thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-07--Kelly Loeffler defies conventional wisdom by highlighting wealth in bid to hold Senate seat

In 2018 , then-Sen. Claire McCaskill found this out in her unsuccessful reelection bid .
The Missouri Democrat drew torrents of criticism for using her private plane during a three-day RV tour of her state .
Meanwhile , some of the Senate 's wealthiest members have gone out of their way to avoid appearances of flaunting their wealth .
Mitt Romney , elected a Utah Republican senator in 2018 after being his party 's 2012 presidential nominee , has for years been spotted in tight coach-class seats — despite a fortune of more than $ 100 million seeded by his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Massachusetts .
Sen. Kelly Loeffler is taking a different approach .
The Georgia Republican , appointed to an open seat in January and now facing her first election in November , is the Senate 's wealthiest member , with an estimated fortune of $ 500 million .
And she has launched a $ 4 million ad campaign that , among other things , highlights her private jet , which was used `` to bring stranded Georgians home safe '' during the coronavirus pandemic .
`` Senator Loeffler left a successful career in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. Senate , '' said the Loeffler campaign 's communications director , Stephen Lawson , in a statement to the Washington Examiner .
`` She 's been laser-focused on delivering relief to Georgia families and businesses impacted by COVID-19 , and as we begin to reopen our economy , she will use her experience in the business world to help reignite our economy and get Georgians back to work . ''
Earlier this month , Loeffler helped return several Georgians who had been stuck on a cruise ship docked off the coast of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travel restrictions kept them stranded .
Whether using her private plane to help constituents adversely affected by COVID-19 will help her politically is an open question .
In Georgia 's all-party November primary , Loeffler is being challenged by Rep. Doug Collins , the top House Judiciary Committee Republican who got lots of national exposure over the winter as a vocal ally of President Trump during the impeachment saga .
Recent public polls have shown Collins far ahead of Loeffler .
The private plane/coronavirus move comes amid reports that Loeffler and her husband @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dollars worth of stocks before the market crashed in response to the pandemic .
`` Given that the sources of some of Loeffler ’ s wealth have generated a lot of critical press coverage over the past couple of months , seeming to highlight that wealth struck many as an odd strategy , '' said University of Virginia Center for Politics analyst Kyle Kondik .
In Missouri two years ago , McCaskill 's private plane use ( for campaign travel , not moving stranded constituents ) hurt her in an ultimately losing bid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There 's a strong populist strain in the electorate , especially in the slice of swing voters Democrats must dominate in order to win here , given the past decade 's Republican trend , '' Jeff Smith , a former Democratic state senator in Missouri .
`` With this key group , yes , Republican attacks on Claire 's wealth , most of them falsely insinuating that it was somehow ill-gotten through her position , did indeed hurt her in 2018 , '' Smith told the Washington Examiner .
Loeffler , meanwhile , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold the seat , which Democratic strategists feel they have an outside chance of nabbing in the fall .
Loeffler has already loaned her campaign $ 10 million and has called attacks on her trading scandals as part of the Left 's `` socialist '' message .

Private planes and Senate reelection politics generally don't mix.
In 2018, then-Sen. Claire McCaskill found this out in her unsuccessful reelection bid. The Missouri Democrat drew torrents of criticism for using her private plane during a three-day RV tour of her state.
Meanwhile, some of the Senate's wealthiest members have gone out of their way to avoid appearances of flaunting their wealth. Mitt Romney, elected a Utah Republican senator in 2018 after being his party's 2012 presidential nominee, has for years been spotted in tight coach-class seats — despite a fortune of more than $100 million seeded by his days in the private equity business in Massachusetts.
Sen. Kelly Loeffler is taking a different approach. The Georgia Republican, appointed to an open seat in January and now facing her first election in November, is the Senate's wealthiest member, with an estimated fortune of $500 million. And she has launched a $4 million ad campaign that, among other things, highlights her private jet, which was used "to bring stranded Georgians home safe" during the coronavirus pandemic.
"Senator Loeffler left a successful career in the private sector to serve Georgians in the U.S. Senate," said the Loeffler campaign's communications director, Stephen Lawson, in a statement to the Washington Examiner. "She's been laser-focused on delivering relief to Georgia families and businesses impacted by COVID-19, and as we begin to reopen our economy, she will use her experience in the business world to help reignite our economy and get Georgians back to work."
Earlier this month, Loeffler helped return several Georgians who had been stuck on a cruise ship docked off the coast of Florida back to their homes because coronavirus travel restrictions kept them stranded.
Whether using her private plane to help constituents adversely affected by COVID-19 will help her politically is an open question. In Georgia's all-party November primary, Loeffler is being challenged by Rep. Doug Collins, the top House Judiciary Committee Republican who got lots of national exposure over the winter as a vocal ally of President Trump during the impeachment saga. Recent public polls have shown Collins far ahead of Loeffler.
The private plane/coronavirus move comes amid reports that Loeffler and her husband, Jeffrey Sprecher, sold millions of dollars worth of stocks before the market crashed in response to the pandemic.
"Given that the sources of some of Loeffler’s wealth have generated a lot of critical press coverage over the past couple of months, seeming to highlight that wealth struck many as an odd strategy," said University of Virginia Center for Politics analyst Kyle Kondik.
In Missouri two years ago, McCaskill's private plane use (for campaign travel, not moving stranded constituents) hurt her in an ultimately losing bid to Republican challenger Josh Hawley.
"There's a strong populist strain in the electorate, especially in the slice of swing voters Democrats must dominate in order to win here, given the past decade's Republican trend," Jeff Smith, a former Democratic state senator in Missouri.
"With this key group, yes, Republican attacks on Claire's wealth, most of them falsely insinuating that it was somehow ill-gotten through her position, did indeed hurt her in 2018," Smith told the Washington Examiner.
Loeffler, meanwhile, is forging ahead with her campaign to hold the seat, which Democratic strategists feel they have an outside chance of nabbing in the fall.
Just like the left targets @realDonaldTrump every single day, they’re falsely attacking me now. But we’re standing strong. WATCH our new ad here! #gapol #gasen pic.twitter.com/Fxz1NoFKpZ — Kelly Loeffler (@KLoeffler) May 4, 2020
Loeffler has already loaned her campaign $10 million and has called attacks on her trading scandals as part of the Left's "socialist" message.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-08--Back to the future: Democrats return to defending against ‘bimbo eruptions’

Tara Reade ’ s sexual assault allegations against Joe Biden have Democrats once again grappling with the dilemma of believing all women or standing by their man , just as they did two decades ago when Bill Clinton prowled the West Wing .
Biden has denied the charges , and many Democrats say they believe him .
`` I have complete respect for the whole # MeToo movement , '' House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a typical statement .
`` There 's also due process and the fact that Joe Biden is Joe Biden . ''
That ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to , though some liberals have begun arguing the former vice president should be supported over President Trump even if Reade ’ s allegations are true .
“ I ’ ll take one for the team .
I believe Ms. Reade , and I ’ ll vote for Mr. Biden this fall , ” Linda Hirshman , author of Reckoning : The Epic Battle Against Sexual Abuse and Harassment , in the New York Times .
Trump , she added , is the “ worst president in the history of the republic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ do , the cost of dismissing Tara Reade — and , worse , weakening the voices of future survivors — is worth it.
” A Monmouth University found that nearly a third of those who believe Reade , 32 % , .
This appears to be a shift from the recent # MeToo-era of their defenses of Bill Clinton , including one offered by one of the women 's movement 's foremost icons .
In 1998 , Gloria Steinem , also writing in the New York Times , argued Clinton should be supported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ true .
`` If all the sexual allegations now swirling around the White House turn out to be true , President Clinton may be a candidate for sex addiction therapy , '' she wrote .
`` But feminists will still have been right to resist pressure by the right wing and the media to call for his resignation or impeachment . ''
By 2017 , the height of # MeToo , that was no longer in vogue .
`` The Democratic Party needs to make its own reckoning of the way it protected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Caitlin Flanagan .
That year , Democrats one of their own , Sen. Al Franken , over sexual misconduct allegations while still in his prime .
They believed it gave them the moral high ground when they backed accuser Christine Blasey Ford during the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court nomination fight .
Some Democrats later , believing Franken was and questioning why Trump was able to survive similar allegations .
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand was in her presidential campaign by her Franken .
Biden has been in the public eye for 50 years without similar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for being inappropriately tactile with women .
He served two terms as vice president under former President Barack Obama , who remains deeply admired by the party ’ s rank and file .
Former Obama senior adviser David Axelrod that Biden was carefully vetted .
“ Had any credible issue been raised , you can be sure Biden would not have been the nominee , ” Axelrod wrote .
“ Obama would not have tolerated it , even if he and Biden were close then , which they were not.
” “ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tara Reade allegations are part of a process that Democrats have been undergoing for a couple of years in how they evaluate # MeToo allegations , '' said Democratic strategist Jessica Tarlov .
`` What started , for many , but not all , in the vein of believe all women has shifted to , believe women with investigation , which is the right place to be , ” she said .
“ This does not mean that there is hypocrisy over Kavanaugh : Democrats were demanding a proper FBI investigation and to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We were denied that .
But the implications of allegations against a beloved Democratic figure like Joe Biden has certainly pushed for some reevaluation as well as more of a utilitarian process in political decision making .
As Linda Hirshman argued in her NYT piece , there is space to believe Tara Reade and vote for Biden anyway , and I believe many women will be in the same boat come November 2020.
” Some Democrats believe the issue will not be too relevant on Election Day .
“ The situation could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but in the middle of the pandemic , Biden leads because the election is a referendum on the president 's mishandling of the pandemic , ” said Democratic strategist Brad Bannon .
“ Reade 's accusations are serious , but millions of Americans have bigger fish to fry in the midst of the medical and economic devastation caused by the coronavirus outbreak .
”

