thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-26--Local election wins give Virginia Republicans hope amid Democratic domination of top posts

Republican victories in recent municipal elections reflect the success of resistance to Democratic Gov .
Ralph Northam ’ s COVID-19 lockdown policies and gun control laws enacted by Democrats in the legislature , GOP leaders said .
Republicans last week flipped control on the city council in the Democratic stronghold of Staunton by winning three seats .
The Shenandoah Valley city of about 25,000 people has recently backed Democrats for high office , including presidential nominees Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012 and Hillary Clinton in 2016 .
Northam won the city in his 2017 election , as did his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The Democrat turnout was higher [ than in recent years ] , but clearly , the Republican motivation was significantly higher and obviously flipping that [ Staunton ] City Council , same thing , and Waynesboro and the city of Radford , ” Virginia Republican Chairman Jack Wilson told the Washington Examiner about GOP municipal gains in similar-sized cities located , respectively , in the center of the state and its far southwest region .
Democrats , however , say Virginia Republicans are getting excited prematurely about picking up local offices in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ A single city ’ s results in a low turnout election that was delayed a few weeks don ’ t have any bearing on November , ” Virginia Democratic Chairwoman Susan Swecker told the Washington Examiner in an emailed statement .
“ What people should look at is our Super Tuesday results , when Virginians shattered our turnout record and cast an unprecedented 1.3 million votes in our presidential primary .
Republicans haven ’ t won statewide in a decade , and we ’ re not about to let them start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of largely absentee ballots cast in Staunton and Waynesboro as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic .
In Waynesboro , voters in the city had requested 2,369 absentee ballots — a higher number than in-person voters from the 2016 election cycle .
In 2016 , Staunton had 13 % voter turnout , whereas this year , there was a 27 % turnout for the election , with 17 % of ballots cast being absentee .
In Waynesboro , there was an 18 % voter turnout in 2016 , but in the election this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % voter turnout , with 14 % being absentee ballots .
But Wilson , the state Republican chairman , also pointed to gains in Norfolk 's neighboring city of Chesapeake , which is near the North Carolina state line in the commonwealth 's southeast region .
“ It was a Republican clean sweep — mayor , city council , school board .
It looked like the Republican breakout was about 70 % to 30 % on the absentee ballots , '' Wilson said .
`` It seems it was a much greater enthusiasm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out , send a message , and I think that 's going to continue through November.
” In the fall campaign , presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is heavily favored to win Virginia over President Trump , a reflection of the state 's largely blue status , which includes holding the governorship , both chambers of the legislature , both U.S. Senate seats , along with a 7-4 advantage in its House delegation .
According to the Virginia GOP chairman , the local wins in the commonwealth are a result of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Second Amendment sanctuary rallies across the state and at city council and board of supervisors meetings .
Additionally , Wilson pointed to other localities where Republican-supported candidates won their races .
Republicans in Virginia supported a candidate who won the mayor 's race in Vienna , a Washington , D.C. , suburb that now leans Democratic .
The GOP took the majority in Radford and won a seat on the Democratic-controlled city council in Lynchburg .
In Fairfax , the top ballot-winner in the city was the GOP-supported candidate .
“ I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been registered are now registered , and many of them exercised their right to vote for the first time this past Tuesday , ” Wilson said .
“ And it 's hard to say now , where we 're seeing clearly a lot of small business owners , whether they be Republican or Democrat , are feeling the pressure and the pain caused by Gov .
Northam locked down .
And so , some of them , I think , are questioning their allegiance to the Democrat Party .
”

Republican victories in recent municipal elections reflect the success of resistance to Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam’s COVID-19 lockdown policies and gun control laws enacted by Democrats in the legislature, GOP leaders said.
Republicans last week flipped control on the city council in the Democratic stronghold of Staunton by winning three seats. The Shenandoah Valley city of about 25,000 people has recently backed Democrats for high office, including presidential nominees Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012 and Hillary Clinton in 2016. Northam won the city in his 2017 election, as did his Democratic gubernatorial predecessor, Terry McAuliffe.
“The Democrat turnout was higher [than in recent years], but clearly, the Republican motivation was significantly higher and obviously flipping that [Staunton] City Council, same thing, and Waynesboro and the city of Radford,” Virginia Republican Chairman Jack Wilson told the Washington Examiner about GOP municipal gains in similar-sized cities located, respectively, in the center of the state and its far southwest region.
Democrats, however, say Virginia Republicans are getting excited prematurely about picking up local offices in a few different spots across the state.
“A single city’s results in a low turnout election that was delayed a few weeks don’t have any bearing on November,” Virginia Democratic Chairwoman Susan Swecker told the Washington Examiner in an emailed statement. “What people should look at is our Super Tuesday results, when Virginians shattered our turnout record and cast an unprecedented 1.3 million votes in our presidential primary. Republicans haven’t won statewide in a decade, and we’re not about to let them start now.”
Republicans benefited from the number of largely absentee ballots cast in Staunton and Waynesboro as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In Waynesboro, voters in the city had requested 2,369 absentee ballots — a higher number than in-person voters from the 2016 election cycle.
In 2016, Staunton had 13% voter turnout, whereas this year, there was a 27% turnout for the election, with 17% of ballots cast being absentee. In Waynesboro, there was an 18% voter turnout in 2016, but in the election this year, the city saw a 21% voter turnout, with 14% being absentee ballots.
But Wilson, the state Republican chairman, also pointed to gains in Norfolk's neighboring city of Chesapeake, which is near the North Carolina state line in the commonwealth's southeast region.
“It was a Republican clean sweep — mayor, city council, school board. It looked like the Republican breakout was about 70% to 30% on the absentee ballots," Wilson said. "It seems it was a much greater enthusiasm. Our folks were ready to get out, send a message, and I think that's going to continue through November.”
In the fall campaign, presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is heavily favored to win Virginia over President Trump, a reflection of the state's largely blue status, which includes holding the governorship, both chambers of the legislature, both U.S. Senate seats, along with a 7-4 advantage in its House delegation.
According to the Virginia GOP chairman, the local wins in the commonwealth are a result of the state party’s registration efforts at Second Amendment sanctuary rallies across the state and at city council and board of supervisors meetings.
Additionally, Wilson pointed to other localities where Republican-supported candidates won their races. Republicans in Virginia supported a candidate who won the mayor's race in Vienna, a Washington, D.C., suburb that now leans Democratic. The GOP took the majority in Radford and won a seat on the Democratic-controlled city council in Lynchburg. In Fairfax, the top ballot-winner in the city was the GOP-supported candidate.
“I think a lot of folks that had not been registered are now registered, and many of them exercised their right to vote for the first time this past Tuesday,” Wilson said. “And it's hard to say now, where we're seeing clearly a lot of small business owners, whether they be Republican or Democrat, are feeling the pressure and the pain caused by Gov. Northam locked down. And so, some of them, I think, are questioning their allegiance to the Democrat Party.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-26--Ilhan Omar believes Tara Reade but will vote for Joe Biden anyway

Rep. Ilhan Omar says Tara Reade 's accusation of sexual assault against Joe Biden are true , but she 'll still support him as the Democratic presidential nominee .
The remarks , and subsequent clarification , started Sunday in an interview by the first-term Minnesota congresswoman with the Sunday Times , during which she was asked about the claims by Biden 's former Senate staffer .
`` There 's a lot of unsavory stuff .
It is troubling .
I do believe Tara Reade .
I believe it 's important for us to give space for women to come forward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told the British newspaper .
`` It takes years and years for sexual assault survivors to come forward .
Justice can be delayed , but it should never be denied . ''
Omar , a member of a far-left group of first-term female House members nicknamed `` the Squad , '' backed Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in the primary and remained critical of the former vice president 's record throughout the race .
Shortly after the interview was released , Omar tweeted that her quotes from the May 6 interview were n't `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` vote for him and help him defeat Trump . ''
`` We can ’ t fend off perceived attacks with attacks on others , '' the Minnesota lawmaker wrote Monday morning .
`` This is the most important election cycle of our lifetimes and we aren ’ t going to have a chance if we don ’ t spend our energy in mobilizing and building enthusiasm against Trump .
That ’ s the goal we should all be united on . ''
The reporter who conducted the interview , Josh Glancy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Omar 's assertions were false .
`` But luckily , this was all on the record .
Take a look and judge for yourself , '' Glancy said , denying that her quotes were `` out of context . ''
In an interview with ABC 's Good Morning America on Tuesday morning , Omar maintained her support for Biden 's accuser but said that `` there 's obviously parts '' of Reade 's story `` that have been corroborated and parts that have n't . ''
“ I think it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assaulted , and they see themselves as survivors that we , as we have been saying , believe survivors , '' Omar said .
Biden has consistently denied the allegation made by Reade ( that he groped her in a Senate hallway in 1993 ) with his campaign noting shifting details in her recollection of events .
`` I don ’ t want to question her motive , I don ’ t want to question anything other than to say the truth matters .
This is being vetted , it ’ s been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my employees over my whole career , '' Biden said on MSNBC earlier this month .
`` This is just totally , thoroughly , completely out of character .
And , the idea that in a public place , in a hallway , I would assault a woman ?
I mean , it ’ s just — I — anyway , I promise you .
It never happened .
”

