theguardian--2020-11-07--Getting rid of Trump won't be enough to fix America's broken democracy | David Daley

The good news is that Donald Trump appears to be on the cusp of being voted out of the White House .
The bad news is that Trump was not a unique , aberrant threat to American democracy ; it was already broken so deeply and in so many ways that no single election can possibly repair the damage .
Even with a Biden administration , the worsening structural inequities embedded in the nation for centuries – and cynically exploited by Republicans to govern with narrow minority support – will still be with us .
They are embodied in institutions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elected Trump in 2016 despite his losing the popular vote by almost 3 million votes .
In fact , including Biden , the Democratic candidate for president has won the popular vote in seven of the last eight elections .
But in part because of the electoral college ’ s rural bias ( a vote cast for president in Wyoming counts nearly four times as much as a vote cast in California ) , and in part because the college heightens the importance of a handful of largely white , midwestern battleground states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with fewer votes twice since 2000 .
Representational fairness is even more dire in the US Senate , which gives disproportionate power to older , whiter , more rural and more conservative interests .
Right now , states representing just 17 % of the nation ’ s population could elect a majority of senators .
By 2040 , the 15 most populous states will be home to 67 % of Americans yet represented by just 30 % of the Senate .
Add up the actual votes received in the winning election of every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t won a senate majority since the mid-1990s .
Yet they ’ ve controlled the Senate for 10 of the last 20 years , and used that advantage to shape the ideological balance on the federal courts .
By taking advantage of American democracy ’ s design flaws , Republicans secured an edge .
State legislatures and the courts helped make it stick .
After Barack Obama and the Democrats swept elections in 2008 , Republicans identified another tactic that could be exploited as a path back to power : redistricting .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ redrawn every 10 years , after the census , to account for population changes .
In almost every state , state legislatures draw these lines .
As part of a $ 30m Republican strategy called Redmap , Republicans identified 107 key state legislative seats across 16 states that would give them complete control of the process in the most important swing states : Florida , Michigan , North Carolina , Ohio , Pennsylvania , Wisconsin .
They won , and then drew themselves sophisticated maps that they have not lost on since : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a state in which one or both chambers of their state legislature is controlled by Republicans even though Democrats won more votes in 2018 .
And in the 2012 election , the first on these tilted maps , Republicans kept the House of Representatives despite losing the overall vote to Democrats by 1.4m .
In 2013 , a 5-4 supreme court decision undid the “ pre-clearance ” protections of the Voting Rights Act , designed to check localities with a history of racial prejudice in voting laws .
Chief Justice John Roberts argued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to “ eradicated practices.
” “ Today the nation is no longer divided along those lines , ” he argued , “ yet the Voting Rights Act continues to treat it as if it were.
” This magically changed and racially harmonious nation then embarked on an orgy of voter suppression , largely aimed at disenfranchising Black and Latino voters .
Gerrymandered legislatures led the way .
State Republicans rigged rules and entrenched themselves in power .
Twenty-five states enacted restrictive voter identification ( ID ) bills or tightened measures already in place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knew 600,000 registered Latino voters lacked .
North Carolina ’ s legislature studied the exact forms of ID that Black voters were least likely to have , then required those .
Alabama began enforcing a strict ID bill ; then , in 2015 , closed almost all of the offices in majority black counties where people could get those IDs .
And Wisconsin ’ s new law may have prevented 300,000 people from voting , a federal court found , in a state Trump carried by a margin of less than 25,000 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the Brennan Center for Justice , 32 million Americans were purged from state voter rolls , disproportionately minority voters , for the flimsiest of reasons .
Thousands of voting precincts were also shuttered , predominantly across the south .
Once again , this disproportionately affected Black voters .
In some cases , citizens have organized heroic efforts to undo racist voter suppression and gerrymandering – only to see their own courts and legislatures override them .
In Florida , a referendum to restore voting rights to 1.4 million formerly incarcerated citizens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a conviction , a cruel vestige of the Jim Crow South still with us 150 years after the Civil War – won in 2018 with almost 65 % of the vote .
In response , Florida ’ s gerrymandered legislature passed a law requiring all fines and fees associated with the conviction to be paid first .
It was essentially a modern poll tax , and the courts went right along with it .
During this election , a record number of Americans voted early , by mail , or braved hours-long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Here , too , they had to battle their own government and courts , which worked in tandem to slow the mails and enforce rigid deadlines on when ballots must arrive to be counted .
Trump is responsible for only a small piece of this .
American democracy will survive only if his party decides to walk away from these suppression tactics and compete for every vote in a multi-racial America .
Perhaps this defeat will encourage that .
Or maybe Republicans will take the same lesson they did from their 2008 walloping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be backed by courts packed with ideological true believers .
Trump may have lost , but the Texas governor who limited ballot dropboxes to one per county isn ’ t going anywhere .
Nor are his congressional colleagues , who refused to fully fund the postal service amid expanded pandemic mail-in voting .
And what about the Wisconsin state legislators who forced voters to the polls in-person this spring during coronavirus ?
Or the Republican officials who refused to begin processing millions of mail-in ballots early , enabling Trump to try to paint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past months have exposed the frailty of a system that relies on norms and responsible behavior from its leaders .
These guardrails are more rickety than imagined .
Democracy reform must be job one for the Biden administration and its congressional allies , if he does clinch the presidency .
There is a strong bill – the For The People Act – ready and waiting .
Yet it would be naive to imagine many of those reforms would be allowed by this supreme court , which means that court reform must go hand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ democracy .
The rot runs deep .
A country that proclaims itself the greatest democracy in the world has an awful lot of work to do .
• None David Daley is the author of Unrigged : How Americans Are Battling Back to Save Democracy

The good news is that Donald Trump appears to be on the cusp of being voted out of the White House. The bad news is that Trump was not a unique, aberrant threat to American democracy; it was already broken so deeply and in so many ways that no single election can possibly repair the damage.
Even with a Biden administration, the worsening structural inequities embedded in the nation for centuries – and cynically exploited by Republicans to govern with narrow minority support – will still be with us. They are embodied in institutions such as the electoral college, which elected Trump in 2016 despite his losing the popular vote by almost 3 million votes.
In fact, including Biden, the Democratic candidate for president has won the popular vote in seven of the last eight elections. But in part because of the electoral college’s rural bias (a vote cast for president in Wyoming counts nearly four times as much as a vote cast in California), and in part because the college heightens the importance of a handful of largely white, midwestern battleground states, Republicans have won the White House with fewer votes twice since 2000.
Representational fairness is even more dire in the US Senate, which gives disproportionate power to older, whiter, more rural and more conservative interests. Right now, states representing just 17% of the nation’s population could elect a majority of senators. By 2040, the 15 most populous states will be home to 67% of Americans yet represented by just 30% of the Senate. Add up the actual votes received in the winning election of every sitting US senator, and Republicans haven’t won a senate majority since the mid-1990s. Yet they’ve controlled the Senate for 10 of the last 20 years, and used that advantage to shape the ideological balance on the federal courts.
By taking advantage of American democracy’s design flaws, Republicans secured an edge. State legislatures and the courts helped make it stick. After Barack Obama and the Democrats swept elections in 2008, Republicans identified another tactic that could be exploited as a path back to power: redistricting.
Every state legislature and congressional district is redrawn every 10 years, after the census, to account for population changes. In almost every state, state legislatures draw these lines. As part of a $30m Republican strategy called Redmap, Republicans identified 107 key state legislative seats across 16 states that would give them complete control of the process in the most important swing states: Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin. They won, and then drew themselves sophisticated maps that they have not lost on since: More than 50 million Americans live in a state in which one or both chambers of their state legislature is controlled by Republicans even though Democrats won more votes in 2018. And in the 2012 election, the first on these tilted maps, Republicans kept the House of Representatives despite losing the overall vote to Democrats by 1.4m.
In 2013, a 5-4 supreme court decision undid the “pre-clearance” protections of the Voting Rights Act, designed to check localities with a history of racial prejudice in voting laws. Chief Justice John Roberts argued that those voting protections were in response to “eradicated practices.” “Today the nation is no longer divided along those lines,” he argued, “yet the Voting Rights Act continues to treat it as if it were.”
This magically changed and racially harmonious nation then embarked on an orgy of voter suppression, largely aimed at disenfranchising Black and Latino voters.
Gerrymandered legislatures led the way. State Republicans rigged rules and entrenched themselves in power. Twenty-five states enacted restrictive voter identification (ID) bills or tightened measures already in place. Texas required ID that the state knew 600,000 registered Latino voters lacked. North Carolina’s legislature studied the exact forms of ID that Black voters were least likely to have, then required those. Alabama began enforcing a strict ID bill; then, in 2015, closed almost all of the offices in majority black counties where people could get those IDs. And Wisconsin’s new law may have prevented 300,000 people from voting, a federal court found, in a state Trump carried by a margin of less than 25,000 in 2016.
The rot runs deep. Trump is responsible for only a small piece of this
Between 2014 and 2018, according to the Brennan Center for Justice, 32 million Americans were purged from state voter rolls, disproportionately minority voters, for the flimsiest of reasons. Thousands of voting precincts were also shuttered, predominantly across the south. Once again, this disproportionately affected Black voters.
In some cases, citizens have organized heroic efforts to undo racist voter suppression and gerrymandering – only to see their own courts and legislatures override them. In Florida, a referendum to restore voting rights to 1.4 million formerly incarcerated citizens – people who lost the franchise permanently with a conviction, a cruel vestige of the Jim Crow South still with us 150 years after the Civil War – won in 2018 with almost 65% of the vote. In response, Florida’s gerrymandered legislature passed a law requiring all fines and fees associated with the conviction to be paid first. It was essentially a modern poll tax, and the courts went right along with it.
During this election, a record number of Americans voted early, by mail, or braved hours-long lines amid a pandemic to vote. Here, too, they had to battle their own government and courts, which worked in tandem to slow the mails and enforce rigid deadlines on when ballots must arrive to be counted.
Trump is responsible for only a small piece of this. American democracy will survive only if his party decides to walk away from these suppression tactics and compete for every vote in a multi-racial America. Perhaps this defeat will encourage that. Or maybe Republicans will take the same lesson they did from their 2008 walloping and double down, knowing they will be backed by courts packed with ideological true believers.
Trump may have lost, but the Texas governor who limited ballot dropboxes to one per county isn’t going anywhere. Nor are his congressional colleagues, who refused to fully fund the postal service amid expanded pandemic mail-in voting. And what about the Wisconsin state legislators who forced voters to the polls in-person this spring during coronavirus? Or the Republican officials who refused to begin processing millions of mail-in ballots early, enabling Trump to try to paint mail ballots as somehow fraudulent?
These past months have exposed the frailty of a system that relies on norms and responsible behavior from its leaders. These guardrails are more rickety than imagined.
Democracy reform must be job one for the Biden administration and its congressional allies, if he does clinch the presidency. There is a strong bill – the For The People Act – ready and waiting. Yet it would be naive to imagine many of those reforms would be allowed by this supreme court, which means that court reform must go hand in hand with our efforts to fix democracy.
The rot runs deep. A country that proclaims itself the greatest democracy in the world has an awful lot of work to do.


