thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-15--'Entirely failed': Newsweek apologizes after defending Kamala Harris birther op-ed

Newsweek reversed course and apologized after publishing and defending an op-ed that questioned whether Democratic Sen. Kamala Harris is eligible to run for vice president .
Dr. John C. Eastman , a law professor and former dean , wrote an article for the publication on Wednesday in which he speculated that Harris may not be able to appear on the Democratic presidential ticket even though she was born in Oakland , California , because of her parents ' immigration status .
The day after the piece 's publication , the editor-in-chief , Nancy Cooper , and opinion editor , Josh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off accusations that the piece was a renewed birtherism narrative , but they backed down in an editor 's note posted on Friday .
`` This op-ed is being used by some as a tool to perpetuate racism and xenophobia .
We apologize , '' they wrote in the second note .
`` The essay , by John Eastman , was intended to explore a minority legal argument about the definition of who is a 'natural-born citizen ' in the United States .
But to many readers , the essay inevitably conveyed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a woman of color and the child of immigrants , was somehow not truly American . ''
`` The op-ed was never intended to spark or to take part in the racist lie of Birtherism , the conspiracy theory aimed at delegitimizing Barack Obama , but we should have recognized the potential , even probability , that that could happen , '' it continued , before noting that they `` entirely failed to anticipate the ways in which the essay would be interpreted , distorted and weaponized . ''
Lastly , the extended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outlet was `` horrified '' that the piece `` gave rise to a wave of vile Birtherism directed at Senator Harris . ''
Numerous legal scholars agree that Harris is a natural-born citizen , and some have called the contradicting narrative , including Eastman 's , `` racist nonsense '' and `` idiotic . ''
The 14th Amendment of the Constitution says that `` all persons born or naturalized in the United States , and subject to the jurisdiction thereof , are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supreme Court case U.S. v. Wong Kim Ark found that children born in the U.S. to immigrant parents who are lawful permanent residents are citizens .
In the Newsweek op-ed , however , Eastman argues that there 's the possibility of Harris not being fully `` subject to the jurisdiction thereof '' and thus not a `` natural-born citizen . ''
Eastman 's piece gained even more attention when Jenna Ellis , a senior legal adviser for President Trump 's campaign , shared the story and said it was a legitimate question .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and one I think Harris should answer so the American people know for sure she is eligible , '' she said .
`` Donald Trump was the national leader of the grotesque , racist birther movement with respect to President Obama and has sought to fuel racism and tear our nation apart on every single day of his presidency , '' Biden spokesman Andrew Bates previously told the Washington Examiner regarding Ellis 's claim .
`` So it 's unsurprising , but no less abhorrent , that as Trump makes a fool of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the horrific toll of his failed coronavirus response that his campaign and their allies would resort to wretched , demonstrably false lies in their pathetic desperation . ''
Trump also addressed the op-ed during a press briefing on Thursday .
The president said he had heard about the piece but that he was unfamiliar with the premise of it .

Newsweek reversed course and apologized after publishing and defending an op-ed that questioned whether Democratic Sen. Kamala Harris is eligible to run for vice president.
Dr. John C. Eastman, a law professor and former dean, wrote an article for the publication on Wednesday in which he speculated that Harris may not be able to appear on the Democratic presidential ticket even though she was born in Oakland, California, because of her parents' immigration status.
The day after the piece's publication, the editor-in-chief, Nancy Cooper, and opinion editor, Josh Hammer, added a note to fend off accusations that the piece was a renewed birtherism narrative, but they backed down in an editor's note posted on Friday.
"This op-ed is being used by some as a tool to perpetuate racism and xenophobia. We apologize," they wrote in the second note. "The essay, by John Eastman, was intended to explore a minority legal argument about the definition of who is a 'natural-born citizen' in the United States. But to many readers, the essay inevitably conveyed the ugly message that Senator Kamala Harris, a woman of color and the child of immigrants, was somehow not truly American."
"The op-ed was never intended to spark or to take part in the racist lie of Birtherism, the conspiracy theory aimed at delegitimizing Barack Obama, but we should have recognized the potential, even probability, that that could happen," it continued, before noting that they "entirely failed to anticipate the ways in which the essay would be interpreted, distorted and weaponized."
Lastly, the extended editor's note said that everyone at the outlet was "horrified" that the piece "gave rise to a wave of vile Birtherism directed at Senator Harris."
Numerous legal scholars agree that Harris is a natural-born citizen, and some have called the contradicting narrative, including Eastman's, "racist nonsense" and "idiotic." The 14th Amendment of the Constitution says that "all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside," and the 1898 Supreme Court case U.S. v. Wong Kim Ark found that children born in the U.S. to immigrant parents who are lawful permanent residents are citizens.
In the Newsweek op-ed, however, Eastman argues that there's the possibility of Harris not being fully "subject to the jurisdiction thereof" and thus not a "natural-born citizen."
Eastman's piece gained even more attention when Jenna Ellis, a senior legal adviser for President Trump's campaign, shared the story and said it was a legitimate question.
"It’s an open question and one I think Harris should answer so the American people know for sure she is eligible," she said.
"Donald Trump was the national leader of the grotesque, racist birther movement with respect to President Obama and has sought to fuel racism and tear our nation apart on every single day of his presidency," Biden spokesman Andrew Bates previously told the Washington Examiner regarding Ellis's claim. "So it's unsurprising, but no less abhorrent, that as Trump makes a fool of himself straining to distract the American people from the horrific toll of his failed coronavirus response that his campaign and their allies would resort to wretched, demonstrably false lies in their pathetic desperation."
Trump also addressed the op-ed during a press briefing on Thursday. The president said he had heard about the piece but that he was unfamiliar with the premise of it.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-16--Can Kamala Harris help Biden bridge his enthusiasm gap?

President Trump ’ s campaign often brags that his supporters are more enthusiastic about voting to reelect him than supporters of Joe Biden are about voting for the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee .
But Biden ’ s choice of Kamala Harris as a running mate , and the surrounding buzz , has prompted some people to say that their view of the Democratic ticket has changed for the better .
The day that Biden announced his pick , commentators on cable news fawned over Harris being chosen .
Celebrities weighed in , with Taylor Swift tweeting simply “ .
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about voting Democratic with the California senator on the ticket .
“ She brings something very unique to the table , in the sense that she 's a fierce debater , she is amazingly articulate in making her point .
These are very important characteristics , ” said Moe Vela , a Democratic consultant who was a senior adviser to Biden when he was vice president .
“ She 's fierce .
And I think , you know , we need a fierce running mate right now for the vice president.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not to try to pick someone with the intent of energizing certain segments of voters , but to “ .
” that the vice presidential nominee does not generally drive voters to cast their ballot in favor of a presidential ticket , but they can end up damaging a ticket .
Some political analysts believe former Alaska Gov .
Sarah Palin was ultimately a drag on Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain in 2008 .
Reports indicate that Biden .
While Harris is a historic choice in that she will be the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a major party ticket , she was also the most predictable choice .
But Biden ’ s old age — it is possible that he does not seek a second term if elected — and his supporters ’ lackluster feelings about him could mean that Harris adds a motivating force to the ticket , changing Democrats ' thinking from only being enthusiastic about voting against Trump to being excited about voting for a Biden-Harris ticket .
Numerous polls have shown that supporters of Trump are much more enthusiastic about voting for him than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presumptive Democratic presidential nominee .
Most recently , an August 9-11 Economist/ found 63 % of Trump supporters said that they were more enthusiastic about voting in this election than in previous years , compared to 52 % for Biden supporters .
Some poll analysts argue that this “ voter enthusiasm ” is not the best indicator of one candidate having an advantage over another .
Unenthusiastic votes count just as much as enthusiastic ones , and negative feelings about a candidate have proven to be a bigger motivating factor for voters who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That could explain why Biden is ahead in the polls despite enthusiasm for Trump .
An Aug. 9-12 found that 57 % of Biden supporters were more motivated to vote by the fear that Trump would win , compared to 51 % of Trump supporters saying that their motivation was enthusiasm for Trump to win again .
Still , enthusiasm is an important metric in the sense that it could be an indication that voters will actually show up to the polls and vote rather than decide to stay home .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of so many black women in particular and how excited they are about this , ” Democratic analyst and consultant Mary Anne Marsh told the Washington Examiner .
“ I do think it 's going to motivate people even more and especially young black women to make sure that they and their friends and their colleagues and classmates and family members get out and vote.
” Will the addition of Harris to the ticket translate to an electoral advantage ?
It ’ s too early to tell , but early polling following Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helping him — for now .
A conducted this week following Biden ’ s announcement of Harris as his running mate concluded that her inclusion on the ticket could help Biden appeal to women , younger voters , and some Republicans , based on her favorability ratings being higher than Biden ’ s among those groups .
But the poll also found that the addition of Harris on the ticket only slightly bumped up Biden ’ s lead over Trump nationally , 46 % to 38 % .
A similar poll from earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as his choice showed Biden having a lead of 44 % to 37 % .
Harris certainly saw a bump in positive feelings among voters following the announcement that she will be on the ticket .
A Morning Consult conducted Wednesday found that voters ' view of Harris drastically increased after she was added to the ticket compared to their views in June .
Among all voters , views increased from 33 % favorable and 34 % unfavorable in June to 45 % favorable and 37 % unfavorable on Wednesday .
The jump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opinion of Harris increased 30 points : From 35 % favorable and 26 % unfavorable in June to 52 % favorable and 28 % unfavorable on Wednesday .
Those figures could change , though , as news of Harris being the presumptive vice presidential nominee winds down after next week ’ s Democratic National Convention and the Trump campaign works to to voters as a radical leftist .

