shareblue--2020-10-05--Trump says it's safe for him to leave the hospital. Experts disagree.

Donald Trump announced Monday that he 's leaving Walter Reed National Military Medical Center after three nights spent undergoing coronavirus treatment — but medical professionals around the country say that 's a terrible idea .
`` I will be leaving the great Walter Reed Medical Center today at 6:30 p.m. , '' Trump tweeted Monday afternoon .
`` Feeling really good !
Do n't be afraid of COVID .
Do n't let it dominate your life . ''
Rob Davidson , executive director of the Committee to Protect Medicare and a West Michigan emergency physician , told the American Independent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dangerous .
`` In leaving , he is claiming victory ... continuing to downplay it , telling people do n't be afraid , we have to live our lives ... and we 're going to have more people die because of it , '' Davidson said .
He noted that Trump 's age bracket and clinical obesity means the White House occupant `` has a relatively high risk of death , let alone serious complications . ''
Trump received a number of treatments that are `` generally reserved for people who are moderately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's still deciding to blow it off , '' Davidson added .
Trump 's physician Sean Conley held a press conference Monday afternoon in which he refused to disclose when Trump 's last negative test was and defended Trump 's decision to leave the hospital .
`` We tell our patients to isolate for 7 days from when you tested positive ... so ( Trump ) should not come out of isolation till Thursday at the earliest , '' he said .
`` He 's going to put White House staff at risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CDC guidelines , he is breaking ( the ) rules . ''
Davidson added that it was equally careless of Trump to take a joyride while still inpatient to wave at assembled crowds outside the hospital .
`` It 's silly theatrics , it 's pointless , it 's him putting people at risk for the sake of his own ego , '' Davidson said .
`` Why put these people who are sworn to protect you at any risk if you do n't have to ? ''
Other medical professionals also condemned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SUV .
Zeke Emanuel , vice provost for Global Initiatives and chair of the Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy at the University of Pennsylvania , tweeted that Trump 's irresponsibility is `` seemingly endless . ''
`` Making his Secret Service agents drive with a COVID-19 patient , with windows up no less , put them needlessly at risk for infection .
And for what ?
A PR stunt , '' he said .
`` It 's shameful .
These agents already risk their lives daily . ''
Megan Ranney , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took to Twitter to decry Trump 's actions , noting that Trump is `` still infectious , '' violating quarantine guidelines , infecting Secret Service members , and endangering everyone in the vehicle due to its closed nature .
Medical professionals have also pointed to the catastrophic recklessness of Trump hosting a live event in the Rose Garden on Sept. 26 to announce the SCOTUS nomination of Amy Coney Barrett — without requiring masks .
Davidson said it almost certainly contributed to the White House coronavirus outbreak .
`` All of public health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .
`` ( And ) not knowing if anyone there was positive ... it was a high-risk event that had the potential to be a super-spreader event . ''
He added that given the number of attendees who have tested positive , `` it 's undeniable that at least some of those people contracted the virus there . ''
And in any case , Davidson added , any contact tracer would consider it a significant event .
`` Partially indoors ... no masks , it ( was ) ridiculously reckless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It 's ) both dangerous and setting a bad example , so more events like this will happen because they figure if ( the White House ) can do it , I can do it . ''
This virus is very real , he said .
`` It 's here in rural Michigan , Trump country , and these people are taking his lead and watching what he does , and guess what ?
( Now ) we 're getting a lot of sick people , '' Davidson said .
`` It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
He added that if Trump had endorsed mask-wearing early on in the pandemic , `` we would have half the deaths . ''
Epidemiologist Eleanor Murray of Boston University agreed the outbreak likely originated in the Rose Garden .
`` It seems pretty clear that probably somebody was infectious , tested negative , was allowed to go about their business , was n't wearing a mask , and therefore was able to spread the virus to Trump and others , '' Murray said .
But it seems that once again , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own cautionary tale , and it 's back to science-denying business as usual for Trump .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump announced Monday that he’s leaving Walter Reed National Military Medical Center after three nights spent undergoing coronavirus treatment — but medical professionals around the country say that’s a terrible idea.
“I will be leaving the great Walter Reed Medical Center today at 6:30 p.m.,” Trump tweeted Monday afternoon. “Feeling really good! Don’t be afraid of COVID. Don’t let it dominate your life.”
Rob Davidson, executive director of the Committee to Protect Medicare and a West Michigan emergency physician, told the American Independent Foundation 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,” Davidson said.
He noted that Trump’s age bracket and clinical obesity means the White House occupant “has a relatively high risk of death, let alone serious complications.”
Trump received a number of treatments that are “generally reserved for people who are moderately to severely ill, and yet he’s still deciding to blow it off,” Davidson added.
Trump’s physician Sean Conley held a press conference Monday afternoon in which he refused to disclose when Trump’s last negative test was and defended Trump’s decision to leave the hospital.
Davidson said it’s misleading nonsense.
“We tell our patients to isolate for 7 days from when you tested positive … so (Trump) should not come out of isolation till Thursday at the earliest,” he said. “He’s going to put White House staff at risk, Secret Service at risk. Per CDC guidelines, he is breaking (the) rules.”
Davidson added that it was equally careless of Trump to take a joyride while still inpatient to wave at assembled crowds outside the hospital.
“It’s silly theatrics, it’s pointless, it’s him putting people at risk for the sake of his own ego,” Davidson said. “Why put these people who are sworn to protect you at any risk if you don’t have to?”
Other medical professionals also condemned Trump’s ride in the hermetically sealed SUV.
Zeke Emanuel, vice provost for Global Initiatives and chair of the Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy at the University of Pennsylvania, tweeted that Trump’s irresponsibility is “seemingly endless.”
“Making his Secret Service agents drive with a COVID-19 patient, with windows up no less, put them needlessly at risk for infection. And for what? A PR stunt,” he said. “It’s shameful. These agents already risk their lives daily.”
Megan Ranney, an emergency physician at Brown University, took to Twitter to decry Trump’s actions, noting that Trump is “still infectious,” violating quarantine guidelines, infecting Secret Service members, and endangering everyone in the vehicle due to its closed nature.
Medical professionals have also pointed to the catastrophic recklessness of Trump hosting a live event in the Rose Garden on Sept. 26 to announce the SCOTUS nomination of Amy Coney Barrett — without requiring masks.
Davidson said it almost certainly contributed to the White House coronavirus outbreak.
“All of public health is about risk and mitigating risk,” he said. “(And) not knowing if anyone there was positive … it was a high-risk event that had the potential to be a super-spreader event.”
He added that given the number of attendees who have tested positive, “it’s undeniable that at least some of those people contracted the virus there.”
And in any case, Davidson added, any contact tracer would consider it a significant event.
“Partially indoors … no masks, it (was) ridiculously reckless,” he said. “(It’s) both dangerous and setting a bad example, so more events like this will happen because they figure if (the White House) can do it, I can do it.”
This virus is very real, he said.
“It’s here in rural Michigan, Trump country, and these people are taking his lead and watching what he does, and guess what? (Now) we’re getting a lot of sick people,” Davidson said. “It’s not a mystery why this is happening.”
He added that if Trump had endorsed mask-wearing early on in the pandemic, “we would have half the deaths.”
Epidemiologist Eleanor Murray of Boston University agreed the outbreak likely originated in the Rose Garden.
“It seems pretty clear that probably somebody was infectious, tested negative, was allowed to go about their business, wasn’t wearing a mask, and therefore was able to spread the virus to Trump and others,” Murray said.
But it seems that once again, the GOP won’t be heeding their own cautionary tale, and it’s back to science-denying business as usual for Trump.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-10-05--At least 11 people at the White House have COVID — but Trump doesn't care