theguardian--2020-11-07--Biden: 'We're going to win this race' as election count puts him on the cusp of victory – video

Presidential hopeful Joe Biden has said 'we 're going to win this race ' as crucial states trend in his @ @ @ @ @ the US election continues .
Biden , who stands on the cusp of victory , @ @ @ @ @ was on track to claim 300 electoral votes .
The former vice-president has already urged @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump moved to sow doubt about the election process without presenting any evidence .
@ @ @ @ @ but we 're not enemies , ' Biden said .
'We 're Americans' • 'We @ @ @ @ @ race ' : Biden addresses the nation as his lead grows

Presidential hopeful Joe Biden has said 'we're going to win this race' as crucial states trend in his favour as vote counting in the US election continues. Biden, who stands on the cusp of victory, said late on Friday he was on track to claim 300 electoral votes. The former vice-president has already urged unity during the count after Donald Trump moved to sow doubt about the election process without presenting any evidence. 'We may be opponents, but we're not enemies,' Biden said. 'We're Americans'


theguardian--2020-11-08--'An outpouring of hope': Joe Biden addresses Americans after election victory – US election live

Joe Biden is the next president of the United States – and Kamala Harris has made history , becoming the first woman , and the first woman of color , to be elected vice-president .
The pair shattered previous records , winning more votes in the presidential race than any candidates in American history .
The American people have disavowed four years of a thuggish presidency .
They have chosen decency over dysfunction , fact over fiction , truth over lies and empathy over cruelty .
They have rejected the last four years of ugliness , divisiveness , racism and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even as Trump makes baseless and dangerous claims of fraud and plots legal challenges , it is clear that 75 million Americans are moving on .
But now , the real work begins .
Removing Trump from the White House is one thing – fixing America is quite another .
There is a danger that progressives and liberals invest too much faith in Trump ’ s departure and too little in what will be needed to address the deep-rooted problems that will remain in place once he leaves Pennsylvania Avenue .
Once the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – die down , there will need to be a recognition that America was broken long before it elected Trump , and his departure is no guarantee that the country will mend .
Many of the systemic issues that afflict the US predate Trump .
Two eight-year Democratic presidencies over the last 30 years have not significantly tackled these problems : a stark racial wealth gap , worsening school segregation , corrosive inequality , a climate crisis and a democratic deficit at the heart of America ’ s electoral college are but some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new president .

Maanvi Singh  (now), Oliver Holmes and Joan E Greve (earlier)

8 Nov 2020 09.52 GMT It will be interesting to see if anything develops today from this little titbit that CNN White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins dropped overnight. Some news — Jared Kushner has approached President Trump about conceding the election, per two sources. — Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) November 8, 2020
8 Nov 2020 09.27 GMT There’s been a lot of congratulations from world leaders sent to president-elect Joe Biden, not all quite as barbed as those from Iran. Reuters report Iranian state media quoting president Hassan Rouhani saying that the next US administration should use the opportunity to compensate for president Donald Trump’s mistakes. “Trump’s damaging policy has been opposed...by the American people. The next US administration should use the opportunity to make up for past mistakes...Iran favours constructive interaction with the world,” Rouhani said.
8 Nov 2020 09.12 GMT Here’s a reminder of the moment that Joe Biden found out he had won and was declared president-elect. NBC report that the 77-year-old and his wife were out in the garden when a chorus of applause erupted in their house. Biden’s grandchildren, watching as his victory was announced on television, rushed to share the news, and his granddaughter Naomi tweeted this picture of the celebration. 11.07.20 pic.twitter.com/HHVJMmIoAW — Naomi Biden (@NaomiBiden) November 7, 2020
Updated at 09.25 GMT
8 Nov 2020 08.44 GMT Ocasio-Cortez blasts Democratic party elections 'malpractice' One of the defining anxieties of the Biden nomination, for Democrats, was that the party’s progressive wing would not get behind a candidate who many thought represented the party’s past, blocking its future. But the progressive wing threw itself into the project of defeating Trump, led by prominent voices such as New York representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. With the result of the presidential election now clear, Ocasio-Cortez has ended her silence about problems inside the Democratic party, in an interview conducted on Saturday with the New York Times’ Astead Herndon. While Biden was elected, the Democrats lost seats in the House of Representatives, leading some in the party to question whether progressive messaging about the Green New Deal and the Movement for Black Lives hurt Democratic candidates with centrist voters. Baloney, Ocasio-Cortez says, asserting that the party isn’t up to the basic tasks of running campaigns. Outside her campaign office in the Bronx, New York, on election day. Photograph: Justin Lane/EPA From the interview: I think it’s going to be really important how the party deals with this internally, and whether the party is going to be honest about doing a real post-mortem and actually digging into why they lost. Because before we even had any data yet in a lot of these races, there was already finger-pointing that this was progressives’ fault and that this was the fault of the Movement for Black Lives. I’ve already started looking into the actual functioning of these campaigns. And the thing is, I’ve been unseating Democrats for two years. I have been defeating D.C.C.C.-run campaigns for two years. That’s how I got to Congress. That’s how we elected Ayanna Pressley. That’s how Jamaal Bowman won. That’s how Cori Bush won. And so we know about extreme vulnerabilities in how Democrats run campaigns. Some of this is criminal. It’s malpractice. [...] These folks are pointing toward Republican messaging that they feel killed them, right? But why were you so vulnerable to that attack? If you’re not door-knocking, if you’re not on the internet, if your main points of reliance are TV and mail, then you’re not running a campaign on all cylinders. I just don’t see how anyone could be making ideological claims when they didn’t run a full-fledged campaign. [...] So I need my colleagues to understand that we are not the enemy. And that their base is not the enemy. That the Movement for Black Lives is not the enemy, that Medicare for all is not the enemy. This isn’t even just about winning an argument. It’s that if they keep going after the wrong thing, I mean, they’re just setting up their own obsolescence. Read the full interview here.
Updated at 08.48 GMT
8 Nov 2020 08.14 GMT What happens next In the months between election day on the first Tuesday in November and inauguration day on 20 January, the transition of power passes through a few steps which always have amounted to formalities. Electors meet in each state and send their votes to congress, where the result is certified. Despite Trump’s false claims that the election was stolen, and the decision of some prominent Republicans to support that claim, there is currently no reason to expect the transfer of power will be any different this time. Suggestions by the Trump allies that Republican-led states might appoint electors who do not represent the will of the people have been dismissed wholesale by state leaders.
The Associated Press breaks down what happens next: — When American citizens vote for a presidential candidate, they really are voting for electors in their state. Those electors in most cases are committed to support the voters’ candidate of choice. The number of electors is equal to the number of electoral votes held by each state. State laws vary on how electors are selected but, generally, a slate of electors for each party’s candidate is chosen at state party conventions or by a vote of a party’s central committee. — After Election Day, states count and certify the results of the popular vote. When completed, each governor is required by law to prepare “as soon as practicable” documents known as “Certificates of Ascertainment” of the vote. The certificates list the electors’ names and the number of votes cast for the winner and loser. The certificate, carrying the seal of each state, is sent to the archivist of the United States. — Dec. 8 is the deadline for resolving election disputes at the state level. All state recounts and court contests over presidential election results are to be completed by this date. — Dec. 14: Electors vote by paper ballot in their respective states and the District of Columbia. Thirty-three states and D.C. have laws or party regulations requiring electors to vote the same way the popular vote goes in the state, and in some states, electors can even be replaced or subjected to penalties, according to the Congressional Research Service. The votes for president and vice president are counted and the electors sign six “Certificates of the Vote.” The certificates, along with other official papers, are sent by registered mail to various officials, including the president of the Senate. — Dec. 23: The certificates must be delivered to the designated officials. If they are not delivered, the law provides alternative avenues for getting the results to Washington. — Jan. 6, 2021: The House and Senate hold a joint session to count the electoral votes. If one ticket has received 270 or more electoral votes, the president of the Senate, currently Vice President Mike Pence, announces the results. Members of Congress may object to returns from any state as they are announced. Objections must be made in writing by at least one member of the House and one in the Senate. If the objection meets certain requirements, each chamber meets separately to debate the objection for a maximum of two hours. Afterward, each chamber votes to accept or reject the objection. Back in joint session, the results of the respective votes are announced. Any objection to a state’s electoral vote has to be approved by both houses in order for any contested votes to be excluded. If neither presidential candidate wins at least 270 electoral votes, the House decides the election, based on the 12th Amendment to the Constitution. If required, the House would elect the president through a majority vote. — Jan. 20: The president-elect is sworn into office on Inauguration Day.
8 Nov 2020 07.57 GMT Make the White House have dogs again: At last America’s nightmare is over: dogs are coming back to the White House! https://t.co/NPgu2PDKaw — Hadley Freeman (@HadleyFreeman) November 8, 2020 The absence of pets in the Trump White House was highlighted recently when Bruce Springsteen released a recording of the poem “The Gray House” by Elayne Griffin Baker, which laments “no loyal man’s best friend, no Socks the family cat”. Here’s the top of the poem: There’s no art in this White House. There’s no literature, no poetry, no music. There are no pets in this White House, no loyal man’s best friend, no Socks the family cat, no kids’ science fairs. No time when the president takes off his blue suit red tie uniform and becomes human, except when he puts on his white shirt and khaki pants uniform and hides from the American people to play golf. There are no images of the First Family enjoying themselves together in a moment of relaxation. No Obamas on the beach in Hawaii moments, or Bushes fishing in Kennebunkport. No Reagans on horseback, no Kennedys playing touch football on the Cape. Where’d that country go? Read the whole thing here.
8 Nov 2020 07.45 GMT Black Lives Matter plaza across from the White House in Washington, DC. Photograph: Olivier Douliery/AFP/Getty Images At the Arizona State Capitol in Phoenix, Arizona. Photograph: Olivier Touron/AFP/Getty Images People react as the motorcade carrying US President Donald Trump returns to the White House on November 7, 2020. Photograph: Olivier Douliery/AFP/Getty Images Miami. Photograph: Chandan Khanna/AFP/Getty Images Outside the White House. Photograph: Eric Baradat/AFP/Getty Images
8 Nov 2020 07.34 GMT US again sets new record for daily coronavirus infections The United States confirmed 126,742 new coronavirus infections on Saturday, a record number for a fourth day in a row.
On Saturday morning, Johns Hopkins University in Maryland put the total US coronavirus caseload at 9,851,494, with 236,938 deaths. Helen Davidson is running our live coverage of the pandemic here. She reports that in his victory speech Saturday night, Joe Biden said he would be appointing a team of leading scientists and experts on Monday to draw up “an action blueprint” on Covid-19 to start as soon as he takes office. Biden said in part: That plan will be built on bedrock science. It will be constructed out of compassion, empathy and concern. I will spare no effort, none. Or any commitments to turn around this pandemic.”


