theguardian--2020-11-06--The left urgently needs to lose its inferiority complex | Andy Beckett

This week Joe Biden – few people ’ s idea of an outstanding candidate – won the biggest presidential vote in United States history .
Seven times in the last eight such contests , the Democrats have got more votes than the Republicans .
You could see this latest popular-vote victory as further confirmation of a theory that ’ s been promoted by some political scientists and journalists for a quarter of a century , most notably in The Emerging Democratic Majority , a 2002 book by John B Judis and Ruy Teixeira .
The theory says that American social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country more diverse , urban and better educated – all characteristics associated with voting Democrat – are slowly but inexorably shifting the US away from the Republicans .
This might sound like liberal wishful thinking , but it ’ s a view that has also been held by senior Republicans .
In 2012 , Senator Lindsey Graham warned his party : “ We ’ re not generating enough angry white guys to stay in business for the long term.
” Combined with the horror that many Americans feel at Donald Trump and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long-term leftward drift was widely expected this week to become an irresistible electoral force .
Instead , it met a series of seemingly immovable objects .
First , Trump ’ s infamous aversion to ever being “ a loser ” .
Second , his immense and again underrated appeal to conservative voters .
Third , his party ’ s reluctance , which has intensified dramatically since the early 1990s , to accept any Democratic president as legitimate .
Fourth , the Republicans ’ willingness to use gerrymandering and voter suppression to tilt elections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the US ’ s rickety old election system itself : the electoral college and the system for choosing the Senate , with their seemingly ever stronger pro-Republican biases .
The result was deadlock – a weirdly frenzied deadlock in keeping with the mania of Trump ’ s presidency .
Even if Biden eventually wins with some comfort , as looks increasingly possible , the result in the electoral college will probably be close , late and contested enough to be misrepresented as “ a fraud ” by Trump and millions of other rightwing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Republicans will probably have enough senators to seriously obstruct any Biden presidency .
Once more , the great Democratic breakthrough seems to have been postponed .
Particularly left-leaning and anxious Biden supporters may be tempted to quote the melancholy Italian Marxist Antonio Gramsci : “ The old is dying and the new can not be born ; in this interregnum a great variety of morbid symptoms appear.
” Watching from Britain , it is possible to see the past few days as a uniquely American saga .
If you can temporarily forget @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you can even follow it as a sort of political box set , an addictive multi-level drama to binge on as our national lockdown and our greyer politics grind on .
But to exoticise this crisis is a mistake .
Versions of the American battle , between left-leaning parties backed by rising social groups such as the young on the one side and entrenched rightwing governments backed by older voters on the other , are under way in other countries .
They will decide what sort of societies many western democracies become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liabilities between the generations ; how they respond to long-term threats such as the climate emergency .
In Britain , the 2017 and 2019 elections and the Brexit referendum exposed and left unresolved many of the same divisions as the current US election .
And the Conservatives have become almost as aggressive as the Republicans in their efforts to prolong their dominance , launching culture wars , suspending parliament and gaming the electoral system , for example , by making it harder to register to vote .
Like the US , Britain has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is unwritten ) that has proved easier for a shameless government to work around than many political traditionalists expected .
And , as in the US , Britain ’ s two main parties currently have similar levels of support .
Whenever our next general election comes , the third hung parliament since 2010 is a distinct possibility .
Britons shaking their heads at the US ’ s election chaos probably shouldn ’ t gloat .
What can the left do about these deadlocks ?
One obvious but difficult solution is to reform the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – or at least make many more voters uncomfortable with how unfair these systems are .
Another solution is to have more charismatic leaders , more effective election campaigns and more popular policies than the right .
That ’ s a tall order , but stubborn rightwing ascendancies have been broken in Britain and the US before : by Labour in 1945 , 1964 and 1997 ; by the Democrats in 1960 , 1992 and 2008 .
The enemies of conservatism also need to shed their inferiority complex .
After Trump was elected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he would be impossible to beat in 2020 , as an incumbent with supposedly so much dark charisma .
When Trump took an early lead this week , the same pessimistic mindset spread an expectation that Biden would be defeated , despite the well-known fact that many Democratic votes would be counted last .
And once Biden went ahead , the pessimists started predicting that any presidency of his would be doomed before it began , and that Trump could even win next time .
Some of this pessimism may turn out to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the right ’ s political narrative : that they are the US and the west ’ s natural rulers , and that any periods of government by anyone else are temporary aberrations .
Twenty years ago , the Republicans captured the presidency in even more contentious circumstances , through the supreme court .
George W Bush went on to govern as if he had decisively won .
He was re-elected .
The Democrats , and liberals and leftists everywhere , could learn from that .

This week Joe Biden – few people’s idea of an outstanding candidate – won the biggest presidential vote in United States history. Seven times in the last eight such contests, the Democrats have got more votes than the Republicans.
You could see this latest popular-vote victory as further confirmation of a theory that’s been promoted by some political scientists and journalists for a quarter of a century, most notably in The Emerging Democratic Majority, a 2002 book by John B Judis and Ruy Teixeira. The theory says that American social trends, which are making much of the country more diverse, urban and better educated – all characteristics associated with voting Democrat – are slowly but inexorably shifting the US away from the Republicans.
This might sound like liberal wishful thinking, but it’s a view that has also been held by senior Republicans. In 2012, Senator Lindsey Graham warned his party: “We’re not generating enough angry white guys to stay in business for the long term.” Combined with the horror that many Americans feel at Donald Trump and how disastrously he has governed, this long-term leftward drift was widely expected this week to become an irresistible electoral force.
Instead, it met a series of seemingly immovable objects. First, Trump’s infamous aversion to ever being “a loser”. Second, his immense and again underrated appeal to conservative voters. Third, his party’s reluctance, which has intensified dramatically since the early 1990s, to accept any Democratic president as legitimate. Fourth, the Republicans’ willingness to use gerrymandering and voter suppression to tilt elections in their favour. And finally, the US’s rickety old election system itself: the electoral college and the system for choosing the Senate, with their seemingly ever stronger pro-Republican biases.
The result was deadlock – a weirdly frenzied deadlock in keeping with the mania of Trump’s presidency. Even if Biden eventually wins with some comfort, as looks increasingly possible, the result in the electoral college will probably be close, late and contested enough to be misrepresented as “a fraud” by Trump and millions of other rightwing Americans for decades to come. And the Republicans will probably have enough senators to seriously obstruct any Biden presidency.
Once more, the great Democratic breakthrough seems to have been postponed. Particularly left-leaning and anxious Biden supporters may be tempted to quote the melancholy Italian Marxist Antonio Gramsci: “The old is dying and the new cannot be born; in this interregnum a great variety of morbid symptoms appear.”
Watching from Britain, it is possible to see the past few days as a uniquely American saga. If you can temporarily forget about the implications for the entire planet, you can even follow it as a sort of political box set, an addictive multi-level drama to binge on as our national lockdown and our greyer politics grind on.
But to exoticise this crisis is a mistake. Versions of the American battle, between left-leaning parties backed by rising social groups such as the young on the one side and entrenched rightwing governments backed by older voters on the other, are under way in other countries. They will decide what sort of societies many western democracies become: how they distribute their assets and liabilities between the generations; how they respond to long-term threats such as the climate emergency.
In Britain, the 2017 and 2019 elections and the Brexit referendum exposed and left unresolved many of the same divisions as the current US election. And the Conservatives have become almost as aggressive as the Republicans in their efforts to prolong their dominance, launching culture wars, suspending parliament and gaming the electoral system, for example, by making it harder to register to vote.
Like the US, Britain has an admired old constitution (though ours is unwritten) that has proved easier for a shameless government to work around than many political traditionalists expected. And, as in the US, Britain’s two main parties currently have similar levels of support. Whenever our next general election comes, the third hung parliament since 2010 is a distinct possibility. Britons shaking their heads at the US’s election chaos probably shouldn’t gloat.
What can the left do about these deadlocks? One obvious but difficult solution is to reform the electoral systems that are biased against them – or at least make many more voters uncomfortable with how unfair these systems are. Another solution is to have more charismatic leaders, more effective election campaigns and more popular policies than the right. That’s a tall order, but stubborn rightwing ascendancies have been broken in Britain and the US before: by Labour in 1945, 1964 and 1997; by the Democrats in 1960, 1992 and 2008.
The enemies of conservatism also need to shed their inferiority complex. After Trump was elected, many liberals and leftists argued that he would be impossible to beat in 2020, as an incumbent with supposedly so much dark charisma. When Trump took an early lead this week, the same pessimistic mindset spread an expectation that Biden would be defeated, despite the well-known fact that many Democratic votes would be counted last. And once Biden went ahead, the pessimists started predicting that any presidency of his would be doomed before it began, and that Trump could even win next time.
Some of this pessimism may turn out to be justified. But it also suits the right’s political narrative: that they are the US and the west’s natural rulers, and that any periods of government by anyone else are temporary aberrations.
Twenty years ago, the Republicans captured the presidency in even more contentious circumstances, through the supreme court. George W Bush went on to govern as if he had decisively won. He was re-elected. The Democrats, and liberals and leftists everywhere, could learn from that.