Rep. Ilhan Omar says Tara Reade's accusation of sexual assault against Joe Biden are true, but she'll still support him as the Democratic presidential nominee.
The remarks, and subsequent clarification, started Sunday in an interview by the first-term Minnesota congresswoman with the Sunday Times, during which she was asked about the claims by Biden's former Senate staffer.
"There's a lot of unsavory stuff. It is troubling. I do believe Tara Reade. I believe it's important for us to give space for women to come forward and share their stories," Omar told the British newspaper. "It takes years and years for sexual assault survivors to come forward. Justice can be delayed, but it should never be denied."
Omar, a member of a far-left group of first-term female House members nicknamed "the Squad," backed Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in the primary and remained critical of the former vice president's record throughout the race.
Shortly after the interview was released, Omar tweeted that her quotes from the May 6 interview weren't "in context" and that she'll "vote for him and help him defeat Trump."
"We can’t fend off perceived attacks with attacks on others," the Minnesota lawmaker wrote Monday morning. "This is the most important election cycle of our lifetimes and we aren’t going to have a chance if we don’t spend our energy in mobilizing and building enthusiasm against Trump. That’s the goal we should all be united on."
The reporter who conducted the interview, Josh Glancy, told the United Kingdom's the Independent that Omar's assertions were false.
"But luckily, this was all on the record. Take a look and judge for yourself," Glancy said, denying that her quotes were "out of context."
In an interview with ABC's Good Morning America on Tuesday morning, Omar maintained her support for Biden's accuser but said that "there's obviously parts" of Reade's story "that have been corroborated and parts that haven't."
“I think it’s important when someone says they have been assaulted, and they see themselves as survivors that we, as we have been saying, believe survivors," Omar said.
Biden has consistently denied the allegation made by Reade (that he groped her in a Senate hallway in 1993) with his campaign noting shifting details in her recollection of events.
"I don’t want to question her motive, I don’t want to question anything other than to say the truth matters. This is being vetted, it’s been vetted, and people, scores of my employees over my whole career," Biden said on MSNBC earlier this month. "This is just totally, thoroughly, completely out of character. And, the idea that in a public place, in a hallway, I would assault a woman? I mean, it’s just — I — anyway, I promise you. It never happened.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-26--Democrats move to preserve House majority with planned $18.3M fall ad blitz

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has reserved more than $ 18 million in television advertising for the fall campaign as Democrats move to preserve their House majority .
House Democrats captured the majority in the 2018 midterm elections after nearly a decade out of power , flipping control of suburban districts that had traditionally voted Republican for Congress .
The DCCC ’ s initial reservation for television advertising , first reported by Roll Call , reflected that , with House Democrats preparing to play defense in more than a half-dozen states where they ousted incumbent Republicans from suburban districts .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Arizona , Florida , Georgia , Iowa , Michigan , Minnesota , Nevada , and Pennsylvania .
The Democrats ’ House campaign arm is also scheduled to advertise in Maine , where Democratic Rep. Jared Golden won the largely rural 2nd Congressional District , which voted for President Trump in 2016 by a margin of 10 percentage points .
As Roll Call elections analyst Nathan Gonzales pointed out , the districts where the DCCC has committed to advertise , at least for now , are in states with targeted Senate races and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic nominee Joe Biden is expected to be competitive .
The DCCC is likely to build on the first $ 18.3 million in fall advertising it has reserved so far .
The National Republican Congressional Committee has not yet announced its post-Labor Day advertising plans .
Congressional Leadership Fund , which is aligned with House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy , and House Majority PAC , which is aligned with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , plan to spend at least $ 51 million and $ 43 million , respectively , this fall .
[ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats grapple with convention format as Trump and Republicans push for in-person confab ]

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has reserved more than $18 million in television advertising for the fall campaign as Democrats move to preserve their House majority.
House Democrats captured the majority in the 2018 midterm elections after nearly a decade out of power, flipping control of suburban districts that had traditionally voted Republican for Congress. The DCCC’s initial reservation for television advertising, first reported by Roll Call, reflected that, with House Democrats preparing to play defense in more than a half-dozen states where they ousted incumbent Republicans from suburban districts.
Slated for DCCC television ads are districts in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, and Pennsylvania. The Democrats’ House campaign arm is also scheduled to advertise in Maine, where Democratic Rep. Jared Golden won the largely rural 2nd Congressional District, which voted for President Trump in 2016 by a margin of 10 percentage points.
As Roll Call elections analyst Nathan Gonzales pointed out, the districts where the DCCC has committed to advertise, at least for now, are in states with targeted Senate races and where the contest between Trump and presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden is expected to be competitive.
The DCCC is likely to build on the first $18.3 million in fall advertising it has reserved so far. The National Republican Congressional Committee has not yet announced its post-Labor Day advertising plans. Congressional Leadership Fund, which is aligned with House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, and House Majority PAC, which is aligned with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, plan to spend at least $51 million and $43 million, respectively, this fall.
The DCCC's ad buy per media market:
Phoenix, Arizona — $1,830,000
Miami, Florida — $1,970,000
Atlanta, Georgia — $2,000,000
Cedar Rapids, Iowa — $730,000
Davenport, Iowa — $340,000
Des Moines, Iowa — $1,252,800
Bangor, Maine — $580,000
Portland-Auburn, Maine — $790,000
Presque Isle, Maine — $60,000
Detroit, Michigan — $2,160,000
Minneapolis, Minnesota — $2,090,000
Las Vegas, Nevada — $2,210,000
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania — $910,000
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania — $1,000,000
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Pennsylvania — $400,000
[Read more: Game of chicken: Democrats grapple with convention format as Trump and Republicans push for in-person confab]


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-26--Game of chicken: Democrats grapple with convention format as Trump and Republicans push for in-perso

Game of chicken: Democrats grapple with convention format as Trump and Republicans push for in-person confab

President Trump and the Republican Party 's insistence , at least publicly , that they 'll hold a packed , in-person convention in August is putting pressure on Democrats to do the same .
This weekend , Trump threatened to yank the GOP 's quadrennial gathering from Charlotte , North Carolina , if Democratic Gov .
Roy Cooper could n't promise all the trappings , including being able to fill the Spectrum Center with 50,000-plus guests from Aug. 24 to Aug. 27 .
In response , a Cooper spokeswoman said North Carolina health officials were working with the Republican National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lifting restrictions .
Three months out from the planned confab , gatherings in the swing state are currently limited to 10 people amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Meanwhile , RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel has refused to entertain the prospect of having anything short of a full-scale convention , maintaining planning will proceed `` full steam ahead '' until the end of June , when the party is expected to reassess to see `` if we do have to make adjustments . ''
And it 's that dogged approach which is creating logistical and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their own convention , set to take place a week earlier in Milwaukee .
Tom Perez , McDaniel 's Democratic National Committee counterpart , has imitated her posture , saying his party delayed its event by a month `` to maximize '' the possibility of having a `` muscular , '' in-person spectacle .
Democratic Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett echoed Perez 's rhetoric , vowing to be `` nimble '' for the hosting committee , which halved its staff of 31 in April because of the virus .
Yet , confusion and disagreement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ differing opinions on the idea of a virtual convention , even partially , as the party weighs how to woo back voters in the pivotal battleground state .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , the highest-ranked elected Democrat , has suggested the party gather on a single day at a large , outdoor stadium so a limited number of attendees can practice social distancing .
Presumptive 2020 Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden , who 's due to become the party 's next standard-bearer , appears more in the dark .
`` It may not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a number of people .
It may be a social distancing thing .
It may be smaller , '' Biden told Wisconsin ABC affiliate WISN 12 last week .
On the ground , Wisconsin locals are similarly uncertain , a feeling exacerbated by the state 's chaotic response to the COVID-19 outbreak thanks to staunch Republican statehouse opposition to Democratic Gov .
Tony Evers .
Evers himself hinted an online convention would be `` the smartest thing . ''
Wisconsin state Rep. LaKeshia Myers told the Washington Examiner there was a push for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a smaller scale than what we are used to . ''
Offering `` some type of virtual option '' as well was the `` responsible '' path forward , she added .
`` I ca n't foresee having a large convergence on the city .
I do n't know how feasible that is from a realistic standpoint with where we are , '' Myers said .
Myers admitted that likely scenario will hurt Milwaukee financially , given the public and private sector investment .
Officials would also miss out on the chance to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Both of those factors had led to `` an underground kind of rumbling or movement '' of advocates lobbying the DNC to allow Milwaukee to host the convention in 2024 if an in-person gathering falls through this cycle , according to Myers .
But her overriding concern was public health and safety , particularly the strain visitors would have on the 600,000-person city 's already-stretched resources as it deals with COVID-19 .
Wisconsin state Sen. Lena Taylor would be `` surprised '' if there were a traditional , in-person convention , acknowledging that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hoped , or planned , or were looking forward to . ''
While the revenue `` would be amazing , '' since Milwaukee 's budget had been calculated on the confab , her other worry was providing Biden with the best possible springboard for November 's general election against Trump .
`` It 's a tale of different conventions because the Republican convention is saying it 's going forward in-person , '' she said of the Democrats ' potential dual in-person/virtual event .
Ruben Hopkins of the Wisconsin Black Chamber of Commerce had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group is putting together sideline programming , regardless of what shape the convention takes , including COVID-19 testing , a jobs fair , and a community food pantry for the needy .
`` If anything , it will just look like the Democratic Party is paying attention to the conditions in the country versus just coming together to drop some balloons , '' he said , emphasizing his nonpartisanship .
`` The Republicans are going to have to match that .
And if all they 're doing at their convention is whatever they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to go over well . ''
African American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin 's Ossie Kendrix was still `` cautiously '' anticipating an in-person convention with caveats , especially due to the disproportionate effects of COVID-19 on minority communities .
About 40 % of Milwaukee 's population identifies as being black or African American .
`` Prior to the coronavirus pandemic , an influx of travelers was ideal for the Milwaukee economy .
Today , not so much , '' he said .
`` I ’ d love to see more of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ d also challenge the planning team to explore opportunities to host events where more outside air can be utilized with social distancing mandates . ''

