politicususa--2020-10-01--Funds flow to Biden and Democrats after debate, boosting cash advantage

( Reuters ) – Money cascaded into presidential nominee Joe Biden ’ s campaign and his Democratic Party on the heels of his rancorous debate with President Donald Trump , potentially widening Biden ’ s financial edge as the White House race enters its final month .
The Biden campaign raised nearly $ 10 million during and immediately after Tuesday ’ s debate , with $ 3.8 million coming during its best single hour of fundraising ever , according to a campaign aide familiar with the sums .
The campaign fundraising was delivered by 215,000 total donors , including 60,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
ActBlue , the leading Democratic fundraising website , processed more than $ 36 million in the 16 hours after the start of the first of three debates between the two presidential candidates , according to the site ’ s live tracker .
The Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee did not immediately respond to requests for comment about their own fundraising totals for the evening .
WinRed , the Republican counterpart to ActBlue , does not have a public tracker , and the site did not immediately respond to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Democratic fundraising followed the death of liberal Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg after Republicans swiftly vowed to fill her seat rather than wait for the results of the Nov. 3 election , for which voting is under way .
Trump on Saturday nominated Amy Coney Barrett , a conservative federal appeals judge popular with the religious right .
As of Wednesday morning , ActBlue had processed more than $ 420 million since the evening of Sept. 19 , when news broke of Ginsburg ’ s death from cancer .
That represents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money the site has raised since it was founded 16 years ago , all in a span of less than two weeks .
Earlier in the year , Trump had built what appeared to be an insurmountable cash advantage after raising money almost since the day he took office in 2017 .
But Biden has erased the gap on the strength of a robust small-dollar operation fueled by Democratic voters ’ intense dislike of the president .
Biden outraised Trump in August , with his campaign and Democratic allies raking in $ 365 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million .
That gave Democrats $ 466 million in cash at the end of the month , while the Republicans held $ 325 million .
Amid a potential cash crunch that has alarmed Republican donors , the Trump campaign has pulled back on some television advertising , even as Biden has used his financial muscle to blanket the airwaves in battleground states that traditionally decide presidential elections .
The campaigns close the books on September on Wednesday night .
The reporting deadline for those totals to the Federal Election Commission is Oct. 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the figures sooner than that .

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By Joseph Ax and Trevor Hunnicutt
(Reuters) – Money cascaded into presidential nominee Joe Biden’s campaign and his Democratic Party on the heels of his rancorous debate with President Donald Trump, potentially widening Biden’s financial edge as the White House race enters its final month.
The Biden campaign raised nearly $10 million during and immediately after Tuesday’s debate, with $3.8 million coming during its best single hour of fundraising ever, according to a campaign aide familiar with the sums.
The campaign fundraising was delivered by 215,000 total donors, including 60,000 who were new supporters, the person said.
ActBlue, the leading Democratic fundraising website, processed more than $36 million in the 16 hours after the start of the first of three debates between the two presidential candidates, according to the site’s live tracker.
The Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee did not immediately respond to requests for comment about their own fundraising totals for the evening. WinRed, the Republican counterpart to ActBlue, does not have a public tracker, and the site did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A massive uptick in Democratic fundraising followed the death of liberal Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg after Republicans swiftly vowed to fill her seat rather than wait for the results of the Nov. 3 election, for which voting is under way.
Trump on Saturday nominated Amy Coney Barrett, a conservative federal appeals judge popular with the religious right.
As of Wednesday morning, ActBlue had processed more than $420 million since the evening of Sept. 19, when news broke of Ginsburg’s death from cancer. That represents 6% of the total amount of money the site has raised since it was founded 16 years ago, all in a span of less than two weeks.
Earlier in the year, Trump had built what appeared to be an insurmountable cash advantage after raising money almost since the day he took office in 2017. But Biden has erased the gap on the strength of a robust small-dollar operation fueled by Democratic voters’ intense dislike of the president.
Biden outraised Trump in August, with his campaign and Democratic allies raking in $365 million to the Republicans’ $210 million. That gave Democrats $466 million in cash at the end of the month, while the Republicans held $325 million.
Amid a potential cash crunch that has alarmed Republican donors, the Trump campaign has pulled back on some television advertising, even as Biden has used his financial muscle to blanket the airwaves in battleground states that traditionally decide presidential elections.
The campaigns close the books on September on Wednesday night. The reporting deadline for those totals to the Federal Election Commission is Oct. 20, though the campaigns often publicly release the figures sooner than that.
(Reporting by Joseph Ax and Trevor Hunnicutt; Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Howard Goller)


politicususa--2020-09-30--Chris Wallace Says He’s “Just Sad” About How the Debate Went

For hundreds of years , presidential candidates have held debates against one another .
There is a set of decorum and rules .
Sometimes candidates bend these rules , but very rarely do they actually break them .
In 2016 , along came Donald Trump .
He spent much of his debates with Hillary Clinton attempting to menace her and frequently interrupting her .
Fox News host Chris Wallace had the misfortune of being tasked with moderating the first debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden .
Trump ’ s behavior was even worse than it was 4 years ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Fox host was asked about the event today by the New York Times .
“ I ’ m just sad with the way last night turned out , ” he said .
“ I never dreamt that it would go off the tracks the way it did.
” Wallace continued , “ I guess I didn ’ t realize — and there was no way you could , hindsight being 20/20 — that this was going to be the president ’ s strategy , not just for the beginning of the debate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did say that the debacle was not solely on Trump though the president ’ s antic , “ certainly didn ’ t help.
” Wallace closed his comments , “ Generally speaking , I did as well as I could , so I don ’ t have any second thoughts there .
I ’ m just disappointed with the results .
For me , but much more importantly , I ’ m disappointed for the country , because it could have been a much more useful evening than it turned out to be @ @

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For hundreds of years, presidential candidates have held debates against one another. There is a set of decorum and rules. Sometimes candidates bend these rules, but very rarely do they actually break them.
In 2016, along came Donald Trump. He spent much of his debates with Hillary Clinton attempting to menace her and frequently interrupting her.
Fox News host Chris Wallace had the misfortune of being tasked with moderating the first debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden. Trump’s behavior was even worse than it was 4 years ago and Wallace struggled to keep order.
The Fox host was asked about the event today by the New York Times. “I’m just sad with the way last night turned out,” he said. “I never dreamt that it would go off the tracks the way it did.”
Chris Wallace's debate performance tonight is a great reminder that kindergarten teachers are underpaid. #Debates2020 — The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) September 30, 2020
Wallace continued, “I guess I didn’t realize — and there was no way you could, hindsight being 20/20 — that this was going to be the president’s strategy, not just for the beginning of the debate but the entire debate.”
The moderator did say that the debacle was not solely on Trump though the president’s antic, “certainly didn’t help.”
Wallace closed his comments, “Generally speaking, I did as well as I could, so I don’t have any second thoughts there. I’m just disappointed with the results. For me, but much more importantly, I’m disappointed for the country, because it could have been a much more useful evening than it turned out to be.”


politicususa--2020-09-30--WATCH: Multiple GOP Senators Rip Trump’s Debate Performance

There are a number of Republican senators up for reelection in 2020 .
For some of them , sharing the ballot with Donald Trump could be helpful .
For many more , it might be the end of their political career .
So when Donald Trump took the debate stage on Tuesday night , he was fighting for other Republicans on the ticket as well as for himself .
And considering that the event was a total disaster for Trump , he didn ’ t do any of those incumbents any favors .
Republicans working in the senate were willing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discussing his debate performance today .
Unsurprisingly , Mitt Romney of Utah was willing to go farther than most .
“ I thought it was an embarrassment , ” he told one reporter .
In another interview , Romney said , “ I can say I watched the debate last night .
It was not a Lincoln Douglas debate , that ’ s for sure.
” Senator Ben Sasse , a frequent critic of Donald Trump was more succinct in his response .
He simply told reporters , “ it was a sh*t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told reporters , “ I think there was so much that was just awful and over-the-top , including both of these men speaking over one another for 90 minutes.
” As always , there were Republicans that were willing to give Trump the benefit of the doubt .
Ted Cruz told Hugh Hewitt , “ I don ’ t think either side changed the fundamentals of the election .
I think everyone who was with Trump at the beginning is still with him .
I think everyone who was with Biden at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @

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There are a number of Republican senators up for reelection in 2020. For some of them, sharing the ballot with Donald Trump could be helpful. For many more, it might be the end of their political career.
So when Donald Trump took the debate stage on Tuesday night, he was fighting for other Republicans on the ticket as well as for himself. And considering that the event was a total disaster for Trump, he didn’t do any of those incumbents any favors.
Republicans working in the senate were willing to rip Trump more than usual when discussing his debate performance today.
Unsurprisingly, Mitt Romney of Utah was willing to go farther than most. “I thought it was an embarrassment,” he told one reporter. In another interview, Romney said, “I can say I watched the debate last night. It was not a Lincoln Douglas debate, that’s for sure.”
"I think he should correct it, and if he doesn't correct it, I guess he didn't misspeak." GOP Senators Mitt Romney and Tim Scott respond to Pres. Trump not denouncing white supremacist groups during the first presidential debate. https://t.co/w73ljMQOpK pic.twitter.com/5ClOqeh90Q — ABC News (@ABC) September 30, 2020
Senator Ben Sasse, a frequent critic of Donald Trump was more succinct in his response. He simply told reporters, “it was a sh*t show.”
“It was a shit show," said Republican Sen. Ben Sasse, when reporters asked his reaction to the first presidential debate last night. per @alizaslav and @tedbarrettcnn — Clare Foran (@ckmarie) September 30, 2020
And Alaskan senator Lisa Murkowski told reporters, “I think there was so much that was just awful and over-the-top, including both of these men speaking over one another for 90 minutes.”
Sen. Lisa Murkowksi on the debate: “I think there was so much that was just awful and over-the-top, including both of these men speaking over one another for 90 minutes.” Asked if she’s still ‘struggling’ with backing Trump, she told me: “I’m not commenting on that at this time.” — Manu Raju (@mkraju) September 30, 2020
As always, there were Republicans that were willing to give Trump the benefit of the doubt.
Ted Cruz told Hugh Hewitt, “I don’t think either side changed the fundamentals of the election. I think everyone who was with Trump at the beginning is still with him. I think everyone who was with Biden at the beginning is still with him.


