thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-02--Biden maintains a steady polling lead; Georgia Senate race is tight among three candidates

Trump campaign : Supporters loved the first debate , but did it persuade anyone else ?
Even though President Trump ’ s first debate performance was almost immediately panned as too aggressive , even unpresidential , some members of his team were initially euphoric .
“ Strong , confident , ” said an adviser to the campaign the following day .
“ Joe Biden was fumbling and stumbling.
” Vice President Mike Pence publicly said Trump won “ hands down.
” Trump World-adjacent supporters were more cautious in their assessments .
`` On the Trump side , it was too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Chris Christie , who helped the president prepare for the debate , said on ABC News .
`` You come in and decide you want to be aggressive , and I think it 's the right thing to be aggressive , but that was too hot .
With all that heat , you lose the light .
That potentially can be fixed .
Maybe , maybe not . ''
`` I think President Trump went in to dominate — whether that was a good or bad strategy , we 'll have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Newt Gingrich , a Trump ally , said on Fox News .
Trump ’ s dominance had debate moderator Chris Wallace complaining afterward — “ I had baked this beautiful , delicious cake , and then , frankly , the president put his foot in it , '' he said — and the Commission on Presidential Debates scurrying to impose new rules to keep him from interrupting .
It captures a dilemma for Trump going forward : The combativeness his strongest supporters find endearing and exciting may be off-putting to the voters he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The debates may be his last opportunity to reverse Biden ’ s monthslong lead in the polls .
— by W. James Antle III Biden campaign : The former vice president maintains a steady lead in national and state polls Whenever a campaign or supporters of a candidate say to `` ignore the polls , '' it 's a pretty good indicator their team is n't winning .
Joe Biden leads President Trump in every national poll and has since he secured the Democratic nomination in early June .
People point to 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrong . ''
On the national front , the poll results were well within the margin of error .
In state polls , they missed in three states Hillary Clinton ultimate lost — Wisconsin , Michigan , and Pennsylvania .
Trump won all three states by a combined 77,000 votes , so he has little room for error .
Still , unlike 2016 , several distinct differences exist within the polling numbers that should give the Biden team some hope going into the final 30 days of the campaign .
First , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the FiveThirtyEight average , Biden hits the 50 % mark , a ceiling Clinton failed to reach .
Secondly , there are no `` spoilers '' in the race this year .
In 2016 , some voters , turned off by both Biden and Trump , turned to the Libertarian Party candidate , former Arizona Gov .
Gary Johnson , and the Green Party candidate , Jill Stein .
No third-party candidate has emerged in 2020 to consume 3 % to 5 % of the national polling average .
Finally , Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
That was an Emerson poll of registered voters back in February .
Biden even leads in the Rasmussen Reports polls , a firm considered favorable to the president .
The polling numbers could explain Trump 's aggressiveness with Biden in their first debate .
A campaign that knows it is winning typically does not go on the attack .
— by Jay Caruso The presidential campaign will likely have the largest spillover effect in Nebraska 's 2nd Congressional District , based in Omaha .
That 's because only Nebraska and Maine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ district , rather than statewide .
So while Nebraska is sure to back President Trump , as it has with every Republican nominee from 1968 onward , his Democratic rival , Joe Biden , has a real shot at winning the congressional district .
And that 's already proving to be a benefit for the campaign of Democratic House candidate Kara Eastman .
She 's challenging Republican Rep. Don Bacon , having lost to him 51 % -49 % in 2018 .
Eastman is running as an unapologetic liberal in a district that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ metro area .
The district stands in stark contrast to the rest of agriculture-heavy Nebraska , as it 's 98 % urban .
Therein lies the appeal for the Biden campaign .
The presidential campaign of the former vice president and 36-year Delaware senator has been advertising heavily in the district .
And the tactic has worked before .
The 2008 Democratic ticket , with Biden as understudy to Democratic nominee Barack Obama , picked off the electoral vote , marking the first time a state split an electoral vote since Nebraska and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Biden leads Trump in the district 48 % -41 % , according to a recent New York Times/Siena College poll .
The survey also found Bacon leading Eastman 45 % -43 % .
Bacon 's narrow lead is a testament to the enduring Republican lean in the district , if by a much narrower margin than the rest of Nebraska , which in 2016 backed Trump over Hillary Clinton statewide 59 % -34 % .
Bacon , before turning to politics , was a career Air Force officer , rising to brigadier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Base , in Germany , and Offutt Air Force Base , in Nebraska .
— by David Mark Senate : In Georgia , will the two Republicans split the vote enough to allow a Democrat to vie for the win in a runoff ?
The Republican won a nail-biter of a race for governor in 2018 over rising Democratic star Stacey Abrams thanks to strong support in exurban communities and rural Georgia , amid severe erosion of support for the GOP in the Atlanta suburbs .
To compensate , the conservative chief executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate to succeed Republican Johnny Isakson , who resigned for health reasons at the end of 2019 , two years before the conclusion of his term .
His reasoning ?
A woman would help Republicans recover lost ground , and in the process help President Trump ; Sen. David Perdue , up for reelection in a regularly scheduled election ; and GOP congressional candidates .
It did n't quite work out that way .
In Georgia , when the governor fills a vacant Senate seat , his appointee is required to stand for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same day as the regular November election , with the top two finishers advancing to a runoff if the winner does not top 50 % of the vote .
Loeffler 's prospects of doing that were erased overnight when Republican Rep. Doug Collins jumped into the race , ignoring the pleas of GOP leaders to stay out .
To protect her right flank , Loeffler positioned herself as a champion of President Trump and his populist agenda , thereby wiping away her appeal to disaffected Republicans and Democratic moderates in the Atlanta suburbs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who is black , has surged in recent polls , putting himself in position to make the runoff , especially if Loeffler and Collins continue to split the Republican vote .
Could Democrats really steal a Senate seat in Georgia ?
The state is an emerging battleground whose demographics are trending Democratic .
Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden are running neck and neck , and some polls show Perdue in similar trouble .
So , yes , the special Senate election in Georgia merits attention .
— by David M. Drucker

Trump campaign: Supporters loved the first debate, but did it persuade anyone else?
Even though President Trump’s first debate performance was almost immediately panned as too aggressive, even unpresidential, some members of his team were initially euphoric. “Strong, confident,” said an adviser to the campaign the following day. “Joe Biden was fumbling and stumbling.” Vice President Mike Pence publicly said Trump won “hands down.”
Trump World-adjacent supporters were more cautious in their assessments. "On the Trump side, it was too hot," former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who helped the president prepare for the debate, said on ABC News. "You come in and decide you want to be aggressive, and I think it's the right thing to be aggressive, but that was too hot. With all that heat, you lose the light. That potentially can be fixed. Maybe, maybe not."
"I think President Trump went in to dominate — whether that was a good or bad strategy, we'll have to decide later," former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, a Trump ally, said on Fox News.
Trump’s dominance had debate moderator Chris Wallace complaining afterward — “I had baked this beautiful, delicious cake, and then, frankly, the president put his foot in it," he said — and the Commission on Presidential Debates scurrying to impose new rules to keep him from interrupting.
It captures a dilemma for Trump going forward: The combativeness his strongest supporters find endearing and exciting may be off-putting to the voters he needs to swing in his direction. The debates may be his last opportunity to reverse Biden’s monthslong lead in the polls. — by W. James Antle III
Biden campaign: The former vice president maintains a steady lead in national and state polls
Whenever a campaign or supporters of a candidate say to "ignore the polls," it's a pretty good indicator their team isn't winning. Joe Biden leads President Trump in every national poll and has since he secured the Democratic nomination in early June. People point to 2016, claiming the polls got it "wrong." On the national front, the poll results were well within the margin of error. In state polls, they missed in three states Hillary Clinton ultimate lost — Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. Trump won all three states by a combined 77,000 votes, so he has little room for error.
Still, unlike 2016, several distinct differences exist within the polling numbers that should give the Biden team some hope going into the final 30 days of the campaign.
First, in two polling averages, the RealClearPolitics average and the FiveThirtyEight average, Biden hits the 50% mark, a ceiling Clinton failed to reach.
Secondly, there are no "spoilers" in the race this year. In 2016, some voters, turned off by both Biden and Trump, turned to the Libertarian Party candidate, former Arizona Gov. Gary Johnson, and the Green Party candidate, Jill Stein. No third-party candidate has emerged in 2020 to consume 3% to 5% of the national polling average.
Finally, Trump only led one national poll the entire year. That was an Emerson poll of registered voters back in February. Biden even leads in the Rasmussen Reports polls, a firm considered favorable to the president.
The polling numbers could explain Trump's aggressiveness with Biden in their first debate. A campaign that knows it is winning typically does not go on the attack. — by Jay Caruso
House: Presidential race could boost prospects of Nebraska House Democratic candidate
The presidential campaign will likely have the largest spillover effect in Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District, based in Omaha.
That's because only Nebraska and Maine divvy up Electoral College votes by congressional district, rather than statewide. So while Nebraska is sure to back President Trump, as it has with every Republican nominee from 1968 onward, his Democratic rival, Joe Biden, has a real shot at winning the congressional district. And that's already proving to be a benefit for the campaign of Democratic House candidate Kara Eastman.
She's challenging Republican Rep. Don Bacon, having lost to him 51%-49% in 2018. Eastman is running as an unapologetic liberal in a district that encompasses the core of the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro area. The district stands in stark contrast to the rest of agriculture-heavy Nebraska, as it's 98% urban.
Therein lies the appeal for the Biden campaign. The presidential campaign of the former vice president and 36-year Delaware senator has been advertising heavily in the district. And the tactic has worked before. The 2008 Democratic ticket, with Biden as understudy to Democratic nominee Barack Obama, picked off the electoral vote, marking the first time a state split an electoral vote since Nebraska and Maine adopted the system in the 1970s.
Biden leads Trump in the district 48%-41%, according to a recent New York Times/Siena College poll. The survey also found Bacon leading Eastman 45%-43%.
Bacon's narrow lead is a testament to the enduring Republican lean in the district, if by a much narrower margin than the rest of Nebraska, which in 2016 backed Trump over Hillary Clinton statewide 59%-34%.
Bacon, before turning to politics, was a career Air Force officer, rising to brigadier general and wing commander at Ramstein Air Base, in Germany, and Offutt Air Force Base, in Nebraska. — by David Mark
Senate: In Georgia, will the two Republicans split the vote enough to allow a Democrat to vie for the win in a runoff?
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp had the perfect plan.
The Republican won a nail-biter of a race for governor in 2018 over rising Democratic star Stacey Abrams thanks to strong support in exurban communities and rural Georgia, amid severe erosion of support for the GOP in the Atlanta suburbs. To compensate, the conservative chief executive appointed wealthy businesswoman Kelly Loeffler to the Senate to succeed Republican Johnny Isakson, who resigned for health reasons at the end of 2019, two years before the conclusion of his term. His reasoning? A woman would help Republicans recover lost ground, and in the process help President Trump; Sen. David Perdue, up for reelection in a regularly scheduled election; and GOP congressional candidates.
It didn't quite work out that way.
In Georgia, when the governor fills a vacant Senate seat, his appointee is required to stand for election in a special election held the same day as the regular November election, with the top two finishers advancing to a runoff if the winner does not top 50% of the vote. Loeffler's prospects of doing that were erased overnight when Republican Rep. Doug Collins jumped into the race, ignoring the pleas of GOP leaders to stay out. To protect her right flank, Loeffler positioned herself as a champion of President Trump and his populist agenda, thereby wiping away her appeal to disaffected Republicans and Democratic moderates in the Atlanta suburbs.
Meanwhile, Democrat Raphael Warnock, who is black, has surged in recent polls, putting himself in position to make the runoff, especially if Loeffler and Collins continue to split the Republican vote. Could Democrats really steal a Senate seat in Georgia? The state is an emerging battleground whose demographics are trending Democratic. Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden are running neck and neck, and some polls show Perdue in similar trouble. So, yes, the special Senate election in Georgia merits attention. — by David M. Drucker