Tara Reade’s sexual assault allegations against Joe Biden have Democrats once again grappling with the dilemma of believing all women or standing by their man, just as they did two decades ago when Bill Clinton prowled the West Wing.
Biden has denied the charges, and many Democrats say they believe him. "I have complete respect for the whole #MeToo movement," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a typical statement. "There's also due process and the fact that Joe Biden is Joe Biden."
That’s the line elected Democrats have been sticking to, though some liberals have begun arguing that the former vice president should be supported over President Trump even if Reade’s allegations are true.
“I’ll take one for the team. I believe Ms. Reade, and I’ll vote for Mr. Biden this fall,” Linda Hirshman, author of Reckoning: The Epic Battle Against Sexual Abuse and Harassment, wrote in the New York Times. Trump, she added, is the “worst president in the history of the republic. Compared with the good Mr. Biden can do, the cost of dismissing Tara Reade — and, worse, weakening the voices of future survivors — is worth it.”
A Monmouth University poll found that nearly a third of those who believe Reade, 32%, still support Biden .
This appears to be a shift from the recent #MeToo-era liberal reappraisal of their defenses of Clinton, including one offered by one of the women's movement's foremost icons.
In 1998, Gloria Steinem, also writing in the New York Times, argued that Clinton should be supported even if the accusations against him were true. "If all the sexual allegations now swirling around the White House turn out to be true, President Clinton may be a candidate for sex addiction therapy," she wrote. "But feminists will still have been right to resist pressure by the right wing and the media to call for his resignation or impeachment."
By 2017, the height of #MeToo, that was no longer in vogue. "The Democratic Party needs to make its own reckoning of the way it protected Bill Clinton," wrote the Atlantic's Caitlin Flanagan. That year, Democrats forced out one of their own, Sen. Al Franken, over sexual misconduct allegations while still in his prime. They believed it gave them the moral high ground when they backed accuser Christine Blasey Ford during the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court nomination fight.
Some Democrats later regretted this , believing Franken was railroaded and questioning why Trump was able to survive similar allegations. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand was hurt in her presidential campaign by her role in ousting Franken.
Biden has been in the public eye for 50 years without similar accusations, though he has been criticized for being inappropriately tactile with women. He served two terms as vice president under former President Barack Obama, who remains deeply admired by the party’s rank and file. Former Obama senior adviser David Axelrod emphasized that Biden was carefully vetted. “Had any credible issue been raised, you can be sure Biden would not have been the nominee,” Axelrod wrote. “Obama would not have tolerated it, even if he and Biden were close then, which they were not.”
“I'd say that the response to the Tara Reade allegations are part of a process that Democrats have been undergoing for a couple of years in how they evaluate #MeToo allegations," said Democratic strategist Jessica Tarlov.
"What started, for many, but not all, in the vein of believe all women has shifted to, believe women with investigation, which is the right place to be,” she said. “This does not mean that there is hypocrisy over Kavanaugh: Democrats were demanding a proper FBI investigation and to hear from key figures like Mark Judge. We were denied that. But the implications of allegations against a beloved Democratic figure like Joe Biden has certainly pushed for some reevaluation as well as more of a utilitarian process in political decision making. As Linda Hirshman argued in her NYT piece, there is space to believe Tara Reade and vote for Biden anyway, and I believe many women will be in the same boat come November 2020.”
Some Democrats believe the issue will not be too relevant on Election Day. “The situation could change over the next six months, but in the middle of the pandemic, Biden leads because the election is a referendum on the president's mishandling of the pandemic,” said Democratic strategist Brad Bannon. “Reade's accusations are serious, but millions of Americans have bigger fish to fry in the midst of the medical and economic devastation caused by the coronavirus outbreak.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-08--'Testing off the charts': Trump strategy to make China a campaign issue backed by polling

Pledging to hold China accountable for the coronavirus is the hottest message in Republican politics , and it resonates with independents , bolstering President Trump ’ s strategy to turn Beijing into a key issue in the fall campaign .
Republican voters overwhelmingly blame China for the pandemic and support action by the United States to retaliate against the ruling communist party .
Polls show GOP anger with the Asian power is boiling over amid mounting deaths and job losses .
But a healthy majority of independents agree , and Republican pollsters who are gauging voter opinion of Beijing in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision to elevate the message is a no-brainer .
“ The China message is testing off the charts in our GOP primary polling , ” veteran Republican pollster Neil Newhouse said Thursday .
The coronavirus , which originated in Wuhan , has infected more than 1.2 million people in the U.S. , leaving nearly 76,000 dead .
Meanwhile , more than 35 million people have lost their jobs since early March .
Some voters hold Trump responsible — yet more blame the Chinese regime , charging a cover-up that prevented the U.S. from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In a national survey conducted last week by Republican pollster David Winston , China ’ s favorability among American voters had plummeted to 14 % , with 67 % disapproving .
When the poll asked respondents to agree or disagree with the statement : “ China misled the world about the seriousness of the coronavirus , ” 69 % agreed , and just 13 % disagreed .
And when asked if U.S. dependence on China for its manufacturing supply chain was a serious problem , 76 % said yes , and 12 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why Trump is planning to make an issue of China ’ s malfeasance in his reelection campaign and why congressional Republicans are already doing so .
“ When you look at the numbers , they cut across party lines , ” Winston said .
“ There ’ s a clear dissatisfaction with China.
” This week , Trump compared the coronavirus outbreak to the attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan during World War II and said it “ is worse ” than the Sept. 11 , 2001 , terrorist attacks .
And the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was negligent .
“ Could ’ ve been stopped in China , '' he said .
`` It could ’ ve been stopped right at the source .
And it wasn ’ t. ” Meantime , the Trump campaign is accusing presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden of being too cozy with Beijing .
Navigator , a consortium of Democratic firms that tracks voter reaction to the pandemic , confirmed that Americans have grown increasingly frustrated with China .
But the group ’ s latest survey shows voters divided as to whether Trump or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ severity of the coronavirus in the U.S. , with 47 % blaming the president and 43 % angry at Beijing .
Navigator ’ s polling also suggests that voters see Trump ’ s beef with China as an attempt to deflect blame ( 58 % ) , rather than holding the regime accountable ( 42 % ) .
Republicans mostly side with Trump , independents lean against him .
These data points , as interpreted by Democratic strategists , offer clues to their plans to defend Biden and use the China issue against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese government ’ s early actions made this crisis worse , ” Navigator spokesman Ian Sams said .
“ But in fact , it was Trump who spent months coddling them , praising their handling of the outbreak and [ Chinese President Xi Jinping ’ s ] vows of transparency.
” But Republican operatives are confident that pointing fingers at China is a winning issue .
They argue that Democrats who blame Trump for the pandemic are carrying water for the Chinese Communist Party and making a mistake that will haunt Biden in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that people are prioritizing the economy .
Even Republican voters are more interested in hearing messages about jobs than they are about punishing China .
A Republican pollster advising congressional candidates is recommending that they capitalize on the China issue through free media .
He is urging them to publish op-eds , appear on talk radio and in cable news programs , and post on social media platforms .
But this pollster is telling clients that all paid campaign messaging , such as television advertising , should focus on their agenda for reviving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus .
“ I ’ m suggesting they go after China hard , ” the GOP pollster said .
“ But paid efforts should focus on the economy .
”

Pledging to hold China accountable for the coronavirus is the hottest message in Republican politics, and it resonates with independents, bolstering President Trump’s strategy to turn Beijing into a key issue in the fall campaign.
Republican voters overwhelmingly blame China for the pandemic and support action by the United States to retaliate against the ruling communist party. Polls show GOP anger with the Asian power is boiling over amid mounting deaths and job losses. But a healthy majority of independents agree, and Republican pollsters who are gauging voter opinion of Beijing in private surveys say that Trump’s decision to elevate the message is a no-brainer.
“The China message is testing off the charts in our GOP primary polling,” veteran Republican pollster Neil Newhouse said Thursday.
The coronavirus, which originated in Wuhan, has infected more than 1.2 million people in the U.S., leaving nearly 76,000 dead. Meanwhile, more than 35 million people have lost their jobs since early March. Some voters hold Trump responsible — yet more blame the Chinese regime, charging a cover-up that prevented the U.S. from saving lives and avoiding a recession.
In a national survey conducted last week by Republican pollster David Winston, China’s favorability among American voters had plummeted to 14%, with 67% viewing the country unfavorably. When the poll asked respondents to agree or disagree with the statement “China misled the world about the seriousness of the coronavirus,” 69% agreed, and just 13% disagreed. And when asked if U.S. dependence on China for its manufacturing supply chain was a serious problem, 76% said yes, and 12% said no.
This broad-based concern explains why Trump is planning to make an issue of China’s malfeasance in his reelection campaign and why congressional Republicans are already doing so.
“When you look at the numbers, they cut across party lines,” Winston said. “There’s a clear dissatisfaction with China.”
This week, Trump compared the coronavirus outbreak to the attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan during World War II and said it “is worse” than the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. And the president emphasized that it happened because China was negligent. “Could’ve been stopped in China," he said. "It could’ve been stopped right at the source. And it wasn’t.”
Meanwhile, the Trump campaign is accusing presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden of being too cozy with Beijing.
Navigator, a consortium of Democratic firms that tracks voter reaction to the pandemic, confirmed that Americans have grown increasingly frustrated with China.
But the group’s latest survey shows voters divided as to whether Trump or the Chinese government is responsible for the severity of the coronavirus in the U.S., with 47% blaming the president and 43% angry at Beijing. Navigator’s polling also suggests that voters see Trump’s beef with China as an attempt to deflect blame (58%), rather than hold the regime accountable (42%). Republicans mostly side with Trump; independents lean against him.
These data points, as interpreted by Democratic strategists, offer clues to their plans to defend Biden and use the China issue against Trump.
“Democrats understand that the Chinese government’s early actions made this crisis worse,” Navigator adviser Ian Sams said. “But, in fact, it was Trump who spent months coddling them, praising their handling of the outbreak and [Chinese President Xi Jinping’s] vows of transparency.”
But Republican operatives are confident that pointing fingers at China is a winning issue. They argue that Democrats who blame Trump for the pandemic are carrying water for the Chinese Communist Party and making a mistake that will haunt Biden in November.
Nevertheless, Republican pollsters caution that people are prioritizing the economy. Even Republican voters are more interested in hearing messages about jobs than they are about punishing China.
A Republican pollster advising congressional candidates is recommending that they capitalize on the China issue through free media. He is urging them to publish op-eds, appear on talk radio and in cable news programs, and post on social media platforms. But this pollster is telling clients that all paid campaign messaging, such as television advertising, should focus on their agenda for reviving an economy that has been devastated by the coronavirus.
“I’m suggesting they go after China hard,” the GOP pollster said. “But paid efforts should focus on the economy.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-08--'These claims are flat-out false': Biden rejects Tara Reade call to drop out

