thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-22--Biden enters 'new phase' kicking out reporter from Wall Street fundraiser

Former Vice President Joe Biden 's team declared the beginning of a `` new phase '' of the campaign as it explained why a reporter was unceremoniously booted from a fundraising call with Wall Street donors .
NBC News reporter Marianna Sotomayor , the pool reporter covering the Friday evening event for other news organizations , described how suddenly being shut out was a break with the norm .
`` At tonight 's fundraiser with Wall Street donors , former Vice President Joe Biden delivered roughly five minutes of remarks focusing on how unprepared President Trump was to handle the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the global pandemic , '' Sotomayor wrote in her press pool report .
`` This pool report was written based just on his opening remarks because your pooler was quickly kicked off the phone call when Biden said he was ready to take questions from any of the 25 donors present , a move that goes against traditionally covering these pooled fundraisers in their entirety , '' she added .
Word quickly got around of the swift dismissal .
`` Not a great look for Biden camp , resorting to far more secretive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Wall Street donors , '' tweeted Sam Stein , the politics editor at the Daily Beast and an MSNBC contributor .
Within the hour , the Biden campaign offered an explanation , promising to `` continue to ensure '' media access .
`` Tonight 's event was a new format as we enter a new phase of the general election campaign , but we will continue to ensure press access to our virtual finance events as part of our campaign 's commitment to transparency -- one that vastly exceeds anything that Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American people , '' said Rufus Gifford , Biden 's deputy campaign manager .
The Washington Examiner reached out to the Biden campaign for clarification to see if reporters will be barred from listening to Biden 's interactions with donors in the future but did not receive a response for publication .
The Trump campaign also acknowledged the unorthodox shift to their followers on Twitter , writing , `` Joe Biden held a virtual video fundraiser tonight with wealthy Wall Street donors .
But reporters were n't allowed to see the video or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And the Biden campaign kicked the reporters off the phone before Biden started to answer questions . ''
Earlier in the day , Biden made headlines upon the announcement of a June 2 fundraising event with Andrew Weissmann , a former Justice Department lawyer who was a top prosecutor for special counsel Robert Mueller 's Russia investigation .
The event will be hosted over a Zoom call with other donors .
Biden received criticism for the announced fundraising event with Weissman , including Donald Trump Jr. '' Nothing says 'it wasn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the partisan hack leading the investigation !
, '' the president 's son tweeted .
Reports indicate Biden is beginning his search for a vice presidential pick , asking Democratic Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar to undergo a vetting process .
Others have also said they 're being considered for the position , including New Mexico Gov .
Michelle Lujan Grisham and Florida Rep. Val Demings .
Other potential candidates for Biden 's VP pick reportedly include Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer and Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams .
Biden has a 5.5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to the RealClearPolitics average .
Still , recent polls show Trump leads in every battleground state , giving him the Electoral College advantage .

Former Vice President Joe Biden's team declared the beginning of a "new phase" of the campaign as it explained why a reporter was unceremoniously kicked off a fundraising call with Wall Street donors.
NBC News reporter Marianna Sotomayor, the pool reporter covering the Friday evening event for other news organizations, described how suddenly being shut out was a break with the norm.
"At tonight's fundraiser with Wall Street donors, former Vice President Joe Biden delivered roughly five minutes of remarks focusing on how unprepared President Trump was to handle the health and economic consequences brought forth by the global pandemic," Sotomayor wrote in her press pool report.
"This pool report was written based just on his opening remarks because your pooler was quickly kicked off the phone call when Biden said he was ready to take questions from any of the 25 donors present, a move that goes against traditionally covering these pooled fundraisers in their entirety," she added.
Biden’s campaign has been quite good about opening fundraisers so the public can get a sense of what he says to wealthy donors
Not tonight. @MariannaNBCNews, the pool reporter representing news organizations, was kicked off as he started taking questions from Wall Street donors pic.twitter.com/HpocNaed7u — Matt Viser (@mviser) May 22, 2020
Word quickly got around of the swift dismissal.
"Not a great look for Biden camp, resorting to far more secretive coverage protocols when he’s talking to Wall Street donors," tweeted Sam Stein, the politics editor at the Daily Beast and an MSNBC contributor.
Within the hour, the Biden campaign offered an explanation, promising to "continue to ensure" media access.
"Tonight's event was a new format as we enter a new phase of the general election campaign, but we will continue to ensure press access to our virtual finance events as part of our campaign's commitment to transparency -- one that vastly exceeds anything that Donald Trump and his campaign have offered the American people," said Rufus Gifford, Biden's deputy campaign manager.
The Biden campaign’s @rufusgifford responds to tonight’s fundraiser, saying in part, “we will continue to ensure press access to our virtual finance events as part of our campaign's commitment to transparency.” pic.twitter.com/Wyf4rucBUn — Sarah Mucha CNN (@sarahmucha) May 22, 2020
The Washington Examiner reached out to the Biden campaign for clarification to see if reporters will be barred from listening to Biden's interactions with donors in the future but did not receive a response for publication.
The Trump campaign also acknowledged the unorthodox shift to their followers on Twitter, writing, "Joe Biden held a virtual video fundraiser tonight with wealthy Wall Street donors. But reporters weren't allowed to see the video or know the identity of the donors. And the Biden campaign kicked the reporters off the phone before Biden started to answer questions."
Joe Biden held a virtual video fundraiser tonight with wealthy Wall Street donors.
But reporters weren't allowed to see the video or know the identity of the donors.
And the Biden campaign kicked the reporters off the phone before Biden started to answer questions. — Trump War Room - Text TRUMP to 88022 & get the APP (@TrumpWarRoom) May 22, 2020
Earlier in the day, Biden made headlines upon the announcement of a June 2 fundraising event with Andrew Weissmann, a former Justice Department lawyer who was a top prosecutor for special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation. The event will be hosted over a Zoom call with other donors.
Biden received criticism for the announced fundraising event with Weissman, including Donald Trump Jr.
"Nothing says 'it wasn’t a witch-hunt' quite like doing fundraisers with the partisan hack leading the investigation!," the president's son tweeted.
Nothing says “it wasn’t a witch-hunt”quite like doing fundraisers with the partisan hack leading the investigation! https://t.co/8ekdx1tPDs — Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) May 21, 2020
Reports indicate Biden is beginning his search for a vice presidential pick, asking Democratic Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar to undergo a vetting process. Others have also said they're being considered for the position, including New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Florida Rep. Val Demings. Other potential candidates for Biden's VP pick reportedly include Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams.
Biden has a 5.5 point lead ahead of President Trump nationally, according to the RealClearPolitics average. Still, recent polls show Trump leads in every battleground state, giving him the Electoral College advantage.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-22--'Do not trust Jeff Sessions': Trump says former attorney general 'let our country down'

President Trump lashed out at former Attorney General Jeff Sessions , tweeting that the timing of his ouster may have been tied to the Mueller inquiry .
`` 3 years ago , after Jeff Sessions recused himself , the Fraudulent Mueller Scam began , '' Trump wrote .
`` Alabama , do not trust Jeff Sessions .
He let our Country down .
That ’ s why I endorsed Coach Tommy Tuberville ( @ TTuberville ) , the true supporter of our # MAGA agenda ! ''
Trump 's comments were in response to a tweet sent by former football @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against Sessions for one of Alabama 's Senate seats .
Tuberville is a pro-Trump Republican , and he is leading the race , with `` 55.1 % probably or definitely favoring Tuberville , to 31.8 % probably or definitely favoring Sessions , '' according to a new poll from the firm Cygnal .
When Sessions left his position as attorney general in November 2018 , Democrats accused Trump of firing the former Alabama senator in an attempt to get to special prosecutor Robert Mueller , who was investigating ties between Trump officials and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump signaled his support for Tuberville after he narrowly defeated Sessions but failed to gain a majority to win the primary vote .
As a result , another vote was scheduled for April 14 before being pushed back to July 14 because of concerns arising from the coronavirus .
Sessions served four terms as a senator from Alabama before joining the Trump administration in early 2017 .
The winner of the July 14 primary will face off against Democratic incumbent Doug Jones .

President Trump lashed out at former Attorney General Jeff Sessions, tweeting that the timing of his ouster may have been tied to the Mueller inquiry.
"3 years ago, after Jeff Sessions recused himself, the Fraudulent Mueller Scam began," Trump wrote. "Alabama, do not trust Jeff Sessions. He let our Country down. That’s why I endorsed Coach Tommy Tuberville (@TTuberville), the true supporter of our #MAGA agenda!"
3 years ago, after Jeff Sessions recused himself, the Fraudulent Mueller Scam began. Alabama, do not trust Jeff Sessions. He let our Country down. That’s why I endorsed Coach Tommy Tuberville (@TTuberville), the true supporter of our #MAGA agenda! https://t.co/pCi7jftce2 https://t.co/sAn1VbxNwc — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 22, 2020
Trump's comments were in response to a tweet sent by former football coach Tommy Tuberville, who is running against Sessions for one of Alabama's Senate seats. Tuberville is a pro-Trump Republican, and he is leading the race, with "55.1% probably or definitely favoring Tuberville, to 31.8% probably or definitely favoring Sessions," according to a new poll from the firm Cygnal.
When Sessions left his position as attorney general in November 2018, Democrats accused Trump of firing the former Alabama senator in an attempt to get to special prosecutor Robert Mueller, who was investigating ties between Trump officials and the Kremlin.
On March 4, Trump signaled his support for Tuberville after he narrowly defeated Sessions but failed to gain a majority to win the primary vote. As a result, another vote was scheduled for April 14 before being pushed back to July 14 because of concerns arising from the coronavirus.
Sessions served four terms as a senator from Alabama before joining the Trump administration in early 2017. The winner of the July 14 primary will face off against Democratic incumbent Doug Jones.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-22--'That was not what the vice president said': Sheila Jackson Lee denies Biden meant 'you ain't black'

