thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-14--Word of the Week: 'Factoids'

Word of the Week: 'Factoids'

The word “ factoid , ” I learned this week , is not a word for “ ‘ factlet ; or a ‘ little bit of arcana , ’ which is the CNN meaning , ” as William Safire put it .
Instead , it comes from Norman Mailer ’ s picture-book biography of Marilyn Monroe ( “ It has been obvious for some time , ” said a 1980 book review in the New York Times , “ that Marilyn Monroe is a character Norman Mailer would have liked to invent ” ) .
Factoids , in Mailer ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have no existence before appearing in a magazine or newspaper , creations which are not so much lies as a product to manipulate emotion in the Silent Majority . ''
At the risk of inventing a cute neologism , what we have in journalism right now is a culture replete with “ offensoids '' — phrases or linguistic slights that had no inherently offensive existence prior to being declared as such by a magazine or newspaper .
Sometimes , these come from journalists themselves , other times from outside pressure campaigns .
One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ written by leaders of left-leaning groups , including former top Obama staffer Valerie Jarrett , to `` News Division Heads , Editors in Chiefs , Bureau Chiefs , Political Directors , Editors , Producers , Reporters , and Anchors '' : “ A woman VP candidate , and possibly a Black or Brown woman candidate , requires the same kind of internal consideration about systemic inequality as you undertook earlier this year .
Anything less than full engagement in this thoughtful oversight would be a huge step backwards for the progress you have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thought and opportunity in your newsrooms and in your coverage.
” The whole thing is written with the tone of an ultimatum .
“ As we enter another historic moment , we will be watching you.
” Here are some of the specific verboten verbiages : For one , “ Reporting , even as asides in a story , on a woman ’ s looks , weight , tone of voice , attractiveness , and hair is sexist news coverage unless the same analysis is applied to every candidate.
” As the Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man ’ s absurd hair , weight , or coloring would ever be mocked in the press .
Another : “ Reporting on whether a woman is liked ( a subjective metric at best ) as though it is news when the ‘ likeability ’ of men is never considered a legitimate news story.
” Pete Buttigieg and Ted Cruz would like a word on whether male politicians ’ likability factor is ever adjudicated in the press .
The worst offense to good sense in the letter is this : “ Reporting on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s , particularly black women , show of anger at injustice or any other kind of passion in communication perpetuates racist tropes that suggest unfairly that women are too emotional or irrational in their leadership or worse ‘ hate America.
’ ” Apparently , this asinine logic would have you believe the subjects praised in feminist magazine writer Rebecca Traister ’ s recent book , Good and Mad : The Revolutionary Power of Women ’ s Anger , were actually being viciously attacked .
Or that erstwhile VP shortlister Karen Bass praised Fidel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because she , in fact , loved America ’ s foreign policy in Latin America .
It ’ s not necessary to examine the wisdom of the rhetorical tendency of Democrats to get burned by wrapping themselves in the flag and then setting it on fire .
What Word of the Week readers ought to take note of is that political hacks are telling writers that they can ’ t so much as air certain issues , because the words necessary to discuss those issues are off-limits .
This is profoundly anti-journalistic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when done on behalf of offensoids .

The word “factoid,” I learned this week, is not a word for “‘factlet; or a ‘little bit of arcana,’ which is the CNN meaning,” as William Safire put it. Instead, it comes from Norman Mailer’s picture-book biography of Marilyn Monroe (“It has been obvious for some time,” said a 1980 book review in the New York Times, “that Marilyn Monroe is a character Norman Mailer would have liked to invent”). Factoids, in Mailer’s coinage, are "facts which have no existence before appearing in a magazine or newspaper, creations which are not so much lies as a product to manipulate emotion in the Silent Majority."
At the risk of inventing a cute neologism, what we have in journalism right now is a culture replete with “offensoids" — phrases or linguistic slights that had no inherently offensive existence prior to being declared as such by a magazine or newspaper. Sometimes, these come from journalists themselves, other times from outside pressure campaigns.
One such example comes from an open letter written by leaders of left-leaning groups, including former top Obama staffer Valerie Jarrett, to "News Division Heads, Editors in Chiefs, Bureau Chiefs, Political Directors, Editors, Producers, Reporters, and Anchors":
“A woman VP candidate, and possibly a Black or Brown woman candidate, requires the same kind of internal consideration about systemic inequality as you undertook earlier this year. Anything less than full engagement in this thoughtful oversight would be a huge step backwards for the progress you have pledged to make to expand diversity of thought and opportunity in your newsrooms and in your coverage.” The whole thing is written with the tone of an ultimatum. “As we enter another historic moment, we will be watching you.”
Here are some of the specific verboten verbiages: For one, “Reporting, even as asides in a story, on a woman’s looks, weight, tone of voice, attractiveness, and hair is sexist news coverage unless the same analysis is applied to every candidate.” As the Donald Trump presidency has taught us, no man’s absurd hair, weight, or coloring would ever be mocked in the press. Another: “Reporting on whether a woman is liked (a subjective metric at best) as though it is news when the ‘likeability’ of men is never considered a legitimate news story.” Pete Buttigieg and Ted Cruz would like a word on whether male politicians’ likability factor is ever adjudicated in the press.
The worst offense to good sense in the letter is this: “Reporting on and using pictures of a woman’s, particularly black women, show of anger at injustice or any other kind of passion in communication perpetuates racist tropes that suggest unfairly that women are too emotional or irrational in their leadership or worse ‘hate America.’” Apparently, this asinine logic would have you believe the subjects praised in feminist magazine writer Rebecca Traister’s recent book, Good and Mad: The Revolutionary Power of Women’s Anger, were actually being viciously attacked. Or that erstwhile VP shortlister Karen Bass praised Fidel Castro's regime earlier in her life because she, in fact, loved America’s foreign policy in Latin America.
It’s not necessary to examine the wisdom of the rhetorical tendency of Democrats to get burned by wrapping themselves in the flag and then setting it on fire. What Word of the Week readers ought to take note of is that political hacks are telling writers that they can’t so much as air certain issues, because the words necessary to discuss those issues are off-limits. This is profoundly anti-journalistic, and it’s creepy, particularly when done on behalf of offensoids.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-14--Trump's hogging of the spotlight is hurting his chances at reelection

Months ago , President Trump ’ s political advisers were getting worried about his insistence on staying in the national spotlight .
It wasn ’ t helping his prospects for reelection .
But Trump has scarcely limited his presence in public at all .
There was some hope among his advisers that he ’ d begin to let his campaign take over and save him for major events and important speeches , at least in the four months before Election Day .
That deadline has long since passed , and the president is as ubiquitous as ever .
He ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to cross his mind .
He makes minor statements .
He insults foes .
Trump won ’ t shut up .
What ’ s the problem with this ?
For one thing , the beneficiary of his hogging the spotlight is Joe Biden , who is freed to sequester himself in his basement .
It was the location for the announcement that he had chosen Sen. Kamala Harris as his vice presidential running mate .
By holding press conferences , the president makes it easy for the media to find quotes to attack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avoids the press , knowing that friendly reporters will let him get away with this .
They let Trump get away with nothing .
But here ’ s the overriding reason why Trump ’ s public appearances and idle comments are his biggest mistake : They freeze him in place as the No.1 issue in the election .
And the longer he ’ s stuck there , the less chance he has of being reelected .
Doesn ’ t Trump know the spotlight is a danger zone for him in the presidential race @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats are far more committed to defeating Trump than they are to electing Biden .
This is unusual .
It underlines how much Democrats loathe Trump .
They dislike his political views , but it ’ s his personality , his insults , and seeing him on TV that seem to feed their hostility all the more .
The Washington Post was upset merely by his accusing Harris of being “ extraordinarily nasty ” to Justice Brett Kavanaugh at his confirmation hearing .
There ’ s little Trump can do to improve his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ changing his views from centrist to left-wing may tighten the race by a few percentage points .
But that ’ s all .
To win , Trump needs an issue , or two , that rise above Trump v. Biden policy disagreements .
If Biden skips the three scheduled debates , continues to linger in his basement hideaway , and shows signs of senility , that package could dominate the campaign .
But Trump can ’ t count on his opponent ’ s collapse .
It sounds like an intervention too good to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Biden might be able to nix the debates without excessive harm to his candidacy , since the media and plenty of Democrats would accept his decision .
And chances are , his personality would still give him a lift .
Trump may have to create a “ big picture ” issue of his own , perhaps along the lines of asking what kind of America voters want , a country with a recovering economy , a vanishing COVID-19 virus , a chastened China , and better relations between black people and police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America of burning cities , unsolved racial trouble , empty stores , and a still virulent coronavirus threat .
The reverse of that ad is easy to imagine .
It would contrast a peaceful , prosperous , and racially harmonious America with a country with the opposite traits .
Could an ad like that be made ?
Would it be possible to tone it down sufficiently to be accepted by a majority of the public ?
Would the TV networks agree to run it ?
Tough , hot-button campaign ads have been aired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against Barry Goldwater in 1964 ran only once .
The “ Willie Horton ” spot against Michael Dukakis was controversial , but mostly in hindsight after the 1988 election had been won by George H.W .
Bush .
Some Democrats said it was racist .
Republicans said it wasn ’ t .
But the divisions in America weren ’ t as raw in those years as they are in 2020 .
An ad touching on racial matters , riots , and crime would surely be denounced and picketed .
An ad that doesn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Two Americas could be contrasted on the virus , the economy , crime , and the country ’ s role in the world .
It would lack the punch of being full-throated and might not be worth the effort to produce and broadcast .
But Trump needs something to boost his campaign .
And it better be big .

