thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-09--Susan Collins isn't done yet; Biden capitalizes on Trump's COVID diagnosis

Senate : Susan Collins has work to do , but could still win reelection For so many years , Sen. Susan Collins has been Maine 's immovable object .
The Republican survived the Democratic wave that swept Barack Obama into the White House in 2008 — and that swept nine GOP senators out of office in the same election .
And Collins did not just survive ; she won with relative ease .
Six years later , she won again , this time with the wind at her back , as Republicans won eight seats and the Senate majority .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fight of her political life , trying to withstand a swelling Democratic tide fueled by growing dissatisfaction with President Trump .
For so long , Collins flourished in Maine on the strength of support from moderate and Democratic voters in Maine 's liberal 1st Congressional District , as well as from the Republicans and cultural conservatives in the state 's rural 2nd Congressional District to the west and north .
Mainers appreciated her pragmatism and the power she often wielded as a decisive vote on major legislation .
But the tribal politics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the country might have finally caught up with Collins , who is facing a spirited challenge from Democrat Sara Gideon , the speaker of the Maine House of Representatives .
Moderate and Democratic women who have sustained Collins for years are showing signs of defecting , concluding any politician with an `` R '' next to his or her name is too aligned with Trump , even if by default .
The senator also is struggling in the Republican-friendly 2nd District , where she has to worry about moving too strongly against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over whether Senate Republicans should fill a Supreme Court vacancy this close to Election Day is not doing her any favors .
Collins opposing doing so given the proximity to the vote is a position sure to anger some Republican voters even though it might not be enough to save her from the wrath of Democratic voters .
Collins might yet survive — if anyone can , she can .
But this time around , do n't be surprised if she does n't .
— by David M. Drucker Biden campaign : Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus once again Joe Biden would not put it this way , but President Trump ’ s coronavirus diagnosis was an obvious gift for the Democratic presidential nominee .
It catapulted the coronavirus pandemic , a topic that Trump avoids and that Biden made central to his electoral pitch , back to the top of campaign issues , leaving little room for discussion of other pressing matters such as the Supreme Court vacancy or economic recovery .
Biden tread carefully .
He offered prayers for the president , pulled negative ads off the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attack Trump while he was in the hospital .
But it wasn ’ t long before the former vice president resumed barbs at the president .
“ Now that he 's busy tweeting campaign messages , I would ask him to do this : Listen to the scientists , ” Biden said in a speech .
`` Support masks.
” Biden didn ’ t have to do much heavy lifting to keep the focus on COVID-19 .
Hours after he started ramping up criticisms , all the major news networks broadcast Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Center to the White House , and much of the discussion revolved around Trump removing his face covering on the White House balcony .
That Wednesday , Biden ’ s campaign said it would resume negative advertisements .
Though the president showed signs of a speedy recovery , Biden was able to keep the issue alive because of the possibility that Trump exposed the 78-year-old Democratic presidential nominee to the virus during their first debate .
The Commission on Presidential Debates 's Thursday decision to make the next debate virtual , followed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a virtual format , again kept the virus at center stage and potentially helps Biden .
By skipping out on a debate , Trump misses an opportunity to shake up a static race that has him consistently behind in the polls .
— by Emily Larsen House : Will Karen Handel win back the seat she won in 2017 and lost in 2018 ?
Georgia 's 6th District has seen one of the hardest turns left of any House seat during Donald Trump 's presidency .
Longtime GOP Rep. Tom Price easily won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Trump 's Health and Human Services secretary in what turned out to be a short-term gig .
A June 2017 special election to replace Price ended in victory for Republican Karen Handel , a businesswoman who was once a deputy chief of staff to second lady Marilyn Quayle .
But Handel 's House tenure was short .
She lost 18 months later to Democratic challenger and gun control activist Lucy McBath , mother of Jordan Davis , who at 17 was shot and killed following an argument at a gas station in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Handel is seeking a rematch in a district that includes many of Atlanta 's affluent northern suburbs , once a GOP stronghold .
The area was once represented by House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Rep. Johnny Isakson , who later became a senator .
But like the state of Georgia , the district is now much more mixed politically , with an influx of professional-class workers , immigrants , and retirees from the Northeast and elsewhere who once flocked to Florida .
The campaign of Joe Biden , the Democratic presidential nominee , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are two Democratic Senate candidates in search of swing voters .
That 's all likely to help McBath as she tries to prove she 's not a one-term wonder in Congress .
Officials with the House Republicans ' campaign arm are n't particularly enthusiastic about Handel 's comeback bid , but they 're backing her as the GOP nominee .
Handel 's views on social issues are deemed too conservative for the district .
Though she does have name recognition , having been Georgia 's secretary of state from 2007-10 , before a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — by David Mark

Senate: Susan Collins has work to do, but could still win reelection
For so many years, Sen. Susan Collins has been Maine's immovable object.
The Republican survived the Democratic wave that swept Barack Obama into the White House in 2008 — and that swept nine GOP senators out of office in the same election. And Collins did not just survive; she won with relative ease. Six years later, she won again, this time with the wind at her back, as Republicans won eight seats and the Senate majority.
But this year, Collins is in the fight of her political life, trying to withstand a swelling Democratic tide fueled by growing dissatisfaction with President Trump.
For so long, Collins flourished in Maine on the strength of support from moderate and Democratic voters in Maine's liberal 1st Congressional District, as well as from the Republicans and cultural conservatives in the state's rural 2nd Congressional District to the west and north. Mainers appreciated her pragmatism and the power she often wielded as a decisive vote on major legislation. But the tribal politics that has infected most of the rest of the country might have finally caught up with Collins, who is facing a spirited challenge from Democrat Sara Gideon, the speaker of the Maine House of Representatives.
Moderate and Democratic women who have sustained Collins for years are showing signs of defecting, concluding any politician with an "R" next to his or her name is too aligned with Trump, even if by default. The senator also is struggling in the Republican-friendly 2nd District, where she has to worry about moving too strongly against Trump. To wit, the debate over whether Senate Republicans should fill a Supreme Court vacancy this close to Election Day is not doing her any favors. Collins opposing doing so given the proximity to the vote is a position sure to anger some Republican voters even though it might not be enough to save her from the wrath of Democratic voters.
Collins might yet survive — if anyone can, she can. But this time around, don't be surprised if she doesn't. — by David M. Drucker
Biden campaign: Trump's diagnosis centered the campaign on the coronavirus once again
Joe Biden would not put it this way, but President Trump’s coronavirus diagnosis was an obvious gift for the Democratic presidential nominee.
It catapulted the coronavirus pandemic, a topic that Trump avoids and that Biden made central to his electoral pitch, back to the top of campaign issues, leaving little room for discussion of other pressing matters such as the Supreme Court vacancy or economic recovery.
Biden tread carefully. He offered prayers for the president, pulled negative ads off the air, and didn’t directly attack Trump while he was in the hospital.
But it wasn’t long before the former vice president resumed barbs at the president.
“Now that he's busy tweeting campaign messages, I would ask him to do this: Listen to the scientists,” Biden said in a speech. "Support masks.”
Biden didn’t have to do much heavy lifting to keep the focus on COVID-19. Hours after he started ramping up criticisms, all the major news networks broadcast Trump’s made-for-TV exit from Walter Reed Medical Center to the White House, and much of the discussion revolved around Trump removing his face covering on the White House balcony.
That Wednesday, Biden’s campaign said it would resume negative advertisements.
Though the president showed signs of a speedy recovery, Biden was able to keep the issue alive because of the possibility that Trump exposed the 78-year-old Democratic presidential nominee to the virus during their first debate.
The Commission on Presidential Debates's Thursday decision to make the next debate virtual, followed by Trump saying he would not participate in a virtual format, again kept the virus at center stage and potentially helps Biden. By skipping out on a debate, Trump misses an opportunity to shake up a static race that has him consistently behind in the polls. — by Emily Larsen
House: Will Karen Handel win back the seat she won in 2017 and lost in 2018?
Georgia's 6th District has seen one of the hardest turns left of any House seat during Donald Trump's presidency.
Longtime GOP Rep. Tom Price easily won reelection in 2016, before being plucked as Trump's Health and Human Services secretary in what turned out to be a short-term gig. A June 2017 special election to replace Price ended in victory for Republican Karen Handel, a businesswoman who was once a deputy chief of staff to second lady Marilyn Quayle.
But Handel's House tenure was short. She lost 18 months later to Democratic challenger and gun control activist Lucy McBath, mother of Jordan Davis, who at 17 was shot and killed following an argument at a gas station in Florida about loud music.
Now, Handel is seeking a rematch in a district that includes many of Atlanta's affluent northern suburbs, once a GOP stronghold. The area was once represented by House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Rep. Johnny Isakson, who later became a senator. But like the state of Georgia, the district is now much more mixed politically, with an influx of professional-class workers, immigrants, and retirees from the Northeast and elsewhere who once flocked to Florida.
The campaign of Joe Biden, the Democratic presidential nominee, is heavily targeting the district, as are two Democratic Senate candidates in search of swing voters. That's all likely to help McBath as she tries to prove she's not a one-term wonder in Congress.
Officials with the House Republicans' campaign arm aren't particularly enthusiastic about Handel's comeback bid, but they're backing her as the GOP nominee. Handel's views on social issues are deemed too conservative for the district. Though she does have name recognition, having been Georgia's secretary of state from 2007-10, before a gubernatorial bid, which she lost. — by David Mark


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-09--COVID-19 comes to the Trump White House