'That was not what the vice president said': Sheila Jackson Lee denies Biden meant 'you ain't black' comment

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee threw her support behind former Vice President Joe Biden after he said black people who do n't vote for him are n't actually black .
During an interview with Fox News host Bret Baier , the Texas Democrat pushed back on the claim that Biden made a major gaffe when he told The Breakfast Club host Charlamagne Tha God on Friday morning that `` if you have a problem figuring out whether you 're for me or Trump , then you ai n't black . ''
`` That was not what the vice president said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we had listened to the earlier conversation , we would know that the vice president wants to put his record forward .
He knows that everyone has their own historical , moral standing on the color of their skin , '' Lee said .
`` He also believes in the history of our people , and I do n't believe , in any way , that he undermined who we are and what we are . ''
Lee said it was a smart move for Biden to appear on the morning show despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delighted that the vice president was on The Breakfast Club , '' Lee said .
`` It is a dynamic show with a very probative , questioning host .
That was the right thing to do .
Then , as well , I think the right thing to do was to own up that it might not have been as funny as we might have thought originally , meaning the vice president , because it was done in jest . ''
When Baier read a critical response from BET founder Robert Johnson that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Biden 's record on predominately black issues has been transparent .
`` I believe he 's answered , over the last 24 hours , that he 's going to fight every single day to earn the vote of every single African American of all generations , and that 's the way a presidential candidate should put their candidacy forward , '' Lee said .
Lee then pivoted to President Trump , criticizing him for what she alleged to be demeaning comments about the black community .
`` What I like about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to look for his record , his record is present , '' Lee said .
`` This is a great opportunity for the vice president to show his record and to contrast it with an individual , his opponent , that has called African countries 's-hole countries , ' that have not hired African Americans , and finally , I would say , that has made it a point of targeting with raw words , African American women . ''
Lee wore a face mask at the beginning of the interview to reinforce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though she was sitting comfortably at home .

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee threw her support behind former Vice President Joe Biden after he said black people who don't vote for him aren't actually black.
During an interview with Fox News host Bret Baier, the Texas Democrat pushed back on the claim that Biden made a major gaffe when he told The Breakfast Club host Charlamagne Tha God on Friday morning that "if you have a problem figuring out whether you're for me or Trump, then you ain't black."
"That was not what the vice president said in terms of those words, and if we had listened to the earlier conversation, we would know that the vice president wants to put his record forward. He knows that everyone has their own historical, moral standing on the color of their skin," Lee said. "He also believes in the history of our people, and I don't believe, in any way, that he undermined who we are and what we are."
Lee said it was a smart move for Biden to appear on the morning show despite his controversial comments.
"I am delighted that the vice president was on The Breakfast Club," Lee said. "It is a dynamic show with a very probative, questioning host. That was the right thing to do. Then, as well, I think the right thing to do was to own up that it might not have been as funny as we might have thought originally, meaning the vice president, because it was done in jest."
When Baier read a critical response from BET founder Robert Johnson that accused Biden of arrogance, Lee said that Biden's record on predominately black issues has been transparent.
"I believe he's answered, over the last 24 hours, that he's going to fight every single day to earn the vote of every single African American of all generations, and that's the way a presidential candidate should put their candidacy forward," Lee said.
Lee then pivoted to President Trump, criticizing him for what she alleged to be demeaning comments about the black community.
"What I like about the vice president is I don't have to look for his record, his record is present," Lee said. "This is a great opportunity for the vice president to show his record and to contrast it with an individual, his opponent, that has called African countries 's-hole countries,' that have not hired African Americans, and finally, I would say, that has made it a point of targeting with raw words, African American women."
Lee wore a face mask at the beginning of the interview to reinforce the importance of wearing a mask even though she was sitting comfortably at home.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-22--Biden ‘you ain’t black’ quip gives Trump campaign new opportunity to try for black support

Joe Biden ’ s comment that the black people having trouble deciding whether to vote for him or President Trump “ ain ’ t black , ” and the Trump campaign ’ s loud response , underscores a major strategy for the Trump campaign that could make a difference in the 2020 election : targeting black voters .
“ Will ‘ you ain ’ t black ’ be forgotten by the news cycle in a few days ?
Of course , it will be .
Should Dems be concerned about the Trump camp ’ s potential to weaponize it in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Cook Political Report editor Dave Wasserman .
An average of 90 % of black voters have for the Democratic presidential candidate for decades , but the Trump campaign hopes to capture a of the 8 % of black voters he won in 2016 .
While Trump 's team does not aim to win the black vote , gaining in that group could help give Trump an edge in competitive swing states .
And it is especially important if black voter participation in the general election does not rise : 59 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election , down from 66 % in 2012 and 65 % in 2008 .
“ Biden winning 91 % -7 % w/ 60 % turnout vs. 88 % -10 % w/ 55 % turnout could be the difference in these key states .
It was the margin in 2016 , ” Wasserman said .
Biden ’ s widely heard quip on Friday is a line the Trump campaign can use to serve that goal .
On The Breakfast Club morning radio show Friday , the former vice president and Democratic presidential nominee faced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At the end of the program , Biden : `` If you have a problem figuring out whether you 're for me or Trump , then you ai n't black . ''
The comment was met with an onslaught of social media and cable news outrage through the morning , along with defenses of Biden .
“ I already told you the # BlackVoteAintFree , ” rapper Sean Combs , also known as P. Diddy .
The loudest condemners , though , came from the , the Republican National Committee , and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporters about Biden ’ s comments on Friday , Trump campaign adviser Katrina Pierson and South Carolina Sen. , the only black Republican in the Senate , called Biden ’ s comments “ racially demeaning ” and “ race-baiting.
” According to the RNC , Pierson , Scott , and other surrogates gave almost three dozen media interviews within an hour of the comments being made – and there are more to come over the next several days .
The GOP groups tout the `` Black Voices for Trump '' campaign aimed at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to `` combat the myth '' that black Americans are only Democrats .
By late afternoon , Biden for making the remark .
`` I should n't have been such a wise guy , '' he said .
“ I know that the comments have come off like I was taking the African American vote for granted , but nothing could be further from the truth.
” The move likely aimed to end the news cycle about his comment before the long Memorial Day weekend .
It also showed much swifter action than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days to for praising segregationist senators in the '70s after California Sen. Kamala Harris attacked him in a debate for opposing integration busing .
The apology , though , did not stop the Trump campaign from starting to with Biden ’ s comment .
And in the press call , Pierson didn ’ t directly address a question about “ clumsy ” from the president .
“ The president 's comments , more times than not , are usually pulled out of context , ” Pierson said , adding that Biden is “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Trump is helping the black community.
” Scott mentioned Trump-backed bipartisan initiatives like economic “ opportunity zones ” intended to help poor minority communities , criminal justice reform , and anti-lynching legislation signed into law .
What is important for the Trump campaign and Republicans , though , is not to win a cultural argument or a majority of black voters , but to win enough to make a difference .
`` Joe Biden has a history of bigoted and racist remarks that he can no longer hide from in his basement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the RNC has built , we will be sure that every Black American knows the choice they face in November - a candidate with a failed record who has continuously taken our community for granted , or continued prosperity and opportunity under President Trump , '' said Paris Dennard , RNC senior communications adviser for black media affairs .
`` 1.3 million Black Americans voted for President Trump in 2016 , and more are coming in November . ''
One group unlikely to budge away from voting for Biden are older black voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ win a blowout victory in the South Carolina primary , sealing his path to the nomination despite losing badly in the Iowa and New Hampshire nominating contests .
But Trump could make inroads with younger black voters .
Black under age 30 preferred Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in South Carolina over Biden , showing that the age group has less Biden loyalty .
And Biden has among black voters now than Hillary Clinton did at this point in 2016 , according to Quinnipiac polls .
A released this week found Biden with 81 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump had 3 % , and 13 % were undecided .
A late May found Clinton with 93 % support , while Trump had 4 % and 2 % undecided .
The Biden campaign 's hire of a senior adviser to focus on women and African American voters this week that it is aware how important it is to keep black voters engaged and prevent Trump from making gains .