theguardian--2020-11-06--Five US election headlines you may have missed

The presidential election contest between Joe Biden and Donald Trump has got the world ’ s attention , but some other notable events happened as a result of Tuesday ’ s elections , including : New Mexico became the first state to elect all women of color to represent it in the House of Representatives .
The congressional delegation includes two Democrats : Deb Haaland , a Laguna Pueblo member , and Teresa Leger Fernandez .
The third member of the delegation is Republican Yvette Herrell , who is Cherokee .
She beat the Democratic incumbent Xochitl Torres Small for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a record number of Native American women because of the wins for Herrell and Haaland , as well as for Sharice Davids , a Ho-Chunk Nation member representing Kansas .
Other election firsts included Ritchie Torres and Mondaire Jones becoming the first openly gay Black members of Congress ; Black Lives Matter activist and nurse Cori Bush becoming the first Black woman elected to Congress in Missouri , and Sarah McBride of Delware will be the first openly transgender state senator in US history .
Georgia voters ousted a prosecutor who was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the fatal shooting of Ahmaud Arbery , the 25-year-old Black man who was killed in February by a white father and son who armed themselves and pursued him as he ran through their neighborhood .
The prosecutor , Jackie Johnson , refused to allow police officers who responded to arrest the two men , and two months passed before they were charged with felony murder and aggravated assault .
As district attorney , Johnson had one of the most powerful jobs in the region ’ s justice system .
District attorneys are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been accused of misconduct , according to the Washington Post , but a movement to remove them from office has gained steam because of Black Lives Matter .
In a similar vein , South Carolina voters ousted 14 sheriffs after the local paper , the Post and Courier , exposed a series of unethical or potentially illegal behavior , leading to indictments against sitting sheriffs .
Criminal justice advocates have encouraged voters to pay attention to local election races for district attorney and sheriffs , who can have an outsized influence on local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And at a time when the local news business is struggling , South Carolina voters were able to respond to government misconduct thanks to the Post and Courier ’ s investigation .
In the country which declared a “ war on drugs ” in 1971 , it was decided on Wednesday that “ drugs won ” after a majority of voters in several states backed efforts to decriminalize or legalize some drugs .
Four states voted to legalize recreational cannabis and two voted to legalize it for medical use .
The most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which decriminalized hard drugs such as cocaine , heroin , oxycodone and methamphetamine and legalized psychedelic mushrooms .
Proponents hope the Oregon measures will reduce overdose deaths and racial disparities in drug sentencing and arrests .
Another win for the Fight for $ 15 Florida voters decided the state minimum wage should increase to $ 15 an hour over the next several years .
The state ’ s current minimum wage is $ 8.56 and the approved ballot measure would increase it each year to hit $ 15 by September 2026 .
Workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , when it is raised to $ 10 .
A UC Berkeley study published last year said a $ 15-an-hour minimum wage helps reduce poverty and does not , as is often said , slash jobs in low-income areas .
If you have 20 minutes to read about the nuances of the Fight for $ 15 , read this .

The presidential election contest between Joe Biden and Donald Trump has got the world’s attention, but some other notable events happened as a result of Tuesday’s elections, including:
Firsts
New Mexico became the first state to elect all women of color to represent it in the House of Representatives. The congressional delegation includes two Democrats: Deb Haaland, a Laguna Pueblo member, and Teresa Leger Fernandez. The third member of the delegation is Republican Yvette Herrell, who is Cherokee. She beat the Democratic incumbent Xochitl Torres Small for the seat.
The 117th Congress will have a record number of Native American women because of the wins for Herrell and Haaland, as well as for Sharice Davids, a Ho-Chunk Nation member representing Kansas.
Other election firsts included Ritchie Torres and Mondaire Jones becoming the first openly gay Black members of Congress; Black Lives Matter activist and nurse Cori Bush becoming the first Black woman elected to Congress in Missouri, and Sarah McBride of Delware will be the first openly transgender state senator in US history.
District attorney ousted
Georgia voters ousted a prosecutor who was criticized for her office’s response to the fatal shooting of Ahmaud Arbery, the 25-year-old Black man who was killed in February by a white father and son who armed themselves and pursued him as he ran through their neighborhood.
The prosecutor, Jackie Johnson, refused to allow police officers who responded to arrest the two men, and two months passed before they were charged with felony murder and aggravated assault. As district attorney, Johnson had one of the most powerful jobs in the region’s justice system.
District attorneys are rarely ousted, even if they have been accused of misconduct, according to the Washington Post, but a movement to remove them from office has gained steam because of Black Lives Matter.
Sheriffs ousted
In a similar vein, South Carolina voters ousted 14 sheriffs after the local paper, the Post and Courier, exposed a series of unethical or potentially illegal behavior, leading to indictments against sitting sheriffs.
Criminal justice advocates have encouraged voters to pay attention to local election races for district attorney and sheriffs, who can have an outsized influence on local law enforcement and are usually easily re-elected. And at a time when the local news business is struggling, South Carolina voters were able to respond to government misconduct thanks to the Post and Courier’s investigation.
South Carolina voters overall ousted over a dozen sheriffs, HALF of whom were found to have committed misconduct. We can credit reliable, dogged media for informing voters. Go go go!@postandcourier https://t.co/uWhXnFrDK5 — Jessica Pishko (@JessPish) November 4, 2020
Drugs win
In the country which declared a “war on drugs” in 1971, it was decided on Wednesday that “drugs won” after a majority of voters in several states backed efforts to decriminalize or legalize some drugs. Four states voted to legalize recreational cannabis and two voted to legalize it for medical use.
The most dramatic step was taken in Oregon, which decriminalized hard drugs such as cocaine, heroin, oxycodone and methamphetamine and legalized psychedelic mushrooms. Proponents hope the Oregon measures will reduce overdose deaths and racial disparities in drug sentencing and arrests.
Another win for the Fight for $15
Florida voters decided the state minimum wage should increase to $15 an hour over the next several years. The state’s current minimum wage is $8.56 and the approved ballot measure would increase it each year to hit $15 by September 2026. Workers will see the first increase next September, when it is raised to $10.
A UC Berkeley study published last year said a $15-an-hour minimum wage helps reduce poverty and does not, as is often said, slash jobs in low-income areas.
If you have 20 minutes to read about the nuances of the Fight for $15, read this.


theguardian--2020-11-06--Rudy Giuliani: from hero of 9/11 to leader of Trump's last stand

On election night , as it started to become clear that the presidency was slipping away from Donald Trump , his son-in-law and senior aide Jared Kushner was looking for a hero .
He wanted someone like James Baker , the New York Times reported , the former White House chief of staff , Treasury secretary and secretary of state , who led George W Bush ’ s legal team during the Florida recount in 2000 in a role that won him praise as a strategic and diplomatic genius .
A fortnight ago , Giuliani was angrily defending himself after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showed him apparently fiddling with his crotch as he lay on the bed in a hotel room where he had gone for a drink with a young woman who was posing as a Kazakh television journalist .
“ I was tucking in my shirt , ” he explained later .
He denied any wrongdoing and described the footage as “ complete fabrication ” .
Now the president ’ s personal attorney is accusing his opponents of being “ an embarrassment to our reputation throughout the world ” and leading Trump ’ s last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep Joe Biden out of the White House .
On Wednesday afternoon he tweeted that he was “ en route to Philadelphia with legal team ” to challenge what he called – without offering any evidence – “ massive cheating ” .
Since then , six of his tweets have been flagged by Twitter as containing misleading information .
At a press conference on Thursday , he gave a speech in which he claimed – again without providing evidence - that one person could have voted 100,000 times .
Giuliani , with no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his interest in launching a nebulous “ national lawsuit ” to challenge the results .
“ Do you think we ’ re stupid ?
” he asked .
“ Do you think we ’ re fools ?
” His attempts to keep Trump in the White House , if they result in failure as most experts seem to think they will , may mark some sort of end point for the 76-year-old Giuliani , once a fearless criminal prosecutor and hero of 9/11 who few people disputed had earned his honorary knighthood and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Three months after the twin towers fell , he completed his term in New York and embarked on a highly lucrative career on the speaking circuit , commanding as much as $ 200,000 per engagement , for each of which his contract demanded transportation in the form of a private jet that “ MUST BE a Gulfstream IV or bigger ” .
Over the next six years he brought in about $ 30m , was a member of 11 country clubs and had six homes .
A run at the presidency seemed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a vastly expensive campaign for the Republican nomination ended with just a single delegate to his name , something shifted in public perceptions of Giuliani , perhaps nudged along by Biden ’ s timeless summary on the campaign trail : “ There ’ s only three things he mentions in a sentence : a noun , a verb , and 9/11.
” Giuliani never forgot that slight , it is said .
Those closest to him noticed a change , too .
Judith Nathan , his third ex-wife , told New York magazine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marriage was “ an ongoing process that began when he lost the presidential campaign .
For a variety of reasons that I know as a spouse and a nurse , he has become a different man.
” Trump ’ s campaign for the presidency offered a chance at reinvention , and Giuliani secured for himself a role that Chris Christie , formerly a Trump confidante himself , summarised as “ first friend ” .
When the Access Hollywood tape in which Trump boasted about sexual assault came out , surrogates and supporters began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prepared to defend him , appearing on every one of the five prominent Sunday morning talkshows that set the US political agenda .
“ This is talk , and gosh almighty , he who hasn ’ t sinned , throw the first stone here , ” he said .
Steve Bannon , then Trump ’ s chief strategist , later described his role as indispensable .
“ One of the reasons we won is Rudy was there 24/7 , ” Bannon says .
“ Rudy was hardcore .
He ’ s like a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the reward he coveted as secretary of state , instead settling definitively into Trump ’ s personal orbit as his fixer and fireman , wholly reconciled to the accompanying loss of dignity .
In 1993 , when the New York Times called him a “ jutjawed lawman ” whose “ cultural and psychic sensibilities froze in about 1961 ” , he refused to let Trump buy him breakfast for fear of an appearance of impropriety .
By 2019 , he was acting as the president ’ s unpaid personal attorney , a gift @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advised the president on the legality of his “ Muslim ban ” and as a “ cybersecurity adviser ” .
Most notorious was his leading role in Trump ’ s attempt to dredge up a scandal about the Biden family in Ukraine – a role that led career diplomats to accuse him during the impeachment hearings of conducting a “ shadow foreign policy ” .
He has appeared in ads for Cigar Aficionado magazine and seen his own daughter endorse Biden .
Assuming the failure of his so far eccentric legal representations , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the peanut gallery .
If such a welcome is all that is left to him in the city he once led , how will he feel ?
Relaxed , he has claimed .
“ My attitude about my legacy is ‘ fuck it ’ , ” he said last year .
In any case , he insists , he will be remembered fondly in the end .
“ I will be the hero , ” he said during the Ukraine affair .
‘ These morons – when this is over , I @ @ @ @ @ @