Donald Trump on Monday announced he 's leaving Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to return to the White House despite still being infected with the coronavirus , a move that puts the hundreds of staffers who work in the building at risk of contracting it .
It 's unclear what measures Trump will take to ensure the people who work in the building will not catch the virus .
Trump 's White House physician , Sean Conley , refused to say what the protocol will be to protect others in the building or when Trump 's last negative coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ determine how contagious Trump still may be .
The New York Times ' Maggie Haberman tweeted that the plan is for Trump not to go to the West Wing — which includes the Oval Office — but she said it 's `` unclear for how long ( or if it will be strictly enforced ) . ''
So far , 11 people who work in the White House have tested positive for the virus , according to a count by the American Independent Foundation , and the White House admits that more could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In addition to Trump and his wife Melania , those who have so far tested positive include White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany , two press aides , Trump 's personal assistant , two members of the housekeeping staff , three reporters who work in the building .
A number of other people who have attended events at the White House , or who have come in contact with Trump in recent days , have also tested positive for the virus , including • Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien , former New Jersey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump senior aide Kellyanne Conway , who all helped him prepare for last week 's presidential debate with Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
• GOP Sens .
Mike Lee of Utah and Thom Tillis of North Carolina , who attended an event in the Rose Garden at which Trump announced his Supreme Court nominee , Amy Coney Barrett .
• University of Notre Dame President John Jenkins and Pastor Greg Laurie , who were also both at the Barrett event at the White House .
Medical experts say having Trump move back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infected with the virus and , as Conley said Monday , `` not entirely out of the woods '' , is reckless .
`` I do n't think this is a medical decision , '' Dr. Sanjay Gupta , CNN 's chief medical correspondent , said Monday .
`` Is everyone in the White House going to be wearing personal protective equipment now ? ''
Ultimately , Trump 's coronavirus diagnosis could damage his reelection chances even more than they 've already been damaged .
An ABC News poll conducted Friday and Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adults polled think Trump did not take the `` risk of contracting the virus seriously enough , '' with another 72 % saying Trump did not take `` the appropriate precautions when it came to his personal health . ''
Trump backed up those voters ' beliefs on Monday when he tweeted , `` Do n't be afraid of Covid '' about a virus that has to date killed nearly 210,000 people in the United States .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump on Monday announced he’s leaving Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to return to the White House despite still being infected with the coronavirus, a move that puts the hundreds of staffers who work in the building at risk of contracting it.
It’s unclear what measures Trump will take to ensure the people who work in the building will not catch the virus.
Trump’s White House physician, Sean Conley, refused to say what the protocol will be to protect others in the building or when Trump’s last negative coronavirus test was, information that could help determine how contagious Trump still may be.
The New York Times’ Maggie Haberman tweeted that the plan is for Trump not to go to the West Wing — which includes the Oval Office — but she said it’s “unclear for how long (or if it will be strictly enforced).”
So far, 11 people who work in the White House have tested positive for the virus, according to a count by the American Independent Foundation, and the White House admits that more could test positive in the coming days.
In addition to Trump and his wife Melania, those who have so far tested positive include White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, two press aides, Trump’s personal assistant, two members of the housekeeping staff, three reporters who work in the building.
A number of other people who have attended events at the White House, or who have come in contact with Trump in recent days, have also tested positive for the virus, including
Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, and former Trump senior aide Kellyanne Conway, who all helped him prepare for last week’s presidential debate with Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
GOP Sens. Mike Lee of Utah and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who attended an event in the Rose Garden at which Trump announced his Supreme Court nominee, Amy Coney Barrett.
University of Notre Dame President John Jenkins and Pastor Greg Laurie, who were also both at the Barrett event at the White House.
Medical experts say having Trump move back to the White House when he’s still infected with the virus and, as Conley said Monday, “not entirely out of the woods“, is reckless.
“I don’t think this is a medical decision,” Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN’s chief medical correspondent, said Monday. “Is everyone in the White House going to be wearing personal protective equipment now?”
Ultimately, Trump’s coronavirus diagnosis could damage his reelection chances even more than they’ve already been damaged.
An ABC News poll conducted Friday and Saturday and released Sunday found 72% of adults polled think Trump did not take the “risk of contracting the virus seriously enough,” with another 72% saying Trump did not take “the appropriate precautions when it came to his personal health.”
Trump backed up those voters’ beliefs on Monday when he tweeted, “Don’t be afraid of Covid” about a virus that has to date killed nearly 210,000 people in the United States.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-10-05--Trump claims he somehow 'stopped' Virginia governor's gun laws. He didn't.

Donald Trump tweeted a false attack on Virginia Gov .
Ralph Northam on Monday morning , as both men recovered from COVID-19 infections .
`` Virginia Voters !
Your Governor wants to obliterate your Second Amendment .
I have stopped him , '' Trump lied .
`` I am the only thing between you and your Second Amendment .
Working hard in Virginia .
It ’ s IN PLAY .
Better Vote for your favorite President , or wave goodbye to low taxes and gun rights ! ''
Trump has not stopped anything .
The Democratic-controlled Virginia state Legislature enacted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its 2020 session , including expanded background checks , a red-flag law allowing police to temporarily disarm those who are a threat to themselves , a restoration of Virginia 's one-gun-a-month purchase limit , and others .
Northam signed them into law and then went into effect on July 1 .
Many of these policies , including red-flag laws and background checks , had been previously endorsed by Trump in the aftermath of mass shootings .
`` We must make sure that those judged to pose a grave risk to public safety do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if they do , those firearms can be taken through rapid due process , '' Trump urged in August 2019 .
`` That is why I have called for red flag laws , also known as extreme risk protection orders . ''
`` Republicans and Democrats must come together and get strong background checks , '' he tweeted that same day .
At the urging of the gun lobby , Trump abandoned those proposals , but Virginia voters elected new Democratic majorities in the state Legislature in November 2019 after they ran on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Polls showed huge public support for each piece of legislation .
Trump has attempted to inject himself into Virginia politics before , without success .
In 2017 , he endorsed Northam 's Republican opponent and baselessly warned `` Ralph Northam will allow crime to be rampant in Virginia . ''
In 2019 , he backed keeping the GOP majority in the Legislature , specifically invoking guns as a reason .
In April of this year , Trump attacked Virginia and urged his supporters to rise up against its elected majority , using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new gun laws .
`` LIBERATE VIRGINIA , and save your great 2nd Amendment .
It 's under siege ! ''
he tweeted .
`` I think Virginia is a great case , though , because they 're using this [ pandemic ] , '' he wrongly claimed at a press conference .
`` They 're trying to take your guns away in Virginia .
And if people in Virginia are n't careful , that 's what 's going to happen to them . ''
Contrary to Trump 's claim , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play '' in this year 's elections .
Polling averages give Joe Biden an 11-point lead or better in the increasingly-blue state .
Trump 's latest attack on Northam comes as both men and their wives have been diagnosed with COVID-19 .
After Trump 's diagnosis , Northam tweeted on Friday , `` Pam [ Northam ] and I are sending our best wishes to the President and First Lady , and to the more than 46,000 Americans—and 450 Virginians—also diagnosed with # COVID19 yesterday .
This virus is very real and very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take care of each other by doing the right things . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump tweeted a false attack on Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam on Monday morning, as both men recovered from COVID-19 infections.
“Virginia Voters! Your Governor wants to obliterate your Second Amendment. I have stopped him,” Trump lied. “I am the only thing between you and your Second Amendment. Working hard in Virginia. It’s IN PLAY. Better Vote for your favorite President, or wave goodbye to low taxes and gun rights!”
Trump has not stopped anything.
The Democratic-controlled Virginia state Legislature enacted a series of gun safety laws during its 2020 session, including expanded background checks, a red-flag law allowing police to temporarily disarm those who are a threat to themselves, a restoration of Virginia’s one-gun-a-month purchase limit, and others. Northam signed them into law and then went into effect on July 1.
Many of these policies, including red-flag laws and background checks, had been previously endorsed by Trump in the aftermath of mass shootings.
“We must make sure that those judged to pose a grave risk to public safety do not have access to firearms and that if they do, those firearms can be taken through rapid due process,” Trump urged in August 2019. “That is why I have called for red flag laws, also known as extreme risk protection orders.”
“Republicans and Democrats must come together and get strong background checks,” he tweeted that same day.
At the urging of the gun lobby, Trump abandoned those proposals, but Virginia voters elected new Democratic majorities in the state Legislature in November 2019 after they ran on an explicit promise of gun violence prevention.
Polls showed huge public support for each piece of legislation.
Trump has attempted to inject himself into Virginia politics before, without success. In 2017, he endorsed Northam’s Republican opponent and baselessly warned “Ralph Northam will allow crime to be rampant in Virginia.” In 2019, he backed keeping the GOP majority in the Legislature, specifically invoking guns as a reason.
In April of this year, Trump attacked Virginia and urged his supporters to rise up against its elected majority, using the pandemic to attack and mislead about the new gun laws.
“LIBERATE VIRGINIA, and save your great 2nd Amendment. It’s under siege!” he tweeted.
“I think Virginia is a great case, though, because they’re using this [pandemic],” he wrongly claimed at a press conference. “They’re trying to take your guns away in Virginia. And if people in Virginia aren’t careful, that’s what’s going to happen to them.”
Contrary to Trump’s claim, it does not appear Virginia is “in play” in this year’s elections. Polling averages give Joe Biden an 11-point lead or better in the increasingly-blue state.
Trump’s latest attack on Northam comes as both men and their wives have been diagnosed with COVID-19.
After Trump’s diagnosis, Northam tweeted on Friday, “Pam [Northam] and I are sending our best wishes to the President and First Lady, and to the more than 46,000 Americans—and 450 Virginians—also diagnosed with #COVID19 yesterday. This virus is very real and very serious. Let’s continue to take care of each other by doing the right things.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-10-05--New GOP retirement gives Democrats even better shot at controlling Senate

Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania on Monday became the second swing-state Republican senator to announce he will not seek reelection in 2022 .
His retirement could help Democrats make more gains in the next election .
`` I will not be running for reelection in 2022 and I will not be running for governor .
I will serve out the remainder of my term , '' the second-term senator announced .
`` And after that my plan is to go back to the private sector . ''
North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr , also a Republican , announced during his 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the current six-year term .
Both Toomey and Burr represent swing states won by both Barack Obama and Donald Trump .
Current polling averages put Joe Biden narrowly ahead in North Carolina and up more than six points in Pennsylvania .
Incumbents typically enjoy financial and other advantages .
Without an incumbent running , open seats tend to be harder for parties to defend .
Democrats are expected to make gains in this November 's Senate races , possibly picking up the net three or four seats ( depending on who holds the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regain a majority in the chamber for the first time since 2014 .
In addition to the two open seats , Republicans will be defending a few vulnerable seats in 2022 .
Sen. Chuck Grassley , currently 87 years old , has not announced whether he will run again for his Iowa U.S. Senate seat .
Iowa is a swing state where Joe Biden is narrowly ahead , and polls show Democratic businesswoman Theresa Greenfield 5 points ahead of Republican first-term incumbent Sen. Joni Ernst .
Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin barely won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % , in a state where polls show Biden ahead 5.5 points on average .
Sen. Marco Rubio won with just 52 % in 2016 in Florida , where Biden currently holds a lead by two points in RealClear Politics ' polling average .
Grassley , Johnson , and Rubio represent swing states won by both Trump and Biden .
Democrats will have fewer seats to defend in 2022 than Republicans .
While the winner of this year 's special elections in Arizona and Georgia will both face the voters again in two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currently serving in the Senate and up for reelection in 2022 represent states won by Hillary Clinton in 2016 .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania on Monday became the second swing-state Republican senator to announce he will not seek reelection in 2022. His retirement could help Democrats make more gains in the next election.
“I will not be running for reelection in 2022 and I will not be running for governor. I will serve out the remainder of my term,” the second-term senator announced. “And after that my plan is to go back to the private sector.”
North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr, also a Republican, announced during his 2016 reelection campaign that he would retire after the current six-year term.
Both Toomey and Burr represent swing states won by both Barack Obama and Donald Trump. Current polling averages put Joe Biden narrowly ahead in North Carolina and up more than six points in Pennsylvania.
Incumbents typically enjoy financial and other advantages. Without an incumbent running, open seats tend to be harder for parties to defend.
Democrats are expected to make gains in this November’s Senate races, possibly picking up the net three or four seats (depending on who holds the position of vice president) required to regain a majority in the chamber for the first time since 2014.
In addition to the two open seats, Republicans will be defending a few vulnerable seats in 2022.
Sen. Chuck Grassley, currently 87 years old, has not announced whether he will run again for his Iowa U.S. Senate seat. Iowa is a swing state where Joe Biden is narrowly ahead, and polls show Democratic businesswoman Theresa Greenfield 5 points ahead of Republican first-term incumbent Sen. Joni Ernst.
Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin barely won a second term in 2016 with 50.2%, in a state where polls show Biden ahead 5.5 points on average.
Sen. Marco Rubio won with just 52% in 2016 in Florida, where Biden currently holds a lead by two points in RealClear Politics’ polling average.
Grassley, Johnson, and Rubio represent swing states won by both Trump and Biden.
Democrats will have fewer seats to defend in 2022 than Republicans. While the winner of this year’s special elections in Arizona and Georgia will both face the voters again in two years, all of the Democratic incumbents currently serving in the Senate and up for reelection in 2022 represent states won by Hillary Clinton in 2016.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-10-05--Trump: It would be 'rude' for me not to endanger lives while I have COVID

Donald Trump on Monday falsely blamed the media for his decision to leave his hospital room to take a joy ride past his supporters — a move that 's been panned by figures across the political spectrum as a reckless action that risked the lives of the Secret Service agents who accompanied him .
Trump made the remarks as he announced he would be leaving the hospital on Monday evening .
No one should be `` afraid of Covid , '' Trump claimed .
The disease that has killed nearly 210,000 people in the United States to date .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ upset because I got into a secure vehicle to say thank you to the many fans and supporters who were standing outside of the hospital for many hours , and even days , to pay their respect to their President , '' Trump tweeted Monday afternoon .
`` If I didn ’ t do it , Media would say RUDE !
!
! ''
Medical professionals and current Secret Service agents were critical of Trump 's joy ride , saying he needlessly risked the lives of his protective detail , who were trapped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SUV .
`` That should never have happened , '' an unnamed secret service agent told CNN .
`` The frustration with how we 're treated when it comes to decisions on this illness goes back before this though .
We 're not disposable . ''
Dr. James P. Phillips , an attending physician at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center , where Trump is currently hospitalized , called Trump 's move `` unnecessary '' and `` political theater . ''
`` That Presidential SUV is not only bulletproof , but hermetically sealed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` 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 . ''
According to the New York Times , letting Trump ride past his supporters was a compromise with his doctors , as Trump wanted to be discharged from the hospital against the advice of the medical professionals treating him .
`` The president had wanted to be discharged from Walter Reed yesterday , but doctors were n't okay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ became the compromise , '' the Times ' Maggie Haberman tweeted Monday morning .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump on Monday falsely blamed the media for his decision to leave his hospital room to take a joy ride past his supporters — a move that’s been panned by figures across the political spectrum as a reckless action that risked the lives of the Secret Service agents who accompanied him.
Trump made the remarks as he announced he would be leaving the hospital on Monday evening. No one should be “afraid of Covid,” Trump claimed.
The disease that has killed nearly 210,000 people in the United States to date.
“It is reported that the Media is upset because I got into a secure vehicle to say thank you to the many fans and supporters who were standing outside of the hospital for many hours, and even days, to pay their respect to their President,” Trump tweeted Monday afternoon. “If I didn’t do it, Media would say RUDE!!!”
Medical professionals and current Secret Service agents were critical of Trump’s joy ride, saying he needlessly risked the lives of his protective detail, who were trapped in close quarters with Trump inside his SUV.
“That should never have happened,” an unnamed secret service agent told CNN. “The frustration with how we’re treated when it comes to decisions on this illness goes back before this though. We’re not disposable.”
Dr. James P. Phillips, an attending physician at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where Trump is currently hospitalized, called Trump’s move “unnecessary” and “political theater.”
“That Presidential SUV is not only bulletproof, but hermetically sealed against chemical attack,” 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.”
According to the New York Times, letting Trump ride past his supporters was a compromise with his doctors, as Trump wanted to be discharged from the hospital against the advice of the medical professionals treating him.
“The president had wanted to be discharged from Walter Reed yesterday, but doctors weren’t okay with it. So the car ride became the compromise,” the Times’ Maggie Haberman tweeted Monday morning.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-10-05--Trump campaign uses Biden's late son Beau in attack ad

Donald Trump 's reelection campaign used an image of Democratic nominee Joe Biden 's late son Beau in an attack ad over the weekend , according to Google ad data .
The ad uses what looks like a screenshot from a Biden appearance on `` The Late Late Show '' on CBS last month , during which Biden holds up a framed photo of himself with his two sons , Beau and Hunter .
Circled on the photo is a reflection that some conservatives and GOP allies have falsely claimed is a teleprompter , with text under the image that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interview ?
Ca n't handle presidency . ''
Ben Winston , the executive producer of `` The Late Late Show , '' previously debunked that claim , which was first spread last month by other right-wing media personalities .
`` So sorry to disappoint you , '' Winston tweeted , in response to several far-right figures .
`` I am the exec producer of @ latelateshow .
That ’ s actually James ’ s prompter .
Not @ joebiden 's .
On zoom they see all our screens including our prompter .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be done . ''
Nevertheless , the Trump campaign spread the conspiracy theory further this week .
According to Google 's `` Transparency Report , '' which allows you to track political ad spending , the campaign spent roughly $ 100,000 to place the ad , which was first flagged by American Bridge 21st Century , a liberal opposition research group .
Trump has tried to make Biden 's use of teleprompters an issue in the campaign , despite often using them himself .
At a campaign event on Sept. 17 in Wisconsin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teleprompter while reading off of one at that very rally .
Trump also faced criticism for his debate performance last week , specifically for his treatment of Biden 's sons .
After claiming not to know who Beau Biden was , as Biden spoke about his late son 's military service , Trump attacked Biden 's other son , Hunter , for overcoming drug addiction , a disease millions of Americans suffer from .
Trump is currently losing to Biden in the national polls by approximately 8 points , according to a FiveThirtyEight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critical swing states that he could win the Electoral College if the election were held today .
Biden 's favorability ratings are also going up , despite the Trump campaign 's efforts to portray him as dementia-ridden and unfit to be president .
An NBC News/WSJ poll following the first presidential debate on Sept. 29 found Biden 's favorable ratings at a net positive , while Trump was 16 points underwater .
Biden 's favorability has improved since the last NBC/WSJ poll , taken before the debate , which found Biden 's approval @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump’s reelection campaign used an image of Democratic nominee Joe Biden’s late son Beau in an attack ad over the weekend, according to Google ad data.
The ad uses what looks like a screenshot from a Biden appearance on “The Late Late Show” on CBS last month, during which Biden holds up a framed photo of himself with his two sons, Beau and Hunter. Circled on the photo is a reflection that some conservatives and GOP allies have falsely claimed is a teleprompter, with text under the image that reads, “Can’t handle an interview? Can’t handle presidency.”
Ben Winston, the executive producer of “The Late Late Show,” previously debunked that claim, which was first spread last month by other right-wing media personalities.
“So sorry to disappoint you,” Winston tweeted, in response to several far-right figures. “I am the exec producer of @latelateshow. That’s actually James’s prompter. Not @joebiden’s. On zoom they see all our screens including our prompter. It’s the only way it can be done.”
Nevertheless, the Trump campaign spread the conspiracy theory further this week. According to Google’s “Transparency Report,” which allows you to track political ad spending, the campaign spent roughly $100,000 to place the ad, which was first flagged by American Bridge 21st Century, a liberal opposition research group.
Trump has tried to make Biden’s use of teleprompters an issue in the campaign, despite often using them himself. At a campaign event on Sept. 17 in Wisconsin, Trump attacked Biden for using a teleprompter while reading off of one at that very rally.
Trump also faced criticism for his debate performance last week, specifically for his treatment of Biden’s sons.
After claiming not to know who Beau Biden was, as Biden spoke about his late son’s military service, Trump attacked Biden’s other son, Hunter, for overcoming drug addiction, a disease millions of Americans suffer from.
Trump is currently losing to Biden in the national polls by approximately 8 points, according to a FiveThirtyEight average. Biden also leads in enough critical swing states that he could win the Electoral College if the election were held today.
Biden’s favorability ratings are also going up, despite the Trump campaign’s efforts to portray him as dementia-ridden and unfit to be president.
An NBC News/WSJ poll following the first presidential debate on Sept. 29 found Biden’s favorable ratings at a net positive, while Trump was 16 points underwater. Biden’s favorability has improved since the last NBC/WSJ poll, taken before the debate, which found Biden’s approval rating underwater by 2 points.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-10-06--Lindsey Graham brags about endorsement by extremist who calls police 'Road Pirates'