Joe Biden’s comment that the black people having trouble deciding whether to vote for him or President Trump “ain’t black,” and the Trump campaign’s loud response, underscores a major strategy for the Trump campaign that could make a difference in the 2020 election: targeting black voters.
“Will ‘you ain’t black’ be forgotten by the news cycle in a few days? Of course, it will be. Should Dems be concerned about the Trump camp’s potential to weaponize it in targeted digital ads this fall? Absolutely,” said Cook Political Report editor Dave Wasserman.
An average of 90% of black voters have voted for the Democratic presidential candidate for decades, but the Trump campaign hopes to capture a larger percentage of the 8% of black voters he won in 2016.
While Trump's team does not aim to win the black vote, gaining in that group could help give Trump an edge in competitive swing states. And it is especially important if black voter participation in the general election does not rise: 59% of black voters participated in the 2016 election, down from 66% in 2012 and 65% in 2008.
“Biden winning 91%-7% w/ 60% turnout vs. 88%-10% w/ 55% turnout could be the difference in these key states. It was the margin in 2016,” Wasserman said.
Biden’s widely heard quip on Friday is a line the Trump campaign can use to serve that goal.
On The Breakfast Club morning radio show Friday, the former vice president and Democratic presidential nominee faced tough questioning on issues that black Americans face. At the end of the program, Biden said : "If you have a problem figuring out whether you're for me or Trump, then you ain't black."
The comment was met with an onslaught of social media and cable news outrage through the morning, along with defenses of Biden. “I already told you the #BlackVoteAintFree,” tweeted rapper Sean Combs, also known as P. Diddy.
The loudest condemners, though, came from the Trump campaign , the Republican National Committee, and his allies. In a press call with reporters about Biden’s comments on Friday, Trump campaign adviser Katrina Pierson and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott , the only black Republican in the Senate, called Biden’s comments “racially demeaning” and “race-baiting.”
According to the RNC, Pierson, Scott, and other surrogates gave almost three dozen media interviews within an hour of the comments being made – and there are more to come over the next several days. The GOP groups tout the "Black Voices for Trump" campaign aimed at engaging with black voters on the ground to "combat the myth" that black Americans are only Democrats.
By late afternoon, Biden apologized for making the remark. "I shouldn't have been such a wise guy," he said. “I know that the comments have come off like I was taking the African American vote for granted, but nothing could be further from the truth.”
The move likely aimed to end the news cycle about his comment before the long Memorial Day weekend. It also showed much swifter action than last summer, when it took him days to apologize for praising segregationist senators in the '70s after California Sen. Kamala Harris attacked him in a debate for opposing integration busing.
The apology, though, did not stop the Trump campaign from starting to publicize T-shirts with Biden’s comment. And in the press call, Pierson didn’t directly address a question about racially “clumsy” comments from the president.
“The president's comments, more times than not, are usually pulled out of context,” Pierson said, adding that Biden is “hurting the black community,” while “Trump is helping the black community.” Scott mentioned Trump-backed bipartisan initiatives like economic “opportunity zones” intended to help poor minority communities, criminal justice reform, and anti-lynching legislation signed into law.
What is important for the Trump campaign and Republicans, though, is not to win a cultural argument or a majority of black voters, but to win enough to make a difference.
"Joe Biden has a history of bigoted and racist remarks that he can no longer hide from in his basement quarantine. With the powerhouse political machine the RNC has built, we will be sure that every Black American knows the choice they face in November - a candidate with a failed record who has continuously taken our community for granted, or continued prosperity and opportunity under President Trump," said Paris Dennard, RNC senior communications adviser for black media affairs. "1.3 million Black Americans voted for President Trump in 2016, and more are coming in November."
One group unlikely to budge away from voting for Biden are older black voters, a key segment that helped Biden win a blowout victory in the South Carolina primary, sealing his path to the nomination despite losing badly in the Iowa and New Hampshire nominating contests.
But Trump could make inroads with younger black voters.
Black voters under age 30 preferred Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in South Carolina over Biden, showing that the age group has less Biden loyalty.
And Biden has less support among black voters now than Hillary Clinton did at this point in 2016, according to Quinnipiac polls.
A poll released this week found Biden with 81% support among black voters, while Trump had 3%, and 13% were undecided. A late May poll found Clinton with 93% support, while Trump had 4% and 2% undecided.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-22--'Arrogance and entitlement': Trump campaign roasts Biden over 'you ain't black' comment with T-shirt

'Arrogance and entitlement': Trump campaign roasts Biden over 'you ain't black' comment with T-shirt rollout

President Trump 's reelection team is already selling T-shirts featuring the phrase `` You ai n't black , '' in reference to Joe Biden 's comment Friday morning .
Senior adviser to the Trump reelection campaign Katrina Pierson accused Biden of being arrogant after the former vice president told The Breakfast Club host Charlamagne Tha God that black people `` ai n't black '' if they choose Trump over him .
Pierson included a link to the president 's storefront , where supporters could purchase the T-shirt .
`` Let ’ s never forget the arrogance and entitlement that led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to who don ’ t support him : # YouAintBlack , '' Pierson tweeted .
`` Remind Joe that the days of being taken for granted are over .
Show you ’ re on @ TeamTrump and buy your t-shirt today ! ''
Biden 's comments drew immediate criticism from many , including GOP South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott , who issued a pointed rebuke to Biden .
`` What I would like to see is clear , accurate , consistent , fair coverage of the inflammatory things said by Democrats on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only black Republican in the Senate , said in response .
`` The more passes the media gives the Democrats on race-baiting , the more often they 're going to do it . ''
Biden apologized for his comments , saying he `` should n't have been such a wise guy '' during the exchange with Charlamagne Tha God .
The T-shirts are selling for $ 30 , are made in the USA , and feature a black woman modeling the attire .
`` Sport this shirt and make sure NO ONE forgets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe Biden 's mouth ! ''
reads the description for the shirt .

President Trump's reelection team is already selling T-shirts featuring the phrase "You ain't black," in reference to Joe Biden's comment Friday morning.
Senior adviser to the Trump reelection campaign Katrina Pierson accused Biden of being arrogant after the former vice president told The Breakfast Club host Charlamagne Tha God that black people "ain't black" if they choose Trump over him. Pierson included a link to the president's storefront, where supporters could purchase the T-shirt.
"Let’s never forget the arrogance and entitlement that led @JoeBiden to say to Black voters to who don’t support him:#YouAintBlack," Pierson tweeted. "Remind Joe that the days of being taken for granted are over. Show you’re on @TeamTrump and buy your t-shirt today!"
Biden's comments drew immediate criticism from many, including GOP South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, who issued a pointed rebuke to Biden.
"What I would like to see is clear, accurate, consistent, fair coverage of the inflammatory things said by Democrats on a consistent basis," Scott, the only black Republican in the Senate, said in response. "The more passes the media gives the Democrats on race-baiting, the more often they're going to do it."
Biden apologized for his comments, saying he "shouldn't have been such a wise guy" during the exchange with Charlamagne Tha God.
The T-shirts are selling for $30, are made in the USA, and feature a black woman modeling the attire. "Sport this shirt and make sure NO ONE forgets the words #YouAintBlack came out of Joe Biden's mouth!" reads the description for the shirt.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-22--Biden's new campaign strategy: Take from the rich, and make policy promises to Sanders

In May 2019 , Joe Biden ’ s presidential campaign lauded its promise of open media access to private fundraisers , telling the public at the time the move reflected “ Joe Biden ’ s longstanding commitment to transparency.
” His team just reversed that decision and booted a pool reporter off a fundraising Zoom session immediately before donors began asking questions , a shift for his campaign this election cycle that represents a greater turning point in strategy .
On Thursday evening , during a fundraiser with 25 Wall Street donors , a reporter tasked with covering the event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dropped from the call .
The Biden team also restricted her visual access , making it impossible to report on who exactly was at the meeting .
The Biden camp was quick to counter criticism , explaining that the “ new format ” heralded in “ a new phase of the general election campaign.
” “ But we will continue to ensure press access to our virtual finance events as part of our campaign 's commitment to transparency — one that vastly exceeds anything that Donald Trump and his campaign have offered the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manager Rufus Gifford wrote in a statement .
The incident raises questions about other changes Biden may make for the fall fight .
He accepted money from federal lobbyists in March despite promising not to during the primary .
Those funds were later returned after scrutiny from the press , but donors who have been vilified throughout the nominating process are beginning to feel increasingly comfortable reaching out to the former vice president .
While the Biden campaign is simultaneously forming a policy task force with former socialist rival Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Wall Street and corporate executives are quietly confident they ’ ll have a role in his presidential cabinet .
During the primaries , Biden held numerous fundraisers with wealthy Wall Street donors , often defending them from attacks by candidates such as Sanders and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren , and made it a habit to frequently reassure them that his candidacy had little in common with the class war-like message of his opponents .
`` Wall Street are not bad folks , but they did n't build this country , '' Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The middle class built the country , ordinary women and men capable of doing extraordinary things .
That 's who I believe in .
That 's why I 'm in this race . ''
At another fundraiser last year , attended by Goldman executive Stephen Scherr and former partner Eric Mindich , Biden told the audience that he “ may not want to demonize anybody who has made money.
” But the general election means a new campaign altogether , and protecting Biden ’ s connections with the wealthy from the press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clinton in 2016 , particularly as his team works to placate the concerns of progressives .
In that cycle , Clinton faced sustained scrutiny over a series of paid speeches she gave to Goldman Sachs and other financial institutions .
Trump ’ s populist instincts allowed him to seize the issue , saying that bankers at Goldman Sachs had “ total control ” over her .
Subsequent emails released by WikiLeaks in October 2016 showed transcripts of three speeches Clinton gave to the bank and indicated she had some sympathies for complaints that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blaming banks for the 2009 financial crisis was an “ oversimplification.
” Since virtually securing the nomination in March , Wall Street , once hesitant to support him following his losses in early primary contests , has started pouring cash into Biden ’ s campaign and various pro-Biden super PACs , even as his rhetoric has grown more left-wing .
Much of the funding for Unite the Country , a super PAC that announced a $ 10 million ad buy for Biden in a handful of swing states , comes from financiers like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wall Street investor Reid Hoffman .
But Biden ’ s team remains worried about winning over Sanders ’ s voters in November who were enticed by the candidate ’ s pledge to swear off corporate money .
Biden now offers overtures to the party ’ s left-wing base , such as modified free college proposals and a $ 1.7 trillion “ Green New Deal ” to convince them that his administration would be the most progressive in recent history .
His livestreamed speeches feature idealistic declarations reminiscent of Sanders himself , saying the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opportunity ” to “ remake the world as it should be.
” “ To see COVID-19 as the force majeure that compels us to rewrite the social contract that ’ s been scrambled by nature ’ s fury and human failures , ” he said earlier this week .
The change in tone from a candidate who once pitched his pragmatism , all while accepting millions of dollars in donations from some of the nation ’ s richest people , stems from fears of a 2016 repeat when a significant number of Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to the polls for Clinton in November .
Some of those warning signs are already appearing , with many Sanders ’ voters unconvinced of his platform .
An April survey found that 40 % of Democrats under 45 want the party to replace Biden as the Democratic presidential nominee .
Twenty-six percent of all Democrats said the same , and a separate focus group found a lack of enthusiasm in younger millennial and Generation Z voters in 11 battleground states , including Wisconsin , Michigan , and Florida .

