shareblue--2020-10-06--Doctors say Trump's cheery new message on COVID is going to get people killed

Doctors have expressed alarm over the misleading messages that Donald Trump is sending after being discharged from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Monday .
Upon leaving the hospital still infected with the coronavirus , Trump posted a video on his Twitter account in which he said of the virus , `` Do n't let it dominate you .
Do n't be afraid of it . ''
`` We 're going to be out front .
As your leader , I had to do that , '' he said .
`` I know there 's a risk , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ OK. '' Concerned doctors and medical experts across the nation responded to Trump 's seemingly cavalier attitude and rosy assessment about a virus that 's killed more than 210,000 people in the United States and infected over 7.4 million as of Tuesday .
Dr. Sadiya Khan , a professor at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine , told the Associated Press : `` It 's an unconscionable message .
I would go so far as to say that it may precipitate or worsen spread . ''
Dr. David Nace , a professor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said : `` We have to be realistic in this : COVID is a complete threat to the American population . ''
He noted , `` Most of the people are n't so lucky as the president , '' who has access to medical services and treatments most Americans do not .
Dr. William Schaffner , a professor in the Vanderbilt University Medical School 's Division of Infectious Diseases , said that Trump 's message could encourage his followers to ignore basic recommendations to keep themselves safe : `` It will lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead to more transmission of the virus , which will lead to more illness , and more illness will lead to more deaths . ''
`` This is a total abdication of responsibility by the Trump administration , '' said Dr. Joshua Barocas , a doctor of infectious diseases and professor of medicine at Boston University .
`` Take off your mask , be defiant , we can beat this virus , it 's all hype , '' Dr. Peter Hotez of the Baylor College of Medicine said during an appearance on CNN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Many people find him very compelling and will do and follow all of his actions , and his statements and his tweets , and he put out the message that let this thing rip , do n't let it interfere with your daily activities .
Do n't be fearful , let 's have 400,000 Americans dead . ''
Dr. Jonathan Reiner , a professor at George Washington University School of Medicine , told CNN : `` It is inexplainable that the President of the United States , who is actively shedding virus in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that building with an enormous number of staff , unmasked .
It is really hard to understand how no one told him not to do that .
There does n't seem to be anyone in charge of his care other than the President of the United States , other than the patient . ''
Dr .
Rob Davidson , executive director of the Committee to Protect Medicare , told the American Independent Foundation that the example Trump is setting is dangerous .
`` In leaving , he is claiming victory ... continuing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be afraid , we have to live our lives ... and we 're going to have more people die because of it , '' said Davidson .
Doctors were equally alarmed when Trump left his hospital room , before he was discharged , and put his Secret Secret detail in harm 's way during a joyride in a sealed automobile to wave to well-wishers .
Dr. James P. Phillips , an attending physician at Walter Reed , called Trump 's move `` completely unnecessary '' and `` political theater . ''
`` That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but hermetically sealed against chemical attack , '' the Phillips tweeted .
`` The risk of COVID19 transmission inside is as high as it gets outside of medical procedures .
The irresponsibility is astounding .
My thoughts are with the Secret Service forced to play . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Doctors have expressed alarm over the misleading messages that Donald Trump is sending after being discharged from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Monday.
Upon leaving the hospital still infected with the coronavirus, Trump posted a video on his Twitter account in which he said of the virus, “Don’t let it dominate you. Don’t be afraid of it.”
“We’re going to be out front. As your leader, I had to do that,” he said. “I know there’s a risk, there’s a danger, but that’s OK.”
Concerned doctors and medical experts across the nation responded to Trump’s seemingly cavalier attitude and rosy assessment about a virus that’s killed more than 210,000 people in the United States and infected over 7.4 million as of Tuesday.
Dr. Sadiya Khan, a professor at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, told the Associated Press: “It’s an unconscionable message. I would go so far as to say that it may precipitate or worsen spread.”
Dr. David Nace, a professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, said: “We have to be realistic in this: COVID is a complete threat to the American population.” He noted, “Most of the people aren’t so lucky as the president,” who has access to medical services and treatments most Americans do not.
Dr. William Schaffner, a professor in the Vanderbilt University Medical School’s Division of Infectious Diseases, said that Trump’s message could encourage his followers to ignore basic recommendations to keep themselves safe: “It will lead to more casual behavior, which will lead to more transmission of the virus, which will lead to more illness, and more illness will lead to more deaths.”
“This is a total abdication of responsibility by the Trump administration,” said Dr. Joshua Barocas, a doctor of infectious diseases and professor of medicine at Boston University.
“Take off your mask, be defiant, we can beat this virus, it’s all hype,” Dr. Peter Hotez of the Baylor College of Medicine said during an appearance on CNN, dismissing Trump’s messaging. “Many people find him very compelling and will do and follow all of his actions, and his statements and his tweets, and he put out the message that let this thing rip, don’t let it interfere with your daily activities. Don’t be fearful, let’s have 400,000 Americans dead.”
Dr. Jonathan Reiner, a professor at George Washington University School of Medicine, told CNN: “It is inexplainable that the President of the United States, who is actively shedding virus in millions of particles, would walk into that building with an enormous number of staff, unmasked. It is really hard to understand how no one told him not to do that. There doesn’t seem to be anyone in charge of his care other than the President of the United States, other than the patient.”
Dr. Rob Davidson, executive director of the Committee to Protect Medicare, told the American Independent Foundation that the example Trump is setting is dangerous.
“In leaving, he is claiming victory … continuing to downplay it, telling people don’t be afraid, we have to live our lives … and we’re going to have more people die because of it,” said Davidson.
Doctors were equally alarmed when Trump left his hospital room, before he was discharged, and put his Secret Secret detail in harm’s way during a joyride in a sealed automobile to wave to well-wishers.
Dr. James P. Phillips, an attending physician at Walter Reed, called Trump’s move “completely unnecessary” and “political theater.”
“That Presidential SUV is not only bulletproof, but hermetically sealed against chemical attack,” the Phillips tweeted. “The risk of COVID19 transmission inside is as high as it gets outside of medical procedures. The irresponsibility is astounding. My thoughts are with the Secret Service forced to play.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-10-07--Georgia senator's election pitch: I want to cut your Social Security

Sen. David Perdue ( R-GA ) said Tuesday that U.S. spending on Social Security , Medicare , and other entitlement programs are `` not under control '' and could lead to `` a runaway debt crisis . ''
In an interview with a local radio network , Perdue seemed to suggest that cutting funding to the popular entitlement programs — which provide health insurance and benefits to American seniors — would help reduce the national debt .
`` This is the huge one , '' Perdue said in the interview .
`` This is what I hope to get at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Social Security and Medicare — the things that you 've already alluded to — are what 's causing the huge run-up . ''
Perdue added : `` The thing that is not under control are mandatory expenses .
This is Social Security , Medicare , Medicaid , pensions and benefits for federal employees , and the interest on the debt .
And if we do n't get at those things , we will have a runaway debt crisis . ''
American workers pay into entitlement programs over the course of their lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coverage and financial security once they reach retirement .
In an emailed statement , a Perdue campaign spokesperson wrote : `` Senator Perdue has not supported , does not support , and will never support cuts to Medicare and Social Security .
He said absolutely nothing to suggest that in the interview in question .
Any claim that he supports doing so is absolutely false .
Senator Perdue strongly advocates for efforts to save Social Security and Medicare so they can fulfill their promise to future generations . ''
This is not the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to entitlement programs for seniors .
Last December , he called Social Security and Medicare `` the 800-pound gorilla in the room '' when addressing the national debt .
`` Those are the drivers that are causing this debt , '' Perdue said in a Fox Business appearance .
Perdue voted for Donald Trump 's 2017 tax law , which cut taxes on the wealthy and corporations , which in turn caused the annual budget deficit to balloon .
The tax law also made the entitlement programs less solvent .
In 2015 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefits through `` means testing , '' as well as raising the retirement age .
`` If I told the world today , I ’ m going to fix the debt and it would take 30 years to do it , you can ’ t imagine what confidence that would give to corporate executives investing money every day , '' Perdue said at the time .
Since Perdue took office in January 2015 , the nation 's debt has grown from about $ 18 trillion to more than $ 22.5 trillion — even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stands at an estimated $ 27 trillion — a roughly 50 % increase on Perdue 's watch .
Yet Perdue has rejected the most direct solution to the country 's `` runaway debt crisis '' : raising taxes for the wealthiest Americans .
Without generating the revenue needed to fund entitlement programs , the only option Republicans leave themselves is to cut funding .
Perdue and other members of his party are in a bind : they do n't want to alienate their biggest campaign donors by raising taxes on the wealthy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alienate older voters by admitting they want to cut funding for entitlements .
Perdue faces a tight reelection race against Democrat Jon Ossoff next month .
One recent poll found Ossoff ahead , 49 % to 48 % .
The question is whether Georgia 's seniors will continue to trust Perdue 's promises .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Sen. David Perdue (R-GA) said Tuesday that U.S. spending on Social Security, Medicare, and other entitlement programs are “not under control” and could lead to “a runaway debt crisis.”
In an interview with a local radio network, Perdue seemed to suggest that cutting funding to the popular entitlement programs — which provide health insurance and benefits to American seniors — would help reduce the national debt.
“This is the huge one,” Perdue said in the interview. “This is what I hope to get at in my second term. That is, Social Security and Medicare — the things that you’ve already alluded to — are what’s causing the huge run-up.”
Perdue added: “The thing that is not under control are mandatory expenses. This is Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, pensions and benefits for federal employees, and the interest on the debt. And if we don’t get at those things, we will have a runaway debt crisis.”
American workers pay into entitlement programs over the course of their lives to help ensure they have health care coverage and financial security once they reach retirement.
In an emailed statement, a Perdue campaign spokesperson wrote: “Senator Perdue has not supported, does not support, and will never support cuts to Medicare and Social Security. He said absolutely nothing to suggest that in the interview in question. Any claim that he supports doing so is absolutely false. Senator Perdue strongly advocates for efforts to save Social Security and Medicare so they can fulfill their promise to future generations.”
This is not the first time Perdue has hinted at cuts to entitlement programs for seniors. Last December, he called Social Security and Medicare “the 800-pound gorilla in the room” when addressing the national debt.
“Those are the drivers that are causing this debt,” Perdue said in a Fox Business appearance.
Perdue voted for Donald Trump’s 2017 tax law, which cut taxes on the wealthy and corporations, which in turn caused the annual budget deficit to balloon. The tax law also made the entitlement programs less solvent.
In 2015, Perdue called for restrictions to Social Security benefits through “means testing,” as well as raising the retirement age.


