thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-27--Joe Biden introduces himself as Kamala Harris's running mate in Atlanta

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden riffed at the start of his stump speech in Atlanta , introducing himself as Sen. Kamala Harris 's running mate .
`` My name is Joe Biden , I 'm Jill Biden 's husband , and I 'm Kamala 's running mate .
Y'all think I 'm kidding , do n't you ? ''
Biden joked Tuesday during his second stop in Georgia .
The two-term vice president and 36-year Delaware senator typically introduces himself on the campaign trail as `` Jill Biden 's husband , '' particularly to teachers or union workers given his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden 's quip on Tuesday plays into Republican messaging that he 's an `` empty vessel '' or `` Trojan horse '' for more liberal policies supported by Harris .
Last month , the pair both accidentally referred to themselves as representing a potential Harris-Biden administration .
Harris , the junior senator from California , is the first woman of Jamaican and Indian descent to vie in a general election as the vice presidential nominee .
She also has been the subject of racist slights .
Georgia Republican Sen. David Perdue purposely mispronounced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with President Trump .
Biden condemned Perdue for his remarks on Tuesday , urging voters to have their say on his toss-up race and other tight down-ballot contests before Nov. 3 .
`` There are n't a lot of pundits who would have guessed four years ago that the Democratic candidate for president in 2020 would be campaigning in Georgia on the final week of the election or that we would have such competitive Senate races in Georgia , but we do , '' he told the drive-in rally without a jacket and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added , `` Something 's happening here in Georgia and across America .
People of different races , backgrounds , Democrats , Republicans , independents , they 're coming together to transcend the old divides . ''
Earlier Tuesday , Biden delivered one of his last formal campaign addresses in Warm Springs , evoking both former President Franklin Roosevelt and Pope Francis as he laid out his vision for a more unified country .
`` The Bible tells us that there is a time to break down and a time to build up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is that time , '' he said .
Georgia has not awarded its 16 electoral votes to a Democratic standard-bearer since 1992 .
Trump won the state in 2016 by 5 percentage points , but the president is only ahead on average by less than a point four years later , according to RealClearPolitics .

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden riffed at the start of his stump speech in Atlanta, introducing himself as Sen. Kamala Harris's running mate.
"My name is Joe Biden, I'm Jill Biden's husband, and I'm Kamala's running mate. Y'all think I'm kidding, don't you?" Biden joked Tuesday during his second stop in Georgia.
The two-term vice president and 36-year Delaware senator typically introduces himself on the campaign trail as "Jill Biden's husband," particularly to teachers or union workers given his wife's background in education.
But Biden's quip on Tuesday plays into Republican messaging that he's an "empty vessel" or "Trojan horse" for more liberal policies supported by Harris. Last month, the pair both accidentally referred to themselves as representing a potential Harris-Biden administration.
Harris, the junior senator from California, is the first woman of Jamaican and Indian descent to vie in a general election as the vice presidential nominee. She also has been the subject of racist slights. Georgia Republican Sen. David Perdue purposely mispronounced her name during an event this month with President Trump.
Biden condemned Perdue for his remarks on Tuesday, urging voters to have their say on his toss-up race and other tight down-ballot contests before Nov. 3.
"There aren't a lot of pundits who would have guessed four years ago that the Democratic candidate for president in 2020 would be campaigning in Georgia on the final week of the election or that we would have such competitive Senate races in Georgia, but we do," he told the drive-in rally without a jacket and with his sleeves rolled up.
He added, "Something's happening here in Georgia and across America. People of different races, backgrounds, Democrats, Republicans, independents, they're coming together to transcend the old divides."
Earlier Tuesday, Biden delivered one of his last formal campaign addresses in Warm Springs, evoking both former President Franklin Roosevelt and Pope Francis as he laid out his vision for a more unified country.
"The Bible tells us that there is a time to break down and a time to build up. And a time to heal. This is that time," he said.
Georgia has not awarded its 16 electoral votes to a Democratic standard-bearer since 1992. Trump won the state in 2016 by 5 percentage points, but the president is only ahead on average by less than a point four years later, according to RealClearPolitics.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-27--Steny Hoyer predicts Democratic sweep but delayed election results

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer told reporters he is confident that Democrats can win up to 15 additional seats in the Nov. 3 election , which would give them a much wider majority over the GOP and ensure easy passage of Obamacare expansion , climate change legislation , and other key party agenda items .
“ I am very confident that we are going to expand our membership in the House of Representatives , ” the Maryland Democrat predicted Tuesday .
“ And we ’ ll expand our membership in the United States Senate , take control of the Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ win.
” Democrats currently control 232 seats , a 35-seat advantage over Republicans and 14 more votes than required to pass legislation with a simple majority .
Hoyer ’ s optimism reflects race watchers who predict that House Democrats will indeed expand their majority .
The nonpartisan Cook Political Report noted that Republicans would need a net gain of 18 seats to take back the majority , which they lost in a Democratic landslide in 2018 .
Dave Wasserman , Cook Political Report 's House editor , predicts House Democrats could expand their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seats.
” Wasserman blames President Trump at the top of the GOP ticket .
Trump is trailing Biden in polls , significantly in some states , and voters have rejected his handling of the coronavirus , a top concern .
Hoyer told reporters that while Democrats are poised to sweep Congress and the White House , mail-in balloting procedures that are new to many areas will likely delay final results .
Hoyer told reporters to “ caution people to not believe that on midnight , Nov. 3 , you 're going to know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the House , and in the presidency.
” Hoyer added , “ I think it will be evident Joe Biden has won this race.
” Dozens of states have changed election laws to allow or expand mail-in voting due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Some states will allow ballots to be counted after Election Day if they are postmarked by Nov. 3 .
Hoyer compared the current election year to 2006 and 2008 , when Democrats swept into the majority with a historic pickup of 31 Republican seats and then expanded their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later .
He told reporters that Democrats have an advantage on both the handling of the coronavirus and healthcare in general because polls indicate Obamacare is popular , even as Republicans try to repeal it .
Trump , meanwhile , polls poorly on his handling of the coronavirus .
`` I think ’ 06 and ’ 08 are very much analogous to ’ 18 and ’ 20 , ” Hoyer said .
“ Based upon that , based upon the polling data , and based upon the quality of our candidates , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advantage we have on the issues … I think all the factors are in our favor.
” House Republicans have made few optimistic predictions about winning back the majority , but at the presidential debate last week , Trump proclaimed , “ I think we are going to win back the House.
” House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy has raised a record-breaking $ 103 million in this election in a bid to defeat Democratic incumbents while holding on to GOP seats .

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer told reporters he is confident that Democrats can win up to 15 additional seats in the Nov. 3 election, which would give them a much wider majority over the GOP and ensure easy passage of Obamacare expansion, climate change legislation, and other key party agenda items.
“I am very confident that we are going to expand our membership in the House of Representatives,” the Maryland Democrat predicted Tuesday. “And we’ll expand our membership in the United States Senate, take control of the Senate, and Joe Biden is going to win.”
Democrats currently control 232 seats, a 35-seat advantage over Republicans and 14 more votes than required to pass legislation with a simple majority.
Hoyer’s optimism reflects race watchers who predict that House Democrats will indeed expand their majority.
The nonpartisan Cook Political Report noted that Republicans would need a net gain of 18 seats to take back the majority, which they lost in a Democratic landslide in 2018.
Dave Wasserman, Cook Political Report's House editor, predicts House Democrats could expand their majority “perhaps by 5 to 15 seats.”
Wasserman blames President Trump at the top of the GOP ticket.
Trump is trailing Biden in polls, significantly in some states, and voters have rejected his handling of the coronavirus, a top concern.
Hoyer told reporters that while Democrats are poised to sweep Congress and the White House, mail-in balloting procedures that are new to many areas will likely delay final results.
Hoyer told reporters to “caution people to not believe that on midnight, Nov. 3, you're going to know exactly what happened in the Senate, in the House, and in the presidency.”
Hoyer added, “I think it will be evident Joe Biden has won this race.”
Dozens of states have changed election laws to allow or expand mail-in voting due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Some states will allow ballots to be counted after Election Day if they are postmarked by Nov. 3.
Hoyer compared the current election year to 2006 and 2008, when Democrats swept into the majority with a historic pickup of 31 Republican seats and then expanded their lead by several more seats two years later.
He told reporters that Democrats have an advantage on both the handling of the coronavirus and healthcare in general because polls indicate Obamacare is popular, even as Republicans try to repeal it.
Trump, meanwhile, polls poorly on his handling of the coronavirus.
"I think ’06 and ’08 are very much analogous to ’18 and ’20,” Hoyer said. “Based upon that, based upon the polling data, and based upon the quality of our candidates, the money we've raised, and the advantage we have on the issues … I think all the factors are in our favor.”
House Republicans have made few optimistic predictions about winning back the majority, but at the presidential debate last week, Trump proclaimed, “I think we are going to win back the House.”
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy has raised a record-breaking $103 million in this election in a bid to defeat Democratic incumbents while holding on to GOP seats.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-27--Ratcliffe’s office says it will brief Florida lawmakers on meddling efforts by Russia and Iran

