shareblue--2020-06-05--Trump hopes George Floyd is 'looking down' saying what police are doing 'is a great thing'

Donald Trump on Friday once again demanded governors call in the military to crack down on anti-racism protests taking place across the country .
And in the process , he said George Floyd — the unarmed black man whose death at the hands of police sparked the demonstrations across the country — would be proud of the images of military police violently cracking down on peaceful protesters .
Here are Trump 's comments made during a speech in the Rose Garden on June 5 : '' You have to dominate the streets .
You ca n't let what is happening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ streets — you ca n't let that happen in New York , where they 're breaking in stores and all of the things , and by the way hurting a lot of small businesses .
You ca n't let it happen .
Equal justice under the law must mean that every American receives equal treatment in every encounter with law enforcement , regardless of race , color , gender , or creed .
They have to receive fair treatment from law enforcement .
They have to receive it .
We all saw what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ let that happen .
Hopefully , George is looking down right now and saying , there 's a great thing that 's happening for our country .
There 's a great day for him .
It 's a great day for everybody . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump on Friday once again demanded governors call in the military to crack down on anti-racism protests taking place across the country.
And in the process, he said George Floyd — the unarmed black man whose death at the hands of police sparked the demonstrations across the country — would be proud of the images of military police violently cracking down on peaceful protesters.
Here are Trump’s comments made during a speech in the Rose Garden on June 5:
“You have to dominate the streets. You can’t let what is happening happen. It’s called dominate the streets — you can’t let that happen in New York, where they’re breaking in stores and all of the things, and by the way hurting a lot of small businesses. You can’t let it happen. Equal justice under the law must mean that every American receives equal treatment in every encounter with law enforcement, regardless of race, color, gender, or creed. They have to receive fair treatment from law enforcement. They have to receive it. We all saw what happened last week. We can’t let that happen. Hopefully, George is looking down right now and saying, there’s a great thing that’s happening for our country. There’s a great day for him. It’s a great day for everybody.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-06-06--GOP struggles with racist candidates pushing away voters

The Republican Party is facing a reckoning over some of its most divisive candidates .
So far the results are mixed , and that 's dicey for the GOP as a country shuddering from coast-to-coast civic unrest hurtles toward November elections .
Republican leaders looking to broaden the party 's appeal were buoyed Tuesday when Iowans refused to renominate Rep. Steve King , known for racist comments .
But Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , their surest bet for derailing a Republican immigration hard-liner who might cost them a Senate seat from deep-red Kansas , definitively skipped that race on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump has exhibited little empathy as he 's taunted demonstrators as `` thugs , '' accused governors of being `` weak '' on protesters , and threatened to deploy the military to their states .
His tweets like `` when the looting starts , the shooting starts '' were noteworthy for their pugnacious tone as dozens of cities have been rocked by protests , some violent , over the killing of African Americans by police .
Trump is betting such tactics will make him look strong heading into the election .
And Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for fear of angering his passionate base .
But this time , some worry about having such a polarizing leader atop the ticket during an unprecedented period that includes civil disturbances , the coronavirus pandemic , and a collapsed economy .
`` He 's driving away moderate Republicans and independents en masse , '' former Sen. Jeff Flake ( R-AZ ) , who retired last year after clashing with Trump , said in an interview Wednesday .
`` For Republicans who need to appeal to a broader base , it 's devastating .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters , especially the suburban women who have already been abandoning the Trump-led GOP , reelection campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh said city and suburban residents `` deserve to be able to feel safe . ''
He said Trump has expressed disgust that George Floyd , a handcuffed black man , died last week in Minneapolis after a white officer held his knee against Floyd 's neck for several minutes .
But , Murtaugh added , `` He is going to restore law and order , and all Americans should welcome that . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ figures of their own and often point to Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-VT ) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D-NY ) to paint all Democrats as socialists .
Democratic voters rejected Sanders this year as their presidential nominee in favor of the more moderate Joe Biden .
And while Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez are prominent leaders , their call for `` revolution '' has often been more rhetorical than literal .
Republican leaders are taking steps to withhold support from candidates with extreme views .
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy has pulled his backing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ central California because of demeaning online posts about Muslims and Hillary Clinton , which Howze said he did n't write .
And leaders have distanced themselves from Oregon Republican Senate candidate Jo Rae Perkins , a supporter of the QAnon conspiracy theory that claims Trump is leading a secret campaign against `` deep state '' enemies and pedophiles .
With top Republicans laboring to expand the party 's appeal beyond white men , voters in northwestern Iowa removed one major irritant by rejecting King 's bid for a 10th House term .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was helped by spending from the establishment-oriented U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Republican Main Street Partnership , likely rescuing the seat for the GOP .
King was stripped of committee assignments last year by House Republican leaders after he defended white nationalism .
Rep. Tom Emmer , who chairs the House GOP 's campaign organization , said in a brief statement that Feenstra will `` make Iowa proud '' in Congress but avoided mentioning King .
In Kansas , Pompeo failed to file this week to become a Senate GOP candidate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out how to keep conservative Kris Kobach , former Kansas secretary of state , from winning that party 's Aug. 4 primary .
A competitive seat would make it harder for Republicans to defend their 53-47 Senate majority .
Kobach , who backs restrictive immigration and voting laws , lost a 2018 race for governor in the Republican-dominated state .
National Republicans have said they believe they can head him off by backing an alternative , perhaps GOP Rep. Roger Marshall .
But they 've been nervous that Marshall has raised only modest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rivals from the field .
The Democratic Senate candidate will likely be Barbara Bollier , a state senator and former Republican who 's outraised all contenders .
Emmer , the House GOP campaign chairman , said people are nervous about safety and Trump 's stance will prove a winning November message .
`` Suburban voters are just like voters in these core cities , '' Emmer said in an interview .
`` They want to be protected .
And they know that this president is all about making sure he restores law and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is stepping up his attacks on Trump .
`` He thinks division helps him , '' Biden said Tuesday .
He conjured Trump 's use of police to forcefully clear peaceful demonstrators away from a church near the White House on Monday so he could have his picture taken out front holding a Bible .
`` If he opened it instead of brandishing it , he could have learned something , '' Biden said .
Underscoring the hazards of Trump 's strong-armed tactics , several Republicans have criticized him for it .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawmakers usually hesitate crossing for fear of angering his loyal conservative voters .
Sen. Ben Sasse said he opposed using force for `` a photo op that treats the Word of God as a political prop . ''
Sen. Susan Collins , facing a difficult reelection fight , said Trump `` came across as unsympathetic and insensitive . ''
Stuart Stevens , a Republican political consultant and Trump critic , said Trump 's tough-guy approach would n't appeal to most voters .
`` Let 's say there 's a fight on the football @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Do you admire the coach who runs in and starts punching ? ''

The Republican Party is facing a reckoning over some of its most divisive candidates. So far the results are mixed, and that’s dicey for the GOP as a country shuddering from coast-to-coast civic unrest hurtles toward November elections.
Republican leaders looking to broaden the party’s appeal were buoyed Tuesday when Iowans refused to renominate Rep. Steve King, known for racist comments.
But Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, their surest bet for derailing a Republican immigration hard-liner who might cost them a Senate seat from deep-red Kansas, definitively skipped that race on Monday.
And most seriously, Donald Trump has exhibited little empathy as he’s taunted demonstrators as “thugs,” accused governors of being “weak” on protesters, and threatened to deploy the military to their states. His tweets like “when the looting starts, the shooting starts” were noteworthy for their pugnacious tone as dozens of cities have been rocked by protests, some violent, over the killing of African Americans by police.
Trump is betting such tactics will make him look strong heading into the election. And Republicans often overlook Trump’s more controversial actions for fear of angering his passionate base. But this time, some worry about having such a polarizing leader atop the ticket during an unprecedented period that includes civil disturbances, the coronavirus pandemic, and a collapsed economy.
“He’s driving away moderate Republicans and independents en masse,” former Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ), who retired last year after clashing with Trump, said in an interview Wednesday. “For Republicans who need to appeal to a broader base, it’s devastating.”
Asked if Trump might alienate such voters, especially the suburban women who have already been abandoning the Trump-led GOP, reelection campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh said city and suburban residents “deserve to be able to feel safe.” He said Trump has expressed disgust that George Floyd, a handcuffed black man, died last week in Minneapolis after a white officer held his knee against Floyd’s neck for several minutes.
But, Murtaugh added, “He is going to restore law and order, and all Americans should welcome that.”
The GOP argues that Democrats have polarizing figures of their own and often point to Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) to paint all Democrats as socialists. Democratic voters rejected Sanders this year as their presidential nominee in favor of the more moderate Joe Biden. And while Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez are prominent leaders, their call for “revolution” has often been more rhetorical than literal.
Republican leaders are taking steps to withhold support from candidates with extreme views.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy has pulled his backing for GOP House candidate Ted Howze in central California because of demeaning online posts about Muslims and Hillary Clinton, which Howze said he didn’t write. And leaders have distanced themselves from Oregon Republican Senate candidate Jo Rae Perkins, a supporter of the QAnon conspiracy theory that claims Trump is leading a secret campaign against “deep state” enemies and pedophiles.
With top Republicans laboring to expand the party’s appeal beyond white men, voters in northwestern Iowa removed one major irritant by rejecting King’s bid for a 10th House term. They instead nominated state Sen. Randy Feenstra, who was helped by spending from the establishment-oriented U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Republican Main Street Partnership, likely rescuing the seat for the GOP.
King was stripped of committee assignments last year by House Republican leaders after he defended white nationalism. Rep. Tom Emmer, who chairs the House GOP’s campaign organization, said in a brief statement that Feenstra will “make Iowa proud” in Congress but avoided mentioning King.
In Kansas, Pompeo failed to file this week to become a Senate GOP candidate. That’s left Republican leaders figuring out how to keep conservative Kris Kobach, former Kansas secretary of state, from winning that party’s Aug. 4 primary. A competitive seat would make it harder for Republicans to defend their 53-47 Senate majority.
Kobach, who backs restrictive immigration and voting laws, lost a 2018 race for governor in the Republican-dominated state. National Republicans have said they believe they can head him off by backing an alternative, perhaps GOP Rep. Roger Marshall.
But they’ve been nervous that Marshall has raised only modest campaign funds and failed to push other rivals from the field. The Democratic Senate candidate will likely be Barbara Bollier, a state senator and former Republican who’s outraised all contenders.
That still leaves Trump.
Emmer, the House GOP campaign chairman, said people are nervous about safety and Trump’s stance will prove a winning November message.
“Suburban voters are just like voters in these core cities,” Emmer said in an interview. “They want to be protected. And they know that this president is all about making sure he restores law and order.”
Biden, meanwhile, is stepping up his attacks on Trump.
“He thinks division helps him,” Biden said Tuesday. He conjured Trump’s use of police to forcefully clear peaceful demonstrators away from a church near the White House on Monday so he could have his picture taken out front holding a Bible.
“If he opened it instead of brandishing it, he could have learned something,” Biden said.
Underscoring the hazards of Trump’s strong-armed tactics, several Republicans have criticized him for it. That’s rare for a president whom GOP lawmakers usually hesitate crossing for fear of angering his loyal conservative voters.
Sen. Ben Sasse said he opposed using force for “a photo op that treats the Word of God as a political prop.” Sen. Susan Collins, facing a difficult reelection fight, said Trump “came across as unsympathetic and insensitive.”
Stuart Stevens, a Republican political consultant and Trump critic, said Trump’s tough-guy approach wouldn’t appeal to most voters.
“Let’s say there’s a fight on the football field,” said Stevens. “Do you admire the coach who runs in and starts punching?”