What a difference a year makes.
In May 2019, Joe Biden’s presidential campaign lauded its promise of open media access to private fundraisers, telling the public at the time the move reflected “Joe Biden’s longstanding commitment to transparency.”
His team just reversed that decision and booted a pool reporter off a fundraising Zoom session immediately before donors began asking questions, a shift for his campaign this election cycle that represents a greater turning point in strategy.
On Thursday evening, during a fundraiser with 25 Wall Street donors, a reporter tasked with covering the event on behalf of other news organizations was dropped from the call. The Biden team also restricted her visual access, making it impossible to report on who exactly was at the meeting.
The Biden camp was quick to counter criticism, explaining that the “new format” heralded in “a new phase of the general election campaign.”
“But we will continue to ensure press access to our virtual finance events as part of our campaign's commitment to transparency — one that vastly exceeds anything that Donald Trump and his campaign have offered the American people," Biden deputy campaign manager Rufus Gifford wrote in a statement.
The incident raises questions about other changes Biden may make for the fall fight. He accepted money from federal lobbyists in March despite promising not to during the primary. Those funds were later returned after scrutiny from the press, but donors who have been vilified throughout the nominating process are beginning to feel increasingly comfortable reaching out to the former vice president.
While the Biden campaign is simultaneously forming a policy task force with former socialist rival Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and firebrand New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Wall Street and corporate executives are quietly confident they’ll have a role in his presidential cabinet.
During the primaries, Biden held numerous fundraisers with wealthy Wall Street donors, often defending them from attacks by candidates such as Sanders and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, and made it a habit to frequently reassure them that his candidacy had little in common with the class war-like message of his opponents.
"Wall Street are not bad folks, but they didn't build this country," Biden repeated in his fundraiser stump speech. "The middle class built the country, ordinary women and men capable of doing extraordinary things. That's who I believe in. That's why I'm in this race."
At another fundraiser last year, attended by Goldman executive Stephen Scherr and former partner Eric Mindich, Biden told the audience that he “may not want to demonize anybody who has made money.”
But the general election means a new campaign altogether, and protecting Biden’s connections with the wealthy from the press is reminiscent of problems that plagued Hillary Clinton in 2016, particularly as his team works to placate the concerns of progressives. In that cycle, Clinton faced sustained scrutiny over a series of paid speeches she gave to Goldman Sachs and other financial institutions.
Trump’s populist instincts allowed him to seize the issue, saying that bankers at Goldman Sachs had “total control” over her. Subsequent emails released by WikiLeaks in October 2016 showed transcripts of three speeches Clinton gave to the bank and indicated she had some sympathies for complaints that new regulations were affecting profits and that blaming banks for the 2009 financial crisis was an “oversimplification.”
Since virtually securing the nomination in March, Wall Street, once hesitant to support him following his losses in early primary contests, has started pouring cash into Biden’s campaign and various pro-Biden super PACs, even as his rhetoric has grown more left-wing.
Much of the funding for Unite the Country, a super PAC that announced a $10 million ad buy for Biden in a handful of swing states, comes from financiers like Blum Capital Partners Chairman Richard Blum and Wall Street investor Reid Hoffman.
But Biden’s team remains worried about winning over Sanders’s voters in November who were enticed by the candidate’s pledge to swear off corporate money. Biden now offers overtures to the party’s left-wing base, such as modified free college proposals and a $1.7 trillion “Green New Deal” to convince them that his administration would be the most progressive in recent history. His livestreamed speeches feature idealistic declarations reminiscent of Sanders himself, saying the coronavirus pandemic has given politicians an “opportunity” to “remake the world as it should be.”
“To see COVID-19 as the force majeure that compels us to rewrite the social contract that’s been scrambled by nature’s fury and human failures,” he said earlier this week.
The change in tone from a candidate who once pitched his pragmatism, all while accepting millions of dollars in donations from some of the nation’s richest people, stems from fears of a 2016 repeat when a significant number of Sanders’s supporters ultimately failed to show up to the polls for Clinton in November. Some of those warning signs are already appearing, with many Sanders’ voters unconvinced of his platform.
An April survey found that 40% of Democrats under 45 want the party to replace Biden as the Democratic presidential nominee. Twenty-six percent of all Democrats said the same, and a separate focus group found a lack of enthusiasm in younger millennial and Generation Z voters in 11 battleground states, including Wisconsin, Michigan, and Florida.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-22--'Shouldn't have been such a wise guy': Biden apologizes for 'you ain't black' remark

Joe Biden apologized for saying that black voters having trouble deciding whether to vote for him or President Trump are not black .
`` I should n't have been such a wise guy , '' Biden said on a call with black business leaders Friday afternoon .
`` I should not have been so cavalier . ''
The former vice president and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee 's apology came after Trump 's reelection campaign decried the remark as `` racist and dehumanizing . ''
Trump allies such as South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott called the comment `` condescending and arrogant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cavalier .
I know that the comments have come off like I was taking the African American vote for granted , but nothing could be further from the truth , '' Biden said .
`` I 've never , never , ever taken the African American community for granted . ''
Biden then took aim at Trump .
`` No one should have to vote for any party , based on their race , their religion , their background .
There are African Americans who think that Trump was worth voting for .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden said .
`` I 'm prepared to put my record against his .
That was the bottom line , and it was really unfortunate .
I should n't have been so cavalier . ''
Trump `` is the same man who called Africa , you know , 's -- -hole countries ' while also claiming there are fine people on both sides in Charlottesville as those racists came out of the fields carrying torches , '' Biden added .
`` He ’ s lied about President Obama ’ s birth certificate , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the present coronavirus , and has advanced policies that further threaten the African American community . ''
Biden made the comment on a tense exchange during The Breakfast Club morning radio show about race issues earlier on Friday , including about marijuana legalization and the 1994 crime bill .
As a Biden staff member tried to end the interview , host Charlamagne Tha God said , `` You ca n't do that to black media . ''
Biden explained that his wife had to do a show , and then he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ figuring out whether you 're for me or Trump , then you ai n't black . ''
Symone Sanders , a senior adviser on Biden 's campaign , downplayed the comment earlier on Friday , saying that it was made `` in jest . ''

Joe Biden apologized for saying that black voters having trouble deciding whether to vote for him or President Trump are not black.
"I shouldn't have been such a wise guy," Biden said on a call with black business leaders Friday afternoon. "I should not have been so cavalier."
The former vice president and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee's apology came after Trump's reelection campaign decried the remark as "racist and dehumanizing." Trump allies such as South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott called the comment "condescending and arrogant."
"I was much too cavalier. I know that the comments have come off like I was taking the African American vote for granted, but nothing could be further from the truth," Biden said. "I've never, never, ever taken the African American community for granted."
Biden then took aim at Trump.
"No one should have to vote for any party, based on their race, their religion, their background. There are African Americans who think that Trump was worth voting for. I don't think so," Biden said. "I'm prepared to put my record against his. That was the bottom line, and it was really unfortunate. I shouldn't have been so cavalier."
Trump "is the same man who called Africa, you know, 's---hole countries' while also claiming there are fine people on both sides in Charlottesville as those racists came out of the fields carrying torches," Biden added. "He’s lied about President Obama’s birth certificate, failed to respond to the racial disparities in the present coronavirus, and has advanced policies that further threaten the African American community."
Biden made the comment on a tense exchange during The Breakfast Club morning radio show about race issues earlier on Friday, including about marijuana legalization and the 1994 crime bill.
As a Biden staff member tried to end the interview, host Charlamagne Tha God said, "You can't do that to black media."
Biden explained that his wife had to do a show, and then he said, "If you have a problem figuring out whether you're for me or Trump, then you ain't black."
Symone Sanders, a senior adviser on Biden's campaign, downplayed the comment earlier on Friday, saying that it was made "in jest."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-22--'Race as political currency': CNN analyst mocks GOP backlash to Biden remark about black voters

Bakari Sellers , a CNN analyst and former South Carolina state politician , hit back at conservatives lashing out at former Vice President Joe Biden for making a flippant comment about black voters .
After Sen. Lindsay Graham called the comments `` truly offensive '' and that they showed an insight into liberal thinking , Sellers , who is black , accused the South Carolina Republican of picking and choosing when he wants to talk about race .
`` Sit this one out , '' Sellers tweeted Friday .
`` You are quiet on # AhmaudArbery , quiet on # @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racism .
You don ’ t get to use race as political currency .
( Side note I ’ ve never seen you at an Orangeburg Massacre Memorial ) . ''
The Orangeburg Massacre refers to a 1960s clash in South Carolina when police opened fire on black students protesting against racial segregation , ending with three black teenagers dead and 27 other people wounded .
Mercedes Schlapp , a senior adviser for President Trump 's reelection campaign , also tweeted : `` .
@ JoeBiden has no respect for Blacks with his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who supported the Crime Bill , which led to mass incarceration of so many Black men . ''
To Schlapp , Sellers said her husband , Matt Schlapp , who is the chairman of the American Conservative Union , once made a racially insensitive remark toward him .
`` Your husband once called me , a full grown black man , 'Boy ' during a commercial break , '' Sellers said .
`` Please stop . ''
In 2017 , Sellers and Matt Schlapp got in a small Twitter spat over the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mschlapp , '' Sellers said about a video link showing Schlapp arguing with another commentator .
`` He is just disrespectful .
Matt once called me 'boy ' during a commercial break . ''
In response , Schlapp sarcastically tweeted back , `` Bakari , you are a total class act . ''
In a Friday interview on The Breakfast Club , Biden discussed with radio host Charlamagne tha God how he could appeal to black voters and how he differentiates with his opponent , Trump .
`` If you have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me or Trump , then you ai n't black , '' Biden said .

