreme Court of the United States, but Chief Justice John Roberts has been a disappointment to conservatives," Pence said to the network's David Brody. "Whether it be the Obamacare decision or whether it be a spate of recent decisions all the way through Calvary Chapel."
"The recent decision, and again, a narrow Supreme Court decision striking down a Louisiana pro-life law that only said that doctors working in abortion clinics would have to have admitting privileges at local hospitals. That's a very modest restriction on abortion providers," Pence said of the high court's narrow ruling in June Medical Services v. Russo, which was possible in part because of Roberts's concurring opinion with the liberal minority.
The vice president said Roberts's behavior was a "wake-up call" for anti-abortion advocates, adding that the "destiny of the Supreme Court is on the ballot in 2020."
EXCLUSIVE: Vice President Mike Pence calls out Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts by name. He says, "Chief Justice Roberts has been a disappointment to conservatives." Watch from my interview with @VP in Florida today. Full report on @700club Thursday + clips on @CBNNews pic.twitter.com/z6IANVONr5 — David Brody (@DavidBrodyCBN) August 6, 2020
Pence said that if President Trump is reelected, he would fill Supreme Court vacancies with conservative jurists. In Trump's first term, the Senate has confirmed two of the president's Supreme Court nominees, Neil Gorsuch, who replaced the late Justice Antonin Scalia in 2017, and Brett Kavanaugh, who succeeded Justice Anthony Kennedy in 2018.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-07--Biden issues clarification: 'In no way did I mean to suggest' black Americans are 'a monolith'

Joe Biden issued a statement intended to `` clarify '' controversial comments on Latino and black Americans , but declined to apologize directly for his phrasing .
`` Earlier today , I made some comments about diversity in the African American and Latino communities that I want to clarify .
In no way did I mean to suggest the African American community is a monolith — not by identity , not on issues , not at all , '' the former vice president and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee said on Twitter on Thursday .
He was referencing his comment in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much more diversity of thought than black communities .
`` Unlike the African American community , with notable exceptions , the Latino community is an incredibly diverse community with incredibly different attitudes about different things , '' Biden said in a Tuesday interview released Thursday .
Biden continued his clarification in subsequent tweets : `` Throughout my career I 've witnessed the diversity of thought , background , and sentiment within the African American community .
It 's this diversity that makes our workplaces , communities , and country a better place .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ I will always listen , I will never stop fighting for the African American community and I will never stop fighting for a more equitable future . ''
The comment sparked a flurry of attacks on Thursday from President Trump and his surrogates .
`` Joe Biden , this morning , totally disparaged and insulted the black community .
What he said is incredible .
And I don ’ t know what ’ s going on with him , but it was a very insulting statement he made , '' Trump said on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ll figure that out .
You ’ ll see it in a little while .
But it was a great insult to the black community . ''
Biden 's lack of support among Hispanic voters was an issue for him in the Democratic primaries , and he is hoping to increase his support among the demographic in the general election .
Earlier this week , Biden released a plan aimed at empowering the Latino community in the United States .

Joe Biden issued a statement intended to "clarify" controversial comments on Latino and black Americans, but declined to apologize directly for his phrasing.
"Earlier today, I made some comments about diversity in the African American and Latino communities that I want to clarify. In no way did I mean to suggest the African American community is a monolith — not by identity, not on issues, not at all," the former vice president and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee said on Twitter on Thursday.
Earlier today, I made some comments about diversity in the African American and Latino communities that I want to clarify. In no way did I mean to suggest the African American community is a monolith—not by identity, not on issues, not at all. — Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) August 7, 2020
He was referencing his comment in which he suggested that Latino communities have much more diversity of thought than black communities. "Unlike the African American community, with notable exceptions, the Latino community is an incredibly diverse community with incredibly different attitudes about different things," Biden said in a Tuesday interview released Thursday.
Biden continued his clarification in subsequent tweets: "Throughout my career I've witnessed the diversity of thought, background, and sentiment within the African American community. It's this diversity that makes our workplaces, communities, and country a better place. My commitment to you is this: I will always listen, I will never stop fighting for the African American community and I will never stop fighting for a more equitable future."
My commitment to you is this: I will always listen, I will never stop fighting for the African American community and I will never stop fighting for a more equitable future. — Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) August 7, 2020
The comment sparked a flurry of attacks on Thursday from President Trump and his surrogates.
"Joe Biden, this morning, totally disparaged and insulted the black community. What he said is incredible. And I don’t know what’s going on with him, but it was a very insulting statement he made," Trump said on Thursday. "I guess you’ll figure that out. You’ll see it in a little while. But it was a great insult to the black community."
Biden's lack of support among Hispanic voters was an issue for him in the Democratic primaries, and he is hoping to increase his support among the demographic in the general election. Earlier this week, Biden released a plan aimed at empowering the Latino community in the United States.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-06--Facebook levels 90-day ad ban on pro-Trump super PAC

Facebook announced a ban on digital advertisements from the pro-Trump political action committee The Committee to Defend the President for sharing alleged misinformation repeatedly , which is expected to continue past Election Day .
The move comes one day after the social media giant deleted a video the president shared where he claimed children were `` almost immune '' to the coronavirus , which the company said violated its coronavirus `` misinformation '' policy .
Fox Business reported that Facebook 's ban on the committee 's ads would last 90 days .
`` As a result of the Committee to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of content determined by third-party fact-checkers to be false , they will not be permitted to advertise for a period of time on our platform , '' said Facebook spokesperson Andy Stone .
A rebuke by the group claims Facebook 's `` Trump-hating '' fact-checkers `` restrict free speech '' by failing to assess their claims accurately .
`` Facebook is determined to restrict free speech and attack those who dare to support President Trump , '' said committee Chairman Ted Harvey in a statement obtained by the Washington Examiner .
`` When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the Committee 's first ad for correctly calling out Joe Biden , we changed it .
When those same 'fact-checkers ' did n't bother to check the facts or even watch our second ad , they still banned us . ''
Harvey continued : `` The Committee will not be silenced by 'woke ' Silicon Valley elites , as we expose the real Joe Biden .
We have reallocated our entire Facebook budget to other online platforms , so Americans can see the whole truth — not just Facebook ’ s truth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's ban on Thursday asked African American voters what they had `` received in return '' for their political support of Democrats .
`` Barack Obama is right , '' reads the text accompanying the now-deleted video .
`` For the last 70 years a majority of African Americans have voted for Democrats .
What have they received in return ?
 '' Citing `` the worst jobs , '' `` the worst housing , '' and `` distrust between law enforcement and their communities , '' the ad claims a Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same. '' Earlier this year , associates of former President Barack Obama sent a cease-and-desist letter to The Committee to Defend the President calling for it to suspend an ad that used Obama 's words to suggest that Biden supports `` plantation politics . ''
One currently paused anti-Biden ad from the group said , `` Joe Biden praised a KKK member , partnered with segregationists , and wrote a bill that targeted and locked up thousands of Black Americans . ''
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said last year on an earnings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as `` arbiters of truth '' by deciding what messages to block .
However , third-party fact-checkers are employed by Facebook to review claims from political groups , including from political action committees .
An oversight board includes members with ties to liberal megadonor George Soros and Sen. Kamala Harris , a California Democrat who is believed to be one of the top candidates under consideration for the vice presidential slot on the party 's ticket .
Filings reveal The Committee to Defend the President 's substantial fundraising haul .
The group has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ date over the 2020 election cycle .
Just a fraction of its $ 10 million spent during that same period has gone to Facebook : $ 324,195 since May 2018 .
Established in 2013 as the `` Stop Hillary PAC , '' the Federal Election Commission mandated a name change for the group on the grounds it implied ties to Trump 's former Democratic opponent .
The Committee to Defend the President has almost 1 million followers on Facebook .