shareblue--2020-10-07--The White House has been lying about Trump's testing for months

Questions continue to swirl around the timeline of Donald Trump 's infection with the coronavirus .
The White House continues to refuse to respond to questions about when Trump 's last negative coronavirus test was — information that could help with contact tracing and pinpointing the source of the outbreak that continues to spread among members of the Trump administration and other government and military officials .
But even if the White House did release the information , it would be hard to know whether it 's true , as the White House has lied about Trump 's coronavirus testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McEnany , Trump 's serially lying press secretary , said he was tested `` multiple times a day '' for the virus .
But Trump himself contradicted McEnany , saying he was tested maybe every two or three days .
So far , there 's been no way of knowing whether what either of them said was true .
The testing regimen is more important than ever now that Trump has tested positive for the virus two days after appearing on the debate stage with Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his first positive result from a rapid test before he called in to Fox News last Thursday to disclose that he had been exposed to the virus by White House aide Hope Hicks .
Trump neglected to disclose that information .
The timing of Trump 's last negative test is important : He was supposed to have been tested for the virus before taking the debate stage in Ohio last week .
But the White House wo n't say when that last negative test result was obtained , calling into question whether he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and whether his campaign lied about it to the Commission on Presidential Debates .
Instead , the White House has given excuses .
On Sunday , McEnany refused to provide a timeline of Trump 's coronavirus tests .
`` Yeah , I 'm not going to give you a detailed readout with timestamps every time the president is tested , '' McEnany said , one day before she tested positive for the virus herself .
`` He 's tested regularly , and the first positive test he 's received was Thursday after he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ physician Sean Conley said Monday that he would n't release the date of Trump 's last negative test because he did n't want to `` go backwards . ''
And on Wednesday , White House deputy press secretary Brian Morgenstern used the same excuse in refusing to say when Trump 's last negative test was .
`` I do n't know when he last tested negative , '' Morgenstern said .
`` We 're not asking to go back through a bunch of records and look backwards . ''
Observers have slammed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the information .
`` The White House refuses to answer as to when the president last tested negative .
This is n't just an issue of the public 's right to know , it 's also a public health issue given that the president is contagious , '' CNN anchor Jake Tapper tweeted .
`` What possible justification is there for not sharing this info ? ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Questions continue to swirl around the timeline of Donald Trump’s infection with the coronavirus. The White House continues to refuse to respond to questions about when Trump’s last negative coronavirus test was — information that could help with contact tracing and pinpointing the source of the outbreak that continues to spread among members of the Trump administration and other government and military officials.
But even if the White House did release the information, it would be hard to know whether it’s true, as the White House has lied about Trump’s coronavirus testing before.
Back in July, Kayleigh McEnany, Trump’s serially lying press secretary, said he was tested “multiple times a day” for the virus.
But Trump himself contradicted McEnany, saying he was tested maybe every two or three days.
So far, there’s been no way of knowing whether what either of them said was true.
The testing regimen is more important than ever now that Trump has tested positive for the virus two days after appearing on the debate stage with Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Trump received his first positive result from a rapid test before he called in to Fox News last Thursday to disclose that he had been exposed to the virus by White House aide Hope Hicks. Trump neglected to disclose that information.
The timing of Trump’s last negative test is important: He was supposed to have been tested for the virus before taking the debate stage in Ohio last week.
But the White House won’t say when that last negative test result was obtained, calling into question whether he was tested at all before the debate and whether his campaign lied about it to the Commission on Presidential Debates.
Instead, the White House has given excuses.
On Sunday, McEnany refused to provide a timeline of Trump’s coronavirus tests.
“Yeah, I’m not going to give you a detailed readout with timestamps every time the president is tested,” McEnany said, one day before she tested positive for the virus herself. “He’s tested regularly, and the first positive test he’s received was Thursday after he returned from Bedminster.”
White House physician Sean Conley said Monday that he wouldn’t release the date of Trump’s last negative test because he didn’t want to “go backwards.”
And on Wednesday, White House deputy press secretary Brian Morgenstern used the same excuse in refusing to say when Trump’s last negative test was.
“I don’t know when he last tested negative,” Morgenstern said. “We’re not asking to go back through a bunch of records and look backwards.”
Observers have slammed the White House for its refusal to share the information. “The White House refuses to answer as to when the president last tested negative. This isn’t just an issue of the public’s right to know, it’s also a public health issue given that the president is contagious,” CNN anchor Jake Tapper tweeted. “What possible justification is there for not sharing this info?”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-10-07--Contagious Trump violates quarantine after just 6 days

Despite being infected by the coronavirus , Donald Trump returned to work at the Oval Office today , where CNN reported he was briefed on stimulus talks and the impending Hurricane Delta .
CNN noted that a Marine was standing outside of the West Wing , likely indicating Trump 's presence in the Oval Office — a report that was later confirmed .
In photos , the Marine was maskless .
`` A contagious ... Trump is right now inside the Oval Office , the White House is saying , despite being infected with coronavirus , '' Jake Tapper said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were apparently informed the day before of Trump 's interest in returning to work and instructed to prepare for his return .
But Trump 's behavior flouts all coronavirus recommendations by every health agency in the world .
Guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that those who test positive for COVID-19 should self-quarantine for at least 10 days from the onset of symptoms and 24 hours after the last noted fever .
The White House claims Trump first tested positive Thursday , which means he has only self-quarantined for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's top economic advisor , Larry Kudlow , told CNBC Wednesday that Trump had actually returned to work on Tuesday .
`` ( He ) actually showed up to the Oval Office yesterday with extra precautions with respect to his COVID-19 , '' Kudlow said .
`` And he 's gotten a lot better , he 's much stronger . ''
White House spokesman Ben Williamson immediately denied this statement in a tweet , saying that while Trump `` wanted to be in the Oval Office yesterday '' he was `` not there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ underway in the event he moves to working out of the Oval Office , '' Williamson claimed .
It 's unclear how a man Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said could easily work from the golf course was suddenly needed urgently in the Oval Office today .
Whether he returned to work Tuesday or Wednesday , it 's certainly not the first time Trump has recklessly endangered colleagues , staffers , and others around him .
It may be one of the most egregious , however .
Eli Stokols , White House reporter for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the whole thing seemed to be a publicity stunt .
`` Trump could be briefed on stimulus talks and hurricanes by phone or in the residence , '' Stokols wrote .
`` When the Oval Office photos are sent out later , it ’ ll be abundantly clear why he forced staff into protective gear and put them at higher risk . ''
Trump seems to have no plan for looking out for anyone but himself going forward , either .
On Tuesday , he tweeted that he was `` looking forward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in person .
Tim Murtaugh , Trump 's campaign communications director , confirmed this in a statement to The Hill .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Despite being infected by the coronavirus, Donald Trump returned to work at the Oval Office today, where CNN reported he was briefed on stimulus talks and the impending Hurricane Delta.
CNN noted that a Marine was standing outside of the West Wing, likely indicating Trump’s presence in the Oval Office — a report that was later confirmed.
In photos, the Marine was maskless.
“A contagious … Trump is right now inside the Oval Office, the White House is saying, despite being infected with coronavirus,” Jake Tapper said on the network.
White House aides were apparently informed the day before of Trump’s interest in returning to work and instructed to prepare for his return.
But Trump’s behavior flouts all coronavirus recommendations by every health agency in the world.
Guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that those who test positive for COVID-19 should self-quarantine for at least 10 days from the onset of symptoms and 24 hours after the last noted fever.
The White House claims Trump first tested positive Thursday, which means he has only self-quarantined for six full days at most.
Trump’s top economic advisor, Larry Kudlow, told CNBC Wednesday that Trump had actually returned to work on Tuesday.
“(He) actually showed up to the Oval Office yesterday with extra precautions with respect to his COVID-19,” Kudlow said. “And he’s gotten a lot better, he’s much stronger.”
White House spokesman Ben Williamson immediately denied this statement in a tweet, saying that while Trump “wanted to be in the Oval Office yesterday” he was “not there.”
“Safety preparations have been underway in the event he moves to working out of the Oval Office,” Williamson claimed.
It’s unclear how a man Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said could easily work from the golf course was suddenly needed urgently in the Oval Office today.
Whether he returned to work Tuesday or Wednesday, it’s certainly not the first time Trump has recklessly endangered colleagues, staffers, and others around him.
It may be one of the most egregious, however.
Eli Stokols, White House reporter for the Los Angeles Times, tweeted Wednesday that the whole thing seemed to be a publicity stunt.
“Trump could be briefed on stimulus talks and hurricanes by phone or in the residence,” Stokols wrote. “When the Oval Office photos are sent out later, it’ll be abundantly clear why he forced staff into protective gear and put them at higher risk.”
Trump seems to have no plan for looking out for anyone but himself going forward, either.
On Tuesday, he tweeted that he was “looking forward” to participating in the next debate in person.
Tim Murtaugh, Trump’s campaign communications director, confirmed this in a statement to The Hill.
“The president intends to participate in the debate in person,” it read.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-10-07--Flashback: Watch a Trump official lie about taking kids from their families