Bakari Sellers, a CNN analyst and former South Carolina state politician, hit back at conservatives lashing out at former Vice President Joe Biden for making a flippant comment about black voters.
After Sen. Lindsay Graham called the comments "truly offensive" and that they showed an insight into liberal thinking, Sellers, who is black, accused the South Carolina Republican of picking and choosing when he wants to talk about race.
Sit this one out. You are quiet on #AhmaudArbery, quiet on #BreonnaTaylor, quiet on Trumps casual racism.
You don’t get to use race as political currency.
(Side note I’ve never seen you at an Orangeburg Massacre Memorial) https://t.co/s6qY80ixIO — Bakari Sellers (@Bakari_Sellers) May 22, 2020
"Sit this one out," Sellers tweeted Friday. "You are quiet on #AhmaudArbery, quiet on #BreonnaTaylor, quiet on Trump's casual racism. You don’t get to use race as political currency. (Side note I’ve never seen you at an Orangeburg Massacre Memorial)."
The Orangeburg Massacre refers to a 1960s clash in South Carolina when police opened fire on black students protesting against racial segregation, ending with three black teenagers dead and 27 other people wounded.
Mercedes Schlapp, a senior adviser for President Trump's reelection campaign, also tweeted: ".@JoeBiden has no respect for Blacks with his #YouAintBlack comment. The one guy who supported the Crime Bill, which led to mass incarceration of so many Black men."
To Schlapp, Sellers said her husband, Matt Schlapp, who is the chairman of the American Conservative Union, once made a racially insensitive remark toward him.
😂😂😂
Your husband once called me, a full grown black man, “Boy” during a commercial break.
Please stop. https://t.co/kEASCBx6AY — Bakari Sellers (@Bakari_Sellers) May 22, 2020
"Your husband once called me, a full grown black man, 'Boy' during a commercial break," Sellers said. "Please stop."
In 2017, Sellers and Matt Schlapp got in a small Twitter spat over the same incident.
"This is typical for @mschlapp," Sellers said about a video link showing Schlapp arguing with another commentator. "He is just disrespectful. Matt once called me 'boy' during a commercial break."
In response, Schlapp sarcastically tweeted back, "Bakari, you are a total class act."
In a Friday interview on The Breakfast Club, Biden discussed with radio host Charlamagne tha God how he could appeal to black voters and how he differentiates with his opponent, Trump.
"If you have a problem figuring out whether you're for me or Trump, then you ain't black," Biden said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-22--'More than just a little offensive': Fox's Harris Faulkner says Biden 'you ain't black' remark was '

'More than just a little offensive': Fox's Harris Faulkner says Biden 'you ain't black' remark was 'hurtful'

Faulkner , one of the few current black cable news hosts , denounced the former vice president Friday on the show Outnumbered for claiming that black voters who do n't support him `` ai n't black . ''
“ I ’ ve been fighting against this notion that you ’ re not black enough unless you think a certain way , you vote a certain way , you speak a certain way , you do certain things .
My whole life , I grew up military .
Pretty much neutral along the zone of can we all just get along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I have biracial daughters , Melissa , you know them .
This is more than just a little offensive , '' she said .
`` It is short-sighted , it is a blind spot for this former vice president , he should have gotten up immediately on whatever venue , microphone he had , '' Faulkner added .
`` I would have said it for him immediately right there in the one that he already was in , on The Breakfast Club , and say , 'You know what , let me restate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee had a tense exchange on The Breakfast Club morning radio show about race earlier in the day .
As a campaign staffer tried to end the interview , the host , Charlamagne Tha God , said , `` You ca n't do that to black media , '' to which Biden fired back , `` If you have a problem figuring out whether you 're for me or Trump , then you ai n't black . ''
The former vice president has not personally addressed the statement , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spectrum , but a campaign spokeswoman said the comments were made `` in jest . ''
Charlamagne Tha God issued a statement calling on Biden to come through on his promise to help the black community .
“ We have been loyal to Democrats for a long time , black people have invested a lot into that party and the return on investment has not been great , ” he wrote in a statement to Mediaite .
“ As Biden said in our brief interview when I asked him if Dems owe the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So let ’ s see what you got !
!
!
Votes are Quid Pro Quo .
You can ’ t possibly want me to Fear Trump MORE than I want something for my people .
”

Fox News anchor Harris Faulkner called Joe Biden's comments about undecided or pro-Trump black voters "hurtful."
Faulkner, one of the few current black cable news hosts, denounced the former vice president Friday on the show Outnumbered for claiming that black voters who don't support him "ain't black."
“I’ve been fighting against this notion that you’re not black enough unless you think a certain way, you vote a certain way, you speak a certain way, you do certain things. My whole life, I grew up military. Pretty much neutral along the zone of can we all just get along no matter what we look like. I have biracial daughters, Melissa, you know them. This is more than just a little offensive," she said.
"It is short-sighted, it is a blind spot for this former vice president, he should have gotten up immediately on whatever venue, microphone he had," Faulkner added. "I would have said it for him immediately right there in the one that he already was in, on The Breakfast Club, and say, 'You know what, let me restate that."
The former vice president and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee had a tense exchange on The Breakfast Club morning radio show about race earlier in the day.
As a campaign staffer tried to end the interview, the host, Charlamagne Tha God, said, "You can't do that to black media," to which Biden fired back, "If you have a problem figuring out whether you're for me or Trump, then you ain't black."
The former vice president has not personally addressed the statement, which has faced criticism across the political spectrum, but a campaign spokeswoman said the comments were made "in jest."
Charlamagne Tha God issued a statement calling on Biden to come through on his promise to help the black community.
“We have been loyal to Democrats for a long time, black people have invested a lot into that party and the return on investment has not been great,” he wrote in a statement to Mediaite. “As Biden said in our brief interview when I asked him if Dems owe the black community ABSOLUTELY was his answer. So let’s see what you got!!! Votes are Quid Pro Quo. You can’t possibly want me to Fear Trump MORE than I want something for my people.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-22--Charlamagne Tha God defends Biden after candidate tells voters 'you ain't black' if they back Trump

A co-host of the radio show The Breakfast Club defended presidential candidate Joe Biden after making a racially insensitive remark .
On Friday 's airing of the show , Biden said that black voters `` ai n't black '' if they choose to support President Trump over him in the 2020 general election , but Lenard McKelvey , known as Charlamagne Tha God , still offered support for Biden as a candidate .
“ We have been loyal to Democrats for a long time , black people have invested a lot into that party , and the return on investment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tha God , who is black , wrote in a statement to Mediaite .
“ As Biden said in our brief interview when I asked him if Dems owe the black community ABSOLUTELY was his answer .
So let ’ s see what you got !
!
!
Votes are Quid Pro Quo .
You can ’ t possibly want me to Fear Trump MORE than I want something for my people.
” While appearing on the radio program , Biden told listeners , “ If you have a problem figuring out whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , then you ain ’ t black , '' to which Charlamagne Tha God said , `` It don ’ t have nothing to do with Trump .
It has to do with the fact I want something for my community.
” Biden spokeswoman Symone Sanders downplayed the remarks on social media after the former vice president 's appearance .
`` The comments made at the end of the Breakfast Club interview were in jest , but let ’ s be clear about what the VP was saying : he was making the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the African American community up against Trump ’ s any day .
Period , '' she said in a tweet .

A co-host of the radio show The Breakfast Club defended presidential candidate Joe Biden after making a racially insensitive remark.
On Friday's airing of the show, Biden said that black voters "ain't black" if they choose to support President Trump over him in the 2020 general election, but Lenard McKelvey, known as Charlamagne Tha God, still offered support for Biden as a candidate.
“We have been loyal to Democrats for a long time, black people have invested a lot into that party, and the return on investment has not been great,” Charlamagne Tha God, who is black, wrote in a statement to Mediaite. “As Biden said in our brief interview when I asked him if Dems owe the black community ABSOLUTELY was his answer. So let’s see what you got!!! Votes are Quid Pro Quo. You can’t possibly want me to Fear Trump MORE than I want something for my people.”
While appearing on the radio program, Biden told listeners, “If you have a problem figuring out whether you’re for me or Trump, then you ain’t black," to which Charlamagne Tha God said, "It don’t have nothing to do with Trump. It has to do with the fact I want something for my community.”
Biden spokeswoman Symone Sanders downplayed the remarks on social media after the former vice president's appearance.
"The comments made at the end of the Breakfast Club interview were in jest, but let’s be clear about what the VP was saying: he was making the distinction that he would put his record with the African American community up against Trump’s any day. Period," she said in a tweet.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-22--'Future' of news: The Right View boasts large premiere audience sick of 'Trump haters' on The View

The Trump campaign says the inaugural episode of The Right View , an online program billed as a pro-Trump alternative to The View , saw `` tremendous positive feedback . ''
The show , which premiered Wednesday night and will air weekly , featured Lara Trump , Kimberly Guilfoyle , Mercedes Schlapp , and Katrina Pierson discussing the Trump administration and the 2020 presidential election .
`` We got tremendous positive feedback across the board '' about the first episode , Schlapp , a senior adviser for strategic communications for the campaign , said in a phone interview with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really feel that this is , in a lot of ways , the future of how people are going to get their news and their content , which is through the digital space , where we have seen tremendous success beating out , you know , the ratings of CNN and MSNBC when it comes to the number of viewers that we 're getting each night , seven days a week , in each of the different shows . ''
Schlapp said the inaugural episode of The Right View had 2 million viewers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each of the Trump campaign 's nightly online broadcasts , which average between 1 million and 2.5 million viewers .
She was hesitant to say whether they expect to pull viewers from The View to their program .
However , she did acknowledge that their target audience is among those who do n't watch the ABC program .
Schlapp said multiple women approached her and asked why the Right never decided to come up with its own programming to counteract what they see as a pro-Democrat show .
Thus , they came up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a way `` to reach our women voters and get them enthusiastic . ''
The campaign representative did not shy away from criticizing The View , claiming the show does not provide any positive coverage of the president despite having multiple conservative pundits as co-hosts , including Meghan McCain and formerly Abby Huntsman .
Labeling The View 's stable of hosts as `` Trump haters , '' Schlapp said they have `` such hatred for the president that they fall more into that category of not even wanting to give him a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added that if The View ever were to add a pro-Trump host , that person would get `` shouted out of the room . ''
Looking ahead , she said presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden will be a focal point for their show .
`` We 're going to continue to unmask Joe Biden 's weaknesses and really show how ... he is unfit to become president of United States .
We 're also gon na reveal the tremendous liberal bias that we see coming out of shows like The View , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advocates for the Democrat Party where they sound more like they 're part of the Democrat National Committee than they are even providing any sort of objective conversations on-air , '' she said .