theguardian--2020-11-08--Mexico's president won't congratulate Biden on election win until legal challenges over

Mexico ’ s president , Andrés Manuel López Obrador , said on Saturday he would not congratulate a winner of the US presidential election until legal challenges are concluded , in an apparent bid to avoid friction with Washington during the transition .
Democrat Joe Biden won the election on Saturday after a victory in the battleground state of Pennsylvania put him over the threshold of 270 electoral college votes .
Mexico is the United States ’ top trade partner , with over $ 600bn of annual two-way commerce , and the bilateral relationship with its northern neighbour is by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ With regard to the US election , we are going to wait until all the legal matters have been resolved , ” López Obrador , commonly known as Amlo , said at a news conference .
“ I can ’ t congratulate one candidate or the other .
I want to wait until the electoral process is over.
” Republican president Donald Trump has filed a raft of lawsuits to challenge the results , but electoral officials in states across the country say there has been no evidence of significant fraud , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efforts are unlikely to succeed .
The Mexican president linked his caution to his own allegations of fraud in two presidential elections he contested , in 2006 and 2012 , before winning on his third bid in 2018 .
His reluctance to comment on the US results stands in contrast to congratulations offered to Bolivia ’ s former president Evo Morales last year despite opposition claims of fraud in that re-election bid .
Mexican officials said the decision was born of a desire to avoid provoking Trump while he remained in the White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a 3,000-km border with Mexico , ” an official said of the apparent contradiction .
“ It ’ s important to have a couple of months of peace and good neighbourly relations.
“ In his remarks , Amlo said he had a good relationship with both Trump and former vice president Biden , whom he said he had known for a decade .
He has needed to toe a fine line with Trump , whose term is scheduled to end on 20 January .
A Biden presidency could reset ties that have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House bid , tarring Mexican migrants as rapists and gun-runners and vowing to keep them out with a border wall .
Under Trump , Mexico has had to navigate abrupt demands to stem illegal migration or face trade tariffs .
However , by acceding to Trump ’ s migration dictates , Amlo has forged an uneasy relationship of some mutual convenience , in which Washington has mostly avoided criticising his economic policies .
“ President Trump has been very respectful with us , ” he said .
“ And we are thankful that @ @ @ @ @ @

Mexico’s president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, said on Saturday he would not congratulate a winner of the US presidential election until legal challenges are concluded, in an apparent bid to avoid friction with Washington during the transition.
Democrat Joe Biden won the election on Saturday after a victory in the battleground state of Pennsylvania put him over the threshold of 270 electoral college votes.
Mexico is the United States’ top trade partner, with over $600bn of annual two-way commerce, and the bilateral relationship with its northern neighbour is by far the most important for Mexico.
“With regard to the US election, we are going to wait until all the legal matters have been resolved,” López Obrador, commonly known as Amlo, said at a news conference.
“I can’t congratulate one candidate or the other. I want to wait until the electoral process is over.”
Republican president Donald Trump has filed a raft of lawsuits to challenge the results, but electoral officials in states across the country say there has been no evidence of significant fraud, and legal experts say Trump’s efforts are unlikely to succeed.
The Mexican president linked his caution to his own allegations of fraud in two presidential elections he contested, in 2006 and 2012, before winning on his third bid in 2018.
His reluctance to comment on the US results stands in contrast to congratulations offered to Bolivia’s former president Evo Morales last year despite opposition claims of fraud in that re-election bid.
Mexican officials said the decision was born of a desire to avoid provoking Trump while he remained in the White House.
“Bolivia doesn’t have a 3,000-km border with Mexico,” an official said of the apparent contradiction. “It’s important to have a couple of months of peace and good neighbourly relations.“
In his remarks, Amlo said he had a good relationship with both Trump and former vice president Biden, whom he said he had known for a decade.
He has needed to toe a fine line with Trump, whose term is scheduled to end on 20 January. A Biden presidency could reset ties that have frayed since Trump made his first White House bid, tarring Mexican migrants as rapists and gun-runners and vowing to keep them out with a border wall.
Under Trump, Mexico has had to navigate abrupt demands to stem illegal migration or face trade tariffs.
However, by acceding to Trump’s migration dictates, Amlo has forged an uneasy relationship of some mutual convenience, in which Washington has mostly avoided criticising his economic policies.
“President Trump has been very respectful with us,” he said. “And we are thankful that he has not meddled.”


theguardian--2020-11-08--Biden is the projected election winner. Can Trump still stand in his way?