Facebook announced a ban on digital advertisements from the pro-Trump political action committee The Committee to Defend the President for sharing alleged misinformation repeatedly, which is expected to continue past Election Day.
The move comes one day after the social media giant deleted a video the president shared where he claimed children were "almost immune" to the coronavirus, which the company said violated its coronavirus "misinformation" policy.
Fox Business reported that Facebook's ban on the committee's ads would last 90 days.
"As a result of the Committee to Defend the President’s repeated sharing of content determined by third-party fact-checkers to be false, they will not be permitted to advertise for a period of time on our platform," said Facebook spokesperson Andy Stone.
A rebuke by the group claims Facebook's "Trump-hating" fact-checkers "restrict free speech" by failing to assess their claims accurately.
"Facebook is determined to restrict free speech and attack those who dare to support President Trump," said committee Chairman Ted Harvey in a statement obtained by the Washington Examiner. "When their liberal, Trump-hating 'fact-checkers' complained about the Committee's first ad for correctly calling out Joe Biden, we changed it. When those same 'fact-checkers' didn't bother to check the facts or even watch our second ad, they still banned us."
Harvey continued: "The Committee will not be silenced by 'woke' Silicon Valley elites, as we expose the real Joe Biden. We have reallocated our entire Facebook budget to other online platforms, so Americans can see the whole truth — not just Facebook’s truth."
The ad that prompted Facebook's ban on Thursday asked African American voters what they had "received in return" for their political support of Democrats.
"Barack Obama is right," reads the text accompanying the now-deleted video. "For the last 70 years a majority of African Americans have voted for Democrats. What have they received in return?"
Citing "the worst jobs," "the worst housing," and "distrust between law enforcement and their communities," the ad claims a Joe Biden presidency would lead to "more of the same."
Earlier this year, associates of former President Barack Obama sent a cease-and-desist letter to The Committee to Defend the President calling for it to suspend an ad that used Obama's words to suggest that Biden supports "plantation politics."
One currently paused anti-Biden ad from the group said, "Joe Biden praised a KKK member, partnered with segregationists, and wrote a bill that targeted and locked up thousands of Black Americans."
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said last year on an earnings call that his company should not act as "arbiters of truth" by deciding what messages to block.
However, third-party fact-checkers are employed by Facebook to review claims from political groups, including from political action committees. An oversight board includes members with ties to liberal megadonor George Soros and Sen. Kamala Harris, a California Democrat who is believed to be one of the top candidates under consideration for the vice presidential slot on the party's ticket.
Filings reveal The Committee to Defend the President's substantial fundraising haul. The group has raised more than $11.4 million to date over the 2020 election cycle. Just a fraction of its $10 million spent during that same period has gone to Facebook: $324,195 since May 2018.
Established in 2013 as the "Stop Hillary PAC," the Federal Election Commission mandated a name change for the group on the grounds it implied ties to Trump's former Democratic opponent.
The Committee to Defend the President has almost 1 million followers on Facebook.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-06--Senate Republicans try to excite GOP base with hearings on Portland riots and FBI investigation of T

Senate Republicans try to excite GOP base with hearings on Portland riots and FBI investigation of Trump

Less than three months out from Election Day , Senate Republicans are scheduling hearings on high-profile issues such as civil unrest , protests , and the FBI 's Russia investigation , which have the potential to juice GOP voter enthusiasm .
Senate Republicans aim to emphasize themes to the GOP base as they stave off Democrats ' efforts to win a majority in the chamber .
Senate Republicans currently hold a 53-47 edge , with several races considered toss-ups .
Republicans held a hearing on Tuesday with several witnesses who testified about anarchist violence at riots in Portland , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The hearing , hosted by a subcommittee of the Senate Judiciary Committee and chaired by Sen. Ted Cruz , a Texas Republican , had its own fireworks when the panel 's ranking member , Sen. Mazie Hirono , a Hawaii Democrat , got into a heated exchange with Cruz during the leaders ’ closing remarks .
On Wednesday , former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates testified before the full Judiciary Committee about the FBI Russia investigation into President Trump .
And Thursday Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf testified before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Committee regarding DHS officers in Portland who defended a federal courthouse from rioters .
Sen. John Cornyn , a Texas Republican , who is up for reelection on Nov. 3 , told the Washington Examiner , “ I think most of them are things that are important business for the Senate to do and we realize that the window is closing , for the opportunity to have those kinds of hearings.
” He added , “ I think there 's a realization that if the Senate were to flip , there would n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this misconduct and hold people accountable , so I think that has a lot to do with it.
” Republicans have more seats to defend than Democrats this election cycle , and the GOP is circling the wagons in certain states , such as Maine and Colorado , to protect their most vulnerable colleagues ’ seats .
They 're also seeking out opportunities in states where Democratic senators face reelection , such as Michigan and Alabama , for pickups , to offset losses elsewhere .
“ I would bet on our chances @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we 're playing defense primarily because of the map , but also because of just the environment we 're in .
We 're all taking these races seriously , including mine in Texas , ” Cornyn said .

Less than three months out from Election Day, Senate Republicans are scheduling hearings on high-profile issues such as civil unrest, protests, and the FBI's Russia investigation, which have the potential to juice GOP voter enthusiasm.
Senate Republicans aim to emphasize themes to the GOP base as they stave off Democrats' efforts to win a majority in the chamber. Senate Republicans currently hold a 53-47 edge, with several races considered toss-ups.
Republicans held a hearing on Tuesday with several witnesses who testified about anarchist violence at riots in Portland, which have erupted in cities nationwide beyond Oregon.
The hearing, hosted by a subcommittee of the Senate Judiciary Committee and chaired by Sen. Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican, had its own fireworks when the panel's ranking member, Sen. Mazie Hirono, a Hawaii Democrat, got into a heated exchange with Cruz during the leaders’ closing remarks.
On Wednesday, former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates testified before the full Judiciary Committee about the FBI Russia investigation into President Trump. And Thursday Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf testified before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee regarding DHS officers in Portland who defended a federal courthouse from rioters.
Sen. John Cornyn, a Texas Republican, who is up for reelection on Nov. 3, told the Washington Examiner, “I think most of them are things that are important business for the Senate to do and we realize that the window is closing, for the opportunity to have those kinds of hearings.”
He added, “I think there's a realization that if the Senate were to flip, there wouldn't be an opportunity to expose a lot of this misconduct and hold people accountable, so I think that has a lot to do with it.”
Republicans have more seats to defend than Democrats this election cycle, and the GOP is circling the wagons in certain states, such as Maine and Colorado, to protect their most vulnerable colleagues’ seats. They're also seeking out opportunities in states where Democratic senators face reelection, such as Michigan and Alabama, for pickups, to offset losses elsewhere.
“I would bet on our chances of retaining the majority but I think we're playing defense primarily because of the map, but also because of just the environment we're in. We're all taking these races seriously, including mine in Texas,” Cornyn said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-06--Lindsey Graham tied with Democratic opponent in South Carolina Senate reelection fight: Poll

Sen. Lindsey Graham , a South Carolina Republican , is tied in his reelection bid against Democratic challenger Jaime Harrison , a poll shows .
The Quinnipiac survey , released Thursday , found Graham , a major Republican ally of President Trump on Capitol Hill , is currently tied with his Harrison , who previously served as the chairman of the state 's Democratic Party , at 44 % each .
About 8 % are undecided , a potentially crucial bloc in a state where Democratic candidates in statewide raises usually have trouble rising above 47 % of the vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advocate for national defense and a leader of his party for 17 years — but has Lindsey Graham 's allegiance to the president put him in jeopardy ? ''
wrote Quinnipiac voter and polling analyst Tim Malloy .
`` The numbers suggest his tenure on the Hill is in trouble . ''
Despite that analysis from Malloy , Trump enjoys a healthy lead over Democratic rival Joe Biden with voters in the state , with 47 % saying they plan on voting for him in November compared to 42 % saying the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carried the state in 2016 with 54 % of the vote , with Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton earning just under 41 % .
Meanwhile , the Quinnipiac poll found that in Kentucky , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has a healthy but not overwhelming lead in his bid for another six-year term in the seat he first won in 1984 .
Although his favorability rating is underwater at 43 % , just under 50 % are prepared to vote for him in November .
His Democratic challenger Amy McGrath earns 44 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Democratic activists have long set their eyes on unseating McConnell , pouring millions of dollars into McGrath 's campaign coffers , who raised more than $ 41 million over the last year .
McGrath , who labels herself as a centrist Democrat , narrowly won her primary in June against liberal Charles Booker .
Toward the end of that race , Booker surged among voters , seizing on McGrath 's promises of compromising with Republicans her opposition to left-wing causes such as `` Medicare for all . ''
`` Can a former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ win a dogfight with a seasoned political powerhouse who has gone to war D.C. style for decades ?
She 's giving him a run for his money , '' said Malloy .

Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican, is tied in his reelection bid against Democratic challenger Jaime Harrison, a poll shows.
The Quinnipiac survey, released Thursday, found Graham, a major Republican ally of President Trump on Capitol Hill, is currently tied with his Harrison, who previously served as the chairman of the state's Democratic Party, at 44% each. About 8% are undecided, a potentially crucial bloc in a state where Democratic candidates in statewide raises usually have trouble rising above 47% of the vote.
"He has been a firebrand advocate for national defense and a leader of his party for 17 years — but has Lindsey Graham's allegiance to the president put him in jeopardy?" wrote Quinnipiac voter and polling analyst Tim Malloy. "The numbers suggest his tenure on the Hill is in trouble."
Despite that analysis from Malloy, Trump enjoys a healthy lead over Democratic rival Joe Biden with voters in the state, with 47% saying they plan on voting for him in November compared to 42% saying the same for the former vice president. Trump carried the state in 2016 with 54% of the vote, with Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton earning just under 41%.
Meanwhile, the Quinnipiac poll found that in Kentucky, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has a healthy but not overwhelming lead in his bid for another six-year term in the seat he first won in 1984. Although his favorability rating is underwater at 43%, just under 50% are prepared to vote for him in November. His Democratic challenger Amy McGrath earns 44% of the vote. Five percent remain undecided.
Democratic activists have long set their eyes on unseating McConnell, pouring millions of dollars into McGrath's campaign coffers, who raised more than $41 million over the last year. McGrath, who labels herself as a centrist Democrat, narrowly won her primary in June against liberal Charles Booker. Toward the end of that race, Booker surged among voters, seizing on McGrath's promises of compromising with Republicans her opposition to left-wing causes such as "Medicare for all."
"Can a former Marine fighter pilot with 89 combat missions win a dogfight with a seasoned political powerhouse who has gone to war D.C. style for decades? She's giving him a run for his money," said Malloy.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-06--Trump: Biden will take away your guns 'immediately and without notice'

President Trump says Joe Biden is ready to take the public 's guns away .
`` Just like Radical Left New York is trying to destroy the NRA , if Biden becomes President your GREAT SECOND AMENDMENT doesn ’ t have a chance , '' Trump tweeted on Thursday .
`` Your guns will be taken away , immediately and without notice .
No police , no guns ! ''
Earlier in the day , New York Attorney General Letitia James announced she was pursuing a lawsuit against the National Rifle Association aimed at dissolving it for alleged `` fraud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the NRA should move to Texas and lead a very good and beautiful life , '' Trump told reporters outside the White House after the announcement .
`` They 've been absolutely decimated by the cost of that lawsuit , and it 's very sad , but I would suggest that that 's what they do . ''
Trump said he hopes to position himself as a strong backer of the Second Amendment .
President Barack Obama and then-Vice President Joe Biden had a difficult time passing gun control legislation when they were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden has expressed his intentions to ban the sale and manufacture of `` assault weapons . ''

President Trump says Joe Biden is ready to take the public's guns away.
"Just like Radical Left New York is trying to destroy the NRA, if Biden becomes President your GREAT SECOND AMENDMENT doesn’t have a chance," Trump tweeted on Thursday. "Your guns will be taken away, immediately and without notice. No police, no guns!"
Just like Radical Left New York is trying to destroy the NRA, if Biden becomes President your GREAT SECOND AMENDMENT doesn’t have a chance. Your guns will be taken away, immediately and without notice. No police, no guns! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 6, 2020
Earlier in the day, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced she was pursuing a lawsuit against the National Rifle Association aimed at dissolving it for alleged "fraud and abuse."
"I think the NRA should move to Texas and lead a very good and beautiful life," Trump told reporters outside the White House after the announcement. "They've been absolutely decimated by the cost of that lawsuit, and it's very sad, but I would suggest that that's what they do."
Trump said he hopes to position himself as a strong backer of the Second Amendment. President Barack Obama and then-Vice President Joe Biden had a difficult time passing gun control legislation when they were in office. If elected president, Biden has expressed his intentions to ban the sale and manufacture of "assault weapons."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-06--If Biden or Trump catches the coronavirus, their parties can replace them

It 's worth asking : What would happen if health problems caused one or both major-party presidential nominees to withdraw from the November ballot after each party ’ s national convention has concluded ?
With two presumptive nominees well into their 70s , and with a pandemic raging , the question is very reasonable .
One need not cast aspersions on the mental capacities of either candidate to suggest that both parties should prepare for such a situation , just in case such an unfortunate eventuality arises .
The identity of the replacement candidates would be a tricky question for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's quite easy to find , clearly spelled out in the rules of each party , the method for filling vacancies on the national tickets .
In both cases , national committee members would not be bound by primary , caucus , or convention results .
If a vacancy occurs , the committee members can make whatever choice they think is best for their parties ’ beliefs and political fortunes .
Each of the two major parties has ballot access for the presidential election in all 50 states .
And the ballot line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individual candidate .
As long as the party meets each state ’ s deadline for filling the ballot line , the party , acting through its national committee , can decide what name to put on it .
Barring some crisis , the rules for both parties make the choice of the national party conventions paramount .
Neither party committee can easily force a replacement for the nominee chosen by the conventions — but both committees can fill a spot that becomes empty through withdrawal or death .
And the rules of each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including a provision for a meeting to be called to handle such a vacancy .
For Republicans , each state ( plus each of several territories ) has exactly three members on the committee : one state head , plus one national committeeman and one national committeewoman .
That ’ s the easy part .
The hard part is that while the committee ordinarily operates by majority rule , it does not do so when choosing a national replacement candidate .
Instead , each state ’ s three-member team controls the same number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the national convention that year — numbers which are themselves determined through a complicated formula .
If the three committee members from each state do not agree on a replacement choice , each one individually controls one-third of the state ’ s weighted vote .
A majority of the votes , allocated in this manner , rules .
The Democratic National Committee is far larger than the RNC , and its membership is determined by a complicated , even convoluted , series of formulas .
Still , once called into a special @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , each of those committee members controls one and only one vote .
A simple majority vote is required for a new nominee to emerge .
So , there .
If the necessity arises , the means are there for replacing a nominee who dies or withdraws voluntarily .
But if you 're like me and you just feel disenchanted with both President Trump and Joe Biden , and you wish the committees could force a replacement for either or both expected nominees , that ’ s no more than a pipe dream @