The nation ’ s spy office says it is moving to brief a bipartisan group of Florida lawmakers that has called for more details related to Russian and Iranian election meddling after Tehran allegedly sent threatening spoofed emails to Democrats while pretending to be the Proud Boys in what America ’ s spy chief called an effort to harm President Trump ’ s reelection .
Republican Rep. Michael Waltz and Democratic Rep. Stephanie Murphy wrote to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence , the FBI , and the Justice Department on Thursday to “ respectfully ask that you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the nature and extent of Iranian and Russian efforts to undermine the 2020 election in our state ” and said that their request was a response to the Wednesday announcement by FBI Director Christopher Wray and Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe and to “ public reporting that Iran has sent threatening , faked emails to Florida voters in Alachua County , Brevard County , and Flagler County.
” Waltz and Murphy thanked Wray and Ratcliffe for their public briefing , and the representatives said that they have “ long argued that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of telling citizens more , not less , when foreign powers interfere with our democracy ” in calling for more details .
An ODNI spokesperson told the Washington Examiner on Tuesday in response that “ the ODNI is working with Reps. Waltz and Murphy to provide them details on the most recent threat reporting impacting their districts.
” Ratcliffe announced on Wednesday that “ we have confirmed that some voter registration information has been obtained by Iran and separately by Russia .
This data can be used by foreign actors to communicate false @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will cause confusion , sow chaos , and undermine your confidence in American democracy.
” Wray stressed voters should be confident that their votes would count and that the federal government would combat any foreign meddling .
Ratcliffe , who has overseen the nation ’ s 17 spy agencies since May , said Tehran was making specific use of U.S. voter data to harm Trump but that the U.S. Intelligence Community has not yet seen a similar deployment of voter information by the Kremlin .
“ We have already seen Iran sending spoofed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social unrest , and damage President Trump .
… Additionally , Iran is distributing other content to include a video that implies that individuals could cast fraudulent ballots , even from overseas .
This video and other claims about allegedly fraudulent ballots are not true .
These actions are desperate attempts by desperate adversaries , ” Ratcliffe said , adding that “ although we have not seen the same actions from Russia , we are aware that they have obtained some voter information , just as they did in 2016.
” After the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State Department and Treasury Department leveled new sanctions against the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and other Iranian groups that the United States said are involved in interfering in the 2020 election .
Iranian government spokesman Alireza Miryousefi denied the meddling claims from the U.S. on Thursday .
On Wednesday , the Miami Herald reported that intimidating emails claiming to be from the right-wing Proud Boys group , but were apparently from the Iranians instead , had been sent to hundreds of voters in numerous counties in Florida , seemingly targeting Democrats .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few of the threatening emails were also sent to voters in Alaska , Pennsylvania , and Arizona .
The emails said , in part , that “ you will vote for Trump on Election Day , or we will come after you.
” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was one of many Democrats to criticize or question Ratcliffe 's statements on Iran , saying , “ Russia is the villain here , from what we have seen in the public domain .
Iran is a bad actor but in no way equivalent.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saw the last debate where the Proud Boys were an issue and saw an opportunity here to manufacture blowback on Trump by creating a narrative that violent Trump supporters are sending out threatening emails , '' a senior intelligence official told the Washington Examiner .
A senior government official also told Reuters last week , “ Either they made a dumb mistake or wanted to get caught .
We are not concerned about this activity being some kind of false flag due to other supporting evidence .
This was Iran.
” Robert Mueller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia interfered in the 2016 election in a “ sweeping and systematic fashion , '' but it `` did not establish that members of the Trump campaign conspired or coordinated with the Russian government . ''
Bill Evanina , who leads the National Counterintelligence and Security Center , released an intelligence assessment in early August , warning that Russia is “ using a range of measures to primarily denigrate ” former Vice President Joe Biden , including that Ukrainian lawmaker Andriy Derkach `` is spreading claims about corruption — including through publicizing leaked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The same statement also said China “ prefers ” that Trump not win reelection and is `` expanding its influence efforts ahead of November 2020.
” The counterintelligence official also said Iran “ seeks to undermine '' Trump 's presidency .
Amanda Schoch , the assistant DNI for strategic communications , told the Washington Examiner that “ the IC has not changed our assessment on Iran ’ s intent .
”

The nation’s spy office says it is moving to brief a bipartisan group of Florida lawmakers that has called for more details related to Russian and Iranian election meddling after Tehran allegedly sent threatening spoofed emails to Democrats while pretending to be the Proud Boys in what America’s spy chief called an effort to harm President Trump’s reelection.
Republican Rep. Michael Waltz and Democratic Rep. Stephanie Murphy wrote to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the FBI, and the Justice Department on Thursday to “respectfully ask that you provide a classified briefing for our delegation on the nature and extent of Iranian and Russian efforts to undermine the 2020 election in our state” and said that their request was a response to the Wednesday announcement by FBI Director Christopher Wray and Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe and to “public reporting that Iran has sent threatening, faked emails to Florida voters in Alachua County, Brevard County, and Flagler County.” Waltz and Murphy thanked Wray and Ratcliffe for their public briefing, and the representatives said that they have “long argued that our government should err on the side of telling citizens more, not less, when foreign powers interfere with our democracy” in calling for more details.
An ODNI spokesperson told the Washington Examiner on Tuesday in response that “the ODNI is working with Reps. Waltz and Murphy to provide them details on the most recent threat reporting impacting their districts.”
Ratcliffe announced on Wednesday that “we have confirmed that some voter registration information has been obtained by Iran and separately by Russia. This data can be used by foreign actors to communicate false information to registered voters that they hope will cause confusion, sow chaos, and undermine your confidence in American democracy.” Wray stressed voters should be confident that their votes would count and that the federal government would combat any foreign meddling.
Ratcliffe, who has overseen the nation’s 17 spy agencies since May, said Tehran was making specific use of U.S. voter data to harm Trump but that the U.S. Intelligence Community has not yet seen a similar deployment of voter information by the Kremlin.
“We have already seen Iran sending spoofed emails designed to intimidate voters, incite social unrest, and damage President Trump. … Additionally, Iran is distributing other content to include a video that implies that individuals could cast fraudulent ballots, even from overseas. This video and other claims about allegedly fraudulent ballots are not true. These actions are desperate attempts by desperate adversaries,” Ratcliffe said, adding that “although we have not seen the same actions from Russia, we are aware that they have obtained some voter information, just as they did in 2016.”
After the announcement by Ratcliffe and Wray, the State Department and Treasury Department leveled new sanctions against the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and other Iranian groups that the United States said are involved in interfering in the 2020 election. Iranian government spokesman Alireza Miryousefi denied the meddling claims from the U.S. on Thursday.
On Wednesday, the Miami Herald reported that intimidating emails claiming to be from the right-wing Proud Boys group, but were apparently from the Iranians instead, had been sent to hundreds of voters in numerous counties in Florida, seemingly targeting Democrats. The Washington Post reported that at least a few of the threatening emails were also sent to voters in Alaska, Pennsylvania, and Arizona. The emails said, in part, that “you will vote for Trump on Election Day, or we will come after you.”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was one of many Democrats to criticize or question Ratcliffe's statements on Iran, saying, “Russia is the villain here, from what we have seen in the public domain. Iran is a bad actor but in no way equivalent.”
“The Iranians follow U.S. politics closely and saw the last debate where the Proud Boys were an issue and saw an opportunity here to manufacture blowback on Trump by creating a narrative that violent Trump supporters are sending out threatening emails," a senior intelligence official told the Washington Examiner. A senior government official also told Reuters last week, “Either they made a dumb mistake or wanted to get caught. We are not concerned about this activity being some kind of false flag due to other supporting evidence. This was Iran.”
Robert Mueller’s special counsel report concluded that Russia interfered in the 2016 election in a “sweeping and systematic fashion," but it "did not establish that members of the Trump campaign conspired or coordinated with the Russian government."
Bill Evanina, who leads the National Counterintelligence and Security Center, released an intelligence assessment in early August, warning that Russia is “using a range of measures to primarily denigrate” former Vice President Joe Biden, including that Ukrainian lawmaker Andriy Derkach "is spreading claims about corruption — including through publicizing leaked phone calls — to undermine" Biden. The same statement also said China “prefers” that Trump not win reelection and is "expanding its influence efforts ahead of November 2020.” The counterintelligence official also said Iran “seeks to undermine" Trump's presidency.
Amanda Schoch, the assistant DNI for strategic communications, told the Washington Examiner that “the IC has not changed our assessment on Iran’s intent.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-27--Biden previews FDR-like administration during unity pitch in Georgia

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden conjured Franklin Delano Roosevelt in one of the final speeches of his 2020 campaign , calling for unity while foreshadowing an aggressive liberal agenda should he win the White House next week .
During a stop in Warm Springs , Georgia , Biden recalled how Roosevelt sought out the city 's mineral springs to ease the paralytic effects of Guillain–Barré syndrome before he died from the disorder in 1945 .
`` This place , Warm Springs , is a reminder that though broken , each of us can be healed .
That as a people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this devastating virus .
That we can heal a suffering world .
And yes , we can restore our soul and save our country , '' he said Tuesday , not far from Roosevelt 's Little White House .
Biden , the two-term vice president and 36-year Delaware senator , launched his third White House bid in April 2019 , he claims , in reaction to the deadly 2017 civil unrest in Charlottesville , Virginia .
And he 's spent the intervening 18 months talking about bridging divides , simultaneously criticizing President Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ahead of the Nov. 3 election .
`` Time and again throughout our history , we 've seen charlatans , the conman , the phony populist who sought to play on our fears , appeal to our worst appetites , and pick at the oldest scabs we have for their political gain .
They appear when the nation 's been hit the hardest , '' Biden said Tuesday .
`` Has the heart of this nation turned to stone ? ''
he asked , quoting Pope Francis .
`` I do n't think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I know this country .
I know our people . ''
Throughout his campaign , Biden has routinely alluded to Roosevelt , sharing that he was reading The Defining Moment , a political history book detailing Roosevelt 's first 100 days in office .
Just as Roosevelt vigorously pursued his New Deal programs and raft of reforms , Biden vowed Tuesday to lead on issues , such as the country 's COVID-19 pandemic response , the economy , healthcare , and climate change .
One week before polls close , Biden had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schedule , a state that has n't supported a Democratic standard-bearer since Bill Clinton in 1992 .
Trump won Georgia by 5 percentage points in 2016 , but four years later , the president is only ahead on average by less than a point , according to RealClearPolitics .

