theguardian--2020-12-29--McConnell blocks initial Democratic effort for $2,000 Covid stimulus checks

A growing number of Republicans on Tuesday backed Donald Trump ’ s demand to increase coronavirus relief payments to US citizens from $ 600 to $ 2,000 , though the Senate majority leader , Mitch McConnell , blocked Democrats ’ effort to quickly pass the measure .
Trump ’ s party has been plunged into chaos and conflict over his demands to increase one-off cheques for Americans , a measure that passed the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives on Monday .
“ $ 2000 for our great people , not $ 600 !
, ” Trump tweeted on Tuesday , saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they have a death wish ” .
The conflict over the payments has created a rare situation in the last days of his administration where Trump and Democrats are pushing for the same outcome .
Some critics saw Trump ’ s move as an apparent return to his posture as a populist outsider and disrupter of the Washington establishment , and as loyalty tests to strengthen his sway after he leaves offices .
His position has also created a dilemma for McConnell , while Democrats – and Senator Bernie Sanders – see a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of aid with so many Americans facing financial hardship .
Put on the spot by Trump , more Republicans on Tuesday abandoned their previous opposition to the higher sum and came over to the president ’ s side .
Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue , senators from Georgia facing tight races for re-election next week , tweeted their support for $ 2,000 direct payments .
Loeffler told the Fox News channel : “ I ’ ve stood by the president 100 % of the time .
I ’ m proud to do that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to get relief to Americans now and I will support that.
” Senator Marco Rubio of Florida did likewise , stating : “ I agree with the president that millions of working-class families are in dire need of additional relief , which is why I support $ 2,000 in direct payments.
” Fellow Republican Josh Hawley has also expressed support .
Final passage of the aid increase in the Senate would require 60 votes and the backing of a dozen Republicans to hand Trump an unlikely victory .
The Georgia runoffs could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on whether to allow such a vote to go ahead .
As Trump played golf in Florida on Tuesday , Chuck Schumer , the minority leader , made a plea from the Senate floor : “ In the wealthiest nation on earth , modern-day breadlines stretch for miles down American highways .
The fastest way to get money into Americans ’ pockets is to send some of their tax dollars right back from where they came .
“ Two-thousand-dollar stimulus cheques could mean the difference between American families having groceries for a few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difference between paying the rent or being kicked out of your home that you ’ ve lived in for years .
It could buy precious time for tens of millions of people as the vaccine thankfully makes its way across the country.
” Schumer demanded : “ Will Senate Republicans stand against the House of Representatives , the Democratic majority in the Senate , and the president of their own party to prevent these $ 2,000 checks from going out the door ?
” McConnell objected , blocking initial consideration of the measure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ growing pressure from Democrats and members of his own party to hold an up-or-down vote this week .
While blocking immediate consideration of a measure to increase Covid-19 relief payments , he suggested instead that the Senate would begin to examine the issue along with two others Trump has raised – the integrity of elections and limits on big technology companies .
“ This week the Senate will begin a process to bring these three priorities into focus , ” he said .
McConnell did not elaborate on what action , if any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ checks .
US stocks dipped into negative territory after McConnell rejected Senate Democratic Schumer ’ s call for the Senate to approve the increased stimulus aid by unanimous consent .
Earlier , Sanders , an independent senator from Vermont , threatened to block McConnell from his plan to hold a separate vote on Wednesday to override Trump ’ s veto of a $ 740bn defence bill unless the majority leader yields .
“ This week on the Senate floor Mitch McConnell wants to vote to override Trump ’ s veto of the $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home for the New Year , ” Sanders said .
“ I ’ m going to object until we get a vote on legislation to provide a $ 2,000 direct payment to the working class.
” The defence bill is heading to the Senate after the House voted 322 to 87 to override Trump ’ s presidential veto .
It was the first time either chamber of Congress has delivered such a rebuke .
Some 109 Republicans joined their Democratic colleagues to ensure the required two-thirds majority .
This prompted further anger and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Weak and tired Republican ‘ leadership ’ will allow the bad Defense Bill to pass , ” he tweeted , complaining that the legislation will change the names of military bases that honour Confederate leaders and maintain legal protects for big tech companies .
Trump has been less engaged with Congress than previous presidents and remained on the sidelines during months of negotiations over the $ 900bn coronavirus relief package , only to threaten to withdraw his signature before finally caving in last Sunday .
But the current disputes appear connected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defeat .
He has railed against McConnell and others for acknowledging Biden as president-elect and called on Republicans to raise objections when Congress gathers to certify the outcome on 6 January .
Some analysts have described it as less a power grab than an attention grab by a man who sees the media spotlight shifting to Biden .
Trump tweeted : “ ... .Can you imagine if the Republicans stole a Presidential Election from the Democrats – All hell would break out .
Republican leadership only wants the path of least resistance .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ course ! )
are pathetic .
They only know how to lose !
” Trump ’ s erratic behaviour in the final weeks of his presidency have even alienated media owner and longtime ally Rupert Murdoch .
His New York Post newspaper said in an editorial this week : “ If you insist on spending your final days in office threatening to burn it all down , that will be how you are remembered .
Not as a revolutionary , but as the anarchist holding the match .
”

A growing number of Republicans on Tuesday backed Donald Trump’s demand to increase coronavirus relief payments to US citizens from $600 to $2,000, though the Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, blocked Democrats’ effort to quickly pass the measure.
Trump’s party has been plunged into chaos and conflict over his demands to increase one-off cheques for Americans, a measure that passed the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives on Monday.
“$2000 for our great people, not $600!,” Trump tweeted on Tuesday, saying Republicans must approve the payments “unless they have a death wish”.
The conflict over the payments has created a rare situation in the last days of his administration where Trump and Democrats are pushing for the same outcome. Some critics saw Trump’s move as an apparent return to his posture as a populist outsider and disrupter of the Washington establishment, and as loyalty tests to strengthen his sway after he leaves offices.
His position has also created a dilemma for McConnell, while Democrats – and Senator Bernie Sanders – see a renewed chance to pass a higher amount of aid with so many Americans facing financial hardship.
Unless Republicans have a death wish, and it is also the right thing to do, they must approve the $2000 payments ASAP. $600 IS NOT ENOUGH! Also, get rid of Section 230 - Don’t let Big Tech steal our Country, and don’t let the Democrats steal the Presidential Election. Get tough! https://t.co/GMotstu7OI — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 29, 2020
Put on the spot by Trump, more Republicans on Tuesday abandoned their previous opposition to the higher sum and came over to the president’s side. Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue, senators from Georgia facing tight races for re-election next week, tweeted their support for $2,000 direct payments. Loeffler told the Fox News channel: “I’ve stood by the president 100% of the time. I’m proud to do that and I’ve said absolutely we need to get relief to Americans now and I will support that.”
Senator Marco Rubio of Florida did likewise, stating: “I agree with the president that millions of working-class families are in dire need of additional relief, which is why I support $2,000 in direct payments.” Fellow Republican Josh Hawley has also expressed support.
Final passage of the aid increase in the Senate would require 60 votes and the backing of a dozen Republicans to hand Trump an unlikely victory. The Georgia runoffs could weigh heavily in McConnell’s thinking on whether to allow such a vote to go ahead.
As Trump played golf in Florida on Tuesday, Chuck Schumer, the minority leader, made a plea from the Senate floor: “In the wealthiest nation on earth, modern-day breadlines stretch for miles down American highways. The fastest way to get money into Americans’ pockets is to send some of their tax dollars right back from where they came.
“Two-thousand-dollar stimulus cheques could mean the difference between American families having groceries for a few extra weeks or going hungry. The difference between paying the rent or being kicked out of your home that you’ve lived in for years. It could buy precious time for tens of millions of people as the vaccine thankfully makes its way across the country.”
Schumer demanded: “Will Senate Republicans stand against the House of Representatives, the Democratic majority in the Senate, and the president of their own party to prevent these $2,000 checks from going out the door?”
The Senate minority leader, Chuck Schumer, arrives at the US Capitol as the Senate convenes on Tuesday. Photograph: REX/Shutterstock
McConnell objected, blocking initial consideration of the measure, but was set to come under growing pressure from Democrats and members of his own party to hold an up-or-down vote this week.
While blocking immediate consideration of a measure to increase Covid-19 relief payments, he suggested instead that the Senate would begin to examine the issue along with two others Trump has raised – the integrity of elections and limits on big technology companies.
“This week the Senate will begin a process to bring these three priorities into focus,” he said. McConnell did not elaborate on what action, if any, the Senate would take on stimulus checks.
US stocks dipped into negative territory after McConnell rejected Senate Democratic Schumer’s call for the Senate to approve the increased stimulus aid by unanimous consent.
Earlier, Sanders, an independent senator from Vermont, threatened to block McConnell from his plan to hold a separate vote on Wednesday to override Trump’s veto of a $740bn defence bill unless the majority leader yields.
“This week on the Senate floor Mitch McConnell wants to vote to override Trump’s veto of the $740bn defense funding bill and then head home for the New Year,” Sanders said. “I’m going to object until we get a vote on legislation to provide a $2,000 direct payment to the working class.”
The defence bill is heading to the Senate after the House voted 322 to 87 to override Trump’s presidential veto. It was the first time either chamber of Congress has delivered such a rebuke. Some 109 Republicans joined their Democratic colleagues to ensure the required two-thirds majority.
This prompted further anger and criticism from Trump against his own party. “Weak and tired Republican ‘leadership’ will allow the bad Defense Bill to pass,” he tweeted, complaining that the legislation will change the names of military bases that honour Confederate leaders and maintain legal protects for big tech companies.
Trump has been less engaged with Congress than previous presidents and remained on the sidelines during months of negotiations over the $900bn coronavirus relief package, only to threaten to withdraw his signature before finally caving in last Sunday.
But the current disputes appear connected to his fixation with overturning his election defeat. He has railed against McConnell and others for acknowledging Biden as president-elect and called on Republicans to raise objections when Congress gathers to certify the outcome on 6 January. Some analysts have described it as less a power grab than an attention grab by a man who sees the media spotlight shifting to Biden.
Trump tweeted: “....Can you imagine if the Republicans stole a Presidential Election from the Democrats – All hell would break out. Republican leadership only wants the path of least resistance. Our leaders (not me, of course!) are pathetic. They only know how to lose!”
Trump’s erratic behaviour in the final weeks of his presidency have even alienated the media owner and longtime ally Rupert Murdoch. His New York Post newspaper said in an editorial this week: “If you insist on spending your final days in office threatening to burn it all down, that will be how you are remembered. Not as a revolutionary, but as the anarchist holding the match.”