A draft report of an investigation by Justice Department inspector general Michael Horowitz found that top department officials were the `` driving force '' behind a cruel policy that separated thousands of children from their families during Donald Trump 's time in office .
Many of these immigrant parents were seeking asylum in an effort to escape violence in Mexico or Central America .
The new draft report reveals that key DOJ officials did n't view tracking the children 's whereabouts as the department 's responsibility .
`` I just do n't see that as a DOJ equity , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attorney general at the time .
The New York Times reported Tuesday that five U.S. attorneys cited deep concerns for the safety and well-being of separated children at the border , protesting the instructions given to them in May of 2018 to prosecute all undocumented immigrants and separate children from parents if necessary .
Participants on a conference call later that same day alleged that Attorney General Jeff Sessions , `` We need to take away children . ''
They also noted from the call `` If care about kids , do n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wo n't give amnesty to people with kids . ''
These new revelations are a sharp departure from the claims of the Trump administration at the time .
In June 2018 , after ProPublica caught the eye of the nation when it leaked audio recordings of crying children detained at the border , former Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen called a press conference to fiercely deny that intentional family separation was taking place at the border .
In it , she said , `` This administration did not create a policy of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She claimed that no such formal child separation policy existed and that children were only separated from parents who were suspected of criminal wrongdoing .
The department , she added a bit testily , was only seeking to protect potential victims of human trafficking .
`` We have a statutory responsibility that we take seriously to protect alien children from human smuggling , trafficking , and other criminal actions while enforcing our immigration laws , '' Nielsen said .
`` Separation can occur when the parent is charged with human smuggling . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to deter asylum-seekers .
The night before , Nielsen objected in a series of tweets to `` misreporting '' by press and advocacy groups alleging cruelty by DHS .
`` It is irresponsible and unproductive , '' she tweeted .
`` As I have said many times before , if you are seeking asylum for your family , there is no reason to break the law and illegally cross between ports of entry .
We do not have a policy of separating families at the border . ''
But the administration 's denials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since family separation had long been promoted by the administration .
Reuters reported that as early as two weeks after Trump took office , immigration officials first suggested to asylum officers the idea of a family separation policy .
A leaked 2017 DHS memo listed `` separate family units '' as its second policy option , with the first being `` increase prosecution of family unit parents . ''
`` The parents would be prosecuted for illegal entry ( misdemeanor ) or illegal reentry ( felony ) , and the minors present with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as UACs , '' or `` unaccompanied children , '' it read in part .
The memo also noted that the `` increase in prosecutions '' would be reported in the press and `` it would have a substantial deterrent effect . ''
And James Nealon , who was , at the time , Assistant Secretary for International Engagement at the Department of Homeland Security , has noted that one of the most important `` things ( the Department ) wanted '' was child separation .
`` They thought it would send a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .
`` They thought it would be a disincentive to bringing children . ''
And , in an April 23 , 2018 policy , Nielsen herself had signed off on a DHS memo codifying family separation policy , despite her repeated claims that no such policy existed .
The lies of Trump 's enablers have never been so cruel , and countless thousands of families and children separated at the border are left to suffer the untold consequences .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

A draft report of an investigation by Justice Department inspector general Michael Horowitz found that top department officials were the “driving force” behind a cruel policy that separated thousands of children from their families during Donald Trump’s time in office.
Many of these immigrant parents were seeking asylum in an effort to escape violence in Mexico or Central America.
The new draft report reveals that key DOJ officials didn’t view tracking the children’s whereabouts as the department’s responsibility.
“I just don’t see that as a DOJ equity,” said Rod Rosenstein, who was deputy attorney general at the time.
The New York Times reported Tuesday that five U.S. attorneys cited deep concerns for the safety and well-being of separated children at the border, protesting the instructions given to them in May of 2018 to prosecute all undocumented immigrants and separate children from parents if necessary.
Participants on a conference call later that same day alleged that Attorney General Jeff Sessions, “We need to take away children.”
They also noted from the call “If care about kids, don’t bring them in,” and “Won’t give amnesty to people with kids.”
These new revelations are a sharp departure from the claims of the Trump administration at the time.
In June 2018, after ProPublica caught the eye of the nation when it leaked audio recordings of crying children detained at the border, former Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen called a press conference to fiercely deny that intentional family separation was taking place at the border.
In it, she said, “This administration did not create a policy of separating families at the border.”
She claimed that no such formal child separation policy existed and that children were only separated from parents who were suspected of criminal wrongdoing. The department, she added a bit testily, was only seeking to protect potential victims of human trafficking.
“We have a statutory responsibility that we take seriously to protect alien children from human smuggling, trafficking, and other criminal actions while enforcing our immigration laws,” Nielsen said. “Separation can occur when the parent is charged with human smuggling.”
She insisted it was not a strategy to deter asylum-seekers.
“Are you intending for parents to be separated from children? Are you intending to send a message?” one reporter asked. She responded that she found the question “offensive.” “No,” Nielsen said. “Because why would I ever create a policy that purposely does that?”
The night before, Nielsen objected in a series of tweets to “misreporting” by press and advocacy groups alleging cruelty by DHS.
“It is irresponsible and unproductive,” she tweeted. “As I have said many times before, if you are seeking asylum for your family, there is no reason to break the law and illegally cross between ports of entry. We do not have a policy of separating families at the border.”
But the administration’s denials were an impressive example of doublespeak, since family separation had long been promoted by the administration.
Reuters reported that as early as two weeks after Trump took office, immigration officials first suggested to asylum officers the idea of a family separation policy.
A leaked 2017 DHS memo listed “separate family units” as its second policy option, with the first being “increase prosecution of family unit parents.”
“The parents would be prosecuted for illegal entry (misdemeanor) or illegal reentry (felony), and the minors present with them would be placed in HHS custody as UACs,” or “unaccompanied children,” it read in part. The memo also noted that the “increase in prosecutions” would be reported in the press and “it would have a substantial deterrent effect.”
And James Nealon, who was, at the time, Assistant Secretary for International Engagement at the Department of Homeland Security, has noted that one of the most important “things (the Department) wanted” was child separation.
“They thought it would send a very strong signal to impending migrants,” he said. “They thought it would be a disincentive to bringing children.”
And, in an April 23, 2018 policy, Nielsen herself had signed off on a DHS memo codifying family separation policy, despite her repeated claims that no such policy existed.
The lies of Trump’s enablers have never been so cruel, and countless thousands of families and children separated at the border are left to suffer the untold consequences.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-10-07--Trump's Supreme Court pick is one of the least popular nominees in 33 years

Only 42 % of Americans believe the Senate should confirm Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court , according to the results of a CNN poll conducted Oct. 1-4 and released Wednesday .
This puts her about even with Justice Brett Kavanaugh for the lowest level of initial support for any nominee since 1987 .
The poll found that 46 % of Americans say the Senate should not approve Trump 's pick for a lifetime appointment , putting her at a net -4 % .
Initial polls found Kavanaugh at a net -3 % or -4 % — the worst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unsuccessfully tried to put Robert Bork on the high court .
In September 1987 , the New York Times noted that Bork 's nomination to the Supreme Court was supported by 14 % of Americans , while 13 % opposed it and 66 % were unable to say .
CNN 's survey also found that 56 % of those polled believe Barrett should recuse herself from any cases related to the 2020 presidential election , compared to just 34 % who disagreed .
In her answers on a Senate Judiciary Committee questionnaire last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a list of topics from which she promised to recuse herself if confirmed .
The poll is in line with others that found most Americans believe the nominee for the Supreme Court seat left vacant by the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg should be chosen by whoever wins the presidential election in November .
Setting a new precedent , Senate Republicans in 2016 refused to hold hearings for more than a year for Merrick Garland , President Barack Obama 's nominee for the seat left open by the death of Justice Antonin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arguing that letting the president fill an open seat on the court in an election year was somehow depriving the American people of a say in the process .
The seat remained open until it was filled after Donald Trump entered the White House .
Now Republicans claim that there is no contradiction in racing to push through Trump 's nominee with less than 30 days until the election .
Prior to her death last month , Ginsburg told family that it was her `` most fervent wish '' that her successor be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has falsely claimed that Democratic leaders made up that last wish and has rushed to confirm her replacement before the election .
Barrett 's record may also be a factor in her unpopularity .
She has been a judge for less than three years ; prior to that she was a Notre Dame Law School professor .
She helped the Alliance Defending Freedom ( designated by the Southern Poverty Law Center as anti-LGBTQ hate group ) train conservative lawyers and signed on to an anti-abortion rights group 's ad opposing the decision in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Senate Democrats have expressed concern that she omitted her anti-abortion activism when she submitted required materials to the Judiciary Committee .
`` The failure to disclose the 2006 letter leads to additional questions about other potentially missing materials , '' the committee 's Democratic minority said in a letter to Assistant Attorney General Beth Williams released Tuesday .
`` The omission also raises concerns that the process of collecting materials responsive to the [ Senate Judiciary Committee questionnaire ] , like the nomination process itself , has been rushed , for no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of The American Independent Foundation .