News organizations have called the presidential race for Joe Biden and he is now the president-elect of the United States .
But Donald Trump refuses to concede .
While a concession is not a legal requirement , it does create some uncertainty around what happens between now and the presidential inauguration on 20 January , when the constitution is clear the president ’ s term ends .
Here ’ s what you need to know about challenges to the vote totals over the next few weeks .
Joe Biden is projected to defeat Donald Trump .
Is the election really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the winner based on their assessment of all of the counting and outstanding votes .
They have made the assessment that Biden has a significant enough lead in enough states to get the 270 electoral college votes he needs to be president and that there ’ s no path forward for Trump .
The organizations that make these determinations , such as the Associated Press , rely on experts to make these projections and are often extremely cautious because they don ’ t want to get them wrong .
Once a candidate is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ highly unlikely the organization behind that projection would withdraw it .
As a matter of law , however , state results are not official until they go through a statewide certification process .
Each state sets its own deadline for finishing that process .
On 14 December , the electors chosen by their respective parties will all meet and cast their votes for president .
The electors are chosen based on the certified winner of the popular vote .
Trump ’ s campaign is already filing lawsuits challenging votes .
Can he change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are certified and the electoral college meets ?
Joe Biden holds a lead of tens of thousands of votes in key states where he needs the electoral college vote , and by about 4m in the overall popular vote .
To overturn those margins , the Trump campaign would need to convince judges that those ballots had been cast illegally .
But election officials closely track mail-in ballots and the ballot counting process , and voter fraud is extremely rare in the US .
It will be very hard for Trump to convince @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s efforts do not look promising .
The handful of lawsuits he has filed are legally shaky , experts say , and even if they had any merit , they would not be sufficient to overturn Biden ’ s leads .
At least two of the suits have already been dismissed .
Trump has already said he ’ s going to seek recounts .
What does that mean and will that change anything ?
Recounts are a normal process in elections and many states have laws that specifically outline the process under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a candidate is entitled to a recount if the margin is less than 1 percentage point ( Biden currently leads Trump there by about 0.7 points ) .
In Georgia , a candidate can request a recount if the margin is less than 0.5 % of votes cast ( Biden currently leads by about 0.2 points ) .
In Pennsylvania , there is an automatic statewide recount if the margin between the candidates is less than 0.5 % of votes cast .
A recount doesn ’ t mean there was anything wrong with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a way of checking the results in a close race .
Recounts rarely change the results of a race .
Between 2000 and 2019 , there were 5,778 statewide elections and 31 statewide recounts , according to FairVote , a voting reform group .
Three of those recounts resulted in a reversal of the results .
FairVote found that margin shifts are usually smaller in recounts with a high number of votes cast and presidential elections usually have the highest turnout .
Even Scott Walker , the former Republican governor of Wisconsin , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden ’ s 20,000-vote lead in the state with a recount .
But what about the US supreme court ?
Conservatives have a powerful 6-3 majority there .
Can ’ t Trump ask them to step in and determine the outcome of the election ?
It ’ s true that the US supreme court is very conservative , but the justices are unlikely to determine the outcome of this election for a few reasons .
Much of Trump ’ s focus in challenging the election result has been focused on the fact that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election day .
But even though the ballots are tabulated after election day , all of them were cast on or before it .
Trump has offered little evidence of any , let alone widespread , ballots that were cast illegally .
There is currently only one pending case regarding the election in front of the US supreme court .
It ’ s a dispute over whether Pennsylvania ballots that were postmarked by election day but arrive in the days after should be counted .
Even though three justices on the court have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it does not appear that there are enough of those late-arriving ballots to swing the election in Pennsylvania .
Even if there were , legal experts have also voiced skepticism over whether the justices would reject the ballots because voters who cast those late-arriving ballots relied on instructions from government officials to believe they would be counted .
The US supreme court also wants to be seen as above politics and unlikely to get involved in an election where it would have to overturn the results in a number of states .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ court got involved in one state , Florida .
But 2020 is dramatically different .
Biden is projected to win a number of key swing states and the court is likely to be very hesitant to get involved .
That sets a high bar for Trump and his lawyers : they have to show clear evidence of wrongdoing that would change the results in those places .

News organizations have called the presidential race for Joe Biden and he is now the president-elect of the United States. But Donald Trump refuses to concede. While a concession is not a legal requirement, it does create some uncertainty around what happens between now and the presidential inauguration on 20 January, when the constitution is clear the president’s term ends.
Here’s what you need to know about challenges to the vote totals over the next few weeks.
Joe Biden is projected to defeat Donald Trump. Is the election really over?
Media outlets have called Biden the winner based on their assessment of all of the counting and outstanding votes. They have made the assessment that Biden has a significant enough lead in enough states to get the 270 electoral college votes he needs to be president and that there’s no path forward for Trump.
The organizations that make these determinations, such as the Associated Press, rely on experts to make these projections and are often extremely cautious because they don’t want to get them wrong. Once a candidate is projected as the president-elect, it is highly unlikely the organization behind that projection would withdraw it.
As a matter of law, however, state results are not official until they go through a statewide certification process. Each state sets its own deadline for finishing that process. On 14 December, the electors chosen by their respective parties will all meet and cast their votes for president. The electors are chosen based on the certified winner of the popular vote.
Trump’s campaign is already filing lawsuits challenging votes. Can he change the results of the vote before results are certified and the electoral college meets?
It’s very unlikely.
Joe Biden holds a lead of tens of thousands of votes in key states where he needs the electoral college vote, and by about 4m in the overall popular vote. To overturn those margins, the Trump campaign would need to convince judges that those ballots had been cast illegally.
But election officials closely track mail-in ballots and the ballot counting process, and voter fraud is extremely rare in the US. It will be very hard for Trump to convince judges otherwise.
So far, Trump’s efforts do not look promising. The handful of lawsuits he has filed are legally shaky, experts say, and even if they had any merit, they would not be sufficient to overturn Biden’s leads. At least two of the suits have already been dismissed.
Trump has already said he’s going to seek recounts. What does that mean and will that change anything?
Recounts are a normal process in elections and many states have laws that specifically outline the process under which they occur. In Wisconsin, a candidate is entitled to a recount if the margin is less than 1 percentage point (Biden currently leads Trump there by about 0.7 points). In Georgia, a candidate can request a recount if the margin is less than 0.5% of votes cast (Biden currently leads by about 0.2 points). In Pennsylvania, there is an automatic statewide recount if the margin between the candidates is less than 0.5% of votes cast.
A recount doesn’t mean there was anything wrong with the initial count - it’s a way of checking the results in a close race. Recounts rarely change the results of a race.
Between 2000 and 2019, there were 5,778 statewide elections and 31 statewide recounts, according to FairVote, a voting reform group. Three of those recounts resulted in a reversal of the results. FairVote found that margin shifts are usually smaller in recounts with a high number of votes cast and presidential elections usually have the highest turnout.
Even Scott Walker, the former Republican governor of Wisconsin, has acknowledged Trump is unlikely to overcome Biden’s 20,000-vote lead in the state with a recount.
04:42 The path to Joe Biden’s victory: five days in five minutes - video highlights
But what about the US supreme court? Conservatives have a powerful 6-3 majority there. Can’t Trump ask them to step in and determine the outcome of the election?
It’s true that the US supreme court is very conservative, but the justices are unlikely to determine the outcome of this election for a few reasons.
Much of Trump’s focus in challenging the election result has been focused on the fact that election officials are counting mail-in ballots after election day. But even though the ballots are tabulated after election day, all of them were cast on or before it.
Trump has offered little evidence of any, let alone widespread, ballots that were cast illegally.
There is currently only one pending case regarding the election in front of the US supreme court. It’s a dispute over whether Pennsylvania ballots that were postmarked by election day but arrive in the days after should be counted. Even though three justices on the court have suggested those ballots should be thrown out, it does not appear that there are enough of those late-arriving ballots to swing the election in Pennsylvania. Even if there were, legal experts have also voiced skepticism over whether the justices would reject the ballots because voters who cast those late-arriving ballots relied on instructions from government officials to believe they would be counted.
The US supreme court also wants to be seen as above politics and unlikely to get involved in an election where it would have to overturn the results in a number of states. In the 2000 election, the supreme court got involved in one state, Florida. But 2020 is dramatically different. Biden is projected to win a number of key swing states and the court is likely to be very hesitant to get involved. That sets a high bar for Trump and his lawyers: they have to show clear evidence of wrongdoing that would change the results in those places.


theguardian--2020-11-08--'Unify, not divide': Joe Biden addresses US in election victory speech

President-elect Joe Biden declared victory in the US presidential race on Saturday .
“ The people of this nation have @ @ @ @ @ delivered us a convincing victory .
A clear victory , ” Biden told the crowd @ @ @ @ @ of Wilmington .
Echoing the introductory speech by his running-mate and vice-president elect Kamala Harris @ @ @ @ @ a president for all Americans , including the 70 million people who voted to re-elect @ @ @ @ @ pledge to be a president who seeks not to divide but to unify , ” @ @ @ @ @ on to thank his family and noted having the honor of working with the first @ @ @ @ @ “ Don ’ t tell me it ’ s not possible in the United States @ @ @ @ @ said , sparking cheers from the crowds and honks from cars .

President-elect Joe Biden declared victory in the US presidential race on Saturday and called for Americans to come together after years of partisan rancor.
“The people of this nation have spoken. They’ve delivered us a convincing victory. A clear victory,” Biden told the crowd of supporters in his hometown of Wilmington, Delaware.
Biden became the president-elect after several days of vote counting when major news outlets called Pennsylvania and its 20 electoral votes for the former vice-president. Soon after the Pennsylvania call, media outlets announced Biden had also defeated Donald Trump in Arizona and Nevada, giving him a total of 290 electoral votes.
Echoing the introductory speech by his running-mate, Vice-President-Elect Kamala Harris, Biden in his speech pledged to be a president for all Americans, including the 70 million who voted to re-elect Trump.
“I pledge to be a president who seeks not to divide but to unify,” Biden said.
The incoming 46th president acknowledged the current era of hyper-partisan politics and tense race relations across the country. “Let this grim era of demonization in America begin to end – here and now,” he said.
“It’s time to put away the harsh rhetoric. To lower the temperature. To see each other again. To listen to each other again,” Biden added.
“To make progress, we must stop treating our opponents as our enemy. We are not enemies. We are Americans. The Bible tells us that to everything there is a season — a time to build, a time to reap, a time to sow. And a time to heal. This is the time to heal in America,” Biden said.
And he acknowledged the historic nature of his campaign, and the supporters that buoyed it even when it struggled to stay afloat.
'We must restore the soul of America': Joe Biden's victory speech in full – video
“To all those who supported us: I am proud of the campaign we built and ran. I am proud of the coalition we put together, the broadest and most diverse in history. Democrats, Republicans and independents,” Biden said. “Progressives, moderates and conservatives. Young and old. Urban, suburban and rural. Gay, straight, transgender. White. Latino. Asian. Native American. And especially for those moments when this campaign was at its lowest – the African American community stood up again for me. They always have my back, and I’ll have yours.”
Cars at the Chase Center convention venue honked and supporters cheered throughout the address.
Biden’s speech was as much a celebration as it was an acknowledgement of the momentous tasks his incoming administration faces. The US confirmed 126,480 new coronavirus cases on Friday, a record number for a third day in a row. Millions of Americans are still losing their jobs each month, and the climate crisis is worsening.
Biden is likely to enter his first term as president with a divided Congress, where Democratscontrol the House of Representatives but Republicans hold a majority in the Senate.
Biden on Saturday formally announced a new taskforce to plan federal efforts to curb the virus. “On Monday, I will name a group of leading scientists and experts as transition advisers to help take the Biden-Harris Covid plan and convert it into an action blueprint that starts on January 20 2021,” Biden said. “That plan will be built on a bedrock of science. It will be constructed out of compassion, empathy, and concern. I will spare no effort – or commitment – to turn this pandemic around.”
10:50 'You chose truth': Kamala Harris's historic victory speech in full – video
Biden was introduced by Kamala Harris, the California senator who is now the vice-president elect. She noted the historical aspect of her ascension to the vice-presidency, becoming the the first woman of color to inhabit the office. She thanked Biden for helping break “one of the most substantial barriers” and picking a woman as his vice-president. She vowed to be a vice-president for all Americans.
It was a theme the ticket would return to repeatedly. Biden stressed the need for unity in addressing the challenges the country faces going forward, and he reached out to supporters of Donald Trump – one of the only times he and Harris directly name-checked the president in their remarks.
“And to those who voted for President Trump, I understand your disappointment tonight. I’ve lost a couple of elections myself,” Biden said. “But now, let’s give each other a chance.”
It’s unclear whether Trump will continue the traditions past presidents have kept when leaving office, both because of term limits and electoral defeat.
Trump has not conceded the race and he and some of his advisers say that the election results are laced with fraud. Those claims are unfounded. After the race was called for Biden, Trump sent out several angry tweets, baselessly alleging vote count irregularities.
The White House signaled that it would have no more public events on Saturday. The 45th president went golfing earlier in the day.
During Biden’s speech, Trump was in the executive residence of the White House with the first lady, Melania Trump. It is unclear if he watched Biden’s remarks. As of Saturday, Trump had not extended an invitation to meet with Biden, as presidents normally do with their successors.
After Biden’s speech, the campaign shot out fireworks as the incoming first and second families watched together on stage. The fireworks included the Biden campaign logo and the words “president-elect” and “vice-president-elect.”