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-02--To the polls and to the wolves

To the polls and to the wolves

“ Democracy , ” the cynical line goes , “ is two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for dinner.
” Colorado is putting on a new twist on the old ideas about wolves and democracy .
For the first time in U.S. history , voters will go to the ballot box this fall to vote yea or nay on deliberately bringing hundreds of 150-pound fanged predators into their ecosystem .
If Proposition 114 passes on Election Day , state wildlife officials will reintroduce gray wolves in western Colorado beginning in 2023 .
The divide on this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Denver and Boulder are happy to help the once-endangered species expand its footprint , while the rural residents who would be the wolves ’ neighbors are not pleased .
Think of it as `` not in my backyard '' versus `` yes in your backyard . ''
The pioneers who settled the Rocky Mountains were not fond of the wolves .
Wolves would massacre cattle , compete with settlers for big game , and also terrorize men , women , and children .
For protection and for sport , people hunted gray @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down the Rockies ) almost to extinction .
Colorado even placed a bounty on wolves in 1869 .
The last gray wolf in Colorado was trapped and killed in the 1940s .
Conservation forces have had great success in reintroducing the wolves in much of the country .
Their packs roam in Wyoming , Montana , and Idaho .
They also roam in New Mexico .
That is , north and south of Colorado , gray wolves have been reintroduced .
But not in Colorado .
If Proposition 114 passes , the gray @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contiguous from Canada to Mexico .
This is good news for the wolves , and conservationists point to Yellowstone Park as an example of how wolves broadly change the ecosystem for the better .
The idea seems to poll well in Denver .
But ranchers and others west of the Continental Divide aren ’ t pleased about the prospect of having packs of massive bloodthirsty hounds as their neighbors .
The wolves are already moving in without any deliberate reintroduction .
Earlier this year , six wolves were spotted in northwestern Colorado .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ were shot and killed anyway .
The dislike of wolves is strong out in that part of the state .
But this is democracy , so it ’ s not up to the ranchers to decide whether the wolves will be joining them .

“Democracy,” the cynical line goes, “is two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for dinner.” Colorado is putting on a new twist on the old ideas about wolves and democracy.
For the first time in U.S. history, voters will go to the ballot box this fall to vote yea or nay on deliberately bringing hundreds of 150-pound fanged predators into their ecosystem.
If Proposition 114 passes on Election Day, state wildlife officials will reintroduce gray wolves in western Colorado beginning in 2023. The divide on this issue is pretty clear: The people of Denver and Boulder are happy to help the once-endangered species expand its footprint, while the rural residents who would be the wolves’ neighbors are not pleased.
Think of it as "not in my backyard" versus "yes in your backyard."
The pioneers who settled the Rocky Mountains were not fond of the wolves. Wolves would massacre cattle, compete with settlers for big game, and also terrorize men, women, and children. For protection and for sport, people hunted gray wolves (which once roamed up and down the Rockies) almost to extinction. Colorado even placed a bounty on wolves in 1869. The last gray wolf in Colorado was trapped and killed in the 1940s.
Conservation forces have had great success in reintroducing the wolves in much of the country. Their packs roam in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. They also roam in New Mexico. That is, north and south of Colorado, gray wolves have been reintroduced. But not in Colorado.
If Proposition 114 passes, the gray wolves’ U.S. territory will soon be contiguous from Canada to Mexico. This is good news for the wolves, and conservationists point to Yellowstone Park as an example of how wolves broadly change the ecosystem for the better. The idea seems to poll well in Denver.
But ranchers and others west of the Continental Divide aren’t pleased about the prospect of having packs of massive bloodthirsty hounds as their neighbors.
The wolves are already moving in without any deliberate reintroduction. Earlier this year, six wolves were spotted in northwestern Colorado. They retreated to Wyoming, but three were shot and killed anyway.
The dislike of wolves is strong out in that part of the state. But this is democracy, so it’s not up to the ranchers to decide whether the wolves will be joining them.


Debate disaster

President Trump and Democratic candidate Joe Biden took the stage on Tuesday for their first presidential debate , but the entire event was a disappointment , according to viewers .
The debate was expected to attract a wide viewership , since the 2016 election ’ s debates between Trump and then-Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton set a record for the largest audience to ever tune into a presidential debate .
But Trump and Biden managed to attract only 73 million viewers , according to Variety , which is 13 million fewer than the first Trump-Clinton debate four years ago .
Those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s debate didn ’ t stick around long , according to a CBS News poll .
The vast majority of respondents told the outlet that the debate ’ s tone was too negative and that they felt annoyed watching it .
Few voters found the debate informative .
Indeed , only 17 % of respondents said they learned something from the back-and-forth .
And although a third of respondents said that they felt entertained , the majority walked away discontent .
Unfortunately , this is not a rare thing .
For the past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they feel discouraged by politics , the overwhelming news cycle , and the rhetorical conflict that never seems to find a resolution .
This feeling is not just exclusive to one party , either .
Both Democrats and Republicans are upset with the current state of things : Democrats are upset because Trump is president , and Republicans are upset because of the way Trump has been treated as president .
The one thing that both sides can agree on is that American politics is a mess — perhaps the messiest it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more apparent than in Tuesday ’ s debate .
There was very little substance , according to viewers ; indeed , there was very little debate at all .
It would seem “ annoying ” is a pretty mild way of putting it .

President Trump and Democratic candidate Joe Biden took the stage on Tuesday for their first presidential debate, but the entire event was a disappointment, according to viewers.
The debate was expected to attract a wide viewership, since the 2016 election’s debates between Trump and then-Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton set a record for the largest audience to ever tune into a presidential debate. But Trump and Biden managed to attract only 73 million viewers, according to Variety, which is 13 million fewer than the first Trump-Clinton debate four years ago.
Those who did tune in for Tuesday’s debate didn’t stick around long, according to a CBS News poll. The vast majority of respondents told the outlet that the debate’s tone was too negative and that they felt annoyed watching it. Few voters found the debate informative. Indeed, only 17% of respondents said they learned something from the back-and-forth. And although a third of respondents said that they felt entertained, the majority walked away discontent.
Unfortunately, this is not a rare thing. For the past several years, people have admitted that they feel discouraged by politics, the overwhelming news cycle, and the rhetorical conflict that never seems to find a resolution. This feeling is not just exclusive to one party, either. Both Democrats and Republicans are upset with the current state of things: Democrats are upset because Trump is president, and Republicans are upset because of the way Trump has been treated as president.
The one thing that both sides can agree on is that American politics is a mess — perhaps the messiest it’s ever been. Nowhere was that more apparent than in Tuesday’s debate. There was very little substance, according to viewers; indeed, there was very little debate at all. It would seem “annoying” is a pretty mild way of putting it.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-02--Biden to pull negative ads following Trump coronavirus diagnosis

Joe Biden 's presidential campaign will put a pause on running ads that attack President Trump in response to the @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus and pausing campaign activities .
The decision to pull negative ads was made before @ @ @ @ @ Walter Reed hospital on Friday afternoon , multiple news outlets reported .
Earlier on Friday @ @ @ @ @ and former vice president said he and his wife Jill Biden would pray for the @ @ @ @ @ first lady Melania Trump .
Biden tested negative for the coronavirus on Friday .
Some @ @ @ @ @ contracted the virus from Trump at Tuesday 's presidential debate .
At a campaign stop @ @ @ @ @ Biden called for transparency from those who test positive for COVID-19 .
`` Every single @ @ @ @ @ of mind , and it means we need transparency , '' Biden said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ to participate in contact tracing so that everyone who they may have exposed can get @ @ @ @ @ how you stop transmission for any epidemic .
It 's basic . ''