shareblue--2020-06-06--4 things to know about the antifa movement Trump is blaming for violence

Donald Trump has blamed antifa activists for violence at protests over police killings of black people , but antifa is n't an organization and targeting it is n't so simple .
A look at what antifa is and is not : Short for `` anti-fascists , '' antifa is not a single organization but rather an umbrella term for far-left-leaning militant groups that confront or resist neo-Nazis and white supremacists at demonstrations .
There is no hierarchical structure to antifa or universal set of tactics that makes its presence immediately recognizable , though members tend to espouse revolutionary and anti-authoritarian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ historian at Rutgers University and author of `` Antifa : The Anti-Fascist Handbook . ''
`` They do different things at different times in different ways , some of which there is evidence of them breaking the law .
Other times there is not , '' Bray said .
Literature from the antifa movement encourages followers to pursue lawful protest activity as well as more confrontational acts , according to a 2018 Congressional Research Service report .
The literature suggests that followers monitor the activities of white supremacist groups , publicize online the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ self-defense training regimens and compel outside organizations to cancel any speakers or events with `` a fascist bent , '' the report said .
People associated with antifa have been present for significant demonstrations and counter-demonstrations over the last three years , sometimes involving brawls and property damage .
They mobilized against a white supremacist march in Charlottesville , Virginia , in August 2017 and have clashed repeatedly with far-right groups in Portland , Oregon , including at a protest and counter-demonstration last summer that resulted in arrests and the seizure of shields @ @ @ @ @ @ @ role is antifa playing in these demonstrations ?
Trump and members of his administration have singled out antifa as being responsible for the violence at protests triggered by the death of George Floyd , a black man killed by a white Minneapolis police officer who pressed his knee into Floyd 's neck for several minutes even after Floyd stopped moving and pleading for air .
In a pair of statements over the weekend , Attorney General William Barr described `` antifa-like tactics '' by out-of-state agitators and said antifa was instigating violence and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be dealt with accordingly .
At a White House appearance Monday , Trump blamed antifa by name for the violence , along with violent mobs , arsonists and looters .
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany told reporters earlier in the day that antifa is a `` big element of this protest , '' though she deferred to the Justice Department on the question of how one could be identified as a member .
But it 's unclear how big its involvement is .
Bray said that although he believes people associated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it is difficult to establish how big of a role they 're playing since there is no official roster of members and since the movement lacks the numbers to mobilize nationwide in such a dramatic , forceful way .
`` The radical left is much bigger than — much , much bigger — and the number of people who are participating in the property destruction are much , much bigger than the radical left , '' Bray said .
Others have seen evidence of right-wing extremists .
What does the Trump administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweeted Sunday , `` The United States of America will be designating ANTIFA as a Terrorist Organization . ''
It 's not the first time he 's endorsed that approach .
Trump expressed a similar sentiment last summer , joining some Republican lawmakers in calling for antifa to be designated as a terror organization after the skirmishes in Portland .
Can the administration do that ?
For one thing , antifa is not a discrete or centralized group , so it 's unclear how the government could give it a designation .
Beyond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ domestic entity and , as such , not a candidate for inclusion on the State Department 's list of foreign terror organizations .
Those groups , which include Islamic extremist organizations and the Real Irish Republican Army , are based overseas rather than in the United States.- That designation matters for a variety of legal reasons , not least of which anyone in the United States who lends material support to an organization on that list is subject to terrorism-related charges .
But `` there is not a domestic equivalent , '' said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official in the Obama White House and founding executive director at the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection at the Georgetown University Law Center .
There have been periodic calls , particularly after mass shootings by white supremacists , to establish a domestic terrorism law .
But no singular domestic terrorism statute now exists .
Asked Monday what legal authority the president would have for labeling antifa a terror organization , McEnany pointed to the existing statute under the U.S. criminal code that defines acts of domestic and international terrorism .
But defining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ designating an entire U.S. group as a terror organization .
`` US law does the 1st .
It does n't permit the 2nd , '' Geltzer tweeted after McEnany 's remarks .
Even if antifa is not a designated terror organization , FBI Director Chris Wray has made clear that it 's on the radar of federal law enforcement .
He has said that while the FBI does not investigate on the basis of ideology , agents have pursued investigations across the country against people motivated to commit crimes and acts of violence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''

Donald Trump has blamed antifa activists for violence at protests over police killings of black people, but antifa isn’t an organization and targeting it isn’t so simple.
A look at what antifa is and is not:
What is antifa?
Short for “anti-fascists,” antifa is not a single organization but rather an umbrella term for far-left-leaning militant groups that confront or resist neo-Nazis and white supremacists at demonstrations.
There is no hierarchical structure to antifa or universal set of tactics that makes its presence immediately recognizable, though members tend to espouse revolutionary and anti-authoritarian views, said Mark Bray, a historian at Rutgers University and author of “Antifa: The Anti-Fascist Handbook.”
“They do different things at different times in different ways, some of which there is evidence of them breaking the law. Other times there is not,” Bray said.
Literature from the antifa movement encourages followers to pursue lawful protest activity as well as more confrontational acts, according to a 2018 Congressional Research Service report.
The literature suggests that followers monitor the activities of white supremacist groups, publicize online the personal information of perceived enemies, develop self-defense training regimens and compel outside organizations to cancel any speakers or events with “a fascist bent,” the report said.
People associated with antifa have been present for significant demonstrations and counter-demonstrations over the last three years, sometimes involving brawls and property damage.
They mobilized against a white supremacist march in Charlottesville, Virginia, in August 2017 and have clashed repeatedly with far-right groups in Portland, Oregon, including at a protest and counter-demonstration last summer that resulted in arrests and the seizure of shields, poles and other weapons.
What role is antifa playing in these demonstrations?
Trump and members of his administration have singled out antifa as being responsible for the violence at protests triggered by the death of George Floyd, a black man killed by a white Minneapolis police officer who pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck for several minutes even after Floyd stopped moving and pleading for air.
In a pair of statements over the weekend, Attorney General William Barr described “antifa-like tactics” by out-of-state agitators and said antifa was instigating violence and engaging in “domestic terrorism” and would be dealt with accordingly.
At a White House appearance Monday, Trump blamed antifa by name for the violence, along with violent mobs, arsonists and looters.
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany told reporters earlier in the day that antifa is a “big element of this protest,” though she deferred to the Justice Department on the question of how one could be identified as a member.
But it’s unclear how big its involvement is.
Bray said that although he believes people associated with antifa are participating in the demonstrations, it is difficult to establish how big of a role they’re playing since there is no official roster of members and since the movement lacks the numbers to mobilize nationwide in such a dramatic, forceful way.
“The radical left is much bigger than — much, much bigger — and the number of people who are participating in the property destruction are much, much bigger than the radical left,” Bray said.
Others have seen evidence of right-wing extremists.
What does the Trump administration want to do about antifa?
Trump tweeted Sunday, “The United States of America will be designating ANTIFA as a Terrorist Organization.”
It’s not the first time he’s endorsed that approach. Trump expressed a similar sentiment last summer, joining some Republican lawmakers in calling for antifa to be designated as a terror organization after the skirmishes in Portland.
Can the administration do that?
For one thing, antifa is not a discrete or centralized group, so it’s unclear how the government could give it a designation.
Beyond that, though, antifa is a domestic entity and, as such, not a candidate for inclusion on the State Department’s list of foreign terror organizations. Those groups, which include Islamic extremist organizations and the Real Irish Republican Army, are based overseas rather than in the United States.-
That designation matters for a variety of legal reasons, not least of which anyone in the United States who lends material support to an organization on that list is subject to terrorism-related charges.
But “there is not a domestic equivalent,” said Joshua Geltzer, a former senior counterterrorism official in the Obama White House and founding executive director at the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection at the Georgetown University Law Center.
There have been periodic calls, particularly after mass shootings by white supremacists, to establish a domestic terrorism law. But no singular domestic terrorism statute now exists.
Asked Monday what legal authority the president would have for labeling antifa a terror organization, McEnany pointed to the existing statute under the U.S. criminal code that defines acts of domestic and international terrorism.
But defining an act of terrorism is different than designating an entire U.S. group as a terror organization.
“US law does the 1st. It doesn’t permit the 2nd,” Geltzer tweeted after McEnany’s remarks.
Even if antifa is not a designated terror organization, FBI Director Chris Wray has made clear that it’s on the radar of federal law enforcement.
He has said that while the FBI does not investigate on the basis of ideology, agents have pursued investigations across the country against people motivated to commit crimes and acts of violence “on kind of an antifa ideology.”