Months ago, President Trump’s political advisers were getting worried about his insistence on staying in the national spotlight. It wasn’t helping his prospects for reelection. But Trump has scarcely limited his presence in public at all. There was some hope among his advisers that he’d begin to let his campaign take over and save him for major events and important speeches, at least in the four months before Election Day.
That deadline has long since passed, and the president is as ubiquitous as ever. He’s become a kibitzer on whatever seems to cross his mind. He makes minor statements. He insults foes. Trump won’t shut up.
What’s the problem with this? For one thing, the beneficiary of his hogging the spotlight is Joe Biden, who is freed to sequester himself in his basement. It was the location for the announcement that he had chosen Sen. Kamala Harris as his vice presidential running mate.
By holding press conferences, the president makes it easy for the media to find quotes to attack and phrases to misconstrue. Biden wisely avoids the press, knowing that friendly reporters will let him get away with this. They let Trump get away with nothing. But here’s the overriding reason why Trump’s public appearances and idle comments are his biggest mistake: They freeze him in place as the No.1 issue in the election. And the longer he’s stuck there, the less chance he has of being reelected.
Doesn’t Trump know the spotlight is a danger zone for him in the presidential race? Maybe not. Polls show that Democrats are far more committed to defeating Trump than they are to electing Biden.
This is unusual. It underlines how much Democrats loathe Trump. They dislike his political views, but it’s his personality, his insults, and seeing him on TV that seem to feed their hostility all the more. The Washington Post was upset merely by his accusing Harris of being “extraordinarily nasty” to Justice Brett Kavanaugh at his confirmation hearing.
There’s little Trump can do to improve his likability. His pummeling of Biden for changing his views from centrist to left-wing may tighten the race by a few percentage points. But that’s all. To win, Trump needs an issue, or two, that rise above Trump v. Biden policy disagreements. If Biden skips the three scheduled debates, continues to linger in his basement hideaway, and shows signs of senility, that package could dominate the campaign.
But Trump can’t count on his opponent’s collapse. It sounds like an intervention too good to be true in Trump’s case. Biden might be able to nix the debates without excessive harm to his candidacy, since the media and plenty of Democrats would accept his decision. And chances are, his personality would still give him a lift.
Trump may have to create a “big picture” issue of his own, perhaps along the lines of asking what kind of America voters want, a country with a recovering economy, a vanishing COVID-19 virus, a chastened China, and better relations between black people and police? That would be contrasted with an America of burning cities, unsolved racial trouble, empty stores, and a still virulent coronavirus threat.
The reverse of that ad is easy to imagine. It would contrast a peaceful, prosperous, and racially harmonious America with a country with the opposite traits. Could an ad like that be made? Would it be possible to tone it down sufficiently to be accepted by a majority of the public? Would the TV networks agree to run it?
Tough, hot-button campaign ads have been aired before. The “daisy” ad against Barry Goldwater in 1964 ran only once. The “Willie Horton” spot against Michael Dukakis was controversial, but mostly in hindsight after the 1988 election had been won by George H.W. Bush. Some Democrats said it was racist. Republicans said it wasn’t. But the divisions in America weren’t as raw in those years as they are in 2020. An ad touching on racial matters, riots, and crime would surely be denounced and picketed.
An ad that doesn’t include racial disputes might work. Two Americas could be contrasted on the virus, the economy, crime, and the country’s role in the world. It would lack the punch of being full-throated and might not be worth the effort to produce and broadcast. But Trump needs something to boost his campaign. And it better be big.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-14--Kanye West files petition to appear on Iowa presidential ballot

Kanye West 's bid to become president of the United States is rolling on after his campaign team submitted petition @ @ @ @ @ Iowa presidential ballot in November .
Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate confirmed that West @ @ @ @ @ required petitions on Friday morning and that his office would be scrutinizing the signatures to @ @ @ @ @ `` I can confirm that representatives from the Kanye West presidential campaign just delivered nominating @ @ @ @ @ '' Pate tweeted .
`` We will review the petitions to ensure they meet the @ @ @ @ @ has already qualified to appear on the ballots of Colorado , Oklahoma , and Arkansas @ @ @ @ @ Wisconsin , Ohio , and West Virginia are still under review .
West recently withdrew @ @ @ @ @ appear on the New Jersey ballot after a former Democratic congressional candidate questioned the validity @ @ @ @ @ appeared to have similar pen strokes .

Kanye West's bid to become president of the United States is rolling on after his campaign team submitted petition signatures to appear on the Iowa presidential ballot in November.
Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate confirmed that West's campaign team submitted the required petitions on Friday morning and that his office would be scrutinizing the signatures to make sure they qualify.
"I can confirm that representatives from the Kanye West presidential campaign just delivered nominating petitions to our office," Pate tweeted. "We will review the petitions to ensure they meet the minimum requirements."
I can confirm that representatives from the Kanye West presidential campaign just delivered nominating petitions to our office. We will review the petitions to ensure they meet the minimum requirements. @kanyewest #Election2020 — Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate (@IowaSOS) August 14, 2020
West has already qualified to appear on the ballots of Colorado, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, and petitions filed in Wisconsin, Ohio, and West Virginia are still under review.
West recently withdrew his name from consideration to appear on the New Jersey ballot after a former Democratic congressional candidate questioned the validity of dozens of signatures that appeared to have similar pen strokes.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-14--'He's not well': Republican insiders say Biden-Harris ticket will lead to president's self-destructi

'He's not well': Republican insiders say Biden-Harris ticket will lead to president's self-destruction

Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden pairing up with California Sen. Kamala Harris to take on President Trump wo n't be good for him , former Republican Party insiders say .
Omarosa Manigault Newman , a former aide to Trump , said that Harris 's presence on the ballot will annoy the president in ways he wo n't be able to control .
`` He 's not well , ” Manigault Newman told the Independent .
“ He ’ s his worst enemy , so the Biden-Harris ticket is formidable because it 's going to trigger him in ways where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Manigault Newman , who had a public fallout with Trump after leaving her post , added that the president `` ca n't help himself when it comes to self-destructing . ''
The former Apprentice contestant was fired from her role by Trump 's then-chief of staff John Kelly in 2017 .
Shortly after , she released a tell-all book titled Unhinged : An Insider Account of the Trump White House , which was full of negative claims about Trump and his staff , including accusations of Trump being racist .
Former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2008 presidential campaign of late Sen. John McCain , said Trump 's 2020 campaign is taking place in a `` fundamentally different era '' than Democrats , specifically citing Trump 's messaging at suburban housewives .
“ He has [ 1950s television housewife ] June Cleaver , I think , pictured in the kitchen , being surrounded by large menacing black men , '' Schmidt said .
`` He ’ s explicitly saying that the black people are coming to your suburbs to live and do violence to you . ''
Former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was curious to see how the Trump campaign will position itself to run against Harris , who he calls a `` very sophisticated , dominant African American woman . ''
`` I guarantee you Donald Trump has something that he 's gon na drop that ’ s gon na make everybody go : ‘ What the f -- - ? '
'' Steele said .

Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden pairing up with California Sen. Kamala Harris to take on President Trump won't be good for him, former Republican Party insiders say.
Omarosa Manigault Newman, a former aide to Trump, said that Harris's presence on the ballot will annoy the president in ways he won't be able to control.
"He's not well,” Manigault Newman told the Independent. “He’s his worst enemy, so the Biden-Harris ticket is formidable because it's going to trigger him in ways where he'll be all over the place."
Manigault Newman, who had a public fallout with Trump after leaving her post, added that the president "can't help himself when it comes to self-destructing."
The former Apprentice contestant was fired from her role by Trump's then-chief of staff John Kelly in 2017. Shortly after, she released a tell-all book titled Unhinged: An Insider Account of the Trump White House, which was full of negative claims about Trump and his staff, including accusations of Trump being racist.
Former Republican strategist Steve Schmidt, who ran the 2008 presidential campaign of late Sen. John McCain, said Trump's 2020 campaign is taking place in a "fundamentally different era" than Democrats, specifically citing Trump's messaging at suburban housewives.
“He has [1950s television housewife] June Cleaver, I think, pictured in the kitchen, being surrounded by large menacing black men," Schmidt said. "He’s explicitly saying that the black people are coming to your suburbs to live and do violence to you."
Former Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele said he was curious to see how the Trump campaign will position itself to run against Harris, who he calls a "very sophisticated, dominant African American woman."
"I guarantee you Donald Trump has something that he's gonna drop that’s gonna make everybody go: ‘What the f---?'" Steele said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-14--Obama accuses Trump of attempting to 'kneecap the Postal Service'

Former President Barack Obama took a jab at President Trump over his suggestion that the U.S .
Postal Service could play a role in swinging the 2020 election if it is used to organize mail-in voting amid the coronavirus .
Obama told David Plouffe , his former campaign manager and adviser , that Trump 's attacks on the Postal Service are `` unheard of . ''
He also swiped at the GOP , accusing it of trying to `` discourage people 's votes from counting in all kinds of ways . ''
“ What we 've never seen before is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to try to actively kneecap the Postal Service to encourage voting , and I will be explicit about the reason I 'm doing it , ’ ” Obama said .
“ That 's sort of unheard of , right ?
And we also have not had an election in the midst of a pandemic that is still deadly and killing a lot of people and … we still do n't know.
” Trump and his allies have repeatedly claimed the widespread use of mail-in ballots , meant to be a precaution during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voter fraud .
This week , the president talked about his opposition to providing extra money for mail-in voting and the Postal Service in a coronavirus relief package while saying it could facilitate voting irregularities .
`` This whole thing with this mail-in ballot , that ’ s a rigged election waiting to happen , '' Trump told Fox News host Sean Hannity on Tuesday .
`` It ’ s rigged , and everyone knows it because you can ’ t send out 16 million mail-in ballots to everybody .
Who knows who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are going to get them , and people are going to just grab batches of them , and you talk about China and Russia , they ’ ll be grabbing plenty of them .
It ’ s a disaster . ''