politicususa--2020-09-30--Presidential Debate Commission To Make Changes To Stop Trump Bullying

The Commission on Presidential Debates said that they would be making changes to bring order to the debates , also known as reining in Trump .
The Commission on Presidential Debates said in a statement , “ The Commission on Presidential Debates sponsors televised debates for the benefit of the American electorate .
Last night ’ s debate made clear that additional structure should be added to the format of the remaining debates to ensure a more orderly discussion of the issues .
The CPD will be carefully considering the changes that it will adopt and will announce those measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chris Wallace for the professionalism and skill he brought to last night ’ s debate and intends to ensure that additional tools to maintain order are in place for the remaining debates.
” The Trump campaign was immediately opposed to any changes : Outside of cutting Trump ’ s mic , or as Biden suggested only having one microphone for the next debate , which is a town hall , it will be interesting to see what the Commission can actually do .
Joe Biden wasn ’ t the problem during the debate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problem .
The issue began and ended with Donald Trump .
The new rules will be designed to keep both candidates in line , but let ’ s be honest , the rules are being changed to stop Trump ’ s bullying campaign of debate terror .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .
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The Commission on Presidential Debates said that they would be making changes to bring order to the debates, also known as reining in Trump.
The Commission on Presidential Debates said in a statement, “The Commission on Presidential Debates sponsors televised debates for the benefit of the American electorate. Last night’s debate made clear that additional structure should be added to the format of the remaining debates to ensure a more orderly discussion of the issues. The CPD will be carefully considering the changes that it will adopt and will announce those measures shortly. The Commission is grateful to Chris Wallace for the professionalism and skill he brought to last night’s debate and intends to ensure that additional tools to maintain order are in place for the remaining debates.”
The Trump campaign was immediately opposed to any changes:
To the surprise of no one, the Trump campaign opposes changes to the debate so that the American people can understand what is being said. pic.twitter.com/I3JcaZaehl — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) September 30, 2020
Outside of cutting Trump’s mic, or as Biden suggested only having one microphone for the next debate, which is a town hall, it will be interesting to see what the Commission can actually do.
Joe Biden wasn’t the problem during the debate. Chris Wallace wasn’t the problem. The issue began and ended with Donald Trump.
The new rules will be designed to keep both candidates in line, but let’s be honest, the rules are being changed to stop Trump’s bullying campaign of debate terror.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-09-30--Trump In Free Fall As Biden Takes The Lead In Iowa

A new poll of Iowa found former Vice President Joe Biden with a slim 48 % -46 % lead over President Donald Trump in the Hawkeye State .
Biden leads President Trump 48 % to 46 % in the poll .
Two-percent chose ‘ Other Candidate ’ and four-percent remained ‘ Not Sure ’ .
The poll found an age divide in Iowa .
President Trump holds the advantage in voters under 50 by 8 % .
Biden holds an 11 % lead among voters 50 and older in Iowa .
President Trump lead by 3 % among men while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women .
It would be massive for Joe Biden to win Iowa because a win in a red state that Trump carried by 9.5 % in the last election would make it nearly impossible for Trump to cry fraud and claim that the election was stolen from him .
Barack Obama won Iowa , so it wouldn ’ t be the biggest shock if Iowa slid back into the Democratic column in 2020 .
The Iowa poll also highlights two of Trump ’ s larger problems .
Biden has cut into Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters favor the Democratic candidate .
Trump has boiled his base down to Republicans and conservatives , and even in an overwhelmingly white state like Iowa , that might not be enough to stop Joe Biden from winning .
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A new poll of Iowa found former Vice President Joe Biden with a slim 48%-46% lead over President Donald Trump in the Hawkeye State.
WHO 13 in Des Moines reported:
Biden leads President Trump 48% to 46% in the poll. Two-percent chose ‘Other Candidate’ and four-percent remained ‘Not Sure’.
The poll found an age divide in Iowa. President Trump holds the advantage in voters under 50 by 8%. Biden holds an 11% lead among voters 50 and older in Iowa.
President Trump lead by 3% among men while Biden had a 7% lead with women.
It would be massive for Joe Biden to win Iowa because a win in a red state that Trump carried by 9.5% in the last election would make it nearly impossible for Trump to cry fraud and claim that the election was stolen from him.
Barack Obama won Iowa, so it wouldn’t be the biggest shock if Iowa slid back into the Democratic column in 2020.
The Iowa poll also highlights two of Trump’s larger problems. Biden has cut into Trump’s margin with men, and old voters favor the Democratic candidate.
Trump has boiled his base down to Republicans and conservatives, and even in an overwhelmingly white state like Iowa, that might not be enough to stop Joe Biden from winning.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-09-30--Trump Caused The Recession Before COVID Lockdowns

The National Bureau of Economic Research concluded that the US is in a recession that started in February before COVID lockdowns .
“ The committee recognizes that the pandemic and the public health response have resulted in a downturn with different characteristics and dynamics than prior recessions , ” the NBER ’ s Business Cycle Dating Committee said in a statement .
“ Nonetheless , it concluded that the unprecedented magnitude of the decline in employment and production , and its broad reach across the entire economy , warrants the designation of this episode as a recession , even if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier contractions.
” In making the declaration , the committee determined that a “ clear peak in monthly economic activity ” occurred in February .
The peak in quarterly activity happened in the fourth quarter of 2019 .
Trump has blamed China and the coronavirus pandemic for the recession , but the reality is that the economy was already in recession before he made this worse with his handling of the coronavirus .
Trump has tried to claim that the recession is China ’ s fault , and he is blameless .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tax cut for the wealthy and corporations did nothing for jobs , and strangled the Obama economic recovery .
Trump didn ’ t build the greatest economy in history .
Like his business , he ran the economy straight into the ground .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .
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The National Bureau of Economic Research concluded that the US is in a recession that started in February before COVID lockdowns.
Via CNBC:
“The committee recognizes that the pandemic and the public health response have resulted in a downturn with different characteristics and dynamics than prior recessions,” the NBER’s Business Cycle Dating Committee said in a statement. “Nonetheless, it concluded that the unprecedented magnitude of the decline in employment and production, and its broad reach across the entire economy, warrants the designation of this episode as a recession, even if it turns out to be briefer than earlier contractions.”
In making the declaration, the committee determined that a “clear peak in monthly economic activity” occurred in February. The peak in quarterly activity happened in the fourth quarter of 2019.
Trump has blamed China and the coronavirus pandemic for the recession, but the reality is that the economy was already in recession before he made this worse with his handling of the coronavirus. Trump has tried to claim that the recession is China’s fault, and he is blameless.
The reality is that Trump’s massive tax cut for the wealthy and corporations did nothing for jobs, and strangled the Obama economic recovery.
Trump didn’t build the greatest economy in history. Like his business, he ran the economy straight into the ground.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-09-30--Biden Calls Trump’s Debate Performance A National Embarrassment

While speaking to reporters in Ohio , Joe Biden called Donald Trump ’ s debate performance a national embarrassment .
Biden was asked , “ What do you say to undecided , persuadable voters who were watching last night and were just completely turned off by politics ?
” The former vice president answered , “ I can understand it .
It was — I kind of thought at one point , maybe I shouldn ’ t say this , but the President Of The United States conducted himself the way he did , I think it was just a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just hope that the American people , those undecided voters , try to determine what each of us has as an answer for their concerns and allows us to actually speak.
” It is one thing to have a bad debate .
Bad performances happen to candidates .
Donald Trump ’ s behavior was different and more sinister .
Trump intentionally tried to destroy the entire debate process .
Before he attempts to invalidate the election , Donald Trump tried to invalidate the presidential debate by ignoring the rules , attacking the moderator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying to sell the entire process as rigged against him , but the American people saw through what he was doing , and the backlash against his debate performance has been severe .
Donald Trump didn ’ t just lose a debate .
He embarrassed the entire country .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .
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While speaking to reporters in Ohio, Joe Biden called Donald Trump’s debate performance a national embarrassment.
Biden was asked, “What do you say to undecided, persuadable voters who were watching last night and were just completely turned off by politics?”
The former vice president answered, “I can understand it. It was — I kind of thought at one point, maybe I shouldn’t say this, but the President Of The United States conducted himself the way he did, I think it was just a national embarrassment. But look, I just hope that the American people, those undecided voters, try to determine what each of us has as an answer for their concerns and allows us to actually speak.”
Video:
Biden calls Trump's debate performance a national embarrassment while speaking to reporters in Ohio. pic.twitter.com/TyxVIuB810 — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) September 30, 2020
It is one thing to have a bad debate. Bad performances happen to candidates. Donald Trump’s behavior was different and more sinister. Trump intentionally tried to destroy the entire debate process.
Before he attempts to invalidate the election, Donald Trump tried to invalidate the presidential debate by ignoring the rules, attacking the moderator, and his opponent.
Trump is trying to sell the entire process as rigged against him, but the American people saw through what he was doing, and the backlash against his debate performance has been severe.
Donald Trump didn’t just lose a debate. He embarrassed the entire country.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-09-30--Trump Claims Biden Has Lost Suburban Voters by Not Committing to a “Law and Order” Agenda