On election night, as it started to become clear that the presidency was slipping away from Donald Trump, his son-in-law and senior aide Jared Kushner was looking for a hero.
He wanted someone like James Baker, the New York Times reported, the former White House chief of staff, Treasury secretary and secretary of state, who led George W Bush’s legal team during the Florida recount in 2000 in a role that won him praise as a strategic and diplomatic genius.
He got Rudy Giuliani.
A fortnight ago, Giuliani was angrily defending himself after a clip from the new Borat film showed him apparently fiddling with his crotch as he lay on the bed in a hotel room where he had gone for a drink with a young woman who was posing as a Kazakh television journalist. “I was tucking in my shirt,” he explained later. He denied any wrongdoing and described the footage as “complete fabrication”.
Now the president’s personal attorney is accusing his opponents of being “an embarrassment to our reputation throughout the world” and leading Trump’s last stand, helming the legal effort to keep Joe Biden out of the White House.
On Wednesday afternoon he tweeted that he was “en route to Philadelphia with legal team” to challenge what he called – without offering any evidence – “massive cheating”. Since then, six of his tweets have been flagged by Twitter as containing misleading information.
At a press conference on Thursday, he gave a speech in which he claimed – again without providing evidence - that one person could have voted 100,000 times. Giuliani, with no neck and a pocket square, declared his interest in launching a nebulous “national lawsuit” to challenge the results. “Do you think we’re stupid?” he asked. “Do you think we’re fools?”
His attempts to keep Trump in the White House, if they result in failure as most experts seem to think they will, may mark some sort of end point for the 76-year-old Giuliani, once a fearless criminal prosecutor and hero of 9/11 who few people disputed had earned his honorary knighthood and the title of America’s Mayor.
Three months after the twin towers fell, he completed his term in New York and embarked on a highly lucrative career on the speaking circuit, commanding as much as $200,000 per engagement, for each of which his contract demanded transportation in the form of a private jet that “MUST BE a Gulfstream IV or bigger”.
Giuliani with the New York governor George Pataki and Senator Hillary Clinton in New York on 12 September 2001. Photograph: Robert F. Bukaty/AFP/Getty Images
Over the next six years he brought in about $30m, was a member of 11 country clubs and had six homes.
A run at the presidency seemed the next obvious step. But after a vastly expensive campaign for the Republican nomination ended with just a single delegate to his name, something shifted in public perceptions of Giuliani, perhaps nudged along by Biden’s timeless summary on the campaign trail: “There’s only three things he mentions in a sentence: a noun, a verb, and 9/11.” Giuliani never forgot that slight, it is said.
Those closest to him noticed a change, too. Judith Nathan, his third ex-wife, told New York magazine in 2018 that the end of their marriage was “an ongoing process that began when he lost the presidential campaign. For a variety of reasons that I know as a spouse and a nurse, he has become a different man.”
Trump’s campaign for the presidency offered a chance at reinvention, and Giuliani secured for himself a role that Chris Christie, formerly a Trump confidante himself, summarised as “first friend”. When the Access Hollywood tape in which Trump boasted about sexual assault came out, surrogates and supporters began to melt away. Only Giuliani was prepared to defend him, appearing on every one of the five prominent Sunday morning talkshows that set the US political agenda. “This is talk, and gosh almighty, he who hasn’t sinned, throw the first stone here,” he said.
Steve Bannon, then Trump’s chief strategist, later described his role as indispensable. “One of the reasons we won is Rudy was there 24/7,” Bannon says. “Rudy was hardcore. He’s like a honey badger. ”
Donald Trump and Rudy Giuliani at an event in New Jersey in August. Photograph: Susan Walsh/AP
Giuliani was denied the reward he coveted as secretary of state, instead settling definitively into Trump’s personal orbit as his fixer and fireman, wholly reconciled to the accompanying loss of dignity.
In 1993, when the New York Times called him a “jutjawed lawman” whose “cultural and psychic sensibilities froze in about 1961”, he refused to let Trump buy him breakfast for fear of an appearance of impropriety. By 2019, he was acting as the president’s unpaid personal attorney, a gift that went undeclared.
He has also advised the president on the legality of his “Muslim ban” and as a “cybersecurity adviser”. Most notorious was his leading role in Trump’s attempt to dredge up a scandal about the Biden family in Ukraine – a role that led career diplomats to accuse him during the impeachment hearings of conducting a “shadow foreign policy”. He has appeared in ads for Cigar Aficionado magazine and seen his own daughter endorse Biden.
Assuming the failure of his so far eccentric legal representations, he now looks bound for a return to the peanut gallery. If such a welcome is all that is left to him in the city he once led, how will he feel?
Relaxed, he has claimed. “My attitude about my legacy is ‘fuck it’,” he said last year. In any case, he insists, he will be remembered fondly in the end. “I will be the hero,” he said during the Ukraine affair. ‘These morons – when this is over, I will be the hero.”


theguardian--2020-11-06--US election week 2020: the good, bad and ridiculous moments

The US election saw more than 150 million Americans cast their ballots , some by mail , some waiting in long lines , and then endure a tense wait .
There were bound to be quirky moments , some inspiring , some cringeworthy , some simply absurd .
Here we pick the good , the bad and the ridiculous .
Lady Gaga may have campaigned with Joe Biden on election day on Tuesday , but Lizzo reached for the stars – and stripes .
The music phenom made a powerful post to Instagram , standing majestically in the altogether , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She implored her fans to vote and expressed her optimism that a country rife with inequality and injustice can nevertheless be better .
“ When I think of this country I don ’ t think of its laws I think of its people .
I think about how we were raised to be patriotic of violence , propaganda & war , ” she wrote .
“ I think about how this country is owned by the oppressor and how the oppressed are locked in a valley of capitalism .
But I also think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be spoon fed mistruths .
I think of the elders who bucked against hateful prejudices even when it felt impossible .
Because of you , I ’ m still hopeful.
” She added : “ I believe in restoration of this beautiful land and respecting the communities of people who owned America before colonizers renamed it .
I believe in fairness , equality…I believe in so much…we the people , all the people deserve it.
” The White House press secretary , Kayleigh McEnany , apparently lived up to her internet-anointed nickname , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweet that prematurely said Donald Trump had won Pennsylvania , while the swing state had not been declared and was still counting votes into Thursday night .
McEnany ’ s tweet , which read “ VICTORY for President @ realDonaldTrump in PENNSYLVANIA ” , was subsequently flagged by Twitter with a disclaimer warning that “ official sources may not have called the race ” .
And during a Fox News interview on Wednesday night , McEnany made a false claim about Pennsylvania votes when asked about Trump ’ s opposition to counting ballots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day .
( In Pennsylvania , mail-in ballots that are cast by election day , and received by Friday , get counted . )
“ They want to count ballots that come in three days after .
We have election days in this country for a reason , because votes are counted on Election Day , ” the Washington Post reported her saying .
“ But Kayleigh , we always have had provisional ballots and military ballots – things that get counted later , ” one of the Fox News hosts , Martha @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a false conspiracy theory emerged that ballots filled out with Sharpie felt-tip marker pens handed out at polling places were disqualified , mysteriously harming only Trump .
The controversy was quickly nicknamed Sharpiegate and its basis is not true , the Arizona Republic explained .
The incorrect idea behind it was that the ink would bleed through the paper and prevent a machine from reading it .
But election officials said that scanning machines could read blue or black ink , as well as marker pens , which in fact were used to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Did you know we use Sharpies in the Vote Centers so the ink doesn ’ t smudge as ballots are counted onsite ?
New offset columns on the ballots means bleed through won ’ t impact your vote !
” they tweeted , with a video explainer .