President Trump’s campaign often brags that his supporters are more enthusiastic about voting to reelect him than supporters of Joe Biden are about voting for the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee. But Biden’s choice of Kamala Harris as a running mate, and the surrounding buzz, has prompted some people to say that their view of the Democratic ticket has changed for the better.
The day that Biden announced his pick, commentators on cable news fawned over Harris being chosen. Celebrities weighed in, with Taylor Swift tweeting simply “ YES .” Many Twitter users commented that they are much more excited about voting Democratic with the California senator on the ticket.
“She brings something very unique to the table, in the sense that she's a fierce debater, she is amazingly articulate in making her point. These are very important characteristics,” said Moe Vela, a Democratic consultant who was a senior adviser to Biden when he was vice president. “She's fierce. And I think, you know, we need a fierce running mate right now for the vice president.”
The general theory behind choosing a running mate is not to try to pick someone with the intent of energizing certain segments of voters, but to “ do no harm .” Studies show that the vice presidential nominee does not generally drive voters to cast their ballot in favor of a presidential ticket, but they can end up damaging a ticket. Some political analysts believe former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin was ultimately a drag on Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain in 2008.
Reports indicate that Biden followed that cautious strategy . While Harris is a historic choice in that she will be the first black and South Asian woman on a major party ticket, she was also the most predictable choice.
But Biden’s old age — it is possible that he does not seek a second term if elected — and his supporters’ lackluster feelings about him could mean that Harris adds a motivating force to the ticket, changing Democrats' thinking from only being enthusiastic about voting against Trump to being excited about voting for a Biden-Harris ticket.
Numerous polls have shown that supporters of Trump are much more enthusiastic about voting for him than Biden supporters are about voting for the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee. Most recently, an August 9-11 Economist/ YouGov poll found 63% of Trump supporters said that they were more enthusiastic about voting in this election than in previous years, compared to 52% for Biden supporters.
Some poll analysts argue that this “voter enthusiasm” is not the best indicator of one candidate having an advantage over another. Unenthusiastic votes count just as much as enthusiastic ones, and negative feelings about a candidate have proven to be a bigger motivating factor for voters who show up to vote against them.
That could explain why Biden is ahead in the polls despite enthusiasm for Trump. An Aug. 9-12 Fox News poll found that 57% of Biden supporters were more motivated to vote by the fear that Trump would win, compared to 51% of Trump supporters saying that their motivation was enthusiasm for Trump to win again.
Still, enthusiasm is an important metric in the sense that it could be an indication that voters will actually show up to the polls and vote rather than decide to stay home.
“It's been rewarding to watch the reaction of so many black women in particular and how excited they are about this,” Democratic analyst and consultant Mary Anne Marsh told the Washington Examiner. “I do think it's going to motivate people even more and especially young black women to make sure that they and their friends and their colleagues and classmates and family members get out and vote.”
Will the addition of Harris to the ticket translate to an electoral advantage? It’s too early to tell, but early polling following Biden’s announcement shows that Harris is helping him — for now.
A Reuters /Ipsos poll conducted this week following Biden’s announcement of Harris as his running mate concluded that her inclusion on the ticket could help Biden appeal to women, younger voters, and some Republicans, based on her favorability ratings being higher than Biden’s among those groups.
But the poll also found that the addition of Harris on the ticket only slightly bumped up Biden’s lead over Trump nationally, 46% to 38%. A similar poll from earlier in the week before he announced Harris as his choice showed Biden having a lead of 44% to 37%.
Harris certainly saw a bump in positive feelings among voters following the announcement that she will be on the ticket.
A Morning Consult flash poll conducted Wednesday found that voters' view of Harris drastically increased after she was added to the ticket compared to their views in June. Among all voters, views increased from 33% favorable and 34% unfavorable in June to 45% favorable and 37% unfavorable on Wednesday. The jump was largest among black voters, whose opinion of Harris increased 30 points: From 35% favorable and 26% unfavorable in June to 52% favorable and 28% unfavorable on Wednesday.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-16--Trump goes on coronavirus offense, hitting Biden as candidate of lockdowns and mandatory masks

Long on the defensive about the federal coronavirus response , President Trump is starting to go on the offense against his Democratic challengers .
`` Today , we saw Joe Biden continue to politicize a pandemic and to show his appalling lack of respect for the American people , '' Trump declared at a White House press conference .
`` That 's what it is .
At every turn , Biden has been wrong about the virus , ignoring the scientific evidence and putting left-wing politics before facts and evidence . ''
Trump argues that the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policies that would keep economy-crippling lockdowns in place past the recommendations of scientific advisers .
`` Sleepy Joe opposed both the China and the Europe travel bans .
You know that , '' Trump said Thursday .
`` He opposed the China travel ban that I instituted very early and the Europe travel ban that I instituted quite early . ''
Trump then invoked Dr. Anthony Fauci : `` He said that President Trump made a great decision when he put the ban on China . ''
Trump slammed the idea of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of protective face coverings when social distancing is n't possible .
`` If the president has the unilateral power to order every single citizen to cover their face in nearly all instances , what other powers does he have ? ''
he asked .
`` That 's why he refused , Biden , to take questions .
He could n't answer any of them . ''
`` It 's about time , '' said one Republican operative .
`` While the Democrats are far from blameless , Trump continues his ridiculous narrative that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And it 's killing him in the polls . ''
After a brief rally in March , the public gave Trump increasingly low marks on his handling of the pandemic .
It is a major reason Biden has overtaken him in the polls .
The former vice president has accused Trump of giving up on trying to contain the virus .
His new running mate , Kamala Harris , went even further .
`` This virus has impacted almost every country , '' the Democratic senator from California said .
`` But there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worse than any other advanced nations .
It 's because of Trump 's failure to take it seriously . ''
Democrats point to rising case numbers and nearly 170,000 deaths in the United States , including just under 1,500 on Wednesday alone , as evidence of Trump 's failure .
They also point out Biden is not calling for a federal policy mandating masks , just urging state governors to do so nationwide .
Trump contends that the Democrats ' solution is `` locking all Americans in their basements for months on end.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ what the federal government should be doing — support state and local efforts , '' said Republican strategist Bradley Blakeman .
`` It is up to the states to care for their own populations .
President Trump has never once denied federal support to state and local governments — be it personnel , equipment , or financial assistance . ''
`` My administration has exercised the authority under the Defense Production Act to a number ( and related authorities ) 78 times , dispersing over $ 3.5 billion to speed the development and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Friday , later adding , `` I 've used the DPA more comprehensively than any president in history . ''
`` By invoking the DPA , we mobilized the extraordinary productive might of General Motors to manufacture ventilators , '' Trump continued .
`` GM repurposed the Kokomo , Indiana , plant in just 17 days ( an all-time record ) and has now produced over 21,000 ventilators . ''
He also cited substantial increases in N95 mask production .
`` Overall , we 've increased N95 mask production by 400 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Now , the media might say , 'Why not 500 ?
Why not 600 ? '
Nobody has seen numbers like this ever . ''
The pushback comes at a precarious time for Trump .
A PBS Newshour/NPR/Marist poll released on Friday found that 53 % of U.S. adults trusted Biden to cope with the coronavirus , compared to only 37 % for the president .
This is driving Trump 's slide to a 39 % job approval rating overall .
The same poll had Biden leading Trump among registered voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggests Trump has his work cut out for him in terms of convincing voters he is up to the task , even as his allies find the perceptions unfair .
`` One size does not fit all — what is good for California is not necessarily good for South Carolina , '' Blakeman said .
`` Most criticism of the president ’ s actions are by failed Democrat regimes and left-sympathetic media .
Humans can not stop hurricanes , tornadoes , volcanoes , solar flares , tsunamis , or pandemics .
We can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the natural disaster with as few casualties as humanly possible .
It is too easy to blame and deflect responsibility . ''
“ To Joe , '' Trump said at the White House , `` I would say stop playing politics with the virus . ''