Only 42% of Americans believe the Senate should confirm Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court, according to the results of a CNN poll conducted Oct. 1-4 and released Wednesday. This puts her about even with Justice Brett Kavanaugh for the lowest level of initial support for any nominee since 1987.
The poll found that 46% of Americans say the Senate should not approve Trump’s pick for a lifetime appointment, putting her at a net -4%. Initial polls found Kavanaugh at a net -3% or -4% — the worst numbers of any nominee since Ronald Reagan unsuccessfully tried to put Robert Bork on the high court.
In September 1987, the New York Times noted that Bork’s nomination to the Supreme Court was supported by 14% of Americans, while 13% opposed it and 66% were unable to say.
CNN’s survey also found that 56% of those polled believe Barrett should recuse herself from any cases related to the 2020 presidential election, compared to just 34% who disagreed. In her answers on a Senate Judiciary Committee questionnaire last week, she omitted the election from a list of topics from which she promised to recuse herself if confirmed.
The poll is in line with others that found most Americans believe the nominee for the Supreme Court seat left vacant by the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg should be chosen by whoever wins the presidential election in November.
Setting a new precedent, Senate Republicans in 2016 refused to hold hearings for more than a year for Merrick Garland, President Barack Obama’s nominee for the seat left open by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia in February of that year, arguing that letting the president fill an open seat on the court in an election year was somehow depriving the American people of a say in the process. The seat remained open until it was filled after Donald Trump entered the White House.
Now Republicans claim that there is no contradiction in racing to push through Trump’s nominee with less than 30 days until the election.
Prior to her death last month, Ginsburg told family that it was her “most fervent wish” that her successor be named by the next president. Trump has falsely claimed that Democratic leaders made up that last wish and has rushed to confirm her replacement before the election.
Barrett’s record may also be a factor in her unpopularity. She has been a judge for less than three years; prior to that she was a Notre Dame Law School professor. She helped the Alliance Defending Freedom (designated by the Southern Poverty Law Center as anti-LGBTQ hate group) train conservative lawyers and signed on to an anti-abortion rights group’s ad opposing the decision in Roe v. Wade as “barbaric.”
Senate Democrats have expressed concern that she omitted her anti-abortion activism when she submitted required materials to the Judiciary Committee.
“The failure to disclose the 2006 letter leads to additional questions about other potentially missing materials,” the committee’s Democratic minority said in a letter to Assistant Attorney General Beth Williams released Tuesday. “The omission also raises concerns that the process of collecting materials responsive to the [Senate Judiciary Committee questionnaire], like the nomination process itself, has been rushed, for no legitimate reason.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-10-07--Even Trump's favorite pollster shows him losing by double digits

Donald Trump 's long-favored pollster shows Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden leading him by double digits nationally , according to its most recent survey .
Rasmussen Reports ’ Weekly White House Watch survey , released on Wednesday , found Biden polling at 52 % , 12 points higher than Trump , who sits at 40 % .
The survey , conducted by the conservative-leaning group on Sept. 30 , Oct. 1 , and Oct. 4-6 , asked 2,500 `` likely voters '' who they would vote for `` if the presidential race in 2020 was between Donald Trump and Joe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ falling to his lowest level of support since the first week of White House Watch in early July , when he had a 15-point disapproval index rating .
Biden has now cleared the 50 % mark for two weeks in a row , Rasmussen noted .
Meanwhile , Rasmussen Reports ’ Daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Wednesday showed Trump with a 54 % disapproval rating from “ likely voters ” in the United States and a 44 % approval rating .
Their latest poll figures also found 49 % of respondents “ strongly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approve ” of the job Trump is doing .
The Rasmussen polls come after Trump ’ s belligerent presidential debate performance and positive coronavirus diagnosis last week .
As recent as last month , Trump expressed his affinity for the pollster .
“ Rasmussen was one of the most accurate polls in 2016 , ” he tweeted on Sept. 14 .
In another tweet on Sept. 25 , Trump slammed the Fox News poll while lifting up Rasmussen .
“ One of the worst polls in 2016 was the @ FoxNews Poll .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ said they were going to change pollsters , but they didn ’ t , ” he tweeted .
“ Rasmussen , which was accurate , at 52 % .
” Trump has praised the pollster repeatedly in the past .
April 2018 , Trump tweeted : “ Thank you to Rasmussen for the honest polling .
Just hit 50 % .
” He called them “ accurate ” in 2017 and again in 2019 .
A previous Rasmussen Reports ’ survey of 5,000 “ likely voters ” conducted July 5-7 also showed 50 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Trump .
Another Rasmussen Reports ' Daily Presidential Tracking Poll conducted on May 27 this year found Trump ’ s disapproval rating at 57 % and approval rating at 42 % .
This 15-point margin was the worst since 2017 .
This survey was sponsored by pro-Trump activist Jack Posobiec of the far-right One American News Network .
Consequently , polling analysts have pointed out Rasmussen exhibiting distinct pro-Republican bias .
After the 2016 election , FiveThirtyEight founder and editor Nate Silver noted Rasmussen ’ s “ Republican lean in its polls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' `` It had a significant Republican house effect early in the election cycle and a significant Republican house effect late in the election , and it wound up turning into a significant Republican bias on Election Day , '' he wrote .
Rasmussen 's adjustment of data based on party identification tends `` to be more along the partisan angle , leaning toward the Republicans , '' said Mallory Newall , Ipsos Public Affairs research director , in a September 2018 interview on Hill.TV .
Compared to other major polling firms , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump and his allies .
After the 2018 midterms , analyst for CNN Politics Harry Enten claimed that Rasmussen 's polling was the least accurate of any firm after showing Republicans ahead nationally by one point when Democrats were winning by 8.6 points .
“ That 's an error of nearly 10 points , ” he wrote .
`` The midterm elections prove that at least for now Rasmussen is dead wrong and traditional pollsters are correct.
” Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump’s long-favored pollster shows Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden leading him by double digits nationally, according to its most recent survey.
Rasmussen Reports’ Weekly White House Watch survey, released on Wednesday, found Biden polling at 52%, 12 points higher than Trump, who sits at 40%.
The survey, conducted by the conservative-leaning group on Sept. 30, Oct. 1, and Oct. 4-6, asked 2,500 “likely voters” who they would vote for “if the presidential race in 2020 was between Donald Trump and Joe Biden.”
The results show Trump falling to his lowest level of support since the first week of White House Watch in early July, when he had a 15-point disapproval index rating. Biden has now cleared the 50% mark for two weeks in a row, Rasmussen noted.
Meanwhile, Rasmussen Reports’ Daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Wednesday showed Trump with a 54% disapproval rating from “likely voters” in the United States and a 44% approval rating. Their latest poll figures also found 49% of respondents “strongly disapprove” and 34% “strongly approve” of the job Trump is doing.
The Rasmussen polls come after Trump’s belligerent presidential debate performance and positive coronavirus diagnosis last week.
As recent as last month, Trump expressed his affinity for the pollster.
“Rasmussen was one of the most accurate polls in 2016,” he tweeted on Sept. 14.
In another tweet on Sept. 25, Trump slammed the Fox News poll while lifting up Rasmussen.
“One of the worst polls in 2016 was the @FoxNews Poll. They were so ridiculously wrong. Fox said they were going to change pollsters, but they didn’t,” he tweeted. “Rasmussen, which was accurate, at 52%.”
Trump has praised the pollster repeatedly in the past. April 2018, Trump tweeted: “Thank you to Rasmussen for the honest polling. Just hit 50%.”
He called them “accurate” in 2017 and again in 2019.
A previous Rasmussen Reports’ survey of 5,000 “likely voters” conducted July 5-7 also showed 50% support for Biden and 40% for Trump.
Another Rasmussen Reports’ Daily Presidential Tracking Poll conducted on May 27 this year found Trump’s disapproval rating at 57% and approval rating at 42%. This 15-point margin was the worst since 2017. This survey was sponsored by pro-Trump activist Jack Posobiec of the far-right One American News Network.
Consequently, polling analysts have pointed out Rasmussen exhibiting distinct pro-Republican bias.
After the 2016 election, FiveThirtyEight founder and editor Nate Silver noted Rasmussen’s “Republican lean in its polls ran pretty much wire to wire.”
“It had a significant Republican house effect early in the election cycle and a significant Republican house effect late in the election, and it wound up turning into a significant Republican bias on Election Day,” he wrote.
Rasmussen’s adjustment of data based on party identification tends “to be more along the partisan angle, leaning toward the Republicans,” said Mallory Newall, Ipsos Public Affairs research director, in a September 2018 interview on Hill.TV.
Compared to other major polling firms, Rasmussen has consistently shown better numbers for Trump and his allies.
After the 2018 midterms, analyst for CNN Politics Harry Enten claimed that Rasmussen’s polling was the least accurate of any firm after showing Republicans ahead nationally by one point when Democrats were winning by 8.6 points.
“That’s an error of nearly 10 points,” he wrote. “The midterm elections prove that at least for now Rasmussen is dead wrong and traditional pollsters are correct.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-10-07--Kamala Harris wants to be safe at debate. Trump team calls that 'insanity.'