Joe Biden said he is not dropping out of the presidential race .
On Thursday night , the former vice president rejected a call for him to drop out by Tara Reade , a former staffer of Biden who alleges he sexually assaulted her in 1993 .
“ Tara Reade spoke out today with Megyn Kelly , saying she ’ d like to see you drop out of the race , we ’ d like to get your response to that , '' Spectrum News anchor Holly Gregory asked Biden .
`` Well , look , nothing ever happened with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Believing women means taking a woman 's claim seriously when she steps forward and then vetting it , looking into it .
... Women have a right to be heard , and the press should rigorously investigate claims like these .
I 'll always uphold that principle .
But , in the end , in every case , the truth is what matters .
And in this case , the truth is these claims are flat-out false . ''
In an upcoming interview with journalist Megyn Kelly , Reade said she would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her claims , but said Biden should be subject to a polygraph test .
`` I 'm not a criminal .
Joe Biden should take the polygraph .
What kind of precedent does that set for survivors of violence ?
Does that mean we 're presumed guilty , and we all have to take polygraphs ?
So , I will take one if Joe Biden takes one .
But I 'm not a criminal , '' Reade told Kelly .
According to Reade , Biden forced himself upon her in the Capitol in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with his fingers .
Biden and his three office staffers have repeatedly denied the claim .

Joe Biden said he is not dropping out of the presidential race.
On Thursday night, the former vice president rejected a call for him to drop out by Tara Reade, a former staffer of Biden who alleges he sexually assaulted her in 1993.
“Tara Reade spoke out today with Megyn Kelly, saying she’d like to see you drop out of the race, we’d like to get your response to that," Spectrum News anchor Holly Gregory asked Biden.
"Well, look, nothing ever happened with Tara Reade," Biden began. "Believing women means taking a woman's claim seriously when she steps forward and then vetting it, looking into it. ... Women have a right to be heard, and the press should rigorously investigate claims like these. I'll always uphold that principle. But, in the end, in every case, the truth is what matters. And in this case, the truth is these claims are flat-out false."
In an upcoming interview with journalist Megyn Kelly, Reade said she would be willing to testify under oath about her claims, but said Biden should be subject to a polygraph test.
"I'm not a criminal. Joe Biden should take the polygraph. What kind of precedent does that set for survivors of violence? Does that mean we're presumed guilty, and we all have to take polygraphs? So, I will take one if Joe Biden takes one. But I'm not a criminal," Reade told Kelly.
According to Reade, Biden forced himself upon her in the Capitol in 1993, kissing her and penetrating her with his fingers. Biden and his three office staffers have repeatedly denied the claim.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-08--California first state to commit to sending every voter a mail-in ballot for November election due t

California first state to commit to sending every voter a mail-in ballot for November election due to coronavirus

California Gov .
Gavin Newsom signed an executive order Friday that directs the state to mail every registered voter a ballot for the November election due to the coronavirus pandemic .
“ There ’ s a lot of excitement around this November ’ s election in terms of making sure that you can conduct yourself in a safe way and make sure your health is protected , ” Newsom said .
California , which has 20.6 million voters , already has a majority of voters who vote by mail .
In the state 's March primary election , 72 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 14 counties already mail every voter a ballot for elections .
But it will be the first state in the country to commit to sending every voter in the state a mail-in ballot .
`` There 's no safer , physically distancing , healthier way to exercise your right to vote than from the safety and convenience of your own home , '' California Secretary of State Alex Padilla said .
“ It ’ s great for public health .
It ’ s great for voting rights .
It ’ s gon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Five states had total vote-by-mail elections before the coronavirus pandemic : Colorado , Hawaii , Oregon , Utah , and Washington .
Newsom 's action came at the request of the chairmen of two state legislative committees who were working on legislation to accomplish a similar goal but worried that local officials would not have enough time to implement total vote-by-mail systems if they had to wait for a bill to move through the legislature .
Some physical polling places will remain open on election day in order to accommodate disabled voters .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for vote-by-mail elections and Republicans push back .
President Trump tweeted opposition to mail-in voting last month , saying that it has `` tremendous potential for voter fraud , and for whatever reason , does n't work out well for Republicans . ''

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order Friday that directs the state to mail every registered voter a ballot for the November election due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“There’s a lot of excitement around this November’s election in terms of making sure that you can conduct yourself in a safe way and make sure your health is protected,” Newsom said.
California, which has 20.6 million voters, already has a majority of voters who vote by mail. In the state's March primary election, 72% of ballots were cast by mail, and 14 counties already mail every voter a ballot for elections.
But it will be the first state in the country to commit to sending every voter in the state a mail-in ballot.
"There's no safer, physically distancing, healthier way to exercise your right to vote than from the safety and convenience of your own home," California Secretary of State Alex Padilla said. “It’s great for public health. It’s great for voting rights. It’s gonna be great for participation."
Five states had total vote-by-mail elections before the coronavirus pandemic: Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.
Newsom's action came at the request of the chairmen of two state legislative committees who were working on legislation to accomplish a similar goal but worried that local officials would not have enough time to implement total vote-by-mail systems if they had to wait for a bill to move through the legislature.
Some physical polling places will remain open on election day in order to accommodate disabled voters.
The decision comes as Democrats nationwide call for vote-by-mail elections and Republicans push back.
President Trump tweeted opposition to mail-in voting last month, saying that it has "tremendous potential for voter fraud, and for whatever reason, doesn't work out well for Republicans."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-08--Trump claims Democrats don't want economic recovery 'for political reasons'

President Trump alleged that Democrats are hoping the economy does n't bounce back so they can capitalize on it politically .
“ The people want to come back .
You see what ’ s going on at statehouses all over the country .
They want to come back , ” Trump said at a White House meeting with congressional Republicans , according to Politico .
“ I think some people don ’ t want it really to come back , for political reasons , which is sick .
But the people — the real people , the people that want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great again — we can say they want to get back.
” The president made similar claims in an interview with Fox & Friends , saying Democratic governors are seeking to extend the stay-at-home orders meant to prevent the spread of the coronavirus as a way to harm the president 's reelection chances .
“ I will tell you , you look at some cases , some people think they ’ re doing it for politics .
Here we go again .
But they think they ’ re doing it because it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ takes to — hurt me in the election , the longer it takes to open up , ” he said .
`` They ’ re being ridiculous .
I ’ ve looked at a couple of states that are being absolutely ridiculous .
But ultimately , the people are forcing it .
I see what ’ s going on.
” The president 's remarks came the same day the Labor Department reported that the economy lost 20.5 million jobs in April while the unemployment rate also skyrocketed to 14.7 % in April , @ @ @ @ @ @ @

President Trump alleged that Democrats are hoping the economy doesn't bounce back so they can capitalize on it politically.
“The people want to come back. You see what’s going on at statehouses all over the country. They want to come back,” Trump said at a White House meeting with congressional Republicans, according to Politico. “I think some people don’t want it really to come back, for political reasons, which is sick. But the people — the real people, the people that want this country to be great, and great again — we can say they want to get back.”
The president made similar claims in an interview with Fox & Friends, saying Democratic governors are seeking to extend the stay-at-home orders meant to prevent the spread of the coronavirus as a way to harm the president's reelection chances.
“I will tell you, you look at some cases, some people think they’re doing it for politics. Here we go again. But they think they’re doing it because it’ll hurt me, the longer it takes to — hurt me in the election, the longer it takes to open up,” he said. "They’re being ridiculous. I’ve looked at a couple of states that are being absolutely ridiculous. But ultimately, the people are forcing it. I see what’s going on.”
The president's remarks came the same day the Labor Department reported that the economy lost 20.5 million jobs in April while the unemployment rate also skyrocketed to 14.7% in April, up from 4.4% in March.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-08--'Very twisted mind': Illhan Omar challenger slams Democrat over tweet saying DOJ dropped Flynn charg

'Very twisted mind': Illhan Omar challenger slams Democrat over tweet saying DOJ dropped Flynn charges because of 'white privilege'

One of Rep. Ilhan Omar ’ s Republican challengers castigated the Democrat for claiming the dismissal of charges against retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn happened because of “ white privilege.
” “ Ilhan has a very twisted mind , ” Lacy Johnson tweeted on Friday .
“ This kind of thinking is dangerous to the citizens of the Minnesota 5th district and to the core American values we so cherish .
She wants to abolish ice , change the rule of law , uncontrolled mass immigration , and so many other dangerous ideas.
” Johnson was reacting to a tweet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the endorsement of President Trump to represent Minnesota ’ s 5th Congressional District .
“ And I ’ m Endorsing you also Lacy , you truly deserve it , ” the president tweeted .
“ You are doing a great job , and Omar is a disaster who wants much higher taxes , hates our Military & our Vets , demands Open Borders , and is fighting to take away our great 2nd Amendment .
Good luck Lacy !
” Johnson is set to against five other Republicans , including Iraqi refugee and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primary election on Aug. 11 before the general election on Nov. 3 .