theguardian--2020-12-29--Judge orders Georgia counties to halt voter purge ahead of Senate runoff

Two Georgia counties must reverse their decision to purge thousands from voter rolls in advance of the state ’ s 5 January runoff elections that will determine whether Democrats or Republicans control the US Senate .
Georgia federal judge Leslie Abrams Gardner said in an order filed late on Monday that these two counties appeared to have improperly relied on unverified change-of-address information to invalidate voter registrations , Reuters reported .
“ Defendants are enjoined from removing any challenged voters in Ben Hill and Muscogee Counties from the registration lists on the basis of National Change of Address data , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This judge is the sister of Stacey Abrams , the Democratic activist who lost a race for Georgia governor in 2018 .
Of the more than 4,000 registrations that officials tried to rescind , the vast majority were in Muscogee County .
President-elect Joe Biden won this county during the November election .
Another 150 were in Ben Hill county , which Donald Trump won with a sizable margin .
Almost 2.1 million people – more than 25 % of Georgia ’ s registered voters – have voted in the Senate runoff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This race will decide whether Democrats control both houses of Congress .
In turn , the result will also influence the fate of Biden ’ s policy initiatives as a Republican-controlled Senate – even if held by a slim majority – would probably block his agenda .
This also includes Biden ’ s ability to secure his desired cabinet appointees .
Democrats Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff are facing off against GOP incumbents Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue , respectively .
Recent data from FiveThirtyEight places Warnock and Perdue slightly ahead of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mean that the Senate is divided between 50 Democrats and 50 Republicans .
In situations where votes on legislation are evenly split , the tie-breaking vote would be cast by Kamala Harris , as vice-president .
The deeply significant runoff has prompted record-breaking fundraising .
Ossoff and Warnock each raised more than $ 100m in a mere two months–surpassing their conservative opponents .
Ossoff , who runs a media production business , raised more than $ 106m from 15 October to 16 December , per his campaign ’ s most recent financial report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baptist church in Atlanta , took in slightly more than $ 103m .
Leaders of both parties have made campaign stops .
Biden – the first Democratic presidential candidate to win Georgia since 1992 – and Harris have campaigned in the state .
Trump and his daughter , Ivanka , have also campaigned .

Victoria Bekiempis in New York and agencies

Two Georgia counties must reverse their decision to purge thousands from voter rolls in advance of the state’s 5 January runoff elections that will determine whether Democrats or Republicans control the US Senate.
Georgia federal judge Leslie Abrams Gardner said in an order filed late on Monday that these two counties appeared to have improperly relied on unverified change-of-address information to invalidate voter registrations, Reuters reported.
“Defendants are enjoined from removing any challenged voters in Ben Hill and Muscogee Counties from the registration lists on the basis of National Change of Address data,” she said in the court order. This judge is the sister of Stacey Abrams, the Democratic activist who lost a race for Georgia governor in 2018.
Of the more than 4,000 registrations that officials tried to rescind, the vast majority were in Muscogee County. President-elect Joe Biden won this county during the November election. Another 150 were in Ben Hill county, which Donald Trump won with a sizable margin.
Almost 2.1 million people – more than 25% of Georgia’s registered voters – have voted in the Senate runoff election that started on 14 December. This race will decide whether Democrats control both houses of Congress.
In turn, the result will also influence the fate of Biden’s policy initiatives as a Republican-controlled Senate – even if held by a slim majority – would probably block his agenda. This also includes Biden’s ability to secure his desired cabinet appointees.
Democrats Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff are facing off against GOP incumbents Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue, respectively. Recent data from FiveThirtyEight places Warnock and Perdue slightly ahead of their opponents.
Warnock and Ossoff victories would mean that the Senate is divided between 50 Democrats and 50 Republicans. In situations where votes on legislation are evenly split, the tie-breaking vote would be cast by Kamala Harris, as vice-president.
The deeply significant runoff has prompted record-breaking fundraising. Ossoff and Warnock each raised more than $100m in a mere two months–surpassing their conservative opponents. Ossoff, who runs a media production business, raised more than $106m from 15 October to 16 December, per his campaign’s most recent financial report. Warnock, the pastor of Ebenezer Baptist church in Atlanta, took in slightly more than $103m.
Leaders of both parties have made campaign stops. Biden – the first Democratic presidential candidate to win Georgia since 1992 – and Harris have campaigned in the state. Trump and his daughter, Ivanka, have also campaigned.
Reuters contributed to this report


theguardian--2020-12-29--Biden criticises Trump over slow Covid-19 vaccine rollout – video

US President-elect Joe Biden has criticised the Trump administration 's promise of a swift coronavirus vaccine rollout , saying it @ @ @ @ @ expectations .
Biden , speaking in Wilmington , Delaware , said some 2 million people @ @ @ @ @ short of the 20 million Trump had promised by the end of the year .
@ @ @ @ @ is the 'greatest operational challenges we 've ever faced as a nation ' and outlined @ @ @ @ @ vaccinations , including the use of the Defense Production Act

US President-elect Joe Biden has criticised the Trump administration's promise of a swift coronavirus vaccine rollout, saying it has 'fallen far behind' expectations. Biden, speaking in Wilmington, Delaware, said some 2 million people have been vaccinated, well short of the 20 million Trump had promised by the end of the year. Biden said the vaccine rollout is the 'greatest operational challenges we've ever faced as a nation' and outlined his plan for ramping up vaccinations, including the use of the Defense Production Act


theguardian--2020-12-29--Mitch McConnell blocks Senate Democrats' move to fast track $2000 Covid payments – video

The Senate majority leader , Mitch McConnell , blocked an effort by Democrats to quickly increase coronavirus relief payments to @ @ @ @ @ to $ 2,000 .
Donald Trump demanded the raise on Tuesday , tweeting that Americans @ @ @ @ @ from the Covid pandemic .
But amid mounting pressure from fellow Republicans , McConnell objected @ @ @ @ @ Schumer , the minority leader , to swiftly pass the measure

The Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, blocked an effort by Democrats to quickly increase coronavirus relief payments to US citizens from $600 to $2,000. Donald Trump demanded the raise on Tuesday, tweeting that Americans had ‘suffered enough’ from the Covid pandemic. But amid mounting pressure from fellow Republicans, McConnell objected to a move by Chuck Schumer, the minority leader, to swiftly pass the measure


theguardian--2020-12-30--Trump's Blackwater pardons an affront to justice, say UN experts

Donald Trump ’ s pardon of four American men convicted of killing Iraqi civilians while working as contractors in 2007 violated US obligations under international law , United Nations human rights experts have said .
Nicholas Slatten was convicted of first-degree murder and Paul Slough , Evan Liberty and Dustin Heard were convicted of voluntary and attempted manslaughter over an incident in which US contractors opened fire in busy traffic in a Baghdad square and killed 14 unarmed Iraqi civilians .
The four contractors , who worked for the private security firm Blackwater , owned by the brother of Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a wave of pre-Christmas pardons announced by the White House .
“ Pardoning the Blackwater contractors is an affront to justice and to the victims of the Nisour Square massacre and their families , ” said Jelena Aparac , the chair of the UN working group on the use of mercenaries .
The group said the Geneva conventions obliged states to hold war criminals accountable for their crimes , even when they are acting as private security contractors .
“ These pardons violate US obligations under international law and more broadly undermine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ global level , ” it said .
By allowing private security contractors to “ operate with impunity in armed conflicts ” , states would be emboldened to circumvent their obligations under humanitarian law , the group said .
The pardons have been strongly criticised by many in the US .
Gen David Petraeus and Ryan Crocker , respectively the commander of US forces and the US ambassador in Iraq at the time of the incident , called Trump ’ s pardons “ hugely damaging , an action that tells the world that Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with impunity ” .
In a statement announcing the pardons , the White House said the move was “ broadly supported by the public ” and backed by a number of Republican lawmakers .