COVID-19 comes to the Trump White House

When President Trump returned home from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center , he stood triumphantly on the White House balcony and stripped off his protective face mask .
A relatively recent part of his pandemic wardrobe , it was meant to signal his return to full health .
It wasn ’ t the first time unmasking has become an issue in the Trump White House , but the president was sending a message .
“ I ’ m back because I ’ m a perfect physical specimen , and I ’ m extremely young , ” Trump , 74 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The full story is more complicated .
Trump is back and , by all accounts , feels better than when he rode Marine One to a weekend stay at the area military hospital following his COVID-19 diagnosis , making him the world ’ s most famous patient of the disease that threatens his reelection prospects .
But sightings of White House chief of staff Mark Meadows decked out in personal protective equipment suggest things aren ’ t completely back to normal .
Even Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he hadn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a couple of months .
“ I haven ’ t actually been to the White House since August the 6th , '' the Kentucky Republican told reporters .
`` Because my impression was that their approach to how to handle this is different from mine and what I suggested that we do in the Senate , which is to wear a mask and practice social distancing . ''
The illness has made major campaign events , from the in-person rallies that are Trump ’ s signature to the second presidential debate , more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spotlight on White House events preceding the president ’ s infection , including the announcement of Judge Amy Coney Barrett ’ s nomination to the Supreme Court and a gathering with Gold Star families .
“ Everything can be labeled a potential superspreader , ” said a source close to the Trump campaign .
“ By our opponents or anybody else.
” Though the White House has clarified that the Gold Star families are not where the internal outbreak originated .
`` No , absolutely not , and I appreciate you asking so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communications director Alyssa Farah told reporters in a gaggle .
“ [ Trump ’ s ] point was merely that in the time frame that he was potentially exposed , there were a number of different venues he 'd been at and individuals he had interacted with that it could have come from — and by no means are blaming anyone who was present .
And we did take a lot of precautions for that event .
So , based on contact tracing , the data we have , we do n't think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But the fact that Trump fell ill , however briefly , and a number of people in his inner circle tested positive ( adviser Hope Hicks , White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany , Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien , and above all , first lady Melania Trump ) has served as a metaphor for Democratic attacks on his coronavirus response .
The question for Trump is how to turn it all around less than a month from Election Day .
“ He is a survivor , ” said Republican strategist Bradley Blakeman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scourge is survivable and that we need to protect the vulnerable and the rest need to get back to work.
” That is very much the argument Trump is making .
“ Don ’ t be afraid of Covid , ” he tweeted shortly before leaving Walter Reed .
“ Don ’ t let it dominate your life.
” In a video on the White House lawn , Trump added , “ I think this was a blessing from God that I caught it.
” He has been predicting the end stages of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months .
“ The cure is worse than the disease when we think we are more powerful than nature , ” said Blakeman , who worked in George W. Bush ’ s White House .
“ We can ’ t prevent hurricanes , tornadoes , earthquakes , or pandemics .
All we can do is to use common sense and science to mitigate effects .
Democrats think they can change nature , climate , and people.
” Trump is also taking the risk of riding into the election without another coronavirus spending package @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While talks had stalled long ago , with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi reluctant to push a narrower bill that could easily win White House support , Trump abruptly announced on Twitter that he was breaking off negotiations with his Capitol Hill nemesis , seemingly taking ownership of it , though he has since floated limited measures .
As with most things , Trump is dealing with the coronavirus his way .
“ The president needs to present himself as the model , ” Blakeman said .
“ We must take reasonable risks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with our lives .
”

When President Trump returned home from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, he stood triumphantly on the White House balcony and stripped off his protective face mask. A relatively recent part of his pandemic wardrobe, it was meant to signal his return to full health.
It wasn’t the first time unmasking has become an issue in the Trump White House, but the president was sending a message. “I’m back because I’m a perfect physical specimen, and I’m extremely young,” Trump, 74, told Fox News days later.
The full story is more complicated. Trump is back and, by all accounts, feels better than when he rode Marine One to a weekend stay at the area military hospital following his COVID-19 diagnosis, making him the world’s most famous patient of the disease that threatens his reelection prospects. But sightings of White House chief of staff Mark Meadows decked out in personal protective equipment suggest things aren’t completely back to normal.
Even Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he hadn’t been able to see the president in a couple of months. “I haven’t actually been to the White House since August the 6th," the Kentucky Republican told reporters. "Because my impression was that their approach to how to handle this is different from mine and what I suggested that we do in the Senate, which is to wear a mask and practice social distancing."
The illness has made major campaign events, from the in-person rallies that are Trump’s signature to the second presidential debate, more challenging. And it has shone a spotlight on White House events preceding the president’s infection, including the announcement of Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination to the Supreme Court and a gathering with Gold Star families.
“Everything can be labeled a potential superspreader,” said a source close to the Trump campaign. “By our opponents or anybody else.” Though the White House has clarified that the Gold Star families are not where the internal outbreak originated.
"No, absolutely not, and I appreciate you asking so we can clarify,” White House communications director Alyssa Farah told reporters in a gaggle. “[Trump’s] point was merely that in the time frame that he was potentially exposed, there were a number of different venues he'd been at and individuals he had interacted with that it could have come from — and by no means are blaming anyone who was present. And we did take a lot of precautions for that event. So, based on contact tracing, the data we have, we don't think it arose from that event."
But the fact that Trump fell ill, however briefly, and a number of people in his inner circle tested positive (adviser Hope Hicks, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien, and above all, first lady Melania Trump) has served as a metaphor for Democratic attacks on his coronavirus response. The question for Trump is how to turn it all around less than a month from Election Day.
“He is a survivor,” said Republican strategist Bradley Blakeman. “He is proof that this scourge is survivable and that we need to protect the vulnerable and the rest need to get back to work.”
That is very much the argument Trump is making. “Don’t be afraid of Covid,” he tweeted shortly before leaving Walter Reed. “Don’t let it dominate your life.” In a video on the White House lawn, Trump added, “I think this was a blessing from God that I caught it.” He has been predicting the end stages of the pandemic and promoting economic reopening for months.
“The cure is worse than the disease when we think we are more powerful than nature,” said Blakeman, who worked in George W. Bush’s White House. “We can’t prevent hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, or pandemics. All we can do is to use common sense and science to mitigate effects. Democrats think they can change nature, climate, and people.”
Trump is also taking the risk of riding into the election without another coronavirus spending package to juice economic statistics one last time. While talks had stalled long ago, with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi reluctant to push a narrower bill that could easily win White House support, Trump abruptly announced on Twitter that he was breaking off negotiations with his Capitol Hill nemesis, seemingly taking ownership of it, though he has since floated limited measures.
As with most things, Trump is dealing with the coronavirus his way. “The president needs to present himself as the model,” Blakeman said. “We must take reasonable risks with precautions in order to go on with our lives.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-09--No Joe, there was no economic boom under Obama

The great Jackie Gleason once said , `` The past remembers better than it lived . ''
And so it is , apparently , with the Obama years .
There was no economic `` boom '' as Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are misremembering .
This was an economy that skidded into a financial ditch and seemingly ever pulled out of it and got back on the prosperity hot lanes until Donald Trump won the election in November 2016 .
You can mark the real recovery — an economic inflection point almost the day after that surprise election outcome .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ had guaranteed America that if Trump were elected , the stock market would crash , workers would be flattened , and , as New York Times economist Paul Krugman famously predicted , the economy would `` never '' recover .
Instead , the stock market soared by 700 points the morning after the election ( that 's some crash ) , and it rose for the next three years , as it has again over the last several months .
A few days after that election , small business optimism surged by its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back many decades .
Family incomes surged to record-high levels in 2017 , 2018 , and 2019 as deregulation and tax cuts fueled a powerful engine .
In three years , ordinary people had made more income gains than in eight years under Obama-Biden .
But now , we are being told a fairy tale that the Obama economy was booming , and Biden miraculously fixed it , and then Trump `` blew it . ''
Here 's the reality check .
Despite Biden predicting 4 % economic growth under Barack Obama , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rather pathetic for a `` recovery . ''
The people who made these preposterous bullish predictions are the ones who now say the Biden economic plan will gain millions of jobs .
In the last year of Obama 's presidency , growth shrunk to 1.6 % , and the concern was the possibility of another recession .
That 's some boom .
If the Obama recovery had been as rapid as the average recovery , we would have had at least $ 1 trillion more GDP by 2016 .
If we had experienced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been $ 2.5 trillion larger when Obama left office .
It is the equivalent to the size of the entire output of the state of California gone missing .
The first four years of the Obama presidency were abysmal .
The Obama-Biden $ 800 billion stimulus plan left unemployment higher every year than their economists had predicted if we did nothing .
What bailed out Obama , ironically enough , was the shale oil and gas revolution that added millions of jobs despite the Obama-Biden hatred of fossil fuels .
Most of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oklahoma , and North Dakota .
Meanwhile , most of the green energy subsidies went into failed and now-bankrupt companies such as Solyndra .
And now , Biden promises another $ 2 trillion for `` clean energy '' corporate welfare subsidies .
Throughout nearly all of the Biden-Obama presidency , roughly 1 out of 3 people in the United States rated the economy as good or great .
Most of the rest rated the economy `` fair '' or poor . ''
That number surged to about 65 % rating the economy as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's presidency .
People can debate Trump 's handling of the virus and the mistakes that have been made .
It now looks like under any scenario , except an airtight sequestering of those over the age of 75 , smokers , diabetics , and severely overweight people , we would have seen the same or worse results .
Now , the question is which game plan gets the economy and employment back to normal as quickly as possible .
Biden promises a $ 4 trillion tax hike almost all on U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5 % of everything we produce that gets snatched away in higher taxes .
If you believe that this will get America back on the fast track , you probably believe Obama got us 4 % growth .