Sen. Lindsey Graham ( R-SC ) touted the endorsement of a fringe candidate who once opposed having a standing military in the United States .
Bill Bledsoe , a South Carolina veterinarian and the U.S. Senate nominee for the far-right theocratic Constitution Party , dropped his candidacy this week and endorsed Graham 's reelection .
`` President Trump has asked that conservatives stand together and reelect Lindsey Graham in order to help make America great again , and I agree , '' Bledsoe announced .
`` I appreciate Dr. Bledsoe 's support , '' Graham responded in a press statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like increasing the number of conservative judges on the bench , reducing the national debt , upholding the sanctity of life and having a strong military . ''
But a review of Bledsoe 's previous positions reveals some extreme positions that appear to contradict Graham 's `` law and order '' and pro-military rhetoric .
As a 2016 candidate , Bledsoe attacked police as `` Law Enforcement Road Pirates . ''
He wrote that he has a vision of America where police `` ca n't illegally search and seize our family 's cars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and where `` Law Enforcement Officers may not break the law and violate our Civil Rights under US Constitution and the SC Constitution . ''
In 2017 , he claimed in a video that the U.S. military was illegal .
`` Under the rule of law , Congress must declare war to keep a standing army , but the good old boys once again ignore the rule of law and have created the most expensive and largest military that the world has ever seen .
Yet there are no wars .
And the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more money to the war machine , '' he said .
In 2018 , he complained that the federal government trains police `` to think of their families and friends as 'terrorists or the enemy . '
Shoot first or be shot , as if in Wartime . ''
He also baselessly claimed the CIA was `` arming Al Qaeda , ISIS and other terrorists , to overthrow countries '' in violation of the 1949 Geneva Convention .
Bledsoe has also embraced conspiracy theories about everyone from George Soros to Sens .
Marco @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( R-SC ) .
A Graham spokesperson did not immediately respond to an inquiry for this story .
Bledsoe could not be reached for comment .
Graham is facing a tough reelection race against Democrat Jaime Harrison .
In an emailed statement on Thursday , Harrison campaign spokesperson Guy King wrote , `` Voters across the political spectrum should be outraged that their senior senator gleefully embraced the endorsement of someone who so publicly peddles such bizarre , extreme views . ''
`` From racism , to anti-semitism , to conspiracy theories about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sen. Scott , it ’ s horrifying that Lindsey Graham spent his day elevating this man , '' King continued .
`` Especially at this historic time of racial upheaval , Lindsey should apologize to his constituents immediately and right this wrong . ''
The latest polls in the race have put Graham and Harrison in a virtual tie .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) touted the endorsement of a fringe candidate who once opposed having a standing military in the United States.
Bill Bledsoe, a South Carolina veterinarian and the U.S. Senate nominee for the far-right theocratic Constitution Party, dropped his candidacy this week and endorsed Graham’s reelection.
“President Trump has asked that conservatives stand together and reelect Lindsey Graham in order to help make America great again, and I agree,” Bledsoe announced.
“I appreciate Dr. Bledsoe’s support,” Graham responded in a press statement. “We agree on numerous issues like increasing the number of conservative judges on the bench, reducing the national debt, upholding the sanctity of life and having a strong military.”
But a review of Bledsoe’s previous positions reveals some extreme positions that appear to contradict Graham’s “law and order” and pro-military rhetoric.
As a 2016 candidate, Bledsoe attacked police as “Law Enforcement Road Pirates.” He wrote that he has a vision of America where police “can’t illegally search and seize our family’s cars and bank accounts on the highways” and where “Law Enforcement Officers may not break the law and violate our Civil Rights under US Constitution and the SC Constitution.”
In 2017, he claimed in a video that the U.S. military was illegal.
“Under the rule of law, Congress must declare war to keep a standing army, but the good old boys once again ignore the rule of law and have created the most expensive and largest military that the world has ever seen. Yet there are no wars. And the good old boys want to give even more money to the war machine,” he said.
In 2018, he complained that the federal government trains police “to think of their families and friends as ‘terrorists or the enemy.’ Shoot first or be shot, as if in Wartime.” He also baselessly claimed the CIA was “arming Al Qaeda, ISIS and other terrorists, to overthrow countries” in violation of the 1949 Geneva Convention.
Bledsoe has also embraced conspiracy theories about everyone from George Soros to Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Tim Scott (R-SC).
A Graham spokesperson did not immediately respond to an inquiry for this story. Bledsoe could not be reached for comment.
Graham is facing a tough reelection race against Democrat Jaime Harrison. In an emailed statement on Thursday, Harrison campaign spokesperson Guy King wrote, “Voters across the political spectrum should be outraged that their senior senator gleefully embraced the endorsement of someone who so publicly peddles such bizarre, extreme views.”
“From racism, to anti-semitism, to conspiracy theories about the Holocaust and racially fueled slanders against Sen. Scott, it’s horrifying that Lindsey Graham spent his day elevating this man,” King continued. “Especially at this historic time of racial upheaval, Lindsey should apologize to his constituents immediately and right this wrong.”
The latest polls in the race have put Graham and Harrison in a virtual tie.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-10-06--Trump creates national security risk as top military brass must quarantine

Donald Trump 's refusal to wear masks or refrain from holding packed indoor events has resulted in a major coronavirus outbreak at the White House that has now reached the upper echelons of the United States military — creating a national security crisis in the process .
Both General Mark A. Milley , chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , and Vice Chair General John E. Hyten , as well as the Army chief of staff , the Air Force chief of staff , the chief of the National Guard , the Naval Operations chief , the commander of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the operations chief of the Space Force are in quarantine after exposure to the virus , CBS News reported on Tuesday .
The leaders are in quarantine after being exposed to Adm. Charles W. Ray , vice commandant of the Coast Guard , who tested positive for the coronavirus on Monday , the Washington Post reported .
Ray had attended an event at the White House on Sept. 27 honoring Gold Star military families at which guests did not maintain social distancing or wear masks .
The event took place one day after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barrett to the Supreme Court at an event in the White House Rose Garden at which at least 11 attendees so far may have caught the virus .
Democratic lawmakers say a coronavirus outbreak among the nation 's top military leaders is a national security threat , brought on by Trump 's refusal to take it seriously .
Rep. Don Beyer ( D-VA ) , who , along with a group of other Democratic lawmakers from the Washington , D.C. , region , slammed the administration for holding superspreader events that imperil his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chiefs is another consequence of Trump 's recklessness .
`` The White House outbreak will further imperil our national security if the President does not start taking his illness and the proliferating infections among his staff seriously , '' Beyer said in a statement to the American Independent Foundation .
`` I warned the President and his top advisers repeatedly all through the summer that failure to take basic safety precautions could lead to a major outbreak , and now that has sadly happened .
Now the question is how many more people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House and the President can start showing responsible leadership , and what damage it will do . ''
`` This is a national security threat , precipitated by trump 's Supreme Court pandemic party , callous recklessness , and now a coverup of how far trump has helped spread the virus at the top echelons of government , '' Pascrell said .
Despite the news that at least nine members of the military 's top brass either have the virus or are in quarantine , the White House does not appear to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus 's spread .
Nor is the White House being forthcoming about the extent of the outbreak .
And although the White House appears to be the source of a major coronavirus outbreak , Trump does n't seem to have learned his lesson about taking proper safety precautions to contain the spread .
Trump left Walter Reed National Military Medical Center , where he 'd been hospitalized for his own case of the coronavirus , and returned to the White House on Monday afternoon , immediately removing his mask to tape what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he downplayed the threat .
Doctors say his cavalier attitude may result in the deaths of even more people .
Bloomberg 's Jennifer Jacobs reported on Tuesday that Trump wanted to leave the White House residence on Tuesday to work in the Oval Office , further risking spreading the virus to his staff .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump’s refusal to wear masks or refrain from holding packed indoor events has resulted in a major coronavirus outbreak at the White House that has now reached the upper echelons of the United States military — creating a national security crisis in the process.
Both General Mark A. Milley, chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Vice Chair General John E. Hyten, as well as the Army chief of staff, the Air Force chief of staff, the chief of the National Guard, the Naval Operations chief, the commander of the United States Cyber Command, and the operations chief of the Space Force are in quarantine after exposure to the virus, CBS News reported on Tuesday.
The leaders are in quarantine after being exposed to Adm. Charles W. Ray, vice commandant of the Coast Guard, who tested positive for the coronavirus on Monday, the Washington Post reported.
Ray had attended an event at the White House on Sept. 27 honoring Gold Star military families at which guests did not maintain social distancing or wear masks. The event took place one day after Trump announced his nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court at an event in the White House Rose Garden at which at least 11 attendees so far may have caught the virus.
Democratic lawmakers say a coronavirus outbreak among the nation’s top military leaders is a national security threat, brought on by Trump’s refusal to take it seriously.
Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), who, along with a group of other Democratic lawmakers from the Washington, D.C., region, slammed the administration for holding superspreader events that imperil his community, said the outbreak among military chiefs is another consequence of Trump’s recklessness.
“The White House outbreak will further imperil our national security if the President does not start taking his illness and the proliferating infections among his staff seriously,” Beyer said in a statement to the American Independent Foundation. “I warned the President and his top advisers repeatedly all through the summer that failure to take basic safety precautions could lead to a major outbreak, and now that has sadly happened. Now the question is how many more people will have to get sick before the White House and the President can start showing responsible leadership, and what damage it will do.”
Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) tweeted similar sentiments.
“This is a national security threat, precipitated by trump’s Supreme Court pandemic party, callous recklessness, and now a coverup of how far trump has helped spread the virus at the top echelons of government,” Pascrell said.
Despite the news that at least nine members of the military’s top brass either have the virus or are in quarantine, the White House does not appear to be doing any contact tracing to slow the virus’s spread. Nor is the White House being forthcoming about the extent of the outbreak.
And although the White House appears to be the source of a major coronavirus outbreak, Trump doesn’t seem to have learned his lesson about taking proper safety precautions to contain the spread.
Trump left Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where he’d been hospitalized for his own case of the coronavirus, and returned to the White House on Monday afternoon, immediately removing his mask to tape what amounted to a political commercial in which he downplayed the threat. Doctors say his cavalier attitude may result in the deaths of even more people.
Bloomberg’s Jennifer Jacobs reported on Tuesday that Trump wanted to leave the White House residence on Tuesday to work in the Oval Office, further risking spreading the virus to his staff.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-10-06--Right-wing media is still mocking masks even as virus takes over White House