Long on the defensive about the federal coronavirus response, President Trump is starting to go on the offense against his Democratic challengers.
"Today, we saw Joe Biden continue to politicize a pandemic and to show his appalling lack of respect for the American people," Trump declared at a White House press conference. "That's what it is. At every turn, Biden has been wrong about the virus, ignoring the scientific evidence and putting left-wing politics before facts and evidence."
Trump argues that the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee opposed travel bans and supports one-size-fits-all national policies that would keep economy-crippling lockdowns in place past the recommendations of scientific advisers.
"Sleepy Joe opposed both the China and the Europe travel bans. You know that," Trump said Thursday. "He opposed the China travel ban that I instituted very early and the Europe travel ban that I instituted quite early." Trump then invoked Dr. Anthony Fauci: "He said that President Trump made a great decision when he put the ban on China."
Trump slammed the idea of a national mask mandate while urging voluntary wearing of protective face coverings when social distancing isn't possible. "If the president has the unilateral power to order every single citizen to cover their face in nearly all instances, what other powers does he have?" he asked. "That's why he refused, Biden, to take questions. He couldn't answer any of them."
"It's about time," said one Republican operative. "While the Democrats are far from blameless, Trump continues his ridiculous narrative that there's nothing to see here. And it's killing him in the polls."
After a brief rally in March, the public gave Trump increasingly low marks on his handling of the pandemic. It is a major reason Biden has overtaken him in the polls. The former vice president has accused Trump of giving up on trying to contain the virus. His new running mate, Kamala Harris, went even further.
"This virus has impacted almost every country," the Democratic senator from California said. "But there is a reason it has hit America worse than any other advanced nations. It's because of Trump's failure to take it seriously."
Democrats point to rising case numbers and nearly 170,000 deaths in the United States, including just under 1,500 on Wednesday alone, as evidence of Trump's failure. They also point out Biden is not calling for a federal policy mandating masks, just urging state governors to do so nationwide. Trump contends that the Democrats' solution is "locking all Americans in their basements for months on end.”
"The president has done exactly what the federal government should be doing — support state and local efforts," said Republican strategist Bradley Blakeman. "It is up to the states to care for their own populations. President Trump has never once denied federal support to state and local governments — be it personnel, equipment, or financial assistance."
"My administration has exercised the authority under the Defense Production Act to a number (and related authorities) 78 times, dispersing over $3.5 billion to speed the development and manufacturing of essential materials," Trump said Friday, later adding, "I've used the DPA more comprehensively than any president in history."
"By invoking the DPA, we mobilized the extraordinary productive might of General Motors to manufacture ventilators," Trump continued. "GM repurposed the Kokomo, Indiana, plant in just 17 days (an all-time record) and has now produced over 21,000 ventilators." He also cited substantial increases in N95 mask production.
"Overall, we've increased N95 mask production by 400 million masks a year," said Trump. "Now, the media might say, 'Why not 500? Why not 600?' Nobody has seen numbers like this ever."
The pushback comes at a precarious time for Trump. A PBS Newshour/NPR/Marist poll released on Friday found that 53% of U.S. adults trusted Biden to cope with the coronavirus, compared to only 37% for the president. This is driving Trump's slide to a 39% job approval rating overall. The same poll had Biden leading Trump among registered voters 53% to 42%.
This suggests Trump has his work cut out for him in terms of convincing voters he is up to the task, even as his allies find the perceptions unfair.
"One size does not fit all — what is good for California is not necessarily good for South Carolina," Blakeman said. "Most criticism of the president’s actions are by failed Democrat regimes and left-sympathetic media. Humans cannot stop hurricanes, tornadoes, volcanoes, solar flares, tsunamis, or pandemics. We can only seek to mitigate and get through the natural disaster with as few casualties as humanly possible. It is too easy to blame and deflect responsibility."
“To Joe," Trump said at the White House, "I would say stop playing politics with the virus."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-17--Puerto Rico Gov. Wanda Vazquez loses primary of pro-statehood party

LOIZA , Puerto Rico — Puerto Rican Gov .
Wanda Vazquez on Sunday acknowledged losing the primary of her pro-statehood party to Pedro Pierluisi , who briefly served as the U.S. territory 's governor last year amid political turmoil .
With more than 78 % of electoral colleges reporting late Sunday , Pierluisi received more than 57 % of the vote compared with more than 42 % for Vazquez .
`` We have to abide by the decision of the majority , '' Vazquez said in a brief speech where she warned Pierluisi that he should `` aspire '' to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for her .
She will remain as governor until the winner of Puerto Rico 's Nov. 3 general elections takes office .
Pierluisi spoke shortly after Vazquez and said the governor can count on him : `` We all have to be united to push Puerto Rico forward . ''
Meanwhile , Carlos Delgado , mayor of the northwest town of Isabela for 20 years , was poised to win by a landslide the nomination of the main opposition Popular Democratic Party .
Conceding defeat was Puerto Rico Sen. Eduardo Bhatia and San @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for her public spats with President Trump .
With more than 68 % of electoral colleges reporting , Delgado had received more than 60 % of the vote .
The results come one week after delayed and missing ballots led to a chaotic primary that forced a second round of voting on Sunday in which thousands of Puerto Ricans got a second chance to vote for the first time .
Voting centers in nearly 50 of the island 's 78 municipalities opened following a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that stated a second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ centers that never opened on Aug. 9 or did not remain open the required eight hours .
The opening of at least one voting center in the north coastal town of Loiza was delayed by more than one hour as dozens of voters grumbled about having to stand in the heat with masks over their faces .
`` We expected that there would n't be any problems , '' said Santiago Jimenez , a 68-year-old retiree , adding that some people left .
Jannette Ledoux , coordinator for the unit where the voting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Press that the problem was a result of four volunteers quitting late Saturday , delaying the required ballot counting before the doors opened .
Once voting got underway , one elderly woman emerged after casting her ballot and yelled to those waiting , `` Come on !
Come on !
Let 's vote !
Let 's vote ! ''
But not everyone could participate in Sunday 's second round .
The Supreme Court 's ruling permanently left out voters such as Eldy Correa , a 67-year-old retiree who went to her voting center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three times last Sunday and desisted only to find out later that it opened late .
`` They took away our right to vote , '' she said , adding that she was upset with the president of the elections commission despite his apologies .
`` Sorry for what ?
That does n't resolve anything . ''
Puerto Rico 's general elections will see a record six candidates running for governor .
Among them is Pierluisi , who served for governor less than a week after former Gov .
Ricardo Rossello resigned last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ profanity-laced chat that was leaked .
However , the island 's Supreme Court ruled that Vazquez , former justice secretary at the time , was next-in-line to become governor since there was no secretary of state .
The island 's two main parties have demanded that elections commission president Juan Ernesto Davila resign .
Dávila has said it would be irresponsible to do so amid the primaries , and that he would only consider the petition afterward .
Officials have blamed the chaos of the Aug. 9 primaries on ballots arriving late to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ materials not leaving until the day of the primaries , when usually they depart one or two days before .
Davila has said the ballots arrived late because of the pandemic , Tropical Storm Isaias , and a last-minute request from both parties to print more of them .
Officials from both parties said Sunday that all ballots arrived on time and that no serious delays were reported .
Many Puerto Ricans remained angry and embarrassed over a botched primary that many say was a blow to the U.S territory 's democracy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a 72-year-old retiree , from weathering heat and the pandemic to stand in line for a second time to cast her vote .
`` You have to make the sacrifice , '' she said .
`` Otherwise , we 're stuck with what we have now . ''

LOIZA, Puerto Rico — Puerto Rican Gov. Wanda Vazquez on Sunday acknowledged losing the primary of her pro-statehood party to Pedro Pierluisi, who briefly served as the U.S. territory's governor last year amid political turmoil.
With more than 78% of electoral colleges reporting late Sunday, Pierluisi received more than 57% of the vote compared with more than 42% for Vazquez.
"We have to abide by the decision of the majority," Vazquez said in a brief speech where she warned Pierluisi that he should "aspire" to have the support of those who voted for her. She will remain as governor until the winner of Puerto Rico's Nov. 3 general elections takes office.
Pierluisi spoke shortly after Vazquez and said the governor can count on him: "We all have to be united to push Puerto Rico forward."
Meanwhile, Carlos Delgado, mayor of the northwest town of Isabela for 20 years, was poised to win by a landslide the nomination of the main opposition Popular Democratic Party. Conceding defeat was Puerto Rico Sen. Eduardo Bhatia and San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz, known for her public spats with President Trump.
With more than 68% of electoral colleges reporting, Delgado had received more than 60% of the vote.
The results come one week after delayed and missing ballots led to a chaotic primary that forced a second round of voting on Sunday in which thousands of Puerto Ricans got a second chance to vote for the first time.
Voting centers in nearly 50 of the island's 78 municipalities opened following a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that stated a second round of voting would take place at centers that never opened on Aug. 9 or did not remain open the required eight hours.
The opening of at least one voting center in the north coastal town of Loiza was delayed by more than one hour as dozens of voters grumbled about having to stand in the heat with masks over their faces.
"We expected that there wouldn't be any problems," said Santiago Jimenez, a 68-year-old retiree, adding that some people left.
Jannette Ledoux, coordinator for the unit where the voting center was located, told The Associated Press that the problem was a result of four volunteers quitting late Saturday, delaying the required ballot counting before the doors opened.
Once voting got underway, one elderly woman emerged after casting her ballot and yelled to those waiting, "Come on! Come on! Let's vote! Let's vote!"
But not everyone could participate in Sunday's second round.
The Supreme Court's ruling permanently left out voters such as Eldy Correa, a 67-year-old retiree who went to her voting center in the southwest town of Cabo Rojo three times last Sunday and desisted only to find out later that it opened late.
"They took away our right to vote," she said, adding that she was upset with the president of the elections commission despite his apologies. "Sorry for what? That doesn't resolve anything."
Puerto Rico's general elections will see a record six candidates running for governor. Among them is Pierluisi, who served for governor less than a week after former Gov. Ricardo Rossello resigned last year following huge protests sparked by a profanity-laced chat that was leaked. However, the island's Supreme Court ruled that Vazquez, former justice secretary at the time, was next-in-line to become governor since there was no secretary of state.
The island's two main parties have demanded that elections commission president Juan Ernesto Davila resign. Dávila has said it would be irresponsible to do so amid the primaries, and that he would only consider the petition afterward.
Officials have blamed the chaos of the Aug. 9 primaries on ballots arriving late to the elections commission and trucks laden with materials not leaving until the day of the primaries, when usually they depart one or two days before. Davila has said the ballots arrived late because of the pandemic, Tropical Storm Isaias, and a last-minute request from both parties to print more of them.
Officials from both parties said Sunday that all ballots arrived on time and that no serious delays were reported.
Many Puerto Ricans remained angry and embarrassed over a botched primary that many say was a blow to the U.S territory's democracy. But that didn't stop Irma Munoz, a 72-year-old retiree, from weathering heat and the pandemic to stand in line for a second time to cast her vote.
"You have to make the sacrifice," she said. "Otherwise, we're stuck with what we have now."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-17--A referendum on the socialism behind the mask

