thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-19--Nevada House Democrat admits to affair with one-time Harry Reid intern weeks before key primary

A crowded Democratic primary just taking place in a Nevada swing district in just three weeks has been roiled by Rep. Steven Horsford 's confession to an extramarital relationship with a staff intern .
Horsford won back his old seat in 2018 after serving a single House term from 2013-15 .
On June 9 , he 's set to face off against five other Democrats in the sprawling district , with a population base in the Las Vegas suburbs of northern Clark County , along with huge swaths of mostly open desert .
But Horsford , 47 , recently released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affair with Gabriela Linder in response to a local report .
`` It is true that I had a previous consensual relationship with another adult outside of my marriage , over the course of several years , '' Horsford said in the statement .
`` I 'm deeply sorry to all of those who have been impacted by this very poor decision , most importantly my wife and family .
Out of concern for my family during this challenging time , I ask that our privacy is respected . ''
Linder was 21 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Majority Leader Harry Reid in his Las Vegas office when she met Horsford , who at the time was majority leader in Nevada 's state Senate .
The relationship started in 2009 and ended a year later , but the two kept in contact with and began to become intimate again between 2017 and 2019 .
Prior to Horsford ’ s remarks , Linder described their previous relationship through podcasts and Twitter posts under a pseudonym .
The 4th Congressional District , located in central Nevada , is rated by the Cook Political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Partisan Voter Index of D+3 .
However , FiveThirtyEight 's September 2018 elasticity score for states and congressional districts shows `` how sensitive it is to changes in the national political environment . ''
Horsford was elected to the seat in the Democrats ' 2018 midterm `` blue wave '' election cycle .
He 'd won a previous term in 2012 , beating Republican Danny Tarkanian by eight points .
But the district swung back to the GOP and two years elected Republican Crescent Hardy .
In 2016 , Democrat Ruben Kihuen defeated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was only in the house a single term , before bowing to pressure not to seek reelection following sexual misconduct allegations against him by a female campaign staff member .
Kihuen never resigned but did not run for reelection in 2018 .

A crowded Democratic primary taking place in a Nevada swing district in just three weeks has been roiled by Rep. Steven Horsford's confession to an extramarital relationship with a staff intern.
Horsford won back his old seat in 2018 after serving a single House term from 2013-2015. On June 9, he's set to face off against five other Democrats in the sprawling district, with a population base in the Las Vegas suburbs of northern Clark County, along with huge swaths of mostly open desert.
But Horsford, 47, recently released a statement acknowledging that he had an affair with Gabriela Linder in response to a local report.
"It is true that I had a previous consensual relationship with another adult outside of my marriage, over the course of several years," Horsford said in the statement. "I'm deeply sorry to all of those who have been impacted by this very poor decision, most importantly my wife and family. Out of concern for my family during this challenging time, I ask that our privacy is respected."
Linder was 21 years old and an intern for then-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in his Las Vegas office when she met Horsford, who at the time was majority leader in Nevada's state Senate. The relationship started in 2009 and ended a year later, but the two kept in contact and began to become intimate again between 2017 and 2019. Prior to Horsford’s remarks, Linder described their previous relationship through podcasts and Twitter posts under a pseudonym.
The 4th Congressional District, located in central Nevada, is rated by the Cook Political Report as "Likely Democrat with a Partisan Voter Index of D+3." However, FiveThirtyEight's September 2018 elasticity score for states and congressional districts shows "how sensitive it is to changes in the national political environment."
Horsford was elected to the seat in the Democrats' 2018 midterm "blue wave" election cycle. He'd won a previous term in 2012, beating Republican Danny Tarkanian by eight points. But the district swung back to the GOP and elected Republican Crescent Hardy.
In 2016, Democrat Ruben Kihuen defeated Hardy by four points. Yet Kihuen was only in the House a single term, before bowing to pressure not to seek reelection following sexual misconduct allegations against him by a female campaign staff member.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-19--Biden asks VP contenders for references: Michelle Lujan Grisham first name we know

Even governors have to provide references if they want to be Joe Biden 's running mate .
The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee has reportedly asked potential running mates to provide references as the vice presidential selection committee starts its formal vetting process , Bloomberg reported on Tuesday , the first tangible sign of the committee making moves to determine Biden 's pick .
The first known contender to be asked for those references is New Mexico Gov .
Michelle Lujan Grisham , per an anonymous individual with knowledge of the request in the report .
It did not report any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consideration list who received such a request .
Lujan Grisham has told her allies in recent days that Biden 's team had begun vetting her to be his running mate , Politico reported on Tuesday .
While Biden has committed to picking a woman as his running mate , some hope that he brings even more demographic diversity to the ticket by choosing a woman of color .
Supporters of picking the first-term governor or Nevada Sen. Catherine Cortez-Masto , whom former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is pushing as a running mate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the ticket could boost Biden 's appeal among Hispanic and Latino voters , a demographic that he failed to capture decisively in the Democratic presidential primary cycle .
Lujan Grisham , 60 , represented New Mexico 's first congressional district in the House from 2013 to 2018 before becoming governor .
Biden , 77 , has said that he is considering `` more than a dozen women '' in his running mate search , including `` more than one black woman . ''
He says that he is looking for someone capable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while in office and who is `` simpatico '' with him on policy .
Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer said on Tuesday that she had a `` conversation '' with the Biden campaign about being his running mate but clarified that it was `` just an opening conversation , and it ’ s not something that I would call a professional , formalized vetting . ''
Other rumored vice presidential contenders include Florida Rep. Val Demings , Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth , and former Democratic presidential hopefuls Sens .
Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota @ @ @ @ @ @

Even governors have to provide references if they want to be Joe Biden's running mate.
The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee has reportedly asked potential running mates to provide references as the vice presidential selection committee starts its formal vetting process, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday, the first tangible sign of the committee making moves to determine Biden's pick.
The first known contender to be asked for those references is New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, per an anonymous individual with knowledge of the request in the report. It did not report any other women on Biden's vice presidential consideration list who received such a request.
Lujan Grisham has told her allies in recent days that Biden's team had begun vetting her to be his running mate, Politico reported on Tuesday.
While Biden has committed to picking a woman as his running mate, some hope that he brings even more demographic diversity to the ticket by choosing a woman of color. Supporters of picking the first-term governor or Nevada Sen. Catherine Cortez-Masto, whom former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is pushing as a running mate pick, hope that having a Latina on the ticket could boost Biden's appeal among Hispanic and Latino voters, a demographic that he failed to capture decisively in the Democratic presidential primary cycle.
Lujan Grisham, 60, represented New Mexico's first congressional district in the House from 2013 to 2018 before becoming governor.
Biden, 77, has said that he is considering "more than a dozen women" in his running mate search, including "more than one black woman." He says that he is looking for someone capable of being president in case he dies while in office and who is "simpatico" with him on policy.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said on Tuesday that she had a "conversation" with the Biden campaign about being his running mate but clarified that it was "just an opening conversation, and it’s not something that I would call a professional, formalized vetting."
Other rumored vice presidential contenders include Florida Rep. Val Demings, Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth, and former Democratic presidential hopefuls Sens. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Kamala Harris of California.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-19--Martha McSally falling behind Mark Kelly by double digits: Poll

Republican Arizona Gov .
Doug Ducey was allegedly reluctant to appoint then-Rep. Martha McSally to the Senate at the end of 2018 , and now his fears over whether the Republican could hold onto the late Sen. John McCain 's seat two years later are being realized .
Now-Sen. McSally is trailing Democratic challenger Mark Kelly by 13 percentage points , with the retired astronaut and former Navy captain extending his lead over the incumbent by four points since April , according to an OH Predictive Insights poll released Tuesday .
Last month , Kelly , the husband of ex-Arizona @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuscon in 2011 , earned 51 % support from likely voters to McSally 's 42 % .
In May , Kelly holds steady , his base augmented by independents , while McSally slips to 38 % and 10 % of respondents remain undecided .
Kelly has also expanded his advantage in the Republican stronghold of Maricopa County , the state 's most populous region taking in Phoenix , by 13 points over the past year .
Ducey appointed McSally , herself a former colonel in the Air Force , to the Senate in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate race to then-House colleague Kyrsten Sinema , Arizona 's first Democratic senator in more than two decades .
Former Republican Sen. Jon Kyl had been temporarily filling in since McCain 's death that August .
Facing pressure from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and other key party figures eager for more Republican women to join the chamber , he reportedly ignored his doubts about her electability , given her issues with fundraising and her perceived closeness to President Trump .
Tuesday 's poll also provided a snapshot of the presidential race , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden ahead of Trump , 50 % -43 % .
Biden 's campaign is hoping to flip Arizona in what would be the first time a Democrat has won the state since Bill Clinton in 1996 .
Trump clinched Arizona in 2016 by 3.5 points .
Tuesday 's research represents a slight decline for Biden , the two-term vice president and 36-year Delaware senator .
He slides to 50 % from 52 % last month , but he had climbed in April from 49 % in March .
Meanwhile , Trump has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same time frame .
OH Predictive Insights surveyed 600 likely voters via the phone from May 9 to May 11 for results .
The margin of error is plus or minus 4 percentage points .