When Donald Trump returned to the White House Monday evening , he took off his mask for the assembled press — even as he appeared to struggle to breathe .
On Tuesday , he went back to minimizing the risk posed by coronavirus on Twitter .
`` Flu season is coming up !
Many people every year , sometimes over 100,000 , Despite the Vaccine , die from the Flu , '' Trump tweeted Tuesday morning .
`` Are we going to close down our Country ?
No , we have learned to live with it , just like we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in most populations far less lethal ! ''
`` What White House staffer would want to go to work tomorrow ?
?
? ''
tweeted Eric Feigl-Ding , an epidemiologist with the Federation of American Scientists .
`` Epidemiologists just wan na vomit . ''
Meanwhile , conservative pundits went wild for Trump 's flagrant disregard for public health .
Right-wing pundit Tomi Lahren shared a video from Joe Biden 's presidential campaign that called on people to keep wearing face masks to prevent the spread of the virus .
The video contrasted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Biden putting his on .
`` Might as well wear a purse with that mask , Joe , '' Lahren wrote .
During a town hall hosted by NBC News in Miami on Monday night , Biden said that he does n't believe a president can singlehandedly impose a national mask mandate , but added that he would require people to wear masks on federal property .
`` As president of the United States , I would make a federal mandate on federal property , federal buildings you must wear a mask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social distanced , '' Biden said .
`` Biden finally admits he does n't have the power to do his national mask mandate , '' Ingraham tweeted on Tuesday .
`` Now talk about lockdowns . ''
Ingraham 's colleagues have joined in on her attempts to disparage Democratic officials who seek to follow recommended safety guidelines .
After Trump 's hospitalization on Friday , Fox News host Jeanine Pirro gave credence to the conspiracy theory that the virus is little more than a hoax intended to `` scare '' Americans .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mayor Bill DeBlasio 's efforts to contain the virus amounted to `` gloom and doom . ''
`` As @ realDonaldTrump fights COVID and fights to get out of # WalterReedHospital BOZO # DeBlasio fights to shut down NYC to scare New Yorkers , stop them from working and continue the gloom and doom of the DNC , '' Pirro tweeted .
Conservative blogger Matt Walsh waxed poetic about the pandemic , arguing that health guidelines are no more than `` psychological shields '' meant to prevent people from confronting their own mortality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — which have saved millions of lives — `` futile and ridiculous . ''
By Walsh 's thinking , human beings can not bear to face mortality , so they invent methods to ignore `` the reality of death . ''
`` That 's what most of the masking and lockdown stuff is about , '' Walsh tweeted .
`` They 're psychological shields . ''
After all , we all die in the end .
Why bother trying to stop millions of people from dying unnecessarily ?
Published with permission of The @ @ @ @

When Donald Trump returned to the White House Monday evening, he took off his mask for the assembled press — even as he appeared to struggle to breathe.
On Tuesday, he went back to minimizing the risk posed by coronavirus on Twitter.
“Flu season is coming up! Many people every year, sometimes over 100,000, Despite the Vaccine, die from the Flu,” Trump tweeted Tuesday morning. “Are we going to close down our Country? No, we have learned to live with it, just like we are learning to live with Covid, in most populations far less lethal!”
Medical professionals were horrified.
“What White House staffer would want to go to work tomorrow???” tweeted Eric Feigl-Ding, an epidemiologist with the Federation of American Scientists. “Epidemiologists just wanna vomit.”
Meanwhile, conservative pundits went wild for Trump’s flagrant disregard for public health.
Conservative talk radio host Ben Shapiro retweeted Trump’s cavalier tweet downplaying the virus and added, “Fact check: true.”
Right-wing pundit Tomi Lahren shared a video from Joe Biden’s presidential campaign that called on people to keep wearing face masks to prevent the spread of the virus. The video contrasted images of Trump ripping off his mask with Biden putting his on.
“Might as well wear a purse with that mask, Joe,” Lahren wrote.
On Tuesday, Fox News host Laura Ingraham mocked Biden for advocating mask-wearing.
During a town hall hosted by NBC News in Miami on Monday night, Biden said that he doesn’t believe a president can singlehandedly impose a national mask mandate, but added that he would require people to wear masks on federal property.
“As president of the United States, I would make a federal mandate on federal property, federal buildings you must wear a mask, period, and you must be social distanced,” Biden said.
Fox News host Laura Ingraham taunted Biden for his statement.
“Biden finally admits he doesn’t have the power to do his national mask mandate,” Ingraham tweeted on Tuesday. “Now talk about lockdowns.”
Ingraham’s colleagues have joined in on her attempts to disparage Democratic officials who seek to follow recommended safety guidelines.
After Trump’s hospitalization on Friday, Fox News host Jeanine Pirro gave credence to the conspiracy theory that the virus is little more than a hoax intended to “scare” Americans. On Sunday, Pirro tweeted that New York Mayor Bill DeBlasio’s efforts to contain the virus amounted to “gloom and doom.”
“As @realDonaldTrump fights COVID and fights to get out of #WalterReedHospital BOZO #DeBlasio fights to shut down NYC to scare New Yorkers, stop them from working and continue the gloom and doom of the DNC,” Pirro tweeted.
Conservative blogger Matt Walsh waxed poetic about the pandemic, arguing that health guidelines are no more than “psychological shields” meant to prevent people from confronting their own mortality.
Walsh called states’ lockdown measures — which have saved millions of lives — “futile and ridiculous.” By Walsh’s thinking, human beings cannot bear to face mortality, so they invent methods to ignore “the reality of death.”
“That’s what most of the masking and lockdown stuff is about,” Walsh tweeted. “They’re psychological shields.”
After all, we all die in the end. Why bother trying to stop millions of people from dying unnecessarily?
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-10-06--Biden's lead in Pennsylvania grows as more and more voters don't trust Trump

Polling results in the crucial swing state of Pennsylvania show a growing lead for Joe Biden over Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election .
A top pollster attributes Biden 's lead to the candidates ' policy positions .
A Monmouth University Polling Institute poll conducted between Sept. 30 and Oct. 4 and released Tuesday found Biden with a 54 % to 42 % lead among registered voters .
The same pollster had shown Biden up by just a 4 % margin in August .
RealClear Politics ' polling average now shows Biden leading in the Pennsylvania by 6.5 points @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead at 6.6 % .
These are the largest leads for Biden since before the national party conventions in August .
While Biden gained a little ground following the first presidential debate — at which Trump repeatedly interrupted , heckled , hectored , and refused to denounce violent white supremacists — Monmouth 's director of polling , Patrick Murray , said this was not the main reason for the shift .
`` If any recent event moved the needle it was more likely last week 's debate than the president 's COVID diagnosis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ memo .
`` What seems to be more important than either event , though , is voters ' focus on which candidate they trust more on the issues that keep them up at night . ''
Monmouth 's survey found voters trust Biden over Trump on keeping health care affordable and accessible ( 48 % to 34 % ) ; maintaining law and order ( 45 % to 41 % ) ; and handling the pandemic ( 52 % to 32 % ) .
Trump held a 44 % to 39 % advantage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
With 20 electoral votes , Pennsylvania is considered a key swing state in the 2020 election .
Trump barely won there in 2016 , and forecasters believe it the most likely state to be the `` tipping point '' for the eventual winner this year .
Biden traveled to Pennsylvania on Tuesday for a speech in Gettysburg in which he called for national unity .
Last week , he received the endorsements of key labor unions in the state , where the unemployment rate has nearly doubled on Trump 's watch .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the results of national polling as well .
RealClear Politics puts Biden 's nationwide polling average at 9.2 % higher than Trump 's — his largest margin since July .
Trump tweeted on Monday : `` The Fake News only shows the Fake Polls . ''
But his campaign has not released any polling to counter the data and did not immediately respond to an inquiry for this story .
New York Times polling analyst Nate Cohn noted on Tuesday : `` If the polls were exactly as wrong as they were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Biden would still win with over 300 electoral votes . ''
Just 270 electoral votes are needed to win the presidency .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Polling results in the crucial swing state of Pennsylvania show a growing lead for Joe Biden over Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election. A top pollster attributes Biden’s lead to the candidates’ policy positions.
A Monmouth University Polling Institute poll conducted between Sept. 30 and Oct. 4 and released Tuesday found Biden with a 54% to 42% lead among registered voters. The same pollster had shown Biden up by just a 4% margin in August.
RealClear Politics’ polling average now shows Biden leading in the Pennsylvania by 6.5 points. FiveThirtyEight’s average shows Biden’s lead at 6.6%. These are the largest leads for Biden since before the national party conventions in August.
While Biden gained a little ground following the first presidential debate — at which Trump repeatedly interrupted, heckled, hectored, and refused to denounce violent white supremacists — Monmouth’s director of polling, Patrick Murray, said this was not the main reason for the shift.
“If any recent event moved the needle it was more likely last week’s debate than the president’s COVID diagnosis,” Murray said in the polling memo. “What seems to be more important than either event, though, is voters’ focus on which candidate they trust more on the issues that keep them up at night.”
Monmouth’s survey found voters trust Biden over Trump on keeping health care affordable and accessible (48% to 34%); maintaining law and order (45% to 41%); and handling the pandemic (52% to 32%). Trump held a 44% to 39% advantage on creating jobs and strengthening the economy.
With 20 electoral votes, Pennsylvania is considered a key swing state in the 2020 election. Trump barely won there in 2016, and forecasters believe it the most likely state to be the “tipping point” for the eventual winner this year.
Biden traveled to Pennsylvania on Tuesday for a speech in Gettysburg in which he called for national unity. Last week, he received the endorsements of key labor unions in the state, where the unemployment rate has nearly doubled on Trump’s watch.
Biden’s growing lead in Pennsylvania coincides with the results of national polling as well. RealClear Politics puts Biden’s nationwide polling average at 9.2% higher than Trump’s — his largest margin since July.
Trump tweeted on Monday: “The Fake News only shows the Fake Polls.” But his campaign has not released any polling to counter the data and did not immediately respond to an inquiry for this story.
New York Times polling analyst Nate Cohn noted on Tuesday: “If the polls were exactly as wrong as they were over the final three weeks in 2016, Biden would still win with over 300 electoral votes.” Just 270 electoral votes are needed to win the presidency.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-10-06--Eric Trump claims his father 'literally saved Christianity'