One of Rep. Ilhan Omar’s Republican challengers castigated the Democrat for claiming the dismissal of charges against retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn happened because of “white privilege.”
“Ilhan has a very twisted mind,” Lacy Johnson tweeted on Friday. “This kind of thinking is dangerous to the citizens of the Minnesota 5th district and to the core American values we so cherish. She wants to abolish ice, change the rule of law, uncontrolled mass immigration, and so many other dangerous ideas.”
Ilhan has a very twisted mind.
This kind of thinking is dangerous to the citizens of the Minnesota 5th district and to the core American values we so cherish.
She wants to abolish ice, change the rule of law, uncontrolled mass immigration, and so many other dangerous ideas. pic.twitter.com/nGMdPEj1BQ — Lacy Johnson (@LacyJohnsonMN) May 8, 2020
Johnson was reacting to a tweet from Omar on Thursday.
White privilege at work. https://t.co/KfqzcvwXiV — Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) May 7, 2020
Johnson recently earned the endorsement of President Trump to represent Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District.
“And I’m Endorsing you also Lacy, you truly deserve it,” the president tweeted. “You are doing a great job, and Omar is a disaster who wants much higher taxes, hates our Military & our Vets, demands Open Borders, and is fighting to take away our great 2nd Amendment. Good luck Lacy!”
And I’m Endorsing you also Lacy, you truly deserve it. You are doing a great job, and Omar is a disaster who wants much higher taxes, hates our Military & our Vets, demands Open Borders, and is fighting to take away our great 2nd Amendment. Good luck Lacy! https://t.co/RunIPCbTyc — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 4, 2020


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-08--Prominent Republican Jewish group backs Iowa Rep. Steve King's primary challenger

The Republican Jewish Coalition is jumping into a closely watched GOP primary in conservative northwest Iowa , directing its lucrative donor network to support a state senator challenging controversial Rep. Steve King .
In backing Randy Feenstra over King , the RJC said it was compelled to act after considering King ’ s long history of incendiary comments and association with questionable political figures .
The group cited King ’ s endorsement of a white supremacist who ran for mayor of Toronto in 2018 — and an interview with the New York Times the same year in which he appeared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nationalist ” and “ white supremacist ” are not offensive .
“ We have made it clear for some time that Rep. King does not represent the values of the Republican Jewish Coalition or the Republican Party , ” RJC Executive Director Matt Brooks said in a statement .
The group maintains close ties to President Trump .
King ’ s staunch opposition to illegal immigration has attracted a national following among conservative activists .
But in the past couple of years , the veteran congressman has come under fire from Republicans in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rhetoric deemed racist , anti-Semitic , and xenophobic .
Republicans also have criticized King for associating with anti-Semites .
After King limped to reelection in 2018 , House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California stripped the congressman of his committee assignments .
King claims his comments have been twisted by his political opponents who take issue with his views on immigration and his pro-life stance .
In an interview with the Washington Examiner last August , after a town hall meeting with voters in Iowa , King said , “ None of my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s endorsement of Feenstra could make a difference if the group 's members answer the call to open their wallets .
As of March 31 , King ’ s campaign reported cash reserves of just under $ 27,000 — a paltry sum that could hamstring the congressman in Iowa ’ s June 2 primary .

The Republican Jewish Coalition is jumping into a closely watched GOP primary in conservative northwest Iowa, directing its lucrative donor network to support a state senator challenging controversial Rep. Steve King.
In backing Randy Feenstra over King, the RJC said it was compelled to act after considering King’s long history of incendiary comments and association with questionable political figures. The group cited King’s endorsement of a white supremacist who ran for mayor of Toronto in 2018 — and an interview with the New York Times the same year in which he appeared to argue that the terms “white nationalist” and “white supremacist” are not offensive.
“We have made it clear for some time that Rep. King does not represent the values of the Republican Jewish Coalition or the Republican Party,” RJC Executive Director Matt Brooks said in a statement. The group maintains close ties to President Trump.
King’s staunch opposition to illegal immigration has attracted a national following among conservative activists.
But in the past couple of years, the veteran congressman has come under fire from Republicans in Washington and Iowa for his use of rhetoric deemed racist, anti-Semitic, and xenophobic. Republicans also have criticized King for associating with anti-Semites. After King limped to reelection in 2018, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California stripped the congressman of his committee assignments.
King claims his comments have been twisted by his political opponents who take issue with his views on immigration and his pro-life stance. In an interview with the Washington Examiner last August, after a town hall meeting with voters in Iowa, King said, “None of my language was offensive.”
The RJC’s endorsement of Feenstra could make a difference if the group's members answer the call to open their wallets. As of March 31, King’s campaign reported cash reserves of just under $27,000 — a paltry sum that could hamstring the congressman in Iowa’s June 2 primary.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-08--Trump says he hopes sexual assault allegation against Biden is false

President Trump weighed in on the sexual assault allegation against his presumptive Democratic challenger Joe Biden .
On Friday , Trump seemed to sympathize with Biden on the accusation that 's plagued the former vice president 's campaign .
Biden is accused of sexually assaulting former Senate staffer Tara Reade in 1993 when he was serving as a senator for Delaware .
Reade would have been 28 years old at the time .
`` Look , he 's got to fight that battle , '' Trump said Friday on Fox & Friends .
`` I 've had battles , too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many times . ''
Trump himself has been accused by at least 25 women of sexual misconduct since he was still a rising real estate mogul in the 1970s .
The president claims the allegations against him are `` false '' and said he hopes the one against Biden comes out that way too .
`` Maybe it is a false accusation , '' Trump said .
`` Frankly , I hope it is for his sake . ''
Reade , now 56 , Biden sexually harassed her and assaulted her by forcibly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fingers .
Reade says she complained about the harassment when it was happening but not the assault to top staff members who deny ever hearing from her .
Friends of Reade say they remember hearing about what happened to a varying extent of detail .
On Thursday , Reade told former Fox News and NBC journalist Megyn Kelly she wishes Biden would drop out of the presidential race .
Reade criticized Biden 's campaign , suggesting they 've taken the position that they want women to be able to speak safely about sexual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experienced that , '' Reade said .
Since the allegations came to light , Reade said she 's experienced a series of negative encounters on social media and has been accused of being a Russian agent — a claim she says has escalated into death threats for her being a `` traitor to America . ''
Biden denies the allegations but has not opposed an investigation into the matter .
Last week , Biden said in a statement that he has not reached out to Reade and does n't remember her making a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never happened , and when she first made the claim , we made it clear that it never happened , and it 's as simple as that , '' Biden said .

President Trump weighed in on the sexual assault allegation against his presumptive Democratic challenger Joe Biden.
On Friday, Trump seemed to sympathize with Biden on the accusation that's plagued the former vice president's campaign. Biden is accused of sexually assaulting former Senate staffer Tara Reade in 1993 when he was serving as a senator for Delaware. Reade would have been 28 years old at the time.
"Look, he's got to fight that battle," Trump said Friday on Fox & Friends. "I've had battles, too, where I've had false accusations many times."
Trump himself has been accused by at least 25 women of sexual misconduct since he was still a rising real estate mogul in the 1970s. The president claims the allegations against him are "false" and said he hopes the one against Biden comes out that way too.
"Maybe it is a false accusation," Trump said. "Frankly, I hope it is for his sake."
Reade, now 56, alleges Biden sexually harassed her and assaulted her by forcibly kissing her and penetrating her with his fingers. Reade says she complained about the harassment when it was happening but not the assault to top staff members who deny ever hearing from her. Friends of Reade say they remember hearing about what happened to a varying extent of detail.
On Thursday, Reade told former Fox News and NBC journalist Megyn Kelly she wishes Biden would drop out of the presidential race.
Reade criticized Biden's campaign, suggesting they've taken the position that they want women to be able to speak safely about sexual misconduct situations.
"I have not experienced that," Reade said.
Since the allegations came to light, Reade said she's experienced a series of negative encounters on social media and has been accused of being a Russian agent — a claim she says has escalated into death threats for her being a "traitor to America."
Biden denies the allegations but has not opposed an investigation into the matter.
Last week, Biden said in a statement that he has not reached out to Reade and doesn't remember her making a complaint in the 1990s.
"This never happened, and when she first made the claim, we made it clear that it never happened, and it's as simple as that," Biden said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-08--'Inconsistencies keep emerging': Biden campaign escalates Tara Reade allegation defense