Joe Biden's presidential campaign will put a pause on running ads that attack President Trump in response to the president testing positive for the coronavirus and pausing campaign activities.
The decision to pull negative ads was made before the president was transported to Walter Reed hospital on Friday afternoon, multiple news outlets reported.
Earlier on Friday, the Democratic presidential nominee and former vice president said he and his wife Jill Biden would pray for the recovery of the president and first lady Melania Trump.
Biden tested negative for the coronavirus on Friday. Some feared that he may have contracted the virus from Trump at Tuesday's presidential debate.
At a campaign stop in Michigan on Friday, Biden called for transparency from those who test positive for COVID-19.
"Every single American deserves safety and peace of mind, and it means we need transparency," Biden said. "Those who test positive need to participate in contact tracing so that everyone who they may have exposed can get tested themselves. That's how you stop transmission for any epidemic. It's basic."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-02--Conspiracy theories fly on Left and Right over Trump contracting coronavirus

Conspiracy theories are swirling following President Trump 's announcement that he tested positive for the coronavirus .
Trump could be faking his coronavirus diagnosis in order to avoid participating in another debate against Joe Biden .
Or maybe he was deliberately exposed to it by a malicious actor at Tuesday 's debate against the Democratic presidential nominee .
He 's faking it in order to distract from the election — or to garner sympathy for himself .
Or maybe , this is part of a grand QAnon plan to save the president from the deep state .
Each political persuasion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hidden events swirling on the internet .
With a high-stakes election on the line and Trump being pulled off the campaign trail due to contracting the coronavirus , neither the Left nor the Right had a shortage of suspicion of foul play when it came to Trump announcing a positive test result .
Former Republican congressional candidate-turned- Newsmax commentator DeAnna Lorraine floated the idea that a leftist deliberately infected Trump .
`` I ’ m just going to say what we ’ re all thinking .
Trump was fine until the debate , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for him .
Incubation period is usually 2-3 days .
He tests positive a couple of days after the debate .
I put nothing past the left .
NOTHING , '' Lorraine tweeted .
She added : `` Does anyone else find it odd that no prominent Democrats have had the virus but the list of Republicans goes on and on ? ''
( Several federal Democratic politicians , such as Pennsylvania Rep. Joe Cunningham , Arizona Rep. Raul Grijalva , and Utah Rep. Ben McAdams , have tested positive for the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was faking the sickness as some sort of dirty campaign trick .
`` I mean , honestly , do we know this is real ?
Do we know this isn ’ t some last ditch election ruse where he claims he ’ s cured himself with some obscure drug that his company coincidentally makes ?
That sounds ludicrous but ‘ gestures at 2020 ] , '' tweeted attorney Ken White , who blogs and tweets under the name `` Popehat . ''
He added : `` On the one hand , wild conspiracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the other , this is one of the most pathologically dishonest humans in public life surrounded by amoral cultists . ''
Twitter user `` JohnCammo '' theorized two weeks ago that Trump would fake a coronavirus infection in October in order to keep attention off of Biden and prop up the experimental use of malaria drug hydroxychloroquine to treat the virus .
His tweet went viral on Friday .
A similar strain of theories say that Trump is faking having the coronavirus so he can have a fake miraculous recovery to `` prove @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serious .
MSNBC host Joy Reid spread theories that Trump could be lying about his coronavirus infection while attributing the ideas to others .
`` Here ’ s how wrecked Trump ’ s credibility is at this point : I ’ ve got a cellphone full of texts from people who aren ’ t sure whether to believe Trump actually has covid .
'He lies so much , ' one friend just texted .
'Is he just doing this to get out of the debates ? '
others are texting , '' Reid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reid suggested that those questioning that Trump is positive are justified .
`` Important point for those who are skeptical re the Trump diagnosis — a skepticism he has earned , by the way .
It ’ s not clear the White House would have disclosed any of this on their own .
Journalism dragged this out , '' she said in a tweet responding to a point noting that the White House only announced that Trump was being tested for the coronavirus , or that anyone in the West Wing had it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that top Trump aide Hope Hicks contracted it .
Activist Linda Sarsour and social media personality Joey Diamond also floated the idea that Trump could be trying to dodge a debate with Biden , since a two-week quarantine period would end on the day after the next scheduled presidential debate on Oct. 15 .
Filmmaker Michael Moore had a different rationale for Trump possibly lying about having the coronavirus : attempting to gain sympathy .
“ He ’ s an evil genius and I raise the possibility of him lying about having COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Moore wrote .
“ He knows being sick tends to gain one sympathy .
He ’ s not above weaponizing this.
” Several accounts that push QAnon , a conspiracy theory tied to a right-wing fringe culture that claims `` deep state '' satanists are working to undermine Trump , also questioned whether Trump could be lying about the coronavirus in order to distract from some secret operation .

Conspiracy theories are swirling following President Trump's announcement that he tested positive for the coronavirus.
Trump could be faking his coronavirus diagnosis in order to avoid participating in another debate against Joe Biden. Or maybe he was deliberately exposed to it by a malicious actor at Tuesday's debate against the Democratic presidential nominee.
He's faking it in order to distract from the election — or to garner sympathy for himself. Or maybe, this is part of a grand QAnon plan to save the president from the deep state.
Each political persuasion seems to have theories about versions of hidden events swirling on the internet.
With a high-stakes election on the line and Trump being pulled off the campaign trail due to contracting the coronavirus, neither the Left nor the Right had a shortage of suspicion of foul play when it came to Trump announcing a positive test result.
Former Republican congressional candidate-turned-Newsmax commentator DeAnna Lorraine floated the idea that a leftist deliberately infected Trump.
"I’m just going to say what we’re all thinking. Trump was fine until the debate, where they set up microphones & podiums for him. Incubation period is usually 2-3 days. He tests positive a couple of days after the debate. I put nothing past the left. NOTHING," Lorraine tweeted.
I’m just going to say what we’re all thinking.
Trump was fine until the debate, where they set up microphones & podiums for him.
Incubation period is usually 2-3 days.
He tests positive a couple of days after the debate.
I put nothing past the left. NOTHING.#TrumpHasCOVID — DeAnna Lorraine 🇺🇸 (@DeAnna4Congress) October 2, 2020
She added: "Does anyone else find it odd that no prominent Democrats have had the virus but the list of Republicans goes on and on?"
(Several federal Democratic politicians, such as Pennsylvania Rep. Joe Cunningham, Arizona Rep. Raul Grijalva, and Utah Rep. Ben McAdams, have tested positive for the coronavirus.)
Does anyone else find it odd that no prominent Democrats have had the virus but the list of Republicans goes on and on? — DeAnna Lorraine 🇺🇸 (@DeAnna4Congress) October 2, 2020
Some people wondered if Trump was faking the sickness as some sort of dirty campaign trick.
"I mean, honestly, do we know this is real? Do we know this isn’t some last ditch election ruse where he claims he’s cured himself with some obscure drug that his company coincidentally makes? That sounds ludicrous but ‘gestures at 2020]," tweeted attorney Ken White, who blogs and tweets under the name "Popehat."
He added: "On the one hand, wild conspiracy theories are killing society, but in the other, this is one of the most pathologically dishonest humans in public life surrounded by amoral cultists."
I mean, honestly, do we know this is real? Do we know this isn’t some last ditch election ruse where he claims he’s cured himself with some obscure drug that his company coincidentally makes? That sounds ludicrous but ‘gestures at 2020] — EverythingIsOnFireHat (@Popehat) October 2, 2020
Twitter user "JohnCammo" theorized two weeks ago that Trump would fake a coronavirus infection in October in order to keep attention off of Biden and prop up the experimental use of malaria drug hydroxychloroquine to treat the virus. His tweet went viral on Friday.
A similar strain of theories say that Trump is faking having the coronavirus so he can have a fake miraculous recovery to "prove" that the virus isn't that serious.
Faking illness is the only way he can get out of more debates and save face. It has the added bonus of "proving" that it's just a mild cold when he doesn't become catastrophically ill. It's an insane strategy that could be their last hope. — Jodi Austin (@JoAustinViolin) October 2, 2020
MSNBC host Joy Reid spread theories that Trump could be lying about his coronavirus infection while attributing the ideas to others.
"Here’s how wrecked Trump’s credibility is at this point: I’ve got a cellphone full of texts from people who aren’t sure whether to believe Trump actually has covid. 'He lies so much,' one friend just texted. 'Is he just doing this to get out of the debates?' others are texting," Reid said.
In a subsequent tweet, Reid suggested that those questioning that Trump is positive are justified.
"Important point for those who are skeptical re the Trump diagnosis — a skepticism he has earned, by the way. It’s not clear the White House would have disclosed any of this on their own. Journalism dragged this out," she said in a tweet responding to a point noting that the White House only announced that Trump was being tested for the coronavirus, or that anyone in the West Wing had it, only after Bloomberg broke the news that top Trump aide Hope Hicks contracted it.
Here’s how wrecked Trump’s credibility is at this point: I’ve got a cellphone full of texts from people who aren’t sure whether to believe Trump actually has covid. “He lies so much,” one friend just texted. “Is he just doing this to get out of the debates?” others are texting. — Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) October 2, 2020
Activist Linda Sarsour and social media personality Joey Diamond also floated the idea that Trump could be trying to dodge a debate with Biden, since a two-week quarantine period would end on the day after the next scheduled presidential debate on Oct. 15.
Seems like someone don’t wanna go back to the debate stage. 🤔🤔 — Linda Sarsour (@lsarsour) October 2, 2020
There’s also a part of me that thinks Trump is lying about getting Covid to delay the debates. — Joey Diamond (@Jdiamondisme) October 2, 2020
Filmmaker Michael Moore had a different rationale for Trump possibly lying about having the coronavirus: attempting to gain sympathy.
“He’s an evil genius and I raise the possibility of him lying about having COVID-19 to prepare us and counteract his game,” Moore wrote. “He knows being sick tends to gain one sympathy. He’s not above weaponizing this.”
Several accounts that push QAnon, a conspiracy theory tied to a right-wing fringe culture that claims "deep state" satanists are working to undermine Trump, also questioned whether Trump could be lying about the coronavirus in order to distract from some secret operation.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-02--Chris Wallace: Trump arrived too late to debate to be tested for coronavirus by Cleveland Clinic