The great Jackie Gleason once said, "The past remembers better than it lived." And so it is, apparently, with the Obama years.
There was no economic "boom" as Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are misremembering. This was an economy that skidded into a financial ditch and seemingly ever pulled out of it and got back on the prosperity hot lanes until Donald Trump won the election in November 2016.
You can mark the real recovery — an economic inflection point almost the day after that surprise election outcome.
Every liberal forecaster and most academic economists had guaranteed America that if Trump were elected, the stock market would crash, workers would be flattened, and, as New York Times economist Paul Krugman famously predicted, the economy would "never" recover.
Instead, the stock market soared by 700 points the morning after the election (that's some crash), and it rose for the next three years, as it has again over the last several months. A few days after that election, small business optimism surged by its most considerable amount ever measured, going back many decades. Family incomes surged to record-high levels in 2017, 2018, and 2019 as deregulation and tax cuts fueled a powerful engine. In three years, ordinary people had made more income gains than in eight years under Obama-Biden.
But now, we are being told a fairy tale that the Obama economy was booming, and Biden miraculously fixed it, and then Trump "blew it."
Here's the reality check. Despite Biden predicting 4% economic growth under Barack Obama, the economy barely averaged 2% — rather pathetic for a "recovery." The people who made these preposterous bullish predictions are the ones who now say the Biden economic plan will gain millions of jobs.
In the last year of Obama's presidency, growth shrunk to 1.6%, and the concern was the possibility of another recession. That's some boom.
If the Obama recovery had been as rapid as the average recovery, we would have had at least $1 trillion more GDP by 2016. If we had experienced a Reagan-style recovery, the GDP would have been $2.5 trillion larger when Obama left office. It is the equivalent to the size of the entire output of the state of California gone missing.
The first four years of the Obama presidency were abysmal. The Obama-Biden $800 billion stimulus plan left unemployment higher every year than their economists had predicted if we did nothing. What bailed out Obama, ironically enough, was the shale oil and gas revolution that added millions of jobs despite the Obama-Biden hatred of fossil fuels. Most of the employment growth came in Texas, Oklahoma, and North Dakota. Meanwhile, most of the green energy subsidies went into failed and now-bankrupt companies such as Solyndra. And now, Biden promises another $2 trillion for "clean energy" corporate welfare subsidies.
Throughout nearly all of the Biden-Obama presidency, roughly 1 out of 3 people in the United States rated the economy as good or great. Most of the rest rated the economy "fair" or poor." That number surged to about 65% rating the economy as good or great within a year of Trump's presidency.
People can debate Trump's handling of the virus and the mistakes that have been made. It now looks like under any scenario, except an airtight sequestering of those over the age of 75, smokers, diabetics, and severely overweight people, we would have seen the same or worse results.
Now, the question is which game plan gets the economy and employment back to normal as quickly as possible. Biden promises a $4 trillion tax hike almost all on U.S. businesses and investors. That's roughly 5% of everything we produce that gets snatched away in higher taxes. If you believe that this will get America back on the fast track, you probably believe Obama got us 4% growth.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-09--Debate commission officially cancels Oct. 15 Trump-Biden debate

The Commission on Presidential Debates officially scrapped the planned Thursday debate between President Trump and Joe Biden .
`` It is now apparent there will be no debate on October 15 , and the CPD will turn its attention to preparations for the final presidential debate scheduled for October 22 , '' the commission said in a statement on Friday .
Cancellation of what was supposed to be the second debate between Trump and the Democratic presidential nominee came a day after the president said that he would not participate in a virtual version of the event .
In response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ participate , Biden scheduled a town hall with ABC News for Thursday evening instead .
The commission did not show any sign of rescheduling the debate but indicated that the Oct. 22 debate will go on as planned .
`` Subject to health security considerations , and in accordance with all required testing , masking , social distancing and other protocols , the debate will take place at Belmont University in Nashville , Tennessee , '' the commission said .
`` As announced on June 23 , the debate will be divided into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the six segments will be selected and announced by the moderator at least one week before the debate .
Kristen Welker of NBC News will serve as moderator for the debate .
Both candidates have agreed to participate in the October 22 debate . ''
The debate commission Thursday that it would change next week 's scheduled town hall-style debate to a virtual format , `` in which the candidates would participate from separate remote locations . ''
The decision , made by a unanimous vote of the commission 's members , came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus last week , just two days after he debated the Democratic presidential nominee , potentially exposing Biden to the virus .
Soon after , Trump declared that he was “ not going to waste my time on a virtual debate . ''
The announcement of the canceled debate also follows a tweet scandal over the debate 's planned moderator , Steve Scully of C-SPAN .
After Trump attacked Scully for being biased and because he interned for Biden 's Senate office decades ago , a tweet from Scully directed at former short-lived @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Should I respond to Trump . ''
The debate commission and C-SPAN later said on Friday that Scully 's account was hacked .
Biden 's campaign , hoping to showcase the former vice president connecting with voters in an expected contrast to Trump , proposed Thursday that the town hall-style debate format be pushed back a week to Oct. 22 if Trump refused to participate in a virtual version on Thursday .
That would conflict , however , with the Oct. 22 one-on-one event .
Trump 's campaign suggested postponing both remaining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debate to Oct. 22 and the Oct. 22 one to Oct. 29 .
Biden ’ s team rejected that proposal .
“ Trump 's erratic behavior does not allow him to rewrite the calendar , and pick new dates of his choosing , ” top Biden aide Kate Bedingfield said in a Thursday statement .
“ Donald Trump can show up , or he can decline again .
That 's his choice.
” Both campaigns criticized the move by the debate commission to cancel the event entirely .
Trump 's campaign slammed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the first place .
`` There is no medical reason to stop the October 15 debate in Miami from proceeding as scheduled , since the President will be healthy and ready to debate .
There is also no reason there shouldn ’ t be the three total presidential debates as Joe Biden had originally agreed .
We have suggested using October 22 and October 29 to hold the final two debates .
It ’ s time for the biased commission to stop protecting Biden and preventing voters from hearing from the two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Murtaugh , Trump 2020 communications director .
Biden 's campaign turned the blame on Trump .
`` It 's shameful that Donald Trump ducked the only debate in which the voters get to ask the questions – but it 's no surprise .
Everyone knows that Donald Trump likes to bully reporters , but obviously he does n't have the guts to answer for his record , '' Biden spokesman Andrew Bates said .
Murtaugh gave the Biden campaign an option to schedule another matchup without the help of the debate commission : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that President Trump and Joe Biden can ’ t debate together without the overlords at the commission having a say in the matter .
We would be glad to debate one-on-one without the commission ’ s interference . ''

The Commission on Presidential Debates officially scrapped the planned Thursday debate between President Trump and Joe Biden.
"It is now apparent there will be no debate on October 15, and the CPD will turn its attention to preparations for the final presidential debate scheduled for October 22," the commission said in a statement on Friday.
Cancellation of what was supposed to be the second debate between Trump and the Democratic presidential nominee came a day after the president said that he would not participate in a virtual version of the event. In response to the president saying he would not participate, Biden scheduled a town hall with ABC News for Thursday evening instead.
The commission did not show any sign of rescheduling the debate but indicated that the Oct. 22 debate will go on as planned.
"Subject to health security considerations, and in accordance with all required testing, masking, social distancing and other protocols, the debate will take place at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee," the commission said. "As announced on June 23, the debate will be divided into six 15-minute segments. The topics for the six segments will be selected and announced by the moderator at least one week before the debate. Kristen Welker of NBC News will serve as moderator for the debate. Both candidates have agreed to participate in the October 22 debate."
The debate commission announced Thursday that it would change next week's scheduled town hall-style debate to a virtual format, "in which the candidates would participate from separate remote locations." The decision, made by a unanimous vote of the commission's members, came after the president tested positive for the coronavirus last week, just two days after he debated the Democratic presidential nominee, potentially exposing Biden to the virus.
Soon after, Trump declared that he was “not going to waste my time on a virtual debate."
The announcement of the canceled debate also follows a tweet scandal over the debate's planned moderator, Steve Scully of C-SPAN. After Trump attacked Scully for being biased and because he interned for Biden's Senate office decades ago, a tweet from Scully directed at former short-lived Trump communications director Anthony Scaramucci asked, "Should I respond to Trump." The debate commission and C-SPAN later said on Friday that Scully's account was hacked.
Biden's campaign, hoping to showcase the former vice president connecting with voters in an expected contrast to Trump, proposed Thursday that the town hall-style debate format be pushed back a week to Oct. 22 if Trump refused to participate in a virtual version on Thursday.
That would conflict, however, with the Oct. 22 one-on-one event. Trump's campaign suggested postponing both remaining debates a week: Move the Thursday debate to Oct. 22 and the Oct. 22 one to Oct. 29.
Biden’s team rejected that proposal. “Trump's erratic behavior does not allow him to rewrite the calendar, and pick new dates of his choosing,” top Biden aide Kate Bedingfield said in a Thursday statement. “Donald Trump can show up, or he can decline again. That's his choice.”
Both campaigns criticized the move by the debate commission to cancel the event entirely.
Trump's campaign slammed the debate commission for forcing a virtual debate in the first place.
"There is no medical reason to stop the October 15 debate in Miami from proceeding as scheduled, since the President will be healthy and ready to debate. There is also no reason there shouldn’t be the three total presidential debates as Joe Biden had originally agreed. We have suggested using October 22 and October 29 to hold the final two debates. It’s time for the biased commission to stop protecting Biden and preventing voters from hearing from the two candidates for president," said Tim Murtaugh, Trump 2020 communications director.
Biden's campaign turned the blame on Trump.
"It's shameful that Donald Trump ducked the only debate in which the voters get to ask the questions – but it's no surprise. Everyone knows that Donald Trump likes to bully reporters, but obviously he doesn't have the guts to answer for his record," Biden spokesman Andrew Bates said.
Murtaugh gave the Biden campaign an option to schedule another matchup without the help of the debate commission: “There’s nothing that says that President Trump and Joe Biden can’t debate together without the overlords at the commission having a say in the matter. We would be glad to debate one-on-one without the commission’s interference."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-09--Cal Cunningham repeatedly refuses to answer if he's had affairs with more women in 'brutal' press co