Joe Biden 's campaign released a statement Thursday highlighting inconsistencies in Tara Reade 's allegations that he sexually harassed and assaulted her when she worked in his Senate office in 1993 .
`` An inescapable fact in the case of these false allegations is that more and more inconsistencies keep emerging , '' deputy Biden campaign manager Kate Bedingfield said in a statement on Thursday .
She pointed to an Associated Press interview with Reade from 2019 that the news service published Friday , in which Reade talked about allegations that Biden made her uncomfortable : `` I was n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to take me in a room or anything .
It was n't that kind of vibe . ''
`` This is the complete opposite of the current allegation , first made in March of this year , '' Bedingfield said .
In 2019 , Reade , 56 , publicly accused Biden of inappropriately touching her hair and neck , in addition to mistreatment from senior staff in his office .
She did not , however , accuse him of sexual assault , which she describes as Biden forcibly kissing her and penetrating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this year .
Reade has said that she did not reveal the assault allegation in part because she was afraid and in part because of how reporters at the time talked to her .
Bedingfield also pointed to a Vox article about Reade 's allegations .
`` The same anonymous friend who now backs Reade 's current allegation told a Vox reporter a very different story last year about Reade 's experience , '' Bedingfield said .
In 2019 , the unnamed friend said that Biden `` never tried to kiss her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of those touches .
It was one of those , 'Sorry you took it that way . '
I know that is very hard to explain . ''
The unnamed friend explained the change in her recollection by saying , “ It just organically rolled out that way .
... [ Reade ] and I had many conversations a year ago about what her degree of comfort was .
She wanted to leave a layer there , and I did not want to betray that .
It just wasn ’ t my place.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ more inconsistencies arise , '' Bedingfield said .
`` Women must receive the benefit of the doubt .
They must be able to come forward and share their stories without fear of retribution or harm — and we all have a responsibility to ensure that .
At the same time , we can never sacrifice the truth .
And the truth is that these allegations are false and that the material that has been presented to back them up , under scrutiny , keeps proving their falsity . ''
Several other people have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1990s about sexual harassment or sexual assault from Biden or while working in his office with varying degrees of detail .
A 1996 court document from Reade 's ex-husband revealed Thursday shows that he said Reade told him about sexual harassment , but not assault , when she worked in Biden 's office , though it did not specify that Biden was the one who harassed her .
Just before appearing on MSNBC 's Morning Joe to deny Reade 's allegations personally on May 1 , Biden said in a written statement that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in her story '' but opted not to emphasize that during the on-camera interview .
Reade obtained legal representation from Wigdor LLP , which represents several accusers of movie executive Harvey Weinstein , the firm announced on Thursday .

Joe Biden's campaign released a statement Thursday highlighting inconsistencies in Tara Reade's allegations that he sexually harassed and assaulted her when she worked in his Senate office in 1993.
"An inescapable fact in the case of these false allegations is that more and more inconsistencies keep emerging," deputy Biden campaign manager Kate Bedingfield said in a statement on Thursday.
She pointed to an Associated Press interview with Reade from 2019 that the news service published Friday, in which Reade talked about allegations that Biden made her uncomfortable: "I wasn't scared of him, that he was going to take me in a room or anything. It wasn't that kind of vibe."
"This is the complete opposite of the current allegation, first made in March of this year," Bedingfield said.
In 2019, Reade, 56, publicly accused Biden of inappropriately touching her hair and neck, in addition to mistreatment from senior staff in his office. She did not, however, accuse him of sexual assault, which she describes as Biden forcibly kissing her and penetrating her with his fingers, until March of this year. Reade has said that she did not reveal the assault allegation in part because she was afraid and in part because of how reporters at the time talked to her.
Bedingfield also pointed to a Vox article about Reade's allegations.
"The same anonymous friend who now backs Reade's current allegation told a Vox reporter a very different story last year about Reade's experience," Bedingfield said.
In 2019, the unnamed friend said that Biden "never tried to kiss her directly. He never went for one of those touches. It was one of those, 'Sorry you took it that way.' I know that is very hard to explain."
The unnamed friend explained the change in her recollection by saying, “It just organically rolled out that way. ... [Reade] and I had many conversations a year ago about what her degree of comfort was. She wanted to leave a layer there, and I did not want to betray that. It just wasn’t my place.”
"Every day, more and more inconsistencies arise," Bedingfield said. "Women must receive the benefit of the doubt. They must be able to come forward and share their stories without fear of retribution or harm — and we all have a responsibility to ensure that. At the same time, we can never sacrifice the truth. And the truth is that these allegations are false and that the material that has been presented to back them up, under scrutiny, keeps proving their falsity."
Several other people have said that Reade told them in the 1990s about sexual harassment or sexual assault from Biden or while working in his office with varying degrees of detail. A 1996 court document from Reade's ex-husband revealed Thursday shows that he said Reade told him about sexual harassment, but not assault, when she worked in Biden's office, though it did not specify that Biden was the one who harassed her.
Just before appearing on MSNBC's Morning Joe to deny Reade's allegations personally on May 1, Biden said in a written statement that Reade had a "record of inconsistencies in her story" but opted not to emphasize that during the on-camera interview.
Reade obtained legal representation from Wigdor LLP, which represents several accusers of movie executive Harvey Weinstein, the firm announced on Thursday.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-08--Biden failing to attract young voters despite pivot to the left

Despite Joe Biden 's policy concessions to the left flank of the Democratic Party , young liberals , a key voting group , still are n't sold on the idea of his presidential candidacy .
A recent Morning Consult poll found that 40 % of Democrats under 45 said they want the party to select a nominee other than Biden , compared to 26 % of all Democrats .
Much of the reaction against Biden , a former two-term vice president and 36-year Delaware senator , appears to stem from allegations from former Senate aide Tara Reade , who claims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hallway in 1993 .
The poll found that 53 % of younger Democrats thought Biden 's denial of the allegations were credible , compared to 67 % of Democrats over the age of 45 .
A Monmouth poll found that 45 % of all voters aged 18 to 34 said they thought Reade was telling the truth .
A focus group conducted by NextGen America found a lack of enthusiasm by younger millennial and Generation Z voters in 11 swing states , including Wisconsin , Michigan , and Florida .
Most of those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders 's socialist message and did n't see the former vice president as relatable , while others cited concerns about Reade 's allegations .
“ On the other hand , there are clear warning signs , ” the firm that oversaw the focus group wrote .
“ For now , perceptions that Biden is too close to corporate interests or that he is dishonest often appear linked to more general perceptions of him as a ‘ typical ’ or ‘ career politician , ’ rather than someone who is particularly bad.
” That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ November , with multiple polls showing a clear enthusiasm gap between Republicans and Democrats .
One Emerson College survey found GOP voters more excited to vote in November by 19 points .
Throughout the primary , Biden dismissed concerns by younger voters and called Sanders 's revolutionary political style unrealistic .
In a fundraiser , he pitched himself as a `` transition candidate '' who would staff his administration with future political leaders such as former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg .
Since his series of primary victories on Super @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several policy proposals , hoping to alleviate concerns from liberal voters that he will bring sufficient change to the country .
Before his final debate with Sanders in March , Biden announced a modified free college proposal that borrowed from the Vermont senator 's own policy basket .
`` Today , Biden is adding to his agenda by adopting Sen. Sanders 's proposal to make public colleges and universities tuition-free for all students whose family incomes are below $ 125,000 , '' his campaign said in a statement .
Before then , Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community college tuition-free .
Biden also announced his support for bankruptcy reform , a cause long championed by Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren , a former 2020 primary rival .
During a digital press briefing in March , Biden said a `` green deal '' costing $ 1.7 trillion should be part of the next round of stimulus passed by Congress .
`` We 're going to have an opportunity , I believe , in the next round here to use the , my green economy — my , my green deal , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ growth as consistent with the kind of infusion of monies we need into the system to keep it going , '' he said .
Climate change has consistently ranked as a top concern for younger voters , along with `` Medicare for all , '' which Biden has repeatedly condemned as unrealistic and too expensive .
Sanders 's `` Green New Deal '' proposal , in contrast , had a price tag of $ 16 trillion .

Despite Joe Biden's policy concessions to the left flank of the Democratic Party, young liberals, a key voting group, still aren't sold on the idea of his presidential candidacy.
A recent Morning Consult poll found that 40% of Democrats under 45 said they want the party to select a nominee other than Biden, compared to 26% of all Democrats.
Much of the reaction against Biden, a former two-term vice president and 36-year Delaware senator, appears to stem from allegations from former Senate aide Tara Reade, who claims Biden sexually assaulted her in a congressional hallway in 1993. The poll found that 53% of younger Democrats thought Biden's denial of the allegations were credible, compared to 67% of Democrats over the age of 45. A Monmouth poll found that 45% of all voters aged 18 to 34 said they thought Reade was telling the truth.
A focus group conducted by NextGen America found a lack of enthusiasm by younger millennial and Generation Z voters in 11 swing states, including Wisconsin, Michigan, and Florida. Most of those voters said they preferred Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders's socialist message and didn't see the former vice president as relatable, while others cited concerns about Reade's allegations.
“On the other hand, there are clear warning signs,” the firm that oversaw the focus group wrote. “For now, perceptions that Biden is too close to corporate interests or that he is dishonest often appear linked to more general perceptions of him as a ‘typical’ or ‘career politician,’ rather than someone who is particularly bad.”
That lack of enthusiasm could hurt Biden in November, with multiple polls showing a clear enthusiasm gap between Republicans and Democrats. One Emerson College survey found GOP voters more excited to vote in November by 19 points.
Throughout the primary, Biden dismissed concerns by younger voters and called Sanders's revolutionary political style unrealistic. In a fundraiser, he pitched himself as a "transition candidate" who would staff his administration with future political leaders such as former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg.
Since his series of primary victories on Super Tuesday and beyond, Biden has released several policy proposals, hoping to alleviate concerns from liberal voters that he will bring sufficient change to the country.
Before his final debate with Sanders in March, Biden announced a modified free college proposal that borrowed from the Vermont senator's own policy basket.
"Today, Biden is adding to his agenda by adopting Sen. Sanders's proposal to make public colleges and universities tuition-free for all students whose family incomes are below $125,000," his campaign said in a statement. Before then, Biden had said he only wished to make community college tuition-free.
Biden also announced his support for bankruptcy reform, a cause long championed by Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a former 2020 primary rival.
During a digital press briefing in March, Biden said a "green deal" costing $1.7 trillion should be part of the next round of stimulus passed by Congress.
"We're going to have an opportunity, I believe, in the next round here to use the, my green economy — my, my green deal, or to be able to generate both economic growth as consistent with the kind of infusion of monies we need into the system to keep it going," he said.
Climate change has consistently ranked as a top concern for younger voters, along with "Medicare for all," which Biden has repeatedly condemned as unrealistic and too expensive.
Sanders's "Green New Deal" proposal, in contrast, had a price tag of $16 trillion.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-09--Tara Reade: Biden aides who rebut her ‘complicit’