Republican Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey was allegedly reluctant to appoint then-Rep. Martha McSally to the Senate at the end of 2018, and now his fears over whether the Republican could hold onto the late Sen. John McCain's seat two years later are being realized.
Now-Sen. McSally is trailing Democratic challenger Mark Kelly by 13 percentage points, with the retired astronaut and former Navy captain extending his lead over the incumbent by four points since April, according to an OH Predictive Insights poll released Tuesday.
Last month, Kelly, the husband of ex-Arizona Rep. Gabby Giffords who was shot in Tuscon in 2011, earned 51% support from likely voters to McSally's 42%. In May, Kelly holds steady, his base augmented by independents, while McSally slips to 38% and 10% of respondents remain undecided. Kelly has also expanded his advantage in the Republican stronghold of Maricopa County, the state's most populous region taking in Phoenix, by 13 points over the past year.
Ducey appointed McSally, herself a former colonel in the Air Force, to the Senate in December 2018 after she lost her tight Senate race to then-House colleague Kyrsten Sinema, Arizona's first Democratic senator in more than two decades. Former Republican Sen. Jon Kyl had been temporarily filling in since McCain's death that August.
Facing pressure from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and other key party figures eager for more Republican women to join the chamber, he reportedly ignored his doubts about her electability, given her issues with fundraising and her perceived closeness to President Trump.
Tuesday's poll also provided a snapshot of the presidential race, putting presumptive 2020 Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden ahead of Trump, 50%-43%. Biden's campaign is hoping to flip Arizona in what would be the first time a Democrat has won the state since Bill Clinton in 1996. Trump clinched Arizona in 2016 by 3.5 points.
Tuesday's research represents a slight decline for Biden, the two-term vice president and 36-year Delaware senator. He slides to 50% from 52% last month, but he had climbed in April from 49% in March. Meanwhile, Trump has been consistently notching up 43% during the same time frame.
OH Predictive Insights surveyed 600 likely voters via the phone from May 9 to May 11 for results. The margin of error is plus or minus 4 percentage points.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-19--'I've had a conversation': Whitmer says she is in contact with Biden campaign about vice presidentia

'I've had a conversation': Whitmer says she is in contact with Biden campaign about vice presidential pick

Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer downplayed vice presidential speculation but confirmed that she has spoken with Joe Biden ’ s team about being his running mate .
Whitmer brushed aside the acknowledgment that she has been in contact with the campaign and said her main focus is pulling Michigan out of the coronavirus pandemic , which has seen more than 50,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and almost 5,000 deaths .
“ I ’ ve had a conversation with some folks , ” Whitmer said Tuesday morning on the Today show .
“ But the fact of the matter is all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my state through this crisis unlike one that we ’ ve seen in 100 years in this country . ''
“ We have to get it right , and I was elected to be the governor of the state of Michigan .
And it is the honor of a lifetime , and that ’ s where I ’ m spending 100 % of my energy and focus .
We ’ ve got a crisis like nothing we ’ ve ever seen before.
” When she was again pressed to characterize the “ conversation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Whitmer said it was `` just an opening conversation , and it ’ s not something that I would call a professional , formalized vetting . ''
“ I am making a little bit of time to stay connected to the campaign , but the most important thing that I have to do right now is be the governor , ” she added .
Whitmer was criticized when she instituted an expanded executive order that banned visits to other residences and the sale of certain nonessential goods during the early phases of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests and death threats since the start of the health crisis .

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer downplayed vice presidential speculation but confirmed that she has spoken with Joe Biden’s team about being his running mate.
Whitmer brushed aside the acknowledgment that she has been in contact with the campaign and said her main focus is pulling Michigan out of the coronavirus pandemic, which has seen more than 50,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and almost 5,000 deaths.
“I’ve had a conversation with some folks,” Whitmer said Tuesday morning on the Today show. “But the fact of the matter is all of my energy is going to helping my state through this crisis unlike one that we’ve seen in 100 years in this country."
“We have to get it right, and I was elected to be the governor of the state of Michigan. And it is the honor of a lifetime, and that’s where I’m spending 100% of my energy and focus. We’ve got a crisis like nothing we’ve ever seen before.”
When she was again pressed to characterize the “conversation” she had with the Biden campaign, Whitmer said it was "just an opening conversation, and it’s not something that I would call a professional, formalized vetting."
“I am making a little bit of time to stay connected to the campaign, but the most important thing that I have to do right now is be the governor,” she added.
Whitmer was criticized when she instituted an expanded executive order that banned visits to other residences and the sale of certain nonessential goods during the early phases of the coronavirus pandemic. She has faced protests and death threats since the start of the health crisis.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-19--Liberal group links Trump coronavirus and climate policies in $14M campaign to oust him

The League of Conservation Voters announced plans to spend $ 14 million investment to oust President Trump , beginning with a pair of hard-hitting digital advertisements that claim the commander in chief is as irresponsible on climate issues as he is on the coronavirus .
The group 's `` high frequency '' advertising campaign , which includes a direct-mail component , began Monday in Arizona , Michigan , North Carolina , Pennsylvania , and Wisconsin — five states that could tip the balance of power on Election Day .
The group is extending the ads to Florida , another major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump is under fire from multiple liberal groups that are spending hundreds of millions to elect presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
“ Voters need to know that Trump denies the threat of climate change just like he denied the threat of the coronavirus , '' LCV spokesman Pete Maysmith said in a statement .
In one spot , the League of Conservation Voters says of the president : `` He denied the warnings of the coronavirus crisis , ignored his medical experts .
And we ’ re suffering because of it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to undermine Trump 's support for domestic fossil fuel extraction and production .
`` And Donald Trump ignored 97 % of climate scientists , NASA , and the Department of Defense who agreed climate change was real , '' the spot says .
To maximize the reach of its ads , the LCV is partnering in its effort with Priorities USA , the designated super PAC of the Biden campaign .
Republicans are confident that Trump 's environmental policies are a political winner in key states , such as Michigan and Pennsylvania , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic driver .
Biden recently appointed Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to his panel on climate policy .
The New York Democrat is the author of the Green New Deal , an aggressive plan to eliminate most uses of fossil fuels in a bid to mitigate climate change .
Republicans are calling the move by Biden political malpractice .

The League of Conservation Voters announced plans to spend $14 million investment to oust President Trump, beginning with a pair of hard-hitting digital advertisements that claim the commander in chief is as irresponsible on climate issues as he is on the coronavirus.
The group's "high frequency" advertising campaign, which includes a direct-mail component, began Monday in Arizona, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin — five states that could tip the balance of power on Election Day. The group is extending the ads to Florida, another major 2020 battleground, on May 27. Trump is under fire from multiple liberal groups that are spending hundreds of millions to elect presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
“Voters need to know that Trump denies the threat of climate change just like he denied the threat of the coronavirus," LCV spokesman Pete Maysmith said in a statement.
In one spot, the League of Conservation Voters says of the president: "He denied the warnings of the coronavirus crisis, ignored his medical experts. And we’re suffering because of it." And the group uses this charge to undermine Trump's support for domestic fossil fuel extraction and production. "And Donald Trump ignored 97% of climate scientists, NASA, and the Department of Defense who agreed climate change was real," the spot says.
To maximize the reach of its ads, the LCV is partnering in its effort with Priorities USA, the designated super PAC of the Biden campaign.
Republicans are confident that Trump's environmental policies are a political winner in key states, such as Michigan and Pennsylvania, where the energy industry is a major economic driver.
Biden recently appointed Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to his panel on climate policy. The New York Democrat is the author of the Green New Deal, an aggressive plan to eliminate most uses of fossil fuels in a bid to mitigate climate change. Republicans are calling the move by Biden political malpractice.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-19--Koch brothers Hispanic advocacy arm endorses Republicans in key Senate races

An organization affiliated with the Koch brothers political network and supportive of granting legal status to illegal immigrants is putting its financial and organizational muscle behind Republicans in three key Senate contests .
LIBRE Initiative Action PAC , a group that urges Hispanic voters to embrace conservative domestic policies , has endorsed Sen. Cory Gardner of Colorado and Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina , two of the most vulnerable Republican incumbents on the 2020 ballot .
The PAC also endorsed Sen. John Cornyn of Texas , pledging to deploy field staff to engage in virtual voter turnout activities on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that could determine the balance of power in the Senate .
`` We feel we can make a difference in these three Senate races given the numbers of Latinos in those states and , of course , how close the Senate races are going to be , '' LIBRE Initiative senior adviser Daniel Garza told CBS News , which first reported the organization 's plans for the fall campaign .
With President Trump ’ s prospects uncertain , Senate Republicans are bracing for an increasingly difficult battle to defend their three-seat majority .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arizona , Colorado , Maine , Montana , and North Carolina , with seats in Iowa and Georgia also of concern .
Republicans are only on the offense in Alabama and Michigan .
So , assistance from LIBRE Initiative Action PAC is surely welcome , especially because Colorado , North Carolina , and Texas have significant Hispanic voting blocs .
The endorsements of Gardner , Tillis , and Cornyn are notable for other reasons .
The Koch network has relaxed its political activity on behalf of Republicans from what it was during Barack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first couple of years of Trump 's term .
LIBRE Initiative , opposed to much of Trump 's immigration agenda , has been more choosy with its endorsements in recent years .
In September 2017 , after Trump canceled the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program that granted legal status to illegal immigrants brought to the United States as children , Garza , who has been critical of the president in the past , warned that there would be political repercussions .
`` There will be some political fallout for the party , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a result of this decision , '' Garza told the Washington Examiner at the time .