The Trump campaign says the inaugural episode of The Right View, an online program billed as a pro-Trump alternative to The View, saw "tremendous positive feedback."
The show, which premiered Wednesday night and will air weekly, featured Lara Trump, Kimberly Guilfoyle, Mercedes Schlapp, and Katrina Pierson discussing the Trump administration and the 2020 presidential election.
"We got tremendous positive feedback across the board" about the first episode, Schlapp, a senior adviser for strategic communications for the campaign, said in a phone interview with the Washington Examiner on Friday. "We really feel that this is, in a lot of ways, the future of how people are going to get their news and their content, which is through the digital space, where we have seen tremendous success beating out, you know, the ratings of CNN and MSNBC when it comes to the number of viewers that we're getting each night, seven days a week, in each of the different shows."
Schlapp said the inaugural episode of The Right View had 2 million viewers, and that falls in line with each of the Trump campaign's nightly online broadcasts, which average between 1 million and 2.5 million viewers.
She was hesitant to say whether they expect to pull viewers from The View to their program. However, she did acknowledge that their target audience is among those who don't watch the ABC program.
Schlapp said multiple women approached her and asked why the Right never decided to come up with its own programming to counteract what they see as a pro-Democrat show. Thus, they came up with the idea for The Right View as a way "to reach our women voters and get them enthusiastic."
The campaign representative did not shy away from criticizing The View, claiming the show does not provide any positive coverage of the president despite having multiple conservative pundits as co-hosts, including Meghan McCain and formerly Abby Huntsman.
Labeling The View's stable of hosts as "Trump haters," Schlapp said they have "such hatred for the president that they fall more into that category of not even wanting to give him a fair shake on anything."
Schlapp added that if The View ever were to add a pro-Trump host, that person would get "shouted out of the room."
Looking ahead, she said presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden will be a focal point for their show.
"We're going to continue to unmask Joe Biden's weaknesses and really show how ... he is unfit to become president of United States. We're also gonna reveal the tremendous liberal bias that we see coming out of shows like The View, where you see a lot of these advocates for the Democrat Party where they sound more like they're part of the Democrat National Committee than they are even providing any sort of objective conversations on-air," she said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-23--Jeff Sessions tells Trump his 'anger' over recusal won't swing Senate race

Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions told President Trump his `` anger '' will not sway the outcome of the U.S. Senate race in Alabama .
A tweet from the president on Friday urging Alabamians to oppose Sessions because of his Russia investigation recusal prompted a late-evening response defending that fateful decision .
It was as pointed a message as Sessions has ever directed at Trump .
`` Look , I know your anger , but recusal was required by law , '' Sessions said to the president .
`` I did my duty & you 're damn fortunate I did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ & resulted in your exoneration .
Your personal feelings do n't dictate who Alabama picks as their senator , the people of Alabama do . ''
Hours earlier , Trump encouraged Alabama residents to vote for Sessions 's primary challenger , Tommy Tuberville , because of his former attorney general 's refusal to oversee what became special counsel Robert Mueller 's Russia inquiry .
`` 3 years ago , after Jeff Sessions recused himself , the Fraudulent Mueller Scam began , '' Trump tweeted .
`` Alabama , do not trust Jeff Sessions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That ’ s why I endorsed Coach Tommy Tuberville ( @ TTuberville ) , the true supporter of our # MAGA agenda ! ''
Trump was reacting to a tweet from Tuberville with a campaign ad that highlighted the president 's past criticisms of Sessions and showed the former Auburn University football coach promising to support the White House agenda .
Both Sessions and Tuberville have campaigned on their support of Trump , who is popular in their state , but Sessions has carried the added burden of a former boss who feels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no effort to hide it .
Sessions , who left the attorney general job in November 2018 , has repeatedly explained that he recused himself from the investigation into the Trump team 's ties to Russia because he himself was peripherally a part of the campaign .
In fact , Sessions was one of Trump 's earliest supporters in the 2016 presidential contest .
Mueller 's investigation was unable to find a criminal conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Russia .
It did , however , lead to convictions and guilty pleas from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collusion .
Trump and many of his allies have long derided the inquiry as a `` witch hunt , '' and there is now an effort underway by the Justice Department to seek out any misconduct by the investigators .
Democrats fear the review , being led by U.S. Attorney John Durham , is a politically-tainted inquisition to discredit the Mueller team 's work .
Tuberville and Sessions got the two top spots in the late-March GOP primary , vying to unseat Democratic Sen. Doug Jones , who has Sessions 's old spot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ become attorney general .
A primary runoff has been pushed back to July 14 because of concerns about the coronavirus .
A recent survey released by Cygnal , a polling and analytics firm , found Tuberville with a comfortable advantage over Sessions .

Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions told President Trump his "anger" will not sway the outcome of the U.S. Senate race in Alabama.
A tweet from the president on Friday urging Alabamians to oppose Sessions because of his Russia investigation recusal prompted a late-evening response defending that fateful decision. It was as pointed a message as Sessions has ever directed at Trump.
"Look, I know your anger, but recusal was required by law," Sessions said to the president. "I did my duty & you're damn fortunate I did. It protected the rule of law & resulted in your exoneration. Your personal feelings don't dictate who Alabama picks as their senator, the people of Alabama do."
Hours earlier, Trump encouraged Alabama residents to vote for Sessions's primary challenger, Tommy Tuberville, because of his former attorney general's refusal to oversee what became special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia inquiry.
"3 years ago, after Jeff Sessions recused himself, the Fraudulent Mueller Scam began," Trump tweeted. "Alabama, do not trust Jeff Sessions. He let our Country down. That’s why I endorsed Coach Tommy Tuberville (@TTuberville), the true supporter of our #MAGA agenda!"
.@realdonaldtrump Look, I know your anger, but recusal was required by law. I did my duty & you're damn fortunate I did. It protected the rule of law & resulted in your exoneration. Your personal feelings don't dictate who Alabama picks as their senator, the people of Alabama do. https://t.co/QQKHNAgmiE — Jeff Sessions (@jeffsessions) May 23, 2020
Trump was reacting to a tweet from Tuberville with a campaign ad that highlighted the president's past criticisms of Sessions and showed the former Auburn University football coach promising to support the White House's agenda.
Both Sessions and Tuberville have campaigned on their support of Trump, who is popular in their state, but Sessions has carried the added burden of a former boss who feels betrayed by the recusal and has made no effort to hide it.
Sessions, who left the attorney general job in November 2018, has repeatedly explained that he recused himself from the investigation into the Trump team's ties to Russia because he himself was peripherally a part of the campaign. In fact, Sessions was one of Trump's earliest supporters in the 2016 presidential contest.
Mueller's investigation was unable to find a criminal conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Russia. It did, however, lead to convictions and guilty pleas from Trump associates over charges unrelated to Russia collusion. Trump and many of his allies have long derided the inquiry as a "witch hunt," and there is now an effort underway by the Justice Department to seek out any misconduct by the investigators. Democrats fear the review, being led by U.S. Attorney John Durham, is a politically tainted inquisition to discredit the Mueller team's work.
Tuberville and Sessions got the two top spots in the late-March GOP primary, as they vie to unseat Democratic Sen. Doug Jones, who has Sessions's old spot that he vacated in February 2017 to become attorney general. A primary runoff has been pushed back to July 14 because of concerns about the coronavirus.
A recent survey released by Cygnal, a polling and analytics firm, found Tuberville with a comfortable advantage over Sessions.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-23--Never Trump counter-convention to target congressional Republicans

Never Trump Republicans planning to gather in Charlotte , North Carolina , in August , at the same moment as President Trump ’ s renomination celebration there are taking aim at congressional Republicans .
The “ Convention on Founding Principles ” is scheduled to coincide with the Republican presidential nominating convention , which is set for Aug. 24–27 at the Spectrum Center arena .
But event organizers claim their gathering is about much more than protesting Trump .
Prominent anti-Trump Republicans claim the problems plaguing the GOP extend far beyond the president , and activists behind the counter-convention say there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leadership in Congress .
“ Even if Trump weren ’ t in the picture , the party would still need some reforming , ” said Evan McMullin , a Never Trump Republican and one of the organizers of the event .
McMullin mounted a failed , eleventh-hour third-party bid against Trump in 2016 and later co-founded the group Stand Up Republic to counter the president ’ s takeover of the GOP .
As the name of the convention suggests , it is designed to boost support for a GOP agenda that organizers say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ founding , ” pre-Trump roots .
McMullin said congressional Republicans , like Trump , have failed to lead in a crisis while fostering an atmosphere hostile to religious and ethnic minorities that has put the GOP at a competitive disadvantage with the Democrats .
McMullin rejects the notion that the convention is an elaborate attempt to disrupt Trump ’ s coronation , emphasizing that the gathering ’ s ambitions are larger than annoying the president .
“ We ’ re already under his skin .
That ’ s not something we need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We know he doesn ’ t appreciate our views .
The point really is to move the party in another direction.
” Public and private polling consistently shows Trump enjoys overwhelming support from Republican voters .
That has been true through myriad controversies , as well as impeachment by the Democratic House , a midterm election shellacking , and the upheaval caused by the coronavirus pandemic .
Asked to comment on the counter-convention , Trump campaign spokeswoman Erin Perrine referred to the organizers as “ irrelevant losers.
” The gathering will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump Republicans .
Much like a traditional political convention , the “ Convention on Founding Principles ” will feature speeches and discussions led by political figures and thinkers , followed by the development and ratification of a platform intended to guide a political overhaul of the GOP .
In addition to live activities in Charlotte , there are plans to livestream the convention .
If the coronavirus significantly derails GOP plans to hold a traditional convention , the counter-event would shift to an exclusively virtual presentation .
Some Never Trump Republicans are quietly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it will not effectively undermine the president in his race against presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
But others believe it could contribute to the ultimate , long-term goal of moving the Republican Party past Trump .
“ It ’ s worthwhile to provide visibility to an alternative vision for the party , ” said Rob Stutzman , a Republican operative in Sacramento , California , who opposes Trump .