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden conjured Franklin Delano Roosevelt in one of the final speeches of his 2020 campaign, calling for unity while foreshadowing an aggressive liberal agenda should he win the White House next week.
During a stop in Warm Springs, Georgia, Biden recalled how Roosevelt sought out the city's mineral springs to ease the paralytic effects of Guillain–Barré syndrome before he died from the disorder in 1945.
"This place, Warm Springs, is a reminder that though broken, each of us can be healed. That as a people and a country, we can overcome this devastating virus. That we can heal a suffering world. And yes, we can restore our soul and save our country," he said Tuesday, not far from Roosevelt's Little White House.
Biden, the two-term vice president and 36-year Delaware senator, launched his third White House bid in April 2019, he claims, in reaction to the deadly 2017 civil unrest in Charlottesville, Virginia. And he's spent the intervening 18 months talking about bridging divides, simultaneously criticizing President Trump's leadership, or lack thereof, ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
"Time and again throughout our history, we've seen charlatans, the conman, the phony populist who sought to play on our fears, appeal to our worst appetites, and pick at the oldest scabs we have for their political gain. They appear when the nation's been hit the hardest," Biden said Tuesday.
"Has the heart of this nation turned to stone?" he asked, quoting Pope Francis. "I don't think so. I refuse to believe it. I know this country. I know our people."
Throughout his campaign, Biden has routinely alluded to Roosevelt, sharing that he was reading The Defining Moment, a political history book detailing Roosevelt's first 100 days in office.
Just as Roosevelt vigorously pursued his New Deal programs and raft of reforms, Biden vowed Tuesday to lead on issues, such as the country's COVID-19 pandemic response, the economy, healthcare, and climate change.
One week before polls close, Biden had two public events in Georgia on his schedule, a state that hasn't supported a Democratic standard-bearer since Bill Clinton in 1992. Trump won Georgia by 5 percentage points in 2016, but four years later, the president is only ahead on average by less than a point, according to RealClearPolitics.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-27--Pennsylvania county requests Barrett recuse herself from mail-in ballot extension case

The Board of Elections in one Pennsylvania county has requested that the newly confirmed Justice Amy Coney Barrett recuse herself from a lawsuit regarding mail-in ballots in the state .
Luzerne County Board of Elections filed their recusal motion on Tuesday as the state 's GOP tries again to get the Supreme Court to roll back the extension after the high court ruled 4-4 last week that county election officials can receive and count mailed-in ballots that arrive up until Nov. 6 , even if they do n't have a clear postmark , as long as there is no evidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The nomination and confirmation of a Supreme Court justice this close to a presidential election is unprecedented , ” they wrote , according to the Hill .
“ As concerning as that is , what is even more troubling is the language President Trump has used in consideration of this nomination , linking it directly to the electoral season at hand , with implications for his own re-election.
” Election Day is in one week , on Nov. 3 .
After the Supreme Court deadlock last week , leaving the lower @ @ @ @ @ @ @ following Barrett 's confirmation on Monday , the Republicans hope to get the case back in front of the Supreme Court .
Should Barrett , who was sworn in on Tuesday , tip the scale in their favor , the decision would likely harm Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden more than Trump , as Democrats are expected to vote via mail more so than Republicans .
Pennsylvania and the state 's 20 electoral college votes are seen as critical for both Trump 's and Biden 's bids for the White House .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mail-in ballots that has reached the Supreme Court .
On Monday , the high court rejected an attempt by Democrats in Wisconsin to extend the mail-in voting deadline by six days in a 5-3 ruling .

The Board of Elections in one Pennsylvania county has requested that the newly confirmed Justice Amy Coney Barrett recuse herself from a lawsuit regarding mail-in ballots in the state.
Luzerne County Board of Elections filed their recusal motion on Tuesday as the state's GOP tries again to get the Supreme Court to roll back the extension after the high court ruled 4-4 last week that county election officials can receive and count mailed-in ballots that arrive up until Nov. 6, even if they don't have a clear postmark, as long as there is no evidence it was mailed after the polls closed.
“The nomination and confirmation of a Supreme Court justice this close to a presidential election is unprecedented,” they wrote, according to the Hill. “As concerning as that is, what is even more troubling is the language President Trump has used in consideration of this nomination, linking it directly to the electoral season at hand, with implications for his own re-election.”
Election Day is in one week, on Nov. 3.
After the Supreme Court deadlock last week, leaving the lower court's ruling in place, and following Barrett's confirmation on Monday, the Republicans hope to get the case back in front of the Supreme Court. Should Barrett, who was sworn in on Tuesday, tip the scale in their favor, the decision would likely harm Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden more than Trump, as Democrats are expected to vote via mail more so than Republicans.
Pennsylvania and the state's 20 electoral college votes are seen as critical for both Trump's and Biden's bids for the White House.
This is not the only legal challenge regarding mail-in ballots that has reached the Supreme Court. On Monday, the high court rejected an attempt by Democrats in Wisconsin to extend the mail-in voting deadline by six days in a 5-3 ruling.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-27--Obama: Trump White House has 'completely' screwed up coronavirus response

Former President Barack Obama colorfully criticized his successor for his management of the coronavirus pandemic as he stumped for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in Florida for the second time this week .
`` Here 's the truth : A pandemic would have been challenging for any president .
But this idea that somehow , this White House has done anything but completely screw this thing up is nonsense , '' Obama said Tuesday in Orlando .
Obama used the same verb to describe President Trump 's handling of the economic crisis amid the COVID-19 outbreak , mocking the incumbent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus 's media coverage .
`` He , in fact , inherited the longest streak of job growth in American history .
But just like everything else he inherited , he screwed it up , '' he said .
As the rival campaigns compete for votes during the final week before Election Day , a key demographic has emerged : black men .
Obama , who released a conversation between himself and NBA great LeBron James on Tuesday morning as part of a get-out-the-vote effort targeting this voting bloc , slammed White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fox & Friends this week that the black community had to `` want to be successful . ''
`` His son-in-law says black folks have to want to be successful .
That 's the problem .
Who are these folks ?
What history books do they read ?
Who do they talk to ? ''
he asked Tuesday .
Obama was also in Miami last Saturday , demonstrating Florida 's importance to Trump 's path to 270 electoral votes and the Biden campaign 's hope this cycle of returning the state to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last time .
Folks got a little lazy .
Folks took things for granted , and look what happened .
Not this time , not in this election , '' he said .
Trump won Florida over 2016 Democratic standard-bearer Hillary Clinton by 1.2 percentage points .
One week before the Nov. 3 election , Biden is ahead of Trump in the state on average by 1.2 points , according to RealClearPolitics .

Former President Barack Obama colorfully criticized his successor for his management of the coronavirus pandemic as he stumped for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in Florida for the second time this week.
"Here's the truth: A pandemic would have been challenging for any president. But this idea that somehow, this White House has done anything but completely screw this thing up is nonsense," Obama said Tuesday in Orlando.
Obama used the same verb to describe President Trump's handling of the economic crisis amid the COVID-19 outbreak, mocking the incumbent for being "jealous" of the virus's media coverage.
"He, in fact, inherited the longest streak of job growth in American history. But just like everything else he inherited, he screwed it up," he said.
As the rival campaigns compete for votes during the final week before Election Day, a key demographic has emerged: black men.
Obama, who released a conversation between himself and NBA great LeBron James on Tuesday morning as part of a get-out-the-vote effort targeting this voting bloc, slammed White House senior adviser Jared Kushner for suggesting on Fox & Friends this week that the black community had to "want to be successful."
"His son-in-law says black folks have to want to be successful. That's the problem. Who are these folks? What history books do they read? Who do they talk to?" he asked Tuesday.
Obama was also in Miami last Saturday, demonstrating Florida's importance to Trump's path to 270 electoral votes and the Biden campaign's hope this cycle of returning the state to the Democratic ledger.
"We were complacent last time. Folks got a little lazy. Folks took things for granted, and look what happened. Not this time, not in this election," he said.
Trump won Florida over 2016 Democratic standard-bearer Hillary Clinton by 1.2 percentage points. One week before the Nov. 3 election, Biden is ahead of Trump in the state on average by 1.2 points, according to RealClearPolitics.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-27--'Sound the alarm': Cook Political Report editor says victory in sight for Biden