The morning after the first presidential debate of the election cycle , President Donald Trump claimed his rival , Democrat Joe Biden , has lost suburban voters by not committing to a “ law and order ” agenda .
“ Biden REFUSED to use the term , LAW & ORDER !
There go the Suburbs , ” the president wrote on Twitter .
“ You can ’ t even say the word ‘ law enforcement , ’ because if you say those words , you ’ re going to lose all of your radical left supporters , ” Trump said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t you saying those words , Joe ?
” “ He ’ s talking about defunding the police , ” Trump continued .
“ He doesn ’ t have any law support .
He has no law enforcement support… We believe in law and order .
But you don ’ t .
The top 10 cities … are run by Democrats , and [ in ] many cases , the radical left .
And they ’ ve got you wrapped around your finger , Joe.
” To this , Biden responded : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ favor of law and order .
Law and order with justice , where people get treated fairly.
” Trump ’ s remark on suburban voters comes as he faces criticism for his refusal to condemn white supremacy , stirring controversy after he told the white nationalist group Proud Boys to “ stand back and stand by.
” “ Proud Boys ?
Stand back and stand by , ” said Trump .
“ But I ’ ll tell you what , somebody ’ s got ta do something about antifa and the left , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; this is a left-wing problem.
” The president also declined to discourage his supporters from having a “ violent response ” to the election , according to Washington Post reporter Philip Bump .
Trump “ has whipped up an elaborate and thoroughly false description of how the election is unfolding that is being treated as a sincere assessment of a real threat by a large group of people .
He had the chance Tuesday to lower the temperature .
Instead , he pulled out a blowtorch , ” Bump observes .

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The morning after the first presidential debate of the election cycle, President Donald Trump claimed his rival, Democrat Joe Biden, has lost suburban voters by not committing to a “law and order” agenda.
“Biden REFUSED to use the term, LAW & ORDER! There go the Suburbs,” the president wrote on Twitter.
Biden REFUSED to use the term, LAW & ORDER! There go the Suburbs. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 30, 2020
“You can’t even say the word ‘law enforcement,’ because if you say those words, you’re going to lose all of your radical left supporters,” Trump said last night. “And why aren’t you saying those words, Joe?”
“He’s talking about defunding the police,” Trump continued. “He doesn’t have any law support. He has no law enforcement support… We believe in law and order. But you don’t. The top 10 cities … are run by Democrats, and [in] many cases, the radical left. And they’ve got you wrapped around your finger, Joe.”
To this, Biden responded: “Yes, I’m in favor of law and order. Law and order with justice, where people get treated fairly.”
Pres. Trump: "Are you in favor of law and order?" Joe Biden: "Law and order with justice, where people get treated fairly." https://t.co/5Bl4Ob3O2t #Debates2020 pic.twitter.com/cFGWHoP5xL — ABC News (@ABC) September 30, 2020
Trump’s remark on suburban voters comes as he faces criticism for his refusal to condemn white supremacy, stirring controversy after he told the white nationalist group Proud Boys to “stand back and stand by.”
“Proud Boys? Stand back and stand by,” said Trump. “But I’ll tell you what, somebody’s gotta do something about antifa and the left, because this is not a right-wing problem; this is a left-wing problem.”
The president also declined to discourage his supporters from having a “violent response” to the election, according to Washington Post reporter Philip Bump.
Trump “has whipped up an elaborate and thoroughly false description of how the election is unfolding that is being treated as a sincere assessment of a real threat by a large group of people. He had the chance Tuesday to lower the temperature. Instead, he pulled out a blowtorch,” Bump observes.


politicususa--2020-09-30--Undecided Voters Call Trump A Crackhead After Watching Debate

A GOP pollster ’ s focus group of undecided voters evaluated Trump ’ s debate performance by calling him unhinged and a crackhead .
‘ Crackhead , ’ ‘ arrogant , ’ ‘ un-American , ’ ‘ forceful , ’ ‘ puzzling , ’ ‘ eh , ’ and ‘ unhinged ’ were some of the words used to describe Trump ’ s performance by a group of undecided voters in GOP pollster Frank Luntz ’ s post-debate focus group Zoom session .
‘ Professional , ’ ‘ showed restraint and compassion , ’ ‘ predictable , ’ ‘ politician @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the descriptors used to describe Biden by the same participants in Luntz ’ s group , which comprised of over a dozen undecided voters from Arizona , Nevada , Pennsylvania , Florida , Wisconsin , Iowa , Ohio , and North Carolina .
Anytime the word crackhead is used to describe a candidate ’ s debate performance , the night did not go well .
Trump needed a big win .
He also needed Biden to stumble , and neither of those things happened .
Trump went to the debate and self-destructed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ which was good under the circumstances , and he will get even better in the next two debates .
Donald Trump ’ s problem is his personality , and given that he listens to no one , voters should expect more of the same from the President in the second and third debates .
Trump did sound unhinged , and the term crackhead does apply .
It might be impossible for Trump to undo the image of a strung-out candidate who set himself on fire that was burned into voters ’ minds at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .
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A GOP pollster’s focus group of undecided voters evaluated Trump’s debate performance by calling him unhinged and a crackhead.
The Washington Post reported on GOP pollster Frank Luntz’s undecided voter focus group:
‘Crackhead,’ ‘arrogant,’ ‘un-American,’ ‘forceful,’ ‘puzzling,’ ‘eh,’ and ‘unhinged’ were some of the words used to describe Trump’s performance by a group of undecided voters in GOP pollster Frank Luntz’s post-debate focus group Zoom session.
….
‘Professional,’ ‘showed restraint and compassion,’ ‘predictable,’ ‘politician,’ and ‘presidential’ were the descriptors used to describe Biden by the same participants in Luntz’s group, which comprised of over a dozen undecided voters from Arizona, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Florida, Wisconsin, Iowa, Ohio, and North Carolina.
Anytime the word crackhead is used to describe a candidate’s debate performance, the night did not go well.
Trump needed a big win. He also needed Biden to stumble, and neither of those things happened. Trump went to the debate and self-destructed. Biden can improve his debate performance, which was good under the circumstances, and he will get even better in the next two debates.
Donald Trump’s problem is his personality, and given that he listens to no one, voters should expect more of the same from the President in the second and third debates. Trump did sound unhinged, and the term crackhead does apply.
It might be impossible for Trump to undo the image of a strung-out candidate who set himself on fire that was burned into voters’ minds at the first debate.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-09-30--Joe Scarborough: Trump Set Himself On Fire In Front Of 100 Million People

Joe Scarborough said that Trump set himself on fire in front of 100 million debate viewers and did nothing to help himself win .
Willie and I were talking about this before the show .
I would have walked off the stage at certain times and said , until you can actually make sure that we abide by the rules , I ’ m not going to be a part of the charade .
That said , voters overwhelmingly thought last night that Joe Biden won that debate .
Donald Trump set himself on fire in front of 100 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He turned off women .
He turned off Independents , he turned off the same suburban voters that are turned off by Mitch McConnell trying to jam through a supreme court justice in the dying days of the Trump administration .
So , they have to debate whether they want to go out and let Donald Trump blow himself up again .
Blaming Joe Biden for this fiasco is like blaming a bystander for a car accident .
Donald Trump was driving the car , and he was determined to crash and burn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noise and talk to the American people , which he did with more success than one might have thought possible under the circumstances .
Voters saw through what was happening and deemed Biden the winner .
Trump ’ s self-destruction was a combination of his pent up need for attention , his personality , and the pressure of knowing that he is losing the election .
The Biden campaign would happily let Trump implode two more times on the debate .
The debate might have been Trump ’ s last chance to gain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moment , Trump set himself on fire and celebrated as his presidency burned .
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Joe Scarborough said that Trump set himself on fire in front of 100 million debate viewers and did nothing to help himself win.
Scarborough said on MSNBC’s Morning, Joe:
Willie and I were talking about this before the show. I would have walked off the stage at certain times and said, until you can actually make sure that we abide by the rules, I’m not going to be a part of the charade. That said, voters overwhelmingly thought last night that Joe Biden won that debate.
Donald Trump set himself on fire in front of 100 million people last night during that debate. He turned off women. He turned off Independents, he turned off the same suburban voters that are turned off by Mitch McConnell trying to jam through a supreme court justice in the dying days of the Trump administration. So, they have to debate whether they want to go out and let Donald Trump blow himself up again.
Video:
Joe Scarborough says Trump set himself on fire in front of 100 million people at the debate and turned off every group of voters that he needed to improve with to have a chance at winning. pic.twitter.com/WcnwOTNZWE — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) September 30, 2020
Blaming Joe Biden for this fiasco is like blaming a bystander for a car accident. Donald Trump was driving the car, and he was determined to crash and burn. Biden tried to cut through the noise and talk to the American people, which he did with more success than one might have thought possible under the circumstances.
Voters saw through what was happening and deemed Biden the winner.
Trump’s self-destruction was a combination of his pent up need for attention, his personality, and the pressure of knowing that he is losing the election.
The Biden campaign would happily let Trump implode two more times on the debate.
The debate might have been Trump’s last chance to gain ground. Instead of rising to the moment, Trump set himself on fire and celebrated as his presidency burned.
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politicususa--2020-10-01--WATCH: John Bolton Says Trump Knew What he Was Doing When he Told Proud Boys to “Stand Back and Stan