President Trump and the Republican Party's insistence, at least publicly, that they'll hold a packed, in-person convention in August is putting pressure on Democrats to do the same.
This weekend, Trump threatened to yank the GOP's quadrennial gathering from Charlotte, North Carolina, if Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper couldn't promise all the trappings, including being able to fill the Spectrum Center with 50,000-plus guests from Aug. 24 to Aug. 27.
In response, a Cooper spokeswoman said North Carolina health officials were working with the Republican National Committee, but didn't commit to lifting restrictions. Three months out from the planned confab, gatherings in the swing state are currently limited to 10 people amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Meanwhile, RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel has refused to entertain the prospect of having anything short of a full-scale convention, maintaining planning will proceed "full steam ahead" until the end of June, when the party is expected to reassess to see "if we do have to make adjustments."
And it's that dogged approach which is creating logistical and political problems for Democrats as they organize their own convention, set to take place a week earlier in Milwaukee.
Tom Perez, McDaniel's Democratic National Committee counterpart, has imitated her posture, saying his party delayed its event by a month "to maximize" the possibility of having a "muscular," in-person spectacle. Democratic Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett echoed Perez's rhetoric, vowing to be "nimble" for the hosting committee, which halved its staff of 31 in April because of the virus.
Yet, confusion and disagreement in the Democratic ranks reign, with differing opinions on the idea of a virtual convention, even partially, as the party weighs how to woo back voters in the pivotal battleground state.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the highest-ranked elected Democrat, has suggested the party gather on a single day at a large, outdoor stadium so a limited number of attendees can practice social distancing. Presumptive 2020 Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, who's due to become the party's next standard-bearer, appears more in the dark.
"It may not be as robust a convention, with a number of people. It may be a social distancing thing. It may be smaller," Biden told Wisconsin ABC affiliate WISN 12 last week.
On the ground, Wisconsin locals are similarly uncertain, a feeling exacerbated by the state's chaotic response to the COVID-19 outbreak thanks to staunch Republican statehouse opposition to Democratic Gov. Tony Evers. Evers himself hinted an online convention would be "the smartest thing."
Wisconsin state Rep. LaKeshia Myers told the Washington Examiner there was a push for an in-person event, but on "a smaller scale than what we are used to." Offering "some type of virtual option" as well was the "responsible" path forward, she added.
"I can't foresee having a large convergence on the city. I don't know how feasible that is from a realistic standpoint with where we are," Myers said.
Myers admitted that likely scenario will hurt Milwaukee financially, given the public and private sector investment. Officials would also miss out on the chance to showcase the city to the country.
Both of those factors had led to "an underground kind of rumbling or movement" of advocates lobbying the DNC to allow Milwaukee to host the convention in 2024 if an in-person gathering falls through this cycle, according to Myers. But her overriding concern was public health and safety, particularly the strain visitors would have on the 600,000-person city's already-stretched resources as it deals with COVID-19.
Wisconsin state Sen. Lena Taylor would be "surprised" if there were a traditional, in-person convention, acknowledging that may not be "what people had hoped, or planned, or were looking forward to." While the revenue "would be amazing," since Milwaukee's budget had been calculated on the confab, her other worry was providing Biden with the best possible springboard for November's general election against Trump.
"It's a tale of different conventions because the Republican convention is saying it's going forward in-person," she said of the Democrats' potential dual in-person/virtual event.
Ruben Hopkins of the Wisconsin Black Chamber of Commerce had noticed the same tensions. Hopkins's group is putting together sideline programming, regardless of what shape the convention takes, including COVID-19 testing, a jobs fair, and a community food pantry for the needy.
"If anything, it will just look like the Democratic Party is paying attention to the conditions in the country versus just coming together to drop some balloons," he said, emphasizing his nonpartisanship. "The Republicans are going to have to match that. And if all they're doing at their convention is whatever they do, then it's not going to go over well."
African American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin's Ossie Kendrix was still "cautiously" anticipating an in-person convention with caveats, especially due to the disproportionate effects of COVID-19 on minority communities. About 40% of Milwaukee's population identifies as being black or African American.
"Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, an influx of travelers was ideal for the Milwaukee economy. Today, not so much," he said. "I’d love to see more of a virtual convention with less travelers. I’d also challenge the planning team to explore opportunities to host events where more outside air can be utilized with social distancing mandates."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-26--Utah poll shocker: Trump and Biden nearly tied in deep-red state

Voters in Utah remain almost evenly split on which presidential candidate they will support in November a new poll finds , a surprising result since voters there have supported every Republican nominee since 1968 , often by huge margins .
A new survey from Y2 Analytics finds President Trump leading Joe Biden by 3 points , at 44 % support , with 8 % of voters saying they would vote for a third-party candidate if the election were held today .
Five percent of Beehive State voters said they had n't made up their mind between Trump and Biden , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a former two-term vice president and 36-year Delaware senator .
Trump 's support in the state has dropped 2 % since the firm conducted a survey in April , which had Trump at 46 % support and Biden at 41 % .
Much of Trump 's drop in support can be attributed to the president 's poor performance with independent and self-described moderate voters .
According to Y2 Analytics , those voters back Trump by double-digits .
Y2 Analytics interviewed 1,099 likely Utah voters from May 9-15 , and the poll has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In 2016 , Trump won the state with 45.54 % of the vote , largely due to independent conservative candidate Evan McMullin , who earned 21.54 % of the vote in his home state .
In the state with a large number of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , Trump 's anti-immigration views and vulgarian personal habits have not played well with broad swaths of Republicans , who have at times given their party 's nominees more than 70 % of the vote .
In fall 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month before the election and found Trump tied with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at 26 % support .
Clinton placed a distant second on Election Day with 27.46 % of the vote .
The findings of the latest Y2 Analytics poll are consistent with a KUTV survey conducted earlier this month that had Trump leading by 3 points .
An April poll by Deseret News had Trump leading by 19 points over Biden .

Voters in Utah remain almost evenly split on which presidential candidate they will support in November a new poll finds, a surprising result since voters there have supported every Republican nominee since 1968, often by huge margins.
A new survey from Y2 Analytics finds President Trump leading Joe Biden by 3 points, at 44% support, with 8% of voters saying they would vote for a third-party candidate if the election were held today. Five percent of Beehive State voters said they hadn't made up their mind between Trump and Biden, who is the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee and a former two-term vice president and 36-year Delaware senator.
Trump's support in the state has dropped 2% since the firm conducted a survey in April, which had Trump at 46% support and Biden at 41%. Much of Trump's drop in support can be attributed to the president's poor performance with independent and self-described moderate voters. According to Y2 Analytics, those voters back Trump by double-digits.
Y2 Analytics interviewed 1,099 likely Utah voters from May 9-15, and the poll has a margin of error of 3%.
In 2016, Trump won the state with 45.54% of the vote, largely due to independent conservative candidate Evan McMullin, who earned 21.54% of the vote in his home state. In the state with a large number of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Trump's anti-immigration views and vulgarian personal habits have not played well with broad swaths of Republicans, who have at times given their party's nominees more than 70% of the vote.
In fall 2016, Y2 Analytics conducted a survey a month before the election and found Trump tied with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at 26% support. Clinton placed a distant second on Election Day with 27.46% of the vote.
The findings of the latest Y2 Analytics poll are consistent with a KUTV survey conducted earlier this month that had Trump leading by 3 points. An April poll by Deseret News had Trump leading by 19 points over Biden.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-27--Trump’s silver lining — economic numbers could be surging by Election Day