The Cook Political Report 's Dave Wasserman predicted Joe Biden will `` likely '' win the presidential election .
Wasserman , the House editor for the nonpartisan newsletter , made the declaration on Tuesday , one week before Election Day .
`` I 'd like to 'sound the alarm ' on Joe Biden : he 's likely to win next week 's presidential election , '' he said in a tweet .
Wasserman has long analyzed the ever-changing landscape of congressional races and voters ' sentiments towards President Trump and Biden , his Democratic challenger .
Earlier this month , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ push critical swing states won by Trump in 2016 to favor Biden .
Counties in Arizona , Wisconsin , Pennsylvania , and Michigan were all seen as possibly helping flip the states to Biden in 2020 .
The first three states are seen as highly critical to win in order to obtain a pathway to the White House .
Trump won Wisconsin , Michigan , and Pennsylvania by less than 10 points in 2016 in a victory that broke the states ' blue wall hypothetically erected after years of Democratic dominance .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ key demographics that could help Trump , including his strengthening support among Latino Americans in Florida .
The Trump campaign has also been focused on making inroads in black communities , starting Black Voices for Trump last year to increase voter outreach .
Themes of diversity at the Republican National Convention in August played to the focus of increasing outreach to minority voters .
`` ( Trump 's ) doing better with nonwhites than he was doing in 2016 , '' Wasserman said in September .
But national polls are still showing Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days away .
Although polls heavily favored victory for Hillary Clinton in 2016 , Wasserman noted in an NBC News analysis on Tuesday that current polling is different in significant ways to the previous election .
The differences include Biden 's lead being far larger and more stable than Clinton 's at this point in the cycle , far fewer undecided and third-party voters this time around , and state-level and district-level polls matching national polls .
`` In the end , the only certainty in the polling world is some degree of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There 's no guarantee 2020 's errors will boost Trump again or adhere to the Southwest/Midwest patterns we observed in 2016 and 2018 . ''
In a New York Times op-ed last month , the editor noted that the road to victory may also be less of a challenge for Biden , who could have several different pathways .
The simplest is holding onto the states Clinton won in 2016 and flipping back the narrow victory Trump won in the major battlegrounds that are already leaning in his direction .
`` To win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to flip some combination of the 10 states Mr. Trump carried by less than 10 points in 2016 , '' Wasserman wrote .
`` Mr. Biden has several paths to victory , and the first three states alone ( Michigan , Pennsylvania , Wisconsin ) , in addition to every state won by Hillary Clinton , would be enough to put him into the Oval Office . ''

The Cook Political Report's Dave Wasserman predicted Joe Biden will "likely" win the presidential election.
Wasserman, the House editor for the nonpartisan newsletter, made the declaration on Tuesday, one week before Election Day.
"I'd like to 'sound the alarm' on Joe Biden: he's likely to win next week's presidential election," he said in a tweet.
I'd like to "sound the alarm" on Joe Biden: he's likely to win next week's presidential election. — Dave Wasserman (@Redistrict) October 27, 2020
Wasserman has long analyzed the ever-changing landscape of congressional races and voters' sentiments towards President Trump and Biden, his Democratic challenger.
Earlier this month, Wasserman identified 10 bellwether counties that may push critical swing states won by Trump in 2016 to favor Biden. Counties in Arizona, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Michigan were all seen as possibly helping flip the states to Biden in 2020. The first three states are seen as highly critical to win in order to obtain a pathway to the White House.
Trump won Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania by less than 10 points in 2016 in a victory that broke the states' blue wall hypothetically erected after years of Democratic dominance.
In an earlier analysis, Wasserman laid out key demographics that could help Trump, including his strengthening support among Latino Americans in Florida. The Trump campaign has also been focused on making inroads in black communities, starting Black Voices for Trump last year to increase voter outreach. Themes of diversity at the Republican National Convention in August played to the focus of increasing outreach to minority voters.
"(Trump's) doing better with nonwhites than he was doing in 2016," Wasserman said in September.
But national polls are still showing Biden leading Trump with Election Day just seven days away.
Although polls heavily favored victory for Hillary Clinton in 2016, Wasserman noted in an NBC News analysis on Tuesday that current polling is different in significant ways to the previous election.
The differences include Biden's lead being far larger and more stable than Clinton's at this point in the cycle, far fewer undecided and third-party voters this time around, and state-level and district-level polls matching national polls.
"In the end, the only certainty in the polling world is some degree of error," Wasserman wrote. "There's no guarantee 2020's errors will boost Trump again or adhere to the Southwest/Midwest patterns we observed in 2016 and 2018."
In a New York Times op-ed last month, the editor noted that the road to victory may also be less of a challenge for Biden, who could have several different pathways. The simplest is holding onto the states Clinton won in 2016 and flipping back the narrow victory Trump won in the major battlegrounds that are already leaning in his direction.
"To win the White House, Mr. Biden will need to flip some combination of the 10 states Mr. Trump carried by less than 10 points in 2016," Wasserman wrote. "Mr. Biden has several paths to victory, and the first three states alone (Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin), in addition to every state won by Hillary Clinton, would be enough to put him into the Oval Office."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-27--Bloomberg spends big in Ohio and Texas to boost Biden

Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is blanketing television airwaves in Ohio and Texas with $ 15 million in television advertising , an eleventh-hour bid to push Democratic nominee Joe Biden past President Trump in two states rich with Electoral College votes .
The late investment was announced after Bloomberg 's political advisers polled battleground states looking for places where an additional barrage of television ads might be effective at moving votes to Biden during the final week of the presidential campaign .
After reviewing the data , the billionaire media mogul concluded his efforts might be most effective in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the $ 100 million he is already spending on Biden in Florida .
“ We believe that Florida will go down to the wire , and we were looking for additional opportunities to expand the map , ” Bloomberg adviser Howard Wolfson told the New York Times .
“ Texas and Ohio present the best opportunities to do that , in our view.
” Biden and Trump are tied in Ohio , typically a swing state but one Trump captured easily in 2016 .
In Texas , Trump leads Biden by 3.2 percentage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is hardly a comfortable lead in a state that has voted Republican for president for decades but is now proving competitive for Democrats up and down the ballot .
The spots in both states are expected to be aired by Bloomberg 's Independence USA super PAC .
Meanwhile , Biden and Trump are running roughly even in Florida , although the former vice president enjoys a small lead of 1.2 points in polling averages .
Bloomberg , the founder of Bloomberg News , spent more than $ 1 billion of his personal fortune @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic nomination but exited the race after his campaign foundered .
Also on Tuesday , Axios reported that Bloomberg plans to unload $ 20 million on Democrats running down-ballot in Arizona , North Carolina , and Texas who are running on an agenda of aggressively confronting climate change .

Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is blanketing television airwaves in Ohio and Texas with $15 million in television advertising, an eleventh-hour bid to push Democratic nominee Joe Biden past President Trump in two states rich with Electoral College votes.
The late investment was announced after Bloomberg's political advisers polled battleground states looking for places where an additional barrage of television ads might be effective at moving votes to Biden during the final week of the presidential campaign. After reviewing the data, the billionaire media mogul concluded his efforts might be most effective in Ohio and Texas, in addition to the $100 million he is already spending on Biden in Florida.
“We believe that Florida will go down to the wire, and we were looking for additional opportunities to expand the map,” Bloomberg adviser Howard Wolfson told the New York Times. “Texas and Ohio present the best opportunities to do that, in our view.”
Biden and Trump are tied in Ohio, typically a swing state but one Trump captured easily in 2016. In Texas, Trump leads Biden by 3.2 percentage points in the RealClearPolitics average. That is hardly a comfortable lead in a state that has voted Republican for president for decades but is now proving competitive for Democrats up and down the ballot. The spots in both states are expected to be aired by Bloomberg's Independence USA super PAC.
Meanwhile, Biden and Trump are running roughly even in Florida, although the former vice president enjoys a small lead of 1.2 points in polling averages.
Bloomberg, the founder of Bloomberg News, spent more than $1 billion of his personal fortune in a bid to win the 2020 Democratic nomination but exited the race after his campaign foundered. Also on Tuesday, Axios reported that Bloomberg plans to unload $20 million on Democrats running down-ballot in Arizona, North Carolina, and Texas who are running on an agenda of aggressively confronting climate change.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-28--More voters think Hunter Biden engaged in corruption, Washington Examiner/YouGov poll finds

A plurality of voters believe that Hunter Biden , son of Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden , has engaged in corrupt business dealings , according to a new poll .
The Washington Examiner/YouGov poll found that 45 % of respondents believe Hunter Biden has engaged in business corruption , while 32 % said they believe he has not .
This includes 91 % of Republicans and 45 % of independents .
Just 27 % of independents said Hunter Biden has not engaged in corrupt business practices .
Only 11 % of Democrats agree , however .
A large majority of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden has not been involved in corrupt business dealings .
Voters are split on how important Hunter Biden ’ s business activities are to their vote , with 39 % saying it was not at all important and 32 % saying it is very important .
This tends to break down along partisan lines .
Among Republicans , 68 % say corruption allegations against Hunter Biden are important to their vote , while 67 % of Democrats say they are not important at all .
Independents are split , with 36 % saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important to their vote and 30 % saying they consider it very important .
Hunter Biden has been accused of leveraging his father ’ s political influence to win lucrative business deals in foreign countries , including with entities linked with the Chinese Communist Party .
Hunter Biden was also paid by Burisma , a controversial energy company in Ukraine , while his father was vice president and serving as the Obama administration ’ s point man for Ukrainian policy .
Emails obtained by the New York Post purport to show that Hunter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Ukrainian businessman .
Social media companies restricted users ’ ability to share the story , but President Trump has repeatedly raised questions about Hunter Biden ’ s Ukraine business dealings and whether Joe Biden knew anything about them .
“ They even have a statement that we have to give 10 % to the big man , ” Trump said at the final presidential debate .
“ You 're the big man , I think .
I do n't know , maybe you 're not .
But you 're the big man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we have to give 10 % to the big man .
Joe , what 's that all about ?
” In the first debate , Trump charged , “ Hunter got thrown out of the military .
He was thrown out , dishonorably discharged for cocaine use .
And he did n't have a job until you became vice president .
Once you became vice president , he made a fortune in Ukraine , in China , in Moscow , and various other places.
” Joe Biden shot back : “ That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , like a lot of people , like a lot of people you know , had a drug problem .
He 's overtaken it .
He 's fixed it .
He 's worked on it .
And I 'm proud of him.
” A previous Washington Examiner/YouGov poll about the former vice president ’ s defense of his son , though Democrats overwhelmingly believe him .
Trump went so far in his efforts to expose Hunter Biden ’ s Burisma ties that he was impeached , in large part for asking if Ukrainian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the country .
The Senate voted to acquit Trump earlier this year .
The latest Washington Examiner/YouGov poll sample is 1,194 registered voters interviewed from Oct. 26 to Oct. 27 , and the margin of error is plus or minus 3.6 percentage points .