Joe Biden has made his presidential campaign all about one man : Donald Trump .
Indeed , the presumptive Democratic presidential candidate has said very little about what he ’ s campaigning for , but a lot about who he ’ s campaigning against .
The goal is to make the November election a referendum on Trump , which Democrats seem to think is a winning strategy .
Convince voters that Biden is the only thing standing in between them and four more years of Trumpian chaos , and they ’ ll turn out for a candidate who still draws @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But the Democratic Party is underestimating the electorate .
To be sure , voters are displeased with Trump and the way he ’ s handled recent crises , if the polls are to be believed .
But voters also care about issues and the larger debate that surrounds them .
When it comes to healthcare , for example , 81 % of voters said in a poll earlier this year that this debate will be very important come November .
More than 84 % said the same of the economy .
Trump seems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pitch to voters is not about Biden , but about the ideology that Biden ’ s election threatens to usher in : socialism .
Already , Trump ’ s new campaign manager , Bill Stepien , has worked overtime to paint Biden as an empty vessel for leftist extremists to exploit .
Biden might be a self-proclaimed centrist , Stepien argued , but the people he ’ s surrounded himself with , the ones who will run the show , are not .
Stepien has a point : Biden has already caved to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ healthcare , student loan forgiveness , and climate change .
He asked Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , an out-and-proud socialist , to sit on his climate change task force .
And his decision to choose Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate confirms that Biden isn ’ t as averse to the far Left 's aggressive culture war as he ’ s made himself out to be .
Harris , we know from experience , is no moderate .
When her voting record in the Senate was compared to every other Senate Democrat ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sen. Elizabeth Warren in terms of how far to the left she had voted .
Harris endorsed and co-sponsored the Green New Deal , advocated for late-term abortion , co-sponsored Medicare for All , and argued for the repeal of tax cuts .
She even tried to impose a religious litmus test on Catholic judicial nominees .
Put simply , she ’ s a radical in sheep ’ s clothing , and she doesn ’ t really care who knows it .
This upends the Democrats ’ argument that Biden is a safer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ socialism .
Only 28 % of the public views it favorably .
Today 's Democratic Party doesn ’ t seem to care .
If anything , Democrats are so worried about angering the far Left that they ’ ll do just about anything to appease it .
In the party ’ s 2020 platform , Democrats gave a nod to “ Medicare for all ” advocates and admitted that the policy has some appeal .
Biden has openly promised to raise taxes and , worse , undo some aspects of Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States suffers from economic upheaval thanks to the coronavirus pandemic .
Worst of all , Democrats still can ’ t bring themselves to disavow antifa , a radical , violent , and revolutionary group that has destroyed private and public property and injured dozens of law enforcement officers throughout riots in certain cities that initially had to do with George Floyd ’ s death , but really have n't had anything to do with that for months now .
This is not a winning agenda .
If Democrats aren ’ t careful , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ask not whether they could stick with Trump for four more years , but whether they can afford not to .

Joe Biden has made his presidential campaign all about one man: Donald Trump. Indeed, the presumptive Democratic presidential candidate has said very little about what he’s campaigning for, but a lot about who he’s campaigning against.
The goal is to make the November election a referendum on Trump, which Democrats seem to think is a winning strategy. Convince voters that Biden is the only thing standing in between them and four more years of Trumpian chaos, and they’ll turn out for a candidate who still draws little enthusiasm from his own party.
But the Democratic Party is underestimating the electorate. To be sure, voters are displeased with Trump and the way he’s handled recent crises, if the polls are to be believed. But voters also care about issues and the larger debate that surrounds them. When it comes to healthcare, for example, 81% of voters said in a poll earlier this year that this debate will be very important come November. More than 84% said the same of the economy.
Trump seems to understand this, because his reelection pitch to voters is not about Biden, but about the ideology that Biden’s election threatens to usher in: socialism. Already, Trump’s new campaign manager, Bill Stepien, has worked overtime to paint Biden as an empty vessel for leftist extremists to exploit. Biden might be a self-proclaimed centrist, Stepien argued, but the people he’s surrounded himself with, the ones who will run the show, are not.
Stepien has a point: Biden has already caved to the Left on several issues, including healthcare, student loan forgiveness, and climate change. He asked Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, an out-and-proud socialist, to sit on his climate change task force. And his decision to choose Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate confirms that Biden isn’t as averse to the far Left's aggressive culture war as he’s made himself out to be.
Harris, we know from experience, is no moderate. When her voting record in the Senate was compared to every other Senate Democrat’s, hers was second only to Sen. Elizabeth Warren in terms of how far to the left she had voted. Harris endorsed and co-sponsored the Green New Deal, advocated for late-term abortion, co-sponsored Medicare for All, and argued for the repeal of tax cuts. She even tried to impose a religious litmus test on Catholic judicial nominees. Put simply, she’s a radical in sheep’s clothing, and she doesn’t really care who knows it.
This upends the Democrats’ argument that Biden is a safer choice. There is nothing safe about socialism. Only 28% of the public views it favorably.
Today's Democratic Party doesn’t seem to care. If anything, Democrats are so worried about angering the far Left that they’ll do just about anything to appease it. In the party’s 2020 platform, Democrats gave a nod to “Medicare for all” advocates and admitted that the policy has some appeal. Biden has openly promised to raise taxes and, worse, undo some aspects of Trump’s tax reform, even as the United States suffers from economic upheaval thanks to the coronavirus pandemic.
Worst of all, Democrats still can’t bring themselves to disavow antifa, a radical, violent, and revolutionary group that has destroyed private and public property and injured dozens of law enforcement officers throughout riots in certain cities that initially had to do with George Floyd’s death, but really haven't had anything to do with that for months now.
This is not a winning agenda. If Democrats aren’t careful, they could end up forcing voters to ask not whether they could stick with Trump for four more years, but whether they can afford not to.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-18--Ex-Republican stalwart John Kasich touts Joe Biden for president

John Kasich is an enlightened convert to the cause of Joe Biden 's presidential campaign .
Or the former Ohio GOP governor is an apostate Republican .
That 's how some Democrats and most Republicans are likely to view Kasich 's convention speech at the virtual Democratic National Convention Monday night .
“ I ’ m a lifelong Republican , but that attachment holds second place to my responsibility to my country .
That ’ s why I ’ ve chosen to appear at this convention .
In normal times , something like this would probably never happen , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Kasich , 68 .
“ Yes , there are areas where Joe and I absolutely disagree .
But that ’ s OK because that ’ s America .
Because whatever our differences , we respect one another as human beings , each of us searching for justice and for purpose.
” Kasich sought the 2016 Republican nomination , winning only his home state of Ohio , narrowly , but emerging as a sharp critic of President Trump 's style and demeanor .
That reflected a considerable shift from Kasich 's 1983-2001 House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Kasich rose to become House Budget Committee chairman after Republicans in 1994 captured their first majority in 40 years .
In that role , Kasich , House Speaker Newt Gingrich , and other House Republican leaders engineered a series of partial federal government shutdowns when President Bill Clinton would n't agree to cuts in the growth rates of Medicare and various social programs .
House Republicans were largely deemed losers in the fights , and Clinton easily won reelection in 1996 .
After a decade in the private sector , Kasich won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a second term four years later .
His record was fairly standard conservative , but during the latter part of his tenure , he openly split with Trump .
Since leaving office in January 2019 , he 's grown increasingly critical .
That led him to endorse Biden , the former two-term vice president and 36-year Delaware senator , with whom he overlapped in Washington for 18 years .
Still , Kasich does n't exactly seem to have wooed the Democratic rank and file .
A CBS Battleground Tracker Poll from Aug. 12-14 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said they did not want to hear Kasich speak at the party 's national convention , compared to 38 % in favor .
Trump , meanwhile , swiped at Kasich Monday over his Democratic convention speech .
“ He was a loser as a Republican and he ’ ll be a loser as a Democrat , '' Trump said on Air Force One .
`` Major loser as a Republican .
I guess you can quote me on that .
John was a loser as a Republican .
Never even came close .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ll be an even greater loser .
”

John Kasich is an enlightened convert to the cause of Joe Biden's presidential campaign. Or the former Ohio GOP governor is an apostate Republican.
That's how some Democrats and most Republicans are likely to view Kasich's convention speech at the virtual Democratic National Convention Monday night.
“I’m a lifelong Republican, but that attachment holds second place to my responsibility to my country. That’s why I’ve chosen to appear at this convention. In normal times, something like this would probably never happen, but these are not normal times," said Kasich, 68. “Yes, there are areas where Joe and I absolutely disagree. But that’s OK because that’s America. Because whatever our differences, we respect one another as human beings, each of us searching for justice and for purpose.”
Kasich sought the 2016 Republican nomination, winning only his home state of Ohio, narrowly, but emerging as a sharp critic of President Trump's style and demeanor.
That reflected a considerable shift from Kasich's 1983-2001 House tenure. Representing a conservative Columbus-area district, Kasich rose to become House Budget Committee chairman after Republicans in 1994 captured their first majority in 40 years.
In that role, Kasich, House Speaker Newt Gingrich, and other House Republican leaders engineered a series of partial federal government shutdowns when President Bill Clinton wouldn't agree to cuts in the growth rates of Medicare and various social programs. House Republicans were largely deemed losers in the fights, and Clinton easily won reelection in 1996.
After a decade in the private sector, Kasich won the Ohio governorship in 2010, and a second term four years later. His record was fairly standard conservative, but during the latter part of his tenure, he openly split with Trump.
Since leaving office in January 2019, he's grown increasingly critical. That led him to endorse Biden, the former two-term vice president and 36-year Delaware senator, with whom he overlapped in Washington for 18 years.
Still, Kasich doesn't exactly seem to have wooed the Democratic rank and file. A CBS Battleground Tracker Poll from Aug. 12-14 found that among Democrats, 62% said they did not want to hear Kasich speak at the party's national convention, compared to 38% in favor.
Trump, meanwhile, swiped at Kasich Monday over his Democratic convention speech.
“He was a loser as a Republican and he’ll be a loser as a Democrat," Trump said on Air Force One. "Major loser as a Republican. I guess you can quote me on that. John was a loser as a Republican. Never even came close. And as a Democrat, he’ll be an even greater loser.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-18--Whitmer makes front-line worker-focused call for unity at Democratic convention

Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer focused on how essential workers amid the coronavirus pandemic can inspire unity across the country in her speech during the first night of the 2020 Democratic National Convention .
“ Over the past few months , we learned what ’ s essential : rising to the challenge , not denying it .
We ’ ve learned who is essential , too .
Not just the wealthiest among us .
Not a president who fights his fellow Americans rather than fight the virus that ’ s killing us and our economy .
It ’ s the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk to care for the rest of us , '' said Whitmer , who is also a national co-chair of presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden 's campaign .
`` They are the MVPs , '' she added .
Whitmer mentioned that a Detroit 5-year-old named Skylar was among the nearly 170,000 people who have died from the coronavirus , noting that her mother is a police officer and father is a firefighter .
After her speech , ran a short tribute to those who 've died .
Speaking from the United Auto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , on Monday , Whitmer made an appeal based on her state 's long history of car manufacturing .
“ President Obama and Vice President Biden saved these autoworkers ’ livelihoods .
Then , these workers did their part to save American lives .
That ’ s the story of this great nation .
Action begets action .
Progress begets progress .
And when we work together — we can accomplish anything , ” she said .
The first-term Michigan governor is considered a rising star in the Democratic Party .
Earlier this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to President Trump 's State of the Union address .
Her national prominence has risen further during the coronavirus pandemic , as she instituted strict stay-at-home orders and other executive actions regulating the movement of people across the state .
Michigan is one of the most closely watched swing states in the 2020 Electoral College battle between Biden and Trump .
Whitmer was reportedly one of the top four women Biden was considering to be his running mate before picking California Sen. Kamala Harris last week .
`` He called me in early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a vetting , and I was really stunned , to be honest .
I thought I was going to be one of the people helping him vet and find a running mate , '' Whitmer told the New York Times .

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer focused on how essential workers amid the coronavirus pandemic can inspire unity across the country in her speech during the first night of the 2020 Democratic National Convention.
“Over the past few months, we learned what’s essential: rising to the challenge, not denying it. We’ve learned who is essential, too. Not just the wealthiest among us. Not a president who fights his fellow Americans rather than fight the virus that’s killing us and our economy. It’s the people who put their own health at risk to care for the rest of us," said Whitmer, who is also a national co-chair of presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden's campaign.
"They are the MVPs," she added.
Whitmer mentioned that a Detroit 5-year-old named Skylar was among the nearly 170,000 people who have died from the coronavirus, noting that her mother is a police officer and father is a firefighter. After her speech, ran a short tribute to those who've died.
Speaking from the United Auto Workers Local 652 in Lansing, Michigan, on Monday, Whitmer made an appeal based on her state's long history of car manufacturing.
“President Obama and Vice President Biden saved these autoworkers’ livelihoods. Then, these workers did their part to save American lives. That’s the story of this great nation. Action begets action. Progress begets progress. And when we work together — we can accomplish anything,” she said.
The first-term Michigan governor is considered a rising star in the Democratic Party. Earlier this year, she gave the Democratic repose to President Trump's State of the Union address.
Her national prominence has risen further during the coronavirus pandemic, as she instituted strict stay-at-home orders and other executive actions regulating the movement of people across the state.
Michigan is one of the most closely watched swing states in the 2020 Electoral College battle between Biden and Trump.
Whitmer was reportedly one of the top four women Biden was considering to be his running mate before picking California Sen. Kamala Harris last week.
"He called me in early April and asked me to go through a vetting, and I was really stunned, to be honest. I thought I was going to be one of the people helping him vet and find a running mate," Whitmer told the New York Times.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-18--'People don't like him': Trump calls Kasich a 'loser' ahead of DNC speech

President Trump tore into former Republican Gov .
John Kasich over his endorsement of Joe Biden and his speech at the 2020 Democratic National Convention .
“ He was a loser as a Republican , and he ’ ll be a loser as a Democrat , ” Trump told reporters during a Monday flight on Air Force One .
“ Major loser as a Republican .
I guess you can quote me on that .
John was a loser as a Republican .
Never even came close .
And as a Democrat , he ’ ll be an even greater @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like him , people don ’ t trust him , his healthcare in Ohio was a disaster .
He hasn ’ t done too well with Trump .
He ’ s been easy pickings , ” the president added .
Kasich ran against Trump in 2016 for the Republican presidential nomination .
He is a centrist who has been critical of Trump throughout his presidency and was the highest-profile Republican set to speak in support of Biden on Monday evening .
It was announced earlier Monday that three more Republicans will address the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include former New Jersey Gov .
Christine Todd Whitman , former New York Rep. Susan Molinari , and former California gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman .
In addition to the Republicans , night one of the Democratic National Convention will feature speeches from Sens .
Bernie Sanders of Vermont , Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota , and former first lady Michelle Obama .

President Trump tore into former Republican Gov. John Kasich over his endorsement of Joe Biden and his speech at the 2020 Democratic National Convention.
“He was a loser as a Republican, and he’ll be a loser as a Democrat,” Trump told reporters during a Monday flight on Air Force One. “Major loser as a Republican. I guess you can quote me on that. John was a loser as a Republican. Never even came close. And as a Democrat, he’ll be an even greater loser.”
“People don’t like him, people don’t trust him, his healthcare in Ohio was a disaster. He hasn’t done too well with Trump. He’s been easy pickings,” the president added.
Kasich ran against Trump in 2016 for the Republican presidential nomination. He is a centrist who has been critical of Trump throughout his presidency and was the highest-profile Republican set to speak in support of Biden on Monday evening.
It was announced earlier Monday that three more Republicans will address the DNC and endorse Biden. The speakers include former New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman, former New York Rep. Susan Molinari, and former California gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman.
In addition to the Republicans, night one of the Democratic National Convention will feature speeches from Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, and former first lady Michelle Obama.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-18--Trump campaign begins selling reelection-themed coronavirus masks

President Trump ’ s reelection campaign has begun selling face masks after he started encouraging supporters to wear the coverings .
The line of $ 15 masks comes in a variety of colors , including camouflage .
Some of the masks feature Trump ’ s name in all capitals , some read “ Trump-Pence 2020 , ” and others include “ MAGA , ” the acronym of Trump ’ s “ Make America Great Again ” campaign slogan .
The campaign is also selling similar `` face/neck covers '' for $ 18 .
The Trump campaign said in a Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to provide “ supporters with new ways to show their support for President Trump 's reelection while taking safety precautions during the coronavirus outbreak.
” “ President Trump has been leading the nation through the crisis , taking a whole-of-America approach to fight coronavirus , using the best of public and private resources to slow the spread in the United States , ” the email continued .
“ The President urges all patriotic Americans to wear a face cover when they are unable to socially distance.
” Early in the pandemic , Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mask and was photographed publicly wearing one for the first time in early July while he was visiting Walter Reed National Military Medical Center .
Since then , the president has been more vocal about wearing masks , including a July 20 tweet that appealed to the patriotism of those who wear the coverings .
A recent poll found that 82 % of U.S. voters either “ strongly ” or “ somewhat ” support a national mask mandate , including some two-thirds of GOP voters .
“ I do n't love wearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they may be just okay , or they may be great , ” Trump told supporters in a campaign email earlier this month .
“ They can possibly help us get back to our American way of life that so many of us rightfully cherished before we were so terribly impacted by the China Virus .
”

President Trump’s reelection campaign has begun selling face masks after he started encouraging supporters to wear the coverings.
The line of $15 masks comes in a variety of colors, including camouflage. Some of the masks feature Trump’s name in all capitals, some read “Trump-Pence 2020,” and others include “MAGA,” the acronym of Trump’s “Make America Great Again” campaign slogan. The campaign is also selling similar "face/neck covers" for $18.
The Trump campaign said in a Monday email that the new offerings were intended to provide “supporters with new ways to show their support for President Trump's reelection while taking safety precautions during the coronavirus outbreak.”
“President Trump has been leading the nation through the crisis, taking a whole-of-America approach to fight coronavirus, using the best of public and private resources to slow the spread in the United States,” the email continued. “The President urges all patriotic Americans to wear a face cover when they are unable to socially distance.”
Early in the pandemic, Trump refused to be seen in public wearing a mask and was photographed publicly wearing one for the first time in early July while he was visiting Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Since then, the president has been more vocal about wearing masks, including a July 20 tweet that appealed to the patriotism of those who wear the coverings.
A recent poll found that 82% of U.S. voters either “strongly” or “somewhat” support a national mask mandate, including some two-thirds of GOP voters.
“I don't love wearing them either. Masks may be good, they may be just okay, or they may be great,” Trump told supporters in a campaign email earlier this month. “They can possibly help us get back to our American way of life that so many of us rightfully cherished before we were so terribly impacted by the China Virus.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-17--RNC war room revs up to combat Democratic convention