The US election saw more than 150 million Americans cast their ballots, some by mail, some waiting in long lines, and then endure a tense wait. There were bound to be quirky moments, some inspiring, some cringeworthy, some simply absurd. Here we pick the good, the bad and the ridiculous.
Good
Lady Gaga may have campaigned with Joe Biden on election day on Tuesday, but Lizzo reached for the stars – and stripes. The music phenom made a powerful post to Instagram, standing majestically in the altogether, only partially draped in Old Glory.
She implored her fans to vote and expressed her optimism that a country rife with inequality and injustice can nevertheless be better. “When I think of this country I don’t think of its laws I think of its people. I think about how we were raised to be patriotic of violence, propaganda & war,” she wrote.
“I think about how this country is owned by the oppressor and how the oppressed are locked in a valley of capitalism. But I also think of the young people who refuse to be spoon fed mistruths. I think of the elders who bucked against hateful prejudices even when it felt impossible. Because of you, I’m still hopeful.”
She added: “I believe in restoration of this beautiful land and respecting the communities of people who owned America before colonizers renamed it. I believe in fairness, equality…I believe in so much…we the people, all the people deserve it.”
Bad
The White House press secretary, Kayleigh McEnany, apparently lived up to her internet-anointed nickname, KayLIE, on Wednesday after posting a tweet that prematurely said Donald Trump had won Pennsylvania, while the swing state had not been declared and was still counting votes into Thursday night.
McEnany’s tweet, which read “VICTORY for President @realDonaldTrump in PENNSYLVANIA”, was subsequently flagged by Twitter with a disclaimer warning that “official sources may not have called the race”.
And during a Fox News interview on Wednesday night, McEnany made a false claim about Pennsylvania votes when asked about Trump’s opposition to counting ballots that arrive within three days of election day. (In Pennsylvania, mail-in ballots that are cast by election day, and received by Friday, get counted.)
“They want to count ballots that come in three days after. We have election days in this country for a reason, because votes are counted on Election Day,” the Washington Post reported her saying.
“But Kayleigh, we always have had provisional ballots and military ballots – things that get counted later,” one of the Fox News hosts, Martha MacCallum, responded.
Ridiculous
In Arizona, a false conspiracy theory emerged that ballots filled out with Sharpie felt-tip marker pens handed out at polling places were disqualified, mysteriously harming only Trump.
The controversy was quickly nicknamed Sharpiegate and its basis is not true, the Arizona Republic explained.
The incorrect idea behind it was that the ink would bleed through the paper and prevent a machine from reading it.
But election officials said that scanning machines could read blue or black ink, as well as marker pens, which in fact were used to prevent ink-related issues, Maricopa county explained.
“Did you know we use Sharpies in the Vote Centers so the ink doesn’t smudge as ballots are counted onsite? New offset columns on the ballots means bleed through won’t impact your vote!” they tweeted, with a video explainer.


theguardian--2020-11-07--Armed Trump supporters gather outside vote count centre in Arizona – video

Supporters of Donald Trump , some of whom are armed , have continued to mass outside an election counting centre @ @ @ @ @ as Joe Biden 's lead narrows slightly in the state of Arizona .
The Trump @ @ @ @ @ state was called for Biden by media organisations including Fox News and Associated Press , @ @ @ @ @ to be counted .
Biden led by around 29,000 on Friday night , down from @ @ @ @ @ expected by most observers to win .
• US election live updates : Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ over Donald Trump in Pennsylvania and Nevada

Supporters of Donald Trump, some of whom are armed, have continued to mass outside an election counting centre in Phoenix on Friday, as Joe Biden's lead narrows slightly in the state of Arizona. The Trump campaign is angry that the state was called for Biden by media organisations including Fox News and Associated Press, despite thousands of ballots still to be counted. Biden led by around 29,000 on Friday night, down from 47,000, but is still expected by most observers to win.


theguardian--2020-11-07--Senator Lindsey Graham backs Trump, echoing baseless claims of election fraud – video

Republican senator Lindsey Graham has defended the Trump campaign 's baseless claim of irregularities during the election , saying the @ @ @ @ @ opportunity to make the case .
`` Democracy depends upon fair elections .
President Trump @ @ @ @ @ have a chance to make a case regarding voting irregularities , '' he said .
@ @ @ @ @ stand with President Trump . ''
Graham 's comments come as presidential candidate Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ in battleground Pennsylvania and Georgia , as ballots continue to be counted • Trump campaign @ @ @ @ @ 'This election is not over' • US election live updates : Biden edges toward victory @ @ @ @ @ Nevada and Pennsylvania

Republican senator Lindsey Graham has defended the Trump campaign's baseless claim of irregularities during the election, saying the president's team deserves the opportunity to make the case. "Democracy depends upon fair elections. President Trump's team is going to have a chance to make a case regarding voting irregularities," he said. "I'm going to stand with President Trump." Graham's comments come as presidential candidate Joe Biden took a lead over Trump in battleground Pennsylvania and Georgia, as ballots continue to be counted


theguardian--2020-11-06--Philadelphia mayor tells Trump to accept he lost – video

Jim Kenney tells a press conference that Donald Trump should 'put his big boy pants on ' , acknowledge his @ @ @ @ @ as the winner of the US presidential election .
It could take several days to @ @ @ @ @ , but Biden has so far won 81 % of the votes .
Around 40,000 @ @ @ @ @ .
Trump has continued to tweet baseless allegations of voter fraud • US election live @ @ @ @ @ beating Trump with growing lead in Nevada and Pennsylvania • Trump v Biden – full @ @ @ @ @

Jim Kenney tells a press conference that Donald Trump should 'put his big boy pants on', acknowledge his defeat and congratulate Joe Biden as the winner of the US presidential election. It could take several days to complete the count in Philadelphia, but Biden has so far won 81% of the votes. Around 40,000 are still to be counted. Trump has continued to tweet baseless allegations of voter fraud


theguardian--2020-11-06--Georgia's secretary of state announces election vote recount – video

Brad Raffensperger , Georgia ’ s secretary of state , confirms there will be a recount in the state where @ @ @ @ @ Trump by just over 1,500 votes

Brad Raffensperger, Georgia’s secretary of state, confirms there will be a recount in the state where Joe Biden was leading Donald Trump by just over 1,500 votes


theguardian--2020-11-07--US election live: 'Democracy works,' says Biden as he urges patience with count showing him on verge

US election live: 'Democracy works,' says Biden as he urges patience with count showing him on verge of win

I ’ m sure a lot of people are coming to this live blog just wanting to know when we ’ ll get a final result , and what is holding it all up .
Here ’ s what the Associated Press ( AP ) said yesterday about the reasons remaining for not “ calling ” the final few swing states for one candidate or another .
They all essentially boil down to “ there ’ s still enough uncounted votes to swing it either way , and there will likely have to be a recount in any case ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be counted and a razor-thin margin .
The AP does not declare a winner of an election that will be – or is likely to become – subject to a mandatory recount In instances where a recount isn ’ t required by law but a candidate requests one , AP will not call a race if the margin between the top two candidates is 0.5 percentage points or less .
NEVADA : A tight vote margin and large number of ballots that have yet to be counted made the Nevada race too early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday that they would be releasing the results of 51,000 ballots on Friday .
But they later clarified that they had overestimated the size of the batch and released results from about 30,000 ballots instead .
Separately , state officials said on Thursday that there were about 190,000 votes left to count statewide , a total that included mail ballots and provisional ballots from voters who registered or updated their registration at the polls .
But it was unclear if that figure took into account the overestimated number of ballots by Clark County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that could delay the AP declaring a winner .
NORTH CAROLINA : Race too early to call .
Ballots left to count .
Trump holds nearly a 77,000-vote lead , but there were up to 116,000 mail ballots left to count on Friday , as well as about 41,000 provisional ballots statewide .
As long as ballots are postmarked by 3 November , state election officials have until 12 November to count them .
And when it comes to mail ballots , Biden was outperforming Trump .
That means the ballots yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead .
PENNSYLVANIA : A close margin and a large number of outstanding votes are making the Pennsylvania contest too early to call .
Biden held a lead over Trump of 0.29 % on Friday .
State law dictates that a recount must be held if the margin between the two candidates is less than 0.5 % .
Additionally , there are potentially tens of thousands of provisional ballots that remain to be tabulated , though an exact number remained unclear .
Those ballots will be counted after officials verify their eligibility to @ @ @