Fox News anchor Chris Wallace said neither President Trump nor Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden arrived early enough before the first debate to be tested for the coronavirus by the Cleveland Clinic .
Wallace said Friday that both presidential candidates adhered to an `` honor system , '' whereby candidates would report the results of a coronavirus test conducted by their own campaigns .
Wallace said the only reason he was tested was that he arrived days before the debate .
`` They were n't tested by the clinic based on this statement , Chris .
And , to me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Fox News 's Bill Hemmer said .
`` They did n't arrive 'til Tuesday afternoon .
So for them to get tested , there would n't have been enough time to have the test and have the debate at 9 o'clock that night .
They did n't show up until 3 , 4 , 5 o'clock in the afternoon , '' Wallace said .
`` Yeah , there was an honor system when it came to the people that came into the hall from the two campaigns . ''
Wallace also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aides wore masks while doing a walk-through of the debate venue on Tuesday afternoon .
`` Members of the commission were not especially happy with the fact that the presidential party was not wearing a mask .
There seems to have been a disregard for the risks of this virus , '' he said .
The clinic said in a statement on Friday that `` individuals entering the debate hall were masked and in some cases removed their masks once seated . ''
The clinic also noted that a clinic physician `` did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not adhere to the requirement.
” '' Most importantly , everyone permitted inside the debate hall tested negative for COVID-19 prior to entry .
Individuals traveling with both candidates , including the candidates themselves , had been tested and tested negative by their respective campaigns .
Based on what we know about the virus and the safety measures we had in place , we believe there is low risk of exposure to our guests .
Out of an abundance of caution we are reaching out to our guests to address any questions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing .
We will continue to monitor the information being released by the White House , '' the clinic said in an earlier statement .

Fox News anchor Chris Wallace said neither President Trump nor Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden arrived early enough before the first debate to be tested for the coronavirus by the Cleveland Clinic.
Wallace said Friday that both presidential candidates adhered to an "honor system," whereby candidates would report the results of a coronavirus test conducted by their own campaigns. Wallace said the only reason he was tested was that he arrived days before the debate.
"They weren't tested by the clinic based on this statement, Chris. And, to me, that sounds like an honor system," Fox News's Bill Hemmer said.
"They didn't arrive 'til Tuesday afternoon. So for them to get tested, there wouldn't have been enough time to have the test and have the debate at 9 o'clock that night. They didn't show up until 3, 4, 5 o'clock in the afternoon," Wallace said. "Yeah, there was an honor system when it came to the people that came into the hall from the two campaigns."
Wallace also said neither the president nor his top aides wore masks while doing a walk-through of the debate venue on Tuesday afternoon.
"Members of the commission were not especially happy with the fact that the presidential party was not wearing a mask. There seems to have been a disregard for the risks of this virus," he said.
The clinic said in a statement on Friday that "individuals entering the debate hall were masked and in some cases removed their masks once seated." The clinic also noted that a clinic physician "did offer audience members masks, but some did not adhere to the requirement.”
"Most importantly, everyone permitted inside the debate hall tested negative for COVID-19 prior to entry. Individuals traveling with both candidates, including the candidates themselves, had been tested and tested negative by their respective campaigns. Based on what we know about the virus and the safety measures we had in place, we believe there is low risk of exposure to our guests. Out of an abundance of caution we are reaching out to our guests to address any questions and concerns, as well as offering testing. We will continue to monitor the information being released by the White House," the clinic said in an earlier statement.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-02--Biden asks for transparency while insisting Trump's COVID-19 result isn't 'a matter of politics'

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden called for greater transparency after President Trump tested positive for COVID-19 .
`` Every single American deserves safety and peace of mind , and it means we need transparency , '' he said Friday in Grand Rapids , Michigan .
The former two-term vice president added : `` Those who test positive need to participate in contact tracing so that everyone who they may have exposed can get tested themselves .
That 's how you stop transmission for any epidemic .
It 's basic . ''
Trump revealed his COVID-19 diagnosis in an overnight tweet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had contracted the virus Wednesday was n't disclosed by the White House .
Instead , that development was uncovered by Bloomberg News late Thursday .
[ Read more : White House pressed to explain Trump 's New Jersey trip after Hope Hicks isolated on Air Force One ] But roughly 30 days before their Nov. 3 election , Biden insisted Trump 's positive test results were `` not a matter of politics . ''
`` It 's a bracing reminder to all of us that we have to take this virus seriously .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said , urging Trump and his administration to rely on science in their pandemic response .
In addition to increased access to testing , the 36-year Delaware senator implored Trump again to encourage people to wear masks .
`` Be patriotic .
It 's not about being a tough guy .
It 's about doing your part , '' he said .
Biden flew to Michigan Friday afternoon for a scaled-back campaign swing after he and wife Jill , the former second lady , tested negative for COVID-19 .
At the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden told the socially distanced crowd he actually took two COVID-19 tests that morning .
Biden 's trip was originally scheduled so that he could deliver remarks regarding the economy , coinciding with Friday 's publication of the Labor Department 's October jobs report .
The data , which indicated the country 's economic recovery slowed in September , is the last report expected before Election Day .
Biden shared a stage with Trump for 90 minutes on Tuesday when they went head-to-head in their opening debate in Cleveland .
Hicks was in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidance from the host site to don a face covering .

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden called for greater transparency after President Trump tested positive for COVID-19.
"Every single American deserves safety and peace of mind, and it means we need transparency," he said Friday in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
The former two-term vice president added: "Those who test positive need to participate in contact tracing so that everyone who they may have exposed can get tested themselves. That's how you stop transmission for any epidemic. It's basic."
Trump revealed his COVID-19 diagnosis in an overnight tweet, but news top aide Hope Hicks had contracted the virus Wednesday wasn't disclosed by the White House. Instead, that development was uncovered by Bloomberg News late Thursday.
[Read more: White House pressed to explain Trump's New Jersey trip after Hope Hicks isolated on Air Force One]
But roughly 30 days before their Nov. 3 election, Biden insisted Trump's positive test results were "not a matter of politics."
"It's a bracing reminder to all of us that we have to take this virus seriously. It's not going away automatically," he said, urging Trump and his administration to rely on science in their pandemic response.
In addition to increased access to testing, the 36-year Delaware senator implored Trump again to encourage people to wear masks.
"Be patriotic. It's not about being a tough guy. It's about doing your part," he said.
Biden flew to Michigan Friday afternoon for a scaled-back campaign swing after he and wife Jill, the former second lady, tested negative for COVID-19. At the United Food & Commercial Workers hall, Biden told the socially distanced crowd he actually took two COVID-19 tests that morning.
Biden's trip was originally scheduled so that he could deliver remarks regarding the economy, coinciding with Friday's publication of the Labor Department's October jobs report. The data, which indicated the country's economic recovery slowed in September, is the last report expected before Election Day.
Biden shared a stage with Trump for 90 minutes on Tuesday when they went head-to-head in their opening debate in Cleveland. Hicks was in the audience, many of whom ignored guidance from the host site to don a face covering.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-02--Vice presidential debate to proceed as planned

Vice President Mike Pence and 2020 Democratic vice-president nominee Kamala Harris will meet next week for their highly anticipated debate , despite President Trump and first lady Melania Trump testing positive for COVID-19 .
Officials from the White House , the Commission on Presidential Debates , and the University of Utah have indicated the pair 's one and only meeting will proceed on Wednesday in Salt Lake City .
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden 's campaign , though , is lobbying organizers to ensure the two-term vice president 's running mate is at least 7 to 14 feet away from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Today 's Washington bureau chief , PBS reported .
Biden 's team is also pushing the commission to enforce COVID-19 precautions , including mask-wearing .
Pence and Harris both tested negative for the virus after President Trump revealed his diagnosis early Friday morning , and that the first couple was self-isolating .
White House physician Dr. Jesse Schonau issued a statement Friday afternoon that Pence did n't have to quarantine because he was not considered `` a close contact '' of Trump , according to the Centers for Disease Control guidance .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health and is free to go about his normal activities , '' Schonau wrote .
Bill Stepien , Trump 's campaign manager , announced all of his candidate 's appearances would be postponed or moved online , as would those slated to be hosted by his family .
`` Vice President Mike Pence , who has tested negative for COVID-19 , plans on resuming his scheduled campaign events , '' he said .
Biden and Harris returned to the trail Friday following Delaware 's 36-year senator testing negative for COVID-19 as well .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a sitting California senator , is due to make in-person stops in Nevada .
Trump and Biden were together Tuesday in Cleveland for their opening debate before the Nov. 3 election .
The nominees were tested before their 90-minute meeting on stage and did n't shake hands ahead of taking their place behind their respective podiums spaced 12 feet apart .
Audience members were supposed to wear masks , but many did n't , even after being asked by doctors from the Cleveland Clinic , the host site .