An organization affiliated with the Koch brothers political network and supportive of granting legal status to illegal immigrants is putting its financial and organizational muscle behind Republicans in three key Senate contests.
LIBRE Initiative Action PAC, a group that urges Hispanic voters to embrace conservative domestic policies, has endorsed Sen. Cory Gardner of Colorado and Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, two of the most vulnerable Republican incumbents on the 2020 ballot. The PAC also endorsed Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, pledging to deploy field staff to engage in virtual voter turnout activities on behalf of all three candidates in races that could determine the balance of power in the Senate.
"We feel we can make a difference in these three Senate races given the numbers of Latinos in those states and, of course, how close the Senate races are going to be," LIBRE Initiative senior adviser Daniel Garza told CBS News, which first reported the organization's plans for the fall campaign.
With President Trump’s prospects uncertain, Senate Republicans are bracing for an increasingly difficult battle to defend their three-seat majority. The GOP is on the defensive in Arizona, Colorado, Maine, Montana, and North Carolina, with seats in Iowa and Georgia also of concern. Republicans are only on the offense in Alabama and Michigan. So, assistance from LIBRE Initiative Action PAC is surely welcome, especially because Colorado, North Carolina, and Texas have significant Hispanic voting blocs.
The endorsements of Gardner, Tillis, and Cornyn are notable for other reasons.
The Koch network has relaxed its political activity on behalf of Republicans from what it was during Barack Obama's White House tenure and the first couple of years of Trump's term. LIBRE Initiative, opposed to much of Trump's immigration agenda, has been more choosy with its endorsements in recent years.
In September 2017, after Trump canceled the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program that granted legal status to illegal immigrants brought to the United States as children, Garza, who has been critical of the president in the past, warned that there would be political repercussions.
"There will be some political fallout for the party, the brand of the party, as a result of this decision," Garza told the Washington Examiner at the time.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-19--'President Tweety': Joe Biden debuts nickname for Trump

Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has unveiled his nickname for President Trump .
While speaking to the Asian American and Pacific Islanders Victory Fund on Monday , the former vice president debuted his nickname for Trump despite previously saying he was resistant to do so .
`` Trump was out there tweeting again this morning .
I call him President Tweety .
‘ Reopen the country . '
How are we supposed to do that if you 're sitting on the money small businesses need in order to stay alive ?
Stop tweeting about it .
Get the money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Trump has developed a variety of monikers for his political rivals , including `` Sleepy Joe '' Biden , `` Crooked Hillary '' Clinton , and `` Crazy Bernie '' Sanders .
He also created for nicknames for several Democrats no longer in the 2020 presidential race , calling former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg `` Alfred E. Neuman '' and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren `` Pocahontas '' after she claimed Native American heritage .
Republicans have not been immune to Trump 's ire either .
During a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former Florida Gov .
Jeb Bush with the nickname `` Low Energy Jeb '' and described Texas Sen. Ted Cruz as `` Lyin ' Ted . ''

Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has unveiled his nickname for President Trump.
While speaking to the Asian American and Pacific Islanders Victory Fund on Monday, the former vice president debuted his nickname for Trump despite previously saying he was resistant to do so.
"Trump was out there tweeting again this morning. I call him President Tweety. ‘Reopen the country.' How are we supposed to do that if you're sitting on the money small businesses need in order to stay alive? Stop tweeting about it. Get the money out to Main Street," Biden said.
Trump has developed a variety of monikers for his political rivals, including "Sleepy Joe" Biden, "Crooked Hillary" Clinton, and "Crazy Bernie" Sanders. He also created for nicknames for several Democrats no longer in the 2020 presidential race, calling former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg "Alfred E. Neuman" and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren "Pocahontas" after she claimed Native American heritage.
Republicans have not been immune to Trump's ire either. During a contentious 2016 GOP primary, Trump labeled former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush with the nickname "Low Energy Jeb" and described Texas Sen. Ted Cruz as "Lyin' Ted."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-19--College graduation address latest bit of free media for Stacey Abrams

The George Mason University class of 2020 will hear life advice from failed Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams during its commencement ceremony on Friday .
In a press release from the school , Abrams is described as a `` former Georgia gubernatorial candidate , author , entrepreneur and voting rights advocate . ''
The public can watch her remarks at 2 p.m. via a livestream .
The upcoming speech is the latest example of Abrams 's lingering star quality , 18 months after she lost the Georgia gubernatorial race to Republican Brian Kemp 50.2 % -48.8 % — a strong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be sure , but hardly a nail-biter .
Her persistent campaign to become Joe Biden 's vice presidential pick has resulted in numerous interviews , including a Washington Post profile with a photo that depicts her as almost Jesus-like .
For weeks , Abrams has publicly lobbied to be Biden 's running mate .
Her explicit appeals to Biden have set her apart from the rest of his running mate possibilities , as potential vice presidential picks typically promote themselves behind the scenes .
She has stated that she would have `` concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vice president , did not choose a woman of color as his running mate , while reports have surfaced showing she 's not a leading contender for the slot .
`` As a young black woman growing up in Mississippi , I learned that if you do n't raise your hand , people wo n't see you , and they wo n't give you attention , '' Abrams told CNN 's Jake Tapper in April .
`` But it 's not about attention for being the running mate .
It is about making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ question because they 're not just speaking to me .
They 're speaking to young black women , young women of color , young people of color , who wonder if they , too , can be seen . ''
In an interview with Elle magazine last month , Abrams said her `` 25 years in independent study of foreign policy '' gave her some of the requisite qualifications for the spot .

The George Mason University class of 2020 will hear life advice from failed Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams during its commencement ceremony on Friday.
In a press release from the school, Abrams is described as a "former Georgia gubernatorial candidate, author, entrepreneur and voting rights advocate." The public can watch her remarks at 2 p.m. via a livestream.
The upcoming speech is the latest example of Abrams's lingering star quality, 18 months after she lost the Georgia gubernatorial race to Republican Brian Kemp 50.2%-48.8% — a strong showing for a liberal Democrat, to be sure, but hardly a nail-biter. Her persistent campaign to become Joe Biden's vice presidential pick has resulted in numerous interviews, including a Washington Post profile with a photo that depicts her as almost Jesus-like.
For weeks, Abrams has publicly lobbied to be Biden's running mate. Her explicit appeals to Biden have set her apart from the rest of his running mate possibilities, as potential vice presidential picks typically promote themselves behind the scenes.
She has stated that she would have "concerns" if Biden, himself a former vice president, did not choose a woman of color as his running mate, while reports have surfaced showing she's not a leading contender for the slot.
"As a young black woman growing up in Mississippi, I learned that if you don't raise your hand, people won't see you, and they won't give you attention," Abrams told CNN's Jake Tapper in April. "But it's not about attention for being the running mate. It is about making sure that my qualifications aren't in question because they're not just speaking to me. They're speaking to young black women, young women of color, young people of color, who wonder if they, too, can be seen."
In an interview with Elle magazine last month, Abrams said her "25 years in independent study of foreign policy" gave her some of the requisite qualifications for the spot.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-19--Biden holds sizable lead over Trump in Arizona: Poll

Joe Biden is leading President Trump in Arizona 50 % to 43 % , according to a new survey from a Republican pollster .
The poll from OH Predictive Insights , released Tuesday , was conducted on the heels of Trump 's visit to Phoenix in early May to tour a Honeywell plant that is manufacturing protective masks as part of a government effort to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus .
The survey is a fresh indication that Arizona , which has voted Republican for president in every election since 1996 , is in play for Biden , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ President Trump is going to have to do a lot more than parachute into Arizona to boost his sagging numbers , ” pollster Mike Noble said in a statement .
“ With six months to go until Election Day , Trump is going to have to invest heavily in Arizona to pull out a victory in The Grand Canyon State.
” Continuing a trend from 2016 and the 2018 midterm elections , when college-educated voters migrated firmly into the Democratic camp , Biden is leading among this bloc 53 % to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ edge with voters without a college education 50 % to 44 % .
Perhaps more concerning for the president is the hole he is in with voters who hold an unfavorable opinion of both him and Biden , a Delaware senator for 36 years before two terms as President Barack Obama 's vice president .
Among those voters concerned about both candidates , Biden leads Trump 63 % to 31 % .
Four years ago , Trump did better among voters who held negative views of both him and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weakness in Arizona , particularly in the suburbs , helped Sen. Kyrsten Sinema become the first Democrat in a generation to win a Senate race there .
The OH Predictive Insights poll surveyed 600 likely Arizona voters from May 9 to May 11 .
The margin of error was plus or minus 4 percentage points .