Cal Cunningham repeatedly refuses to answer if he's had affairs with more women in 'brutal' press conference

Democratic Senate candidate Cal Cunningham repeatedly dodged questions about if there are any other women he has had affairs with during a cringeworthy press conference on Friday .
It was Cunningham 's first public media availability since news broke of intimate texts between him and Arlene Guzman Todd , who is married to another man and has since said that their relationship included physical intimacy as recently as July .
A Facebook post from North Carolina attorney Erin Brinkman alleged that Todd is not the only woman Cunningham has had an affair with , prompting repeated questions from the press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of extramarital affairs that you think are going to surface , and do you think that you owe voters more of an explanation than you 've offered so far ? ''
one reporter asked .
`` Look , we 've heard from Sen. Tillis himself that this is what he wants to talk about , '' Cunningham responded .
Another reporter followed up : `` You did not answer Brian 's question .
Are there more women ? ''
`` Let me be very clear .
I 'm hearing from North Carolinians that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they want their Senate candidate talking about the issues , '' Cunningham responded .
Later , another reporter chimed in .
`` I 'm not hearing you say that there are n't other women , and I 'm wondering if that is going to be a distraction if you end up going to Washington , '' she said .
`` Is this something that we 're going to be hearing about for months and months , or is this , is this chapter over ? ''
Cunningham echoed a previous sentiment .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ hurt that I 've caused in my life , '' he said .
Reporters described the press conference as `` brutal '' and `` disastrous . ''
A second allegation of a Cunningham extramarital affair was made by Brinkman , who claimed her `` good friend '' has been in a relationship with the candidate since 2012 .
In addition to upending his Senate race , Cunningham 's admission of an affair is also causing him trouble in the military .
He is a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve and served in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Code of Military Justice bans adultery , and an Army Reserve spokesman this week confirmed that Cunningham is under investigation .
Republicans are using the news of Cunningham 's affair to their political advantage .
Sen. Thom Tillis 's campaign released an ad this week , slamming him for the sexting scandal .
`` North Carolinians deserve answers to the legitimate questions being raised about Cal Cunningham 's hypocrisy , ” said National Republican Senatorial Committee spokeswoman Joanna Rodriguez .
“ Voters need an opportunity to determine if someone under military investigation with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is fit to represent them , and his unphased nonanswers are disrespectful and disturbing .
”

Democratic Senate candidate Cal Cunningham repeatedly dodged questions about if there are any other women he has had affairs with during a cringeworthy press conference on Friday.
It was Cunningham's first public media availability since news broke of intimate texts between him and Arlene Guzman Todd, who is married to another man and has since said that their relationship included physical intimacy as recently as July.
A Facebook post from North Carolina attorney Erin Brinkman alleged that Todd is not the only woman Cunningham has had an affair with, prompting repeated questions from the press.
"Are there any other allegations of extramarital affairs that you think are going to surface, and do you think that you owe voters more of an explanation than you've offered so far?" one reporter asked.
"Look, we've heard from Sen. Tillis himself that this is what he wants to talk about," Cunningham responded.
Another reporter followed up: "You did not answer Brian's question. Are there more women?"
"Let me be very clear. I'm hearing from North Carolinians that are telling me in no uncertain terms that they want their Senate candidate talking about the issues," Cunningham responded.
Later, another reporter chimed in. "I'm not hearing you say that there aren't other women, and I'm wondering if that is going to be a distraction if you end up going to Washington," she said. "Is this something that we're going to be hearing about for months and months, or is this, is this chapter over?"
Cunningham echoed a previous sentiment. "I've taken responsibility for the hurt that I've caused in my life," he said.
MUST WATCH: Cal refused not ONCE, not TWICE, not THREE TIMES, but FOUR TIMES to answer how many affairs he’s had.
How many mistresses are there, @CalforNC? #NCSen #ncpol pic.twitter.com/rf7I51wbuz — The Senate Majority (@NRSC) October 9, 2020
Reporters described the press conference as "brutal" and "disastrous."
Phrased in a slightly different way, Steve Harrison tries for the 4th time to get an answer from Cal Cunningham on this. Cunningham didn't answer the question again. Q and A is over and it was brutal #ncsen — Joe Bruno (@JoeBrunoWSOC9) October 9, 2020
A second allegation of a Cunningham extramarital affair was made by Brinkman, who claimed her "good friend" has been in a relationship with the candidate since 2012.
In addition to upending his Senate race, Cunningham's admission of an affair is also causing him trouble in the military. He is a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve and served in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Uniform Code of Military Justice bans adultery, and an Army Reserve spokesman this week confirmed that Cunningham is under investigation.
Republicans are using the news of Cunningham's affair to their political advantage. Sen. Thom Tillis's campaign released an ad this week, slamming him for the sexting scandal.
"North Carolinians deserve answers to the legitimate questions being raised about Cal Cunningham's hypocrisy,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee spokeswoman Joanna Rodriguez. “Voters need an opportunity to determine if someone under military investigation with potentially multiple affairs yet to be exposed is fit to represent them, and his unphased nonanswers are disrespectful and disturbing.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-09--Trump to hold rally in Florida on Monday

President Trump is set to hold a rally in Florida on Monday .
His campaign announced news of the Sanford @ @ @ @ @ traveled early on the morning of Oct. 2 that the president had tested positive for @ @ @ @ @ whether the president has received a negative test result since his initial diagnosis .
`` @ @ @ @ @ a temperature check , masks which they are encouraged to wear , and access to @ @ @ @ @ to a press release about the event .

President Trump is set to hold a rally in Florida on Monday.
His campaign announced news of the Sanford rally on Friday.
Word traveled early on the morning of Oct. 2 that the president had tested positive for COVID-19. It is unclear whether the president has received a negative test result since his initial diagnosis.
"All attendees will be given a temperature check, masks which they are encouraged to wear, and access to hand sanitizer," according to a press release about the event.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-09--Biden court-packing dodge creates opening for Republicans to woo voters

Joe Biden says that the rationale for refusing to answer whether he supports expanding the Supreme Court is that he doesn ’ t want to draw attention to a contentious hypothetical .
But Republicans and conservatives say that his repeated dodges are working against the Democratic presidential nominee , fueling enthusiasm among their base and creating an opening to sway swing voters who are wary of overhauling the nation ’ s highest court .
Biden , his running mate California Sen. Kamala Harris , and his top campaign advisers have repeatedly refused to answer whether he agrees with calls from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justices on the Supreme Court ( assuming that Democrats win full control of Congress and the White House ) in retaliation for President Trump pushing through a replacement for the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg rather than waiting for the results of the presidential election .
On Thursday , another clunky dodge from the former vice president brought renewed scrutiny .
`` You 'll know my opinion on court-packing when the election is over , ” in Arizona .
Some assume that Biden , who expressed to court expansion as recently as October @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fellow Democrats in order to avoid alienating the far-left voters who agree with the idea — and who Biden needs to turn out to the polls in order to defeat Trump decisively .
But to conservatives and Republicans , his dodging ( despite his past clear stance on the matter ) is an indication that he will cave to the expansion calls .
“ Democrats burned the American people with Obamacare by claiming , ‘ We have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it.
’ Now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dodging questions about fundamentally upending the third branch of government by packing the Supreme Court , voters aren ’ t going to fall for Democrats ’ evasiveness again , ” said Republican National Committee Rapid Response Director Steve Guest .
Andrew Hitt , the chairman of the Wisconsin Republican Party , told the Washington Examiner that he thinks that ’ s how voters will interpret Biden ’ s stance , too .
“ That sends a pretty big signal to these folks , ” Hitt said .
“ He is going to pack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think that 's what everybody is going to interpret that as.
” The issue of an open Supreme Court seat was a motivating factor for voters on the fence in 2016 to choose Trump .
This year , though , Hitt said that some Republican organizers are finding some voters no longer feel an urgency about the court and that there is a sense that a conservative majority has been achieved .
But Biden ’ s refusal to answer whether he supports dramatically reshaping the judiciary is bringing the court issue back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ folks think that Joe Biden is going to pack the court and take that away , that will actually continue than to motivate these folks because they wo n't have their court , ” Hitt said , adding that Wisconsin voters are in tune with judicial selection due to the state ’ s high-profile state Supreme Court elections .
Retaliatory court expansion is not a popular position .
A Washington Examiner/YouGov national poll conducted on Sunday found that 47 % of registered voters , a plurality , oppose expanding the Supreme Court if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barrett , is confirmed before the election .
And a in swing states commissioned by Heritage Action , the political advocacy sister organization of the conservative Heritage Foundation think tank , suggested that voters in key states could be motivated to vote against Biden due to the court-packing issue .
A majority of voters in three key swing states said that the possibility of court-packing made them less likely to vote for Biden : 54 % in Arizona , 52 % in both Florida and North Carolina .
In Wisconsin , the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 45 % .
In the five states combined , 14 % of Democrats and 54 % of independents said that the court-packing possibility made them less likely to vote for Biden .
Heritage Action , which is also working to contact voters directly to support the confirmation of Barrett , says that its grassroots members are energized by the court-packing issue .
“ This fight is n't going away , and we plan to continue drawing attention to Vice President Biden 's statements on packing the court , ” the group ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Washington Examiner .
“ By refusing to state his position , he is leaving the door open to turning the court into a mini-legislature.
” Every time Biden or someone from his campaign dodges a question on court expansion , it gives Trump ’ s campaign the opportunity to turn attention away from controversies surrounding the president and to Biden potentially on yet another important structural issue .
“ As if transitioning to socialism wasn ’ t bad enough , Biden ’ s silence on fundamentally reshaping one of our three branches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Ken Farnaso , a deputy national press secretary for the Trump campaign .