Former President Barack Obama took a jab at President Trump over his suggestion that the U.S. Postal Service could play a role in swinging the 2020 election if it is used to organize mail-in voting amid the coronavirus.
Obama told David Plouffe, his former campaign manager and adviser, that Trump's attacks on the Postal Service are "unheard of." He also swiped at the GOP, accusing it of trying to "discourage people's votes from counting in all kinds of ways."
“What we've never seen before is a president say, ‘I'm going to try to actively kneecap the Postal Service to encourage voting, and I will be explicit about the reason I'm doing it,’” Obama said. “That's sort of unheard of, right? And we also have not had an election in the midst of a pandemic that is still deadly and killing a lot of people and … we still don't know.”
Trump and his allies have repeatedly claimed the widespread use of mail-in ballots, meant to be a precaution during the coronavirus pandemic, will lead to voter fraud. This week, the president talked about his opposition to providing extra money for mail-in voting and the Postal Service in a coronavirus relief package while saying it could facilitate voting irregularities.
"This whole thing with this mail-in ballot, that’s a rigged election waiting to happen," Trump told Fox News host Sean Hannity on Tuesday. "It’s rigged, and everyone knows it because you can’t send out 16 million mail-in ballots to everybody. Who knows who’s getting them? The mailmen are going to get them, and people are going to just grab batches of them, and you talk about China and Russia, they’ll be grabbing plenty of them. It’s a disaster."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-14--'I am in this race to win': Kamala Harris responds to GOP attacks

Sen. Kamala Harris dodged a question about the onslaught of Republican attacks leveled at her since former Vice President Joe Biden named her as his running mate .
`` I am signing this because I am in this race to win , '' the California Democrat told reporters .
`` And with that guy right there , '' she added , referring to the presumptive 2020 Democratic White House nominee .
`` We 're going to get it done . ''
President Trump and Republicans have lambasted Harris since Biden unveiled her as his No .
2 .
Shortly after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nasty '' for her tough questioning of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh during his confirmation process and for the way she confronted Biden in one of their debates over his opposition to federally mandated school busing to achieve racial balance in the 1970s .
Trump then reiterated his White House press briefing comments in an interview with Fox Business , describing her as `` a mad woman '' and `` so angry . ''
Trump has also elevated claims that Harris does not meet the definition of a natural-born citizen and therefore is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ despite her being born in the United States .
`` I just heard about it ; I 'll take a look , '' he said .
Republicans have seized on her prosecutorial record as well .
Though she faced similar criticism during the primary , the GOP has struggled to differentiate complaints that `` Kamala is a cop , '' which is based on her tenures as an Alameda County line prosecutor , San Francisco 's district attorney , and California 's attorney general , with its `` law and order '' message @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the DuPont Hotel in Wilmington , Delaware , to sign papers so the pair can accept the party 's presidential and vice presidential nods during next week 's convention and be listed on ballots across the country .
They took only one question from reporters the campaign invited to the event .
The ticket is due to give acceptance speeches at Wilmington 's Chase Center .
Harris 's address is set for Wednesday , while Biden 's will cap the four-day affair on Thursday .

Sen. Kamala Harris dodged a question about the onslaught of Republican attacks leveled at her since former Vice President Joe Biden named her as his running mate.
"I am signing this because I am in this race to win," the California Democrat told reporters.
"And with that guy right there," she added, referring to the presumptive 2020 Democratic White House nominee. "We're going to get it done."
President Trump and Republicans have lambasted Harris since Biden unveiled her as his No. 2.
Shortly after the announcement, Trump called her "nasty" for her tough questioning of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh during his confirmation process and for the way she confronted Biden in one of their debates over his opposition to federally mandated school busing to achieve racial balance in the 1970s. Trump then reiterated his White House press briefing comments in an interview with Fox Business, describing her as "a mad woman" and "so angry."
Trump has also elevated claims that Harris does not meet the definition of a natural-born citizen and therefore is not eligible to be vice president, despite her being born in the United States.
"I just heard about it; I'll take a look," he said.
Republicans have seized on her prosecutorial record as well. Though she faced similar criticism during the primary, the GOP has struggled to differentiate complaints that "Kamala is a cop," which is based on her tenures as an Alameda County line prosecutor, San Francisco's district attorney, and California's attorney general, with its "law and order" message.
Harris joined Biden on Friday at the DuPont Hotel in Wilmington, Delaware, to sign papers so the pair can accept the party's presidential and vice presidential nods during next week's convention and be listed on ballots across the country. They took only one question from reporters the campaign invited to the event.
The ticket is due to give acceptance speeches at Wilmington's Chase Center. Harris's address is set for Wednesday, while Biden's will cap the four-day affair on Thursday.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-14--The 'that's racist' shield has already been deployed for Kamala Harris

Predictable as ever , Democrats and their media friends are shielding Sen. Kamala Harris from scrutiny by calling criticism of her ( what else ? )
racist .
President Trump was asked during a press briefing on Thursday about the suggestion by some that Harris , a daughter of two immigrants , is actually ineligible to serve as vice president because she doesn ’ t qualify as a “ natural born citizen ” of the United States .
“ I have no idea if that ’ s right , ” Trump said .
“ I would have assumed the Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gets chosen to run for vice president.
” He added , “ I don ’ t know about it .
I just heard about it .
I ’ ll take a look.
” That noncommittal answer of complete indifference inspired the New York Times to blast out the headline , “ Trump Encourages Racist Conspiracy Theory About Kamala Harris.
” The Associated Press said Trump ’ s answer gave “ credence “ to a “ false , racist Harris conspiracy.
” Donna Brazile , a Democrat and Fox News contributor , also called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas .
So did CNN ’ s Don Lemon .
So did the Washington Post ’ s Karen Tumulty .
I know it takes great memory to look back all of four years ago , but none of these guys said it was racist when Trump aggressively pushed the legitimate legal theory that Ted Cruz , then his opponent for the Republican nomination , also couldn ’ t be president based on the same constitutional issue .
The Washington Post in fact ran an op-ed by a law professor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not a natural-born citizen and therefore is not eligible to be president or vice president of the United States.
” Ah — but Cruz is a Republican , and Harris is a Democrat .
It ’ s not fun anymore when the target is a Democrat .
Then , it ’ s “ racist.
” To understand just how indiscriminately they ’ ll do this , consider that Trump also said that Harris was “ angry ” during her questioning of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh , a description that Eugene Robinson of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ? )
racist .
They know none of this is racist .
But that 's never stopped them from using it as a shield before .

Predictable as ever, Democrats and their media friends are shielding Sen. Kamala Harris from scrutiny by calling criticism of her (what else?) racist.
President Trump was asked during a press briefing on Thursday about the suggestion by some that Harris, a daughter of two immigrants, is actually ineligible to serve as vice president because she doesn’t qualify as a “natural born citizen” of the United States.
“I have no idea if that’s right,” Trump said. “I would have assumed the Democrats would have checked that out before she gets chosen to run for vice president.” He added, “I don’t know about it. I just heard about it. I’ll take a look.”
That noncommittal answer of complete indifference inspired the New York Times to blast out the headline, “Trump Encourages Racist Conspiracy Theory About Kamala Harris.”
The Associated Press said Trump’s answer gave “credence“ to a “false, racist Harris conspiracy.”
Donna Brazile, a Democrat and Fox News contributor, also called it “racist.” So did Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas. So did CNN’s Don Lemon. So did the Washington Post’s Karen Tumulty.
I know it takes great memory to look back all of four years ago, but none of these guys said it was racist when Trump aggressively pushed the legitimate legal theory that Ted Cruz, then his opponent for the Republican nomination, also couldn’t be president based on the same constitutional issue.
The Washington Post in fact ran an op-ed by a law professor who explicitly said that Cruz “is not a natural-born citizen and therefore is not eligible to be president or vice president of the United States.”
Ah — but Cruz is a Republican, and Harris is a Democrat. It’s not fun anymore when the target is a Democrat. Then, it’s “racist.”
To understand just how indiscriminately they’ll do this, consider that Trump also said that Harris was “angry” during her questioning of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, a description that Eugene Robinson of the Washington Post called (what else?) racist.
They know none of this is racist. But that's never stopped them from using it as a shield before.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-14--Majority of Biden voters support him because 'he's not Trump': Poll

A majority of voters who plan to support presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden in November are doing so because “ he is not ” President Trump , according to a new poll of registered voters .
In a Pew Poll conducted prior to Biden selecting Sen. Kamala Harris of California as his running mate , 56 % of voters who back the former vice president over Trump said they did so because he is not the Republican incumbent .
Just 19 % support Biden because of his “ leadership/performance , ” and only 13 % plan to vote for him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 9 % said they like Biden most because of his position on the issues .
Comparatively , 19 % of Trump supporters cited “ he is not Biden ” as their main reason for backing the president .
Meanwhile , 23 % credited the incumbent ’ s leadership and performance for their decision to back his reelection , and 21 % said they would vote for him because of his personality and temperament .
An additional 17 % of Trump voters said they support him because “ he is for American people and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the two presidential candidates after Pew asked poll respondents open-ended questions about why they were supporting either Trump or Biden .
The response indicates that Trump voters might be more enthusiastic about their candidate than Biden voters , a potential advantage for the president .
But some Republicans worry it might not matter , given how motivated Biden voters are to oust Trump .
The Pew survey found Biden , plus voters leaning toward Biden , leading Trump , plus voters leaning toward Trump , by a healthy 53 % to 45 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through Aug. 2 and made public on Thursday , had a margin of error of plus or minus 1.5 percentage points .