WATCH: John Bolton Says Trump Knew What he Was Doing When he Told Proud Boys to “Stand Back and Stand By”

There were many issues with Donald Trump ’ s debate performance on Tuesday night .
The president spent much of the event desperately interrupting his opponent .
He also worked as hard as possible to work Hunter Biden into the conversation .
But the biggest takeway for most people was the fact that Trump refused to condemn white supremacist groups .
Not just that , he seemed to send a message to the Proud Boys , an extremist hate group that supports Trump .
The White House attempted to spin the words as an accident and inconsequential .
But John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump White House said the president was trying to send a clear message .
Blitzer asked the former National Security Adviser , “ What did he mean when he said stand back and stand by ?
” Bolton answered , “ I took that to mean , to put it another way , keep your powder dry .
I thought it was a real threat and I thought he knew exactly what he was doing and what he meant.
” Blitzer followed , “ is it stand back for now , but stand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the case of a contested election .
Bolton continued , “ That ’ s what I heard him say and I believe , again , if you listen to the way he said that line in the debate , it was practiced and thought out in advance.
” Watch a clip of the comments below :

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There were many issues with Donald Trump’s debate performance on Tuesday night. The president spent much of the event desperately interrupting his opponent. He also worked as hard as possible to work Hunter Biden into the conversation.
But the biggest takeway for most people was the fact that Trump refused to condemn white supremacist groups. Not just that, he seemed to send a message to the Proud Boys, an extremist hate group that supports Trump.
The White House attempted to spin the words as an accident and inconsequential. But John Bolton, a former insider in the Trump White House said the president was trying to send a clear message.
Blitzer asked the former National Security Adviser, “What did he mean when he said stand back and stand by?”
Bolton answered, “I took that to mean, to put it another way, keep your powder dry. I thought it was a real threat and I thought he knew exactly what he was doing and what he meant.”
Blitzer followed, “is it stand back for now, but stand by if he needs them (in the case of a contested election.
Bolton continued, “That’s what I heard him say and I believe, again, if you listen to the way he said that line in the debate, it was practiced and thought out in advance.”
Watch a clip of the comments below:


politicususa--2020-10-01--Pfizer CEO Hits Back at the Politicization of Their COVID-19 Vaccine

Tuesday night ’ s debate was one of Donald Trump ’ s last chances to help his flailing campaign for the White House .
By all objective measures , the debate went horribly for the president .
The first post-debate poll , released by CNBC/Change Research , showed Trump down by 13 % nationally .
Now Trump ’ s hopes now may be down to having a COVID-19 vaccine ready before election day hits .
And the president keeps pushing drugs companes to come up with a vaccine sooner rather than later The CEO of one of the main companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recently lamented the politicization of the process .
Albert Bourla wrote in a letter to his employees that he was , “ disappointed that the prevention for a deadly disease was discussed in political terms rather than scientific facts.
” The CEO continued , “ In this hyper-partisan year , there are some who would like us to move more quickly and others who argue for delay .
Neither of those options are acceptable to me.
” Bourla concluded , “ The amplified political rhetoric around vaccine development , timing and political credit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t predict exactly when , or even if our vaccine will be approved by the FDA for distribution to the public.
” Trump referenced Pfizer by name during Tueday night ’ s debate .
He of the vaccine , “ It ’ s a very political thing because people like this would rather make it political than save lives.
” Biden noted that he was eager for a vaccine as well , but would trust science and did not want to see a treatment rushed out without proper approvals .

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Tuesday night’s debate was one of Donald Trump’s last chances to help his flailing campaign for the White House. By all objective measures, the debate went horribly for the president. The first post-debate poll, released by CNBC/Change Research, showed Trump down by 13% nationally.
Now Trump’s hopes now may be down to having a COVID-19 vaccine ready before election day hits. And the president keeps pushing drugs companes to come up with a vaccine sooner rather than later The CEO of one of the main companies working on the vaccine, Pfizer, recently lamented the politicization of the process.
Albert Bourla wrote in a letter to his employees that he was, “disappointed that the prevention for a deadly disease was discussed in political terms rather than scientific facts.”
The CEO continued, “In this hyper-partisan year, there are some who would like us to move more quickly and others who argue for delay. Neither of those options are acceptable to me.”
Bourla concluded, “The amplified political rhetoric around vaccine development, timing and political credit is undercutting public confidence. I can’t predict exactly when, or even if our vaccine will be approved by the FDA for distribution to the public.”
PFIZER CEO pushes back on Trump claim on vaccine timing
MODERNA said Spring 2021 During the debate, @realDonaldTrump said CDC & FDA were wrong about timing next year.
He said big pharma CEOs would be ready in a few weeks. WHAT COMPANY
WHAT CEO https://t.co/jvhEmDXUT4 — Stephanie Ruhle (@SRuhle) October 1, 2020
Trump referenced Pfizer by name during Tueday night’s debate. He of the vaccine, “It’s a very political thing because people like this would rather make it political than save lives.”
Biden noted that he was eager for a vaccine as well, but would trust science and did not want to see a treatment rushed out without proper approvals.


politicususa--2020-10-01--Amy Coney Barrett Hid Her Participation In Ad Calling For Roe v. Wade Overturn From Judiciary Commit

Amy Coney Barrett Hid Her Participation In Ad Calling For Roe v. Wade Overturn From Judiciary Committee

Trump ’ s Supreme Court nominee , Amy Coney Barrett , hid her participation in an ad calling for the overturn of Roe v. Wade .
Judge Barrett isn ’ t being honest with the Senate Judiciary Committee about her views and her record .
Barrett was chosen to be Trump ’ s nominee because she will vote to overturn Roe v. Wade , and she will vote to kill the Affordable Care Act .
Republicans are working double-time to push her nomination through the Senate as quickly as possible because a woman ’ s right to choose is at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has to be delaying a confirmation vote on Barrett until after Election Day .
If Biden wins the election , Senate Republicans should refuse to vote on her nomination .
Judge Barrett is going to lie to the American people at her Senate Judiciary Committee hearings .
There is no chance that Roe v. Wade remains the law of the land if she is confirmed .
The voters are ready to express their will .
They only need Senate Democrats to get them enough time so that their voices can be heard at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .
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Trump’s Supreme Court nominee, Amy Coney Barrett, hid her participation in an ad calling for the overturn of Roe v. Wade.
NBC News reported:
NEW: Judge Amy Coney Barrett failed to disclose to the Judiciary Committee her participation in a 2006 two-page ad in the South Bend Times calling for Roe v. Wade to be overturned and ending the “barbaric legacy” of the law, two Democratic committee aides confirm to NBC News — Heidi Przybyla (@HeidiNBC) October 1, 2020
Judge Barrett isn’t being honest with the Senate Judiciary Committee about her views and her record. Barrett was chosen to be Trump’s nominee because she will vote to overturn Roe v. Wade, and she will vote to kill the Affordable Care Act.
Republicans are working double-time to push her nomination through the Senate as quickly as possible because a woman’s right to choose is at stake. The top priority for Democrats has to be delaying a confirmation vote on Barrett until after Election Day.
If Biden wins the election, Senate Republicans should refuse to vote on her nomination.
Judge Barrett is going to lie to the American people at her Senate Judiciary Committee hearings. There is no chance that Roe v. Wade remains the law of the land if she is confirmed. The voters are ready to express their will. They only need Senate Democrats to get them enough time so that their voices can be heard at the ballot box.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-10-01--Trump Melts Down Over Potential Debate Rule Changes

Trump claimed that he would not allow the rules to be changed for the debates , and falsely claimed that @ @ @ @ @ Earlier Trump claimed that he won the debate : Outside of some very unscientific and @ @ @ @ @ consensus has been overwhelming that Joe Biden won the debate walking away .
Trump may @ @ @ @ @ won the debate , but the reality is a different story .
Trump doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ changed , because then he might have to actually attempt to answer questions and debate @ @ @ @ @ agenda for the future .
His record as president is terrible , and he nothing @ @ @ @ @ in terms of solutions to their problems .
The Trump strategy appears to be to @ @ @ @ @ that delegitimize the process and turn voters off .
For more discussion about this story @ @ @ @ @ MSNBC group .
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Trump claimed that he would not allow the rules to be changed for the debates, and falsely claimed that he’s winning.
Trump tweeted:
Why would I allow the Debate Commission to change the rules for the second and third Debates when I easily won last time? — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 1, 2020
Earlier Trump claimed that he won the debate:
I won the debate big, based on compilation of polls etc. Thank you! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 1, 2020
Outside of some very unscientific and meaningless internet polls, the consensus has been overwhelming that Joe Biden won the debate walking away. Trump may be telling himself that he won the debate, but the reality is a different story.
Trump doesn’t want the debate rules changed, because then he might have to actually attempt to answer questions and debate.
Donald Trump has no agenda for the future. His record as president is terrible, and he nothing to offer the American people in terms of solutions to their problems.
The Trump strategy appears to be to turn these debates into trainwrecks that delegitimize the process and turn voters off.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-10-01--Greg Abbott Closes Down Ballot Drop Off Offices To Rig Texas For Trump