Eric Trump claimed in an Oct. 2 interview that his father `` saved Christianity '' in America .
`` He 's literally saved Christianity , '' Eric Trump told a radio station in North Dakota .
`` There 's a full-out war on faith in this country by the other side . ''
Eric Trump also claimed Democrats are `` the party '' of atheism and said , `` they want to attack Christianity . ''
This is untrue .
Both parties have members who are atheists , and while there are more within the Democratic Party , most Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has thrived in America for hundreds of years and continues to be the faith of choice for millions of people , without requiring Donald Trump to `` save '' it .
The Democratic presidential nominee , Joe Biden , is a Catholic , and every presidential nominee in the party 's modern history has been a Christian .
A recent report from the Atlantic said that , according to Trump 's aides , he frequently has mocked conservative evangelicals that support him .
From the Oct. 2 edition of WZFG 's `` What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ERIC TRUMP : Every single day he wakes up and he gets punched in the face , time and time and time again , and he goes to work .
And look what he did : The greatest economy this country 's ever seen , record low unemployment , he fixed the military , he totally rebuilt the military , the military was falling apart , took care of our veterans I mean , you know , what he 's done for agriculture , what he 's done for coal miners , what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for natural gas in this country .
He 's protected the Second Amendment .
He 's literally saved Christianity .
I mean , there 's a full-out war on faith in this country by the other side .
I mean , the Democratic Party , the far left has been the party of the quote unquote `` atheist , '' I mean they want to attack Christianity , they want to close churches , they want to , you know , they 're totally fine with keeping liquor stores open , but they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Eric Trump claimed in an Oct. 2 interview that his father “saved Christianity” in America.
“He’s literally saved Christianity,” Eric Trump told a radio station in North Dakota. “There’s a full-out war on faith in this country by the other side.”
Eric Trump also claimed Democrats are “the party” of atheism and said, “they want to attack Christianity.”
This is untrue. Both parties have members who are atheists, and while there are more within the Democratic Party, most Democrats say that they are Christians.
Christianity has thrived in America for hundreds of years and continues to be the faith of choice for millions of people, without requiring Donald Trump to “save” it.
The Democratic presidential nominee, Joe Biden, is a Catholic, and every presidential nominee in the party’s modern history has been a Christian.
A recent report from the Atlantic said that, according to Trump’s aides, he frequently has mocked conservative evangelicals that support him.
“They’re all hustlers,” Trump reportedly said.
From the Oct. 2 edition of WZFG’s “What’s On Your Mind?”:
ERIC TRUMP: Every single day he wakes up and he gets punched in the face, time and time and time again, and he goes to work. And look what he did: The greatest economy this country’s ever seen, record low unemployment, he fixed the military, he totally rebuilt the military, the military was falling apart, took care of our veterans I mean, you know, what he’s done for agriculture, what he’s done for coal miners, what he’s done, you know, for natural gas in this country. He’s protected the Second Amendment. He’s literally saved Christianity. I mean, there’s a full-out war on faith in this country by the other side. I mean, the Democratic Party, the far left has been the party of the quote unquote “atheist,” I mean they want to attack Christianity, they want to close churches, they want to, you know, they’re totally fine with keeping liquor stores open, but they want to close churches all over this country.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-10-06--Trump officially rejects any coronavirus relief for millions of Americans

In a Tuesday afternoon tweetstorm , Donald Trump urged the Senate to reject any effort by House Democrats to come to a coronavirus relief agreement this week .
`` Nancy Pelosi is asking for $ 2.4 Trillion Dollars to bailout poorly run , high crime Democrat States , money that is in no way related to COVID-19 , '' Trump tweeted .
`` We made a very generous offer of 1.6 Trillion Dollars and as usual , she is not negotiating in good faith . ''
`` I have instructed my representatives to stop negotiating until after the election , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back to last week before his coronavirus diagnosis , when House Democrats passed a $ 2.2 trillion stimulus bill , $ 1.2 trillion less than the original bill they proposed in May .
Not one House Republican voted for the bill .
But House Speaker Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin remained in talks last week during which Republicans lowballed the numbers , countering with a $ 1.6 trillion plan .
According to Pelosi , areas of dispute between Democrats and the GOP included unemployment insurance ( Democrats proposed $ 600 a week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proposed $ 400 ) , state and local government funding , the child tax credit , the earned income tax credit , funding for testing and tracing , and child care assistance funds .
And with three Republican senators testing positive for the coronavirus after the White House outbreak , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced Saturday that the Senate would not meet as originally planned .
The full Senate will not reconvene until Oct. 19 .
Currently , Republican Sens .
Thom Tillis of North Carolina , Mike Lee of Utah , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested positive , and James Lankford of Oklahoma has tested negative but is self-quarantining due to contact with infected colleagues .
The House , too , is in the midst of an October recess , so all is quiet on Capitol Hill .
And coronavirus relief negotiations , already fraught with tension as Democrats and Republicans attempted to come to a long-overdue agreement on a stimulus package , had already slowed due to the spread of the virus through the Senate .
Now Trump has halted them altogether .
He added in another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ representatives '' to cease all negotiations on coronavirus relief until after the election , when , he said , he would pass a major stimulus bill .
`` I have asked Mitch McConnell not to delay , but to instead focus full time on approving my outstanding nominee to the United States Supreme Court , Amy Coney Barrett , '' Trump tweeted , adding that he feels the economy is in fine shape and the stimulus package can wait .
This assertion is questionable at best .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average plummeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and only half of the 22.2 million jobs lost since the pandemic began have come back .
Looking back , Pelosi seemed hopeful Friday that the Democrats and Republicans could strike a deal on a coronavirus relief package .
She told MSNBC that Donald Trump 's diagnosis `` kind of changes the dynamic '' of the coronavirus negotiations , because `` here [ Republicans ] see the reality of what we have been saying all along .
This is a vicious virus . ''
But , she cautioned in a news conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Congress have been stubborn throughout the pandemic , denying science as well as governance .
Asked on `` Face the Nation '' Sunday whether negotiations on coronavirus relief would soon be reached , Pelosi was frank .
`` That just depends on if ( Republicans ) understand what we have to do to crush the virus , '' she said .
`` You ca n't just say 'we need , we need to do something , but we 're going to let this virus run free . '
'' She took aim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a deal last week , noting in a news conference that Republicans `` do n't have shared values '' with the Democratic Party about virus relief and containment .
And , as Trump and McConnell push through Amy Coney Barrett 's confirmation hearing and put a stop to providing any immediate relief for millions of Americans , it seems Pelosi was more right than she knew .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