theguardian--2020-11-08--Trump loses but results show Republican party has Trumpism in its bones

Donald Trump came to use the line often at his campaign rallies .
“ Can you imagine if you lose to a guy like this ?
” he would say of Joe Biden .
“ It ’ s unbelievable.
” It ’ s not so unbelievable now .
Despite record turnout , and a tighter than expected race , the US president ’ s blind faith in the power of positive thinking appears to have collided with the reality of a coronavirus pandemic , a chaotic campaign and the uprising of a democratic and Democratic resistance .
He is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re-election since George H W Bush in 1992 .
More successful incumbents have made elections about their challengers rather than themselves .
But Trump could neither escape the pandemic and its economic fallout nor find a way to define Biden .
With more than 225,000 Americans dead after contracting the virus , his closing rallies were held largely in midwestern states enduring record infections , hospitalisations and deaths .
The election was always going to be a referendum on Trump in general and his handling of the virus in particular .
As Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with crass behaviour and denials of scientific reality , Biden was able to sit back and watch the implosion .
His own campaign schedule was lighter , observed public health guidelines and was always sure to keep a laser focus on the pandemic .
In February , with the economy humming , Trump had some reasons to be confident of re-election .
Having filed the paperwork to run on inauguration day , his re-election campaign had built a formidable war chest and data operation .
He survived an impeachment trial that led some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The president stood in the White House and brandished a newspaper front page that declared “ Trump acquitted ” – but tectonic plates were shifting beneath his feet .
February would prove a squandered month as Covid-19 exerted its grip in America .
Trump was given a bad hand and played it badly .
He deliberately played down the threat , claiming that one day the virus would disappear “ like magic ” , and failed to build a national strategy .
As the pandemic wore on , he pressured state governors to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contact tracing operations , waffled over the wearing of face masks , floated the wild idea of injecting disinfectant as a cure and failed to show empathy to the families of the dead .
Trump proved similarly tone deaf to the plight of African Americans killed by police , seeking instead to exploit the racial justice crisis for political gain .
Biden , whose life has been scarred by loss , made empathy his campaign calling card .
The Trump campaign , which had a $ 200m lead when Biden became the presumptive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with profligate spending of $ 800m .
The campaign manager , Brad Parscale , was demoted and replaced by Republican operative Bill Stepien .
But just as he had been in the White House for four years , Trump was his own manager , spokesman and salesman .
He turned in a wretched performance in the first debate against Biden that was widely criticized by Democrats and Republicans .
At rallies and in interviews , the president showed no message discipline , mocking the virus even as he caught it himself , pushing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American democracy .
Trump ’ s 2016 effort was no less erratic or prone to shedding campaign managers but succeeded in finding a narrative thread on trade , immigration ( “ Build that wall !
” ) branding his opponent ( “ Crooked Hillary ” ) and a resonant slogan ( “ Make America great again ” ) .
Even then he lost the popular vote by nearly 3m ballots but threaded the needle of the electoral college by around 80,000 votes in three states .
To catch lightning in a bottle for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big ask even without a pandemic .
The Democratic “ resistance ” found expression through activists , journalists , politicians , satirists , whistleblowers who applied checks and balances to his administration ’ s cruelty and corruption .
In 2018 voters punished him , giving Democrats control of the House of Representatives , which duly impeached Trump for seeking a political favour from a foreign leader .
Ezra Levin , co-founder of the progressive movement Indivisible , said : “ You can ’ t tell the story of the Trump era without telling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is a grassroots surge not of people who have been doing this year in and year out for time immemorial .
“ When I look at the Indivisible groups or the new youth groups or the Black racial justice groups or the immigrant rights groups , these are many folks who were not politically active before but started treating democracy as a participatory sport .
And they ’ ve changed what ’ s politically possible .
This is what ’ s new and the new thing is what ’ s caused this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may now trigger a civil war of sorts within a wounded Republican party .
Some will call for a purge of Trumpism and blow the dust off the party ’ s autopsy report that followed Mitt Romney ’ s defeat in 2012 : it demanded diversification and outreach to minority groups .
But the results , and the record turnout , may suggest that the Republican party now has populist nationalism in its bones .
The nomination in 2024 could even be a battle between Donald Trump and Donald Trump Jr. Michael Steele @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committee , noted last week that some in the party were already trying to distance themselves from Trump as they anticipated defeat .
He said : “ It ’ s all for the other side in which they go , ‘ What ?
I ’ m just as surprised as you are that it was so bad .
How did that happen ?
Who knew ?
We didn ’ t .
Oh , my goodness.
’ It ’ s going to be a hard sell for the country to buy that.
” Steele @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lincoln Project , added : “ We are the party that put children in cages .
We are the party that said there are fine people on both sides talking about white nationalism .
We are the party that had nothing to say regarding the death of George Floyd and Black Lives Matter ; we are the party that responded with law and order .
“ And we are the party that responded don ’ t worry , white women who live in suburbia , we ’ ll protect you from them , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So OK , tell me how you make that up ?
”