A majority of voters who plan to support presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden in November are doing so because “he is not” President Trump, according to a new poll of registered voters.
In a Pew Poll conducted prior to Biden selecting Sen. Kamala Harris of California as his running mate, 56% of voters who back the former vice president over Trump said they did so because he is not the Republican incumbent. Just 19% support Biden because of his “leadership/performance,” and only 13% plan to vote for him because of his “personality/temperament.” Just 9% said they like Biden most because of his position on the issues.
Comparatively, 19% of Trump supporters cited “he is not Biden” as their main reason for backing the president. Meanwhile, 23% credited the incumbent’s leadership and performance for their decision to back his reelection, and 21% said they would vote for him because of his personality and temperament. An additional 17% of Trump voters said they support him because “he is for American people and values.”
Voters offered their assessments of the two presidential candidates after Pew asked poll respondents open-ended questions about why they were supporting either Trump or Biden. The response indicates that Trump voters might be more enthusiastic about their candidate than Biden voters, a potential advantage for the president. But some Republicans worry it might not matter, given how motivated Biden voters are to oust Trump.
The Pew survey found Biden, plus voters leaning toward Biden, leading Trump, plus voters leaning toward Trump, by a healthy 53% to 45%.
The survey, conducted July 27 through Aug. 2 and made public on Thursday, had a margin of error of plus or minus 1.5 percentage points.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-14--Trump: Crime surge in NYC and high taxes puts New York 'in play' in 2020

President Trump said Thursday that surging crime in New York City and high taxes has his campaign putting the state of New York `` in play '' to try and win over in the upcoming general election .
“ Over the last six months , what ’ s happened is insane , ” Trump said during an Oval Office interview with the New York Post .
“ It ’ s insane .
So we ’ re going to try very hard to win New York , and that will be the first time — is that since Ronald Reagan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The president , who is from New York City , continued : “ I will bring down taxes , and I ’ ll make sure that New York City is a safe place .
I mean , this is one of our cherished — this is a cherished diamond of this country .
And we can ’ t let this happen to New York.
” Crime has been a rising problem in New York City in recent months during the coronavirus pandemic , highlighted by an uptick in the number of shootings , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time last year .
“ Shootings are double , murders , everything has doubled and tripled , ” Trump said .
“ And I ’ ve heard numbers , 244 % on some kinds of crimes .
What is it , 277 % for shootings ?
” Some recent reports have suggested that New Yorkers are fleeing the nation ’ s largest city as crime spikes .
Trump addressed that issue in a tweet Friday , posting an opinion article from the New York Post .
“ It was showing signs of future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I left 4 years ago !
” the president tweeted .
In addition to his belief that a Republican general election victory in a presidential race is possible in New York for the first time since Ronald Reagan in 1984 , Trump , who is facing Democrat Joe Biden in the 2020 contest , said he could also win certain states that he lost to Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election .
“ We think we ’ re going to win New Mexico .
We think we ’ re going to win Minnesota @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think we ’ re — we have a shot perhaps at Virginia because they have a very , very strange governor .
”

President Trump said Thursday that surging crime in New York City and high taxes has his campaign putting the state of New York "in play" to try and win over in the upcoming general election.
“Over the last six months, what’s happened is insane,” Trump said during an Oval Office interview with the New York Post. “It’s insane. So we’re going to try very hard to win New York, and that will be the first time — is that since Ronald Reagan, I guess? Since Ronald Reagan.”
The president, who is from New York City, continued: “I will bring down taxes, and I’ll make sure that New York City is a safe place. I mean, this is one of our cherished — this is a cherished diamond of this country. And we can’t let this happen to New York.”
Crime has been a rising problem in New York City in recent months during the coronavirus pandemic, highlighted by an uptick in the number of shootings, which has doubled compared to the same time last year .
“Shootings are double, murders, everything has doubled and tripled,” Trump said. “And I’ve heard numbers, 244% on some kinds of crimes. What is it, 277% for shootings?”
“I’ll solve the crime problem,” Trump added.
Some recent reports have suggested that New Yorkers are fleeing the nation’s largest city as crime spikes. Trump addressed that issue in a tweet Friday, posting an opinion article from the New York Post.
“It was showing signs of future problems, but was so good when I left 4 years ago!” the president tweeted.
It was showing signs of future problems, but was so good when I left 4 years ago! https://t.co/uF9T3ztMDd — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 14, 2020
In addition to his belief that a Republican general election victory in a presidential race is possible in New York for the first time since Ronald Reagan in 1984, Trump, who is facing Democrat Joe Biden in the 2020 contest, said he could also win certain states that he lost to Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election.
“We think we’re going to win New Mexico. We think we’re going to win Minnesota,” Trump said. “ We think we’re — we have a shot perhaps at Virginia because they have a very, very strange governor.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-14--Obama opens up about hurdles Biden faces in battle against Trump

Former President Barack Obama harbors concerns about challenges that could sink presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in the next 80 days before his general election against President Trump .
Obama told David Plouffe , his 2008 campaign manager , that the virtual nature of this cycle 's Democratic National Convention and the prospect of a coronavirus vaccine could affect the outcome of the Nov. 3 contest , for better or worse .
For Obama , who is slated to speak at the convention next Wednesday , the quadrennial gathering is an important platform for Biden , his former two-term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the country with the party faithful .
`` But let 's face it .
The fact that it 's not a live convention probably alters its impact somewhat .
We do n't yet know .
We 've never been in this circumstance before , '' Obama said .
While hoping for a safe , effective vaccine to combat the coronavirus , Obama conceded it may have electoral consequences as well .
`` There 's no possibility of a vaccine for COVID being developed and distributed between now and the election , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trials that are being done result in us knowing before the election that a vaccine is on the way , '' he said .
`` That might relieve people 's anxieties , and that 's good .
We should hope for that , but that also can change the dynamic , particularly when you have a president who takes responsibility for nothing but takes credit for everything .
And you do n't know how the economy might react to that . ''
Instead , Obama advised his former No .
2 to focus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ control , such as encouraging voter registration and turnout .
Obama also opened up about picking Biden , who served as senator from Delaware for 36 years , as his running mate .
`` You 'll remember , at the time , Joe was not the person I was closest to of the candidates , '' he told Plouffe .
`` We were different in age , different in background , his politics were a little bit different than mine , but it was precisely those differences that I thought made him ideal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's vice-presidential rollout , Obama applauded Biden for selecting California Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate .
`` Kamala is somebody I 've known for years .
She is smart .
She is tough .
She is somebody who I think will be able to share the stage with Mike Pence , or whoever else , and dissect some of the terrible decisions that have been made over the last four years that have helped create worse problems than were necessary in the midst of this pandemic , '' he said .

Former President Barack Obama harbors concerns about challenges that could sink presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in the next 80 days before his general election against President Trump.
Obama told David Plouffe, his 2008 campaign manager, that the virtual nature of this cycle's Democratic National Convention and the prospect of a coronavirus vaccine could affect the outcome of the Nov. 3 contest, for better or worse.
For Obama, who is slated to speak at the convention next Wednesday, the quadrennial gathering is an important platform for Biden, his former two-term vice president, to share his vision for the country with the party faithful.
"But let's face it. The fact that it's not a live convention probably alters its impact somewhat. We don't yet know. We've never been in this circumstance before," Obama said.
While hoping for a safe, effective vaccine to combat the coronavirus, Obama conceded it may have electoral consequences as well.
"There's no possibility of a vaccine for COVID being developed and distributed between now and the election, but it is possible that some of the trials that are being done result in us knowing before the election that a vaccine is on the way," he said. "That might relieve people's anxieties, and that's good. We should hope for that, but that also can change the dynamic, particularly when you have a president who takes responsibility for nothing but takes credit for everything. And you don't know how the economy might react to that."
Instead, Obama advised his former No. 2 to focus on what he and his team can control, such as encouraging voter registration and turnout.
Obama also opened up about picking Biden, who served as senator from Delaware for 36 years, as his running mate.
"You'll remember, at the time, Joe was not the person I was closest to of the candidates," he told Plouffe. "We were different in age, different in background, his politics were a little bit different than mine, but it was precisely those differences that I thought made him ideal."
Repeating praise from this week's vice-presidential rollout, Obama applauded Biden for selecting California Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate.
"Kamala is somebody I've known for years. She is smart. She is tough. She is somebody who I think will be able to share the stage with Mike Pence, or whoever else, and dissect some of the terrible decisions that have been made over the last four years that have helped create worse problems than were necessary in the midst of this pandemic," he said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-14--NYC Republican seeks to topple Democratic congressman through 'law and order' campaign