Joe Biden is leading President Trump in Arizona 50% to 43%, according to a new survey from a Republican pollster.
The poll from OH Predictive Insights, released Tuesday, was conducted on the heels of Trump's visit to Phoenix in early May to tour a Honeywell plant that is manufacturing protective masks as part of a government effort to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. The survey is a fresh indication that Arizona, which has voted Republican for president in every election since 1996, is in play for Biden, the former vice president and presumptive Democratic nominee.
“President Trump is going to have to do a lot more than parachute into Arizona to boost his sagging numbers,” pollster Mike Noble said in a statement. “With six months to go until Election Day, Trump is going to have to invest heavily in Arizona to pull out a victory in The Grand Canyon State.”
Continuing a trend from 2016 and the 2018 midterm elections, when college-educated voters migrated firmly into the Democratic camp, Biden is leading among this bloc 53% to 42%, while Trump holds the edge with voters without a college education 50% to 44%. Perhaps more concerning for the president is the hole he is in with voters who hold an unfavorable opinion of both him and Biden, a Delaware senator for 36 years before two terms as President Barack Obama's vice president.
Among those voters concerned about both candidates, Biden leads Trump 63% to 31%. Four years ago, Trump did better among voters who held negative views of both him and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. Two years ago, Trump's weakness in Arizona, particularly in the suburbs, helped Sen. Kyrsten Sinema become the first Democrat in a generation to win a Senate race there.
The OH Predictive Insights poll surveyed 600 likely Arizona voters from May 9 to May 11. The margin of error was plus or minus 4 percentage points.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-19--'Preternatural calm': Democrats think Obama helps Biden draw a contrast with combative Trump

Barack Obama has entered the fray of the 2020 presidential campaign with a series of thinly veiled criticisms of his successor as he prepares to help his former vice president , Joe Biden , win back the White House for the Democrats in November .
President Trump has responded by stepping up his own criticism of Obama , which has been plentiful over the past four years .
Biden has , by contrast , hugged Obama tightly since entering the race , making his service under the 44th president a key part of his argument to Democratic primary voters — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 77-year-old revived his and became his party ’ s presumptive nominee .
All this combines to set up the 2020 race as a Trump-Obama proxy war , a fight Democrats are confident they can win .
“ Obama is nothing but an asset to Biden , ” said Democratic strategist Tracy Sefl .
“ His preternatural calm is a welcome sight in a time of turmoil and uncertainty.
” “ This pandemic has fully , finally , torn back the curtain on the idea that so many of the folks in charge know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obama said in a virtual commencement address to historically black colleges and universities on Saturday .
The remarks were widely interpreted as a rebuke of the Trump team .
Previously , in a call with 3,000 alumni of his own administration , Obama left no room for interpretation as he called the Trump White House coronavirus response politically self-interested and “ an absolute chaotic disaster.
” Pressed by reporters , Trump responded : “ Look , he was an incompetent president .
That ’ s all I can say .
Grossly incompetent.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been a common Trump refrain since he became active in politics .
“ This is a good example of Trump 's personal grudges interfering with his political judgment , ” said Democratic strategist Brad Bannon .
“ Obama is a popular former president and Trump , an unpopular incumbent .
Trump is helping Biden make the comparison between a successful presidency and a failed administration.
” Obama remains a beloved figure among the Democratic base , and he managed to turn out younger and minority voters at a rate that eluded Hillary Clinton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ factor in why he won twice but was succeeded by Trump , with Rust Belt voters who switched from Obama to Trump especially important to the outcome .
At the same time , many progressives view Trump ’ s election as backlash against the first black president .
`` Anything that reminds voters of eight years of stability , competence , and a general respect for science , data , and human beings is a good thing for Biden , '' said Democratic strategist Stefan Hankin .
`` You can probably count on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have voted for Biden but now wo n't because Obama is in the news . ''
Obama had hesitated to get involved in the presidential contest until after Biden became the presumptive nominee .
Some Republicans are hopeful that Obama ’ s interventions will have little impact on the race , pointing to his failure to pull Clinton across the finish line four years ago and the problems down-ballot Democrats faced throughout his presidency .
There is also the risk that Obama will upstage the older , rhetorically less gifted Biden — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Trump is latching on to this latest mishmash of evidence-free accusations to change the subject away from his catastrophic mismanagement of the public health crisis , ” said Sefl .
“ We can expect him to just keep tweet-shouting in all caps because that is his sad and reckless comfort zone.
” Trump has devoted much of his administration to rolling back Obama initiatives , such as withdrawing from the Paris climate accord and the Iranian nuclear deal .
He has had mixed results with Obamacare , curtailing parts of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most notably , the unpopular individual mandate — but failing to repeal and replace the healthcare law in its entirety .
Obamacare , otherwise known as the Affordable Care Act , gained in popularity after Trump and congressional Republicans tried to rescind it in 2017 .
Obama and Trump have never run against each other in a head-to-head race , but they remain inextricably linked .
Trump promoted `` birtherism , '' which held that Obama was born in Kenya , as he began to make an appeal to Republican voters in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first lady Michelle Obama she would never forgive him .
It has been speculated that Obama ’ s ridicule of Trump , especially at the 2011 White House Correspondents ' Association Dinner , prompted the businessman and reality TV star to run for president .
Many Republicans think John McCain and Mitt Romney went too easy on Obama in their losing presidential campaigns , which drew them to Trump ’ s more combative style .
Trump has most recently argued that Obama and his deputies were behind an effort to spy on his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ controversy has gained traction with new revelations about the unmasking of former national security adviser Michael Flynn and flaws in the investigation into alleged collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia .
Trump has also repeatedly said Obama left the federal government unprepared to deal with a crisis like the coronavirus .

Barack Obama has entered the fray of the 2020 presidential campaign with a series of thinly veiled criticisms of his successor as he prepares to help his former vice president, Joe Biden, win back the White House for the Democrats in November.
President Trump has responded by stepping up his own criticism of Obama, which has been plentiful over the past four years. Biden has, by contrast, hugged Obama tightly since entering the race, making his service under the 44th president a key part of his argument to Democratic primary voters — a strategy that paid dividends as the 77-year-old revived his once-moribund campaign and became his party’s presumptive nominee.
All this combines to set up the 2020 race as a Trump-Obama proxy war, a fight Democrats are confident they can win. “Obama is nothing but an asset to Biden,” said Democratic strategist Tracy Sefl. “His preternatural calm is a welcome sight in a time of turmoil and uncertainty.”
“This pandemic has fully, finally, torn back the curtain on the idea that so many of the folks in charge know what they’re doing,” Obama said in a virtual commencement address to historically black colleges and universities on Saturday. The remarks were widely interpreted as a rebuke of the Trump team. Previously, in a call with 3,000 alumni of his own administration, Obama left no room for interpretation as he called the Trump White House coronavirus response politically self-interested and “an absolute chaotic disaster.”
Pressed by reporters, Trump responded: “Look, he was an incompetent president. That’s all I can say. Grossly incompetent.” Jibes about Obama’s competence have been a common Trump refrain since he became active in politics.
“This is a good example of Trump's personal grudges interfering with his political judgment,” said Democratic strategist Brad Bannon. “Obama is a popular former president and Trump, an unpopular incumbent. Trump is helping Biden make the comparison between a successful presidency and a failed administration.”
Obama remains a beloved figure among the Democratic base, and he managed to turn out younger and minority voters at a rate that eluded Hillary Clinton in 2016. That was a major factor in why he won twice but was succeeded by Trump, with Rust Belt voters who switched from Obama to Trump especially important to the outcome. At the same time, many progressives view Trump’s election as backlash against the first black president.
"Anything that reminds voters of eight years of stability, competence, and a general respect for science, data, and human beings is a good thing for Biden," said Democratic strategist Stefan Hankin. "You can probably count on one hand the number of voters who would have voted for Biden but now won't because Obama is in the news."
Obama had hesitated to get involved in the presidential contest until after Biden became the presumptive nominee. Some Republicans are hopeful that Obama’s interventions will have little impact on the race, pointing to his failure to pull Clinton across the finish line four years ago and the problems down-ballot Democrats faced throughout his presidency. There is also the risk that Obama will upstage the older, rhetorically less gifted Biden — a gamble Democrats are happy to make.
“Trump is latching on to this latest mishmash of evidence-free accusations to change the subject away from his catastrophic mismanagement of the public health crisis,” said Sefl. “We can expect him to just keep tweet-shouting in all caps because that is his sad and reckless comfort zone.”
Trump has devoted much of his administration to rolling back Obama initiatives, such as withdrawing from the Paris climate accord and the Iranian nuclear deal. He has had mixed results with Obamacare, curtailing parts of his predecessor’s biggest legislative success — most notably, the unpopular individual mandate — but failing to repeal and replace the healthcare law in its entirety. Obamacare, otherwise known as the Affordable Care Act, gained in popularity after Trump and congressional Republicans tried to rescind it in 2017.
Obama and Trump have never run against each other in a head-to-head race, but they remain inextricably linked. Trump promoted "birtherism," which held that Obama was born in Kenya, as he began to make an appeal to Republican voters in the early 2010s, something for which former first lady Michelle Obama wrote she would never forgive him. It has been speculated that Obama’s ridicule of Trump, especially at the 2011 White House Correspondents' Association Dinner, prompted the businessman and reality TV star to run for president. Many Republicans think John McCain and Mitt Romney went too easy on Obama in their losing presidential campaigns, which drew them to Trump’s more combative style.
Trump has most recently argued that Obama and his deputies were behind an effort to spy on his 2016 presidential campaign. This so-called Obamagate controversy has gained traction with new revelations about the unmasking of former national security adviser Michael Flynn and flaws in the investigation into alleged collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. Trump has also repeatedly said Obama left the federal government unprepared to deal with a crisis like the coronavirus.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-20--Crucial Trump-Pelosi relationship craters as mutual heckling intensifies