It's worth asking: What would happen if health problems caused one or both major-party presidential nominees to withdraw from the November ballot after each party’s national convention has concluded?
With two presumptive nominees well into their 70s, and with a pandemic raging, the question is very reasonable. One need not cast aspersions on the mental capacities of either candidate to suggest that both parties should prepare for such a situation, just in case such an unfortunate eventuality arises.
The identity of the replacement candidates would be a tricky question for either party. But fortunately, it's quite easy to find, clearly spelled out in the rules of each party, the method for filling vacancies on the national tickets.
In both cases, national committee members would not be bound by primary, caucus, or convention results. If a vacancy occurs, the committee members can make whatever choice they think is best for their parties’ beliefs and political fortunes.
Each of the two major parties has ballot access for the presidential election in all 50 states. And the ballot line belongs to the party — not the individual candidate. As long as the party meets each state’s deadline for filling the ballot line, the party, acting through its national committee, can decide what name to put on it.
Barring some crisis, the rules for both parties make the choice of the national party conventions paramount. Neither party committee can easily force a replacement for the nominee chosen by the conventions — but both committees can fill a spot that becomes empty through withdrawal or death. And the rules of each quite specifically provide for such circumstances, including a provision for a meeting to be called to handle such a vacancy.
For Republicans, each state (plus each of several territories) has exactly three members on the committee: one state head, plus one national committeeman and one national committeewoman. That’s the easy part. The hard part is that while the committee ordinarily operates by majority rule, it does not do so when choosing a national replacement candidate. Instead, each state’s three-member team controls the same number of votes as the state had delegates at the national convention that year — numbers which are themselves determined through a complicated formula. If the three committee members from each state do not agree on a replacement choice, each one individually controls one-third of the state’s weighted vote. A majority of the votes, allocated in this manner, rules.
The Democratic National Committee is far larger than the RNC, and its membership is determined by a complicated, even convoluted, series of formulas. Still, once called into a special meeting to consider a national ticket vacancy, each of those committee members controls one and only one vote. A simple majority vote is required for a new nominee to emerge.
So, there. If the necessity arises, the means are there for replacing a nominee who dies or withdraws voluntarily.
But if you're like me and you just feel disenchanted with both President Trump and Joe Biden, and you wish the committees could force a replacement for either or both expected nominees, that’s no more than a pipe dream.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-06--Biden: Latinos have 'incredibly different' attitudes, unlike black Americans

Joe Biden stated that Latinos in the United States have much more diversity of thought than black people do .
“ Unlike the African American community , with notable exceptions , the Latino community is an incredibly diverse community with incredibly different attitudes about different things , '' Biden said in the interview recorded Tuesday and released Thursday .
`` You go to Florida you find a very different attitude about immigration in certain places than you do when you 're in Arizona . ''
The former vice president and Democratic presidential candidate is correct that polls find far more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political attitudes than among black Americans .
For example , a Quinnipiac national poll conducted last month found that 77 % of black voters said that they support Biden compared to 7 % for Trump , while only 45 % of Hispanic voters said that they support Biden compared the 35 % for Trump .
Biden 's lack of support among Hispanic voters was an issue for him in the Democratic primaries , and he is hoping to increase his support among this voting bloc in the general election .
Earlier this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for empowering the Latino community in the U.S .
The Tuesday interview was conducted to be aired at Thursday 's convention of the National Association of Black Journalists and National Association of Hispanic Journalists .

Joe Biden stated that Latinos in the United States have much more diversity of thought than black people do.
“Unlike the African American community, with notable exceptions, the Latino community is an incredibly diverse community with incredibly different attitudes about different things," Biden said in the interview recorded Tuesday and released Thursday. "You go to Florida you find a very different attitude about immigration in certain places than you do when you're in Arizona."
The former vice president and Democratic presidential candidate is correct that polls find far more variance among Hispanic and Latino Americans' political attitudes than among black Americans.
For example, a Quinnipiac national poll conducted last month found that 77% of black voters said that they support Biden compared to 7% for Trump, while only 45% of Hispanic voters said that they support Biden compared the 35% for Trump.
Biden's lack of support among Hispanic voters was an issue for him in the Democratic primaries, and he is hoping to increase his support among this voting bloc in the general election. Earlier this week, Biden released a plan this week for empowering the Latino community in the U.S.
The Tuesday interview was conducted to be aired at Thursday's convention of the National Association of Black Journalists and National Association of Hispanic Journalists.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-07--Bass crash leaves two top Biden VP picks and several sleepers

As Joe Biden ’ s running mate search comes to a close , the many rumored contenders have had a flash of attention before fading into the background .
California Rep. Karen Bass , chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus , is the latest contender who rose in running mate buzz , reportedly with lobbying of Biden ’ s selection committee from high-profile Democrats such as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi .
But a slew of unflattering stories about Bass ’ s political past has sharply damaged her stock as a vice presidential choice .
She recently from positive comments that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Castro and took heat for previously .
In the latest eyebrow-raising story , Politico that Bass eulogized a Communist Party USA leader .
The former vice president and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee had previously said that he expected to announce his pick around Aug. 1 , or the first week of the month .
The campaign later pushed back the expected announcement to the second week of August , which could allow for the news cycle to stay focused on his pickup through the start of the now nearly entirely virtual Democratic National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conducted personal interviews with the top contenders this week .
Tidbits of conversations with various outlets suggest that he is most concerned with finding a running mate who will be a loyal and steadfast partner to him in the White House and unquestionably has the capacity to be commander in chief herself .
Less of a priority is choosing someone who could energize voters in particular swing states or demographics .
With only days left until an expected Biden announcement , two potential picks are at the top of the buzz : California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adviser Susan Rice .
Either black woman would bring not only gender diversity but racial diversity to the ticket , a top concern for Democrats in light of nationwide Black Lives Matter protests about policing and race relations that erupted after the police-involved death of George Floyd in Minneapolis , Minnesota .
Harris has been the for months , even dating back to when she was still seeking the presidency herself .
Some advisers and donors close to Biden have been , worrying that her sharp debate attack on Biden last year suggests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that she would spend more time trying to become president herself than on the job of vice president .
Biden and his campaign have countersignaled against what some call sexist criticisms .
“ I don ’ t hold grudges .
I ’ ve made it very clear that I don ’ t hold grudges .
I think it was a debate , it ’ s as simple as that , ” Biden said in a Tuesday interview .
“ She ’ s very much in contention.
” Rice brings Biden a level of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ served in the Obama administration , while at the same time having more foreign policy expertise than the rest of the rumored contenders .
But her robust experience comes with controversies that could damage the Democratic ticket and fuel Republican attacks .
Those include her role in the Benghazi scandal — in which she falsely characterized the attack on national television — and her connection to what President Trump calls the “ Obamagate ” controversy , referencing alleged Obama administration attempts to harm the incoming president that Trump says were politically motivated .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ sleeper candidates left in the mix who would be a surprise ultimate pick for Biden , whose thinking may not align with the anonymous sources willing to reveal internal deliberations to the press or those speaking to the press in order to advocate for a preferred candidate .
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren would theoretically help Biden bridge ideological divides and energize supporters of her and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders .
And it ’ s not clear that Biden would need Warren to energize far-left voters .
He has to craft policy positions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ or generational diversity to the ticket .
Trump ’ s campaign would undoubtedly mount unrelenting attacks on her past identification as a Native American and her DNA test that showed she had a Native American ancestor six to 10 generations back .
Two other possibilities from the Senate are Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth and Wisconsin Sen. Tammy Baldwin , each of whom would bring an additional level of historic diversity to the vice presidency .
Duckworth is a double amputee Iraq War veteran of Thai descent , and Baldwin would be the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level of the presidency .
New Mexico Gov .
Michelle Lujan Grisham sparked interest not only because of the strict policies she put in place to slow the spread of the coronavirus , but she is the only Latina woman on Biden ’ s shortlist .
That has the potential to energize Hispanic and Latino voters , a demographic that Biden struggles with .
There are some signs that Lujan Grisham is out of the running .
She has reportedly expressed interest in being rather than vice president .
Being a governor also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of abandoning the state during a crisis , a factor that Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer would also have to deal with .
Whitmer is a newcomer to the national stage closely watched by political observers as a potential future Democratic Party leader , but she has no federal experience , which puts her at a disadvantage .
Two other black women rose up Biden ’ s potential running mate list as Black Lives Matter protests swept the nation : Florida Rep. Val Demings , who was the first black woman to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , whose handling of the riots and protests in her city bumped her national profile .
The concern for each of them , though , is that the experience of being a mayor or representative is not substantial enough to instill confidence in the ability to be president in the case that Biden was unable to do so .