shareblue--2020-06-07--Black female mayors capture national attention amid protests and pandemic

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms captured the nation 's attention when she addressed the civil unrest occurring in her city after George Floyd 's death .
`` I am a mother to four black children in America , one of whom is 18 years old , '' Bottoms said Friday in a rousing speech .
`` When I saw the murder of George Floyd , I hurt like a mother . ''
Bottoms and other black female mayors , including Lori Lightfoot of Chicago , are leading some of the nation 's largest cities during an unprecedented moment of challenge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus pandemic and an economic collapse .
They 're being praised as thoughtful leaders at a time of political tumult and high-profile examples of black women seeking and winning political office across the country .
Higher Heights for America PAC , a political action committee dedicated to electing more progressive black women , said there are seven black women serving as mayors in the nation 's 100 most populous U.S. cities , compared to just one in 2014 .
`` Black women have always been leading and we have been the defenders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our nation , '' said Glynda Carr , the president and CEO of Higher Heights .
`` Our leadership was built for this moment and their unique experiences as black women , not only as Americans , has provided the type of trusted leadership that can help move this country forward . ''
The mayors have demonstrated leadership with personal connections .
Lightfoot , Chicago 's first black female mayor and first openly gay leader , frankly acknowledged America 's dark history of racism and blasted Donald Trump 's divisive tweets in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said `` when the looting starts , the shooting starts . ''
`` It 's impossible for me as a black woman who has been the target of blatant racism over the course of my life not to take the killing of George Floyd personally , '' Lightfoot said .
`` Being black in America should not be a death sentence . ''
The question is whether this moment will translate into a long-lasting higher profile for the mayors .
Bottoms , for example , was already believed to be under consideration as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests .
Her stature has only risen amid the unrest .
Beyond her well-received remarks Friday , she acted swiftly two days later , firing two police officers and placing three others on desk duty over excessive use of force during a protest arrest involving two college students .
`` Use of excessive force is never acceptable , '' Bottoms told reporters .
Nadia Brown , a political science professor at Purdue University , said her research has found that many black female leaders , especially within their own communities , are seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worked in their favor at this time .
During the pandemic , residents made viral memes of Lightfoot enforcing her stay-at-home orders .
Instead of chiding them , Lightfoot embraced the moment and used it to connect with residents , Brown said .
`` I think that we 're seeing some of this play out in real time , '' Brown said .
`` She was speaking in that role of telling residents what to do from an authority figure that seemed very familiar .
And I think that 's kind of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other black women elected officials deal with unrest in that they 're speaking to constituents not just as an authority figure but one that is familiar . ''
Rochester , New York , Mayor Lovely Warren , who is in her second term as the first black female mayor of the state 's third-largest city , said that while black women have made strides in gaining prominence , they still face unique challenges of racism and stereotypes .
`` We 're trying to fight a system that was institutionally built to create the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and so we 're trying to undo the damage that has been done to prepare our children for the future , '' Warren said .
`` A lot of times we get branded with the 'angry black woman syndrome ' when we 're speaking up to a number of different issues that impact our community , but we have been built to take on the responsibility and we take it in stride . ''
`` No matter which mayor I look at across this country right now , they have done an extraordinary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming toward them , '' Warren added .
Other black mayors including San Francisco 's London Breed and Muriel Bowser of Washington have also been recognized for their measured responses and handling of their communities .
A'shanti Gholar , president of Emerge America , an organization that recruits and trains Democratic women to run for office , said many of the black women in office today were entrenched in grassroots political work for decades , paving the way for those to come behind them .
`` This is about a movement , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leadership all over across the country , '' Gholar said .
`` Black women running for office and winning , it is n't an anomaly .
They 're also building up the next generation of black women elected officials and black women mayors who they 're inspiring to run . ''
Although gains have been made , Carr said there 's still much more work to be done .
Biden has pledged to pick a woman as a running mate and is considering several women of color .
No black woman has ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carr noted that black women make up 7.6 % of the country 's population yet account for just 4.3 % of all members of the House and 1 % of the Senate .
`` All that we celebrate about the gains we made 51 years after Shirley Chisholm became the first black woman to serve in Congress , we also recognize that the 23 million black women in this country are so underrepresented and underserved , '' Carr said .
`` So , we need to continue to invest in recruiting , training @ @ @ @ @ @

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms captured the nation’s attention when she addressed the civil unrest occurring in her city after George Floyd’s death.
“I am a mother to four black children in America, one of whom is 18 years old,” Bottoms said Friday in a rousing speech. “When I saw the murder of George Floyd, I hurt like a mother.”
Bottoms and other black female mayors, including Lori Lightfoot of Chicago, are leading some of the nation’s largest cities during an unprecedented moment of challenge as protests against police brutality overlap with the coronavirus pandemic and an economic collapse. They’re being praised as thoughtful leaders at a time of political tumult and high-profile examples of black women seeking and winning political office across the country.
Higher Heights for America PAC, a political action committee dedicated to electing more progressive black women, said there are seven black women serving as mayors in the nation’s 100 most populous U.S. cities, compared to just one in 2014.
“Black women have always been leading and we have been the defenders of our homes, our communities and our nation,” said Glynda Carr, the president and CEO of Higher Heights. “Our leadership was built for this moment and their unique experiences as black women, not only as Americans, has provided the type of trusted leadership that can help move this country forward.”
The mayors have demonstrated leadership with personal connections. Lightfoot, Chicago’s first black female mayor and first openly gay leader, frankly acknowledged America’s dark history of racism and blasted Donald Trump’s divisive tweets in which he called protesters “thugs” and said “when the looting starts, the shooting starts.”
“It’s impossible for me as a black woman who has been the target of blatant racism over the course of my life not to take the killing of George Floyd personally,” Lightfoot said. “Being black in America should not be a death sentence.”
The question is whether this moment will translate into a long-lasting higher profile for the mayors.
Bottoms, for example, was already believed to be under consideration as Joe Biden’s running mate before the protests. Her stature has only risen amid the unrest.
Beyond her well-received remarks Friday, she acted swiftly two days later, firing two police officers and placing three others on desk duty over excessive use of force during a protest arrest involving two college students.
“Use of excessive force is never acceptable,” Bottoms told reporters.
Nadia Brown, a political science professor at Purdue University, said her research has found that many black female leaders, especially within their own communities, are seen as relatable figures — something that has worked in their favor at this time.
During the pandemic, residents made viral memes of Lightfoot enforcing her stay-at-home orders. Instead of chiding them, Lightfoot embraced the moment and used it to connect with residents, Brown said.
“I think that we’re seeing some of this play out in real time,” Brown said. “She was speaking in that role of telling residents what to do from an authority figure that seemed very familiar. And I think that’s kind of a mode in which we’re seeing some other black women elected officials deal with unrest in that they’re speaking to constituents not just as an authority figure but one that is familiar.”
Rochester, New York, Mayor Lovely Warren, who is in her second term as the first black female mayor of the state’s third-largest city, said that while black women have made strides in gaining prominence, they still face unique challenges of racism and stereotypes.
“We’re trying to fight a system that was institutionally built to create the disparities that it has created over generations and so we’re trying to undo the damage that has been done to prepare our children for the future,” Warren said. “A lot of times we get branded with the ‘angry black woman syndrome’ when we’re speaking up to a number of different issues that impact our community, but we have been built to take on the responsibility and we take it in stride.”
“No matter which mayor I look at across this country right now, they have done an extraordinary job trying to balance all that’s coming toward them,” Warren added.
Other black mayors including San Francisco’s London Breed and Muriel Bowser of Washington have also been recognized for their measured responses and handling of their communities.
A’shanti Gholar, president of Emerge America, an organization that recruits and trains Democratic women to run for office, said many of the black women in office today were entrenched in grassroots political work for decades, paving the way for those to come behind them.
“This is about a movement, a movement of women extending and taking their leadership all over across the country,” Gholar said. “Black women running for office and winning, it isn’t an anomaly. They’re also building up the next generation of black women elected officials and black women mayors who they’re inspiring to run.”
Although gains have been made, Carr said there’s still much more work to be done. Biden has pledged to pick a woman as a running mate and is considering several women of color.
No black woman has ever served as governor in the country. Carr noted that black women make up 7.6% of the country’s population yet account for just 4.3% of all members of the House and 1% of the Senate.
“All that we celebrate about the gains we made 51 years after Shirley Chisholm became the first black woman to serve in Congress, we also recognize that the 23 million black women in this country are so underrepresented and underserved,” Carr said. “So, we need to continue to invest in recruiting, training and supporting black woman.”