What was once as “ the most important relationship in Washington ” has fallen to a new low of dysfunction , as President Trump and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi publicly trade insults amid an election-year global pandemic .
Pelosi targeted the president ’ s girth .
Trump made disparaging remarks about Pelosi ’ s mental health .
The two are struggling to juggle their need to work with each other on legislation addressing the coronavirus and its economic fallout with their mutual enmity and with the fact that they are both campaigning to replace each other .
Pelosi is trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden in the White House , and Trump wants to wrest the speaker ’ s gavel away from the California Democrat and give it to Republicans .
After Democrats took control of the House in 2018 , Jim Manley , a Democrat who was a top aide to former Majority Leader Harry Reid , said : “ This is clearly the most important relationship in Washington right now and for the next two years .
If there is any hope of getting anything done , it is largely going to rely on how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not been a success .
Trump was impeached by the House earlier this year with Pelosi ’ s support .
Republican voters and conservative donors are as outraged by Pelosi as the Resistance is at the president .
At 42 % , Pelosi ’ s job approval rating in the RealClearPolitics polling average is lower than Trump ’ s .
Her favorability rating is at 37.3 % , with 51.3 % taking an unfavorable view .
“ Nancy Pelosi is the face of House Democrats ’ socialist agenda , which focuses on robbing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taxes , and reshaping our country , all while she indulges in $ 13 pints of ice cream , ” said Michael McAdams , spokesman of the NRCC , the House GOP ’ s campaign arm .
The dessert reference alludes to when Pelosi showed off a freezer well stocked with expensive ice cream and other treats during a late-night television show appearance .
In the midst of a standoff over funds for the then-strapped Paycheck Protection Program , Republicans dubbed her “ Nancy Antoinette — let them eat ice cream.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Pelosi shot back during an MSNBC interview .
“ I guess that ’ s better than having Lysol in somebody ’ s lungs , as [ Trump ] was suggesting . ''
The mutual hatred has been building for weeks .
Trump didn ’ t shake her hand at the State of the Union address earlier this year .
Pelosi tore up a copy of the speech while he was still standing at the podium .
They haven ’ t spoken in months .
But Pelosi ’ s increasing Don Rickles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is something new .
As the grinning host looked on , Pelosi told CNN ’ s Anderson Cooper 360 Monday that Trump was too fat to be taking hydroxychloroquine .
`` He ’ s our president , and I would rather he not be taking something that has not been approved by the scientists , especially in his age group and in his , shall we say , weight group — morbidly obese , they say , ” she said .
“ Pelosi is a sick woman , ” Trump said on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot of problems .
A lot of mental problems .
We are dealing with people who have to get their act together for the good of the country.
” Allies of the president predicted Trump ’ s “ sick woman ” comments would be covered more critically by the press than Pelosi ’ s obesity remark .
“ They are more likely to laugh and clap , like CNN 's S.E .
Cupp did on Twitter , because they feel intensely that Trump deserves everything he 's dished out and more , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ analysis at the conservative Media Research Center .
`` Trump 's trolling is outrageous and undignified , '' he said .
`` Pelosi 's trolling is hilarious and justified .
The ‘ fact-checkers ’ that have taken every Trump joke seriously should flag Pelosi since Trump is not ‘ morbidly obese ’ as a medical matter , but do n't bet on it .
”

What was once billed as “the most important relationship in Washington” has fallen to a new low of dysfunction as President Trump and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi publicly trade insults amid an election-year global pandemic.
Pelosi targeted the president’s girth. Trump made disparaging remarks about Pelosi’s mental health. The two are struggling to juggle their need to work with each other on legislation addressing the coronavirus and its economic fallout with their mutual enmity and with the fact that they are both campaigning to replace each other. Pelosi is trying to help put presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden in the White House, and Trump wants to wrest the speaker’s gavel away from the California Democrat and give it to Republicans.
After Democrats took control of the House in 2018, Jim Manley, a Democrat who was a top aide to former Majority Leader Harry Reid, said: “This is clearly the most important relationship in Washington right now and for the next two years. If there is any hope of getting anything done, it is largely going to rely on how these two operate.”
The operation has not been a success. Trump was impeached by the House earlier this year with Pelosi’s support. Republican voters and conservative donors are as outraged by Pelosi as the resistance is at the president. At 42%, Pelosi’s job approval rating in the RealClearPolitics polling average is lower than Trump’s. Her favorability rating is at 37.3%, with 51.3% taking an unfavorable view.
“Nancy Pelosi is the face of House Democrats’ socialist agenda, which focuses on robbing voters of their healthcare, raising their taxes, and reshaping our country, all while she indulges in $13 pints of ice cream,” said Michael McAdams, spokesman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, the House GOP’s campaign arm.
The dessert reference alludes to when Pelosi showed off a freezer well stocked with expensive ice cream and other treats during a late-night television show appearance. In the midst of a standoff over funds for the then-strapped Paycheck Protection Program, Republicans dubbed her “Nancy Antoinette," paired with the words "Let them eat ice cream.”
“I have ice cream in my freezer,” Pelosi shot back during an MSNBC interview. “I guess that’s better than having Lysol in somebody’s lungs, as [Trump] was suggesting."
The mutual hatred has been building for weeks. Trump didn’t shake her hand at the State of the Union address earlier this year. Pelosi tore up a copy of the speech while he was still standing at the podium. They haven’t spoken in months. But Pelosi’s increasing Don Rickles performance heckling the president in media appearances is something new.
As the grinning host looked on, Pelosi told CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360 Monday that Trump was too fat to be taking hydroxychloroquine. "He’s our president, and I would rather he not be taking something that has not been approved by the scientists, especially in his age group and in his, shall we say, weight group — morbidly obese, they say,” she said.
“Pelosi is a sick woman,” Trump said on Tuesday. “She’s got a lot of problems. A lot of mental problems. We are dealing with people who have to get their act together for the good of the country.”
Allies of the president predicted Trump’s “sick woman” comments would be covered more critically by the press than Pelosi’s obesity remark.
“They are more likely to laugh and clap, like CNN's S.E. Cupp did on Twitter, because they feel intensely that Trump deserves everything he's dished out and more," said Tim Graham, director of media analysis at the conservative Media Research Center.
"Trump's trolling is outrageous and undignified," he said. "Pelosi's trolling is hilarious and justified. The ‘fact-checkers’ that have taken every Trump joke seriously should flag Pelosi since Trump is not ‘morbidly obese’ as a medical matter, but don't bet on it.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-20--Texas GOP plans in-person July state convention as dry run for the Trump nomination

Texas Republicans are planning a traditional , in-person convention of approximately 7,500 state party delegates , a large-scale gathering that officials describe as an unofficial test-run for the national Republican convention in Charlotte , North Carolina .
Texas GOP Chairman James Dickey said Tuesday the coronavirus would not upend the state party convention , a three-day affair in mid-July set to include delegate votes on the floor of a Houston convention center , breakout training sessions in private side rooms , and vendor booths .
The national Republican Party meets in Charlotte ’ s Spectrum Center arena roughly six weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to present their event as a model for successful mass political gathering .
“ We look forward to leading by example , ” Dickey told the Washington Examiner in an interview .
“ Conducting a convention , safely , is a critical part of the process.
” Pleased with the stabilization of coronavirus infections in Texas and worried about the extreme joblessness caused by the pandemic , Republican Gov .
Greg Abbott has lifted business closures as part of a phased transition back to normal .
The moves have generally been embraced by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rating of 58 % in a recent poll from SurveyMonkey .
Republican enthusiasm to contribute to the opening of the economy was a factor in the Texas GOP ’ s decision to go ahead with a typical convention this summer , Dickey said , explaining that party activists are following Trump ’ s lead on this politically charged issue .
But the chairman acknowledged that lingering health concerns related to the coronavirus would impact certain aspects of the state party ’ s gathering , scheduled for July 16–18 .
“ We ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure we arrange things with a much less compacted [ footprint ] than was previously the norm , ” Dickey said .
“ It is absolutely critical , ” he added , “ that our delegates have a chance to weigh in on our rules and priorities and our platform and that we lead by example toward national convention , showing that we can return to a level of normalcy while continuing to take the highest steps to protect health and safety of our attendees.
” Dickey said the convention floor is being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seated right next to each other in compact rows .
In the side rooms used for training sessions and seminars , there will be fewer seats for casual observers .
Those presenting and attending will be able to do so while practicing social distancing protocols .
Other elements of the convention are being planned accordingly .
Helping to make this logistically possible is that attendance at this year ’ s convention is expected to be 50 % less than previous years .
Dickey claims the party did not discourage attendance but conceded the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attendance .

Texas Republicans are planning a traditional, in-person convention of approximately 7,500 state party delegates, a large-scale gathering that officials describe as an unofficial test-run for the national Republican convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Texas GOP Chairman James Dickey said Tuesday the coronavirus would not upend the state party convention, a three-day affair in mid-July set to include delegate votes on the floor of a Houston convention center, breakout training sessions in private side rooms, and vendor booths. The national Republican Party meets in Charlotte’s Spectrum Center arena roughly six weeks later, and Texas Republicans are eager to present their event as a model for successful mass political gathering.
“We look forward to leading by example,” Dickey told the Washington Examiner in an interview. “Conducting a convention, safely, is a critical part of the process.”
Pleased with the stabilization of coronavirus infections in Texas and worried about the extreme joblessness caused by the pandemic, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has lifted business closures as part of a phased transition back to normal. The moves have generally been embraced by Texans — the governor enjoys an approval rating of 58% in a recent poll from SurveyMonkey.
Republican enthusiasm to contribute to the opening of the economy was a factor in the Texas GOP’s decision to go ahead with a typical convention this summer, Dickey said, explaining that party activists are following Trump’s lead on this politically charged issue. But the chairman acknowledged that lingering health concerns related to the coronavirus would impact certain aspects of the state party’s gathering, scheduled for July 16–18.
“We’re working with the convention center to make sure we arrange things with a much less compacted [footprint] than was previously the norm,” Dickey said.
“It is absolutely critical,” he added, “that our delegates have a chance to weigh in on our rules and priorities and our platform and that we lead by example toward national convention, showing that we can return to a level of normalcy while continuing to take the highest steps to protect health and safety of our attendees.”
Dickey said the convention floor is being laid out so that delegates are not seated right next to each other in compact rows. In the side rooms used for training sessions and seminars, there will be fewer seats for casual observers. Those presenting and attending will be able to do so while practicing social distancing protocols. Other elements of the convention are being planned accordingly.
Helping to make this logistically possible is that attendance at this year’s convention is expected to be 50% less than previous years. Dickey claims the party did not discourage attendance but conceded the coronavirus played a role in the lowering attendance.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-21--'The Right View': Trump campaign launches competing online show to ABC's The View