Donald Trump’s pardon of four American men convicted of killing Iraqi civilians while working as contractors in 2007 violated US obligations under international law, United Nations human rights experts have said.
Nicholas Slatten was convicted of first-degree murder and Paul Slough, Evan Liberty and Dustin Heard were convicted of voluntary and attempted manslaughter over an incident in which US contractors opened fire in busy traffic in a Baghdad square and killed 14 unarmed Iraqi civilians.
The four contractors, who worked for the private security firm Blackwater, owned by the brother of Trump’s education secretary, were included in a wave of pre-Christmas pardons announced by the White House.
“Pardoning the Blackwater contractors is an affront to justice and to the victims of the Nisour Square massacre and their families,” said Jelena Aparac, the chair of the UN working group on the use of mercenaries.
The group said the Geneva conventions obliged states to hold war criminals accountable for their crimes, even when they are acting as private security contractors. “These pardons violate US obligations under international law and more broadly undermine humanitarian law and human rights at a global level,” it said.
By allowing private security contractors to “operate with impunity in armed conflicts”, states would be emboldened to circumvent their obligations under humanitarian law, the group said.
The pardons have been strongly criticised by many in the US. Gen David Petraeus and Ryan Crocker, respectively the commander of US forces and the US ambassador in Iraq at the time of the incident, called Trump’s pardons “hugely damaging, an action that tells the world that Americans abroad can commit the most heinous crimes with impunity”.
In a statement announcing the pardons, the White House said the move was “broadly supported by the public” and backed by a number of Republican lawmakers.


theguardian--2020-12-30--Luke Letlow, US congressman-elect, dies of Covid aged 41

Luke Letlow , Louisiana ’ s incoming Republican congressman , has died from complications related to Covid-19 at the age of 41 .
“ The family appreciates the numerous prayers and support over the past days but asks for privacy during this difficult and unexpected time , ” Letlow ’ s spokesman , Andrew Bautsch , said in a statement .
“ A statement from the family along with funeral arrangements will be announced at a later time.
” Louisiana ’ s eight-member congressional delegation called Letlow ’ s death devastating .
“ Luke had such a positive spirit , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him , ” they said in a statement .
“ He was looking forward to serving the people of Louisiana in Congress , and we were excited to welcome him to our delegation where he was ready to make an even greater impact on our state and our nation.
” The state ’ s newest congressman , who was due to take office in January , was admitted to a hospital in Monroe on 19 December after testing positive for Covid-19 .
He was later transferred to a hospital in Shreveport and placed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of LSU Health Shreveport told the Advocate that Letlow had no underlying health conditions that would have put him at greater risk of Covid complications .
Letlow , from the small town of Start in Richland Parish , was elected in a December runoff election to fill the seat vacated by Ralph Abraham .
Letlow had been Abraham ’ s chief of staff and ran with his boss ’ s backing for the job .
US House leaders offered their condolences on Tuesday night .
“ May it be a comfort to Luke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jeremiah and Jacqueline that so many mourn their loss and are praying for them at this sad time , “ said Nancy Pelosi .
More than 7,000 people in Louisiana have died of Covid-19 since March , according to data from the state health department .
When he announced his positive test , Letlow joined a list of Louisiana officials who have contracted the coronavirus since the pandemic began , including Sen Bill Cassidy .
Cassidy , a Republican and doctor who tested positive for Covid-19 earlier this year and has since recovered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It just , just , just , just brings home Covid can kill .
For most folks it doesn ’ t , but it truly can .
So , as you remember Luke , his widow , his children in your prayers , remember as well to be careful with Covid .
”

Luke Letlow, Louisiana’s incoming Republican congressman, has died from complications related to Covid-19 at the age of 41.
“The family appreciates the numerous prayers and support over the past days but asks for privacy during this difficult and unexpected time,” Letlow’s spokesman, Andrew Bautsch, said in a statement. “A statement from the family along with funeral arrangements will be announced at a later time.”
Louisiana’s eight-member congressional delegation called Letlow’s death devastating. “Luke had such a positive spirit, and a tremendously bright future ahead of him,” they said in a statement.
“He was looking forward to serving the people of Louisiana in Congress, and we were excited to welcome him to our delegation where he was ready to make an even greater impact on our state and our nation.”
The state’s newest congressman, who was due to take office in January, was admitted to a hospital in Monroe on 19 December after testing positive for Covid-19. He was later transferred to a hospital in Shreveport and placed in intensive care.
Dr GE Ghali of LSU Health Shreveport told the Advocate newspaper that Letlow had no underlying health conditions that would have put him at greater risk of Covid complications.
Letlow is survived by his wife, Julie Barnhill Letlow, and two young children.
From the small town of Start in Richland Parish, Letlow was elected in a December runoff election to fill the seat vacated by Ralph Abraham. Letlow had been Abraham’s chief of staff and ran with his boss’s backing for the job.
US House leaders offered their condolences on Tuesday night. “May it be a comfort to Luke’s wife, Julia, and their children, Jeremiah and Jacqueline, that so many mourn their loss and are praying for them at this sad time,” said Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the House.
More than 7,000 people in Louisiana have died of Covid-19 since March, according to data from the state health department. As of Tuesday, more than 1,689 people were being treated in hospital with the illness in the state, the most since April.
Letlow had encouraged people to follow doctors’ advice and to follow social distancing guidance. At some public events he appeared at, he and others were not wearing masks, according to photos from his Twitter account.
On 21 December, Letlow encouraged people who had recovered from Covid to donate plasma, which may help people in hospital with the infection.
When he announced his positive test, Letlow joined a list of Louisiana officials to have contracted the coronavirus since the pandemic began, including Senator Bill Cassidy.
Cassidy, a Republican and doctor who tested positive for Covid-19 earlier this year and has since recovered, said in a Twitter video: “It just, just, just, just brings home Covid can kill. For most folks it doesn’t, but it truly can. So, as you remember Luke, his widow, his children in your prayers, remember as well to be careful with Covid.”


theguardian--2020-12-30--Democrats battle for soul of party as Biden win masks alarming failures