Martin Belam (now); Tom McCarthy, Maanvi Singh and Joan E Greve (earlier)

7 Nov 2020 17.36 GMT Kamala Harris shared a video of her phone call with Joe Biden shortly after they were declared the winners of the US presidential election. “We did it,” Harris says in the video. “We did it, Joe. You’re going to be the next president of the United States.” We did it, @JoeBiden. pic.twitter.com/oCgeylsjB4 — Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) November 7, 2020
Updated at 18.02 GMT
7 Nov 2020 17.32 GMT The Guardian’s Sam Levine reports from Philadelphia: The city erupted shortly after the presidential race was called for Joe Biden here Saturday morning. People driving down Broad Street, a main avenue that runs through the heart of the city, were honking, cheering, and applauding loudly. One worker cleaning the streets said it felt like the Eagles, Philadelphia’s football team, won the Super Bowl.
Lots of honking and cheering on Broad street in Philadelphia. People are cheering from their cars pic.twitter.com/ebp1ISTo0u — Sam Levine (@srl) November 7, 2020 Now I’m at the Pennsylvania convention center, which is where votes are being counted and has become the epicenter of protests and celebrations in recent days. There were loud cheers of “lock him up” and “Black Lives Matter”. Donna Widmann, a teacher here who helped get her students and their families registered, said she’s hasn’t been able to stop crying. “So much emotion has happened in the past four years, man, and it just feels really good,” Widmann said. “I can’t stop crying.”
Updated at 17.40 GMT
7 Nov 2020 17.28 GMT Hillary Clinton, who lost the 2016 presidential election to Donald Trump, celebrated Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’ victory. The voters have spoken, and they have chosen @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris to be our next president and vice president.
It's a history-making ticket, a repudiation of Trump, and a new page for America.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this happen. Onward, together. pic.twitter.com/YlDY9TJONs — Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) November 7, 2020 “The voters have spoken, and they have chosen @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris to be our next president and vice president,” Clinton said in a tweet. “It’s a history-making ticket, a repudiation of Trump, and a new page for America. Thank you to everyone who helped make this happen. Onward, together.”
7 Nov 2020 17.23 GMT Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have both updated their Twitter bios to reflect their victory in the US presidential election. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have both updated their Twitter bios to reflect their newest titles: president-elect and vice president-elect. pic.twitter.com/neraVh2iAd — Joan Greve (@joanegreve) November 7, 2020
7 Nov 2020 17.19 GMT Biden wins Nevada Joe Biden has already won the presidential election, and the president-elect is now adding to his electoral college vote count. The AP has just announced Biden also won Nevada and its six electoral votes, bringing the Democrat’s electoral vote count to 290. BREAKING: Joe Biden wins Nevada. #APracecall at 9:13 a.m. PST. #Election2020 https://t.co/lGfinjTqT4 — AP Politics (@AP_Politics) November 7, 2020 If Biden maintains his lead in Georgia, his final electoral vote count will be 306, well above the 270 needed to win the White House. That also means Biden’s electoral vote count will be identical to the electoral votes that Donald Trump won in 2016. Trump has repeatedly characterized his 2016 electoral college victory as a “landslide”.
Updated at 18.08 GMT
7 Nov 2020 17.15 GMT People celebrate on Black Lives Matter plaza across from the White House in Washington, DC on November 7, 2020, after Joe Biden was declared the winner of the 2020 presidential election Photograph: Eric Baradat/AFP/Getty Images Residents of Washington, DC, which leans heavily Democratic, took to the streets to celebrate after Joe Biden was declared the winner of the presidential election.
Updated at 17.54 GMT
7 Nov 2020 17.08 GMT Foreign leaders have already started offering their congratulations to Joe Biden and Kamala Harris after they were declared the winners of the presidential election. From the Canadian prime minister, Justin Trudeau: Congratulations, @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris. Our two countries are close friends, partners, and allies. We share a relationship that’s unique on the world stage. I’m really looking forward to working together and building on that with you both. — Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) November 7, 2020
Updated at 18.12 GMT
7 Nov 2020 17.06 GMT The country’s new vice-president-elect, Kamala Harris, sent a tweet celebrating her and Joe Biden’s win as a victory for the conscience of the nation. “This election is about so much more than @JoeBiden or me,” Harris said. “It’s about the soul of America and our willingness to fight for it. We have a lot of work ahead of us. Let’s get started.” This election is about so much more than @JoeBiden or me. It’s about the soul of America and our willingness to fight for it. We have a lot of work ahead of us. Let’s get started.pic.twitter.com/Bb9JZpggLN — Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) November 7, 2020
Updated at 18.12 GMT
7 Nov 2020 16.57 GMT Biden: 'It’s time for America to unite' President-elect Joe Biden has released a statement, thanking the American people for their support. “I am honored and humbled by the trust the American people have placed in me and in Vice-President-elect Harris,” Biden said.
“In the face of unprecedented obstacles, a record number of Americans voted. Proving once again, that democracy beats deep in the heart of America.” Echoing the themes of his campaign, Biden called on Americans to unite in this time of crisis.
“With the campaign over, it’s time to put the anger and the harsh rhetoric behind us and come together as a nation,” Biden said.
“It’s time for America to unite. And to heal.
“We are the United States of America. And there’s nothing we can’t do, if we do it together.”
Updated at 18.12 GMT
7 Nov 2020 16.54 GMT Trump refuses to concede after Biden declared president-elect Donald Trump is showing no signs of conceding, after Joe Biden was declared the winner of the US presidential election. “We all know why Joe Biden is rushing to falsely pose as the winner, and why his media allies are trying so hard to help him: they don’t want the truth to be exposed. The simple fact is this election is far from over,” Trump said. The simply fact is that this election is over. The final votes will continue to be counted in dozens of states, but there is no way for Trump to come back in the presidential race at this point. “Beginning Monday, our campaign will start prosecuting our case in court to ensure election laws are fully upheld and the rightful winner is seated,” Trump said. The president’s reelection campaign has filed lawsuits in multiple battleground states this week, but several of them have already been dismissed, and Biden’s team has dismissed them as “meritless.” It’s also worth noting that Trump does not have to concede, although it is considered a hallmark of the peaceful transfer of power. The fact of the matter is, Biden has the electoral votes to win the White House, and he will be sworn in as president in January.
7 Nov 2020 16.50 GMT Lauren Gambino Joe Biden has been elected the 46th president of the United States, denying Donald Trump a second term after a deeply divisive presidency defined by a once-in-a-century pandemic, economic turmoil and social unrest. Biden won the presidency by clinching Pennsylvania and its 20 electoral votes on Saturday morning, after days of counting votes and record turnout across the country. The win in Pennsylvania took Biden’s electoral college vote to 284, surpassing the 270 needed to win the White House. The American people have replaced a real estate developer and reality TV star who had no political experience with a veteran of Washington who has spent more than 50 years in public life and twice ran unsuccessfully for president. With turnout projected to reach its highest point in a century, a fearful and anxious nation elected a candidate who promised to govern not as a Democrat but as an “American president” and vowed to be a unifying force after four years of upheaval. The result also marked the historic rise of Kamala Harris, who will be the first woman and the first woman of color to serve as vice-president in American history. Joe Biden wins US election after four tumultuous years of Trump presidency Read more
7 Nov 2020 16.43 GMT The homepage of the conservative-leaning website Drudge Report, which has moved away from Donald Trump in recent months, currently has a picture of the president with a caption taken from The Apprentice: “You’re fired.” The Drudge Report right now. pic.twitter.com/3Wf8OmnQfM — Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) November 7, 2020
Updated at 18.15 GMT
7 Nov 2020 16.40 GMT With Joe Biden’s victory, Kamala Harris will be the first woman, the first African American and the first Asian American to become vice president. Harris is the fourth woman to be on a major party’s presidential ticket -- after Geraldine Ferraro in 1984, Sarah Palin in 2008 and Hillary Clinton in 2016. Harris is the first woman to be on a successful ticket. She will be sworn in as vice president in January.
Updated at 17.01 GMT
7 Nov 2020 16.35 GMT The networks have also declared Joe Biden to be the winner of the US presidential election. BREAKING: JOE BIDEN WINS
Joe Biden will be the 46th president of the United States, CNN projects, after a victory in Pennsylvania puts the Scranton-born Democrat over 270 https://t.co/g5ahxZ3Zcu #CNNElection pic.twitter.com/4bVHYENaaT — CNN (@CNN) November 7, 2020 The call came after a new batch of ballots came in from Pennsylvania, pushing Biden’s lead in the state over 30,000 votes. Some outlets, including CNN, have not yet called Arizona, so they currently show Biden’s electoral college vote count as 273. But with or without Arizona, Biden has surpassed the 270 electoral votes needed to win the presidency.
7 Nov 2020 16.27 GMT Joe Biden beats Donald Trump to win US election Joe Biden has won the presidency by clinching Pennsylvania and its 20 electoral votes, the AP has just announced. BREAKING: Joe Biden wins Pennsylvania. #APracecall at 11:25 a.m. EST. #Election2020 https://t.co/lGfinjTqT4 — AP Politics (@AP_Politics) November 7, 2020 Biden’s electoral vote count now stands at 284, surpassing the 270 needed to win the White House. Donald Trump has been defeated, and Biden will become the 46th president of the United States in January.