The Trump campaign is hoping to challenge the daytime women 's talk show The View with a conservative view on weekly news .
Lara Trump , the president 's daughter-in-law , previewed the program on Tuesday 's program of Team Trump Online , an online show used by the campaign to connect with internet users .
The show plans to stream every Wednesday at 8 p.m. and features a panel of conservative hosts with the Trump campaign , including Lara Trump , Kimberly Guilfoyle , Mercedes Schlapp , and Katrina Pierson .
`` TONIGHT : Join 'The Right View ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mercedesschlapp , and @ KatrinaPierson at 8:00PM ET ! ''
the campaign tweeted on Wednesday .
Schlapp , Trump 2020 senior adviser for strategic communications , told Just the News that the program is intended to counter the `` fake news '' narrative espoused on the ABC program .
“ For too long , women on ABC ’ s The View have believed they represent all women ’ s views , '' Schlapp said .
`` They project the fake news ’ narrative to viewers across the country and are obsessed with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' `` Our new series – The Right View – will make talk shows great again by breaking through the mainstream media ’ s deception and providing the facts about President Trump ’ s clear record of accomplishment , ” she added .
At the start of the program this Wednesday , brief clips showed ABC talk show personalities Whoopi Goldberg , Joy Behar , Meghan McCain , and Sunny Hostin covered with the slogan `` Make Talk Shows Great Again ! ''

The Trump campaign is hoping to challenge the daytime women's talk show The View with a conservative view on weekly news.
Lara Trump, the president's daughter-in-law, previewed the program on Tuesday's program of Team Trump Online, an online show used by the campaign to connect with internet users.
The show plans to stream every Wednesday at 8 p.m. and features a panel of conservative hosts with the Trump campaign, including Lara Trump, Kimberly Guilfoyle, Mercedes Schlapp, and Katrina Pierson.
"TONIGHT: Join 'The Right View' featuring @LaraLeaTrump, @kimguilfoyle, @mercedesschlapp, and @KatrinaPierson at 8:00PM ET!" the campaign tweeted on Wednesday.
Schlapp, Trump 2020 senior adviser for strategic communications, told Just the News that the program is intended to counter the "fake news" narrative espoused on the ABC program.
“For too long, women on ABC’s The View have believed they represent all women’s views," Schlapp said. "They project the fake news’ narrative to viewers across the country and are obsessed with their blatant hatred of President Trump."
"Our new series – The Right View – will make talk shows great again by breaking through the mainstream media’s deception and providing the facts about President Trump’s clear record of accomplishment,” she added.
At the start of the program this Wednesday, brief clips showed ABC talk show personalities Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Meghan McCain, and Sunny Hostin covered with the slogan "Make Talk Shows Great Again!"


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-20--Attack ad gives ex-spy Valerie Plame swastika eyes and calls her a 'disgraced, racist millionaire'

A dark money attack ad targeting New Mexico congressional candidate and former CIA operative Valerie Plame was so harsh , featuring swastika eyes , a Ku Klux Klan hood , and Charlottesville “ Unite the Right ” rally tiki torches , that it drew condemnation from two of her primary competitors .
“ Disgraced , racist millionaire Valarie Plame : Is she running for Congress to represent New Mexicans or white supremacists ?
” the ad opens , pausing on a headshot of Plame edited to make her pupils the shape of Nazi swastikas .
The ad centers on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anti-Semitic article from the Unz Review entitled `` America 's Jews Are Driving America 's Wars . ''
The article said that Jews `` own the media , '' should wear labels while on national television , and that their beliefs were as dangerous as `` a bottle of rat poison . ''
Neo-Nazi website the Daily Stormer and former Ku Klux Klan Grand Wizard David Duke praised Plame for posting the article , which the ad points out , featuring a KKK robe photoshopped over her head next to Duke .
After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resigned from the board of a grant-making fund focused on preventing the spread of nuclear weapons .
Plame said on CNN shortly after she announced her candidacy that she had not read the article .
But in the space of three years , it was found that she posted nine Unz articles , including one titled `` Why I Still Dislike Israel '' and another about `` Dancing Israelis '' on Sept. 11 .
`` Valarie Plame promoted the bigotry of a hate site so racist , it even smears Mexicans as having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the ad says , careful to not say that Plame herself shared the Unz article that contains that argument .
Other portions of the ad show photos from the 2017 “ Unite the Right ” rally in Charlottesville , Virginia , that drew white supremacist groups .
The ad was produced and promoted by the , a 501 ( c ) ( 4 ) “ dark money ” nonprofit group that does not have to disclose its donors but says it is funded “ by a broad and diverse coalition of Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politics , fight hate in our society , and rebuild trust in our Democracy.
” Federal Election Commission show that the group spent $ 5,500 on producing the ad and $ 7,500 on Facebook ads , but it is just getting started .
The group told the Washington Examiner that it intends to spend “ in the low six-figures over the next two weeks on many media platforms , ” including radio and television , “ to ensure that every New Mexico Democrat knows the truth about Valerie Plame ” ahead of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ created by the group , , also says that Plame “ is funded by holocaust deniers.
” She from former California Rep. Paul McCloskey , who referenced the “ so-called Holocaust ” during a 2000 speech to the Institute for Historical Review , it “ does not deny the Holocaust , ” but “ has no ‘ position ’ on any specific event or chapter of history.
” Plame , 56 , is one of seven candidates seeking the Democratic nomination for New Mexico ’ s third congressional district , a Democratic-leaning seat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state and the capital city of Santa Fe .
For some , the ad went too far .
Influential New Mexico political blogger called the ad “ beyond incendiary , ” adding that “ any TV station concerned with truth is going to have to swallow hard to take the money and give them an airing.
” Two of Plame ’ s primary opponents condemned the ad .
“ This type of vilification has no place in our politics and I strongly condemn this video .
My life ’ s work and my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hate , ” lawyer Teresa Leger Fernandez said in a tweet on Wednesday .
`` This new ad represents the worst of what dark money brings into politics , '' said Santa Fe County District Attorney Marco Serna .
Ian Sugar , president of the Alliance to Combat Extremism Fund , defended the ad .
“ Yes , the ad is hard-hitting , but every claim is 100 % true , ” Sugar said .
“ Here 's the bottom line : Some people might think that sharing content from a white supremacist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the type of judgment needed to be a Democrat in Congress .
Some people might think that someone praised by David Duke that accepts contribution after contribution from Holocaust deniers is fit to serve in Congress .
We disagree .
We think white supremacy is disqualifying.
” Plame shot to stardom after conservative columnist Robert Novak her covert identity in a 2003 column .
Plame that the leak of her name was “ payback ” from the Bush administration for her then-husband , former Ambassador Joseph Wilson , writing an op-ed about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Iraq War .
Commonly called the “ Plame Affair , ” the scandal rocked the Bush White House and resulted in the 2007 conviction of Lewis “ Scooter ” Libby , former chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney , for perjury and obstruction of justice in connection to the leak of Plame ’ s identity .
It emerged that former Deputy Secretary of State was the primary source for Novak ’ s story , but he was never charged .
President Trump pardoned Libby in 2018 , saying he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not respond to a request for comment on the ad .