The woman accusing Joe Biden of sexual assault blasted key members of his Senate staff for enabling what she describes as inappropriate behavior toward women .
Tara Reade alleges Biden , the presumptive 2020 Democratic presidential nominee , forcibly kissed and penetrated her with his fingers in 1993 when she worked for him as a staff assistant on Capitol Hill .
She was 28 , and he was the much older senator from Delaware .
Reade , now 56 , claims she complained to three of her colleagues at the time that Biden sexually harassed her , though not that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden 's former executive assistant , Ted Kaufman , his then-chief of staff who 's now helping the two-term former vice president put together a transition team , and Dennis Toner , Biden 's ex-deputy chief of staff , each deny Reade 's story .
`` Well , you have to look at the source , I mean , they 're still working with Biden , '' she told Megyn Kelly , with the exception of Baker , who has retired .
Reade added , `` Their job was to cover what he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enabled and allowed his behavior to continue , and they know who they are .
And in a way , they 're complicit . ''
Reade is facing a torrent of scrutiny for allegedly shifting details of her story and statements she 's made in the past praising Biden .
Biden , for his part , insists her account `` never happened . ''
While she did n't make a copy of a paper complaint to the Senate regarding her harassment charge , several confidantes say she relayed the incident to them at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Most Democrats , some of who advocated for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh 's accuser , Christine Blasey Ford , have fallen in line behind the party 's presumptive standard-bearer .
Reade said the reaction made her `` angry because those are people that I respected . ''
Kelly , a former Fox News and NBC News host turned freelancer , pressed Reade on whether the timing of her decision to come forward was politically motivated .
`` Everything 's political , right ?
But this is deeper than that .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me be elevated to the highest office in the land .
He 's running on a platform of character , and I just found that gross , '' Reade replied .

The woman accusing Joe Biden of sexual assault blasted key members of his Senate staff for enabling what she describes as inappropriate behavior toward women.
Tara Reade alleges Biden, the presumptive 2020 Democratic presidential nominee, forcibly kissed and penetrated her with his fingers in 1993 when she worked for him as a staff assistant on Capitol Hill. She was 28, and he was the much older senator from Delaware.
Reade, now 56, claims she complained to three of her colleagues at the time that Biden sexually harassed her, though not that he assaulted her. Marianne Baker, Biden's former executive assistant, Ted Kaufman, his then-chief of staff who's now helping the two-term former vice president put together a transition team, and Dennis Toner, Biden's ex-deputy chief of staff, each deny Reade's story.
"Well, you have to look at the source, I mean, they're still working with Biden," she told Megyn Kelly, with the exception of Baker, who has retired.
Reade added, "Their job was to cover what he did. There are people that have enabled and allowed his behavior to continue, and they know who they are. And in a way, they're complicit."
Reade is facing a torrent of scrutiny for allegedly shifting details of her story and statements she's made in the past praising Biden. Biden, for his part, insists her account "never happened." While she didn't make a copy of a paper complaint to the Senate regarding her harassment charge, several confidantes say she relayed the incident to them at various points during the last three decades.
Most Democrats, some of who advocated for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh's accuser, Christine Blasey Ford, have fallen in line behind the party's presumptive standard-bearer.
Reade said the reaction made her "angry because those are people that I respected."
Kelly, a former Fox News and NBC News host turned freelancer, pressed Reade on whether the timing of her decision to come forward was politically motivated.
"Everything's political, right? But this is deeper than that. This is about watching the person that assaulted me be elevated to the highest office in the land. He's running on a platform of character, and I just found that gross," Reade replied.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-09--'He said, I want to f--- you': Tara Reade talks Biden allegations in most graphic terms yet in compr

'He said, I want to f--- you': Tara Reade talks Biden allegations in most graphic terms yet in comprehensive Megyn Kelly interview

Tara Reade described her allegations against Joe Biden and questions about her story and background , in the most graphic and comprehensive terms yet in an interview with Megyn Kelly released Friday .
Kelly , a former Fox News host , conducted Reade 's first on-camera interview since Biden personally denied her claims in an interview last week .
Rich McHugh , an investigative reporter who broke major developments in Reade 's claims , produced the interview .
Reade , 56 , alleges that Biden sexually harassed and sexually assaulted her in 1993 when she worked in his Senate office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she says .
One day , Reade said she was told to bring him a gym bag and that Biden penetrated her with his fingers and forcibly kissed her .
`` It happened very quickly .
I remember being pushed up against the wall , '' Reade said .
`` It happened all at once ...
He went down my skirt and then went up ...
He was talking to me at the same time ... And I pulled this way , away from his head , and so he was kissing my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did I want to go somewhere else , in a low voice .
He said some other things , I ca n't remember everything he said , but he said something vulgar . ''
`` May I ask what ? ''
Kelly said .
`` He said , ' I want to f -- - you , ' '' Reade said .
At the end of the exchange , Reade said Biden told her , `` You 're nothing to me . ''
`` I think that 's the hardest thing .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but his words , those words , stayed with me my whole life , '' she said .
She had trouble describing the incident to her mom , she said , because “ I was embarrassed about the underwear I was wearing.
” Top Biden aides , whom Reade says she complained to about feeling uncomfortable , have denied in multiple news reports that she made the complaint .
“ Their job was to cover what he did , '' Reade said .
Reade later addressed skepticism about her claims revolving around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point that she publicly praised Biden on Twitter as recently as 2017 , Reade said : “ I ’ m an expert witness on domestic violence issues , as you know .
So that was an account that was part of awareness of domestic violence ...
I ’ ve always been conflicted about Joe Biden .
I didn ’ t want to talk badly about him , and I wasn ’ t ready to tell my history with Joe Biden at that point at all . ''
Explaining blog posts she made that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said : `` If you read a lot of the posts , they 're a lot about Russia and the anti-Russian sentiment that we have , and I do n't like xenophobia .
I was writing a Russian novel , I was part of a writing group , as I mentioned earlier .
And we were doing creative writing , creative posts .
And I was in the middle of studying about Russia , kind of immersing myself in that .
The truth of the matter is , I 've never been to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it 's like to live there or the human rights violations that , you know , he 's accused of .
And what I would say now is I do n't appreciate his views about , for instance , domestic violence . ''
Reade also told Kelly that she thought Biden should drop out of the presidential race .
On Thursday , the law firm Wigdor LLP announced that it was representing Reade .

Tara Reade described her allegations against Joe Biden and questions about her story and background, in the most graphic and comprehensive terms yet in an interview with Megyn Kelly released Friday.
Kelly, a former Fox News host, conducted Reade's first on-camera interview since Biden personally denied her claims in an interview last week. Rich McHugh, an investigative reporter who broke major developments in Reade's claims, produced the interview.
Reade, 56, alleges that Biden sexually harassed and sexually assaulted her in 1993 when she worked in his Senate office. He uncomfortably touched her neck, she says. One day, Reade said she was told to bring him a gym bag and that Biden penetrated her with his fingers and forcibly kissed her.
"It happened very quickly. I remember being pushed up against the wall," Reade said. "It happened all at once ... He went down my skirt and then went up ... He was talking to me at the same time ... And I pulled this way, away from his head, and so he was kissing my neck area, and he whispered, did I want to go somewhere else, in a low voice. He said some other things, I can't remember everything he said, but he said something vulgar."
"May I ask what?" Kelly said.
"He said, 'I want to f--- you,'" Reade said.
At the end of the exchange, Reade said Biden told her, "You're nothing to me."
"I think that's the hardest thing. And I know people talk about the assault, but his words, those words, stayed with me my whole life," she said. She had trouble describing the incident to her mom, she said, because “I was embarrassed about the underwear I was wearing.”
Top Biden aides, whom Reade says she complained to about feeling uncomfortable, have denied in multiple news reports that she made the complaint.
“Their job was to cover what he did," Reade said.
Reade later addressed skepticism about her claims revolving around her claims.
In response to the point that she publicly praised Biden on Twitter as recently as 2017, Reade said: “I’m an expert witness on domestic violence issues, as you know. So that was an account that was part of awareness of domestic violence ... I’ve always been conflicted about Joe Biden. I didn’t want to talk badly about him, and I wasn’t ready to tell my history with Joe Biden at that point at all."
Explaining blog posts she made that praised Russian president Vladimir Putin, Reade said: "If you read a lot of the posts, they're a lot about Russia and the anti-Russian sentiment that we have, and I don't like xenophobia. I was writing a Russian novel, I was part of a writing group, as I mentioned earlier. And we were doing creative writing, creative posts. And I was in the middle of studying about Russia, kind of immersing myself in that. The truth of the matter is, I've never been to Russia. I don't know what it's like to live there or the human rights violations that, you know, he's accused of. And what I would say now is I don't appreciate his views about, for instance, domestic violence."
Reade also told Kelly that she thought Biden should drop out of the presidential race. On Thursday, the law firm Wigdor LLP announced that it was representing Reade.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-10--WATCH LIVE: Libertarian presidential debate featuring Justin Amash

The Libertarian Party of Kentucky is livestreaming a virtual debate Saturday evening between candidates for the Libertarian Party 's 2020 @ @ @ @ @ begins at 8 p.m. EDT and will feature the first appearance by Rep. Justin Amash @ @ @ @ @ joined the Libertarian Party and announced his intention to run for president in April .
@ @ @ @ @ former presidential candidate Vermin Supreme , Judge Jim Gray , attorney Jacob Hornberger , and @ @ @ @