Joe Biden says that the rationale for refusing to answer whether he supports expanding the Supreme Court is that he doesn’t want to draw attention to a contentious hypothetical.
But Republicans and conservatives say that his repeated dodges are working against the Democratic presidential nominee, fueling enthusiasm among their base and creating an opening to sway swing voters who are wary of overhauling the nation’s highest court.
Biden, his running mate California Sen. Kamala Harris, and his top campaign advisers have repeatedly refused to answer whether he agrees with calls from top Democrats to expand the number of justices on the Supreme Court (assuming that Democrats win full control of Congress and the White House) in retaliation for President Trump pushing through a replacement for the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg rather than waiting for the results of the presidential election.
On Thursday, another clunky dodge from the former vice president brought renewed scrutiny.
"You'll know my opinion on court-packing when the election is over,” Biden told reporters in Arizona.
Some assume that Biden, who expressed opposition to court expansion as recently as October 2019, is declining to refute his fellow Democrats in order to avoid alienating the far-left voters who agree with the idea — and who Biden needs to turn out to the polls in order to defeat Trump decisively.
But to conservatives and Republicans, his dodging (despite his past clear stance on the matter) is an indication that he will cave to the expansion calls.
“Democrats burned the American people with Obamacare by claiming, ‘We have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it.’ Now that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are dodging questions about fundamentally upending the third branch of government by packing the Supreme Court, voters aren’t going to fall for Democrats’ evasiveness again,” said Republican National Committee Rapid Response Director Steve Guest.
Andrew Hitt, the chairman of the Wisconsin Republican Party, told the Washington Examiner that he thinks that’s how voters will interpret Biden’s stance, too.
“That sends a pretty big signal to these folks,” Hitt said. “He is going to pack the court. I mean, I think that's what everybody is going to interpret that as.”
The issue of an open Supreme Court seat was a motivating factor for voters on the fence in 2016 to choose Trump. This year, though, Hitt said that some Republican organizers are finding some voters no longer feel an urgency about the court and that there is a sense that a conservative majority has been achieved.
But Biden’s refusal to answer whether he supports dramatically reshaping the judiciary is bringing the court issue back to the forefront of urgency.
“If folks think that Joe Biden is going to pack the court and take that away, that will actually continue than to motivate these folks because they won't have their court,” Hitt said, adding that Wisconsin voters are in tune with judicial selection due to the state’s high-profile state Supreme Court elections.
Retaliatory court expansion is not a popular position. A Washington Examiner/YouGov national poll conducted on Sunday found that 47% of registered voters, a plurality, oppose expanding the Supreme Court if Trump's nominee, Judge Amy Coney Barrett, is confirmed before the election.
And a September poll in swing states commissioned by Heritage Action, the political advocacy sister organization of the conservative Heritage Foundation think tank, suggested that voters in key states could be motivated to vote against Biden due to the court-packing issue.
A majority of voters in three key swing states said that the possibility of court-packing made them less likely to vote for Biden: 54% in Arizona, 52% in both Florida and North Carolina. In Wisconsin, the number was 46% and in Colorado, 45%. In the five states combined, 14% of Democrats and 54% of independents said that the court-packing possibility made them less likely to vote for Biden.
Heritage Action, which is also working to contact voters directly to support the confirmation of Barrett, says that its grassroots members are energized by the court-packing issue.
“This fight isn't going away, and we plan to continue drawing attention to Vice President Biden's statements on packing the court,” the group’s press secretary, Noah Weinrich, told the Washington Examiner. “By refusing to state his position, he is leaving the door open to turning the court into a mini-legislature.”
Every time Biden or someone from his campaign dodges a question on court expansion, it gives Trump’s campaign the opportunity to turn attention away from controversies surrounding the president and to Biden potentially caving to his party’s left wing on yet another important structural issue.
“As if transitioning to socialism wasn’t bad enough, Biden’s silence on fundamentally reshaping one of our three branches of government should scare every single American,” said Ken Farnaso, a deputy national press secretary for the Trump campaign.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-09--Michigan militia adds to Trump's Midwest woes

Democrats are doing everything they can to tie the alleged plot to kidnap Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer to President Trump 's rhetoric around anti-lockdown protesters .
On Thursday , the FBI announced it had arrested 13 members of the Wolverine Watchmen , an anti-government extremist group based out of eastern Michigan .
`` The group talked about creating a society that followed the U.S. Bill of Rights and where they could be self-sufficient , ” the FBI wrote in its affidavit .
“ They discussed different ways of achieving this goal from peaceful endeavors to violent actions .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state governments they believed were violating the U.S. Constitution , including the government of Michigan and Governor Gretchen Whitmer . ''
A key motivating factor behind the plot , according to law enforcement officials , was Whitmer and other Democrats ' tough lockdown policies , which anti-government activists say are a violation of the Constitution and citizens ' individual rights .
Democrats have long defended their actions as in the interest of public health and squarely within their implied powers .
But those lockdowns have turned into a partisan issue that has raised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A number of Republicans , including the president , have attacked Democratic lawmakers and governors for their response to the coronavirus pandemic calling the lockdowns ineffective and needlessly damaging to the economy .
Grassroots protests against the lockdowns came to a head at the Michigan State Capitol in May , where armed members of the public occupied the building and demanded an end to mask mandates and an opening of the state 's businesses .
Those individuals were encouraged by Trump , who said they were `` very good people '' and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
`` The Governor of Michigan should give a little , and put out the fire .
These are very good people , but they are angry , '' Trump tweeted on May 1 .
`` They want their lives back again , safely !
See them , talk to them , make a deal . ''
Those remarks were then repeatedly hammered by both Whitmer and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden , who accused the president of encouraging violent extremists .
`` We know every time that this White House identifies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we see an increase in rhetoric online , violent rhetoric , and so there 's always a connection , and certainly it 's something that we 've been watching .
But this took it to a whole new level , '' Whitmer said in a Thursday press conference .
Shortly after , Biden released his own statement condemning the `` emboldened domestic terrorists . ''
`` When protesters with Swastikas and Confederate flags , nooses , and assault rifles descended on Michigan ’ s capitol echoing the President ’ s own refrain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump called them 'very good people , ' '' Biden wrote .
`` He was heard , just as he was heard by neo-Nazis in Charlottesville three years ago , and again last week , when he told the extremist Proud Boys to 'stand back and stand by . '
'' Nowhere better than the Midwest demonstrates Trump 's reelection woes , where voters consistently tell pollsters they trust Biden more than him to handle the coronavirus pandemic .
At the time of the protests , a majority of Michigan voters approved of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poll released by the Detroit News on Tuesday found Whitmer 's approval rating above water at 51 % .
That dynamic creates an opening for the Biden campaign , which has repeatedly painted Trump 's handling of the coronavirus as incompetent and his condemnation of extremists insufficient .
Trump , meanwhile , attempted to balance distancing himself from the militia members while also encouraging his supporters to protest peacefully against Whitmer 's policies .
`` I do not tolerate ANY extreme violence .
Defending ALL Americans , even those who oppose and attack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do as your President , '' Trump tweeted Thursday evening .
`` Governor Whitmer — open up your state , open up your schools , and open up your churches ! ''

Democrats are doing everything they can to tie the alleged plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to President Trump's rhetoric around anti-lockdown protesters.
On Thursday, the FBI announced it had arrested 13 members of the Wolverine Watchmen, an anti-government extremist group based out of eastern Michigan.
"The group talked about creating a society that followed the U.S. Bill of Rights and where they could be self-sufficient,” the FBI wrote in its affidavit. “They discussed different ways of achieving this goal from peaceful endeavors to violent actions. At one point, several members talked about state governments they believed were violating the U.S. Constitution, including the government of Michigan and Governor Gretchen Whitmer."
A key motivating factor behind the plot, according to law enforcement officials, was Whitmer and other Democrats' tough lockdown policies, which anti-government activists say are a violation of the Constitution and citizens' individual rights. Democrats have long defended their actions as in the interest of public health and squarely within their implied powers.
But those lockdowns have turned into a partisan issue that has raised outcries far beyond militia groups in Michigan. A number of Republicans, including the president, have attacked Democratic lawmakers and governors for their response to the coronavirus pandemic calling the lockdowns ineffective and needlessly damaging to the economy.
Grassroots protests against the lockdowns came to a head at the Michigan State Capitol in May, where armed members of the public occupied the building and demanded an end to mask mandates and an opening of the state's businesses.
Those individuals were encouraged by Trump, who said they were "very good people" and called for Michigan to be "liberated."
"The Governor of Michigan should give a little, and put out the fire. These are very good people, but they are angry," Trump tweeted on May 1. "They want their lives back again, safely! See them, talk to them, make a deal."
Those remarks were then repeatedly hammered by both Whitmer and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, who accused the president of encouraging violent extremists.
"We know every time that this White House identifies me or takes a shot at me, we see an increase in rhetoric online, violent rhetoric, and so there's always a connection, and certainly it's something that we've been watching. But this took it to a whole new level," Whitmer said in a Thursday press conference.
Shortly after, Biden released his own statement condemning the "emboldened domestic terrorists."
"When protesters with Swastikas and Confederate flags, nooses, and assault rifles descended on Michigan’s capitol echoing the President’s own refrain to 'lock her up,' President Trump called them 'very good people,'" Biden wrote. "He was heard, just as he was heard by neo-Nazis in Charlottesville three years ago, and again last week, when he told the extremist Proud Boys to 'stand back and stand by.'"
Nowhere better than the Midwest demonstrates Trump's reelection woes, where voters consistently tell pollsters they trust Biden more than him to handle the coronavirus pandemic. At the time of the protests, a majority of Michigan voters approved of Whitmer's lockdown policies, and a poll released by the Detroit News on Tuesday found Whitmer's approval rating above water at 51%.
That dynamic creates an opening for the Biden campaign, which has repeatedly painted Trump's handling of the coronavirus as incompetent and his condemnation of extremists insufficient.
Trump, meanwhile, attempted to balance distancing himself from the militia members while also encouraging his supporters to protest peacefully against Whitmer's policies.
"I do not tolerate ANY extreme violence. Defending ALL Americans, even those who oppose and attack me, is what I will always do as your President," Trump tweeted Thursday evening. "Governor Whitmer — open up your state, open up your schools, and open up your churches!"