The Republican National Committee plans to unleash a war room staffed with “ dozens ” of party operatives to counter the Democratic National Convention in real time as part of a comprehensive effort to blunt the momentum of nominee-in-waiting Joe Biden .
In conjunction with President Trump ’ s campaign , the RNC is poised to flood social media platforms and political reporters ’ inboxes with rebuttals and fact checks as prominent supporters of Biden and his running mate , California Sen. Kamala Harris — and the candidates themselves — promote the Democratic ticket and its agenda .
The operation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and coincides with the Monday evening kickoff of the Democratic convention .
To bolster war room activities , the RNC and the Trump campaign are deploying the president , high-profile Trump supporters , and thousands of field staff and volunteers throughout key battleground states to energize the GOP grassroots and respond locally to Biden ’ s message .
The RNC plans to knock on 1 million doors this week and contact an additional 1 million voters via telephone .
“ This week , the RNC is not ceding anything — not votes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ airtime , ” RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said in a statement to the Washington Examiner .
The National Republican Congressional Committee and National Republican Senatorial Committee also are participating .
Communications staff for the GOP campaign arms for the House and the Senate , respectively , are planning to monitor the Democratic convention and issue missives tying Democratic congressional candidates to rhetoric and policy proposals that Republicans believe would sink their political prospects in the fall elections .
The quadrennial Democratic convention was originally slated to be in Milwaukee , Wisconsin .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is now a mostly virtual affair set for broadcast from locations across the country , including Milwaukee .
It will culminate Thursday with Biden ’ s acceptance speech from his hometown of Wilmington , Delaware .
The pandemic also forced Trump also abandoned a normal convention , with the president now preparing to deliver his nomination acceptance speech from the White House .
However , Trump and top allies are fanning out across the country this week as part of an extension of the Republican war room to rebut the Democratic convention .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is headed to Arizona , Iowa , and Wisconsin this week .
Vice President Mike Pence also is headed to Wisconsin this week .
Meanwhile , the Women for Trump bus tour will be winding its way through Wisconsin on Sunday , a couple of days after the Democratic convention concludes .
The DNC is dismissing Trump ’ s travels as a political stunt .
`` If Trump wants to understand what 's happening in these states and how badly working families are suffering under his administration , he should watch our convention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an airport hangar , ” DNC spokesman David Bergstein said .

The Republican National Committee plans to unleash a war room staffed with “dozens” of party operatives to counter the Democratic National Convention in real time as part of a comprehensive effort to blunt the momentum of nominee-in-waiting Joe Biden.
In conjunction with President Trump’s campaign, the RNC is poised to flood social media platforms and political reporters’ inboxes with rebuttals and fact checks as prominent supporters of Biden and his running mate, California Sen. Kamala Harris — and the candidates themselves — promote the Democratic ticket and its agenda. The operation includes a dedicated website, TheRealJoeDOTcom, and coincides with the Monday evening kickoff of the Democratic convention.
To bolster war room activities, the RNC and the Trump campaign are deploying the president, high-profile Trump supporters, and thousands of field staff and volunteers throughout key battleground states to energize the GOP grassroots and respond locally to Biden’s message. The RNC plans to knock on 1 million doors this week and contact an additional 1 million voters via telephone.
“This week, the RNC is not ceding anything — not votes, not ground, and certainly not any airtime,” RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said in a statement to the Washington Examiner.
The National Republican Congressional Committee and National Republican Senatorial Committee also are participating. Communications staff for the GOP campaign arms for the House and the Senate, respectively, are planning to monitor the Democratic convention and issue missives tying Democratic congressional candidates to rhetoric and policy proposals that Republicans believe would sink their political prospects in the fall elections.
The quadrennial Democratic convention was originally slated to be in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. But because of the coronavirus, the gathering is now a mostly virtual affair set for broadcast from locations across the country, including Milwaukee. It will culminate Thursday with Biden’s acceptance speech from his hometown of Wilmington, Delaware.
The pandemic also forced Trump also abandoned a normal convention, with the president now preparing to deliver his nomination acceptance speech from the White House. However, Trump and top allies are fanning out across the country this week as part of an extension of the Republican war room to rebut the Democratic convention.
Trump was in Minnesota on Monday and is headed to Arizona, Iowa, and Wisconsin this week. Vice President Mike Pence also is headed to Wisconsin this week. Meanwhile, the Women for Trump bus tour will be winding its way through Wisconsin on Sunday, a couple of days after the Democratic convention concludes. The DNC is dismissing Trump’s travels as a political stunt.
"If Trump wants to understand what's happening in these states and how badly working families are suffering under his administration, he should watch our convention — not fly in and out of an airport hangar,” DNC spokesman David Bergstein said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-17--Labor leader condemns Bloomberg at Democratic convention and calls to remove him as speaker

Michael Bloomberg faced criticism at the Democratic National Convention over allegations that he illegally withheld wages from workers and calls for him to be removed from the convention 's slate of planned speakers .
The billionaire financial services company founder and ex-mayor of New York , who paid his campaign staffers significantly more than other Democratic primary campaigns , faces multiple class-action lawsuits from workers who say that they were promised that their jobs would last through the November election regardless of whether Bloomberg won the Democratic presidential nomination .
In April , Bloomberg agreed to pay staff healthcare costs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the ex-Bloomberg staff members involved in the lawsuits released an open letter asking DNC Chairman Tom Perez , secretary of labor during President Barack Obama 's second term , to remove Bloomberg from the list of planned speakers .
`` The Democratic Party has always been a big tent .
And we agree that the party must attract people from all walks of life and diverse perspectives , '' they wrote .
`` But there is no place in the Democratic Party — and especially on the stage of our national convention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who makes false promises to his workers and withholds tens of millions of dollars of wages and benefits that he promised those workers . ''
Bloomberg also faced criticism during a Monday labor council meeting , a planned event with labor leaders that is an official part of the Democratic convention .
`` I want to call out the fact that there is an open letter that was posted just before we started here from the Bloomberg campaign workers , 2,000 of them who have not been paid , and who should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were not paid they were promised they would be paid through November , '' said Sara Nelson , president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA , AFL-CIO .
`` If they do n't have that money , they ca n't take care of themselves in the middle of a pandemic , and they have nowhere else to go , '' Nelson said .
`` So , Mayor Bloomberg should not be speaking at this convention unless he makes good on that promise . ''
Bloomberg spent nearly $ 1 billion on his four-month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After ending his presidential bid , instead of transferring money that he had put in the campaign account back to himself , the campaign committee transferred $ 18 million to the DNC , raising eyebrows about Bloomberg finding a loophole to gift millions of dollars to the party beyond normal donation limits .
Bloomberg announced that he would speak at the Democratic National Convention in a tweet last week .

Michael Bloomberg faced criticism at the Democratic National Convention over allegations that he illegally withheld wages from workers and calls for him to be removed from the convention's slate of planned speakers.
The billionaire financial services company founder and ex-mayor of New York, who paid his campaign staffers significantly more than other Democratic primary campaigns, faces multiple class-action lawsuits from workers who say that they were promised that their jobs would last through the November election regardless of whether Bloomberg won the Democratic presidential nomination. In April, Bloomberg agreed to pay staff healthcare costs through November.
On Monday, six of the ex-Bloomberg staff members involved in the lawsuits released an open letter asking DNC Chairman Tom Perez, secretary of labor during President Barack Obama's second term, to remove Bloomberg from the list of planned speakers.
"The Democratic Party has always been a big tent. And we agree that the party must attract people from all walks of life and diverse perspectives," they wrote. "But there is no place in the Democratic Party — and especially on the stage of our national convention — for a politician like Mike Bloomberg who makes false promises to his workers and withholds tens of millions of dollars of wages and benefits that he promised those workers."
Bloomberg also faced criticism during a Monday labor council meeting, a planned event with labor leaders that is an official part of the Democratic convention.
"I want to call out the fact that there is an open letter that was posted just before we started here from the Bloomberg campaign workers, 2,000 of them who have not been paid, and who should be paid. As of March, they were not paid they were promised they would be paid through November," said Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, AFL-CIO.
"If they don't have that money, they can't take care of themselves in the middle of a pandemic, and they have nowhere else to go," Nelson said. "So, Mayor Bloomberg should not be speaking at this convention unless he makes good on that promise."
Bloomberg spent nearly $1 billion on his four-month presidential campaign, which was self-funded. After ending his presidential bid, instead of transferring money that he had put in the campaign account back to himself, the campaign committee transferred $18 million to the DNC, raising eyebrows about Bloomberg finding a loophole to gift millions of dollars to the party beyond normal donation limits.
Bloomberg announced that he would speak at the Democratic National Convention in a tweet last week.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-17--'Unfocused and undisciplined': Former Trump DHS official endorses Biden in stinging rebuke of presid

'Unfocused and undisciplined': Former Trump DHS official endorses Biden in stinging rebuke of president

Former Department of Homeland Security chief of staff Miles Taylor , who served under President Trump for two years , has endorsed Joe Biden .
A video of Taylor ’ s endorsement was released Monday on Twitter by the group Republican Voters Against Trump .
Taylor also penned a Washington Post op-ed titled “ At Homeland Security , I saw firsthand how dangerous Trump is for America , ” which was released the same day as the video .
“ What we saw week in and week out , and for me after 2 1/2 years in that administration , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the video about his time at the DHS .
“ We would go in to try to talk to him about a pressing national security issue , cyberattack , terrorism threat .
He wasn ’ t interested in those things .
To him , they weren ’ t priorities.
” “ A lot of times , the things he wanted to do not only were impossible but in many cases illegal , ” he continued .
“ He did n't want us to tell him it was illegal anymore because he knew that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ words — he knew that he had ‘ magical authorities.
’ He was one of the most unfocused and undisciplined senior executives I ’ ve ever encountered.
” Taylor , who served at the DHS from 2017 to 2019 , said he came out of the agency “ completely convinced based on firsthand experience that the president was ill-equipped , would n't become equipped to do his job effectively , and what ’ s worse , was actively doing damage to our security.
” “ Even though I ’ m not a Democrat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues , I ’ m confident that Joe Biden will protect the country , ” he added .
The endorsement comes hours before the largely virtual Democratic National Convention is set to begin .
On Monday , it was announced that three more Republicans will address the DNC and endorse Biden .
Former New Jersey Gov .
Christine Todd Whitman , former New York Rep. Susan Molinari , and former California gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman will join former Ohio Gov .
John Kasich during the event .