shareblue--2020-06-07--States slow to pass laws to stop police violence

A wave of police killings of young black men in 2014 prompted 24 states to quickly pass some type of law enforcement reform , but many declined to address the most glaring issue : police use of force .
Six years later , only about a third of states have passed laws on the question .
The issue is at the heart of nationwide protests set off by the May 25 death of George Floyd , a black man who died after a white police officer in Minneapolis pressed a knee into Floyd 's neck for several minutes while he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawmakers and governors are hoping to harness the renewed wave of anger to push through changes on the use of force they could n't manage after 2014 , a year that included the deaths at the hands of police of Michael Brown in Ferguson , Missouri , Eric Garner in New York , and 12-year-old Tamir Rice in Cleveland .
`` We 're absolutely at a point in time where we have to do more , '' said Maryland state Del .
Vanessa Atterbeary , a Democrat who will chair a working group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use-of-force standards for that state .
Pushback from politically influential law enforcement unions prompted some states ' use-of-force proposals to stall , while others have opted for voluntary programs to change policing practices .
In some states , lawmakers have even broadened the powers of police , such as increasing penalties for those who attack officers or , as in Tennessee and Utah , limiting the power of independent review boards that investigate police conduct .
As of August 2018 , at least 16 states had passed use-of-force laws , according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A handful of those directly restricted what police could do .
In Utah and Missouri , for example , force used by officers must be `` reasonable and necessary . ''
Colorado has banned chokeholds , the maneuver used on Garner .
Other laws created task forces to set new standards , boosted training , or improved tracking of officers ' use of guns and deadly force .
In 2014 , Republican-led Wisconsin became the first state in the country to enact a law requiring outside investigations when people die in police custody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's largest police union .
This week , Democratic Gov .
Tony Evers asked the Legislature , still controlled by Republicans , to go further and pass a bill that would require law enforcement agencies to minimize the use of force and prioritize preserving life .
In New Jersey , Democratic Gov .
Phil Murphy and the attorney general said they will update state guidelines governing police use of force for the first time in two decades .
Democratic lawmakers in at least two states — Arizona and Oregon — said this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use-of-force policies in upcoming legislative sessions .
A legislative caucus in Oregon representing people of color has asked for a bipartisan effort to recommend changes that can be included in legislation next year .
`` The issue is simply two words : accountability and trust , '' state Sen. Lew Frederick , a Democrat from Portland , said in the group 's statement .
`` Both are broken .
It will take a major effort to establish them in our society . ''
In Colorado , Democratic lawmakers introduced a bill Wednesday that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ departments to compile civilian demographic data in use-of-force cases and allow citizens to file lawsuits against police officers for misconduct .
Colorado law currently grants them immunity .
Despite the sense in many places that this moment could produce real change , challenges remain .
Police unions have often resisted attempts to restrict officers ' use of deadly force and are politically potent in most states .
Paige Fernandez , a policing policy adviser at the ACLU , said many unions `` have convinced themselves that police are unable to protect themselves if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives of the the people they are supposed to be serving . ''
The National Fraternal Order of Police issued a statement acknowledging there is `` no doubt '' Floyd 's death has diminished public trust in police .
`` Police officers need to treat all of our citizens with respect and understanding and should be held to the very highest standards for their conduct , '' the organization said .
Since 2016 , groups representing police nationwide have contributed $ 1.3 million directly to candidates for governor and attorney general and given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ independent expenditures that advocate for or against candidates for all state-level offices , according to an Associated Press analysis of data collected by the National Institute on Money in Politics .
Much of that money has been spent in California , where unions initially defeated reforms before the state enacted a pair of laws last year .
One allows police to use lethal force only when necessary to defend against an imminent threat of death or serious injury to officers or bystanders .
The second requires additional officer training .
The California debate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 shooting by Sacramento police of 22-year-old Stephon Clark , who was clutching a cellphone that officers said they mistook for a weapon .
The shooting in Ohio of Rice , whose toy Airsoft gun officers said they mistook for a real one , contributed to then-Gov .
John Kasich creating the Ohio Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board .
In 2015 , the board adopted statewide standards limiting use of deadly force by police officers to defending themselves or others from serious injury or death .
The state 's Republican-led Legislature opted against turning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agencies to comply voluntarily .
Karhlton Moore , who leads the Ohio Department of Public Safety division that oversees the standards , said roughly three-quarters of Ohio residents now live in areas covered by police agencies that are either certified or in the process of being certified as upholding the standards .
But Ohio House Minority Leader Emilia Sykes , a Democrat who is black , criticized Republican lawmakers this week for failing to enact laws recommended by Kasich 's task force , saying their actions `` show us time and time again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Ohio Democrats want immediate reforms addressing racism and inequality .
In Pennsylvania , a package of bills seeking to limit the justifications for the use of deadly force by police has stalled in the state 's Republican-controlled Legislature .
But changing the law is n't enough , said Democratic Rep. Summer Lee , a chief sponsor of the bills who represents East Pittsburgh .
Police around the nation have condemned the way Floyd was restrained .
Inherent racism must be dealt with as well , said Lee , who is black .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ service to the necessity of fighting racism — but were n't taking action .
`` We have bills — we have tangible things the Legislature can do today , '' Lee said .

A wave of police killings of young black men in 2014 prompted 24 states to quickly pass some type of law enforcement reform, but many declined to address the most glaring issue: police use of force. Six years later, only about a third of states have passed laws on the question.
The issue is at the heart of nationwide protests set off by the May 25 death of George Floyd, a black man who died after a white police officer in Minneapolis pressed a knee into Floyd’s neck for several minutes while he pleaded for air.
Now, some lawmakers and governors are hoping to harness the renewed wave of anger to push through changes on the use of force they couldn’t manage after 2014, a year that included the deaths at the hands of police of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, Eric Garner in New York, and 12-year-old Tamir Rice in Cleveland.
“We’re absolutely at a point in time where we have to do more,” said Maryland state Del. Vanessa Atterbeary, a Democrat who will chair a working group announced this week that will take up use-of-force standards for that state.
Pushback from politically influential law enforcement unions prompted some states’ use-of-force proposals to stall, while others have opted for voluntary programs to change policing practices. In some states, lawmakers have even broadened the powers of police, such as increasing penalties for those who attack officers or, as in Tennessee and Utah, limiting the power of independent review boards that investigate police conduct.
As of August 2018, at least 16 states had passed use-of-force laws, according to the nonpartisan National Conference of State Legislatures. A handful of those directly restricted what police could do. In Utah and Missouri, for example, force used by officers must be “reasonable and necessary.” Colorado has banned chokeholds, the maneuver used on Garner.
Other laws created task forces to set new standards, boosted training, or improved tracking of officers’ use of guns and deadly force.
In 2014, Republican-led Wisconsin became the first state in the country to enact a law requiring outside investigations when people die in police custody — a law supported by the state’s largest police union.
This week, Democratic Gov. Tony Evers asked the Legislature, still controlled by Republicans, to go further and pass a bill that would require law enforcement agencies to minimize the use of force and prioritize preserving life. In New Jersey, Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy and the attorney general said they will update state guidelines governing police use of force for the first time in two decades.
Democratic lawmakers in at least two states — Arizona and Oregon — said this week they want to reform their states’ use-of-force policies in upcoming legislative sessions. A legislative caucus in Oregon representing people of color has asked for a bipartisan effort to recommend changes that can be included in legislation next year.
“The issue is simply two words: accountability and trust,” state Sen. Lew Frederick, a Democrat from Portland, said in the group’s statement. “Both are broken. It will take a major effort to establish them in our society.”
In Colorado, Democratic lawmakers introduced a bill Wednesday that, among other things, would require departments to compile civilian demographic data in use-of-force cases and allow citizens to file lawsuits against police officers for misconduct. Colorado law currently grants them immunity.
Despite the sense in many places that this moment could produce real change, challenges remain.
Police unions have often resisted attempts to restrict officers’ use of deadly force and are politically potent in most states.
Paige Fernandez, a policing policy adviser at the ACLU, said many unions “have convinced themselves that police are unable to protect themselves if they value the bodily integrity and personal lives of the the people they are supposed to be serving.”
The National Fraternal Order of Police issued a statement acknowledging there is “no doubt” Floyd’s death has diminished public trust in police.
“Police officers need to treat all of our citizens with respect and understanding and should be held to the very highest standards for their conduct,” the organization said.
Since 2016, groups representing police nationwide have contributed $1.3 million directly to candidates for governor and attorney general and given at least another $1 million for independent expenditures that advocate for or against candidates for all state-level offices, according to an Associated Press analysis of data collected by the National Institute on Money in Politics.
Much of that money has been spent in California, where unions initially defeated reforms before the state enacted a pair of laws last year. One allows police to use lethal force only when necessary to defend against an imminent threat of death or serious injury to officers or bystanders. The second requires additional officer training.
The California debate was driven in part by the fatal 2018 shooting by Sacramento police of 22-year-old Stephon Clark, who was clutching a cellphone that officers said they mistook for a weapon.
The shooting in Ohio of Rice, whose toy Airsoft gun officers said they mistook for a real one, contributed to then-Gov. John Kasich creating the Ohio Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board.
In 2015, the board adopted statewide standards limiting use of deadly force by police officers to defending themselves or others from serious injury or death. The state’s Republican-led Legislature opted against turning those recommendations into law, leaving police agencies to comply voluntarily.
Karhlton Moore, who leads the Ohio Department of Public Safety division that oversees the standards, said roughly three-quarters of Ohio residents now live in areas covered by police agencies that are either certified or in the process of being certified as upholding the standards.
But Ohio House Minority Leader Emilia Sykes, a Democrat who is black, criticized Republican lawmakers this week for failing to enact laws recommended by Kasich’s task force, saying their actions “show us time and time again that black lives do not matter.”
Ohio Democrats want immediate reforms addressing racism and inequality.
In Pennsylvania, a package of bills seeking to limit the justifications for the use of deadly force by police has stalled in the state’s Republican-controlled Legislature.
But changing the law isn’t enough, said Democratic Rep. Summer Lee, a chief sponsor of the bills who represents East Pittsburgh. Police around the nation have condemned the way Floyd was restrained.
Inherent racism must be dealt with as well, said Lee, who is black.
She said some lawmakers were paying lip service to the necessity of fighting racism — but weren’t taking action.
“We have bills — we have tangible things the Legislature can do today,” Lee said.