Texas Gov .
Greg Abbott issued a proclamation closing down satellite ballot drop off offices in Texas to help Trump .
Abbott proclaimed that counties can only have one dropoff point for voters : Abbott Is Trying To Suppress The Vote Because Joe Biden Could Win Texas The 538 average of polls in Texas shows what amounts to a statistical tie , as Trump holds a slim averaged lead 1.7 points .
The state ’ s three most recent polls show that contest between Trump and Biden is somewhere between a tie and a 4 point race .
Even a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of error , so Texas will not be an easy win for Trump on Election Day .
The electoral map has become so dire for Trump that Republicans like Greg Abbott are working overtime to try to suppress the vote and keep the state .
If Biden won Texas , it would make winning the White House impossible for Republicans .
It would also signal that MJ Hegar had beaten John Cornyn and turned one of the state ’ s Senate seats blue .
Texas is demographically changing , and Republicans are having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay in power .
Things are so dire that Republicans may need to rig the state for Donald Trump .
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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a proclamation closing down satellite ballot drop off offices in Texas to help Trump.
Abbott proclaimed that counties can only have one dropoff point for voters:
BREAKING: Gov. Abbott issues proclamation CLOSING (as of Oct. 2) satellite offices where voters can drop off completed mail-in ballots.
Counties can only have 1 dropoff point, he says.
Travis has 4, including 3 downtown.
Harris has 12. — Chuck Lindell (@chucklindell) October 1, 2020
Abbott Is Trying To Suppress The Vote Because Joe Biden Could Win Texas
The 538 average of polls in Texas shows what amounts to a statistical tie, as Trump holds a slim averaged lead 1.7 points. The state’s three most recent polls show that contest between Trump and Biden is somewhere between a tie and a 4 point race. Even a four-point Trump lead is within the margin of error, so Texas will not be an easy win for Trump on Election Day.
The electoral map has become so dire for Trump that Republicans like Greg Abbott are working overtime to try to suppress the vote and keep the state.
If Biden won Texas, it would make winning the White House impossible for Republicans. It would also signal that MJ Hegar had beaten John Cornyn and turned one of the state’s Senate seats blue. Texas is demographically changing, and Republicans are having to rely on voter suppression tactics to stay in power.
Things are so dire that Republicans may need to rig the state for Donald Trump.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-10-01--Biden Campaign Requests A Mute Button For Trump At The Debates

The Biden campaign has requested that the Commission on Presidential Debates adopt a mute button to prevent Trump from talking over everyone .
Fox News reported , “ One of the things that has been kicked around is this idea of the moderator having a mute button , so if the candidates refuse to stop interrupting each other or go over their time , they can just push the button and cut off the microphone .
A source close to the negotiations told Fox News just a couple of minutes ago , ‘ that was a specific request made in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debate negotiator Brady Williamson .
The meeting was at 9 AM .
Hours later , the Commission issued their statement about changing the structure .
The mute button is a Biden ask.
’ As you can see in the tweet above , the Trump campaign is trying to sell making changes to the debate format as the Debate Commission rigging the debates for Biden , and the Biden campaign ’ s request as a sign of fear of Trump .
By all indicators , Biden won the debate .
The Trump campaign wants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talk anything substantial , and their gameplan is to turn voters off by making the debates into trainwrecks .
Trump ’ s best chance at improving his own standing is a debate with more structure , but Republicans are so afraid that a structured debate will expose Trump that they are opposing any change to the rules .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .
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The Biden campaign has requested that the Commission on Presidential Debates adopt a mute button to prevent Trump from talking over everyone.
Fox News reported, “One of the things that has been kicked around is this idea of the moderator having a mute button, so if the candidates refuse to stop interrupting each other or go over their time, they can just push the button and cut off the microphone. A source close to the negotiations told Fox News just a couple of minutes ago, ‘that was a specific request made in a negotiating meeting yesterday morning by Biden debate negotiator Brady Williamson. The meeting was at 9 AM. Hours later, the Commission issued their statement about changing the structure. The mute button is a Biden ask.
Video:
WATCH: Fox News confirms that a "mute button" at the next debate was specifically requested by the Biden campaign. What are they so afraid of? pic.twitter.com/zLJwAFUIEa — Trump War Room – Text TRUMP to 88022 (@TrumpWarRoom) October 1, 2020
As you can see in the tweet above, the Trump campaign is trying to sell making changes to the debate format as the Debate Commission rigging the debates for Biden, and the Biden campaign’s request as a sign of fear of Trump.
By all indicators, Biden won the debate. The Trump campaign wants no changes because they can’t talk anything substantial, and their gameplan is to turn voters off by making the debates into trainwrecks.
Trump’s best chance at improving his own standing is a debate with more structure, but Republicans are so afraid that a structured debate will expose Trump that they are opposing any change to the rules.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-10-01--Judge Rules Trump’s Law And Order Policing Panel Broke The Law

Trump creating a blue ribbon policing panel to push his law and order message , but a judge ruled that the panel broke the law .
Politico reported , “ A blue-ribbon law enforcement panel created at the direction of President Donald Trump broke a federal open meeting law and must halt its work until it comes into compliance with the statute , a federal judge ruled Thursday.
” The judge ruled that Trump ’ s panel broke the law by placing only law enforcement personnel on the commission and holding meetings without providing public notice .
Only Trump could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a panel on policing that broke the law .
Everything is going wrong for Trump .
His campaign themes are turning off voters .
He is trailing in every poll , and his tax returns reveal that he may have been spending his recent adult life committing tax crimes .
Even when Trump attempts to use the levers of the presidency to sell his campaign themes , it backfires on him and provides more evidence that no matter how much the President tries to sell an image , his corruption and criminality always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .
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Trump creating a blue ribbon policing panel to push his law and order message, but a judge ruled that the panel broke the law.
Politico reported, “A blue-ribbon law enforcement panel created at the direction of President Donald Trump broke a federal open meeting law and must halt its work until it comes into compliance with the statute, a federal judge ruled Thursday.”
The judge ruled that Trump’s panel broke the law by placing only law enforcement personnel on the commission and holding meetings without providing public notice.
Only Trump could run on law and order and create a panel on policing that broke the law.
Everything is going wrong for Trump. His campaign themes are turning off voters. He is trailing in every poll, and his tax returns reveal that he may have been spending his recent adult life committing tax crimes.
Even when Trump attempts to use the levers of the presidency to sell his campaign themes, it backfires on him and provides more evidence that no matter how much the President tries to sell an image, his corruption and criminality always shine through.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-10-01--Letters from Trump Now Mandated in Millions of Food Assistance Boxes

Letters from President Donald Trump will be included in millions of food assistance boxes , the Department of Agriculture ( USDA ) announced .
The letters come in both English and Spanish .
“ As President , safeguarding the health and well-being of our citizens is one of my highest priorities .
As part of our response to coronavirus , I prioritized sending nutritious food from our farmers to families in need throughout America , ” they read .
“ The move is the latest example of Trump using the levers of government and taxpayer dollars for self-promotion as he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ In the early months of the crisis , the president enclosed letters with his signature to millions of Americans getting stimulus money stemming from a congressional aid package — and made sure his name was printed on the checks .
His health department is now rushing to push out a $ 300 million taxpayer-funded ad campaign promoting the administration ’ s coronavirus response.
” USDA denied that the mandate was politically motivated .
“ Politics has played zero role in the Farmers to Families food box program , ” the agency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is purely about helping farmers and distributors get food to Americans in need during this unprecedented time.
” Some food banks have instructed their volunteers to remove the letters from the boxes before delivering them .
“ We are a nonpartisan organization , ” said Greg Trotter , a spokesman for the Greater Chicago Food Depository .
“ While the content of the letter is not overtly political , we think it ’ s inappropriate to include a letter from any political candidate just weeks from an election.
” Fox News first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The White House also touted the Farmers to Families Food Box Program in a tweet earlier this week .
Democrats sent letters to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue over the summer urging him to stop including the letters in food assistance boxes , saying they could potentially violate the Hatch Act , which prohibits public officials , with the exception of the president and the vice president , from engaging in political activity .
USDA responded that the letters did not violate the Hatch Act .

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Letters from President Donald Trump will be included in millions of food assistance boxes, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced.
The letters come in both English and Spanish.
“As President, safeguarding the health and well-being of our citizens is one of my highest priorities. As part of our response to coronavirus, I prioritized sending nutritious food from our farmers to families in need throughout America,” they read.
“The move is the latest example of Trump using the levers of government and taxpayer dollars for self-promotion as he runs for re-election,” reported POLITICO. “In the early months of the crisis, the president enclosed letters with his signature to millions of Americans getting stimulus money stemming from a congressional aid package — and made sure his name was printed on the checks. His health department is now rushing to push out a $300 million taxpayer-funded ad campaign promoting the administration’s coronavirus response.”
USDA denied that the mandate was politically motivated.
“Politics has played zero role in the Farmers to Families food box program,” the agency said in an emailed statement. “It is purely about helping farmers and distributors get food to Americans in need during this unprecedented time.”
Some food banks have instructed their volunteers to remove the letters from the boxes before delivering them.
“We are a nonpartisan organization,” said Greg Trotter, a spokesman for the Greater Chicago Food Depository. “While the content of the letter is not overtly political, we think it’s inappropriate to include a letter from any political candidate just weeks from an election.”
Fox News first reported about the letters in July. The White House also touted the Farmers to Families Food Box Program in a tweet earlier this week.
Today, @USDA announced that the Farmers to Families Food Box Program has delivered more than 100 million boxes of food across the country! President @realDonaldTrump has authorized $1 BILLION for the next round of food deliveries! 🇺🇸 🙌 pic.twitter.com/H047Ajoh2t — The White House 45 Archived (@WhiteHouse45) September 29, 2020
Democrats sent letters to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue over the summer urging him to stop including the letters in food assistance boxes, saying they could potentially violate the Hatch Act, which prohibits public officials, with the exception of the president and the vice president, from engaging in political activity. USDA responded that the letters did not violate the Hatch Act.


politicususa--2020-10-01--Fox’s Brian Kilmeade Says Trump Should “Clarify” His Statement on White Supremacy

Brian Kilmeade , one of the hosts of “ Fox and Friends , ” says President Donald Trump should “ clarify ” his statement on white supremacy after refusing to condemn it outright during Tuesday ’ s presidential debate .
“ The President of the United States would do himself a solid and his party a solid to take some time today to clarify about his white supremacist statement .
Whether it was the franticness of the night , but a lot of people are forced to explain it today that have other things to do , like for example @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he said .
Trump faces criticism for his refusal to condemn white supremacy , stirring controversy after he told the white nationalist group Proud Boys to “ stand back and stand by.
” “ Proud Boys ?
Stand back and stand by , ” said Trump .
“ But I ’ ll tell you what , somebody ’ s got ta do something about antifa and the left , because this is not a right-wing problem ; this is a left-wing problem.
” The president also declined to discourage his supporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the election , according to Washington Post reporter Philip Bump .
Trump “ has whipped up an elaborate and thoroughly false description of how the election is unfolding that is being treated as a sincere assessment of a real threat by a large group of people .
He had the chance Tuesday to lower the temperature .
Instead , he pulled out a blowtorch , ” Bump observes .