Vice President Mike Pence and 2020 Democratic vice-president nominee Kamala Harris will meet next week for their highly anticipated debate, despite President Trump and first lady Melania Trump testing positive for COVID-19.
Officials from the White House, the Commission on Presidential Debates, and the University of Utah have indicated the pair's one and only meeting will proceed on Wednesday in Salt Lake City.
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden's campaign, though, is lobbying organizers to ensure the two-term vice president's running mate is at least 7 to 14 feet away from Pence and moderator Susan Page, USA Today's Washington bureau chief, PBS reported. Biden's team is also pushing the commission to enforce COVID-19 precautions, including mask-wearing.
Pence and Harris both tested negative for the virus after President Trump revealed his diagnosis early Friday morning, and that the first couple was self-isolating. White House physician Dr. Jesse Schonau issued a statement Friday afternoon that Pence didn't have to quarantine because he was not considered "a close contact" of Trump, according to the Centers for Disease Control guidance.
"Vice President Mike Pence remains in good health and is free to go about his normal activities," Schonau wrote.
Bill Stepien, Trump's campaign manager, announced all of his candidate's appearances would be postponed or moved online, as would those slated to be hosted by his family.
"Vice President Mike Pence, who has tested negative for COVID-19, plans on resuming his scheduled campaign events," he said.
Biden and Harris returned to the trail Friday following Delaware's 36-year senator testing negative for COVID-19 as well. Biden flew to Michigan, while Harris, a sitting California senator, is due to make in-person stops in Nevada.
Trump and Biden were together Tuesday in Cleveland for their opening debate before the Nov. 3 election. The nominees were tested before their 90-minute meeting on stage and didn't shake hands ahead of taking their place behind their respective podiums spaced 12 feet apart. Audience members were supposed to wear masks, but many didn't, even after being asked by doctors from the Cleveland Clinic, the host site.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-02--Many GOP strategists fret Trump COVID-19 diagnosis dooms the party

Republican strategists fear President Trump may not recover politically from his bout with the coronavirus , warning the brighter spotlight on the pandemic during the final month of the campaign would help Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden solidify his lead .
In interviews with more than a dozen Republican strategists , the consensus forecast for the Nov. 3 election turned overwhelmingly bleak after news broke that Trump and first lady Melania Trump contracted the coronavirus .
Voter dissatisfaction with Trump ’ s management of the pandemic runs deep and has contributed significantly to Biden ’ s advantage in the race @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s toughest issue is front and center as early and absentee voting accelerate .
“ It ’ s a disaster for the president ’ s campaign , '' a Republican operative said Friday .
`` He ’ s literally not going to be able to do anything but watch cable news all day and tweet . ''
Some veteran Republican advisers overseeing House and Senate campaigns say the party faces a total wipeout down the ballot on Nov. 3 .
“ My prognosis is 32 days to live .
We ’ re cooked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Another Republican insider who counsels GOP congressional candidates said : “ Brace for impact.
” Biden led Trump by 6.8 percentage points in an average of recent national polls .
The former vice president maintained smaller but steady leads in most key battleground states .
Republicans were on edge following Trump ’ s uneven performance in his first debate with Biden Tuesday , worried that time and opportunities to overtake Biden are running out .
The president ’ s coronavirus diagnosis is making them more pessimistic .
Trump testing positive for COVID-19 could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ growing risk to their health , Republicans say .
That dynamic is likely to push voters toward Biden , who regularly leads the president by double-digits in public surveys on the question of who would better handle the coronavirus .
It also elevates voters ’ latent concerns that Trump is not taking the pandemic seriously .
The danger of this narrative taking hold is magnified by the president ’ s mocking dismissal of Biden ’ s fastidious use of face masks and social distancing protocols at campaign events .
“ I don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Trump said , pointing to Biden during the debate .
“ Every time you see him , he ’ s got a mask .
He could be speaking 200 feet away … and he shows up with the biggest mask I ’ ve ever seen.
” Some Republican strategists were still assessing the impact of Trump ’ s situation on the campaign before offering a verdict .
One GOP operative speculated the 74-year-old president quickly bouncing back from the coronavirus could signal to people that the disease is not as dangerous as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic sways their votes .
Another Republican wondered if it might help Trump by shifting attention away from the debate .
Yet another was hopeful it might engender voter sympathy for the polarizing incumbent and monopolize news coverage , drowning out Biden ’ s message .
Some Republican insiders are hoping Trump 's exit from the trail will spark a rebound by shifting the focus of the campaign to Biden and away from the president ’ s crowded rallies and controversial rhetoric .
Biden has a habit of uttering verbal miscues .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential candidate on the road might attract negative attention .
“ It gives the president a good reason to be quiet and let the focus be on Mr. Biden , which is what has to happen if the president is going to win , ” a former senior White House official said .
However , Republicans say the timing of Trump ’ s diagnosis could not be worse .
The illness is forcing Trump to quarantine at the White House for up to two of the final four weeks of the campaign .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , such as Arizona , Florida , and Wisconsin , depriving his campaign of its primary tool to juice voter turnout and dominate the message war with Biden in targeted markets .
“ If there was a book to be written that was the opposite of catching a break ... or making wise decisions , Trump ’ s writing it right now , ” said a Republican strategist in Ohio , a toss-up state the president won easily four years ago .
A second GOP operative in the Midwest added : “ Gone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ battleground states to make up for the president ’ s cash crunch.
” The Trump campaign confirmed Friday that future rallies or roundtables featuring Trump were being postponed or transitioned to virtual productions .
Events headlined by members of the Trump family also were canceled indefinitely .
Vice President Mike Pence , whose coronavirus test came back negative , was maintaining his aggressive travel schedule .
Other Trump campaign surrogates are stumping for the president on a case-by-case basis .
The Trump campaign did not respond to a request for comment .

Republican strategists fear President Trump may not recover politically from his bout with the coronavirus, warning the brighter spotlight on the pandemic during the final month of the campaign would help Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden solidify his lead.
In interviews with more than a dozen Republican strategists, the consensus forecast for the Nov. 3 election turned overwhelmingly bleak after news broke that Trump and first lady Melania Trump contracted the coronavirus. Voter dissatisfaction with Trump’s management of the pandemic runs deep and has contributed significantly to Biden’s advantage in the race. With this development, Trump’s toughest issue is front and center as early and absentee voting accelerate.
“It’s a disaster for the president’s campaign," a Republican operative said Friday. "He’s literally not going to be able to do anything but watch cable news all day and tweet."
Some veteran Republican advisers overseeing House and Senate campaigns say the party faces a total wipeout down the ballot on Nov. 3.
“My prognosis is 32 days to live. We’re cooked,” a GOP strategist said. Another Republican insider who counsels GOP congressional candidates said: “Brace for impact.”
Biden led Trump by 6.8 percentage points in an average of recent national polls. The former vice president maintained smaller but steady leads in most key battleground states. Republicans were on edge following Trump’s uneven performance in his first debate with Biden Tuesday, worried that time and opportunities to overtake Biden are running out. The president’s coronavirus diagnosis is making them more pessimistic.
Trump testing positive for COVID-19 could suggest to voters the pandemic is a growing risk to their health, Republicans say. That dynamic is likely to push voters toward Biden, who regularly leads the president by double-digits in public surveys on the question of who would better handle the coronavirus. It also elevates voters’ latent concerns that Trump is not taking the pandemic seriously.
The danger of this narrative taking hold is magnified by the president’s mocking dismissal of Biden’s fastidious use of face masks and social distancing protocols at campaign events.
“I don’t wear a mask like him,” Trump said, pointing to Biden during the debate. “Every time you see him, he’s got a mask. He could be speaking 200 feet away … and he shows up with the biggest mask I’ve ever seen.”
Some Republican strategists were still assessing the impact of Trump’s situation on the campaign before offering a verdict.
One GOP operative speculated the 74-year-old president quickly bouncing back from the coronavirus could signal to people that the disease is not as dangerous as feared, thereby reducing how much the pandemic sways their votes. Another Republican wondered if it might help Trump by shifting attention away from the debate. Yet another was hopeful it might engender voter sympathy for the polarizing incumbent and monopolize news coverage, drowning out Biden’s message.
Some Republican insiders are hoping Trump's exit from the trail will spark a rebound by shifting the focus of the campaign to Biden and away from the president’s crowded rallies and controversial rhetoric. Biden has a habit of uttering verbal miscues. The extra attention Biden receives as the only presidential candidate on the road might attract negative attention.
“It gives the president a good reason to be quiet and let the focus be on Mr. Biden, which is what has to happen if the president is going to win,” a former senior White House official said.
However, Republicans say the timing of Trump’s diagnosis could not be worse. The illness is forcing Trump to quarantine at the White House for up to two of the final four weeks of the campaign. He is canceling rallies in key states, such as Arizona, Florida, and Wisconsin, depriving his campaign of its primary tool to juice voter turnout and dominate the message war with Biden in targeted markets.
“If there was a book to be written that was the opposite of catching a break ... or making wise decisions, Trump’s writing it right now,” said a Republican strategist in Ohio, a toss-up state the president won easily four years ago. A second GOP operative in the Midwest added: “Gone are the rallies and aggressive campaigning in battleground states to make up for the president’s cash crunch.”
The Trump campaign confirmed Friday that future rallies or roundtables featuring Trump were being postponed or transitioned to virtual productions. Events headlined by members of the Trump family also were canceled indefinitely. Vice President Mike Pence, whose coronavirus test came back negative, was maintaining his aggressive travel schedule. Other Trump campaign surrogates are stumping for the president on a case-by-case basis.
The Trump campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
Katherine Doyle contributed to this report.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-02--Buzz: Amy Coney Barrett vote by Nov. 1, Matt Gaetz focus on Miami-Dade, grilling isn't BBQ in NC

White House chief of staff Mark Meadows has told allies that he expects Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett to be approved by the Senate before Nov. 1 .
While there is always a chance of “ extraordinary efforts ” by Democrats to gum up the works , allies said of his message , he doesn ’ t see a way for the liberals to postpone the debate and vote past the last week of October .
… • Rep. Matt Gaetz , the Republican congressman from Florida ’ s panhandle , believes that Joe Biden is losing Hispanic voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden is going to substantially underperform ” with them there , he told us .
“ He is hemorrhaging Hispanic votes .
Working-class Hispanics are not here for 'woketopia ' that Joe Biden would usher in .
And we are going to benefit from that in Arizona , in Texas , in Florida.
” … • Our friends over at Newsmax , which is building out its conservative TV channel , hit a new record viewership of 9.6 million in August .
That was more than the NFL Network ’ s 9.3 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Discovery Life .
… • North Carolina is an unforgiving state when it comes to confusing barbecuing with grilling .
Democratic Senate candidate Cal Cunningham found out when he tweeted , “ There 's nothing better than BBQ — except for winning this Senate seat , of course , ” while grilling hot dogs .
He said he knows the difference and was only showing off his nifty BBQ apron , but local media and the GOP came down hard .
The Raleigh News & Observer scolded , “ Grilling is @ @ @ @