A plurality of voters believe that Hunter Biden, son of Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, has engaged in corrupt business dealings, according to a new poll.
The Washington Examiner/YouGov poll found that 45% of respondents believe Hunter Biden has engaged in business corruption, while 32% said they believe he has not. This includes 91% of Republicans and 45% of independents. Just 27% of independents said Hunter Biden has not engaged in corrupt business practices.
Only 11% of Democrats agree, however. A large majority of Democrats, 57%, said Hunter Biden has not been involved in corrupt business dealings.
Voters are split on how important Hunter Biden’s business activities are to their vote, with 39% saying it was not at all important and 32% saying it is very important. This tends to break down along partisan lines. Among Republicans, 68% say corruption allegations against Hunter Biden are important to their vote, while 67% of Democrats say they are not important at all.
Independents are split, with 36% saying the corruption charges are not at all important to their vote and 30% saying they consider it very important.
Hunter Biden has been accused of leveraging his father’s political influence to win lucrative business deals in foreign countries, including with entities linked with the Chinese Communist Party. Hunter Biden was also paid by Burisma, a controversial energy company in Ukraine, while his father was vice president and serving as the Obama administration’s point man for Ukrainian policy.
Emails obtained by the New York Post purport to show that Hunter Biden introduced the then vice president to a Ukrainian businessman. Social media companies restricted users’ ability to share the story, but President Trump has repeatedly raised questions about Hunter Biden’s Ukraine business dealings and whether Joe Biden knew anything about them.
“They even have a statement that we have to give 10% to the big man,” Trump said at the final presidential debate. “You're the big man, I think. I don't know, maybe you're not. But you're the big man, I think. Your son said that we have to give 10% to the big man. Joe, what's that all about?”
In the first debate, Trump charged, “Hunter got thrown out of the military. He was thrown out, dishonorably discharged for cocaine use. And he didn't have a job until you became vice president. Once you became vice president, he made a fortune in Ukraine, in China, in Moscow, and various other places.”
Joe Biden shot back: “That is simply not true. My son, like a lot of people, like a lot of people you know, had a drug problem. He's overtaken it. He's fixed it. He's worked on it. And I'm proud of him.”
A previous Washington Examiner/YouGov poll showed public skepticism about the former vice president’s defense of his son, though Democrats overwhelmingly believe him.
Trump went so far in his efforts to expose Hunter Biden’s Burisma ties that he was impeached, in large part for asking if Ukrainian officials would investigate while delaying military aid to the country. The Senate voted to acquit Trump earlier this year.
The latest Washington Examiner/YouGov poll sample is 1,194 registered voters interviewed from Oct. 26 to Oct. 27, and the margin of error is plus or minus 3.6 percentage points.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-28--Latinos for Trump rile up and baffle Biden supporters in must-win Florida

ORLANDO — “ I 'm from Mexico .
I know what corruption is , and I smell it from miles away , ” Martha Coronel said as she waved a pink Women for Trump flag .
The Orlando-area realtor , 50 , had joined other supporters of President Trump outside a stadium where former President Barack Obama spoke in support of Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden on Tuesday , with the aim of countering his message .
Hispanic and Latino voters are critical to President Trump ’ s path to victory in must-win Florida , and those do support the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t understand them .
Wilson Valdivia , a Peruvian American , held a “ Latinos for Trump ” sign , along with a handmade sign that read , “ Love Trump.
” “ I am not Republican .
I 'm independent , but I do support Donald Trump , ” said Valdivia , 55 , adding that he might vote for Democrats in down-ballot races .
“ I believe in all lives matter , not just ‘ this race matters.
’ ” Supporters of Biden posted up outside the stadium while Obama spoke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being there — and for supporting Trump as Latinos .
Sonny Emsley , 73 and also a realtor , walked up as Coronel was speaking to the Washington Examiner and interrupted : “ Latinos for caged children.
” Coronel fired back — “ 2014 Obama , ” she said .
That year , of unaccompanied migrant children created a crisis , and photos showed children held in chain-link cells operated by the Obama administration .
“ Trump loves you too , ” she added after Emsley noted her lack of mask-wearing .
of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump and note that the president has around 35 % support among Hispanic voters , while Biden had 62 % .
That ’ s just about where Trump was with support from Hispanic and Latino voters in the 2016 election in Florida , according to .
Trump ’ s Hispanic and Latino support in Florida , both in the 2016 results and in 2020 polls , exceeds his support nationally .
Trump ’ s campaign does not expect to win a majority of Latino voters , but increasing his vote share among those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ magic number to ensure a likely victory is about 40 % Latino support — a number that Trump adviser Jason Miller has said he expects to reach nationally .
Hispanic and Latino voters make up about 26 % of the Florida , and Republicans see an opportunity to appeal to immigrants and their families who came to the United States seeking to make a better life in more favorable economic conditions .
That economic message appealed to Valdivia .
“ Most of us are tired of this ‘ made in China , ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the U.S. companies back to his country to create more labor to create more work , ” he said .
Same for Coronel .
“ I love Trump because he is for free enterprise .
He 's not a communist that is going to take our hard work , ” she said .
Biden supporters assumed that the Trump-loving Latinos were ignorant of the truth .
Emsley said that Trump has “ convinced the Latinos and Hispanics that socialism is not good ” by erroneously making it synonymous with communism .
Daphne @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is of Puerto Rican heritage , said that she “ hated ” seeing those in the “ Latinos for Trump ” crowd and that they were “ probably confused ” and didn ’ t have their facts straight .
“ Latinos are not for Trump .
We are very strong people , and we do n't believe in locking kids in cages or supporting someone who does n't support us , ” said Garcia .
“ I 'm sorry — Latinx , ” Garcia corrected , using the gender-neutral term that 76 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Pew Research Center .
“ My sister likes to fix me on that.
” And they were unable to rebut the Trump supporters ’ arguments .
Asked about his earlier confrontation with Coronel and her firing back that Obama built cages for migrant children , Emsley said , “ I doubt that Obama built those cages .
That 's another lie .
All they do is lie all Trump does is lie , so who knows.
” ( The Obama administration chain-link holding centers during the 2014 child migrant crisis . )
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ uninformed ones .
“ They show no education , and they are very aggressive .
”

ORLANDO — “I'm from Mexico. I know what corruption is, and I smell it from miles away,” Martha Coronel said as she waved a pink Women for Trump flag.
The Orlando-area realtor, 50, had joined other supporters of President Trump outside a stadium where former President Barack Obama spoke in support of Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden on Tuesday, with the aim of countering his message.
Hispanic and Latino voters are critical to President Trump’s path to victory in must-win Florida, and those do support the president say that Democrats just don’t understand them.
Wilson Valdivia, a Peruvian American, held a “Latinos for Trump” sign, along with a handmade sign that read, “Love Trump.”
“I am not Republican. I'm independent, but I do support Donald Trump,” said Valdivia, 55, adding that he might vote for Democrats in down-ballot races. “I believe in all lives matter, not just ‘this race matters.’”
Supporters of Biden posted up outside the stadium while Obama spoke were peeved at the Trump supporters for being there — and for supporting Trump as Latinos.
Sonny Emsley, 73 and also a realtor, walked up as Coronel was speaking to the Washington Examiner and interrupted: “Latinos for caged children.”
Coronel fired back — “2014 Obama,” she said. That year, a wave of unaccompanied migrant children created a crisis, and photos showed children held in chain-link cells operated by the Obama administration. “Trump loves you too,” she added after Emsley noted her lack of mask-wearing.
(Emily Larsen/Washington Examiner)
Recent polls of Florida voters find Biden slightly ahead of Trump and note that the president has around 35% support among Hispanic voters, while Biden had 62%.
That’s just about where Trump was with support from Hispanic and Latino voters in the 2016 election in Florida, according to exit polls . Trump’s Hispanic and Latino support in Florida, both in the 2016 results and in 2020 polls, exceeds his support nationally.
Trump’s campaign does not expect to win a majority of Latino voters, but increasing his vote share among those voters is critical to victory. The magic number to ensure a likely victory is about 40% Latino support — a number that Trump adviser Jason Miller has said he expects to reach nationally.
Hispanic and Latino voters make up about 26% of the Florida population , and Republicans see an opportunity to appeal to immigrants and their families who came to the United States seeking to make a better life in more favorable economic conditions.
That economic message appealed to Valdivia. “Most of us are tired of this ‘made in China,’ and he said he will bring most of the U.S. companies back to his country to create more labor to create more work,” he said.
Same for Coronel. “I love Trump because he is for free enterprise. He's not a communist that is going to take our hard work,” she said.
Biden supporters assumed that the Trump-loving Latinos were ignorant of the truth.
Emsley said that Trump has “convinced the Latinos and Hispanics that socialism is not good” by erroneously making it synonymous with communism.
Daphne Garcia, a 27-year-old Biden supporter who is of Puerto Rican heritage, said that she “hated” seeing those in the “Latinos for Trump” crowd and that they were “probably confused” and didn’t have their facts straight.
“Latinos are not for Trump. We are very strong people, and we don't believe in locking kids in cages or supporting someone who doesn't support us,” said Garcia.
“I'm sorry — Latinx,” Garcia corrected, using the gender-neutral term that 76% of Latino adults have not heard of, according to the Pew Research Center. “My sister likes to fix me on that.”
And they were unable to rebut the Trump supporters’ arguments. Asked about his earlier confrontation with Coronel and her firing back that Obama built cages for migrant children, Emsley said, “I doubt that Obama built those cages. That's another lie. All they do is lie all Trump does is lie, so who knows.” (The Obama administration did approve and build chain-link holding centers during the 2014 child migrant crisis.)
Valdivia said that Biden supporters are the uninformed ones. “They show no education, and they are very aggressive.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-28--Trump seeks last-minute Amy Coney Barrett advantage