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Brian Kilmeade, one of the hosts of “Fox and Friends,” says President Donald Trump should “clarify” his statement on white supremacy after refusing to condemn it outright during Tuesday’s presidential debate.
“The President of the United States would do himself a solid and his party a solid to take some time today to clarify about his white supremacist statement. Whether it was the franticness of the night, but a lot of people are forced to explain it today that have other things to do, like for example, getting his Supreme Court justice confirmed,” he said.
Brian Kilmeade: "[Trump] would do himself a solid and do his party a solid to take some time today to clarify about his white supremist statement. Whether it was the franticness of the night, but a lot of people are forced to explain it today that have other things to do." pic.twitter.com/AQ0TAyFTOj — Bobby Lewis (@revrrlewis) October 1, 2020
Trump faces criticism for his refusal to condemn white supremacy, stirring controversy after he told the white nationalist group Proud Boys to “stand back and stand by.”
“Proud Boys? Stand back and stand by,” said Trump. “But I’ll tell you what, somebody’s gotta do something about antifa and the left, because this is not a right-wing problem; this is a left-wing problem.”
The president also declined to discourage his supporters from having a “violent response” to the election, according to Washington Post reporter Philip Bump.
Trump “has whipped up an elaborate and thoroughly false description of how the election is unfolding that is being treated as a sincere assessment of a real threat by a large group of people. He had the chance Tuesday to lower the temperature. Instead, he pulled out a blowtorch,” Bump observes.


politicususa--2020-10-01--Factbox: Trump, Biden healthcare differences in spotlight amid pandemic, Supreme Court fight

( Reuters ) – Healthcare , always a top concern for U.S. voters , has taken on even greater importance amid a coronavirus pandemic that has killed more than 205,000 Americans and cost millions more their jobs .
The death of liberal Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , meanwhile , has raised the stakes of the upcoming legal battle over Obamacare , formally known as the Affordable Care Act , when the high court hears the Trump administration ’ s effort to repeal the law days after the Nov. 3 election .
Here is a look at some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican President Donald Trump and his Democratic challenger , former Vice President Joe Biden : Trump has ceded much of the response to the pandemic to the states , rather than pursuing a national effort to expand testing , coordinate contact tracing and acquire protective equipment in bulk .
He has also sent mixed messages on masks , which public health experts have said are crucial to slowing the spread of the virus .
Since the spring , Trump has pressed governors to reopen their states and has called on public schools to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the “ cure can not be worse than the disease.
” He has often downplayed the deadliness of the virus and at times publicly undermined his administration ’ s own experts .
Trump signed into law several relief bills that have delivered trillions of dollars to individuals and businesses , though congressional Democrats have demanded more spending .
The administration also launched “ Operation Warp Speed , ” an effort to support development of a coronavirus vaccine .
Biden has vowed to “ listen to the science , ” even saying he would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recommend it .
He has called for a national mask standard , though he has acknowledged he may not have the authority to mandate their use .
His coronavirus plan calls for scaling up testing and contact tracing and promises to appoint a “ supply commander ” to oversee supply lines of critical equipment .
Biden has also proposed reopening insurance marketplaces for people who lost coverage through their jobs , expanding paid sick leave , and increasing pay for frontline workers .
He has questioned whether Trump may try to politicize the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chances .
After years of failed attempts by Republican lawmakers to repeal the Affordable Care Act ( ACA ) , Trump has turned to other tools to undermine the sweeping healthcare law : executive power and the courts .
The Justice Department is backing a lawsuit brought by several Republican-led states seeking to overturn the entire ACA , a case the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to hear on Nov. 10 – one week after Election Day .
Justice Ginsburg ’ s death has deepened concerns among Democrats that the court , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , might rule against the ACA .
Under the law , more than 20 million Americans have gained insurance coverage .
The Trump administration has not proposed a comprehensive replacement , despite Trump ’ s vow to deliver a better , less-costly healthcare system .
On Thursday , he signed two executive orders as part of what he called the “ America First ” healthcare plan , though they were seen as largely symbolic .
The Republican-backed 2017 tax overhaul bill eliminated the ACA ’ s individual mandate , which required most people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Experts say the move increased premiums .
In addition , Trump has used executive power to boost short-term plans , which are exempt from the ACA ’ s requirement to cover basic benefits and guarantee coverage for people with pre-existing conditions .
The Trump administration also cut funding for staff and advertising intended to help people navigate the ACA marketplaces , where individuals can purchase private insurance , often with the help of government subsidies .
Biden has vowed to bolster the law , which was enacted during his first four-year term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His own healthcare plan would cost $ 750 billion over 10 years and would be financed by raising taxes on the wealthy , according to his campaign .
Unlike some liberals , Biden does not support a single-payer system like Medicare for All .
Instead , Biden ’ s plan calls for a Medicare-like public option that would serve as an alternative , not a replacement , for private insurance .
In addition , several million people who are uninsured because they live in one of the 14 states that have refused to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ low-income Americans – under the ACA would automatically be enrolled in the public option .
He also has proposed expanding the subsidies available on the ACA marketplaces and capping cost increases .
Trump has repeatedly said he will protect those with pre-existing conditions despite his administration ’ s effort to gut the ACA .
On Thursday , he signed an executive order intended to maintain insurance protections for people with pre-existing conditions if the Supreme Court overturns the ACA .
But health experts immediately said the order had little practical import .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to protect people with pre-existing conditions , nor does it even have a path to such a policy , ” said Larry Levitt , a health policy expert at the nonprofit Kaiser Family Foundation .
“ This is more of a pinky promise than a plan.
” Trump ’ s rhetoric has been more hawkish on prescription drug prices than that of most Republicans , but his results have been uneven .
He signed an executive order in early September aimed at setting Medicare prices for prescription drugs based on the cost in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lower .
But experts say the order alone does not set policy ; implementing the change will require a lengthy rulemaking process that would likely be challenged in court by drugmakers .
Both Biden and Trump support some form of importing prescription drugs from foreign countries to lower costs , though some experts have questioned whether doing so is feasible .
Trump also vowed on Thursday to deliver $ 200 cards to 33 million seniors to help pay for prescriptions , though it was not immediately clear where he would get the $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supports a bill approved by the Democratic-led House of Representatives last year that would allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices , as private insurers do .
Republicans , backed by the pharmaceutical industry , have argued it would force drugmakers to spend less on research and development , and the Trump administration has said it would veto the bill .
In April , Biden proposed lowering the Medicare eligibility age from 65 to 60 , a move aimed at appealing to liberal voters .
Such a change would potentially extend Medicare to some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proposed several budgets that include cuts to Medicare and Medicaid spending .
The Medicare reductions would not affect benefits but would instead change how providers are paid , according to Tricia Neuman , a Medicare expert at Kaiser .
The administration has supported imposing work requirements and other limitations on Medicaid eligibility , as well as installing caps on Medicaid spending growth and converting Medicaid to block grants – all moves that experts say would result in fewer people covered .