The Libertarian Party of Kentucky is livestreaming a virtual debate Saturday evening between candidates for the Libertarian Party's 2020 presidential nomination.
The event begins at 8 p.m. EDT and will feature the first appearance by Rep. Justin Amash, a former Republican who joined the Libertarian Party and announced his intention to run for president in April. Amash will square off against former presidential candidate Vermin Supreme, Judge Jim Gray, attorney Jacob Hornberger, and professor Jo Jorgensen.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-09--'Compassion and empathy': California Gov. Newsom endorses Biden for president

California Gov .
Gavin Newsom has endorsed Joe Biden ’ s run for the presidency .
The Democrat said he “ couldn ’ t be more proud ” of Biden or the prospect of his presidency .
Newsom made the announcement Friday during an expensive virtual fundraiser that was done in concert with the Democratic National Committee .
Newsom lauded the former vice president for his “ deep compassion and empathy ” while making the endorsement .
“ I 'm enlivened by your candidacy , ” the governor said .
“ I 'm proud of your service , as we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moment in time and unique moment in our history.
” Biden responded to the endorsement by saying that Newsom was doing “ one hell of a job ” as governor during the coronavirus pandemic , which has forced political events such as the one on Friday evening online .
During the health crisis , Newsom has repeatedly reached across party lines and thanked President Trump for providing federal assistance .
The endorsement came the same day that Newsom signed an executive order directing the state to mail every registered voter a ballot for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic .
Republicans have pushed back on the notion of mail-in voting , with Trump claiming it could lead to voter fraud .

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has endorsed Joe Biden’s run for the presidency.
The Democrat said he “couldn’t be more proud” of Biden or the prospect of his presidency. Newsom made the announcement Friday during an expensive virtual fundraiser that was done in concert with the Democratic National Committee.
Newsom lauded the former vice president for his “deep compassion and empathy” while making the endorsement. “I'm enlivened by your candidacy,” the governor said. “I'm proud of your service, as we all are. This is a unique moment in time and unique moment in our history.”
Biden responded to the endorsement by saying that Newsom was doing “one hell of a job” as governor during the coronavirus pandemic, which has forced political events such as the one on Friday evening online.
During the health crisis, Newsom has repeatedly reached across party lines and thanked President Trump for providing federal assistance.
The endorsement came the same day that Newsom signed an executive order directing the state to mail every registered voter a ballot for the November election in light of the coronavirus pandemic. Republicans have pushed back on the notion of mail-in voting, with Trump claiming it could lead to voter fraud.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-09--GOP cries foul after Los Angeles County official opens voting site in Democratic-heavy area for spec

GOP cries foul after Los Angeles County official opens voting site in Democratic-heavy area for special election

Republicans accused a Los Angeles County official who decided to open an in-person voting site in a Democratic-heavy area of trying to steal the election from their candidate .
The special congressional election scheduled for Tuesday in California ’ s 25th Congressional District , which includes parts of Los Angeles County and Ventura County , is largely a mail-in ballot election due to the COVID-19 pandemic , with few in-person polling sites expected to be open .
Following a request by the Los Angeles County Democratic Party , Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Dean Logan announced on Friday that an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Center would be available to voters in the second weekend of voting in the special election .
“ The request to add a Vote Center came from the Mayor of Lancaster late in the week , and thanks to the City ’ s assistance the RR/CC was able to quickly accommodate the additional Vote Center , ” Logan said in a press release .
`` Due to COVID-19 , the RR/CC encourages voters to vote in the safety of their own home using the Vote by Mail ballot that was issued to every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the RR/CC is required to provide an accessible and safe in-person voting option , '' Logan added .
Logan 's decision to open up an in-person voting center came on the heels of California Gov .
Gavin Newsom 's decision to have the state send mail-in ballots to all registered voters for November 's election .
`` This election is being done by vote by mail .
Every single voter has already received a ballot and can walk to their mailbox and drop it in the mail , '' a Republican strategist told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does it really make when voters already have a ballot in their home to then drive past their mailbox and go to a voting center ? ''
Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel accused Democrats attempting to “ steal ” the election from their candidate , tweeting : “ Democrats are trying to steal the # CA25 special .
Corrupt election official @ DCLogan waited until Friday evening before the election to announce a single new voting location in a Dem-heavy area .
Why ?
Dems demanded one .
Help @ MikeGarcia2020 fight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Democrats of `` trying to steal '' the race .
The special election has become a highly watched race , as the swing district was once occupied by former Democratic Rep. Katie Hill until she resigned from the seat in October .
The winner will finish the remainder of what would have been Hill 's term , which lasts until Jan. 3 , 2021 .
The LA County Democratic Party tweeted back to the NRCC , `` At least the @ NRCC is consistent - voters will always know the @ GOP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make sure it ’ s more difficult to vote or make sure their vote doesn ’ t count .
We believe in democracy , does @ MikeGarcia2020 ? ''
The race pits Democratic Assemblywoman Christy Smith against Mike Garcia , a former naval officer and defense contractor executive who is a first-time candidate .
The election became fairly contentious after Smith mocked Garcia during an online video chat with supporters for often highlighting his military service in his campaign , which generated backlash in the district with a large aerospace industry presence .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Garcia was leading Smith , who was endorsed by Hill , in early absentee ballot returns by Friday evening , which pollster Paul Mitchell told CBS News was likely because older , more conservative adults vote earlier .
Still , some Democrats are beginning to downplay how well Smith may do after a series of campaign missteps and concerns that voter turnout may not be on her side , and they are preparing Smith for a second face-off with Garcia in November .

Republicans accused a Los Angeles County official who decided to open an in-person voting site in a Democratic-heavy area of trying to steal the election from their candidate.
The special congressional election scheduled for Tuesday in California’s 25th Congressional District, which includes parts of Los Angeles County and Ventura County, is largely a mail-in ballot election due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with few in-person polling sites expected to be open.
Following a request by the Los Angeles County Democratic Party, Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Dean Logan announced on Friday that an in-person polling site at the Lancaster Vote Center would be available to voters in the second weekend of voting in the special election.
“The request to add a Vote Center came from the Mayor of Lancaster late in the week, and thanks to the City’s assistance the RR/CC was able to quickly accommodate the additional Vote Center,” Logan said in a press release.
"Due to COVID-19, the RR/CC encourages voters to vote in the safety of their own home using the Vote by Mail ballot that was issued to every registered voter. Although, by law the RR/CC is required to provide an accessible and safe in-person voting option," Logan added.
Logan's decision to open up an in-person voting center came on the heels of California Gov. Gavin Newsom's decision to have the state send mail-in ballots to all registered voters for November's election.
"This election is being done by vote by mail. Every single voter has already received a ballot and can walk to their mailbox and drop it in the mail," a Republican strategist told the Washington Examiner. "What sense does it really make when voters already have a ballot in their home to then drive past their mailbox and go to a voting center?"
FYI - this is LA Clerk @DCLogan, who this morning abruptly opened up an additional voting center in a heavily Dem area after LA Dem Chairman @MarkJGonzalezLA told him to. They are trying to steal the #CA25 all-mail special election from @MikeGarcia2020. https://t.co/aFYIpGFixe — NRCC (@NRCC) May 9, 2020
Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel accused Democrats attempting to “steal” the election from their candidate, tweeting: “Democrats are trying to steal the #CA25 special. Corrupt election official @DCLogan waited until Friday evening before the election to announce a single new voting location in a Dem-heavy area. Why? Dems demanded one. Help @MikeGarcia2020 fight back!”
President Trump also accused the Democrats of "trying to steal" the race.
The special election has become a highly watched race, as the swing district was once occupied by former Democratic Rep. Katie Hill until she resigned from the seat in October. The winner will finish the remainder of what would have been Hill's term, which lasts until Jan. 3, 2021.
The LA County Democratic Party tweeted back to the NRCC, "At least the @NRCC is consistent - voters will always know the @GOP /Republicans will do everything they can to make sure it’s more difficult to vote or make sure their vote doesn’t count. We believe in democracy, does @MikeGarcia2020?"
The race pits Democratic Assemblywoman Christy Smith against Mike Garcia, a former naval officer and defense contractor executive who is a first-time candidate.
The election became fairly contentious after Smith mocked Garcia during an online video chat with supporters for often highlighting his military service in his campaign, which generated backlash in the district with a large aerospace industry presence. She later apologized in a tweet.
Garcia was leading Smith, who was endorsed by Hill, in early absentee ballot returns by Friday evening, which pollster Paul Mitchell told CBS News was likely because older, more conservative adults vote earlier. Still, some Democrats are beginning to downplay how well Smith may do after a series of campaign missteps and concerns that voter turnout may not be on her side, and they are preparing Smith for a second face-off with Garcia in November.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-09--Trump accuses Democrats of 'trying to steal' special election for seat vacated by Katie Hill

President Trump accused Democrats of `` trying to steal '' a special election in southern California .
Tweeting on Saturday morning , Trump said California 's 25th Congressional District contest will be `` rigged '' against Republican candidate Mike Garcia who is competing to win the office vacated by disgraced former Democratic Rep. Katie Hill when she resigned amid a high-profile sex scandal in October .
`` So in California , the Democrats , who fought like crazy to get all mail in only ballots , and succeeded , have just opened a voting booth in the most Democrat area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` They are trying to steal another election .
It ’ s all rigged out there .
These votes must not count .
SCAM ! ''
He was referring to how a request by the Los Angeles County Democratic Party prompted the county registrar to open a new voting center in a deep-blue area late Friday night , prompting swift criticism from Republicans .
Garcia was leading Democratic Assemblywoman Christy Smith , who was endorsed by Hill , in early absentee ballot returns , which pollster Paul Mitchell told CBS News was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote earlier .
The special election is set to take place on Tuesday .
The 25th Congressional District includes parts of Los Angeles County and Ventura County .
Democratic Gov .
Gavin Newsom announced on Friday his plan to send more than 20 million voters a ballot in the mail .
The new measures were adopted due to concerns about the coronavirus , which some experts claim will return in a `` very acute second wave '' this fall .
Republicans , including Trump , have rejected the idea of allowing large parts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mail-in voting because they believe it could lead to `` tremendous potential for voter fraud . ''
Data reviewed by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission and the Election Administration and Voting Surveys found that more than 16 million mail-in ballots went missing between the 2016 and 2018 election cycles .