The sense of relief Democrats felt with Donald Trump ’ s defeat in the 2020 election was not the same as a feeling of victory .
The party ’ s loss of congressional seats and failure to take control of state legislatures , not to mention the US Senate , indicated an alarming slippage for a party that had thought it was growing as Trump was supposedly torching the Republican brand .
After the election , a fierce internal Democratic debate broke out , with centrists arguing that slogans such as “ Defund the police ” and “ Medicare for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moderate voters and exposed candidates to wild accusations from Republicans equating universal healthcare with Pol Pot .
The progressives said that on the contrary , the party had not staked out its program on behalf of working people proudly enough , instead trying to play it safe behind an innocuous presidential candidate whose main pitch was a return to normalcy .
The problem , said Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , was that the party lacked “ core competencies ” to reach voters with decisive rebuttals to wild charges from Republicans .
The political strategist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the party needed to learn how not to talk down to working-class voters , noting that while Democrats dominated in and around big cities in the 2020 election , Republicans had won in 80 % of US counties .
“ If Democrats continue to cede 80 % of the country , if they can ’ t break through , they ’ re kind of screwed , in my view , at least in the short run , ” Axelrod said on his podcast .
The debate is not academic .
Two years from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House and the Senate up for grabs , the Democrats could create their first opportunity in more than a decade to do something big : deliver major legislation to expand healthcare , protect voting rights , defend the environment , or implement humane immigration policy .
Democratic political analysts , organizers and operatives interviewed by the Guardian agreed that opportunity lay ahead , but emphasized that to capitalize on it , the party must renew its efforts to connect with voters all year long , at a local level , and not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic issues .
One key insight : local politics is not the same as national politics , and opportunities to reach even diehard Trump supporters abound when there is no Super Bowl presidential race inflaming partisan passions .
“ Locally , you can do more , ” said David Pepper , the outgoing state chair of the Democratic party in Ohio .
“ You can win and make progress despite the national conversation .
It ’ s a different type of politics .
“ It ’ s what the Koch brothers did for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entire Democratic party sensed opportunity in 2020 .
With Trump having alienated a significant share of moderate voters , and Democrats running high-single-digits ahead of Republicans on the generic ballot , control of both Congress and the White House seemed tantalizingly close .
The party spent $ 50m in an effort to flip state legislatures in advance of the redistricting process .
But when the dust had settled , none of the eight statehouses targeted by Democrats produced a win , and control of the US Senate hung on thin hopes of winning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Most damagingly , Democrats had lost at least 11 seats in Congress , with candidates swamped by Trump voters but also not helped by Biden at the top of the ticket .
Democratic primary voters picked Biden in part on the theory that he was most capable of beating Trump .
But Democrats disagree on whether Biden ’ s success in districts where other Democrats lost meant that the party seemed too far left – or insufficiently bold in its progressive prescriptions .
“ In general , instead of blaming the progressives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ listen to them more , ” said Brad Bannon , a Washington-based Democratic strategist .
“ Because I think the progressives in the party do a better job of talking basic economics , and talking about it in a way that people relate to.
” There were bright spots .
In Ohio , Democrats flipped a state supreme court seat by 10 points – in the single race in the entire country in which Democrats flipped a statewide seat from red to blue in a state Trump won .
Pepper , the outgoing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made local gains by encouraging voters to vote their entire ballots – instead of skipping down-ballot races – and by seeking to contest every election , no matter how local , in every year , not just in presidential races and during midterms .
“ We ’ ve done that for five years and it totally works , ” Pepper said .
“ We have in Ohio now our biggest city footprint in recent history at least .
We have mayors in almost every big city , winning by more , and bigger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fighting to win local elections in 2019 , Ohio Democrats unseated Republican mayors in three cities – Irontown , Coshocton and Norwalk – in counties that Trump won just one year later by an average of 45 points .
But the swell of partisan politics in 2020 overwhelmed the ability of scrappy campaigning to make a difference statewide , with Trump taking Ohio by eight points .
To fight in a noisy election year , Ocasio-Cortez told the New York Times last month , Democrats need to beef up their ability to go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ internet for an entire election cycle instead of right before elections .
But it ’ s not clear what level of messaging would be required to bring around Republican-leaning voters , when a majority of Republicans are prepared to believe , absent any evidence , in a multi-state conspiracy to steal the presidential election – in short , to believe anything that Trump , a historic liar , says .
One of Trump ’ s strengths is his zeal at playing into the empirically proven politics of anger and resentment , of racist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aware that one challenge they face is to offer an alternative to voters who might be susceptible to , or at least not repelled by , that kind of pitch .
“ It ’ s not just about having deliverables and tangibles to offer , ” said Axelrod on the Hacks on Tap podcast .
“ It ’ s about changing an attitude that basically thinks of these folks as something less .
“ The Democratic party envisions itself as the party of working people but it doesn ’ t feel that way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And the Democratic party needs to figure that out .
”

The sense of relief Democrats felt with Donald Trump’s defeat in the 2020 election was not the same as a feeling of victory.
The party’s loss of congressional seats and failure to take control of state legislatures, not to mention the US Senate, indicated an alarming slippage for a party that had thought it was growing as Trump was supposedly torching the Republican brand.
After the election, a fierce internal Democratic debate broke out, with centrists arguing that slogans such as “Defund the police” and “Medicare for All” had hurt the party with moderate voters and exposed candidates to wild accusations from Republicans equating universal healthcare with Pol Pot.
The progressives said that on the contrary, the party had not staked out its program on behalf of working people proudly enough, instead trying to play it safe behind an innocuous presidential candidate whose main pitch was a return to normalcy.
The problem, said Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, was that the party lacked “core competencies” to reach voters with decisive rebuttals to wild charges from Republicans.
The political strategist David Axelrod said the problem was that the party needed to learn how not to talk down to working-class voters, noting that while Democrats dominated in and around big cities in the 2020 election, Republicans had won in 80% of US counties.
“If Democrats continue to cede 80% of the country, if they can’t break through, they’re kind of screwed, in my view, at least in the short run,” Axelrod said on his podcast.
The debate is not academic. Two years from now, with Joe Biden in the White House and the Senate up for grabs, the Democrats could create their first opportunity in more than a decade to do something big: deliver major legislation to expand healthcare, protect voting rights, defend the environment, or implement humane immigration policy.
Democratic political analysts, organizers and operatives interviewed by the Guardian agreed that opportunity lay ahead, but emphasized that to capitalize on it, the party must renew its efforts to connect with voters all year long, at a local level, and not be afraid of progressive messaging especially on economic issues.
One key insight: local politics is not the same as national politics, and opportunities to reach even diehard Trump supporters abound when there is no Super Bowl presidential race inflaming partisan passions.
“Locally, you can do more,” said David Pepper, the outgoing state chair of the Democratic party in Ohio. “You can win and make progress despite the national conversation. It’s a different type of politics.
“It’s what the Koch brothers did for decades before we caught up.”
The entire Democratic party sensed opportunity in 2020. With Trump having alienated a significant share of moderate voters, and Democrats running high-single-digits ahead of Republicans on the generic ballot, control of both Congress and the White House seemed tantalizingly close. The party spent $50m in an effort to flip state legislatures in advance of the redistricting process.
But when the dust had settled, none of the eight statehouses targeted by Democrats produced a win, and control of the US Senate hung on thin hopes of winning two runoff races next month in Georgia. Most damagingly, Democrats had lost at least 11 seats in Congress, with candidates swamped by Trump voters but also not helped by Biden at the top of the ticket.
Democratic primary voters picked Biden in part on the theory that he was most capable of beating Trump. But Democrats disagree on whether Biden’s success in districts where other Democrats lost meant that the party seemed too far left – or insufficiently bold in its progressive prescriptions.
“In general, instead of blaming the progressives for the down-ballot failures, we should listen to them more,” said Brad Bannon, a Washington-based Democratic strategist. “Because I think the progressives in the party do a better job of talking basic economics, and talking about it in a way that people relate to.”
There were bright spots. In Ohio, Democrats flipped a state supreme court seat by 10 points – in the single race in the entire country in which Democrats flipped a statewide seat from red to blue in a state Trump won.
Pepper, the outgoing party chair, said the party had made local gains by encouraging voters to vote their entire ballots – instead of skipping down-ballot races – and by seeking to contest every election, no matter how local, in every year, not just in presidential races and during midterms.
“We’ve done that for five years and it totally works,” Pepper said. “We have in Ohio now our biggest city footprint in recent history at least. We have mayors in almost every big city, winning by more, and bigger council footprints in these big cities.”
The party envisions itself as the party of working people, but it doesn’t feel that way to a lot of working people David Axelrod
Fighting to win local elections in 2019, Ohio Democrats unseated Republican mayors in three cities – Irontown, Coshocton and Norwalk – in counties that Trump won just one year later by an average of 45 points.
But the swell of partisan politics in 2020 overwhelmed the ability of scrappy campaigning to make a difference statewide, with Trump taking Ohio by eight points.
To fight in a noisy election year, Ocasio-Cortez told the New York Times last month, Democrats need to beef up their ability to go on TV and target ads on the internet for an entire election cycle instead of right before elections.
But it’s not clear what level of messaging would be required to bring around Republican-leaning voters, when a majority of Republicans are prepared to believe, absent any evidence, in a multi-state conspiracy to steal the presidential election – in short, to believe anything that Trump, a historic liar, says.
One of Trump’s strengths is his zeal at playing into the empirically proven politics of anger and resentment, of racist fears and xenophobic scapegoating. Democrats are aware that one challenge they face is to offer an alternative to voters who might be susceptible to, or at least not repelled by, that kind of pitch.
“It’s not just about having deliverables and tangibles to offer,” said Axelrod on the Hacks on Tap podcast. “It’s about changing an attitude that basically thinks of these folks as something less.
“The Democratic party envisions itself as the party of working people but it doesn’t feel that way to a lot of working people. And the Democratic party needs to figure that out.”


theguardian--2020-12-30--This year proved once and for all: screens are no substitute for real life | Ross Barkan