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By Joseph Ax
(Reuters) – Healthcare, always a top concern for U.S. voters, has taken on even greater importance amid a coronavirus pandemic that has killed more than 205,000 Americans and cost millions more their jobs.
The death of liberal Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, meanwhile, has raised the stakes of the upcoming legal battle over Obamacare, formally known as the Affordable Care Act, when the high court hears the Trump administration’s effort to repeal the law days after the Nov. 3 election.
Here is a look at some of the vast differences on healthcare policy between Republican President Donald Trump and his Democratic challenger, former Vice President Joe Biden:
CORONAVIRUS
Trump has ceded much of the response to the pandemic to the states, rather than pursuing a national effort to expand testing, coordinate contact tracing and acquire protective equipment in bulk. He has also sent mixed messages on masks, which public health experts have said are crucial to slowing the spread of the virus.
Since the spring, Trump has pressed governors to reopen their states and has called on public schools to return to in-person instruction, arguing that the “cure cannot be worse than the disease.” He has often downplayed the deadliness of the virus and at times publicly undermined his administration’s own experts.
Trump signed into law several relief bills that have delivered trillions of dollars to individuals and businesses, though congressional Democrats have demanded more spending. The administration also launched “Operation Warp Speed,” an effort to support development of a coronavirus vaccine.
Biden has vowed to “listen to the science,” even saying he would consider another national economic shutdown if experts recommend it. He has called for a national mask standard, though he has acknowledged he may not have the authority to mandate their use.
His coronavirus plan calls for scaling up testing and contact tracing and promises to appoint a “supply commander” to oversee supply lines of critical equipment.
Biden has also proposed reopening insurance marketplaces for people who lost coverage through their jobs, expanding paid sick leave, and increasing pay for frontline workers. He has questioned whether Trump may try to politicize the vaccine process to boost his own re-election chances.
OBAMACARE
After years of failed attempts by Republican lawmakers to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Trump has turned to other tools to undermine the sweeping healthcare law: executive power and the courts.
The Justice Department is backing a lawsuit brought by several Republican-led states seeking to overturn the entire ACA, a case the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to hear on Nov. 10 – one week after Election Day.
Justice Ginsburg’s death has deepened concerns among Democrats that the court, which previously upheld the law 5-4 in 2012, might rule against the ACA. Under the law, more than 20 million Americans have gained insurance coverage.
The Trump administration has not proposed a comprehensive replacement, despite Trump’s vow to deliver a better, less-costly healthcare system. On Thursday, he signed two executive orders as part of what he called the “America First” healthcare plan, though they were seen as largely symbolic.
The Republican-backed 2017 tax overhaul bill eliminated the ACA’s individual mandate, which required most people to maintain insurance or face a penalty. Experts say the move increased premiums.
In addition, Trump has used executive power to boost short-term plans, which are exempt from the ACA’s requirement to cover basic benefits and guarantee coverage for people with pre-existing conditions.
The Trump administration also cut funding for staff and advertising intended to help people navigate the ACA marketplaces, where individuals can purchase private insurance, often with the help of government subsidies.
Biden has vowed to bolster the law, which was enacted during his first four-year term as Obama’s vice president. His own healthcare plan would cost $750 billion over 10 years and would be financed by raising taxes on the wealthy, according to his campaign.
Unlike some liberals, Biden does not support a single-payer system like Medicare for All.
Instead, Biden’s plan calls for a Medicare-like public option that would serve as an alternative, not a replacement, for private insurance.
In addition, several million people who are uninsured because they live in one of the 14 states that have refused to expand Medicaid – which provides coverage for low-income Americans – under the ACA would automatically be enrolled in the public option. He also has proposed expanding the subsidies available on the ACA marketplaces and capping cost increases.
PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS
Trump has repeatedly said he will protect those with pre-existing conditions despite his administration’s effort to gut the ACA.
On Thursday, he signed an executive order intended to maintain insurance protections for people with pre-existing conditions if the Supreme Court overturns the ACA. But health experts immediately said the order had little practical import.
“The executive order has no specific policy to protect people with pre-existing conditions, nor does it even have a path to such a policy,” said Larry Levitt, a health policy expert at the nonprofit Kaiser Family Foundation. “This is more of a pinky promise than a plan.”
DRUG PRICES
Trump’s rhetoric has been more hawkish on prescription drug prices than that of most Republicans, but his results have been uneven.
He signed an executive order in early September aimed at setting Medicare prices for prescription drugs based on the cost in other countries, where prices are often lower. But experts say the order alone does not set policy; implementing the change will require a lengthy rulemaking process that would likely be challenged in court by drugmakers.
Both Biden and Trump support some form of importing prescription drugs from foreign countries to lower costs, though some experts have questioned whether doing so is feasible.
Trump also vowed on Thursday to deliver $200 cards to 33 million seniors to help pay for prescriptions, though it was not immediately clear where he would get the $6.6 billion without congressional approval.
Biden supports a bill approved by the Democratic-led House of Representatives last year that would allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices, as private insurers do.
Republicans, backed by the pharmaceutical industry, have argued it would force drugmakers to spend less on research and development, and the Trump administration has said it would veto the bill.
MEDICARE/MEDICAID EXPANSION
In April, Biden proposed lowering the Medicare eligibility age from 65 to 60, a move aimed at appealing to liberal voters. Such a change would potentially extend Medicare to some 20 million more Americans.
Trump has proposed several budgets that include cuts to Medicare and Medicaid spending. The Medicare reductions would not affect benefits but would instead change how providers are paid, according to Tricia Neuman, a Medicare expert at Kaiser.
The administration has supported imposing work requirements and other limitations on Medicaid eligibility, as well as installing caps on Medicaid spending growth and converting Medicaid to block grants – all moves that experts say would result in fewer people covered.
(Reporting by Joseph Ax; Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Jonathan Oatis)


politicususa--2020-10-01--Judges rule for mail voting in Montana and Alabama

( Reuters ) – Two federal judges ruled on Wednesday in favor of voting by mail to protect against COVID-19 , with one upholding a universal postal voting plan in Montana and the other blocking restrictions on absentee ballots in Alabama .
In Montana , U.S. District Judge Dana Christensen found that Governor Steve Bullock , a Democrat , was within his authority to allow the state ’ s counties to mail ballots to every voter to avoid spreading COVID-19 at polling places .
Bullock ’ s order had been challenged by President Donald Trump ’ s campaign and Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not immediately respond to a request for comment .
In Alabama , U.S. District Judge Abdul Kallon issued an injunction that prevented the state from enforcing absentee ballot requirements that plaintiffs said put them at risk for COVID-19 , such as seeking a notarized signature .
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall , a Republican , said he would appeal and added that voters challenging the requirements presented no evidence that the provisions prevented absentee voting in the state ’ s July primary .
Voting by mail has become a flashpoint in the Nov. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complaints that the process leads to widespread election fraud , a point he reasserted in Tuesday ’ s debate with Democratic challenger Joe Biden .
“ The evidence suggests , however , that this allegation , specifically in Montana , is a fiction , ” wrote Christensen .
Both judges were nominated by former Democratic President Barack Obama .
Polls show voters in Montana are leaning for Trump , while the Republican president has a large lead in Alabama .
Both states also have U.S. Senate elections , including a tight race between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Republicans have challenged aspects of mail voting across the country .
In the battleground states of Wisconsin , Michigan and Pennsylvania , courts this month held that mailed ballots arriving within certain time periods after Election Day must still be counted .

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By Tom Hals
(Reuters) – Two federal judges ruled on Wednesday in favor of voting by mail to protect against COVID-19, with one upholding a universal postal voting plan in Montana and the other blocking restrictions on absentee ballots in Alabama.
In Montana, U.S. District Judge Dana Christensen found that Governor Steve Bullock, a Democrat, was within his authority to allow the state’s counties to mail ballots to every voter to avoid spreading COVID-19 at polling places.
Bullock’s order had been challenged by President Donald Trump’s campaign and Republican election committees. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In Alabama, U.S. District Judge Abdul Kallon issued an injunction that prevented the state from enforcing absentee ballot requirements that plaintiffs said put them at risk for COVID-19, such as seeking a notarized signature.
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, a Republican, said he would appeal and added that voters challenging the requirements presented no evidence that the provisions prevented absentee voting in the state’s July primary.
Voting by mail has become a flashpoint in the Nov. 3 election, with Trump making unfounded complaints that the process leads to widespread election fraud, a point he reasserted in Tuesday’s debate with Democratic challenger Joe Biden.
“The evidence suggests, however, that this allegation, specifically in Montana, is a fiction,” wrote Christensen.
Both judges were nominated by former Democratic President Barack Obama.
Polls show voters in Montana are leaning for Trump, while the Republican president has a large lead in Alabama.
Both states also have U.S. Senate elections, including a tight race between Bullock and the Republican incumbent Steve Daines.
Republicans have challenged aspects of mail voting across the country. In the battleground states of Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania, courts this month held that mailed ballots arriving within certain time periods after Election Day must still be counted.
(Reporting by Tom Hals in Wilmington, Delaware; Additional reporting by Jeff Mason; Editing by Peter Cooney)


politicususa--2020-10-02--Trump Knew Hope Hicks Had COVID, But Still Held Campaign Event

Trump knowingly endangered American lives by still holding campaign events after he knew that Hope Hicks tested positive for COVID @ @ @ @ @ Hicks had the virus , and he didn ’ t care if he risked the @ @ @ @ @ donors , and supporters by traveling to New Jersey and holding campaign events .
There @ @ @ @ @ elements to the likely coronavirus outbreak in the White House , but one of the @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump doesn ’ t care about the lives of the people working closest to @ @ @ @ @ in general .
Trump is elderly and obese with underlying health conditions , so he @ @ @ @ @ complications from the coronavirus , but this is about more than a president getting sick @ @ @ @ @ president who got sick because he refused to listen to the science in the middle @ @ @ @ @ endangered his own life and the lives of those around him .
For more discussion @ @ @ @ @ Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .
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Trump knowingly endangered American lives by still holding campaign events after he knew that Hope Hicks tested positive for COVID.
Kaitlin Collins of CNN tweeted:
I’m told a small group of officials were aware Thursday a.m. that Hope Hicks had tested positive. Despite that, President Trump traveled to New Jersey for a fundraiser and his press secretary held a briefing. — Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) October 2, 2020
Trump knew that Hope Hicks had the virus, and he didn’t care if he risked the lives of his staff, donors, and supporters by traveling to New Jersey and holding campaign events.
There are going to numerous far-reaching elements to the likely coronavirus outbreak in the White House, but one of the biggest is the confirmation that Donald Trump doesn’t care about the lives of the people working closest to him, or human life in general.
Trump is elderly and obese with underlying health conditions, so he is at high risk for complications from the coronavirus, but this is about more than a president getting sick. It is about a president who got sick because he refused to listen to the science in the middle of a pandemic and recklessly endangered his own life and the lives of those around him.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-10-02--Trump Possibly Exposed GOP Senators To COVID Which Could Doom His SCOTUS Nominee