shareblue--2020-06-08--Police raid LGBTQ bar in Iowa after staff assist protesters

Three members of the staff of an LGBTQ bar in the East Village neighborhood of Des Moines , Iowa , were arrested last week when they went outside to help after police fired tear gas at people protesting police brutality .
Matthew Raper , Thuan Luong , and Logan Villhauer were arrested outside of the Blazing Saddle , the oldest gay bar in Des Moines .
The men told the Des Moines Register they were returning to the bar after providing first aid to a protester who 'd been sprayed with a chemical when police arrived in riot gear and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people to get down on the ground .
Video footage posted by the Register shows that the three men complied .
Court documents say Luong and Raper were near a riot or unlawful assembly and would not disperse when ordered to by police , but Villhauer noted the two different orders given and said they were n't sure which to follow .
Raper and Villhauer said officers expressed contempt for the protesters .
Bryan Smith , co-owner of the bar , said he and three others who had been aiding the protesters went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrived .
`` We were trying to get out of the way to let them do their job and then we realized we were their job at that time , or what they preconceived as their job , I guess .
There were other people on the street besides us — the people doing the first aid . ''
Smith said he thought the protesters immediately left the area once police arrived .
Police officers came to the bar and told the people there to come out of the building , Smith said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Police then asked if anyone else was still in the building and proceeded to go inside .
After the officers had asked the remaining person to come outside and had frisked him , they inspected the rest of the bar .
`` I do n't know if they thought that we were hiding anybody , but we were n't .
I do n't see the reason for them to march in here without reason .
I did n't see a reason for them to come in other than we were here when they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June 1 , when the bar was raided , saw Des Moines ' fourth night of protests against police violence following the killing of a black man , George Floyd , by a white police officer , Derek Chauvin , in Minneapolis on May 25 .
That night , police used tear gas and flash-bang grenades on about 200 demonstrators .
Polk County officials had instituted a curfew from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. at the request of Gov .
Kim Reynolds and Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie .
On June 4 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bar was n't open and he and a group of employees and patrons were at the bar watching the protests on television .
Sgt .
Paul Parizek of the Des Moines Police Department told ABC affiliate Local 5 We Are Iowa , `` It does look kinda frightening when police come through the door with guns in their hands , but once we were able to talk that out , everybody was able to understand why we were there and what we were trying to do .
It was truly in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Village . ''
The Des Moines Police Department had not responded to requests for more information about its actions by the time this story was published .
Smith said that the bar has had a `` pretty good relationship '' with the police in the 27 years he has been there .
`` But that is a thing when you 're a minority .
That 's an automatic thing where you kind of go , 'They 're here because it 's a gay bar . '
I do n't know if that 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the perception , '' he said .
Smith said of the police , `` Just check yourself before getting in the middle of something like that .
No one asked us who we were or what we were doing or asked for any ID .
Nothing of that sort ...
There were plenty of people who were out , so I do n't understand why we , who were peaceful , were targeted .
It 's hard for me to say we were targeted , but it 's hard for me to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'm still up in the air about that . ''
Smith said that the bar has been in conversations with the Des Moines City Council and the police department about the incident last Monday and that a police liaison wants to talk to the people involved about `` what we want . ''
The Des Moines Police Department 's website lists an LGBT liaison and reads , `` The Des Moines Police Department is committed to supporting the Lesbian , Gay , Bisexual , Transgender Community . ''
Smith said all he wants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what they did on Monday night .
`` They all kind of make it sound like we have some big lawsuit involved , but no , we do n't plan on doing anything other than just ... do n't do that . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Three members of the staff of an LGBTQ bar in the East Village neighborhood of Des Moines, Iowa, were arrested last week when they went outside to help after police fired tear gas at people protesting police brutality.
Matthew Raper, Thuan Luong, and Logan Villhauer were arrested outside of the Blazing Saddle, the oldest gay bar in Des Moines.
The men told the Des Moines Register they were returning to the bar after providing first aid to a protester who’d been sprayed with a chemical when police arrived in riot gear and, with their rifles drawn, ordered people to get down on the ground. Video footage posted by the Register shows that the three men complied.
Court documents say Luong and Raper were near a riot or unlawful assembly and would not disperse when ordered to by police, but Villhauer noted the two different orders given and said they weren’t sure which to follow.
Raper and Villhauer said officers expressed contempt for the protesters.
Bryan Smith, co-owner of the bar, said he and three others who had been aiding the protesters went back into the bar when riot police arrived.
“We were trying to get out of the way to let them do their job and then we realized we were their job at that time, or what they preconceived as their job, I guess. There were other people on the street besides us — the people doing the first aid.”
Smith said he thought the protesters immediately left the area once police arrived.
Police officers came to the bar and told the people there to come out of the building, Smith said. Three of them did so. Police then asked if anyone else was still in the building and proceeded to go inside.
After the officers had asked the remaining person to come outside and had frisked him, they inspected the rest of the bar.
“I don’t know if they thought that we were hiding anybody, but we weren’t. I don’t see the reason for them to march in here without reason. I didn’t see a reason for them to come in other than we were here when they jumped out,” said Smith.
June 1, when the bar was raided, saw Des Moines’ fourth night of protests against police violence following the killing of a black man, George Floyd, by a white police officer, Derek Chauvin, in Minneapolis on May 25. That night, police used tear gas and flash-bang grenades on about 200 demonstrators.
Polk County officials had instituted a curfew from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. at the request of Gov. Kim Reynolds and Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie. On June 4, the county rescinded it. Smith said the bar wasn’t open and he and a group of employees and patrons were at the bar watching the protests on television.
Sgt. Paul Parizek of the Des Moines Police Department told ABC affiliate Local 5 We Are Iowa, “It does look kinda frightening when police come through the door with guns in their hands, but once we were able to talk that out, everybody was able to understand why we were there and what we were trying to do. It was truly in the best interest of the businesses in the Village.”
The Des Moines Police Department had not responded to requests for more information about its actions by the time this story was published.
Smith said that the bar has had a “pretty good relationship” with the police in the 27 years he has been there.
“But that is a thing when you’re a minority. That’s an automatic thing where you kind of go, ‘They’re here because it’s a gay bar.’ I don’t know if that’s the truth, but that’s kind of the perception,” he said.
Smith said of the police, “Just check yourself before getting in the middle of something like that. No one asked us who we were or what we were doing or asked for any ID. Nothing of that sort … There were plenty of people who were out, so I don’t understand why we, who were peaceful, were targeted. It’s hard for me to say we were targeted, but it’s hard for me to say that we weren’t. I’m still up in the air about that.”


shareblue--2020-06-08--GOP lawmaker wants to make it harder to vote by mail as more people do it