White House chief of staff Mark Meadows has told allies that he expects Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett to be approved by the Senate before Nov. 1.
While there is always a chance of “extraordinary efforts” by Democrats to gum up the works, allies said of his message, he doesn’t see a way for the liberals to postpone the debate and vote past the last week of October. …
Rep. Matt Gaetz, the Republican congressman from Florida’s panhandle, believes that Joe Biden is losing Hispanic voters. “Watch Miami-Dade County. Joe Biden is going to substantially underperform” with them there, he told us. “He is hemorrhaging Hispanic votes. Working-class Hispanics are not here for 'woketopia' that Joe Biden would usher in. And we are going to benefit from that in Arizona, in Texas, in Florida.” …
Our friends over at Newsmax, which is building out its conservative TV channel, hit a new record viewership of 9.6 million in August. That was more than the NFL Network’s 9.3 million and ahead of Bloomberg TV, RFD-TV, and Discovery Life. …
There's nothing better than BBQ—except for winning this Senate seat, of course. pic.twitter.com/oEsDXIZ5O2 — Cal Cunningham (@CalforNC) September 28, 2020


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-02--Importance of up close and personal campaigning highlighted by Trump diagnosis crisis and Biden ramp

Importance of up close and personal campaigning highlighted by Trump diagnosis crisis and Biden ramping up

ORLANDO , Florida — Organizers from both parties in the must-win state of Florida recognized the importance of face-to-face interaction electoral politics even as technology makes virtual voter contact easier than ever .
Their messages were amplified with President Trump ’ s coronavirus diagnosis bringing his rally-driven campaign style to a screeching halt just as Joe Biden ’ s presidential campaign announced that it would ramp up in-person campaign activities .
Biden ’ s campaign on Thursday announced plans to launch door-to-door canvassing in the key states of Nevada , Michigan , New Hampshire , and Pennsylvania .
For months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden ’ s team kept voter outreach limited to virtual methods such as text messages and phone calls , even as the Trump campaign started going door to door as early as June .
Meanwhile , Republican organizers who were counting on a spout of voter enthusiasm from Trump ’ s rallies to mobilize their supporters are processing what his absence from the campaign trail in the final weeks of the presidential campaign will mean for the election .
Charles Hart , chairman of the Orange County Executive Committee in central Florida , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s diagnosis and the cancellation of his Friday Orlando rally were disappointing .
“ We expected to probably see 30,000 people , ” Hart said on Friday .
The rallies not only give Trump press coverage but provide an opportunity to mobilize voters .
Hart was hopeful that Republican supporters would still turn out for other activities this weekend .
The president ’ s son , Donald Trump Jr. , was scheduled to take part in a “ Fighters Against Socialism ” bus tour stopping in Tampa and Kissimmee on Saturday , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take place in the evening .
But later on Friday , Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien said in a statement that all campaign activities involving members of the Trump family would be postponed , and others would be evaluated on a case-by-case basis .
There is also a risk that news of the president ’ s positive coronavirus test could make voters more hesitant to participate in in-person activities .
Democrats , meanwhile , are used to getting creative in their methods of harnessing voter enthusiasm in the midst of a global health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local organizers to arrange “ Ridin ’ with Biden ” caravans of vehicles to show support for the former vice president and Democratic presidential nominee .
A few weeks ago , around 200 cars converged in Republican-leaning Lake County and paraded up to The Villages , a fast-growing retirement community and traditional Republican stronghold .
“ My God , the enthusiasm was beyond our expectations , ” Nancy Hurlbert , chairwoman of the Lake County Democratic Party , told the Washington Examiner .
“ We were starved for interaction.
” That event , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ motivated ” to continue phone-banking and help with virtual outreach methods .
But while Democrats are cognizant of exercising caution , some local-level organizers felt a need for more in-person activities .
Wes Hodge , chairman of the Orange County Democratic Party , had implemented in-person organizing activities such as door-knocking and phone-banking among county party volunteers willing to do so even as the Democratic National Committee and Biden campaign resisted .
“ That came from me realizing , if Trump wins on Nov. 4 , can I honestly look at myself and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
’ And without having our people that are willing to knock on the doors out there knocking on doors , I ca n't say , 'Yes , ' ” Hodge told the Washington Examiner , explaining his reasoning .
Aside from curtailing his signature campaign style , Trump ’ s diagnosis is a challenge for him because it puts attention back on the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic — a topic which he avoids and Biden highlights .
“ There 's going to be people that try to read into this politically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it 's not , ” said Hart .
“ It 's something very private and personal that the president 's family is suffering from now.
” Even before Trump tested positive , voters in Orlando told the Washington Examiner that the pandemic and related shutdowns were top of mind when planning their vote — even as Republican Gov .
Ron DeSantis moved Florida into the third phase of reopening , with bars and restaurants operating at 100 % capacity .
A Disney parks employee named Leah , who would not give her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been furloughed for months and watched Tuesday ’ s debate with an eye on who the best person is to handle the coronavirus pandemic .
“ The bigger issue right now is COVID .
The economy , yes , it 's important , but you got to fix the bigger issue first before you go to the other issue , ” she told the Washington Examiner on Wednesday , adding that she plans to vote for Biden .

ORLANDO, Florida — Organizers from both parties in the must-win state of Florida recognized the importance of face-to-face interaction electoral politics even as technology makes virtual voter contact easier than ever.
Their messages were amplified with President Trump’s coronavirus diagnosis bringing his rally-driven campaign style to a screeching halt just as Joe Biden’s presidential campaign announced that it would ramp up in-person campaign activities.
Biden’s campaign on Thursday announced plans to launch door-to-door canvassing in the key states of Nevada, Michigan, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania. For months, due to the coronavirus pandemic, Biden’s team kept voter outreach limited to virtual methods such as text messages and phone calls, even as the Trump campaign started going door to door as early as June.
Meanwhile, Republican organizers who were counting on a spout of voter enthusiasm from Trump’s rallies to mobilize their supporters are processing what his absence from the campaign trail in the final weeks of the presidential campaign will mean for the election.
Charles Hart, chairman of the Orange County Executive Committee in central Florida, told the Washington Examiner that Trump’s diagnosis and the cancellation of his Friday Orlando rally were disappointing.
“We expected to probably see 30,000 people,” Hart said on Friday. The rallies not only give Trump press coverage but provide an opportunity to mobilize voters.
Hart was hopeful that Republican supporters would still turn out for other activities this weekend. The president’s son, Donald Trump Jr., was scheduled to take part in a “Fighters Against Socialism” bus tour stopping in Tampa and Kissimmee on Saturday, and a Trump boat parade is supposed to take place in the evening.
But later on Friday, Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien said in a statement that all campaign activities involving members of the Trump family would be postponed, and others would be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. There is also a risk that news of the president’s positive coronavirus test could make voters more hesitant to participate in in-person activities.
Democrats, meanwhile, are used to getting creative in their methods of harnessing voter enthusiasm in the midst of a global health crisis.
The Biden campaign has encouraged local organizers to arrange “Ridin’ with Biden” caravans of vehicles to show support for the former vice president and Democratic presidential nominee.
A few weeks ago, around 200 cars converged in Republican-leaning Lake County and paraded up to The Villages, a fast-growing retirement community and traditional Republican stronghold.
“My God, the enthusiasm was beyond our expectations,” Nancy Hurlbert, chairwoman of the Lake County Democratic Party, told the Washington Examiner. “We were starved for interaction.”
That event, she said, helped “keep people motivated” to continue phone-banking and help with virtual outreach methods.
But while Democrats are cognizant of exercising caution, some local-level organizers felt a need for more in-person activities.
Wes Hodge, chairman of the Orange County Democratic Party, had implemented in-person organizing activities such as door-knocking and phone-banking among county party volunteers willing to do so even as the Democratic National Committee and Biden campaign resisted.
“That came from me realizing, if Trump wins on Nov. 4, can I honestly look at myself and say, ‘I did everything possible?’ And without having our people that are willing to knock on the doors out there knocking on doors, I can't say, 'Yes,'” Hodge told the Washington Examiner, explaining his reasoning.
Aside from curtailing his signature campaign style, Trump’s diagnosis is a challenge for him because it puts attention back on the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic — a topic which he avoids and Biden highlights.
“There's going to be people that try to read into this politically and try to make this into something that it's not,” said Hart. “It's something very private and personal that the president's family is suffering from now.”
Even before Trump tested positive, voters in Orlando told the Washington Examiner that the pandemic and related shutdowns were top of mind when planning their vote — even as Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis moved Florida into the third phase of reopening, with bars and restaurants operating at 100% capacity.
A Disney parks employee named Leah, who would not give her last name, said that she has been furloughed for months and watched Tuesday’s debate with an eye on who the best person is to handle the coronavirus pandemic.
“The bigger issue right now is COVID. The economy, yes, it's important, but you got to fix the bigger issue first before you go to the other issue,” she told the Washington Examiner on Wednesday, adding that she plans to vote for Biden.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-02--'Pray for him': Trump diagnosis roils Capitol