Marc Lotter , director of strategic communications for Donald Trump 's reelection campaign , said on Wednesday it was `` insanity '' for Sen. Kamala Harris ( D-CA ) , the Democratic vice presidential nominee , to request a plexiglass barrier between herself and Mike Pence at their upcoming debate .
`` You really have to question , I mean , the insanity of the Democrats , '' Lotter told a radio station .
`` Vice President Pence and Senator Harris are already going to be twelve feet apart , which is double the CDC recommendation but she 's insisting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pence initially resisted the installation of a plexiglass divider between himself and Harris at the debate .
Katie Miller , Pence 's communications director , mocked concerns about spreading the deadly virus that has killed over 210,000 Americans , saying Harris wanted to `` use a fortress around herself . ''
Miller 's husband , top Trump aide Stephen Miller , has now tested positive for COVID-19 .
Trump is the most high-profile person infected with COVID-19 in a cluster that includes positive diagnoses for Melania Trump , Republican National Committee Chair Ronna @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Conway , and White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany , among others .
From the Oct. 7 edition of WFLA 's `` AM Tampa Bay '' JACK HARRIS , Host : Marc , what do we expect , there 's already been sort of a flap over whether or not they 're going to have plexiglass at the debate .
MARC LOTTER : Yeah , good morning Jack .
You really have to question , I mean , the insanity of the Democrats .
I mean , Vice President Pence and Senator Harris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apart , which is double the CDC recommendation but she 's insisting on surrounding herself in plexiglass to further protect herself .
You 've just got to wonder .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Marc Lotter, director of strategic communications for Donald Trump’s reelection campaign, said on Wednesday it was “insanity” for Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA), the Democratic vice presidential nominee, to request a plexiglass barrier between herself and Mike Pence at their upcoming debate.
“You really have to question, I mean, the insanity of the Democrats,” Lotter told a radio station. “Vice President Pence and Senator Harris are already going to be twelve feet apart, which is double the CDC recommendation but she’s insisting on surrounding herself in plexiglass.”
Pence initially resisted the installation of a plexiglass divider between himself and Harris at the debate. Katie Miller, Pence’s communications director, mocked concerns about spreading the deadly virus that has killed over 210,000 Americans, saying Harris wanted to “use a fortress around herself.”
Miller’s husband, top Trump aide Stephen Miller, has now tested positive for COVID-19.
Trump is the most high-profile person infected with COVID-19 in a cluster that includes positive diagnoses for Melania Trump, Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel, former White House adviser Kellyanne Conway, and White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, among others.
From the Oct. 7 edition of WFLA’s “AM Tampa Bay”
JACK HARRIS, Host: Marc, what do we expect, there’s already been sort of a flap over whether or not they’re going to have plexiglass at the debate. MARC LOTTER: Yeah, good morning Jack. You really have to question, I mean, the insanity of the Democrats. I mean, Vice President Pence and Senator Harris are already going to be twelve feet apart, which is double the CDC recommendation but she’s insisting on surrounding herself in plexiglass to further protect herself. You’ve just got to wonder.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-10-07--Trump's plan to win Pennsylvania: Stop people from voting

Pennsylvania is one of the most important states on the map this fall , with both Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden hoping to put the state 's 20 Electoral College votes in their column .
`` Pennsylvania is so important that our model gives Trump an 84 % chance of winning the presidency if he carries the state and gives Biden a 96 % chance of winning if Pennsylvania goes blue , '' FiveThirtyEight tweeted in September .
Critical to the outcome of the election in Pennsylvania will be how the city of Philadelphia votes .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats make up 76 % of the electorate .
And Trump 's plan to win the state appears to be to intimidate voters in Philadelphia and keep Biden 's margin down .
Trump made that plan clear at the first presidential debate , when he said , `` In Philadelphia they went in to watch .
They 're called poll watchers .
...
They were n't allowed to watch .
You know why ?
Because bad things happen in Philadelphia , bad things . ''
`` I 'm urging my supporters to go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , because that 's what has to happen , '' Trump said .
Election experts called Trump 's call an intimidation tactic : Having a bunch of Trump supporters — some of who have recently come to protests armed with guns — show up at the polls could scare voters into leaving without casting their ballots .
Observers are worried about the conduct of the election .
Richard Hasen of the University of California , Irvine , told the New York Times , `` While I was worried about Trump norm-breaking in 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sitting president to be undermining the integrity of the election .
Whether Trump means the things he says or not , he 's convincing his most ardent supporters that the only way he loses is if the Democrats cheat . ''
A federal court ruled in 2016 that poll watchers in Pennsylvania must be certified by a campaign or political party and live in the county where they watch the polls .
That makes it harder for Trump to amass enough poll watchers in the overwhelmingly Democratic city .
The Trump campaign sued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court last month upheld the residency requirement for poll watchers .
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney told the Philadelphia Inquirer that police will be ready to arrest any illegal poll watchers .
`` People are simply not allowed to stand around there and intimidate people , '' Kenney said .
Rep. Brendan Boyle ( D-PA ) , whose district is located in the heart of Philadelphia , said he 's not surprised Trump and the GOP are targeting the city .
But he called Trump 's attempts at voter intimidation `` disturbing '' nonetheless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debate is one of the most disturbing things I ’ ve ever heard said by an American president , '' Boyle told the American Independent Foundation .
`` First , he refused to condemn an armed white supremacist group .
Then he singled out Philadelphia , saying 'bad things happen in Philadelphia . '
He ’ s not even trying to hide it . ''
The Trump campaign is not giving up the fight .
Last week , the campaign sued to allow poll watchers to go to satellite election offices to watch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mail-in ballots .
The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that the suit is unlikely to be successful .
Ultimately , Trump 's poll-watching demand appears to be a last-ditch desperate effort to win the state .
Polling currently shows him down 6.4 % to Biden , according to FiveThirtyEight 's average .
That 's far greater than the 0.7-point margin — just 50,000 votes — Trump carried the state by in 2016 .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Pennsylvania is one of the most important states on the map this fall, with both Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden hoping to put the state’s 20 Electoral College votes in their column.
“Pennsylvania is so important that our model gives Trump an 84% chance of winning the presidency if he carries the state and gives Biden a 96% chance of winning if Pennsylvania goes blue,” FiveThirtyEight tweeted in September.
Critical to the outcome of the election in Pennsylvania will be how the city of Philadelphia votes. In the state’s most populous city, Democrats make up 76% of the electorate. And Trump’s plan to win the state appears to be to intimidate voters in Philadelphia and keep Biden’s margin down.
Trump made that plan clear at the first presidential debate, when he said, “In Philadelphia they went in to watch. They’re called poll watchers. … They weren’t allowed to watch. You know why? Because bad things happen in Philadelphia, bad things.”
“I’m urging my supporters to go into the polls and watch very carefully, because that’s what has to happen,” Trump said.
Election experts called Trump’s call an intimidation tactic: Having a bunch of Trump supporters — some of who have recently come to protests armed with guns — show up at the polls could scare voters into leaving without casting their ballots.
Observers are worried about the conduct of the election. Richard Hasen of the University of California, Irvine, told the New York Times, “While I was worried about Trump norm-breaking in 2016, it is far worse for a sitting president to be undermining the integrity of the election. Whether Trump means the things he says or not, he’s convincing his most ardent supporters that the only way he loses is if the Democrats cheat.”
A federal court ruled in 2016 that poll watchers in Pennsylvania must be certified by a campaign or political party and live in the county where they watch the polls. That makes it harder for Trump to amass enough poll watchers in the overwhelmingly Democratic city.
The Trump campaign sued to overturn that rule, but a court last month upheld the residency requirement for poll watchers.
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney told the Philadelphia Inquirer that police will be ready to arrest any illegal poll watchers.
“People are simply not allowed to stand around there and intimidate people,” Kenney said.
Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-PA), whose district is located in the heart of Philadelphia, said he’s not surprised Trump and the GOP are targeting the city. But he called Trump’s attempts at voter intimidation “disturbing” nonetheless.
“His rhetoric at the last debate is one of the most disturbing things I’ve ever heard said by an American president,” Boyle told the American Independent Foundation. “First, he refused to condemn an armed white supremacist group. Then he singled out Philadelphia, saying ‘bad things happen in Philadelphia.’ He’s not even trying to hide it.”
The Trump campaign is not giving up the fight.
Last week, the campaign sued to allow poll watchers to go to satellite election offices to watch people registering to vote and turning in mail-in ballots.
The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that the suit is unlikely to be successful.
Ultimately, Trump’s poll-watching demand appears to be a last-ditch desperate effort to win the state.
Polling currently shows him down 6.4% to Biden, according to FiveThirtyEight’s average. That’s far greater than the 0.7-point margin — just 50,000 votes — Trump carried the state by in 2016.
Updated with a comment from Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-PA).
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-10-07--Guess what Susan Collins is concerned about this time