Donald Trump came to use the line often at his campaign rallies. “Can you imagine if you lose to a guy like this?” he would say of Joe Biden. “It’s unbelievable.”
It’s not so unbelievable now. Despite record turnout, and a tighter than expected race, the US president’s blind faith in the power of positive thinking appears to have collided with the reality of a coronavirus pandemic, a chaotic campaign and the uprising of a democratic and Democratic resistance. He is the first incumbent to lose a bid for re-election since George H W Bush in 1992.
More successful incumbents have made elections about their challengers rather than themselves. But Trump could neither escape the pandemic and its economic fallout nor find a way to define Biden. With more than 225,000 Americans dead after contracting the virus, his closing rallies were held largely in midwestern states enduring record infections, hospitalisations and deaths.
The election was always going to be a referendum on Trump in general and his handling of the virus in particular.
As Trump shot himself in the foot almost daily with crass behaviour and denials of scientific reality, Biden was able to sit back and watch the implosion. His own campaign schedule was lighter, observed public health guidelines and was always sure to keep a laser focus on the pandemic.
In February, with the economy humming, Trump had some reasons to be confident of re-election. Having filed the paperwork to run on inauguration day, his re-election campaign had built a formidable war chest and data operation. He survived an impeachment trial that led some critics to accuse Democrats of overreach. The president stood in the White House and brandished a newspaper front page that declared “Trump acquitted” – but tectonic plates were shifting beneath his feet.
Donald Trump holds a copy of the USA Today newspaper fronting with his impeachment acquittal, as he arrives to the 68th Annual National Prayer Breakfast in Washington on 6 February.. Photograph: Oliver Contreras//EPA
February would prove a squandered month as Covid-19 exerted its grip in America. Trump was given a bad hand and played it badly. He deliberately played down the threat, claiming that one day the virus would disappear “like magic”, and failed to build a national strategy.
As the pandemic wore on, he pressured state governors to reopen for business despite inadequate testing and contact tracing operations, waffled over the wearing of face masks, floated the wild idea of injecting disinfectant as a cure and failed to show empathy to the families of the dead.
Trump proved similarly tone deaf to the plight of African Americans killed by police, seeking instead to exploit the racial justice crisis for political gain. Biden, whose life has been scarred by loss, made empathy his campaign calling card.
04:42 The path to Joe Biden’s victory: five days in five minutes - video highlights
The Trump campaign, which had a $200m lead when Biden became the presumptive Democratic nominee, threw away that advantage with profligate spending of $800m. The campaign manager, Brad Parscale, was demoted and replaced by Republican operative Bill Stepien.
But just as he had been in the White House for four years, Trump was his own manager, spokesman and salesman. He turned in a wretched performance in the first debate against Biden that was widely criticized by Democrats and Republicans. At rallies and in interviews, the president showed no message discipline, mocking the virus even as he caught it himself, pushing disinformation about Biden and threatening to destabilise American democracy.
People watch the final presidential debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden outside Cowell Theater on 22 October in San Francisco, California. Photograph: China News Service/Getty Images
Trump’s 2016 effort was no less erratic or prone to shedding campaign managers but succeeded in finding a narrative thread on trade, immigration (“Build that wall!”) branding his opponent (“Crooked Hillary”) and a resonant slogan (“Make America great again”). Even then he lost the popular vote by nearly 3m ballots but threaded the needle of the electoral college by around 80,000 votes in three states.
To catch lightning in a bottle for a second time would have been a big ask even without a pandemic.
The Democratic “resistance” found expression through activists, journalists, politicians, satirists, whistleblowers who applied checks and balances to his administration’s cruelty and corruption. In 2018 voters punished him, giving Democrats control of the House of Representatives, which duly impeached Trump for seeking a political favour from a foreign leader.
Ezra Levin, co-founder of the progressive movement Indivisible, said: “You can’t tell the story of the Trump era without telling the story of the grassroots surge. This is a grassroots surge not of people who have been doing this year in and year out for time immemorial.
A crowd of protesters walk from the Capitol building to the White House during a peaceful protest against police brutality and racism, on 6 June in Washington. Photograph: Roberto Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images
“When I look at the Indivisible groups or the new youth groups or the Black racial justice groups or the immigrant rights groups, these are many folks who were not politically active before but started treating democracy as a participatory sport. And they’ve changed what’s politically possible. This is what’s new and the new thing is what’s caused this new result.”
Trump’s defeat may now trigger a civil war of sorts within a wounded Republican party. Some will call for a purge of Trumpism and blow the dust off the party’s autopsy report that followed Mitt Romney’s defeat in 2012: it demanded diversification and outreach to minority groups.
But the results, and the record turnout, may suggest that the Republican party now has populist nationalism in its bones. The nomination in 2024 could even be a battle between Donald Trump and Donald Trump Jr.
Michael Steele, former chairman of the Republican national committee, noted last week that some in the party were already trying to distance themselves from Trump as they anticipated defeat.
He said: “It’s all for the other side in which they go, ‘What? I’m just as surprised as you are that it was so bad. How did that happen? Who knew? We didn’t. Oh, my goodness.’ It’s going to be a hard sell for the country to buy that.”
Steele, a senior adviser to the anti-Trump Lincoln Project, added: “We are the party that put children in cages. We are the party that said there are fine people on both sides talking about white nationalism. We are the party that had nothing to say regarding the death of George Floyd and Black Lives Matter; we are the party that responded with law and order.
“And we are the party that responded don’t worry, white women who live in suburbia, we’ll protect you from them, they’re coming for your neighbourhood. So OK, tell me how you make that up?”


theguardian--2020-11-08--Scott Morrison congratulates Biden on US win while Malcolm Turnbull declares 'what a relief'

The Australian prime minister , Scott Morrison , has congratulated Joe Biden on his victory in the US presidential election , while his predecessor , Malcolm Turnbull , succinctly declared “ what a relief ” .
Morrison on Sunday morning local time said he looked forward to coordinating with the new Biden administration on Covid-19 and on technologies to reduce “ global ” emissions .
Donald Trump , who was on the golf course when the news broke that he was to be a one-term president , has not yet conceded defeat and is continuing to make unsubstantiated claims casting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But world leaders , including Morrison , have lined up to congratulate the president-elect and his running mate , Kamala Harris .
The Australian prime minister said : “ Today , the world faces many challenges , including managing the Covid-19 pandemic , on both a health and economic front , ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific region , and peace and stability.
” “ American leadership is indispensable to meeting these challenges and upholding the rules , norms and standards of our international community , ” Morrison said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working with president-elect Biden and his administration to continue to fight the Covid-19 global pandemic and recession , to develop a vaccine , drive a global economic recovery , and develop new technologies to reduce global emissions as we practically confront the challenge of climate change .
“ We welcome the president-elect ’ s commitment to multilateral institutions and strengthening democracies.
” With Biden ’ s victory projected , Turnbull , the former Australian prime minister , kept his reaction on Twitter succinct .
He later told ABC TV that Biden ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ normal transmission ” with the US administration no longer making decisions by “ wild tweets ” in the early hours of the morning .
Biden has pledged that America will rejoin the Paris agreement and will reach net zero emissions by 2050 .
The incoming president is also signalling he will take steps to reinvigorate global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions – a development that is expected to ratchet up diplomatic pressure on Australia .
Morrison has been emphasising that Australia will take a technological approach to emissions reduction , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sign up to a net zero commitment by mid-century despite being a signatory to the Paris agreement .
While some in the Liberal party feel the Coalition needs to turn the page on the climate wars the National party will resist moves to increase ambition around abatement .
Morrison later told reporters Biden held a similar view to Australia “ on how technology can be used to address lower emissions challenges ” .
“ We want to see global emissions fall and it ’ s not enough for us to make commitments , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We need to [ look to ] the transformational technologies that are scalable and affordable for the developing world.
” Morrison on Sunday morning noted Australia had enjoyed “ a strong working relationship with the current administration , one that has seen the strength of our alliance continue to grow and deepen ” .
He said Australia would “ continue to work closely with president Trump and his administration in the transition period between now and 20 January ” .
The projected result overnight was also welcomed by the Labor opposition leader Anthony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US alliance has been our most important partnership since WW2 and your commitment to leadership will see this strengthened into the future.
” The Labor leader later told reporters that Biden was “ a friend of Australia ” and he welcomed America ’ s imminent return to the Paris accord and multilateral institutions .
After Trump last week falsely claimed victory in the presidential election and flagged supreme court action to truncate the count , Labor declared American voters deserved to have their voices heard .
The shadow foreign affairs minister , Penny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be respected “ even when it takes time ” .
On Sunday morning Australian time , Trump was still claiming without evidence that Republican observers were blocked from scrutineering in counting rooms .
In a capitalised tweet he said : “ I won the election ” .
Twitter flagged the statement with a note that : “ This claim about election fraud is disputed.
” Albanese said on Sunday it was critical that the outgoing administration respected democratic principles .
“ The other thing that needs to happen – and this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Morrison needs to dissociate himself … from government members who are questioning the democratic process and continue to do so.
” “ The fact is that these conspiracy theories do nothing to advance our common interest of standing up for democratic values , ” Albanese said .

Scott Morrison has signalled he would invite Joe Biden to visit Australia for the 70th anniversary of the Anzus treaty in 2021 as he congratulated the Democrat for winning the US presidential election.
Morrison told reporters that Canberra would continue to deal with the Trump administration during the transition period but looked forward to working with Biden from January.
The Australian prime minister described the former vice-president in the Obama administration as possessing a “deep understanding” of national security issues, including the importance of the post-war alliance to ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. The Anzus treaty between Australia, New Zealand and the United States was signed in September 1951.
“I look forward to inviting the president-elect to join us next year … and for us to be able to celebrate 70 years of peace and stability and security that has been established by this incredible relationship,” Morrison told reporters on Sunday.
“This is a profound time, not just for the United States, but for our partnership and the world more broadly and I look forward to forging a great partnership in the spirit of the relationships that has always existed between prime ministers of Australia and presidents of the United States.”
Biden’s election will increase diplomatic pressure on Australia to step up its commitments on climate change.
The incoming president has promised that America will rejoin the Paris agreement and will reach net zero emissions by 2050. Biden has also signalled he will take steps to reinvigorate global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Morrison has been emphasising that Australia will take a technological approach to emissions reduction, and the Coalition is thus far resisting pressure to sign up to a net zero commitment by mid-century despite being a signatory to the Paris agreement.
While some in the Liberal party feel the Coalition needs to turn the page on the climate wars the National party will resist moves to increase ambition around abatement.
Asked about Biden’s commitment to net zero, Morrison said Australia was a signatory to the Paris agreement “and that is something we hold fast to”.
“We have a strong story to tell about our achievement when it comes to commitments on the global stage,” he told reporters.
“I also particularly welcome the comments that were made during the campaign by vice president Biden, at the time, when he showed a lot of similarity to Australia’s views on how technology can be used to address the lower emissions challenge.
“We want to see global emissions fall and it’s not enough for us to meet our commitments – we need to have the transformational technologies that are scalable and affordable for the developing world as well because that is where all the emissions increases are coming from in the decade ahead in the next 20 years.”
Trump, who was on the golf course when the news broke that he was to be a one-term president, has not yet conceded defeat and is continuing to make unsubstantiated claims casting doubt over the legitimacy of the process.
But world leaders have lined up to congratulate the president-elect and his running mate, Kamala Harris.
In a statement issued ahead of his remarks in Sydney, the Australian prime minister said: “Today, the world faces many challenges, including managing the Covid-19 pandemic, on both a health and economic front, ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific region, and peace and stability.”
“American leadership is indispensable to meeting these challenges and upholding the rules, norms and standards of our international community,” Morrison said.
“We also look forward to working with president-elect Biden and his administration to continue to fight the Covid-19 global pandemic and recession, to develop a vaccine, drive a global economic recovery, and develop new technologies to reduce global emissions as we practically confront the challenge of climate change.
“We welcome the president-elect’s commitment to multilateral institutions and strengthening democracies.”
Congratulations to @joebiden and @kamalaharris - Australia wishes you every success in office. The Australia-US Alliance is deep and enduring, and built on shared values. I look forward to working with you closely as we face the world’s many challenges together. — Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) November 7, 2020
With Biden’s victory projected, Malcolm Turnbull, the former Australian prime minister who famously tussled with Trump early in his presidency about the US refugee swap deal, kept his reaction on Twitter succinct.
Congratulations Joe Biden and Kamala Harris! What a relief that you won. 🙏🙏🙏 — Malcolm Turnbull (@TurnbullMalcolm) November 7, 2020
He later told ABC TV that Biden’s win would mean a return to “normal transmission” with the US administration no longer making decisions by “wild tweets” in the early hours of the morning.
Morrison, who forged a constructive relationship with Trump, on Sunday morning noted Australia had enjoyed “a strong working relationship with the current administration, one that has seen the strength of our alliance continue to grow and deepen”.
He said Australia would “continue to work closely with president Trump and his administration in the transition period between now and 20 January”.
The projected result overnight was also welcomed by the Labor opposition leader Anthony Albanese.
Congratulations to @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris on a victory delivered with record support with a progressive agenda based on decency, honest government, creating opportunity and dealing with the pandemic and the challenge of climate change — Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) November 7, 2020
Albanese said: “The US alliance has been our most important partnership since WW2 and your commitment to leadership will see this strengthened into the future.”
The Labor leader later told reporters that Biden was “a friend of Australia” and he welcomed America’s imminent return to the Paris accord and multilateral institutions.
After Trump last week falsely claimed victory in the presidential election and flagged supreme court action to truncate the count, Labor declared American voters deserved to have their voices heard. The shadow foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, said the democratic process needed to be respected “even when it takes time”.
On Sunday morning Australian time, Trump was still claiming without evidence that Republican observers were blocked from scrutineering in counting rooms. In a capitalised tweet he said: “I won the election”. Twitter flagged the statement with a note that: “This claim about election fraud is disputed.”
Albanese said on Sunday it was critical that the outgoing administration respected democratic principles. “The other thing that needs to happen – and this is the context here – is that Scott Morrison needs to dissociate himself … from government members who are questioning the democratic process and continue to do so.”
“The fact is that these conspiracy theories do nothing to advance our common interest of standing up for democratic values,” Albanese said.