Lawmakers in both parties struggled to digest the news Friday that President Trump has contracted coronavirus , a disease Democrats said he did not take seriously , but which may now threaten his life .
For Democrats , the news forced many to confront their own disdain for the president , and it raised new concerns about the lack of a formal coronavirus testing program within Capitol Campus .
Sen. Mike Lee , a Utah Republican , announced Friday that he , too , had tested positive for the virus , adding his name to dozens of staff and more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the disease .
Lawmakers in both parties in the House and Senate stepped up calls for leaders to implement testing in the Capitol .
Staff and lawmakers who have come into contact with the president could now spread it around Congress , said Democrats , who have long been critical of Trump ’ s attitude about the disease .
“ This episode demonstrates that the Senate needs a testing and contact tracing program for Senators , staff , and all who work in the Capitol complex , ” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We simply can not allow the administration 's cavalier attitude to adversely affect this branch of government .
It is imperative that all results be made public in order to contain a possible outbreak , and so we can determine the need for Senators and staff to quarantine or self-isolate.
” Rep. Emanuel Cleaver , a Missouri Democrat , said lawmakers in his caucus approached him for advice about how they should respond to the news when so many of them hoped to eject Trump from office through the impeachment process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in November .
“ Some of my colleagues are asking me about prayer , ” Cleaver , a United Methodist pastor , told the Washington Examiner .
“ Some of them are saying , how should I feel ?
I don ’ t like him .
And I said , 'You know , Nancy Pelosi probably prays for him every night . '
And I said , 'We should do it , too . '
” Speaker Nancy Pelosi , a California Democrat , did not issue a formal statement reacting to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MSNBC on Friday , “ We all received that news with great sadness . ''
Pelosi pledged to engage in “ intensified ” prayer for his health .
Lawmakers filing in and out of the House chamber Friday said they were stunned by the news , although a few said the president ’ s travel , contact with people , and inconsistent use of a face mask make it more likely he would contract coronavirus .
“ It ’ s definitely a big deal , ” Rep. Adam Kinzinger , an Illinois Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s not a huge surprise .
It ’ s going to take a day or two to see how it changes.
” The president ’ s chief of staff , Mark Meadows , said Trump is experiencing mild symptoms so far .
But the president failed to appear at a scheduled teleconference event with seniors Friday afternoon .
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy , a California Republican who is close to the president , said Trump can use his own diagnosis to better communicate his plan to help the nation recover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there 's a lot of good perspective here , ” McCarthy told the Washington Examiner .
“ We might be able to be talking about a vaccine and more therapeutics soon , and that would show how the president 's focus for so long is to really help the communities and really make a safe and effective vaccine . ''
Rep. Debbie Lesko said Trump should keep campaigning on his accomplishments as president and deficiencies the Republican Party sees in the agenda of Joe Biden , and he should keep communicating , even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in person .
The president will be quarantined for at least 10 days , depending on the severity of his symptoms .
“ And of course , now he can say he empathizes with people that have had coronavirus , and that he 's taken precautions , but it could happen to anyone , ” said Lesko , an Arizona Republican .
Republicans were generally upbeat about Trump ’ s health prognosis , with many pointing out most people recover from coronavirus despite ominous media coverage .
“ The bottom line is we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to see protocols and success rates , ” Rep. Jack Bergman , a Michigan Republican , told the Washington Examiner .
“ Because we are looking at 97 % -plus success rates .
It forces the media to look at someone 's , to look at someone 's care beginning to end.
” Rep. Al Green , a Texas Democrat who has been trying to impeach Trump since he took office , said that he is nonetheless praying for his health .
“ We have to put politics aside , ” Green told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about a human being , right ?
It 's about humanity .
All life is precious , and we have to put politics aside .
”

Lawmakers in both parties struggled to digest the news Friday that President Trump has contracted coronavirus, a disease Democrats said he did not take seriously, but which may now threaten his life.
For Democrats, the news forced many to confront their own disdain for the president, and it raised new concerns about the lack of a formal coronavirus testing program within Capitol Campus. Sen. Mike Lee, a Utah Republican, announced Friday that he, too, had tested positive for the virus, adding his name to dozens of staff and more than one dozen lawmakers who have contracted the disease.
Lawmakers in both parties in the House and Senate stepped up calls for leaders to implement testing in the Capitol. Staff and lawmakers who have come into contact with the president could now spread it around Congress, said Democrats, who have long been critical of Trump’s attitude about the disease.
“This episode demonstrates that the Senate needs a testing and contact tracing program for Senators, staff, and all who work in the Capitol complex,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, said. “We simply cannot allow the administration's cavalier attitude to adversely affect this branch of government. It is imperative that all results be made public in order to contain a possible outbreak, and so we can determine the need for Senators and staff to quarantine or self-isolate.”
Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, a Missouri Democrat, said lawmakers in his caucus approached him for advice about how they should respond to the news when so many of them hoped to eject Trump from office through the impeachment process and are now working to defeat him in November.
“Some of my colleagues are asking me about prayer,” Cleaver, a United Methodist pastor, told the Washington Examiner. “Some of them are saying, how should I feel? I don’t like him. And I said, 'You know, Nancy Pelosi probably prays for him every night.' And I said, 'We should do it, too.'”
Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, did not issue a formal statement reacting to the president’s diagnosis, but told MSNBC on Friday, “We all received that news with great sadness."
Pelosi pledged to engage in “intensified” prayer for his health.
Lawmakers filing in and out of the House chamber Friday said they were stunned by the news, although a few said the president’s travel, contact with people, and inconsistent use of a face mask make it more likely he would contract coronavirus.
[LIST: People in Trump's orbit tested for COVID-19]
“It’s definitely a big deal,” Rep. Adam Kinzinger, an Illinois Republican, told the Washington Examiner. “It’s not a huge surprise. It’s going to take a day or two to see how it changes.”
The president’s chief of staff, Mark Meadows, said Trump is experiencing mild symptoms so far. But the president failed to appear at a scheduled teleconference event with seniors Friday afternoon.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, a California Republican who is close to the president, said Trump can use his own diagnosis to better communicate his plan to help the nation recover from the virus.
“I think there's a lot of good perspective here,” McCarthy told the Washington Examiner. “We might be able to be talking about a vaccine and more therapeutics soon, and that would show how the president's focus for so long is to really help the communities and really make a safe and effective vaccine."
Rep. Debbie Lesko said Trump should keep campaigning on his accomplishments as president and deficiencies the Republican Party sees in the agenda of Joe Biden, and he should keep communicating, even if it’s virtually rather than in person.
The president will be quarantined for at least 10 days, depending on the severity of his symptoms.
“And of course, now he can say he empathizes with people that have had coronavirus, and that he's taken precautions, but it could happen to anyone,” said Lesko, an Arizona Republican.
Republicans were generally upbeat about Trump’s health prognosis, with many pointing out most people recover from coronavirus despite ominous media coverage.
“The bottom line is we will have an absolutely spectacular opportunity now to see protocols and success rates,” Rep. Jack Bergman, a Michigan Republican, told the Washington Examiner. “Because we are looking at 97%-plus success rates. It forces the media to look at someone's, to look at someone's care beginning to end.”
Rep. Al Green, a Texas Democrat who has been trying to impeach Trump since he took office, said that he is nonetheless praying for his health.
“We have to put politics aside,” Green told the Washington Examiner. “This is about a human being, right? It's about humanity. All life is precious, and we have to put politics aside.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-02--Trump and his family cancel all in-person events, Pence to continue appearances

The Trump campaign announced it would postpone all in-person events with the president or first family after President Trump tested positive for the coronavirus on Thursday night .
Officials are scrambling to work out how they can get the president 's message to voters during the final month before Election Day and say they will switch to virtual events where possible .
The president was due to meet supporters at his Washington hotel on Friday before flying to Orlando for an airport rally .
More events were scheduled for Saturday in Wisconsin and Philadelphia on Sunday .
Campaign manager Bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign events involving the president ’ s participation are in the process of being moved to virtual events or are being temporarily postponed .
In addition , previously announced events involving members of the first family are also being temporarily postponed .
`` All other campaign events will be considered on a case-by-case basis , and we will make any relevant announcements in the days ahead .
Vice President Mike Pence , who has tested negative for COVID-19 , plans on resuming his scheduled campaign events . ''
Sources familiar with campaign thinking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first family to take up some of the slack .
Donald Trump Jr. , for example , is hugely popular among his father 's base and had been due in Florida on Saturday with UFC fighter Jorge Masvidal as part of a `` Fighters against Socialism '' bus tour .
The diagnosis deprives the Trump campaign of its trademark rallies , which the president has turned into an art form .
Aides have frequently contrasted his energetic style with that of Democratic nominee Joe Biden , who avoided appearing in public for weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's illness will also make it harder for him and supporters to turn the national debate away from the coronavirus and on to issues such as law and order , which they believe can help win over voters , according to Costas Panagopoulos , a professor of political science at Northeastern University .
`` Even Trump 's strongest supporters may start to question the soundness of the advice about COVID-19 that has come from the White House , a shift that would potentially cast doubts about the president 's leadership and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

The Trump campaign announced it would postpone all in-person events with the president or first family after President Trump tested positive for the coronavirus on Thursday night.
Officials are scrambling to work out how they can get the president's message to voters during the final month before Election Day and say they will switch to virtual events where possible.
The president was due to meet supporters at his Washington hotel on Friday before flying to Orlando for an airport rally. More events were scheduled for Saturday in Wisconsin and Philadelphia on Sunday.
Campaign manager Bill Stepien said: “All previously announced campaign events involving the president’s participation are in the process of being moved to virtual events or are being temporarily postponed. In addition, previously announced events involving members of the first family are also being temporarily postponed.
"All other campaign events will be considered on a case-by-case basis, and we will make any relevant announcements in the days ahead. Vice President Mike Pence, who has tested negative for COVID-19, plans on resuming his scheduled campaign events."
Sources familiar with campaign thinking said they expected other members of the first family to take up some of the slack. Donald Trump Jr., for example, is hugely popular among his father's base and had been due in Florida on Saturday with UFC fighter Jorge Masvidal as part of a "Fighters against Socialism" bus tour.
The diagnosis deprives the Trump campaign of its trademark rallies, which the president has turned into an art form. Aides have frequently contrasted his energetic style with that of Democratic nominee Joe Biden, who avoided appearing in public for weeks at a time during the summer.
Trump's illness will also make it harder for him and supporters to turn the national debate away from the coronavirus and on to issues such as law and order, which they believe can help win over voters, according to Costas Panagopoulos, a professor of political science at Northeastern University.
"Even Trump's strongest supporters may start to question the soundness of the advice about COVID-19 that has come from the White House, a shift that would potentially cast doubts about the president's leadership and his views more broadly," he said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-03--Trump turnaround: Biden lead cut to 49%-47% as coronavirus, debate don’t hurt president