Sen. Susan Collins ( R-ME ) criticized Donald Trump 's decision to kill negotiations on a COVID-19 relief bill Tuesday , but did not mention Trump by name .
`` Waiting until after the election to reach an agreement on the next Covid-19 relief package is a huge mistake , '' Collins said in a statement .
`` I have already been in touch with the Secretary of the Treasury , one of the chief negotiators , and with several of my Senate colleagues . ''
She then bragged about her role in passing previous pandemic relief legislation , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Collins ' statement came after Trump , who had tweeted on Saturday , `` OUR GREAT USA WANTS & NEEDS STIMULUS .
WORK TOGETHER AND GET IT DONE , '' announced Tuesday afternoon that he was cancelling all relief negotiations and that the economy is `` doing very well '' without it .
`` I have instructed my representatives to stop negotiating until after the election when , immediately after I win , we will pass a major Stimulus Bill that focuses on hardworking Americans and Small Business , '' Trump wrote , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full time on approving my outstanding nominee to the United States Supreme Court , Amy Coney Barrett . ''
Hours after that announcement and an ensuing 500-point stock market drop , Trump seemed to contradict himself in a tweet on Tuesday night : `` The House & Senate should IMMEDIATELY Approve 25 Billion Dollars for Airline Payroll Support , & 135 Billion Dollars for Paycheck Protection Program for Small Business .
Both of these will be fully paid for with unused funds from the Cares Act .
Have this money .
I will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jerome Powell , a Trump appointee , warned that recovery from the economic effects of the pandemic required more government spending .
`` Too little support would lead to a weak recovery , creating unnecessary hardship for households and businesses , '' he said at a conference on Tuesday .
Collins has frequently expressed mild disagreement , concern , and dismay with Donald Trump .
After voting to acquit him during his impeachment trial in February , she predicted that he had learned a `` pretty big lesson '' and `` would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She later walked back that assessment , conceding it had been `` more aspirational on my part . ''
Though she has voted with Trump more than two-thirds of the time , including backing his tax bill to benefit the wealthy and both of his previous Supreme Court nominees , Collins has refused to say whether she will vote for Trump in November .
`` I have a difficult race .
And I am concentrating my efforts on that race , '' she told CNN in July .
She is indeed in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic state House Speaker Sara Gideon in the general election in November .
Gideon has been ahead in every major poll since the start of July .
According to RealClearPolitics ' polling average , Collins trails Gideon by 3.7 points .
Gideon blasted Collins and Trump on Tuesday for failing to get a relief bill done : `` Maine people , businesses , and communities need more relief from the federal government to make it through the coronavirus pandemic , but Washington is letting them down once again .
Senator Collins often talks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but it 's been months since the last round of federal relief was passed and once again , she 's failed to stand up to Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell when Mainers need her most .
`` The federal government needs to establish a robust testing and contact tracing program , support people who are out of work , and deliver the relief state and local governments need — and Mainers deserve a senator who will fight for them , '' Gideon said .
A spokesperson for Collins did not immediately respond to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) criticized Donald Trump’s decision to kill negotiations on a COVID-19 relief bill Tuesday, but did not mention Trump by name.
“Waiting until after the election to reach an agreement on the next Covid-19 relief package is a huge mistake,” Collins said in a statement. “I have already been in touch with the Secretary of the Treasury, one of the chief negotiators, and with several of my Senate colleagues.” She then bragged about her role in passing previous pandemic relief legislation, but made no direct criticism of Trump.
Collins’ statement came after Trump, who had tweeted on Saturday, “OUR GREAT USA WANTS & NEEDS STIMULUS. WORK TOGETHER AND GET IT DONE,” announced Tuesday afternoon that he was cancelling all relief negotiations and that the economy is “doing very well” without it.
“I have instructed my representatives to stop negotiating until after the election when, immediately after I win, we will pass a major Stimulus Bill that focuses on hardworking Americans and Small Business,” Trump wrote, urging that the Senate “instead focus full time on approving my outstanding nominee to the United States Supreme Court, Amy Coney Barrett.”
Hours after that announcement and an ensuing 500-point stock market drop, Trump seemed to contradict himself in a tweet on Tuesday night: “The House & Senate should IMMEDIATELY Approve 25 Billion Dollars for Airline Payroll Support, & 135 Billion Dollars for Paycheck Protection Program for Small Business. Both of these will be fully paid for with unused funds from the Cares Act. Have this money. I will sign now!”
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, a Trump appointee, warned that recovery from the economic effects of the pandemic required more government spending. “Too little support would lead to a weak recovery, creating unnecessary hardship for households and businesses,” he said at a conference on Tuesday.
Collins has frequently expressed mild disagreement, concern, and dismay with Donald Trump. After voting to acquit him during his impeachment trial in February, she predicted that he had learned a “pretty big lesson” and “would be more cautious in the future.” She later walked back that assessment, conceding it had been “more aspirational on my part.”
Though she has voted with Trump more than two-thirds of the time, including backing his tax bill to benefit the wealthy and both of his previous Supreme Court nominees, Collins has refused to say whether she will vote for Trump in November. “I have a difficult race. And I am concentrating my efforts on that race,” she told CNN in July.
She is indeed in a difficult reelection race.
Collins is facing Democratic state House Speaker Sara Gideon in the general election in November. Gideon has been ahead in every major poll since the start of July. According to RealClearPolitics’ polling average, Collins trails Gideon by 3.7 points.
Gideon blasted Collins and Trump on Tuesday for failing to get a relief bill done: “Maine people, businesses, and communities need more relief from the federal government to make it through the coronavirus pandemic, but Washington is letting them down once again. Senator Collins often talks about the importance of her seniority, but it’s been months since the last round of federal relief was passed and once again, she’s failed to stand up to Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell when Mainers need her most.
“The federal government needs to establish a robust testing and contact tracing program, support people who are out of work, and deliver the relief state and local governments need — and Mainers deserve a senator who will fight for them,” Gideon said.
A spokesperson for Collins did not immediately respond to an inquiry for this story.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-10-07--7 reasons Trump is probably freaking out about the election right now

There are just 27 days to go until Election Day , and Donald Trump finds himself in a historically bad position as he vies for a second term .
By key campaign metrics such as polling , fundraising , and advertising , Trump is running behind Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden .
And his time to change his fortunes is quickly dwindling .
Here are seven reasons Trump 's odds of reelection look grim : Biden currently has a 9-point lead over Trump according to RealClearPolitics ' polling average , a massive lead that would amount to a landslide victory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has steadily grown since the Sept. 29 presidential debate , during which Trump repeatedly interrupted Biden and ultimately refused to condemn white supremacy or commit to accepting the results of the election — a performance that polls showed voters detested .
At this same point in the 2016 cycle , Hillary Clinton had a 4.7 % lead in the RealClearPolitics average , half of the advantage Biden now enjoys .
`` Donald Trump is getting absolutely , completely crushed in the polls right now , '' FiveThirtyEight 's Nate Silver tweeted Wednesday morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ landslide since 1984 . ''
Of course , the election is not determined by the results of the national popular vote , but rather by votes in the Electoral College .
In 2016 , Trump lost the popular vote by 3 million votes , yet still eked out wins in enough states to win the election .
In 2020 , however , statewide polling shows Trump behind in enough states that he 'd lose the Electoral College if the election were held today .
Trump is behind in polling averages even in historically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In fact , if every state polling average is currently correct , Biden would win 375 Electoral College votes , according to the New York Times .
That 's far more than the 270 needed to win , and even more than the 365 Electoral College votes won by President Barack Obama in 2008 .
He 's behind in the fundraising race One of Trump 's early advantages as an incumbent was that he had raised boatloads of cash and did not have a primary to spend it in , leaving him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's campaign squandered that advantage , blowing nearly $ 1 billion before the final stretch of the election .
Since winning the Democratic nomination , Biden has seen an explosion of fundraising .
In August his campaign raked in $ 365 million — a historic monthly fundraising haul that was roughly $ 150 million more than the Trump campaign raised .
Biden has yet to release his September fundraising totals , but Bloomberg News reported that the total is expected to be more than $ 365 million , which would set yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gave his campaign the ability to blanket the airwaves with ads to make his case to voters .
Politico reported on Wednesday that Biden is spending more than Trump in 72 of the 83 media markets in which both campaigns are currently active .
In fact , Biden is on the airwaves in such critical swing states as Iowa , New Hampshire , and Ohio , while Trump is not , according to Politico .
He 's even advertising in Texas , the historically Republican state where Trump leads by just 1.4 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not .
Television advertising is still an important component of a political campaign .
Ken Spain , a former spokesman for the Republican National Congressional Committee , told Politico that Trump 's inability to run ads in must-win states is a `` troubling sign '' for his reelection campaign .
Trump contracted the coronavirus , which could keep him off the campaign trail in a critical stretch Trump tested positive for the coronavirus nearly a week ago , leaving him holed up inside and unable to hold his signature campaign rallies in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the New York Times , Trump 's campaign hoped that his battle with the virus would garner him sympathy from voters , providing him with the ability to align himself with the struggles of the more than 7.5 million people in the United States who have contracted the virus to date .
Trump 's behavior before and since his diagnosis has not helped gain him sympathy .
Polls show the vast majority of voters think Trump is responsible for contracting the virus because he did n't take it seriously or follow the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevent its spread .
He took a joyride during his hospitalization at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to wave to supporters standing outside , risking the lives of the Secret Service agents who were closed inside the sealed SUV they were forced to drive him in .
Trump was released from the hospital on Monday and upon returning to the White House removed his mask with .
other people nearby to film what amounted to a campaign video , in which he told Americans not to be `` afraid '' of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday showed Trump 's latest exhortation is not going down well , with 60 % of voters saying he was wrong to say the virus is nothing to be scared of .
It 's unclear whether Trump will even be able to attend the next presidential debate on Oct. 15 , given his diagnosis .
If Trump continues to test positive for the virus , meaning he was still contagious , the Commission on Presidential Debates might not let him on the debate stage .
Biden said Tuesday that if Trump is still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The focus of the race is now on the coronavirus because of his diagnosis Ultimately , Trump 's coronavirus diagnosis puts one of his worst issues of the election at the forefront .
More than 56 % of Americans disapprove of Trump 's handling of the virus , according to a FiveThirtyEight polling average .
Politico reported that the Trump campaign wanted to focus on anything else but the coronavirus and Trump 's handling of it in the home stretch of the race .
`` Folks are kind of like , 'What now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we 're trying to do here with 32 days left ? '
'' a senior Trump campaign official said .
`` I do n't want to say this hit us by surprise because we knew the risks .
[ Trump ] wanted to campaign and be out there with the people , so we tailored the campaign to the president 's wishes .
This definitely changes our plans , though . ''
Time is not on Trump 's side to turn things around Yes , there are still 27 days to go until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can happen , as pundits like to say .
However , compounding Trump 's woes is that early voting is taking place at a historic rate this year .
To date , more than 5.4 million people have already cast ballots in the 2020 election , according to a vote tracker maintained by University of Florida elections expert Michael McDonald .
In 2016 , just 75,000 people had cast ballots at this same point of the election , according to USA Today .
That means Trump will have to overcome his polling deficit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ current averages show , as ballots have already been cast at a point in the race when Trump is polling behind .
Even worse for Trump is that these early votes are being cast in critical swing states such as Ohio , North Carolina , and Wisconsin — which Trump needs to win if he wants to pull out an Electoral College victory .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