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-09--The media have a responsibility to demand more from Biden on court-packing

Under normal circumstances , a presidential candidate who refused to tell voters what he believes about one of the most radical , consequential policies of the race would be excoriated by the press .
He would be cornered at every opportunity , hounded until he was forced to give an answer .
But Joe Biden is determined to get off scot-free , and the media might just let him .
Biden , the Democratic presidential candidate , and his running mate , Sen. Kamala Harris of California , have repeatedly refused to answer direct questions about whether they would support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Senate confirms President Trump ’ s nominee , Judge Amy Coney Barrett .
( Or even if it does n't . )
He has been rightfully asked several times to take a position , but then , when he refuses to answer , nobody presses him .
This is why Biden feels so confident simply disregarding the issue every time it is brought up .
The media have taken sides and wo n't hold him accountable .
`` You 'll know my opinion on court-packing when the election is over , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Phoenix on Thursday .
“ It 's a great question , and I do n't blame you for asking .
But you know , the moment I answer that question , the headline in every one of your papers will be on the answer to that question.
” This is unacceptable on every level .
Biden is asking voters to make him president but refusing to share his intentions with them .
Why should they be expected to vote for a man who can not be honest about what he will do in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy debate .
It is an actual goal shared by leftists who want to upend the balance of power and seize it for themselves , thereby undermining our third branch of government and the constitutional system of which it is a part .
So , yes , of course every media outlet would make Biden ’ s answer to this question its front-page story .
It is an incredibly important topic that just so happens to be of great interest to the voting public .
Which is why the press has an obligation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ought to be pressing Biden about his position on court-packing in the same way that they would hound Trump if the shoe were on the other foot .
They should follow up with additional questions when he tries to dodge and perhaps even refuse to ask any other question until he gives an answer to this one .
Ask him why he doesn ’ t care what the public thinks about court-packing .
Ask him why he so flippantly disregards the voter ’ s right to know a candidate ’ s positions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ unwilling to condemn a policy that he denounced just months ago .
These questions will help voters understand what Biden really believes about court-packing .
And they would also expose the rank hypocrisy of Biden ’ s campaign .
This is , after all , a campaign whose slogan is “ truth over lies.
” Yet , on this issue , Biden is even more dishonest than his opponent .

Under normal circumstances, a presidential candidate who refused to tell voters what he believes about one of the most radical, consequential policies of the race would be excoriated by the press. He would be cornered at every opportunity, hounded until he was forced to give an answer. But Joe Biden is determined to get off scot-free, and the media might just let him.
Biden, the Democratic presidential candidate, and his running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris of California, have repeatedly refused to answer direct questions about whether they would support efforts to pack the Supreme Court if the Senate confirms President Trump’s nominee, Judge Amy Coney Barrett. (Or even if it doesn't.) He has been rightfully asked several times to take a position, but then, when he refuses to answer, nobody presses him. This is why Biden feels so confident simply disregarding the issue every time it is brought up. The media have taken sides and won't hold him accountable.
"You'll know my opinion on court-packing when the election is over," Biden said during a campaign stop in Phoenix on Thursday. “It's a great question, and I don't blame you for asking. But you know, the moment I answer that question, the headline in every one of your papers will be on the answer to that question.”
This is unacceptable on every level. Biden is asking voters to make him president but refusing to share his intentions with them. Why should they be expected to vote for a man who cannot be honest about what he will do in office?
Court-packing is not just another policy debate. It is an actual goal shared by leftists who want to upend the balance of power and seize it for themselves, thereby undermining our third branch of government and the constitutional system of which it is a part. So, yes, of course every media outlet would make Biden’s answer to this question its front-page story. It is an incredibly important topic that just so happens to be of great interest to the voting public.
Which is why the press has an obligation to find out the truth. Reporters ought to be pressing Biden about his position on court-packing in the same way that they would hound Trump if the shoe were on the other foot. They should follow up with additional questions when he tries to dodge and perhaps even refuse to ask any other question until he gives an answer to this one.
Ask him why he doesn’t care what the public thinks about court-packing. Ask him why he so flippantly disregards the voter’s right to know a candidate’s positions. Ask him why he is now so unwilling to condemn a policy that he denounced just months ago.
These questions will help voters understand what Biden really believes about court-packing. And they would also expose the rank hypocrisy of Biden’s campaign. This is, after all, a campaign whose slogan is “truth over lies.” Yet, on this issue, Biden is even more dishonest than his opponent.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-09--Batches of discarded mail, including voter ballots, stolen from mailboxes and dumped in California

Sheriff ’ s officials in San Bernardino County , California , say two batches of discarded mail , including voter ballots , were found on two different city blocks .
The discarded mail , found in the California towns of Joshua Tree and Twentynine Palms , was found on Wednesday and was apparently stolen from a cluster of mailboxes , .
Authorities say an investigation determined that incoming mail in general was being targeted as opposed to voter ballots specifically .
The case has been forwarded to the United States Postal Inspection Service for further investigation .
Discarded ballots were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ATM in nearby Los Angeles .
“ You know , is this intentional ?
” the woman who found the ballots told the local news .
“ Is this meant to suppress the vote ?
I don ’ t know.
” Questions about the security of mail-in ballots have also risen in other parts of the country , including Pennsylvania , where discarded military ballots were found — the majority of which contained votes for President Trump , according to the Department of Justice .
A letter carrier in New Jersey was arrested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many 99 mail-in ballots into dumpsters .
Trump and fellow Republicans have criticized the push for mail-in voting , citing concerns about the integrity of the process , while that mail-in voting is necessary to protect voters from the spread of the coronavirus .

Sheriff’s officials in San Bernardino County, California, say two batches of discarded mail, including voter ballots, were found on two different city blocks.
The discarded mail, found in the California towns of Joshua Tree and Twentynine Palms, was found on Wednesday and was apparently stolen from a cluster of mailboxes, according to CBS 2 Los Angeles .
Authorities say an investigation determined that incoming mail in general was being targeted as opposed to voter ballots specifically.
The case has been forwarded to the United States Postal Inspection Service for further investigation.
Discarded ballots were also found this week next to an ATM in nearby Los Angeles .
“You know, is this intentional?” the woman who found the ballots told the local news. “Is this meant to suppress the vote? I don’t know.”
Questions about the security of mail-in ballots have also risen in other parts of the country, including Pennsylvania, where discarded military ballots were found — the majority of which contained votes for President Trump, according to the Department of Justice .
A letter carrier in New Jersey was arrested this week for allegedly intentionally discarding as many 99 mail-in ballots into dumpsters .


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-10--'Critical backstop': As Barrett confirmation looms, states prepare for future without Roe v. Wade

As President Trump seeks to build an increasingly solid conservative majority on the Supreme Court , many states have begun preparing for a potential Roe v. Wade reversal .
With the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett , Democrats have resurrected old fears that the abortion issue will become a complicated mess .
If Roe was overturned , abortion debate would become a states issue , as it was until the 1973 decision .
Back then , states had widely varying abortion laws , with some states outlawing the practice entirely .
Especially since the 2018 confirmation of Justice Brett @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gave conservatives a 5-4 majority prior to the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , abortion-friendly states have been amending their constitutions to keep abortion legal should Roe fall .
At the same time , anti-abortion states have done the opposite .
A September from the abortion advocacy group the Guttmacher Institute , released following Ginsburg ’ s death , warned of “ grave consequences ” if Barrett is confirmed to the court .
Among these fears are the reversal of Roe , as well as “ emboldened ” anti-abortion activists pushing for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court decisions .
Abortion advocates issued similar predictions after Kavanaugh ’ s confirmation , and many states began taking preparatory action .
The New York state Legislature in January voted to expand abortion access , overturning pre-Roe restrictions that had gone unaddressed since the 1973 decision .
Lawmakers passed the bill , which formally legalized all abortions before 24 weeks , on the anniversary of the Roe decision .
The decision was widely praised by abortion advocates as forward-thinking .
Leana Wen , then-president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America , called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the advances the Trump administration had made against abortion , following Kavanaugh ’ s confirmation .
`` We need states , like New York state , to step up , '' Wen Salon at the time .
`` I hope that lawmakers across the country will look to New York and to other states to repeal bad policies that restrict access and do everything they can to protect access and expand the right to reproductive healthcare , which is healthcare . ''
Vermont later that year codified abortion into its constitution , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or interfere ” with the right to an abortion throughout pregnancy .
The move , said state Rep. Ann Pugh , one of the bill ’ s primary sponsors , was to protect abortion rights when the future of Roe is “ in question.
” “ We thought we ’ d better be clear in Vermont , ” she the New York Times .
Vermont and Oregon are the only states , as well as the District of Columbia , that have enshrined in their constitution abortion protections throughout pregnancy since Trump took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including New York , Illinois , and California , also significantly expanded abortion access in response to the Trump administration ’ s anti-abortion court appointments .
Abortion-rights activists tried strengthening abortion laws in other states , too .
In a notable instance in Virginia , early last year , Democratic state legislators captured national attention when they attempted to pass an abortion bill that would allow the procedure up to the point of birth .
The bill was supported by Gov .
Ralph Northam , who , while defending it on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infanticide .
His comments ignited a furor among anti-abortion activists , as well as Trump , Northam frequently when speaking about abortion .
Although rejected at the time , Virginia the bill when later that year , Democrats captured the majority in both state houses .
At the same time , many states with legislatures whose majorities oppose abortion have begun preparing for the path toward abortion illegality .
Alabama , Louisiana , and Missouri all passed abortion restrictions in 2019 , aimed at curbing access without declaring outright illegality .
Some states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go into effect should Roe be overturned .
As the Senate prepares to confirm Barrett , anti-abortion groups have begun targeting states where the movement will have to go on the offensive to win restrictions on abortion , according to researchers at the anti-abortion group the Susan B. Anthony List .
Some of these include Virginia , Illinois , and Florida .
Many of the states expected to be friendly to anti-abortion laws already have such laws on the books , not in force because of Roe .
Abortion , which has long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the fore with the expected confirmation of Barrett .
Both former Vice President Joe Biden and his running mate , California Sen. Kamala Harris , the Democratic vice presidential nominee , expressed worries that Barrett 's nomination would mean a disruption of the abortion status quo .
Biden said that Trump effectively put Roe “ on the ballot , ” a claim which Trump denied .
Harris said in response to a question from vice presidential debate moderator Susan Page that “ a woman ’ s right to make a decision about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to risk leaving it to a judge who could potentially send the issue to the states .
While Trump has denied that Roe is on the ballot , anti-abortion activists have been clear that their aim to push the issue back into state territory .
Following a 5-4 Supreme Court decision this summer against a 2014 Louisiana law that made it prohibitively difficult to obtain an abortion , activists predicted that the anti-abortion movement only needed one more Supreme Court justice to roll back Roe .
Chief Justice John Roberts was the deciding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the movement unless it can secure another conservative justice .
“ Who names the next justice wins , ” Susan B. Anthony President Marjorie Dannenfelser , a prominent anti-abortion activist who was instrumental in Trump picking Barrett .