theguardian--2020-11-07--Joe Biden’s move to net zero emissions will leave Australia in the (coal) dust | Bill Hare

The election of Joe Biden to the White House is likely to see Australia increasingly isolated as the world heads to net zero emissions , with quite fundamental implications for our economy .
Let ’ s have a look at what has happened in the last two months .
In September , the European Union proposed increasing its 2030 target from 40 % to at least 55 % reduction below 1990 levels in order to meet the net zero by 2050 target it adopted in 2019 .
Critically , the EU has made climate action one of its three main @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least 30 % of its multi-annual budget and recovery fund is to be spent on achieving its increased 2030 emission reduction targets and its climate neutrality goal for 2050 .
These new goals for the EU27 would bring its domestic emissions very close to a 1.5°C Paris compatible level for the period to 2050 .
The UK has similar goals and ambitions to the EU27 .
Shortly afterwards , President Xi Jinping announced that China would “ aim to achieve carbon neutrality before 2060 ” , the first time China has acknowledged the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CO2 emissions by mid-century .
If it covers all greenhouse gas emissions it would also be very close to what is needed by mid-century to be in line with the Paris agreement ’ s long-term goal .
If this goal covers CO2 only , then China would need to achieve carbon neutrality around 2050 for this to be compatible with the Paris agreement .
With China responsible for about a quarter of the world ’ s emissions , a move to net zero by mid-century has very significant implications for global temperature , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of century projections by 0.2-0.3oC towards 2.4-2.5oC , compared with the previous 2.7oC projection .
In October , both Japan and South Korea also announced net zero GHG goals for 2050 .
Japan ’ s prime minister , Yoshihide Suga , announced Japan would aim for net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 with several specific measures , including a fundamental revision of its policy on coal-fired power plants .
In an important change to Japan ’ s narrative , Suga emphasised the benefits to economic growth from the net zero commitment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it as a cost .
This was followed two days later by the South Korean president , Moon Jae-in , announcing his commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 , replacing coal power generation with renewable energy to create new markets , industries and jobs .
Taken together , these four countries account for about 40 % of global GHG emissions .
There is also a large number of smaller countries with comparable net zero emissions commitments that would bring the total global coverage to about 48 % of global emissions .
What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announcements is that they were made in the absence of any commitment by the United States and before any US presidential election outcome .
China ’ s announcement in particular seems to reflect a geopolitical judgement by the Chinese government that they intend to move forward with ambitious climate goals even without the US .
Arguably , these moves by this set of countries on their own will generate a major global move towards increased ambition and towards net zero by 2050 .
So where does this leave Australia ?
These net zero @ @ @ @ @ @ @ markets create huge challenges .
In 2019 China , South Korea and Japan accounted for 72 % by value of Australia ’ s exports of LNG and coal : 88 % of Australia ’ s LNG exports ; 75 % of thermal coal exports ; and 51 % of metallurgical coal exports .
It is notable that none of these countries have focused on natural gas and all have mentioned renewable energy and other technologies , and all recognise that early action on coal is needed .
The election of Joe Biden could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ landslide towards higher climate ambition .
His election means the US will re-enter the Paris agreement , reverse the Trump administration ’ s rollbacks and make a significant contribution to closing the Paris agreement ’ s ambition gap with a new 2030 target .
If he took the initiative to reboot US action in line with his plan to reach net zero emissions by 2050 , Biden could reduce US emissions substantially by 2030 .
If he is able to fully implement his proposed Energy and Climate Package , and continues to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the US , the US could significantly reduce its 2030 emissions , reducing the gap between where it is headed now and a Paris agreement-compatible emission range for that year .
Even in the case of delays and challenges to federal action , the efforts of state and local actors , such as the We Are Still In campaign , are expected to continue .
A recent study estimated that enhanced action by subnational actors in the US could reduce emissions by 37 % below 2005 levels by 2030 .
Biden as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Senate ( although the vote count on this result is far from over – and may not be resolved until January ) , but there are workarounds .
Biden also has a net zero 2050 goal , which will place the US close to a Paris agreement-compatible emissions pathway .
This would further lower the 2100 projected warming by about 0.1°C , and further if America undertook negative emissions action of scale beyond 2050 .
So the EU , China , Japan , South Korea and the US – about two thirds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world ’ s emissions and close to 75 % of our fossil fuel export markets –will have net zero goals for 2050 or shortly afterwards .
This is a massive shift .
Let there be no misunderstanding about what this means .
Getting to net zero essentially means the phasing out of coal , gas and oil , with markets more or less halved by 2030 .
This is a seismic shift for Australia and it means that it ’ s very likely that demand for our coal and gas will drop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risen in the past few decades .
It would hardly be a strategy for Australia to follow Poland ’ s lead and simply start to stockpile coal in warehouses .
Diplomatically , Australia will find itself increasingly isolated , even in its own region and in particular with its close Pacific Island neighbours , not to mention the two superpowers , China and the US .
Australia needs a forward-looking strategy aimed at taking advantage of its massive natural advantages in renewable energy and the resources essential for the low and zero carbon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a just transition for the communities and workforces affected by the rapid reduction in the markets that they have hitherto dependent upon .
There is no time to be lost dithering , denying and obfuscating .
• Bill Hare , a physicist and climate scientist , is the managing director of Climate Analytics