A week before the election , President Trump delivered something via the confirmation of Justice Amy Coney Barrett that eluded even Ronald Reagan : a clear-cut conservative majority on the Supreme Court .
With Barrett now succeeding the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , the nation ’ s highest court appears to have a 6-3 conservative majority , including three justices nominated by Trump himself .
The sight of Justice Clarence Thomas swearing her in thrilled the Right .
The question is now whether Republican voters will reward Trump for fulfilling a campaign promise to model his judicial picks after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complacent now that the seat is filled , as Democrats head to the polls eager to avenge Ginsburg and the blocked Barack Obama nominee Merrick Garland .
Further complicating the equation is that this new conservative majority is not safe if Democrats win the White House and the Senate .
Liberals have called for expanding the Supreme Court so they can confirm additional like-minded justices .
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has expressed misgivings about court-packing but also refused to rule it out if Barrett was swiftly confirmed before the election .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because they are seeing Trump ’ s promises being kept in real time , ” said GOP strategist Ron Bonjean .
“ Many will also vote to prevent the Democrats from packing the Supreme Court.
” That certainly seems to be the case judging by the reactions of conservative groups .
“ This victory would not be possible without the unwavering leadership of President Trump , [ Senate Majority ] Leader [ Mitch ] McConnell , and our pro-life Senate majority , ” said Marjorie Dannenfelser , president of the anti-abortion Susan B.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ They have worked seamlessly to confirm three Supreme Court justices and 215 lower court judges .
This legacy is on the ballot next week , as Democrats are hell-bent on expanding the Supreme Court and adding lower court judges if they win .
We must re-elect President Trump and our Senate majority to preserve the Supreme Court and the integrity of the judiciary.
” '' Justice Amy Barrett 's confirmation is a historic achievement for the conservative legal movement , which has persevered for more than three decades in pursuit of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Constitution , ” said Carrie Severino , president of the conservative Judicial Crisis Network , in a statement .
Severino ’ s group has already moved on from working for Barrett ’ s confirmation to battling against court-packing .
“ Pro-life Americans , who know all too well the danger of activist judges , welcome the confirmation of this exceptional judge .
But all Americans can celebrate the confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barrett , who possesses the skill and character needed to sit on the high court , ” March for Life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thank President Trump for nominating Judge Barrett , and Leader McConnell and all Senators who voted in favor of confirming soon-to-be Justice Barrett . ''
Down-ballot Republicans are also celebrating .
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham of South Carolina is wearing Barrett ’ s confirmation as a feather in his cap as he finds himself in a surprisingly competitive reelection fight .
McConnell is safer in Kentucky , but nevertheless blasted out a statement saying he “ followed through on his mission to leave no vacancy behind.
” One exception is centrist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voted against Barrett as she faces a revolt from her blue-state constituents .
Democrats are also motivated by what they see as yet another stolen seat .
“ Donald Trump , Mitch McConnell , and the Republican Party have now completed the decades-long conservative project to rig the U.S. Supreme Court , ” said the left-wing group MoveOn.org in a statement to supporters .
The ranks of Democratic senators voting to confirm Trump nominees has fallen from three with Neil Gorsuch to one with Brett Kavanaugh and now zero for Barrett .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 from his pledge to fill Scalia ’ s seat with a proven conservative , backed by a list of prospective nominees vetted by the conservative legal network .
Conservatives have been let down by Republican court nominees more often than liberals have been by Democratic picks .
But Democrats might assign a higher priority to the court as they vote this year , especially if they fear the justices will decide the election .
Or , Barrett could be dwarfed by other issues .
“ There 's not much evidence that ACB @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election , ” said Republican strategist Alex Conant .
“ One of the most striking things about this election is how little the polls move .
If a pandemic , recession , and protests do n't move Trump 's poll numbers , I 'm skeptical that anything can .
”

A week before the election, President Trump delivered something via the confirmation of Justice Amy Coney Barrett that eluded even Ronald Reagan: a clear-cut conservative majority on the Supreme Court.
With Barrett now succeeding the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the nation’s highest court appears to have a 6-3 conservative majority, including three justices nominated by Trump himself. The sight of Justice Clarence Thomas swearing her in thrilled the Right.
The question is now whether Republican voters will reward Trump for fulfilling a campaign promise to model his judicial picks after the late Justice Antonin Scalia or grow complacent now that the seat is filled, as Democrats head to the polls eager to avenge Ginsburg and the blocked Barack Obama nominee Merrick Garland.
Further complicating the equation is that this new conservative majority is not safe if Democrats win the White House and the Senate. Liberals have called for expanding the Supreme Court so they can confirm additional like-minded justices. Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has expressed misgivings about court-packing but also refused to rule it out if Barrett was swiftly confirmed before the election.
“Republicans will still be motivated to vote because they are seeing Trump’s promises being kept in real time,” said GOP strategist Ron Bonjean. “Many will also vote to prevent the Democrats from packing the Supreme Court.”
That certainly seems to be the case judging by the reactions of conservative groups. “This victory would not be possible without the unwavering leadership of President Trump, [Senate Majority] Leader [Mitch] McConnell, and our pro-life Senate majority,” said Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the anti-abortion Susan B. Anthony List, in a statement. “They have worked seamlessly to confirm three Supreme Court justices and 215 lower court judges. This legacy is on the ballot next week, as Democrats are hell-bent on expanding the Supreme Court and adding lower court judges if they win. We must re-elect President Trump and our Senate majority to preserve the Supreme Court and the integrity of the judiciary.”
"Justice Amy Barrett's confirmation is a historic achievement for the conservative legal movement, which has persevered for more than three decades in pursuit of a Supreme Court majority that will follow the Constitution,” said Carrie Severino, president of the conservative Judicial Crisis Network, in a statement. Severino’s group has already moved on from working for Barrett’s confirmation to battling against court-packing.
“Pro-life Americans, who know all too well the danger of activist judges, welcome the confirmation of this exceptional judge. But all Americans can celebrate the confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barrett, who possesses the skill and character needed to sit on the high court,” March for Life President Jeanne Mancini said. “We thank President Trump for nominating Judge Barrett, and Leader McConnell and all Senators who voted in favor of confirming soon-to-be Justice Barrett."
Down-ballot Republicans are also celebrating. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham of South Carolina is wearing Barrett’s confirmation as a feather in his cap as he finds himself in a surprisingly competitive reelection fight. McConnell is safer in Kentucky, but nevertheless blasted out a statement saying he “followed through on his mission to leave no vacancy behind.” One exception is centrist Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, who voted against Barrett as she faces a revolt from her blue-state constituents.
Democrats are also motivated by what they see as yet another stolen seat. “Donald Trump, Mitch McConnell, and the Republican Party have now completed the decades-long conservative project to rig the U.S. Supreme Court,” said the left-wing group MoveOn.org in a statement to supporters. The ranks of Democratic senators voting to confirm Trump nominees has fallen from three with Neil Gorsuch to one with Brett Kavanaugh and now zero for Barrett.
According to exit polls, Trump benefited in 2016 from his pledge to fill Scalia’s seat with a proven conservative, backed by a list of prospective nominees vetted by the conservative legal network. Conservatives have been let down by Republican court nominees more often than liberals have been by Democratic picks.
But Democrats might assign a higher priority to the court as they vote this year, especially if they fear the justices will decide the election. Or, Barrett could be dwarfed by other issues.
“There's not much evidence that ACB is having a significant impact on this election,” said Republican strategist Alex Conant. “One of the most striking things about this election is how little the polls move. If a pandemic, recession, and protests don't move Trump's poll numbers, I'm skeptical that anything can.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-28--Policies more important to voters than character, Washington Examiner/YouGov poll finds days before

Policies more important to voters than character, Washington Examiner/YouGov poll finds days before election