Never Trump Republicans planning to gather in Charlotte, North Carolina, in August, at the same moment as President Trump’s renomination celebration there are taking aim at congressional Republicans.
The “Convention on Founding Principles” is scheduled to coincide with the Republican presidential nominating convention, which is set for Aug. 24–27 at the Spectrum Center arena. But event organizers claim their gathering is about much more than protesting Trump. Prominent anti-Trump Republicans claim the problems plaguing the GOP extend far beyond the president, and activists behind the counter-convention say there will be intense focus on reforming Republican leadership in Congress.
“Even if Trump weren’t in the picture, the party would still need some reforming,” said Evan McMullin, a Never Trump Republican and one of the organizers of the event. McMullin mounted a failed, eleventh-hour third-party bid against Trump in 2016 and later co-founded the group Stand Up Republic to counter the president’s takeover of the GOP.
As the name of the convention suggests, it is designed to boost support for a GOP agenda that organizers say would return the party to its “founding,” pre-Trump roots. McMullin said congressional Republicans, like Trump, have failed to lead in a crisis while fostering an atmosphere hostile to religious and ethnic minorities that has put the GOP at a competitive disadvantage with the Democrats.
McMullin rejects the notion that the convention is an elaborate attempt to disrupt Trump’s coronation, emphasizing that the gathering’s ambitions are larger than annoying the president.
“We’re already under his skin. That’s not something we need to try to do,” McMullin said. “We know he doesn’t appreciate our views. The point really is to move the party in another direction.”
Public and private polling consistently shows Trump enjoys overwhelming support from Republican voters. That has been true through myriad controversies, as well as impeachment by the Democratic House, a midterm election shellacking, and the upheaval caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Asked to comment on the counter-convention, Trump campaign spokeswoman Erin Perrine referred to the organizers as “irrelevant losers.”
The gathering will give voice to a range of Never Trump Republicans. Much like a traditional political convention, the “Convention on Founding Principles” will feature speeches and discussions led by political figures and thinkers, followed by the development and ratification of a platform intended to guide a political overhaul of the GOP. In addition to live activities in Charlotte, there are plans to livestream the convention. If the coronavirus significantly derails GOP plans to hold a traditional convention, the counter-event would shift to an exclusively virtual presentation.
Some Never Trump Republicans are quietly dismissing the event. Their complaint is that it will not effectively undermine the president in his race against presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden. But others believe it could contribute to the ultimate, long-term goal of moving the Republican Party past Trump.
“It’s worthwhile to provide visibility to an alternative vision for the party,” said Rob Stutzman, a Republican operative in Sacramento, California, who opposes Trump.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-24--Trump says Jeff Sessions 'blew it': 'Hopefully this slime will pay a big price'

President Trump packed quite a bit into two tweets clapping back at his former attorney general who is walking a fine line standing up to his former boss while trying not to alienate voters in his home state .
Not taking kindly to Jeff Sessions , who is running in Alabama to regain his old Senate seat , defending his recusal from the Russia investigation , the commander in chief piled on the insults while also lashing out at prominent Democrats .
`` Jeff , you had your chance & you blew it .
Recused yourself ON DAY ONE ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , and ran for the hills .
You had no courage , & ruined many lives .
The dirty cops , & others , got caught by better & stronger people than you .
Hopefully this slime will pay a big price , '' Trump tweeted Saturday evening .
`` You should drop out of the race & pray that super liberal @ DougJones , a weak & pathetic puppet for Crazy Nancy Pelosi & Cryin ’ Chuck Schumer , gets beaten badly .
He voted for impeachment based on 'ZERO ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be a GREAT Senator ! ''
he added .
His tweets were a direct response to Sessions telling Trump his `` anger '' will do nothing to swing the U.S. Senate race in Alabama to primary rival , Tommy Tuberville , a former Auburn University football coach .
`` Look , I know your anger , but recusal was required by law , '' Sessions said to the president late Friday .
`` I did my duty & you 're damn fortunate I did .
It protected the rule of law & @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feelings do n't dictate who Alabama picks as their senator , the people of Alabama do . ''
Hours earlier , Trump encouraged Alabama residents to vote for Tuberville , who has branded himself a pro-Trump Republican .
`` 3 years ago , after Jeff Sessions recused himself , the Fraudulent Mueller Scam began , '' Trump tweeted .
`` Alabama , do not trust Jeff Sessions .
He let our Country down .
That ’ s why I endorsed Coach Tommy Tuberville ( @ TTuberville ) , the true supporter of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Tuberville have campaigned on their support of Trump , who is popular in their state , but Sessions has carried the added burden of a former boss who feels betrayed by the recusal and has made no effort to hide it .
Sessions , who left the attorney general job in November 2018 , has repeatedly explained that he recused himself from the investigation into the Trump team 's ties to Russia because he himself was peripherally a part of the campaign .
In fact , Sessions was one of Trump 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Following his recusal , and after FBI Director James Comey was fired in May 2017 , Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein appointed special counsel Robert Mueller to oversee the Russia investigation .
Mueller 's inquiry , which ended in the spring of 2019 , was unable to find a criminal conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Russia .
It did , however , lead to convictions and guilty pleas from Trump associates over charges unrelated to Russia collusion .
Trump and many of his allies have long derided the inquiry as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is now an effort underway by the Justice Department to seek out any misconduct by the investigators .
Democrats fear the review , being led by U.S. Attorney John Durham , is a politically tainted inquisition to discredit the Mueller team 's work .
Tuberville and Sessions got the two top spots in the late-March GOP primary , as they vie to unseat Democratic Sen. Doug Jones , who has Sessions 's old spot that he vacated in February 2017 to become attorney general .
A primary runoff has been pushed back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus .
A recent survey released by Cygnal , a polling and analytics firm , found Tuberville with a comfortable advantage over Sessions .

President Trump packed quite a bit into two tweets clapping back at his former attorney general who is walking a fine line standing up to his former boss while trying not to alienate voters in his home state.
Not taking kindly to Jeff Sessions, who is running in Alabama to regain his old Senate seat, defending his recusal from the Russia investigation, the commander in chief piled on the insults while also lashing out at prominent Democrats.
"Jeff, you had your chance & you blew it. Recused yourself ON DAY ONE (you never told me of a problem), and ran for the hills. You had no courage, & ruined many lives. The dirty cops, & others, got caught by better & stronger people than you. Hopefully this slime will pay a big price," Trump tweeted Saturday evening.
"You should drop out of the race & pray that super liberal @DougJones, a weak & pathetic puppet for Crazy Nancy Pelosi & Cryin’ Chuck Schumer, gets beaten badly. He voted for impeachment based on 'ZERO'. Disgraced Alabama. Coach @TTuberville will be a GREAT Senator!" he added.
....price. You should drop out of the race & pray that super liberal @DougJones, a weak & pathetic puppet for Crazy Nancy Pelosi & Cryin’ Chuck Schumer, gets beaten badly. He voted for impeachment based on “ZERO”. Disgraced Alabama. Coach @TTuberville will be a GREAT Senator! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 23, 2020
Sessions fired back with two missives of his own.
"I will never apologize for following the law and serving faithfully and with honor. Neither of us knew about the phony investigation into our campaign until after I was sworn in. As you will recall, I recommended firing @Comey from the very beginning," he said. "You and I fight for the same agenda. @TTuberville is so weak he won’t debate me & too weak for Alabama. AL will vote for you this fall, but Alabama will not take orders from Washington on who to send to the Senate. @realDonaldTrump."
You and I fight for the same agenda. @TTuberville is so weak he won’t debate me & too weak for Alabama. AL will vote for you this fall, but Alabama will not take orders from Washington on who to send to the Senate. @realDonaldTrump — Jeff Sessions (@jeffsessions) May 24, 2020
Trump's tweets Saturday evening were a direct response to Sessions telling the president his "anger" will do nothing to swing the U.S. Senate race in Alabama to primary rival, Tommy Tuberville, a former Auburn University football coach.
"Look, I know your anger, but recusal was required by law," Sessions said to the president late Friday. "I did my duty & you're damn fortunate I did. It protected the rule of law & resulted in your exoneration. Your personal feelings don't dictate who Alabama picks as their senator, the people of Alabama do."
Hours earlier, Trump encouraged Alabama residents to vote for Tuberville, who has branded himself a pro-Trump Republican.
"3 years ago, after Jeff Sessions recused himself, the Fraudulent Mueller Scam began," Trump tweeted. "Alabama, do not trust Jeff Sessions. He let our Country down. That’s why I endorsed Coach Tommy Tuberville (@TTuberville), the true supporter of our #MAGA agenda!"
.@realdonaldtrump Look, I know your anger, but recusal was required by law. I did my duty & you're damn fortunate I did. It protected the rule of law & resulted in your exoneration. Your personal feelings don't dictate who Alabama picks as their senator, the people of Alabama do. https://t.co/QQKHNAgmiE — Jeff Sessions (@jeffsessions) May 23, 2020
Both Sessions and Tuberville have campaigned on their support of Trump, who is popular in their state, but Sessions has carried the added burden of a former boss who feels betrayed by the recusal and has made no effort to hide it.
Sessions, who left the attorney general job in November 2018, has repeatedly explained that he recused himself from the investigation into the Trump team's ties to Russia because he himself was peripherally a part of the campaign. In fact, Sessions was one of Trump's earliest supporters in the 2016 presidential contest. Following his recusal, and after FBI Director James Comey was fired in May 2017, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein appointed special counsel Robert Mueller to oversee the Russia investigation.
Mueller's inquiry, which ended in the spring of 2019, was unable to find a criminal conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Russia. It did, however, lead to convictions and guilty pleas from Trump associates over charges unrelated to Russia collusion. Trump and many of his allies have long derided the inquiry as a "witch hunt," and there is now an effort underway by the Justice Department to seek out any misconduct by the investigators.
Democrats fear the review, being led by U.S. Attorney John Durham, is a politically tainted inquisition to discredit the Mueller team's work.
Tuberville and Sessions got the two top spots in the late-March GOP primary, as they vie to unseat Democratic Sen. Doug Jones, who has Sessions's old spot that he vacated in February 2017 to become attorney general. A primary runoff has been pushed back to July 14 because of concerns about the coronavirus.
A recent survey released by Cygnal, a polling and analytics firm, found Tuberville with a comfortable advantage over Sessions.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-23--'Crickets': CNN criticized for not covering Biden's 'you ain't black' comment