A Republican state senator in Iowa has introduced legislation to make it harder for citizens to vote by mail this November , days after the state saw a dramatic increase in absentee voting in its June 2 primary .
On Friday , State Sen. Roby Smith attempted to attach a 30-page amendment to an otherwise non-controversial bill `` dictating the use of county seals , '' according to local CBS affiliate KGAN .
The amendment would , among other things , limit the secretary of state 's authority to mail voters absentee ballot applications , even during a health crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The legislation would specifically bar the secretary 's office from mailing absentee ballot applications unless requested by a voter .
Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate , a Republican , mailed absentee ballot applications for the June primary to every voter back in April .
Following that action , overall voter turnout increased to 24 % , up from 15 % in 2016 .
Further , 411,000 of the 524,000 votes cast in 2020 were submitted by mail , a 1,000 % increase in absentee voting compared to 2016 , the Hill reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are in the minority in the state Senate , swiftly criticized the amendment .
Democratic State Sen. Tony Bisignano called the attempt to modify the original bill , which had passed the House unanimously , `` beyond the pale . ''
`` So , I 'm not gon na support this , ever [ ... ] , '' he said .
One county auditor questioned the timing of the amendment .
`` Why are we coming out of one of the most successful elections , across the state , in Linn County , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are we being punished for what appears to be a very fantastic election from turnout and the way it was run ? ''
said Joel Miller of Linn County , where some 85 % of the ballots were absentee , according to KGAN .
The State Association of County Auditors also weighed in , the outlet reported , asking legislators in a letter to reject Smith 's proposal `` out of respect to the hundreds of thousands of Iowa voters who just exercised their rights in the most basic act of democratic government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights and their health . ''
Iowa could be a key battleground state this November .
President Barack Obama carried the state in 2008 , and Republicans carried it in 2012 and 2016 .
In addition to the presidential race , Iowa will host a closely-watched Senate race , with first-term incumbent Sen. Joni Ernst , a staunch Trump supporter , facing off with Democratic nominee Theresa Greenfield .
Republicans at both the state and federal level have waged war on vote-by-mail in recent months as more places seek to implement it as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order to slow the spread of coronavirus .
Trump himself has been vehemently opposed to making absentee voting more accessible , claiming without proof that mail-in voting constitutes voter fraud .
`` MAIL-IN VOTING WILL LEAD TO MASSIVE FRAUD AND ABUSE .
IT WILL ALSO LEAD TO THE END OF OUR GREAT REPUBLICAN PARTY , '' Trump tweeted on May 28 .
There is no evidence of such widespread fraud , according to experts at the Brennan Center for Justice , either with in-person or absentee voting .
The center noted in April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Oregon , Utah , and Washington — already conduct elections primarily by mail , and none has had any significant issues since adopting the system .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

A Republican state senator in Iowa has introduced legislation to make it harder for citizens to vote by mail this November, days after the state saw a dramatic increase in absentee voting in its June 2 primary.
On Friday, State Sen. Roby Smith attempted to attach a 30-page amendment to an otherwise non-controversial bill “dictating the use of county seals,” according to local CBS affiliate KGAN.
The amendment would, among other things, limit the secretary of state’s authority to mail voters absentee ballot applications, even during a health crisis such as the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The legislation would specifically bar the secretary’s office from mailing absentee ballot applications unless requested by a voter.
Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate, a Republican, mailed absentee ballot applications for the June primary to every voter back in April. Following that action, overall voter turnout increased to 24%, up from 15% in 2016.
Further, 411,000 of the 524,000 votes cast in 2020 were submitted by mail, a 1,000% increase in absentee voting compared to 2016, the Hill reported.
Smith’s Democratic colleagues, who are in the minority in the state Senate, swiftly criticized the amendment.
Democratic State Sen. Tony Bisignano called the attempt to modify the original bill, which had passed the House unanimously, “beyond the pale.”
“So, I’m not gonna support this, ever […],” he said.
One county auditor questioned the timing of the amendment.
“Why are we coming out of one of the most successful elections, across the state, in Linn County, why are we doing this? Why are we being punished for what appears to be a very fantastic election from turnout and the way it was run?” said Joel Miller of Linn County, where some 85% of the ballots were absentee, according to KGAN.
The State Association of County Auditors also weighed in, the outlet reported, asking legislators in a letter to reject Smith’s proposal “out of respect to the hundreds of thousands of Iowa voters who just exercised their rights in the most basic act of democratic government, without having to choose between their rights and their health.”
Iowa could be a key battleground state this November. President Barack Obama carried the state in 2008, and Republicans carried it in 2012 and 2016.
In addition to the presidential race, Iowa will host a closely-watched Senate race, with first-term incumbent Sen. Joni Ernst, a staunch Trump supporter, facing off with Democratic nominee Theresa Greenfield.
A recent poll showed Greenfield with a narrow 2-point lead.
Republicans at both the state and federal level have waged war on vote-by-mail in recent months as more places seek to implement it as an option to in-person voting, in order to slow the spread of coronavirus.
Trump himself has been vehemently opposed to making absentee voting more accessible, claiming without proof that mail-in voting constitutes voter fraud.
“MAIL-IN VOTING WILL LEAD TO MASSIVE FRAUD AND ABUSE. IT WILL ALSO LEAD TO THE END OF OUR GREAT REPUBLICAN PARTY,” Trump tweeted on May 28.
There is no evidence of such widespread fraud, according to experts at the Brennan Center for Justice, either with in-person or absentee voting.
The center noted in April that five states — Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Utah, and Washington — already conduct elections primarily by mail, and none has had any significant issues since adopting the system.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-06-08--These 17 businesses are bankrolling Sen. Tom Cotton

The Republican senator who called for military occupation within the United States to control protests against racism and police violence has received more than $ 300,000 from 17 large corporate PACs .
Tom Cotton of Arkansas argued last week in a widely criticized , error-riddled New York Times opinion piece last Wednesday that U.S. troops should be dispatched to `` restore order '' as protesters across the country marched against police violence following the death of George Floyd , a black man who died in Minneapolis after a white police officer kneeled on Floyd 's neck for several minutes while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could not breathe .
On Sunday , the paper 's opinion editor resigned after the paper acknowledged Cotton 's piece `` did not meet '' its standards .
Popular Information first reported on Monday that several large companies that have funded Cotton 's campaigns have recently embraced the Black Lives Matters movement in public comments .
The newsletter 's author , Judd Legum , noted that Cotton `` has positioned himself to the right of [ Donald ] Trump on criminal justice issues '' and believes America has an `` under-incarceration problem .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ data reveals that , dating back to Cotton 's 2012 congressional campaign , at least 17 corporate political action committees have given him more than $ 15,000 each in campaign contributions .
All totaled , these 17 companies have given at least $ 301,500 to his campaigns .
Ernst & Young US tweeted on Tuesday : `` Building a better working world means creating one that is fair and just for all .
EY is committed to being an agent of change , standing against racism and discrimination .
# BlackoutTuesday '' The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to an inquiry for this story .
Goldman Sachs announced on Wednesday that it would give $ 10 million toward racial and economic justice .
`` We must stand up and support organizations dedicated to the fight for a more just and equitable society , '' the firm 's chair and CEO , David M. Solomon , wrote .
`` To honor the legacies of George Floyd , Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery , we must all commit to help address the damage of generations of racism . ''
A spokesperson for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this story .
Craig Purser , the National Beer Wholesalers Association 's president and CEO , said in a press release on Tuesday : `` The beer industry stands with communities and against racial inequality .
We are appalled and saddened by the injustices inflicted on our friends and neighbors .
We must take a stand against prejudice and bigotry .
America must live up to the promise of liberty and justice for all .
And we need to use this moment to renew our fight against injustice and work toward becoming a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group for the beer distribution industry did not respond to an inquiry for this story .
Windstream 's president and CEO Tony Thomas wrote in a statement on Thursday : `` At Windstream , we reject all forms of racism , hatred and violence .
As a communications company serving diverse communities across America , we will listen and learn from this moment , and do our part to bring people together . ''
The telecommunications company did not respond to an inquiry for this story .
On Wednesday , the American Dental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dentistry leaders to call on dentists to help heal their communities .
`` This is the moment of the dental community — as a robust tapestry of people from all backgrounds and walks of life — to live its values , '' they said in a joint statement .
`` We must live each day with intention .
We must choose to live with integrity and respect toward our fellow human beings .
We must choose to recognize that their lives matter , too . ''
The trade association for the dental profession @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this story .
In a LinkedIn post , Deloitte US CEO Joseph Ucuzoglu wrote : `` As an organization deeply committed to inclusion , Deloitte stands against the legacy of systemic bias , racism and unequal treatment that continues to plague our communities .
We must address the social injustice in our communities and can not remain silent . ''
The accounting company did not respond to an inquiry for this story .
Tim Ryan , Pricewaterhouse Coopers US chair and senior partner , wrote in a June press release , `` It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not only stand with them against racism to condemn these killings , but to use my privilege to be a part of the solution and take action — to help dismantle the racism and injustice that has become so pervasive in our society . ''
A spokesperson for the professional services firm wrote in an email : `` PwC stands against racism in the workplace , in our communities and in our country .
PwC 's Political Action Committee reviews its political contributions on an on-going basis and will continue to do so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that have transpired . ''
In a news release from June 6 , Liberty Mutual announced that it would give $ 1 million to the Equal Justice Initiative and promised `` to have honest , open and sometimes difficult conversations as part of our ongoing efforts to listen , learn and most importantly , combat systemic racism . ''
The property and casualty insurance company did not respond to an inquiry for this story .
Jim Nussle , president and CEO of the Credit Union National Association and a former GOP congressman , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have honest , important conversations about racism , discrimination , and socioeconomic disparities in our communities .
And we need to take action . ''
The trade association for the credit union industry did not respond to an inquiry for this story .
Bank of America announced on June 2 that it would make a $ 2 billion commitment `` to combat racial inequality accelerated by the global pandemic , '' citing the `` sense of true urgency , particularly in view of the racial injustices we have seen in the communities where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesperson for the banking behemoth declined to comment for this story .
None of these companies have responded to inquiries about their donations .
Some of the donations , including $ 2,500 from Ernst & Young PAC and $ 3,000 from Liberty Mutual PAC sent this March , were sent to Cotton after it became apparent that he would not face any Democratic opponent in his 2020 reelection race at all .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