More voters say that good policies trump bad character than the other way round , according to a new poll just days before the 2020 election .
In a Washington Examiner/YouGov poll , 46 % said they would support a candidate of bad character whose policies they agreed with , compared to 33 % who would prefer a candidate of good character even if they disagreed with his or her policies .
This tendency is especially pronounced among Republicans .
Seventy-three percent said they would pick the candidate whose policies they agreed with even if the candidate had bad character @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Another 14 % said they didn ’ t know .
By contrast , 48 % of Democrats said they would back a candidate they disagreed with on policy grounds if the candidate had good character .
Only 26 % said the opposite , and another 26 % said they didn ’ t know .
Independents were split , with a 47 % plurality choosing policies , while 34 % said good character was more important .
Nineteen percent responded that they did not know .
The responses are likely a reflection of President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turned off many voters even as he remains overwhelmingly popular with Republicans in part due to his conservative policies .
The most liberal Democrats , including Bernie Sanders supporters , often say they are backing former Vice President Joe Biden despite policy disagreements because they think his character is superior to Trump ’ s .
Character was a major point of emphasis at the Democratic National Convention .
A Biden campaign ad released at the beginning of the year opened with a shot of the White House as the narrator said , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ character is revealed .
We saw it with President Obama .
We ’ re seeing it with President Trump.
” The spot went on to show Scranton , Pennsylvania , pictures representing Biden ’ s family tragedies and images of the Democratic nominee championing liberal causes .
“ Character matters , ” the ad concluded , panning back to the Oval Office .
“ Maybe more here than anywhere.
” “ Our character is on the ballot , ” Biden said at the final presidential debate against Trump .
He repeated that theme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is on the ballot here is the character of this country .
Decency .
Honor .
Respect .
Treating people with dignity .
Making sure that everyone has an even chance.
” This flips the script from the 1990s , when Republicans emphasized the importance of personal character in their opposition to President Bill Clinton , who was unfaithful in his marriage , while Democrats defended his policies , especially on the economy .
Some of the voting blocs most concerned about Clinton ’ s ethics and morality overwhelmingly back Trump , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote in 2016 .
“ Trump ’ s character clashes with evangelical ethics in ways that would have killed Clinton ’ s political career two decades ago , ” wrote the Atlantic ’ s Jonathan Merritt that year .
Both Clinton and Trump were impeached by the House and acquitted by the Senate .
Trump defeated the 42nd president ’ s wife Hillary to make it to the White House .
Republicans have been trying in recent weeks to close the gap on the character issue as they raise questions about the overseas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic nominee ’ s son .
A Washington Examiner/YouGov poll found that a plurality believes the younger Biden has engaged in practices that are corrupt , though most Democrats disagree .
Trump has also emphasized his support for religious liberty and socially conservative policies in appealing to voters .
He has nominated conservative judges and became the first sitting president to speak in person to anti-abortion rallies such as the March for Life .
Earlier this year , the president said Biden was `` against God '' and predicted the Democratic nominee would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Washington Examiner/YouGov poll interviewed 1,194 registered voters Oct. 26-27 with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.6 points .

More voters say that good policies trump bad character than the other way round, according to a new poll just days before the 2020 election.
In a Washington Examiner/YouGov poll, 46% said they would support a candidate of bad character whose policies they agreed with, compared to 33% who would prefer a candidate of good character even if they disagreed with his or her policies.
This tendency is especially pronounced among Republicans. Seventy-three percent said they would pick the candidate whose policies they agreed with even if the candidate had bad character. Thirteen percent said the opposite. Another 14% said they didn’t know.
By contrast, 48% of Democrats said they would back a candidate they disagreed with on policy grounds if the candidate had good character. Only 26% said the opposite, and another 26% said they didn’t know.
Independents were split, with a 47% plurality choosing policies, while 34% said good character was more important. Nineteen percent responded that they did not know.
The responses are likely a reflection of President Trump, whose tweets and temperament have turned off many voters even as he remains overwhelmingly popular with Republicans in part due to his conservative policies. The most liberal Democrats, including Bernie Sanders supporters, often say they are backing former Vice President Joe Biden despite policy disagreements because they think his character is superior to Trump’s. Character was a major point of emphasis at the Democratic National Convention.
A Biden campaign ad released at the beginning of the year opened with a shot of the White House as the narrator said, “It’s said in here your character is revealed. We saw it with President Obama. We’re seeing it with President Trump.” The spot went on to show Scranton, Pennsylvania, pictures representing Biden’s family tragedies and images of the Democratic nominee championing liberal causes. “Character matters,” the ad concluded, panning back to the Oval Office. “Maybe more here than anywhere.”
“Our character is on the ballot,” Biden said at the final presidential debate against Trump. He repeated that theme in his closing statement: “What is on the ballot here is the character of this country. Decency. Honor. Respect. Treating people with dignity. Making sure that everyone has an even chance.”
This flips the script from the 1990s, when Republicans emphasized the importance of personal character in their opposition to President Bill Clinton, who was unfaithful in his marriage, while Democrats defended his policies, especially on the economy. Some of the voting blocs most concerned about Clinton’s ethics and morality overwhelmingly back Trump, who won 81% of the white evangelical vote in 2016. “Trump’s character clashes with evangelical ethics in ways that would have killed Clinton’s political career two decades ago,” wrote the Atlantic’s Jonathan Merritt that year.
Both Clinton and Trump were impeached by the House and acquitted by the Senate. Trump defeated the 42nd president’s wife Hillary to make it to the White House.
Republicans have been trying in recent weeks to close the gap on the character issue as they raise questions about the overseas business dealings of Hunter Biden, the Democratic nominee’s son. A Washington Examiner/YouGov poll found that a plurality believes the younger Biden has engaged in practices that are corrupt, though most Democrats disagree.
Trump has also emphasized his support for religious liberty and socially conservative policies in appealing to voters. He has nominated conservative judges and became the first sitting president to speak in person to anti-abortion rallies such as the March for Life. Earlier this year, the president said Biden was "against God" and predicted the Democratic nominee would "hurt the Bible" if elected.
The Washington Examiner/YouGov poll interviewed 1,194 registered voters Oct. 26-27 with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.6 points.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-28--Republicans look to Philadelphia riots to bolster Trump in Pennsylvania suburbs

Pennsylvania Republicans believe rioting in Philadelphia could lend President Trump badly-needed support among frightened suburban voters in a contest so close that every vote in the state will count .
Democratic nominee Joe Biden has enjoyed a small but steady lead in this crucial battleground on the strength of strong support in the suburbs surrounding Philadelphia , Harrisburg , and Pittsburgh .
But riots erupted in downtown Philadelphia this week after a black man armed with a knife was shot and killed by police after he resisted arrest .
The resulting violence led some Republican insiders to speculate that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s “ law and order ” message with voters in the Philadelphia suburbs , undermining support for Biden at a crucial time .
“ There ’ s no doubt that lawlessness and rioting in the city is going to have political impact in the suburbs , ” said Charlie Gerow , a GOP operative in Pennsylvania .
“ Even some suburbanites who otherwise aren ’ t enthralled with Trump see him as key to restoring law and order .
Their personal safety is a top issue for them.
” As further evidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s suburbs , some Trump supporters are pointing to a New York Times story that suggests Biden might be falling 9 percentage points short of Democrat Hillary Clinton ’ s performance four years ago .
The projections , based on averaging the results of two recent polls of Pennsylvania voters , were criticized by some polling analysts as a misreading of the data .
Democrats are dubious regardless .
They do not believe that Biden is on track to underperform Clinton in the suburbs and dismiss the notion that the civil unrest in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the surrounding suburban enclaves .
Democratic strategists argue many Republicans have an outdated view of the suburbs as bastions of predominantly white voters who are unconcerned about racial issues .
Trump has been unable to capitalize politically on civil unrest hitting American communities throughout the summer and fall , they contend , because suburban voters view the president as a polarizing figure who inflames tensions .
“ The idea that Trump is pushing that white people in the suburbs will be scared off is antiquated and based on racist assumptions that are just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data , ” said Josh Schwerin , a spokesman for Priorities USA , a group that is the Biden campaign ’ s designated super PAC and that has polled Pennsylvania extensively .
Biden has been critical of police treatment of blacks in the wake of George Floyd ’ s death and vowed to lead an overhaul of local law enforcement if elected president .
But Biden also has criticized protests against police brutality that turn destructive .
In comments to reporters Wednesday , he appeared cognizant of the risks the riots in Philadelphia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that there is “ no excuse whatsoever for the looting and the violence ” in reaction to the police shooting in Philadelphia .
Biden leads Trump by 3.8 percentage points in the RealClearPolitics average of recent polls in the state .
“ I think to be able to protest is totally legitimate .
It 's totally reasonable , ” Biden said .
“ But I think that the looting is just as the victim 's father said , 'Do not do this … you 're not helping .
You 're hurting .
You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ There are certain things we 're going to have to do as we move along , ” Biden continued .
“ And , that is how we deal with how you diminish the prospect of lethal shooting in circumstances like the one we saw .
That 's going to be part of the commission I set up to determine how we deal with these.
” Jeffrey Brauer , a political science professor at Keystone College in Pennsylvania , said events in Philadelphia were unlikely to influence the vote .
Brauer said part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Pennsylvanians have already voted early .
The final days of this campaign are mostly about motivating existing supporters , rather than changing minds of a hardened electorate .
He also said that there is little recent evidence Trump ’ s appeals on domestic security work with voters outside of loyal Republican voters he can already count on to pull the lever for him .
“ While Trump ’ s ‘ law and order ’ messaging certainly appeals to his base supporters , it is doubtful that most suburbs , including the Philadelphia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be spreading to their towns anytime soon , ” Brauer said .
“ Trump tried to play a similar card in 2018 with a Latin American caravan invading the border , which never came to fruition .
”