Former Department of Homeland Security chief of staff Miles Taylor, who served under President Trump for two years, has endorsed Joe Biden.
A video of Taylor’s endorsement was released Monday on Twitter by the group Republican Voters Against Trump. Taylor also penned a Washington Post op-ed titled “At Homeland Security, I saw firsthand how dangerous Trump is for America,” which was released the same day as the video.
“What we saw week in and week out, and for me after 2 1/2 years in that administration, was terrifying,” he said in the video about his time at the DHS. “We would go in to try to talk to him about a pressing national security issue, cyberattack, terrorism threat. He wasn’t interested in those things. To him, they weren’t priorities.”
“A lot of times, the things he wanted to do not only were impossible but in many cases illegal,” he continued. “He didn't want us to tell him it was illegal anymore because he knew that there were, and these were his words — he knew that he had ‘magical authorities.’ He was one of the most unfocused and undisciplined senior executives I’ve ever encountered.”
Taylor, who served at the DHS from 2017 to 2019, said he came out of the agency “completely convinced based on firsthand experience that the president was ill-equipped, wouldn't become equipped to do his job effectively, and what’s worse, was actively doing damage to our security.”
“Even though I’m not a Democrat, even though I disagree on key issues, I’m confident that Joe Biden will protect the country,” he added.
The endorsement comes hours before the largely virtual Democratic National Convention is set to begin. On Monday, it was announced that three more Republicans will address the DNC and endorse Biden. Former New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman, former New York Rep. Susan Molinari, and former California gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman will join former Ohio Gov. John Kasich during the event.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-17--'O'Biden': Trump coins new term for Obama-Biden administration

President Trump came up with a nickname for former President Barack Obama and former Vice President Joe Biden : `` @ @ @ @ @ coined the term while speaking about manufacturing to a crowd in Mankato , Minnesota , @ @ @ @ @ made by the former administration .
`` That was O'Biden , O'Biden as I call @ @ @ @ @ .
`` That was Obama and Biden .
Short , I like that term , @ @ @ @ @ a lot of time . ''
Years ago , another Republican firebrand used the term @ @ @ @ @ debate with the then-senator , Sarah Palin repeatedly called Joe Biden `` O'Biden . ''
@ @ @ @ @ adviser Steve Schmidt , the term became a `` verbal tick '' for Palin .
@ @ @ @ @ advisers , Palin asked Biden when they shook hands before the debate if she could @ @ @ @ @ is slated to speak in Oshkosh , Wisconsin , later Monday .

President Trump came up with a nickname for former President Barack Obama and former Vice President Joe Biden: "O'Biden."
The president coined the term while speaking about manufacturing to a crowd in Mankato, Minnesota, on Monday and criticizing moves made by the former administration.
"That was O'Biden, O'Biden as I call them," he said. "That was Obama and Biden. Short, I like that term, O'Biden. Because you save a lot of time."
Years ago, another Republican firebrand used the term. During preparations for her debate with the then-senator, Sarah Palin repeatedly called Joe Biden "O'Biden." According to McCain campaign senior adviser Steve Schmidt, the term became a "verbal tick" for Palin. Per the recommendation of her advisers, Palin asked Biden when they shook hands before the debate if she could call him Joe.
Trump is slated to speak in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, later Monday.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-17--Hopes to capture 'silent Biden voters': Three more Republicans to speak at Democratic convention

Three more Republicans will join former Ohio Gov .
John Kasich , a Republican , in speaking at the Democratic National Convention in a bid to appeal to `` silent '' Joe Biden voters who do not like President Trump .
The additional Republicans are former New Jersey Gov .
Christine Todd Whitman , former New York Rep. Susan Molinari , and Meg Whitman , who is CEO of short-form video app Quibi and was the 2010 Republican nominee in the California governor 's race .
The four Republicans will speak Monday night , the first night of the Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We the People Putting Country Over Party . ''
The overarching theme of the night is `` We the People . ''
Louisiana Rep. Cedric Richmond , who is also co-chairman for the Biden campaign , told reporters in a press briefing on Monday that the inclusion of Republicans at the convention is a way for the party to try to win over Republicans who are not satisfied with Trump .
`` I call them the 'silent Biden voters , ' which are those Republicans that feel bullied , those Republicans that feel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support Biden , and that they will be picked on , '' Richmond said .
`` This will show them that they 're not alone . ''
Christine Todd Whitman was governor of New Jersey from 1994 to 2001 and then joined the Bush administration as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency until 2003 .
She faced criticism for saying shortly after 9/11 that the air and water in New York were safe to breathe and drink despite the collapse of the World Trade Center .
She later apologized for the remark in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election and endorsed former Massachusetts Gov .
Bill Weld in his long-shot challenge to Trump in the 2020 Republican primary .
Molinari joined the House in a 1990 special election and resigned from her House seat in 1997 in order to take a job hosting a Saturday morning news show at CBS .
She gave the keynote speech at the 1996 Republican National Convention .
She later became a Washington lobbyist and a Google public policy executive .
Meg Whitman was a supporter of Utah Sen. Mitt Romney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and was a rumored possible cabinet pick had he won the 2012 election .
She was co-chairwoman of former New Jersey Gov .
Chris Christie 's 2016 campaign for the Republican presidential nomination .
After Trump won the nomination , she supported Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton .
She has contributed $ 500,000 to the joint fundraising effort between Biden and the Democratic National Committee .
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and former first lady Michelle Obama are also slated to speak at the convention Monday night .

Three more Republicans will join former Ohio Gov. John Kasich, a Republican, in speaking at the Democratic National Convention in a bid to appeal to "silent" Joe Biden voters who do not like President Trump.
The additional Republicans are former New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman, former New York Rep. Susan Molinari, and Meg Whitman, who is CEO of short-form video app Quibi and was the 2010 Republican nominee in the California governor's race.
The four Republicans will speak Monday night, the first night of the Democratic convention, under the theme, "We the People Putting Country Over Party." The overarching theme of the night is "We the People."
Louisiana Rep. Cedric Richmond, who is also co-chairman for the Biden campaign, told reporters in a press briefing on Monday that the inclusion of Republicans at the convention is a way for the party to try to win over Republicans who are not satisfied with Trump.
"I call them the 'silent Biden voters,' which are those Republicans that feel bullied, those Republicans that feel that they will be isolated if they support Biden, and that they will be picked on," Richmond said. "This will show them that they're not alone."
Christine Todd Whitman was governor of New Jersey from 1994 to 2001 and then joined the Bush administration as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency until 2003. She faced criticism for saying shortly after 9/11 that the air and water in New York were safe to breathe and drink despite the collapse of the World Trade Center. She later apologized for the remark in 2016. She supported Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election and endorsed former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld in his long-shot challenge to Trump in the 2020 Republican primary.
Molinari joined the House in a 1990 special election and resigned from her House seat in 1997 in order to take a job hosting a Saturday morning news show at CBS. She gave the keynote speech at the 1996 Republican National Convention. She later became a Washington lobbyist and a Google public policy executive.
Meg Whitman was a supporter of Utah Sen. Mitt Romney's presidential runs in 2008 and 2012 and was a rumored possible cabinet pick had he won the 2012 election. She was co-chairwoman of former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's 2016 campaign for the Republican presidential nomination. After Trump won the nomination, she supported Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. She has contributed $500,000 to the joint fundraising effort between Biden and the Democratic National Committee.
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and former first lady Michelle Obama are also slated to speak at the convention Monday night.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-17--South Carolina Senate race slipping from GOP grip

Sen. Lindsey Graham may hold a lead over his Democratic challenger in recent polls , but as the race tightens , election analysts say the South Carolina Senate race is no longer a sure win for the Republican Party .
On Monday , the Cook Political Report , considered the gold-standard election forecasters , moved its prediction from a `` Likely Republican win '' to `` Lean Republican win . ''
That change was based on the fact that Jaime Harrison , Graham 's opponent and the former South Carolina Democratic Party chairman , has raised virtually the same amount @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a row .
By the end of June , Graham brought in $ 30.9 million , with Harrison closely behind at $ 29 million .
A Quinnipiac University poll taken from July 30 through Aug. 3 found the race nearly tied , with voters giving both candidates 44 % support .
A RealClearPolitics average of the polls shows Graham leading by 8 points , but the trend has slowly moved in Harrison 's favor .
An internal survey for Harrison 's campaign found Graham leading by 2 points , with the Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suburban voters by 7 points .
A win by Harrison would prove a remarkable feat .
South Carolina has not elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1998 , but changing demographics in the state , namely an influx of college-educated professionals , has made it a more favorable ground for Democrats .
Harrison 's recent success is largely due to Graham suffering from low favorability in South Carolina , possibly resulting from the Republican 's continued support of President Trump and the GOP 's poor approval numbers when it comes to its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still comfortably beats former Vice President Joe Biden in a matchup , although by a significantly lower margin than his 16-point win in 2016 .
Recent surveys show Trump leading Biden by somewhere between 5 and 7 points .
Republicans hope that Trump 's coattails can drag Graham across the finish line should the Senate race continue to tighten .