The Republican senator who called for military occupation within the United States to control protests against racism and police violence has received more than $300,000 from 17 large corporate PACs.
Tom Cotton of Arkansas argued last week in a widely criticized, error-riddled New York Times opinion piece last Wednesday that U.S. troops should be dispatched to “restore order” as protesters across the country marched against police violence following the death of George Floyd, a black man who died in Minneapolis after a white police officer kneeled on Floyd’s neck for several minutes while Floyd was handcuffed and repeatedly said he could not breathe.
On Sunday, the paper’s opinion editor resigned after the paper acknowledged Cotton’s piece “did not meet” its standards.
Popular Information first reported on Monday that several large companies that have funded Cotton’s campaigns have recently embraced the Black Lives Matters movement in public comments. The newsletter’s author, Judd Legum, noted that Cotton “has positioned himself to the right of [Donald] Trump on criminal justice issues” and believes America has an “under-incarceration problem.”
A review of Federal Election Commission data reveals that, dating back to Cotton’s 2012 congressional campaign, at least 17 corporate political action committees have given him more than $15,000 each in campaign contributions. All totaled, these 17 companies have given at least $301,500 to his campaigns.
They include:
Ernst & Young ($23,000)
Ernst & Young US tweeted on Tuesday: “Building a better working world means creating one that is fair and just for all. EY is committed to being an agent of change, standing against racism and discrimination. #BlackoutTuesday”
The global professional services company did not respond to an inquiry for this story.
Goldman Sachs ($20,500)
Goldman Sachs announced on Wednesday that it would give $10 million toward racial and economic justice.
“We must stand up and support organizations dedicated to the fight for a more just and equitable society,” the firm’s chair and CEO, David M. Solomon, wrote. “To honor the legacies of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery, we must all commit to help address the damage of generations of racism.”
A spokesperson for the financial services giant declined to comment for this story.
National Beer Wholesalers Association ($20,000)
Craig Purser, the National Beer Wholesalers Association’s president and CEO, said in a press release on Tuesday: “The beer industry stands with communities and against racial inequality. We are appalled and saddened by the injustices inflicted on our friends and neighbors. We must take a stand against prejudice and bigotry. America must live up to the promise of liberty and justice for all. And we need to use this moment to renew our fight against injustice and work toward becoming a more perfect union.”
The trade group for the beer distribution industry did not respond to an inquiry for this story.
Windstream ($18,000)
Windstream’s president and CEO Tony Thomas wrote in a statement on Thursday: “At Windstream, we reject all forms of racism, hatred and violence. As a communications company serving diverse communities across America, we will listen and learn from this moment, and do our part to bring people together.”
The telecommunications company did not respond to an inquiry for this story.
American Dental Association ($17,000)
On Wednesday, the American Dental Association’s president Chad P. Gehani joined dentistry leaders to call on dentists to help heal their communities.
“This is the moment of the dental community — as a robust tapestry of people from all backgrounds and walks of life — to live its values,” they said in a joint statement. “We must live each day with intention. We must choose to live with integrity and respect toward our fellow human beings. We must choose to recognize that their lives matter, too.”
The trade association for the dental profession did not respond to an inquiry for this story.
Deloitte ($16,000)
In a LinkedIn post, Deloitte US CEO Joseph Ucuzoglu wrote: “As an organization deeply committed to inclusion, Deloitte stands against the legacy of systemic bias, racism and unequal treatment that continues to plague our communities. We must address the social injustice in our communities and cannot remain silent.”
The accounting company did not respond to an inquiry for this story.
PricewaterhouseCoopers ($15,000)
Tim Ryan, Pricewaterhouse Coopers US chair and senior partner, wrote in a June press release, “It is my responsibility as a leader to not only stand with them against racism to condemn these killings, but to use my privilege to be a part of the solution and take action — to help dismantle the racism and injustice that has become so pervasive in our society.”
A spokesperson for the professional services firm wrote in an email: “PwC stands against racism in the workplace, in our communities and in our country. PwC’s Political Action Committee reviews its political contributions on an on-going basis and will continue to do so in light of the recent significant events that have transpired.”
Liberty Mutual Insurance ($15,000)
In a news release from June 6, Liberty Mutual announced that it would give $1 million to the Equal Justice Initiative and promised “to have honest, open and sometimes difficult conversations as part of our ongoing efforts to listen, learn and most importantly, combat systemic racism.”
The property and casualty insurance company did not respond to an inquiry for this story.
Credit Union National Association ($15,000)
Jim Nussle, president and CEO of the Credit Union National Association and a former GOP congressman, tweeted Friday: “We need to have honest, important conversations about racism, discrimination, and socioeconomic disparities in our communities. And we need to take action.”
The trade association for the credit union industry did not respond to an inquiry for this story.
Bank of America ($15,000)
Bank of America announced on June 2 that it would make a $2 billion commitment “to combat racial inequality accelerated by the global pandemic,” citing the “sense of true urgency, particularly in view of the racial injustices we have seen in the communities where we work and live.”
A spokesperson for the banking behemoth declined to comment for this story.
Other businesses donating included:
AKSM Urology PAC ($25,000)
Stephens Inc.($20,000)
American Crystal Sugar Company ($17,500)
Murphy Oil Corporation ($17,000)
ArcBest ($16,000)
BNSF Railway ($16,000)
Investment Company Institute ($15,500)
None of these companies have responded to inquiries about their donations.
Some of the donations, including $2,500 from Ernst & Young PAC and $3,000 from Liberty Mutual PAC sent this March, were sent to Cotton after it became apparent that he would not face any Democratic opponent in his 2020 reelection race at all.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-06-08--GOP thinks running against police reform is a good idea. Experts disagree.