Pennsylvania Republicans believe rioting in Philadelphia could lend President Trump badly-needed support among frightened suburban voters in a contest so close that every vote in the state will count.
Democratic nominee Joe Biden has enjoyed a small but steady lead in this crucial battleground on the strength of strong support in the suburbs surrounding Philadelphia, Harrisburg, and Pittsburgh.
But riots erupted in downtown Philadelphia this week after a black man armed with a knife was shot and killed by police after he resisted arrest. The resulting violence led some Republican insiders to speculate that the events might bolster the appeal of Trump’s “law and order” message with voters in the Philadelphia suburbs, undermining support for Biden at a crucial time.
“There’s no doubt that lawlessness and rioting in the city is going to have political impact in the suburbs,” said Charlie Gerow, a GOP operative in Pennsylvania. “Even some suburbanites who otherwise aren’t enthralled with Trump see him as key to restoring law and order. Their personal safety is a top issue for them.”
As further evidence Biden might have trouble in Pennsylvania’s suburbs, some Trump supporters are pointing to a New York Times story that suggests Biden might be falling 9 percentage points short of Democrat Hillary Clinton’s performance four years ago. The projections, based on averaging the results of two recent polls of Pennsylvania voters, were criticized by some polling analysts as a misreading of the data.
Democrats are dubious regardless. They do not believe that Biden is on track to underperform Clinton in the suburbs and dismiss the notion that the civil unrest in Philadelphia will boost support for Trump in the surrounding suburban enclaves.
Democratic strategists argue many Republicans have an outdated view of the suburbs as bastions of predominantly white voters who are unconcerned about racial issues. Trump has been unable to capitalize politically on civil unrest hitting American communities throughout the summer and fall, they contend, because suburban voters view the president as a polarizing figure who inflames tensions.
“The idea that Trump is pushing that white people in the suburbs will be scared off is antiquated and based on racist assumptions that are just not borne out by any sort of data,” said Josh Schwerin, a spokesman for Priorities USA, a group that is the Biden campaign’s designated super PAC and that has polled Pennsylvania extensively.
Biden has been critical of police treatment of blacks in the wake of George Floyd’s death and vowed to lead an overhaul of local law enforcement if elected president. But Biden also has criticized protests against police brutality that turn destructive.
In comments to reporters Wednesday, he appeared cognizant of the risks the riots in Philadelphia might pose to his campaign, emphasizing that there is “no excuse whatsoever for the looting and the violence” in reaction to the police shooting in Philadelphia. Biden leads Trump by 3.8 percentage points in the RealClearPolitics average of recent polls in the state.
“I think to be able to protest is totally legitimate. It's totally reasonable,” Biden said. “But I think that the looting is just as the victim's father said, 'Do not do this … you're not helping. You're hurting. You're not helping my son.’”
“There are certain things we're going to have to do as we move along,” Biden continued. “And, that is how we deal with how you diminish the prospect of lethal shooting in circumstances like the one we saw. That's going to be part of the commission I set up to determine how we deal with these.”
Jeffrey Brauer, a political science professor at Keystone College in Pennsylvania, said events in Philadelphia were unlikely to influence the vote.
Brauer said part of the problem was time. Millions of Pennsylvanians have already voted early. The final days of this campaign are mostly about motivating existing supporters, rather than changing minds of a hardened electorate. He also said that there is little recent evidence Trump’s appeals on domestic security work with voters outside of loyal Republican voters he can already count on to pull the lever for him.
“While Trump’s ‘law and order’ messaging certainly appeals to his base supporters, it is doubtful that most suburbs, including the Philadelphia suburbs, are fearful that civil unrest will be spreading to their towns anytime soon,” Brauer said. “Trump tried to play a similar card in 2018 with a Latin American caravan invading the border, which never came to fruition.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-28--Police arrest man brandishing weapons during Kristi Noem appearance at Trump event

A 58-year-old man was arrested after brandishing two weapons during South Dakota Gov .
Kristi Noem 's appearance at a campaign rally for President Trump .
Maggie Seidel , a senior policy adviser to the Republican governor , told the Argus Leader that Noem 's security detail was forced into action Wednesday morning during an appearance in Bangor , Maine , after spotting someone with two firearms in the crowd .
The man was identified as Peter Beitzell , and he was arrested on several charges , including felony threatening with a criminal weapon , according to Dakota News Now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the rally and became upset after someone from Noem 's security detail approached him .
Beitzell allegedly was holding a knife and a wooden baton when he approached an officer .
Spokesman Ian Fury said police arrested him , and Noem finished the campaign stop without incident .
Noem recently catapulted into the spotlight due to her resistance to restrictive coronavirus lockdowns in her state , a position she has fiercely defended against persistent criticism from some media outlets .
Noem , who spoke before Trump at the July 4th celebration at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president several times ahead of the general election .
Former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski joined her at Wednesday 's stop .
The governor 's scheduled appearances continue this week in New Hampshire and Maine .
The Washington Examiner reached out to the Bangor Police Department but has not received a comment on the situation .

A 58-year-old man was arrested after brandishing two weapons during South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem's appearance at a campaign rally for President Trump.
Maggie Seidel, a senior policy adviser to the Republican governor, told the Argus Leader that Noem's security detail was forced into action Wednesday morning during an appearance in Bangor, Maine, after spotting someone with two firearms in the crowd. The man was identified as Peter Beitzell, and he was arrested on several charges, including felony threatening with a criminal weapon, according to Dakota News Now.
We were thrilled to have @CLewandowski_, @KristiNoem, and @TommyHicksGOP at the Bangor office today! Team #TheNorthRemembers⚔ is energized to push POTUS across the finish line in Maine. #LeadRight #mepolitics pic.twitter.com/KgE22Kn8iA — Cody Porter (@CodyPorterME) October 28, 2020
Police said Beitzell was harassing people at the rally and became upset after someone from Noem's security detail approached him. Beitzell allegedly was holding a knife and a wooden baton when he approached an officer. Spokesman Ian Fury said police arrested him, and Noem finished the campaign stop without incident.
Noem recently catapulted into the spotlight due to her resistance to restrictive coronavirus lockdowns in her state, a position she has fiercely defended against persistent criticism from some media outlets.
Noem, who spoke before Trump at the July 4th celebration at Mount Rushmore, has campaigned for the president several times ahead of the general election. Former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski joined her at Wednesday's stop. The governor's scheduled appearances continue this week in New Hampshire and Maine.
The Washington Examiner reached out to the Bangor Police Department but has not received a comment on the situation.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-28--Biden hammers Trump for Omaha rally logistics snafu

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden knocked President Trump 's campaign for leaving hundreds of supporters stranded for hours in nearly freezing weather conditions after a rally in Omaha , Nebraska .
“ It ’ s an image that captured President Trump ’ s whole approach to this crisis .
He makes a lot of big pronouncements , but they don ’ t hold up .
He gets his photo op , and he gets out , '' Biden said Wednesday in Delaware after a COVID-19 briefing .
In contrast with Trump , who predicts that the media coverage of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Nov. 3 election , Biden warned that the country 's recovery may be a protracted process .
`` Even if I win , it ’ s going to take a lot of hard work to end this pandemic , ” the two-term former vice president and 36-year Delaware senator said .
“ I ’ m not running on the false promise of being able to end this pandemic by flipping a switch .
But I do promise this : We will start on Day One doing the right things.
” Scores of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temperatures in the mid-30s on Tuesday night while waiting up to three hours for buses to take them from Eppley Airfield to public parking lots , mostly due to traffic jams .
Trump spokeswoman Samantha Zager told the Washington Examiner that her team `` deployed 40 shuttle buses — double the normal allotment — but local road closures and resulting congestion caused delays . ''
`` At the guest departure location , we had tents , heaters , generators , hot cocoa , and hand warmers available for guests , '' she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 25,000 .
On Wednesday , Biden followed his brief remarks at Wilmington ’ s Queen Theater by voting early and in-person at the Carvel Delaware State Building .
After casting his ballot , he commented on the civil unrest in Philadelphia triggered by the police shooting of Walter Wallace Jr. , a 27-year-old black man who refused to drop his knife while experiencing a mental health episode .
Biden said that although protesting was `` totally legitimate , totally reasonable , '' he urged demonstrators to stop the destruction of property after two @ @ @ @

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden knocked President Trump's campaign for leaving hundreds of supporters stranded for hours in nearly freezing weather conditions after a rally in Omaha, Nebraska.
“It’s an image that captured President Trump’s whole approach to this crisis. He makes a lot of big pronouncements, but they don’t hold up. He gets his photo op, and he gets out," Biden said Wednesday in Delaware after a COVID-19 briefing.
In contrast with Trump, who predicts that the media coverage of the coronavirus outbreak will subside after the pair's Nov. 3 election, Biden warned that the country's recovery may be a protracted process.
"Even if I win, it’s going to take a lot of hard work to end this pandemic,” the two-term former vice president and 36-year Delaware senator said. “I’m not running on the false promise of being able to end this pandemic by flipping a switch. But I do promise this: We will start on Day One doing the right things.”
Scores of Trump rallygoers in Omaha had to brave temperatures in the mid-30s on Tuesday night while waiting up to three hours for buses to take them from Eppley Airfield to public parking lots, mostly due to traffic jams.
Trump spokeswoman Samantha Zager told the Washington Examiner that her team "deployed 40 shuttle buses — double the normal allotment — but local road closures and resulting congestion caused delays."
"At the guest departure location, we had tents, heaters, generators, hot cocoa, and hand warmers available for guests," she said, catering to an estimated crowd of 25,000.
On Wednesday, Biden followed his brief remarks at Wilmington’s Queen Theater by voting early and in-person at the Carvel Delaware State Building.
After casting his ballot, he commented on the civil unrest in Philadelphia triggered by the police shooting of Walter Wallace Jr., a 27-year-old black man who refused to drop his knife while experiencing a mental health episode.
Biden said that although protesting was "totally legitimate, totally reasonable," he urged demonstrators to stop the destruction of property after two nights of looting.