Donald Trump and Hope Hicks have had contact with numerous Republican Senators , and a Senate COVID outbreak could doom Trump ’ s SCOTUS nominee .
If one thinks of Hope Hicks as patient zero in a potential White House outbreak , she exposed Trump and likely other White House staffers .
So far , the only current known negative test in the White House is Chief of Staff Mark Meadows , but it is possible , some might say , even probable that a White House outbreak of COVID would quickly find its way into the Republican Senate majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate to shut down for a minimum of two weeks .
If any Senators in the majority test positive for the virus , it could be enough to doom the Republican plan to confirm Trump ’ s Supreme Court nominee , Amy Coney Barrett , before the election .
Trump ’ s COVID outbreak changes everything , potentially including the GOP scheme to ram through a Supreme Court nominee before Election Day .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .
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Donald Trump and Hope Hicks have had contact with numerous Republican Senators, and a Senate COVID outbreak could doom Trump’s SCOTUS nominee.
Matt Fuller tweeted:
If you start thinking about the number of people who have come in close contact with Trump, Hicks, and others in that orbit, it doesn’t take much dot-connecting to see that a number of Senators could have potentially been exposed to this. — Matt Fuller (@MEPFuller) October 2, 2020
If one thinks of Hope Hicks as patient zero in a potential White House outbreak, she exposed Trump and likely other White House staffers. So far, the only current known negative test in the White House is Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, but it is possible, some might say, even probable that a White House outbreak of COVID would quickly find its way into the Republican Senate majority.
A COVID outbreak would require the Senate to shut down for a minimum of two weeks. If any Senators in the majority test positive for the virus, it could be enough to doom the Republican plan to confirm Trump’s Supreme Court nominee, Amy Coney Barrett, before the election.
Trump’s COVID outbreak changes everything, potentially including the GOP scheme to ram through a Supreme Court nominee before Election Day.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow and Like PoliticusUSA on Facebook


politicususa--2020-10-02--Trump May Have Infected Mike Pence With COVID

Vice President Mike Pence told the media that he was in the Oval Office with Trump who has tested positive for coronavirus .
CNN ’ s Don Lemon said , “ Because according to the current information I have , vice president Mike pence was not in close contact with hope hicks .
That ’ s when we knew Hope Hicks tested positive before we knew about the president and the first lady .
But pence is on camera saying that he was in the oval office with the president on Tuesday .
So , my question is the vice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point .
And I ’ m sure people are wondering if pence is going to be ready to do a debate with Kamala Harris on Wednesday if the current vice president has possibly been exposed to COVID .
If he met with the president on Tuesday.
” Since Pence has to be quarantined for 14 days , that means next week ’ s vice presidential debate is probably not going to happen .
The 14-day quarantine for Trump means that the second presidential debate is also in doubt .
There might not be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump has downplayed the virus and ignored the safety guidelines , so there is no telling how far the virus has spread through the White House .
If Trump and Pence were both to be unable to fulfill their constitutional duties , Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi would become president .

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Vice President Mike Pence told the media that he was in the Oval Office with Trump who has tested positive for coronavirus.
CNN’s Don Lemon said, “Because according to the current information I have, vice president Mike pence was not in close contact with hope hicks. That’s when we knew Hope Hicks tested positive before we knew about the president and the first lady. But pence is on camera saying that he was in the oval office with the president on Tuesday. So, my question is the vice president is possibly exposed, at this point. And I’m sure people are wondering if pence is going to be ready to do a debate with Kamala Harris on Wednesday if the current vice president has possibly been exposed to COVID. If he met with the president on Tuesday.”
Video:
Trump likely exposed Mike Pence to the coronavirus, which puts the VP debate in question. pic.twitter.com/v19swOYjys — PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) October 2, 2020
Since Pence has to be quarantined for 14 days, that means next week’s vice presidential debate is probably not going to happen. The 14-day quarantine for Trump means that the second presidential debate is also in doubt. There might not be another debate in this election cycle.
Trump has downplayed the virus and ignored the safety guidelines, so there is no telling how far the virus has spread through the White House.
If Trump and Pence were both to be unable to fulfill their constitutional duties, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi would become president.


politicususa--2020-10-02--President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump Test Positive for Covid-19

At 1:05 AM Friday morning the White House press office sent a memorandum from the President ’ s Physician confirming @ @ @ @ @ Lady Melania Trump have tested positive for the Coronavirus .
Trump ’ s doctor released @ @ @ @ @ to PoliticusUSA by the White House : This news comes hours after it was revealed @ @ @ @ @ for the Coronavirus hours after traveling maskless with Trump to the debate .
Norm Ornstein @ @ @ @ @ actually endanger others , including former Vice President Joe Biden , as the entire “ @ @ @ @ @ masks off as soon as they sat down at the debate and Trump shouted 8-10 @ @ @ @ @ minutes .

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At 1:05 AM Friday morning the White House press office sent a memorandum from the President’s Physician confirming that President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump have tested positive for the Coronavirus.
Trump’s doctor released a memo that was provided to PoliticusUSA by the White House:
Trump tweeted:
Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19. We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 2, 2020
This news comes hours after it was revealed that Hope Hicks tested positive for the Coronavirus hours after traveling maskless with Trump to the debate.
Norm Ornstein pointed out that this could actually endanger others, including former Vice President Joe Biden, as the entire “Trump entourage” took their masks off as soon as they sat down at the debate and Trump shouted 8-10 feet from Biden for 90 minutes.


politicususa--2020-10-02--Rachel Maddow Sounds The Alarm About GOP Scheme To Steal Texas For Trump

Rachel Maddow sounded the alarm on Thursday about a desperate attempt by Republicans in Texas to prevent voters in urban counties from being able to turn in their ballots .
As the MSNBC host pointed out , Texas Gov .
Greg Abbott announced earlier in the day that he was ordering the closure of a number of ballot drop-off sites across the state , proclaiming that each county – regardless of size or population – should only have one drop box .
“ In big , diverse urban counties … where almost all of the Democratic votes will come from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , no-notice shutdown to try to keep people from being able to vote , ” Maddow said .
Governor Abbott today with no warning said all of those [ ballot drop-off sites ] must be shut down tomorrow .
One day ’ s notice .
He has proclaimed , with a proclamation today , that there could only be one drop-off location per county , as of tomorrow .
So like Harris County , which includes Houston – Harris County , pick one , you have to close 11 of your voting sites @ @ @ @ @ @ @ geographically is roughly the size of Rhode Island .
It ’ s nearly 2,000 square miles .
More than 4.6 million people live there .
They have to close 11 of the 12 sites where people have been dropping off ballots .
You only get one from here on out and you get one day ’ s notice to make the call .
Nervous much , Texas Republicans ?
I mean it ’ s true , in lots of small , lightly populated rural Texas counties , maybe only having one drop-off site @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a difference .
But in big , diverse urban counties – literally big 2,000 square mile counties – where almost all of the Democratic votes will come from in Texas , this is a last-minute , no-notice shutdown to try to keep people from being able to vote .
Texas is in reach for Democrats – and Republicans know it Regardless of whether Joe Biden wins Texas in November , the GOP seems to recognize that the state is increasingly in reach for the Democrats .
Whether it happens in this presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is on the path to becoming a blue state .
Right now , in fact , Trump only leads Biden by three percentage points in the Lone Star state .
Instead of trying to win over the increasingly diverse population in Texas , Republicans are working overtime to keep folks from being able to cast a ballot – and they ’ re doing it in plain sight .

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Rachel Maddow sounded the alarm on Thursday about a desperate attempt by Republicans in Texas to prevent voters in urban counties from being able to turn in their ballots.
As the MSNBC host pointed out, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced earlier in the day that he was ordering the closure of a number of ballot drop-off sites across the state, proclaiming that each county – regardless of size or population – should only have one drop box.
“In big, diverse urban counties … where almost all of the Democratic votes will come from in Texas, this is a last-minute, no-notice shutdown to try to keep people from being able to vote,” Maddow said.
“Nervous much, Texas Republicans?” she added.
Video:
Rachel Maddow slams Texas Republicans for their “last-minute, no-notice shutdown to try to keep people from being able to vote” in the state. #maddow pic.twitter.com/TgrhQZeMPI — PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) October 2, 2020
Maddow said:
Governor Abbott today with no warning said all of those [ballot drop-off sites] must be shut down tomorrow. One day’s notice. He has proclaimed, with a proclamation today, that there could only be one drop-off location per county, as of tomorrow. So like Harris County, which includes Houston – Harris County, pick one, you have to close 11 of your voting sites. To be clear, Harris County geographically is roughly the size of Rhode Island. It’s nearly 2,000 square miles. More than 4.6 million people live there. They have to close 11 of the 12 sites where people have been dropping off ballots. You only get one from here on out and you get one day’s notice to make the call. Nervous much, Texas Republicans? I mean it’s true, in lots of small, lightly populated rural Texas counties, maybe only having one drop-off site is not going to make that big of a difference. But in big, diverse urban counties – literally big 2,000 square mile counties – where almost all of the Democratic votes will come from in Texas, this is a last-minute, no-notice shutdown to try to keep people from being able to vote.
Texas is in reach for Democrats – and Republicans know it
Regardless of whether Joe Biden wins Texas in November, the GOP seems to recognize that the state is increasingly in reach for the Democrats.
Whether it happens in this presidential election or a future contest, Texas is on the path to becoming a blue state. Right now, in fact, Trump only leads Biden by three percentage points in the Lone Star state.
Instead of trying to win over the increasingly diverse population in Texas, Republicans are working overtime to keep folks from being able to cast a ballot – and they’re doing it in plain sight.
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