Donald Trump and the Republican Party have seized on a call from anti-racism activists to `` defund the police , '' believing that the new movement — which demands governments redistribute some police funding to other social welfare programs to help stop police brutality against black Americans — is a boon to Trump 's reelection chances .
Trump has amplified the `` defund the police '' message since the movement began last week , speaking about it in a speech during a visit to Maine and tweeting about it seven times since June 4 .
`` So I think we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and we ’ re going to take care of law enforcement , because law enforcement — they 're saying 'defund the police . '
'Defund . '
Think of it , '' Trump said during a roundtable with fishermen in Maine on Friday .
`` When I saw it , I said , 'What are you talking about ? '
'We do n't want to have any police , ' they say .
You do n't want police ? ''
Trump 's campaign is trying to pin the movement on Biden , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweeting on Sunday , `` Protestors added 'Defund the Police ' to the street in DC .
@ JoeBiden owns that movement now .
Police organizations already know he 's taken sides against them . ''
Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel similarly suggested voters will choose Trump over Biden in November because of the issue .
`` Joe Biden 's silence on calls to 'defund the police ' shows how far left he has moved on issue after issue .
Americans support the right to peacefully protest , but still want law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only candidate with the courage to make that clear ! ''
she tweeted on Monday .
But experts are n't so sure that the `` defund the police '' movement will have any measurable impact on Trump 's reelection chances .
`` I 'm skeptical that 'defund the police ' will be a significant liability for Democrats unless Biden and the party really embrace it , '' Nathan Gonzalez , a nonpartisan political handicapper at Inside Elections , said in an interview Monday .
`` I 'm also skeptical that Democrats wo n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'defund the police . '
'' Democrats , including Biden , have not fully embraced the message .
A spokesman said Monday that Biden does not support defunding the police but rather `` supports the urgent need for reform , '' including more training `` to avert tragic , unjustifiable deaths . ''
They added that there needed to be more funding for `` public schools , summer programs , and mental health and substance abuse treatment separate from funding for policing . ''
`` There are many police departments across the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of changes , but have n't had the resources to — and the Trump administration has in fact made obtaining those resources more difficult , '' they said .
Polls suggest the current protests do not appear to be having a negative impact on Democrats as Republicans have predicted .
A CNN poll released Monday found 42 % of voters said race relations will be `` extremely '' important to deciding how they vote — the most of any other issue surveyed .
And the poll found voters trust Biden over Trump on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 31 % margin .
History also shows that focusing on a `` law and order '' messaging may not help Republicans fend off Democrats at the polls .
In 2018 , Republicans tried to beat back a surge of anti-Trump sentiment by tying Democrats to the `` Abolish ICE '' movement , which called for the government to get rid of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency .
That did n't work , however , and Democrats rode a wave of support to win back control of the House for the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ underestimating President Trump 's ability to unify and energize the Democratic Party , '' Gonzales said Monday .
He added that the GOP 's message against Biden is already convoluted , with the `` defund the police '' accusations muddying it even further .
`` Republicans also have multiple cases that they are trying to litigate against Biden : He 's 'Sleepy Joe , ' he 's Beijing Biden , and now he 's Defund the Police Biden , '' Gonzales said .
`` There 's a lot going on . ''
Overall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undercut Biden in order to sabotage his campaign more broadly have not gone as planned .
`` The misapprehension that whatever Trump wants to talk about is inherently effective and that he gets to act as the media 's at-large assignment editor has been put to bed , '' one Biden adviser told CNN in April .
They pointed specifically to Trump 's failed attempts in 2018 , as well as his attempt in the 2017 Virginia governor 's race to summon fears over MS-13 , which Republican candidate Ed Gillespie echoed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ultimately lost that race to now-Gov .
Ralph Northam , who received 54 % of the vote to Gillespie 's 45 % .
One Republican close to the White House who spoke to Politico last month worried that Trump and his advisers were struggling to settle on one effective message against Biden , noting that , by and large , voters were unconcerned with the things Trump was focused on .
`` They have not coalesced around the best message to attack Biden , and the message that Biden is diminished doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` A lot of Americans just don ’ t want the government to screw things up . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump and the Republican Party have seized on a call from anti-racism activists to “defund the police,” believing that the new movement — which demands governments redistribute some police funding to other social welfare programs to help stop police brutality against black Americans — is a boon to Trump’s reelection chances.
Trump has amplified the “defund the police” message since the movement began last week, speaking about it in a speech during a visit to Maine and tweeting about it seven times since June 4.
“So I think we’re going to have a great victory, and we’re going to take care of law enforcement, because law enforcement — they’re saying ‘defund the police.’ ‘Defund.’ Think of it,” Trump said during a roundtable with fishermen in Maine on Friday. “When I saw it, I said, ‘What are you talking about?’ ‘We don’t want to have any police,’ they say. You don’t want police?”
Trump’s campaign is trying to pin the movement on Biden, with Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh tweeting on Sunday, “Protestors added ‘Defund the Police’ to the street in DC. @JoeBiden owns that movement now. Police organizations already know he’s taken sides against them.”
Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel similarly suggested voters will choose Trump over Biden in November because of the issue.
“Joe Biden’s silence on calls to ‘defund the police’ shows how far left he has moved on issue after issue. Americans support the right to peacefully protest, but still want law and order. @realDonaldTrump is the only candidate with the courage to make that clear!” she tweeted on Monday.
But experts aren’t so sure that the “defund the police” movement will have any measurable impact on Trump’s reelection chances.
“I’m skeptical that ‘defund the police’ will be a significant liability for Democrats unless Biden and the party really embrace it,” Nathan Gonzalez, a nonpartisan political handicapper at Inside Elections, said in an interview Monday. “I’m also skeptical that Democrats won’t support Biden if he doesn’t embrace ‘defund the police.'”
Democrats, including Biden, have not fully embraced the message.
A spokesman said Monday that Biden does not support defunding the police but rather “supports the urgent need for reform,” including more training “to avert tragic, unjustifiable deaths.”
They added that there needed to be more funding for “public schools, summer programs, and mental health and substance abuse treatment separate from funding for policing.”
“There are many police departments across the country who are seeking to realize these kinds of changes, but haven’t had the resources to — and the Trump administration has in fact made obtaining those resources more difficult,” they said.
Polls suggest the current protests do not appear to be having a negative impact on Democrats as Republicans have predicted.
A CNN poll released Monday found 42% of voters said race relations will be “extremely” important to deciding how they vote — the most of any other issue surveyed. And the poll found voters trust Biden over Trump on that issue by a whopping 63% to 31% margin.
History also shows that focusing on a “law and order” messaging may not help Republicans fend off Democrats at the polls.
In 2018, Republicans tried to beat back a surge of anti-Trump sentiment by tying Democrats to the “Abolish ICE” movement, which called for the government to get rid of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.
That didn’t work, however, and Democrats rode a wave of support to win back control of the House for the first time since 2010.
“Republicans are underestimating President Trump’s ability to unify and energize the Democratic Party,” Gonzales said Monday.
He added that the GOP’s message against Biden is already convoluted, with the “defund the police” accusations muddying it even further.
“Republicans also have multiple cases that they are trying to litigate against Biden: He’s ‘Sleepy Joe,’ he’s Beijing Biden, and now he’s Defund the Police Biden,” Gonzales said. “There’s a lot going on.”
Overall, Democrats say Trump’s efforts to undercut Biden in order to sabotage his campaign more broadly have not gone as planned.
“The misapprehension that whatever Trump wants to talk about is inherently effective and that he gets to act as the media’s at-large assignment editor has been put to bed,” one Biden adviser told CNN in April.
They pointed specifically to Trump’s failed attempts in 2018, as well as his attempt in the 2017 Virginia governor’s race to summon fears over MS-13, which Republican candidate Ed Gillespie echoed in various campaign ads and remarks.
Gillespie ultimately lost that race to now-Gov. Ralph Northam, who received 54% of the vote to Gillespie’s 45%.
One Republican close to the White House who spoke to Politico last month worried that Trump and his advisers were struggling to settle on one effective message against Biden, noting that, by and large, voters were unconcerned with the things Trump was focused on.
“They have not coalesced around the best message to attack Biden, and the message that Biden is diminished doesn’t scare people enough,” they said. “A lot of Americans just don’t want the government to screw things up.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-06-08--McEnany: Romney can say 'black lives matter' but Trump got 8% of the black vote

On Monday , White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany cited Donald Trump 's single-digit performance with black voters in 2016 to attack Sen. Mitt Romney ( R-UT ) for his participation in a protest against police violence in Washington , D.C. On Sunday , Romney explained to reporters that he was marching `` to make sure that people understand that black lives matter . ''
Asked about Romney 's action and whether Trump agrees that black lives matter , McEnany said , `` Trump won 8 % of the black vote , and Mitt Romney won 2 % of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to attack Romney for comments he made during the 2012 election .
But her attack was also false .
In 2012 , Romney won 6 % of the black vote in his loss to President Barack Obama .
McEnany was accurate in her citation of Trump 's performance in 2016 , but that was dwarfed by the 89 % of the black vote that Secretary Hillary Clinton received .
Trump has struggled among black voters , who have consistently given him extremely low levels of support throughout his time in office .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of black voters say Trump has made racism in the United States worse , and 83 % called him racist .
He has fared even worse among black women , with whom he had only 3 % support in a poll last year .
REPORTER : Kayleigh , does he agree in general , the way that Mitt Romney stated over the weekend , he does , with the core message of black lives matter ?
McENANY : Yeah , Mitt Romney can say three words outside on Pennsylvania Avenue , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump won 8 % of the black vote , and Mitt Romney won 2 % of the black vote .
I believe President Trump — people across the country recognize that while Mitt Romney has a lot of words , notably he said that 47 % of the nation is dependent upon government , believes they are victims , believes that the government has a responsibility to care for them — those were Mitt Romney 's words , not too long ago .
The president takes great offense to those words .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is ?
It 's when given opportunity , via a Trump opportunity zone , belief that Americans of all races can rise to the occasion and achieve , belief in HBCUs and giving funding , record funding , to HBCUs , because we need to enable and education [ sic ] in our country and school choice .
Those kinds of actions on the part of the president stand in stark contrast with the very empty words of Sen. Romney .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

On Monday, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany cited Donald Trump’s single-digit performance with black voters in 2016 to attack Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) for his participation in a protest against police violence in Washington, D.C.
On Sunday, Romney explained to reporters that he was marching “to make sure that people understand that black lives matter.”
Asked about Romney’s action and whether Trump agrees that black lives matter, McEnany said, “Trump won 8% of the black vote, and Mitt Romney won 2% of the black vote.” She went on to attack Romney for comments he made during the 2012 election.
But her attack was also false. In 2012, Romney won 6% of the black vote in his loss to President Barack Obama.
McEnany was accurate in her citation of Trump’s performance in 2016, but that was dwarfed by the 89% of the black vote that Secretary Hillary Clinton received.
Trump has struggled among black voters, who have consistently given him extremely low levels of support throughout his time in office. A poll earlier this year showed that 80% of black voters say Trump has made racism in the United States worse, and 83% called him racist. He has fared even worse among black women, with whom he had only 3% support in a poll last year.
From a June 8 White House press briefing:
REPORTER: Kayleigh, does he agree in general, the way that Mitt Romney stated over the weekend, he does, with the core message of black lives matter? McENANY: Yeah, Mitt Romney can say three words outside on Pennsylvania Avenue, but I would note this: that President Trump won 8% of the black vote, and Mitt Romney won 2% of the black vote. I believe President Trump — people across the country recognize that while Mitt Romney has a lot of words, notably he said that 47% of the nation is dependent upon government, believes they are victims, believes that the government has a responsibility to care for them — those were Mitt Romney’s words, not too long ago. The president takes great offense to those words. That’s not America. Guess what America is? It’s when given opportunity, via a Trump opportunity zone, belief that Americans of all races can rise to the occasion and achieve, belief in HBCUs and giving funding, record funding, to HBCUs, because we need to enable and education [sic] in our country and school choice. Those kinds of actions on the part of the president stand in stark contrast with the very empty words of Sen. Romney.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.