There is one possible silver lining for President Trump in the dismal economic numbers that have followed the coronavirus lockdowns and jeopardized his reelection : There is nowhere to go but up .
At least that is the feeling among economists aligned with the Trump administration , who expect the easing of economic restrictions to unleash pent-up demand , as well as some experts who support presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
“ I think the third quarter is going to be huge growth quarter , we agree with Congressional Budget Office , and the four the quarter , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to see a tremendous rebound , going to spill over into 2021 , ” Larry Kudlow , director of the National Economic Council , told reporters outside the White House on Tuesday .
He later added , “ We got 50 states in different phases of reopening , and that ’ s a plus.
” Trump himself has repeatedly made the case that the third quarter , for which preliminary numbers will be known on Election Day , will mark a “ transition ” between the current economic doldrums and a period @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As I said , and I 'll say it 100 times , we 're going to have an incredible year next year , right at the beginning , ” Trump told Ford workers in the key battleground state of Michigan .
“ Even our fourth quarter is going to be very good .
There 's a tremendous pent-up demand , and that includes for your cars.
” Gone is the low unemployment rate and respectable economic growth that was going to be the centerpiece of Trump ’ s case for a second term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jobless claims and counting with a contracting economy , as the coronavirus keeps consumers at home and government-mandated lockdowns designed to mitigate the outbreak force businesses to close .
Even if reopening proceeds without a hitch , a full recovery by the time voters decide Trump ’ s electoral fate is highly unlikely .
He is currently trailing Biden nationally and in most battleground states .
`` Yes , unemployment will be something that moves back slower .
I think it could be better than that .
But you ’ re going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20s and working your way down , '' White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett told State of the Union , conceding double-digit unemployment could still be with us as the election approaches .
`` So , of course , you could still not be back to full employment by September or October . ''
But even if the bottom-line numbers remain objectively bad , especially when compared to earlier in the Trump administration , the rebound from such an artificially low base could produce gaudy growth stats .
That ’ s what top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warning Democrats since April , Politico Tuesday .
“ You could easily have 1 to 2 million jobs created a month in those four reports before November , ” Furman is quoted as saying .
“ And then toward the end of October , we will get GDP growth for the third quarter , at an annualized rate , and it could be double-digit positive economic growth .
So these will be the best jobs and growth numbers ever.
” Furman should know .
Unemployment was still relatively high when President Barack Obama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revised upward later that year because voters felt things were moving in the right direction after the low point of the Great Recession .
Asked on Tuesday about the recent stock market rally , Kudlow replied by pointing to Furman ’ s comments and other optimistic reporting on the economy .
“ They are reading this story on the front page of the Wall Street Journal , but there have been a number of these stories — I saw one in Politico where a good friend of mine from the other side agrees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a very strong third quarter and second half rebound , ” he said .
Republican strategists believe it will be difficult for Democrats to pin the economy on Trump if they are trying to defend the lockdowns while the president pushes reopening .
“ Trump will need a forward-looking message , ” said one GOP communications expert .
“ Keep America Great will not resonate.
” Thus , the Trump campaign has back to “ Make America Great Again.
” Not all economists agree the post-coronavirus recovery will be as .
Any future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and some businesses will prove harder to reopen than others — a “ W-shaped ” recovery rather than a “ V-shaped ” one , in the parlance of policy wonks .
Trump is not among the doubters .
“ You ’ re going to see it more and more , ” he said of improving economic indicators at a White House event Tuesday .
`` We call it the ‘ transition to greatness , ’ and it really is .
”

There is one possible silver lining for President Trump in the dismal economic numbers that have followed the coronavirus lockdowns and jeopardized his reelection: There is nowhere to go but up.
At least that is the feeling among economists aligned with the Trump administration, who expect the easing of economic restrictions to unleash pent-up demand, as well as some experts who support presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
“I think the third quarter is going to be a huge growth quarter, we agree with the Congressional Budget Office, and the fourth quarter, the whole second half, we’re going to see a tremendous rebound, going to spill over into 2021,” Larry Kudlow, director of the National Economic Council, told reporters outside the White House on Tuesday. He later added, “We got 50 states in different phases of reopening, and that’s a plus.”
Trump himself has repeatedly made the case that the third quarter, for which preliminary numbers will be known on Election Day, will mark a “transition” between the current economic doldrums and a period of renewed jobs and growth. “As I said, and I'll say it 100 times, we're going to have an incredible year next year, right at the beginning,” Trump told Ford workers in the key battleground state of Michigan. “Even our fourth quarter is going to be very good. There's a tremendous pent-up demand, and that includes for your cars.”
Gone is the low unemployment rate and respectable economic growth that was going to be the centerpiece of Trump’s case for a second term. In its place are 36 million jobless claims and counting with a contracting economy, as the coronavirus keeps consumers at home and government-mandated lockdowns designed to mitigate the outbreak force businesses to close. Even if reopening proceeds without a hitch, a full recovery by the time voters decide Trump’s electoral fate is highly unlikely. He is currently trailing Biden nationally and in most battleground states.
"Yes, unemployment will be something that moves back slower. I think it could be better than that. But you’re going to be starting at a number in the 20s and working your way down," White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett told State of the Union, conceding double-digit unemployment could still be with us as the election approaches. "So, of course, you could still not be back to full employment by September or October."
But even if the bottom-line numbers remain objectively bad, especially when compared to earlier in the Trump administration, the rebound from such an artificially low base could produce gaudy growth statistics. That’s what top Obama administration economist Jason Furman has been warning Democrats since April, Politico reported Tuesday.
“You could easily have 1 to 2 million jobs created a month in those four reports before November,” Furman is quoted as saying. “And then toward the end of October, we will get GDP growth for the third quarter, at an annualized rate, and it could be double-digit positive economic growth. So these will be the best jobs and growth numbers ever.”
Furman should know. Unemployment was still relatively high when President Barack Obama was reelected, though the numbers were revised upward later that year because voters felt things were moving in the right direction after the low point of the Great Recession.
Asked on Tuesday about the recent stock market rally, Kudlow replied by pointing to Furman’s comments and other optimistic reporting on the economy. “They are reading this story on the front page of the Wall Street Journal, but there have been a number of these stories — I saw one in Politico where a good friend of mine from the other side agrees with us and the CBO — of a very strong third quarter and second half rebound,” he said.
Republican strategists believe it will be difficult for Democrats to pin the economy on Trump if they are trying to defend the lockdowns while the president pushes reopening. “Trump will need a forward-looking message,” said one GOP communications expert. “Keep America Great will not resonate.” Thus, the Trump campaign has pivoted back to “Make America Great Again.”
Not all economists agree the post-coronavirus recovery will be as sustained or robust . Any future outbreaks could lead to more lockdowns, and some businesses will prove harder to reopen than others — a “W-shaped” recovery rather than a “V-shaped” one, in the parlance of policy wonks.
Trump is not among the doubters. “You’re going to see it more and more,” he said of improving economic indicators at a White House event Tuesday. "We call it the ‘transition to greatness,’ and it really is.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-27--Democrats' big-city dominance leaves GOP with few alternatives to move Trump convention

President Trump ’ s threat to move the Republican convention could run headlong into the same political and logistical stumbling blocks motivating the GOP to consider yanking the event from Charlotte , North Carolina — Democratic elected officials .
Trump blames partisanship , suggesting North Carolina Gov .
Roy Cooper has declined to guarantee that Republican delegates will be welcomed to Charlotte , and permitted to fill Spectrum Center arena to capacity , because he is a Democrat intent on derailing the convention .
But even in states with friendly Republican governors that have lifted coronavirus lockdowns , cities most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ renomination are ruled by Democrats and likely to resist , citing fears of a second outbreak .
On Tuesday , Gov .
Brian Kemp pitched Trump via tweet to bring the Republican convention to Georgia — among the earliest states to reopen amid the pandemic .
The Republican chief executive didn ’ t specify which city he has in mind , and his spokesman declined to elaborate .
But Atlanta is the only city in the state with the convention and hotel space to host an event of this magnitude , and Mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not interested .
“ Like North Carolina , the City of Atlanta is following a phased , data-driven approach to reopening , ” Bottoms told the Washington Examiner through a spokesman .
“ That plan does not contemplate hosting a large gathering event in August .
In fact , several long-standing City-supported and sponsored events have already been canceled in order to comply with CDC guidelines.
” With the death toll in the United States from the coronavirus crossing 100,000 , Trump ’ s convention could run into the same political resistance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situated in other states with Republican governors .
Florida , another state at the forefront of reopening businesses and hospitality , has emerged as a possible exception .
Republican Gov .
Ron DeSantis is a Trump ally , and Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry , a Republican , told Politico he would welcome the convention .
Republicans are set to convene Aug. 24–27 for a traditional four-day nominating convention , and delegates are expressing confidence the event will be safe to attend .
While lingering concerns about the coronavirus are making Democrats apprehensive about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Joe Biden and considering virtual alternatives , Republican National Committee Chairman Ronna McDaniel has said from the outset of the pandemic that the GOP was committed to a live convention .
Trump ’ s eleventh-hour threat to move the quadrennial gathering could be an empty gambit to extract more cooperation from Cooper , or simply flex his muscles for political effect .
The president often vows to cancel contracts or renegotiate agreements , only to back down or declare victory despite receiving minimal concessions .
The RNC is warning that Trump is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move the convention , despite the logistical challenges posed by such a short lead time .
“ The RNC wants to hold a full in-person convention in Charlotte , but we need the governor to provide assurances that it can occur .
We will need some answers sooner rather than later , or we will be forced to consider other options , ” an RNC spokesman said .
Cooper , who is up for reelection this year in a closely divided state that leans slightly Republican , denies that he is playing politics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told the Washington Examiner that the coronavirus could force adjustments to the Republican convention , but she said any decisions would wait until late June or early July .
Presidential nominating conventions are a massive logistical undertaking , so much so that few cities vie to host the events , fearing a drain on local resources and major inconvenience for local residents .
The two major parties pick host cities years in advance and plan the events for more than a year through what are essentially separate corporations formed to handle the workload @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coordination occurs with the local business community , state and local governments , and federal security officials .
To handle the crush of attendees , the parties , through their convention arms , reserve and assign hotel rooms , meeting space , and workspace for the media .
Reconfiguring the blueprint Republicans have drawn for Charlotte on short notice could be near impossible .
And , that is if Trump can find an alternative that is willing and able to pull off the sort of high-caliber event he envisions that also satisfies post-Sept. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I don ’ t think it ’ s logistically possible to move the convention at this point , ” a senior Republican official in North Carolina said .
“ The only question is , what steps have to be taken to comply with the health regulations in place come convention time .
”