As President Trump seeks to build an increasingly solid conservative majority on the Supreme Court, many states have begun preparing for a potential Roe v. Wade reversal. With the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett, Democrats have resurrected old fears that the abortion issue will become a complicated mess.
If Roe was overturned, abortion debate would become a states issue, as it was until the 1973 decision. Back then, states had widely varying abortion laws, with some states outlawing the practice entirely. Especially since the 2018 confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh, whose place on the court gave conservatives a 5-4 majority prior to the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, abortion-friendly states have been amending their constitutions to keep abortion legal should Roe fall. At the same time, anti-abortion states have done the opposite.
A September report from the abortion advocacy group the Guttmacher Institute, released following Ginsburg’s death, warned of “grave consequences” if Barrett is confirmed to the court. Among these fears are the reversal of Roe, as well as “emboldened” anti-abortion activists pushing for greater restrictions in anticipation of friendly Supreme Court decisions.
Abortion advocates issued similar predictions after Kavanaugh’s confirmation, and many states began taking preparatory action. The New York state Legislature in January voted to expand abortion access, overturning pre-Roe restrictions that had gone unaddressed since the 1973 decision. Lawmakers passed the bill, which formally legalized all abortions before 24 weeks, on the anniversary of the Roe decision. The decision was widely praised by abortion advocates as forward-thinking.
Leana Wen, then-president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, called the law a “critical backstop” against the advances the Trump administration had made against abortion, following Kavanaugh’s confirmation.
"We need states, like New York state, to step up," Wen told Salon at the time. "I hope that lawmakers across the country will look to New York and to other states to repeal bad policies that restrict access and do everything they can to protect access and expand the right to reproductive healthcare, which is healthcare."
Vermont later that year codified abortion into its constitution, making the government unable to “deny or interfere” with the right to an abortion throughout pregnancy. The move, said state Rep. Ann Pugh, one of the bill’s primary sponsors, was to protect abortion rights when the future of Roe is “in question.”
“We thought we’d better be clear in Vermont,” she told the New York Times.
Vermont and Oregon are the only states, as well as the District of Columbia, that have enshrined in their constitution abortion protections throughout pregnancy since Trump took office, according to Guttmacher. Eleven other states, including New York, Illinois, and California, also significantly expanded abortion access in response to the Trump administration’s anti-abortion court appointments.
Abortion-rights activists tried strengthening abortion laws in other states, too. In a notable instance in Virginia, early last year, Democratic state legislators captured national attention when they attempted to pass an abortion bill that would allow the procedure up to the point of birth. The bill was supported by Gov. Ralph Northam, who, while defending it on a radio program, appeared to also endorse infanticide. His comments ignited a furor among anti-abortion activists, as well as Trump, who references Northam frequently when speaking about abortion.
Although rejected at the time, Virginia passed the bill when later that year, Democrats captured the majority in both state houses.
At the same time, many states with legislatures whose majorities oppose abortion have begun preparing for the path toward abortion illegality. Alabama, Louisiana, and Missouri all passed abortion restrictions in 2019, aimed at curbing access without declaring outright illegality. Some states have retained pre-Roe abortion bans that could go into effect should Roe be overturned.
As the Senate prepares to confirm Barrett, anti-abortion groups have begun targeting states where the movement will have to go on the offensive to win restrictions on abortion, according to researchers at the anti-abortion group the Susan B. Anthony List. Some of these include Virginia, Illinois, and Florida. Many of the states expected to be friendly to anti-abortion laws already have such laws on the books, not in force because of Roe.
Abortion, which has long been an electoral issue, has returned to the fore with the expected confirmation of Barrett. Both former Vice President Joe Biden and his running mate, California Sen. Kamala Harris, the Democratic vice presidential nominee, expressed worries that Barrett's nomination would mean a disruption of the abortion status quo. Biden said that Trump effectively put Roe “on the ballot,” a claim which Trump denied. Harris said in response to a question from vice presidential debate moderator Susan Page that “a woman’s right to make a decision about her own body” is too important to risk leaving it to a judge who could potentially send the issue to the states.
While Trump has denied that Roe is on the ballot, anti-abortion activists have been clear that their aim to push the issue back into state territory. Following a 5-4 Supreme Court decision this summer against a 2014 Louisiana law that made it prohibitively difficult to obtain an abortion, activists predicted that the anti-abortion movement only needed one more Supreme Court justice to roll back Roe. Chief Justice John Roberts was the deciding vote against the anti-abortion movement, leaving the movement at a disadvantage unless it can secure another conservative justice.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-10--Pennsylvania House race could affect a post-Election Day fight for the presidency

HARRISBURG , Pennsylvania — Democrats have several reasons for wanting to win Pennsylvania 's 10th Congressional District .
Sure , they would like to beat Republican Rep. Scott Perry in the sprawling district that stretches from Gettysburg to the state capital of Harrisburg .
Perry , first elected to the House in 2012 , is locked in a tight race against Democratic challenger Eugene DePasquale , the state auditor .
Winning on Nov. 3 would help expand the current Democratic House majority from its current 232-197 edge over Republicans , along with one Libertarian and five vacancies .
But winning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backstop if the presidential race ends up tied .
That 's never happened before , but it 's a plausible scenario this year in the topsy-turvy White House race between President Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
There are several combinations of Trump and Biden each winning key Electoral College states that could produce a 269-269 tie .
In that scenario , the race would go to the House of Representatives under the Constitution .
The presidency would then be decided by who wins a majority , 26 , of House delegations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hold and even expand their House majority .
But House Republicans currently have a 26-23 edge in state delegations .
The one state that would not be counted under such a scenario is Pennsylvania since its House delegation is tied , with nine Republicans and nine Democratic members .
If Democratic House candidate DePasquale can win his congressional race , the Republicans ' House delegation edge would be narrowed to 26-24 .
Democrats are also making serious efforts to defeat House Republicans in some states with only one district , such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ machinations have n't really come up , though , in the race between Perry and DePasquale .
Perry , a retired Pennsylvania Army National Guard brigadier general who was a state representative for six years before joining Congress , is a staunch supporter of Trump .
DePasquale , meanwhile , is running on bread-and-butter economic issues such as infrastructure investment and small business tax credits .
Lynette Jorgensen , an emergency room nurse , said Saturday in Harrisburg that she 's for DePasquale .
She does n't know a lot about him but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wants to bring in Democrats to Congress to support Biden .
`` The past four years have been disappointing .
I voted for Trump in 2016 , but he 's not what I thought he would be — with the constant arguing and name-calling , '' said Jorgensen , 58 .
But David Matuszek , taking a break from jogging along the Susquehanna River , said he 's all in for Perry and Trump .
Perry `` has done a good job , trying to help businesses , particularly with things depressed because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a contractor .
`` I do n't see any reason to oppose him . ''