There are just 27 days to go until Election Day, and Donald Trump finds himself in a historically bad position as he vies for a second term.
By key campaign metrics such as polling, fundraising, and advertising, Trump is running behind Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden. And his time to change his fortunes is quickly dwindling.
Here are seven reasons Trump’s odds of reelection look grim:
He’s behind in national polls
Biden currently has a 9-point lead over Trump according to RealClearPolitics’ polling average, a massive lead that would amount to a landslide victory if it held.
Biden’s lead has steadily grown since the Sept. 29 presidential debate, during which Trump repeatedly interrupted Biden and ultimately refused to condemn white supremacy or commit to accepting the results of the election — a performance that polls showed voters detested.
At this same point in the 2016 cycle, Hillary Clinton had a 4.7% lead in the RealClearPolitics average, half of the advantage Biden now enjoys.
“Donald Trump is getting absolutely, completely crushed in the polls right now,” FiveThirtyEight’s Nate Silver tweeted Wednesday morning. “They point toward the biggest landslide since 1984.”
He’s behind in state polls
Of course, the election is not determined by the results of the national popular vote, but rather by votes in the Electoral College.
In 2016, Trump lost the popular vote by 3 million votes, yet still eked out wins in enough states to win the election.
In 2020, however, statewide polling shows Trump behind in enough states that he’d lose the Electoral College if the election were held today. Trump is behind in polling averages even in historically Republican states such as Arizona and Georgia.
In fact, if every state polling average is currently correct, Biden would win 375 Electoral College votes, according to the New York Times. That’s far more than the 270 needed to win, and even more than the 365 Electoral College votes won by President Barack Obama in 2008 .
He’s behind in the fundraising race
One of Trump’s early advantages as an incumbent was that he had raised boatloads of cash and did not have a primary to spend it in, leaving him with a major fundraising lead.
Yet Trump’s campaign squandered that advantage, blowing nearly $1 billion before the final stretch of the election.
Since winning the Democratic nomination, Biden has seen an explosion of fundraising. In August his campaign raked in $365 million — a historic monthly fundraising haul that was roughly $150 million more than the Trump campaign raised.
Biden has yet to release his September fundraising totals, but Bloomberg News reported that the total is expected to be more than $365 million, which would set yet another record.
He’s being outspent on advertising
Biden’s fundraising bonanza gave his campaign the ability to blanket the airwaves with ads to make his case to voters.
Politico reported on Wednesday that Biden is spending more than Trump in 72 of the 83 media markets in which both campaigns are currently active.
In fact, Biden is on the airwaves in such critical swing states as Iowa, New Hampshire, and Ohio, while Trump is not, according to Politico. He’s even advertising in Texas, the historically Republican state where Trump leads by just 1.4%, according to FiveThirtyEight. Trump is not.
Television advertising is still an important component of a political campaign. Ken Spain, a former spokesman for the Republican National Congressional Committee, told Politico that Trump’s inability to run ads in must-win states is a “troubling sign” for his reelection campaign.
Trump contracted the coronavirus, which could keep him off the campaign trail in a critical stretch
Trump tested positive for the coronavirus nearly a week ago, leaving him holed up inside and unable to hold his signature campaign rallies in the final stretch of the race.
According to the New York Times, Trump’s campaign hoped that his battle with the virus would garner him sympathy from voters, providing him with the ability to align himself with the struggles of the more than 7.5 million people in the United States who have contracted the virus to date.
Trump’s behavior before and since his diagnosis has not helped gain him sympathy.
Polls show the vast majority of voters think Trump is responsible for contracting the virus because he didn’t take it seriously or follow the guidelines medical experts had laid out to prevent its spread.
He took a joyride during his hospitalization at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to wave to supporters standing outside, risking the lives of the Secret Service agents who were closed inside the sealed SUV they were forced to drive him in.
Trump was released from the hospital on Monday and upon returning to the White House removed his mask with. other people nearby to film what amounted to a campaign video, in which he told Americans not to be “afraid” of the virus.
A Morning Consult poll released Tuesday showed Trump’s latest exhortation is not going down well, with 60% of voters saying he was wrong to say the virus is nothing to be scared of.
It’s unclear whether Trump will even be able to attend the next presidential debate on Oct. 15, given his diagnosis.
If Trump continues to test positive for the virus, meaning he was still contagious, the Commission on Presidential Debates might not let him on the debate stage. Biden said Tuesday that if Trump is still contagious, he should not debate.
The focus of the race is now on the coronavirus because of his diagnosis
Ultimately, Trump’s coronavirus diagnosis puts one of his worst issues of the election at the forefront.
More than 56% of Americans disapprove of Trump’s handling of the virus, according to a FiveThirtyEight polling average.
Politico reported that the Trump campaign wanted to focus on anything else but the coronavirus and Trump’s handling of it in the home stretch of the race.
“Folks are kind of like, ‘What now? What does this mean for what we’re trying to do here with 32 days left?'” a senior Trump campaign official said. “I don’t want to say this hit us by surprise because we knew the risks. [Trump] wanted to campaign and be out there with the people, so we tailored the campaign to the president’s wishes. This definitely changes our plans, though.”
Time is not on Trump’s side to turn things around
Yes, there are still 27 days to go until Election Day. And yes, anything can happen, as pundits like to say.
However, compounding Trump’s woes is that early voting is taking place at a historic rate this year.
To date, more than 5.4 million people have already cast ballots in the 2020 election, according to a vote tracker maintained by University of Florida elections expert Michael McDonald. In 2016, just 75,000 people had cast ballots at this same point of the election, according to USA Today.
That means Trump will have to overcome his polling deficit by an even greater margin than the current averages show, as ballots have already been cast at a point in the race when Trump is polling behind.
Even worse for Trump is that these early votes are being cast in critical swing states such as Ohio, North Carolina, and Wisconsin — which Trump needs to win if he wants to pull out an Electoral College victory.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-10-08--Pence refuses to answer why so many Americans have died from coronavirus

Vice President Mike Pence dodged questions about the massive death toll from the coronavirus during Wednesday night 's vice presidential debate against California Sen. Kamala Harris in Salt Lake City , Utah .
In the first set of questions , debate moderator Susan Page , Washington bureau chief at USA Today , noted that `` more than 200,000 [ people ] have died of COVID-19 since February '' and that `` the U.S. death toll as a percentage of our population is higher than that of every other wealthy nation on Earth . ''
`` You head the administration 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , turning to Pence .
`` Why is the U.S. death toll as a percentage our of population higher than that of almost every other wealthy country ? ''
`` I want the American people to know that from the very first day , President Donald Trump has put the health of America first , '' he said , referring to Trump 's decision to suspend travel for some people coming to the United States from China .
The vice president went on to criticize Biden 's reaction to the travel ban .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ hysterical , '' Pence claimed falsely .
That 's false .
In a June interview with Fox News ' Sean Hannity , Trump himself admitted Biden had never made such a comment , claiming , `` He never said 'xenophobic ' cause I do n't think he knows what the word means . ''
The Trump administration has come under heavy criticism for its handling of the pandemic since the beginning .
Early attempts at delivering test kits to states , for instance , were deemed a failure after it was discovered they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his allies also repeatedly suggested it was not his responsibility to ensure hospitals and health workers had proper protective gear and supplies , claiming it was up to the states .
Even as the virus was ravaging the country , Trump continued to downplay the danger , telling the public that the flu was much more deadly and that safety measures and lockdowns were unnecessary .
In early September , veteran journalist Bob Woodward released audio of interviews he 'd had with Trump for his book `` Rage , '' some as far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ admitted the coronavirus was `` more deadly than even your strenuous flus , '' and suggested it posed a serious threat to the country .
In a separate interview days later , after the coronavirus outbreak had been declared a national emergency , Trump added , `` I wanted to always play it down .
I still like playing it down , because I do n't want to create a panic . ''
More than 210,000 Americans have died from the virus since the start of the pandemic .
In the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 7.57 million cases .