President Trump’s threat to move the Republican convention could run headlong into the same political and logistical stumbling blocks motivating the GOP to consider yanking the event from Charlotte, North Carolina — Democratic elected officials.
Trump blames partisanship, suggesting North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has declined to guarantee that Republican delegates will be welcomed to Charlotte, and permitted to fill Spectrum Center arena to capacity, because he is a Democrat intent on derailing the convention. But even in states with friendly Republican governors that have lifted coronavirus lockdowns, cities most equipped to host the president’s renomination are ruled by Democrats and likely to resist, citing fears of a second outbreak.
On Tuesday, Gov. Brian Kemp pitched Trump via tweet to bring the Republican convention to Georgia — among the earliest states to reopen amid the pandemic. The Republican chief executive didn’t specify which city he has in mind, and his spokesman declined to elaborate. But Atlanta is the only city in the state with the convention and hotel space to host an event of this magnitude, and Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, a Democrat, is not interested.
“Like North Carolina, the City of Atlanta is following a phased, data-driven approach to reopening,” Bottoms told the Washington Examiner through a spokesman. “That plan does not contemplate hosting a large gathering event in August. In fact, several long-standing City-supported and sponsored events have already been canceled in order to comply with CDC guidelines.”
With the death toll in the United States from the coronavirus crossing 100,000, Trump’s convention could run into the same political resistance from local Democratic officials in major cities situated in other states with Republican governors. Florida, another state at the forefront of reopening businesses and hospitality, has emerged as a possible exception. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis is a Trump ally, and Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry, a Republican, told Politico he would welcome the convention.
Republicans are set to convene Aug. 24–27 for a traditional four-day nominating convention, and delegates are expressing confidence the event will be safe to attend. While lingering concerns about the coronavirus are making Democrats apprehensive about meeting in Milwaukee to nominate former Vice President Joe Biden and considering virtual alternatives, Republican National Committee Chairman Ronna McDaniel has said from the outset of the pandemic that the GOP was committed to a live convention.
Trump’s eleventh-hour threat to move the quadrennial gathering could be an empty gambit to extract more cooperation from Cooper, or simply flex his muscles for political effect. The president often vows to cancel contracts or renegotiate agreements, only to back down or declare victory despite receiving minimal concessions. The RNC is warning that Trump is not bluffing and that the party could move the convention, despite the logistical challenges posed by such a short lead time.
“The RNC wants to hold a full in-person convention in Charlotte, but we need the governor to provide assurances that it can occur. We will need some answers sooner rather than later, or we will be forced to consider other options,” an RNC spokesman said.
Cooper, who is up for reelection this year in a closely divided state that leans slightly Republican, denies that he is playing politics with the GOP convention. McDaniel previously told the Washington Examiner that the coronavirus could force adjustments to the Republican convention, but she said any decisions would wait until late June or early July.
Presidential nominating conventions are a massive logistical undertaking, so much so that few cities vie to host the events, fearing a drain on local resources and major inconvenience for local residents.
The two major parties pick host cities years in advance and plan the events for more than a year through what are essentially separate corporations formed to handle the workload. Partnerships are formed, and intense coordination occurs with the local business community, state and local governments, and federal security officials. To handle the crush of attendees, the parties, through their convention arms, reserve and assign hotel rooms, meeting space, and workspace for the media.
Reconfiguring the blueprint Republicans have drawn for Charlotte on short notice could be near impossible. And, that is if Trump can find an alternative that is willing and able to pull off the sort of high-caliber event he envisions that also satisfies post-Sept. 11, 2001, security protocols.
“I don’t think it’s logistically possible to move the convention at this point,” a senior Republican official in North Carolina said. “The only question is, what steps have to be taken to comply with the health regulations in place come convention time.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-28--Biden: Running mate announcement expected around start of August

Joe Biden said that he expects to announce his vice presidential pick around Aug. 1 .
The information on the expected running mate announcement timeline came during a virtual fundraiser on Wednesday featuring former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg , with around 200 donors , according to a pool report .
That means the Democratic vice presidential presumptive nominee will be known a few weeks before the Democratic National Convention , scheduled for Aug. 17 to 20 in Milwaukee , but may largely take place via virtual speeches due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Biden said earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ convention taking place over two days with 5,000 people .
The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee and former vice president has pledged to pick a woman to be his running mate and said that the selection committee process is in its beginning stages .
“ We 're in the process of deciding the basic cut about whether or not they really want it .
Are they comfortable ?
They 've asked a lot of questions , '' Biden said .
He has previously said that more than a dozen women are being considered for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michelle Lujan Grisham , Florida Rep. Val Demings , and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar are among the women who have been asked to start the vetting process .
`` I want to make sure that wherever I speak to , whoever I have , has some qualities that I do n't possess , as well as is willing to , in fact , tell me the truth , but also do it in a way that is between the two of us between her and me so that they can , in fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I want to have people around me that have strengths and capacities I do n't , ” Biden said .
In addition to aligning with his policy priorities , Biden has said that he is looking for a running mate who is able to assume the presidency on day one because `` I 'm an old guy . ''

Joe Biden said that he expects to announce his vice presidential pick around Aug. 1.
The information on the expected running mate announcement timeline came during a virtual fundraiser on Wednesday featuring former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, with around 200 donors, according to a pool report.
That means the Democratic vice presidential presumptive nominee will be known a few weeks before the Democratic National Convention, scheduled for Aug. 17 to 20 in Milwaukee, but may largely take place via virtual speeches due to the coronavirus pandemic. Biden said earlier on Wednesday that he could see the convention taking place over two days with 5,000 people.
The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee and former vice president has pledged to pick a woman to be his running mate and said that the selection committee process is in its beginning stages.
“We're in the process of deciding the basic cut about whether or not they really want it. Are they comfortable? They've asked a lot of questions," Biden said.
He has previously said that more than a dozen women are being considered for the job. New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, Florida Rep. Val Demings, and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar are among the women who have been asked to start the vetting process.
"I want to make sure that wherever I speak to, whoever I have, has some qualities that I don't possess, as well as is willing to, in fact, tell me the truth, but also do it in a way that is between the two of us between her and me so that they can, in fact, be completely candid with me because I want to have people around me that have strengths and capacities I don't,” Biden said.
In addition to aligning with his policy priorities, Biden has said that he is looking for a running mate who is able to assume the presidency on day one because "I'm an old guy."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-28--'I will always stand for freedom': Congressional candidate who challenged Beto O'Rourke to take her

'I will always stand for freedom': Congressional candidate who challenged Beto O'Rourke to take her AR-15 reopens business

A Colorado woman who is running for Congress as a Republican celebrated the reopening of her grill after a state injunction forced her to close .
Speaking with the Washington Examiner on Wednesday , Lauren Boebert , who runs Shooters Grill in Rifle , Colorado , admonished Colorado Gov .
Jared Polis for adopting `` unconstitutional executive orders '' and said that government 's response to the coronavirus pandemic has motivated her bid for Congress .
`` I 've had so much exposure to the power that government has and how easy it is to take our rights , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has motivated me more than ever to get into office , so I can limit that government overreach and give power back to the people and do what elected officials swear an oath to do : Secure our rights .
We 're just not seeing that .
I feel there is a necessity now more than ever for me to win . ''
Boebert , whose employees open carry in her grill , shot to internet stardom in the fall of 2019 when she contested former Texas Rep. Beto O'Rourke 's call to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reopen her grill amid a number of state-mandated hurdles that have made it difficult to navigate the new era of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines on social distancing .
She attempted to reopen her grill on May 9 , based on similar measures adopted in the neighboring county of Mesa , but a judge slapped a restraining order on her business .
In a video shared to Twitter on Wednesday , Boebert celebrated the reinstatement of her restaurant license and credited local officials with `` seeking solutions that make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they allowed her to serve customers seated outside .
`` There was going to come a payday , very soon , where I would not be able to pay my employees , '' Boebert told the Washington Examiner .
`` It was working out very well .
We had social distancing in place .
Masks , gloves , sanitary procedures .
I feel at this point , this was a success .
I did n't miss a payroll .
My employees were taken care of this entire time , and the city of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seating in place . ''
Boebert is challenging Republican incumbent Scott Tipton in Colorado 's 3rd Congressional District , where residents will vote on June 30 .
Boebert accused Tipton of voting with Democrats , such as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , on major legislation .
`` If I thought we were being represented here in the 3rd District , I would not have stepped up to run for office , '' Boebert said .
`` Scott Tipton ran as a Tea Party conservative , and he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the things we put him in office to do .
In December , he voted with Democrats to give millions of law-breaking illegal immigrants amnesty and one billion of our hard-earned tax dollars to their housing subsidies . ''
Boebert said that although the coronavirus pandemic has presented new challenges to campaigning , it has also allowed her to communicate on a more intimate level with `` thousands '' of residents in her district who she has called by phone .