In the first post poll since President Trump announced that he had COVID-19 , his chances of reelection surged , a sign that his infection and raucous debate performance didn ’ t hurt his chances for reelection .
The new John Zogby Strategies/EMI Research Solutions survey shared with Secrets showed Biden up 49 % to 47 % , his smallest lead yet in their polls .
In a four-way race , Biden leads 47 % -45 % , with 2 % each for Dr. Jo Jorgensen of the Libertarian Party and Green Party nominee Howie Hawkins .
The survey challenged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ building his lead over Trump and even surprised pollster John Zogby .
Zogby said , “ Contrary to my own observations , it looks like the president has not been hurt by his debate performance nor his hospitalization .
His 47 % performance is actually 1 point higher than his vote percentage in 2016.
” Biden had a solid lead in the past two Zogby/EMI polls , showing that the race is tightening .
In their July 8 poll , Biden led Trump 49 % to 42 % , and in their latest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had a 6-point lead , 48 % to 42 % .
Of note in the new poll , Biden is leading among those who have or plan to vote early while Trump has the edge with Election Day voters , a finding that puts a lot of pressure on his campaign and the Republican National Committee ’ s get-out-the-vote operations .
“ Among voters who have voted already , or plan to vote by mail , Biden leads 61 % to 36 % .
On the flip side , among those who intend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 58 % to 39 % , ” read the analysis .
Also , the poll suggests where the undecided voters are .
“ The two candidates are tied among independents at 44 % each with 12 % undecided , ” it read .
And the president ’ s support among black people appears to be holding .
While just 11 % in the Zogby/EMI poll , it is enough to keep Biden from winning , according to White House political advisers .
As expected , both men are shoring up their base of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ analysis , “ the former VP is leading among Democrats 91 % -8 % , voters 18-29 years of age ( 60 % -35 % ) and those 30-49 ( 50 % -45 % ) , as well as among women ( 56 % -41 % ) , progressives ( 85 % -15 % ) , liberals ( 85 % -14 % ) , and moderates ( 58 % -36 % ) .
He also leads among Hispanics 61 % -34 % and blacks ( 87 % -11 % ) .
” But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden , “ His numbers among Hispanics are respectable but not quite at the 66 % -67 % he really needs .
The same with blacks .
His 86 % is better than our last poll , but he needs to hit 90 % , especially in those key battleground states of Pennsylvania , Michigan , Wisconsin , North Carolina , and Georgia.
” For Trump , it said , he “ leads among fellow Republicans ( 94 % -6 % ) , voters 50-64 ( 53 % -45 % ) and those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
As of now , Mr. Trump is capturing a slight majority of Catholic voters ( 51 % -46 % ) , evangelicals ( 68 % -32 % ) , conservatives ( 78 % -18 % ) , and very conservative voters ( 92 % -8 % ) .
He also is ahead among whites ( 56 % -40 % ) and parents of children under 17 living at home ( 54 % -40 % ) .
” Zogby said that if the numbers hold , the worst-case scenario of Trump appearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to lose when all mail-in votes are counted could happen .
“ It is important to note that since 2000 , the presidential races have had a seesaw quality , and this may continue to play out for the remaining month .
This poll shows that the potential for a 'red to blue shift ' could be very real , with Trump winning the count on Election Day and Biden ’ s mail-ins coming in after the election , ” said Zogby .

In the first post poll since President Trump announced that he had COVID-19, his chances of reelection surged, a sign that his infection and raucous debate performance didn’t hurt his chances for reelection.
The new John Zogby Strategies/EMI Research Solutions survey shared with Secrets showed Biden up 49% to 47%, his smallest lead yet in their polls. In a four-way race, Biden leads 47%-45%, with 2% each for Dr. Jo Jorgensen of the Libertarian Party and Green Party nominee Howie Hawkins.
The survey challenged the media’s narrative about Biden building his lead over Trump and even surprised pollster John Zogby.
Zogby said, “Contrary to my own observations, it looks like the president has not been hurt by his debate performance nor his hospitalization. His 47% performance is actually 1 point higher than his vote percentage in 2016.”
With 32 days to go until election day in the United States, it's worth remembering what contracting the coronavirus did to Boris Johnson's approval numbers. pic.twitter.com/LKrmiSg9OJ — Raheem Kassam (@RaheemKassam) October 2, 2020
Biden had a solid lead in the past two Zogby/EMI polls, showing that the race is tightening. In their July 8 poll, Biden led Trump 49% to 42%, and in their latest poll, released Aug. 29, Biden had a 6-point lead, 48% to 42%.
Of note in the new poll, Biden is leading among those who have or plan to vote early while Trump has the edge with Election Day voters, a finding that puts a lot of pressure on his campaign and the Republican National Committee’s get-out-the-vote operations.
“Among voters who have voted already, or plan to vote by mail, Biden leads 61% to 36%. On the flip side, among those who intend to vote in person, Trump leads 58% to 39%,” read the analysis.
Also, the poll suggests where the undecided voters are. “The two candidates are tied among independents at 44% each with 12% undecided,” it read.
And the president’s support among black people appears to be holding. While just 11% in the Zogby/EMI poll, it is enough to keep Biden from winning, according to White House political advisers.
As expected, both men are shoring up their base of voters.
For Biden, noted the analysis, “the former VP is leading among Democrats 91%-8%, voters 18-29 years of age (60%-35%) and those 30-49 (50%-45%), as well as among women (56%-41%), progressives (85%-15%), liberals (85%-14%), and moderates (58%-36%). He also leads among Hispanics 61%-34% and blacks (87%-11%).”
But in a warning, Zogby said of Biden, “His numbers among Hispanics are respectable but not quite at the 66%-67% he really needs. The same with blacks. His 86% is better than our last poll, but he needs to hit 90%, especially in those key battleground states of Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, North Carolina, and Georgia.”
For Trump, it said, he “leads among fellow Republicans (94%-6%), voters 50-64 (53%-45%) and those over 65 (50%-47%). As of now, Mr. Trump is capturing a slight majority of Catholic voters (51%-46%), evangelicals (68%-32%), conservatives (78%-18%), and very conservative voters (92%-8%). He also is ahead among whites (56%-40%) and parents of children under 17 living at home (54%-40%).”
Zogby said that if the numbers hold, the worst-case scenario of Trump appearing to be the Election Day winner only to lose when all mail-in votes are counted could happen.
“It is important to note that since 2000, the presidential races have had a seesaw quality, and this may continue to play out for the remaining month. This poll shows that the potential for a 'red to blue shift' could be very real, with Trump winning the count on Election Day and Biden’s mail-ins coming in after the election,” said Zogby.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-10-03--Chris Christie, who helped Trump prepare for debate, checks into hospital after testing positive for

Chris Christie, who helped Trump prepare for debate, checks into hospital after testing positive for coronavirus

Former New Jersey Gov .
Chris Christie announced that he checked himself into a hospital after testing positive for the coronavirus on Saturday morning .
`` While I am feeling good and only have mild symptoms , due to my history of asthma we decided this is an important precautionary measure , '' he wrote on Twitter .
He announced earlier Saturday that he tested positive for the illness .
`` I just received word that I am positive for COVID-19 , '' he tweeted .
`` I want to thank all of my friends and colleagues who have reached @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the last day or two .
I will be receiving medical attention today and will keep the necessary folks apprised of my condition . ''
Earlier this week , Christie worked with the president , who is at Walter Reed Medical Center for treatment for COVID-19 , in preparation for Tuesday 's presidential debate with former Vice President Joe Biden .
He said on Friday that no one who worked with the debate preparation team wore masks .
`` No one was wearing masks in the room during that time when we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said on ABC 's Good Morning America .
`` The group was about five or six people in total . ''
White House adviser Hope Hicks , who also worked with the team , was the first person in the slew of recent positive COVID-19 tests when she got her positive result on Thursday .
`` Hope seemed completely fine , '' Christie said during the interview .
`` I did n't see any symptoms from either of them . ''
Trump 's personal attorney , Rudy Giuliani , was also involved in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien , who tested positive on Friday night , and White House adviser Stephen Miller also helped with debate preparation .
This article has been updated to reflect that Christie checked himself into a hospital later on Saturday .

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie announced that he checked himself into a hospital after testing positive for the coronavirus on Saturday morning.
"While I am feeling good and only have mild symptoms, due to my history of asthma we decided this is an important precautionary measure," he wrote on Twitter.
In consultation with my doctors, I checked myself into Morristown Medical Center this afternoon. While I am feeling good and only have mild symptoms, due to my history of asthma we decided this is an important precautionary measure. — Governor Christie (@GovChristie) October 3, 2020
He announced earlier Saturday that he tested positive for the illness.
"I just received word that I am positive for COVID-19," he tweeted. "I want to thank all of my friends and colleagues who have reached out to ask how I was feeling in the last day or two. I will be receiving medical attention today and will keep the necessary folks apprised of my condition."
Earlier this week, Christie worked with the president, who is at Walter Reed Medical Center for treatment for COVID-19, in preparation for Tuesday's presidential debate with former Vice President Joe Biden. He said on Friday that no one who worked with the debate preparation team wore masks.
"No one was wearing masks in the room during that time when we were prepping the president," Christie said on ABC's Good Morning America. "The group was about five or six people in total."
White House adviser Hope Hicks, who also worked with the team, was the first person in the slew of recent positive COVID-19 tests when she got her positive result on Thursday.
"Hope seemed completely fine," Christie said during the interview. "I didn't see any symptoms from either of them."
Trump's personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani, was also involved in the preparations and has tested negative. Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien, who tested positive on Friday night, and White House adviser Stephen Miller also helped with debate preparation.
This article has been updated to reflect that Christie checked himself into a hospital later on Saturday.