theguardian--2020-11-07--Chief of staff Mark Meadows tests positive for Covid-19

Donald Trump ’ s chief of staff , Mark Meadows , has tested positive for Covid-19 , along with at least one other aide to the president .
Two senior administration officials confirmed the diagnosis to the Associated Press .
The news came just days after Meadows appeared with Trump at a White House event along with numerous people who were not wearing masks .
Neither Meadows nor the White House has commented or confirmed that he contracted the virus and little is known about when or if he has developed symptoms , but advisers told reporters on Friday night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the White House after Tuesday ’ s election .
The news came during a week that the US set daily records for confirmed cases during the pandemic , which has so far killed more than 236,000 Americans .
Despite warnings from top health officials , Meadows has been critical of wearing masks , and even refused to keep one while speaking to reporters in October .
He was seen in the early hours of Wednesday morning again without a mask on , standing close to the president ’ s family , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prematurely declare himself the winner in an election it looks increasingly unlikely he can win .
Nick Trainer , a Trump campaign aide , also has tested positive for the virus according to Bloomberg and sources say at least three other aids also have the disease .
This marks what could be the third outbreak of Covid to hit the White House and more than three dozen associates have already gotten the virus , including the president and the first lady .
The administration has sought to contain the news when officials fell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be behind those efforts .
When pressed by CNN ’ s Jake Tapper after several of vice-president Mike Pence ’ s staff tested positive last month , Meadows said “ sharing personal information is nothing something that we should do ” .
He also admitted that the Trump administration was no longer working to “ control the pandemic ” and was instead waiting for the development of a vaccine .
The new outbreak inside the White House comes as the US faces grim new records .
On Thursday , roughly 122,000 new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consecutive day with more than 100,000 .
More than 9.7 million people have been diagnosed with Covid-19 in the US so far this year .

Donald Trump’s chief of staff, Mark Meadows, has tested positive for Covid-19, along with at least one other aide to the president.
Two senior administration officials confirmed the diagnosis to the Associated Press.
The news came just days after Meadows appeared with Trump at a White House event along with numerous people who were not wearing masks.
Worth noting that Mark Meadows was at the election night party at the White House Tuesday that hundreds of people attended. Officials said everyone would be tested beforehand. — Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) November 7, 2020
Neither Meadows nor the White House has commented or confirmed that he contracted the virus and little is known about when or if he has developed symptoms, but advisers told reporters on Friday night that he shared the news with others at the White House after Tuesday’s election.
The news came during a week that the US set daily records for confirmed cases during the pandemic, which has so far killed more than 236,000 Americans.
Despite warnings from top health officials, Meadows has been critical of wearing masks, and even refused to keep one while speaking to reporters in October. He was seen in the early hours of Wednesday morning again without a mask on, standing close to the president’s family, as Trump took the stage to illegitimately and prematurely declare himself the winner in an election it looks increasingly unlikely he can win.
Reminder that this is what the East Room looked like at the White House on election night as Trump spoke. Meadows was there. Literally the only person wearing a mask is Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar: https://t.co/JN6lakzZ6r — Edward-Isaac Dovere (@IsaacDovere) November 7, 2020
Nick Trainer, a Trump campaign aide, also has tested positive for the virus according to Bloomberg and sources say at least three other aids also have the disease. This marks what could be the third outbreak of Covid to hit the White House and more than three dozen associates have already gotten the virus, including the president and the first lady.
The administration has sought to contain the news when officials fell ill, and Meadows is largely believed to be behind those efforts. When pressed by CNN’s Jake Tapper after several of vice-president Mike Pence’s staff tested positive last month, Meadows said “sharing personal information is nothing something that we should do”.
He also admitted that the Trump administration was no longer working to “control the pandemic” and was instead waiting for the development of a vaccine.
Here's the clip of Meadows on Election Night: pic.twitter.com/LYcMwkN9nJ — The Recount (@therecount) November 7, 2020
The new outbreak inside the White House comes as the US faces grim new records. On Thursday, roughly 122,000 new coronavirus cases were reported, the third consecutive day with more than 100,000. More than 9.7 million people have been diagnosed with Covid-19 in the US so far this year.
Agencies contributed to the reporting.


theguardian--2020-11-07--Donald Trump's baseless vote fraud claim opens cracks in Republican ranks

Leading Republican figures moved to distance themselves from Donald Trump ’ s increasingly inflammatory attempts to cast the election as stolen , as splits emerged in the president ’ s inner circle over how they should handle the prospect of defeat .
With Trump ’ s adult children , not least his sons Donald Jr and Eric , emerging with Trump ’ s lawyer Rudy Guliani as some of the loudest cheerleaders for the false claim the election is being rigged , it has struggled to gain traction in the courts or among the wider Republican party thus far .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lindsey Graham and the House minority leader , Kevin McCarthy , continued to cleave to Trump ’ s frantic denials that he is on the verge of losing the White House .
Many current and former Republicans , however , are concerned that Trump ’ s attacks on the integrity of the election are dangerous , with a split emerging between those prepared to speak out and those staying silent .
Inside the White House itself , a different debate is reported to have emerged , between a group of those close to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for defeat – even if he refuses to formally concede – and a faction of bitter-enders who believe he should continue to fight through the courts .
While some of those who have spoken out include familiar long-term Republican critics of Trump , such as Utah senator Mitt Romney , others have joined in .
Maryland governor Larry Hogan , a second-term Republican who has not ruled out a 2024 White House bid , is prominent among them , describing the president ’ s claims as “ dangerous ” and “ embarrassing ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we have a process – that ’ s the way it works , ” Hogan told the Associated Press .
“ But to just make accusations of the election being stolen and widespread fraud without providing any evidence , I thought was really bad for our democratic process and it was something I had never seen in my lifetime.
” Hogan ’ s comment follows that of Illinois congressman Adam Kinzinger , who tweeted that the president ’ s lying “ is getting insane ” and pleaded with his party to “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pointed to the inconsistency of Trump ’ s calls to stop counting in placing he was losing while continuing the count in other places including Missouri Republican senator , Roy Blunt .
“ You can ’ t stop the count in one state and decide you want the count to continue in another state , ” Blunt said .
“ That might be how you ’ d like to see the system work but that ’ s not how the system works.
” That includes the Bush-era Republican strategist Karl Rove , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Trump is alleging was not going to happen in the US .
“ Some hanky-panky always goes on , and there are already reports of poll watchers in Philadelphia not being allowed to do their jobs , ” Rove said .
“ But stealing hundreds of thousands of votes would require a conspiracy on the scale of a James Bond movie .
That isn ’ t going to happen .
Let ’ s repeat that : that isn ’ t going to happen.
” While Republican rebukes of the president are refreshing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Trump ’ s re-election campaign appears doomed .
Biden took the lead in Georgia hours after the Wednesday address , and the Democratic challenger is on pace to flip Pennsylvania .
As the president concluded his speech , former representative Carlos Curbelo called for “ Republicans to stand up for our democracy at this hour ” .
But as Republicans baselessly claim fraud publicly , at least one GOP official involved in the ballot-counting process has said behind closed doors that voter fraud was not an issue .
Stuart Foster , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challengers in Michigan , told trainees just days before the election that he was “ confident with our election system ” .
Foster can be heard making the comments in a recording of the training session leaked to the Guardian .
“ I ’ ll get myself into trouble here .
I basically made the comment like , so if fraud was so prevalent , then did the Democrats forget to do it in 2016 ?
They just forgot to do it ?
” he said .
“ I mean , Trump … @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not because he didn ’ t win .
[ Democrats ] just didn ’ t show up .
Did they just forget ?
Fraud was so prevalent , but they just forgot to do it ?
” Meanwhile Trump has spent the past week being advised on his way forward by a coterie of familiar faces including former counsellor Kellyanne Conway , Giuliani , Jared Kushner , his son-in-law and senior adviser and the White House chief of staff , Mark Meadows , who was recently diagnosed with coronavirus .
Even those who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal are reportedly struggling how to convey the news to Trump .
“ They know he ’ s lost , ” one Republican source told the Washington Post in a graphic depiction , “ but no one seems willing to tell King Lear or Mad King George that they ’ ve lost the empire .
”