CNN is being accused of inadequately covering former Vice President Joe Biden ’ s comment Friday that black people who have questions about supporting him `` ain ’ t black.
” “ I tell you if you have a problem figuring out whether you ’ re for me or Trump , then you ain ’ t black , ” Biden said during an interview with Charlamagne tha God on Friday , sparking from some , while others questioned why CNN didn ’ t cover the story as much as other networks .
`` Fascinating to watch how the left-leaning cable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ain ’ t black ' comment .
MSNBC has discussed it nearly every hour [ ... ] CNN hasn ’ t mentioned it once , '' former CNN digital producer Steve Krakauer said .
“ Biden told a black radio host that 'If you have a problem figuring out whether you ’ re for me or Trump , then you ain ’ t black , ' '' constitutional law professor Jonathan Turley said .
“ Crickets on CNN and other sites thus far .
Biden remains constructively bunkered by the media from fallout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s been over 5 HOURS since Biden told Black people they 'ain ’ t black ' if they support @ realDonaldTrump , ” Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said about CNN ’ s coverage .
“ How many times has CNN mentioned his bigoted comment on air ?
ZERO .
Unreal.
” Biden later apologized for the comment , saying he doesn ’ t take the black vote for granted .
`` I 've never ever taken the African American community for granted , had their support ...
I should n't have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should n't have been so cavalier , '' Biden later said .
`` I do n't take it for granted at all , and no one , no one should have to vote for any party , based on their race or religion or background . ''

CNN is being accused of inadequately covering former Vice President Joe Biden’s comment Friday that black people who have questions about supporting him "ain’t black.”
“I tell you if you have a problem figuring out whether you’re for me or Trump, then you ain’t black,” Biden said during an interview with Charlamagne tha God on Friday, sparking outrage from some, while others questioned why CNN didn’t cover the story as much as other networks.
"Fascinating to watch how the left-leaning cable networks have covered Biden’s 'you ain’t black' comment. MSNBC has discussed it nearly every hour [...] CNN hasn’t mentioned it once," former CNN digital producer Steve Krakauer said.
Fascinating to watch how the left-leaning cable networks have covered Biden’s “you ain’t black” comment.
MSNBC has discussed it nearly every hour, including a lengthy tough interview between @ChuckTodd, @KatyTurNBC and Symone Sanders (clip below).
CNN hasn’t mentioned it once. pic.twitter.com/InRhcMkTUD — Steve Krakauer (@SteveKrak) May 22, 2020
“Biden told a black radio host that 'If you have a problem figuring out whether you’re for me or Trump, then you ain’t black,'" constitutional law professor Jonathan Turley said. “Crickets on CNN and other sites thus far. Biden remains constructively bunkered by the media from fallout for outrageous comments.”
Biden told a black radio host that “If you have a problem figuring out whether you’re for me or Trump, then you ain’t black.” Crickets on CNN and other sites thus far. Biden remains constructively bunkered by the media from fallout for outrageous comments. https://t.co/723QxIyRhK — Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) May 22, 2020
"It’s been over 5 HOURS since Biden told Black people they 'ain’t black' if they support @realDonaldTrump,” Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said about CNN’s coverage. “How many times has CNN mentioned his bigoted comment on air? ZERO. Unreal.”
It’s been over 5 HOURS since Biden told Black people they “ain’t black” if they support @realDonaldTrump.
How many times has CNN mentioned his bigoted comment on air?
ZERO.
Unreal. — Ronna McDaniel (@GOPChairwoman) May 22, 2020
Biden later apologized for the comment, saying he doesn’t take the black vote for granted.
"I've never ever taken the African American community for granted, had their support ... I shouldn't have been such a wise guy. I shouldn't have been so cavalier," Biden later said. "I don't take it for granted at all, and no one, no one should have to vote for any party, based on their race or religion or background."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-23--Lead Mueller team prosecutor to part ways with MSNBC to host Biden fundraiser

One of the most prominent members of Robert Mueller 's special counsel team , who has since become an MSNBC legal analyst , will leave the network so he can headline a fundraiser for Joe Biden 's presidential campaign .
Andrew Weissmann 's decision to host the fundraiser for the presumptive Democratic nominee appears to violate the network 's policy for creating the `` appearance of a conflict of interest , '' which is why he said he 'll be leaving the network if it happens as planned , according to the Washington Free Beacon .
`` If the fundraiser @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from MSNBC so I can be in compliance with their policy , '' Weissmann said .
`` I knew what I was getting into and what the consequences would be , '' he said .
`` They wanted me to adhere to their policy . ''
Weissmann , formerly the second-most senior leader in the special counsel 's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election , will host a `` fireside chat '' for the former vice president 's donors on June 2 .
A network representative confirmed to the Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the fundraiser , and there was an understanding in place that he 'd leave the network if he participated in the Biden event .
“ It ’ s no surprise that a guy who tried to take down the president through the sham impeachment would also help Joe Biden ’ s campaign , '' Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh previously told the Washington Examiner about the fundraiser .
`` It doesn ’ t get any swampier than this : trying to stage a partisan coup against the president and then raising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was considered Mueller 's `` pit bull '' during the Russia investigation and is widely considered a key player behind the Justice Department 's charges against President Trump 's former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and his deputy , Rick Gates .
Since leaving the Department of Justice , Weissmann has joined MSNBC as a legal analyst .
In that time , he has regularly attacked Trump and his administration .
Weissmann was also supportive of the House Democrats ' impeachment of Trump and compared the president 's alleged crimes stemming from the Ukraine @ @ @ @ @

One of the most prominent members of Robert Mueller's special counsel team, who has since become an MSNBC legal analyst, will leave the network so he can headline a fundraiser for Joe Biden's presidential campaign.
Andrew Weissmann's decision to host the fundraiser for the presumptive Democratic nominee appears to violate the network's policy for creating the "appearance of a conflict of interest," which is why he said he'll be leaving the network if it happens as planned, according to the Washington Free Beacon.
"If the fundraiser goes forward, I’m withdrawing from MSNBC so I can be in compliance with their policy," Weissmann said.
"I knew what I was getting into and what the consequences would be," he said. "They wanted me to adhere to their policy."
Weissmann, formerly the second-most senior leader in the special counsel's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, will host a "fireside chat" for the former vice president's donors on June 2.
A network representative confirmed to the Washington Free Beacon that Weissmann had told them about the fundraiser, and there was an understanding in place that he'd leave the network if he participated in the Biden event.
“It’s no surprise that a guy who tried to take down the president through the sham impeachment would also help Joe Biden’s campaign," Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh previously told the Washington Examiner about the fundraiser. "It doesn’t get any swampier than this: trying to stage a partisan coup against the president and then raising money for his political opponent.”
Weissmann was considered Mueller's "pit bull" during the Russia investigation and is widely considered a key player behind the Justice Department's charges against President Trump's former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and his deputy, Rick Gates.
Since leaving the Department of Justice, Weissmann has joined MSNBC as a legal analyst. In that time, he has regularly attacked Trump and his administration. Weissmann was also supportive of the House Democrats' impeachment of Trump and compared the president's alleged crimes stemming from the Ukraine whistleblower scandal to Watergate.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-05-23--John Delaney: A serious commentator, if not a serious presidential candidate

John Delaney , a former congressman from Maryland , didn ’ t do very well in his campaign for the @ @ @ @ @ withdrew on Jan. 31 before the first votes were cast and counted .
But he @ @ @ @ @ , as I chanced to discover .
He ’ s well informed , thoughtful , @ @ @ @ @ of good sense , and suitably modest .
He ’ s good on more recent @ @ @ @ @ In this era of polarized partisan parity , he wasn ’ t well suited to @ @ @ @ @ for a presidential nomination , but he ’ s well suited to be a serious @ @

John Delaney, a former congressman from Maryland, didn’t do very well in his campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination. He withdrew on Jan. 31 before the first votes were cast and counted. But he does very well on Twitter, as I chanced to discover. He’s well informed, thoughtful, not predictably partisan, full of good sense, and suitably modest.
Examples:
In hindsight, we should have been much more insistent on enforcing isolation of nursing homes residents & vulnerable individuals & testing all people in contact with them as opposed to across the board stay at home, which is impossible to enforce & leaves the vulnerable exposed https://t.co/bRH1KBk1Ta — John Delaney (@JohnDelaney) May 9, 2020
"Deaths of despair" will rise because of economic turmoil and isolation. New report suggests up to 75,000 additional deaths from alcohol and drug misuse and suicide as a result of coronavirus. https://t.co/IeW7rMyu50 — John Delaney (@JohnDelaney) May 11, 2020
It is clear this virus disproportionately impacts our seniors and those with preexisting conditions. Consider the fact that 2% of people in nursing homes have died, .035% of people over 65 not in nursing homes have died and .006% of everyone else. This must inform how we reopen — John Delaney (@JohnDelaney) May 13, 2020
He’s good on more recent developments, as well. In this era of polarized partisan parity, he wasn’t well suited to emerge as a serious contender for a presidential nomination, but he’s well suited to be a serious commentator.