A dark money attack ad targeting New Mexico congressional candidate and former CIA operative Valerie Plame was so harsh, featuring swastika eyes, a Ku Klux Klan hood, and Charlottesville “Unite the Right” rally tiki torches, that it drew condemnation from two of her primary competitors.
“Disgraced, racist millionaire Valarie Plame: Is she running for Congress to represent New Mexicans or white supremacists?” the ad opens, pausing on a headshot of Plame edited to make her pupils the shape of Nazi swastikas.
The ad centers on a 2017 Twitter scandal. Plame shared an anti-Semitic article from the Unz Review entitled "America's Jews Are Driving America's Wars." The article said that Jews "own the media," should wear labels while on national television, and that their beliefs were as dangerous as "a bottle of rat poison."
Neo-Nazi website the Daily Stormer and former Ku Klux Klan Grand Wizard David Duke praised Plame for posting the article, which the ad points out, featuring a KKK robe photoshopped over her head next to Duke.
After initially defending herself, Plame apologized and resigned from the board of a grant-making fund focused on preventing the spread of nuclear weapons. Plame said on CNN shortly after she announced her candidacy that she had not read the article. But in the space of three years, it was found that she posted nine Unz articles, including one titled "Why I Still Dislike Israel" and another about "Dancing Israelis" on Sept. 11.
"Valarie Plame promoted the bigotry of a hate site so racist, it even smears Mexicans as having a taste for sexually abusing children," the ad says, careful to not say that Plame herself shared the Unz article that contains that argument.
Other portions of the ad show photos from the 2017 “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, that drew white supremacist groups.
Plame called the ad "disgusting" and "hate speech" in a statement to the Washington Examiner on Thursday.
"Part of being a leader is acknowledging when you have made a mistake and trying, as best you can, to make it right. When I inadvertently retweeted offensive material I apologized immediately on Twitter. I have since continued to apologize, from the bottom of my heart, in any way that I can to atone for this mistake. These advertisements are Republican smear tactics and have no place in a Democratic primary or anywhere in our democracy. This is hate speech pure and simple," Plame said.
The ad was produced and promoted by the Alliance to Combat Extremism Fund , a 501(c)(4) “dark money” nonprofit group that does not have to disclose its donors but says it is funded “by a broad and diverse coalition of Americans who want to combat extremism in our politics, fight hate in our society, and rebuild trust in our Democracy.”
Federal Election Commission records show that the group spent $5,500 on producing the ad and $7,500 on Facebook ads, but it is just getting started.
The group told the Washington Examiner that it intends to spend “in the low six-figures over the next two weeks on many media platforms,” including radio and television, “to ensure that every New Mexico Democrat knows the truth about Valerie Plame” ahead of the June 2 primary contest.
A website created by the group, No Hate New Mexico , also says that Plame “is funded by holocaust deniers.” She accepted donations from former California Rep. Paul McCloskey, who referenced the “so-called Holocaust” during a 2000 speech to the Institute for Historical Review, which says it “does not deny the Holocaust,” but “has no ‘position’ on any specific event or chapter of history.”
Plame, 56, is one of seven candidates seeking the Democratic nomination for New Mexico’s third congressional district, a Democratic-leaning seat which encompasses the northern part of the state and the capital city of Santa Fe.
For some, the ad went too far.
Influential New Mexico political blogger Joe Monahan called the ad “beyond incendiary,” adding that “any TV station concerned with truth is going to have to swallow hard to take the money and give them an airing.”
Two of Plame’s primary opponents condemned the ad.
“This type of vilification has no place in our politics and I strongly condemn this video. My life’s work and my campaign has been about love, not hate,” lawyer Teresa Leger Fernandez said in a tweet on Wednesday.
There is an extremely offensive and sexist video going around about another candidate in this race. This type of vilification has no place in our politics and I strongly condemn this video. My life’s work and my campaign has been about love, not hate. — Teresa Leger Fernandez (@TeresaForNM) May 20, 2020
"This new ad represents the worst of what dark money brings into politics," said Santa Fe County District Attorney Marco Serna.
Ian Sugar, president of the Alliance to Combat Extremism Fund, defended the ad.
“Yes, the ad is hard-hitting, but every claim is 100% true,” Sugar said.
“Here's the bottom line: Some people might think that sharing content from a white supremacist hate site at least nine times displays the type of judgment needed to be a Democrat in Congress. Some people might think that someone praised by David Duke that accepts contribution after contribution from Holocaust deniers is fit to serve in Congress. We disagree. We think white supremacy is disqualifying.”
The former CIA operative told the Washington Examiner that she will fight for campaign finance reform that requires dark money groups to report where their contributions are coming from.
Plame shot to stardom after conservative columnist Robert Novak revealed her covert identity in a 2003 column. Plame maintains that the leak of her name was “payback” from the Bush administration for her then-husband, former Ambassador Joseph Wilson, writing an op-ed about the Bush administration on its intelligence justification for the Iraq War.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-20--Kellyanne Conway: Biden sounds like a 'co-ed at the end of a frat party' for promising female vice p

Kellyanne Conway: Biden sounds like a 'co-ed at the end of a frat party' for promising female vice president

Presidential counselor Kellyanne Conway slammed Joe Biden for promising his vice presidential spot to a woman .
During a Fox News interview on Wednesday , Conway mocked Biden 's shortlist for the vice presidency , which reportedly includes former Obama national security adviser Susan Rice and former acting Attorney General Sally Yates .
`` You 've seen the long shortlist of Joe Biden 's VP choices .
They all happen to be female .
He sounds like a co-ed at the end of a frat party . '
I need a woman ! '
So now he has binders of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Conway said .
`` And he 's got people like Sally Yates and Susan Rice allegedly on this list .
And those are two women who were very involved in the shenanigans that were happening in the days before we got here . ''
Conway then called into question Rice 's credibility as a vice presidential pick amid recent news she wrote emails to herself about conversations between herself and former President Barack Obama , former FBI Director James Comey , and Yates .
The email , which was fully declassified by acting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shows Comey stating his concerns about incoming Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn to Obama .
Comey said Flynn 's conversations with a Russian envoy warranted potential concern about him possessing sensitive information pertaining to the foreign country .
During a Democratic debate with independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in mid-March , Biden pledged a woman would be his choice for vice president .
`` There are a number of women who are qualified to be president tomorrow .
I would pick a woman to be vice president , '' Biden said at @ @ @

Presidential counselor Kellyanne Conway slammed Joe Biden for promising his vice presidential spot to a woman.
During a Fox News interview on Wednesday, Conway mocked Biden's shortlist for the vice presidency, which reportedly includes former Obama national security adviser Susan Rice and former acting Attorney General Sally Yates.
"You've seen the long shortlist of Joe Biden's VP choices. They all happen to be female. He sounds like a co-ed at the end of a frat party. 'I need a woman!' So now he has binders of women he's looking through," Conway said. "And he's got people like Sally Yates and Susan Rice allegedly on this list. And those are two women who were very involved in the shenanigans that were happening in the days before we got here."
Conway then called into question Rice's credibility as a vice presidential pick amid recent news she wrote emails to herself about conversations between herself and former President Barack Obama, former FBI Director James Comey, and Yates.
The email, which was fully declassified by acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell, shows Comey stating his concerns about incoming Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn to Obama. Comey said Flynn's conversations with a Russian envoy warranted potential concern about him possessing sensitive information pertaining to the foreign country.
During a Democratic debate with independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in mid-March, Biden pledged a woman would be his choice for vice president.
"There are a number of women who are qualified to be president tomorrow. I would pick a woman to be vice president," Biden said at the time.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-20--Biden campaign rips Hunter Biden inquiry as effort to resurrect 'debunked smear'

Former Vice President Joe Biden 's campaign hit back at the GOP-led investigation into his son Hunter Biden 's dealings with Ukrainian energy company Burisma Holdings .
After the Senate Homeland Security Committee voted along party lines on Wednesday to authorize a subpoena against Democratic public relations firm Blue Star Strategies , which represented Burisma , the Biden campaign called the inquiry an attempt to reignite a `` smear '' and accused Sen. Ron Johnson , who chairs the committee , of trying to provide cover for President Trump 's response to the coronavirus pandemic .
`` We ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health and economic crisis in a century , and what is Senator ( Ron ) Johnson focused on ?
Running a political errand for Donald Trump by wasting Homeland Security Committee time and resources attempting to resurrect a craven , previously-debunked smear against Vice President Biden , '' Biden campaign spokesman Andrew Bates told CNBC in an email .
`` Then again , this is consistent with how Senator Johnson has callously downplayed the severity of the COVID-19 outbreak while the death toll rises .
Senator Johnson should be working overtime to save @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s just trying to save the President ’ s job.
” Johnson defended the subpoena against criticism from Democrats , saying it was n't mean to be a `` big deal . ''
The Wisconsin Republican also claimed to Fox News that Democrats and Republicans know the committee remains mainly focused on the pandemic .
The vote fell 8-6 on party lines to subpoena Blue Star Strategies , including for depositions with the firm 's leadership .
Burisma became a household name during the impeachment saga after Trump pressed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a July 25 phone call , according to a transcript released by the White House .
Democrats cried foul over what they interpreted to be a `` quid pro quo . ''
Trump was impeached by the Democratic-controlled House on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress , but he was acquitted by the GOP-led Senate in February .
[ Related : The Hunter Biden time bomb is still ticking under his father ’ s presidential campaign ] Hunter Biden was employed on Burisma 's board while his father was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obama administration ’ s Ukraine policy .
Trump and his allies alleged the elder Biden improperly leveraged his position to shield his son from a Ukrainian investigation .
Blue Star Strategies co-founder and CEO Karen Tramontano wrote in a letter to Johnson earlier in the day that said she was `` puzzled '' by the need for a subpoena when , she argued , the firm has been compliant with all information requests .
`` At every opportunity we have indicated to the committee that it is our intention to cooperate , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have we ever stated or indicated in any way that we would not cooperate . ''
Other Democrats have raised concerns over the timing and motives of Wednesday 's subpoena vote and the investigation as a whole .
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer accused his Republican colleagues of ignoring the coronavirus for partisan matters .
“ Senate Republicans are not just ignoring the coronavirus , they ’ re practically sprinting towards a partisan election , making this chamber part of a reelection campaign , not what it was ever intended to be by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this fever to bow down to President Trump ’ s wild conspiracy theories has overtaken just about every Senate Republican , ” the New York Democrat said earlier on the Senate floor .
Sen. Kamala Harris also expressed her disagreement with the vote , tweeting that Johnson 's motives were purely political .
`` [ Johnson 's ] Senate Homeland Security Committee subpoena vote today is just another way to score cheap political points , '' the California Democrat said .
`` We should be prioritizing protecting Americans during this pandemic — not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear abdication of responsibility . ''
Johnson told reporters on Wednesday he wants to release a report on the investigation `` in the June time frame , personally , certainly before the August recess . ''