In a Tuesday afternoon tweetstorm, Donald Trump urged the Senate to reject any effort by House Democrats to come to a coronavirus relief agreement this week.
“Nancy Pelosi is asking for $2.4 Trillion Dollars to bailout poorly run, high crime Democrat States, money that is in no way related to COVID-19,” Trump tweeted. “We made a very generous offer of 1.6 Trillion Dollars and as usual, she is not negotiating in good faith.”
“I have instructed my representatives to stop negotiating until after the election,” Trump said.
His tweets point back to last week before his coronavirus diagnosis, when House Democrats passed a $2.2 trillion stimulus bill, $1.2 trillion less than the original bill they proposed in May.
Not one House Republican voted for the bill.
But House Speaker Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin remained in talks last week during which Republicans lowballed the numbers, countering with a $1.6 trillion plan.
According to Pelosi, areas of dispute between Democrats and the GOP included unemployment insurance (Democrats proposed $600 a week in added benefits, and the GOP proposed $400), state and local government funding, the child tax credit, the earned income tax credit, funding for testing and tracing, and child care assistance funds.
And with three Republican senators testing positive for the coronavirus after the White House outbreak, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced Saturday that the Senate would not meet as originally planned.
The full Senate will not reconvene until Oct. 19.
Currently, Republican Sens. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Mike Lee of Utah, and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin have all tested positive, and James Lankford of Oklahoma has tested negative but is self-quarantining due to contact with infected colleagues.
The House, too, is in the midst of an October recess, so all is quiet on Capitol Hill.
And coronavirus relief negotiations, already fraught with tension as Democrats and Republicans attempted to come to a long-overdue agreement on a stimulus package, had already slowed due to the spread of the virus through the Senate.
Now Trump has halted them altogether.
He added in another tweet that he had instructed his “representatives” to cease all negotiations on coronavirus relief until after the election, when, he said, he would pass a major stimulus bill.
“I have asked Mitch McConnell not to delay, but to instead focus full time on approving my outstanding nominee to the United States Supreme Court, Amy Coney Barrett,” Trump tweeted, adding that he feels the economy is in fine shape and the stimulus package can wait.
This assertion is questionable at best. The Dow Jones Industrial Average plummeted by 300 points today following his announcement, and only half of the 22.2 million jobs lost since the pandemic began have come back.
Looking back, Pelosi seemed hopeful Friday that the Democrats and Republicans could strike a deal on a coronavirus relief package.
She told MSNBC that Donald Trump’s diagnosis “kind of changes the dynamic” of the coronavirus negotiations, because “here [Republicans] see the reality of what we have been saying all along. This is a vicious virus.”
But, she cautioned in a news conference that same day, Trump and Republicans in Congress have been stubborn throughout the pandemic, denying science as well as governance.
Asked on “Face the Nation” Sunday whether negotiations on coronavirus relief would soon be reached, Pelosi was frank.
“That just depends on if (Republicans) understand what we have to do to crush the virus,” she said. “You can’t just say ‘we need, we need to do something, but we’re going to let this virus run free.'”
She took aim at the GOP’s recalcitrance to reach a deal last week, noting in a news conference that Republicans “don’t have shared values” with the Democratic Party about virus relief and containment.
And, as Trump and McConnell push through Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation hearing and put a stop to providing any immediate relief for millions of Americans, it seems Pelosi was more right than she knew.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-10-06--McEnany — quarantined at home with COVID — says Americans need to go back to work

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany on Tuesday called for American businesses to reopen and for workers to `` go back to work . ''
`` We can go back to work safely , '' McEnany told Fox Business .
`` We can overcome this , and it does n't mean re-shutting down the economy as some on the Democrat side would like to do , it means reopening and doing so safely and cautiously . ''
McEnany made the comments from home , where she currently is in quarantine after testing positive for the virus that is ravaging the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who work at the White House , attended a recent event there , or who came in contact with someone who works for Donald Trump have tested positive for COVID-19 thus far .
McEnany 's aides , Chad Gilmartin and Karoline Leavitt , have also tested positive .
From the Oct. 6 edition of Fox Business ' `` Varney & Co. '' : STUART VARNEY , Fox Business : Is he trying to rally our country 's morale , and make a new start in responding to this ?
KAYLEIGH McENANY : That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy is open .
Americans are going back to work .
He does n't want the American people to be fearful , he 's clear-eyed about what this virus is like , he himself has gone through it .
But being clear-eyed also is paired with being optimistic about our future , giving the American people encouragement that we can go back to work safely if we wash our hands , socially distance , wear a mask when we ca n't do so .
We can overcome this , and it does n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the Democrat side would like to do , it means reopening and doing so safely and cautiously .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany on Tuesday called for American businesses to reopen and for workers to “go back to work.”
“We can go back to work safely,” McEnany told Fox Business. “We can overcome this, and it doesn’t mean re-shutting down the economy as some on the Democrat side would like to do, it means reopening and doing so safely and cautiously.”
McEnany made the comments from home, where she currently is in quarantine after testing positive for the virus that is ravaging the White House.
At least 23 people who work at the White House, attended a recent event there, or who came in contact with someone who works for Donald Trump have tested positive for COVID-19 thus far.
McEnany’s aides, Chad Gilmartin and Karoline Leavitt, have also tested positive.
From the Oct. 6 edition of Fox Business’ “Varney & Co.”:
STUART VARNEY, Fox Business: Is he trying to rally our country’s morale, and make a new start in responding to this? KAYLEIGH McENANY: That’s exactly it. Look, the economy is open. Americans are going back to work. He doesn’t want the American people to be fearful, he’s clear-eyed about what this virus is like, he himself has gone through it. But being clear-eyed also is paired with being optimistic about our future, giving the American people encouragement that we can go back to work safely if we wash our hands, socially distance, wear a mask when we can’t do so. We can overcome this, and it doesn’t mean re-shutting down the economy as some on the Democrat side would like to do, it means reopening and doing so safely and cautiously.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-10-06--Pence refuses to use protection at debate despite all his exposure to COVID

Vice President Mike Pence is objecting to an already agreed upon decision to have a clear plexiglass divider on his side of the stage , between himself and Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris , at Wednesday 's debate , the Washington Post reported .
Pence — who has been in contact with multiple people who tested positive for the deadly coronavirus — does not view the plexiglass divider as `` medically necessary , '' according to the Post 's report .
`` It 's not needed , '' Marc Short , Pence 's chief of staff , told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than welcome to surround herself with plexiglass if that makes her feel more comfortable . ''
The Biden campaign and Trump campaign have been negotiating with the Commission on Presidential Debates to increase virus prevention measures after a massive coronavirus outbreak hit the Trump administration White House .
The campaigns reportedly came to an agreement that the candidates would sit 12 feet apart and be separated by plexiglass on both sides of the debate stage to prevent an infection spreading at the one and only vice presidential debate — scheduled to begin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
However , Pence 's team has been combative and dismissive of the virus prevention measures , despite the fact that the White House complex — where Pence works — is currently a coronavirus hotspot .
`` If Sen. Harris wants to use a fortress around herself , have at it , '' Katie Miller , Pence 's communications director , said on Monday , according to Politico .
Donald Trump himself tested positive for the virus on Thursday but publicly announced his positive diagnosis in the early hours of Friday morning .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to the White House .
However , Pence was surrounded by people who have since tested positive for the virus at a Rose Garden event for Trump 's Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett .
Pence was sitting in front of Sen. Mike Lee ( R-UT ) , who has since tested positive , and nearby first lady Melania Trump , former White House counselor Kellyanne Conway , White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany , and Sen. Thom Tillis ( R-NC ) — who have all tested positive for the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anything but forthcoming about who has tested positive in the building , raising questions about whether Pence could have been exposed to other positive cases .
It 's unclear why Pence is refusing to implement a basic public health measure .
But public polling suggests it wo n't be a popular position .
An ABC News poll from Sunday found 72 % of Americans believe Trump did not take appropriate precautions to prevent the coronavirus .
And a Morning Consult poll from Tuesday found that 60 % of voters think Trump was wrong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` afraid '' of the coronavirus .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Vice President Mike Pence is objecting to an already agreed upon decision to have a clear plexiglass divider on his side of the stage, between himself and Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris, at Wednesday’s debate, the Washington Post reported.
Pence — who has been in contact with multiple people who tested positive for the deadly coronavirus — does not view the plexiglass divider as “medically necessary,” according to the Post’s report.
“It’s not needed,” Marc Short, Pence’s chief of staff, told the Washington Post, saying Harris was “more than welcome to surround herself with plexiglass if that makes her feel more comfortable.”
The Biden campaign and Trump campaign have been negotiating with the Commission on Presidential Debates to increase virus prevention measures after a massive coronavirus outbreak hit the Trump administration White House.
The campaigns reportedly came to an agreement that the candidates would sit 12 feet apart and be separated by plexiglass on both sides of the debate stage to prevent an infection spreading at the one and only vice presidential debate — scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. ET on Wednesday.
However, Pence’s team has been combative and dismissive of the virus prevention measures, despite the fact that the White House complex — where Pence works — is currently a coronavirus hotspot.
“If Sen. Harris wants to use a fortress around herself, have at it,” Katie Miller, Pence’s communications director, said on Monday, according to Politico.
Donald Trump himself tested positive for the virus on Thursday but publicly announced his positive diagnosis in the early hours of Friday morning.
Pence has tested negative for the virus, according to the White House.
However, Pence was surrounded by people who have since tested positive for the virus at a Rose Garden event for Trump’s Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett. Pence was sitting in front of Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), who has since tested positive, and nearby first lady Melania Trump, former White House counselor Kellyanne Conway, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, and Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) — who have all tested positive for the virus.
And the White House has been anything but forthcoming about who has tested positive in the building, raising questions about whether Pence could have been exposed to other positive cases.
It’s unclear why Pence is refusing to implement a basic public health measure.
But public polling suggests it won’t be a popular position.
An ABC News poll from Sunday found 72% of Americans believe Trump did not take appropriate precautions to prevent the coronavirus. And a Morning Consult poll from Tuesday found that 60% of voters think Trump was wrong when he said people shouldn’t be “afraid” of the coronavirus.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-10-06--Trump campaign says he 'led' on masks after he shocks the country with balcony stunt