The election of Joe Biden to the White House is likely to see Australia increasingly isolated as the world heads to net zero emissions, with quite fundamental implications for our economy.
Let’s have a look at what has happened in the last two months.
In September, the European Union proposed increasing its 2030 target from 40% to at least 55% reduction below 1990 levels in order to meet the net zero by 2050 target it adopted in 2019. Critically, the EU has made climate action one of its three main Covid-19 response priorities, so that at least 30% of its multi-annual budget and recovery fund is to be spent on achieving its increased 2030 emission reduction targets and its climate neutrality goal for 2050. These new goals for the EU27 would bring its domestic emissions very close to a 1.5°C Paris compatible level for the period to 2050. The UK has similar goals and ambitions to the EU27.
Shortly afterwards, President Xi Jinping announced that China would “aim to achieve carbon neutrality before 2060”, the first time China has acknowledged the need to reach anything close to zero CO2 emissions by mid-century. If it covers all greenhouse gas emissions it would also be very close to what is needed by mid-century to be in line with the Paris agreement’s long-term goal. If this goal covers CO2 only, then China would need to achieve carbon neutrality around 2050 for this to be compatible with the Paris agreement.
With China responsible for about a quarter of the world’s emissions, a move to net zero by mid-century has very significant implications for global temperature, lowering the Climate Action Tracker’s end of century projections by 0.2-0.3oC towards 2.4-2.5oC, compared with the previous 2.7oC projection.
In October, both Japan and South Korea also announced net zero GHG goals for 2050. Japan’s prime minister, Yoshihide Suga, announced Japan would aim for net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 with several specific measures, including a fundamental revision of its policy on coal-fired power plants. In an important change to Japan’s narrative, Suga emphasised the benefits to economic growth from the net zero commitment, whereas he’d previously characterised it as a cost.
Getting to net zero essentially means the phasing out of coal, gas and oil
This was followed two days later by the South Korean president, Moon Jae-in, announcing his commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, replacing coal power generation with renewable energy to create new markets, industries and jobs.
Taken together, these four countries account for about 40% of global GHG emissions. There is also a large number of smaller countries with comparable net zero emissions commitments that would bring the total global coverage to about 48% of global emissions.
What’s notable about all of these announcements is that they were made in the absence of any commitment by the United States and before any US presidential election outcome. China’s announcement in particular seems to reflect a geopolitical judgement by the Chinese government that they intend to move forward with ambitious climate goals even without the US.
Arguably, these moves by this set of countries on their own will generate a major global move towards increased ambition and towards net zero by 2050.
So where does this leave Australia? These net zero by mid-century moves by its major export markets create huge challenges.
In 2019 China, South Korea and Japan accounted for 72% by value of Australia’s exports of LNG and coal: 88% of Australia’s LNG exports; 75% of thermal coal exports; and 51% of metallurgical coal exports. It is notable that none of these countries have focused on natural gas and all have mentioned renewable energy and other technologies, and all recognise that early action on coal is needed.
The election of Joe Biden could trip this already major momentum into a landslide towards higher climate ambition. His election means the US will re-enter the Paris agreement, reverse the Trump administration’s rollbacks and make a significant contribution to closing the Paris agreement’s ambition gap with a new 2030 target. If he took the initiative to reboot US action in line with his plan to reach net zero emissions by 2050, Biden could reduce US emissions substantially by 2030.
If he is able to fully implement his proposed Energy and Climate Package, and continues to be supported by the existing strong sub-national action in the US, the US could significantly reduce its 2030 emissions, reducing the gap between where it is headed now and a Paris agreement-compatible emission range for that year.
Even in the case of delays and challenges to federal action, the efforts of state and local actors, such as the We Are Still In campaign, are expected to continue. A recent study estimated that enhanced action by subnational actors in the US could reduce emissions by 37% below 2005 levels by 2030. Biden as US president may not have control of the Senate (although the vote count on this result is far from over – and may not be resolved until January), but there are workarounds.
Biden also has a net zero 2050 goal, which will place the US close to a Paris agreement-compatible emissions pathway. This would further lower the 2100 projected warming by about 0.1°C, and further if America undertook negative emissions action of scale beyond 2050.
So the EU, China, Japan, South Korea and the US – about two thirds of the global economy, about half the world’s emissions and close to 75% of our fossil fuel export markets –will have net zero goals for 2050 or shortly afterwards. This is a massive shift.
Let there be no misunderstanding about what this means. Getting to net zero essentially means the phasing out of coal, gas and oil, with markets more or less halved by 2030. This is a seismic shift for Australia and it means that it’s very likely that demand for our coal and gas will drop at least as fast as it has risen in the past few decades.
It would hardly be a strategy for Australia to follow Poland’s lead and simply start to stockpile coal in warehouses. Diplomatically, Australia will find itself increasingly isolated, even in its own region and in particular with its close Pacific Island neighbours, not to mention the two superpowers, China and the US.
Australia needs a forward-looking strategy aimed at taking advantage of its massive natural advantages in renewable energy and the resources essential for the low and zero carbon transition, and one that provides for a just transition for the communities and workforces affected by the rapid reduction in the markets that they have hitherto dependent upon.
There is no time to be lost dithering, denying and obfuscating.


theguardian--2020-11-07--It's PRESIDENT BIDEN! What a 'relief' for the whole world! | First Dog on the Moon

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theguardian--2020-11-07--Biden lost Florida but he helped raise the minimum wage there. Policy matters | Greg Jericho

In this presidential election it was easy to think that policy did not matter .
After all , Trump did not have any policies .
Literally .
The easiest way interviewers could trip him up was to ask what he would do with the next four years .
His only answer was “ we ’ re going to be great again ” .
If asked what he would do specifically , he answered a version of “ well , we ’ re specifically going to be great again ” .
And yet policy did matter .
It always does .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to raise the state minimum wage to $ 15 over the next six years , from its current rate of $ 8.56 .
It was a policy Donald Trump outright rejected in the second presidential debate and Joe Biden strongly supported .
It needed 60 % support to pass and it made it , in a state where Biden only got 48 % of the vote .
And so around 12 % of voters voted for a policy Biden supported , but then didn ’ t vote for him to be president .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to vote for a president than just their position on the minimum wage .
But the important aspect of this is not that it shows Biden should have had a better ground game .
In the far too early wash-up , commentators overreacted before the votes had all been counted and looked at Michigan , Wisconsin and Pennsylvania and rushed to claim Biden failed because he was too “ woke ” ( never actually defined ) , and needed to be more centrist .
And then the votes kept being counted , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The thing is , Biden is actually quite socially progressive .
He took a while to get there , but as vice-president he actually came out in support of marriage equality before Barack Obama did .
He also this year has strongly supported transgender rights , replying to the mother of a transgender child in his NBC town hall that “ the idea that an 8-year-old child or a 10-year-old child decides , ‘ you know I decided I want to be transgender .
That ’ s what I think I ’ d @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my life a lot easier.
’ There should be zero discrimination.
” He said in 2012 that transgender rights were the “ civil rights issue of our time ” – that is well ahead of many in his own party .
And he won Michigan and Wisconsin and Pennsylvania – states that are your stereotypical blue-collar workers states .
Guess what ?
If they like and trust you , they will go with you .
Biden also has a strong climate change policy because , bizarrely for a Democratic candidate , he became @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His energy plan includes a commitment for complete carbon-free power by 2035 .
Alas the Senate , if it retains its Republican majority , will do everything it can to stop him , but again , he did not race to the centre during the election , and yet he did not lose the centre .
Climate change is real , but you can ’ t win the debate if people truly don ’ t think you believe that is the case because you hedge about coalmines .
Yes he lost Florida , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be seeing a raise in the minimum wage .
And this is why progressive parties must keep pushing progressive policies – they change the country and improve lives .
Four years ago the move to raise the wage to $ 15 was still something Hillary Clinton could fudge , whether she really supported it or not .
But grassroots organisations kept pushing , Bernie Sanders pushed , lobby organisations such as “ Florida For A Fair Wage ” kept pushing .
This time around Biden was full-throated in his support , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even in a state where Biden lost , over 60 % voted in favour of it .
So yes , Biden lost that state , but that pushing and advocacy meant the policy won .
Policy matters , not because it might affect an election result but because it affects people ’ s lives – and that is something progressives should always fight for .

In this presidential election it was easy to think that policy did not matter.
After all, Trump did not have any policies. Literally. The easiest way interviewers could trip him up was to ask what he would do with the next four years. His only answer was “we’re going to be great again”.
If asked what he would do specifically, he answered a version of “well, we’re specifically going to be great again”.
And yet policy did matter. It always does.
Graph not appearing? View here
In Florida, a vote was held to raise the state minimum wage to $15 over the next six years, from its current rate of $8.56.
It was a policy Donald Trump outright rejected in the second presidential debate and Joe Biden strongly supported.
It needed 60% support to pass and it made it, in a state where Biden only got 48% of the vote.
And so around 12% of voters voted for a policy Biden supported, but then didn’t vote for him to be president.
Now clearly there are many more reasons to vote for a president than just their position on the minimum wage. But the important aspect of this is not that it shows Biden should have had a better ground game.
In the far too early wash-up, commentators overreacted before the votes had all been counted and looked at Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania and rushed to claim Biden failed because he was too “woke” (never actually defined), and needed to be more centrist.
And then the votes kept being counted, and they all looked a bit silly.
The thing is, Biden is actually quite socially progressive.
He took a while to get there, but as vice-president he actually came out in support of marriage equality before Barack Obama did.
He also this year has strongly supported transgender rights, replying to the mother of a transgender child in his NBC town hall that “the idea that an 8-year-old child or a 10-year-old child decides, ‘you know I decided I want to be transgender. That’s what I think I’d like to be. It would make my life a lot easier.’ There should be zero discrimination.”
He said in 2012 that transgender rights were the “civil rights issue of our time” – that is well ahead of many in his own party.
And he won Michigan and Wisconsin and Pennsylvania – states that are your stereotypical blue-collar workers states.
Guess what? If they like and trust you, they will go with you.
Biden also has a strong climate change policy because, bizarrely for a Democratic candidate, he became more progressive after securing the nomination. His energy plan includes a commitment for complete carbon-free power by 2035.
Alas the Senate, if it retains its Republican majority, will do everything it can to stop him, but again, he did not race to the centre during the election, and yet he did not lose the centre.
Climate change is real, but you can’t win the debate if people truly don’t think you believe that is the case because you hedge about coalmines.
Yes he lost Florida, but the people won. Workers there will be seeing a raise in the minimum wage. And this is why progressive parties must keep pushing progressive policies – they change the country and improve lives.
Four years ago the move to raise the wage to $15 was still something Hillary Clinton could fudge, whether she really supported it or not. But grassroots organisations kept pushing, Bernie Sanders pushed, lobby organisations such as “Florida For A Fair Wage” kept pushing.
This time around Biden was full-throated in his support, as is the entire Democratic party. And even in a state where Biden lost, over 60% voted in favour of it.
So yes, Biden lost that state, but that pushing and advocacy meant the policy won.
Policy matters, not because it might affect an election result but because it affects people’s lives – and that is something progressives should always fight for.