As Joe Biden’s running mate search comes to a close, the many rumored contenders have had a flash of attention before fading into the background.
California Rep. Karen Bass, chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, is the latest contender who rose in running mate buzz, reportedly with lobbying of Biden’s selection committee from high-profile Democrats such as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
But a slew of unflattering stories about Bass’s political past has sharply damaged her stock as a vice presidential choice. She recently distanced herself from positive comments that she made about Cuba’s Fidel Castro and took heat for previously addressing the Church of Scientology . In the latest eyebrow-raising story, Politico reported that Bass eulogized a Communist Party USA leader.
The former vice president and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee had previously said that he expected to announce his pick around Aug. 1, or the first week of the month. The campaign later pushed back the expected announcement to the second week of August , which could allow for the news cycle to stay focused on his pickup through the start of the now nearly entirely virtual Democratic National Convention on Aug. 17.
Biden reportedly conducted personal interviews with the top contenders this week. Tidbits of conversations with various outlets suggest that he is most concerned with finding a running mate who will be a loyal and steadfast partner to him in the White House and unquestionably has the capacity to be commander in chief herself. Less of a priority is choosing someone who could energize voters in particular swing states or demographics.
With only days left until an expected Biden announcement, two potential picks are at the top of the buzz: California Sen. Kamala Harris and former national security adviser Susan Rice.
Either black woman would bring not only gender diversity but racial diversity to the ticket, a top concern for Democrats in light of nationwide Black Lives Matter protests about policing and race relations that erupted after the police-involved death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Harris has been the favorite potential running mate among voters and observers for months, even dating back to when she was still seeking the presidency herself.
Some advisers and donors close to Biden have been lobbying against her , worrying that her sharp debate attack on Biden last year suggests that she is not loyal and suggesting that she would spend more time trying to become president herself than on the job of vice president.
Biden and his campaign have countersignaled against what some call sexist criticisms.
“I don’t hold grudges. I’ve made it very clear that I don’t hold grudges. I think it was a debate, it’s as simple as that,” Biden said in a Tuesday interview. “She’s very much in contention.”
Rice brings Biden a level of comfort and loyalty, since they both served in the Obama administration, while at the same time having more foreign policy expertise than the rest of the rumored contenders.
But her robust experience comes with controversies that could damage the Democratic ticket and fuel Republican attacks. Those include her role in the Benghazi scandal — in which she falsely characterized the attack on national television — and her connection to what President Trump calls the “Obamagate” controversy, referencing alleged Obama administration attempts to harm the incoming president that Trump says were politically motivated.
Still, there are a number of sleeper candidates left in the mix who would be a surprise ultimate pick for Biden, whose thinking may not align with the anonymous sources willing to reveal internal deliberations to the press or those speaking to the press in order to advocate for a preferred candidate.
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren would theoretically help Biden bridge ideological divides and energize supporters of her and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders . And it’s not clear that Biden would need Warren to energize far-left voters. He has worked with allies of Sanders to craft policy positions.
At 71, Warren brings no racial or generational diversity to the ticket. Trump’s campaign would undoubtedly mount unrelenting attacks on her past identification as a Native American and her DNA test that showed she had a Native American ancestor six to 10 generations back.
Two other possibilities from the Senate are Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth and Wisconsin Sen. Tammy Baldwin, each of whom would bring an additional level of historic diversity to the vice presidency.
Duckworth is a double amputee Iraq War veteran of Thai descent, and Baldwin would be the first openly gay person to assume the highest level of the presidency.
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham sparked interest not only because of the strict policies she put in place to slow the spread of the coronavirus, but she is the only Latina woman on Biden’s shortlist . That has the potential to energize Hispanic and Latino voters, a demographic that Biden struggles with.
There are some signs that Lujan Grisham is out of the running. She has reportedly expressed interest in being secretary of Health and Human Services rather than vice president.
Being a governor also comes with the risk of being accused of abandoning the state during a crisis, a factor that Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer would also have to deal with.
Whitmer is a newcomer to the national stage closely watched by political observers as a potential future Democratic Party leader, but she has no federal experience, which puts her at a disadvantage.
Two other black women rose up Biden’s potential running mate list as Black Lives Matter protests swept the nation: Florida Rep. Val Demings, who was the first black woman to be Orlando’s chief of police , and Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, whose handling of the riots and protests in her city bumped her national profile.
The concern for each of them, though, is that the experience of being a mayor or representative is not substantial enough to instill confidence in the ability to be president in the case that Biden was unable to do so.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-07--Republicans hopeful Trump-Biden race beginning to tighten

President Trump still faces an uphill battle for reelection , but there are some signs that the race against Democratic challenger Joe Biden could be about to get more competitive .
“ The race from my perspective as a pollster is that it is tightening , ” said Republican strategist Jon Gilmore .
“ Most of the swing state polling shows margin-of-error leads for Biden .
President Trump has got to be disciplined for these final months to appeal to the key swing state voters and the ever-important independents.
” Biden ’ s lead in the RealClearPolitics national polling average @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not long ago been above 8 .
In the top battleground states , Biden ’ s edge over Trump is 4.7 points .
A Hill/HarrisX poll shows the presumptive Democratic nominee ahead by just 3 points , a margin consistent with Rasmussen .
An Emerson College poll has Biden up by 4 .
Trump ’ s numbers took a severe hit over the spring and summer as the coronavirus , a pandemic-related economic contraction , and the civil unrest following the death of George Floyd diminished public confidence in his leadership .
With @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be the centerpiece of Trump ’ s reelection campaign superseded by events , Biden assumed a low profile and jumped out to a growing lead in the embattled president ’ s shadow .
In a single month in Gallup , Trump ’ s approval rating fell 10 points from a near high of 49 % to just 39 % .
Biden began to break 50 % in some national polls , most recently hitting 55 % in a Harvard/Harris survey .
In a mid-July Fox News poll , respondents gave Trump low @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compassion , intelligence , judgment , and mental soundness .
Democrats began whispering about a possible Biden landslide .
Since then , Trump has worked to reassure the public about his coronavirus management and to drive up Biden ’ s negatives .
He said Thursday that the former two-term vice president would “ hurt God ” if elected .
Trump also said Biden “ totally disparaged and insulted the black community ” with comments suggesting there was more diversity of opinion among Latinos .
The results have been mixed on both counts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clawing his way back into the race .
But not all polls tell the same story .
Economist/YouGov still has Biden leading by 9 points , with Trump winning just 40 % of the vote .
This raises the question of whether Trump is really gaining or if we are seeing variances between pollsters .
“ Bit from column A and a bit from column B .
The tightening is n't in the same major media polls that were showing 9-10 point leads .
The August versions of those polls should all be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Republican pollster Chris Wilson .
“ So it looks like the absolute worst is behind Trump , and right now , it 's probably more of a 7-8 point race than a 9-10.
” Aside from Biden ’ s margin , there is Trump ’ s share of the national vote .
Rasmussen , Harvard/Harris , and Emerson all have the president in the mid-40s , which is in striking distance of where he needs to be in November .
But the Hill , IBD/TIPP , Economist/YouGov , and CNBC/Change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show Trump in the low 40s , down from the 46 % he ultimately won in 2016 — a much tougher slog .
Most importantly , Trump needs to make up ground in the battleground states that supplied his Electoral College majority .
In addition to discouraging numbers coming out of Pennsylvania , Michigan , and Wisconsin , Trump is down in Florida and playing defense in Ohio , Texas , and Iowa .
While some of these state-level public polls were among the least accurate in the last presidential election , team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chances .
The Trump campaign has redirected its resources to the early-voting states , where they are up on the air with ads pounding Biden as a stooge of the radical left .
The president ’ s supporters are also eagerly awaiting the announcement of Biden ’ s running mate , viewing it as an opportunity to increase scrutiny of the Democratic ticket and further close the gap .
“ As we get closer to November , this race is going to keep tightening and likely be very close , ” said Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really matter is if Americans feel that the economic recovery has true momentum and that there will be a solution to the coronavirus .
At the same time , this is the time for the Trump campaign to define Biden , who has banked on making this a referendum of the past year .
”