President Trump accused Democrats of "trying to steal" a special election in southern California.
Tweeting on Saturday morning, Trump said California's 25th Congressional District contest will be "rigged" against Republican candidate Mike Garcia who is competing to win the office vacated by disgraced former Democratic Rep. Katie Hill when she resigned amid a high-profile sex scandal in October.
"So in California, the Democrats, who fought like crazy to get all mail in only ballots, and succeeded, have just opened a voting booth in the most Democrat area in the State," Trump tweeted. "They are trying to steal another election. It’s all rigged out there. These votes must not count. SCAM!"
So in California, the Democrats, who fought like crazy to get all mail in only ballots, and succeeded, have just opened a voting booth in the most Democrat area in the State. They are trying to steal another election. It’s all rigged out there. These votes must not count. SCAM! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 9, 2020
He was referring to how a request by the Los Angeles County Democratic Party prompted the county registrar to open a new voting center in a deep-blue area late Friday night, prompting swift criticism from Republicans.
Garcia was leading Democratic Assemblywoman Christy Smith, who was endorsed by Hill, in early absentee ballot returns, which pollster Paul Mitchell told CBS News was likely because older, more conservative adults vote earlier. The special election is set to take place on Tuesday. The 25th Congressional District includes parts of Los Angeles County and Ventura County.
Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on Friday his plan to send more than 20 million voters a ballot in the mail. The new measures were adopted due to concerns about the coronavirus, which some experts claim will return in a "very acute second wave" this fall.
Republicans, including Trump, have rejected the idea of allowing large parts of the voting population to participate through mail-in voting because they believe it could lead to "tremendous potential for voter fraud."
Data reviewed by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission and the Election Administration and Voting Surveys found that more than 16 million mail-in ballots went missing between the 2016 and 2018 election cycles.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-10--With Delaware easing restrictions, will Biden emerge from his basement?

Delaware 's government is making its first steps to reopen nearly all business in the state , raising the prospect its most prominent private citizen , presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden , may finally emerge from his home .
`` It 's not going to be the old normal when we start the return , '' Gov .
John Carney last week said at a briefing in Wilmington .
`` It 's going to be a new normal that requires social distancing , requires these hygiene practices , until there is a vaccine . ''
Businesses like clothing or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ curbside pick up .
And barbershops will be able to operate in limited capacity so long as social distancing guidelines are followed .
Only individuals deemed `` essential workers '' may get haircuts .
Department stores will also be allowed to open , while other businesses can meet customers through appointment only .
For over two months , Biden has been holed up in his Wilmington , Delaware home , conducting digital press conferences and campaign rallies through social media and streaming services .
Those sessions have led to continued technological issues and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vice presidents 's White House bid is failing to compete with the Trump administration 's daily press briefings on the government 's response to the coronavirus outbreak .
Biden 's isolation has served as a punch-line for President Trump 's reelection campaign , which routinely sends out press releases mocking his basement campaign rallies .
`` He does nothing but sit in his basement and lob political hand grenades , serving up partisan pablum and mumbling incoherent criticisms designed to score points , not help , '' said a recent Trump campaign news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is clear : President Trump is the only one who has demonstrated that he knows how to get the economy fired up again.
” On Friday , Trump told Fox News that he 'd `` love to see [ Biden ] get out of the basement so he can speak . ''
He then offered to give the Biden campaign a rapid coronavirus test so Biden can get back out on the campaign trail .
Democratic strategists say the easing of restrictions is a tough balancing act for Biden , who wants to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also not falling behind Trump 's reelection operation .
On Friday , reports surfaced that Trump was considering drive-in campaign rallies that would allow supporters to safely socially distance in their cars while viewing the president speak from a movie screen .
Just because the economy is opening up , some Democrats say , does n't mean it 's strategically smart to go back to baby-kissing and photo ops at small businesses .
`` He has to meet people where they are : in living rooms and devices .
But he has to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic strategist Antjuan Seawright , who said Biden 's campaign is likely well-aware that things are not bound to return to normal any time soon .
`` Campaigns much like life are about making adjustments .
They ’ ve been very flexible while they ’ re meeting voters where they are .
Just because you ’ re not in a stadium doesn ’ t mean you can ’ t them in a stadium doesn ’ t mean you can ’ t meet them '' So far , Biden 's campaign has bet that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for now .
He has begun hiring dozens of new staffers among concerns , including a doubling of his digital campaign arm , from donors and Democratic strategists that he is falling behind the GOP 's impressive online infrastructure .
But the announcement of new hires appears to be mostly reactive , as just this week former senior advisers to President Obama David Axelrod and David Plouffe released an op-ed in the New York Times saying that `` online speeches from his basement wo n't cut it . ''
`` For Mr. Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign that lagged behind many of his Democratic competitors during the primary in its use of digital media and timely , state-of-the-art communications techniques , '' the two wrote .
By Friday , Biden 's campaign had set up cameras in multiple rooms of his home and yard , a notable change of scenery .
That day Biden , a 36-year Delaware senator before two terms as President Barack Obama 's understudy , held a voter roundtable with chirping and buzzes softly in the background .
`` Who knows what the world will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is good training in case in two months '' said Seawright .
In late April , Trump revealed its new organizing app billed as a one-stop-shop for all things Trump .
The app requires users to enter their phone numbers as well as personal information like their home address , which will be used in November to help push Republicans to the polls .
Although Biden 's campaign claims its online videos , dispersed through social media sites like Facebook and Instagram , have gotten more than 100 million videos since March , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ combined 1 million viewers a day .

Delaware's government is taking its first steps to reopen nearly all business in the state, raising the prospect its most prominent private citizen, presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, may finally emerge from his home.
"It's not going to be the old normal when we start the return," Gov. John Carney last week said at a briefing in Wilmington. "It's going to be a new normal that requires social distancing, requires these hygiene practices, until there is a vaccine."
Businesses like clothing stores or bookstores will be allowed to offer customers curbside pick up. And barbershops will be able to operate in limited capacity so long as social distancing guidelines are followed. Only individuals deemed "essential workers" may get haircuts. Department stores will also be allowed to open, while other businesses can meet customers through appointment only.
For over two months, Biden has been holed up in his Wilmington, Delaware, home, conducting digital press conferences and campaign rallies through social media and streaming services. Those sessions have led to continued technological issues and anxiety from some Democrats that the former vice president's White House bid is failing to compete with the Trump administration's daily press briefings on the government's response to the coronavirus outbreak.
Biden's isolation has served as a punch-line for President Trump's reelection campaign, which routinely sends out press releases mocking his basement campaign rallies.
"He does nothing but sit in his basement and lob political hand grenades, serving up partisan pablum and mumbling incoherent criticisms designed to score points, not help," said a recent Trump campaign news release. "The choice for voters is clear: President Trump is the only one who has demonstrated that he knows how to get the economy fired up again.”
On Friday, Trump told Fox News that he'd "love to see [Biden] get out of the basement so he can speak." He then offered to give the Biden campaign a rapid coronavirus test so Biden can get back out on the campaign trail.
Democratic strategists say the easing of restrictions is a tough balancing act for Biden, who wants to emphasize the need for stay-at-home orders while also not falling behind Trump's reelection operation. On Friday, reports surfaced that Trump was considering drive-in campaign rallies that would allow supporters to safely socially distance in their cars while viewing the president speak from a movie screen.
Just because the economy is opening up, some Democrats say, doesn't mean it's strategically smart to go back to baby-kissing and photo ops at small businesses.
"He has to meet people where they are: in living rooms and devices. But he has to be strategic about it," said Democratic strategist Antjuan Seawright, who said Biden's campaign is likely well-aware that things are not bound to return to normal anytime soon. "Campaigns, much like life, are about making adjustments. They’ve been very flexible while they’re meeting voters where they are. Just because you’re not in a stadium doesn’t mean you can’t meet them."
So far, Biden's campaign has bet that digital campaigning will be the way forward for now. He has begun hiring dozens of new staffers, including a doubling of his digital campaign arm, among concerns from donors and Democratic strategists that he is falling behind the GOP's impressive online infrastructure.
But the announcement of new hires appears to be mostly reactive, as just this week former senior advisers to President Barack Obama, David Axelrod and David Plouffe, released an op-ed in the New York Times saying that "online speeches from his basement won't cut it."
"For Mr. Biden, the challenge is to transform a campaign that lagged behind many of his Democratic competitors during the primary in its use of digital media and timely, state-of-the-art communications techniques," the two wrote.
By Friday, Biden's campaign had set up cameras in multiple rooms of his home and yard, a notable change of scenery. That day Biden, a 36-year Delaware senator before serving two terms as Obama's understudy, held a voter roundtable with chirping and buzzes heard softly in the background.
"Who knows what the world will look like in a month, so this is good training," said Seawright.
In late April, Trump revealed its new organizing app billed as a one-stop-shop for all things Trump. The app requires users to enter their phone numbers as well as personal information like their home address, which will be used in November to help push Republicans to the polls.
Although Biden's campaign claims its online videos, dispersed through social media sites like Facebook and Instagram, have gotten more than 100 million videos since March, Trump's daily campaign videos reach a combined 1 million viewers a day.