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania — Democrats have several reasons for wanting to win Pennsylvania's 10th Congressional District.
Sure, they would like to beat Republican Rep. Scott Perry in the sprawling district that stretches from Gettysburg to the state capital of Harrisburg. Perry, first elected to the House in 2012, is locked in a tight race against Democratic challenger Eugene DePasquale, the state auditor. Winning on Nov. 3 would help expand the current Democratic House majority from its current 232-197 edge over Republicans, along with one Libertarian and five vacancies.
But winning the district would also give Democrats a backstop if the presidential race ends up tied. That's never happened before, but it's a plausible scenario this year in the topsy-turvy White House race between President Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden. There are several combinations of Trump and Biden each winning key Electoral College states that could produce a 269-269 tie.
In that scenario, the race would go to the House of Representatives under the Constitution. The presidency would then be decided by who wins a majority, 26, of House delegations from each state.
Democrats are likely to hold and even expand their House majority. But House Republicans currently have a 26-23 edge in state delegations.
The one state that would not be counted under such a scenario is Pennsylvania since its House delegation is tied, with nine Republicans and nine Democratic members.
If Democratic House candidate DePasquale can win his congressional race, the Republicans' House delegation edge would be narrowed to 26-24. Democrats are also making serious efforts to defeat House Republicans in some states with only one district, such as Alaska and Montana.
These presidential race machinations haven't really come up, though, in the race between Perry and DePasquale. Perry, a retired Pennsylvania Army National Guard brigadier general who was a state representative for six years before joining Congress, is a staunch supporter of Trump. DePasquale, meanwhile, is running on bread-and-butter economic issues such as infrastructure investment and small business tax credits.
Lynette Jorgensen, an emergency room nurse, said Saturday in Harrisburg that she's for DePasquale. She doesn't know a lot about him but is planning to vote against Trump and wants to bring in Democrats to Congress to support Biden.
"The past four years have been disappointing. I voted for Trump in 2016, but he's not what I thought he would be — with the constant arguing and name-calling," said Jorgensen, 58.
But David Matuszek, taking a break from jogging along the Susquehanna River, said he's all in for Perry and Trump.
Perry "has done a good job, trying to help businesses, particularly with things depressed because of coronavirus," said Matuszek, a contractor. "I don't see any reason to oppose him."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-10--Biden falsely accuses Senate Republicans of flouting the Constitution with Barrett Supreme Court pus

Biden falsely accuses Senate Republicans of flouting the Constitution with Barrett Supreme Court push

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is suggesting that the Senate Republican push to elevate Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court before the Nov. 3 elections is at odds with the Constitution .
`` The only court-packing is going on right now .
It ’ s going on with the Republicans , '' Biden told reporters Saturday in Delaware .
`` It ’ s not constitutional what they ’ re doing .
We should be focused on what ’ s happening right now . ''
Biden reiterated how voters have already begun casting their ballots as the Senate Judiciary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of confirmation hearings , starting on Monday .
But Republicans have lodged similar complaints against the two-term vice president and 36-year Delaware senator for refusing to say whether he would expand the Supreme Court if he gets elected to the White House in 24 days as voters head to the polls or mail in their ballots .
The Senate Republicans ' tight turnaround to appoint Barrett to the bench after Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died last month is constitutional .
Biden has criticized the truncated nomination process after Senate Majority Leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from naming Judge Merrick Garland to the court in 2016 because it was an election year .
`` I appeal to those few Senate Republicans , the handful who really will decide what happens .
Please , follow your conscience .
Do n't vote to confirm anyone nominated under the circumstances President Trump and Sen. McConnell have created , '' Biden said in September .
He added , `` Uphold your constitutional duty , your conscience .
Let the people speak . ''
On Saturday , Biden also warned Trump against hosting rallies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appearance since being diagnosed with the coronavirus last week .
He delivered a roughly 20-minute address to mostly masked supporters gathered , not socially distanced , on the White House 's South Lawn Saturday afternoon .
`` It ’ s important the president makes sure of two things .
One , that he is clear he is not a spreader , '' he said .
`` And secondly , I think it ’ s important that he make it clear to all the people that they should be socially distanced , they can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s fine .
But in fact , they should be socially distanced and wearing masks .
That ’ s the only responsible thing to do . ''

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is suggesting that the Senate Republican push to elevate Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court before the Nov. 3 elections is at odds with the Constitution.
"The only court-packing is going on right now. It’s going on with the Republicans," Biden told reporters Saturday in Delaware. "It’s not constitutional what they’re doing. We should be focused on what’s happening right now."
Biden reiterated how voters have already begun casting their ballots as the Senate Judiciary Committee prepares for Barrett's four days of confirmation hearings, starting on Monday.
But Republicans have lodged similar complaints against the two-term vice president and 36-year Delaware senator for refusing to say whether he would expand the Supreme Court if he gets elected to the White House in 24 days as voters head to the polls or mail in their ballots.
The Senate Republicans' tight turnaround to appoint Barrett to the bench after Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died last month is constitutional.
Biden has criticized the truncated nomination process after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell blocked former President Barack Obama from naming Judge Merrick Garland to the court in 2016 because it was an election year.
"I appeal to those few Senate Republicans, the handful who really will decide what happens. Please, follow your conscience. Don't vote to confirm anyone nominated under the circumstances President Trump and Sen. McConnell have created," Biden said in September.
He added, "Uphold your constitutional duty, your conscience. Let the people speak."
On Saturday, Biden also warned Trump against hosting rallies as the president made his first public appearance since being diagnosed with the coronavirus last week. He delivered a roughly 20-minute address to mostly masked supporters gathered, not socially distanced, on the White House's South Lawn Saturday afternoon.
"It’s important the president makes sure of two things. One, that he is clear he is not a spreader," he said. "And secondly, I think it’s important that he make it clear to all the people that they should be socially distanced, they can be on the lawn, that’s fine. But in fact, they should be socially distanced and wearing masks. That’s the only responsible thing to do."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-10--Rep. Schiff to Bill Maher: 'I would favor doing away with the Electoral College system'

Rep. Adam Schiff told late-night host Bill Maher that he supports eliminating the Electoral College .
`` I think we @ @ @ @ @ discrete amendments to the Constitution to overturn Citizens United and make sure that we can @ @ @ @ @ by excessive expenditures and dark money , ” Schiff .
`` And I would favor @ @ @ @ @ College system.
” After Maher told Schiff that many people believe that the Constitution was @ @ @ @ @ prompting laughter from the audience , the late-night host suggested that the Constitution needs “ @ @ @ @ @ are you on that issue ?
” Maher asked Schiff .
Schiff agreed and said @ @ @ @ @ to the Constitution if he were drafting a new one , citing several `` mistakes @ @ @ @ @ made .
However , he also said that he would not trust Republicans currently in @ @ @ @ @ Constitution , calling Sen. Mike Lee and Sen. Mitch McConnell “ jokers ” to the @ @ @ @ @

Rep. Adam Schiff told late-night host Bill Maher that he supports eliminating the Electoral College.
"I think we're better off focusing on discrete amendments to the Constitution to overturn Citizens United and make sure that we can have elections untampered or uninfluenced by excessive expenditures and dark money,” Schiff said on Maher’s HBO program Friday night . "And I would favor doing away with the Electoral College system.”
After Maher told Schiff that many people believe that the Constitution was written by Jesus Christ, prompting laughter from the audience, the late-night host suggested that the Constitution needs “fundamental change.”
“Where are you on that issue?” Maher asked Schiff.
Schiff agreed and said that he would not look to the Constitution if he were drafting a new one, citing several "mistakes" that the original document made. However, he also said that he would not trust Republicans currently in power to draft a new Constitution, calling Sen. Mike Lee and Sen. Mitch McConnell “jokers” to the delight of the crowd.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-10--C-SPAN reporter who claims anti-Trump tweet was hacked has history of apologizing for hacked tweets

A C-SPAN reporter scheduled to moderate an upcoming presidential debate who blamed hackers for a perceived anti-Trump tweet has a history of claiming his Twitter account was hacked .
Tweets from 2012 and 2013 posted on Twitter by journalist Yashar Ali showed two tweets from Steve Scully ’ s account apologizing to his followers for being hacked .
“ @ Scaramucci should I respond to trump , ” Scully ’ s Twitter account in what appeared to be a message to President Trump ’ s former communications director Anthony Scaramucci asking for advice on how to respond to attacks that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shortly after the tweet to Scaramucci ( who is a now vocal critic of the president ) was posted , Commission on Presidential Debates Co-Chairman Frank Fahrenkopf claimed that Scully ’ s Twitter account had been hacked .
“ I don ’ t know this question about whether he tweeted something out or not , I do know , and you ’ ll probably pick up on it in a minute , that he was hacked .
...
Apparently , there ’ s something now that ’ s been on television and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
...
He was hacked .
It didn ’ t happen , ” Fahrenkopf said .
C-SPAN saying that Scully “ believes ” his account was hacked .
Pollster Lee Carter told Fox & Friends over the weekend that the hacking claim should be “ easy to prove.
” '' This should be something that 's very , very easy to clear up , and if it turns out that it 's not a hack , it 's a really big issue , '' Carter said .
`` I 'd like to give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 'd like to get some answers . ''
Scully was scheduled to moderate the second debate between Trump and Biden , but that debate after Trump rejected a rule change mandating virtual participation .

A C-SPAN reporter scheduled to moderate an upcoming presidential debate who blamed hackers for a perceived anti-Trump tweet has a history of claiming his Twitter account was hacked.
Tweets from 2012 and 2013 posted on Twitter by journalist Yashar Ali showed two tweets from Steve Scully’s account apologizing to his followers for being hacked .
Tweets from 2012 and 2013 pic.twitter.com/jdeKqq7UEW — Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) October 9, 2020
“@Scaramucci should I respond to trump,” Scully’s Twitter account posted Friday night in what appeared to be a message to President Trump’s former communications director Anthony Scaramucci asking for advice on how to respond to attacks that the president has made against him.
Shortly after the tweet to Scaramucci (who is a now vocal critic of the president) was posted, Commission on Presidential Debates Co-Chairman Frank Fahrenkopf claimed that Scully’s Twitter account had been hacked .
“I don’t know this question about whether he tweeted something out or not, I do know, and you’ll probably pick up on it in a minute, that he was hacked. ... Apparently, there’s something now that’s been on television and the radio saying that he talked to Scaramucci. ... He was hacked. It didn’t happen,” Fahrenkopf said.
C-SPAN released a statement saying that Scully “believes” his account was hacked.
Pollster Lee Carter told Fox & Friends over the weekend that the hacking claim should be “easy to prove.”
"This should be something that's very, very easy to clear up, and if it turns out that it's not a hack, it's a really big issue," Carter said. "I'd like to give the benefit of the doubt, and I'd like to get some answers."