Republicans see an opportunity to take back a congressional seat they lost to Democrats in New York City in the last election cycle by running a law-and-order campaign .
The GOP pinned its hopes on New York Republican Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis , who currently represents parts of New York ’ s 11th Congressional District , Staten Island and Bay Ridge in the borough of Brooklyn .
The congressional seat is held by first-term Democratic Rep. Max Rose and is considered an R+3 toss-up by the Cook Political Report .
As a result of redistricting , retirements , scandals , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between both parties in recent election cycles .
Malliotakis decisively won her June primary after early returns showed her ahead of her opponent by 40 points .
The New York City Republican was first elected to the State Assembly 10 years ago at the height of the Tea Party movement .
Seven years later , she attempted to take on New York Mayor Bill de Blasio in his reelection bid .
Although she lost the race , she picked up 70 % of the vote in her home borough of Staten Island and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaigns throughout the congressional district .
The 11th Congressional District is composed of two outer-city boroughs .
The entire borough of Staten Island is two-thirds of the district , and the remaining third is southern Brooklyn .
The district is the most politically conservative in the city and where many law enforcement officers and firefighters live with their families .
Malliotakis says Rose aligns himself with lawmakers and activists who seek to cripple the New York Police Department in the midst of the city ’ s present crime wave .
“ People want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ families to be safe .
And they want order to be restored to our streets and the fact that Max not only supported closing Rikers Island — he supported eliminating bail , ” Malliotakis told the Washington Examiner , referencing de Blasio ’ s release of violent criminals from the city prison and the state ’ s passage of legislation eliminating cash bail earlier in the year .
“ He was the only elected official to march with those calling to defund the police , '' she said .
`` And people are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He does not represent the interests of this district .
He does not represent the views of this district.
” Rose initially supported bail reform , the closure of Rikers Island , and other criminal justice reform measures in New York state as a candidate for office in 2018 .
At the time , when he was asked on a questionnaire by the Lambda Independent Democrats of Brooklyn about the “ Federal and state efforts to enact criminal justice reform and end mass incarceration , including sentencing and prison reforms ( for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Redemption Act ) , bail reform ( ) , and the closure of Rikers Island , ” he wrote in response : “ SUPPORT ± but , I will not support opening a jail in my district .
Staten Island has only just recently saw a prison facility closed within the past few years.
” However , Rose became critical of the criminal justice reform legislation that passed the Democratic-led statehouse in Albany last December and was signed by Gov .
Andrew Cuomo .
“ We can and we must ensure our justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safety — but the fact is with the bail and discovery reforms Albany went too far , too fast , ” Rose said back in December .
“ That ’ s why I ’ m joining law enforcement and bipartisan colleagues from across the state in calling for quick action in Albany to ensure the safety of our communities — and especially the victims of these crimes — are not put in jeopardy.
” Maliotakis sees this position change as evidence of Rose not being true to his word .
“ A lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They comment that he lied right to their face when he campaigned the last time , '' she said .
`` They do n't , they do n't trust him .
They 're upset that he marched alongside people who are chanting , 'Defund the police , ' alongside signs saying , 'Defund the police . '
'' Rose must straddle between the desires of many of his conservative constituents during a presidential election cycle and loyalty to his own party , a similar circumstance Malliotakis found herself in during her run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to voters around New York City .
Recently , the Democrat called de Blasio the worst mayor `` in the history of this great country . ''
While Rose currently has the advantage over Malliotakis when it comes to fundraising , Republicans already reserved $ 1.4 million for political TV ads several months ago for their nominee in the district .
This past week , $ 1 million more were dropped into the district by the GOP ’ s super PAC , the Congressional Leadership Fund , to support the Malliotakis campaign .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected to open an office on Staten Island , a New York City political source told the Washington Examiner .

Republicans see an opportunity to take back a congressional seat they lost to Democrats in New York City in the last election cycle by running a law-and-order campaign.
The GOP pinned its hopes on New York Republican Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis, who currently represents parts of New York’s 11th Congressional District, Staten Island and Bay Ridge in the borough of Brooklyn.
The congressional seat is held by first-term Democratic Rep. Max Rose and is considered an R+3 toss-up by the Cook Political Report. As a result of redistricting, retirements, scandals, and resignations, the seat has flipped frequently between both parties in recent election cycles.
Malliotakis decisively won her June primary after early returns showed her ahead of her opponent by 40 points. The New York City Republican was first elected to the State Assembly 10 years ago at the height of the Tea Party movement.
Seven years later, she attempted to take on New York Mayor Bill de Blasio in his reelection bid. Although she lost the race, she picked up 70% of the vote in her home borough of Staten Island and sees the experience as helpful as she campaigns throughout the congressional district.
The 11th Congressional District is composed of two outer-city boroughs. The entire borough of Staten Island is two-thirds of the district, and the remaining third is southern Brooklyn.
The district is the most politically conservative in the city and where many law enforcement officers and firefighters live with their families.
Malliotakis says Rose aligns himself with lawmakers and activists who seek to cripple the New York Police Department in the midst of the city’s present crime wave.
“People want to be safe. They want their families to be safe. And they want order to be restored to our streets and the fact that Max not only supported closing Rikers Island — he supported eliminating bail,” Malliotakis told the Washington Examiner, referencing de Blasio’s release of violent criminals from the city prison and the state’s passage of legislation eliminating cash bail earlier in the year.
“He was the only elected official to march with those calling to defund the police," she said. "And people are very upset by that — and rightfully. He does not represent the interests of this district. He does not represent the views of this district.”
Rose initially supported bail reform, the closure of Rikers Island, and other criminal justice reform measures in New York state as a candidate for office in 2018.
At the time, when he was asked on a questionnaire by the Lambda Independent Democrats of Brooklyn about the “Federal and state efforts to enact criminal justice reform and end mass incarceration, including sentencing and prison reforms (for example, HR 3356 Prison Reform and Redemption Act), bail reform (), and the closure of Rikers Island,” he wrote in response:
“SUPPORT ± but, I will not support opening a jail in my district. Staten Island has only just recently saw a prison facility closed within the past few years.”
However, Rose became critical of the criminal justice reform legislation that passed the Democratic-led statehouse in Albany last December and was signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
“We can and we must ensure our justice system is fair and maintains our public safety — but the fact is with the bail and discovery reforms Albany went too far, too fast,” Rose said back in December. “That’s why I’m joining law enforcement and bipartisan colleagues from across the state in calling for quick action in Albany to ensure the safety of our communities — and especially the victims of these crimes — are not put in jeopardy.”
Maliotakis sees this position change as evidence of Rose not being true to his word.
“A lot of people see him as a fraud. They comment that he lied right to their face when he campaigned the last time," she said. "They don't trust him. They're upset that he marched alongside people who are chanting, 'Defund the police,' alongside signs saying, 'Defund the police.'"
Rose must straddle between the desires of many of his conservative constituents during a presidential election cycle and loyalty to his own party, a similar circumstance Malliotakis found herself in during her run for mayor when she tried to appeal to voters around New York City.
Recently, the Democrat called de Blasio the worst mayor "in the history of this great country."
While Rose currently has the advantage over Malliotakis when it comes to fundraising, Republicans already reserved $1.4 million for political TV ads several months ago for their nominee in the district.
This past week, $1 million more was dropped into the district by the GOP’s super PAC, the Congressional Leadership Fund, to support the Malliotakis campaign.
Additionally, the Trump Victory Committee is expected to open an office on Staten Island, a New York City political source told the Washington Examiner.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-14--Hillary Clinton reconsidered not joining 2020 presidential race as Biden flailed: Report

Hillary Clinton reportedly wondered whether she had made the right call in deciding not to seek the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination when Joe Biden was flailing in the crowded primary field , according to an account in a lengthy report about what former Obama administration officials thought about the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee 's decision to launch a third presidential bid .
Philippe Reines , a longtime top adviser to Clinton in the State Department and later on her presidential campaign , told Politico in a piece published on Friday that the 2016 Democratic presidential nominee reconsidered her decision in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of people who decided not to run , and then around October , before Thanksgiving , said to themselves , you know , 'Did I make the right decision ?
’ '' Reines said .
“ She went through that exercise.
” He mentioned that billionaire former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg and former Massachusetts Gov .
Deval Patrick were Democratic primary candidates who entered the race late , around the time that many were doubting whether the former vice president , despite being the front-runner , was capable of winning the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the right man for the job .
Both Bloomberg and Patrick launched presidential campaigns in November .
Reines did not necessarily indicate in the quote published in the story that Clinton seriously considered the idea of launching a 2020 presidential bid or thought about a potential run beyond imagining what could have been .
Democratic insiders in the fall of 2019 were voicing concern that Biden was not raising enough money or inspiring enough voters to be a strong candidate against President Trump as the Democratic presidential nominee .
The New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told people that she would consider entering the primary if she thought that she could win .
Reines also fueled speculation about whether Clinton might join the race in an October Fox News interview on Tucker Carlson 's show .
“ She ran for president because she thought she would be the best president , ” he said .
“ If she still thought that now , if she thought she had the best odds of beating Donald Trump , I think she would think about it long and hard.
” When asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possibility of running , Reines said , `` No . ''
“ This is a huge if .
But if she were to jump in for whatever reason , and the party has moved someplace that she hasn ’ t , then she won ’ t get the votes .
That ’ s the point of the primary .
There are still 19 people .
There are a few that are in double digits .
If she were to run , and people say she ’ s too left , too right , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beauty of it .
They get to vote against whatever they want , ” he said .
In October , Clinton teased a possible rematch with Trump after he tweeted about the possibility of her entering the race .
`` Do n't tempt me .
Do your job , '' she responded .

Hillary Clinton reportedly wondered whether she had made the right call in deciding not to seek the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination when Joe Biden was flailing in the crowded primary field, according to an account in a lengthy report about what former Obama administration officials thought about the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee's decision to launch a third presidential bid.
Philippe Reines, a longtime top adviser to Clinton in the State Department and later on her presidential campaign, told Politico in a piece published on Friday that the 2016 Democratic presidential nominee reconsidered her decision in fall 2019.
“There were a number of people who decided not to run, and then around October, before Thanksgiving, said to themselves, you know, 'Did I make the right decision?’" Reines said. “She went through that exercise.”
He mentioned that billionaire former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg and former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick were Democratic primary candidates who entered the race late, around the time that many were doubting whether the former vice president, despite being the front-runner, was capable of winning the party's presidential nod and whether he was the right man for the job. Both Bloomberg and Patrick launched presidential campaigns in November.
Reines did not necessarily indicate in the quote published in the story that Clinton seriously considered the idea of launching a 2020 presidential bid or thought about a potential run beyond imagining what could have been.
Democratic insiders in the fall of 2019 were voicing concern that Biden was not raising enough money or inspiring enough voters to be a strong candidate against President Trump as the Democratic presidential nominee.
The New York Times reported in October that Clinton had told people that she would consider entering the primary if she thought that she could win.
Reines also fueled speculation about whether Clinton might join the race in an October Fox News interview on Tucker Carlson's show.
“She ran for president because she thought she would be the best president,” he said. “If she still thought that now, if she thought she had the best odds of beating Donald Trump, I think she would think about it long and hard.”
When asked if she had "foreclosed" the possibility of running, Reines said, "No."
“This is a huge if. But if she were to jump in for whatever reason, and the party has moved someplace that she hasn’t, then she won’t get the votes. That’s the point of the primary. There are still 19 people. There are a few that are in double digits. If she were to run, and people say she’s too left, too right, too center, that’s the beauty of it. They get to vote against whatever they want,” he said.
In October, Clinton teased a possible rematch with Trump after he tweeted about the possibility of her entering the race.
"Don't tempt me. Do your job," she responded.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-15--Some Republicans fear Trump postal gambit will push seniors to Biden