Leading Republican figures moved to distance themselves from Donald Trump’s increasingly inflammatory attempts to cast the election as stolen, as splits emerged in the president’s inner circle over how they should handle the prospect of defeat.
With Trump’s adult children, not least his sons Donald Jr and Eric, emerging with Trump’s lawyer Rudy Guliani as some of the loudest cheerleaders for the false claim the election is being rigged, it has struggled to gain traction in the courts or among the wider Republican party thus far.
Among close allies, South Carolina senator Lindsey Graham and the House minority leader, Kevin McCarthy, continued to cleave to Trump’s frantic denials that he is on the verge of losing the White House.
Many current and former Republicans, however, are concerned that Trump’s attacks on the integrity of the election are dangerous, with a split emerging between those prepared to speak out and those staying silent.
Inside the White House itself, a different debate is reported to have emerged, between a group of those close to Trump who believe he must be prepared for defeat – even if he refuses to formally concede – and a faction of bitter-enders who believe he should continue to fight through the courts.
While some of those who have spoken out include familiar long-term Republican critics of Trump, such as Utah senator Mitt Romney, others have joined in.
Maryland governor Larry Hogan, a second-term Republican who has not ruled out a 2024 White House bid, is prominent among them, describing the president’s claims as “dangerous” and “embarrassing”.
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“If there are legitimate challenges, we have a process – that’s the way it works,” Hogan told the Associated Press.
“But to just make accusations of the election being stolen and widespread fraud without providing any evidence, I thought was really bad for our democratic process and it was something I had never seen in my lifetime.”
Hogan’s comment follows that of Illinois congressman Adam Kinzinger, who tweeted that the president’s lying “is getting insane” and pleaded with his party to “stop spreading debunked misinformation”.
Others pointed to the inconsistency of Trump’s calls to stop counting in placing he was losing while continuing the count in other places including Missouri Republican senator, Roy Blunt.
“You can’t stop the count in one state and decide you want the count to continue in another state,” Blunt said. “That might be how you’d like to see the system work but that’s not how the system works.”
That includes the Bush-era Republican strategist Karl Rove, who on Wednesday morning said the mass fraud that Trump is alleging was not going to happen in the US.
“Some hanky-panky always goes on, and there are already reports of poll watchers in Philadelphia not being allowed to do their jobs,” Rove said. “But stealing hundreds of thousands of votes would require a conspiracy on the scale of a James Bond movie. That isn’t going to happen. Let’s repeat that: that isn’t going to happen.”
While Republican rebukes of the president are refreshing for many Democrats, it only comes as Trump’s re-election campaign appears doomed. Biden took the lead in Georgia hours after the Wednesday address, and the Democratic challenger is on pace to flip Pennsylvania.
As the president concluded his speech, former representative Carlos Curbelo called for “Republicans to stand up for our democracy at this hour”.
By “illegal votes” it seems @potus is referring to votes cast by mail which disproportionately benefitted his opponent this election. Those votes are not in any way illegal. Important for all public leaders, especially Republicans, to stand up for our democracy at this hour. — Carlos Curbelo (@carloslcurbelo) November 5, 2020
But as Republicans baselessly claim fraud publicly, at least one GOP official involved in the ballot-counting process has said behind closed doors that voter fraud was not an issue. Stuart Foster, a top state Republican official who trained ballot challengers in Michigan, told trainees just days before the election that he was “confident with our election system”.
02:49 Trump, McCain, Bush and Carter: different reactions to bad election results – video
Foster can be heard making the comments in a recording of the training session leaked to the Guardian.
“I’ll get myself into trouble here. I basically made the comment like, so if fraud was so prevalent, then did the Democrats forget to do it in 2016? They just forgot to do it?” he said. “I mean, Trump … barely won. And it’s not because he didn’t win. [Democrats] just didn’t show up. Did they just forget? Fraud was so prevalent, but they just forgot to do it?”
Meanwhile Trump has spent the past week being advised on his way forward by a coterie of familiar faces including former counsellor Kellyanne Conway, Giuliani, Jared Kushner, his son-in-law and senior adviser and the White House chief of staff, Mark Meadows, who was recently diagnosed with coronavirus.
Even those who believe a Biden presidency is a done deal are reportedly struggling how to convey the news to Trump.
“They know he’s lost,” one Republican source told the Washington Post in a graphic depiction, “but no one seems willing to tell King Lear or Mad King George that they’ve lost the empire.”


theguardian--2020-11-07--Support a science oath for the climate | Letter

Noting the increasing severity of the global heating crisis and the need for action that transcends election cycles spelt out in your article ( This election isn ’ t about the next four years .
It ’ s about the next four millennia , 3 November ) we are launching a new science oath for the climate .
It is a pledge of scrutiny , integrity and engagement , and we invite our fellow scientists and researchers to join us .
Science has no higher purpose than to understand and help maintain the conditions for life to thrive on Earth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with wonder and learn , but this is our only viable home .
Our dwelling , though , is critically threatened by the loss of the stable climate that has allowed humanity to flourish .
We pledge to act in whatever ways we are able , in our lives and work , to prevent catastrophic climate disruption .
To translate this pledge into a force for real change , we will : • None Explain honestly , clearly and without compromise , what scientific evidence tells us about the seriousness of the climate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what might seem politically or economically pragmatic when describing the scale and timeframe of action needed to deliver the 1.5C and 2C commitments , specified in the Paris climate agreement .
And to speak out about what is not compatible with the commitments , or is likely to undermine them .
• None To the best of our abilities , and mindful of the urgent need for systemic change , seek to align our own behaviour with the climate targets , and reduce our own personal carbon emissions to demonstrate the possibilities for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we will hold our professional associations , institutions and employers to these same standards , and invite our colleagues across the scientific community to sign , act on and share this pledge .
Prof Chris Rapley Prof Sarah Bracking Prof Bill McGuire Prof Simon Lewis Prof Jonathan Bamber

Noting the increasing severity of the global heating crisis and the need for action that transcends election cycles spelt out in your article (This election isn’t about the next four years. It’s about the next four millennia, 3 November) we are launching a new science oath for the climate. It is a pledge of scrutiny, integrity and engagement, and we invite our fellow scientists and researchers to join us.
Science has no higher purpose than to understand and help maintain the conditions for life to thrive on Earth. We may look beyond our planet with wonder and learn, but this is our only viable home. Our dwelling, though, is critically threatened by the loss of the stable climate that has allowed humanity to flourish. We pledge to act in whatever ways we are able, in our lives and work, to prevent catastrophic climate disruption. To translate this pledge into a force for real change, we will:
Explain honestly, clearly and without compromise, what scientific evidence tells us about the seriousness of the climate emergency.
Not second guess what might seem politically or economically pragmatic when describing the scale and timeframe of action needed to deliver the 1.5C and 2C commitments, specified in the Paris climate agreement. And to speak out about what is not compatible with the commitments, or is likely to undermine them.
To the best of our abilities, and mindful of the urgent need for systemic change, seek to align our own behaviour with the climate targets, and reduce our own personal carbon emissions to demonstrate the possibilities for change.
With courtesy and firmness, we will hold our professional associations, institutions and employers to these same standards, and invite our colleagues across the scientific community to sign, act on and share this pledge.
Prof Chris Rapley
Prof Sarah Bracking
Prof Bill McGuire
Prof Simon Lewis
Prof Jonathan Bamber