A Colorado woman who is running for Congress as a Republican celebrated the reopening of her grill after a state injunction forced her to close.
Speaking with the Washington Examiner on Wednesday, Lauren Boebert, who runs Shooters Grill in Rifle, Colorado, admonished Colorado Gov. Jared Polis for adopting "unconstitutional executive orders" and said that government's response to the coronavirus pandemic has motivated her bid for Congress.
"I've had so much exposure to the power that government has and how easy it is to take our rights," Boebert said. "So, this has motivated me more than ever to get into office, so I can limit that government overreach and give power back to the people and do what elected officials swear an oath to do: Secure our rights. We're just not seeing that. I feel there is a necessity now more than ever for me to win."
Boebert, whose employees open carry in her grill, shot to internet stardom in the fall of 2019 when she contested former Texas Rep. Beto O'Rourke's call to ban semi-automatic rifles. She has struggled to reopen her grill amid a number of state-mandated hurdles that have made it difficult to navigate the new era of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines on social distancing.
She attempted to reopen her grill on May 9, based on similar measures adopted in the neighboring county of Mesa, but a judge slapped a restraining order on her business. In a video shared to Twitter on Wednesday, Boebert celebrated the reinstatement of her restaurant license and credited local officials with "seeking solutions that make sense and respect our rights" after they allowed her to serve customers seated outside.
.@ShootersGrill update: Back in business, met payroll along the way, additional seating in parking lot is on its way. Glad to be heard because freedom is a right, not a permission. Thank you for your support. Now let's go win this Republican primary and fight for freedom in DC! pic.twitter.com/ORkidkMo0f — Lauren Boebert for Congress (R-CO3) (@laurenboebert) May 27, 2020
"There was going to come a payday, very soon, where I would not be able to pay my employees," Boebert told the Washington Examiner. "It was working out very well. We had social distancing in place. Masks, gloves, sanitary procedures. I feel at this point, this was a success. I didn't miss a payroll. My employees were taken care of this entire time, and the city of Rifle worked with me to get outdoor seating in place."
Boebert is challenging Republican incumbent Scott Tipton in Colorado's 3rd Congressional District, where residents will vote on June 30. Boebert accused Tipton of voting with Democrats, such as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, on major legislation.
"If I thought we were being represented here in the 3rd District, I would not have stepped up to run for office," Boebert said. "Scott Tipton ran as a Tea Party conservative, and he votes alongside Democrats instead of standing up for the things we put him in office to do. In December, he voted with Democrats to give millions of law-breaking illegal immigrants amnesty and one billion of our hard-earned tax dollars to their housing subsidies."
Boebert said that although the coronavirus pandemic has presented new challenges to campaigning, it has also allowed her to communicate on a more intimate level with "thousands" of residents in her district who she has called by phone.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-27--Democrats swamp Republicans in mail-in ballot requests for Pennsylvania primary

Democratic voters overwhelmed Republicans in requests for mail-in ballots for Pennsylvania ’ s primary this coming Tuesday , an advantage Democrats claim bodes well for their presumptive presidential nominee , Joe Biden , in a state critical to the outcome of the fall campaign .
At the deadline for mail-in ballot requests for next week 's primary , Democratic voters across Pennsylvania submitted 1,302,052 applications , compared to just 529,220 applications submitted by Republicans , according to government figures .
In other words , of the 1.9 million requests for mail-in ballots for Pennsylvania ’ s closed primary , 67 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just 27 % coming from Republican voters .
The remaining 5.6 % of requests were submitted by unaffiliated voters .
“ It ’ s a horrible precursor for Republicans of what ’ s to come , ” T.J. Rooney , a former chairman of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party , told the Washington Examiner last week , adding in a follow-up interview on Wednesday that the final disparity only further confirms that assessment .
The presidential election is more than five months off , and Republicans say voter behavior in a primary with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state has little bearing on President Trump ’ s prospects .
Last week , David Urban , Trump ’ s top Pennsylvania lieutenant , dismissed the statistics as immaterial to the outcome of the general election .
“ Republicans will be more motivated to vote , ” said Urban , who guided Trump ’ s efforts in Pennsylvania in 2016 , when he became the first Republican nominee to win the state since 1988 .
“ Democrats might have done a better ballot harvesting now .
But we definitely have the advantage in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both parties have traditionally voted in person on Election Day .
Then , last year , state lawmakers enacted legislation easing participation in mail-in voting .
With voters worried about contracting the coronavirus , which has killed about 100,000 people in the United States , interest in voting absentee has increased exponentially .
Democrats , who are more inclined to vote by mail and who , as a party , have mastered ballot harvesting techniques , are embracing the transition .
Republican voters tend to prefer pulling the lever in person on Election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Trump could be at a disadvantage this fall if health risks , or a reduction of physical polling places , make in-person voting more difficult .
The party is attempting to make Republican voters comfortable with mail-in voting .
Messages like this from Trump are making their job difficult , said a Republican ward boss in Philadelphia .
`` [ W ] e can ’ t let large scale Mail-In Ballots take root in our Country .
It would be a free for all on cheating , forgery and the theft of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ win , ” the president tweeted .
“ There ’ s a big education issue in terms of fighting the narrative from the president , ” Josh Novotney , the GOP ward boss in Philadelphia , recently told the Washington Examiner .
“ I ’ m not worried about turnout in the primary .
But I am worried it will be a huge problem in the general election .
”

Democratic voters overwhelmed Republicans in requests for mail-in ballots for Pennsylvania’s primary this coming Tuesday, an advantage Democrats claim bodes well for their presumptive presidential nominee, Joe Biden, in a state critical to the outcome of the fall campaign.
At the deadline for mail-in ballot requests for next week's primary, Democratic voters across Pennsylvania submitted 1,302,052 applications, compared to just 529,220 applications submitted by Republicans, according to government figures. In other words, of the 1.9 million requests for mail-in ballots for Pennsylvania’s closed primary, 67% came from Democratic voters, with just 27% coming from Republican voters. The remaining 5.6% of requests were submitted by unaffiliated voters.
“It’s a horrible precursor for Republicans of what’s to come,” T.J. Rooney, a former chairman of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, told the Washington Examiner last week, adding in a follow-up interview on Wednesday that the final disparity only further confirms that assessment.
The presidential election is more than five months off, and Republicans say voter behavior in a primary with a bevy of competitive Democratic contests across the state has little bearing on President Trump’s prospects.
Last week, David Urban, Trump’s top Pennsylvania lieutenant, dismissed the statistics as immaterial to the outcome of the general election. “Republicans will be more motivated to vote,” said Urban, who guided Trump’s efforts in Pennsylvania in 2016, when he became the first Republican nominee to win the state since 1988. “Democrats might have done a better ballot harvesting now. But we definitely have the advantage in organization and ground game.”
Pennsylvanians of both parties have traditionally voted in person on Election Day. Then, last year, state lawmakers enacted legislation easing participation in mail-in voting. With voters worried about contracting the coronavirus, which has killed about 100,000 people in the United States, interest in voting absentee has increased exponentially.
Democrats, who are more inclined to vote by mail and who, as a party, have mastered ballot harvesting techniques, are embracing the transition. Republican voters tend to prefer pulling the lever in person on Election Day, and some GOP insiders worry that Trump could be at a disadvantage this fall if health risks, or a reduction of physical polling places, make in-person voting more difficult. The party is attempting to make Republican voters comfortable with mail-in voting.
Messages like this from Trump are making their job difficult, said a Republican ward boss in Philadelphia. "[W]e can’t let large scale Mail-In Ballots take root in our Country. It would be a free for all on cheating, forgery and the theft of Ballots. Whoever cheated the most would win,” the president tweeted.
“There’s a big education issue in terms of fighting the narrative from the president,” Josh Novotney, the GOP ward boss in Philadelphia, recently told the Washington Examiner. “I’m not worried about turnout in the primary. But I am worried it will be a huge problem in the general election.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-27--Jim Acosta accuses Trump of lying, says there's no proof of 'widespread voter fraud' with mail-in ba

Jim Acosta accuses Trump of lying, says there's no proof of 'widespread voter fraud' with mail-in ballots