President Trump still faces an uphill battle for reelection, but there are some signs that the race against Democratic challenger Joe Biden could be about to get more competitive.
“The race from my perspective as a pollster is that it is tightening,” said Republican strategist Jon Gilmore. “Most of the swing state polling shows margin-of-error leads for Biden. President Trump has got to be disciplined for these final months to appeal to the key swing state voters and the ever-important independents.”
Biden’s lead in the RealClearPolitics national polling average is down to 6.4 points, having not long ago been above 8. In the top battleground states, Biden’s edge over Trump is 4.7 points. A Hill/HarrisX poll shows the presumptive Democratic nominee ahead by just 3 points, a margin consistent with Rasmussen. An Emerson College poll has Biden up by 4.
Trump’s numbers took a severe hit over the spring and summer as the coronavirus, a pandemic-related economic contraction, and the civil unrest following the death of George Floyd diminished public confidence in his leadership. With the peace and prosperity message that was to be the centerpiece of Trump’s reelection campaign superseded by events, Biden assumed a low profile and jumped out to a growing lead in the embattled president’s shadow.
In a single month in Gallup, Trump’s approval rating fell 10 points from a near high of 49% to just 39%. Biden began to break 50% in some national polls, most recently hitting 55% in a Harvard/Harris survey. In a mid-July Fox News poll, respondents gave Trump low marks on such important presidential traits as compassion, intelligence, judgment, and mental soundness. Democrats began whispering about a possible Biden landslide.
Since then, Trump has worked to reassure the public about his coronavirus management and to drive up Biden’s negatives. He said Thursday that the former two-term vice president would “hurt God” if elected. Trump also said Biden “totally disparaged and insulted the black community” with comments suggesting there was more diversity of opinion among Latinos. The results have been mixed on both counts, but there are indications Trump might be clawing his way back into the race.
But not all polls tell the same story. Economist/YouGov still has Biden leading by 9 points, with Trump winning just 40% of the vote. This raises the question of whether Trump is really gaining or if we are seeing variances between pollsters.
“Bit from column A and a bit from column B. The tightening isn't in the same major media polls that were showing 9-10 point leads. The August versions of those polls should all be coming out over the next few weeks,” said Republican pollster Chris Wilson. “So it looks like the absolute worst is behind Trump, and right now, it's probably more of a 7-8 point race than a 9-10.”
Aside from Biden’s margin, there is Trump’s share of the national vote. Rasmussen, Harvard/Harris, and Emerson all have the president in the mid-40s, which is in striking distance of where he needs to be in November. But the Hill, IBD/TIPP, Economist/YouGov, and CNBC/Change Research are among the recent polls that show Trump in the low 40s, down from the 46% he ultimately won in 2016 — a much tougher slog.
Most importantly, Trump needs to make up ground in the battleground states that supplied his Electoral College majority. In addition to discouraging numbers coming out of Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, Trump is down in Florida and playing defense in Ohio, Texas, and Iowa. While some of these state-level public polls were among the least accurate in the last presidential election, team Trump can’t afford to take chances.
The Trump campaign has redirected its resources to the early-voting states, where they are up on the air with ads pounding Biden as a stooge of the radical left. The president’s supporters are also eagerly awaiting the announcement of Biden’s running mate, viewing it as an opportunity to increase scrutiny of the Democratic ticket and further close the gap.
“As we get closer to November, this race is going to keep tightening and likely be very close,” said Republican strategist Ron Bonjean. “What will really matter is if Americans feel that the economic recovery has true momentum and that there will be a solution to the coronavirus. At the same time, this is the time for the Trump campaign to define Biden, who has banked on making this a referendum of the past year.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-07--Trump eyes executive action in battle against coronavirus

President Trump is working to wrest back control from the opponent that is currently beating him in the 2020 presidential race .
It 's not presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden , though he will be the primary beneficiary if Trump is unable to right the ship by Election Day — it 's the coronavirus and its economic fallout .
“ Trump is getting the usual advantage of incumbency and impact of the presidential pulpit , ” said Democratic strategist Jessica Tarlov .
“ Trump poses a unique threat to Americans ' health and well-being , and I believe that 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” That ’ s going to be a big part of the Democrats ’ general election message , and changing this narrative won ’ t be easy .
Congress ’ s impasse over the next round of coronavirus economic relief spending seemed unbreakable , and the post-lockdown jobs gains have slowed as some states pause their reopenings .
School districts and many teachers are balking at resuming in-person classroom instruction this fall .
So Trump is trying to take matters into his own hands , seeing what can be done through executive power @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Ohio , I ’ ve notified my staff to continue working on an Executive Order with respect to Payroll Tax Cut , Eviction Protections , Unemployment Extensions , and Student Loan Repayment Options , ” Trump tweeted on Thursday while en route to signing a “ Buy American ” executive order requiring the federal government to purchase U.S.-made “ essential ” medicines .
With the Democrats in the majority in the House of Representatives and a split among Senate Republicans over federal spending and deficits , Trump ’ s only course of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ predecessor called the “ pen and a phone ” — despite his party ’ s historical misgivings about the excessive use of executive orders , especially when they cut into what are constitutionally seen as legislative functions .
When it comes to stimulating the economy , keeping federal aid flowing , and cajoling public schools into reopening , the question is how much Trump can legally do with the limited tools at his disposal .
For example , Trump has talked about promoting school choice as an alternative if classes don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the country .
“ If schools do not reopen , the funding should go to parents to send their child to public , private , charter , religious , or home school of their choice .
The key word being ‘ choice , ’ ” he told reporters at a White House briefing .
“ If the school is closed , the money should follow the student , so the parents and families are in control of their own decisions .
So we ’ d like the money to go to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they can make the decision that 's best for them.
” The idea has a lot of conservative support .
“ In general , existing federal funding would better serve students if families could take those funds to learning options of choice , ” said Lindsey Burke , director of the Center for Education Policy at the Heritage Foundation .
“ So many of the issues facing education right now emanating from the coronavirus have been compounded by the fact that K-12 funding is provided to schools rather than students.
” But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happen is limited .
“ Basically , I think the only mechanism that would explicitly trigger money following children if their public schools do not open for in-person instruction would be something included in the next relief package , ” said Neal McCluskey , director of the Center for Educational Freedom at the libertarian Cato Institute .
As phased reopening began in the spring , Trump tried mightily to turn the page on the pandemic .
The base approved , but much of the public , including the crucial senior citizen vote , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toward Biden , remained frightened .
Then , there was a resurgence of the virus , this time in must-win Sun Belt states that largely voted for Trump four years ago .
A course correction was required .
The near-daily coronavirus briefings returned , with Trump front and center without Vice President Mike Pence or top medical advisers such as Anthony Fauci and Deborah Birx .
The live portion of the Republican National Convention scheduled in Jacksonville was canceled , with Trump specifically citing the number of coronavirus cases in Florida .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mask somewhat more frequently , a habit he and other White House officials described as “ patriotic.
” Still , Trump can ’ t beat this “ silent enemy ” with improved symbolism alone .
Executive orders on the payroll tax and jobless benefits could be the beginning of the decisive phase of his first term — and go a long way toward determining whether there is a second .