theguardian--2020-11-07--Joe Biden poised to inherit Disunited States of America

“ Tomorrow is the beginning of a new day , ” Joe Biden said in his final campaign rally in Pittsburgh on the eve of the US election .
“ There ’ s one more day to show who we are as a country : looking out for each other , the thousand acts of kindness , the decency that people used to show one another – and still do.
” Three days later , Donald Trump appeared in the press briefing room of the White House and let the world know what he thinks of kindness and decency .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ laid out a paranoid fantasy of a vast leftwing conspiracy stealing the election from him , one fraudulent ballot at a time .
For the media networks who cut away from Trump ’ s speech after just a few minutes , it was all too easy to dismiss his lie-infested rant as the death rattle of a man whose political lifeblood was being drained from him in real time .
You could almost say his speech was irrelevant , given that no one is above the law and he doesn ’ t get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he looks on TV .
Except for three inconvenient truths : Trump will continue to be head of state of the most powerful nation on Earth until at least 20 January ; 70 million Americans voted for him , of whom a portion is likely to be susceptible to his falsehoods ; some 17m guns have been bought so far this year – the largest number in US history .
Nor did this outpouring of baseless histrionics end with the president .
The rightwing talkshow host Mark Levin called on Republican state lawmakers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump the winner no matter what the final count .
Steve Bannon , Trump ’ s former chief strategist in the White House now facing charges for running a fraudulent scheme to build the Mexican border wall , told Fox News : “ Donald Trump won an overwhelming victory on Tuesday night .
It ’ s now time to be bold , we have got to stop playing games here.
” A few hours later Facebook permanently suspended one of Bannon ’ s accounts after he suggested senior members of the Trump administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a group , “ Stop the Steal ” , that popped up on its platform attracting within the first 24 hours some 350,000 members , a number of whom made “ worrying calls for violence ” .
Joe Biden , assuming he is declared the next occupant of the Oval Office , is going to have to climb a steep and stony path before he can drag America back to anything resembling decency .
For a moment it looked almost promising .
Election day itself went more smoothly than many had expected , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intimidation that was hovering so menacingly in the wings .
But in the days since , during the agonizingly prolonged period of counting , more ominous signs emerged .
Trump supporters assembled in large crowds outside vote-counting centres in Phoenix , Arizona , and Detroit , Michigan , some bearing firearms .
It ’ s enough to generate the sense of a nation teetering on the edge .
Human rights groups , whose focus normally falls on the likes of Myanmar or Saudi Arabia , are paying close attention .
“ It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is getting worse , ” said Bob Goodfellow , interim executive director of Amnesty International USA .
“ We are worried about the immediate coming days , which are likely to be volatile.
” Amnesty research has found a steady escalation in political violence in the US .
Between May and September , the human rights watchdog documented confrontations between protesters and counter-protests in 37 of the 50 states .
The group is especially concerned about Trump ’ s incendiary language as he attempts to cling to power .
“ We see President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public safety and facilitates violence , ” Goodfellow said .
As Biden contemplates forming an administration , he has more to worry about than just the next few days .
There ’ s also the sobering prospect of Trumpism living on even beyond its creator .
The adoration that Trump has instilled in his millions of supporters , the fervor with which many appear to have bought his demagoguery and misinformation , are forces that show no sign of abating .
The extraordinarily close outcome of the race in so many critical battleground @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Guardian asked Roger Stone what he thought would become of the Maga movement under a Biden presidency .
Would it fade away ?
Stone has skin in this game , it should be noted .
In July his longtime friend , Trump , commuted his sentence for obstructing a congressional investigation .
He is also legendary for the political dirty tricks he has pioneered since he began working as a teenager for Richard Nixon in the early 1970s ( he has a tattoo of Nixon on his back ) .
He can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rallying cry now being deployed by Trump – “ Stop the Steal ” – which Stone coined back in 2016 as an attempt allegedly to intimidate minority voters during the battle with Hillary Clinton .
But Stone is also a seasoned observer of rightwing political machinations , and as such is a credible analyst of what might become of the red-capped Trump fanatics .
Far from disappearing , he believes , they are going to be encouraged and emboldened whatever the next few days and weeks might bring .
“ The movement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The neocon establishment Republicans who think they will take control of the GOP are dreaming , ” he said .
Stone went on : “ Donald Trump ’ s movement is stronger than ever .
It is going to thrive , and the fight to make America great again is going to continue.
” That ’ s a chilling prospect for a nascent Biden presidency .
The Democrats are already having to digest the likelihood that they have failed to flip the US Senate , pending the outcome of two possible runoff elections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ win both those long-shot races , the Senate will probably be left in the deadeningly obstructionist hands of the Republican majority leader , Mitch McConnell .
As Biden knows well from his eight years alongside Barack Obama , McConnell – dubbed the “ Grim Reaper ” for his impact on legislation – delights in nothing more than stymying Democratic presidents at every turn .
David French , a prominent Republican critic of Trump , wrote in the Dispatch : “ The underlying disease of American division and polarization remains .
If anything , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intensify.
” That ’ s the rosy prospect that lies ahead as Joe Biden inches ever closer to the highest office .
A bright future looks within his grasp as president of the Disunited States of America .

“Tomorrow is the beginning of a new day,” Joe Biden said in his final campaign rally in Pittsburgh on the eve of the US election. “There’s one more day to show who we are as a country: looking out for each other, the thousand acts of kindness, the decency that people used to show one another – and still do.”
Three days later, Donald Trump appeared in the press briefing room of the White House and let the world know what he thinks of kindness and decency. With votes still being counted, he laid out a paranoid fantasy of a vast leftwing conspiracy stealing the election from him, one fraudulent ballot at a time.
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For the media networks who cut away from Trump’s speech after just a few minutes, it was all too easy to dismiss his lie-infested rant as the death rattle of a man whose political lifeblood was being drained from him in real time. You could almost say his speech was irrelevant, given that no one is above the law and he doesn’t get to choose, no matter how charismatic he looks on TV.
Except for three inconvenient truths: Trump will continue to be head of state of the most powerful nation on Earth until at least 20 January; 70 million Americans voted for him, of whom a portion is likely to be susceptible to his falsehoods; some 17m guns have been bought so far this year – the largest number in US history.
Donald Trump speaks about the election results in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington on Thursday. Photograph: Carlos Barría/Reuters
Nor did this outpouring of baseless histrionics end with the president. The rightwing talkshow host Mark Levin called on Republican state lawmakers to bypass the vote entirely and declare Trump the winner no matter what the final count.
Steve Bannon, Trump’s former chief strategist in the White House now facing charges for running a fraudulent scheme to build the Mexican border wall, told Fox News: “Donald Trump won an overwhelming victory on Tuesday night. It’s now time to be bold, we have got to stop playing games here.”
A few hours later Facebook permanently suspended one of Bannon’s accounts after he suggested senior members of the Trump administration should be beheaded. Facebook also banned a group, “Stop the Steal”, that popped up on its platform attracting within the first 24 hours some 350,000 members, a number of whom made “worrying calls for violence”.
Joe Biden, assuming he is declared the next occupant of the Oval Office, is going to have to climb a steep and stony path before he can drag America back to anything resembling decency.
For a moment it looked almost promising. Election day itself went more smoothly than many had expected, with little of the militia activity and intimidation that was hovering so menacingly in the wings.
But in the days since, during the agonizingly prolonged period of counting, more ominous signs emerged. Trump supporters assembled in large crowds outside vote-counting centres in Phoenix, Arizona, and Detroit, Michigan, some bearing firearms.
Supporters of Donald Trump, who are questioning, without evidence, the legitimacy of the state’s vote counting, gather outside of the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia on Friday. Photograph: Justin Lane/EPA
It’s enough to generate the sense of a nation teetering on the edge. Human rights groups, whose focus normally falls on the likes of Myanmar or Saudi Arabia, are paying close attention.
“It’s a very serious situation and it is getting worse,” said Bob Goodfellow, interim executive director of Amnesty International USA. “We are worried about the immediate coming days, which are likely to be volatile.”
Amnesty research has found a steady escalation in political violence in the US. Between May and September, the human rights watchdog documented confrontations between protesters and counter-protests in 37 of the 50 states.
The group is especially concerned about Trump’s incendiary language as he attempts to cling to power. “We see President Trump continually engaging in rhetoric that threatens public safety and facilitates violence,” Goodfellow said.
The movement is much larger than Donald Trump. The neocon establishment Republicans who think they will take control of the GOP are dreaming
As Biden contemplates forming an administration, he has more to worry about than just the next few days. There’s also the sobering prospect of Trumpism living on even beyond its creator.
The adoration that Trump has instilled in his millions of supporters, the fervor with which many appear to have bought his demagoguery and misinformation, are forces that show no sign of abating. The extraordinarily close outcome of the race in so many critical battleground states can only fire those emotions.
The Guardian asked Roger Stone what he thought would become of the Maga movement under a Biden presidency. Would it fade away?
Stone has skin in this game, it should be noted. In July his longtime friend, Trump, commuted his sentence for obstructing a congressional investigation.
A woman and her dog watch the sun rise on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on Wednesday in Washington DC. Photograph: Al Drago/Getty Images
He is also legendary for the political dirty tricks he has pioneered since he began working as a teenager for Richard Nixon in the early 1970s (he has a tattoo of Nixon on his back). He can also claim to be the source of the rallying cry now being deployed by Trump – “Stop the Steal” – which Stone coined back in 2016 as an attempt allegedly to intimidate minority voters during the battle with Hillary Clinton.
But Stone is also a seasoned observer of rightwing political machinations, and as such is a credible analyst of what might become of the red-capped Trump fanatics. Far from disappearing, he believes, they are going to be encouraged and emboldened whatever the next few days and weeks might bring.
“The movement is much larger than Donald Trump. The neocon establishment Republicans who think they will take control of the GOP are dreaming,” he said.
Stone went on: “Donald Trump’s movement is stronger than ever. It is going to thrive, and the fight to make America great again is going to continue.”
03:01 Biden: 'We're going to win this race' as election count puts him on the cusp of victory – video
That’s a chilling prospect for a nascent Biden presidency. The Democrats are already having to digest the likelihood that they have failed to flip the US Senate, pending the outcome of two possible runoff elections in Georgia in January.
Unless they win both those long-shot races, the Senate will probably be left in the deadeningly obstructionist hands of the Republican majority leader, Mitch McConnell. As Biden knows well from his eight years alongside Barack Obama, McConnell – dubbed the “Grim Reaper” for his impact on legislation – delights in nothing more than stymying Democratic presidents at every turn.
David French, a prominent Republican critic of Trump, wrote in the Dispatch: “The underlying disease of American division and polarization remains. If anything, a divided government will cause it to intensify.”
That’s the rosy prospect that lies ahead as Joe Biden inches ever closer to the highest office. A bright future looks within his grasp as president of the Disunited States of America.