CNN White House correspondent Jim Acosta accused President Trump of lying about the connection between voter fraud and mail-in voting .
“ Not only does the president have a problem with telling the truth , he has a problem with accepting the truth , ” Acosta told Anderson Cooper on CNN Tuesday night .
“ And all the studies have shown on this subject there is no widespread voter fraud in the U.S. , and there 's no proven link between mail-in balloting and voter fraud .
Republican-led states have been doing it for years.
” Over the last few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic efforts to expand mail-in voting , arguing that the process allows for voter fraud .
“ There is NO WAY ( ZERO ! )
that Mail-In Ballots will be anything less than substantially fraudulent , ” Trump said Tuesday morning .
“ Mail boxes will be robbed , ballots will be forged & even illegally printed out & fraudulently signed .
The Governor of California is sending Ballots to millions of people , anyone living in the state , no matter who they are or how they got there , will get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with professionals telling all of these people , many of whom have never even thought of voting before , how , and for whom , to vote .
This will be a Rigged Election .
No way !
” Later in the day , Twitter , for the first time ever , their own link to the tweet that said , “ Get the facts about mail-in ballots . ''
It also linked to information from CNN , the Washington Post , and others in an attempt to debunk Trump ’ s claim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Michelle Obama have been calling for expanded mail-in voting by arguing it ’ s too dangerous for people to go to polling places during the coronavirus outbreak and suggesting that Republicans who oppose the move are and trying to .
House Democrats $ 3.6 billion of funding for mail-in voting expansion in their most recent coronavirus relief proposal .
Republicans have cited concerns with the long list of voter fraud cases in the country over the last several years , as well as with that over 28 million mail-in ballots are unaccounted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carlson his belief on his Fox News show Tuesday night that the controversial method of “ ballot harvesting ” is ripe for fraud and has already been shown to be fraudulent .
“ Harvesters can go to people ’ s homes — and they do in California , “ Carlson said .
“ They pressure them to vote or to vote the right way , or they help a person read through a ballot while nudging them on who to vote for , ” Carlson claimed on his nightly program Tuesday .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of these methods of fraud are equally likely … but the point is this : Universal mail-in voting with ballot harvesting massively expands the potential for voter fraud.
” He said , “ I don ’ t care what Twitter tells you .
That ’ s true .
It ’ s obvious .
And by the way , it ’ s been documented .
… It ’ s not a theoretical risk .
Actual voter fraud has happened despite what they tell you all over the country.
” Earlier this month , Maryland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election in South Carolina , further incensing critics of mail-in voting .
“ The media argues @ realDonaldTrump has “ no evidence ” of mail-in ballot problems , ” Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel responded .
“ Oh really ?
Look what just happened in SC , where Dems sued to force a rushed transition to mail with no safeguards .
Their ballots magically appeared in Baltimore .
How secure !
” Trump has threatened to intervene if states continue their mail-in voting push , Nevada last week that he has the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the state .
Former Vice President Joe Biden has openly endorsed increased mail-in voting , calling Trump 's concerns about the process `` un-American . ''

CNN White House correspondent Jim Acosta accused President Trump of lying about the connection between voter fraud and mail-in voting.
“Not only does the president have a problem with telling the truth, he has a problem with accepting the truth,” Acosta told Anderson Cooper on CNN Tuesday night. “And all the studies have shown on this subject there is no widespread voter fraud in the U.S., and there's no proven link between mail-in balloting and voter fraud. Republican-led states have been doing it for years.”
Over the last few weeks, President Trump has been railing against Democratic efforts to expand mail-in voting, arguing that the process allows for voter fraud.
“There is NO WAY (ZERO!) that Mail-In Ballots will be anything less than substantially fraudulent,” Trump said Tuesday morning. “Mail boxes will be robbed, ballots will be forged & even illegally printed out & fraudulently signed. The Governor of California is sending Ballots to millions of people, anyone living in the state, no matter who they are or how they got there, will get one. That will be followed up with professionals telling all of these people, many of whom have never even thought of voting before, how, and for whom, to vote. This will be a Rigged Election. No way!”
....living in the state, no matter who they are or how they got there, will get one. That will be followed up with professionals telling all of these people, many of whom have never even thought of voting before, how, and for whom, to vote. This will be a Rigged Election. No way! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 26, 2020
Later in the day, Twitter, for the first time ever, added their own link to the tweet that said, “Get the facts about mail-in ballots." It also linked to information from CNN, the Washington Post, and others in an attempt to debunk Trump’s claim.
Democrats from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Michelle Obama have been calling for expanded mail-in voting by arguing it’s too dangerous for people to go to polling places during the coronavirus outbreak and suggesting that Republicans who oppose the move are racist and trying to stifle democracy .
House Democrats included $3.6 billion of funding for mail-in voting expansion in their most recent coronavirus relief proposal.
Republicans have cited concerns with the long list of documented voter fraud cases in the country over the last several years, as well as with reports that over 28 million mail-in ballots are unaccounted for over the last decade.
Tucker Carlson explained his belief on his Fox News show Tuesday night that the controversial method of “ballot harvesting” is ripe for fraud and has already been shown to be fraudulent.
“Harvesters can go to people’s homes — and they do in California, “ Carlson said. “They pressure them to vote or to vote the right way, or they help a person read through a ballot while nudging them on who to vote for,” Carlson claimed on his nightly program Tuesday. "We’re not saying that all of these methods of fraud are equally likely … but the point is this: Universal mail-in voting with ballot harvesting massively expands the potential for voter fraud.”
He said, “I don’t care what Twitter tells you. That’s true. It’s obvious. And by the way, it’s been documented. … It’s not a theoretical risk. Actual voter fraud has happened despite what they tell you all over the country.”
Earlier this month, Maryland election officials discovered mail-in ballots meant for an election in South Carolina, further incensing critics of mail-in voting.
“The media argues @realDonaldTrump has “no evidence” of mail-in ballot problems,” Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel responded. “Oh really? Look what just happened in SC, where Dems sued to force a rushed transition to mail with no safeguards. Their ballots magically appeared in Baltimore. How secure!”
The media argues @realDonaldTrump has “no evidence” of mail-in ballot problems.
Oh really?
Look what just happened in SC, where Dems sued to force a rushed transition to mail with no safeguards.
Their ballots magically appeared in Baltimore. How secure!https://t.co/DaCfteP97Y — Ronna McDaniel (@GOPChairwoman) May 21, 2020
Trump has threatened to intervene if states continue their mail-in voting push, warning Nevada last week that he has the ability to “hold up funds” to the state.
Former Vice President Joe Biden has openly endorsed increased mail-in voting, calling Trump's concerns about the process "un-American."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-27--Economy overtakes healthcare as No. 1 campaign issue: Poll

The economy is voters ' No .
1 priority heading toward Election Day , supplanting healthcare as the top campaign issue amid the coronavirus pandemic , which has cost more than 100,000 people in the United States their lives , according to a new poll .
The Optimus online survey of likely voters , conducted for Firehouse Strategies May 16-23 , found 31 % prioritizing the economy in the race between President Trump and presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden , with 22 % naming healthcare as their top issue .
In late March , those numbers were reversed .
Then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was essentially a nationwide coronavirus lockdown , 33 % of voters prioritized healthcare , and 21 % said the economy was their top concern .
At 48 % , Trump ’ s approval rating for his handling of the pandemic is a notch above his average overall job approval rating , which usually fluctuates from the low-40s to mid-40s .
But it ranks well below the average coronavirus approval rating for the nation ’ s governors , which clocked in at 72 % in this national poll .
Also in this survey , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % , although the president ’ s position in the battleground states that will decide the election is significantly better in state-by-state polling .
Some Democrats fear that a campaign that revolves around the economy could benefit Trump if the pandemic recedes and the jobs market improves in the fall .
The Optimus poll methodology does not report a traditional margin of error .
[ Related : Trump ’ s silver lining — economic numbers could be surging by Election Day ]

The economy is voters' No. 1 priority heading toward Election Day, supplanting healthcare as the top campaign issue amid the coronavirus pandemic, which has cost more than 100,000 people in the United States their lives, according to a new poll.
The Optimus online survey of likely voters, conducted for Firehouse Strategies May 16-23, found 31% prioritizing the economy in the race between President Trump and presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden, with 22% naming healthcare as their top issue. In late March, those numbers were reversed. Then, at the very beginning of what was essentially a nationwide coronavirus lockdown, 33% of voters prioritized healthcare, and 21% said the economy was their top concern.
At 48%, Trump’s approval rating for his handling of the pandemic is a notch above his average overall job approval rating, which usually fluctuates from the low-40s to mid-40s. But it ranks well below the average coronavirus approval rating for the nation’s governors, which clocked in at 72% in this national poll.
Also in this survey, Biden led Trump 54% to 43%, although the president’s position in the battleground states that will decide the election is significantly better in state-by-state polling. Some Democrats fear that a campaign that revolves around the economy could benefit Trump if the pandemic recedes and the jobs market improves in the fall. The Optimus poll methodology does not report a traditional margin of error.
[Related: Trump’s silver lining — economic numbers could be surging by Election Day]


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-27--'Massively expands the potential': Tucker Carlson echoes Trump claim mail-in voting leads to voter f

'Massively expands the potential': Tucker Carlson echoes Trump claim mail-in voting leads to voter fraud

Fox News host Tucker Carlson repeated President Trump 's claim that vote-by-mail systems lead to an increased chance of voter fraud .
“ Harvesters can go to people ’ s homes — and they do in California .
… They pressure them to vote or to vote the right way , or they help a person read through a ballot while nudging them on who to vote for , ” Carlson claimed on his nightly program Tuesday .
`` We ’ re not saying that all of these methods of fraud are equally likely … but the point is this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ massively expands the potential for voter fraud.
” Carlson 's comments came just hours after Trump suggested in a series of tweets that Democrats were actively trying to make voter fraud easier by expanding vote by mail systems .
`` There is NO WAY ( ZERO ! )
that Mail-In Ballots will be anything less than substantially fraudulent , '' the president wrote .
`` Mail boxes will be robbed , ballots will be forged & even illegally printed out & fraudulently signed .
The Governor of California is sending Ballots to millions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state , no matter who they are or how they got there , will get one .
That will be followed up with professionals telling all of these people , many of whom have never even thought of voting before , how , and for whom , to vote .
This will be a Rigged Election .
No way ! ''
Twitter , in an unprecedented move , slapped the tweets with a `` get the facts '' note at the bottom and linked to several news reports refuting the president 's claim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media company of trying to meddle in the 2020 election and threatened to `` shut them down . ''
Carlson , a frequent critic of America 's largest tech companies , said the move is akin to a violation of the First Amendment .
“ I don ’ t care what Twitter tells you .
That ’ s true .
It ’ s obvious .
And by the way , it ’ s been documented .
… It ’ s not a theoretical risk .
Actual voter fraud has happened despite what they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .

Fox News host Tucker Carlson repeated President Trump's claim that vote-by-mail systems lead to an increased chance of voter fraud.
“Harvesters can go to people’s homes — and they do in California. … They pressure them to vote or to vote the right way, or they help a person read through a ballot while nudging them on who to vote for,” Carlson claimed on his nightly program Tuesday. "We’re not saying that all of these methods of fraud are equally likely … but the point is this: Universal mail-in voting with ballot harvesting massively expands the potential for voter fraud.”
Carlson's comments came just hours after Trump suggested in a series of tweets that Democrats were actively trying to make voter fraud easier by expanding vote by mail systems.
"There is NO WAY (ZERO!) that Mail-In Ballots will be anything less than substantially fraudulent," the president wrote. "Mail boxes will be robbed, ballots will be forged & even illegally printed out & fraudulently signed. The Governor of California is sending Ballots to millions of people, anyone living in the state, no matter who they are or how they got there, will get one. That will be followed up with professionals telling all of these people, many of whom have never even thought of voting before, how, and for whom, to vote. This will be a Rigged Election. No way!"
Twitter, in an unprecedented move, slapped the tweets with a "get the facts" note at the bottom and linked to several news reports refuting the president's claim. Trump responded by accusing the social media company of trying to meddle in the 2020 election and threatened to "shut them down."
Carlson, a frequent critic of America's largest tech companies, said the move is akin to a violation of the First Amendment.
“I don’t care what Twitter tells you. That’s true. It’s obvious. And by the way, it’s been documented. … It’s not a theoretical risk. Actual voter fraud has happened despite what they tell you all over the country,” he said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-27--Somebody appears to break wind during Joe Biden campaign stream

Joe Biden might need some Pepto-Bismol next time he goes on camera .
During a digital campaign event with Pennsylvania Gov .
Tom Wolf , it sounded as though somebody broke wind as Biden was in the middle of criticizing Republicans ' response to states teetering on the verge of bankruptcy because of losses of revenue due to the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic .
`` [ Mitch McConnell ] says they should declare bankruptcies if you can .
And this is n't some math exercise .
This is about people .
It 's about making sure you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and firefighters , police officers , and cut critical healthcare programs , '' the former vice president said before it sounded as though somebody passed some gas .
`` Or stop work on roads and bridges .
So , what does the human cost of lack of state and local fiscal relief look like in Pennsylvania ? ''
The squeak appeared to invoke a minor grimace and head tilt from Wolf , who proceeded to discuss the issues facing his state and the need for further economic stimulus .
It was not immediately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cut the cheese , but once the clip hit Twitter , some users began speculating it was Biden .
The incident was reminiscent of an interview that one of Biden 's former Democratic rivals , Rep. Eric Swalwell , went through in November when it sounded as though he passed gas during an interview with MSNBC .
He later denied he was responsible for the sound .
`` It was not me !
!
!
!
! ''
the California Democrat told a reporter .
`` Ha .
And I did n't hear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden is 78 years old and would be the oldest president in history if he wins in November .
President Ronald Reagan was 77 years and 349 days old when he left office .
President Trump is 73 .

Joe Biden might need some Pepto-Bismol next time he goes on camera.
During a digital campaign event with Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, it sounded as though somebody broke wind as Biden was in the middle of criticizing Republicans' response to states teetering on the verge of bankruptcy because of losses of revenue due to the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
"[Mitch McConnell] says they should declare bankruptcies if you can. And this isn't some math exercise. This is about people. It's about making sure you don't have to cut those teachers and firefighters, police officers, and cut critical healthcare programs," the former vice president said before it sounded as though somebody passed some gas. "Or stop work on roads and bridges. So, what does the human cost of lack of state and local fiscal relief look like in Pennsylvania?"
The squeak appeared to invoke a minor grimace and head tilt from Wolf, who proceeded to discuss the issues facing his state and the need for further economic stimulus.
It was not immediately clear who, if anyone, actually cut the cheese, but once the clip hit Twitter, some users began speculating it was Biden.
The incident was reminiscent of an interview that one of Biden's former Democratic rivals, Rep. Eric Swalwell, went through in November when it sounded as though he passed gas during an interview with MSNBC. He later denied he was responsible for the sound.
"It was not me!!!!!" the California Democrat told a reporter. "Ha. And I didn't hear it when I was speaking."
Biden is 78 years old and would be the oldest president in history if he wins in November. President Ronald Reagan was 77 years and 349 days old when he left office. President Trump is 73.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-27--Tulsi Gabbard drops defamation lawsuit against Hillary Clinton

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has dropped her defamation lawsuit against Hillary Clinton , citing her need to focus on the coronavirus pandemic and defeating President Trump in the 2020 election .
“ While they remain certain of the action ’ s legal merit , they are just as certain that this new COVID and post-COVID world require them to focus their time and attention on other priorities , including defeating Donald Trump in 2020 , rather than righting the wrongs here , ” Gabbard ’ s attorneys said of the Hawaii Democrat and her presidential campaign committee in a court filing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2020 Democratic primary but dropped out in March , filed suit in January , alleging Clinton damaged her reputation by claiming last year that she was “ a favorite of the Russians.
” “ She is a favorite of the Russians .
They have a bunch of sites and bots and other ways of supporting her so far .
That 's assuming Jill Stein will give it up , which she might not because she is also a Russian asset , ” Clinton told the Campaign HQ podcast October .
Gabbard accused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ a cutthroat politician ” who acted out of “ malicious intent ” because , she alleged , Clinton was upset she supported Sen. Bernie Sanders during the 2016 presidential primary .
“ Tulsi is not a Russian asset .
No one — Russia or anyone else — controls her or her presidential campaign , ” the lawsuit said .
“ The defamatory statements are defamatory because they tend to lead the average person in the community to form an evil or bad opinion of Tulsi , as well as because they tend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her occupation , profession , and office.
” The complaint noted that Gabbard has never had her security clearances challenged or revoked , nor have law enforcement or intelligence agencies backed Clinton ’ s claim .
“ If Tulsi was truthfully a ‘ Russian asset , ’ she would not have been in these positions of great responsibility with access to the most sensitive national security information , and working closely with officials at the highest levels in the United States military , including the commander of the United States Pacific Command , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 50 million in damages and an injunction banning further publication of Clinton ’ s statements .

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has dropped her defamation lawsuit against Hillary Clinton, citing her need to focus on the coronavirus pandemic and defeating President Trump in the 2020 election.
“While they remain certain of the action’s legal merit, they are just as certain that this new COVID and post-COVID world require them to focus their time and attention on other priorities, including defeating Donald Trump in 2020, rather than righting the wrongs here,” Gabbard’s attorneys said of the Hawaii Democrat and her presidential campaign committee in a court filing Wednesday.
Gabbard, who ran in the 2020 Democratic primary but dropped out in March, filed suit in January, alleging Clinton damaged her reputation by claiming last year that she was “a favorite of the Russians.”
“She is a favorite of the Russians. They have a bunch of sites and bots and other ways of supporting her so far. That's assuming Jill Stein will give it up, which she might not because she is also a Russian asset,” Clinton told the Campaign HQ podcast October.
Gabbard accused the former secretary of state of being “a cutthroat politician” who acted out of “malicious intent” because, she alleged, Clinton was upset she supported Sen. Bernie Sanders during the 2016 presidential primary.
“Tulsi is not a Russian asset. No one — Russia or anyone else — controls her or her presidential campaign,” the lawsuit said. “The defamatory statements are defamatory because they tend to lead the average person in the community to form an evil or bad opinion of Tulsi, as well as because they tend to discredit Tulsi in the conduct of her occupation, profession, and office.”
The complaint noted that Gabbard has never had her security clearances challenged or revoked, nor have law enforcement or intelligence agencies backed Clinton’s claim.
“If Tulsi was truthfully a ‘Russian asset,’ she would not have been in these positions of great responsibility with access to the most sensitive national security information, and working closely with officials at the highest levels in the United States military, including the commander of the United States Pacific Command,” the lawsuit said.
Gabbard sought $50 million in damages and an injunction banning further publication of Clinton’s statements.