Vice President Mike Pence dodged questions about the massive death toll from the coronavirus during Wednesday night’s vice presidential debate against California Sen. Kamala Harris in Salt Lake City, Utah.
In the first set of questions, debate moderator Susan Page, Washington bureau chief at USA Today, noted that “more than 200,000 [people] have died of COVID-19 since February” and that “the U.S. death toll as a percentage of our population is higher than that of every other wealthy nation on Earth.”
“You head the administration’s coronavirus Task Force,” she said, turning to Pence. “Why is the U.S. death toll as a percentage our of population higher than that of almost every other wealthy country?”
Pence dodged, refusing to answer the question directly.
“I want the American people to know that from the very first day, President Donald Trump has put the health of America first,” he said, referring to Trump’s decision to suspend travel for some people coming to the United States from China.
The vice president went on to criticize Biden’s reaction to the travel ban.
“He said it was xenophobic and hysterical,” Pence claimed falsely.
That’s false. In a June interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity, Trump himself admitted Biden had never made such a comment, claiming, “He never said ‘xenophobic’ cause I don’t think he knows what the word means.”
The Trump administration has come under heavy criticism for its handling of the pandemic since the beginning. Early attempts at delivering test kits to states, for instance, were deemed a failure after it was discovered they didn’t actually work. Trump and his allies also repeatedly suggested it was not his responsibility to ensure hospitals and health workers had proper protective gear and supplies, claiming it was up to the states.
Even as the virus was ravaging the country, Trump continued to downplay the danger, telling the public that the flu was much more deadly and that safety measures and lockdowns were unnecessary.
In early September, veteran journalist Bob Woodward released audio of interviews he’d had with Trump for his book “Rage,” some as far back as February, in which Trump admitted the coronavirus was “more deadly than even your strenuous flus,” and suggested it posed a serious threat to the country.
In a separate interview days later, after the coronavirus outbreak had been declared a national emergency, Trump added, “I wanted to always play it down. I still like playing it down, because I don’t want to create a panic.”
More than 210,000 Americans have died from the virus since the start of the pandemic. In the United States alone, there have been at least 7.57 million cases.


shareblue--2020-10-08--Pence says Trump paying only $750 in taxes is fine because he probably paid other taxes

Mike Pence suggested at Wednesday 's vice presidential debate that Donald Trump 's $ 750 income tax payments are no big deal because he likely paid a lot in other taxes .
Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris contrasted Joe Biden 's transparency in releasing years of tax returns with Trump , who has refused to release any of his own .
She noted that thanks to `` great investigative journalism , '' we now know that Trump paid $ 750 in income taxes in 2016 and 2017 .
`` When I first heard about it , I literally said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and it was like , no , $ 750 , '' she quipped .
Pence responded by noting that Trump is a `` businessman '' and a `` job creator who 's paid tens of millions of dollars in taxes . ''
`` Payroll taxes !
Property taxes ! ''
Pence suggested , adding that `` the president said those public reports are not accurate and the president has also released literally stacks of financial disclosures that the American people can review , just as the law allows . ''
But the financial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tax payments .
Property taxes on Trump 's many homes would be paid to localities , not the federal government .
Trump has dismissed the New York Times reporting on Trump 's income taxes as `` totally fake news , '' without providing any proof to counter their claims .
But he has also seemingly to confirm the report 's findings , both suggesting that his deductions were above-board , and baselessly claiming that the paper violated the law .
`` The Fake News Media , just like Election time 2016 , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of other nonsense with illegally obtained information & only bad intent .
I paid many millions of dollars in taxes but was entitled , like everyone else , to depreciation & tax credits , '' Trump tweeted .
During the 2016 presidential debate , Trump bragged that avoiding federal income taxes for several years `` makes me smart . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Mike Pence suggested at Wednesday’s vice presidential debate that Donald Trump’s $750 income tax payments are no big deal because he likely paid a lot in other taxes.
Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris contrasted Joe Biden’s transparency in releasing years of tax returns with Trump, who has refused to release any of his own. She noted that thanks to “great investigative journalism,” we now know that Trump paid $750 in income taxes in 2016 and 2017.
“When I first heard about it, I literally said, ‘You mean $750,000?’ and it was like, no, $750,” she quipped.
Pence responded by noting that Trump is a “businessman” and a “job creator who’s paid tens of millions of dollars in taxes.”
“Payroll taxes! Property taxes!” Pence suggested, adding that “the president said those public reports are not accurate and the president has also released literally stacks of financial disclosures that the American people can review, just as the law allows.”
But the financial disclosure statements indicate nothing about Trump’s tax payments. Property taxes on Trump’s many homes would be paid to localities, not the federal government.
Trump has dismissed the New York Times reporting on Trump’s income taxes as “totally fake news,” without providing any proof to counter their claims.
But he has also seemingly to confirm the report’s findings, both suggesting that his deductions were above-board, and baselessly claiming that the paper violated the law.
“The Fake News Media, just like Election time 2016, is bringing up my Taxes & all sorts of other nonsense with illegally obtained information & only bad intent. I paid many millions of dollars in taxes but was entitled, like everyone else, to depreciation & tax credits,” Trump tweeted.
During the 2016 presidential debate, Trump bragged that avoiding federal income taxes for several years “makes me smart.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-10-08--Joni Ernst pretends she wants to protect preexisting conditions in new ad

Sen. Joni Ernst ( R-IA ) launched a new campaign ad on Thursday , using her sister to give the false impression that she has protected patients with preexisting conditions from insurance discrimination .
The ad is her latest attempt to obscure her record of working to repeal the Affordable Care Act , commonly known as Obamacare .
In the new spot , Ernst 's sister talks about living with diabetes .
`` I 've had it my entire life .
It 's a preexisting condition . ''
Ernst then claims to have her sister 's back .
`` No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bullies or insurance companies , '' she tells viewers .
`` I 'm Joni Ernst .
I approve this message because no American should ever be denied coverage because of a preexisting condition — not in my family or yours . ''
The ad gives the impression that the Iowa Republican has championed protections for those like her sister who have preexisting health conditions — but she has repeatedly voted to repeal the law that bans discrimination in medical insurance based on those conditions .
According to independent fact-checkers , Ernst 's votes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' proposals to repeal Obamacare would have allowed insurance companies to charge higher rates for patients with preexisting conditions — a practice banned by Obamacare .
During her 2014 campaign , Ernst ran ads showing her shooting at a gun range as a narrator said , `` Once she sets her sights on Obamacare , Joni 's gon na unload . ''
Since taking office in January 2015 , she has repeatedly voted to repeal Obamacare , even with no replacement whatsoever on offer .
Last month , she ran an ad in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for mental health care .
But her Obamacare repeal votes would also have gutted protections for mental health coverage — in addition to imperiling the insurance of more than 19,000 Iowans with mental illnesses and substance use disorders who rely on Medicaid expansion or Iowa 's health insurance marketplace .
Ernst is not the only Republican facing a tough reelection race this year who has worked to repeal Obamacare and is now falsely claiming to be a defender of people with preexisting conditions .
She is in company with Donald Trump , Sens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Martha McSally ( AZ ) , and David Perdue ( GA ) , and Rep. Don Bacon ( NE ) .
Recent polls show Ernst to be trailing her opponent in the race for her Senate seat , Democratic businesswoman Theresa Greenfield .
According to RealClearPolitics ' polling average as of Oct. 8 , Greenfield leads Ernst by 5 points .
A spokesperson for Ernst did not immediately respond to an inquiry for this story .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) launched a new campaign ad on Thursday, using her sister to give the false impression that she has protected patients with preexisting conditions from insurance discrimination. The ad is her latest attempt to obscure her record of working to repeal the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare.
In the new spot, Ernst’s sister talks about living with diabetes. “I’ve had it my entire life. It’s a preexisting condition.”
Ernst then claims to have her sister’s back. “No one messes with my sister — not bullies or insurance companies,” she tells viewers. “I’m Joni Ernst. I approve this message because no American should ever be denied coverage because of a preexisting condition — not in my family or yours.”
The ad gives the impression that the Iowa Republican has championed protections for those like her sister who have preexisting health conditions — but she has repeatedly voted to repeal the law that bans discrimination in medical insurance based on those conditions.
According to independent fact-checkers, Ernst’s votes in favor of the 2017 “Trumpcare” proposals to repeal Obamacare would have allowed insurance companies to charge higher rates for patients with preexisting conditions — a practice banned by Obamacare.
During her 2014 campaign, Ernst ran ads showing her shooting at a gun range as a narrator said, “Once she sets her sights on Obamacare, Joni’s gonna unload.”
Since taking office in January 2015, she has repeatedly voted to repeal Obamacare, even with no replacement whatsoever on offer.
Last month, she ran an ad in which she claimed to be a champion for mental health care. But her Obamacare repeal votes would also have gutted protections for mental health coverage — in addition to imperiling the insurance of more than 19,000 Iowans with mental illnesses and substance use disorders who rely on Medicaid expansion or Iowa’s health insurance marketplace.
Ernst is not the only Republican facing a tough reelection race this year who has worked to repeal Obamacare and is now falsely claiming to be a defender of people with preexisting conditions. She is in company with Donald Trump, Sens. Steve Daines (MT), Martha McSally (AZ), and David Perdue (GA), and Rep. Don Bacon (NE).
Recent polls show Ernst to be trailing her opponent in the race for her Senate seat, Democratic businesswoman Theresa Greenfield. According to RealClearPolitics’ polling average as of Oct. 8, Greenfield leads Ernst by 5 points.
A spokesperson for Ernst did not immediately respond to an inquiry for this story.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.