Trump campaign spokesman Hogan Gidley insisted Tuesday morning that Trump has `` led '' on the issue of wearing masks and accused the media of failing to accurately depict Trump 's position on the subject .
`` ( Trump ) has led on the issue at every single turn and right now is no different , '' Gidley said .
`` He pulled out a mask at the debate and said , 'Here , I have mine , I wear mine , we socially distance inside the White House . '
'' He claimed that Trump was encouraging others to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was instrumental in working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to implement mask guidelines .
Despite Gidley 's assertions , Trump 's track record on following mask recommendations — or encouraging others to do so — is not good .
Just this week , Trump , recently diagnosed with COVID-19 and hospitalized on Friday , left Walter Reed National Military Medical Center despite it being unsafe for him to do so , according to multiple experts .
Once back at the White House , where a rapidly growing number of staffers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 as well , he stood on the balcony for several moments to pose for photos , removing his mask and exposing those around him to the virus .
Here are a few other instances belying Gidley 's claims and demonstrating Trump has never been a mask proponent .
At last Tuesday 's debate , Trump mocked Democratic nominee Joe Biden for his masking habits .
`` When needed , I wear masks .
I do n't wear masks like him , '' he said , pointing in Biden 's direction .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got a mask .
He could be speaking 200 feet away and he shows up with the biggest mask I have ever seen . ''
`` I do n't think I 'm going to be doing it . ''
`` The CDC is advising the use of nonmedical cloth face covering as an additional voluntary public health measure .
So it ’ s voluntary , '' Trump said at the White House April 3 .
`` You don ’ t have to do it .
They suggested for a period of time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t think I ’ m going to be doing it.
” Trump added that he could n't see himself sitting in the Oval Office wearing a face mask to `` greet presidents , prime ministers , dictators , kings , queens . ''
`` I do n't know , somehow I do n't see it for myself .
Maybe I 'll change my mind , but this will pass , and hopefully it will pass very quickly , '' he said .
`` I did n't want to give the press the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump visited a Ford factory May 21 , he claimed he wore a mask in some parts of the building , but not anywhere with photographers in attendance .
`` I wore one , '' he said .
`` ( But ) I did n't want to give the press the pleasure of seeing it . ''
`` This might explain why Trump does n't wear a mask in public . ''
In late May , Trump retweeted a post by Fox News analyst Brit Hume , appearing to malign Biden for looking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might explain why Trump does n't wear a mask in public , '' the tweet read , accompanied by a photo of Biden in a mask and sunglasses .
`` He 's a fool , an absolute fool to talk that way , '' Biden shot back in a CNN interview , criticizing him for `` macho stuff '' that has led to `` stoking deaths , '' as well as for politicizing virus safety measures .
In a Fox News interview with Chris Wallace in July , Trump said he had no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He vehemently disagreed with the CDC recommendations , claiming that `` masks cause problems , too . ''
`` The CDC says if everybody wore a mask for four to six weeks , we could get this under control , '' Wallace said to Trump .
`` Do you regret not wearing a mask in public from the start , and would you consider , will you consider a national mandate that people need to wear masks ? ''
`` No , I want people to have a certain freedom , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't believe in that , no .
And I do n't agree with the statement that if everybody would wear a mask , everything disappears . ''
`` Maybe they 're not so good . ''
In August , Trump again said he would never legally enforce mask-wearing , because `` Americans must have their freedoms . ''
He said his administration has a `` different approach '' from Biden 's .
`` We have encouraged Americans to wear masks , and I emphasized this is a patriotic thing to do , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great , and maybe they 're just good .
Maybe they 're not so good . ''
`` I do believe they have a time and a place . ''
Trump was seen wearing a mask in public for the first time during a July visit to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center , months into the coronavirus pandemic .
Just beforehand , he told reporters he 'd `` probably '' wear a mask while at the hospital , where they were required .
`` I love masks in the appropriate locations , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it 's a great thing to wear a mask .
I 've never been against masks , but I do believe they have a time and a place . ''
`` OK , because you want to be politically correct . ''
Trump barked at Reuters correspondent Jeff Mason for wearing a mask during a press briefing in late May .
`` Can you take it off , because I can not hear you , '' Trump said .
Mason said he would speak up .
`` OK , because you want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , aggrieved .
`` No , sir , I just want to wear the mask , '' said Mason .
`` If you do n't take it off , you 're very muffled . ''
Trump got snippy with the same reporter again for wearing a mask during a separate press briefing in early September .
`` You 're going to have to take that off , please , '' Trump , maskless , said .
`` You can take it off .
You 're how many feet away ? ''
Mason politely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressed the point .
`` Well , if you do n't take it off , you 're very muffled , '' he said .
`` So if you take it off , it 'd be a lot easier . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Trump campaign spokesman Hogan Gidley insisted Tuesday morning that Trump has “led” on the issue of wearing masks and accused the media of failing to accurately depict Trump’s position on the subject.
“(Trump) has led on the issue at every single turn and right now is no different,” Gidley said. “He pulled out a mask at the debate and said, ‘Here, I have mine, I wear mine, we socially distance inside the White House.'”
He claimed that Trump was encouraging others to wear masks as early as March and was instrumental in working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to implement mask guidelines.
Despite Gidley’s assertions, Trump’s track record on following mask recommendations — or encouraging others to do so — is not good.
Just this week, Trump, recently diagnosed with COVID-19 and hospitalized on Friday, left Walter Reed National Military Medical Center despite it being unsafe for him to do so, according to multiple experts. Once back at the White House, where a rapidly growing number of staffers and workers have since been diagnosed with COVID-19 as well, he stood on the balcony for several moments to pose for photos, removing his mask and exposing those around him to the virus.
Here are a few other instances belying Gidley’s claims and demonstrating Trump has never been a mask proponent.
“I don’t wear masks like him.”
At last Tuesday’s debate, Trump mocked Democratic nominee Joe Biden for his masking habits.
“When needed, I wear masks. I don’t wear masks like him,” he said, pointing in Biden’s direction. “Every time you see him he’s got a mask. He could be speaking 200 feet away and he shows up with the biggest mask I have ever seen.”
“I don’t think I’m going to be doing it.”
“The CDC is advising the use of nonmedical cloth face covering as an additional voluntary public health measure. So it’s voluntary,” Trump said at the White House April 3. “You don’t have to do it. They suggested for a period of time, but this is voluntary. I don’t think I’m going to be doing it.”
Trump added that he couldn’t see himself sitting in the Oval Office wearing a face mask to “greet presidents, prime ministers, dictators, kings, queens.”
“I don’t know, somehow I don’t see it for myself. Maybe I’ll change my mind, but this will pass, and hopefully it will pass very quickly,” he said.
“I didn’t want to give the press the pleasure of seeing it.”
When Trump visited a Ford factory May 21, he claimed he wore a mask in some parts of the building, but not anywhere with photographers in attendance.
“I wore one,” he said. “(But) I didn’t want to give the press the pleasure of seeing it.”
“This might explain why Trump doesn’t wear a mask in public.”
In late May, Trump retweeted a post by Fox News analyst Brit Hume, appearing to malign Biden for looking undignified in a mask.
“This might explain why Trump doesn’t wear a mask in public,” the tweet read, accompanied by a photo of Biden in a mask and sunglasses.
“He’s a fool, an absolute fool to talk that way,” Biden shot back in a CNN interview, criticizing him for “macho stuff” that has led to “stoking deaths,” as well as for politicizing virus safety measures.
“I don’t agree with” the CDC.
In a Fox News interview with Chris Wallace in July, Trump said he had no interest in implementing a national mask mandate. He vehemently disagreed with the CDC recommendations, claiming that “masks cause problems, too.”
“The CDC says if everybody wore a mask for four to six weeks, we could get this under control,” Wallace said to Trump. “Do you regret not wearing a mask in public from the start, and would you consider, will you consider a national mandate that people need to wear masks?”
“No, I want people to have a certain freedom,” Trump responded. “And I don’t believe in that, no. And I don’t agree with the statement that if everybody would wear a mask, everything disappears.”
“Maybe they’re not so good.”
In August, Trump again said he would never legally enforce mask-wearing, because “Americans must have their freedoms.”
He said his administration has a “different approach” from Biden’s.
“We have encouraged Americans to wear masks, and I emphasized this is a patriotic thing to do,” he said. “Maybe they’re great, and maybe they’re just good. Maybe they’re not so good.”
“I do believe they have a time and a place.”
Trump was seen wearing a mask in public for the first time during a July visit to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, months into the coronavirus pandemic. Just beforehand, he told reporters he’d “probably” wear a mask while at the hospital, where they were required.
“I love masks in the appropriate locations,” he said. “I think it’s a great thing to wear a mask. I’ve never been against masks, but I do believe they have a time and a place.”
“OK, because you want to be politically correct.”
Trump barked at Reuters correspondent Jeff Mason for wearing a mask during a press briefing in late May.
“Can you take it off, because I cannot hear you,” Trump said.
Mason said he would speak up.
“OK, because you want to be politically correct,” Trump said, aggrieved.
“No, sir, I just want to wear the mask,” said Mason.
“If you don’t take it off, you’re very muffled.”
Trump got snippy with the same reporter again for wearing a mask during a separate press briefing in early September.
“You’re going to have to take that off, please,” Trump, maskless, said. “You can take it off. You’re how many feet away?”
Mason politely said he would speak louder. Trump pressed the point.
“Well, if you don’t take it off, you’re very muffled,” he said. “So if you take it off, it’d be a lot easier.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.