Sen. Lindsey Graham may hold a lead over his Democratic challenger in recent polls, but as the race tightens, election analysts say the South Carolina Senate race is no longer a sure win for the Republican Party.
On Monday, the Cook Political Report, considered the gold-standard election forecasters, moved its prediction from a "Likely Republican win" to "Lean Republican win."
That change was based on the fact that Jaime Harrison, Graham's opponent and the former South Carolina Democratic Party chairman, has raised virtually the same amount of money as Graham for two quarters in a row. By the end of June, Graham brought in $30.9 million, with Harrison closely behind at $29 million.
A Quinnipiac University poll taken from July 30 through Aug. 3 found the race nearly tied, with voters giving both candidates 44% support. A RealClearPolitics average of the polls shows Graham leading by 8 points, but the trend has slowly moved in Harrison's favor. An internal survey for Harrison's campaign found Graham leading by 2 points, with the Republican losing college-educated women by 19 points and suburban voters by 7 points.
A win by Harrison would prove a remarkable feat. South Carolina has not elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1998, but changing demographics in the state, namely an influx of college-educated professionals, has made it a more favorable ground for Democrats.
Harrison's recent success is largely due to Graham suffering from low favorability in South Carolina, possibly resulting from the Republican's continued support of President Trump and the GOP's poor approval numbers when it comes to its handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
Trump still comfortably beats former Vice President Joe Biden in a matchup, although by a significantly lower margin than his 16-point win in 2016. Recent surveys show Trump leading Biden by somewhere between 5 and 7 points. Republicans hope that Trump's coattails can drag Graham across the finish line should the Senate race continue to tighten.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-08-18--'A big night for identity politics': Republicans slam Democrats' 'facade of unity'

The Democratic National Convention opened with the national anthem and an overtly Christian prayer , with a theme of “ We the People ” as the party emphasized unity on Monday night .
But Republicans argued that it is difficult to square American unity with identity politics and increasingly liberal policies .
“ If the Democrats didn ’ t play identity politics , they would have no identity at all , ” said Republican strategist John Feehery .
“ It ’ s their only hope.
” '' There is no question the first night of the DNC convention was aimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diversity of voices within the Democratic Party — how else does one comport Michelle Obama , Eva Longoria Baston and Bernie Sanders ?
” said Republican strategist Ford O ’ Connell .
“ But regardless of who spoke for the Biden/Harris ticket , the message was the same — irrespective of the faux plaudits employed — look at how rational and moderate we are .
Nod , nod , wink , wink.
” “ The central question is , can the Democrats keep this facade of unity going for an entire week when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is their disdain for Trump ?
” O ’ Connell continued .
“ Chances are someone isn ’ t going to stick to script , and Trump will be able to take advantage .
But only time will tell . ''
Former first lady Michelle Obama delivered the final speech of the night with jabs at President Trump , defending the character of presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden , the vice president under her husband for two terms , and her signature phrase , “ When they go low , we go high.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vermont , who has been the runner-up for the Democratic nomination the past two election cycles , assured his supporters that given the choices , Biden was progressive enough .
And several Republican defectors , led by former Ohio Gov .
John Kasich , also appeared at the convention to seek crossover votes for Biden .
“ Fake Republicans , ” said Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh .
“ Not a one of them supported President Trump in 2016.
” “ Kasich will not be effective , ” concurred Republican strategist Bradley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turncoat.
” But the speakers were united in their assertions that Trump was not up to the job of tackling the coronavirus , with a U.S. death toll approaching 170,000 , or the civil unrest triggered by the death of George Floyd , whose brothers addressed the mostly online gathering of Democrats .
Democratic speakers framed the Floyd demonstrations as mostly peaceful protests unfairly targeted by presidential demagoguery .
“ But while we were peacefully protesting , Donald Trump was plotting , ” said Washington , D.C. , Mayor Muriel Bowser .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our most treasured houses of worship and held a Bible for a photo op .
He sent troops in camouflage into our streets .
He sent tear gas into the air — federal helicopters , too .
I knew if he did this to D.C. , he would do it to your city or your town.
” “ Now more than ever , we need a president who will unite this country , ” said Sen. Amy Klobuchar , a Minnesota Democrat who ran against Biden in the early primaries .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Floyd 's memory , instead of using the Bible as a prop , will heed its words : To act justly.
” Democrats are betting that Trump badly misread the moment when he called for `` law and order '' as protesters took to the streets of major cities .
Trump ’ s rapid response team blasted the night ’ s proceedings as a sign of Sanders ’ s imprimatur on the Democratic Party : “ It ’ s Bernie Sanders ’ s party — Joe Biden is just the empty vessel for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ As the Fidel Castro-loving , Soviet Union-honeymooning , dictator-defending kicks off the Democrat convention , it ’ s a fitting reminder of just how far left the party has moved since the days of Barack Obama .
On nearly every issue , Biden has bowed down to the left-wing radicals running the Democrat Party.
” They dismissed the Biden-Sanders “ unity plan ” as a “ communist manifesto.
” “ Perhaps it was just an oversight , but the first night of the Democrat convention left out the fact that Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ percent of Americans by at least $ 4 trillion , ” said Trump campaign press secretary Hogan Gidley in a statement .
“ Also missing was his open borders policy , with amnesty and work permits for 11 million illegal aliens .
There was no mention of Joe Biden ’ s desire to cut police funding , kill ten million energy jobs with a green new deal , or give free healthcare to illegal aliens , but in fairness , it was only the first night.
” “ It was a big night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican operative .
“ We ’ ll have to see if it plays how Democrats expect .
”

The Democratic National Convention opened with the national anthem and an overtly Christian prayer, with a theme of “We the People” as the party emphasized unity on Monday night.
But Republicans argued that it is difficult to square American unity with identity politics and increasingly liberal policies.
“If the Democrats didn’t play identity politics, they would have no identity at all,” said Republican strategist John Feehery. “It’s their only hope.”
"There is no question the first night of the DNC convention was aimed toward highlighting a heavy dose of the diversity of voices within the Democratic Party — how else does one comport Michelle Obama, Eva Longoria Baston and Bernie Sanders?” said Republican strategist Ford O’Connell. “But regardless of who spoke for the Biden/Harris ticket, the message was the same — irrespective of the faux plaudits employed — look at how rational and moderate we are. Nod, nod, wink, wink.”
“The central question is, can the Democrats keep this facade of unity going for an entire week when the only thing that truly binds them is their disdain for Trump?” O’Connell continued. “Chances are someone isn’t going to stick to script, and Trump will be able to take advantage. But only time will tell."
Former first lady Michelle Obama delivered the final speech of the night with jabs at President Trump, defending the character of presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden, the vice president under her husband for two terms, and her signature phrase, “When they go low, we go high.” Sanders, the socialist senator from Vermont, who has been the runner-up for the Democratic nomination the past two election cycles, assured his supporters that given the choices, Biden was progressive enough. And several Republican defectors, led by former Ohio Gov. John Kasich, also appeared at the convention to seek crossover votes for Biden.
“Fake Republicans,” said Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh. “Not a one of them supported President Trump in 2016.”
“Kasich will not be effective,” concurred Republican strategist Bradley Blakeman. “No one likes a turncoat.”
But the speakers were united in their assertions that Trump was not up to the job of tackling the coronavirus, with a U.S. death toll approaching 170,000, or the civil unrest triggered by the death of George Floyd, whose brothers addressed the mostly online gathering of Democrats. Democratic speakers framed the Floyd demonstrations as mostly peaceful protests unfairly targeted by presidential demagoguery.
“But while we were peacefully protesting, Donald Trump was plotting,” said Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser. “He stood in front of one of our most treasured houses of worship and held a Bible for a photo op. He sent troops in camouflage into our streets. He sent tear gas into the air — federal helicopters, too. I knew if he did this to D.C., he would do it to your city or your town.”
“Now more than ever, we need a president who will unite this country,” said Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat who ran against Biden in the early primaries. “We need a president who, in George Floyd's memory, instead of using the Bible as a prop, will heed its words: To act justly.”
Democrats are betting that Trump badly misread the moment when he called for "law and order" as protesters took to the streets of major cities.
Trump’s rapid response team blasted the night’s proceedings as a sign of Sanders’s imprimatur on the Democratic Party: “It’s Bernie Sanders’s party — Joe Biden is just the empty vessel for it,” said one statement. “As the Fidel Castro-loving, Soviet Union-honeymooning, dictator-defending communist comrade kicks off the Democrat convention, it’s a fitting reminder of just how far left the party has moved since the days of Barack Obama. On nearly every issue, Biden has bowed down to the left-wing radicals running the Democrat Party.” They dismissed the Biden-Sanders “unity plan” as a “communist manifesto.”
“Perhaps it was just an oversight, but the first night of the Democrat convention left out the fact that Joe Biden would raise taxes on more than 80 percent of Americans by at least $4 trillion,” said Trump campaign press secretary Hogan Gidley in a statement. “Also missing was his open borders policy, with amnesty and work permits for 11 million illegal aliens. There was no mention of Joe Biden’s desire to cut police funding, kill ten million energy jobs with a green new deal, or give free healthcare to illegal aliens, but in fairness, it was only the first night.”
“It was a big night for identity politics,” said one Republican operative. “We’ll have to see if it plays how Democrats expect.”