How we will ultimately remember the pandemic of 2020 is not yet known .
Right now , it is the omnipotent crisis , dominating every waking moment .
For those with any interest in the news , there are the daily death totals , surpassing those of 9/11 , and reminders that a vaccine is here but not here , still many months away from ending this hell for good .
But a more deadly pandemic in 1918 and 1919 was largely lost to history , swallowed by the end of the first world war and the roaring 20s , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the long-term psyche of the nation .
The generation that lived through coronavirus may talk about it until they die or choose , like their ancestors in the early 20th century , to bury it away and focus on new horizons .
Covid-19 has shown us , at least , what will be necessary and what we can absolutely do without .
There are white-collar jobs that can be performed adequately from home .
For some companies , large offices in central business districts are an extravagant waste of money .
Hygiene @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with routine hand-washing and occasional mask-wearing in crowded areas becoming normalized in America .
One hundred years ago , survivors of the flu pandemic learned about the importance of fresh air and proper ventilation , and this is a lesson we were forced , under horrific circumstances , to internalize anew .
We learned , too , what it is we don ’ t want – a world utterly consumed by screens .
Yes , we will maintain our smartphone addictions , and laptops and tablets will continue to consume much of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic has boosted Zoom stock by 500 % .
For many of us , this has been 2020 : one Zoom after another , human faces in little boxes .
In the early months of the pandemic , there were Zoom birthday parties , Zoom cocktails , Zoom Easters and Zoom Passovers .
The life we had lost needed to be approximated , as much as possible , by Zoomworld , forging connections and alleviating boredom .
After a while , I didn ’ t want to Zoom any more .
I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Each drifting gaze , faulty connection , and wistful joke about the time we ’ d all be indoors at the bar again was a reminder of what I had lost .
As the year drifted on and I tried to navigate a world with such conflicting public health guidance , friend meet-ups sporadically scheduled , I knew that I never wanted to endure another social interaction on a screen again .
It was reality flattened and condensed , drained of what it should be .
The longer I spoke to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me , the more I remembered that this facsimile of my prior life wasn ’ t anything close to what I wanted .
Children had it worse .
For years , tech maximalists had sold us a future of education-by-screen ; why have physical classrooms at all ?
The internet offered unlimited possibility .
Information was everywhere , easily summoned at a keystroke .
Students of the 21st-century classroom would merely need lessons uploaded to their screens .
A teacher only had to be a face trapped in a sleek tablet .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in public schools has been a disaster .
Yawning inequality gaps have only been exacerbated , with the wealthiest students enjoying an in-person education at private schools while poorer students suffer in school districts that have sent many of them home .
Not all students have functioning internet .
Others live in chaotic households that make daily learning impossible .
In December , families sued the state of California , alleging school districts failed to provide “ basic educational equality ” for children of color from low-income backgrounds during the pandemic .
Rectifying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a worthy goal – would make remote learning more viable , but it is still a lackluster substitute for the socialization that comes with education in a physical classroom .
Students make friends , learn from each other , and form crucial bonds with their teachers .
Young children are in particular need of in-person learning .
Adequate mental and emotional development can ’ t happen in isolation .
Many people understood this before the pandemic .
But for a long period of time , there were those that argued that more tech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boost test scores – of course , big tech loved a lengthy standardized test – just pay for an interactive whiteboard in every classroom and shell out for individual tablets .
Why was this better ?
Well , it was shiny and new .
Higher education , long overpriced , faces its own post-pandemic reckoning , with many smaller schools threatened with closure .
College students may find some educational functions can be performed remotely .
Yet the MOOC revolution and online-only schools will not be able to supplant the surviving colleges and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students that endured a year of Zoom classes will demand more of them when the pandemic ends .
Professors , meanwhile , will be eager to resume life inside a classroom , where lively discussions and genuine learning can take place naturally without the mediator of a Zoom screen .
The pandemic made it easy to imagine an approaching dystopia : one in which , in the coming years , we would all sequester ourselves away from light and air , too terrified to venture outdoors .
Instead of heading to the bar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worlds of our own within our four walls , content to approximate the reality we once knew .
Instead , we rediscovered parks and trails , flocked to beaches , and revolutionized city streets with outdoor dining .
We wearied of our devices .
There is no app or program that can replicate a friend ’ s laughter across the table or a teacher ’ s lesson at the front of a classroom .
After the pandemic , in a post-vaccination world , we will race back to our old lives .
Zoomworld @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ross Barkan is a writer based in New York City

How we will ultimately remember the pandemic of 2020 is not yet known. Right now, it is the omnipotent crisis, dominating every waking moment. For those with any interest in the news, there are the daily death totals, surpassing those of 9/11, and reminders that a vaccine is here but not here, still many months away from ending this hell for good.
But a more deadly pandemic in 1918 and 1919 was largely lost to history, swallowed by the end of the first world war and the roaring 20s, the mass death hardly making a groove in the long-term psyche of the nation. The generation that lived through coronavirus may talk about it until they die or choose, like their ancestors in the early 20th century, to bury it away and focus on new horizons.
Covid-19 has shown us, at least, what will be necessary and what we can absolutely do without. There are white-collar jobs that can be performed adequately from home. For some companies, large offices in central business districts are an extravagant waste of money. Hygiene, we hope, will change forever, with routine hand-washing and occasional mask-wearing in crowded areas becoming normalized in America. One hundred years ago, survivors of the flu pandemic learned about the importance of fresh air and proper ventilation, and this is a lesson we were forced, under horrific circumstances, to internalize anew.
We learned, too, what it is we don’t want – a world utterly consumed by screens. Yes, we will maintain our smartphone addictions, and laptops and tablets will continue to consume much of our time inside our homes. The pandemic has boosted Zoom stock by 500%. For many of us, this has been 2020: one Zoom after another, human faces in little boxes. In the early months of the pandemic, there were Zoom birthday parties, Zoom cocktails, Zoom Easters and Zoom Passovers. The life we had lost needed to be approximated, as much as possible, by Zoomworld, forging connections and alleviating boredom.
After a while, I didn’t want to Zoom any more. I’m sure I wasn’t alone. Each drifting gaze, faulty connection, and wistful joke about the time we’d all be indoors at the bar again was a reminder of what I had lost. As the year drifted on and I tried to navigate a world with such conflicting public health guidance, friend meet-ups sporadically scheduled, I knew that I never wanted to endure another social interaction on a screen again. It was reality flattened and condensed, drained of what it should be. The longer I spoke to the distant, pixelated face in front of me, the more I remembered that this facsimile of my prior life wasn’t anything close to what I wanted.
Children had it worse. For years, tech maximalists had sold us a future of education-by-screen; why have physical classrooms at all? The internet offered unlimited possibility. Information was everywhere, easily summoned at a keystroke. Students of the 21st-century classroom would merely need lessons uploaded to their screens. A teacher only had to be a face trapped in a sleek tablet.
Students make friends, learn from each other, and form crucial bonds with their teachers
As we’ve learned, remote learning in public schools has been a disaster. Yawning inequality gaps have only been exacerbated, with the wealthiest students enjoying an in-person education at private schools while poorer students suffer in school districts that have sent many of them home. Not all students have functioning internet. Others live in chaotic households that make daily learning impossible. In December, families sued the state of California, alleging school districts failed to provide “basic educational equality” for children of color from low-income backgrounds during the pandemic.
Rectifying this divide – universal broadband access is a worthy goal – would make remote learning more viable, but it is still a lackluster substitute for the socialization that comes with education in a physical classroom. Students make friends, learn from each other, and form crucial bonds with their teachers. Young children are in particular need of in-person learning. Adequate mental and emotional development can’t happen in isolation.
Many people understood this before the pandemic. But for a long period of time, there were those that argued that more tech would bolster the education experience. To boost test scores – of course, big tech loved a lengthy standardized test – just pay for an interactive whiteboard in every classroom and shell out for individual tablets. Why was this better? Well, it was shiny and new.
Higher education, long overpriced, faces its own post-pandemic reckoning, with many smaller schools threatened with closure. College students may find some educational functions can be performed remotely. Yet the MOOC revolution and online-only schools will not be able to supplant the surviving colleges and universities that prioritize in-person education. Few students that endured a year of Zoom classes will demand more of them when the pandemic ends. Professors, meanwhile, will be eager to resume life inside a classroom, where lively discussions and genuine learning can take place naturally without the mediator of a Zoom screen.
The pandemic made it easy to imagine an approaching dystopia: one in which, in the coming years, we would all sequester ourselves away from light and air, too terrified to venture outdoors. Instead of heading to the bar or the gym, we would build worlds of our own within our four walls, content to approximate the reality we once knew.
Instead, we rediscovered parks and trails, flocked to beaches, and revolutionized city streets with outdoor dining. We wearied of our devices. There is no app or program that can replicate a friend’s laughter across the table or a teacher’s lesson at the front of a classroom. After the pandemic, in a post-vaccination world, we will race back to our old lives. Zoomworld will belong to history.


theguardian--2020-12-30--Mitch McConnell says 'no realistic path' for $2,000 relief checks bill