Some Republican strategists are warning President Trump ’ s resistance to funding the U.S .
Postal Service fully could boomerang with seniors , a crucial voting bloc that could swing the November election to presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
Trump is equivocating over whether he would sign legislation providing extra money to the Postal Service for the surge in mail-in ballots expected this fall because of the coronavirus , concerned that widespread absentee voting will lead to rampant election fraud .
But concerned Republicans worry that seniors , who are susceptible to dying from COVID-19 , will abandon the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president is sabotaging the mail to force them to vote in person .
“ Seniors are the most vulnerable part of the country to coronavirus , ” Republican pollster Whit Ayers explained .
“ Logic suggests that seniors are going to be the most interested portion of the electorate in voting by mail rather than standing in line and entering a crowded election center.
” Seniors supported Trump 52 % to 45 % four years ago and tend to vote at a rate of 70 % or more nationally in presidential elections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other age groups .
Seniors vote in even greater numbers in the battleground states most likely to determine the outcome of this year ’ s election — Florida , Michigan , North Carolina , Pennsylvania , and Wisconsin , making them particularly influential .
They also are more likely than younger voters to use the Postal Service generally — and rely on the agency to receive Social Security checks and shipments of prescription drugs .
That is why some political analysts say worried Republicans are right to be on edge about Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operations made by his recently appointed postmaster general , who critics claim will make it difficult for mail-in ballots to be delivered on time .
“ Trump ’ s overt attacks on the Postal Service ’ s reliability and security when it comes to mail-in ballots may very well backfire with seniors , ” said Jeffrey Brauer , a political science professor at Keystone College in Pennsylvania .
“ That , along with his political appointee postmaster general , who has been making cuts during a crucial time for mail delivery , could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Trump supports absentee voting , in which voters individually apply for a mail-in ballot and must provide a government-accepted excuse for skipping in-person participation .
But the president opposes “ universal ” mail-in balloting in which states automatically send ballots to all registered voters .
During a news conference on Thursday , Trump suggested he would deny the Postal Service funding to prevent states from having universal mail-in voting .
“ They want three and a half billion dollars for the mail-in votes .
Universal mail-in ballots .
They want $ 25 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office .
Now they need that money in order to make the post office work so it can take all of these millions and millions of ballots , '' Trump said .
“ But if they do n't get those two items , that means you ca n't have universal mail-in voting because they 're not equipped to have it.
” Biden has beaten Trump among seniors in many recent polls , an advantage that has been a key factor in his lead over Trump in national polls and swing-state surveys .
Although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could put Trump in a deeper hole with this group and cost him reelection , other GOP operatives say that concern is overblown .
What matters most , they say , is how seniors view the president ’ s handling of the pandemic overall .
“ I doubt the health of the post office is as dominating [ an ] issue as their own health and survival , ” veteran Republican strategist Alex Castellanos said .
The Biden campaign and party leaders are accusing Trump of deliberately throwing sand in the gears of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic voters and guarantee the president a second term .
Democratic strategists said they expected the effort to fall flat and help Biden solidify his support among seniors .
“ Trump is playing Russian roulette with seniors , ” Democratic operative Jesse Ferguson said .
“ When seniors do n't get their mail , they 'll know exactly who to blame and exactly why he 's doing it .
”

Some Republican strategists are warning President Trump’s resistance to funding the U.S. Postal Service fully could boomerang with seniors, a crucial voting bloc that could swing the November election to presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
Trump is equivocating over whether he would sign legislation providing extra money to the Postal Service for the surge in mail-in ballots expected this fall because of the coronavirus, concerned that widespread absentee voting will lead to rampant election fraud. But concerned Republicans worry that seniors, who are susceptible to dying from COVID-19, will abandon the party on Nov. 3 if they believe the president is sabotaging the mail to force them to vote in person.
“Seniors are the most vulnerable part of the country to coronavirus,” Republican pollster Whit Ayers explained. “Logic suggests that seniors are going to be the most interested portion of the electorate in voting by mail rather than standing in line and entering a crowded election center.”
Seniors supported Trump 52% to 45% four years ago and tend to vote at a rate of 70% or more nationally in presidential elections, a significantly higher participation rate than other age groups. Seniors vote in even greater numbers in the battleground states most likely to determine the outcome of this year’s election — Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, making them particularly influential.
They also are more likely than younger voters to use the Postal Service generally — and rely on the agency to receive Social Security checks and shipments of prescription drugs.
That is why some political analysts say worried Republicans are right to be on edge about Trump’s comments and controversial changes in postal operations made by his recently appointed postmaster general, who critics claim will make it difficult for mail-in ballots to be delivered on time.
“Trump’s overt attacks on the Postal Service’s reliability and security when it comes to mail-in ballots may very well backfire with seniors,” said Jeffrey Brauer, a political science professor at Keystone College in Pennsylvania. “That, along with his political appointee postmaster general, who has been making cuts during a crucial time for mail delivery, could push many seniors into the Biden camp.”
Trump supports absentee voting, in which voters individually apply for a mail-in ballot and must provide a government-accepted excuse for skipping in-person participation. But the president opposes “universal” mail-in balloting in which states automatically send ballots to all registered voters.
During a news conference on Thursday, Trump suggested he would deny the Postal Service funding to prevent states from having universal mail-in voting.
“They want three and a half billion dollars for the mail-in votes. Universal mail-in ballots. They want $25 billion, billion, for the post office. Now they need that money in order to make the post office work so it can take all of these millions and millions of ballots," Trump said. “But if they don't get those two items, that means you can't have universal mail-in voting because they're not equipped to have it.”
Biden has beaten Trump among seniors in many recent polls, an advantage that has been a key factor in his lead over Trump in national polls and swing-state surveys. Although some Republican strategists fret post office politics could put Trump in a deeper hole with this group and cost him reelection, other GOP operatives say that concern is overblown. What matters most, they say, is how seniors view the president’s handling of the pandemic overall.
“I doubt the health of the post office is as dominating [an] issue as their own health and survival,” veteran Republican strategist Alex Castellanos said.
Meanwhile, Democrats pounced.
The Biden campaign and party leaders are accusing Trump of deliberately throwing sand in the gears of postal operations in a bid to disenfranchise Democratic voters and guarantee the president a second term. Democratic strategists said they expected the effort to fall flat and help Biden solidify his support among seniors.
“Trump is playing Russian roulette with seniors,” Democratic operative Jesse Ferguson said. “When seniors don't get their mail, they'll know exactly who to blame and exactly why he's doing it.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-15--Trump might give nomination speech from the White House — just like FDR

Democrats are practically foaming at the mouth over an idea being floated by President Trump ( which is hardly news — that ’ s been said almost every week since Jan. 20 , 2017 ) .
What has the opposition party riled up now is the possibility of Trump accepting the Republican Party 's presidential nomination at the White House .
With the COVID-19 pandemic upending plans for both the Democratic and Republican national conventions , GOP strategists are scrambling to come up with a Plan B for the acceptance speech , the traditional grand finale of the once-every-four-years gatherings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ growl , would violate the federal ban on conducting political activity on government property .
Even the media are piling on the outrage .
An Aug. 6 piece by Deb Riechmann of the usually reliable Associated Press wrote , “ Using the Rose Garden , the Executive Mansion or even the Oval Office as the backdrop for his speech capping the Aug. 24-27 convention would mark an unprecedented use of federal property for partisan political purposes.
” Except it wouldn ’ t be unprecedented at all .
Just past midnight on a muggy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Roosevelt was wheeled into the Diplomatic Reception Room on the White House ’ s ground floor .
His chair was placed before a large , silvery microphone .
Roosevelt felt comfortable speaking in that particular spot .
It was where he had delivered many of his famous “ fireside chats ” and where , four years later , he would lead people in prayer on the evening of D-Day .
But Roosevelt wasn ’ t performing an official duty at the moment .
Sitting in his shirt sleeves , he thumbed through the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ words typed on them one last time .
At 12:14 a.m. , a producer pointed a finger toward him indicating that it was time to talk .
Franklin Roosevelt took a quick breath and spoke these words : “ Members of the Convention — my friends … ” He then spent the next half-hour accepting the Democratic Party ’ s presidential nomination for the third time and laying the groundwork for his upcoming reelection campaign .
And he did it inside the walls of the White House .
There was a reason why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ convention delegates gathered in Chicago in person .
Just eight years earlier , he had made history by becoming the first person to ever accept a major party ’ s presidential nomination at a convention .
Now , he was making history again by becoming the first sitting president to be nominated for a third term .
While the party machinery was firmly in Roosevelt ’ s control , Democratic leaders were jittery .
Would rank-and-file delegates vote to make it official ?
Outgoing Vice President John Nance Garner had sought the nomination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Roosevelt himself had been coy all spring and summer about running for a third term .
The president ’ s advisers had him stay home in Washington , just to be on the safe side .
But in the end , there was nothing to worry about .
Roosevelt was easily nominated on the first ballot .
Which was how Roosevelt became the first ( and to date , only ) candidate to ever deliver this most political of all speeches from the White House .
Incidentally , Roosevelt also gave his fourth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 1944 Democratic National Convention , meeting once again in Chicago .
With World War II raging , the commander-in-chief didn ’ t have time to spare for politics .
So , he once more spoke by special radio hookup during a break from inspecting military bases in California .
Every subsequent presidential nominee , Democrat and Republican alike , has delivered their acceptance speech in person at the convention — until 2020 .
So , as the Democrats howl their heads off about a possible Trump convention speech given from the White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do well to pause and remember that one of the most famous presidents from their own party did it first .
J .
Mark Powell ( @ JMarkPowell ) is a contributor to the Washington Examiner 's Beltway Confidential blog .
He ’ s the vice president of communications at Ivory Tusk Consulting , a South Carolina-based agency .
A former broadcast journalist and government communicator , his `` Holy Cow !
History ” column is available at jmarkpowell.com .