President Trump is working to wrest back control from the opponent that is currently beating him in the 2020 presidential race. It's not presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden, though he will be the primary beneficiary if Trump is unable to right the ship by Election Day — it's the coronavirus and its economic fallout.
“Trump is getting the usual advantage of incumbency and impact of the presidential pulpit,” said Democratic strategist Jessica Tarlov. “Trump poses a unique threat to Americans' health and well-being, and I believe that's what has stripped away that inherent advantage.”
That’s going to be a big part of the Democrats’ general election message, and changing this narrative won’t be easy. Congress’s impasse over the next round of coronavirus economic relief spending seemed unbreakable, and the post-lockdown jobs gains have slowed as some states pause their reopenings. School districts and many teachers are balking at resuming in-person classroom instruction this fall. So Trump is trying to take matters into his own hands, seeing what can be done through executive power.
“Upon departing the Oval Office for Ohio, I’ve notified my staff to continue working on an Executive Order with respect to Payroll Tax Cut, Eviction Protections, Unemployment Extensions, and Student Loan Repayment Options,” Trump tweeted on Thursday while en route to signing a “Buy American” executive order requiring the federal government to purchase U.S.-made “essential” medicines.
With the Democrats in the majority in the House of Representatives and a split among Senate Republicans over federal spending and deficits, Trump’s only course of action might be to wield what his predecessor called the “pen and a phone” — despite his party’s historical misgivings about the excessive use of executive orders, especially when they cut into what are constitutionally seen as legislative functions. When it comes to stimulating the economy, keeping federal aid flowing, and cajoling public schools into reopening, the question is how much Trump can legally do with the limited tools at his disposal.
For example, Trump has talked about promoting school choice as an alternative if classes don’t begin on schedule in public school districts across the country. “If schools do not reopen, the funding should go to parents to send their child to public, private, charter, religious, or home school of their choice. The key word being ‘choice,’” he told reporters at a White House briefing. “If the school is closed, the money should follow the student, so the parents and families are in control of their own decisions. So we’d like the money to go to the parents of the student. This way, they can make the decision that's best for them.”
The idea has a lot of conservative support. “In general, existing federal funding would better serve students if families could take those funds to learning options of choice,” said Lindsey Burke, director of the Center for Education Policy at the Heritage Foundation. “So many of the issues facing education right now emanating from the coronavirus have been compounded by the fact that K-12 funding is provided to schools rather than students.”
But Trump’s ability to make it happen is limited. “Basically, I think the only mechanism that would explicitly trigger money following children if their public schools do not open for in-person instruction would be something included in the next relief package,” said Neal McCluskey, director of the Center for Educational Freedom at the libertarian Cato Institute.
As phased reopening began in the spring, Trump tried mightily to turn the page on the pandemic. The base approved, but much of the public, including the crucial senior citizen vote, which has in many polls tilted sharply toward Biden, remained frightened. Then, there was a resurgence of the virus, this time in must-win Sun Belt states that largely voted for Trump four years ago.
A course correction was required. The near-daily coronavirus briefings returned, with Trump front and center without Vice President Mike Pence or top medical advisers such as Anthony Fauci and Deborah Birx. The live portion of the Republican National Convention scheduled in Jacksonville was canceled, with Trump specifically citing the number of coronavirus cases in Florida. The president went out in public wearing a mask somewhat more frequently, a habit he and other White House officials described as “patriotic.”
Still, Trump can’t beat this “silent enemy” with improved symbolism alone. Executive orders on the payroll tax and jobless benefits could be the beginning of the decisive phase of his first term — and go a long way toward determining whether there is a second.


Party music

Dozens of musicians have signed a letter calling for politicians to get approval before using their songs for campaign events .
The list of artists includes some of the top names in music , including Mick Jagger , Keith Richards , Steven Tyler , Sia , R.E.M.
, Lorde , Blondie , Elvis Costello , Sheryl Crow , Lionel Richie , Pearl Jam , and Green Day .
Should these artists get their way , campaigns would have to secure “ clear consent ” from copyright owners for using their songs .
This would constitute a significant change from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And it could reverberate far beyond politics , possibly changing people ’ s broad ability to play recorded music in public .
This latest effort by musicians to limit politician access to their songs is a new front in an old war .
In the Nixon administration , Jefferson Airplane ’ s Grace Slick recalled trying to slip into a Finch College reunion at the Nixon White House using her original name of Grace Wing .
Slick/Wing was a Finch College alum , as was first daughter Patricia Nixon .
Slick ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along with her date , Abbie Hoffman , hoped to lace Richard Nixon ’ s tea with acid .
Fortunately , the Secret Service stepped in and prevented the odd pair from joining the event .
Nixon knew that he was not popular with artists , and especially musicians .
But when Merle Haggard ’ s `` Okie from Muskogee , '' an anti-hippy , pro-Vietnam War song , came along , Nixon ’ s team thought it would be a good idea to have Haggard at the White House to perform it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to perform the song at the White House , but Cash had refused .
He disagreed with the sentiments expressed in the song , but at least he was too polite to say so .
Cash begged off by telling Nixon that he did not know the song .
Interestingly , Cash ’ s daughter Rosanne is a signer of the 2020 musicians ’ letter .
Starting in the 1980s , musicians have regularly denounced Republicans for using their music : Bruce Springsteen did not like Ronald Reagan using “ Born in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bobby McFerrin objected to George H.W .
Bush using “ Don ’ t Worry , Be Happy , ” and Tom Petty asked George W. Bush not to use “ Don ’ t Back Down.
” As president , Bush had other problems with musicians as well , including the Dixie Chicks ’ s ( now simply , the Chicks ) loud critique of the Iraq War , and Kanye West ’ s post-Katrina accusation that Bush “ doesn ’ t care about black people.
” Bush was so offended by Kanye ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the low point of his presidency .
In 2008 , both presidential candidate John McCain and his running mate Sarah Palin encountered musicians ’ objections .
McCain ran afoul of several , including John Mellencamp , Van Halen , Dave Grohl , and Jackson Browne , while Heart objected to Palin using their song “ Barracuda ” ( Palin ’ s high school basketball nickname ) .
Democrats have not had the same problem , which is why the artistic-rights change musicians are demanding may simply look like an ideological food fight .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Don ’ t Stop ( Thinking About Tomorrow ) ” adopted as the unofficial anthem of Bill Clinton ’ s campaign so much that they even got back together to perform the song at Clinton ’ s inauguration .
Barack Obama had a host of musicians in his camp , including Jay-Z , Beyoncé , Madonna , and Springsteen ; Lin-Manuel Miranda even performed an early iteration of “ Hamilton ” at the White House in front of Obama .
Given this history , it ’ s pretty clear that the 2020 letter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Donald Trump in particular .
Trump often makes music a centerpiece of his campaign rallies , something that tends to irk the artists whose songs he uses .
While the prevailing view of Trump in the music world is negative , Trump has had some positive interactions with musicians .
Dee Snider of Twisted Sister allowed Trump to use “ We ’ re Not Gon na Take It ” during the 2016 presidential campaign , and Trump also had Kid Rock , the Doobie Brothers ’ s Skunk Baxter , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the White House for the signing of the Music Modernization Act , which updated the rules governing the use of music by streaming services .
Kanye West also came to the White House that same day .
In what Jonathan Karl called “ a most unusual pool spray , ” West sat in the Oval Office in a red MAGA hat and held court with pro-Trump comments for 10 minutes .
He subsequently backed away from his support for Trump , but the interactions were a far cry from West ’ s harsh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rallies have been largely sidelined because of the virus , the artists ’ letter , coming out a few weeks before the party conventions this month , seems intended to change the current practice of how politicians use songs before the campaign season hits full gear .
The letter itself has no legal impact .
Campaigns , like everyone else , can pretty much do what they want in terms of using music at events through a “ blanket license.
” ( Ads are different ; campaigns do have to get permission there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ musician objections is not legal ; it is really about the potential embarrassment coming from artists denouncing candidates for using their songs .
As long as politicians are willing to face the potential criticisms , the “ blanket license ” usually protects them from legal liability .
But it wouldn ’ t save them from the kind of pressure this is intended to foment .
Plainly , the artists signing the letter are trying to change the current arrangement .
If they succeed , musicians would have veto power on whether politicians could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could mean the vast catalog of popular songs would be available to Democratic politicians but not to Republican ones .
This creates new problems and could potentially upend the existing deal under which songs are played at open events .
Once artists have this authority , why stop with politicians ?
Might not certain artists want to say , No playing my music at your temple ?
Or mosque ?
Or Planned Parenthood office ?
Or on Fox ?
Or low-rent club or venue ?
Or country club ?
On the other side @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years of copyright protection in exchange for allowing their music to be used in certain ways .
Would Congress require that artists give up some of their copyright monopoly in exchange for more control over who gets to play or even hear their music ?
The great thing about music is that everyone can enjoy it .
It does not matter if you are rich or poor , white or black , male or female , highly or poorly educated , or even Democrat or Republican .
And , of course , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of all political beliefs buy their music .
Furthermore , it is often these very same artists who make the case that music is a unifier and a universal language .
Politics can never be separated from music , but it shouldn ’ t decide who gets to enjoy that music .
Tevi Troy is a presidential historian and former White House aide .
His latest book is Fight House : Rivalries in the White House from Truman to Trump .