Donald Trump ’ s demand for $ 2,000 relief checks to Americans struggling financially with the pandemic was all but dead after Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell said on Wednesday that a proposal from Democrats had “ no realistic path to quickly pass the Senate ” .
Declaring that he would not be “ bullied ” by Democrats into quickly approving the measure , McConnell effectively denied a final request for legislative action by the president in the waning days of his administration .
“ We just approved almost a trillion dollars in aid a few days ago , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a massive $ 900bn stimulus package that included $ 600 direct payments to most American adults .
“ It struck a balance between broad support for all kinds of households and a lot more targeted relief for those who need help most.
” Trump , who remained mostly on the sidelines during the negotiations , nearly derailed the agreement when he demanded Congress more than triple the size of the direct payments from $ 600 to $ 2,000 .
He ultimately relented and signed the bill into law on Sunday .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ act , writing on Twitter that “ $ 600 IS NOT ENOUGH ” .
He has also called Republicans “ pathetic ” for failing to act , and suggested their inaction amounted to a political “ death wish ” .
“ $ 2000 ASAP !
” Trump demanded again on Wednesday before McConnell appeared to extinguish the possibility .
Democrats have eagerly embraced Trump ’ s call to bolster the payments and on Monday , the House approved a bill that would send $ 2,000 stimulus checks to Americans .
But on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House bill to the floor for consideration , instead offering a vague assurance that Senate would “ begin the process ” of discussing the $ 2,000 checks .
He said the measure would be considered alongside with unrelated items that would almost certainly doom the legislation , including an investigation of election security to root out voter fraud , which Trump has baselessly claimed tainted the presidential vote count , and the removal of legal protections for social media platforms .
Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer on Wednesday called McConnell ’ s plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ security and social media provisions a “ way to kill the bill ” .
“ There is no other game in town but the House bill , ” Schumer said in a floor speech , imploring McConnell to allow a vote on the House bill .
“ The only way , the only way , to get the American people the $ 2,000 checks they need is to pass the House bill and to pass it now.
” When he finished , Schumer again attempted to bring the House bill to the floor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McConnell again objected , dismissing it as a Democratic proposal led by the House .
But the effort is not only backed by Democrats .
Weeks ago , progressive senator Bernie Sanders joined forces with conservative senator Josh Hawley to demand Congress include direct payments as part of any bipartisan stimulus agreement .
After the checks were adopted , they continued to push Congress to dramatically increase the size of the checks .
Trump ’ s support has further shifted the calculus among Republicans , who previously demanded that Democrats pare back their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 1tn .
Loath to defy the president , many Republican senators are now dropping their initial concerns about the cost of the package and embracing his call for bigger payments .
Georgia senators Davide Perdue and Kelly Loeffler , who are running in competitive re-election races next week that will determine control of the Senate , said they support increasing the size of the checks .
And 44 Republicans joined the vast majority of the Democratic caucus to approve the House bill on Monday .
As lawmakers continued to spar over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should begin to receive $ 600 deposits in their bank accounts as early as Tuesday evening , while paper checks would be mailed out starting Wednesday .

Donald Trump’s demand for $2,000 relief checks to Americans struggling financially with the pandemic was all but dead after Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell said on Wednesday that a proposal from Democrats had “no realistic path to quickly pass the Senate”.
Declaring that he would not be “bullied” by Democrats into quickly approving the measure, McConnell effectively denied a final request for legislative action by the president in the waning days of his administration.
“We just approved almost a trillion dollars in aid a few days ago,” McConnell said, referring to the passage of a massive $900bn stimulus package that included $600 direct payments to most American adults. “It struck a balance between broad support for all kinds of households and a lot more targeted relief for those who need help most.”
Trump, who remained mostly on the sidelines during the negotiations, nearly derailed the agreement when he demanded Congress more than triple the size of the direct payments from $600 to $2,000. He ultimately relented and signed the bill into law on Sunday. But he has continued to press Congress to act, writing on Twitter that “$600 IS NOT ENOUGH”. He has also called Republicans “pathetic” for failing to act, and suggested their inaction amounted to a political “death wish”.
“$2000 ASAP!” Trump demanded again on Wednesday before McConnell appeared to extinguish the possibility.
Democrats have eagerly embraced Trump’s call to bolster the payments and on Monday, the House approved a bill that would send $2,000 stimulus checks to Americans. But on Tuesday, McConnell prevented Democrats from bringing the House bill to the floor for consideration, instead offering a vague assurance that Senate would “begin the process” of discussing the $2,000 checks.
He said the measure would be considered alongside with unrelated items that would almost certainly doom the legislation, including an investigation of election security to root out voter fraud, which Trump has baselessly claimed tainted the presidential vote count, and the removal of legal protections for social media platforms.
Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer on Wednesday called McConnell’s plan to tie the checks to the election security and social media provisions a “way to kill the bill”.
“There is no other game in town but the House bill,” Schumer said in a floor speech, imploring McConnell to allow a vote on the House bill. “The only way, the only way, to get the American people the $2,000 checks they need is to pass the House bill and to pass it now.”
When he finished, Schumer again attempted to bring the House bill to the floor for a vote on Wednesday, but McConnell again objected, dismissing it as a Democratic proposal led by the House.
But the effort is not only backed by Democrats. Weeks ago, progressive senator Bernie Sanders joined forces with conservative senator Josh Hawley to demand Congress include direct payments as part of any bipartisan stimulus agreement. After the checks were adopted, they continued to push Congress to dramatically increase the size of the checks.
Trump’s support has further shifted the calculus among Republicans, who previously demanded that Democrats pare back their coronavirus relief proposal to keep costs under $1tn. Loath to defy the president, many Republican senators are now dropping their initial concerns about the cost of the package and embracing his call for bigger payments.
Georgia senators Davide Perdue and Kelly Loeffler, who are running in competitive re-election races next week that will determine control of the Senate, said they support increasing the size of the checks. And 44 Republicans joined the vast majority of the Democratic caucus to approve the House bill on Monday.
As lawmakers continued to spar over the payments, the treasury department said Americans should begin to receive $600 deposits in their bank accounts as early as Tuesday evening, while paper checks would be mailed out starting Wednesday.


theguardian--2020-12-30--'Sore loser': Walmart apologizes after tweet mocks Senator Hawley

Walmart on Wednesday apologized to Josh Hawley , the Republican senator who said he would not vote to certify electoral college results , after a post on its Twitter account called him a “ # soreloser ” .
“ The tweet published earlier was mistakenly posted by a member of our social media team .
We deleted the post and have no intention of commenting on the subject of certifying the electoral college , ” the retail giant said in a tweet .
“ We apologize to Senator Hawley for this error and any confusion about our position.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , about one hour after Hawley tweeted his position on the usually ceremonious count .
“ Millions of voters concerned about election integrity deserve to be heard .
I will object on January 6 on their behalf , ” Hawley said .
“ Go ahead .
Get your 2 hour debate .
# soreloser ” said a reply posted to Walmart ’ s Twitter account .
Hawley replied “ Thanks  @ Walmart for your insulting condescension .
Now that you ’ ve insulted 75 million Americans , will you at least apologize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another tweet , the Missouri legislator said : “ Or maybe you ’ d like to apologize for the pathetic wages you pay your workers as you drive mom and pop stores out of business.
” Congress will meet on 6 January to count electoral college votes , which is the last step in affirming president-elect Joe Biden ’ s win .
Hawley ’ s move won ’ t thwart Biden ’ s victory , but it could delay the count by spurring separate House and Senate votes .
The move would force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that puts President Trump ’ s false voter fraud allegations against millions of voters ’ enfranchisement .

Walmart on Wednesday apologized to Josh Hawley, the Republican senator who said he would not vote to certify electoral college results, after a post on its Twitter account called him a “#soreloser”.
“The tweet published earlier was mistakenly posted by a member of our social media team. We deleted the post and have no intention of commenting on the subject of certifying the electoral college,” the retail giant said in a tweet. “We apologize to Senator Hawley for this error and any confusion about our position.”
The social media controversy started unfolding before noon, about one hour after Hawley tweeted his position on the usually ceremonious count. “Millions of voters concerned about election integrity deserve to be heard. I will object on January 6 on their behalf,” Hawley said.
“Go ahead. Get your 2 hour debate. #soreloser” said a reply posted to Walmart’s Twitter account.
Hawley replied “Thanks @Walmart for your insulting condescension. Now that you’ve insulted 75 million Americans, will you at least apologize for using slave labor?” In another tweet, the Missouri legislator said: “Or maybe you’d like to apologize for the pathetic wages you pay your workers as you drive mom and pop stores out of business.”
Congress will meet on 6 January to count electoral college votes, which is the last step in affirming president-elect Joe Biden’s win. Hawley’s move won’t thwart Biden’s victory, but it could delay the count by spurring separate House and Senate votes. The move would force other Republicans to openly cast a vote that puts President Trump’s false voter fraud allegations against millions of voters’ enfranchisement.


theguardian--2020-12-30--Biden and Harris to campaign in Georgia as Trump calls on its governor to quit