Democrats are practically foaming at the mouth over an idea being floated by President Trump (which is hardly news — that’s been said almost every week since Jan. 20, 2017). What has the opposition party riled up now is the possibility of Trump accepting the Republican Party's presidential nomination at the White House. With the COVID-19 pandemic upending plans for both the Democratic and Republican national conventions, GOP strategists are scrambling to come up with a Plan B for the acceptance speech, the traditional grand finale of the once-every-four-years gatherings.
Using the White House, Democrats growl, would violate the federal ban on conducting political activity on government property.
Even the media are piling on the outrage. An Aug. 6 piece by Deb Riechmann of the usually reliable Associated Press wrote, “Using the Rose Garden, the Executive Mansion or even the Oval Office as the backdrop for his speech capping the Aug. 24-27 convention would mark an unprecedented use of federal property for partisan political purposes.”
Except it wouldn’t be unprecedented at all.
Just past midnight on a muggy Thursday night in July 1940, Franklin Roosevelt was wheeled into the Diplomatic Reception Room on the White House’s ground floor. His chair was placed before a large, silvery microphone. Roosevelt felt comfortable speaking in that particular spot. It was where he had delivered many of his famous “fireside chats” and where, four years later, he would lead people in prayer on the evening of D-Day.
But Roosevelt wasn’t performing an official duty at the moment. Sitting in his shirt sleeves, he thumbed through the papers in his hands, scanning the words typed on them one last time. At 12:14 a.m., a producer pointed a finger toward him indicating that it was time to talk. Franklin Roosevelt took a quick breath and spoke these words: “Members of the Convention — my friends …”
He then spent the next half-hour accepting the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination for the third time and laying the groundwork for his upcoming reelection campaign. And he did it inside the walls of the White House.
There was a reason why Roosevelt wasn’t speaking to the convention delegates gathered in Chicago in person. Just eight years earlier, he had made history by becoming the first person to ever accept a major party’s presidential nomination at a convention. Now, he was making history again by becoming the first sitting president to be nominated for a third term.
While the party machinery was firmly in Roosevelt’s control, Democratic leaders were jittery. Would rank-and-file delegates vote to make it official? Outgoing Vice President John Nance Garner had sought the nomination, giving them an alternative. And Roosevelt himself had been coy all spring and summer about running for a third term. The president’s advisers had him stay home in Washington, just to be on the safe side. But in the end, there was nothing to worry about. Roosevelt was easily nominated on the first ballot.
Which was how Roosevelt became the first (and to date, only) candidate to ever deliver this most political of all speeches from the White House.
Incidentally, Roosevelt also gave his fourth and final acceptance speech by radio to the 1944 Democratic National Convention, meeting once again in Chicago. With World War II raging, the commander-in-chief didn’t have time to spare for politics. So, he once more spoke by special radio hookup during a break from inspecting military bases in California.
Every subsequent presidential nominee, Democrat and Republican alike, has delivered their acceptance speech in person at the convention — until 2020.
So, as the Democrats howl their heads off about a possible Trump convention speech given from the White House later this month, they would do well to pause and remember that one of the most famous presidents from their own party did it first.
J. Mark Powell (@JMarkPowell) is a contributor to the Washington Examiner's Beltway Confidential blog. He’s the vice president of communications at Ivory Tusk Consulting, a South Carolina-based agency. A former broadcast journalist and government communicator, his "Holy Cow! History” column is available at jmarkpowell.com.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-15--Protesters gather outside USPS postmaster general's apartment in DC

Hundreds of protesters led by activist group Shut Down DC demonstrated outside the residence of Postmaster General Louis DeJoy on Saturday morning .
The protesters stuffed fake absentee ballots in DeJoy 's apartment door and carried signs that read `` Depose DeJoy '' as they rallied outside his northwest D.C. condo .
Protesters are frustrated by reports that DeJoy decommissioned more than 670 USPS letter sorting machines ahead of the November general election .
One sorting machine alone can process more than 35,000 letters an hour , and Postal Service officials have warned that removing them could create a serious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballots due to the coronavirus .
The reduction in service capacity has drawn criticism from Democrats who believe President Trump is attempting to engineer a lower voter turnout .
Critics also fear that DeJoy , a major Trump donor who was appointed to postmaster general in May , could be working to help the president 's reelection efforts .
According to a representative with the USPS inspector general , a review of structural changes within the organization will begin soon .
“ We are in receipt of a congressional request and are conducting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerns raised , ” Agapi Doulaveris told the Hill .

Hundreds of protesters led by activist group Shut Down DC demonstrated outside the residence of Postmaster General Louis DeJoy on Saturday morning.
The protesters stuffed fake absentee ballots in DeJoy's apartment door and carried signs that read "Depose DeJoy" as they rallied outside his northwest D.C. condo.
Protesters say they are outside Postmaster General Louis DeJoy’s apartment building to protest his destructive leadership ahead of mass mail-in voting in the 2020 presidential election.@wusa9 pic.twitter.com/i2RXEESefO — Kolbie Satterfield (@KolbieReports) August 15, 2020
Protesters are frustrated by reports that DeJoy decommissioned more than 670 USPS letter sorting machines ahead of the November general election. One sorting machine alone can process more than 35,000 letters an hour, and Postal Service officials have warned that removing them could create a serious problem amid an expected influx in mail-in ballots due to the coronavirus.
The reduction in service capacity has drawn criticism from Democrats who believe President Trump is attempting to engineer a lower voter turnout.
Critics also fear that DeJoy, a major Trump donor who was appointed to postmaster general in May, could be working to help the president's reelection efforts.
According to a representative with the USPS inspector general, a review of structural changes within the organization will begin soon.
“We are in receipt of a congressional request and are conducting a body of work to address the concerns raised,” Agapi Doulaveris told the Hill.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-15--AOC bashes NYPD union decision to endorse Trump

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is not a fan of the New York Police Department union ’ s endorsement of President Trump .
The Democrat from New York said she sees a “ potential problem ” with police unions endorsing candidates .
She made the remarks on Saturday morning , a day after the Police Benevolent Association of the City of New York took the unique move of endorsing Trump ’ s reelection .
“ NYPD union endorsed Trump .
I ’ m sure this is part of their neighborhood outreach plan .
Also , does anyone else see a potential problem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state with lethal weapons — promoting 'preferred ' candidates for office or is that just me ?
” Ocasio-Cortez said .
Trump was endorsed by the state ’ s largest police union during an event at his New Jersey golf course .
PBA President Pat Lynch said the decision marked the first time he could remember his organization backing a presidential candidate .
“ Many times , people say that a union like ours , law enforcement groups , give endorsements .
Not in the New York City PBA , sir , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the New York City PBA , Mr. President , you earn the endorsement , and you ’ ve earned this endorsement .
I ’ m proud to give it .
”

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is not a fan of the New York Police Department union’s endorsement of President Trump.
The Democrat from New York said she sees a “potential problem” with police unions endorsing candidates. She made the remarks on Saturday morning, a day after the Police Benevolent Association of the City of New York took the unique move of endorsing Trump’s reelection.
“NYPD union endorsed Trump. I’m sure this is part of their neighborhood outreach plan. Also, does anyone else see a potential problem with police unions — enforcement arms of the state with lethal weapons — promoting 'preferred' candidates for office or is that just me?” Ocasio-Cortez said.
NYPD union endorsed Trump. I’m sure this is part of their neighborhood outreach plan.
Also, does anyone else see a potential problem with police unions - enforcement arms of the state with lethal weapons - promoting “preferred” candidates for office or is that just me? https://t.co/UlmigAuedh — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) August 15, 2020
Trump was endorsed by the state’s largest police union during an event at his New Jersey golf course. PBA President Pat Lynch said the decision marked the first time he could remember his organization backing a presidential candidate.
“Many times, people say that a union like ours, law enforcement groups, give endorsements. Not in the New York City PBA, sir,” Lynch told the president. “In the New York City PBA, Mr. President, you earn the endorsement, and you’ve earned this endorsement. I’m proud to give it.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-15--Arizona secretary of state claims Trump is trying to 'sabotage the USPS'

Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs blasted President Trump on Friday about the handling of mail-in votes by the United States Postal Service .
Hobbs announced she had directed Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich to investigate the Trump administration for alleged election interference relating to the processing of mail-in voting by the USPS .
`` In Arizona , it ’ s against the law to 'delay the delivery of a ballot , ' '' Hobbs tweeted .
`` I ’ ve asked Attorney General Brnovich to investigate recent changes at USPS , and whether or not the Trump administration has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the work of postal service employees who she backed to `` overcome '' the alleged interference by the Trump administration .
`` Our postal workers have a motto : 'neither snow , nor rain , nor heat… ' I have every confidence that these couriers will work diligently to overcome this political interference and ensure timely delivery of the mail , including election mail , '' Hobbs wrote .
Trump and his allies have repeatedly claimed that the general election will be rigged if widespread mail-in voting is allowed to occur , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the past week after the president suggested he would withhold emergency coronavirus relief funding from the USPS .
Trump walked back those comments on Friday , saying he would be willing to approve the funding for the ailing postal service if Democrats conceded on a number of stalled economic measures he hopes to see passed .

Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs blasted President Trump on Friday about the handling of mail-in votes by the United States Postal Service.
Hobbs announced she had directed Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich to investigate the Trump administration for alleged election interference relating to the processing of mail-in voting by the USPS.
"In Arizona, it’s against the law to 'delay the delivery of a ballot,'" Hobbs tweeted. "I’ve asked Attorney General Brnovich to investigate recent changes at USPS, and whether or not the Trump administration has committed a crime."
Our postal workers have a motto: “neither snow, nor rain, nor heat…” I have every confidence that these couriers will work diligently to overcome this political interference and ensure timely delivery of the mail, including election mail. pic.twitter.com/t2uzPa7eHT — Secretary Katie Hobbs (@SecretaryHobbs) August 14, 2020
Hobbs championed the work of postal service employees who she backed to "overcome" the alleged interference by the Trump administration.
"Our postal workers have a motto: 'neither snow, nor rain, nor heat…' I have every confidence that these couriers will work diligently to overcome this political interference and ensure timely delivery of the mail, including election mail," Hobbs wrote.
Trump and his allies have repeatedly claimed that the general election will be rigged if widespread mail-in voting is allowed to occur, and the hot-button issue has brimmed over in the past week after the president suggested he would withhold emergency coronavirus relief funding from the USPS.
Trump walked back those comments on Friday, saying he would be willing to approve the funding for the ailing postal service if Democrats conceded on a number of stalled economic measures he hopes to see passed.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-15--Four years later, Trump heals rift between establishment Democrats and Sanders base

For what was supposed to be a show of unity , the 2016 Democratic National Convention exposed fissures between then-presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and supporters of also-ran Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders .
With Sanders set to open the 2020 convention on Monday , tensions between the Democratic left and the far-left linger over how the socialist was treated last cycle .
They 're just less pronounced thanks to President Trump .
California Democrat Rocky Fernandez joined other Sanders delegates this year in voting online against the party 's 2020 platform .
Despite the revolt , the document 's still expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The platform is n't bold enough for normal times , much less for times of a pandemic .
And we did n't support it because it really lacks some of the universal programs that we fought for under Bernie Sanders and are incredibly popular with voters , '' Fernandez said .
Fernandez cited `` Medicare for all , '' free college , student debt cancellation , and universal basic income as examples .
And the Sanders corner wo n't have the chance to amend the platform `` from the floor , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — though that 's a rare procedural move anyway .
`` It 's a power struggle , and we 're in it for the long haul , '' Fernandez said .
Yet , Fernandez can put the friction to one side ahead of the Nov. 3 general election because a `` terrible and inept '' Trump reinforces what 's at stake .
Instead , Fernandez and his colleagues will focus on lifting up far-left down-ballot candidates and issues .
`` We need to make sure that those voices are heard , and frankly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Biden and Sen. Harris on all of our progressive ideas once they get into office , '' he said .
Sanders dropped out of the 2020 Democratic White House race in April , endorsing Biden five days later .
Four years ago , the Clinton-Sanders primary , tainted by allegations of a `` rigged '' contest , continued until June .
Sanders backed Clinton after she clinched the majority of delegates , endorsing her that July .
At the 2016 convention , anti-Clinton jeers and chants disrupted the first night 's proceedings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encouraged his base to vote for the former first lady , secretary of state , and New York senator that fall .
In 2020 , Biden has made a concerted effort to reach out to far-left Democrats , even before becoming the party 's apparent standard-bearer , his lurch to the left evident throughout his third White House bid .
In March , Biden promised to make public colleges and universities free for low-income students and called for $ 10,000 in student debt forgiveness as part of the first coronavirus-related economic stimulus package @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's signature government-run `` Medicare for all '' bill , Biden vowed to lower Medicare 's eligibility age from 65 to 60 .
After Sanders suspended his campaign , Biden 's team also agreed to let the senator hold on to hundreds of delegates he amassed during the primary , so they could exert influence on the party 's rules and platform .
Though some delegates were presented with nondisparagement agreements , Sanders-style policy advocates were given a voice via six task forces looking at climate , criminal justice , the economy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Many ended up in the party 's draft platform , written by a 15-person panel before it was considered by the full 180-delegate platform committee .
There is one notable omission in the final document : `` Medicare for all . ''
Democrats blocked it from being included in the committee 's amending stage , insisting it was enough to stipulate the party `` welcomes '' proponents of `` Medicare for all . ''
Former President Barack Obama this week praised Biden for his camp 's attempt to heal the `` internal differences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I thought that Joe did a wonderful thing , not just politically , but it was the right thing substantively to engage Bernie Sanders after the election , '' Obama told David Plouffe , his 2008 campaign manager , Friday .
For Christopher Hahn , the host of the Aggressive Progressive Podcast and a former Democratic strategist , Trump 's shadow over November plus Biden and Sanders 's warmer relationship differentiate this cycle from the past .
`` Bernie Sanders clearly had every opportunity to win this election and lost , and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went in another direction , and Bernie , like every other Democrat , knows how important it is to just be done with this guy and move on , '' Hahn told the Washington Examiner of Trump .
Hahn added it was crucial to include Sanders 's `` very passionate following '' in the platform process .
`` Nobody ever doubts in the Democratic Party that Bernie Sanders has the best interest of the country at heart .
So , it makes perfect sense for Joe Biden to work with Bernie and give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he said .
Bob Mulholland , another DNC member from California , dismissed intraparty fights over the platform .
`` Some activists will spend months talking to themselves .
Meanwhile , Biden and Harris will talk to the American voters .
No everyday voter , over the decades , has ever asked me about our platform , '' he said .

For what was supposed to be a show of unity, the 2016 Democratic National Convention exposed fissures between then-presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and supporters of also-ran Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.
With Sanders set to open the 2020 convention on Monday, tensions between the Democratic left and the far-left linger over how the socialist was treated last cycle. They're just less pronounced thanks to President Trump.
California Democrat Rocky Fernandez joined other Sanders delegates this year in voting online against the party's 2020 platform. Despite the revolt, the document's still expected to be rubber-stamped during the convention.
"The platform isn't bold enough for normal times, much less for times of a pandemic. And we didn't support it because it really lacks some of the universal programs that we fought for under Bernie Sanders and are incredibly popular with voters," Fernandez said.
Fernandez cited "Medicare for all," free college, student debt cancellation, and universal basic income as examples. And the Sanders corner won't have the chance to amend the platform "from the floor," given that the convention's gone virtual — though that's a rare procedural move anyway.
"It's a power struggle, and we're in it for the long haul," Fernandez said.
Yet, Fernandez can put the friction to one side ahead of the Nov. 3 general election because a "terrible and inept" Trump reinforces what's at stake. Instead, Fernandez and his colleagues will focus on lifting up far-left down-ballot candidates and issues.
"We need to make sure that those voices are heard, and frankly, we look forward to pushing Vice President Biden and Sen. Harris on all of our progressive ideas once they get into office," he said.
Sanders dropped out of the 2020 Democratic White House race in April, endorsing Biden five days later. Four years ago, the Clinton-Sanders primary, tainted by allegations of a "rigged" contest, continued until June. Sanders backed Clinton after she clinched the majority of delegates, endorsing her that July.
At the 2016 convention, anti-Clinton jeers and chants disrupted the first night's proceedings. Even Sanders was booed when he encouraged his base to vote for the former first lady, secretary of state, and New York senator that fall.
In 2020, Biden has made a concerted effort to reach out to far-left Democrats, even before becoming the party's apparent standard-bearer, his lurch to the left evident throughout his third White House bid.
In March, Biden promised to make public colleges and universities free for low-income students and called for $10,000 in student debt forgiveness as part of the first coronavirus-related economic stimulus package. Then, while not adopting Sanders's signature government-run "Medicare for all" bill, Biden vowed to lower Medicare's eligibility age from 65 to 60.
After Sanders suspended his campaign, Biden's team also agreed to let the senator hold on to hundreds of delegates he amassed during the primary, so they could exert influence on the party's rules and platform.
Though some delegates were presented with nondisparagement agreements, Sanders-style policy advocates were given a voice via six task forces looking at climate, criminal justice, the economy, education, healthcare, and immigration. Many Unity Task Force recommendations ended up in the party's draft platform, written by a 15-person panel before it was considered by the full 180-delegate platform committee.
There is one notable omission in the final document: "Medicare for all." Democrats blocked it from being included in the committee's amending stage, insisting it was enough to stipulate the party "welcomes" proponents of "Medicare for all."
Former President Barack Obama this week praised Biden for his camp's attempt to heal the "internal differences" after a bruising primary.
"I thought that Joe did a wonderful thing, not just politically, but it was the right thing substantively to engage Bernie Sanders after the election," Obama told David Plouffe, his 2008 campaign manager, Friday.
For Christopher Hahn, the host of the Aggressive Progressive Podcast and a former Democratic strategist, Trump's shadow over November plus Biden and Sanders's warmer relationship differentiate this cycle from the past.
"Bernie Sanders clearly had every opportunity to win this election and lost, and I think he recognizes that. The party went in another direction, and Bernie, like every other Democrat, knows how important it is to just be done with this guy and move on," Hahn told the Washington Examiner of Trump.
Hahn added it was crucial to include Sanders's "very passionate following" in the platform process.
"Nobody ever doubts in the Democratic Party that Bernie Sanders has the best interest of the country at heart. So, it makes perfect sense for Joe Biden to work with Bernie and give him some concessions where they're reasonable," he said.
Bob Mulholland, another DNC member from California, dismissed intraparty fights over the platform.
"Some activists will spend months talking to themselves. Meanwhile, Biden and Harris will talk to the American voters. No everyday voter, over the decades, has ever asked me about our platform," he said.