Dozens of musicians have signed a letter calling for politicians to get approval before using their songs for campaign events. The list of artists includes some of the top names in music, including Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Steven Tyler, Sia, R.E.M., Lorde, Blondie, Elvis Costello, Sheryl Crow, Lionel Richie, Pearl Jam, and Green Day. Should these artists get their way, campaigns would have to secure “clear consent” from copyright owners for using their songs. This would constitute a significant change from the longtime industry norm in venue music licenses.
And it could reverberate far beyond politics, possibly changing people’s broad ability to play recorded music in public.
This latest effort by musicians to limit politician access to their songs is a new front in an old war. In the Nixon administration, Jefferson Airplane’s Grace Slick recalled trying to slip into a Finch College reunion at the Nixon White House using her original name of Grace Wing. Slick/Wing was a Finch College alum, as was first daughter Patricia Nixon. Slick’s purpose in attending? She, along with her date, Abbie Hoffman, hoped to lace Richard Nixon’s tea with acid. Fortunately, the Secret Service stepped in and prevented the odd pair from joining the event.
Nixon knew that he was not popular with artists, and especially musicians. But when Merle Haggard’s "Okie from Muskogee," an anti-hippy, pro-Vietnam War song, came along, Nixon’s team thought it would be a good idea to have Haggard at the White House to perform it. Nixon had previously asked Johnny Cash to perform the song at the White House, but Cash had refused. He disagreed with the sentiments expressed in the song, but at least he was too polite to say so. Cash begged off by telling Nixon that he did not know the song. Interestingly, Cash’s daughter Rosanne is a signer of the 2020 musicians’ letter.
Starting in the 1980s, musicians have regularly denounced Republicans for using their music: Bruce Springsteen did not like Ronald Reagan using “Born in the USA” for his 1984 campaign, Bobby McFerrin objected to George H.W. Bush using “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” and Tom Petty asked George W. Bush not to use “Don’t Back Down.” As president, Bush had other problems with musicians as well, including the Dixie Chicks’s (now simply, the Chicks) loud critique of the Iraq War, and Kanye West’s post-Katrina accusation that Bush “doesn’t care about black people.” Bush was so offended by Kanye’s comment that he called the moment the low point of his presidency. In 2008, both presidential candidate John McCain and his running mate Sarah Palin encountered musicians’ objections. McCain ran afoul of several, including John Mellencamp, Van Halen, Dave Grohl, and Jackson Browne, while Heart objected to Palin using their song “Barracuda” (Palin’s high school basketball nickname).
Democrats have not had the same problem, which is why the artistic-rights change musicians are demanding may simply look like an ideological food fight. Fleetwood Mac loved having their song “Don’t Stop (Thinking About Tomorrow)” adopted as the unofficial anthem of Bill Clinton’s campaign so much that they even got back together to perform the song at Clinton’s inauguration. Barack Obama had a host of musicians in his camp, including Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Madonna, and Springsteen; Lin-Manuel Miranda even performed an early iteration of “Hamilton” at the White House in front of Obama.
Given this history, it’s pretty clear that the 2020 letter is directed at Republicans in general, and Donald Trump in particular. Trump often makes music a centerpiece of his campaign rallies, something that tends to irk the artists whose songs he uses. While the prevailing view of Trump in the music world is negative, Trump has had some positive interactions with musicians. Dee Snider of Twisted Sister allowed Trump to use “We’re Not Gonna Take It” during the 2016 presidential campaign, and Trump also had Kid Rock, the Doobie Brothers’s Skunk Baxter, and the Beach Boys’s Mike Love at the White House for the signing of the Music Modernization Act, which updated the rules governing the use of music by streaming services.
Kanye West also came to the White House that same day. In what Jonathan Karl called “a most unusual pool spray,” West sat in the Oval Office in a red MAGA hat and held court with pro-Trump comments for 10 minutes. He subsequently backed away from his support for Trump, but the interactions were a far cry from West’s harsh repudiation of Bush.
While the campaign rallies have been largely sidelined because of the virus, the artists’ letter, coming out a few weeks before the party conventions this month, seems intended to change the current practice of how politicians use songs before the campaign season hits full gear.
The letter itself has no legal impact. Campaigns, like everyone else, can pretty much do what they want in terms of using music at events through a “blanket license.” (Ads are different; campaigns do have to get permission there.) The problem for politicians with musician objections is not legal; it is really about the potential embarrassment coming from artists denouncing candidates for using their songs. As long as politicians are willing to face the potential criticisms, the “blanket license” usually protects them from legal liability.
But it wouldn’t save them from the kind of pressure this is intended to foment. Plainly, the artists signing the letter are trying to change the current arrangement. If they succeed, musicians would have veto power on whether politicians could use their songs at events, which could mean the vast catalog of popular songs would be available to Democratic politicians but not to Republican ones. This creates new problems and could potentially upend the existing deal under which songs are played at open events.
Once artists have this authority, why stop with politicians? Might not certain artists want to say, No playing my music at your temple? Or mosque? Or Planned Parenthood office? Or on Fox? Or low-rent club or venue? Or country club?
On the other side of the question, artists get 95 years of copyright protection in exchange for allowing their music to be used in certain ways. Would Congress require that artists give up some of their copyright monopoly in exchange for more control over who gets to play or even hear their music?
The great thing about music is that everyone can enjoy it. It does not matter if you are rich or poor, white or black, male or female, highly or poorly educated, or even Democrat or Republican. And, of course, it would behoove artists to remember that people of all political beliefs buy their music. Furthermore, it is often these very same artists who make the case that music is a unifier and a universal language. Politics can never be separated from music, but it shouldn’t decide who gets to enjoy that music.
Tevi Troy is a presidential historian and former White House aide. His latest book is Fight House: Rivalries in the White House from Truman to Trump.