Former Vice President Joe Biden's campaign hit back at the GOP-led investigation into his son Hunter Biden's dealings with Ukrainian energy company Burisma Holdings.
After the Senate Homeland Security Committee voted along party lines on Wednesday to authorize a subpoena against Democratic public relations firm Blue Star Strategies, which represented Burisma, the Biden campaign called the inquiry an attempt to reignite a "smear" and accused Sen. Ron Johnson, who chairs the committee, of trying to provide cover for President Trump's response to the coronavirus pandemic.
"We’re in the middle of the worst public health and economic crisis in a century, and what is Senator (Ron) Johnson focused on? Running a political errand for Donald Trump by wasting Homeland Security Committee time and resources attempting to resurrect a craven, previously-debunked smear against Vice President Biden," Biden campaign spokesman Andrew Bates told CNBC in an email. "Then again, this is consistent with how Senator Johnson has callously downplayed the severity of the COVID-19 outbreak while the death toll rises. Senator Johnson should be working overtime to save American lives — but instead he’s just trying to save the President’s job.”
Johnson defended the subpoena against criticism from Democrats, saying it wasn't mean to be a "big deal." The Wisconsin Republican also claimed to Fox News that Democrats and Republicans know the committee remains mainly focused on the pandemic.
The vote fell 8-6 on party lines to subpoena Blue Star Strategies, including for depositions with the firm's leadership.
Burisma became a household name during the impeachment saga after Trump pressed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate the Bidens and other Democrats in a July 25 phone call, according to a transcript released by the White House. Democrats cried foul over what they interpreted to be a "quid pro quo." Trump was impeached by the Democratic-controlled House on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, but he was acquitted by the GOP-led Senate in February.
[Related: The Hunter Biden time bomb is still ticking under his father’s presidential campaign]
Hunter Biden was employed on Burisma's board while his father was serving as vice president and leading the Obama administration’s Ukraine policy. Trump and his allies alleged the elder Biden improperly leveraged his position to shield his son from a Ukrainian investigation.
Blue Star Strategies co-founder and CEO Karen Tramontano wrote in a letter to Johnson earlier in the day that said she was "puzzled" by the need for a subpoena when, she argued, the firm has been compliant with all information requests.
"At every opportunity we have indicated to the committee that it is our intention to cooperate," Tramontano wrote. "At no time have we ever stated or indicated in any way that we would not cooperate."
Other Democrats have raised concerns over the timing and motives of Wednesday's subpoena vote and the investigation as a whole.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer accused his Republican colleagues of ignoring the coronavirus for partisan matters.
“Senate Republicans are not just ignoring the coronavirus, they’re practically sprinting towards a partisan election, making this chamber part of a reelection campaign, not what it was ever intended to be by the founding fathers or anyone else until this fever to bow down to President Trump’s wild conspiracy theories has overtaken just about every Senate Republican,” the New York Democrat said earlier on the Senate floor.
Sen. Kamala Harris also expressed her disagreement with the vote, tweeting that Johnson's motives were purely political.
"[Johnson's] Senate Homeland Security Committee subpoena vote today is just another way to score cheap political points," the California Democrat said. "We should be prioritizing protecting Americans during this pandemic — not partisan political matters. This is a clear abdication of responsibility."
Johnson told reporters on Wednesday he wants to release a report on the investigation "in the June time frame, personally, certainly before the August recess."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-20--McConnell-aligned PAC raises more than $9M in April despite coronavirus downturn

The super PAC aligned with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell raised $ 9.2 million in April despite pressure on the economy from the coronavirus , the Washington Examiner has learned .
The latest take balloons the group ’ s campaign war chest to $ 60.2 million .
The Senate Leadership Fund raised slightly less than the $ 10.9 million collected by the Senate Majority PAC , the super PAC aligned with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer targeting more than a half-dozen vulnerable Republicans .
But the Senate Leadership Fund has basically pulled even with its Democratic counterpart in cash on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Day .
An official with the group told the Washington Examiner that this was encouraging .
The Senate Majority PAC announced that it finished April with $ 61.8 million in the bank , compared with $ 60.2 million in reserves reported by the Senate Leadership Fund .
Comparatively , by the end of April in 2018 , the Senate Majority PAC ’ s war chest dwarfed that of the Senate Leadership Fund by more than 2-1 , with the Democratic group banking $ 32 million and the Republican super PAC reporting $ 13.3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leadership Fund is plowing money into races that could tip the balance of power in the Senate , with Republicans on the defensive in Arizona , Colorado , Maine , Montana , and North Carolina .
In Montana , the group this week announced a $ 10.1 million advertising reservation for the fall to defend Republican Sen. Steve Daines .
Seats in Iowa and Georgia also are on the GOP ’ s watchlist .
Republicans are only on offense in Alabama and Michigan .
With President Trump ’ s prospects uncertain , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic chances of winning the Senate .
“ Vulnerable Senate incumbents have failed to take a meaningful stand against the failed leadership of their party and will pay for it at the ballot box in November , ” said J.B. Poersch , president of the Senate Majority PAC .

The super PAC aligned with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell raised $9.2 million in April despite pressure on the economy from the coronavirus, the Washington Examiner has learned.
The latest take balloons the group’s campaign war chest to $60.2 million.
The Senate Leadership Fund raised slightly less than the $10.9 million collected by the Senate Majority PAC, the super PAC aligned with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer targeting more than a half-dozen vulnerable Republicans. But the Senate Leadership Fund has basically pulled even with its Democratic counterpart in cash on hand less than six months before Election Day. An official with the group told the Washington Examiner that this was encouraging.
The Senate Majority PAC announced that it finished April with $61.8 million in the bank, compared with $60.2 million in reserves reported by the Senate Leadership Fund. Comparatively, by the end of April in 2018, the Senate Majority PAC’s war chest dwarfed that of the Senate Leadership Fund by more than 2-1, with the Democratic group banking $32 million and the Republican super PAC reporting $13.3 million in cash on hand.
Senate Leadership Fund is plowing money into races that could tip the balance of power in the Senate, with Republicans on the defensive in Arizona, Colorado, Maine, Montana, and North Carolina. In Montana, the group this week announced a $10.1 million advertising reservation for the fall to defend Republican Sen. Steve Daines. Seats in Iowa and Georgia also are on the GOP’s watchlist. Republicans are only on offense in Alabama and Michigan.
With President Trump’s prospects uncertain, the Senate Majority PAC has grown optimistic about Democratic chances of winning the Senate.
“Vulnerable Senate incumbents have failed to take a meaningful stand against the failed leadership of their party and will pay for it at the ballot box in November,” said J.B. Poersch, president of the Senate Majority PAC.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-20--Biden fumbles swipe at outspoken Chuck Grassley over inspector general firing

Joe Biden falsely suggested that Sen. Chuck Grassley has not said anything about President Trump firing inspectors general and was swiftly corrected .
`` It used to be a hobbyhorse for Republican senators , '' Biden said during a virtual roundtable discussion with Wisconsin voters on Wednesday .
`` Republican senators joined Democrats .
They were strongly , strongly , strongly supportive of these independent inspector generals , starting with Chairman Grassley and others . ''
Trump fired a State Department inspector general last week , one of five independent investigative watchdogs that Trump removed .
The firing of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Democrats in light of reports that he was investigating reports of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo having an aide walk his dog and run personal errands for him .
`` Where are they ?
Why are n't they speaking up about this ?
It really bothers me .
It bothers me a lot , '' Biden said .
Grassley , an Iowa Republican , sent a letter to Trump on Monday asking for a `` detailed reasoning '' for the firing of the State Department inspector general .
The law requires the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inspector general .
Republican Sens .
Mitt Romney of Utah and Susan Collins of Maine have also criticized Trump for failing to explain his firing of the State Department inspector general .
Grassley told CNN that he will `` try to get to the bottom '' of the firing and said , `` It 's not difficult for me to take on any president . ''
`` That 's my reputation , Republican or Democrat , '' he added .
A Grassley spokesman responded to Biden 's comment in a tweet on Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and missed a lot of what goes on around him , but @ ChuckGrassley has demanded answers and been among the most outspoken members of Congress , '' the spokesman said , pointing to several press releases that detailed Grassley 's actions and statements about inspector general firings .
In April , Grassley wrote several other letters and statements about the importance of inspectors general and safeguarding their authority .
`` The White House should empower inspectors general so they ’ re able to do their job , as President Trump did with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FISA abuse involving the president ’ s 2016 campaign , '' he said in one statement .

Joe Biden falsely suggested that Sen. Chuck Grassley has not said anything about President Trump firing inspectors general and was swiftly corrected.
"It used to be a hobbyhorse for Republican senators," Biden said during a virtual roundtable discussion with Wisconsin voters on Wednesday. "Republican senators joined Democrats. They were strongly, strongly, strongly supportive of these independent inspector generals, starting with Chairman Grassley and others."
Trump fired a State Department inspector general last week, one of five independent investigative watchdogs that Trump removed. The firing of the State Department official has prompted harsh criticism from Democrats in light of reports that he was investigating reports of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo having an aide walk his dog and run personal errands for him.
"Where are they? Why aren't they speaking up about this? It really bothers me. It bothers me a lot," Biden said.
Grassley, an Iowa Republican, sent a letter to Trump on Monday asking for a "detailed reasoning" for the firing of the State Department inspector general. The law requires the president to provide reasons for removing an inspector general.
Republican Sens. Mitt Romney of Utah and Susan Collins of Maine have also criticized Trump for failing to explain his firing of the State Department inspector general.
Grassley told CNN that he will "try to get to the bottom" of the firing and said, "It's not difficult for me to take on any president."
"That's my reputation, Republican or Democrat," he added.
A Grassley spokesman responded to Biden's comment in a tweet on Wednesday.
"@JoeBiden may have forgotten and missed a lot of what goes on around him, but @ChuckGrassley has demanded answers and been among the most outspoken members of Congress," the spokesman said, pointing to several press releases that detailed Grassley's actions and statements about inspector general firings.
In April, Grassley wrote several other letters and statements about the importance of inspectors general and safeguarding their authority.
"The White House should empower inspectors general so they’re able to do their job, as President Trump did with Inspector General Horowitz and his report on FISA abuse involving the president’s 2016 campaign," he said in one statement.