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will travel to Georgia to campaign for next week ’ s high-stakes Senate runoff elections , it was announced on Wednesday , as Donald Trump called on the state ’ s Republican governor , Brian Kemp , to resign .
For weeks , Trump has been attacking Kemp for his refusal to overturn the results of Georgia ’ s presidential election , a state he won in 2016 and narrowly lost to Biden in 2020 , and on Wednesday went as far as to call on his fellow Republican to resign .
“ @ BrianKempGA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote in a tweet that encouraged supporters to watch a broadcast of a hearing on purported election irregularities .
“ He is an obstructionist who refuses to admit that we won Georgia , BIG !
Also won the other Swing States.
” Kemp , long considered a staunch ally of the president , has refused to embrace Trump ’ s meritless accusations that the state ’ s vote count was tainted .
Earlier this month , Kemp recertified Georgia ’ s 16 electoral votes for Biden after multiple recounts affirmed Biden ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of lawsuits brought by the Trump campaign , they produced no credible evidence of widespread voter fraud in Georgia or any other state .
Yet Trump ’ s insistence that the presidential vote was fraudulent has rattled some Republicans in the state who fear his unfounded claims may depress turnout among his supporters ahead of runoff elections , scheduled for 5 January .
The runoffs will determine which party controls the Senate .
“ I love the Great State of Georgia , but the people who run it , from the Governor , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State , are a complete disaster and don ’ t have a clue , or worse , ” Trump wrote in a pair of tweets on Tuesday night .
“ Nobody can be this stupid .
Just allow us to find the crime , and turn the state Republican ... .
” He also made reference to a conspiracy theory that claims the Republican secretary of state , Brad Raffensperger , has a brother named Ron who works for a Chinese tech firm , which purportedly explains his refusal to accept Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state .
The man is not related to Raffensperger .
Trump will hold a rally with Georgia ’ s Republican senators in Dalton on Monday , setting up a split screen with Biden , who will campaign for the Democratic challengers , the Rev Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff , in Atlanta on the same day .
On Sunday , Harris will appear with the Democrats in Savannah , while Vice-President Mike Pence has made frequent visits to the state on behalf of the Republican candidates .
Multiple recounts affirmed Biden ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him the first Democratic presidential nominee to carry the state since 1992 .
Strong turnout among Black , Latino and Asian voters as well as a rejection of Trump by some college-educated white voters who traditionally vote Republican helped push Biden over the top , giving Democrats hope ahead of the two runoff elections .
If Democrats win both Senate seats , each party would hold 50 seats in the Senate next year .
With Harris serving as the tie-breaking vote , Democrats would effectively control the chamber .
Should Republicans hold on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they will continue to control the Senate , led by the majority leader , Mitch McConnell , who is all but certain to use his power to curb the legislative aspirations of the incoming administration .
McConnell and Trump are currently at odds over the president ’ s demand to increase coronavirus relief checks from $ 600 to $ 2,000 , an issue that has become central in the final days of the Georgia runoffs .
On Tuesday , McConnell blocked an attempt led by Democrats to hold a vote on approving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republicans rallied around the idea , including Perdue and Loeffler .
Perdue had previously said he was opposed to sending direct payments to Americans and believed tax incentives were more effective .
Warnock and Ossoff , who support increasing the size of the checks , have sought to leverage the ongoing battle in the Senate , pointing to McConnell ’ s blockade as an example of what Democrats could accomplish if they were in control .
Runoff elections are historically low-turnout affairs , but , given the stakes , the twin contests have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and investment .
Warnock and Ossoff both raised more than $ 100m , stunning sums that far surpassed their Republican opponents .
Yet outside Republican groups are spending heavily on the race , outstripping Democratic groups .
That enthusiasm has been reflected in early voting .
Numbers released by the Georgia secretary of state ’ s office on Wednesday show that more people – 2,566,332 as of Tuesday – have voted in the upcoming election than in any runoff in the state ’ s history .
On Wednesday morning , Ossoff ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barack Obama and featuring the musician John Legend singing Georgia on My Mind .
In the spot , Obama praises Georgia voters for rejecting “ fear and division ” by electing Biden on 3 November and implores them : “ America ’ s counting on you again.
” One day after the election in Georgia , a joint session of Congress will meet to count the electoral college votes , the final step in affirming Biden ’ s victory .
On Wednesday , the Republican senator Josh Hawley of Missouri announced that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the typically ceremonious affair .
Hawley , considered a potential presidential contender in 2024 , is the first senator to say he will object to the certification , joining a group of Trump loyalists in the House .
The incoming Republican senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama has said he is considering signing on as well .
Though the effort is destined to fail , it will probably delay the process by triggering separate votes by each chamber and forcing his fellow Republicans to publicly cast a vote that pits the president ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of millions of voters .
Several senators , including McConnell , have already publicly recognized Biden as the president-elect .
However , by taking a position , Hawley may have also put pressure on Georgia ’ s Republican senators to make clear whether they too intend to object to the electoral college vote .
“ At the very least , Congress should investigate allegations of voter fraud and adopt measures to secure the integrity of our elections , ” Hawley said in a statement , outlining his rationale .
“ But Congress has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who has publicly pressured his allies on Capitol Hill to intervene in a last-gasp effort to reverse the results of the election , appeared buoyed by the development .
“ JANUARY SIXTH , SEE YOU IN DC !
” he tweeted Wednesday .

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Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will travel to Georgia to campaign for next week’s high-stakes Senate runoff elections, it was announced on Wednesday, as Donald Trump called on the state’s Republican governor, Brian Kemp, to resign.
For weeks, Trump has been attacking Kemp for his refusal to overturn the results of Georgia’s presidential election, a state he won in 2016 and narrowly lost to Biden in 2020, and on Wednesday went as far as to call on his fellow Republican to resign.
“@BrianKempGA should resign from office,” Trump wrote in a tweet that encouraged supporters to watch a broadcast of a hearing on purported election irregularities. “He is an obstructionist who refuses to admit that we won Georgia, BIG! Also won the other Swing States.”
Kemp, long considered a staunch ally of the president, has refused to embrace Trump’s meritless accusations that the state’s vote count was tainted. Earlier this month, Kemp recertified Georgia’s 16 electoral votes for Biden after multiple recounts affirmed Biden’s victory in the state.
Despite dozens of lawsuits brought by the Trump campaign, they produced no credible evidence of widespread voter fraud in Georgia or any other state. Yet Trump’s insistence that the presidential vote was fraudulent has rattled some Republicans in the state who fear his unfounded claims may depress turnout among his supporters ahead of runoff elections, scheduled for 5 January.
The runoffs will determine which party controls the Senate.
“I love the Great State of Georgia, but the people who run it, from the Governor, @BrianKempGA, to the Secretary of State, are a complete disaster and don’t have a clue, or worse,” Trump wrote in a pair of tweets on Tuesday night. “Nobody can be this stupid. Just allow us to find the crime, and turn the state Republican....”
He also made reference to a conspiracy theory that claims the Republican secretary of state, Brad Raffensperger, has a brother named Ron who works for a Chinese tech firm, which purportedly explains his refusal to accept Trump’s unfounded claims about voter fraud in the state. The man is not related to Raffensperger.
Trump will hold a rally with Georgia’s Republican senators in Dalton on Monday, setting up a split screen with Biden, who will campaign for the Democratic challengers, the Rev Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff, in Atlanta on the same day. On Sunday, Harris will appear with the Democrats in Savannah, while Vice-President Mike Pence has made frequent visits to the state on behalf of the Republican candidates.
The Democratic Senate candidate Jon Ossoff hosts a meet and greet targeting Latino voters in Marietta, Georgia, on Wednesday. Photograph: Nathan Posner/Rex/Shutterstock
Multiple recounts affirmed Biden’s victory in Georgia, and made him the first Democratic presidential nominee to carry the state since 1992. Strong turnout among Black, Latino and Asian voters as well as a rejection of Trump by some college-educated white voters who traditionally vote Republican helped push Biden over the top, giving Democrats hope ahead of the two runoff elections.
If Democrats win both Senate seats, each party would hold 50 seats in the Senate next year. With Harris serving as the tie-breaking vote, Democrats would effectively control the chamber. Should Republicans hold on to one or both of the seats, they will continue to control the Senate, led by the majority leader, Mitch McConnell, who is all but certain to use his power to curb the legislative aspirations of the incoming administration.
$2,000 checks
McConnell and Trump are currently at odds over the president’s demand to increase coronavirus relief checks from $600 to $2,000, an issue that has become central in the final days of the Georgia runoffs.
On Tuesday, McConnell blocked an attempt led by Democrats to hold a vote on approving the larger payouts, even as more Republicans rallied around the idea, including Perdue and Loeffler. Perdue had previously said he was opposed to sending direct payments to Americans and believed tax incentives were more effective.
Warnock and Ossoff, who support increasing the size of the checks, have sought to leverage the ongoing battle in the Senate, pointing to McConnell’s blockade as an example of what Democrats could accomplish if they were in control.
Runoff elections are historically low-turnout affairs, but, given the stakes, the twin contests have attracted a rush of national attention – and investment. Warnock and Ossoff both raised more than $100m, stunning sums that far surpassed their Republican opponents. Yet outside Republican groups are spending heavily on the race, outstripping Democratic groups.
(Clockwise from top left): Jon Ossoff, David Perdue, Raphael Warnock and Kelly Loeffler. Photograph: Elijah Nouvelage/AFP/Getty Images
That enthusiasm has been reflected in early voting. Numbers released by the Georgia secretary of state’s office on Wednesday show that more people – 2,566,332 as of Tuesday – have voted in the upcoming election than in any runoff in the state’s history.
On Wednesday morning, Ossoff’s campaign released a minute-long ad narrated by Barack Obama and featuring the musician John Legend singing Georgia on My Mind. In the spot, Obama praises Georgia voters for rejecting “fear and division” by electing Biden on 3 November and implores them: “America’s counting on you again.”
One day after the election in Georgia, a joint session of Congress will meet to count the electoral college votes, the final step in affirming Biden’s victory. On Wednesday, the Republican senator Josh Hawley of Missouri announced that he plans to object to the results of the typically ceremonious affair.
Hawley, considered a potential presidential contender in 2024, is the first senator to say he will object to the certification, joining a group of Trump loyalists in the House. The incoming Republican senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama has said he is considering signing on as well.
Though the effort is destined to fail, it will probably delay the process by triggering separate votes by each chamber and forcing his fellow Republicans to publicly cast a vote that pits the president’s unsubstantiated voter fraud claims against the enfranchisement of millions of voters. Several senators, including McConnell, have already publicly recognized Biden as the president-elect. However, by taking a position, Hawley may have also put pressure on Georgia’s Republican senators to make clear whether they too intend to object to the electoral college vote.
“At the very least, Congress should investigate allegations of voter fraud and adopt measures to secure the integrity of our elections,” Hawley said in a statement, outlining his rationale. “But Congress has so far failed to act.”
Trump, who has publicly pressured his allies on Capitol Hill to intervene in a last-gasp effort to reverse the results of the election, appeared buoyed by the development.
“JANUARY SIXTH, SEE YOU IN DC!” he tweeted Wednesday.


theguardian--2020-12-30--How Trump turned his 2020 TV appearances into one big reality show

As we look back at the Trump presidency , it often feels like America has endured four years of reality TV – with its leader as a main contestant .
Sometimes , life began to imitate fiction – like when Trump lost the election and a storyline from HBO ’ s Veep started to play out in real life .
Near the end of this year ’ s race , Trump ’ s supporters campaigned for the counting of votes to be halted in areas where the president was down , and for the counting to continue in areas where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so ridiculous it was made for satire .
Other times , Trump wrote the script himself .
We have charted his most mind-boggling moments of 2020 , which show how the president turned an institution of governance into theatrics , smoke and mirrors , and entertainment .
It has often been said that Trump behavedas president like he did when he hosted The Apprentice .
No event more clearly evidenced that theory than his State of the Union address .
Usually a stately and solemn event , in 2020 , Trump padded it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a doting mother is reunited with her husband returning from Afghanistan – on tonight ’ s episode of the State of the Union !
Oh , what ’ s that ?
A surprise giveaway of the Presidential Medal of Freedom , the highest award that can be given to a civilian ?
Oh , and here ’ s an even bigger shock : it ’ s going to the conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh for his services to , uh … Well , hold that thought , because here ’ s another surprise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fourth-grade student from Philadelphia !
So much for a night that was supposed to be about the country ’ s true priorities .
Trump turned press briefings from a forum to keep the president accountable and to inform the world about his policy decisions ; to a daily performance ripe with monologues , insults and interruptions .
Absolute loyalty was expected , and dissent was treated like treason .
Journalists who tried to hold him to account were treated with disdain , interrupted or admonished , with their right to ask further questions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remain above drama and spats , but Trump seemed unable to stop himself from putting on a show – especially if it seemed he wasn ’ t “ winning ” .
“ Be nice , don ’ t be threatening , ” he told PBS ’ s Yamiche Alcindor when she asked the president about New York ’ s lack of ventilators back in April .
“ You ’ re a fake , ” Trump would proclaim to reporters who asked him difficult questions .
When asked about the US lives lost to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump thought it pertinent to respond to an Asian American journalist : “ Ask China.
” He might as well have been pointing a finger at each of them proclaiming , “ You ’ re fired.
” Of course , the president – who had spent months eschewing social distancing rules and refusing to wear a mask – eventually caught the coronavirus .
In the final months of an election , his inner circle started to drop like flies ; but he wasn ’ t going to go down without a show .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump was flown to the hospital .
Ever aware of his image , he made sure he was photographed walking to the helicopter by himself - he reportedly did not want people to see him needing to be assisted out of the White House if his health got worse .
It wasn ’ t long before he was in the back of his motorcade , probably still contagious , waving to fans like the reality TV celebrity he ’ s always been .
“ Maybe I ’ m immune , ” he later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of favorable TV shows .
Soon , Trump was out again , doused in his customary orange fake tan .
Standing on the White House balcony , surreptitiously wheezing , he addressed his fans in a scene befitting the Hunger Games .
There , he told people the virus was “ disappearing ” as a threat to Americans .
It wasn ’ t : December was the worst , deadliest month for coronavirus cases in the US on record .
As protests grew across the country this summer in the wake of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must have known how it looked .
Here was the president of law and order , sending in troops to fight his own people ; the man who fought against lockdown ; the man who likened Democratic cities to “ war-zones ” , teargassing peaceful protestors .
But Trump knows a picture is worth a thousand words .
Before the reality could sink in , of the president who hid in a bunker during the civil unrest , he made sure he had the perfect photo opportunity .
His bodyguards parted crowds of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : standing outside St John ’ s Episcopal church in DC , Trump stood with a Bible in his hands , looking sombre , as if the city around him wasn ’ t on fire .

As we look back at the Trump presidency, it often feels like America has endured four years of reality TV – with its leader as a main contestant.
Sometimes, life began to imitate fiction – like when Trump lost the election and a storyline from HBO’s Veep started to play out in real life. Near the end of this year’s race, Trump’s supporters campaigned for the counting of votes to be halted in areas where the president was down, and for the counting to continue in areas where he had lost – a plot line so ridiculous it was made for satire. Other times, Trump wrote the script himself.
We have charted his most mind-boggling moments of 2020, which show how the president turned an institution of governance into theatrics, smoke and mirrors, and entertainment.
State of the Union
02:23 Donald Trump's State of the Union address 2020 – video highlights
It has often been said that Trump behaved as president like he did when he hosted The Apprentice. No event more clearly evidenced that theory than his State of the Union address. Usually a stately and solemn event, in 2020, Trump padded it with surprises and giveaways. Watch as a doting mother is reunited with her husband returning from Afghanistan – on tonight’s episode of the State of the Union! Oh, what’s that? A surprise giveaway of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest award that can be given to a civilian? Oh, and here’s an even bigger shock: it’s going to the conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh for his services to, uh … Well, hold that thought, because here’s another surprise! A surprise scholarship giveaway for a fourth-grade student from Philadelphia! So much for a night that was supposed to be about the country’s true priorities.
His spats with reporters
01:01 Coronavirus: Trump slams reporter for 'nasty question' over pandemic response team – video
Trump turned press briefings from a forum to keep the president accountable and to inform the world about his policy decisions; to a daily performance ripe with monologues, insults and interruptions. Absolute loyalty was expected, and dissent was treated like treason. Journalists who tried to hold him to account were treated with disdain, interrupted or admonished, with their right to ask further questions revoked.
Many believe public officials should remain above drama and spats, but Trump seemed unable to stop himself from putting on a show – especially if it seemed he wasn’t “winning”.
“Be nice, don’t be threatening,” he told PBS’s Yamiche Alcindor when she asked the president about New York’s lack of ventilators back in April. “You’re a fake,” Trump would proclaim to reporters who asked him difficult questions. When asked about the US lives lost to the virus at a press briefing, Trump thought it pertinent to respond to an Asian American journalist: “Ask China.”
He might as well have been pointing a finger at each of them proclaiming, “You’re fired.”
His Covid-19 diagnosis
01:18 ‘Don't be afraid of it’: Trump removes mask as he returns to White House – video
Of course, the president – who had spent months eschewing social distancing rules and refusing to wear a mask – eventually caught the coronavirus. In the final months of an election, his inner circle started to drop like flies; but he wasn’t going to go down without a show. After finding out he was sick, Trump was flown to the hospital. Ever aware of his image, he made sure he was photographed walking to the helicopter by himself - he reportedly did not want people to see him needing to be assisted out of the White House if his health got worse.
It wasn’t long before he was in the back of his motorcade, probably still contagious, waving to fans like the reality TV celebrity he’s always been.
“Maybe I’m immune,” he later announced while doing the rounds on a number of favorable TV shows.
Soon, Trump was out again, doused in his customary orange fake tan. Standing on the White House balcony, surreptitiously wheezing, he addressed his fans in a scene befitting the Hunger Games. There, he told people the virus was “disappearing” as a threat to Americans. It wasn’t: December was the worst, deadliest month for coronavirus cases in the US on record.
That photo op
01:03 Protesters brutally dispersed ahead of Trump's photo opportunity with a Bible – video
As protests grew across the country this summer in the wake of George Floyd’s death, Trump must have known how it looked. Here was the president of law and order, sending in troops to fight his own people; the man who fought against lockdown; the man who likened Democratic cities to “war-zones”, teargassing peaceful protestors.
But Trump knows a picture is worth a thousand words. Before the reality could sink in, of the president who hid in a bunker during the civil unrest, he made sure he had the perfect photo opportunity. His bodyguards parted crowds of choking protesters to deliver it to him: standing outside St John’s Episcopal church in DC, Trump stood with a Bible in his hands, looking sombre, as if the city around him wasn’t on fire.